Soviets Say U.S. Must Leave Guantanamo Base

MOSCOW--the Soviet Union Thursday demanded the "unconditional withdrawal" of the U. S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay and pledged to continue supplying massive economic and military aid to Fidel Castro's government.

The Kremlin demand was made in a 4000-word joint Soviet-Cuban communique published Thursday as Castro left the Soviet Union for home after an 11-day visit.

"The Soviet leaders have once again stated that the Soviet Union resolutely condemns the economic and political blockade of Cuba conducted by the United States," the communique declared.

There must be an "unconditional withdrawal of the American Guantanamo naval base, which, contrary to the sovereign will of the Cuban people, exists on Cuban territory," it added.

The statement was immediately followed by a Soviet declaration to continue "all-round assistance to Cuba in the construction of a Socialist society, in strengthening the country's defense capacity and defending its revolutionary gains."