RECENT SOVIET NAVAL ACTIVITY IN CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-512-1-8-3
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 12, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: September 18, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/07/12: LOC-HAK-512-1-8-3
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September 18, 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROMs Henry A. Kissinger
SUBJECTs Recent Soviet Naval Activity in Cuba
State Dept.
review completed
Analysis of reconsaaissaaace flight photography over Cuba has
jconfirmed the construction of a probable submarine deployment base
in Cien Wuegos Bay. Specificallys
-- A Soviet submarine tender is anchored next to four bouys which
the Soviets have placed in the Bay.
submarine nets have been emplaced acmes
the appraaac a to we eep water basin in which the mooring bout's and the
tender are located-
-- A Soviet LST is anchored at a fuel pier and the Soviet tanker is
anchored in the northern bay.
-- Two special purpose barges are also located in the ar+aea.
-_ Special construction an Alcatras island, an island in the Bay,
appears to have boon completed. This includes an administrative area,
two single- story barracks, a soccer field, basketball court and pro-
bably handball, volleyball or tennis courts.. AA offshore wharf nand
swimming area are on the east side of the island and a platform tower
has been constructed just south of the administrative area.
The foregoing situation acquires special significance in the light of the
conversations I had with Charge Vorontsov on August 4 in the White
House Map Room. You will recall that I saw Vorontsov at his request
an that occasion. He Called me in San Clemente to say ha wanted to
have an appointment as soon as I got back When I saw him he was
extremely cordial and read ta -we a co munication which he handed to me.
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NGA Review Completed
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The teat of the note which is at Tab As
. Expres.ed Soviet anxiety over alleged attempts by Cuban
revolutionary groups in the United States to resume sabotage and subversive
activity against Cuba from the U. S. soil.
_.. Complained about provocative articles in the American lase s.s
ambivalent statements on the part of the U. S. officials concerning
-- Stressed that the Soviets were proceeding on the Cuban question
from the understanding with regard to Cuba that existed in the past and
confirmed thattthe Soviets expected no to adhere to this understanding.
Not.a The so called understanding to which Vorrontsov, was apparently
was arrived at during the Cuban- nisi crisis. In essence,
during the exchanges between the U. S. and the Soviets in 1962 at the time
of the Cuban missile crisis we were given assurances that the Soviets
would not locate nuclear weapons on Cuban territory in return for assur-
ances from the U. S. government that we would not undertake military
action to change the government of Cuba.
On August 7 I stated to Voroutsov that at your request I had been instructed
to give him the following reply:
-- The U. S. notes with satisfaction the assurance of the Soviet
government that the ity1eretandings of 1962 are still in force, adding
''We take this to mean chat the Soviet Union will not emplace any
offensive weapons of any kind or any nuclear weapons on $uban mail. ei
-- I stated further that you wish to point out that although we have
heard repeated reports of increased Soviet activity in Cuba that you were
eaxeesrcisf*a the utmost restraint
25X1
-~ You were maintaining the understandings of 1962 which I was hereby
authorized to reaffirm.
y the U. S. would not use military force to bring about
a change in the governmental structure of Cuba.
?- I then added that it had come to our attention that Soviet
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long range airplanes of the type suitable for nuclear bombing missions
were flying with increasing regularity to Cuba. While we believe these
planes were on reconnaissance missions we thought nevertheless that
this might constitute a basis for approach g the limit of our under-
standing. It would certainly be noticed it the Soviet Union kept such
operations to a z inlmum. The saaa"rxr ap d to Soviet naval a
in the Caribbean.
-- I called Voroatsov'as attention to the fact that we had taken
protective measures in recent days with respect to a Soviet ship
which reportedly was in danger of attack from Cuban exile groups.
-- Vorontsav indicated he appreciated the good spirit in which the
observations were made and was certain that the Kremlin would be very
happy to receive them.
-- I co cluded by telling Vorontsov that the major problem now
was to see what concrete progress could be made in the area of *ogo-
tiations.
despite the exchange between
Voron sea,~r mfrs a Soviets have- ve,d precipitously to establish
an installation in Cien Fu_egos Say which is pre harbly eiesigned taae serve
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The increase lately in the United States of activity, hostile
towards Cuba could not but attract attention in Moscow. Certain anxiety
has been caused, in particular, by attempts to units various groups and
organizations of Cuban counterrevolutionary emigration in the United
States and by resuming of sabotage and subversive activity of these
organizations against Cuba, directed from American territory among
other places. There has been an increase in number of provocative
app sals in the American press and of ambiguous statements on the part
of certain officials of the United State*.
We would like to stress that in the Cuban question we proceed
as before from the understanding on this question reached in the past, and
we expect that the American side will also strictly adhere to this
understanding.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/07/12: LOC-HAK-512-1-8-3