DR1 Daily News will not be updated tomorrow, on occasion of the 27 of February Independence Day holiday. Headline news for the day and the rest of the weekend will be compiled for the Monday, 1 March issue. For breaking news, please refer to the DR1 Forums at http://www.dr1.com/forums
Hoy newspaper's "Que se Dice" column says there could not be a worse idea than the government sending antiterrorist elite military forces to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to guard the Dominican embassy there. The editorialist calls the government decision "unprecedented and unjustified," especially while rumors that Haitian insurgents were trained on Dominican soil continue to circulate. The writer states: "What would happen if in a moment of nervousness or confusion those soldiers fired at a mass out of control, in the style of the maddened gangs that are spurred on by the Lavalas movement? The dispatch of those troops is the worst idea the government could have to confront a situation that, and, according to all evidence, it's beyond its capacity to act with the prudence that the circumstances call for."
President Mejia ordered that a contingent of well-armed elite army forces to Haiti yesterday. The troops left at 4:20pm from the San Isidro Airbase in two Casa 212 airplanes and a helicopter.
The Dominican embassy is located in Petion Ville on a 3,000-meter lot. The Dominican ambassador, Alberto Despradel, lives in a home adjacent to the diplomatic seat.
According to El Dia newspaper, the government sent a contingent of 302 highly-trained soldiers recently returned from Iraq to the Haitian border. These soldiers would be reportedly stationed on the Dominican side of the frontier to prevent any massive exodus of Haitians.
In a news story that speculate that Washington may no longer back Jean Bertrand Aristide's government and that their covert forces could be behind the insurgents' stronghold, an article on the Axis of Logic website points to the US M-16s being used in Gonaives, where the uprising first gained strength. The publication says that a great number of identical weapons were given to the Dominican army just a few months ago by the US government.
For the analysis, see http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_5230.shtml
Fabio R. Herrera-Minino speculates today in Hoy newspaper that the preparation of former Cap Haitien police chief, Guy Phillippe, and his group in Dominican territory is evidence he had the backing of people in power in Santo Domingo. The Mejia administration granted political asylum to Phillippe after his exile from Haiti in 2000. Herrera-Minino writes that the "modern weapons and equipment, which were not hidden for more than 10 years, shows that the aim is to provoke a severe crisis in the neighboring state that could involve us, which, 80 days before the elections, would be another blunder the government's re-election team has accustomed us to." Herrera-Minino writes that in view of their low ratings in the electoral polls, the government "would do anything to:avoid submitting itself to the scrutiny of the public, after having ridden the crests of power and misspending all the national resources, the lack of which the government has tried to compensate for with the mad race of taking on loans that have enveloped us, increasing the foreign debt to unsustainable levels for the economy of more than US$8 billion."
Herrera-Minino writes that Dominicans have maintained a laissez-faire attitude with Haiti and are only moved by the threat of "a human wave of destitute, uneducated Haitians, with nothing left on their side of the border due to the criminal devastation of their own ecological resources." The writer concludes by saying there's nothing left for them but to try the same thing here.
A Diario Libre editorial written by Anibal Castro says today that it is highly suspicious that, despite the supposedly efficient vigilance of the Dominican border by the Armed Forces, Guy Philippe was able to leave DR soil to emerge as the commander of the rebel Haitian forces. This border has been strengthened by an aggressive and generous program of equipment and supply purchases and an intellectual minister (Lt. General Soto Jimenez) who is well-versed in modern military strategies and tactics and has clear ideas on national defense. It's therefore suspicious, says the editorial, how, all of a sudden, Philippe and his men find weapons of war to carry out a successful, violent offensive in the north of the country. It's suspicious that a promo that injures Dominican sovereignty that circulated in the frontier last October is back again to give the impression of crisis in the neighboring country. It's suspicious that the official media highlight with frequency and alarm what is occurring in Haiti and that the military chiefs travel so often to the frontier in a way that seems to seek to divert the attention from the many problems of the country and redirect it to the border.
"But they did not hit the jackpot, if anyone is playing the lottery," writes De Castro, "because there has not been a massive exodus to the frontier and the Haitian crisis is mostly felt through the government media than in reality - and surely Philippe and his rebels will have won or died before the 16 May elections."
