DOMINICAN-HAITIAN BORDER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000300250001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 23, 1980
• Content Type: REPORT

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,`. NOT. RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS
INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REP-T:
Individual Items Of This Report Are
This Is An Information Report, Not Finally Evaluated InteU pnc~ _ Lu
COUNTRY: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (DR) HAITI (HA) REPORT NO:
TITLE: DOMINICAN-HAITIAN BORDER (U)
DATE OF INFO: 801017
IYY MM DD)
ORIGINATOR:
SOURCE:
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SUMMARY: (C) This report covers RO's observations on trip along the Northern
Border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti; an area of current high interest
to the Dominican Military. Topics discussed include road networks, border posts,
improvement projects, border delineation project, illegal immigration, and military
facilities at Monte Cristi.
DETAILS: (C/NOFORN) During the past few months the Dominican Military has developed
a high level of interest in the region of their common border with Haiti. Projects
have been planned to improve the quality of life for troops assigned to this remote
area, increase Dominican control and public interest, and to sty the flow of illegal
Haitians entering the Dominican Republic.. Moreover, units from all the Armed Forces
have been instructed to familiarize themselves with the terrain and population in
this region. For these reasons RO; accompanied by Dominican Army G-2, took a fam-
iliarization trip -along the northern section of the border on .17 and 18 October 1980.
Travelling in the =Jeep, we departed Monte Cristi.at 0600 hours on 18 Ocotber and
arrived in Pedro Santana at 1500hrs the same day. The following paragraphs provide
information obtained by RO through personal observations and conversations with
military personnel assigned in this zone:
1. (C) Monte Cristi: This town houses the 15th Co, 8th Bn, of the 2nd Bde; commanded
by CPT Ramon De La Cruz)) Tejada. The 15th Company is located in a small fort on
5the southwest corner of the town. The fort is on a hill providing a commanding view
4of most of Monte Cristi (See Photos A-1,A-2). The fort is small, in fair condition,
3 and has half of its facilities taken up by the Monte Cristi public jail (See Photos
2A-4,A-5). The Grounds of the fort were poorly kept; garbage was lying out in the
lopen and a goat farm surrounds most of the facilities. There were two large antennas
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NUMBER ROM R
By
DECLASSIFICATION
DATA
REPORT DATE: 801023
IYY MM DDB
REQ REFERENCES: Z-DI3-DR015
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CLASSIFIED BY:
ASABLE TO I'OT ri(N N1ATION_
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on the roof of the fort (See Photo A-3) and CPT De La Cruz said that their only
communications was with the ANPRC-77 radio. Very few soldiers were seen during
the visit, probably not more than twenty. CPT De La Cruz.asked the G-2 to get
him a new S-2. He commented that the present S-2 has been assigned to the same
job for the last seven years and has become indifferent about his work. The man
in charge in Monte Cristi appeared to be MAJ Leonidas ((Mateo)) de los Santos,
whose official title is Inspector General of the 8th Bn. However, the man who
seemed to know everything and everybody was MAJ Arturo A. ((Aquino)) V., the
military doctor for Monte Cristi. MAJ Aquino has been assigned to Monte Cristi
for the past 16 years. He said that the major medical problems in the area is
syphilis, but noted that maleria is on the rise. He blamed this on illegal
Haitian immigrants comming into the area. (COMMENT: Monte Cristi is practically
surrounded by mangrove swamps that are breeding grounds for mosquitos that de-
scend on the town in swarms during the afternoon and evening hours. It is not
surprising that a few cases of maleria are cause for concern.)
2. (U) Road Network: A. (U) From Monte Cristi to Dajabon, the road is two lanes
wide, dirt, and in a very poor state of repair. There are a couple o sections
were the originalblacktop is still in place, but these are worse than the dirt
portions. They amount to a continuous set of pot holes that are not leveled by
grading. The bridge over the Yaque del Norte River is a single lane bridge,
Roman-arch style, and was built during the U.S. Marine occupation in the 1920's.
The side road to Pepillo Salcedo (where the border actually begins) is also
characterized by deep ruts and mud holes, but it is between one and one-half lanes
wide.
B. (U) Between Dajabon and Restauracion the road is almost entirely paved.
Those sections that are unpaved had recently been graded (See photos A-17,A-19).
