◆ SpookStack

fOt-J~ECRcT forces. Esterline also emphasized that most of the arguments urging delay of PM planning, particularly concern re the GAS, had been debated with State for months, and the time had come for direct action. The WH/4 representatives also stressed that the period of training for many of the Cub~~s had been extended and re-extended, and that to hold the~ be- yond 1 March 1961 increased the problem of maintain- ing high morale among the troops. Esterline took the position that the Cubans the Agency was training knew that the US had the force to thro~ Castro out any time that it so desired, but the months and months of training was indicative, to them at least, that the US was not really interested in the welfare of the anti-Castro Cubans. During the 23 December 1960 meeting, Wi1lauer's expertise and familiarity with air operations led him to ask almost immediately "why the :>rojec~ is I so thin in the air I." Willauer was told that the rules of the game were that only Cuban air crews could be used, and this was the reason for L~e Agency's efforts to obtain permission to use cor.~ract ~~erican - 179 - +OP SECftFF