CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW
. RELEASEAS
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I feel that It Is important to give you this comment, after thinking it over many hours (all night). Dispatches take too long and this should not beispatch.
I do not know whoor you but you have my complete assurance that the following numbered lines therein are not correct. They should not be left uncorrected.
Were alternate sites reconnoitered as instructed?
Was ^ camouflaged according to plan?
Did Arvillc comnacd recon as agreed?
Those three floored me. They read as though instructions, plans and agreement had been altered or negated here. Nothing could be more incorrect. We have been very conscientious and rigid in hewing to the line, as to every instruction, plan and agreement.
I have searched my memory, searched my "Eyes Alone" file, called athat lasted far into the night and searched out the memory andof the others, who are very much concerned. There was no Instruction to reconnoiter other sites. It was mentioned but, like so many other phases of this matter, was passed over and not pinned down. As it stands now, it was wise not to have further plowed around in that vicinity among those other small areas, with so many little LCFANQLEDS all over the place. They could not be avoided. Such movements would have created definite suspicion and been reported. earn, it is unlawful, with heavy penalties provided, by these little countries to enter or "park" anywhere in the "yards" of their little possessions without specific permission. One such case just reported here in the press. To be detained for entering or "parking" around any such area would blow the works.
There was no plan to camouflage on the recon. This has been confused with the final run. Camouflage for the recon was never even discussed, to our knowledge. Camouflage for the final run was discussed but not pinned
down. Disguising the name emovable, plywood
structure wore the principal methods mentioned. Either of those could be abortive and the idea was looked upon here as being highly questionable. The point is, however, there was no plan to camouflage for the recon.
As for my being on the recon, it was neverlanned or even discussed to my knowledge. On Don's first tripoldould go along and see the job done. (Pinal run. Recon idea had not then conehen Donrought you from the airport that night, you willoldanted to go along and "see that staff delivered." Recon was not mentioned, ave never entertained the thought, been instructed, oragreed" to goingecon. In finalizing the reconecided
that it would be well to have the observations and recommendations ofone of combat experience, who has helped plan and runThat was done, reserving for myself the duty and
privilege orritical run.
Those consulted here are deliberate, conscientious and most emphatic in their concurrence with me in the points covered.
No word from Seekford up tooon this date.
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