Santo Domingo.- The United States Embassy yesterday said there’ll be no American military involved “in either the construction or operation of the station or based on Saona island," as quoted by newspaper Diario Libre.
The statement comes in the wake of concern voiced by various sectors over the potential violation of Dominican sovereignty, and a call for an investigation by two lawmakers.
When asked what role the U.S. will play once concludes its support to Navy to build the pier and the station, US Embassy Press attaché Judith Ravin affirmed that Washington “will contribute only the funds and the supervision of the construction."
"The United States contribution forms part of the priorities of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which aims to reduce illicit traffic substantially, as well as other international crimes that threaten the regional and public security," the U.S. Embassy said.
In the Friday groundbreaking U.S. Embassy Consul for Public Affairs
Todd Haskell said the facility to be built at a cost US$1.5 million has the support of the US Southern Command, and will be finished in nine months.
“This investment of 1.5 million dollars in the long term will mean a better effectiveness in the fight against common threats which affect our two nations. Once finished, the project also will allow the Dominican Navy to have a continuous presence in Saona Island, a strategically important point for the vigilance over the Mona Passage,” Haskell said.
Written by: Juango, 21 Feb 2012 8:51 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Sorry, Ms. Judith Ravin who is quoted saying " ...will contribute only the funds and the supervision of the construction. That is a far cry from your US Embassy as quoted by Listin Diario “No American Military involved in either the construction or operation of the station or based on Saona Island". Sound like typical double talk our US Government is famous for.
Todd Haskell, why does US the US Government continue to throw the hard working US taxpayers money down the toilet. This $1.5 MM USD is a gift from the Taxpayers of the US (most do not know it is happening) to the DR, that will have no positive affect toward Safety or Illegal trafficking of anyone ! Can we say Boondoggle ! I for one, am disgusted on what the US is currently doing spending funds it does not have .
Written by: DR_guy, 21 Feb 2012 9:00 AM
From: Dominican Republic
"to build the pier and the station"
So we are funding a dock and fuel station.
So whats the big deal ? and all the fuss. To me it is no more then an American franchise opening up a buisness here and hiring Dominican's to run it.
I say let's move on to something more important.
Written by: zooma, 21 Feb 2012 9:28 AM
From: United States
This is a tempest in a teapot. The monies less spent by the US on this US sponsored project will stay in the US pocket vs larger grants poorly handled solely by the DR gov't. The DR gets a new quality built naval base with the US sponsorship.in an area that needs one and construction work for the local day laborers
You have to ask what is the lessor evil, the US or the Drug Cartels, to know the answer.
From: Dominican Republic
How kind. Helping with no second thought! Since when???
Written by: Espiritu, 21 Feb 2012 11:48 AM
From: United States
Now we know that there is more here than meets the eye! There is really no justification for American funding nor supervision of a project as small as it is now purported to be. Keep the pressure on until the truth comes out!
Written by: RoyStone, 21 Feb 2012 11:58 AM
From: Australia
"Once finished, the project also will allow the Dominican Navy to have a continuous holiday on Saona Island,"
From: Dominican Republic
This is still a National Park...
where are the environmental impact studies, the refueling guild line and safety standards ect ect....???? More power boat traveling through National park water...
Will the US step in if standards are dropped and the environment is put at risk by effect of this base. Or it fall to the DR Navy/Government?????
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
With Dominicans in charge of the base, I see a medium to high risk it becomes another transit point for whatever would have to make it to this coast, and then to PR.
From: United States, Cabarete, Puerto Plata (July 2011)
No double talk. Both statements are true. $US1.5M is pocket change and can save lives if fewer attempt runs to PR, or are more able to be rescued because of faster reaction to disasters.
Increasing and improving a coastal guard presence should reduce drug and people trafficking or otherwise improve security in the entire region. All from a small amount of money. It would cost that much to pave our neighborhood. (which selfishly... Ok no).
