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.

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Efforts in Haiti
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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.

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Increased role in fighting crime
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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.

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Areas of cooperation
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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