Chileans Seek Constitutional
Accusation Against Navy Chief For Botched
Tsunami Alert
SANTIAGO - Some 300 Chileans are demanding a
constitutional accusation against navy
commander Edmundo Gonzalez for botching the
tsunami alert after a recent massive quake,
local daily "La Nacion" said Sunday.
The accusation may lead to Gonzalez's
dismissal.
The Navy's Hydrographic and Oceanographic
Service (SHOA) and the emergency management
agency had issued a tsunami warning shortly
after an 8.8-magnitude quake hit Chile on
Feb. 27. However, the warning was canceled
one hour later, and the tsunami that
followed devastated the coastal villages and
left hundreds of people killed or missing.
The citizens aimed at bringing a
constitutional accusation to the parliament
against the navy chief due to the navy's
poor performance when issuing the tsunami
alert, Luis Marino Rendon said.
Rendon, a councilor in Santiago's Nunoa
district, said he expected to garner support
from 10 parliamentarians to join the cause.
If the accusation is accepted, the Chamber
of Deputies, or the lower house, will have
to appoint an investigation commission,
which would decide whether or not to propose
Gonzalez's dismissal. The Senate will make
the final decision. |
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