James Richards

John,

I think it is an interesting point that several of the Dallas participants may have been sent into hostile territory on virtual suicide missions. Cuesta and Diaz Garcia are examples; Felipe Vidal Santiago is another.

Below is another article that appeared in the Miami News on March 16, 1966. This was about 2 months before Cuesta's mission. I post this as it may provide an insight into the mindset of the prominent anti-Castro players at this point in time.

James

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Cuban Exiles Change Tactics Against Fidel

By Mary Louise Wilkinson

A Cuban exile organization here is talking of commando coordination to carry the freedom struggle to Fidel Castro's doorstep without violating U.S. neutrality laws.

The Cuban Representation in Exile (RECE), created through an exile referendum sponsored by rum manufacturer Jose Bosch, has spread the word it will listen to all liberation plans.

"We're aiming at coordinating men, money and equipment," said Ernesto Freyre, of RECE. "Political unity may by impossible but coordination of actions is perfectly feasible."

Freyre, former member of the Families Committee which aided in the 1962 ransoming of Bay of Pigs invasion prisoners, said future military operations would be carried out without involving U.S.-registered boats of U.S. departure points.

Early this month, the non-affiliated Second Front of the Escambray lost some $40,000 worth of arms and two U.S.-registered boats when they were stopped by the Coast Guard and Customs agents 42 miles off the Florida coast.

Last November, RECE teamed up with Commandos L and the 30th of November groups to machinegun a Havana waterfront police station and hotel. The raiders, who came from "somewhere in the Caribbean," were not stopped by U.S. authorities.

"Separate paths have led us nowhere," noted Tony Cuesta, of Commandos L which reportedly lost $57,000 worth of equipment to U.S. confiscation several years ago.

"What we need today is a common strategy and a system of operations that doesn't involve the United States," said Cuesta, whose newly reorganized group now works closely with RECE.

Today, the commando group has on its directive board Jose I. Rivero, former owner of the Diario de la Marina newspaper, and Dr. Jose Alvarez Diaz, exile economist whose studies have been published by the University of Miami.

Commandos L is seeking to raise money by issuing "liberation bonds" picturing frogmen loading arms cases onto rubber rafts. RECE itself maintains a large mailing list of contributors here and abroad who send in monthly donations of a dollar or more.

The commando group, with offices in New York, Washington, Puerto Rico and here, claims to have consulted American and Cuban exile lawyers to make sure future operations in no way violate the U.S. ban on Cuban raids.

"We seek to nationalize the Cuban problem by removing it from the international orbit," said Cuesta. "No attacks on Russian shipping, no leaving from U.S. bases in American-register craft - just Cubans helping Cubans."

Freyre added:

"If a group has a plan and needs money, RECE wants to talk it over with them. So far, four action groups are coordinating activities through us. And we expect more."

Both RECE and Commandos L spokesman said plans would concentrate on providing money and arms for fighters on the island, rather than "hit-and-run raids from Florida ports."

Shanet,

Tony Cuesta had his hand in the formation of both Alpha 66 and Commandos L.

It was Eddie Bayo along with John Martino and William Pawley who ran Operation Tilt in the middle of 1963. That was the mission that was supposed to retrieve the Russians. The mission allegedly went wrong and lost its participants, 2 of which were future Watergate burglars Eugenio Martinez and Virgilio Gonzalez.

In 1966, Tony Cuesta, Herminio Diaz Garcia and several others went on a mission into Cuba where Diaz Garcia and another man were killed and Cuesta was seriously wounded in a firefight. Cuesta was then jailed.

On his release, he offered information to General Fabian Escalante (a man who he supposedly developed somewhat of a friendship) that both he and Herminio Diaz Garcia were involved in the assassination of JFK.

After Cuesta's death, a gathering of researchers and Escalante met in Miami to discuss the information.

In the photo above of Cuesta with his wife, he looks like the man photographed in Dealey Plaza after the shooting who's wearing the hat with the fancy hatband. Often said to be Jim Braden, but Braden was under arrest at the time. I don't have the photo or I'd post it. (Ron Ecker)

Ron,

There is some similarities but I don't believe it is. The best image I have of the Dealey Plaza mystery man is in this comparison below.

James

When LBJ signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act he made a prophecy that he was “signing away the south for 50 years”. This proved fairly accurate. In fact, the Democrats have never recovered the vote of the white racists in the Deep South. (John Simkin)

What a terrifying thought that is.

The Dems are in serious trouble; and except for the blip on the radar that was Bill Clinton, they have been since the death of John Kennedy. IMO, if JFK was alive today, he would be a Conservative. Then again, I am an Australian, so what would I know?

James

Getting away from that scumbag De Torres for a moment and back to Tony Cuesta, the following is an extract from the personal papers of Tom Dunkin. It is regarding Tony Cuesta's release from prison.

