CABLE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN CIA HEADQUARTERS AND MR. MCCONE REGARDING CUBA IN SEPTEMBER, 1962

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001900110001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 12, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: MEMO

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MTM?RANDUM
State Department review completed
SU3.TECT: Cable Correspondence Between CIA R-ad natters
and Mr. WCAmw Regarding Cuba in Septermber, 1942
1. After leaving New York oa the night of 30 Agguat to
travel to Eure" by ship. Mr. McCone was given the first in-
formation concerning photographic conftriua#tom of a altos
in Cuba in a message from quarters seat I an 4
September. This cable included the folly:
"CI -n readout confirms eight and probably nine
SAM sites under crash construction. Z414 of nine
sites afted will blanket entire western halt of Island.
Ninth is on east coast and we expect others will be
built to cover entire country. Construction proceed-
ing so ,iekly we look for some to be operational
within Moat week or tin days. Readout also showed
eight torpedo boats with dual,, radar-gcideel, missile
launchers. Such missiles have estimated range of
about 15 miles for a 2, OOG.pound hi-explosive payload
with do accuracy. Presasne you know of weekend
comsne in which Moscow claims right to extend
military assistance to Cuba while danger of invasion
persists. All this creates now atmosphere.
Principals meeting with President today to discuss
whither now, and with Hill leadership at White House
this afternoon. i=
2. On 5 September Mr. McCone was advised as follows:
"In Initial reaction to official U.S. statement
4 September re SAM sites and PT beats. Cuban
spukeamea emphasis log claim that arms-buildup
is exercise of right of self-defense. Moscow is
silent so far. Cuban military forces for past week
or se to high state of alert. It may be that regime
deliberately alarming populace to justify massive
Soviet assistance and to divert minds from eca*omi+a
plight.
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Sc iE to
per
sow"* of Cuba. Thu viii take about ~.
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In backs of our minds is growing danger to
the birds.
3. On 6 September the daily cable to Mr.. hicCone
contained the followiz*:
"Continued readout new shows total of nine,
probably tea, SAM sites.- Other info, from
ground reports, points stroftly to at least two
others. In meeting with Latin American ambassaaders
be" 5 September re Cuba, Sec State asked them to
touch boon with Horse Governments said reach early
agreement to convene meeting of OAS foreign
ini rays to discuss Cuban developments. Sec
State in response to query from Mexican Ambassador
said we have impression Moscow does not desire
develop Cuba as Soviet base this hemisphere. H.
said Soviets under Cuban pressure give economic
and military help but are thus far careful not to
make unlimited security commitment."
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4. On T September, Headquarters received the foilawiag
0
" Question very much if C-package will be
helpful and urge frequent repeat miss . of
recent reconnaissance operations wbtch,
Gilpatric advises iuform*tiv e. Also I rapport
use of A-10l if necessary. My hunch is we might
face prospect of Soviet short-range s*rfaco ta-
surface missiles of portable type to Cuba which
could command important targets of southeast
United States and possibly Latin American
Caribbean areas.
"You might suggest to Rusk that we develop
joint pains for action is Cuba with selected
Caribbean. South American states as an, alternative
to seeking Unanimous OAS action which most cer-
tainty will be an ineffective compromiser solution
if past history is any indicator. II
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S. On. 7. September
to Mr. McCoia e:
"Have report from EWd source
stern cabled the following
flat Cuba, has ets 01 same
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kind that Act down U- 2' and that preparations have
been made for 'complete destruction' of tlratntaeaawe e
Base In a ve t of attack an Cuba.
"Assume you acting press reports showing bow
Congressional Republicans pressing for a J1orm -
type resed*ti+ou authorising President to use troops
if necessary in Cuba. "
i. On S September the following was seat to Mr. McCe.:
"Readout of latest (5 September) take shows
three more SAacs, these in Las Villas Province
in central Cuba. Total SAME now twelve, pr y
thirteeen. To blanket island, we look for eventual
total of about 25. Also spatted one WO-21 at ants.
Clara airfield. Nineteen crates seen probably
bases lam-21 which would total M. (Totaill number
M(;.15, 11 and 19 is carried at about 40.) MM-21
is is 000 MPH jet, with altitude capability 40, 000
feet, equipped with two Mr-air infrared missiles
as well as standard rackets and canna ne.
"I have talked with Rush who was most appreciative
for your suggest re Mast action planning with selected
Latin states. "
7. On lp September Mr. McCone cables
"Difficult for me to rationalize eaotensive costly
defwwos being established in Cuba as such extreme
costly Measures to accomplish security 'amd secrecy
not consistent with other policies such as refugees,
legal travel, etc. Appears to aus giaite possible
measures now being taken are for purpose of insuring
secrecy of some offensive capability such am MRBM's
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to be ipwtalled by Scawie der ?"seat puss
completed am country secured from o erflights.
Suggest Beard of National Estimates st"y motif es
behind these defensive measures Wj&b even seem
to exceed those provided V ost acts igee.'
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8. On 10 September *quarters sent the f
Mr. McCa:
jag to
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Mexico and Brasil (who have been iau vanguard
of these Opposing tough polity re Castro) now Jointly
discussing possibility of making diplomatic break
with Cuba. Reason is not new Serial inroads but
that Mexican, and Brasiitan governments now think
we will invade and a raase Castro and meat to be
spared mestic embarrassment by breaking
beforehand.
