In a speech in 1994 at the National Congress of the Dominican Republic, the then President Dr Joaquín Balaguer gives a rather good and close to accuracy basic recount of Dominican history from its days as a colony of Spain to its independence. He also touches on aspects such as the reason for the political reaction to Haiti and what he thinks about the neighboring country.
It should be noted that in 1994 the presence of Haitians in the Dominican Republic was still minimal though growing and Haiti itself wasn’t the mess it’s now (especially with the gangs.)
It’s in Spanish and presented by a Dominican that he says has political differences with Dr Balaguer and has never supported the PRSC party, but he is able to put that aside and focus on Dr Balaguer’s intellectual side. When you think about, almost all that could be controversial about Dr Balaguer are political. Even his adversaries aren’t able to say things such as putting in question his poems or that he wasn’t a great author.
It should be noted that in 1994 the presence of Haitians in the Dominican Republic was still minimal though growing and Haiti itself wasn’t the mess it’s now (especially with the gangs.)
It’s in Spanish and presented by a Dominican that he says has political differences with Dr Balaguer and has never supported the PRSC party, but he is able to put that aside and focus on Dr Balaguer’s intellectual side. When you think about, almost all that could be controversial about Dr Balaguer are political. Even his adversaries aren’t able to say things such as putting in question his poems or that he wasn’t a great author.
Dr Balaguer’s speech from the very start: 3:26.
The reasons for the Dominican government policies to Haiti: 20:30
What Dr Balaguer thought of Haiti (he describes the DR and Haiti as 2 countries that are brotherly and friendly, don’t take my words since those words comes out from his own mouth in the speech and not from adversaries that you would think he said the complete opposite, lol): 18:11
What he thinks are the areas the DR and Haiti should work together: 20:02
His preoccupation that Haiti wasn’t doing its part in saving its forests unlike the DR (with the creation of national parks, scientific reserves and reforestation programs) and how both countries should work together in saving their forests: 24:34
The reasons for the Dominican government policies to Haiti: 20:30
What Dr Balaguer thought of Haiti (he describes the DR and Haiti as 2 countries that are brotherly and friendly, don’t take my words since those words comes out from his own mouth in the speech and not from adversaries that you would think he said the complete opposite, lol): 18:11
What he thinks are the areas the DR and Haiti should work together: 20:02
His preoccupation that Haiti wasn’t doing its part in saving its forests unlike the DR (with the creation of national parks, scientific reserves and reforestation programs) and how both countries should work together in saving their forests: 24:34
