DOMINICAN SUPREME COURT POSTPONES TRIAL FOR ALIEN

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004014 SIPDIS DEPT FOR G/TIP (LINDERMAN),WHA/PPC (FALLS),WHA/CAR (MCISAAC) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KJUS SMIG DR SUBJECT: DOMINICAN SUPREME COURT POSTPONES TRIAL FOR ALIEN SMUGGLING REF: A. 03 STATE 7094 ¶B. 04 STATE 593 ¶1. (U) On July 7 the Dominican Supreme Court once again postponed trial proceedings for PRD Congressman Guillermo Radhames Ramos Garcia, accused of alien smuggling in a July, 2000 incident. According to news reports, the chief prosecutor asked for a delay in order to issue a summons to several key witnesses. The trial will resume at the Supreme Court on 1 September 2004. 2.(SBU) As a result, the case is scheduled to be considered after the August 16 inauguration of the Leonel Fernandez government. The President-elect has given no indication of his choices for any positions, either at cabinet level or at working level. Embassy will continue to stress with the PLD transition working team the need for prompt and effective prosecution of cases involving illegal immigration and trafficking. KUBISKE