Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 143912 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AORC AS AF AM AJ ASEC AU AMGT APER ACOA ASEAN AG AFFAIRS AR AFIN ABUD AO AEMR ADANA AMED AADP AINF ARF ADB ACS AE AID AL AC AGR ABLD AMCHAMS AECL AINT AND ASIG AUC APECO AFGHANISTAN AY ARABL ACAO ANET AFSN AZ AFLU ALOW ASSK AFSI ACABQ AMB APEC AIDS AA ATRN AMTC AVIATION AESC ASSEMBLY ADPM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AGOA ASUP AFPREL ARNOLD ADCO AN ACOTA AODE AROC AMCHAM AT ACKM ASCH AORCUNGA AVIANFLU AVIAN AIT ASECPHUM ATRA AGENDA AIN AFINM APCS AGENGA ABDALLAH ALOWAR AFL AMBASSADOR ARSO AGMT ASPA AOREC AGAO ARR AOMS ASC ALIREZA AORD AORG ASECVE ABER ARABBL ADM AMER ALVAREZ AORCO ARM APERTH AINR AGRI ALZUGUREN ANGEL ACDA AEMED ARC AMGMT AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU ABMC AIAG ALJAZEERA ASR ASECARP ALAMI APRM ASECM AMPR AEGR AUSTRALIAGROUP ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AIDAC AOPC ANTITERRORISM ASEG AMIA ASEX AEMRBC AFOR ABT AMERICA AGENCIES AGS ADRC ASJA AEAID ANARCHISTS AME AEC ALNEA AMGE AMEDCASCKFLO AK ANTONIO ASO AFINIZ ASEDC AOWC ACCOUNT ACTION AMG AFPK AOCR AMEDI AGIT ASOC ACOAAMGT AMLB AZE AORCYM AORL AGRICULTURE ACEC AGUILAR ASCC AFSA ASES ADIP ASED ASCE ASFC ASECTH AFGHAN ANTXON APRC AFAF AFARI ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AX ALAB ASECAF ASA ASECAFIN ASIC AFZAL AMGTATK ALBE AMT AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN AGUIRRE AAA ABLG ARCH AGRIC AIHRC ADEL AMEX ALI AQ ATFN AORCD ARAS AINFCY AFDB ACBAQ AFDIN AOPR AREP ALEXANDER ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI ATRD AEIR AOIC ABLDG AFR ASEK AER ALOUNI AMCT AVERY ASECCASC ARG APR AMAT AEMRS AFU ATPDEA ALL ASECE ANDREW
EAIR ECON ETRD EAGR EAID EFIN ETTC ENRG EMIN ECPS EG EPET EINV ELAB EU ECONOMICS EC EZ EUN EN ECIN EWWT EXTERNAL ENIV ES ESA ELN EFIS EIND EPA ELTN EXIM ET EINT EI ER EAIDAF ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECTRD EUR ECOWAS ECUN EBRD ECONOMIC ENGR ECONOMY EFND ELECTIONS EPECO EUMEM ETMIN EXBS EAIRECONRP ERTD EAP ERGR EUREM EFI EIB ENGY ELNTECON EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ECOSOC EEB EINF ETRN ENGRD ESTH ENRC EXPORT EK ENRGMO ECO EGAD EXIMOPIC ETRDPGOV EURM ETRA ENERG ECLAC EINO ENVIRONMENT EFIC ECIP ETRDAORC ENRD EMED EIAR ECPN ELAP ETCC EAC ENEG ESCAP EWWC ELTD ELA EIVN ELF ETR EFTA EMAIL EL EMS EID ELNT ECPSN ERIN ETT EETC ELAN ECHEVARRIA EPWR EVIN ENVR ENRGJM ELBR EUC EARG EAPC EICN EEC EREL EAIS ELBA EPETUN EWWY ETRDGK EV EDU EFN EVN EAIDETRD ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ ETEX ESCI EAIDHO EENV ETRC ESOC EINDQTRD EINVA EFLU EGEN ECE EAGRBN EON EFINECONCS EIAD ECPC ENV ETDR EAGER ETRDKIPR EWT EDEV ECCP ECCT EARI EINVECON ED ETRDEC EMINETRD EADM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ETAD ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS ESSO ETRG ELAM ECA EENG EITC ENG ERA EPSC ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EIPR ELABPGOVBN EURFOR ETRAD EUE EISNLN ECONETRDBESPAR ELAINE EGOVSY EAUD EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EINVETRD EPIN