Bolivian Times News in Brief, Thursday, April 8, 1999, Vol VI No. 14
CEDOIN Case: Ombudsman's Accusatory Report Rebuffed
LA PAZ—Minister of Government Guido Nayar dismissed as a “bunch of suppositions” the upbraiding
report the People's Ombudsman Ana María Romero presented last week. Romero submitted a report
that supposedly evidences that Government Ministry agents attempted to seize the Informe R issue
on former dictators August Pinochet and President Hugo Banzer. Informe R magazine is published by
the Center of Documentation and Information (CEDOIN).
Nayar refuted three of Romero's declarations. First, he said, the ‘agents' were in fact policemen
Second, the threatening calls did not come from the Ministry of Government. And third, the
three vehicles did not use fake license plates belonging to a Police Intelligence section.
“The CEDOIN case is still under investigation,” Nayar said. “The Government Commission of the
House of Representatives will publish its findings shortly. At the moment, all I can say is that
the Ombudsman has failed to produce any hard evidence.”
Romero reaffirmed her position, though she admitted that the ministry might not be responsible
for the “fake” license plates. (Ricardo Dávila)
Three Ministers under Scrutiny in Human Rights Violation Probe
COCHABAMBA—The People's Ombudsman Ana María Romero last week submitted evidence of human rights
violations allegedly committed last November in the village of Puerto Zudáñez, Chapare. At that
time police and military personnel ran a narcotics control operation in the area. According to
Romero, during the raid the men violated privacy rights, carried out search and seizure
procedures without warrants and unlawfully entered and seized homes and a school.
Romero requested that the Attorney General's Office take action to determine the responsibility
of the Minister of Defense, Minister of Justice, Minister of Government and the Command of the
military and police personnel.
At the same time, Romero issued a resolution condemning the police forces' activity in Chapare.
(Ricardo Dávila)
Honor Tribunal to Hear Commander Narváez Case
LA PAZ—An Honor Tribunal will hear the case of General Police Commander Ivar Narváez, accused of
misappropriating police insurance funds. The tribunal will determine whether or not the case
will enter a court of law.
Last month President of the Board of Directors of the Mutual of Police Insurance (MUSEPOL)
Freddy Zabala presented evidence that Narváez was illegally managing the funds of MUSEPOL,
a private institution that is not under his administration. Zabala said that Narváez intended
to purchase properties and other goods and services that did not directly benefit the
institution.
Narváez denied all accusations saying that he never ordered anything, but merely suggested
investments for MUSEPOL. (Ricardo Dávila)
How Many Teachers Will Be Fired? 3,000 or 7,000?
LA PAZ—Leaders of the Syndicate of Rural Teachers last week denounced that the government will
fire 7,000 teachers in order to reducing costs. Syndicate Executive Secretary Fredd Núñez
announced that the teachers are ready to organize protest marches and a massive hunger strike if
the Ministry of Education fires the 7,000.
In contrast, Minister Tito Hoz de Vila said no more than 3,000 teachers will be fired, and that
they will only be substitute teachers working in urban areas—not, as Núñez said, in rural areas.
Hoz de Vila added that most substitute teachers are not professionals, and that most of them
were hired through political connections.
Approximately 21,000 substitute teachers work in the country. (Ricardo Dávila)
Forty-five Percent of Food in La Paz Is Contaminated
LA PAZ-Forty-five percent of the food sold in La Paz is contaminated, according to a study by
the Sanitary Emergency Unit, informed last week unit representative Nicanor Jove.
Jove said that tests by a municipal laboratory proved that a variety of contaminated foods is
sold in restaurants, outdoor markets and supermarkets.
To help remedy the situation, within the following weeks the city is to initiate its Control and
Food Supervision Program. The program is to provide education and information for food producers
and vendors, regularly test samples in restaurants, streets and markets and promote biodegradable
products.
Paceños' health situation is due to a lack of education and poverty-linked illnesses, Jove said.
Food-related illnesses are especially widespread among undernourished adults and children under
five. (Kerstin Fooken)
Streamlined Workday to Begin April 12
LA PAZ—Last week a supreme decree was passed last week that sets April 12 as the start of a new
8-hour work day that provides only a half hour for lunch in the Departments of Cochabamba, Santa
Cruz and La Paz. Currently, workers receive, on average, a two-hour lunch.
Central and decentralized public administration offices will be affected, and the Minister of
Labor is to control and evaluate the measure's operation.
Offices will also have to provide cafeterias, in accordance with their budgets. (Kerstin Fooken)
Rains Leave 10 Dead and 35,000 Families Affected
LA PAZ—Ten people died and at least 35,000 families were affected by floods in March, according
to the National Service for Civil Defense.
Among the most affected towns are Rurrenabaque and San Buenaventura, which continue to be flooded
.
Overflowing rivers have destroyed 5,000ha of agricultural grounds in the Bolivian Amazon north
of La Paz.
The Grande River in Santa Cruz overflowed and destroyed 20,000ha of soya crops equivalent to
US$2 million.
Also, in the departments of Beni and Cochabamba, people lost vast amounts of cattle and other
farm animals.
The government has initiated a plan to help all the affected regions, but the economic resources
to meet the needs for food, medicine and house reconstruction are still lacking. (Kerstin Fooken)
Banzer Suspends Drug Tests
LA PAZ—Due to an excess of controversy, President Hugo Banzer decided last week to cancel plans
to have public employees take drug tests to combat narcotrafficking. The Minister of the
Government originally announced the measure on March 15.
“If [detractors] are so bothered by this and they think this measure is appalling, well then,
we'll suspend it. There's no problem,” Banzer said, pointing out that such tests were used in
other countries like the US.
Presidential sokesman Mauro Bertero clarified that the drug test was never going to be
obligatory.
Criticisms surfaced from various quarters. Lawyers said the drug tests were unconstitutional,
violating the sixth article of the Constitution, which guarantees personal freedom and dignity.
Health experts and drug prevention organizations said the government should form a coherent
policy of drug prevention rather than implement such measures. (Kerstin Fooken)
The preceding news briefs were translated and summarized from Ultima Hora newspaper articles.
Likewise, the photos were taken from Ultima Hora.
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