403. Telegram 3364 From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1 2
Secto 133
Memorandum of Conversation: FM Raymond (Haiti) Part I of I Economic Aid; Oct. 7, 3:15 pm 35A Waldorf
1. Participants: Haiti—FM Raymond, Amb. Chalmers, ConGen La Fontant; US—The Secretary, Mr. Hurwitch, Mr. Connett (reporting officer), Mr. Roumayan (interpreter).
2. Summary: Raymond made long presentation regarding economic social and political achievements of Duvalier regime and its efforts to combat infiltration by communists and exiles. He expressed appreciation for U.S. help in preventing this. He spoke of improved relations with other countries, especially Dominican Republic. Finally, he cited his country’s need for foreign assistance and expressed hope U.S. would help Haiti acquire it from international lending institutions. Secretary complimented him on the presentation and said he was encouraged at recent reports of progress in Haiti. He made no commitment re economic assistance.
[Page 2]3. After complimenting Secretary on his UNGA speech, Raymond expressed thanks for help given his country following death of President Francois Duvalier. He said Haiti had feared attempts might be made against his country by communists operating from Cuba and thought that U.S. patrols had helped avoid this while at same time preventing attempts by exiles in U.S. to gain foothold in Haiti.
4. Raymond said majority of his country was behind President-for-Life Jean Claude Duvalier whom he described as world’s youngest President. Raymond mentioned that some friends of Haiti feared civil war upon death of Jean Claude’s father, but events have demonstrated that former can follow in latter’s footsteps. Support for Jean Claude, Raymond said, derives from his policy of social justice aimed at promoting welfare of poor and on personal interests of Haitian people in promoting economic development under his leadership.
5. Among accomplishments of his country, Raymond completion of international airport by Haitians themselves with help from PAA. He also said his government had built roads and schools and had just inaugurated new power plant which not only could supply domestic requirements but might even provide some electricity for Dominican Republic.
6. Raymond said Haiti was at turning point in its history and hoped it would receive same consideration from U.S. as other countries did. He said Gabriel Valdez (of UNDP) agreed that Haitian projects for development are good and he, Raymond, expressed hope that these projects would receive favorable consideration by international institutions like UN, OAS and IDB. He particularly hoped that U.S. as majority contributor to some of these institutions, would be ready to help Haiti, which he described as one of most abandoned countries in hemisphere and which he said had been receiving far less aid than Dominican Republic, particularly since 1961 when aid was reduced to very small amount. He added he would like to [Page 3] see this aid restored.
7. Raymond emphasized that Haiti, like U.S. was anti-communist. In 1969, he said, Haiti destroyed communist military cells which had been receiving aid from Moscow, Cuba and China. He went on to say that two weeks ago U.S. Charge had presented list of questions to be posed to female communist agent trained in Moscow who Haitian authorities had captured. He said that Haitian authorities were interrogating her pursuant to this request. In spite of these anti-communist efforts, Raymond said, Haiti does not receive preferential treatment from U.S. and even has to pay for own military weapons. In conclusion he said Haiti had established good relations with neighboring countries, especially Dominican Republic.
8. The Secretary complimented Raymond on his presentation, saying he was encouraged by reports he had received of Haiti’s economic and social progress. He added that the United States wanted to keep up our good relations with Haiti and he expressed appreciation for that country’s support of our initiatives on Chinese representation issue. In conclusion the Secretary said he would appreciate anything Haiti could do to advance our cause on this questions emphasizing that we must all work together.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 HAI. Limited Official Use. Repeated to Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo.↩
- Secretary of State Rogers met with Foreign Minister Raymond to discuss Haiti’s need for foreign assistance. During the conversation, Rogers indicated that he was encouraged by reports he had received, but made no commitments regarding economic assistance to Haiti.↩