Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–10, Documents on American Republics, 1969–1972

243. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon¹ ²

Washington, September 2, 1971

SUBJECT:

• Termination of Cuban Refugee Airlift

In the attached memorandum at Tab A, Secretary Rogers informs you that the Cuban Government plans shortly to terminate the Cuban Refugee Airlift which has operated since December 1965. In brief the memo notes that the Cubans have informed us through the Swiss Embassy in Havana that:

• —beginning September 1, the Refugee Airlift will be suspended for about two weeks while Cuban authorities complete processing of a final group of names of Cubans who will be permitted to leave Cuba on the airlift;
• —less frequent flights will then be resumed to transport the remaining persons who have been approved. These flights will probably terminate before the end of this year;
• —a final list of about 1000 names is being compiled and is expected to be submitted to us for approval by the Cubans shortly;
• —no additional names will be submitted;
• —with the exception of special humanitarian cases, the Cubans will not accept the list of relatives of Cuban refugees already in the US which we have unilaterally proposed the Cubans allow to depart Cuba via the Refugee Airlift flights. This list includes the parents of some 2000 Cuban children who are now in the US;
• —the Cuban initiative is consistent with the tighter Cuban policy on emigration which has been in force in Cuba during the past year.

The State Department announced Tuesday, August 31 the Cuban intention to terminate the airlift, making clear that Cuba has acted unilaterally in terminating the Understanding between us which governs these flights. State is sending a formal diplomatic note to the Cuban Government reaffirming our commitment to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding and calling upon the Cuban Government to allow those who have already been registered for the airlift to leave. Our public posture will clearly place the onus for termination on the Cubans.

Earlier this year Senator Ellender recommended termination of the Airlift and sought to eliminate funds for its continuation from the Continuing Resolution. The Administration successfully opposed this move as being inconsistent with our humanitarian and political commitments. From a foreign policy point of view, it is better to place the blame for termination of this humanitarian program on Cuba rather than ourselves.

I have sent a copy of the Secretary’s memorandum to John Ehrlichman so he can assess the domestic implications.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 781, Country Files, Latin America, Cuba, Vol. III, 1971. Secret. Sent for information. Attached but not published at Tab A is an August 27 memorandum from Rogers to the President. An attached NSC routing slip indicates that the President saw the memorandum on September 8.
2. Kissinger reported that the Cuban Government had announced its intention to unilaterally terminate the Cuban refugee airlift, which had been in place since December 1965.