One of three national Guatemalan newspapers, La Hora provides a critical view of the incoming Álvaro Colom administration. The president-elect, Colom, will take office for the 2008-2012 term. He is the leader of the social-democratic National Union of Hope (UNE), considered to be a left-leaning party in Guatemala.
Guatemala, La Hora, by Elmer Telón, etelon@lahora.com.gt
http://www.lahora.com.gt/notasn.php?key=23719&fch=2008-01-02
National
Colom Has Nominated Only Male Elite, A Government without Women or Ethnic Diversity
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Twelve days from assuming control of the State, the president-elect has yet to demonstrate gender or ethnic diversity in his political nominations.
Not a single woman or indigenous person has been named for positions in the upcoming Colom administration, as the National Union of Hope (UNE) [Colom’s political party] fills openings in the cabinet and secretaries of the state.
According to Fernando Barillas, Colom’s public relations director, the evaluations for future members is not determined by social group, but rather women as well as indigenous people will participate in important, nationwide decisions with the president elect.
Regarding this topic, Colom has placed special emphasis on his search for open-minded officials, not racists or chauvinists, claimed Barillas. The absence of women or indigenous people in more prominent posts will be balanced through departmental and secretarial positions.
The government posts still not confirmed by Colom, which could be orientated toward ethnic or female leaders, are the Minister of Education, the Minister of Culture, [the director of] the Central American Newspaper, and [the director of] the Fund for the Development of the Guatemalan Indigenous People (Fodigua), among others.
Without a cabinet for the handover of power
The elected authorities and the current government initiated today the last phase toward the new administration, which was supposed to tackle specific topics and details between the current and incoming cabinet and secretarial members.
According to Rafael Espada, the vice-president elect and coordinator of the transition, the UNE has named working teams to receive these details in the final transition, including current conditions and projects from each of the ministries. Even though these ministries still do not have a designated head, Espada claims these teams will avoid institutional delays or confusion.
At nearly two months since the second round of voting, the president-elect has not filled the demand for incoming ministers or secretaries. Almost fifty percent of positions have not been declared.
The meeting today will involve a revision of global themes. Espada stated the pending issues include the development of rural sectors and security.
All errors and interpretations are mine.
Guatemala, La Hora, by Elmer Telón, etelon@lahora.com.gt
http://www.lahora.com.gt/notasn.php?key=23719&fch=2008-01-02
National
Colom Has Nominated Only Male Elite, A Government without Women or Ethnic Diversity
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Twelve days from assuming control of the State, the president-elect has yet to demonstrate gender or ethnic diversity in his political nominations.
Not a single woman or indigenous person has been named for positions in the upcoming Colom administration, as the National Union of Hope (UNE) [Colom’s political party] fills openings in the cabinet and secretaries of the state.
According to Fernando Barillas, Colom’s public relations director, the evaluations for future members is not determined by social group, but rather women as well as indigenous people will participate in important, nationwide decisions with the president elect.
Regarding this topic, Colom has placed special emphasis on his search for open-minded officials, not racists or chauvinists, claimed Barillas. The absence of women or indigenous people in more prominent posts will be balanced through departmental and secretarial positions.
The government posts still not confirmed by Colom, which could be orientated toward ethnic or female leaders, are the Minister of Education, the Minister of Culture, [the director of] the Central American Newspaper, and [the director of] the Fund for the Development of the Guatemalan Indigenous People (Fodigua), among others.
Without a cabinet for the handover of power
The elected authorities and the current government initiated today the last phase toward the new administration, which was supposed to tackle specific topics and details between the current and incoming cabinet and secretarial members.
According to Rafael Espada, the vice-president elect and coordinator of the transition, the UNE has named working teams to receive these details in the final transition, including current conditions and projects from each of the ministries. Even though these ministries still do not have a designated head, Espada claims these teams will avoid institutional delays or confusion.
At nearly two months since the second round of voting, the president-elect has not filled the demand for incoming ministers or secretaries. Almost fifty percent of positions have not been declared.
The meeting today will involve a revision of global themes. Espada stated the pending issues include the development of rural sectors and security.
All errors and interpretations are mine.
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