DATE=3/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228890
TITLE=CUBAN THREAT  (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON, D.C.
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  CUBA IS NO LONGER A THREAT TO U-S SECURITY, AT LEAST 
ACCORDING TO A PENTAGON REPORT TO BE SENT TO THE U-S CONGRESS 
SOON.  V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.

TEXT:  A PENTAGON SOURCE WITH LATIN AMERICAN RESPONSIBILITIES 
SAYS CUBAN SOLDERS FOUGHT WITH COURAGE AND SKILL IN GRENADA, 
AFRICA AND ELSEWHERE.  BUT THE SOURCE NOTES THAT CUBA'S RECENT 
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE ISLAND NATION TO
MAINTAIN COMPLEX MILITARY HARDWARE.

WORD OF THE REPORT HAS BEEN CIRCULATING IN THE PENTAGON FOR SOME 
TIME.  BUT THE FIRST DETAILED ACCOUNT OF IT APPEARS IN SUNDAY'S 
EDITION OF THE MIAMI HERALD.  THE STUDY REPORTEDLY SAYS THAT CUBA
NOW LACKS THE MEANS TO PROJECT POWER BEYOND ITS BORDERS. SOME 
CUBAN-AMERICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE REPORTED TO BE IN SHARP 
DISAGREEMENT. 

U-S AND CUBAN TENSIONS FLARED IN RECENT YEARS WHEN AGING CUBAN 
FIGHTER PLANES SHOT UNARMED U-S CIVILIAN PLANES PILOTED BY CUBAN 
EXILES.   (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/GO-T/SD

28-Mar-98 9:19 PM EST (0219 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.