Gov. Richardson pushes New Mexico exports to Cuba

Gov. Richardson pushes New Mexico exports to Cuba
By Associated Press

7:32 p.m. EDT, August 25, 2009

HAVANA (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has met with Ricardo Alarcon, president of Cuba's parliament, as well as members of the island's chamber of commerce as he heads a trade mission there this week.

Richardson met with Alarcon on Monday. On Tuesday he visited chamber of commerce President Pedro Alvarez and Igor Montero, president of Alimport, the Cuban government agency responsible for agricultural commerce.

Richardson released a statement saying his delegation held "productive discussions" promoting the idea of exporting potatoes, wheat, apples and beef from New Mexico to Cuba. He returns to New Mexico Friday.

Cuba has been subject to a U.S. embargo since 1962, but U.S. states are authorized to sell agricultural and certain other products to Cuba.

http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-cb-cuba-richardson,0,5299718.story