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Daily News - 24 February 2000
President meets with private generators
Despite Secretary of the Presidency Alejandrina Germán saying on Tuesday that no meeting was scheduled between the President and private power generators, the meeting did take place yesterday. President Fernández met with the private power generators for more than two hours at the National Palace. The private generators had threatened to go off line. They demanded larger payment settlements than had been offered at the last meeting with the President. At the meeting were President Leonel Fernandez, Secretary of the Presidency Alejandrina German, Technical Secretary of the Presidency Temístocles Montás, Administrator of the CDE Radhamés Segura and Superintendent of Electricity Marcos Cochón for the goverment. Representing the generators, were Linda Watts, charge d'affairs of the US Embassy, Kevin Manning, Eduardo Tejera, Roberto Camino, Armando Rodríguez, Manuel Mendoza, Aquiles Farías, Marcos Cabral and Otto González. The government presented a counteroffer at the meeting.
The debt with the private generators is more than US$102 million. The government offered to pay US$40 million, leaving US$62 million to be paid by the next administration. The present government inherited a US$70 million debt from the previous administration.
Delays in payments for Las Americas mega project
Payment delays are affecting the rate of construction of the important tunnel under the Las Americas Expressway. This is the main route of entrance to the city of Santo Domingo from the East. Truckers employed by the Mera Muño Fondeur contractors posted a sign saying arrears of the government with the contractor have resulted in six months of arrears for them. They say they are owed RD$10 million. The government is building an 800 meter tunnel and has promised to complete the work by mid year.
PRD registers its candidate for May election
The PRD registered Hipólito Mejia and Milagros Ortiz Bosch as their presidential and vice presidential candidates yesterday at the Junta Central Electoral. The other two leading political parties, the PLD and the PRSC have yet to even announce their vice presidential candidates. The PLD has said it will choose its candidate on 6 March. The JCE deadline to register candidates is 16 March.
PRSC returns voting list to JCE
The Listín Diario reports that the PRSC became the second political party to reject the voting list presented for their perusal by the Junta Central Electoral. The PLD earlier had criticized the list for excluding more than 800,000 registered voters.
CBI textile parity bill could pass in April
Ambassador Charles Manatt told Dominican journalists that he is optimistic that the US Congress will pass the bill that would grant textile parity to Dominican free zone exports in the present legislative session. Luis Manuel Pellerano, a former president of the Dominican Association of Free Zone, also told journalists covering an American Chamber of Commerce luncheon that the bill should pass at the end of March or beginning of April. The bill has the support of the Clinton Administration and continues to gain supporters within the US Congress. Representatives and US senators need to reconcile textile provisions. The Senate version conditions benefits for apparel goods on the use of US fabric and US yarn. At present, DR free zone apparel exports are already limited to the use of US materials.
If it passes, the local textile industry is expected to receive a boost. Several industries had relocated to Mexico to take advantage of the tariff and quota-free trade preferences that would be applicable to DR exports if the bill passes.
Frank Rainieri talks about the tourism industry's priorities
Frank Rainieri, president of the Punta Cana Group, the pioneer of Punta Cana-Bavaro tourism development, in a luncheon conference at the American Chamber of Commerce, highlighted what he feels should be the industry's priorities.
In his speech he also stressed the importance of the industry for the Dominican economy. He mentioned that today the DR is the No. 1 tourism destination in the Caribbean in number of air arrivals, and second in dollar receipts. He said that in the Americas, it is ranked seventh in number of air arrivals and dollar revenues generated.
Among the priorities listed by Rainieri are the construction of four major expressways to facilitate the transport of products to be consumed by the industry and of tourists. These are:
Santo Domingo-Samana (via Monte Plata)
Santo Domingo-Macao-Punta Cana (passing through Ramon Santana and the center of the eastern region)
Santo Domingo-Monte Cristi-Puerto Plata (extending the Navarette highway)
Santo Domingo-San Juan and Pedernales (expanding the San Cristobal Highway).
Rainieri stressed that all regions have infrastructure priorities, but tourism regions should get priority when making infrastructure allotments taking into account their capacity for generating hard currency, employment and social welfare within the region and beyond. He called for reaching an agreement among the leading political parties so there is a consensus on the priority investments in highways, sewage and potable water, health and education facilities.
