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Cryptonym: AMWEE-9

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Definition:
AMWEE-9 was Ricardo Bordo, a long-time friend of AMWHIP-1 (Carlos Tepedino Gonzalez).
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
A memo by William E. Wainwright, WH/SA/EOB/MHAPRON, on September 24, 1964, stated that "according to a letter received by AMWHIP/1 from Carlos Bordo, son of Ricardo Bordo (AMWEE/9), his father informed him that he was unable to procure any pesos that had been requested of him by AMWHIP/1."

A cable from JMWAVE on September 26, 1964, stated that "at last meeting MEXI 1-6 Sep AMWEE-1 (Massimo Muratori del Balso) reported AMWEE-9 still pressing him as of last week August to purchase U.S. $10,000 worth pesos for contracts in MEXI who got him American visa. A-1 has refused to obtain pesos for A-9 because A-9 is perfectly capable get them himself, but wishes cover himself by using AMWEE-1 as intermediary. Believe as of late August A-9 still had not received word from AMWHIP-1 that pesos not desired."
Sources:

104-10183-10054: MEMO: AMWHIP/1 MEETING, NEW YORK CITY, 23 OCTOBER 1962

10/23/62: Memo for the record: Pages 2-3: ...."B. Alternate AMLASH/1 Commo Channel...The 'courier' from the States in this case is Ricardo Bordo, an old friend of Subject's and long-time employee of the Italian Embassy in Havana. Bordo gets the letters in Miami either from Subject himself or from another trusted friend of Subject, Muigel Gallo (telephone TU 5-3324 and TU 7-5307. The first being his office, the second, his home)...It is noted that the 'courier', Ricardo Bordo, was supposed to come to Miami on the 20th of October, but did not appear. The next time he could be expected was, according to Gallo about the end of this month. Travel restrictions imposed by the Crisis might defeat this plan. It is noted that Bordo usually cables Gallo before he comes to Madrid..."

104-10092-10030: TRAVEL DATA - HAVANA TO MEXICO CITY

12/28/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: Slugline INTEL JMGIN LIFIRE: "1. Travel data shows the following arrived in Mexico City from Habana via air on 22 December 1963...and Italian: Ricardo Bordo, PP 00604..."

104-10183-10209: WITHHELD

07/20/64: Memo from William E. Wainwright, WH/SA/EOB for WH/SA/MOB (Attention: Ray Monahan): Subject: AMWEE/9 Use by AMWHIP/1 for Purchase of Cuban Pesos: "1. In response to a request by the undersigned, AMWHIP/1 (Carlos Tepedino Gonzalez) undertook to purchase up to 50,000 pesos at a rate of at least five-to-one. He reported last month that he had encountered some difficulty in making the purchase...At the 17 July meeting, AMWHIP/1 stated, in response to the question, that he would be getting a quantity of pesos from Cuba as soon as a friend of his exited Cuba in the near future. He revealed that this friend was AMWEE/9, and that he expected to come out to Mexico soon, perhaps later this month. 2. It is noted, for the record, that AMWEE/9 is a long-time friend of AMWHIP/1, whose friendship extends from the Batista era. In fact, it was, according to AMWHIP/1, through AMWEE/9 that he was able to bring out a considerable amount of money undetected by the authorities when AMWHIP/1 left Cuba for exile in New York. AMWHIP/1 has been in contact with AMWEE/9 periodically since that time. As far as the undersigned knows, however, this is the first occasion that AMWHIP/1 has used AMWEE/9 for any operational task on behalf of KUBARK (CIA)."

104-10183-10208: CABLE:FOR YOUR BACKGROUND INFO ONLY, AMWHIP-1, IN ANSWER TO A HQS

07/21/64: Cable from Director to JMWAVE: Slugline TYPIC AMWEE AMWHIP: Faded cable stated that ..."AMWEE-9 is a long-time friend of AMWHIP-1 (Carlos Tepedino Gonzalez)..."

104-10234-10438: MEMO: MEETING WITH AMWHIP/1, NEW YORK CITY, 20 AUGUST 1964

08/28/64: Memo for the record from William E. Wainwright, WH/SA/EOB: ..."4. Acquisition of Cuban Pesos: A/1 stated that he had called Ricardo Bordo's son in Philadelphia several times (confirmed by telecons earlier between undersigned and A/1 in New York) but that in each case, the son had stated that he had received no packages from his father from Mexico during the latter's time in that city. A/1 thought this indeed strange. The undersigned opined that perhaps it was difficult to obtain pesos today due to the stringent currency controls now in force in Cuba. We suggested to AMWHIP/1 (Carlos Tepedino Gonzalez) that he now pursue this problem with Bordo further, as any over-zealous efforts on his part to obtain the currency might come to the attention of the Cuban authorities. Of course, if Bordo does produce the pesos at a later date (with no additional prompting from A/1), they will be readily accepted..."

104-10183-10176: MEMO: ATTEMPT TO PROCURE CUBAN PESOS BY AMWHIP/1.

09/24/64: Memo for the record from William E. Wainwright, WH/SA/EOB/MHAPRON: "1. According to a letter received by AMWHIP/1 (Carlos Tepedino Gonzalez) from Carlos Bordo, son of Ricardo Bordo (AMWEE/9), his father informed him that he was unable to procure any pesos that had been requested of him by AMWHIP/1. 2. COMMENT: Considering the recent difficulties that some members of the Italian Embassy in Havana have had as a result of the arrest of their prime source of black market pesos, it was not surprising to learn that Bordo was unable to service AMWHIP/1's request. Due to the sensitivity of the AMWEE operations, AMWHIP/1 has been told not to ask Bordo to do any further errands for him."

104-10183-10174: CABLE: FOLL WILL BE SENT BY OWVL. BEGIN AGENT MSG:

09/26/64: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline TYPIC NODOR COMMO AMWEE: REF WAVE 9679 (IN 34437): ..."2. FYI: Tomas El Gallego is Tomas Suarez, former General Motors dealer Habana who has access to large amounts of pesos. Need for pesos is extremely pressing and despite our casting out through every possible source have only been able to pick up small amounts to cover anticipated needs of 50,000 for begin Oct. Loss of AMHALFs has curtailed previous peso supply indefinitely, but hopeful commence obtain steady supply through various sources commencing October. 3. At last meeting MEXI 1-6 Sep AMWEE-1 (Massimo Muratori del Balso) reported AMWEE-9 still pressing him as of last week August to purchase U.S. $10,000 worth pesos for contracts in MEXI who got him American visa. A-1 has refused to obtain pesos for A-9 because A-9 is perfectly capable get them himself, but wishes cover himself by using AMWEE-1 as intermediary. Believe as of late August A-9 still had not received word from AMWHIP-1 (Carlos Tepedino Gonzalez) that pesos not desired."

104-10247-10261: LETTER TO BILL, JUST A FEW WORDS TO SEND YOU NAME OF THE GIRL THAT WORKS IN PAN AMERICAN

Undated letter: "Esteemed Bill: Just a few words to send you the name of the girl that works in Pan American, Loretta Bermey. I believe she was born in Marseille, France, American citizen. I can also obtain the address and the telephone number if need be. I hope to have news of Mr. Ricardo Bordo in order to send a letter to my friend in Habana, but after you left NY I began thinking if in the letter that he sent to the girl in Spain my friend forgot to put a return address. If he wrote it will this not be the address that he wants the reply to go to?"

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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