Ken Dey - Idaho Statesman
Edition Date: 03/09/07
Gov. Butch Otter's is hoping his first trade mission will be to Cuba.
But before the trip can happen the state has to receive approval from
the U.S. State Department to visit the communist country. Cuba has been
under a trade and travel embargo by the United States for more than 40
years.
Jon Hanian, a spokesman for the governor, said the state has filed the
required applications and is hoping to hear back no later than the end
of the month.
Idaho Commerce and Labor Director Roger Madsen said if all the details
are worked out, the mission would take place sometime in April.
Hanian said the tour would include a mix of state officials and industry
and business leaders. This isn't the first time Otter has visited Cuba.
While a U.S. Congressman, he visited the country several times. Between
2003 and 2004, he made three separate trips to Cuba including a February
2004 visit with Idaho Sen. Larry Craig. The two had a three-hour meeting
with Cuba President Fidel Castro in which they discussed more trade
opportunities with the United States.
The two also negotiated a $10 million trade agreement with Cuba's food
import company to buy Idaho's agricultural products.
Although there has been a U.S. trade and travel embargo against Cuba for
more than 40 years, the U.S. government authorized the sale of food and
medicine to Cuba in 2000.
Hanian said the goal of the Governor's mission would be to sell Idaho
agricultural and wood products to the country
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