Pseudonym: Labanow, Stefan
The cryptonyms HUMANOID-2 and 3 were described respectively as an "American businessman resident in Costa Rica" and an "American college graduate resident in Costa Rica." HU was probably the CIA digraph for assets and operations in Costa Rica.
A dispatch in May of 1954, which mentioned Arthur G. Vaivada (Ross Crozier), stated that Vaivada had departed for Costa Rica on 1 May with instructions to contact Labanow (sometimes spelt Lebanow). Also, a dispatch in March, 1965, stated that Thomas G. Urquhart (probably Ronald A. MacMillan) and Stephan R. Labanow had requested a copy of a report on meetings between Mexico City CIA and LITAMIL-9 (Luis Alberu Souto).
A dispatch in November, 1966, from Chief of Station, JMWAVE, to Chief, Western Hemisphere Division (WHD), included a message of attention to Stefan R. Labanow. In addition, a dispatch in December of 1966 mentioned that Mexico City COS, Winston Scott, had met with Chief, WHD, Desmond FitzGerald, and LIRAMA. Labanow had acted as interpreter for FitzGerald.
Documents in 1967 stated that Labanow worked with JMWAVE COS, Effield, and Peter Digerveno (Emilio Americo Rodriguez/AMIRE-1). A dispatch signed by Labanow in November of 1967 noted the very recent death of Digerveno.
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000914632.pdf
12/18/53: PBSUCCESS Report: Subject: Sale of Vanguardia Popular Printing Press to the Guatemalan Government: "Source A. Pars 1, 2, 3: Costa Rican with access to government files (B). Appraisal of content Documentary. B. Par 4: American businessman resident in Costa Rica (C) from an individual with access to Communist correspondence (B). C. Par 5: American college graduate resident in Costa Rica (B) from an individual in highest Vanguardia Popular circles (B). Appraisal of content 2..." - - - Page 4: Report Made by: Stefan R. Labanow. Distribution: By copy to: Wash, Guat, (REDACTION). "Sources: A: Alfredo Povedano, Chief of the Commercial Section of the Ministry of Finance. B: HUMANOID-2. C. HUMANOID-3. Comments: (REDACTION)-360 reported Saenz' letter to Hutt, (See Field Comment). It is suggested that in connection with PBSUCCESS every effort be made to contact Saenz, who if still unpaid, and in need of funds, may be willing to sign a signed statement or to provide information of value, for revenge or ot solve his economic problems. The tone of his letter to Mora is considered to be somewhat menacing, and certainly not supplicatory. It is further suggested that the Banco Central's cost data (Par 3) be checked with the John Griffiths Co."
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000913360.pdf
02/16/54: Dispatch via Air Pouch from COS, Withheld to Chief, WH: Subject: General - Operational - KUGOWN: Specific - Anti-Guatemalan Activities: "1. Attachments 1 through 9 are copies of articles published by the Liga Anti-Comunista de Costa Rica attacking the Guatemalan Government. The themes which have been utilized are those indicating Communist power in Guatemala and which tend to prove the link between the Central American Communists, especially those in Guatemala, and the Soviet Union..." The COS' name was redacted but Stefan R. Labanow's name was below the redaction. - - - 04/27/54: Cable from Director to Sr. Rep. Lincoln (Orig: J. D. Esterline, Unit: WH/PBS): Slugline RYBAT/PBSUCCESS: "Request you instruct Stephan R. Lebanow to discuss with ambassador exactly what Figueres said that might place ODYOKE (U.S. Government) in position to exert pressure on Figueres concerning his future course of action. Advise ambassador this request concurred in by ODACID (U.S. State Department)." Releasing Officer: F. G. Wisner. https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000916127.pdf
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000915714.pdf
05/03/54: Dispatch from Withheld: Page 2: ..."B. Vaivada-ESCROW: During the time Vaivada handled ESCROW they met in what is believed was a secure manner and there seems to be no reason to believe that ESCROW is compromised. As a result of the probability of Vaivada's compromise, as indicated by (REDACTION) 1203, and since Vaivada had reported a feeling that all was not well and that he seemed under a light surveillance, I decided it best for him to leave the country, not only for his onw protection but also to prevent the possibility of a flap which would cause incalculable damage at this time. Vaivada, as per GUAT 444, departed for Costa Rica on 1 May with instructions to contact Lebanow upon arrival and to check as to the probable damage done to his cover in this country. His family is still here pending the results of this check..."
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000922674.pdf
06/06/54: Cable from Withheld to Director: Slugline RYBAT PBSUCCESS: "1. Nicaraguan press and civil attaché Rojas told Labanow on 6 June that all Nicaraguan Embassy personnel have reservations depart to MANA 11 June. 2. Stated they will depart and relations with Costa Rica will be broken on that date unless answer to Nicaraguan note received by June 11. Stated any form of answer will be suitable to prevent break in relations. 3. Dist Emb."
104-10072-10001: OPERATIONAL AND SOURCE COVER SHEETWITH FIELD INFORMATION REPORT AND ATTACHMENT.
02/01/56: Operational and Source Cover Sheet: FROM: San Jose, Costa Rica. REPORT MADE BY: Stefan R. Labanow. REPORT APPROVED BY: Stefan R. Labanow. SOURCE CRYPTONYM: HUSSY (described as "High level Central American exile" on page 2)...
104-10185-10267: 201 FILE OF PROTECTABLE SOURCE.
