Home/ Resources / Projects / CIA Cryptonyms / bigram: AM / cryptonym: AMSIGH-2

Cryptonym: AMSIGH-2

Return to Main Crypts Page

Definition:
Clemente Inclan Werner, prisoner released in 1970 and then used as intermediary between the Cuban government and imprisoned anti-Castro agents. Referred to as "Mente" after his capture in 1963.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
Dr. Clemente Inclan retired as the Rector of the University of Havana in 1959: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=59594&relPageId=910&search=%22clemente_inclan%22

Clemente Inclan Werner was the son of the Rector and father of Miami News reporter Hilda Inclan. https://cubaconfidential.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/today-in-history-cuban-intelligence-successful-against-cia-sponsored-guerrillas/

Rex was commanded by Alejandro Brooks and the Leda by his brother Gaspar Brooks: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=124186&relPageId=17

Captain Wally brought the "CIA instructions" to their commander.https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=124186&relPageId=13&search=wally

Hank was CIA, gave orders to Inclan and to the team as a wholehttps://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=124186&relPageId=23&search=wally

Hank was a trainer and needed an interpreterhttps://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=124186&relPageId=8&search=hank

John Tilton is mentioned on 10/26 as being in the communication loop on the action address - he may have been Wally, probably not a trainer and probably knew Spanish. Hank was a trainer who needed an interpreter.
Sources:

180-10073-10072: INTERVIEW REPORT WILLIAM TURNER DECEMBER 22-24, 1977

1962-1963: "The Navy Nobody Knew": "The Rex was harbored at West Palm Beach and the Leda at Port Everglades. Captains of the vessels were brothers Alejandro Brooks (Rex) and Gaspar Brooks (Leda). Both flew the flag of Nicaragua, had radar and electronic gear, were registered under names of companies the author feels were CIA fronts, and came in and out of harbor without any interference from the INS...Those captured were Alberto del Busto, Luis Montero Carranzana, Dr. Clemente Inclan Werner and one other not identified by name...Gordon Campbell, JMWAVE assistant station chief, would go down to the ship just before a mission and hand Captain Brooks sealed orders to be opened at sea. After the Rex had cleared the harbor, the guns would be taken from the magazine and fastened to the deck mounts. Rex would rendezvous at sea with the commando, frogmen, and infiltration teams. Would replenish her stores and ammunition at Stock Island near Key West, where there was a CIA warehouse."

Fabian Escalante, JFK: The Cuban Files (Ocean Press, 2006), p. 244

"October 22 (1963): During the night, Cuban airplanes intercepted and attacked two V-20 pirate launches as they were attempting to land arms and saboteurs in Cuba on the southern coast of Pinar del Rio province. The Cuban aircraft also located and attacked the 'mother ship' that had transported the launches. The enemy action was frustrated in a coordinated air force and coastal defense action. CIA agents Clemente Inclan Werner, chief of security in actions organized against Cuba from the Rex vessel, and crew members Luis Montero Carrazana and Roberto Lizano Rodriguez were captured. Spokesmen from the Comsandos L stated that Cuban counter-revolutionary groups under CIA direction were given every assistance in their anti-Cuba actions, citing the case of the Mambi Commandos (note: Comandos Mambises), who had engaged in attacks on Cuba from points in US territory." His capture is verified in this CIA memo: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=138561&relPageId=2&search=%22clemente_inclan%22

104-10093-10147: CABLE RE SUBJECTS IN CUSTODY ARE BOTH WOUNDED IN THE LEGS

10/24/63 cable from Mexico City to Director: "'Gonzalez' and 'Buenrostro' (sic) have been in custody (of) Mexi Navy since late afternoon 23 Oct. Both wounded in legs. Receiving adequate medical attention at Cozumel Naval Base...Madrid should stand by however should WAVE or HQS wish (to) attempt contact with Cubans with message from 'Captain Wally' in order (to) advise Cubans on their third and new cover story" not in line with (previous WAVE message, illegible on this copy). MEXI will attempt with LITEMPOS (operation support and security backstopping for the Mexico City operations, commencing in 1960. Involved a liaison relationship with the Mexican government) kill publicity of statements bim? was indeed headed for Cuban mainland but chances are not good if story widely known Cozumel." Another version is at 104-10290-10344.

