National Perspective October 9th, 2011

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Sunday, September 4th , 2011

www.nationalperspectivebz.org

Prison Officer Charged with Trafficking - Read on pge 15

Land Grab Hustle !

Edition 163 Vol.4 week 6

The true voice of the silent majority

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

Ministry of Lands-Vamos Compadres to St. George’s Caye!

P.M. Barrow Cries “GANG EXTORTION”!!!

“So the PM is on the news saying that the Gangs who were in the “September Celebrations Gang Truce” are making demands for payment to continue “holding it down” HELLO...is there anybody else who saw this coming??? Bargaining with gangs?

Really??????????????”

“Even the blind man saw this coming... negotiating with terrorists never ends well...for a man that prides himself for being so intelligent he sound so stupid!!!” – facebook reactions.

Continues on page 17

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 BELIZE CITY – For the third year in a row St. George’s Caye was honoured to host Belize’s annual celebration of nationhood, and its pride of place could never be more evident than a near delirious village council chairman Johnny “Watt” Searle, Jr., welcoming the dignitaries and other guests in attendance.

This past weekend, however, Johnny Watt was singing a different tune, moaning in frustration and complaining in aggrieved tones that the Barrow administration was in the process of grabbing 10 acres of the historic caye. Watt was surprised to learn that a surveyor, someone by the name of “Pook,” and his crew had invaded the caye armed with chainsaws, machetes, and theodolite, and were proceeding apace without even his by-your-leave, to cut trails and demarcate territory.

Searle told the media that even after he had “… made a number of phone calls to people in the Ministry of Lands” … he still had “… zero information on who is behind this development. The only thing we know is that the surveyors are working under the permission the Government of Belize Natural Re-

sources.”

But Chairman Searle knows from prior experience who are the culprits and how they operate. The United Democratic Party’s greedy “quitar” policy implemented after they took office in February 2008 seems to know no bounds. Three weeks after taking office on February 28, 2008, the UDP seized lot #118 on St George’s Caye which the outgoing PUP administration had designated as public land for public infrastructure such as a health clinic, a school, a police station, and a park, etc.

They then gave a Luis Carrillo of Orange Walk the title to this land but he has yet to build anything on it.

At the time Watt and the residents and occupiers of St. George’s Caye had been mollified by the Barrow administration designating the St. George’s Caye cemetery an archaeological site in September 2009, declaring their settlement a village in September 2010, and the caye a part of the nation’s cultural heritage as a historical landmark this September.

No doubt Searle and his fellow villagers thought they were safe from “quitar” because under section 47 (c) of the

Continued on page 6

“Acupuncturist Kevin Lee Arrested” in L.A. ...for alleged sexual deviance in Belize

Read Story on page 3

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Dean Barrow was clear, when interviewed on one of the local radio stations this week said that he will pass the 9th Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives when the consultation period expires. Dean Barrow is a Prime Minister, who is decisive, which is a characteristic that is needed to govern a country with so many problems such as Belize.

Our history will show that the National Perspective has not been a fan of Dean Oliver Barrow, but we must acknowledge his rule of the rod where he does not support any descent among his party followers, especially those that are in the hierarchy of the United Democratic Party. Dean Barrow was very quick to dispose of Hon. Marcel Cardona and Hon. Edmund “Clear the Land” Castro from out his Cabinet when they made decisions that were not sanction by him.

Even while he was Leader of the Opposition during the 1998-2008 period, when the People’s United Party was the government, Barrow ran a tight ship and everyone behind him towed the line. He practices what many dubbed “guided democracy by himself.”

What this has done is to make his ministers useless. Technically, Dean Barrow has the power castrate them to the point that Dean Barrow has been called by his own ministers, in disgust, as the Minister of Everything. No decision is allowed to be made without his consent. If a ball is to be purchase, for example, by John Saldiver’ ministry, Dean Barrow has to give the nod. If Patrick Faber needs a new pen in his ministry, he best gets the green light from Boss Barrow.

Very early in the UDP administration Evan X Hyde confirmed this one-man Dean Barrow show to be true and in early frustration began calling all the ministers of Cabinet dodo birds. From early 2008, Evan, X Hyde had concluded that as a country Belize would be in for a bumpy ride

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

WANTED – REAL LEADERSHIP under the UDP. What makes it important when Evan X calls them dodo birds is because he supports the UDP. Historically, Evan X Hyde loves making noise to attract attention in order that the Government look favorable his way and fill his trough. No doubt the tax payers of Belize financed a calming of the waters, in the early UDP Government, between Evan X and the group of UDP dodo bird’s ministers.

However, in contrast the now Opposition People’s United Party leadership is unable to steer the party.

They are considered by most, rudderless and unable to steer even if the road was crooked. At this publication, we have been very harsh on Dean Barrow for his misguided policies that have severely damaged the Belizean economy and society. In contrast, our treatment of John Briceno whom we have chosen in the past to give advice to, over and over. Again, we will attempt to do the same.

At the National Party Council meeting John Briceno committed what some call a “booboo” during a presentation to the throng of party stalwarts. In desperation to attract funding, he accused unnamed persons of making millions while the PUP was in government (1998-2008) and place it foreign bank accounts. He claimed to know the names of these people (of course inquiring minds would want to know who these people are), and that they should now begin to bring back

the money by writing cheques to the PUP party.

The mainstream news media was not present, but was no doubt mischievously informed and briefed on the speech. The media has now applied their political spin to the speeches. A speech was made by Hon. Said Musa before Hon. Briceno took the podium. In his earlier speech Said Musa that same day and one of the points was his contention with the feeling among PUPs that sluggishness of the PUP was because of money shortage. He claimed he was tired of hearing it and therefore, the saying “no money no deh” should cease.

Many claimed that Hon. Briceno was responding to that statement

by Hon. Musa. Our reports have indicated that many stalwart PUPs are up in arms about Jon Briceno’s speech and feels that he has now chased away financiers for good. The media is also playing up the idea that John Briceno is at odds with Said Musa because he, Briceno, senses that as his leadership weakens, the former Prime Minister is eying a return. The trial balloon for Hon. Said Musa to return has gotten significant support. However, many also caution that it is too close to the General Election to be contemplating a change in party leadership. The supporters for a PUP leadership change argue that Hon. Musa, even if he tries, cannot do worse than what is being done under the John Briceno leadership.

John Briceno needs a lot of work. He needs a makeover. No one take him seriously. He and his handlers has to realize this, because that is the reality. His handlers are not helping when they tell him what he wants to hear. Democracy needs a good Opposition, and an effective opposition needs an effective leader. John Briceno has not given any upswing to the PUP since taking over the leadership and has not given the Dean Barrow administration any competition. Only someone who has been a Rip Van Winkle for the last three (3) plus years would argue differently.

