OAS Hammers Out Dominican Truce

May 5, 1965 - The Organization of American States (OAS) peace commission hammered together a final truce agreement today after conferring with both sides of the civil war in the Dominican Republic.

Despite a ceasefire, U.S. Marines continued to enlarge the international zone for refugees. They moved up four blocks to take in the embassies of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

The movement of the Marines was protested by the rebels to the OAS commission. They said they were opposed to the Marines taking in all the embassies, some lying within insurgent territory. A U.S. spokesman, however, said the ceasefire agreement was between the rebels and the Dominican military junta that took over after the civilian junta was kicked out by the insurgents April 24. He said the agreement did not prohibit movement of U.S. forces.

OAS Commission Chairman Ricardo Colombo of Argentina told reporters in Santo Domingo that the truce agreement covered these points:

— Safe conduct for all political refugees in foreign embassies.

— Evacuation of all refugees of other nations wishing to leave the country.

— The distribution of food to all factions.

The agreement was announced after a final conference early in the day with the military junta. Colombo said the agreement had been endorsed by both sides.

Rebel spokesmen and many other Dominicans have denied that the rebels are Communist-controlled. This issue loomed, however, as the principal element in future Dominican developments.

Today, U.S. Government sources made available a list of 54 “Communist and Castroist” leaders whom President Johnson has accused of having seized control of the rebellion in the Dominican Republic.

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