Belize Times April 21, 2013

21 APR SCAN HERE

2013

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The Belize Times THE BELIZE TIMES

Established 1957

21 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4841

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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$1.00

Gangsta Government Belize City, April 18, 2013 The United Democratic Party Government of Dean Barrow is at it again! Another precious industry is being pillaged to benefit a few UDP cronies, and it is being done in open view of Belizeans and through the abuse of the system of Government. This time, it is the exploitation of the Rosewood Industry – a lucrative sector which has come under the grip of the family of the Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, like many other sectors such as land and goods importation.

The Minister of Forestry, Lisel Alamilla, who once

Minister Lisel Alamilla has shown that there is no difference between herself and Minister Gaspar Vega

Pg. 4

Pg. 3

Cabinet shuts up Sedi?

Francis Fonseca

Foreign Minister feels heat for mild position on Guatemala’s new passports Belize City, April 16, 2013 Reliable sources have disclosed to the BELIZE TIMES that Foreign Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington almost got his head chewed off at this week’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. We are told Sedi was

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Working For Freetown Sedi Elrington fears creating “discord” with Guatemala

Belize City, April 17, 2013 On Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 Freetown Area Representative and PUP Leader Francis Fonseca joined with the Belize City Council for the open-

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G.I.V.

Freetown Area Representative Hon. Francis Fonseca & Mayor Darrell Bradley open Chetumal Boulevard

FOLLOW US!

it to Vega!

on the social media

Exclusive: The Rosewood Trail

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COURT TO GOB: FOLLOW THE LAW

GOB’s new Rosewood business partner, German Vega

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OPINION

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Dear Editor, At a conference of Caribbean Ombudsman held in 2004, during a discussion on rights, I asked the person sitting next to me, an eminent UWI professor: when are we going to discuss duties and responsibilities? The professor answered: let others do that.

This response made me realize that there may have been even before then, an international agenda to remove human rights out of the context of Natural Law and away from the idea of justice.

Justice, as you know, is that quality of thinking and acting by which everyone is given his due. It applies to every encounter between humans. There are no exceptions, except when a person wronged or violated chooses to exercise mercy, compassion, or love. In these instances the civilization of man becomes more pointed to a more exalted state of being. But, for the sake of order, the demands and requirements of justice should be observed and obeyed, as a general rule.

When I wrote the “Foreword” of the Ombudsman Annual Report for 2003-2004, I made this comment: “Rights considered as set apart and in contradiction to the common good and the public interest will continue to contribute to the development of a culture of egoism.

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OUT Village Council elections better leaders needed!

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Dear editor, With the election dates for Village Councils now set and published by the powers in government, it is important to revisit the purpose and benefits of good leadership at the village/community levels. Over the years, the true essence of a Village Council has been eroded. Independence and autonomy have both been killed by political savaging.

The elections of community based leaders now mirrors those of a general election, with political parties flaunting color, campaigns, machinery, muscle and resources for the sole purpose of a certain team with a partisan allegiance’s victory.

When the election is done and the political party wins, the people become secondary and they are left in limbo waiting for things to change. Those elected to office must then wait for the ones in power or out of power to assist them.

The responsibility of a village council is the sustainable management of affairs in their villages. This cannot be achieved when those elected to office are political puppets. Voters must carefully decide and support the candidate which offers the best leadership and understanding of the issues in their communities. Many of these persons may be aligned to politics, but they will not be hangers on, they will speak and act autonomously.

The leaders coming up must

19 Apr

Dear Editor, The disturbing stories of graves with the remains of peoples’ loved ones being exhumed improperly and faultily to make space for the resting of others by the Belize City Council are sickening.

It seems the Council get anything right! Not taxing, nor street paving and much worse, burying the dead.

I am calling out on the Councillor responsible for the cemetery to come out and give a proper explanation to what is taking place. Stop hiding behind the former rasta man. Explain to the public why their families are being disrespected. Tell the truth. Most importantly, let us know how you will fix your error and put in place measures so they are not repeated.

It is one thing for the Council to disrespect the living with more taxes and lazy Councillors, but to disrespect the dead passes the mark. For real.

Signed, H. Tench

Kudos to Party Leader Francis Fonseca

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Dear Editor, Dear Editor: Let me congratulate the Party Leader on the acceptance of the Mayor’s invitation on the opening of the Chetumal Boulevard, excellent speech by the Party Leader chartering a new way in politics.

Hon Francis is truly a Leader .His speech should be repeated often. Keep up the good work Party Leader someday you will be the Prime Minister and move the country in the right direction.

H.B.

Ex Port Commissioner to Norwegian Cruise Line: Look before you leap Dear Editor, I noted the reported recent arrangements between GOB and the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) regarding the future development of Crawl Caye. Given NCL is majority owned by Apollo Global Management LLC, I wondered if the latter had conducted an indepth risk assessment of the loContinued on page 30

stop promising and blaming and start acting! A few steps can lead to great things. I will share some examples: 1. Get business to help develop the parks and playgrounds, in our villages Continued on page 30

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Paul Rodriguez says Western Civilization values is under attack

No respect for the dead!

LOCAL

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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On the other hand, the human person must stand delicately poised between what the proper maturing of his own selfhood requires and what the community requires of him to help others achieve the fulfillment of their selfhood. Wherever any successful attempt is made to exaggerate either of these poles, I.e. Self or society, it results in aberrations that dehumanize the human person.”

Abortion is the result of the greatest exaggeration of the power of one right over the other. Between the right of privacy of a person and the right of the life of another it is self-evident that justice requires a preference for life, without which no other right can exist.

The Belize Constitution in its treatise on fundamental freedoms and rights speaks to this point with absolute clarity where it says in CH II, 3, that the protection of rights and freedom are subject to limitations that ensure the enjoyment of the same rights by others or the public interest.

All those who presume to speak about human rights should read and study this treatise on rights.

The claim that gay marriage is based on a human right is simply erroneous.

Can an act that is obviously unnatural be a right? Homosexuality does proceed from a choice, for every human act is a choice; but every choice does not proceed from a right. The acts that we judge to be crimes all proceed from choices made. They proceed from the lower appetites which need to be disciplined and controlled.

Nowhere does our Belize ConstituContinued on page 30

SCAN HERE

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

|

ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

|

$1.00

serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus EDITOR

Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By The Belize Times Press Ltd. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com

editortimes@yahoo.com

Exchange rate of One Belize Dollar

United States (USD): $ 0.5031

Barbados Eastern Caribbean (BBD): $ 1.0063 (XCD):$ 1.3595

Euro (EUR) : $ 0.3855

Sterling Pound Guatemala Quetzal CANADIAN DOLLAR CHINESE YUAN Trinidadian (TTD) INDIAN RUPEE (GBP): $ 0.3292 (GTQ): $ 3.9146 (CAD): $ 0.5162 (CNY): $ 3.1103 : $ 3.2248 (INR): $ 27.161

21 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Oceana wins!

Court tells GOB to follow the law

By Aaron Humes (Freelance Reporter) BELIZE CITY, Tues. Apr. 16, 2013 The Government of Belize has been told that it must follow the law when it comes to the granting of production sharing agreements (PSA’s) include conducting environmental impact assessments (EIA) for all petroleum-related projects.

Supreme Court Justice Oswell Legall ruled that proper procedure was not followed when, between 2005 and 2007, six production sharing agreements (PSA) were granted to offshore Belize to Island Oil Belize Ltd, Tropical Energy Ltd, Petro Belize Co Ltd, Princess Petroleum Ltd, Providence Energy Belize Ltd and Sol Oil Belize Ltd.

The current government is claiming that it had nothing to do with those contracts and claims to have terminated three of them, Miles Tropical Energy Limited, Petro Belize Company Limited and Sol Oil Belize Limited on April 12, 2013 by the Government of Belize pursuant to Section 38 (2) and (3) of the Petroleum Act and Article 25.1 of the PSAs for breach of a number of material obligations of the Petroleum Act, Petroleum Regulations and the PSAs, while a fourth, Island Oil, saw its PSA expire last May. OCEANA in Belize Vice-President Audrey Matura-Shepherd responded to the release yesterday evening, saying she “challenged” the Government to

Francis Fonseca Working For Freetown Continued from page 1 ing of the new, improved Chetumal Boulevard. The new Boulevard will help to improve the quality of life of the residents of the Belama community and is certainly welcomed by all.

The Area Representative pledged to continue working with the City Council to upgrade other streets in the Freetown Area both in Belama and in the old Kings Park area, which are badly in need of repairs as well.

The Hon. Francis called for a united approach to meeting the challenges facing our communities, city, and country, and continues to demand that the Government of Belize respect the authority of duly elected PUP Representatives and ensure that PUP constituencies are not denied their fair share of the resources available to the country.

Hon. Fonseca was joined by Freetown Chairman Albert Vaughan and a few residents of the Belama Area.

The work continues and the good people of Freetown know only too well that better will come with a future PUP Government under the leadership of their able representative Francis W. Fonseca.

produce an updated map of oil concessions and producing their own map, accurate as of November, 2012, which

shows concessions over important marine reserves and key tourism areas.

As seen by the BELIZE TIMES, the map details existing contracts to Miles over South Water Caye; Petro Belize in a portion of Gladden Spit Marine Reserve which is home to whale sharks; SOL at Laughing Bird Caye; Providence over Port Honduras Marine Reserve off Punta Gorda Town; and Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve near San Pedro Town.

The case was brought by OCEANA along with The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage (BCSNH) and Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA), represented by Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith.

After initially retaining Deputy Solicitor General Nigel Hawke and Herbert Panton to represent them, GOB turned to Barrow and Company, specifically the Prime Minister’s brother and Senior Counsel Denys Barrow, daughter Naima and rela-

03 3 tive Liesje who represented them in court today.

In his ruling Justice Legall looked extensively at the issue of whether an EIA is required at all times for all environmental related activities. According to Section 20(1) of the Act, an EIA is required where “any person [is] intending to undertake any project, programme or activity which may significantly affect the environment” and that such assessment would study effects of the development on humans, animals and natural resources alike. Judge Legall considered that oil exploration under the PSA’s, which would include seismic testing and drilling of wells, would be under the purview of the law.

The defendants claimed among other things that the contracts fall out of the definition of intent as they were past the initial stage, that the law regulates conduct of the company as opposed to the actual agreement and that in any case there is no civil remeContinued on page 11

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Gangsta Government Continued from page 1 claimed to be so concerned about the depletion of the precious wood that she introduced a ban, seems to now have abandoned her principles and oath to the people of Belize, and has surrendered, and is even participating in the facilitation of the UDP’s exploits.

“It is the reality of this trade”, Alamilla griped on Monday. She had just returned to the country, or rather to a hot kitchen, boiling from the news that the UDP Cabinet had reversed the moratorium to reinstate the exportation of Rosewood during an “amnesty period”. Cabinet, which has been losing political credibility, now seemed to have lost its mind.

In addition to allowing the illegal cut rosewood for export, the UDPs endorsed that they would split the illegal profits 50/50 with the illegal loggers.

Most Belizeans believed Alamilla would stand her ground, fight the exploitation. But she caved in. Or was it all just a show. The screeching halt to the Rosewood trade that was expected as a result of her poorly-regulated moratorium was instead drowned by the heavy

sound of chainsaws in the South. It did not put an end the Rosewood harvesting and export. It has had the ultimate effect of allowing one singular company to benefit from the trade. This company, GIV, is owned

by Ignacio German Vega, the brother of the Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Forestry Gaspar Vega.

Cabinet has decided that GIV will handle the export of all rosewood during this amnesty period.

When explaining what made GIV so special that it was selected, Alamilla exposed the corruption that is taking place. She said it was based on having “the connection and finances to pay the government beforehand”. So what is GIV’s special connection?

The UDP Government has shown the propensity to think Belizeans for fools. They have done so with the myriad of land grabs done to the benefit of their cronies, the exploitation of Government contracts and the abuse of power to facilitate illegal acts. The UDP is a gangster government organising and facilitating criminal transaction at the highest levels.

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2013

Moody’s says debt sustainability not achieved Belize City, April 16, 2013 Despite Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s chest beating over proclamations that a fiscal cliff has been averted as a result of last month’s restructuring of the Superbond, a recent analysis by Moody’s rating services in New York indicates that the crisis may have likely been postponed but not solved.

Moody’s said the US$547 million Superbond restructuring has provided “temporary liquidity relief” to the country’s debt, but it is “insufficient in addressing Belize’s debt overhang”.

With high GDP-debt ratio, currently around 70%, Government has little room for breathing, or much less for mistakes. This must concern the global financial community, according to Moody’s, because the country remains “vulnerable to shocks that could lead to an abrupt decrease in government creditworthiness”.

Malpago Moody’s raised concerns about Belize’s history of “weak institutional willingness and ability to service external debt”. This, they say, is obvious

after two debt defaults.

The second default occurred only four years after the external debt had been restructured for the first time.

The Barrow Administration said it simply could not afford the coupon and interest payments. The new deal, under the restructured Superbond terms, has reduced the coupon payment but has extended the period of payment.

