◆ SpookStack

87. (Continued) SUMMARY CONTENTS 24 October 1962 1. We do not believe the measures to achieve a higher degree of action readiness for Soviet and bloc forces are being taken on a crash basis. Communist re- action to the US quarantine action against Cuba has not gone beyond the highly critical but uncommitting state- ment issued yesterday by the Soviet government. 2. Surveillance of Cuba indicates continued rapid progress in completion of IRBM and MRBM missile sites. No new sites have been discovered. Buildings believed to afford nuclear storage are being assembled with great rapidity. Cuban naval units have been ordered to block- ing positions at Banes and Santiago Bays. 3. Survey of Soviet shipping shows 16 dry cargo and 6 tanker ships en route to Cuba. Of these 22, nine are in positions which would permit arrival by the end of October. hree ships have hatches suitable for mis-— Sile handling 4, Official world reaction shows a generally favor- able response to the US action, particularly in Latin America. The OAS representatives approved a resolution endorsing the quarantine without opposition, one absten- tion was due to lack of instructions. 5. There are no indications of any Soviet aircraft movements to Cuba,