HA–2. Editorial Note
During a meeting at the Department of State on March 21, Victor Nevers Constant, a member of the Haitian Senate, informed Department officials that the Government of Haiti would be disposed to grant to the United States rights to establish a missile base on “La Tortue” island off the north coast of Haiti. Constant presented credentials signed by President Duvalier authorizing him to negotiate and sign documents concerning this proposal. Constant emphasized the friendship that President Duvalier felt for the United States and noted that from the standpoint of Haitian domestic opinion, it would be preferable for the United States to appear to be the first to make the proposal, with the understanding that the Haitian Government would accept it. Department officials assured Senator Constant that they would transmit the proposal to the Department of Defense for its comment. (Memorandum of Conversation, March 21, 1958; 711.56338/3–2158)
In a telegram to President Eisenhower of May 9, President Duvalier reaffirmed the offer to provide the United States with facilities and an appropriate site for a missile base. (Presidential Correspondence, Lot 64 D 174) On May 16, President Eisenhower responded in a letter to President Duvalier that his proposal was appreciated and would be carefully studied. (711.56338/5–958) On June 22, President Duvalier repeated his offer in another telegram to President Eisenhower. (Presidential Correspondence, Lot 66 D 174) At the instruction of the Department of State, on July 7 the Embassy in Port-au-Prince delivered an acknowledgment to President Duvalier of receipt of the telegram sent on June 22. (Despatch 14 from Port-au-Prince, July 7; 711.56338/7–758) On October 23, the Officer in Charge of Haitian Affairs, Norman Warner, delivered to the Haitian Embassy in Washington a note from the Department of State expressing appreciation for the Haitian offer and indicating that the Department of Defense had completed its study and found no need at the current time for an additional facility of the type described by Haiti. The note added that the United States would keep the offer under review and if the situation changed in the future, Haiti would be consulted promptly. The Department of State copy of the note indicates clearances from Secretary of State Dulles, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Robert Murphy, the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, and from the Department of Defense. (711.56338/10–2358)