428. Memorandum From the Administrator of the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs (Hanes) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Mr. Rubottom’s Memorandum2
I concur in Mr. Rubottom’s memorandum because I agree with the compelling reasons he has advanced for such action.
In making your decision, however, I wish to point out that I also agree with Mr. Rubottom’s statement that a risk to the security of American citizens is involved. There are, very roughly, about 5,000 Americans in the Havana area. Very few of these are tourists, the great majority being long-term residents and business men.
The Embassy as of now does not have any effective plan for the protection and defense of the American community in the event of mob violence. I do not consider that it is feasible to develop any such plan in the immediate future.
I would also point out, however, that because the vast majority of these Americans are residents rather than tourists, they are presumably more aware of the potential dangers to themselves in the present Cuban political situation.