DR1 Daily News - Monday, 17 October 2016

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Privert thanks DR for aid, Haitian legislators call it an invasion
Haitian elite objects to Dominican aid
Senate 15-minute interviews not enough to select judges
New appointments at Ministry of Culture
Dominican chocolate at the London Chocolate Show
Transporters resort to violence to again get their way
Family says Police is complicit with Percival Matos
Suicide from Malec?n Center
Johnny Ventura and Wilfrido at Jet Set
Salsa and bossa nova
The Tempest: theater at the Olympic Pool



Privert thanks DR for aid, Haitian legislators call it an invasion
Acting President of Haiti Jocelerme Privert was prompt to call Minister of Foreign Relations Miguel Vargas after the media reported that the Haitian Congress had described the Dominican food aid as an ?invasion of Dominican products? giving Privert a 24-hour ultimatum on Friday, 14 October 2016 to ensure the removal of all Dominican military personnel from Haitian territory.

Eight days after southern Haiti was devastated by Hurricane Matthew, a category 4 storm, the Dominican government sent a convoy of 500 trucks laden with food, construction material and heavy machinery to repair roads and other essential infrastructure. Military personnel escorted the convoy due to the security problems in Haiti. The aid was sent after President Medina visited Haiti and in response to a formal request made by Privert?s government with a list of urgent needs.

According to reports, after the statement by the legislators, on Sunday morning, 16 October 2016 Privert thanked the Dominican government for the humanitarian aid it had sent to Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew and expressed his personal gratitude to President Medina for the prompt assistance.

Meanwhile, the Haitian legislators objected to the large amount of Dominican products and called for the Dominican government to remove the soldiers who were camped at the Haitian navy base near Port-au-Prince after arriving with the convoy on Wednesday, 12 October 2016.

Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Rub?n Dar?o Paulino Sem said that all the soldiers who had accompanied the convoy to ensure security and to protect the humanitarian supplies returned to the Dominican Republic on Saturday, 15 October 2016. Minister of Defense Paulino Sem said that 148 of the 500 vehicles would remain in Haiti while the others would return once their cargo has been unloaded.

Paulino Sem said that the soldiers had returned because their mission to protect the aid and the convoy staff had ended.

Commenting on the order by the legislators, former President Hip?lito Mej?a stated that if the legislators do not want the food they could return it to the Dominican Republic to be distributed to country?s own poor people.

A Reuters news item reported that desperate Haitians had looted United Nations trucks.

http://hoy.com.do/presidente-haiti-expresa-agradece-a-danilo-medina-por-la-ayuda-humanitaria/
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2016/10/16/439278/si-no-quieren-la-comida-que-la-devuelvan
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2016/10/16/439281/soldados-regresan-de-mision-humanitaria
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2016/10/16/439281/soldados-regresan-de-mision-humanitaria
http://hoy.com.do/ayudar-a-haiti-para-que-nos-menosprecien/
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-storm-matthew-haiti-un-idUSKBN12F0S7?il=0


Haitian elite objects to Dominican aid
According to reports in the Haitian media, eminent members of Haitian society have been criticizing what they describe as ?an invasion? of Dominican products, including several items that are banned from overland entry, and sent by the Dominican Republic as humanitarian aid for the victims of Hurricane Matthew.

The media also pointed out that Dominican military personnel had accompanied the aid convoys.

Le Nouvelliste publishes a photo of a Dominican soldier in the Bizoton camp used by the Dominican authorities as a temporary clearing point for Dominican aid.

A 500-truck aid convoy was sent to Haiti after the hurricane. In addition, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo said that they would be carrying out reconstruction work for 45-60 days to repair the road structure and electricity network affected by the category-4 storm.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...6/critican-ayuda-que-le-ofrece-rd-a-haitianos


Senate 15-minute interviews not enough to select judges
Is reviewing a CV and a 15-minute interview enough for selecting the new Central Electoral Board (JCE) judges? The JCE is responsible for organizing presidential, legislative and municipal elections and for the civil registry.

Political scientist Belarmino Ram?rez told Diario Libre that a 15-minute interview was not enough. He said the list of candidates for the post was open and that each applicant was getting 15 minutes to promote him or herself.

Psychologist Arelis Garc?a commented that 15 minutes was not enough time for the selection panel members to appreciate the qualities needed for an entity like the JCE. She added that this was not professional since the interviews were very superficial and just seemed to be taking place as a way of fulfilling a requirement.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...aluacion-para-aspirantes-a-la-junta-EK5194978


New appointments at Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture has announced several new appointments as part of its general restructuring based on guidelines contained in the National Development Strategy and the Medina administration?s cultural program for 2016-2020.

The new appointments include Ellen Mart?nez as ministerial cabinet director, actress Elvira Taveras as director of the National School of the Dramatic Arts (Escuela Nacional de Arte Dram?tico), musician Darwin Aquino as director of the National Music Conservatory (Conservatorio Nacional de M?sica), actor Radham?s Polanco to head the drama programs at Bellas Artes and Elioenai Medina to direct the National Choir.

