DRAFT MATERIAL ON ROSELLI INVESTIGATION
Originator: CIA
From: FENDIG, PHIL
To: COHEN, ED
Document date: 04/07/1977
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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104-10106-10013

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

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SHOR&T

pro/Sturbil, 411/17

Kí

Renos DONESTEVE: DO Dominqvez

Born in Cuba vent to Caracas, Venezuela in 1959 and entered US in 19520

Operated the International Machinery Corporation in Hialeah, Florida, which

manufactured plastic boaus. Made numerous, unauthorized, trips to Cuba co

leeegedly bring out relatives and political prisoners. In 1905 he visited

Cuba and allegedly talked with Castro. In September 1967 he was issued

notice of prevention oi departure bu INS. May 1968 an unexplored bomb found!

at his business. July 1968 detained by INS and given deportation hearing.

Paroled and

restricted to land area of Dade county in March 1969, In 1973

pleaded guilty to extortion and put on probation. September 1974 he went to

Cuba and detained on return. Given two year jail sentence. In Decenber 1975

given seven year imprisonment for probation violation. Very controversial

and many Cuban exiles ielt he was pro-Castro or even an agent of Castro.

Murdered on 13 April 1976 at his office. No Agancy association.

Rolandu MiSFERKER Rojas

Former Cuben Senator who was considered ruthless. Arrived in US in Jenua

1959 and over the years

arenthrow of the Castro regamo. Poportedly involued with leos de la TORiTE!:

in Lbe TORRIENTE plan. As of 1972 still considered himelf to be e Marriar

Socialist, and had been virulent critic of the U.S, in the past. Killed by

a bomb in Miami on 31 October 1975. No Agency association.

¡Jose de la TORRIENTE Ajuria

Travel tate tube and held callies in different us citles to goblet luded

extensively in Latin America and Europe raising funds.

•one yet in h

In June 197

the Miami press exposed him as president of a large housing development

and using funds he coliected for personal use. Shot to death in

his home in Miami on 12 April

1974 Police investigation of death negaciv..

Police folt murder nas rolated to TORRIENTE'S alcappropaiation ds funds. le

was a is citizon. In Matchos 1970, in cooponge to a roquest from Deceidont

Mixon, DOl Helms directed the DDE to establish a covert funding chamei to

rrovide financial support to the Cuban exile group headed by TORRENTE, The

objective was to provide furds to assist this gicup in carrying out raids

un the isiand

of Cuba. à cotai of $250,000, was auchorized in it igri and i

for this purpose. A total of $226.000 was expended on this activity. There

have been no accustations or rumors that the funds originated with the use :

vith the Agency. Only one successful operation was nounted.)

COUS QUINT.

202: 3 Suicina inte

No identifiable information on person with this birthdate. Require mote

information, or at the least, matronymic.

'Joaquin Antonio CORTIZO- DOB: 10 January 1945

Nothing on person by this name

pumandand

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SECRET

11!

I calliva

JR

Luciano NIEVES Nestre

NIEVES was reportedly a Captain in the Rebel army under Comani CIEN-

FUEGOS and subsequently arrested by the DSE in January 1963 for political.

ressons. He was released from prison in 1965 through: the intervention of

his brother, a high Cuban official. NIEVES went io Madrid in April 1965

where he was introduced to a CId officer. le came to thie US in August 1965

and was again contacted by a CIA officer. The relationship was unsatisfacto:

as NIEVES proved erratic and uncooperative and he provided fabricated

information. In March 1966 ACSI (Army) Indicated an interest in MIEVES and

was given an assessment of NIEVES. Since the ClA no longer had an interest

In NIEVES, ACSI picked him and subsequently terminated him in March 1967.

nil Samand

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1'11

Vil?

ISC

SECRET

wwsrtch2.21.n

:020/0.3102

DRAF

Manuel ANTIM: Bresto. Buesa

ARTINE was one of the leaders of the lovindanto de Recuperacion

Revoluconarin (MRR), a democratic Catholic oriented arti-batista refern

movement which allied itself with the Castro forces in overthrowing Patista.

