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."
04/19/66: Department of Defense memorandum for the record: Subject: SD 10721 (VECIANA): "1. (U) On 19 April 1966, a telephone request was received through Dasco from Mr. Lucey, CIA (W), regarding SD 10721. 2. (C) Mr. Lucey stated that he was departing immediately for New York where he was to meet a Mr. Cogswell, not further identified. During this contact, Lucey expected to meet an acquaintance of SD 10721, not further identified, and perhaps SD 10721. 3. (C) The purpose of the call was to ascertain if Detachment A had any objection to CIA (W) possibly coming into contact with SD 10721. It was emphasized by Lucey that no contact with him was planned. Lucey was informed that no objection was present but, if contact was made, a report detailing the circumstances was desired. JOHN F MCGOWAN: MAJOR, AIS: LANTOOM DESK: MFR: SD 10721 is the former treasurer for 'Alpha 66' and Second National Front of the Escambray (SNFE), on whom CI was established on 19 Nov 62 for Project (Unintelligible). He was initially contacted to establish a meeting with three frogmen of the SNFE who had been drawn (sucked up?) to the side of a Soviet ship which they were attempting to sabotage. Through SD 10721, (unintelligible) met Menoya, leader of SNFE, who in turn arranged the meeting with the three frogmen. Subsequent to the debriefing of the frogmen, periodic contact was maintained with SD 10721, with the last contact taking place in the early part of 1963."
05/06/66: Dispatch from Chief of Station, JMWAVE, to Chief, Western Hemisphere Division: "1. Forwarded herewith is a contact report of a meeting with held 25 April 1966 between AMBLINK-1 (probably Jack Stewart) and AMRAZZ/1 (Joaquin Godoy y Solis). The report is sent to Headquarters in the event that identification of Fnu Livingston, an alleged KUBARK (CIA) officer, may be possible. 2. The following individuals are mentioned in the report: a. James Cogswell – Station Registry contains one reference dated 10 July 1964 indicating that Cogswell in a New York attorney. He was mentioned in connection with a request for funds by Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo (201-269349). b. Antonio Veciana Blanch (201-312966) – Born 18 October 1928 in Havana. He is a public accountant by profession. He is titular head of ALPHA-66 and a member of MRP and SFNE. He lives in Puerto Rico. He has a cryptonym and is of marginal operational interest to JMWAVE CI Branch as a source of information obtained by AMKNOB/1 (Piero Fedeli Medici) for the CUIS. c. Fnu Livingston cannot be identified in Station Registry. Philip G. Elmard (John Dimmer)."
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."
09/28/66: Cable from Director to Mexico City (Orig: B. Carew, WH/C/CICS): Info: JMWAVE: TYPIC LIRING: Releasing Officer: Earl Williamson for William V. Broe, C/WHD. Coordinating Officers: H. Mahoney, C/WH/C/CICS. T. Hazlett (draft), C/WH/C/FI. J. Lucey (draft), WH/C/FI/TC. C. Anderson (draft), C/WH/C/CA/PA. J. Fisher (draft), C/WH/1. R. Ortman (draft), WH/C/MO. Authenticating Officer: Earl Williamson for Thomas J. Flores, C/WH/C.
05/10/76: Church Committee testimony of Milford Paul Hubbard: Page 39: ..."SENATOR SCHWEIKER: I see. So it might have been more through Darnell, really. MR. HUBBARD: No, I would say through our Miami station, is Colonel Watlington, that was the commander, and you'd have to go that route to find out about Alpha 66. As I recall, the early days, Detachment A, Army, had contact with Veciana, and CIA assumed interest. They just took it over, lock, stock and barrel, and told Army to back off. Now, please, don't pin me down, but that's my understanding of what happened. MR. JOHNSTON: Were you ever contacted by Mr. Lucey of CIA asking for the individual you had contact with in Puerto Rico? MR. HUBBARD: Possibly, when I returned there were numerous calls and trips to Washington from Hollabird for various reasons. Very possibly. The name does not ring a bell..."