CASTRO’S OFFER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29518, 20 May 1961, Page 11

CASTRO’S OFFER

No Comment By U.S.

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, May 18. The United States returned a terse “No comment” to day to the Cuban Prime Minister, Dr. Fidel Castro’s proposal that President Kennedy ransom antiCastro prisoners with bulldozers, the Associated Press reported. Dr. Castro said in a speech last night, after claiming Mr Kennedy had supported the abortive April 17 invasion, that captured invaders could be ransomed. Referring to Mr Kennedy, he said: “Let him send 500 bulldozers and we will send them back.” Cuban reports said there were more than 1000 prisoners in Dr. Castro's hands. At the United States State Department, Dr. Castro’s statement received careful scrutiny. The press officer. Mr Lincoln White, said: “I have no comment. The statement speaks for itself.” He avoided giving any indication either that the Castro declaration would receive coonsideration or would be rejected. It seemed evident that United States authorities were not certain whether Dr. Castro might seriously intend to exchange men for bulldozers or whether he was merely trying to embarrass Mr Kennedy with a new propaganda twist, Associated Press said. American trade with Cuba was embargoed, except for food and medical shipments. (Earlier report: Page 14)