Office of the Historian

184. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1

London, December 17, 1958—5 p.m.

3237. During question period Commons December 15, opposition claiming Cuban rebels being killed by arms supplied by UK, badgered Minister State Foreign Affairs (Noble) into giving assurance “no further weapons of any sort will be sent (to Cuban Government) without informing Commons.”

Assistant head American Department Foreign Office (Hildyard) informed Embassy officer December 16 it not yet decided whether this assurance will include arms already loaded on ships, or contracted for, or only to new orders.

Foreign Office said assurance given primarily as concession UK public opinion and not indication HMG foresees rebel victory. This possibility not overlooked by Foreign Office, however, particularly if Cuban economic situation deteriorates.

Whitney
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.56/12–1758. Secret. Repeated to Havana.↩