SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Hipolito Mejia assumed the
presidency of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and repeated his promises
to help the poor -- promises businessmen fear could reverse the Caribbean
nation's recent economic boom.
Mejia, 59, succeeds Leonel Fernandez, the first modern leader of this former
Spanish colony of 8 million people, whose pro-investment policies and
privatization of state monopolies helped boost the economy by 40 percent in
recent years but failed to lift most Dominicans out of poverty.
"I'm going to govern from a glass house, with transparency," Mejia said.
Listing health, education, welfare and accountable government as his priorities,
Mejia has delighted Dominicans with his straightforward manner, which
contrasts sharply with Fernandez's U.S.-educated, Western style. He is an
agronomist by profession.
"I am totally conscious of the responsibility of this post and I assume it with
humility and with respect for the Dominican people and the international
community," he said.
The inauguration was attended by U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, Taiwan's
President Chen Shui-bian, Haitian President Rene Preval and the crown prince of
Spain, Felipe de Borbon.
After the ceremony, Mejia swore in his 21-member Cabinet and then went to the
Santo Domingo Cathedral for Mass.
Mejia won over the Caribbean nation's poor with plans to create social program
to be funded by increased taxes and fuel prices.
With the help of fellow Revolutionary Party members who control the legislature,
Mejia also promised to extend health care coverage to 60 percent of the
population and enact agricultural reforms to increase production and bring down
food prices.
"Things are going to improve," mechanic Johnny Montes said over a beer at a
corner grocery. "Hipolito cares about poor people. We need a president who
cares about poor people because, you have to recognize it, this is a poor
country."
Mejia also promised to work to control drug smuggling in the Dominican
Republic, which is a major crossing point for U.S.-bound cocaine.
He repeated plans to review the privatization program of the Fernandez
administration to see if it was done fairly. And he plans to suspend payment to
government contractors working on large infrastructure projects that he
considers unnecessary and too expensive.
Mejia's plans will require a delicate balance to avoid bankrupting the government
or hurting his adoring populace with fuel and tax hikes. The new president noted
Monday that while he expected to push his plan quickly through the legislature,
"I don't have magic."
"He has made many promises to solve many problems," said Yeni Ramirez, a
mother of three. "But people need to realize that these are old problems. The
solutions will take time."
As she spoke, the electricity went out.
presidency of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and repeated his promises
to help the poor -- promises businessmen fear could reverse the Caribbean
nation's recent economic boom.
Mejia, 59, succeeds Leonel Fernandez, the first modern leader of this former
Spanish colony of 8 million people, whose pro-investment policies and
privatization of state monopolies helped boost the economy by 40 percent in
recent years but failed to lift most Dominicans out of poverty.
"I'm going to govern from a glass house, with transparency," Mejia said.
Listing health, education, welfare and accountable government as his priorities,
Mejia has delighted Dominicans with his straightforward manner, which
contrasts sharply with Fernandez's U.S.-educated, Western style. He is an
agronomist by profession.
"I am totally conscious of the responsibility of this post and I assume it with
humility and with respect for the Dominican people and the international
community," he said.
The inauguration was attended by U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, Taiwan's
President Chen Shui-bian, Haitian President Rene Preval and the crown prince of
Spain, Felipe de Borbon.
After the ceremony, Mejia swore in his 21-member Cabinet and then went to the
Santo Domingo Cathedral for Mass.
Mejia won over the Caribbean nation's poor with plans to create social program
to be funded by increased taxes and fuel prices.
With the help of fellow Revolutionary Party members who control the legislature,
Mejia also promised to extend health care coverage to 60 percent of the
population and enact agricultural reforms to increase production and bring down
food prices.
"Things are going to improve," mechanic Johnny Montes said over a beer at a
corner grocery. "Hipolito cares about poor people. We need a president who
cares about poor people because, you have to recognize it, this is a poor
country."
Mejia also promised to work to control drug smuggling in the Dominican
Republic, which is a major crossing point for U.S.-bound cocaine.
He repeated plans to review the privatization program of the Fernandez
administration to see if it was done fairly. And he plans to suspend payment to
government contractors working on large infrastructure projects that he
considers unnecessary and too expensive.
Mejia's plans will require a delicate balance to avoid bankrupting the government
or hurting his adoring populace with fuel and tax hikes. The new president noted
Monday that while he expected to push his plan quickly through the legislature,
"I don't have magic."
"He has made many promises to solve many problems," said Yeni Ramirez, a
mother of three. "But people need to realize that these are old problems. The
solutions will take time."
As she spoke, the electricity went out.