DEMARCHE ON CSW DECLARATION: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001224 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR IO, DRL, WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM KWMN DR SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON CSW DECLARATION: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REF: STATE 035769 ¶1. (SBU) The Charge d'Affaires and political officer delivered reftel points on March 2 to Vice Foreign Minister Alejandra Liriano and left the points as a non-paper in Spanish. Liriano was aware of the Beijing-Plus-Ten meeting and noted that the Dominican Republic had sent a large delegation including Women's Ministry and MFA officials, legislators, and NGO and political party representatives in addition to members of the Dominican UN mission. She had no immediate substantive reaction to our demarche, but undertook to send it promptly to the Dominican delegation in New York for their consideration. ¶2. (SBU) Charge and political officer delivered the same demarche March 3 to presidential adviser on women's issues Irma Nicasio. Nicasio had had ample experience at UN meetings as Under Secretary for Women's Issues in the first administration of President Fernandez (1996-2000),including "Beijing Plus Five." She said she would meet the afternoon of March 3 with Liriano to define a government position which could then be sent as guidance to the Dominican UN mission. She noted that the government and Dominican law do not always agree with the views of Dominican NGOs on women's issues, particularly concerning abortion. MARSHALL