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