Dominican Republic big business says no more open border

Santo Domingo.- National Business Council (Conep) presidentRafael Blanco said his sector works "hand in hand" at all levels withauthorities to defend the government’s program to legalize foreigners, and that the border with Haiti can no longer remain open.

"We’re working with the Government looking for waysthat allow us to take the message of the Dominican Republic, in the media and inthe world’s influential power centers, we can say in the US, Europe, SouthAmerica," Blanco said after a visit by Conep leaders to president Danilo Medinain the National Palace.

He said the world should know that the program tolegalize foreigners is by the Dominican Republic, a country which he affirms hasshown the most solidarity with Haiti. "We’ve had our borders open for longperiods of time to assimilate a lot of our Haitian brothers who’ve had theopportunity to work on this side, now, of course, Dominican Republic needs toregularize the situation."