www.vheadline.com Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

5 forest fires have been reported yesterday afternoon in the Metropolitan area of Caracas ...  Puerta de Caracas, El Marques, Cota 905, the Tazon and El Junquito have been hit by fires as the summer drought continues and the country waits for the rainy season to start.

• Firefighters say 30 fires have been reported and brought under control in the last two weeks.

Caracas Fire Department commander Rodolfo Briceno says it has been one of the longest dry seasons he has experienced … “it’s been hard work compared to last year … there have been far more forest fires than last year when we tackled an average 10 fires a week.”

Fires, the tired firefighter says, are caused by the same old problems, namely bottles and cigarette butts thrown out of cars.  The State Civil Protection Department reports that there have been 300 fires this season so far.

ens-news.com By David Dudenhoefer

BRASILIA, Brazil, March 3, 2003 (ENS) - A recent cut in Brazil's federal budget of 14.1 billion reals (nearly US$4 billion) could make it difficult for the country's Environment Ministry to maintain its varied programs.

Last month the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, popularly known as Lula, announced a "temporary" cut of nearly 23 percent from the federal budget for 2003, promising that funds would be reinstated if the economy improves. The Environment Ministry's budget was slashed by almost 57 percent, from approximately 786 million reals (US $220 million) to 340 million reals (US $95 million), although the ministries of Health, Education, and a new program to combat hunger suffered only minor cuts.

Lula, the leader of Brazil's left leaning Workers Party, assumed the presidency on January 1 amidst widespread popular celebration. He has since surprised supporters and critics alike by adopting neo-liberal economic policies. While members of the international environmental community praised Lula's appointment of activist Marina Silva to head the Environment Ministry, the recent budget cut will hinder her to ability to institute change. She has until mid-March to come up with a new budget for the ministry.

The Lula administration cited several reasons for the budget cut, but observers note that it is closely linked to a decision to raise the target for the country's budget surplus from 3.75 percent of gross domestic product - a level demanded by the International Monetary Fund last year - to 4.25 percent of gross domestic product.

Lula may have little choice since he needs to boost the value of Brazil's national currency, the real, which fell significantly against the dollar once it became clear he would win the presidency. Brazil is scheduled to pay more than $7 billion of its foreign debt this year, much of which is pegged to the U.S. dollar.

"It's very bad for a new administration to begin by the cutting budgets," said Adriana Ramos, a public policy expert at Brazil's Instituto Socioambiental. Though she admitted that the Lula administration is in a difficult position, she lamented the decision to continue a trend established by the previous government, which cut the Environmental Ministry's budget several years in a row.

Ramos claimed this budget cut is not as severe as it appears, since the original 2003 budget allocated much more money for the Environment Ministry than was spent the previous year. She explained that after the cut, the ministry's budget is only about 15 percent less than what it spent in 2002.

Seasonal rainforest in bloom in eastern Brazil (Photo courtesy U. Texas-Austin) Many people might consider $95 million insufficient funds for natural resource management in a nation the size of the United States minus Alaska. However, many of Brazil's major environmental projects receive significant funding from foreign governments and international organizations.

Ramos said a priority for the ministry is to prevent the budget cut from effecting bilateral projects that require the Brazilian government to match foreign contributions.

"If Brazil doesn't pay its part, it won't be able to use the foreign funds," she said. "By guaranteeing its matching funds, [the ministry] can guarantee that most of its programs will be maintained."

Ramos said that the current situation presents a special challenge for nongovernmental organizations. "We need to get resources from other sources, such as international cooperation and private enterprise," she said.

While some countries have cut foreign aid to Brazil in recent years, on the grounds that it is in better shape than many African and Asian nations, Ramos noted that her country still needs help to protect its vast natural resources.

