DOMINICAN PRESS PRAISE FOR AMBASSADOR HERTELL

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 007343

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA, WHA/CAR, WHA/PA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV DR
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN PRESS PRAISE FOR AMBASSADOR HERTELL


1. Dominican newspapers have reacted favorably to the
Ambassador's recent actions staking out the U.S. position on
free and fair presidential elections. They recently carried
a number of accounts stressing U.S. impartiality in Dominican
politics, based on comments from leaders of opposition
political parties whom the Ambassador hosted on December 3
and 4 for luncheon discussions of their views (septels
follow). Reporters and broadcasters have promptly and
prominently featured this message, which the Ambassador has
delivered impromptu to them during encounters in recent
months.


2. On December 10, Santo Domingo's leading newspaper "El
Caribe" carried an editorial cartoon featuring its stock
comic commentator on current events, a heavy-set grumpy
mustachioed man similar to the figure in the "Pink Panther"
animated cartoons. He is dressed as a housewife with broom
and bucket, vacuum cleaner nearby, speaking into a telephone:
"Of course, of course, Ambassador Hertell, we are getting
ready to have clean elections!" (Chief Editor Victor Manuel
Tejada sent the original to the Ambassador, with his
compliments.)


3. The same day, the wide-circulation populist paper "Hoy"
carried the following op-ed piece signed by commentator
Victor Gulias:

(begin informal translation)

THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR

The Ambassador of the United States in this country is doing
the right thing when, according to press reports, he sets
forth the position of his government vis-a-vis the upcoming
presidential elections: that the Bush administration pledges
to limit itself to supporting a transparent process which
permits Dominicans freely to choose the governing official of
their preference.

And the stance of the Ambassador is positive, especially
facing the rumors which suggest a supposed partiality of the
White House in favor of certain presidential hopefuls, which,
if it were true, would constitute not only an interference in
our affairs, but also a serious political error.

The United States knows better than many the situation of our
country and it is no secret for anyone that its embassy in
Santo Domingo carries out occasional polls to check the pulse
and the feeling of the public about its governing officials
and about Dominican presidential candidates. (sic)

Over the time that he has headed the U.S. diplomatic mission
in our country, this gentleman born in the nearby sister
Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico, has conducted himself
with dignity, prudence, impartiality and stature, as it
should be and as is appropriate for a person of his high
functions. This conduct is recognized by everyone.

The Ambassador's meetings with Dominican political leaders
demonstrate simultaneously his impartiality, given that
according to press reports he has invited to his diplomatic
seat the representatives of both PRSC factions as well as the
PLD leaders, at the time that he has been arranging a meeting
with the contending parties of the ruling PRD. All of that,
we believe, contributes to the governability of the country,
since nobody is unaware of the power of the Americans, in the
country and in the world.

Ambassador Hertell, assisted by his affable character, his
disciplined personal style and his talent for dealing with
people, is well liked in the country and does his work
without affectation, with discretion and intelligence, which
helps to improve the very close relations which tie us to the
United States of America. These qualities are evident to
all, along with his certainty that his government will watch
over the transparency of the elections this coming year.

That transparency, as the United States well knows, is vital
for preserving calm and social peace in the country. May
free and clean elections be organized, may the winner be he
who gets the most votes, may popular will be respected and
may the president and vice-president proclaimed without
delay -- all these are historical imperatives, since it does
not benefit the Americans, or the Dominicans, or the
Caribbean or Latin America for there to be a new hot spot of
conflict, conflict and riots in Santo Domingo.

Hail, then, to the correct position of the friendly
Government of the Untied States, as expressed by its
distinguished and affable ambassador, Mr. Hans Hertell, whom
we congratulate for such a clear and transparent stand.

(end text)
HERTELL