President Meets with Representatives of Jewish-American Congress

President Meets with Representatives of Jewish-American Congress
New York, 26/9/2010

Dominican President Leonel Fernández, met in New York with representatives from the Jewish-American Congress who expressed their willingness to collaborate with Dominican authorities for the reconstruction of Haiti.

Other topics discussed included the economic impact in the region in the face of the global financial crisis as well as the growing drug trafficking problem in Latin America.

In addition to the reconstruction of Haiti, Fernández spoke with a select group of Jewish-American Congress members about different Latin American issues that have an effect on American society. Those present at the meeting included David Herrera, Dina Sheel Van and Helliot Rose, according to the President’s Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

Other topics discussed included the economic impact in the region in the face of the global financial crisis as well as the growing drug trafficking problem in Latin America.

The Dominican President updated the group on the level of progress of the Haitian reconstruction after the country was devastated by an earthquake this past January 12. He stressed that there is still a lack of will and decisive support essential to deal with the enormous need faced by Haiti.
Fernández reminded the group that prior to the earthquake, Haiti already had serious difficulties caused by the inherent weakness of the country’s institutions added now to the economic crisis that has been dragging the country down for years. He said the world community has a moral obligation to help the precarious economic and social situation facing millions of Haitians today.

He told the group that the Dominican Republic is building a university in Haiti at the cost of some $500 million dollars.

Representatives of the Jewish-American Congress told President Fernández that they admired what his government was doing to help the Haitian people and that they recognized his leadership in getting the international community to join the solidarity organized around helping this Caribbean nation.
Later, President Fernández toured the installations of the Museo del Barrio, where he was able to view the different and fascinating roots of Hispanic culture in New York.