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September 30, 2002.
Hurricane Lili threatens Cuba, 227,000 evacuate in fear of storm
Mon Sep 30, 9:38 Pm Et. By Anita Snow, Associated Press
Writer
HAVANA - Hurricane Lili readied to strike western Cuba on Tuesday and
127,000 people fled their homes in fear of the storm that ripped roofs from
apartment buildings in the wealthy Cayman Islands and left seven dead in Jamaica
and St. Vincent.
Lili is forecast to pick up speed and its violent winds more strength as it
approaches Cuba, whipping up battering waves and storm surges up to 10 feet
higher than normal, the U.S. National Hurricane Center ( news - web sites) in
Miami warned.
Monday night, the hurricane continued to punish Jamaica, the Cayman Islands
and eastern Cuba with torrential rains that "could cause life-threatening
flash flooding and mudslides," the Hurricane Center said.
Lili grew from a tropical storm Monday as its winds topped 74 mph (119 kph)
and its eye tore across Cayman Brac, uprooting trees and utility poles, knocking
out electricity and tearing roofs from at least two apartment complexes,
legislator Lyndon Martin said in the British territory. About 300 people sought
refuge in emergency shelters in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
"We just did a lot of praying," said newlywed Melanie Nunn of
Greensboro, North Carolina, who interrupted a honeymoon with her husband,
Robbie, to move to a shelter in Cayman Brac.
At 8 p.m. EDT (midnight GMT), Lili had winds of 80 mph (130 kph) extending
up to 15 miles (25 kilometers) and tropical storm force winds stretching another
140 miles (220 kilometers). It was centered 145 miles (235 kilometers) southeast
of Cuba's Isle of Youth, churning to the west-northwest at 10 mph (17 kph).
Lili, the fourth hurricane of the Atlantic season, was expected to pass
close or over the Isle of Youth at dawn Tuesday and make a direct hit on western
Cuba around noon, the Cuban Institute of Meteorology said.
"The weather will deteriorate rapidly on the Isle of Youth during the
night and during the dawn hours hurricane-force winds and strong and locally
intense rains will envelop all" the isle, it said.
The hurricane could strike the U.S. coast in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday or
Friday with winds up to 100 mph (160 kph), said Martin Nelson, lead forecaster
at the Hurricane Center. He said Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi are likely
targets.
Lili reached the Caribbean last week as a tropical storm, leaving four dead
in St. Vincent, damaging 400 homes in Barbados and destroying half St. Lucia's
banana crop.
Three people, including a 3-year-old, died Sunday in Jamaica when
floodwaters swept them away. As many as 40 homes were destoyed, 120 were
flooded, and 750 Jamaicans moved to emergency shelters, officials said.
Authorities in western Cuba asked people in low-lying areas or near the
coast to move in with relatives or friends in safer areas and reported 127,000
people evacuated, including 3,715 people forced from their homes by Hurricane
Isidore 10 days ago. On Sunday, another 100,000 people were evacuated from
eastern Cuba as Lili neared.
Mexicans also were abandoning homes in the northeastern Yucatan peninsula,
where Lili's heavy rains were expected Tuesday. Isidore damaged 95,000 homes
there. The Yucatan coast from Cozumel to Progreso was under tropical storm
watch.
The Cayman Islands was under hurricane warning and Cuba posted a hurricane
warning for Havana and the western provinces of Matanzas, Pinar del Rio and the
Isle of Youth. The rest of Cuba was under a storm warning.
Jamaica discontinued its storm warning Monday but remained on flash flood
alert.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Kyle sent winds gusting to tropical storm force
over the mid-Atlantic British island of Bermuda, where a storm watch was in
effect. Kyle was downgraded to a depression later Monday as its winds dropped to
35 mph (55 kph) about 350 miles (560 kilometers) south-southwest of Bermuda.
Hurricane Lili threatens Cuba
The Weather Channel Dr. Steve Lyons, Tropical Expert. Mon
Sep 30, 8:03 PM ET.
Hurricane Lili has intensified slowly but steadily the past 18 hours and now
has winds estimated at 80 mph. Moving WNW at 10 mph, little change in track is
expected the next 36 to 48 hours but some increase in forward speed is likely.
The 72 hour forecast is aimed just offshore the TX/LA coastline with a trend
toward a more NNW track at that time. It may turn more NNE at landfall. The
circulation is currently tiny as hurricane wind radii extend out only 15 nm from
the center. Typically small hurricanes remain small unless they interact with
extratropical weather systems. Therefore, only a small area of the U.S. Gulf
coast should be impacted by Lili, near and a little east of the center.
