President Leonel Fernandez has asked the Organization of American States (OAS), the Carter Center, the National Democratic Institute, the United Nations Electoral Department or any other electoral monitoring organization to send representatives to the DR for the 2008 presidential elections. Fernandez told Hoy that the representatives of those entities should be in the DR before, during and after the elections in order to guarantee electoral transparency.
This year's campaign season has been ripe with accusations of corruption by politicians in present or past office. Now, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) president Julio Cesar Castanos Guzman says he will take the lead to convince politicians to tone down the negative exchanges that could lead to violent confrontations that have marked the 2008 presidential campaign. He said that the JCE judges will be meeting tomorrow to discuss a proposal for a meeting with presidential candidates, party leaders, secretary generals, campaign directors and delegates on the issue of the dirty campaign. Ultimately though, Castanos admitted that the JCE could only be as strong as the will of the candidates. "We are selected as referees; we can't force the political parties to agree on what we say". Castanos also reminded the political parties that defamation, slander and publishing pictures of private meetings was illegal and could be subject to litigation.
And the name-calling continues. In this week's set of political slanging matches, PRD head of communications Carlos Gabriel Garcia called Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda a "baboso" (slobberer). Garcia's comments came in response to Almeyda's accusations that PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado had obtained his wealth through a series of illegal activities. He added that Almeyda was filled with personal frustrations and that he had been relegated to a simple toy of President Leonel Fernandez. Garcia continued his strong words, saying that he knew Almeyda from their university days at the UASD and said that behind his big words Almeyda is just a man who is scared of his own shadow, and that being drunk on power has allowed him to voice his opinions.
In the last nine presidential election campaigns, between 1986 and 2006, some 100 people have been killed and close to 400 injured as a result of the political violence that accompanies campaigning. The historical fanaticism that characterizes Dominican politics, coupled with the low quality of this year's political campaigns has many, both in the public and private sector, fearing violence as the elections near. The prospect of signing "gentlemen's agreements" and mediation to reduce the negative tone of the campaigns have been proposed, but Hoy reports that in the past these pacts have been signed to no avail. And though recent elections have seen reductions of campaign-related violence, Hoy writes that just last week three people were injured during a PLD rally after confrontations with PRD activists. El Caribe reports that among the injured were the Mayor of Hato Mayor, his driver and a PLD party supporter.
Today's Diario Libre editorial criticizes the Central Electoral Board's decision to purchase 32 power generators and hundreds of scanners for use on Election Day, 16 May. The editorialist points out that the investment is enormous, there is a risk of obsolescence, and the equipment will be only used once every two years at most. It wonders if it would not be possible to lease this equipment for a week, or borrow it from the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (INDOTEL). The JCE announced that the 740 scanners would cost RD$230 million. "This expense does not seem reasonable, it is almost as if this country were swimming in gold and there were money for all the whims of Dominican bureaucracy that has very little frugality ingrained in it," writes the newspaper.
By the end of the week the DR will have completed the four requirements set forth by Haitian President Rene Preval to revoke a Haitian ban on Dominican egg and chicken exports. Agricultural Minister Salvador Jimenez said that technicians from the International Epizootias Organization (OI) would be in the DR on Wednesday to verify that avian flu does not exist in the DR. This is one of the requirements set forth by Haitian officials. Also, both sides have agreed to set norms for dealing with each truck that enters Haiti. Also, fighting cocks in Higuey, where the cases of avian flu were detected, will be killed. In addition to these increased measures, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced that the chicken production sector has implemented new bio-security measures. Dr. Enriquillo Rivas told Hoy that chicken and egg exports between both countries would resume by Friday.
El Caribe writes that Dominican chicken and egg producers are losing RD$5 million on a daily basis since Haiti imposed a ban on Dominican chicken and egg imports. The prolonged Haitian ban has led to uproar, both in the DR and Haiti, and as a result the bi-national market was closed on Monday in protest against Haiti's ban. No word if the boycott will continue, but ripples are being felt on both sides of the border. El Caribe reports that Haitians were turned back from the border and quotes consumer Francis Jean who asked if the authorities were going to allow them to die of hunger. Police were placed in the area of the bi-national market and Special Border Security Corps (CESFRONT) director Adriano Silverio Rodriguez commented that it wasn't so much a strike as an agreement by business owners not to partake in the bi-national market. According to El Caribe, the bi-national market provides roughly RD$50 million in financial stimulation each week. Dajabon mayor Sonia Mateo said that although the boycott was only at the Dajabon market, it could be extended to other border towns.
The International Monetary Fund recommends that the DR control spending during the election period in its statement upon conclusion of the 36-month Stand-by Arrangement.
"Maintaining fiscal consolidation and single-digit inflation during the upcoming electoral period will require control of public spending, and readiness to tighten monetary policy promptly should the need arise", states the IMF. "Over the medium term, it is important to have increased, better targeted, and more efficient social spending. To ensure that adequate resources are available for critical social goals, it seems desirable to limit energy subsidies, reform the tax system, and broaden the tax base, including by rationalizing tax exemptions. Further efforts over the medium term will also be needed to ensure primary surpluses that enable the reduction of the public debt burden to the pre-crisis level".
Upon completing the 8th and final review of the country's economic performance, the IMF approved the disbursement of about US$122.3 million.