The photograph below is Cuesta and his wife Carmen. Note that Cuesta's left hand is missing. Pretty ballsy character.

James

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October 21, 1978. The chartered Eastern Airlines jet was scheduled to leave Havana at 2PM for the flight to Miami, but, to my surprise, we did not head straight for the airport.

General Enio Leyva drove Eugenio Zaldivar and me through the Havana traffic. He was a surprisingly high-level escort for two men who had been languishing in prison for a dozen years.

I nudged Eugenio. "Tell me what you see," I whispered. "Tell me what streets we are driving through."

As Eugenio described the points of the passing landscape, I realized we were heading in the direction of the government offices. Why were they not taking us directly to the airport? I thought I knew the answer. There was someone who wanted to meet with me before I left Cuba. The same man who 12 years ago refused permission for the operation that probably would have saved my sight now wanted to see me–even though I couldn't see him.

"Let's stop a minute here. Let's walk a second," General Leyva said softly.

I was assisted out of the car. Holding my right hand against Eugenio's shoulder, using him as my eyes, I followed the general into an office building. When I felt the rara cool breeze of central air conditioning, I knew with certainty where we were. I knew who wanted to meet with me before I flew away to exile.

I nudged Eugenio, as if to say, "Just you wait." We were led to a comfortable room and seated on a deep-pile sofa. Someone thrust a huge cigar into my hand and lit it for me; someone else brought me a glass of scotch on the rocks. The treatment as well as the liquor was dizzying. I steeled myself.

Suddenly I heard General Leyva stand up quickly as someone entered the room. Instinctively, following the good manners taught to me by my parents, I stood also. General Leyva muttered the words, "El Comandante en jefe." Then I heard the voice of my enemy–not pouring forth the shrill, angry demagoguery for which he is infamous. He had engaged the charming, charismatic side of his personality. He spoke in a low, soft, sweet, gentle tone. If he had not chosen politics, he could have been a hit on Broadway, capitalizing upon his melodious voice.

Now I was forced by circumstances to shake the hand of the one man in the whole world whom I most wanted to kill.

Nothing could blind my memories. In the eternal darkness of my mind I could conjure an image of the man. I could see the bushy beard that so complimented his appearance, hiding a weak, receding chin. He was 6'3 ½" tall, a giant as far as most Cubans go. I stiffened my spine, taking advantage of the phenomenon that had always galled him. I was a half inch taller.

I knew that he was studying me, too, measuring the effects of prison upon my will, moreso than my appearance. I kept my eyes closed, lest he see darkness behind the shaded lenses of my glasses. But I did not hide my left arm and the stump above the wrist. He knew I had lost the hand in a last attempt to kill him. And he knew that I would have sacrificed my entire being in exchange for the success of the mission. The only reason he had not executed me 12 years ago was his fear of my power as a martyr.

Wim,

We may have to agree to disagree on this one. I don't have all the names involved yet but when I do, I will post the information and people can make up their own minds. Leroy Young, Dick Whatley, Hector Varone and Juan Peron are a part of that.

I do think Holt was a part of the events in Dallas but I don't think he offered all he knew.

FWIW.

James

I am glad you said that and not me. I believe he is a regular visitor to this forum. I hope he considers himself retired. (John Simkin)

John,

He and his slimy minions monitor all the forums and the various related publications.

If I feel the boom lowering, I'll sweet talk Ryan Crowe into some personal protection.

James

Eladio del Valle was murdered on 22nd February, 1967. He had been shot in the heart. He died only hours after his friend, David Ferrie. Diego Gonzales Tendera, a close friend, later claimed de Valle was murdered because of his involvement in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. If we could find out who killed Eladio del Valle, we would discover the name of the person who was in charge of the clean-up operation. I believe this man is still alive and living in exile.

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IMO, the individual in question is Bernardo De Torres; and he is still alive.

James

Hi Al. Nice to see you here. Your expertise will be a valuable addition to discussions.

Regarding Harrelson, I don't think he had a clue what was going on regarding the assassination. I also think there were a few other Mob type guys wandering around Dealey Plaza similarly in the dark.

If the Tramp photos were not staged to create a disinformation campaign, then they have certainly served that purpose.

James

There has been a bit of discussion of late regarding Diaz Garcia and his possible role in the assassination of JFK. I thought forum members might be interested in how his death and the wounding of Cuesta was reported. This comes from the Miami News, May 31, 1966.

The photo below shows Ramon Font (left), Tony Cuesta and his wife Carmen just after Cuesta's return to the US.

FWIW.

James

*****************

'Exiles' Mission: Kill Castro

By MARY LOUISE WILKINSON

Two Miami exiles who were killed after landing near a heavily populated Havana suburb were on a mission to assassinate Fidel Castro, the Cuban government claimed today.

