Interesting Prologue to Mining Code.
The question is whether the government will choose to nail the indians in the countryside and leftists in Panama City when these organized protests take place just before Carnival, or will he just let them run their course until they get tired and go home. I believe Martinelli is smart enough not to engage them forcefully and that he will not be dragged into a trap with pictures of troops beating up barefoot indians. Nothing is in play now...it is the law-of-the-land.
VB, I don't know your background, but you have a very good 'feel' for how things work internationally in the 'real' world. Like the little fish hanging on the shark...we hold tight and go along for the free ride!
Remember, Cerro Colorado is far far away from PTQ and Symterra's property.
ARTICLE:
Panorama
Protests across the country by the new mining law
The next week there will be simultaneous demonstrations in Veraguas, Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro, Cocle and Panama.
PROTEST. Cerro Colorado residents, Cuernavaca, Cascabel and Bocabalsa already walking. PRESS / Eduardo Grimaldo1510332
CONCERN. Hato Chami Indians say the recently passed law will affect their health and environment. PRESS / Eduardo Grimaldo
Gricel YARITZA MOJICA
ymojica@prensa.com
Indigenous groups in the Bugle Ngäbe region and began to descend from the mountains of the northern area to participate in the demonstration held on February 15 against the amendments to the Code of Mineral Resources, from Friday, a day after approval on third reading, are a law of the Republic.
The efforts of those from the region will focus on the application for repeal of this law. The point of concentration is in the district of San Felix, Chiriqui Province, the area nearest community district.
The first groups to come down from remote communities: Cerro Colorado, Cuernavaca, Cascabel and Bocabalsa. The trip is three days away, so from yesterday descended from the mountains.
Today we begin the walk from the villages of Chorcha, Mouse, Flower Hill, Boca del Monte, Hato Chamin, Hato Pilon, Hato Jogo, Niva and closed Paten, places that are two days away.
Celestino Mariano, regional chief Nedrini said that all indigenous communities have been prepared with food and water to the distances that must go before the village of San Felix.
Many of these Indians, women, children and men leave their humble homes with bare feet and with babies on their backs.
FIGHT ORGANIZED
Yesterday, in the community of Quebrada de Guabo, a group of county leaders and chiefs met to coordinate the protests.
Topics covered were, the transport of persons, the amount of coffee to be prepared to welcome the walkers and the areas where they manifest.
Rogelio Montezuma, coordinator of indigenous people, confirmed that there will be simultaneous demonstrations in Ojo de Agua, Veraguas, Viguier, Tole, San Félix, San Lorenzo and David (Chiriqui), Changuinola (Bocas del Toro), Cocle and Panama. "Our struggle will be to put an end to this law," he said.
IN THE CAPITAL
Rogelio Moreno, chief of the district general Ngäbe Bugle, said it is coordinating the massive march held on Tuesday 15 in Chiriqui to reject the law that reformed the Mining Code. "This is a law against human life," he said. Informed that the Indians are coming down the mountain to focus on Monday morning in Viguier, Cerro Pelado, San Felix, Bocas del Toro and Veraguas, and then leave on Tuesday, the American way. "They will be more than 5 thousand people," he said. In the capital, he added, there is a group of Indians in Pacora organizing the march.
Meanwhile, Juan Jované, the Integrated Combat Unit group of Peoples, said that Tuesday will be a vigil at the Carmelite church in protest against the passage of the law.
Meanwhile, Rafael Chavarria, National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO) reported that the organization will support the indigenous struggle. "The law not only threatens the region, but also against the country. The Government has not respected the population, "and criticized the Government has appointed a mediation board as approved and sanctioned the project.
Genaro Lopez, of the Sole Union of Construction and Allied Workers, also lamented that "now want to explain the project in the regions, when that was the first thing you should do" and confirmed that this group would support all actions to develop indigenous .
For its part, Ronaldo Ortiz, leader of the FER 29, reported that the student leadership evaluates different protest actions.
Finally, Ariel Rodriguez, a biologist, ecologist and professor, said that "the President was wrong to impose a new law affecting the country in social, political, economic and environmental. It is a dark and dangerous policy, given the institutional settings and weak and corrupt politicians of our country. We support indigenous peoples in their struggle, because it is intended to be serious once again violating the right to self-determination of indigenous peoples. "
The government meanwhile said PRD Deputy circuit 12-2 of the region Ngäbe Irene Gallego-Bugle have to reconsider the situation of the region to "do not register a 'Changuinola 2' on Tuesday 15 February. The law is fatal; hurt the whole region and neighboring provinces. "
According to Gallego, "the desire of this government to have more money pushed the National Assembly members not to speak in the debate and approve the project with drums beating, without question."
Personal Comment: That last sentence is probably very true...but is that a bad thing if the money is used to provide Panamanians with a better life? Next time the indians want to protest, they may not have to walk through the jungle for three days barefoot. The leaders will drive their SUVs on the new roads...and the workers will take the new articulated, air conditioned buses.
