Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXXII, Dominican Republic; Cuba; Haiti; Guyana

211. Memorandum Prepared for the 303 Committee¹

Washington, January 29, 1968.

SUBJECT

• Covert Financial Contribution to the Revolutionary Social Christian Party for the May 1968 Municipal Elections in the Dominican Republic

1. Summary

The possibility exists that the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) may not participate in the 16 May 1968 municipal elections, thereby depriving Balaguer of the important psychological factor of a major, left of center opposition. It is, therefore, important that the other left of center opposition party, the Revolutionary Social Christian Party (PRSC), participate effectively in the municipal elections and provide an outlet for left of center sentiment.

This memorandum asks the 303 Committee to approve a proposal for a modest covert contribution [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] to the PRSC for its municipal election activities.

2. Factors Bearing on the Problem

a. Pertinent U.S. Policy Considerations

This proposal is consistent with the U.S. Governmentʼs general and specific objectives cited in the Country Analysis and Strategy Paper (CASP)² for the Dominican Republic which was approved on 8 May 1967. The applicable general U.S. objective is the “creation of the infrastructure to support a viable, democratic political system in the Dominican Republic”. The Specific U.S. Objectives cited in the CASP and applicable to this proposal are to “maintain and strengthen the Social Christians in a position of constructive opposition”, and to “prevent an alliance of the right or the extreme right and the left or the extreme left against the government”.

b. Background

(1) In accordance with the Dominican Constitution, the biannual municipal elections are scheduled to be held on 16 May 1968. Seventy seven mayoralty positions and 417 council seats are to be contested. It currently appears that President Joaquin Balaguer will face mounting opposition efforts to create political unrest during the period leading up to and through the elections. It is believed important that the municipal elections give the populace confidence in the electoral process even in the face of the existing political problems; they should provide the electorate a legitimate choice and demonstrate that a responsible opposition party can campaign in the Dominican Republic. This would have a favorable and reassuring psychological impact.

(2) On 15 December 1967 the Executive Committee of the PRD meeting in extraordinary session decided that because of the repression to which the PRD alleges it has been subjected and because of the campaign of terrorism in the National District, it would not participate in the municipal elections. The National Executive Committee will submit this decision to the next PRD convention (to be held on 10 February 1968) which has the authority to accept or reject the PRD Executive Committee decision. Should the PRD convention choose to abstain, Balaguer would not have a major, left of center opposition participating in the municipal elections.

(3) The PRSC has announced its intention to participate in the municipal elections. Although the PRSC is a minor party, its participation would tend to put it in harsh contention with the more radical elements of the left, and to entrench the PRSC more deeply in the role of constructive opposition. Should the PRD convention reverse the decision of the PRD Executive Committee and take the PRD to the municipal elections, an effective role played by the PRSC during the elections would still make a significant contribution to the evolution of democratic processes in the Dominican Republic. The PRSC, however, lacks the funds necessary for an active and effective campaign.

c. Operational Objectives

The principal objective of this proposal is to insure that the left of center is a meaningful constructive factor in the May 1968 municipal elections. A secondary objective is to entrench the PRSC in a constructive opposition role for the left of center and in that role to provide the left of center an alternative to the more radical leftist parties during and following the municipal elections. The objective is not to make the PRSC a major party but to insure its active participation in the municipal elections.

d. [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]

[1 paragraph (16 lines of source text) not declassified]

e. Risks Involved

Although there is an ever present risk in operations of this type, the risks in this proposal are within acceptable limits because: (1) there will be no attempt to establish control over the PRSC expenditure of the contribution or to require accounting for the funds; (2) no direct contact between the donor and the principal party leaders will be necessary; and (3) [1½ lines of source text not declassified] able to explain contributing the relatively small amount proposed in this operation. Although there is some risk that the Balaguer government would be annoyed should it learn that the U.S. contributed to a rival party without its knowledge, it is believed that this would only cause a temporary strain since the government itself has been encouraging the PRSC to continue in a constructive opposition role.

f. Timing of the Operation

The municipal elections are scheduled to be held on 16 May 1968; however, the campaign period opens on 16 February 1968. The funding channel should be activated as soon as possible in order to give the PRSC sufficient time to integrate this contribution into its campaign budget prior to the elections.

3. Origin of the Requirement

This proposal evolved from discussions between the CIA [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] and Ambassador Crimmins. They felt that, since it is probable that the PRD will not participate in the 16 May 1968 municipal elections, a modest covert contribution to the PRSC could improve that partyʼs capability for a more vigorous campaign for the municipal elections thereby insuring a necessary democratic image of loyal opposition to the Balaguer government.

4. Relationship to Previous 303 Committee Actions

The approval for action requested in this memorandum has not been the subject of prior303 Committee action although recommendations have been submitted previously to the 303 Committee regarding presidential elections and activities concerning student elections at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.³

5. Coordination

The proposed operation has been coordinated with and concurred in by Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert M. Sayre of the Department of State. The U.S. Ambassador in Santo Domingo, John H. Crimmins, also concurs.

6. Recommendations

It is recommended that the 303 Committee approve the expenditure [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] for the purpose of providing covert assistance to the Revolutionary Social Christian Party (PRSC) to enable that party to participate meaningfully in the May 1968 municipal elections.⁴

1. Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 303 Committee Records, 1968. Secret; Eyes Only. Sent to Bohlen, through Trueheart under a February 13 covering memorandum from Oliver who summarized it and recommended approval of the recommendation.
2. Document 196.
3. See Document 203.
4. For a summary of the results of this covert operation, see Document 215.