WSIS/FREEDOM OF THE PRESS; DOMINICAN RESPONSE

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 005074 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM DR SUBJECT: WSIS/FREEDOM OF THE PRESS; DOMINICAN RESPONSE REF: SECSTATE 260761 ¶1. Poloff delivered reftel talking points by email and fax to Ambassador for Human Rights Anabella de Castro on September ¶15. Talking points were also sent on September 16 to Indotel President and Secretary of State for Telecommunications Orlando Jorge Mera. Mr. Mera assured Poloff that he would send talking points to Indotel representatives in Geneva. According to Ambassador de Castro, Indotel traditionally takes the government's lead on freedom of the press issues, not the Foreign Ministry. At first glance, neither Ambassador de Castro nor Mr. Mera expressed any potential problems. HERTELL