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Peru's next Prime Minister says some of Garcia's cabinet must stay

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

After confirming he had been called as the country's new Prime Minister, Yehude Simon, the governor of Lambayeque, stated there were several cabinet members that should continue serving Peru.

Among those that should remain as ministers are José Antonio García Belaunde, Peru's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mercedes Aráoz, the Andean country's Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism.

Simon stated that it was especially important to keep García Belaunde because of the upcoming APEC leaders summit and Aráoz because of free trade negotiations with China.

"Considering we have an economic meeting, García Belaunde is fundamental in this cabinet and Mercedes Aráoz is important, the whole topic with the free trade deal with China," said Simon.

"These two sectors are fundamental."

He added that Luis Valdivieso was also a key element in Garcia's cabinet, stating it was important that Valdivieso continue to be Peru's minister of economy during the global financial crisis that is affecting markets around the world.

In other statements, Yehude Simon explained that in the cases of other ministers, the time had come for them to accept that their time in the cabinet had come to an end.

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# Jeff says :
11 October, 2008 [ 14:15 ]

Hmmm, imagine the President, woke up with a dream and decided to approach the Peru people with a dream. "Peru!!", lets build a Peru home energy system. Let’s build windmills, solar panels, create more lakes and water reserves, plant trees, find ways to store energy cheaply and over all create jobs. These energy systems will require builders, electricians, mechanics and more. We will make better use of our own oil, natural gas.  For the average Peruvian I offer to lower you energy bill, promote more jobs and clean the environment at the same time. I will encourage our government to find contractors to build simple, good, clean homes for our people who all can afford them. We will make more lakes and wells so clean water is more available. Also by becoming more energy independent from the world, I make our country less influence by world politics. I will create more schools, so all our children can have more opportunity. As a whole Peruvian Citizen, I offer more freedom, by being more energy independent and environmentally friendly! 

# SA says :
11 October, 2008 [ 16:16 ]

Sadly I doubt that any real meaningful change will occur.

# Jeff says :
11 October, 2008 [ 18:31 ]

 If you think of an economy like a pyramid. The most blessed are at the top and the most helpless are at the bottom. We as Christians who are blessed, should help the helpless. If you raise the bottom of the pyramid,the foundation rises and so does the whole pyramid. The problems with most leaders or groups of leaders at the top of the pyramid, they are so focus, so selfish on themselves, the top of the pyramid grows and grows and becomes fat and wildly. Eventually the top of the pyamid becomes like a big fat head with a narror neck. But the neck can not support the head and snaps. Power corrupts and the head destroys its self. The structure colapses.
 The blessed Christians should always focus on the most helpless. To fight corruptions of power, always encourage free speech and elect leaders of the peoples wishes!

# Viracocha says :
11 October, 2008 [ 19:54 ]

Hola Jeff, if you are not too busy a few months before the next election...prepare to run for President please....I am sure 90% of Peru agrees with your philosophies.

# Jeff says :
11 October, 2008 [ 21:28 ]

Gracious "Viracocha"... but I think this would be impossible. I am US citizen. I make my comments on this website, because I like the website and I think Peruvians are a wonderful good people.

# Viracocha says :
11 October, 2008 [ 22:04 ]

No worries,Jeff.
I am married to a lovely Peruana lady from Lima.
We live in Aussie but constantly monitor Peru events.
Anyway, your words may inspire Peruanas....it never hurts to have targets to aim for, eh?
Only God knows where Alan's new ministry will lead the country,although Alan's newly appointed Prime Minister seems to have a somewhat worrysome history.
I seem to remember that those same terrorists appeared during Alan's previous presidency and the man,Fujimori,who put them down, is now in the clink.....strange evolution, I think.

We pray for more positive evolution for Peru.