Historian Jacinto Gimbernard Pellerano writes in Hoy today on the cultural differences between Haitians and Dominicans that dictate the way both countries have handled their problems. In the Dominican Republic, he explains, there was a mingling between the Africans and Spanish colonizers (the Indian population, though, was decimated or in hiding). This ethnic interconnection led to a beneficial equilibrium. In Haiti, however, the intermarriage and cohabitation did not occur. From the cruelties of the French colonizers, the population went on to suffer even more at the hands of the Creole governors. "The moving coffins that transported the blacks from Africa would deliver them to the hell of the plantations - the same hell that exists today - in a land where devastating farming systems have been used for centuries. Gimbernard says that solutions cannot be imposed from abroad, as he looks into the many times foreigners have intervened in Haiti. Despite these interventions, chaos continues today. "The big nations, or the so-called friends of Haiti, understand that the simplest solution is for the Dominican Republic to absorb the Haitian drama, by letting the human deluge in. But he fears that they would burn our lands and steal from us the result of our peaceful interracial fusion that took years and that has produced the richness of the Dominican mulatto race. Gimbernard says that Haiti has to resolve its chaos on its own territory, "where a healing balsam must be spread of nutrition and education, of comprehension of the results of a tragic history." The writer goes on to say: "Haiti is poor. It has been made poor, for reason or another. There is the drama of apathy that has drowned it and continues to pull the noose around its throat: even if the drug-trafficking trade shows its venomous teeth." He concludes with hopes that the dangers this time spur some good sense, fairness and prudence in international action.
Philosopher David Alvarez Martin writes in El Caribe today that solidarity is the key to the cohabitation of the Dominican Republic and Haiti on the shared island of Hispaniola. He highlights that Dominicans and Haitians have values in common in terms of hospitality, hard work and pride in national identities, and this should be put to work for the development of the island. He laments that Haiti is only mentioned when exorcising the demons of the past or responding to catastrophic circumstances that affect our neighbors and feels such attitudes will impede both countries' progress in the future. "They want to paint the issue as a disgrace, not as an opportunity," he writes. Alvarez also alleges that the Haitian theme has been manipulated to take advantage of border contraband and the exploitation of illegal Haitian labor. Haitians have been cast either as invading ogres or victims of racism, but never seen as trading partners or an ally for development. Instead, says the philosopher, Haiti is used for exploitation or by those who "sell" an image of misery to the world.
He writes that it is a fact that Haitian society is at the lowest stratus of the hemisphere and that its state has been collapsed for decades and its economy but one of subsistence, lacking middle class of any significance, an army or any public services. To move ahead, Haiti needs international solidarity, specifically from the US, Canada and France. What is needed from Dominicans right now, he feels, is an open avenue for trade, until the time it is no longer possible. There is also a need for us to ponder how we may contribute to long-range Haitian development once political order is restored, by investment of capitals, state cooperation and solidarity. "Far from closing our eyes and letting things pass, the Dominican Republic needs to dedicate itself intelligently and with open hearts to foster, as best we can, Haitian development and its viability as a country with its own agenda, in our own interests, and to prevent future crises like the present one."
In the latest scandal to emerge in connection with Samana, Senate leader Jesus Vasquez (PRD) says that the Senate is still pondering the Roberto Prats-Jampi Investments concession, as authorized by Presidential Decree 569-02, dated 21 August 2002. Labor Minister Milton Ray Guevara said that on 23 January President Mejia endorsed another deal, with a company known as Creco Development Corporation. Guevara, a former senator for Samana, said that the President ordered his legal advisor, Guido Gomez Mazara, to rescind the contract with Prats on 22 January.
Jampi Investments has proposed to invest US$200 million over a 50-year period to improve the area's tourism and urban infrastructure, including the renovation of its sea-fronting boulevard; the dredging and remodelling of the port; the cleanup of the river mouth; the construction of a marina, shopping centers, sports installations, villas, apartments, hotels and a bus station; and a recovery operation for the local beach. News reports, however, have criticized the contract because it allows the company to sell the concession to a third party, without establishing clear responsibilities for the investors, while the Dominican government contractually guarantees the profitability of the investment.
