CIA File on Ray, Manuel

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: Operational Meetings with Monolo Ray

1. Manolo Ray arrived in Washington, D.C., by air from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 20 March 1967 on a personal business trip. At the request of AMBADGER he phoned the writer and we met for approximately 1 1/2 hours in the bar of the Hotel Ambassador in downtown Washington. This meeting was followed by a luncheon meeting on 21 March at the Occidental Restaurant. Ray returned to San Juan on 22 March. The following are the highlights of our conversations.

a. Ray claims he has "lost access" with the MI6 pilot whom he had previously reported as a defection target. He no longer has any means of contacting him or of knowing his present whereabouts or attitude.

b. He claimed he does not have any direct communication--or access--to any significant military or government officials in the Castro regime.

d. Although he maintains contact with active members of his "movement" they have no present or projected plans for "action" except in the propaganda field.

c. He still maintains his half hour radio broadcast over Puerto Rican radio stations. This program is prepared by his people and the radio time donated so the cost is minimal.

e. His business in the prefabricated housing field is progressing satisfactorily. He has obtained private financing to start a prefab plant in Santo Domingo and recently visited Panama where the prospects are good.

## 2. Future Plans:

a. Ray mentioned that his organization plans to send a representative to Mexico City before the end of March to talk to Gustavo Arcos' sister who recently left Cuba. Ray is