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Saturday, July 17, 2004

Krelalja Resigns: The BBCBloomberg, Reuters, the Voice of America, and Xinhua Net report that Minister of Justice Baldo Kresalja Rosselló  "quit on Friday because he opposed a new law regulating the broadcast media."  Reuters offers the best story and reports that Toledo announced the resignation himself from Cuzco where he "was handing over aid for people in isolated southern Andean villages hit by sub-zero temperatures in a cold spell that has killed at least 13 children this week alone." NOTE: Kresalja "had written to Congress outlining his opposition to certain points in the law, including its approval of foreign ownership of up to 40 percent of Peru's radio and television stations. The law is supposed to prevent monopolies but Kresalja said cross-holdings by other media groups to control broadcast media despite ownership limits were not sufficiently regulated." 
 
More Deaths in Cold: Reuters, the United Nations, and the UN's World Food Programme report on the devestation of sub-zero temperatures in Puno "as heavy snow and rain take their toll on peasants ill-equipped for a cold snap that began in June."  Reuters quotes Juan Luis Podestá Llosa of the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) saying, "this week we have attended 1,045 cases of pneumonia and 13 children have died." (Reuters suggests he is a "Health Ministry official.")  The United Nations quotes UN Children’s Fund Representative in Peru Andres Franc  who says that "50 Peruvian children" have died  and "1.4 million people suffering from life-threatening respiratory infections." NOTE: "Temperatures have fallen to minus 77 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 25 degrees centigrade) in some parts of the Andes and brought snow to the tourist city of Cuzco for the first time in nearly 20 years."
 
Airline Chaos: Dow Jones reviews the crisis in Peru's airline industry and reports that "travel agents on Friday called the situation 'difficult,' saying prices for some domestic flights had almost doubled, if space could be found ... some areas that AeroContinente served are still without flights." CITED: Minister of Transportation and Communications Jose Ortiz, Carlos Canales (Chamber of Tourism), Nestor Huaco Onari ( Tans Peru), Daniel Ratti (Taca Peru) and Lupe Zevallos (AeroContinente's CEO) who declared, "We are going to keep flying since Peruvians feel we are their airline." ALSO: "The regional government of Loreto, an Amazon jungle area without road ties to Lima, ran a newspaper advertisement Thursday saying the region 'has been seriously affected by the wrong-headed government decision to ground AeroContinente'."   LanPeru "has kept operating, protected in part by the emergency ruling from the government." The Associated Press and Reuters offer photographs of AeroContinente workers (including one of Lupe Zevallos in uniform) protesting in front of the Ministry of Transportation.  IN SPANISH: See Tans' related press release.
 
Asparagus Wars, cont.: The Associated Press  reports from Michigan and says that while asparagus farmer Dick Walsworth "has overcome nearly every agricultural problem imaginable" in the last 35 years "but what really frightens him is the prospect of another five or 10 years of competing with Peru's asparagus growers."  NOTE: "Asparagus has surpassed coffee in 2003 as Peru's largest agricultural export, according to a report published in June by the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.  ALSO: USA Congressman Pete Hoekstra said he plans to meet soon with Robert Zoellick, U.S. trade representative, and request a cap on Peruvian asparagus imports." CITED: John Bakker (Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board).   NOTE: Michigan Asparagus Research  and Asparagus Enterprises each share email and telephone numbers with the Mr. Bakker at the Advisory Board).  SEE ALSO:  The Seattle Times June 2004 series on asparagus (registration: peruvia/peruvia), 'Asparagus Wars' in July 2's Peruvia, and this 2000 story on farmer Walsworth and Peruvian asparagus.
 
Peru-to-Europe Travel: The Independent reports Iberia airlines will "abandon its hub operations in Miami" that services Latin American connections as a result of the new USA travel laws.  However, the paper also reports that "Lan is to start a non-stop flight between Madrid and Lima. Lan is part of the Oneworld alliance; accordingly, British Airways and Iberia will offer connections from the UK.
 
Future of Rio Blanco Unknown: Reuters reports that Monterrico Metals "has agreed to carry out a new, fuller joint environmental impact study with the government" on the Rio Blanco copper project, "to convince farmers that the mine will not pollute land and rivers," according to Monterrico spokesman Jose ArrietaNOTE: "Peasants in Peru's northern Andes oppose plans to build the $370 million [mine] and rejected conclusions of a government report that said the mine's environmental impact would be minimal," according to Tomas Saavedra (Piura regional government) .  ALSO: How 'peasants' blocked Manhattan Minerals Corp. in Tambogrande last year.  CITED: Luis Bravo (Centura SAB) and Ray Angus (Monterrico's Chief Operating Officer).   
 
