Originally published September 7, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 8, 2008 at 10:34 AM

Cuba declines U.S. offer to send disaster team

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.

By The Associated Press

See more mapped stories

HAVANA — 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 $100,000 in humanitarian aid 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.

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 the equivalent of only about $20 a month.

More Nation & World headlines...

E-mail article Print view Share: Digg Newsvine

Comments

No comments have been posted to this article. Start the conversation.

Read all comments / Share your thoughts

More Nation & World

Obama strategy 'to finish the job'

Reform won't take bite out of health-care profits

More Americans skeptical of global warming, polls says

Census worker's death was suicide, Kentucky police say

Hotline pros learn to calm nerves in a tizzy over turkey

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.