A delegation of U.S. lawmakers and businessmen is expected to arrive in Cuba Wednesday for talks aimed at selling more agricultural products to the communist nation.
Democratic Senator Max Baucus of Montana, state lawmakers and agricultural producers will meet in Havana with Cuban officials for several days of talks. They hope to sign deals aimed at selling $100 million in food and agricultural products to Havana.
Under an exemption to the U.S. sanctions against Cuba, American agricultural goods can be sold to the island on a cash-only basis. Since 2001, Havana has purchased more than $700 million in food products.
Meanwhile, Cuba is pressing ahead with its largest military exercise in 20 years. Officials say military forces, reservists and millions of civilians are taking part in the six-day exercise, called Bastion 2004.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.
