Gov. Bill Richardson's trip to Cuba last week was ostensibly a trade mission on behalf of New Mexico, but he ended the trip with a big chunk of analysis about how to normalize relations with that small island nation a stone's throw from Miami, Florida.

At a press conference in Havana as the trip ended, he said normalization of relations between Cuba and the U.S. would take time, but cited a "good atmosphere."

He laid out ideas for normalization to such a degree that a Talking Points Memo commentator is labeling it "The Richardson Plan" in a piece advocating that New Mexico's governor become the United State's special envoy to Cuba.

The piece in TPM relies on a blog called the Cuban Triangle Report, which included in its analysis a report from the press conference by Mexico's La Jornada.

At the press conference, Richardson said that dealing with "broad issues" like the U.S. embargo against the Cuba, Guantanamo prison, Cuban political prisoners, or the ceasing of TV broadcasts to the country, should come after "humanitarian issues that divide us, people to people issues."

Much of those issues deal with travel. According to the Cuban Triangle Report, Richardson thinks the Obama administration should allow more U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba; and Cuba, he said, should end restrictions that make it difficult for U.S. citizens to come to the island, allow greater movement on the island by U.S. diplomats, and start a dialogue with Cuban Americans:

Mexico's La Jornada reported in more detail on Richardson's presentation at the press conference, saying that the governor had presented a specific "plan of reciprocal actions to normalize relations with Cuban authorities."

The plan would defer larger and more contentious issues and start with the two sides taking humanitarian steps. The United States would put into effect the announced Obama policy ending restrictions on family travel and remittances; allow greater sports, cultural, scientific, academic, and business exchanges; and allow Americans in general to travel to the island. Cuba would end "bureaucratic restrictions and high fees" that make family visits more costly, accept a U.S. proposal to end the restrictions that limit both sides' diplomats to the Havana and Washington capital areas, and start an "informal dialogue" with Cuban Americans.

That report says Richardson expressed support for allowing Americans in general to travel to Cuba.

Other reports we've seen, though, say Richardson called for just a partial lifting of the ban. The Independent contacted Richardson's office to find out whether or not the governor thinks travel in general for U.S. citizens should be allowed, but haven't received a response.

Currently there are bills before the Congress — House Bill 874 and Senate Bill 428 — that would lift the travel restrictions on U.S. citizens.