December 14, 200421 yr Cuba hails wargame warning to US 12-14-2004, 17h59 HAVANA (AFP) - Cuba pressed on with its biggest military exercises in almost 20 years, with 400,000 reservists joining regular forces and millions of civilians in wargames which the authorities say are to deter a US invasion. About 100,000 Cuban regular troops are also taking part in the "Bastion 2004" exercises which started Monday, officials said. "The enemy will never catch us by surprise," the official communist party daily, Granma, trumpeted Tuesday in its coverage of the wargames which proceeded as ailing President Castro welcomed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, his only close ally in the Americas, whose government helps keep Cuba's energy-starved economy afloat with cut-rate oil. "The only way to stop aggression is to make it abundantly clear that, in this case, Cuba will become from one end to the other an enormous wasp's nest that no aggressor, however powerful, will be able to overcome," Defense Minister Raul Castro said Monday. "In the end, (the aggressor) will have to withdraw, bloodied and defeated, because this would be a war of all of the people," Castro, a younger brother of President Fidel Castro, warned. Trucks towing armored cars and officers armed for battle were mobilized on the streets of Havana early Tuesday. Massive underground shelters where planes, tanks and heavy artillery are housed were opened to combat troops. The United States on Monday rejected assertions that it planned an invasion. US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said: "We don't think there is any justification, or any particular foundation for this kind of charge." "The United States has repeatedly called for a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba," he added. 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," Boucher said. MiG-29 fighters, mobile anti-aircraft batteries, armored amphibious vehicles and tanks all rumbled into action for the massive undertaking. The Cuban military has divided the island of 11 million people into 1,400 "defense zones" intended to be able to operate independently in case of war. Squadrons trained in guerrilla tactics have several special Cuban-made arms including "Alejandro" rifles that fire anti-tank grenades and "Mambi" rifles designed to puncture heavy armor, as well as mines and anti-tank units. Each zone has an anti-air heat-guided missile launcher. Raul Castro said last week the exercises had been planned in part so Washington "does not commit the errors it committed in Vietnam and that it is now committing in Iraq. So that they do not underestimate our people, who are united and more powerful than those in Iraq." US President George W. Bush's top diplomat for Latin America has told the US Congress that Havana has a biological arms program, which Havana firmly denies. Last month Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage said on a visit to Costa Rica "We are always prepared for the worst, even for military aggression, ... because this (US) administration is not only right-wing, it is a crazy administration -- and the war in Iraq proves it." The communist-run island sits some 90 miles (145 kilometers) off the coast of Florida. The Cuban and Venezuelan presidents were to have talks on Tuesday, with energy expected to be a key topic. With its oil-burning plants, Cuba relies on Venezuelan imports while its own crude, which is high in sulfur, requires costly cleaning to be used. Venezuela, Latin America's only OPEC member, delivers 53,000 barrels of crude a day to Cuba. It is also a major supplier to the United States. US President George W. Bush's top diplomat for Latin America has told the US Congress that Havana has a biological arms program, which Havana firmly denies. [...] The communist-run island sits some 90 miles (145 kilometers) off the coast of Florida. No worries.
December 14, 200421 yr because this (US) administration is not only right-wing, it is a crazy administration Man! :lol
December 14, 200421 yr Where I come from those are fighting words, Ill be the first to join the military if we invade Cuba, it would be an honor. Although that would probably never happen, I can dream. And yes I am a war monger, Die Fidel Die
December 14, 200421 yr Where I come from those are fighting words, Ill be the first to join the military if we invade Cuba, it would be an honor. Although that would probably never happen, I can dream. And yes I am a war monger, Die Fidel Die 635168[/snapback] I find that hard to believe :plain ...
December 15, 200421 yr ? Cuba hails wargame warning to US 635133[/snapback] :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol im sure the american military is petrified. :lol
December 15, 200421 yr "In the end, (the aggressor) will have to withdraw, bloodied and defeated, because this would be a war of all of the people," Castro, a younger brother of President Fidel Castro, warned. :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol That article is the funniest thing i've read in a long time.
December 15, 200421 yr ? "In the end, (the aggressor) will have to withdraw, bloodied and defeated, because this would be a war of all of the people," Castro, a younger brother of President Fidel Castro, warned. he means those people that havent gotten a chance to get on a raft yet.
December 15, 200421 yr ? "In the end, (the aggressor) will have to withdraw, bloodied and defeated, because this would be a war of all of the people," Castro, a younger brother of President Fidel Castro, warned. he means those people that havent gotten a chance to get on a raft yet. 635552[/snapback] Yeah, pretty much.
December 15, 200421 yr The most dangerous people in throughout history are people who have nothing to lose. Fidel Castro, in the winter of his life is extremely dangerous based on proximity. Is it it a war he can win? Of course not, but he can defintely harm people in america, particularly florida with some sort of surprise attack.
December 15, 200421 yr Spanish: Puro tilin tilin y nada de paletas :thumbdown Translation: Just bluffing :thumbdown Fidel just wants attention.
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