A New Pan Am Problem for Cuba

Conflicts have arisen between the United States and Cuba over the Pan American Games in Indianapolis this summer, but U.S. officials said Wednesday in Washington that they are confident the problems can be resolved in time to ensure participation by a Cuban team.

Cuban officials have threatened to boycott the Games if they are not allowed to fly their 629-member team directly from Havana to Indianapolis. Because the United States and Cuba do not have full diplomatic relations, Cuban flights currently are allowed to land only in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Also, Rep. Andrew Jacobs Jr. (D-Ind.) disclosed a new obstacle by noting that all foreign delegations must pay duty on athletic equipment they bring with them because Congress failed to enact an exemption last year.

However, Undersecretary of State Edwin J. Derwinsky predicted no “real trouble” with overcoming the problems but didn’t offer any solutions. Derwinsky spoke to reporters at a ceremony launching a tour by Latin American artists and craftsmen marking the “National Year of the Americas.”

Jacobs, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee which has jurisdiction over tariffs, said he is confident that he can secure passage of legislation that would refund to foreign participants any duties they pay on their equipment.

Manuel Guerra, president of the Cuban Olympic Committee, warned last week that forcing the team to land in Florida and transfer to U.S. flights for the trip to Indianapolis would be too costly.