Kevin Manning, head of one of the major electricity producers in the Dominican Republic, told reporters from the List?n Diario that the 2% tax on imports would produce an increase in the electricity bills for everyone, since fuel represents between 80-85% of the cost of production of electricity. At the same time, the prices of petroleum products are based on an indexing system of the electrical distributors. Manning said that he felt that the 2% tax would be ?a little hard on the economy.?
United States Ambassador Hans Hertell expressed strong support for the IMF accords and said he felt that the Dominican Republic would get out of its difficulties. Meanwhile, according to C?ndida Acosta of the List?n, he said that the United States would certainly assist the Dominican Republic. Interviewed as he left the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Hertell predicted that the final results of the agreements with the IMF would result in renewed confidence of investors. He promised: ?Whatever the United States can do, we will do.?
The Coordinator for Unity and the Popular Struggle has announced that they will fight against any agreement with the IMF, calling the possible signing ?a medicine worse than the illness.? According to reporter German Marte of Hoy, the spokesman for the minority leftist organization, Fidel Santana, said that neither threats or active repression would stop them from carrying out their protests, which would consist of candle lighting, small protest meetings, marches, tire burnings and vigils.
Presidential candidates Milagros Ort?z Bosch and Enmanuel Esquea Guerrero both voiced support for an agreement with the IMF. Both PRD leaders called upon the government to adopt policies to restore public confidence, according to the report in today?s Hoy.