Peru Election 2006

The archived version

Archive for the ‘Interviews’ Category

Entrevista a Luis Gonzáles Posada

without comments

Gonzáles Posada es el encargado de coordinar la transferencia en los ministerios del Interior y Defensa, así como de formular recomendaciones para ambos sectores.

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

July 26th, 2006 at 8:25 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Mercedes Cabanillas (APRA)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

July 24th, 2006 at 7:57 am

Posted in Interviews

Entrevista con Max Cameron Por Gonzalo García-Sayán

without comments

Punto de Equilibrio
Año 14 – Número 91
Julio-Setiembre 2006

¿Cuál le parece que es el mensaje principal que nos deja la campaña electoral?
Son varios mensajes. Uno de ellos es un deseo de cambio, que se expresa tanto por el voto de cambio radical de Ollanta Humala como por el voto a favor de Alan García que, como él ha tratado de expresarlo, era un voto de cambio responsable. En todo caso, ambos candidatos están apostando hacia el cambio en el sistema y en el modelo económico. Humala ofreció un cambio de modelo más profundo; sin embargo, se pueden interpretar los resultados como un rechazo a la continuidad. En ese sentido, lo que ha puesto sobre el tapete la candidatura de Ollanta Humala es un deseo de una inclusión de esa población de la sierra que no se siente beneficiada por el modelo económico.
En esta campaña hubo una especie de paradoja: las propuestas están tendiendo a una cierta convergencia; la derecha habló más que nunca de programas sociales y aun la izquierda más radical de Humala hablaba de balance fiscal. Sin embargo, a pesar de esta convergencia de planes, la división que generaron en la sociedad fue mayor que las antes vistas.
En el nivel de planes de gobierno, los tres principales candidatos hicieron mayor énfasis en las políticas sociales, por ejemplo. Y los planes de gobierno de Humala y García han tenido aspectos tan similares, que se han criticado mutuamente de plagio. Sin embargo, creo que los electores han sido sabios: han entendido que la elección no es solamente entre planes de gobierno, sino entre candidaturas que tienen detrás de ellos intereses específicos. Ese ha sido el caso de Lourdes Flores que, por más que su discurso buscaba votos en los conos, en las provincias y en el Sur, fue percibida como una candidata que tenía lazos fuertes con el sector empresarial, grupos de clase media o profesionales de Lima, sobre todo; mientras que la diferencia entre Humala y García ha sido que este último planteaba cambios en el campo económico, político, social, pero dentro del sistema político existente, sin buscar cambios de las reglas de juego político. Humala era un outsider que se enfrentó al sistema político.

