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, and its conviction of its legal inter- national rights. I suggest th:t this Agency make known to the State Department its feelings in this matter, as described above (if ad- dres~ agree). I realize that consider- able discussion could be waged in terms of legally and/or logically presenting our case. This memorandum is not intended to meet these requirements. One observation that might be included is the fact that the current Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Arleigh Burke, has on at least ~~o occasions in U.S. mass media of sizable circulation stated that the United States would not tolerate any invasion of Guantanamo or hostile abroga- tion of our treaty arrangements to the base. I believe it is significant to note that no responsible member of the Executive Branch (including the President of the United States) has contradicted his state- ments ~ On the basis of this evidence, it would appear to me that the official overt position of the United States is crystal clear and we need not at this time place ourselves in a position of indebtedness or vulnerability with any other Latin American nation in terms of the Guantan- arne issue. 109/ . By early November 1960 Secretary of State, Christian Herter, had cecided that the matter of Guantanamo needed to be discussed at a higher level; an~consequently, he introduced the subject on the agenda for the National Security Council meeting of 7 November 1960. The Secretary emphasized the need for coordination of mi:i~ary and political planning - 122 -