MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Punta Arenas in brief

World conferences / Spanish investment in port / Ozone hole splits / Unemployment at 8,5% / Eco-tourism in wildlife parks / Blackout in Town Hall? / Fourth methanol plant / Spanish partner for DAP airlines / Juvenile delinquency / Academic advance / Regional government in the red / UN ozone research in Punta Arenas.

World conferences
Two world scientific conferences on global climate change will be held next January in Punta Arenas. The first is the regular meeting of the International Geo-sphere-Biosphere Programme that has several branches in the world and depends from Sweden's Royal Academy of Sciences. Sixty scientists are expected for the conference that will extend from January 20 to 24. Taking advantage of the presence of so many outstanding experts, the University of Magallanes is organizing a second conference specifically on global climatic change which will include the participation of 1995 Chemistry Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Paul Crutzen. Several scientists will be presenting papers to be discussed during the meeting that will extend from January 23 to 25.

Spanish investment in port
Spanish businessmen will be investing 60 million US dollars in a port project to be built in Cabo Negro, close to the petrochemical complex belonging to the Chilean government oil company ENAP. In a telephone interview the Mayor of Punta Arenas Raúl Hein, currently with a business delegation visiting Europe, said that the Puerto of Valencia consortium anticipated their participation in the project with an investment of 60 million US dollars. However, the operation must include local associates, either private or government. Once the partnership is agreed work in the project could begin in 12/18 months time. Mayor Hein also announced that a delegation of Spanish tourist agents will be visiting Magallanes Region next November.

Ozone hole splits
Magallanes University scientists reported this week that unexpected strong winds in the stratosphere over Antarctica have helped to split the ozone hole, resulting in a greater concentration of ozone and protection against UV radiation. Researcher in Space Geophysics Claudio Casiccia said that "satellite images indicate that the splitting of the ozone hole has been totally unexpected, because it usually happens towards the end of November". This means that one of the smaller holes has located opposite to Chilean Antarctic bases and a second, closer to Punta Arenas, over the south Pacific. "This season apparently strong stratospheric winds are responsible for the higher concentration of ozone, but we can't say this is a permanent pattern, we need more data and research", indicated Dr. Casiccia. The Magallanes University researcher added that the hole over the Pacific could move over to the continent, "but it's too premature to anticipate what may happen; anyhow the level of radiation this year will be considerably less, and that's real good news". Apparently so far this year only on September 9th., the ozone hole extended over Punta Arenas, but since it was a cloudy day, "there wasn't a significant increase in UV radiation".

Unemployment at 8,5%
Unemployment in Magallanes Region kept virtually unchanged during the June-August quarter according to the latest statistics released this week. The official figure dropped 0,1% and now stands at 8,5% (from 8,6%) but 0,2% more than the same period a year ago. However Jorge Restovic, Regional Labour Director said that "the 8,5% is in line with indexes of the last five years", and anticipated that with construction, the coming tourist season and public works, "employment will rapidly begin to pick up". The number of people employed in the June-August quarter was reported as 65,850. Compared to a year ago this represents an employment increase of 1,450 people in construction, 1,150 in transport and communications and 530 in retailing; however there was a 2.060 drop in community, social and personal services and 500 in farming and fisheries.

Eco-tourism in wildlife parks
Under the slogan "Eco-tourism and sustainable development", Punta Arenas officials celebrated last Friday the International Tourism Day. Magallanes Regional Tourism Director Miguel Angel Muñoz revealed that the tourism industry represents over 45 million US dollars for the region and anticipated full government support to the industry's activities. "Eco-tourism is evolving and as long as we are committed to sustainable policies, the industry has a solid future", said Mr. Múñoz. Mr. Muñoz words coincided with the official announcement of the opening of Magallanes region wildlife and natural reserves to eco-tourism undertakings managed by the private sector. "We're opening natural parks and reserves to the private sector so they can elaborate eco-tourism projects. We'll keep monitoring and co-ordinating protection of wildlife, but we're inviting the private sector to a joint development effort", said Marco Cordero Regional Director of the Chilean Forestry Corporation, adding that the initiative was sponsored by the "Protected Wildlife Areas for regional development" program. The areas included are Bernardo O'Higgins National Park; Pali Aike National Park; Magallanes National Reserve; Alacalufes National Reserve; Parrillar National Reserve; and the Cabo de Hornos and Alberto de Agostini Parks. Torres del Paine, Milodón Cave and Magdalena island were not mentioned since they already operate under a similar system. "This initiative was long overdue, but we're pleased we can finally and jointly work with the Forestry Corporation, since if this prospers we can have the tourist industry growing 10% annually", said Jorge Norambuena vicepresident of Punta Arenas Tourism Chamber. "Our region trades with landscapes and all the resources we have in the protected areas, so I think it's a great leap forward to have those areas opened for eco-tourism", added Liliana Kusanovic, hostel operator.

