1999 – Page 251

Ambassador Vega said that it could be another six months before the Clinton administration appoints another candidate to ambassador to the DR. The previous appointee, Mari Carmen Aponte was rejected the the US Senate on grounds of her being too liberal. Vega explained that the DR being without a US ambassador is not an unusual …

Read more…

Bernardo Vega commented that Dominican baseball players in the US produce more hard currency than Dominican money crops. He said that the image of the Dominican people in the US has been improved as a result of players such as Sammy Sosa, who he called the Dominican Republic’s No. 1 lobbyist in the States.

Immigration visas to the US declined 41% in 1998, dropping from 39,000 to 23,000. Ambassador Vega explained this is as a result of new legislation that set the minimum income level for sponsors above the US average. He said only 30% of Dominican residents fulfill this requirement. He said Dominicans need to lobby to achieve …

Read more…

Bernardo Vega is optimistic that with changes in congressmen and women and as a result of an increased awareness of regional needs emphasized by damages caused by hurricanes Georges and Mitch in the Caribbean and Central America, there is a good possibility the Congress that returns to work 19 January will vote in favor of …

Read more…

Bernardo Vega feels that the DR would be affected by the new flexibility of the US government with Cuba if this leads to new steps such as a preferential sugar market quota assignation or an inclusion in the North American Free Trade Agreement in order to spur investment. Following an opening in Cuba, new developments …

Read more…

The Metropolitan Transport Authority reported that in the first seven days of use of Avenida 27 de Febrero tunnels, some 100,000 vehicles went under. In the first 24 hours following its opening on 30 December, 56,000 vehicles crossed. In the first three hours of 1 January, 8,000 vehicles passed as part of New Year celebrations, …

Read more…

After Marcelo Berm?dez resigned from the post of governor, the Presidency is pressed to find a replacement. El Siglo newspaper mentions as possible candidates Sabino B?ez, deputy minister of health based in Santiago, Gilberto Serulle, Ramon Ventura Camejo, Jose Ramon Fadul, Ram?n Mu?oz and Dilepsio N??ez. Berm?dez resigned in November 1998 to dedicate to his …

Read more…

Ministry of Education announced it will be kicking off this year’s massive learn to read and write campaign as of 13 January. Some 4.8 million booklets have been printed out, and 12,000 instructors will participate. The program expects to reach out to 1.3 million people at a cost of RD$30 million this year. The 1993 …

Read more…

City Mayor Johnny Ventura told El Siglo newspaper that a foreign company is interested in building a major entertainment center at Guibia Beach. The project contemplates the granting of a 20-year concession to operate the center on the city beach strip. Furthermore, Ventura says he is studying architectural plans for the construction of six entertainment …

Read more…

City Mayor Johnny Ventura says that he is finalizing work on a bill that would increase fines for littering the city to RD$5,000 and RD$25,000, up from the present fines of five and 25 pesos. He said that the new fines should reduce the tendency of residents to litter sidewalks and streets with fruit peals, …

Read more…