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Sunday, October 31, 2004

Ambassadors force central government to act on LRAU

BY JAMES PARKES

A JOINT PETITION FROM THE AMBASSADORS OF 17 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES REQUESTING THAT THE PRIME MINISTER, JOSÉ LUIS RODRÍGUEZ ZAPATERO, TAKE ACTION OVER THE CONTROVERSIAL LRAU LAND GRAB LAW IN THE VALENCIA REGION, HAS RESULTED IN TOP LEVEL MINISTERIAL TALKS BETWEEN SPAIN AND THE UK.

The letter, signed by the ambassadors of Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Holland, Malta, Luxembourg, Sweden, Slovakia, Finland and Poland, drew the PM's attention to the negative impact the LRAU is having both on their citizens and Spanish nationals living in the Valencia Region.

As a result of the petition, which was passed on to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Foreign Office in the UK, minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has promised his UK counterpart Jack Straw that central government will be taking measures, including top-level talks with the Valencia government, to protect the rights of British citizens threatened by the LRAU. In a joint press conference held on Wednesday by Sr Moratinos and Mr Straw, the Spanish minister said, "The government will be talking with the Valencia government to find a solution, within the Spanish constitutional framework, to grant full protection to all citizens, may they be British, Spanish or of any other nationality."

AMBASSADOR TRIGGERS ACTION

The ambassadors' petition was promoted by the British ambassador, Stephen Wright. Speaking to Costa Blanca News, the ambassador said, "I'm well aware of how distressing the LRAU law has become for expatriates living in the Valencia Region, which is why the embassy and the consulate in Alicante has and will continue to seek the Spanish government's support on this matter."

Ambassadors warned the government of the interest taken by Brussels in this matter and the recent report delivered by the visiting EU investigation panel in which the LRAU is said to be 'causing grave abuse to thousands of European citizens’ most basic rights'. The letter said that the law 'is causing a large number of Valencia Region residents to be under threat, either by land expropriation or exorbitant economic demands on behalf of promoters'.

Although aware of regional government's jurisdiction over planning matters, the ambassadors requested that 'the Spanish government take on, along with the Valencian government, its corresponding role in a fair and satisfactory reform of the LRAU, guaranteeing the fulfilment of the Spanish state's obligation before the EU and the full exercise of citizens' most elementary rights'.

The LUV law, which is scheduled to replace the LRAU, is still under discussion and no time plan has been given. Critics hope that pressure from the EU and now from Madrid and London will force Valencia to speed up the process.

Courtesy of Costa Blanca News 29 10 2004


Thursday, October 28, 2004

LAND LAW PROGRAMME SHOWN
A report filmed on the Costa Blanca recently by the BBC, highlighting victims of the LRAU ‘Land Law Grab’ abuse is being broadcast from this weekend.
The Fastrack team talked to Weekly POST reporter Karen Marco, who is herself in the process of losing her home in Finestrat, and other residents facing the same nightmare in the Marina Alta.
Fastrack can be seen on the following channels at the times indicated:
SATURDAY OCTOBER 30 - BBC1 at 07.45, NEWS 24 at 12.30, BBC World at 04.30
SUNDAY OCTOBER 31 - BBC1 at 03.30 and 08.30, NEWS 24 at 22.30, BBC World at 01.30
MONDAY NOVEMBER 1 - BBC World at 21.30
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 2 - BBC World at 15.30
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 3 - BBC World at 17.30
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 4 - BBC World at 02.30 and 09.30

From Valencia Life Magazine today
FOREIGN SECRETARY PROTESTS LAND LAWS
At a meeting in Madrid yesterday between British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, Mr Straw in the name of the British Government asked the Spanish authorities to look out for the interests of British people that have settled in the Valencian Community and are subject to land abuse by the enforcement of the Valencian Land Laws, better known as LRAU. Despite being approved by the Socialist Government in Valencia in 1994, Mr Moratinos assured Mr Straw that the Madrid Government would speak to the Valencian Government to ensure that these ‘alleged abuses’ are not allowed to continue. For its part, the Valencian Government announced that next year it would be approving a new land law, although sources inside the Community have stated that the new law will not in fact alter the basic structure of the LRAU, and announced that they could begin to stage demonstrations against Valencian interests in Britain.
In addition, the two Ministers also discussed Gibraltar and agreed to ‘consider and consult further’ on how to establish a new forum for dialogue on Gibraltar, with an open agenda in which Gibraltarian representatives would have their own voice.



