Establishment Of Peace Force For Dominica

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30759, 25 May 1965, Page 17

Establishment Of Peace Force For Dominica

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

SANTO DOMINGO, May 24. Five American countries last night signed an agreement in Santo Domingo setting up an inter-American peace force as efforts continued to reach a settlement in the Dominican Republic crisis.

The agreement was signed by military representatives of Brazil, Costa Rica, Hounduras, Nicaragua and the United States.

Dr. Jose Mora, sec-retary-general of the Organisation of American States, who also signed, said the creation of the force demonstrated once again the capacity of the O.A.S. to adapt itself to new conditions. The force will be directed by a joint command headed by the Brazilian General, Hugo Panasco Alvin. Lieuten-ant-General Bruce Palmer, of the United States, was designated chief of staffThe agreement was signed shortly after the arrival in Santo Domingo of 21 Brazilian troops, the advance party of the contingent of about 1300 which the country was contributing to the force. The signing of the act followed an announcement by the rebel Government that efforts to create a “constitutionalist” coalition government acceptable to international peace makers were much advanced. A rebel spokesman repeated that the rebel President, Colonel Francisco Caamano

Deno, was ready to step down the minute a coalition formula was accepted. The president of the fiveman civilian-military junta fighting the rebels, BrigadierGeneral Antonio Imbert Barrera, again called on them to give up their arms. Imbert said in a radio speech that the rebels were facing “a rapid exhaustion." His units were fresh from a victory in the northern suburbs of Santo Domingo, but would be prevented, by the United States forces which hem in the rebels on three sides, from attacking the main rebel stronghold. The rebels’ backs are to the sea. Imbert said he would remain in power only long enough to prepare for “clean, honest, democratic elections.” “I will never betray the ideals of the Dominican people who support me,” he said. The United States has said that about 1700 American troops would be withdrawn

when the full Brazilian contingent arrived. A United States Embassy spokesman added that American troops would be withdrawn in proportion to the

■ number of hemisphere troops made available. The bulk of the men and ■ material in the force is expected to be furnished by the ; United States.