ECONENRG EDRC ESENV EB ENER ELTNSNAR EURN ECONPGOVBN ETTF ENVT EPIT ESOCI EFINOECD ERD EDUC EUM ETEL EUEAID ENRGY ETD EAGRE EAR EAIDMG EE EET ETER ERICKSON EIAID EX EAG EBEXP ESTN EAIDAORC EING EGOV EEOC EAGRRP EVENTS ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ETRDEMIN EPETEIND EAIDRW ENVI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC EDUARDO EGAR EPCS EPRT EAIDPHUMPRELUG EPTED ETRB EPETPGOV ECONQH EAIDS EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN ESF EINR ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN EIDN ETRK ESTRADA EXEC EAIO EGHG ECN EDA ECOS EPREL EINVKSCA ENNP ELABV ETA EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EUCOM EAIDASEC ENR END EP ERNG ESPS EITI EINTECPS EAVI ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EADI ELDIN ELND ECRM EINVEFIN EAOD EFINTS EINDIR ENRGKNNP ETRDEIQ ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD EAIT ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ EWWI ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EHUM EFNI EOXC EISNAR ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM EMW ETIO ETRDGR EMN EXO EATO EWTR ELIN EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EINVETC ETTD EIQ ECONCS EPPD ESS EUEAGR ENRGIZ EISL EUNJ EIDE ENRGSD ELAD ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO ENTG ETRDECD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS
KPKO KIPR KWBG KPAL KDEM KTFN KNNP KGIC KTIA KCRM KDRG KWMN KJUS KIDE KSUM KTIP KFRD KMCA KMDR KCIP KTDB KPAO KPWR KOMC KU KIRF KCOR KHLS KISL KSCA KGHG KS KSTH KSEP KE KPAI KWAC KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPRP KVPR KAWC KUNR KZ KPLS KN KSTC KMFO KID KNAR KCFE KRIM KFLO KCSA KG KFSC KSCI KFLU KMIG KRVC KV KVRP KMPI KNEI KAPO KOLY KGIT KSAF KIRC KNSD KBIO KHIV KHDP KBTR KHUM KSAC KACT KRAD KPRV KTEX KPIR KDMR KMPF KPFO KICA KWMM KICC KR KCOM KAID KINR KBCT KOCI KCRS KTER KSPR KDP KFIN KCMR KMOC KUWAIT KIPRZ KSEO KLIG KWIR KISM KLEG KTBD KCUM KMSG KMWN KREL KPREL KAWK KIMT KCSY KESS KWPA KNPT KTBT KCROM KPOW KFTN KPKP KICR KGHA KOMS KJUST KREC KOC KFPC KGLB KMRS KTFIN KCRCM KWNM KHGH KRFD KY KGCC KFEM KVIR KRCM KEMR KIIP KPOA KREF KJRE KRKO KOGL KSCS KGOV KCRIM KEM KCUL KRIF KCEM KITA KCRN KCIS KSEAO KWMEN KEANE KNNC KNAP KEDEM KNEP KHPD KPSC KIRP KUNC KALM KCCP KDEN KSEC KAYLA KIMMITT KO KNUC KSIA KLFU KLAB KTDD KIRCOEXC KECF KIPRETRDKCRM KNDP KIRCHOFF KJAN KFRDSOCIRO KWMNSMIG KEAI KKPO KPOL KRD KWMNPREL KATRINA KBWG KW KPPD KTIAEUN KDHS KRV KBTS KWCI KICT KPALAOIS KPMI KWN KTDM KWM KLHS KLBO KDEMK KT KIDS KWWW KLIP KPRM KSKN KTTB KTRD KNPP KOR KGKG KNN KTIAIC KSRE KDRL KVCORR KDEMGT KOMO KSTCC KMAC KSOC KMCC KCHG KSEPCVIS KGIV KPO KSEI KSTCPL KSI KRMS KFLOA KIND KPPAO KCM KRFR KICCPUR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KFAM KWWMN KENV KGH KPOP KFCE KNAO KTIAPARM KWMNKDEM KDRM KNNNP KEVIN KEMPI KWIM KGCN KUM KMGT KKOR KSMT KISLSCUL KNRV KPRO KOMCSG KLPM KDTB KFGM KCRP KAUST KNNPPARM KUNH KWAWC KSPA KTSC KUS KSOCI KCMA KTFR KPAOPREL KNNPCH KWGB KSTT KNUP KPGOV KUK KMNP KPAS KHMN KPAD KSTS KCORR KI KLSO KWNN KNP KPTD KESO KMPP KEMS KPAONZ KPOV KTLA KPAOKMDRKE KNMP