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Dominica - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-DOMINICAN RELATIONS The United States and Dominica have friendly bilateral relations. The United States supports the Dominican Governments efforts to expand its economic base and to provide a higher standard of living for its citizens. U.S. assistance is primarily channeled through multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), as well as through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) office in Bridgetown, Barbados. The Peace Corps also provides technical assistance to Dominica, and has volunteers on the island working primarily in education, youth development, and health. In addition, the United States and Dominica work together in the battle against illegal drugs. Dominica cooperates with U.S. agencies and participates in counternarcotics programs in an effort to curb narco-trafficking and marijuana cultivation. In 1995, the Dominican Government signed a maritime law enforcement agreement with the United States to strengthen counternarcotics coordination, and in 1996, the government signed mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties to enhance joint efforts in combating international crime. Dominica had around 252,000 visitors in 2005, which represented a contraction in both cruise line and stay-over arrivals over the record performance set in 2004. It is estimated that 4,500 Americans reside in the country. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--Mary M. Ourisman Deputy Chief of Mission--Mary Ellen T. Gilroy Political/Economic Counselor--Martina Strong (Acting) Consul General--Clyde Howard Jr. Regional Labor Attaché--Martina Strong Economic-Commercial Affairs--Anthony Eterno Public Affairs Officer--Julie OReagan Peace Corps Director--Kate Raftery The United States maintains no official presence in Dominica. The Ambassador and Embassy officers are resident in Barbados and frequently travel to Dominica. The U.S. Embassy in Barbados is located in the Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael (tel: 246-436-4950; fax: 246-429-5246). Other Contact Information U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Trade Information Center 14th and Constitution, NW Washington, DC 20230 Tel: 1-800-USA-TRADE Caribbean/Latin America Action 1818 N Street, NW, Suite 310 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 202-466-7464 Fax: 202-822-0075