Francesco/who-killed-jfk huggingface dataset:
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 104]
# DISPATCHTO:Chief, WH DivisionINFO:Chief of Station, Guatemala CityFROM:Chief of Station, Mexico CitySUBJECT:PBRUMEN/LIRING-3ACTION REQUIRED-REFERENCES:Action Required: See paragraph 3.1. Forwarded herewith is one copy each for Headquarters and the Guatemala City Station of the report covering the debriefing by Wallace B. ROWTON of LIRING-3 on his imprisonment in Guatemala. Identity A of ROWTON's report is a Guatemalan rebel living in Mexico who, as addressees will remember.Accidentally shot himself in the leg a few days prior to his departure for Guatemala with LIRING-3. This wound may have convinced the Guatemalans that he had recently been involved in terrorist activities and may, in fact, have cost him his life. Identity B of the same report is the nephew of Identity F, a Mexican Communist who was arrested on 19 September 1968 during a student demonstration in Mexico City; he is still in jail.2. As this dispatch is being written, LIRING-3 has an appointment to talk at length about his experience in Guatemala with the LIRING Station Chief, LIRING-10. The general idea is for LIRING-3 to go to PBRUMEN in the hope that he can be used to penetrate PBRUMEN-sponsored subversion efforts in Latin America or become, at least for a time, a reporting source in PBRUMEN.3. ROWTON and the undersigned are prepared to travel to Guatemala to discuss the LIRING-3 case and its Guatemalan/FAR implications whenever the Guatemala City Station, after reviewing the available information, feels ready for such discussion. Please advise.Attachments:1. Report (1), h/w for Willard C. CURTIS2. Identity Sheet (1), u/s/cDistribution: CS COPYOrig & 2 - C/WHD (w/atts - 1 copy each)2 - COS, Guatemala City (w/atts - 1 copy each)DISPATCH SYMBOL AND NUMBER: HMMA - 35904CLASSIFICATION: SECRETDATE: 27 November 1968201-798301
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 105]
Liring-3MICROFILMEDATTACHMENT IANNA-35904DEC 9 1968 November, 1968DOC. MICRO. BER.Subject: Report of Debriefing of LIRING/3.1. Upon his return from TDY, Rowton made discreet efforts to re-establish contact with LIRING/4 as directly as possible. He checked on the last known residence of I/4 on the nights of 24 and 25 October but found the third floor apartment totally blacked out. He therefore assumed that LIRING/4 had abandoned the apartment either because of fear of the Gobernación agents that had attempted to exort 500 pesos from her (as indicated in AT take for 11 Sept.) or as a result of her inability to pay the Cercher rent, or both. Rowton checked his telephone answering service but found no message from LIRING/4 as he had hoped. Rowton concluded that I/4 must have assumed that Rowton had left the country on an extended trim, since prior to his departure (15 September) Rowton had left a note on the afternoon of 11 Sep- tember under the door of the apartment advising I/4 that he had to leave the country and hoped to see her the following morning at 1000 at the "cons- ultorio". LIRING/4 did not show at 1000 the following morning or the next, probably because of the visit of the police to the apartment.2. Rowton then telephoned Identity C and, on the preted of interest in the watercolors of LIRING/3, asked srta Carillo who answered for the address of LIRING/4. Srta Carillo replied that unfortunately she did not have the present address but did have the watercolors and could show them to Rowton. She added that LIRING/3 was in Guatemala and that LIRING/4 passed by Iden C from time to time to check on the sale of the pictures. When she offered to give I/4 any message Rowton might have, the latter asked her to tell I/4 to telephone Rowton at his telephone answering service(alias)3. Rowton then felt his only other source of I/4's whereabouts that would not attract undue attention (particularly on the part of the LIRING office) would be a check with LIRING/3's first wife, since he recalled that she had taken care of LIRING/3 and I/4's child almost every week-end, even after I/3's arrest. Rowton therefore obtained the telephone used by LIRING/3 to contact his first wife (from the Station file) and decided to call on the morning of 29 October. In the meantime, however, Rowton learned from the Station that LIRING/3 had been released and returned to Mexico City on 28 October.4. When Rowton called the number of the frist wife (apparently a small store in the Casas Grandes development), he asked for Carlito, the eldest son of I/3,(whom Rowton had already met) rather than for the first wife of I/3 whom Rowton did not know. A young girl replied saying that her brother Carlito was not at home at the moment. Rowton then explained that he was actuallyh/w attil HMMA-35704. 1 COPY 201-798301
