98. Memorandum From the Assistant Director, Latin America, United States Information Agency (Ryan) to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Special Operations (Lansdale)1
SUBJECT
- USIA Current Intelligence Needs From Inside Cuba
The following information would all be of assistance to this Agency in its current operations. None of the items, however, is considered of such vital importance to justify risking human life for its production. This has been cleared in draft with the Acting Director of the Agency.
1. Appraisal of size of the VOA’s listening audience in Cuba. Reactions to such broadcasts, credibility, quality and strength of signals would be helpful. Also attitudes on need for more or less repetition of news items.
2. Information on penalties imposed for listening to Free World broadcasts.
3. Current facts on events within Cuba which would support U.S. policy objectives. Examples of this information might include verification of fact that Cubans not allowed near Soviet bases, Soviet control of bases, Cuban concealment of facts President Kennedy’s speech,2 world reaction, etc.
4. Current information on activities of Soviet and Bloc personnel, particularly useful would be confirmed examples of friction or problems with Cubans, special privileges or food allowances, special protection.
[Page 256]5. Current information on shortages of food and other necessities. Any evidence of graft, favoritism, hoarding by Castro/Communist groups.
6. Attitudes towards U.S. and U.S. policy. Is President Kennedy still a position [positive?] symbol? Is the U.S. blamed by the Cuban people for shortages, difficulties, etc.
7. If there has been a leaflet drop, reaction to same. Credibility of such leaflets, distribution, penalties for distribution or possession of such materials.
8. Information on anti-regime’s printed and oral propaganda. Evaluation of resistance symbols, slogans and themes. Anti-regime jokes and visual symbols (“gusano libre”). Anti-regime demonstrations of all types should be reported and evaluated.
9. Information on pro-Castro/Communist propaganda. Include reaction to symbols, slogans, themes as in above item 8.
10. Reaction to various anti-Castro exile groups and their propaganda themes and actions. Positive and negative attitudes toward Miro Cardona, Manolo Ray, Tony Varona, Alpha 66, DRE, Sanchez Arango, etc.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, Box 319A, Special Group (Augmented), General, 10/62–12/62. Top Secret. According to the memorandum for the record of the October 26 Special Group (Augmented) meeting, the members discussed the dispatch of agent teams to Cuba and the ways in which these teams could contribute. The members recommended that Lansdale collect intelligence requirements from the Departments of State and Defense and the United States Information Agency. (Ibid.) Under an October 27 memorandum to members of the Special Group, Lansdale attached the responses from the three agencies, including the memorandum printed here. (Ibid.) The memorandum for the record of the October 26 meeting is printed in Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, vol. XI, Cuban Missile Crisis and Aftermath, Document 82.↩
- For the text of the President’s October 22 radio and television report to the American people regarding the Soviet arms buildup in Cuba, see Public Papers: Kennedy, 1962, pp. 806–809. In Potomac Cable No. 245—Cuba, sent via the Wireless File on October 22, USIA summarized the President’s address, noting: “The United States has acted swiftly, firmly and decisively to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the peace of the world. As a result of this action, the world may be saved from the scourge of nuclear war.” (National Archives, RG 306, Policy Guidance Files, 1953–1969, Entry UD WW 266, Box 315, Cuba (one 1960) 1962–1965)↩
- Ryan signed “Hew” above his typed signature.↩