Pacasmayo Won't Go to USA: Dow Jones reports on Cementos Pacasmayo which said "it had decided against proceeding with plans to build a cement plant in the USA," according to the company's legal representative Javier Durand. NOTE: "The company had been considering expanding in the U.S., looking at building a cement plant in Nevada." ALSO: "The family-owned Hochschild group, which has widespread interests in Peru, holds a majority stake in the company."
MRodriguez Arrives in Kiev: Russia's Novosti reports that "Ukraine will help Peru modernize its air force, in particular, An-32 planes. A relevant agreement was achieved between Ukrainian Industry Minister Alexandr Neustriyev and Peru's Foreign Minister Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros during the latter's official visit to Kiev."  Rodriguez visited the Antonov aircraft factory and "confirmed Peru's interest in the purchase of new Ukrainian planes." 
 
Reagan Arrives in Peru, cont.: The USA Navy Compass reports that the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group "completed Silent Forces Exercises (SIFOREX) [in early July] after four days of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) tactics with the Peruvian Navy.  NOTE: "Ronald Reagan CSG is the first group to foster a relationship with Peru through SIFOREX." A separate story in the Navy Compass reports from Salinas on the "UNITAS 45-04 Amphibious Phase which is hosted by Peru and sponsored by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command." NOTE: "The first wave of Marines and Peruvian army and navy special operations units arrived by sea and air to clear the beach from hidden explosives, while F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, operating from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and Peruvian Air Force A-37 provided close air support." Said USA Rear Admiral Vinson Smith, commander, Task Force 138, "This is not only the first multinational amphibious assault ever conducted in Latin America, but it is also the first joint exercise incorporating the Peruvian army as opposition force, and the Peruvian air force supporting the assault with their strike power.” SEE ALSO: 'Reagan Arrives in Peru' in July 10's Peruvia.
  
Tragedy in Paruro: Xinhua News reports that "some children made a fire in a forest in Peru to scare away bees in order to get honey, causing a major blaze that killed six people and injured at least 20" in Paruro, Cuzco.  NOTE: The fire "lasted for more than 17 hours."
 
Tragedy in Japan: The Mainichi Shimbun reports that Takashi Takayama, "a Peruvian teenager has drowned after swimming at an Oiso beach" in Kanagawa , according to police. He had been with his father Carlos Takayama.
 
Economist Eats Cuy: The Economist reports on "a guinea pig for all tastes and seasons." NOTE: "The birth of the mega cuy.
 
Nazca Floods: The Independent reports that the Nazca lines are under "great threat [and] could be destroyed or damaged beyond repair within a matter of years," according to Viktoria Nikitzki of the Maria Reiche CentreNOTE: "The Maria Reiche Centre says international intervention is needed to protect the Lines, calling for local pollution controls and irrigation systems to divert water away from them. " [Editorial Note: The article is based entirely on Nikitzki's pronouncements.  As Peruvia is not aware of a 'Maria Reiche Centre,' we would be much obliged if a reader made us aware of this institution.]
 
Martha Stewart and Peru: The Smoking Gun reports that in trying to seek leniency from a court's judgement, Martha Stewart claimed that "while visiting Peru, she even 'took underprivileged children to Machu Picchu'." 
 
Bolivian Gas and Indigenous Power in Peru: The New York Times reports from Bolivia on indigenous political power and this weekend's gas referendum.  ALSO: "The political awakening has extended into Peru, where indigenous people have also closed highways and taken over some small towns.
 
Copa Quarterfinals: The Assoicated Press in two reports , the BBC, Australia's SBS, and Italy's Inter club review tonight's Peru vs. Argentina match in Chicalyo.  The Miami Herald runs wire copy for the weekends Copa quarterfinals. NOTE: Not on the field tonight: Jefferson Farfan (two yellow-cards), Claudio Pizarro (head injury) and maybe Flavio Maestri (muscle injury).   The Associated Press and  Xinhua Net reports that Pizarro "successfully underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his skull he suffered during the match against Venezuela in the Copa America.  Doctor Christianto Lumenta, head of the neuro-surgery department of the Bogenhausen Clinic of Munich, said "the operation was normal and the patient is fine."
 
