DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - REGIONAL PROTESTS PRECEDED BY

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004725

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA,DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV DR ASEC
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - REGIONAL PROTESTS PRECEDED BY
TWO SHOOTING DEATHS


1. On October 19 protests in central streets shut portions
of the major provincial city of Santiago and surrounding
areas. Demonstrators demanded changes in the government,s
economic policies and price reductions on basic food
products, gas, and electricity. The strike stopped many of
the public transport cars and buses. Organizers Victor Breton
of the Extended Front for the People (FALPO),Juan Marte of
the National Transport Confederation (CONATRA),and the
Father Rogelio Cruz of Organization of Populist Groups had
called for a 24-hour strike. Clashes in the streets left
several persons injured. Two persons were shot dead in the
early hours of the morning before the strike actually
started; one was an assistant to PLD congressman Juan
Serulle. A total of 57 organizations backed the work
stoppage.


2. Populist leaders said the effort had achieved 90 percent
participation in 14 provinces of Cibao. Puerta Plata, Bonao,
La Vega, Saman, and Nagua were not affected. Various
institutions suspended classes, including Nordestana Catholic
University, the Northeast Regional University (Curne),and
all the state and private schools in the Northern region
suspended classes. One news daily reported 7 serious
injuries and over 100 arrests. The southwestern city of
Barahona was affected by street protests as well; two
onlookers were injured by stray bullets.


3. There have been no complaints concerning the actions of
the security forces. Police in Santiago are reported to be
holding 45 persons under arrest. Presidential press
spokesman Roberto Nunez called the demonstrations
insignificant: "They said they would shut down 14 provinces
and failed even to affect two." He denounced "hooded
individuals using rifles."


4. The Attorney General,s office and the police are
investigating the case. Leaders of the Dominican Liberation
Party (PLD) blamed strike organizers. PLD leader Julio Cesar
Valentin, said he had information that those responsible were
from FALPO and the PRD. Santiago governor Jose Izquierdo
blamed FALPO and the PRD. FALPO spokesperson Victor Breton
said the deaths resulted from an assault carried out by two
unknown individuals; strike organizers emphatically offered
to turn themselves into the district attorney for
questioning, to prove their innocence.
Secretary of Interior and Police Franklin Almeida said that

SIPDIS
there are "political groups interested in creating problems"
behind the violent incidents.


5. FALPO has a history of protest activity, including two
country-wide work stoppages in the last year of the Mejia
administration. It has virtually no presence in the capital,
Santo Domingo. Since June the group has organized several
marches, protests and work stoppages in the central Cibao
region. On October 13, FALPO led a march of more than 100
persons in Santiago demanding more investment in public
infrastructure.
BRINEMAN