On 5 November 1963, the Special Group on Cuba Policy met to discuss a proposed relaxation of tensions between Cuba and the US. The Special Group was comprised of the Deputy Undersecretary of State Alexis Johnson, the Secretary of the Army Cyrus Vance, the Director of CIA John McCone and chaired by the President’s National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy. Fidel Castro’s reported interest in a relaxation of tensions had been brought to the attention of the Special Group by the American diplomat William Attwood who had good relations with Castro.
Bundy supported the idea of having Attwood meet with Castro to see what he had in mind. McCone, who was certainly aware of the 29 October plotting in Paris between CIA official Desmond Fitzgerald and Cuban official Rolando Cubela, was not supportive. McCone suggested that the President’s brother, Attorney General Bobby Kennedy, as well as the CIA’s Richard Helms join the 5 November Special Group meeting.
At the meeting, the President’s brother emphasized that Cuba needed to take some fundamental steps such as ending subversion in Latin America before any serious discussions about a relaxation of tensions could proceed. [1]
As a result of Bobby Kennedy’s strong comments, the Special Group deferred further consideration of the matter till a later date.
[1] Memorandum for the Record: Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Group, 5 November 1963