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

618. Memorandum from Gordon Chase to McGeorge Bundy, February 18¹

February 18, 1963

SUBJECT

• Cuban Coordinating Committee—Progress Report

Here are some of the latest developments.

1. Contingency Planning

Attached is a report of a possible revolt in Cuba on February 20. While State and CIA view the likelihood of the revolt actually taking place as small, State and Defense are now cranking out some contingency plans. A draft will be ready Tuesday.

2. The Brigade

A civilian and military program for Brigade members has been worked out which has both the approval of the CRC and the Brigade, as well as the U.S. Government. The Brigade members are being given the opportunity to opt for a military program, or a civilian program. It is expected that the programs will be underway by early March.

Sterling Cottrell mentioned one new problem. A group of non-Brigade Cuban Navy people, who participated in the invasion, recently wrote to the AG asking—what do we get? Cott is working this out with the AG.

3. American Prisoners

Mr. Donovan is going down to Havana at the beginning of March to talk some more with Castro.

4. Cuban Subversive Training of Latin Americans

Mr. Cottrell had a meeting on this subject last Wednesday where a number of methods were discussed to control travelers to Cuba. It was decided that the most efficient way to get at the problem would be to concentrate on the transportation services to Cuba. In this regard it was agreed that the following steps should be more throughly explored:

a.) To persuade the men to stop air services between Mexico and Cuba.

b.) To discourage Venezuelans from allowing KLM to resume services to Cuba.

c.) To prevent unscheduled Cuban flights in Latin America.

d.) To stop the Canadians from carrying passengers in their freight flights to Cuba.

e.) To discredit and keep under surveillance those Latin Americans who had received training in Cuba.

I understand that Ambassador Thurston’s group now has this problem in hand. They are meeting with Ralph Dungan this afternoon.

5. Action in the UN

Mr. Cottrell said that State is preparing a paper (near completion) outlining our case in the event Castro decides to complain at the UN about U.S. reconnaissance flights.

Gordon Chase

1. Cuban Coordinating Committee progress report: contingency planning, the Brigade, American prisoners, Cuban subversive training of Latin Americans, action in the UN. Top Secret. 2 pp. Kennedy Library, NSF, Countries Series, Cuba, General, Vol. VII(B), 2/63.