495. Memorandum of Discussion at the 439th Meeting of the National Security Council, Washington, April 1, 19601
[Here follows discussion of matters unrelated to Cuba.]
Mr. Dulles then reported on the situation in Cuba. He said Cuba was more and more becoming a base for Communist activities in Latin America. The Communist Party had recently held a meeting in Havana and had announced plans for conducting a great fight against “the common enemy”, that is, the U.S. The plight of Puerto Rico held in bondage to U.S. imperialism had been emphasized. Cuban groups were leaving for other Latin American countries to advertise the Castro Revolution. The Friends of Cuba Society, a Communist-front organization, had been identified in thirteen Latin American countries. Toledano, the Mexican Communist, was in Havana to prepare a constitution for a new hemisphere labor movement. The only remaining independent TV commentator in Cuba had just been forced to give up broadcasting and seek asylum in the Argentine Embassy. Efforts of the Cuban Government to stimulate anti-U.S. sentiment were continuing. The Castro brothers had recently said that Cuba would not be another Guatemala because volunteers were ready in many Latin American countries to defend Cuba’s second revolution against any attack by U.S. imperialism. Fidel Castro had rejected private investment as a means of solving Cuba’s problems. Nicaro would soon be forced to close down if the restrictions imposed upon it were not eased. Negotiations, however, were continuing. Defections of Castro officials in various parts of the hemisphere continued. There is a lack of a rallying point against Castro and also a lack of opposition leaders. Finally, Mr. Dulles said that in his view Castro’s aims were much broader than Cuba.
[Here follows discussion of matters unrelated to Cuba.]
[Page 877]Mr. Gray noted that Raul Castro was reported in the press as saying that while Cuba did not like the Guantanamo Base, the government did not intend to move against it. Mr. Herter said against this statement we must offset the fact that Fidel Castro had said that Cuba did not acknowledge the obligations of the OAS because the revolutionary Government had not signed the treaty. We are making formal inquiries to determine whether this is the official position of the Cuban Government. Secretary Herter then noted that one of the candidates2 for the Presidency of Brazil is in Cuba at present, apparently because he feels that a visit to Cuba is a political asset. This candidate has stated that if elected President of Brazil, he would institute a Castro-type reform in that country. Mr. Dulles remarked that no politician in Latin America dared openly to oppose Castro at the present time.
At this point the President returned to the meeting.
The National Security Council:3
Noted and discussed recent developments with regard to the situation in Cuba.
[Here follows discussion of unrelated matters.]