Pseudonym: Etsinger, Howard
A dispatch on December 15, 1964, mentioned that Etsinger was the case officer of LICOOKY-1 (Viola June Cobb).
A dispatch on May 17, 1966, stated that on January 12, 1966, Gary H. Reymander (probably Arthur Ladenburg) took over from Howard T. Etsinger as case officer of LICOOKY-1.
According to a CIA memo in February of 1976, Etsinger worked at the Mexico City station from December 13, 1963 to May 7, 1966: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=230090#relPageId=5
104-10092-10067: OPERATIONAL - CONTRACT
10/18/63: Dispatch from COS, Mexico City to Chief, WH Division: Subject: LILINK/Contract with LILINK-2: Reference: HMMW-11958, 27 Sept 1963: "1. In reply to reference, this is to advise that Station Mexico has made no written contracts of any kind with LILINK-2. 2. COS Mexico did agree to pay $6000 (pesos) monthly to LILINK-2. This was to include: rental for two large private offices, hall closet, private upstairs room (for vaulted area) which has bedroom, kitchenette and bathroom, and use of patio. Rent includes cleaning, lights, telephone (except for long distance calls), and heating. He was to also give KUBARKers (CIA) share use of chauffeur and Chevrolet car. (Note: When told this was not necessary, LILINK-2 insisted that KUBARKers share the car and driver for any city trips they can make in this car). It is believed, now that the car and driver are not needed (according to Howard T. Etsinger's statement to LILINK-2), that this payment can be reduced to $5,000 (pesos) monthly. 3. These were oral agreements (with LILINK-2) concerning which office KUBARKers would occupy, what space they would use, etc. Etsinger further discussed purchases of (some) furnishings and modifications to the space. However, no contracts were drawn up. Willard C. Curtis (Winston Scott)."
10/21/63: Cable from Director to Mexico City (Orig: L. G. Norris, WH/3/Mexico): LILINK: "1. Please advise LILINK-2 IDEN A has agreed to furnish cover for Howard T. Etsinger in Mexico. 2. IDEN A is sending a letter to LILINK-2 telling him of their interest in investment possibilities in Mexico on behalf of a client (IDEN B). This letter should arrive by 28 October 1963. 3. This letter explains IDEN A's desire to establish a contractual relationship with LILINK-2 whereby they could send their representatives to Mexico City to work with LILINK-2 and out of his office. IDEN A will carry Etsinger as an employee and will pay his salary until usual arrangements with KUBARK (CIA). 4. The terms of the proposed contract will be in the letter. LILINK-2 should be requested to reply to this letter immediately accepting the proposed terms. The contract will be drawn up a later date if it is necessary." Releasing Officer: R. W. Herbert for J. C. King, CWHD. Coordinating Officer: COG/BC/Biladeau (in draft). Authenticating Officer: J. C. Whitten, CWH/3. - - - For clearer view of Biladeau's rank: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=41561#relPageId=2&search=
11/20/63: Cable from Director to Mexico City (Orig: Les Norris, WH/3/Mexico): LILINK: "1. LILINK (an operation in Mexico City to provide non-official cover for CIA officers with infra-red communications system to the CIA station in the Embassy) project approved. Howard T. Etsinger ETD WASH 24 November 1963. Travel MEXI via Denver and El Paso. ETA Mexico City about 14 Dec 1963. On arrival Etsinger will call COS using name Mr. Williams. 2. Dispatch and project outline follow." Releasing Officer: J. C. King, C/WHD. Authenticating Officer: (REDACTION), C/WH/3.
104-10528-10411: CABLE: REQUEST HQS CONTACT ETSINGER RE ENTRY AT LAREDO
11/28/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: REF DIR 83919: "1. Request HQs contact Etsinger in Denver suggesting he enter Mexico at Laredo making contact customs agent known to Etsinger here in order facilitate entry personal effects. 2. Station met with LILINK-2 on 27 September. He pleased with Galbond (J. C. King) meeting, New York arrangements. C/S Comment: *Itinerary of Howard T. Etsinger."
104-10101-10101: CABLE:EFFECTIVE 1 DEC ETSINGER WILL BE ON PAYROLL FIRM IDEN A
11/30/63, DIR 86032, cable from Director to Mexico City (Orig: C. Bustos, WH/3/Mexico): REF: DIR 77179: "Effective 1 Dec Etsinger will be on payroll firm IDEN A DIR 77180. Also effective Dec 1963 this firm will deposit to New York account of LILINK-2 sum of $480 per month for rent LILINK (an operation in Mexico City to provide non-official cover for CIA officers with infra-red communications system to the CIA station in the Embassy) offices." Releasing Officer: R. W. Herbert for J. C. King, C/WHD. Authenticating Officer: (REDACTION), C/WH/3.
