Pubdate: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 Source: Dominican Today (Dominican Republic) Copyright: 2006 Dominican Today Contact: http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/contact.aspx Website: http://www.dominicantoday.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4101 U.S. EMBASSY DONATES EQUIPMENT TO DOMINICAN ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING UNIT Santo Domingo.- The United States embassy donated to the Dominican Anti-money Laundering Unit, equipment and computer programs valued at US$30,000. U.S. ambassador Hans Hertell pointed out that any initiative on the subject of money laundering "directly fights drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime, and is a priority in bilateral relations amongst our countries." The diplomat underscored the support awarded to the Justice Department in some investigations related to money laundering, both in the United States as in the Dominican Republic. On a separate subject, Hertell clarified that local politician Amable Castro was granted a special visa permit that allowed him to travel to the United States for medical reasons, because the opposition Reform party leader met all of the requirements contemplated by U.S. immigration laws. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine