Dear Colleague:

Senators Baucus and Hagel will soon introduce the "United States-Cuba Trade Act of 2003." This legislation creates a "win-win" for American farmers and business and for Cuban citizens by:

· lifting the trade embargo on Cuba;

· removing Cuba from Jackson-Vanik treatment and providing Cuba with normal trade relations status on a permanent basis; and

· repealing travel restrictions to Cuba.

Trading with and traveling to Cuba does not represent an endorsement of the Castro regime. To the contrary, it helps ensure that children in Cuba will be afforded more opportunity than their parents to have lives that are more full, free and just by opening Cuban society to democratic ideals.

The unilateral sanctions that we have had in place since 1962 have been ineffective in bringing about change in Cuba. Since other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Japan, the EU, and all countries in South and Central America currently trade with Cuba, U.S. policy puts our farmers, workers and companies at a competitive disadvantage. By some estimates, we are missing out on an export market of nearly $1 billion per year.

For 40 years, we have denied U.S. citizens and businesses the ability to make inroads into Cuba - inroads that are vital if we are ever to work with the Cuban people to bring about real and lasting reform. We should seek to influence change from within this repressive society by developing a relationship with the Cuban people - one that we expect over time will encourage the peaceful transition to democracy and a market-oriented economy in the post-Castro era. Using trade, engagement and economic incentives to affect change are tried and true pillars of U.S. foreign policy, as we are doing with China and Vietnam. Now is the time to do the same with our neighbors to the south.

Please contact Timothy Punke (4.4677) with Senator Baucus or Dayna Cade (4.5804) with Senator Hagel if you are interested in co-sponsoring this legislation.

Max Baucus Chuck Hagel