Confidence Building

Because of the lack of political relations between the U.S. and Cuba, there is limited communication between the armed forces of the two countries. However, as neighbors, their forces are in close proximity to each other, especially with the unique arrangement that permits an American naval base (Guantanamo) on Cuban soil. Exercises, training, and coastal operations make the militaries acutely aware of each other. Misunderstandings or communication failures can lead to confrontation that is otherwise avoidable. Steps to increase confidence and understanding between the two sides about each other's intentions will lead to a more stable relationship. As General John Sheehan, former Commander of the U.S. Atlantic Command once stated with regard to Cuba, "Nations that talk to each other don't fight each other."

(Excerpt from 2001 meeting)


Div. Gen. Jesus Bermudez Cutiño
Fmr. Chief of Cuban Military Intelligence
Director, Center for Study of Information on Defense, Cuba


(Through translator): We believe that apart from the tense political situation existing between the two countries, we can actually take confidence-building steps. I recall the moment we started the talks on (Cuban military withdrawal from) Southern Africa (in the mid-1980s). In this realm, we have an exceptional witness to that (pointing to CDI delegation member James Woods, who was part of the U.S. government negotiating team on Cuban withdrawal from Africa). At the beginning, the situation was extremely tense, the members of the two delegations practically ignored each other. However, then we started taking steps to have a successful approach and we identified our common interests and these steps materialized as confidence building measures. We were all sitting around a table in these agreements, which was unthinkable in the earlier stages.

Having that hope and for the sake of attaining such a purpose, the Cuban side accepted to discuss and address each and every topic that have been presented by your delegation. And this is our mood for the beginning of this session.

Gen. Edward Atkeson, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Senior Fellow, Inst. of Land Warfare, Association of the U.S. Army

I served on the Army staff in Germany. At the height of the Cold War, there was about a half-million armed forces facing each other, each side being fed information and propaganda about the other, which was quite provocative and potentially dangerous. So, it was a real tinderbox of armed forces facing each other with not a great deal of real knowledge as to what the intents of the other party were.

About three or four times a year we would meet with our opposite numbers on the staff of the Soviet group of forces in Germany. And our principle mission in those meetings was to get a better understanding of how the other party looked at the danger of the situation as it existed. Our intent, of course, was to find ways where, while we couldn't solve the very large political problems, we might be able to increase the sense of confidence that we understood each other's immediate intents.

We were blessed at the time with a basic document that had been signed very shortly after World War II between the commanders of the U.S. Army and the Soviet group of forces in Germany. And it was very helpful having that because it set forth the parameters of exchange of officers to maintain on a liaison basis, to maintain the relationships between the commands, between the meetings that we would have.



Now unfortunately we have no such basic document between the United States and Cuba today. So, there is a possibility, of course, that we can develop very different pictures as to the acuity of danger between our states. And a large part of our interest, of course, in maintaining this series of meetings with you, as I expect it is on the other side, is to get a sense for which issues are most acute and disturbing to you.

Gen. Charles Wilhelm, USMC (Ret.)
Fmr. Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Southcom
Distinguished Military Fellow, CDI


(RE- the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba): I think we've made extraordinary progress there over the years. My old friend, General Jack Sheehan, was here to visit you about three years ago. When he and I were young and handsome, we went to Guantanamo. At that time, we were part of large forces. We had tanks. We had artillery pieces. We had heavy mortars. And on the other side of the wire were very impressive Cuban forces. All of that has been reduced dramatically. As you know, we've removed 55,000 land mines from the base at Guantanamo.

The meetings at the gate provide a splendid opportunity for the local commanders to maintain close coordination and personal familiarity, one with the other. And I think there's probably every possibility that we'll see even more progress in this area. But my point is this: I think we have worked together effectively to achieve a more plausible condition in a security sense at the naval base.

Brigadier General Lazaro Roman
Commander, Cuban Border Guard


(Through translator): Communication between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Cuban Border Guard have been improved in the last few years. As communications have been improved, we find the conveyance of information on the missions that we fulfill. We have had communications for several years through telex. Starting in '95, we expanded that to have direct fax communications, mainly to ensure the enforcement of the migration accords that were signed that year. And more recently, in March of 2000, we started direct telephone communication. In previous talks with the Coast Guard representatives, we established a channel to have direct communication with the Coast Guard skippers. And this has been realized mainly when we have carried out joint rescue operations, salvage and rescue operations.

These communication channels have allowed us to work along three main lines: Fighting drug trafficking, fighting alien smuggling, and during search and rescue operations.

We should say that all along there has been an exchange that we regard as positive and it has allowed also for higher efficiency, especially when fighting drug trafficking. With the representative of the Coast Guard, who has come to Cuba on several occasions, and we've had permanent communication with him through the Interests Section and recently he has been assigned on a permanent basis to Havana.

I think that every communication channel we can open would be a positive thing to do.