[roa-i0iaat04it 23 June 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Security Analysis Group | Be 78 SUBJECT : Manuel L. DE ARMAS | Re SF#591 865 oe 1. Reference is made to the attached cable traffic which Sets forth the "defection" of the Subject to Cuba circa April 1976. In substance, DE ARMAS apparently gave a press conference in Havana on 21 April 1976 in which he claimed to be an ex-CIA agent who had been recruited by a fnu BLACKENHOUSE (no Office of Security traces) in 1969. DE ARMAS also claimed to have been stationed in New York City in 1971 where he maintained contact with BLACKENHOUSE and Richard TOMLEY (probably identifiable with Peter L. B. TONLEY, Washington Area Recruiting Office). oe 2. In the cited press conference, DE ARMAS made many a allegations concerning purported CIA operations, such as 7 aSSasSination plots and a plan to rupture relations between Venezuela and Cuba. Details of these allegations are set - forth in the attached cable traffic and are not treated in Fd instant memorandum. However, interest in DE ARMAS' allegations F concerning alleged CIA operations concerns the identities of individuals that he claimed to have been Agency operatives and assets; details regarding these individuals are covered in the latter portion of instant memorandum. 3. Agency interest in DE ARMAS was originally predicated upon the receipt of a letter written by DE ARMAS on 12 September Z 1972 in which he related details concerning his anti-CASTRO Pal activities through his membership in a group called ABDALA. The letter also contained a request for employment with the Agency. As a result of DE ARMAS! letter, WH Division requested a Special Inquiry by the Office of Security for the purpose of ; oe establishing DE ARMAS! identity, which was completed in October ei: 1972. In May 1973 Office of Personnel opened a file on DE ARMAS oy and apparently went through the normal routine of shopping his ti file. Interest in DE ARMAS terminated when TOMLEY sent DE ARMAS a letter advising him that the Agency had nothing currently available. Then on 22 January 1973 DE ARMAS wrote TOMLEY thanking the latter for interest following a telephone call E2 IMPDRT. . CL BY 007472
a oF . » . ae * DE ARMAS made to TOMLEY in which DE ARMAS wanted to know once and forever if there were any openings for him. DE ARMAS! security file reflected no subsequent activity except for the attached cable traffic following his "defection." . 4, Regarding the personalities mentioned by DE ARMAS in his Havana press conference, it appears that several individuals may be identical to former WH Division assets, as Shown below. It should be noted that DE ARMAS did not identify any bona fide Agency staff employees or agents nor does it appear that he identified any past or current operations. It seems likely that DE ARMAS was provided a list of known or Suspected Agency assets by the DGI as part of Cuba's- ongoing anti-CIA, anti-U. S. Government campaign designed to offset adverse criticism to Cuba's military assistance to Angola. Set forth below are those individuals alleged to have been connected with Agency operations by DE ARMAS; results.of Office of Security indices searches and file reviews follow each name where a possible identification could be made. NAME GIVEN BY DE ARMAS OS FILE, IF ANY, AND COMMENTS Bob DYNES No Office of Security traces (aka: DINUS, DAYNES) regarding all variations. Robert Bud MILES (alleged No Office of Security traces. to have been the supplier of explosives used in the +e murder of Rolando MASFERRER) Lazaro ALVAREZ Possibly identifiable with Lazaro Gustavo ARECES ALVAREZ, SF#753 905, on whom a POA was requested by WH Division (JMATE) in June 1964 for use as a PM/Maritime asset; files canceled in October 1964, Fred DUNCAN No Office of Security traces; believed to be a DEA officer stationed in Caracas. Doug PHILLIPS No Office of Security traces; believed to be a DEA officer stationed in Caracas. Vr bee un has fev Why Selowa z
7 £90000 # NAME GIVEN BY DE ARMAS OS FILE, IF ANY, AND COMMENTS Development in Venezuela and - believed RICART may be a Communist. Luis DESA SOTO , No Office of Security traces, nef ; , ey Felix MARTINEZ SUAREZ Possibly identifiable with Felix Antonio MARTINEZ SUAREZ, SF#242 302, who was Director of El Mundo when a / ; Salavador ROMANI Possibly identifiable with Salvador Garcia ROMANI-ORUE, SF#223 776:F J _—— ives can-— 2 in January 1967. On PRQ listed one Manuel ARTIME, not further identified, as a relative/friend/correspondent in U. S, 5. The possible identification (by either DE ARMAS or the DGI) of those WH Division assets reflected above suggests that their names were either known or suspected as CIA assets and were thrown in with those individuals not identified above in an effort to legitimatize DE ARMAS' claims to have worked for the “ CIA. It should be noted that of those individuals listed above on whom a security file exists, none appear to have any current te association with this Agency and, as far as can be determined, “4 no actual Agency operations were either exposed or threatened. & 6. The above is provided for your information; no further action in this case appears necessary. Michael E. Schneeberger Security Analysis Group