Peru: Daily News Roundup - Tuesday August 19

Peru declares emergency in Amazon protest areas

In Peru, a state of emergency has been declared in four regions where members of the indigenous community are protesting against government plans to develop part of the Amazon Basin. The protesters have occupied oil and gas installations and are blockading roads. The indigenous groups argue that industrial activities in the Amazon region threaten their homelands. (RNW - click here to read complete article)


Peru suspends rights in jungle protest regions

Peru's government suspended civil rights Monday in remote jungle regions where Indian groups are blocking highways and oil and gas installations to protest a law that makes it easier to sell their lands. The 30-day decree published in the official gazette suspends rights to public gatherings and free transit in three northern provinces. (Miami Herald - click here to read complete article)


Peru may use army to end protests at energy sites

Peru's government on Monday threatened to send in the army to break up protests at energy installations that indigenous groups surrounded a week ago to denounce laws they say will strip tribes of their land. The government issued a decree for the provinces of Cusco, Loreto and Amazonas, allowing it to order the armed forces to disperse protesters. (Reuters - click here to read complete article)


Fighting for Freedom in Rural Peru: "ALBA Houses" Threaten Democracy

In Peru, hard-won economic and political freedom is in jeopardy from foreign interests bankrolled by Venezuela. Although Venezuela's immense oil wealth should belong to all Venezuelans, their far left, neo-populist, and authoritarian President Hugo Chavez is siphoning off much of it to enhance his own political power and spread his toxic "21st Century Bolivarian Socialism" throughout the Andean region. Chavez has been aided in this effort by Bolivian president and populist soul mate Evo Morales. (The Heritage Foundation - click here to read complete article by James M. Roberts and Edwar Enrique Escalante)


British climbers robbed in Peru

Three British climbers attempting to scale a remote peak in Peru had their expedition cut short yesterday when armed robbers stole their equipment and provisions in a night-time raid. Ken Pindlay, 54, William Waddell, 52, and Brian Swales, 55, were asleep at their base camp when masked men entered their tents and threatened them with guns and knives. (The Guardian - click here to read complete article by Alexandra Topping)


Peru fuels boom in soft and luxurious fashions made of alpaca, llama fleece

In this Andean nation far from glamorous runways, some of the most fashionable residents have four legs: vicunas, alpacas and llamas. Exports of the animals' fleecy coats have nearly doubled to more than US$43 million in the past four years, as models strut catwalks from Paris to New York wearing fur from the long-necked animals in the form of pricey ponchos, pants and pea coats. (The Canadian Press - click here to read complete article)

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• APEC PERU 2008 : APEC Leaders Commit to Avoiding Trade Barriers for a Year
• APEC PERU 2008 : Peru: APEC Summit Became "Ideal Scenario" for Trade Deals
• APEC PERU 2008 : APEC to Support Adequate Financing Measures for Businesses
• APEC PERU 2008 : Peru Has Clear Commitment with APEC Goals, says Garcia
• APEC PERU 2008 : Reaching Doha Round Goals is more Important that Beating the Global Financial Crisis

