2006 – Page 19

A group of US legislators, mostly Democrats, is expected in the country today to study the situation in the country’s bateyes (cane cutter settlements) and to determine the positive/negative effects that DR-CAFTA will have on the country. Democrat Congressman Eliot Engle from New York will be heading the delegation. Listin Diario reports that the visit …

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Representatives from Mercosur and the Dominican Republic will meet in the Brazilian capital Brasilia tomorrow in order to continue discussions on political and economic issues that were begun almost a year ago. Manuel Morales Lama, Dominican ambassador to Brazil, said that Julio Ortega Tous, executive secretary of the National Commercial Negotiations Commissions would be heading …

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The Junta Central Electoral (JCE) is working on a plan that would allow Dominicans living abroad to get their “cedula” identification and voting card in the US at a cost of US$45. The plan would increase the number of Dominicans abroad who can vote from an estimated 58,378 to more than 300,000, just in time …

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The firing of the secretary general of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) Antonio Lockward Artiles was made official last night after what is being called a marathon session at the board. After the meeting, which lasted 10 hours, JCE president Julio Cesar Castanos explained that Lockward was fired because his presence at the JCE was …

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The Customs Department has confiscated merchandise with an estimated value of RD$125 million, which the importers tried to bring into the country without paying taxes. The shipments carrying the merchandise originated in the United States, Panama, and China. Luis Sanchez, sub-director of Customs, explained that household appliances, alcoholic drinks and clothing accessories among other things …

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Administrative Secretary of the Presidency Luis Manuel Bonetti was true to his word when he gave the Dominican Social Security Institute (IDSS) RD$39 million in back incentives owed to doctors. This was part of the total RD$111 million owed. The funds were given to IDSS director Sabino Baez. Bonetti assured the doctors that the rest …

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Journalist Adolfo Salomon was received at the Presidential Palace by Presidential Press Secretary Rafael Nunez yesterday. Nunez, speaking on behalf of the President, the head of the Armed Forces Ramon Antonio Aquino Garcia and the government, gave Salomon an apology for the recent controversy surrounding his dismissal. Salomon accepted Nunez’s apology and said that all …

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Bribery is still a big issue in government in the Dominican Republic, according to a recent study. The study by the Center for Political and Social Studies at PUCMM University indicates that 13% of people had to bribe someone in government to get things done. “Minor corruption,” as it is labeled, also indicates that 7% …

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A report by Transparency International reveals that Latin America and Africa have the highest rates of corruption and bribery in the world. The study specifies that 23% of people in Latin America believe that their governments engage in corruption, but at the same time 54% of Dominicans feel that their government is either “efficient” or …

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A resolution congratulating Cuban leader Fidel Castro on the occasion of his 80th birthday sputtered in the lower chamber of Congress yesterday. The resolution was introduced for consideration by PRD member Christian Paredes, but his party as a whole did not support the resolution. PRD member Librado Castillo urged his fellow members to vote in …

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