2000 – Page 140

The DR exports $1 of merchandise for every $6 that it imports, according to research conducted by Porfirio Garcia, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences in the Sanrto Domingo Autonomous University. The value of the country’s exports in 1999 was US$872 million, while its exports totaled US$5.379 billion. Garcia attributes this lopsided …

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President-elect Hipolito Mejia stated that he subscribes to no particular economic theory or tendency but dismissed the value of a "free market" if it means massive rice imports at the start of the local rice harvest. "In Gurabo," he said, "there are no established economic sectors." Mejia’s reference is to the small rural town in …

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President-elect Hipolito Mejia said he would soon meet with ex-president and defeated PRSC-candidate Joaquin Balaguer to confer about which Balaguer supporters would be assigned posts in his government. Last week, Mejia & Balaguer met at Balaguer’s home and talked in general terms about a "government of national unity." But "we will deepen" our discussion and …

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The organization formerly in charge of the country’s sugar production is selling the remnant of its once numerous herds of working cattle. At prices ranging from DR$12 (US$.75) and DR$18 (US$1.12) per kilo, the State Sugar Council (CEA) is liquidating 2,000 head of emaciated cattle due to a deficiency of food and water to sustain …

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During the next four years, the European Union will invest RD$5 billion (US$312 million) in projects to improve the living conditions in poor neighborhoods of Santo Domingo, improve health services, strengthen vocational-technical education programs, and modernize governmental operations. So said Max Puig, Dominican representative to the Lomé Convention, who noted that similar efforts over the …

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For the first time since their stunning rejection at the polls this past May 16, the central committee of the Partido de la Liberacion Dominicana (PLD) met in executive session yesterday. The party’s executive secretary, Juan Tomas Perez, informed the press that the group ­ which includes President Leonel Fernandez and Vice President Jaime David …

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The special investigative panel looking into the reported beatings of inmates at the Rafey Prison in Santiago, has confirmed the accuracy of the published accounts, and identified the responsible parties. The blue ribbon panel, headed by the police inspector general, Raul Almonte Lluberes, named Colonel Raymundo Hernandez Diplan, commandant of the prison, and Lieutenant Colonel …

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The governing body of Santo Domingo Autonomous University (UASD) has requested "advice and training" from the National Drug Control Commission (DNCD) for its security forces. The decision reflects an awareness that "crack, cocaine, marijuana" and a rum-based hallucinogenic beverage are being sold from the back of cars parked at known distribution points throughout the university’s …

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The revelation that the president of its board of directors and five other board officers are receiving "per diems" has put the Dominican Red Cross (CRD) on the front pages in the latest episode of a confusing dispute within the non-profit organization. Interviewed by Listin Diario, former CRD director, Angel Almanzar, revealed that he was …

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