WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The United States said Thursday it is "very
                  disappointed" that Cuba had turned down a U.S. contribution to an
                  emergency food appeal to combat drought in the communist-ruled island.

                  "We regret that the Cuban government has decided to put politics ahead of
                  the basic needs of the Cuban people," State Department spokesman James
                  Rubin said. "We hope that the Cuban government will reconsider its
                  position."

                  Washington had said it would consider contributing up to one third of a
                  $20.5 million United Nations World Food Program drought aid program for
                  Cuba.

                  But Cuban President Fidel Castro said earlier this week that Havana would
                  refuse any aid from a government that had carried out economic "war" on
                  Cuba for 40 years -- a reference to a U.S. trade blockade.

                  Castro said it would be against Cuba's "honor" to receive aid from the
                  United States, its sworn political foe since soon after his 1959 revolution.

                  Rubin said in a statement: "We stand ready to help the Cuban people, and
                  are very disappointed at this Cuban government decision."

                  The drought, which afflicted Cuba's eastern provinces until rain began to fall
                  earlier this month, has been described by Castro as "the worst of all times"
                  on the island.
 

                  Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited.