PRESIDENT OF DOMINICAN LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER ALFREDO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 004679

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR DR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT OF DOMINICAN LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER ALFREDO
PACHECO OUTLINES AGENDA

REF: SANTO DOMINGO 4249

SUMMARY


1. (SBU) On August 27 newly elected activist Chamber of
Deputies President Alfredo Pacheco told Charge d,Affaires
and Poloffs he sets a priority on reforming the Penal and
Civil Codes. He emphasized ongoing collaboration with new
Senate President Jesus Vasquez to develop a joint legislative
agenda to be formally announced soon. He expects Congressman
Ramon Radhames Garcia to renounce parliamentary immunity in
connection with trafficking charges but is unclear on next
steps if Garcia does not act. The Chamber,s new session
officially began August 19 (three days behind schedule) after
a disorderly effort by rival Rafaela &Lila8 Alburquerque
and her supporters to prevent Pacheco from assuming
leadership (reftel). Pacheco has now taken the helm of what
is probably the stronger house of the National Congress and
is setting his own course. A coalition-builder, Pacheco
strongly supports modernizing and institutionalizing the
Congress. END SUMMARY.

NEW LEADERSHIP MEET AND GREET


2. (SBU) On August 27 new Chamber of Deputies President
Alfredo Pacheco discussed legislative priorities with Charge
d,Affaires and Poloffs. He was accompanied by the other
principal officers of the house Vice-President Manuel Sanchez
(PRD); Committee on Foreign Relations President Cristian
Paredes; Ilana Neumann, Deputy representing Puerto Plata
(PRD); and Nemencia de la Cruz, Deputy representing Santo
Domingo (PRD). Pacheco began by expressing his support for
female politicians (there are 24 women among 150 deputies)
and the potential influence Charge could have in promoting
more female participation in government. He said that
although the Chamber,s leadership team is PRD, their views
differ concerning presidential candidates. Pacheco also
acknowledged opponent Lila Alburquerque,s instrumental role
in promoting respect for female politicians. He credited her
for pushing for key legislation that protects women,s
rights, such as the recently passed law against trafficking
in persons.


3. (SBU) Pacheco told Charge that he and Senate President
Vasquez have consulted and will continue to develop a joint
legislative agenda. He mentioned as probable priorities
reform of Civil and Penal Codes, legislation to
®ularize8 rent prices and protect property owners, and
follow-up on a law that would institutionalize a human rights
ombudsman (Defensor del Pueblo). Pacheco is keen on free
trade and globalization. He strongly supports a free trade
agreement and concurred with Charge,s idea that future
congressional delegations include meetings at the Chamber.

WHAT ABOUT RADHAMES GARCIA?


4. (SBU) When asked about his public urging that accused
alien smuggler Ramon Radhames Garcia renounce his
parliamentary immunity, Pacheco told the Charge that the
Chamber has not yet received any written communication from
Garcia. He commented that the Dominican constitution is
vague about the procedures for revoking immunity of an
accused public official but said he would act following
receipt of Garcia,s written statement. Pacheco reiterated
that ultimately the judiciary has to decide Garcia,s guilt
or innocence. He said that public officials )- like other
persons -- are not above the law and should be prosecuted for
criminal offenses. The Charge stressed that the U.S. view
that the Dominican government has been weak on punishing its
own and that failure to prosecute corrupt officials could
adversely affect our bilateral relationship.

COMMENT


5. (SBU) Pacheco comes across as an impressively thoughtful
and articulate politician. It is too early to tell whether
he can deliver on legislation, but he is off to a fast start.
He has already begun cleaning house, closing down several
departments within the Chamber of Deputies which he deemed
unnecessary. As many as 300 low-level political appointees
will lose their jobs as a result of the sweep, and will
likely be replaced by Pacheco,s own supporters.


6. (SBU) As for the hard-fought campaign to win the Chamber
presidency, it remains unclear whether Pacheco was involved
in orchestrating the blackout and noisy demonstrations on
August 16 (his supporters showed up for the session with
flashlights). Embassy will continue developing relations
with Pacheco and covering significant developments regarding
alleged alien smuggler Radhames Garcia.

BIO NOTE


7. (SBU) A well-established PRD leader in the Congress,
Alfredo Pacheco has a strong political base in his home
neighborhood Cristo Rey (a poor barrio in Santo Domingo).
From a very young age Pacheco got involved in politics
through community service with the Catholic Church and as a
volunteer political activist. He is well liked by his
Congressional colleagues and by the general public. Most
Dominicans, weary of his predecessor,s four-year reign as
speaker, seem willing to give him a fair chance to usher in
legislative change.


8. (SBU) Pacheco is a long-time public servant who has worked
his way up through the ranks. At age 44, he has 13 years in
the Chamber along with prior experience as a city councilman,
local-level PRD spokesman, and PRD Chamber spokesman. He has
already published a booklet about the House of
Representatives, with a brief summary of major constitutional
reforms, an explanation of the composition of the House, a
directory of representatives with personal addresses and
birth dates, and a list of proposed legislative 2003-04
agenda items.
KUBISKE