Thursday, November 04, 2004
AToledo in Rio: Bloomberg and Xinhua News report on the Latin American presidential summit that has 13 heads of state meeting for a ‘Group of Rio’ two-day summit to discuss "a larger peacekeeping force in Haiti and wondering how relations between the United States and the region will develop under U.S. President George W. Bush's second term." According to Xinhua, "Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo congratulated Bush on his re-election and the people of the United States for their participation in the elections which were marked by transparency. Toledo hoped the bilateral relations will develop 'based on the strengthening of democracy, the unrestricted respect for human rights, the combat against poverty, the combat against terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption, as well as the promotion of free trade.' Bloomberg reports that the South American countries "plan to create a group to discuss joint policy and strengthen ties as they prepare for talks on a free-trade agreement linking the continent with North America." Their next meeting will be December 7-9 in Cuzco, Peru to form the group, according to President Toledo. The Associated Press has a photo of Toledo with Mexican President Vicente Fox and another photo of First Lady Eliane Karp with her Mexican counterpart Marta Sahagun. Reuters has a photograph of the four together at a hotel on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
AGuzmán in Prison: The Associated Press’ Monte Hayes updates the upcoming civilian retrial of "rebel leader" Abimael Guzmán and reports that "experts … are concerned about the state's lack of preparation … and warn it could lay the legal basis for hundreds of high-level guerrillas eventually being freed." NOTE: "His first of several trials begins Friday, on a charge of having used a university-prep institute to help finance his insurgency." CITED: Marcos Ibazeta Marino (a former anti-terrorism judge who "said it was a mistake that his first civilian trial be for a nonviolent crime."); retired Col. Benedicto Jimenez Bacca (who directed the anti-terrorism police unit that captured Guzmán who warned: "Guzmán is alive and kicking, more than ever.") Jimenez and Ibazeta spoke directly with foreign correspondents in Lima. Reuters offers a 1992 photo of Guzmán in pinstripes; a 1993 photograph when Guzmán was transferred to a cage; and a 2003 file photograph. The Associated Press offers a softer photo from last year; a 2004 photograph of Guzmán and cellmate/aide/lover Elena Iparraguirre at the Naval Base in Callao; and a separate Associated Press photo has Guzmán and Iparraguirre with Angelica Salas, Osman Morote, Martha Huatay, and Maria Pantoja, all leaders of Peru's Shining Path insurgency. See Also: ‘AGuzmán Strike Over’ in June 7’s Peruvia.
AFujimori in Exile: Xinhua News reports that ex-President Alberto Fujimori will "return to Peru prior to the general elections in 2006," according to an interview with former Agriculture Minister Absalon Vasquez Villanueva who said, "Without question Fujimori will be a candidate in the coming elections and will be back in Peru any time now." NOTE: Vasquez, founder of the political organization Cambio 1990, is one of Fujimori's followers who supported him to be elected as president in 1990.
Peru/Ecuador Connect: BNAmericas reports that "feasibility studies are underway to develop the Piura-Guayaquil highway that will link Peru and Ecuador," declared Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuel Rodríguez. NOTE: "The 309km, US$40mn highway project is a key part of the US$3bn bi-national plan that aims to develop a number of different sectors in the frontier region of the two countries including highways, water, agriculture and energy. The European Union (EU) will provide highway financing." (See last item here.) ALSO: There will also be a new international bridge near the Ecuadorian city of Huaquillas, the reconstruction of bridges between Tumbes and Piura, "and the development of a new border installation to avoid bureaucracy during border crossings." In Spanish: See official document on Eje Vial N° 1.
Pasco Threatens: Gestion is reporting that Víctor Raúl Espinoza Soto, president of the Pasco region, "has warned that if the mining royalty bill is not approved and regulated within the next few days, his government will on 18 November 2004 organize a march to the Government's Palace to protest the delay and has not ruled out plans to call for a regional strike." NOTE: "Mr. Espinoza has also said that the 28 mayors in the region, social organizations and the presidents of the regions of Moquegua, Cristala Constantinide; and Huancavelica, Salvador Crisanto Espinoza Huarocc, will join the protests."
Cusqueña in the UK: The Manchester Evening News reports that Keiron Barton, of the Manchester-based Chilli Marketing who helped bring Cusqueña lager to the local northwest bar scene, "will be passing on tips for successful international trading at the Business Enterprise Xchange." See Also: Barton’s efforts were noted in ‘Cusqueña is Introduced’ in June 29’s Peruvia.
