MID files, lot 57 D 148, “Foreign Relations—1954”

Memorandum by Charles H. Whitaker of the Office of Middle American Affairs

official use only

Balance Sheet, December 1, 1954

dominican republic

The United States would like the Dominican Republic to take action on:

1. FCN Treaty

We presented a draft of such a treaty to the Dominican Government about three years ago. The Dominicans have been sitting on it ever since, despite our periodic prodding.

2. Creation of more favorable investment climate

While Dominican harassment of American business has subsided of late, investors are generally not reassured and fear that a new campaign may be reopened at any time. The investment picture is clouded also by recent Dominican moves to establish increasing state control over industrial and commercial enterprises in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic would like the United States to take action on:

1.
A request for 10 M–24 tanks, 75 75mm recoilless weapons and 25 F–86–F Sabrejet fighters. There has been no unusual delay with respect to these requests.
2.
Increased participation for Dominican sugar in the U.S. market.
3.
Participation in the International Fair of Peace and Brotherhood in the Free World, scheduled to open in December 1955 in Ciudad Trujillo to celebrate 25 years of the Era of Trujillo.