2004 – Page 55

Lawyer Julio Cury voiced accusations yesterday that the previous government irregularly negotiated the extension of the Jaragua Hotel’s lease, as reported in today’s Listin Diario. The addendums to the original contract were drawn up in November and December 2002 by then legal advisor to the Executive Branch, Guido Gomez Mazara and Jose Lois Malkun, at …

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Central Bank governor Hector Valdez Albizu announced that inflation by the end of 2004 is supposed to be below the 36% level, about 9% less than the levels predicted by the IMF in its monetary program. The Consumer Price Index fell by 1.13% last September, the first time this has happened in the last twelve …

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Democratic representative Charles Rangel of New York called the Bush Administration tactics regarding the 25% tax on HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) “…inappropriate and unfortunate”. Rangel said: “If the administration thinks that the tax is inconsistent with the obligations of the Dominican Republic in the World Trade Organization, then its efforts should be directed by …

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The director of the Department of Migration, Carlos Amarante Baret said that his predecessors had operated an illicit operation to facilitate irregular travel to Spain, the United States, and Canada. Interested parties were charged between US$10,000 and US$15,000 per person, as reported in the Listin Diario. According to Amarante, a lawyer himself, the illicit traffic …

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The Foundation for Institutionality and Justice (Finjus), a non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting the establishment of an independent and efficient judiciary in the Dominican Republic, favors that there be a “de-concentration” of the power of the Supreme Court, as reported in Hoy newspaper. Speaking for the organization, the president of the board of directors of Finjus, …

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The must-read column “Que se dice” (What is being said) reports today that a lack of understanding and knowledge about the newly instituted Penal Code has been brought to the forefront in last week’s headlines. The columnist says that one month is not enough time to give a proper evaluation as to the successful application …

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A mob of PLD members sacked offices of the Luis E. Aybar Hospital’s Center for Gastroenterology in Santo Domingo in demand for employment. According to Carmen Baez, the director for the hospital, the PLD mob wrecked the furniture of her reception area and scared the wits out of her secretary, as they demanded to be …

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Orlando Gil, the political columnist of the Listin Diario, writes today to speculate that former President Hipolito Mejia is supporting the organization of a new foundation, such as President Leonel Fernandez set up his Fundacion Global, Democracia y Desarrollo upon leaving office in 2000. Orlando Gil speculates that a meeting held at the new San …

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Two Dominicans made the difference in the National League playoff last night. Alberto Pujols, the powerful St. Louis Cardinals infielder, pushed across the tying run as the Cards broke through the pitches from Houston Astro star Roger Clemens to win the National League Playoff Series. Santiago-born Julian Tavarez, the volatile pitcher who broke two bones …

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Today will be a day of intense baseball action in the Dominican Republic. While fans gear up to root for their favorite team in the World Series that begins tomorrow night in Boston, tens of thousands of baseball enthusiasts will fill the local stadiums tonight as the Winter Baseball League gets underway. The six-team league …

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