CHALLENGING CUBA'S CANDIDACY ON ECOSOC - DOMINICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTO DOMINGO 004496

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/UNDP:R BEHREND AND FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/CCA; USUN
FOR AMBASSADORS SIV AND GODARD AND ALEC MALLY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2015
TAGS: CU DR PREL PHUM
SUBJECT: CHALLENGING CUBA'S CANDIDACY ON ECOSOC - DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC

REF: STATE 177073

Classified By: Charge d'affaires Lisa Kubiske for Reason 1.4 (b) and (d
).


1. (C) Ambassador delivered demarche para 4 reftel to Foreign
Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso on September 28, urging the
Dominican Republic to become a candidate for election to
ECOSOC in October. Morales said that the Dominican Republic
has registered to run for ECOSOC membership in 2007. This
occurred subsequent to Ambassador's conversation with
President Fernandez on September 11, in which Fernandez
mentioned his desire that the Dominican Republic become a
candidate. Morales said that Fernandez had not been
referring to a 2006 candidacy and said it had been the
Dominican Republic's intention all along to run in 2007.
Morales had been told by Dominican UN PermRep Erasmo
Lara-Pena that it would look "ridiculous" to register at this
late date for the election in October.


2. (C) In a follow-up phone call, the Ambassador urged
Morales to keep an open mind about running for 2006 and
informed him that USUN was making a similar diplomatic effort
with the Dominican UN Mission in New York. He reinforced the
following points:

-- There are no obstacles to the Dominican Republic
registering a "late" candidacy for the October vote;

-- The Dominican Republic could contribute to ECOSOC as a
stable democracy committed to respect for human rights;

-- The country would be a viable candidate with good
prospects for attracting support from other democratic member
states;

-- As an ECOSOC member, the country would be in a position to
trade votes and improve its prospects for re-election to the
UN Human Rights Commission next April; and

-- By registering, the Dominicans could help democratic
member states oppose the Cubans' attempt to win an
unprecedented fourth term on ECOSOC.


3. (C) Morales was noncommittal, but said he might call back
with more. Embassy will report any new development.
KUBISKE