ARTIME

was de facto chief of the agricultural reform program in Oriente Prov

ince after Batista's fall. ARTIME became disillusioned with Castro, departed

Cuba and became one of the leaders of the Bay of Pigs invasion force. He was

captured, inprisoned and returned in the prisoner exhange in 1962. From June

1963 to April 1965, CId supported ARTIME and the MR operations against Cuba

which can

be broadly characterized as harassment, sabotage and psychological

warfare at a cost of approximately $ seven million. Following that, CIA

supported psychological warfare operations such as radio broadcasts and the

publication of an anti-Castro periodical. This continued until ARTilE was cer

inated in January 1967. Since that time there has been no official. CIA vei

ationship with ARTIME although there have been occasional unofficial contacts

between ClA officers and ARTIMe. These contacts were not of operational sig-

nificance. During the mid-east war ARTIME offered DCI Colby the use of himself

and his men in any capacity that would assist the Agency, ARTIME was last repe

ed to be closely associated with Nicaraguan president, General Anactasio

SOMOZA, in the export-import business. He is believed

to be residing in Manag:

Rolando CUBELA Secades

CUBEiA had been the second in command of the Directorio Revolac-

ionario, an anti-Patista scudent organization which vas accivaly involved wit:

with Castro's forces in the overthrow of the Batista governent. CUBELA sub-

sequently held the rank of Major in Castro's forces but became disillusioned

with Castro and communism. CUBELA was initially met in Maxico in March 1951

reports that Cubela was considering defecting, an attempt was made to detesmir

his state of mind by utilizing a Cubari refugee who met RAb/ CUBELA-in Scan-

dihavia. CUBELA agreed to work in place for the creation of a new Cuba. In

October 1963, as a result of CUBELÀ'S demand to meet U.S. Aatorney General,

Robert F. Kennedy, Desomnd FitzGerald, Chief of Cuban Operations met with hin.

At this meeting CubilA stated that the most effective way to tendte rescue the

Cupon Porolution vos to escoscinate Fidel Cagtre and other Cuben lesdars.

CuRelA was told that the lls was properer to render ail necessary assistance

CUSELA was reported to be losing interest if he did not receive technical assi

ance from the US. FitzGerald authorized assistance in laying caches which

wold include a high-power rifle w/scope, explosives and related equirment.

The caches were laid in March and June 1904, CUBilA recoveredthe first cache

in December 1964 but it is not known if he recovered the second cache which

I-studed sue Bolgian Dal caslee. ClA dramood Do bare CUert and ADOTAD most

in marte in test and are

in Madrid in 1504 and ARTINE agreed to provide support for CUBELA'S operations

ARTIM: furnished CUBELA with a silencer and money In February 1965. In Feb-

ruary 1965 a CIA officer met with AX/ CUBELA for the last time and refused

CUBELA'S request for $10,000 to support his operacions. (ClA preffered

to use

the AnTiMe channeil in June 15ó5 Cia terminaced Lie operation because Cubai

was judged insecure. CUBELA was arcested by CASTRO in February 1966, tried ir

March 1966 and convicted ci conspiring wich the CIA and RIDE to assassinate

CASTRO. He was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. He was released on parole

JUDICCT OF INtENSivE

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SECRET, S23 C

gr.e

whed upus

2y: 7 mill

$

General Questions:

1. already answered

1à. "B-l" 1s Manuel Artine and the anti-Castro group 1s the MRi

11i. - vi. answered

V$1. The Miami Station (JMVAVE) was established in I961 not 1960. Robert k

Davis served as COS from October 1961 to February 1962. He is now retired.

Thedore Shackley served

as COS from April 1962 to June 1965. John Dinner

(retired) served as COS from June 1965 to March 1967. We would preser that:

¡Dade County police not talk with the COS'S. We do not know what they could

possibly add that the police and FBI don't already know.

vill.

We do not desire to have the Dade County police talk with the curres

27,16-4

(Cos in Miams) The (itame Station has not had contact with the Cuban exile

16-4

group for several years. The (Station) is considered to be a foreign instali-

ation concentrating on the collection of intelligence in the Caribbean area

where there is

no US representation and has no charter for domescic activiti

27,16-4.