All pot holes on the paved portion were freshly filled with dirt. (COMMENT:
President Guzman was visiting this area on the 18th also and special crews had
been working on the roads for several days and nights. Therefore, this section
of highway was seen at its best). From Dajabon to Loma de Cabrera the road is
1.5 lanes wide and from Loma de Cabrera to Restauracion the road is only one
lane wide (See Photos B-2,B-3). In this latter section a recent lanslide had
completely blocked the road. Two teams from the Ministry of Public Works had
finsihed clearing the road during the night of 17 Oct. Such blockage would prob-
ably have remained for several days if the President were not visiting. From
Restauracion to Villa Anacaona the road is unimproved dirt (See Photo B-11),
1,5 lanes wide, and shows no signs of maintenance. Villa Anacaona is the last
border post belonging to the 8th Bn, 2nd Bde.
C. (U) The worse section of road lies between Villa Anacaona and Pedro
Sanatna (See Photos C-9,C-10,C-12,C17 thru C-20). This section is dirt road built
on a solid rock base. The road is mostly one lane wide with occassional portions
1.5 lanes wide. The terrain is mountainous and during most of the trip one travels
on the side of a steep mountain (See Photos B-18,C-14 thru C-16). Seldom does one
find a straight-of-way over 50 meters in length. This section is subject to land
slides, especially during this period of the year. Heavy rains have been falling
daily for the past few weeks, usually starting in the late afternoon hours. Many
small slides remained in the road and are hazards to driving (See Photos C-12,C-13).
One slide had obviously buried a 25 foot section of road, but was cleared before
our arrival (See Photos C-15,C-16). Since the road is on the side of a steep moun-
tain, even a small landslide effectively blocks any vehicle travel. Another problem
is that the Haitians block the culverts under the road and use the resulting "ponds"
as public baths. Thus the streams in many places run over the top of the road,
increasing errosion. The bridge over the Rio Libon near Villa Anacaona was in unsafe
condition. Errosion has caused the first span to be situated at approximately 50
degrees from horizontal. Also the approaches to the bridge over Rio Joca near Pedro
Santana were practically eaten away. Moreover, the upstream side of the bridge was
covered with logs and branches that no one bothers to remove. Even a small flood
through this area could completely destroy the _center spans. All other bridges along
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the road were concrete slabs with no guard rails. Everyone assigned in the border
region agreed that this section of road averaged between two and three vehicles
per day. (COMMENT: From Villa Anacaona to Pedro Santana, the road is the border.
One side is Haiti the other Dominican Republic, but the road itself is freely used
by both countries without restriction).
3. (C/NOFORN) Border Posts: A. (C/NOFORN) The building that houses the border posts
are of two types. One is a square cement building approximately 30 feet by 30 feet
(See Photos B-12,B-13). The other type has the same base, but is topped with a four
to five story observation tower (See Photos B-15,B-17,C-1,C-2,C-3,C-7,C-8). All are
painted the same dark green color. Located near the main buildings are four to
eight wooden shacks that house the families of the troops assigned border duty. (See
Photos B-14,B-19,C-4). The buildings contain the absolute minimum esstential comforts,
e.g. cots and one foot locker per individual. Water comes from wells located nearby
and the universal standard outhouse is just a "sniff" away. The border posts are
located where they give the best view of the surrounding terrain. On the curvy,
mountainous portion of the drive one sees the same border post, from different angles,
for a half hour (See Photos C-7,C-8). However, the higher terrain is on the Haitian
side of the border, placing the Dominican forces at a distinct disadvantage. Be-
tween Villa Anacaona and Pedro Santana there were no means of communication between
the border posts and their parent organization, the 3rd Bde. (COMMENT: Reportedly,
the Chief of Staff of the Army has ordered that ANPRC-77 radios be sent to each
border post since receiving the G-2 report of the trip). All soldiers were armed
with the locally produced San Cristobal rifles. The only crew served weapons seen
were .30 cal. MG at Dajabon and Pedro Santana.
