17: QDDALE
An October 2, 1959 dispatch from Miami’s CIA Western Hemisphere Division (WHD) Representative Patrick I. Karnley to the CIA’s WHD Chief J.C. King refers to William Douglas Pawley as QDDALE, the cryptonym established for him by the CIA’s Clandestine Services. Karnley reported that Pawley wished he had a tape recording of his meeting with wealthy Cuban exile Fabio Freye who seeks to topple Castro. Karnley’s dispatch also mentioned a discussion of staging an invasion against Castro from an uninhabited British island, but it was assumed the British government would balk at its usage.1
Eleven days later the CIA’s Martha Tharpe (Margarite Forsythe) recapped discussions of the use of the British island of Nassau and noted that “QDDALE is a prominent U.S. businessman in Miami with good contacts among Cuban exile groups.”2
The QD prefix appears to relate to anti-Castro activities within Cuba. In 1998, the National Archives Kennedy Assassination Collection contained 49 QDDALE documents from 1960 to 1964 in addition to 978 Pawley documents which first appear in 1950.3
A September 4th cable expressed CIA Headquarters “interested learning more about QDBIAS group in Cuba. Proceed as suggested taking due precautions through use of cutout to protect ODACID [U.S. State Department] from charges of abetting counterrevolutionaries.”
A comment noted that Havana
“Station officers had met with
Angel Ros ... a member of the QDBIAS group.”5 Angel Sebastian Ros Escala was the national coordinator of the MRR and a splinter group, who would flee to
Miami several months later and become AMPALM-10.6 (In the years that followed he became a
double agent for Castro using the name Raul Gonzalez.)7
Another exile, Emilio Nunez Portuondo, visited William Pawley and “solicited support of this Agency [CIA] for his planned overthrow of the Cuban Government. However, he had been given no encouragement or support of his activities.”8 Nunez wanted General Jose Eleuterio Pedraza who had amassed thousands of exile troops in the Dominican Republic to lead the invasion.9
The CIA’s Chief of the Western Hemisphere Division J.C. King interviewed Pawley “who is obviously very free giving his opinions, is also a staunch believer in the value of a certain kind of dictatorship for certain Latin American countries. He seems to be a very staunch supporter of the regime of the Dominican Republic.” In fact, Pawley invited King to go there as his guest. Pawley “is apparently a frequent visitor to the Dominican Republic and talks directly to Trujillo. Also he has a great many interests there; his brother resides there permanently; and he tells me he has a rather large group of geologists at work in the Dominican Republic.” King wondered “how aggressively should information be solicited from Mr. Pawley here?”10
According to Rudolph Gomez, “Nunez was making many wild and dangerous statements; for example, he had said that Pawley was part of a group of Americans who had investments in Cuba and wealthy Cubans who were active in an opposition movement against Castro; that Nunez had said that Pawley had offered Trujillo three million dollars, which money was to be used to support an invasion of Cuba from the Dominican Republic; that this invasion had the support of the United States Government, but Trujillo did not go through with it because Pawley never gave him the three million.”
Pawley believed Nunez was “trying to destroy any efforts which Pawley is making to straighten out the Cuban situation.” Pawley wanted J.C. King to “threaten him with expulsion from the United States if he does not stop his agitation tactics.”11 Two weeks earlier Pawley had dined with Vice President Nixon and met with CIA Director Dulles and vented his frustrations.12
Pawley also “spoke briefly of his break with Nunez Portuondo and provided” a transcript of their January 13, 1960 telephone conversation. He also provided “a brief summary of Nunez activities since 1 Jan 1959” and stated that plans “have been made for a ‘bond issue’ to raise funds for the conduct of anti-Castro activities ... Fabio Freyre is handling this detail and the bonds have already gone to the printer” Pawley intended “to buy US$100 thousand worth.”
Pawley also noted that “the acquisition of the island in the Caribbean has been temporarily stymied by reason of the fact that Howard Hughes presently holds the lease on the island and that, despite efforts by very highly placed people, Hughes to date has not been located.” The island could provide a place for aircraft, particularly helicopters, which can be used for sea pick-up in exfiltrating and infiltrating people in Cuba.” Pawley “is presently in the process of forming a ‘paper’ company for the purpose of holding the lease on the island.” On another front, “Diaz-Tamayo is presently forming a Cuban group which will ostensibly be a social club but in fact will be a cover for Diaz-Tamayo’s activity in developing counter- revolutionary military forces.”13
An unredacted version of the above memo released in 1998 states that it is a contact report from QDDALE.14 (In 1998, the National Archives Kennedy Assassination Collection contained 49 QDDALE documents from 1960 to 1964 in addition to 978 Pawley documents which first appear in 1950.)
