America steps up Cuban invasion plans

[silentprotest]

Sorry if this has already been posted guys, as the article is 3 days old, but here it is:


US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said last month that the US government's Commission for Transition to a Free Cuba had been reconvened and would report by May on more measures to promote change.

"The time has come to end 46 years of cruel dictatorship," she declared.

The commission has a budget of $60 million. It was set up by US President George W Bush with the explicit purpose of fomenting regime change in Cuba - and sooner rather than later.

Rice's statement came hot on the heels of a tour of European capitals by Washington's Cuba "transition co-ordinator" Caleb McCarry. His mandate, according to the US Secretary of State, is to "design and implement a comprehensive strategy for advancing freedom in Cuba."

McCarry has something of a pedigree with regards regime change. The right-wing Republican was heavily involved in the coup that toppled Jean-Bertrand Aristide's government. The United Nations has now described the aftermath of the intervention as "catastrophic."

In an interview with the BBC Radio 4 World Tonight programme, McCarry told listeners that his task was to convince US allies to help support the so-called "opposition to the Castro dictatorship" on the island.
McCarry's tour provides clear evidence that the US is trying to lay the groundwork for illegal intervention in Cuba.

Leonel Gonzalez, international relations secretary of the Cuban TUC the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba, says: "It is clear the US is going to increase the pressure. I can tell you that this Commission for a Free Cuba plan is the first time that any such plan has been fulfilled to the letter by any US administration.

"They have had many plans against Cuba over the last 45 years. Some have been mostly fulfilled, others partly fulfilled and many have remained just plans, but this plan is being fulfilled to the letter.

"They are doing exactly what they said they would do. They have stopped US citizens travelling to Cuba. They have stopped educational, scientific and sporting exchanges. They have reduced family remittances. They have cut back visits by Cuban to their families. They have increased the pressure on foreign companies that do business here. They have increased the financing of so-called 'dissidents.' In short, they have been more determined than ever to carry out their objectives."

In fact, on the same day that Britain voted publicly against US interference in Cuba at the United Nations, McCarry was invited to meetings and a reception at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

This meeting and its agenda are now the subject of some scrutiny, with a number of parliamentary questions asking why the government is seemingly entertaining elements in the US who have made it clear that they are planning intervention in Cuba. Such an approach clearly runs counter to the government's stated aim of constructive engagement.

In place of meetings with "transition co-ordinators," the British government ought to be deepening its relationship with its legitimate counterpart in Havana and telling the US to keep out of Cuba's internal affairs.

Such a constructive approach would foster better relations, exchange, trade and understanding, rather than encourage the violent ambitions of a greedy few who harbour thoughts of a return to the corrupt free-for-all that was pre-revolutionary Cuba.

I am quite disgusted myself that America thinks it can convince one of its so called allies to condone an invasion of Cuba when they all voted for removing the trade blockade. But this seems an ominous sign, assuming it is true.
The "sooner rather than later" bit is that which is worrying me the most, sooner really doesn't give any idea of when a planned invasion would be, though my guess is in the next couple of years. Or perhaps soon after Castro's death.

The article can be found here (http://www.cuba-solidarity.org/news.asp?ItemID=658), if any of you wish to browse the site it is on.

Again, sorry if this has been posted already.

Wilden

[fernando]

Hmm the Yankees have been trying to destroy Cuba for almost 50 years now, and again they will fail! However I hope this time there will be more resistance in Latin America and Europe against this form of imperialism. Perhaps some resistance against those who support the hostilities against Cuba.

[Sentinel]

Those bastards... :angry:

But hasn't Chavez promised help to Cuba in case of such an invasion?
I remember him saying something like: "An attack either on Cuba or Venezuela is an attack on both countries."



"opposition to the Castro dictatorship" on the island.


Lol which opposition?? Did one of significance exist, would not the US have
invaded for decades ago? They just don't have enough support!
Did they conquer Cuba, I'm certain a strong guerrilla resistance, with wide popular support, would make their stay on the island a living "hell".

[boosh logic]

This sounds more serious though doesn't it? Its just a shame that Tony Blair is Bush's ***** or he might actually actively stop the US from even making plans.

[Sentinel]

Yes, England is the American Empire's closest ally. They would propably join with them, in spirit at least..

I don't believe anyone else would, though. France, Germany and Russia were against the war in Iraq , they would propably protest quite loudly. But they wouldn't do shit about it..
On the positive side I can imagine a flood of volunteers taking up arms to protect the Revolution. Venezuela would at least cut of their oil supply to the US.