Too Much Drinking?, cont.: Reuters  reports that "Coach Paulo Autuori has been fined $2,000 for refusing to attend post-match news conferences at the Copa America." NOTE: "The Copa America organisers and the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL) "severely" admonished Autuori in a statement and urged the Peruvian delegation to "do what they have to do" to get him to show up to media conferences." A separate Reuters story has "Roberto Palacios says the team are tired of having their private lives scrutinised and accused the country's tabloid papers of creating scandals out of nothing." Yet another Reuters story reports that "Peru continued to sulk and again locked the media out of their training session ... angry after a tabloid [Aja] last week claimed a drinking binge was behind their disappointing performance" against Bolivia. CITED: team spokesman Hernan Zamudio, Coach Paulo Autuori,  and team doctor Ramon Aparicio. SEE ALSO: 'Too Much Drinking' in July 11 (below) and July 10's Peruvia.

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Friday, July 16, 2004

Post Strike Analysis: Dow Jones provides a post-strike analysis and says that Prime Minister Carlos Ferrero declared "that opposition leader Alan Garcia had lost ground by supporting Wednesday's general strike." Said Ferrero on RPP radio, "The Apra made a bet on the strike, and it didn't turn out. This is a warning of an upcoming electoral defeat. People are saying that when Mr. Garcia calls, we won't answer." In his own radio interview, Garcia said that the strike was an expression of demands for change made "by an important part of the country." ALSO: El Comercio's political editor Juan Paredes Castro views.

COPA Analysis: Reuters, reporting from Piura, gives an overview of the Copa so far and declares that it offers "top class football without the frills." The frills include "no giant screens, no mini-theme parks outside with giant, inflatable trampolines and no stalls offering official merchandise. It does not even have numbered plastic seats, most of the crowd instead sitting on concrete steps ...  Yet the football played at the Miguel Grau in the Copa America was arguably as good as anything served up in the more glamorous surroundings of Portugal at the European championship the month before." ALSO: "Not a single goalless draw in the 18 first stage matches."

USA Aid to Peru Debated: Reuters reports on a bill in the USA Congress that would "stop financial aid to countries that have not agreed to guarantee American soldiers immunity from the International Criminal Court. Opponents of the measure warned the move would cut off aid countries of strategic importance to the United States" including Peru.

WBank Aid to Peru Affirmed: The World Bank announced in a press release that they approved "two loans for a total of $16.6 million for Peru to support the decentralization of key social programs and fiscal administration."  Marcelo Giugale (World Bank Country Director for Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela) said that "the decentralization of fiscal management and public services will help authorities at all levels channel resources to where they are needed most, especially the rural poor." NOTE: "The two single currency, fixed-spread loans are repayable in 14 years, including 8 years of grace. Disbursements will run from 2004 through 2008."

Economic Growth: Reuters gets an interview with Farid Matuk Castro, head of the National Statistics Institute (INEI) who says that "investment in Peru's fast-growing economy chalked up two years of sustained growth in May, the third longest run in 35 years, reflected by rising output in manufacturing." NOTE: "Investment has grown for eight straight quarters, beaten only by a 14-quarter run in the 1970s and an 11-quarter stretch under the government of former President Alberto Fujimori, who led the country out of hyperinflation in the early 1990s." ALSO: "The capital-intensive mining industry, which generates more than half the country's exports, has been the driving force behind Peru's three-year growth spurt and exports have reached record highs due to strong international metals prices." CITED: Gustavo Rangel (Barclays Capital)

Economic Numbers: Dow Jones reports on Peru's overall cement sales (they rose in June 4.0%, according to the National Association of Cement Producers), and the unemployment rate in Lima (it fell to 8.6% in June from 9.1% in May, according to INEI.)

3G Phones: Nortel Network announced in a press release that "the Peruvian operator of the Telefonica Moviles Group has begun offering a comprehensive line-up of third generation (3G) mobile services nationwide using an advanced wireless data network solution from Nortel Networks." NOTE: "Telefonica Moviles first launched these new services in November 2003 in the capital city of Lima and has now finalized the first phase of expansions of its 3G network in the provinces." CITED: David Holgado Sánchez, director of Technology and Services, Telefonica Moviles Peru.

War of the Pacific, cont.: The Los Angeles Times offers an editorial on this weekend's referendum in Bolivia which "will decide who owns, sells and benefits from the country's natural gas reserves." NOTE: The editorial calls for Chile to "reach out to [Bolivian President] Mesa to achieve a deal that facilitates Bolivia's access to the Pacific Ocean, helping to heal a historical wound that poisons their relationship and, among other things, clutters the construction of a pipeline."  ALSO: The Christian Science Monitor has a front page article today titled, "Gas wealth fuels populist experiment in Bolivia."
 