Macro Econ: Reuters reports that Peru's October tax revenues "rose 7.3% to 1.93 billion soles ($581 million) in inflation-adjusted terms compared with the same period last year, lower than the 2.05 billion soles generated in September," according to SUNAT. NOTE: "A 5.4% rise in sales tax collection and a 15.4% jump in income tax revenues helped boost collection in October, compared with the same month last year."
Micro Econ: Transportation Logistics International announced in a press release that its Advanced Medical Diagnostics "has received a commitment for 1 million HIV (1+2) Rapid Test Kits from their Peruvian distributor, Advance Products S.A.C. [which] is committed to order the one million HIV (1+2) Rapid Test Kits from AMD over the next 12 months." NOTE: "Michael Gilbert, AMD's President made this statement: "If a small country like Peru can utilize one million kits in a year, the worldwide potential is incalculable. We expect this $4.5 million order to be just the beginning of major sales for AMD."
MINING:
- Dow Jones reports that Newmont Mining Corp. "publicly asked the Peruvian government to revoke its license to explore on the Cerro Quilish mountain. In full-page newspaper advertisements, Minera Yanacocha SRL said that widespread protests in September had led it to ‘understand the true dimension of the concerns. ... Because of this, dealing with the concerns and the desire of the people of Cajamarca, we have asked the Ministry of Energy and Mines to revoke the exploration permit for Cerro Quilish," according to the advertisement.
- Dow Jones reports that "Peru's output of gold and zinc fell in September, while production of copper and silver rose," according to the Ministry of Energy and Mines. NOTE: "Gold output totaled 13,832 kilograms in September, down 18.2% compared with the same month a year before."
- Solex Resources Corp. announced in a press release that they have acquired uranium properties in southern Peru and "during its base metal exploration program in southern Peru, [they have] identified a number of highly prospective uranium prospects and a staking program to cover these properties has been initiated."
- BNAmericas reports that "Peruvian copper miner Cerro Verde posted net income of US$22.4mn for the third quarter of 2004, up 222% on the same period last year," according to what the company told the country's securities regulator Conasev. NOTE: "The company said the increase in net income was due to the improvement in copper prices during the quarter."
- Canadian Shield Resources anncounced in a press release their plans "to proceed with a drill program on the Humajala Gold Project in Peru where 46 meters, commencing 20 meters from surface, intersected a grade of 0.76 g/t gold in a previous drill hole." Said Ed Baer, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Shield, "The drill program at Humajala is an important step forward for Canadian Shield and the Company's ongoing quest to be active in Peru." NOTE: "The Humajala Gold Project ("Humajala") covers 5600 hectares near the town of Chivay."
TRAVEL:
- The Associated Press (in New Jersey) offers travel advice for Cuzco/MPicchu. They recommend AeroContinente and suggest that "en route to Cuzco, the best views are from the right side of the plane."
- The Jakarta Post reports on Indonesia’s new visa-on-arrival policy which places entry restrictions to tourists but exempts nationals from Peru and Chile (the only South American countries) from having to pay for a visa.
PEOPLE:
- The Whiting Foundation has announced their winnters of their 2004 Whiting Writers’ Awards which includes Daniel Alarcón. (The $35,000 annual awards are presented "to emerging writers of exceptional talent and promise.") Alarcón’s short story, "Lima, Peru July 28, 1979" appeared in the Virginia Quarterly this past summer and was reprinted in the November issue of Harper's. NOTE: His forthcoming book, War by Candlelight, includes "stories are set in a Peru roiled by political and social strife; others are set in New York, where Mr. Alarcón taught in the New York City public schools."
- The Manning Times reports that Julio Alejandro Montoya Morales has completed his 127 day walk from Boston to Miami. "Montoya reached his goal on Oct 28, as he and several Miami officials along with the Consul General of Peru, Jorge E. Roman Morey ... and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz walking the street to the City Hall where Montoya was presented with a City of Miami flag." NOTE: "Montoya is a former Peruvian soldier who lost his leg in a landmine explosion while working [sic] in the jungle." ALSO: "His visa is rapidly running out." See Also: ‘Montoya To Walk The USA’ in July 9’s Peruvia.
- The Washington Post reports on Peruvian-born Victor Reinoso, just elected to the Washington D.C. Board of Education who "was born to Peruvian immigrants who arrived in this country speaking no English. Growing up, he shared a bedroom with his four brothers. Now, he is the first Latino to win a major elected post in the city, according to local Hispanic activists."