From our vantage point if few adjustments are done in the repertoire of John Briceno, he and the PUP can become viable in a flash. Focus is always on the leader because when the leader is strong in the public domain, he commands respect, respect of his colleagues. When respect occurs, people will immediately start participating and doing things without being told to do so. The feedback reaching our desk is that John Briceno has been unable to inspire his executives and standard bearers enough to get them in attack mode against the Government that has more baggage than the Philip Goldson International Airport.

His inability to be decisive and forceful is what gave life to the mischievous and disrespectful ways of Hon. Mark Espat and Hon. Cordel Hyde. In short, he has rewarded these two representatives for their insolence.

What we have penned above is done is a good spirit, but as night follows day, it will be interpreted by those that have the pipeline to John Briceno’s ears as an attack on his leadership. If that is the final conclusion, then we can sleep well knowing that we have fulfilled our civic duty by attempting to strengthen democracy with a strong Opposition by advising the leader how to be strong. THE PEOPLE ARE AWAKE, OPEN YOUR EYES!!!

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

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“Acupuncturist Kevin BELIZE CITY LIONS JOIN GLOBAL Lee Arrested” in L.A. CRUSADE TO CONQUER BLINDNESS ...for alleged sexual misconduct in Belize

Lions World Sight Day Aims to Educate Millions Worldwide

Belize City, October 5th, from cataracts, with more than 3.8 2011 -- The World Health Organiza- million new cases reported each year.

Monday, October 3, 2011 BELIZE CITY - News of the arrest of well known and liked Taiwanese Dr. Kevin Lee has reverberated across the land.

According to a report in the Taipei Times, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the arrest of Taiwanese expatriate in Los Angeles for “alleged sexual misconduct in Belize, where he practiced acupuncture and Chinese medicine.”

According to the paper, Dr. Kevin Lee is alleged to have molested several Belizean female patients and videotaped them as they undressed.

Many of the alleged victims were said to be wives of politically prominent men and well-known socialites.

Lee’s name on the sign at his business place at #35 Freetown Road has been sprayed out signaling that the doctor is no longer in business. Lee apparently left Belize a few weeks ago as news of the videos started to surface.

The Taiwanese embassy in Belize has been monitoring the case and has been cooperative with the Belize Police Department in their investigation.

Dr. Lee has been living in Belize for over twenty years and has worked on hundreds of Belizeans. His gig went south when his computer malfunctioned and he had to take it in for repair. A technician discovered six hundred video files and allegedly attempted to blackmail Lee to prevent the release of the videos. When the blackmail did not work, the videos were released causing quite uproar.

Ambassador to Belize David Wu said in a telephone interview with Central News Agency on Monday that Lee, who has lived in Belize for nearly two decades, had been accused of secretly filming his patients, but that he did not commit sexual assaults as has been alleged.

“This is not a sexual assault case. No

wives of ranking Belize officials fell prey to Lee,” Wu said.

“Sources who have watched the videos said the supposed victims seemed to have been sexually assaulted when in a dazed state,” the Taipei Times reported.

The alleged victims apparently include female diplomats from other countries stationed in Belize and their dependents, prompting Belizian police to issue an international warrant for Lee through Interpol, which led to Lee’s arrest last week, the newspaper report added.

Wu said his embassy has learned that a suspect who is accused of trying to blackmail Lee showed a disk and the letter used in the blackmail attempt to a leader of the Taiwanese expatriate community in Belize.

The disk showed a patient undressing. Wu said as the two parties played the disk over dinner, a Belizean official nearby alerted a minister and the matter came to light.

The diplomat said the alleged victims were average Belizean citizens and that no wives of ranking officials were involved, as far as the embassy knew. He said reports that wives of senior officials were involved was simply speculation and that police in the country had yet to confirm them.

Because many of the 1,000 Taiwanese living in Belize practice Chinese medicine, Wu expressed the hope that the incident would not hurt Taiwanese expatriates in Belize and that it would not affect Taiwan’s image in the country, the Taipei Times reported.

It is unclear how Dr. Lee’s practice fits into the medical environment in Belize. Since news of his arrest went viral there has been widespread unease among women who have gone to Dr. Lee for treatment. It is expected that Lee will be flown to Belize to face charges.

tion has estimated that the number of blind people in the world could double in the next 25 years. To combat the leading causes of blindness and assist in preserving vision, the Belize City Lions Club is participating in Lions World Sight Day on Saturday October 8th 2011 to heighten awareness and education about sight preservation and preventable blindness.

The Belize City Lions Lions Club will be joining in this global event by conducting eye screening, blood pressure checking and sugar testing at the Battlefield Park in Downtown Belize City on Saturday October 8th, 2011 from 8:00a.m to 12noon. The Belize City Council, The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired and the Diabetes Association of Belize are joining forces with the Belize City Lions club in assisting the less fortunate in our community.The general public is invited to attend.

“It is estimated that 40 million people around the world are blind,” said Lion Cris Hernandez, President of the Belize City Lions Club. “On Lions World Sight Day, the Belize City Lions are working in unison with Lions clubs around the world to educate millions of people on the importance of proper eye health care.”

In the United States, approximately 750,000 people are blind and an additional 50,000 more will become blind each year, according to the National Federation of the Blind. Like most developed countries, glaucoma and diabetes are the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

On a worldwide scale, an estimated 75 percent of all blindness is found in Africa and Asia, according to the World Health Organization. In Africa, there are an estimated 500,000 new cases of cataracts each year, of which only one in ten is operated upon. In India, 80 percent of the blind suffer

Published & Edited by: OMAR SILVA Assistant Editor: Saida Xiomara Silva Registered Address: # 3 Piccini Site, Third Floor

3 Mls Northern Hwy ( In front of SOL ), Belize City BELIZE, Central America Web Site: www.nationalperspectivebz.org

Email Addresss: nationalperspectiveeditor@gmail.com email: osilva_56@yahoo.com

For Sale by Owner

Large track of Residential / Commercial Land, off George Price Boulevard in Belmopan. Price fix to sell by owners.

For serious Enquiries: Call: 601- 8100 or 650-5222

Since the club’s chartering in 1973, its members have worked on a variety of projects in the local community, such as the Lions Quest program in most primary and secondary schools in Belize City and countrywide; the ENT & E Clinic and the Hostel building on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City. Proceeds from past fundraising events have gone to providing eye glasses, refurbishing of a children’s park in the Fabers Road extension area of Belize City; food hamper distribution during Christmas etc. The club is currently raising funds for the Lions Quest program for the participation of more schools.

The Belize City Lions Club has 56 members and meets on every first Thursday of the month at 8:00p.m. at the TRC building on Princess Margaret Drive. Lions clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with the Belize City Lions Club, please contact Lion Cris Hernandez at 6103359.

Lions World Sight Day is a global vision initiative sponsored by Lions Clubs International and Lions Clubs International Foundation. The event is held annually on the second Thursday of October in an effort to raise awareness about sight-related issues. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit the Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.