In an advertisement published today in Hoy newspaper, businessman Prats says that the clause is nothing new and has been routinely included in all the concessionary contracts signed by the Mejia government. The track record of these concessions indicates that while numerous contracts have been granted, none has been implemented, despite the advantageous conditions they endow.
The competing Creco Development Corporation contract, which according to Ray Guevara was authorized by President Mejia on 7 April 2003, establishes that the company would operate the tourism infrastructure concession for 30 years for an investment of US$20 million.
The city government of Santo Domingo, under a PLD administration, is replacing trees on city streets with palm, mahogany and oak trees, in addition to those known as casuarinas and javillas. Protests have been staged for the removal of trees in avenue divisions to make way for the planting of flowers. According to a note in Hoy newspaper, secretary general of the city government, Domingo Contreras, in a press conference explained that maintenance of flower gardens is more costly than the upkeep of trees, and thus the city government will be planting trees. He said furthermore that the city suffered when the private sector "godfathers" of city avenue green spaces abandoned them due to the present economic crisis. According to Contreras, the Programa de Defensoria y Uso del Espacio Publico contemplates planting a single species of tree endemic to the Dominican Republic. This type of tree would be hurricane-resistant and would not obstruct the city street cabling, nor increase maintenance costs, as did the acacia trees, by shedding their leaves continuously. He said that in March the city government would publish a guide to the norms for planting on public urban areas. Lastly, he announced that the city government would update the flora at the Avenida Nunez de Caceres, rescuing the 27 de Febrero, Churchill, Tiradentes avenues.
Adriano Miguel Tejada speculates today in Diario Libre that the surprising appointment of two new members to the National Council of Magistrates, the body responsible for in turn appointing judges to the Supreme Court, is likely to be politically motivated. He speculates that the move is suspect by some who believe the plan could be to appoint a new Supreme Court of Justice following the resignation of three aging judges and any other judge not in favor. "The motives behind this step could be to guarantee impunity for the present members of government who could be accused of indelicate acts, be it by the authorities of a new government or by members of the community awaiting the chance to get back at the present government authorities."
Meanwhile, Jose Alfredo Rizek, the executive director of the Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice (FINJUS), viewed the decision to recompose the National Council of Magistrates at this time as a "covert threat," as reported in El Caribe. FINJUS and the civic movement Participacion Ciudadana believe that any change to the Supreme Court of Justice should be kept on hold until after 16 August, when the new government is instated.
Adding to the controversy at the Supreme Court is the belief by some that judges should retire at the age of 75 as stipulated by law, while some of the judges say this measure does not apply to them, only to judges that succeed them. These judges assert that they cannot be removed from their posts. Rizek expressed his hope that the Supreme Court judges who are members of the National Council of Magistrates will only appoint candidates who have already made their careers as judges.
Bankers Alejandro Grullon (Banco Popular) and Luis Molina Achecar (BHD) warned yesterday that the Central Bank's announced plan to increase interest rates from 34% to 45-50% on its savings deposits will have an immediate effect on the cost of borrowing money in the country. Grullon told Hoy newspaper that in the coming days there would be a gradual increase in the interest rates on loans to the general public and businesses, which would adversely affect production sectors. Economic analysts ask where the government will get the money to pay these new high interests - by printing more money not backed by reserves? In an article in Hoy newspaper today, journalist Ramon Nunez Ramirez says the monetary policy of issuing Central Bank savings deposits is responsible for the increase of an average of RD$2 billion in money in circulation, which in turn has aggravated Dominican financial problems, while postponing the future solution and upping its cost. He writes that while the CB maintains these financial instruments, which oblige it to issue emissions of money regardless of reserve levels, it will make it very difficult to reduce and stabilize the exchange rate and temper inflation.