"Tbaatsks for your toughs is Cuba. Beard of
National Estimates has them and is ceneldering."
9. On U dspternber Headquarters cable& the following
to lair. McCene:
"Havana Radio charges that two cargo ships,
outward bound from Cuba, one Cuban and the ether
British, were attacked U September off nartbern
coast of Cuba. as *An* group
called Alpha-6 (based in Puerto Rico) probably
did the job. Student exile group is kdatmi last
weekend publicly announcdd i tentaio to attack
Bloc ships moving in and out of Cuba. ?e Is
growing mood of frustration anwal refugees and
danger of unilateral operations and incidents
is likewise growing.
"Assume you noting in press the Somlat
statement issued !i September xn-kl sweeping
cbarg o that U. S. preparing Cuba inv salon and
Warning that "if this attack is arcade, this will
be beginning of wpleashing of war. " Implications
of the 4, 400-word statement under study. W ill
advise you further. "
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020 your request Hew.rd of National
mates examine implications of defense
equipment. ?shaving is Prousainary sea"
of National. zatimartees statement
'Whale gsestion Soviet, motived"We including
possible reasons why Soviets migh eemader
is ph eire, but will
regard this problems as one to be met by the V. S. and
not ter responsibility. We estimate the chances are
better now than they were at Pins Dol Leta to obtain
two-di s OAS majority for sanctions and other
steps short of mU y action aimed at Cuba. It
became clear that the Soviet Union was establishing
an 'offensive' base in Cuba, most Latin American
goverm beads would expect the U. S. to a llminata it,
by war means were necessary. but many of them
would still seek to avoid direct 1nvoh. I'
19.On 20 September, Mr. Con tabled as fellowes
"west most careful ooaasideradioa to Conclusion
last s ce Paragraph D. As an alternative I can
see that an offensive Soviet Cam beat" will provide
Soviets with most important and etbre tr tradink
position in connection with all other cruel areas
and home they might take as ect+ed risk to
order to establish such a position.
20.On 20 September, Headquarters sent the following to
Mr. cConeez
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"Khrushchev, is two rocad talks with visitors
4Asstdan Vie* Chancellor and Belgian Score
Moister), held to firm Use re Berlin but still no time, deadlines for separate treaty. We gather tra
these talks and other assorted evtdenece that Khrushcbev
likely to show up here alter elections to talk with Presi-
dast and. failing to get W h" he wanks, to take up Berlin
at UN before proceeding with treaty. > tasbchev also
making belligerent noises re Cuba. Nis contends U. S.
blockade would be act of war and be will uei subs and
rockets to enforce right of paseaa
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21. On 21 September mina tors cited its last briefing
cable to Mr. Mc Cesne Who wras then on Ids way back to the
va d States, TM cable-- can.
"One of our best sources
reports a resurgence since mid-August at o14 line
Communists, especially was Roca. Castro said
to be unhappy over dominant role, with Soviet
backing the ant Communists playing once again.
Source use
'A. Is econ field (this is the primary preserve
of the Cseebs), bloc technicians work* closely
With Cubans at plant and Production levels.
!*. At ministry, pain, and policy levels, Soviets
ezertieg tnenca through old and tmowd comrades
(Roca, SRedrigues. and Pom).
'C. In military field, Soviets prsvidlift advisers
and cenvemtlonral eaiufp t to Cuban Array but are
key masticated weaponry and electronic gear
herder Somet direct control.'"
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KI U HCH I-KNOX TALK
1 . According to a report from CINCUSNAVEUR, Lon-
don, Khrushchev stated f latly_ du ink a talk with Westing-
house International president William Knox on Qe
Br hat he had both conventional and nuclear warheads
in Cuba a Movie -manned missile sites.
2. However, we learned late yesterday from Alexis
Johnson of State that a member of the UCUN staff had al-
ready talked to Knox in New York following Knox's return
to the US, and that Knox had said he did not have any-
thing particularly new to report. (Johnson recognized
that this was at variance with the Navy report, and also
noted that the USUN member had not had the substance of
the Navy report.)
3. Knox is presently scheduled to call the State
Department at 0900 this morning, and the story of what
Khrushchev actually said should then be clarified.
will follow up with State.
OCI COMMENT: We still have no positive evidence
of the presence of nuclear warheads in Cuba. However,
we have noted in photography what appear to be nuclear
warhead storage buildings in the vicinity of several bal-
listic missile launch sites.
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25
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Soviet tanker Grozny, still about a day out
from the quarantine line, will presumably be
the next Soviet ship across the line. The
Grozny is the one which has ammonia tanks
on deck--and is presumably heading for the
Nicaro nickel plant as it has in past runs
with ammonia.
G/C C t-t e t a r n ~t1 S/
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1. Lebanese vesse
1 MARUCLA is well within the quarantine zone
'VAP W,
W
a. intercepted at in.
rom
r,n
2. Our information the East German passenger ship VOELKERFREUNDSHAFT is
as followst Ship should be in the Western Atlantic by now, but no recent
positions are available. Ship departed the Baltic and has an ETA in Havana
about 27 or 28 October,
has-some 500 industrial workers (probably East
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before the ship left.
Germans)
Vessel reportedly
and at least 55
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from press announcements
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