684. Memorandum from Kent to McCone, May 291

[Facsimile Page 1]

SUBJECT

  • Implications of Castro’s Visit

SUMMARY

Castro’s visit to the USSR has resolved the main problems in Cuban-Soviet relations since the crisis of last fall. Khrushchev has gained an important trump card for defending Soviet policy against the attacks of Communist China, and in the process he has repaired much of the damage to Soviet-Cuban relations. Castro has taken a long step toward the Soviet side, against China and has generally endorsed Soviet leadership of the Communist movement. In turn Khrushchev has strengthened the commitment of Soviet prestige to the Cuban revolution and recognized the special importance of Cuba’s role in developing the revolutionary struggle in Latin America. A generalized pledge of Soviet military support has again been stated in strong terms, even though not formally embodied in [Facsimile Page 2] a mutual defense treaty. In general, Soviet and Cuban fortunes have been bound more closely together and their respective freedoms of action have been somewhat narrowed. As far as the US is concerned, the visit supports a conclusion that for the present Castro and Khrushchev will pursue a cautious line and attempt to stabilize the situation in Cuba and the Caribbean.

[Here follows the discussion portion of the memorandum.]

FOR THE BOARD OF NATIONAL ESTIMATES:

Sherman Kent
Chairman
  1. Implications of Castro’s visit to the Soviet Union. Secret. 2 pp. Kennedy Library, NSF, Countries Series, Cuba, Intelligence Material, Vol. V.