MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Peruvian president supports cabinet and admits mistakes

PM Simon flies to north Peru where the situation remains tense

Peruvian president Alan García gave his full support to cabinet chief Yehude Simon and Interior minister Mercedes Cabanillas, whom the opposition are demanding they resign because of the violent clashes with indigenous communities which left over 50 dead (half of them policemen) in the Amazonia province.

“If for each questioning of ministers they have to resign, we’d have thousands of ministers during the term of a government; a revolving door”, argued Alan García.

“Things must be analyzed with prudence, in the mid term, and we should not let ourselves be taken over by immediate depression or whatever the opinion is at a certain moment”, he added.

Simon and Cabanillas run the risk of being censored by the opposition in Congress because of the events in early June, with the region where the clashes took place still tense and under the control of the Army.

Indigenous groups are protesting against the legislation which opens Amazonia lands and resource to logging and oil and minerals exploration. They argue they were never consulted, a point the administration of President García now admits, and have been on strike and blockading routes, waterways since April.

“All ministers have their ups and downs; there are moments when they outstand and others when their decisions are much questioned. That is ruling and politics”, added the Peruvian president.

Garcia described cabinet chief Yehude Simon as a great “prime minister” who is not interested in clinging to the post. “I have asked him to stay on, even after we have solved the conflict in the north of the country”.

In a recent interview Simon had insinuated that after the Amazonia issue was over, “things get back to normal” he was willing to resign.

Regarding Interior minister Mercedes Cabanillas, Garcia said she had proceeded according to law, and in the framework of her attributions.

Anyhow Garcia said he was prepared to concede regarding the controversial legislation, which has been suspended for 90 days, and added he would abide the outcome of the dialogue round with indigenous communities and the cabinet chief, to ease tensions and find solutions. He also announced cabinet chief Simon would be travelling to Amazonia to meet with some of the tribes’ chiefs.

“We are willing to concede on the legislation if they infringe on indigenous communities interests; we don’t want to tarnish the image of Peru and we want to return to a climate of peace”.

Finally president García backed actions undertaken by the National Police during the deadly clashes with indigenous groups. “They did their duty, and also have their martyrs. Next time they will have to be more alert and maybe act with not so much benevolence”.

Meantime is was reported that the Peruvian government cancelled the licence from the broadcasting station “La Voz” in the Amazonia city of Bagua, where the deadly clashes took place.

The government had accused the radio of instigating violent protests and armed resistance. However the licence was cancelled for procedure reasons, because the transmission plant “has not been located at the place requested and authorized in 2007/”.

Carlos Flores, managing editor of the radio denied the accusations, “at all times we called for peace and solidarity, help and assistance for the wounded; we never at any moment incited the torching of buildings or armed resistance”.