Santo Domingo – While the U.S. Government cannot speak to the authenticity of any purported Department of State documents provided to the press, we can and do reaffirm that the strength of the relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic will not be undermined by WikiLeaks. The Government of the United States maintains ongoing and constructive communication with the Government of the Dominican Republic on a full range of issues affecting mutual interests.
Since the release of purported Department of State cables by WikiLeaks on November 28, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela as well as other State Department and U.S. Embassy officials have had continuous contact with the Government of the Dominican Republic. In separate conversations with both President Leonel Fernández and Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso, Assistant Secretary Valenzuela has underscored the excellent partnership between our two governments and the commitment of the United States to the Dominican Republic, one of its most important partners in Latin America.
The United States recognizes the efforts of President Leonel Fernández in the fight against corruption. At the invitation of President Fernández, the Government of the United States joined various Dominican government institutions, civil society, the European Union, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and other international partner organizations in support of the Participative Anti-Corruption Initiative (IPAC). IPAC is a Dominican effort to deal with issues of transparency and corruption, and we are pleased with the commitment of the Dominican Government in the fight against corruption in the country. WikiLeaks will not deter or divert our support for anti-corruption initiatives being carried out.
One of the basic functions of diplomacy is to report on trends and developments in the countries in which diplomats serve. Field reporting to Washington from Embassies often includes subjective information that may be controversial. It is not an expression of official policy, nor does it always shape the foreign policy of a country.
As the Secretary said, “Every country, including the United States, must be able to have candid conversations about the people and nations with whom they deal. And every country, including the United States, must be able to have honest, private dialogue with other countries about issues of common concern.”
