HW 50955 ENT Cee Berets 14. Subsequent cables and dispatches indicate other efforts on the part of QUJWIN to recruit safecrackers in France and Italy. 15. Dispatch dated June 7, 1961, from headquarters, Chief, KUTUBE/D to the Chief of Station in Luxembourg. It contains a long discussion of the Agency's relationship with QJWIN and his main purpose as an agent. This dispatch makes it clear that the primary purpose of QJWIN's employment by the Agency is to recruit burglars and safecrackers for use by the CIA. This dispatch contains the first reference I have’ found to the code word ZRRIFLE. The one thing that seems rather unclear is why QUWIN was initially sent to Leopoldville, and apparently was contemplated to return to Leopoldville, when all of his recruiting of safecrackers and burglars takes place in Europe. The fact that his return to Leopoldville was con- templated may be easily seen from paragraph one of this cable. The releasing officer on this cable was Mr. William K. Harvey. 16. Correspondence and cables indicate that one James Rabney from CIA headquarters visited Europe in April and March of 1961 for the purpose of meeting with Mankel to discuss possible recruits for safecracking operations. 17. Dispatch dated December 15, 1961, from Chief of Station in Luxembourg to Headquarters, Chief, KUTUBE/D., It discusses the efforts of QUWIN to recruit two safecrackers in Switzerland. It indicates that two French citizens, named Santelli and Garioni were asked to come to Switzerland under false pretenses by QUWIN for the purpose of being interviewed, The following passage in the dispatch indicates clearly these men were to be recruited for the purpose of the safecracking and surreptitious entry. "During the interview with Santelli, Garioni observed that for a night job he would need an assistant to help him with carrying the equipment and to act as lookout. He said he would prefer to do the job during working. hours; for this he would get three or four others to help him and force someone in the office to open the safe." 18. Dispatch dated February 2, 1962, from Chief of Station Luxembourg to Headquarters, Chief, KUTUBE/D. It discusses the efforts of the Luxembourg station to provide acceptable cover for Mankel in Germany, where the Agency has erty 0 , . pRUPERT . ‘TOP SECRET - SENSITIVE re WHITE HOUSES ofrice C4955 Docld: 32201879 Page 6
, FOP SECRET ~ SENSITIVE \ - §6 - decided to locate him. The plan seems to be for Mankel to develop a business as an art dealer in some German town selling . French paintings. It is contemplated that the Agency will supply the initial capital for the formation of his business. - The final sentence in this dispatch asked headquarters for projected operational plans for QJWIN. 19. Cable, dated March 17, 1962, from Director to Luxembourg indicates that the Agency still contemplates some ‘activity for Mankel in Leopoldville. Paragraph 2 of this cable reads as follows: "Tell him will at same time discuss Leopoldville assignment and have him sign contract." The cable directs Luxembourg to tell Mankel to meet James Rabney at certain locations in Germany on the 28th and 29th of March, 1961, telling him to be prepared to travel in Europe for about two weeks. . . 20. Cable dated April 18, 1962, From head vuarters to Luxembourg states that another agent((*iinnie the Agency that QUWIN is going on trial after Easter on charges of cobalt smuggling from 1957 or 1958 and could receive up toa sn Six-year sentence. Paragraph 2 of the cable states, "Please eee contact QUWIN for all details including specific charges and Bde name prosecutor. If (HEANNERE info true we may wish attempt quash charges or arrange somehow salvage QJWIN for our purposes." Paragraph 3 states, "Still do not have basic decisions but fully anticipate we will need QUWIN." 21. Cable, dated April 26, 1962, from Luxembourg to Headquarters indicates that QUWIN'’s trial will be completed on April 29. He expects to be fined but not subject to a jail sentence. Some indication of the Agency's intents with . respect to QUWIN may be discerned from paragraph 4 which . reads as follows: "While we do not know present long-term plans for QUJWIN, he has no lead to other candidates. His potential appears restricted activation to candidates OLLA 1426 or personal spot action. Suggest either could be done from Leopold base and question if not preferable move him to Leopold assignment now." There is a handwritten notation beside the first sentence of paragraph 4 which states, "Not the point." Beside the last sentence of this paragraph is the handwritten notation, "“How?" ; . OF - vg PROPERTY TOP SECRET - SENSITI Fe ; Tue WHITE HOUSE OFFI
