SITUATION IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (REPORT #177 - SUMMARY OF SITUATION FROM 9:00 PM EDT - 5:00 AM EDT)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00472A001400030027-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 10, 2006
• Sequence Number: 27
• Publication Date: May 7, 1965
• Content Type: IM

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OCI No. 1619/65
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
7 May 1965
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Situation in the Dominican Republic
(Report #177 - Summary of Situation
from 9:00 pm EDT - 5:00 am EDT)
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1. as of 4:00 am
EDT the US Embassy had experienced no sniper fire since
yesterday afternoon. Sporadic shooting, however, con-
tinues in Santo Domingo's downtown area. Confirmed
US casualties now total 12 dead and 58 wounded.
2. The US Embassy reports that in a surprise
move, Colonel Benoit's loyalist junta moved into the
Municipal Building across from the Congressional Palace
at the fair grounds in the southwestern section of the
city yesterday afternoon. As of 11:00 pm EDT on 6 May
Benoit had not yet moved staff or support units to the
new location. The move should greatly improve the
junta's previously inadequate communications and fa-
cilitate its operations.
3. According to the US Embassy, since US forces
arrived in the Dominican Republic they have taken 243
rebels into custody. Those who were captured in action
appear to be determined, trained professional insur-
gents. The non-professional rebels and young people
who joined the revolt for thrills--who were picked up
or turned themselves in--have been released after a
search and a minimal check. The bulk of the prisoners
were captured during the period of 1-5 May, mainly
in the area of the Duarte bridgehead. Some were also
captured along the Line of Communication and in the
International Safety Zone.
State Dept. review completed
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4. Captured rebel officers who were inter-
rogated by the Dominican police reportedly state that
they only planned to overthrow the Reid regime and
replace it with a military junta. All Officers denied
d6y knowledge of foreign Communist participation in
the revolt. They assert that the Communists took
control of the movement through the street mobs. The
captured officers agree that US intervention was justi-
fied because public order had collapsed. They assert
that attacks by the Dominican Air Force had halted
negotiations and incited the people to continue the
fight.
5. The French Ambassador in Santo Domingo
believes that events are following the "classic Com-
munist pattern," according to the US Embassy. The
Ambassador commented that if De Gaulle recognizes
the rebel regime it will not be on the basis of his
reports. He added that the European chiefs of mission
in Santo Domingo hold a common view regarding the ex-
tremist nature of the Caamano regime and the Communist
direction at its base.
6. The US Embassy reports that two separate
groups of Dominicans independently are seeking ways to
sabotage the rebel-controlled Radio Santo Domingo. One
group is the more moderate wing of the Social Christian
Revolutionary Party (PRSC) and the other is not identi-
fied. In addition, the Secretary General of the Organi-
zation of American States (OAS), Jose Mora is said to
be seeking to neutralize the programming of the rebel
radio stations as well as Wessin's station at San
Isidro. Ambassador Bennett comments that if Mora's
efforts are not effective, the US may have to consider
extending the Line of Communication to include Radio
Santo Domingo.
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