◆ SpookStack

4. This document, providing ‘for the nourishment of a powerful internal resistance program through clandestine ‘external assistance, was the basic and indeed the only U.S. Government policy paper issued throughout the life of the project. The concept was classic. The Cuban exile council would serve as cover for action which became publicly mown. Agency personnel in contact with Cuban exiles would be documented as representatives of ‘a group of private American businessmen. The hand of the U.S. Government would not i appear. Preparatory Action 5. Some months of preparation had preceded presentation of this paper to the President. | In August 1959 the Chief of the Agency's Paramilitary Group attended a meeting fF @ ee discuss the creation of a para- military capability to be used in Latin American crisis situations. At this time Cuba was only one of a number of possible targets, all of which eppeared equally explosive. The Chief of the Para~ military Group prepared a series of staff studies for the Western Hemisphere (WH) Division on various aspects of covert limited war- fare and urged the creation of a division paramilitary staff. He also set up a small proprietary airline in a:-- eventual support use. 6. In September 1959 the WH Division assigned an officer to plan potential Agency action for contingencies which might develop