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Cryptonym: UNSNAFU-8

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Definition:
Manuel Ramon Morales Menendez. Worked as an attaché at the consulate in the Cuban Embassy in Paris, France, from at least December, 1962, to his dismissal around February, 1965.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
The CIA believed that UNSNAFU-8 may have been keeping tabs on AMLASH for the French Government as early as 1962/63. In addition, AMLASH believed UNSNAFU-8 was a Cuban intelligence agent. A memo by Galen Peary, SAS/CI, in April of 1963 stated Manuel R. Morales Menendez was believed to have been an athlete at Havana University, and was from Santiago de Cuba.
Sources:

104-10220-10187: CABLE - ON 16 NOV RECEIVED ORDERS REPORT FOR DOCUMENT CHECK.

12/13/62, Cable from Paris to Director: Slugline KEYWAY PBRUMEN UNRUMBLE UNBOUND: Pages 3-4: ..."5...Per Station briefing UNRUMBLE-2 bluntly told UNBOUND best possible contact might be UNSNAFU-8 who in contact all elements PARI but unfortunately talks too much. UNRUMBLE-2 claims UNBOUND stunned by UNRUMBLE-2 suggestion they use UNSNAFU-8. (UNTROPHY reported UNSNAFU-8 working with FIS, and UNSNAFU-8 personally told AMPAPIST-1 he had offered his services to FIS which accepted). 6. During course cafe meeting another UNBOUNDER joined group and continued debrief UNRUMBLE-2 about Latins in PARI and UNSNAFU-2. UNRUMBLE-2 stated did not know while no names mentioned, UNBOUND probably referring to UNSIGMA. UNRUMBLE-2 negative and vague replies brought meeting to end. In process however UNRUMBLE-2 became aware UNBOUND fairly well informed Cuban activities PARI including intimate affairs inside embassy such as recent fight between ambassador and UNSNAFU-12. UNSNAFU-8 probably source this info..."

104-10183-10045: LETTER:ON MY TRIP TO EUROPE/VISIT TO CUBAN CONSULATE IN PARIS

03/01/63, Letter to Bill: ..."On this occasion I was in the Consulate twice and one night I invited Trasanco to dinner. In the conversation I had with him on the occasion that we talked, I realized that his way of thinking is opposed to the Government of Cuba today since he spoke badly of the Ambassador saying that he obligates everyone in the Consulate and Embassy to go on Fridays to the Embassy to receive indoctrination until eleven at night; that the Consul also makes life unbearable and that he and a gentleman named Morales, who he once presented to me, argue with the Consul and other Embassy employees. This Mr. Morales also appears to be a good person, and he is unsympathetic to the Cuban regime..."

104-10163-10019: WITHHELD

05/16/63, Memo of Contact from Galen Peary, SAS/CI: Subject: Jose Antonio CASAS Rodriguez (201-327702). Page 9: ..."h. Manuel R. Morales, listed as an attaché with the Cuban Embassy in France, is believed by Subject to be identical with an individual he met who used the nickname Tiburon who was an athlete at Habana University and from Santiago de Cuba..."

1993.07.19.16:24:38:120280: CUBAN MUGBOOK, VOL I (COMPUTER LISTING); SORT BY PHOTO NUMBER, NAME

10/11/63, CIA document: Page 111: ..."PATRONYMIC, GIVEN NAME, MATRONYMIC (TYPE): Morales, Manuel Ramon Menendez (T). PHOTO NO.: MB/01/668. CITZ: Cuba. M.D. NO.: 117675..."

104-10216-10191: CABLE: PLS USE TYPIC YOBITE SLUGS ALL CABLE CONCERNING AMLASH

05/05/64, Cable from Director to Paris and JMWAVE (Orig: Nestor D. Sanchez, Unit: WH/SA/SO/NS): Slugline TYPIC YOBITE AMWHIP AMLASH MHAPRON: ..."3. Please confirm if Morales mentioned para 3 Ref B is Manuel Ramon Morales Menendez. Forward any additional info available he French agent..."

104-10234-10310: CABLE: AMWHIP ONE ASSESSMENT SUBJECT PARA TWO REF IS HE INTELLIGENT CLEVER COURAGEOUS PICTURESQUE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS CONFIDENCE OF AMLASH ONE

Probably circa 1964: Cable from Paris to Director: Slugline RYBAT KEYWAY PBRUMEN AMWHIP: Page 2: ...."Morales latter of whom described by AMLASH as Cuban agent..."

104-10234-10156: WITHHELD

01/01/65, CIA document: ..."Other revelations:...Also, UNSNAFU/8 (Handwritten note: 'Manuel Morales Menendez') has always been considered as an UNBOUND or UNION informant and UNSNAFU/8 was aware of AMLASH/1 in Paris and of AMLASH/1's conversations with UNSNAFU/9, AMWHIP/1, and, probably, AMLASH/2 and /3. UNSNAFU/8 may have kept tabs on AMLASH/1 on behalf of the French since as early as 1962/3. This, however, is only speculation..."

1994.05.16.14:09:20:660005: Reel 51, Folder F - ROLANDO CUBELA SECADES.

02/23/65, Cable: "1. According (REDACTION) and AMLASH-1 (prior his departure) following personnel changes schdeuled PARI as result MADR ambassadors meeting: Manuel Morales Menendez, Consulate, given choice return Cuba or be fired. He will not return therefore will be fired...2. Above is tentative info as appears dust not yet settled. 3. Index."

Contributors:
Bill Simpich • Gavin McDonald

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