The advance of Hurricane Ivan toward Cuba reopened debate over a months-old policy limiting the aid that Cuban-Americans can send and the trips they can make to the communist-led island.

A group appealed Saturday to President Bush to waive the restrictions on humanitarian grounds, so Cuban-Americans can help Cuba rebuild in the wake of more than $1 billion in damage from Hurricane Charley and soon, additional damage from Ivan.

"There are no words to describe the fear and empathy our community feels for so many family members now bracing for this killer storm," said the open letter to Bush requesting a moratorium on the latest travel curbs and a lifting on restrictions on aid sent.

"We emphasize that this is not a political move. We are faced with a situation where politics must be placed aside and humanity be prioritized," said the letter, signed by Alvaro Fernandez and Silvia Wilhelm of the Miami-based Cuban American Commission for Family Rights Inc.

But backers of strong measures against Fidel Castro's regime rejected the appeal, arguing that relief aid from the United States likely wouldn't reach the needy anyway.

Anti-Castro activist Ninoska Perez Castellon recalled how Cuba's government diverted some relief supplies sent from Miami after Hurricane Lili in 1996 to the Dominican Republic, because it didn't like messages on the packages, such as "Love conquers all." And after Charley this year, Havana rejected a U.S. government offer of $50,000 in aid.

"If lifting the restrictions would help, I'd be for it," said Perez Castellon. "But we've seen from previous hurricanes, the only aid Fidel wants is what he can control."

The Bush administration this summer adopted new U.S. Treasury Department rules that limit Cuban-Americans to one visit to the island every three years and restricts the type of goods they can send. For example, clothing and soap can no longer be sent.

The rules also narrow the definition of family only to spouses, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren and siblings, so that Cuban-Americans no longer can visit or send packages to such relatives as cousins or aunts.

Treasury officials say the measures aim to restrict cash and aid to Cuba and can hasten the transition to democracy. But the measures have incensed many recent arrivals from Cuba, who still have strong ties with the island.

Staff Writer Madeline Baro contributed to this report.

Doreen Hemlock can be reached at dhemlock@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5009.

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