July 23, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 19, 1429

WASHINGTON, July 22: A top US Air Force officer warned on Tuesday that Russia would be crossing “a red line” if it were to use Cuba as a refuelling base for nuclear-capable bombers.

Gen. Norton Schwartz, whose nomination to become the

Air Force’s top military officer is being considered by the Senate, was asked at his confirmation hearing how he would advise US policymakers if Russia were to proceed with such a plan.

Russia’s Izvestia newspaper this week quoted a “highly placed source” as saying Russia could land Tu-160 supersonic bombers nicknamed “White Swans” in Cuba as a response to a planned US missile defence shield in Europe, which Moscow opposes.

“I certainly would offer best military advice that we should engage the Russians not to pursue that approach,” Schwartz told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“And if they did, I think we should stand strong and indicate that that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America.”—Reuters