In the opening paragraph the memo states: “I called on QDDALE. He informed me that he had discussed the matter at hand with [Oliver G.] Galbond [pseudonym for J.C. King] on the telephone.” The previously redacted paragraphs of the document detail the fact that KUBARK (the CIA) will remain in contact with Cardenas and that “the contact man will telephone Cardenas and identify himself by saying ‘I am a friend of Bill’ ... The enclosed clipped one dollar bill will serve as further recognition.” There was also mention that “QDDALE said in response to Galbond’s previous request to see what assistance could be given to Diaz-Tamayo, QDDALE is personally financing him at the rate of US$500 per month.” The report was signed by Patrick I. Karnley and had a typed note from him stating. “The fact that the ‘American’ contact will be selected and run by KUBARK presumably is known only to QDDALE.”15 Karnley (aka Bernie Reichardt) appears to be CIA officer Ken M. Crosby, a stockbroker in Miami.16
President Eisenhower told General Andrew Goodpaster and Secretary of State Christian Herter that “he had been talking to Mr. Pawley. He is a most knowledgeable man as regards Latin American affairs. particularly in the Caribbean area. He had, for example, gone to Cuba as an emissary from civilians having interest there, but with the knowledge of Mr. Dulles and Mr. Rubottom to get Batista to abdicate in favor of a junta.” During the discussion “Mr. Herter said that Mr. Pawley had had large interests in Santo Domingo which would interfere with this but that he has disposed of them. The President said Mr. Pawley had told him he had disposed of all his holdings in Cuba, Santo Domingo, Mexico and Haiti. Mr. Herter said that the situation in Santo Domingo is very bad in that the Trujillo Government is acting against the moderates and may soon create a situation like that in Cuba where the opposition is taken over by wild radicals.”17
In January 1960, QDBIAS (Pedro Diaz Lanz) “returned from a visit to Washington, where he held a second meeting with Nunez Portuondo” regarding a military operation to be led by QDBIAS. Karnley felt the “holes in this scheme seem to me to be so many it is difficult to determine where it is weakest.” The following month QDBIAS was seeking a meeting with President Somoza of Nicaragua18 who was in favor of ousting Castro.
On February 18, 1960, Pawley called Rudolph Gomez, Deputy Chief, Western Hemisphere Division, to say Freyre had been interviewed by the FBI and “gathered from the tone that Hoover was mad with Pawley.” Gomez had not heard such a thing from FBI Director Hoover. Freyre had also mentioned “that the Batista group in exile in Florida is planning a large- scale invasion of Cuba within the next week” and that a Miami lawyer “who claims to represent the No. 1 Republican figure in Florida, is involved in this plan to invade Cuba and is ‘throwing names around.’ Pawley was much more cautious than usual over the phone and did not wish to elucidate on this. I gathered that the inference was that Steppin [sic: Slepin] was claiming that he had the support of top U.S. Government officials.)”19
On February 19, 1960, Pawley wrote to Col. J.C. King, Chief of the Western Hemisphere Division, at “’Frannewood House’” on Miller Road in Oakton, Virginia, to let him know that “General Diaz Tamayo, at my request, attended the meeting at which Matthew M. Slepin, Dade County Chairman of the Republican State Committee, is reported by Diaz Tamayo to have said that he had Vice President Nixon’s support in an effort to organize a movement against the Castro government.” Slepin wanted $100,000 for his “fee and organizational expenses” which would include him influencing the U.S. government to provide an additional $200,000 for the anti-Castro invaders. Pawley enclosed “a copy of the document of the Junta Cubana Anticommunista addressed to General Diaz Tamayo, in which no names are used and each person is assigned a number. Diaz Tamayo’s number is C3-2.” Pawley concluded that “it very important that we bring up from Cuba at least two of those who would sign the bonds.” He suggested four names: Emilio Ochoa Ochoa; Dr. Gustavo Cuervo Rubio; Carlos Marquez Sterling and General Diaz Tamayo.20
More details about Slepin of “Biscayne Building, Room 707, 19 Flagler Street, Miami” came on February 23, 1960, in a memo from Rudolph E. Gomez, Deputy Chief, WHD, to Mr. Earman, Assistant to the DCI. Gomez stated that “Pawley described Slepin as a ‘lawyer with a bad reputation.’”
