CUBA PRISONER SWAP BY CHRISTMAS SOUGHT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000100390063-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 29, 1999
• Sequence Number: 63
• Publication Date: December 14, 1962
• Content Type: NSPR

',AVt 1:V'()P SUN 11E C 1 4 1962 Sanitized - Approved For Release : DI - 5
CPYRGHT
S -P
q. er. wa
By Chrinias Sought
Invaders. As Red Cross Joins Effort
!Donovan Is O16niistic On Quick Retu,i Of
ing done was in no way inconsist-
ent with national policy," Donovan
in Cuba i prisons.
No Cash Involved
Castro had demanded $62,000,-
000 ransom, but Donovan said no
cash is involved. .
"I'm optimistic of being able
to accomplish this (swap) by
Christmas," said Donovan, the
Wall Street attorney warn arranged
the exchange of Col. Rudolf Abel,
Soviet master spy, for American
U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers.
"We have had to wait until we
got assurance that what was be-
ames
j ,. Donovan, encouraged by Pres-
s (dent l: ennedy and joined by the
,American Red Cross, said today
f he hopes to win freedom for Cu-
ban invasion prisoners by Christ-
1,mas.
The Cuban missile crisis had
istalled his efforts to swap medi-
1cines, medical supplies and baby
,food to Premier Fidel Castro for
release of the 1,113 invaders held
cerned with the welfare of 2ople
in, distress throughout the world,
the American National Red Cross
is accepting donations of baby and
similar foodstiuffs, medicines, and)
and in keeping with its tradi-
Lion of Prisoners of War, Inc.)
Families Committee (for Libera
At the request of the Cuba
ovan negotiations are suceesful.
%he Red Cross statement said
I United States, assuming thy, Don
y77777 y w en he in ,mil lion-
ovan's objectives.
Today, the Red Cross*p Wowed
in Washington that it was partici-
pating in seeking the release of
the men captured at' the abortive
Bay of Pigs invasion it April,
7961, Donovan said this support
gives "tremendous impetus" to
the movement.
Supplies Being Collected
The Red Cross said it was col-
lecting supplies from United
States manufacturers for ship-
ment to Cuba and would provide i
welfare services to any , ui)an~
prisoners released to the United!
States.
Donovan entered into the talksk,,
with Castro in behalf of the Cub
Families Committee for Liber
made several trips to Havana f
He said when it appeared nc
CPYRGHT
a e r r .,r in t aruig for the ill
in the United 3ta' 1;71ui4and in feedin
th
g
e very yonng
s i,Wncul to Cuba. that country. The food and 4
fI Best: gift will be made medicines will he shipped by air;
a allrrhle to the Cuban families and ship.
C nrnittee wllpsc representative, "When the released prisoners
4T . James Donovan, is en- return to the United Stales, the'
d Loring to obtain the release Arnericarl National Red ,Cross is
of the prisoners captured by the prepared to provide its normal;
Ca }o itgime after the Bay of welfare services such as canteen
I'' s episode in April, 1961. service, communications with rel-
"By Air And Ship" atives who have been resettled in
' 11he American National Red various commu tit'
f
essary to return to Havana t
accomplish the release "I wi
sur.mce at a news contereneejprisoners upon their return e th
said. Mr. Kennedy gave that as-gyp.
ort
Cr s agreed to make available r es, com
kits, and clothing.
c
es have
na 'ons and assist in their ship- been provided as par of the H
ti
.o. recep
o11 program wnirn nasl
these materials are appropri- been going on for some time.,,
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP75-00001 R000100390063-6