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

Daily News - 28 February 2001
State of the Nation address
President Hipolito Mejia, in his state of the nation address yesterday at the National Assembly, reaffirmed his commitment to govern for the poor. "My administration will continue to support macroeconomic stability, and the productive sectors that generate jobs and produce wealth, but I am not going to forget that my main commitment is to increase social expenditures to benefit the poor," said the President. He said that in the first six months of the year investments in the public health sector are up 9.8% and in the agriculture sector 53.3%. "This figure by itself is a clear message of encouragement and support to farmers and cattle ranchers that for years had seen their aspirations and economic problems ignored," he said.
He said that his government has started 1,100 projects throughout the nation, most of social character, with an investment of RD$32,000 million. He said that by year-end 2000, his government completed more than 161 projects for more than RD$613 million. He said that his government would start others with international funding of US$241.5 million.
He stressed his government would continue to give priority to education, health, food production, housing, tourism, protection of the ecology and natural resources, reform and modernization of the state, consolidation of the judicial branch and other branches of government.
He reaffirmed his commitment to "re-establish decency in public administration and to reinforce it, I place my own conduct as an example of what I am preaching, more than words," he said.
He dedicated half of his short speech, nevertheless, to criticize the previous administration, which was not well received by most, which feel the government should move on.
El Caribe newspaper publishes comments of the dean of the state university (UASD), Porfirio García who said that in the speech the President was on the defensive, and did not project how his government will confront the situation it inherited. Deputy Pelegrín Castillo, also quoted in El Caribe, said that the speeches of both the President and that of the president of the Senate, Ramón Alburquerque, who preceded him, tend to introduce contradictions and social tirade, when the country needs unity at this time for many reasons.
The president of the government party, Hatuey de Camps, admitted that much of the speech was dedicated to criticize the past government, but described it as "brief, concrete, positive and full of hope."
Former President says speech reaffirms lack of vision
Former President Leonel Fernández said that the state of the nation address of President Mejia served to reaffirm the latter's lack of vision regarding the future of the nation, and his lack of clear concepts of where Dominicans should be headed to generate wealth, achieve social and economic development and reduce poverty.
He said that President Mejia did not present a true state of the nation address because if he had done so he would have had to explain the reasons why in only six months of government prices of basic items have increased so alarmingly, why the growth rate of the nation has declined, and why 50% of Dominicans believe that from 16 August to date their living standards have worsened, sales in many stores are down 40%, construction has slowed down, hotels have closed, and hardware stores in the Cibao have gone bankrupt.
Politics in schools
El Siglo reports that the Red de Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil, a network of civil society groups, accused the present education authorities of promoting firings and transfers of professors of public schools and lyceums for political reasons. The network, whose main organizations include the Participación Ciudadana, Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo, Centro Poveda, demanded that the Ministry of Education not allow politics be decisive in public schools.
Poll shows Dominicans favor reform of Constitution
A Penn, Schoen & Berland survey carried out for El Siglo newspaper showed that 61% of Dominicans are in favor of reforming the Constitution. 55% nevertheless feel the revision should not occur now as Dominican congressmen would like. There is a strong movement within Dominican Congress to pass the congressional reform now. Critics say that congressmen are interested in the reform because they see it as a way of extending their terms in office that will be up in August 2002.
The survey held 7-11 February nationwide says that 77% of Dominicans feel former President Joaquin Balaguer should retire from politics. Nevertheless, 63% say that his influence has been positive.
Dominicans are divided over whether former President Leonel Fernandez will return to power. 47% feel he will be elected again, 46% believe he does not stand a chance.
Human Rights reports criticizes Dominican police
The US State Department Human Rights report is out again, blasting the National Police for violations again. According to the report, the Police executed more than 250 persons in 2000, more than in 1999. The report is critical that President Mejia has kept General Pedro de Jesus Candelier as chief of the Police. It states that police abuses are the result of weak basic education, poor training and weak discipline of the force, aggravated by the low salaries police are paid.
Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez does not like the fact that the US State Department issues a report on state of human rights in other countries. He said that that country does not have the moral right to criticize others when "precisely in that country is where most human rights violations of its citizens occur."