Pawley was alarmed that Slepin was telling “a group of twelve Cubans, among whom were Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Sanchez Mosquiera, Vice Admiral Rodriguez Hernandes” and others that the arrangements for the $200,000 were being made by Vice President Nixon “to overthrow Fidel Castro.” Pawley, the former Ambassador to Peru and Brazil, “considered it the most explosive incident he has seen in the current Cuban situation. He also felt that such a statement coming from a county Republican Chairman immediately before President Eisenhower’s visit to Latin America could have far reaching and damaging effects. Pawley said that all those present signed a paper which outlined their future revolutionary plans and General Diaz Tamayo also signed the paper, although reluctantly.”21
CIA’s Jacob Esterline, using the alias Jacob England, met at Pawley’s office with him and Freyre on March 2, 1960 to discuss “the bond issue Mr. Pawley is floating in view of raising $2,000,000 for support of opposition activities.” With regard to signing the bonds, Esterline found Emilio Ochoa Ochoa and Dr. Gustavo Cuervo “quite acceptable.” Esterline said the other two Mr. Pawley had suggested were turned down in Washington—not for any personal reasons, but merely because they had been too closely associated with Batista elements. After some resistance, particularly with regard to his third candidate Marquez Sterling, Pawley agreed to consider others. Two of the most prominent candidates mentioned were Antonio Varona, Autentico leader, and Jorge Zayas, former editor of the Habana daily newspaper, La Avance.
Although Mr. Pawley and his colleague, Mr. Freyre, had no reservations with regard to Zayas, they were of mixed emotions on Varona—particularly because of a recent report they had received from Rubio Padilla in Habana indicating that Varona is further to the left than had been formerly considered. This point was debated at length and it was finally decided that the resolution would turn on whether or not Mr. Varona would be willing to come to the States and formerly join the opposition.” A note on the memorandum of the meeting asked, “Have we ever had any leftist traces on Varona before?”22
With regard to publishing “a Cuban newspaper in Miami, Esterline said he understood that Mr. Pawley had made arrangements for the publication of Diario de Marina in Miami” and had located “Spanish conversion kits for the linotype machines.”23
As spring arrived, arrangements were made for a strategy meeting in early April at Pawley’s house involving J.C. King, CIA Director Allen Dulles and Jacob Esterline. “Mr. Pawley was told that the time had arrived for careful coordination of all activities; that permission had been granted for an all-out operation: a government in exile will be formed post- haste; that the acceptable non-Batista groups will be put into contact with each other almost immediately; and that Mr. Pawley’s contact, Rubio Padilla, will figure prominently in this effort. Mr. Pawley suggested, and it was agreed, that immediate plans should be made for exfiltration of Rubio from Habana.” Pawley was also given marching orders. “It was carefully explained to Mr. Pawley that any action involving exiles now should be most carefully coordinated with Chief, WHD [King] and Chief, Branch 4 [Esterline] to avoid any flaps. He agreed to this arrangement.”24
E. Howard Hunt, who oversaw propaganda under J.C. King during the Arbenz overthrow in Guatemala, also would become involved. Hunt had more than a half dozen pseudonyms and aliases during his career and even wrote novels under a pseudonym.25 (Even after retiring in 1970, Hunt would receive covert security clearance through the QKENCHANT process in accordance with Clandestine Services instructions. Within two years, Hunt, Frank Fiorini aka Frank Sturgis, and Bernard Barker were arrested with other Cuban exiles as the team of Watergate burglars.)26
Dissension among Cuban exiles is a recurring theme of CIA documents from the early 1960s. Some of Castro opponents who remained in Cuba had distain for the cowardice of those who fled. Among the exiles focused on re-entering Cuba to support an insurgency, there was disagreement between the hawkish military approach of QDBIAS (Pedro Diaz Lanz) and the “await the natural course of events in Cuba” approach of QDCOVE (Ricardo de la Lorie).
