Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXI, Africa

352. Memorandum From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) to the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Hilsman)⁰

Washington, July 17, 1961.

SUBJECT

• Holden Roberto

REFERENCE

• Attached Memorandum of July 11, from Joe Scott on Foregoing Subject¹

The arrangements suggested by the Agency are satisfactory on the understanding that:

1. Efforts will be continued to locate an individual or institution willing to assume on a strictly private basis the current payments.

2. Any payments made [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]to Roberto will be intermittent, through a secure, non-official cutout, in return for specific information and under no circumstances in a magnitude to permit the purchase of arms or otherwise materially supporting terrorism in Angola.²

0. Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files. Top Secret.
1. Attached is a July 11 memorandum to Hilsman from INR Deputy Director for Coordination Joseph W. Scott transmitting a [text not declassified] memorandum reporting no success in securing a private source of funds for Roberto. Scott noted that since the Secretary had not excluded the possiblility of indirect payments for specific information, they might consider whether these could be substituted for the regular monthly payments.
2. A handwritten notation on the source text initialed by Johnson reads: “[text not declassified]given gist of above 7/18/61 by phone. Text of points 1 & 2 forwarded by Keppand memo dated 7/18/61.”