2004 – Page 75

An Air Force airplane flew to Grand Cayman yesterday to assist 61 Dominicans affected by Hurricane Ivan. President Leonel Fernandez authorized the rescue operation under the direction of Colonel Carlos Aguirre Reyes. The group of Dominicans living in Grand Cayman requested to return home in light of the problems with power and water supply and …

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The administrator of the CDEEE (the governmental corporation that oversees the distribution of power in two thirds of the country, transmission lines and hydroelectric power generation) asked citizens to demonstrate their utmost capacity for patience. He was referring to the return of the lengthy blackouts, some lasting up to 20 consecutive hours. As reported in …

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The civic organization Participacion Ciudadana expressed its concern to President Leonel Fernandez yesterday for the government’s continuation of the old practice of appointing numerous ministers without portfolios and deputy ministers and vice-consuls without definitive roles and in positions that do not appear in the administration’s formal structure. In his inaugural speech, Fernandez had promised to …

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Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez announced yesterday that the president of the Islas Baleares in Spain, Jaime Mata Paleu, pledged his cooperation in preparing an integral master plan for tourism development in the DR. This plan would take into account the ecological damage suffered and would strive to propose concrete formulas to resolve them and avoid …

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North Coast hotels are receiving a large number of the tourists whose vacation plans in Punta Cana and Bavaro hotels were thwarted by Hurricane Jeanne. The president of the Association of Hotels of Puerto Plata, Jesus Almanzar, told El Caribe that occupancy in September, normally the slowest month for the area’s hotels, is at 80%. …

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Theater enthusiasts are invited to the Sala Ravelo at the National Theater for the 2004-2005 Theater Season that has just begun and is sponsored by Shell. The first work, “Letal” by Waddy Jaquez starts the season. “Letal” is about TV personality Jonathan Betancourt who hosts the Caribbean’s most watched reality show and donates 70,000 TVs …

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The Senate will today study whether to proceed with the passage of the tax reform. Senate leader Andres Bautista announced yesterday they would pass the bill. The government is encouraging them to do so, alleging it needs the extra tax income to help pay for social and infrastructure spending regarding damages caused by the tropical …

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The Central Electoral Board (JCE) announced that it will be ready by the 16 May 2006 congressional and municipal elections with electronic voting. The JCE has used a US$59-million loan to establish the new system, which will also make possible the automation of civil registry procedures.

Propane gas scarcities and long blackouts continue to affect life in the Dominican Republic, despite the optimistic announcements of the new Fernandez administration. El Caribe reports that despite the expected arrival of a propane gas shipment, long lineups are still evidence that the scarcities continue. Blackouts lasting 12 to 20 hours have also persisted. El …

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Cid Wilson, the president of the Dominican American National Roundtable Conference that took place from 17-19 September, declared the event “a success.” Wilson reported that approximately 500 leaders from all over the United States and Puerto Rico attended the assembly of Dominicans living in the US. Speakers at the event included Congressman Charlie Rangel (NY), …

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