Home  Message Archive  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  Premium News Service

Daily News - 30 March 2000
DR would like changes in US migration law
Minister of Foreign Relations Eduardo Latorre appealed to the US to revise the new migration laws that have allowed the deporting of criminals with unfulfilled sentences. The criminals, that do not have cases pending with the DR justice and thus are freed in the DR, are believed to have contributed to an increase in the crime rate in the DR. Latorre said that from 1994, the US has deported 9, 510 Dominicans with unfulfilled sentences. He also criticized the retroactivity of the law.
Minister Latorre is representing the DR in the II Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Relations of the Caribbean and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright taking place in New Orleans. The meeting is a follow up to the Caribbean-US summit presidential summit held in Barbados in 1997.
The Caribbean wants the US to support the World Trade Organization waiver that the region needs for the recently negotiated Suva Convention (that will replace the Lomé Convention) and is slated to be signed in Fiji in June with the European Union. The waiver will permit the Caribbean to continue to enjoy preferential trade treatment with the European Union, until these are gradually phased out to comply with WTO trade rules.
Members of the national delegation are Minister of Foreign Relations Eduardo Latorre, Ambassador Roberto Saladin; ambassador Alejandra Liriano, in charge of multilateral affairs of the Ministry; Joaquin Antonio Balaguer, Dominican consul in New Orleans.
During the event, the DR will also lobby for a chair in the 2002-2003 United Nations National Security Council.
Other issues on the agenda are the banana dispute, the offshore tax regimes, organized crime and narcotics trafficking through the region. Caribbean countries would also like the US to focus on development opportunities within the Caribbean.
DR now a member of WIPO
The Dominican Republic is a full member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as of 27 March. In Geneva, Switzerland, for the occasion, Minister of Industry and Commerce Luis Manuel Bonetti said the DR obtained the membership along the lines of the new diplomacy implemented by the Fernández administration. In a speech, he said that the DR identifies with the WIPO director's vision of intellectual property being a tool at the service of trade and development. He said the DR is challenged to reorient its development strategies to become part of the new knowledge society.
He said the support by impartial international organizations such as the WIPO and the WTO are the best guarantee that small and open developing countres such as the DR are able to exercise rights and obligations according to best national interests. "And this is of great relevance because this year all developing countries will have to implement the agreement on "Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights" (TRIPS)," he said.
Bonetti said that the developing world is facing severe pressures, out of all proportion, in order to implement this agreement for the exclusive benefit of producers of technological knowledge. "Has it been forgotten that the benefit has to be reciprocal for producers and users of technological knowledge, in such way as to foster social and economic welfare and the balance of rights and obligations among the Member countries of that agreement?," he asked.
US Coast Guard chief visits
Admiral John Shkor visited the Dominican Republic and met with Dominican military heads. Admiral Shkor said that the US Coast Guard will be working closely with the Ministry of Armed Forces and the Dominican Navy to develop joint actions to combat narcotics trafficking along the Dominican frontier with Haiti. Admiral Shkor commands operations of all US Coast Guard activities in a 14 million square mile area, with 26,000 military and 27,854 auxiliary men under his command. During his visit he met the new chief of the Navy, Rear Admiral Rafael de Jesus Monzón Brea and with the Minister of Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Manuel de Jesús Florentino.
Taxes can be paid by the Internet
The Dirección General de Impuestos Internos (DGII), the local tax bureau and the Banco Nacional de Credito (Bancredito), a private bank, signed an agreement so that Bancrédito clients can pay their taxes by the Internet. Dennis Manzanillo signed for DGII and Rosangela Pellerano for Bancredito. There will be tax savings as the companies and individuals no longer need to purchase forms, nor have to send personnel or personally spend time in line at the DGII bureau. For more information on the DGII, see their web site at http://www.dgii.gov.do and httpp://www.bancredito.com
Physicians get violent trying to enter Congress
Health worker union members forced their way into the Senate yesterday to protest the passing of a new social security bill. They violated the door of entry before forcing a commission of senators head by the president of the Senate, Ramón Alburquerque to receive them. Rafael Collado, president of the Dominican Medical Association, led the group as they forced their way over the congressional gates and into Congress. They said they were following the example of the president of the Senate, who did the same when not allowed into the Dominican Municipal League during an institutional crisis of that organization.
Alburquerque explained that the bill has not been passed and is still under study. He said that all sectors are being heard, and that 31 public talk sessions have been held.
