Office of the Historian

264. Letter From Senator Wayne Morse to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom)1

Washington, March 20, 1959.

Dear Mr. Secretary: I am concerned about inquiries my office is receiving concerning Castro’s visit to the United States. Some of the inquiries, such as one today from Congressman Davis of Georgia,2 are exceedingly critical of the State Department. He alleges that the State Department is looking for a way to turn Castro’s visit into an official White House and State Department visit although everyone knows that the President of the ASNE circumvented all protocol by issuing the invitation directly to Castro without clearance either with the State Department or the White House.

Congressman Porter has also issued an invitation to Castro to come to the United States and attend the Oregon Centennial in my State.

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It seems to me that this matter can develop into a rather delicate situation if the State Department and the White House after the fact set a precedent that will encourage Members of Congress or the heads of various organizations in the United States to invite heads of foreign states to come to the United States for this or that purpose and then once the invitation is accepted call upon the White House and the State Department to turn the invitation into an official governmental invitation.

I am inclined to think that the ASNE and Porter’s invitations to Castro call for an unequivocal statement of policy on the part of the State Department in regard to this problem. Further, I don’t think any statement of policy by the State Department and the White House should take the form of saying in effect, “It is all right this time but don’t do it again.”

Some of the calls I have been receiving about this matter have taken on rather ugly connotations. Some of them have expressed the view that Castro is being rather gingerly handled by the State Department because of his reported threats to take over this or that American investment in Cuba unless our Government follows what one critic described as a kowtowing policy to Castro.

I think now is the time for the State Department to reach a few firm decisions in regard to the Cuban situation and our official relations with Castro.3

Sincerely yours,

Wayne Morse
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.3711/3–2059.↩
  2. Not further identified.↩

  3. In a reply of April 2 to Senator Morse, Rubottom made the following comments:

    “I am unable to understand the allegation referred to in your letter that ‘the State Department is looking for a way to turn Castro’s visit into an official White House and State Department visit’. I assure you that, to my knowledge, no one in the Department of State has made such a suggestion or has such an intention. Faced with a situation where this particular foreign dignitary will come to the nation’s capital under private auspices, it is incumbent on the Department to try to see to it that he is received and treated in a manner befitting his position.”

    Rubottom further commented that private citizens and organizations were not required to consult with the government before issuing invitations to foreign dignitaries. (ibid.)

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