B. (C/NOFORN) The border posts that we visited were manned by six to ten
people. The man incharge was usually a corporal. Everyone was sitting around talk-
ing or laying in bed when we arrived. There were no signs of any recent activity
at any location. The post in general suffer from a lack of leadership, supervision,
and motivation. The effectiveness of the border posts is highly doubtful. However,
the lack of vehicles and the high cost of gasoline makes it equally doubtful that
any improvements in these conditions will be forthcoming. Personnel problems result
from two extremes. The first group consists of those who have made a career of
border assignments. These are characterized by a "What-me-worry" attitude. They
have no ambition and do little regarding their military assignments, but dedicate
themselves to farming or other private interests. The second group is made up of
those who dedicate themselves to getting reassigned, beginning with their first duty
day at the border. Their sole interest is "returning to civilization". The G-2
infromed one Lt that he was going to inspect a project that the Army Chief of Staff
had ordered (see next paragraph). The Lt assured the G-2 that everything had been
done. Upon our arrival 30 minutes, we observed that nothing had been done nor had
work even begun. Obviously the Lt had never personnally inspected his own area.
4. (U) Border Delineation: Several months ago the Army Chief of Staff had ordered
that a project be undertaken to help facilitate recognizing the actual route of the
border. The plan was to plant a "Franoyan" (See Photo C-5) (a fast growing tree
with red flowers) on the Dominican side of each border marker to make the border
line more readily distinguisable. The present markers are 18 inch, cement pyramides
that were installed in 1929. Today they are crumbling and are often hidden by weeds.
The G-2 was to take a picture of each border marker to'show"ffie Army Chief of Staff
how the project was progressing. During the entire trip, not a single Franoyan was.
seen at a border marker. Two posts had planted one each, but these were directly in
front of the border post; thus eliminating any need for the soldiers to walk in the
hot sun. Once again, a lack of communication and supervision in an area no one
want to visit.
C
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NOT T TI n c A nT r, 'Tn rnTnrTrw % A rTANTAT Q
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5. (U).Haitian Border Posts: While the Dominican border posts were in poor
condition, the Haitian counterparts were worse. The Haitian posts consisted
principally of three wooden shacks, set back 200 to 300_ meters from the border
(See Photos B-16,C-6). The Dominicans were lounging around doing nothing, but
the Haitian guards were not even seen. The Dominican troops assured us that each
Haitian post was manned by three people. We did stop to greet one Haitian guard
who was walking along the road. He was dressed i Kaki shorts and a short-sleeve
khaki shirt. His only weapon was a .38 cal. pisto . He gave his name as PERALTA,
but his Spanish accent was only fair and his grammer was poor.
6. (U) Haitian Migration: LTC ((Reyes)) Jimenes, Commander of the 8th Bn in
Dajabon, noted that the terrain around his area makes it a popular route for
Haitian illegals entering the Dominican Republic. Occassionally the 8th Bn
conducts "round-ups" of illegals and takes them back across the border at
Dajabon(See Photos A-12 thru A-16). LTC Reyes stated that during the past month
the 8th Bn has returned a total of 549 illegals to Haiti, with 51 being the
largest number returned at any one time. The Haitian border authorities seem to
cooperate fully with the operations, but are unable to stem the flow across the
border. However, the Dominican population is not so cooperative. Dajabon is
an agricultural area and local Dominican farmers and dairymen will hide the
illegals from authorities in order to keep their cheap source of labor. Another
frustration is the fact that most illegals are back working on the same farms
two to three days after they have been returned to Haiti. The company commander
in Restauracion just shrugged his shoulders when asked about the number of
Haitians his unit picked up. He finally stated that Haitians weren't a problem
in his area.
7. (C/NOFORN) Control Efforts: At each unit visited the G-2 had a private
conversation with the commander. RO was never closer than 15 meters and usually
in a seperate room, but there were indications that the G-2 was issuing orders
on control of illegal Haitians. While talking, the G-2 would hit the palm of
his hand with the other fist (indicating "crack down") and would make a pinching
motion with his fingers (indicating"tight control"). At one point RO overheard
some of the conversation. The commander was told to increase partolling and to
instigate more thorough checks on the documentation of persons residing in the
area. Anyone without proper papers was to be taken immediately to the nearest
border post ("don't waste gasoline taking them to headquarters") for their return
to Haiti. There were no signs of any major effort underway in preperation for a
large scale deportation. However, it should be noted that the northern border
comprises the most rugged terrain and that illegal immigration, except for Dajabon,
is less of a problem than the southern part of the border.
