MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Regional News from Pta. Arenas.

Headlines:
APEC tourism summit in Punta Arenas; Maya V” crew mostly Chilean; Cattle Show in Magallanes.

APEC tourism summit in Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is preparing for a world event to take place next October when the Tourism ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group will be holding a summit in the capital of Magallanes Region. A special committee including members from the local Production and Commerce Chamber, regional Councillors, mayor of Punta Arenas and his cabinet and representatives from other local organizations held this week the first of several meetings to prepare for the grand event. "We have to get ready for it's an excellent opportunity to have Punta Arenas in the world headlines. Our main concerns are hosting and transporting the ministers, increasing security and embellishing the city for such an occasion", said Mayor Jaime Jelincic. Another area where local authorities will be insisting is in teaching English to the hotels, restaurant and other tourist related staff. "English is the communicational language and is crucial for the tourist industry, besides good manners and ensuring that staff is competent enough to help with the visitors queries", underlined Mr. Jelincic. An Internet APEC-Tourism Summit-Punta Arenas site will also be launched in preparation for the event that is expected to attract thousands of officials and staff from 21 different country members next October 13/14. APEC has 21 members - referred to as "Member Economies" - which account for more than 2.5 billion people, a combined GDP of 19 trillion US dollars and 47% of world trade. It also proudly represents the most economically dynamic region in the world having generated nearly 70% of global economic growth in its first 10 years. APEC's 21 Member Economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Republic of the Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam. Chile is chairing APEC during 2004 with Ambassador Mario Artaza as Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat.

"Maya V" crew mostly Chilean

The Uruguayan flagged longliner "Maya V" apprehended last Friday in Australian waters suspected of illegal fishing has 23 Chilean crewmen onboard, ten of which from Punta Arenas according to Jorge Cofré, president of the Crewmen and Special Vessels Union. "Monday night we were notified of the "Maya V" situation but no names were released. Anyhow we've been assured the whole crew is in excellent conditions and representatives from the company that contracted them have indicated they will be repatriated once the vessel arrives to the Australian port of Freemantle". Mr. Cofré added the union will be in permanent contact with Chilean diplomatic officials to closely follow the situation. "Once they arrive in Freemantle company representatives have promised to pay all arrears pending", said the union president. Besides the ten crewmen from Punta Arenas, the "Maya V" includes seven from Puerto Montt, 3 from Coihaique, 2 from Santiago and one from Concepción, added Mr. Cofré. The longliner is under the command of Uruguayan captain Charles Thomas, and also has Uruguayan, Spanish and Portuguese crewmen. However, in Montevideo Captain Yamandú Flangini Director of Uruguayan Fisheries originally reported that the "Maya V" had a total crew of 27, of which 13 were Uruguayan. "Maya V" was apprehended by the Australian frigate "Warramunga" and according to the Australian Navy release it took two days for the vessel to be boarded because of adverse climatic conditions.

During the last twelve months Chilean crewmen have been involved in two other similar incidents. In January 2003, the French Navy apprehended a vessel with a majority of Chileans, allegedly fishing toothfish in the Kerguelen area. Last August the Uruguayan flagged "Viarsa 1", was arrested by Australian authorities after a 21 day hot pursuit. She was sited poaching in Australian waters and 16 out of a crew of 39 were Chilean.

Cattle Show in Magallanes

Uruguayan juries will be acting at the 52 edition of the Magallanes Cattle Show scheduled for next March 6/7 in the grounds of Asogama, the Magallanes Cattle Association. Patricio Almonacid, president of the Magallanes Corriedale Breeders Association said that the two Uruguayan juries will be Luis Carrau, president of the Uruguayan Corriedale Breeders Association and Agronomist Numa Mangado one of Uruguay's top Corriedale experts. Mr. Almonacid forecasted that this year's edition will be as successful as in 2003 when 265 sheep registered for the show. Together with the ovine show, the Magallanes Hereford Breeders Association is organizing a similar competition. In last year's edition the Tehuel Aike Sur was the farm that obtained most prizes, including the best animal of the show and several other honours.