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 106]
2. trying to locate LIRING/3. The child then exclaimed that L/3, her father, was at that very moment upstairs in her home. Rowton asked her to ask her father to come to the phone as soon as possible. After a few minutes delay, 1/3 came to the phone and talked directly to Rowton.5. LIRING/3 appeared from his tone of voice, to be rather depressed and showed no sign of enthusiasm in re-establishing contact with Rowton. Rowton explained that he had been out of the country and had unfortunately not been able to see I/4 before he left. Rowton added that he had returned on 19 Oct, the day after LIRING/3 himself had returned (Rowton said this for effect, since he knew it would impress 1/3 to indicate that he was fully aware of the exact date of 1/3's return). When he then asked to see L/3, the latter replied "of course, when:" Rowton then made a date to 1200 that same day at the Kiss restaurant on Reforma. He then telephoned Identity D and reserved a room for that afternoon so that he would be able to give L/3 the safehouse at their first meeting.6. LIRING/3 appeared on time and looked reasonably well, despite his long confinement. He explained that he had been able to recuperate during the past ten days and felt much better for the normal diet he had been able to resume. The only physical effect he still felt, besides the weakness from loss of weight and dysentery, was a recurring pain in the side, which 1/3 feared resulted from a fractured rib that had healed without medical treatment. He explained that he had been beaten severely on several occasions during the initial interrogation both by the military and the police and "of course" did not have the benefit of medical treatment afterwards.7. Rowton then alleged to LIRING/3 that he had done "everything possible" to arrange his release, principally through a notional GNA colonel whose brother was a business friend of Rowton. He explained that when he had learned that 1/3 had left Mexico City for the trip as planned, he telephoned the colonel and explained that a Mexican friend, LIRING/3, was planning to visit his country and might conceivably need help at some point. Rowton continued that this gesture proved to be literally a life-saver for L/3, since a few days later, the colonel called Rowton back and reported the arrest of L/3 in the company of "very dangerous persons." At the colonel's request, Rowton met with him several days later at the border and they both planned the best course of action to save 1/3. Rowton alleged that the colonel on his own initiative arranged to have 1/3 transferred from the frontier to Guate-mala City so that he could be released from army custody to the civilian authorities. 1/3 apparently accepted this story at once, remarking that it did appear strange to him that he was flown with his companions in a twin
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 107]
2. engine place and that the Minister of Traction was present at the airport when they disembarked. 1/2 told Routes that re folt dertsin thet had me remained in the control of the army he would have been executed without trial or publicity of any kira.8. LINING/3 added that when he arrived he found 1TRING/4 in a state f virtual exhaustion froz nervous tersion and worm. He stated that 1/4 had become understandably bitter at the attitude of the police and felt shandoned by everyone, including Powton, during the last years of 1/2's imprisonment. 1/3 added that, as Roston suspected, I/eves not sazious for him to resu any kind of political activity and would try her bees to dissuade him fronresuming collaboration with Powton, it meant reinvolvement with PR and the IIRING office. In reply to Rotor's Cuery, 1/2 stated thet 1/4 had -an- eged finarcially since Rowton's departure by selling a few of his neirtircs, one of which wes purchased by a "rorthogenican women" at an excellent price and then dorated to Bellas Artes (after the purchaser learned of L1/3's light9. Routen met with 1/3 spain that same evering st 1000 in the saferces of Identity D and was able to debrief him at some length under core recure conditions. AJATUG/3 showed no reluctance to provide Porton with all the details of his trip to Custe ale and to answer Fowton's questions frontiす。 