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Para ver esta página en español, oprima aquí. Diminished Iraqi Role For P.R. Soldiers… New FBI Chief: Gov’t Corruption Top Priority… PIP Seeks July 4th Ad Ban… SWMA Assigns $Millions For Recycling… Industrialization Key To Island’s Future Growth… "Salsa From Hawai`i" …Russian Child Case Judges Suspended… Misla Pleads Guilty, Gets 60 Yrs… PRT To Invest $172m… PDP, NPP Platforms Approved… SJ To Commemorate The 4th
Iraq Transfer Goes On With Less Puerto Rican Soldiers June 29, 2004
At least one U.S. Army Reserve unit based in Puerto Rico is currently active in Iraq, the 301st Military Police Unit, with 130 servicemen in charge of security at Abu Gharaib prison. Puerto Rico’s National Guard, which at one point had 500 soldiers in Iraq, only has 10 servicemen presently in the Arab nation. "We have some 70 servicemen in Kuwait," said Major Millie Rosa to newspapers. She added that although the National Guard is deployed in force in Iraq, it has over 300 servicemen providing security to outbound vessels in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Rosa pointed out that there are no scheduled National Guard deployment to Iraq. The U.S. handed power on Monday to Iraq’s interim government chosen by the United Nations and Paul Bremer, former governor of Iraq. At least one U.S. Army Reserve unit based in Puerto Rico is currently active in Iraq, the 301st Military Police Unit, with 130 servicemen in charge of security at Abu Gharaib prison. Puerto Rico’s National Guard, which at one point had 500 soldiers in Iraq, only has 10 servicemen presently in the Arab nation. "We have some 70 servicemen in Kuwait," said Major Millie Rosa to newspapers. She added that although the National Guard is deployed in force in Iraq, it has over 300 servicemen providing security to outbound vessels in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Rosa pointed out that there are no scheduled National Guard deployment to Iraq. The U.S. handed power on Monday to Iraq’s interim government chosen by the United Nations and Paul Bremer, former governor of Iraq. New FBI Chief Puts Government Corruption As Top Priority June 29, 2004 SAN JUAN (AP) – Newly appointed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Luis S. Fraticelli said that his top priorities will be stopping government corruption and fighting terrorism. "Government corruption is one of the top priorities for the FBI in Puerto Rico. It worries me…it is significant," said Fraticelli in a press conference. Although he did not go into details about the cases the FBI is currently investigating, he did highlight the multimillion dollar Superaqueduct scheme, in which former members of Rossello’s campaign, such as Rene Vazquez Botet, Jose Granados Navedo, and Marcos Morell, have already been charged. "The Superaqueduct case has yet to be resolved and there are still many investigations to undertake in relation to that case," said Fraticelli. When asked whether the investigations would pause for elections, he said, "as long as there is evidence we will continue our efforts." Prior to assume the post of FBI Director for the region, Fraticelli worked for the Criminal Intelligence Section in Washington D.C. Call For Ban On Ads For Fourth Of July Activities June 29, 2004 SAN JUAN (AP) – Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) Electoral Commissioner Juan Dalmau petitioned State Elections Commission (SEC) president Aurelio Gracia on Tuesday to declare expenses incurred by the City of San Juan in the advertising of Fourth of July celebrations illegal. San Juan’s Mayor Jorge Santini announced on Monday that his city would be the headquarters for the island’s commemoration of the Independence of the United States, a move that will cost over $50,000. "The campaign that the city of San Juan wants to carry out to publicize fourth of July celebrations violate the prohibition of political ads during an election year. The purpose of these ads are political," said Dalmau in a press release. Dalmau also criticized the central government’s spending for commemoration ceremonies and asked State Comptroller Manuel Diaz Saldaña to investigate both events. San Juan’s commemoration will be held at Darsenas Plaza, beginning at 1:00 in the afternoon, a will be attended by White House Public Affairs Officer Dan Garza, they will be in memory of recently deceased former president Ronald Reagan. Meanwhile, commemoration acts sponsored by the central government will be held at Luis Muñoz Rivera Park in Puerta de Tierra, beginning at 12:00 noon. SWMA Assigns Millions Of Dollars For Recycling June 29, 2004 SAN JUAN (AP) – The Solid Waste Management Authority (SWMA) announced on Tuesday it has approved proposals submitted by the municipalities of Guanica, San Sebastian, Ciales, Aibonito, Hormigueros, Lajas, and Naranjito to receive more than $1 million in economic aid to subside recycling programs. Guillermo M. Riera, executive director of the Solid Waste Management Administration (SWMA), said the proposals make up a little over $1 million. "SWMA’s is committed to providing financial and technical aid to municipalities that can maintain recycling programs to comply with the law," Riera said in a prepared statement. The executive director also said the agency provides technical advice in the implementation of recycling plans. It also collaborates in an education plan to convey the message of