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Letter of Appeal from the AAAS Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility

21 May 1999

Hon. Madeleine Albright
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
FAX: 202 647 1533
Dear Secretary Albright:

Dear Mr. Albright:

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the largest organization of natural and social scientists in the United States, and the world's largest federation of scientific societies, with 143,000 individual members and 282 affiliated groups. AAAS has been in the forefront of advocacy for the rights of scientists, researchers, and academicians to exchange information and ideas and to participate in scientific activities.

I am writing in regard to the denial of Cuban otolaryngologist Dr. Ulises Rodriguez Morales' application for an entry visa to the United States. Dr. Rodriguez was invited to attend a three-week surgical training workshop on ear implantations by the Howe Ear Institute in Sylmar, California, beginning on 20 May. He was also invited to participate in a three-month seminar at the Cochlear Implant Center at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City in mid-June. I urge you to approve Dr. Rodriguez's request to obtain training in cochlear implant surgery

It is our understanding that the U.S. Interests Section in Havana denied Dr. Rodriguez's visa application on the grounds that he falls under possible immigrant status, citing the fact that his wife, also a renowned physician in Cuba, is working on a year-long fellowship at Beth Israel Hospital.

There appears to be ample evidence to demonstrate that Dr. Rodriguez and his wife are not immigration risks. Most striking is that the Cuban government does not believe that the couple is likely to emigrate, as evidenced by its willingness to allow both doctors to travel. Dr. Rodriguez has traveled to Mexico during his wife's fellowship and made no attempt to enter the U.S. In addition, the couple has left Cuba before to attend a four-month training seminar in Barcelona, Spain, from which they both returned to Cuba. They both have strong familial and professional ties and do not fit the classification of economically deprived Cubans, who could reasonably be considered likely to emigrate.

AAAS continues to have a long-term concern for the right of scientists to travel. The right to travel has special significance for members of the scientific and academic communities worldwide. Scientific and academic societies, as well as international bodies such as the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), have recognized the right to travel to be essential for the effective conduct of science and other academic pursuits.

The denial of a U.S. visa to Dr. Ulises Rodriguez Morales, who is one of Cuba's leading ear surgeons, constitutes an infringement of the free exchange of information on which the U.S. and international scientific communities depend. This action is contrary to stated U.S. policy exempting bona fide scientists on scientific exchanges or traveling for educational purposes from other restrictions that may apply. Furthermore, it runs counter to stated U.S. policy to expand "people to people contacts" with Cuba through "two-way exchanges among academics, athletes, scientists, and others, including streamlining the approval process for such visits." (Statement by the President, The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, January 5, 1999.) Such a denial deprives Dr. Rodriguez of the opportunity to obtain valuable training in cochlear implant surgery. Because Dr. Rodriguez is uniquely qualified, the visa denial also effectively deprives deaf Cuban children of the opportunity to receive the best possible treatment.

I am writing in the hope that your intervention will result in a positive and timely response to Dr. Rodriguez's visa application.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


Irving Lerch, Chair
AAAS Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility

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