From Lucha
Organ of the Communist Party of Labor
June, 1995

MIUCA Proposes a Dialogue of the Opposition

The Movement for Independence, Unity and Change (MIUCA) proposes to the liberal and progressive forces of the opposition the beginning of a national dialogue which can contribute to the interchange of points of view about the situation in the country and the possible alternatives to advance.

All our organizations in some way, have shown a preoccupation with the negative effects produced by the existing political economy and the evident blunders in the political conduct of the country.

The figures are eloquent and show that while wealth is concentrated in an ever smaller group, extreme poverty effects 58% of the population; salaries are practically frozen, unemployment and underemployment affect the majority of the working sector, while the crisis in the public services, the galloping high cost of living, the institutionalized corruption in the State, the decrease to less than 10% of the forest reserves of the country, and the massive exodus abroad indicate that urgent changes are needed.

National industry is ever more unable to compete with foreign industry. We are a country in which everything is imported, which provides an incentive for the accords signed by the government with international organisms.

Our forces have sought for formulas which contribute to breaking with the political stagnation that has existed, fundamentally, since 1961. To promote the political participation of organized civil society is a guarantee to crystallize the dream of Duarte [19th century independence hero] and the most foresighted restorers [of independence of the 19th century].

We have at hand democratic achievements such as those included in the Pact for Democracy in which is consigned the prohibition against the reelection of the president, the double turn is established and the presidential, congressional and municipal elections are separated.

Another step in this sense

We are a country of formal democracy, in which the exclusion which reigned in the Era of Trujillo, is maintained fundamentally, and in which citizen participation is limited to the act of voting.

The Plebiscite, the Constituent [Assembly] and the Referendum, seen as fundamental elements of the democratic game in which means of consulting citizens have not been a fundamental preoccupation of our constituents . Nevertheless, even dictators such as Pinochet and Fujimori were further, in this sense, than our legislators.

We should simply accept that our liberal and progressive forces have been incapable to reach agreement even on a general program of reforms.

Nevertheless, this is one of the characteristics of our history. The conservatives, from Alfau, Santana, Baez, Lilis, Trujillo and the neo-Trujillistas have formed a united front which has permitted them, as Duarte said, to make themselves masters of the situation.

No one can take away any merit from the heroism and justice of the struggle and plans of the trinity [three independence heroes of the 19th century], restorers and of the anti-Trujillo movements, the movement of which our forces are the continuers.

We made a war against Spain to restore the independence and the result is the conservative sector which with Baezz at the head took possession, repeating the history of Santana towards the Trinity.

When one thinks that with Lilis the liberal sector could implement its project this passes to the conservative sector.

Despite the existing difficulties we are optimists. We think that if there is political will it is possible to advance.

Political retirement and the shadow of Trujillo

The retirement of Dr. Balaguer has been [pautado]; nevertheless there is no certainty that the retirement of the courtier of the Trujillo Era means that the conservative sector will be removed from power.

The permanence of the judicial framework of the Trujillo Era, the non-implementation of political and social reforms which make viable citizen participation has been the product of the continuity in power of the conservative sector.

If in spite of the political retirement it should happen that neo-Trujillismo is imposed again, this would strengthen the feeling of historical defeat which affects the people. Therefore we should align ourselves in favor off the introduction of important political and social reforms, conscious of the fact that a new defeat could have extremely negative repercussions.

MIUCA considers neo-Trujillismo the fundamental obstacle to democratic institutionalism, the popular welfare and the political participation of the masses.

An agenda for change

As we have said, we are partisans of a dialogue of the opposition which will permit us to exchange points of view and to shed light on alternatives for a solution to the grave problems of the country.

If there is a political will this dialogue will be possible. We can agree upon a common agenda for discussion, without any force losing its independence nor anyone speaking for another.

Change does not only involve the search for a new government and different forms of leading and administering, but above all, a change in the direction of the country.

Change begins with the fact that diverse forces, such as ours, but which consider themselves liberal and progressives, can assume common propositions in regard tostate management and administration, about the strategy for national development, immediate political reforms, among others.

MIUCA and immediate reforms

MIUCA has presented the Central Electoral Board and the National Congress three draft laws which propose modifications to the Electoral Law and the Constitution of the Republic.

I - A draft which would permit Dominicans living abroad to exercise their right to vote in national elections in the countries in which they are living.

II - A draft of a General Law of Parties which seeks to perfect and make real the Electoral Law suggesting modifications and mechanisms which, if they are applied consistently, would cut out once and for all the mercurial and sell-out practices into which the political activity of the country has fallen.

Besides this draft proposes more objective conditions

for the recognition and maintenance of political parties. It proposes the elimination of the exonerations and whatever other forms of intervention by the Executive Power in the financing of parties.

MIUCA proposes that it be the Central Electoral Board that supports and finances the party activity in conformity with the number of votes obtained by them in the immediately preceding elections.

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