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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

A Bolivian parliamentary committee will travel to Peru next week in order to improve and enhance the ties between the two countries, which have been deteriorating recently.

According to Michiaki Nagatani, President of  the International Politics Committee of Bolivia's Congress,  the delegation is "finalizing the details of the trip, which will take place possibly on July 8th and 9th, and in which will participate at least one deputy from each political party with representation in the Lower House.”

Diplomatic ties between Bolivia and Peru have deteriorated in recent weeks; President Alan García called Peru's Ambassador in La Paz, who returned to Lima indefinitely.

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Andina

Peruvian Prime Minister Yehude Simon overcame Tuesday a vote of no confidence in Congress after violent protests by indigenous communities earlier this month.

Only 56 legislators voted in favour of the opposition-sponsored no confidence motion, which was based on the allegation that Simon made wrong decisions that caused the violence.

Sixty-one votes were needed for it to pass. Thirty-two legislators voted against it, with 11 abstentions, DPA reports.

Critics of Simon accuse the government of having held talks with portions of the opposition, causing the absence of several members of congress.

Clashes between police and demonstrators from indigenous communities on June 5th left at least 34 dead, including 24 police officers.

The legislation that provoked the natives to demonstrate --and would have promoted development of the Amazon rainforest-- has since been revoked, and the protests have ended.

Had the vote of no confidence against Simon succeeded, the prime minister and the 16 members of his Cabinet would have been forced to tender their resignations.

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Peru’s Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde expressed his willingness to talk with his Bolivian counterpart, David Choquehuanca, in order to strengthen bilateral ties affected by interference of La Paz in Peru’s internal affairs.

Choquehuanca is reportedly seeking a possible meeting with Garcia Belaunde during the Non-Aligned Movement Summit, to be held between July 13th and 17th in Egypt, in order to overcome discrepancies observed in recent weeks.

“I celebrate Choquehuanca's willingness to dialogue,” said García Belaunde, who added that he could make some adjustments in his activities' program so that this meeting can take place.

"It is very important to create conditions for improving bilateral relations," he said.

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Peru’s Prime Minister Yehude Simon said, during the Congress' questioning, that the government understands the historical tensions between the State and certain sectors of the society, but it does not mean it will accept the chaos and anarchy.

"We are not turning a blind eye to historic isolation attempting to destabilize the democratic regime and impede the country's progress."

He remarked that the Peruvian Government rejects violence as a method of protest, and that measures such as blocking of roads are considered a crime since they involve violence and isolation of cities.

Simon said that Peru's Government reaffirms its commitment to dialogue aimed at achieving national reconciliation and the country’s development.

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

After hours of intense negotiations, Peru's Prime Minister, Yehude Simon, expressed his satisfaction about the agreements reached with the community, and congratulated the farmers for their participation in the talks.

Simon said to RadioProgramas del Peru (RPP) that the improvement works in seven sections of the road Ayacucho-Chincheros-Andahuaylas-Abancay will start in September: other four sections will be completed in April 2010, once the rainy season is over.

He also said that the Agriculture Minister, Carlos Leyton, agreed to cut interest rates for credits and to promote the sales of potatoes.

The signature of the Agreement Act will normalize the situation in Andahuaylas, which underwent 12 days of protests.

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The Congress's questioning to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior, Mercedes Cabanillas, originally scheduled for tomorrow, was postponed to Thursday 25th.

The Congress took this decision so that Simon can have more time to attend meetings in Andahuaylas (Huancavelica) and Sicuani (Cusco).

Meanwhile, Simon announced the creation of a committee in Andahuaylas, intended to find suitable solutions for the different demands of the local communities.

Simon also declared to Radio Programas del Peru (RPP) that he had “a very extensive dialogue and I have not seen problems."

However, Simon made clear that the talks have not included yet the issue of Andahuaylas' airport, which the locals are afraid will be privatized.

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Peru's Prime Minister arrived in Andahuaylas at 8:30am, to resume the dialogue with the local population, and he's sure the talks will end up with good agreements.

"I'm talking directly to the peasants in Andahuaylas and Sicuani, and I want them to learn that dialogue can lead to a solution, that it is not necessary to take control of a whole city" he said.

Simon expects to depart towards Cusco at 2pm, and he will stay there until tomorrow; he will leave to Sicuani tomorrow at 7:30am.

The Prime Minister expects to come back to Lima tomorrow in the afternoon, since he has to attend the questioning of the Congress.

Reportedly, Simon is asking the Congress to postpone the questioning, so he can have more time to spend in Andahuaylas and Sicuani.

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Chinese ambassador to Peru, Gao Zhengyue, said that relations between his country and Peru "are at their best moment" in history.

According to him, both countries have deepened the confidence in the political, economic, technological educational, cultural, tourism and justice areas, among others.

The Chinese diplomat noted the increase of the economic, trade flow and bilateral investments, and highlighted the increase of the Chinese investments in Peru, with over seven billion dollars.

"I am convinced that with joint efforts the relations between our two brotherly countries will enter a new stage of development and reach a higher level in the two peoples’ benefit," said Zhengyue.

China is the second largest trading partner and destination for Peruvian exports.

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Bolivia is not planning to break its diplomatic ties with Peru despite the difficult moment both countries are facing, said the Bolivian vice Chancellor, Hugo Fernández.

“We think that our diplomatic ties are going through a difficult moment, but are at not at risk, and we are not planning to break them,” he emphasized.

Fernandez pointed out at both countries' historic ties and assured that there are more reasons for union than for separation.

According to Bolivian's state news agency, ABI, Fernandez thinks that some media are “creating soap operas” regarding this matter, so he invoked them to “not to complicate even more the situation.”

Peru had called his ambassador back to Lima right after Bolivian President Evo Morales said publicly that the violent repression of Bagua clashes was a “genocide.”

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LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

The leader of the Interethnic Association for Development of the Peruvian Jungle (Aidesep), Deisy Zapata made a call to lift the strike in the Amazon region, following the repeal of the decrees 1090 and 1064.

"Today, AIDESEP announces that the we are raising the force measures” she said at a press conference at the Legislative Palace, right after the Congress approved the repeal.

The leader said that the natives are not being manipulated by anyone, and she asked the Congress to lift the sanction on the seven congressmen recently suspended.

"We want to forget the past," Zapata said to reporters, after expressing his gratitude to the country and especially to the natives.

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