There also was no love lost between QDCHAR (Marcos Diaz Lanz) and QDCOVE. A January 12, 1960 dispatch from Karnley recaps “a two-hour Sunday morning session with QDBIAS” in which he relates how QDCOVE invited QDCHAR over to his house. “When QDCHAR arrived he was met by QDCOVE with a two-foot length of heavy chain with which QDCOVE attacked QDCHAR” until Reynaldo Blanco stopped him. QDCOVE then hit him with his fists. Blanco was so upset by the incident “he returned to Cuba and is believed to have been re-arrested and is presently back in jail.” The rift was a result of QDCHAR having given the FBI “some derogatory information about QDCOVE.”27 At one point, even Fiorini and his close associate, QDBIAS, appeared to have broken apart over a disagreement.28
During a trip QDCHAR and Frank Fiorini took to Guatemala, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Services picked up Fiorini’s “passport when he re-entered the U.S.” and Fiorini faced a hearing for traveling while on parole. “I discussed this with ODENVY [FBI] and they are prepared to throw the book at Fiorini. They have been losing patience with him for some time and have apparently come to the end of the line ... Fiorini is in very real danger of losing his citizenship.”29
QDBIAS also stated to Karnley in their two-hour session that “he can control fairly well everybody in his group except his own brother and that QDCHAR has ideas of his own and that QDBIAS does not try to stand in his way.” QDCHAR and Firorini were actively pursuing weapons—"making rounds of arms dealers getting prices for fairly sizable amounts of small arms.”
Marcos Diaz Lanz was offered “‘Millions’ if they and other defectors from 26th July movement join forces with Pedraza and the Dominicans. MDL says they have completely rejected these offers.”
Earlier entries in the MDL file describe how Bernie Reichardt was “in touch with Bill Pawley”30 and helped MDL “take care of immigration status.” Another entry reveals more exile disagreement. “Diaz Lanz brothers still believe Menoyo and Morgan anti-Castro despite double- cross in Ortega plan” which had been asserted by Miami newsman J. Malin. Reichardt also “to identify himself to 3 evacuees using Dave Morales’ name ... Reichardt asked for info re: Sanjenis” (Joaquin Sanjenis Perdomo who became AMWAIL-3 and like Morales, a controversial Cuban exile figure).31
Pawley’s South Florida and Cuba were swirling with intrigue, and QDDALE was now in the center of it. A February 27, 1960 cable from the Havana Station to CIA Director Dulles detailed a meeting in which Jaime Gomila offered Juan Antonio Rubio Padilla “utilization of Gomila’s clandestine action group which source describes as only organized terrorist organization in Cuba today ... they were in effect throwing their support to Jose Ignacio Rivero and Silvio Cardenas who together with Rubio had good connections in Miami and with ODYOKE [the U.S. Government].” The cable then states “AMPALM-1 [Oscar Echeverria y Salvat, cousin of Manual Salvat] mentioned Rubio as possible candidate for ZRMETAL [Washington, D.C.] talks ... source appears to be witting QDDALE operation.”32
Another QD member was QDELF, who some believe was Miami News reporter Hal Hendrix. A 1962 cable urged CIA headquarters to “pls protect fact that info obtained from Hendrix. This most important if we are to continue development Hendrix as source.”33
Other Q cryptonyms seem media and propaganda related. According to the Mary Ferrell Foundation, QKACTIVE's was: "Program to weaken the Soviet regime, run by the CIA's Soviet division, utilizing radio broadcasts (Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty), the Institute for the Study of the USSR (BGCALLUS) chaired by Stanislaw Stankiewicz, and published articles and books." Intriguingly, QRMASTER was created in 1963 "involved in radio and TV projects" and in 1969 "was sold to its manager with full exdpectation of continued operation with heavy agency subsidy."
FOOTNOTES:
1 NARA 104-10049-10372 ~ 10/2/1959 CIA Dispatch “Report re Fabio Freyre. Subject Report of Contact with QDDALE, 2 October 1959.” To: Chief, Western Hemisphere Division. From: Miami WHD Representative, Patrick I Karnley.
... Rubottom was at lunch so he talked to Bill Snow and passed him this information, again not identifying his sources. I noted that QDDALE also took the time to preach Snow a little sermon about the danger to US interests which would accrue if something isn’t done to change Castro’s ways. During his conversation with Snow he also told him that he was discussing other matters with KUBARK, so Snow may be inquiring of you what it is we are talking to QDDALE about.
10. QDDALE again said that it was a shame that he didn’t have this discussion on tape. I informed him that we were ready to go ahead and survey his office with a view of placing the equipment as soon as possible. I agreed with him tentatively that a technician would be here to survey the premises on Saturday, 10 October.
