Yesterday we reported the Minister of Tourism was preparing to face charges before the Supreme Court of the Dominican Republic, today Felix Jimenez is defending himself.  

The charges are referring to his exploitation of the Dominican Republic’s National Park in the east (one of the protected areas in the DR) for his own personal financial gain and construction of a hotel project.  

In response Mr. Jimenez said that selling off protected areas is done in dozens of other countries with tourism as one of its main activities, though with regulatory mechanisms to prevent depredation and he added the Dominican Government should not be “blackmailed” by “eco-terrorists”. 

Felix Jimenez favors the new boundaries in the protected areas because in his view those in effect before, were traced without adequate scientific criteria. 

Dating back to the 1970’s was the last time when the boundaries were drawn up.  Mr. Jimenez consulted with one of the original technicians who participated in the process over 37 years ago.  The information from the technician said that the borders were drawn up without any information or research with what would now be considered internationally accepted scientific criteria for such cases.  

He said that when the then president Joaquin Balaguer issued the first decrees for the protected areas no scientists, marine biologists, zoo technicians, botanists and geographers where ever consulted to suitably trace boundaries based on their technical criteria/results for protected territories.  

Felix Jimenez stands firm and said that the Dominican State cannot be let “blackmailed” by “four of five eco-terrorists’. 

Jimenez was being interviewed by the Corripio Media Group, the case continues….      

An estimated whopping 500,000 passengers are expected to visit the Dominican Republic during the 2007-2008 Cruise Ship Season according to Tourism Vice Minister Senora Magalys Toribio. 

The Vice Minister said during a conference titled “Potential development and economic impact of cruise ports” that from October to April this year 256,165 tourists came to the Dominican Republic aboard 139 ships, which was less than the same period for 2005-2006 when some 300,000 passengers arrived on 250 cruise ships. 

She continued to remark that a recent study had taken place and found that the cruise industry contributes more than US$21 millions to the port’s immediate area. 

The Dominican Republic’s geographical position is a privileged location and port of transition for other international ports. 

Another study conducted by the Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA) discovered that a cruise ship’s 2000 passengers and also the 800 crewmembers would spend on average US$190,476 in each city where it makes a stop.Brea said “If the harbor and service taxes are added to this each ship that arrives in a Dominican Port contributes nearly US$260,000 to that particular region”.  

The new Sans Souci Pot will be opening in December of this year with standards comparable if not better than those of other international ports and that the facilities at Catherine Island and Samana have been given on concession to companies. San Souci and Don Diego Ports have been leased with a US$50 million investment to the new port terminals.   

Sammy Sosa hits his 600^th homerun and proudly joins The 600 Club, along with other legends Hank Aaron 755, Barry Bonds 748, Babe Ruth 714 and Willie Mays 660! 

Home Grown Dominican Sammy hit the first home run of his career exactly 18 years ago today (Thursday) against Roger Clemens in Boston. 

Known as the Caribbean Bambino in the Dominican Republic, he recently recalled that his goal in baseball was “just to be a fifth outfielder on the Texas Rangers”. 

Well a huge Congratulations goes out to this astonishing man who has just become the fifth man in major leaguer history to hit his 6ooth homer!