Phone: 501- 635-3506

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

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The Saga of BSI and Banco How to Get Rid of Pimples Fast Overnight Atlantida’s Proposal infers that AB will borrow the other amounts from other institutions as part of the syndicate, instead of nam30th of September, 2011 ing the lenders, the proposal only Dear Editor, refers to “Local and International I will greatly appreciate if you Financial Institutions”. Also, conwould publish the attached letter in trary to what some segments of the your prestigious newspaper. media have stated, there is NO proviThe 30th of September, 2011 marks sion for the payment of the declared the deadline date that ING Bank had dividends payable to the workers and given to Belize Sugar Industries Lim- shareholders!!! ited (BSI) to pay off the US$20 mil- Attached to this proposal are many lion that BSI owes ING Bank. Ac- conditions concerning BSI and GOB cording to BSI and the Government and law. Two conditions call for the of Belize (GOB, ING has postponed exclusion of capitalization limitathe deadline for a year subject to 3 tions and that existing shareholders conditions. These conditions are that refrain from exercising their stock the memorandum of understanding rights during the capitalization prothat was signed last year be resigned, cess. This means that AB will be that BSI pays down its debt to ING able to inject any unlimited amount and that GOB foregoes any payment of capital in BSI and that the BSI towards the BZ$10 million that GOB workers, Tate and Lyle and GOB will loaned BSI in December, 2010. not be able to participate in the purThis does not mean that the storm chase of the issuances of new shares; is gone and the coast is clear. This thus effecting a dilution of the shares time given could be used to solve of the present shareholders. Another the problems at hand properly, or it condition is that AB wants to change could be the eye of the hurricane that the payment methods to the cane is passing; and thus the calm before farmers. AB also wants the authority the storm. It all depends on what de- to coordinate the sugar cane harvest cisions are made. according to the requirements of the The management of BSI has been mill. Another condition calls for the advocating that the proposal from the establishment of ALL collateral with Atlantic Bank group (AB) is the only an agent designated by Atlantic Bank viable option. And what is the AB to benefit the CREDITORS. AB proposal? And for whom will it be further stipulates that ALL banking viable? and cash management services must In the short-term, the AB proposal be handled EXCLUSIVELY by AB. stipulates US$5 million as a 6-month This means that farmers will no longoperating capital revolving fund. It er have an option to choose which also stipulates the investment of bank they want to deal with. Cane US$20 million to pay the ING loan farmers worry that since AB will and subsequently obtain 51% of the also be growing cane, any default in equity of BSI, with intentions to con- their loan payments, due to natural tinue increasing its equity until it disasters or global economic factors reaches 75%, so that they can have beyond their control, will trigger the unquestionable control of BSI. This swift foreclosure on their lands and will be accomplished through the di- subsequent ownership of such lands lution of the shares of the workers of by AB, thereby leaving the farmers BSI who presently own 81.29%, Tate landless. Regarding the dividends and Lyle 10% and GOB 8.71%. With payable to shareholders, AB’s conAB owning 51%, the BSI workers’ ditions calls for “dividend payout ownership will be diluted to about with any excess as a result of the pro40%. With AB reaching its 75% posed capitalization VOIDED”. This ownership target, the workers’ own- means that there is no intention to ership will dwindle to only 20%. AB pay the declared dividends payable!!! also proposes to implement a US$20 The conditions concerning GOB and million revolving fund to loan to law are also alarming. AB calls for a farmers for improving their fields. GOB guarantee regarding private eqThis last US$20 million will be bor- uity. According to the Prime Minister rowed from the Interamerican Devel- this means that GOB is guaranteeing opment Bank (IDB) by AB, but with that BSI can never be nationalized. a sovereign guarantee from GOB!!!

AB calls for GOB authorization to In the long-term, the AB proposal directly acquire and cultivate 20,000 stipulates US$20 million for the pur- acres INITIALLY in four years. This chase of lands and establishment of will instantly eliminate close to one new cane fields over a 7-year period. half of our existing Belizean farmers, It also proposes US$25 million for causing more unemployment, social the expansion of the sugar mill over deterioration and crime. a 10-year period.

AB stipulations call for the authority Of great interest, is that while AB to set the sugar cane harvest schedrefers to its proposal as a Syndi- ules and quality. This will leave the cated Facility, they have not named farmers out of the planning process any lending institution as a member of the harvest schedules. A very omiof their syndicate, except for IDB nous condition is that “GOB is to enwhose loan of US$20 million will sure that in the event of foreclosure, be supported by a sovereign guaran- BSI’s facilities and subsidiaries will tee from GOB. While the proposal be operated, WITHOUT interference

For an acne sufferer, the quest for an effective acne fighter may be a tedious task. There are several stubborn pimple creams and other products out there in the market which promise to keep pimples at bay but end up aggravating the problem. Big pimples – they can be a bit disgusting especially when you have an appointment the next day where you need to flaunt your flawless skin. When faced with a situation like this and you know too well that commercially made products won’t work for you, you might be wondering how to get rid of pimples overnight. Well, take a peek at what you can do below.

Home Remedies on How to Get Rid of Pimples Fast.

Below are some of the best ways

on how to get rid of acne thus preventing acne scars as well.

They may be done not just on the face, but as well as pimples on your back and chest as well.

Let’s see.

Choose soap which contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid to wash your face. They are known to get rid off dirt and oil on face. Massage the cleanser on face. Then rinse and pat dry.

Once you’ve pat dried your face, wrap an ice cube on a thin cloth and gently rub it on the affected area. Do this for atleast 15 minutes by putting some intervals in between application.

After the ice application, you can choose from the following remedies on how to remove nasty pimples like: Toothpaste – dab a small amount on the face and leave it on overnight. More info about toothpaste for acne may be read on Does Toothpaste Really Help to Cure Acne?

Lemon Juice – it is also known to have antiseptic property thus it can be applied on the affected area as well. Allow it to stay for a minute before finally rinsing off.

Baking soda – Mix a small amount of baking soda and water and apply on skin.

Honey – It is known to have antiseptic properties thus combating bacteria causing pimples. Read more via How to Use Honey for Acne.

Follow these simple remedies and wake up in the morning feeling super confident and free from the annoyance that these pimples give..

from GOB”. This means that AB will be able to do whatever they deem necessary in dire situations, regardless if their actions will be detrimental to the workers and the farmers.

AB officials admitted to the farmers at a meeting on 22nd of July, 2011, that this means that AB will be able to lower the prices paid to the cane farmers and also slash the wages paid to the factory workers, without GOB intervention and without consideration for the laws of Belize!!!

