Office of the Historian

346. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Portugal1

Washington, July 28, 1959—9:33 p.m.

47. Department is increasingly concerned over continued stay Cuban ex-President Batista in Dominican Republic. His presence there contributes to present tension Caribbean, which has reached proportions necessitating OAS meeting Foreign Ministers at Santiago beginning August 12. Personally he is being subjected to severe pressures and harassment by Trujillo and by certain Cuban elements plotting anti-Castro movement. Department feels this might drive him to drastic steps including possible illegal entry US.

Basic US position is that Batista’s presence anywhere in Caribbean basin, including US, at this time is undesirable and runs counter to effort being made by us and other American States to assure peace in area. Possible internal reaction Cuba as described Habana tel. 2392 (rptd Lisbon) additional consideration.

Considering above circumstances and probability that one consideration in Batista’s decision flee to DR rather than US was save US and himself embarrassment, Department has for several months been seeking find some country far from area to which Batista might go. These efforts have been unsuccessful to date.

Due urgency situation Department desires approach GOP specifically with regard to possibility admittance Batista Portugal probably Azores or Madeira. What is your estimate of feasibility and probable reaction GOP this request, especially in view recent asylum cases in Lisbon and Portuguese internal political situation? If you consider that there is no serious objection to above action would you recommend that approach be made by you to Foreign Office or by Deputy Under Secretary Murphy to Portuguese Ambassador, Washington? Would appreciate your views soonest.3

Dillon
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/7–2859. Confidential; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Stevenson and Raymond Valliere; cleared with Rubottom, Ivan B. White, and Murphy; and approved by McElhiney who signed for Dillon. Repeated to Ciudad Trujillo and Havana.↩
  2. Supra.↩
  3. In telegram 39 from Lisbon, July 29, Ambassador C. Burke Elbrick remarked: “While acceptance Batista would certainly complicate Portuguese relations with Cuba and perhaps other Latin American countries it is possible Portuguese government might agree to admit him. Recommend making approach here.” (Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/7–2959)↩