At Poston's request 1/3 Eare the follo-ing chronological account of his experiences over the past six months:"Idens A and 3 and myself crossed the borier or Paster Seturiay(April13) vithout incident, Iden & using the Palse Ferican Cocuments I had gro- vided and Iden B and myself traveling with our legal passports that had been properly vissed in Mexico City before te left. I had originally planned to get Iden 4 across the horier illegally porth of Mesille and meet him subsequently in Guatemala City, but I was dissuaded free this plan partly by Iden A's fear of traveling alone without properly visaed papers and partly by the fact that it was an icportant holiday and there was more than usual covement ceross the border."Incidentally Iden B joined us at the invitation of Iden A when Iden B expressed an interest in concluding an interview with Nestor Valle of FAR (the first interview had occurred sore months previously daring Iden B's last trip to Guatemala). Iten B did this on his om initiative to impress his uncle with his nepaper initiative and ability, and Iden A felt that bringing Iden 3 with his would enhance his own pres- tige in the eyes of the FAR headquarter officiels be hoped to reet. I myself realized that iden B's presence wes not altogether unfavorable for me, since if anythior happened I would het have to bear the respon- sibility alone but could share it with Iden B.
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 108]
"Ir any event we passed through the Mexican immigration and customs without difficulty, although Iden A was told that we would have to stop off at the Guatemalan consul's office (conveniently enough on the Guatemalan side) to get a tourist visa, which was described as a "mere formality". At this point Iden A began to show signs of nervousness and refused to enter the Consul's office alone. I therefore accompanied him to calm him down. We found that the Consul was a colonel in the GNA, and a very observant person, despite his rather polite treatment of Iden A. Iden A, incidentally had dyed his hair at my suggestion to reduce the chances of his being spotted by an acquaintance."But I forgot to mention that the real reason for Iden A's nervousness was an unfortunate incident at the immigration office shortly before. One of the immigration officers mistook Iden B for some sort of fraud and insisted on examining him closely and even checking his height with a tape measure. Fortunately Iden B proved to be several centimeters taller than the person wanted by the police and we were allowed to pass on. This delay however did attract considerable attention and produced a state of nervous tension in both Iden A and, of course, B."Iden A was granted the tourist visa without delay and we proceeded to the Customs, about 200 yards up the road. Iden A, who had only a briefcase, refused to enter the Customs shed, but waited for us in a nearby cafe to keep as calm as possible. Iden B and I had to open our valises in Customs for the routine check. It was then that I myself got a nervous shock. My own bag had nothing but clothing in it, but Iden B was carrying a camera, a Czech recording machine, Soviet-made hiking boots, and, worst of all, a Mexican magazine between the pages of which he had concealed (very crudely) several FAR propaganda leaflets (which he told me later he was carrying to "impress" the FAR with the work being done on his uncle's press in Mexico City). Altho the Customs officers asked no questions and allowed Iden B to proceed I am certain that they spotted the leaflets and noted the rather unusual equipment Iden B was carrying with him."When we joined Iden A at the cafe, he asked anxiously, 'No hubo clavo?'. and when we assured him that there hadn't been an problem('clavo') he regained his composure. He then hailed a small, six-passenger autobus that was bound for Huehuetenango with three passengers (Guatemalans) already aboard. About 3 kilometers outside the town (Mesilia) the driver told us we were approaching the military outpost of 'El Cable' and that we would be checked again. He, to our surprise, warned us to
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 109]
5. hide any cure we might have been arriving "under the seating" since the military would search the bus. Just then we saw a car pass us at a rather high speed and recognized the Consul in the driver's seat. Iden A's nervousness raised his curtain and he showed into our hand his Guatemalan passport and a few other of his legal papers. I quickly put them into my pocket and hoped that I would not be searched."When we reached the control point, we saw the Consul, by then wearing a side-arm, leading against his car, waiting for the arrival of the bus. As soon as we stopped, he shouted to a nearby soldier to have the Colonel Commandant come out. When the soldier refused saying that it was more proper for him, for the Consul, to come to the office of the Commandant, the Consul insisted in a rather stern