The incident occurred late Sunday near the Comodoro Yacht Club in suburban Miramar, when Commandos L, a Miami-based action group, put Sandalio Herminio Diaz and Armando Romero ashore from a 23-foot boat, the Cuban communiqué said.

Tony Cuesta, 39 - year - old group leader, and Eugenio Zaldivar Xiques were captured after being seriously wounded in a gunfight 10 miles off the coast. Two other crewmen, listed only as "Guillermo" and "Roberto" (alias Cara Vieja), were missing - and presumed drowned.

In Miami, where Cuesta has lived since 1960, his wife said she had no further information about the fate of her husband.

"I hope and pray he is all right," said Mrs. Cuesta. "But regardless of what happens, we must continue the fight against Castro. I knew before he set out that the operation was risky."

According to the Cuban Interior Ministry communiqué Commandos L launched the infiltration attempt from Marathon. The Castro officials made their usual claim that the group was sponsored by the American government.

"The objective, according to the prisoners' confession, was to assassinate the prime minister in order to create conditions favorable for an imperialist aggression," the communiqué claimed.

Government-controlled newspapers in Havana carried pictures of material allegedly seized from the boat, including hand grenades, plastic explosives, submachine guns and anti-Castro leaflets.

The infiltration try came immediately after Castro announced an island-wide combat alert against "imperialist aggressors" following a series of incidents at the U. S. Naval Base at Guantanamo in which an armed Cuban soldier was shot and killed.

Last year, Commandos L teamed up with the Cuban Referendum in Exile (RECE), sponsored by rum millionaire Jose M. Bosch, to carry out a series of attacks against Cuba.

However, Ernesto Freyre, of RECE, denied knowledge of the Sunday raid, stating, "I am sorry but there is nothing I can say."

In November, the two groups joined with the 30th of November Movement here to strafe a police station on the Havana waterfront. Three years ago, Cuesta led a Commandos L raid against the Russian freighter Baku in a Cuban port which prompted a Soviet protest note to Washington.

Sunday's infiltration attempt came on the heels of a claim by the Second Front of the Escambray-Alpha 66 that they raided a naval past at Tarara Beach, same 20 miles east of Havana, on May 19 and slipped back to a "secret Caribbean base" without losing men or equipment.

Despite the latest failure, exile activists here appeared to intensify plans for future anti-Castro action.

Manuel Antonio de Varona, former Cuban prime minister and head of the Rescate movement, flew here from his exile home in New York to coordinate plans for an action group merger that reportedly included the Second Front.

Varona, who served briefly as head of the now-defunct Cuban Revolutionary Council, said, "We must not give Castro a breather. There should be well-coordinated actions from outside to encourage the people inside to work toward overthrow of the dictator."

What do you mean Look-alikes? I thought they were the principal players gathered to witness and participate... (Shanet Clark)

Shanet,

I refer to this gathering as look-a-likes as the only evidence that they might be directly associated with the Dealey Plaza operatives is a collection of fuzzy photographs taken at the corner of Main and Houston. I guess a mathematician could come up with some odds against remarkable Conein, Hemming, Robertson and Barnes look-a-likes all being positioned within 15 feet of each other. Add the not so convincing resemblances to David Morales, Ted Shackley, Eddie Bayo and Grayston Lynch and things get downright spooky.

Anyway, until clear photographic evidence emerges, I'm afraid they will be known as look-a-likes.

FWIW.

James

James, do you believe that Holt was the man with the sunglasses on the far right of the New Orleans picture with Oswald before the Trade Mart? (Wim)

No I don't. I believe the man photographed was a Brigade 2506 member and connected to Alpha 66 with tentacles into the DRE. I do not know his name which is why I have not said too much regarding him. When I get his name, I will present what I have and his connections to the events in New Orleans.

Do you notice the other ID's by Holt ? Leroy Young and Bud Belcher (son of Frank Belcher of the Belcher Aircraft family)? Do these names mean anything to you, James? Do you think they were not real persons? Do you believe Chauncey made them up? (Wim)

The name Leroy Young is known to me. I believe these are real people and not made up. In that circle with Young you can add Hector Varone, Juan Peron, Dick Whatley and a Guatemala training camp. Yes these names are important as they link solidly to Manuel Artime and Tony Varona.

You may be surprised with what I know about Holt. I do believe his story regarding his involvement with the forged SS identifications which were ordered by Twombly. However, I believe that the ID's were delivered before Holt says they were.

That aside, there is much to be learned from Holt. I have no interest in trying to discredit anyone. There are solid elements of truth out there but it is like a shell game. One thing I know about Agency assets and contract employees, they never tell the full story.

IMO.

James

Shanet,

I try to keep an open mind to all possibilities. My opinions on the Tramps has evolved over the years and one thing I will say is that I agree the Tall Tramp was Charles Harrelson.

