January 28, 2003
The Civic Front for the Defence of the Casino de la Selva in Cuernavaca continues its struggle against the destruction that is being carried out by the Costco Company. The federal government has at last agreed to investigate the alleged irregularities involved in the sale of the property to Costco. However, irreparable damage has already been done to this heritage site. At this time, the Civic Front are particularly emphasizing the threat that this type of development poses to Mexican culture as well as to the environment and the local economy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please sign and send the accompanying model letter (which also contains additional information on the present situation with regard to the Civic Front's campaign.
ADDRESSES:
(please see the end of the letter for e–mail addresses and faxes)
President Vicente Fox Quezada
Los Pinos
Mexico, D.F., Mexico
Governor Sergio Estrada Cajigal
Palacio de Gobierno
Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
José Raúl Hernández Avila
Municipal President
Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
Jaime González Nova
Costco Mexico
Edo de Mexico, Mexico
Jim Senegal
CEO
Costco Wholesale
Issequah, WA, U.S.A.
Dear Sirs:
I am aware of the nonviolent campaign, led by the Civic Front for the Defence of the Casino de la Selva, for the recovery and restoration of the land that was irresponsibly and illegally sold to Costco and Comercial Mexicana in the city of Cuernavaca. I am surprised and shocked by the wholesale destruction of trees, fauna, works of art, and architectural landmarks.
Furthermore, I deeply deplore the government's illegal efforts to prevent citizens from participating in the process by which the companies procured their demolition and construction permits. Among these serious illegalities are failure to consult with environmental groups or with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), as well as failure to comply with the recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission of the State of Morelos and the Agustin Pro Human Rights Commission requesting that cautionary measures be taken. The latest example of official unwillingness to cooperate with citizens' organizations is the refusal of the local authorities to allow access to the most recent blueprints. Moreover, even though the public works office indicated on December 10, 2002, that there are still archeological remains on the site, and that the permits should therefore be reconsidered, Costco's drills and bulldozers are still active. The Earth Council's Secretary General and International Ombudsman for the Environment and Development, (OmCED) Ambassador Frans van Haren, with the aid of field experts, has carried out an exhaustive study of the case concluding that the losses are irreparable.
The destruction caused by parking lots and giant box stores within the city impoverishes society both culturally and economically. Health hazards due to airborne pollutants rise with the increase of traffic and the loss of an entire ecological habitat. This unacceptable plan, which is blatant in its disrespect for culture and art, constitutes an environmental disaster of incalculable dimensions for the city of Cuernavaca. Time has proven that the local government as well as representatives of the federal government have not acted according to the law. They have demonstrated their absolute lack of sensibility and social conscience – while catering to the desires of the Costco company's representatives. Indeed the authorities have gone to the extent of pressing criminal charges against the civic activists, who to this day face outstanding legal processes (after, as has been duly recorded by Amnesty International, having been the victims of police brutality during their peaceful protests on August 21st, and October 31st).
In the context of the International Week of Active Nonviolence, I support the Civic Front for the Defense of the Casino de la Selva in its hunger strike and civil protest in favour of an immediate and complete halt to the construction on the land formerly occupied by the Casino de la Selva. I endorse the Civic Front's demands that the box stores be built on the outskirts of the city, and that the whole truth regarding this deplorable situation be presented to the public.
I trust that your sense of justice will prevail.
Sincerely,
Send to:
Vicente Fox Quesada
Presidente Constitucional
de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Fax : +52–55–5728–7380
hcuellar@segob.gob.mx
and to:
Sergio Estrada Cajigal
Gobernador de Morelos
Fax: +52–777–329–2330
emmanuel.flores@morelos.gob.mx
and:
José Raúl Hernández Ávila
Presidente Municipal de Cuernavaca
Fax: +52–777–329–4495
santiago_ad@hotmail.com
with copies to:
Jaime González Nova
Fax: +52–55–5270–9298
jgonzale@mail.comerci.com.mx
Jim Sinegal, Presidente de Costco
Issaquah, Wash.
