Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTODOMINGO311
2009-03-13 14:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Santo Domingo
Cable title:
CHARGE'S MEETING WITH FORMIN: SUMMIT OF AMERICAS,
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTO DOMINGO 000311
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, LA PAZ FOR A/DCM C LAMBERT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR PREF SMIG KV HA CU DR
SUBJECT: CHARGE'S MEETING WITH FORMIN: SUMMIT OF AMERICAS,
DR-CAFTA, HAITI, PROTECTED MIGRANTS, KOSOVO
REF: A. STATE 20677 (C-AL9-00153)
B. 08 STATE 108228
C. STATE 11928
Classified By: Roland W. Bullen, Charge d'Affaires, Reasons 1.4(b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTO DOMINGO 000311
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, LA PAZ FOR A/DCM C LAMBERT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR PREF SMIG KV HA CU DR
SUBJECT: CHARGE'S MEETING WITH FORMIN: SUMMIT OF AMERICAS,
DR-CAFTA, HAITI, PROTECTED MIGRANTS, KOSOVO
REF: A. STATE 20677 (C-AL9-00153)
B. 08 STATE 108228
C. STATE 11928
Classified By: Roland W. Bullen, Charge d'Affaires, Reasons 1.4(b),(d)
1. (U) This is an action request; please see para. 5.
2. (U) On March 12, the Charge met with Foreign Minister
Morales a the Charge's request. Morales was accompanied by
Deputy Foreign Minister Trullols; the Charge was oined by
POLCHIEF.
Summit of Americas
--------------
3. (C) Per Ref A, the Charge requeted Dominican views on the
Summit of the Americas. Morales said that he had read the
draft Declaration of Commitment, but believes that the
international economic crisis will "overwhelm everything
else" on the Summit agenda. The Declaration "won't mean much
in practical terms." Morales said he expects that "some
heads of state will complain" that Cuba was not invited and
that, as a result, the Summit is "incomplete." Venezuela's
Chavez will "come on stronger" than he did at the 2005 Mar de
Plata summit. In navigating this problem, "President
Fernandez's presence could be helpful. He was last time."
4. (C) The Charge asked if Morales had any Summit issues that
he would like conveyed to Washington. The Foreign Minister
said that there were two issues. First, "there is concern
about revision of free trade agreements." DR-CAFTA has
worked well. We understand that President Obama is under
pressure from the unions; "if necessary, we're ready to
talk." Regarding the second issue, Morales simply said
"Haiti," without elaborating. He said that the Dominicans
hope to hold the first meeting of the Mixed Bilateral
Commission before the Summit, but that press reports of a
supposed Fernandez-Preval meeting scheduled for March 24 were
erroneous. The Foreign Minister said that he hopes to have a
meeting with his counterpart in Port of Spain "to demonstrate
good bilateral relations."
5. (C) Aiming high, Morales suggested that POTUS visit the
Dominican Republic either before or after the Summit. If
that is not possible, the Dominicans would like a
presidential bilateral meeting in Port of Spain. The Charge
pledged to convey the request to Washington. Action request:
Post requests that the Department pass Fernandez's request
for a meeting with POTUS through the appropriate channel.
Protected Migrants
--------------
6. (C) The Charge reminded the Foreign Minister of the our
request that the Dominicans accept for medical treatment
Cuban protected migrants being held by the U.S. at Guantanamo
Bay, and that we had sent the Ministry proposed text for an
exchange of letters (Ref B). Morales replied that he had
sent the U.S. proposal to Fernandez and that he would have to
speak with him again about the issue. (Note: Trullols pulled
POLCHIEF aside after the meeting to express concern that the
Dominican doctors who would treat the Cubans would speak to
the press. POLCHIEF suggested the use of trusted medical
staff, such as those at the armed forces hospital. Trullols
replied that that was possible, but that he remained
concerned that the press would somehow manufacture a scandal,
e.g. by alleging that the Dominicans were complicit in
supposed U.S. mistreatment of Cubans at Guantanamo.)
Kosovo
--------------
7. (C) The Charge delivered a non-paper on Kosovo
recognition, noting that it's been one year since Kosovo's
independence; the country has been a clear success; with very
few exceptions, security situation has been calm and stable;
and, four countries in Latin America have now recognized
Kosovo (Ref C). Morales replied that he would have to speak
with Fernandez about the issue.
