Florida’s Diaz-Balart to Obama on Cuba policy - prove you’re not breaking law

Florida's Diaz-Balart to Obama on Cuba policy: prove you're not breaking law
BY FRANCO ORDOÑEZ
fordonez@mcclatchydc.com

WASHINGTON
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart has sent President Barack Obama a half-dozen
pointed questions asking him to justify his Cuba policy and prove the
latest regulatory changes don't violate U.S. law.

The Florida Republican joined Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., in a
critical letter delivered to the White House Friday that accuses the
administration of circumventing current law in an attempt to undermine
the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

"You have made it clear that you oppose current U.S. law in regard to
sanctions against the Castro Regime," Diaz-Balart and Lankford wrote.
"However, absent further action by Congress, it is imperative that your
administration act in a way that is consistent with the laws passed by
the American people's representatives in Congress and signed into law by
a previous president."

Last week, the Obama administration announced a new round of regulatory
changes meant to ease trade, travel and financial restrictions with
Cuba. The administration has been very adamant about wanting the embargo
lifted. Obama has called it a "failed policy" that has hurt instead of
helped the Cuban people.

Diaz-Balart and Lankford asked Obama to answer their questions by Oct.
31. They include:

-- Please explain how your policy of weakening sanctions adheres to both
the letter and the spirit of this law?

-- How many total outstanding claims are there against the Castro regime
for confiscation of property from U.S. claimants?

-- Are you communicating to U.S. businesses the litigation risk involved
in trafficking expropriated property in Cuba?

-- What steps is your administration taking to ensure that trademarks
belonging to U.S. companies are not adversely affected, or possibly
further exploited or expropriated, by your policy of allowing imports of
rum and tobacco products?

Email: fordonez@mcclatchydc.com; Twitter: @francoordonez.

Source: Florida's Rep. Diaz-Balart wants answers from Obama on Cuba
policy | In Cuba Today -
http://www.incubatoday.com/news/article109615667.html