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Cryptonym: MKTOPAZ

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Definition:
Appears to be a specialist unit within the CIA's Technical Services Division, with functions that include preparation of false documents and related cover/backstop identity materials.
Status:
Documented
Sources:

National Archives, Research Aids: Cryptonyms and Terms in Declassified CIA Files, p. 40. https://www.archives.gov/iwg/declassified-records/rg-263-cia-records/second-release-lexicon.pdf

MKTOPAZ is identified as "Office of Technical Services" (elsewhere, so is KURIOT)

104-10182-10057: WIROGUE, (VOL III).

4/2/59 memorandum from Chief of Base, Frankfurt to Deputy of Operations for Chief of Station, Germany: "Photographs have already been given to the MKTOPAZ officer" regarding the movement of AEASPIC from France to Germany.

104-10215-10105: CABLE RE: VIEW SENSITIVITY FINNISH GOVERNMENT AND POLICE ON

June 1962: "We may be able (to) have MKTOPAZ man prepare alias documentation" if Cuban leader Rolando Cubela (AMLASH) were to decide to defect while in Helsinki.

104-10215-10085: Cable re: MKTOPAZ presently has exemplar West German

7/12/62 from Frankfurt to Director, slugged RYBAT AQUATIC ZRPENNY: MKTOPAZ has an exemplar of a West Germany entry visa issued by Moscow in 1961 - so Frankfurt asked KURIOT if it had a more recent version. Raises the question: What is the difference between MKTOPAZ and KURIOT? See 104-10209-10019, page 59, where a 1961 document references MKTOPAZ. It appears that MKTOPAZ is a specialized unit within KURIOT.

104-10077-10338: DIRECTOR CABLE RE EXPECTED TDY

12/9/63: Philip Luzier flying from Miami to Berlin to meet ops deadline. "KURIOT requests MKTOPAZ be prepared procure backstopped DAC(?) docs for his commercial flight Berlin...secondary docs already prepared KURIOT."

Contributors:
Bill Simpich

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