Posted on 07/11/2004 12:12:01 PM PDT by wagglebee
HAVANA -- Cuba has ordered a study of its military recruitment program, hoping to enlist more young men in the armed forces during a period in which authorities say they are increasingly concerned about a U.S.-led military attack.
A special commission to "study, propose and control (military) recruitment policies and their ties with the nation's education program" will be created under a decree signed July 2 by President Fidel Castro and his brother, Defense Minister Raul Castro.
"In the last years, the politico-military situation has deteriorated considerably, creating a new situation that has elevated international tensions against our country," the text reads.
Although the decree does not single out the United States, Cuban authorities in recent months have repeatedly expressed concern that the United States might attack.
Officials in Washington have repeatedly insisted that there are no plans for an American military attack on Cuba.
Current events have increased "the real possibility of an armed aggression, in whatever moment the enemy finds it convenient," the text adds, an obvious reference to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
The decree acknowledges a drop in recruits for career military service in recent years, in large part because of increasingly lower birth rates over the past two decades and a shortened period of compulsory service for young men.
Under Cuban law, men 18 and older must serve in the military 24 months, or 12 months if already enrolled in university. Little more than a decade ago, young men had to complete 36 months of service.
Military service for women is voluntary.
The decree said military recruitment and service would be studied by a commission comprised of officials from numerous ministries, including defense, education, economy and finance and public heath.
I think we should give Castro the "regime change" he seems to be anticipating.
Ping
Time and mother nature will give us regime change without risking a single American or Cuban life. Castro is going to die. He can't get away from that, and every day brings us one day closer.
/john
Officials in Washington have repeatedly insisted that there are no plans for an American military attack on Cuba.
OH MY GOD! That's what they said to IRAQ TOO!
No plans to attack Grenada.
No plans to attack Panama.
No plans to attack Libya.
No plans to attack Afghanastan.
It's worse than Fidelito thinks!
How old is he now? 70-something?
According to actuarial tables, it's even money that he's dead in 8.18 years.
/john
Ever hear of Bay of Pigs???
Invading and conquering Cuba would be no cakewalk, but it's not fear of defeat that has kept us from doing so.
And, there was no air power at B.O.P.
It took several days to defeat the Cubans in Grenada in 1983, and over a month before the place was secure. And that was just a tiny island with relatively few Cuban troops. Cuba itself would be much tougher.
Yes, but Cuba also had all sorts of Soviet backing 20 years ago. Its doubtful they have that much strength now.
Our good friends to the north have no problem in entering into partnerships with Cuba for oil drilling or mining. The French have no problem in opening Cuban tourist resorts. There's far more money and development in Cuba than Americans realize. The ordinary Cuban sees no benefit, but the Cuban military still has plenty of bullets. Defeating them might only take days, but securing the island would take months.
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