a we 51 9 322 MEMORANDUM FOR Director of Central Intelligence VIA Deputy Director Plans current Status of Cuban Exile Reactions to the Resi-gnation of Dr Jose MIRO Cardona REFERENCE Memo to DCI dated 11 April 1963 Subject Cuban Exile Reactions to thel Resignation of Dr Jose MIRO Cardona This memorandum is for your information and is in response to your request for an updating of reference _memorandum Our Station in Miami reports-that Dr MIRO has called a meeting of the Cuban Revolutionary Council' CRC for today to reiterate his intention to resign and actually go through- with- his resignation if he does nOt- receive word that the President_ wants to discuss the matter with him or if he receives no indication from Washington that there is a definite plan for the liberation of Cuba The final decision may- be postponed until 18 April at which time_ it I is expected that Dr resignation will be formally accepted MIRO would accept a military men sue-h as General Maxwell Taylor as an emissary from the President _but does not went t0'dea1 with a Harvard Professor MIRO would expect this emissary to be able to point to specific United States policies and programs for the overthrow of the CASTRO regime 3 Our Station in Miami further reports that Dr MIRD has decided not to release his entire 25 page resignation statement to the press in its presentrform as it long to be published in the newspaperS'excepth as a paid advertisement ' MIRO does_intend however A 1 Excludn u Jr a 2 131 32 13-00000 1 1 ng 37 777 i ii and 2 to delete quates from high level Unitedetates Government officials and issue-instead a hard hitting statement based on the substance of the 25 page document 14 3 It is Dr MIR03s opinion that when he resigns Ithe CBC will liquidate itself He feels that the United States Department of Stat_e had planned the liquidation of the CRC as one of the 1a$t steps in the development of a co-existence policy with the CASTRO regime When his resignation becomes effective Dr MIRO feels it will be impossible for him to Continue living in the_ United Stata s after all the furor created by this _incident It_has previously been reported that-Dr MIRO might leave the United States to form an organization rsimilar to the CRC in another friendly country -5 Meanwhile there appears to be sharp differences of opinion within the- CBC and among other independent exile groups and individuals as to the wisdom of Dr MIRO3s precipitous action in threatening to publish his letter of resignation thus causing the alienation of the United States Government and the probable collapse of the CBC itself is confident that the CRC will support_his action and_its members will in turn use his resignation as an occasion for denouncing Current- United States policy on Cuba According to Dr MIRQ - the Revolutionary Students3 Direct orate DRE _and the- Association of Cuban Lawyers in Exile have pledged their suppert to him and will make public statements in his behalf ' He claimS'that he is receiving messages of shpport from Mexico Brazil and Chile some requesting copies o-f his 25 page resignation statement A plan to create a Hemisphereuwide organization to begin a campaign to free Cuba is allegedly underway 6 Dr MIRO claims that the united States Government is now taking the line of insulting and attacking him and he has declared that he will not stand for being insulted by the U 3 Government in addition to the followers of CASTRC He added that CASTR03's announced support of United States Cavernment treatment of him tends to support his suSpicion that the U Government is following a line of peaceful oo existenoe $33 nili 3 He states that he has heard from friends 'whom he did not further identify that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee might request him to testify before that committee Although reluctant to get involved in a political situation in which certain questions would be asked which he feelS'probably should not be answered he would of oourse _comp1y if subpoenaed He has sent word to Cuban trainees in the U S Army not to abandon their training having heard that a number of Cuban exiles undergoing officer training had their bags packed ready to leave Fort Benning as a result of the incident ooncerning him The Miami erald of 12 April speculated that may be using the United States antiuraid decree and threatened resignation in order to win support from exile groups not affiliated with the CRC A spokesman' for one such group claimed that Dr MIRO was displaying to exile leaderS a letter from President Kennedy purported- ly pledging United States aid to exiles in their fight to liberate Cuba According to The Miami herald opposition to United States anti raid'policy has brought about exile unity'not seen since April 1961 UPI correspondent Adolfo Merino iS'preparing a campaign in favor of Dr MIRO according to Dr MIRO Merino allegedly told that there appears to be a campaign in Washington to denigrate'Dr MIRO and he intends to counter this campaign Merino also stated that he knew the contents of Dr MIRets 25 page resignation statement although he had not personally 'seen the document itself 8 A Miami Station source reports that the present crisis between Dr M130 and the