222. Memorandum From Viron P. Vaky of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2
SUBJECT:
- CIA Piece on Soviet-Cuban Military Relations
Attached is a CIA/OCI piece speculating on the meaning of recent developments in Cuba-Soviet military relations. The piece states:
—The Soviets may intend to establish a new Soviet facility in Cuba, such as an installation for servicing naval ships or reconnaissance aircraft, or both.
—Any such move is likely to be modest and accomplished in a gradual and cautious manner to avoid flaunting military power on our doorstep or a direct confrontation while at the same time gaining additional mobility for Soviet forces.
—Such a move would be in line with its general policy of “showing the flag”; it may also be Moscow’s answer to the US naval activity in the Black Sea.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 780, Country Files, Latin America, Cuba, Vol. II, 1970. Secret. Sent for information. A stamped notation indicates Kissinger saw the memorandum. Attached but not published is a June 3 CIA intelligence memorandum, OCI 1367–70. (Ibid.)↩
- Vaky summarized the key points of a CIA memorandum on Cuban-Soviet relations and the establishment of a naval facility at Cienfuegos.↩