Cryptonym: LITAMIL-3
104-10163-10140: AZCUE, EUSEBIO.
Attachment No. 74 to UFGA-21693: "Subject: Vidal, Ricardo. Source met Subject in June 1959 at the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City where Subject was the First Secretary. While in Cuba source heard rumors in late 1960 or early 1961 that Subject had defected from the Castro regime...source knew that Subject had very good relations with many U.S. diplomats, and also had good contacts in Washington D.C. (Source knew that Subject had been a career diplomat for more than 30 years.).
104-10219-10446: FORM:PRQ PART II - LITAMIL/1
5/25/60, PRQ, Part II: The case officer ("Clyde Shryock"/Thomas Hazlett) has met LITAMIL-1 on several occasions during the past year at his business office. While at the office, Ricardo VIDAL Dominguels (sic), Cuban Charges has been Case Officer at the office and on two occasions talked to Case Officer. LITAMIL-1 believes that VIDAL will not talk about these contacts to Cuban officials." 4/20/63 memo 104-10073-10008 (p 6 of 8) says that Vidal is a "counselor at the Cuban embassy who has been acting as the charge d'affairs since the departure of Dr Salvador Massip. He is a career diplomat but takes his orders from Pablo Agustin Aldema.9
104-10219-10432: CABLE:LITAMIL-1 LEFT MEXI 11 AUG FOR MIAMI AND BUEN
8/14/60 memo from Mexico City to Director: "Night 11 Aug and morning 12 Aug LITAMIL-1 talked Ricardo Vidal Dominguez Cuban Charge Mexi re resigning soonest. Vidal "ready" resign but needs "few days" get several personal problems ironed out particularly safety wife and children who living Mexi."
https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/104-10163-10140.pdf
Page 59 of 62: Offers more background on Ricardo Vidal, mentioning his friendship with Azcue. Mentions there was a rumor in 1960-61 that Azcue would defect. Affirms that Vidal is 201-290894.
1994.08.11.15:55:53:790028: Reel 62, Folder H - CUBAN REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL (CRC) - ORGANIZATION.
4/11/61 BELL 4228 memo from WH/4/PA Martha Tharpe at BELL to JMWAVE, (REDACTED): "WH comment: Concerned about rift between FRD groups Mexi and advised reps these groups traveling (to) Miami, see REDACTED and AMBUD-1 carrying letter from Mexican Presidency to AMBUD-1 regarding rupture of relations and takeover Cuban Emb Mexi. Suggested AMBUD-1 and REDACTED be briefed (of) this situation and requested guidance of takeover Cub Emb and consulate and possible seizure (of) files."
4/19/61 memo from Mexico City to BELL: "MEXI strongly recommends consideration LITAMIL-3 retain diplomatic post MEXI for (following) reasons: Excellent cooperation since (MEXI 8830); more than 30 years diplomatic experience; good rapport with Mexican officials; his friendship with US and Thomas Mann...both "cutouts" LITAMIL-1 and LITAMIL-2 have his full confidence and his desire (to) have (US on) "his side" gives (case officer) good rapport and "wedge". LITAMIL-3 has been anxious (to) "get out" emb for considerable time but has "stayed in place" at station request. Station believes retention (of) LITAMIL-3 would vindicate him (in the) eyes (of) anti-Castroites who not aware clandestine operation and solve disposal problem." This memo references BELL 4228 - the next item, below.
104-10414-10124: MEXICO CITY STATION HISTORY
LITAMIL-3 is 201-290894. He was born in Cuba had spent 31 years in the diplomatic corps and served as consul and attache in Mexico from 1938 to 1952 and from 1959 to 1961. He refused to accept any salary from the Station and recruited LITAMIL-6, 7, 8 and 9, all loyal friends of his from the Cuban Embassy. They all agreed to cooperate with Tom Hazlett.
104-10276-10048: EXCERPT: BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CURRENT PERSONNEL OF THE CUBAN EMBASSY IN MEXICO
6/28/63: "Report EE-390; MEMO FROM CARLOS BLANCO. Subject. Background information on current personnel of the Cuban embassy in Mexico. SOURCE: P-26. Information received on 26 Jun from Mr. RICARDO VIDAL Dominguez, former Foreign Service officer with approximately 30 years of service in Mexico City, now delegate in Mexico of the Association of Anti-Communist Foreign Service Officials and Employees in Exile."
9/10/63 Dir 67341 memo from C/SAS/CI/OPS to Mexico City JMWAVE: "Want ___ from HQ to make pitch to Azcue (leaving in 10 days), otherwise LITAMIL-3 can make the pitch. Goal is recruitment in place and not defection, request mexi plan ops this regard. Bill Harvey's Berlin colleague Neill Prew listed on here.
https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/104-10163-10010.pdf
9/13/63, cable from Mexico City to Director, with marginalia showing that this file was reviewed by SAS/CI Richard Tansing: "LITAMIL-7 reported 11 Sep Azcue returning (Cuba) 4 Oct. In recent conversation she advised him not to leave. L-7, LITAMIL-3 and Azcue have long standing close personal relationship...Of interest is AMSAIL-1 appraisal of Azcue which coincides with L-3 to effect subject charitable. According to A-1 Azcue has been very helpful by granting passports and other favors to known anti-Castro Cubans...Station would be interested (to) see (Jose Antonio) Casas (201-327702) in Mexi ASAP but believe decision as to who should make (the) approach, Casas or L-3, must be made locally after clarification of extend(ed) Casas-Azcue friendship balanced against Azcue long standing friendship with and high respect for L-3 might use both in comparmented one-two punch."
104-10163-10260: (CABLE) LITAMIL-3 SPOKE BY PHONE TO AZCUE 19 SEPT TOLD A OF WISH SPEAK
9/20/63 MEXI 6216 memo from Mexico City to Director, with Bill Harvey's former colleague Neill Prew written-in as someone who should see the memo: "LITAMIL-3 spoke by phone to Azcue 19 Sept told of a wish to speak to him re matter previously discussed. A-S reply to this quote you know my feelings on this have not changed mind, will not change mind, unquote. L-3 said will call later, A said quote, I beg you, no no no don't call me re this again, unquote. L-3 convinced A sincere and that it impossible to lay on op. Handwritten below is a note from JHS - probably "John H. Scelso" aka John Whitten: "J'accept. Good try. Nothing lost. We can write a letter but even that doesn't sound hopeful so let's wait for further developments." ""We can write a letter but even that doesn't sound hopeful so let's wait for further developments." The document is marked as "CI" Who is the man referenced in marginalia as JHS? Probably John H. Scelso, the pseudonym for C/WH/3 John Whitten.
1994.08.10.16:49:04:850028: Reel 46, Folder G - MEXICO DISPATCHES.
10/22/63 memo re LITAMIL-3's report - says that he had a good trip to the US and Puerto Rico, and that Roberto Agramonte Pichardo could probably obtain direct access to Manuel Ray, if desired. Although LITAMIL-3 is redacted, this document reveals his identity: http://maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=27328&search=%22050-126-03%22#relPageId=19&tab=page