BP arranging claims mediator
HOUSTON, May 26 (UPI) -- British oil producer BP said Wednesday it will name an independent mediator to review claims arising from the Gulf of Mexico oil rig disaster.
BP said on its Web site it has received more than 26,000 claims and made payments exceeding $36 million.
"We are absolutely committed to a simple, fair claims process that gets funds to people who have been hurt by this disaster as quickly as possible," said BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward. "We have opened claims offices across the region, and will make every effort to reach everyone who has a legitimate claim. And we will appoint an independent mediator so that we have as fair a process as possible for everyone in the gulf region."
Eleven workers died and tens of millions of gallons of crude oil have gushed into the gulf since the Deepwater Horizons oil rig it leased from Swiss firm Transocean blew up April 20 and sank two days later.
BP said it established the claims process in accordance with the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act. If a claim is not resolved and paid within 90 days, claimants can submit a claim against the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and ultimately sue BP.
BP said on its Web site it will work to pay "all legitimate claims as quickly as possible." The company said appointing an independent mediator is "a recognized practice to strengthen claims processes and resolve disputes."
Who the mediator will be had yet to be determined, BP said, adding it is working to appoint "the best possible person to fill this important role."
U.S. may challenge Ariz. immigration law
WASHINGTON, May 26 (UPI) -- Attorneys for the U.S. Justice Department are recommending a legal challenge to Arizona's recently enacted immigration law, authorities say.
The recommendation, contained in an ongoing department review, says the Arizona Legislature exceeded its authority in passing a law that could interfere with federal enforcement of immigration laws, ABC News reported Wednesday.
The ongoing review could take weeks to complete, ABC reported, and no formal recommendation has been sent to the White House.
A challenge to the law would be a civil case requiring White House approval for the Justice Department to proceed.
The bill, passed in April and scheduled for implementation July 29, would give police authority to question and arrest people without warrant on "reasonable suspicion" of their immigration status, ABC said.
Police chiefs, including those from Phoenix and Tucson, met in Washington with Attorney General Eric Holder Wednesday to voice opposition to the new law. The prospect of such a measure, which has generated protests around the country, is driving a wedge between police and communities, they said.
Nebraska's Nelson to support DADT repeal
WASHINGTON, May 26 (UPI) -- The push to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays in the U.S. military gained the backing of Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., Wednesday.
Nelson, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, said he will vote for a compromise plan reached Monday by the White House and Democratic congressional leaders, CNN reported.
While the measure could come up for a vote by the committee and the full House as early as Thursday, the news network said, the men who lead the four military branches sent letters to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., saying they oppose congressional action before a military review is completed.
The proposed deal would not repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy until after President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, certify the military review expected by the end of the year. "I spoke to Secretary Gates and he advised that while he preferred waiting until the study is completed, he can live with this compromise," Nelson said in a statement.
Nelson said the compromise shows Congress "values the Pentagon's review that will include the advice and viewpoints from our men and women in uniform, from outside experts and from the American people about how to implement the repeal."
"It rests ultimate authority to make this change with our military leaders," Nelson said. "I believe this is the right thing to do."
A spokesman for Sen. Joe Lieberman, Ind-Conn., an author of the compromise, told CNN supporters were "increasingly confident" of it receiving committee approval.
Mexican politician arrested
MEXICO CITY, May 26 (UPI) -- A former Cancun mayor running for higher office has been arrested on money-laundering charges and linked to drug runners, authorities say.
The Mexican Attorney General's Office alleged Wednesday George Sanchez Martinez, a candidate for governor of Quintana Roo, the Caribbean state where Cancun is located, has ties to the Beltran Leyva and Los Zetas drug cartels, McClatchy Newspapers reported. The office said Sanchez was arrested at the resort city's airport Tuesday.
Attorney General's Office spokesman Ricardo Najera said the candidate had moved millions of dollars in suspicious funds through his bank accounts.
"We are certain that many people around him are also involved," Najera said.
Jesus Ortega Martinez of the Revolutionary Democratic Party that backs Sanchez accused the government of using the charges to seek political advantage.
"We will not permit, and we should not permit for the health of the country, that judicial processes be utilized for political ends," Ortega Martinez said.
Quintana Roo is one of 10 Mexican states holding elections July 4.
