Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume X, Cuba, January 1961–September 1962

251. Memorandum From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) to Secretary of State Rusk⁰

Washington, July 22, 1961.

SUBJECT

• Special Group Meeting, July 20, 1961

The following items were taken up at the meeting of the Special Group on July 20.¹

[Here follows a summary of items unrelated to Cuba.]

3. Cuba—Covert Program for FY 1962

A lengthy paper on this subject² was presented by the Agency covering the following activities: (a) intelligence and counter intelligence; (b) political action; (c) propaganda; and (d) paramilitary activities. The budget proposed for FY 1962 to cover these activities totaled $13,778,132. The intelligence and counter intelligence proposals were approved, as were the political action proposals. The objective of the latter is to identify and support opposition groups. The question of how much support and whether it should be provided will be decided at the time of identification. With regard to propaganda, the Group considered the budget high ($4,204,000) and the Group decided to review these activities before fifty per cent of that amount had been spent. In the meanwhile ARA and the Agency will be discussing what USIA can do. With regard to the proposed paramilitary activities the Group agreed that the Agency should continue to plan in this field. In the meanwhile it is understood that policy recommendations should be developed regarding sabotage, terrorist and guerrilla activities. ARA has been asked to take the initiative in this in consultation with Mr. Goodwin of the White House and Mr. Barnes of the Agency. With regard to bases for training purposes it was agreed that nothing would be considered outside U.S. territory. The Agency proposal to purchase ships was deferred.³

[Here follows a summary of items unrelated to Cuba.]

0. Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, S.G. 2, July 20, 1961. Top Secret. A handwritten note on the source text reads: “Seen by Secretary.”
1. For a record of this meeting, see Document 250.
2. See footnote 2, Document 250. For text, see the Supplement.
3. After this item, Johnson wrote “President approved.” He also added a marginal notation that Joseph Scott had informed ARA on July 22 of the decisions reached by the Special Group and approved by the President.