» US senator to lodge PR status bill
13/02/14 17:45 from Caribbean Business - More Local News
US senator to lodge PR status bill Issued: February 12, 2014 New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich is preparing to file legislation calling for a federally sanctioned “Yes” or “No” plebiscite on Puerto Rico... Treasury closer to listing IVU-ev...
US Senators Propose Statehood Vote Bill; Gov’s Aide Attacks, Says Status Not Issue
Two members of the U.S. Senate — including the senator with the greatest influence on U.S. territory issues — today proposed legislation committing to statehood for Puerto Rico if Puerto Ricans vote for the status a second time.
The bill is identical to one introduced in the House of Representatives last year that is now sponsored by 130 members of the House.
A member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has lead jurisdiction over statehood and other territory issues, Martin Heinrich (D-NM), introduced the new bill. The Committee Chairman, Ron Wyden (D-OR), joined him.
Wyden is about to become Chairman of the Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes — a critical issue for Puerto Rico — and most of the Federal social programs in which Puerto Rico is treated less well than the States.
Mary Landrieu (D-LA), who supports Puerto Rico becoming a part of the United States on an equal basis with the existing States if Puerto Ricans want equality, will succeed him as Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair. The Senate’s Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV) is another statehood supporter.
The bill would require the president of the United States to send the Congress a plan to transition Puerto Rico to statehood if Puerto Ricans choose statehood in a “Yes” or “No” vote. It also pledges that the Congress would pass such a plan.
Statehood would inject billions of dollars a year into the territory’s failing economy while extending taxes to a lesser degree. A transition period phasing-in equality is needed to enable the insular economy and the Federal budget to easily accommodate the financial change.
The bill would fit in with a Federal law enacted last month that provides funding for a status plebiscite on a status option or options that would “resolve” the question of the territory’s status and are found by the U.S. Department of Justice to not conflict with the Constitution and basic laws and policies of the U.S.
As the legislation notes, Puerto Ricans voted for statehood by 61.2% in a plebiscite under local lawheld at the time of the elections for office in the territory and throughout the nation in November 2012. Nationhood in a free association with the U.S. received 33.3% of the vote and independence 4.5%.
Puerto Rico’s current territory status, sometimes misleadingly also called “Commonwealth” after a meaningless word in the official name of the insular government, was also rejected in the plebiscite by 54%.
The territory’s representative to the Federal government, who has a seat in the U.S. House with a vote only in committees, was the top vote getter in the 2012 elections, and heads the territory’s statehood party, Pedro Pierluisi, is the lead sponsor of the House bill on which the new bill is based.
The head of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, Juan Hernandez, however, sharply attacked the bill. Hernandez is a former “Commonwealth” party member of the territorial Senate named by “Commonwealth” party Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla.
He wrote all members of the U.S. Senate asserting that the bill is “exclusionary” even though opponents of statehood would have an equal opportunity to vote along with supporters.
His letter also contended that the question of the territory’s status ought to be put aside while Puerto Rico concentrates on its economic problems and “the bill fails to address the pressing economic needs of the Commonwealth” — even though those problems are caused by its far less than equal treatment in some major Federal programs and its lack of power at the national government level.
Hernandez also wrote, “This bill shows how out of step some Members of Congress are with what will actually help Puerto Rico’s families” although most Puerto Ricans and the territory’s economy and budget are suffering from poor treatment in and exclusion from major Federal programs and decisions.
Wyden and President Obama’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status have made the point that overcoming the territory’s serious economic problems requires resolving the question of Puerto Rico’s ultimate status.
Hernandez’s argument that the territory’s status issue should not be resolved now also conflicted with Governor Garcia’s last statement on the issue. The Governor said just weeks ago that he would soon make a proposal that would implement the new Federal plebiscite law and fulfill the “Commonwealth” party’s 2012 Platform.
The Platform promised to call an insular government assembly on the territory’s status if the Federal government did not act on the issue in 2013. President Obama’s plebiscite proposal was approved by Congress and became law 17 days after the end of 2013.
Hernandez’s opposition to Federal “Statehood: Yes or No” plebiscite legislation, additionally, contradicts “Commonwealth” party proposals to Congress just a few years ago. In 2010, the party asked the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to pass such a bill. The year before, it made the same request of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Hernandez’s brother, who heads the “Commonwealth” party’s Federal affairs committee under Gov. Garcia, also spoke out against legislation consistent with the party’s 2009 and 2010 proposals.
The two are sone of former Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon, who has argued that Puerto Rico is a “Commonwealth” and not a territory despite U.S. Supreme Court rulings and findings of successive presidents, including President Obama, and congressional authorities and who has joined other close allies of the Governor in sharply criticizing Wyden and other leading U.S. senators.
The options for the plebiscite already authorized by the new Federal law would be proposed by Puerto Rico’s Elections Commission, which includes a representative of each of the territory’s three status-based political parties. One party favors statehood, another independence, and the third is split among members who want a new “Commonwealth status” that Federal officials of both national political parties have repeatedly said is impossible for constitutional and other reasons, members who want nationhood in an association with the U.S., and members who accept Puerto Rico’s status as a territory.
