CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001300040001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 23, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 5, 1961
• Content Type: BRIEF

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5 January 1.961
I. Castro regime reacting defiantly to US break in relations.
A. Castro calls US move "another step in aggressive preparations"
B.
which are bringing world to brink of war.
1. Cuban press unanimously echoing Castro, reaching new
heights of invective.
Bloc comment charges break is proof of US aggressive intent,
continues to warn that Cuba has powerful friends which"will
not abandon her", but no specific threats made.
1. On eve of break in relations, at Cuban embassy reception
in Moscow, Khrushchev said "US is pursuing an extremely
dangerous policy by trying to suppress Cuban revolution",
but continued vague in pledging Soviet support, saying
only "Cuban people can always rely on aid of Soviet people."
C. News of US break treated as flash item by Latin American media,
bit comment took no predominant line and officials generally
reluctant make statements.
1. In Peru, which broke relations 30 December, one paper
headlined: "Number one power in world follows Peru's
example." Prime Minister Beltran's paper also strongly
endorsed US action.
2. Chilean foreign minister told press that he saw no reason
for Chile to break with Castro under present circumstances.
NSA review completed
State Department review completed
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3. Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay, Honduras, which had been
considering breaking with Castro, may hesitate to follow
US action closely for fear of being labeled US lackey by
opposition.
4. Leading Brazilian newspaper called US rupture with Cuba
worst crisis in Pan American history; urged other Latin
American nations to seek solution and not merely follow
25X1 US example, since they would .then be "acting as a satellite."
Mexican foreign minister told US Embassy 4 January that he
agreed US could not continue in Cuba with only 11-man
embassy. He added it now most difficult to influence
Cubans back into American family; said Cubans will need
"a little bit of outside help" to solve their problem.
D. Latin American Communists and front groups urging increased
popular support for Castro.
1. Uruguayan Communist party on 3 January issued "ardent
appeal" urging Uruguayan people to "rise up in defense of
Cuban people."
2. Argentine University students publicly warned 3 January
that "a second front will open up in the streets" if
aggression is perpetrated against Cuba, according to Cuban
press service.
E. Canadian government sources reported by press saying Canada's
relations with Cuba will continue uninterrupted.
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II. Within Cuba itself, break in relations reported to have dampened
spirit of opposition groups.
A. Intend to lie low next few days and see how Castro goes about
carrying out his threat of extreme repression.
B. see need henceforth much greater security and careful planning.
III. No evidence of imminent Cuban move against Guantanamo base but...
A. Cuban ambassador in Mexico said 3 January that Cuba will
present "petition" to UN "to have the base eliminated."
Iv.
A. Four bloc embassies already in Havana--Soviet, Chinese Communist,
Czech, and Polish--have, with associated trade missions, more
than 100 people there.
1. This in addition to over 200 economic and military tech-
nicians.
2. Embassies of five more bloc countries recently recognized
by Cuba--Hungary, Rumania, Albania, North Vietnam, and
Mongolia--may be set up shortly. East Germany is only
bloc nation still not formally recognized.
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3. Soviet bloc military equipment still arriving in Cuba,
with four shipments in last days of December and more
probably en route.
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5 January 1961
Y. Unsettled conditions in Addis Ababa giving rise spate of rumors
and causing considerable concern to US personnel there.
A. One rumor indicates army may soon demonstrate, even riot if
pay raise which they feel promised them during coup not
forthcoming.
B. Emperor said to have agreed to small bonus but refused raise
in pay.
C. I IEmperor has decided to reconstitute
the favored bodyguard, a move which would also add to army
grievances.
II. Considerable sympathy for the coup effort remains latent in the
country.
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NSC BRIEFING 5 January 1961
FRANCE-ALGERIA
B. French minister for Algeria has predicted major uprising just
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I. This weekend's referendum on Algerian self-determination may touch
off serious disorders in Algeria.
A. Both Moslems and Europeans in Oran are planning a general strike
before or during 6-8 January referendum.
1. Curfew has been imposed in Algiers, beginning today.
lowered army morale.due to:
A. Government decision to hold referendum.
B. Pro-rebel Moslem demonstrations last month.
III. If De Gaulle's over-all majority is slim, widespread French
military disapproval of his policy will pose threat to any future
initiative of his.
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