President Clinton's decision to ease economic sanctions against Cuba has received a generally favourable response, but there has been some criticism.
While President Castro told CNN the new measures were "positive" and "conducive to a better climate" in US-Cuba relations, they were condemned by some Cuban emigrant groups in Florida as helping the Castro regime to survive.
The relaxation of some sanctions follows the visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba last January. US officials said President Clinton is responding to a plea from the Pope for help in carrying out religious and relief activities that do not benefit the Communist regime in Cuba. The papal visit "created space for people to act in opposition to Castro."
The new measures include the resumption of direct charter flights between the US and Cuba, which were suspended two years ago when the Cuban airforce shot down two unarmed civilian planes flown by members of an emigrant organisation based in Florida. The charter flights will be allowed for humanitarian aid and family reunions.
For the first time since 1994, Cuban-Americans will be allowed to send up to $1,200 a year back to relatives. And Mr Clinton has also announced the streamlining of procedures for selling medicines to Cuba and has said he is ready to work with Congress to ease the export of food.
But the US ban on trade will stay in force as will the HelmsBurton law of 1996 which permits court action for compensation against foreigners who invest in properties in Cuba seized from US owners at the time of the Communist takeover.
The measures have irritated Senator Jesse Helms, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, who was preparing legislation to relax sanctions against Cuba to allow more humanitarian aid. The senator's spokesman, Mr Mark Thiessen, said the presidential action was "a major mistake" and "seriously complicates our ability to get through legislation to provide increase humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people".
Four Cuban baseball players and a coach who defected by raft and were missing and feared dead have turned up safe and sound in the Dominican Republic.