310. Memorandum From the Chief of Operations, Operation Mongoose (Lansdale) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Goodwin)0

At the 5 March meeting chaired by Secretary Rusk, on our favorite subject, the Secretary spoke of “other tracks” which might be opened for the U.S. to achieve its objective. He mentioned proof of “their” plots in Latin America, as an example. Also, there was joking reference to a “Bay of Pigs” in, perhaps, Guatemala, as a notional clandestine action for which “they” could be blamed.

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General Taylor has asked me to report on these alternate “tracks,” among other things, to the Special Group he chairs. I intend to complete this report on Friday, 9 March. Thus, request that you provide me the section on alternate “tracks” Secretary Rusk sees as possibly open to the U.S., by Thursday, 8 March. I plan to include this, as the State response, in my report. Alexis Johnson was present when Secretary Rusk mentioned this, and perhaps could be of assistance.

Along these same lines, and in response to direction, I am asking the Defense representative (Gen. Craig) to give me a brief but precise description of pretexts which the JCS believes desirable if a decision is ultimately made to use direct military intervention. I would appreciate it if you could provide a companion statement, a brief but precise description of pretexts which the State Department believes desirable in connection with any such direct military intervention.

  1. Source: Department of State, S/S Files: Lot 65 D 438, Mongoose. Top Secret; Sensitive.