254. Paper Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency0
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Special Group approve the following covert action program against Cuba:
a) Intelligence and Counterintelligence
Collection of intelligence on the internal Cuban situation and the attitude of the Cuban people, particularly with regard to opposition elements. Improved and expanded collection of operational intelligence on Castroʼs plans, intentions and capabilities. Penetration of Cuban security services and protection of Agency operations against action by these services.
b) Political Action
Foster support for U.S. national policies with respect to Cuba, throughout Latin America. Combat Castroʼs subversive efforts in that area. Assist in strengthening unified opposition to Castro among Cubans, inside and outside of Cuba. Identify and support, if found, any such groups or leaders with real potential for overthrowing and replacing the Castro government.
c) Propaganda
Continue to support propaganda assets, including magazines, newspapers, news letters and radio. Conduct continual review of the effectiveness of these media. Attempt to destroy the popular image of Castro in Cuba, and combat his propaganda efforts throughout Latin America.
d) Paramilitary
Expand present personnel and support aspects inside and outside of Cuba, for use in working with or through Cuban groups in developing [Page 637] an underground organization or organizations. Once such a secure organization is established, engage in infiltration and exfiltration of personnel, supplies and materiel, in intelligence collection and propaganda, and in a low key sabotage and resistance program. Large scale sabotage activities may be planned for, but will not be mounted until approved by the Special Group. Provide modest support, as approved by the Special Group, to those guerrilla elements that might arise in Cuba and which are believed worthy of support. Maintain a limited air capability largely through pilot training.
e) Support
Maintain necessary personnel, forward-operating base on U.S. territory, maritime base, operational or training sites and communications facilities.
A maximum of $12,738,132 is authorized for funding of the above program. Only fifty percent of this total will be withdrawn initially from the Bureau of the Budget, with later withdrawals to be dependent on a review, within six months, of the operational progress made.
Budget breakdown (for 12 months) is as follows:
| Intelligence and counterintelligence | 739,132 |
| Political action | 200,000 |
| Propaganda | 4,204,000 |
| Paramilitary | 3,570,000 |
| Support | 4,025,000 |
| [Total] | 12,738,1321 |
- Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, S.G. 4, August 3, 1961. Secret; Eyes Only. This paper condensed for the Presidentʼs consideration a July 25 memorandum prepared in the CIA for the Special Group entitled “Internal Action Operations Against Cuba,” and an August 1 memorandum also prepared in the CIA for the Special Group entitled “Program of Covert Action Directed at the Castro Regime.” (For texts, see the Supplement.) The August 1 memorandum was a revision of the July 17 memorandum on the same subject considered by the Special Group on July 20. (See the Supplement) On August 3, the Special Group considered the condensed set of recommendations and approved them for referral to the President, after reducing the proposed budget to cover 6 months rather than 12 months expenditures. (Memorandum for the files by J.W. Scott, August 4; Minutes of Special Group meeting, August 3; Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, S.G. V, 4, August 3 1961, and S.G. 5, August 10, 1961, respectively) On August 4, Parrott sent a memorandum to the Special Group indicting that the covert action program for Cuba had received final approval. (Ibid., August 3, 1961)↩
- Johnson crossed out the proposed 12-month total of $12,738,132, and wrote in a 6-month total of $5,360,000.↩