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Peru: Concerns spread about arrested natives

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

According to regional radio La Voz de Utcubamba (Voice of Utcubamba), in Amazonas, Peru's National Police is arresting the Amazon natives from the Santiago Apostol Hospital.

It is unknown where the arrested natives are being taken.

According to Voice of Utcubamba Radio, relatives and representatives are trying to inform the Ombudsman officers in town, but the telephone calls have gone unanswered.

Other reports from this radio station say that there are 56 natives arrested in a militar station, 19 would have been sent to Chiclayo city, and another 10 awajun natives are still missing.

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# Hans Coutlier says :
6 June, 2009 [ 22:36 ]

Words can't express how pleased I am that Alan Garcia is moving to ethnicly cleans these brown people who care more about their rights to live than my rights to turn a fair and honest profit from the land my ancestors so bravely conquered.

What selfish savages they are!

Hopefully Living in Peru will follow RPP, Andina and TV Peru's lead and not report on this topic at all. Or at least copy El Comercio and Peru21 in printing the Government line. We can't let the world know of our little genocidal extermination... it might harm tourism and future oil contracts.

# Windtalker says :
7 June, 2009 [ 00:34 ]

Sorry Hans the whole world knows everything even what they are doing with my people they kidnapped out of the hospitals.The world knows garcia and i will personaly insure this whole nightmarish tale stays in the global spotlight.All will know about the crimes against humanity that is going on out there,and i will only personaly be apeased when i see you garcia face justice for this genocide this abomination!!

# Jorge Qunillas says :
7 June, 2009 [ 05:24 ]

GARCIA FOR PRISON!
As Fujimori killed studends  now Alan Garcia is killing peruvian people fighting for human rights. When will Alan Garcia be arrested, accused and send to prison?
All the world knows about the genocide Alan Garcia is committing in the amazon region!
Jorge Qullinas, Spain

# Star says :
7 June, 2009 [ 06:42 ]

Be clear Gacia killed more that Fuji in his first term. Watch as it happens again. Peru is a country that never learns.

# Tom says :
7 June, 2009 [ 13:00 ]

Sorry to disagree, but these protests are nothing but a cover for a political movement that thinks everything would be better if the world did not move forward, and if technology did not progress.  Maybe if you actually lived in one of the pueblos with the people who are there, you would hear what they actually think, which is that the natives are unfortunately ignorant and are being used by authoritarian types like Morales and Humala and Chavez to prevent Peru from advancing beyond its second world status and threatening their socialist vision for South America.  That's not to say that there aren't valid issues concerning the fairness of resource exploitation, just compensation, and making sure that the environment is utilized responsibly.  Closing roads and killing police officers is hardly the solution to all of this, and frankly the government has been far too restrained in dealing with this, contrary to the claims of "genocide" by some posters.

# Windtalker says :
7 June, 2009 [ 13:34 ]

Hey tom does that make it right to order a genocide?does that make it right to choose violence over peaceful talks no.I am all for you all getting out of poverty but not when it comes to oppression,violence, murder and turning your own people aginst each other for the rich whitemen,where you are poisoning the lands and waters where it is hard to breath where you can't even drink the water where the mines use more sacred water for their dirty mine then local people use.NO you are wrong about this issue it is about missing people it is about a man who is brainwashed by the corporations where he would rather kill and oppress his own people rather then choose a different more peaceful path.This is genocide for your progress for the rich that you make richer while the poor stay poorer.Go pick up your check for writing this bunk Tom or are you a traitor to your own kind too for the all mighty buck.

