US embassy cable - 05SANTODOMINGO1771

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTO DOMINGO 001771 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR S/S, WHA, WHA/CAR, WHA/CCA, WHA/EPSC, DRL, EB, 
EB/TPP/BTA/EWH, NEA, PM; DEPT PASS USTR FOR RVARGO, AMALITO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, ETRD, MARR, CU, DR 
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN FONMIN REQUEST FOR DEPARTMENT MEETING 
APRIL 6-7; DOMINICAN STANCE ON CUBA AT UNCHR 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Hans Hertell.  Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (SBU) This message includes an ACTION REQUEST for a 
meeting with the Secretary and with WHA Assistant Secretary 
Noriega on April 6-7. 
 
2. (C) On March 30 when the Ambassador raised with Dominican 
President Fernandez the Cuba resolution at the UN Human 
Rights Commission, Fernandez said that the Dominican Republic 
would abstain.  Fernandez said he could not instruct his 
delegation to vote to criticize Cuba's human rights without 
creating problems for himself within his own political party. 
 The Ambassador pressed him with a variety of arguments and 
asked Fernandez to keep an open mind and re-consider the 
matter later.  Fernandez agreed. 
 
3. (C) The Ambassador followed up March 31 with Foreign 
Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso.  Morales, who favors a vote 
to criticize Cuba's human rights, said that he would work on 
the issue. 
 
4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Foreign Minister Morales Troncoso 
plans to visit Washington Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, 
April 7 for OAS business.  He has asked us to request a 
meeting with WHA Assistant Secretary Noriega and, if 
possible, with the Secretary, regarding the Cuba human rights 
vote and Dominican ratification of CAFTA.  We recommend that 
the Department grant this meeting (or these meetings), and 
add a third topic: the possibility of the Dominican Republic 
rejoining the Coalition of the Willing.  Our understanding is 
that the Chief of the Armed Forces is supportive of sending 
some military personnel for staff positions, and that there 
are numerous would-be volunteers, but that the decision lies 
with President Fernandez. 
 
5. (C) Comment: Chances remain slim that the Dominican 
Republic will vote to criticize Cuba's human rights, but on 
this issue we have a strong ally in the Foreign Minister. 
End comment. 
HERTELL