Pseudonym: Charron, Lawrence
07/20/59: Cable from Director to Havana (Orig: R. D. Tucker, Unit: WH/PW): "Upon arrival New York, Choaden (David Phillips) requested phone Charron at office or if after hours at home: phone Oliver 4-2918." Releasing Officer: J. C. King, AC/WH. Authenticating Officer: H. E. Dahlgren, C/WH/III.
CABLE: CHOADEN MAY POSSIBLY GO NEW YORK, BUT ONLY AFTER 28 JULY
07/23/59: Cable from Havana to Director (Sirett Acting): "Attention Lawrence R Charron: Choaden (David Phillips) may possibly go New York, but only after 28 July."
104-10165-10400: CABLE: SUBJ CONTACTED 26 JULY BY PAUL SIRETT
07/27/59: Cable from Havana to Director: "Attention Lawrence R. Charron: Ref: DIR 37130 (OUT 78971)* 1. SUBJ contacted 26 July by Paul F. Sirett. A general discussion ensued regarding information he had accumulated re Communism in Cuba. 2. SUBJ plans contact Charron on 28 July for further discussion prior publication article. C/S Comment: *Request HAVA give SUBJ any reasonable assistance to successfully complete his mission, which to get on the spot info re subjects of interest to executive members of Research Institute of America." - - - Also see 104-10267-10165, 08/18/59: Cable from Havana to Director: "1. Source is Ira I. Wolfer, American businessman, who in early January 59 was connected with 26 July militia, Wolfer gave info to Paul Bethel, embassy press attaché, with whom he has been in fairly close contact. Claimed he got his info from FNU Uziel, in charge transport workers retirement fund and unnamed rebel commander. 2. Date of recording not given and only person identified by Wolfer was Armando Cainas Milanes who allegedly conversed with unidentified embassy official. 3. Only embassy official known to have visited home of Gustavo de Los Reyes is Colonel Nichols, air att, who met Cainas Milanes at Reyes home on 15 July 59 on which occasion Cainas discussed plan for propaganda campaign and Nichols made non incriminatory and non committal response. 4. Since no KUBARK (CIA) officer attached to embassy has even been in Reyes home embassy official, if any, had to be non-KUBARK..."
104-10267-10163: MEMORANDUM: CONVERSATION WITH CHOADEN, 21 AUGUST 1959
08/21/59: Memo for the record from Lawrence R. Charron: "1. Choaden (David Phillips), Recart, and Charron met in Galbond's (J.C. King) office on 21 August. The matter discussed was what Choaden should tell Cuban authorities if worse came to worse and he was arrested because of suspected implication with Gustavo de Los Reyes and Caines Milanes...2. It was agreed that in the event Choaden was questioned by Cuban authorities concerning having met Caines Milanes, de Los Reyes, or Malone he would say (unintelligible) he had been approached by them on a professional basis to give them technical advice on a public relations campaign which they wish to conduct to modify the Agrarian Reform Programs. 3. If asked how he was put in touch with this group he would say that he had been put in touch with the group through Malone and give Malone's true name. 4. The next time the undersigned has an opportunity to do so, he will advise Malone of the above and counsel Malone if he is questioned by Cuban authorities he should play it straight and say that he sought out Choaden's services and put him in touch with Caines Milanes and de Los Reyes for the reason mentioned in Paragraph 2 above. Lawrence R. Charron. N.B. Immediately after having dictated the above, Malone telephoned me from Miami to report that Tash, his ranch manager, had been detained by Cuban authorities prior to departure. He was asked if he knew Caines Milanes and how much cash he had on his person. Tash said he knew Caines and that he had $20 in cash. The authorities then permitted him to board the plane. After he had embarked another group of Cuban officials questioned him concerning the (unintelligible) and took him off the plane. They soon permitted him to re-embark and he is now in Miami. Both Malone and I agree that the Cuban authorities are keeping an eye on all cattlemen...in reply to Malone's question, I said I saw no danger in his going to Havana at this time if he felt it necessary to do so."
104-10267-10162: CABLE: NO FURTHER INFO OBTAINED ON WHETHER CHOADEN IDENTITY
8/21/59 memo HAVA 2588 from Havana to Director: "No further info obtained as to whether Choaden (David Phillips) identity known to government or that government on the lookout for him...Station has need (of) Choaden services, but believes HQS should ask his opinion on advisability his return as he has best knowledge on how far he could be incriminated if tapes exist..."
