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

644. Memorandum from Hurwitch to the Special Group, April 2¹

April 2, 1963

SUBJECT

• Propaganda Inciting Cubans Within Cuba to Attack Soviet Troops

REFERENCE

• Subject: Covert Propaganda to Stimulate Passive Resistance and Low-Risk, Simple Sabotage in Cuba submitted to the Coordinator by CIA dated 8 March 1963; From: Coordinator of Cuban Affairs to The Special Group

1. To supplement and intensify the Referenced subtle sabotage program approved by the Special Group on 15 March, it is proposed that Cubans within Cuba be incited to commit psychological harassment, physical attacks and acts of sabotage against Soviet military personnel and civilian technicians, with a view to making the Soviet presence in Cuba increasingly more onerous, counter-productive and untenable.

2. It is contemplated that this campaign would start in “low key” with radio broadcasts and mailing operations urging Cubans to demonstrate their opposition to the presence of Soviet forces in Cuba by means of “Russians go home!” slogans scrawled in public places. This would be followed by unattributable mail propaganda calling upon Cubans to take more aggressive measures against Soviet personnel and installations in order to hasten their withdrawal. Such measures would include sabotage of Soviet equipment, attacks on Soviet personnel and damage of Soviet housing and installations. Radio broadcasts will replay genuine or fabricated incidents in order to draw attention to and cause others to emulate this type of resistance activity.

3. Coordination

This proposal has been concurred in by the Coordinator of Cuban Affairs and the Interdepartmental Committee on Cuba.

1. Propaganda inciting Cubans within Cuba to attack Soviet troops. Secret. 2 pp. Kennedy Library, NSF, Countries Series, Cuba, General Vol. VIII (A), 4/1–4/20/63.