Office of the Historian

183. Editorial Note

Cuba was discussed under the heading “U.S. Policy Toward Cuba” at the 479th meeting of the National Security Council on April 27, 1961. According to the Record of NSC Actions, approved by the President on April 29, the following decisions were adopted as NSC Action No. 2413:

  • “a. Noted the Presidentʼs view that a decision with respect to trading with Cuba should be deferred pending developments in Cuba during the next week.
  • “b. Noted the Presidentʼs request that the Attorney General should prepare recommendations regarding control of Cubans entering or residing in the United States.
  • “c. Noted the Presidentʼs request that Assistant Secretary of Defense Nitze, in consultation with appropriate agencies, should complete the Defense study of the military training of Cubans and coordinate it with further proposals from the Department of State with respect to the broader aspects of the Cuban problem.” (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Meetings and Memoranda Series, National Security Council Meetings, No. 479)

According to the Record of Actions, the following people, in addition to the President were among the participants in the meeting: Robert Kennedy, Dulles, Bissell, Burke, Gilpatric, Stahr, Connally, Zuckert, Nitze, Murrow, U. Alexis Johnson, McGeorge Bundy, Sorensen, Goodwin, and Taylor. (Ibid.)