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labanc., Decc:ibcr 2l, 1943 Henorandu? for the lilit-ry ittache: Mr. Gustavo Duran wns recott erded to ne in the first instance nended for a specific objective requiring a person of highly specialized qualifications; his duties were to be concerned with protecting United States interests through conridertial surveillance over Falengist acti- vities in luba.. As to lir. Duren's baclground, he is a naturalized Anerican. citizen born and educcted in Sprin. He is of good farily, and in his. yeuth was particularly interested in the srts. When the Spnnish civil. war began in July, l936, he gave up everyt.iing to fight on the side of the Loyalists and fran a so:ewhat ailettante but briiliant young uan, turned into a vital force for the Regublicen cuse. His nilitery record whose hatred far the Fascists, and his deep devotion to liberal principles, are not open to dcbate. A close association with him during a period of. over a year fully support this description. Mr. Duran arrived in Habana in Iove:ber l942 on the payroll of the Fan Anerican Union ana wes to transfer to the stall of the C,I.A.A. on February 1, 1943. Instead, I urgently recanenled his enplcynent as an Auxiliary Foreign Service Orficer in a telegran fron which I quote the fcllowing:. "I regard Duren as erinently qualified for the work he is per-. ci forning amd I heve the highest estination for his intelligence and character as well as for his caplete loyalty and discretion. He hes already proven of yery great vaiue to this Enbassy and I anticipate that his usefulness will increase as he becaes r:ore faniliar with conditions in Cuva.. I con- sider that his continuance here is particularly desirable at the present tine when our relations with Spain are of such vital irportance.' Mr. Duran has row served as one of ny imnodiate associates for Hore than a year.. His work has been excellent and outstandingly useful. to the United States govermment. Fron my personal knowledge based on close associetion, ir. Duran is not a Cumunist but a liberal of the highest type. I consider him an unusually worthy, patriotic and honor- able Anerican citizen, who shows great promise as a United States Govern-. nent official capable of high responsibility. Spruille Braden