EMBASSY SUPPORTS 2ND TRANCHE OF SPECIALIZED

S E C R E T SANTO DOMINGO 000059 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PM DAS COULTER AND ROSATI, WHA, WHA/CAR ROSHOLT, L/PM COFFEE SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2033 TAGS: MARR PTER DR SUBJECT: EMBASSY SUPPORTS 2ND TRANCHE OF SPECIALIZED 1206-FUNDED CT TRAINING FOR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FORCES REF: 2007 SDO 1758 Classified By: DCM Roland Bullen for reasons 1.4 (a) and (d) ¶1. (S) Embassy concurs with and supports the concept of specialized counter-terrorism training for Dominican forces as proposed by the U.S. Special Forces Command (SOCSOUTH) and termed OEF-CCA Dominican Republic. This training will enable Dominican forces to effectively conduct unilateral/combined: counter terrorism/hostage rescue; special reconnaissance; direct action; and, "operational preparation of the environment" operations in the Caribbean against designated personalities, companies and NGOs of interest when cued by the Department, the U.S. Southern Command, and SOCSOUTH. Currently, Dominican ability to contribute to the War on Terror is extremely limited, as Dominican forces lack both the training and the equipment necessary to detect, deter, or disrupt terrorist networks or operations. ¶2. (S) Embassy considers that approval of this 1206 funding and successful completion of the proposed training will allow Dominican forces to conduct military and civil-military operations as necessary to deny Islamist and other violent extremist groups the opportunity to threaten the Homeland from its southern approaches. FANNIN