DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RATIFIES ART. 98 BILATERAL

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004319 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR WHA/CAR-MCISAAC, T-GALLICO, L/PM-COFFEE, L/T-ALLDER, PM/SNA-MURRAY NSC FOR SHANNON AND MADISON SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MASS DR SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RATIFIES ART. 98 BILATERAL ACCORD REF: SANTO DOMINGO 3979 ¶1. (U) As Congressional leaders had assured us (reftel),the Dominican Republic on July 22 ratified the bilateral DR-U.S. agreement under Article 98 of the International Criminal Court treaty. The Chamber of Deputies plenary approved the measure, following the June 15 approval by the Senate (reftel). The accord was signed September 13, 2002. ¶2. (U) The ratification must now be signed by the President -- we anticipate no problem -- and published in the Official Gazette within 15 days of signature. The MFA will then initiate an exchange of diplomatic notes to put the agreement into effect. ¶3. (SBU) We do not anticipate any problem arising from the change of administrations on August 16, in the event we do not receive the diplomatic note before that date. President-elect Leonel Fernandez has assured us he will comply with all international commitments and obligations of the preceding administration. HERTELL