Tuesday, October 19, 2004

For real estate agents and others concerned
Declining property/land sales and the LRAU
----------------------
During the last few months one has been hearing from many businesspeople and agents, similar to yourselves, who all tell of the rapidly declining property market. This is primarily for two reasons; one is the rising interest rate in the UK and the other is the ever-growing coverage that the LRAU is generating throughout the entire media of the UK and other European countries, from local newspapers to the big TV networks. Many visitors know there is "something wrong with the property market on the Costa Blanca" and I feel sure that this "negative thought" is additionally/in part responsible for the declining tourist market. Surely you must accept that Estate Agents, and other professionals involved in the property market, cannot continue to ignore what is going on and sweep this devastating trend under the proverbial carpet. Without clients you have no business. If you wish to remain in business, and see that business grow over the coming years, this is surely themoment to do something about it - **NOW**. Until you, as a major player in the retail industry, stand together and speak out, along with all your colleagues and with one clear voice, and start to tell the Valencian Government that due to their bad law, and their attitude towards the directives now coming from Brussels, they are creating an ever-increasing uncertainty in the property market. The Valencian government's total lack of coherent understanding of the land and property laws, (that have provoked the fears of property owners who are concerned at the possibility of losing everything) whilst continuing to give priority to the demands and greed of developers, has produced the inevitable result that buyers are being driven away, not only today but in the future. This will persist unchanged until something is done about it. People have long memories when it comes to fear, and the stigma of theLRAU and its derivatives probably will cling to the Valencian government for more years than the lifespan of any current politician. Can your business withstand a slump for ten or twenty years? Please consider this problem which is being forwarded by a very concerned property owner who has been a member and supporter of AbusosUrbanisticos-No campaign since it began. I don't think there is a single friend or member of my family in UK/EU, and even beyond, who is unaware of this problem. They all mention it to me. Without exception they all react in total disbelief that something as scandalous as this is being allowed to continue and in an EU member state. The abuses operated under the discredited LRAU might not disgrace a communist South American banana republic - but in the EU??! All find that to be totally incredible. Why not email < aun@abusos-no.org > and talk; we can all help each other towards a brighter future.

Rapporteur for Valencian Land Law
Abusos Urbanisticos No is pleased to learn that the European Parliament has agreed to designate one of its members to act as its rapporteur for Valencian Land Law issues. This in effect means that we have our own 'ombudsman' in the European Parliament. The individual named is Mme Janelly Fourtou MEP (Liberal Democrat) of France.

One of her first responsibilities will be to present the Fact Finding Mission Report, adopted by the Petitions Committee in July, 2004, to the Parliament itself.

To provide her with additional background, we encourage our French-speaking members and supporters, to provide her with a summary of the situations they have encountered under the Valencian Land Laws as soon as possible. You should send such summaries as soon as possible for her attention through David Lowe, Head of the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels.

His email address is dlowe@europarl.eu.int


Abusos Urbanísticos NO est heureux d'apprendre que le Parlement Européen a nommé un de ses membres comme rapporteur concernant les solutions à apporter aux abus de la Loi d'Urbanisme de la Communauté de Valence (LRAU).

La personne désignée est Madame Janelly Fourtou, du parti UDF français (Groupe Européen Démocrates et Liberaux). Elle sera notre Médiateur au Parlement Européen.

Une de ses premières responsabilités sera de présenter à la Réunion Plénière du Parlement, le Rapport sur la Mission d'Enquête effectué à Valence, adopté par le Comité des Pétitions en juillet 2004.

Pour lui fournir des arguments additionels, nous encourageons nos membres francophones et sympatisants à présenter un résumé des situations dramatiques vecues par la faute de la Loi d'Urbanisme (LRAU). Envoyez vos résumés dès que possible à l'attention de David Lowe, responsable du Comité des Pétitions du Parlement Européen à Bruxelles. Son courrier électronique est : dlowe@europarl.eu.int



Monday, October 18, 2004

AGM
ASOCIACION VALENCIANA EN DEFENSA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y EN CONTRA DE LOS ABUSOS URBANISTICOS
(ABUSOS URBANISTICOS NO)
aun@abusos-no.org
RE: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

JAHRES-HAUPTVERSAMMLUNG
Asamblea General Ordinaria de Abusos Urbanisticos No

29th October 2004
Casa de Cultura, Denia 11,00hrs


PLEASE PASS THE ATTACHED MESSAGE TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS WHO DO NOT HAVE E.MAIL FACILITIES.


