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

HA–15. Telegram from the Ambassador in Haiti (Drew) to the Department of State¹

Port-au-Prince, July 8, 1959, 7 p.m.

10. Foreign Minister Mars sent me note dated July 8 to say GOH instructing Ambassador Bonhomme officially request U.S. help preserve its neutrality and territorial inviolability during present Caribbean crisis.² Bonhomme authorized inform Department GOH making its port and airports available to permit U.S. armed forces patrol Haitian waters and air space since Haiti does not have material resources with which protect itself from invasion (Embassy telegram 6).³ GOH making request pending OAS collective action re-establish peace in Caribbean and for purpose remaining out of quarrel presently diving certain members American family and permitting Haiti once again clearly demonstrate its support principles non-intervention.

GOH has no objection to publicity this demarche. Note by pouch.

I aware our firm policy of collective action through OAS to preserve peace of hemisphere and reluctance our part undertake unilateral action which might give rise to old cry of big stick diplomacy. However, the fuse is burning fast and the powder keg in this part of Caribbean may blow up before we can get effective collective action through OAS or proposed MFM.⁴ Haiti is clearly peace-loving state with no aggressive designs on anybody and I feel we could make good case for prompt effective action to protect her shores from threatened invasion. Knowledge on part of would–be invaders we have set up protective patrol area off Haitian coast and around island would in my opinion be surest possible deterrent to threatened invasion.

Drew

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 738.5/7–859. Confidential; Priority. Repeated for information to Habana and Ciudad Trujillo.
   On July 2, the Dominican Republic had requested the assistance of the Organization of American States following the landing of revolutionary expeditions in its territory. For additional information, see Document DR–8, for documentation relating to the Fifth Meeting of Consultation of the Foreign Ministers of the American Republics, held at Santiago August 12–18, 1959, Chile, to consider rising tensions in the Caribbean, see Documents CH–23; CR–24; PR–11; VE–34.
   On July 8, Ambassador Drew reported that Foreign Minister Mars had informed him that the Haitian Government was extremely concerned about reported Cuban and Costa Rican preparations for an invasion of Haiti preliminary to a renewed attack on the Dominican Republic. (Telegram 8 from Port-au-Prince; 738.00/7–859)
2. On July 9, the Embassy at Port-au-Prince transmitted to the Department of State the text of Foreign Minister Mar’s note of July 8 in despatch 9. (738.5/7–959). The note from the Haitian Embassy to the Department of State, dated July 9, is filed under 738.00/7–959.
3. Telegram 6 from Port-au-Prince of July 7 contained a report emphasizing the scarcity and poor state of Haitian military equipment. (738.5/7–759)
4. Reference is to the Fifth Meeting of OAS foreign minister held at Santiago, Chile.