368. Editorial Note
Following a meeting with Haitian Ambassador Bonhomme on May 24, 1968, Katzenbach sent a memorandum to President Johnson recommending that he receive Bonhomme, at the latterʼs request. Katzenbach wrote that difficulties in the United Nations could be avoided if the President could convince the Ambassador that there was no basis for the Haitian allegations against the United States, “and that if Haiti persists it will be damaging to U.S.-Haiti relations.” A notation in the Presidentʼs handwriting next to the approved option reads: “10 minutes.” (National Archives and Records Administration, Central Files 1967–69, POL HAI-US)
A May 24 memorandum from Rostow to the President concurring with Katzenbachʼs recommendation that the President receive Bonhomme, stated that “Nickʼs disclaimer that ʼthere is no basis for Haitian allegations against the U.S.,ʼ may be overstated” and that news reports suggested “that the B–25 used in the expedition may well have come from the United States [less than 1 line of source text not declassified].” (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Haiti, Vol. V)
A May 27 memorandum from Katzenbach to the President reported that the United Nations Security Council was scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. that afternoon in response to Haitiʼs request that “appropriate measures” be taken to reduce tension that it alleged threatened international peace and security. Katzenbach noted that Haiti had not made clear what action it expected and that Security Council members were generally unenthusiastic about considering this matter. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL HAI-US)
Telegram 5352 from USUN, May 27, reported Bonhommeʼs “long presentation” before the Security Council, in which he presented 22 exhibits linking the invasion aircraft to the United States, but did not actually name or accuse the United States as being involved in the invasion. The Brazilian representative then intervened to note that the Haitian charges were vague and were best handled in other ways. The U.S. representative expressed regrets to the Haitian representative that the latter “had not been more forthcoming in bilateral channels.” (Ibid., POL 23–9 HAI/UN)
Telegram 195334 to Port-au-Prince, July 2, reported that the Haitian and U.S. Governments were cooperating in connection with the investigation of “invasion facts.” (Ibid., POL 17 HAI-US)