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,;pOP SECRE[- takes over, they will probably participate in the goYernment." When I hearq this estimate, I was provoked that such a con- clusion had not been given earlier. At another point, the ex-President wrote: Though our intelligence experts backed and filled for a number of months, events were gradually driving th~m to the conclu- sion that with the coming of Castro, Com- munism had penetrated this hemisphere.- 26/ , B. Castro Takes OVer During the first few weeks of 1959 following Castro's take over, there was a flurry of activity as Havana Station attempted to keep track of the changes in government. The Station seemed assur~d that it was cognizant of all of Castro's movements, especially on the d~veloping military capabilities. In fact, when the US Army suggested that the Station provide support for the Army's covert collection of military intelligence under-commercial cover in Havana, COS took strong exception to the propo~als, emphas~zing , the Station's own capabilities in this area. COS was overruled by Headquarters, however, and General Cabell assured the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the Army that while he was aware that Havana had - 17 - -rop SECR12T