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Cuba put US on notice with massive war games
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-13 13:36
Cuba's armed forces are gearing up for their biggest military exercises in
almost 20 years, with hundreds of thousands of troops and millions of civilians
expected to take part, officials said in Havana.
General Leonardo Andollo told reporters on Sunday that MiG-29 jets,
anti-aircraft batteries were to be deployed during the weeklong exercises meant
to be a warning to Washington that Cuba would vigorously defend itself against
US aggression.
The mass war games start Monday and are due to run through to December 19.
![Soviet-made MIG-29 fighters fly over Havana during a military parade. Cuba's armed forces are gearing up for their biggest military exercises in almost 20 years, with hundreds of thousands of troops and millions of civilians expected to take part, officials said. [AFP/file]](xin_381201131338243260367.jpg)
Soviet-made MIG-29
fighters fly over Havana during a military parade. Cuba's armed forces are
gearing up for their biggest military exercises in almost 20 years, with
hundreds of thousands of troops and millions of civilians expected to take
part, officials said. [AFP/file] | Senior military and government officials warned that the
administration of US President George W. Bush should take note of the island's
war footing.
"The determination of the US administration to destroy the (Cuban) revolution
however they can, including militarily, determines the necessity of conducting
these exercises," Andollo, the deputy chief of Cuba's Armed Revolutionary Forces
(FAR), said.
His comments come days after President Fidel Castro's brother, Raul, warned
Washington should closely observe Cuba's military prowess and civil defenses
during the manoeuvres. Raul Castro is the head of the Caribbean island's armed
forces.
Operation "Bastion 2004" will involve about 100,000 soldiers, sailors and air
force personnel as well as some 400,000 reservists.
Air force MiG-29s, anti-aircraft units and elite troops will also support the
operation, billed as Cuba's biggest military exercises since 1986.
Officials said the exercises would also involve several million civilians who
will participate in two days of civil defense exercises, including a simulated
aerial assault.
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 (Washington) do not underestimate our people, who are united
and more powerful than those in Iraq," he added.
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