Congressman calls for easing trade, travel restrictions to Cuba

MESA, AZ
Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake is renewing his call for the easing of U-S trade and travel restrictions placed on Cuba.

Fidel Castro, who has wielded absolute power in Cuba for nearly half a century, remained out of sight today after undergoing intestinal surgery and temporarily turning over power to his brother Raul.

Flake _ a critic of the U-S's current Cuba policy _ says "whether Castro is sick or dead or just testing the reaction in Cuba," the U-S is in a poor position to aid the transition to democracy in Cuba.

The Republican says with "Castro's brother in place and several unreasonable conditions in U-S law to be met, the U-S will be on the sidelines while the rest of the democratic world engages in reform efforts."