US embassy cable - 04SANTODOMINGO4892

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004892 
 
SIPDIS 
 
IO/T AND EB/TRA, US MISSION TO ICAO, FAA NATIONAL 
HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON DC (AIA-100) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC, EAIR, XX 
SUBJECT: ICAO CONFERENCE DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO DOMINICAN 
CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITIES 
 
REF: STATE 168335 
 
1. (U)  Econoff delivered reftel talking points as a 
non-paper to newly appointed Director General of Civil 
Aviation (DGAC) Norge BOTELLO Fernandez. Botello confirmed 
that the Dominican Republic will support re-election of the 
United States to the ICAO Council and in general would 
support U.S. policies concerning civil aviation.  Botello did 
not guarantee that he personally would attend the conference 
but said he would send a delegation.  Economic officer 
invited Botello to the U.S. sponsored luncheon on September 
28. 
 
2. (SBU) Comment and bio note: The GODR underwent a change of 
administrations on August 16.  President Fernandez has 
replaced all senior officials in the GODR, including those in 
civil aviation.  Botello was a former Minister of Interior 
and Police in the previous Fernandez Administration 
(1996-2000).  Botello's appointment is not based on any 
experience in civil aviation. He does not speak English 
fluently.  In the late 1980's Botello was a deputy in the 
Chamber of Deputies (lower house of Congress) for the Partido 
de la Liberacion Dominicana (PLD) and in the early 90's he 
served as President of the Chamber of Deputies. He was born 
on November 11, 1940 in San Pedro de Macoris. 
HERTELL