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Cryptonym: AMARIA

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Definition:
Unknown identity. AMARIA was a CIA source/asset from at least December, 1958 to May, 1964. AMARIA reported on Manuel Ray Rivero (AMBANG-1) and Manuel Artime Buesa (AMBIDDY-1).
Status:
Unknown
Discussion:
A cable from Havana in December of 1958 mentioned that AMARIA reported on the July 26th Movement, and Manuel Ray's visit to the Sierra Maestra to met Fidel Castro. A cable on November 1, 1960, stated that according to AMARIA on October 31st the wife of Rufo Lopez Fresquet received a coded message from her husband stating he had arrived safely in Florida. The cable also noted that AMARIA through his own channels was arranging for the stateside purchase of tickets for family members of Rufo Lopez Frequet. A cable from JMWAVE on November 20, 1963, stated that on November 17th AMBANG-1 told AMARIA that he expected his organization to increase its activities in Cuba in January 1964. AMARIA thought that AMBANG-1 "seemed very optimistic." A cable on May 8, 1964, stated that a "reliable source" of AMARIA's had reported that Manuel Ray would soon launch an expedition into Cuba. AMARIA stated his source would be a member of the expedition.

A cable on May 14, 1964, mentioned that AMARIA said on May 13th that Eduardo Suarez Rivas, a Manuel Artime supporter, told him that Artime was in SJAN. AMARIA speculated that Artime may have gone there to contact Manuel Ray. The cable also noted that AMARIA phoned Ray in SJAN from Miami on the morning of May 11th. Ray promised he would recontact AMARIA in the immediate future. AMARIA was virtually certain Ray had not left for Cuba. A cable on May 20, 1964, stated that AMARIA said Andrew St. George, free lance photographer on assignment for Time-Life, left Miami on May 13th with JURE elements for a rendezvous with Manuel Ray at an unknown area. AMARIA was not certain of the means of transport used, but believed that they left by boat. Ray did not contact AMARIA per reference, but the latter believed Ray enroute to Cuba. AMARIA agreed to attempt to arrange a JMWAVE debriefing of Andrew St. George if and when he returned to this area. No index. The Chief of Station (COS) Comment noted that AMARIA stated that Manuel Artime was in SJAN.
Sources:

104-10179-10088: CABLE RE: LAS VILLAS PLANTATION OWNER (F) PARAS 2,3 AMARIA (B) PARA 4

12/16/58: Cable from Havana to Director: INTEL: "APPR: Paras 1, 4 (2) paras 2, 3 (3) paras 5-6. SOURCE: Para 1 (REDACTION) Las Villas plantation owner (F), paras 2, 3 AMARIA (B), para 4 AMBARK-1 (C), para 5 Harry Graham (F) from DR member (F)...2. 26th of July replacing CTC labor officials with own people on sugar centrales which it captures. Conrad Bequer Diaz, with HQs in Sierra Maestra, in charge of the program. 3. Manuel Ray, MRC chief, is visiting Sierra Maestra for conference with Fidel Castro discuss Castro desire dissolve MRC and incorporate it into 26th July..."

104-10192-10020: ACCORDING AMARIA ON 31 OCT WIFE OF RUFO LOPEZ REESQUET RECEIVED CODED MESSAGE FROM HUSBAND STATING HE HAD ARRIVED SAFELY IN FLORIDA

11/01/60: Cable from Havana to Director: ACTION: WH 9 (Mr. Barkely WH issued tempo copy): "1. According AMARIA on 31 Oct wife of Rufo Lopez Fresquet received coded message from husband stating he had arrived safely in Florida. Fresquet departed Habana 29 August aboard yacht. Wife, two children and father of Fresquet still here but plan travel legally U.S. near future. AMARIA through own channels arranging for stateside purchase their tickets. 2. Per AMARIA request of stateside MASH (Forward operating base - CIA, Miami) may wish take steps urge IN&S withhold announcement. Fresquet arrival pending advice family safely out of Cuba."

104-10229-10110: CABLE-ALTHOUGH 13 SEPT PRESS CONFERENCE STATEMENT ON CUBA PRODUCED CERTAIN AMOUNT VIOLENT REACTION AMONG COMMENTATORS

09/15/62: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Page 2: ..."7. AMARIA believes more sophisticated exiles grasping optimistically on comments re exile leaders, while those desiring action only take President's words literally and become distressed. Says Hal Hendrix (Miami Herald) thought statement an abortion or worse, but Howard Handleman (U.S. News and World Report) thought it good..."

104-10275-10005: CABLE: IN 17 NOVEMBER CONVERSATION AMBANG/1 TOLD AMARIA THAT HE EXPECTED HIS ORGANIZATION TO INTENSIFY ITS ACTIVITIES IN CUBA IN JAN 64

11/20/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMBANG: "In 17 Nov conversation AMBANG-1 (Manuel Ray Rivera) told AMARIA that he expected his organization to intensify its activities in Cuba in Jan 64. He gave no details but AMARIA commented that A-1 seemed very optimistic. A-1 said he he hoped talk to Betancourt sometime during week 24 Nov and return to Miami circa 5 Dec."

104-10274-10228: CABLE: AMARIA REPORTED "RELIABLE SOURCE" HAD TOLD

05/08/64: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMBANG: "(Unintelligible) May AMARIA reported 'reliable source' Ray told him Manuel Ray would send an expedition into Cuba within few days one way or other of the stated 20 May date. AMARIA would not give details re source but said his source will be member of expedition. AMARIA could not answer questions re size force, stating area, armaments, descriptions of vessels. He gathered expedition would leave Puerto Rico and would consist of more than one vessel of undetermined size. No index."

104-10274-10218: CABLE: AMARIA SAYS ON 13 MAY EDUARDO SUAREZ RIVAS, ARTIME

05/14/64: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMBANG AMWORLD: "1. AMARIA says on 13 May Eduardo Suarez Rivas, Artime supporter, told him Artime in SJAN. AMARIA speculates Artime may have gone there contact Manolo Ray. 2. AMARIA phoned Ray in SJAN from Miami morning 11 May and talked with him briefly. Ray promised would recontact AMARIA immediate future. Did not specify how. AMARIA virtually certain Ray has not left for Cuba. No index."

104-10274-10215: CABLE: AMARIA SAYS ANDREW ST GEORGE, FREE LANCE PHOTOGRAPHER ON

05/20/64: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMBANG: REF WAVE 6477 (IN 82443) "AMARIA says Andrew St. George, free lance photographer on assignment Time-Life, left Miami 13 May with JURE elements for rendezvous Manolo Ray undisclosed area. AMARIA not certain means transport used but believes they left by boat. Ray did not contact AMARIA per ref but latter believes Ray on way Cuba. AMARIA agreed try lay on Station debriefing St. George if and when returns this area. No index. C/S Comment: AMARIA stated that Artime in SJAN."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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