344. Telegram From the Embassy in Haiti to the Department of State 1
1587. Embtels 1586.2 Summary follows of salient points June 3 ltr from Duvalier to President3 (based on copy of English translation handed me by Duvalier):
“Dramatic events” in DomRep point up relationship peace and stability to prosperity. For Haiti all three depend on help from “friendly and understanding USG,” and international banking institutions. Haitian people have courageously endured natural catastrophes and economic difficulties for years but must be extricated from “economic strangulation.” Duvalier has long seen need for changed USG attitude (as leader Hemisphere) to end “steady deterioration” in relations between states, and particularly “to understand me.” Despite being “less well understood,” GOH has accepted “policy of sacrifice in hope … of resurrection of national economy by injection of fresh dollars … for works of infrastructure” such as roads, harbor works, communications, hydro projects, sugar mills, irrigation, airports and other “realistic projects [Page 797] for an aid program.” “Foundered economy of Haiti cannot through its own efforts … be reinvigorated.” “Adequate injection of money and capital to put country back on its feet” is necessary. “This can only come from US… in form generous aid … long term loans …, economic and technical assistance …” Duvalier is “sure” that Presidentʼs “personal attention to economic situation of Haiti” will permit quick action “in way Pres Eisenhower did six years ago.” Closes with “fervent hopes for … fruitful cooperation in all fields between US and Haiti.”4
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, AID (US) HAITI. Confidential; Limdis.↩
- Telegram 1586 from Port-au-Prince, June 4, reported that Duvalier gave Timmons an “administrative letter” for the President, as well as a copy for himself, in a meeting that morning. Timmons also reported that Duvalier asked that he transmit a request that Haitian Ambassador Andre Theard be granted a “personal audience” with Johnson, at which time Theard would deliver a “confidential letter” from Duvalier to the President. (Ibid., POL 15–1 HAITI)↩
- The signed copy of the letter is in the Johnson Library, National Security File, Special Head of State Correspondence File, Haiti–Presidential Correspondence.↩
- Telegram 1594 from Port-au-Prince, June 5, reported Timmonsʼ preliminary reactions to Duvalierʼs letter. He concluded that the request for an appointment for Theard to deliver the “confidential letter” was probably a maneuver to test the “temperature of water in Washington.” Timmons observed that Duvalierʼs aid request was “clearly related” to the crisis in the Dominican Republic and consequent OAS actions, in which Haiti provided the necessary 14th vote on several occasions. He noted that the “administrative letter” was the 7th request for U.S. aid since the “current phase” of relations began in December 1963, but that this was the first time Duvalier had personally made such a request. Timmons asked whether any change in current policy toward Haiti was needed. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 15–1 HAITI)↩