1.   The Cuban embargo has helped Castro to outlast nine American presidents.

2.   The Cuban embargo is virtually leak-proof.

3.   The Cuban embargo is carried on only by the United States.

4.   A U.S. religious group on Monday held a national rally in Washington against the Cuban embargo.

5.   Incremental changes in sanctions have already begun, as many rock-ribbed Republicans chip away at the once sacrosanct Cuban embargo.

6.   Sen. John Ashcroft, a Missouri Republican who has led the Senate effort to roll back the Cuban embargo, was studying the agreement Tuesday, aides said.

7.   The Senate voted overwhelmingly last year to ease the Cuban embargo, but the House refused to go along.