Panamerican Judo Union Press Release

The Panamerican Judo Union wishes to clarify about the reunion held in Madrid, Spain on the days 14, 15 and 16 of June attended by the sirs Paulo Wanderley (Brazil), Fernando Ibañez (Ecuador), Luis Chevez (El Salvador), Ignacio Aloise (Uruguay), Manuel Larrañaga Mexico) and Adrian Sierra (Honduras), who to the extent we know represent solely six (6) countries, of Panamerica in contrast to the eleven (11) represented countries referred by the note sent by the Royal Spanish Judo Federation presided by Mr. Juan Carlos Barcos

As far as the presence of Mr. Jorge Armada, suspended for five (5) years) he has no personality to represent the Puerto Rican Judo Federation and Mr. Ernesto Arce is not a member of the Panamanian Judo Federation, nor did he have the representation of this federated entity which was affiliated by unanimity in the Ordinary Congress of the Panamerican Judo Union held in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela this past November 28^th 2007, being its President, Mr. Miguel Vanegas

The statement of the assistance of eleven (11) countries representing the Panamerican Judo Union, we believe must be sustained in the granting of  “PROXIES” to the delegates or presidents present at this reunion, because the sum of the assistants in no other way could add to eleven  (11) countries.

The Panamerican Judo Union do not understand how it is possible that some members of the Executive of the International Judo Federation can lend themselves to participate in a reunion where the truth is distorted and where persons who are suspended are participating, persons who do not represent their respective countries as are Mr. Ernesto Arce and Mr. Jorge Armada in violation of the mutual respect that is supposed to exist between the members of the International Judo Federation Executive Committee and the affiliated countries to this international organization as stated by the federative and olympic postulates.

It is of great concern for the Federative and World Olympic Movement that it is intended to disregard the resolutions of the Ordinary Congresses with the sole wish to make untimely proselytism against one or another candidate.

It is only left for us to wish that this is not the “ DEMOCRACY” that these leading gentlemen want to impose on us.

June 27^th 2007