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# CONTINUATION OF DISPATCHSECRETOSYA-23,406known department stores. RUIZ checked with GALLO, his deputy, on the propor clothes for diplomatic functions in Madrid and an appointment was to be made with a tailor. Nilda declared that the apartment where CALZADILLA and his family had lived economically was inadequate and they decided to look for a chalet, something very spacious and well-priced. They subsequently seriously considered one known to rent for 30,000 pesetas ($500) per month and then turned it down, apparently for reasons other than price. A new tolex machine was ordered for the Embassy. The technician stated they could install a teletype that could only receive, not send, messages but this seemed acceptable.3. On Monday, 4 December 1967, the day after his arrival, RUIZ ordered the Cuban consuls in Barcelona, Sevilla and Vigo to Madrid for a meeting. The order was couched in terms of "wanting to meet" thêm, but after their arrival on Wednesday, 6 December, all partics settled down to a detailed meeting in which primary attention was given to administrative matters, trade and propaganda. The latter two subjects will be dealt with in separate dispatches. On the administrative side, RUIZ listened sympathetically to complaints about low salaries, old buildings and inadequate operating budgets and concluded by asking for a monthly report on receipts and expenses and a report on the consuls' current needs, their monthly balances and their administrative activities. The printing and telephone bills were the two items of expense that kept recurring throughout the discussions.4. By the end of the week, RUIZ had prepared a report on the situation he found in the Chancerry and the mission in general for forwarding to Havana and which he first discussed with his subordinates. He started by assuring them that he had "found great co-operation among all the comrades in this mission" and declared that the staff was complete. Apparently, RUIZ intends to make no personnel changes and Hector GALLO Portieles, who had previously been most eager to return PCS to Havana, now has gone to Havana on vacation. He left Madrid on the 20 December 1967 Iberia flight.5. The Cuban mission has certain financial problems since the present budget dates from previous yer's and does not cover current expenses. However, the "new economic activities of the consulate" are expected to assist with the problem. Here RUIZ is presumably referring to the pressure brought to bear in November 1967 by Cuban sympathizers in the Spanish Foreign Office working through the Customs and the Immigration Office to force Cuban exiles to register with the Cuban consulate and pay the $22.50 fee for a valid passport. Enough exiles have responded to this pressure to relieve some of the financial problems of the Cuban mission. This source of income will last as long as the Cubans' friends in the Foreign Ministry are able to assist them.6. The reception of Cuban official travelers at the airport and the handling of Embassy pouches poses a continuing administrative problem for the Embassy. Jose. DIAZ Puga, who is in charge of this airport work has to devote himself exclusively to taking care of the couriers and their pouches when any come in, leaving visitors to fend for themselves. This situation has been alleviated by other Embassy staff members jaunting out to the airport at will to meet the incoming planes. Now, RUIZ has declared that the rest of the staff must stay in the Embassy because they have a work plan to fulfill. Thus, he has left himself with an unresolved problem he must face in the very near future.