11. QDDALE called me a few days after my visit with him on 25 September to inform me that the name of the British official with whom the Freyre group had discussed the matter of getting an unihabited island as a staging area...was Col. Morris Hill.....not only would the British Government not entertain such a notion, but Hill was off base in even discussing the matter with the group and in not reporting their proposal to U.S. authorities.
12. This matter of a British island had been mentioned to me before by George Davis of the FBI...This information was passed to QDDALE and was greatly appreciated.
2 NARA 104-10049-10371 ~ 10/13/1959 CIA Memorandum “Reported Commitment to Cuban Revolutionaries by British Authorities in Nassau for Use of Small Caribbean Island.” To: WH/6/Reports, Attention: [REDACTED]. From: Martha Tharpe, WH/III/CARIB (Ext. 3229).
>> Martha Tharpe was the pseudonym for Margarite Forsythe.
3 NARA 104-10049-10344 ~ 1/29/1960 Memorandum “KUBARK Contact with Anti-Castro Group in Cuba as Proposed by QDDALE (Identity A).” To: Chief of Station, Habana. From: Chief, WHD.
Identity A is shown to be “Mr. William D. Pawley.”
4 NARA 104-10260-10122 ~ 8/1959 Dispatch.
NARA 180-10143-10225 ~ HSCA CIA Segregated Collection. Subjects: CIA Files; Sanchez, Carlos; Lanz, Pedro Diaz; Cuba. Pages 3 & 4 of 28.
5 NARA 104-10167-10252 ~ 9/4/1959 Cable. To: Habana. From: Director [CIA].
6 NARA 104-10167-10252 ~ 9/4/1959 Cable To: Habana. From: Director.
Ref: HAVA-2616 (IN-21335)*. Releasing Agent: J.C. King, C/WHD. Authenticating Officer: R.N. Dahlgren, C/WH/III.
7 “Cryptonym: AMPALM-10.” Mary Ferrell Foundation website: MaryFerrell.org https://www.maryferrell.org/php/cryptdb.php?id=AMPALM-10
8 12/4/1959 “Response.” To: S. J. Papich with a cc to the State Department confirming contact. From: Deputy Director, Plans.
9 NARA 104-10113-10158 ~ 1/15/1960 “Anti-Castro Activities in the United States. (Summary).” National
Archives.
https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/104-10113-10158.pdf
10 Document 1994.05.18.13:23:17:130005 ~ “Report of Interview with William D. Pawley.” Reel 55, Folder L. William D. Pawley. JFK Box #JFK64 From: Chief, WH Division. Page 191 of 221.
11 Document 1994.05.18.13:23:17:130005 ~ “Memo for the Record by Rudolph Gomel. Subject: “Telephone Conversation with William Pawley, 11:45 a.m., 31 December 1959.” Reel 55, Folder L. William D. Pawley. JFK Box #JFK64. Page 151 of 221.
12 Document 1994.05.18.13:23:17:130005 ~ 2/12/1960 Memorandum for Chief, WHD. “Material for possible Use in Discussion with Mr. Pawley.” Reel 55, Folder L. William D. Pawley. JFK Box #JFK64. Page 116 of 221.
Excerpts from a conversation with Jack Gillespie, dated 16 December 1959.
13 NARA 104-10049-10293 ~ 1/23/1960 Operational Dispatch. “Report of Contact with [Pawley name Declassified 1999] 22 January 1960.” To: Chief Western Hemisphere Division. From: CIA Miami WHD Rep.
1/26/1960 Memo: “Pawley telephone report on alleged Cuban Group’s plans to entrap and eliminate.” To: The record. From: King, J.C. C/WH Division. Subjects; Pawley, William; AntiCastro Plan.
1/29/1960 “Memorandum from William Pawley.” To: [None]. Subjects: Pawley, William; Cuba.
1/29/1960 “Note from William D. Pawley.” To: [None]. Subjects: Pawley, William; Batista; Anti-Castro; Cuba.
14 NARA 104-10049-10344 ~ 1/29/1960 Memorandum “KUBARK Contact with Anti-Castro Group in Cuba as Proposed by QDDALE (Identity A).” To Chief of Station, Habana. From Chief, WHD.
Identity A is shown to be “Mr. William D. Pawley”
15 NARA 104-10265-10119 ~ 1/23/1960 Operational Dispatch “Report of Contact with QDDALE 22 January 1960”. To: Chief Western Hemisphere Division. From: CIA Miami WHD Rep.
