ARNOLD Meeting in San Juan, P. R., 2-5 May 1964

SUBJECT: Reality of Autonomy

1. On 4 May 1964 ARNOLD representatives raised with ARTHUR-19 the question if ARNOLD-1 in his own mind accepts the premise of independence from KUBARK control in his management of ARNOLD affairs. ARTHUR-19 replied that ARNOLD-1 had not always done so, but had now become convinced that he was in de facto control of ARNOLD. Commenting upon this fact, ARTHUR-19 had recently remarked that he now thought he could, if he so decided, fire (illegible) both AMJAVA and ARTHUR-19 without KUBARK attempting to (illegible) him.

2. The arrival of James ZABOT on the scene had at first re-kindled ARNOLD-1's suspicions that KUBARK may after all try to (illegible) tight controls upon his operations. However, ZABOT's general approach had disarmed those suspicions and convinced ARNOLD-1 that he is in fact master of his destiny. ARTHUR-19 emphasized that ARNOLD-1 had in the beginning suspected him and AMJAVA as being stalking plants. ARTHUR-19 added that he was quite candid in telling us that he would not himself have accepted a position in ARNOLD had he entertained the slightest doubt as to the sincerity of KUBARK's promise of autonomy.

3. We re-emphasized our adherence to the principles of autonomy, stressing our desire to disengage from intensive involvement in ARNOLD logistics, our non-interference in personnel matters, and our overriding OUTLOOK security interests. We reviewed once more our future handling of policy judgments involving (illegible).

4. We found no reason for disbelieving ARTHUR-19's assurances that ARNOLD-1 is not regarding our OUTLOOK security interests as a stake. ARTHUR-19 predicted that ARNOLD-1 would continue to regard himself as the master and controller of ARNOLD's destiny once the liberated and we all agreed that this would likely be the case.

Henry D. Hecksher
W/SA/60/HH

File:
ARNOLD-1 201
Policy
SECRET