Thursday, June 24, 2004
Mayor Lynched, cont.: The New York Times places Ilave on page A1 today with Juan Forero reporting from Puno though he tries to translate it into a continent-wide story: "The beating death of mayor [Cirilo Robles] may seem like an isolated incident in an isolated Peruvian town but it is in fact a specter haunting elected officials across Latin America.” He then points to that specter in eight other countries. April's UNDP survey on democracy is cited: : "A majority would choose a dictator over an elected leader if that provided economic benefits." The Central Theme: "the main source of the discontent is corruption." Quotes come from Riordan Roett (Johns Hopkins University), Larry Birns (Council on Hemispheric Affairs), Daniel Vargas (Ilave university student), Teófilo Challo (Ilave farmer), Néstor Chambi Pacoricona (indigenous leader and agronomist), former Congressman Gregorio Ticona Gómez, David Jiménez Sardón (former President of the Puno regional government), Percy Flórez, (Ilave municipal official), and Arnaldo Chambilla Maquera and Edgar Lope Condori (both Ilave councilman). The article is accompanied by two photographs though not the one on the front page of the print edition. NOTE: It took the New York Times 11 days to alert its readers of the lynching in Ilave (scroll down this May 7 article). Today's on hand reporting is well-sourced if late. See the original coverage in 'Mayor Lynched' in April 27's Peruvia.
Beer Scandal?: Reuters reports that Peru's Congress "began an investigation into allegations [that Cesar Almeyda] a former adviser to President Alejandro Toledo took bribes to favor the sale of Peru's only brewer in 2002," after El Comercio reported this that Bavaria "paid the adviser $2 million to support its purchase of Union de Cervecerias Backus & Johnston. NOTE: "Venezuela's Empresas Polar brewery was competing with Bavaria to buy Backus." ALSO: Witness Hugo Duran "said Toledo had received part of bribe money, an allegation the government denies."
Indigenous Populations Diminished: The UN Department of Public Information reports that "64 indigenous peoples who live in voluntary isolation in Amazon forests in South America are condemned to gradual extinction," including "the Tagaeri, Huaorani, Taromenane, Corubo, Amamhuaca, Mashco, Kineri, Nahua y Kugapakori peoples, among others [who] live in Bolivia, Brasil, Ecuador and Peru. ... The Amamhuaca language is only spoken by 720 personas (500 in Peru and the rest in Brazil)." NOTE: It is likely that they mean 'Amahuaca.’] Latinamerica Press offers a summarized version of this.
Mining Law Accepted: An updated Reuters reports that "Toledo signed the controversial royalty plan into law at a ceremony on Wednesday in the central mining region of Pasco. Lawmakers say it will raise much needed cash for poor regions where mining is done." Jose Miguel Morales (National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy) who called the law 'madness.'
Las Bambas - Who is In/Out?: BNAmericas reports on "Anglo-Australian mining house Rio Tinto will not be participating in the auction of Peru's Las Bambas copper project," according to Julian Bavin, the company's South American exploration director. NOTE: "This brings to six the number of companies which have over the last three weeks either completely pulled out of or are re-evaluating their participation in the auction scheduled to take place July 23." SCORECARD: Those who have pulled out include Barrick Gold, Noranda, Southern Peru Copper and Anglo American; BHP is on the fence; Phelps Dodge has confirmed their participation. A later Bloomberg story reports that Industrias Penoles of Mexico "pulled out of the bidding for the Las Bambas project," according to Jorge Merino (ProInversión). DETAILS: "Las Bambas holds 40.5Mt of proven reserves grading more than 2% copper and exploration potential of more than 500Mt," according to ProInversión.
Mining Strike: Interfax-China reports from Shanghai on Shougang Hierro Peru which "has suffered an estimated loss of US$ 3.51 million because of a strike lead by the company's labor union," which began on June 1. Wu Jianxin, "with the Information Office of Shougang Group in Beijing," declared: "I think this kind of strike is quite normal. It happens from time to time, no matter how well we treat them." Wu also said that "Shougang did encounter some problems in terms of cross-cultural management, as they used some Chinese-styled management techniques." BACKGROUND: "Shougang Hierro Peru is China's largest enterprise in South America and the largest iron ore supplier on the east coast of the Pacific Ocean."
More Mining:
- Cardero Resources offered in a press release "an update on its iron-oxide copper-gold projects, Marcona and Pampa de Pongo, located in southern Peru.
- Canada's ACS Industries offered an exploration update in a press release (see the second half) on their Pinaya Gold Project located 100 km from Arequipa and "within 7 km of the BHP-Billington Tintaya Mine road. The project comprises seven mineral concessions covering more than 4,000 hectares or 40 square kilometres."
Copa America TV Rules: Reuters, reporting through a photograph, says that President Toledo asked América Televisión, which has the rights to the Copa America soccer tournament, "to allow Peru's state channel to transmit the matches. If the company refuses, Toledo said he would order it to do so via a government decree." Copa América begins July 6. IN SPANISH: See the president's declaration and the Channel's defense.
