Pseudonym: Livingston, John R.
In April 1966 an LA Division officer, John R. Lucy, using the alias John Livingston, met Veciana in New York City. The meeting was arranged by a retired naval officer, James Cogswell, who had informed Chief, WH Division that he had information of value concerning Cuba. When Lucy arrived in New York City for the meeting, he was introduced by Cogswell to Veciana. He immediately...(stated) his strong feeling that the only solution was the assassination of Castro. Lucy advised Veciana that he was in no position to provide him with assistance...Veciana subsequently said that his roommate, Felix Zabala, had excellent contacts in Havana. It was clear to Lucy, however, Veciana was attempting to use Zabala potentially to get Agency financial support for his organization."
05/31/66: Memo for the record from Byron R. Waidley: "Present: James K. Cogswell, Antonio Veciana Blanch (201-312966) and Byron R. Waidley (P) using documented alias John R. Livingston (19 April); Cogswell and Waidley (20 April): ..."2. I arrive at the club at approximately 1730 hours and was met by Cogswell at the entrance. He was accompanied by Antonio Veciana Blanch, a former leading activist of Alpha-66 and an acquaintance of Cogswell's for the past several years. Dispensing with amenities, Veciana immediately launched into a discussion of the Cuban political situation and noted his strong feeling that the only solution was the assassination of Castro. After fifteen minutes of Veciana's presentation, and with Cogswell's assistance, I was able to get hold of the conversation and advise Veciana that I was in no position to provide him assistance or encouragement regarding an assassination attempt...Veciana then told me about his roommate in Puerto Rico, Felix Zabala, who had visited Cuba in November 1965 in connection with the Camarioca refugee departures...He also has a sister there married to Communist Party official Luis Mas Martin. She allegedly is employed in a secretarial capacity by Ramiro Valdez, Cuban Minister of Interior. 3. During Zabala's November visit to Cuba he allegedly received a pass issued by Valdez, following intercessions by his sister and brother-in-law, which allowed him to spend three days in Havana. Apparently the contacts maintained by Zabala's relatives in Cuba plus Zabala's three-day visit to Havana impressed both Veciana and Cogswell considerably and prompted Cogswell's request for an Agency audience. 4. Although Zabala's story presents some operational possibilities and appropriate interest was shown to it, it appeared clear that Veciana was attempting to use Zabala's potential to get Agency financial support for his organization. (Veciana suggested that $50,000 would be needed to get his activities off the ground)." (CONTINUED BELOW)
05/31/66: Memo for the record from Byron R. Waidley: "Present: James K. Cogswell, Antonio Veciana Blanch (201-312966) and Byron R. Waidley (P) using documented alias John R. Livingston (19 April); Cogswell and Waidley (20 April): Page 2: ..."In closing the 19 April meeting, I promised Veciana that I would look into the Zabala matter and probably arrange for Zabala to be contacted in Puerto Rico. I took leave of Veciana and told Cogswell that I would meet with him on the following day for a brief discussion prior to my departure from New York...Zabala will be debriefed in Puerto Rico by a member of WH/C in the near future."