KWMNCI KWUN KRDP KWKN KPAOY KEIM KGICKS KIPT KREISLER KTAO KJU KLTN KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KQ KWPR KSCT KGHGHIV KEDU KRCIM KFIU KWIC KNNO KILS KTIALG KNNA KMCAJO KINP KRM KLFLO KPA KOMCCO KKIV KHSA KDM KRCS KWBGSY KISLAO KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KCRI KX KWWT KPAM KVRC KERG KK KSUMPHUM KACP KSLG KIF KIVP KHOURY KNPR KUNRAORC KCOG KCFC KWMJN KFTFN KTFM KPDD KMPIO KCERS KDUM KDEMAF KMEPI KHSL KEPREL KAWX KIRL KNNR KOMH KMPT KISLPINR KADM KPER KTPN KSCAECON KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KCSI KNRG KAKA KFRP KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KQM KQRDQ KWBC KMRD KVBL KOM KMPL KEDM KFLD KPRD KRGY KNNF KPROG KIFR KPOKO KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KHIB KOEM KDDG KCGC
PGOV PREL PK PTER PINR PO PHUM PARM PREF PINF PRL PM PINS PROP PALESTINIAN PE PBTS PNAT PHSA PL PA PSEPC POSTS POLITICS POLICY POL PU PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOG PARALYMPIC PGOC PNR PREFA PMIL POLITICAL PROV PRUM PBIO PAK POV POLG PAR POLM PHUMPREL PKO PUNE PROG PEL PROPERTY PKAO PRE PSOE PHAS PNUM PGOVE PY PIRF PRES POWELL PP PREM PCON PGOVPTER PGOVPREL PODC PTBS PTEL PGOVTI PHSAPREL PD PG PRC PVOV PLO PRELL PEPFAR PREK PEREZ PINT POLI PPOL PARTIES PT PRELUN PH PENA PIN PGPV PKST PROTESTS PHSAK PRM PROLIFERATION PGOVBL PAS PUM PMIG PGIC PTERPGOV PSHA PHM PHARM PRELHA PELOSI PGOVKCMABN PQM PETER PJUS PKK POUS PTE PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PERM PRELGOV PAO PNIR PARMP PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PHYTRP PHUML PFOV PDEM PUOS PN PRESIDENT PERURENA PRIVATIZATION PHUH PIF POG PERL PKPA PREI PTERKU PSEC PRELKSUMXABN PETROL PRIL POLUN PPD PRELUNSC PREZ PCUL PREO PGOVZI POLMIL PERSONS PREFL PASS PV PETERS PING PQL PETR PARMS PNUC PS PARLIAMENT PINSCE PROTECTION PLAB PGV PBS PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PKNP PSOCI PSI PTERM PLUM PF PVIP PARP PHUMQHA PRELNP PHIM PRELBR PUBLIC PHUMKPAL PHAM PUAS PBOV PRELTBIOBA PGOVU PHUMPINS PICES PGOVENRG PRELKPKO PHU PHUMKCRS POGV PATTY PSOC PRELSP PREC PSO PAIGH PKPO PARK PRELPLS PRELPK PHUS PPREL PTERPREL PROL PDA PRELPGOV PRELAF PAGE PGOVGM PGOVECON PHUMIZNL PMAR PGOVAF PMDL PKBL PARN PARMIR PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PDD PRELKPAO PKMN PRELEZ PHUMPRELPGOV PARTM PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPEL PGOVPRELPINRBN PGOVSOCI PWBG PGOVEAID PGOVPM PBST PKEAID PRAM PRELEVU PHUMA PGOR PPA PINSO PROVE PRELKPAOIZ PPAO PHUMPRELBN PGVO PHUMPTER PAGR PMIN PBTSEWWT PHUMR PDOV PINO PARAGRAPH PACE PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOVAU PGOF PBTSRU PRGOV PRHUM PCI PGO PRELEUN PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PMR PRTER PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PRELNL PINOCHET PAARM PKPAO PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA POPDC PRELC PHUME PER PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PAUL PHALANAGE PARTY PPEF PECON PEACE PROCESS PPGOV PLN PRELSW PHUMS PRF PEDRO PHUMKDEM PUNR PVPR PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PBT PAMQ

