Feature story - May 12, 2006
The Carnival Queen of Argentina attended the EU - Latin American Countries Summit in Vienna to expose Greenpeace's concerns about the pollution of the Uruguay River.
The Carnival Queen of Argentina attended the EU - Latin American Countries Summit in Vienna to expose Greenpeace's bottom-line concerns about the pollution of the Uruguay River.
In front of Presidents Vazquez of Uruguay and Kirchner of
Argentina sheput on a provocative costume to convey a provocative
message: stop thetwo huge European-owned paper pulp mills which
threaten to pollute theriver area of her home.
Theproposed plants are to be built in Fray Bentos, on the
Uruguayan shoreof the Uruguay river, and its toxic byproducts will
flow into theArgentine city of Gualeguaychu.
The conflict has put a strain onrelations between Argentina and
Uruguay, and on 30 May 2006, 100,000people protested on the bridge
that unites Gualeguaychu and FrayBentos. The unexpected appearance
of Evangelina Carrozzo, the dancingCarnival Queen, brought the
issue even more attention.
Greenpeacedemands a clean production plan for the industry in
the region thatincludes the total elimination of all chlorine
compounds in the bleaching process as well as the relocation of
these new pulp mills faraway from any urban centre. "We urgently
need to have legislation thatgoverns the production of pulp and
paper in the region. Suchlegislation should include the total
elimination of all chlorinecompounds to allow a closed system for
effluents." says Paula Brufman,Toxics Campaigner for Greenpeace
Argentina.
Every year a newCarnival Queen is elected amongst thousands of
participants. Theelection takes place in the city of Gualeguaychu
where the biggestcarnival celebrations in the southern cone take
place. EvangelinaCarrozzo was elected Queen in February.
"Being Queen of Carnivalmeans a lot more than just a dancing
beauty contest. Being Queen ofCarnival in Gualeguaychu means that I
represent the Uruguay river... Ispeak for our people and the nature
around us. I am entirely qualifiedto demand to any Head of State
that they protect our environment", saidMiss Carrozzo.
The smiling activist wore a long raincoat and hidamong
photographers before springing out in front of the
assembledpolitical leaders with her message.