315. Letter From Acting Secretary of State Robinson to Attorney General Levi1
Recent disturbing developments in the Cuban exile community in Miami, some of which have foreign policy implications, prompt me to suggest possible action you might take to assert a positive influence on this unhealthy psychological atmosphere.
On April 4, unknown persons believed to be Miami based exiles attacked two unarmed Cuban trawlers in international waters leaving one crew member dead. Four survivors and the deceased were transported to Miami and repatriated to Cuba without delay through the cooperative efforts of INS, FBI and Coast Guard. Because the attacks involved possible Neutrality Act violations by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, Coast Guard and FBI jointly began an intensive investigation into the incident which has not yet turned up its authors. Two militant exile groups publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Cuba registered a strong protest, charging that the 1973 Memorandum on Hijacking of Aircraft and Other Offenses had been violated, and indicating that only the strictest U.S. compliance could guarantee its continuation.
In the wake of the incident at sea, a rash of exile score settlings and other terrorist activities in Miami culminated in the April 31 attempt on po [Page 845] pular exile broadcaster Emilio Milian who had recently been critical of exile terrorism. Milian lost both legs when a bomb exploded in his car. Previously, on April 13 Ramon Donestevez, who had made several visits to Cuba to promote family reunification, was shot dead in his office, and two other controversial exile leaders were killed in 1975. In the last two years about a hundred bombs have exploded in Miami.
The Milian bombing precipitated an unprecedented outcry from Miami media, civic leaders and congressional representatives, deploring this and previous incidents and calling for the arrest and punishment of their authors. The FBI and local authorities have been diligent in investigating the sporadic round of bombings and assassinations but have had little success in developing sufficient information to make arrests. Exiles generally do not cooperate with the authorities because they fear reprisals, a psychology which may have its roots in the atmosphere in Havana during Batista’s days.
We understand that it is the FBI’s view that anti-Castro exiles are behind the terrorism, but even some responsible Florida political leaders have implied that Castro agents, not local radicals, are responsible. Blaming Castro could provide a convenient alibi for those whose motives were purely criminal.
In any event, the current atmosphere in the Cuban exile community could breed continued bombings of foreign ships and consular properties, which could have serious foreign policy repercussions. Under these circumstances I believe it would be beneficial if you were to issue a statement condemning exile terrorism and instruct the FBI to undertake full support of local law enforcement efforts in order that this atmosphere be turned around.
Sincerely,
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Summary: Robinson asked the Attorney General to issue a statement condemning recent acts of violence carried out by Cuban exiles based in Miami.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820131–1685. Secret. Drafted by Holladay and Gleysteen and cleared by Gantz and Hurwitz. A draft of this letter was sent to Robinson under a May 21 covering memorandum from Ryan. (Ibid., P820131–1687) In a June 10 letter to Robinson, Assistant Attorney General Richard Thornburgh replied that he did not believe a statement by the Attorney General condemning exile terrorism would be appropriate in view of pending legal cases against defendants facing charges in connection with recent bombings in Miami. (Ibid., P820131–1682) For the 1973 memorandum of understanding between the United States and Cuba, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969–1972, Document 142.
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