Hurricane-battered Cuba refuses US aid, donation

HAVANA: Cuba has refused US donation and aid but said that it was ready to buy essential goods from American firms on a commercial basis.

In a communication to the US State Department, the Cuban Interest Section in Washington asked for an authorization to buy supplies American companies place on the export market, as well as credits that are normal in all commercial operations.

The government said it cannot accept a donation from a government that has the island state under a blockade, but is willing to buy materials from American companies on a strictly commercial basis.

Cuba's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that it has for a second time rejected the US offer of post hurricane aid with strings attached, stressing that the country will overcome the situation.

The United States and Cuba have been hostile to each other, with the former having had an economic ban on the latter for nearly 50 years since the Cuban Revolution in 1959.