159. Memorandum From William G. Bowdler of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson1
SUBJECT
- Report from Bunker on Dominican Situation
Ellsworth Bunker called from Santo Domingo to report that during the course of the night the negotiations took a very good turn and Defense Minister Rivera Caminero agreed to step down. A new man—Colonel Enrique Perez Y Perez—who is quite acceptable to the military leaders, was sworn in this morning as the new Minister of Defense. Bunker expects Rivera Caminero to leave for his assignment in Washington as Naval Attaché either today or tomorrow. After six weeks of very hard bargaining, this is a major, and most welcome, achievement.
Bunker said that Garcia Godoy is planning to make a nationwide TV speech tomorrow night to explain to the Dominican people the understandings which made possible the departure of Rivera Caminero. At this time, he will state that the Army and Air Force Chiefs will remain in their positions provided they obey orders and refrain from political action. Garcia Godoy is hoping, of course, that this decision will be accepted and not lead to further disturbances.
[Page 372]Bunker indicated that assuming the change in Defense Ministers leads to a prompt calling-off of the general strike,2 and Garcia Godoyʼs decision to maintain the chiefs does not produce a sharp reaction, he plans to return to Washington early next week to report to you. He mentioned specifically his interest in discussing with you the need for withdrawing Tap Bennett as rapidly as possible.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Dominican Republic, Vol. XIV, 1/66–4/66. Confidential. An “L” on the memorandum indicates the President saw it.↩
- On January 8 rebel elements headed by Caamaño and Aristy called for a general strike beginning January 10 to force the ouster of armed forces leaders and to prevent the departure of “Constitutionalists.”↩