Last night President Leonel Fernandez promoted 36 new brigade generals and three major generals in the Armed Forces and National Police. During the ceremony, Fernandez, who is also head of the military, asked the new generals to act in accordance with the country's laws and the Constitution. The new generals at the National Police include Juan Antonio Pilarte Feliz, Cesar A. Decena Rojas, Juan Manuel Fructuoso Heredia, Eduardo Alberto Then, Jose Delio Mora Reynoso, Tirso A. Roa Castillo, Ricardo E. Rodriguez Taveras, Manuel Rodriguez Miranda and Mario Torres Paniagua. The new Air Force generals are Marcos A. Mejia Sanchez, Julio Cesar Sanchez Suero, Manuel Antonio Espinosa Feliz, Bienvenido Cordero Batista, Rene Antonio de Leon Suero and Carlos E. Jimenez Miranda. In the army: Luis Francisco de Leon Rodriguez, Leonardo Enrique Sabater Nunez, Rafael Bienvenido Percival Pena, Abraham Emilio Luna Rodriguez, Marcos Antonio Pilar Frias, Manuel Salvador Nadal Rosa, Fernando Amaury Frias Rodriguez, Miguel Ramirez Martinez, Juana de Jesus Pena Rivera, Felix Hipolito Feliciano Castillo, Milton de Jesus Friz Gomez, Nicolas Medina Florentino, Elias Wessin Chavez, Jose R. Lopez Peralta and Pablo G. Cavallo Feliz. Navy vice admirals Edwin R. Dominici Rosario, Jose C. Pena Garcia, Jose A. Ventura Bayonet, Aquilino Maria Melo, Roger T. Mora Jimenez and Miguel A. Suarez Nunez were also promoted.
The hopes are that diplomacy prevails during this week's Rio Group Summit being held in Santo Domingo. Dominican Foreign Ministry officials say that they are ready to hold the XX Conference of heads of state, during which Haiti is the invited guest. But recent international developments will add some tension to this week's meetings. On Monday it was reported that Colombia had killed FARC (Colombian Armed Revolutionary Forces) leader Luis Edgar Devia (alias Raul Reyes) during unsanctioned raids in Ecuador. It was later revealed, through documents found on a computer, that Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez had been funding FARC action, to the tune of US$300 million, angering many in the region. In the latest reports Venezuela has ordered the expulsion of the Colombian ambassador in Caracas. Both Chavez and Colombian president Alvaro Uribe have confirmed their attendance at the two-day event. As a result of the event, which will be held Thursday and Friday the Foreign Ministry will be closed for any civilian services and anyone traveling around Santo Domingo is warned to stay away from the Foreign Ministry's office due to the traffic restrictions. Parts of George Washington Avenue (the Malecon) will be closed as well Huascar Tejada and Robert Schomburg streets.
While Congress has "officially" resumed its duties, not much is likely to get done over the next few months because Deputies and Senators are caught up in the 2008 presidential elections. This means that many important bills and projects that need approval will be tabled until there are enough officials present to vote. Hoy quotes Chamber of Deputies president Julio Cesar Valentin who said that, "during electoral periods there tends to be a decrease in legislative activities because officials are at the center of the electoral battle". He added that the challenge for the Chamber is to get as much done as possible. Asked if it wasn't illegal for Deputies to be absent from work, Valentin commented that it is customary for officials to ask for flexibility in the months leading up to elections, adding that it happens in governments around the world. Valentin asked for people to be sensible, saying that during March Deputies will work normally, but that during April, as Election Day approaches, Deputies would take breaks to take part in campaign events. Some of the pending bills are the transfer of RD$162 million from 389 NGOs to official institution and recognized civil organizations. The creation of the post of Ombudsman (seven years in waiting), modification of the Penal Code, bills supporting small and medium-sized businesses (PYMES), anti-corruption legislation, creation of a sex offender registry, competitiveness legislation, motorbike taxi regulations, parking lot responsibility at shopping centers, creation of an arbitration law and the bill that will create the Tourism Development Institute.
