AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT FERNANDEZ: NAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTO DOMINGO 002958 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IO, IO/UNP, WHA, WHA/CAR, INR/IAA; USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD; TREASURY FOR OASIA-JLEVINE; DEPT PASS USDA FOR FAS; USDOC FOR 4322/ITA/MAC/WH/CARIBBEAN BASIN DIVISION; USDOC FOR 3134/ITA/USFCS/RD/WH; DHS FOR CIS-CARLOS ITURREGUI E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016 TAGS: DR PREL UNGA PTER PHUM CU SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT FERNANDEZ: NAM SUMMIT, VENEZUELA-GUATEMALA REF: STATE 145242 Classified By: Ambassador Hans H. Hertell, Reasons 1.4(b),(d) ¶1. (SBU) In a September 9 meeting with President Fernandez, the Ambassador delivered Reftel demarche on the NAM Summit, emphasizing the importance the United States places on the UN Security Council membership, terrorism, democracy, and the Middle East. ¶2. (C) Regarding the Security Council race between Venezuela and Guatemala, Fernandez reaffirmed the Dominican Republic's commitment to vote for Guatemala. The President added that his government does not plan to make the commitment public because of the need to preserve good relations with Caracas. For example, Venezuela's assistance via the PetroCaribe program is valued by the Dominicans because of the severe energy problems here. Noting that the Dominican Republic is running for a seat on the Security Council next year (2008-09),Fernandez said that, if this year's Venezuela-Guatemala race (2007-08) reaches an impasse, the Dominicans would be interested in stepping in as a compromise candidate. (Note: Post understands that the Department is preparing a demarche request which will explain the specific timing of when a possible Dominican entry into this year's race would be opposed/supported by the U.S.) ¶3. (C) Regarding terrorism, Fernandez strongly supported the U.S. position, saying that the issue is clear, and that the Dominican Government denounces violence irregardless of the type. ¶4. (C) Comment: In a separate meeting with the Ambassador, Foreign Minister Morales dismissed U.S. concerns about Venezuela-Guatemala as unnecessary, saying "I'm handling this myself" and waving a hand in a motion that signaled "there is nothing to worry about" (Septel). Morales' dramatic flourish aside, we note that PetroCaribe is highly valued by the Dominican Republic because of the troubled energy sector here, where blackouts are frequent and the Government spends heavily on power. Nevertheless, we are strongly encouraged by Fernandez's reaffirmation of support for Guatemala, particularly since it comes straight from the top. ¶5. (U) This report and extensive other material can be consulted on our SIPRNET site, http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/ . HERTELL