316. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Bush to Secretary of State Kissinger1
SUBJECT
- Fidel Castro’s Statements on Angola, Relations with the U.S., Intervention in Latin America and Panama Canal Treaty Negotiations
1. I want to bring the attached four intelligence reports to your attention prior to your departure for Latin America. I commend these to you [1 line not declassified] because we are reasonably confident that this is what Castro said.
2. [less than 1 line not declassified] the remarks made by Castro concerning Cuban relations with the United States are interesting. The report originally included the following paragraph:
“Castro [2 lines not declassified] hopes President Ford will be re-elected and that Dr. Henry Kissinger will remain as Secretary of State because they are reasonable men with whom it is possible to negotiate problems. He expressed particular concern about the possibility of Ronald Reagan becoming President.”
We are not, of course, including this paragraph in any formal dissemination. I am, however, sending along a copy of this memorandum and the attached intelligence reports to Brent Scowcroft.
3. [less than 1 line not declassified] indicates Castro’s willingness to intervene militarily in another country in Latin America if he is asked to do so.
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Summary: Bush provided information indicating Castro considered Ford and Kissinger to be reasonable men and that the Cuban leader was concerned Ronald Reagan might be elected President.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DCI Files, Job 79M00467A, Box 9, Folder 11. Secret; Sensitive. William Wells signed for Bush. A copy was sent to Scowcroft. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. Four attached intelligence reports are not published.
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