Comment
--------------
8. (C) The Dominicans are now focused on the Summit, a
welcome development given their previous silence on the
issue. On protected migrants and Kosovo, we will continue to
follow up. However, we fear that when the Foreign Minister
says that he will have to speak with the President, he may in
effect be saying "no."
(U) Please visit us at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/
BULLEN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, LA PAZ FOR A/DCM C LAMBERT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR PREF SMIG KV HA CU DR
SUBJECT: CHARGE'S MEETING WITH FORMIN: SUMMIT OF AMERICAS,
DR-CAFTA, HAITI, PROTECTED MIGRANTS, KOSOVO
REF: A. STATE 20677 (C-AL9-00153)
B. 08 STATE 108228
C. STATE 11928
Classified By: Roland W. Bullen, Charge d'Affaires, Reasons 1.4(b),(d)
1. (U) This is an action request; please see para. 5.
2. (U) On March 12, the Charge met with Foreign Minister
Morales a the Charge's request. Morales was accompanied by
Deputy Foreign Minister Trullols; the Charge was oined by
POLCHIEF.
Summit of Americas
--------------
3. (C) Per Ref A, the Charge requeted Dominican views on the
Summit of the Americas. Morales said that he had read the
draft Declaration of Commitment, but believes that the
international economic crisis will "overwhelm everything
else" on the Summit agenda. The Declaration "won't mean much
in practical terms." Morales said he expects that "some
heads of state will complain" that Cuba was not invited and
that, as a result, the Summit is "incomplete." Venezuela's
Chavez will "come on stronger" than he did at the 2005 Mar de
Plata summit. In navigating this problem, "President
Fernandez's presence could be helpful. He was last time."
4. (C) The Charge asked if Morales had any Summit issues that
he would like conveyed to Washington. The Foreign Minister
said that there were two issues. First, "there is concern
about revision of free trade agreements." DR-CAFTA has
worked well. We understand that President Obama is under
pressure from the unions; "if necessary, we're ready to
talk." Regarding the second issue, Morales simply said
"Haiti," without elaborating. He said that the Dominicans
hope to hold the first meeting of the Mixed Bilateral
Commission before the Summit, but that press reports of a
supposed Fernandez-Preval meeting scheduled for March 24 were
erroneous. The Foreign Minister said that he hopes to have a
meeting with his counterpart in Port of Spain "to demonstrate
good bilateral relations."
5. (C) Aiming high, Morales suggested that POTUS visit the
Dominican Republic either before or after the Summit. If
that is not possible, the Dominicans would like a
presidential bilateral meeting in Port of Spain. The Charge
pledged to convey the request to Washington. Action request:
Post requests that the Department pass Fernandez's request
for a meeting with POTUS through the appropriate channel.
Protected Migrants
--------------
6. (C) The Charge reminded the Foreign Minister of the our
request that the Dominicans accept for medical treatment
Cuban protected migrants being held by the U.S. at Guantanamo
Bay, and that we had sent the Ministry proposed text for an
exchange of letters (Ref B). Morales replied that he had
sent the U.S. proposal to Fernandez and that he would have to
speak with him again about the issue. (Note: Trullols pulled
POLCHIEF aside after the meeting to express concern that the
Dominican doctors who would treat the Cubans would speak to
the press. POLCHIEF suggested the use of trusted medical
staff, such as those at the armed forces hospital. Trullols
replied that that was possible, but that he remained
concerned that the press would somehow manufacture a scandal,
e.g. by alleging that the Dominicans were complicit in
supposed U.S. mistreatment of Cubans at Guantanamo.)
Kosovo
--------------
7. (C) The Charge delivered a non-paper on Kosovo
recognition, noting that it's been one year since Kosovo's
independence; the country has been a clear success; with very
few exceptions, security situation has been calm and stable;
and, four countries in Latin America have now recognized
Kosovo (Ref C). Morales replied that he would have to speak
with Fernandez about the issue.
Comment
--------------
8. (C) The Dominicans are now focused on the Summit, a
welcome development given their previous silence on the
issue. On protected migrants and Kosovo, we will continue to
follow up. However, we fear that when the Foreign Minister
says that he will have to speak with the President, he may in
effect be saying "no."
(U) Please visit us at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/
BULLEN