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Daily News - 5 April 2000
Elections board under fire
Complaints of incompetence and allegations of bias have arisen in the wake of the publication of the results of last month’s voter registration test, which were reported yesterday. http://www.dr1.com/daily/news040500.shtml PRSC spokesman Humberto Salazar charged Central Elections Board (JCE) president Ramon Morel Cerda has tried to "minimize the grave problems" detected in the master voter lists.

Salazar, whose party’s presidential candidate is 94-year old Joaquin Balaguer, implied that Morel Cerda favors the party of PRD candidate Hipolito Mejia, whom he quoted as saying "everything in the Elections Board is fine," and pointed out that Board members were appointed by the PRD-dominated senate.

Danilo Medina, candidate of the ruling PLD party, expressed concern that time to rectify voter list discrepancies is running out. A "great quantity" of new voters have been unable to obtain an identity card (cedula) which is the basic document needed to establish voter identification. Echoing Medina, Salazar noted that "up to one million will not have the right to vote" because their names don’t appear in the list of registrants, and pointed out that the presidential elections of 1996 and the congressional elections of 1998 were held without any such problems. Both PRSC and the PLD continue to insist, and the JCE continues to resist, that voters who have not been issued new cedulas be allowed to vote with the older versions, now almost completely phased out.

In a related development, the entire provincial elections board of Monsenor Nouel Province, has resigned due to irregularities during the voter registration test. Gilberto de la Rosa, President, Anna Maria Abreu, delegate, and alternates Juan Amadis, Casimiro Vasquez, Salustina Reyes, Nicomedes Paulino, and Randolfo Nunez sent formal resignation letters to JCE president Cerda, charging that 124 provincial voting lists "went missing and were later discovered," causing the voter test to be prolonged by 24 hours. All have served in their positions for a long time, some up to 25 years.

The Central Elections Board (JCE) took out a self-congratulatory full-page ad in today’s papers to proclaim the "success" of its voter test. In addition, it conducted a closed door evaluative session with representatives of all political parties and technical staff, to work out "consensus" regarding solutions to the problems detected.
Coast Guard rescues 72 castaways on the high seas
Its such a common occurrence that only the numbers make it newsworthy, but today the front page of all the morning newspapers carried the story of the rescue of 72 castaways following their failed attempt to get to Puerto Rico in a rowboat. Eleven women were among the bedraggled group who were returned to safety in a joint operation conducted by the U.S. and Dominican Coast Guards. Helicopters were used in the prolonged and difficult rescue maneuvers.

The 37-foot craft debarked from Boca de Yuma - in the DR’s easternmost extremity - last Thursday night. Difficulties began almost immediately when it was discovered that there was insufficient gasoline on board to fuel the outboard motor. More over, apparently, no provision for food and water had been made. "I’ve had nothing to eat since we left," said Jose Elias Arias, age 25, from the City of Bani, "not even a plate of rice." When they were discovered helplessly adrift, some 50 miles out, many had begun to experience severe stomach problems and dehydration. Several passengers were later treated at a naval hospital while others were booked at police headquarters.

In recent months, efforts to stem the outflow of illegals have been toughened, according to Vice Admiral Rafael De Jesus Monzon Brea. "We have the whole coast line covered," he said, referring to 1200 kilometers of Dominican coast, between Manzanillo in the Northeast and Azua in the Southwest, considered to embrace the prime debarkation areas. Despite the obstacles, organizers of the illegal voyages run a highly profitable business. Today’s survivors each paid DR$10,000 (about US$625) for their passage.

Dominicans continue to pit their fortunes against the hazards of the sea because, as Arias said, they prefer to take the risk rather than face unemployment and "other problems" at home. This past March 7th, ten people drowned and 20 were reported "missing" near the Puerto Rican beach town of Pastilla Isabela, having almost attained their objective.
DR and Microsoft to sign pact
Microsoft, the world’s largest software company, will donate US$13 million, in "investment, software, training and scholarships" to support the new Cybernetic Park. Funds will be used to educate the population in the uses of technology and eradicate intellectual piracy. President Leonel Fernandez and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will sign the agreement in Seattle this week.

The government, for its part, will commit itself to further efforts to stem piracy and foster a greater respect for intellectual property rights. Piracy has been rampant in the DR, which must face an evaluative review by the U.S Commerce Department next week on its efforts in this regard.

Within the month Microsoft and the DR will also sign a licensing agreement for software to be used - and, as a corollary, for piracy to be eliminated - in all government offices. A similar agreement with the Mexican government has paved the way for the introduction of the internet into all schools, which is a Fernandez goal.

Microsoft grants will also be used to foster "computer literacy," and provide 3,000 scholarships for studies in the field.
UN agency discerns poverty despite economic growth
Despite impressive economic growth over the past decade, the DR remains a "notably poor" country, according to a report released yesterday by the United Nations Development Organization (PNUD). The document, titled "Overcoming Human Poverty," cites a figure of 22% for Dominicans living in poverty and 7% for those in "extreme poverty."