Fax: 425–313–8103
JBenoliel@costco.com
CIVIC FRONT IN CUERNAVACA CONTINUES ITS STRUGGLE AGAINST THE DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COSTCO SUPERSTORE ON A HERITAGE SITE
The Civic Front for the Defence of the Casino de la Selva in Cuernavaca continues its struggle against the destruction that is being carried out by the Costco Company. The federal government has at last agreed to investigate the alleged irregularities involved in the sale of the property to Costco. However, irreparable damage has already been done to this heritage site. At this time, the Civic Front are particularly emphasizing the threat that this type of development poses to Mexican culture as well as to the environment and the local economy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please sign and send the accompanying model letter (which also contains additional information on the present situation with regard to the Civic Front's campaign.
ADDRESSES:
(please see the end of the letter for e–mail addresses and faxes)
President Vicente Fox Quezada
Los Pinos
Mexico, D.F., Mexico
Governor Sergio Estrada Cajigal
Palacio de Gobierno
Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
José Raúl Hernández Avila
Municipal President
Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
Jaime González Nova
Costco Mexico
Edo de Mexico, Mexico
Jim Senegal
CEO
Costco Wholesale
Issequah, WA, U.S.A.
Dear Sirs:
I am aware of the nonviolent campaign, led by the Civic Front for the Defence of the Casino de la Selva, for the recovery and restoration of the land that was irresponsibly and illegally sold to Costco and Comercial Mexicana in the city of Cuernavaca. I am surprised and shocked by the wholesale destruction of trees, fauna, works of art, and architectural landmarks.
Furthermore, I deeply deplore the government's illegal efforts to prevent citizens from participating in the process by which the companies procured their demolition and construction permits. Among these serious illegalities are failure to consult with environmental groups or with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), as well as failure to comply with the recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission of the State of Morelos and the Agustin Pro Human Rights Commission requesting that cautionary measures be taken. The latest example of official unwillingness to cooperate with citizens' organizations is the refusal of the local authorities to allow access to the most recent blueprints. Moreover, even though the public works office indicated on December 10, 2002, that there are still archeological remains on the site, and that the permits should therefore be reconsidered, Costco's drills and bulldozers are still active. The Earth Council's Secretary General and International Ombudsman for the Environment and Development, (OmCED) Ambassador Frans van Haren, with the aid of field experts, has carried out an exhaustive study of the case concluding that the losses are irreparable.
The destruction caused by parking lots and giant box stores within the city impoverishes society both culturally and economically. Health hazards due to airborne pollutants rise with the increase of traffic and the loss of an entire ecological habitat. This unacceptable plan, which is blatant in its disrespect for culture and art, constitutes an environmental disaster of incalculable dimensions for the city of Cuernavaca. Time has proven that the local government as well as representatives of the federal government have not acted according to the law. They have demonstrated their absolute lack of sensibility and social conscience – while catering to the desires of the Costco company's representatives. Indeed the authorities have gone to the extent of pressing criminal charges against the civic activists, who to this day face outstanding legal processes (after, as has been duly recorded by Amnesty International, having been the victims of police brutality during their peaceful protests on August 21st, and October 31st).
In the context of the International Week of Active Nonviolence, I support the Civic Front for the Defense of the Casino de la Selva in its hunger strike and civil protest in favour of an immediate and complete halt to the construction on the land formerly occupied by the Casino de la Selva. I endorse the Civic Front's demands that the box stores be built on the outskirts of the city, and that the whole truth regarding this deplorable situation be presented to the public.
I trust that your sense of justice will prevail.
Sincerely,
Send to:
Vicente Fox Quesada
Presidente Constitucional
de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Fax : +52–55–5728–7380
hcuellar@segob.gob.mx
and to:
Sergio Estrada Cajigal
Gobernador de Morelos
Fax: +52–777–329–2330
emmanuel.flores@morelos.gob.mx
and:
José Raúl Hernández Ávila
Presidente Municipal de Cuernavaca
Fax: +52–777–329–4495
santiago_ad@hotmail.com
with copies to:
Jaime González Nova
Fax: +52–55–5270–9298
jgonzale@mail.comerci.com.mx
Jim Sinegal, Presidente de Costco
Issaquah, Wash.
Fax: 425–313–8103
JBenoliel@costco.com