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Cryptonym: AMBASE

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Definition:
AMBASE was probably a JMWAVE psychological operation involving mail from at least 1963 to 1966.
Status:
Probable
Discussion:
A dispatch on November 6, 1963, from Chief, Western Hemisphere Division (WHD), to Chief of Station (COS), Mexico City, stated that "the TYPIC (routing indicator for Cuban operations) cryptonym should be used on all correspondence relating to the AMBASE KUWOLF (Psychological and Paramilitary Staff) mailing operation with the exception of correspondence which concerns agent personnel matters. PBRUMEN (Cuba) cryptonym should be used on correspondence which deals purely with agent personnel matters related to the AMBASE operation. PRQ Part II for AMSAIL-4 who is to be used in the handling of AMBASE materials."

A cable on November 22, 1963, which included the slug AMBASE, mentioned that CIA officer Nelson L. Raynock (Henry D. Hecksher) had recently visited the Agency's Mexico City station. Hecksher organized the AMWORLD project at this time, along with his CIA colleague, Carl E. Jenkins.

A cable from JMWAVE on November 29, 1963, stated that "in order to implement AMBASE Program, in accordance with HQs requirements, WAVE requires constant supply locally purchased envelopes from WH stations, both airmail and non-airmail."

A cable from Mexico City on December 6, 1963, stated "Timothy A. Capriott, AMBASE (probably - very faint print) material, various pouches, AMWEE-1 and wife arriving MEXI at 1155 via FLT 53. PLS meet."
Sources:

104-10098-10129: DISPATCH: PBRUMEN/AMBASE/USE OF CRYPTONYM

11/06/63: Dispatch from Chief, WHD to COS, Mexico City: "1. In reference to your comment in regard to proper slugging of AMBASE correspondence, the following is submitted for your information and guidance. 2. The TYPIC (routing indicator for Cuban operations) cryptonym should be used on all correspondence relating to the AMBASE KUWOLF (Psychological and Paramilitary Staff) mailing operation with the exception of correspondence which concerns agent personnel matters. PBRUMEN (Cuba) cryptonym should be used on correspondence which deals purely with agent personnel matters related to the AMBASE operation. PRQ Part II for AMSAIL-4 who is to be used in the handling of AMBASE materials..."

104-10075-10183: JMWAVE CABLE RE REGULAR SHIPMENT OF ENVELOPES

11/22/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline TYPIC AMBASE: "1. Require shipment regular, non-airmail locally purchased envelopes (requested by Nelson L. Raynock (Henry Hecksher) on latter's recent visit station MEXI) for referenced use. Total of 900 regular envelopes needed complete November quota. If shipment not already en route, PLS forward to JMWAVE soonest. 2. It is requested that station MEXI forward to JMWAVE on the first of each month, beginning with 1 December, 450 airmail and 450 regular locally purchased envelopes on continuing basis until further notice. This figure present AMBASE monthly requirement. If preferable to station MEXI, two or three months supply may be forwarded at one time."

104-10077-10125: DIRECTOR CABLE - KURIOT ORDERING STAMPS FROM STATIONS.

11/26/63: Cable from Director to JMWAVE: Slugline TYPIC AMBASE: REF: WAVE 8060 (IN 66889)*: "1. KURIOT ordering stamps from stations. 2. Assume Nov and Dec mailings cited para 2 ref are restricted to Christmas card operation recently discussed WAVE. PLS advise. 3. To increase chance that mailings will get into Panama request half amount noted be addressed by typewriter. *Listed number letters being prepared for Hqs insertion into mail going into PBRUMEN (Cuba)." Releasing Officer: Desmond FitzGerald, C/SAS. Coordinating Officers: E. Harrison, C/SAS/MOB/PA/PROP. Noah Cohen, TSD/PI. Authenticating Officer: A. A. Maloney, C/SAS/MOB.

104-10075-10285: JMWAVE CABLE: IN ORDER IMPLEMENT AMBASE

11/29/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline DYVOUR PBRUMEN AMBASE: "1. In order to implement AMBASE Program, in accordance with HQs requirements, WAVE requires constant supply locally purchased envelopes from WH stations, both airmail and non-airmail. 2. WAVE would appreciate HQ issuance book cable to following stations, requesting all stations forward 700 airmail and 700 non-airmail locally purchased envelopes to WAVE soonest which needed fill December quota: BUEN, MEXI, SJDS, RIOD, CARA, GUAT, POBO, SABO, MAMA, LAPA, LIMA, MONT, SAOP. Also, on the first of each month, beginning 1 January, until further notice, each station should forward 700 airmail and 700 non-airmail locally purchased envelopes to JMWAVE to maintain continuous supply for AMBASE Program. 3. WAVE has no objection if stations prefer send several months supply in one shipment."

104-10101-10104: CABLE: STATIONS REQUESTED POUCH PRIORITY TO WAVE 700 AIRMAIL AND 700

12/02/63: Cable from Director to Mexico City and others: AMBASE: "1. Station requested pouch priority to WAVE (unintelligible) airmail and 700 non mail locally purchased envelopes. These (unintelligible) to implement (unintelligible) AMBASE Operation. 2. WAVE is handling AMBASE Operation beginning 1 Jan 63 request stations planning amounts and types envelopes noted para 1 on monthly basis."

1993.08.04.16:35:00:87002: JMWAVE CABLES, WAVE 8500 - 8599.

12/04/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: REF WAVE 8502 (IN 73689): "SUBJ ref anticipated use for AMRUSTY AMBASE prog."

104-10516-10085: CABLE: TIMOTHY A. CAPRIOTT

12/06/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: "Timothy A. Capriott, AMBASE (probably - very faint print) material, various pouches, AMWEE-1 and wife arriving MEXI at 1155 via FLT 53. PLS meet."

104-10076-10116: JMWAVE CABLE RE SHIPMENT OF ENVELOPES.

Undated Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline DYVOUR PBRUMEN AMBASE: REF MEXI 7268 (IN 74567): "PLS ship ref envelopes directly to WAVE commercially to FOLL address: Miss (REDACTION), P. O. Box 1767, Coral Gables, Florida. C/S Comment: Unable ship envelopes thru classified pouch until 13 Dec."

104-10234-10011: CABLE: FOR FRESH AMBASE MATERIAL, SUGGEST WAVE PRODUCE ONE OR MORE LEAFLETS

03/10/66: Cable from Director to JMWAVE: Slugline TYPIC MHSPAWN AMBASE: "1. For fresh AMBASE material, suggest WAVE produce one or more leaflets based Ref, para one. Show decrepit horse with or without Fidel's head and ref slogan etc. WH Comment: Refugee reported seeing decrepit horse outside university with sign 'Don't push, I'll fall by myself.' 'El Caballo' (the horse) is Fidel's nickname."

104-10226-10024: DISPATCH: TYPIC/MHSPAWN STATUS REPORT RE JMWAVE PSYCH PROJECTS

06/20/66: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, WH: Page 3: "20. AMBASE. No substantial change. See Reference B. Monthly average of mailings into Cuba have been reduced. Separate report on AMBASE statistics will be forwarded..." Page 4: "25....AMNON is also station's main asset for AMBASE Program and has taken over AMBASE's personnel from terminated AMRUSTY Project."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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