Cryptonym: DESIGNET-1
A cable on September 30, 1963, stated that "DESIGNET (IDEN A), former long term resident PBRUMEN (Cuba), will return PBRUMEN on business trip for IDEN B. Latter is firm he represented along with others." Another cable the same day had the name and company redacted, but stated DESIGNET was born on February 26, 1917, and was the owner of a TV tube factory. IDEN B was also redacted, but was a linotype firm in Turin, Italy.
According to a cable from Mexico City on December 21, 1963, DESIGNET was a "Western European businessman who travels frequently to Cuba where his company maintains commercial interests." This description for DESIGNET was nearly identical to the description for DEGRIP-1, "Western European businessman of proven reliability. Source frequently travels to Cuba where his company maintains commercial interests." https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=55350#relPageId=139
A cable from Director on November 19, 1963, stated that "DESIGNET-1 leaving Madrid 22 Nov for Havana expects be in Mexico City about 1 December for debriefing and briefing by (CIA) officer. Traveling as Italian businessman with Italian service passport representing Nebiolo and Fiat."
104-10100-10086: TRAVEL TO CUBA
09/30/63: Cable from Director to Mexico (Info: Rome, WAVE): Orig: Withheld, DC/WE/4/X: CITE DIR 72346: REF: ROME 0534 (IN 28856)* (NOT SENT MEXI): "1. DESIGNET (IDEN A), former long term resident PBRUMEN (Cuba), will return PBRUMEN on business trip for IDEN B. Latter is firm he represented along with others. Plans depart Italy 6 Oct to visit friends Suisse then proceeding Madrid to take Iberia flight direct PBRUMEN 11 Oct has (REDACTION) service passport. Will attempt exit PBRUMEN approx two weeks after arrival for brief trip MEXI for debriefing briefing by KUBARKER (CIA). Hopes return PBRUMEN for two or three months more. 2. Request MEXI cable Rome contact arrangements for passage DESIGNET prior his departure. HQs forwarding MEXI full details this op. *DESIGNET will travel PBRUMEN; requests contact Mexico City for brief exit."
09/30/63: Cable from Director to Mexico (Orig: Withheld, DC/WE/4/X): Slugline KAPOK KEYWAY PBRUMEN: CITE DIR 72347): REF: DIR 72346: IDEN A: (REDACTION) born 26 Feb 1917 in (REDACTION) citizen, formerly agent in Cuba for (REDACTION) and owner TV tube factory. IDEN B (REDACTION) (linotype) firm, Turin."
11/12/63: Cable from Director to Mexico City: Slugline KEYWAY PBRUMEN DESIGNET: REF: ROME 1028 (IN 56787): "1. PLS advise DESIGNET/1 Cuban CIS especially alert in past few weeks all illegal activities and many arrests made. (Unintelligible) he not contact former friends or acquaintances until he has been on scene long enough have thoroughly tested local situation. 2. Request you stress security with this agent in final briefing pointing out hazards connected with phone calls, meetings, loose talk re acquaintances. 3. FYI: (Unintelligible) and AMWEE complexes both threatened by recent events and DESIGNET gave leads into both areas. 4. Seriousness of situation need not deter agent if he proceeds Cuba as Italian businessman and sticks to cover story. DESIGNET/1 may be able give us valuable info re situation current assets but he must proceed slowly in order be effective."
104-10101-10061: DEBRIEFING AND BRIEFING
11/19/63: Cable DIR 83769 from Director to Mexico City and Rome: DESIGNET-1 leaving Madrid 22 Nov for Havana expects be in Mexico City about 1 December for debriefing and briefing by (CIA) officer. Traveling as Italian businessman with Italian service passport representing Nebiolo and Fiat.
104-10098-10348: CABLE: ARRIVAL NOTIFICATION - DEBRIEFING
12/18/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: Slugline DYVOUR PBRUMEN DESIGNET: "DESIGNET-1 arrived MEXI 17 Dec, contacted 18 Dec per Ref A. He did not carry camera into Cuba for security reasons. Preliminary debrief shows no urgent info; detailed debrief starts 19 Dec. Kindly relay Ref B. to MEXI. C/S Comment: *RYBAT."
