The representatives of the Executive Branch left the discussion table as the Chamber of Deputies continued wrestling with the tax reform legislation. The retreat was announced by the Minister for Technical Affairs, Temistocles Montas, who said that the government was putting a stop to its efforts to reach a consensus regarding the tax reform issue. He warned that whatever happens will be the responsibility of the PRD party and the Congress it controls. The deadlock between the government, the deputies and the business community centers on the higher tax on diesel fuel, and as a result of the heated discussions, yesterday’s session, during which it had been predicted that the tax legislation would be passed, was suspended. With an air of desperation, the government blamed the PRD and Congress for the failure of DR-CAFTA, since the free trade agreement can’t go into effect unless the tax reform and the budget are passed. Montas told the El Caribe reporters that the “the government had done what it had to do… the rest is up to the PRD and the Congress.” Montas made his statement as he left a meeting with President Fernandez that included Miguel Cooco from Customs and Juan Hernandez from the Internal Revenue office. When President Fernandez was questioned by reporters during his visit to the First Brigade, he seemed tense and did not answer any questions regarding the stalemate.