Telegram from the Brazilian Delegation at the OAS (Barreiros), Washington, DC, 2:30 a.m., Monday

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

TELEGRAM

RECEIVED

12899

FROM THE DELEGATION OF BRAZIL AT THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES -- WASHINGTON

ON/28/28/X/62

CONFIDENTIAL URGENT

DEA/DNU/DAS/DAC/DAM/DOr/600.(24h)

Question of Cuba. Messages between President Kennedy and Khrushchev. Position of Brazil in Meeting of [OAS] Organ of Consultation.

516 – SUNDAY [sic—actually MONDAY, the 29th] – 0230hs – I was called upon by Secretary of State Dean Rusk, together with the ambassadors to the White House and the representatives of the Council of the Organization of American States, to transmit to our respective governments the development of provocative events in regard to the situation in Cuba. Secretary Rusk recapitulated the negotiations started by the UN secretary general [U Thant] and continued with the messages sent directly by Prime Minister Khrushchev, to conclude saying that the letter dated today, 28 of October, in which this chief of state presents real assurance to begin a compromise regarding the Cuban crisis to be an important contribution for peace. However, Secretary Rusk declared that one should not believe that the Cuban crisis is resolved, since it is not impossible that another Soviet message could come to be published tomorrow, presenting other conditions. I understood this declaration of the secretary of state as a prudent position in case of new demands on the part of Soviet leaders who advocate a “harder line” [“linha mais dura”], making them, the conditions established by Fidel Castro in the pronouncement already published by the world press. As concrete fact, Secretary Rusk communicated the texts of the message transmitted today by Premier Khrushchev and the response of President Kennedy. In this last document, President Kennedy praises the efforts already developed by the UN secretary general and expresses hope that the necessary measures would be taken, immediately, through that organization, conforming to the suggestions of Premier Khrushchev, in order that the US might suspend the quarantine presently in force. It was said the president is leaving to the cognizance of the organization of American States the facts that were related in the letter directed to the “Soviet Premier.” Naturally the president is referring to a meeting of the provisional Organ of Consultation to call, there are a few hours, for tomorrow, the 29th at 15 hours [3 p.m.]. However, at the end of a meeting at the Department of State it was decided to postpone the Meeting of the Organ of Consultation, under the pretext that they already have all information and no new facts exist, before the visit of U Thant to Cuba, scheduled for the day after tomorrow. I request to Your Excellency to orient me about the line of conduct I should assume in discussion of the next meetings of the Organ of Consultation.

JOSÉ BARREIROS