Castro offers US medical help

From: Agence France-Presse

From correspondents in Havana

September 03, 2005

 

CUBAN President Fidel Castro has offered to help the United States, by sending 1,100 doctors and medicine to treat the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Some 100 doctors could board a flight to Houston, Texas, as soon as today and 1,000 could arrive tomorrow and the day after, Castro said in a radio and television address. Cuba would also send 26.4 tonnes of medicines.

"Cuba is ready to help immediately," he said. "We offer concrete things, doctors to the site of the tragedy, which is exactly what is missing now."

Castro said a diplomatic note containing the offer was sent today to the US Interests Section, the American mission in Havana, and was the second such offer of its kind made this week.

He said the first offer to send Cuban doctors to aid in hurricane relief efforts was made during a meeting with Cuban foreign ministry and US officials in Havana on Tuesday, days before the extent of the hurricane's catastrophic damage was known.

At the time, American officials had asked Cuban authorities not to publicise their offer of aid, said Castro, who indicated Havana was still awaiting a response from Washington.

"(American) authorities are going through a difficult time, we are not asking for anything," said Castro, whose country has not had diplomatic relations with the United States in more than four decades. "We're not criticising anyone."

The United States has enforced an economic embargo against its communist nemesis Cuba for four decades.

In July, Cuba declined Washington's offer of $50,000 humanitarian assistance in the wake of Hurricane Dennis, which killed at least 10 people in the communist-ruled island