Cryptonym: EMSHAM-1
Secen was born in Croatia and became a naturalized citizen of the Dominican Republic. He told the FBI in 1962 that he had held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Dominican Army.
EMSHAM-1 was described in a cable from JMWAVE on September 11, 1963, as a "foreign national with extensive military education and training, who maintains close contacts with Latin American military personnel." In addition, a document on September 16, 1963, described EMSHAM-1 as a "former Trujillista army officer who has numerous contacts among anti-Castro Cuban exiles."
A cable from JMWAVE on September 14, 1963, which included the slug AMWORLD, stated that EMSHAM-1 (probably) reported on September 11 that "he, accompanied by former Cuban Colonel Pedro Valdivia, went WAVE area airport see Carlos Prio prior Prio departure for CARA."
A cable from JMWAVE in December of 1963 stated that EMSHAM-1 was being transferred to Santo Domingo. Chief of Station (COS), Theodore (Ted) Shackley, commented "that if EMSHAM-1 willing be a covert source and with talent and inclination for extensive reporting covert info, Station very interested."
124-90071-10032: FBI REPORT: MAX GARCIA
07/11/62: Report from Charles W. Edmiston of Miami Office: Page 4: ..."On May 21, 1962, Vladimir Secen, 235 Salamanca Street, Coral Gables, Florida, advised that he was a Croatian by birth and now is a naturalized Dominican citizen, and had held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Dominican Army."
104-10176-10060: TRANSMITTAL OF TDCS INFORMATION REPORT
09/11/63: Transmittal of TDCS Information Report: Orig: Helen Morgan, WH/6/M: "BASED ON: IN 17127 (WAVE 4160), UFG-3589, HP, EMSHAM/1. HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: Controlled dissem. Relay request attached for relay to WAVE/JMPALM, PACY, PRIN, SNTO. COORDINATING OFFICERS: SAS/R (Carragio) (By Phone). RELEASING OFFICER: C/WH/R (Unintelligible)."
09/11/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline INTEL DYVOUR JMPALM: "SUPDATA: ZRWAHOO. (REDACTION)SHAM-1 from Perez Caril (FNU)..." Page 3: "SOURCE: Foreign national with extensive military education and training, who maintains close contacts with Latin American military personnel. This information was obtained from Perez Caril (FNU)."
09/14/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMWORLD: "1. (REDACTION)SHAM-1 reports 11 Sept he, accompanied by former Cuban Colonel Pedro Valdivia, went WAVE area airport see Carlos Prio prior Prio departure for CARA. 2. Prio explained CARA trip. Said he had instructions and carrying message from Somoza to chiefs 'Democratic Left,' Romulo Betancourt, Juan Bosch, Jose Figueras and Luis Munez Marin. Purpose is orient these leaders so they view Somoza and Somoza plan in proper perspective. Also will try convince them somebody has to eliminate Communism. Prio said Somoza is now becoming continental leader because of his role against Castro. 3. Prio said after 3 days CARA he will go see Bosch. 4. On return WAVE area Prio said he will try work conciliation between Tony Varona and Manuel Artime so that they can work together on Somoza plan."
104-10220-10111: VISIT OF FORMER CUBAN PRESIDENT CARLOS PRIO SOCARRAS TO LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES.
09/16/63: Transmittal of TDCS Information Report (Orig: Margo Coraggio;os, Unit: SAS/Intel/Reports): "BASED ON WAVE-4343 (IN 19696) NP (EMSHAM-1) Liaison*" - - - Page 2: Telegram Information Report: Country: Cuba/Latin America, Place & Date Acq.: United States, Miami (14 September 1963). "SOURCE: (Unintelligible) former Trujillista army officer who has numerous contacts among anti-Castro Cuban exiles. Source's reliability cannot be judged..."
104-10076-10398: JMWAVE CABLE RE COVERT SOURCE.
12/13/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline DYVOUR JMPALM: "1. Details EMSHAM-1 transfer SDOM being pouched SDOM for your consideration. 2. For DIR only: Request ODURGE (U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, INS) Washington, D.C., be contacted per para 3 Ref A re issuance I-512 by WAVE ODURGE which will permit EMSHAM-1 reenter U.S. without change status. C/S Comment: *Stated that if EMSHAM-1 willing be a covert source and with talent and inclination for extensive reporting covert info, Station very interested."
124-10350-10024: FBI AIRTEL: HAITIAN REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES INTERNAL SECURITY - HAITI
03/03/66: Airtel from SAC, Miami to Director: "After recontact on 2/28 and 3/1/66 by this office requesting desired information re Vladimir Secen, finally, on 3/3/66, CIA (covert) furnished what is supposed to be 'complete' information regarding Secen in the form of a page and one quarter memo dated 3/1/66, which states in part as follows: 'Subject has remained of operational interest to this office during 1965 and 1966. In addition to undertaking certain activity on our behalf against the Cuban target Subject has reported any information which has come to his attention concerning various activities by Latin American groups and personalities resident in the United States or traveling through the United States..."
07/24/68: Cable from JMCOBRA to Director: "1. Secen (who formerly EMSHAM-1) is partner of para 7 Ref A company which we understand is legitimate enterprise to exploit his extensive contacts in Dominican military for business purposes. Secen had some contact with Father Georges at least in period before his termination by JMWAVE in August 66. No Secen contact with Father Bajeux known but JMCOBRA (also known as Station WH/Miami) not knowledgeable his recent activities. 2. JMCOBRA has no info Secen currently in contact with Masferrer or that Masferrer proposed trip New York connected with Secen trip Santo Domingo REDACTION (one of former JMWAVE case officers of Secen) comments it highly unlikely Secen currently dealing with Masferrer. Also comments Secen impressed him and others as highly competent tough professional soldier and if involved in or leading troops in invasion attempt Haiti could be expected make much stronger showing than previous comic-opera attempts. 3. Sy Mandel probably identical with Seymour Mandel former owner Crazy American Bar Havana who now ship captain reputed be engaged smuggling and other illegal activities in Caribbean. No local WOBONE (the CIA's Office of Security) traces MacDonald and Cartus."
104-10071-10262: MEMORANDUM ON VLADIMIR SECEN
12/11/70: Memo from Deputy Director for Plans to Director of the FBI: .."2. For your background information only, Vladimir Secen was (REDACTION) from 1963 to 1966 as an occasional source of information on Caribbean matters..."