Coke Not Going to Aussies: Australia's News Nine reports that "two Australians have been detained in Peru after the seizure of 44 kilograms of cocaine bound for Australia [and] are awaiting formal charges after Peruvian authorities detained them in a joint operation with Australian law enforcement agencies." NOTE: "Peruvian authorities raided a warehouse on Saturday in Los Olivos, Peru, where they discovered the cocaine concealed in a large consignment of coffee bags destined for Australia."
 

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Thursday, July 15, 2004

Strike Reviewed: The Agence France Press, Associated Press, the BBC, Bloomberg, Dow Jones, the Financial Times, Reuters, and the Voice of America all report on yesterday's strike. Newspapers generally ignored or downplayed yesterday's CGTP strike and the few who report on it offer abbreviated stories from the wires. (For example, the Miami Herald and the Washington Post used the Associated Press story and the Los Angeles Times used Reuters. The New York Times and, aside from FT, the British papers didn't seem to include the story in their print editions.) Reuters seems to be the only one that uses its Copa reporters to add to the strike story and suggests that they have reporting from ten reporters in Lima, Arequipa, Tacna, Piura, and Trujillo. The BBC headlines, 'Peru hit by major workers' strike' and reports that "at least 76 people have been arrested in Peru during a 24-hour strike" which was "declared a success by the CGTP." However, "the government said the protest had failed because people were working and public transport was functioning." NOTE: "The BBC's Hannah Hennessy in Lima reports that for many the protest has become less about economics and more about trying to undermine the authority of Mr Toledo." CITED: Minister of the Interior Javier Reategui who "claimed only half of all transport services in Lima had been affected by the strike." The AP says that "Peruvians went to work on Wednesday in large numbers, turning their backs on calls for a nationwide strike by a Marxist-led labor federation to protest President Alejandro Toledo's free market policies." NOTE: "In some cases, their incentive was to keep from being docked a day's wages for missing work. The government decreed the pay measure on the eve of the strike as a way to deflate the protest." CITED: William Villarroel (waiter), Interior Minister Javier Reategui, labor leader Juan Jose Gorriti, Labor Minister Javier Neves who said that "95% of private-sector employees in Lima and 89% nationwide reported for work." Reuters reports that "thousands of Peruvians, some burning effigies of President Alejandro Toledo, took to the streets nationwide on Wednesday to tell his unpopular government bluntly: Change your policies or go." It is the only one that refers to the protests in Ayacucho earlier this month. CITED: Julio Lopez (student in Arequipa) and Minister of Production Alfonso Velasquez who asked, "What strike?" Bloomberg has the best quotes including citations from Prime Minister Carlos Ferrero ("There is no strike."), Alan Garcia ("I hope that Toledo's advisers will tell him the consequences of such a strike"), and President Toledo ("I listen. There are some issues we can improve and other simply are mot in our hands," without elaborating). ALSO CITED: Jorge Luis Rodriguez (Centura SAB brokerage), Minister of Labour Javier Neves and Congressman Antero Flores-Araoz (PPC) who said, "Personally I worked all day at my law office." The Financial Times is the only one to report that "the protests failed to shut down commercial activity in the capital because of a last-minute withdrawal by the city's transport unions representing drivers of buses, vans and collectivos - shared taxis that are popular with poor Peruvians."

CGTP Strike in Chiclayo: The Northern Report offers a fascinating review of the strike in Chiclayo and includes Copa news, Aero Continente, tourists, alternative transportation modes and competing political voices. It also offers some on-the-ground photojournalism of the strike. NOTE: Chiclayo Mayor Arturo Castillo, "strongly opposed the strike, refused to allow city workers the day off to participate, [and] called the day, 'a total disaster'." ALSO: APRA President of the Piura region, César Trelles, broke with his party's national leadership and "told local newspapers that although he opposes the policies of the Toledo government and supports the concerns of works, the strike would be devastating to his region during the tournament." CITED: Yehude Simon Munaro, (President, Region of Lambayeque), Erwin Salazar (President of CGTP in Lambayeque), Juan Carlos Muga Santamaria (head of tourism, Region of Lambayeque), Renzo Franco Leon (Center for Promoting Tourism in Piura), Rev. William Lego, and Eduardo Majail (La Industria newspaper).