# Tom says :
7 June, 2009 [ 17:48 ]

Windtalker, I'm not sure where you get your facts, but there are few specifics in your arguments.  First of all, who ordered a "genocide"?  Second, it's not clear what you even mean by "peaceful talks", but if you mean Pisango's demand for direct dialogue with Garcia after his group siezed a road and started throwing poison-tipped spears at the police--please name one government on earth that would sit down and dialogue with such a party?  Your diatribe about rich "whitemen" is racist at its core, and hardly expresses any of the nuances of race (and wealth for that matter) in Peru.  The problem with your argument is that there are local Peruvians, not any of whom would be considered rich and even fewer "whitemen", who are right at this moment poorer for the strike.  As only one example, there are people in Tarapoto and Moyabamba and other parts of the selva who make 25 soles a day tops who have to pay 100 soles for a bottle of gas to cook their food if they can even find a full bottle--and by the way a lot of them are at least partially "indigenous" or "natives".  There is a lot of complexity to all of the issues, and certainly the concerns of any group who has land claims and feels they should be justly compensated are worthy of discussion, debate, and even protest.  But to make a blanket statement that the government of Peru is engaged in a "genocide" against some group is just false.  The fact is that the current government is literally hand tied by fear of retribution in a form similar to Fujimori's trial from the next government over some trumped up "human rights" violations and has exercised too much restraint in allowing a strike to continue for over 40 days unabated, and has regretably put its own police at risk.  Sometimes establishing order in a country results in some oppression, and that is undeniably regretable and sometimes evil, but the alternative is chaos and the tribe. 

# Windtalker says :
7 June, 2009 [ 18:10 ]

I was there tom i am a spirit warrior it is very easy for ONE to leave ones body and see for myself and i did when i got up i could hardly walk for my spirit was still in Peru.I am in Vancouver BC you see i have been doing this all over the world for years now.Where ever i see evil at work and evil was at work out there tom.I have what you could call vision dreams and at the same time of the early morning attack of a sleeping protest site.I was also attacked by a horde of demons.This similer thing happened in Gaza where i fought demons to protect the children out there.From the hells of war.I am not like you tom you are an intellect i am a living spirit with great power.I know i might sound crazy but i.m not.I was a witness to events out there while they fought i was standing right next to them in spirit.I call myself a Shaman Creator,and everything i do i do in spirit i call myself Windtalker because i work with the elementals with the spirits of the earth even with the Gods of old.So lets say i saw it all and there is an ongoing spiritual investigation of everything that happened and who is responsable.I'll speak no more on this tom and i stand by what i spoke of.    

# Star says :
7 June, 2009 [ 22:39 ]

Windtalker after reading your last enty I have determined that you need to take maybe Prozac .. maybe that will bring you from the spirit world back to this world.  I understand your point but geeez what a Diatribe. Viva Peru. :)

# Windtalker says :
7 June, 2009 [ 23:12 ]

I know i know it sounds odd,Oh and no i don't drink,smoke pot or use any drugs i don't even eat meat,I freak myself out all the time when i would rather sing.Yes it is actually all true i cannot lie.Believe me or not it matters not to me for i have been working freely for all the world for about two years now.Calming storm systems,earthquakes and volcanoes to name a few sometimes i involve myself in human matters but only when innocence has been harmed.I have taken on causes worldwide from the baby seals to the Gaza war to calming storm systems to helping police catch child killers and murders The list goes on and on.I heard you had a blackout,out there lets hope the light doesn't leave you all out there.For you offended God and Gia.Isn't it odd how you all have gotten so much attention this past weekend out there from the entire world more then usual huh? can't keep secrets from creation you know have fun with all the attention and lets hope your luck gets better.
God bless!!   

# Paul says :
7 June, 2009 [ 23:20 ]

I love the way when there is the slightest bit of social unrest... those ominous and scary words "Chavez", "Morales" and "Humala", get put around.  

Unfortunately, the govt knows that much of Peru is happy to be spoon fed their mis-information, and will take whatever you give out.  Just look at the new govt advertisements, showing bodies of cops with bullet holes. Its a wonder here wasnt a photo of Chavez in super-imposed. Its such blatent propaganda.   Why not show the injured from both sides, and highlight the futility that is conflict resolution by voilent means.

