Office of the Historian

106. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State0

New York, April 16, 1961, 7 p.m.

2894. For the President and Secretary from Stevenson. Cuba.

1.

Key issue in forthcoming GA debate has now been clearly defined in USSR speech Saturday1 as follows:

“Nothing was said by (President Kennedy) to the effect that activities which are hostile to Cuba would be stopped on the territory of the United States …”

“They have no grounds for undertaking any action on their territory which would prove to be of assistance to Cuban underground elements or elements in other Latin American countries which are preparing for aggression against Cuba …We expect the Government of the US to make its position clearer as this discussion continues …”

2.
In addition Zorin stated that among the “sincere” friends of Cuba, “who are ready to provide any assistance, the USSR is to be found.” He charged that “aggression” against Cuba was being carried out “from the territory of the United States and with the assistance of American arms.”
3.
My speech now contains no statement on the key issue as set forth in paragraph 1 above except: “I do not see that it is the obligation of the United States to protect Dr. Castro from the consequences of his treason, etc.”
4.
I feel certain we will have to meet this issue more directly before the debate ends. And I believe we would do best to meet it in advance. I therefore raise again desirability of doing so in this speech. I note President in April 12 press conference2 stated he “would be opposed to mounting an offensive” against Castro from this country.
5.
We must have a clear policy position on this point that we can all stick to. I believe I should say tomorrow something to this effect at end of paragraph saying US has no aggressive purposes against Cuba: “We sympathize with the desire of the Cuban exiles, as well as the people of Cuba themselves, to seek Cubaʼs independence and freedom and to bring about democratic processes in Cuba. We have no intention whatever of repressing the Cuban refugees in the United States, who have such a burning desire to restore a betrayed revolution. I wish to make clear, however, that we would be opposed to the use of our territory for mounting an offensive against any foreign government.”
6.
Request your authority to do so.
Stevenson
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/4-1661. Secret; Priority.↩
  2. April 15; see Document 104.↩
  3. See footnote 2, Document 101.↩