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