Cryptonym: AMANTHEM
06/20/60: Cable from Havana to Director: "1. On 17 June AMANTHEM introduced Edward D. Knapman to Cubana Capt Eduardo Ferrer (no relation former FAR Inspector General mentioned ref). Ferrer arranged for Knapman to meet Ramon Ruisanchez Piedad, Tony Varona's brother-in-law. Ruisanchez told Knapman he is about to make contact in HAVA with representative of a group Cuban rebel army officers from Las Villas who are disaffected and that latter group has 200 officers and men. Ruisanchez would not or could not give name this representative. Said he wished get word to AMHAWK concerning the group and that he wanted guidance from Knapman and AMHAWK concerning use of group. Asked Knapman assist him exfiltrate one officer to PBPRIME (U.S.) to receive guidance and instructions. 2. Knapman commented Ruisanchez certainly must have commo channels to AMHAWK group PBPRIME and that Knapman saw no need for ODACID (U.S. State Department) become involved this matter. Ruisanchez countered that ODACID already being used. Knapman asked name or man in contact with ODACID in HAVA and Ruisanchez replied this a trust he could not violate without consulting man involved. While arrangements to see SUBJ again on his initiative were made, Knapman made no commitments on anything. 3. Olien met Ruisanchez at time of departure AMHAWK's wife and Ruisanchez very likely has contact with one of (unintelligible) or with AMHAWK-2. However, since this not channel originally set up for contact with AMHAWK group HAVA, Station will discourage future relationship with Ruisanchez unless HQs has view to contrary. While we have no reason doubt Ruisanchez good faith, he could become victim Castro provocation. HQs may wish query AMHAWK re Ruisanchez. Request HQs view re advisability continuing with him. C/S Comment: **Concerned arrest of Cuban air force officer. CS Note: *DUP number being serviced for confirmation."
104-10167-10003: HQS CONTACT WITH AMHAWK FOR PURPOSE DISCUSSION MESSAGE FROM RUISANCHEZ
06/22/60: Cable from Director to Havana and JMASH (Orig: M. Tharpe, Unit: WH/4): ..."WH Comment: Said Station officer met with Ramon Ruisanchez Piedad, brother-in-law of AMHAWK, on 17 June, through AMANTHEM, on Ruisanchez' request, who gave info he wanted passed to AMHAWK re a group of 200 disaffected Cuban Army officers in Las Villas, and requested guidelines from Station officer re use of group as well as assistance in exfiltrating one officer to U.S. Station officer replied Ruisanchez certainly must have commo channels to AMHAWK in U.S. and saw no need of involving U.S. Embassy in matter. R. replied that U.S. State Dept. already being used, but when asked would not give names of contact, saying could not violate trust. Since this not channel originally set up for contact with AMHAWK group HAVA, Station will discourage future relationship with Ruisanchez. Suggested AMHAWK be queried and requested HQs views."
Re 7/19/60: "On 7/19/60 Mario del Canal Ferrer who described himself as principal rep and coordinator for AMHAWK/Tony Varona contacted political officer John Topping and indicated he would like discreet contacts with the embassy since contacts now established through AMHAWK-2/Jesus Exposito Lorenzo (he named him by name) and Juan Menendez Tellez (who had previously contacted Topping alleging to speak for AMHAWK) were not sufficient.
104-10227-10297: ANTI-FIDEL CASTRO ACTIVITIES
Re 2/13/62: "Rescate Democratico Revolucionario - RDR - Democratic Revolutionary Redemption: On 2/13/62, Raul Mendez Pirez advised that he is the Secretary for Interior Affairs for this organization, and is a member of the Cuban Revolutionary Council representing the RDR...its founder is (Tony Varona), the former Prime Minister of Cuba. Mendez says the RDR has branches in different leading cities in the US. Its largest membership is in Miami, Florida. It has about 3000 people listed with the organization, and should be considered one of the largest and most important Cuban revolutionary organizations." Mendez said there are about 1000 members in New York City, about 50 in Tampa, and a handful in New Orleans. Varona is the secretary general and Mario del Canal Ferrer is assistant secretary general. Varona is one of the top members of the CRC (Cuban Revolutionary Council), next to Miro Cardona/AMBUD-1. Varona travels with Cardona, and plays an important role in establishing policy.