INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT FERNANDEZ, AUGUST 16:

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001118 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OVIP DR SUBJECT: INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT FERNANDEZ, AUGUST 16: EMBASSY EVENTS ¶1. (U) This is an action request for WHA/CAR; please see para. 3. ¶2. (U) President Leonel Fernandez, who was re-elected on May 16, will be inaugurated for his next term on August 16. Embassy Protocol Chief has obtained information on the schedule for inauguration event; please see below and note that this is a tentative and preliminary schedule which was provided orally. ¶3. (SBU) While Post understands that the decision on who will head the U.S. delegation is pending with the White House, we note that the inauguration will take place in five weeks and there is a need to plan events that will take place at the Ambassador's residence. Therefore, we request that WHA/CAR seek feedback from the White House and, when possible, the delegation, on the following issues: -- Will the delegation be able to arrive at the airport in Santo Domingo by 11:30 a.m. on August 15? This arrival time would allow for (a) the Embassy to host a welcome lunch for the delegation; and (b) down time for the delegation prior to a series of evening events. -- Would the delegation be interested in a luncheon reception hosted by the Ambassador for the U.S. and foreign delegations at 2:00 p.m. on August 16? Post appreciates the Department's assistance. ¶4. (U) Post also notes that one advantage of naming the U.S. delegation early and providing the list to the Dominican Government is that foreign delegations are seated and presented to the President in the order that they have provided the names of their group to the host country. ¶5. (SBU) Begin Program for Presidential Inauguration -- ENTIRE PROGRAM IS TENTATIVE AND PRELIMINARY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008 This is the arrival date proposed by the Dominican Government for Chiefs of State and delegations. (Note: Post has no objection to the U.S. delegation arriving on August 15.) FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2008 10:00 am: Deliver Accreditations to Foreign Minister Morales Troncoso by Heads of State accompanied by their delegations. (Note: If the U.S. delegation is not able to attend this event, Post sees no problem with the Ambassador representing the U.S.) Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Attire: Business suit 11:30 am: Embassy proposes that U.S. delegation arrive at airport in Santo Domingo at this time or earlier. 12:00 pm: Proposed welcome lunch for U.S. delegation Guests: U.S. delegation and Embassy Country Team Place: Ambassador's Residence 4:00 pm: Presentations of Accreditations to President Fernandez by Heads of State and Head of Delegation, accompanied by their delegations. Place: National Palace Attire: Dark suit 5:00 pm: Toast by President Fernandez and FM Morales Troncoso to Heads of State and Head of Delegation. 7:30 pm: Reception hosted by FM Morales Troncoso for Heads of State and Head of Delegations. Place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Attire: Dark suit SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2008 9:00 am: General Assembly in Congress 10:30 am: Swearing in ceremony of President and Vice President, followed by inaugural speech Place: Congress building Attire: White suit Time TBC: Salutation to President Fernandez and Vice President Alburquerque Place: Congress 1:00 pm: Te Deum -- mass in the Cathedral Attire: White suit 1:45 pm: Flower Wreath at the Patriots Altar, in memory of the founders of the Republic, presented by President Fernandez and Vice President Alburquerque, Cabinet members and high ranking government officials. (Note: Foreign delegations normally do not/not attend this event.) Attire: White suit 2:00 pm: Proposed U.S. Embassy Luncheon Reception Guests: U.S. delegation, foreign delegations, and Embassy Country Team Place: Ambassador's Residence 4:00/4:30 pm: Down time 8:00 pm: Ministry of Tourism will present a show at the National Theater to the Heads of State and Chief of Delegations. Place: National Theater Attire: Dark suit 8:00 pm: Other celebrations SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2008 (Note: Most foreign delegations will depart the country on August 17.) Please note that this entire program is tentative and preliminary. End program. (U) Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/ FANNIN