Currently, we expect it to be moving at least 12-15 mph at landfall. This should
limit rainfall impacts. Waves will be small on the east side of the circulation
and no a threat on the west side. The intensity forecast is to a Category 3 in
72 hours. If this happens, a localized area of surge and damaging winds will
affect the coastline. Hurricane watches and warnings are up for parts of Cuba,
the Cayman Islands and Yucantan. The first place watches/warnings could be
posted for the U.S. is in the Florida Keys, but currently the circulation
remains so small they may not be necessary there. The track confidence is fairly
high the first 36 hours, fair through 48 and marginal to 72 hours as the
hurricane could take a turn from WNW or NW toward N or NNE before landfall. Gulf
Coast residents should monitor the situation and make sure they have their
hurricane plan in place should they have to implement it. TD Kyle is weakening
along a frontal boundary...it remains a marine hazard but will cause some wave
action along the Florida east coast to 6 feet the next 24 to 36 hours. The
remainder of the Atlantic is quiet.
In the western Pacific, Typhoon Higos (125 mph) is heading toward Japan.
Higos should weaken steadily as it charges northward , but still should be at
least a minimal typhoon as it churns just south of Tokyo on Tuesday.
Cuba Says $90 Million in Food Deals Struck With U.S. Companies at Expo
Mon Sep 30, 7:53 PM ET. Dow Jones Business News
HAVANA -- New U.S. food sales to communist Cuba reached nearly $90 million
Monday at an agribusiness fair aimed at whetting the island's appetite for U.S.
farm products and chipping away at the 40-year trade embargo, Cuban officials
said.
As the fair neared the end of its last day Monday, Cuban officials said they
had signed contracts for about $89 million in U.S. farm products -- almost
double what they initially hoped for.
Deals for as much as $13 million more in sales were still being discussed
and would be announced in the coming days, said Pedro Alvarez, head of the Cuban
food import concern Alimport.
"The embargo has been weakening," President Fidel Castro said
Monday afternoon after signing one of the largest contracts of the fair, a $17.1
million deal with agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. of Minneapolis.
Cuban officials hope the U.S. food fair and resulting sales will lead to
more trade with the U.S. and a further weakening of the U.S. trade embargo
against the island, gradually imposed in the early 1960s shortly after Castro
came to power. A 2000 U.S. law allowing U.S. food sales to Cuba is an exception
to those sanctions.
Cuba started taking advantage of the law in November, and before the fair
began had purchased more than $140 million in U.S. food. With the new deals,
that number has grown to nearly $230 million.
U.S. President Bush has said he won't support any easing of the embargo
until this socialist country embraces democratic and economic reforms. But a
growing number of U.S. lawmakers and American farmers looking for new markets
have pressed for an easing of regulations.
Dressed in a dark slacks and a long-sleeved white guayabera shirt for the
signing ceremony, the 76-year-old Mr. Castro credited growing opposition to the
trade sanctions within the U.S. to "the efforts of Americans themselves,
many politicians and farmers."
The contract for corn, soybeans, soybean oil and turkey drumsticks was
signed by Cargill Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer Robert Lumpkins, who
expressed hope that the show and sales would "strengthen the bridge between
our two countries."
"All of these developments are only one step toward broadening our
relations with Cuba," said Mr. Lumpkins. "We will continue to support
efforts to further normalize the commercial relationship between our two
countries."
Archer Daniels Midland , the primary sponsor of the five-day fair of U.S.
farm products, signed contracts for slightly more than $17 million during the
event, organizers said.
Also Monday, Castro initialed a contract with Kaehler's Homedale Farms of
St. Charles, Minn., for the $75,000 purchase of 50 beef cattle and three bulls
from breeding.
The Cuban president chatted with farm owner Ralph Kaehler's two sons, Cliff,
13, and Seth, 11, who cared for the family's livestock on display. The boys also
initialed the contract and toasted its signing with soda pop while the grown-ups
sipped on champagne.
At the fair Sunday morning, some exhibitors began giving away food products
brought for display. Goldkist Inc. of Atlanta gave away 600 pounds of frozen
chicken in five-pound packages to delighted Cuban visitors. The chicken was gone
in five minutes.
There were more food giveaways Monday, as scores of Cuban visitors lined up
for small bags of chewing gum from Wm. Wrigley Jr. of Chicago. Fair organizers
said about 1 million sticks of gum were given away over five days.
The exhibition, which opened Thursday, featured 288 exhibitors from 33
states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The show and participants are
fully licensed by the U.S. government to be in Cuba.
Cuba to Pay $90 Mil. for U.S. Food
Mon Sep 30, 7:17 Pm Et. By Anita Snow, Associated Press
Writer
HAVANA (AP) - New American food sales to communist Cuba reached nearly $90
million Monday at an agribusiness fair aimed at whetting the island's appetite
for U.S. farm products and chipping away at the 40-year trade embargo, Cuban
officials said.
As the fair neared the end of its last day Monday, Cuban officials said they
had signed contracts for about $89 million in U.S. farm products — almost
double what they initially hoped for.
Deals for as much as $13 million more in sales were still being discussed
and would be announced in the coming days, said Pedro Alvarez, head of the Cuban
food import concern Alimport.
