DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL WORK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTO DOMINGO 006486

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA AND DRL
NSC FOR SHANNON AND MADISON
USDOL FOR ILAB
TREASURY FOR OASIA-LAMONICA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2013
TAGS: DR ELAB PINS PGOV
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL WORK
STOPPAGE


Classified By: Charge Lisa Kubiske for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: A national work stoppage November 11,
successfully organized by leftist groups and a few unions to
protest deteriorating economic conditions and the
government's economic policies, attracted wide participation
and shut down businesses across the country. Although most
cities remained very quiet, scattered confrontations left
eight persons dead and some 34 injured. Some of the deaths
resulted from police gunfire, but the casualties were
relatively low in comparison with similar protests in the
past. President Mejia, senior military officers, and
political party leaders expressed sympathy with the public's
frustration, supported their right to peaceful protest, and
strongly discouraged violence. Security forces arrested at
least 544 persons, many of whom were to be charged with
disturbing the peace but were expected to be released shortly
in accordance with law. It is unlikely the organizers will
win fulfillment of their unrealistic demands. It is too
early to know whether the event will influence the
government's policies or the presidential election campaign
in any way. End summary.


2. (U) A national work stoppage, or "general strike," took
place across the Dominican Republic from 6:00 a.m. local
November 11 to 6:00 a.m. local November 12. Led by a
"Nacional Coordinator for Unity and Struggle" (Coordinadora
Nacional para la Unidad y Lucha),participating or supporting
organizations ranged from the Armed Front for Popular
Struggle (FALPO, whose leader was arrested in Colombia for
links with terrorists there) to the mainstream National
Council of Labor Unity (Consejo Nacional de Unidad Sindical -
CNUS). However, leaders of other mainstream labor groups,
including the largest transport workers union, refused to
support the stoppage.


3. (U) The protest was designed to show public frustration
with rapidly rising living costs and widespread electric
power outages in recent months. The organizers called on the
GODR to raise the minimum wage, double salaries, restrain
prices, and restore electricity within 30 days. The leaders
also called for a debt moratorium and an end to the IMF
program. In light of the widespread participation, they
termed the strike "successful."


4. (C) Youths from some poorer neighborhoods burned tires and
threw trash on roads to slow traffic, but in many cases
traffic passed without incident. According to the National
Police general in charge of investigations, police reacted
violently only when surrounded or cornered by demonstrators
who were throwing rocks and bottles or shooting. Police and
army troops were deployed mainly in areas that had been prone
to violence during past protests and by vulnerable public
facilities such as bridges and banks. The scattered violent
incidents, according to the National Police, left eight
persons dead (including one policeman) and 34 wounded
(including seven security force personnel). The armed forces
chief, in comments to us, attributed five of the deaths to
police gunfire -- the police gave us a lower figure -- and
one to FALPO extremists. He noted that army troops
performing police duties operated under strict rules of
engagement. Three deaths occurred in greater Santo Domingo
and the rest in interior towns.


5. (U) Before and during the stoppage, the President,
political party leaders, and senior military officers
expressed sympathy with the public's frustration over serious
economic problems, acknowledged the right to protest
peacefully, and strongly encouraged non-violence. At the
same time, in an effort to prevent violence, the GODR
announced deployment of all available police and army troops,
especially in and around the capital city. The authorities
emphasized that they were prepared for any contingency.
Before and during the strike, security forces searched
vehicles and their occupants for weapons. They arrested at
least 544 persons, many of whom were to be charged with
disturbing the peace and were expected to be released within
48 hours in accordance with law. Several protest organizers,
arrested prior to the strike, were subsequently released
without being charged.

6. (C) Late on November 11, authorities noticed that some
usually troublesome neighborhoods in the capital were quiet,
apparently because they had electric power. Consequently,
the government switched power distribution from affluent
neighborhoods in the capital to other low-income areas in an
effort to avert disturbances there. Note: Electricity supply
has fallen sharply below demand in recent weeks. Much of the
distribution is in government hands following the GODR's
agreement with Union Fenosa. End note.


7. (U) The day after the strike, legislators disagreed on
what should be done in response. Chamber of Deputies
president Alfredo Pacheco (of the ruling PRD) called on the
GODR to immediately review its policies in light of the
strike, while Senate president Jesus Vasquez (PRD) asked the
public to give the authorities time to make necessary
changes. Secretary of Interior and Police Pedro Franco Badia
said the government is disposed to have a dialog with the
groups that organized the work stoppage, but noted that it
would be impossible to double salaries for Dominican workers.


8. (C) Comment: President Mejia, who has often pointed to
the "three years of labor peace" since he assumed office, has
now had to cope with the first nationwide protest of his
presidency. His predecessor, Leonel Fernandez (1996-2000),
faced more such disruptions. Mejia gets kudos for upholding
the human right of free speech and peaceable protests. We
are still looking into the situation on the arrests. By
historical standards, the violence this time was relatively
limited and there have been few accusations that authorities
used excessive force. While there was plenty of cause for
discontent (something Mejia himself noted) and plenty of
sympathy throughout the country for a peaceful protest, the
success of the work stoppage also reflects good planning on
the part of the organizers. They planned, and got, an event
that called for support by essentially adding a fourth day to
a long weekend without any requirement to march in the
streets. Government fulfillment of their demands within 30
days, on the other hand, seems highly unlikely, both for the
content (stabilizing the economy while raising all wages) and
the timing (too close to Christmas). It is too early to
know whether the event will influence the government,s
policies or the presidential election campaign in any way.
End comment.
KUBISKE