Senate President Ram?n Alburquerque (PRD-Monte Plata) made it official and crystal-clear yesterday: he will block any approval of the international loans for post-hurricane reconstruction until such time as the LMD is "given back" to the PRD. This despite public appeals for rapid approval issued within the past week from top officials of the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), including IDB President Enrique Iglesias. Alburquerque said yesterday that while he will ensure action on the Monetary and Financial Code before Congress’ extraordinary session is adjourned, he would hostage the US$216 million in reconstruction loans until the LMD case is resolved to his satisfaction. He is also taking the extraordinary step of appointing a "special committee" of Senators, headed by Jos? Rafael Abinader (PRD-Santiago), who will travel to Washington to explain to IBD and World Bank officials why the loans are being blocked. He said the delegation will tell Bank officials that the Fern?ndez Government "is making fun of the will of the people and disrespecting democracy" with its actions vis-?-vis the LMD.Meanwhile, President Fern?ndez met yesterday with 53 Members of Congress (4 Senators and 49 Deputies) from the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) to discuss strategies to "work with other blocs" within Congress to get the loans approved despite Alburquerque’s opposition.
