149. Memorandum of Discussion at the 384th Meeting of the National Security Council, Washington, October 30, 1958[1]

[Here follows discussion of matters unrelated to Cuba.]

Mr. Allen Dulles stated that national elections in Cuba were scheduled for next Monday.[2] He believed that the Council should realize that no elections could probably be held in the Oriente Province and in certain portions of other provinces under the control of Castro's military forces. Indeed, Castro had threatened to kill all candidates for political office who had not withdrawn from the electoral race prior to the election day.

Secretary Dulles commented facetiously that this could provide President Eisenhower with a good idea. After the laughter had subsided, Mr. Allen Dulles predicted that the government forces would win the election, but that Castro's forces would not accept the result. He also pointed out that despite the efforts of the Batista government, Castro's forces were estimated to include at least four to five thousand men. Thanks to his tactics, American interests in Cuba are having a rough time.

The President inquired why Batista had apparently never really made a genuine effort to quash this rebellion. Mr. Allen Dulles replied that Batista had tried, but had simply been unable to achieve success. Mr. McCone commented that a recent visit to Cuba had indicated to him wide popular support for Castro. The President asked whether Batista had any kind of a Navy, and if he did, why he could not blockade the Oriente Province. Mr. Dulles replied that certainly the Cuban Navy was not adequate to blockade the Oriente Province, and that munitions were smuggled in in large numbers of small boats.[3]

[Here follows discussion of matters unrelated to Cuba.]

S. Everett Gleason

[1] Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Prepared by Gleason on October 31.

[2] November 3.

[3] In an undated memorandum to the President, Allen Dulles, referring to the NSC meeting of October 30, discussed the organization of the Cuban Navy and the sources of supply for the Cuban rebels. (Eisenhower Library, Records of the Office of the Staff Secretary)