2004 – Page 229

Leading economist Pedro Silverio writes in today’s El Caribe that the past few years have seen an incredible outflow of hard currency. He estimates that between 2001 and 2003 the currency drain reached US$3.5 billion, a total that far surpassed the amount of remittances sent in to the Dominican Republic from abroad. Capital outflow, according …

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Hoy reporter Pedro Germosen says that the pending contract between the Dominican state and a company called Jampi Investments would require the Dominican Republic to compensate the company for any losses suffered through devaluation of the local currency, decreased tourist flows, or if the company does not manage to obtain economic stability. The contract also …

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ANADEGAS, the gasoline retailers’ association, will stage a two-hour boycott tomorrow, Thursday, in protest of what they consider insufficient profits within their sector, according to Hoy newspaper. An additional measure by the association will entail a freeze on all purchases and reception of tanker trucks, as of 12am, Monday, 1 March. The gas stations will …

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Diario Libre publishes today the results of a nationwide Gallup poll, conducted 18-22 February, of eligible voters for the 16 May presidential election. The results confirm the findings of a Penn Schoen survey published in January that showed former President Leonel Fernandez with a 65% lead. According to Gallup, if the election were held today, …

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An analysis of the Gallup poll results shows that the middle class is the strongest ally of the PLD, with 66% favoring Leonel Fernandez for President. Fernandez also has the support of 62.9% of those identified as poor and 58.5% of the wealthy. Interestingly, Estrella has strong support from the wealthy with 20.8% of their …

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The continuing saga of the electoral rolls and the existence of duplicate and triplicate voter registration cards continue to garner press attention. According to Panky Cordero of El Caribe newspaper, the JCE is looking for an integrated solution to the problems that have been detected. According to Judge Rafael Diaz Vasquez of the JCE’s administrative …

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The Chamber of Deputies elected PRSC’s Deputy Victor (Ito) Bisono to the National Council of the Magistrate, the board that chooses the members of the Supreme Court of Justice. Bisono was elected with a vote of 125 deputies present during the session. El Caribe newspaper explains that the council could be convened to decide on …

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The Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice (FINJUS), the National School of Judges (ENJ), civic society group Pariticpacion Ciudadana, the Justicia y Gobernabilidad group and the United States Agency for International Development will present a seminar today at 7 pm on the subject of “What will happen in Justice? Commitments for 2004.” Guest speakers will elucidate …

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Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide warned that further violence would create a wave of refugees seeking entry to the Dominican Republic in the next few days, as reported in El Caribe. Aristide said that Haiti and the Dominican Republic have a “marriage without divorce” and are like “two wings of the same bird”, in reference to …

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Armed Forces Minister Lt. General Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez revealed to reporters that the Dominican Army turned over 37 Haitian refugees for processing and repatriation. These are the same 37 who are reportedly returning to Haiti to defend Port-au-Prince. These men crossed the border at different points, from Dajabon to near Elias Pina. According to …

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