Pressure to reopen CICPC press office continues

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Thursday, June 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Former CICPC chiefs say they are against the closure of the Police Detective Branch CICPC press office, arguing that it is a sad day for the journalists who have lost their jobs. 

Former General Commissioner, Florencio Garci ... who was sub-director for more than 5 years ...  argues that communication with and treatment of media representatives was very important for the police force.  " There has always been a press office ever since the force was founded." 

Garcia adds that that the press office acted as liaison between the force and private media, as well as a tribune that was useful in helping solve difficult cases,  disappeared persons and tortures. 

Former CICPC director, Eliseo Guzman remembers when one-time CICPC director, Carlos Fermin tried to close the press office soon after President Chavez Frias came to power.  "When I took over from Fermin, I re-opened the office ... journalists, like police officers, are public servants and merit respect." 

• It is not certain why the press office has been closed but Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel had commented that the office has merely been transferred to another building. 

Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) deputy, Tarek William Saab has visited the CICPC to show his solidarity with the journalists ... "they are my friends ... I think the office could have been rescued ... many of the pieces written there have saved lives."  Saab says that the CICPC director has promised to relocate the press office at its Urdaneta Station.