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Daily News - 4 February 2000
Special Report on Power Supply Problems in the DR
After a blackout less Christmas, January brought long power outages and much higher power bills. The distribution of power in the DR had been privatized in August 1999. Wasn't privatization supposed to bring better days for consumers in the DR?
Privatization was sold to consumers as the solution to bad quality of power supply and increasing power bills. For the government, it was expected to mean the end to high power subsidies and arrears with private generators.
None of the promises have materialized. Today consumers are irked by the increase in power bills at a time of extended power outages. And government subsidies have had to be doubled.
Unión Fenosa (Edesur and Edenorte) and AES (AES Distribuidora del Este), the two foreign companies that obtained distribution contracts, so far seem to be the only winners. They are reaping millions in the present chaos as the government sorts out the tangle. The two companies are not newcomers to the power supply business in the DR. Unión Fenosa consulted to the CDE management during a Balaguer administration. AES already operates two large power plants (Dominican Power) that were benefited by privileged contracts also during a Balaguer administration. In press conferences yesterday, privatization and power authorities gave insights into what went wrong, and ensure that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Link through to read a compilation of news stories appearing in the local press on what went wrong and what is being done in favor of government and consumer finances.
Special Report on Power Supply Problems in the DR
6% GDP growth forecast for 2000
The governor of the Central Bank, Hector Valdez Albizu forecast that the DR economy will grow 6-6.5% next year, while inflation will be 4-4.5%. In 1999, the Gross Domestic Product grew 8.3% compared to 1998, and inflation was 5.9%. Valdez estimated that gross international reserves this year should increase to US$976 million, up from US$876 in 1999. He said that most of the growth will come from tourism, commerce, construction, telecommunications and industry, with the exception of the sugar industry.
He said that he does not expect the presidential election to have a major effect on the economy.
OAS invited to observe election
The Junta Central Electoral, the Dominican election board, invited the Organization of American States to send a mission to observe the May 2000 presidential election. In a letter to Cesar Gaviria, Secretary General of the OAS, Manuel Ramón Morel Cerda, president of the JCE, expresses his interest in Gaviria himself coming as an observer.
DA asks Interpol for help in prostitution case
District Attorney Francisco Domínguez Brito has requested the assistance of Interpol, the international police service to investigate in Europe the prostitution set up that was unclosed by the Spanish El Mundo news organization. The police would like to find the whereabouts of Otto Maas, the Dutchman, who is the European contact. Dominican corporal Silvino Medina Cuevas was arrested for investigation.
Casa Marina is big winner of Gastronomy Festival
Chef Leonel Almonte of Casa Marina and chef Juan Bautista of LTI Sol de Plata were the big winners of the 4th Sosua-Cabarete Gastronomy Festival held at the Qualton Club in Sosua, Puerto Plata. Casa Marina won the most first place awards for Best Dish with "Ceviche de Mango Cibaeño," first place in soups with "Sancocho Filibustero", first place in salads with "Ceviche de Mango Cibaeño," first place in corn dishes with "Pie de Maíz Liniero", in pastry with "Costa de Amor," in rices with, "Asopao de Cangrejos Torre de Mejía."
LTI Sol de Plata was third in awards, followed by Caribe Campo Club. Other hotels or restaurants receiving prices were La Esplanada Resort, Waterfront Restaurant, Hotel Qualton Club, Restaurant Morua Mai, Hotel Sosua by the Sea and Resort Playa Escondida.
Caribbean World Series
The DR is tied with Puerto Rico in the lead of the Caribbean World Series taking place in Santo Domingo. The DR team defeated Venezuela 5-3. Puerto Rico defeated Mexico, 9-2. Puerto Rico and the DR are the favorites to win the series.
The series will last through 7 February and matches the winning teams of the winter leagues of Puerto Rico (Cangrejeros de Santurce), Mexico (Mayos de Navojoa), Venezuela (Aguilas del Zulia) and the Dominican Republic (Aguilas Cibaeñas) for the regional penchant.
The DR team plays Puerto Rico tonight at 8 pm. The DR has won 12 series, Puerto Rico 8.
News coverage on the opening ceremony pointed out another major blooper of the organizers. When they had to play the national anthem of Venezuela, that of Mexico was played. Yesterday, the event's protocol staff hoisted the flag of Cuba, instead of that of Puerto Rico. Cuba is not playing in the series.

The schedule for the series is as follows:

Friday, 4 February
4 pm Mexico v Venezuela
8 pm DR v Puerto Rico

Saturday, 5 February
4 pm Venezuela v Puerto Rico
8 pm Mexico v DR

Sunday, 6 February
4 pm Mexico v Puerto Rico
8 pm Venezuela v DR

Monday, 7 February
4 pm Venezuela v Mexico
8 pm Puerto Rico v DR

Tickets are selling for RD$500 Palcos A, RD$350 Palcos AA, RD$250 preferencias, RD$40 bleachers. Cadena Microondas Nacionales will transmit by Channel 7, Antena Latina and by radio the games. Fox Sports World Español, a Spanish language all-sports network in the US, will be transmitting the series to select US cities.
For tickets, call 567-6371 or 540-5772. The series was last played in Santo Domingo in 1996.
Motorcycling competition
There will be intense motorcycling action at the Las Americas Autodrome of the Las Americas Highway this weekend. Action will take place Saturday, 5 February, starting at 11:30 am and on Sunday 6 February as of 10 am. Competitors are coming from Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico to participate in the first competition of the Campeonato Nacional Las Americas de Motovelocidad. Tickets: RD$50, RD$125, RD$150 and RD$300.
La Vega Carnival starts 6 February
Unión Carnavalesca Vega announces that starting this Sunday, 6 February the La Vega Carnival, the best in the Dominican Republic, is on. More than 1,500 Dominicans and their most colorful devilish costumes will parade along La Vega city streets from Las Flores to Las Palmas parks. Several tour companies are offering excursions. And leading merengue bands, such as Fernando Villalona, Sin Fronteras, Rubby Pérez, Los Toros Band, and La Banda Gorda will perform free. Several companies are offering tours. These usually cost RD$300-RD$400 and include the bus trip, a visit to the Santo Cerro shrine, lunch, t-shirts and souvenirs. Those going should wear long pants as the prank-loving devils will try to catch you with their leg-blasting balloons.
Rock and Hispanic music
"Men at Work," the popular Australian rock group will be playing at the Salon La Fiesta of the Hotel Jaragua on Sunday, 6 February. The group won the 1982 Grammy Award. They are known for their hits: "Who can it be now?" "Down under," Be good, Johnny," "Catch a Star, "Everything I need," "It's a Mistake," and others. For ticket information, call the Jaragua ticket office at 221-1435 or Ticket Express at 535-5272.
Other performances coming up at the Jaragua in February are: Fausto Rey. Saturday, 12 February. (Those purchasing tickets before 8 February receive a free CD with 30 Fausto Rey hits.) Joaquin Sabina. Sunday, 20 February. 8:30 pm. RD$500.
Victor Manuel & Ana Belén. Thursday, 24 February. 8:30 pm. RD$500.
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