The new ambassadors from Ecuador, Guatemala, Canada, France, Sweden and India presented their credentials to President Leonel Fernandez during a ceremony in the Presidential Palace yesterday. Diario Libre reports that the new diplomats are: Ecuadorian lawyer and author Fernando Borja Gallegos; Cesar Augusto Mendez Pinelo from Guatemala; former Canadian lawmaker Alvin Curling; French paleographist Cecile Mouton-Brady de Pozzo Di Borgo; Swedish economist Sten Ask; and Indian Mitra Vasisht, who has served in several diplomatic posts. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Rafael Alburquerque and Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso.
President Leonel Fernandez feels confident that political leaders will place the best interest of the nation before political and individual interests for the approval of the tax reform bill in Congress, as reported in Listin Diario. "We are indicating to other countries in Latin America, and other countries in the world, that the Dominican Republic has its conflicts, difficulties, thousands of obstacles, but there is also a level of maturity in the Dominican political class that always places the country's interests above partisan and private interests", said the President. He is optimistic that the 2006 Budget will be passed before 31 December.
Meanwhile, Presidential Technical Secretary Temistocles Montas has warned that the government will not accept a "mutilated tax reform that reduces the state's collection capacity, "because the PRD says so". He encouraged PRD lawmakers to be more responsible towards the nation and approve the bill as it was submitted by the Executive Branch, because it was their party that put the country into DR-CAFTA without considering the fiscal consequences. Montas said that if the reform bill is not passed by the end of the year, the government would have to structure the 2006 budget on the basis of the 13% exchange commission which would exclude the country from DR-CAFTA.
Diario Libre writes that according to President Fernandez, the DR cannot afford not to find solutions to its problems.
According to Chamber of Deputies President Alfredo Pacheco, the tax reform bill will be debated for the last time next Saturday at 10:00 am. Listin Diario reports that the tax on diesel is still the main bone of contention in the controversial bill. Pacheco pointed out that there is no guarantee that the bill will pass on Saturday. He made these comments during a press conference in the presence of PRSC spokesman Christian Paredes; PRSC Deputy Ramon Rogelio Genao; PLD Deputy Elias Serrulle; PRSD Deputy Ovis Saldivar, and PPC Deputy Radhames Castillo.
The government has hired a consulting firm from Washington to present a financial package aimed at tackling the electrical energy problem, announced President Leonel Fernandez. El Caribe reports that the President complained that the deficit in the sector for 2006 would be US$800 million, whereas in 2007 it will be US$1 billion. He said the US experts are to present a global financial package for the government to seek sustainable, long-term solutions to the energy crisis.
The US Trade Attache for the Caribbean Region, Dennis Simmons, has said that the start date for the DR-CAFTA agreement has not been changed, according to Listin Diario. However, US ambassador Hans Hertell recently stated that the 1 January 2006 date is not guaranteed and stressed his concern for the slow preparations being made by the DR for the implementation of the treaty. Hertell said he hoped that the country doesn't fall behind when the treaty comes into effect and will remain as a founding partner of DR-CAFTA. Confidential information sent from the US Trade Department to the signatory countries' Commerce Ministries has led to speculation in recent reports in two Nicaraguan newspapers indicating the treaty would be postponed. According to the source, the US will take a final decision on 5 December. Signatory countries are behind schedule in their approval of important legislation for the implementation of the DR-CAFTA treaty. The DR must pass the law that controls government purchasing and contracting as well as the law that protects intellectual property.
The Sur Futuro Foundation has launched the sustainable management project for the high basins of Sabana Yegua dam in Azua, a project that received US$4.5 million in aid from Japan. According to Listin Diario, the public function was attended by President Leonel Fernandez, Environment Minister Max Puig, the President of Sur Futuro, Melba Segura de Grullon, and the Japanese ambassador Harou Okamoto, among other officials. The project will include basic research into the area to collect data related to socio-economic and natural resource characteristics, the introduction of agroforestry production models and irrigation systems that will allow higher levels of income and incentives.
The regulation approved by the National Council of Migration is anti-national, dangerous, and unconstitutional, according to Deputy Pelegrin Castillo who representes the Fuerza Nacional Progresista in Congress. Listin Diario reports that Castillo has asked President Leonel Fernandez to reject the proposal as it sends out the wrong signal to the world, with the implication that Haiti's problems can be solved in the DR. He opposes the concession of permanent residency to foreigners who have been living in the country illegally for more than five years, as established in the regulation.
The United States has asked for another man to be turned over in extradition, to face charges of conspiracy for trafficking ecstasy pills, using the Netherlands, France and Germany as bridges, according to Diario Libre. The request against Jose Cime Reyes is being studied by the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) Criminal Chamber. The Attorney General and the US Embassy will formally request the court to approve the extradition and the Executive Branch to execute it. During the last six months, 118 Dominicans have been extradited to the US. The most notorious cases are those of former captain Quirino Ernesto Paulino Castillo, former colonel Lidio Arturo Nin Terrero, and driver Tirso Cuevas Nin.
More than 30 employees of the Cibao and Punta Cana international airports were fired after failing the drug test or for having criminal backgrounds. According to Listin Diario, 16 employees of private companies and public institutions in the air terminals tested positive for illegal drug use, and 30 were found to have criminal backgrounds. At Herrera airport, two employees tested positive in the drug test. Testing will begin at Las Americas International Airport in the next few days.
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) will not be printing the roster of electors for the forthcoming elections in Haiti, heeding several local warnings. El Caribe reports that the decision was made after the Senate passed a resolution asking the court to decline the request as it understands it would affect relations between the two countries. However, JCE President Luis Arias said the Senate could not give its opinion about this matter as it pertains exclusively to the Executive Branch and the JCE.
The police have started what they call the "university corridor", a patrolling and crime prevention system aimed at benefiting some 350,000 college students near 16 higher education centers in Santo Domingo. Listin Diario reports that the system is composed of 10 patrol units with communication radios and cell phones plus 20 "Lynx" motorized units, and includes specialized personnel for this sort of operation. Police Chief Bernardo Santana Paez announced the program in the presence of the chancellors of Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, O&M, Catolica Madre y Maestra, Intec, Uniremhos, Unphu, Ince, DCEP, La Tercera Edad, and Catolica Santo Domingo.
According to Diario Libre, UASD Chancellor Roberto Reyna thanked the police for the new program. Intec Chancellor Miguel Escala said the program would contribute to reducing crime against students.
The Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) Criminal Chamber has denied bail to former banker Leonel Almonte, who is accused of fraud against a group of individuals, as reported in Diario Libre. The High Court determined that there were no strong reasons to justify the bail. The rejection had been requested by Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito. Almonte is detained at Najayo Prison.
Fundacion Cruz Jiminian is organizing a fundraising activity together with a group of Dominican artists, which will benefit the elderly citizens looked after by the foundation, as reported in Listin Diario. The event is a dinner/show and will be held 19 December at Club Los Prados. Performers include Vickiana, Jacqueline Estevez, Ileana Reynoso, Sergio Hernandez and Marcel, among others. Fundacion Cruz Jiminian has been supporting the elderly for many years, providing basic needs such as food and medicines.
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