◆ SpookStack

negotiations initiated by the Agency with the Govern- ment of Guatemala heavily involved both the Departments of State and Defense; and, during the Eisenhower ad- ministration, the Special Group. The Nicaraguan story principally concerned the Agency's efforts to obtain an air base and port facil- ity for launching the anti-Castro strike force against Cuba; and the involvement was directly with the Presi- dent of Nicaragua, Luis Somoza Debayle, and his brother, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, the Commander of Nicaragua's Armed Forces. The US embassy in Nicaragua and its representatives were kept informed and, in general, supported the Agency as the ball carrier with the Government of Nicaragua. The story was relatively straightforward with the Agency being given the green light to negotiate in many areas affecting US rela- tions with that country. A third Central American country, Panama, was involved marginally in the Agency's anti-Castro effort. Forts Randolph and Sherman in the Canal Zone were the sites initially selected for PM and communications training for the cadres which were to help organize the dissident elements inside Cuba; and France airfield' - 111 -