The cops in Peru simply aren´t trained to manage conflict.  Does anyone remember how they reacted to students protesting at San Marcos or Tacna last year.. the same cops picked up stones and threw them back at the students and protesters.  

Having seen a "bloody sunday" in Ireland, I know that when you put adrenaline loaded cops or soldiers and a civil unrest situation.. its a recipe for disaster.   Why did they send in special forces cops in helicopters against indigenous people with lances.  They have only succeded in stirring the hornets nest.. now it will be 100 times harder to reslove the conflict / dispute. For every local protester killed there will be 10 more looking to join up.  Way to go.. lets breath new life in to Shining Path.

Perhaps if they focused on training the police instead of taking the decision to ban homosexuals.

# Tom says :
8 June, 2009 [ 08:38 ]

Paul, the television news in Peru is portraying both sides' injuries very equally.  There have been numerous pictures in the media of injured indigenous people.  As far as the Chavez, Morales, Humala connection, as far as I can tell that's been totally under played by the media with the exception of some bloggers.  In speaking with local farmers and business people in the selva, they are the ones that think that Garcia is underreacting to a severe threat to their rights should someone like Humala come to power.  That would come in the form of another state land grab of private companies' interests a la Chavez or Morales.  And if you think this is something that should not be feared or that it would be good for the average Peruvian, you are deluding yourself.  All the warnings about Chavez were ignored, and what's he doing?  Interfering with people's rights to speech, and to oppose, and changing the constitution so that he can be leader for life.  Not to mention the complete evaporation of international capital from the country which will damage it severely in years to come.  Wake up.  I'm not sure what the comment about homosexual politics has to do with this string, but if you think Chavez is going to be pro-gay or something because he comes from the left of the political spectrum, that just doesn't square with reality.  Modern Peru, in my experience, is actually pretty tolerant on the whole in terms of freedom to speak your mind, and to live a life of your preferences.  Let's keep it that way.

# Cant believe stupid people like Windtalker says :
8 June, 2009 [ 09:53 ]

Peaceful people that kidnap and execute police?

# Gary Bromley says :
8 June, 2009 [ 10:23 ]

This is a most unfortunate situation that should never have escalated to the degree it has.  I believe the entire thing could have been avoided through open dialogue, if there had ever been any true intent to do so.  It is difficult for some to realize the importance of maintaining mother earth. The planet that we inhabit, our home. Instead of acting as custodians to her some would choose to rape her for corporate profit.  I often wonder, when it all implodes on us and the air becomes difficult to breathe, the waters no longer potable and the soils no longer capable of producing the foods we require...how do we prepare these profits for consumption.  Do we boil it, deep fry it or simply eat it raw as a green back salad.  I admire the bravery of the Amazona indigenous peoples for standing up for what they believe.  I am sure that one day, if the oil and gas, logging and mining companies continue to get their way, it will be with great humiliation that we look back in deep regret for not paying attention to the message that these people and others are trying to deliver.  It is prophesized in many native cultures throughout this world that the destruction of our earth as we know it will come at the hands of man.  But it will not be due to the efforts of our indigenous peoples but rather those that seek profit over life...all life.  As I mentioned in a previous post...we reap what we sow.

# Paul says :
8 June, 2009 [ 14:46 ]

Tom,

I respectfully suggest that prior to commenting you read and understand my comment in its entirety.  It would appear you failed to grasp or deliberately misinterpreted what I was saying in order to go on a rant about Chavez.

My comment regarding homosexuals in the police was not political, but factual.  It is a fact that peru has banned homosexuals from serving the police force.  I highlighted this to illustrate where priorities lie in the police force and government.

As opposed to providing decent training to police, capable of policing civil unrest, efforts have been stepped up to effectively promote and increase discrimination. 

