US limits Cuban diplomats' power to buy, sell cars [View All]

US limits Cuban diplomats' power to buy, sell cars



WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 — The United States said on Monday it will make it harder for Cuban diplomats in Washington to buy or sell cars, retaliating against them because Cuba imposes similar restrictions on U.S. diplomats in Havana.

The State Department said it would bar staff of the Cuban Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Washington and their families from buying cars. They would, however, be allowed to keep cars they already own, import cars from an overseas vendor and buy vehicles from other diplomats or embassies.

In a notice published in the U.S. Federal Register, the State Department said the Cuban diplomats may also rent cars from rental companies for up to 30 days, effectively depriving them of the lower rates that might come from long-term leases. (snip)

(snip) The State Department said it was retaliating because Cuba makes it ''inordinately difficult, if not altogether impossible'' for diplomats at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana to buy a new car or sell a used one. (snip/)

http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters08-25-100639.asp?reg=AMERICAS

Perhaps they are overlooking the fact there is a severe ABSENCE of available cars in Cuba, due to the 43-YEAR OLD EMBARGO the U.S. imposed on Cuba!