◆ SpookStack

.J:OP SECR2"t:T In one of the longer and more detailed papers being prepared toward the close of the Eisenhower administration, the State Department drafted the polit- ical action recommendations and suggested collective action through the Organization of American States to effect the ouster of Castro. Failing in that, State then outlined a unilateral political action program for the United States. The paramilitary and covert action segments of this paper were prepared by the CIA. Neither the State nor the CIA paper introduced ideas that had not been thoroughly dis- cussed. These recommendations were made just as if the Secretary of State, the Special Group, and the President had approved, or would approve, the courses of action that were being outlined. This being the ca~e, it was suggested that the concurrence of the President-elect should be sought for the proposed program. In the best of all possible worlds on~ could hardly find fault with this optimistic approach -- in the pragmatic world it is difficult to under- stand that anyone would go on record with the expec- tation that such recommendations might be followed - 175 - TOP 51'!CRE I