03/23/65: Dispatch from COS, Mexico City to Chief, WH/SA (Info: Chief, WH Division): Subject: Transmittal of LITAMIL-9 Contact Reports: "Forwarded by split transmission, is a copy of a contact report dated 15 March 1965 covering meetings with LITAMIL-9 (Luis Alberu Souto) from 12 February through 10 March and a copy of Communication Arrangements set up between L-9 and Mexico Station. These copies are to be forwarded to Thomas G. Urquhart (probably Ronald A. MacMillan) and Stephan R. Labanow as requested in HMMA 25001. (Signature) Lawrence F. Barker (Robert Shaw). Willard C. Curtis (Winston Scott)."
104-10185-10267: 201 FILE OF PROTECTABLE SOURCE.
04/23/65: Dispatch from COS, Mexico City to Chief, WH Division: Subject: LITAMIL-9: Page 2: ..."Note: This dispatch explained why reports had not been forwarded since HMMA 24254, see above- in accordance with Headquarters request that contact reports not be forwarded in the future. HMMA 25001 explained that henceforth 1 copy only of LITAMIL-9 (Luis Alberu Souto) CR's would be forwarded to WH/SA, attention Urquhart (probably Ronald A. MacMillan) and Labanow. Both of these officers had specifically requested that LITAMIL-9 CR's be forwarded to WH/SA. In the interim, between September and January, CR's for the following meetings were placed in Station files: 10 September 64, 21 September 64, 1 October 64, 4 October 64, 23 October 64, 23 October 64, 5 November 64, and 16 November 64..."
11/28/66: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, WH (ATTN: Stefan R. Labanow): Subject: AMBUD/Operational/Transmittal of AMBUD Financial Summary: "Forwarded herewith is one xerox copy of a compilation of those expenses during the period 1960 thru 30 June 1966 handled thru the JMWAVE Station which may be considered to fall under the AMBUD (Cuban Revolutionary Council - CRC) rubric. The compilation was made by AMTIKI-1 (Manuel F. Goudie) and his staff. The original copy has been retained at the Station. It is interesting to note that the disbursements during the report period are in excess of $17,300,000. Philip G. Elmard (probably John Dimmer)."
104-10188-10052: (ASSET) DEVELOPMENT AND PLANS
12/19/66: Dispatch from COS, Mexico City to Chief, WHD: Subject: Renewal of Project LIENVOY: Page 26: ..."12. Chester Dainold (Desmond FitzGerald) and Willard C. Curtis (Winston Scott) met with LIRAMA on 16 December 1966 and Dainold briefed him on student reform and university programs; also, on world problems. A record of this briefing by Dainold has been sent to Headquarters. Stefan Labanow came with Dainold and acted as interpreter..." - - - Page 67: ..."On 18 December Chester D. Dainold (ps) and Stefan Labanow (ps) came to Mexico and met with LIRAMA on 20 December. Dainold conducted the briefing and Labanow acting as interpreter..." https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=147787&search=#relPageId=67&tab=page - - - 02/01/67: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Western Hemisphere Division: Subject: TYPIC/AMBUD/OPERATIONAL AMBUD Dependent Payments: "1. In accordance with Chief of Station, JMWAVE and Stefan R. Labanow's telephone conversation on 25 January 1967, we do not plan to take the action requested in the References prior to Headquarters reconsideration of the cases, based on information obtained from a further review of our records..." https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=147946#relPageId=87&tab=page
04/04/67: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline TYPIC PERSONNEL: "Re Effield-Labanow telecon of 4 April all members of Rodriguez family except mother of Emilio have had medical examinations. Results were forwarded by UFGT-18624 dated 2 February. Mother scheduled for 4 April. Results will be forwarded within the week."
08/28/67: Cable from Caracas to Director, JMWAVE: KAPOK: "1. Labanow met with Digerveno (Emilio Americo Rodriguez) at airport 24 August and discussed op. Hunkeler presence at airport to see off business associates facilitated preliminary three sided conversation re cover possibilities and training. Hunkeler and Digerveno who already acquainted, appear have good rapport. 2. Discussion centered around training, but it clear that Hunkeler firm offers wide scope cover opportunities either as sales rep, in market analysis, or economic development surveys. In connection with latter, Hunkeler firm plans initiate study in Costa Rica during next several weeks which may offer opportunity for on the job training for Digerveno if latter specialty decided upon. 3. For immediate future suggest that FOLL action be taken concurrently with preparation project in order try get Digerveno in place by 1 Jan 68: A. HQs rep travel JMWAVE confer with Hunkeler and Digerveno to pinpoint cover assignment and prepare cover training program. B. That Digerveno be made available as soon as possible to undertake full time training for cover role. C. If possible, during training period, suggest Digerveno TDY Caracas for about one week to review situation and discuss op with station."
11/13/67: Dispatch from COS, Caracas to Chief, Western Hemisphere Division: Subject: Cover for Peter J. Di Gerveno: "1. The cover for Peter J. Di Gerveno (Emilio Americo Rodriguez) was discussed by Robert S. Hunkeler, Chester B. Dagnillo and the undersigned on 7 and 9 November 1967. 2. The following conclusions were reached: a. That Di Gerveno will come to Caracas as the representative for some of Hunkeler's sales lines. Specifically he will be the representative for IDENTITY-1, which is Hunkeler's marketing firm. b. In addition to representing IDENTITY-1, generally, he will specifically be IDENTITY-1's sales agent for IDENTITY-2; IDENTITY-3; and IDENTITY-4 and possibly for IDENTITY-5...12. Just before the release of this dispatch we have learned of Subject's death. This is a cause for real regret - but we would like to ask Headquarters to retain this cover proposal and to seek a possible substitute for Di Gerveno who will have not only good knowledge of the Spanish language , but sufficient commercial background to fit into the proposed cover. Stefan R. Labanow."