TOP SECRET - SENSITIVE 22. Cable dated May 24, 1962, to Luxembourg from .Headquarters indicates that the Agency has changed its plans about assigning QJWIN any duties in Leopoldville. Paragraph 2 reads, "Decision made keep QJWIN Europe. Leopoldville assign- ment canceled." Cable also indicates that headquarters approves of Mankel's proposed move to Germany, probably Baden-Baden. 23. Memorandum dated July 3, 1962, WKH [presumably William K. Harvey] from AMS, re ZRRIFLE. This memo discusses possible future uses for QJWIN. It seems perfectly consistent with the use of QUWIN merely for the purpose of recruiting safecrackers and burglars. Paragraph 4 of this memo refers to some ZRRIFLE authorization paper: "I have already given you the ZRRIFLE authorization paper signed by Helms and Skip has been given QUWIN contract, including the extension to l March 1963." An attachment to this memorandum gives details on two possible candidates for burglary and safecracking. In this attachment there are two references, however, which may be somewhat disturbing: One candidate is stated to be “willing to use gun"; the second "wanted to know if he should be armed for job--ready to go to the end.” 24. Immediately following a dispatch dated December 7, 1962, from Luxembourg to headquarters, there appears in the files two pages of penciled notes on yellow "“buck-slip" type paper which are difficult to read but may be relevant. At the top of the first page appears the word QUJWIN. On this page appears the following words, which are barely legible: “In 1961 by Bill H or Bissell used Arnold Estale for Estate] direct action capability established in B [illegible] QUJWIN Luxembourg principal prelim capability for fourth country. QJWIN spotted three or four--moved to - Italy..." , 25. Dispatch from Luxembourg to Headquarters Chief, KUTUBE, dated February 14, 1964, indicates that QUJWIN has been terminated. Paragraph 1 reads in part, "QJWIN has been terminated. "Rozeney told him on 21 April that the operation in which he was to play a role had been shelved and therefore his contract, which ran out on 29 February, was not renewed. He was reassured that this action did not result from anything he had done and his past cooperation was appreciated’. I+ was mentioned as conceivable that the operation might have been off and running if he had been able to establish his cover last year." > Oo . PROPERTY CF TOP SECRET ~ SENSITIVE — qyp wuiTe HOUSE ® 04964 FFICE HY 50955 Docld: 32201879 Page &
ie TOP SECRET ~ SENSITIVE ~ 8- Another file examined was entitled "ZRRIFLE Administrative/Financial"; it is a long manila-tvpe file. ‘The following items of possible interest were noted in this file: i. Memorandum dated January 11, 1961, to the Finance Division from William K. Harvey, Chief FI/D deals with the payments for Mankel's trip to Leopoldville. Paragraph 2 of this memo states, "In order to avoid any misunderstanding, it shouid be noted that QJWIN was sent on this trip for a specific, highly sensitive operational purpose which has been completed. Aithough future use of QJWIN is not precluded, it was not deemed fitting during this one use of him to enter into a continuing contractual relationship. or to have him sign any memorandum of understanding." 2. Memorandum, dated January 31, 1961, for Chief, Accounts Branch, Finance Division, from Justin E. O'Donnell, Subject: Payments to QUWIN. Paragraph 1 of this memorandum reads as follows: "“QJWIN was recruited in Frankfurt 1 November 1960 to undertake a one-shot mission to the Belgian Congo. Because the mission potentially involved great personal risk to him and he was obliged to separate himself from his business affairs, it was agreed orally by this writer with QUJWIN that his com- pensation would be at the rate of $1,000 per month, plus his expenses, for a period of not less than one month and not more than two months." These two financial memoranda, numbers 1 and 2 here, seem to indicate a one-shot purpose for QJWIN in con- nection with a Congo operation, which seems inconsistent with many of the papers in the operational file reviewed above, which indicated an ongoing relationship with QUWIN for the purposes of recruiting safecrackers and burglars. These financial memoranda are certainly quite consistent with a plan to use QUWIN for a one-shot assassination attempt in the Belgian Congo. It is unclear that merely recruiting safe- erackers and burglars or even performing safecracking and burglary missions, would have involved “potential great personal risk" to QUWIN. 3. Memorandum, dated March 24, 1961, for Cable Secretariat from William K. Harvey, Chief, Fi/Division D, Subject: "Distribution of ZRRIFLE Traffic." Paragraph 1. of this memorandum reads, "Two copies of all cables bearing the ZRRIFLE indicator are to be delivered in a sealed envelope TOP SECRET ~ SENSITIVE . . ; prove THE WHITE ROUSE U HY 50955 Docld: 32201879 Page 3
