Dominican officials demand US explain why it yanked visas

Santo Domingo.- The Central Electoral Board (JCE) on Mondaybacked its president Roberto Rosario, whose US visas were cancelled, and asked Washingtonto explain the unprecedented measure.

In a statement handed to reporters by JCE General SecretaryHilario Espiñeira, the JCE said its members agreed to convey their demandthrough the Foreign Ministry, because in their view the Board’s image has beensignificantly affected.

"The JCE expresses concern about the way the measure ina move that could be sent through institutional channels was run, the (US) consulgeneral went, without explanation and diplomatically endorsed information toour building and offices; this procedure, no doubt, was intended to evade providingan explanation to the Dominican State through the channel established ininternational law: the Foreign Ministry, which in addition has reported that todate it has not been notified," the statement says.

However, they recognize the US government’s right torestrict entry, issue or revoke visas for an individual to enter its territory,since, as a State, has the same right as the Dominican Republic.