492. Memorandum of Discussion at the 438th Meeting of the National Security Council, Washington, March 24, 19601
[Here follows discussion of matters unrelated to Cuba.]
Mr. Dulles said that just before Ambassador Bonsal’s return to Cuba, Guevara had warned that Cuba faced an economic war with the U.S.2 The President of Cuba had made the strongest attack to date on the U.S., including a statement that the U.S. was responsible for the ship explosion.3 Mr. Dulles then reported that the recent plane incident was a provocation by Castro, as indicated in a report from J. Edgar Hoover.4 This information could not be used publicly, however, because of its sources. Secretary Herter said that the U.S. Government, contrary to reports in the press, had no intention of apologizing for the recent plane incident. Mr. Dulles, continuing, said that Castro remained in control of Cuba, although the opposition was becoming more outspoken, especially on the Communist issue. Castro was continuing on his radical course. He had recently organized “people’s stores” in the rural areas and was beginning their organization in the Havana area, thus conforming to his dictum that he would take the countryside first and then the cities. An independent front of free transmitters, a radio channel, had been organized with many Communist announcers. Mr. Dulles noted that the intelligence community had recently prepared a new Special National Intelligence Estimate (SNIE 85–605). Mr. Dulles then read the following extract from the Estimate:
“We believe that Fidel Castro and his government are not now demonstrably under the domination or control of the international Communist movement. Moreover, we believe that they will not soon come under such demonstrable domination or control...6 yet we believe that the Cuban regime is in practice following the line set for Latin American Communist Parties at the time of the 21st Party Congress in Moscow in February 1959 and that it will continue to pursue policies advantageous to the Communists and to accept Communist assistance and advice in carrying them out.”
Mr. Dulles said he felt there was in Cuba a nearly native communism parallel to, but not accepting orders from, international Communism. Cuba, accordingly, did not fall directly within the scope of the Caracas Declaration, but approached a country having a native communist movement.
[Here follows discussion of matters unrelated to Cuba.]
5. U.S. Policy Toward Cuba (NSC Action No. 2166–b–(1); NSC 5902/1; NSC Actions Nos. 2177, 2191 and 2195)7
Mr. Gray said the subject of U.S policy toward Cuba was before the Council for discussion in accordance with NSC Action 2166. Secretary Herter said he had asked our Embassy in Cuba to ascertain whether Guevara’s recent statements regarding the sugar subsidy are official statements of the Cuban Government. He felt this question would have considerable bearing on consideration of the sugar subsidy in Congress, in view of the intemperate statements by Guevara. Admiral Burke wished to point out to the Council that he was not fomenting revolution in Cuba. The President asked whether Admiral Burke had been accused of fomenting revolution. Admiral Burke said he had been so accused. Secretary Herter concluded the discussion by remarking that contingency planning with respect to Cuba was excellent.
The National Security Council:8
Noted recent developments with regard to the situation in Cuba.
[Here follows discussion of matters unrelated to Cuba.]
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records. Top Secret. Prepared by Boggs.↩
- Reference is to Guevara’s March 20 speech, reported in telegram 2463, March 21. (Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/3–2160)↩
- Reference is to Dorticos’ March 20 speech, reported in telegram 2448, March 21. (ibid., 611.37/3–2160)↩
- Not further identified.↩
- Supra .↩
- Ellipsis in the source text.↩
- Text of NSC 5902/1, “U.S. Policy Toward Latin America,” February 16, 1959, is scheduled for publication in volume V. Regarding NSC Action No. 2166–b–(l), see footnote 3, Document 410; NSC Action No. 2177, see footnote 9, Document 423; NSC Action No. 2191, see footnote 4, Document 474; and NSC Action No. 2195, see footnote 5, Document 483.↩
- The following paragraph constitutes NSC Action No. 2201. (Department of State, S/S–NSC (Miscellaneous) Files: Lot 66 D 95, Records of Action by the National Security Council)↩