AGENCY RECORD NUMBER RECORDS SERIES AGENCY FILE NUMBER ORIGINATOR FROM TO . TITLE DATE PAGES SUBJECTS DOCUMENT TYPE CLASSIFICATION RESTRICTIONS CURRENT STATUS DATE OF LAST REVIEW OPENING CRITERIA “COMMENTS © HW 542714 Docld: 32977094 Date 07/17/98 Page : l JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM Released under the John Kennedy NSC hesassination Records 145-10001-10274 . ollection Act of 1992 AGENCY INFORMATION (44 USC 2107 Note). : 121 ase#: NW 54214 Date: ~----- eee = - HOO 2 OLE : DOCUMENT INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE BRIG. GEN. LANSDALE THE SPECIAL GROUP (AUGMENTED) MEMORANDUM 07/05/62 3 PROGRESS OF OPERATION MONGOOSE PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT ic ‘RELEASED WITH DELETIONS 07/16/98 EXEMPT PER E.0. 13526 SEC 3.3(b)_ SOX pate exemprep: MAR 201B JS RE-REVIEW DATE: 41 DE zc 243? GLAY 7c PaLitASt AS LAMCTIA Page 1
HW 542714 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (Ba) WASHINGTON 28, D.c. “ae 8. mae 7. on etx’ qa ~ aac .. cane: MEMORANDUM FOR THE SPECIAL GROUP (AUGMENTED) From: Brig. Gen. Lansdale Sa Subject: Progress, Operation Mengoess President ty Mexico. State reported that President Kennedy's visit to Mexico greatly enhanced U.S. good-will in Mexico, was marked by the absence of pro-Castro propaganda, and fulfilied U.S. plans to impress upon Caetro that Mezice, upon whem the Castre regime counts as an ally, is solidly with the United States and the West. In discussions about Cuba, President Lopes Matees expressed the Mexican view that Castro was in trouble and that his regime would fall of its own weight: President Kennedy expounded the U.S. re ee ce Probie mi State believes this should case the way for future discussions about Cuba with the Megisane. Joint thie intervention may come from a att = or estan state -- and of colt determination of peoples.“ e The UPI reported thts the Mesienn prose and pattical ees te my query, the Department ef State Hale Pegs Sscos mente Sevulting froce the Preetéeat's trip Mexico re text of the joint United States -Mesign Gommuniqus, basic guidelines Soverning the Cuba project.“ This reer meen docunest contains z- 2 pages. - -taq, Gartaar DoclId: 32977094 Page 2?
Operations. My visit to the Miami area included Hecussions with the operations staff of the CIA etatica, which carries the brunt of current work on Operation Mongoese. I was pleased to note that CIA has built a team which has « number of peeple experienced in operations into Communist -controlled areas (Europe and Asia), whoee know-how strengthens the eperations ef people with Latin American experience. They have seme predlems, mest ef which are being resolved on the operating level. Some preblems inveive policy matters, which are being staffed for presentation te you. Overall, this is a eplendid effort by CLA withia present guide - lines. On intelligence-collection, the magnitude of the special emphasiea given the operation is indicated by the presence ef 45 agents now in the Habana area alone (a rather remarkable accomplish - ment in a Communist capital where there is no official U.S. presence). in addition, there are agents and teams in the previnces; efferte are being made to complete the provineial coverage at an early date, siace there are some areas insufficiently covered acw. te CIA weekly report poted the “Voice of Cuba." The se successful initial & rom a U.S. Mavy the U.S. publication ef the fact that were heard tx tie U.8., and the replay ef this news back into Cuba,for the general publi. It is noted that UPI carried this news item, but spiced it up with added stories of Castro's use of militia agsinet gueevilias in Matansas. The two stories put together by UPI have ne relationship ia reality, and the “Voice of Cube" broadcasts are being closely dizected te fit in with other operations and to keep within Mengoose guidelines. Diplomasic. State reports that Giplematic efforts are being made to block Cuba's application for accreditation to the Zurepean Economic Community. Similarly, efferte are being made te exclude Cube from the proposed Latin American Free Trade area. Contingency Planning. Rumore in mid-June of a Cuban uprising led to my tasking Defense for further contingency planaing, ineluding an inter-departmental plan. Defense reperts this is progrees ing well. As an interim report, ‘Defense notes that while the 18-day | HW 542714 DBocld: 32977094 Page 3
HW 54714 ewne ‘Foastion time fe still basic, a 9-day reaction time ie feasible under certain pre “positioning aad a S-day reaction time caa be undertaken with certain risks. You will be informed, when this planning ie completed. . Defense Intelligence. Defense is reviewing actively ite ree- ponsibilities fer intelligence collection tn Cuba, with a view ef strengthening the effort considerably, particularly those activities failures, was not in a position to teach ethers), and an interview with & person from Cardenas where the recent hunger demonstratien led to a hig Castro military chow ef ferce. “Byes Ouly” cepiecs te: General Tayler 5. Meg. Reanedy Mr. Jehasca . 6. General Leamitees <_< K Me. Gilpatric 7. Chéed ef Operations . Mer. MeCene DoclId: 32977094 Page 4