These "exercises are just, I would say, one or more of the many things that the Cuban government does to try to distract people from the problems that they face in their daily lives," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters here.

Cuba on Monday launched its biggest military exercises in almost 20 years involving hundreds of thousands of troops and reservists and millions of civilians who will participate in civil defense drills.

Asked about the emphasis on repelling a fictional invasion of Cuban shores, Boucher replied: We don't think there is any justification, or any particular foundation for this kind of charge."

"The United States has repeatedly called for a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba. We think that's what the Cuban people deserve, and we think they deserve it in a peaceful fashion," Boucher stressed.

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