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Cryptonym: AMRAZOR-1

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Definition:
Norman Diaz. WAVE source, a radio commentator, paid by the CRC, and "weather vane" in the Miami Cuban community in the 60s.
Status:
Probable
Discussion:
I wonder if he was Luis Botifoll - Director of Public Relations for CRC in 1962. Note how the first two posts focus on AMBUD/CRC before its dissolution in April 1963.

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=44305&relPageId=3&search=%22luis_botifoll%22

More likely are the commentators during Cubela trial Santiago Rey Pernas, Armando Garcia Sifredo and Jose Gonzales Puente aka Pepin on WMIE, as well as Babo Kramer who had a show on WMIE. See 104-10234-10167
Sources:

104-10228-10323: CABLE:THE FOLLOWING IS ROUND-UP OF US ARMY RECRUITMENT PROGRAM FOR

9/28/62 cable from JMWAVE to Director: "Groups belonging to AMBUD/Cuban Revolutionary Council held meetings 26 and 27 September to plan steps for campaign urging enlistments...in addition AMBUD groups and UR publishing appeals for enlistments...Rescate has announced its members who eligible must enlist or be dropped from membership Rescate...In summary, program initially meeting with huge success. Only obstacles now remain age limitation which prevents many from enlisting and fact that not enough recruiting offices are open." While analyzing the US Army recruitment effort of Cubans, cable included AMRAZOR-1's report that "200 Cubans in front of recruitment office causing some disturbance as all want (to) enlist immediately and three squad cars maintaining order."

104-10235-10382: MEMO-MEETING OF ANTI-CRC COMMENTATORS AND PLANS FOR PROGRAM 18 NOV. ATTACKING CRC AND U.S. POLICIES

11/16/62 Memo for office: "In telephone conv Nov 15 with Dr. Miro's secretary, she informed me that Norman Diaz had informed her as follows: That Gandero's Sunday evening program had been suspended but that he would have a program at 8 am; that he had a meeting 15 November with Arturo? Artalejo, Juan? Joalo, Otto Sirgo and Juan Amador Rodriguez to exchange ideas, and that they had decided to prepare a program (1) Against the CRC/AMBUD, (2) Against the suspension of radio programs (taken over by Voice), (3) And the inaction of the United States...How Norman Diaz obtained this information was not indicated." Marginalia states "Margaret (probably Forsythe), Evvy (Evalina Garcia), can you draft a cable pointing up anti-CRC news commentators having free rein while our assets' voices are stilled?" Another note states: "Partly sent WAVE 26 Nov 1962 - WMET, WMIE, WFAB - (note: may be signed by) NRS." Also see 104-10236-10329: As of 3/63, Norman Diaz was being paid $300 a month by the CRC, Alice Capanong/Evvy Vidal reports that he got in trouble with Frank Watterson (Security Officer, State Dept.) for advocating exiles bring iron bars to injure the CNVA pickets - he was warned by Watterson that he might even lose his job - but Vidal adds that "Diaz is a good man in his field."

104-10227-10058: CABLE-IMMEDIATE ACTION

4/2/63 cable from WAVE to Director: "Exile colony in uproar over notices to Cuban exile action leaders prohibiting travel outside Dade County. Reaction among exiles appears universal over this issue and is anti-US and anti-Kennedy. Even though notices only sent selected leaders, order being interpreted as applicable (to) all exiles and as beginning (of) co-existence. Receipt of notice now and status symbol. AMBUD-1 (Jose Miro Cardona) stated this has created most critical situation for both AMBUD (Cuban Revolutionary Council - CRC) organization and himself personally. Does not see how he can continue in present circumstances and is advancing trip (to Washington DC) to 2 April to make position plain...AMRAZOR-1...pointed out adverse effect on US prestige in Latin America and added that commando raids have value in proving Castro's vulnerability and in encouraging internal resistance."

104-10522-10126: CABLE:RE PARA 1 REF B ACCORDING WAVE SOURCES

1/16/64 cable WAVE 0569 from WAVE to Mexico City: "According WAVE sources (AMRAZOR-1 and AMBUCKLE-1) AMPALM-26 (Salvador Diaz Verson) planned depart WAVE area for Mexico 20 Nov 63 in order attend seminar Federacion Internacional de Organizaciones de Peridostas Profesionales (FIOPP) held 18-29 Nov 1963...planned attendance FIOPP by AMPALM-26. On return WAVE area A-26 told AMBUCKLE-1 (Ana Tomeu de Miller) he attended FIOPP seminar."

104-10274-10275: CABLE: RE-CANVASS EXILE COMUNITY 9 JUN REVEALS NO GREAT CHANGE IN

"Most interesting new tendency is tendency ignore Ray completely. This tendency exemplified by near deep-freeze treatment Ray accorded by local media as contrasted hullabaloo surrounding preparations for his 'war' and his capture and return. Same tendency evident in comments by such weather vanes as AMRAZOR-1, AMCORE-2 (Luis Ernesto Conte Aguero), and (Miami News reporter) Mary Louise Wilkinson."

104-10335-10001: Memo from AARB Executive Director to CIA Historical Group Director, May 30, 1995

This document was sent by Assassinations Records and Review Board Executive Director David Harwell to the Director of the CIA Historical Review Group John Pereira. It offers a list of Agency cryptonyms and pseudonyms and requests officials to provide the corresponding true names or a general description of the type intelligence relationship the related person, group, or location had with official projects. The document states AMRAZOR-1 was a "Cuban asset" used by the CIA. https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/104-10335-10001.pdf

104-10234-10389 CABLE: STATION PROP ASSETS GIVING HEAVY PLAY TO DEVELOPMENT IN CUBELA CASE

3/14/66 cable from WAVE to HQ: "Station prop assets giving heavy play to development in Cubela's case along ref line (DIR 86102), with main emphasis on case as symptom increasing unrest in military and other elements of regime establishment. Castro letter asking Cubela's life be spared interpreted as induced by fear death sentence might provoke move to overthrow him. AMRAZOR, AMCORE and AMBASAL also hit show trial nature of case with objective weakening credibility of double agent story etc..." AMRAZOR did broadcasts on 7 March and 11 March on the case. "These broadcasts appeared Diario 9 and 12 March."

104-10226-10024: UNIDAD REVOLUTIONARIA (AMSCROLL)

6/20/66 dispatch from Chief of Station JMWAVE to Chief, WH re JMWAVE PSYCH Projects: "AMRAZOR-1 has been especially effective outlet for our increased activity against military target and several AMRAZOR articles on this target have been put in leaflet form and mailed into Cuba."

104-10165-10188: AS OF 30 JUNE FOLLOWING IS STATUS OF TURNOVER TO JMCOBRA OF JMWAVE MHSPAWN ASSETS

6/28/68 cable: AMRAZOR-1 is identified as C-85546, new contact will be William Wibalda/Bob Wall. As noted in a previous 6/23/68 cable (104-10165-10188), the plan was to have AMRAZOR-1 work with AMLYRIC-1 (Manuel Brana Chansuolme/Chansoulme) and AMCORE-2 (Luis Ernesto Conte Aguero) with AMSTRUT-2 (Juana de la Caridad Castro Ruz) material in preparing sample package for review late in July.

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Contributors:
Bill Simpich • Carmine Savastano

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