INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM NO. 78

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01617A000200190003-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 21, 1998
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: January 17, 1949
• Content Type: IM

40 7884
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Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP78 1617A000200190003-3
NTRAL IN =UENC : AGENCY
7 ianuary 1949
1 ?TELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM NO. 78
JUB SECT: :soviet Penetration into the Fisheries of the West Coast
_ Latin America:
'.. With regard to Soviet penetration into the fisheries of the West
v.oast of Mexico, this office has no knowledge of any Soviet-Mexican
i.:hery negotiations such as those reported in the Merkel-Loker cor-
tke'spundence.
Nothing in the files of CIA indicates negotiations of similar
*3haracter, at present or in prospect, between the USSR and other West
coast Latin American countries. It was reported, in February 1948,
a Colombian fishing company was interested in obtaining fishing
orivileges in the Galapagos, and it was further reported that this com-
pany was believed to be financed by Communists. A subsequent report
::,acre the names of the officers of the company, none of whom is known
to have any Communist connections. There have been no further reports
from field personnel of this agency or any other agency confirming or
adding any light to the original suspicion. It is the opinion of this office
;.hat if. is unfounded.
3, With regard to the possibility of Russian intelligence being
forwarded from Latin America by certain elements in the tuna fleet,
GNI reports that there is no clear evidence of such activity. Further..
more, nothing in the files of CIA substantiates this possibility.
Note. cc rding to ence source n P. Loker is
4
.
roving re esenta ve of Fren h Sard mpany hand so mes
o f otbe est Coa g intere a I s e onsider
01
ible publicity seeker.
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 40 1884
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Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP78-01617A00020019dD~3-3
CENTRAL INIMENCE. AGENCY
17 3anuary 1949
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM NO,-78
SUBJECTS Soviet Penetration into the Fisheries of the West Coast
of Latin. America.
1. With regard to Soviet penetration into the fisheries of the West
Coast of Mexico, this office has no knowledge of any Soviet-Mexican
fishery negotiations such as those reported in the ~. erkel-Coker cor-
respondence.
3. Nothing the files of CLk indicates negotiations of similar,
chaa: acter, at present or U prospect, between the USSR and other West
Coa..c_ Latin American countries. It was reportedz in February 1948,
tie at. a Colombian fishing company was interested in obtaining fishing
orivileges in the Galapagos, and it was further reported that this corn-
.pany was believed to be financed by Communists. A subsequent report
save the names of the officers of the company, none of whom is known
to have any Communist connections. There have been no further reports
from Faelzi personnel of this agency or any other agency confirming or
adding any light to the original suspicion.. It is the opinion of this office
that it is unfounded.
3. With regard to the possibility of Russian intelligence being
forwarded from Latin America by certain elements in the tuna fleet,
CNI reports that there is no clear evidence of such activity. Further-
more, nothing in the files of CIA substantiates this possibility,
4. Note? cc riling to i ence source n P Loker is....a
roving re esenta ve of Wren h Sand' i~mpany /and so eti nes
of tithe est Coa g inter?e .1 e Is consider~o_,a "irrespon-
sible publicity seeker..
Arno Merkel is a Los Angeles promoter who has an
"unsavory reputation" and was under suspicion in 1943 of collabora-
tion with the Japanese in a matter Involving the transport of US oil
refining machinery.
Document No. O 0 1
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Date; / I l ? By : (j'L
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP78-01617A000200190003-3