Written by: RoyStone, 21 Feb 2012 1:41 PM
From: Australia
stillhere,
As far as I know, the Colonial Zone is the only World Heritage Listed Site in the Dominican Republic, so Saona Island is up for grabs.
Sorry.
From: United States, Naples, Florida
Five important points: 1) Projects like these have to be presented first to Congress, since it is a constitutional matter regarding a National Preserved Area; 2) Another island located between the islands of Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico is an isolated one that could very well serve the purpose annournced; and 3) According to statistic records, Saona is visited by thousands every week; it's safe; enjoyable and tranquile, military activities will take away this peace; 4) As someone mentioned, the dependency of what the investors ultimate or future goals could be, will endanger the principles of independence from foreign dominations; 5) Our budget for the military should be more than enough to take care of such crimes and protections as announced without the financial engagement of another country. As another commented before, taxpayers have no say on what their tax money is used for. It is not sure if such move will reduce the war against drug crimes in Quisqueya or elsewhere.
From: Canada
Walter Walter ... please ... these strategic visionary statements are vested with too much insight ... hahahaha ....!!!! ...
From: Canada
Roy ... you grey man you or is that you gray man you ... hmmmm... hey are there squirrels on the island ... how do they chew through the coconuts? I've never seen them do it up here ... too much snow I guess ...
Written by: RoyStone, 21 Feb 2012 8:06 PM
From: Australia
FedericoD,
You can see coconut palms growing in the snow there?
Have you been smoking some of Ron's funny cigarettes?
From: Canada
Roy ... No but I am testing the limits of the use of idioms ... if the protected island status is being contested than it"s a good thing there aren"t any squirrels ... hahaha !!!
Written by: matador, 22 Feb 2012 8:47 AM
From: United States, www.brugal-ron.com/home.php
No American military involved “in either the construction or operation of the station,
This mean
1.5 million dollars wasted, to give the Corrupt DR Navy another housing to keep up the illicit drug dealing for them self.
Written by: Vivacuba, 22 Feb 2012 6:46 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Criminal occupiers.
Written by: RoyStone, 22 Feb 2012 7:00 PM
From: Australia
Vivacuba,
Are you referring to the American or the Dominican navy, or perhaps both?
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Todd Haskell, why does US the US Government continue to throw the hard working US taxpayers money down the toilet. This $1.5 MM USD is a gift from the Taxpayers of the US (most do not know it is happening) to the DR, that will have no positive affect toward Safety or Illegal trafficking of anyone ! Can we say Boondoggle ! I for one, am disgusted on what the US is currently doing spending funds it does not have .
So we are funding a dock and fuel station.
So whats the big deal ? and all the fuss. To me it is no more then an American franchise opening up a buisness here and hiring Dominican's to run it.
I say let's move on to something more important.
This is a tempest in a teapot. The monies less spent by the US on this US sponsored project will stay in the US pocket vs larger grants poorly handled solely by the DR gov't. The DR gets a new quality built naval base with the US sponsorship.in an area that needs one and construction work for the local day laborers
You have to ask what is the lessor evil, the US or the Drug Cartels, to know the answer.
where are the environmental impact studies, the refueling guild line and safety standards ect ect....???? More power boat traveling through National park water...
Will the US step in if standards are dropped and the environment is put at risk by effect of this base. Or it fall to the DR Navy/Government?????
Increasing and improving a coastal guard presence should reduce drug and people trafficking or otherwise improve security in the entire region. All from a small amount of money. It would cost that much to pave our neighborhood. (which selfishly... Ok no).
As far as I know, the Colonial Zone is the only World Heritage Listed Site in the Dominican Republic, so Saona Island is up for grabs.
Sorry.
You can see coconut palms growing in the snow there?
Have you been smoking some of Ron's funny cigarettes?
This mean
1.5 million dollars wasted, to give the Corrupt DR Navy another housing to keep up the illicit drug dealing for them self.
Are you referring to the American or the Dominican navy, or perhaps both?