498. Telegram From the Embassy in Cuba to the Department of State1

2661. Embassy telegram 2530.2 On March 25 Cuban Foreign Office sent us four notes and published them, which subjects were: A) Secretary’s remarks about Communists in GOC; B) firing of labor leader at Guantanamo and hiring by base of former members of Batista armed forces; C) denial of licenses to export helicopters to Cuba; D) withdrawal of Department of Agriculture fruit and vegetable inspectors formerly stationed here. Recommendations and materials for replies are presumably in Department’s hands. I would hope that I could give replies to Roa in course this week. Suggested texts for [Page 884] replies to A), C) and D) have been submitted to Department (see Embassy telegrams 2553, 2610 and Embassy despatch 13 of April 3).3 Suggested reply to B) will be sent Department today.

In delivering notes I would express belief that treatment of these matters as “further US aggressions” in 26 of July press has been unhelpful to improvement in relations between our governments.

I recommend that I be authorized to tell Roa that we regret his having published these four notes in such a manner as to convey an impression of worsening relations between our two governments and while we believe that exchanges on the relatively minor matters dealt with in these notes should be conducted through normal diplomatic channels without publicity at least until such time as both governments have achieved a full understanding of each other’s position, fact Roa published Cuban notes leaves us no choice but to publish our replies, which we are doing simultaneously in Washington and Habana.

Bonsal
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110. 11–HE/4–560. Confidential.
  2. Document 494.
  3. None printed.