Pseudonym: Wellbank, Clayton
Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954: Guatemala Current Section: Persons and Pseudonyms
Page xxi: ..."Wellbank, Clayton S. (pseudonym, identity not released)..."
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000915709.pdf
05/03/54: Memorandum for C/P: Subject: Frank G. Wisner's Memorandum of 28 April 1954 Regarding Cover and Deception: ..."d. ERRATIC (General Jose Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes) could be sent to Argentina. The new case officer in Salvador, Wellbank, could explain to ERRATIC that he, Wellbank, was a patriotic American and loved the U.S., but that the U.S. non-intervention policy drove him almost to political despair. Wellbank could explain that the JUVIAS had had to temporize with ERRATIC because it was impossible to get U.S. support. Now he, Wellbank, had come to the decision that it was so important, for the U.S., that Guatemalan Communism be destroyed that private men of good will would have to do the job, even without the support of the U.S. Government. Wellbank should therefore offer to finance a trip to Buenos Aires for ERRATIC, on the basis that Peron was the most powerful anti-Communist in the hemisphere next to the United States. It is presumed that, given ERRATIC's natural vanity and skillful salesmanship on Wellbank's part, ERRATIC will rise to the bait..."
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000915455.pdf
05/14/54: Cable from LINCOLN to Director: Slugline PBSUCCESS RYBAT: ATTN PURWELL: ..."3. To permit above and provide maximum protection a new contact agent has been set up in your city whom it is hoped will be able simply provide means contact between (REDACTION) and principal agents in DTFROGS (El Salvador) in following manner: A. He has good business cover which accounts for his presence. B. His covert operational cover is secret representative of SKIMMER (The "Group," CIA cover organization supporting Carlos Castillo Armas). C. His duty is simply comply with instructions allegedly provided by SKIMMER and to maintain covert contact through means (REDACTION) without knowledge any other person. D. All ops DTFROGS presently planned through base in WSHOOFS (Honduras). E. His pseudo is Clayton S. Wellbank. F. You authorized and requested pass all cable traffic from him to LINC info DIR and vice versa, including dispatches. G. Be certain at no time official cryptos or pseudos are passed to him, always sterilize all messages before forwarding. H. True name and address follows. I. Prefer if practicable contact be made by (REDACTION). As matter less conspicuousness, initial contact should be telephone saying 'I was asked to call you by a friend of mine in States named Ed Baker who said he was friend of yours.' This should follow by normal arranging to meet. J. First meeting should take place soonest as following message must be passed to him: 'Important you proceed to TEGU where meeting arranged for 13 May. Go to Lugton's cover office ask for him giving your true first name.' (Substitute true names). 4. Fully appreciate your position this matter and invite your comments and suggestions re proper servicing this contact. Please make certain above message passed in time for meeting. True names follow."
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000923407.pdf
05/22/54: Report made by: George S. Vincent. Approved by: William D. Playdon (Tracy Barnes). Source: Clayton S. Wellbank. Date of Info: 13 May 1954. Subject: Honduran Public Opinion Favors Strikers. Source: Local American businessman and U.S. Government employee (B). Appraisal of Content: 2: "1. It is reported that there exists little sympathy for the United Fruit Company among Honduran businessmen or politicians..."
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000136207.pdf
06/13/54: Cable from LINCOLN to Director: Slugline RYBAT PBSUCCESS: FOR WELLBANKS: "1. The following names persons departing WSBURNT (Guatemala) (REDACTION) for (REDACTION) with safe conduct for asylum: A. (REDACTION): Important SYNCARP (The "Junta", Castillo Armas' political organization headed by Cordova Cerna) agent. Warrants fullest attention and should be aided proceed without delay to (REDACTION). B. (REDACTION) prominent and respected person. (REDACTION) only recently joined SYNCARP. C. Captain Rodolfo Rodas: Unidentified. D. Captain Augustin Castro Monzon: Believed to be colonel and adherent to SYNCARP. E. Jose Morales Torres: Unidentified. F. Ernesto Gomez (also RCVD Gamez) Saavedra: Unidentified. G. Flavio Segura Ruiz: Unidentified. H. Adan Manrique Rios: Believed to be close personal friend of (REDACTION) lawyer and former diplomat. I. Carlos Alberto Recinos: Unidentified. J. Juan Fermin Valladares Avciena: Lawyer and well-known anti-Communist. K. Rodolfo Castillo Armas - active member SYNCARP. 2. Request you work through SEQUIN in effort to obtain debriefing of current conditions in WSBURNT from each of the above cabling summaries to LINCOLN (note: CIA's Guatemalan covert operations headquarters, a forward base in Florida). Identities (REDACTION) should be encouraged and aided to proceed to reporting to Calligeris (Carlos Castillo Armas) upon arrival. Attempt to establish motivations and anti-Communist activities of all other identities discouraging their going to (REDACTION) until more fully identified. You authorized to provide minimum financial assistance through SEQUIN on behalf of SYNCARP for persons desiring further participation in anti-Communist operations."
