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;;or SECRtl In the course of these discussions of ground and air operations there were some interesting contra- dications among Agency spokesmen as to what was needed or what was wanted. Tracy Barnes seemed to have a great deal more to say than was warranted by his knowledge and apparent understanding of the planned action. In one discussion with Secretary Douglas, when Barnes was pushing for the use of an increased number of troops, he stated that the number of anti- Castro dissidents who might rally round the invaders would be no different if the size of the invading force were 600 men or 3,000 men. A rationale such as that and Barnes's comment to Gen. Lansdale when he for- warded one proposal -- Please recognize that this proposal is a draft and is off the top of the head without any detailed knowledge of possible applicable regs and procedures -- help make understandable the consternation within the ranks of the Department of Defense concerning the Agency's understanding of which end was up.* 10/ * There was also an ongoing discussion during this time period regarding the assignment of US Army Special Force trainers to the Guatemala bases. This is discussed in detail in Volume II of this history, Participation in the Conduct of Foreign Policy. - 174 - TGP SECRET