[Marxism] Castro repeats offer of aid to USA, Criticizes US response

["Walter Lippmann" <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From State Department daily briefing transcript (excerpts)

Daily Press Briefing
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 1, 2005

MR. MCCORMACK: Good afternoon. I want to start with a brief update on
a topic that I know is of interest to everybody here concerning
Hurricane Katrina relief and relief efforts as well as on offers of
foreign assistance. Let me start off by saying that we have received
numerous and generous offers of assistance from foreign governments
and foreign organizations. And Secretary Rice after consulting with
the White House has made it clear that we will accept all offers of
foreign assistance. Anything that can be of help to alleviate the
difficult situation, the tragic situation, of the people of the area
affected by Hurricane Katrina will be accepted.
------------------------------------------------
MR. MCCORMACK: I don't -- I haven't seen that report and I don't have
knowledge of the specific interaction. But let me make it very clear.
Secretary Rice has said, in consultation with the White House, that
no offers of assistance will be refused. No offer that can help
alleviate the suffering of the people of the affected area will be
refused.
------------------------------------------------
MR. MCCORMACK: Venezuela? What about Venezuela?

QUESTION: Well, they have -- I mean, that's the answer to the
question. They have a humanitarian brigade that they are offering,
which includes troops.

MR. MCCORMACK: George, I have here that they have offered to provide
energy assistance, cash assistance and that's all the information
that I have, George. And we're certainly -- we welcome all offers of
assistance.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2005/52402.htm
======================================================================

09/03/05
BBC

CASTRO REPEATS OFFER OF AID TO USA, CRITICIZES US RESPONSE

At 2203 gmt on 2 September, Cuban Cubavision carried a special
roundtable on "the tragic situation in the United States in the wake
of Hurricane Katrina," from its studios in Havana.

Moderator Randy Alonso Falcon introduced the Roundtable and welcomed
the participants: Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and journalists
Reinaldo Taladrid, Arleen Rodriguez and Lazaro Barredo. Alonso also
welcomed Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, who was in the
audience.

Castro began by stating that it was necessary to improvise this
Roundtable because of the events in the United States after Hurricane
Katrina. He then began reading statements by US State Department
spokesman Sean McCormack yesterday accepting aid offers from foreign
countries to help with the damage caused by Katrina.

Castro stated that the Cuban Government learned about those
statements later at night, when the National Assembly of the People's
Government sessions concluded. He added that he had to clarify Cuba's
position. He read a brief chronology on Cuba's aid offers to the US.
He stated that after reports on the scale of the damage caused by
Katrina on 29 August, he called Perez Roque and instructed him, on 30
August, to relay condolences through the US Interests Section (Usint)
in Havana. He commented that he had previously conversed with many
farmers and authorities from the US and from the state of Louisiana.
He recalled Governor Kathleen Blanco's visit several months ago.

Castro stated that Cuba had previously offered its vast experience in
dealing with hurricanes and it was the first country to respond and
offer condolences after the 9/11 events. He then stated that a
Foreign Relations official met the second chief of the Usint at
around 1200 [local time] on 30 August, where she expressed Cuba's
desire to put aside the current state of diplomatic relations before
offering aid and condolences.

Castro recalled the path of Katrina and commented on how it affected
Cuba as it passed close to the island. Castro then read the message
sent to the Usint expressing condolences and offering the necessary
doctors and medical personnel; including three tent hospitals with
the necessary equipment and personnel. He stressed that Cuba did not
desire that this offer be made public so that it did not seem like an
act of public relations.

Castro related how the chief of the Cuban Interests Section in
Washington, Dagoberto Rodriguez, also met with US officials to
reiterate Cuba's offer. He stated that McCormack's press conference
came three days later.

Later, Castro continued reading the Cuban condolence note. He
stressed that Cuba's message came with all the respect and sincerity
that Cuba was known for. He stated that any aid from Cuba would
arrive much faster than the aid from other countries far away.

Castro stated that Cuba was not mentioned in McCormack's list of
countries offering aid, and it felt offended that it had been ignored
in such way. He added that the omission might have been unintentional
because of Cuba's desire that it not be made public and commented
that there were no hard feelings because of that. He commented on the
high cost of sending a plane with field hospitals, medicine and
personnel.

Castro stated that Cuba wanted to reiterate its willingness to
cooperate with the American people and began reading the statements
on Cuba's position. He read that Cuba was willing to send via air 100
health specialists in the early morning hours tonight to help in
areas of New Orleans where medical attention was needed. He added
that each doctor would take a backpack with 24 milligrams of
medication and the diagnostic equipment required for such
emergencies. He read that the specialists could be divided into
groups of two and would stay there as long as they were needed. He
continued reading that Cuba would be willing to send another 500
specialists tomorrow afternoon, and then a third group of 500
specialists with the same equipment on Sunday. He stated that this
would represent 26.4 tonnes of medications and the personnel
necessary to provide medical attention.

Castro recalled other strong hurricanes that had hit Cuba. He
continued reading that medical personnel had extensive international
experience and basic language skills. Castro went on to read an Efe
press agency report on the lack of medical care in New Orleans at the
moment.

Castro praised the services of Cuban health volunteers throughout the
world; he then continued reading a press agency report on the current
situation in New Orleans. Castro criticized the rejection of Cuban
aid and stated that experts had even said that a worse hurricane
could hit again before this hurricane season is over.

Castro stressed that at times like this it was not right to be
thinking about politics. He stated that Cuba was only offering the
aid for the benefit of the American people who were suffering right
now. He praised the thousands of doctors and health specialists
graduating in Cuba. Castro commented on how governments should forget
about differences and cooperate in times of need.

Castro commented on the medical equipment that Cuba had available in
case the US needed it. He excused himself for taking up so much time
and stated that he did not have much else to say. Castro affirmed
that he hoped something good came out of this horrific tragedy.

Source: Cubavision TV, Havana, in Spanish 2203 gmt 2 Sep 05



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