NEWS: Cuba Wraps Up Practice for Potential U.S Attack.

ap.tbo.com
Thousands of Cubans took to the streets, taking their prearranged places under the doctrine of "The Peoples' War," in which every citizen, young and old, participates in the defense of the country.

Children were sent to schools early Sunday to practice duck-and-cover drills. Civilians performed shooting exercises in makeshift ranges as well as conducted first aid drills and putting on gas masks. Factory workers ran for underground shelter during evacuation drills.

Work groups gathered to discuss how to guarantee food, water and health care for the population in the event of an attack, as well as to plan evacuations, arrange security for personal property and set up a system for getting information to civilians.

State media reported that a total of four million Cubans participated throughout the week in the exercise, which began Monday and was the biggest of its kind on the island in 18 years. International news organizations were not given official access.

Cubans from defense organizations that include much of the general population participated as well as defense forces of the Interior Ministry, which oversees internal security.

Defense Minister Raul Castro, who oversaw the operation, toured several sites to motivate participants.

"There are Cubans of every color, making up a precious rainbow, but all have the same language, purpose, ideal: that unity is our most powerful weapon," Castro told civilians in Havana, according to Sunday's edition of Juventud Rebelde, the Communist Party's youth newspaper.




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