Chau,
Viracocha & Mamacocha

# John says :
12 October, 2008 [ 00:15 ]

The country is sick from top to bottom.  Corruption all the way through, from president to policeman.  Everyone thinks for the moment, is ruled by greed, and would sell their mother from a profit. Short term thinking.. who cares about tomorrow or yesterday... gimme gimme gimme it now.   How many people here that are not family would you honestly trust when it comes to money in Peru?  Accept corruption and the media turn poverty and misfortune in to entertainament, ie Gisella.
 
The unfortunate and perhaps controvertial truth is that in many cases the problem with peru are the peruvians themselves.

# Bruno says :
12 October, 2008 [ 04:33 ]

With the global crisis of capitalism, the decay of US-American empire, the rebirth of the non-aligned movement, the successes of people's China, the victory of Russia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon over USrael and, last but not least, the successes of XXIth century socialism in almost all Indo-America, it looks quite normal Peruvian authorities are now finally taking into account Peru's popular and native roots and interests. But the question now is : Is Yehude Simon the sign that corrupt and right-wing regime in Peru is vanishing or is the still president of Peru trying to "buy" a left-wing politician to save its neoliberal and neocolonial puppet policy ? Simon will for sure give soon part of the answer. But the second part of the answer will belong to the Peruvian mass organizations which have to be conscious they must put a strong pressure over Peru's governement if Peru has to go toward the Bolivian-Ecuadorian progressive path, which is also the "natural" path for the mass of Andean Peruvians. Let's hope the future liberation of unity for all the Indo-America !

# John says :
12 October, 2008 [ 11:16 ]

Me thinks be they left or be they right... the hand will be in the cookie jar nonetheless.

Like the proverbial scorpion that stings the frog who is carrying him accross the river, and ends up drowning with the frog.. when the Scorpion asked why he stung the frog, knowing that it would lead to a certain death for himself and the frog, the scorpion replied... "I couldn`t help it, its my nature".    Hmmm...parallels between Peru and corruption?

# Mike says :
12 October, 2008 [ 16:50 ]

Well, first of all, Jeff's analogy that the economy is like a pyramid is wrong - and shows a startling about of ignorance.

Second of all, I completely agree - you can appoint all of the ex-terrorists....er....leftists....you want, and it won't change a bit of the corruption. Just different hands out to be paid.

21st century socialism is as dead as 20th century socialism.  Socialism does not work, period.

# Mike says :
12 October, 2008 [ 16:50 ]

Well, first of all, Jeff's analogy that the economy is like a pyramid is wrong - and shows a startling about of ignorance.

Second of all, I completely agree - you can appoint all of the ex-terrorists....er....leftists....you want, and it won't change a bit of the corruption. Just different hands out to be paid.

21st century socialism is as dead as 20th century socialism.  Socialism does not work, period.

# Mike says :
12 October, 2008 [ 16:50 ]

Well, first of all, Jeff's analogy that the economy is like a pyramid is wrong - and shows a startling about of ignorance.

Second of all, I completely agree - you can appoint all of the ex-terrorists....er....leftists....you want, and it won't change a bit of the corruption. Just different hands out to be paid.

21st century socialism is as dead as 20th century socialism.  Socialism does not work, period.

# Anonymous Dave says :
12 October, 2008 [ 17:40 ]

Socialism works fine and exists alongside managed free markets around the world in dozens of countries. I think you are referring to communism Mike.

Socialism and capitalism are both as flawed as the humans that created them, both are manipulated by corrupt individuals and both can collapse without adequate re-manipulation to fight those individuals' actions.

# Jeff says :
12 October, 2008 [ 18:28 ]

To be Christian is socially connected everyone else. I also believe in Democracy and Captialism.

# indigo says :
12 October, 2008 [ 19:12 ]

Mike, are you from the United States?

# Mike says :
12 October, 2008 [ 19:20 ]

Communism has never actually been used for government (as far as I know - the so-called communists have all been totalitarians of various types).  I seriously doubt it would work.

