14-00000 ~~ SECRET - 5. Project LIEMPTY contributes substantially to. the Mexican Station's SB-effort. The occasional identification of U.S. nationals in contact with the Soviets could have an important bearing on National Security. The operation ts handled by an expertericed and capable, outside contract agent under the direction of a Station officer which provides good security and personnel economy. It is a well mariaged and procuctive operational support mechanism necessary to Station opera= tions. FI Staff recommends approval. Chief Foreign Intelligence Attachment Project SECRET
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SECRET 22 nf 369 — MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Plans SUBJECT : LIEMPTY Project Renewal (FY 1970) 1, Renowal 1s requested for the LIEMPTY Project for the period 1 July 1969 through 36 June 1970 (FY 1970) in the amount of $38,970, Funds are available in WH Division, ~ $45,000 was programmed for FY 1970. . .2- LYEMPTY is a project supporting Soviet operations of the Mexico City Station. It provides for two baschouses, a photo surveillance vehicle, and personnel for photographic and visual surveillance of the Soviet Embassy. Presently, two fixed surveillance points near the Embassy provide the location from which thc photographs are taken and observers .aré stationed. One basehouse is adjacent to the rear of the Embassy, where Soviet officials meet, play and work, The other basehouse is across the street from the front of the Embassy and gives a direct view of every person entering or leaving. There is also a mobile photographic unit (a VW van) which is now used in support of all Mexico City Station operations and in conjunction with the LIEMBRACE surveillance team (used primarily against Soviet targets), Raymond H, ~ GERENDE, an indigenous contract agent, is the principal agent of the operation and meets daily with the basehouse keepers | and subagents. 3. LIEMPTY contributes significantly to the Station's Soviet operations program and is considered an essential ‘element of the Station's support apparatus. During the period 1 November 1967 through 31 December 1968, approxi- mately 21,367 photographs were taken. In response to a request to SB Division for an evaluation of the project, the following comment was received: "There are few such sources of high resolution photographs 9%f Soviets, especially giving good side views. These photos are welcomed by SB Division Since they furnish a steady flow of up-to-date identity Gata..." The photos are useful to the Station in confirming the identities of Soviet porsonnel and visitors to the SECRET
- ~ SECRET Embassy, some of whom are U, S, citizens. During the past year, several of these U. S. citizens were identified with the help of the photos (which were passed to the FBI}. Furthermore, the movements and habits of the Soviets are wo. Studied, and more knowledge is acquired on their friends ee ' and associates, especially Mexican nationals, This informa- mat . . tion is useful in target studies. For example, the senior : TASS representative, a known KGB officer, is a recruitment . . target. He is under intensive operational scrutiny for wt leads developed from knowledge of his activities and contacts. ; an ' LYEMPTY support is an integral part of this current develop~ mental activity. - : ‘7 . 4. During the past year, one of the three baschouses was closed, leaving two, and the agent attending it was terminated. This was done because the agent was becoming less effective with age, and because there was some over- lap between the photos taken from this basehouse and those of another, The termination was amicable, and the working hours of the personnel of the other basehouse were extended slightly. Another agent was also hired to help, This new agent is of the same family as the rest of the personnel occupying the basehouse, and no additional security risks are anticipated from this addition. 5. There have been: no security or administrative prob- lems. The Station and GERENDS are constantly on the alert for any sign that the Saviets are aware of the surveillance activities, While it is quite possible that the Soviets are . aware of the surveillance, so far indications are that they are at least not fully aware, since no effort is made by them to avoid being photographed, even when having meetings with contacts in the rear of the Embassy. 6. Approval is recommended of this valuable operational support project. ‘ Eby he, _ William V. Broe Chief Western Hemisphere Division