voice. Finally the soldier disappeared and returned in a few minutes with the Commandant, a young officer of excellent bearing.After a few minutes consultation with the Consul, the Commandant ordered us (Iden A, B and myself) out of the bus. The driver then returned our fare and was allowed to proceed on to Huehuetenango, after we had removed our luggage, we then found ourselves surrounded by soldiers and escorted into the 'El Cable' compound. There we were assigned to different prefabricated huts and questioned separately. At an opportune moment, when the soldier guarding me (through the window of the hut) went off to get me some water, I managed to squeeze the passport of Iden A and his other papers through a crack in the floor boards where I felt sure that they would not be discovered."The Commandant, who was fairly polite and even gave us coffee, asked me the purpose of my trip and how well I knew the other two. I replied that I was simply sightseeing and that I had known Iden B in Mexico City since he was a well-known satirist at the University but that I had run into him at San Cristóbal. With regard to Iden A, I alleged that I did not know him and had simply run into him by chance at the Immigration Office and had joined him and Iden B on the bus to save money in traveling to Huehuetenango. The Commandant then asked me to open my valise and he proceeded to search the contents carefully. He was particularly attracted to a clay bell which Iden A or B had placed there without my knowledge. (I later found out that they had stolen three bells from the hotel at San Cristóbal in a spoof and had put one on my valise). I told the Commandant that I did not know the bell was in my valise but recognized it as one sold at the tourist stand of the hotel in San Cristóbal. I subsequently realized that they thought that the bells were some sort of recognition signal and wanted to get to the bottom of the apparently perplexing matter.
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 110]
6. "After about three or four hours an army truck arrived driven by sergeant who appeared to have been drinking heavily (it was Holy Saturday and a festive occasion in the village). He ordered us tied hand and foot and literally thrown into the back of the truck. He then took off at reckless speed without any thought of the pain he was causing us ( our hands were tied behind our back and we were forced to remain lying on the floor of the truck). At one point he stopped and instructed the soldiers to shoot us if we made any attempt to escape. Later one of the soldiers brutally kicked Iden A in the side when he moved suddenly, apparently to ease the strain on his arms."We were finally taken from the truck at the village of Buenos Aires, on the outskirts of Huehuetenango, and escorted into another military establishment where we were again interrogated. I stuck steadfastly to my original simply story, and, although I am sure that they did not believe me, there was no incriminating evidence in my luggage or on my person to serve as a basis for their suspicions. After several hours, from a good vantage point just inside the main door, where I had been deposited (still tied up) by the last interrogator, I overheard an officer sending a radio message to the Ministry in Guatemala City reporting our arrest and asking for instructions. He must have been told that a helicopter would be coming to pick us up, because I heard him reply that a helicopter would not be adequate and that a plane should be sent, since we were "dangerous types".The plane, a twin engine military aircraft, finally arrived and we were hustled into it and forced again to lie on the floor even while in flight. When we landed at the Guatemala City airport we were not removed from the plane for several hours. I recall hearing someone say, 'Leave then inside. The Minister hasn't arrive yet.' Shortly thereafter, a Northamerican army officer came aboard the plane and gaze straight toward me. He rolled me over roughly with his boot and began interrogating me. He appeared under the impression that I was a FAP leader and at first did not believe him when I gave him my true identity. I remember him very well since he spoke with a distinct north-american accent and had a bandage around one of his legs (apparently he had been wounded in a skirmish)."We were finally removed from the aircraft and taken directly to the 2nd Police Corps Headquarters in Guatemala City and assigned to cell block 400, which is reserved for political prisoners (incidentally I later learned to my amazement that they are no more that 40 political prisoners in Guatemala - the others all having been executed before trial.
