Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SANTODOMINGO1453
2005-03-11 21:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Santo Domingo
Cable title:  

DOMINICAN CONGRESSIONAL BLUSTER LIKELY TO BE

Tags:  PGOV EFIN ETRD PHUM KCRM PREL DR CI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001453 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CAR, WHA/EPSC, G/TIP, EB/TPP/BTA,
EB/IFD/OMA; NSC FOR SHANNON AND MADISON;LABOR FOR ILAB;
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD; TREASURY FOR OASIA-LCARTER
USDOC FOR 4322/ITA/MAC/WH/CARIBBEAN BASIN DIVISION
USDOC FOR 3134/ITA/USFCS/RD/WH; DHS FOR CIS-CARLOS ITURREGUI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EFIN ETRD PHUM KCRM PREL DR CI
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN CONGRESSIONAL BLUSTER LIKELY TO BE
SHORT-LIVED

REF: A. SANTO DOMINGO 1026 (NOTAL)


B. SANTO DOMINGO 1293 (NOTAL)

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001453

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CAR, WHA/EPSC, G/TIP, EB/TPP/BTA,
EB/IFD/OMA; NSC FOR SHANNON AND MADISON;LABOR FOR ILAB;
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD; TREASURY FOR OASIA-LCARTER
USDOC FOR 4322/ITA/MAC/WH/CARIBBEAN BASIN DIVISION
USDOC FOR 3134/ITA/USFCS/RD/WH; DHS FOR CIS-CARLOS ITURREGUI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EFIN ETRD PHUM KCRM PREL DR CI
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN CONGRESSIONAL BLUSTER LIKELY TO BE
SHORT-LIVED

REF: A. SANTO DOMINGO 1026 (NOTAL)


B. SANTO DOMINGO 1293 (NOTAL)


1. (U) The opposition PRD in the Dominican congress has held
up legislative business all this week out of professed
indignation against the administration, but President
Fernandez is likely to calm them down once he gets back this
weekend. A clumsy raid on the offices of former Agriculture
Minister Eligio Jaquez ignited the confrontation. The
Attorney General's office cancelled its summons of Jaquez for
interrogation on allegations of political patronage.


2. (U) Tension between the opposition-controlled Congress
and President Fernandez flared up again, repeating a the
standoff in late February that delayed consideration of
authorizing legislation for bonds in connection with the IMF
standby program (Ref A). On March 9, the opposition PRD
congressional representatives, nearly half of the membership,
boycotted sessions to protest a raid on the private office of
former agriculture minister Eligio Jaquez, connected to
allegations of misuse of public funds to finance a
greenhouses. They called the search a "political action" and
an "outrage" and threatened to suspend sessions "until the
government returns to legality." The search of the office of
a former under secretary of the environment added to their
irritation.


3. (U) On March 10, PRD senators (29 of the 32 members of
that body) announced they would block approval of three bills
pending in the Senate to authorize issuance of bonds worth RD
8.282 billion (USD 287 million) "unless the government ceases
judicial persecution" of PRD leaders. PLD Secretary General
Reinaldo Pared Perez denounced the PRD's "vulgar blackmail."
Presidential Legal Adviser Cesar Pino Toribio said the
searches were conducted properly under judicial orders.


4. (SBU) The deadlock will probably be short-lived. House of
Representatives President Alfredo Pacheco told the DCM late
on March 10 that his chamber would convene for its next
regular session on Tuesday, March 15, to examine the bond
issue and to form a bicameral committee on CAFTA
ratification. Pacheco also said there was overwhelming
sentiment in the House to strip convicted alien smuggler
Congressman Radhames Ramos Garcia (PRD) of his immunity so he
could serve his 18-month prison sentence immediately.
Pacheco commented that the boycott was a political gesture,
"something that occurs from time to time."

HERTELL