Journalist Patricia Mora was appointed director general of communications, and journalist ?ngel de la Rosa is the new public relations director. Jos? Tejada G?mez was confirmed as press director.

Last week Minister Pedro Verges announced that journalist and Publisher Ruth Herrera would be the new director of the Santo Domingo International Book Fair (FILSD).

It was also announced that writer Soledad Alvarez would direct the Ministry?s Pa?s Cultural magazine, which will become a channel for expressing, promoting and sharing Dominican thinking and culture and Dominican art abroad, with a special focus on Latin America.

The minister also announced that provincial directors of culture would have their wages doubled from RD$15,000 to up to RD$30,000.

Read about other new appointments at the Ministry of Culture at: http://cultura.gob.do/ministro-pedr...ones-en-dependencias-del-misterio-de-cultura/


Dominican chocolate at the London Chocolate Show
The Dominican Republic?s successful participation in the 2016 London Chocolate Show at the Olympia National Exhibition Centre was coordinated by the Dominican Embassy in the UK.

Ambassador Federico Cuello Camilo proudly highlighted how the stand showed off Dominican chocolate in a lush setting of tropical plants and stunning landscape photography. The event, which took place from 14-16 October 2016 served to showcase a sample of its wide biodiversity - representing over 70% of genetic resources in the cacao industry, despite the fact that the Dominican Republic accounts for just 4% of world cacao exports.

With funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Cacao Commission, the stand displayed seeds grown and fermented by the top Dominican producers: Rizek, Roig and CONACADO, as well as nationally manufactured cacao products by Rizek, Xocolat, Cort?s and Khao Caribe. Brugal rum and tourism information materials were also available.

Award-winning bars manufactured by international chocolate makers such as Hummingbird, which received the Academy of Chocolate?s Gold Award for the best chocolate in the world in 2016 were also featured on the stand.

?The Dominican Republic is small and fertile. 40% of our lands are in protected natural parks. We will never compete on volume so our focus is on quality and sustainability. Cacao is the one product that embodies perfectly these fortunate policies, thus benefiting thousands of smallholders producing in cooperatives the best cacao in the world, the one that meets the strictest of standards for both conventional and organic production?, said ?ngel Est?vez, Dominican Minister of Agriculture.

"The Dominican Republic?s cocoa sector has begun implementing a sustainable, value-added business model that bigger producers around the world can learn from to protect their own livelihoods and guarantee the future of the global chocolate industry", said Dr Jean-Marc Anga, Executive-Director of the International Cacao Cooperation Organization (ICCO).

?We know that the most important work is through the farmers - without great cacao, there cannot be good chocolate. More importantly, we are really, really happy to see Dominican cacao getting the recognition it deserves?, said Drew Gilmore from the Canadian chocolate maker Hummingbird.

?To have a presence for the best cacao in the world in the most demanding of markets is essential for positioning our products at the level it deserves?, said Ambassador Federico Cuello Camilo in London.


Transporters resort to violence to again get their way
Just as they had threatened, members of the country?s transport cartel blocked traffic on Santo Domingo?s Av. 27 de Febrero expressway on Friday, 14 October 2016, in a new show of strength aimed at forcing the government to yield to their demands yet again.

At a press conference on Thursday, 13 October 2016, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce formally announced that its Resolution 233 was revoking Decree 183-11 issued in 2011 that authorized monthly subsidies of tax-exempt diesel for the transporters (worth an estimated RD$4 billion a year) for 50 million gallons of tax-exempt diesel in addition to RD$50 million in Bonogas propane gas subsidies.

The powerful groups control most public transport routes and cargo transport after years of imposing their demands on governments past and present, which have given them generous privileges and benefits.

The traffic jams caused by the transporters also affected traffic on Av. Maximo Gomez.

The transporters then marched to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce as part of their protest at the government?s decision to eliminate the diesel and propane gas subsidies. The subsidies were introduced in 2011 when fuel prices shot to record highs, but were not withdrawn when the price of fuel collapsed.

Cartel leaders Antonio Marte (Conatra), Ricardo de los Santos (Fenatrado), Alfredo Pulinario (Mochotran) and a Fenatrano representative were met by several deputy ministers and a meeting was set for next week.

The transporters are threatening to raise passenger fares and cargo transport fees.
Diario Libre?s Saturday, 15 October 2016 editorial described the subsidy as ?a deal that lasted too long.?

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...encienden-debate-entre-choferes-y-empresarios
http://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/am/el-negocio-que-duro-demasiado-tiempo-YJ5193607


Family says Police is complicit with Percival Matos
Plutarco J?quez, the lawyer representing the family of murdered security guard Bienvenido Garcia, is claiming that the Police knew that fugitive former lieutenant John Emilio Percival Matos, the main suspect in the killing, was in the town of Paraiso in the southwestern province of Barahona on 23-24 September 2016.

