Former Dominican Republic Ambassador in the OAS, Flavio Dario Espinal, writing in El Caribe newspaper, challenges the widespread belief that the United States is tacitly supporting current machinations by the ruling party because of the Dominican government’s support for the war in Iraq, symbolized by the deployment of troops there. Espinal, who is dean of the Law School of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, says there is no doubt that the US is hugely appreciative of the Dominican government’s support for what is a controversial foreign policy, but that it would be another thing for them to “turn a blind eye” to an electoral crisis in the Dominican Republic. The US is only too aware of other countries experiencing “a delicate political situation,” such as Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Haiti and Venezuela, as a result of “illegal and illegitimate electoral practices.” We are reminded of the strong words of US envoy Roger Noriega, who visited the country late last year and reiterated the message that his country is committed to the democratic process, and offered to send electoral observers. As well as the United States’ leadership in promoting democracy through the Organization of American States (OAS), Espinal cites the fact that in these elections there is no objection to either of the opposition Presidential candidates. “What is important is that the Dominican Republic should continue to depend on political stability, that the principle of democratic changes should be respected and that both countries should continue to develop relations of friendship and cooperation in areas of shared problems, challenges and opportunities.”