Judge blocks cement factory, Dominican President to consult the UN

Judge blocks cement factory

http://www.ww4report.com - From Weekly News Update on the Americas

23rd June 2009

On June 19 Judge Sarah Enríquez Marín of the Administrative Litigation Court of the National District (Santo Domingo) ordered the Consorcio Minero Dominicano mining company to suspend construction of a cement factory it was building near the town of Gonzalo, in Sabana Grande de Boyá municipality in the northeastern Dominican province of Monte Plata. She issued the order in relation to a complaint the United Communities Movement of Peasant Workers (MCCU) and the environmental group Espeleogrupo had filed on May 20 against the Environment Ministry charging that the ministry had granted Consorcio Minero Dominicano the license for the plant illegally.

Judge Enríquez Marín cited possible damage to the environment as her reason for ordering the suspension and gave the plaintiffs 30 days to substantiate their complaint. The company's lawyers said they would appeal. (El Nuevo Diario, Dominican Republic, June 19; La Opinión, Los Angeles, June 20 from El Diario-La Prensa, NY))

The factory site is near Los Haitises National Park, the second largest source of natural water in the country. Environmentalists and area residents have been protesting the plant for months, charging that it will displace local campesinos and degrade the water supply. Residents of Gonzalo celebrated the judge's decision, as did youths who have maintained an encampment near the site since May 16. Lawyers indicated that the suspension, although temporary, has set a legal precedent. (El Panorama Diario, Dominican Republic, June 20)

Dominican President to consult the UN on controversial cement plants

http://www.dominicantoday.com

25th June 2009

SANTO DOMINGO.- President Leonel Fernandez announced yesterday that he requested of the United Nations, through United Nations National Development  Program (UNDP), to evaluate the cement plants being built near the Los Haitises National Park and in Luperón, Puerto Plata, to make a final decision.

In a luncheon with media directors in the National Palace, Fernandez affirmed that on controversial issues which affect public opinion he’ll seek out the expertise of neutral international organisms to make the corresponding decision.

The chief executive’s comments came during a luncheon with media directors Wednesday afternoon.

Court win boosts cement plant opponents to press on

23rd June 2009

http://www.dominicantoday.com

Santo Domingo. – Despite last week’s court ruling which temporarily suspended the construction of the cement plant near the Los Haitises National Park, the organizations who oppose it will forge on with their protests.

In that regard, Maria del Mar Mella, of the movement Revuelta (revolt) told newspaper Clave Digital that a march will take place in La Vega province (central) on Wednesday and on Friday in Barcelona, Spain, they’ll also stage a protest against the plant owned by the Santiago-based Consorcio Minero Dominicano.

She said the “Artistic Act for Los Haitises” will be staged on July 4, and that the solidarity campsites will continue in the zone.

The activist said the manifestations seek to convert the National District Arbitration Court’s ruling into the plant’s definitive halt. “We must continue with our fight because that court’s decision is temporary and there are many people here who don’t know where that cement will be built.”

The ruling halts the plant’s construction until the courts set the hearings on the suit filed by the various organizations.

The Government has scheduled a “conversation” with the press on the controversial construction next Wednesday.