Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XII, American Republics

170. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Posts in the American Republics¹

Washington, December 4, 1963, 7:59 p.m.

1016. Depcirtels 983,² 986,³ 1004.⁴ Department now making careful assessment of options for COAS/OC action in Venezuelan complaint on Cuban arms cache case. Options being weighed in terms practical effects of measures in further isolating Cuba and degree of support which can be achieved, particularly from those countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Initiative on proposed action rests primarily with Venezuela and to some extent with Investigating Committee which in addition to determining facts may also include recommendations in its report. At present moment we have no clear picture what Venezuelan intentions are. President Betancourt in press conference Nov 29 reportedly said it has become “necessary to have joint definitive action to finish with this bridgehead of communism in America.” He apparently did not specify what action he had in mind. On Dec 3 he reportedly told press Venezuela would seek partial air and naval blockade of Cuba to prevent export of arms and rupture diplomatic relations with Cuba by OAR’s still maintaining them. Venezuelan COAS Representative at COAS/OC session confined himself to asking for investigation after which “Venezuela will demand a clear and heavy judgment.”

We view range of options of COAS/OC in this situation as including following:

1. air and naval blockade to prevent shipment of arms to Latin America from Cuba;

2. break in diplomatic and consular relations;

3. break in economic relations (embargo already authorized by Eighth MFM);

4. complete or partial interruption of communications;

5. endorsement of system of cooperative surveillance by interested Caribbean countries against clandestine shipment of arms and men from Cuba.

6. condemnation of Castro regime for interventionist activities;

7. call for increased vigilance by OARs and implementation Lavalle Committee recommendations on control of travel, propaganda and funds.

Assuming Venezuela case is airtight (which we believe it is) and Venezuela makes determined bid for effective action as it did in case against Trujillo, request urgently your own assessment (without going beyond Embassy staff) of degree of acceptability of each of these options to government to which you accredited.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 3 COAS-IA. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by Bowdler; cleared by Allen, Belcher, Collins, Director of the Office of East Coast Affairs Daniel F. Margolies, and Acting Director of the Office of Caribbean and Mexican Affairs Kennedy M. Crockett; approved by Martin. Sent to all Embassies in the American Republics except Kingston and Port-of-Spain and repeated to Kingston, Port-of-Spain, USUN, and POLADs CINCLANT and CINCSO.
2. Circular telegram 983, November 29, outlined a Venezuelan proposal to invoke the Rio Treaty, call a meeting of Foreign Ministers, and appoint a commission to investigate the Cuban arms cache. (Ibid.)
3. Circular telegram 986, November 30, instructed recipient Embassies to consult the Foreign Ministries in their respective countries and urge support of the Venezuelan proposal in the OAS Council. (Ibid.)
4. Circular telegram 1004, December 3, reported that the OAS Council, acting provisionally as the Organ of Consultation under the Rio Treaty, had authorized a committee to investigate the arms cache. (Ibid.) For text of the resolution, see OAS doc. OEA/Ser.G/III/C-sa-526; also printed in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, p. 286.