Cuba has announced its support for Mexico to occupy a seat on the United Nations Security Council come 1 January 2002. The Dominican Republic aspires to the same seat. El Caribe newspaper interviewed Alejandra Liriano, the former Foreign Relations officer during the past administration under whom the Dominican Republic advanced to become a strong contender for the post. Liriano said that Cuba is just one country but nevertheless the DR needs to strengthen its foreign policy and prove to the Caribbean that it is best prepared to represent the interests of the region. Liriano said the regional vote would “depend on how the country can demonstrate its capacity to truly serve as a bridge between Central America and the Caribbean.” She said that one point in favor of the DR winning the seat is the many personal contacts President Mejia has made with Central American and Caribbean statesmen in his 10 months in government.
