304. Memorandum for the Record0
SUBJECT
- Executive Committee Meeting—12:30 p.m.—29 March 1963
IN ATTENDANCE
- All present, plus Cottrell, Kaysen, Dungan and others
The President raised the question of what should be our policy on hit-and-rUN raids and asked my views. I reported my views as per the attached memorandum of 29 March. Secretary Rusk stated that the United States would be blamed for unauthorized raids, the Soviets would expect that we could stop them and they would immediately take counter actions such as escorting ships, etc. On a minimum, we should act to disassociate ourselves and do all possible not to permit the continuance of unauthorized raids.
Dillon stated that we could not stop them because of the number of ports, small ships, inadequate coast guard facilities, etc. McNamara countered by saying that we could stop them by utilizing military resources. As a second alternative he suggested we might explore modifying our course of action and finally, should disassociate ourselves from responsibility. The Attorney General outlined various steps that could be taken to identify the leadership of the various groups and to either prosecute them or exclude them from the country through immigration procedures. Thompson and Harriman expressed particular concern over the reported airplane that was ready to bomb Soviet ship. Practically all in attendance thought that we should try and guide the operation away from attacks on Soviet ships because of obvious reaction of the Soviets. The Vice President felt that we would be criticized either from letting them go on the one hand, or stopping them on the other. He felt the military should immediately study that which should be done to stop them and all actions should be taken to halt the unauthorized raids.
The President then suggested a meeting be held this afternoon to determine a number of matters.
- 1.
- We should establish what our contacts are with the groups so that we can guide them effectively, whether we can stand down the operations.
- 2.
- A policy statement which State is undertaking.
- 3.
- The question of prosecution which the AG wouldundertake.
- 4.
- Discussing with UK since there is evidence that much of this originated in the Bahamas.
- 5.
- The question of any informal discussion with the Soviet Union.
At the meeting attended by AG, McNamara, McCone, Cottrell, Douglas Dillon, it was decided to send a group to Miami this afternoon for discussion with the Miami representatives of the FBI and CIA, Immigration officials, Coast Guard, etc. Principal purposes would be to:
- 1.
- Find out all we know about the groups, who they are, where they are, and what can be done about them.
- 2.
- Lateral transfer of information between CIA and FBI Miami. Apparently there is not sufficient exchange between CIA andFBI in Miami.
- 3.
- Ways and means of using Customs and Coast Guard for some of this.
- 4.
- Warning the unauthorized groups in advance of actions we intend to take against them. Also warning the suppliers of explosives, arms, etc.
- 5.
- FCC shut down illicit radio stations, provide a truck equipped with DF-equipment to locate the stations.
- 6.
- Explore what could be done to influence the groups away from Soviet targets. In this connection, the AG favored a complete stand down before any attempt was made to guide the groups.
- 7.
- Alexis Johnson expressed greatest concern over the plane matter and asked that the group take immediate action to immobilize the plane.