AGREMENT REQUEST FOR ROBERTO SALADIN TO BE

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001924 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR, PROTOCOL, AND CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON CVIS DR SUBJECT: AGREMENT REQUEST FOR ROBERTO SALADIN TO BE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. REF: PREMONT-HEMSCH E-MAIL 12/12/08 ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. The Dominican Government has requested agrement for Roberto Saladin to be their next Ambassador to the United States. The request was made on December 5 via diplomatic note no. 29065 (sent to WHA/CAR). Post requests that the Department consider the request and provide appropriate language for a reply to the GODR. ¶2. (SBU) Post has no objection to the granting of agrement. We note that Saladin is a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) of the U.S. and, as we understand the process, will need to renounce that status prior to being accredited as Ambassador (Ref A). Should additional information come to light, Post will report to the Department. ¶3. (SBU) Saladin previously served as Dominican Ambassador to the U.S. (1999-2002),but is based in Washington and is not well known by Post. One American officer at Post, USAID Senior Economic Policy Advisor, has had limited professional contact with Saladin, describing him as "very knowledgeable and personable." In addition, Embassy Locally Employed Staff (LES) note that Saladin has a very good public image, is considered a technocrat, and has served under administrations of different political parties. LES cite an incident in late-1980s, when Saladin resigned as Governor of the Central Bank rather than print more pesos as ordered by President Balaguer. ¶4. (SBU) Saladin is seen as a believer in free trade. He was the founder and Executive Director of Centro Dominicano de Promocion de las Exportaciones (CEDOPEX),known today as CEI-RD (Centro de Exportacion e Inversion de la Republica Dominicana). He believes that developing micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises is crucial for economic growth and job-creation. ¶5. (SBU) Embassy contacts had the following comments on Saladin: -- Ramon Alburquerque (President of PRD party) described Saladin as a "very correct person" with moderate and smart policy proposals. He said that Saladin would reflect well on the Dominican Republic and that he is not aware of any accusations of corruption against the Ambassadorial nominee. -- Eduardo Estrella (former senior member of PRSC party under President Balaguer) said that any government that names Saladin to a post can assume that he will carry out his duties with efficiency and honesty. -- Socrates Barinas (former employee of Central Bank under Saladin) said that Saladin was respected by the staff of the Central Bank for his bright thinking, his respect for the law and regulations, and organizational skills. ¶6. (SBU) The following biographic information was provided by the Dominican Government. Roberto Bernardo SALADIN Selin 2004-Present: Alternate Executive Director, Inter-American Development Bank 2003-2004: Owner of consulting firm, Transnacional Dominican, C. por A. 1999-2002: Ambassador to the United States 1996-1999: General Administrator, Reserve Bank 1990-1996: Owner of consulting firm, Transnacional Dominican, C. por A. 1987-1989: Governor of Central Bank and President of Monetary Board 1986-1987: Minister of Finance Born July 23, 1936, in Santo Domingo Doctorate of Law, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, 1962 Author, "Historia del Banco de Reservas de la Repblica Dominicana," 1941-1981 (1981) Author, "El Banco de Reservas Hacia el Futuro" (1999) (U) Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/ FANNIN