¿Cómo ha sido tomada la victoria de García en el ámbito internacional?
Creo que ha sido tomada con alivio. La comunidad internacional, en general, tiene una lectura bastante superficial de la realidad peruana y se manejan ideas como que Humala representaba un eje de izquierda que iba a conectar a Castro a través de Chávez y Evo. Los mercados financieros estaban preocupados por las propuestas de Humala de nacionalizar ciertos sectores de la economía. En ese sentido, Alan García ha sido visto como un candidato capaz de frenar eso, lo cual es un poco irónico, pues en su tiempo fue considerado un niño malo.
Se está hablando de la presencia de dos izquierdas en la región: una radical, representada por Humala, Chávez, Morales, y una “moderna”, representada por Lula o por Bachelet. En este sentido, ¿se puede decir que el APRA es ahora una izquierda moderna?
Yo creo que sí, hasta cierto punto. Evidentemente, ese es el discurso de Alan García. Hay cierta validez en esa hipótesis, pero el problema con ese argumento es que el Perú no es Chile y tampoco es Venezuela; es un país con sus propias condiciones, que ha generado opciones distintas. Ollanta Humala no es tan radical como Chávez, ni tan democrático como Evo. Evo tiene detrás un movimiento social fuerte, de indigenismo combativo, que viene de mucho antes.
No es un outsider…
Claro. Son veinte años de lucha muy consecuente con los intereses que representa: los cocaleros, la lucha por el agua, las tierras, los recursos naturales. Hasta sus adversarios reconocen que su elección representa un paso adelante en términos de democratización del país. Es importante que haya un líder que represente los intereses de los que se sienten excluidos. Esto aun no los ha conseguido Humala. Sin embargo, los primeros indicios son que será una oposición dura a García, lo cual no es necesariamente malo. Alan García, por su parte, puede aspirar a ser un líder democrático moderno de izquierda moderada, social demócrata, pero tendrá que demostrarlo, porque ha propuesto hasta disolver el Congreso. Aunque él tampoco es tan demócrata social, esa es su aspiración y, sobre todo, la oposición radical de Ollanta Humala lo obliga a ser un líder de centro izquierda.
Y en los próximos meses, ¿en qué se deben concretizar las tareas de gobierno?
Lo que probablemente va a tratar de hacer el Gobierno es mandar señales de confianza al sector privado, tratar de convencer, sobre todo al empresariado local, de que va a mantener la estabilidad macro y el modelo económico. El reto de Alan García es tener un plan económico de mediano y largo plazo, algo que no logró en su primer gobierno. En el primer gobierno, su plan de corto plazo consistió en gastar las reservas; promover el crecimiento a través de la intervención del Estado, controlando los precios para evitar la inflación; lo que puede funcionar por unos meses. Pero más allá de eso, buscaba una inversión del sector privado para continuar ese crecimiento, objetivo que no logró porque el sector privado sabía que ese modelo no era sostenible. Por ello, sacaron su dinero, lo cual socavó el proyecto. Era evidente que esas propuestas económicas no tenían credibilidad para el mediano y largo plazo. Por lo tanto, Alan García tendrá que mandar una señal clarísima. No va a ser tan difícil, porque el Perú no está en un momento de inflación, deuda externa, violencia.
¿Podría enviar señales contradictorias?
Si bien es un líder percibido como muy hábil para enviar mensajes distintos, en función de sus audiencias, deberá evitar mandar señales contradictorias que generen pérdida de confianza en su gobierno. Como líder, tiene que ser lo suficientemente inteligente, pensar en el largo plazo, para entender la necesidad de articular ese modelo exportador de la costa con la sierra a través de proyectos de infraestructura, de créditos, de capacitación, de manera que incluya el sur andino y la sierra central y norte en ese crecimiento. Un tema que va a provocar mucha discusión es el TLC. ¿Cómo vas a abrir el mercado interno a la globalización cuando tienes millones de personas que no están en condiciones de participar en el mercado? Eso va a requerir políticas del Estado fuertes, para evitar perjudicar más a los que no se sienten beneficiados por el crecimiento que se ha tenido hasta ahora; en particular, en los lugares que no votaron por Alan García.

En esos lugares, la victoria de Humala ha sido abrumadora.
Este es un anclaje en el país muy antiguo, entre Norte y Sur, entre sierra y costa, que se ha acentuado. El hecho de que Humala gane con más de 80% en Ayacucho, muestra que el país está dividido. Tendría quizá sentido empezar a pensar en formas de permitir más autonomía a las regiones, porque es clara la división en el país, lo cual es un reto para este gobierno.
Además de eso, las elecciones nos han mostrado la capacidad del Estado peruano de llevar a cabo un proceso electoral, que es importante para la consolidación de una democracia. Al mismo tiempo, se debe reconocer que hay más de un millón de peruanos que no tienen documentos. Si el elector no tiene identidad legal, no puede ser ciudadano. Hay muchas cosas que se pueden hacer para incluir a más personas en el proceso político, que no costarían mucho, pero fortalecerían la presencia del Estado y, al mismo tiempo, la sociedad civil.
View image

Written by Michael Ha

July 19th, 2006 at 10:09 am

Entrevista a Hernando de Soto por El Financiero (Chile)

without comments

El reconocido economista peruano Hernando de Soto opinó en una entrevista al diario chileno El Financiero sobre los gobiernos latinoamericanos, que el nuevo presidente del país, Alan García, no cometerá los mismos errores que realizó en su pasado gobierno.

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

July 19th, 2006 at 8:58 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Enrique García – Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

July 13th, 2006 at 1:33 pm

Posted in Interviews

Entrevista con César Hildebrant

with one comment

Written by Michael Ha

July 9th, 2006 at 9:53 am

Posted in Interviews

Entrevista con Mercedes Cabanillas

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

July 9th, 2006 at 9:50 am

Posted in Interviews

Entrevista a Fernando Zavala – Ministro de Economía

with 2 comments

Written by Michael Ha

July 9th, 2006 at 9:39 am

Posted in Interviews

Entrevista con Jorge del Castillo (Posible próximo Premier)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

