169. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson1
undated
SUBJECT
- Recent Dominican Developments
In the past four days these favorable developments have taken place in the DR which should help in maintaining a stable electoral climate and in encouraging a heavy voter turnout:
- 1.
- The Electoral Tribunal formally eliminated the troublesome special electoral card as a voting requirement. The identity card, which all Dominicans are required to have, will be used instead.
- 2.
- The Provisional Government waived usual fees for first-time applicants for identity cards and for replacement in certain cases. It will also permit voters to vote at their actual precinct of residence, even though the required changes of residence has not yet been entered on their identity card.
- 3.
- The PRD convention nominated Juan Bosch and Antonio Guzman to head the ticket. Both accepted. (Bosch was not successful in persuading Caamano to be his running-mate. Caamano has not returned to the DR.)
- 4.
- Garcia Godoy issued a public appeal for a peaceful celebration of the anniversary of the revolution on April 24. He warned extremists that the Government knows who is behind planned “acts of agitation.” (Bunker has been urging him not to allow the “Constitutionalists” to pre-empt the anniversary celebrations and to make it clear to agitators of both extremes that he will not tolerate disturbances.)
Walt
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Dominican Republic, Vol. XIV, 1/66–4/66. Confidential. Notations on the memorandum indicate it was received at the LBJ Ranch in Texas on April 12 at 4:30 p.m. and that the President saw it. President Johnson flew to his ranch April 7 and stayed there until he departed April 14 for a visit to Mexico City where he dedicated a statue of Abraham Lincoln. President Johnson returned to Washington April 15 at 7:40 p.m. (Ibid., Presidentʼs Daily Diary)↩