DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: OVERFLIGHT CONCURRENCE

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 000330

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PM, WHA, WHA/CAR DEPIRRO AND WARD
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR DR
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: OVERFLIGHT CONCURRENCE


1. Embassy concurs with Global Hawk and/or U2 overflight of
the Dominican Republic for the purpose of imagery mapping and
understands that U2 overflight is scheduled to occur during
the period between March 7 and April 30, 2008, with exact
dates to be determined. Embassy further understands that
three Global Hawk overflights will occur between March and
June 2008 (with dates to be determined) and one additional
Global Hawk overflight will occur between July and September
2008 (at a date to be determined).


2. The Embassy has been notified that the Government of the
Dominican Republic (GODR) welcomes and approves the above
overflights and will provide diplomatic clearance. Clearance
numbers will be issued once mission dates are determined.


3. Embassy notes political sensitivities surrounding the
ongoing Rio Conference and suggests that, despite Dominican
government acquiescence, overflight not occur until after the
March 7 conference conclusion.


4. Aircrew is directed to call Embassy point of contact (POC)
CDR Rick Arias (direct desk 809-731-4487, 24-hour contact
809-224-5996) no less than 48 hours prior for initial mission
notification and no later than 2 hours prior for final
mission notification. Aircrew is to provide Embassy POC with
an estimate of on-station/off-station time and 24-hour POC at
CAOC or U2/GH unit for mission monitoring.


5. Embassy and the GODR understand that aircraft
availability, weather, and other factors may impact
scheduling and/or could result in mission change, delay, or
cancellation. Embassy understands that SOUTHCOM will make
every attempt to reschedule canceled missions as appropriate.
FANNIN