By Steven Gutkin. .c The Associated Press
HAVANA, 14 (AP) - Hundreds of Cubans lined up outside the U.S. mission in Havana on Monday to apply for visas under a new system that promises to eliminate months of waiting for some Cubans.
The new system took effect Monday. About 700 Cubans - most of whom meet visa requirements because they want to visit relatives or take part in cultural or academic events - appeared at the U.S. Interests Section to drop off their passports and pick up application forms.
``It's been 40 years since I've seen my brothers and sisters,'' said Alejandro Martinez, a 50-year-old carpenter standing in the line. As he spoke, he pulled out a photograph of a man in a hospital bed who he said was his recently deceased brother.
The new system was supposed to take effect last month, but was postponed after U.S. officials said Cuba had backed away from an earlier agreement to allow the more efficient process. U.S. officials said the dispute was procedural, not political, and was not related to the custody battle over
6-year-old Elian Gonzalez or other issues.
Under the old system, Cubans seeking U.S. tourist visas had to send a letter to the Interests Section, which then sent them a letter inviting them to apply for a visa. With that letter, they were allowed to enter the diplomatic mission's compound to apply. The process could take months.
The new system lets Cubans come directly to the mission, drop off their passports and pick up an application. Officials said most applicants will have an interview and a reply to their request the next day.
Cuban security forces organized the lines in front of the U.S. mission Monday. Several people interviewed said they had been showing up for days so as not to lose their assigned place in line.
U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Section could handle only 300 applicants Monday even though more than 700 lined up.
U.S. officials said part of the reason so many Cubans lined up is that they mistakenly believe the United States has relaxed visa requirements. In fact, the requirements for a visa - mainly proving you have a stake in Cuba and would not seek to stay in the United States - have not changed.
The U.S. Interests Section, operated by U.S. diplomats under a Swiss flag, performs most of the functions of an embassy, but the United States and Cuba have no formal diplomatic relations. Cuba also operates an Interests Section in Washington, D.C.
The Interests Section in Havana has issued about 4,800 visas since the beginning of October.
AP-NY-02-14-00 1705EST
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