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Reporter's Notebook: Al Giordano

Chile's Avila Launches Presidential Campaign, Wants Marijuana Legalized

Posted by Al Giordano - October 7, 2004 at 4:51 pm
Six weeks ago, we reported on the setback by which the Chilean political system, through its dominant parties in Congress, blocked a marijuana legalization bill sponsored by Senator Nelson Avila.

But often, when Power throws up one fence, it causes change agents to seek new paths, cut new holes in the wall, dig tunnels or leap higher than before. Such is the case in Chile where Avila announces his candidacy for the 2005 election for president of the nation.

La Tercera reports his stance in favor of legalizing the cultivation (not merely the possession) of marijuana as first among his issues. Others include legalization of abortion and euthanasia, and in favor of Chile granting a seaport to landlocked Bolivia (which would resolve a hundred-plus-year-old conflict between the two nations that has fueled many of the rebellions in recent years in Bolivia).

In the coming weeks, Avila plans on crisscrossing the country, beginning in the indigenous lands of the Mapuche ethnic group, where indigenous leader Aucán Huilcamán Paillama is also expected to declare his candidacy for the presidency.

Avila told the news agency Las Ultimas Notícias that while his candidacy may well cause problems for his former center-left political party, Concertación, he expects it will "cause headaches for many" parties and politicians.

Perhaps they will at least be able to treat their headaches, in due time, with the five-leafed medicine that the colorful Senator seeks to legalize. As the campaign marches on, Narco News will be reporting its progress.

About Al Giordano

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Reporting on the United States at The Field.

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Ávila Lanza su Campaña Presidencial. (TRADUCCIÓN)

Submitted October 14, 2004 - 8:25 pm by Judith Gomez Roblero
El Senador Nelson Ávila se postula a Presidente de
Chile desde una plataforma que incluye la legalización
del consumo de marihuana

Foto:  La Tercera en línea

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