# c. schmidt says :
19 August, 2008 [ 15:11 ]

No quitness in Peru
I am living since 13 years in Peru and saw several presidents-I was whiteness when mister Fujimorie flet because of corruption scandals , saw mister Toledo a promising economist getting in charge and remember he handled over after 5 years a  country deeply divided between a rich elite and almost  50 percent Peruvians living in poverty with other words more than half of the country very unpleased with his social politics. Surely mister Toledo did a lot effort to at track foreign investment and to establish some kind of democratic rules like recovering freedom of speech-  under his government the economy was handled couscous – and when he finished up he let the financial part relatively well and responsible handled but he was unable to traduce sufficient  the enormous richness from Peru to fulfill important social demands and most of all he didn’t realized what was demand from most Peruvians- to bring strong democratic institutions bag who fulfill democratic standards according to developed countries-like installing a functional Justice system which allows to rule the law and not like in many cases bravery.  Also his years are remembered as years full of corruption scandals.After he went out from office many Peruvians were shocked to see mister Garcia bag as presidential candidate – they hardly couldn’t believe it because many Peruvians remembered the high inflation under his first mandate, the food lines, terrorism, corruption in full scale, possible human right violations and they remembered also that mister Garcia same like mister fumitories went out from Peru. After his first mandate the country was economically almost broke. Anyhow he returned bag with great enthusiasm to try again – full of promises  (promise to raise up salaries, promises for Reforms in institutions, promises to fight bag corruption, promises for developing education and so on )– something what many Peruvians are used to listen from their politicians but hardly believe.Some press informed Peruvians that they have to elect at the end   between   a wrong candidate “ and “a worst candidate” or to choice between “the pest and the cholera” and many Peruvians ask themselves- “why we don’t get a good one” . 2 years past by and opinion polls give mister Garcia right now around 22 percent approval- something hard to believe because mister Toledo in his worst times without inflation and inner country conflicts like today got down to 15 percent. Speaking to common people they  describe mister Garcia as very unpopular- even hated because of his long endless speeches, his unfilled election promises (institutional reforms, distribution of richness, ) and it seems that he didn’t learned to much from his lessons from the past.This time life didn’t gave him an easy job because international crisis also reflects in Peruvians inflations numbers- consequence of downturn in exportation and rising up of international prizes and therefore Peruvian prizes.Nobody can blame Mister Garcia for what happened on international markets- but he can be blamed of not having introduced on time prevent ional economics for the scenery Peru faces today- because if you have the information a Tsunami is coming up you make your saving plans and take a different course..Like nothing happened the strong family promoter and   and criticizer of mister Toledo’s possible extra matrimonial sex life mister Garcia surprised Peruvians right after a few months with the notice of an extra matrimonial child- but Latin’s are flexible and they forget about it soon. What they hardly could forget is his mistakes in economical management from the past because many Peruvians have to live with less than one dollar a day) and when food prices in provinces raise up around 10 percent than abridge persons get nervous and no bird fly performance from the shoulder (Mister Garcia likes to do such things ) will help to calm.Peru in general remain in the last years a poor country, surely more  investment came into Peru but not enough solid work giving investment – instead off a lot investment with fame of contamination or destruction  and consequence of that are huge civil uprisings in almost all parts of the country. Southern parts off the country seem to be  a part on their own and very much influenced by mister Chavez ideology whish never could win ground if there would have be done something about poorness and social conflicts there before. In some jungle areas since a few days is declared estate of emergency because of conflicts with energy companies- streets are blocked from indigenous groups and dialogues with government officials (the most important thing in politics) are interrupted.Last years strong earthquake left lot destruction and many habitants there claim that there is not enough done about reconstruction from affected zones and went on the street to claim promises whish were given to them. There are rumors that donations didn’t arrived were they should. Additional Peruvians during 2 year of second turn mandate of Mister Garcia get much information about ongoing scandals in congress, rumors about mismanagement of money on state or regional level, scandals involving some ministers, banking scandals (Ban mat) and so on. All This scandals make it very hard to create un clime of trust and confidence- that what Peru needs most. I cant judge Mister Garcia as a Person- because I don’t know him personal but I am very much tend to feel pity for him because of his poor performance as commander in chief. It seems in deed that he is very much and nervously desperate driven by “wanting to be loved and popular “but modern politics don’t works like that. And Peruvian businessmen according to newspapers articles start to thing if they made the right choice. According to my own judgment Peru runs in short or middle term in risk to become a trouble shooting country (20 percent) - if this happens it can not only to be blamed on possible influence of mister Chavez or loser of presidential election mister Humala- Mainly it might come as consequence of failed strategies to establish real democracy and possible incapacity of those who run the country.  As an former east German refugee I stand impartial for democracy which mainly is traduced in reachable progress for the majority, education, well functioning institutions like justice power, fight against corruption and freedom of expression. I still tend to believe Peru is a great country with many opportunity if is managed with political vision, creativity and technical no populist approach.

