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. -------------- CAFTA docking talks -------------- ¶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. -------------- 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). -------------- -------------- GODR's action against smugglers or corrupt officials -------------- -------------- ¶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