State sector doctors will head for the picket lines tomorrow and Thursday, and it seems that no solution is in sight to stop the two-day strike. Yesterday's negotiations only yielded more empty dialogue, according to reports. Comments from Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, a respected negotiator, added to concerns. The VP said he understood the doctors' need to ask for pay raises and benefits, but explained that the government has a budget and that there is no money to cover their demands. Dominican Medical Association (CMD) vice president Tony Pimentel said that no progress was made during the negotiations because Public Health Ministry officials could not come up with any new offers.
Judges at the Supreme Court of Justice have confirmed the sentences against 10 former government officials charged in the Plan Renove scandal, declaring that their appeal in the high court was inadmissible. The next step for the judicial system is to announce the sentence and order the re-arrest of the ex-officials. If implemented, the decision could prove a triumph for the Dominican legal system in its pursuit of reducing government corruption and strengthening its often-weak judicial process. Hoy writes that the original sentence in the Plan Renove case was announced on 17 October 2005 by the National District's Fifth Penal Court of Appeals, in which the accused received a variety of jail sentences. Fabio Ruiz got four years in prison and a fine of RD$10 million, Milciades Amaro Guzman: three years in prison and RD$5 million, Antonio Marte: three years in prison and RD$8 million, Pedro Franco Badia: three years in prison and RD$15 million, Gervasio de la Rosa: two years in prison and RD$3 million, Blas Peralta: six months in prison and RD$2 million, Paulino Antonio Reynoso: two years in prison, Alfredo Pulinario Linares (Cambita): six months house arrest, Francisco A. Perez: six months house arrest, Freddy Mendez: six months house arrest and RD$1 million. Marte, who is the leader of the Conatra transport union, says that he is ready to go to jail if he has to, but added that he needs to be able to see his doctor once a week. The Plan Renove scam dates back to the Hipolito Mejia government (2000-2004) when government officials and businessmen conspired to defraud the state of RD$1.8 billion by selling the government overpriced Hyundai vehicles through dummy corporations.
Hoy is reporting that five transport organizations are threatening to hold marches and work stoppages in the coming days in response to the sentences handed down to transport union leaders Antonio Marte, Blas Peralta, Gervasio de la Rosa and Alfredo Pulinario (Cambita). Conatra, Fenatrado, Central Nacional de Transporte, the Northern Region Workers Transport Federation and the Bus Owners Association have all announced these stoppages because they believe the accused are innocent. Drivers in the National District, Santiago, Higuey, Azua and other cities will organize strikes that will affect some of the nation's busiest routes. Luis Bencosme, speaking for the transporters, said that the sentences are unjustified, adding that he believed that the government put pressure on the Supreme Court to issue this ruling.
Dominican Republic based telecommunications company Tricom, SA has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Friday, in a New York court. Among the debtors are the Bank of New York (as indentured trustee), Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Stark Trading, Citigroup and Credit Suisse International as the largest unsecured creditors. Hoy reports that the bankruptcy is part of a recapitalization plan for the company which began after Tricom defaulted on loan payments in 2003. The company has US$764.6 million in liabilities and its assets are listed at US$327 million. According to Tricom CEO Hector Castro Noboa, Tricom negotiated with their creditors to exchange their debts for stock in the company, reducing debt by 70%. Noboa added that with this step the company could focus its resources on strengthening its infrastructure. The reason a large company like Tricom must file for bankruptcy in court is because it is a publicly traded company and a judge must agree to the restructuring plans.
www.chapter11blog.com/chapter11/2008/03/tricom-sa-files.html
Members of the Armed Forces and brigades from three public ministries began cleaning the area around Boca Chica that was affected by a small oil spill on Sunday. The Navy, the Specialized Port Safety Corps (CESEP), Dominican Port Authority brigades, Environmental and Customs workers all took part in the clean-up efforts. Beaches have been closed and beachgoers turned away in as a preventive measure. Reports indicate that 800 gallons of bunker C oil was spilled, allegedly from a hole in the ship's hull during an accident while docking at Caucedo. Hoy reports that a group of kids playing in the surrounding area warned Navy officials about the oil spill. A total of 10 cubic meters of sand will have to be removed from the surrounding beaches where the oil spread.
