Annex No. 2 Brieif History of Radio Swan
Supplemental material used in Maxwell Taylor's report on the Bay of Pigs operation.
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EYES
Brief History of Redic Suan
1. On 17 March 1960, President Eisenhower approved a covert
action program to bring about the replacement of the Castro regime.
Within the propaganda framework of that program, an important object-
ive was to create and utilize a high-powered medium and short wave
radio station. CIA was asked to provide such a station, outside
the continental limits of the United States, and have it ready for
operation within sixty (60) days.
2. Swan Island, in the Caribbean, was chosen as an appropriate
site. The United States Navy furnished CIA with splendid support:
within sixty days, equipment had been brought from
a landing
strip was cleared on the island, and the station was able to go on
the air on 17 May of the same year, precisely on schedule.
3. Originally it was planned that Radio Swan would be a clan-
'estine station
Just prior to inauguration, however, it was decided the
station should be a commercial one. This was at the request of the
Navy, which reasonably argued that should their participation in
construction of a black facility be known, explanations would be
difficult.
4. Using a "commercial" station for the tactical and strategic
tasks envisaged for Radio Swan is not, of course, the most desirable ,
way to support a covert operation. The only practical method of
operation is to "sell space". Thus, program time on Radio Swan was
sold to various Cuban groups. These included organizations of
workers, students, vomen, two publications in exile, two radio
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