34. Telegram From the Embassy in the Dominican Republic to the Director of the National Security Agency (Carter)1
Santo Domingo, April 28, 1965,
2302Z.
Critic 6. Joint State/Defense message. Sec State for Mann.
- 1.
- Further re my earlier statement American lives in danger. Police Chief Despradel has informed US he can no longer guarantee safety Americans en route evacuation area.
- 2.
-
Have just had following message from Col. Benoit of junta relayed over carrier communications net:
“Situation deteriorating rapidly. Request urgent reply my official request for assistance.”2 He is 16 miles away and only communication over open channel. Am therefore sending AirAtt by helicopter to get statement from him. I have no doubt whatever he will give it.
- 3.
- Delegation resident American citizens just left my office having advised no protection their residential areas and their belief Americans will be logical target of leftist mobs who have been sacking so many Dominican homes.
- 4.
- Police unable fill requests for additional guard duty even last night. Their numbers are strapped already, as reported earlier, and it obvious they cannot protect individual homes. We are recommending Americans assemble Embajador Hotel for evacuation. Naturally, many permanent residents not anxious take this step.
- 5.
- AID office just broken into. Evacuation area being fired on by rebels.
Bennett
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 DOM REP. Confidential. The telegram printed here is the copy repeated to the Department of State, which was received at 7:29 p.m. Passed to USIB agencies.↩
- See Document 29.↩