◆ SpookStack

affair then became a comedy of near misses. It was anticipated that Roberto Alejos would be contacted prior to the meeting with Ydigoras to get the Presi- dent's opinion on signing the proposed secret agree- ment. Unfortunately, however, Alejos was arriving in Washington about the time that Esterline was scheduled to land in Guatemala.* With Esterline in Guatemala and Alejos in the United States, Esterline sent an OPIM cable to the Director requesting that Dick Drain, Chief of Opera- tions, WH/4, attempt to contact Alejos to discuss the proposed secret agreement regarding the request by the government of Guatemala for US Special Forces trainers. But, unfortunately, Mr. Alejos, instead of being in Washington as anticipated, was somewhere in New York; and there was no possibility of getting his, advice and guidance prior to the time that Esterline had his meeting with Ydigoras. 66/ In any event, the results of a two hour meeting that Dand Esterline * Al.ejos was coming to the United States at this time as a member of the Guatemalan coffee group -- thanks to the Agency's efforts on his behalf! - 63/ TOP ~CRET