|
 |
|
Para ver esta página en español, oprima aquí. English And Spanish Not Taught WellFas Alzamora To Develop CommonwealthUpdated Data On Vieques CancerP.R. Must Guarantee Navy PracticesFarrow: Status Proposal Doesn't Contradict Calderon'sTwo Parties OK Needed For Plebiscite MoneyWith Spring Training, Midwinter Nightmare Almost Over***** Education Secretary: English And Spanish Not Taught Well February 19, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - In the island's public education system, English and Spanish are not being taught adequately, according to Education Secretary Cesar Rey. He said the teaching of both languages needs to be strengthened in the public education system. "Unfortunately, we are not adequately teaching Spanish, and much less English," Rey said. He said the agency has the responsibility of making sure "our graduates are as articulate in English, as well as Spanish," and regrets that this issue has been politicized. Rey said young people should be prepared to face the world "where the main language is English. We also need to develop an appreciation for the language, as a means of communication and a vehicle of expression." ***** Fas Alzamora Pledges To Develop Commonwealth February 19, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - Senate President Antonio Fas Alzamora pledged Monday to find the culmination of the Commonwealth, a political formula that "has presented us as a dynamic and modern society before the world." "What we have to do now is develop the Commonwealth to its maximum autonomy and international presence compatible with our permanent association with the United States," he said. Fas Alzamora said the Puerto Rican people want to keep being Puerto Rican first, with a booming presence in the exterior but maintaining a relationship of mutual respect and understanding with the U.S., and that relationship can only exist under the Commonwealth. ***** Updated Data On Vieques Cancer Incidence Disclosed February 19, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - Some 62 Vieques residents were diagnosed and treated as new cancer cases in the Oncology Hospital at the Rio Piedras Medical Center during the years 1988 to 1999, the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer reported Monday. Board of Directors President Eduardo Sotomayor Vicens said from that total, at least 30 patients - equal to 48% - died, according to the updated Cancer Registry. The data reveals that the cancer rate diagnosed in Vieques residents increased in 1996, when 12 patients were detected instead of the average 5.4 patients coming from the island municipality each year. "We don't understand why there is such a high increase in 1996," he said. The registry also reveals that 66% of the 62 cases of Vieques residents were patients between 60 and 79 years old at the moment of diagnosis. Meanwhile, most of the cases were women, Sotomayor Vicens said. ***** Pentagon: P.R. Must Guarantee Navy Practices February 16, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - Pentagon officials said the Puerto Rico government must provide police protection that guarantees U.S. Navy practices in Vieques and added that they're looking for alternatives to Vieques as per the mandate by former President Bill Clinton. The spokesman said he was not aware of Gov. Sila Calderon's decision to remove the Riot Squat from Vieques. ***** Farrow: Clinton's Status Proposal Doesn't Contradict Calderon's February 16, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - Former White House aide on Puerto Rico Jeffrey Farrow on Friday said the proposal by former President Bill Clinton to solve Puerto Rico's status issue doesn't contradict Gov. Sila Calderon's proposal. Thus, he said, there should not be opposition by the Calderon administration to the Clinton proposal. The Popular Democratic Party, Farrow said, pledged in its platform to seek a solution for the island's status problem. That pledge is in synch with the federal law that authorizes the White House to allocate $2.5 million for plebiscite education on the island. "[Calderon] promised a dialogue of consensus among the three parties to solve the problem of status. If that is achieved, if the three parties reach an accord, that would be fantastic," he said. The funds are available as of March 31 and would be disbursed 45 days after the State Elections Commission submits an expense plan to the Congress. ***** Farrow: Approval Of Only Two Parties Needed For Plebiscite Money February 16, 2001 SAN JUAN (AP) - The federal law that assigned $2.5 million for plebiscite education on the island only requires two local parties to approve the plan to be presented to the U.S. Congress for disbursement of the money, according to former White House aide Jeffrey Farrow. In published reports, Farrow said the electoral commissioners of the New Progressive and Puerto Rican Independence parties could agree on a plan to spend the $2.5 million and submit that to Congress even without agreement by the Popular Democratic Party electoral commissioner. The law provides that the funds would be available after March 31 and would be disbursed no sooner than 45 days after the State Elections Commission submits an expense report to the Congress. ***** With Spring Training, Midwinter Nightmare Almost Over By GEORGE VECSEY, The New York Times February 16, 2001 PITCHERS and catchers are here. We shall soon be cured by Dr. Selig's Magic Elixir. Pitchers and catchers are here. We shall be relieved of our stomachaches, inner-ear infections and pernicious coughs and sniffles. Pitchers and catchers are here. The Subway Series just ended, but now it is almost April 1, when Toronto and Texas will play the opener in San Juan, on the island of Puerto Rico, the first official game together for the Rodriguez boys.
|