European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Cuba still preparing for the big invasion a vast Tunnel system is being built to protect the entire cuban population by George Gedda the associated press the underground tunnels Snake endlessly through Havana one of the government s most ambitious and least discussed projects and a Monument to the revolution s will to survive. Fidel Castro s government has been painstakingly constructing an elaborate below ground system throughout the country for More than 10 years As part of a program to provide shelter for every cuban in Case of War. Carrying dynamite pneumatic hammers or simple picks and shovels military recruits and other workers disappear into the dark Tunnel entrances each morning to continue their titanic struggle against Havana a subterranean Rock formations. Still remembering the tailed 1961 Bay of pigs attempt by Cia backed anti Castro cubans Many cubans continue to fear an american invasion despite repeated assurances by the Bush administration that it has no such intention. But if that Day comes cubans will be ready a or so the communist government Hopes. The Tunnel program is part of an elaborate defense plan cuban authorities have worked out with the help of advisers from communist Vietnam which made extensive use of tunnels to fight . Forces during the Vietnam War. Some cubans privately Are scornful of the project seeing it As a huge waste of resources and manpower. President Castro Leader of the revolution that toppled dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, views it As a prudent investment. Castro said recently Quot we Haven t let a minute slip by without making fortifications preparing the ground for defense making tunnels and preparing the people for the Matanzas province the one nearest Florida is said to have completed its Tunnel network. Cubans living in the coastal area to the East and West of Havana report intense Tunnel construction there. In the event of War both Cuba s military forces and non combatants will seek Refuge in tunnels. They will find awaiting them stored food Beds classrooms medical clinics and Post offices. If it s possible for an entire country to have a finished basement Cuba is approaching that Point. The Tunnel project is no secret but is rarely discussed in the official news Media. Although Tunnel Sites can often be seen from the Street requests by outsiders for an onsite inspection generally Are denied for Security reasons. Cuba has been in the Tunnel business for More than 30 years. The initial purpose was to have a place where soviet supplied aircraft could be hidden in Case of . Attack. The project began expanding in the Early Reagan years when officials in Washington including Secretary of state Alexander m. Haig jr., openly discussed the possibility of invading the Island. The government decided there should be enough Tunnel space for All cuban citizens now estimated at 10.5 million. Official statistics show that 18 percent of cubans Cement production was earmarked for Tunnel construction during president Reagan s first year in office. Concerns about . Intentions a decade ago also prompted Castro to order a territorial militia to be formed under communist party control As a supplement to the regular military. Cuba is Well aware that it cannot match the United stat amps in firepower. In the event of an american military occupation Cuba has drawn up a guerrilla warfare plan in which 6 million cubans a virtually every Able bodied adult a will have an assigned task. Once the occupation occurs Quot that a when the real War will begin Quot said one cuban familiar with the program. Readers action Lin school lunch subsidies financed by taxpayers it More families Are now eligible for free or reduced Price school lunches. Standard lunches Cost $1 35. Reduced lunches Cost 40 cents. That s quite a reduction. My question is who is paying for the free lunches 4,700 of them monthly and who is paying for the difference Between the reduced lunches and full Price lunches Are those who applied themselves and worked hard to plan their family finances to provide a full Price lunch going to now subsidise the have not ? or Are the have not being subsidized by the funds from a larger different budget7 if no one were Given a free lunch or reduced lunch would it be possible to lower the Standard Price of lunches ? . Wagner ludwigs Burg Germany Well. Col. Joe Cato chief Public affairs office he cafes Europe replies the american taxpayer foots at least part of the Bill for every school lunch since the actual Cost of a single meal is $2.23. The difference Between $2.23 and what is charged for each Type of meal a student full Price of $1.35, reduced Price of 40 cents and free a is covered by . Department of agriculture us a subsidies which Are made possible by . Tax on rank helps Monitor bad checks 0t a i would like to know Why rank must be included on a personal Check cashed at any military facility. Please explain Why this is necessary considering All of the other information that is needed on a personal Check . Social Security number and duty phone. Karen Hamilton Moh Rongen Germany Elt. Col. Joe Cato chief Public affairs he cafes Europe replies the Exchange asks you to provide your rank on your personal Check for two reasons. First we re required to keep statistics on dishonoured checks by pay Grade and Branch of service to provide periodically to the services. Second army and air Force finance offices require this information to ensure proper identification of the Check writer in the event we must submit the bad debt for collection to write us readers action line is the readers Quot court of last resort striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or questions about policies and guidelines when other avenues for answers Are not readily available. If you have a question and Don t know where to turn for the answer write to headers action line co the stars and stripes unit 29480, Apo a 09211. All letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to our readers