# rice and sugar says :
19 August, 2008 [ 15:49 ]

Schimidt,

Thanks for your good thoughts on Peru. You are right, if there was a sound political vision coupled with techonology, we could solve our problems.

However, in the last 13 years you have been here, you missed one thing in your analysis: you were not in Peru prior to 1990.

You would have seen the WORST period of Peruvian history. This is why you don't appreciate the work that Fujimori did for the country. He SAVED our economy.

Yes, Toledo was well trained economist with US education. Un cholo educado. Yes, he was very smart to CONTINUE the economic growth and plan that Fujimori started. It was not Toledo's work alone, he was harvesting what Fujimori had planted.

Now you know that ALL Peruvian presidents have been involved with some sort of scandals and corruption. But only one of them is caught, judged and incarcerated: the one who did the most work!

# christine schmidt says :
19 August, 2008 [ 17:15 ]

High – thanks for your fast and interesting answer. In several occasions I gave my opinion about Peruvian politics – because it is important also for investors to know what happen here- Yes- I was not her in the 90 therefore more words about Mister Toledo and Mister Garcia -but I know the difference between dictatorship and democracy quit well- from the 80 and 70 and the years before- living in east Germany and being active for democracy to there in my past - former east German refugee!- what means in short terms- I don’t need lessons in life from no one and know quit well what democracy is about. When I came here after I traveled I read also about international analysts in this Time and what they had to say. In the early 90^th  according to them  Peru was qualified as economically on a good way, down in inflation, and el PBI (over 10 ) was showing it is a country in grow. In several occasions (Peru elections 2006) I gave my opinion also about mister Fujimorie by saying what he did from my point of few did right and were he failed and this from a neutral  base- recognizing that he make accomplishments in the fight against terrorism and reducing inflation- but I cant be blind on the other side to- His endings in scandals, and the huge corruption in almost all areas of politics and institutions until now- and most of all the luck of freedom of expression at the end of his regime - something basically for any democracy. I mean- if he would have done everything right would he be in jail now or under investigation.You see it is not about choosing sides- it is what is the moist difficult in life because for that you don’t win fans – contrary-  many times enemies- it  is about what is right and what is wrong.Now surely you agree that Peru is still very poor – still Justice is not reachable in many cases without bravery, yes – there is definitely some investment in some areas but does the majority of Peruvians has something from it- The answer is no.
 Does education went better- in the last 3 decades Peruvians were remain with poor education status – something very dangerous because uneducated persons are statistically much more open for extremist influence ore radicalization.I can assure that myself and by the way with name and house number in many areas made my strong that Peru becomes a true democracy with better institutions and better justice administration and I can also assure- I took a hell of risks for democracy- that comes more work giving investment here and Peruvians don’t surch abroad for better opportunities (every year 3000000 from 29 million ) with other words- for making Peru a better place to live.I did this because I own it to my past and only for that reason. Unfortunally until Peru can be defined as a developed country will pass by many years more and I stand not alone with this opinion. Mainly Peruvians have to be allowed to access education like in developed countries- but some people like it the way it is because they think uneducated persons are more “easy to handle” and some of them might even think- easier to squeeze. Well the answer you have in almost all trouble shooting countries on earth. Someone made once statistics about it- corruption costs at the end always more and almost always life’s- than when whole systems fall apart , end up in failed states or  extremism ore in civil or other wars.
But in the peruvian case of democracy- just lets stay active and optimist.

# Splaktar says :
19 August, 2008 [ 23:51 ]

Seems like Peru is becoming a MUCH more dangerous place for tourists lately.  There have been multiple tourists murdered already this year.  Now we're getting more and more attacks on tourists, robberies and worse.  It has always been a dangerous place to visit, but with all of the economic boom this does not seem to be improving at all.