AeroCont Passangers Stranded: Reuters reports that "some 4,000 passengers have been left stranded in Peru after the government grounded Aero Continente over an insurance policy dispute," according to the Aero Continente spokesman German Arata. According to the Minister of Transportation Jose Ortiz, the airline "presented partial insurance that doesn't cover all eventualities and the law doesn't permit this ... It's nothing against Aero Continente; we acted in accordance with the law." NOTE: "The government had been prepared to step in to guarantee Aero Continente's insurance policy but said no documents had been presented so the guarantee was not activated." The recent listing of AeroContinente founder, Fernando Zevallos on the 'drug-kingpin list,' "prevents Americans from flying on Aero Continente, embargoes its assets in the United States and prevents it from any dealings with U.S. companies, such as insurers or spare parts suppliers." NOTE: "The Peruvian [football] team had managed to switch its flight for its next match to LanPeru."

Mining Strike: Reuters reports on the continuing "strike over pay at Peru's only iron mine, Chinese-owned Shougang Hierro Peru [which] went into its 18th day on Wednesday and has cost the company $4.5 million," according to Raul Vera, the mine's general manager. NOTE: "A 13-day walkout in June by Shougang's own miners, also over pay, cost the company $3.5 million in lost business." CITED: Minister of Energy and Mines Jaime Quijandria and Julio Pacheco (Grupo Santo Domingo)

Economic Numbers: Reuters reports on economic analysts who "expect Peru's economy to grow 3.95% in May, short of the government's estimate of around 4.2%, led by strong manufacturing output and a surge in fishing production. The $60 billion economy, one of the fastest growing in Latin America, also is set to grow 4.2% in the January to May period, year-on-year," according to the median forecast of four economic analysts polled by Reuters. CITED: Pablo Nano (Banco Wiese Sudameris) and Henry Alvarez (Maximixe).


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Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Peruvians Abusing Peruvians, cont.: Newsday continues its reporting on the 69 Peruvians caught up in the smuggling ring in Long Island and joins it with an editorial today calling for their quick release. The news story says that 59 of the undocumented immigrants were granted "temporary legal residency."  As a result, "the 'continued presence' legal status means the Peruvians can remain in the United States for as long as a year as an investigation continues and as long as they cooperate with prosecutors," according to Wade Horn, assistant secretary for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services.  ALSO: "Three natives of Peru, Mariluz Zavala, her husband, Jose Ibanez, and their daughter, Evelyn Ibanez, have been charged with operating the trafficking ring locally, which authorities describe as one of the largest uncovered in the United States in terms of the number of victims rescued." NOTE: The Rev. Allan Ramirez, a leading Latino advocate, "accused authorities of subjecting them to a second kind of captivity by refusing to let the men and women publicly reveal details of their abuse." The accompanying editorial calls on "the feds should do all they can to make this new form of captivity as brief as possible. These immigrants appear to have suffered enough already."  SEE ALSO: 'Peruvians Abusing Peruvians' in July 10's Peruvia.
 
JPerez de Cuellar on Iran: Iran offers an interview with Javier Perez de Cuellar and on his views of the Iran-Iraq war during the 1980s when he was Secretary-General of the United Nations.  "In response to a query about the reason that the UN Security Council did not officially announce Iraq as the aggressor, he replied, 'Given that the UN Security Council includes 15 member states and even its five permanent members fail to reach consensus on issues on the agenda, this was quite unlikely.' "  ALSO: "The former secretary general is currently serving as Peru's plenipotentiary envoy to France and its permanent representative to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)."

Peru Negro Nominated: The Associated Press reports that Peru Negro's latest albmu, 'Jolgorio,' has been nominated for a Latin Grammy in the "Best Folk" category (see #26).
 
Climing Huascarán: Everest News reports on the Andalucía-Antarctica 2004 Expedition, which is sponsored by Consejería de Turismo, Comercio y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía. In this new activity, Seven Summits plans to ascend to Churup Lake (4,485 m.) and the snowy peaks around like Vallanaraju and Jagyaraju.  Other possibilities are Ishinca (5,530 m.), Urus (5,495), Pastoruri (5,240 m.) and other summits like Ranarapalca, Tocllaraju and Palcaraju West, without leaving out the higher peak of Cordillera Blanca, the snowy peak of Huascarán Sur (6,768 metres)."

