Editors' Note: A year ago this week on Oct.
t2, 1962 the United States imposed its block
ade of Cuba to break the dangerous buildup of
Russian military power on the island. This show
of strength impressed Khrushchev, and he even
tually backed down. But in the meantime the
world teetered on the brink of possible nuclear
war. No one who lived through those awful days
last October will ever forget how the evil designs
of Cuba's fanatical dictator, Fidel Castro, can
affect all of us. Here is a personal appraisal of
this dangerous man, who still works to destroy
our way of life, by the American who probably
knows him best.
By BILL SURFACE
Fidel castro glared suspiciously
from behind a long table at the
Presidential Palace in Havana as he
was introduced to James B. Donovan,
the stocky, white-haired New York
lawyer.
Donovan was there to ransom the 1,163 Bay
of Pigs invasion prisoners. But Castro's hostility
indicated he might actually believe Havana tele
vision's warnings that "Agent Donovan is in
Havana camouflaging another invasion."
The Cuban demagogue's eyes, already agitated,
seemed to boil when he met Donovan's two
stony-faced Cuban interpreters botf' fathers
of invasion prisoners. This is going t' be a hos
tile day, Donovan said to himself.
Castro, a born orator, launched i , a fiery
anti-American speech. Donovan systematically
countered, breaking Fidel's momen.um by re
questing translations. The confronts .ion dragged
on for four hours but accomplished lothing. "We
only felt each other out and part id," Donovan
said when I interviewed him recently.
But fortunately, 15 meaningful sometimes
even amiable discussions stretching over five
weeks followed, as Castro and Donovan nego
tiated for the release of the invaders plus 7,300
relatives and political prisoners. Thus, Donovan's
personal evaluation of Castro is, in all probabil
ity, the only accurate, current portrait we have
of the inflammable Cuban dictator.
Donovan related his Cuban adventures to me
as he relaxed in his New York office. On his desk
Family Wrrkly. Orfotwr JO. IH1
fj) James B. Donovan
flfL Reveals:
"The Castro
I Know"
. L