13-00000 292. 7 Feb. 293. 8 Feb. 294. 8 Feb. 295. 11 Feb. What is the RCMP ? Check BERNSTEIN ly & 296. 12 Feb. 296. 12 Feb. . to MRID MEXI 8117 (Ref: DIR 98676 - pera 290 above) Following rec'd trom Local ODENVY on { Feb. (Reporting contents of para 291 above) DIR 00302 (Ref: MEXI 8117 - para 292 above) Will trace and clear ROJAS. / Since he Mexi eit, we do not want to LCFLUITIER him in Mexi with knowledge of government there. ALVARADO case was different because we knew ALVARADO would be sent straight back to Nic. Will conrer with ODENVY were on pros ana cons of teking him to Texas, where facilities would be better. Will advise. Note on cover sheet of DIR 00302 ~- Advised Henry Johnson (LEGAT) on 11 Feb 64. Signed cos MEMO to COS from JKBENADUM (source): Source has been told to drop everything else and concentrate on Betty MORA to endeavor to find out any additional info which she might have re OSWALD and his activities on behalf of the Fair Play For Cuba Committee in New Orleans, La. prior to the assassination. (See para 264 above) In this connection it will be recalled that MORA Stated after the death of the President that she hoped that the FBI would not look too hard in New Orleans because it could be very bad"for us". / Source also reported that Reva BERNSTEIN, former Chairman of the FPFCC in Detroit, Mich., has been in Mexi for more than a month, that she head been in Puerto Vallarta for a month, that she had wanted to go to Playa Azul but that she did not do so because "it was not good to do so ~- so soon after the assassination", that she was leaving Mexi to go to Zijuatenejo. Source does not believe she was in Puerto Vallarta, nor that she is presently in Zijuatenejo. / BERSTEIN also told source that she had been questioned in Detroit, prior to her departure ror Mexi, by the RCMP, but that no inquiry had been made of her by the FBI or any U.S. police or investigative agency. The interroga- tion had to do with the FPFCC, its activities in the Detroit area, and the fact that she had reportedly acted as a mail drop for Canadian communists. This interrogation took place in the office of her lawyer in Detroit. She admitted to source that she had, in fact, acted as a drop, but that she told the RCMP that she had merely acted as the addressee for "progressive publications" for her Canadian friends, Note written in margin of above Memo: Should I report for Has info only ? by COS. RIGGS wrote: Since this deals with OSWALD case and has already been reported by the source to ODENVY, I believe we should. not sené to Hgs. It adds nothing to, the case and if Hgs should decide to dissem, it would blow source to ODENVY (our use of source). Signed RIGGS A. MEXI 8194 (Ref: MRID 0385 - para 284 above and B. MEXI 7964 - para 286 above) LEGAT requests the following additional questions be put to Daniel SOLIS: A. Verify if SOLIS has received two letters recently from Eladio ROJAS Villanueva aka Eladio VILLANUEVA regarding notebook. B. Ask SOLIS to forward notebook if found to: Mr. Edwin 0. Johnson, Consuledo Americano, Guadalajara, Jalisco. C. Letters in possession VILLANUEVA indicate he in Cozumel with Daniel SOLIS for at least three months in 1963. Can SOLIS recall dates? D. Ask SOLIS if VILLANUEVA in contact with Cubans or Americans while in Cozumel. Ask him how VILLANUEVA La occupied his time. / Please cable reply. '
13-00000 297. 12 Feb. 298. 18 Feb. Check. VILLANUEVA claimed friendship with one ALBERT. See para 277 above. Now the ferry boat is named ALBERTO. ?? What happened to VILLANUEVA's suitcase which contained "important papers" which had fallen from top of bus into water. See Para 284 above. Could Polo be Albert 7? Or could Polo be connected with VILLAMJEVA's first contact in Mexi - the Cuban 7? , 299. 18 Feb. 300. 20 Fero™ 301. 20 Feb. 20 Feb. Why no ticket number ?? FOR JACK STEWART, MERIDA. from Joe Garcia (LEGAT) requesting information contained in para 296 above. , MRID O4O4 (Ref: MEXI 8194 ~ para 296 above) 1. Foll SOLIS reply para 1 Ref: A. Had not received two letters recently from VILLANUEVA. 3B. Would forward as requested any notebook that turned up. C. Best recollection VILLANUEVA arrived Cozumel very early June 63, left on & July 63 on ferry boat Alberto for Puerto Juarez. SOLIS received three letters, since burned, from VILLANUEVA in Guadalajara in months immediately following VILLANUEVA departure from Cozumel. SOLIS answered all three. In last of three replies SOLIS asked VILLANUEVA repay 500 peso loan. SOLIS never heard from VILLANUEVA 2 after that. VILLANUEVA in one of three letters asked if SOLIS would like to be "secret police agent" con Cozumel. SOLIS had no further info on possible contacts VILLANUEVA with Cubans or Americans on Cozumel. VILLANUEVA when not working as albanil, spent his time at SOLIS home “chapeando" (weeding, cutting brush) and usually