Dominican Republic's Guzman passes on

President Antonio Guzman Fernandez, who passed on Sunday after a shooting incident, was instrumental in stabilizing democracy in a country with a history of dictatorships.

Guzman, who had not run for reelection after a four-year term, was scheduled to leave office Aug. 16, when President-elect Salvador Jorge Blanco is to take over.

A government spokesman said Mr. Guzman's pistol accidentally discharged, fatally wounding him. However, other government sources said the President committed suicide in the bathroom of his office, but offered no motive or explanation.