PRESIDENT SENDS LETTER OF CONDOLENCES TO CUBA

Jakarta, Sept 16 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is sending a letter to Cuban President Raul Castro expressing condolences over the disaster Cuba is suffering by hurricane Ike, a presidential spokesman said.
Presidential Spokesman Dino Pati Djalal said on Tuesday, the president had signed the letter and it was to be sent on Wednesday.
Besides expressing condolences, Yudhoyono also asked the Cuban president what Indonesia could send to Cuba as relief aid for the disaster victims.
"In his letter, the president also asked what kind of assistance Indonesia could provide for the people affected by the hurricane," Djalal said.
Cuba sent some 300 volunteer doctors to Indonesia when Aceh was hit by a tsunami and Yogyakarta by a devastating earthquake.
"Therefore, it is only proper for us to ask what assistance we can provide for the Cuban people," Djalal said.
Hurricane Ike with a speed of 165 kilometers per hour swept through the northern coastal regions of Cuba causing heavy damage to houses and forcing 800,000 people to evacuate.
Prior to Hurricane Ike, Cuba was also hit by Hurricane Gustav.
Gustav caused heavy damage to the western part of the island and ruined 100,000 houses.
Hurricane Ike was expected to reach the Cuban capital of Havana on Tuesday morning.