Castro offers use of Base to China

Cuban leader Fidel Castro has offered the sprawling Soviet-built electronic intelligence-gathering base near Lourdes, Cuba, to the Chinese government for operations against the United States, the Russian newspaper Izvestia reports.

Last October, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he would shut down the 26 square-mile facility, the largest outside the former USSR. But Castro, citing Moscow's unpaid debts to his regime, reportedly seized some of the eavesdropping technology the Russians were readying to ship back home.

Only about two-dozen Russian intelligence officers and technicians remain at the Lourdes base, where they are serving as caretakers until both sides can reach an agreement on shutting down the facility. Until recently, Moscow had about a thousand personnel at the site.

According to Izvestia, "Castro's officer to China to utilize Lourdes has been positively received by Beijing. Last autumn, a Chinese military delegation visited Cuba. The possibility of operating an electronic espionage center was discussed with Castro during the visit. According to sources, China responded positively in principle to the offer and, in fact, the Chinese have been offered a set of buildings in the Lourdes complex upon the final departure of the Russians."

It's time to remember the Monroe Doctrine, including the Roosevelt Corollary, and to remind the Cubans that we never legally agreed to their repeal of the Platt Amendment. The Carribean is an American lake and no non-Western Hemisphere troops (other than those here continuously since 1820) will be tolerated without our permission. Time to remind the Chinese that we will consider any troops in Cuba an act of war, not just hostile, but an acutal act of war.

I wouldn't worry too much, right yet.. But they are on their way. Although if you want to play games of equality, then you know that Taiwan would be able to wipe out Cuba in a few days... Their airforce is even weaker than the Chinese, which is a scap metal force. Now in 30 years, if we don't start doing something about it, they will be able to challenge us with a mighty military behind their backs. But just remember, no matter who we vote for, America is slipping down that path, and we can't do a thing about it but watch the news everyday. Thats it, we cant do a damn thing... China will "implode" before it's able to threaten us, I believe. As for the FOUR AIRCRAFT CARRIERS that are in the works in the Fujan Province, we could always refer back to our "two-sided-war" with Axis Allies and Japan's mighty military. They will take what they can until they think they can stupidly take on us, by then, you could probably kiss their asses goodby. I dont know who said that the CHINESE arent anxious... Well, he must not know what the hell he is talking about, because I know second hand that every aspect of the CHINESE MILITARY studies, and familiarizes Himself with all OUR weapons. They are taught that the USA MILITARY is #1 ENEMY.... Why should we be any different.... You could say that they are on us, into us, and using us, (but for our own GAIN )... I wouldn't worry about it much until we wake up one morning and people Taiwan are blaming us for letting the Chinese Stragically Target, aggressively threaten, and finally take over ... a free people's COUNTRY.... Then it will be too late... Oh, By the way... THe COMUNISTS just started directing COMMUNIST TELEVISION into TAIWAN......so anyway they have a new channel...lol

Could they be setting us up for a bid on Taiwan? They will try to equate our rights here with their rights over there.

You're probably right. If the Americans try to meddle in Cuba, then the Chinese should have the same right with Taiwan. Why not? Since that country is in their "sphere of influence" just as Cuba is for us.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.