"The conservation of biodiversity and environmental services in Brazil is a global concern," she said.

www.sun-sentinel.com By Joseph B. Frazier The Associated Press Posted February 26 2003

MARACAIBO, Venezuela · Under the scorching sun on Lake Maracaibo, thousands of oil wells suck up natural gas and crude oil, the wealth of Venezuela. But much more crude than usual has ended up in the water since oil workers joined a national strike against President Hugo Chávez in December, environmentalists and government critics contend. Although the walkout against Chávez has fizzled, many oil workers remain off the job. Critics say the shortage of employees and lack of know-how among those who are working is causing severe environmental damage. The state-owned oil monopoly, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, denies that. It insists spills are small and rare and that they are quickly controlled. It also blames many of the spills on striker sabotage. The situation is difficult to check independently. The oil fields have been sealed off by army and national guard troops who enforce a no-fly zone over the lake and turn back boats carrying journalists trying to get a look. "They won't let us overfly the lake to look for oil slicks anymore," said Eddie Ramírez, a former executive for the oil monopoly. "It's all militarized now. We still have people working in the oil fields who give us information. But it is getting harder to get." Crude is critical in Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest exporter and a major supplier to the United States. Lake Maracaibo, 325 miles west of Caracas, is a major producer. Since World War I, about 14,000 wells have been drilled in the lake. About 8,000 are active. Estimates vary, but between 15,000 and 28,000 miles of pipes and tubes snake along the bottom. "There is no operation in the world like this," said Felix Rodríguez, recently named by Chávez's government to head oil operations in western Venezuela. Oil operations are spread over 60 percent of the lake's 5,200 square miles. Latticed derricks poke skyward from platforms. Black pumping units bob up and down relentlessly. More modern wells rise a few feet above the water and are driven by electric pumps. About 35,000 of the monopoly's 40,000 employees went on strike Dec. 2, joining the opposition general strike aimed at forcing out Chávez, whom they blame for the country's political and economic strife. The general strike failed, but the oil walkout continues. Chávez has fired more than 11,000 oil strikers and split the oil monopoly into eastern and western divisions to tighten government control over operations. Production is creeping back to pre-strike levels, but the government says it's hampered by sabotage. The private Venezuelan Environmental Foundation said it flew over the lake on Dec. 11, before the flight ban, and sighted 17 spills. The foundation said one well was spewing oil and water more than 30 feet into the air, and experts estimated it was spilling 1,100 barrels a day. Lenin Herrera, a chemical engineer and former head of the Institute for the Conservation and Control of Lake Maracaibo, said spills of petroleum and production chemicals are a major source of contamination. "There have been unjustifiable spills since the strike. There was a spill in January that went three or four days without being fixed. Later a well spilled for two or three days," he said.