Jaquez said that the fact that the Police have kept mum does not mean the family is not following up on the case. The victim?s daughter, Johanny Garcia said that the family would not rest until the accused is arrested and sent to justice.

Matos is the son of a retired air force general, Rafael Percival Pe?a. Percival Matos has also been linked to the robbery of a bank messenger in Villa Mella, and the Police have not acted.

The lawyer says that the Police and prosecution service need to give the family some answers about Bienvenido Garcia?s death when he was working with the G4S security company. The murder occured during an armed robbery of cash that was being transported from a Bella Vista Mall bank on 4 August 2016. Guard Yeuris Cuevas was injured in the armed robbery in which RD$3 million was stolen.

The suspect?s father, Percival Pe?a says he has not had any contact with his son.
*
The National Police Homicides Department and Interpol have issued an arrest warrant for former army lieutenant John Emilio Percival Matos and fellow suspect Brayan Peter F?lix Paulino.

Percival Matos was discharged from the military in 2011 following almost 11 years of service after being linked to the theft of an airplane from the La Isabela International Airport. He was acquitted for supposed lack of evidence.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...vo-en-barahona-con-conocimiento-de-la-policia
http://hoy.com.do/percival-pena-desearia-pena-de-muerte-para-su-hijo/


Suicide from Malec?n Center
The Police reported that a 19-year old man, Enrique Luis Roa Mart?nez committed suicide on Sunday, 16 October 2016 by jumping from one of the upper floors of the Malec?n Center in Santo Domingo. According to the Police, the young man from Ensanche La Paz died from severe contusions caused by the fall.

His father, 54-year old Luis Enrique Roa Pe?a said that his son had been suffering from depression. He had already tried to kill himself on several occasions, but had been undergoing psychiatric treatment.

The Police said that he left a backpack with school supplies, a measuring tape, his wallet with five RD$2,000 and seven RD$1,000 bills and one RD$100 bill. His cell phone and a seven-inch breadknife were found in his left pocket.


Johnny Ventura and Wilfrido at Jet Set
Known locally as ?El Caballo Mayor,? and ?El Beduino,? Johnny Ventura and Wilfrido Vargas will be performing on Monday, 17 October 2016 at JetSet Club on Av. Independencia.*

This is your opportunity to dance to Ventura?s Patac?n Pisao, El pinguino, Capullo y serullo, Merenguero hasta la tambora, El Tabaco es fuerte, La Agarradera, El Vecino, Filete and more. Or Vargas?s El Jardinero, Soy un hombre divertido, El funcionario, El loco y la luna, Abusadora, El baile del mono, El baile del perrito.*

Dancing from 10pm. Tickets for sale at the box office of JetSet.


Anthony R?os + Sergio Vargas
?Locos y Sueltos? (Nuts and on the Loose) is the name of the concert bolero singers Anthony R?os and Sergio Vargas will be performing on Friday, 4 November 2016 at the Hotel Crown Plaza Santo Domingo on the Malec?n. The romantic singers promise the best of their repertoire.

Tickets are for sale at Ticket Express and the Crown Plaza. For more information, call 809 682-3009.


Salsa and bossa nova
Puerto Rican Victor Manuelle and Dominican Yiyo Sarante will be singing salsa while and Urbanova will be adding their mix of bossa nova and jazz to the show Victor Manuelle Salsa Bailar Tour 2016. The show is booked for Friday, 28 October 2016 at the Sambil Mall events hall from 9pm. Tickets for sale at Tickets Express.*


The Tempest: theater at the Olympic Pool
Grupo de Teatro Anacaona has announced that it will be staging The Tempest, widely believed to be the last play written by William Shakespeare, at the Olympic Pool in Santo Domingo. The play is scheduled for 28-29 November 2016 at the Aquatics Center diving pool in the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.

The Tempest opens in the midst of a storm, as a ship containing the king of Naples and his party struggles to stay afloat. On a remote island, sorcerer Prospero, rightful Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place. He uses magic to conjure up a storm to lure his usurping brother Antonio and the complicit King Alonso of Naples to the island.

There, his machinations bring about the revelation of Antonio's lowly nature, the redemption of the King, and the marriage of Miranda to Alonso's son, Ferdinand.

The cast list includes Lucina E. Jim?nez, Ivan Aybar, Stuart Ortiz, Juan Carlos de los Santos, Raymond Moreta, Edwin Javier F?lix, Jos? Luis Jim?nez, Alfredo Caraballo, Jos? Enrique, Francis Ortiz and Dalia Castro. Three divers and two synchronized swimmers are also taking part.

The play, produced by Husmel D?az S?nchez, Paula Disla and Lucina Edith Jim?nez, will be the closing performance of the IX Bienal de Teatro Grupal and the V Festival Internacional de Teatro Paralelo set for 20-29 November 2016 at several stages nationwide.

For information on upcoming events:
http://www.dr1.com/calendar


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