Russia Denies Plans to Shut Lourdes Base

Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit

[The Lourdes listening post in Cuba is necessary for monitoring compliance
with the various SALT and ABM treaties agreed to between the US and Russia.
Paranoid fantasies about it have been spread for years by gusano and right-wing 
US sources, among them that Cuba uses it for "electronic warfare." If the
Russians are shutting down their operation there, it has less to do with
"financial aid" from Washington than with their disgust over Bush's plans
for a new space-based arms race. If true, it is an ominous sign for the
whole planet. -- NY Transfer]


source - AFP via Miami Herald August 15, 2001


RUSSIANS DENY REPORT THEY ARE WITHDRAWING FROM LOURDES BASE IN CUBA

MOSCOW, Aug 15 (AFP) -- Russia dismissed a report by a Moscow newspaper on
Tuesday that it was preparing to shut down an electronic listening post in
Cuba in exchange for financial aid from Washington.

Defense Minister Igor Ivanov denied the report by the daily Izvestia that
Russia was about to dismantle the base at Lourdes, the Interfax news agency
reported.

Citing sources on the army general staff, Izvestia said the Russian base on
the island would cease to operate by December, in line with persistent
demands by Washington for it to shut down the base by the end of the year.

"Men and material are being hurriedly withdrawn," Izvestia quoted a senior
officer as saying on condition of anonymity.

About 1,500 Russian engineers, technicians and soldiers observe submarine
activity from the base at Lourdes at a cost of $300 million a year to
Russia, according to military experts.

Washington says Moscow is using the facilities to spy on the United States.

 
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nyteeu-08.15.01-14:48:58-29266