8. (U) Border Improvements: The Armed Forces have reportedly established a
program to improve the quality of life for the troops assigned border duty. The
program was to include improving living conditions and increasing rations. The
8th Bn at Dajabon is hpused in a complete new fort (See Photos A-10,A-11). The
17th Co at Restauracion has a new dispensary (30' X 20" concrete construotion)
and a new wood frame barracks (See photos B-4 thru B-8). (COMMENT: There is no
doctor assigned to the 17th Co, but one visits from Dajabon twice a month). The
G-2 had been assigned in Restauracion in 1948 and he commented that the only
change he saw was the fact that in 1948 the well had a mechanical pump; today
the water is drawn by hand using a pole and a bucket (See Photo B-5). No other
improvements were noted at any of the border posts (See Photo B-1) and everyone
RO asked about increased rations either looked dumbfounded or asked when the
program was to begin. In short, the border improvement program has a long way
TIAL
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to go. RO was told that the small, isolated posts in the Dajabon area have new
buildings. The old wooden constructions were destroyed by a hurricane in Sept
1979. One. fact did stick out: most of the troops manning the border posts had
been assigned within the last two months. Perhaps shortening border tours will
be an interm solution to full scale improvements in living conditions.
9. (U) Demography: Between Dajabon and Restauracion there were numerous small
farms and diaries. RO was surprised that very few of the people observed were
negroid considering the overall percentage in the Dominican Republic and the
supposed Haitian influence in this area. Between Villa Anacaona and Pedro
Santana the only civilians observed, except for the families of the Dominican
border guards, were Haitians. On the Haitian side of the border crops were
growing right up to the edge of the road, while the Dominicans side consisted
of unimproved, unoccupied brushland. The Haitians observed were lean, rugged
looking individuals. They would neither smile nor return greetings when spoken
to. They seem to fear having their pictures taken. Once a camera was produced
all teenagers and adults would lay face down on the ground (See Photos A-13,A-14).
10. (C/NOFORN) Miscellaneous: A. (C/NOFORN) The 8th Bn has been authorized to
set up a breeding farm to produce mules, a valuable animal in the rough terrain.
Some border posts are occassionally isolated due to rains and land slides: and
the mules would serve as pack animals to resupply these posts. The project has
the added advantage of saving gasoline which costs $2.46 per gallon in this area.
B. (U) At Pepillo Salcedo we observed a line of women carrying water on
their heads from storage tanks located approximately two kilometers from the town.
One of the.,water pipes that follow the road into town was broken and spewing water
into the air some five kiolometers from town. This observation is one of several
that indicate the need for a government program of development in the border area.
C. (C/NOFORN) The G-2 has his own personal resources in the border region to
report illegal entries, and contraband. We ate at the home of an individual in
Pedro Santana (he was never introduced by name) who reports directly to the G-2
and not the local company commander nor the 3rd Bde. The G-2 said the man was
a member of the armed forces, but he wore no uniform and his appearance was any-
thing but military.
P. (11) The entire trip along the northern border can be made without using
a four wheel drive vehicle. However, a vehicle that sits hig above the ground
is a necessity. The mountainous portion of the road is cut from solid rock so
there is,.,danger of getting stuck in the mud (See Photos C-13,t--19. A shovel to clear
land slides should be carried, along with food and water. It was interesting that
the G-2 would not drink water at any border post, even water that had been boiled.
ORIGINATORS CMI'-tEITS: (C/NOFORN) I ~or further informatio
n
of the Dominican military in development of the border region.
discusses the possibility of mass deportation of illegals. Embassy message
number 8427,2713007 Oct`IO,covers the entire spectrum of the Haitian problem vis-a-vis
the Dominican Republic. Two facts should he reiterated, 1) 'RO observed no indica-
tion of preperation for large-scale deportation of Haitian illegals, but the northern
section of border constitutes a less popular route; and 2) it appears that the Armed
Forces have been directed to increase vigilance and controls in the border area
to stem the flow of illegal aliens from Haiti.
