2006 – Page 312

Lawyer Marisol Vicens writes in El Caribe newspaper that the people at the Central Electoral Board have gotten their priorities all wrong. The JCE people are pushing for a massive investment in an electronic voting system in time for the May 2006 Congressional and municipal election, and the 2008 Presidential election. In contrast, Vicens advocates …

Read more…

The Attorney General’s Department and the National Office of European Development Funds (ONFED) have signed an agreement providing RD$30 million for the strengthening of the School of the Justice Department, as reported by Diario Libre. The funds are being provided by the European Union as part of the Program for the Support of the Reform …

Read more…

The European Commission chief of delegation for the DR and Cuba said yesterday that his institution would cooperate with the DR to resolve migratory differences with Haiti. Ambassador Dino Sinigallia described the Haitian situation as complex, and said that he understands that it is necessary to seek a feasible solution as soon as possible. He …

Read more…

Spokesmen for the farming, construction and sugar production sectors denied that the Dominican Republic depends on Haitian labor, disputing statements of US Ambassador Hans Hertell. Osmar Benitez of the Agribusiness Council (JAD), told the Listin Diario that while he respects the opinion of Hertell, it is not as he states. He said that while Haitians …

Read more…

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) representative in the DR, Nicky Fabiancic has said that the DR should improve the way it deals with Haitian migration, making evident that the time is ripe for the definition of a migratory policy. According to a report in Listin Diario, Fabiancic stated that the DR must learn to …

Read more…

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has decided to play for the US in the 2006 World Baseball Classic to be held in March this year. “After discussing this with my agent and my family, the Commissioner and the Major League Players Association, I have decided to play in the World Baseball Classic… I …

Read more…

History repeats itself, according to El Caribe. Aguilas and Licey meet again in the Dominican winter baseball playoffs, which start tonight in Santiago’s Cibao Stadium. Aguilas are favorites to win five out of nine possible games although concerns have been voiced about several players’ health. That is the case of Jose Offerman, Luis Castillo and …

Read more…

President Leonel Fernandez met yesterday with a group of Mexican businessmen who are interested in developing an ecological theme park and hotels in what the Presidency web site describes as “areas near the National Park of the East.” The further hotel development of the National Park of the East is controversial as many sectors advocate …

Read more…

The public sector is RD$2.08 billion behind in its payments to the Social Security pension fund. What is more, two government institutions have created their own pension funds, something that contravenes Law 87-01 that regulates the Social Security System. As a result, the National Council of Business (better known as CONEP), along with the Employers …

Read more…

Beginning in March, intercity calls within the same province will be free, as the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (INDOTEL) puts the Fundamental Technical Guiding Plan into action. The plan, which goes into effect in March and ends in December of 2007, consists of organizing the telephone networks in such a way as to eliminate long distance …

Read more…