III. THE SITUATION IN THE BLOC A. REACTION TO KHRUSCHEV DISMANTLING ANNOUNCEMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00428A000200040025-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 18, 2006
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: October 29, 1962
• Content Type: REPORT

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29 Ocdbber 1982
State Dept. review completed
III. THE SITUATION IN THE BLOC
A. REACTION TO KR RUSHCHIV DI SMAMELI MG ANNOUNCEMENT
Moscow has moved quickly to dramatize Khrushchev's 28
October offer to dismantle the Soviet bases in Cuba under
UN supervision as a major step in guaranteeing world peace.
Khrushchev's reference to US assurances against an invasion
of Cuba in being highlighted in Soviet domestic propaganda
in an apparent effort to convince the Soviet audience that
unilateral US action was averted by the Soviet Premier's
move.
Khrushchev's indication that the USSR wishes to take
up negotiations with the US on broader international is-
sues was reiterated by Soviet First Deputy Foreign Minis-
ter Kuznetsov on his arrival last night in New York. Nei-
ther Kuznetsov nor Khrushchev mentioned Berlin, suggesting
that for the time being at least Moscow intends to play this
issue in low key. The Soviets also avoided any suggestion
of a link between Cuba and the Berlin attt*#tion in their
26 Octtober overtures to the West Germans to use their in-
fluence toward a peaceful settlement of the Cuban crisis.
The Communist bloc's initial treatment of the US-So-
viet exchange reflects the impact the Soviet backdown is
a ~~, = a bound to have on the USSR's position as leader of the
-9 bloc. East European press and radio comment attributes the
w rr! Soviet decision to President Kennedy's assurances not to in-
cli
: vade Cuba, but also reiterates Moscow's theme that Khru-
In a irief dispatch, Radio Warsaw hinted at a possi-
ble settlement on otherppressing international issues by
stating that in this "new atmosphere" it may finally be-
come possible to conduct negotiations on questions of great
international significance. Belgrade, which was cautious
in its commentt earlier in the crisis, is now emphasizing
the "statesmanlike" role played by Khrushchev..in easing
tensions.
The USSR apparently did not coordinate its move with
the Castro regime. Aside from Castro's brief reference,
Havana has not commented public" on Khrushchev's message.
Similarly, Moscow has only briefly reported Castro's
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statement but has not commented on his demands. While
the Soviet Union has declared its willingness to with-
draw its missile bases from Cuba, it has indicated it will
continue to support Castro and provide economic aid to help
his maintain his regime.
Immediately prior to Kbrushcheb's 27 October letter
calling for a reciprocal Soviet-US withdrawal of offensive
weapons from Cuba and Turkey, the USSR reportedly attempted
to bring pressure to bear onthbeTlpkk*sh government to fore-
swear unilaterally theuseeoff missiles. The Soviet ambassa-
dor, in emphasizing the horrors of nuclear war, asked the
Turkish Foreign Minister on the night of 26 October for as-
surances that missiles in Turkey would not be used in any
war in which Turkey was not involved.
The US Embassy in Moscow reports that there does not
seem to be any restrictions on tourist or business travel
within the Soviet Union. F_ I 25X11
measures which were taken the USSR to limit the
movement of certain foreigners at the beginning of the
Cuban crisis have now been lifted.
A terse Radio Peiping newscast reported the latest So-
*6et move without comment. But the bulk of Chinese report-
ing on Cuba continues to emphasize US milita r preparations
and repeated pledges of Chinese support for Cuba. Ten
thousand Chinese were paraded in the streets of Peiping on
28 October to hear regime spokesmen reiterate these pledges.
Thus far, Peiping has been the only bloc capital to broad-
cast the teat of Castro's statement demanding evacuation of
Guantanamo.
Khrushchev's Cuban retreat will be used by The Shinese
in their efforts to undermism confidence in Soviet leader-
ship of Communist world affairs. Sven before the present
crisis, the Chinese were implying to the Cubans that the
USSR was an untrustworthy ally.
has reported that the Western press is regarding Khrushchev's
let'"rS^cPFoM&&MF10 i-PD3 3tAAMP 0U200040025-5
Peiping undoubtedly will portray Khrushchev's move to-
ward a Cuban solution as weakness in the face of the "im-
perialist enemy." Albania, Peiping's European ally, alread
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20 October 1962
IV. NON-BLOC DBYBLOPNENTS
U Thant said last evening that he intends to take be-
tween six and ten neutral military officers with him to
Havana on Tuesday to begin inspection of Soviet missile
and bomber sites. The officers will be supervised by In-
dian Brigadier Rikhye, U Thant's military adviser, who
said that on arrival his amen will be sent to the locations
cited in US Information and have them **port on dismantling
and remov&l. U Thant told US representatives at the United
Nations that it would be helpful to his in his dissussions
with Cuban officials if the US could suspend reconnaissance
flights and the shipping quarantine during his stay. He
has also asked for an indication from the President of the
"assurances" the US is prepared to offer Cuba.
Word on the official and public reaction in Latin
America has not yet begun to come in. However, Yenezusat's
delegate to the UN, possibly representative of 6ne line of
thought, yesterday expressed his concern to our delegation
lest the US get trappediinto commitments in Cuba beyond the
guarantee against "invasion."
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Western Buropean countries greeted the news of Khru-
shchev's decision to remove the missile bases with sur-
prise, joy, relief, and some notes of caution. A British
Foreign Office spokesman said the government was "pleased"
by the news and by Khrushchev's agreement to accept UN in-
spection of the dismantling. The conservative Daily Tale- 25X1
graph commented that now that the USSR had accept*
"vdrification print le" in Cuba "a lo -?bareed door may
have been set ajar."
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The French showed cautious optimism, seeing
of additional surprises. In Canada,
Pearson remarked that if the settlement can lead to prog-
ress on disarmament, "then we can be even more grateful to
President Kennedy for his term stand."
Norwegian Prime Minis ter Gerhardson said "This is an
almost unbelievably happy outcome of a situation that could
have had the most disastrous consequences." Swedish For-
eign Minister Nihson described the news as "enormously
satisfying," while Bonn's All-German Affairs Minister Lemeer
found it "wonderful, astounding," The opposition Frank--YlwlTl furter Rundschau warned, however, that Khrushchev cer-
tafn-ly try to compensate for the direct retreat in Cuba
with a diplomatic offensive at another place.'" But Berlin-
ers did not appear worried, and Mnyor Brandt expressed the
hope that his city "would feel something of the change gbich
is going through the world."
The eopenbagen radio on 28 October expressed the view
that the reason for Khrushchev's "capitulation" was to be
found in two events of the previous night: an alleged an-
nouncement by Ambassador Stevenson to Allied ambassadors
that the US would knock out tbemissile and bomber bases
within 24 hours if dowk on them was not stopped forthwith;
and the mobilization of US transport aircraft, "which could
have no other meaning than that the US was peparing to oc-
cupy the Soviet Cuban bases."
Turkish Foreign Minister Erkin has been quoted by
Agencie- France Pfesse as voicing his belief that tensions
will "fade away" with the dismantling of the missile bases.
Damascus fadio broadcast that premier al-Ms has sent a
cable to Khrushchev praising his "brave and noble" stand.
A Japanese Government statement calls the latest Kennedy-
Khrushchev exchange "a matter for much rejoicing."
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