Cuba on Sunday refused a U.S. offer of US$100,000 for disaster relief but suggested that the American government ease financing restrictions for six months to allow the purchase of American materials needed for recovery after Hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a note sent to international journalists that it delivered the message to the U.S. State Department on Sunday evening through its Interests Section in Washington.

It is the first time Cuba has said directly it will not accept the U.S. government aid. Cuba previously refused a U.S. offer to send a disaster assessment team to the island.

Cuba also has suggested that the U.S. drop some restrictions to aid in hurricane recovery, but this was the first mention of a six-month period.

“Our country cannot accept a donation from a government that has us under a blockade, although it is willing to buy indispensable materials from American companies,” the note read.