Panel says U.S. should widen contacts with Cubans

The 17-page statement approved by the 41 attendees of the 94th American Assembly in New York on May 31 and released this week, says U.S. policies "should encourage increased contacts with the people of Cuba. It is clear that the embargo has not accomplished its principal objectives."

Some efforts have already been made to bring about increased contact, but more needs to be done, the participants said.

In addition to ending travel restrictions, the report says professional and scholarly exchanges should be encouraged. The United States should facilitate the sale of medicine and medical supplies and equipment to Cuba as well, the statement adds.

Finally, the statement says that Congress should restore to the president the right to modify the embargo in response to positive changes in Cuba.

Other recommendations in the report are the need for a free trade zone from Alaska to Argentina and for fast-track trade negotiating authority for the president.

"I was very impressed with the high-caliber experts attending this policy summit," Miller said. "I found myself surrounded by White House advisers, former ambassadors, heads of universities and national think tanks, editors of national newspapers and directors of international corporations, discussing the problems facing, not only the United States, but the entire Western Hemisphere."

The assembly was co-chaired by former U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills and former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volcker.

The American Assembly was founded by Dwight Eisenhower. during tenure as president of Columbia University.

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