All of it stems from language to exempt food and medicine from unilateral US trade embargoes. Cuba would be the major beneficiary but Iran, Libya, Sudan and North Korea would be affected as well.

Farm and business groups have focused on Cuba and its 11 million citizens as a nearby, potentially lucrative market for US goods. The Communist island, one of the last nations off-limits to US exports, is 90 miles from Florida and imports about $700 million in food a year.

The United States imposed trade sanctions on Cuba in 1961 as President Fidel Castro, leader of the 1959 revolution,invited Soviet support. It would be a salient step, economically and politically, if unfettered food and medicine sales were allowed. Limited sales are possible now.

"I...feel as if we're about to make this major change," says representative George Nethercutt, Washington state Republican, the leading advocate of food and medicine sales.

Republican leaders in the House (of Representatives) have spent several weeks working behind the scenes to scrap the language. The issue may come to a vote in the next few days. Farm groups were increasingly optimistic about prevailing.

"This is a big issue for agriculture, so it garners more attention - and it should," said private consultant Bill Lesher. "It seems some kind of sanctions (reform) time has come."

While Cuba is an incendiary issue by itself, the scope of the sanctions language has brought other issues into the debate. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group, has questioned the prospect of easing sanctions on Iran, where 13 IranianJews are accused of spying for Israel.

US economic sanctions on North Korea may soon be eased in the wake of an agreement with South Korea to ease tensions between the nations, separated since war broke out 50 years ago.

Nethercutt noted the thaw in relations between the nations -"that's significant" - while discussing opposition to his proposal. "This is a very modest measure," he said.

Opposition includes Republican leaders and the Cuban-American lobby, which has unveiled a TV ad campaign to block any change in the embargo on Cuba. They view Castro as an unrepentant dictator who has done nothing to earn softer treatment.

"American trade should follow the flag, not the other way around...America stands for freedom," said Jose Cardenas of the Cuban American National Foundation in a rebuttal to the argument that economic engagement will foster democracy.

Advocates say the Cuban embargo is a Cold War relic that failed to oust Castro but hurts the ordinary Cuban and denies sales to US firms. By oneestimate, Cuba could be a $440 million a year market for US food and medicine.

"We need to find another way to do this," said Thomas Donohue, president of the US Chamber of Commerce, which speaks for the business community. "Let's take away his great excuse" for shortages.

Donohue said sanctions reform was one of the chamber's top issues.Agriculture spending bills in the House and Senate contain similar language to exempt food and medicine from unilateral US embargoes unless Congress agrees. No US export credits would be allowed for sales to formerly sanctioned countries. Annual export licenses would be needed for sales to nations suspected of supporting terrorism.

Nonetheless, there was wide speculation that access to export credit guarantees would soon be an issue for Cuba. The nation is strapped for hard currency.