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-IQP SECftET As Castro's threats·became more. serious, and as increasing pressures were put on legitimate eco- nomic interests of the United States in Cuba, pressures within the United States Government led to a decision that Castro must go. With great concern about the impact any overt, anti-Castro activities by the United States Government would have on the United Nations and on the Or9anization of American States, it was decided that a covert plan of action would be '...,.. adopted. This was the officially sanctioned program approved by President Eisenhower on 17 March of 1960. It broadly outlined the political, economic, propaganda, and paramilitary programs which would be implemented in an attempt to oust Fidel Castro. CIA was to be the principal action agent for the bulk ;.of the program. Once the official US position was announced, CIA made organizational plans to carry out the policy. A separate Task'Force within the Western Hemisphere Division was established under the leadership of Jacob D; Esterline, on whose shoulder Col. J. C. King, Chief, Western Hemisphere Division perched and peered. Initial concepts of the Central Intelligence Agency called for a propaganda program to be run out of a radio - 291 - 'foG P :3 t=!CREf