Cryptonym: CIRAKE-1
This Tony Varona chrono created by HSCA has an interesting entry for Romani: See the redacted version at 180-10142-10305, and compare it with the unredacted version at 180-10143-10182, p. 17 - the Romani entry is at p. 19.
As stated in 104-10167-10010, below: Tony Varona/AMHAWK, his right hand man Manolo Alcalde Inclan, and Salvador Romani/probably CIRAKE-3 are all "intimately connected" with the CIRAKE operation, and CIRAKE-1 is subordinate to them.
5/16/60: "Meeting with Guymers/Romualdi...by Sherwood N. Gebien. Guymers reported on meeting with Mujal on 13 May. Figueres and Betancourt urged Arango/AMEER-1 and Varona/AMHAWK to join in a united front. "Varona, with whom Mujal (with Rafael Otero) had had a lengthy meeting last week in New York, told Mujal that an attempt will be made to issue a manifesto in June. A candidate to representative on Frente was Rafael Otero Berlaff - described as a confidant of Varona and Arango. Guymers indicated Mujal had recently seen Spruille Braden again. Braden said he intended to contact Allen Dulles to arrange for Dulles/Mujal contact. Impression was given that contact would be in writing." Also see 124-90041-10099, p. 15 discussing a 5/17/60 meeting of Mujal, Varona and Sanchez Arango in New York City.
6/1/60 memo: Varona contacted Castleton on 31 May. Varona wants Castelon to meet (Aureliano Sanchez) Arango/AMEER-1 and Salvador Romani who is to lead the Caracas group. Romani is the main asset of CIRAKE-1.
6/1/60 cable from Caracas to Director: "On 31 May meeting (with) AMHAWK/Tony Varona he had with him Manolo Alcalde Incala who works for Decor International of Miami and apparently AMHAWK right hand man.."(Manolo Alcalde) Incala came embassy 1100 hours 1 June with Romani and presented him (to) Castelon. According Romani he to head up Caracas branch of "Bloque Unitario" of Cuban exile political groups to be formed within next 20 days. Romani in addition to heading Caracas unity block will serve as rep AMHAWK political group...Sanchez Arango has agreed to work within unity bloc...(Romani's) work in CIRAKE-1 net shows him to be an extremely intelligent and courageous person as well as a excellent newspaperman... ...It apparent CIRAKE operation intimately involved above personalities (Tony Varona/AMHAWK, his right hand man Manolo Alcalde Inclan, and Salvador Romani/probably CIRAKE-3) and CIRAKE-1 subordinate to them." This document is also in Varona chrono file 1994.04.21.11:27:43:060005 - p. 71.
6/3/60 cable from MASH to Director: Corbuston/William Kent phoned and met with Varona 3 June." Brought up the following points: Bender hopes it isn't true that Varona intends give (Hal) Hendrix/possible QDELF details of 2 June immigration troubles for publication. Varona agreed. Varona should arrange Executive Committee meeting for Wed. June 8. Asked that Varona not inform (Bernard) Barker/AMCLATTER-1 of Corubston contact." For full document, see 104-10260-10445.
104-10167-10009: INFO INDICATES MAY BE DESIRABLE FOR CASTELON CONTINUE CONTACT WITH ROMANI
6/4/60 cable from WH/4/PA Martha Tharpe to JMASH: "Info...indicates it may be desirable for Castelon (to) continue contact with Romani to monitor activities (of) these groups. However, defer action (in) this regard for present. Bender will talk to AMHAWK soon re AMHAWK's activities in Caracas. Results these discussions will probably throw some light on relationships (of) CIRAKE operation, Bloque Unitario, and FRD. Will advise." "WH comment: Concerned Salvador ROMANI, member CIRAKE operation in REDACTED, who says he will head Caracas branch of 'Bloque Unitario' of Cuban exiled political groups to be formed next 20 days and will also serve (as) representative of AMHAWK's political group. Requested guidance, especially re further contact with ROMANI."
