The presidents of the DR?s five main universities united yesterday to warn senators and deputies in Congress about the consequences of making a sweeping reform of the constitution at this time. The presidents of Aut?noma de Santo Domingo, Pontificia Universidad Cat?lica Madre y Maestra, Nacional Pedro Henr?quez Ure?a, APEC, and Instituto Tecnol?gico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) say the plan to change the constitution is keeping Dominican society in a state of confusion and imbalance. They pointed out that important sectors have protested many times that this is not the right time for major reforms. They also pointed out that on September 27, the three major parties and President Mejia signed a Pact to proceed with a limited reform of the Constitution and to introduce a Constituent Assembly which will have the responsibility of developing a wider and deeper reform. The university presidents said in a paid announcement in El Siglo and other major papers, ?We, the university rectors, demand in a respectful and fervent manner, that our legislators honor the commitment of their political leaders, passing only the points contained in the Constitutional Reform Pact.? Meanwhile, Cardinal Nicol?s de Jes?s L?pez Rodr?guez also urged Congress to recognize the reform bill, saying the public is fed up with the congressmen?s ?mischief? and delaying tactics. The Cardinal made his remarks after saying mass on Sunday in El Almirante.
