PROJECT JMATE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00734484
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-02607
• Publication Date: March 8, 1961

Approved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00734484
EYE C71 Y
_
8 March 1961
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, WH-4
SUBJECT: Project JMATE
As a result of discussions with Bissell, the following subjects
were felt to require attention:
1. The
episode. According to Mac Bundy, it is felt
that it would be a good idea to put this whole matter to rest and the
best way to do it would be a memorandum spelling out the facts, a brief
statement of negotiations
and what has been done.
has further details on this which he can explain.
2. A careful study of hard evidence bearing on "the state of mind"
internally in Cuba. We have been told that this is a point which surely
will have to be met at the Summit meeting and it may well have to be
answered in the State Department. One bit of evidence that I think
would be very useful would be a specific rundown of
point about members of his outfit who recently were militiamen.
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
If it could be shown how recently and specifically what their views are,
this could be very persuasive. Furthermore, hard evidence indicating
that Castro and his Government might be "running scared". Bearing
on this, of course, are his 22 page letter to other Latin American
countries, his speech offering to repay owners of intervened and condemned
AA,
prpperty in return for better relations and trade,Ahis statement that he
did not intend to export the revolution even though a few days before he
had said he would.
Approved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00734484
Approved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00734484
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cliktatSpecific evidence bearing on the inadequacy of the rilitia;
are many of them desierting either to go home or, more significantly,
to join the opposition? Aren't the enormous numbers being used against
r elatively small pockets of resistance indications of inefficiency-1 Js
there any other evidence? On this whole point, a paper ultimately
Eight, be useful but initially a short outline with references to specific
bits of evidence would be enough.
3. A careful analysis of the diversion alternative. I think that
your best thinVshould be devoted to where the best geography for
it is, i.e. on the main island or elsewhere. Would it be possible to
take the thirty-odd trainees now at Belle Chase, add a few more
trained individuals to raise the number to, say, 45 or 50, and then
fill out with 150 less trained individuals. Could this group then be
given unusually heavy firepower in the form of mortars, recoilless
weapons, MG's etc. My thought is that, if as we all suspect, the militia
will not stand up against heavy firepower, even a small group, if well
equipped, might be able to achieve a success well beyond the
potential assumed from their numbers. In connection with this point,
I think that it would be very helpful if you could go over your conclusions
as soon as possible orally with Bissell in order that he can be well
up-to-date on your latest thinking.
Approved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00734484
Approved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00734484
DATE
TRANSMITTAL SLIP
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REMARKS:
EYES etm,k,
, Mr. Esterline
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A quick, rough memo from
CTB.
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FROM:
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ROOM NO.
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"" NO .OA REPLACES FORM 36-8
I FEB 55 WHICH MAY BE USED.
GPO : 1957-0-439445
Approved for Release: 2018/07/25 C00734484