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

24. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Dominican Republic¹

Washington, April 27, 1965, 11:37 a.m.

644. Establishment of Provisional Government.

A. Our primary objectives are restoration of law and order, prevention of possible Communist takeover, and protection of American lives. We understand provisional government under Molina Urena is not in control of situation. We also understand that situation has materially changed since yesterday (April 26) and that position of Wessin and de los Santos and company now seems more evenly balanced with that of rebel forces.

B. Believe you should contact military leaders of contending forces and suggest to them establishment of military junta to act as provisional government. This junta would have objectives of restoring law and order, preventing Communist takeover, and holding free and democratic elections as promptly as feasible. You should not become involved in details of formation of junta but should urge there be no preconditions on participation in junta and there should be assurance from both sides that there would be no reprisals.

You should make whatever arrangements are feasible to get Ambassador Bennett to Santo Domingo as promptly as possible.² We believe presence of Ambassador could make difference in bringing contending forces together as outlined above.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 DOM REP. Secret; Immediate; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Sayre and cleared by Rusk and Vance.
2. At the time this telegram was sent, Ambassador Bennett had not yet arrived in Santo Domingo following a 48–hour visit to Washington for consultations. He arrived in Santo Domingo at 12:40 p.m. ( Martin, Overtaken By Events, p. 653)