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08SANTODOMINGO1353, FERNANDEZ PLAYS MUSICAL CHAIRS WITH CABINET

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08SANTODOMINGO1353.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08SANTODOMINGO1353 2008-08-27 17:02 2011-07-25 21:00 SECRET//NOFORN Embassy Santo Domingo
VZCZCXYZ0011
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDG #1353/01 2401702
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 271702Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1339
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN PRIORITY 2184
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0922
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY 1096
RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON PRIORITY 2888
RUEHPO/AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO PRIORITY 1221
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE PRIORITY 4850
RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN PRIORITY 1922
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0201
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUMISTA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
S E C R E T SANTO DOMINGO 001353

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND INR 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2048
TAGS: PGOV PINR SENV MARR ETRD ECON DR
SUBJECT: FERNANDEZ PLAYS MUSICAL CHAIRS WITH CABINET 

REF: A. SANTO DOMINGO 1340

B. USDAO IIR 6 827 0228 08/08-21-2008

C. SANTO DOMINGO 1189

D. TD-314/03112-05/01-19-2005


Classified By: P. Robert Fannin, Ambassador, Reasons 1.4(b), (d)

Summary

-------

1. (C) In a series of decrees issued following his August 16
inauguration, President Fernandez shuffled his cabinet;
however, many of the officials simply moved from one ministry
to another.  There was no clear public policy message sent by
the personnel moves.  Rather, by keeping most of the cabinet
positions in the hands of PLD party insiders, particularly
those loyal to him personally, Fernandez appears to be
keeping an eye on party rival Danilo Medina (Ref A).  The
demotion of Alejandrina German from Education to Women's
Affairs was positive, given the corruption allegations
against her. The new Minister of Industry and Commerce,
Monchi Fadul, does not inspire much confidence.  New
Ministers were also named for the Armed Forces, the
Presidency, Labor, Tourism, Education, and Youth.  In the
security and intelligence services, while three potentially
seriously problematic appointments were avoided, we have
continuing concerns regarding several key officers. For
biographic information, see paras. 12-19.

Armed Forces

------------

2. (C/NF) The new Minster of the Armed Forces, LTGEN Pedro
Pena Antonio, has a very favorable and positive background
with U.S. officers in military conference, professional
training in the U.S., and USDAO and security assistance
venues.  He seeks constructive relationships with U.S.
officers without losing Dominican integrity and pride or
appearing as a doormat or puppet.  He favors USG security
policies as being best for Dominican security as well.  USDAO
assesses that of the several candidates to become Minister,
Pena was unquestionably the most favorable to U.S. interests.
This is based principally on his attempts to achieve a
semblance of security of Dominican airspace and his desire to
professionalize the Air Force (see also Ref B). 