July 7th, 2006 at 11:58 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Yehude Simon (Movimiento Humanista Peruano)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

July 2nd, 2006 at 12:33 pm

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Enrique Bernales

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 28th, 2006 at 2:46 pm

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Francisco Durand

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 26th, 2006 at 12:29 pm

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Carlos Torres Caro (El Comercio)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 19th, 2006 at 8:58 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Jorge del Castillo (APRA)

with 3 comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 15th, 2006 at 9:27 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Alberto Adrianzén

without comments

El analista político y sociólogo Alberto Adrianzén manifestó al diario La República entre otros temas que la derecha tiene una actitud destructiva en contra de UPP, que se busca desvirtuar al humalismo como opción política y un interés por liquidarlo como oposición.

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

June 14th, 2006 at 10:59 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Carlos Tapia

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 14th, 2006 at 10:39 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Carlos Torres Caro

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 14th, 2006 at 7:54 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Magdalena Chú (ONPE)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 10th, 2006 at 4:39 pm

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Javier Azpur (Propuesta Ciudadana)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 7th, 2006 at 6:47 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Antonio Zapata (Historian): North-South Cleveages

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 6th, 2006 at 6:48 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Carmen Mendoza del Solar: Plan Sur

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 6th, 2006 at 6:07 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Alan Garcia (Washington Post)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 5th, 2006 at 10:29 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Carlos Reyna: The Rise of the “Sólido Sur”

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 5th, 2006 at 7:02 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Enrique Mendoza (JNE)

without comments

A press conference with Enrique Mendoza, president of the National Electoral Board (JNE), will take place at noon.

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

June 4th, 2006 at 6:19 am

Interview with Pilar Nores de García

with 13 comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 2nd, 2006 at 6:07 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Ricardo Portocarrero (Historian)

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 2nd, 2006 at 6:02 am

Interview with Michael Shifter

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 1st, 2006 at 10:40 am

Interview with Fernando de la Flor, Peruvian Ambassador at the OAS

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 1st, 2006 at 9:36 am

Interview with Alfredo Etcheberry

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 1st, 2006 at 9:16 am

Posted in Fujimori,Interviews

Interview with Cristóbal Aljovín

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

June 1st, 2006 at 6:00 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Abraham Lowenthal

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 31st, 2006 at 6:46 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Luis Giampietri

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 30th, 2006 at 6:01 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Carlos Tapia

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 29th, 2006 at 6:22 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Marciano Rengifo

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 29th, 2006 at 6:20 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Mauricio Mulder

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 29th, 2006 at 6:13 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Carlos Ivan Degregori

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 28th, 2006 at 6:17 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Nelson Manrique

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 28th, 2006 at 6:10 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Diego Garcia Sayan

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 27th, 2006 at 8:50 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Lloyd Axworthy

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 25th, 2006 at 7:29 am

Posted in Interviews

BBC Interview with Alberto Fujimori

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 23rd, 2006 at 9:16 am

Posted in Fujimori,Interviews

Interviews with Héctor Vargas Haya

with 4 comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 23rd, 2006 at 6:50 am

Posted in Interviews

Interviews with Raul Morey

without comments

Raul Morey resigned as secretary of ideology of the Nationalist Party yesterday. He was one of the founders of the party.

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

May 21st, 2006 at 10:30 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Julio Cotler

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 21st, 2006 at 10:27 am

Interview with Magdalena Chu

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 18th, 2006 at 3:59 pm

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Fernando Sánchez Albavera

with one comment

Fernando Sánchez Albavera is a progressive economist, currently at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

May 12th, 2006 at 8:54 am

Lloyd Axworthy: “The Media Should Not Aggravate Division”

without comments

“The Media Should Not Aggravate Division.”
Interview with Lloyd Axworthy, La República, 12 May 2006, p. 8.
María Elena Castillo

