PING – Hugo is at it again!
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HugoPing Archive
Posted on 07/19/2006 8:15:06 AM PDT by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
CARACAS - An Inter American Press Association (SIP) delegation lamented yesterday the local authorities' attitude of refusing to receive it to deal with the situation with freedom of the press in the country.
The mission had anticipated meeting yesterday with Ciudad Bolívar Mayor Clemente Scotto to discuss the case of the Correo del Caroní daily, but [he] refused to receive the visitors.
In Ciudad Bolívar, SIP spokesman and Freedom of the Press Commission Chairman Gonzalo Marroquín said they were concerned with the Correo del Caroní's situation and "we find ourselves with the unpleasant occurrence of our visit with the mayor been rejected."
"We had scheduled an interview with him, which had been accepted, and we wanted to hear from his own voice what was the official point of view regarding what has happened. We regret not being able to have this exchange of opinions," he declared.
However, Minister of Information William Lara said that the SIP representatives had already been notified that they were not going to be received, and that a meeting that was being planned with a committee of the Congress was also rejected.
The daily's case is the first in the SIP delegation's agenda, given that the owners have denounced acts of sabotage, such as cutting off electricity, so as to prevent its circulating.
Local Council 1 requested the daily's eviction and the demolition of its offices, claiming that the community prefers building a square in its place, although the owners say they have a deed to the property.
The SIP delegation met with a group of local attorneys to deal with the order to demolish the offices of the daily, whose owner David Natera is a critic of the government.
Marroquín said: "This happens to be an attitude of harassment against a daily of much prestige in this area and which is respected by the community."
"Therefore, we clearly have a concern and are going to call for an end to this daily's harassment," he affirmed.
He added: "It's inconceivable that, through the demolition of this building, an effort is being made to end the daily's reach and course. Evidently, acts against it are excessive; we believe it should not have gone this far. The owners are willing to wage battle in court."
In addition, [Marroquín] warned that, in Venezuela, "judicial persecution is being used to harass the media and journalists, and that constitutes a threat to freedom of the press."
Looks as if the Vens have had their last free election. Thanks, Jimmah !
Ping.
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