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