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

460. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom) to the Secretary of State¹

Washington, February 20, 1960.

SUBJECT

• Evidences of a More Conciliatory Attitude Toward the U.S. by Castro and the Government of Cuba Since the President’s Statement of January 26th²

Since the President’s statement of January 26th, there has been a notable absence of anti-American statements and attacks against high officials of the U.S. on the part of Castro and high officials around him. Castro’s words on the night of February 18 were noteworthily restrained considering the plane incident early that same day. (Tab A, Deptel 2095)³ This restraint has also been observed to a noticeable but lesser extent by the 26th of July party organ, the newspaper Revolución, except for a brief lapse at the time of the naval visit to the Dominican Republic on February 6th. The same cannot be said for the presumably government controllable radio stations Radio Mambi and Radio Union which have lashed out with vicious attacks in the interim since the 26th although with less frequency and in a somewhat less violent tone.

In the provinces, particularly Oriente, the 26th of July newspapers, Surco and Sierra Maestra, continued their anti-American line for several days after the 26th, then apparently got and obeyed the word to tone down until the time of the naval visit to the Dominican Republic when the anti-American campaign was revived and has not again been stopped, although it is less violent in tone than previously.

[Here follows a recapitulation of recent exchanges of notes by the U.S. and Cuban Governments.]

Conclusion:

The GOC, although it has in no way suffered a change of heart toward the United States, apparently genuinely desires the return of Ambassador Bonsal and a return to more normal relations. Its motivation may well be that it fears it has gone too far and too fast, both for the Cuban people and in the eyes of the Hemisphere. Its “conciliatory gestures” have probably been sufficient to persuade the other Latin American countries that the USG should respond affirmatively. Further evidence of the firmness of this attitude may be tested in Raul Castro’s speech to the students on February 23 and Fidel Castro’s scheduled speech in Holguin on February 24.⁴

Another important element which has come into the picture and which must be carefully weighed in any decision regarding the return of Ambassador Bonsal is the recent Mikoyan visit to Cuba during which the U.S.S.R. signed a trade and economic assistance agreement and promised Cuba airplanes and arms on request. The two countries also agreed to collaborate in the UN and on other international matters. Castro has publicly praised the results of this visit. The return of the U.S. Ambassador in this context is likely to be interpreted in Cuba and elsewhere in Latin America as U.S. acquiescence in this new Soviet-Cuban relationship.

Recommendations:

1. Decision regarding Ambassador Bonsal’s return should be postponed until the President’s return.⁵

2. The President and you, in discussions with Government leaders on your forthcoming trip, should seek to consult with them regarding the treatment of the Cuban problem and, specifically, attempt to elicit their suggestions, including the timing and handling of Ambassador Bonsal’s return.⁶

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/2–2060. Confidential. Drafted by Stevenson.
2. See Document 438.
3. None of the attachments is printed.
4. At a conference sponsored by the Students Association of the School of Education of the University of Havana on February 24, Raul Castro, according to the Embassy’s summary account, “unleashed the most violent anti-United States attack since Fidel Castro’s speech of January 20.” (Despatch 1256 from Havana, March 7; Department of State, Central Files, 611.37/3–760) Regarding Fidel Castro’s speech of February 24, see Document 463.
5. President Eisenhower, accompanied by Herter and Rubottom, among others, left Washington on February 22 for a visit to Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Surinam, before returning to Washington on March 7. Documentation on the trip is scheduled for publication in volume V.
6. Herter initialed his approval of both recommendations on February 20.