Official History of the Bay of Pigs Operation- Volume 2- Part 1

as the Agency's principal contact with President Somoza.
In August of 1960 Robertson wrote to the Agency from
Nicaragua indicating that a business venture in which
he had been involved was terminating. A former contract
employee, he asked if there was any need for his services
at this time. His letter went forward froml ~
to the DDCI, General Cabell; and it ended up with the
Deputy Director for Plans who suggested to Chief, WH
Division (Col. J. C. King) that Robertson be brought
into the JMARC program for operations in Nicaragua. 12/
With the concurrence of Chief, WH/4, Jake Ester-
line, Col. King prepared a Letter of Instruction (LOI)
for Robertson on 2 December 1960. The LOI confirmed
Robertson's verbal orders to proceed to Nicaragua as
coordinator of JMATE activities in that area. Among
other of the operational duties and responsibilities
Robertson was told:
You will have authority over all JMARC
personnel and responsibility for the coor-
dination of all JMARC activities, including
JMTIDE, as set forth in Para 11. You will
be the sole JMARC official in contact with
the President of Nicaragua and authorized
to be in Nicaragua. 13/
Although cautioned concerning the responsibilities'
of the US Ambassador in Nicaragua and the relationship
~~RET