In April 1965, a political crisis developed in the Dominican Republic that resulted in civil strife with considerable international repercussions. On April 24th, the three-man junta headed by Donald Reid Cabral was overthrown by a group of military officers and civilians. The group sought to restore former President Juan Bosch to power as well as the restoration of the 1963 constitution. Bosch had been deposed by a military coup in September 1963.
Two rival governments were created in the early stages of the conflict. The pro-Bosch forces organized themselves into the Constitutional Government led by Colonel Francisco Caamano Deno. The opposing forces established the Government of National Reconstruction, a civilian-military junta headed by General Antonio Imbert Barrera. Heavy fighting broke out between the two factions in Santo Domingo on April 25th.
On April 28th, the United States announced that its troops had landed in the Dominican Republic. On the following day, the US Representative to the Security Council notified the Security Council of the US action. He asserted that the President of the United States had ordered the deployment of troops to the Dominican Republic because the lives of United States citizens were in danger, that their safety could no longer be guaranteed and that the assistance of United States military personnel was required. Subsequently, the United States expanded its mission in the country in order to prevent the establishment of a communist government.
On May 1st, the Soviet Union requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider the question of armed intervention by the United States in the internal affairs of the Dominican Republic. After extensive discussions, the Security Council adopted resolution 203 on May 14th. The resolution called for a strict cease-fire. It also invited Secretary-General U Thant to send a representative to the Dominican Republic. The Mission of the Representative of the Secretary-General in the Dominican Republic (DOMREP) would observe the situation and report on breaches of the cease- fire. The Secretary-General subsequently appointed Jose Antonio Mayobre as his Representative in the Dominican Republic. General Indar Rikhye was appointed military adviser.
On May 6th, the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted a resolution requesting the establishment of an Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) to restore peace and stability to the Dominican Republic. However, the IAPF was not formally constituted until May 23rd. The IAPF was the first peacekeeping force in the history of the OAS.
On May 21st, the Secretary-General announced that a cease-fire had gone into effect. The Red Cross, which had gone into the battle area early that morning, was fully engaged in its humanitarian activities. In view of the need to evacuate the sick and wounded, the UN Representative sought to obtain an extension of the truce. On May 22nd, the Security Council adopted resolution 205. The resolution requested that the suspension of hostilities in Santo Domingo be transformed into a permanent cease-fire. On May 25th, the Security Council noted that it appeared that a de facto cessation of hostilities continued to prevail in Santo Domingo.
On June 16th, the Secretary-General reported that an exchange of gunfire had taken place on the morning of June 15th between Colonel Caamono's forces and troops of the Inter-American Peace Force. There was no evidence, however, as to which side had started the firing. By nightfall, the UN Representative had arranged for a cessation of hostilities. However, the fighting resumed the next day between the Caamano forces and the IAPF. Although the fighting stopped that evening, the situation remained very tense. Despite a number of isolated incidents, the cease-fire held.
On June 18th, the OAS submitted the text of proposals for a political settlement to the National Reconstruction Government and the Constitutional Government. The principal points in the OAS proposals were general elections within six to nine months under OAS supervision; a general amnesty for all who had participated in the civil strife; surrender of all arms in the hands of civilians to the OAS; establishment of a provisional government which would exercise its authority under an institutional act and would call elections; and the convening of a constitutional assembly within six months following assumption of office by the elected government. The proposals were subsequently incorporated into the Act of Dominican Reconciliation which was signed on August 31st. Elections were held on June 1, 1966, and the results were announced on June 21st. On July 1st, Joaquin Balaguer was sworn in as president.
With peace and stability restored to the country, the IAPF and US military units began withdrawing from the Dominican Republic. By September 21st, the withdrawal was complete.
On October 13, 1966, the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Dominican Republic expressed the appreciation of his country to the United Nations for its efforts to bring about the restoration of peace and harmony in the Republic. In the view of his government, the objectives of the Security Council's resolution 203 had been achieved. Accordingly, it would be advisable to withdraw the United Nations Mission from the Dominican Republic. On October 14th, the Secretary-General informed the Security Council that in light of the developments which had recently taken place in the Dominican Republic, he had initiated arrangements for the withdrawal of the Mission in the Dominican Republic. The withdrawal of the United Nations Mission was completed on October 22, 1966.
Source: The Blue Helmets: A Review of United Nations Peace-keeping. Copyright 1990 United Nations. Published by United Nations Department of Public Information.