AB also calls for GOB’s commitment to review the implementation of AB’s stipulated changes in the Sugar Act of 2001. AB also calls for GOB’s authorization to construct a bulk port facility. However, in its proposal, no finances are allocated for such a huge project. AB is calling for Economic Processing Zone status. AB calls for “GOB recognition of sovereign guarantee for credit line to independent farmers, which will be administered

by AB”. This refers to the US$20 million that AB will borrow from IDB to then lend to farmers through their AB branches. They call for Central Bank’s authorization for the purchase of foreign currency to repay their loans to AB’s lenders. AB also calls for Central Bank’s authorization

for AB to lend BSI sums in excess of 25% of AB’s authorized capital. In other words, if they become owners of BSI, AB may lend BSI any amount of money that they wish, and thus have BSI perpetually indebted to AB and forever paying interest on unending loans. This brings to question whether Atlantic Bank makes more money from interest or from sugar.

Of course, banks make more money from interest. This is dangerous!!!

Not everything that glitters is gold.

The devil is in the details.

My fellow Belizeans, these are the details of AB’s proposals on which a decision must be made. This is clearly a game plan for the displacement and elimination of thousands of farmers and for the monopolization of the cane production sector, the sugar manufacturing sector, thousands of acres of land and the banking sector, by one single entity that is owned by a few wealthy, foreign shareholders with well-connected friends in high places. This is not good for Belize.

This is not good for Belizeans. Belizeans Unite!!!

Sincerely, Ramon Cervantes A Farmer

By: Ramon Cervantes

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

By: Rhenae Nunez

It is no secret that the PUP has been split since the ascent of John Briceno to leadership of the party in March of 2008. Since then and many spats between supporters of the former Said Musa leadership and zealot supporters of John Briceno’s leadership, things have gone from bad to worse.

The PUP has further splintered into more factions.

Briceno has been unable to unite the party and observers say that Briceno and his brood from north have made things worse. John Briceno’s PUP has provided much fodder for the political grist. And so in that credenda, the PUP served up another scandalous episode.

This time the quarrel was over money. Money - that according to leader John Briceno some PUPs made under the former administration. At a meeting of the National Party Council held at Belize Elementary School on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City on Saturday last, former leader Rt. Honorable Said Musa was asked to speak on the legacy of late Leader Emeritus and national icon, Right Honorable George Cadle Price.

Musa it is reported went further and challenged his successor, John Briceno’s leadership. Musa reportedly told Briceno to step up to the plate of leadership and stop crying about being broke. Musa ended his comments by asking “quo vadis PUP” meaning where are you going PUP? The former PM’s comments ignited a heated exchange between Musa and Briceno we are told. Briceno responded saying, “First of all I agree with the former party leader where he said that we can’t continue to use the issue about money as an excuse but I want to ask where are those millionaires, those people that made

Page 5

Said to Johnny: Quo Vadis PUP? Is it the return of Gordon Smith?

millions of dollars over the 10 years when we were in government? Where are those people that benefitted and made millions? I could give you all names, but I won’t call out names.

They need to write out checks; they need to bring money back to the PUP! Money so we can run our People’s United Party. That money does not belong in foreign bank accounts!

Bring it here, so we could fight once again and we could take down Barrow and the UDP!” Briceno earns no points for his response to Musa. It is Briceno’s spoiled kid behavior that has landed the PUP in the hopeless that it is in now. Without any discernible reason, Briceno targeted supposed supporters of the colloquial “old guard” subjecting them to demeaning treatment and eventually firing them. Briceno got rid of talent hire the likes of Renee Trujillo who has roamed almost the entire media, G Micheal Reid who hasn’t much by way of dept and

Vaughan Gill who is nothing but a hustler more than he is a PUP. As the PUP stands right now, there is no position on anything. Briceno has been no match of his archrival PM Dean Barrow who has pilloried Briceno and the PUP time and time again in the House of Representatives.

Of more concern to observers is the latino face of PUP and some say it is deliberate on the part of John Briceno’s leadership. It is an issue that no one except Said Musa has dared to speak on the issue.

So Briceno finds himself in a pickle and saddled with a bunch or rejects unable to revamp the party’s umph.

After firing old guards and jacking the party assets Briceno has not been able to sustain. Now he cries like a spoiled child for money from supposed millionaires of the PUP. This latest spat confirms what many already know that John Briceno is not ready to lead the PUP let alone

Belize in these ever trying times of global political and economic turmoil. Like a spoiled rich kid Johnny grabbed up leadership for a second term by rather unusual means. Remember the Patchakan Accord that started the move toward a second term for the untalented John Briceno?

But in all fairness to Briceno, he is right on calling on some of the blood suckers who got rich under the former administration. Briceno ought to start with his girl Narda of SSB fame. Narda has commanded quite some influence in Johnny’s party and it should be by now that she should be one of the donors who should cough up something.

In all honesty, no amount of money will help Johnny defeat Dean Barrow because he does not have the talent to do so and his flock of vultures is right there waiting to milk him. John Briceno needs to stop crying and face reality – give the job to someone who can do the job. G Michael Reid and Vaughan Gill are right there waiting to collect. Renee Trujillo and the other vultures are waiting. The PUP’s problem is not the lack of financial support by their millionaire members but poor, untalented leadership and a bunch of opportunists who are looking for a the next tranche to milk.

Truth be told Johnny has been unable to attract financing to the party because those who would donate have said that Johnny sucks as a leader. He does not inspire anyone, besides he has Julius Espat who has taken over as chief financier to whom Vaughn Gill has promptly attached his proboscis to. Espat himself another untalented has commanded quite some influence in the party with his wallet.

This is what Johnny campaigned for – what is he whining about?

KREMANDALA $ELLOUT He has been bought and paid for...

Silent on issues affecting black South-side Belizeans while pretending to be their guardian

Can’t be TRUSTED!!!

Wilfully ignores the Corrupt Practices of Barrow and the UDP

“X” CAN’T CRITICIZE BARROW & THE UDP

A PAID AD

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

Page 6

Land Grab Hustle !

Ministry of Lands-Vamos Compadres to St. George’s Caye!

Village Council Act, the government is required to “consult” with the village council on land distribution matters.

No doubt they had not been paying attention to what has been happening in scores of other villages all over the county or perhaps they thought they were too well-heeled and well-connected – no minister would dare.

In fact Searle told the media that he had applied to the Ministry of Natural Resources to include this mangrove area at the back of the island to be part of the mangrove reserve on the caye.

They reasoned that they needed the mangroves bordering the lagoon to protect St. George’s Caye from hurricane storm surges, such as the one that cut the island in three during Hurricane

Hattie.

So if Johnny Searle appears in shock please, understand. Just a few weeks after the declaration that his island is a part of the nation’s cultural heritage as a historical landmark, Gapi’s surveyor show up and begin cutting into the precious mangrove. It is only then he learns that not only are they demarcating 10 acres for sub-division into 31 lots for people he don’t know, but they will also be dredging for a marina.

As bad as that was, it gets worse calls to his area representative, Manuel Heredia, who was just on the caye lauding its significance, results only in declarations of that worthy’s ignorance.

And as bad as that was, it gets even worse. Searle relays that in a phone conversation with the Ministry of Natural Resources CEO Beverly Castillo, he is told that the plan being surveyed was an “internal document, so he could not have a copy.”

