SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE HEARING ON CUBA -- DEPARTMENT OF STATE - 1 MAY 1961

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82R00025R000100130007-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 23, 2005
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: May 2, 1961
• Content Type: MFR

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2 May 19 61
:ORANDUM FOR THY R
ECT: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Cuba-_
Department of State - I May 1961
1. Secretary Rusk started off by stressing the subversive
influence of Cuba throughout South America, the increasingly
id Communist-type internal controls, and the actual growing
military threat. These all contributed to the decision to assist
the rebels' invasion. He stated there were three areas of error- -
an overestimate of the internal resistance to Castro and of the
hope for uprising; an underestimate of Castro's armed strength;
the decision by the rebels to try and hold the territory at the
beachhead Instead of getting inland to join the guerrillas.
Secretary Rusk pointed out that legal means of co
tairing Communism were not adequate. He said the Government's
estimate of the resistance to Castro was not based on refugees'
stories as their reports had been largely discounted. He said
all aspects of the project had been thoroughly considered by the
appropriate members of the National Security Council and there
were no hasty last-minute decisions.
3. Senator Fu Lbright questioned whether Cuba could
actually be a military threat to the U. S., and Secretary Rusk
said with jet fighters and missiles in Cuba it could exercise a
blackmail power. Senator ' l ri ht asked if a Russian base in
Cuba wasn't similar to I I and Secretary Rusk
said theirs would be used for subversion and ours was to maintain
peace. Senator Fulbright said he doubted whether there was a
military solution to Cuba, and Secretary Rusk said the invasion
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not intended its a military solution but was to give the oppor-
tunity for popular uprising. Senator Fulbright said he doubted if
even that would have solved anything.
4. Senator Hickessslooper asked if we could have stopped
the Cuban refugees from trying an invasion if we had wanted to,
and Secretary Rusk said we could have. The Senator asked if we
should not have taken stops to insure success once we decided to
start, and Secretary Rusk said the rebels were briefed that no
U. S. arms would be used to back them up. Senator l ickenlooper
asked what support we can now expect in Latin America, and
Secretary Rusk said that while Mexico and Chile would not take
evert action in our favor their governments support us and that
the general reaction is not too bad; in fact, some places like
Brasail are somewhat better. Senator Hickeenlooper asked who
decided the time and the place of the landing, and Secretary
Rusk said he would leave the details to Mr. Dulles but the
decision was mad.* at the White House on the unanimous recom-
mendation of senior advisers.
5. Senator Church asked about what the Russians were
supplying in the way of arms, and Secretary Rusk said he would
leave this to Mr. Dulles to answer. He pointed out that the
protest riots in South America were not popular demonstrations
but smallish organised riots except in Uruguay. He pointed out
that time was not on oar side in Cuba although Castro himself
is a somewhat tarnished figure in Latin America.
4. Senator Morse asked if there was any opposition to
ecemesdaatton to go ahead with the invasion, and Secretary
said there were vigorous discussions. H. said It was
that he or Secretary Bowles had opposed the project,
aid Senator lF ulbright's memorandum opposing the operation
7. Secretary Rusk said he would leave to CIA questions
on whether MIG'ss were present and what sort of training was done
for the rebels and by whom. He said training, supplies, and money
were supplied by the U. S. to the rebels and the Navy a crooned
the invasion but the planes were flown by Cubans although on*
soldier of fortune had flown in the invasion in violation of policy.
S. senator Aiken asked if the Department of State know
the facts an training and the rest of the operation, and Secretary
Rusk said the appropriate State officers were fully informed from
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beginning but that possibly in the future mesas could be worked
ca bring aaU the Department of ats's re$oerca$ into the picture.
9. There was snuck general ssntirment that we must find
forwar
*am* way to cope with Castro and the Cuban situation, a 15cnitors
t.,ausche, Symington. and kckenlooper Were particularly in favor
of strong action of some sort but no specific proposals were put
Committee members present at the briefing re:
J. W. 'e right (D. , Ark. ), G
John J. Sparkman (D.. Ala.)
Mike Mansfield (D..
Hebert H. H'urpbrey {D. , Minn.
e (D. ,
y'raank J. Laausche (D.. 4 Ado)
Albert Core (U. , Tenn.
Frank Church Jet.. Idaho)
Stuart Symington (D., Mo.
oorke E. Hicksnlooper (IR.. Iowa
Alexander Wiley (It..
W. Aiken M- , Vt. )
a arr soya (R., Kansas )
J. Williams {R. , Del.)
Officer.
or* Secretary Rush; Dr
Cc:aagare$*i al R.1ations Alexa
, Legi eta
s ooston
I
LAWRFNCT R. HOUSTON
rul Connie
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