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004

The Strike: Dow Jones and UPI report on tomorrow's strike and Dow Jones offers the better story. "Peru is bracing for Wednesday's anticipated general strike, which analysts say has become a test of strength for President Alejandro Toledo's administration. Peru's largest labor union, the CGTP, wants its 24-hour nationwide strike to force the Toledo government to alter its economic policies." NOTE: "While the economy has grown solidly for the almost three years that Toledo has been in office, that hasn't been enough to settle the demands articulated by the unions, which have tapped into widespread discontent." Supporters of the CGTP strike include farmers, telecommunications union, and APRA. CITED: Macroconsult (and their report on the strike), Mirko Lauer, Interior Minister Javier Reategui and Alberto Andrade Carmona's editorial in El Comercio.

Cold Kills: The Agence France Press reports that "winter storms have violently struck several South American countries in recent days" killing more than 75,000 farm animals in Peru, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. NOTE: "Heavy snow and rain in southern Peru left 53 people homeless and damaged thousands of houses." SEE ALSO: 'Cold Kills' in July 11's Peruvia below.

Beer Wars, cont.: Reuters reports that Congress "began an investigation into allegations [Cesar Almeyda] a former adviser to President Alejandro Toledo took bribes to favor the sale of Peru's only brewer in 2002. NOTE: "El Comercio reported this month that Bavaria paid Almeyda $2 million to support its purchase of Union de Cervecerias Backus & Johnston. CITED: Javier Velasquez (APRA Congressman and head of the commission) and Hugo Duran (witness against Almeyda). SEE ALSO: 'Beer Wars' in July 8's Peruvia.

The Economic Numbers: Dow Jones reports that "Peru's net international reserves totaled $10.888 billion on July 6, compared with $11.129 billion on June 28," according to the Central Reserve Bank. Reuters reports that "Peru's economy expanded by an annualized 4.6% in May, boosted by higher domestic demand in manufacturing, construction and trade," according to the INEI. NOTE: "Peru's gross domestic product has expanded 4.24% in the year to date, official data show. Peru's GDP has been growing steadily for nearly two years."

P-PK on Taxes: Dow Jones and Reuters report that Peru "will eliminate the 1.7% IES or 'Solidarity' payroll tax this year, but other taxes will remain in place," according to Minister of Economy and Finance Pedro-Pablo Kuczynski's interview with CPN radio. NOTE: "Kuczynski also ruled out moving to a different cabinet post, should President Alejandro Toledo shuffle his cabinet" on July 28. "Some reports have speculated that Kuczynski could take over as prime minister." ALSO: P-PK said "that he expects the upcoming general strike, planned for this Wednesday, to be peaceful."

IDB Releases Camisea Monies: Dow Jones reports that The Inter-American Development Bank said that "Peru's Camisea natural gas project meets key environmental and social conditions, paving the way for a long-delayed loan disbursement from the multilateral lender." NOTE: Last Fall, the IDB made over $100 million in loans to the project but "delayed handing over the money due to ongoing environment and social concerns about the project." ALSO: The US Export-Import Bank last fall also "rejected a proposed $213.6 million loan guarantee for the project stating that it didn't meet that bank's environmental guidelines." Today's reports states that "the IDB believes the necessary protocols have been established to ensure the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental, social and health and safety negative impacts and risks associated with the Camisea project will be properly mitigated." SEE ALSO: The IDB's page on the Camisea project, the bank's 2003 environmental impact study, and this June 2004 evaluation.

More Mining News:
- Mining Las Bambas, cont.: Reuters reports that Anglo American "has pulled out of next month's auction for the Las Bambas copper project because of Peru's decision to introduce a royalty on mining operations," according to "a source familiar with the situation." NOTE: Jose Miguel Morales, president of the private National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy said "the law was 'madness', and the society would go to the Constitutional Court and seek other legal action to get the law overturned. SEE ALSO: 'Mining Las Bambas' in July 8's Peruvia.
- Inca Pacific Resources announced in a press release "the first set of results from the 2004 diamond drill campaign" in their San Ernest mine in Ancash.

Electricity in the South: BNAmericas reports that "Peru's government plans to auction its 15% stake in transmission company Redesur on October 25 for about US$5 million. The government owns the stake through the state fund for business financing, Fonafe, which has 124,995 shares in Redesur."

AContinente's Troubles: The Miami Herald Peru grounded the nation's leading airline Monday, citing the carrier's inability to find an insurance policy after it landed on a U.S. government blacklist for suspected drug traffickers. See Also: 'AContinente Still Flying?' in yesterday's Peruvia.

