He regrets historical ignorance…

SANTO DOMINGO. President Leonel Fernandez proposed a strategic plan yesterday that calls for concrete and specific actions aimed at remaking Haiti, a nation that was affected by an earthquake last January.

In that sense, the President suggested that public works such as highways, universities and others be identified and presented to the World Conference to be held in favor of Haiti next 2 June in Santo Domingo, as well as in other events.

As he took part in the "Global Dominican-Haitian Forum", Fernandez pointed out that the country should use the June summit and makes it a commitment by the international community in each area of need. "For example, if we talk about the territorial dimension, development poles and infrastructure, it has been said that Haiti needs highways, but this is a generic statement. What we have to do is define which roads, how many kilometers and how to finance them", he stated.

The president reiterated his commitment to build a university in the neighboring country at a cost of US$50 million, but it will not be built as a government project, but rather as that of a country. In order to do this he has convened the business sector so that they can contribute their proportions for the center that will be finished in 2011.

The Dominican leader said he understood that they had to look for money, which could come from governments and from international institutions that have come together and on this foundation, create the dream of "a Haiti that can convert the tragedy into hope and that will serve as a starting point for its future".

Fernandez indicated that as both countries get to know each other better, they will learn to share and not be afraid to discuss their differences, "we will have to peoples united, struggling for the same better future".

"The motto should be, Haiti and the DR, hand in hand, advancing towards progress, democracy and modernization", he cried out.