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TELLIGENCE AGENCY
HP PR OVID FOR RELLRSE DAT LI7
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THE CRISIS USSR/CUBA
Information a*2
PREPARED FOR THE EXECUTIVE COMMnTEE Of THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCtL.
FURTHER DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT AUTHORIZED.
Information as0 EST is that eight of the nice ships designated by Kuznetsov to remove missiles and associated equipment from Cuba vere under way. The latest departure, the LENINSKY KOMSOMOL, departed Casllda5 this morning with eight canvas-covered missile transporters on deck. The IVAN POLZUNOV, earlier thought to have left port, is still loading at Mariel according to our latest Information.
Seven of the ships now under way areotal ofanvas-covered missile transporters. We assume thatissiles remaining of thedmitted by Kuznetsov to be in Cuba will be loaded on the IVAN POLZUNOV.
Tho eighth ship under way is not carrying missiles. Two other ships ln addition to those named by Kuznetsov are also being used to remove missile-associated equipment.
US naval craft to come alongside for visual inspection of the deck cargo. If necessary, and ln most cases this is being done, overhead photographs are being taken from helicopters. The Soviets are required to remove the outer canvas covering the missiles but are not being asked to remove the Inner rubber cover. The Soviet ships are not compelled to stop and US nnval forces are not boarding the Soviet ships.
The status of these operations has been reported to us as follows:
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LABINSKUSS NEWPORT NEWS and LEARY cane
alongside0 EST thiselicopter from tbe NEWPORT NEWS took photographs. Visual sighting of two missiles, without nose cones, was reported. The mission was completed3 EST and the LABINSK was Informed that she could proceed and would not be trailed by US naval ships.
elicopter from the WASP was overhead6 EST this morning and probably took photographs. The canvas covers were removed from two apparent missiles. Several vehicles were also noted on deck. 3 EST tbe US destroyer BASI LONE came alongside and ls now trailing the BRATSK.
LIMN SKY KOMSOMOLThe LENIN SKY KOMSOMOL was sighted departing Casilda3 EST this morning. The NORFOLK proceeded at that time to close ln to take photographs.2 EST the NORFOLK reported that there were eight canvas-covered missile transporters on deck. Photographs were taken0 EST. The NORFOLK ls nowongsids,
pIVNOGORSKThe USS BLANDY was alongside the DIVNOGORSK this morning and took photographs. The canvas covers were removed but the inner rubber covers were not. AtST the BLANDY reported that her mission was completed and that photographs had been taken showing four canvas-covered missile transporters. The BLANDY is remaining within radar range.
VOLGOLESThe US destroyer VESOLE was withinards Of the VOLGOLES0 EST this morning. 0 the canvas had been removed from seven apparent missiles. 5 EST the VESOLE reported mission completed and she is now proceeding alongside the VOLGOLES.
ALAPAEVSKThe ALAPAEVSK was photographed late yesterday afternoon. The photographs have been disseminated in Washington and showen on deck and cots and blankets ln the bold. When challenged, the ALAPAEVSK reported that she bad "rocket technicals" on board,meaning rocket technicians. The destroyer HOLDEN closed ln on the ALAPAEVSK at duskovember and is still with her.
METALLURG ANASOVUS naval ships reported that they were ln the vicinity of this ship at0 EST today. Previous photography shows that she ls carrying eight canvas-covered missile transporters on deck.
FIZIK KURCHATOVThe ship departed Casildaovember with six "canvas-covered missile transporters on deck and was photographed while passing Guantanamo on the same day. She was proceeding at full speed ofnots. The USS BIDDLE has been chasing her and reported at0 EST that she was within radar range.
Original document.
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