◆ SpookStack

TOP;&CRET was that a SALA representative arrived in Guatemala City accompanied by the Costa Rican ambassador. The two Costa Ricans had then visited various Guatemalan officials seeking information about a damaged C-46 which DPD anticipated that SALA would be called on to repair. DPD planned to have the SALA representa- tive, who had never been cleared by the Agency, visit the JMADD site. This visit was denied, and, in addi- tion, Joseph Langan, Chief, WH/4 Security, in his memorandum on the incident stated: In view of the fact that relations between Guatemala and Costa Rica are apparently in a rather strained state at this time, these inquiries have re- sulted in placing the JMADD activities in an embarrassing situation relative to the Guatemalan government and in our dealings with various officials of said government ... Had the Guatemalan govern- ment been aware of the need for aircraft mechanics, this need might possibly have been filled from within Guatemala and obviated the necessity for bringing the SALA Corporation into the JMADD activity and, as a by-product, considerably re- \ duced the expense of such activities. 26/ The maintenance contract between the Agency and SALA was never put into force because it got into these very sensitive political areas. 26a/