16 John Newman, Countdown to Darkness: The Assassination of President Kennedy, Volume II. Page 420.
17 “Memorandum of a Conference With the President, White House, Washington, February 15, 1960, 10:05-10:55 a.m.” Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958-1960, Cuba, Volume VI
Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries. Secret. Prepared by Goodpaster on February 19. The time
of the meeting is taken from the President's Appointment Book. The President met with William Pawley from
9:45 to 10:05 a.m. and from 11:39 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.— before and after speaking to Goodpaster and Herter.
18 NARA 104-10260-10170 ~ 1/20/1960 Dispatch “Subject: Report of Contact with QDBIAS, 13 January 1960.” To: Chief, WH Division. From: Miami WHD Representative, Karnley.
NARA 104-10260-10168 ~ 2/17/1960 Dispatch “Summary of Current QDBIAS Activities.” To: Chief, WH Division. From: Miami WHD Representative, Karnley.
QDBIAS / Pedro Diaz Lanz identity – Cryptonym Project. Mary Ferrell Foundation website. http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/CIA_Cryptonyms#_QD
19 Document 1994.05.18.13:23:17:130005 ~ Reel 55, Folder L. William D. Pawley. JFK Box #JFK64. Page 113 of 221.
NARA 104-10049-10337 ~ 2/18/1960 CIA Memorandum for the Record. Subject: Telephone Conversation with William B. [sic] Pawley 11:10 a.m., 18 February 1960. From: Rudolph E. Gomez, Deputy Chief, Western Hemisphere Division.
-
Pawley called from New York and said that he had received a telephone call from [Fabio] Freyre in Florida, who told him that the FBI had interviewed him, and he gathered from the tone of the interview that Mr. Hoover was mad at Pawley. Pawley asked me if I knew any reason why Hoover should hold a grievance against him. I told Pawley I did not know any reason, and if it were true that Hoover was mad at him, he would not hear about it in this manner.
-
Freyre told Pawley that the Batista group in exile in Florida is planning a large-scale invasion of Cuba within the next week) that Matthew Steppin [sic: actually Slepin], a Miami lawyer who claims to represent the No 1 Republican figure in Florida, is involved in this plan to invade Cuba and is “throwing names around.” (Pawley was much more cautious than usual over the phone and did not wish to elucidate on this. I gathered that the inference was that Steppin was claiming that he had the support of top US Government officials.)
-
Pawley asked me if we knew anything about Steppin. I said not to my knowledge. Pawley said this was only the second time he had heard his name and would appreciate any information we could gather on him.
20 Document 1994.05.18.13:23:17:130005~ Reel 55, Folder L. William D. Pawley. JFK Box #JFK64. Page 97 of 221.
21 NARA 104-10049-10337 ~ 2/18/1960 CIA Memorandum for the Record. Subject: Telephone Conversation with William B. [sic] Pawley 11:10 a.m., 18 February 1960. From: Rudolph E. Gomez, Deputy Chief, Western Hemisphere Division.
1. Pawley called to report that Matthew M. Slepin (mentioned in a telephone conversation of 18 February with Pawley) had a meeting recently with a group of twelve Cubans, among whom were Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Sanchez Mosquiera, Vice Admiral Rodriguez Hernandes, and told this group that Vice President Nixon was arranging for $200,000,000 to be turned over to a responsible Cuban revolutionary group, which money was to be used to overthrow Fidel Castro. He told the group rather by inference, but making his point clear, that his fee for making such an arrangement would be $100,000. Diaz Tamayo had attended the meeting at Pawley’s request as his representative but without the others knowing this.
2. Slepin is county chairman of the Dade County Republican Committee, and because of this Pawley fears that much credence can be given to what he says. Pawley was quite alarmed over this matter and considered it the most explosive incident he has seen in the current Cuban situation. He also felt that such a statement coming from a county Republican Chairman immediately before President Eisenhower’s visit to Latin America could have far reaching and damaging effects. Pawley said that all those present signed a paper which outlined their future revolutionary plans and General Diaz Tamayo also signed the paper, although reluctantly.
3. Slepin’s office is in the Biscayne Building, Room 707, 19 Flagler Street, Miami. Pawley described Slepin as a “lawyer with a bad reputation.”
4. In another telephone conversation with Colonel King later in the day, Pawley said that Slepin demanded the payment of the $100,000 in advance, and also that Florida State Chairman of the Republican Committee believed Slepin had direct entrée to President Eisenhower and Vice President Nixon.
