"In 2001 I, as the President of the Russian Federation and the
supreme commander, deemed it advantageous to withdraw the radio-
electronic center Lourdes from Cuba. In exchange for this, George
Bush, the then U.S. president, has assured me that this decision
would become the final confirmation that the Cold War was over and
both of our states, getting rid of the relics of the Cold War, will
start building a new relationship based on cooperation and
transparency. In particular, Bush has convinced me that the U.S.
missile defense system will never be deployed in Eastern Europe.
The Russian Federation has fulfilled all terms of the agreement.
And even more. I shut down not only the Cuban Lourdes but also Kamran
in Vietnam. I shut them down because I gave my word of honor. I, like
a man, has kept my word. What have the Americans done? The Americans
are not responsible for their own words. It is no secret that in
recent years, the U.S. created a buffer zone around Russia, involving
in this process not only the countries of Central Europe, but also
the Baltic states, Ukraine and the Caucasus. The only response to
this could be an asymmetric expansion of the Russian military
presence abroad, particularly in Cuba. In Cuba, there are convenient
bays for our reconnaissance and warships, a network of the so-called
"jump airfields." With the full consent of the Cuban leadership, on
May 11 of this year, our country has not only resumed work in the
electronic center of Lourdes, but also placed the latest mobile
strategic NUCLEAR MISSILES (emphasis added) "Oak" on the island. They
did not want to do it the amicable way, now let them deal with this,"
Putin said."
Full article:
http://english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/01-08-2012/121804-
russia_army_base-0/
