◆ SpookStack

If Stevenson had believed that he was playing with the hot potato of a deception operation, it seems highly unlikely that a message such as this would have been forwarded to the Secretary of State, nor would Stevenson have followed that cable up with another one also dated early in the morning of 16 April reading as follows: Confirming TELECON request to ARA for use in Cuban debate, desire urgently on Sunday: 1) Revolutionary background of Verdaguer brothers. 2) Detailed info on Cuban acquisition and possession of de- fecting FAR B-26's which will serve to discredit Roa's statement that it is easy to paint up aircraft to look like FAR plane. 92/ . It was not until shortly after 7:30 p.m. on 16 April 1961 that Stevenson's Priority/Top Secret/Eyes Only cable to Washington for the Secretary of State and Allen Dulles was received revealing the Ambassador's second thoughts Miro Cardona. He states plan called for four Cuban FAR (rpt FAR) planes to carry out attack from within Cuba. Three of aircraft reportedly followed through with plan, while fourth apparently at last minute did not take part. He claims two of aircraft are accounted for in Florida. Third aircraft has not shown up and believed to be one reported shot down. 91/ - 250 -