Trouble ahead Moody’s warned that unless the Government takes appropriate steps to grow the economy and reduce its financial liabilities, debt servicing problems will persist or even become exacerbated very soon.

In our opinion, the government will find it progressively more difficult to maintain fiscal discipline as demand ratchets up for increased public sector wage hikes, social transfers, and capital investment,” the firm said.

Additionally, Moody’s reports that debt servicing problems for Belize still loom, with the next crisis perhaps around 2017, when coupon rate increases and just before amortization payContinued on page 11

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2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

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EDITORIAL UPSIDE DOWN: BURNING THE SYSTEM

O

n January 11, 2013, Lisel Alamilla had the most expensive fire heart in Belize’s history. Some were appalled by the inferno and condemned the blaze as a senseless political show.

Others championed Alamilla for attempting to remain consistent and rooted in her conservation upbringing.

Belizeans leaned forward and clasped their palms to their chins believing that her pyrotechnic actions were a warning shot to a manipulating, greedy and corrupt Ministerial counterpart.

Controversial as Alamilla’s policy and ministerial decisions had been, including the previous decision to truncate the conch season and levy an “indefinite moratorium” on the Rosewood trade, political optimists drew hope that “concrete unwavering principles in the best interest of Belizeans” could still find some host in Belize’s modern governance.

The utopia of a modern politician who had survived the socio-political rabbit hole to be converted from a mortal civilian to a robed politician who is strong to the unrelenting temptations of power and its sins is a mirage.

Whilst away on an inconveniently scheduled trip to Turkey, the publicly decreed moratorium, which tipped the balance in favor of environmental fortitude as opposed to frantic capitalist greed, experienced a scandalous mutiny. The “OW” license plates descended on the stash of rosewood like woodlice to an abandoned outhouse.

The media, conservation purists, environmental stakeholders, lurking business interests and right minded Belizeans all held their breath for the return of Alamilla. We justifiably anticipated that after the shocking fireworks display of her introductory act in January that the sequel would be a similarly resolute, intolerant and messianic stance on principle.

Instead, Alamilla plunged into the transgression, which befalls every common politician whose priorities are compromised by collective responsibility and whose personal convictions are trumped by the power of greed.

Whatever circular language or fallacious justification that accompanied the Minister’s complete “U”, fails to justify the inconsistency and irrationality of a decision more expected from a Government Minister with a mongrel’s political pedigree like Sedi or Vega.

What was announced in Alamilla’s press conference and stamped disappointingly in the wells of her eyes was the confirmation that the unrelenting waves of this storm had succeeded to cause her political fatigue and principle spasms.

We have seen the fall of many a politician after the spoils, comforts and shifting compasses of public office settle in on their previously unmonitored civilian lives.

The real story is, however, not about Alamilla, whose résumé logs the 2010 Marsh Award for Conservation Leadership and glistening commendations from Flora and Fauna International (FFI). At the time they grinned at Alamilla’s appointment as a “new, brighter era for Belize’s natural environment.”

Not so fast, FFI. After all, we must remember that Alamilla is an unelected Minister, whose immune system is raw to the diseases of the new world of UDP politics.

No, the real story is the cesspit of moral maggots that are in control of Belize’s government. If the axiom is “one apple spoils the bunch” then the inverse of what a bunch of spoil apples does to a fresh one is hopelessness.

Monday’s press conference was a cross roads for Alamilla, a turning point. It is a gut check and a return to the reality that is upon us. It demarcates the adjacency zone with exists between activists and installed politicos.

At her installation Alamilla forecasted this juncture. She said, “Wow, what a day. Well it’s official now, I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime…I have no illusion that this will be an easy job but my hope is that I will be able to influence my cabinet colleagues to consider the environment.”

Unfortunately, to state the obvious, Alamilla has failed at this point. Big money, greed and corruption have won over the environment. There is an immoral Party, which rules Government. They are quid pro quo. They equate

citizens to votes. Caring to the result of an election. Crying mothers to bad publicity and the environment to cold hard cash, baby.

Alamilla is not unique in her plight. Her story with the UDP is an echo of other disappointing converts of that Party like Zenaida Moya and Godwin Hulse who had been sucked into that Party’s system and became drowned by it.

We say the real story cannot be lost on us. There is a new era of UDP politics where there is a new strong man controlling the UDP. His illicit, contrabanding and financial exploits floats the UDP while his immoral, laissez-faire philosophy will sink them. As unfairly critical as the UDP propagandists and media allies were to Ralph Fonseca from 1998 to 2008, the truth of who the new UDP puppet master is, will give nightmares to patriots and guardians of Belize’s integrity and democracy.

It is in this contrast that we can celebrate the Era of PUP politics. For the first time in our history, a leader has been bold, brave and lives the revolution of change.

Conformity is not the vice of PUP Leader, Francis Fonseca. Surely, the four chief virtues of a leader: “wisdom, justice, fortitude and temperance” as listed by Commodus, in the award-winning blockbuster “Gladiator” are engraved in his heart and soul.

With ninety-six words Hon. Francis Fonseca changed the landscape of Belizean politics, cementing himself as a leader dedicated to issues-based solutions, the common interests of the country and the blue-collar power of not being insecure.

The Leader of the Opposition People’s United Party is a political revolutionary and with his actions and these words at the opening ceremonies of Chetumal Boulevard in Belize City, he has walked the walk: “You know today in Belize as it has been for a very long time, politics is very divisive, very divisive and it is very rare …and very unusual for us to see politicians from different political parties together sharing the podium… I think that old divisive politics is really the old school of politics and I certainly hope that the new generation of politicians that we have and the new leaders who are emerging will understand that if we are going to deal and solve the very serious critical challenges and problems that our municipalities face”.

The fresh air of true leadership was proudly on display for young Belizeans. As one UDP supporter in attendance pointed out, “Dean [Barrow] would never have done this, too much pride”.

We, on this side, will not dilute the inspirational, impressive and revisionary stance of a true leader by making comparisons but we will salute his example as brave, downright impressive and absolutely commendable.

It confirms that he is built from the four chief virtues of leadership. In time, the people of Belize will mark his words and action on that Boulevard as a turning point in Belizean politics.

It shows that we can expect as a country that when the PUP take over governance in the next general elections that there will be maturity, substance, vision and the fortitude to take positions which may be unorthodox but squarely within the moral and principled interest of the nation.

Until those elections, it is affirmative proof that this current PUP is being led to emphasize, resolve and attack issues and not personalities.

This leader is moved by what is right and that moral compass begets the kind of bold and brave statements made on Chetumal Boulevard. This is what the people have been clamoring for. Secure, mature and pragmatic leadership. Francis Fonseca can change the entire dynamics of politics in Belize.

He has no fear in getting to solutions and no insecurities in a God given serenity for the reality that is currently around us.

The propaganda spins will be on his actions and the media will not give it the prominence and respect that it is due but the comfort and virtue in the spirit of the PUP shines through in our Party Leader.

Mr. Price took us to political independence. Amongst the wolves in the valley of the shadow of death, Hon. Francis Fonseca is leading us to political maturity.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

PUP Leader Hon. Francis visits residents of Belize Rural Central Belize City, April 16, 2013 This past weekend April 13th and 14th People’s United Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca visited seven villages of the Belize Rural Central constituency, accompanied by Area Representative Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia and PUP stalwarts and supporters.

The first stop on Saturday April 13 was Gales Point Manatee, where the Party Leader and Hon. Dolores met with campaigners and street captains in an informal session to prepare for the upcoming village council election. Then it was on to house to house visits with Gales Point residents, elderly villagers and PUP supporters, and at every stop residents expressed their delight to see the Party Leader and their concerns regarding the community.

In the afternoon there was the visit to La Democracia and a lively community meeting at the La Democracia Community Center with various residents and supporters.

Residents welcomed the Party Leader and also took the time to discuss sev-

eral issues affecting their village community.

Later the Party Leader, Hon. Dolores and others made house to house visits in Mahogany Heights, where they met with the village chairlady and several residents of this community of over nine hundred residents.

The last stop on Saturday was in Ladyville for a meeting with residents at the Mitchell Estate basketball court and the introduction of the team which will contest the upcoming village council election.

On Sunday the tour took Hon. Francis to Gracie Rock, where a large number of residents turned out for an informal session to meet and greet the Party Leader and to listen to his in-

spiring message of hope for our country and its rural communities.

Later in the afternoon there was a rousing PUP meeting with residents of Hattieville at the People’s United Party office on Sylvestre Boulevard. Residents and supporters again showed their delight to be hosting the Party Leader, and in an impromptu exchange of ideas and views, they pledged support for the team contesting the village council elections.

The last stops on the weekend tour were in Freetown Sibun and Old Hattieville, where the Party Leader was able to visit some residents at their homes and also hear the issues of concern to the communities.

At each stop solid support for the PUP and the Party Leader was expressed by all, and Hon.

PUP Leader Hon. Francis and Belize Rural Central Area Representative Hon. Dolores on house to house visit

Francis encouraged residents to continue supporting Hon. Dolores and the People’s United Party as the party of change, reform and genuine caring and attention to the people of Belize Rural Central and all rural and urban communities as shown by the visit and fruitful dis-

cussions with residents.

The Party Leader will visit Western Paradise and Lord’s Bank at a later date as he continues to meet Belizeans in their homes and communities and as the PUP continues to grow from strength to strength in gaining the trust and support of Belizeans.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Honourable

Francis Fonseca

Tours Belize Rural Central

F R E E T O W N S I B U N

G A L E S P O I N T

G R A C I E R O C K

H A T T I E V I L L E

L A D E M O C R A C I A

L A D Y V I L L E

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Cabinet shuts up Sedi?

Foreign Minister feels heat for mild position on Guatemala’s new passports

Continued from page 1

tongue-lashed by Cabinet for his most-recent display of cowardice in the face of Guatemala’s aggression.

Unconfirmed information to the BELIZE TIMES is that Sedi was nearly banned from giving any more media interviews on Guatemala, and to this he threw a misfit and threatened to do Belize a favour and give up his post.

Guatemala’s Government has announced that they will print new passports containing maps of Guatemala that includes the entire country of Belize. The Opposition has voiced its concerns and position loud and clear. When it becomes Government, the PUP will not allow anyone with such an offensive passport to enter Belize.

The Opposition urged the UDP Government to adopt the position.

But Elrington disagreed. He

explained to the media on Monday that he fears such a bold step would create “discord” and cause a “break in relationship” with Guatemala. Do we not have a territorial dispute (synonym of discord)? Is there a union that we know not of?

Well, it appears Elrington was speaking for himself as Cabinet did not agree with him. By Wednesday, another Government official was speaking on the Guatemala issue. Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse has presented a position that is totally different to Sedi’s. Forced by the pressure put by the Opposition, the Government has decided that it can’t accept Guatemala’s new passport.

Hulse said the passport will not be recognised at our borders and instead the Immigration Department will prepare entry permits which will carry a fee.

It appears Cabinet has rec-

G.I.V. it to Vega!

Exclusive: The Rosewood Trail Orange Walk Town, April 18, 2013 Ignacio German Vega, the brother of the Deputy Prime Minister, is directly involved with two companies suspected of engaging in the Rosewood trade.

Vega holds majority shares in the company known as GIV Import/ Export Company Limited, while he is also partner in Gold Hawk Enterprises Limited along with Annie Hong Zhu and Antonio Parra. Gold Hawk has its address as San Jose Village, Orange Walk District in the DPM’s constituency.

GIV Import/Export is the company which, according to Forestry Minister Lisel Alamilla, has the connections and money to pay the Government for special transactions and has been tapped to export Rosewood that was illegally harvested during a moratorium.

GIV’s company location is registered within the Commercial Free Zone whose CEO is the son in law of the DPM. Vega also has connections to three more companies involved in exporting, KNB Company Limited, Kambokin Enterprises Limited and Champion Top International Company Limited. This connection is the previously named Annie Hong Zhu. Zhu is the owner of Champi-

on Top International Company Limited. She and Kenny Mark Zheng are shareholders in KNB Company Limited and Kambokin Enterprises Limited with addresses in San Andres Village, Corozal District.

Kambokin has been named in numerous seizures as the company attempting to export containers filled Rosewood after the moratorium was issued on March 16 2012.

These containers at times claim to consist of legal material such as Granadillo, but when a proper search is conducted Rosewood turns up. This company has also been caught exporting Zericote which is classified as a protected species.

Kambokin is Belize’s largest exporter of lumber. Aside from being caught exporting Rosewood after the moratorium in March 2012, documents obtained by the BELIZE TIMES show the company exporting containers of reported Granadillo on seven various occasions.

Those documents show that three companies: Far East Company Limited, Belize Exotic & Hardwood Supplies and Xin Xing Trading Co. Limited were allowed

by Customs Department to export over 3,400 pieces of Rosewood between April and July 2012. This is despite the moratorium.

ognised that Sedi’s easy accommodation to Guatemala is empowering the neighbouring country.

Politically speaking, Sedi has become a huge liability to the UDP for what he says. Sedi turned a blind eye to Guatemala’s turning the pressure on Belize. He even claimed that what Guatemala is

21 APR

2013

attempting with their passports is normal in a territorial dispute, since China has done it to Taiwan.

