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Cryptonym: AMUSE

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Definition:
Unknown identity. A CIA document in July 1961 contained a handwritten note which mentioned Marcelino Garcia (Evelio Duque Miyar) and AMUSE.
Status:
Unknown
Discussion:
The June, 1962, AMSPELL (DRE) Progress Report mentioned that "propaganda activities such as denied area mailing operations, PBPRIME (U.S.) and Latin American radio programs directed against the denied area, elaboration of propaganda leaflets and pamphlets and shortwave programs over 'Corsario Libre' on the AMUSE vessel." The July, 1962, DRE Progress Report stated that "mailing campaigns are used for getting leaflets into the denied area. DRE electronic technicians constructed equipment similar to that used in Havana for television intrusion on audio channels and transmissions were made from the AMUSE vessel Sandpiper." The vessel Sandpiper was mentioned in a number of documents in 1961 and 1962.
Sources:

104-10172-10426: CABLE: LIST OF JMATE OWNED AND/OR WAVE CONTROLLED MARITIME ASSETS

05/18/61: Cable from JMWAVE to BELL: "1. List of JMATE owned and/or WAVE controlled maritime assets follows: Boat Name: A. Matusa Time. Status: Operational. Location: Islamorada... B. Wasp. Operational. Marathon...C. Seagull. Operational. Miami...D. Tejana. Operational. JMBAR...E. El Polo. Operational. Newfound Harbor. F. Barbero. Operational. Newfound Harbor. G. Sandpiper (Ex Theano). Operational. Islamorada. H. Voodoo. Operational. Miami. Ropelu. In dry dock. Key West. CS Comment: *Requested status report all JMATE owned and WAVE controlled maritime assets."

104-10315-10013: MEMO: IG OFFICER INTERVIEW WITH ROSS CROZIER, PW SECTION, MIAMI BASE, 25 MAY 1961

06/02/61: Memorandum for the record from R. D. Shea: ..."2. Crozier said that his chief matters were three: (a) a sixty foot cruiser called 'Theano' or more recently 'Sandpiper' which has been fitted out as a radio boat with a one kilowatt Collins transmitter for broadcasting propaganda on the medium and long-wave bands. It has a 25-mile radius and cruises ten to 15 miles off the Cuban coast. Its first broadcast was made 7 October 1960 (this is project AMHOSE). The ship broadcasts scripts that are prepared at WAVE based on themes approved in Headquarters. Special matters are edited in Headquarters. To date they have broadcast three or four times lasting an hour each time, the places being too near Havana and elsewhere on the coast. The boat has made two other trips, one of supply and one for infiltration, and six trips that have aborted as a result of bad weather. He has no way of knowing the effectiveness of these broadcasts. They have been pushed by Headquarters. The crew are former Cuban Naval personnel. 'Theano' is kept at Islamorada and has received no publicity. It was purchased for $28,000 by Headquarters, as it was built in 1928 it is of wood and its engines needed replacement and overhaul. He does not know why this old ship was bought. It is in good condition now..." - - - NOTE: Page 3: ..."d. Counter-terror should be employed against the Communist leaders in Cuba and against official personnel. There are only ten or 20 leaders at the top of the Castro organization. If these few were killed off, it would be extremely hard to fill their positions. This action should be carried out by European commando-type operations involving no Cubans." The name of the writer of the memo has been redacted but at the bottom of page 2 R. D. Shea's name was printed.

104-10262-10230: ESCAMBRAY HABLANDO

07/07/61: CIA document: Handwritten at top of page: "PW visas written by Marcelino Garcia (Evelio Duque Miyar) to be home sent by AMUSE people 7 July 61. Not used CVC."

104-10235-10205: INFORMATION ON NAVAL AFFAIRS

07/31/61: Handwritten note: "Fraulo (?): Can you ascertain if any of your AMHAZERS went on these expeditions and if so who? Tom: (unintelligible) receipt (unintelligible) signed by all. EAGLE 4 noon 20 July SANDPIPER broadcast believe AMHAZERS on board. OPN AMPARO run 21 July. BARBERO towed fishing boat AMPARO."

