The Guardian 17 May, 2006
Stupid white (American) men
The Cuban government is to allow China to station 12 oil rigs in its waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Work is being stepped up on 36 new oil wells in partnership with Chinese and Canadian companies, officials said recently.
Diplomatic sources said Indian, Norwegian and Spanish companies would begin searching for crude oil in the gulf.
The news has angered some US politicians, who say the US economic embargo of Cuba locks them out of the potentially lucrative operation at a time when oil prices are soaring.
Republican US Senator Larry Craig of Idaho said: "The American public would be shocked and stunned that as this country faces a serious energy crisis at home, countries like China, India, Canada, Spain and Norway are exploring and drilling 50 miles off the US coast."
Cuba invited US companies to take part in the drilling operations, but the 44-year old US trade embargo prevents it.