Free Trade Like in Europe: The Miami Herald runs an op-ed by Daniel Sokol of International Trade & Competition Group of Steel Hector & Davis LLP's on the Free Trade Area of the Americas and how Latin America should look to Eastern Europe's process of integration in the European Community. NOTE: "There is no better proponent of the need for clear property rights and their protection than internationally recognized Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto, who in May 2004 was awarded the $500,000 Milton Friedman Prize for Liberty."

Microsoft Funding: Microsoft announced in a press release that Microsoft will provide support for La Fundacion para el Desarrollo Solidario (FUNDADES) as part of their Unlimited Potential grants. "FUNDADES implement a technology training program to help teen parents with no economic resources or computing skills find jobs to support their families."

Morning After Pill Makes Waves, cont.: Italy's Zenit reports that the Peruvian bishops' conference "is promoting a national debate on 'the dangers for human life' of the morning-after pill. CITED: Bishop José Hugo Garaycoa Hawkins of Tacna and Moquegua. SEE ALSO: 'Morning After Pill Makes Waves' in June 23's Peruvia.

Swallowing Your Resources: Several sources, including the Los Angeles Times, run an article on a man who "swallowed nearly $47,500 in latex-wrapped cash in an attempt to smuggle the funds out of the Bogota airport ... while preparing to board a flight for Lima. Inside his stomach were dozens of the latex packets of cash. Police said interrogations indicated the money was probably to be used to pay for drugs."

Paisanos Abroad:
- The Las Vegas' Review Journal reports that Marco Cossio won "an American Culinary Federation gold medal for his ballerina-themed dessert at the Las Vegas Culinary Challenge in the Pastry Masterpiece Competition." Cossio is a chef at the Ark Restaurant in Las Vegas.

- Surfers Village reports that Felipe Becerra is competing at the Nokia International Longboard Bear Championships in France.

- Ohio's Bowling Green Daily News profiles Marcella Revoredo, a nurse at the Barren River District Health Department. NOTE: "Revoredo graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the National University of Cajamarca," and is married to Alfonso Casana.
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COPA NEWS

Wrap Up: The Guardian, the Miami Herald and Washington Post: "Venezuela was eliminated from the Copa America after tying Bolivia, 1-1, Monday."

CPizarro Update, cont.: The Associated Press reports Peru Captain Claudio Pizarro is "responding well to treatment in [a San Borja clinic] for a fractured skull which forced him out of the Copa America." Goal Magazine reports that in addition to not playing any more Copa games, Pizarro will also miss "the opening round of the Bundesliga season in August."
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Monday, July 12, 2004

AContinente Still Flying? UPDATE: Reuters files a later story.
The Associated Press, Dow Jones, and Reuters late today reported that Peru "abruptly halted [Aero Continente's] operations saying it wanted to protect passengers because the airline had not submitted its new insurance policy." Gonzalo Iwasaki, an airline spokesman, said "the company had presented the documents and was surprised by the decision." NOTE: Some flights have already been cancelled. ALSO: "The Transport and Communications Ministry at midday decreed the suspension of commercial air activities of Aero Continente given that the company has not presented documentation, required by civil aviation legislation, regarding its insurance policy," it said in a statement. NOTE: Reuters fails to cite earlier relevant stories from over the weekend (in the Associated Press and, in Spanish, a Reuters) about the airline getting a reprieve through a government-sponsored insurance policy. SEE ALSO: The Ministry of Transportation and Communications official decree; and 'AContinente Still Flying' in July 10's Peruvia.

Andean Summit: The Agence France Press reports on the Comunidad Andina's 15th Andean Presidential Council "which called for further trade talks with the European Union." Reuters offers photos of President Toledo among other Andean leaders at the meeting. The Associated Press has a photo of Minster of Foreign Relations Manuel Rodriguez; Reuters shows Toledo and Rodriguez together.

P-PK on the Debt: Reuters reports that Minister of Energy and Mines Pedro Pablo Kuczynski "ruled out any new debt issue this year in an interview published on Sunday, days after saying his country would seek $1 billion in fresh debt to prepay Paris Club obligations and ease a looming repayment crunch." The interview was with El Comerio. ALSO: Said Kuczynski, "The Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank loans are agreed at floating rates and these are rising now. We will try to fix part of that through swaps. That could mean getting a higher rate, but we'll avoid a larger increase caused by the fluctuation of international markets." SEE ALSO: 'P-PK on the Economy' in July 8's Peruvia. SEPRATELY: Reuters offers an article on emerging bond markets and reports that "Peru and Brazil are expected by analysts to report positive economic numbers this week." ALSO: Peru's May gross domestic product figures are due to be released this week." Lawrence Krohn (IDEAglobal) says: Peru has "had 35 consecutive months of growth. They have a lot of political problems but Peru's growth has been one of the best in the region."

