US embassy cable - 04SANTODOMINGO4319

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004319 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR-MCISAAC, T-GALLICO, L/PM-COFFEE, 
L/T-ALLDER, PM/SNA-MURRAY 
NSC FOR SHANNON AND MADISON 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, MASS, DR 
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RATIFIES ART. 98 BILATERAL 
ACCORD 
 
REF: SANTO DOMINGO 3979 
 
1. (U) As Congressional leaders had assured us (reftel), the 
Dominican Republic on July 22 ratified the bilateral DR-U.S. 
agreement under Article 98 of the International Criminal 
Court treaty.  The Chamber of Deputies plenary approved the 
measure, following the June 15 approval by the Senate 
(reftel).  The accord was signed September 13, 2002. 
 
2. (U) The ratification must now be signed by the President 
-- we anticipate no problem -- and published in the Official 
Gazette within 15 days of signature.  The MFA will then 
initiate an exchange of diplomatic notes to put the agreement 
into effect. 
 
3. (SBU) We do not anticipate any problem arising from the 
change of administrations on August 16, in the event we do 
not receive the diplomatic note before that date. 
President-elect Leonel Fernandez has assured us he will 
comply with all international commitments and obligations of 
the preceding administration. 
HERTELL