"The embargo has been weakening," President Fidel Castro said
Monday afternoon after signing one of the largest contracts of the fair, a $17.1
million deal with agribusiness giant Cargill, Inc. of Minneapolis.
Cuban officials hope the U.S. food fair and resulting sales will lead to
more trade with the United States and a further weakening of the American trade
embargo against the island, gradually imposed in the early 1960s shortly after
Castro came to power. A 2000 U.S. law allowing American food sales to Cuba is an
exception to those sanctions.
Cuba started taking advantage of the law in November, and before the fair
began had purchased more than $140 million in American food. With the new deals,
that number has grown to nearly $230 million.
President George W. Bush has said he will not support any easing of the
embargo until this socialist country embraces democratic and economic reforms.
But a growing number of U.S. lawmakers and American farmers looking for new
markets have pressed for an easing of regulations.
Dressed in a dark slacks and a long-sleeved white guayabera shirt for the
signing ceremony, the 76-year-old Castro credited growing opposition to the
trade sanctions within the United States to "the efforts of Americans
themselves, many politicians and farmers."
The contract for corn, soybeans, soybean oil and turkey drumsticks was
signed by Cargill Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer Robert Lumpkins, who
expressed hope that the show and sales would "strengthen the bridge between
our two countries."
"All of these developments are only one step toward broadening our
relations with Cuba," said Lumpkins. "We will continue to support
efforts to further normalize the commercial relationship between our two
countries
Archer Daniels Midland,the primary sponsor of the five-day fair of American
farm products, signed contracts for slightly more than $17 million during the
event, organizers said.
Also on Monday, Castro initialed a contract with Kaehler's Homedale Farms of
St. Charles, Minn., for the $75,000 purchase of 50 beef cattle and three bulls
from breeding.
The Cuban president chatted with farm owner Ralph Kaehler's two sons, Cliff,
13, and Seth, 11, who cared for the family's livestock on display. The boys also
initialed the contract and toasted its signing with soda pop while the grown-ups
sipped on champagne.
At the fair Sunday morning, some exhibitors began giving away food products
brought for display. Goldkist Inc. of Atlanta gave away 600 pounds of frozen
chicken in 5-pound packages to delighted Cuban visitors. The chicken was gone in
five minutes.
There were more food giveaways on Monday, as scores of Cuban visitors lined
up for small bags of chewing gum from Wm. Wrigley Jr. of Chicago. Fair
organizers said about 1 million sticks of gum were given away over five days.
The exhibition, which opened Thursday, featured 288 exhibitors from 33
states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The show and participants are
fully licensed by the U.S. government to be in Cuba, which remains under a trade
embargo after more than four decades.
Greece sweeps Cuba on the second day at the World Volleyball
Championships
By Graham Gori. Associated Press Writer. Mon Sep 30, 2:54
Pm Et
SALTA, Argentina - A revitalized Greek team swept Cuba on Monday while Spain
overcame a two-set deficit to beat Japan at the 15th World Volleyball
Championships.
"When we came here, we never thought wed get to the second round,"
Greek player Nikolaos Roumeliotis said. "We have one game left against the
Czechs and I believe we can take second or third."
After losing a sloppy first round match, Greece reshuffled its lineup and
looked sharp against a younger and less experienced Cuban team, winning 25-21,
25-21 and 25-19.
"This is the real picture of our team," Greek head coach Stelios
Prosalikas said. "I'm happy because we won against a very strong Cuban
team."
The Greeks will have to defeat a favored Czech team Tuesday to improve their
chances of moving on to the second round.
Cuba, which upset the Czech Republic in its first-round match, will have its
hands full Tuesday when it faces group favorite the Netherlands.
"This was a very unpleasant day for us," Cuba coach Eliseao Ramos
said. "Yesterday we played aggressively and today we were a different team
... Nobody stepped up their game."
Yugoslavia, the gold medalist at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, improved its
record to 2-0 after marching in straight sets through Kazahkstan and came one
step closer to securing a first-place finish in its group.
Elsewhere, Spain came back to defeat Japan in a five-set bout, 25-18, 23-25,
22-25, 29-27 and 15-13. Both teams are now 1-1 in group play and will battle to
finish second in their group and move on to the second round.
The United States, which dropped only one set against Egypt in its first
match, will try to extend its streak when it faces powerhouse Brazil on Monday
afternoon.
Fierce competition is just shaping up in this 24-nation tournament as teams
fight to reach the Oct. 13 championship match.
Italy is still the favorite in its quest for a fourth consecutive title
after pounding Croatia in its opener. It will face a strong Polish team Monday.
"We played with great confidence on the attack. The road is opening up
little by little," said Andrea Sartoretti, who leads Italy in scoring.
Russia, a pre-tournament favorite, lost in a surprising upset against
Bulgaria in its first match. It will face a confident French team, which easily
handled a less experienced Tunisian squad Sunday. | 
