Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-09
Several
Thousand
Due to Go
BY the Associated Press

The Soviet Union has re-
newed its promise that be-
tween now and next week end
several thousand Russian
troops will be sailing home
from Cuba.
Soviet Ambassador Antoly s.
Dobrynin put the pledge pub
licly on the record late yes
terday, telling newsmen at the
State Department:
II have already mentioned
to Secretary Rusk that we
will withdraw several thousand
troops. We will do what
we promised we will do"
Earlier in the day, the Sec
Rotary of State had told a news
conference that the outflow of
Russian soldiers from Cuba was
already under way and enough
Russian ships are moving to
Cuba to carry out the several
thousand military men.
How many is several thou
sand?" Neither Mr.. Rusk nor
Mr.. Dobrynin would be more
specific.
1t was last month when
Washington first got word from
the Kremlin that it intended to
withdraw several thousand
troops by mid March.
Personnel Identified
Moscow, according to a Feb
ruary 81 White House an
nouncement, identified the per-
sonnet to be withdrawn as the
troops who had guarded often
sive weapons. plus some spe-
cialists who have been training
Cubans.
Since then there have been
reports of Russians leaving
Cuba. and some Government
sources said 1t appeared that a
few troops were leaving each
day. But on Wednesday, Presi-
dent Kennedy said at a news
conference the withdrawal was
moving too slowly to please
him.
United States authorities have
estimated there we're $4,000
Russian military personnel-in-
GLIDING technicians-in Cuba
at the peak of the crisis last
fall.
About 5000 of the Russians
were reported to have left with
the removal of Soviet offensive
missiles and bombers, leaving
according to Washington's
count-about 1900.
One Problem at a Time
The United States position is
that there should be no Rus
sian military personnel in Cuba.
But for now, Washington IS
concentrating on the current
withdrawal. crossing its bridges
one at a time.
Mr.. Rusk said the United
States Government would make
an assessment somewhat later"
as to Just what the current
withdrawal amounts to.
Meanwhile. words were still
flying in Congress over Cuba,
past. present and future. And
Senate Democratic Leader
Mansfield tried to stem some
of them. He urged Senators
yesterday TO weigh their words
and Judge whether they might
help drive the people and the
President toward war"
In his appeal, Senator Mans
field said there is room for
"dispassionate debate" but he
protested against charges
STEPPED in politics, panic and
perversion Of facts"
Arends Won't Let Up
AS Democrats were appealing
for less talk about Cuba, the
Republicans No. 2 man in the
House. Representative Arends
OF Illinois. announced he viii
lambaste the President early
and often" until he comes
clean about what really led
up TO the Cuban missile crisis,
1t was Mr.. Arends' speech.
sharply critical Of Mr.. Kennedy,
made Monday In st. Petersburg,
Fla. which drew the wrath OF
Democratic leaders.
Senate Democratic Whip
Humphrey said Mr.. Arends
should have spoken UP at BIZ
partisan White House briefings.
The time 10 be brave Is
when you are facing the Presi-
dent" Senator Humphrey said.
He called Mr. Arends' speech