The government has taken advantage of the 30-day grace period for payment of the interest on the sovereign bonds. The US$27-million payment is due tomorrow, but, according to Hoy newspaper, the Ministry of Finance has not remitted the funds. Felix Calvo, the vice-governor of the Central Bank, said that as of last night the Ministry of Finance had not notified the Central Bank of its intention to make the payment. The official told reporters that it would be best to wait until today to see if the country will make use of the 30-day grace period provided for in the bond issue. Last night, Reuters carried an article from their reporter Hugh Bronstein that said the Dominican Republic will probably take advantage of the grace period, and not make payment on the US$27-million, as it struggles not to fall into default status. An unnamed Central Bank official told reporters that ?there is little probability that the payment will be made on Friday.? If the current authorities do take advantage of the grace period, the payment will become the responsibility of incoming President Leonel Fernandez, who already has a few hot potatoes on his plate. Bronstein, who made short visit to the DR, said Fernandez ?faces the task of balancing the payments on the debt while he tries to get passage of a tax reform bill with a Congress that is controlled by the opposition.? Bronstein pointed out that the tax reform package is needed to renew the IMF Standby Agreement. The Reuters reporter also pointed out that, while President-elect had opposed the issuance of the US$1.1 billion in bonds, he has stated that he will not let the country fall into default.