Evening star., 1961-01-14
Castro Hints
Al Softer Line
Under Kennedy
But Also Implies
He Moy Demand
Guantanamo Buy

HAVANA, Jan. II (AP). -
Prime Minister Fidel Castro has
extended Cuba's waning inva-
sion alert from January 1S to
January 20. the day President
elect Kennedy takes office.
Mr.. Castro hinted last night
at q labor rally that he wants
a reconciliation with the United
States after President Eisen-
hover leaves the White House
but that the United States
Navy base at Guantanamo Bay
might be his asking price.
Mr.. Castro said Cuban coast
defenses will still maintain
vigilance" after Mr.. Kennedy
is inaugurated. The full-scale
alert, now in its 18th day, ap-
parently will be called off.
There were signs fewer Gu
bans were being detailed to
watch the sea for an invasion
which the Prime Minister de-
clared would come from the
United States during Mr.. Eli
senhower's administration.
Some armed units were with
drawn from atop buildings and
along Havana's Seafront.
$4,000 ON Hand
President Osvaldo Dorticos
told the rally, which had been
advertised as a victory celebra-
ton over an invasion that never
came: The battle against the
invader has been won."
About 10000 persons, a small
crowd considering a week-long
government effort to whip up
enthusiasm, turned out to hear
Mr.. Castro.
He seemed to expect the two
year battle with the United
States would be laid aside the
instant Mr.. Kennedy takes Of
flee. But he indicated he also
wants changes in policies in
Washington.
"We have no points of fric-
tion with the incoming govern
ment," Mr.. Castro declared,
since all industries, all mines
and all banks are ours.
"The only problem is Guam
kanamo and we are In no hurry
about that base. It's their
headache because after break
ing relations with Cuba) the
position of the United States
before world opinion is unten-
able as regards the base"
Expects "Rectifying"
He added that the Kennedy
administration must rectify"
the United States position re-
garding Cuba's revolutionary
regime in the best interests Of |
the United States, Cuba and the |
world.
From the very first mo-
ment," he said, the Kennedy |
administration will "have to de-
termine what to do in respect to |
war criminals, foreign merce-
naries and military instructors.
This apparently referred to
reports that the United States
has financed a big air base in
Guatemala ana provided in
structors for troops alleged to
be training to attack Cuba.
This base he termed a "hot
potato" for the Kennedy ad-
ministration.
Mr.. Castro made an oblique
reference to help from the
Soviet Unions missile forces If
Cuba is attacked.
Our people will resist for
the length of time necessary so
that over the heads of the ag-
gressors will fall apocalyptic
lightning that could signify
their disappearance from the
earth." he declared.
Press Attacks Go On
The government controlled
press continued attacking
United States possession of
Guantanamo.
1t charged yesterday that a
Cuban worker at the base,
Manuel Prieto Gomez, 80, was
tortured by United States Navy
officers in an attempt to make
him confess to spying.
The Navy said Mr.. Prieto
Gomez was seized trying to
leave the base with payroll
records and was detained for
See CUBA, Page A-3