- The Cincinnati Business Courier reports that Kendle International Inc. announced the "the hiring of Jacqueline Zeuner to lead the company's expanding operations in Latin America, namely Peru." NOTE: "Her new post at Kendle will involve business development, financial performance and clinical project manager at the Peru unit. Cincinnati-based Kendle is a contract research organization.
- The University of Texas’ Daily Texan reports on Circus Chimera and profiles Fridman Torales-Rios, from Peru where, "from the time he was born, he began to hone his craft beneath the watchful eyes of his parents, both locally renowned circus performers themselves." NOTE: "Torales, dressed in a cape and white jumpsuit, climbs discreetly up onto the Globe of Death, a massive metallic prop that will later be filled with two whirling, speeding motorbikes driving precariously close to each other. … There stands a smiling Torales strapped into a bungee trapeze, a contraption made of two elastic vines that descend from the Big Top's canopy." ALSO: "It feels like I'm flying," Torales said after the show. "No, I am flying," he clarified." See Also: ‘Crazy Wilson’ in April 5’s Peruvia.
- The Miami Herald reports that attorney Lorenz Prüss was named an associate at Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein’s Miami office. "He is a member of the Peruvian-American Chamber of Commerce and the Peruvian-American Club of Florida."
- Crash Extra News includes Peruvian driver Juan Manuel Polar in their coverage of the Formula Renault UK Winter Championship.
The Hartford Advocate reviews Victorio's Grille and declares that "Hartford, as you may know, has an impressively large Peruvian population, with around 3,000 Peruvians according to 2000 census figures." The area has "begun to appreciate some of the pleasures of Peruvian cooking, with its signature rotisserie-roasted chicken, interesting varieties of corn, unusual cream sauces and ceviche." - Rhode Island’s Providence Journal reports that "Rhode Islanders have been at the forefront of Latin American art since the mid-1960s" and includes Peruko Ccopacatty, "a Peruvian artist known for his craggy welded-metal sculptures, makes his home on Block Island."
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Tuesday, November 02, 2004
UPDATE LATER TODAY: Orchid Thief, Deported Nun, and Bobby Fisher's Peruvian Friend
Travel To Peru: The Washington Post online-travel discussion has this: Rockville, Md.: "Crew -- just a word of thanks. For months you have been praising the virtues of travel to Peru, and your articles and answers to my on-line questions persuaded me to go. We got back a week ago, and Peru turned out to be a tremendous experience. My wife and I have traveled throughout the world, and we both agreed that our trip to Peru was one of the best we have ever taken. Thanks again for your informative guidance." John Deiner: "Our pleasure, Rock. Glad you enjoyed your time there."
LHorna Loses: Reuters reports that Luis Horna lost in the first round of the Paris Masters Series ATP tournament to Cyril Saulnier (France) 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-0).
Pan American Silver Up: Mineweb and Reuters report that Pan American Silver Corp. "swung back into profit in the third quarter, results showed on Monday, as the Canadian-based miner benefited from record quarterly output and strong metal prices."
How Odd to Die in Peru: The Independent has an appreciation piece on John Peel who died last week in Peru and includes this: "Peru seemed an oddly exotic location for such an exceptionally ordinary man to meet his end."
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Monday, November 01, 2004
Disco Inferno in Juliaca: The Associated Press (and included as the last item in this Miami Herald piece) reports that in Juliaca, "a mob looted and burned five nightclubs in a southern mountain town after the death of a man who fought with a club guard," according to police. NOTE: "About 200 officers, including reinforcements from the nearby city of Puno, attempted to restore order by firing tear gas at the rioters, but their efforts to break up the crowd were unsuccessful." ALSO: "Less than a month ago, nearly 1,000 villagers in a nearby town killed an accused thief by dousing him with gasoline and setting him ablaze. Alejandro Noalca Mamani, 54, was caught stealing a propane gas tank used for home cooking in Azangaro, about 37 miles north of Juliaca." See Also: Reuters and La Republica on Noalca's death.
