Russia Is Closing Spy Center in Cuba
MOSCOW — Russia is closing its Lourdes electronic spying center in Cuba, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin said Wednesday, heralding the end of four decades of Russian military presence on the Communist-ruled island.
Putin told military top brass that the decision to close the costly eavesdropping center outside Havana had been reached after “deep analysis and long talks with our Cuban partners.”
In an official communique, Cuba said closure of the Lourdes station, 90 miles from Florida, would be “a grave risk” to Cuban security, and Havana accused Putin of yielding to U.S. pressure.
“The agreement for the Lourdes radio-electronic center is not canceled, as Cuba has not given its approval,” the communique said.
President Bush hailed the decision to close the Lourdes facility.
“This decision is another indication that the Cold War is over,” Bush said in a statement released by the White House. “President Putin understands that Russia and America are no longer adversaries; we do not judge our successes by how much it complicates life for the other country.”
Putin also confirmed an earlier decision that Russia would leave its military base at Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay.
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