104-10235-10019: SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON NAVAL AFFAIRS

09/26/61: Report #205 from C-5: Source: Our collaborators in the Navy Office: "1. Sources reported that Renato Diaz Blanco, Naval Delegate, and Jose Arriola are making a plan to stay with the Navy if the budget is again approved for the Navy, that is, if the budget is increased. That for this objective they have appointed Antonio Franco Medina, ex-Cuban Navy Lt. Colonel, to head the Intelligence Office and its former chief Diego Ruiz Linares has passed to a secondary position, and that they have also assigned the former Navy officer Jose Escarse Cancio as Chief of Personnel or Direction but without being officially appointed to this position. The objective of these new appointments is that if the Navy were to be reorganized, Renato Diaz Blanco will already have men in it who will have to thank him for their appointment and who will be his unconditional supporters. At least, this is the opinion of our collaborators." Handwritten notes: "Medina is skipper of 'Sandpiper.' Escarse is engineer of 'Sandpiper.'" - - - "PM Maritime RS. ROSS/POSS (?). Finance file CI/Naval affairs."

104-10074-10390: CABLE - REQUEST AUTHORITY MOUNT OPERATION PEPE

12/15/61: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline JMZIP PEPE COMMO: "1. Request authority mount Operation PEPE. A. MRR/DRE. B. Sandpiper/Reefer. C. Small Cuban boat. No other details...E. Eastern tip Cayo Jutias...H. infiltrate five men 1000 pounds cargo. Exfiltrate four men...H...Infiltrees are Rafael Aureli Quintero Ibarbia aka Roberto Quesada Gonzales aka Jose M. Hernandez Valdes (AMJAVA-4); Juan Manuel Guillot Castellano aka Renato M. Lopez Zamoka aka Rubin Hernandez Ortega (AMBRONC-5); Manuel Salvat Roque (AMHINT-2); Julio Hernandez Rojo (AMHINT-40); John Koch Gene (AMHINT-26). Exfiltrees are Luis Comellas, Carmelo Gonzalez, Manolo Alzucaray, and Emilio Martinez. BARR will provide 1000 pounds weapons ammo..." 201 numbers listed include 201-306319 (AMHINT-26); 201-281270 (AMJAVA-4); 201-281397 (AMFOX-1); 201-286051 (AMHINT-2); 201-310721 (AMHINT-40); 201-281268 (based on process of elimination, maybe AMBRONC-5)

104-10226-10418: DISCUSSION OF MARITIME OPERATIONS

05/31/62: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: "1. Discussions 29 May with AMOT-120 reveal he willing charter his converted LCI "Regla Segundo' (British flag) on bare boat bases for three thousand dollars per month. Crew, food, fuel costs will be additional eight thousand per month. Total cost per month will thus be eleven thousand dollars. 2. 'Regla Segundo' has 300 ton capacity. Main match 30 ft. long 20 ft. wide and 8 ft, clearance below decks. Performance characteristics similar Villaro. Vessel currently engaged Caribbean freight trade and due arrive Miami 30 May where will be available Mr. Smith's inspection. Request Mr. Smith arrive Miami 1 June. 3. AMOT-120 willing furnish or front for hiring crew for vessel. This connection AMOT-120 states current crew all Cubans who anti-Castro. We collecting PRQ data re crew to see if they meet our security standards, etc. If they don't WAVE will crew vessel from existing maritime assets...C. Capt. Antonio Franco Medina, former employee Cuban weather observatory and specialist in weather balloons and 'radwind'. Presently M/V Sandpiper skipper... 6. View AMOT-120 natural cover for involvement shipping activities plus availability and apparent suitability his vessel for balloon ops request authority leave 'Regla Segundo' as wedge to get closer AMOT-120 and thus assess his full potential as cover mechanism for our maritime activities..."

104-10171-10009: JUNE PROGRESS REPORT - AMSPELL

07/20/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Subject: Operational/GYROSE/KUWOLF June Progress Report - AMSPELL: "1. The Progress Report for AMSPELL (DRE), comprised of AMBARB (propaganda project to place DRE members in universities throughout Latin America) and AMHINT (a branch of the DRE that conducted paramilitary and infiltration operations in Cuba. Their case officer was JMWAVE chief of operations David Morales) activities, for the month of June 1962, follows: A. AMSPELL: General...Other AMSPELL activities described under appropriate sections below included; Propaganda activities such as denied area mailing operations, PBPRIME (U.S.) and Latin American radio programs directed against the denied area, elaboration of propaganda leaflets and pamphlets and shortwave programs over 'Corsario Libre' on the AMUSE vessel..."

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

08/14/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Attachment A: BACKGROUND AND STATUS OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ELEMENTS: Page 4: ...Mailing campaigns are used for getting leaflets into the denied area. DRE electronic technicians constructed equipment similar to that used in Havana for television intrusion on audio channels and transmissions were made from the AMUSE vessel Sandpiper. The FALCON operations from I to XII were sporadic and uncertain, but at least three were successful and reception was reported. This media is now under study for improved techniques and equipment..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald • Bill Simpich

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