Point Reyes Light - August 23, 2001

US nixes trekker Francis’ plan to walk across Cuba

By Patrik Jorgensen

Round-the-world walker and UN Goodwill Ambassador John Francis of Point Reyes Station received notice last week from the US Treasury Department that he will not be granted permission to travel to Cuba for a goodwill walk across the communist island nation.

As a sequel to walking journeys across the US and down the length of South America, Francis had planned to embark with his family and a small research team in November on an 800-mile, two-and-a half month trek to study Cuba’s organic agriculture industry, public education system, and natural environment.

Francis on Aug. 15 received a fax from the Treasury Department that informed him that his endeavor did not meet the federal government’s strict guidelines for travel to Cuba. Travel to Cuba from the US for most purposes has been prohibited since the Cold War era, although US citizens sometimes make unauthorized trips through Mexico or the Caribbean.

The fax states that under the current regulations "the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control prohibits all unlicensed economic transaction in which Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest. This prohibition includes all travel-related transactions unless otherwise authorized."

Most applications denied

Pam Montenero of Global Exchange, an organization which obtains licenses for educational trips to Cuba, told The Light that authorization from the federal government is extremely difficult to get, even if the voyage stands to benefit Americans as much as Cubans. However, applicants that get turned down for a license are often approved at a later date if they file a formal petition, she said.

Montenero added that the Treasury Department may have denied Francis a license because of the wide scope of his proposal. "His project is much bigger than just himself," she said.

Francis this week agreed that the government may have denied his application because the project proposed research in several different categories. "They [Treasury Department] have seemed to turn the goodwill, research, and education mission of the walk into an ecotourism adventure," he said.

Although disappointed, Francis said he and his colleagues still plan to make the trip. "We’re keeping our options open and going ahead with the schedule as planned."

Looked to Woolsey for help

Francis explained that he has asked Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey for a clear explanation of the denial of his permit, and is now waiting for a response. In addition, he and his research team plan to contact US Senators Paul Wellstone of Minnesota and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, who recently spoke out against the long-standing US embargo against Cuba in an article featured in Time magazine. Senator Dorgan told Time that the embargo "hurts Americans who want to travel to Cuba and that greater interaction between Cubans and Americans would promote democracy."

If his appeals fail, Francis could qualify to make the trip under the so-called "general license law," which states that professionals with an advanced degree in their field must be automatically licensed to travel to Cuba to practice their work. However, considering the size, importance, and publicity of the project, Francis said he wants to make sure that his group follows the correct procedures.

Will he be heard?

Francis told The Light that he believes the issue can be resolved. "The government is not out to get us, but at some point you have to stand up and be heard."

Montenero said that Francis could stand to benefit from a piece of pending legislation in US Congress that proposes to eliminate funding for the Treasury Department to enforce its travel restrictions. However, because of a quirk in the government’s bureaucracy, Treasury could still deny travel licenses to Cuba without the means to enforce the embargo, she said.

The Dance Palace at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, will host a benefit for Francis and his Planetwalk organization. The event will feature John Francis and Friends From the Road.

PlanetWalk is currently looking for volunteers to take phone calls and respond to letters, and is accepting donations for the Cuba walk.

Those interested in making donations can mail them to: PlanetWalk, Box 701, Inverness, 94937.

Point Reyes Light Cover | News | Coastal Traveler