103. Telegram From the U.S. Interests Section in Cuba to the Department of State1
4182. Subject: USINT Status Report No. 8. Ref: Havana 4178.2
1. S—Entire text.
2. In conversation last night, Jose Luis Padron said there no possibility for immediate solution of problem USINT’s 400 boarders. He thought original intention had been to work out their immediate departure, but, he said, “with security situation being what it was,” GOC could not afford to establish precedent of rewarding with immediate departure those who crashed into diplomatic establishments by force. He acknowledged that idea of immediate departure had been in everyone’s mind first afternoon, but situation had now become “more complicated.” He alluded to widespread violence (an amazingly frank admission that GOC may have some serious trouble on its hands), and said things would have to cool down a bit.
3. I noted that GOC’s position as reported in Granma was totally unreasonable. It left everyone in blind alley. Refugees no more willing to come out now than before and now there seemed to be no possibility negotiations. Padron said there every possibility negotiations [garble]. He also said he did not blame those inside for not coming out. In their place, he also would stay put. Passions were running high and some regrettable things were happening.
4. I protested vigorously that we had not created this situation and that it was unreasonable simply to leave it hanging.
[Page 226]5. Padron said he understands my irritation but that he really saw nothing that could be done for moment. All sides had to be patient. Meanwhile, he would make certain our security cordon adequate. If we needed anything else—medicines, etc., just to let him know.
6. Comment: I will comment further in morning. Initial reactions were two: 1) I feel somewhat reassured as to our security situation, and 2) while at this point, even references to an eventual solution are welcome, we clearly are in for a long haul.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Pastor, Country, Box 15, Cuba, 5/80. Secret; Niact Immediate.↩
- On May 2, a group of nearly 800 released political prisoners and their families gathered around the U.S. Interests Section for processing to leave Cuba for the United States. A pro-government group of civilians arrived and began to assault the ex-prisoners; approximately 400 people took refuge in the Interests Section as the angry mob gathered outside. In telegram 4178 from Havana, May 4, the Interests Section reported that the Cuban Government’s position toward the ex-prisoners was the same as published in the May 4 edition of Granma: that the ex-prisoners were in the U.S. Interests Section illegally and needed to turn themselves in without conditions; women and children would be given safe conduct, but only to their homes. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800222–0333) According to his memoirs, Smith found the Cuban position untenable and allowed the ex-prisoners to remain in the Interests Section. Beds were set up, the State Department provided supplies, many staff members were evacuated, and all classified material at the Interests Section was destroyed. Many of the ex-prisoners remained in the Interests Section until September 1980, when they could finally leave the building safely. (Smith, The Closest of Enemies, pp. 217–228)↩