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Daily News - 25 February 2000
Construction of 300 megawatt power complex begun
President Leonel Fernández was present at the groundbreaking ceremony to start construction of the 300 megawatt Cogentrix Energy power facility in southeastern San Pedro de Macorís. The project will utilize oil-fired, combined cycle technology and has an expected total cost of around US$300 million.
Cogentrix, a US power plant developer headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina is serving as lead developer and majority owner in a partnership with the Commonwealth Development Corporation of Great Britain. Siemens Power Generation Group of Germany will be providing turnkey construction services for the project.
Cogentrix was selected by the state power utility, CDE in a competitive solicitation conducted in 1997.
Siemens has committed to complete the project in 24 months time. As per the time schedule, the power plant should be generating electricity by the end of 2001.
During the ceremony, Cogentrix chairman, David Lewis forecast that the project will become the new standard for power plants in the DR due to its environmental and economic advantages. The Compañía de Electricidad de San Pedro de Macorís expects to generate energy at half the cost of turbine and diesel generators at present operating in the DR. The company has a 20-year contract to sell power to the CDE.
Also present at the ceremony were Ian Weetman, regional director for Commonwealth Development Corporation; Rudolph Vogel, commercial director for Siemens; Stephen McGaughey, the IDB representative in the DR; David Ward, Ambassador of Great Britain; Linda Watts, charge d'affairs of the US Embassy; Helmut Pregeler, Counsellor Minister of the German Embassy; Technical Secretary of the Presidency Temístocles Montás and Eng. Radhamés Segura, general manager of the CDE.
Hipólito Mejía defends his colorful language
The presidential candidate of the PRD, Hipólito Mejía defended his colorful language. He said it helps him better communicate with the Dominican people.
"I want to be Hipólito, the farmer who knows the difficulties the people who work the fields have to go through, whose family still resides in the countryside, and whose activities have taken place in the farm lands, and now in the barrios to where government misfortunes have pushed these people to migrate and abandon their farms and try to survive in contaminated areas." He criticized the unsanitary conditions of the slums that farmers have moved to, and that the constant power failures have made contamination even worse.
Mejía addressed the Haitian issue saying that it has to be seen "like a marriage, where there is no divorce an island separated by a frontier of a hundred and a half of kilometers through which anyone who wants can enter and leave. He said relations with Haiti have to be treated delicately, with much judgement, creativity and sincerity."
He also urged that the Executive Branch clearly explain the financial situation of the Central Bank and the Banco de Reservas. He said that the Banco de Reservas has been financing the RD$25,000 million internal debt of the government in order to help it make payments to contractors of public works. (Minister of Finance Daniel Toribio denied these allegations.)
He criticized that the government had unfulfilled its contracts with suppliers, contractors, farm producers, public work services and the private electricity generators.
Most polls show Mejía is the man to beat in the next presidential election, spoke when being appointed presidential candidate of the Partido Demócrata Popular, a minority party.
Las Americas contractor to get paid
Engineer Daniel Gómez, general coordinator of international loans of the Ministry of Public Works, said that government will be issuing a RD$15 million check to Mera Muñoz Fondeur, the contractor of the expansion works of the Las Americas Highway. Truckers and laborers stopped work demanding payment of RD$10 million owed to them for six months work. The government has said the building of a 700 meter tunnel from the Duarte Bridge to San Vicente de Paul avenue, and expansion of the Las Americas Highway to six lanes above and four lanes below in the tunnel has a cost of RD$580 million. The expansion is slated to be completed by July.
High cost of fuel is burden to economy
Economist Alfonso Abreu Collado says that the government's finances are hurting as it is now receiving much less for the petroleum tax due to the increase in petroleum prices on world markets. He said there were times when the differential between cost and consumer prices of fuel generated 19% of the government revenues. With the increase in the cost of fuel, the government is only deriving 10% of its income from the fuel tax. The economist told the El Siglo newspaper that the nation's fuel bill could increase from US$760 million in 1999 to US$1,500 million in 2000 if the present fuel prices continue. He said that the ideal situation would be to pass the increase on to consumers, but because the presidential election is only three months away, this is not considered an option by the government.
Three companies want to collect city garbage
Garbage collection must be very profitable in the DR. Despite government payment problems, three companies are fighting to control the right to collect garbage in the city of Santo Domingo. Dixi Sanitary and Colimec are now fighting Dragados for the right to collect garbage.
The Municipality of Santo Domingo recently designated Dragados, a Spanish company, as in charge of garbage collection. Dixi Sanitary and Colimec said they have signed contracts that are valid and will take the case to the courts. Dragados has promised to clean up the city in 20 days time.
DR and Haiti advance on migration talks
The Dominican Republic and Haiti advanced on bilateral talks regarding migration. Members of the Dominican-Haitian Interinstitutional Technical Committee on Migration and Frontier Affairs met in Port-au-Prince this week for talks. As per news reports, one of the principal advances was on the rules and status regarding Haitian immigrant workers in the DR. The Minister of Foreign Relations of Haiti Fritz Longchamp and Minister of Foreign Relations of the DR, Eduardo Latorre to ratify the agreements.
