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41. McCone, “Memorandum of MONGOOSE Meeting Held on Thursday, October 4, 1962” October 4, 1962 MEMORANDUM OF MONGOOSE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, ; OCTOBER 4, 1962. Chaized by the Attorney General. Attended oy: Gilpatric, Johnson, General Taylor, General Carter, : McCone, Scoville, General Lansdale and Colonel Steakley (part of : the time). The Attormey General reported on discussions with the President on Cuba; dissatisfied with lack of action in the sabotage field, went on to stress that nothing was moving forward, commented that one effort attermpted had failed, expressed general concerm over developing situ- ation. oe General Lansdale reviewed operations, pointing out that no sahotage had been attempted and gave general impression that things were all right. McCorne then stated that phase one was principally intelligence gathering, organizing and training, that no sabotage was authorized, that one operation against a powerhouse had been conternplated but was discouraged by group, that he had called a meeting to review matters this mording and that he had observed a lack of forward motion due principally to "hesitancy" in government circles to engage in any activities which would involve attribution to the United States. . AG took sharp exception stating the Special Group had not withheld approval on any specified actions to his knowledge, but to the contrary had urged and insisted upon action by the Lansdale operating organization. : There followed 2 sharp exchange which finally was clarify- ing inasmuch as it resuited in a reaffirmation of a determination to move forward, In effect it seemed to be the consensus that phase two 111