Cryptonym: VWMAGNA-1
104-10166-10027: PHONE CALL TO ( ) MAGNA-1 IN LONDON.
02/03/75: Memo for the record from L. A. De Santi, LA/SOB: Subject: Phone Call to VWMAGNA-1 in London (011-441-229-0325), 31 Jan 75, 1710-1715: "1. This time a man answered. I asked for 'La signora Telma.' (If asked, I would have said I was 'un amigo suyo de Milano'). V-1 came to the phone in just a moment. I wished her a happy birthday and she said she had a roomfull of people celebrating with her. I could hear a lot of noise and voices, but the phone was apparently in a different room; V-1 talked freely though she wanted to keep the conversation brief. 2. I first asked if she still planned to go to the wine district soon. She answered by asking me if I had received her letters. No. What was uppermost in her mind was to alert us that the Cubans were going to cause a scandal involving the CIA. She said the Cubans ('family of Enrique') were going to surface a person who has been a CIA agent for 12 years. Thinking that V-1 was referring to the Agee case, I said 'that fellow' had already written a book and was all in the open. She said no, this case involves 'a person of their own nationality', that is, a Cuban. She said she explained everything in the letter she mailed to us last week. She asked that I call right after we receive the letter - tentatively Tuesday evening. 3. Regarding the trip to Portugal, she said she will be going in about a week. 4. I asked if there was anything new about the manuscript. She said she did not have specific information that it had been published but she thought there was a good chance that it had been published."
104-10166-10025: LETTER FORM LONDON RECEIVED.
02/07/75: Cable from Mexico City to Director: RYBAT VWMAGNA: REF MEXICO CITY 30872 (IN 484045): "1. Additional VWMAGNA-1 letter from London received. Letter undated, but postmarked 31 January. Reads as follows: 'Querido companero. La cuestion de la CIA parece que se pone el rojo vivo. Los amigos de la isla van a dar un golpe sensasional con las declaraciones de un agente que tuvieron infiltrado por doce anos. Es de apellido conte. Si obtengo alguna otra informacion sobre esto te la paso para que te sirva en el trabajo que estas haciendo. Abrazos. Carlos.' 2. Pouching letter..." - - - A basic Spanish to English translation of the above: "Dear companion. The CIA question seems to be getting red hot. The friends of the island are going to give a sensational blow with the statements of an agent who had infiltrated for twelve years. Carlos."
104-10166-10024: ALLEGED CUBAN PLANS TO SURFACE CIA AGENT, "CONTE"
02/12/75: Memo for the record from L. A. De Santi, LA/SOB: REFERENCE: Memo on Subject dated 5 Feb 75: "1. VWMAGNA-1 provided the following additional details on 11 February. a. The agent's name is Conte Aguero. b. She obtained the information on subject from a Cuban official in London. c. The Cuban official did not specifically say so, but VWMAGNA-1's impression is that Conte Aguero is currently in Cuba."
02/12/75: Cable from Director to LA/Miami (Orig: Carol Barr, LA/COG/CI): REAM VWMAGNA: "1. VWMAGNA-1 reported 31 Jan that the Cubans were going to surface a Cuban named FNU Conte who has been a CIA agent for 12 years. On 11 Feb. V-1 said more complete name is (FNU) Conte Aguero. 2. Headquarters files show that Conte Aguero may be identifiable with Luis E. Conte Aguero (201-0278130) who is a well known Cuban news commentator and former JMWAVE agent terminated 17 Apr 69. Address at time of termination 4365 SW 2 Street. Miami. 3. HQs would appreciate stations assistance discreetly verify Luis Conte Aguero current whereabouts and current activities if necessary, Pachankis (probably Jack Stewart) can be used. 4. File: 201-278130." Lou Desanti was one of the Coordinating Officers.
02/13/75: Cable from LA/Miami to Director: REAM VWMAGNA: REF: DIRECTOR 655271: "1. LA/Miami unable confirm that Luis Conte Aguero still resides ref address/thru directory checks. 2. On afternoon 12 Feb 75, Pachankis (probably Jack Stewart) called the Anthony Abraham Chevrolet agency, SW 8th St and Lejuene Ave in Miami, and asked to speak with Conte. A secretary said SUBJ was (unintelligible), but stepped out a minute', when asked if SUBJ could return his call, Pachankis stated that he would call later. 3. Minutes later, Pachankis again called the above company and asked to speak with Alberto Beguiristain, an auto salesman. (Since CA July 74 Pachankis has been in occasional contact with Beguiristain (B) because HQs and former COS/Miami previously expressed interest in assisting B's mother in obtaining U.S. non-immigrant visa when she received temporary permit from GOC to visit..."
104-10166-10022: IN ADDITION REF PLEASE ALSO ASK.
02/13/75: Cable from Director to Withheld (Orig: Louis De Santi, DC/LA/SOB): Info: Bonn: Slugline RYBAT AKULE VWMAGNA CABELL: REF: DIRECTOR 654470: "1. Next VWMAGNA-1 call, in addition ref please also ask: A. Does she know when the family of Enrique plans to do the thing of Conte? B. If she does not know, ask if she got impression from her friend that it was to be done now/soon or later..." Handwritten note below: "This refers to Cuban plan to expose Luis Conte Aguero as CIA agent...VWTOGA ops."
104-10166-10011: INFORMATION ON "CONTE".
04/11/75: Memo for the record from L. A. De Santi, AC/LA/SOB: "1. VWMAGNA-1 provided the following supplementary info on 10 April. 2. She talked by phone in Paris on 8 April with her DGI contact, Pedro Lara. On the subject of 'Conte' (V-1) elicited that Conte is the son of a wealthy owner of a sugar plantation. V-1 did not know if the father was now in Cuba or in exile. Lara today V-1 that he was going to London on 12 April and would contact her there. V-1 returned to London 9 April. 3. According to Lara, the surfacing of the Conte story had been stopped for now because the Cuban Government did not want to risk damaging the chances for a Kissinger approach to Cuba on improving relations between the two countries."