514. Memorandum prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency, November 101
RECENT CUBAN DEVELOPMENTS
1. Preliminary analysis of low-altitude photography of 9 November has disclosed that the status of the IL–28 (BEAGLE) aircraft at San Julian and Holguin airfields had not changed since 7 November.
2. As of 1400 EST all of the nine ships designated by the USSR to remove the ballistic missiles and associated equipment from Cuba were on their way. Seven of these ships have had their deck cargoes verified by US naval forces.
3. Verification of the cargoes on the IVAN POLZUNOV and the FIZIK KURCHATOV should be completed within a few hours. After prolonged pursuit and air search, the FIZIK KURCHATOV was located by naval aircraft at about 1100 EST. The USS BLANDY hoped to make contact with her at about 1500 EST. An early dawn sighting of the IVAN POLZUNOV indicated that she carried at least five canvas-covered missile transporters on deck. Verification of the cargo by the USS VESOLE was delayed pending arrival at the scene of two planeloads of press representatives. The press planes should be on the spot now and the verification is probably taking place.
4. We have our first indication that nuclear weapons may be being transhipped from Cuba to the USSR. A helicopter with a device for detecting fissionable material hovered over the BRATSK at 0736 EST on 9 November. The instrument gave a strong positive reading indicating the presence of fissionable material. The BRATSK left Mariel on 6 November with a subsequent stop at Havana, reportedly for bunkers. Visual observation has confirmed that she is carrying two missiles and associated equipment.
- Recent Cuban developments: analysis of low-altitude photography and verification of cargoes on Soviet ships. Top Secret. 1 p. Kennedy Library, NSF, Cuba, Subjects, Intelligence Materials, 10/1/62–11/12/62.↩