DOMINICAN PRESIDENT FERNANDEZ REQUESTS INFORMATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTO DOMINGO 000656 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CAR-SEARBY, EB/IFD/ODF-CONNELL, INL/LP-HAWKINS, PM; STATE PASS EXIMBANK (JEFFREY MILLER, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2016 TAGS: BEXP DR EFIN EXIM SNAR MARR SUBJECT: DOMINICAN PRESIDENT FERNANDEZ REQUESTS INFORMATION ON EXIM-FINANCED PATROL BOATS REF: 05 SANTO DOMINGO 4815 Classified By: Ambassador Hans Hertell for Reason 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On February 16 the Ambassador informed Dominican President Leonel Fernandez that credible reports of Dominican navy corruption made it undesirable to authorize a sale of four 46-foot patrol boats for use by the Dominican Navy. He suggested that the sale of the four vessels might be justifiable if they were assigned to the Dominican Port Security Corps (CESEP),the National Counter-Drug Department (DNCD),or a proposed new border patrol force. ¶2. (C) The patrol boats could significantly improve the capabilities of these law enforcement entities to respond to narcotics trafficking and to security threats. Under these conditions and with the inclusion of the requisite support and maintenance packages, the Embassy could recommend favorably for Eximbank financing of the purchase. ¶3. (SBU) The vessels are manufactured by Swiftships of Louisiana and valued at approximately USD 5 million (reftel). ¶4. (C) Fernandez did not appear surprised by the USG objections. He asked the Embassy to provide a letter with all the relevant information including "whatever doubts you may have about how the boats would be used." ¶5. (C) Comment: Embassy will coordinate with Eximbank on the text of the requested letter. HERTELL