Defense chief hints at replacing himself

Santo Domingo.- Defense minister Sigfrido Pared on Sunday hinted at his own replacement when he noted that Dominican citizens are ready for a civilian to head the military, as the new armed forces statutes stipulate.

"In fact, all Presidents have been civilians and the armed forces and defense ministers worldwide greatly respect the presidential figure as Supreme Commander of the armed forces," the official said, just one week after he announced that he was “ready to leave the military ranks after 41 years of service.”

"We therefore are prepared to do so, and in fact nearly all Latin America and world countries have civilians as Defense ministers, and militaristic countries such as Chile, have not only had civilian defense ministers, but also women, even pregnant," Pared said in an interview on Santo Domingo TV.