BLOC SHIPPING TO AND FROM CUBA
Information available as0 EST indicates that at least two Soviet ships have left Cubaovemberotal ofissiles onon their decks, as wellariety of missile-related equipment. Asovember one other ship, at Casllda, had loaded atissiles. Thus these three ships have loadedf theissile transporters located at or near the ports'of Casilda and Mariel by photographyovember.
At least three ships have left Cuba with missile associated equipment and at least one other ship was still loading such equipmentovember. Two other ships are in position to load missiles.
The DIVNOGORSK, which left Marielovemher, was the first Soviet ship to remove missiles andtransporters from Cuba. On the night of 6she was well on her way toward the Atlantic. econd ship, the METALLURG ANASOV.left Marielctober with eight missiles on transporters on her decks.
The LABINSK probably loaded missile-associated equipment at Mariel and then departed from Havanaovember. The BRATSK left Marielovember, heavily loaded with missile associated equipment on deck. The IVANeft Marielovember loaded with at leastissileaunch stands, and other missile equipment.
Four other Soviet ships are believed to bein loading missiles and related equipment. The VOLGOLES was loading at Marielovember; she almost certainly will take on missiles and transporters. The FIZIK KURCHATOV had loaded six of theissiles known to be at Casilda. The LENINSKY KOMSOMOL probably will load theissiles. The ALAPEVSK was at the port of La Isabelaovember loading missile associated equipment, but no missiles. This loading probably will beln time for her to depart today.
ovember tbere wereoviet dry cargo ships and one European satellite dry cargo ship en route to Cuba. The USSR also has five tankers en route to Cuba, as well as one passenger ship, the GRUZIYA, which isassengersargo of wheat flour.
Of particular Interest among the Soviet dry cargo ships en route are the OKHOTSK and the ORENBURG. Both of these ships were involved in earlier arms shipments to Cuba, and both have the hatch sizes and loading characteristics associated with the ships believed to .have carried missiles to Cuba. The OKHOTSK, in fact, is one of thehips that turned back after the imposition of the quarantine. On these trips, however, their cargoes appear to be more harmless. The OKHOTSK isargoons of metal and the ORENBURG is carryingons of general cargo, including trucks and winches.
The Soviet passenger ship NIKOLAEVSK left Cuba on the 5th of November, possibly returning some of the Soviet technicians to the USSR, although we have not been able to confirm this. Other routinein the past two days Include two Soviet tankersry cargo ship, the ALEKSANDROVSK.
Photographyovember shows continuingofBEAGLE) Jet bombers at San Julian airfield. Nineere observed, including five which appear completely assembled. Twenty fuselage crates were noted at the airfield. The top of one of them was partially removed,uselage was visible inside. ovember sevenad been observed, three of which were probably operational.
Havana's celebration ofh anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution may provide some clue to the current state of Cuban-Soviet relations. Major speeches were delivered by Soviet Ambassador Alekseyev and by Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, president of tbe agrarian reform institute and seventh ranking leader of the Cuban political machine. Mikoyan was on the speakers' platform with President Oortlcos, but Fidel and Raul Castro and Che Guevara were apparently absent.
The Soviet ambassador's speech was replete with references to Fidel Castro as "Cuba's legendaryhero" and the Cuban people's "supremee appeared to go out of his way to stress that Cuban-Soviet friendship ls based on "mutual respect" and "complete equality." In this speech, which must have received prior approval from Mikoyan, the Soviet ambassador added that his government supports "the legitimate demands of the revolutionary government of Cuba which are aimed at guaranteeing the sovereignty and security of the country, formulated by Comrade Fidel ln his five-point communique."
The general tenor of the Soviet ambassador's speechoncerted effort to mollify the Cuban leaders, whereas the absence of the three highest ranking Cubans could haverotest against Soviet pressures.
BLOC DEVELOPMENTS
Khrushchev told correspondentsovember that the USSR at one time hadln Cuba, but that they have been dismantledprobably already on their (According to
tbe figures which Kuznetsov gave Mr. McCloy on
4 November, tbe Soviets hadotal of 42
missiles into Cuba.)
Khrushchev's remarks also provided furtherof serious difficulties in Mikoyan's talks with the Cuban leaders. He indirectly confirmed that Castro bad not been consulted before Khrushchev's letter ofctober was dispatched, and that Castro was extremely bitter at the Soviet leaders forto remove the missiles.
Khrushchev said tho Cubans had refused to believe President Kennedy's assurances against an invasion ln exchange for Soviet withdrawal of the missiles. He said tho Soviets had warned the Cubans that If the USSR did not agree to this arrangement, "it would meane said "we believed the President will keep hisut added that if the President "went back on hishat would be an "unreasonable step" which would "put us back where we were, backosition of catastrophe.'
Khrushchev, In addition, seemed to imply that he had abandoned, at least for the present, any plan to come to the UN and to meet with President Kennedy. He said there is no need at this timeummit meeting with the President, but added that he would favoreeting "when peace was at stake."
(Khrushchev's remarks above now have appeared ln press and radio.)
BLOC MILITARY FORCES
Ground: Reconnaissance of the two areas in East Germany which were closed to Liaison Mission personnel
No significant change has been noted in tho status of tbe major bloc military forces.
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betweenctoberovember revealed no signs that significant military activity took place during that period. It had been speculated that the GSFG was moving troops into the areasrecautionATO attack.
Original document.
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