The fact is that despite several agreements between Belize and Guatemala for both parties to avoid incidents that could undermine the process of finding a peaceful solution to the territorial differendum, Guatemala has stepped up its campaign against Belize. The Opposition PUP has recognised this as an act of provocation and a threat to our territorial integrity.

21 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

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Opposition statement sparks regional interest in Belize-Guatemala differendum Belize City, April 16, 2013 Statements made by the Opposition People’s United Party in direct response to a decision by Guatemala to print millions of new passports that will include an image showing Belize as part of the map of Guatemala, has sparked a high level of interest in the CARICOM region.

An Editorial published in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper titled “Don’t let Guatemala duck agreement” and a commentary written by Rickey Singh in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper titled “Caricom, OAS must defuse Guatemala-Belize tension”, both called for CARICOM and other partners to pay more attention to the dispute between Guatemala and Belize.

CARICOM has been showing little to almost no real interest in the developments between one of her sister members, Belize, and Central American nation, Guatemala. The last official CARICOM statement on Belize, following a meeting in Haiti in February of this year, endorsed the ICJ referendum process and also reaffirmed unequivocal support for Belize’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The regional leaders also expressed satisfaction that Belize and Guatemala had remained

faithful to the roadmap agreed to in the special agreement signed on December 2008.

A few weeks following that statement a lot changed. Guatemala has withdrawn from the special agreement and is refusing to hold a referendum in their country.

There is more. Guatemala has stepped up its rhetoric and has taken provocative steps against Belize. These include using maps of Guatemala that include Belize as part of its territory at international events, including an official Organisation of American States meeting, and most recently, announcing the publication of millions of Guatemalan passports that will include an image of Guatemala’s map that includes Belize.

With a sense of urgency, Singh called out CARICOM to become engaged in what’s occurring.

“The Caribbean Community may has to act speedily to defuse new political tension between Guatemala and Belize resulting from a surprising hostile act by the Guatemalan administration to circulate a new map that reaffirms its claim to Belizean territo-

BELIZE TENNIS ASSOCIATION NOTICE OF AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING To: Affiliated Tennis Clubs and Members TAKE NOTICE that the Annual General Meeting of the Belize Tennis Association will now be held on Saturday, May 18th, 2013 at 4:00 pm at the Belize Pickwick Club Limited, 160 Newtown Barracks, Belize City, Belize.

Agenda of Annual General Meeting to be held on 18th May, 2013:I. General Business 1. General Report by the Council.

2. Election of Councilors/Officers.

3. Financial Report.

4. Any other business II. Special Business Considering and if thought fit, passing of a Resolution to amend the current Articles of Association of the Belize Tennis Association as follows:1.) To add a position on the Council of Development Officer; 2.) To increase the subscription fee from $10.00 per year to $50.00 per year for all Clubs anywhere in the country of Belize; 3.) To change the term of office for Councilors from one (1) year to (2) Years; 4.) To allow for representation on the Council of two representatives from each affiliated Tennis Club (from any part of Belize, whether outside of Belize District or not), appointed as Captain and Vice-Captain by their respective Clubs.

Dated the 18 day of April, 2013.

Edward Musa Jr. for and on behalf of Mr. John Longsworth, Secretary of the Belize Tennis Association.

ry,” wrote Singh.

Similarly, the Gleaner Editorial posited that CARICOM should not allow Guatemala to

“squirm” out of the special agreement. It called for “a clear message to Guatemala that there will be Continued on page 30

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21 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

Should Guatemalans with the new passport be allowed entry into Belize?

kera

FACES & OPINIONS

by kelsey Hemsley

alicia

ACC

From my perspective, Guatemala claiming Belize as a part of their country is not possible due to Belize gaining its Independence because of the Battle of St. George’s Caye which Belize won fairly. ACC

windy

marlon

Guatemala should not put Belize as a part of their passport because Belize and Guatemala territories are highly separated by borders.

Leave the ignorance to themselves because them having to put it on the passport doesn’t prove anything.

No Guatemalans with passport showing Belize as a part of Guatemala should cross our border because it is not valid.

2013

Linda I think Guatemala jus want to get the oil and gold found. They want to make money off the Barrier Reef.

ACC

valerie

Eston

Kareem

I think that our Belizean Government should not accept or allow this and should not allow any Guatemalans with the new passport to come across our border.

Guatemala does not own Belize!

I think Guatemala just want to get the oil and gold found here. They want to make money off the Barrier Reef too.

ACC

21 APR

2013

Oceana wins!

Continued from page 3 dy, only criminal sanction for neglecting to conclude an EIA. Justice Legall rejected all three submissions. Additionally, he disagreed that “the PSAs do not fall within the EPA legislation because they are neither program, project or activity as stated in the Regulations,” citing the case of Island Oil, whose PSA came under the 1995 Environmental Protection Regulations later amended in 2007. But the other contracts count as “development projects” under the amended regulations, Justice Legall also ruled, and therefore still required an EIA. Lastly, Justice Legall considered whether public law applied to the contracts, as the defendant argued they did not. Again he disagreed, flatly stating that the Minister was empowered to “act reasonably” in his decisions to grant the PSA’s, and doing so without an EIA caused him to step over the boundary.

The sweeping nature of the ruling provoked tears in court from Matura-Shepherd, who later told the press that the judgment represents “…a historic day for Belize. It’s not about Oceana, it is about for this country. I’m hoping that this judgment will give Belizeans the strength they need to know that not everything government does that they just have to sit back and take it…”

11

THE BELIZE TIMES

OCEANA’s petition drive seeking a referendum on offshore drilling failed when the Election and Boundaries Department ruled that not enough valid signatures had been gathered to trigger the mechanism under law. This judgment, Matura-Shepherd said, “vindicates” that effort, which included a “People’s Referendum” that produced a 96% NO vote against offshore drilling.

Matura-Shepherd also warned of “mass protests” should the Government fail to enforce the ruling and promised, “…we will be one of those organizations that will guard and if we have to come to this courtroom every day to bring another ruling against those people we will make sure that this law will be obeyed.”

The court ordered the defendants to pay costs.

The Barrow Administration, through the Ministry of Science and Technology, has already signalled its intention to appeal the ruling.

PICS: Litigants celebrate judgment outside court; OCEANA’s Audrey-Matura Shepherd.

Guatemala eyes OAS Secretary General post Is this bad news for Belize?

Liquor License NOTICES Guatemala’s Eduardo Stein seeks to become OAS Secretary General Belize City, April 17, 2013 Guatemala is lobbying vigorously throughout the region for support for its former vice-president, Eduardo Stein, in the upcoming elections for Secretary General to the Organisation of American States to be held in June 2013 in Antigua, Guatemala.

The OAS is the regional body which is mediating the territorial differendum between Belize and Guatemala. What are the implications of a Guatemalan at the helm of the organisation, and should it concern Belize?

Stein was Vice President of the Republic of Guatemala since from the 14th of January, 2004 until the 14th of January, 2008.

Notice is hereby given that LESBIA AMARILY NABET is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Tienda Loly”, situate Mopan Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that CHUN MEI LIN is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Brother’s Fast Food”, situate 15 Golden Drive, Lord’s Bank, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

21 APR

2013

21 APR APR 21

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

2013

TOPMODEL 13

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

Chami-ka &

Melonie Gillett Release

Reggaeton Video Melonie Gillett is known for her mesmeric songs in The Dreamer Album which features music genres such as reggae, pop and dancehall. But the Belizean songstress is setting a new bar for her fans with a surprise reggaeton song and video featuring Belmopan’s artist Chami-ka.

The song “Lo Que Siento Por Ti” was released on January 29th followed by the music video was released a few weeks ago and it will meet your expectations.

Melonie Gillett’s biggest surprise is that it is in Spanish!

The music video was shot in Placencia at Robert’s Grove Beach Resort. The video is being directed by Melonie Gillett, and filmed and edited by Juan Reyes.

The video is available on Facebook and YouTube.

Leidy • • • •

Height: 5’ 5” Career Plan: Economist Sign: Leo Favourite Foods: Italian

TOP MODEL Clothing and Accessories provided by CATWALK FASHIONS

• • •

Cor. North Front Steet & Queen Street Belize City

Likes: Dancing, reading, modeling Lives in Orange Walk Fav. Quote: “Arrange whatever pieces come your way” - Virginia Woolf Follow us on facebook

visit us at www.belizetimes.bz or Facebook/ Belize Times

14

21 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

Weekly

Horoscope

2013

Makoabi R

x:

Relationships, Love Tips & Advice…

Aries March 21-April 19 Pay close attention to those flashes of brilliance.

You may not be able to act on every idea, now, but that doesn’t mean you won’t eventually reap the rewards of invention.

Taurus April 20-May 20 Be ready, willing, and able to assume an authentic leadership position. This phase isn’t about false bravado; it’s about learning to stand comfortably in your power.

Gemini May 21-June 21 Your innate flexibility is your most valuable transformational tool. Use it wisely by cultivating the capacity to stand in another’s shoes and see the world through a different, often oppositional perspective.

Cancer June 22-July 22 The universal symbol for invention – the light blub – is illuminating career issues. Don’t dismiss any idea as too unconventional. Very few of your ideas may be realistic, but all you need is one that is.

Leo July 23-August 22 Stay present in your personal process, but also be willing to step into a larger arena. Simply allow your current situation to unfold and you’ll soon realize the power of its potential.

Virgo August 23-September 22 There is no simple answer to your dilemma, so rather than looking for a quick fix, take the time to contemplate all the facets. Eventually you’ll find the appropriate solution.

Libra September 23-October 22 It’s a genuine hallelujah moment, as lightning bolts of realization illuminate previously unexamined terrain, allowing you to break free from an old persistent pattern.

Scorpio October 23-November 21 The tilt continues toward relationship issues, and it doesn’t matter if you are partnered. The most important component of this next phase is examining your relationship to yourself.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21 Something or someone could get lost in translation during this transition if only because there is so much to handle. Prioritize your concerns, and stick to that list.

Capricorn December 22-January 19 As you settle into a new, but regular routine, remember to include enough time for fun. Work is important, but so are the relaxation benefits of simply having a good time.

Aquarius January 20-February 18 Honor your need for rest and relaxation, and take all the time you need to replenish your reserves. Don’t worry about what’s next – just let yourself build your strength.

Pisces February 19-March 20 Yes, there’s a lot that needs to be said, but there’s also a need to be circumspect, which is why it’s important to be discriminating about what you share.

Majority of men willing to look past an affair Only 7% of men want a divorce after being cheated on.

We stumbled across a US poll from “Survive Her Affair”. It was interesting.

We know that there’s a lot of heartbreak out there.

For many people, the pain of infidelity can last for years. The poll found that 91 percent of men say their wife’s cheating is the most difficult thing they’ve ever been through.

Only 9 percent of respondents had experienced something worse, such as loss of a parent or a severe hospitalization.

No doubt, cheating hurts.

But that same poll also found that men are surprisingly forgiving when it comes to infidelity. 92% of betrayed men said they either wanted to save their marriage or they were unsure.

The poll was done on men who had been cheated on. 71% of them said they still loved their wife.

An additional 24 percent weren’t sure how they felt after the affair, and only 4 percent of men said they no longer had feelings for their wife.

It may not be the most scientific poll, but we conducted a miniature poll at a Belizean tertiary level institution and we believe it’s still a significant finding.

Of the 25% young men that were polled about their “serious relationship” — most were determined to save their relationship if cheated on.

In general, only 42 percent of men and women at that institution would be willing to work on a relationship after their partner had an affair. But for many the situation was hypothetical and in instances where they had been cheated on the relationship had ended after they actually experienced the pain of having an unfaithful partner.

Interesting was the fact that only 7.9 percent said they had absolutely no desire to save their relationship after the initial sting.

We got a reason from a relationship expert who said that: “The fact that men are willing to ‘work through’ infidelity in their marriage/relationships – despite the soul-crushing pain of the emotional trauma – is testament to the desperation many men feel.”

What do you think?

Send comments or questions to editortimes@yahoo.com or visit our Facebook page.

21 APR APR 21

2013

THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES THE BELIZE

SPORTS 15

DHC Excellence continues undefeated cricket streak Double Head Cabbage, April 13, 2013 The defending national champs, Excellence Cricket Club, posted their 7th win at home 187158 over Sunrise of Lord’s Bank in Double Head Cabbage last Saturday, continuing their undefeated streak in the 2013 SMART Harrison Parks national cricket competition.

Brandon Broaster led the batting for the hosts with 47 runs even as Sunrise bowlers Jonathan Benjamin and Edison Parks took

3 wickets each. Jani Chilu led the visitors’ batting with 35 runs, but Brandon’s baby brother, Kenny Broaster took 3 wickets to Other matches Brilliant of Crooked Tree vs. Berlan of Bermudian Landing – 184-156 Wicked Eleven of Flowers Bank vs. Isabella Uprising – 190–125 Bright Star of Sand Hill vs. Brave Union of Burrel Boom – 56-50 Police United vs. Strugglers of St. Paul’s Bank – 167 to 59

Camalote United outmatches Capital City Emeralds 16-0 Esperanza Village, April 14, 2013 The Camalote United women’s softball team spanked the Capital City Emeralds 16-zip by mercy rule in the first week of the 2013 Cayo Softball competition at the Joan Garbutt Stadium in Esperanza Village on Saturday, April 14.