I was referring to Socialism insofar as being a major part of government - I agree that certain, small doses do work.

On the other hand, Capitalism, having been a major part of many governments, has worked.

And I also agree with you, Dave, that the systems are only as good as the people running them.

# Mike says :
12 October, 2008 [ 19:32 ]

Yes.  I am married to a Peruana, and we stay in Peru about 2-3 months a year.

# John says :
12 October, 2008 [ 19:36 ]

Thieving gypsies are thieving gypsies.. left or right.. dont make a damn difference.  

Cop just hassled my wife for 10 soles today when she was driving...told her he would make her go to the cop station all day... if she did nto give him money.. he then laughed when she offered 10 soles..had to give hiim 20.. pretty much threatening a pregnant woman on her own. 

Cop or govt minister.. dont make a blind bit of difference.. theyre scum  and the country and its people are for sale

# Jeff says :
12 October, 2008 [ 19:39 ]

My points earlier, was the power of "Freedom of Speech" to help stop the goverment from being so corrupt. Also the power of free elections of government leaders who represent the wishes of the common people. These things help protect the common rights and well being of the people. I also wish those elected are people with compasionate, caring, christian type hearts in their decision making for the people.

# Indigo says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:12 ]

Mike and other United Stateans: then you ought not to be criticizing Peru given the thievery that has been going on in your own country and which is negatively affecting THE WHOLE WORLD.  Thanks guys!!!

I know that it's hard to acknowledge that your country is no longer the centre of the universe in terms of world power.

Get used to it.

# Jeff says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:19 ]

I dont critize Peru. I like Peru and thing well of its people! My wishes are of good with respect for Peru!

# Jeff says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:25 ]

I dont critize Peru. I like Peru and think well of its people! My wishes are of good with respect for Peru! I dont say my opinions on this or that. I try to be honest here and speak clearlyI am not from Peru. I dont have that first hand of life, perspective. Some mention earlier that 90% of Peru would agree with my ideas. I respectfully and honestly acknowldege I am not from Peru. I dont presume to tell your people what to do. I am for the support of Peru's own opinions of how they wish their own government to be and act; I wish the peoples of Peru voice to be heard clearly!!!!!!!!! I respect Peru and its people!!!!!!!!

# Mike says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:29 ]

Tell you what, Indigo; when Peru even gets a fraction of the standards that are in the US, then I'll stop criticizing.

Better yet, how about more than a handful of Peruvians standing up and criticizing the way things go in Peru?

As for the financial mess, I guess you would need to know what was going on before you could judge that.  You should read the newspaper before making comments.

# John says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:33 ]

John;

My wife says to offer the police a "tip" before even getting into an argument.  At first I didn't like the idea, but her argument is that the police are so poorly paid, it's better to give them a little money as your "fine" then give it to the government where it goes to...what?

Seems like a no-win situation.

# John says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:40 ]

Easy tiger... I am not from the US.. I am from a way more refined place ;) 

However, I think in the US you would be hard pushed to find cops bullying pregnant women for 20 soles. 

And where I am from we think about the land, care about the people, value community and we look after our weakest members.  Most importantly, for the most part,  we think about tomorrow, and remember the lessons of yesterday.

Yes of course there exists corruption, but not absolute corruption. 

I love Peru, but I really cant take Lima and most of the folks here. The greed is everywhere and selfishness abound.   

Now get of of Lima and the people become human again.  

# Mike says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:45 ]

Most cities/towns, outside of pueblitos, seem to be miniature versions of Lima.  Still, I generally agree with you on that John.  I really like Huancayo.

# John says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:46 ]

She did nothing wrong, he pulled her over and was using his brain cell to think up problems.  Bribery isnt the solution to corruption or low pay. My point is its easier to for them to seek bribes than organize and demand better pay and working conditions.  That would require thinking beyond the moment and about more than yourself.  

