2005 – Page 75

President Leonel Fernandez attributed the increase in electricity rates, fuel prices and basic foodstuffs to “international circumstances that are not under our control”, as reported in Diario Libre. This came in reaction to demands and criticism by the Bishop of La Vega, Msgr. Antonio Camilo during the Las Mercedes celebrations last Saturday, as reported in …

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President Leonel Fernandez will not be traveling to Colombia to sign an energy agreement with President Alvaro Uribe and to participate in the Sixth Forum of Biarritz as had been announced. Diario Libre reports that the reasons for the change of plan were not disclosed. The Presidential Press Director, Rafael Nunez stated only that the …

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President Leonel Fernandez is expected in Punta Cana for the inauguration of Punta Cana’s new radar weather system on Saturday 1 October. The radar will make available enhanced weather information and will also improve aviation safety at the Punta Cana International Airport, that is the leading passenger port of entry to the Dominican Republic. The …

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PLD Secretary General Reinaldo Pared Perez rejected criticism by the Bishop of La Vega, Msgr. Antonio Camilo, saying the prelate’s comments portrayed “ignorance, lack of knowledge, and inconsistency”, according to Listin Diario. Pared Perez said that he regretted not having heard similar statements from the Bishop during the previous administration, when consumer prices reached unsustainable …

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Industry and Commerce Minister Francisco Javier Garcia has explained that fuel prices are calculated every week based on information offered by the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (Refidomsa), and denied information given by Listin Diario which stated that fuel was overvalued. The information disclosed by Listin Diario and reported in yesterday’s DR1 news summary was based on …

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The Dominican government mission to Washington last week has reported that the letter of intent with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was revised satisfactorily and that it would be studied by the IMF Directorate on 17 October 2005. Diario Libre reports that the Technical Secretary of the Presidency Temistocles Montas provided details of the process …

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Grupo Leon Jimenes, manufacturers of Presidente beer and Marlboro cigarettes in the Dominican Republic, have presented the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC) with its proposal for an integrated reform that recommends strengthening the rule of law, raising tax evasion to criminal status, expanding the VAT (ITBIS) base from 50 to 60% and a 20% decrease …

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As from Monday, 3 October 2005, commercial banks will reduce their opening hours as part of a fuel and energy saving plan. According to El Caribe, the new opening hours for all commercial banks offices, as well as drive-in tellers, will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 …

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Prominent businessman Luis Alvarez Renta goes to court on 17 October 2005 in the Southern District of Florida where he is accused by the Banco Intercontinental (Baninter) liquidation commission of using US financial institutions to transfer illegal funds presumably taken from the bank which collapsed in 2003, as reported in Clave Digital. The case involves …

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The Metropolitan Transit Authority (AMET) has decreed that as of next Monday, ‘publico’ cars will alternate their service inter-daily according to the color of their roof – yellow or green. Diario Libre reports that this measure is being implemented in Santo Domingo and Santiago and is meant to save fuel, help organize the public transit …

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