Camalote’s pitcher Francine Salazar shut out the Belmopan girls, striking out 6 batters to allow no runs. Camalote hitters walloped Dana Mae King’s pitching for Nadine Coye, Frances Coye, Francine Salazar, Brigette Fuller and Tamira Martinez to come home in the 1st inning, and Francine Salazar, Jenieve Salazar, Rhea Gutierrez, Shandy Casey and Martinez

Lawrence Banner took 1 wicket

hold Sunrise to 158 runs all out!

The defending national sub-champs Western Eagles of Rancho Dolores held cricket clinic for Easy Does It in Lemonal as they surpassed the hosts’ score of 58-54 runs with 7 wickets to spare.

come home in the 2nd inning. Molly Coye and Francine came home in the 3rd inning and Nadine, Frances and Shadine came home again in the 4th inning at which the game was called.

Other games: Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy vs. Ontario Rebels – 9-3 Esperanza vs. Santa Elena – Forfeited Upcoming matches: Las Flores vs. Camalote United Capital City Emeralds vs. Ontario Rebels

Camalote’s Francine Salazar

Grace Kennedy team

Cyril Banner bats

Tap-out or Knock-out!

Belize City, April 17, 2013 On Saturday April 21st Belize will host its first ever international Mixed Martial Arts competition, when nine fights culminate with a Welter Weight main match between Belize’s Jameel “Iceman” Smith and Mexican fighter Alberto Galera.

The competition is being held under the auspices of the House of Shotokan Academy.

There will be eight other fights featuring our Belizean athletes. In the Bantamweight category: Continued on page 15

16 SPORTS

THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES

21 APR

2013

Preston Martinez wins BNE Weekend Warriors Cross Country Belize City, March 17, 2013 Team M&M Engineering’s Preston Martinez won the “A” Division of the 4th annual BNE Weekend Warriors’ Cross Country while Team Santino’s Santino “Chief” Castillo won the “B’ Division on the George Price and Philip Goldson Highways on Sunday.

Martinez clocked 3:59:10 on his 80-mile ride from Loma Luz, Santa Elena to Hattieville, through the Burrell Boom bypass, and on to the Philip Goldson Highway, circling around the NAPA roundabout and finishing at M&M Engineering.

Team of Cayo Rentals’

Phillip Burns took 2nd, while Sean Howard clocked 4:02.19 for 3rd place. BCB/F.T. Williams’ Mark Gentle was 4th and Colin Mehia 5th. Team BWS’ Derick Smith was 6th.

The “B” Division champ, Santino Castillo, clocked 3:03.18 on his 60mile ride from Puma Garbutt’s service station in Roaring Creek to Hattieville, through the Burrell Boom bypass, and on to the Philip Goldson Highway, circling around the NAPA roundabout and finishing at M&M Engineering. Team Santino’s Jim Scott was 2nd second.

Bandits takes down FC Belize 1-0

Belize City, April 13, 2013 The Belmopan Bandits enjoyed their 9th big win 1-0 against FC Belize to lead the Premier League of Belize competition in Week 12 at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night.

John King looked to open the score board first for the visitors, but the crossbar denied his left foot shot. Bandits’ Victor Morales also looked to get on the scoreboard but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

Bandits’ defender Ian Gaynair centered the ball to Deon McCauley, but Deon’s shot hit the goalpost.

In the 2nd half FC Belize goalie Glenford Chimilio continued to live dangerously as he stopped another of MaCauley’s tries. But he could not keep it up, Macaulay made him pay in the 65th minute with what proved to be the only win-

ning goal.

FC Belize tried for a comeback when veteran Norman “Tilliman” Pipersburgh executed a free kick to find Christobal Gilharry, whose shot was outside the sticks. McCauley kept trying but Chimilio would allow no more goals. Bandits’ goalie Woodrow West shut out all John King’s tries. FC Belize is stuck at no. 4 in the league standings with 17 points.

Other matches: Police United vs. Verdes – 1-0 Goal by Devon Makin Placencia Assassins vs.

San Ignacio United – 3-2 Goals by Joel Guzman, Carlos Vasquez, Felix Miranda (autogoal), Dellon Torres, Ashley Torres Police United vs. Placencia Assassins – 0-3 (Placencia victory overturned)

Preston Martinez wins A Division

UB girls win ATLIB

national football champs

Corozal Town, April 14 , 2013 The University of Belize girls won the Association Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) national football championships hosted by the Centro Escolar Mexico at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium on Sunday.

The UB girls won 1-0 over the Independence girls. The Independence girls had the wind in their favour in the 1st half, but UB’s Esther Cal, Ruby Jimenez, Albertha Garcia and Jasmin Mark held them scoreless up to the break.

In the 2nd half, UB refreshed their offensive line-up with Tiffany Berland, Tiffany Gongora, Yanira Cayetano and Cindy Bush, and Anijay Quiros kept alivea forward pass from Albertha Garcia, crossing the ball to Rosario Cal for the finish. Rosario

CJC wins ATLIB national men’s football champs

blasted the ball into the back of the net for the 1-0 win.

In Game 3 in the consolation game for 3rd place, the Belize Adventist Junior College girls outgunned the Centro Escolar girls in a penalty shootout.

ATLIB’s Froylan Gilharry handed team trophies to the champs, 2nd and 3rd place winners. The UB girls also got individual trophies while the IJC girls received medals. IJC midfielder Iris Centeno won the Most Valuable Player award.

Tap-out or Knock-out!

Continued from page 15 LESTER “The Fighting Racoon” ALVARADO, JESSY “Pretty Boy” MEJIA and ALAIN “Bullet” ALEXIS. In the Featherweight category: WILLIAM “Air Bender” NDUKA. In the Welterweight category: BARNA “Solid” RACK. In the Middleweight category: MARIO “Kaan” VASQUEZ, JOEL “Coach” MEYER and RALPH “Crank” HULSE. The action starts promptly at7:00pm at the Belize Elementary Gymnasium. Tickets can be bought at the House of Shotokan Academy located on Princess Margaret Drive near the Coney Drive entrance for only $10.

21 APR

2013

THINK ABOUT IT

ROSEWOOD SCANDAL A major part of our colonial past was the exploitation of our logwood and later, our mahogany resources.

So important was the wealth from mahogany to the exploiters that the official logo/motto for the colony was “sub umbra floreo”, under the shade of the tree we flourish. They, the British, flourished, not us.

A new type of colonialism is in town. Local exploiters with political connections are raping the rosewood resources.

It should be pointed out that the Government is the biggest exploiter of the people. They take all the Government resources and use it as they wish for their benefit. When they run out of revenues thay take money, by the millions, out of the workers social security board and elsewhere.

Exploitation is a part of the system of this Government.

The latest outrage over the rosewood situation should surprise no one. For some time now, the Government has been allowing certain persons to exploit rosewood and export it. These persons and their political partners get the millions and the Maya and the country get the crumbs.

It was only because the greed had reached unheard of proportions and rosewood was pouring out of the forest like the rivers of Babylon that the public saw into the levels of the exploitations.

What could have been a thriving furniture industry in Toledo has been raped and turned into a neo colonial exploitation of the forest product. A handful of persons are millionaires while the poor suffering Maya is abandoned to his poor suffering existence.

It is written in the Bible that where there is no vision the people perish. Where there could have been work, there is nothing. Where there could have been prosperity, there is poverty.

In Toledo, if there was a good Government, there would have been cooperatives formed in the Villages.

There would have been a thriving furniture and souvenier industry. Beds, chairs, tables, picture frames, desks, doors, spindles, ornaments made of this precious reoswood for the local and overseas markets. Instead there is nothing.

We Belizeans get angry when we hear that some Guatemalans come into our forest and rape our resources.

Well, our own Government has been engaging in the naked approval and exploitation of the rosewood.

That is what we have come to.

As for the hapless Minister, fronting for a gangster Government, someone should pinch her and tell her, she sounded like a fool offering such lame explanations.

There should be a total ban on the

17

THE BELIZE TIMES

exportation of rosewood and other precious lumber.

PRISON PROBLEMS There are 1,600 prisoners in prison. There are 265 employees working at the prison. The annual cost to taxpayers is in excess of seven million dollars.

Almost 600 prisoners have not received a trial. They are persons denied bail because of murder or other serious offences. Hundreds are remanded for relatively minor offences, but there is no regular review of the decisions of Magistrates depriving citizens of their liberty.

The prison is a Government Department, which is managed by a private company, Kolbe. Kolbe is headed

by John Woods. Woods had been requested by the Government in 2002 to head an oversight committee to bring improvement to the Prison. Back then conditions were primitive and the Prison was neglected by the bureaucrats in Belmopan.

Woods was doing such a fantastic job of pulling help from the private sector, the business community, the churches and overseas groups that the Government asked him to take over the prisons on a private management contract. Woods accepted.

Conditions improved and morale and training for the staff got a big boost. There is still much to be done.

The prison is a difficult place. It is, after all, a prison and houses some of the country’s most violent men and hard core criminals.

There is group of former employees who have been lobbying for changes at the prison. In their zeal they are criticizing Mr. Woods, although they readily admit that he himself is blameless and the fault is with his handpicked Superintendent.

It is quite likely the Superintendent has little if any training in management, and there lies the problem. Administrating a prison of 1,600 prisoners and a staff of 265 is a task for Hercules.

There is a need for a trained personnel manager. The Superintendent cannot control the prisons and these thousands of problems and still find time for individual personnel issues.

The staff is demoralised and is being disciplined and dismissed arbitrarily.

There is also a need for independent oversight of the Prisons. A Board comprised of three of five overseers can make a difference.

As for the Ministry responsible, they are worst than the rosewood situation. Indeed the prison should be under of the Ministry of Human Development with an independent committee of religious, union and business persons.

IT CAN’T BE TRUE Magistrate Linsbert Willis retires

this month. Magistrate Lewis retires in a few months. Magistrates Ordonez and Hoare are twindling their thumbs upstairs of the City Council Court at the commercial center.

Magistrate Forde has been banished to Belmopan. Magistrate Usher has been banished to Dangriga. Magistrte Cayetano is asking to be transferred out of the Magistrate Department.

Rumors of more foreign Magistrates.

WAR PLANES The Guatemalan Government is purchasing six war planes. When two hundred British soldiers and equipment were brought into Belize, Guatemala protested to the Organization of American States and the matter was investigated to confirm that it was purely a defensive move.

Guatemala’s explanation for purchasing six war planes is without merit. That type of plane is not to patrol any forest. Helicopters are more suited.

Belize has lost an opportunity in exposing Guatemala to the international community. Guatemala buys war planes at the same time she refuses to go to the International Court and is publishiong material showing Belize as a part of Guatemala.

An opportunity for the Government to gain lost ground in the Commonwealth, Caricom and the United States.

MARGARET THATCHER Former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher was buried this Wednesday. Sections of the British population consider her a great Prime minister. Other sections hate her.

Whatever good and bad she did in Britain, she was bad news for the rest of the world; the third that is.

She referred to the great Nelson Mandela as a terrorist. She refused to allow sanctions against the racist, aparthied regime of South Africa.

She did nothing against the brutality of the Israelis against the Palestine people. She fully supported American President Ronald Reagan’s war mongering policies, including the American invasion of tiny caricom country Grenada.

OBAMA IS A THATCHER “There were Illusions.

He (Obama) came into office with dramatic rethoric about hope and change, but there was never any substance behind them.” The quotation was from leading intellectual and highly respected writer, Noam Chomsky. The views expressed are shared by many brilliant thinkers including black American professor Cornel West.

Obama did not close Guantanamo Bay prison. He did not end torture by U.S. forces. He interfered in overthrowing the Libyan Government and is doing the same in Syria, while doing nothing about the treat-

ment by Saudia Arabia and the Bahrain Governments against legitimate protests.

In Obama’s first term the bad people overthrew the duly elected President of Honduras and the U.S.A. and the O.A.S. did nothing to restore a democratically elected Government.

George Bush, one of America’s worst presidents, was using a flying robot to kill “american enemies”. The killing robot is called a drone. Bush used it 53 times. Obama has used it 548 times; killing many innocent men women and children. It is illegal and in violation of international law.

While China is investing billions in Africa and Latin America, America is still focused on war and undermining the leaders of countries they don’t like.

Hugo Chavez did more for Caricom countries than Obama.

Obama, fronting for an entrenched U.S. foreign Policy, supports Guatemala getting a piece of Belize’s territroy.

JUSTICE LEGALL Supreme Court Judge Justice Legall has socked it to the Government in the case of oil contracts contested

by Audrey Matura, Oceana, Cola and the Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage.

In a strong decision upholding the rule of law and sending the message that the Government must abide by the requirements of the law, Justice Legall has helped strengthen our democracy.

The feeble response of the Government has been to engage in “Animal Farm” type tactics: “Oh, it was the PUP Government that first signed the oil contracts,” they have said.

