◆ SpookStack

Zapata did not. "This was made absolutely clear on a number of occasions," according to Hawkins; but the response to that, again probably from Robert Kennedy, was "I am sure of that, but he never said that they couldn't go guerrilla in Zapata, or even suggested that there was a minimal possibility as we are now inclined to believe." When Hawkins stuck to his guns saying that the only thing that he ever heard Bissell say was that Trinidad offered the. guerrilla option, his antagonist insisted that Bissell had made the same claims for Zapata; but again Hawkins denied that he had ever heard Bissell make such a statement. At this point Mr. Kennedy stated: "Mr. Bissell came. to my office and that was the state- ment that he made to me, and he made it quite clear to the President. I think he recognizes this now." Hawkins again refused to bUdge, saying that even though he recognized the President~s.great concern about the possibility of getting the troops out of the Zapata area if necessary, the only point that the Agency planners had made was that, if necessary, a great many of the troops could be evacuated from Zapata by the shipping which had brought them in-- presupposing control of the air. But Hawkins was again badgered with the question, "I believe you confirmed what) Fold us, that the troops were indeed briefed that if the beachhead was penetrated 173 ~.