One of the principal founders of the Central University of the East (UCE) died yesterday in the capital of natural causes. The well-known 85-year old lawyer, Dr. Jos? Hazim Azar, had been experiencing kidney and cardiovascular problems since June 1998 and had been in and out of the hospital several times. His body was sent to San Pedro de Macor?s (SPM) last night for people to pay last respects at UCE’s Library. He will be buried in SPM’s municipal cemetery today at 4:00 pm. In addition to his fame as UCE founder, Dr. Hazim was also well-known in his home town of SPM as a former mayor; the president of the local chamber of commerce; one of the catalysts for the creation of, and a past president of, the free trade zone ("zona franca") in SPM; one of the founders of the Banco Higuamo de Ahorros y Pr?stamos. His son is the Senator for SPM, Dr. Jos? Haz?m Frappier. Dr. Hazim Azar, a friend of ex-President Joaqu?n Balaguer since their university days together, had run for SPM Senator in 1990 as the PRSC candidate, but lost that race.
