The military drill named Bastion 2004 staged by the Cuban army entered its second phase Thursday toexamine the speed and cohesion of soldiers and the responsibility of the command and direct posts in face of a possible air strike by foreign forces.

The military authorities here said this stage is designed to check the reaction of military personnel to a possible intensifiedair attacks, including rocket strikes, by the United States forces.

The exercises is also designed to check the supply of water, food, medicine and fuel, the solutions to a possible shortage of electricity, and the protection of industries and other vital targets.

General Raul Castro, First Vice President and Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, on Wednesday visited places around thecapital and the neighboring province of Havana. He started Bastion2004 on Monday with a speech saying that Cuba will turn into a "wasp-nest" should it be attacked.

As a continuation of the general mobilization staged from Monday by the military headquarters, the Defense Councils at all levels showed a great efficiency, local reports said.

Source: Xinhua