Forwarded from the new zealand list. Apparently mites have hit Cuba.

-----Original Message-----
CUBA- Not content with conventional conflict tactics like sanctions and a
1961 CIA-backed invasion, the United States has resorted to attacking Cuba's
bees, according to the ruling Communist party's weekly newspaper. The
State-run newspaper Granma Internacional accused Washington of waging a
"biological war" against Cuba that was probably to blame for a disease that
has destroyed 16,000 beehives, causing $2 million in lost honey output since
1996. In the latest edition of the paper, writer Raisa Pages based the claim
on the fact that the disease attacking the beehives, which Cuba calls
"varroasis", first appeared in the west of the island. The honey accusation
is the latest in a long line of "biological" attacks Havana has blamed on
Washington. US officials have generally ridiculed the claims as fantasy and
propaganda.
- Reuters