JMARC MEETING WITH DDP

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05022409
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: May 18, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-02265
• Publication Date: November 16, 1960

Approved for Release: 2018/05/01 C05022409
Now' Now
16 November 1960
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: JMARC Meeting with DDP
PARTICIPANTS: Messrs. Bissell, Barnes, King, Esterline, Eisernann,
Hawkins, Drain, Gaines, Beerli.
1. The meeting was held to bring the DDP up-to-date as to JMARC
operational planning on the eve of the DCl/DDP brief ing of the President-Elect.
On the t_r. vious, a JMARC staff meeting had crystallized a new concept,
as set forth in the attached memorandum.
2. At the outset of the meeting, C/WH/4 raised two related but separate
problems: the loan to Guatemala and the provision of military assistance to
quell the revolt.
3. The DDP heard out the JMARC presentation and raised the following
questions:
a. Would the effort now contemplated be enough? (JMARC personnel
put it that the success of this effort depended in large part on the internal
reaction thereto. That reaction should not be importantly different whether
our operation consisted of a 600-man mountain-top perimeter or a1500-3000
man beachhead with airstrip. A more meaningful contrast would be between
either of those actions on the one hand and a major joint CIA/DOD action on
the other.) The DDP requested that JMARC planning encompass an addi-
tional 600-man force, for possible use in a second mountain area.
b. What policy clearances were necessary? The following were
enumerated:
(1) Approval to use a ZI installation for up to 800 men. (JMARC
undertook to provide the DDP by Friday noon a specific recommendation
complete with installation blueprint and cost estimate.)
(2) Approval to use the Canal Zone facility for up to 200 trainees.
(3) Approval to launch strikes from Nicaragua.
(4) Approval to launch air resupply from U.S. bases.
(5) Approval for one LAST, refitted for the purposes of this operation.
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4. It was understood that the general reaction of the President-Elect would
perhaps determine the further progress of the project. Subject to his indicated
general agreement, the .DDP undertook to get answers to the above policy questions
next week. JMARC undertook to proceed at once to establish directives and
instructions to accomplish the revised plan, the date of launching to be 1 Febru.ary.
5. In general discussion of JMARC problems, it was agreed that consider-
ation would be given to:
a. Gaining internal approval not to polygraph Army increments to the
training program.
b. Establishing an officer-in-charge, with full responsibility in the
field, in connection with any Nicaragua construction.
c. Reducing substantially the requirements for internal staff clearances.
6. At the close of the meeting the Chief, WH/4, having earlier made passing
reference to the possible requirement for U.S. and allied recognition of a provi-
sional government, also stressed the possible requirement that allied governments
jointly support the operation from its inception.
7. Very tentative budget figures (in the order of a $42, 000, 000 total) were
left for the DDP's review.
Attachment:
Richard 1Drain
C /WH/4 /P&P
Pre -DDP Staff Meeting
WH/4 /P&P: R.D.Drain:jss (17 Nov 60)
Distribution:
1 - C/WH/4
1 - COPS/WH/4
1 - Mallard,
Barkley, File
(b)(3)
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tnrrT
November 1960
PRE -DDP STAFF MEETING
1. Our original concept is now seen to be unachievable in the face of the
controls Castro has instituted. There will not be the internal unrest earlier
believed possible, nor will the defenses permit the type strike first planned.
2. Our second concept (1,500-3,000 man force to secure a beach with
airstrip) is also now seen to be unachievable, except as a joint Agency/DOD
action. Our Guatemala experience demonstrates we cannot staff nor otherwise
timely create the base and lift needed.
3. Our present concept:
Land a force of 600 men by LST on beaches from which they would
at once move inland and create a safe area in a mountain fastness. These,
and those who joined them from within, to be resupplied by airdrop. To
launch in late January.
4. Needed to bring the above about:
a. One LST from Navy, to be outfitted by Navy at our direction.
b. 200 new recruits, in addition to the 70 in pipeline. Believed
that the recruiting would take 5 weeks, the training 4 more.
c. Use of the Nicaragua airstrip (with repairs thought to take 10 days).
d. Use of Panama for either training the ZOO new recruits, or for
holding ZOO from JMADD while the new recruits are trained there.
e. Use of or comparable area for final, Case Officer type(b)(1)
training of up to 60 men going in as small groups. (b)(3)
1. Permission to resupply the 600-man lodgment from U.S. bases
(best: Opalocka).
g. Clear delineation of DPD-JMARC command lines so that the
latter can issue orders to the former.
h. An intimation to the State Department that part of the support
for the 600-man lodgment may have to be in the form of U.S. (and allied)
recognition of that force and its nominal leadership as a provisional
government.
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