352. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Dungan) to President Kennedy1
Dr. Juan Bosch, the newly elected president of the Dominican Republic (60% plurality), has been visiting the United States since before Christmas. He is now concluding about a week’s conversations with various people in Washington, both in and out of the Government.2
In general, these conversations have gone very well, particularly those with Government people. I believe that Bosch feels that his reception here has been warm and friendly. I believe that it is accurate to say that most of us feel somewhat tentative about making an appraisal of Bosch at this point. He is undoubtedly sincere about his desire to raise the standard of living of the Dominican people but he does seem to be quite confused on a variety of important points and, most importantly, seems to lack any sense of the administrative or operational difficulties involved in the kind of a program which his philosophic notions indicate are necessary in the Dominican Republic. He appears to be totally bereft of any substantial and well-trained people ranging from public relations advisors to economists and lawyers—it is strictly a one-man show.
From our point of view, there are certain encouraging signs. For instance, he has most strongly indicated his desire to have us assist in the training of his internal security force upon which he places a high priority. He recognizes the danger of Communist subversion and, although he desires to maintain an open society (see comments below on internal security), he does believe in the maintenance of a strong internal security system.
Points which might be brought up by Bosch in your discussion:
1. The Imbert problem
Bosch is very preoccupied with Antonio Imbert who is a member of the Council and, as you will recall, one of the Trujillo assassins. Imbert has been a bad actor during the whole period prior to the election—he has been involved in graft and is driven to assume as much power as he can. He now controls the police but is intensely disliked by the military. He and his cohort, Amiana, have recently been made Generals of the Army. There is a possibility, although I think remote in view of the heavy [Page 722] vote and the obvious support which Bosch has gotten in the United States, that Imbert might try to take power before Bosch’s inauguration on February 27th.
2. The Internal Security
In addition to requesting training for his own internal security force, Bosch has requested of the Secretary, Defense and me assistance in a Naval patrol of his northern coast. He is also interested in strengthening the entire guerrilla capability of his Army and the coastal patrol capability of his Air Force.
3. Economic Aid
In keeping with his independent attitude, Bosch is not entirely satisfied with our aid program. Naturally, as a politician, he emphasizes strongly impact type projects although, at the same time, he talks very strongly about the need for infrastructure—roads, heavy industry, etc. He has no clear idea of what his priorities are although he quite sensibly will set up a planning board in the Presidency at an early time. He has no idea as to whom he will ask to serve in this capacity.
4. Standard Oil Refinery
He may bring up the question of a contract between the Council and Standard of New Jersey to build a refinery. This contract, he maintains, he will have to overturn. We are already working with him and Standard to see if this potential trouble spot can be moderated.
- Source: Kennedy Library, President’s Office Files, Countries Series, Dominican Republic, Section B. No classification marking.↩
- In Washington and New York January 4-11, President-elect Bosch met with Secretary Rusk and other State Department officials, members of the Supreme Court, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and, informally, with U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson, among others.↩