TOP SECRET ~ SENSITIVE - 9 - directly to Chief, FI/Division D, 1502 L Building. No other distribution is to be made without the specific approval in .@ach instance of the Chief, FI/pD." Paragraph 2 reads, "The above has been personally approved by the Deputy Director (Plans)." I question whether such close handling of cable traffic is not unusual even in a case involving safecracking and burglary. Perhaps Harvey intended traffic -of more sensitive issues to be passed through the ZRRIFLE channel. 4. In a large manila envelope filed immediately after a dispatch to Luxembourg from the Chief, KUTURE, @ated September 30, 1963, is a large manila envelope marked "Documents in Receipt Supporting ZRRIFLE Activities." Within this envelope are several smaller manila envelopes, one of which is entitled "ZRRIFLE, Receipts for Accounting Submitted by WK Harvey, Receipt for Operational Phone Calls May 15, 1963." Within this envelope are two sheets of yellow legal size paper which contain lists of operational expenses submitted by W.K. Harvey covering the period April 13-21, 1963, all of which are to be charged as operational expenses to QJWIN/ZRRIFLE. These expenses cover hotel expenses in Miami and Perine, Florida, long distance hotel calls for these locations, plus $75 for a boat chartered for operational purposes at Islamorada, Florida. A hotel receipt indicates Harvey paid the bill of a Mr. John A.’ Wallston of 56510 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, for the nights of April 17, 18, and 19, and a Miami hotel, probably the Eden Roc. These documents are the first indication of any activities within the U.S. with respect to ZRRIFLE. Apparently they did not involve QUJWIN but rather other activity, perhaps directed at Cuba because of his location in Miami. Perhaps Harvey should be confronted with this listing and asked to explain it. A third file was examined, which was marked “ZRRIFLE~ —- QJIWIN Project/Contract. The following items of interest were found: ; . 1. A long memorandmwritten in ink’ in longhand on sheets of yellow, legal size paper at the very back of this file entitled "Project ZRRIFLE."“ This is apparently justification material submitted for the project. The first portion of this memorandum seems to end abruptly at the end of the second page; TOP SECRET ~ SENSITIVE we PROPER: | oS an ; oye Ayre ee ooo . y / on 7 A O49SS HW 50955 Docla: 32270187T9 Page 180
TOP SECRET - SENSITIVE ~ 10 - « perhaps the subsequent pages are missing. These first two pages portray the objective of ZRRIFLE to be that of pro- curement of code and cipher materials by burglary and safe- cracking. However, subsequent pages, particularly the last four legal size pages in this file, contain what appears to be the outline of something which could be the establishment of an “executive action capability," although these words are not mentioned nor is the word "assassination." A copy of these pages should definitely be obtained. Paragraph TI Gof these “pages reads as follows, "Legal, ethical, moral, operational problems; political nonattributability." Paragraph 2 reads in part: “Our own experience (Bangkok) (and affect on DDP) and experiences with KGB...require most professional, proven operationally competent ruthless stable CE experience ops officers..." Paragraph 3 of this memo is entitled "Maximum Security"; subparagraph 3b reads: "Within KUBARK one focal point for control, search, tracing, case officering, etc. DDP authority in this focal point mandatory. DCI officially advised?" Paragraph 3c reads as follows: "Max. security cable COMMO for innocuous cables only; no restrictions on travel; pos- sibility of one man overseas (Europe) control base with own (nonstation) COMMO. Word of mouth and no bashfulness re trips." Paragraph 3f reads as follows, "No use of any agent who ever worked for a U.S. government agency. Tracing by opposition would reveal." Paragraph 3i reads, "Pretext: KUTUBE/D search; this established: (e.g., Rome)." Paragraph 3} reads, "No discussion in stations." Paragraph 3k reads, "No - "team' until ready to go, if at all." Paragraph 4 reads: — "Blackmail: A. No American citizens or residents or people whoever obtained U.S. visas. B. No chain of connections: Strictly person