New York Philharmonic Postpones Historic Cuba Trip

Orchestra says it can't hammer out plans amid uncertainty over travel permits.

ByABC News
October 1, 2009, 4:45 PM

Oct. 1, 2009 — -- The New York Philharmonic Thursday postponed a trip to Cuba later this month after it was unable to receive Treasury Department approval for a group of patrons to make the trip despite current U.S. travel restrictions.

While the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control had verbally granted approval for the Philharmonic's orchestra and staff to travel to Cuba, OFAC had not yet made a determination about the patrons, a Philharmonic official told ABC News.

A Treasury spokesman confirmed to ABC News that OFAC had not yet ruled on the patrons' licensing request.

With the trip fast approaching on Oct. 30, the orchestra elected to postpone its travel plans.

The group of approximately 150 patrons is essential because of the trip's total cost of $1 million to $2 million, the orchestra official said.

"With them, we'd be able to cover the cost of the trip," the official said. "Without them, it's not financially possible."

The Philharmonic has been actively pursuing potential concerts in Cuba since June. After receiving an invitation to travel there, orchestra officials received licenses from OFAC for two advance trips to the communist country in early July and late August. The trip was scheduled for Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

However, OFAC verbally indicated to the Philharmonic that there was no category under which the group of patrons qualified for approval for a license, the orchestra official said. The Philharmonic countered that there was room for interpretation, but to no avail.