Composer Manuel Jiménez denied the version of the interview of himself and singer Claudine Bonó with Minister of Tourism Felix Jiménez (see http://www.dr1.com/daily/news100298.shtml). Composer Manuel Jiménez said that the two were only able to meet with the Minister for "a minute", when he told them he had handed Adriano Rodríguez, representative in the DR of the song festival where Bonó will perform, a check for US$1,000. Jiménez said that the minister did ask Bonó to sing a "chin-chin", and that all parties were aware that she performed without the adequate conditions for a best performance. El Siglo explained how the story came to be. It explained that Bonó complained to a friend about the interview, who later called the Listín with the story. Bonó has refused to comment on the story saying that it is detrimental to her as an artist. Both Jiménez and Bonó said they have no interest in polemics with the Minister of Tourism.
