Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Environment Minister on Trial

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

GUATEMALA CITY, Sep 1 2002 (IPS) - Environmental organizations are demanding the resignation of Guatemala's environment minister, Carlos Cáceres Ruiz, in the wake of his appearance before the nation's Congress. Independent lawmaker Olga Camey de Noack said the official had not even proposed any legislative bills.

“It's inconceivable that the top government representative on the environmental issue does not know anything about the ministry's policies,” commented Yuri Melini, director of the Environmental Legal Action Center.

Carlos Albacete, head of Trópico Verde, another environmental group, said the country lacks a true environmental policy.

The minister responded that the ministry has drawn up several projects, such as the water act, and vehicle emissions regulation. The Executive Branch is still studying these.

The ministry is meeting with various civil society groups about a law to modify the environmental impact statements required for any industrial project, added Cáceres Ruiz.