◆ SpookStack

Col. Batres had actually witnessed the crash, and when the father of the Guatemalan worker threatened legai action, Col. Batres covered for the Agency by saying that he had been flying the plane. The Guatemalan Air Force provided cover by claiming ownership of the pl~ne. I I sought Headquarters permission to authorize $5,000 to settle the claims, including legal fees, of the father of the deceased worker who was threatening to go to court. Apparently this was the way the matter was finally settled. 80/ D. JMTIDE: Strike Base, Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua As a training program for the Cuban fliers at JMADD was intensified and as an increasing number of air drop missions were being performed, negotiations were under way to establish a strike base (JMTIDE) at Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.* One"of the first problems to be resolved with reference to the establishment of JMTIDE was that of selecting an efficient manager to be Chief of Base. Apparently having learned from the experiences at JMADD that an efficient base * For more details on the Agency's negotiations for the base at Puerto Cabezas, see Volume II. - 152 -