washingtontimes.com By Joseph B. Frazier ASSOCIATED PRESS

     MARACAIBO, Venezuela — Under the scorching sun on Lake Maracaibo, oil wells by the thousands suck up natural gas and crude oil, the wealth of Venezuela, for home use and export.      But much more crude than usual has been ending up in the water since oil workers joined a national strike against President Hugo Chavez in December, environmentalists and government critics say.      Though the walkout against Mr. Chavez has fizzled, many oil workers remain off the job, and critics say the shortage of employees and lack of know-how among those who are working is causing severe environmental damage.      The state-owned oil monopoly, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, insists spills are small, rare and quickly controlled. It also blames many of the spills on striker sabotage.      The situation is difficult to check independently. The oil fields have been sealed off by army and national guard troops who enforce a no-fly zone over the lake and turn back boats carrying journalists trying to get a firsthand look.      "They won't let us overfly the lake to look for oil slicks anymore," said Eddie Ramirez, a former executive for the oil monopoly. "It's all militarized now. We still have people working in the oil fields who give us information. But it is getting harder to get."      Norberto Robodello, who directs the environmental-quality program of the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, complains that there are areas even his ministry isn't allowed to see.      Crude oil is critical in Venezuela, the world's No. 5 exporter and a major supplier to the United States. Lake Maracaibo, 325 miles west of Caracas, is a major producer.      Since World War I, about 14,000 wells have been drilled in the lake. About 8,000 are active. Estimates vary, but 15,000 to 28,000 miles of pipes and tubes snake along the bottom.      "There is no operation in the world like this," said Felix Rodriguez, recently named by Mr. Chavez's government to lead oil operations in western Venezuela.      Oil operations are spread over 60 percent of the lake's 5,200 square miles. Latticed derricks poke skyward from platforms. Black pumping units bob up and down relentlessly. More modern wells extend a few feet above the water and are driven by electric pumps.      During a boat trip supervised by oil-monopoly officials, a reporter was shown what was described as sabotage at an electrical platform that powered 24 wells. Heavy cables appeared to have been cut in several places.      "Someone knew how to do it," said Luis Graterol, one of the officials. "You don't just do that with a pair of pliers. It takes a skilled electrician."      About 35,000 of the monopoly's 40,000 employees went on strike Dec. 2, joining the opposition general strike aimed at forcing out President Chavez, whom they blame for the country's political and economic strife.      The general strike failed, but the oil walkout continues. Mr. Chavez has fired more than 11,000 oil strikers and split the oil monopoly into eastern and western divisions to tighten government control over operations.      Production is creeping back to pre-strike levels. But the government says it is hampered by sabotage.      The private Venezuelan Environmental Foundation said it flew over the lake Dec. 11, before the flight ban, and spotted 17 spills. The foundation said one well was spewing oil and water more than 30 feet in the air, and experts estimated it was spilling 1,100 barrels a day.      Mr. Rodriguez, who blamed that spill on saboteurs, acknowledged there is government pressure to increase production.      "We need the money," he said. "But we do it with safety. We are working to diminish the risk. If we aren't sure, we won't open a well."      Lenin Herrera, a chemical engineer and former head of the Institute for the Conservation and Control of Lake Maracaibo, said spills of petroleum and production chemicals are a major source of contamination.      "There have been unjustifiable spills since the strike. There was a spill in January that went three or four days without being fixed. Later, a well spilled for two or three days," he said.      Mr. Herrera said the oil work force is 10 percent to 15 percent of normal levels and that many of those workers are not trained. "Yet they contend the petroleum operation is safe," he said.      Figures compiled by Zulia state's Maracaibo Lake Commission show that before the strike, there was a steady drop in spills in recent years to a rate of about four barrels for every million pumped from under the lake. Now the rate is equal to 40 barrels per million, the commission said.      "We didn't worry before. The government used international norms and standards," said Gonzalo Godoy, who leads the commission. "Now, with [the strike] a series of spills has begun."      His agency counted 67 spills in the first seven weeks of the strike, 15 of them in the lake, even though production was down substantially.      "The packing on those wells has to be checked and adjusted every day," Mr. Godoy said. "With so few people working, they just can't do it."      Industry specialists say that if the packings are not kept in order, they can begin to leak and that leaks can grow into full-blown spills.      People are also worried about chemical contamination.      "We suspect they are using dispersants to break up the slicks," Mr. Godoy said, noting that Venezuela and many other countries forbid their use.      Dispersants don't clean up oil but cause it to sink to the bottom, where both crude oil and dispersant can enter the food chain.      "The government says they aren't using them, that they use special boats to pick up the oil, but fishermen say they have seen it," Mr. Godoy went on.      Zulia state Gov. Manuel Rosales, one of Mr. Chavez's most resolute foes, declared a state of emergency in January because of reports of oil spills. He contended that there have been 79 spills, about 40 percent of them in the lake and the rest on platforms or surrounding fields.      "The spills have affected the flora and fauna of the lake," he said. "After days of this, they had not implemented a contingency plan."      The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources said it had reports of 96 spills from Dec. 6 to Jan. 28. Of the 84 it investigated, four were in the lake, the ministry said.      Critics also warn of natural-gas leaks.      Mr. Ramirez, the former oil executive, said the accepted standard for the escape of natural gas from wells into the atmosphere is 2 percent. Some of the rest is fed back into wells to keep pressure up while the remainder goes to domestic and industrial use.      "But now we hear that 30 percent is escaping," he said. "Most of that gas is high-sulfur, and it comes back as acid rain."      Oil-monopoly officials insist that gas leakage is nearly zero.      Mr. Herrera, the chemical engineer, is urging the strikers and oil monopoly to accept a truce and work together to fix the spills. "The political crisis will end. The economic crisis will end. But what is contaminating the lake will stay there," he said.      And the lake has problems beyond oil spills, others warn.      Raw sewage flows into it. There is significant runoff of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, organic materials and other matter from the farms of Zulia state, the country's major agricultural producer.      "The lake is aging prematurely," Mr. Herrera said.

