ARNOLD Meeting in New Orleans, 29 Feb to 1 March 1964

SUBJECT: Galley Proofs of Book, "Bay of Pigs"

1. The two chapters of subject galley proofs were discussed with AMJAVAL-2. We called attention particularly to the part referring to "Frank's" discussion of the possible "arrest" of American advisors in case of orders from Washington changing the plan of the invasion. We passed on to Mr. Archer's view that I should stick with the story, if it is true, in case reporters should question him about it, but that we felt that the easiest way out of this matter without building up a new controversy would be to play it fairly lightly. In other words, perhaps we could play it as though it had not been considered serious at the time because we felt that Frank was a bit of a blowhard anyway who tried to involve himself too deeply in everything. Plus the fact that we realized he was under considerable strain and probably this was just a brainstorm. A-2 felt that this was a sensible way to handle the matter. He understood it and agreed to discuss the matter with AMBIDD-1 and felt that this would be acceptable to him.

2. A-2 asked if we had access to the rest of the book. I answered that to my knowledge these were the only two chapters available at the moment. I conjectured that perhaps they were being proofread, rewritten, etc., chapter by chapter and that these were the first two which had been considered suitable to go to the printers. We would try to get the remaining chapters so that they could be studied and considered as soon as possible, but I simply had no way of knowing what their present status was and through which channels they would be handled. We would let him know as soon as we knew anything.

Carl E. Jenkins

File:
AMBIDD-1 201
publicity

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