Charity: Lili Won’t Help Castro Church Allays Fears Over Control Of Hurricane Aid To Cuba

The Catholic church assured anti-Castro Cubans Monday that it will control distribution of tons of food to Hurricane Lili survivors, allaying their suspicions that the Cuban government might steal the aid.

About 35 tons of rice, beans, powdered milk and other food was expected to be handed out today on the southern side of Cuba, and a second flight was being scheduled for Sunday.

A convoy of trucks was to deliver the aid to Cienfuegos, where 10,363 people have been identified by Catholic Charities, known as Caritas, to receive assistance.

The trucks are operated by the Cuban government, but Catholic officials are controlling the distribution, said church spokesman Peter Coats.

But Cuban President Fidel Castro’s foes in Miami, including the Cuban American National Foundation, remained skeptical despite supporting the donations. Some contend the food will never reach the victims.

Many exile groups have helped in the collection of food, including Brothers to the Rescue, which flies planes to spot Cuban rafters. In February two Cuban MiGs shot down two Brothers’ planes, killing four pilots.

Coats said as much as 300,000 pounds of food has been collected in Dade County, mostly from Cuban individuals.