KIDNAPPING, CATTLE-RUSTLING TREAD ON

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 000315

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PBTS SMIG HA DR
SUBJECT: KIDNAPPING, CATTLE-RUSTLING TREAD ON
DOMINICAN-HAITIAN RELATIONS

REF: SANTO DOMINGO 174


1. (U) The recent media reports of kidnapping and cross
border skirmishes in the border towns of Dajabon-Ounaminthe
highlight the increasing friction between Dominicans and
Haitians in this area. Tensions mounted when two Dominican
men from Dajabon were kidnapped by a group of about ten armed
Haitians from Ounaminthe. The two men were recovered by
Haitian authorities and released on Sunday February 17 to
Dominican military officials. Friction increased when a
group of armed Haitian cattle-rustlers attacked a military
outpost on February 27 resulting in the death of one of the
Haitian attackers.


2. (U) Tensions elevated during the week of February 11, when
a group of Haitians allegedly stole several head of cattle
belonging to Dominican ranchers. In retaliation, about fifty
heavily armed Dominicans crossed into Haitian territory and
stole several head of cattle and horses owned by Haitians to
pressure the Haitians to return their property. In response,
a group of Haitians armed with shotguns, rifles, machetes and
stones crossed the Rio Masacre and kidnapped Joselito Ramon
Sanchez and Carlito Taveras, construction workers operating
heavy machinery in the Los Cocos sector of Dajabon.


3. (SBU) Haitian police recovered the two kidnapped men and
Haitian Consul Jean Baptiste Bien-Aime facilitated their
release to Dominican army and border control (CESFRONT)
officials on Sunday February 17. Embassy sources reported
that the Dominicans reinforced CESFRONT with 200 soldiers in
the area and deployed them on enhanced patrols to prevent
further escalation.


4. (U) An editorial in the newspaper "Listin Diario"
highlighted the absence and indifference of Dominican
diplomats in resolving the issue, pointing out that it was
Dominican military officials, army and CESFRONT, who
cooperated and coordinated with Haitian authorities.


5. (U) On February 27 a group of armed Haitians attacked a
military outpost in Sanche in the province of Dajabon. The
media characterized the attackers as cattle-rustlers, who
have allegedly been stealing cattle from Dominican ranchers.
CESFRONT repelled the attack killing one of the attackers. A
Dominican mixed commission comprising of the army and
CESFRONT as well as Haitian Public Ministry and Police
officials from Fort Liberte are investigating the incident.


6. (SBU) Comment: Dominican-Haitian relations in the border
regions, especially in Dajabon-Ounaminthe have been
increasingly strained recently. Given the recent ban by
Haiti of Dominican egg and poultry products due to the threat
of avian flu (Ref A) and the corresponding Dominican boycott
of market day, these incidents of cattle-rustling, armed
incursions, an attack on a military outpost and kidnapping
have done little to ease tensions. However, the quick
response by Haitian authorities to recover and return the
kidnapped victims, and the Dominican military's reinforcement
of CESFRONT troops are thus far controlling momentarily
increasing border tensions. End Comment.
FANNIN