CIVAIR: MONTREAL CONVENTION - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004378

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, EB/TRA/OA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON DR
SUBJECT: CIVAIR: MONTREAL CONVENTION - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

REF: STATE 159746


1. On September 9 EcoPol counselor delivered reftel talking
points to MFA international organizations director Michelle
Cohen and urged that the Dominican Republic ratify the
Montreal Convention. Embassy sent a diplomatic note
containing the same request on September 13.


2. On September 16 econ officer delivered the talking points
to Ivan Vasquez, Technical Sub-director of Norms and
Regulations within the General Directorate of Civil Aviation
(DGAC). Vasquez said that DGAC, with the assistance of the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),has been writing a new
aviation law to replace the current law enacted in 1963. FAA
has told him it expects the final draft by September 23.
DGAC plans to submit the bill to the Dominican Congress by
the end of October. Vasquez stated that a new law would
allow Dominican authorities to address several subjects,
including the ratification of the Montreal Convention.
Embassy sent DGAC a copy of the diplomatic note. We will
follow up and report any further substantive response.
KUBISKE