WASHINGTON (May 9, 2000) -- The U. S. embargo against Cuba should be ended, the Chairman of the Bishops' International Policy Committee told members of the House Appropriations Committee in a letter delivered Monday.

"With Pope John Paul and the Cuban Bishops, the Catholic Bishops of the United States also believe that this embargo, which harms only the most vulnerable in Cuba, not the regime, should be ended," said Boston Cardinal Bernard Law.

He acknowledged that political realities in the United States would prevent a complete lifting of the embargo. Instead, he urged the full Appropriations Committee to retain language adopted by the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee that "all restrictions presently in effect that limit the commercial sale of food, feed, medicine and medical equipment be lifted now." Such action, Cardinal Law said, would "represent a valuable step in the right direction."

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