I do not believe Harrelson was a part of the assassination team itself but as an actor. Kind of an irony given what his son attempts to do with varying degrees of success.

I do not believe the Old Tramp was Holt. FWIW.

James

Hi Shanet,

The guy in the bottom row of photos I had wrongly assumed was the 'Frenchy' tramp. Never mind, we move on.

The corner where our look-a-likes positioned themselves is about a block away if I haven't confused myself completely.

I guess this is an example of taking for granted identifcations made by others. I will try not to make that mistake again.

James

If the above information regarding Walker's leadership at Little Rock is correct, given the civil rights issue at stake, it is strange that he would have to be institutionalized after allegedly inciting to riot at the integration of Ole' Miss in '62. This is the first I've heard of Walker's involvement at the Central High School integration riot in Little Rock. Strange man to choose for that job. (Tim Carroll)

Indeed, Tim.

Here is Walker (left) with William Kuhn patrolling the Little Rock school.

James

There may be some room for scrutiny regarding exit polls versus results but at the end of the day, this humble Australian who watched events from afar, had no idea what the Dems were really about. Their whole campaign seemed to be fueled by the likes of Michael Moore and Hollywood celebs - and in traditional America, it's obvious they didn't take the message to the voting booths. A Bruce Springsteen concert is one thing but political change is another. I certainly got the feeling that California with its high flyers just didn't play well in the red states.

So what's in store for 2008? Do the Republicans look to Rudy Giuliani and the Dems at Hillary Clinton? I'd like to see those debates.

James

A correction from Gary. The film was shot from the northeast corner of Elm & Houston.

Thanks to all.

James

Bush's win seemed to be in direct contradiction to what the exit polls were indicating. To anyone's knowledge, has this discrepancy ever been this prevalent in past elections?

James

I was informed by Gary Mack that the frames I used came from a film shot by Charles Mentesana. This would have been at about 1.30 from the corner of Main and Houston looking South West. Penn Jones claimed this section showed the 3 Tramps which apparently is not true. Gary said the Tramp photos were taken around 2.15 to 2.20.

James

Hi Shanet,

It does indeed seem that the location is on Houston near the corner of Elm near the TSBD.

Many thanks to yourself, Bernice Moore, Lee Forman and Jack White.

Cheers,

James

I realize the following is a difficult question, but does anyone know where in Dealey Plaza the following is?

James

That's very interesting, David. The physical description certainly fits John Martino.

Do you happen to know (or is mentioned anywhere) what kind of car Odio's brother owned and is there any indication what month is being referred to in 1963?

Cheers,

James

Hi, James & John

The Citizen Committee For a Free Cuba was another 'paper only' front{a tool}

of The John Birch Society members and followers, as always designed to put

heat on Kennedy and his policies.

Just dug up a photo you requested, showing me in a rural, Cuban Government store, 1960. How do I get it to you, as I never learned to use my scanner? (Harry Dean)

Thanks, Harry.

As to the photo, the next time you pass an Internet cafe, maybe they can scan it for you and sent it to your computer. From there you can send it to - james1410@bigpond.com

Maybe one of the more technically minded members may have a better suggestion.

Cheers,

James

Did you come across any information on the Citizens Committee to Free Cuba in your research? Do you know the names of other members of the organization. (John Simkin)

John,

Here is a list of members. Several interesting names.

James

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Mariada Arensberg

William Barlow

Paul Bethel

Nicolas Duke Biddle

Joseph Bierne

Irving Brown

Admiral Arleigh Burke

Dickey Chapelle

Leo Cherne

Ernest Cuneo

Christopher Emmet

Russell Fitzgibbon

John Fiwher

Harry Gidonese

Hal Hendrix

Sal Hoffman

Sidney Hook

Brig General S. L. A. Marshall

Brig General Frank Howley

Harry Kantor

Clare Booth Luce

Eugene Lyons

Henry Mayers

Arthur McDowel

Benjamin McLauren

Hans Morgenthau

Edgar Andel Mowrer

John O'Rourke

Bonaro Overstreet

James Pike

Virginia Prewett

Victor Riesel

John Roche

Robert Straiuz-Hupe

Frank Tannebaum

Edward Teller

Charles Wellborn

Arthur Whitaker

Sorry for the lack of a reply. I have been swamped with work (both profit and non-profit) as well as family life. On FVS, I know very little of his personal history outside of what I learned from the man that met him in prison before his execution. I preparing to make contact with Vidal relatives in the Miami area and establish a dialogue that will hopefully lead to some useful information. I also had planned to video tape the story told by the man from the prison. He seems amenable to it but I will have to get some kind of release documents if I am to use them in any kind of public forum. (Felipe Vidal)

Felipe,

We look forward to any developments. A video tape from the man in the prison would be fascinating.

James

Mac Wallace?

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Shanet,

John's got a good page on Wallace.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKwallaceM.htm

James