2004 – Page 237

El Caribe covers the proposal that President Hipolito Mejia would decline to run for re-election if he is elected as senator for Monte Plata, a post currently held by Ramon Alburquerque. Alburquerque, in his proposal for the unity of the PRD, also suggests to modify the Constitution to establish the position of “senator for life”, …

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The Listin Diario economic reporter Hector Linares writes that the fiscal limits that the government presented to the IMF as part of the measures taken on to reach an agreement on the Stand By Accord have changed. Originally, the government had proposed a public sector deficit of 2.5% of the GDP for 2004. The most …

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Assistant US Trade Representative Regina Vargo and DR Industry & Commerce Minister Sonia Guzman concurred in describing the second round of talks for the signing of a bilateral trade agreement as invaluable, reported John Collins for Caribbean Business. “It’s not over until it’s over,” said Vargo. “While the DR has not accepted our offer, we …

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New developments indicate that the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreements could be delayed into 2005. News reports indicate that powerful interest groups that do not agree with some terms of CAFTA could delay the passing of that treaty. The DR treaty is docked to CAFTA and thus depends on its passing. Puerto …

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Two Dominican soldiers were killed at their post in the village of La Vigia, just to the north of the Customs station on the Haitian frontier. They were part of the Tenth Infantry Battalion, which is guarding that part of the border. Press coverage did not, however, link the action to the desperate situation in …

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The Grupo M free zone factory located in Juana Mendez, Haiti was attacked yesterday by masked gunmen who attempted to enter the factory. The masked men were repulsed by members of the Haitian police and the factory’s own security guards. The Dominican military have reinforced the frontier region and a rapid response team under Major …

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Several ex-military and police officials previously living in exile in the Dominican Republic have resurfaced in the rebel forces active within Haiti. The exiles are reportedly collaborating with the rebels in the city of Gonaives in the Northwest of Haiti. The former police commissioner of Cape Haitian, Guy Philippe, told listeners of Radio Signal that …

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Hoy newspaper carries statements made by Jesuit Priest Regino Martinez, of border city Dajabon, who said that it is the Dominican army that gains most from the Haitian crisis because of the extortion that goes on. Father Martinez explained that in Dajabon there is a “parallel customs” system whereby Dominican military charge tolls to the …

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Diario Libre points out today that, despite the economic crisis that has led the government to negotiate a standby agreement with the IMF, there have been millions available for military needs. The newspaper says that the Mejia government backed an unprecedented US$235.6 million in loans to equip the Armed Forces, under Major General Jose Miguel …

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The government promoted 1,752 police officers, effective 1 March, as reported in the Listin Diario on Friday. These promotions are equivalent to a raise for the police officers and agents at a time when the government authorized a mere 9% wage increase for public employees. Promotions were given to five colonels who will ascend to …

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