SITUATION IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (REPORT #184 - SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION FROM 11:00 AM EDT - 1:00 PM EDT)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00472A001400030034-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 10, 2006
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: May 7, 1965
• Content Type: IM

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OCI No. 1650/65
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
7 May 1965
Situation in the Dominican Republic
(Report 1 urnrraary of_'the Situation
from 11:00 amED'lro 1;00 EDT
1. The US Embassy in Santo Domingo reports in a situation
wrap-up of early today that the Caamano group is continuing to
use the cease-fire to strengthen its position; it is aided by
the lack of any organized political force on the loyalist side.
According to the embassy, this political vacuum plays into the
hands of the rebels and gives them the opportunity for pre-
emptive action which damages the junta's position. Although the
rebels are few in number and relatively weak, time works in their
favor because of the psychological advantage they gain from pre-
emption of the concept of "constitutionality," the use of "Radio
Santo Domingo," and because of the political advantage they have
gained from the cease-fire. The cease-fire has allowed the rebels
to consolidate their position and to take measures to exploit
the thesis that they are a "government."
2. The embassy also states that "Radio Santo Domingo" has,
since it returned to operation, repeatedly broadcast violent
Bosch speeches and exhortations, including a "bitter personal
attack" on the US Ambassador. Friendly Dominicans consider,and the
embassy concurs, that these broadcasts are tremendously damaging,
and they continue to wonder why the US permits Bosch to encourage
"Dominican fratricide" from a safe haven in US territory.
3. The embassy concludes that in this situation the most
important, and "well-nigh only," new counter remaining to the
rebel initiative is "to get a functioning de facto government into
existence." The continuance of the present vacuum carries the
danger that the rebel cause may be strengthened in the countryside.
The embassy believes that getting a government into operation
should be feasible; the loyalist forces effectively control the
entire country, except for a tiny rebel enclave in Santo Domingo.
This, plus control of the countryside and the cooperation that
could be expected from the 'S, gives the loyalists important
assets. However, the embassy notes that no government "can func-
tion headless."
State Dept. review completed
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4. The embassy states further that perhaps a. revamped junta
can be formed today in light of a firm agreement last night by
Carlos Grisolia, an outstanding member of the conservative national
Civic Union Party and the leading intellectual in the Senate under
the Bosch regime, and the tentative agreement of Rafael Battle
Vinas to serve in such a government. In any case, the embassy
intends to push hard.
5. Concerning the military situation, the embassy reports
that bursts of heavy machinegun fire were heard from the area of
the city last night and early this morning.
6. The US Ambassador to the UN reports that he has been
informed that Moises de Soto Martinez, presently the alternate
UN delegate from the Dominican Republic, upon receiving notice
of his "appointment" as permanent delegate by the Caamano "govern-
ment, had refused to take the post. This may confirm earlier
feelings that at least some of Caamano's "appointments" had not
been cleared with the persons concerned before being made.
7. The US Embassy in Santo Domingo is having difficulties
getting the facts and background of the present situation across
to US and Latin American newsmen who are now arriving in droves.
The embassy reported early today that "We are suffering because
of the impossibility of providing incontrovertible proof, which
is consistently demanded by the press here, for our allegations."
lie press is welcome at rebel headquarters to see and interview
thr rebel leadership, thus permitting them to weigh the US case
aagai.nst the flesh and blood testimony of romantic rebel chieftains."
S. The US Embassy in Mexico has noted that in news columns
of the past two days, Colonel Caamano is receiving very heavy
publicity describing him as "interim president" and his followers
as '"constitutionalists." Other possible contenders, including
the military junta, are practically neglected with the result that
the Mexican public is doubtlessly gaining the impression that
Caamano is emerging as the logical choice to head a new Dominican
Government.
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