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000921983.pdf
06/14/54: Cable from LINCOLN to Director: Slugline RYBAT PBSUCCESS: FOR WELLBANK: RE: LINC 3378 (IN 13181): "1. If GUAT advises that (REDACTION) will expect you per ref MSG, make appointment, preferably for 1400 hours or later. 2. Jeremy T. Nutting ETA DTFROGS (El Salvador) 1200 June 14 via PAA 443 enroute to WSBURNT (Guatemala). Meet Nutting at airport for briefing for (REDACTION) contact. 3. If (REDACTION) can see you only in morning, cover FOLL points: A. Consejo has no ties with ODACID (U.S. State Department), DTFROGS. B. Consejo wishes FOLL immediate aid from DTFROGS: 1. Emergency landing rights for its planes, prompt release of planes, secrecy about planes. Consejo planes identified by pilots saying they flying for Robert Stewart. 2. No interference with transit of Calligeris (Carlos Castillo Armas) gear and personnel. 3. Available info on hour to hour events in WSBURNT. 4. Assistance to SEQUIN, especially in debriefing refugees and sending appropriate ones to WSHOOFS (Honduras). 5. DTFROGS to take no action against ERRATIC (General Jose Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes), but to keep him from fouling Calligeris ops. C. Consejo wishes regular Wellbank contact with Osorio designee (possibly JURANT) as channel for crash requests on DTFROGS. C. As support for your bargaining position, can indicate Consejo will lend its influence support DTFROGS needs and if necessary even try pressure on ODYOKE (U.S. Government) to extent possible unofficially. 4. If unable answer (REDACTION) queries, state: A. You keep on need to know basis. B. Since Osorio refused see Gillray, SKIMMER (The "Group," CIA cover organization supporting Carlos) reduced plans for ops in DTFROGS. If such ops possible, SKIMMER will review and advise DTFROGS through you. 5. If (REDACTION) wishes you meet (REDACTION) DTFROGS officials, accept. 6. As stated, preferable you see (REDACTION) after Nutting briefing. But it more important you see him with above guidance than not at all. 7. IDENS for (REDACTION) follow."
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000136225.pdf
06/16/54: Cable from LINCOLN to Director: Slugline RYBAT PBSUCCESS: "1. FYI and to discuss with Page (probably Henry Hecksher). Following received from Wellbank: 'SWALLOW enthusiastically received all points of ref' (not quoted as known to Nutting) 'at 14 June meeting. State now willing to meet Consejo (SCOMBER) representative but spoke in terms of two months rather than weeks although urgency stressed. SWALLOW failed contact Wellbank for (REDACTION) meeting 15 June as agreed. When Wellbank phoned SWALLOW home was informed by wife SWALLOW had left in early morning WSBURNT (Guatemala) to return in 4 days.' 2. Urge Page arrange with SWALLOW to have Wellbank/SEQUIN recognized by (REDACTION) as Consejo/SYNCARP (note: The "Junta", Castillo Armas' political organization headed by Cordova Cerna) reprs DTFROGS (El Salvador) with access to responsible high level (REDACTION) reps such as JURANT. 3. Please advise if possible Wellbank see SWALLOW on his return as above or see (REDACTION) or his rep sooner and on what basis."
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000136252.pdf
06/19/54: Cable from LINCOLN to Director: Slugline RYBAT PBSUCCESS: FOR CADICK: FROM WELLBANK: "52 Calligeris (Carlos Castillo Armas) men captured 17 June without struggle by guards national of SALV in Finca San Antonio Abad between Candelbria and Santa Ana. Men presently in Santa Ana jail. (REDACTION) SALV Govt deport them to Nueva Ocotopeque as personas non gratis in SALV in order that they may participate in action elsewhere. SALV Govt confiscated arms; 21 machine guns, TNT, grenades and rifles." This version of the same cable does not mention Cadick (William Robertson), but does mention Wellbank and SEQUIN: ..."SEQUIN thru (REDACTION) arranged to have SALV Government deport them..." https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000921560.pdf
07/01/54: Memorandum from Withheld to the Deputy Director for Plans: Subject: Control in Guatemala: "It became increasingly evident to those members of PBSUCCESS who were in close contact with Calligeris (Carlos Castillo Armas) during the period leading up to D-Day that he was not an intelligent individual, lacked administrative ability and was easily penetrated and influenced. In conversations with LINCOLN (note: CIA's Guatemalan covert operations headquarters, a forward base in Florida) Senior officers this was a subject of much concern and discussion and it was recognized that some control would have to be maintained over him so that his future government would not fall flat on its face. After discussing the aforementioned with the WH Division they recommended that Wellbank, presently residing in San Salvador, be considered as the person to attach to Calligeris to furnish the necessary control and guidance...I feel that our endeavoring to control (REDACTION) thru Page (probably Henry Hecksher) may cause us to alienate Calligeris who undoubtedly will be following all of (REDACTION) actions and contacts on a constant basis...I recommend strongly that we make up our minds what phase of the govt we are planning to back and follow this course inasmuch as the Latin mind is so suspicious and with such a talent for intrigue that they will perceive immediately our two-pronged device which to them will be very apparent and we will find ourselves in the position where we will be playing both ends against the middle when actually there is nothing in the middle, and so will really be playing against our own interests. In Latin America you always have two powers: The party that is IN power and the one intriguing to GET IN. We are IN power and I believe that we should take all steps possible to remain in that position and you won’t accomplish this by trying to back two horses."