FULL REPORT
http://www.lanuevacuba.com/nuevacuba/notic-07-07-1318.htm
By Armando F. Mastrapa 3d
Director
Department of Research
La Nueva Cuba
July 13, 2007
Dr. Thomas Fingar, Deputy Director for Analysis - Office of the Director
of National Intelligence, delivered his testimony yesterday about the
Global Security Assessment for the House Armed Services Committee, in
which, he points to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez' purchase of weapons:
Chavez's effort to politicize the Venezuelan Armed Forces and to create
a large and well-armed military reserve force are signs that he is
breaking with the trend in the region toward more professional and
apolitical militaries. He has purchased modern military equipment from
Russia, including 24 SU-30 multi-role fighters, which can perform
air-to-air, strike, and anti-ship roles, and is moving toward upgrading
other force projection capabilities. These weapons purchases
increasingly worry his neighbors and could fuel defense spending by his
neighbors.
He also highlights the current situation in Cuba:
Cuba remains Venezuela's closest ally. Fidel Castro's protracted
convalescence leaves the day-to-day governing responsibilities to his
brother Raul. Key drivers in influencing events in post-Fidel Cuba will
be elite cohesion in the absence of Cuba's iconic leader and Raul
Castro's ability to manage what we assume to be high public expectations
for improved living conditions. This year may mark the end of Fidel
Castro's domination of Cuba; but significant, positive political change
is unlikely immediately. Although Raul Castro has solidified his own
position as successor, it is too soon to tell what policy course he will
take once Fidel has left the scene.
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