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Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Cuba has accepted a US offer to send a disaster team to help with Hurricane Wilma - the first time in decades that Cuba has said yes to such an offer.
A three-member disaster assessment team is set to go to the Cuban capital Havana, the US state department said.
Cuban President Fidel Castro confirmed that Cuba did not object to the US visit, but said the country was not appealing for international aid.
The two have not had diplomatic ties since Mr Castro took power in 1959.
The US has maintained a strict economic embargo in response to Cuba's communist policies. It rejected Havana's offer of medical help after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in August.
Hurricane Wilma destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands of Cubans without power or running water.
President Castro has said the visit should be an opportunity for US and Cuban officials to share ideas regarding natural disasters.
Cuba thanked but turned down US offers of help following Hurricane Dennis in July.
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