I'm more convinced, though, that they would declare war on the Imperialists. How big, and well trained, is the Venezuelan army? I remember them buying arms from Russia not so long ago.

[expatriot]

U.S. citizens can go to Cuba- either through Canada or Nassau (Bahamas). They try to impose a fine when they return to the U.S. but rarely does that get enforced. There is a group that goes every year to work there for two weeks- The Venceremos Brigade.

In any event- I don't think the U.S. will be invading any other countries for a long time. Cuba is way low on the priority list. Americans will not tolerate another invasion.

[Sentinel]

I hope you are right, comrade Expatriot!

It would not be the first time the US govt. was just showing their muscles and posing empty threats on Cuba, after all.

I don't know how I would react to such an invasion. I might get so angry and frustrated that I went nuts :o The Cuban revolution is very close to my heart.

[Rawthentic]

;) ah fuck Bush and fuck Condoleeza. I have been to Latin America lots of times and they seem to just love Castro and Cuba and what it stands for. If the US did invade, it would cause so many riots and there would be huge upheavals. The US would not stand it. The UN would condemn it immediately as it does the embargo. The US would gain more enemies. The US would fucking lose even if it did overthrow Cuban socialism, either by the people, LAtin America, or both. Solidarity with Cuba!

[expatriot]

I don't want to put any links up but you can find this. There is a definite plan in place to undermine the succession of Fidel Castro and to change the government of Cuba through U.S. intervention particularly the Cuban-American community's involvement.

2003-"The Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba" was created.

2004-Former Secretary of State Colin Powell issued a 458 page document detailing the U.S. plan for a post-Castro(s) regime.

2005- July - Condoleeza Rice appoints transition leader to oversee the operation.

There is just too much to say about this but the plan is in place and they are just waiting for Castro to die.

Oh Boy.

[el-che]

What I dont understand is quite why the Yank public sit back and think that behaving like fascists is cool and patriotic. Waving the stars and bars whilst invading innocent countries, brutally overthrowing soveriegn governments, and the funniest contradiction of all, imposing "democracy" on countries, is no different to the flag waving German nazi's back in the 1930's and 1940's.

The American empire, 1945 - ????

[commiecrusader]

Surely it would just be suicidal to invade Cuba? Look how much trouble they are having in Iraq, and there they have segments of support in the general population. In Cuba, the entire population would probably mobilize against them.

[expatriot]

From reading what I could from the 458 page document, I don't think this is going to be a military invasion. The plan is after Castro dies (he must be very ill right now)-before Raul Castro can take over- there will be some sort of intervention (probably CIA). The American military is there (at GITMO) and the stage will be set for a regime change. They probably think the Cuban people will welcome the Americans with open arms (just like Iraq!)

Just picture- rich businessmen setting up hotels and Bank of America opening up in Havana.

The entire re-structuring of Cuba is included in these documents- from auto emission control to pesticides.

What can I say? New World Order.

[freedumb]

I think a full-scale invasion Iraq style would be unfeasible for a few reasons:

- the US is too heavily involved in Iraq to be able to divert sufficient resources to a Cuban invasion within the next 5 years if Castro dies.

- such an invasion would not only be politically unnacceptable domestically (though for the wrong reasons) but also internationally, attracting even greater scorn, and hopefully action, than is the war in Iraq.

- Think about the possible justifications from Washington:

* Cuba is developing WMD's - nope
* Cuba is a threat to US security - nope
* Castro has killed his own people - nope

The only way the US can approach counter-revolution in Cuba is by pursuing it's current policies of economic strangulation, sabotage and terrorism even more aggresively. Economic embargoes, terrorism, etc are far more discreet than all out war. Fortunately, despite the effects of the embargo, Cubans see this as further evidence of US treachery rather than Castro incompetence. By going this way the US can use feel-good slogans such as democracy-enhancement, regional stability, etc rather than declaring war. Sorry for rattling on, my 2 cents anywayz.

[kingbee]

England is the American Empire's closest ally

Obviously I am against an invasion.

But please, it's BRITAIN !

[boosh logic]

Is it though? Not that Im against unity, but I don't think that it is really fair to call it Britain instead of England, when England forced Scotland (and to a lesser extent Wales) into submission. Many Scots resent being associated with England, as they have their own parliament, and feel (rightly so) that they get the shit end of the stick, due to the desicion-making power being in London, and normally in favour of the south (as generally the north has a higher proportion of working class, the south vice versa).

[Iroquois Xavier]

the "United" Kingdom is a farce. Just remnants of British Empire.

