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Cryptonym: LICOWL-1

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Definition:
A CIA double agent employed against the Soviets in Mexico City who owned a store near the Soviet Embassy.
Status:
Probable
Sources:

104-10335-10001: Memo from AARB Executive Director to CIA Historical Group Director, May 30, 1995: https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/104-10335-10001.pdf

This document was sent by Assassinations Records and Review Board Executive Director David Harwell to the Director of the CIA Historical Review Group John Pereira. It offers a list of Agency cryptonyms and pseudonyms and requests officials to provide the corresponding true names or a general description of the type intelligence relationship the related person, group, or location had with official projects. The document affirms that LICOWL-1 was a "Double agent against Soviet target in Mexico City."

104-10218-10032: KOSTIKOV, VALERIY VLADIMIROVICH, 201-305052

This information summary offers that notorious KGB officer Valeriy Kostikov who officials attempted to associate with Lee Harvey Oswald attended a "fiesta" held by LICOWL-1. At the Party Kostikov propositioned a local girl to be his girlfriend by offering her a weekly salary. (at p. 109): LICOWL-1 reported that Kostikov's wife (Rosa Aleksandrovna Kostikova, DOB 2/2/32) has blonde hair, blue eyes, short in stature and speaks excellent Spanish. She appears to be in charge of the Embassy kitchen.

104-10187-10014: CIA FILE ON (ASSET) DEVELOPMENT AND PLANS.

The document states LICOWL-1 "...owns a small store near the Soviet Embassy" and he "reported that a Soviet official, AEQUALITY-1, had approached him and requested him to inform on his neighbors." This store was also located near a CIA base house undertaking surveillance operations against the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City.

104-10195-10148: CABLE: ON 9 OCT LICOWL-1 REPORTED ON ALEKSEY IVANOVICH GARMASHOV

This cable reveals that October 7, 1964 Aleksey Ivanovich Garmashov, the Deputy KGB Resident in Mexico City asked LICOWL-1 quarters above his store for rental purposes and noted that other local owners would not rent to Soviets. LICOWL-1 was unaware two local apartments recently vacated after the Soviet officials visit were housing CIA surveillance operations. "L-1 escorted G (Garmashov) to Apt top floor which G inspected closely. L-1 repports G looked out front window which faces LIMERICK for extended period."

Contributors:
Carmine Savastano • Bill Simpich

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