Cryptonym: CLIP
http://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/jfk/NARA-Oct2017/2018/docid-32303569.pdf
"In 1960, CIA initiated a program under the codename "CLIP" (105-89923), the overall objective of which was the establishment of an organization among anti-Castro exiles capable of replacing the Castro government. In May, 1960, CIA furnished the names of Cubans making up the nucleus of the organization which would move against Castro and which would publicly announce its existence under the name of the Frente Revoluncionario Democratico (FRD) (note: first given the crypt AMRASP, than AMIRON). On June 22, 1960, a manifesto was published in Mexico City, Mexico, announcing the formation of the FRD..."
104-10261-10068: MEMORANDUM FROM DIRECTOR, FBI TO DIRECTOR CIA: MRS. CATHERINE TAAFFE
6/19/60 memo from J. Edgar Hoover to DDP at CIA, subject CLIP: "Catherine Taaffe (of NYC) advised that Dr. Antonio Varona Larodo...was leaving NYC that day for Mexico City where there would be a four day meeting of Cuban exiles. According to Mrs. Taaffe, this meeting dealt with plans to overthrow the Cuban government." Also see 124-10294-10141, regarding the FBI correlation file for Pedro Diaz Lanz: "On 8/18/60, Justin Gleichauf, Open CIA agent, Miami, advised that Neil MacAulay (2-1612) stated that he did not like the FRD of Tony Varona (CIA's Operation CLIP), and had visited Pedro Luiz Diaz Lanz, well known Cuban counterrevolutionary figure in Miami, who considered MacAulay as too adventuresome..." Also see 124-90137-10074: 11/14/60 FBI memo from Sam Papich to Mr. L'Allier: "On November 9, 1960, Mrs. Jane Roman, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), advised the Liaison Agent that (Jose Miro) Cardona is being utilized by CIA in connection with its CLIP program."
124-10369-10029: Admin Folder-J9
3/23/61 memo "sets forth information that William A. Royer (note: in 104-10068-10112 - David Phillips identifies Royer as "former chief security officer, assigned to HQ as of 1967) appeared at the New Orleans (FBI) office on 3/13/61, and identified himself as the security officer in charge of an operation under the caption "CLIP" which is identified as the 'US Army Element Composite Operation Group, Pentagon' located at the Belle Chasse Ammunition Depot. He advised that there were approximately 140-200 Cubans located at that based undergoing expert training in underwater demolition, use of sabotage techniques and combat techniques." Royer also said that at Pass Christian, Mississippi Gil Strickler was in charge of a training group. (In same memo, Phillips identifies Strickler as former Miami Base chief, assigned to HQ as of 1967)
March-April 1961 - re FBI correlation memo for Antonio Cuesta. FBI's file for CLIP was 105-86020, defining it as "Program of Anti-Castro activity - CIA - Name Checks". Here, a name check and background data was done on Antonio Cuesta Valle.
4/10/61 memo from J. Edgar Hoover to DDP at CIA: "Based on data developed by us indicating Francisco Quintana Ulacia had infiltrated CIA's 'CLIP' program, Qunitana confessed to CIA he was Castro agent...CIA has indicated it intends to utilize Francisco Quintana Ulacia as double agent. Latest available data to us indicates he was in anti-Castro training camp outside the U.S."
FBI Cuba 109-12-210 - Volume 57 - Serials 2828-2025
4/13/61 memo from SA F.J. Baumgardner to Alan Belmont: "'CLIP' (is) a sensitive CIA project directed against the Castro regime...The CLIP program comprises a variety of activities to organize anti-Castro exiles into a unified group through CIA covert support of the Frente Revolucionario Democratico and the mounting of a military invasion of Cuba employing Cuban exiles recruited in the United States and other countries supported by CIA funds and equipment. The bulk of the training operations of CIA have been conducted in Guatemala but some limited training operations have been conducted in the United States. All information coming to our attention pertaining to this CLIP program has been disseminated to CIA."
FBI Cuba 109-12-210 - Volume 57 - Serials 2828-2025
4/14/61 memo from SA F.J. Baumgardner to Alan Belmont: "This project comprises a variety of activities including efforts to organize anti-Castro exiles into a unified group through CIA covert support of the Frente Revolucionario Democratico (FRD), an anti-Castro organization which CIA created, and the mounting of a military invasion of Cuba...in this country, efforts of the CIA to bring the various anti-Castro groups into the FRD and to recruit personnel have centered in Miami and New York."
4/18/61 memo from J. Edgar Hoover to DDP at CIA: "Joseph R. Merola, a Miami hoodlum, recently claimed that he was connected with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and had access to all types of equipment, including firearms and ammunition, which is being furnished by CIA to anti-Castro groups." CIA representatives in Miami denied any operational interest in Merola, but admitted that the FRD had used his boat the "Terry Knaut" aka "Terry Knott" and similar names. "Letter classified 'Secret' since it deals with CLIP which is a covert CIA operation."
104-10168-10258: NOTE RE FBI MEMO DATED MARCH 13 1961 RE CLIP
6/23/61 memo from J. Edgar Hoover to DDP at CIA, subject CLIP: "It is our understanding that a number of individuals, believing to number about fifty, deserted from the training camps which were connected with this matter. It would be appreciated if you could furnish a list of deserters from the Cuban Revolutionary Council's expeditionary force. Any information available to you about the present whereabouts or activities of these deserters as well as any indication that the deserters were pro-Castro or involved in pro-Castro activities would also be of interest." (This appears to be a reference to the event given the crypt JMHARP).
1993.07.26.19:07:13:680590: SECURITY FILE ON MARTIN MORUA
1962-63: Morua was a little-known DRE leader. HIs bio file has the annotation "CLIP". See 124-10200-10183: Here is a similar CLIP bio for Alberto Fernandez/AMDENIM-1.
157-10004-10242: VICTOR ESPINOSA HERNANDEZ
12/3/62 memo from J. Edgar Hoover to CIA Director: In response to name check requested by CIA on 11/21/62, FBI replies that it has the same information CIA has on the man. A blind note to the file adds: "CIA requested name check on captioned individual. Bufiles indicate he was one of the individuals recruited by CIA under its CLIP Program. CLIP was a CIA operation aimed at more aggressive action against the Castro regime.