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COPA NEWS:

NOTE: Official Schedule; Lead Scorers (Reuters)

Wrap Up: The Los Angeles Times, the Miami Herald and Washington Post offers summaries of yesteday's games.

Peru v. Colombia: Associated Press and SBS offer previews of the Peru v. Colombia match. And the Teesside Journal has Jeferson Farfan's perspective on the game.

CPizarro Update: Reuters reports that Claudio Pizarro will "be assessed by a neurosurgeon sent by his German club Bayern Munich after the Peru captain suffered a head fracture during a Copa America match," according to Pizarro's father, also named Claudio. NOTE: "He has been told to rest for a month." ALSO: "From what the doctor says...he may have to have an operation, not a big one, but surgery to put this dent in his skull back in the right place."
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Sunday, July 11, 2004

Corruption Quantified: The Washington Post runs a business column on corruption with a focus on 'How to Subvert Democracy: Montesinos in Peru,' an academic paper written by Stanford economist John McMillan and his graduate student Pablo Zoido. The WPost says that McMillan and Zoido "compar[ed] the bribes by institution and then compare[d] them to see where Montesinos, in his 'expert' opinion, thought it most effective to spend the most money. It wasn't even close. One single television channel's bribe was four times larger than the total of the opposition politicians' bribes. By revealed preference, the strongest check on the government's power was the news media." SEE ALSO: This paper was mentioned in 'The Corruption of VMontesinos' in May 15's Peruvia.

Cold Kills: The Miami Herald (registration: peruvia@peruvia.com/peruvia) (final item) reports that "a prolonged cold front hitting Peru's southeastern Andes since late June has caused the deaths of some 70,000 llamas, alpacas and goats and affected about 80,000 people living in the remote highlands," according to Juan Luis Podesta Llosa, chief of the Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil.

CAndina & EU: Xinhua reports on the Andean Community (Ancom) five-day summit that opens on Tuesday in Quito "to discuss the future negotiations on an association agreement with the European Union," according to Ancom Secretary General Allan Wagner. NOTE: Wagner noted "the association agreement with the EU will be based onthree pillars: political dialogue, cooperation and free trade." ALSO: "After the meeting, Peru will take over the one-year Andean presidency from Ecuador."

CGTP Leader Threatened, cont.: New York's Newsday (second item) reports on the "hand grenade, wrapped in gift paper and accompanied by a floral arrangement," that was sent to Mario Huaman, Peru's top union leader a week before the July 14 nation wide strikeSEE ALSO: 'CGTP Leader Threatened' in July 9's Peruvia below.

Complicated Visa Case: New Jersey's Hudson Reporter reports on the case of Peruvian-born Moises Mory who was "driving with an old acquaintance in 1986 [when he] was pulled over by police." It turned out that the passenger was "in possession of cocaine. Both men were arrested and charged. NOW: Mory "may have not realized that those 1986 charges would come back to haunt him over the next 20 years. [He] had first come to the United States on a work visa, but had stayed after it expired. Over the years, he has sought citizenship and has received other work visas. His current one expires this September. The drug charge has put his chances in jeopardy."

EPrado Wins Race: The Washington Post reports that "when it comes to 3-year-olds, jockey Edgar Prado appears to put himself in the right place at the right time. Last month, he ruined Smarty Jones's bid to win the Triple Crown with his spoiling ride on Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes. Saturday afternoon, in a lesser but still rich event, Prado turned in another expert ride aboard Kitten's Joy to win the $500,000 Virginia Derby before a crowd of 7,826 at Colonial Downs." SEE ALSO: 'EPrado To Race' in yesterday's Peruvia.
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COPA NEWS:

Note: Official Schedule; Leading Scorers (Reuters)

Photos from the Copa: Reuters has several photographs on vendors selling Copa paraphanelia as well as photos of many fans.

Too Much Drinking?, etc. The Miami Herald includes a summary of yesterday's Reuters piece on the tabloid Aja's charge against the Peruvian team. The BBC catches up with yesterday's news on Claudio Pizarro's concussion which will "rule [him] out of the rest of the Copa America." The BBC identifies Miguel Rebossio as the target of the drinking accusations.

Wrap Up: The Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald and Washington Post all offer summaries from the wires.
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