Instead police "special forces" are sent in to quell a civil unrest situation, and look at the consequences.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news-9286-breaking-news-peru-mass-grave-found-bagua-parish-priest-says

If the government had nothing to fear why hide the bodies?  Perhaps it is not me that needs to wake up.

If you reread my comment you will see that I do not ally myself with any political movement.  If I had to peg myself with anything I would be a left of centre democrat.  Certainly not pro-Chavez, but I do understand the reasons he and Morales have popular support.  

I only highlight the tendency, by the establishment and other groups in power, whose economic and political  interests are best served by maintaining the status quo, to discredit any type of movement highlighting social inequity or which fights for social justice as having evil hand of Chavez or Morales behind it.
 
Chavez is a godsend for right wing propaganda purposes, and unfortunately allows the govt, to purport the idea that anything resembling a "social democratic" movement is evil.

Garcia would have us believe that Chavez himself is up the in the jungle orchestrating things. 

However you do make a valid point, many channels are giving what appears to be reasonable coverage to both sides and some are distinctly biased.  

My original reference to the media pertained to the govt commercial which was aired last night on major channels during prime time, showing corpses of police with bullet holes and portraying the locals are barbarians who an are unpatriotic because they do not want to sell their land.   This was completely one sided.  I did not hear the same commercial make reference to police shooting indiscriminately from helicopters.

Why have the govt. spent a small fortune on advertising aimed at winning hearts and minds, they realize what has happened and they are terrified.

Señor Garcia does not want to share a cell with Messers Fujimori and Montesinos.  Depending on the next president that is a real possibility.

Gary has it right when he says..

"I believe the entire thing could have been avoided through open dialogue, if there had ever been any true intent to do so"

# c.schmidt says :
8 June, 2009 [ 15:53 ]

Last week many Peruvians died in the jungle and int. broadcasting made headlines out of current sad and bloody events- something what is not helpful for our country image. I am very sad that so much people died- no matter which side.My deep condolence to their families. My question in within freedom of expression which president Garcia recently verbally guaranteed in front of TV cameras. Who ever gave the order has to ask himself- was this not evitable with more diplomacy? Was wisdom here ruling or ambition? What is going on here- half year ago we whiteness resolve of Peruvian Parliament for a scandal of possible involvement of some former staff members in concessions for Petrol companies and now again problems- in which direction we are going? Are we dealing here with possible moral, professional and psychological incapacity from some authorities?   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45rTlB9hvvc  Very interesting comments with exception of first and his racial statement.
About wind talker.- thank you and my blessingPlease try to be in  all sides were is suffering- try to see both sides  and give protection to those in danger of losing their freedom or live or those who are standing foreword to democratic principles.I can feel you are outside.
at the end it is very simple-  about what is right and what is wrong- 

# Tom says :
8 June, 2009 [ 15:57 ]

Paul, you're right my arguments combined your comment about Chavez with someone else's comments regarding Chavez, so sorry about that.  My point is not to rant about Chavez, but it is to state that I think it is naive to think that this "peaceful" protest in Amazonas is only about indigenous peoples' protesting about their rights to compensation for mineral rights and their corresponding concern for the environment. 
This entire situation is being engineered to a large degree on both sides (in my opinion the government of Peru less-so) and yes, with the hand of revolutionaries on the left within and outside of Peru very much present.  Your point about Garcia not wanted to share a cell with Fujimori is exactly right.  The problem is that the government cannot react decisively, not only because of the poor training and equipment you cited but also because immediately charges of "racism", "genocide" and "trampling human rights" are thrown out coupled with the real possibility of recriminations for what someone down the road thinks was an overly aggressive response.   The mass graves link you posted there is specious information at best, and is immediately contradicted by another source, so ultimately who knows what is accurate there, typical misinformation from both sides.  Finally, the reason that the government is involved in trying to improve its self image in this situation is because it has been utterly ineffective, not because it is trying to cover up a mass grave.  The government should have acted much more boldly in the first place by intervening to halt a violent strike before it escalated even further.  Garcia is now behind the game, and so no wonder that there is a lot of propoganda going on.  But to automatically assume we have a killing fields scenario here is over the top. 