104-10167-10005: LEARNED THAT EUSEBIO MUJAL WAS ABOUT TO ORGANIZE A FRENTE SINDICAL DEMOCRATICO
6/13/60 memo from C/WH/4/PA Gerald Droller to JMASH: "Learned through BGACTRESS/International Organization Division (IOD) that Eusebio Mujal was about to organize a Frente Sindical Democratico and according to BGACTRESS Sources AMHAWK was involved in this. Parlett/Droller questioned AMHAWK and AMWAIL on this and both expressed complete ignorance. (San Jose) now advises that Alberto Alvarez, former Cuban foreign minister currently residing Costa Rica, has participated formation above-named frente when he was visiting States in May. Alvarez claims that Maxwell Raab representing org legally, Dina Dellaie is treasurer. Allegedly AMHAWK and Sanchez Arango were present during New York talks when org discussed..."
104-10167-10001: GUIDANCE TO SERAFINO ROMAULDI FOR HIS MEETING WITH EUSEBIO MIJAL
"On 22 June Messrs. REDACTED of IOD (International Organizations Division) called on Mr. Reichhardt/Ken Crosby, WH/4/PA, and requested assistance in giving guidance to ROMAULDI for his discussion with MUJAL on 26 June of the attached list of CTC leaders, which was prepared by MUJAL for the purpose of determining from ROMUALDI which of these leaders might be acceptable for inclusion in a labor front to function as part of the FRD...on 23 June Mr. REDACTED met from Mr. Reichhardt and Miss Tharpe. With reference to MUJAL's talk of a labor front in connection with the FRD, Mr. Reichhardt said we had no knowledge of any plan for a labor front as such. Mr. Reichhardt referred to the agreement between IOD and WH/4 that there would be no official contact with Mujal and Romauldi's contact would be continued only for the purpose of monitoring...
104-10167-10000: EUSEBIO MIJAL WAS ABOUT TO ORGANIZE A FRENTE BIMIDICAL DEMOCRATICO
6/26/60 cable from Director to REDACTED: Late May we learned via BGACTRESS that Eusebio Mujal was about to organize a Frente Sindicial Democratico and that according BGACTRESS sources AMHAWK was involved in this. Parlett/Gerry Droller questioned AMHAWK and AMWAIL about this particular Frente and both expressed complete ignorance. Since no info available HQS Ref A, which appears (to) include all Latin America, we interested any additional info you can obtain, especially as participation Maxwell Raab, Mujal, and Abel Mestre. Meanwhile AMHAWK, Sanchez Arango and Mestre will be queried at first opportunity re their knowledge any such Latin American labor front. In view very derogatory info from AMHAWK on (Romani), reported REF B, request you re-examine proposal of financial aid to (Romani), per paras 4-5 REF A. Even though (Romani) and his group kept in background, we feel at present that aid to them inadvisable since would appear fall in category in category of strengthening a group incapable of coalescing in JMNET per your comment REF C." Chief of Station comments: "Reported (ROMANI) returned San Jose from series of conferences New York and Washington and said his group has been legally constituted in US under name of Frente Sindical Democratico Anti-Comunista de America Latina and that US citizen heading this group and representing it legally was Maxwell RAAB. Mentioned Eusebio Mujal, Abel Mestre, Sanchez Arango and others as connected with the group."
104-10229-10009: CRC ADMIN/BUDGET/FINANCE
8/12/60: One of the people on the CRC payroll for that month was Jose Sobrino Dieguez (sic), a misspelling of Jose Sobrino Duquez.
104-10110-10589: EL MUNDO EXPOSURE.
Nov. 1960: "Salfador Romani...probably identical with Salvador Romani-Orue Garcia (OS 223 776) on whom an OA was granted in November 1960 for use as a PP agent in Cuba and Caracas, Venezuela. Files canceled January 1967. Employed by several newspapers 1953-60 including El Mundo as reporter. Listed on PRQ on Manuel Artime as relative/friend/correspondent in United States. Named as CIA by de Armas (OS# 591 865) in Havana press conference in April 1976."
104-10061-10115: LIST OF NAMES RE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION
02/15/78: CIA document: Page 10: ..."CIRAKE-1 - 4698 - Jose Sobrino Duquez..."