◆ SpookStack

time that serious thought was being given to the possible removal of the Cuban trainees from Guate- mala, the DOD representative was much concerned about the actual base at which it was intended to station the Special Forces trainers. Until this matter could be cleared up to the satisfaction of DOD~ Captain Spore assumed the position that no further action would be taken with regard to the Special Forces personnel. Jake Esterline, Chief, JMATE, made a strong plea to the DOD representative based on the argument that the question about the actual site of the training activity was up in the air as a result of Department of State cautiousness; and Esterline expressed the opinion that as a result of State's greater interest in the program of economic strangula- tion of Cuba, the situation for the United States and for other Latin American governments friendly to the United States would grow increasingly desperate. He further suggested that the Department of Defense was being tainted by State's opposition rather than by realistic appraisal of the situation in Cuba, and he volunteered to brief senior DOD personnel at a time convenient to them. 64/