Yea, but it is the UDP Government that renewed everyone and has gone to court to fight to keep the illegal contracts.

This is a bad Government. It is doing bad, illegal things and is getting away with it.

In the challenge to the oil exploration contracts that covered nearly all our seas and reefs Audrey Matura deserves much kudos.

Even though Audrey is a supporter of the UDP. She was a UDP appointed Senator. She was the Editor of their rag sheet, yellow journalism UDP newspaper.

In her new employment as Vice Chairperson of Oceana, she has been forced to see the UDP for what they are, just a deceitful party taking advantage of the people of Belize and using its term of office to abuse its authority.

In a radio/tv interview this week Audrey exposed the close connection between some of the persons/company holding exploration contracts and the Prime Minister. One such company she said is represented by the Prime Minister’s law firm, the luxurious Equity House on Albert Street. Big shots of that company donated large sums of money to the Prime Minister.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

21 APR

2013

21 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

Scales of JUSTICE

by anthony sylvestre

Do weh deh want!

The Belizean people must feel like Rodney Dangerfield; they gets no respect! Certainly not from this UDP government. They do what they want, say what they want and simply don’t care.

And this latest rosewood scandal is proof of this. And scandal it is.

Now most of us have never seen a rosewood tree in person. Nor have many of us had the opportunity to see how beautiful a wood it is as a finished product when used for cabinet making, flooring, rafters, knife handle, boat building, musical instruments or even in high class furniture.

But of late we have seen and learned a whole lot about it on the television- from the illegal felling of the rosewood; the smuggling of container full of rosewood out of the country, the lady Minister burning up rosewood, and then this week, the revelation that the Cabinet of Belize wants a 50% cut from the illegal sale of rosewood (and by the way, 50% of what?). And so, we have all come to figure out (pickney and adults alike) that something big is amiss in this rosewood industry. Even if we didn’t want to think so, feel so or believe so, we get the sense that a lot of fishy things di happen with the rosewood.

And naturally, Belizeans are incensed.

True, this rosewood thing is concentrated in the Toledo District, and so, strictly speaking, no harm is being done to the rest of the country. But, that is not quite the true picture.

Rosewood is like the 17th century mahogany which was in such demand and enlightened the rest of the world of “wealth untold” which abound in Belize. The industry has (or I should rightly say had) the prospect to earn some good money for the country. It is a coveted wood in China; and has been there for some time, going back to the Ming Dynasty of 1368-1644. So, there is a market there. We know that; that is where all our rosewood is said to be exported to. A prudent and responsible government then, would do two thingsensure the sustainability of the market and ensure that it gets its fair share of the earnings for and on behalf of the people. To ensure the sustainability of the market means that the rosewood must be protected. To ensure that the people get its fair share means that a true and accurate assessment must be done of what wood is in fact exported.

workers from surrounding communities to do the grueling and dangerous work of illegally cutting the rosewood.

These workers are men of straw and the prospects of earning some money to provide for their families outweigh the risk of arrest by Forest officials; they too are unconcerned about the depletion of the forest reserve caused by this unregulated cutting. Then you transport the illegally cut rosewood from out of the forest (sometimes under escort of law enforcement officials) and then smuggle the illegally cut rosewood out of the country on its way to China.

The government gets nothing; the people get nothing. But the Maya Mountain Reserve is depleted of the valuable rosewood which takes several decades to grow and mature. This is done for months and years. Now and

But what we see unfolding on the television is a far cry from that. Instead, what we see is plain greed and corruption. And the greed and corruption is When Cabinet came up with this idea that it being faciliwanted its 50% cut from this illegal rosewood tated by the trade, it naturally had all of us who weren’t government. in on the trade, scratching our head.

They will deny this of As one of my colleagues pointed out, course and it is like the government wanting say, this is a 50% cut from a cocaine dealer. why they How in the world that will deter the had put in illegal trafficking of the rosewood is place a moranyone’s guess. atorium on the cutting and exportation of rosewood since then there is a little bust by the officials; but other than that, this elaborate and March, 2012.

But that is a farce. All the moratori- lucrative scheme goes undisturbed and um has done is to allow one exporter to unknown. And so, one exporter gets become more powerful and richer than richer and more powerful. And everythe rest; which all Belizeans by now get one knows this.

So, when Cabinet came up with the sense is the UDP way- not Always for the People, but Always for Them- this idea that it wanted its 50% cut from this illegal rosewood trade, it selves. naturally had all of us who weren’t And here is how it is done.

You need a license from the Forest in on the trade, scratching our head.

Department to cut rosewood or other As one of my colleagues pointed secondary and primary hardwood. But out, it is like the government wantwith the moratorium in effect, licens- ing a 50% cut from a cocaine dealer. ees cannot cut rosewood. So, you get How in the world that will deter the

19 illegal trafficking of the rosewood is anyone’s guess. Unless, of course, brazenness has totally taken root in this government and they don’t even make an attempt to conceal it.

And so, no one is buying the lady Minister’s explanation for this strange revenue sharing agreement between government and a company owned by the brother of the former Minister of Forestry, which she gave at her press conference earlier this week. To quote King Claudius in Hamlet, “… i[t] is rank, it smells to heaven”.

But the government doesn’t care.

The lady Minister was asked specifically about this at her press conference.

“There is every appearance that the decision was made to facilitate and enrich this UDP insider Mr. German Vega,” Jules Vasquez asked her.

Her flippant response typified that of her boss and other UDP colleagues. She could care less.

“Well that is the perception that people have and I don’t think I can do anything to erase that perception,” she said.

At one point in the interview, she boldly stated that anyone who had the connections and finances to pay government before hand would be allowed to export the illegally cut rosewood.

You cannot help but become incensed as you watch this rosewood thing playing out. The government has given us the middle finger and is telling us, that they will do what they want and say what they want because we can’t do anything about it.

If the lady Minister were really serious about protecting the rosewood, as she continues to say, she would not have burned them. Instead, she would burned her Instrument of appointment as a Minister of government and resigned from Cabinet. Anything short of that is just posturing.

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21 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2013

The Rosewood Scandal

By Gilroy Usher, Sr. The government’s decision to return thousands of confiscated rosewood to loggers, who cut them illegally is a brazen and naked attempt to legitimize corruption. The UDP government should not “get-away” with this

outrageous action against what is the best interest of the Belizean people. If it does, the ruling politicians will take it as an indication that they can make and get away with any crooked deals they want, because the people will only complain for a short while and forget about it.

Instead of punishing those who cut the rosewood illegally, the government is rewarding them. They have been given back the confiscated logs, and are being allowed to sell them and pocket half of the sale. It’s a 50/50 split between the government and the illegal loggers. This is really open season for illegal loggers to cut any amount of rosewood regardless of whether they are undersized. Their escape clause from any type of prosecution for such rape of our forest is that the rosewood

CitCo increases Garbage Tax… it’s not even in effect yet!

Belize City, April 17, 2013 Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley announced this week that the garbage tax for city residents will go up by 20%. While it had residents raising their eyebrows and clenching their fists in agony of the economic stress that’s coming, the truth is that the increase is for a tax that has not come into effect yet.

Last year, Mayor Bradley announced his intention of squeezing out as much money out of residents. He increased property taxes and trade license fees, and said he would implement a new monthly garbage tax on residents. There was no consultation with residents about the purpose of the tax. The Mayor said the tax would be $10, and to force residents to pay it would be joined to their water bills.

was cut during the moratorium.

This amnesty to sell rosewood didn’t seem to catch the illegal loggers by surprise. They seem to have known that it would have been granted. This may be why despite the moratorium, the cutting of logwood continued almost unabated in the country. Even after the moratorium, many incidents with heavy duty machines belonging to the Government and used to harvest rosewood were exposed by the media.

Strangely no one has been punished for the wrongdoings.

It’s impossible to stop the plunder of our rosewood by illegal loggers when many of them have some big time UDP politicians on their payroll or are front men for big time UDP politicians. If small people were spearheading the illegal cutting of rosewood, the

The Council has been incapable of implementing the tax and most city residents were breathing a sigh of relief. But like an early hurricane warning, the Mayor has reincarnated the foul idea. And it is even more menacing. Suddenly, the tax is $12 and not $10.

For the Mayor and his do-nothing Councillors, $12 monthly is pocket change. But for a single parent mother with four children, it is the difference between affording to pay school fees and receiving a summons for outstanding fees to the Council.

police would have cracked their skulls, locked them up, and broken-up their trade long ago. The rosewood market is a multi-million dollars business. In China a rosewood bed sells for close to half million dollars. The cutting of rosewood in Belize is being spearhead by untouchables, rich and powerful individuals and ruling politicians, who don’t take no for an answer. That is why government gave them a sweetheart deal with the confiscated rosewood.

Instead of rewarding and encouraging criminal activity in the cutting of rosewood, government should have sold the confiscated rosewood and used the proceeds to address some of the needs of our communities especially those in the south. Government should also use some of the proceeds from this sale to enable the Forestry Department to plant more rosewood.

That is necessary to help ensure longterm availability of this valuable natural resource.

The government’s 360 degree turn on the illegal and indiscriminate harvest of rosewood is a slap on the face of Lisel Alamilla and the Belizean people. It’s a monumental betrayal of her original principles and the entire country. If Cabinet does not reverse its corruption with rosewood, Minister Alamlla should do the right thing and resign from the government. If this new rosewood policy stands Miss Alamilla needs no clearer indication that she is Minister of Forestry in name only.

21 APR

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

it is clear that Belize is blessed and protected. In October of 1998, Mitch, a category five hurricane, formed a short distance from Belize. Packing winds of 180 miles per hour, Mitch stood staring down Belize and churning up the waters in the Bay of Honduras; it was almost certain that Belize would be wiped off the map.

Yet, as if a huge hand was holding him at bay, it just sat there, seemla were separate countries. They ingly unable to move. Suddenly were glad that they had someMitch did what hurricanes around where to go just next door where that time of the year just don’t things were different and better do. It went south, circling Belize that they were at home. He also and hitting every country around revealed to me that he had been a us, including Honduras, Guatesoldier for some time in the Guatemala and Nicaragua. When it was malan army. done, 11,000 were dead, another Flaco told me a story once that 11,000 missing and 2.5 million just blew me away. If this is true, were left homeless. You wanna then why is this not taught in our tell me that Belize isn’t blessed? schools or celebrated in our counRecently, we have heard rumtry? According to Flaco, sometime blings from Guatemala as they in the mid seventies, while serving attempt to reinforce their unin the army, they were assembled founded claim to Belize. Apparto launch an invasion against Beently, they have been circulating lize. According to Flaco, it was a a map showing Belize as a part stealth operation and had the full of Guatemala and have been backing and participation of troops conducting campaigns to reinfrom El Salvador. What he told me force in their people the belief next was the part that I found most that Belize belongs to Guatemainteresting and it sent me scurryla. The rhetoric seems to have ing to my history books to validate increased with the election of former military strongman Otto Perez Molina.

Here is the interesting As we write investigations are underway probing thing, as we write investigations are underway into the past of the very same Perez Molina. Apinto the past parently, the retired General was deeply involved probing of the very same Pein the 2-year series of atrocities somerez Molina. Apparently, the retired General was times called ‘The Silent Holocaust’ which deeply involved in the saw the killing of some 250,000 villagers 2-year series of atrocities sometimes called in that country.

‘The Silent Holocaust’ which saw the killing of his tale. on that fateful day of September some 250,000 villagers in that According to Flaco, their army 10th 1798 is not a hundred percent country. No sir, we want no part was amassed along the border and clear but what we do know is that of Guatemala. were hours away from crossing said armada was soundly defeated My point in all of this is that over when a tremendous earth- by a force many times their lesser.

Belize is blessed and is protectquake struck Guatemala City. Ac- Whether it was dysentery, the pered and Guatemala seems to cording to Flaco, the news created ilous positioning of our reefs or just have a hard realizing that. What mass hysteria among the troops another Joshua bringing down the is even more ridiculous is that and many considered it a sign walls of Jericho, what we do know it seems that Belize itself has a from GOD. It seems that by the is that the Spaniards retreated and hard time recognizing that. Wake time the dust had settled, even never threatened again. up Belize and render thanks and our small Volunteer Guards at the There are other examples where praises where it is justly due!

Reid Divine Intervention

By G. Michael Reid Sometime ago in another life, before the Police Press Officer thing, I did some construction work. I did many things by myself so I did not use much of a crew but from time to time, I did have the need to hire help. There was this one guy who worked with me for a long time and we became very good friends. We called him Flaco because of his slim built and lanky frame. He was Guatemalan but he was one of the nicest guys I have ever known. This is interesting because the Belize/Guatemala situation has been going on longer than most of us can remember and I, in particular, grew up in a time when anti-Guatemala sentiment was high. Yet, there have been many friendships forged between citizens from different sides of this dispute. I imagine it is even more prevalent in small villages and communities along the border.

Flaco and I would always talk, in particular during lunch break and sometimes even while we worked. This guy was no slouch; he was a very good worker. Our conversations spanned the gamut of topics but every so often, we touched on our cultural differences and cross border conflict. An example of the difference in our culture was exposed by the things we ate. Flaco ate just about anything. I remember one day watching as he chased a “wish wily” around the yard.