# Windtalker says :
8 June, 2009 [ 16:07 ]

You know you are right i should of spoke of the policisa that were ordered to do these crimes.To turn against their own for greed.I personaly admire rightouse and just police and even military for their bravery.I even help police in different areas of the world to help find killers.No i assure you i have deep respect for them.But those brave people who are trying to defend this planet from outside corporations and distruction i also admire.they are just trying to defend a sick planet from the sins of man.It saddens my heart to know of all the death and vengence over the blood of the land they the tribal people defending the land and family homes and the policia and military just doing their jobs.Mind you killing protesters and firing on them from helicopters is not morally right.Ghandi once said that if man continues to take eye for an eye then they will all go blind.Their are outside forces that are trying to get you people to turn on each other and they have succeeded and while you fight amongst yourselves they will be cutting up your lands amongst themselves.It is called divide and conquer it is an age old method with these types they have been doing it all over the world for over a hundred years now.I will pray for all the victims on both sides even though you are all on the same side the same ancient bloodlines.I pray peace and forgiveness reigns supreme and not murder for i foresee great repercussions if this continues brother against brother sister against sister.Their is a Cree prophecy that was predicted before industry even sprouted up all over the world.
Only when the last tree has been cut down.
Only after the last stream has been poisoned.
Only afetr the last fish has been caught man will find that he cannot eat money.
May the great spirits and the Creator smile upon you and help deliver peace to the masses.
    

# c.schmidt says :
8 June, 2009 [ 17:38 ]

The Chavez thing- I think in South of Peru he has quit influence, if he has I the jungle I can’t tell so. - But here the other side.
Would he  win influence here and there if  in more poorer areas peoples would feel substantial (and I use after so many years substantial because Peru is also rich in materia prima which the country exports) progress and things would develop more faster  in jobs, education and health.  
My self I am a strong defender from democracy which works from the middle and balances things on base of pluralism and freedom of expression and referring to the situation here a society which fights more efficient bag corruption and  has Justice like it should be.  
It is painful to watch that the country has so much wealth and many people still live in poverty. I think that very often the way through serious little or middle  class job giving investment was strangulated in interchange for open up only for big companies which didn’t gave to much jobs but once in a while big cash for few.
I hope very soon calm returns. Could not be the church brought in for making peace like instant peacemakers? It worked out in the past in several ocasions.  

# Sol says :
9 June, 2009 [ 02:54 ]

All these events are truly sad, on both sides. Indians have been killed as well as police officers in extremely cruel ways.
The background issue is not race cleansing or Chavez or that it was a planned genocide, that is all rubbish. The real background issue is the right of property ownership.
The indigenous tribes have been deliberately informed that the Government had already privatized their lands, which according to the current Peruvian law, these lands are still indigenous. They have been lied that they are really wealthy by just owning that land and that the Government will "steal" their wealth. Guess who did this? a Congresswoman from the Nacionalista Party (read Ollanta Humala, close friend of Evo Morales and the tropical dictator, Hugo Chavez Frias). Why did she do this? Because they need to create chaos in our country, because chaos will create the mess that happened in Bagua and chaos will bring fear and that is how dictators rule, under fear.
Fortunately enough, we decided to keep our country democratic, but there are those who don't want democracy to survive.
The massacre occured but not only indigenous were massacred, there were many unarmed police officers were killed too using lances and knives. So there are people mourning in both sides, morning those gone due to this horrendous events, events caused by irresponsible people (Nacionalista congresswoman aggitating indians and government officials who did not planned well the police actions).