He also expressed his concern that the government has restored monopoly privileges to Dominicana Airlines at a time when free markets and aviation deregulation are the norm. He urged that the government give due attention to eliminating the Category III rating that impedes local companies from flying to the US.
Oscar nominated films showing in DR
"American Beauty," the film that has won nine Oscar nominations (see http://www.oscar.com), opens in Santo Domingo on Thursday, 24 February. The film stars Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening. It was nominated to the Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, Actress in a Leading Role, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Original Score, director of the Year,
The film is showing at Lumiere, Hollywood, Broadway, Manzana and Issfapol theaters in Santo Domingo.
"Stuart Little", a film for children that was also nominated for an Oscar (Visual Effects), is showing at the Palacio, Cineplex, Hollywood, Broadway, Cinema and Manzana theaters.
Carnival merengue song is anti DR
El Siglo newspaper reports that in Haiti the leading radio stations and carnival partying is to the tune of a catchy merengue that promotes violence and an anti-Dominican sentiment amongst Haitians. The merengue motivates Haitians to violence and urges them to fight against a supposed Dominican invasion of Haiti. Hate sentiments amongst Haitians are considered by political analysts one of the main reasons for Haiti's poverty. The Haitian Lavalas movement promoted by former President Jean Bertrand Aristide is regarded as a promoter of violence and hate within Haiti. Aristide during his first presidency was also a major antagonist against good relations with the DR. To read the words of the merengue in Spanish, see the El Siglo
http://www.elsiglord.com/nacionales/24/15.htm
Independence Day commemorative events
Saturday, 26 February. Boulevard 27 de Febrero Expressway. 8 pm. Sonia Silvestre sings to national poets.
Sunday, 27 February, Independence Day.
10 am. Final report on the state of the nation by President Leonel Fernández. From Congress.
4 pm. Military Parade along the Malecon.
7 pm. Fireworks, merengue, grass roots music groups and dance show. Parque Juan Baron (facing the Parque Eugenio María de Hostos, Malecon. Starring: Toño Rosario, Raulín Rodríguez, Manuel Jiménez, Rubby Pérez, María Díaz, Ileana Reynoso. Choreography: Victor Ramírez.
Carnival Millennium 2000
The Ministry of Tourism and the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (Presidente Beer) have joined efforts to present Carnival Millennium 2000.
Highlights of the Carnival this year are:
La Vega: Every Sunday in February. Av. Los Framboyanes. 3 pm. (Best carnival showing in the DR)
Moca. Every Sunday in February. Parque Cáceres 3 pm.
The Gran Gala Cerveza Presidente. Friday, 25 February at the Salon La Fiesta Hotel Jaragua at 9 pm. RD$350 per person. Important folklore gala with dance troupes from Mao, Santiago, La Vega, San Cristóbal, Bonao, Pimentel, Cotuí, San José de Ocoa, Tenares, Puerto Plata and Nagua. Children's presentation, Saturday, 26 February at 3 pm.
Santiago: 27 February. Av. Las Carreras. 3 pm.
5 March. Santo Domingo. Malecon parade. 2 pm.
Bonao: 12 March. Parque de Bonao. 3 pm.
Puerto Plata. 10-13 March. 12 March presentation of carnival figures from other areas of the country. Malecon. 3 pm.
Mao. 12 March. Calle Duarte. 3 pm

Presidente Beer is also sponsoring the participation of several well-known orchestras, with shows to be staged at the Avenida del Puerto.
The orchestras to perform there as of 9 pm are:
Cocoband (Friday, 25 February)
Sin Fronteras (Saturday, 26 February)
Eddy Herrera (Sunday, 27 February)
Rubby Pérez (Friday, 3 March)
Freddy Gerardo and Grupo Mío (Saturday, 4 March), Fernando Villalona and Los Toros Band-Grand Parade (Sunday, 5 March.)

Presidente beer is sponsoring costumes parties at the following cafes and bars:
Santo Domingo:
Monte Cristo Café, Wednesday, 23 February
Kassandra Café, Saturday, 26 February
Friday's. Saturday, 26 February. RD$100

Santiago
Francisfol, Friday, 25 February
Baha Club, Thursday, 2 March

Children's Carnival Parade. Saturday, 26 February. 4 pm. Calle El Conde Peatonal.
