Dominican economist Luis H. Vargas (Director of Estadísticas e Investigaciones) said that the Dominican Republic should do more active management with foreign governments and international organizations to deal with the Haitian crisis, "which could become the main problem of Dominicans from a social point of view."

Vargas explained that the Dominican Government should ask the international community, in particular the United States, Canada and France, for greater material, technical and financial cooperation in order to contribute to the resolution of the economic, social and environmental policy.

In this regard, he believes that the Dominican Government should convene an international summit to address the Haitian question and in particular the United Nations Security Council. Likewise, he thinks that the Dominican Republic should coordinate more effectively the articulation of industrial free export zones between the two countries.

He also urged to encourage dialogue between State, commercial, civil, university and ecclesiastical institutions of the two Nations. "This dialogue can be based on the formation or consolidation of entities dedicated to monitoring and research linked to government agencies, academic entities, business associations and civil institutions."

Another of Vargas' proposals is that the Dominican Republic should continue to strengthen the program of customs establishments along the border and cooperate with Haiti to have the same number of control establishments in each of the countries at all existing border points in order to collect taxes in both Nations.

The economist also suggests that the Dominican Government demand that the international community, in particular the main developed countries including the United States, implement a joint plan to contain and then reduce hunger in Haiti before it is too late.

Finally, he believes that the Dominican Republic can help Haiti with a humanitarian aid plan managed by the Dominican Government, with contributions from the national budget and from various private companies and national institutions.

SL/ HaitiLibre