2003News

More reactions to re-election decision

Continuing criticism from party colleagues dominates the coverage of the aftermath of President Hip?lito Mej?a’s announcement that he would make a bid for re-election in 2004. PRD president Hatuey Decamps has been the most vociferous opponent, and in yesterday’s televised speech, his second in as many days on the subject, he quoted at length deceased party leaders such as Jacobo Majluta and Jos? Francisco Pe?a G?mez, as well as Cuban 19th century thinker Jose Mart?. He also broadcast a recording of a speech by Pe?a G?mez to emphasize what he and other PRD leaders are calling a betrayal of the party’s principles. In conclusion, he said that the PRD dream had become a nightmare. Vice-President and pre-candidate Milagros Ortiz Bosch expressed concern about the divisions that Mej?a’s decision is causing within the PRD, and called for party solidarity. Today, Peggy Cabral, the prominent PRD activist and widow of the late Pe?a G?mez, is expected to release a statement on her position on the issue. Meanwhile, El?as Wessin Chavez, leader of minority party PQD (Partido Quisqueyano Democratico) announced that his party would support Mej?a’s candidacy to the extent that he could run on their party?s ticket. The PQD is allied to the PRD government and Wessin Chavez is the current director of the government passport agency.