The United States Embassy in Santo Domingo and the American Chamber of Commerce is inviting US citizens residing abroad to attend a seminar by an IRS tax consultant. The seminar will take place at the Gran Ventana Hotel, located in the Playa Dorada complex, on 6 March 2008 from 8:30pm until 10:30pm. It will be followed by a question and answer session. Anyone interested in attending may call the American Chamber of Commerce in Puerto Plata at 809 586-4979 to confirm. In addition, the IRS consultant will be available on Thursday afternoon from 1pm to 5pm and Friday morning from 8am to 12pm for brief individual meetings with US taxpayers who need to discuss complex and specific issues in private. Individual meetings will be held at the Consular Agency in Puerto Plata. Please call 809 586-8017 or 809 586-8023 to make an appointment. The Consular Agency is located in Puerto Plata, Calle Villanueva esq. John F. Kennedy, 2nd floor of Edificio Abraxas.
PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado has confirmed the long-standing rumor that late businessman Pedro Rivera, founder of Industrias Veganas (Induveca), was his father. Vargas revealed the secret during an interview with Nuria Piera and Huchi Lora. Vargas said that he inherited his work ethic and confidence from his father and holds no grudges against him. Asked why he isn't called by his father's last name, Vargas said that conditions at the time didn't allow for that to happen, although they did enjoy a personal and close relationship. Vargas spoke of his love for his mother, Altagracia Maldonado, who passed away in 2005.
A military official assigned to the National Drug Control Department (DNCD), Guillermo Tejada, is being treated at the National Police Hospital in Santo Domingo after receiving four close range shots to the head and thorax. He was taken to a hospital in San Cristobal, where the incident took place, before being transferred to Santo Domingo. Listin Diario reports that Tejada was getting into his vehicle, a Mercedes E-Class, when his attacker approached and fired four shots through the front right hand side window. The assailant, described as tall and white with straight hair, made his getaway in a red Toyota Corolla. Tejada's father is Guillermo Tejada, press director at Telecentro and Channel 27.
National Police are reporting that in 2007 6,474 people had their cellular phones stolen, 32 were killed and 228 were raped in incidents involving cellular phone theft. Of the total victims, 4,480 were men and 1,996 were women and of those killed 29 were men and 3 were women. According to statistics, most of these thefts took place in Santo Domingo province (2,232) and in the National District (1,668) and a total of 1,690 occurred elsewhere.
The chants of Rookie of the Year keep ringing louder and louder for Dominican star rookie Al Horford. Horford, who was the highest drafted Dominican in the NBA draft, has had a tremendous year for the Atlanta Hawks who are in the midst of a resurgence and are challenging for a playoff spot. Horford has won the award for the second time this year, winning first in November, and has been touted for his mature play and consistency, which aren't common for rookies. The 6'10 power forward is averaging double-double figures in points and rebounds and is among team leaders in blocks. Horford, who has been playing out of position, is also being congratulated on his effort to continue quality play through an 80 plus game NBA season. Congratulations Al!
The DR has announced that it will not compete in the 2009 World Baseball Classic if the country is not included as one of the host countries. Leonardo Matos Berrido, representing the Dominican Professional League, said that the DR was reconsidering its participation in the next WBC because WBC officials didn't even have the courtesy to respond to an application made by the DR in November. Host cities have been announced as Toronto, Mexico City, Tokyo, San Juan and Los Angeles. The DR has a legitimate gripe, considering that Dominican baseball players account for the largest number of foreign-born players in MLB, but the argument has always been that the DR doesn't have the baseball infrastructure to host MLB games.
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