Chief of the Police Candelier denied commenting when approached by the press while attending the presenting of the memoirs by the President at Congress. He said if he commented the newspapers would give him the headlines, which would take away the impact of the presidential speech.
The executive director of the Foundation for Institutionality and Justice (FINJUS), Francisco Dominguez Brito said that the violations occur because in the DR there are not penalties against those that violate human rights.
The report is on the web at
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/wha/index.cfm?docid=761
Farm produce exhibition in Puerto Rico
The First Farm Produce Exhibition held in San Juan, Puerto Rico was a success for the Dominican Republic. Hoy newspaper highlights that McDonalds, the fast food franchise, announced it would be purchasing all the onions, lettuce and tomatoes used in its 122 stores in Puerto Rico from Dominican farmers. Also the Pueblo Supermarket chain announced it would be buying lots of its fresh produce in the DR.
Due to major efforts on behalf of this administration, the DR is expected to have surplus farm produce hitting the markets in March. The Ministry of Agriculture has acted proactively, seeking export markets for the surplus so as not to depress local prices, which would affect farmer profitability.
The Minister of Agriculture Eligio Jaquez head the delegation to Puerto Rico. Rolando Galvan, head of the Center, also coordinated efforts for Promotion of Dominican Exports (Cedopex).
The government of Puerto Rico was very supportive of the event. Governor Sila Calderon could not attend because she was in the US at the time, but sent her representative Marinita Binet Mieses, a Dominican. Also attending were Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico, Fernando Toledo; the Mayor of San Juan, Jorge Santini. Minister Jaquez said that the government of Mejia seeks to convert the DR into what it should have been long time ago, a supplier of food products for the neighboring countries. He said the country has capacity, using advanced technologies, to produce food for 40 million people.
Priest denounces corruption in Migration and Passport departments
Jesuit priest Eduardo M. Barrios criticized the new systems now in place at the Passport and Migration Department of the government. He said that these departments are located in brand new buildings, but the modernization stops there. In a commentary published by Hoy and Listin Diario newspaper he says that the "functionaries do not function." He said that those that seek service that arrive accompanied by lawyers, seem to get priority. "That is, those that do not make extra payments, are passed over," he comments. He explains that this could mean the departments have been corroded by traffic of influence and corruption. He urged the government to stop the abuses that are happening every day now at the Migration offices where those seeking services need to wait long hours to get attended.
Spring sales
Spring sales are being advertised in the local press. Samples of sales are:
Marcel's shoe store with a sale from 28 February to 18 March. This store has branches at Plaza Central, Naco, Diamond, El Conde, Hache Plaza (Santiago).
Liz Claiborn has a 40% sale at its store near Plaza Central. LTU is advertising special fares to Germany, including a US$548 round trip to Dusseldorf for those departing 22 March to 15 April and returning before 29 April.
Several furniture stores have sales, including Soni Arbaje that advertises 30% off at the Manuel de Js. Troncoso 8 store in Piantini. And Plaza Central is advertising its hall sale (Venta de Pasillos) from 28 February to 4 March.
Those seeking clothes for small children, Tartine et Chocolate advertises a 30% at their Plaza Bolera store.
Luis Felipe Lopez to join Minnesota Timberwolves
Five days after being let off by the Washington Wizards, Dominican Luis Felipe Lopez was hired by the Minnesota Timberwolves and will continue playing in the National Basketball Association. This is the third team to hire the 26-year old 6'6 ball player. He was originally drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies, prior to joining the Wizards.
Felipe Lopez had scored a career-high 26 points and six rebounds in a game against the Minnesota team.
Venezuela wins individual and team cycling event
Venezuelan Manuel Guevara won the final stage of the XXII Vuelta Independencia Nacional that took competitors all around the nation. The Venezuelan also helped his team conquer the team trophy of the 1,160-kilometer circuit. Guevara won three of the nine stages of the race.
The runner up teams were Club Mauricio Baez (DR), Germany, Alico (DR), Mexico, Aro & Pedal (DR), Costa Rica, Bicentro (Santiago, DR), Jamis (Miami, Florida), Guatemala.
For more information on the event, see http://www.dr1.com/daily/news022001.shtml and the Cycling News results report at
http://www.cyclingnews.com/results/2001/feb01/domrep018.shtml
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.