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              New Policy Will Dramatically Alter US-Cuba Relations

   by VOA News

   President Barack Obama's announcement Wednesday ending decades of
   Washington's policy of diplomatic and economic isolation for Cuba has
   dramatic implications.

   The new approach will re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba and
   dramatically revamp how people in Cuba and the United States are able
   to interact.

   Among the highlights:

   - In the coming months Washington will re-establish an embassy in
   Havana. The U.S. will also work with Cuba on such issues as migration,
   counternarcotics, trafficking in persons and the environment.

   - Washington will amend its Department of Treasury and Commerce
   regulations to allow increased support for civil society in Cuba and
   the free flow of information.

   - Travel licenses will be available for a variety of activities, making
   it easier for Americans to provide business training for private Cuban
   businesses and small farmers, and boost the growth of Cuba's private
   sector.

   - Remittance levels will be raised from $500 to $2,000 per quarter, and
   support for the development of private businesses in Cuba will no
   longer require specific licenses.

   - An expansion of commercial sales and exports from the United States
   of certain goods and services.

   -  Americans traveling to Cuba will be allowed to import additional
   goods.

   - U.S. institutions will be able to open correspondent accounts and
   Cuban financial institutions, and U.S. credit and debit cards will be
   allowed to be used in Cuba.

   - Washington will start new efforts to increase Cubans ability to
   communicate freely.

   - Washington will review its 1982 designation of Cuba as a state
   sponsor of terrorism.

   - Washington will discuss with Cuba and Mexico the unresolved maritime
   boundary in the Gulf of Mexico
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/new-policy-will-dramatically-alter-us
   -cuba-relations/2562823.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/new-policy-will-dramatically-alter-us-cuba-relations/2562823.html