Franco Uccelli of Bear Stearns speculates that the DR payment on the PDIs may not be made on time, and that the Mejia administration may resort to the grace period again to strategize its nearly-due bond payments. In a communique today, Uccelli, who follows the DR market for the Wall Street firm, explains that the DR has two bond payments coming due over the next 30 days; one for US$11.1 million due on 28 February and the other for US$23.75 million due on 27 March. Uccelli recalls the recent experience with the late payment on the '13 coupon, the Paris Club's reported displeasure with the government's decision to make the coupon payment and the fact that face-to-face negotiations with the Paris Club are not scheduled to begin in earnest until mid-April, with the original 2 March date having been pushed back at the government's request. These factors lead Uccelli to speculate on the unlikelihood of the DR meeting the new payment deadline.
According to the February Gallup poll conducted nationwide, 86.1% of the Dominican population believes its economic situation is worse today than when President Mejia took office in August 2000. Only 6.2% say they are better off today, while 7.8% say their situation is the same. Of the low-wage earners, 86.9% say they are worse off, while 84.3% of the middle class and 75.5% of the wealthy say the same is true. Of those in the 18-24 age demographic, 92.1% say they are worse off than in 2000. Among those in the 25-30 age bracket 91.4% agree.
The Gallup poll showed that 70.5% of the Dominican population doubts the Mejia administration will be able to significantly lower the exchange rate. Only 22% believes the exchange rate will drop. The cynics even include 44.7% of those who described themselves as supporters of the PRD government, while 70.3% of those who back the PRSC and 79.6% of those who favour the PLD put themselves among the skeptics.
US Ambassador Hans Hertell took aim at President Hipolito Mejia in his speech yesterday at the luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce. Hertell addressed matters such as democracy as conceived by Dominican founding father Duarte, the use of power for reasons other than the wellbeing of the public, the importance of Dominican institutions and the generalized acceptance of corruption by Dominicans.
Ambassador Hertell, since his arrival in the country, has been very close to President Mejia and a strong supporter. This time around, however, he chose to title his discourse "What friends tell friends in difficult times."
In his opening remarks, Hertell stressed the words of forefather Juan Pablo Duarte, who said that government in the Dominican Republic should be elected by the people, not imposed, and should in essence defend the wellbeing of the nation.
From there, Hertell, of Puerto Rican origin, went on to mention fraud and corruption as having contributed directly to what he described as the current disorder in the nation's finances. "Corruption occurs when too many people are willing to look the other way. Because too many people consider corruption and a peddling of influence to be inevitable... " He said the US government rejects that view, and cited as an example that for nearly 30 years now it has been a crime under US law to pay bribes to facilitate business abroad. "Our (US) president further stressed our objection to dishonest dealings last month when he directed that no visas be granted to any foreign official or former official known to have engaged in corrupt practices," he told his audience at the American Chamber of Commerce in Santo Domingo. The US Consulate recently confirmed that the personal visa of President Mejia's legal advisor, Guido Gomez Mazara, has been permanently cancelled and that Gomez will not be allowed to travel to US territory upon leaving his post as a government official. While his personal visa was revoked, Gomez has retained his visa as a government official.
Hertell feels Dominicans need a change in attitude. "...unless you deal with corruption and manipulation, the Dominican Republic will not achieve its potential for sustainable growth. Quite the opposite; you will inevitably face other equally serious crises sometime in the future," he stated.
The ambassador went on to highlight how the US has been a friend to the DR, facilitating new emergency loans in coordination with the IMF, the World Bank and the Interamerican Development Bank. He said the US is optimistic that the DR can achieve an economic recovery, as it has overcome other economic difficulties in the past.
Hertell directly addressed statements recently made by President Mejia, saying he was doing so as a friend. "...institutions of a country should be constituted to serve the people honestly, rather than simply to rule them. It is not true that 'power is there to be used,' nor is it acceptable to contend that political change is to be achieved 'por las buenas o por las malas'," said Hertell in reference to Mejia's statement that political change was valid whether effected through good or evil means.
He continued to blast corruption in office by saying that when government workers take a bribe, they rob society as a whole, not only of the money that changes hands, but of the dignity of public service, the honest conduct of public business and of sustainable economic growth."
Hertell expressed his admiration for the Dominican people, "for their patience and endurance," and assured, "The difficulties you now face can be solved. As this process goes forward, Dominicans must maintain their vision of a better future."
To read the entire speech, see http://dr1.com/news/2004/Amcham_Speech.doc
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