Mulanovich Profiled: The Miami Herald's Tyler Bridges reports from Punta Hermosa with a profile of Sofia Mulanovich, the "20-year-old Peruvian is on course to become the first female world champion surfer from Latin America." CITED: Rabbit Bartholomew (president of the Association of Surf Professionals); Felipe Pomar (1965 World Champion); Carlos Meza (coach of the Peruvian national team); Juan Jose Schiaffino (Quiksilver/Roxy's sales representative in Peru); Fernando Aguerre (co-owner of Reef footwear and surfing apparel and a Mulanovich sponsor); and the place where Mulanovich learned how to surf called Cerro Azul, "which was immortalized in a Beach Boys song, Surfin' Safari." The article also offers the obligatory historical note about Carlos Dogny, the 1930's playboy jet-setter who brought surfing to Peru and was a founder of Club Waikiki where Mulanovich's father and grandfather were members. "This year, Mulanovich won three consecutive tour tournaments, in France, Tahiti and Fiji, before losing in the quarterfinals in the last tournament, at Malibu Beach. She remains the points leader on the tour. ... With two tournaments remaining, Mulanovich has a healthy lead in the points race. Mulanovich said, ''I'm stoked. I've been preparing myself my whole life for this moment'.'' See Also: 'SMulanovich Advances to QFinals' in October 3's Peruvia.
Ex-Nun Denied Green Card: The Seattle Times profiles Rubi Dobrenz, a Peruvian national, whose husband committed suicide four years ago which “has left her in a kind of immigration black hole — and in a small fraternity of foreign nationals whose claim to permanent residency in the U.S. died when their U.S.-born spouses did.” NOTE: “Had the Dobrenzes been married at least two years at the time he died, she would have been eligible to self-petition for a green card.” ALSO: “It's been said that in this country when it comes to immigration, if you follow the rules you will be given a chance,” said Brent Renison, an immigration attorney in Portland. CITED: Rubi Dobrenz's Seattle attorney, Bart Stroupe. “What makes Dobrenz's case even more compelling is that she's a former nun who spent 20 years — nearly half her life — in a cloistered convent run by the Carmelite Order. … She came to the U.S. in 1997 on a visa the government grants religious workers.”
ALSO TODAY: The Miami Herald editorializes on the danger of losing the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
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Sunday, October 31, 2004
Strike at Southern? Reuters reports that Southern Peru Copper Corp. "offered to go to arbitration to resolve the case of a fired worker who unions demand be reinstated, hoping to avert a strike at Peru's top copper producer on Nov. 3," according to Alberto Giles, director of human resources at Southern Peru. NOTE: "The company had also offered to pay workers a one-time, 3,600 soles ($1,084) bonus to avoid the strike."
ReTrying AGuzman: Reuters reports that Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman faces "a retrial 12 years after his conviction as the mastermind of a bloody rebel war [and] remains unrepentant and has shown no signs he expects to be freed in the case to begin next week." The new, civilian, trial, which begins Friday, "was made necessary by the repeal of draconian anti-terror laws under which Guzman was convicted by a hooded military tribunal operating in secret." NOTE: "It will also put 17 other top Shining Path leaders in the dock, including Guzman's longtime lover, Elena Iparraguirre, and Oscar Ramirez, dubbed Feliciano." ALSO: "A few hundred rebel die-hards remain at large and Washington still considers Shining Path a terror group. Rebels have killed several soldiers on patrol in the Andes this year and are believed to be taxing drug trafficking and illegal logging. They killed 10 in a car bomb in Lima in 2002 and briefly kidnapped 71 gas pipeline workers last year." CITED: Nelson Manrique, a consultant to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and who took part in 15 interviews with Guzman, says that "he recognizes there were excesses, but he does not repent; he sees the dead as a necessary cost." The article finishes abruptly with "Ruben Corrilla, 42, who was forced to flee his Andean village of Canchocerca after refusing to join Shining Path and being put on a rebel blacklist."
New JDFlórez Reviewed: The Guardian's Anthony Holden proffers a brief review of Juan Diego Flórez' new album, 'Great Tenor Arias' with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano. "After two mainstream bel canto discs, the Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez braves pastures new with French and Italian repertoire from Gluck to Puccini. Such standards as 'La donna e mobile' and 'Che faro senza Euridice' mingle with less familiar items from Halevy's La Juive and Cimarosa's Il Matrimonio Segreto, plus rareties from Donizetti's Figlia del Reggimento and Lucrezia Borgia. All are thrillingly sung."
Tragedy in Apurímac: The Los Angeles Times has a wire piece (likely from the Associated Press) about a passenger bus that "plunged more than 650 feet off an isolated mountain highway in the Andes, killing at least 28 people and injuring 28 others" late Friday near the town of Chuquibambilla. Cited: Dr. Jose Altamirano Rojas and Radioprogramas radio. NOTE: The article adds that "Authorities said no foreign tourists were on the vehicle." The Washington Post has a shorter summary. Reuters reports that "at least 23 people were killed and 27 injured when a bus hurtled into a deep gorge ... The bus was carrying local farmers and traders along a winding, potholed road."
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