154. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Ambassador in Cuba (Smith) and President-Elect Rivero Agiiero, Havana, November 15,1958 [1]

Subject:

Plans of President-Elect Andres Rivero Aguero

This luncheon meeting was arranged at the Ambassador's request at the Embassy Residence to afford an opportunity to discuss with Dr. Rivero Aguero certain aspects of the present political situation.

The principal topics touched upon in the three-hour meeting were Dr. Rivero Agiiero's plans for a solution of the present revolutionary situation, the possibility that Dr. Rivero Aguero may make an unofficial visit to the United States, GOC military capability, and his general attitude toward the United States.

1. Dr. Rivero Aguero's Plans for a Solution of the Present Revolutionary

Situtation.

In response to the Ambassador's questions Dr. Rivero Aguero stated that in the very near future he intends to announce publicly the intention of his government to call a constitutional assembly to consider the steps which should be taken to restore full constitutional government to Cuba. He said that ever since the coup d'etat of March 10, 1952, the legitimacy of the present regime has been questioned by the political opposition, and that the elections of 1954 did not serve to terminate this debate because they were considered to have been held under the auspices of a regime which had not come into power by constitutional means. He drew a parallel between the present situation and that which prevailed following the overthrow of President Machado in 1933. In the latter case full constitutional government was not restored until the constitutional assembly of 1940. In his opinion Cuba must follow the same course at this time. He said he would hope to call such an assembly within the first year of his term and at that time it would be decided whether to hold new elections and whether to shorten his four-year term of office. He said this plan has the support of Dr. Marquez Sterling and of Dr. Carlos Prio, but that the attitude of Dr. Grau is uncertain. The latter made an unexpectedly poor showing in the elections and because of his advanced age is subject to vagaries which make his reactions unpredictable. However, it is probable that a majority of Grau's supporters will favor the plan.

The Ambassador commented that were the political and legal opposition to give their full support to the plan to hold a constitutional assembly, it would appear that the revolutionary opposition would be very much weakened. He explained that in his view the distinction between the "political" and the "legal" opposition is that the former actively supports a constituted opposition party, whereas the latter represents a mass of voters who, while desirous of a peaceful change in administration, are not active participants in the existing opposition parties. Dr. Rivero Aguero replied that in his opinion 90 percent of the people of Cuba desire a peaceful solution and would support his plan. The remaining 10 percent comprise subversive elements linked with communists, plain bandits, and other groups who thrive on disorder. The Government must redouble its efforts to eliminate this disruptive minority. Otherwise it may interfere with the plan to convene a constitutional assembly and, through intimidation of prospective participants, may have the effect of diminishing its national standing. Dr. Rivero Aguero went on to stress the impossibility of reaching any negotiated settlement with Fidel Castro, whom he characterized as a sick man (he mentioned that he has a syphilitic inheritance) consumed by an overwhelming ambition to overthrow the Government by force.

Castro, he said, realizes that for him to join in any negotiated settlement would amount to his political suicide, since he has no following among the moderate elements in the country. The outcome of the elections has redounded to Castro's benefit because he can now say that Rivero Aguero represents a mere continuation of the Batista regime and that the rebels are thus justified in continuing their violent resistance. If Dr. Marquez Sterling, or another opposition candidate, had won, Castro would have been considerably embarrassed because, while he would have insisted upon continuing his present violent course, many of his supporters would then have favored a negotiated settlement. He stated that Fidel Castro must be either killed or captured.

Dr. Rivero Aguero emphasized that he has no particular interest in serving his full term and that his primary objective is to restore peace and full constitutional government to Cuba.

The Ambassador said the Department is interested in being informed as to whether Dr. Rivero Agdero had made any pre-election announcement of his plans to hold a constitutional assembly. He replied that he had made such an announcement during the course of the campaign, stressing two main points, (1) the desirability of taking all possible steps to encourage investment, primarily from the United States, and economic development in Cuba, and (2) the desirability of convening a constitutional assembly at an early date. He had also announced that if elected his government would give sympathetic consideration to any alternative solutions for the present impasse which might be suggested by the political oppostion. He emphasized again, however, that the only means of restoring full constitutional government is through a new constitutional assembly.

2. Possibility that Dr. Rivero Aguero May Make an Unofficial Visit to the United States.

Dr. Rivero Aguero explained that he has traveled widely in the United States and that it has been his custom for the past few years to spend the Christmas holidays and New Year's in New York. He said that since his election he has been discussing with President Batista the feasibility of making such a visit prior to his inauguration. He feels there would be a number of advantages in such a visit. As a former publicist he believes that he understands the conduct of press relations better than does General Batista and he would welcome an opportunity to have face-to-face discussions with the editors of some of the influential dailies and magazines. He mentioned the New York Times, the Washington Star, the Washington Post, and Time Magazine. He would not visit the United States in his capacity as President-elect and would not expect to be extended an official invitation. However, he feels that it would be useful to have an opportunity to explore problems of common concern to the Governments of the United States and Cuba in direct informal conversations with the appropriate officials of the Department of State. He emphasized the strong mutuality of interest that Cuba and the United States have in finding a solution to the present situation. American investments in Cuba are very substantial; there is a large American resident community; incidents such as that recently at Nicaro [2] and the seizure in the air of the Viscount belonging to Cubana with resultant loss of American lives, must be prevented. In his view these are examples of the importance of seeking mutual solutions for Cuba's present problems. He added, however, that he was not inviting intervention in Cuba's internal affairs.

President Batista, on the other hand, has reservations concerning the advisability of such a visit at this time. He feels that the possibility exists that there would be hostile demonstrations by Cuban exiles, and certain other groups in the United States, which might create possible problems of police protection which would be of embarrassment to the United States Government. He prefers not to be in a position therefore of asking us to take steps, such as protection, which might be construed as endorsement by the United States of Dr. Rivero Aguero.

The Ambassador commented that he believed General Batista's fears concerning the possibility of hostile demonstrations may be justified (he mentioned that threats of picketing the forthcoming Charity Ball at the Waldorf Astoria, which he and Mrs. Smith are sponsoring, [3] have been received), and that it would be difficult for Dr. Rivero Aguero to disassociate himself from the fact that he is President-Elect of Cuba. Dr. Rivero Aguero said that no definite decision had been taken but that he had wished to explore the possibilities of such a visit tentatively with the Ambassador and that he would inform the Ambassador later whether he desired to pursue the matter further. The Ambassador replied that upon hearing from Dr. Rivero Aguero he would informally obtain a reaction from the Department. With reference to Dr. Rivero Aguero's suggestion that he might during the course of such a visit have discussions with Departmental officials concerning mutual problems, the Ambassador said he is personally in sympathy with the aims which Dr. Rivero Aguero had expressed; that he believed that the Department at this time is primarily interested in knowing Dr. Rivero Aguero's plans for a peaceful solution of the present impasse and the methods he proposes to pursue in order to achieve it; that the Embassy would of course report fully to the Department the views which had been expressed in this conversation; and that he hoped it would be possible to have a further discussion with Dr. Rivero Aguero on this subject in the near future.

3. GOC Military Capacity.

The Ambassador inquired whether Dr. Rivero Aguero considered that GOC can eliminate the revolutionary forces of Fidel Castro before the inauguration in February. Dr. Rivero Aguero replied that with the present equipment of the Cuban Army he did not think this would be possible. He then referred to a press report of November 15 to the effect that the United States Department of Defense is requesting a 15 billion-dollar special appropriation to re-equip with advanced weapons U.S. military and NATO forces overseas. He said if this plan is to be carried through, he would like to suggest that if Cuba could purchase some small part of the arms to be discarded in the process, it could then eliminate the rebel forces. The Ambassador repeated, as he had said before, that at this time he believed the Department is mainly interested in being informed of the plans which the new Cuban Government will follow for a peaceful solution of the impasse and the methods it proposes to employ in this connection.

4. General Attitude Toward the United States.

At various points in the conversation Dr. Rivero Aguero talked at length of his past contacts with American officials and expressed great admiration for the United States and for Americans. He said because of the sincerity and good-will of most Americans, he had no fear in attempting to explain Cuba's situation to American public opinion.

In closing the interview Dr. Rivero Aguero reiterated that as far as he is personally concerned, his main and only aim is to restore peace and constitutional government to Cuba. He is indifferent as to whether his term of office shall be long or short. He will return to his law offices gladly when these objectives have been accomplished, and the thing that he values most is that when he returns to private life, people will regard him as having been a "good public servant."

155. Telegram From the Embassy in Cuba to the Department of State [1]

Havana, November 16, 1958 - 1 p.m.

507. For Rubottom. At conference with President Batista November 15 he stated approximately 100 ill-equipped soldiers are guarding the isolated aquaduct at Yateras and are bait for rebels who would like to capture aquaduct for propaganda purposes.

Batista suggests following alternatives:

1. US sell adequate arms to GOC troops for defense of aquaduct at Yateras.

2. GOC withdraw troops, leaving civilian personnel. But aquaduct must be provided with radio communication to naval base and to army headquarters at Guantanamo City. There are many GOC troops in surrounding area subject to emergency summons.

3. If US will not agree to numbers one and two above, GOC will leave the soldiers for protection even though they are poorly equipped and are a [?] sacrifice.

In the light of recent events which include loss of American lives, sabotage of American property, extortion of Americans, kidnapping of Americans, and the fact that the GOC is the only recourse for protection, please advise what reply I am to give the President.[2]

Smith

NOTES:

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/11-1658. Confidential; Priority.

2. In telegram 767 to Havana, November 17, the Department indicated that alternatives 1 and 2 were unacceptable and instructed the Ambassador to inform President Batista that the U.S. Government desired the third alternative. (Ibid., 737.00/11-1758) In telegram 517 from Havana, November 18, Smith reported that he had so informed Gue1L (Ibid., 737.00/11-1858)