NewsWhore
06-22-2007, 05:20 PM
Detailed reports received at DR1 from people who attended Environment Minister Max Puig's interpellation at the Senate yesterday point out that the initial press reports failed to highlight the fact that Puig did indeed show proof that efforts were being led by senator Ruben Cruz to covertly change the Sectorial Protected Areas Law 202-04. Furthermore, rather than an apology, Puig's emphasis was on expressing an interest in ending the confrontation now that the objective of bringing the issue into the open had been accomplished state the observers. Around 150 environmentalists attended the session in support of the Minister of Environment.
Senator Ruben Cruz had originally denied that meetings had been held to reform the law, although he latter admitted to this. During the interpellation, Cruz confirmed that he had held the meetings to reform the law in a discreet manner because fellow senator Charlie Marriotti had advised him that "absolute discretion" was necessary until the revised bill was far advanced, and that otherwise he would risk getting a bullet in his head or receive tempting offers for millions of dollars.
Environmentalist Nelson Batista of the Cibao Environmental Society (SOECI), explains that one of the letters presented as proof of the lack of transparency was one dated 4 June from the director of the Department of Geography at the state university, UASD, Tomasina Espinosa to the rector of the university. She advised the rector that she was recommending that the university should not take part in the talks because of the interests involved and the discretion the Senate had chosen when carrying out the meetings to modify the law.
Another letter dated 21 May 2007 that caused Puig to protest against Cruz is from Ministry of Environment official Mariana Perez. In the letter, she mentions that Cruz's honorary advisor, ecotourism expert Bolivar Troncoso had called the meeting and one of the objectives was to remove beach areas from protected parkland areas. Troncoso also recommended that the Senate commission seek the assistance of Environment Deputy Minister Dannerys Santana to modify the law. The Perez letter mentions that Senator Cruz told those present at the meeting that of the seven members of the environmental commission, only two were in agreement with the initiative to reform the law.
After presenting the two letters, Puig stated that since his objective of putting a halt to covert modifications of the bill had been accomplished, he would not continue the confrontations with Cruz. One observer who was present clarified that Puig never apologized, as originally reported in the press.
Puig defended his statements, which he said were made with the intention of safeguarding the beaches of the National Park of the East and Bahia de las Aguilas.
Batista of SOECI says that at the interpellation it was clarified that at Dannerys Santana's recommendation, the Senate sent a letter to Puig requesting a meeting to discuss the law, and that Puig did not respond with a meeting date.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)
Senator Ruben Cruz had originally denied that meetings had been held to reform the law, although he latter admitted to this. During the interpellation, Cruz confirmed that he had held the meetings to reform the law in a discreet manner because fellow senator Charlie Marriotti had advised him that "absolute discretion" was necessary until the revised bill was far advanced, and that otherwise he would risk getting a bullet in his head or receive tempting offers for millions of dollars.
Environmentalist Nelson Batista of the Cibao Environmental Society (SOECI), explains that one of the letters presented as proof of the lack of transparency was one dated 4 June from the director of the Department of Geography at the state university, UASD, Tomasina Espinosa to the rector of the university. She advised the rector that she was recommending that the university should not take part in the talks because of the interests involved and the discretion the Senate had chosen when carrying out the meetings to modify the law.
Another letter dated 21 May 2007 that caused Puig to protest against Cruz is from Ministry of Environment official Mariana Perez. In the letter, she mentions that Cruz's honorary advisor, ecotourism expert Bolivar Troncoso had called the meeting and one of the objectives was to remove beach areas from protected parkland areas. Troncoso also recommended that the Senate commission seek the assistance of Environment Deputy Minister Dannerys Santana to modify the law. The Perez letter mentions that Senator Cruz told those present at the meeting that of the seven members of the environmental commission, only two were in agreement with the initiative to reform the law.
After presenting the two letters, Puig stated that since his objective of putting a halt to covert modifications of the bill had been accomplished, he would not continue the confrontations with Cruz. One observer who was present clarified that Puig never apologized, as originally reported in the press.
Puig defended his statements, which he said were made with the intention of safeguarding the beaches of the National Park of the East and Bahia de las Aguilas.
Batista of SOECI says that at the interpellation it was clarified that at Dannerys Santana's recommendation, the Senate sent a letter to Puig requesting a meeting to discuss the law, and that Puig did not respond with a meeting date.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)