248. Memorandum From Arnold Nachmanoff of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2
SUBJECT:
- Cuban Intercept of Panamanian-flag Vessel
A Panamanian-flag vessel, the Johnny Express, is being pursued and fired upon in Bahamian territorial waters by a Cuban PT type boat. The Johnny Express is owned by Bahama Lines, Miami, the same line which owns the vessel which was seized in international waters by the Cubans on December 5. That ship is still being held in Nipe Bay. The ships are owned by Mike Baboun, a Cuban exile, who has been active for some time in exile activities. The Cubans suspect that his ships have been offering support to Cuban exile raids against Cuba.
State is in touch with the British to determine if they will take any action since the boat is in Bahamian waters. The Captain of the ship, a US citizen, and two crewmembers have been wounded thus far. Information thus far has been coming via the ship’s radio; indications, however, are that the ship’s radio communications are now out. The Coast Guard has sent two planes and a helicopter to the area to observe the situation.
The Panamanian Ambassador has requested that we send a helicopter down for strictly humanitarian purposes to take the Captain off the ship. The Ambassador, however, currently is trying to get the British to provide the helicopter before coming back to us with the request.
I will keep you informed of further developments.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 781, Country Files, Latin America, Cuba, Vol. III, 1971. Confidential. Sent for information. A handwritten note at the top of the memorandum reads: “HAK has seen.”↩
- Nachamanoff informed Kissinger that a Panamanian-flagged vessel, the Johnny Express was being pursued by a Cuban naval vessel.↩