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Cryptonym: AMSTOW-1

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Definition:
Unknown identity. AMSTOW-1 was referred to in CIA documents as "Filipe" and "Felipe." AMSTOW-1 was the principal agent of the AMRYE-1 (Tony Sforza) stay behind net in Cuba in June 1961.
Status:
Unknown
Discussion:
A CIA document, in the form of a diagram, plotted a relationship going from shortwave operator AMGLEN-9/"Ink" (probably Emilio Cardenas Pinera), also known as DWAKIQ) - to another shortwave operator referred to as "Felipe" - to DIMPLE/AMCOOP-1 (Miguel Xiques Macias) - to ITALY's wife, described as "alternative unwitting courier". "Felipe" was AMSTOW-1. Other identifiable actors described in the diagram included EUGENIO/AMIRE-1 (Emilio Americo Rodriguez), HENRY/AMRYE-1 (Tony Sforza). Henry, "Happy", and "Clinton" were in hiding. A line attached the three to Eugenio.

A dispatch from JMWAVE on November 7, 1961, stated that (Jorge - "Cuco") "Nobregas was initially advanced 2,000 pesos by Filipe (AMSTOW-1) to work out arrangements for exfiltrating AMCONCERT-1 (Francisco Wilfredo Varona Alonso) to the United States."

A dispatch on January 14, 1963, stated that "while AMCONCERT-1 was in asylum in the Brazilian Embassy, AMSTOW-1 (then Principal Agent in the AMRYE-1 net) sent word to AMCONCERT-1 in the Embassy that AMSTOW-1 had been visited by Jorge and Ester Someillan Gonzalez (not code name, Lola). They asked AMSTOW-1 for 2000 Cuban pesos to purchase a motor for Alicio Nunez' boat which was to be used in the exfiltration of Jorge and AMCONCERT-1. AMSTOW-1 gave Jorge the money."
Sources:

104-10180-10133: DIAGRAM OF NAMES.

1961: CIA document: This diagram shows, among other things, a relationship going from shortwave operator AMGLEN-9/"Ink" (probably Emilio Cardenas Pinera), also known as DWAKIQ) - to another shortwave operator referred to as "Felipe" - to DIMPLE/AMCOOP-1 (Miguel Xiques Macias) - to ITALY's wife, described as "alternative unwitting courier". Other identifiable actors described in the diagram include EUGENIO/AMIRE-1 (Emilio Rodriguez), HENRY/AMRYE (Tony Sforza)

104-10193-10033: CABLE RE MESSAGE TO BE PUT INTO COVER LETTER AND MAILED.

06/22/61, Cable from Director to Caracas (Orig: R. Whedbee, WH/4/FI): JMZIP: "PLS put following into SW write cover letter and mail to AMIRE-1 (Emilio Americo Rodriguez) PO Box Cuba: 'Message number 1. For Felipe. We greatly appreciate your taking over the operations from Enrique. Advise if you need anything and we will send by next courier. We have number your wife's bank account and will begin monthly deposits $200. Use secret writing often and radio only if message urgent. Tell Paco we very interested recruit informant in Movimiento Revolucionario del Pueblo. We preparing information reporting guides for all members your group and will send in next SW message. Advise of any new executions including identity victims.' Comment: Felipe is AMSTOW-1 who took over management of the intel net in Cuba from AMRYE-1 (Tony Sforza)."

104-10267-10104: DISPATCH: JMZIP JORGE NOBREGAS' RELATIONS WITH AMCONCERT-1

11/07/61, dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief of Base, JMWAVE: "2. In substance all three reports appear to confirm the following where Nobregas is concerned. Nobregas was initially advanced 2,000 pesos by FILIPE (AMSTOW-1) to work out arrangements for exfiltrating AMCONCERT-1 (Francisco Wilfredo Varona Alonso) to the United States. After several postponements on the part of Nobregas, he subsequently met AMCONCERT-1 on the afternoon of 4 August to inform him that all necessary arrangements had been made for him to depart that weekend. When AMCONCERT-1 arrived at the designated rendezvous site near Varadero Beach where he was to meet Nobregas, he was met by an individual known as 'Cuco,' who informed AMCONCERT-1 that Nobregas and three other individuals (who were not members of the KUTUBE net) had already taken off in a fishing vessel. It appears that 'Cuco' has assisted Nobregas in chartering the fishing boat, with the obvious intent of leaving AMCONCERT-1 behind."

104-10177-10000: MEMO: OPERATIONAL SECURITY THREATS POSED BY ARREST OF AMCONCERT-1

11/08/61, memo for Chief, WH/4/FI-CI: "1. Problem: To attempt to determine extent and nature of possible compromise of the Staybehind Net resulting from the arrest of AMCONCERT-1 (Francisco Wilfredo Varona Alonso) by Cuban G-2. Circumstances...The events which led to AMCONCERT-1's subsequent apprehension by G-2 appears to be as follows: a. After taking asylum at the Brazilian Embassy sometime in July, it is apparent that AMCONCERT-1 had made up his mind to effect an escape to Miami via channels used by other members in the Staybehind Net previously...It appears that Nobregas was serving in a cut-out capacity between AMCONCERT-1 and the Staybehind Net, and was reportedly given 2,000 pesos by AMSTOW-1 to grease the skids for AMCONCERT-1's escape..."

104-10267-10099: DISPATCH: AMCONCERT-1 REPORT ON JORGE NOBREGAS HERIA

01/14/63, dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Page 3: "4. Jorge wished to maintain closer contact with AMCONCERT-1 (Francisco Wilfredo Varona Alonso) when he learned that Di Gerveno (pseudonym for Emilio Americo Rodriguez) was leaving Cuba. AMCONCERT-1 saw Jorge on one occasion before AMCONCERT-1 entered the Brazilian Embassy as an asylee in late June 1961. While AMCONCERT-1 was in asylum in the Brazilian Embassy, AMSTOW-1 (then Principal Agent in the AMRYE-1 net) sent word to AMCONCERT-1 in the Embassy that AMSTOW-1 had been visited by Jorge and Ester Someillan Gonzalez (not code name, Lola). They asked AMSTOW-1 for 2000 Cuban pesos to purchase a motor for Alicio Nunez' boat which was to be used in the exfiltration of Jorge and AMCONCERT-1. AMSTOW-1 gave Jorge the money. AMCONCERT-1 later learned from Emilio Cadenas, owner of the motor, that Jorge had only paid him $500.00 pesos."

Contributors:
John Newman • MFF

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