Two prominent Communist dissidents in Cuba delivered a letter to the US Interests Section in Havana yesterday, addressed to President Bush. Marta Beatriz Roque and Vladimiro Roca pleaded with Bush to ease the American ban [1] on travel and money transfers to Cuba, after Hurricane Gustav left the country's buildings and electricity infrastructure damaged and many people homeless.

[2]

The letter explained:

Knowing how intransigent the Cuban government is about accepting help from your country . . . we ask that you permit American non-governmental organizations to help the region so as to soothe the suffering of its inhabitants.

Russia has already sent aid, welcomed by Cuban officials, hinting at a revival [3] of traditional Cold War relations. Perhaps lifting the ban, an act of placing humanitarian over political interests, could also give the US a geopolitical advantage. After all, it would be a PR blow to the Communist regime when people in the US have to step in to help its own people.

Source [10]