NARA 1994.05.18.13:23:17:130005 ~ 2/19/1960 Memo for Martha Tharpe. “Subjects: Conversation with Reichardt
at 0930 Hours, 19 February.” From: J. D. Esterline. To: Martha Tharpe. Reel 55, Folder L—William D. Pawley.
Page 110 of 220. Mary Ferrell Foundation website.
>> Pawley indicates no previous knowledge of Varona coming to Miami. Pawley’s 201 File was reviewed at CIA Headquarters by the House Select Committee on Assassinations staff.
Document 1994.05.18.13:23:17:130005 ~ Memorandum “Report of Interview with William D. Pawley.”
For: Mr. Earman, Assistant to the DCI. Subject: “Telephone Conversation with William B. Pawley, 1230 Hours, 19
February 1960.” From: Rudolph Gomez, Deputy Chief, Western Hemisphere Division. Reel 55, Folder L—William
D. Pawley. Page 109 of 220. Mary Ferrell Foundation website.
NARA 1994.05.18.13:23:17:130005 ~ 2/23/1960 Memorandum “Subject: Telephone Conversation with William B.
Pawley, 1230 Hours, 19 February 1960.” From: Gomez. Dep. Chief, WH Division. To: Earman. Asst. to the DCI.
Reel 55, Folder L—William D. Pawley. Page 108 of 220. Mary Ferrell Foundation website.
>> Pawley report on Slepin approach to Cuban revolutionary group with offer from VP Nixon.
NARA 1993.08.09.17:07:29:370007 ~ [Date missing, 1960] Draft of Letter. To: General Martin Diaz Tamayo Unsanitized CIA File of William Pawley. Page 253 of 267. Mary Ferrell Foundations website.
Esteemed compatriot:
The Cuban Anticommunist Junta is the product of patriotic harmony among divergent groups which are antagon-istic to Castroism, which today guides the destiny of our country along the path of communism under a system of corrupt and orgiastic patronage. Its organic unity and the common purpose which is its essence, are evident in the initial document which accompanies this letter. It is prudent, however, to emphasize that its organization is cellular and secret, considered the most adequate to the task of obtaining the ultimate liberation of Cuba.
By unanimous accord of it members, you have been designated, along with the representatives of other sectors, to be a member of the Directorio Militar of the Junta, which shall exercise a coordinated and efficient supervision. For you, this will imply great sacrifices, the relegation of personal aspirations or rights, and the assumption, exclusively, of responsibilities and duties to the tormented, suffering and bleeding fatherland. Nevertheless, the Cuban Anticommunist Junta
expects that your patriotism will align youis counting on your patriotism to join with it, as one of its leaders, in its vital journey.Fraternally,
NARA 1993.08.09.17:07:29:370007 – Undated document. Unsanitized CIA File of William Pawley. Page 254 of 267. Mary Ferrell Foundations website.
NARA 1993.08.09.17:07:29:370007 ~ Undated “List of 6 names: Cruz Vidal; Blanco; Sancha; Rodriguez; met with Slepin.” Unsanitized CIA File of William Pawley. Page 255 of 267. Mary Ferrell Foundations website.
NARA 1993.08.09.17:07:29:370007 ~ Undated document. Unsanitized CIA File of William Pawley. Page 256 of 267. Mary Ferrell Foundations website.
Tony Varona interested in joining junta but he has one condition which the boss (Rubio) does not think should be accepted ... This report already sent to Bill via diplomatic pouch to Fabio Freyre in Miami.
22 NARA 104-10220-10117 ~ 3/8/1960 Memorandum “Meeting with Mr. William Pawley and Pablo [sic: Fabio] Freyre on Financial and Organizational Matters.” Subjects: Pawley, Wm. From: Esterline, J. P., C/WH/4 – Routing slip has handwritten notation QDDALE.
