WORLD : U.S. Says MIGS Shipped to Cuba

The State Department said today that the Soviet Union has shipped advanced MIG-29 aircraft to Cuba, a move it called “wholly inconsistent” with Moscow’s stated desire to promote peace in Central America.

“We see no legitimate Cuban need for such advanced aircraft, and we do not consider this a helpful step,” said Richard Boucher, the department’s spokesman.

Citing a need to protect intelligence data, Boucher refused to provide details on when the aircraft arrived in Cuba, how many planes had been shipped and whether Moscow also provided trainers.

But the Washington Times said one high-tech combat aircraft--believed to be the first of a squadron--was discovered in Cuba late last month. A U.S. intelligence satellite first photographed the MIG-29 in crates after delivery to a Cuban port, and identified it as a MIG-29 after assembly, the paper said.