Evening star., 1962-12-20

LlC hlFOlNCAllGAlO VI OiAC
the negotiations can be dem'
of the statements and activit
ment officials since negotia-
tions began shortly after the
abortive invasion Of Cuba in
April, 1861.
Reports from Havana indi-
cate the negotiators may be
very close to securing the re-
lease of the Cubans captured
in the United States-directed
invasion. Fidel Castro, in ex-
change for $53-million worth
of food, drugs and equipment,
may send the men back to the
United States before Christ
mas. probably Sunday.
James B. Donovan, the chief
negotiator for the release of
the prisoners, returned to Ha-
vana today after a night in
Miami.
He expressed continuing op-
timism before departing Ha-
vana for a quick trip to Miami
last night. In a statement at
that time Mr.. Donovan said he
submitted to Mr.. Castro a pre-
liminary list of medicines and
drugs already contributed to the
American Red Cross for ship
ment to Cuba. And the Castro
government prepared an ana.
lysis of the list.
Mr.. Donovan had that analy-
sis with him when he flew tC
Miami to obtain the latest list
of additional contributions.
President Kennedy has tried
to disassociate himself from
the negotiating committees ef-
forts. This is being done by
the private committee" he
said at his December IL news
conference, land ] am very
sympathetic to their efforts. /"
But the committee, to stage
the kind of operation the ex-
change involves, would need
more than sympathy from the
President.
The American Red Cross has
reported that railroads, airlines
and trucking firms are work.
ing round-the-clock to push
the thousands Of pounds Of food
and medicine into Florida for
quick shipment to Cuba in case
the deal is completed.
Attorney Generals Role
There have been reports that
the Presidents brother. Attor-
ney General Robert F. Kennedy
is directing the Government
operation in support Of the
committee and Mr.. Donovan.
In New York business sources
said that Attorney General
Kennedy had made the requests
for some of the food and drugs
being readied for shipment tc
Cuba.
These sources said Mr.. Ken
hedy described himself as act
ing as a private person, rather
than as an administration Of
ficial. Mr.. Kennedy told the
sources, they said, that the op-
Grafton had the full support oi
the President but there were
legal objections to the direct
participation Of the President
They said the Attorney Gen.
eral also told them Mr.. Castro
might raise his price II he be-
lieved the Government, rather
than private parties, was sup
plying the food and drugs.
Advice Given
Last night, Edwin o. Guth-
man, public information officer
for the Justice Department
acknowledged that II and the
Internal Revenue Service made
staff members available 10 ad-
wise lawyers working with Mr.
Donovan on tax questions anc
similar matters.
I'VE have been expeditinf
rulings and assisting II in ar
advisory way, but II is entirely
a committee operation" ht
said.
Mr.. Guthman was asked foi
comment after DR.. ArnolC
Beckman, president Of Beckmar
Instrument Co. OF Fullerton
Calf. said a Washington at,
torney called him from the Jus
tice Department and asked foI
100000 worth Of equipment.
Mr.. Beekman called the ex
change Castro blackmail
not In keeping with the dig
nifty OF the United States"
Mr.. Beckman would no
identify the lawyer. He said N
attorney told him he repre-
sented the Cuban Familie
Committee and the Red Crosi
Mr.. Guthman said privat
lawyers working on the eS
change had used Justice d.
partment phones, but that u