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 111]
7/of the Pavón prison."In cellblock 400/ where I spent several weeks awaiting assignment, there are six cells with thick wooden bars, three on each side, in three of which Tien Iden B and myself were confined. I discovered that in one of the other cells was Polanio "Cebollito", an important FIR leader, and in another cell were two young FIR members, the brothers Miguel and Juán León Barrios, who later told me that they were members of the G-2 of FIR. In the remaining cell were three members of the "Mano Blanca", one of whom I later learned was named Inez Rufio Padilla."As soon as we became acquainted, 'Cebollito' made an investigation of the circumstances surrounding our arrest, as he said, on behalf of FIR. 'Cebollito' who had already been imprisoned had more freedom than the others and was able to wander in and out relative more. I noted that the door of his cell was often unlocked). He therefore was able to talk discreetly with each of us through the bars to interrogate us to his satisfaction. After several days he reported that he found Iden A's conduct 'inexcusable' and Iden B completely stupid in his unnecessarily exposing his companions with the compromising material he was carrying. He told me that he felt I had been the victim of very unfortunate circumstances and my only mistake was to have attempted to cross the frontier with the other two. He added that he intended to sent his report to FAR via his mother, who was able to visit him more or less regularly. Several weeks later I saw 'Cebollito' being pushed into an army truck and learned from the León brothers that he was taken out and executed before his trial was completed! The last time I saw Iden A was about April 25, when he waved to me from his cell (I had already been taken out of cellblock 450 and moved into the large compound)."Fortunately the Mexican Consul, Serrano, recognized my family name and told me that he was a friend of my father. He did what he could to help me get messages out to my wife and to supply me with materials to write and do some painting. Also of great help and comfort to me was Mario Armando Amador, the First Secretary, whose life, I learned later, was threatened because of the interest he took in me and Iden B. Argendo confided to me on one occasion that he had to be very discreet in sending messages to Relaciones Exteriores in Mexico since the 'North-americans decipher and read everything we send.' We therefore had to send everything concerning me by diplomatic pouch despite the delay involved."I managed to get a message out to the press in a very strange way. I
[104-10176-10006.pdf — page 112]
8. had gotten to know one of the 'Mano Blanca'( the oldest of the trio that had been arrested for the kidnapping of the archbishop), Izez Nufio Padilla, and felt he was sympathetic toward us. I therefore prepared a brief message on the inside of an empty package of cigarettes 'To whom it may Concern' stating that we had been arrested, and were being held unjustly, and on the day that the trio were called out to appear in court, where I knew there would be newspaper reports present. I slipped the note to Nufio with a plea that he give it to a courier as soon as he could. I later learned that he did so and that my note appeared verbatim in the local press."Several weeks later the mother and wife of Iden B visited us as either because of what he told them or on their own initiative spread the nasty rumor that I had been responsible for the arrest and that I was a Trotskyite (the wife and mother of Iden B are both members of the CP Mexico). This proved very disquieting to me but I was reassured to some extent by the León brothers who told me that they would investigate and clear up the matter as soon as they could. About two months later, they took me aside in the prison compound and show me a report they stated they received from "FAR sources in Mexico". In this report I was described as "an anarchist without party affiliations, of good character and conduct, trustworthy and responsible but difficult to control". Iden B, on the other hand was described as "an opportunist, without sincere ideology, in reality a bourgeoise of superficial convictions.""From that moment the León brothers took me into their confidence. They revealed that FAR had broken completely with the CP Guatemala because of complete dissatisfaction with the party's handling of support matters. They pointed out to me Francisco Corado in the compound as the CP representative and commented that all financial help from the outside was being channeled through him despite the fact that he distribute the aid to his friends who were not even party members and neglected everyone else. The brothers also told me that FAR had stripped César Montes of all his authority and that he was in exile in Mexico. They commented that Montes had spent almost all his time outside Guatemala and had not accomplished the missions he was sent on. They also stated that financial and material aid from Cuba had dwindled to almost nothing because of FAR refusal to accept Cuban terms. They explained that the Cubans insisted on sending their experts to direct everything and channeled all their financial aid through the CP Guatemala."The león brothers also suggested that if and when I returned to