The IMF commended the authorities for the country's recovery from the 2002-2004 crisis. "Prudent macroeconomic policies in a favorable external environment have restored confidence and delivered strong macroeconomic performance, with rapid GDP growth and single-digit inflation. Monetary policy has been skillfully managed and structural reforms have strengthened the policy framework".
www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2008/pr0817.htm
Energy distribution companies EdeEste, EdeSur and EdeNorte have reached a 90% collection rate level in areas that are not part of the Blackout Reduction Program (PRA), according to a press release issued by the Dominican Corporation of State-run Electricity Companies (CDEEE) based on the Cash Recovery Index (CRI) implemented by the National Energy Commission. The EDEs have also reduced their overall commercial losses by 65% since 2006. In all, the EDEs collected 90.32% of the time, which is 2.73% more than in 2006. The report that included the information indicates that 2007 produced the highest billing of power served.
National District Mayor Roberto Salcedo has received 24 garbage compactor vehicles donated to the city by several Japanese municipalities. So far, Japan has donated 30 trucks to help the National District improve its city maintenance and beautification programs. The vehicles, which have the capacity to collect between 2.5 and 5 tons of trash, were donated through the Japanese Diplomatic Promotion Society (SPJD) and will be adaptable to any neighborhood in the city. The keys for the vehicles were handed over by Kyoto Terada, representing the SPJD. Nobutaka Shinomiya and Kiyoshi Yashimoto from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency were both present at the ceremonies. Although Japan has donated the vehicles, which cost between US$50,000 and RD$60,000, the DR had to contribute RD$16 million towards the trucks. El Caribe writes that once the vehicles have been used for seven years, Japanese municipalities donate them to developing countries.
Plaza Lama supermarket is advertising imported potatoes for RD$9.95lb, Bugalu tomatoes for RD$13.95lb, grapefruit for RD$3.95 per unit, tangerines for RD$5.95lb, bell peppers for RD$22.95lb, and carrots for RD$8.95lb.
Jumbo supermarket is advertising RD$6.95 per unit for plantains, RD$15.95 a bag of six grapefruit, RD$9.75lb of local potatoes, RD$4.95lb of celery, RD$5.95lb eggplants, RD$6.95lb tangerines and RD$59.95lb Chilean red grapes.
Bravo supermarket is advertising 30% off fruits and vegetables. It is also promoting products used to prepare the traditional Easter sweet, Habichuelas con Dulce.
La Cadena supermarkets are advertising a sale on a carton of 30 eggs for RD$29.95 unit. It also is advertising sales in its fish and seafood department.
SuperPola supermarkets have a sale on milk products. Milex 2,500g bag selling for RD$499.95 and Parmalat milk for RD$29.95unit, La Vaquita for RD$24.95 per unit. 30% on select brands.
Sealy Mattress Center is advertising 28% discount on its Posturepedic line from 4-16 February. Stores in Bella Vista, Av. Winston Churchill (Plaza las Americas), and in Santiago.
Sleep Center is advertising 20% off on Simmons Beautyrest beds at their stores at Gustavo Mejia Ricart in Naco, Bella Vista Mall, La Romana and Bavaro stores.
Dominican synchronized swimming duet of Mariel Bros and Katherine Martinez placed 10th of 20 contestants during the German Open taking place in Bonn over the weekend. The event enabled the Dominican competitors who train in Barcelona with the Spanish synchronized swimming team to get international experience before the qualification event for the Summer Olympics as they target Beijing later in the year. The qualifier will take place in the Chinese capital in April, where 24 slots for duets and 8 for teams will be selected.
Taking a quick glance around the Estadio Cibao, there is a noticeable absence of fans, which could be partly because of the high ticket prices. El Caribe writes that tickets in the A and AA sections of the stadium cost RD$2,040 and RD$1,700, which puts it beyond the reach of many families. The cost of tickets is only one of the many expenses, which also include food, parking, gas, souvenirs and others. One fan, Lucas Madera, said that he had spent RD$3,400 on tickets plus RD$2,000 in gas to get to the game. It could also be that the tickets were bought out by Santiago fans more interested in watching their team play their arch-rivals, Licey Tigers. The most recent match are packed.
It might be the Aguilas' hometown, but this is turning out to be Licey's tournament. Last night the Tigres del Licey beat the Aguilas 5-2. The Tigres were powered behind a two-run home by Yordanny Ramirez. Pitcher Ramon Ortiz did his part, pitching six and a third innings, striking out five with one walk. With the win the Tigres knocked the Aguilas off the throne and took sole possession of first place in the SC standings.
In last night's other game Venezuelan pitcher Giovanni Carrara threw a jewel of a game, pitching five scoreless innings and giving up only four hits. Venezuela went on to a 5-0 victory against a Mexican team that seems to have forgotten its bats at home. The Yaquis de Obregon has been unable to put together any type of strategy and will soon be out of the running unless their offense can make it past immigration, fast.
Standings:
| Team | Win | Lost | Percent |
| Tigres del Licey | 3 | 0 | 1.000 |
| DR (Aguilas) | 2 | 1 | .666 |
| Tigres de Aragua | 1 | 2 | .333 |
| Yaquis de Obregon | 0 | 3 | .000 |
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