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October 28, 1962

Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko's Instructions to the USSR representative at the United Nations

In relation to the information which you received about U Thant's conversations with the Cuban representative [Garcia] Inchaustegi, you must be guided by the following:
First. You must declare to U Thant that orders have been given to the Soviet officers in Cuba to take down the emplacements which the Americans characterize as offensive weapons. Declare also that by itself, it goes without saying that any type of work related to the creation of such emplacements has already ceased.
Second. Also inform U Thant about the Soviet government's agreement to his proposal that representatives of the International Red Cross be allowed to visit the Soviet ships bound for Cuba in order to confirm that on them there are none of the types of weapons about which the President and government of the USA show concern, calling them offensive weapons. In this regard it is intended that the stated representatives will be conveyed to both Soviet ships and to the ships of neutral countries. You must inform U Thant, for his personal information, that on those Soviet ships which at the present time are bound for Cuba, there are no weapons at all.
Stress that the Soviet government has taken all these steps so as not to step on the negotiations, which have begun on U Thant's initiative, between him and the representatives of the USSR, USA, and Cuba, aimed at liquidating the dangerous situation which has developed.
As far as the issue of the possibility of U Thant's journey to Cuba with a group of aides and experts is concerned, it goes without saying that the answer should be given by the Government of Cuba.
Tell U Thant that in our opinion, his journey to Cuba with a group of accompanying officials would have a positive significance.
Telegraph upon implementation.

[handwritten]
28. X [illegible initials, presumably Gromyko's]

[Source: AVP RF, copy courtesy of NSA; translation by Mark H. Doctoroff.]

Gromyko sends instructions to Zorin regarding negotiations and UN inspections in Cuba.


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AVP RF, copy courtesy of NSA; translation by Mark H. Doctoroff

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2011-11-20

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111845