RFK wanted to lift Cuba travel ban

[John Geraghty]

I found this article and document while doing a website appraisal for my American History course in College.

Its in the national security archive so I assume everything is legitimate!

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB158/index.htm

In December 1963 RFK wanted to lift the travel ban to cuba as he thought that it was not in keeping with the states code of conduct on freedom.

I wonder what the motivation, if any wa behind this, and so soon after his brothers death.

John

[John Dolva]

I found this article and document while doing a website appraisal for my American History course in College.

Its in the national security archive so I assume everything is legitimate!

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB158/index.htm

In December 1963 RFK wanted to lift the travel ban to cuba as he thought that it was not in keeping with the states code of conduct on freedom.

I wonder what the motivation, if any wa behind this, and so soon after his brothers death.

John

John, I came across something about this earlier in the year, as it's not an area I'm focusing on I can only offer the context according to my memory as being a possible avenue to look at, It was about a response to lot's of students getting into trouble when returning from group travels to Cuba, I got the impression that Robert recognised the stupidity of the whole thing and was trying to rectify it.

EDIT:: response to poist below.

Yes that's how I read it. Kennedy operated on multiple levels publicly and privately. On the whoile I'd say he was a sane person with an aim of dealing with 'the bad guys' by showing better and thus effecting change, Up to the point of having to put foot down, of course. Not a cold warrior, and Robert just kept on a' la John.(actually personally I think theres argument for Robert being the intellectual powerhouse of the duo, and John the politician)

Edited December 20, 2005 by John Dolva

[John Geraghty]

Hi John,

It does mention in the text that RFK said that if the ban was not lifted it would result in ridiculous mass indictments.

But why would he worry about this so soon after his brothers death, and was this plan in place while JFK was in the white house, perhaps a sign of peace brokering?

John

[Richard J. Smith]

Hi John,

It does mention in the text that RFK said that if the ban was not lifted it would result in ridiculous mass indictments.

But why would he worry about this so soon after his brothers death, and was this plan in place while JFK was in the white house, perhaps a sign of peace brokering?

John

John,

As you know, the peace brokering was well in effect throughout 1963, through Attwood, Lisa Howard, Jean Daniel, Carlos Lechuga, etc. It makes one wonder regarding the allegations in Ultimate Sacrifice that the Kennedys were secretly planning a 2nd invasion of Cuba while secretly offering an olive branch to Castro through back door diplomacy.

RJS

[John Simkin]

I found this article and document while doing a website appraisal for my American History course in College.

Its in the national security archive so I assume everything is legitimate!

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB158/index.htm

In December 1963 RFK wanted to lift the travel ban to cuba as he thought that it was not in keeping with the states code of conduct on freedom.

I wonder what the motivation, if any wa behind this, and so soon after his brothers death.

Interesting document. The date is very important considering what we know about the AMWORLD project. It seems that even after the death of JFK, he was still in favour of negotiation rather than overthrow. It would seem he did not take seriously the idea that Castro was behind his brother's death.

[John Geraghty]

Here are two further examples of JFK trying to open talks with Castro, firstly there is a tape recording with McGeorge Bundy taped 17 days before JFKs assassination in Dallas in which they discuss the possibility of a secret meeting with castro in Havana, http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB103/index.htm .

Castro sent LBJ a letter through Lisa Howard stating "that there are no areas of contention between us that cannot be discussed and settled within a climate of mutual understanding," and expresses hope that Johnson will win the November presidential election and continue with the Kennedy Administration's rapproachment effort.

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/bayofpigs/index.html

These would surely indicate that Castro was of a like mind to Kennedy and would not be involved in an assassination attempt, this also provides motive for CIA and anti-castro involvement.

John