U.N. AID TO CUBA

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 9

U.N. AID TO CUBA

Objections By U.S.

(N.Z.P. A .-Reuter—Copprip h t) NEW YORK. February 13. The United Nations is to override American objections and go ahead with plans to help Cuba establish a 3,000,000-dollar agricultural experimental station.

The managing director of the United Nations Special Fund for Economic Development, Mr Paul Hoffman, who announced this, said the United Nations body would implement the scheme in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Cuban Government. Mr Hoffman made it dear however, that no United States money would be used. The United States, the biggest contributor to the United Nations Special Fund, expressed official regret today at the decision to press on with the project, saying that Cuba’s agriculture was in a “chaotic” state because of gross Government mismanagement. "In addition, the massive influx of Communist ’ technicians last year raises the question as to the priority need of more technicians in Cuba,’’ the United States said in a prepared statement. Mr Hoffman said the United Nations would spend 100,000 dollars in an initial six-month period. during which five experts would consider whether the proposals were practicable. American objections had resulted in the shelving of the scheme by the governing council of the United Nations Special Fund, but Cuba appealed to the United Nations Secretary-General (U Thant) this week to “persuade” Mr Hoffman to approve the project, which had been set aside for further review by the governing council of the Special Fund last month. Mr Hoffman, former Marshall Plan Administrator, told a press conference that U Thant had not exerted any pressure to make him change ■his mind.