The U.S would be extremely stupid to invade Cuba. I bet Bush couldnt even point it out on a map! :lol:

[Sentinel]

Originally posted by expatriot+--> (expatriot) after Castro dies (he must be very ill right now)-before Raul Castro can take over- there will be some sort of intervention (probably CIA) [/b]

I'm certain Fidel and Raul have some plan to prevent such a coup. The possibility must have crossed their mind. ;) Let's hope they once again prove themselves more clever than the imperialists.


freedumb
Castro has killed his own people - nope

The imperialists argue that the post-revolution executions of Batista's torturers
fall into this category.. <_<


But please, it&#39;s BRITAIN

Ah, my sincere apologies. I&#39;ll even go as far as call it "The Holy United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with Additional Remaining Colonies". :)

[drain.you]

Fuck the UK if they accept this shit, I know I won&#39;t be alone in showing my support for Cuba in a good old fashioned protest.
I am terrified for Cuba, I have the feeling its gonna get taken down during my life time. Pisses me off so much. theres nowt we can really do to save it :(

[Delirium]

I doubt that there will be an invasion before or after Castro dies, there will be for sure CIA plots, mabye some special ops. but there will not be large numbers of U&#036; troops in cuba (and certainly not publicly). This will be most likley be off the books. Or mabye another bay of pigs, that would certainly be entertaining.

[byerk2]

All of America&#39;s plans resolve around Fidel&#39;s death. They clearly plan to stop the succession of leadership to Raul Castro. While i would doubt their ability to sell an all out invasion to the US and World public, I am worried about the Cuban Miami brigade. Their influence on policy is staggering. Fidel&#39;s own family, the Diaz Balarts in particular.

[Goatse]

* Cuba is developing WMD&#39;s - nope

Didn&#39;t stop them with Iraq.



* Cuba is a threat to US security - nope

Didn&#39;t stop them with Iraq.


Many Scots resent being associated with England

However you are associating them further by declaring the whole state is "England." I&#39;m Scottish and it really, really annoys me when people called the United Kingdom "England." It&#39;s like calling the United States of America "Colubmia" or something. (Or whatever the most important state is.)

As for the main post, it won&#39;t happen. At least, not direct military attack any time soon. Perhaps CIA intervention when Fidel dies, though. Assholes :angry:

[CubaSocialista]

Originally posted by [email protected] 17 2006, 12:50 PM
From reading what I could from the 458 page document, I don&#39;t think this is going to be a military invasion. The plan is after Castro dies (he must be very ill right now)-before Raul Castro can take over- there will be some sort of intervention (probably CIA). The American military is there (at GITMO) and the stage will be set for a regime change. They probably think the Cuban people will welcome the Americans with open arms (just like Iraq&#33;)

Just picture- rich businessmen setting up hotels and Bank of America opening up in Havana.

The entire re-structuring of Cuba is included in these documents- from auto emission control to pesticides.

What can I say? New World Order.
Pollution returns. Education system standards dropped. Prostitution becomes rampant. Strip bars again. Drugs, drunk teenagers vacationing, dirtying up the place. Cubans begging in the streets from tourists. Pollution soars, and of course, medical care and the cuban medical accomplishments are tossed aside as "a socialist anachronism."

Raul should hold his own. I am a human being before an American, and it is my duty to make sure that Cuba&#39;s socialist path is not hindered by capitalist fanatics or corporatist shitheads like the American government.

[kingbee]

Is it though? Not that Im against unity, but I don&#39;t think that it is really fair to call it Britain instead of England, when England forced Scotland (and to a lesser extent Wales) into submission.

It should be "Wales, and to a lesser extent, Scotland". Wales was England&#39;s first ever colony, and was brutally raped and pillaged by the English. Scotland was too, but King James unified both, and only then was it called "Britain".



Many Scots resent being associated with England, as they have their own parliament, and feel (rightly so) that they get the shit end of the stick, due to the desicion-making power being in London, and normally in favour of the south (as generally the north has a higher proportion of working class, the south vice versa).

In Wales it is the same. Except the Scots get much more power making authority than us.


However you are associating them further by declaring the whole state is "England." I&#39;m Scottish and it really, really annoys me when people called the United Kingdom "England." It&#39;s like calling the United States of America "Colubmia" or something. (Or whatever the most important state is.)

Agreed. As much as I may disagree with the state of Britain, I do get pissed off when people ignore the role of the Celtic nations within it&#33;

Anyways, sorry if I&#39;m hijacking this thread.

Back to Cuba.

[PRC-UTE]

I imagine most Cubans would fight to the death.

