737.0019-153
Memorandum of Conversation, by John L. Topping of the Office of Middle
American Affairs
CONFIDENTIAL
[WASHINGTON,] September 1, 1953.
Subject: Political Situation in Cuba
Participants: The Under Secretary
Dr. Aurelio F. Concheso, Ambassador of Cuba
Mr. John L. Topping, MID
Ambassador Concheso stated that the attempted revolution at Santiago de
Cuba on July 26, 1953[1] had strengthened the Government's position since
it had shown that the armed forces are solidly behind the Government, which
would handle promptly and efficiently any attempted revolution. He said
that a portion of the opposition to the present Government was prepared
to participate in elections, but that another portion, headed by deposed
Carlos Prio and his adherents, had thus far preferred to undertake insurrectionary
activities. He added that the attempt at Santiago de Cuba had not been
directly connected with the Prio group, but that Prio had supplied money
for the arms used in that effort.
In response to an inquiry from General Smith whether the Cuban Government
now felt sufficiently secure to undertake a return to constitutional government,
the Ambassador stated that constitutional guarantees would be restored
in about four weeks and that the Government would proceed with its plans
to hold elections for Congress in June 1954.
[1]Documents pertaining to the abortive uprising are in file 737.00
for 1953.