# c.schmidt says :
9 June, 2009 [ 14:26 ]

Today I as reading the comments again with quitness. Today it was kind of heard to find the comments again. I am glad that some  persons here refer to the racial thing- we fall in this like rich white man to blame for  everything or like under the beginning from the comments mister Hans and his racial comments against natives we will accomplish nothing more and less than the circle of hate. And I ask me today how Whitehorse with his superpowers does it if not being in the love channel - were you can make plants grow with your mind and speak to animals and so on.About Tom- with interest I ve red you- but I have to say that from my point of few freedom of expression (the most important sign of democracy) seems to be a little bit under pressure after I saw how state channel transmitted relatively one vision based opinion. They have  all the right to express their opinion but it was very astonishing how in front of camera on Sunday a opposition congressmen was kind of mouth shut and he expressed his outrage in front of camera.
In democracy there is opposition and to be quit honest healthy opposition is the most vital sign that signs are working democratic and not going into autoritarism. We don’t might agree what others think but wise politicians don’t need opposition because they beat them with the best argument of all- getting the job done right.I was also thinking something else- just few weeks passed by after sentence from mister Fujimorie was declared and I found my self thinking what many fujimoristas might think in this days after what happened in the jungle. Finally I found this very interestinghttp://www.democracy-building.info/definition-democracy.html A Short Definition ofDemocracyU.S. president Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) defined democracy as: «Government of the people, by the people, for the people» Democracy is by far the most challenging form of government - both for politicians and for the people. The term democracy comes from the Greek language and means "rule by the (simple) people". The so-called "democracies" in classical antiquity (Athens and Rome) represent precursors of modern democracies. Like modern democracy, they were created as a reaction to a concentration and abuse of power by the rulers. Yet the theory of modern democracy was not formulated until the Age of Enlightment (17^th/18^th centuries), when philosophers defined the essential elements of democracy: separation of powers, basic civil rights / human rights, religious liberty and separation of church and state.  Democracy - Classical DefinitionOften democracy is defined opposite to other types of government:

Monarchy	Government by a single ruler (king/queen, emperor)
Aristocracy	Government by noblemen (hereditary)
Oligarchy	Government by few persons
Theocracy	"Government by God" (in reality this means government by religious leaders)
Dictatorship	Government by people, that have seized power by force (often: military dictatorship)

Today, the majority of democratic countries in the world are republics, i.e. officials are elected. Some well-established democratic countries in Europe, however, (the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and the Scandinavian countries) are constitutional monarchies, i.e. a king or queen is head of state while the constitution guarantees nevertheless all basic rights as in any democratic republic and sets clear limits to duties and competences of the monarch. Such a king can be regarded as a stabilizing factor rather than as a danger for a democracy. Therefore the classical definition of democracy is little helpful - at least concerning monarchy.  Democracy - Modern DefinitionBecause the definition of the term democracy opposite to monarchy and aristocracy rather creates confusion with regard to constitutional monarchies instead of establishing clarity, it is more appropriate to define democracy opposite to authoritarian and totalitarian regimes:

Democracy	Form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law.
Totalitarian regime	Government by a little group of leaders on the basis of an ideology, that claims general validity for all aspects of life and usually attempts to replace religion. The regime does not tolerate any deviation from its state ideology. Regime opponents are persecuted, tortured, detained in concentration camps and members of ethnic minorities are killed in mass executions (genocide). Historic examples of totalitarian regimes include: National Socialism (Germany under Hitler, 1933-1945) and Stalinism.
Authoritarian regime	Government by a little group of leaders. In contrast to totalitarian regimes, authoritarian regimes have no distinct state ideology and grant some amount of freedom (e.g. economic and cultural) as long as their rule is not jeopardized. The most important goal of authoritarian regimes is the maintenance of power and the personal enrichment on cost of the country and its population.
Theocracy	"Government by God": in reality this means government by religious leaders. Usually a certain interpretation of ancient religious laws replaces modern forms of law and is enforced with utmost severity. Example: Islamic Republic of Iran.

