345. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, December 3, 19561
SUBJECT
- President Magloire Planning Step Down
PARTICIPANTS
- Mr. Rubottom, ARA
- Ambassador Zephirin, Cuban [Haitian] Embassy
- Mr. Fromer, MID
Ambassador Zephirin said he had just returned from a quick trip to Haiti, where he had been called by President Magloire. The Ambassador said he had very grave news, which consisted of the following:
Haiti is facing a severe economic crisis, arising out of (1) economic consequences of Hurricane Hazel, especially damage to [Page 947] coffee trees which prevented successful implementation of the government’s five-year plan to double coffee production and exports; (2) this year’s short coffee crop, 60% of normal; (3) France’s unfavorable financial situation growing out of the Suez fiasco, which has caused a slow-down in usual French purchases of Haitian coffee in November–December, with a consequent shortage of income to Haiti; (4) drought in the North and floods in the South, with a shortage of food and higher food prices.
Already, the Banco Popular Colombiano in Port-au-Prince has been forced to close its doors. The National Bank, while strapped for excess funds for credit purposes, does have enough to meet any run which may develop.
As a consequence of all this, the Haitian government must take severe austerity measures in the economic and financial fields such as reduction of payrolls and salaries, closing of some diplomatic and consular posts, etcetera. President Magloire prefers not to face up to the strong critical reaction which is certain to follow such unpopular steps and he is planning to step down from the Presidency. Under the Constitution he should be replaced by the President of the Court of Appeals.2 However, the Presiding Justice doesn’t want to take on such an unpleasant task. His deputy also has declined the Presidency. It appears that the only way out will be the creation of a military junta, to be composed of General Levelt,3 Colonel Prosper4 and a third Army officer still being sought.
Such a junta could run the country until the worst of the crisis passes in the next few months and the Presidential elections are held in April as scheduled. However, it would be necessary to postpone the Senatorial elections scheduled for January. The President might announce his decision on December 6.
Mr. Rubottom expressed regret at the Ambassador’s report, especially the news of Haiti’s economic straits. Since it was U.S. policy not to intervene in the affairs of other countries, the U.S. Government had no official views on President Magloire’s reported decision. But speaking personally, Mr. Rubottom opined that the President might have taken the course of calling in the military leaders and deciding on a program of austerity in government. At the same time he could appeal to the opposition leaders for their cooperation in the name of national unity, at the same time guaranteeing free elections, and maintenance of public order. This way the President could finish out his term until his successor took office. Ambassador Zephirin interjected that the opposition was circulating [Page 948] the opinion of a French constitutional lawyer that President Magloire’s term should end December 6, 1956.
Mr. Rubottom went on to assure the Ambassador that U.S. plans to send emergency food shipments to Haiti were well advanced. The Ambassador said it was most important to get food to Haiti quickly, possibly before Christmas. The need for seeds, to take advantage of recent rains, was also stressed.
Mr. Rubottom asked to be kept informed of developments in Haiti. The Ambassador said he would be in touch with authorities in Haiti by telephone and would keep us informed. He might have some word for us on December 5.5
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 738.11/12–356. Confidential. Drafted by Fromer.↩
- Joseph Nemours Pierre-Louis.↩
- Antoine Levelt, Chief of Staff of the Haitian Army.↩
- Marcaisse Prosper, Haitian Chief of Police.↩
- The substance of this conversation between Rubottom and Zéphirin was transmitted to the Embassy in Port-au-Prince in telegram 77, December 3. (Department of State, Central Files, 738.00/12–356)↩