On July 1, twenty Atlanta government, business, and academic leaders convened in Havana to explore the possibilities of Congress approving the president’s request for an easing of the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba.  Ivan Allen College Dean Jacqueline Royster, a board member of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta (WAC), took part in a five day tour organized by WAC to gain understanding of the trade and investment climate under the Castro government. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Ambassador Charles Shapiro, Jorge Fernandez of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, WAC members met with business, cultural, and religious groups, private business owners and European business executives, and Jeff DeLaurentis, who serves as the U.S. political/economic section chief at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.