WASHINGTON (AP) - Cuba has sent word to the U.N. World Food Program that it will not accept an American contribution to the program's appeal for emergency food donations for the island, the State Department said Thursday.

Spokesman James P. Rubin expressed disappointment at the Cuban government's decision.

After the World Food Program launched the appeal several weeks ago in response to a severe drought in eastern Cuba, the United States informed it that it would consider contributing up to one-third of the amount of food requested.

The only U.S. condition was that standard requirements be met, including monitoring of distribution and a designation on food sacks confirming the donation was of U.S. origin.

"We regret that the Cuban government has decided to put politics ahead of the basic needs of the Cuban people,'' Rubin said.

The World Food Program is seeking $20.5 million in donations to buy rice, beans and canned fish for Cubans. It estimated crop losses in eastern Cuba totaled $267 million.

The Clinton administration's plan to contribute was opposed by two Cuban-American lawmakers from Florida. Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, both Republicans, said they oppose "in the strongest possible terms, all forms of aid, including food assistance, to the Castro dictatorship.''

© 1998 Associated Press