Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume X, Cuba, January 1961–September 1962

423. Memorandum From the Chief of Operations, Operation Mongoose (Lansdale) to the Special Group (Augmented)⁰

Washington, September 12, 1962.

SUBJECT

• Phase II, Operation Mongoose

At the Special Group meeting of 6 September,¹ several activities listed in the 31 August projection of Phase II² were noted for further clarification. Appropriate changes are reflected in the attached addendum to the 31 August projection.

Request your approval for the Mongoose Operation team to proceed with Phase II as indicated.

Attachment

ADDENDUM, PHASE II OPERATION MONGOOSE

As noted by the Special Group, clarifications are given below on numbered activities listed in the 31 August projection of Phase II:

10. (Broadcasts). USIA was asked to take a further hard look at the capabilities for radio and TV broadcasts to Cuba.USIA has done so, with the help of State and CIA. The study is attached.³USIA concludes that improvement would result by raising Key West station WKWF to 50 kw, that medium wave and TV operations must be tied to short term tactical operations, and that it does not favor the U.S. engaging in all-out electronic warfare with Cuba at this time.

20. (Balloons). CIA plans to present details of this proposal, including content of material to be delivered by balloon, to the Special Group for the 20 September meeting. Suggest that consideration of this item be deferred until then.

21. Note change, as underscored:⁴ “Direct propaganda at Soviet and other Bloc personnel in Cuba. (CIA and USIA).”

25. [2-1/2 lines of source text not declassified]

28. (Sabotage Cuban assets outside Cuba, as targets of opportunity.) Note change of purpose: “To cripple harass Cuban commerce and place strain upon regime security forces.”

32. (Sabotage agriculture.) Delete the suggestive details in the “Considerations.” If and when specific proposals are developed, appropriate policy approval will be requested.

47. (Actions against Bloc personnel.) As a means of emphasizing such activity, as desired, delete item 47c and add a new item (numbered 57) to read:

Activity: Cause actions by Cubans against Bloc personnel in Cuba. (CIA)

Purpose: To make the mission of Bloc personnel in Cuba as difficult as possible.

Considerations: In addition to aggressive propaganda fostering Cuban action against Bloc personnel, exile groups will be encouraged to exploit their internal contacts to provoke incidents between Cubans and Bloc personnel. Minor acts of sabotage by Cubans against Bloc equipment and facilities will be encouraged. Consideration will be given to provoking and conducting physical attacks on Bloc personnel.

48. Note change: “Stimulate, support, and guide covertly the propaganda and political activities of all selected Cuban exile groups and individuals offering useful impact inside Cuba and upon world opinion. (CIA, with State and USIA support.)”

0. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, Special Group (Augmented), Operation Mongoose, 9/62. Top Secret; Noforn; Special Handling. An attached distribution list indicates that six copies of the memorandum were prepared. Copies were sent to Robert Kennedy, Johnson, Gilpatric, Lemnitzer, McCone, and Bundy.
1. See Document 417.
2. Document 399.
3. The attachment was an eight-page USIA memorandum from Wilson to Lansdale entitled “Broadcasting to Cuba.” (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, Special Group (Augmented), Operation Mongoose, 9/62)
4. Printed here as italics.