2007 – Page 51

The DR’s main political parties are rejecting the Central Electoral Board (JCE) request that political parties suspend all presidential campaigning in the media on the grounds that the 2008 presidential election campaign has not officially started. The JCE judges voted to instruct the PLD to remove the television spot featuring an actor who was also …

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Last night USAID director Richard Goughnour announced the launch of a Pro DR-CAFTA US$5 million implementation assistance program for September 2007-September 2010. Chemonics International will be the consulting firm in charge of the project, which will be directed by John Nittler and Ruben Nunez. The program comes on the heels of the successful conclusion of …

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The US Consulate is announcing that anyone who had an appointment to get or renew a tourist visa for the week between 29 October and 2 November will be able to reschedule their interview for 16 November. Applicants must get a new PIN number at any branch of Banco Popular or call the visa information …

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Ex consul and minister without portfolio Belarminio Javier Gonzalez died of a heart attack yesterday at Baptist Hospital in Miami, Florida. He was considered one of Leonel Fernandez’s closest confidants. He leaves a wife and two kids. Fernandez expressed regret at Gonzalez’s death and said that he had been a great friend.

Dominican artist Juan Luis Guerra went home with four Grammy’s last night. Guerra was rewarded with Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Tropical Song of the Year and Merengue Album of the Year. Guerra, who earlier in the night had been honored as person of the year by the Latin Academy of …

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Expectations are high in the run-up to President Leonel Fernandez’s address to the nation tonight. He is expected to speak about the government’s efforts in helping the recovery of areas affected by flooding caused by last week’s Tropical Storm Noel and to mitigate the effects of fuel prices, which are currently approaching the US$100 mark. …

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The World Bank, European Union and UN Development Program (UNDP) yesterday announced that the DR would have US$115 million at its disposal in order to help the victims of Tropical Storm Noel. The World Bank has allocated US$56 million in emergency funds, the EU added EUR30 million (US$44 million) and the UNDP is contributing RD$15 …

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The Pan-American Health Organization’s representative in the DR, Cristina Nogueira, has praised the Ministry of Public Health (SESPAS) for its work in helping flood victims and reducing the risk of diseases in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Noel. As reported in El Dia, Nogueira said that the Ministry of Public Health has taken the correct …

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Venezuelan Ambassador Belisario Landis has dismissed claims that Venezuela’s aid to the DR is political, and said that those rumors are malicious. Santo Domingo Mayor Roberto Salcedo also denied the rumors, saying that Venezuela has a history of helping Dominicans and that the aid is not for political gain. Venezuela has offered 500 pre-built homes, …

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Customs director Miguel Cocco’s health improved slightly yesterday and he was able to undergo dialysis. He was in good enough spirits to speak to President Leonel Fernandez on the phone. Hoy reports that Cocco will be fitted with a pacemaker today. His physician, Dr Pedro Urena says that Cocco’s condition is stable.