284. Airgram From the Embassy in Cuba to the Department of State 1

G–115

Opposition source2 with good contacts in 26 July Movement informed Embassy April 15 that Castro’s close advisers have agreed that he should base his “campaign of agitation and propaganda in U.S. on strategy of exploiting political conflicts between Republican and Democratic parties, using aspirations and desires of Democrats to denounce and attack the Republican administration and its international policies, particularly respecting Latin America”. Source adds that on foregoing [Page 474] basis Castro can allege that Republican administration does not have popular support or sympathy of people, and that when Democratic policy of good neighbor restored GOC will support U.S.

Source says was told foregoing strategy has been worked out in conjunction various Democratic figures, including two unnamed Senators.

Embassy comment. Castro has record of appealing to foreign peoples over heads their governments. Possible he may take such line in some public statements in U.S. However, Embassy considers it more probable foregoing constitutes recommendations some extremists among advisors and not agreed plan action.

Embassy strongly doubts that any United States public figures would lend themselves to this sort of activity, though the ingenuity of some newsmen and pulic relations advisers might be sufficient to cause it to be considered.

Bonsal
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.37/4–1759. Confidential. Drafted by Topping.
  2. Not identified.