# Jeff says :
12 October, 2008 [ 21:52 ]

I understand what is going on. The down side of elections, on occasion we in democracy can elect poor leader. Our leadership, our governement with its decision making, or maybe the cabinet prior, still our government in made laws or rules that decide how our bankers, lenders and stock market plays. Our Banks, Lenders were given to much freedom to make risky loans. Our banks create stocks which are sold and passed about 100s to maybe 1000s of times. Banks and lenders made bad loans and are suffering from their decisions. The banks are doing what they can to survive, even selling what they own in stocks. Stocks first give money to a company, but then this stock is passed about with the belief the stock will grow. The stock then is only a belief and no tangible asset is attached. When a bank gives a loan at least property is attached. If the loan fails the banks has the property to sell. As all these banks try to survive all these risky loans, they die or sell much stock. The owners of second and so on stocks dive in the process, they own no tangible asset. The second and so stocks only have the belief the company does well. As the banks, lenders sour, the stocks sour also. 
 In the 1980s our goverment put forth a tast to the top 10 biggest industries and military of USA. Its quest was to understand how computers, robotics, automatition would effect society as it grows. If you grow the computer industry, you unemployee workers. If you unemployee workers how does the ecomony grow to buy the products?
 This accedemic science was develope in St. Louis Missour, by Washington University in Missour. Consult with these proffessors and you will grow you own economy for the long run.
 Currently our government is preocupied with the banks, lenders and stock exchange for a fast buck. It does not nuture the base of the country, the people. Computers and the current laws of our counry nuture the grow of turning over of stocks. Stocks have no tangible asset. A stock is only a belief, nothing else.
 The true value of money or currrency comes from when a person makes something, produces something or even helps his fellow man. This is a tangible asstet.
 So now our government scrabbels to save these banks, lenders and those who invest in our stocks. The result for the USA citizen will be bigger taxes and more inflation. Anyone, any country who bought off these stocks will suffer also.
 If you really want you own country to prosper. You want you country to be as much as possible self reliant and to creat jobs.
 The population of the world is exceading its limits. We are running out of clean water. We are running out or cheap fuel.  We are polluting our atomsphere. I suggest you country strive for as much as possible clean energy renewalble systems that does not harm the enviroment. These things are avaible now, solar, wind, water, use them. Create more lakes to store energy. Create more lakes for clean water.
 You country is used to living off the land with very little. I think your country is best to survive the furture. I know goverments become corrupt with power. Fight this with freedom of speach from your own people. Elect officials who care about your peoples problems. It is Chrisian to care for the weak and helpless. If you raise the foundation of you nation, you give strength to you people and you country! God bless you all!

# John says :
12 October, 2008 [ 23:34 ]

Its not just christian to care for the weak and helpless.. its the duty of a society and governemt... unfortunately in Peru one has to rely on being picked for Bailando por un Sueno to have your medical treatment taken care of. 

# Indigo says :
13 October, 2008 [ 01:19 ]

John and Mike drank the KOOLAID.

# Viracocha says :
13 October, 2008 [ 02:12 ]

Hola all. Let's terminate this page before we just argue amoungst ourselves....it is a comment page, not a chat room. :)
Chau,
Viracocha

