PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: DOMINICAN

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 000017 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/PPC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID PHUM DR SUBJECT: PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REF: 06 STATE 156839 ¶1. This cable responds to Reftel request for Post's assessment of the suitability of the Dominican Republic for possible pilot projects under the Partnership for Democratic Governance (PDG). Background -------------- ¶2. The USG's Democracy and Governance assistance program in the Dominican Republic in focused in three areas: Justice system reform and strengthening, anti-corruption and increasing government transparency, and -- under a new strategy that is under development -- strengthening civil society so that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have a greater capacity to build coalitions and act in a coordinated manner. Assessment -------------- ¶3. Post's answers to Reftel questions are as follows: Q: Does host government have political will and demonstrated need for PDG services, but lack capacity to provide them itself? A: Yes, with caveat that government's political will has tended to start and stop. Q: Would host government be prepared to accept PDG principles and conditions, e.g. accountability measures? A: Yes. Q: Could host government provide funding and could project be run with small number of personnel? A: Yes. Q: Would project attract interest and funding from other donors? A: There is some potential for funding from other donors. Q: Are structures in place for PDG projects? A: To some degree, given history of European Union assistance to Dominican Republic. Q: Would project promote south-south cooperation? A: Yes, the Dominican Republic is in similar position to other countries from which it can learn. Q: Would project results be better at national or sub-national level? A: National level. Q: Should project priority be delivery of core state functions or social services? A: Post recommends priority be placed on developing core state governance functions. (U) This report and additional information can be found on Embassy Santo Domingo's SIPRNET site, http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/ FANNIN