recycling to the private sector, schools, and government agencies. According to Riera, Guanica’s proposal entails a $150,000 allocation. San Sebastian will receive almost $147,000; Ciales, more than $118,000; Aibonito, almost $150,000; Hormigueros, almost $145,000; Lajas, more than $142,000, and Naranjito, almost $149,000. ECLAC: Puerto Rico Should Bank On Industrial Legacy For Future Growth By Marvin Rodriguez of WOW News June 29, 2004 Citing Puerto Rico’s economic resiliency and steady economic expansion, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin American & Caribbean (ECLAC) Jose Luis Machinea urged Puerto Rico to look to its industrial legacy to face future economic challenges. The recommendation came on Tuesday during the presentation of a report detailing Puerto Rico’s economic development at ECLAC’s Thirtieth Session celebrated in San Juan. Machinea presented the document, which detailed Puerto Rico’s growth from an agriculturally based economy to one relaying heavily on industrial manufacturing, along with Puerto Rico’s Secretary of State Jose Miguel Izquierdo, Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce Milton Segarra, and ECLAC Sub-regional Director Rebeca Grynspan. "It is important that Puerto Rico use its long standing experience in industrial manufacturing, which spans more than four decades, to incorporate itself into a changing regional economy, while at the same time strengthening local competitive markets. This plan should be implemented in a free market framework with local capital taking center stage," said Machinea to a group of local industrialist, businessmen, and legislators. He said that since 1950 manufacturing had grown in importance going from 16.5% to 42.2% in 2002, largely due to the growth of pharmaceutical production. This he credited to government incentives that encourage foreign investment as well as the ability of the local economy to adapt to changing trends. For his part, Secretary of State Izquierdo concurred with ECLAC’s recommendation that Puerto Rico should focus it’s efforts in the creation of Industrial Clusters, which would bring different technology and manufacturing sectors into centralized locations. Milton Segarra, on the other hand, stressed the importance of creating a technologically conscious population and cited the Science and Technology Trust, implemented by the Calderon administration, as the means for fostering growth in those fields. Although the overall outlook for the economy was positive, Machinea did note that Puerto Rico salary distribution is among the worst in Latin America, only 5% better than that of Brazil which holds the lowest spot in wealth distribution. He also said that Free Trade Agreement of the America’s (FTAA) would not negatively influence Puerto Rico’s economy in the long run, the opening of U.S. markets to other nations would put the island in an advantageous position as consultants in market which has been accessible for over 50 year. The Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean (ECLAC) was established by the UN’s Economic and Social Council resolution 106(VI) on February 25, 1948 and began to operate that same year. "Salsa From Hawai`i" By Wayne Harada June 27, 2004 It's dance time, folks. Those who savor the hypnotic and rapturous sounds of salsa and Latin hybrids will leap with joy over Son Caribe's rousing CD. "SALSA FROM HAWAI`I" by Son Caribe; Quiet Storm Records · Genre: Latin, salsa. · Distinguishing notes: Son Caribe is an accomplished five-member combo led by Eddie Ortiz and featuring a crew of spirited souls with fire and sizzle in their blood. Cynthia Romero, featured vocalist, has helped bring the rhythms of salsa, merengue, cha-cha and more to the mainstream. If you love the pulse of Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and other exotic ports, you'll love this one. The vocals (also by Frankie Ramirez, Jerry Rivera and Alvin Lucio) export you to other time zones with hand-clapping, heart-pumping precision. "Solo Amor Por Ella," "Amor Prohibido," "Cuanda Falas Tu" and "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" possess an authentic spirit, mixing voices with seductive brass - like going to Latin America without boarding the plane. · The outlook: You don't have to know the language to get seduced by the beat. · Our take: For dancing, for romancing, for mere sit-and-listening, "Salsa" is a treat for the ears and a tonic for the soul. Judges In Lithuanian Child Case Are Relieved From Their Posts June 28, 2004 SAN JUAN (AP) - Judges Berta Mainardi, Mirinda Vicenty and Maritza Ramos, who wanted to adopt a Lithuanian boy who was being claimed by his biological family in his home country, were temporarily relieved from their job by Puerto Rico Supreme Court Chief Justice, Miriam Naveira. The immediate decision is the result of a recommendation in the report by the Tribunal Administration Office (TAO). "According to the duties of Chief Justice, I have proceeded to provisionally relieve judges Maritza Ramos, Berta Mainardi and Mirinda Vicenty from their judicial duties until the Disciplinary Commission of Judges makes it final ruling," Naveira said. Ramos, who administered the Carolina Tribunal, is being charged with 23 violations of 12 rules of Judicial Ethics by exercising improper influence in the handling of the case by the Department of the Family and by the Department of Justice. The report also determines that