Later, he invited me to lunch and I saw this long tail sticking out of the pot. I respectfully declined and retreated to my dish of escabeche.

Flaco revealed to me that he, and many others like him, was glad that Belize and Guatema-

21

time, could have put up enough resistance to withstand any assault.

Many abandoned post and the majority simply refused to continue with the exercise.

Like I said, I did my research and this is what I found. On February 4th, 1976, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck not far from Guatemala City and when it was over, 22,000 people were dead, 75,000 were injured and a million people were left homeless. A true tragedy indeed and there is no joy in the suffering of people. If what Flaco was telling me was the truth however, then we can consider what happened to be no less than a true act of GOD. I know that sometime around that same period, British troops had been sent to the border and a number of fighter jets had come to Belize, but according to Flaco, they would have been too late!

Let us rewind some two hundred years or so. A massive Spanish armada is sailing toward our colony to once and for all, expel the few white men and their slaves that had settled there. After all, this territory they believed was theirs, given by the hand of the Pope himself. What happened

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21 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

In my perspective

Is It Worth It?

By Rayford Young seen this kind of land grabbing Ever since Barack Obama be- or corruption in government as came the President of the United we’ve witnessed in these last States of America the Secret Ser- five years. Frankly what needs vice has reported the attempts on to happen is for the media to get his life have tripled compared to some backbone and join plus TV any other president. Not only the in a counter law suit. Not that attempt on his life is up but the they agree with what was said racist, demeaning and personal about Mr. Saldivar (which in my attacks towards him, his wife and opinion was a mild commentary) kids have been overwhelming in- but to show solidarity, that we deed. All politicians know they will will not stand by and allow the have to endure some criticism and government to intimidate and dissent. It’s part of the deal being abuse the media, or take away a public servant. But what we’ve the freedom of speech we enjoy seen here in the USA is more than in this country. It is essential that just the usual punditry; it’s been citizens know what their governvicious and personal. With all the ment is doing with their tax dolhate and noise by the right in this lars. We can’t afford to lose this country towards President Obama, one. This is a big test by the govnot once did he try to stifle or shut ernment to see if they can conup his opponents. He knows in a tinue to place fear in the media, democracy criticism and attacks to chip away at their responsibilare a part of the game. This is not ity to be the watch dog for the a job for the light hearted or cow- people of this country. They win ards. You got to be strong and ac- this one and the media is done. cept the fact that people will say You will see law suit after law a lot of nasty things about you - suit. You won’t be able to criticize most of which may not be true, but any of these elected officials for this is how it works. fear of a law suit.

I believe the law suit against This group of politicians are Plus TV has very little to do with serious about what they want and morning show host Patrick An- are so in love with being able to drews and a lot to do with trying do and get whatever they want, to silence the media. This is not they will do anything to keep the first time the Barrow adminis- their power including shutting tration has tried this scheme. They down the media. They are addictdid this with channel 5 some time ed to SUVs, mansions and big ago. I also do not think Mr. Saldivar bank accounts and unfortunately did this on his own. He got the go there’s not a cure for this kind of ahead from above. They want the greed. The media is all we have media to go away. This is the most to put a stop to this madness and secretive and corrupt government they will do whatever to sideline in modern times and they have the media if we let them. no intention of stopping and will Our Country is at a crossroad do whatever it takes to intimidate between the greedy/corrupt/poland silence the media. One has to iticians and the media. As timid wonder, what are they afraid of? as the Belize media is, they still I have criticized the media in have the power to shine light Belize many times. They are too on these corrupt politicians and timid and don’t have the courage their activities and that’s the reato go after corruption where ever son for this law suit. Money and it exists. There is no investigative power can bring down the best reporting or meet the press type of us and we are witnessing this programs in Belize. There isn’t fol- right before our eyes. Don’t let low up or further digging into a the bad guys win this one. If they story. All they do is to report the do, it’s the first step to losing our story and leave it at that. When democracy to tyranny and dictathe government does something torship. Is it worth it? as Mr. Saldivar has done, the media will retreat even more.

I think we all know things are very wrong in our country The fastest selling newspaper in Belize today. We have not

BELIZE TIMES

2013

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a Company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 9th day of March, 2011, between AMOS VELASQUEZ of the one part, and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. of the other part , and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 6 of 2011 at folios 591 - 652; and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO ALL THAT piece and parcel of land situate in San Roman Village, Stann Creek District, Belize, and being Lot No. 66 comprising 1137.57 Square Yards bounded and described as shown on Plan No. 356 of 2003 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 10th day of April, 2013.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street, Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

21 APR

2013

Are Child Sexual Abuse Crimes Underreported?

By Dr. Angela Banner Joseph I believe that child sexual abuse crimes in our nation are underreported. It seems that reports in the “Major Crimes Report by District” from the police department may not match up with cases in the news or what is reported to the Department of Human Services. I am sure that cases reported to schools, hospitals, and social welfare agencies may not be included in the report. Many persons who experience forcible sexual abuse as children never tell anyone and the crime goes unreported to the police department. Who is to blame for the underreporting and what can we do to change who reports a case to law enforcement?

Because underreporting is nationwide, I believe it is important that, when the National Sex Offender Registry legislation is passed, we expand the statute of notification or disclosure to at least 12-15 years, so a person who suffered sexual abuse as a child could file a sexual abuse claim as an adult. The extended period would allow the child to have a voice as an adult, when he or she would feel less intimidation and fear than the individual would have experienced as a child.

Remember that most cases of sexual abuse are perpetuated by adults whom the child knows. Sadly, reports of biological parents sexually assaulting their own children occur more often than assaults perpetrated by strangers. Studies have shown that other family members are usually responsible for sex crimes committed against children. In many cases, minor children are victimized by a family member.

• Did you know that girls are especially at risk to be sexually violated by their uncles? The bottom line is that child sexual abuse can happen to any child

23

THE BELIZE TIMES

and be committed by any member of our community. On most occasions, the crime against a child is committed by men. Although at a lower statistical rate, women may also commit sexual abuse.

• Did you know that children who live in a violent household are more likely to be sexually abused than those in non-violent households?

• Did you know that child pornography offenders are often repeat offenders of a sex crime towards a child? People who are in possession of child pornography often show these images to children prior to grooming them for a sexual assault. People in possession of child pornography have often admitted to sexual contact with a child, attempted assault on a child, or been convicted of a crime against a child.

• Did you know that child sexual abuse has significant long-term effects on children, such as panic or anxiety attacks, nightmares, sleep disorders, low self-esteem, depression, aggressive behavior, eating disorders, age-inappropriate sexual behaviors, pain in the anal/genital area, sexually transmitted diseases, and other related symptoms? The longterm impact on a child deepens, dependent on the severity, frequency, and duration of the abuse.

Preventing the suffering of these symptoms by innocent children is the main reason we must protect our children.

• Did you know that child sexual abuse cases do not always involve penetration, which may make believing a victim difficult.

Children rarely make up stories of sexual abuse, but many children recant their stories of abuse due to fear of the offender or fear from sharing the news with a parent.

So, I ask the question again, who is to blame for the underreporting, and what can we do to change who reports a case to law enforcement? Now you are aware of why cases are underreported, but what will you do to set the record straight?

Last, but surely not least, did you know that I will continue to write about child sexual abuse until a National Sex Offender Registry is enacted and sex laws are tightened to protect our children? Now you do.

Dr. Angela Banner Joseph holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Change from the Fielding Graduate University

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a Company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 4th day of April, 2002, between GARY AYUSO of the one part and SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD of the other part recorded in Deeds Book Volume 17 of 2001 at folios 765 – 818; and Deed of Assignment and Transfer of Mortgage made the 22nd June, 2009, between SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD, of the first part, SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. of the second part and GARY AYUSO of third recorded in Deeds Book Volume 14 of 2009 at folios 1317 – 1340; and the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LTD. THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 39A situate on the southern side of the Western Highway at Mile 8, Belize District, Belize and bounded as follows: On the North for 30.996 metres by Lot No. 37B; On the South for 30.996 metres by Lot Nos. 39B and 39C; On the East for 15.008 metres by a street; and On the West for 15.008 metres by Lot No. 39 containing 465.188 square metres of land as shown on Plan No. 2042 at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 16th day of April, 2013.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS 91 North Front Street, Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

21 APR

2013

Recipe of the week VegetableBean Stew

Directions In 5- to 6-quart saucepot, heat oilmedium until hot.

Add onion and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

Stir in garlic, curry, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook 30 seconds, stirring.

Add tomatoes, broth, beans, carrots and water; heat to boiling on medium-high.

Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove saucepot from heat; stir in mint.

Ingredients 1 tablespoon(s) olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 clove(s) garlic, crushed with press 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) curry powder 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt 1 can(s) (14 1/2-ounce) diced tomatoes 1 can(s) (14- to 15-ounce) reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth 1 can(s) (15- to 19-ounce) garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained 12 ounce(s) carrots (3 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks 2 small sweet potatoes cut into small chunks 1 cup(s) water 1/4 cup(s) (loosely packed) fresh mint leaves, chopped

MARRIAGES Rodolfo Carmito Cruz Betancourt, 39, to Arlene Sheney Gonzalez, 39, both of Santa Elena Town, Cayo District Elias Ismael Teck, 23, to Yasmina Esperanza Saquil, 20, both of Bullet Tree Falls, Cayo District Jairo Elden Lin, Jr., 21, of Calcutta, Corozal District, to Giselli Shadira Chiac, 21, of San Narciso, Corozal District Dilfor Gutierrez, 32, to Shamira Casanova, 27, both of Carolina, Corozal District Harrison Donald Crawford, 49, to Elvenia Grant, 35, both of Belize City Carlos Timoteo Barahona, 23, to Matilde Caal, 22, both of Duck Run III, Cayo District Selvin Enrique Gonzalez Coronado, 26, to Adriana Yadira Cu, 24, both of Duck Run I, Cayo District Jason Rivero, 32, of Belmopan, to Tanyalee Barillas, 20, both of Hope Creek, Stann Creek District Omar Jason Pettersen, 43, to Jane Morran Bartoni, 43, both of Salmon

Arm, British Columbia, Canada Jorge Albert Mancia, 36, to Lucy Nelita Shish, 21, both of Benque Viejo del Carmen Town, Cayo District Terence Robert Lara, 27, to Olivia Iris Jones, 24, both of Belize City Anthony Stanley Bennett, 31, of Belize City, to Chardeana Ada Owes, 28, of Mobile, Alabama, U.S.A. Lee Lopez, 34, to Nandi Juanita Brown, 41, both of Ladyville, Belize District Philip Augustine Martinez, 63, to Judith Marie Francisco, 59, both of Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District Omar Victor Castillo, 23, to Nikky Rosita Rivero, 25, both of Belize City Abdeo Mesak Coh, 27, to Becky Rebecca Tzib, 26, both of San Antonio, Cayo District Jeremy Wade Clyde, 39, to Alexis Magdalene Inabinet, 31, both of Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. Jonny Javier Mendez, 26, to Erla Melinda Miller, 30, both of Belize City Deron Thomas, 34, to

Calories 335 Total Fat 6g Saturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 0 Sodium 1030mg

Shantal Hendy, 31, both of San Ignacio Town, Cayo District Ricky Nelson Chan, 28, to Aracely Perez, 35, both of San Jose Succotz, Cayo District Richard Homer Smallwood, 41, of Spring, Texas, U.S.A., to Ana Sylvia Navarrette, 44, of Ladyville, Belize District Argel Gregorio Teck, 23, of San Victor, Corozal District, to Nori Marieli Vallejos, 21, of Patchakan, Corozal District Roger Lee Coston, 48, to Anke Kerstin Beckmann, 35, both of Mica, Washington, U.S.A. Martin John Valentine, 44, of Hopkins, Stann Creek District, to Felicita Angela Flores, 48, of Santa Elena Town, Cayo District Darren Gerard Jordon, 34, to Anna Catherine Gray, 343, both of Rathangan, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland Robert Noel Cormier, 31, to Samantha Marie Seymour, 28, both of Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.A. Leodegario Antonio Chan, 21, of Trial Farm, Orange Walk District, to Alyssa Britnie Tun, 19, of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District Franz Dyck, 24, to Katharina Harder, 19, both of Little Belize, Corozal District Migral Rubycel Guzman,

27, to Leidy Amarilez Narvaez, 33, both of Paraiso, Corozal District Akeem Shawn Garcia, 25, to Jamie Lee Rosado, 30, both of Caye Caulker, Belize District Juan Roberto Diaz, 49, to Hermelinda Arevalo, 38, both of St Margaret’s, Cayo District Stephen Garrett Russell, 53, to Darla Jean Lofgren, 49, both of Jenks, Oklahoma, U.S.A. Lucas Wilson, 34, to Valerie Whiting, 39, both of Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. Aaron Calvin Nyborg, 31, to Anousone Fongthavisay, 32, both of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, U.S.A. Quan Guang Lei, 34, to Li Hong Wu, 24, both of Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District Yi Feng Tan, 25, to Yu Xian Liang, 23, both of Ladyville, Belize District Lance Ducknell, 35, to Anastasia Logothetis Randell, 32, both of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Lucilo Eusebio Ke, 47, to Juana Santos Jordan, 41, both of Libertad, Corozal District Jared Duncan Brackett, 37, to Laura Tay Dennis, 31, both of Rogerson, Idaho, U.S.A. Edward Jose N.G. Jimenez, 33, to Diane Nguyen, 29, both of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Scott Nicholi Lachowski, 26, to Carlie Anne Krivda, 24, both of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

