In its editorial Monday, 26 January, the Miami Herald urged the OAS to get involved in preventing massive fraud in the 16 May 2004 presidential election. The newspaper focused primarily on President Mejia and his recent political maneuverings. “Under the guise of political reform, President Hipolito Mejia is tinkering with the election law four months before the May 16 presidential vote. By trying to change the rules of the game at this late date, he has divided his own party, alienated the opposition, sparked street demonstrations and put the country’s fragile democracy at risk,” reads the editorial. The Miami Herald draws parallels between Mejia’s efforts to stay in power and “the more malign tendencies in Dominican history,” recalling the late dictator Trujillo and the 22-year presidencies of Joaquin Balaguer. The newspaper pointed out that the interference with democracy began when “Mejia forced lawmakers to change the constitution, paving the way for a second consecutive term.” It then refers to the new Ley de Lemas scheme, whereby five candidates from a single party would be allowed to run in the general election – “with the proviso that the top vote-getter would get all the party’s votes.” The newspaper urged the international community to play a role in helping the Dominican Republic before the discontent boils over into violence and political instability, and recommended that the OAS offer to mediate among various political factions to “ease the concerns of Dominicans who believe that the government intends to conduct rigged elections.” The newspaper concludes: “Dominicans have fought too hard – and paid too high a price – to achieve a working democracy. For their sake, and the sake of stability in the region, Dominican democracy cannot be abandoned.” See http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/7796722.htm