MEMO: ZRKNICK OPERATION (NON CS MATERIAL)
Originator: CIA
From: LAD/JFK TASK FORCE
To: THE RECORD
Document date: 02/01/1977
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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1704-10308-10281

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

SECRET

February 1977

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: ZRKNICK Operation

(Non CS Material)

Job #

File #

Volumes:

Dates:

75-752 (Box #4)

200-5-38

6

1961 - Feb 65

1. Description:

Investigation of Cuban espionage net in Miami, Fla.,

by FBI who shared take with CIA. CIA corresponded with

field stations re same. Was international in scope.

2. Findings: (See attached)

Roberto-Themla King folders. Panama connection.

Thelma King was a Panamanian left-wing politician, pro-Castro

Deputy to the National Assembly. Was personal field of Fidel

CASTRO. She was recruited by Fidel in August 1962 to perform

espionage mission in Panama. Trained in SW, commo, etc. She

was reportedly head of the Cuban-directed commo network

Panama.

HZPA 13,960 dated 3 Dec 63:

Dispatch from Panama City to Has. re 22 Nov 63

Jake Esterline/king meeting and her comments re Kennedy and

Castro.

LAD/ JFK Task Force

Researcher:

JZ

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SECRET

February 1977

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: ZRKNICK Operation (Non CS Material)

Job #

File #

Volumes:

75-752 (Box ?

unnumbere

200-5-38

1. Description:

FBI investigation of Cuban espionage net in Miami,

Flab, was international in scope; take shared with CIA.

2. Findings: (see attached)

a. PACY 1073 (IN 48464) 26 Oct 63: Vol. III

Cable from Panama City to Hqs. Jake Esterline

and Station CI group dissatisfied with unresolved aspects

Of HYSAGE (Thelma KING) ops.

b. MEXI 6969 (IN 64256) 19 Nov 63: Vol. III

From Mexico City to Hqs. re involvement of

Francisco "Paco" AMADO with Guatemala guerrillas.

c. DIRECTOR 84449 dated 21 Nov 63: Vol. III

From Has. to WAVE. re sensitive information that

Cuban Intelligence was targetting against person employed in

State Dept office in Miami.

d. DIRECTOR 84791 22 Nov 63:

Vol. III

From Hqs. to Panama City. Re fact HYSAGE-2 much

affected by death of President.

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e.

DIRECTOR 86343, 27 Nov 63: Vol. III

From Hqs. to WAVE and Panama City. Has.

suspects Blanca Alicia FRANCO may be spearhead of penetration

AMOT/CIA ops on behald of ZRKNICK complex.

f. HDCA 3405, 29 Nov 63: Vo1. III

Dispatch from Santo Domingo to Hqs.,

concerning one Eduardo TAVARES Justo.

g. HMMA 22632, 18 Dec 63: Vo1. III

Dispatch from Mexico City to Hqs. re

Francisco AMADO and visits from emissaries of Fidel CASTRO.

Reported to have CASTRO's confidence and perform services for

the Communists.

h. DIRECTOR 90507, 20 Dec 63: Vol. III

From Has. to Panama City and Bern. Someone

may have used HYSAGE-l's ticket.

1. DBA 57414, 21 Nov 63: Vol. IV

Re Manolo GARCIA who had driver's license

in name of Manolo RODRIGUEZ who may be iden/with Cuban DSE

officer in 64 allegedly responsible for recruiting Emilio

ECHARTE Pedroso to enter U.S. to assassinate Cuban exile,

Manolo RAY.

j. UFGW-3350, 25 Feb 64: Vol. V

From Has. to JMWAVE, re list of names and

addresses on Cuban Intelligence Service Censorshio Lists.

k. PACY 4074 (IN 30576) 17 July 64:

Vol. VII

From Panama City to Hqs. Station will try hard

to get additional answers and clarification from HYSAQE-1.

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1. BOGO 4761 (IN 41774) 3 Aug 64: Vol. VII

From Bogota to Hqs. re pro-Castro group in

the Civil Aeronautics Admin.

m. HHTW. 1721, 15 Oct 64: Vo1. VIII

To Tegucigalpa From Has. When Pres. Kennedy

DGI officer directed officers in National Liberation Bldg.,

to prepare radio commo for transmission by Radio Havana.

LAD/JFK Task Force

Researcher:

CDH

MB

JZ

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