U.S. Marines Sent To Santo Domingo

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 11

U.S. Marines Sent To Santo Domingo

(N.Z.P.A.- Reuter— Copyright)

SANTO DOMINGO, April 29.

United States marines sent by President Johnson guarded American citizens on the outskirts of Santo Domingo, capital of the revolt-torn Dominican Republic, today as a threeman military junta was named to rule the country.

The 400 marines landed by helicopter yesterday on a polo ground near the seaside Ambassador Hotel, where Americans have gathered for evacuation. In Washington, United States officials said 176 Americans had been evacuated by helicopter from the polo ground, and another 21 from the port of Haina. Earlier, more than 1000 had been taken off by United States Navy ships. The officials said the marines had not taken sides in the still-developing political situation in the Dominican Republic. They said the French Government had sent in a transport vessel, the Medoc, to take off French nationals. In a television announce-

ment that he had sent in the marines, President Johnson said they had gone to protect the lives of Americans, and added the same assistance would be given to the nationals of other countries who had appealed for help. Washington officials said the marines would stay in the Dominican Republic as long as necessary to fulfil their mission of ensuring the safe evacuation of Americans.

The executive of the Organisation of American States council will meet today at the United States request to discuss the Dominican situation. Mr Jose Bonilla, the Dominican Ambassador in Washington, told the council last night that the conflict was a Communist attempt to take control “and create a second Cuba.”

The military junta, headed by Air Force Colonel Pedro Benoit, with Army Colonel Enrique Saladin and Navy Captain de Fragata Carrasco

as members, was named in a broadcast by Radio San Isidro. San Isidro, near Santo Domingo. is the headquarters of General Elias Wessin y Wessin, the country’s military strong man. He used land, sea and air forces to attack the rebels who toppled the Government last Sunday and called for the return of the exiled former President, Dr. Juan Bosch. The broadcast warned the public to stay away from all places where there were rebels, as they would be bombarded. It also said the new junta would promote “free and democratic elections.” A United States Embassy spokesman in Santo Domingo said Mr Donald Reid Cabral, the 41-year-old son of a Scottish emigrant, who headed the Government ousted by the rebels, was “well and in hiding."

Mr Jose Rafael Molina Urena, who was declared acting president by the rebels pending the return of Dr. Bosch from exile in Puerto Rico, had apparently sought asylum in the Colombian Embassy, he said. Last night the rebels were reported to be still in control of the centre of Santo Domingo. The United States spokesman said the capital was without electricity and radio. He described the situ ation as very fluid, and said i' was very difficult to knov what might happen.