332. Memorandum From Robert M. Sayre of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)1
SUBJECT
- Haitian Arms Request
State is under intense pressure from the Haitians to approve an export license for thirty T–28 aircraft owned by a Dallas, Texas firm. Irving Davidson, a registered public relations man for Duvalier, has told State that Fred Orleans (a Texas lawyer and one of the Americans promoting the sale) insists that there is no need to worry about approval because the White House will overrule the State Department.
The Haitians have also presented a long shopping list for military equipment.
The pressure from the Haitians for the T–28ʼs may be an indication of Duvalierʼs concern about the small band of guerrillas operating in Haiti. The Haitian Army wants to machine-gun their positions since Haitian soldiers are afraid to tangle with them on the ground.
Another reason for the pressure might be that the Haitians involved have already received their payoff and they are worried about their skins if Duvalier does not get his aircraft.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Haiti, Vol. IV. Confidential.↩