837.30/71

The Ambassador in Cuba (Braden) to the Secretary of State

No. 2113

Sir: Referring to my telegram No. 70 of February 1, 4 [5] p.m.5 reporting the signing at noon yesterday of the Supplementary [Page 136] Agreement for Military and Naval Cooperation, I have the honor to enclose the original signed texts in Spanish and English, together with copies thereof for the Department’s use. The full powers6 issued by President Batista to the Minister of State7 is enclosed with the signed text of the Agreement. If the Department plans to prepare a printed text, I should appreciate receiving ten copies thereof for the use of this mission.

[Here follows a brief statement concerning the signature of the Agreement, the press release, and the omission in the Agreement of a clause considered by the Ambassador as vague and unnecessary.]

Respectfully yours,

Spruille Braden
[Enclosure]

Supplementary Agreement for Military and Naval Cooperation Between the Governments of the United States of America and of Cuba

The Governments of the United States of America and of the Republic of Cuba concluded on September 7, 1942, an Agreement for Military and Naval Cooperation,7a Article IV of which provides that the Governments of the United States of America and of the Republic of Cuba will act in mutual accord to adopt, from time to time, such supplementary revisions of said Agreement as may be necessary, or as may be indicated by experience, provided they are equally needed, to provide satisfactory procedure or regulations covering questions which may require additional clarification or improvement, including agreement as to details relative to the relationship and cooperation between the Armed Forces of the United States of America and of Cuba with respect to the execution of measures already agreed upon.

It being necessary for the most effective cooperation in the joint war effort to expand the Agreement for Military and Naval Cooperation dated September 7, 1942, the Governments of the United States of America and of the Republic of Cuba have agreed to enter into a Supplementary Agreement, and have for this purpose appointed as Plenipotentiaries:

His Excellency the President of the United States of America:

Spruille Braden, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America:

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cuba:

José Agustin Martínez-Viademonte, Minister of State of the Republic of Cuba;

[Page 137]

Who after having exchanged their Full Powers and having found them to be in good and proper form have reached an agreement with respect to the following articles:

Article I

Naval Cooperation

As a contribution to the successful prosecution of the joint war effort, the Government of Cuba shall authorize the Chief of the General Staff of the Cuban Navy to assign, on temporary duty and whenever the needs of the service so require, a number of surface vessels, commanded by officers of the Cuban Navy, for operation under the general direction of the Commanders of the Sea Frontiers of the United States Navy.

Article II

Logistic Support

The Commander of the Gulf Sea Frontier will be responsible for the logistic requirements of those Cuban vessels assigned for operations under his direction. By mutual agreement between the Commander of the Gulf Sea Frontier and the Chief of the General Staff of the Cuban Navy, fuel and supply depots will be established in Cuba at locations considered necessary for an efficient operation. Consumable supplies, including fuel and lubricants, furnished by the United States for the operation of Cuban vessels, shall be delivered to the Cuban Navy under Lend-Lease requisitions.

Article III

Method of Naval Collaboration

Naval collaboration between the Cuban Navy and the Commander of the Gulf Sea Frontier will be effected by means of a United States Naval Mission to Cuba. This Mission shall continue until cancelled upon the initiative of the Government of the United States or of the Government of Cuba.

Article IV

Composition and Personnel of the Mission

This Mission shall consist of a Chief of Mission with the rank of Captain or Commander or Lieutenant Commander on active service in the United States Navy and such other United States Naval personnel as it may be agreed subsequently to appoint to form a part of said Mission.

Article V

Duties, Rank and Privileges of Naval Mission Personnel

a)
The Chief of the Naval Mission shall be attached to the General Staff of the Cuban Navy as technical advisor to the Chief of the General Staff of the Cuban Navy. In addition, the Chief of the Naval Mission shall be the representative of the Commander of the Gulf Sea [Page 138] Frontier in all matters pertaining to Naval cooperation between the-Naval Forces of the United States and of Cuba.
b)
The personnel of the Mission shall perform such duties as may be agreed upon between the Chief of the General Staff of the Cuban Navy and the Chief of the Mission.
c)
Each member of the Mission shall serve thereon with the rank he holds in the United States Navy, and wear the uniform thereof.
d)
Each member of the Mission shall be entitled to all privileges and benefits which the Cuban Regulations provide for Naval officers and enlisted personnel of corresponding rank.
e)
The personnel of the Mission shall be governed by the disciplinary regulations of the United States Navy and shall be responsible solely to the Chief of the Mission in disciplinary matters.
f)
All expenses in connection with the Naval Mission shall be paid by the United States.
g)
The Government of Cuba will provide suitable office space for the use of the members of the Mission.
h)
Without prejudice to this Agreement, the personnel of the Naval Mission may be ordered to additional duty on the Staff of the Commander of the Gulf Sea Frontier.
i)
The Government of Cuba through the medium of the Minister of the Treasury shall issue pertinent orders for exempting articles, imported into Cuba for their personal use by members of the Naval Mission from the payment of Cuban customs duties and other fees and charges, and for the free circulation of their automobiles.

Article VI

Duration of the Agreement

This Supplementary Agreement shall become effective immediately and its duration, without prejudice to the provisions of Article III shall be the same as that of the Agreement for Military and Naval Cooperation concluded between the Governments of the United States of America and of the Republic of Cuba on September 7, 1942.

Done and signed in duplicate, in the Spanish and English languages, in the City of Habana, on this first day of February in the year nineteen hundred and forty-three.

For the President of the United States of America:
(Spruille Braden)

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America
For the President of the Republic of Cuba:
(J. A. Martínez)

Minister of State
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.
  3. José A. Martínez-Viademonte.
  4. Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. vi, p. 283.