(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 29 October 2001 letter by the AMARC-Latin America and Caribbean office to the Communication Services Regulatory Division (Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones): Montevideo, 29 October 2001 To the directors Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones (URSEC) Mr. Pérez Tabo: We are writing to express our surprise and concern […]
(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 29 October 2001 letter by the AMARC-Latin America and Caribbean office to the Communication Services Regulatory Division (Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones):
Montevideo, 29 October 2001
To the directors
Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones (URSEC)
Mr. Pérez Tabo:
We are writing to express our surprise and concern over the proceedings which took place in our country during the week of 22 to 26 October. These proceedings resulted in the closure of two local radio stations, FM del Cielo in Nueva Palmira and FM Onda Joven in Fray Bentos, and the seizure of their equipment. Although the radio stations are not members of AMARC, they do count on AMARC’s support. We are also concerned about the intimidation that radio station CW 153 emisora Cono Sur in Nueva Palmira suffered.
Although we recognise the administration’s right and obligation to oversee operations, we feel that the timing of this action, on the eve of the first round-table meeting convened by the URSEC to address the matter of community radios on Friday 26 October, creates confusion about the administration’s policy on this matter. We feel that a clarification of past proceedings and the URSEC’s future plans is required.
To this effect, we are requesting an interview with you, so that we can engage in a dialogue about this topic. We would like you to explicitly tell us if you plan to continue with this policy, or should we continue to work towards creating a constructive relationship and setting up a frank dialogue to seek solutions, so that repression is not used as a recourse.
Sincerely,
Carlos Ramos
AMARC-Uruguay Representative