104-10177-10088: HQS DISCUSSED REF SITUATION WITH CHOADEN AND MUTUALLY AGREED HE SHOULD RETURN HAVA.
8/22/59 cable DIR 41198 from Director to Havana. REF HAVA 2588 "HQS discussed ref situation with Choaden (David Phillips) and mutually agreed he should return HAVA. ETA 25 August. If Choaden questioned about knowing Caines or de Los Reyes, Choaden will admit knowing them and say Malone consulted him on producing television program aimed at modified agrarian reform."
104-10267-10049: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/MICHAEL M. CHOADEN
09/02/59: Dispatch RENW-3075(?) from Chief, WHD to COS, Habana, ref HAVA-2588 8/21/59, DIR 41198, 8/22/59: "Attached for your information and files is a copy of a memorandum for the record prepared by Lawrence R. Charron on his conversation with Subject. Oliver G. Galbond (J. C. King)." The routing sheet was submitted by WH/3/Carib/FI Hugh O. MacAuley.
104-10260-10437: CABLE- SUBJECTS REF HAVE FOLLOWING RESERVATIONS LEAVING MEXICO
06/28/60: Cable from Mexico City to Director: Slugline RYBAT JMNET: REF DIR 37007 (OUT 90530)* "1. SUBJS ref have following reservations leaving MEXI: A. AMHAWK (Manuel Antonio [Tony] de Varona) for Houston by PAA 502 on 28 Jun 60 arriving 1950 confirmed; Houston for New York City by Braniff 500 unconfirmed. Comment: Lawrence R. Charron notified per telecon 282230Z..."
104-10171-10023: DISPATCHES RE DRE STUDENTS IN CUBA
09/01/61: Dispatch from COS, Santiago to Chief, WHD: Subject: Operational/KUCAGE/JMZIP/Cuban Students: "Station Santiago would like to inquire why (per reference) no Cuban DRE members are scheduled to study in Chile. It would seem to be worthwhile, and Station monitoring of the activities of the three Cuban students who visited here regarding the (REDACTION) case would indicate that there is a fertile field for more permanent DRE representation in this country. (Signature) Lawrence R. Charron."
104-10236-10374: DISPATCH: PAMPHLET DENOUNCING CUBAN SOLIDARITY CONGRESS
03/26/63: Dispatch from COS, Santiago to COS, Rio de Janeiro: "1. Attached for Station Rio de Janeiro only are 35 copies of the pamphlet mentioned in paragraph 1 f. and 2 of reference. Unfortunately AMTOAD-1 (Julian Arias Prado) was not able to get copies from the printers in time for Station to pouch any copies on 22 March, and he is not yet in possession of all copies which will be printed. However, he did obtain enough to send a total of 175 by open air mail to Brazil on 23 March. Station Santiago is also open air mailing to Sanderson box, JMWAVE, and most other WH Stations. 2. Although the Cuban Solidarity Congress has been temporarily postponed according to press articles of 23 March, Station suspects the congress will be held elsewhere in Brazil or in some other nearby country and believes the propaganda still worth disseminating. The Station would like comments by addresses regarding the text of the pamphlet and its KUWOLF (Psychological and Paramilitary Staff) effectiveness. Lawrence R. Charron."
104-10018-10060: ANONYMOUS LETTER RECEIVED BY SANTIAGO EMBASSY
12/13/63: Dispatch from COS, Santiago to COS, Lima: "1. On 27 November, an anonymous letter, mailed in Santiago on 26 November, was received by the Embassy. The letter stated the Embassy in Lima might be interested in watching the activities of two United States citizens who debarked at Callao on 2 September. Aboard ship, the unknown informant alleged, these two, who are from the South, possibly Texas, made remarks and statements revealing themselves as 'ultra-reactionaries and 'anti-racists', and as enemies of the regime of President Kennedy. The Americans' names were given as James Bland Catlett Jr., and Bob Bobo. 2. While we realize this is not much to go on and no further information is likely to be available, the Station is forwarding it to addressees for what it might be worth. Lawrence R. Charron."
104-10264-10009: CABLE: CHARRON HAS NO KNOWLEDGE REF MATTER AS IT APPARENTLY TOOK
05/13/64: Cable from Santiago to Director: REF: DIR 19389* "Charron has no knowledge ref matter as it apparently took place after his transfer to SAGO from HQs. C/S Comment: *Concerns Alberto Fernandez purchased vessel Tyana in New Orleans for use in PBRUMEN (Cuba) ops."