JOSEPH RAYMOND MEROLA.
Originator: CIA
From: CHIEF, DOMESTIC COLLECTION DIV
To: SPECIAL ASST TO DDO FOR EX OVERSGHT
Document date: 04/08/1977
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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104-10219-10022

2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

Ch:

TITIAL

DCD-205/77

8 April 1971

MEMORANDUM FOR:

FROM

SUBJECT

Special Assistant to DDO for

External Oversight

Jackson R. Horton

Chief, Domestic Collection Division

: Joseph Raymond Merola

1.

DCD's only recorded contact with Joseph Raymond Merola

prior to August 1961 occurred on 6 February 1961.

It followed

a series of telephone calls over a period of several months

in which Merola had expressed interest in offering his assis-

tance in connection with Cuban matters. The DCD officer had

declined contact until 6 February when Merola claimed to have

information on a Brazilian senator who was a "close friend

and confidante" of "Che" Guevera.

Because Guevera was the

subject of requirements levied on DCD, our officer agreed to

a meeting.

The substance of the 6 February 1961 meeting is

described

in report 00-A(S)-3179213, dated 8 February.

(This

report has been returned to the Agency Archives, but will be

retrieved and reviewed for classification.

Should it carry a

"Secret" classification,

it will be downgraded to "Confidential"

and may be so considered for the purposes of this inquiry.)

2.

If the following deletions are made, I have no

objection to the release of this document.

a. Heading: "Support"

b. Paragraph 2: Delete the first sentence

c. Paragraph 4: Delete "Sam Kay"

d.

Signature: Delete "Justin F. Gleichauf"

and "JFG/amb"

3.

Further inquiries on this matter may be directed

• to Ruth Elliff, extension 2271.

lividi Awar

JACKSON R. HORTON/

wce:. ISS/PICG

CONFIDENTIAL

11.

#!06R

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