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Pseudonym: Olien, Woodrow

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Definition:
Woodrow C. Olien was a pseudonym used by CIA officer and Chief of Havana Station, Cuba, James (Jim) Noel.
Category:
pseudonym
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
Documents 104-10061-10115 and 104-10079-10014 listed Woodrow C. Olien and James A. Noel at number 61 respectively.
Sources:

104-10192-10244: CABLE: THROUGH AMPAN-2 JOSE PEPE DUARE CROPESA HAS SENT URGENT WORD THAT HE, MANUEL RAY AND DAVID SALVADOR WOULD LIKE MEET WITH OLIEN.

08/15/60: Cable from Havana to Director: "1. Through AMPAN-2 Jose Pepe Duarte Cropesa has sent urgent word that he, Manuel Ray and David Salvador would like meet with Olien evening 16 Aug to discuss their program, plans of action and possible U.S. Government support. They asked be informed by noon 15 Aug whether Olien agreeable meet. AMPAN-2 would also attend as well as anyone else Olien's choosing. 2. Olien feels this proposal offers excellent opportunity assess potential these individuals and their followings. Duarte has military connections inside and outside rebel army including elements of AMCHIRP-1; Ray is perhaps most respected civilian inside Cuba who is in opposition to regime. Salvador, in spite unsavory past, is believed to have a clandestine organization and considerable island wide following among non-Communists in labor movement. Ray has indicated he plans remain in Cuba and fight it out as he did during Batista regime when he headed civic resistance movement in Havana area. 3. PLS cable OPIM if HQs approve Olien participation. If HQs concurs Olien could take JOLLYBOAT-1 along to serve as future contact if there is to be any followup. Although JOLLYBOAT-1 has only just arrived and not too well acquainted with Cuban situation he otherwise would appear be well qualified work with such a group. Fact he experienced operator with no prior connection with CIA ops in Cuba would give him op advantage over other available principal agents. 4. Strongly recommend FRD complex not RPT not be apprised of this approach by Ray and company at least until we have opportunity assess potential and willingness participate in overall coordinated program...Consequently Olien anticipates that the Duarte-Ray-Salvador trio will make strong plea for understanding their position and for material U.S Government support."

104-10168-10043: CABLE: AMHAWK IS REFERRING TO DISCUSSIONS HELD WITH OLIEN DURING MARCH 1960

09/14/60: Cable from Havana to Director: "1. AMHAWK is referring to discussions held with Olien during March 1960. No pact 'signed' but Olien did pass on to AMHAWK in accordance HQs instructions certain assurances. HQs may wish provide Twicker summary FOLL pertinent cables: A. HAVA 3708 (IN 11327). B. DIR 18573 (OUT 51946). C. HAVA 3782 (IN 14361). D. DIR 21796 (OUT 58698). E. HAVA 3935 (14361). 2. Name Agusto means nothing to Olien. Jorge Alonso Pujol (see HAVA 3782) was only person aware Olien-AMHAWK contact and he probably is Agusto."

104-10167-10383: CONTINUATION OF DISPATCH:WHILE THE ABOVE DOES NOT OF COURSE REPRESENT A SIGNED PACT BETWEEN

09/16/60: Dispatch from Chief, WH Division: "2. While the above does not of course represent a signed pact between Olien and AMHAWK, it was a sort of agreement in principle between AMHAWK and ODYOKE. However, the only commitments or definite promises made on these points were (A) and (B), which said ODYOKE would gurantee entry into the U.S. of key leaders and followers, and that economic assistance would be forthcoming. Trecker (sp) did not specify in reference B in just what way AMHAWK feels ODYOKE has not lived up to the alleged pact. 3. In reviewing the file, we find no reference to anything other than the above, which could possibly be interpreted as commitments to AMHAWK by Olien." (Handwritten note: "This was discussed with Mr. Noel who said there were no other commitments)."

104-10274-10013: CABLE: AMREEF-1 RETURNED HAVA FROM MIAMI EVE 29 NOV. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

12/02/60: Cable from Havana to Director: "1. AMREEF-1 returned HAVA from Miami eve 29 Nov. Prior to departure had long talk with Ray. Ray asked AMREEF-1 pass MSG to Olien to effect he would like very much see him next time he comes to Miami. Said he would prefer talk Olien personally rather than a delegate. Gave AMREEF-1 no clue as to reasons behind request but Olien agrees with ref that Ray undoubtedly wishes discuss 'problems' he has run into in endeavoring gain support for his movement. 2. Olien sees no objection FOLL thru with suggestion contained para 4 ref in view willingness expressed initially to talk with a designate if Olien not able come personally. 3. Olien obviously defers to HQs judgement manner in which Ray group should be handled but nonetheless is constrained to comment that by forcing this important movement into an unwanted marriage or other onerous arrangement we may run real risk of alienating a group of now pro-American Cubans who, whether we like it or not, will probably play an important part in the political life of Cuba during the post-Castro era. C/S Comment: *HQs forwarded reasoning for Ray's desire to see Olien."

