Representatives of 44 social, environmental and labor unions today asked president Leonel Fernandez to revert the concession to build a cement plant near the Los Haitises National Park (northeast), in a document delivered to the National Palace, read by the group’s spokesman Francisco A. Santos.

They also ask the Head of State to abide by Decree 17-06, which seeks to preserve and improve the living conditions of the zone’s inhabitants. “Dominican society isn’t going to allow or forgive that its waters, biodiversity and its very life are sacrificed to satisfy a hunger for a business that can be developed in other areas where its environmental and social impact will be less dramatic. Mr. President repeal that concession and history will remember you.”

The letter stresses their concern and disagreement with the Government’s mining concession for the company Consorcio Minero Dominicano near Los Haitises. “The dilemma isn’t water or cement. It’s water in Los Haitises and cement elsewhere. It’s a question of life or death and the decision is in your hands.”