NEW MILITARY UNIT STARTS OPERATIONS IN DOMINICAN-HAITIAN BORDER TODAY

SANTO DOMINGO.- Starting today security along the Dominican-Haiti
border's 300 miles will be the mission of the Specialized Frontier
Security Corp (Cesfront), which will operate in coordination with
Immigration, Customs, the drug-enforcement agency (DNCD) and the
Border Intelligence Operations Department.

The entity's 500 agents are equipped with hi-tech weapons, all
terrain vehicles and air units. Its officers and enlistees were
especially training during two years, and are better paid and fed.

Armed Forces minister Ramon Aquino said the soldiers will work
against contraband, illegal immigration and will support Customs and
other agencies which operate in the border area. He said Cesfront
will have 2,000 agents by next year.