Annex No. 18 Memorandum for General Taylor

18 26 April 1961 MEMORANDUM FOR: General Maxwell D. Taylor 1. Following is the text of a precedence EMERGENCY cable sent to Col. Jack Hawkins (USMC) at Puerto Cabezas on 13 April 1961 by the Project chief: (a) Please advise EMERGENCY precedence if your experi- ences during the last few days have in any way changed your evaluation of the Brigade. (b) For your information: The President has stated that under no conditions will U. S. intervene with any U. s. forces. 2. Following is the text of Col. Hawkins' reply of the same day: (a) My observations the last few days have increased my confidence in the ability of this force to accomplish not only initial combat missions but also the ultimate objective of Castro's overthrow. (b) Reference (Paragraph 1 above) arrived during the final briefing of the Brigade and Battalion commanders. They now know all details of the plan and are enthusiastic. These officers are young, vigorous, intelligent and motivated with a fanatical urge to begin battle for which most of them have been preparing in the rugged conditions of training camps for almost a years I have talked to many of them in their language. Without exception, they have utmost confidence in their ability to win. They say they know their own people and believe after they have inflicted one serious defeat upon opposing forces, the latter will melt away from Castro, who they have no wish to support. They say it is Cuban tradition to join a winner and they have supreme con- fidence they will win all engagements against the best Castro has to offer. I share their confidence. DECLASSIPIED FRUS 1961-63 YOL X 000 - 84m - MORK NARA. Dato 4/19/96 tor 1.... cori 5. 9y