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

110. Memorandum for the Record¹

Washington, June 23, 1965, 5:50–8 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Dominican Republic

PARTICIPANTS:

• The President, Secretary Rusk, Mr. Ball, Mr. Mann, Mr. Vaughn, Secretary McNamara, Mr. Vance, Director Raborn, Mr. Bundy, Mr. Valenti, Mr. Busby, Mr. Cater, Mr. Chase

Discussion on the Dominican Republic began after a long meeting on Vietnam.² The Dominican discussion began at about 7:30 PM and lasted only a few minutes.

1. Mr. Mann described various reactions to the OAS Ad Hoc Committeeʼs proposal.³ First, in addition to a consensus in favor of a single executive, there is a general consensus in favor of delaying elections. The best plan seems to be the establishment of a Provisional Government, followed by a “cooling-off” period for 6 months; a constituent assembly would then follow in 3 more months which, in turn, would be followed by a campaign for elections. Second, there are indications that most Dominicans donʼt want the IAF to remain in the Dominican Republic for too long. Mr. Mann suggested that the IAF pull out 3 to 6 months after the Provisional Government is formed. Third, there are indications that the non-Communists in the Dominican Republic donʼt understand the Communist-front system; it is going to be very important to get a good non-Communist as President. Also, the rebels want the 14th of June people to participate in the elections and will probably reject any efforts to deport Communists from the country. Fourth, the rebels want to reinstate military people who have been cashiered since 1963. This would probably include Communists, as well as some of the old, corrupt generals. This is clearly unacceptable. Fifth, Caamano has not said anything about the control of the armed forces. Mr. Mann suggested that we ask the military to clean its own house.

2. The President interrupted to say that he was already late for an earlier appointment, and asked if there was any action he had to take. The group agreed that there was none. After all the significant reactions to the Ad Hoc Committeeʼs proposal were in, Mr. Bundy and Mr. Mann would work out some guidance for Bunker.

3. After the President left the room, Secretary McNamara said that he would direct General Palmer to try to get General Alvimʼs agreement to a reduction of 1400 troops in the Dominican Republic. The Secretary did not feel that this step required Presidential clearance in view of the fact that the action was completely in line with previously-expressed Presidential thinking.

GC

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Gordon Chase, Meetings on the Dominican Republic—Planning Group. Secret. Drafted by Chase on June 24. The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room of the White House. The place and time of the meeting are from the Presidentʼs Daily Diary. (Johnson Library).
2. See Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, vol. III, documents 15 and 16.
3. See Document 109.