MEMORANDUM OF MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT RE CUBA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Keywords: CUBA
• Keywords: MISSILE
• Keywords: CRISIS
• Keywords: CUBAN
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0000120632
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: November 23, 2011
• Case Number: F-2011-00196
• Publication Date: August 23, 1962

~'n,p'^Memodum of Meeting with the President
Attended by Secretaries Rusk, McNamara, Gilpatrie. General Taylor,
Mr. Bundy, McCone
Subject: Cuba
1. McCone advised that President had been briefed on the Cuban
situation but added the information given
Rusk advocated informing Canadians and all NATO allies of
growing seriousness of situation; also advocated removal of restrictions
on use of Guantanamo by the Lansdale-group.
ACTION: This point not cleared and should be pursued
as strongly opposed by Chiefs.
2. The President requested a continuing analysis of the number and
type of Soviet and Oriental personnel imported into Cuba; quantity and
type of equipment and its probable use; all construction - particularly
anxious to know whether construction involved SAM sites might differ
from the ground sites. McCone stated we probably could not differentiate
between surface-to-air and 350 mile ground-to-ground offensive
missile. McNamara observed portable ground missiles could not be
located under any circumstances.
ACTION: DDCI should have Board of National Estimates
working continuously on this analysis.
 marr ,'. G-
3. President requesfed analysis of the danger to the United States
and the effect on Latin America of missile installations.
ACTION: DDCI should arrange for preparation of such estimates.
4. President raised the question of whether we should make a
statement in advance of our position, should the Soviets install missiles
and the alternative actions open to us in such event. In the course of
the discussion, apparent many in the room related action in Cuba to
Soviet actions in Turkey, Greece, Berlin, Far East and elsewhere.
McCone questioned value of Jupiter missiles in Turkey and Italy.
McNamara agreed they were useless but difficult politically to remove
them.
5. ACTION: He agreed to study this possibility.
President raised question of what we could do against Soviet
missile sites in Cuba. Could we take them out by air or would a
ground offensive be necessary or alternatively could they be destroyed
by a substantial guerrilla effort.
6. President raised question of what we should do in Cuba if Soviets
precipated a Berlin crisis. This is the alternative to the proposition of
what Soviets would do in Berlin if we moved in Cuba.
7. During the conversation I raised substance of my plan of action as
outlined in the attached paper. There was no disagreement that we must
solve the Berlin problem. However, we should not start the political
action and propaganda effort now until we had decided on the policy of
following through to the complete solution of the Cuban problem.
 8. After the meeting in a private conversation with Robert
also added , in my opinion, Cuba was the key to
John A. McCone
Director
Attachment: Aug 21, 62 paper - Memorandum, Proposed plan of
action for Cuba in the light of: