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

affair then became a comedy of near misses. It was
anticipated that Roberto Alejos would be contacted
prior to the meeting with Ydigoras to get the Presi-
dent's opinion on signing the proposed secret agree-
ment. Unfortunately, however, Alejos was arriving
in Washington about the time that Esterline was
scheduled to land in Guatemala.*
With Esterline in Guatemala and Alejos in the
United States, Esterline sent an OPIM cable to the
Director requesting that Dick Drain, Chief of Opera-
tions, WH/4, attempt to contact Alejos to discuss
the proposed secret agreement regarding the request
by the government of Guatemala for US Special Forces
trainers. But, unfortunately, Mr. Alejos, instead of
being in Washington as anticipated, was somewhere in
New York; and there was no possibility of getting his,
advice and guidance prior to the time that Esterline
had his meeting with Ydigoras. 66/ In any event,
the results of a two hour meeting that Dand Esterline
* Al.ejos was coming to the United States at this time
as a member of the Guatemalan coffee group -- thanks
to the Agency's efforts on his behalf!
- 63/
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