po060512_8.jpg
Photo: Yanina Patricio
Byline: “The president of the Mission of Observers of the OAS called upon all actors in the second round to respect the rules of the game. He stated that while there is no law that regulates the news media, the media should assume their responsibility and be impartial.”
Civil society organizations and political parties have complained about the lack of impartiality of the mass media in the first round. What might happen if this is repeated in the current process?
When the OAS created the dialogue round tables in 2000, a fundamental issue was that the mass media was controlled by the government, which had a negative effect on the election at that time, and which was considered seriously manipulated. Now the situation is totally different. The media are in the hands of private sector, but the same principle of respect for the candidates, regardless of their political affiliation, should be applied.
But this does not happen…
There is enough evidence to suggest that the media were not as balanced as they should be. And perhaps it would be appropriate to return to a new dialogue round table to speak about the role of the mass media. In a situation as polarized as the Peruvian case, the media should not contribute to increase the division. This cannot be changed from one day to the next, but nor should the same error be repeated, because if the media are under the power of the government, or they are overly dominated by the private sector, it is the voters who suffer.
According to a survey by Calandria people think the media, especially television, focuses more on scandals than on the platforms of the parties for government. Do you think this information should be regulated?
This phenomenon is not only in Peru. The media, above all electronic, are influenced by what they can sell. But an election is a special moment in the democratic process, and the freedom of the press, which is a fundamental right, also implies responsibilities. After the discussion of the year 2000, a consensus developed and things were reformed. It would be good review this history.
Were these accords enforced during the first round?
I am not an analyst of the mass media, but I have received complaints from different sources, both in civil society and the political parties. From my experience in Canada, of over 30 years, I know that when this type of lack of impartiality is too obvious, you cannot have a fair election. There is no law that says what can be put in the news, and there should be no such law, but one must call on the media to be responsible.
How can attacks candidate be avoided, such as the ones we saw this past April?
We have recommended improvements in security in the voting stations, as well as deterrent security so that these sorts of uprisings do not occur. We have met with the electoral authorities and I know that they are working on measures to overcome these situations.
But there are things that escape one’s hands…
The political parties themselves can avoid polarization, and their leaders have a great responsibility. First, they themselves should obey the rules, since if they use a language of accusations or begin extreme personal attacks, their supporters will obviously follow them.
Will the report that you [the Mission] issue at the end of the process include the statements of the president of Venezuela, supporting one of the candidates?
Our work does not take positions on disputes between countries with respect to the Free Trade Agreement or other themes, but if these statements might influence in a clear way the vote by the Peruvian people this would go against the democratic charter of the OAS. What happened, happened, but we will be vigilant and will be asking that the rules be respected in the next weeks of the campaign.
But will you pronounced on the matter if someone, here or outside, does not obey?
Yes. The right of the Peruvian people to choose their government is sacred. To put it in personal terms, if the president of the United States made statements about who should be elected (in my country, Canada), I as a Canadian, would feel that the president had infringed on my rights.
Box: “Every election should be better than the last.”
What are political campaigns like in Canada? Are there as many complaints about dirty wars, as here?
Yes, sometimes. In 1988 I was a member of parliament for an opposition party and the FTA with the US was being negotiated. We opposed this because we felt it was a bad deal for us. As a result, 8 days before the election, in which we were ahead, we were confronted by a huge amount of information with very personal attacks. If a camera could have captured this I would show the scars I have from this period. So when I speak of the behavior of the media, I know what I am talking about from personal experience. In that case we lost the election but we won the next one.
So there is not much difference with us then?
We learned from the election and now have stronger rules. In Canadian politics there are strong restrictions with respect to contributions by private firms and unions, only natural persons can give money, but with limits very clearly established; what is more there is free access to the electronic media and a commission of telecommunications that monitors the elections to verify if there is a fair assignment of time for all the candidates. Because one learns from ones errors; Peru is passing through the same, it is step by step, and every election should be better than the one before.
In your country are there debates?
Many. In the last election where were three debates between the leaders. In general, all have been very healthy, although some complete with hockey games, which have their finals in April or May. For this reasons we never have elections in those months.
Translation: M.A. Cameron

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

May 12th, 2006 at 8:31 am

Interview with David Waisman

without comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 11th, 2006 at 5:07 am

Interview with Pablo Bustamante

with one comment

El diario La República recogió la opinión del economista Pablo Bustamante sobre la nacionalización de los hidrocarburos en Bolivia.

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

May 9th, 2006 at 7:10 am

Posted in Interviews

Interview with Ernesto De la Jara

without comments

In this interview Ernesto De la Jara argues that Ollanta Humala and Alan Garcia face serious charges of human rights violations; from a human rights perspective this is an unappetizing choice for voters on June 4.

Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Michael Ha

May 7th, 2006 at 7:31 pm

Interviews with Vidar Helgesen

with 2 comments

Written by Michael Ha

May 4th, 2006 at 7:43 am

Spam prevention powered by Akismet