Operation Northwoods
In 1962 a plan was proposed that called for CIA operatives to commit apparent acts of terrorism within the US to drum up public support for a war against Cuba. It was drafted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was sent to the Secretary of Defence. Although never officially accepted or executed (it was personally rejected by JFK) General Lemnitzer had plans for creating plausible pretexts to use force. James Mamford summarises:
Operation Northwoods, which had the written approval of the Chairman and every member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called for innocent people to be shot on American streets; for boats carrying refugees fleeing Cuba to be sunk on the high seas; for a wave of violent terrorism to be launched in Washington, D.C., Miami, and elsewhere. People would be framed for bombings they did not commit; planes would be hijacked. Using phony evidence, all of it would be blamed on Castro, thus giving Lemnitzer and his cabal the excuse, as well as the public and international backing, they needed to launch their war.
2 years ago
