Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Cuba, Volume VI

271. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, April 4, 1959¹

Washington, April 4, 1959

SUBJECT

• Forthcoming Visit of Fidel Castro

PARTICIPANTS

• Ambassador Ernesto Dihigo, Embassy of Cuba
• Dr. Emilio Pando, Counselor, Embassy of Cuba
• ARA—R.R. Rubottom, Jr., Assistant Secretary
• CMA—William A. Wieland, Director
• CMA—Robert A. Stevenson, Officer in Charge, Cuban Affairs

(Note: In accordance with a message from Embassy, Habana² to the effect that Ambassador Dihigo would like to speak with Mr. Rubottom as soon as possible after the former’s return from Cuba, an appointment was arranged for 10 a.m. on this date.)

Ambassador Dihigo opened the conversation by stating that he wanted to inform Mr. Rubottom immediately with regard to Dr. Castro’s plans for his visit to the United States. He confirmed that Castro will arrive on April 16 and that he had accepted with great pleasure the invitation to have luncheon with Acting Secretary Herter. The Ambassador thereupon reviewed the schedule for the Castro visit which was the same as that reported by Embassy Habana in its telegram 1133 dated April 2.³ He added that the schedule is not yet entirely firm. He will immediately inform the Department as soon as it is definite and also with regard to the final composition of the group which will accompany Castro. With regard to arrangements yet to be handled by the Embassy he said that it is only necessary for him to work out the program for laying wreaths at the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, which he would discuss with Protocol.

After recapitulating briefly Castro’s tentative schedule the Ambassador remarked that there was one other matter which he would like to bring up. He said that we had probably seen the stories with respect to a possible call by Dr. Castro on Vice President Nixon and that Castro would like very much to make this call if it might be possible. Mr. Rubottom reflected on this for a moment before replying and commented that the Vice President is not now in Washington but that he will presumably will be back next week. He asked Ambassador Dihigo if he had understood him to say that Dr. Castro had expressed a desire to call upon Vice President Nixon. The Ambassador answered affirmatively and Mr. Rubottom said that although he could not, of course, answer for the Vice President, he would be happy to transmit this request to the Vice President to see if it might be arranged. He added that we would inform Ambassador Dihigo as soon as possible on this question.

Ambassador Dihigo also mentioned briefly the application for an export license for a DC–4 aircraft consigned to the Cuban military headquarters. He said that he hopes an approval may be quickly obtained as Dr. Castro wishes to use this plane for making his visit to the United States. Mr. Rubottom said that he was aware of this request and that he would see that it received immediate attention.

With regard to security measures for Dr. Castro while here on his visit, Ambassador Dihigo said that he had suggested that Castro send his Aide, Captain Yanes, to the United States a few days prior to Castro’s arrival in order that he might talk the matter over with U.S. authorities and be informed in advance of the measures planned. He mentioned that he has heard that General Tabernilla or one of his sons is now trying to arrange for a demonstration or other protest against Castro in New York City. Mr. Rubottom replied that this is very much in order and that we will be happy to put Captain Yanes in touch with our Security personnel.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.3711/4–459. Drafted and initialed by Stevenson.
2. Telegram 1137 from Havana, April 3. (ibid., 033.3711/4–359)
3. The tentative schedule indicated that Castro would depart Havana on April 15 and would, among other things, attend a luncheon given by Herter on April 16 and speak before the American Society of Newspaper Editors at 12:30 p.m. on April 17. Castro was scheduled to depart Washington on April 20 for New York, with an overnight stop at Princeton University. He was scheduled to leave New York City on April 25 for a visit to Canada, stopping overnight at Harvard University. The program for his stay in Canada had not been set. Castro would probably be accompanied by Ernesto Betancourt; Felipe Pazos; Regino Boti Leon; Rufo Lopez Fresquet and his wife; Celia Sanchez; Conchita Fernandez and her husband; and Teresa Casuso; as well as by guards and newsmen. (Telegram 1133 from Havana, April 2; ibid., 033.3711/4–259)