The current COS/Miami/has been there less than a year

ix. already answered

K. This is A matter of internal security which should be addressed to the

FBI

tliN

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5 April 1977 :

SUBJECT: Intelligence Sources and Methods

1. The principle of protection and intelligence sources and

methods is central to the viability of clandestine operations. The

inability to protect intelligence sources and methods will be de-

structive of the credibility of the Agency in dealing with its

clandestine assets, and in dealing with intelligence services around

the world to whom our security is already a matter of grave concern.

2.

The tragedy of Cuba won the support of the United States

Government for the programs to free that country from its dictatorship.

It was the sense of. the American people and of the United States Govern-

ment, in both the executive and legislative branches, to find a way to

oust the Castro regime.

program, and whatever the chances of success, the fact is that the

ultimate objectives met the highest standards of American ideals.

3.. There were a lot of Cubans who worked with the Americans to

•free Cuba. They carried their plans to desperate extremes, risking

their lives at the Bay of Pigs and in hundreds of smaller incursions.

Some were associated with scheming to assassinate Castro himself.

did this on their own as patriots and some, also as patriots, did it

with the support of representatives of the United States Government.

Right or wrong the identity of those people constitute a trust of the

American Government. If betrayed it would be a breach of honor and a

demonstration to our allies today, and to those individuals around the

world who work with us, that they

must review the risk they take in our

association.

4. In invulvetion of intelligence sources is more than a dry legal

commitment to protect those who agree to

work with us.

This is an essential principle to be observed by any

organization

that expects to involve itself. in clandestine operations

of any sort.

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Our letter to the Attorney General

of 14 October 1976

forwarded all information from Agency files responsive to

these questions which we

judged could be forwarded to the

Dade County police without jeopardizing sources or methods,

provided the Attorney General found that the Agency could

legally do so.

A second point, also to follow from the

Attorney General's findings was that, even if such informa-

tion could legally be provided, a determination would have

to be made within the Agency whether some of the requested

information which related to former or current agents of the

Agency might still require protection. Your marginal comment

asks whether we are not straining the concept of protection

of sources

when we protect those who are not now intelligence

sources and whether we are protecting them from prosecution

for terrorist activity today.

After referent memorandum was sent to you, the Attorney

General refined an earlier opinion from former

Assistant

Attorney General Antonin Scalia.

The Department of Justice

now concludes that, to the extent Agency information either

does not involve U.S. persons or falls within one of seven

exceptions to the general prohibition against collection of

information concerning the domestic activities of U.S. persons,

such information can be provided to local police authorities.

It is significant, however, that the Attorney General in his

23 March letter to you (Attachment B) expressly included the

following language:

In addition to the facts above, the Office of

Legal Counsel has pointed out that Executive Order

does not require CIA to respond to Dade County.

Indeed.

the responsibility of the Director of Central

Intelligence to protect sources and methods of intelli-

gence, established by statute: 50 U.s.C. #403(g),

and E.O. 11905, Section 3(d) (vii), is authority for

him to withhold such information from

local law

enforcement officials if he believes its disclosure

would threaten the security of intelligence sources

or methods.

(Emphasis added)

In the light of the Attorney General's opinion, those

offies holding

confirm that the information originally selected for passage

the into matio

the relevant files are now reviewing

them

to

to Dade County law enforcement officials is responsive and

complete.

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ARTICLE APPEARED.

