AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL WITH CANADIAN AMBASSADOR

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 000149 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EINV PINR CA DR SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL WITH CANADIAN AMBASSADOR ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador and Mrs. Fannin met Canadian Ambassador Patricia Fortier and her husband Paul Durand, the OAS representative in the Dominican Republic, for a courtesy call. Fortier highlighted the GOC's efforts in stabilizing Haiti and increased role in fighting crime, as well as areas for cooperation in strengthening democracy in the Dominican Republic. End summary. -------------- Efforts in Haiti -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Fortier highlighted the GOC's efforts in stabilizing Haiti. The GOC has a bilateral agreement with Haiti which allocates over $550 million CAD over a five year period to a range of education, health, and governance programs. The GOC also has important trilateral projects that involve both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. One such project is a $20 million CAD watershed project along the border of Haiti ) a necessary step to maintaining the stability of Haiti's hydroelectric dam. ¶3. (SBU) Other areas of trilateral cooperation involve issues such as deforestation and health. Contrary to popular media sources (see e.g., "An Inconvenient Truth") that purport to demonstrate a clear demarcation of deforested areas between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Fortier has observed deforestation extending well within Dominican territory. She also observed a "mixing bowl" of diseases and health issues in the border towns. ¶4. (SBU) Fortier stated the GOC is doing what it can to promote cooperation between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, despite what she suggested were ludicrous allegations of an international conspiracy under which Canada and the United States are plotting to unite the two nations of Hispaniola. She stated that despite some reports of altercations and confrontations between viewers in the film screenings of the "Price of Sugar" and "Sugar Babies," Haitians and Dominicans agree and cooperate on many issues. -------------- Increased role in fighting crime -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In response to Ambassador Fannin,s question regarding Canadian efforts to combat drug trafficking, Fortier stated that, though Canada's military does not usually participate in drug interdictions, the GOC is cooperating with the British and Dutch in a joint task force monitoring over-flights in El Salvador and Honduras. Fortier is concerned with the increase of drug transshipments to the Dominican Republic, especially as there are hundreds of flights daily to Canada from the Dominican Republic, and recent media reports of airport personnel involved in smuggling drugs out of airports run by Canadian companies. In this vein, Fortier continued that there must also be effective border control to reduce smuggling by organized criminal groups. -------------- Areas of cooperation -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Durand stated that the one of the fundamental issues in the Dominican Republic is the lack of adequate institutions. Fortier highlighted the deficiency of institutional capacity as demonstrated by the GODR's obstructionist response to tropical storms Noel and Olga. Though USAID and the GOC coordinated relief efforts for tropical storm Noel, the GODR impeded their efforts by not being forthcoming with information regarding the extent of the damages. ¶7. (SBU) Fortier and Durand acknowledged that the populace needs to demand and effect change to their institutions. Both noted that increased support for civil society organizations such as Foundation for Institutionalization and Justice (FINJUS) and Citizen's Participation (Participacion Ciudadana) is an encouraging step. Durand warned that, if change is not effected, popular frustration could eventually foster a Chavista movement similar to Venezuela's. ¶8. (SBU) Durand stated the OAS welcomes an invitation to observe the presidential elections and suggested that the Canadian, U.S. and other Embassies also need to be vigilant for any warning signs of electoral malfeasance. Ambassador Fannin stated early involvement in the electoral process is fundamental. FANNIN