643. Memorandum from Gordon Chase to Dungan, April 21
SUBJECT
- Cuban Exiles
Bob Hurwitch called to pass the following information:
1. The “Violin” Affair
Bob tells me that the British have informed us that the “Violin” is not yet seaworthy and will not be released today. The Bahamian authorities will let us know when it is ready to go and will also insure that there is no ammunition aboard. The U.S. Government plans to take the following actions when the “Violin” returns to Miami: (1) the boat will be impounded, (2) the American and the aliens, who are not parolees, will be questioned and released after a couple of hours, and (3) the parolees will be questioned and released after 24 or 36 hours.
Bob wants your clearance on the above 3 courses of action which he feels meet our foreign policy objectives. Also, he recommends that parolee ringleaders on the “Violin” be added to the current list of people restricted to Dade County. He feels that the list should not be a closed one.
In talking to the British Counselor of Embassy this afternoon about the “Violin” affair in general, Bob asked whether the British had been offended by our public disclosure that we had passed information to the British. The Counselor replied that the British were not offended in any way. As a matter of fact, when the British Ambassador meets with the Cuban Foreign Minister this afternoon on another matter he plans to admit to U.S. intelligence assistance if the subject comes up.
[Facsimile Page 2]2. Reply to Our Note Regarding the “Floridian”
Bob tells me that the Czech Ambassador is coming into the Department this afternoon with Castro’s reply to our protest on the Cuban attack against the “Floridian”. Grapevine information indicates that the note is sweet and reasonable and that the Cubans regret the incident.
- Cuban exiles. Secret. 2 pp. Kennedy Library, NSF, Countries Series, Cuba—Subjects, Exiles 4/63.↩