◆ SpookStack

~p 3EClrrT Perhaps best illustrative of the merry-go-round which the Special Group had been riding for at least two months was Willauer's closing statement: In our discussions we weighed without coming to a conclusion the advantages of a rapid, effective action by direct war in terms of getting matters over with without a long buildup of world opinion vs. the inevitability of such a build up under any seven month program. 38/ Having reviewed the meetings during the last few weeks of the Eisenhower administration, it is interesting to review the comments of some of those who were principally involved, as they looked back on that period. One of the most immediate responses was found in Fidel Castro's virtuoso performance for the Cuban television audience on 23 April 1961 when he explained the invasion to them. Among other things, Castro claimed: That on certain occasions, we have also been in danger ?f direct aggression. This danger always has been lurking about us and at certain times has gathered consider- able support in the minds of leading circles of the United States. One of those moments when this type of direct aggression was very near was at the end of December [1960] and the beginning of [January 1961], and that is to say, during the last days of the Eisenhower administration. 40/ - 198 - ~t::CREI