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

HA–17. Memorandum of Conversation, Department of State¹

Washington, July 20, 1959

SUBJECT

• Delivery of note in reply to Haitian request for U.S. assistance

PARTICIPANTS

• Ernest Bonhomme, Ambassador of Haiti
• ARA- Mr. Rubottom
• CMA-Norman E. Warner

Ambassador Bonhomme was invited to call in order that Mr. Rubottom might deliver our note dated July 20² in response to the Haitian Embassy’s note of July 9³ requesting United States assistance to safeguard Haiti’s neutrality and independence. Ambassador Bonhomme did not open the note and read it during the conversation and therefore did not comment directly on it.

Mr. Rubottom opened the conversation by stating that we have fully shared Haiti’s concern over the Caribbean situation and reports of plotting directed against Haiti. He stated that the Ambassador and his Government may not have been aware of this but he, Mr. Rubottom, had many talks with officials of other Latin American governments during the past several months concerning the situation and particularly Haiti’s plight in being caught in the middle. He mentioned specifically having talked with the President and foreign Minister of Venezuela and with the Cuban Ambassador⁴ here. Mr. Rubottom said that we in the Unites States know that it is difficult to fully control political activities against other countries and that the regrettable expedition against Haiti in July 1958 which had left from Unites States soil was an example of this (Mr. Rubottom again expressed our deep regret over this occurrence). Mr. Rubottom noted that we understand that Haiti has been brining to the attention of other governments any information it has on activities in those other countries which it believes threaten Haiti. Mr. Rubottom expressed our hope that effective action will be taken through the Organization of American States to allay present Caribbean tensions. He said, however, that should this recourse not prove to be adequate then the United States would have to consider whether other measures would be required. He remarked that we are disturbed over the irresponsible attitude taken by a small number of individuals, or governments, in Latin America.

Concluding the foregoing remarks, Mr. Rubottom asked for the Ambassador’s views on the present situation to which the latter replied that the Haitian Government is still very concerned over reports of impending invasions. The Ambassador said that the situation in Haiti is “volatile” and that some persons, even in the Cabinet, think anything might happen.

The visits of U.S. Naval ships to Haitian ports was also mentioned by Mr. Rubottom as a gesture of U.S. friendly concern for Haiti in present circumstances.

In response to Mr. Rubottom’s query as to the crop outlook, the Ambassador said that it looks like a “bumper” coffee crop which will ripen early. The Ambassador mentioned also his Government’s hopes that the proposed sugar mill in northern Haiti will be financed by the Development Loan Fund since completion and operation of this mill would furnish new employment in that area and make an important contribution to Haiti’s economy generally. Mr. Rubottom recalled his discussion of this with Ambassador Bonhomme last month and noted that the Department has done what it can to move this matter forward as rapidly as possible. He said that he does not like to make predictions but he hopes that a decision will be reached shortly.

In response to Mr. Rubottom’s inquiry as to President Duvalier’s health, Ambassador Bonhomme said he had seen the President when he was in Haiti two weeks ago and found him looking better than he had expected. He said the President has been getting around town in an automobile and even had a slight accident. The Ambassador believes the President will have to avoid henceforth the “killing pace” he had set for himself before and that the President will have to delegate more responsibly to others. The Ambassador said that the President feels that Ambassador Drew saved his life by getting a specialist over from Guantanamo to examine him.⁵ He described the relations between the President and Ambassador Drew as very close and warm and said this applies also to relations between their respective subordinates and associates such as Foreign Minister Mars and the President’s “special assistant Barbot” on the one hand and Mr. Yoe and Col. Heinl on the other. Mr. Rubottom expressed gratification over the President’s recovery and the good working relations we have in Port-au-Prince.

Mr. Rubottom mentioned that we have heard rumors of impending Cabinet changes. Ambassador Bonhomme said he thinks a few changes may be made but that there will not be a general “shake-up”. He thinks that Finance Minister Theard and Foreign Minister Mars will be retained. He remarked that Theard is under very heavy pressure because of the financial and fiscal stringency which he must impose. Referring to recent differences between the Senate and the Cabinet, Ambassador Bonhomme commented that some criticism is necessary and that he thinks is a healthy sign of vitality.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 738.00/7–2159. Confidential. Drafted by Warner on July 22.
2. Not printed; 738.00/7–959. The note expressed United States concern over current dangers and confidence in the Organization of American States to find a solution to them.
3. See footnote 2, Document HA-16.
4. Rómulo Betancourt, Ignacio Luis Arcaya, and Ernesto Dihigo, respectively.
5. The emphasis appears in the source text.