US defends aid record on Cuba

The United States says it has approved donations of more than a billion dollars worth of food and medical aid to Cuba in the past five years -- despite the economic embargo against the island.

The State Department spokesman, James Foley, gave the figure at a news conference in Washington.

The move came a day after the US Chamber of Commerce announced the formation of a lobby group to press for an end to restrictions on sales of medicine and food.

Mr Foley rejected claims that US policy was responsible for any humanitarian crisis in Cuba.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service