The medical union wants universal medical coverage of Dominicans. The bill limits coverage to those who contribute to it. The AMD also wants the government to manage the money paid into the system, while the bill as stands in Congress establishes that the private sector will have control.
Alburquerque told the union leaders, "You cannot say this is what I say, and if it is not done there will not be a law, because that would not be fair."
How to transfer popularity of Fernández to Danilo Medina
Vice President Jaime David Fernández urged those in charge of the Danilo Medina presidential campaign to find ways to transfer the 55% level of satisfaction that a recent Penn, Schoen & Berland poll showed to the PLD presidential candidate. Furthermore, he said that the same poll showed that 36% of the voters said that this good feeling of voters towards the Fernández government should translate into votes for Medina. Medina, though has been slow in increasing his popularity. Two recent leading polls, Penn, Schoen & Berland, and Gallup, show him trailing 94-year old former President Balaguer in voters' preference.
Laura Mallén appointed general manager Continental Airlines
Thirty-year old Laura Mallén was appointed general manager of Continental Airlines in the Dominican Republic. Continental has daily flights to Newark, New Jersey from Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata airports. Her appointment is effective Monday, 3 April. Prior to her promotion, she was the airline's reservations manager. Mallén has been with the airline for more than 10 years. She began her career with the airline industry with Eastern Airlines.
National Folklore Ballet to tour Japan
The National Folklore Ballet announced its tour of Japan starting the first week of April. Sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the merengue dancers will render 20 presentations in 17 theaters across Japan. Profesora Josefina Miniño directs the troupe. Singer José Lacay will co-star with the group.
10 Dominican starting pitchers in Major Leagues
El Siglo newspaper reports that 10 Dominican pitchers will be starters in the Major League season that opens in the US on Monday, 3 April. The season got its start in Japan with a game beween the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets. In these games, Sammy Sosa once again captured all the attention, and is the darling of Japan.
The 10 starting pitchers would be a new record Domnican participation in the Major Leagues.
The starting pitchers are Pedro Martínez (Boston), José Lima (Houston), Pedro Astacio (Colorado), Bartolo Colón (Cleveland), Juan Guzmán (Tampa Bay)), Carlos Perez (Dodgers) Octavio Dotel (Houston), Jesus Sanchez (Florida), Ramon Martínez (Boston), Manny Aybar (Colorado).
Major League baseball could open in the DR
In an Internet survey carried out yesterday by CNN/Sports Illustrated, 38% of 5,000 voters favored the DR being site of next year's Major League baseball season's opening game. The Dominican Republic received 1,798 votes, followed by Australia with 1,022, or 22%. Cuba received 18%, Puerto Rico 16% and Venezuela 5%.
The series first was played outside the US when it opened in Mexico in 1998 (San Diego-Rockies). This year it opened in Japan (Mets-Cubs).
The DR has already been seat to Major League exhibition games - Mets and Expos (1999) and Astros and Boston (2000). Sectors within the sport favor the games being held abroad to contribute to the global interest for the sport so that some day the World Series truly be a World Series.
Oscar winning films return to Dominican theaters
Palacio del Cine and Cineplex are showing as of today the winning Oscar Award films. These are American Beauty, Girl, Interrupted, All About my Mother, The Matrix, Sleepy Hollow, The Insider and Tarzan.
Cattle, farm and industrial fair opens at Feria Ganadera
The nation's leading exhibition of cattle ranching, farming and industrial production opened this Saturday, 25 March. The fair will continue through 2 April at the Feria Ganadera on the Malecón. The Feria Nacional Agropecuaria, Industrial, Educativa y Ecológica 2000 is a sale-exhibition of local produce. A new attraction this year is a flower producers competition.
Furniture exhibition
The Dominican Fiesta Hotel will be hosting Expo Muebles Internacional 2000, the largest exhibition of furniture in the DR. The event is scheduled for 29 March-2 April. Participation of furniture manufacturers from the Dominican Republic, France, Canada, US, Italy, China, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Central America and the Caribbean.
Comedy on sex
"Tengamos el sexo en paz," is the title of a comedy by Darío Fo, winner of the Nobel Liberature prize in 1997, adapted by Rafael Ovalles, that will be staged at the auditorium of the Instituto Cultural Dominico-Americano. The play is especially recommended for parents with teenage children. Presentations on Saturday, 30 March and Sunday, 31 March.
Starring Edilí, directed by Enrique Chao. Tickets: RD$100.
