in wh plo and even incidence of Th of SC form of punishment reenforces the belief that there is nothing to be gained by participating in overseas military adventures. Troop morale has been reported low due to a number of factors. including danger, boredom, illness, lack of female companionship a higher than normal homosexuality.
Over 200. 000 Cuban soldiers, according to statements made by Fidel Castro in 1985, had already served in Angola. Possibly as many as 50 percent of these men have been blacks or Bulat toes. In fact, there is some evidence that points out to the ability of the Ministry of the Armed Forces to have selected large number of blacks from the Eastern, Western and Central armies in Cuba and their ready reserve organizations to in both Angola and Ethiopia in the late 1970 Although the Cuban population has darkened over the past 27 years with the emigration of about 700, 000 whites the percentage of blacks in the African wars to have been well above their representation Cuban society. Although this may have been done in order foster better relations with the native population in Africa, it has also resulted in Cuban blacks taking a higher number of casualties.
Le a cr 91 he serve pe sy of seems An in to in most AD CO pa Regular military units remained in Cuba to defend the island against possible attack and to train more reservists and paramilitary troops. With the exception of the officer corps.
of the enlisted men who have fought in Angala have been reservists. Over the past ten years, MINFAR has been able to develop an efficient troop rotation system which has served to provide combat experience to many members of the Armed Forces. Although since mid 1976 most of the troops who have served in Angola have acted as garrison troops to free local forces to fight the counter insurgency operation against UNITA, many Cuban officers and special troops have Laken direct part in the war.
Military Organization in Angola RE 20 ti The organization of the Cuban combat troops seems to be very different from that of the units stationed on the island.
For example, company strength of units in Cuba is reported to be around 100 men. in Angola Cuban forces aperate with ful!
corupany strength, reported to be about 220 nen. Battalions TE bi се 7 The fact that a group of military officers were court martialed after their questionable performance in Grenada in 1983, denoted and sent to Angola as punishment for their serves to reenforce the idea that there is nothing to be gained by participating in the war. The rhetoric of the leadership is far from the reality faced by the servicemen and the veterans.
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