104-10093-10175: CABLE - SUGGESTS BASE TAKE NO ACTION

10/26/63 cable MEXI 6678, from Mexico City to Director, action: Mr. Tilton SAS notified and copy slotted: "Due recent info that some AMGLOSSY (Comandos Mambises - a CIA infiltration team designed to set up an intelligence network and a resistance organization inside Cuba during 1963) Cubans now under Castro control MEXI suggests that normal answer as outlined ref (MRID 0295) be sent. We suggest to WAVE/DIR possibility 'normal answer' plus addendum such as 'this consulate can advise you that a Mr. Wally has been in touch with us seeking to assist you and requesting you be patient while he works on your case." Another version is at 104-10290-10362.

Richard Bartholomew, "Byrds, Planes and an Automobile" (e-book, 1993): http://the-puzzle-palace.com/files/rambler3.html

"(During October 1963), Castro's soldiers captured four CIA agents attempting to infiltrate Cuba from a 174-foot ship called the Rex that was based in the Port of Palm Beach, flew a Nicaraguan flag and was being leased to the Collins Radio Company of Dallas by J.A. Belcher, a Miami oilman. The four agents confessed on Cuban television. One of those captured, Luis Montero Carrazana, said he had "once landed twelve infiltrators on the north coast of Matazzas Province from a yacht that had a crew of American CIA agents." The U.S. government did not deny Castro's charges. The Rex mission was not the first time Collins had provided cover for CIA operations. Two weeks after Kennedy's death, the Rex and another mystery ship called Leda, again left their Florida ports." See "Castro Says CIA Uses Raider Ship," New York Times, Nov. 1, 1963, pp. 1, 15; "Alleged CIA Men Talk on Havana TV," NYT, Nov. 3, 1963, p. 40, Nov. 20, 1963, p. 42, Dec. 6, 1963, p. 41; Hinckle with Turner, The Fish is Red, p. 138.

Warren Hinckle and William Turner, Deadly Secrets (Thunder's Mouth Press, New York: 1992), p.p. 161-162

11/8/63: "...Also starring on Havana television that day was Dr. Clemente Inclan Werner, in earlier days a well-known Cuban yachtsman. he said that he had been smuggling arms for the Christian Democrats when the CIA recruited him into its Commandos Mambises fighting force. He had been trained in firearms and explosives and the fine arts of invisible inks at a CIA school for guerrillas on a suburban Miami state."

124-10203-10323: No Title

11/12/63: Clemente Inclan and the other two prisoners are interviewed at a press conference. The entire transcript is posted here. ..."Peralta: Could you tell me more about the names of the U.S. citizens who were involved? Inclan (Note AMSIGH-2): Yes. The U.S. citizen working with the infiltration group was my chief, his name is Hank... The U.S. citizen whom I understand was a retired naval officer was in charge of the ship. His name is Wally...Later this Wally was promoted and another U.S. citizen took over the ship. His name was Bob..." - - Page 4: ..."Question: Then the Rex, the persons aboard it, were persons serving as crewmen for its navigation? Carrazana: Yes. Question: Military personnel completely trained to handle the artillery? Carrazana: Well, there were many people who had belonged to the navy..." - - - Page 5: ..."NCNA: Who paid you? Lizano: Major Wally or, that is, Captain Wally, the American. He gave the commander the money and the commander paid us..." - - - Pages 8-9: ..."PRENSA LATINA: How were you recruited for this activity? Inclan: I was recruited in October 1962 during the Caribbean crisis. They came to see me and asked me to work for them. PRENSA LATINA: Who came to see you? Inclan: Mr. Hank, with whom I have always worked with this group. PRENSA LATINA: He is North American? Inclan: Yes, a North American. PRENSA LATINA: He works for the CIA? Inclan: Yes. PRENSA LATINA: Directly? Inclan: Yes, he is what they call a case officer for the CIA...PRENSA LATINA: What post is that; what does it mean? Inclan: Well, in his specific case, which is the one I know about, he works in the infiltration section. He was in charge of this group. He is the man who has to lead the group through all its training and handle everything connected with this group. PRENSA LATINA: Then all operations of this kind, attacks and infiltrations, were directly organized by CIA agents? Inclan: The ones in which I have taken part, yes..."