I hope our comrades stockpiling surface to air missiles.

[ReD_ReBeL]

i Know this isn&#39;t the proper thread to put this in put i think it deserves to be put here lol.Sounds like the US have started plans to undermine Castro already. It&#39;s disgusting the US bullys act this way. SHAME ON THEM&#33;

Associated Press
U.S. Mission in Cuba Runs Rights Messages
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ , 01.16.2006, 11:07 PM

The U.S. mission in Cuba on Monday ran excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.&#39;s "I Have a Dream" speech on an electronic sign running along its sea front building, the latest salvo in an ongoing billboard war.

Evidently timed to coincide with the U.S. holiday, the messages streaming along the building&#39;s fifth floor in luminescent red also included the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Although the new messaging system was activated earlier in the day, neighbors said the words really weren&#39;t visible until the sun set. Even then, the words were difficult to read.

"They are provoking us again," said neighbor Miguel Angel Fernandez, who said he first noticed the words from his bathroom window Monday night. "I don&#39;t know why they mess with us, we don&#39;t mess with them."

More than a year ago, the Cuban government erected billboards outside the mission emblazoned with photographs of U.S. soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners and a huge swastika overlaid with a "Made in the U.S.A" stamp.

Those signs were erected in retaliation for holiday decorations placed on the building for Christmas 2004 that included a sign reading "75" - a reference to the 75 Cuban dissidents jailed in March 2003.

The two countries have been without diplomat relations for 45 years. The U.S. government in recent years has steadily tightened trade and travel sanctions against the island in an attempt to undermine Fidel Castro&#39;s communist government.

Without a full embassy, the U.S. government has an interests section here under the Swiss Embassy in Havana to handle consular affairs such as visa processing. Cuba has a similar interests section in Washington.

Also Monday, Cuban Parliament Speaker Ricardo Alarcon said that this month&#39;s jailing in the U.S. of two Florida academics on charges they spied for Cuba for three decades was "strange" and "worrisome."

In the government&#39;s first public reaction to the case, Alarcon questioned the timing of the married couple&#39;s arrests, which came as a U.S. federal appeals court in Atlanta prepared to rehear arguments in the case of five other Cubans accused of being secret agents of the Cuban government.

"This story comes across as strange and very worrisome because the FBI has supposedly known since June what they said about their activities," Alarcon told journalists of Carlos Alvarez, 61, and his 55-year-old wife, Elsa.

"So why come out with this case now? Obviously it has to do with something that goes beyond these two people," Alarcon said.

"They are trying to create an environment of McCarthyism to influence the Atlanta appeals court," Alarcon said of the newest arrests, referring to the sensationalist anti-communism hearings held by U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s.

The husband and wife both hold positions at Florida International University and could get up to 10 years in prison if convicted of failing to register as agents of a foreign power.

A U.S. attorney said Alvarez had spied for Cuba since 1977 and his wife since 1982, working independently at first and later together.



Source (http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/01/16/ap2453238.html)

[omegaflare]

Would this not be a direct challenge of the Monroe Doctrine? Wouldn&#39;t Great Britain opposed if so?

[Tormented by Treachery]

The Roosevelt Corollary is basically an ambiguous statement that amends the Monroe Doctrine to allow for intervention if it appears that another nation will. Beyond that point, the United States is moving further away from that and towards Daddy Bush&#39;s "New World Order" that allows American preemptive actions.

[RNK]

Realistically speaking, I&#39;d have to agree that large-scale intervention on the part of the U.S. Military in Cuba is inrealistic.

The way it seems now, they have few options. They might just sit back, content with simply strangling Cuba, hoping it will eventually kill Communism there. They may hold a psuedo-Bay of Pigs invasion, which would most likely revolve around simply sending anti-Communist guerillas to Cuba en masse, and make it look like Civil War and anarchy after Fidel&#39;s death. But otherwise, they are very limited. Cuba is a relatively small island, and it isn&#39;t as easy to do things there as it would in a mainland country like Venezuela.

What we need to do is help protect Cuba, in any way possible. If things get "hot" there, I plan to go. Anyone else?

[loveme4whoiam]

This is what I was thinking, wouldn&#39;t something similar to the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War form up?

And as for the UK supporting America on that one, well you can just forget it. The storm that met Blair&#39;s decision to enter Iraq would be look like a football riot compared to the shit-storm that would greet a US-UK invasion of Cuba.

Still, not alot the common person can do against a CIA plot :(

[BattleOfTheCowshed]

Cuban response to that electronic sign bullshit:

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/02/06/cuba.ap/