CUBA AND CHINA

Por Manuel Cereijo

The fall of communism has not reduced the level or amount of espionage and other serious intelligence activity conducted against the United States. The targets have not changed at all: there is still a deadly serious foreign interest, and mainly from the new China/Cuba consortium, in traditional intelligence activities such as penetrating the U.S. intelligence community, collecting classified information on U.S. military defense systems, and purloining the latest advances in the nation's science and technology sector.

There is also a growing importance in maintaining the integrity of the country's information infrastructure. Our growing dependence on computer networks and telecommunications has made the U.S. increasingly vulnerable to possible cyber attacks against such targets as military war rooms, power plants, telephone networks, air traffic control centers and banks. China and Cuba have increased their cooperation in this area through the Bejucal base in Cuba, as well as in Wajay (near Bejucal), and Santiago de Cuba. On these bases they use technologically sophisticated equipment, as well as new intelligence methodologies that makes it more difficult, or impossible for U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor or detect.

The international terrorism threat can be divided into three general categories. Each poses a serious and distinct threat, and each has a presence already in the United States. The most important category is the state sponsored threat. This category, according to the FBI, includes the following countries: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Cuba, North Korea. Put simply, these nations view terrorism as a tool of foreign policy. In view of this list, we need to evaluate the recent trip made by Fidel Castro.

There are three main areas of concern for us in the new and dangerous axis formed by China and Cuba: radio frequency weapons, computer technology, missile capabilities. The problem with the Chinese Cuban rapprochement is that it is driven by mutual hostility towards the United States.

Radio frequency weapons are a new radical class of weapons. Radio frequency weapons can utilize either high energy radio frequency (HERF), or low energy radio frequency(LERF) technology. HERF is advanced technology. It is based on concentrating large amounts of RF EM energy in within a small space, narrow frequency range, and a very short period of time. The result is an overpowering RF EM impulse capable of causing substantial damage to electronic components.

LERF utilizes relatively low energy, which is spread over a wide frequency spectrum. It can be no less effective in disrupting normal functioning of computers as HERF due to the wider range of frequencies it occupies. LERF does not require time compression neither high tech components. LERF impact on computers and computer networks could be devastating. The computer would go into a random output mode, that is, it is impossible to predict what the computer would do. A back up computer will not solve the problem either. One example of LERF use was the KGB's manipulation of the United States Embassy security system in Moscow in the late 80s.

Worldwide proliferation in RF weapons has increased dramatically in the last five years. The collapse of the Soviet Union is probably the most significant factor contributing to this increase in attention and concern about proliferation. The KGB has split into independent parts. One of them is referred to as FAPSI. It has been partially privatized. Spin-off companies have been created, with very attractive golden parachutes for the high officers. FAPSI, or its spin-off companies have been heavily involved in China and Cuba in RF technology, as well as computer technology.

China, PRC, has stolen design information on the United States most advanced thermonuclear weapons. The stolen information includes classified information on:

Seven U.S. thermonuclear warheads, including every currently deployed thermonuclear warhead in the U.S. ballistic missile arsenal Classified design information for an enhanced radiation weapon (neutron bomb), which neither the USA , nor any other country has yet deployed Classified information on state of the art reentry vehicles, and warheads, such as the W-88, a miniaturized, tapered warhead, which is the most sophisticated nuclear weapon the United States has ever built.

These and other classified information have been obtained in the last 20 years. However, the now presence in Cuba, with the use of the Bejucal base, and the proximity to the United States, makes the China/Cuba new axis a very serious threat to this nation. In 1993, a Cuban nuclear engineer, and high officer of the Cuban Intelligence military apparatus, was awarded a one year stance at Sandia National Labs, Albuquerque, doing research on Physical protection of nuclear facilities and materials. The officer is, since 1999, in exile in the United States.

The PRC has acquired also technology on high performance computers(HPC). HPCs are needed for the design and testing of advanced nuclear weapons. The PRC has targeted the U.S. nuclear test data for espionage collection. This can be accomplished through the facilities in Cuba.

China's new venture in Cuba will:

1. Enhance China's military capability
2. Jeopardize U.S. national security interests
3. Pose a direct threat to the United States


CUBA, CHINA, RUSSIA

Neither groundbreaking nor unexpected, the friendship pact signed by Russia and China on July 16, 2001, was nonetheless far from empty. For one thing, it formalized a relationship that had grown ever warmer since the end of the Cold War.

Though both parties contended that the new pact is not directed at third countries, this is a fig leaf that can be quickly discarded. The naked truth is contained in their hope for a "just and rational order," and in their opposition to numerous U.S. policies.

Both sides also denied that the friendship pact is a military alliance. And yet their relationship is largely a military one. Russia is the second-largest exporter of arms (after the United States), and China is Russia's biggest client.

Over the last decade, China has bought from its northern neighbor a full complement of modern armaments, particularly in air and sea power. Also, Russian-Chinese cooperation extends further, to intelligence sharing and the training of Chinese officers in Russian military academies.

The Su-30, for example, is an all-weather, two seat, deep-strike fighter, equipped with a range of precision-guided weapons. Comparable to the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle, and far better than anything currently serving in the UK's Royal Air Force.

In exchange, Russia receives much needed cash, as well as a willing industrial partner. China's nuclear-powered submarines, for example, are being built with Russian know-how.

Refer to Table below for a summary of Russian arms bought by China since 1990.


RUSSIAN ARMS BOUGHT BY CHINA SINCE 1990 QUANTITY WEAPON TYPE DELIVERY DATESLAND30 S-300 Surface to air missiles 1992-98 35 SA-15 Gauntlet surface to air missiles 1997-00SEA4 Kilo-class diesel submarines 1995-99 40 Shval high speed torpedoes 1998 4 Sovremennyy destroyers with: 1999- 12 KA-28 Helix-D attack helicopters 2000- 24 SSN- 22 Sunburn ship to ship missiles 20026 Type 093 and 094 nuclear submarines 2005AIR200 SU-27 Flanker fighter/ground attack jets 1998- 20 SU-27UB Flanker combat trainers 2000- 50 SU-30 Flanker fighter/ground attack jets 2002 6 A-50/II-76 airborne early warning system 2002

APPENDIX (As of 9/3/04)

El General de Cuerpo de Ejército y Héroe de la República de Cuba, Leopoldo Cintra Frías, llegó este miércoles a Beijing para una visita oficial invitado por las fuerzas armadas de la República Popular China.

El también jefe del Ejército de la región occidental de la Isla, llegó al frente de una delegación integrada por varios altos oficiales de las fuerzas armadas cubanas.

Durante su estancia en el país asiático, la delegación militar cubana sostendrá conversaciones con altos oficiales del Ejército Popular de Liberación (EPL) y será recibida por el Coronel General Cao Gangchuan, ministro de Defensa, Consejero de Estado y miembro del Buró Político del Partido Comunista de China.

Fuentes oficiales dijeron que la visita del General Cintra a China se inserta en los tradicionales vínculos de amistad y colaboración entre los dos países y sus fuerzas armadas.


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