◆ SpookStack

93. MSC iCarter,, Memorandum for the Director, “MONGOOSE Operations and General Lansdale’s Problems,” October 1962 —SeChET 25 October 1962 MEMORANDU! ‘OR THE DIRECTOR SUBJECT: MONGOOSE Operations ané General Lansdale's F 1. You asked me to give you a paper by 5:00 p.=. today on the San Roman/ Attorney General/Harvey/Lansdale/ MONGOOSE problem in connection with submarines and the 50-Cuban project. Thave talked only to Bill Harvey but in the light of my prior kmow!- edge of Special Group/MONGOOSE/Lansdale/voice level, etc., it is my clear opinion that this whole problem is centered arou jurisdictional bureaucracy not unlike the tangle I had with Gilpat: and the Air Forces. 2. Lansdale feels badly cut out of the picture and appears to be seeking to reccastitute the MONGOOSE Special Group operations during this period of impending crisis. Inced not tell you that Lansdale's organization and the MONGOOSE concept of clearing actions through Special Group is an impossible procedure under current circumstances. 3. The deliberative MONGOOSE system was not utilized for this particular project. Harvey rightly realized that intelligence collection was essential and that it should be geared to a turnover of the assets to the military in place in the event military operations took place. It was this requirement that generated the need for submarines and the need for the 50-odd Cubans. General Johnson of the JCS Staff was knowledgeable and General Lansdale was sub- sequently informed and assisted in obtaining the submarines. The detailed planning is still going on but cannot be firm until the sub- marine commanders are available. The Cubans are not owned by Sen Roman bdut have been recruited and checked out by CIA and in ve been CIA agents for a long e. Unior- e other exile group leaders, is looking out @ number of cases ha