WHA SUMMER 2005 INTERN PROGRAM

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 006315 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/EX MARY MCBRIDE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: APER AMGT SUBJECT: WHA SUMMER 2005 INTERN PROGRAM REF: SECSTATE 243314 Santo Domingo is interested in participating in the WHA summer 2005 intern program. The following information as per reftel: ¶A. Number of internships offered: Two interns a) Economic intern b) Consular intern ¶B. Language requirement: a)Political/Economic intern - Spanish min 2 2 b)Consular intern - Spanish min 3 3 ¶C. N/A ¶D. Section to be assigned: a)ECOPOL, b)Consulate ¶E. Post intern coordinator: Stephen Wheeler Chief, Economic Unit 809.731.4293 (office) 809.686.4038 (fax) WheelerS@state.gov ¶F. Specific duties and projects intern will perform: 1)The ecopol intern will cover duties normally assigned to a second tour officer, as full participation in the activities of a busy 7 person economic and political section in a country friendly to the United States, subject to economic difficulties and institutional weaknessess. This may include: -- Producing written material, including summaries of current political and economic topics, memoranda of conversation, biographic material, briefing material for the Ambassador, and, if the opportunity arises, drafts for telegraphic reports to the Department of State. -- Possibility of participation in demarches to Dominican officials in visits of USG officials and in representational events. -- Daily review of local newspaper, identifiaction of topics of interest to the USG. -- Involvement producing material for the Embassy's classified Website serving the USG. -- As warranted, travel outside Santo Domingo for orientation and investigation. A memorandum of performance is prepared at the end of the assignment. 2) The consulate intern would be directly supervised by the Deputy Consul General or by a Unit Chief. While the intern would not be doing line consular work, the person would be given research Projects commensurate with a first - or - second- tour Foreign Service Officer, which includes producing memoranda and drafting cables or reports to the Department; attending meetings with Dominican officials and other consular contacts; reviewing local newspaper and electronic media for topics of interest to the Consular section; and as arranged, travel outside Santo Domingo for meetings and investigations. A memorandum of performance will be prepared at the end of the assignment. ¶G. Housing: Embassy cannot guarantee that USG housing will be available for an intern. Once possible dates are known we can seek to identify housing that may be available between tenants or house-sitting opportunities; if necessary, we can seek to put an incoming intern in contact with possible sources for short-term rental of a simple furnished room or apartment. The Embassy has no funds to pay for housing. ¶H. Visa requirements: Officially, the Dominican Republic requires a visa to enter the country. However, a tourist visa valid for a limited stay can be purchased upon arrival at national airports, including at the airport in Santo Domingo. The cost is USD 20. There may be a modest additional fee upon departure (perhaps USD 5) if the traveler stays beyond the time period indicated. ¶I. Innoculations required: None (if expecting to travel extensively outside urban centers, vaccinations for Hepatits A and B are recommended) ¶J. Deposits required: None. Cash, travelers checks and personal checks can be exchanged at local banks, including at a branch located at the Embassy chancery. KUBISKE