El Caribe is raising eyebrows on a deal signed by the Technical Secretary of the Presidency Rafael Calderon and the Minister of Public Health Jose Rodriguez Soldevilla with a little known private foundation, MAPET International based in Miami, Florida, and headed up by Spaniard Mario Perez Rivera. As part of the deal, signed 23 January 2001, the government commits 300,000 square meters of land and allows the Miami foundation to import duty free everything it needs to operate and build four medical centers. MAPET commits to invest US$518.75 million to build the centers. El Caribe is especially concerned that the foundation has agreed to donate US$30 million towards a US$40 million reforestation program agreed to by the Technical Secretary of the Presidency and the Minister of Agriculture Eligio Jaquez. In turn, the government will contribute US$10 million. El Caribe newspaper warns that this could take the form of an irrevocable letter of credit, with enormous risks for the Dominican government, since the contract is negotiable. It reminds readers of the case of Hydro Quebec. "The foundation could borrow on the US$10 million without the authorities being able to stop this, and without having received anything in return," writes the newspaper. Newspaper investigators say that the foundation’s address is the home of its president in Miami Lakes, and its principle officers are the Perez family members. More investigation by the newspaper indicates that the company that would design and build the hospitals has an inactive corporate status as per records of the Florida State Department. The deal is pending congressional approval. El Caribe says that Perez Rivera has not been available for an interview by the newspaper, despite efforts over several weeks.
