CONTACT REPORT #56

OPERATION: ARNOLD
DATE TYPED: 10 Apr. 64
CONTACT: ABHEDDY-1, AJAX-4, AJAX-19
TIME AND PLACE: 1030-2400 Hours, 9 Apr. S/H

SUMMARY

1. The Case Officer confirms that A-1 had definitely decided not to attempt Operation Genesis and will mount Operation Zenon instead. The undersigned agreed that this was a wise decision since the latest reports indicated increasing hostile naval activity in the area, making chances for survival extremely slight, and reminded A-1 of his recent speech in which he stated that ARNOLD's principal was the support of military operations and not mere propaganda; that ARNOLD would sacrifice his men for the sake of publicity but himself. A military operation, even if it failed completely would have to be a humanitarian operation, even publicity stunt that cost lives and equipment. A-1 appeared to accept the necessity for postponing Genesis but was obviously disappointed at not being able to land his sharpshooters to take a shot at the guest of honor during the military review.

2. A-1 and A-4 were given the sequence of Q signs to be transmitted during the first run of the signal plan to be used during the op. The Case Officer reminded A-1 to tell his people that the transmission will come from one of his bases, to make certain that the captain of the Adelaide has his copy, and to make certain that the captain is ready to send his part of the key. The writer suggested that A-1 himself monitor the frequency and report what signals were received and what action would have been taken.

3. A-1 asked that the Comando be informed of the Q signs to be used by the Adelaide and the intermediate craft and the base. He said that it would be sent up by radio.

4. The writer suggested that the hourly position reports be started right away to be certain that all would function smoothly during the operation. Since around-the-clock monitoring of the shipping transmissions will interfere with Disneyland communications with other ships, a second radio will be required. One of the extra radios will be posted to the base.

5. A-1 has not located a site for the WAVE transmitter. Alonso has other prospects and will visit them after the inform. The Case Officer concurs. In this mailing, Quarterman was instructed to ATTEMPT a site and all its implications if he would use the Australian base. The writer also reminded to furnish with the signal plan for the WAVE Nicaragua link. (The plan to communicate with Nicaragua was abandoned. Commo will be with Disneyland.)

6. The complete operational plan for Zenon was turned over to the Case Officer on 10 Apr. The essentials were cabled to headquarters.