456. Telegram 2135 From the Embassy in Barbados to the Department of State1
2135. For Assistant Secretary Rogers from Chargé. Subject: Cuban Use of Barbados. Ref State 274684.
1. In response to my request for appointment, Prime Minister asked that I see Minister of External Affairs George Moe instead. Because Cabinet in session most of day, Moe was able to receive me only at 4:00 p.m.
2. I told Moe of information we had re Cuban use of Barbados, described Cuban intervention in Angola at some length, stressed that U.S. deplored such intervention and urged that GOB prohibit further use of Barbadian facilities. I also pointed out that facilitating Cuban intervention risked associating Barbados with such intervention.
3. Characterizing information as “a shock,” Moe commented that GOB certainly did not wish to be associated with Cuban intervention. He promised to have matter investigated and said GOB would take steps to prevent further Cuban use of Barbados if information should prove accurate. He also said, without any prompting on my part, that he would bring matter to Barrow’s personal attention. Nevertheless, he noted that except for weekly Cubana flights, no Cuban planes have transited Barbados in recent months.
4. I then inquired of Moe as to GOB’s position on recognition. He assured me that GOB would take no action in this regard until it was clear “who’s in charge.”
5. Comment: Weekly Cubana flight goes through Barbados on Tuesday en route to Port of Spain, turns around there and returns to Barbados on Wednesday. If recent flights have been diverted to Angola, Embassy Port of Spain may be able to ascertain facts. We suggest therefore that reftel and this one be repeated to Port of Spain.
6. We are concerned that information relayed by Department may prove not to be accurate. Certainly, State 266239, which makes it ap [Page 1172] parent that most Cuban troops in Angola and Congo arrived by either ship or Soviet aircraft, in no way supports allegations that Cuban troops are transiting Barbados. Furthermore we wonder whether Soviets and/or Cubans do not have aircraft capable of flying direct from Cuba to Congo without refueling. If information should turn out to be false, we will have done considerable damage to our credibility with regard to things Cuban in general. Despite Socialist and Third-World rhetoric, and occasional obeisance to idea of Caribbean brotherhood, GOB is aware of threat of Cuban subversion. Nevertheless, GOB believes that USG tends to show undue anxiety and to act in manner disproportionate to threat. We hope to present appeal to GOB is not case of crying “wolf” when none is in sight. End comment.
-
Summary: Chargé Simms reported on a démarche to Barbadian officials regarding refueling stops in Barbados by Cuban planes carrying troops and arms to Angola.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750406–0426. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. In telegram 274684 to Bridgetown, November 20, the Department instructed Simms to protest Cuba’s use of Barbados as a refueling stop. (Ibid., D750403–0815) In telegram 2270 from Bridgetown, December 18, the Embassy reported on a Barbadian protest to Cuba over use of Barbados as a transit point en route to Angola. (Ibid., D750440–0792) Telegram 266239 to Brasilia, Mexico City, Caracas, Quito, Lima, Bogotá, Panama City, Kingston, Georgetown, Santo Domingo, San José, and Tegucigalpa is dated November 11. (Ibid., D750391–0348, D750403–0864, and [no film number])
↩