123. Editorial Note
At a July 6 meeting to brief representatives of the Departments of Justice and the Treasury, and the CIA, held in the Department of State, Assistant Secretary Rubottom stressed the need for the United States to have “a good record” on the enforcement of neutrality and other relevant legislation while the United States was applying pressure on Castro and other governments to curb revolutionary activities. The following exchange on this subject took place at the meeting:
“Mr. Rubottom also referred to the need for appropriate action to be taken with respect to American citizens, including Puerto Ricans, involved in Caribbean Revolutionary activities. Mr. Yeagley explained the limitations of the Neutrality Act—which applies to activities on U.S. soil but not to activities of U.S. citizens on foreign soil—but to determine if other statutes could be applied. Mr. Hanes referred to the possibility of canceling passports, an action which had been initiated in the case of Rafael Somorriba, a naturalized citizen captured in Honduras leading an anti-Nicaraguan expedition. He pointed out, however, that such action would generally have only a symbolic [Page 407] value.” (Memorandum of conversation, by John C. Hill, Jr., July 21; Department of State, ARA Special Assistant’s Files: Lot 62 D 24, Caribbean Revolutionary Activities 1959)