Havana (AFP) - A Russian
intelligence warship docked in Havana on Tuesday, a day before the start
of historic US-Cuba talks aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations.
There
was nothing stealthy about the arrival of the Viktor Leonov CCB-175,
which was moored to a pier in Old Havana where cruise ships often dock.
But the visit was not officially announced by Cuban authorities.
US
officials in Washington played down the presence of the Russian vessel,
saying it was perfectly legal and not at all out of the ordinary.
"It's not unprecedented. It's not unusual. It's not alarming," a defense official told AFP.
The Vishnya or Meridian-class
intelligence ship, which has a crew of around 200, went into service in
the Black Sea in 1988 before it was transferred seven years later to the
northern fleet, according to Russian media.
The
vessel previously docked in Havana in February and March last year,
staying there for a few days. Those visits were also unannounced.
The
highest-level US delegation to visit Havana since 1980 arrives
Wednesday for two days of talks aimed at normalizing diplomatic and
immigration relations between the former Cold War foes.
The former Soviet Union was Cuba's main patron during the Cold War.
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