Cuba's armed forces have begun their biggest military exercise for nearly 20 years, involving hundreds of thousands of troops and civilians. Posted on 12/14/2004 4:00:08 AM PST by crushelits
Cuba's armed forces have begun their biggest military exercise for nearly 20 years, involving hundreds of thousands of troops and civilians.
The exercise, called Bastion 2004, is a response to "the continued aggression and threats" of the US, Cuba says.
The manoeuvres are being led by Defence Minister Raul Castro - brother to President Fidel Castro and second in the Cuban hierarchy.
The US said the drill was an attempt to "distract" Cubans from daily hardships.
The exercise will involve exercises with Cuban air force MiG-29s, anti-aircraft units and elite troops.
Two days of civil defence exercises at the end of the week-long exercise will include a simulated aerial assault.
Officials say about 100,000 soldiers, some 400,000 reservists, and "millions" of civilians will take part.
Many Cuban civilians already belong to the thousands of neighbourhood Committees for the Defence of the Revolution, whose duties include maintaining readiness against attack.
"The determination of the US administration to destroy the [Cuban] revolution however they can, including militarily, determines the necessity of conducting these exercises," said Gen Leonardo Andollo, deputy chief of the armed forces, according to the AFP news agency.
Last week, the defence minister said the exercises would ensure "the enemy does not underestimate" the Cuban people.
'Peaceful transition'
The US sponsored a failed attempt by Cuban exiles to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs in 1961 but US officials are scornful at the idea that another invasion could be mounted.
"We don't think there is any justification, or any particular foundation for this kind of charge," said Richard Boucher, spokesman for the US state department.
"The United States has repeatedly called for a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba. We think that's what the Cuban people deserve, and we think they deserve it in a peaceful fashion," he was quoted as saying by AFP.
These "exercises are just, I would say, one or more of the many things that the Cuban government does to try to distract people from the problems that they face in their daily lives".
The US and Cuba have exchanged a series of verbal blows over the past year, with the US tightening its tough sanctions on the island and Cuba retaliating by imposing a tax on the use of US dollars.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was expected to arrive in Havana on a two-day visit on Monday, reports said - his second visit in just over one month. There were few details on his itinerary
Not to mention that Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, and Bill Moyers are either gone or on their way out.
"Preparation H will help"
Ever wonder what went wrong with Preparation A - G?
Puh-leeze. The fact that we're discussing this openly makes us not-slaves.
Obtain Moral Clarity. Read Sharansky's new book.
And Kim Jong Il almost out the door, maybe a regime change in Iran, Libya turned Westward. Not as dramatic as the fall of the USSR, but significant progress in the right direction.
If we get Social Security reform and tax reform over the next four years, the world is going to be a lot different over the 8 years of Bush's presidency. Certainly a good start in the new millenium and a better legacy than clinton.
I think, after he dies..you'll have a peaceful revolution in Cuba...they'll have to be some sort of general amnesty..maybe only the top 50 or so thugs will be tried..
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