2003 – Page 63

There is still no end in sight to the rift between the Dominican Republic and its neighbor to the south, according to Venezuelan ambassador Francisco Belisario, who was summoned to Caracas by President Hugo Chavez amidst allegations that the Dominican government was involved in the activities of the Venezuelan opposition in exile. “Relations remain tense …

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Diario Libre asks the question on everybody’s lips: Why is it that the government can get away with owing millions, but does not tolerate non-payment of what is owed to them? This contradiction is illustrated by the distinct cases presented to the newspaper yesterday. In one instance, a woman received a water bill for RD$2, …

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The aftershocks being experienced in the Cibao (north-central region) continue to provoke unease among the population. The newspapers report that many schoolchildren in the Imbert area are having their lessons in al fresco, as a result of fears that a further tremor could bring down a school building. Santiago’s Cabral y Baez hospital is dealing …

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The latest tremors, or aftershocks, from the 22 September 6.5 quake, have delayed trials for the EGE-Haina generator in Puerto Plata. The unit had just undergone a major RD$30-million overhaul when the earthquake struck. As a result, some of the footing of the condensation unit was damaged and required repairs before going back online. When …

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In what may go down as one of the poorest game management efforts in baseball history, a weary Pedro MartInez gave the Boston Red Sox all he could for seven magnificent innings, but it was the eighth that would spell disaster. Inexplicably, with the most efficient bullpen in this year’s playoffs warmed up and ready …

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Dominican First Lady Dona Rosa Gomez de Mejia spoke of the country’s teenage pregnancy rate at the XII Conference of First Ladies of the Americas which opened in Santo Domingo yesterday. Dona Rosa linked teenage pregnancy with poverty and mentioned the high childbirth mortality rate amongst teenage girls in the country. Of all pregnancies, 27% …

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President Hipolito Mejia presented six new international loan contracts to Congress, totaling over US$125 million. The funds are destined for an aqueduct in Maria Trinidad Sanchez province (Nagua), a fruit cultivation project and technical support for the armed forces. The loans come from the Israeli Bank Leumi, HSBC and Exim Bank of the United States. …

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The federation of retail traders Fecoderd estimates that over the last four months, 18 basic consumer items have risen in price by an average of 42% and retail sales have fallen by 40% as a result. Fecoderd president Gilberto Luna commented that such price rises were impossible for low-income families to bear and called on …

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Diario Libre reminds its readers that one whole year has elapsed since the 8th National Population and Housing Census of October 2002, and the results that were originally scheduled to be released in mid-2003 are nowhere near ready. Canvassing an estimated 2.5 million homes, 120,000 individuals were recruited to carry out the survey. Their questions …

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The International Monetary Fund’s mission to the Dominican Republic begins its study of the government’s re-acquisition of the Edes, the two power distribution companies formerly under the control of Spanish electricity company Union Fenosa. Another IMF delegation will arrive in the country at the end of the month to finalize the details of the standby …

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