Cuba Closely Monitoring Gulf Oil Spill 

Cuba is closely monitoring the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and taking measures to deal with any possible impact.

Heavy Industry Minister Yadira García said that a work team composed of Civil Defense and high ranking specialists has been formed to deal with the situation.

At Havana's Convention Center where the 12 Permanent Commissions of Parliament are in session, Garcia said during the debate in the Commission on Environment and Energy that after the rig explosion Cuba has verified its own resources and those of foreign technical assistance that could be made available should Cuba be affected by the spill.

She emphasized that new requirements are required with respect to rigs, greater controls of the shipyards, the quality of welding, and other matters that could increase safety.

Cuba's development in petroleum production is an expression of the authorities' efforts to broaden financial and material investment, she said, adding that the preparation of human resources allows Cuba to dominate the technology and offer new solutions to the problems posed by petroleum-related activity.

Source: PL