BIRTHS Born to Edgar Orlando Puc and Idalily Puc nee Chulin, a boy, Nathen Devin Born to Gilbert Augustus Maskall and Tiffany Alecia Maskall nee Wharton, a girl, Apray Angelica Born to Carlos Geovany Rodriguez and Sheila Elizabeth Rodriguez nee Rodriguez, a girl, Leila Elizabeth Born to Omar Silvestre Ortiz and Lizette Auri Ortiz nee Guerrero, a girl, Micaela Mikeya Born to Jefferson Robert Flowers and Bernadine Nicole Flowers nee Young, a girl, Zaylyn Jada Born to Yader Francisco Reyes and Heidy Juliana Reyes nee Ramirez, a boy, Yader Ismael

DEATHS Ronald Robert Rivers, 28 Herbert Robert Wiltshire, 48 Maria Louisa Valladares, 40 Germain Ubaldo Velasquez, 45 Simon Peter Elijio, 44 Ernest Mark Dominguez, 41 Roy Steven Allen, 54 Francis Osborne Clarkson, Jr., 82 Kenrick Anthony Jones, 56 Wallace Donald Matura, 48 Isoline Sandra Anthony, 45 Hortence Loraine O’Brien, 47 Oscar Pinelo, 46 Pamela Elizabeth Faber, 58 Matthew Kyle Whitehead, 33 Ardon Jameal Belgrave, 26

21 APR

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

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21 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

VACANCY NOTICE UNICEF is seeking qualified Belizean Nationals for the position of Receptionist/ Typist in the Belize Country Office (GS-3 level).

2013

BRAIN

TEASER

SUDOKU PUZZLE #13/2013

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the major duties.

Under the supervision of the Operations Assistant: Duties & Responsibilities: 1. Creates and maintains office manuals, administrative and general files and records. Files all correspondences, documents and other materials. Maintain and upkeep the resource library.

2. Answers telephone, directs calls and responds to routine inquiries.

3. Receives and assists visitors to office.

4. Dispatches outgoing communication, including pouches and faxes.

Logs and routes all incoming correspondence and documents.

5. Prepares correspondence, presentations, minor documents and statistical tables. Reviews and edits documents.

6. Supports production and distribution of reports; photocopying, collating, etc.

7. Makes logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops and special events.

8. Provides administrative support for programme and operations as needed.

9. Prepares minutes /summaries of meetings as required.

10. Assist in making travel arrangements – local and international.

11. Assumes the role as Agency Security Focal Point.

12. Assumes roles in the Virtual Integrated System of Information 13. Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications and Work Experience: • Completion of secondary school. An Associate Degree in the Social Sciences would be an advantage.

• Two years of relevant professional work experience in the secretarial, administrative or clerical field.

• Fluency in English; Strong communication skills, written and oral.

Knowledge of Spanish would be an asset.

• Proven and accurate typing ability.

• Thorough knowledge of modern office administrative and record-keeping procedures.

• Fully computer literate. Competent in Word Processing, Power Point & Excel.

See answers NEXT WEEK

Values and Competencies: Commitment, Maturity, Initiative, Attentive, Integrity, Efficient Time Management and Confidentiality.

Other Skills and Attributes: Ability to work in an international, multicultural & team-based working environment.

Closing date of submitting applications is 30 April, 2013. Late applications will not be considered and regret letter will only be sent to short-listed candidates.

Please visit our website http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html to access the Personal History (P11) Form to be sent by e-mail with a detailed résumé to belize@unicef.org, attention: Operations Assistant.

UNICEF OPERATES IN A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT & IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER & A HIV RESPECTING WORKPLACE

Answers for last week’s puzzle SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION #12/2013

Answers for last week’s puzzle

See answers NEXT WEEK

21 APR

2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Guest EDITORIAL

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Solutions to Crime

hen I sit down and talk to elders and ask them questions like “How was Belize in the past?” they always seem to answer one thing. “SAFE!” However, safety has eluded the citizens of Belize for quite some time now. Crime is rampant; people fear for their lives as they feel threatened even in the confines of their own homes. However, it is still not too late. There are still measures and steps which can be implemented to combat crime. Four simple measures can be taken which in my view can help alleviate the crime situation plaguing our country.

An important quote reads, “He Who opens a school door, closes a prison.” The quote speaks volumes to the importance of education. The Government must invest in education and realize that as people better themselves through education the crime situation will decrease. The importance of a higher education is crucial, which leads to the Government making secondary education mandatory rather than optional. In addition, the investment in technical and vocational schools such as the ITVET or CET play an important role in the alleviation of crime. Not every student feels comfortable taking the courses and options which are offered at the various high schools around the country which in return leads to a high number of drop outs. These students do not necessarily want to drop out of school but they feel they are not utilizing their full potential and prefer hands on training in careers such as mechanics, electrical, tourism, bartending etc. If the Government were to invest a substantial amount of money in schools like these to help pay the tuition for students which cannot pay it for themselves would lead to less drop outs, less people on the streets and eventually less crime on a whole.

Furthermore, the importance of a strong, healthy and competent police force would pay a huge amount of dividends in the fight against crime. The police are the ones combating crime head on but they are not as equipped as one would like. It is sad to see that the criminals are armed with high powered weapons while the police must rely on weapons which are of less caliber and outdated than that of their enemies. Once again government funding comes into effect, they must see to it that the money is invested properly and efficiently not only in the weapons category but also in the training of police officers. Also, a substantial pay raise in salary would boost the morale of officers which are risking themselves for much less money than another government employee. At the end of the day they are the ones putting their heads on the line to combat crime and they must be equipped and recompensed for their valiant efforts.

In addition to significant investments in the police force and in education the Government must invest in the judicial system which at the moment is in dire need of funding. Presently, criminals do not fear the judicial system which speaks volumes of where we stand as a society. We already have strict laws in our constitution but the judicial system lacks the expertise to implement them. Daily, we hear of murder acquittals which

lead to criminals being free on the streets to continue in their horrendous path of destruction. To begin with the government needs to hire competent persons who are capable of handling the work in dealing with the crime situation. If it means hiring more judges to deal with the cases before the courts then it must be done. Also, a witness protection plan must be implemented to protect people that have witnessed crimes and protect them from intimidation tactics and threats to their own lives.

Also, in our country we have the Kolbe foundation which houses our prisoners. Many of these prisoners enjoy being in jail because as they see it, they are assured meals during the course of a day. As a society we must realize that tax payers are paying for the maintaining of the prison which is somewhat like a revolving door for inmates. While there are programs to help these inmates I believe they are not utilized to its maximum capacity. There are certain employment programs which allow inmates to sell their crafts but I believe it can go further than that. As I previously mentioned, education is the way out of poverty and in my view out of crime. I believe the Kolbe Foundation must introduce more educational programs in the prison to teach inmates and instill in them the importance of education. The Government can also step in and take it up to another notch. While many people might be afraid to hire ex-convicts due to their tumultuous past this is where government can step in and assist. The Government can promise the private sector certain incentives such as tax cuts if they employ ex-convicts that graduate from the educational programs being offered with honors. If they get a 3.5 or above GPA and show clear signs of improvement the Government can give them a helping hand. While this idea might sound a little bit out of whack and it might cost government revenues, we must realize that as more convicts change their lives for the better the less crime there will be, which will again attract investors and will in return lead to a fully functional economy.

To sum it all up, Belize is small which makes it easy to know who is doing what and to whom. The Government must as I would like to put it “put their big boy pants on” and tackle this problem head on. The Police Department reported a total of 2772 crimes (Burglary, theft, Murder, Carnal Knowledge, and Rape) for the year of 2012. This is too high. Clearly their measures are not working since 2013 is on its way to surpassing those horrendous numbers. The paying of gangs to, as they put it, “hold things down” is not the way to combat crime. All that money wasted could have been invested in other programs that benefit our country. The Ministry of National Security is not doing what it is supposed to do. In my view the Minister is not fulfilling his job. I say this because he constantly brags that they are doing all they can and things are getting better just as our economy is getting better, yet the people do not feel safe and things are the hardest it has ever been. We have to change Belize, and we have the means and the know-how to change.

Perhaps it is just the will that is missing.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Running to Stand Still The latest images of Norris Hall

By Yasser Musa The Image Factory Art Foundation’s latest exhibit Springfield – An Amish Settlement by a veteran Belizean photojournalist Norris Hall is a somewhat strange plunge into a sort of sublime world. Our last meaningful collaboration with Hall came with the publication of his early 1970s photo book on George Price, a catalogue of vibrant photos the he had captured following the then Premier as Price crossed the nation bringing the message of Independence to the people.

This new exhibition delivers a vivid point of view on what Hall calls “the simple life in harmony with nature and working the soil.”

What makes such a show significant to our cultural space is that it serves as a sharp contradiction to our regular modern gaze driven by the media-tech status quo life of cell phones, television, and the Internet.

According to Hall, “unlike the Mennonites, however, they are averse to change and to adapting modern technology. There are no Amish left in Europe. Most of them live in the United States of America, mainly in Pennsylvania. They are scattered in

communities all over Central America. They first came to settle here in Belize in the early 1970s.”

Hall spent his career with the Government of Belize mainly as Information Officer and as Chief Information Officer. Over the years he managed to amass an impressive body of photographic work. Now in retirement his passion has turned to some of the same themes of his working life, the central one being the documentation of Belizean life through photography.

This latest effort is a major accomplishment because the Amish are very conservative and value privacy. For Hall to gain photo access is a gift to our national cultural treasury.

As the young people like to say “noh tek we lightly,” and many times we live as if there is not a rich manifestation of humanity in our mist. The surprise that comes when looking at these new Norris Hall images turn quickly to reverence and respect for the life of

people who see work and nature as inextricable values that must be kept sacred at any cost.

Hall made a conscious decision to shoot this suite of images with 35 mm film and in black and white.

I respect that. Artists and photographers today seem distracted by new technologies sometimes losing

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sight of the power of certain older forms. In so choosing Hall has brought a special synchronicity of pre-digital photography with a certain tradition of life.

The most powerful image in the exhibit is the one with four girls in traditional bonnets. It is in their “unusual” dress that we are plunged into a vicarious position in reflecting on the photo not aware of the limits of looking, but essentially compelled to confront an anthropological frisson that Hall has placed before us.

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2013

THE BELIZE TIMES

Trinidad, Football and Belize A couple weeks ago I was excited about a game being played between Trinidad and Belize. Not long after a grand entrance into the country, I saw on the news the visiting football team expressing their displeasure with the playing conditions of the field where the game was to be played. Friendly game or not they would not have it! I recall them communicating that if their minimum requirement was not met, the game would be forfeited!

After looking at the example they set to us, as proud a Belizean, I was even more excited at that point than ever to see the game be played. They modeled to us a sense of value and would not settle for anything less even if that meant not playing the game. It was clear that to them a game was worth far less than their personal commitment to who they were as representatives of their country and even as a part of the sporting world.

Were the tables turned and we were faced with the same situation in their country, what would we have done? My deepest prayer is that we have learnt a powerful lesson from what transpired with this team.

In the manual (Genesis 25:30-34), we find a story of a brother who went out to work and returned home quite tired and hungry.

He smelt the beautiful stew that his brother made while he was away and decided that he would give up anything for a bowl of soup! He ended up selling his priceless birthright to his brother in exchange for a bowl of good soup!

Today we have a neighboring country demanding a chunk of our beautiful country, and many times I wonder if we as a country have our priorities right. I have heard stories accusing ministers of government of granting citizenship during election times to anybody that comes to us without due diligence. We also hear every day of countless incursions into our country and the stealing of our resources!

Then, I hear of a situation where a talk show host has found himself in some problems for statements uttered and is being taken to court. At this point I have to sit aside and ask myself why we as Belizeans continue, even after over thirty years of independence, to behave as if we are fifty years backward, fighting each other while others run off with our back yard and the resources. My deepest hope is that the same fire that is directed towards one of our own countryman and talk show host would be directed towards those who are corrupt and continue to steal daily from our country. We need to rail same fire and brimstone on those that continue to disrespect our borders calling it names that make it appear artificial.

How can we be trusted to negotiate our borders if we cannot be trusted with a bowl of soup? We have to get it together Belize, we need to sit back and think and reason and look after the things that are really of true importance and begin to behave as if we are thirty years old.

It is time to grow up Belize. Let’s turn our aggression towards the true enemies of our country and not waste our energy fighting each other. Let’s remain clean, that others have no grounds to accuse us of being corrupt. As a country, we lose so much more because of misuse of our resources, which is being stolen everyday!

