Office of the Historian

CO–32. Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of West Coast Affairs (Coerr)1

Washington, April 7, 1960

SUBJECT

  • Conversation Between the Secretary and President Lleras of Colombia: The Dominican Republic.

PARTICIPANTS

  • President Alberto Lleras Camargo
  • Ambassador Sanz de Santamaria of Colombia
  • Secretary Herter
  • Mr. Rubottom, ARA
  • Mr. Mann, E
  • Ambassador McIntosh
  • Mr. Bell, U/MSC
  • Mr. Mau, S/S–RO
  • Mr. Coerr, ARA/WST

Mr. Rubottom, recalling that he and President Lleras had conversed about Cuba, said he thought it would be helpful also to discuss the Dominican Republic. Mr. Rubottom said there are many signs that change is imminent in the Dominican Republic, and that Trujillo is groping for a way out. It is possible that change will come peaceably, but this will be most difficult to achieve, because Castro is poised to intervene. The Dominicans should have the chance to achieve an orderly transition without outside intervention. At the moment Dominican dissidents are discouraged by the attitude not only of the United States but also of the Organization of American States. Trujillo is engaging in severe repressive tactics, as evidenced by reports currently before the Inter-American Peace Committee.2 Mr. Rubottom suggested that while in Washington President Lleras might like to inform himself on the current situation. Ambassador Sanz said (without elaboration) that the OAS should take a strong position immediately, and the President of Colombia voiced agreement.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 721.11/4–760. Confidential. Approved in the Office of the Secretary of State on April 13.↩
  2. Documentation on this subject is in the compilation on the sixth and seventh meetings of consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of American States, held at San José, Costa Rica, August 16–29, 1960, presented in Foreign Relations, 1958–1960, vol. V, American Republics.↩