Telegram from the Brazilian Embassy in Washington (Campos)

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

TELEGRAM

RECEIVED

12619

FROM THE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON

ON/22/23/X/62

CONFIDENTIAL—EXTREMELY URGENT

DAC/DAS/600.(24h)

Question of Cuba.

770 – MONDAY – 19hs00 – Since yesterday, Sunday [21 October], [the mood has been] large and expectant in Washington, provoked by the sudden return to the capital of President Kennedy, who was on the electoral campaign, under the allegation that he had the flu; the return of President Kennedy coincided with the immediate meeting in Washington of the Vice-President [Lyndon B. Johnson], who was in Hawaii, of Adlai Stevenson and the Parliamentary [Congressional] leaders such as [Everett] Dirksen, [Leslie C.] Arends, [Charles A.] Halleck, [Bourke B.] Hinckenlooper and [J. William] Fulbright, the head [chair] of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate. I observed also that since yesterday there have been frequent meetings and consultations between the principal members and organs of the government, especially of the Department of State and the Pentagon. Until this moment nothing has transpired, but all leads to the [belief] that an elaborate decision of great significance is in progress. It is speculated that this decision may refer to Berlin or to Cuba or to the situation of the conflict between India and China. The facts however appear,  to indicate that it probably deals with Cuba; the aircraft carrier “Enterprise” was launched yesterday from the coast of Puerto Rico, sailing toward the south; one finds in the area of the Caribbean 20,000 men, 40 ships and 6,000 American naval riflemen in readiness; the Navy cancelled, suddenly, maneuvers that were planned, without much explication; the group of Cuban exiles, known as “Alpha 66,” shows itself each time more aggressive, appears disposed to attack English [British] ships in the Caribbean, already having undertaken military actions against the coasts of Cuba. I continue to think on the hypothesis of [word cut off] have verified some of the predicted cases of President Kennedy, which justify drastic actions on the part of the United States of America, such as the supply of offensive arms to Cuba or exportation of military equipment of Cuba for some countries of the Caribbean. The Council of International Security [National Security Council] met today at 1500hs with the President, who convened the Cabinet at 1600hs today. It is expected that Senator Fulbright will make a declaration this afternoon and the president himself will speak to the nation this evening at 19hs00, speculating about the possibility that he will announce the initiation of a blockade of Cuba.

ROBERTO DE OLIVEIRA CAMPOS