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, TOP SEeR E I launch strikes against Cuba. Apparently there was some discussion of limiting use of this base to only two or three days -- at least some of the State De- partment people pushed this idea -- but WH/4 pointed out that it was inconceivable in view of the nature of the planned air operations, that the air support operation could be in and out of Nicaragua in this period. It was pointed out to Willauer that efforts had been made to get permission to use US bases, or other closer bases to Cuba than Nicaragua, but with- out success. Willauer, himself was positive that no US bases would be made available for the strike against Castro. One other interesting aspect of this initial meeting with Willauer, concerned the transition be- tween the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. willauer stressed that the ground rule at the Depart- ment of State was that the Kennedy p€ople could not be sought out to discuss specific problems unless they initiated requests for information, and it was Willauer's opinion: That the only practical way to get de- cisions on the project before 20 January would be to have the Director [the DCI], - 181 - ":fori 5ECRE (