Russia, Cuba To Implement Joint Space Programs
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_Cuba_To_Implement_Joint_Space_Programs_999.html

“…The proposed Cuban space center will process data received from Russian remote-sensing and navigation satellites. We also plan to jointly use orbital telecommunications networks, Perminov said….”

So, not a launch pad but more space operations support services.

It also turns out that Shenzou 7 has nothing to do with the proposed space station:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Shenzhou_7_Is_Not_A_Space_Station_999.html

…Meanwhile, the US still needs Soyuz to reach the ISS, sanctions or no:
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/The_US_Has_No_Option_But_To_Use_Russia_Soyuz_Craft_999.html

“During Senate hearings on Wednesday, September 17, William Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, said the U.S. is depending on Russia for its ISS flights and that the Bush administration was in support of a Congressional amendment to exempt Russia’s Soyuz vehicles from existing sanctions.

On Tuesday, September 23, the U.S. Congress will consider an amendment, supported by President George W. Bush, allowing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to buy Russian Soyuz spacecraft and launch services.”

Por que?

The Russians have partnered the Europeans for a joint launching site in French Kourou (somewhat close to the equator than Cuba):
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Russian_Set_To_Install_Soyuz_Launch_Systems_At_Kourou_999.html

Though, Putin has ordered more GLONASS (russian gps) in reponse to perceived failings in the Georgia Campaign: http://www.gpsdaily.com/reports/Putin_Orders_Additional_Funding_On_Glonass_Development_999.html and offered ‘cooperation’ (whatever that means) to Cuba and Venezuela: http://www.gpsdaily.com/reports/Venezuela_Cuba_may_join_Russian_militarys_navigation_system_999.html

If that’s not a wind up, then I’m the Pope and you can kiss my ring!

OTOH, offering GLONASS to the Cubans might be a means of negotiating a way back into Cuba since Russia gave up its massive SIGNIT base at Lourdes in the 1990s because it couldn’t afford the rent.

Meanwhile, the frogs are buying 10 Soyouz launchers from Russia:
http://www.spacedaily.com/2006/080920172815.b60mbf3y.html

Not to mention that Russia has long since announced a southern space port to be built at Vostochny: http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_To_Build_New_Space_Center_In_The_Far_East_999.html

Meanwhile, there seems to be much less coverage of the significance of the proposed chinese plan to launch its own space station using Shenzou 7, 8, 9 & 10: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/18/china_space_station/

Sure, both the indians and chinese will be launching moon (unmanned) missions, but I’m fairly sure that the US mil. will be far concerned about Chinese progress in space…

Looking at the evidence above, I doesn’t really make sense for Russia to invest in yet another space port (Cuba – though curiously no actual location suggeste) in addition to its investments in FrKourou and Vostochny, BUT, rebuilding military ties with Cuba as another pressure point on the US in direct response to its MD shield in Cz & Pl makes very good sense (if it is cost effective). I wouldn’t be surprised if the Russians at some point in future didn’t comment that they have ‘plans’ to install a missile defense in Cuba either!

As for all the bluster between Russia and the West over Georgia, mucho wind. If cooperation in the high-tech field is affected, i.e. Russia is kicked out of/suspended from FrKourou or the US bans satellites with significant US content from being launched by Russian systems, then the sh*t has really got serious. So basically relations between them so far can be succinctly explained thus, “All mouth, no trousers”.