THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

HAVANA - Cuba 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 said in a statement it appreciated the U.S. government gesture recognizing the destruction 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 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 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 United States is "confident that the transition to a free and open democracy is being made."

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

Ailing former Cuban president Fidel Castro wrote this week recovery from Gustav could cost billions of dollars.