◆ SpookStack

between Ambassador Muccio and Secretary of State Christian Herter concerning use of the Cubans to help quell the revolt. On this point Ambassador Muccio would cable later: In justification Ydigoras attempted use last week must report that understand prior "Washington authorization" given to use trainees. I knew nothing their use until half hour prior Secretary's call . ... I sent message through] urging Ydigoras confine the~m~t~O~"m~l'I'l~t~a~r~y~ bases and not operate out into civilian areas. ?_~/* By mid-afternoon, a joint State/CIA message, originated by C. Tracy Barnes, ADDP/A, was sent tol- - - - - - - - - stressing that if there were any Cuban trainees at or near Puerto Barrios they should be recalled to Retalhuleu. This cable also suggested the possibility that all the Cuban trainees might be removed from Guatemala (this would be an on-going ~ubject of.speculation until the close out of the revolt). 53/ Even as the joint message was going forward, Headquarters was aware of the fact that the Cuban * The admission by Muccio that he was unaware of the fact that members of the Brigade -- to say nothing of the B-26 sorties by Seigrist and Beale -- were being airlifted to Puerto Barrios speaks poorly for the Ambassador's awareness of the situation and indicates that the Agency was playing it close to the vest vis- a-vis Muccio. TO~;&ET