104-10098-10404: CABLE: 500 - 600 SOVIET TECHS ARRIVE CUBA
12/21/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: ..."2. All SOVS appear to be techs, altho young. Most observed by DESIGNET had no military bearing, in sloppy physical shape...D/1 saw on 13 Dec ten (unintelligible) described as Soviet type on (unintelligible) from Matanzas to Veradero....D/1 impression is that Cuban army now well trained and organized...C/S Comment: *HQs highly interested DESIGNETS return Cuba as observer singleton."
12/21/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: Slugline INTEL TYPIC DESIGNET: "SUPDATA: Source DESIGNET from (REDACTION) and French Ambassadors to Cuba, Cuban merchants and sugar experts...DOI: Dec 63. PADA: Mexico, Mexico City, 20 Dec 63. Apr 3 source Western European businessman who travels frequently to Cuba where his company maintains commercial interests." - - - Pages 2-3: Field Information Telegram:..."3. Field Comment: Source said that examination of the crop confirms that it is one of the best Cuba has had in years..."
104-10516-10259: CABLE: BELIEVE ( ) APPARENT IN REF B
12/25/63: Cable from Director to Mexico: Slugline KAPOK DYVOUR PBRUMEN DESIGNET: "1. Believe DESIGNET's (D) disillusionment apparent in Ref B springs from lack of experience in intel business which would have prepared him for its many frustrations. Suggest you encourage him all possible means and assure first intel well received at HQs which earnestly requests his return Cuba in line with approach outlined Ref A. 2. Impress on D limited view individual has of overall intel picture and how small seemingly insignificant vignette he obtains may be missing piece in larger mural. View expense and extent effort already expended believe D must be convinced he can serve CIA useful purpose in returning. Remind him that key to soft underbelly this regime not yet found and he may be lucky operator who hits jackpot. Key must be in developing military or government contacts who knowledgeable talkative and willing work against regime from inside. This is jackpot D must look for upon return with full assurance from CIA that his failure to uncover fully excusable. At same time it vital we keep trying. Mission of maximum importance or we would not ask him do it. 3. Believe D felt he would turn up little from among his past friends. Requested you instruct him him forget old friends develop new ones among regime for purposes this op. Aim at group just below top echelon which largely responsible for carrying out orders from top echelon. This eliminates danger to old friends and time wasted on group probably already under suspicion."
104-10098-10441: CABLE: TRAVEL DATA: MEXI-MIAMI-ROME.
12/27/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: Slugline TYPIC PBRUMEN KEYWAY DESIGNET: "1. DESIGNET/1 visa MEXI expired D-1 departs MEXI 27 Dec for Miami where he will stay estimated four days at home of IDEN then proceed Rome. C/S Comment: *Please see para 22, pge 21, HB 90-400-1 re use of multiple action indicators." For better copy with redactions: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=46432&search=104-10528-10020#relPageId=2&tab=page
104-10098-10442: CABLE: IDEN OF REF
12/27/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: Slugline TYPIC PBRUMEN KEYWAY DESIGNET: "IDEN of ref Adelxo Scalera, 3930 S.W. Sixth Street, Miami. Phone Filand (Unintelligible)-3022." For better copy with redactions: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=111586&search=104-10098-10442#relPageId=2&tab=page
104-10183-10206: CABLE: (DELETION) MENTIONED THAT HE CLOSE FRIEND OF EMBASSY EMPLOYEE.
07/24/64: Cable from Mexico City to Director: Slugline TYPIC AMWEE AMWHIP DESIGNET: "DESIGNET mentioned that he close friend Angelo Baron, Italian Embassy employee who would carry pouch, mail DESIGNET letter from inside MEXI to accommodation address. FYI: Five letters have arrived so far, two with S/W. Assume AMWEE-1 (Massimo Muratori del Balso) or DESIGNET garbled first name since Aldo Baron appears be same man. According DESIGNET, Baron completely unwitting any ODYOKE (U.S. Government) connections. Index Angelo and Aldo Baron."