US gives OK to Cuba help

[Judi Lynn]

US gives OK to Cuba help

The US government has licenced a Houston-based oil drilling group to travel to Cuba to start cooperation on safety and environmental practices following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

News wires 26 May 2010 20:09 GMT

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) said today the Obama administration denied it permission to travel to Cuba in December, but reversed the decision apparently due to the attention the BP well blowout brought to the potential for an environmental catastrophe.

"The licence was granted, curiously, just after the spill in the US," said IADC executive Brian Petty. "We are pleased the government has relented."

The IADC is waiting for Cuba to set a date for a visit by a delegation of five of its staff to enhance Cuban awareness of global standards in the prevention of accidents, safety procedures and environmental protection, Petty said.

The delegation would discuss the prospect of deep-water drilling offshore Cuba, the IADC said.

More:
http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article215998.ece

[flamingdem]

1. I hope it's about safety MORE than about drilling in Cuba

though that might be the golden key to better relations!