# christine schmidt says :
20 August, 2008 [ 12:08 ]

Splaktar you have a reason (sorry for my ortografy – no correction program avaiable) – I ve got your answer on may mail– and guess what- many travellers I ve met took their precausions by going on CPS satelite observation- a safer way for travellers especially with the new programs where you can the time from space.
In some contries owners of pets put CPS under the skin of their animals- I can only recomend it for anyone who travells in  countries with certain risk. It is te safest fastest ans surest way to hunt down right away crime persons or to see who is planning harm in advance.
But there are other wayes too.
And not only that -I think myself CPS should be introduced fore a time for voluntary observation of elected autorities to prevent actions of corruption-
and proposed that on many levels. Of course you have to respect privacy
and nobody should be pushed into it against will.
Anyhow- myself – and I am not tourost but little private investor (that what Peru needs most and tryes to promote but many people are concern about missing institutions  ) I am not driven by fear- I did many things here in favour of democracy (participation in marathons “Justice is democracy”, hunger strike in Trujillio and other actions, the news went out from the country to internacional press agencies  and other activities which are part of freedom of expression.   Douring all this activities  recieved threads in all kind of levels from very fine untill vey dump done - guess what- I am still and very strong on my feeds -
and it will be so in the future too.
Some people have to get used to it- people are much more sensitive about democratic issues and want to see changes. They are tyred from manipulation and corruption. I am personally very much interested in what You are doing in Peru and what besides of your concerns about crime and unstability are your ideas and opinions about how to mke Peru a safe and better place to life.
Really- I am interested to meet you personally and invite You to my place in the mountains- in Caraz.-costs on the house.
Right now there is a lot trouble going on because we have hudge water problems since quite a while and tourists like you mensioned are seemed to be more afrid to visit the area.
A mountain laguna situated in a nacional park Huarscaran named laguna paron was sold out several years ago and is drying out- according to that what I listen  the contract was done without studying enviormential consequences. A few dayes ago there was a big meeting in Caraz main plaza which came in consequence of the water problems in the region. The conflict remains untill now unsolved and is only one of many in Peru.  Hopefully my mail from yesterday makes some people think.  Of course I use also offline communication that my opinios reeach out. Because my red  communication since several years seems to be once in a while very much disturbed.

# rice and sugar says :
20 August, 2008 [ 14:31 ]

Christine,
You asked "if Fujimori had done things right, would he be in jail now?"
My answer is: Yes. Welcome to Peruvian politics.
And I have another question: Allan did many wrong things, and was involved in many scandals of political corruption. Is he in jail now? The answer is NO. That is Peruvian politics for you.
You mentioned you work with potential investors in Peru. Hope these potential investors are NOT like the Doe Run company who are exploiting our resources and peoples,  contaminating our environment while Mr. Allan Garcia does NOTHING to defend our country's peoples, resources and environment.

So you were a refugee, and you think no one can give lessons on life. Well, we all have lessons learned and we all have to continue learning, day by day. Learning just never stops, does it?

Hey, did you like Trujillo? That is where I am originally from. MMMh. I miss Huanchaco beach.

# christine schmidt says :
25 August, 2008 [ 15:15 ]

- in favour of free expression, democracy, justice reform, enviorment protection and healthy jobgiving investment and fight against corruption.

hola riceandsugar- if you have time read my posting in the fujimorie wife article about miss Satomie but what i am telling- just surch under my name in Google.

I try to see things from a neutral base-free from emotions.Under my name you can find how I evaluate the situation here. You criticize mister Garcia- (read my postings in Peru 21) abridge Peruvians as much as experienced international analysts  say that there seem to be a strong between el Fujimorismo.and leading party Apra which leader you strongly criticize in many of your postings.  
Yes I am in favor of investment- job giving and country improving investment and opposed to contamination. But this is only my private and particular opinion. And lessons in democracy I surely don’t need – but I have I fine sense when it come up to the right of free expression – here my observations. It does not come as a surprise that some of sharp comments about environments under the article of doe run were raised- hopefully by mistake 
Quit surely other foreigners who are visiting this page might have seen this comments disappear by mistake or for what reason ever. But it would be interesting to recover these opinions online.Until Yesterday there were like 35 answers under the Doe run article.I gave 3 postings about the matter in general an a specific problem in another area.- the area I know and can judge about because anyone should only speak about the fields he knows.  Therefore the repetition: For anyone who is interested- In Ankash area – Laguna Paron was sold to an energetic company since many years. According to information’s given to the people from the region this Laguna is drying out. There was told that the contract of privatization was done without studies environmental consequences. The Laguna is ubicated in a national park and part of tourist area. The conflict with the company remains unsolved and it seems that local people from the area took over control from the Laguna. According to information given for the winning of electricity locals claim the present owner of the Laguna take more water out than the law allows. There were a big meeting a few days ago in Caraz plaza del armas and because I am an affected citizen I also participated. Our water supply diminished since many years. I allow my self to report the case about Paron to Green peace international and other intentional organizations. Conflicts like that happen all over the country and don’t contribute to stability to the country if they remain unsolved.  

