◆ SpookStack

74, (Continued) Nee DOP-SECRET 30, 21 Oct 62 B. In any case it is prudent to assume that when the missiles are otherwise operational, nuclear warheads will be available, Based on known voyages of ships, we believe: at least 8,000 Soviet military and about 3,000 non- military personnel are now in Cuba, A. This matches fairly well with our estimate that the Soviets would need about 10,000 military for the assembly activity now going on. We think this total will rise to about 14,000 when all weapons systems now in Cuba are oper- ational, In addition, there are upward of 500 Soviet military advisers and technicians with the Cuban armed forces. In summary, Cuban-based missiles give the USSR a significantly increased capability for attack on targets in the U.S. A. For retaliatory or second-strike purposes, Cuban-based missiles suffer by virtue of their soft configuration, being easily targeted, and being easily eliminated without reducing US forces now programmed against the USSR. For pre-emptive or first strike purposes, Cuban missiles have an advantage over Soviet- -l1z- “POP-SECRET