Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XII, American Republics

359. Telegram from theDepartment of State to the Embassy in the Dominican Republic¹

Washington, October 4, 1963, 10:06 p.m.

237. Re Department circular 629.² Following is for Santo Domingo distribution only to King and Shlaudemann. Sections E and F are for Embassy action now; remainder is FYI only at present.

A. USG objectives in DomRep are:

1. Return the Dominican Republic to constitutional representative democracy as soon as possible.

2. Give the Dominican people the best possible government meanwhile, with particular reference to preparations for a new election.

3. Prevent an open military dictatorship or the growth of communist strength.

4. Discourage the military in the Dominican Republic and in the Hemisphere from military attacks on constitutional and free democracies.

B. To achieve these multiple objectives, you should open informal negotiations with representatives of present regime (probably through Reid to Tavares, then to Triumvirate plus Reid, at your discretion), to secure their agreement prior to our recognition or resumption of aid on following main points:

1. Free political activity of all non-Communist parties in preparation for OAS supervised elections in not more than one year, with provision for drafting new constitution thereafter.

2. Restoration of some semblance of constitutionality to present regime and recognition of normal role of PRD in DomRep by substituting for one member of the triumvirate Juan Casasnovas as President.

3. Reconstitute present cabinet to include some of best members of Bosch cabinet and others.

4. Restoration of military to proper role by removal from country of Luna, Wessin y Wessin, and such other changes in command structure as country team may propose (e.g., send Rib abroad, replace Vinas, upgrade young US-trained officers, transfer Armed Forces Training Center and Air Force Infantry to Army).

5. Decrees to control communist and Trujillo threats.

6. Assurances of appropriate controls to improve honesty and efficiency of government activities, including especially of Trujillo properties.

7. Commitment to institutional reforms of AFP including agrarian reform and stimulation private enterprise, domestic and foreign.

C. In opening these discussions, you should state clearly and emphatically that USG will not recognize or deal with this regime as it stands. This regime and the politicians who named the cabinet represent a minority of the Dom people. Regime must find some way to return toward representative constitutional democracy.

D. Timing of essence. Dept believes at present that these negotiations should be initiated in a week or ten days and then pursued to a conclusion promptly, i.e., in a month. Regime should be given some time to sit and worry. However, too long delay may result in deterioration of situation in DomRep and Hemisphere; specifically, non-recognition for several months could result in bloody struggle between military and people led by leftist extremists, with military dictatorship winning. Dept requests Embassy’s comments and recommendations on when to start negotiations.

E. Because of our sympathy and friendship for Dom people, who should not suffer from misdeeds of golpistas, we will continue CARE, CARITAS, and Peace Corps. FYI, means of continuing food shipments under PL-480 without giving financial assistance to regime being sought.

F. Embassy general view on entire program requested.

Ball

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 26 DOM REP. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by J.B. Martin, cleared by E.M. Martin, and approved by Cottrell. This telegram constitutes a revised version of a Department of State policy proposal contained in a paper submitted to the President on October 4. (Ibid., POL 20 DOM REP) The proposal was discussed the same day at a meeting chaired by the President from 5:05 to 6 p.m. Present were Under Secretaries of State Ball and Harriman, Assistant Secretary Martin, Ambassador J.B. Martin, David Bell and Teodoro Moscoso of AID, and Colonel J.C. King of CIA. No minutes were kept. (Kennedy Library, President’s Appointment Book)
2. Dated October 4. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 26 DOM REP)