The new United States ambassador in the DR James (Wally) Brewster met with editors of Dominican print newspapers yesterday, Thursday 30 January.
As reported in Hoy, the ambassador expressed his support for the Dominican government in the talks between the DR and Haiti on the effects that the Constitutional Court Ruling 168-13 that confirms previous criteria for nationality in the Dominican Republic and establishes paths for citizenship and legal residency for foreigners has had on the relationship between both countries. The ambassador praised President Danilo Medina’s commitment to respecting human rights and the decision to apply an immigrant legalization program.
As reported, he also said that the US is concerned about the lack of opportunities for Haitians in their own country. He expressed his trust that the two nations can coexist on the island but “with each country in its place,” in terms of the burden, it has been said that developed countries want the DR to bear the burden of the difficulties in Haiti.
“Two strong countries are needed to make a strong island,” said the Ambassador, as reported in Diario Libre. He said the US is backing the talks so that the differences may be resolved and the National Foreigner Legalization Plan can be implemented in the short term, while respecting human rights.
During the meeting, Brewster also spoke of the priorities for US relations with the Dominican Republic, including combating drug trafficking, and supporting education, publc health, the judiciary and strengthening trade. He mentioned that he was aware of an increase in US tourism to the DR and expressed his satisfaction with the results of the DR-CAFTA free trade agreement for the DR. The agreement will be fully implemented in 2015. Brewster said the Embassy was listening to Dominican concerns regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership for Dominican trade.
As reported, he said that US supports the diversification of energy sources in the DR. The ambassador said that the US government considers the expansion of electricity generation of using liquefied natural gas to be favorable for the DR
Brewster said the US government backs the revision of the extradition treaty of the DR with the US that dates back to 1909 and concluded by advocating that a new treaty should also focus on hi-tech crimes.
The editors who attended the meeting were Rafael Molina from El Dia, Osvaldo Santana from El Caribe, Persio Maldonado from El Nuevo Diario, Adriano Miguel Tejada from Diario Libre, Miguel Franjul from Listin Diario, Jose Antonio Torres from El Nacional and Nelson Marrero from Hoy. US Embassy counselor for public affairs James Russo and press attache Jeremiah Knight, were also present.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2014/01/31/i462121_embajador-estados-unidos-confa-dilogo-entre-repblica-dominicana-hait.html