www.examiner.com Publication date: 02/21/2003 BY KEVIN KEATING Special to The Examiner

    Isidro Casanova, a conservationist visiting Venezuela, was floating down the Cuyuni River when he found a tribe poisoning a stream to kill fish.

    He explained to them that they were sinning against nature.

    The natives thought it over and came to the conclusion that the stranger spoke good sense. But that didn't fix their hunger so they decided to eat Casanova, instead.

    He was rescued by some wandering miners who found him tied to a tree, waiting to be popped into the cook pot.

    Their entree gone, the tribe went back to fishing in its traditional way.

    Casanova should write his story for Field & Stream magazine. It's right up their editorial alley.

    In Hawaii, if you see a man walking with a fishing pole over his shoulder, never ask him if he's going fishing. The fish will hear and be warned away.

    British herring fisherman are equally superstitious. Heading for their boats in the early morning, they will turn back if they meet a vicar or a woman on the road.

    Women and parsons shouldn't be up that early, so if they meet either one, it must be unlucky. "Might as well give up fishing today, boys. Let's go see if the pub is open."

    It's also unlucky for a herring fisherman to see or say the word "pig." They refer to the animal as "the article" or "the gadget."

    It seems that one dark morning, a herringman tripped over a "gadget" lying in the road. He and his crew set out to sea and were never seen again.

    A friend just back from Indonesia checked in to say that two lively events are scheduled about once a month at Pasir Putih Beach, Situbondo, East Java.

    Sapp-Sapp is one. It's an airborne chicken race. Men holding chickens wade into the surf. On a command from shore, they release the birds. The chickens fly for the beach and the one that flies farthest wins. "As chickens don't fly very well," my friend said, "there are a lot of wet feathers in East Java."

    On the same beach, they stage another event called Tarik Tambang Perahu. It's a tug-of-war between crews in two boats in the middle of the lagoon.

    I asked my friend how they determined the winner but he didn't know.

    In Central Java, locals will tell you that Sadang Jodo is where the angels bathe. Young people go there to wash their faces and claim it brings them happy marriages.

    Some Japanese honeymooners go to Saipan to start a happy marriage.

    An American living there discovered that young Japanese love pizza and shooting machine guns. He opened a pizza parlor with a firing range in the back. When the newlyweds are finished being romantic, they pop out for a pepperoni pizza. Then they rent an Uzi and shred paper targets. It makes for a lively Saturday night.

    Another love story: a San Francisco journalist wanted to wed the love of his life in Acapulco. The hotel manager said, "You will need photos and blood tests. The photographer is next door and I will send two bellboys to take the blood tests for you."

    Sea stories: It was the good ship Walrus that brought the treasure to Treasure Island. Its list of officers included Capt. Flint, Billy Bones as first mate, and that lovable, old quartermaster, Long John Silver.

    After Flint gave the treasure map to Bones, he issued this cheery command: "Fetch aft the rum, Darby!"

    Now there's a line you can use.

    A persistent tale put forth in the 1920s insisted that the last rivet installed in a cruise ship was always made of gold to celebrate completion of construction.

    Is it true? Let's find out. When you're cruising, ask the captain to show you the gold rivet. If he does, call me right away!