RESHUFFLE IN CABINET

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 13

RESHUFFLE IN CABINET

Additional Support For Balaguer

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) CIUDAD TRUJILLO (Dominican Republic), November 23.

The President of the strife-torn Dominican Republic (Mr Joaquin Balaguer) consolidated his position today with a Cabinet reshuffle designed to please the people, United Press International reported. At the. same time, the heads of the armed forces gave him their full support.

President Balaguer is working quickly to fill the power vacuum left by the mass departure of the onceruling Trujillo family.

Key moves announced last night included the naming of General Pedro Rafael Rodriguez Echavarria as Secretary of State of the Armed Forces and his brother, Colonel Pedro Santiago Rodriguez Echavarria, as Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The central national police were shifted from armed forces to Interior Ministry j urisdiction. Three

other new Ministers also were named.

A second day of tumultuous popular demonstrations over the Trujillo departure quieted down last night after riflecarrying patrols appeared on the city streets late yesterday. The patrols appeared to have the desired effect without action. No major incidents were reported. General Rodriguez’ appointment was announced after the General arrived by helicopter on the lawn of Mr Balaguer’s house for a 30-minute secret meeting. The General had led the

revolt of Santiago—the republic’s second biggest city—against Trujillo supporters last Sunday. Mr Balaguer’s moves placed him in an excellent position to resist demands by two opposition parties that he resign and a proposal by a third that he continue only as caretaker President, U.P.I. said. Yesterday, 500 youths who marched on the Government palace demanding the President’s resignation were dispersed by police using noise bombs. They were shouting pro - Castro slogans.