Ramos is guilty of abuse and child endangerment. "In a malicious manner, and knowingly, she abused the child by exposing him to obscene language and violent acts, when she attack representatives of the Department of the Family," reads the report. The report also states Ramos hired psychologist Nydia De Lucca without informing the courts, who presumably induced the child to say he had been sexually abused. Against Vicenty, TAO filled charges of improper influence, using her post for personal gain, acting without regard to the judicial branch, and acting outside the bounds of her position. Judge Mainardi, faces disciplinary action for ethics violations such as improper conduct and not following regulation governing the behavior of judges. Misla Aldarondo Pleads Guilty; 60 Years Sentence June 28, 2004 SAN JUAN (AP) – Former House Speaker, Edison Misla Aldarondo, pleaded guilty on Monday to 15 count of government corruption related to the sale of the Manati regional hospital. Immediately the former New Progressive Party (NPP) leader was sentenced to 60 years in prison by San Juan Superior Court Judge Heriberto Sepulveda, which he will serve concurrently meaning that he will only serve 9 years in prison. The sentence will also be served consecutive to the five years and eleven months that he will serve in a federal prison and to the 10 years that he will serve in local prisons for his conviction on charges of lascivious acts against his step daughter. Consecutive means that he will serve the nine years after completing the other sentences. Puerto Rico PRT Announces $172m Investment Plan June 28, 2004 Spanish News Digest Puerto Rico Telephone (PRT), a subsidiary of U.S. mobile company Verizon Communications, announced a $172m investment plant, Adail Ortiz, an official from PRT, said on June 27, 2004. The company will invest $40m to improve wireless services. Ortiz outlined that the investment is part of an the ambitious $1b expansion plan announced in 1999. PDP Platform Approved June 28, 2004 SAN JUAN (AP) – Over 400 delegates from the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) personally approved Sunday the government program that it will present to the voters before the general election on November 2. The so called “Plan for a New Puerto Rico” was unanimously approved at a General Assembly attended by more than 4,000 PDP leaders, according to Juanita Colombani, press spokesperson to Acevedo Vilá. The Assembly was held in the Arquelio Torres Colosseum in San Germán. The PDP delegates passed some 1,025 proposals in their government platform. Their plans include the creation of the "Act to Eliminate Privileges", an initiative which arose from the controversy surrounding the retirement pension granted to former Governor Pedro Rosselló The bill proposed by Acevedo Vilá states that all elected government officials, including the governor, who request a retirement pension from the Commonwealth will have a deadline of 10 days to notify the Government Ethics Committee, and that the file filed with this agency will be made public. NPP Platform Approved June 28, 2004 SAN JUAN (AP) – More than four thousand delegates of the New Progressive Party (NPP) personally approved on Sunday their government platform that includes the means to prosecute officials of Sila Calderón’s administration who committed irregularities or infringed upon the law. "Government officials who violated the civil rights of any citizen will be prosecuted,” Rosselló told the press after the assembly. Rosselló, a self-proclaimed victim of political persecution, said the proposal was not a form of political revenge. "Puerto Rico does not benefit by assuming a position of revenge. What our people do require is an attitude and a stance to cry out for justice for all residents of this Commonwealth,” stressed the former leader. The government program will have to be ratified at the NPP Convention to be held August 21-23, said the press secretary for Javier Maymí, the NPP’s president. Rosselló’s spokesperson estimated that 7,000 or 8,000 people would attend the event. Among other proposals, Rosselló also emphasized the anticorruption plan currently in the hands of Jesús M. Castellanos, a former federal judge. 4th Of July To Be Commemorated In San Juan June 28, 2004 SAN JUAN (AP) – San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini announced Monday that the city will host the commemorative events in honor of the Independence of the United States on July 4th. Santini said the day's activities, to be begin at 1:00 pm in the Plaza Dársenas, will be dedicated to Ronald Reagan, recently deceased former president of the United States, and that there are efforts currently underway for a Reagan relative to be present for the occasion. “We are in touch (with the Reagan family), but have not received any confirmation yet. Evidently these people, as a result of the death of the former president, have a great amount of invitations," he said at the press conference. According to Santini, the cost of the activities would be around 50 thousand dollars. The White House is expected to send a representative to the event, added the Mayor.
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SAN JUAN (AP) – SAN JUAN (AP) – The presence of Puerto Rican units based in Puerto Rico has diminished at a moment when the country is being handed over to the interim government, announced U.S. military spokesmen on the island.