# Phillip says :
24 September, 2008 [ 00:29 ]

Regarding article on: British climbers robbed in Peru.
I hope Brits stay out of Peru hahaha. Pity they did not kill the Brits.

# Phillip says :
24 September, 2008 [ 01:04 ]

Perú: Ollanta Humala habla con la BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_4143000/4143315.stm




Ollanta Humala Info.


The presidential elections in Peru are only less than 3 months away (April 9) and we've reached halftime now since the first national voters survey was conducted. The graphic below the left shows the astonishing shift in voter's opinion since then.
Ollanta Humala has become the frontrunner, according to a poll by Apoyo published in El Comercio. 28 per cent of respondents would support the Peruvian Nationalist Party (PNP) candidate.

Lourdes Flores Nano of the Popular Christian Party (PPC) is second with 25 per cent, followed by former president Alan García of the American Revolutionary People’s Alliance (APRA) with 15 per cent, and former head of state, Valentín Paniagua, of Popular Action (AP) with 10 per cent. Support is lower for Jaime Salinas of National Justice (JN) and Martha Chávez of New Majority (NM).

In a two-candidate runoff, however, Flores still had a 46-39 percent edge. The top two candidates will have a runoff if none of the 23 candidates wins a first-round majority.

Ollanta Humala's increasing popularity is prompting fear that Latin America's commitment to market-based reforms is waning and it has rattled Peru's financial markets. Humala, a former military officer and left-wing opponent of free trade and free-market policies, recently proclaimed deep admiration for the 1968-75 leftist dictatorship of Peruvian Gen. Juan Velasco, who carried out a largely failed agrarian reform, nationalized industries and forged close military ties with the Soviet Union. His economic plans unsettle many in the middle and upper classes. And some voters worry that members of his Indian-descended family are avowed racists and ultranationalists. His father describes himself as a Marxist, expresses admiration for Hitler and believes Peru's Indians and mestizos should rule. Humala insists he does not share their extremist beliefs.

He has the support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. His rapid growth in popularity and close association with Chávez and recently elected president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, reflects the emergence of a more radical and populist left in Latin America, particularly in the impoverished Andean region.