104-10274-10071: CABLE: AS YOU KNOW PARLETT, OLIEN, LICARI ENGAGED DISCUSSIONS AMBANG-ONE

3/7/61 cable from WH/4/PA Gerald Droller, BELL to JMWAVE: "As you know Parlett, Olien/Jim Noel and Licari engaged discussions AMBANG-1 and AMDIP-1 for purpose establishing Revolutionary Council...FYI: Miro, Rojas, Salazar Sanchez in touch Morton Downey. Undoubtedly these debating various possibilities provisional government. Latest info from Miro indicates Downey wants to see Bender..."

104-10297-10057: CABLE-PER OLIEN PARLETT TELECON FOLLOWING ARE REQUIREMENTS POSED BY HIGHEST LEVEL WHICH WE SHOULD ATTEMPT MEET IF AT ALL POSSIBLE

3/21/61 cable from Gerard Droller at BELL to JMWAVE re Olien-Parlett telephone conversation: Requirements have been imposed "at the highest level...keep 'United States stamp and backing' to absolute minimum. Thus admittedly thin fiction Bender groups private nature must be maintained straight-faced until prov govt reps on Cuban soil surfaced as such and recognized. Preferred new group not now call itself prov govt but revol council, and location our dealings with group perhaps should be other than Miami and Washington."

104-10274-10166: CABLE: RE OLIEN/ WAVE TELECON, AMBANG-1 ARRIVING ZRMETAL NATIONAL 202

05/18/61: Cable from JMWAVE to BELL: "Re Olien/WAVE telecon, AMBANG-1 arriving Washington, D.C. national 202, 2150 hours 17 May. Passed Bender and Olien telephone numbers. Plans contact Olien on arrival."

104-10167-10358: THE ATTACHED SELF-EXPLANATORY LETTER DATED 23 DECEMBER 1966 FROM MANUEL ANTONIO "TONY" VARONA, WELL-KNOWN CUBAN EXILE, WAS ADDRESSED TO OLIEN AT HIS LAST POST.

01/04/67: CIA document from (possibly) Chief of Base, San Francisco to Chief, WH: Subject: Manuel Antonio de Varona, Cuban Exile: "1. The attached self-explanatory letter dated 23 December 1966 from Manuel Antonio 'Tony' Varona, well-known Cuban exile, was addressed to Olien at his last post, along with a Christmas card, and has just been received. The return address on the envelope is 111 W. 42nd Street, Apt. 302, NYC 10036. 2. The history of WOFACT relationship with Varona is well documented and should require no explanatory comments by the undersigned. The 'promises' made to Varona, which he alleges were not honored, concern an initial approach to Varona in Havana the details of which are in Headquarters' files. 3. Olien does not intend to respond to this letter (which is the first he has received from Varona) unless Headquarters so desires. It is forwarded to the interested Division merely for its information or for any action it may deem appropriate. Woodrow C. Olien."

104-10061-10115: LIST OF NAMES RE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION.

02/15/78: CIA document: Page 15: ..."61. Olien: Woodrow C. Olien (pseudo); (REDACTION) (true name - retired)...Chris Hopkins, LA/COG/CI. 2. The above list constitutes those passed to Chris Hopkins and Bill Sturbitts by the CI Staff."

104-10079-10014: NOTEBOOK, SMALL, BLACK WITH LIST

Undated: CIA document: Page 11: ..."61. James A. Noel..."

180-10141-10251: HSCA DOCUMENT

03/29/78: HSCA document by Betsy Palmer: Subject: Review of Manuel Ray y Rivero Files, Volumes I - VIII: Page 2: "7. PRQ Part 2: 169 C85514: Section I: Contact and Development: Woodrow C. Olien met Ray October 1958 when Ray was head of Civic Resistance Movement in Havana. Three clandestine meetings were held prior to 1 January 1959, attended by Olien, Wallace A. Growery, Ignacio Mendoza (MRC member) who originally introduced Olien to Ray. After 1 January 1959, Ray given important post in revolutionary government and Olien has seen him only twice since, Olien poising as political officer to State Department..."

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