1997

January. Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy travels to Havana in the highest level Canadian visit to Cuba since 1976.

February. U.S. news organizations are permitted to open up bureaus in Cuba, but the Cuban government accepts only CNN.

April. The European Union drops its World Trade Organization challenge to the Helms-Burton Act. The U.S. and EU agree to work together to resolve differences over the legislation.

1998

January. Pope John Paul II visits Cuba.

Ricardo Alarcon, president of Cuba's National Assembly, and a panel discuss the Pope's visit to Cuba.

March. Guests discuss recent easing of restrictions on Cuba concerning direct flights and dollars sent to relatives on the island.