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%ILOII1 /li~i.1~ 1 1f I
NOT RELEASABLE TO I'OREIG NA - w..nL
PHOTOGRAPHIC TITLING LOG
All photographic enclosures are CONFIDENTIAL and were taken with a Canon AE-1,
SN 2938042, 50MM FD 1:1.4, SN 833974, and using PAN-135-20 film, ground.
ROLL A
FRAME
1,2
DESCRIPTION
UNK, 1953N 07139W, Town of Monte
Cristi and Fort, 801017, 160OZ
LINK, 1953N 07139W, Roof of Fort
at Monte Cristi, 801017, 160OZ
4,5,
10,11
12
13,14
15,16
17
ROLL B
FRAME
, lINK, 1953N 07139W, Jail at Monte
Cristi Fort, 801017, 160OZ -
INK, 1933N 07142W, New Fort at
Dajabon, 8010 8, 1300Z
UNK, 1933N 07142W, Bridge at
Border, 801018, 1300Z
tTNK, 1933N 071424j,View of Haitians
crossing border from bridge, 801018, 1300Z
INK, 1933N 07142W, View of border
crossing point, 801018, 130OZ
ITNTK, 1933N 07142W, Street scene
of Dajabon, 801018, 130OZ
, 1925N 07136W, Street scene
of. Loma de Cabrera, 801018, 140OZ
UNK, 1925N 07136W, Border post
Cabrera, 801018, 14002
LINK, 1925N 07136W, Street conditions
Cabrera, 801018, 1400Z
UNK, 1925N 07136W, Road. between
Loma de Cabrera and Restauracion, 801018, 1430Z
IINK, 1918N 07142W, Comoro towers
in Restauracion, 801018, 150OZ
IINK, 1918N 07142W, Fort and well
in Restauracion, 801018, 150OZ
UNK, 1918N 07142W, Wooden barracks
in Restauracion, 801018, 150OZ
n'~>' a }i1 1k t' NOT ItELLA;ART.F.. TO i'OREIGN N TIOXALS
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NOT RET EAc 1RT T? TO ror Tr; N' V kTTON AT,S
PHOTOGRAPHIC TITLING LOG CONTINUES
LTNK, 1918N 07142W, Fort in
Restauracion, 801018, 1500Z
8 UNK, 1918N 07142W, Dispensary
in fort at Restauracion, 801018, 150OZ
UNK, 1915N 07141W, Border post at
UNK, 1918N 07142W, Road between 25X1
Restauracion and Villa Anacaona, 801018, 1530Z
12,13
Villa Anacaona, 801018, 1600Z
UNK, 1915N 07141W, 'Military 25X1
housing at Villa Anacaona, 801018, 1600Z
15,17. UNK, 1915N 07141W, Observation
tower at i a Anacaona, 801018, 1600Z
lTNK, 1915N 07141W, Haitian border 25X1
post near Vi a Anacaona, 801018, 1600Z
UNK, 1915N 07141W, Terrain around
Villa Anacaona, 801018, 1600Z
MK, 1915N 07141W, Family housing 25X1
in Villa Anacaona, 801018, 1600Z
ROLL C
FRAME
UNK, , Border post
25X1
at a a mi a, 801018, 1700Z
2,3,
UNK, , Border post 25X1
at La Palmita, 801018, 1700Z
UNK, , Military
housing at La Palmita, 801018, 1700Z
UNK, TTNK, Sample of, plant on 25X1
border delieanation, 801018, 1700Z
801018, 1715Z
UNK, UNK, Haitian border post 25X1
T-NK, 1909N 07141W, Border post 25X1
01018, 1730Z
9,10,12,17-20 IUNK, 1908N 07141W, Road between
Villa Anacaona and Pedro.Santana, 80.1018, 1800Z
TTNK, 1908N 07141W, Land slide
between Villa acaona and Pedro.S.antana,
801018, 1800Z
bL5
25X1
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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: DIRC ?Y X111
PREPARED BY:
(name, rank/grade, position)
APPROVED BY
2 ENCLO
1. 3 rolls of negatives (C)
2. Map showing Border Posts (C)~ Z Flo.
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DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR:
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CINCSOUTH QUARRY HTS PN w/o Encls
DIA WASHDC DB-3E2 w/o Encls
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Request Evaluation Releasable To:
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