351. Airgram From the Embassy in the Dominican Republic to the Department of State1
SUBJECT
- Interim Political Assessment
[Here follow sections entitled “The Campaign,” “Amiama and Imbert,” “The Extreme Left,” “The Trujillos,” and “The Government.”]
As to our own position: Cuba helped us here, unquestionably. The left faltered, the government rallied, the people applauded. A certain letdown occurred when it became clear we were not going to invade [Page 720] immediately, as many had at first surmised; but although we have to restrain the warhawks and counsel patience, we have not yet heard accusations of paper-tigerism, and everyone agrees Castro’s position has been seriously eroded while the forces of democracy, under firm U.S. leadership, have advanced far.
“U.S. intervention” in Dominican affairs has not yet become an issue in the electoral campaign to any significant extent. We have heard that one candidate, Horacio Julio Ornes, intends to make it so.
Except for support of President Bonnelly, we intend to lie low till after the elections, when we must make clear our support of his successor-elect.
I am encouraging responsible U.S. journalists to come here and cover the elections. We should prod the OAS to send its observors in for the same purpose. In every way possible, we should remind Amiama-Imbert, the candidates, and the Council that the world is watching them these days, and expects them to behave responsibly. Forlorn hope, I fear; but we should try.
In sum, I think we have a reasonably good chance of standing aside while the Republic holds reasonably clean and peaceable elections; I think we shall then face a dangerous interregnum when we must be prepared to move in; and I think we stand a fair to reasonably good chance of getting the president-elect into the Palace without bloodshed.
Summary of Recommendations
- 1.
- Except for previous recommendations and commitments, stand aside and let anybody win.
- 2.
- Work now among all political parties, military, and government to persuade them to recognize the winner as the president of all the people.
- 3.
- Work now to moderate such dangerous issues as de-Trujillization and to stop attempts to lay a foundation for a charge of fraud.
- 4.
- Lay plans to make our support of the winner publicly clear immediately the result is known, including perhaps an invitation to the White House.
- 5.
- Continue our policy of containing Amiama-Imbert if necessary.
- 6.
- Be prepared to give new evidence of our support for Bonnelly.
- 7.
- Continue our attempts to frustrate plans of Balaguer, the Trujillos, and Echavarria.
- 8.
- Encourage journalists to come here now and to stay.
- 9.
- Get OAS observers here for the election.
- 10.
- Lie low ourselves till time to congratulate the winner.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 739.00/12-962. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