Home/ Resources / Projects / CIA Cryptonyms / bigram: AM / cryptonym: AMHINT-59

Cryptonym: AMHINT-59

Return to Main Crypts Page

Definition:
Jose Maria Lasa. A dispatch on December 10, 1962, stated that AMHINT-53 (Luis Fernandez-Rocha) and AMHINT-59 (IDEN) of the DRE met Richard Helms in Washington D.C. on November 12-13, 1962. The identity was Jose Maria Lasa.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
The dispatch was from William K. Harvey, Chief, Task Force W. The Originating Officer was Nestor D. Sanchez. The Coordinating Officers were Seymour R. Bolten, C/TFW/PA-PROP, and Albert C. Davies, C/INTEL. The Releasing Officer was William K. Harvey, C/TFW.

A dispatch on December 27, 1962, stated that "on or about 13 November, AMHINT-53, Jose M. Lasa U., and AMBARB-54, traveled to ZRMETAL (Washington D. C.) for conversations with Fletcher V. Knight (Richard Helms), at the latter's request."

A dispatch from JMWAVE on September 14, 1962, stated "Zamka (David Morales) has also met with Jose Maria Lasa U, upon occasion concerning Lasa's direct liaison with Headquarters through Fletcher Knight."
Sources:

104-10171-10318: MEMORANDUM: JOSE MARIA LASA URRUTIBEASCOA

09/04/62: Memo from William K. Harvey, Chief, Task Force W to Richard Helms, Deputy Director (Plans): "You will recall that we have discussed (Jose Maria Lasa) several times in the past and the possibility of using your contact with a relative of Lasa to help the Cuban exile group, DRE, more responsive to CIA control and discipline. We have again reviewed this possibility in the context of the DRE's unilateral raid on Havana on 24 August. I have concluded that intervention now through Lasa would probably have no effect on the behavior of the DRE, since the mood of frustration and desperation which has pervaded the entire Cuban exile community cannot, in our opinion, be contained or diverted merely by appeals to reason or prudence...We are keeping this matter under review, and if our assessment of the situation changes we may ask you to intercede with Lasa in an effort to influence the behavior of the DRE."

104-10171-10041: DISPATCH: AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT FOR AUGUST 1962

09/14/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Page 3: ..."a. AMHINTS: Stanley R. Zamka (David Morales) as 'Dr. Meza' meets: AMHINT-2 (Juan Manuel Salvat Roque) for regular PM operational purposes. Bernabe Pena as his alternate. Zamka has also met with Jose Maria Lasa U, upon occasion concerning Lasa's direct liaison with Headquarters through Fletcher Knight (Richard Helms)..."

1994.05.06.09:39:23:590005: Reel 25, Folder X - DRE [[CRYPT]] OPERATIONS.

10/17/62: Dispatch from Chief, Task Force W to Chief of Station, JMWAVE: Subject: Operational discussion between Lasa and (REDACTION): "Attached for your information is the Memorandum for the Record of the conversation between (REDACTION) and Jose M. Lasa of the DRE." Originating Officer: Nestor D. Sanchez, TFW/PA-PROP. Coordinating Officers: Seymour R. Bolten, C/TFW/PA-PROP. Releasing Officer: William K. Harvey, C/TFW.

1994.05.06.09:39:23:590005: Reel 25, Folder X - DRE [[CRYPT]] OPERATIONS.

10/23/62: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: AMHINT-53 (Luis Fernandez-Rocha), and his two staff people Lanusa (AMHINT-12) and Lasa speak to press - covered by Miami Herald in 10/22/62 article. Claims that they were misquoted, mad at Al Burt. See the article at p. 134.

104-10170-10032: MR. HELMS' CONVERSATION WITH JOSE LASA OF THE DRE

11/12/62: Memorandum for the record from Nestor D. Sanchez, TFW/PA-PROP: PERSONS PRESENT: Mr. Helms, Mr. Jose Lasa, Nestor D. Sanchez, (REDACTION):

104-10170-10022: MEMO FOR THE RECORD: MR. HELMS' CONVERSATION WITH LUIS FERNANDEZ ROCHA AND JOSE MARIA LASA OF THE DRE REGRADING THEIR ORGANIZATION'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AGENCY.

11/15/62: Memorandum for the record: TIME AND PLACE: 1500 hours, 13 November 1962, Mr. Helms' Office. PERSONS PRESENT: Mr. Helms, Luis Fernandez Rocha, Jose Maria Lasa, Nestor Sanchez (alias REDACTION):

104-10171-10296: DISPATCH:MEMOS OF CONVERSATIONS WITH AMSPELL REPRESENTATIVES, 12-13 NOVEMBER 1962

12/10/62: Dispatch from Chief, Task Force W to COS, JMWAVE: "1. Forwarded for your information are four memorandums for the record covering Fletcher M. Knight's (Richard Helms) 12-13 November 1962 conversations with AMHINT/53 (Luis Fernandez-Rocha) and AMHINT/59 (IDEN) of the AMSPELL (DRE)..." - - - Page 2: "Identity: Jose Maria Lasa." Originating Officer: Nestor D. Sanchez, TFW/PA-PROP. Coordinating Officers: Seymour R. Bolten, C/TFW/PA-PROP. Albert C. Davies, C/INTEL. Releasing Officer: William K. Harvey, C/TFW.

104-10171-10281: DISPATCH: AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1962

12/27/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: ..."f. On or about 13 November, AMHINT-53 (Luis Fernandez-Rocha), Jose M. Lasa U., and AMBARB-54, traveled to ZRMETAL (Washington D. C.) for conversations with Fletcher V. Knight (Richard Helms), at the latter's request. The results of these conversations had not been received officially at JMWAVE by 16 November when AMHINT-53 reported to the JMWAVE Case Officer 'off the record' that the talks had been 'satisfactory,' and that JMWAVE should receive a communication from Headquarters on the results. Since there was no communication up until the end of November, the subject of the ZRMETAL/AMSPELL meetings became a matter of consultation between the Chief of Station and the Chief, Task Force W..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

© Mary Ferrell Foundation. All Rights Reserved. |Site Map |MFF Policies |Contact Us