The electoral alliance between the PRD and the PRSC has received the support of former president Hipolito Mejia who says that it contributes to the strengthening of Dominican democracy, according to a report in Listin Diario. However, according to Mejia, there are still issues that need to be dealt with. He said that complaints by some PRD leaders are understandable because several nominations will have to be transferred to the PRSC, but he emphasized that this is being done in the interest of the party and the country. He warned PRD members that they must accept the decisions made by the party's directors related to this agreement, which could be extended until 2008.
Clave Digital reports that the protocols still need to be defined and certain adjustments have to be made for the agreement between the two parties to become final. This political alliance is intended to serve as a joint opposition to the PLD for the Congressional and Municipal elections in 2006. The PRD met at the Hilton Hotel in Santo Domingo and gave negotiating powers to its President, Ramon Alburquerque, and Secretary General, Orlando Jorge Mera. After four hours of debate, the PRSC gave similar powers to its President, Federico Antun Batlle, and Secretary General Gomez Casanova.
Next year's budget is behind schedule as it depends on the approval of the tax reform bill. Traditionally, the National Development Council approved the Budget Proposal in mid-November, as a pre-condition for its submittal to Congress. Listin Dairio reports that the impasse now is that the government had previously presented the tax reform bill as compensatory measure for the removal of the exchange rate commission as required by DR-CAFTA. The commission is estimated to collect approximately RD$21 billion per year. The tax reform bill was modified and approved in the Chamber of Deputies and is now pending approval by the Senate, where it could enter new rounds of negotiation and debate. If that is the case, it might not be approved by the end of the year.
Hoy reports that the Senate will start debating the tax reform bill today whereas the Finance Commission is studying the inclusion of a proposal of spirits which would permit the removal of and increase in fuel tax by substituting the tax on alcohol content by an ad-valorem, which they estimate would generate some RD$1.4 billion. This information was provided by PRD Senate spokesman Tommy Duran. If the Senate accepts the rum producers' proposal, the bill would have to be sent to the Chamber of Deputies again. Otherwise, after two positive votes in the Senate, the bill will pass to the Executive Branch where it could be signed into law or vetoed.
Industry and Commerce Minister Francisco Javier Garcia has said that by tomorrow, Friday, the country will have completed 168 required commitments that are needed to enter DR-CAFTA. Diario Libre reports that these requirements should have been sent to the US last Monday. "As far as administrative commitments, the country is ready to enter the treaty on January 1, 2006", said Garcia during a meeting at Hotel El Embajador with the Ministers or representatives of Labor, Agriculture, Finances, Onaplan, Foreign Relations, and Customs.
El Caribe indicates that within the next 15 days, US President George W. Bush must certify the countries that are ready to enter DR-CAFTA in January.
During the ten years that the legal framework for foreign investment has been in place in the DR, there has been investment of over US$15 billion in productive assets that are servicing the GNP. According to Listin Diario, the President of the Dominican Association of Foreign Investment Companies (Asiex), Alfonso Paniagua, divulged this information last night during a dinner hosted by the group. He stated that Asiex has created more than 150,000 jobs and detailed that the annual tax contribution of the member companies totals more than 35% of the national budget. Also, Asiex contributes to important areas such as environmental conservation, education, and the preservation of national customs and traditions. Asiex is preparing to contribute towards the competitiveness required by country's insertion into new markets, stated Paniagua.
Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso has called for "reason and harmony" among Dominican and Haitian citizens who have clashed in several locations around the country. "Dominicans and Haitians are required to live together because we share a common island and we must try to live in harmony", said the Minister. Morales Troncoso stated that the isolated cases of confrontation do not affect relations between the two nations, and added that relations have improved during the current administration. He spoke after a public function with UASD Master of Law and International Relations graduates.
Executives of two companies accused of fraud against the state to the tune of RD$232 million are asking the Attorney General to order an audit at the Naval Yard at Las Calderas, Bani, stating that the accusation has damaged their companies' image. Luis E. Contreras and Luis E. Contreras, Jr., insist that the accusations are based on the interests of individuals whom they would like identified. They made these statements during a visit to Listin Diario.
The Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) Criminal Chamber has 30 days to make a decision about the case of Deputy and former Dominican Consul in Cap Haitien, Guillermo Radhames Ramos Garcia, whose bail is being opposed by an abrogation recourse presented by the Attorney General's Department. Ramos Garcia was convicted for smuggling illegal Asian immigrants across the Haitian border and served 18 months in prison before being released on bail.
Three sons of the Lebanese Consul General in the DR and the son of a businessman were convicted to six months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of RD$500,000 and compensation totaling the same amount, after been found guilty of beating and injuring the son of Roque Napoleon Munoz, a member of the International Olympic Committee. The decision was made by Judge Eduardo Cespedes Reyes against Jean Pierre, Jimmy and Mike Bahsa Ward, sons of Consul Adib Bahsa, and Frank Sonny Jorge Jimenez for violation of Article 309 of the Criminal Code, in damages against Roberto Rafael Munos Benedicto, who was beaten in a bar on Abraham Lincoln Avenue. Jorge Amaury Cestari Cepeda was found not-guilty.
A security guard shot himself dead while allegedly playing a game of Russian roulette at Torre Juan Antonio XI, on Anacaona Avenue in Santo Domingo, according to a police report. You Rafael Pena Carrasco, 23, was on duty when he decided to play with his own life according to his workmate Miguel Angel Chivilli de los Santos. Diario Libre reports that Pena lived on Calle Cuarta, Los Mameyes.
A special prison for inmates serving time for minor felonies and who maintain good conduct in other prisons will be opened today by the Attorney General, Francisco Dominguez Brito, as reported by Diario Libre. The Open Correction and Rehabilitation Center will hold 60 inmates in its first phase. It is located in Haras Nacionales, Villa Mella. The inaugural ceremony takes place at 10:00 am.
The DR and Spain are working on an agreement that would allow homologous driver's licenses between both countries. The information was disclosed by the Dominican ambassador to Spain, Alejandro Gonzalez Pons, who stated that the agreement would allow Dominicans in Spain to work as taxi or truck drivers. Diario Libre reports that the diplomat spoke at the Presidential Palace. There are approximately 100,000 Dominicans living in Spain.
Seventy National Symphony Orchestra (OSN) musicians have been protesting for several days asking for solutions of the problems affecting the group. According to Listin Diario, they are appearing for work at the usual times, but they are not playing or rehearsing. The musicians are demanding a pay rise and other benefits. OSN Acting Director Dante Cucurrullo said the situation yesterday was the same as when the protest started, and that the concert that is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, would have to be canceled because the musicians are refusing to play unless an immediate solution is offered to them. The General Directorate of Fine Arts (DGBA) has said it is trying to help solve the conflict and admitted that there is a salary unbalance between symphony musicians. Last Tuesday, Fine Arts Director Bernarda Jorge and National Music Director Canex Peguero met with the musicians in an effort to solve the conflict.
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