 Democracy - Key ElementsIn order to deserve the label modern democracy, a country needs to fulfill some basic requirements - and they need not only be written down in it's constitution but must be kept up in everyday life by politicians and authorities:

• Guarantee of basic Human Rights to every individual person vis-à-vis the state and its authorities as well as vis-à-vis any social groups (especially religious institutions) and vis-à-vis other persons.
• Separation of Powers between the institutions of the state:
  Government [Executive Power],
  Parliament [Legislative Power] und
  Courts of Law [Judicative Power]
• Freedom of opinion, speech, press and massmedia
• Religious liberty
• General and equal right to vote (one person, one vote)
• Good Governance (focus on public interest and absence of corruption)

.

# Ramulo says :
10 June, 2009 [ 20:11 ]

Viva Ollanta Humala
Viva Hugo Chavez
Viva Evo Morales
Viva Daniel Ortega
Viva Oscar Arias
Viva Fidel Castro
Viva Raul Castro
Viva Che Guevarra
Viva El Socialismo
Viva El Communismo
Viva El Nacionalismo
Viva La Revolucion
El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido.
Viva El Peru Carajo !

# Tom says :
10 June, 2009 [ 20:37 ]

C. Schmidt,  that was interesting to read those definitions of democracy, and your political perspective.  I'm basically a libertarian, so not into government ownership/intrusion into much of anything, except to eliminate externalities in the market and to protect the nation.  The definition of democracy really begs the question how Peru could really become a true democracy, what with the challenges with corruption and the justice system.  If the indigenous people had access to a court system that could enforce their property rights (if any), that would certainly discourage them from protesting in the first place, violently or not.  The Latin justice system in general tilts very much to those with money and power (probably like all things in life and all justice systems), but in my experience to an even greater degree than say the US.

# c.schmidt says :
11 June, 2009 [ 16:32 ]

High Tom and thanks - the definition I found under the web – in Wipipeka it is the same.http://www.democracy-building.info/definition-democracy.htmlYou might disagree with my thoughts but surely you agree that when a former ex president from Peru is concern, when Reuters int. news agency express in a very clear way about current events, when ONU gave a clear statement and under BBC  find link under than we should think a little bit and should not play like everything is ok. I can feel it- you are concern too.   It should be in doubtless clear that me as a former political refugee from former communist east Germany I am quit sensibilized for the issue and very glad when I can bring something of my knowledge into my new home country Peru. But my experience from the past is not adjustable to Peruvian reality. The world has changed Tom-and the world faces also new challenges - in within climate change, population grow, poverty, new forms of extremism and instabilities. Peru  has many ways out if better managed to be affected in the future with flexibility, innovation, respect for ALL – PEOPLE AND NATURE and more wisdom middle and long term vision  management- it is not in the budget that keep on ruling parallel and pleasing only few groups and the amount of angry Peruvians grows. 
If they don’t prevent this than I have to confirm many of the internationals political analyst forecasts who give the country a possible  trouble in some areas  if things are not done the way they should- A third of my live I spend here and know Peru.   As long as education does not arrive in a proper way to almost all, as long as 40 percent from Peruvians define themselves as excluded, as long as institutions don’t work according to standards of developed countries and as long as is here not really enough job giving investment and people have to go abroad tu surch for new opportunities than in deed I think things need to be corrected and we cant correct it by speaking realities away. By the way- it is very heard to find some of my postings in the web and something else- since I am active online on voluntary base and not NGO linked  that things improve (investment, Justice, education, anticorruption, environment,  ) me and my husband are victims from treats in many levels by not blaming anyone in specific. I will keep on writing because I own this to my past and to democracy in general which for me tom didn’t came gratuity-both of us believe also that love to the country starts with voluntary service.     BBC news http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_8090000/newsid_8093700/8093729.

