Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–10, Documents on American Republics, 1969–1972

245. Memorandum From Ashley Hewitt of the National Security Staff to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig)¹ ²

Washington, October 14, 1971, 9:32 p.m.

Here is the report you asked for on the Cuban exile strike on Cuba last Tuesday. Better late than never—I guess. Your attention is drawn to State’s judgement that there is no connection between the raid and the Soviet squadron bound for Cuba, unless Castro chooses to make one.

You should also note that State makes two recommendations:

• —that a thorough investigation be made of this raid.
• —that State be authorized to once again remind Cuban exiles that the U.S. will enforce its laws pertaining to this kind of thing.

Discounting State’s high moral tone, the trouble with raids like this is (a) that they don’t hurt Castro and help retain domestic support. And (b) we have no way of controlling the timing, nature, or targets of these raids. This can be dangerous—witness the juxtaposition of this one with the approach of the Soviet squadron.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 781, Country Files, Latin America, Cuba, Vol. III, 1971. No classification marking. Attached but not published is the October 14 Department of State memorandum to Kissinger. (Ibid.)
2. Hewitt forwarded a Department of State report on an August 12 Cuban exile attack the fishing village of Boca de Sana in Cuba. The Department of State recommended an investigation into the incident and requested authorization to remind Cuban exiles that the U.S. Government would enforce its neutrality laws.