Humala, a (now retired) Army Lieutenant Colonel, led an uprising in Toquepala against then President Alberto Fujimori in October 2000. The main reason for the rebellion was the return to Peru of Vladimiro Montesinos, the former intelligence chief, who had fled Peru in search of asylum in Panama after having been caught on video trying to bribe an opposition MP. This lead to increasing fears that he still maintained considerable power in the Peruvian government.
Humala and about 60 other Peruvian soldiers revolted against senior Army Commanders. By the end of the rebellion however, many of Humala's men would desert him leaving him with only 7 men. During the revolt Humala had called on Peruvian "patriots" to join him in the rebellion, and some 300 former soldiers answered his call. His revolt also was able to gain considerable sympathy from the Peruvian populace with the influential left-of-center newspaper La Republica calling him "valiant and decisive, unlike most in Peru". The newspaper also had many letters sent in by readers with accolades to Ollanta and his men.
In the aftermath the Army had sent out hundreds of soldiers to try and capture Humala and his remaining men. They had managed to stay in hiding long enough for the political situation to change, with President Fujimori being impeached from office and Valentin Paniagua being made interim president.
This gave him the ability to come out of hiding and releasing a statement officially calling off the rebellion. Humala and his men would march to Lima and swear their allegiance to Paniagua.
He was pardoned by Congress and was allowed to return to military duty. He was sent to Paris then to South Korea until December 2004, when he was forcibly retired. His being forced out of the army is suspected to have been part of the motivation behind his brother, Antauro, leading another etnocacerista rebellion in January 2005.
Ollanta and his brother are the foremost leaders of the "Movimiento Etnocacerista", an ethnic nationalist group composed of former and current Peruvian soldiers. The name "etnocacerista" refers to 19th century Peruvian president and war hero Andrés Avelino Cáceres. During the War of the Pacific, Cáceres led the Peruvian resistance against Chilean occupying forces.
Etnocaceristas strongly embrace their Incan heritage, nationalization of the country's industries, the reintroduction of the death penalty, the legalization of coca cultivation, and a strong anti-Chilean stance particularly against Chilean investors which many etnocaceristas claim are manipulating the country's economy.
The name etnocacerista itself is composed of two parts, the first evoking ethnic identity and strong identification with the country's Incan Native American origins. The second part of the name "cacerista" refers to 19th century Peruvian president and war hero Andrés Avelino Cáceres. During the War of the Pacific, Cáceres led the Peruvian resistance against Chilean occupying forces.
Etnocaceristas strongly embrace their Incan heritage, nationalization of the country's industries, the reintroduction of the death penalty, the legalization of coca cultivation, and a strong anti-Chilean stance particularly against Chilean investors which many etnocaceristas claim are manipulating the country's economy.





Venezuela's Chavez helps Peru quake victims
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20080812-0730-peru-quake-chavez.html

Peru president apologizes to poor, vows increased anti-poverty aid
Proof Alan Garcia is full of BS.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/29/america/LA-GEN-Peru-Slumping-Garcia.php

Peru candidates court the poor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4790272.stm

LATIN AMERICA'S FIRST MEDIA DICTATORSHIP

The truth regarding Fujimori.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0y5uXV11Os

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr3PzGqHTzA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDVRJ33su_U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaaMn80k9Xc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QchHU7h9XU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C2oRBjoxO0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTzh7oJQ_Sg&feature=related

Recordemos los crimenes de Fujimori

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykQq0j2w1pw&feature=related

Fujimori: El Samurai del Ridículo (Prensa Libre 30-07-2007)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n60lbXOTew

No al TLC- No to the FTA with Peru 2.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsI-gDKs_w8

Peru FTA: How Many Farmers Did You Kill Today?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwC3nGjvIw0

Peru Free Trade Scam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1AtF_z-Wyk&feature=related

Peruvian Embassy promotes the FTA at US Congress

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAnJm9yupC4

# Phillip says :
24 September, 2008 [ 01:25 ]

More attacks on National Mall as city declares crime emergency:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-07-12-dc-crime_x.htm

America's Corrupt Legal System
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=SAC20050830&articleId=885

"Boycott USA": A campaign whose time has finally come?
http://www.peace.ca/boycottUSA.htm


Police brutality cases on rise since 9/11
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-12-17-Copmisconduct_N.htm


USA NEWS ARTICLES ON POLICE BRUTALITY. POLICE BRUTALITY VIDEOS Caution Violent Videos of Police Beating's & Murder Committed by American Police ect.
http://www.zolaenterprises.com/Police-Brutality.htm


RACE, RIGHTS AND POLICE BRUTALITY USA
http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=133746465C2D34CA8025690000692D98&lang=e

Hate Crimes Against Latinos Up USA

http://vivirlatino.com/2007/11/28/hate-crimes-against-latinos-up.php

Latino Movement USA led by Marxist - Juan Jose Gutierrez - Key International ANSWER Member

http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/1880


Racism against Hispanics
http://hispanic.cc/john_tanton.htm

Racism Against Hispanics

http://www.hispanic.cc/racism_against_hispanics.htm