17. Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency0
Washington, January 12,
1961.
SPECIAL GROUP MEETINGS—CUBA
12 January 1961
- 1.
- Mr. Dulles reported the information received from General Goodpaster to the effect that a large delegation from the above-mentioned group (Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Front) reportedly will visit Washington on Saturday.
- 2.
- Mr. Willauer outlined a proposal to establish a task force consisting of representatives of State, CIA, Defense and the Joint Staff to draw up contingency plans covering the possible eventual use of overt U.S. forces.
- 3.
- All members agreed that such planning is an essential step. Mr. Gray asked that a preliminary report of the task force be available for the meeting of January 19th.
- 4.
- In answer to a question, Mr. Barnes gave details of the Cuban governmentʼs capture of materiel from two airdrops plus one cache.
- 5.
- Mr. Parrott outlined the status of the answer to a request from the Department of Justice to the Department of State for an opinion on whether such action would run counter to U.S. foreign policy interests. He said that all members of the Group had concurred, with the exception of Mr. Douglas. Particularly for the benefit of Mr. Irwin, who had not been exposed to this subject, Mr. Parrott outlined various reasons why State and CIA feel strongly that something must be done to stop Masferrer.1 Mr. Irwin deferred to the judgment of those two agencies.
- 6.
- The Group then approved the suggested exchange of correspondence,2 with some editing designed to give as much flexibility as possible. It was also agreed that every attempt should be made to avoid undue publicity in connection with whatever action is taken.