Searle and his village council now join the legion of other such chairmen and councils on a long list of such village councils, and he can only complain and moan in frustration while Gapi tells his cronies “Vamos compadres to St. George’s Caye.”

Banco Atlantida deal drawing boos from cane farmers, scrutiny from environmentalists

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

BELIZE CITY – Reliable reports to the newspaper this week are that cane farmers are becoming increasingly agitated as they learn more details of the Banco Atlantida proposal to own the majority shareholding in the Belize Sugar Industries.

Belizeans are also becoming only becoming aware that Banco Atlantida’s environmental record has come under increasing scrutiny in Honduras.

Reports gleaned from the internet say that two western Honduras communities have “mobilized against the Canadian-based Maverick company and Minerales de Occidente S.A. (Minosa), property of the Honduran Banco Atlántida,” accusing them of irregularities.

One article reported that “In January 2003, Minosa was slapped with a US$54,000 fine for contaminating the environment after a cyanide spill was discovered.

The chemicals killed off fish in the Lara River, which flows into the Higuito, the main supply of potable water for the Santa Rosa de Copán region, one of the cradles of the ancient Maya civilization.

“And more irregularities were found in the granting of environmental licenses. The authorization for Minosa was renewed in August 2003, just as the company threatened to declare bankruptcy.

“Juan Carlos Elvir, mayor of Santa Rosa de Copán, told Tierramérica that the public protests against the mining company are so strong ‘that we have even received death threats.’”

Both companies are engaged in open pit mining which requires the leveling of virgin rain forest for ore extraction, which mixed with chemicals like cyanide in order to separate out the metal. Experts say the technique is appropriate for desert areas, but in Honduras it is being used in lush forested valleys.

Maverick holds a state-granted environmental license to exploit 400 hectares in the heart of El Güisayote national reserve, considered one of the “lungs” of western Honduras.

A commission made up of environmental officials, the attorney general, residents, mayors and non-governmental organization activists found that the license is illegal because it violates laws that prohibit exploitation of resources in protected areas.

The commission says “the damage caused by the activities of logging and levelling are considerable, given the topographic conditions and characteristics of the soil in the zone.”

The mining industry generates US$45 million dollars annually in Honduras. The most common metals mined there are lead, silver, zinc and, to a lesser extent, gold.

Muni munchies The UDP launched their 2012 Belize City Council campaign this week Wednesday with a well organized and fairly energetic public serving in front of their headquarters on the “foothills of the Bel-China Bridge”.

Lame duck Mayor Zeniada Moya was in attendance but did not speak.

Her proposed successor Darrell Bradley did pay tribute to her in his address and many among the faithful are hoping that this is the last time her name will be mentioned, or her presence required in the campaign.

It obvious that the UDP have decided to either bet their chances or copper their bets, depending on your point of view, on the about-to-kick off municipal infrastructure project along with an assist from the second phase of the Southside Poverty Alleviation project. Party Leader Dean Barrow almost all but admitted this in his keynote address.

He knows that the record of the last two UDP Belize City Councils are all but indefensible and only a plethora of spanking new streets will ease the pain of walking, riding or driving on the slew of pot-holed streets that patchwork the old capital.

He knows that their talking points cannot be on the stewardship of the Council’s finances since citizens are entitled to, and will ask, where are the audits?

He knows that the excuse that they were first elected and served for the most part under a “hostile central government” only had currency up until the last election, though considering the contretremps between Her Worship the Mayor, and The Emperor the PM, one cannot help but wonder if the former PUP administration wasn’t decidedly more “friendly.”

Be that as it may, give the UDP some kudos for being first out of the gate in organized fashion and with a plan. Can the same be validly said for their opposition? ***** I can only beg the PUP partisans not to shoot the messenger, if I am to judge by some of the blowback to last week’s column. I’m only reporting the reports as I get them and I do not make stuff up. Since demitting the ranks of the partisans I can honestly

say, frankly my dears, I don’t give a --- (fill in the epithet of your choice).

Anyways, the PUP councilor candidates’ derby is in full swing, sans a contested convention. The betting right now is that Sharole Saldivar (Queens Square), Edward Young (Pickstock), Patrick Thompson (Collet), Daniel Matus (Lake I), Harold Zuniga (Mesop), Claudette Longsworth (Fort George), Swami Babani (Albert), Javier Catellanos (Caribbean Shores), Gilroy Usher, Jr., (Port Loyola), Peter Lacey, Jr., (Freetown) are currently favored.

Word is that Albert Vellos, Dorla Vaughan, Robert “Bobby “ Cadle, Kareem Haifa, Bruce Mangar, Gary Ayuso, Winston Bennett, Erwin (X) Mohammed, and Lennox Young have all been told to step aside or to withdraw their names from consideration while putative mayoral candidate Yolanda Shakron’s brother Mario Galvez has pulled out.

There is a good chance at least two of the rejected will attempt to run independent but I won’t call names for now.

Meanwhile reliable word out is that Anne Cuvas-Palacio has formally given up on contesting for the mayoral candidacy while Karen Bodden is seriously considering throwing her hat into the ring as an independent. ***** Speaking of the independents and possible third party candidates, we know that Paco Smith has already formally declared for the VIP, and Stephen Okeke and Ernesto Torres have announced that they are bidding for the mayoralty as independents.

The question to be answered is whether or not there will be a coalition slate by disaffected members and supporters of both the UDP and PUP. While I wouldn’t bet on it, I wouldn’t rule it out either. The numbers in terms of the disaffected is certainly there.

What is certain is that there are enough persons who have privately and not-so publicly declared their interest in becoming candidates to fill out at least a couple more slates.

We’ll discuss the possible impacts and consequences moving forward, as the lawyers are so fond of saying.

Marion Jones closed – new contractor to complete construction Wednesday, October 05, 2011 BELIZE CITY – Health conscious Belize City residents who normally flock to the Marion Jones Stadium to exercise were disconcerted and frustrated today when they found the gates locks and signs telling them to stay out.

The stadium was re-opened earlier this year after being closed to the public for nearly a year and a half for a fence, a set of bleachers, the cement foundation for a running track, some earth works and two beach volleyball courts to be built.

In his Independence Day address PM Dean Barrow had warned that construction would resume on

the stadium and a few days later a curtain of chains was padlocked across the main entrance and a sign posted that it had been closed. The public for the most part ignored the signs and continued to use the facility but today they found a chain linked and padlocked gate and a larger sign.

A Barrow crony Herman Longsworth had been given the initial contract to build the fence.

Longsworth, however, was successful in his bid to become the UDP standard bearer for the Albert constituency and reliable reports are that the contract has been passed on to another insider, BTL employee Rafael Marin from San Ignacio.

www.nationalperspectivebz.org

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

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New Timetable for ADO Buses in Belize

Missing the boat completely There is a pervasive movement that is reawakening the spirit of rebellion by oppressed people across the globe.

