17 duly 1961. MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, WH/l, SUBJECE =: #BARKZA, Bermard Le -  (201-251639) comin bnetatns semmesorien IPRS COS OE Ot Ll. The Subject, an operational asset of both Havana station and JHATE, is currently in the Washington, D.C. area atthe —-. ; suggestion of lr. Howard HUNT, in an effort to resolve his citie aa genship status. He was interviewed by a representative of. 7 0 on 15 July 1961 at the Shoreham Hotel to develop all available background information concerning his loss of citizen= ship and rrevious steps taken to restore it. — . __,'@e BARKER was born 17 March 1917 at Havana, Cuba of a 6... native-born U.S. father and a Cuban nother. His birth was recorded at the 0.5. Eebascy and he wag recomized as having acquired U.S. citizenship by birth tnrouzh the citizenship of his father. He ; traveled, not on a U.S. passport, but on an identity card proclaining ' his U.S. citizenship. Suring dorld Yar II, he entered the U.3.. | Army Air Corps, was shot down on his 12th mission over Germany = ,; 3- In 1950, along with several Cuban-born, U.S. citizens who Were war veterans, he entered the Cuban police force, where his _ - » bilingual abilities soon brouzht his advancements He was, at this - time, in contact with Mr, SPEANS, the FEI representative at the | .- American Enbassy in Havana, and also worked closely with te _.. Treasury representative in breaking up twe narcotics rings plying _ ’ between Florida and Cuba. He served as escort, for Mrs. TRUMAN and | Margaret on their visit to Cuba, for which he received a White - . House commendation, — oo St cuca etre P GAME BND a ce PPP ‘ . vs h, In BANKEA's opinion, he becene the obJest of persoimh - action te revoke his citizenship status based on his nenbership in the Cuban police. In an effort to rectify his plight, Mr. SPEARS » the Esbassy FBI representative, sent him to Dr. Mario LAZO, a leading Havana attorney, to prepare the case for a plea to regain _) and was a prisoner of war for'16 norithe. . He was honorably separated . R 1 eek A A ERR re Ne peg pgmemnetse rene mpl oe HORS Ree Ete eee vine OBIS. on the park of an unnaned lmpassy staff mexber, who took ee
cE eS el ac ei ree eC EON Ht lapea dest Cole kal tan tad Bo ~2= citizenship. According. to BARKER's recollection, this occured in 1953. Dr. LAZO compiled a formidable file: on the Subject and was in commnication with a Washington, D.C. legal firm, | which BARKER dimly recalls as that of Edward Bennett WILLTAIS, who was to handle the case locally. A private bill 1.8 intro~ duced in the 83rd Congress by Congressman WILLIAMS of New Jersey to restore the Subject's. eltizenship, but BARKER does not know why no action was taken on the bill. At the tine, he was in financial difficulties and took a job as a tractor driver oute side Havana for about § months, in which period he had no contact with Dr. LAZO, who, as BARKER believes, interpreted his failure +o appear in the office as a lack of interest in pressing the case te a successful conclusion. . S. BARKER knows that Dr. LAZO-and WILLIAMS had compiled’ - very lengthy and documented file on his background, including his military record and awards from the Army Air Corps. Currently, BARKER is travelitig on a Cuban passport and is in the U.S. as an — "SP" paroled to Bernie REICHARDT. 6. The Subject pointed out that Dr. Mario LAZO entered the , UeS- adout a month ago.and is now in the Washington area; he believes 43 in contact with him. Hse knows Dr. LAZO. is " faniliar 3 ° . all details of his case and could confirm the - Adentity of the Washington attorney who handled the litigation _ locally. BARKER recalls visiting the attorney's office in Washe . dngton on one occasion, and Bennet WILLIAMS was the name he recalled. He believed the lawyer was involved in the Senator -MoCarthy hearings. To Based on the above information, the following recommend= ations are madet. , a. Mr. @ requested to ascertsin fron Dr. - Marie 1.420 name of the Washington law firma which handled special bili Subject's case in 1953, and the reason for the failure of the — - @ . . SEGRE goi-25168* a AOS # YES RODE RIEIRNNDER AE UGS AF PRO ATR ES Teen ie oie, Et Sse ; i . Tee . . +, " . ay - . .: 0 pte PRRIRNU TS AT Da ANAT ® a et ete .
SP secon 92 a, be The Office of General Counsel be. completely briefed -~ on Subject's case and be requested to. furnish..guidance:or. take appropriate action to-assist the Subject, whether by special legislation or other means, to regain his U.S. citizenship.