USA: "There will not be any military personnel on Saona base"
DR government says no worry, denies it is an invasion
Diario Libre
SD. The Embassy of the United States in the country said yesterday that "there will not be any military personnel involved in the construction or operation of the base or based on the island of Saona," when they were questioned by Diario Libre regarding the role that they would play once their support of the Dominican Navy and the construction of the dock and a naval station on this place was concluded.
"The United States will contribute just the funds and the supervision of the construction," said the Embassy through their Press Attaché, Judith Ravin.
She said that "the contribution of the United States falls within the priorities of the Security Initiative for the Caribbean Basin, which seeks to substantially reduce the illegal traffic as well as other international crimes that threaten regional security and the public security."
In spite of the statements from the diplomatic delegation, the specialist in public safety, Daniel Pou, says that the issue should not be taken lightly since the United States could expect some benefits.
He pointed out that the institutional weakness of the country throws doubts regarding the support that these construction at the Catuano Port, such as whether Saona Island could become a military enclave.
Last Friday the authorities dug the first shovel-full for the project, sponsored by the Southern Command. The construction will begin in March and take nine months. They will cost US$1.5 million.
Government opinion
The Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, Temistocles Montas, said that there is no reason to worry regarding this project, as he pointed out that this is not a concession of the national territory but rather a base for the Dominican Navy.
In the meantime, the PLD senator from Santiago, Julio Cesar Ventura, said that the National Congress will make the necessary observations regarding the initiative, but he rejected the idea that the project is an invasion by the United States.
"The United States will contribute just the funds and the supervision of the construction," said the Embassy through their Press Attaché, Judith Ravin.
She said that "the contribution of the United States falls within the priorities of the Security Initiative for the Caribbean Basin, which seeks to substantially reduce the illegal traffic as well as other international crimes that threaten regional security and the public security."
In spite of the statements from the diplomatic delegation, the specialist in public safety, Daniel Pou, says that the issue should not be taken lightly since the United States could expect some benefits.
He pointed out that the institutional weakness of the country throws doubts regarding the support that these construction at the Catuano Port, such as whether Saona Island could become a military enclave.
Last Friday the authorities dug the first shovel-full for the project, sponsored by the Southern Command. The construction will begin in March and take nine months. They will cost US$1.5 million.
Government opinion
The Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, Temistocles Montas, said that there is no reason to worry regarding this project, as he pointed out that this is not a concession of the national territory but rather a base for the Dominican Navy.
In the meantime, the PLD senator from Santiago, Julio Cesar Ventura, said that the National Congress will make the necessary observations regarding the initiative, but he rejected the idea that the project is an invasion by the United States.
Diario Libre
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