2/8/1961

“FEB 8, 1961: In a memo to the President [John F. Kennedy], McGeorge Bundy [National Security Adviser] highlights the difference of opinion on the Cuba operation between the State Department, and CIA and Defense: Defense and CIA now feel quite enthusiastic about the invasion from Guatemala. At worst, they think the invaders would get into the mountains, and at best they think they might get a full-fledged civil war in which we could then back the anti-Castro forces openly. The State Department takes a much cooler view, primarily because of its belief that the political consequences would be very grave both in the United Nations and in Latin America. Bundy notes that he and Richard Goodwin [Advisor] ‘join in believing that there should certainly not be an invasion adventure without careful diplomatic soundings’ which are likely to support the position of the State Department.”

“The Bay of Pigs Invasion/Playa Giron: A Chronology of Events,” The National Security Archive, NSArchive2.gwu.edu