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A12 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 26 sepTember 2019
Mexican president trades barbs with business, civic groups

By MARK STEVENSON or “frivolous.”
Associated Press The president has tried to
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mex- ram through ambitious
ico’s president engaged transport and oil infrastruc-
in a war of words Wednes- ture projects, often despite
day with business and civic complaints of insufficient
groups that have lodged study of the environment or
legal challenges to one of economic impacts.
his pet projects. The coalition argued that,
The groups were angered “Polarization will not help
when Andrés Manuel López serve the cause we all
Obrador abandoned the should be seeking: the de-
previous administration’s velopment of Mexico.”
partly built airport on a López Obrador is about as
former lakebed, claiming far from a businessman as
the project was drenched one can get; he acknowl-
in corruption and cost too edged Wednesday that
much. he has never even had a
Instead, López Obrador credit card.
wants to build the new air- So the president was sur-
port at a military base far- prised when tax authori-
ther away, arguing it would ties tipped him off that
cost less. But the business someone had registered
and civic groups, which President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and first lady Beatriz Gutierrez Muller wave after Lopez him, apparently without his
formed a coalition called Obrador gave the annual independence shout from the balcony of the National Palace to kick of knowledge, as a partner or
No More Waste, say the Independence Day celebrations at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. shareholder in 26 compa-
president is wasting billions Associated Press nies, all registered at the
of dollars already spent on “They want the same old newspaper ads defending honestly and with transpar- same time in the same city
the old project. regime of corruption.” its court challenges, saying, ency.” early this year. He said tax
López Obrador teased one Like much of the coali- “We will continue to fight in The new project has es- authorities were investigat-
of the groups this week, tion, the nonprofit Mexi- court for fulfillment of the sentially been stalled for ing the case
calling it “Mexicans For Cor- cans Against Corruption is law and the correct uses of months by the lawsuits. But “I am not a businessman,
ruption,” playing on its real backed by prominent busi- public funds.’” the government recently though I respect them a
name, Mexicans Against nessmen. It has filed dozens “We are not acting out of presented appeals arguing lot. I am a public servant,”
Corruption. of lawsuits seeking to block any economic interest, nor the project is a question of López Obrador said. “I
“They have been sabotag- the new project. because we oppose your national security, and thus don’t own businesses or
ing us legally. They are the López Obrador claims the administration,” the col- can’t be challenged. properties. I barely have a
ones filing lawsuits against business groups had an lation said. “We are act- It is not the first time López bank account where my
the projects; they don’t economic interest in the ing out of civic concern Obrador has tangled with paychecks are deposited.
want us to do anything,” old project. that the law be obeyed watchdog agencies, civic I have never had a credit
López Obrador said at his The No More Waste co- and that out tax money groups and news outlets he card, as incredible as that
daily news conference. alition took out full-page be spent wisely, efficiently, dismisses as “conservative” seems.”q
Haiti president calls for unity as protesters reject appeal

ponents to help his admin- has been unable to pay burning tires across Port-
istration resolve the multiple gasoline suppliers who are au-Prince and surround-
problems facing Haiti. demanding some $100 mil- ing communities despite
“Unemployment, insecurity lion owed for previous ship- Moïse’s speech. In some ar-
and political turmoil pre- ments. They have cut off eas, protesters threw rocks
vent children from going deliveries, forcing gas sta- and bottles at cars and pe-
to school, paralyzing many tions in Port-au-Prince and destrians, officials said.
other activities,” he said. elsewhere to remain largely “Let us have the courage
“These events have far- closed for three weeks. to dare to unite,” he said.
reaching consequences Meanwhile, opposition “Let us have the courage
for our lives and the lives of lawmakers have blocked to reject the practices that
our children.” The country Moïse’s choice of prime have fueled our adversity.”
has been roiled by months minister as a way to pres- But the embattled presi-
of protests over a corrup- sure him to leave office dent did not offer to step
tion scandal involving al- and hinder his ability to down, as protesters have
In this Aug. 28, 2019 file photo, Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise legations that top govern- govern. That led to a clash demanded for months,
speaks during an interview in his office in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. ment officials under the Monday in which a sena- nor did he offer solutions to
Associated Press previous government mis- tor fired a gun as protesters the economic woes. Jean-
By EVENS SANON mands of protesters furious used billions of dollars pub- rushed toward him and two Marie Brinaire, a 45-year-
Associated Press over corruption, a gasoline lic funds meant for urgent people were hit by bullets, old unemployed man who
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) shortage and growing eco- social programs. So far, no including an Associated was trying to find food for
— Haitian President Jove- nomic hardship. one has been indicted. Press photographer and a his three children in Port-
nel Moïse on Wednesday Moïse, who has largely Surging inflation has been Senate guard. au-Prince, said he heard
urged a pause in unrest avoided public appear- eating away at salaries in Most schools and busi- the speech but was disap-
that has paralyzed the ances in recent weeks, one of the hemisphere’s nesses remained closed on pointed that Moïse didn’t
Caribbean nation, but of- made a televised appeal poorest nations and the Wednesday and protesters address issues including
fered no solution to the de- for unity as he asked op- cash-starved government set up barricades including corruption allegations.q