The possible options for the plebiscite under the new law are statehood, independence, and nationhood in an association with the U.S. that either nation can end.
Territory status is not a possible option because it cannot “resolve” Puerto Rico’s status issue: As long as Puerto Rico is a territory, Puerto Ricans can petition for statehood or nationhood.
The proposed new “Commonwealth” status cannot be an option because it conflicts with the Constitution and basic laws and policies of the U.S.
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MOSCU (AP) — El presidente ruso Vladimir Putin le deseó al líder militar egipcio la victoria en la elección presidencial mientras Moscú busca ampliar sus lazos militares y de otro tipo con un aliado clave de Estados Unidos en Medio Oriente.
Putin agregó el jueves, al comienzo de su encuentro con el mariscal campo Abdul Fatá el-Sisi que está al tanto de su intención de buscar la presidencia.
"Sé que ha tomado una decisión de contender para presidente", dijo Putin, de acuerdo con reportes noticiosos. "Esa es una decisión muy responsable: llevar a cabo una misión como ésta por el destino del pueblo egipcio. De mi parte y en nombre del pueblo ruso, le deseo éxito".
El-Sisi, cuya prominencia creció después de que el ejército destituyera en julio pasado al presidente islamista Mohamed Morsi, es popular entre un enorme segmento de la población y muchos esperan que anuncie su candidatura a las elecciones presidenciales que posiblemente se realicen a finales de abril.
La visita del líder militar a Moscú, su primer viaje desde el derrocamiento de Morsi, ocurre mientras se conocieron reportes de una compra de armas a Rusia valuada en 2.000 millones de dólares que será financiada principalmente por Arabia Saudita y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, parte del esfuerzo de Egipto para reducir su dependencia con Estados Unidos.
La visita también es un intento de Moscú de ampliar su influencia en Egipto en momentos en que las relaciones entre El Cairo y Washington se deterioraron tras la destitución del mandatario islamista. Estados Unidos ha sido en principal benefactor y respaldo extranjero de Egipto desde la década de 1970, cuando el presidente egipcio Anwar Sadat rompió lazos con Moscú después de décadas de estrechas relaciones militares y políticos, y expulsó a los asesores militares soviéticos.
Después de reunirse con su homónimo egipcio Nabil Fahmy, el ministro del Exterior de Rusia, Sergey Lavrov dijo que ambos países acordaron "acelerar la preparación de documentos que darán un impulso adicional a nuestra cooperación militar y técnica".
El ministro ruso de Defensa, Serguei Shoigu, quien se entrevistó por separado con el-Sisi, dijo que la necesidad de fortalecer la cooperación militar entre los dos países se origina en las "amenazas y desafíos en común", pero principalmente por el terrorismo.
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Los periodistas de The Associated Press Hamza Hendawi en El Cairo y Lynn Berry en Moscú colaboraron con este despacho.
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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday it was a decision of the State by removing the cable-TV international news channel NTN24, based in Bogotá, to convey the anguish of a coup attempt, que Venezuelans have Sought psychologically disturbing.
NTN24 gave wide publicity to the violent events in Caracas on Wednesday, que left three people dead and 66 injured as a result of gun shots That Were Recorded after an opposition march.
"Claimed yesterday NTN24 Venezuelan Cable companies transmit the distress of a coup like that experienced in April 2002," Maduro said, referencing the failed coup against his predecessor and mentor Hugo Chavez During a speech broadcast to the nation in Radio and Television.
That Maduro said the recent violent events in the country would be part of a plan, supported by the United States to replicate the riots That Preceded the 2002 coup took power briefly That Chavez.
In Washington, U.S. State Department denied That it had any Involvement in the politics of Venezuela.
"It was a decision of state, so you know," said Maduro. "I will defend the right to peace and quiet and no one is coming from the outside to try to disrupt the psychological climate of Venezuela," I said.
The president Criticized Also the coverage of other international media, accusing them of trying to discredit his government. "Also other brands out there, That you use from the outside to try to Influence, disrupt and harm the truth of Venezuela," I said.
Mature Accused the Agence France Press (AFP) Allegedly being "at the head of manipulation ... and have asked the Minister of Communication and Information, Delcy Rodríguez, take measurements and talk very clear to AFP correspondents in Venezuela and heads, owners of the news agency in the world. "
The NGO Venezuelan Program of Education-Action in Human Rights on Wednesday Questioned Given the limited coverage to the local marches television, Especially the opposition, and said in his Twitter account That "while on Venezuelan TV Reported little marches, They are Widely available in international channels . "
The defending human rights organization Human Rights Watch said Thursday in a statement That "Venezuela urgently needed That These murders are Investigated and That Those responsible are Brought to justice ... what is that Venezuela does not need the Authorities to use as Scapegoats or political Opponents close Whose dislike media coverage "in added.
The Americas director of That organization, José Miguel Vivanco, said in the letter, I Referred to the case of NTN24 and said the action against the station "Would have taken in retaliation for complaining acerca transmission."
