227. Backchannel Message From the White House Situation Room to the Embassy in Panama1
WH80697. Panama: Please deliver to Mr. Bob Pastor, National Security Council, with the Staff Advance Team.
(State 125048.) Subject: GOC Reaction to Situation in Dominican Rep. Ref: Bogota 4658; Barnebey-Drexler telcons May 17.2
1. Confirming telcons, Department is most appreciative for GOC offer to make demarche and take other diplomatic steps to help safeguard Dominican democracy. We have made efforts along these lines, including the Secretary’s having sent a personal letter to Balaguer.3
[Page 539]2. Situation in Santo Domingo has improved. Military commanders have agreed to recognize results of elections. City is calm.
3. In effort to undergird GODR resolve to maintain democratic system, we believe it would be helpful for Colombians to make demarche in Santo Domingo. We also understand Venezuelans are making a similar approach.4
Vance
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 8, Folder: Backchannel Messages: Latin America: 6/77–12/78. Confidential; Sensitive; Immediate.↩
- In telegram 4658 from Bogota, May 17, the Embassy wrote about a Colombian offer to assist the United States in regard to the elections in the Dominican Republic. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780208–0027) No record of the telephone conversations has been found.↩
- See Document 226.↩
- Backchannel message WH80705, May 17, informed Pastor that Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia delivered démarches “urging the results of the [Dominican] vote be honored.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 8, Folder: Backchannel Messages: Latin America: 6/77–12/78)↩