Egyptians rebelled and overthrew their President Hosni Mubarak. Soon the citizens of Libya were so inspired and their ensuing rebellion got rid of their leader Muammar al-Gaddafi.

There was something appetizing and infectious about seeing ordinary people risk their lives and livelihood to stand up against oppression.

That spirit of rebellion has once again touched down on the streets of the United States with protestors sitting in on Wall Street the home of many big - big multinational businesses – the move dubbed “Occupy Wall Street” has spread beyond New York City to the west coast in Los Angeles and back across to Portland, Maine. Protestors are making a show against corporate greed and a floundering US economy.

It is not just the 9th amendment anymore but also the implications and pros and cons of passing the amendment or not. What if we don’t pass amendment 9 - are we putting ourselves at more risk for foreign invasion? That is what the government wants us to believe. If we leave the constitution as is, things remain as they are. If we change it, then it simply means that yes we own the utilities but it does not mean that we can sustain them and deliver the quality of service that we deserve.

Belizeans at home and abroad are exploring to greater depth our socio-political and economic circumstances.

The discussions on Genetically Modified Organisms, ninth amendment, registration of cell phones, crime, the economy, banking, education, the judiciary and government are alive and well on facebook.

The mature political discussions on

The mature political discussions on the issues that should be featured in the local media are occurring on facebook and other social media. Belizeans are unabashed about expressing their raw sentiments. While there are those who try to fend off critics of the Barrow administration and the Opposition, their defenses are effete to keep the critics at bay.

The embers of protest is beginning to spark similar flames in Belize as more and more Belizeans are being awakened to the perfidy of our partisan political system and the greed of our so-called elite. I am not sure that big business is as much the issue for Belize as it is greed and opportunism by politicians and their cronies past and present. Those vultures have supped and drank while the masses languish in poverty.

The repair of a street or someone getting a shoddily constructed new home, government providing scholarships to the well connected, and a few menial part time jobs being provided to gang bangers and poor people of south side Belize City are cause célèbre when those are services that our leaders were elected to address.

But our people are catching on. People right at home are sifting through the esoteric and dissecting the issues borne out of the current events.

There has been an evolution of public discourse and social media is having the same impact in Belize as it has had in other parts of the world. I haven’t listened to the talk shows recently but from what I am witnessing on facebook, neither have many Belizeans at home. There is clamoring for elevated discussions on the pertinent issues beyond the calumnious cackling that dominates the airwaves every weekday morning in Belize.

the issues that should be featured in the local media are occurring on facebook and other social media. Belizeans are unabashed about expressing their raw sentiments. While there are those who try to fend off critics of the Barrow administration and the Opposition, their defenses are effete to keep the critics at bay.

It has been only three months since the re-nationalization or re-expropriation (there is a difference between the two terms) of BTL and almost four months since the takeover of BEL. Also almost three months ago, the 9th amendment to the Constitution of Belize which purports to secure Belizean ownership and control of the utility companies was presented to the House of Representatives and the nation. The public consultations that were a part of the process have been a total disaster in that all across the country it became a political circus.

There is growing sentiment that our two party system has failed us or its era has come to an end. Observers from across the country have labeled the consultations as a circus or a mockery and display of Belizean stupidity. Watching Belizeans demean themselves for a few dollars and some rum at the consultations was disappointing but an indication of the times and a show of those most vulnerable to political exploitation.

The “consultations” served no other

The Mexican first -class luxury bus line service ADO have announced that the Belize Minister of Transport has approved a change in schedules on the Belize City to Merida and Cancun route. According to the ADO press release, the new change in schedule is for the benefit and security of their passengers. ADO busses will start departing Belize City at 7:30p.m. as opposed to the previous announced time of 8p.m. The new schedule is as follows: Belize City (7:30 pm) – Orange Walk (9:00 pm) – Corozal (10:00pm) Tulum (4:00am)– Playa del Carmen (5:00am)- Cancun Airport (6:30am) – Cancun Bus Terminal (7:00 am) And the Hospital Route (Merida), like this: Belize City (7:00pm) – Orange Walk (8:30pm) – Corozal (9:30pm) – Me-

rida (6:00am) ADO says that the change in schedule will “bring benefit to all the Belizeans, because you will be able to catch your flights on time, or be on time to your doctor’s appointment.”

The new scheduled went into effect on Sunday, September 25.

There are buses from Merida and Cancun to Belize City.

On the ADO website, Belize City has been added to the list of destinations.

The trip from Cancun to Belize City is listed as:MX$474; MX$440 from Playa del Carmen; and MX$382 from Tulum.

ADO departs Cancun bus terminal at 10:15 pm; from Cancun airport (not listed); from Playa del Carmen at 11:40 pm; from Tulum at 12:45 am.

Estimated time of travelling: 8:10 hours.

www.nationalperspectivebz.org purpose than to give the UDP government a false sense of reassurance that their political capital is secure.

This week the discussion in social media-dom is closely examining the implications of truly owning and controlling our utilities. None of the Barrow fanatics have come forward to attempt to answer the questions being asked – particularly that of whether our fragile economy can sustain the utilities as well as provide the quality of service that we deserve and expect.

Barrow may have gotten over by romanticizing the ownership of utilities but reality is creeping in. How can we own and sustain anything on such a weak economic base? With unemployment at a whopping 26% and poverty at an astronomical 43% it does not bode well for our economy being able to sustain anything – let alone stay abreast with the rapidly evolving telecommunications technology.

How and when do we settle with the prior owners of the utilities? The money to settle these issues will come from tax payers, one way or the other. Whether the PM borrows it or it is raised locally- tax payers will foot the bill. We simply do not have it but the PM persists in this fight dragging us deeper and deeper into the ocean that is our public debt.

Economic experts look at employ-

ment, productivity, housing, consumer price index, national debt and servicing of debt when assessing a country’s economic health. Earlier this year Belize was downgraded. Belize’s economic picture does not portray health, growth or recovery. The public discussions in Belize so far have barely examined or even really acknowledged the ancillary issues.

PM Barrow continues to play politics which these humongous issues and is deliberately ignoring the possible deleterious economic impact on the people of Belize.

Much has been spent on BTL and BEL without any clear explanation of the performance of the companies. It is the attitude of the Prime Minister that he can take our money and dump it into his expensive pet projects and not have to ask us or tell us anything.

The fact that Barrow has had to dip into Social Security funds and later the Central Bank is indicative that we haven’t the financial resources to sustain the utilities. It is regrettable that no one has seen it prudent to challenge the $20 million transaction with Central Bank in court. At this late stage I wonder what really will be the repercussion of these takeovers on the people and economy of Belize. Is this the final straw?

Who missed the boat of accountability, transparency and meaningful participation for good governance?

