ECUADOR EX-PRESIDENT NOBOA NOW IN DOMINICAN

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004522 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KJUS DR EC SUBJECT: ECUADOR EX-PRESIDENT NOBOA NOW IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REF: A. QUITO 2841 ¶B. SANTO DOMINGO 3863 ¶C. QUITO 2530 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: The GODR MFA has confirmed that former Ecuadorian President Gustavo Noboa arrived in the Dominican Republic on August 23 after being granted approval by the GOE to travel. He and his spouse have been staying at the Presidential retreat, but are arranging to rent their own apartment here. The document granting Noboa safe passage states that the GOE retains the right to request Noboa's extradition. Noboa had been living in GODR diplomatic residences in Ecuador since July 28 when he first petitioned for asylum. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) MFA Americas Director Francia Sencion has confirmed to us that former Ecuadorian President Gustavo Noboa was granted asylum by the GODR and arrived in the Dominican Republic August 23. Noboa and his wife, Maria Isabel Baquerizo, were met by Presidential security at Las Americas airport and taken directly to the Presidential retreat in Juan Dolio, where they met with President Mejia. The Ecuadorians have been staying there briefly as Mejia,s guests and are in process of renting a &small8 apartment here, within their limited finances. ¶3. (U) Noboa had been living in GODR diplomatic residences in Ecuador while awaiting the GOE's decision on whether it would allow him to travel to the Dominican Republic. The GOE granted Noboa's request to leave the country, but retained the right to request Noboa's extradition in the event an Ecuadoran court subpoenas him. However, Sencion said the GODR does not consider this hypothetical extradition to be a condition of the safe-conduct. ¶4. (U) All Santo Domingo dailies covered the arrival of the Noboa, noting that Presidential security forces would not allow them access to Ex-President Noboa on orders from the Presidential Palace. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: The arrival of Noboa comes in the same week in which President Mejia announced his support for a bill which would grant immunity from criminal prosecution to former Dominican presidents. So far there has been no linking of the two events in the press. KUBISKE