Listin Diario carries the RNN TV debate that followed the televised speech of the President on Sunday evening. Lisandro Macarrulla, president of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic, commented that in his speech the President focused solely on the external elements of the present crisis while ignoring the local problems. "I believe that the President focused on the external problems of the crisis and excluded the local elements that are the cause. He mentioned the private sector as part of the problem, but was very timid in recognizing the plight of the productive sectors and their sacrifices in relation to gross income tax and the increased cost of the dollar. The productive sector can hardly borrow money these days, because legitimate businesses cannot afford such high rates of interest. Those issues should have been mentioned in the speech," he said. Listin Diario reports that economist Juan Guiliani Cury recognizes the good intentions of the government, but holds doubt over their effectiveness. Economist Vicente Bengoa, a former PLD government superintendent of banks, said that the measures would not have any major effect on the economy because the savings in public spending will be minimum. Lawyer and politician Marino Vinicio Castillo forecasts that circumstances will take a turn for the worse, as the measures were insignificant. Felix Garcia, a leading Santiago business spokesman, said that President Mejia needs to announce a significant reduction in the government payroll. Felix Calvo, an economist of the government team, requested that critics allow a period of three months to give the measures a fair chance. For the complete speech, see
http://www.presidencia.gov.do/Discursos/2003/090203/retoesahorrar1.htm