WRSHINGTON POST

24 MARCH 19?7

Jack Anderson and Les Whitten

Mobster's Summons by Probers

Perhaps the most feared mobster in

They would rather not risk antagoniz:

cante's blessing, Rosselli used the Ha

the runderworld is

Florida's Mafia ing the federal government by mur-

• vana underworld to plot Castro's de

dering a celebrated witness unless

chieftain, Santos Trafficante. House it: 4 there was some compelling reasons. *r

mise. The assassination squad tried to

vestigators approached his Miami hide

plant poison pilis, supplied by the CLA,

sion: Herefore it some apprehen use eep Rossels contess on that, as

"in Castro's 100d. Castro became ill but!

upset over Rossell's confession that, as i tailed to die. Then underworld saipers

He appeared at the screendoor to acta hit man for the Central Intelligence, were dispatched to a Havana rooftop.

cept their subpoena

"Shove it under Agency, he had attempted to assassi-Unhappily for them, they were caught.

the door," he said softly. They peered nate Cuban Premier Fidel Castro. The Rosselli told us the rest of the story

through the screen. The sinister Traffi-, mobsters hated Castro, who had expro-

as his own "speculation.". But it was-his

cante was pale, and his hands wereis

priated their casinos in Havana, So y habit to pass us tips in the form of con-

shaking. 7

4203 pasSaNt they should not have minded his CLAwa jecture. There is a good chance he was

He may. have had reason to shake.

mission. 20-40 genot merely speculating but had picked

The House, Assassinations Committee

We furnished the committee with a up information inside the mob. At

nad taken a sudden interest in the

more likely motive for the murder. We least, here's his startling story. CaRs

murder last july of mobster John Ros

got the story from Rosselli himself, bit,

Rosselli heard that Castro had tor

sellt: Before he died, the flamboyant by bit; over the past six years. He had

tured the would be assassins and had

Rosselli hinted that he knew who had come to trust us during our investiga- learned about the plot on his life. It

arranged President John. F. Kennedy's tion of the CLA plot to kill Castro., would be the sort of irony that: Latin-

assassination. Carefully hedging, he Whenever Rosselli was in Washington,

• Americans appreciate, Rosselli sug-

told an Incredible story that impli. he dropped by. His associates, knowing gested, for Castro to use the same plot-

cated Trafficante. coya

of his trust in us, called us ahead of the

ters to retaliate against the U.S. Presi

The New York Times reported OD

authorities about his disappearance.

the front page that Rosselli was mur or The CIA had figured that the Ha-

According to Rosselli's speculation,

dered as a "direct result" of his Senate

vana underworld must have killers

Castro may have used these under

testimony about the Kennedy assassi-

who could eliminate Castro. The CIA,

world elements, most. of them Cubans;

nation. 236 90002200 SE

therefore, spoke secretly. to Howard, from the old Irafficante organization;

Twelve days before his death, Ros-

Hughes' chief huncho in Las"Vegas, to arrange the assassination of Kenne

sell dined with Trafficante at the fash Robert Maheu, about the project. May dy. to cool Stake 200225025303

ionable: Landings Restaurant in Fort heu recruited Rosselli, then the Chi-

They may have lined up Lee Harvey

Lauderdale, Ma. It is the custom of the cago mob's debonair representative in Oswald as the assassin or may have

Matia to wine- and dine a wayward Las Vegas.

Maddist used him as a decoy while others am-

member before he is exorcuted. 2/00

Rosselli looked upon the assassina-s bushed Kennedy from closer range.

i The unfortunate Rosselli had been y

stion mission as an opportunity to gain Once Oswald was captured, the mob

the victim of a gangland execution.

favor with the US. government. But couldn't afford to let him reveal his

This raised some nagging questions in he lacked the stature to deal with San connection with the underworld. So

the minds of the committee's homicide tos Trafficante, who controlled the Ha-" Rosselli speculated that Jack Ruby, a'

exverts who are wise in the ways of vana underworld. Rosselli enlisted his.

# the mob. as 00262a4

oa superior, Chicago godiather Sam, Hayana: underworld, was ordered 1o

Why would the Mafia knock off are- Giancana, to approach Trafficante.. eliminäte Oswald 1.360%

ured racketeer.: The fact that he had f Giancana: flew: down to Miami to

This sort of "speculation"

might

appeared before the Senate normally make the arrangements with the Flor have induced the mob to silence John

would have deterred the crime lords.

ida racket boss. Then with Traffi-

Rosselli

09.040:

Ly see dento desels a Gone see sess

SESS 6499042NDOSEN

Coding

OGC SUBJ:

TTESTICATIONS - Roelli, Johnny (not indexed)

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