CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001200020012-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: February 17, 1960
• Content Type: BRIEF

Sanitized - Approved For Re el ase : CIA-RDP79R0089OA001200020012-9
NSC BRIEFING 17 February 1960
CUBA
I. Mikoyan's visit marks definite espousal of Castro regime by
Soviet Union.
A. USSR has shifted from cautious attitude to one of active
support.
B. Close economic ties established with signing of trade agree-
ment and Soviet extension of $100,000,000 economic aid credit.
C. Both governments have expressed intention of collaborating
actively in UN.
D. Diplomatic relations also expected to be resumed soon.
II. New trade agreement calls for USSR to buy nearly 5,000,000 tons of
Cuban sugar in next five years, over three times Soviet purchases
from Cuba in recent years.
A. In 1960 for example USSR will be taking about 17% of Cuba's
sugar export.
B. Under new agreement, only one-fifth of total purchases to be
paid for in cash and Cuba for first time will be required to
accept significant quantities of Soviet goods.
1. Soviet-Cuba trade will be nearly 10 percent of Cuba's
foreign trade.
III. The $100,000,000 economic aid credit is to be supplied in form of
agricultural equipment and industrial machinery during next five
A. Soviet technicians will also be supped under the credit.
Sanitized - Approved For ReleqX~ - DP79R0( 8' MI 00020012-9
 Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP79ROO89OA001200020012-9
IV. No mention of arms in official communique and thus far no
evidence arms deal has been made.
A. But at official reception Mikoyan, in answer to question,
expressed Soviet readiness to provide military aircraft if
requested.
B. Castro regime probably sought an offer of arms having thus
25X1X6^
far been unsuccessful in procuring aircraft from Western sources.
25X1X6-R reported following incident when two
visited rice cooperative in Camaguey:
1. Castro addressed workers and painted optimistic picture
of future Cuban-Soviet trade. He enumerated items Cuba
would receive. Crowd roared "and guns and planes too,"
to which Mikoyan replied, through interpreter, "Yes,
guns and planes too."
V. Rapidity of govt's moves toward close ties with USSR and intens
fication of controls over business, finance, labor, and freedom of
expression have aroused some opposition among middle and upper
class and among students.
A. But the anti-Castro groups both inside and outside the country
lack organization and effective leadership.
VI. Leftist trend in Cuba appears certain to continue.
A. Elimination of anti-Communists, especially in labor, still
going on.
B. Govt slant on every issue is toward alienation of Cuban
masses from US.
Sanitized - Approved For Re#I~;~s P79R00890A001200020012-9
 Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP79R0089OA001200020012-9
C. President of Cuban Electric Company, one of largest American
investments in Cuba, informed Embassy 12 February that he
believes company will soon be taken over under new law.
VIII.Foreign Minister Roa is reported to have been instructed to study
Guantanamo base agreement with view to drafting note to US for
revision and Cuba may try to compel US withdrawal from the base
Sanitized - Approved For Release R P79RO0890A001200020012-9