NewsWhore
10-22-2007, 05:00 PM
New documents have turned up in the Sun Land case, but they only serve to confuse matters even further. According to Diario Libre, a letter from the subcontractors of the construction projects at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) to Felix Bautista, the head of the Office of Supervising Engineers of State Public Works (OISOE) reveals that the contractors offered to finance the construction. The letter is dated 10 July 2007. According to the proposal, the contractors would finish the projects within 12 months, with no payments to be made by the government. The subcontractors said that the promissory notes currently in the hands of the HSBC Bank USA are sufficient guarantee of payment. What, according to Diario Libre, really stands out is the fact that the proposal is dated just three months ago, not over a year ago when the notes were signed by Bautista. The letter also mentions a total budget of RD$3,057,397,673.16. Nevertheless, in paid adverts in the local press, Delgado Malagon, the supervising engineer for the projects, published a figure of US$112,267,713, which at an exchange rate of RD$33.50 per dollar is equal to RD$3,760,968,385.50, a number impressively higher than the contractor's figure. Another item that raised eyebrows was the legal fees, which were estimated to total almost 40% of the total contract. Furthermore, the five public works that were to be built with the funds contrast with the 11 public works listed in the contract signed with Sun Land.
Diario Libre also points to the RD$924 million that was to be allotted to pay for legal and banking fees, plus interest for borrowing RD$2.07 million. Furthermore, the government was to make another RD$900 million available to pay for complementary works and for equipping them. Diario Libre points out that the original contract with Sun Land had covered all costs.
Diario Libre adds that OISOE director, Felix Bautista has not been available for questioning by the press.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9)
Diario Libre also points to the RD$924 million that was to be allotted to pay for legal and banking fees, plus interest for borrowing RD$2.07 million. Furthermore, the government was to make another RD$900 million available to pay for complementary works and for equipping them. Diario Libre points out that the original contract with Sun Land had covered all costs.
Diario Libre adds that OISOE director, Felix Bautista has not been available for questioning by the press.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9)