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Daily News - 4 May 2000
Herrera Airport could be moved in June
Operations of the Herrera International Airport, Santo Domingo's domestic traffic terminal, will be transferred to the Nuevo Isabela International Airport in June, the director of the Airport Department, Radhamés Jiménez told El Siglo. The Nuevo Isabela airport is located in Higuero, near Villa Mella, north of Santo Domingo. Jiménez says that construction is well advanced. The newspaper reported that the new airport has an estimated cost of RD$200 million. The airport was transferred as a result of a real estate transaction by the State.
Government imports 2,000 new vehicles for taxi service
Taxi union and association members are benefiting from a government plan to incorporate 2,000 new vehicles into the public transport system. The first 100 units arrived and are being assigned. Beneficiaries need to hand in their old vehicle or make a RD$10,000 downpayment. The Banco de Reservas is financing the cars for an eight year period, with a 10% annual interest rate (car financing rates rarely have gone below 21% per year in the DR). The old cars are being sold to the Metaldom metalwork plant for scrap. The taxi owners are also getting a six-month grace. They are committing to make monthly payments of RD$1,900 or RD$63 per day.
350 La Zurza families to be relocated by this government
Government announced that within the next three months, 350 living in the Hoyo de la Zurza of Santo Domingo will be relocated as part of the first phase of the plan to rescue the Isabela and Ozama rivers that divide East and West Santo Domingo. Rescate Social Urbano y Ecologico (Resure) is implementing the plan. Mercedes Sabater de Macarrulla, speaking for the program, said that once the families are relocated the government will build the first part of the ecological park that will border the rivers. Kiosks and benches will be built, and trees and ornamental plants will be planted. The project has the support of the European Union with the Lome IV program providing US$22 million funding. The first phase of the program calls for relocation of 1,700 families, the second phase will relocate 4,000. The first families will move into a new housing development in the San Luis section of the National District.
PRD suspends campaign activities
The Partido Revolucionario Dominicano announced it has suspended all large congregations planned for Santo Domingo, with the exception of its campaign finale on 14 May. In the meantime, will continue campaign activities in the East and Cibao.
The measure is taken to reduce tensions after two PLD activists were shot to death during a confrontation between PRD and PLD activists in northcentral city of Moca. The two dead were the first victims of the present official electoral campaign period. The National Palace has under arrest in Santiago seven PRD militants for investigations regarding the assassination of two PLD activists last Saturday, when a PRD caravan went through a Moca neighborhood. Yesterday, the wife of Luis Terrero Gil said that plans are underway so that one of the assassins may leave the country and escape charges.
Dr. Daniel Espinal, director of the Hospital Jose Maria Cabral y Baez where the victims were taken, said that he showed wounds from two different type of guns -- one a 45 caliber pistol and another a shotgun.
There are conflicting reports of what actually happened, with some sources saying that the two dead PLD activists were shot at by PRD presidential candidate body guards; while other sources say the guards fired in defense of their candidate.
President Fernández and Balaguer meet to discuss the election
President Leonel Fernández and former President Joaquín Balaguer met yesterday in the later's Maximo Gomez home (www.listin.com.do). Also participating in the meeting were Technical Secretary of the Presidency Juan Temístocles Montás and the director of Customs, Miguel Cocco, both of the PLD political committee.
An official note from the Presidency said that they met for half an hour with the former statesman to discuss national interest topics, especially those related to the election and review the situation of the Junta Central Electoral, especially regarding voting cards and electoral list.
The Listin Diario says that they met to analyze the electoral possibilities of their parties, that are head to head for the important second place slot. To win in a first round in the presidential election, a candidate needs 50%+1 of the vote. The leading polls show that none of the contenders have the needed votes to win in the first round, thus the importance of coming in second place in the first round.
Leading surveys show that the PRSC candidate has gained and could make it to the second round. President Fernandez is in power today with the support of the PRSC. PRSC leaders say that if the PRSC makes it to the second round, they would expect the PLD to return the favor.
Also participating in the meeting were Technical Secretary of the Presidency Juan Temistocles Montas and the director of Customs, Miguel Cocco, both of the campaign team of the PLD. hour long meeting.
official note from the Presidency said that they met for half an hour to discuss national interest topics, especially those related to the elections. Reviewed the situation of the JCE, especially regarding voting cards and electoral list.
Hamilton-Hoy newspaper poll shows Balaguer leads Medina
The 27-30 April Hamilton-Hoy newspaper poll showed that Hipólito Mejía of the PRD has 43% preference of voters. More newsworthy, though, is that 94-year old Joaquín Balaguer (PRSC) leads Danilo Medina with 28% versus the ruling party candidate Danilo Medina's 24%. Balaguer has gained since he accepted the party's nomination, going from 20% voter preference in September 1999 to 28% today. Back then Mejía had 46% voters' preference, and Medina had 23%.
The Hamilton Beattie & Staff-Hoy poll showed that 9 of every 10 voters said they would vote.

