2003News

Whose is it?

The Saga of the Armored Car continues in today?s papers. While Hoy newspaper says that the vehicle is for George Bush to use this week during his vacation at Casa de Campo in La Romana, El Caribe carries a denial from the US Embassy that the vehicle is designated for the use of the former US President. A third paper details yesterday?s exchange between President Mejia and radio commentator Martinez Pozo that included a presidential threat of imprisonment if the commentator?s allegations proved to be false. In what might be the ?real? story, the Diario Libre published further details on its back page, beneath the column called ?De Buena Tinta? (From good sources, literally). This journalist says that the now infamous vehicle is a red Land Rover belonging to a Reformist party candidate, and that it entered the country with a tax exemption. The vehicle was brought into the country using the tax exemption of a diplomat stationed in Europe and its release from Customs was impeded because of the duties to be paid. Upon discovering this, the unnamed political figure went to the President, who, in turn, designated two officials from the National Palace to set things right with Customs. The politician paid what needed to be covered. End of story.