Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume V, Microfiche Supplement, American Republics

HA–1. Memorandum from the Director of the Office of Middle American Affairs (Wieland) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom)¹

Washington, January 9, 1958

SUBJECT

• Authorization to Ambassador Drew to Discuss with Haitian Officials Factors Involved in Restoration of Normal Relations.

With respect to our proposal relating to steps Ambassador Drew will take on his return to Port-au-Prince to attempt to resolve the Talamas case,² the Ambassador hopes to be in a position to explain to President Duvalier some of the factors which would be involved in reestablishment of normal, friendly relations between our countries if the Haitians give us satisfaction over this incident. These “factors” are in no sense a quid pro quo, and the Ambassador has no intention of describing them as such. Rather, the explanation of them would be presented as some of the elements of our relations which existed before Talamas’ death and which would exist now if it were not for that unfortunate occurrence.

We believe the elements of such restoration are as listed below and, if you agree, the Ambassador will describe these factors to the President if he considers it appropriate in his discussions in Part-au-Prince:

1. The FY 1957 $1 million grant assistance would be made available in accordance with previous arrangements.

2. Recreational visits of U.S. fleet units would be resumed as soon as they could be scheduled.

3. The Ambassador would immediately recommend that high-ranking Army and/or Marine Corps officers visit Haiti to discuss training of the Haitian Army and the possible augmentation of U.S. military missions in Haiti.

4. It would be explained that the U.S. Development Loan Fund is receiving applications from interested governments for economic development project meeting the criteria of the Fund.

5. Finance Minister Thebaud would be invited to visit Washington to review the Haitian economic situation and to review cooperative steps which might be taken in this field. This visit would also permit the Finance Minister to discuss problems with the ExImbank, the Development Loan Fund, the IBRD, and the IMF. The visit of Minister Thebaud would also permit discussion of the following matters of mutual concern:

(a) Plans for allocation of $2 million grant aid already earmarked for Haiti from FY 1958 Mutual Security program funds.

(b) Cooperative steps to stimulate U.S. tourist travel to Haiti.

(c) Cooperative steps to stimulate U.S. private investment in Haiti.

(d) Review of U.S. technical assistance programs in Haiti to explore areas where additional projects might be desirable.

(Availability of the remaining $3 million of the Artibonite loan has not been included since it has been made clear to the Haitians that it is only technical difficulties which have held up the release of these funds.)

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 738.00/1–958. Confidential. Drafted by Edward Little, Deputy Director of the Office of Caribbean and Mexican Affairs; and cleared with Albert Post of the Office of Inter-American Regional Economic Affairs. Paragraphs 1, 4, 5(a), and 5(d) were also cleared by telephone with Kenneth Wright, the Assistant Chief of the Cuba-Haiti-Mexico Branch of the International Cooperation Administration. A marginal notation by Rubottom indicates the Assistant Secretary’s approval of the list of suggested elements in the memorandum. A separate notation on the source text indicates that a copy of the memorandum was given to Ambassador Gerald Drew on January 10.
2. On December 29, 1957, Ambassador Drew had returned to Washington for consultation regarding the case of Shibley Jean Talamas, an American citizen who was beaten to death while in the custody of Haitian police on September 29, 1957. Talamas, who had been accused of political activity against the Haitian government, had surrendered himself voluntarily to Haitian authorities after they had assured Embassy officials that Talamas would not be harmed.
   Following Drew’s return to Port-au-Prince on January 14, 1958, extensive negotiation between the two governments produced a settlement along the following lines. The Haitian government publicly expressed its regret over the circumstances surrounding Talamas’ death, reaffirmed guarantees for the security and well-being of American citizens in Haiti, and agreed to pay an indemnity to the Talamas family. The United States had sought to obtain the dismissal of the officers responsible for Talamas’ death, but the Haitian government would agree only to have them court martialed and disciplined. The agreement was embodied in an exchanged of notes between the governments of the United States and Haiti at Port-au-Prince on February 5, 1958. The Embassy at Port-au-Prince transmitted the texts of the notes, which were made public at the time, to the Department of States in despatch 357, February 5, 1958. (238.113-Talamas, Shibley Jean)