VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDG #2242/01 2751720
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021720Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9305

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 002242 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO CHARLOTTE PETERSON AND MATTHEW MCMANUS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON ENRG KPAO
SUBJECT: SPEAKER EVALUATION: DR. JOHANNA MENDELSON FORMAN 
DISCUSSES BIOFUELS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 
 
 
¶1.  Summary:  The below is an evaluation of a recent speaker 
series held September 17-18 on the development of biofuels 
and the diversification of energy sources in the Dominican 
Republic. End Summary. 
 
¶2.  A. Name, date: CSIS Biofuel Speaker from the Center for 
Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Dr. Johanna 
Mendelson Forman in the Dominican Republic September 16-18. 
 
¶3.  B. Summary of venues/audiences: Public Affairs Santo 
Domingo in collaboration with the Embassy,s Economic Section 
programmed Dr. Johanna Mendelson Forman for two full days in 
Santo Domingo to address the development of biofuels as an 
alternative energy source in the Dominican Republic.  This 
speaker series was scheduled as part of the U.S.-Brazil 
Biofuels Initiative signed in March 2007, which identified 
the Dominican Republic as one of four target countries for 
assistance in developing biofuels industries. 
 
¶4.  On Monday, September 17, Dr. Johanna Mendelson Forman met 
with leading senior economic journalists from the country,s 
three major newspapers. 
 
¶5.  In mid-afternoon Dr. Mendelson Forman participated in a 
local radio program (CDN En La Comunidad).  Further 
information on both these events appears below. 
 
¶6.  In the evening Dr. Mendelson Forman spoke to a standing 
room audience of some 180 at the Technological Institute of 
Santo Domingo (INTEC), a leading private university.  In the 
audience were the University,s rector, deans and professors 
and students from the university,s Alternative Energy 
Masters Program, as well as undergraduate and graduate 
engineering students.  After Dr. Mendelson Forman,s 
presentation, students,  faculty, and experts on alternative 
energy participated in a 40-minute question and answer 
session, where she further explained what the biofuels 
agreement between the US and Brazil was all about, how it 
would help nations like the DR and the technical training 
that could be made available through the US/Brazilian 
governments. 
 
¶7.  On Tuesday, September 18, Dr. Mendelson Forman met at the 
Ambassador,s residence with key representatives from the 
country,s business and government sectors involved in the 
development of alternative energy sources.  Participants 
included representatives from the Ministry of Industry and 
Commerce, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, 
the National Energy Commission, the Brazilian Ambassador to 
the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Embassy Charge d,Affaires 
as well as representatives from leading business and civil 
society groups. 
 
¶8.  On Tuesday evening, the biofuels expert addressed a 
standing-room only event at the National Energy Commission. 
Some 60 alternative energy experts and interested parties 
were present, including the chairman of the Commission on 
Energy and Mines from the Chamber of Deputies, two members of 
the Chamber of Deputies and two senators from the Senate,s 
Energy Commission.  Also present: the executive board of the 
National Energy Commission, representatives from the 
engineering department of the National Autonomous University, 
professors and various experts in the field.  Dr. Mendelson 
Forman answered a series of questions regarding her 
presentation. 
 
¶9.  C. Effectiveness of speaker: Dr. Mendelson Forman,s 
presentation and responses to questions reflected a 
well-researched, academic perspective on the future of 
biofuels.  The speaker was able to clearly convey the message 
that this industry could have a positive impact in 
diversifying the Dominican Republic,s energy sources while 
fostering economic growth and creating thousands of 
much-needed jobs.   She always stressed the DR,s 
advantageous positioning in the region, including the 
opportunities available under the DR-CAFTA agreement.  She 
communicated clearly in Spanish and framed her arguments in 
ways that made a convincing case.  Her conclusions were clear 
for the Dominican audiences, and they came through clearly in 
the press reports generated by her visit. 
 
¶10.  She was a collegial and generous companion, a natural 
speaker, and we would highly recommend her for similar 
programs elsewhere, particularly in Spanish speaking 
countries. 
 
¶11.  D. Quality of IIP support: Special thanks to program 
officers Gretchen Christison and Camille Barone for their 
superb support in locating this speaker and keeping the 
process moving. 
 
¶12.  E. Results: Public Affairs hosted Dr. Joanna Mendelson 
Forman from CSIS, September 17-18, for a series of programs 
with private sector, academic and government audiences in 
Santo Domingo.  Her speaker series was aimed at raising 
awareness about the potential for biofuels development in the 
Dominican Republic to diversify its energy sources and reduce 
its dependence on imported oil.  She spoke about the benefits 
of the biofuels industry in developing economies and 
effectively argued that the DR must create the proper 
regulatory framework and financial incentives to encourage 
the development of the industry.  Dr. Mendelson Forman also 
emphasized the need to dedicate resources to educate the 
population.  In addition, Dr. Mendelson Forman stressed that 
the DR must work with Haiti in order to create jobs and 
better living conditions on both sides of the island. 
Embassy representatives from EcoPol and USAID joined the 
visiting speaker at the various venues where she 
participated.  In short, Dr. Mendelson Forman reached a wide 
audience via her media appearances and newspaper articles, 
but also influenced key opinion makers and leaders through 
her program. 
 
¶13.  Dr. Mendelson Forman participated in one nationally 
transmitted radio program on CDN (92.5FM) and was interviewed 
by journalists from three daily newspapers, resulting in 6 
articles as of September 18.  Headlines for some of the 
stories: &(U.S. Expert) Says It Is Possible to Create 
Biofuel from Jathrofa8 Hoy 9/18); &DR Amongst Nations to 
Receive Foreign Aid for Renewable Energy8 (Diario Libre, 
9/18); US Believes the DR Has Potential for Biofuel (Listn 
Diario 9/18); &(Speaker) Points Out Economic Advantages for 
Ethanol Production in the DR8 (HOY, 09/20). 
 
¶14.  On Tuesday, September 18, her presentation at the 
National Energy Commission appeared in the evening news of 
the following national channels (7,9,13/27,15). 
GOUGHNOUR