610. Circular telegram 1365 to all Latin American diplomatic posts, February 51

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Upon receipt of follow-up telegram indicating White House approval, you should at your earliest opportunity convey following to appropriate host government officials:

USG, Congress and American public remain concerned over Cuban shipping question. We appreciate that many Free World countries have made efforts to assist US by discouraging ships in Cuban trade and that shipping has declined since October. Despite this cooperative effort by our Allies, shipping to Cuba unfortunately continues. For example, since end of US quarantine on November 20, total of 47 Free World ships have arrived at Cuban ports. We do not wish make US official cargo available to ships that engage Cuban trade and thereby make their trade more profitable. US has thus found it necessary issue following administrative regulations. (You need give only second and third sentences): QUOTE: At its meeting on February 5, 1963, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council considered US policy with respect to shipments financed by the Departments of State, Agriculture, DOD, GSA, and AID on foreign flag ships engaged in the Cuba trade. It was decided that such cargoes should not be shipped from the US on a foreign flag vessel if such vessel has called at a Cuba port on or after January 1, 1963. An exception may be made as to any such [Facsimile Page 2] vessel if the persons who control the vessel give satisfactory assurances that no ships under their control will, thenceforth, be employed in the Cuba trade so long as it remains the policy of the USG to discourage such trade. The Secretary of State will be consulted on the form and content of any such assurances.

The Secretaries of State, Agriculture and Defense, the Administrator of AID, and the Administrator of GSA were directed to take such steps as may be necessary to effectuate this policy.

The Secretary of Commerce should currently make available to the affected Departments pertinent information which he may have on ships engaged in the Cuba trade. END QUOTE.

Full text of foregoing administrative directive and accompanying explanation will be conveyed by Department to appropriate to COAS [Typeset Page 1594] committees and OAS representatives. Brief White House announcement re directive will probably be made February 6.

If asked about relationship above administrative directive to four-point shipping action (OT TEL 589), you should reply that this directive represents an adaptation of the fourth point. Action on other aspects of the then-proposed four-point shipping actions has been deferred for time being in hope voluntary action further reduce free world shipping in Cuba trade will continue.

Following clarifying points may also be used if required:

1. Above administrative directive applies only to the ship rather than to all vessels of same line.

2. However, ship may be restored to eligibility if those in control of ship give satisfactory assurances that thenceforth all vessels under their control will [Facsimile Page 3] stay out of the trade.

3. It applies not only to bloc-Cuba trade but to all trade with Cuba.

4. It applies only to cargoes shipped from US, and will not affect off-shore procurement.

5. By setting beginning date of January 1 of this year, it avoid penalizing vessels which were previously engaged in Cuba trade but which subsequently have been removed.

As indicated above, we will inform you immediately upon receipt White House approval.

Rusk
  1. Message over U.S. concern over Cuban shipping question to convey to host government officials. Confidential. 3 pp. DOD, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Historical Office, Secretary of Defense Cable Files, Cuba, 1963.