More events worth attending
Victor Manuel & Ana Belén. 24 February. Gran Teatro Cibao. 8:30 pm. RD$400-RD$300. 25- 26 February. Teatro Nacional (Santo Domingo). 8:30 pm. RD$500-RD$300.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio. 3-4 March. 8:30 pm. Teatro Nacional. RD$500-RD$300.
Benefit weekend in La Romana
Casa de Campo is inviting all to participate in the 3rd Annual Weekend to benefit the Hogar del Niño charity. The "weekend of fun and fundraising" will take place 25-27 February. As part of the weekend, participants will be taken to visit some of the mos beautiful villa homes and gardens of Casa de Campo, play golf on the resort's private La Romana Country Club course while inside discoverng a jewelry exhibition followed by dining and dancing under the Caribbean sky. All donations are US tax deductible. For more information, contact guest services at Casa de Campo at 809 523-3333 ext 3165 or 3166.
Independence Boxing Cup
Boxers from 13 countries will participate in the Copa Independencia de Boxeo that opens 28 February at the Palacio de Deportes of Santiago de los Caballeros. President of the organizing committee, Marino Collante said that boxers will be coming from Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, US Virgin Islands, Colombia, US, Haiti, Canada and Guyana. The event will last through 3 March and will serve as preparatory event for important international competitions, such as the Olympic Games.
Qualifying round for the World Polo Cup
Club de Polo Casa de Campo in La Romana will host regional trials for World Polo Cup on 24-27 February. The International Polo Federation coordinates the trials. Glen Holden, president of the Federation, was in the Dominican Republic this week to attend planning meetings. Guatemala, Costa Rica, Jamaica and the DR will vie for a spot to play against the national teams of Canada, Mexico and the United States in California in April. In the California event, two nations will qualify to participate in the World Cup to be held in Australia, in April 2001.
Update on the Independencia Bicycling Race
Abraham Emile, of the Association of Dominicans in NY team (Asodoci) won the Santo Domingo-Piedra Blanca-Villa Altagracia-Bonao trek of the Vuelta Ciclística Independencia Nacional, a major cycling event in the Caribbean. He clocked in at 2:05.45. Donny Lopez was second, and third Romanosky Medina (Dom). Alexis Mendez (Venezuela) won the second half, Bonao-Santo Cerro-Jarabacoa, clocking in at 2:02.02. Next were José Ibañez (Ven), Julio Cesar Rangel (Dom) and Chris Frederick (Miami).
The race continues today with competitors pedaling to the Northeast. The trek will be La Vega-Bonao-Piedra Blanca-Cotuí-Pimentel-San Francisco de Macorís (150 kms)
The grueling competition is taking cyclists through most of the DR (1,145.4 kilometers) from 20-27 February. It is an officially sanctioned International Cycling Union race.
For web site international coverage on this event, see www.cyclingnews.com or the International Cycling Union site at www.uci.ch
International teams have come from St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Curaçao, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Panama, Honduras and several US states (New York, Florida, Illinois and Texas). Fourteen DR-based teams are also participating, for more than 200 cyclists. The race schedule is as follows:
Sunday, 20 February: 11 am. Closed circuit around Mirador del Sur Park (144 kms). Winner: Wendy Cruz (Dom)
Monday, 21 February: 10 am. Santo Domingo-Boca Chica-San Pedro de Macorís-La Romana (116 kms). Point of departure: Ministry of the Armed Forces-Plaza de la Bandera. Winner: Wendy Cruz (Dom)
Tuesday, 22 February: 9:30 am. La Romana-San Pedro de Macorís-Santo Domingo (120 kms). Point of departure: Parque Duarte in La Romana. Winner: Chris Frederick (Miami)
Wednesday, 23 February: 9:30 am. Santo Domingo-Bonao (89 kms). Winner: Abraham Emile (NY). 3 pm. La Vega-Santo Cerro-Jarabacoa (75 kms). Winner: Alexis Mendez (Ven)
Thursday, 24 February: 9:30 am. La Vega-Bonao-Piedra Blanca-Cotuí-Pimentel-San Francisco de Macorís (150 kms)
Friday, 25 February: 9:30 am. Santiago-La Cumbre-Puerto Plata-Imbert-Navarrete-Mao (160 kms)
Saturday, 26 February: 9:30 am. Closed circuit Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración in Santiago (120 kms). Sunday, 27 February: 9:30 am. Santiago-
Bonao-Villa Altagracia-Santo Domingo (158 kms.)
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