Nexus - 0501 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The information contained in the folders appeared to have come from all over the world and included: (a) coastal defences of other countries, some of which appeared to be allies of the US; and (b) written information, diagrams, naval charts and reconnais- sance photos, etc. Tyree judged that the information was of a type and quality required to "institute a major naval operation any- where in the world". Other folders related to the "US Navy and various battle groups, including number of personnel, number of aircraft, type of armaments and whether a vessel had conventional or nuclear capability". It is impossible to say with any authority why Wilson handed over this type of sensitive information to Noriega. Panama is not famous for its navy—which, in any event, certainly does not pos- sess the capability to project itself around the world. One can only speculate that such information was to be sold or bartered by Noriega to foreign powers, and may have constituted part-pay- ment for assistance with the cocaine trafficking. About this aspect, we are unlikely ever to know. > Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Defense Intelligence Agency Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Edward King, Michael Dukakis, Levin (DIA). The information contained in the folders appeared to have H. Campbell, Andrew A. Caffrey, Fred Johnson, Kenneth A. come from all over the world and included: (a) coastal defences Chandler, Thomas P. O'Neill, to name a few of the targets." of other countries, some of which appeared to be allies of the US; Additionally, surveillance was placed on "the Governors resi- and (b) written information, diagrams, naval charts and reconnais- dences in Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire. sance photos, etc. Tyree judged that the information was of a type The Catholic cathedrals of New York and Boston were placed and quality required to "institute a major naval operation any- under electronic surveillance also. In the area of Fort Devens, all where in the world". Other folders related to the "US Navy and _local police and politicians were under some form of surveillance various battle groups, including number of personnel, number of _at various times." As part of the operation, Cutolo "recruited a aircraft, type of armaments and whether a vessel had conventional number of local state employees who worked within the ranks of or nuclear capability". local police". It is impossible to say with any authority why Wilson handed Tyree, in his sworn affidavit, confirmed what Cutolo revealed over this type of sensitive information to Noriega. Panama is not about Operation George Orwell, including that it was initiated famous for its navy—which, in any event, certainly does not pos- under US Army Regulation Number 340-18-5 (File Number 503- sess the capability to project itself around the world. One can 05). He stated: "I was involved in ten separate surveillance mis- only speculate that such information was to be sold or bartered by sions in the New England area, all under this same operation." He Noriega to foreign powers, and may have constituted part-pay- added that "surveillance was instituted to monitor civilian targets ment for assistance with the cocaine trafficking. About this to determine: (a) if Operation Watch Tower had been discovered; aspect, we are unlikely ever to know. and (b) the probability that an investigation or governmental inquiry would be requested as a OPERATION "GEORGE ORWELL" Tae result of such a discovery." Tyree went on to In any event, after the Watch Tower mis- Clearly, by this time . reveal that he personally participated in sur- sions Colonel Cutolo returned to normal duty Cutolo was fearful for his veillance against the Mayor of Lunenburg, and Tyree was later reassigned to another loca- own life... Massachusetts, a community close to Fort tion and command. There the matter would Devens. A second local target was "John have rested for evermore had not a curious " Droney, District Attorney, Middlesex County, sequence of events occurred two years later. l gave Colonel Baker the Massachusetts". Tyree continued by provid- By 1978, Colonel Cutolo assumed command original copy of this ing detailed information about criminal of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at . . wrongdoing by Droney, together with details Fort Devens, where he recognised two sol- affidavit. | gave true of his sexual proclivities and indiscretions. diers: Pfc William Tyree and Sergeant John | Copies to Hugh B. Pearce, Moreover, Tyree additionally stated that his Newby, ro of wom had operated under his and to Paul Neri of the friend, Sergeant John Newby, gad engaged in + "2 t yer, 2 . . $ ance against “Senators were now assigned (in Tyree’s case, re- fl National Security Agency, Kerry and Ted Kennedy”. Set Newby assigned) to his command. and instructed each person also said to Tyree, just prior to his death kde yar 1078 also a the wn "i to deliver the affidavit to in October 1978, tate aad been win Wilson with another deep-blac rar involved in some surveillance of 'some covert op on offer: Operation George the autho ee Whine judges' in the New England area". event that something occurs to me." Orwell. These included "Levin H. Campbell, During a meeting with Cutolo, Edwin Andrew A. Caffrey and Fred Johnson". Wilson explained that "it was considered He then went on to reveal that Major that Operation Watch Tower might be Arnett, who was assigned to Fort Bragg, compromised and become known if North Carolina (home of the Green politicians, judicial figures, police and Berets), had "commanded a team that religious entities were approached or allegedly maintained surveillance on received word that US troops had aided Senator Jesse Helms". The connection in delivering narcotics from Colombia between Kennedy, Kerry and Helms, into Panama." Based on that possibility, Cutolo formed 12 sepa- Tyree stated, was that "all three were critical of the US involve- rate SATs. Their mission was to implement US Army Regulation — ment in Latin America". Had they learned of Watch Tower, "they 340-18-5 (File Number 503-05). Cutolo's authority for this action | would undoubtedly use that information to pull the US out of It did. came directly from FORSCOM via Wilson. Latin America, which in turn might affect the security of that area In effect, Operation George Orwell was tasked with implement- and eventually the US." ing intense "surveillance of politicians, judicial figures, law Meanwhile, Cutolo stated that Sergeant Newby "had received enforcement agencies at the state level, and of religious groups". threats just prior to his parachuting accident that claimed his life The underlying purpose was to provide "the United States govern- in October 1978. It was at that time that (then) SP4 [Specialist, ment and the Army" with advance warning, should Watch Tower fourth class] Tyree began to report threatening phone calls. I saw be discovered, so they "could prepare a defense". Cutolo further _a pattern and still believe a pattern exists." stated that he "was under orders not to inform Colonel Forrest Clearly, by this time Cutolo was fearful for his own life, too: "I Rittgers, commanding officer of Fort Devens" of this mission. gave Colonel Baker the original copy of this affidavit. I gave true The reason was to give Colonel Rittgers a "margin of plausible copies to Hugh B. Pearce, and to Paul Neri of the National deniability" in the event that Fort Devens personnel were "caught Security Agency, and instructed each person to deliver the affi- in the act of implementing surveillance". davit to the authorities in the event that something occurs to me." Cutolo went on to reveal that he "instituted surveillance against It did. It did. NEXUS 19 DECEMBER 1997 - JANUARY 1998