American youths plan Cuba trip

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Treasury Department, citing rules against economic transactions by Americans in Cuba, has refused to give travel licenses to American young people planning to attend a Cuban-sponsored leftist conclave this month.

But nearly 1,000 Americans still are planning to attend, according to Global Exchange, a San Francisco-based group that is part of a coalition of U.S. organizations supporting American participation.

Treasury officials served notice several weeks ago that activities planned by the Americans are not among those permitted by the regulations. The Treasury ruling is being appealed.

At issue is The World Festival and Conference of Youth and Students planned for the last week of July. It is expected to attract thousands of people from more than 100 countries.

Michael O'Heaney, of Global Exchange, described the festival as an educational event. He said the activities planned are consistent with those for which Treasury licenses normally are permitted.

A statement issued by the coalition said, ``We believe that our right to travel freely must be upheld and that denying anyone's right to travel to Cuba is a threat to all of our civil liberties.''

But Steven Pinter, of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in his letter of rejection that the festival calendar ``does not fall within the scope of clearly defined educational activities.''

U.S. law does not forbid travel to Cuba but does, with certain exceptions, make it illegal for Americans to make financial transactions in Cuba. Treasury officials declined to speculate what action could be taken against Americans who attend the festival.

A press release issued by the U.S. organizers said participants will attend workshops and other gatherings to discuss such issues as peace, security, nuclear proliferation, national liberation, sovereignty and self-determination.

Publicity about the festival suggests the deliberations will have an anti-American theme. As an example, a two-day ``anti-imperialist tribunal'' will be convened to `judge and morally condemn'' the United States for ``criminal conduct against humanity.''

Cuba hosted a festival in 1978 at which a similar tribunal was convened. It held the CIA responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

The upcoming festival also is expected to issue condemnations of South Korea and Israel.

O'Heaney, asked whether American attendance at the festival should be interpreted as a gesture of support for Cuba, said, ``This conference is not about Cuba, it's not about propping up the Castro regime.'' He said having an exchange of ideas among young people from around the world is better than having the regime ``completely cut off.''

To the extent that the activities produce exchanges between Americans and Cubans, ``I think that's good for systems in both our countries,'' he said.

Large delegations also are expected from France, Germany, Spain and North Korea. Such festivals have been held periodically over the past 50 years. The last one was held in North Korea in 1989.

AP-NY-07-07-97 1505EDT