◆ SpookStack

Later that morning [2 December 1960], Devine called C/WH to say that Mann had referred the matter to [tivingston] Merchant and felt there had been no Special Group discussion or decision underlying the Nicaragua proposal. I called ADD/A who (after speaking w/C/WH) called Joe Scott to see where we stood. Scott said Merchant felt this was a matter for secretarial review. For this review, State would need more detail. Barnes undertook to provide same. Used [Thomas A.] Parrot to inform [Gordon] Gray and DOD and himself inform DCI. 23/* In order to insure that the Special Group was p~operly notified, WH/4 prepared a memorandum on Nica- raguan aspects of the Cuban operation on 3 December 1960, and on 6 December 1960 another memorandum was prepared concerning several problems, among which was included that of the Nicaraguan strike base. These materials were forwarded for use at the Special Group meeting of 8 December 1960. 24/ \ Although formal sanction for his mission was still being debated, Robertson departed for Nicaragua * Mr. Merchant was Under Secretary of State for Polit- ical Affairs, and Joseph W. Scott was his Special Assi~tant. Thomas A. Parrot served as Executive Sec- retary for the Special Group 5412, and Gordon Gray was President Eisenhower's National Security Adviser. - 116 - TO~CRET