Cuba declines US disaster assessment after Gustav

Sat Sep 6, 2008 7:25 PM EDT

Cuba politely declined a U.S. offer to send a disaster assessment team to the island after Hurricane Gustav, saying Saturday it would rather Washington suspend restrictions on travel and the sale of food and other materials it needs to recover.

Cuba's Foreign Ministry did not mention some US$100,000 in humanitarian aid that Washington offered to send through nonprofit groups, along with the assessment team. It said in a statement that it appreciated the U.S. government gesture recognizing the destruction that Gustav caused.

The Cuban statement was released as forecasters predicted another powerful hurricane, Ike, will likely sweep across the length of the island early in the week.

"Today when the country's east already is under storm alert with the threat of Hurricane Ike, just as powerful as Gustav, Cuba affirms that in reality the only correct, ethical (action) ... would be the total and definitive elimination of the harsh and cruel economic, commercial and financial blockade applied over nearly a half century against our nation," the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry noted that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has called for a temporary suspension on restrictions on family travel and remittances to the island while Cuba recovers. His rival, Republican John McCain has called for easing restrictions only when the U.S. is "confident that the transition to a free and open democracy is being made."

Currently, people of Cuban origin living in the U.S. can visit the island only once every three years and can send money only to members of their immediate families, excluding cousins, aunts and uncles.

Ailing former leader Fidel Castro wrote this week that recovery from Gustav could cost billions of dollars on an island where the average state salary is only about US$20 per month.

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2.5

{"commentId":2800162,"authorDomain":"vbor3"}

vlad-430867

speak of iron curtains! US is ready to strangle anybody to death if they do not submit to its will

{"commentId":2800162,"threadId":"351208","contentId":"1836110","authorDomain":"vbor3"}

#1 - Sat Sep 6, 2008 8:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":2800387,"authorDomain":"darthmaulrob"}

Robert-Eglin AFB, FL

Well I completely agree with their angle on this..Cuba has made alot of changes since Fidel left office.. I think the U.S. govt should reward some of that by lifting some of the sanctions. Call it a measure of good faith. Couldn't hurt anything. We have had an embargo and sanctions against them for 40 years. Time to start rebuilding the relationship, especially since they are so close to our country geographically. We need to step up here, a great opportunity for us to show the world what we are made of and better our image!!!

{"commentId":2800387,"threadId":"351208","contentId":"1836110","authorDomain":"darthmaulrob"}

2 votes

#2 - Sat Sep 6, 2008 8:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":2800899,"authorDomain":"gl-electric"}

Gary Locke

I really don't understand the reasons for the continued blockade of Cuba. All of these countries around the world ask for money from the American government. Cuba has never asked for money, that I know of. All they want is the rights to free trade like everyone else. There are many Cuban people in Florida that can't even visit their own family. Oh yea, once every 3 years! Hasn't the Cuban leadership been loosening up the tight grip they have on the Cuban people? I think it is time for the American leaders to let up on their grip and stop acting like dictators. Do you think it is because Cuba doesn't have oil fields?

{"commentId":2800899,"threadId":"351208","contentId":"1836110","authorDomain":"gl-electric"}

1 vote

#3 - Sat Sep 6, 2008 9:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":2801608,"authorDomain":"darthmaulrob"}

Robert-Eglin AFB, FL

Yep could be...We have more blog entries about crap happening way around the world and I see like 3 here and it is on our backdoor.. What does that say.. We need to be more involved on this side of the world.. If the Govt is looking to bail companies out or give aid.. I am a single military parent with 3 kids... THEY CAN START RIGHT HERE!!!

{"commentId":2801608,"threadId":"351208","contentId":"1836110","authorDomain":"darthmaulrob"}

1 vote

#3.1 - Sat Sep 6, 2008 10:46 PM EDT

{"commentId":2804657,"authorDomain":"SthPacific"}

SthPacific

Ha but they accepted 120 metric tonnes of aid from Moscow, Russia sends two more aid planes to hurricane-stricken Cuba

{"commentId":2804657,"threadId":"351208","contentId":"1836110","authorDomain":"SthPacific"}

1 vote

#4 - Sun Sep 7, 2008 8:45 AM EDT

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Cuba declines US disaster assessment after Gustav

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