2003 – Page 272

Twenty-six military officials were removed from their posts in what was described as a routine shift. General Jorge Radham?s Zorilla Ozuna is the new central command chief of the Army, replacing General Carlos Luciano D?az Morfa, who returns to lead the Presidential Guard.

In a visible clampdown on the city streets and inter-city highways over the last week, AMET and the national police force collectively imposed 741 penalties on motorists caught committing traffic violations, including motorcyclists without helmets, excess loading on service vehicles and dangerous driving offences.

The Senate approved four international loan contracts for a total of US$200 million yesterday. Of the loans, US$138 million is to be financed by a Canadian government program and used to finance the construction of an aqueduct for Barahona, Bahoruco and Independencia provinces in the southwest. This program would be implemented by the Instituto Nacional …

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Plans for a 100-meter tall dam, reservoir, water treatment plant and distribution pipelines are on the table once more. The US$150-million Madrigal project that would supply water to the National District and the Province of Santo Domingo is sited for the Haina River area near Villa Altagracia.  Canada’s export contracting agency, the Canadian Commercial Corporation …

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The National Council of Business (CONEP) has voiced its support for the recent changes made to the government’s economic team. Elena Viyella de Paliza, president of the leading private-sector organization, praised the new appointments to the finance and foreign ministries and the Central Bank, describing them as an indication of the government’s commitment to consolidating …

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On the eve of the primary election for the PRSC, the candidates are at level pegging in the polls. Jacinto Peynado, backed by former candidate hopefuls Federico Ant?n Batlle and Carlos Morales Troncoso, will face Eduardo Estrella, who is backed by former candidacy hopeful Jos? Hazim, in the bid for the presidential PRSC candidacy ? …

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Despite yesterday’s heavy rains in the capital, water levels remain critically low, owing to the almost total lack of rainfall in recent months. The country’s 12 reservoirs are just above minimum capacity levels, reports Diario Libre. Water companies have reduced supply to the public and have been urging people for some time to conserve water …

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Attorney General Victor C?spedes announced yesterday that in his view the imprisoned PRSC politician qualifies for bail, which he calculated at RD$5 million. Angel Lockward, a former Industry and Commerce minister, currently in preventive custody at the Palace of Justice in Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Nueva, is accused of RD$200-million fraud. Lockward continues to claim that …

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Several Santo Domingo PRD city council members have criticized Mayor Roberto Salcedo for going ahead with plans to launch the ?Malecon Libre? this Sunday, instead of concentrating on cleaning up the capital, which according to the councilors should be the mayor’s only priority. Parts of Santo Domingo are still suffering the unpleasant effects of the …

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Today’s newspapers devote extensive coverage to the resignation of former foreign minister, Hugo Tolentino Dipp. The statement he made yesterday afternoon is carried in all the papers, in which he clarifies that his decision was made as a result of a difference of opinions on the Dominican government’s stance on the US-led war with Iraq. …

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