DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: DEMARCHE ON VENEZUELAN

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004579 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO VE DR SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: DEMARCHE ON VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM REF: STATE 168747 ¶1. (SBU) On August 6 poloff delivered points para 3 reftel to MFA international organizations deputy director Rhadys Abreu de Polanco, and urged the GODR to issue a statement supporting a free, fair, and transparent process in the Venezuelan presidential referendum August 15. Poloff also advocated engagement of local NGOs on the referendum issue. ¶2. (SBU) Abreu de Polanco undertook to pass our request to Foreign Secretary Frank Guerrero Prats. She noted, however, the GODR's policy of non-intervention in other nations' internal affairs and the need for any statement to be scrupulously evenhanded and based on democratic principles. She downplayed the possible role of any Dominican NGOs, claiming that -- fairly or unfairly -- they are often perceived has being partisan. Poloff asked that we be informed of the foreign secretary's decision regarding a GODR statement. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: The GODR will undergo a change of administrations on August 16, the day after the Venezuelan referendum. Senior officials in the GODR, including many at the MFA, expect to be replaced by persons sympathetic to President-elect Leonel Fernandez's PLD. Some mid-rank officials hope to be retained by the new administration. ¶4. (SBU) Relations with Caracas are sensitive because of the GODR's reliance on oil supplies from Venezuela. Fernandez briefly visited President Chavez in June, and local press has reported Chavez's announced intention to attend Fernandez's inauguration on August 16. Under these circumstances, it is unlikely the outgoing administration will issue any statement on the referendum. ¶5. (SBU) The small number of Dominican NGOs respected for their advocacy of democracy-related topics focus entirely on domestic political reforms and respect for human rights. They lack the mandate for international engagement. KUBISKE