O.A.S. Troops To Leave Dominica

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31096, 27 June 1966, Page 14

O.A.S. Troops To Leave Dominica

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, June 26. The 8000 troops sent in to the Dominican Republic to keep the peace after last year’s civil war will begin leaving the country early next month.

The Organisation of American States has voted to begin the withdrawal by July 1, the day that the President-elect, Dr. Joaquin Balaguer, is sworn in to try to bring stability to the troubled Caribbean nation.

The vote was 18 in favour, with one abstention—Mexico, which explained that it wanted the troops brought out, but was equally keen to register its disapproval of sending them there in the first place. The bloody four-month civil war was begun by a revolt aimed at restoring the Leftwing former President, Juan Bosch, to power. In elections last June 1, described as clean and free by O.A.S. observers, Professor Bosch was beaten for the Presidency by Dr. Balaguer, who

received massive support from traditionally conservative peasants. The O.A.S. resolution called for completion of the troop withdrawal within 90 days. The force consists of units from the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Paraguay.