to person; singleton ovs. C. No meeting any candidate in home territory. DB. Exclude organizations; e.g., Sicilians, criminals, those with record of arrest, those with instability of purpose as criminals. E. Staffers involved-- selection." Paragraph 5 reads, "Cover: .Planning should include provision for blaming Soviets or Czechs in case of blow." [This seems to indicate ZRRIFLE is not limited to burglary of embassies; how could you blame the Soviets or the Czechs for burglarizing their own embassies?] Paragraph 9 reads, "Should have phoney 201 in records to backstop this {referring to blaming the Soviets or the Czechs], all documents therein forged and backdated. “Should look like a CE file.” Paragraph 11 reads, "Silverthorne." mre) : . TOP SECRET - SENSITIVE propeniy oF HW 50955 Docld: 32201879 Page it we :
es HY 5039355 Docld: 322016879 Page i2 TOP SECRET - SENSITIVE. -~ll- On the following page of these papers, the paragraphs are numbered again from one. On this page a large ink X has been placed over the page; however, it is still legible. Paragraph 1 of this page reads, “Maximum security plus within KUBARK only (e.g., How much does Sivagusa[?] now know?). Limitation on number code clerks for enciphering and deciphering. Guise of LAURICLE objective." Paragraph 5 reads, "No chain of connections permitting blackmail." 2. Memorandum, dated February 19, 1962, from Richard Helms, Deputy Director (Plans), to William K. Harvey, Subject: “Authorization of ZRRIFLE Agent Activities.” This memorandum authorizes Harvey to retain the services of agent. QUWIN "and such other principal agents and subagents as may be required.” Memorandum does not state the purpose of the Z2RRIFLE project. 3. Filed immediately after a memorandum dated March 6, 1969, from Richard Helms to William K. Harvey, is a normal business size white envelope containing the following notation on the front in penciled handwriting, "Lloyd very personal from Bill H." Within this envelope is a small yellow piece of paper containing the following notation in penciled hane- writing, "John Rosselli, alias John Ralston--Wm. Walker." 4. A memorandum dated June 27, 1963, for Chief, Foreign Intelligence, from William K. Harvey, Subject: QUWIN.. This memo states that QJWIN is currently not being used for any operational purposes. It discusses whether or not he should be retained as an agent. Paragraph 2 seems to indicate that the executive action portion of QJWIN's project, if any, has been terminated. This paragraoh reads: "As far as the - Z2RRIFLE aspects of this operation which has been covered under the QUJWIN authorization for security reasons and with which Fletcher M. Knight is fully familiar as I orally advised you ” on June 26, 1963, except for one precautionary ‘lifeline, ' aspects of this case have been terminated and.need no longer, except perhaps for minor accountings, be considered as a part of this project.” , A last file of the ZRRIFLE series examined is entitled "2RRIFLE Name Traces/Personality Sketches." Items of interest in this file are as follows: , - % pacers THe WHI adie TF HOMES TOP SECRET - SENSITIVE AS53 ee os own, i
an “TOP SECRET - SENSITIVE 5 : ; - 12 - -1l. Piece of thin white paper under tab C, the heading ef which is "Secret-RYBAT." This document is a list of traits which desired recruits would have. This is similar to the list of traits deemed desirable in the handwritten memorandum contained in the far rear of the previous file reviewed. This set of characteristics, however, could refer to burglars and safecrackers as well as assassins. This is indicated by paragraph 8 which reads, "Commercial firms (unspecified) -- ‘industrial documents cover. 2. Included under tab M is a dossier of one Harold Meltzer, a resident of Los Angeles, with a long criminal record. This is the first instance in which I have noted a U.S. citizen under consideration for any recruitment with respect to the ZRRIFLE project. 3. Under tab T, information on Orlando Portale, an Italian citizen residing in Detroit, is included. 4. At tab Y is a page of information on one Hanna Yazbeck. The report states, "He often heads up a hatchet owed his release from prison to Yazbeck's power. squad when disputes arise between the Moslem and Christian underworld factions in Beirut." The second paragraph of this page reads as follows: “During the period I was in Europe (1950-1958), his chief bodyguard was a convicted murderer who This body- guard has since been murdered, but Yazbeck has an available pool of assassins." tHe W TOP SECRET - SENSITIVE HY 50955 Docld: 32201879 Page 13 af wie 4 aust oF rice