Telegram from Yugoslav Embassy in Rio de Jeneiro (Barišić) to Yugoslav Foreign Ministry

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FPRY

Sending: Rio

Received: 27.X 62. at 08.40

No. 401

Taken into process: 27.X 62. at 08.40

Date: 26.X 1962

Completed: 27.X 62. at 09.00

Telegram

15

very urgent

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Comrade [Yugoslav Foreign Minister] Koča [Popović]. Talks with [Brazilian Foreign Ministry official Carlos A.] Bernardes on the 26th of October.

They were informed by the US embassy that the work on the missile launching pads was being carried on day and night and that if the work didn’t stop in the next 24 to 48 hours, bombardment of these sites could be expected. B. thinks that these works are against invasion and not for nuclear missiles launching pads. They have information that there is euphoria in the US after sending back some of the Russian ships, which he considers equal to the war victory and that Kennedy has reached the top of his popularity. They are afraid that euphoria could make the US intensify a conflict that could lead to invasion, because the US ambassador [Lincoln Gordon] claims constantly that the solution to this crisis is not only disarmament of Cuba, but also liquidation of Fidel’s regime. The Soviet charge d’ affaires told on 26th of October to President Goulart that in case of the invasion of Cuba the USSR would attack some of the neighboring counties, e.g. Turkey. Your liaison officer 434660 delivered him the need of permanent initiative and of activation of the UN. They are proposing [Brazilian UN Ambassador Afonso] Arinos to suggest deatomization [denuclearization] of LA and Africa through one of the nonaligned members of the SC [Security Council] (Chile, Ghana and UAR [United Arab Republic; Egypt]). They have the impression that the USA won’t be against and that Cuba also accepts the idea. In coordination with his government Santiago Dantas gave an interview to the NY Times in which he developed his thesis on neutralization of Cuba, which he had already given as the Brazilian foreign minister in P[unta]. Del Este [at the OAS meeting in January 1962]. They are waiting to see if the NY Times will publish the interview and what the reaction will be; then both governments would make official steps to[ward] neutralization giving guarantees to Cuba.

The American Embassy is exerting pressure, using its military circles, to bind Brazil stronger to American plans as well as putting pressure on the government. Military dispositive gave resistance to various intrigues, so the government reacts more freely to the situation. [Brazilian President João] Goulart is preparing his response to Kennedy for today or tomorrow, in which he will stress his beliefs in the principles of self-determination and non-intervention. Santiago [Dantas] is absolutely convinced that there will be no invasion, while Goulart is a pessimist.

Barišić