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DESTINATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
The Legitimacy of GTMO: An Eyewitness Report, Page 12
A Travel Journal by Dr. Eric A. Zillmer
Pacifico Professor of Psychology at Drexel University
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In The Air
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Guantanamo Bay is a 47-square mile area that includes a large, picturesque bay, situated on the southeast tip of Cuba and north of Haiti. Historically it is of significance since Christopher Columbus landed here in 1494. There is no question from the air it looks Caribbean, but GTMO has also become one of the most politicized and controversial military bases in the world. The U.S. government leased this parcel in 1903 from Cuba for the equivalent of $2,000 in gold for the strategic reason of using the base as a refueling station for ships. The treaty has been validated several times over the past years and now a yearly check of $4,200 is mailed to the Cuban government. To Communist Cuba the presence of “Free Cuba,” as it is referred to by those stationed at GTMO, must be a constant thorn in Castro’s side. All available supplies must be brought in by sea or air and all energy must be produced at GTMO itself (80% via diesel and 20% through wind). A modern water purification plant makes drinking water. Because of the frosty relationship between the two governments there is a 17-mile “fence line” border with Cuba that encapsulates the base. Ironically and contrary to the controversial movie on GTMO, there are no roads that lead to Guantanamo.
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