CHRONOLOGY OF CUBAN STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS IN GRENADA (7 TO 30 OCTOBER 1983)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R001502590009-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Sequence Number: 9
• Content Type: MISC

Approved For Release 2008/01/29: CIA-RDP85M00364RO01502590009-4
TAB F
30 October 1983
CHRONOLOGY OF CUBAN STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS IN GRENADA
to 30 October 1983
7-8 October 1983 Prime Minister Bishop visits Cuba on his way home from
East Europe. Castro hosts a reception for Bishop the
evening of 7 October. According to Castro, Bishop did
not mention internal frictions in his party in
Grenada.
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12 October Bishop is placed under house arrest late that evening.
14 October Radio Free Grenada announces that Bishop was under
house arrest and that Coard has resigned.
Havana instructs its Ambassador in Grenada to take no
action before consulting with Havana, and not comment
on ongoing situation.
15 October Castro sends a message to the Grenadian Central
Committee explaining Cuba's position -- "totally
abstaining from becoming involved in internal affairs
of the party and country."
19 October In a demonstration by over 3,000 people led by
Whiteman, Bishop is freed. Bishop, Whiteman, Creft,
Bain, and two labor leaders are executed. Radio Free
Grenada announces that a 16-member Revolutionary
Military Council, headed by Army Commander General
Hudson Austin has assumed control of the country.
A Western diplomat in Havana receives the impression
from high-level Cuban party and government officials
that Havana is somewhat confused and chagrined over
developments in Grenada
20 October Havana releases a declaration, under Castro's
signature, condemning the killing of Bishop and his
cabinet ministers, announcing three days of mourning
in Cuba, warning that "our political relations with
the new rulers of Grenada will have to be subjected to
serious and profound analysis," and promising
"whatever possible" in the way of assistance "if the
Grenadian revolutionary process should survive."
USSR statements released by Moscow were confined,to
reporting the facts, and lacked the emotional reaction
of Cuba.
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20 October Work stops on Point Salines Airport.
(Continued)
Cuban government states that Bishop did not request
Cuban support during crisis, and leaves door open to
cooperation with new government.
21 October Havana queries its Embassy in Grenada about Coard's
wherebouts.
22 October The Revolutionary Military Council releases its first
major policy statement and says that a civilian
cabinet would be appointed within 10 to 14 days.
Cuban Foreign Ministry requests that contacts be
established between Cuba and the United States so that
measures to ensure the safety of Americans or Cubans
in Grenada can be handled without violence or
intervention.
Cuban media warns that the threat of US military
intervention is dangerously taking shape.
23 October Cuban documents indicate that soon after coup got
underway Havana instructed its personnel to keep a low
profile.
Cuban construction workers are notified they will
return to work on Monday, 24 October.
24 October Preliminary information on the new leadership shows
that the top four -- Austin, James, Layne, and
Cornwall -- are all strong leftists. James, Layne,
and Cornwall, Grenada's Ambassador to Cuba, are
described as extreme radicals.
Colonel Tortola arrives in Grenada to assume command
of all Cuban personnel. Cuban documents show that
four Lieutenant Colonels were also dispatched to
Grenada.
Cuban construction workers are observed paving the
western end of runway.
26 October Castro announces there are over 700 Cubans in Grenada,
including some 550 construction workers.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry informs its missions
overseas that there are about 1,000 Cubans in Grenada
including 650 construction workers, 62 technical
personnel, and 20 people working in the mission.
Cuban Ministry of Interior informs Cubans in Grenada
not to surrender until told to do so by Havana.
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29 October US tactical aircraft reports citing a Cuban patrol
craft near Prune Island north of Carriacou.
Cuban merchant training ship Jose Marti departs Cuba
en route to Grenada with medical supplies.
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