Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue has said he did not issue a personal check in favor of Dominican ambassador Jose Serrulle Ramia. In a note sent to Diario Libre, Latortue explains that the Haitian government, through its Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad, together with the Science and Art Foundation run by Serrulle, was part of the Haitian-Dominican Solidarity Conference held in San Francisco de Macoris from 13 to 15 May 2005. It was in that context that the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad gave a check for US$25,000.00 to the directors of the Science and Art Foundation, to cover part of the expenses for the organization of the conference. The allegation in the case, which would be a violation of the Vienna Convention, was first made public by internet news portal www.elviajero.com.do in an article which stated that Serulle had accepted US$48,000.00 from Latortue to organize a meeting of political leaders and Haitian NGOs. However, the diplomat only admitted receiving US$25,000.00 and accepted that the procedure was not the most adequate but that he had received it personally as there was not time to make the check out in favor of the Foundation. Meanwhile the Ministry of Foreign Relations has launched an investigation into the case. The results of the investigation have not been disclosed. It is expected that the official position will be made public when Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso returns to the country later this week.