Obama Considers Changing U.S. Policy Towards Cuba

Washington, DC (AHN) - President Barack Obama is preparing to ease travel and other restrictions on Cuba, as his administration continues a broad review of U.S. policy towards the communist island nation.

Jeffrey Davidow, the White House adviser for the upcoming Summit of the Americas, which Obama will attend, said policy changes are intended as a way to move relations between the two nations forward.

"We can expect some relaxation, some changes in terms of the restrictions on family remittances and family travel," adding that, "Cuban-Americans are the best possible ambassadors of our system and our values."

Davidow and other administration officials say President Obama is also considering allowing all Americans to travel to Cuba, appointing a special envoy to oversee policy toward the island and even possibly ending U.S. opposition to Cuba's membership in the Organization of American States.

"We are engaged in a continual evaluation of our policy and how that policy could help result in a change in Cuba that could bring about a democratic society," Davidow added.

The upcoming Summit of the Americas is being held April 17-19 in Trinidad and Tobago, and Davidow said he "would not be surprised" if the policy changes came before the event.