Naval Exercises: Xinhuanet reports that "about 15,000 mariners from 14 American countries launched Wednesday joint military maneuvers dubbed 'Unitas-2004' in the Peruvian seas and rivers. The amphibious exercises, the largest on the continent, will be carried out first in a strip of 550 kilometers along the northern coast, and later in the eastern Peruvian jungle," according to a spokesman for the Peruvian Navy. NOTE: The exercises are "scheduled to end on July 24" and include the participation of US nuclear aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan. These maneuvers "have been held every year since 1960." MercoPress reports on USS Reagan and "the thousands of prostitutes from all over Chile and even neighbouring countries were converging on Valparaiso looking forward to an 'exceptional season' when the thousands of US seamen arrive for a rest and recovery few days." For More on Unitas: see 'Military Maneurvers' in June 2's Peruvia.
ALSO: The USA Navy Newstand reports on the completion of the U.S. Joint Forces Command-directed and -sponsored Combined Joint Task Force Exercise (CJTFEX) 04-2, designated Operation Blinding Storm, June 21," which included Peru's participation."
War of the Pacific, cont.: The Associated Press reports through several photographs, on Bolivian Foreign Minister Juan Ignacio Siles and his one-day visit to Peru "to discuss a trade pact" with Peru. Bolivia has been trying to pressure Peru's southern neighbor, Chile, to grant it access to the Pacific Ocean. When asked by reporters, Minister of Foreign Relations Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros said Peru would not enter into ongoing dispute."
Peruvians at Mexican Consulates: Big News Network reports that "Peruvians living in U.S. cities without a Peruvian consulate will be able to seek legal services at Mexican consulates," according to Minister of Foreign Relations Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros. NOTE: This will allow "some 1 million Peruvians living in such cities to seek legal from Mexico's facilities." ALSO: "Mexico operates 43 consulates in the United States."
LHorna Elected but Loses: Tennis Magazine (last item) reports that Luis Horna was elected a vice-president of the ATP Player Council "during a meeting of players at Wimbledon. Player Council members are elected by their peers and serve terms until June 2006." The official Wimbledon site (see Court 6) was defeated by Mario Ancic, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease, cont.: The BBC reports that the Argentine government "has temporarily banned meat imports from Brazil after the country reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease." ALSO: The only note on Peru is this: "The Peruvian authorities have also reported their first outbreak of foot-and-mouth in four years." The USA Farming Life also carries a report on the disease in Latin America with an emphasis on Brazil.
NZealand-Peruvian Relations: New Zealand's Scoop publishes their Prime Minister Helen Clark's speech last night at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs where she declared "Peru is an old friend and fellow APEC member."
Kim Jong Il Celebrated: The Korean Central News Agency (third item) reports that "Lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows were held by the New Left Movement of Peru" among others, "on June 15 and 16 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. ... Screened at the film shows were Korean films including 'The Country Taking on More Beautiful Appearance under the Leadership of the Great General.' "
Aguaje – The Miracle Fruit!, cont.: Yesterday's aguaje story is reported in places like India, Pakistan and even translated into Greek (see second item).
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Beer Scandal?: Reuters reports that Peru's Congress "began an investigation into allegations [that Cesar Almeyda] a former adviser to President Alejandro Toledo took bribes to favor the sale of Peru's only brewer in 2002," after El Comercio reported this that Bavaria "paid the adviser $2 million to support its purchase of Union de Cervecerias Backus & Johnston. NOTE: "Venezuela's Empresas Polar brewery was competing with Bavaria to buy Backus." ALSO: Witness Hugo Duran "said Toledo had received part of bribe money, an allegation the government denies."
Indigenous Populations Diminished: The UN Department of Public Information reports that "64 indigenous peoples who live in voluntary isolation in Amazon forests in South America are condemned to gradual extinction," including "the Tagaeri, Huaorani, Taromenane, Corubo, Amamhuaca, Mashco, Kineri, Nahua y Kugapakori peoples, among others [who] live in Bolivia, Brasil, Ecuador and Peru. ... The Amamhuaca language is only spoken by 720 personas (500 in Peru and the rest in Brazil)." NOTE: It is likely that they mean 'Amahuaca.’] Latinamerica Press offers a summarized version of this.
Mining Law Accepted: An updated Reuters reports that "Toledo signed the controversial royalty plan into law at a ceremony on Wednesday in the central mining region of Pasco. Lawmakers say it will raise much needed cash for poor regions where mining is done." Jose Miguel Morales (National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy) who called the law 'madness.'
