328. Editorial Note
On November 18, 1961, the Department of State issued press release 799, a statement by Secretary of State Rusk, which reads as follows:
“It has been confirmed that leading figures who were closely associated with the repressive measures of the former dictatorship in the Dominican Republic and who had departed from that country returned to Ciudad Trujillo on November 15.
“Moreover, it appears that they may be planning an attempt to reassert dictatorial domination of the political and economic life of that country, threatening the recent gains of the Dominican Government and people toward democratization.
[Page 680]“On the recommendation of the United States, the Special Committee of the Organization of American States has already postponed further consideration of a proposal on withdrawing the suspension of trade with the Dominican Republic in certain products.
“In view of the possibility of political disintegration and the dangerous situation which could ensue, the Government of the United States is considering the further measures that unpredictable events might warrant.” (Department of State Bulletin, December 4, 1961, page 931)
The Department of State subsequently released two similar statements of concern: press release 829, November 30, and a statement read to the news correspondents by a Department press officer. The texts of both those statements are ibid., page 1003.