Thursday, October 14, 2004

PROTEST MARCH .... ONDARA Town Square.... 18.00 hrs .... 16th OCTOBER ....
We may not live in Ondara, but we are all suffering from the problems caused by the land laws or are sympathisers of AUN. Let´s get out there and help victims living in Ondara in their protest. We must help each other, and all join together and fight. (local information re the Manifestació gilvives@hotmail.com or http://www.salvem-segaria-vinyals.tk/

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

PROTEST MARCH......ONDARA Marktplatz....18h00....October 16

Auch wenn wir nicht in Ondara leben, wir leiden alle unter den Problemen die durch die Urbanisationsgesetze verursacht werden und/oder wir sind Sympathisanten der AUN. Deshalb dieser Aufruf zur Unterstützung der Leidtragenden vor Ort. Fahren wir nach Ondara. Wir müssen uns gegenseitig helfen, zusammenhalten und uns widersetzen. (örtliche Info in Sachen Manifestaciö: gilvives@hotmail.com oder http://www.salvem-segaria-vinyals.tk/)

MANIFESTACION .....ONDARA Plaza Central......18h00......16 de octubre

Aunque no vivimos en Ondara, todos estamos sufriendo los problemas ocasionados por las Leyes Urbanísticas y/o somos simpatizantes de la AUN. Por esto nos dirigimos a todos con este llamamiento para ir a Ondara afín de ayudar y ofrecer nuestro soporte en situ a todas las victimas en aquella localidad.Tenemos que ayudarnos mutuamente, tenemos que juntarnos y emprender la lucha. Para mas información local: gilvives@hotmail.com o http://www.salvem-segaria-vinyals.tk

Friday, October 08, 2004

Hola a todos!La segunda reunión anual de Abusos Urbanísticos No tendrá lugar el próximoviernes, día 29. de Octubre a las 10h30 de la mañana en la Casa Cultural deDenia (mismo lugar que el ano pasado Plaza Jaume 1).Mas adelante recibirán nota formal.Un saludo

Hi everyone.The second Annual General Meeting of Abusos Urbanisticos-No will be heldon Friday, 29th October at 10.30 a.m., at the Casa de Cultura in Denia(same place as last year - Plaza Jaume 1). A formal notice will follow.Jan.

Hallo an Alle! Die 2. Jahreshauptversammlung von ¨Abusos Urbanisticos NO¨ findet statt am nächsten Freitag, den 29. Oktober um 10.30 im Casa de Cultura in Denia ( der gleiche Ort wie im letzten Jahr, am Plaza Jaume I ). Eine formelle Mitteilung wird noch folgen. Viele Grüße

Monday, October 04, 2004

Hi everyone,Two members of Abusos Urbanisticos No (AUN) managed to speak to theSpanish Prime Minister, Mr Rodriguez Zapatero, during his visit to theUniversity of Alicante last week on Thursday, 23 September. Mr Zapatero was talking to a group of students and their parents. They took the opportunity to go up to him and introduce themselves. They drew his attention to the abusive application of the Valencian land law, which allows developers to take the homes and land off small householders.They told him: "Presidente, no nos falles contra los abusosurbanísticos", ("Don't let us down on urbanistic abuse") using the same words said to him on the night of his electoral victory. They gave him a letter signed by the President and Vice-President of AUN, together with a file containing the European Parliament report, recent press cuttings and the contact web site and e-mail for AUN. He gave them his full attention and promised he would reply to the letter. As he moved on for the rest of the ceremony, he said he was aware of the effects of the law. One of the members was also able to talk to Mr Pla, head of theValencian Socialist Party, and Ms. Leyre Pajín, PSOE's number one in theMarch elections for Alicante, and gave them copies of a letter from AUN and file further detailing land law abuses in Valencia. The same two members also managed to speak to the King of Spain when he visited Alicante two weeks ago. Abusos Urbanisticos No wishes to thank Jose Crespo and Janice Batterbee for their incredible support and congratulate them for their wonderful initiatives! Congratulations and many thanks, Charles Svoboda

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