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

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Caribbean News Jamaica PM: Coke saga a reason for his resigna-

announced a week ago that he would be stepping down after four years in office. They said he would formally resign once a new party leader is chosen by roughly 5,000 delegates at an upcoming party conference.

The party’s leader automatically becomes the prime minister.

While stepping down from the island’s No. 1 political job, it’s still not clear if GoldKINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica’s outgoing leader said Sunday that public perceptions about his handling of a U.S. extradition request for drug kingpin Christopher “Dudus” Coke contributed to his recent decision to resign.

In a nationally televised address, Prime Minister Bruce Golding said questions about the role he played in the Coke saga, which he said affected him deeply, have remained a source of concern.

“I cannot allow the challenges we face and the issues that we as a people must confront to be smothered or overpowered by this saga and the emotions that they ignite. It would not be fair to my country; it would not be fair to my party,” Golding said.

As he has maintained previously, Golding said his nine-month opposition to the U.S. extradition request for Coke in 2009 and 2010 was due to the U.S. indictment relying on illegal wiretap evidence.

“It was about a breach of our Constitution and had it been a person other than Coke it perhaps would never have become the cause celebre that it turned out to be,” said Golding, whose Parliament district included Coke’s West Kingston slum stronghold.

After Golding reversed himself amid growing public discontent over his opposition, Coke’s supporters began barricading streets and preparing for battle in West Kingston’s Tivoli Gardens. A hunt for Coke in May 2010 led to four days of fighting that killed at least 73 civilians and three security officers.

Coke was captured about a month later and extradited. He has since pleaded guilty to racketeering and assault charges, admitting his was leader of the brutal Shower Posse gang.

The prime minister’s handling of the Coke case, in particular his authorization of a U.S. firm to lobby Washington to drop the request, provoked an outcry that threatened his political career.

With opposition parties and public sector groups calling for his resignation, the governing party vouched for him following a high-level conference last year.

Golding’s words on Sunday night were the first public comments he had made since he and his Labor Party abruptly

ing will be closing out some four decades in politics. He made no mention of whether he planned to step down from his parliamentary seat representing West Kingston.

The Labor Party said Golding had previously planned to give up leadership in 2014, if he led his party to victory for a second consecutive term. Golding led the Labor Party back to power in 2007 after 18 years in opposition.

On Sunday night, the 63-year-old also said a younger leader is needed to breathe new life into his party ahead of 2012 general elections.

Noting that he was first elected to Parliament nearly 40 years ago and will soon turn 64, Golding said it was time for members of his generation to make way for younger leaders “more in sync with 21st Century realities.”

Attention has focused on Education Minister Andrew Holness and Commerce Minister Christopher Tufton, relatively young Cabinet members in Golding’s administration. A poll earlier this year suggested that Holness was the most popular choice to lead Labor if Golding were to resign.

If the Labor Party chooses a young politician as its chief it will contrast sharply with the opposition People’s National Party, whose leader has been a fixture in Jamaican politics for decades.

Opposition boss Portia Simpson Miller led the nation as prime minister for about a year-and-a-half before the 2007 loss to Labor. She was first elected to Parliament in 1976 and became a Cabinet member in 1989.

Golding said the next few weeks will be crucial for the Labor Party but also for the country.

The election of a new leader is a process that must be done in a “mature, transparent and dignified manner,” he said.

Labor was in the opposition for nearly two decades before Golding brought his party back to power in 2007.

Perceptions of corruption, patronage and cronyism dog the governing party, but they also haunt the People’s National Party.

Golding argues that his government is finally putting the country on a solid economic pathway. This year it has divested money-losing entities such

Haiti’s long wait for PM ends with 3rd pick

Garry Connile

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The long wait for Haiti to find a prime minister ended Tuesday after its Senate approved Garry Conille to run the government, hopefully jump-starting stalled earthquake reconstruction efforts.

President Michel Martelly’s two previous nominees for the post had been rejected by lawmakers and the absence of a fully functioning government had impeded his ability to govern since taking office in May. Senators voted 17-3 with nine abstentions for Conille, a gynecologist who served as an aide to Bill Clinton in the former U.S. President’s role as U.N. envoy to Haiti. Conille had worked for the U.N. since 1999 in countries such as Haiti, Ethiopia, and, for a few months this summer, in Niger.

“Congratulations to the senate that they ratified our choice,” Martelly spokesman Lucien Jura told The Associated Press. “There will be a government to implement the Martelly vision that the country needs. The senate made a decision that will im-

prove the lives of the population.”

A prime minister is needed to install a Cabinet in Haiti and the rejections of Martelly’s candidates had accentuated the slow pace of reconstruction efforts following last year’s powerful quake.

The debate to ratify Conille, which lasted about six hours, centered around questions over his residency qualifications. Government officials in Haiti are required to have spent five consecutive years in Haiti under the constitution but French and Haitian Creole versions of the document don’t specify when the residency period begins. Conille’s job had taken him out of Haiti for years.

In the end, a group of senators from a majority coalition agreed Conille was eligible. “(We’re) going to give Haiti a new prime minister,” Jean Joel Joseph, a member of the ruling Unity party, said before the senate voted.

In his new job, Conille will help lead reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake and will assume responsibilities as co-chair of a recovery panel with his former boss, Clinton.

The panel, the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, has drawn heavy criticism for making little visible progress since the disaster.

Conille now will have to present a government plan to both houses of parliament but he can make revisions to it if lawmakers have questions.

When reached by phone Tuesday night, Conille declined to comment, saying he had to speak to national television first so as to avoid the impression that he was favoring international media over Haitian media.

Dominica to seek outside aid following flooding ROSEAU, Dominica, Saturday October 1, 2011 – The official assessment is not yet complete, by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has already indicated he will have to seek outside help to deal with damage caused by then-Tropical Storm Ophelia.

On Thursday, government officials and others involved in disaster management toured areas damaged by the weather system, primarily along the west coast.

“The Local Government Department has moved quickly to assess the situation and they will assess the persons who are mostly in need,” Disaster Management Coordinator Nathaniel Isaac said.

Heavy rains damaged homes, washed away vehicles and bridges, and left some communities

without pipe-borne water and electricity.

Landslides were being cleared to restore access to some areas.

Acting National Security Minister Alvin Bernard said this situation has shown that authorities need to take hard decisions to protect lives.

“The infrastructure seems unable to carry the volumes of water. In other areas, there were obstructions, which were man-made and (these) affected the water course and diverted water on to the property of the people in the various areas,” he pointed out.

“The competent authorities have to be a little more resolved in their decision-making in terms of authorising construction and settlements.”

as Air Jamaica and its three remaining sugar factories. A crackdown on gangs has decreased the crime rate.

The country was hard hit by the global recession, but lately the economy appears to be on a meager upswing. The country recorded first-quarter growth of 1.4 percent and the inflation rate for the first five months of the year was 1.7

percent.

