Hipolito Mejia found a time yesterday to attend to his first two presidential acts. Sandwiched between a High Mass in the Cathedral, a wreath laying at the ‘Altar of the Fatherland,’ official luncheons, receptions, receiving lines, and other formalities, Mejia issued his first decree. He stripped their titles from some 300 cabinet officers, sub-cabinet officers, agency directors, and high-ranking military officers. Though the incumbents were all Fernández appointees, their commissions did not automatically lapse with the conclusion of the Fernandez presidency. Though many had already submitted letters of resignation, the dismissals of the others are somewhat unusual in creating abrupt vacancies rather than smooth transitions. Mejia moved quickly to fill the void, however, by naming some five dozen cabinet officers and directorships of cabinet rank. He also designated the members and alternates to the National Monetary Board (Junta Monetaria), and named new heads for the Central Bank and the Banco de Reservas. Incumbents will be named to sub-secretary posts, and other still vacant positions, in coming days.
