President Hipolito Mejia sent a letter to the Senate yesterday asking for time to carry out studies into the ownership of property that is part of two national parks and that he had segregated to allow hotel development. The ownership of the properties is being debated by interested parties in the courts. In a letter to the president of the Senate, Ramon Alburquerque, the President asks that the Senate put aside the bills that affect the national parks of Cabo Cabron in Samana and Del Este in La Altagracia province. Furthermore, in the letter the President justifies the decree that declares land within the Jaragua Natinal Park of public utility, saying his intention was "to accelerate the process of use of lands that have high tourism development potential." The Presidential decrees and bills regarding the use of national park land for tourism and sports development have met with widespread opposition. Finally, the President says that he favors a "calm revision" of the Environment Law that he himself passed on 18 August 2000, particularly the Article 34, Chapter III that establishes that this law and the system of protected areas it encompasses cannot be modified until Congress passes the Sectarian Bill for Protected Areas. This bill is still being drafted. The President said it would soon be sent to Congress. (15 March 2001)