Peru polarised after deadly clashes

By Dan Collyns BBC News, Bagua Chica, Peru Indigenous Amazonians had blocked roads and facilities for two months The removal by Peruvian riot police of thousands of native Amazonian protesters from a road they were blocking was the worst violence the country had seen in a decade.At least 54 people are known to have been killed - among them 14 police officers. In what appeared to be a revenge attack 10 more police officers were killed by their indigenous captors. More than 100 indigenous protesters still cannot be accounted for. It was the culmination of two months of massive rallies and blockades across Peru's Amazon - an area that is vital to the country's economy. The protests threatened to disrupt both national energy supplies and exports. But it was also the tragic consequence of Peru's failure to decide the true place of its indigenous peoples in the Amazon rainforest and their role in this multicultural nation. I will never forget what happened that Friday - it was a massacre Leoncio Calla The government decided to act after weeks of deadlocked talks. The brutal violence has left both sides embittered, but it has been made worse by accusations that the government is covering up the true number of dead protesters. Many eyewitnesses are too afraid to speak out for fear of reprisals. "I will never forget what happened that Friday - it was a massacre", says Leoncio Calla, a leader from a native Awajun community. "According to a preliminary count we have more than 150 disappeared," he says, explaining how each village reported who they had missing. "The dead were only recovered from the road but many more were in the hills, those bodies have disappeared." "It's a matter of time, once we return to our communities, and we see who is missing, then we will find out how many dead there really are." The government, which says all Peruvians should be able to benefit from the country's oil and gas, said the Amazonians had killed defenceless police officers after taking them hostage. The president has blamed foreign forces - widely understood to mean Bolivia and Venezuela - for inciting unrest. 'Disappearances'A church building in Bagua Grande and other places of refuge are now filling up with protesters who hid in the hills after the conflict. One of them, Clementina Paayatui, told the BBC the protesters had been peacefully blocking the road at a place called the Devil's Curve when the police arrived and began "shooting, killing people as if they were dogs". While exact figures for the disappeared are still unclear the rumours are insistent. Eyewitnesses say helicopters carried bodies away to be dumped in the nearby River Maranon. Areas of land near the road where pitched battles were fought have been scorched, fuelling suspicions that the bodies had been burnt. Whatever President Alan Garcia's vision of progress and modernity is, this cannot be it. The Minister for Women and Social Development, Carmen Vildoso, resigned in protest at the government's handling of the crisis. DOG IN THE MANGER  In October 2007, President Alan Garcia published a series of articles trying to explain what he saw as the main cause of poverty. He called it the Dog in the Manger syndrome.Mr Garcia argued that communally owed land in many Peruvian communities led to an inefficient use of natural resources because it was a free resource open to everybody.Soon afterwards, Congress allowed President Garcia to issue decrees encouraging oil and gas extraction, commercial forestry, and large-scale agriculture in the Amazon.Indigenous groups see those decrees as threatening their ancestral lands and way of life. The situation is more polarised than ever, with the government calling indigenous protesters extremists and their leader, Alberto Pizango, being charged with sedition and rebellion. He has been granted asylum by the Nicaraguan government, after seeking refuge in their embassy in Lima. Meanwhile the indigenous movement accuses the government of committing crimes against humanity. "I see an indigenous population who say: 'Peru doesn't consider us to be Peruvians, it thinks that the jungle is for other people, that we don't exist, that it's empty'", says human-rights lawyer Ernesto de la Jara. "They've shown that this attitude cannot work." Many accuse the government of failing to consult the native communities about a series of laws which they say threaten their ancestral lands. But officials say 12 million hectares (46,300 square miles) have been set aside for native people, and another 15 million hectares for national reserves. However, the government may be forced to soften its stance and allow the debate of some of the controversial laws in the Peruvian congress. While the families of police officers and indigenous people alike mourn their deaths, many Peruvians are calling for an independent investigation into what happened and for the dialogue to begin again.

  

# Oracle16 says :
12 June, 2009 [ 12:10 ]

Let fujimori out to be president and put garcia in jail. problem solved.

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