U.S. lawmakers in Cuba for talks with top officials

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By Esteban Israel Esteban Israel – Sat Apr 4, 12:57 pm ET

HAVANA (Reuters) – U.S. lawmakers said they would meet with Cuba's foreign minister on Saturday during a fact-finding mission that came amid hopes of a thaw in relations between Washington and the communist-ruled island.

"The entire world is very optimistic about a shift in direction in terms of U.S. foreign policy throughout the world," U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, who headed a seven-member Congressional delegation, told reporters in Havana.

"Personally I believe and many believe it's time to talk to Cuba," said Lee, who added that the delegation was in Cuba to find out what issues should be discussed between the two countries.

The delegation is the first from the United States since President Barack Obama took office in January and comes as Congress prepares to consider bills lifting most restrictions on U.S. travel to Cuba.

Most U.S. citizens are barred from visiting the island 90 miles from Florida under a 47-year trade embargo imposed shortly after Fidel Castro took power and allied Cuba with the former Soviet Union.

A White House official confirmed on Friday a Wall Street Journal report that Obama would abolish limits on family travel and cash remittances between the United States and Cuba, but the official said the move was not a policy shift or imminent.

Obama promised during his presidential campaign to lift the restrictions, which were tightened by the Bush administration. The new U.S. leader has called for steps toward normalizing relations but has not pledged to eliminate the embargo.

Lee said the delegation had not brought any message from Obama and was in Cuba for five days to "listen and talk."

The lawmakers met with Ricardo Alarcon, the president of Cuba's parliament and a key figure in the government, shortly after arriving in the Cuban capital on Friday. Lee said Alarcon provided "a very thorough history of U.S.-Cuba relations."

She added that the delegation, which is made up mostly of African-Americans, according to a spokeswoman, wanted to meet with President Raul Castro during the trip. They were to talk with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez later on Saturday.

Obama is due to meet with Latin American leaders later this month in Trinidad and Tobago. His tone on Cuba, different from the tough policies under Bush, has sparked hopes for change on both sides of the Florida Straits and in Latin America.

(Editing by Jeff Franks and Paul Simao)