The report likens the DR to Brazil where social expenditures don’t always get to those for whom they are intended. Public funds, it alleges, have been used to build residences for "persons of influence in political life." Political reform is, therefore, an essential prerequisite to the elimination of poverty. The document, which evaluates 23 international anti-poverty programs also faults the generous pensions "especially concentrated in the legislative and judicial branches." The document recognizes that there has been a significant diminution in unemployment and increment in salaries, but urges a reallocation to 14% from the current 6% to 7% of the nation’s GNP to social welfare.
Blackouts go from bad to worse
The 350 megawatt deficiency was reported in yesterday’s power generation report almost pales to insignificance considering today’s 610 megawatt shortfall. Nine additional generators ceased to operate, cutting the Smith Enron plant to just 30% of its capacity, on which the central Cibao region substantially depends for electricity.

Superintendent of Electricity, Marcos Cochon, offered no solace. He stated that matters will worsen in the next few days due the low level of water in the hydroelectric generators. "What we most worry about is the summer. It seems like this year will be very dry." The DR’s northwest is undergoing severe drought.

Complaints of constant blackouts are reported throughout the country. In the capital, where blackouts affected traffic lights for hours on end in major intersections, sweating traffic cops filled the void.
San Cristobal on strike to protect its rivers
Most transportation, commerce, and public school attendance were brought to halt for 24 hours in San Cristobal, the nation’s largest province, due a strike called to protest the deteriorating condition of its rivers. Though some scattered incidents of tire burning and rock-strewn highways were reported, the day was largely enjoyed as an unofficial holiday, as dominos-players lazed before shuttered stores, and children romped through quiet streets.

An organization known as "Provincial Coordination in Defense of Rivers and Natural Resources" organized the strike and pronounced it "a total success." Its spokesman, Dr. Nelson Nina explained that the strike is "the fruit of the ecological conscience that San Cristobal’s citizens." He said that those 30 years of age and older can recall the crystalline waters of the Haina, Nigua, Nizao and Yubazo Rivers, which have been destroyed by "unscrupulous persons," and went on to name sand and gravel companies whose unauthorized and continuous mining of river beds has wrought "ecological devastation." Nina blamed these companies for their rapine and the government for its indifference, and heaped special scorn on congress which has yet to approve long pending environmental protection legislation.
Lower house approves court reform
The Chamber of Deputies adopted a measure that would restructure judicial authority in the capital and in Santiago, the DR’s second largest city. If approved in the Senate and signed by the President, the measure would go far toward undoing the backlog of cases pending in those two populous jurisdictions.

The current legal structure provides that criminal courts are distributed by region, rather than population, leading to a division of labor described by the Supreme Court Chief Judge. Marcos Subero Isa as "irrational."

Twice before the measure was submitted to congress with no action taken.
Big investment to spur cement production
Latin America’s largest cement company will invest US$187 million to increase cement production capacity in the DR. The investment reflects a recognition on the part of the Mexican industrial giant, CEMEX, that the country’s building boom is likely to continue for some time. The planned investment will allow the DR to become totally self-sufficient in cement production, and to become a net exporter as well. Cemex has already commenced construction of a new vertical mill to produce clinker, thought to be the world’s largest of its kind. When completed CEMEX installations will allow for annual production of 2.4 million tons, up from current capacity of 600,000 tons.
What’s amiss at Sammy Sosa’s foundation?
Responding to an article in Fortune magazine, the President of the Sammy Sosa Foundation has roundly dismissed an allegation of bankruptcy. "If you can tell me anything about this, I’d like to know," declared Chase Kaufman when queried by a reporter from Listin Diario. The man known to Sosa as "Papa Chase," and regarded by the slugger as a second father, also denied that foundation funds were used to buy a luxurious car for Sammy’s brother, Jose. Reportedly, the source for the accusations is Arturo Sandoval, who lost his place on the foundation’s board of directors. The Fortune article reports that Sosa’s only contribution to the foundation that bears his name was a building valued at US$2.7 million which, it alleges, allowed him to take a US$1 million tax write-off. Among the building’s tenants, the article lists two non-rent paying sisters of Sosa who maintain a dance studio, beauty parlor and boutique. The foundation’s offices are also housed there. Fellow home-run king Mark McGwire made a US$100,000 cash contribution, but no further details of the foundation’s income are known. The foundation vaccinates children and provides education on pediatric dental care. Domingo Dauhajre, Sosa’s business manager, while not denying the charges of bankruptcy, said that Sandoval was motivated by "jealousy." A law firm, Reich, Katz and Landis, has been retained, he said, to go to Miami to investigate.
Falling airplane scares neighbors
A single-engine plane was unable to take off from Herrera Airport yesterday and thudded back to earth before the startled faces of the airport’s residential and commercial neighbors. Fire engines and ambulances appeared on the scene almost immediately, but were unneeded. No one was reported injured in the mishap, though the plane, whose owner was not named, suffered substantial damage. Herrera Airport, on the city’s remotest fringes when it was constructed a half century ago, is now surrounded by neighborhoods of modest single family homes and innumerable factory and showrooms. Tall vehicles zooming past on busy the busy six-lane Luperon Avenue frequently come close a brush with the landings and take-offs of the smaller craft employed by in-country flights and private pilots. Herrera Airport will be closed upon the completion of the new Higuero Airport, now under construction, several miles north of SD.
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