Russia pulls out of its big spy base in Cuba

Guardian/UK ^ | 10/18/01 | Kevin O'Flynn in Moscow

[kattracks]

Nearly 40 years after troops from the Soviet Union arrived in Cuba, President Putin of Russia has ordered his military to pack up and leave what was once an important spy base there, heralding the end of Moscow's presence on the island.

Russia said the move, announced after a stormy meeting at the Russian defence ministry, was down to the cost of keeping the base going. But others see it as a goodwill signal to Washington and President George Bush.

Only 100 miles from Key West in Florida, the Lourdes spy base proved crucial for intelligence during and after the cold war. It is said to be Russia's largest spy base, covering 28 square miles south of Havana and able to spy on the White House and Nasa.

The base has been a big cause of irritation between the US and Russia. Last year, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to try to prevent America from rescheduling Russian's international debt unless Lourdes was shut down.

Through the base, the Kremlin is said to have learned of America's battle plans for the 1990-91 Gulf war. President Putin praised the base and its thousand-plus employees when he visited last December.

The chief of the general staff, Anatoly Kvashnin, said that Lourdes had been vital during the cold war. But priorities had changed, making the base's annual cost of $200m harder to justify.

"Now, the military-political situation has changed and there has been a qualitative leap in military equipment. With that money we can buy and launch 20 communication, intelligence and information satellites, and buy up to 100 sophisticated radars," General Kvashnin said.

Military experts saw the decision as a sign to Washington that Russia is serious about a partnership with the west.

"It's the first real signal of Mr Putin's that he is sincere in his relations with the United States," said Alexander Golts, a military expert with the Moscow newspaper Izvestia.

[white rose]

I very much hope you're right, and I think you just might be. We can't blindly trust Putin, of course, but from all I've heard, he's an extremely bright man, and, more importantly, an extremely pragmatic one. I believe he genuinely wants Bush to succeed, and to have a good working relationship with him, because Putin has decided that in international politics, we, so to speak, are the side his bread is buttered on.

In this regard, I'd like to know what he thinks of Peter the Great.

[George W. Bush]

I wouldn't be surprised if it is China or Russia who is mailing the anthrax around as a warmup for a serious biological attack. In the confusion and panic, China moves in on Taiwan and/or Russia moves in on a few of its former possessions.

[flamefront]

I will put this story into part of the potential deception. Russia can still do its spying with Cuban surrogates and offshore ships. Besides who will VERIFY? We are just seeing the dealings of the moment by Powell over the terrorism issue. He still can come up empty handed.

Also see
Moscow wants US anthrax data before lifting Florida import ban !!!
as a huge lever on world trade.

[Dqban22]

Two years ago, the Chinese built a more modern spy base 30 km south of Havana. Cuba is a terrorist state. As President Bush clearly attested: "you are with us or you are with the terrorists." Will China follow the Russian path and break ranks with the Cuban dictator? Castro has close ties with the Middle Eastern terrorism and in this century, the Islamic fundamentalism is the great menace against civilization. China and Russia share the same danger with the West. It seems near the end of Castro’s murderous career.

[AGAviator]

Russia opposes US attacks on Iran, Iraq

"We can't allow the United States to wield its club the way it wants," Col. Sergei Goncharov, a leading Russian military analyst, said. "We are on good terms with Iran. We have tremendous economic investments in and expectations of Iraq. We can't afford to sever all these ties in one stroke. I foresee a major debate along these lines."

[cornelis]

China follow the Russian path and break ranks with the Cuban dictator?

Here is similar question, how far will the U.S. saddle with Pakistan--until it develops nuclear capability?

The diplomatic changing of the guard is clockwork. As Shakespeare described clockwork, "by and by it will strike."

A direct answer to the question is that China will now break ranks, now form ranks.

[Sawdring]

Hmm, I wonder what Ivanov and Putin think? Does this analyst represent the Russian government in any way?

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

I don't know how "hot" a Socialist economy can be.

In a country without morals, people who get in govt do so to serve themselves. Bribery & general corruption are the norm - Russia's problem. The Socialist govts of Europe, Canada & us are heading down that direction.

I bet you meant Holland not Sweden.

[mikhailovich]

Really hot. Can you name another socialist nation who owns worldwide successes like Volvo, Saab (also makes fighter jets), and Ericsson Telecommunications? Those 3 companies alone provide huge riches to a rather tiny nation, who is corrupt with immorality. Perhaps the leaders of those companies do not engage in bribery and graft as you stated. I cannot prove it, but I suspect taking photos of pre-teen girls engaged in pornography is legal in Sweden, and even promoted by their government. Furthermore, I bet we would all be surprised what this business generates into their economy. Holland even more so.

[mikhailovich]

Marijuana is legal in Amsterdam, Holland. It is for sale in restaurants. I'm not kidding! Drugs are illegal in Russia. The so-called Russian mafia does exist, but it is way hyped-up in this country. It probably is no more impressive than the Mexican mafia in reality.