United States Government has caused great and wideuspread pessimism in exile groups This is not due to any popular support which Dr MIRQ has among the exiles but because_Of the issue involved the restrictions imposed upon Guban exile efforts to defeat CASTRO and upon this issue the exiles are compelled to support Dr MIRO whether they like him or not 9 It is noteworthy that Manuel Antonio de VARONA Loredo a leading member of the CBC and one of the most outspoken critics of the United States policy on Cuba privately believes that Dr gone too far and too fast in his dispute with the Kennedy administration 13-00000 an VARONA understands that MIRO was asked -byI Washington officials to wait 30 days before taking a definitive position and thus be able to View the crisis more calmly but MIRO refused VARONA believes that the abruptness of this action was an error on part VARONA Said that he is opposed to the publication of MIRo e resignation because the document touches upon I sensitive and confidential areas and would be prejudicial to the Chhan cause He hopes that a middle-course can be found as a way out of the present crisis There- I appears to be Some sentiment in the CRC to continue the organization with a new president Enrique head of the Cuban exi1e -doctors association has hinted that he Would be prepared to ste into the vacant presidency of the CRC 10 rivals andIenemies in the Cubanr exile roommunity are reportedly making plans to exploit the political vacuum which they expect wil1 be created by the resignation of Dr MIRO and the anticipated collapse of the CRC Folldwers of Manuel RAY Rivero are reported to be pleased with the crisis between the CBC and the United States Government and hope that the split becomes irrevocabhe If Dr MIRO resigns they believe that RAY with the backing of liberal Latin American leaders will become the principal 'Cuban exile leader Although- Manuel ARTIME Buesa se cretary general of the MRR and former politi-cal chief of the Brigade has extended his suPport to _Dr MIRQ in the present criins it is knOWn that nothing but contempt for MIRO This may therefore 'be a pelitical tactic to enc our'age M130 to break relations between the CBC and the United States Government and thus place ARTIME in rvis a Visg'the Cuban exile community and the United Sn 1 5 States Government One group the Peoples2 Revolutionary movement which had recently decided to join the CRC changed its plan when Dr centroversial resignatiOn was publicized The MRP leaders came to the conclusion that the CRC was finiShed and they thereupon entered into negotions to omalgamate with the ALPHA 66-and the Second National Front of the 'Followers of former President fFu1gencio BATISTA are reported to be delighted with difficulties and they now feel that MIRO is getting what he deserves for having played the role of a U 5 puppet 11 'In another development reiated to but not 13-00000 4 -5- directly a result of the MIRO situation there appears to be- a movement withIin the Cuban Brigade to organize a forma1- request for the return of the Brigade flag which was presented to President Kennedy at the Orange Bowl ceremony for the Brigade on 29 December 1962 An attempt will be made to obtain the support of those members-of the Brigade who are statiOned at Fort Jackson and Fort Benning Who will be on leave in Miami over the Easter weekend SubseQuent to this it is planned to circulate a letter Ito Ia11 local Miami radio and T V outlets announCing the intention of the Brigade to demand the return of their flag 12 we conclude from the foregoing that Dr sefulness to the U S Government and to the 'Cuban exile community has come to an end even if he - should reconsider at the last moment his decision to resign His resignation and the probable disintegration of the CRC is likely to usher in a period of intense political manuevering and jockeying for statusIamong the various political groups and the many self styled leaders in the Chban exile community It is not likeiy that this process will resuIlt in any greater Idegree of genuine unity and coheSiveneSs in the Cuban exile Community than has existed in the past - More than ever the prime target of these exile leaders in their efferts to gain support and patronage will be the United States Government without whose assistance they are conVinceda no effort to unseat the CASTRO regime can be successful Chief _Specia1 Affairs Staff WI 3 4 qu 51 123 hi r211 11th as and L1 13 0009'0 f I dawns- W wilting 13 April 1963 MEMORANDUM son was arcane I SUBJECT summary_Analysis of Funds Granted to the Cuban Revolutionary Council for the Period 1 May 1961 through 31 March 1963 1 A budgetary analysis has been prepared covering 3 5 Government financial support to the Cuban Revolutionary Council ORG for maintenance of its organizational entity and operational activity and for payments to and on behaif of the Brigade 2 Period covered The analysis covers payments made from 1 May 1961 through 31 March 1963 3 Organization The CRC was formed early in 1961 and worked in conjunctiOn with the Frente Revolucionario Demotratico FED The latter organization provided the front for the Brigade forces before and after the Bay of Pigs in addition to conducting