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TOP SECRET· sugar industry, King's paper did reflect considerable emphasis on disruption of that economic sector. Another item which Col. King saw fit to include in his memorandum was the following: We have available, a drug, which, if placed in Castro's food, would make him behave in such an irrational manner that a public appearance could have very damag- ing results to him.* 36/ Even as the Special Group was planning its ses- sions on the anti-Castro program, so, too, was the National Security Council being geared up for discus- sions of the same situation. Again, there was great concern over the question of possible loss of prestige should the US act independently of the international organizations. There also was interest in protecting us business and in the protection of US lives, and the question of viability of the Guantanamo Base was of considerable concern to the President's National Security adviser, Gordon Gray. The policy that Gray was advised to recommend to the National Security Council regarding US bases stated: Take action as necessary, including military action, to insure the continued *~ For comments on this subject see Part VII of this volume. - 63 -