# c. schmidt says :
13 October, 2008 [ 20:08 ]

About new prime minister- I think to choice mister Simon to put as prime minister was a right choice, better touch of pink course now than ultra extremist or total anarchy tomorrow.It was  hard  for me to make an statement like that that- and more hard is that it had to come so down to it-But to judge well You have to see what means less damage for the country under present circumstance were not only the resent par lament felt apart-The most sad thing- in some areas the country too. (People take law in their hand, terrorism again, liberated areas and so on)  Well obvious with all ongoing steeling, corruptions, strike wafes, civil uprisings and so on the models from the past didn’t work out in a satisfying way – Mister Garcia is among Peruvians popular around 20 percent- (myself I think he has now only solid 5 points, by saying- it can’t get worse) and Mister Lula in Brazil has solid 80 percent.Even that I disagree with political ideology from Mister Simon (I am former communist political refugee, an experience which nobody in this forum can chare with me and my judgment should count very much because I have many reasons of being driven by hate but still maintain to be fair and just  I can t be blind about Peruvian reality were 50 percent are living in eternity poorness and with promises which were never get kept- most of all acsess to modern not corrupted institutions like Justice system also  education and a basic health protection.    If you ask me- I think Mister Simon now is standing for a more moderate leftist model and changed many of his opinions from the past , he has willingness for dialogue and work  with everyone-  , his will for  forgiveness-  he does not seem to me as populist for me yet and as fare as I know he has not corruption accusations. Hopefully it will stay like that in the future too- others surely will look after those things in a better and sophisticated way because they know sooner or later – some of them  go down when they fall into to much ambition- like we saw in recent scandal which involved ex prime minister and another ex primeminister and so on.Seriously I wish Mister Simon luck and a good hand to get capable persons from other parties (Fujimorie, Action popular, Unidad nacional , Peru possible )- no matter right or left wing or opposition in the boat to make the country a better place in times of turmoil which seem to be more in front of us than behind us.

# Bruno says :
19 October, 2008 [ 04:08 ]

Since socialism works in Venezuela and Bolivia, I do not see why it could not work in Peru ...and the last collapse of the ultra corrupt US-Western economy is just proving one thing : they want to socialize losses and to privatise benefits. We want they socialize both : losses and benefits !!!

And this will be done because there is no other way. I am writing from Poland and I can tell you that, now people here have understood how much more corrupt and cynical is the system they have now than the system they had before. So that is why when I saw how it is working now in Venezuela and Cuba where I spent this year couple of month with local friends, I understand now why Chavez is so popular all over the world. His legend has finally reached Poland and Eastern Europe !!! We hope it will reach soon USA after the collapse of US world virtual economy, Katrina catastrophy, Guantanamo&Abu Ghraib Gulag, "patriot act" dictatorship, Uribe's paramilitares crimes. Maybe Peru will be begins this new path ...

# Mike says :
19 October, 2008 [ 09:05 ]

"Since socialism works in Venezuela and Bolivia...."

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Thanks for starting my morning with a really good laugh, Bruno!

# Jeff says :
19 October, 2008 [ 09:20 ]

 You are nieve to believe the US economy is collapsing. I suppose when the terrosist destroyed the 2 towers,they believed our economy would stop. Our country went into sadness and mourning and business stopped on the stock exchange for week. But then since we are an independent coutnry, "FREE", our stock exchange and business went write back to work. I think you are just wishful thinking it may fail, ..... but I tell you, it will not. Captitialism goes through cycles. These cycles are well documented and known. I do believe in certain social systems in a small part. My belief towards them is so no one in society suffers. Our country cares very much for the poor, week or helpless. If you it up we give away billion and billion to other countries to help them. We do this often. But, we are also a free society, democracy- free to choose and change our leadership for changing world. We have free speech - so people can speak of problems and solutions. Are you watching our election this year. We are the free-est yet. We have the old, the white, the black, the female, all kinds of people from many different social backgrounds running for Leadership of our Country. Our USA has matured very much. Yes we make mistakes; yes we were inmature in many things in the past. But as being a free country with democracy and free speach, we continue to grow and evolved. Our country current economic system is simply going through an adjustment and in the process our government are absolutely concerned about the welfair and well being of its people. In our election year, its all that is spoken about, our economy and its people. Everyone is active and concerned!

I hope only good and positive things for the good people of Peru. I make my opinions here, but I am not a Peruvian. Its up to Peru to choose its future. I only hope in our conversation, I contribute a positive idea, so the life of Peruvians is growing and better. I respect and like Peru as they are as people!!! I want their country to grow by their OWN wishes and desires and prosper!!!