US businesspeople against including Cuba on terrorism sponsor list

Havana, Apr 4 (EFE).- US agribusinesspeople on Tuesday in Havana criticized Washington’s inclusion of Cuba on its list of sponsors of terrorism because, in their judgment, the designation lacks “common sense” and affects investment possibilities on the communist island.

During the inauguration of the 4th Cuba-US Agriculture Conference, which will last until Thursday, the president of the bilateral US Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, Paul Johnson, said that Washington’s sanctions on Havana harm the interests of businesspeople on both sides of the Florida Strait.

In addition, he had favorable words to say about the “new economic policies” on the island and called for greater cooperation between the two governments and companies, as well as for an increase in academic exchanges.

All this, the head of the bilateral organization said, should be undertaken, taken into account or changed with an eye toward “resolving shared problems” and “building confidence” between the two nations.

In addition, Johnson added that the connections between US and Cuban citizens is the “best hope” for removing political obstacles between Washington and Havana.

In that regard, Frank Castañeda, the president of the Cuban Agricultural Business Group, thanked the US agricultural lobby for its “active role” in helping “erode the blockade that imposes so much angst and sorrow on the Cuban people,” referring to the long-standing US trade embargo on the island.

Castañeda emphasized the Cuban government’s reforms in the agricultural sector, which enable foreign businesspeople to invest in that key area of the island’s economy.

It is expected that the conclave will conclude with a press conference on Thursday.

EFE –/bp