U.S. officials visit Havana

Ten U.S. Congress members arrived here Friday to push for an end to four decades of hostility between Cuba and the United States.

The visit by the six Democrats and four Republicans came less than two weeks after Cuba’s interim leader, Raul Castro, said he was willing to open negotiations with the U.S. on an equal footing.

In recent years, President Bush has tightened sanctions against Cuba in an effort to topple the one-party regime. But many Democrats and some Republicans say the policy hasn’t worked. They argue that increased trade with and travel to Cuba are the best ways to influence the island’s future.

“We sense that this is an important time, and we hope to be able to meet with officials here and others and hopefully launch a new era in U.S.-Cuba relations,” said Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who led the delegation.