Visits by Cubans

Mike Clary’s “Finding Art in the Despair of Cuban Refugees” (Dec. 30) showed that in 1994 anything, even jerry-built rafts, could be “art.” Clary, however, lets his Cold War rhetoric cloud the article, e.g., “. . . under a communist regime that prohibits ‘ordinary citizens’ from leaving the island for any reason, fleeing the island by boat has been an option of last resort that thousands have chosen.”

In truth, “ordinary” Cubans, albeit only one family member at a time, are allowed to visit their relatives in the United States. I have met several Cubans who were here on visits. In addition, Cubans have been legally applying for immigrant visas at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana since it was established during the Carter Administration.

Until last August, however, the United States discouraged legal immigration by quickly issuing a green card to any Cuban who illegally left the island and made it to Florida, while delaying years in issuing the visas in Havana. Under the new agreement, the United States has agreed to issue at least 20,000 visas per year in Havana so that ordinary citizens can emigrate legally. Now Cubans who arrive in Florida in a stolen boat or hijacked plane will not be given preference.

CLIFFORD OLIN

Alhambra