Jacob Esterline, using the name Jacob England, met for two hours with Mr. Pawley and Mr. Freyre” at Pawley’s business office. The following subjects were covered during this meeting:
a. Regarding the bond issue which Mr. Pawley is floating in view of raising $2,000,000 for support of opposition activities, Esterline told him that the first two candidates were quite acceptable. Those people are Emilio Ochoa Ochoa and Dr. Gustavo Cuervo. Esterline said the other two Mr. Pawley had suggested were turned down in Washington—not for any personal reasons, but merely because they had been too closely associated with Batista elements. After some resistance, particularly with regard to Marquez Sterling, Mr. Pawley’s third candidate, he agreed to consider others. Two of the most prominent candidates mentioned were Antonio Varona, Autentico leader, and Jorge Zayas, former editor of the Habana daily newspaper, La Avance. Although Mr. Pawley and his colleague, Mr. Freyre, had no reservations with regard to Zayas, they were of mixed emotions on Varona—particularly because of a recent report they had received from Rubio Padilla in Habana indicating that Varona is further to the left than had been formerly considered. This point was debated at length and it was finally decided that the resolution would turn on whether or not Mr. Varona would be willing to come to the States and formerly join the opposition. (NOTE ... Have we ever had any leftist traces on Varona before? ...)
23 NARA 104-10220-10117 ~ 3/8/1960 CIA Memorandum for the Record “Meeting with Mr. Pawley and Pablo Freyre on Financial and Organizational Matters. 1455 Hours, 2 March 1960; Mr. Pawley’s Office in Miami.” Prepared by: J.D. Esterline C/WH/4.
24 NARA 104-10049-10323 ~ 3/30/1960 CIA Memorandum for the Record. “Contact with Mr. William D. Pawley in Miami, 21 March 1960.” Prepared by: J.D. Esterline, C/WH/4.
25 NARA 104-10061-10115 ~ “List of Names Re Kennedy Assassination Investigation.” Page 17.
E. Howard Hunt went by Terence S. Crabanic, Walter C. Twicker, John F. Rittenhouse, Bernard F. Chumley, Hugh W. Newstead, Edward J. Hamilton and Eduardo J. Hamilton
26 Lamar Waldron with Thom Hartmann, Legacy of Secrecy: The Long Shadow of the JFK Assassination, Page 709.
NARA 104-10119-10320 ~ 10/27/1970 “Request for Utilization of Hunt in a project.” Subjects: Hunt, E. H. #23 500. To: Chief, Central Cover Staff, Mr. Martin Lukoskie. From: Deputy Director of Security, Victor R. White.
NARA 104-10119-10317 ~ 8/30/1971 “Everette Howard Hunt, Jr.” Subjects: E. H., Bay of Pigs. To: AC/CB. From: PES.
27 NARA 104-10260-10157 ~ 1/12/1960 CIA Dispatch “Subject—Contact with QDBIAS 10 January 1960.” To: Chief, WH Division. From: Miami WHD Representative, Patrick Karnley.
28 NARA 104-10221-10172 ~ 2/10/1961 Dispatch “Frank Anthony Sturgis, aka Frank Fiorini.” Subjects: QDBIAS, AMIRON. To: COB JMWAVE. From: Chief, Western Hemisphere.
29 NARA 104-10260-10157 ~ 1/12/1960 CIA Dispatch “Subject—Contact with QDBIAS 10 January 1960.” To: Chief, WH Division. From: Miami WHD Representative, Patrick Karnley.
30 NARA 104-10145-10363 ~ “Third Agency Coordination, Subject: Marcos Diaz Lanz 201-259716.”
>> A compilation of information about Pedro’s brother, Marcos Diaz Lanz (MDL), includes the following from October 15, 1959 report from QDCHAR:
Sold C-46 for US $46 thousand. ODENVY repts that MDL and Fiorini making rounds of arms dealers getting prices for fairly sizable amounts of small arms.
MDL has been approached by Dominicans thru McDonald with an offer of “Millions” if they and other defectors from 26th July movement join forces with Pedraza and the Dominicans. MDL says they have completely rejected these offers. McDonald = Alan McDonald, known to be close to Enrique Garcia.
31 NARA 104-10167-10116 ~ 9/9/1959 Memorandum for the Record. “Subject: Phone Conversation with Reichardt, 11 August.”
32 NARA 104-10049-10336 ~ 02/27/1960 CIA Cable “re Offer Cooperation Action Group.” To: Director. From: Havana. Subjects: Rubio, Anti-Castro.
33 NARA 104-10298-10158 ~ 10/29/1962 Cable – “Mr. Hal Hendrix Advised Reuteman That During Luncheon.” To: Director. From: JMWAVE. Subjects: AMBUD.
Labels: Castro, CIA, Cuba, Dulles, Esterline, FBI, Fiorini, Freyre, J.C. King, Karnley, Morales, Nixon, QDBIAS, QDCHAR, QDDALE, QKENCHANT, Sanjenis, Tharpe, William Pawley
posted by David Price Cannon @ 2:34 PM
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