Youth fight for the right to go to Cuba

by Judith LeBlanc

This article was reprinted from the June 7, 1997 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

NEW YORK - The U.S. National Preparatory Committee (USNPC) announced June 4 the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has denied the initial applications for a license to travel to the World Festival of Youth and Students in Cuba July 28 to Aug. 5.

The USNPC and the U.S. Organizing Committee, a Cuba solidarity group, submitted the applications under provisions for travel to international conferences. In the past year alone many international conferences - of pediatricians, lawyers and geriatric specialists - have met in Cuba.

"It's an outrage that hundreds of young people have been organized to go to Havana and are being told no," USNPC National Coordinator Lauren Garlovsky said. "We need to have face-to-face exchanges with youth from every political hot spot in the world. We've been in the fight to defend public education, women's rights, in the fight against racism and discrimination. We can be some of the most effective ambassadors for peace and friendship."

The Festival movement has been endorsed by the Center for Campus Organizing, Rock the Vote, Student Environmental Action Coalition, Student Association of the State University of New York, United States Student Association (USSA), youth section of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, University of California Student Association, the Young Communist League (YCL) and a growing list of elected officials and community groups.

Seth Oberman, of the USSA's executive board and YCL, said, "The organizations fighting to go to the Festival should work together to fight this decision." The USNPC urged all who believe U.S. youth have the right to be at this world meeting to call their Congressmembers to pressure the Treasury Dept. to reverse its decision. Also call Richard Newcomb, OFAC director, (202) 622-2510, and Steven Pinter, Licensing Office of Foreign Assets Control chief, (202) 622-1657; fax (202) 622-1657.