Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SANTODOMINGO1924
2008-12-17 14:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Santo Domingo
Cable title:
AGREMENT REQUEST FOR ROBERTO SALADIN TO BE
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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
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
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