Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Multilateral; Mexico; Caribbean, Volume VI

349. Memorandum From the Acting Secretary of State to the President¹

Washington, May 2, 1957.

SUBJECT

• Recognition of the New Government of Haiti

On April 5, 1957, an Executive Council of Government, composed of eleven Secretaries of State and two Under-Secretaries, was formed to succeed Provisional President Franck Sylvain, who resigned on April 2. This action in setting up a collegial form of executive power was carried out in a peaceful manner with the direct participation and approval of virtually all the political leaders who are candidates for the Presidency.

The Foreign Office has addressed a note to our Embassy in Port-au-Prince stating that the new government has the support of the nation and will maintain internal order. With respect to Haiti’s readiness to honor its international obligations, we have asked the Executive Council for a more specific assurance, which we expect shortly. The Executive Council has called for free elections on June 16, 1957, and is due to dissolve on July 5, when the new President is inaugurated.

I believe that the statements made by the new government are essentially correct, and furthermore, that it is friendly toward the United States.

We have been without an Ambassador in Port-au-Prince since the departure of the Honorable Roy Tasco Davis in mid-March.² Because of the extreme delicacy of the present situation in Haiti, we consider it in the United States national interest to get our new Ambassador, the Honorable Gerald A. Drew, accredited and in residence as soon as possible, i.e. as soon as the assurance regarding international obligations is received, even if this means recognizing the Executive Council while its existence is menaced by minority political elements now agitating for its replacement by a military junta.

I recommend that you authorize me to take the necessary steps to extend recognition to the new Government of Haiti.³

Christian A. Herter⁴

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Herter Papers, Chronological File. In a memorandum to Herter, May 1, Rubottom recommended that the Acting Secretary sign this memorandum to the President. (Ibid.)
2. Ambassador Davis relinquished charge of the Embassy in Port-au-Prince on March 9.
3. Despatch 546 from Port-au-Prince, May 7, states that Chargé Barringer delivered on that day a note which extended recognition to the Executive Council of Government, to Stuart Cambronne, Secretary of State for External Relations ad interim. Gerald A. Drew presented his credentials as Ambassador on May 15.
4. Printed from a copy which bears this typed signature.