Courting The Dominica Vote
From
El Diario
By Wilfredo Polanco
New York Governor George Pataki, and Democratic hopeful for that spot,
Andrew Cuomo, moved their political activities for a day to the Dominican
Republic, and for the first time two political figures campaigning for
U.S. office coincided upon the Caribbean isle, on what was clearly a political
visit.
Both men on their trip made campaign promises. Pataki spoke of helping
illegal Dominicans living in New York and declared his solidarity with
the families of the victims of Flight 587.
Cuomo, not wanting to be left behind, promised to intervene on the countrys
behalf, before the U.S. government, to be included in a possible free
trade agreement with Central America. He also expressed his condolences
to the families of the 175 Dominicans killed in the November 12th air
tragedy.
The candidate and the governor held meetings with members of different
sectors and were both received by President Hipolito Mejia.
In order to underscore the conjecture that Santo Domingo became the center
of the aspirations of both American politicians, Cuomo highlighted the
economic and political importance of the Dominican community in New York,
acknowledging his desire to gain their vote in his campaign for governor.
Meanwhile, Pataki became the first U.S. official to visit the country
on a non-US sponsored trip for his own personal gain. The governor walked
through an impoverished barrio in the countrys capital and play
basketball at a local court.
According to local political observers, Cuomo was able to downplay the
effectiveness of Patakis visit, now that the local press is questioning
the real reasons behind the visits.
For former president Leonel Fernandez, who met with Cuomo, stated the
politicians visits demonstrate the influence that the Dominican
Republic has on the political and economic decisions of New York State.
The ex-leader emphasized that in this age of globalization one of the
countrys most important sectors are its countrymen residing in New
York, Boston, Massachussets and New Jersey.
He stated that the entire country should feel good about the Dominican
community residing in the "capital of the world" and the "clear
evidence of the strength that it has gained."
Translated from Spanish by Armando Reyes.
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