Archive Report
Archive Report
Struggle to Stabilize Dominican Republic
Uncertainty Over Scheduled June Elections
The continued presence of foreign troops in the Dominican Republic a year after the outbreak of civil war provides a solemn backdrop for elections scheduled to be held in the Caribbean nation on the first day of June. Even as the election campaign grows in intensity, some observers doubt that the internal situation is stable enough to assure that the polling will, in fact, take place. Others believe the presence of an Inter-American Peace Force of 8,000 men —including 6,800 U.S. troops —guarantees orderly balloting for a president, legislators, mayors and local officials.1
Meanwhile, the situation remains tense in Santo Domingo, the capital, where 400,000 of the nation's 3.5 million people reside. Early last January, Provisional President ...