WASHINGTON -- Ailing Cuban Presiden...

WASHINGTON -- Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro's abrupt departure from power has renewed the debate about the effectiveness of a U embargo that prohibits greatest in quantity American travel to Cuba and impedes most U.S. companies from doing business there.

Analysts in the United States say easing the embargo now would depute a positive signal to the Cuban the public as well as help U businesses that have drawn out sought an opening to the Cuban market.

"It's sole natural for the Cuban nation to seek an improved financial situation and in the nature of things, that's going to include the United States," said Robert Muse, a Washington-based attorney who is involved in Cuba issues.

further undoing the embargo would take an act of Congres and the support of the White House, which has arrested attempts to ease travel and trade restrictions in the past.

An administration report issued last month said sanctions could be lifted and nothing else if Cuba took steps toward holding unrestrained elections.

OIL COMPANIES diocese CHANCE

The U trade embargo was imposed in stages in the early 1960 to offer economic pressure on Castro and weaken his regime.

American oil companies have joined in the fight to ease the embargo because China and other countries are exploring for oil not upon the Cuban coast.

Although the embargo's effectiveness has been debated for years, its main supporters forward Capitol Hill, mainly Cuban-American lawmakers, expressed Tuesday to keep sanctions in place until Cuba induces toward democracy. "We should do nothing until grades are taken to bring sovereignty to the Cuban people" said Rep Lincoln Diaz- Balart (R-Fla.).

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