Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The American Republics, Volume IV

739.11/12–2352

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the President ¹

confidential

[Washington,] December 23, 1952.

On December 19² you mentioned that attempts were being made to arrange for you to see Generalissimo Rafael Trujillo of the Dominican Republic and perhaps to give him a luncheon.

At present Generalissimo Trujillo is Commander-in-Chief of the Dominican Armed Forces and to all intents and purposes the sovereign power in his country. As you know, we have some important projects underway and pending in the Dominican Republic such as the Air Forces’ guided missiles test range and a bilateral military agreement which is currently being negotiated.

I believe that it would be desirable for you to see Generalissimo Trujillo briefly if it is at all possible to do so. I do not think, however, that the character of his current visit warrants a luncheon. Generalissimo Trujillo has come to the United States on his own initiative and the State Department has no responsibility for his being here. He has, however, been designated by his Government Special Ambassador-at-Large and Ambassador to the United Nations. It is anticipated that he will be in the United States for several months.³

1. Drafted by David G. Nes of the Executive Secretariat; the source text is unsigned.
2. A memorandum of Secretary Acheson’s conversation with President Truman on Dec. 19, 1952, by the Secretary, with respect to an appointment for Generalissimo Trujillo, reads in part as follows: “The President does not want to see him, but, on the other hand, does not want to snub him. If the State Department says he should see Trujillo, he will do it, but will not give a luncheon for him.” (739.11/12–2352)
3. Department of State files indicate that an appointment was made for Generalissimo Trujillo to see President Truman on Jan. 13, 1953, but no record of their conversation was found.