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I Rc rae me “ZEISIT D-2 Mebane, Beea ber 21, 1943 Venorandu: for the idlitcry ittacher Mr, Gustcvo Dursn was reecom-erdeé to me in the first instance by « friend of unimpe:chable patriotisn and integrity. He wes recon nended for o specific objective requiring a person of highly specielized quolifiections; his duties vere to be concerned with protecting United Stctes interests through confidential surveillance over Falangist acti- vities in (-uba, 4s to iir. Duren's background, he is a naturelized snerican eftizen Dorn and educcted in Spnin. He 1s of good facily, and in his yevth was particularly interested in the erts. When the Spnnish civil war began in Juiy, 1936, he gave up everytaing to fight on the side of the Loyalists and fron a sonewhet dilettante but brilliant young nan, turned into a vit-1 ferce for the Reoublieen c-use. His militery record was reportedly brilliant. He was further described to me as being a nan whose hatred for the Fascists, and his deen devotion to liberal principles, are not oven to debate, A close association with hin during a period of over a year fully support this description, Mr, Duran arrived in Eabana in love: ber 1942 on the payroll of the Fan American Urion and wee to transfer to the stall of the 0.1.A.A,. on Februcry 1, 1943. Instead, I uryently recapmended his emplcynert as en Auxiliory Foreign Service Officer in a telegran from which I quote the fcllowing: "I regard Duren as erdnently qualified for the work he is per- forming and I heve the highest estiration for his intelligence and character as well as for his complete loyalty and discretion. He hes already proven of very great vaiue to this Embessy and I anticipate that his usefulness will dnerease as he becotes more foriliar with conditions in Cuba... I con sider that his continuance here is particularly desirable at the present tine when our relations with Spain are of such vital importance." Mr, Duran has now served as one of my immediate associates for Hore than a year, His work has been excellent ani outstandingly useful to the United States government. Fron my personal knowledge based on close association, ir, Duran is not a Cormunist but a liberal of the highest tyne. I consider him an unusvally worthy, patristic and honor- able American citizen, who shows great promisé as a United States Govern- nent official capable ef high responsibility, Spruille Braden on eg eee EY” qe