in hammock by 2030 hrs. SOLIS and VILLANUEVA sometimes visited Mayalum night- club together. VILLANUEVA did not appear km be much of a drinker. / 2. SOLIS also said: VILLANUEVA arrived Cozumel with Sergeant second class "Polo" (nickname); Polo was arriving on new assignment of Cozumel Military Base; VILLANUEVA said hed met Polo in Mexi City; Polo came around SOLIS house twice after VILLANUEVA departure looking for VILLANUEVA. (COMMENT: Base asked NASSIM JOAQUIM discreetly obtain all info possible on Polos; will advise. Base and JOAQUIM concur SOLIS seems be telling straight forward story, SOLIS daughter, apparently unprized, confirmed burning of letters from VILLANUEVA. MEMO to LEGAT from COS: Subject: OSWALD - Memo reports info contained in para 298 above. MEXI 8341 to MRID - Mr. Joseph Garcla, LEGAT, going to Merida 21 Feb. Said would contact COB soom after arrival. / Garcia would like to meet and talk to Daniel SOLIS re VILLANUEVA. He also has "few other leads" in area but did not specify whether pertinent GPFLOOR or not. DIR 02697 - No traces ROJAS aka VILLANUEVA. KUBARK now prepared to LCFLUTTER him in Texas if ODENVY still wants it, Have told ODENVY here and awaiting their decision. fe . MEMO to COS from LEGAT; Subject: ‘OSWALD. (See para 197 above) As reported previously, source made available a copy of the bus manifest of a company called Transportes Frontera which covered the trip of the bus which departed Mexi 2 Oct 63 and scheduled arrival time at Nuevo Laredo of 6 a.m, on 3 Oct. The passenger listed as occupying seat. 4 on this manifest was OSWALD, no first name given. Destination was given as Laredo./ No ticket number was listed by OSWALD's name although ticket numbers appeared beside the names of the remaining passengers, This manifest was poorly prepared in longhand with names of some of the passengers being incomplete and in some cases illegible. Toward the bottom of the manifest is a notation, "9 Laredo, 7 Monterrey"; haever, including the name of OSWALD, 10 passengers appear on the list with a destination of Laredo. / Francisco ALVARADO, ticket salesman and dispatcher at the
13-00000 306. (continued) Lucio LOPEZ said he probably wrote "“OSWLD" and "“LARED" on the manifest, yet believes OSWALD did not make the trip on 2 Oct. 307. 16 March 196) Check 308. 19 Mar 309. 19 Mar e Check Enrique RUIZ Montalvo LOPES /LOPEZ 310. 19 Mar ” Check; VELASQUEZ on KAPLAN case - re: OSWALD, Pearl GONZALEZ, etc. SECRET SECRET opposite Seats Nos. 1 and 3, etc., and possibly other items on the manifest. He acknowledged that he had no personal recollection of OSWALD, could not recognize his photo as being of anyone who had been at the bus terminal, and did not believe that OSWALD had embarked (on the bus of 2 Oct 63. / LOPEZ said that the reservation was made by the individual in (person, as he did not recall heaving received a reservation by telephone from any person (who spoke very little Sfanish and that he has no knowledge of English. / LOZANO said his company, the "Flecha Roja", and “Transportes del Norte" are the only bus lines which afford direct service between Mexi and Nuevo Laredo, Tamps. / “Inquiry at "Flecha Roja" Bus Terminal" Jesus SAUCEDO, Comptroller at the terminal of the Flecha Roja, Mexi, and investigators made a search of manifests with negative results. ... / Inquiry at Transportes del Norte Bus Terminal. Ricardo BELTRAN Medina, Mgr of Mex terminal stated emphatically that records had been searched by agents of the Mexi Presidential Starr, Ministry ot Gov., the Federal Judicial Police, and himself, and no record had been located identifiable with OSWALD. Washington Report - BACKGROUND FOR ASSASSINATION, published by The Americm Security Council Editorial Staff. (good reading) Analysis on “why and how" OSWALD's orders could have come from Moscow. DIR 08574 - Dallas News today carries story to ertect tnat Jack RUBY's lawyer, Mr. Melvin M, BELLI, was interviewed at border en route to Mexico City. Interview does not reveal purpose trip. Pls report any info you can develop on BELLI's activities or significance this maneuver. ODACID and President's commission extremely interested. MNTY 0629 ~- Enrique RUIZ Montelvo, agent of the Federal Judicial Police, informed Base that one of his contacts reported in late Feb that Gilberto LOPES, US cit, was involved in assassination, According this contact, LOPES entered Mexi on foot from Laredo, Texas about 1200 hours on 13 Nov carrying U.S. passport #319962 issued 13 July 60 and proceeded by bus to Mexi where he entered Cuban Emb. On 27 Nov he left Emb for Cuba on Cubana fit 465 and was the only passenger allowed on the plane. LOPES was issued Mexi travel form 8 No. 24553 at Nuevo Laredo. / RUIZ said could not verify this info, but believed it might be of interest to U.S. gov. / Base and ODACID files contain no identifiable