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

164. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation¹

Santo Domingo, March 17, 1966.

SUBJECT

• Visit to Bosch of Ambassadors Bunker and Bennett

PARTICIPANTS

• Ambassador Bunker
• C. Allan Stewart, Director of Country Affairs, CAR

Ambassador Bunker telephoned on the morning of March 17 to report on a conversation with Juan Bosch last night at the latterʼs home outside Santo Domingo.² The Ambassador said that the meeting he and Ambassador Bennett had with Bosch late yesterday afternoon was cordial, with Dr. Bosch conducting himself with dignity.

Ambassador Bunker went into considerable detail about the forthcoming elections. He explained that the United States Government and the OAS were doing their utmost to assist Provisional President Garcia Godoy in creating a climate which would permit all candidates to campaign freely. He said that the President, the vice-president, the chiefs of the armed forces and police are eager to see that the proper conditions can be established and are working to this end, especially in impressing upon the armed forces the necessity of being impartial and aloof from political activity. Ambassador Bunker said this could not be done overnight, but that great progress had been made. Dr. Bosch agreed that conditions had improved.

Ambassador Bunker informed Dr. Bosch that the OAS electoral commission will return to the Dominican Republic on Monday³ and that full membership of the OAS Inter-American Human Rights Committee would be arriving in May with considerable additional personnel.

It is the policy of the United States Government, Ambassador Bunker said, that it will recognize and support a freely elected government, and he was certain that he spoke for all OAS members in declaring this too was their policy. He said the United States had no favorite among the presidential candidates and fully expected that the voters could make their choice on June 1 without fear or hindrance. It is our hope, the Ambassador added, that a democratic, constitutional government will be installed on July 1.

Dr. Bosch, while admitting progress, did not think there was time enough to achieve the necessary climate for elections by June 1. For instance, he was not certain that his PRD could safely hold a convention of 500 people in Santo Domingo to choose their candidates. Asked why the convention could not be held elsewhere, Dr. Bosch said other cities did not have adequate convention facilities. Ambassador Bunker expressed the belief that if it were made a matter of pride in carrying out their responsibilities, the Provisional President and Secretary of the Armed Forces would provide the necessary security, even if it involved use of the IAPF. Dr. Bosch said the holding of the convention was a great responsibility for him and he feared the communists might resort to violence with the large quantity of weapons they have in their possession. Ambassador Bunker reminded Dr. Bosch that part of the responsibility for the large number of loose weapons rested with Col. Caamano, who had deceived the Provisional President when the latter tried to collect them.

Bosch did not commit himself the one way or the other about the chances of PRD participating in the campaign.

(Ambassador Bunker reported, however, that the PRD is campaigning all over the country at present. He also reported that President Garcia Godoy had issued a decree last night cancelling the commissions of a number of civilians “assimilated” into the military. Among the persons affected is Maximo Fiallo. He also stated that the government had begun to replace with police private guards who have been protecting Manolo Bordas, PRD, and Hector Aristy, promoter of the 24th of April movement. This is the first step in replacing private armed personnel with police for other prominent Dominicans.)

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 DOM REP. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Stewart.
2. In telegram 2126 from Santo Domingo, March 16, Bunker summarized for the President his meeting with Bosch earlier that day. (Ibid., POL 14 DOM REP)
3. March 21.