The Dominican delegation to the talks was made up by:
Deputy Secretary of Foreign Relations, Rosario Graciano (in charge of consular affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Relations); Manuel Tapia Cunillera, Interior and Police; ambassador Wenceslao Guerrero Pou, in charge of the Division of Haitian Affairs; Amarilis López, counsellor for that division; Ivan Peña, Antonio Lora and Pablo Acosta of the Migration Department; and Carmen Ogando, of the National Frontier Council.
Sammy Sosa visits President Fernández to say good bye
Sammy Sosa, the legendary home run star of Major League baseball, met with President Fernandez at the National Palace yesterday. He met with the President for about an hour as of 7:30 pm. He told the press he visited the President to say good bye. He explained that when the 2000 Major League Season is over, and he returns to the DR, President Fernández will no longer be President. President Fernández's term ends 16 August. Sosa said he is a great friend and admirer of President Leonel Fernández and praised his government. "Our country is completely different, it is modern, thanks to the work of my friend and brother, Mr. President Leonel Fernandez," he told the press.
Mario Andreotti to visit DR
Renowned car racer Mario Andreotti will visit the DR at the beginning of March. He is invited by the organizers of the Santo Domingo Drag Race to be present at the 13th Car Racing and Automobile Exhibition. The show will take place 2-5 March at the Hotel Dominican Fiesta in Santo Domingo. Mario Andreotti has accepted to cut the symbolic ribbon opening the exhibition.
US$42 million for marketing the Pan Am Games?
The president of the organizing committee of the 2003 Santo Domingo Pan American Games, Jose Joaquin Puello said that the commercialization of the games could render US$42 million in earnings. He said the Winnipeg Games generated this. He feels that the Santo Domingo games will be more attractive for television spectators. He said that the Pan Am Games competitions will be 2004 Athens Olympic Games trials for 21 of 24 sports. The Winnipeg Games were only qualifying rounds for 11 sports.
He said the US basketball "dream team" will be playing, and the US will also send its best in track and field. He said that the best of Brazilian soccer will come. He said the US, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba and Chile will bring their best athletes given the situation that the Pan Am Santo Domingo competitions are qualifying rounds for the Athens Olympic Games.
A private company, the name of which Puello chose not to reveal at the present time, will handle the commercialization of the Pan Am Games.
Oscar nominated films showing in DR
"American Beauty," the film that has won nine Oscar nominations (see http://www.oscar.com), is showing 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 Millennium 2000
There's carnival fever all over the Dominican Republic. Clubs, cafés, discos, you name it are celebrating carnival events. The Ministry of Tourism and the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana (Presidente Beer) have also 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:
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
Dominican Rock at Casa de Teatro. Mr. Clika, La Gente and Neutral will be on the Casa de Teatro stage. Arz. Meriño, Colonial City. Admission: RD$75.
Victor Manuel & Ana Belén. 25- 26 February. Teatro Nacional (Santo Domingo). 8:30 pm. RD$500-RD$300.
Toño Rosario merengue band at Jet Set. Av. Independencia. Tel. 535-4145
Discover Kathyan, who won the Casandra Award as the New Star of the Year, at 8 pm at the Radio Universal stage at the Avenida del Puerto.
La Señorita Julia, by Scandinavian playwright August Strindbergt, at the National Theater. Sala Ravelo. Through Sunday, 27 February. Tickets: RD$100.
Muestra Internacional de Cine. Diamond Mall theaters.
Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio. 3-4 March. 8:30 pm. Teatro Nacional. RD$500-RD$300.
Bungee Concierto 2000. Saturday, 4 March and Sunday 5 March. Velodromo Parque Olimpico. March 4: Toque Profundo, Tabutek, Gualtiao, Reach, Garlic, Division X and On the rise.
Marrch 5: Al Jadaqui, Mabé , Mr. Clika. Reach, Garlic, Division X and On the rise. Tickets RD$175. 7 pm. Bungee jump at noon. Concert at 7 pm.
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.
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.
Independence Day commemorative events
Juvenil Symphony Orchestra chamber concert honoring Founding Father Juan Pablo Daurte. Capilla de los Remedios, Calle Las Damas. Zona Colonial. 8:30 pm.
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.
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.
Update on the Independencia Bicycling Race
Rafael Díaz (Montecarlo-Dom) won the fifth stage of the Vuelta Ciclística Independencia Nacional, a major cycling event in the Caribbean. He clocked in at 4:04.43 for the La Vega-Bonao-Piedra Blanca-Cotuí-Pimentel-San Francisco de Macorís (150 kms) distance. He was followed by Nieves Carrasco (Alico-Dom) and Donny López (Asoduci-NY).
The race continues today with competitors pedaling North. The trek will be Santiago-La Cumbre-Puerto Plata-Imbert-Navarrete-Mao (160 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 (Alico-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 (Alico-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 (Asoduci-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). Winner: Rafael Díaz (Montecarlo-Dom)
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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