• Submitted by: admin
• International
• North America
• Science and Technology
• Politics and Government
• 10 / 24 / 2007

Jorge Luis Fernandez Chamero, CITMA director of foreign affairs presented a yearly report on the effects of the blockade encompassing the period between April 2006 and part of 2007.

The official denounced that the United States denied many visas to Cuban researchers invited to attend scientific events.

Fernandez gave examples of how experts, once on US soil, had been prevented by the Treasury Department from attending meetings to which they were invited.

Such was the case of Miriam del Rosario Labrada, expert of the Tropical Geographical Institute who was expected to attend a yearly conference of Environment Research Institutes in August.

Gilberto Silva research of the Museum of Natural History and author of the book, Cuban Mammals, received a prize during a Symposium of research and conservation of bats. However, although the event was held in Mexico he was prevented from receiving the prize because it was from US funds.

"In spite of obstacles imposed by the US government, science in Cuba has a solid base although it is a matter of principle to denounce the problems this absurd policy provokes, Fernandez added.

Source: Prensa Latina