US rebuked for banning citizens from studies in Cuba

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez said on Wednesday that it was injustice that Washington had banned its citizens from continuing their studies in the Central American country.

Asked at a press conference about US citizens studying medicine here, who may interrupt their studies due to the ban, Perez said, "It is a total injustice, something unheard of, yet I expect this issue will be solved."

"I have seen signs indicating this situation could be sorted out and the students be authorized to continue with their medicine studies in Cuba," he added.

Lucius Walker, leader of Shepherds for Peace, recently indicated that they had initiated a campaign urging the White House to lift the ban on young US citizens.

"US Secretary of State Colin Powell is personally intervening to make an exception in this case," said Walker, who arrived here last week, heading the Caravan for the Friendship Between the United States and Cuba with humanitarian supplies for the country.

He said there are already signs that the US administration willtry to set down new rules to guarantee that the students will continue with their studies without any obstacle.

Some 80 young US citizens are studying for free at the Latin American School of Medical Sciences of Havana, as part of a program of scholarships offered by Cuban President Fidel Castro in2000 to Third World countries and the poor communities of the United States.

In May, Washington announced new regulations to squeeze Cuba's economy. Under the new regulations, limits will be imposed on family visits between the United States and Cuba.

On June 30, the regulations were put into effect to restrict trips and academic exchanges of US citizens to the country.

Sourcve: Xinhua