Security Services

-----------------

3. (S/NF) In the security services, three potential
promotions that prompted serious U.S. concern (Ref C) did
not/not take place:  Gen. Hector Medina Medina was not
appointed Minister of the Armed Forces; Gen. Rafael Bencosme
Candelier was not made Chief of Police; and RADM Jose Munoz
Moncion was not selected to be Navy Chief of Staff. 

4. (S/NF) However, Post has continuing concerns regarding the
security services:  The President "confirmed" Medina Medina
in his current position as the Chief of the Presidential
Military Aide's Corps (CAM), where he will continue to have a
powerful influence on the President's military decisions
(particularly regarding pesonnel).  Munoz Moncion was
appointed as Commander of the Las Calderas Navy Base, located
in a principal region of drug trafficking activity.  Host
nation asssets based at Las Calderas are the ones which
should respond to maritime drug deliveries from South
America.  Maj. Gen. Manuel Florentino Florentino, an
individual with whom Post has serious concerns regarding
illegal activity (Ref D), was appointed head of the Frontier
Development Directorate, where opportunities for graft
related to the Haitian border are significant.  At the
National Directorate for Intelligence, the cooperative
Director Sigfrido Pared Perez has been replaced by Maj. Gen.
Ramon Aquino Garcia, whose record is more neutral.  On a
potentially more positive note, Bencosme Candelier was moved
to head the Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET), where he
will presumably have fewer opportunities for nefarious
activities. 

Industry and Commerce

---------------------

5. (C) In comments to the Ambassador, an American Chamber of
Commerce (AMCHAM) representative noted that the new Minister
of Industry and Commerce, Jose Ramon "Monchi" Fadul, has only
limited experience in the areas of trade and energy which
fall under his portfolio, including overseeing the
implementation of CAFTA-DR.  The Embassy was not particularly
impressed with his performance in his previous position as
Labor Minister, where he seemed to be uninformed on important
issues.  However, Fadul is a loyal party member, which should
give him some clout within the Administration. 

Presidency

---------

6. (C) As Minister of the Presidency, Cesar Pina Toribio will
fulfill a role similar to Chief of Staff in the U.S. system.
USAID worked with Pina in his previous positions, and
describes him as an ally of U.S. programming for the justice
sector.  He has played a key role in the implementation of
the criminal procedures code.  Some analysts portrayed
Fernandez's choice of Pina as one designed to avoid having at
his right hand a person who himself aspires to the presidency. 

Labor

-----

7. (C) The new Minister of Labor, Maximiliano Puig Miller, is
the leader of the leftist Alliance for Democracy Party and
the only non-PLD party member in the new cabinet.  Puig was
dropped from his position as Minister of Environment in 2007
after making public allegations of corruption against the
Senate.  He is expected to play an important role not only in
implementing the labor provisions of CAFTA-DR, but also in
the running of the new state-run health care system.  In
comments to the Ambassador, an AMCHAM representative
described Puig as a better officer than his predecessor, the
new Minister of Industry and Commerce Fadul. 

Tourism

-------

8. (C) Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia Fernandez,
another political loyalist, is being rewarded for his role as
campaign manager for the President's re-election campaign.

Minister of Tourism is seen by many Dominicans to be a
lucrative position.  During his time as Minister of Industry
and Commerce, Garcia supported transportation interests that
opposed a U.S. company's right to implement new contracts,
which almost derailed the entry into force of CAFTA-DR.  An
AMCHAM representative told the Ambassador that he was not
particularly impressed with Garcia's prior service in the
Industry and Commerce Ministry.

Education

---------

9. (C) Minister of Education Melanio Paredes has extensive
experience in the education sector, having taught at two
Universities in Santo Domingo (UNIBE and UTESA).  During his
time as a congressman (1990-1994) he was chairman of the
Education Committee, and earlier he served as the General
Secretary of the Labor Union for teachers.  In his previous
position as Minister of Industry and Commerce, the Embassy
found him to be an easy going person who is open, accessible,
and responsive.  Post is pleased to see his predecessor,

Alejandrina German, gone from the ministry.  She was the
subject of multiple corruption allegations, including a case
involving a company tied to her daughter which allegedly sold
millions of dollars worth of nutritionally deficient school
lunches to the government. 

