Memorandum by William B. Connett, Jr. of the Office of Middle American Affairs to Henry A. Hoyt of That Office
SECRET
[WASHINGTON,]
October 25, 1954.
Subject:
Cuban Requests for Military
Equipment
Four T‑33 Jet Trainers. Application to purchase these aircraft was made under the MDAP program by the Cuban Government on April 5. It was approved immediately by the Department of State and forwarded to Defense which in turn transmitted it to the Air Force. Some difficulty developed over payment because the Cubans wanted to purchase the aircraft on credit. It was finally agreed that a letter of credit woud be acceptable, and, on the understanding that such a letter would be issued, two of the planes were sent to Cuba on June 6 in care of our Air Mission there. The letter of credit has not yet been issued and the Cubans have indicated no plans for paying for the aircraft. As a result they have remained in the possession of the Mission which is using them for training flights. The other two have been ready for shipment since June 15 but the Air Force is unwilling to release them until it receives at least an explanation regarding payment from the Cuban Government.
Recently the Air Force informed the Chief of the Air
Mission in Cuba that unless the Cubans made some arrangements for payment for
the four aircraft they would all be delivered to Peru which has been promised
delivery of four T‑33's next January. This threat was made, half in
seriousness, with the hope that it would jog the Cuban Government into action.
The Chief of the Air Mission in Cuba, on learning of the Air Force's intention
in this regard, asked for a little more time, pointing out the difficulties of
getting anything done during the preelectoral period and during the absence of
Ambassador Gardner. He added that he would make immediate efforts to persuade
the Cubans to get off the dime.
Arms and Ammunition:
1. One thousand carbines. These were requested by
the Cuban Government in a note dated July 28, 1953[1] which was forwarded,
approved, by the Department to Defense. We have no evidence that the equipment
was delivered although our records are incomplete.
2. One thousand hand grenades. Application for this
item was made on March 12, 1954[2] from the Cuban Government. It was referred
to Defense with the Department's approval on March 24, 1954 and was forwarded
by Defense to the Army on April 6, 1954. We have no evidence that the delivery
was actually made.
3. Twenty thousand carbine cartridges. This
application was made by note from the Cuban Government dated July 1, 1954.[3]
It was sent to Defense, approved, by the State Department on July 15, 1954. We
do not know whether the order was filled.
4. Fifty MA‑1‑A‑1 Thompson
submachine guns. This item was requested by the Cuban Government in a note
dated September 30, 1954.[4] It has been forwarded to the Defense Department
with our approval.
Our Military Assistance Agreement with Cuba provides
for both a Navy and an Air Force role. The Navy unit specified is five patrol
craft, already a part of the Cuban Navy at the time the agreement was signed.
The units specified for the Air Force are one light bomber squadron and one
transport squadron. The Cubans already had most of the planes for these two
squadrons; the Air Force earmarked five additional ones to be made available as
grant aid. Two of these were delivered last June; the other three have yet to
be delivered.
During the last couple of months the Cubans have
asked for additional military grant aid under this program, consisting of:
1. Air Force: Equipment of an airborne battalion to
be used in connection with the transport squadron specified under the
agreement.
2. Navy:
a. Complete repair at a U.S.
base of two PBY‑5A planes of the Naval Air Force.
b. Acquisition and
installation of Sonar and ASW (anti‑submarine warfare) equipment in the
patrol‑escort vessels Caribe and Siboney.
c. Acquisition of three mine
sweepers, wooden hull, 136 feet in length, for training.
The above requests for additional military grant aid
assistance have been transmitted to the Department of Defense where they are
under consideration.
[1] Not printed (737.5 MSP/7‑2853).
[2] Not printed (737.5 MSP/3‑1253).
[3] Not printed (737.5 MSP/7‑154).
[4] Not printed (737.5 MSP/9‑3054).