DOMINICAN REPUBLIC CANDIDATE FOR OAS HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001487 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR (MCISAAC),WHA/PPC, WHA/USOAS (IRVING, SNEFF),DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM DR SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC CANDIDATE FOR OAS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ¶1. On March 8, Embassy received diplomatic note No. 5715 indicating that the Government of the Dominican Republic will present MFA Ambassador for Human Rights Rhadys Abreu de Polanco as a candidate for membership on the Interamerican Comission for Human Rights at the OAS. She will be a candidate in elections scheduled to take place in June 2005. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy officers know Dra. Abreu well. She is professional and knowledgeable and has served under several administrations and foreign ministers. She has always been available to dialogue with us on international organizations affairs. For example, a year ago,the Dominican delegation to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva delayed until the last minute before casting the vote which provided the majority in favor of the Cuba resolution; Dra. Abreu, on that delegation, took phone calls from us and shared with us the developing situation. ¶3. The following is an informal translation of the text of the diplomatic note (original sent by fax and pouch to WHA/USOAS). (BEGIN INFORMAL TRANSLATION) (complimentary opening) . . .and informs the Embassy that the Government of the Dominican Republic has decided to present the candidacy of Doctor Rhadys Abreu de Poloanco for membership of the Interamerican Commission for Human Rights of the Organization of American States, with the elections to take place in the context of the 35th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly, in June 2005, in Fort Lauderdale. Doctor Abreu, an eminent jurist with a long period of service in the area of Human Rights and with recognized competence at the national and international level, has held for more than 20 years a position in Human Rights at the Dominican Foreign Ministry, having represented our country with dignity at international events of this type. It is of great importance to the Dominican Republic to be able to occupt for the first time this position in one of the most important organs of the OAS, which complements even more the role that our country will be assuming on the UN Commission of Human Rights. The Secretary of State for Foreign Relations hopes to be able to count on the support of the illustrious American Government, and for such purpose has annexed the curriculum vitae of our candidate, and avail ourselves of the opportunity to repeat to the Honorable Embassy of the United States the assurances of our highest esteem and consideration. /Signed/ Attachment: Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Rhadys I. Abreu de Polanco (11 pages). (END INFORMAL TRANSLATION) HERTELL