March 7, 2006
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Secretary Rice:
On October 1, 2004, I wrote to your predecessor, Colin L. Powell, to express the deep concern of the American Association of University Professors over the decision of the Department of State to deny visas to all 65 Cuban scholars scheduled to participate an international conference sponsored by the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) to be held in Las Vegas. I find myself now in the regrettable position of writing once again to protest the exclusion of some 55 philosophers, economists, and historians who were told last week that they would be unable to travel to this month’s LASA congress in San Juan.
The American Association of University Professors, the paramount organization in the United States devoted to advancing the principles of academic freedom, has long held that the free travel of scholars is an indispensable part of academic freedom. We believe that the unfettered search for knowledge by foreign scholars meeting with academics in the United States is indispensable for the strengthening of a free and orderly world. We further believe that scholarly activity is greatly enhanced by the personal interaction of scholars and researchers. Accordingly, we strongly endorse the statement of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas who in 1964 wrote, “The right to know, to converse with others, to consult with them, to observe social, physical, political, and other phenomena abroad as well as at home gives meaning and substance to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.” The United States could provide no better demonstration of its cherished principle of free expression than by allowing Cuban scholars free association and free exchange of ideas with their American counterparts.
We ask again that the Department of State not bar scholars who wish to enter this country for legitimate academic reasons. We further urge the State Department to reconsider its decision and issue visas to the Cuban scholars.
Sincerely,
Roger W. Bowen
General Secretary