Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volumes X/XI/XII, Microfiche Supplement, American Republics; Cuba 1961–1962; Cuban Missile Crisis and Aftermath

482. Memorandum of telephone conversation between Ball and Gilpatric, November 3¹

November 3, 1962, 9 a.m.

Gilpatric said he had talked with McCloy particularly because of the telegram that went to him and Stevenson last night. There was a sentence to the effect that Thursday’s photographs were not conclusive. Gilpatric thought it was pretty conclusive with one more plane and with two planes in flying condition. But certainly today’s photography of what they have seen showed another plane out of the crates. Gilpatric told Jack that so far as McNamara and Gilpatric were concerned the evidence was conclusive; that the work was going forward, not stopping or going backward on the IL–28s and that Gilpatric thought that word should be gotten to Kuznetsov before Jack sees him tomorrow. Kuznetsov is coming out to Jack’s home alone to spend part of the day with him. Jack very much wants to get guidance from us as to what things he should bring up and what his responses should be on various subjects if brought up by Kuznetsov. Gilpatric said he had his apartment telephone number and his home telephone number in Connecticut which he will give Ball when he sees him. Gilpatric suggested State might be working up some guidance for him for his meeting with Kuznetsov tomorrow. He is particularly interested in getting the Department’s position if it develops on just what he can say about selling out the assurance on invasion beyond the language in the President’s letter. He is going to get word one way or another to Kuznetsov this morning that we know from our photography that the IL–28s are being worked on, that more are being assembled and the ones assembled are being brought to flying condition—two of them are obviously in flying condition now. Kuznetsov will then have time between now and tomorrow perhaps to get in touch with Mikoyan. Ball said he agreed entirely. What was the picture otherwise?

Gilpatric continued that they show the port of Mariel(?) there are oxidizer trucks, erectors, launchers and equipment. The port is by no means choked up yet, but obviously there is a lot of equipment there now. Of course it was not coming off the ships and not going on. Gilpatric thinks it is pretty clear as being assembled for out-shipment. There were also shots of the area they thought was a nuclear entry; actually it is an oxidizer storage area—the one with the double-security fence on the last one which showed the trucks and oxidized tanks being moved. The Chiefs are now discussing today’s flights. Gilpatric thought Bob had already called Dean. We have to get the U–2 and the C–97 off if we are going to do it. It will be peripheral, over national waters. The C–97 is the old strato-cruiser which flies at 6,000 feet altitude and should get pretty good pictures. Of course, if they want to fire on, they could do so as it is over national waters. However, Gilpatric thinks it is unlikely. The Chiefs and General Taylor are very strong on getting those two peripheral flights off. Then they will discuss in the meeting with the President the low-altitude flights.

Ball suggested he thought it would be useful for Jack to emphasize that we are not just sitting down now and thinking about the IL–28s. The thing about it in the letter was that it did not relate to the proclamation. Gilpatric said that he had emphasized that to Jack; that the proclamation is the source of what Russia thinks we mean when we say offensive. Ball agreed; that was the point that didn’t emerge in the letter. It was not strong enough. McCloy is going to go back to that and point to it hopefully that the word will get to Mikoyan in case there is any doubt about it.

1. Status of IL–28s in Cuba; planned high-level flights over national waters. No classification marking. 2 pp. DOS, Ball Papers: Lot 74 D 272, Telcons—Cuba.