Wake up Belize! Let’s act our age. A bowl of soup is not what our eyes should be on but rather let’s keep our birthright in sight!

Until next week, God bless!

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Rotator Cuff Injuries The human shoulder is made up of three bones which are the humerus or arm bone, the scapula or shoulder blade, and the clavBy Dr. Francis Smith icle or collarbone. The head or ball of the upper humerus fits into the glenoid cavity, an extremely shallow bone socket which juts off the shoulder blade, forming the weak, unstable ball and socket shoulder joint. This very unstable joint depends on four muscles and tendons which originate on the scapula and attach to the head of the humerus, forming a cuff.

These muscles are the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the subscapularis whose tendons are collectively known as the rotator cuff. When the rotator cuff tendons are injured it is called a rotator cuff tendonitis.

There is a sac with synovial fluid called a bursa which is between the supraspinatus muscle and the bone on top of the shoulder (acromion). Synovial fluid in the bursa is a lubricant that helps muscles and tendon to glide easily without friction. When the bursa becomes inflamed and painful it is called a bursitis.

Any irritation or damage to the rotator cuff is considered a rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff may begin to fray like an old, overused rope, tear partially, or tear completely. The most common and usually the first tendon to tear is the supraspinatus whose function is to abduct or lift your arm from your side.

Causes: Wear and Tear. This is due to getting older, usually starting in the 40’s.

Falling. Stretching out the arm to break a fall while descending stairs or playing contact sports.

Sports Injuries. Overhead sports which require repetitive lifting of the arm above the head and forceful use of the shoulder muscles such as pitching in baseball and softball, swimming, and tennis.

Occupation. Accountants, bankers, teachers and other professions which involve sitting for prolonged periods slouching over a desk, can develop tightness with loss of stretch-ability of the rotator cuff tendons.

Construction Work. Lifting or pulling something heavy Symptoms: Rotator cuff injuries usually present with shoulder pain when reaching overhead or behind the back, for example, putting the arm in a shirt sleeve, or with women, trying to unhook a bra. Lifting the arm from the side or lowering it, lifting or pulling an object, driving or sleeping on the affected shoulder can elicit pain. There may be loss of strength and loss of range of motion. The pain may cause a tendency to not use the shoulder which then leads to a gradual stiffening of the shoulder joint.

A fall can cause a tear in the rotator cuff with immediate pain and weakness, preceded sometimes by a snapping sound. There may be a crackling sensation called crepitus when moving the shoulder.

Tests: Most times your doctor may be able to diagnose a rotator cuff injury through physical examination. If the injury appears to be more severe or if there are associated injuries such as a tear in the glenoid labrum(a circumferential piece of cartilage on the edge of the shallow socket), your doctor may recommend an x-ray, high definition ultrasound scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) scan.

Treatment: A rotator cuff injury can heal by itself with self-care. It is important to understand that the supraspinatus, the rotator cuff muscle responsible for lifting the shoulder from the side, is usually the first to tear.

Treatment begins with resting the shoulder and avoiding any activity which involves lifting the arm from the side. Apply ice packs to the shoulder and take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and swelling. Stretching exercises to improve flexibility and range of motion is also recommended. If despite rest, medication, and physical therapy (stretching exercises), the pain does not subside, then a corticosteroid injection may be an effective option.

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Moody’s says debt sustainability not achieved Continued from page 4 ments start in 2019.

“There is a potential for an escalation of credit risks in the coming years... Faced with rising financing needs, a pre-emptive debt restructuring could once again become an attractive alternative for policymakers, particularly in 2017, the year the next general election is set to take place,” stated Moody’s.

Moody’s Upgrades Belize Credit Rating, Warns of “Debt Overhang” New York-based Moody’s has upgraded the credit rating on Belize’s government bonds, the firm announced Monday.

The rating has been lifted to Caa2 from Ca, with a “stable” outlook.

The move comes after Belize restructured its $547 million “Superbond,” which is due in 2029. That included what became Belize’s second default in the last seven years.

Looking forward, a number of structural factors will keep the government’s rating in the Caa space for the next two to four years, the firm said, pointing to Belize’s track record of two defaults in seven years, something that “signals a weak institutional willingness and ability

to service external debt.”

The country’s government debt remains at around 70 percent of GDP, which, coupled with “limited fiscal and foreign exchange buffers impairs the outlook for economic growth post-restructuring.”

That leaves Belize “vulnerable to shocks that could lead to an abrupt decrease in government creditworthiness.”

“There is a potential for an escalation of credit risks in the coming years. In our opinion, the government will find it progressively more difficult to maintain fiscal discipline as demand ratchets up for increased public sector wage hikes, social transfers, and capital investment,” the firm said. “Also, the debt service on the US dollar bond will escalate due to an increase in the coupon rate in 2017 and amortization payments that are set to start in 2019. Faced with rising financing needs, a pre-emptive debt restructuring could once again become an attractive alternative for policymakers, particularly in 2017, the year the next general election is set to take place.”

Opposition statement sparks regional interest in Belize-Guatemala differendum Continued from page 9 no reward for bad behaviour”.

In his commentary, Singh discussed the geo-political repercussions of the heightened tension between the two countries since Guatemala is slated to host the next general assembly meeting in June, in which elections for Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General will be held.

A Guatemalan is one of possibly three candidates for Secretary General. Belize’s Ambassador to the OAS Nestor Mendez is vying for Assistant Secretary General, along with two

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THE BELIZE TIMES

others in the Caribbean.

The PUP has called on the Barrow Administration to boycott the OAS meeting if Guatemala insists on publishing the offensive passports. It has also asked the Government to lobby for CARICOM’s support in the boycott.

If so, Singh notes, Belize could also lobby to derail Guatemala’s candidate for Secretary General since CARICOM holds 14 votes in the 34 member organisation.

CARICOM may discuss and decide whether to support specific candidates at a May meeting in Trinidad.

It is of great interest that the Opposition’s statement has triggered such discussion on Guatemala’s renewed claim over Belize.

This could be because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is asleep at the wheels and has failed to reach out and inform our Caribbean counterparts of Guatemala’s threat. Even up to Monday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sedi Elrington spoke of lobbying for support, but in the future. Thank goodness the PUP is awake and aware.

OUT Ex Port Commissioner to Norwegian Cruise Line: Look before you leap Continued from page 2 cation before entering into discussions with GOB officials?

During and after hurricane Keith in 2000 the Mauger Caye and adjacent Crawl Cay suffered substantial weather damage. Mauger Caye was near flattened with the majority of the sand area of the north side being transported to the south by the severe elements leaving the roots of the palms completely exposed. The light keepers only survived because they were able to take shelter in a concrete bunker near the lighthouse accommodation, which itself completely disappeared as a result of Keith’s fury. Crawl Caye fared little better and it has taken 13 years for both to recover.

Unlike other sites inside the barrier reef Crawl Caye is wide open to the weather conditions to the North and East. Outside the immediate boundaries of the Caye deep water lies to the North, East and West and is subjected to the transmitted ocean swells from weather conditions far removed from Belize in the North and East Caribbean Sea. It follows that both these Cayes are unstable and any proposed development, such as the one currently being considered, will be difficult to achieve. It is questionable, even in these times of technological advancement, whether berthing facilities for cruise liners can be economically constructed when the water depth plummets from a few feet to over 1,000 feet 100 yards off-shore. Breakwater defences, if they could be constructed, would cost a massive amount of money and would be subject to the weather risks I have mentioned earlier.

In times of good weather it is an idyllic place, I have been there! I also witnessed the conditions there in the aftermath of Keith and they were frightening.

I would simply advise Apollo Global and Norwegian Cruise lines that ‘All that glisters is not gold’.

Sincerely, Captain John J Watson OBE Ex Port Commissioner Belize

2013

OUT Village Council elections - better leaders needed!

Continued from page 2 2. Get villagers out to carry out cleanup campaigns within their villages 3. Work closer with our Police, fire officials, schools and churches and all other organisations to sensitise each other about all community affairs 4. Implement a programme of home gardening within our villages, where we can begin to grow our own vegetables.

These are just a few things that we can implement, if some of our village leaders drop the dependency syndrome and through their actions and examples show the ones in national government.

Lastly, our village leaders must know their roles and responsibilities. Learnt the Village Council act. Know your responsibilities and well as your powers. The act gives you great power of the management of lands! The Minister doesn’t have that power without your permission. Do not let greedy Ministers such as the current Minister of lands Gaspar Vega get away with breaking the law.

Paul Rodriguez says Western Civilization values is under attack Continued from page 2 tion list homosexuality or sexual and reproductive rights as fundamental rights and freedoms.

There is an international campaign being waged in Belize to destroy the values of Western Civilization. The main battle of this war is to destroy Christianity by making it seem irrelevant and irrational. Christians who speak out against abortion, contraception, gay marriage, and other immoral behavior are demonized and isolated.

In past ages the aggressive and rapacious communities of Europe colonized us to rape us. But they gave us the blessings of Christianity. Now they seek to destroy this pearl of great price and replace it with half-baked ideas, like egoism relativism and homosexuality. This reminds me of the blankets infested with small pox given to the Indians to warm them, which wiped out whole tribes.

Belize will do well if she rejects the agenda of immorality and unbelief and stick to the wisdom of the ages embodied in Christianity.

It is crystal clear that the continued survival of Western Civilization requires a re-assessment of the necessity of justice as a primary societal value taking precedence over individual rights. Pursuit of the Common Good is how to shoe the primacy of justice.

Signed, Paul Rodriguez (Former Ombudsman of Belize)

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2013

Rosewood Plunder & Pillage!

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Wasteful CitCo

Toledo Villagers report sound of trees falling late at night Belize City, April 17, 2013 With the April 9th amnesty granted on the exporting of the Rosewood, the Ministry of Forestry has virtually started a dreadful open season on the endangered species.

Reports to the BELIZE TIMES from the Toledo District are that the illegal cutting and transporting of Rosewood has increased since the introduction of the amnesty which will last until the 26th.

The amnesty placed a moratorium on an existing moratorium that took effect on March 16 2012 which prohibited the harvesting and exporting of Rosewood. But in the world of the UDP corrupt politicians make laws and break laws to benefit themselves and this amnesty is the perfect exam-

ple of it.

The amnesty, according to the Ministry of Forestry, is only for Rosewood that was illegally cut during the initial moratorium and not for logs harvested after the amnesty. But reports to this newspaper are that the plundering in the deep forest has exacerbated. Toledo villagers report that since Monday the sound of trees falling late at night is becoming common. No one seems to be monitoring our forest.

Back in March 2012 when the moratorium was put into place the Minister of Forestry, Lisel Alamilla-Pennil announced that the ban was necessary since “increased rosewood logging has led to a near depletion of the specie”; it appears Alamilla is allowing the depletion to be completed.

Bus operators face conflict in Chetumal

ing options. They have already been approached by two major supermarkets, Soriana and Wal Mart, who have offered their large parking spaces in Chetumal for free to the Belizean buses.

They stand to benefit since Belizean passengers will have easier access to their stores. But the market administration has opposed the relocation of the buses, claiming that the parking facility at the market is the only authorised space for Belizean buses to park.

The impasse has upset the market’s vendor association.

The President of the Association Julio Benito Sanchez, said the problem is affecting business in the market. He reported that up to 70% of sales come from Belizean consumers, and it would be a great loss if the buses were to relocate.

It is not clear how this conflict will be solved. Belize bus operators have been facing all sorts of resistance by Mexican authorities in Chetumal. Several years ago, they faced a complete ban from entering Chetumal on weekends when Mexican officials claimed their screening technology was non-functional on weekends.

Bus operators also fear that the local authorities also plan to compel them to follow traffic regulations that require them to license and insure their buses in Chetumal.

Local authorities say it is the law and Belize bus operators have been operating unlawfully for too long.

CARTOON

Belize City, April 17 2013 Belize’s bus operators are facing major problems with officials in neighbouring Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico over the use of the parking facility at the Mercado Lazaro Cardenaz, known to many Belizeans as the “Mercado Nuevo” or “New Market”.

The Market Administration recently issued notices of eviction to bus operators who had outstanding parking fees. Bus companies are charged 100 pesos (BSE$17.85) per week to utilise parking spaces.

Several bus operators admitted to having an outstanding bill, but claimed that there is no proper system to account for any payments.

As a result of the eviction, several bus operators have relocated to parking on streets nearby the market, creating traffic congestions in new areas.

But there is another problem brewing. Belize’s bus operators are not in agreement with a proposed increase in fees at the market. The Market’s administrator, Marco Aurelio Gutierrez Velez, has proposed to increase the fee to 200 pesos (BZE $35.71). This new fee will be per bus and no longer per company. At least 20 Belize-operated buses from at least five bus companies use the facility daily.

Bus operators say that as a result of Belize’s depressed economy, business has reduced drastically and they will not be able to afford the increase.

As a result of the conflict with the market administration, bus operators are considering other park-

Construction workers are back on North Front Street, breaking up fresh pavement to build drains. This is after spending weeks and pouring in tens of thousands of dollars.

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21 APR

2013