Well, the Army actually. The involvement of the U.S. in the Dominican Republic in the past is a major embarrassment to the U.S. and both instances were a HUGE mistake. I am surprised more here do not bring it up - especially given Iraq right now...

What is the status of the camp at Barahona? It is supposed to be a humantarian effort but the base was being built to provide a launching zone for Haiti I heard (rumours). Before US forces landed, the Dominican government signed a waiver granting US troops immunity from prosecution for war crimes or other offenses before the International Criminal Court. It was never publicized here, but I know there were demonstrations in Barahona.





>I guess you were here when you were in the USAF. I have a friend who is retired from the USAF, he met his Dominican ex-wife while he was in Panama. Came here, loved the country and now is living here with his Dominican girlfriend.
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>When traveling to the tropics is always a good idea to be vaccinated against schistosomiasis AFAIK. I don't know much about this disease but I've found this link for you
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>http://www.cdc.gov/travel/caribean.htm
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>>I would love to. I've wanted to go there for years. The Dominican Republic is one place I've never been to that I've always wanted to see. (well I did see it once for a very short time but it doesn't count - i wasn't a tourist and I usually forget about it) I have friends who have been there and they had to get shots for schistosomiasis (spelling? bugs in fresh water) before going. Is that still a problem? Are natives immune?