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

459. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs’ Special Assistant (Hill) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Rubottom)¹

Washington, February 20, 1960.

SUBJECT

• Priority Actions Arising from Discussions with Senate Foreign Relations Committee²

a) Soviet or Communist Bloc Arms Shipment: Members of the Committee expressed great interest in what the U.S. would do if the Soviets sent MIG’s or other arms to Cuba and asked, particularly, if this would call for collective action under the Caracas Resolution³ or other inter-American instrument. It was indicated to the Committee that acquisition of arms from the Bloc, in conjunction with other evidence of ties with international Communism, could form a basis for inter-American action in accordance with the Caracas Resolution.

Actions Taken or Contemplated

a) Instruction to Embassy Moscow to inform Soviet Government of our arms embargo policy and its relation to efforts of OAS and Inter-American Peace Committee and to warn USSR actual arms shipment would be received [perceived] as serious breach of these efforts to lessen tensions and as inconsistent USSR protestations of desire for world relaxation of tensions. (Instruction in process clearance)⁴

b) Publicity for foregoing—in OAS, Inter-American Peace Committee or elsewhere—if Soviets or satellites ship arms.

c) Current unattributed publicity, through Latin American outlets of Soviet agreement to furnish airplanes and arms as affront to efforts of all American Republics to maintain peace.

d) Possible convocation of Foreign Ministers or COAS meeting if airplanes or arms shipped, depending on types and quantities and Latin American reaction thereto.

b) Guantanamo: Several members of the Committee asked how Cuban efforts to take over Guantanamo would be handled. It was explained that the Treaty made our right to remain in Guantanamo clear and that the Castro Government did not have the military capability to eject us. The Committee was assured that we did not intend to compromise our rights on this issue.

Actions Taken or Contemplated

a) Government, principally Navy, has publicly made clear we will not give up Guantanamo.

b) Armed Forces (CINCLANT) has contingency plans to defend Base.

c) Public relations handling of any Cuban official demand that we abandon Base or renegotiate Agreement, or of any Cuban harassment of base by strike, cutting off water supply. (To be done by ARA/P.)

c) Diplomatic handling of contingencies with other American Republics and OAS (To be done by RPA in consultation with CMA and other offices.)

c) Caracas Resolution: The Committee showed great interest in convoking an inter-American meeting to take collective action under the Caracas Resolution. It was explained to the Committee, that, along this line, a program was being initiated to pass to other American Governments information concerning the international Communist aspects of the Cuban situation and that such bilateral exchange of information and consultation was necessary to prepare for any such meeting.

Action Taken or Contemplated

a) There have already been numerous exchanges with other Governments re Cuban situation, though to date U.S. has not highlighted Communist aspects.

b) ARA has prepared initial draft⁵ of presentation on Cuba, Castro and Communism which—with additional research and editing—might be used as basis for presentation to other governments.

c) Task Force has generated large amounts of unattributed materials on Communism in Cuba to prepare ground for diplomatic action.

d) Embassy Habana should prepare up-to-date study on international Communism and Cuba. (Action: CMA)

e) New Special National Intelligence Estimate (SNIE) should be prepared to take into account Mikoyan visit as last SNIE (prepared in December 1959)⁶ did not support any finding that Castro regime under international Communist control. (Action: CMA)

f) Plan for OAS action and schedule should be developed for use in event it is decided to convoke inter-American conference. (Action: Amb. Dreier and RPA)

d) Economic Measures: The Committee expressed great interest in what economic measures might be taken, the consensus being heavily on the side of taking action by cutting the Sugar quota. The Administration’s position on the Sugar Act was outlined and it was emphasized that, in view of Treaty commitments and Latin American sensibilities about intervention, the Executive should be given discretionary authority to effect a cut ostensibly on economic grounds.

Action Taken or Contemplated

a) Sugar Act Amendment.

b) Committee now working on possibilities of clearing away Preferential Trade Agreements, GATT obligations, etc. which would stand in way of taking economic measures. (CMA)

c) Study of relative economic advantages to Cuba and to U.S. in dollars and cents of existing relationship. (CMA)

e) Compensation for American Property: The Committee generally expressed a desire for prompt rigorous action to assure compensation for expropriated U.S. properties and to deter further expropriations in Cuba and elsewhere in Latin America.

Action Taken or Contemplated

a) Action Plan⁷ approved by Mr. Dillon.

b) Study of possible action against selected Cuban assets. (Now under way by CMA)⁸

f) Return of Ambassador Bonsal: The Committee asked about the return of Ambassador Bonsal and was assured that no decision was taken. The consensus of the members who spoke of this issue was that he should not return soon.

1. Source: Department of State, ARA Special Assistant Files: Lot 62 D 24, Cuba January–June 1960. Secret. Drafted by Hill. No initials appear on the source text.
2. The date of the discussions is not given. They were presumably of an informal nature between Hill and members of the committee.
3. Reference is to Resolution 93 adopted at the Tenth Inter-American Conference meeting at Caracas, March 28, 1954; for text, see American Foreign Policy: Basic Documents, 1950–1955, vol. I, pp. 1300–1302.
4. Not further identified.
5. A copy of this draft paper entitled “Cuba, Castro, and Communism” was circulated to Rubottom and others in ARA under cover of a memorandum of February 23 from Hill. (Department of State, ARA Special Assistant Files: Lot 62 D 24, Cuba January–June 1960)
6. SNIE 80/1–59, “The Situation in the Caribbean Through 1960,” December 29, 1959; text is scheduled for publication in volume V.
7. See Document 414.
8. Not further identified.