Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies

and all major inter-American conventions. Member of United
Nations and its specialized agencies, Organization of American
States, International Monetary Fund (see Glossary), Inter-
American Development Bank, and other multilateral financial
institutions. Also member of World Trade Organization,
African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of Nations, and other
regional trade groupings.
National Security
Armed Forces: Dominican armed forces consist of army, navy,
and air force. Total personnel in 1999 reported to be 24,300.
Organization: President is constitutional commander in chief.
Chain of command extends downward to secretary of state for
the armed forces, then to deputy secretaries of state for
individual branches of service, each of which administered
through a chief of staff and a general staff. Chiefs of staff
exercise operational control except in emergencies. Country
divided into three defense zones: Southern Defense Zone,
Western Defense Zone, and Northern Defense Zone.
Equipment: Army equipment includes twenty-four French and
United States light tanks, armored vehicles, half-tracks, and
towed howitzers, largely outmoded and poorly maintained.
Dominican navy in 1999 consisted primarily of twelve armed
patrol vessels, mostly United States-made craft of World War II
vintage. Dominican air force organized into three flying
squadrons: one of Cessna A-37B Dragonfly jets, one of C-47
transports, and one of helicopters.
Police: Internal security responsibility shared by armed forces
and National Police. Total police manpower in 1998 about
15,000. Commanded by director general subordinate to
secretary of state for interior and police. National Department
of Investigations, a domestic intelligence unit, and National
Drug Control Directorate are independent bodies reporting
directly to president.
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