DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IS NOT FOCUSING ON TSUNAMI

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004212

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/OA LIZ TIRPAK, OES/STC PATRICIA MEEKS, WHA/CAR
DAVID SEARBY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC TPHY EAID SENV DR
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IS NOT FOCUSING ON TSUNAMI
WARNING SYSTEMS

REF: SECSTATE 152264


1. The Dominican government does not have a tsunami warning
system (TWS) and it is unlikely that it will develop one
soon. The Dominican National Emergency Commission does not
believe tsunamis are a current threat to the Dominican
Republic in comparison to hurricanes, flooding, and
tornadoes.


2. On September 1, econoff contacted Director Jose Luis
German Mejia and other members of the Dominican National
Emergency Commission (COE). COE is the first responder,
researcher, and coordinator on all national emergencies in
the Dominican Republic. The Dominican team stated they did
not have a warning system and would need to have several
internal meetings to discuss what kinds of equipment and/or
assistance they would need to create one. German proposed
that the Dominican Republic work with other Caribbean
countries to create a Caribbean Tsunami Warning System in an
agreement similar to the one they have with Puerto Rico for
seismic studies. German stated the Dominican government
would welcome any financial or technical assistance from the
U.S. government for the creation of a TWS.


3. The National Emergency Commission appeared unaware of the
upcoming meeting of the International Oceanographic
Commission Intergovernmental Coordination Group.
HERTELL