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~p SECRT::T Messrs. Bissell, Edwards, .and Harvey, with Maheu and the Mafia remained strictly compartmented and isolated from the officially authorized Project JMARC -- the Project which came to be known as the Bay of Pigs operation. Bissell himself stated: I don't remember. I have no recollec- tion that [there was] any specific other plot against castro during this period when the Bay of Pigs operation was in preparation. I do remember my own feel- ing that the Mafia plot had a very modest chance for success, and that it was not something to be depende~.on in any way. I don't remember others. 1/ Bissell also told the author of this history that: Shef [Col. Sheffield Edwards, Director, Office of security] would occasionally let me know what was going on [vis-a-vis the Mafia]. In effect, he and his immediate subordinate were case officers for that activity; and I don't think anybody else [was] involved. I think probably Tracy [Barnes] may have known about it, but I do~'t think anybody else involved with the Bay of Pigs operation knew "anything about it, whatever. My recollection is that it never went to the Special Group, and that is the view of [McGeorge] Bundy.* ~ * Interestingly enough, at the same time that Col. Edwards was concerned about the elimination of Castro, CIA's Deputy Director for Support, Col. L. K. White, noted: Shef Edw~rds and I met with General Cabell and Jack Earman [on 22 March 1961] to point out to them that we were not (fooG~ote continued on following page) - 278 - -=FOP :jECI1 CT