90-DAY GOALS MET IN 90 DAYS - SANTO DOMINGO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 006442

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR (MCISAAC) AND WHA/PPC (NORMAN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON KCRM SNAR AMGT DR
SUBJECT: 90-DAY GOALS MET IN 90 DAYS - SANTO DOMINGO

REF: A. STATE 230096


B. SANTO DOMINGO 04246

C. STATE 304789

D. SANTO DOMINGO 06379


1. (SBU) Summary. Embassy Santo Domingo has met all three
of its 90-day goals set forth in reftel B. Emboffs have: a.)
Increased the Dominican's readiness for CAFTA docking talks,
b.) Secured GODR agreement for international election
observers and identified potential observers, and c.)
Convinced the GODR to take action against
smugglers/traffickers or corrupt officials. Embassy Santo
Domingo will continue to work with GODR to make further
progress in each of these areas.

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CAFTA docking talks
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2. (SBU) Emboffs worked with Dominican counterparts on two
major areas relating to the upcoming CAFTA docking talks: a.)
strengthening copyright regulations, and b.) identifying
concerns and priorities as the Dominicans enter negotiations.
The GODR had issued a resolution that weakened enforcement
provisions in copyright cases and conflicted with current
Dominican piracy laws. In late August, the GODR reversed the
decision via a second resolution passed by the Secretariat of
Culture, resulting in an overall strengthening of the
administration of copyright laws in the country. Emboffs
also engaged on a frequent and regular basis with GODR
officials on the CAFTA integration process and content to
identify priorities and concerns. The GODR has established
its negotiating team and has launched its outreach process
with Dominican interested parties to identify their key
concerns.


3. (SBU) Additional steps taken to increase GODR readiness
for CAFTA docking talks include: USAID support in sponsoring
upcoming training in rules of origin and international
arbitration, and outreach to civil society and the private
sector. Training courses in international arbitration and
rules of origin are scheduled to take place in November.
Outreach to the private sector is an ongoing process.
Emboffs are approaching all major chambers of commerce and on
October 22, the DCM delivered a comprehensive speech on trade
policy to an association of chambers in Santiago, the
Dominican Republic's second largest city.

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International Election Observers
--------------


4. (SBU) Emboffs met with various members of the Central
Electoral Board (JCE),the GODR board which has the authority
to ask for international election observers. The JCE
participated in a UNDP round-table with the EU and several
donor countries, including the USG, and said that it would
enthusiastically welcome international observers for the May
2004, presidential elections. The UNDP will sponsor a second
round-table to discuss details and logistics. Emboffs have
confirmed that the NDI/Carter Center, the International
Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) and the Centro de
Asesoria y Promocion Electoral (CAPEL) are interested in
serving as observers to the election if resources are
available. The Carter Center and IFES have proposed
USG-funded missions, and the OAS is expected to submit a
proposal as well. Embassy Santo Domingo does not/not have
resources to fund any of these proposals at this time.
Embassy sent request for USG funding (reftel D).

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GODR's action against smugglers or corrupt officials
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5. (SBU) The Ambassador and Emboffs have repeatedly urged
the GODR to prosecute suspected alien smuggler and Dominican
Congressman Guillermo Radhames Ramos Garcia. The Ambassador
discussed the case directly with President Mejia. The DCM
and Poloffs met with the Dominican Attorney General, the
Chief of the Supreme Court, and the chief of the National
Police, in October, in addition to raising the issue with
lower level contacts throughout the past 90 days. Ramos
Garcia was apprehended attempting to bring East Asian
migrants illegally into the Dominican Republic from Haiti.
With much prodding from Embassy Santo Domingo, the Dominican
Attorney General's office turned over to the Dominican
Supreme Court the documents necessary for prosecution. The
Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over the case due to
Ramos Garcia's position as a congressman. The Supreme Court
held two hearings on preliminary matters on October 22, and
October 30. Ramos Garcia's trial is currently scheduled to
begin on December 4.


6. (SBU) Additionally, the Ambassador, DCM, Consul General
and other Emboffs provided to the Foreign Minister the names
of a former Dominican vice consul in Panama, and a Panamanian
consul in Santo Domingo, who have been implicated in
trafficking Dominican women to Panama. Emboffs have also
requested the National Police and the Dominican Under
Secretary of Foreign Relations for Consular Affairs to open

SIPDIS
an investigation against the Dominican consular officer.
HERTELL