ATTORNEY GENERAL PLEDGES CONTINUED COOPERATION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTO DOMINGO 001065

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019
TAGS: PREL CJAN CJUS DR
SUBJECT: ATTORNEY GENERAL PLEDGES CONTINUED COOPERATION ON
EXTRADITIONS AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

Classified By: POLECON Counselor Alexander Margulies.
Reasons: 1.5(b/d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Attorney General Radhames Jimenez Pena, in
a 9/9 meeting with Charge, vowed that the Public Ministry
would continue its strong cooperation with the USG on
extraditions and criminal investigations. He was proud of
the advances in professionalism, prosecutorial independence
and institutionalization made by his agency, crediting USAID
technical assistance for contributing greatly to these
accomplishments. Charge thanked Jimenez for the Public
Ministry's collaboration and emphasized our desire to
continue assisting its reform program. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Attorney General was accompanied at the meeting
by Assistant Attorney Generals Gisela Cueto (Extraditions and
International Affairs),Frank Soto (Illicit Trafficking and
Trafficking in Persons) and Hotoniel Bonilla
(Anti-Corruption). Charge was accompanied by USAID Director,
POLECON Counselor and LEGAT.


3. (C) Jimenez opened the meeting by expressing deep
appreciation for USAID's technical assistance, which, he
noted, contributed greatly to strengthening the Public
Ministry as an institution, helping it develop a civil
service career cadre (currently 668 career prosecutors) and
the Prosecutorial Academy. Proscutors are now hired on
merit, he explained, and promoted on the basis of
performance. As evidence of this, the Attorney General
pointed to the recent appointment of Yeni Berenice Reynoso
Gomez, a 27 year-old female, as the new Chief Prosecutor in
Santiago, the DR's second largest city. (COMMENT: We have
been favorably impressed by Reynoso Gomez in our dealings
with her. END COMMENT).


4. (C) Charge congratulated Jimenez on the Public
Ministry's achievements, and noted that it faces significant
challenges. He then thanked the Attorney General for his
cooperation on extraditions, agreeing with the AG's comment
that,"there is no place to hide in the Dominican Republic."
Jimenez said that his agency has its work cut out for it and
expressed optimism that it is up to the task. He pledged to
continue making cooperation on extraditions a priority,
adding that he discussed this as well as collaboration on
narcotics investigations with U.S. prosecutors during a
recent visit to New York.


5. (C) Charge reiterated our gratitude for the GoDR's
cooperation on extraditions, observing that the U.S. is
working on the DR's request for the extradition of Jeffrey
Alejandro Benscome Pena, although that case might seem to be
progressing slowly through our judicial system. Legat then
provided an update on the status of that case, explaining
that the defendant is engaged in his final appeal at the
Federal Appellate Court level. Jimenez said that he was
satisfied with the USG's handling of this matter. On our
extradition requests the AG stated that, "No matter who it
is, if the U.S. wants him and has the required documentation,
then we will pursue" the extradition.


6. (C) USAID Director asked what the Attorney General's
priorities were for future assistance? Jimenez replied that
he was concentrating reform efforts on completing the Public
Ministry's Institutional Integrity Program. Charge stated
that we hoped to continue to provide support for these
reforms. Assitant AG Soto made a plea for funding of the
Ministry's model prison program, which envisions replacing
the country's 32 penetentiaries with 12-13 new model prisons.
(COMMENT: While prison reform is indeed a pressing need, it
is not an area in which USG assistance would be practicable.
USAID has rebuffed prior attempts, but, as this is one of the
Attorney General's pet projects, we can expect further
approaches in the future. END COMMENT.


7. (C) Charge commented on the recent seizure of USD 4.6
million and other property traced to a fugitive AMCIT
narcotrafficker. Jimenez stated that the police are looking
for him and that, given his nationality, if caught this
individual can be expelled to the U.S. on illegal immigration
grounds without having to go through the extradition process.


8. (C) COMMENT: USG agencies have an excellent working
relationship with the Attorney General and his ministry.
USAID's support of the institution is very appreciated and

has clearly produced positive results. The Charge's visit
provided both parties with the opportunity to continue to
build on these strong ties. END COMMENT.
LAMBERT