Office of the Historian

500. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Mallory) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom)1

Washington, April 6, 1960.

SUBJECT

  • U.S. Representation in Cuba in Event of Break in Diplomatic Relations

Preparations need to made against the unhappy possibility of breaking relations with Cuba. Such a break is not presently foreseen but any preparations must be thought out in advance to protect our interests. There are two possibilities:

1.
That we can maintain no representation.
2.
That the Ambassador and his staff will depart but that the consular representation may be maintained.

In the event of No. 1 above, investigation should be undertaken to determine what country might be best equipped to take over the representation of U.S. interests.

In the event of No. 2, we should proceed as for No. 1 and, additionally, we should so prepare our consulate staff as to make it most useful. In this respect, it would appear desirable as of now to review the abilities and numbers of officers assigned with a view to promptly making such changes as may be desirable. In this connection the senior consular staff has had extended assignment in Cuba and replacements must be considered in any event.

If you approve the above course of action, plans will be developed with PER and with other agencies.2

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.37/4–660. Secret. Drafted and initialed by Mallory. Copies were sent to Herfurt and Colonel J. C. King.↩
  2. Rubottom checked the “approved” space provided on the source text.↩