Presidential Palace reporter, Manuel Jiménez of Hoy newspaper, reports that he has heard that Abel Rodríguez del Orbe, Attorney General of the Nation since 1996, has asked the government to send him to Cuba as Dominican ambassador. The Dominican Republic restored full diplomatic relations with Cuba in April. Considered a personal friend of President Fernández, Del Orbe has headed investigations into very sensitive cases such as the the killings of journalist Orlando Martínez and university professor Narciso González as well as corruption in government, all focusing on happenings during the Balaguer administration. The Hoy journalist reports that the Dominican government has already requested the go-ahead from the Government of Cuba. President Fidel Castro of Cuba will be in Santo Domingo in mid August on occasion of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the city. The heads of state of the English-speaking Caribbean will also be in Santo Domingo for the event, during which they will sign a free trade agreement with the DR.
