dodis.ch/15005

Der amerikanische Staatssekretär, Ch. A. Herter, an den schweizerischen Botschafter in Washington, A. Lindt1

I have the honour to inform Your Excellency the Ambassador of Switzerland2 that on January 2, 1961 the Government of Cuba decided to limit the personnel of the Embassy and Consulate of the United States in the City of Habana, regardless of nationality, to eleven persons.

This unwarranted action by the Government of Cuba places crippling limitations on the ability of the United States Mission to carry on its normal diplomatic and consular functions. It would consequently appear that it is designed to achieve an effective termination of diplomatic and consular relations between the Government of Cuba and the Government of the United States.

Accordingly, the Government of the United States is notifying the Government of Cuba of the termination of such relations3.

The United States Government would therefore be most grateful if the Swiss Government would assume diplomatic and consular reprensentation in Cuba4 on behalf of the United States, subject to the agreement by the Government of Cuba to this arrangement5.

The Department of State wishes to assure the Swiss Government that the

United States Government will assume all necessary expenses in connection with the protection of its interests. In that connection the United States

Government desires that when possible the Swiss Government render the following services in the Republic of Cuba:

1. In the case of indigent American citizens, to offer such financial assistance as has received prior approval in each case from the Department of State;

2. To answer inquiries concerning welfare and whereabouts of American citizens;

3. In the event of distress or physical danger, to render all possible assistance to those persons who have previously established their American citizenship and make detailed reports in each case including death reports to the Department of State;

4. To conserve personal estates of deceased United States citizens, making reports upon request;

5. To perform notarial services on the basis of accommodation;

6. To make payments to the payees of federal benefits;

7. To forward visa and passport applications and correspondence pertaining thereto for processing by the Department of State;

8. To inform the United States Department of State of any requests or representations made by the Government of Cuba under any agreements between the United States and Cuba.

Information concerning United States citizens and their interests in Cuba will be furnished the Swiss Embassy at Habana by the American Embassy at Habana.

The Swiss Government is also requested to accept custody and undertake protection of United States Government property in the Republic of Cuba consisting of real estate and storage items, a list of which will also be provided by the American Embassy at Habana.

It will also be appreciated if the Swiss Government will undertake to supervise to the extent feasible the packing and forwarding of whatever personal effects of United States official personnel remain to be packed.

It is anticipated that the Swiss Government may desire to employ for custodial work some of the non-American personnel who are now in the pay of the United States Embassy at Habana. In that event it is understood that such personnel become Swiss employees who will be responsible to the Swiss authorities and who will be paid with funds which the United States makes available to the Swiss Government for that purpose. These salaries will, of course, not be subject to deductions for United States Civil Service retirement.

The Department of State will be very grateful for early notification that the Republic of Cuba has agreed to permit the Swiss Government to assume diplomatic and consular representation and take other action in behalf of the

United States in Cuba as described above.6