NSC BRIEFING (398TH), THURSDAY, 26 MARCH 1959 WITH ATTACHED DOCUMENT TITLED "NS

Created: 3/26/1959

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

:iA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM

RELEASE9

for the record

SUBJXCTi riefinghursday, 2t>9

dei It withdi. 'briefing Considerable dlscossloa wasId the light of Castro's forthcoaingiddrniof nawpapsr editor.

ft5JrTil-

in ths light of Castro's anti-ff.R.ho pootnro to bo taken by,

Ths briefingull half hoar.

THOMlfl J, pATTOa

nsc briefing

9

CUBA

ed

policies and actions.

i. Cuba's revolutionary governmentictatorship under Prise Minister Fidel Castro.

A. Castro has absolute power and Is sole arbiter of all govern-

1, He has had no rdmlnlstrative experience and resorts to demagogy to whip up popular support, B. Castro's economic policlos, such as agrarian reforms, cutting rents and utility rates, have alienated most sound busloess and commercial groups.

1, Castro's numerous capricious public

callingne-class society, have also caused apprehen-

The

7

"war crime trials'1 have created criticism at home bs well

abroad,

D, However, Castro still retains overwhelming popularity with the lower classes.

ii. Castro's strong anti-American attitude, shaped by intense nationals was again revealed2 March speech, oderate speed from the same platform by former Costa Ricao President Flgueres. A, Figueres discussed "perils that threaten the revolution."

and the wealthy should not be antagonizedleaders of the government must guard againstdishonesty, which lead to tyranny,

urged Cubans to understand the facts of the cold

and thatreat power cannot permit an enemy to exist" close to its shores.

B. Figuorcs* moderate approach strongly refuted by Castro and his official news organ.

neutralist" position in world affairs, Castro loplied that the US Naval Base, Guantanamo, endangers Cuban security,

Castro also accused the US of supporting Latin American dictators and said that the US encourages anti-Castro activities.

III. Communists, operating openly and legally, have gained footholds in the organized labor movement, the armed forces, and possibly the press.

A. The government Is not now Communist dominated or controlled, how-

ever, although the potential for further Communist penetration exists.

1,* Castro has indicated ho will not allow the Communists to "steal the revolution" from him.

So far, however, there has been no serious attempt to proscribe Communist activities.

A vehicle for Communist penetration of the armyection which is in charge of "educating" the troops.

desirous of receiving Cuban arms, equipment or financial su

Marxist teachings are prevalent, IV. Castro's caapalgn against dictatorships has assumed two forms: encourageocnt of revolutionary plotting against "dictatorships1'

B. Argentine pro-Communist Ernesto "Che" Guevara has been dealing-

with revolutionary croups. Koine low level members of

rs

July" movement are probably aiding exile groups.

1. "Che" Guevara, one of the original group who invaded Cuba

with Castro, has facilitated Communist activities In Cuba.

Onarch he stated: "We are going tooviet

flcbasstdor here in Cuba one way or

C. Castro, lo bis campaign against dictatorships, isith other liberal leaders In the area, principally Venezuelan President Betancourt and former Costa Rican President Flgueres. They fear that Castro's dealings with Communist-Influenced exilt groups would introduce pro-Communist regimes. 1. Flgueres and Betancourt may assist rival non-Communist rebel groups.

Revolutionary plotting in Cuba is directed primarily against the governments of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Nicaragua,

Is apparently supporting Communist-Influenced Dominicanexile groups.

greatest interest is in overthrowing Dominican

interest in Haiti is primarilyotential baseagainst the Dominican Republic. "

a. An invasion of Haiti, however, mightCaribbean war" since the Dominican Foreign Minister informed the Embassy that an attack on Haiti would be considered an

attack on the Dominican Republic.

is of less immediate interest to Cuba but is more

susoeptlble to iovaslon than the Dominican Republic.

against "dictatorships" probably havo not progress

much beyond the planning stage,

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Original document.

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