Le Jeune Ballet de France
31 March and 1 April. National Theater. Presentation of a version of The Three Musketeers by Le Jeune Ballet de France, one of the best non-professional dance troupes of the world. National Theater. 8:30 pm. The French troupe, together with a selection of Dominican dancers, will then perform on 14 and 15 April. The dancers will perform to "Papá Bocó" merengue music arranged by José Antonio Molina, and interpreted by the National Symphony Orchestra. The piece will become part of the repertoire of the Jeune Ballet de France and will tour the world with this company. The dancers will spend two weeks in the DR, as part of their internship. A select group of Dominican dancers will partake in their regular classes, and performance rehearsals. Dancers on the group are from France, Brazil, Cuba, Finland, Egypt and Japan.
Tropico del son
César Namnum, the leading Dominican performer of Cuban "son" music, will be on stage this Saturday, 1 April at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Hotel Jaragua. Showtime: 10 pm. Tickets: RD$350. Enjoy son, guaguancó, danzón, bolero, rhumba, Latin jazz, guaracha, merengue among other Latin beats.
Activities at the Boulevard 27 de Febrero
Festival de Rock. Rock.do is organized by Kim Sánchez who has put together a group of the new names in Dominican Rock. Time to listen to: Uranio, Mister Klica, La Gente, Neutral, Bienes y Raices, Stupid Silence, Modem 5, Cherry Flavor and Ciencia Fusión. Starting 31 March, every Friday in April, except Good Friday. 9 pm. Boulevard 27 de Febrero, Winston Churchill side.
Scheduled for the same Boulevard, but for Saturday, 15 April at 9 pm, "Fuego a la lata," a concert by innovative Dominican popular musician Luis Días, with Patricia Pereyra (Dominican blues singer) and Los Tambores de América.
Botanical Gardens walk
The BHD Bank is organizing a stroll from 2 to 7 pm at the Botanical Gardens. The event is set for Saturday, 1 April. Tickets are RD$50, and the funds will go to help preserve the lovely gardens of the Botanical Gardens. For more information, call 243-3232 (BHD) or 567-6211, ext 249 (Botanical Gardens).
Italian Food Festival
The Italian Gastronomy Festival is slated for Sunday, 2 April at the Fortaleza Ozama. It is organized by the Casa de Italia and leading Italian restaurants and food companies represented in the DR participate. For more information, call 688-1497 or 689-7962.
National Car Speed Racing Championship
The National Car Speed Racing Championship is slated for Sunday, 2 April at the Autódromo Las Américas, of Km. 14 Las Americas Highway. This is the Campeonato Nacional Power Rider 2000. Sixty Dominican and international competitors have signed up to participate in the following categories: RS1, RS2, PM1, PM2, GT3 y GBS. 10:30 am. Luis Rafael Mendez, Tony Canahuate, Luis Manuel Mendez, Adriano Abreu and Juan Lopez, the best Dominican speed racers, have confirmed they will compete in the 2 April at the Autodromo Las Americas. This is the first important speed racing competition of the year. Harry Gilbert, a Formula 1 car racer, will be here for a demonstration on the track. The competition is organized by the Club Dominicano de Corredores de Circuito.
Artistas por el Gagá
"Artistas por el Gagá," an organization that describes itself as "a collective of alternative and Dominican contemporary artists, has organized a day with Afro-contemporary music and art. The group promotes the event as a way to welcome the spring with a Haitian-Dominican solidarity and brotherhood event through music and dance to the tune and beat of drums. Participation of Xiomara Fortuna, Marili Gallardo, Duluc and Gacaribe, David Almengod, Marassa, Manuel Jiménez, UNAPEC dance troupe, Soraya Gallardo, Teatro Popular Danzante, Roldán and the Gagá La Ceja. Bus transportation to the easter location in the Batey La Ceja of La Romana, departing at 9 am from the National Theater parking lot. RD$200. Part of the money goes to help the Gagá ceremony that takes place during Easter Week. For more information, call 682-3877, email bayahonda1@yahoo.com | kad@kiskeya-alternative.org or visit this web site:
http://kiskeya-alternative.org/repdom/gaga2000.html
A CD of Dominican grass roots music, including Gagá La Ceja can be heard at
http://arte-latino.com/bayahonda
Home  Message Archive  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998  Premium News Service

The contents of this webpage are copyright © 1996-2008.  DR1. All Rights Reserved.