CHARGE'S MEETING WITH FORMIN: SUMMIT OF AMERICAS,

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