US embassy cable - 04SANTODOMINGO5394

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 005394 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS, S/CT, INL/C, IO/PHO, TREASURY, 
TREASURY OFAC, WHA/CAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EFIN, ETTC, KVPR, PREL, PTER, KTFN 
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) AT 
POST - SANTO DOMINGO 
 
REF: SECSTATE 201391 
 
1. (U)As requested, following is the TFCO related information. 
 
2. (SBU)(a) Contact information for: 
    TFCO: Lisa J. Kubiske, DCM, (809)731-4308, 
kubiskeLJ@state.gov and 
   DTFCO: Stephen S. Wheeler, Chief Econ Officer, 
(809)731-4293, wheelerSS@state.gov. 
 
(b) Who chairs terrorist finance meetings? Does post combine 
terrorist finance agenda items into law Enforcement meetings? 
 Meetings of the Visas Viper Committee? 
 
The DCM chairs the terrorist finance meetings. The Embassy 
combines terrorist finance and terrorism issues in a joint 
Law enforcement/Visas viper monthly meeting. 
 
(c) What does post attempt to accomplish in its TF working 
group meetings?  Are they successful?  How are country 
clearance requests for training, assessments, and other 
terrorist financing related visits reviewed and answered by 
the TFCO process? 
 
In Law Enforcement/Visas Viper meetings terrorism issues in 
general are raised and shared with all participating 
agencies, including, DHS, FBI, DEA, DAO, MAAG, State (Econ, 
pol, cons, nas).  Coordinated approaches are discussed as to 
how to use the information and which agencies have action. 
Terrorist Finance issues have been relatively straight 
forward.  The Econ section has the action to coordinate with 
the GODR Central Bank and Superintency of Banks to pass 
releasable information and ask for coordination and 
assistance in disseminating relevant information.  Country 
clearance requests for training and assisance and other 
terrorist financing related visits are generally reviewed an 
answered jointly by the Pol/Econ section and the NAS section. 
 
(d) Suggestions on how to improve coordination among TFCOs 
and between TFCOs and appropriate State and Treasury offices. 
 
Updated contact information on every Embassy's officers as 
well as key officials at State and Treasury via Siprinet web 
page would be useful. 
 
(e) Suggestions on how to more effectively engage in public 
diplomacy, and community education and outreach on terrorist 
financing related issues. 
 
Periodic suggestions for op-ed pieces that could be submitted 
to local news outlets under the Embassy or Ambassador by-line. 
 
(f) Indication if TFCO and deputy have received FSI or other 
training in combating terrorist financing 
 
No. 
 
(g) What post needs from Washington agencies to make its TF 
work more effective. 
 
Nothing further required at this time. 
HERTELL