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
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
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If Chavez wants to stay as President he should really keep his distance.
"biggest military exercise for nearly 20 years"
Eight '55 Chevy's and a tractor made from a '37 Ford?
Bovine Scatology. The US has virtually ingnored Cuba.
Castro must feel like the ugly girl at the 8th grade school dance----no one is paying attention.
Sounds more like an attempt to ensure the military is loyal to the regime, after Castro goes..
So that old nut Castro is going to spend their few remaining pesos on this stupidity. Have you seen how skinny Cubans are? They would be wiped out in a week in any kind of conflict. The sooner that decrepid dictator dies, the better.
Hmmmm...
Nice potential for "Two birds with one stone..."
Cuba is that annoying itch that won't go away.
Just ignore it, everyone else has.
YES!
I much prefer to win the "war" with ideas.
If you can convince people with ideas then it will be the population who will fight for their rights instead of us doing it for them!
Preparation H will help
not that kinda itch....
My immediate thought as well. I saw a short article this weekend quoting the US diplomat who covers Cuba saying Castro is very close to finally getting what he deserves.
On the one hand, the past year has brought us the capture of Saddam, Arafat's death and now Castro -- all good news for the people in those areas, the US and the rest of the world in general.
But, the immediate aftermath of Castro leaving will certainly be interesting - especially how the media treats it.
Eight hours of which is dedicated to listening to Castro's speeches.
Castro distracting his slaves with a made-up foreign threat. Predictable.
Chavez has been doing a lot of shuttle diplomacy with the dark side... Posted on another thread by me:
"The timeline has to be restated:
Venezuela's Chavez, Iran's Khatami review Tehran-Caracas relations -11/28/2004
Colombia reveals Bush assassination plot - 11/28/2004
(from thread's original post) The Colegio Hebraica, the private Jewish school in Caracas was raided by Venezuelan police on Monday, 11/29/2004. The raid took place at 6:30 AM, just as students were arriving for the start of the school day.
Perhaps these three events are releated."
Good thing we don't ever have to worry about something like that happening here......
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