104-10174-10068: CIA FILE ON (ASSET)
01/29/64: Cable from Mexico City to Director: REF DIR 97690* "Prefer not to use Etsinger on ESGAIN-7 or other op until STA and HQ both satisfied security aspects. Suggest use Tichborn (Henry Preston Lopez) to contact initially and if desired, Pataker (Jim Flannery) can take over on his arrival. On receipt reply will make contact. C/S Comment: *Req contact IDEN, HGGW 3547."
104-10414-10124: MEXICO CITY STATION HISTORY
Page 367: ..."From December 1963 until August 1964, Etsinger and Reymander (probably Arthur Ladenburg) spent time establishing and working on their cover business, though no business developed from the efforts of going through the motions of preparing investment surveys. Several surveys were prepared, both from information from the files of Matson and independently. LILINK (an operation in Mexico City to provide non-official cover for CIA officers with infra-red communications system to the CIA station in the Embassy) was under the direction of the deputy chief of station, Alan P. White..."
104-10185-10159: LICOOKY/50-6-129/1/DEVELOPMENT AND PLANS
12/15/64: Dispatch from COS, Mexico City to Chief, WH Division: Subject: LICOOKY Field Project Outline: Page 42: ..."R. L. Easby (Alan P. White) for H. T. Etsinger, Case Officer. Willard C. Curtis (Winston Scott), Chief of Station."
104-10218-10076: CIA FILE ON LICOOKY-1.
01/06/66: Cable from Mexico City to Director: LILINK: REF MEXI 5761 (IN 24390): "1. Etsinger has written LILINK-7 that he will meet LILINK-2 in ZRMETAL (Washington, D.C.) evening 10 Jan and again in New York on 14 Jan where hopes Lund (Jack Kaufman) can meet with both men and with LILINK-7. Appointment tentatively scheduled with Stokely Van Camp for Etsinger and L-7 Indianapolis 19 Jan. Etsinger then wishes take five days leave to pick up wife in Denver and return MEXI. 2. Assume HQs will make appropriate arrangements. 3. Will introduce Reymander (probably Arthur Ladenburg) to LICOOKY-1 (Viola June Cobb) for contact during Etsinger absence."
104-10266-10026: FOLDER ON COBB, VIOLA JUNE (VOL VII)
01/24/66: Cable from Director to Mexico City (Orig: C. Bustos-Videla, WH/1): "Etsinger reported Miss June Cobb returning to New York to face libel suit concerning Arevalo book. Etsinger vague on name of person bringing suit. Request station provide details including ETA, mode of travel and means contact in New York." Releasing Officer: Jacob D. Esterline, AC/WHD. Authenticating Officer: W. J. Kaufman, C/WH/1.
104-10185-10161: LICOOKY.OPERATIONS.50-6-129/3
03/04/66: Cable from Director to Mexico City (Orig: W. J. Kaufman, WH/1): REF: MEXI 6341 (IN 59865): "1. Lund met with LICOOKY-1 (Viola June Cobb) February 7 in New York City (NY) and February 28th when she visited Washington to review the 1962 Senate hearing records for possible release to use in her legal problems. L-1 plans to return to MEXI no sooner than March 7 depending on progress with her lawyer. L-1 won royalty case which should produce about $700 now; other suit still unresolved...5. In discussing literary world only fleeting reference made to LIREAM/LIREAM editor and Tichborn (Henry Preston Lopez) with no hint of KUBARK (CIA) involvement despite Etsinger's advice that L-1 said LIREAM (Dialogos, a left wing intellectual publication funded by the CIA in the 1960s) blown. To the contrary, L-1 claims LIREAM concept was her idea and had spoken to editor about it some time ago only to discover subsequently on return from trip outside MEXI editor had taken the idea and with Tichborn produced LIREAM..."
104-10185-10161: LICOOKY.OPERATIONS.50-6-129/3
05/17/66: Dispatch from COS, Mexico City to Chief, WH Division: Subject: LICOOKY Progress Report: 1 October 1965 - 30 April 1966: Page 17: ..."4. Personnel: Handling of LICOOKY-1 (Viola June Cobb) was taken over by Gary H. Reymander (probably Arthur Ladenburg), from Howard T. Etsinger, on 12 January 1966..."