traces on LOPES/LOPEZ. Pls advise results Hgs passport check including bio data on LOPES if possible for further checking by Base and Station. / Background info re Base contact with RUIZ contained in HMYA 2120, 18 Mar being pouched 20 Mar. MEXI 8737 (REF: DIR 8695 - not in file; not abstracted) - Local radio broadcast morning 18 Mar told of BELLI's trip Mexi and intent visit “old friend" Victor VELASQUEZ. Station notified ODENVY. / Station traces on VELASQUEZ: BELLI member of Board (Chairman) of Directors of International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 545 Fifth Ave. N.Y. / Reply to Amb's request for trace stated in Oct 58 VELASQUEZ former History professor at UNAM and Falangist leader in Mexi 1942 and directed drug smuggling for party. Proceeds being used for Falangist propaganda. B-2 report 1945 says V pro-U.S. and no longer has Falangist connections. In interview w/Amb described self as anti-Commy, Royalist and believer in Porfirio Diaz policy. Was inviting 64,
13-00000 | ; j | t q 4 . i | 1 Check possible PRIETO Laurens implicatfon In retrospect, (this not true. no good, 311. 20 Mar 312, 20 Mar Did BELLI gake stateuant on ‘RUBY. case: later? 313. 30 Mar 31h, 31 Mar | Check euHANA VELASQUEZ is SECREL ro to party for Truman’ B, TUCKER, N. Y. lawyer. Listed in letterhead as.  prewident of Acadeny of Trial Lawyers. / Burnell GOODRICH, COS contact, repérted Mar 61 that V was behind attacks | launched against U.S. lawyers practicing in Mexi and controlled and financed group UNAM ‘Students who attacked U.S. lawyers. / Vv was character reference listed in PRQ of J orge |PRIETO Laurens, who president of Frente Popular Anticomunista de Mexi and Seogen of Confedera- cion interamericane de defensa del continente. / In Oct 62 when Mr. Robert FLORSTEDT (KUBARKER) ‘here. from HQs ‘collecting NIS material, he visited V whom deseribed as Mexicos outstanding : ‘criminal lawyer and profound admirer of U.S. Interview lasted 23 hrs although memo does not ‘reveal in what way V of. service, / ODENVY has no record but their inquiries revéal v outstanding jand highly respected trial lawyer here. / In absence COS and since JKB leaving: town: 20 Mar ifor weekend a8 king: ODENVY their ability follow BELLI movements. If nil, will atempt. cover : via LIEMBRACE surveillance. _ Will explore ote x r F possibilities with TESSAROLO and GOODRICH and: JKB after his return 25 Mar. MEXI: 8740 (Ref: MNTY 0829 ~ ‘Para. 309 above) - Ref info jibes fully with that provided Station: by LITEMPO 4 early Dec 63. / DIR: Assume ODENVY furnished no further info: ‘On SubJ after iDIR 87188 (not filed - not labstracted) : lame NEWS - Fired By Ruby, BELLE Is Here - by Jaime Plenn: Melvin BELLT appeaied to "public opinion and my fellow lawyers" not to pass judgement on his. gonduct in the Jack. RUBY, trial until all "technical details of the trial and the defense are known." / BELLI, discharged ‘as attorney for RUBY, convicted killer of OSWALD, made the statement through a spokesman, VELAZQUEZ, well known local : ‘lawyer. / The indirect. statement followed a reported criticism ‘of BELLI by Walter: C. CRAIG | ‘of Phoenix, Ariz., American Bar Assn. president. / | see ‘ . BELLI arrived last night by train, and checked into a midtown hotel, and was in contact with! VELAZQUEZ, the latter said today. / «+ «BELLI said he would make a full statement of his position upon his arrival in Sen Francidco. . ‘THE NEWS - Hidden Side of OSWALD. Case; i» by Ralph de Toledano; |. Theory on |assassination - ‘History and background of time in Moscow, facility in leaving Russia w/a wife, ete...... '///OSWALD took a trip to Mexico just before the day of the terrible deed. (In apparatus work ‘of this sort, the direction is always: handled in a neighboring count ry and | ‘this: is Standard | operating procedure. / The theory thét OSWALD was made does not match his behavior after. his | ,arrest. The mad political assassins issue flamboyant justifications of their acts. | The . ‘trained assassin clams up. ‘This'is what OSWALD did. / What OSWALD really was and who his principals were will remain . in obscurity unless a new defector brings the story’ out with hin. But certainly, there are enough. facts in the dossiers of Intelligence services around the ‘world to put together tiuch of the story -‘as others’ did | iin discovering the: background of TROTSKY 's murderer, @ man who had much in common psychologically with OSWALD, MEXICO CITY DAILY BULLETIN (Date-lined Paris, Mar 30 AFP) . wth Paris weekly magazine has been publishing a series of extracts from a book by, U.S.. le wyer Thomas Buchanan’ - which book found no publisher in the U.S. - which claims that the assassination of Pres. Kennedy was part of a conspiracy and that Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby was, indeed, used to “silence” OSWALD. . ¢5.