Las Bambas - Who is In/Out?: BNAmericas reports on "Anglo-Australian mining house Rio Tinto will not be participating in the auction of Peru's Las Bambas copper project," according to Julian Bavin, the company's South American exploration director. NOTE: "This brings to six the number of companies which have over the last three weeks either completely pulled out of or are re-evaluating their participation in the auction scheduled to take place July 23." SCORECARD: Those who have pulled out include Barrick Gold, Noranda, Southern Peru Copper and Anglo American; BHP is on the fence; Phelps Dodge has confirmed their participation. A later Bloomberg story reports that Industrias Penoles of Mexico "pulled out of the bidding for the Las Bambas project," according to Jorge Merino (ProInversión). DETAILS: "Las Bambas holds 40.5Mt of proven reserves grading more than 2% copper and exploration potential of more than 500Mt," according to ProInversión.
Mining Strike: Interfax-China reports from Shanghai on Shougang Hierro Peru which "has suffered an estimated loss of US$ 3.51 million because of a strike lead by the company's labor union," which began on June 1. Wu Jianxin, "with the Information Office of Shougang Group in Beijing," declared: "I think this kind of strike is quite normal. It happens from time to time, no matter how well we treat them." Wu also said that "Shougang did encounter some problems in terms of cross-cultural management, as they used some Chinese-styled management techniques." BACKGROUND: "Shougang Hierro Peru is China's largest enterprise in South America and the largest iron ore supplier on the east coast of the Pacific Ocean."
More Mining:
- Cardero Resources offered in a press release "an update on its iron-oxide copper-gold projects, Marcona and Pampa de Pongo, located in southern Peru.
- Canada's ACS Industries offered an exploration update in a press release (see the second half) on their Pinaya Gold Project located 100 km from Arequipa and "within 7 km of the BHP-Billington Tintaya Mine road. The project comprises seven mineral concessions covering more than 4,000 hectares or 40 square kilometres."
Copa America TV Rules: Reuters, reporting through a photograph, says that President Toledo asked América Televisión, which has the rights to the Copa America soccer tournament, "to allow Peru's state channel to transmit the matches. If the company refuses, Toledo said he would order it to do so via a government decree." Copa América begins July 6. IN SPANISH: See the president's declaration and the Channel's defense.
Naval Exercises: Xinhuanet reports that "about 15,000 mariners from 14 American countries launched Wednesday joint military maneuvers dubbed 'Unitas-2004' in the Peruvian seas and rivers. The amphibious exercises, the largest on the continent, will be carried out first in a strip of 550 kilometers along the northern coast, and later in the eastern Peruvian jungle," according to a spokesman for the Peruvian Navy. NOTE: The exercises are "scheduled to end on July 24" and include the participation of US nuclear aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan. These maneuvers "have been held every year since 1960." MercoPress reports on USS Reagan and "the thousands of prostitutes from all over Chile and even neighbouring countries were converging on Valparaiso looking forward to an 'exceptional season' when the thousands of US seamen arrive for a rest and recovery few days." For More on Unitas: see 'Military Maneurvers' in June 2's Peruvia.
ALSO: The USA Navy Newstand reports on the completion of the U.S. Joint Forces Command-directed and -sponsored Combined Joint Task Force Exercise (CJTFEX) 04-2, designated Operation Blinding Storm, June 21," which included Peru's participation."
War of the Pacific, cont.: The Associated Press reports through several photographs, on Bolivian Foreign Minister Juan Ignacio Siles and his one-day visit to Peru "to discuss a trade pact" with Peru. Bolivia has been trying to pressure Peru's southern neighbor, Chile, to grant it access to the Pacific Ocean. When asked by reporters, Minister of Foreign Relations Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros said Peru would not enter into ongoing dispute."
Peruvians at Mexican Consulates: Big News Network reports that "Peruvians living in U.S. cities without a Peruvian consulate will be able to seek legal services at Mexican consulates," according to Minister of Foreign Relations Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros. NOTE: This will allow "some 1 million Peruvians living in such cities to seek legal from Mexico's facilities." ALSO: "Mexico operates 43 consulates in the United States."
LHorna Elected but Loses: Tennis Magazine (last item) reports that Luis Horna was elected a vice-president of the ATP Player Council "during a meeting of players at Wimbledon. Player Council members are elected by their peers and serve terms until June 2006." The official Wimbledon site (see Court 6) was defeated by Mario Ancic, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease, cont.: The BBC reports that the Argentine government "has temporarily banned meat imports from Brazil after the country reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease." ALSO: The only note on Peru is this: "The Peruvian authorities have also reported their first outbreak of foot-and-mouth in four years." The USA Farming Life also carries a report on the disease in Latin America with an emphasis on Brazil.
NZealand-Peruvian Relations: New Zealand's Scoop publishes their Prime Minister Helen Clark's speech last night at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs where she declared "Peru is an old friend and fellow APEC member."
Kim Jong Il Celebrated: The Korean Central News Agency (third item) reports that "Lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows were held by the New Left Movement of Peru" among others, "on June 15 and 16 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. ... Screened at the film shows were Korean films including 'The Country Taking on More Beautiful Appearance under the Leadership of the Great General.' "
Aguaje – The Miracle Fruit!, cont.: Yesterday's aguaje story is reported in places like India, Pakistan and even translated into Greek (see second item).
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