2007 – Page 93

The PRD political party is accusing President Leonel Fernandez of signing promissory notes for US$130 million, without Congressional authorization and in violation of the Constitution. PRD President Ramon Alburquerque and Secretary General Orlando Jorge Mera said that Fernandez took on the foreign debt behind the Dominican public’s back. The PRD claims that on 12 May …

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The DR could lose its organic banana market if the government goes ahead and installs coal-fired power generators near the Port of Manzanillo, which is close to major banana plantations. Banana exports valued at US$54.26 million a year are at risk. Senator Radhames Pena (PLD-Valverde) warned that European importers have already notified that the dust …

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Latin American energy and security policy expert Johanna Mendelson-Forman is in the DR to promote the expanding use of renewable energies. The DR is one of four countries (the others are Haiti, St. Kitts-Nevis and El Salvador) participating in the U.S.-Brazil Biofuels Partnership outreach program. Her visit is sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank, the …

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Dominican Ambassador Jorge Luis Perez Alvarado says that Dominican exports to Russia are increasing. Dominicans are selling more cacao liquor, jams, cigars, rums, salamis, sausages, and a variety of products from free trade zones like pants, shirts, hats, shoes, sneakers, baby overalls, polo shirts. The ambassador explained that there is also the interest from Dominican …

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Financial analyst Alejandro Fernandez warns anyone taking on a Dominican mortgage that at any given time mortgage rates could go from the present low of 11% to 18%, in a contribution to Clave newspaper today. He said that if this happens, mortgage payments could increase by 43%. He encourages borrowers to bear this in mind. …

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The Specialized Frontier Security Corps (CESFRONT) with a 500-strong contingent will be dispatched to the border next Tuesday. The group has been training for two years and will be equipped with arms, technological equipment, motorcycles and planes that will be used for surveillance. Diario Libre writes that soldiers will receive salaries and expenses. Minister of …

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Though Dominican officials have increased their surveillance around Dominican territory in the fight against the illegal narcotics trade, drug traffickers have also increased their attempts to introduce drugs into the country, and seem to be succeeding. In the last thirteen months the DR has been bombarded by an increase in drugs from South America. Officials …

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Diario Libre is reporting an alleged plot to kill AILA security chief Colonel Juan Francisco Tejada Genao and Major Joran Baez Fernandez. The twist is that a high-ranking official of the Marine Corps has been arrested in connection with the assassination plot. Major General Valentin Jaquez Lopez, director of Armed Forces intelligence, has confirmed the …

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The Autonomous Petroleum Drivers Union (SACTPA) is threatening to go on strike next Thursday if gasoline distributors don’t increase their salaries. The union wants RD$35,000 a month wages for drivers with one to three years of service; RD$40,000 for four years of experience; RD$45,000 for four to six years experience; RD$50,000 for eight years experience …

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Diario Libre reports the government violated Law 141-97 when awarding the lease of the Jarabacoa Hotel Montana, to Pareatis, S.A. Law 141-97 establishes that the Commission for the Reform of Public Enterprise (CREP) is the entity in charge of leasing or capitalizing state hotels grouped under Corphotel, a division of the Ministry of Tourism. The …

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