NewsWhore
09-14-2009, 04:00 PM
Writing in Saturday's Hoy newspaper, opinion columnist Fabio Herrera-Minino speculated about possible reasons for the delay in the arrival of a new US ambassador to the DR. The reasons he listed included supposed involvement in drug trafficking by high-ranking government and military figures. He comments that the government officials in question have luxury residences and a level of spending that their monthly wages cannot account for. This is combined with the Dominican government's resistance to applying measures aimed at cleaning up its reputation, giving the impression that it does not care whether its government officials are engaged in illegal activities.
Another reason could be the Fernandez administration's wholehearted support for the Venezuelan government. This is reflected in the increasing level of dependence on Venezuela with the sale of 49% of shares in the Dominican petroleum refinery, Refidomsa to the Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA, enabling Venezuela to manipulate Dominican policy even further at a time when tensions between the US and Venezuela are increasing.
Active lobbying by former US ambassadors who subsequently move on to represent US companies and have unlimited access to the powers that be in DR politics and business could also be a factor. He goes on to claim that these "quickie diplomats" have become part of the inner circles of Dominican society and its exclusive entertainment zones.
Lastly, he speculates that it could be the government's laissez faire approach and lack of responsibility in fattening its consular and foreign missions in several US cities in a way that makes it impossible for the US Department of State to grant the privileges that come with the posts. He cites the extreme cases of the consulate in NY and the United Nations.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)
Another reason could be the Fernandez administration's wholehearted support for the Venezuelan government. This is reflected in the increasing level of dependence on Venezuela with the sale of 49% of shares in the Dominican petroleum refinery, Refidomsa to the Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA, enabling Venezuela to manipulate Dominican policy even further at a time when tensions between the US and Venezuela are increasing.
Active lobbying by former US ambassadors who subsequently move on to represent US companies and have unlimited access to the powers that be in DR politics and business could also be a factor. He goes on to claim that these "quickie diplomats" have become part of the inner circles of Dominican society and its exclusive entertainment zones.
Lastly, he speculates that it could be the government's laissez faire approach and lack of responsibility in fattening its consular and foreign missions in several US cities in a way that makes it impossible for the US Department of State to grant the privileges that come with the posts. He cites the extreme cases of the consulate in NY and the United Nations.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)