US embassy cable - 04SANTODOMINGO4200

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTO DOMINGO 004200 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2009 
TAGS: PREL, CU, DR 
SUBJECT: REACHING OUT TO GOVERNMENTS AND NGOS ON CUBA: 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 
 
REF: A. (A) STATE 152813 
 
     B. (B) SANTO DOMINGO 2933 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Mary B. Marshall for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
(C) In part because the Dominican Republic is in a transition 
between governments, the time is not yet right to reach out 
to government and NGOs here for support to Cuban civil 
society. The presidential inauguration is scheduled for 
August 16. 
 
-- The Mejia government (PRD) has been an ally on Cuba but 
has gone into a caretaker mode.  It will not be receptive to 
suggestions for new initiatives. 
 
-- President-elect Fernandez has not named his cabinet.  The 
three-person transition team is working primarily on fiscal 
and IMF matters.  They do not have authority to undertake 
political initiatives at this time. 
 
-- President-elect Leonel Fernandez (PLD) indicated to the 
Ambassador that relations with Cuba would be a relatively low 
priority (Ref B). 
 
-- Ambassador and Embassy will continue to convey U.S. 
position on Cuba with the President-elect. 
 
-- The small number of credible local NGOs in the Dominican 
Republic direct their efforts to domestic issues, including 
the need for transparency and reform of Dominican government 
procedures, fighting corruption, and improving social 
conditions.  These NGOs do not have an adequate international 
focus to undertake campaigns in favor of Cuban civil society. 
HERTELL