Cryptonym: ZRRAGTIME
A cable on July 6, 1961, originated by Arnold M. Silver (who used the pseudonym of James N. Rabney) included the slug ZRRAGTIME. The cable stated that James N. Rabney would probably arrive in Oslo on July 31 or August 1, and would confirm this from France or Brussels. Rabney would also advise re the arrival of the KUCLUB (CIA Office of Communications) team, probably about the same time. Equipment would be be shipped from the American Embassy in Brussels to Oslo. Therefore, it appears as if Oslo was also one of the places were ZRRAGTIME was planned to take place in.
However, a cable on July 27, 1961, with ZRRAGTIME again one of the slugs, stated that the operation had been terminated on the evening of the 25th. Rabney was apparently going to France on July 27 and planned to meet the KUCLUB team on July 31. Moreover, a team would remain in Brussels and Endershone would be in touch with the station.
104-10185-10441: CABLE:AFTER LCFLUTTER QJWIN 31 MARCH INTEND BRIEF AND SEND HIM
03/09/Probably 1961: Cable from Frankfurt to Washington: Slugline BYTIKO GOOSECREEK: FROM RABNEY: ..."4. Rabney (Arnold M. Silver) will be COPE 4 and 5 April, then LUXE, returning COPE 9 April if plans for ZRRAGTIME there not changed. Will meet QJWIN (Jose Marie Andre Mankel) FRAN about 12 April for interrogation on results France. Tentatively planning then send him Milan to recontact person he met there February and set stage for our assessment plus explore further leads."
104-10185-10043: CABLE- JAMES N RABNEY ETA OSLO 31 JULY OR 1 AUG
07/06/61: Cable from Washington to Oslo (Orig: A. M. Silver): Slugline BYTIKO ZRRAGTIME: "1. James N. Rabney (IDEN follows) ETA Oslo 31 July or 1 Aug. He will confirm from FRAN or Brussels. 2. Will advise re arrival KUCLUB (CIA Office of Communications) team, probably about same time. Equipment will be be shipped from American Embassy Brussels to Oslo. Please advise shipping instructions." Coordination: WE/1, DC/WE. Released by: William K. Harvey.
07/06/61: Cable from Washington to Oslo (Orig. A. M. Silver): Slugline BYTIKO ZRRAGTIME: "IDEN - Arnold M. Silver." Released by: William K. Harvey.
104-10185-10039: CABLE- COS ON LEAVE TO RETURN 31 JULY BUT RABNEY VISIT 22 JULY.
07/20/61: Cable from Oslo to Director (Ceccaci Acting): Slugline RYBAT LAURICLE ZRRAGTIME: REF BRUS 4727 (In 41299): "COS on leave to return 31 July but Rabney (Arnold M. Silver) visit 22 July welcome and IDEN SAWAY case officer will expect contact at office about 0900. CS Comment: Stated, if convenient for COS, Rabney would contact him at office July 22 for discussion operation scheduled for 1 August."
104-10185-10087: CABLE: OPERATION TERMINATED EVENING 25 JULY
07/27/61: Cable from Brussels to Director: Slugline RYBAT LAURICLE ZRRAGTIME: RE BRUS 4737 (IN 42875): "1. Operation terminated evening 25 July without hitches. Shipping requirement Oslo 27 July. Pouching logs and notes HQs. 2. Rabney (Arnold M. Silver) going FRAN 27 July. Will meet KUCLUB (CIA Office of Communications) team Oslo 31 July. Meantime team remaining Brussels and Endershone will be in touch station. CS Comment: *Closing out operation evening 25 July."
157-10004-10068: SUMMARY CHRONOLOGY OF ZRRIFLE/QJWIN ACTIVITIES
00/00/76: SSCIA document: "Summary: ZRRIFLE is ostensibly a program to recruit criminals for teams which could break into foreign embassies to steal codes. However, there is evidence in the files that this purpose, though useful to the Agency, was in reality a cover for another operation. From other sources, it appears that the real purpose was at least kidnapping and possibly murder. ZRRIFLE was run out of the crytologic counterintelligence shop Division D in the Bureau of Foreign Intelligence. It began sometime in late-1960/early-1961 and lasted until at least mid-1963, although payments to its principal agent QJWIN (Jose Marie Andre Mankel) were continued until 1964. ZRRIFLE appears to have been part of a larger set of programs of the ZR series - the files indicate ZRACORN and ZRRAGTIME. The specifics of these programs are unknown. QJWIN was also in a category of agents which included at least one other, QJBANNER, who in fact helped locate QJWIN..."