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Cryptonym: AMBARB

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Definition:
Placing DRE members in propaganda teams within universities throughout Latin America.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
Jeff Morley described the AMBARB program in a court filing: "The CIA's name for the DRE delegations that were organizing against Castroite communism on campuses throughout Latin America. ("AMBARB serves only to promote propaganda activities in the Latin American countries where AMBARB delegates are assigned".) http://thefoiablog.typepad.com/files/sixthmorelydeclaration.pdf
Sources:

104-10171-10292: CABLE: PROPOSE ESTABLISH CA DRE OF DRE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES FOR SHORT TERM ASSIGNMENTS TO LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES WHERE FIGHT AGAINST CASTRO AND COMMUNISM VITAL

6/18/61 cable from JMWAVE to BELL, slugline JMZIP PSYCH: "Propose establish cadre of DRE student representatives for short term assignments to Latin American countries where fight against Castro and Communism vital...DRE now has growing pool of qualified and capable reps for this undertaking. With clandestine ops in Cuba suppressed, AMHINTs and other clandestine officials are arriving DRE offices Miami. There are ten available now, six coming on next infil op. Estimated total of thirty by 31 July." See 104-10315-10013: By January 1961, the DRE was "running propaganda teams into South America".

104-10213-10085: MEMORANDUM: DATA ON THE DRE AND SEVERAL CUBAN EXILES

In 1962: "the DRE's overseas program (AMBARBs) at that time received $12,400 a month from the Agency. Agency support to the DRE was terminated by mid-1967."

104-10171-10046: JULIO HERNANDEZ

4/9/62 dispatch, slugline "Operational/GYROSE/KUCAGE Julio Hernandez" from Chief, Task Force W to Chief, JMWAVE. The above "April Progresss Report" is described in this document: "a report of interview with Subject (Julio Hernandez) by a representative of KUJUMP in Washington, DC. Since subject is associated with the DRE and is associated with a "Mr. Rodgers", this will be of particular interest to NOEMAYR." The originating officer is TFW/PA-PROP Gabe Lowe, the Coordinating officer is C/TFW/PA-PROP S.K. Short/Seymour Bolten, the Releasing officer is William Harvey.

104-10171-10037: APRIL PROGRESS REPORT

April 1962, "April Progress Report" by Harold R. Noemayr: "By 9 April 1962, the radio network by AMBARBS had been increased to 11 countries and totalled about 184 programs per month...About 13 April, AMBARB delegates in 15 countries were sent about 60,000 leaflets with a 360-name and address list for denied area mailing distribution...When WAVE is properly staffed and AMBARBS are full strength, the following potential exists: 1. Third party operations against the denied area for intelligence; 2. Third party operations against the denied area for sabotage, agit/prop, and generation of international repudiation to the GOC; 3. Local student and youth organizations with overt and covert activities designed to penetrated (sic) and combat communist penetration in schools and universities of all Latin America."

104-10171-10334: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT - JULY 1962

July 1962: The main AMBARB project of the reporting period was launching of the delegation to Helsinki...the AMBARB group earned the costs of the trip by its efforts to discredit the Communist Cuban delegation and the conference sponsorship...we consider it essential to ensure that local KUBARK stations, in whose territory AMBARB delegations have until now been free to operate unilaterally, should begin to exercise some measure of operational supervision over AMBARB activities...AMBARB still retains the all-important role of spotting, assessing and indoctrinating new AMBARB candidates."

104-10171-10334: Dispatch: Operational/Amspell Progress Report - July 1962

8/14/62 Cable from JMWAVE chief Ted Shackley to TFW chief Bill Harvey: "AMBARB...was an instrument for placement of (Cuban) students in WH countries for JMWAVE or station controlled and supported GYROSE operations."

104-10171-10041: AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT FOR AUGUST 1962

Ted Shackley's report for August 1962: "AMBARB exists only to promote propaganda activity in the Latin American countries where AMBARB delegates are assigned...we do have fairly good control over the subordinate AMBARB leadership within AMSPELL." Two pages earlier, Robert Q. Nelander as "Jesse Davega" is described as the contact for various AMBARB members.

104-10171-10334: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT - JULY 1962

8/14/62, historical background paper, "Background and Status of Internal and Exile Elements": "The AMBARB project was conceived and effected as an instrument for placement of Cuban students in Western Hemisphere countries for JMWAVE or station controlled and supported (MONGOOSE) operations."

104-10170-10027: AMSPELL STATUS

11/15/62: A secret letter from AMSPELL to AMBARB delegates was sent about this date, laying the groundwork for recalling in AMBARBs in early December due to conflict with CIA. AMHINT-53 (Luis Fernandez-Rocha) cited AMSPELL policy "against coexistence". "On 5 December 1962 Walter D. Newby (George Joannides) was introducted to AMHINT-53 and succeeded Harold D. Noemayr (Ross Crozier) as the responsible case officer for the project."

104-10308-10170: MEMO: DRE - DIRECTORIO REVOLUTIONARIO ESTUDIANTIL (STUDENT REVOLUTIONARY DIRECTORY)

11/16/62: "Fernandez (Luis Fernandez-Rocha, AMHINT-53) mentioned meeting in Wash. DC in which broad proposal for AMBARB funding (prop. project to place students in universities in Latin America) was discussed. Fernandez mentioned 'negotiation' under way with 'three industrialists' in Texas who were sympathetic and would provide AMBARB delegates in these countries? (Latin American countries?) with Agency representations for their products." For more on this, see http://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=16135&search=AMBARB#relPageId=3&tab=page

104-10170-10095 AMBARB LEADERS (CABLE ILLEGIBLE)

6/12/63, DYVOUR/AMBARB slugline: "Four AMSPELL leaders (illegible) leaving JMWAVE (illegible) 17 June (illegible) WH financial help (illegible) mission. JMWAVE will cable station's iden, dates, proposed contacts if possible. AMSPELLS (illegible) JMWAVE KUBARK desires no adverse effect on station AMBARB agreements. AMSPELL problems to be raised with JMWAVE upon return rather than issue instructions AMBARBS? countering such agreements. Addees requested cable summary authorize? AMSPELLS, using AMBARBS as a source where possible. Info JMWAVE. Addees reminded AMBARB assignments for 15 June. Receipt assignments would enable JMWAVE negotiate any cuts (illegible) stations (illegible) AMSPELLS departure."

104-10170-10004: HQS CONCURS WITH REF PER CONVERSATION WITH NEWBY

9/6/63 Memo from John Tilton to JMWAVE: "HQ concurs with ref (WAVE 3856) per conversation with Newby (George Joannides)...SAS comment: AMSPELL-AMBARB relations."

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Contributors:
Bill Simpich

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