propaganda and political action activities Although the CRC was not- designated the focal point for Cuban exile activities until September 1961 no distinction has been made in this analysis since the CRC absorbed many of the FED activities 4 Funding of CRC Each month the CBC submits a rednest for fonds which is based on general purpose administrative support of the Council propaganda activities underground activities specia1 expenses of the- Latin American delegations subsidy support of the Judicature Cnbana Democratica Jurists and Brigade compensation payments - 5 Financial reports Month1y the CRC Comptroller prepares a detailed financial report on the use of funds granted the Council This' report is sent to the CIA representative in Miami and is then forwarded to Headquarters 6 Summary During the period 1 May 1961 through 31 March 1963' the CRC received $3 0005000-from the 9 8 Government for administrative and operational capenses Note This figure does not include Brigade payments which totaled 300 000 for this same period Dr Miro Cardena President of the CRC receives compensation of_ $600 a month 200 annuaily plus travel and related husiness expenses 7 1 Attached are A Description of Funds Granted and B Resume of the CRC financiai report for October 1962 a report which is representative of the Councii's expenses mass 1 Excmiad has amcmaht con rming and declassificalian 3913 13-323 mg 135-00090 or ATTACHMENT A a seen DESCRIPTION OF FUNDS GRANTED a CUBAN REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL 1 May 1961 a 31 march 1963 ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL ACIIVIIY Administrative funds are need for salaries travel office expenses and-related costs of the Council At'the3preaent time $83 333 is granted each month 000 a year for these costs Operational activity funds are used for the Council's propaganda and underground operations special expeneeao of the Latin Ameri an Council delegations and sub- sidy the present time the Couneilr receives $55 400 a month for these activities ' BRIGADE SUPPORT April l96l returnees Payments to Brigade members who returned from Cuba in April 1961 were continued through July 1961 Compensation including bonus payments amounted to 000 000 Non-returnees Brigade support payments for non-returnees includes 560 priSdnere paroled in April 1962 returnees in December 1962 and members missing or killed in -aotion 'emOunted for compensation bonuses and medica1 exPenees Tom FUNDS GRANIED To CRO I GROUP 1 Eialudea Irnm autamahc Nannie-new b- de-ziaatmcauun $3 000 000 1100090 RESUME or one FINANCIAL REPORT A October 1962 Council Pres1dent e office Includes rent and related office expenses treve1 end discretionary fund Executives Compensation to 13 Council members at $350 a month Delegations Salaries of delegations to Latin'Ameriean countr1ee' and in the United Statee Delegations are located in Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chileg' Ecuadof Guatemala Hoodoras 'Jameice Mb ico N1ceragua Panama Saute Domingo Druguay venezuela weehington D C and New York 'Dayroll Salaries of Council empioYees The higheef_pa1d 'employee receives $400 a month Nb of employees Dr M1ro' 8 office 12 Comptroller' 3 office 11 Office employees 41 Nov Rescate Revolucionario Democratico 15 Nov Democrata Cristiano 13 Hbv Agrupacion Mbntecrieti j 16 Mbv R cuperecidn Revoluc1onarie 9 Mbv 36 de Nbviembre 7 8 new Triple A Independieote -5 Dr Enrique Huerta's office 1 Inga Gar1os'Eev1a' 3 office 1 Sergio Garbo' 3 office 1 Reoopaper men 1 '6 Dr Antonio Maceo' 3 office 2 Propeganda office 6 Total employees on payroll - 147 Tteve1 Trave1 expensee_of Coenc11_memDere sod employees General Office rent telephooe supplies aid equipment ut111t1es transletion eervices ineurance etc mm mm-1m Sam-153 3 9516911937998 an we aem 'Heroes and Assistance to videos and dependence of Cubans killed or imprisoned by Castro and to Other appropriate individuals 11 MUMI anon 1 Exctu eu 2mm autumahc downgracing and - 1 declassmcailon _$5 121 4 550 15 444 27 782 1 078 11 431 3 865 3 381 13-00000 WENT - 7 '1 Page 2 I s- Social work Selaries of 7 employees and expenses I 0 $4 360 Vise waives Salaries of 5 employees and expenses Organizations Salaries of 9 employees I 2 250 Brigade Salaries of 3 emp10yees and expenses for the Council's 1 627 activities in connection with the Brigade This does not include -0 3 Government payments passed through the CEO to Brigade members and dependents Tom comm EXPENSES - 84 049 Propaganda Production and distribution of written material 21 629 radio time posters etc Underground Payments to member groups of the Council for - 16 500 underground activities in Cuba Latin Americsn Delegations Operational expenses of the- 4 204 Council s delegations A Judicature Gutena Democratice Subsidy toIJurist-gtoup which is I 5 000 aftiliated with the CRO - - COUNCIL OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY 47 333 Brigade cmupensetion puyments to dependents 297 377 Returuee April 1962 medical expenses6 867 - TOTAL BRIGADE SUPPORT I a 'o 0 304 e244 TOTAL cs0 FINANCIAL REPORT Foe OCTOBER 435 626 EROIIF 1 as ludea 1mm animate acungra ing and d ismion This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu