SUBJECT

Use by Cuban Army of MAP Equipment for Internal Security and other Subjects

The Cuban Ambassador called on Mr. Rubottom today at the latter's suggestion. Mr. Rubottom informed him of the pending investigations of the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs for Latin America and said that our whole arms policy in Latin America, as well as in Cuba will certainly come under careful scrutiny. He described the attitudes of the various Senators in the Subcommittee and added that if a strong defense of our policy were not made, our whole Hemispheric Defense Program might be modified to the detriment of Cuba and other aid recipient countries. Mr. Rubottom stated that in view of these pending investigations it was important that the Department have a reply to its note of March 3, 1958,[2] on the subject of the reported use by the Cuban armed forces of MAP-supplied equipment for internal security purposes. He mentioned that Minister Guell had told Ambassador Smith in early April [3] that a reply would be forthcoming shortly.

The Ambassador said he was not familiar with the note and was then shown a copy by Mr. Rubottom. After reading it he commented at length on the Cuban political scene and on Communist influences at work in Latin America as evidenced during the recent trip of the Vice President to South America. He described the demonstrations during the Vice President's tour as an integral part of a hemisphere-wide Communist plan. He cited the need for promoting internal stability in these countries and without strong internal security measures democracy could not flourish. In particular reference to Cuba, he stated that President Batista had promised free elections and had agreed to invite outside observers, including UN observers, to witness the elections if the opposition so requested. Against the Government's program for free elections and the orderly transition of administrations are the revolutionists who wish to obstruct the process of democracy. Internal security measures have had to be taken to meet this threat. He remarked that each country in Latin America had its peculiar concept of democracy and that in Cuba they had one of the purest concepts. He contrasted this to Mexico's one-party concept.

In commenting on our note of March 3, the Ambassador said that he would immediately look into the matter of obtaining an early reply. He said he could definitely state that army tanks had not been used in the campaign against rebel forces but had remained in Habana. The only instance when they were used was following the Palace raid of March 13,1957, when they were brought there following the abortive rebel attempt.

Mr. Rubottom in referring to the Ambassador's remarks relative to elections in Cuba, said that while he had no reason to doubt President Batista's intentions of holding free elections, most of the people of the United States appeared not to be convinced of the President's intentions and asked what the Ambassador intended to do to try to change this impression. The Ambassador said he was speaking before the Pan American Society (Spruille Braden's organization) next week and planned to make a forthright statement in support of his Government's Policy. Mr. Rubottom remarked that this should help and he hoped that the Ambassador would accept other such invitations where he could make known his Government's views.

Continuing on this same theme Mr. Rubottom said he thought the Ambassador might wish to have his Government consider announcing soon that it would invite UN observers to witness elections. The Ambassador said he appreciated Mr. Rubottom's thought and would seriously consider it but inferred that Batista might find it difficult to make such a statement unless the political opposition first made the request. Mr. Rubottom mentioned a second point which might be considered by the Government and that would be to emphasize that if the opposition won the elections, Batista would turn the Government over to the newly-elected President. The Ambassador replied that President Batista had made this point very clear in his speech before the newsmen of the press in March of this year.[4] Mr. Rubottom remarked that he had not seen this speech but was happy to hear the President had made this point clear and expressed to the Ambassador the thought that he could make good use of it in his talks before U.S. audiences.

Mr. Rubottom mentioned during the conversations the general feeling which seemed apparent in this country and in Cuba that the Batista Government having come into office through a military coup had no legitimacy. The Ambassador replied that without dwelling on the circumstances surrounding the coup, which was necessary, the fact remained that the Batista Government immediately made preparations for elections and was duly elected to office in November 1954. He said 56% of the electorate voted in the elections and that the withdrawal of Grau within 48 hours of the elections stemmed from the latter's knowledge that he was doomed to defeat.

NOTES:

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.5-MSP/5-2258. Confidential. Drafted and initialed by Leonhardy.

2. See footnote 2, Document 27.

3. Guell made this statement to Smith on April 9, as reported in telegram 675 from Havana that day. (Department of State, Central Files, 737.5-MSP/4-958)

4. Not further identified.