IMPACT OF CUBAN-SOVIET TIES IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, SPRING 1980 HEARINGS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTER-AMERICAN AFFAIRS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SIXTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION MARCH 26, 27; APRIL 16, 17; AND MAY 14, 1980 Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 82-7130 WASHINGTON: 1980 30-1 COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI, Wisconsin, Chafrman L. H. FOUNTAIN. North Carolina WILLIAM S. BROOMFIELD, Michigan DANTE B. FASCELL, Florida EDWARD J. DERWINSKI, Illinois CHARLES C. DIGGS, Ja., Michigan PAUL FINDLEY, Illinois BENJAMIN S. ROSENTHAL, New York JOHN H. BUCHANAN, JR., Alabama LEE H. HAMILTON, Indiana LARRY WINN, JR., Kansas LESTER L. WOLFF, New York BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York - JONATHAN B. BINGHAM, New York TENNYSON GUYER. Ohio GUS YATRON, Pennsylvania ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO, California CARDISS COLLINS, Illinois WILLIAM F. GOODLING, Pennsylvania STEPHEN J. SOLARZ. New York JOEL PRITCHARD. Washington DON BONKER, Washington MILLICENT FENWICK, New Jersey GERRY E. STUDDS, Massachusetts DAN QUAYLE, Indiana ANDY IRELAND, Florida DONALD J. PEASE, Ohio DAN MICA, Florida MICHAEL D. BARNES, Maryland WILLIAM H. GRAY III, Pennsylvania TONY P. HALL. Ohio HOWARD WOLPE, Michigan DAVID R. BOWEN, Mississippi FLOYD J. FITHIAN. Indiana JOHN J. BRADY, Jr., Chief of Staff SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTER-AMERICA.N AFFAIgS GUS YATRON. Pennsylvania. Chairitanu DANTE B. FASCELL, Florida BENJAMIN A. OILMAN, New York BENJAMIN S. ROSENTHAL, New York TENNYSON GUYER, Ohio CARDISS COLLINS, Illinois ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO, California GERRY E. STUDDS, Mnssachusetts ANDY IRELAND, Florida GO.NF FmtEDN.IA, Sibcominittee Staff Director J. lnwR Fox. .llitioity Staff Consultant M.THFW H. Mos.R, Subcommittee Staff Aasociatc NA xcy A. AGRtS. Staff Assistant (II) CONTENTS WITNESSES Wednesday, March 26, 1980: Edward M. Collinq, Vice Director for Foreign Intelligence, Defense Pl&aT Intelligence Agency--------------------------------------- 2 Martin J. Scheina, Analyst for Cuban Affairs, Defense Intelligence Agency------------------------------------------------ 4 Thursday '.farch 27 1980: Lt. Vol. Rafael E. Martinez-Boucher, Chief, Latin American Branch, Defense Intelligence Agency ---------------------------------- 27 Wednesday, April 16, 1980: Robini Kent, analyst, Office of Political Analysis, National Foreign Assessment Center, Central Intelligence Agency------------------ 45 Randolph Pherson, analyst, Office of Political' Analysis, National Foreign Assessment Center, Central Intelligence Agency-_-------- 46 Robert J. English,Chiefof U.S.S.R.-Eat European Division, Office of Political Analysis, National Foreign Assessment Center, Central Intelligence Agency --------------------------------------- 46 Russell Swanson, analyst, Office of Political Analysis, National Foreign Assessment Center, Central Intelligence Agency---------- 49 Thursday, April 17, 1980: ----- - Myfes Frechette, Country Director for Cuban Affairs, Department of State -------------------------------------------------- 58 John 1). Blacken, Country Director for Central America, Department of State-----------------------------------------------74 Robert V. Warne, Country l)irector for Caribbean Affairs, Depart- mentof State--------------------------------------------74 Wednesday, May 14, 1980: Luis Aguilar, professor, Department of History, Georgetown Univer- sity - -. .. .. .. .. 8 9 Villiam M. LeoGrande, professor, School of Government and Public Administration, American University -------------------------- 92 APPEN)IXES I. Questions submitted in writing by Subcommittee Chairman Gus Yatron, to Edward M. Collin, Vice l)irector for Foreign Intelligence, i)efen.e Intelligence Agency. ----------------------------------- 113 2. Questions submitted in writing by Subcommit tee Chairman Gus Yatron, to Robin Kent, Randolf Pherson, Robert English, and Russell Swanson, and responses thereto ----------------------------- 118 3. Reprint of Associated Press article published April 1, 1980, in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Navy to Send Iydrofoils to Duty in Caribbean" ------------------------------------------------ 120 4. Reprint of Washington Post article by Ernesto Betancourt published May 13, 1980 entitled "Behind the Cuban Tragedy -------------- 121 (M) IMPACT OF CUBAN-SOVIET TIES IN THE WESTERN. HEMISPHERE, SPRING 1980 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1980 HousE OF RRmESENTATVES, CoMmrr ON FOREIoN AFAIR, SuotBCMIrrE. oz; INTR-AMRUCAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met at 2:45 p.m., in room 2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Gus Yatron (chairman of the subcommittee) presidin.Mr. Y TwO. The subcommittee will