Opponents University and held on Wednesday a massive march in downtown Caracas to protest rising crime and other problems plague That Venezuelans, making it the largest protest Maduro has faced since taking office in April 2013 after being ELECTED president by a narrow margin.
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Sin completar, así esta el proceso de confirmación del designado Jefe de la Uniformada, James Tuller Cintrón. Y es que según reveló a Noti Uno, el senador popular Miguel Pereira y presidente de la Comisión de Jurídico, Seguridad y Veteranos, aún faltan documentos para completar el proceso que requiere la Oficina de Evaluaciones Técnicas de Nombramientos e iniciar las vistas publicas para su confirmación en el cargo.
Maura Ríos Poll nos informa
CARACAS (Reuters) - A Venezuelan court ordered the arrest on Thursday of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on charges including murder and terrorism linked to street protests that resulted in the deaths of three people the day before.
Using a slogan "The Exit", the U.S.-educated Lopez has for two weeks helped organize sporadic demonstrations around the country to denounce President Nicolas Maduro for failing to control inflation, crime and product shortages.
The president accuses him of sowing violence to try to stage a coup similar to the one 12 years ago that briefly ousted late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, though there is little indication that the protests could topple Maduro.
"Without a doubt, the violence was created by small groups coordinated, exalted and financed by Leopoldo Lopez," said Jorge Rodriguez, a leader of the ruling Socialist Party and mayor of the Caracas area where Wednesday's biggest marches took place.
Shortly before a Caracas court upheld a request from the Public Prosecutor's Office to order Lopez's arrest, the opposition leader blamed armed government supporters for firing on peaceful protesters.
"The government is playing the violence card, and not for the first time. They're blaming me without any proof ... I have a clear conscience because we called for peace," Lopez told Reuters.
"We won't retreat and we can't retreat because this is about our future, about our children, about millions of people."
On Thursday, Lopez was with his lawyers at his home in the same wealthy eastern district of Chacao where he was once mayor, his Popular Will political party said. Police briefly visited the party's headquarters, witnesses said, but then departed.
"NO MORE BLOOD"
With many Caracas residents staying at home on Thursday, there were sporadic student protests around the city. Some students blocked streets and burned tires.
"We want solutions to problems, not endless confrontation and violence," said student Manuel Armas, 19, outside the Alejandro Humboldt University, where around 200 protesters waved banners saying "No More Blood".
Students were also in the streets in western Andean regions, where there have been violent clashes in recent days.
Coming almost a year after the death of Chavez, the unrest has been the latest demonstration of the OPEC nation's polarization and the mutual mistrust between both political camps.
Wednesday's fatalities included two students and a community activist from a militantly pro-government neighborhood in the poor west end of Caracas.
Each side blamed the other in often virulent exchanges via Twitter, the country's preferred social network.
Scores of government supporters gathered on Thursday outside the ransacked Public Prosecutor's Office building, chanting pro-Maduro slogans and denouncing "fascist violence."
Venezuela's global bonds, which fluctuate sharply on political tension and news of unrest, were down as much as 3 percent on Thursday.
Maduro, a 51-year-old former bus driver and union activist who has staked his presidency on maintaining Chavez's leftist legacy, said further protests would not be allowed.
"They want to topple the government through violence," he said. "We will not permit any more attacks."
SCORES ARRESTED
Some 66 people were injured, 70 arrested, some police vehicles torched and government offices vandalized on Wednesday, officials said. Some protesters, many with their faces covered, threw stones and started fires in the streets.
Lopez's party said there were "hundreds of arrests and disappearances", and vowed that demonstrations would continue.
Bolivia, Cuba and Argentina, three of Venezuela's fellow leftist political allies in the region, sent messages of solidarity to Maduro's government.
"Cuba condemns the coup intentions against the constitutional government ... organized by fascist groups," the statement from Havana read.
The protests have exposed differences within Venezuela's opposition leadership, with some favoring a more moderate approach and saying marches that turn violent only play into the government's hands as it then accuses them of being "saboteurs."
The opposition blames armed pro-government militant groups known as "colectivos" for attacking dozens of their marches over the years, scattering their supporters and spreading fear.
"The colectivos are coming!" was a cry heard several times at the opposition's latest rally on Wednesday, prompting some demonstrators to flee for the safety of a nearby Metro station.
One of the dead was a well-known colectivo leader from the militantly "Chavista" January 23 neighborhood of Caracas.
Sporadic political protests have become common over the last decade, but they usually fizzle out within days as residents grow tired of blocked streets and the smell of burning tires.
Wednesday's outburst of violence did point to a widening rift between opposition hardliners and those who favor returning to addressing bread-and-butter issues such as poor services, widespread corruption and one of the world's worst murder rates.
Opposition moderates note that their biggest successes, such as turning pro-Chavez strongholds into opposition territory, have resulted from leaders stepping away from theatrical street protests to focus on voters' daily concerns.
(Additional reporting by Caracas bureau reporters, Javier Lopez in Tachira, Daniel Ramos in La Paz,Daniel Trotta in Havana; Editing by Kieran Murray and Meredith Mazzilli)
