Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03SANTODOMINGO6302
2003-11-05 11:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Santo Domingo
Cable title:  

PRESIDENT MEJIA PROMISES DOMINICAN TROOPS WILL

Tags:  MARR MOPS MCAP PREL PGOV DR 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 006302 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA, WHA/CAR (MCISAAC),PM (LIKENS); SECDEF FOR
OSD; NSC FOR SHANNON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2013
TAGS: MARR MOPS MCAP PREL PGOV DR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT MEJIA PROMISES DOMINICAN TROOPS WILL
STAY IN IRAQ

REF: A) WARSAW 03803 B) DERHAM-KUBISKE TELCON 11/4/03

Classified By: DCM Lisa Kubiske, reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 006302

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA, WHA/CAR (MCISAAC),PM (LIKENS); SECDEF FOR
OSD; NSC FOR SHANNON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2013
TAGS: MARR MOPS MCAP PREL PGOV DR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT MEJIA PROMISES DOMINICAN TROOPS WILL
STAY IN IRAQ

REF: A) WARSAW 03803 B) DERHAM-KUBISKE TELCON 11/4/03

Classified By: DCM Lisa Kubiske, reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. President Mejia told the Ambassador of his
deep concern for Dominican soldiers at risk in Iraq. After
closely listening to the Ambassador's emphatic presentation
on the need for continuing Dominican engagement, Mejia said
that the Dominican battalion Iraq will remain in place as
planned. He will host the Ambassador, DATT, MAAG chief and
emboffs for in-depth discussions with the senior military on
Friday, November 7. End summary.

BACKGROUND


2. (C) The battalion of 302 Dominican soldiers serving with
coalition forces arrived in Iraq in August 2003 and is
scheduled to rotate out on February 15, to be replaced by
another battalion for an additional six months. Dominican
officers visiting Warsaw announced the intention to withdraw
Dominican troops (reftel).


3. (C) Secretary of the Armed Forces Soto Jimenez told MAAG
chief today that Mejia had decided two weeks earlier to
repatriate the troops "as soon as possible." He and his
staff indicated that they had met with the President in the
morning and had obtained his assent to leaving behind a
contingent of liaison officers and a platoon of military
police. The issue, they said, was primarily pay; they said
that Mejia had been expecting the United States to cover
salary and allowances for the batallion, a cost for the full
year of almost USD 1 million. The Dominican officers also
complained that supplies were inadequate, particularly
including parkas, boots, and transportation.


4. (C) Under Dominican law, the GODR is required to pay an
overseas allowance to troops serving outside the Dominican
Republic. The current financial situation in the Dominican
Republic has left the Military foraging for funds and unable
to meet its legal obligations. To date, two allowance
payments have been made to the individual soldiers. The

first, approximately USD 250, was made when the soldiers
departed the Dominican Republic in August (funded through a
loan from a local firm regularly doing business with the
military). The second, approximately USD 200, was made in
mid-October when Soto Jimenez, visited his troops in Iraq.
The Secretary and accompanying officers funded their own
travel.

MEJIA LISTENS


5. (C)Despite a busy schedule, President Mejia agreed to
receive the Ambassador and and emboffs on short notice,
giving us priority over other waiting visitors. The
Ambassador emphasized to the President the extent of USG
support for the Dominican Republic, noting his own recent
contacts with the Department, Treasury, and the White House,
all of whom want to help the Dominican Republic. He stressed
that the President had to reconsider his decision to bring
Dominican troops back early from Iraq. There would be strong
consequences if Mejia were to reconsider his pledge to
support coalition rebuilding of Iraq. The Dominican presence
is important to the United States and to the rest of the
coalition; it is the nation's clear rejection of terrorism
and a sign of support for liberty.


6. (C) Mejia said he worried that something might happen to
the troops. The situation was volatile and unpredictable.
The killing of even a single Dominican would be disastrous,
socially and politically. The opponents in Iraq were "crazy"
and targeted those trying to help the country. They were ill
in spirit, like the Taliban, and thought nothing of sending
suicide bombers against civilian targets.


7. (C) The Ambassador stressed the historic nature of the
mission and the prestige that the Dominicans' extraordinary
work was bringing to them. He appealed to the President's
duty and leadership. The word of a possible withdrawal had
brought immediate, strong reaction from high levels in
Washington.


8. (C) After a pause, Mejia replied, "They will stay." His
expression was serious. "But think of their families. . . ."
and then, "but we must assume our responsibilities." He
repeated the need to assume the DR's global responsibilities.
Mejia said he would so instruct the military, citing the
Ambassador, and then he decided to invite the Ambassador and
four staff to a working lunch with the armed forces on
Friday, November 7.


9. (C) Mejia wound up with some acerbic remarks about the
international financial institutions ("economists working in
air conditioned offices have no understanding of the real
conditions here"),expressed his dismay at the deterioration
of the exchange rate (now 40 pesos to the dollar),and said
he was very satisfied at the seizure of nearly a ton of
cocaine aboard a ship from Colombia ("destroy it, I told
them, get rid of it").


10. (C) Comment. We note that the Dominnican military
read-out appears to have been misleading. If one takes him
at his word -- and in this instance we do -- Mejia's concern
is for the exposure of the troops, and certainly for the
political consequences if any are killed or wounded. Even
so, financing for their operations is unsecured and of
fundamental concern to the Dominican military. When the
Ambassador brought the argument back to the fundamental
principles -- the standing of the country within the
international community and its solidarity with the war
against terrorism -- Mejia did the right thing.
HERTELL