now come to order. Today the Inter-American Affairs Subcommittee will meet in executive ses- sion on the impact of Cuban-Soviet ties in the Western Hemisphere. Our briefings by the Defense Intelligence Agency will be divided into two sections. The session today wil[be confined to Soviet activity in Cuba and the use of Cuban military forces in Africa and other parts of the world. Tomorrow, we will go into the political aspects of Cuban-Soviet influence in the hem isphere, concentrating on changes which are taking place in Central and South America. This annual update by DIA will give the subcommittee an insight into Soviet activities in Cuba, including the presence of a Soviet combat brigade, the upgrading of military equipment and its capa- bilities, the extent of Communist activities in the hemisphere and other developments in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Over the years we have seen the increased level of military and economic support of Cuba by the Soviet Union. The hearings also have been a barometer for us to gage the successes or failures of Cuban foreign policy in the hemisphere. Cuba has made some inroads, particularly in Jamaica, Grenada, and Nicaragua, although Castro has reportedly had some problems at home. The subcommittee is indicating its continuing concern by hold- in these hearings. Due to the sensitive nature of the information to be given, the Defense Intelligence Agency has asked that these hearings be held in executive session. It is the Chair's intention to again request that DIA declassify as much of the testimony as possible for publication so that the public can have maximum benefit of information on this important aspect of our national security and foreign policies. Our witnesses today are Dr. Edward 31. Collins, Vice Director for Foreign Intelligence, Defense Intelligence Agency, and Mr. Martin J. Scheina, analyst for Cuban Affairs, Defense intelligence Agency. - (1) 2 They are accompanied by Lt. Col. Ralph Martinez-Boucher, Mr. Gary R. McClellan, Mr. David C. Yorck, Dr. Ramon da Pena, and Major John C. Crenshaw, all of the Defense Intelligence Agency. I would-like to entertain a motion from the floor that we go into executive session. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee now go into executive session. Mr. YATROX. The motion has been made. Do I have a second? Mr. FAscEL. Second. Mr. YATRONX. It has been moved and seconded that we go into executive session. For the purpose of taking classified testimony, under the rule the rollcall is automatic and the clerk will now call the role. Mr. FRrEDMAN. Mr. Yatron. Mr. YATRON. Aye. Mr. FRIEDMAN. Mr. Fascell Mr. FASCELL. Aye. Mr. FRIEDMAN. Mr. Rosenthal. [No response.] Mr. FRIEDMAAN. Mrs. Collins. [No response.] Mr. FmREDMAN. Mr. Studds. Mr. STUDS. Aye. Mr. FRrED3M.-. Mr. Ireland. [No response.] Mr. FRIEDMAN. 'Mr. Gilman. Mr. GILMAAN. Aye. Mr. FRIEDMAN. Mr. Guyer. [No response.] Mr. FRIEDMAN. Mr. Lagomarsino. Mr. LAGOMARSINO. Aye. Mr. YATRON. There are five members voting "aye." A quorum being present, we are now in executive session. Will the clerk determine that all who are present in the room have the appropriate clearance. Dr. Collins, it is a pleasure to welcome you back. Please proceed with your opening statement. STATEMENT OF EDWARD M,COLLINS, VICE DIRECTOR FOR FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE, DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Mr. COLLINs. Mr. Chairman, honorable members of this committee, on behalf of Lieutenant General Tighe, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, I want to express my appreciation for the oppor- tunity to have our representatives appear before you again this year. As in recent years our presentation will be in two parts: The first will concentrate on Cuba and the Soviet presence there, and the second will concentrate on changes which are taking place in Central and South America. In Cuba, the most significant development in the past year was the confirmation of the presence of a Soviet combat brigade. Soviet sup- port to the Cuban military has continued at a high level over the past few years. Since 1978. deliveries of military equipment have exceeded [security deletion] and the total value of military equipment provided since 1960 now approaches [security deletion]. 3 This upgrading of Cuba's weapons systems coupled with experience gained in Africa, higher emphasis on training, and the increased pro. fessionalism of the reserve, represents a significant improvement of Cuba's military capabilities In &manner similar to the support it provides to the military, the Soviet Union is keeping Cuba afloat economically. As reporte last year, the Soviet Union is paying above-the-world-market prices for Cuban sugar and nickel and supplying virtually all of Cuba's petro- leum at a bargain rate. Despite this assistance, Cuba's economy is quite depressed and discontent is growing. Internationally,