Women

-----

10. (SBU) Alejandrina German was demoted, but remains in the
cabinet as Minister of Women's Affairs.  During the first
part of her term at the Education Ministry, German's
relationship with USAID was challenging.  Over time these
challenges turned into opportunities and the relationship
improved significantly.  German was eventually responsive to
our request for coordination and recognized USAID as an
important partner.  She has been an advocate in expanding
USAID's Regional Centers of Education for Teacher Training
and has committed the Ministry's own resources in the
expansion. 

Youth

-----

11. (U) The new Minister of Youth, Franklin Rodriguez, is a
lawyer and journalist.  Born in 1979, he is an alumnus of the
State Department-sponsored National Democracy Institute
Leadership Program.  Mr. Rodriguez is the youngest member of
the Central Committee of the PLD and was the coordinator of
the PLD youth campaign.  He has also served as vice-president
of the Dominican Student Federation. 

Biographic Information

----------------------

12. (S/NF) Minister of Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Pedro Rafael

PENA Antonio

- Air Force Chief of Staff (2006-2008)

- Described as intelligent and outspoken, as well as pro-U.S.
and friendly with U.S. officials

- Helicopter pilot with search and rescue experience;
personal pilot to President in Fernandez's first term

- Prior service as Assistant Military Attache in Washington,
Air Force Comptroller, Inspector General, and Vice Chief of
Staff

- Degree in human resources management

13. (U) Minister of Industry and Commerce Jose Ramon "Monchi"
FADUL

- Minister of Labor (2004-2008)

- Member of the PLD's Political Committee

- Influential in Santiago, where he was mayor (1990-1994) and
congressional representative (1982-1986, 1994-2002)

- Former Director of the Dominican Corporation of State

Enterprises

14. (U) Minister of Presidency Cesar PINA Toribio

- Presidential Legal Adviser (1996-1999 and 2004-2008)

- Attorney General (1999-2000)

- Member of his family's law firm since receiving his
doctorate from UASD in 1970

- Taught law at PUCMM, UNIBE, and UASD, focusing primarily on
criminal law and criminal procedure

- Member of the PLD Party's Central Committee

15. (U) Minister of Labor Maximiliano PUIG Miller

- Minister of Environment (2004-2007)

- National Coordinator for the Lome IV Accord, with rank of
Minister (1996-2000)

- Served as Senator (1990-1994), at first with PLD, then when
that party suffered split in 1992, Puig and ten deputies
resigned from PLD to set up ADP party (ADP was in coalition
with PLD in 2008 election and prior).

- Studied sociology and public law at the University of Paris
and received his PhD in Political Science there in 1970

- Taught sociology at UASD (1971-1992)

 
16. (U) Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier GARCIA Fernandez

- National Campaign Manager for Leonel Fernandez for
President (2007-2008)

- Minister of Industry and Commerce (2004-2007)

- During the first Fernandez administration (1996-2000)
served as general manager for national lottery, president of
state-owned oil refinery, and executive director of port
authority

- Member of the Central and Political Committees of the PLD

- In private sector, worked as real estate developer



17. (U) Minister of Education Melanio A. PAREDES Pinales

- Minister of Industry and Commerce (2007-2008)

- Director General, National Institute for Technical and
Professional Training (2004-2007)

- Executive Director for Airports (1999)

- Professor, UNIBE and UTESA

- Congressman for San Cristobal (1990-1994)

- Physics degree, UASD


18. (U) Minister of Women's Affairs Alejandrina GERMAN

- Minister of Education (2004-2008)

- Minister of Presidency (1999-2000)

- Director, Higher Education Council (1996-2000)

- Member of PLD party Political Committee


19. (U) Minister of Youth Franklin RODRIGUEZ

- President, PLD party youth wing

- Alumnus of the State Department sponsored National
Democracy Institute Leadership Program

- Member of Central Committee of PLD

- Former vice-president of Dominican Student Federation (FED)

- Born 1979 in San Cristobal
 

(U) Please visit us at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/
FANNIN