By regions, presidential candidate preferences are as follows:
National District (Santo Domingo): Mejía 40%, Medina 28%, Balaguer 25%
North: Mejía 44%, Medina 21%, Balaguer 28%
Santiago: Mejía 42%, Medina 23%, Balaguer 35%
East: Mejía 35%, Medina 27%, Balaguer 37%
South: Mejía 44%, Medina 21%, Balaguer 28%

By sex:
Medina: 23% Men, 25% Women
Balaguer: 26% Men, 29% Women
Mejía: 47% Men, 39% Women

By ages:
17-29 years-
Medina 27%, Balaguer 29%, Mejía 40%
30-29 years-
Medina 25%, Balaguer 30%, Mejía 40%
40-59 years-
Medina 22%, Balaguer 25%, Mejía 46%
60 or more years-
Medina 20%, Balaguer 24%, Mejía 48%
Spanish Academy of Language president visits
The president of the Real Academia Española, the Spanish-based organization that sets the usage rules for the Spanish language, visited the DR as part of a Latin American tour. Victor Garcia de la Concha met with President Fernandez and representatives of the Dominican Academy of Language. He explained his organization is completing the 22nd edition of the Diccionario de la Real Academia de la Lengua, which will be published in fall 2001. The new edition will include 40,000 additional words, including Americanisms reflecting technology advances incorporated into Latin American vocabularies. Furthermore, he said the academy is incorporating a "developing dictionary", which will be available via the Internet for the day to day study of the usage of words.
CO waives restriction to help stranded Tower Air flyers
Travelers stranded holding tickets of the bankrupt Tower Air are getting a break from Continental Airlines. The airline that flies out of Newark International Airport to Santo Domingo announced it will be waiving advance purchase restrictions on its route to Santo Domingo until May 16.
"As New York's hometown airline, we can best assist New York travelers by
helping them to get to where they need to be," said a Continental spokesman.
The special offer is available from New York to Santo Domingo as well as to Tel Aviv, Miami, Los Angeles and San Juan, the destinations covered by Tower Air.
Passengers must present their Tower ticket to a Continental ticket office at the
time of purchase in order to receive the advance purchase waiver. Seats are
limited and all other rules apply.
The bankruptcy of Tower Air has left several Dominicans stranded in New York.
Financially troubled Tower Air discontinued passenger services on 1 May.
Human Rights Workshop
The Institute of Human Rights of Santo Domingo is hosting a Workshop on Negotiating and Solving of Conflicts. The Presidential Commission for the Reform of the Modernization of the State is participating in this program that has the support of the United Nations. The workshop will take place Saturday, 6 May from 8:30 am to 6 pm at the Edificio de Orientación Profesional de la UASD, that is located at Calle Paseo de los Médicos No. corner Av. Independencia (facing the Hotel Santo Domingo). Attendants will be taught methods for the peaceful solution of conflicts developed by Harvard University. Admission is free, but limited to 30 persons. To confirm your attendance, please call Vielka Polanco at 809 566-9039 or 809 535-6280 ext. 2278.
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