Blackout in Town Hall?
Punta Arenas Town Hall, seat of the regional and municipal governments, could have the electricity cut off any moment since the utility service has gone unpaid for seven months. According to "La Prensa Austral" the 15 million pesos bill (approx. 20,000 US dollars) with the private company Empresa Eléctrica de Magallanes is kept locked in a safe only accessible to the General Manager and considered almost a "state secret". However Punta Arenas' cabinet Chief, Luis Barría, admitted the situation adding that there's also a two months delay with the water and gas services. "This is a situation not uncommon to other municipal governments in Chile. Once we receive the funds for these items we'll pay the bills", said Mr. Barría. Apparently last year additional funds were promised by Santiago to municipal governments but they were never made effective, claiming budget austerity, and therefore the current shortfall. "We're not running out of money, simply funds are earmarked for specific items, and we must keep to the rules", indicated Mr. Barría saying he doubted any extreme measures would be taken. "Town Hall lodges the regional and municipal governments, plus the Planning and Home Office so it's quiet crowded; besides the building is old and maintenance costs are significant, so we're always having difficulties in keeping up to date".

Fourth methanol plant
The blueprints for a fourth methanol plant in Cabo Negro, a few miles from Punta Arenas, should be ready in the coming weeks according to Roger Neumann Production Manager of Methanex Corporation, the consortium that already has three other plants in the area. The two basic conditions for the project, that the five Argentine natural gas suppliers have all the necessary official licences to export to Chile, plus contracts guaranteeing the supply of natural gas, have been met and the agreements should be ready for signing in a near future. The project involves a 200 million US dollars investment in three years, 1,500 new jobs and Methanex total production increase from three to four million tons annually.

Spanish partner for DAP airlines
A Spanish air travel and tourism consortium is holding talks with DAP airlines from Punta Arenas with the purpose of establishing a "strategic association" in Patagonia and Antarctica. According to "El Mercurio" from Santiago Air Nostrum, a relatively new Spanish company specialized in short range high intensity flights, is interested in expanding its business to southern Chile. Talks are under way in Spain where a Chilean trade delegation is currently involved in a country promotion and investment attraction visit to several European countries. Mr. Andrés Pivcevic, DAP's CEO is part of the official delegation. Apparently Air Nostrum flies all over Europe with a fleet of 50 aircraft. The company began in 1994 and currently has 1,107 weekly flights carrying over two million passengers. DAP is a regional airline flying in Patagonia and Antarctica that once linked Punta Arenas with the Falklands.

Juvenile delinquency
Following several attacks mainly by juveniles with knives Punta Arenas taxi drivers and bus companies have warned they will limit night service in certain areas of the city. According to Punta Arenas press the latest attack was against a taxi driver who was robbed of his night shift revenue, a mere 20 US dollars, and threatened with knives by two 17 year olds that were finally caught by the Carabineros. "One of them wanted to lash me with the knife because he considered the money insufficient, but the other fellow stopped him telling his they still had a third "job" that night", recalls frightened taxi driver Miguel Angel Salvador. Both juveniles had long police records. The attack on the taxi driver occurred just a few days after a Punta Arenas Fire Department volunteer died stabbed ten times by a 21 year old also with a police record as a minor and recently on parole. When the attack took place, the culprit was accompanied by an underage girl friend. According to an official report from the Chilean Ministry of Interior the number of crimes reported in Punta Arenas during the first semester of 2002 declined to 1,113, a 17,8% drop. However in an editorial La Prensa Austral points out that in spite of the improved numbers, ("that can lead us to a permanent and inconclusive debate"), there's a general feeling, perception of insecurity in Punta Arenas, aggravated by the fact that most of the violent crimes are committed by minors, many of them with police records. The newspaper proposes these youngsters be "re-adapted" to community life with a boarding system based on an "assisted freedom" program, plus a serious public debate regarding the lowering of minors' imputable responsibility to 16 and 14 years, according the seriousness of the crimes committed.

Academic advance
University of Magallanes in association with other Chilean and Spanish institutions began this semester its first PhD course. The program co-ordinator of this first experience with fifteen students, on Renewable energy sources is Dr. Jaime Ortíz-Cañavate from Madrid's Polytechnic University. Five other Spanish professors are expected during the program as well a academics from the University of Concepción. The first two semesters are of intensive teaching and then each student will have to elaborate his thesis. The whole PhD course is expected to take four years. Renewable energy was chosen as the main subject given Magallanes Region energy options such as solar, aeolic (wind) and mini dams.

Regional government in the red
A clear majority of Magallanes Regional Council (15 out of 18) ratified their request for an audit of the regional government finances particularly the Regional Development Fund given the standing payment delays to companies involved in public works. The ruling majority and opposition Councillors said they wanted to know why the 1,800 million pesos (approx. 24 million US dollars) in backlog payment to companies that have completed their public works contracts, and the reason for the cash flow deficit. Besides, Councillors are concerned that the current situation has forced the regional government to postpone another 15 million US dollars in public works programmed for this fiscal year, "This is no longer political, we simply want to know the extent of the debt, capital and interest, and prospects", said José Barría who presides the Budget and regional investment committee.

UN ozone research in Punta Arenas
United Nations Environment Program will be researching in Punta Arenas the thinning of the ozone layer and its effects on the local population. Chilean dermatologist and Punta Arenas resident, Dr. Jaime Abarca, is one of 27 scientists involved in a UN committee that is drafting a paper on the ozone phenomena and its impact in global climatic conditions and living conditions. According to Dr. Abarca the report will include the usual information regarding the effects of UV radiation on the skin, eyes and immunological system, but also the impact on global climatic conditions and the emergence of dermatologic diseases. Apparently British scientists detected in Poland "zoster" herpes that becomes particularly virulent and aggressive when UV radiation increases and immunologic conditions of humans dwindle. One of the objectives of the coming UN research program in the Magallanes Region is to test if something similar happens to local residents.