This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7997063.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama 'to lift Cuba restrictions' Obama eases curbs on Cuba travel
(about 3 hours later)
US President Barack Obama is to lift some restrictions that will allow Cuban Americans to travel more freely to Cuba, White House sources say. US President Barack Obama has lifted some restrictions that will allow Cuban Americans to travel more freely to Cuba, his spokesman has said.
Cuban-Americans will also be allowed to send more money to relatives in Cuba.Cuban-Americans will also be allowed to send more money to relatives in Cuba.
The move, to be officially announced later on Monday, comes after Mr Obama last month signed a spending bill easing some economic sanctions on Cuba. The move, announced by White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, comes after Mr Obama last month signed a spending bill easing some economic sanctions on Cuba.
"Restrictions on the families will be lifted," an unnamed White House official told news agency AFP. Mr Gibbs said the aim was to promote democracy and human rights on the island.
The Associated Press quoted an unnamed "senior administration official" as saying that President Obama had directed his administration to allow unlimited travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to family in Cuba. "The president has directed the secretaries of state, treasury and commerce to carry out the actions necessary to lift all restrictions on the ability of individuals to visit family members in Cuba and to send them remittances," said Mr Gibbs.
President Obama has indicated he would be open to dialogue with Cuba's leaders. The changes fulfilled a pledge made by Mr Obama during his presidential campaign and would help bridge the gap between divided Cuban families, he added.
But he has said that, like previous American presidents, he will only consider a full lifting of the embargo once Cuba's communist government makes significant moves such as the holding of democratic elections. Mr Obama has indicated he would be open to dialogue with Cuba's leaders.
But he has said that, like previous American presidents, he will only consider a full lifting of the US embargo once Cuba's communist government makes significant moves such as the holding of democratic elections.
Cuba's President Raul Castro has said he is prepared to negotiate with the new US administration, providing there are no preconditions.Cuba's President Raul Castro has said he is prepared to negotiate with the new US administration, providing there are no preconditions.