Associated Press, 04.05.11, 01:54 PM EDT
HAVANA -- Cuba's postal service said Tuesday it is re-establishing light
mail service to the United States but leaving in place a ban on heavier
packages.
Correos de Cuba will once again handle U.S.-bound postcards and letters
weighing up to 500 grams (18 ounces) starting Wednesday, according to an
announcement published in the Communist Party newspaper Granma.
As before, the correspondence will be shipped through third countries.
There has not been direct mail service for decades between the two
nations, which do not have formal diplomatic relations.
"Correos de Cuba's decision to re-establish mail service to that country
responds to flexibility in security measures announced by the U.S.
Transportation Security Administration for all nations belonging to the
Universal Postal Union," the postal company said.
"The restriction on the mailing of packages to the United States remains
in effect," it added, along with an apology for any inconvenience.
Mail service between the former Cold War rivals was suspended in the
1960s, shortly after Fidel Castro came to power. Limited service through
third countries resumed in 2009, following talks between U.S. and Cuban
officials.
But those deliveries were suspended last November following a U.S.
decision to increase security measures after a failed terror threat
involving packages mailed from Yemen.
In January, just days after the Obama Administration announced it was
easing travel restrictions on academics and church groups seeking to
visit the island, Cuba expanded the mail ban to cover all types of
correspondence in a setback for relations.
U.S. and Cuban officials have met regularly for talks on establishing
direct mail service, though the governments have not reached an agreement.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/04/05/general-cb-cuba-us-mail_8392333.html
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