April 23, 2011. MIAMI: The US government has released new rules defining which Americans may travel freely to Cuba, making it easier for US schools, churches and cultural groups to visit and increasing the amount of money Americans can send to the island to support its growing private economy. The White House says the changes to US-Cuba policy are aimed at supporting Cuba's civil society . The policies rescinded more restrictive travel and remittance guidelines issued by the former president George Bush in 2003.">April 23, 2011. MIAMI: The US government has released new rules defining which Americans may travel freely to Cuba, making it easier for US schools, churches and cultural groups to visit and increasing the amount of money Americans can send to the island to support its growing private economy. The White House says the changes to US-Cuba policy are aimed at supporting Cuba's civil society . The policies rescinded more restrictive travel and remittance guidelines issued by the former president George Bush in 2003.">

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US relaxes donation rules for Cuba

April 23, 2011. MIAMI: The US government has released new rules defining which Americans may travel freely to Cuba, making it easier for US schools, churches and cultural groups to visit and increasing the amount of money Americans can send to the island to support its growing private economy.

The White House says the changes to US-Cuba policy are aimed at supporting Cuba's civil society and putting distance between Cubans and their communist government. The policies rescinded more restrictive travel and remittance guidelines issued by the former president George Bush in 2003.

Under the official rules, Americans can send up to $US2000 ($1860) a year to Cuba. There will be a limit on the amount any American can send: $US500 a quarter to ''support private economic activity''. The Clinton administration had set that figure at $US300 a quarter.

Religious and educational groups can travel to Cuba without specific licences for certain types of events or study. Travel without specific licences is also allowed for the commercial marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, or servicing in Cuba of items related to telecommunications ''that have been authorised for commercial export''.

The rules are controversial among Cuban exiles. Proponents of the changes say that allowing more contact and economic independence would allow Cubans to cut ties to their government.

The Miami Herald   www.smh.com.au/world/us-relaxes-donation-rules-for-cuba-20110422-1dre3.html

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