104-10308-10018: CABLE: WHILE BELIEVE HAVE REASONABLY ACCURATE PICTURE OF SPECIFIC

11/10/63, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Page 2: ..."E. AMRIPE/AMGLEN Complex. In addition security threat posed by AMCANOE-3 (Antonio Jose Ramirez Mendez) case, as result AMSIGH-2 apprehension, AMGLEN-9 (probably Emilio Cardenas Pinera) in potentially dangerous spot if only as result his relationship AMSIGH-2 (Clemente Inclan Werner). This situation being assessed and possibilities for exfil AMGLEN-9 by all are being examined."

104-10075-10147: CABLE RE AGENT MESSAGE CONCERNING HEAVY SEAS BETWEEN KEYS AND NORTH COAST.

Re 11/21/63, 104-10077-10329, p. 3: AMCANOE-2 learned that call from "Virginia" on 11/21 (DIR 84284) was really from Emma Cowley. "This (is) good evidence (of) contact between Emma and Gerardo (Cowley) with whom AMCANOE-3 (Antonio Jose Ramirez Mendez) was staying with at that time, according (to) AMGLEN-9 (probably Emilio Cardenas Pinera)". Re: 11/21/63, WAVE 8010, RYBAT TYPIC AMGLEN-9 COMMON FATBID: "...ONE FIVE SEVEN. Due extremely high seas between Keys and North Coast Pinar had to cancel attempt tonight. Planning rerun tomorrow if possible can. Although they know no details CMA crew aware importance this exfil. They experienced and loyal. Since your phon might tapped CMA do not initiate any calls to Emilio. If he should inquire however, you may advised him you aware cancellation and will advise of new dates if tomorrow night attempt unsuccessful. Head shrinkers agree your observations of Mente. Probably under influence drugs but drugs involved not behavioral alternates and would not affect recall or alter statements. Doubt they using hypnosis. Gorda. End agent message. For DIA only: Emilio is REDACTED. and Mente is REDACTED."

104-10217-10108: CABLE RE: STATION IS AWARE OF HIGH LEVEL LNHARP INTEREST AMSOUR CASE WHICH

1969 cable from Director to WH/Miami (Info: Madrid) (Orig: N. Gratz, WH/COG/SA): "Station is aware of high level LNHARP (U.S. Government) interest AMSOUR case which necessitated Madrid Station direct contact with Alonso (Pujol/AMECRU-1)...AMSIGHS should be impressed with necessity clearing names to Alonso and reporting future contacts to Alonso."

104-10217-10136: CABLE RE: IDENTITIES FOLLOW ON CRYPTS USED IN REF B

4/30/71 cable from WH/Miami to Caracas (Info: Director): (Sadelly Acting): "Identities follow in (following cable): A. AMSIGH-2: Former political prisoner in PBRUMEN (Cuba) who ransomed by AMECRU-2 and who now used as intermediary in ransom case involving imprisoned PBRUMEN (Cuban) agents."

104-10217-10137: CABLE RE: FOLLOWING IS KEYED TO REF

4/30/71 cable from WH/Miami to Caracas (Info: Director): (Sadelly Acting): "Following is keyed to (previous cable): A. Clemente Inclan Werner (201-312305)."

Contributors:
Bill Simpich

© Mary Ferrell Foundation. All Rights Reserved. |Site Map |MFF Policies |Contact Us