CC MEMO -- AC "High Commissioner"?

More fireworks at City Hall? A report in today's Valencia Life....


AMERICA'S CUP: MORE CONTROVERSY
It was revealed yesterday that the Government has chosen Ricardo Perez Casado, a former Socialist Mayor of Valencia as the High Commissioner for the Americas Cup. Almost immediately after his naming there was considerable controversy as one year ago he had stated in an interview that Valencia ‘would never be ready’ to stage the Americas Cup in 2007. Commenting on the appointment, which is expected to be ratified by the Spanish Cabinet this coming Friday, Miguel Dominguez the Valencian Town Councilor for Security stated that Mr. Perez Casado was not really the ideal man for the job, as he had to alter his stance from one of severe criticism to one of optimism and support. In the meantime, and despite the visit of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to the City last June, during which he promised at least 935 million Euros to Valencia for the Americas Cup, not one penny of these funds has arrived from any ministry, and nor has the City had any Ministerial visits, which was another promise made by the Prime Minister.

However Las Provincias, in a report in their Valencia edition which was carried by today's Info Copa America, stated that Sr Pérez Casado had not yet accepted the job, and that there was some question whether he would. Pérez Casado was mayor of Valencia from 1979 to 1988, and is a member of the Socialist party, PSOE -- the party currently holding power in the Spanish national government -- while Rita Barbera, Valencia's current Mayor and nominal head of the local organizing Committee ("Valencia 2007"), is a senior member of the conservative Partido Popular.



Ricard Pérez Casado