The Executive Branch issued Decree 265-98 yesterday convening the National Congress back to work to discuss important matters left pending in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies and those that may be introduced. Among these bills is the Monetary and Finance Code, the Electricity Bill, and the Customs Bill. Two hours later, President Leonel Fernández promised a high level commission of the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano that the government will not present any bill that would modify the Constitution. The commission of the PRD was made up by Enmanuel Esquea Guerrero, Ramón Alburquerque and Winston Arnaud. The Congressmen now have 20 days to work before the new Congress, with the newly elected members, is convened on 16 August 1998. The present Congress is best known for approving bills that are of interest to the congressmen, such as pensions and benefit and salary increases, and for major irregularities in the approval of bills, amidst accusations of corruption and of overwhelmingly allowing political interests to override the national interest. Upon the issuing of the decree, former President Joaquín Balaguer met with president of the Senate, Amable Aristy Castro (Partido Reformista Social Cristiano-La Altagracia). The spokesmen for the Reformista deputies, congressman Luis Emilio Reyes Ozuna was also present for a short time during the meeting that lasted an hour. Aristy did not comment to the press upon the conclusion of the meeting. Milagros Ortíz Bosch, senator for Santo Domingo-PRD, told the press she does not agree with the convening of the Congress. She called it untimely and unnecessary, and that it will only add to the political irritation.