Last year, Jamaica’s towering debt and the damaging impact of the global recession forced Golding’s government to seek assistance from the IMF, which helped his administration carry out a debt restructuring and provided $1.27 billion in standby credits.

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

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Puerto Rico governor to Murders rock Mexico’s submit status referendum tourist hub of Mazatlan

Mexican Army soldiers stand next to a truck where two people were murdered by hitmen in Mazatlan, Mexico, in February 2011. Gunmen opened fire on a group of friends SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) sentatives and Senate will have to and killed five people outside a liquor store in Mazatlan, one of Mexico’s busiest international tourist hubs, author— The governor of Puerto Rico debate the proposed legislation. announced Tuesday that he will Puerto Ricans have previously ities said Sunday. present local legislators with a plan for a two-part referendum next year to decide the political future of the U.S. territory once and for all.

In a surprise televised address, Gov. Luis Fortuno said “the moment has come” to decide Puerto Rico’s final status.

The announcement comes just days after U.S. President Barack Obama was criticized for saying the island would remain a commonwealth if there was not a clear, overwhelming majority leaning toward a different option.

Critics noted that Obama had earlier said he would support any outcome decided by Puerto Rican voters.

In the 20-minute message, Fortuno said he would push ahead unilaterally with his decision.

“Let’s be clear: neither Congress nor the president, nor any other power on earth can stop Puerto Rico from expressing itself freely and democratically about its preference regarding its political status,” Fortuno said. “Congress did not act, but we will act.”

Fortuno, whose New Progressive Party supports statehood, said he will present legislation on Wednesday that would allow islanders to vote on Aug. 12, 2012 whether they want a change in status. If they want a change, voters would choose one of three options in a second referendum to be held during the November 2012 general elections.

The three options would be statehood, independence, or a sovereign free association, which differs from the current commonwealth status.

Puerto Rico’s House of Repre-

voted on the status issue in referendums issued in 1967, 1993 and 1998, no clear majority emerged and the status quo has remained.

Members of the Popular Democratic Party, which supports the status quo, blasted Fortuno’s proposal.

Sen. Eduardo Bhatia said it would do nothing except divide an island that is fighting a near-record number of killings and the highest unemployment rate compared with any U.S. state.

“This will be a struggle between tribes,” Bhatia said in a phone interview, referring to political parties. “This is not what Puerto Rico needs at the moment.”

He said his party would be preparing several rebuttals to Fortuno’s proposal.

The party issued its own statement saying that a similar proposal had previously been rejected by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, the leader of the island’s minority independence movement embraced Fortuno’s announcement, saying he and others had sought a similar referendum since 2005.

“This represents a triumph not only for the Independence Party, but for the citizens of Puerto Rico,” Fernando Martin, the party’s executive president, said in a phone interview. “We know that in Puerto Rico there is a large majority that disagrees with the colonial character of the current status.”

Commonwealth status grants Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship but bars them from voting for president, and their congressional representative cannot vote either.

Gunmen opened fire on a group of friends and killed five people outside a liquor store in Mazatlan, one of Mexico’s busiest international tourist hubs, authorities said Sunday.

Witnesses told police the gunmen did not say a word: they simply passed by the friends, who were in a vehicle outside the store, and opened fire, killing three men and two women, Sinaloa state police said.

Sinaloa is one of the hardest-hit states in Mexico’s spiraling drug-related crime wave.

More than 41,000 people have been killed across Mexico since the fed-

eral government in 2006 launched a crackdown against drug cartels, according to official data and media tallies.

The state is home to Joaquin ‘el Chapo’ Guzman’s Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico’s largest, with its operational reach extending through Central America and down to Colombia.

Guzman was arrested in 1993 but bribed his way out of a maximum security facility by hiding himself in a laundry cart.

He has a $5 million bounty on his head.

Mexico detains 2 soldiers for alleged kidnapping MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican army said Monday that it has detained two of its soldiers in connection with the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl and that they will be discharged in order to face charges in a civilian court.

Each of the soldiers had completed about two years of service, according to a statement issued by the army’s Fifth Military Zone in the northern state of Chihuahua.

The army “will not cover up for any member of the armed forces who commits a crime,” said the state-

ment, which noted that the soldiers were detained Saturday. A third civilian suspect is still at large, the statement said.

In July, Mexico’s supreme court said military violations of citizens’ civil rights should be tried in civilian courts, but stopped short of requiring it.

Chihuahua state prosecutors’ spokesman Carlos Gonzalez said the two soldiers were detained Friday, hours after the girl’s parents reported she had been abducted.

In March, a federal task force charged with analyzing the island’s status supported creation of a different referendum that would first ask voters if they wanted to be part of the U.S. or become independent. If they chose ties with the U.S., they would be given statehood or the current common-

wealth as options. If they opted for independence, they would choose between free association and independence.

The Aug. 12 vote also would coincide with a constitutional amendment proposal to shrink the size of Puerto Rico’s legislature by more than 25 percent.

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

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700 arrested after protest Gadhafi son denies on NY’s Brooklyn Bridge Interpol allegations

A large group of protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement march across the Brooklyn Bridge, effectively shutting parts of it down, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 in New York. Police arrested dozens while trying to clear the road and reopen for traffic NEW YORK (AP) — Protesters speaking out against corporate greed and other grievances were maintaining a presence in Manhattan’s Financial District even after more than 700 of them were arrested during a march on the Brooklyn Bridge in a tense confrontation with police.

The group Occupy Wall Street has been camped out in a plaza in Manhattan’s Financial District for nearly two weeks staging various marches, and had orchestrated an impromptu trek to Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon. They walked in thick rows on the sidewalk up to the bridge, where some demonstrators spilled onto the roadway after being told to stay on the pedestrian pathway, police said.

The march shut down a lane of traffic for several hours on Saturday. The majority of those arrested were given citations for disorderly conduct and were released, police said.

The group had meetings and forums planned for Sunday at Zuccotti Park, the private plaza off Broadway the protesters have occupied.

During Saturday’s march on the Brooklyn Bridge, some protesters sat on the roadway, chanting “Let us go,” while others chanted and yelled at police from the pedestrian walkaway above.

Police used orange netting to stop the group from going farther down the bridge, which is under construction.

Some of the protesters said they were lured onto the roadway by police, or they didn’t hear the calls from authorities to head to the pedestrian walkway.

Police said no one was tricked into being arrested, and those in the back of the group who couldn’t hear were allowed to leave.

Erin Larkins, a Columbia University graduate student at who says she and her boyfriend have significant student loan debt, was among the thousands of protesters on the bridge. She said a

friend persuaded her to join the march and she’s glad she did.

Several videos taken of the event show a confusing, chaotic scene. Some show protesters screaming obscenities at police and taking a hat from one of the officers. Others show police struggling with people who refuse to get up.

Nearby, a couple posed for wedding pictures on the bridge.

Earlier Saturday, thousands who joined two other marches crossed the Brooklyn Bridge without problems. One was from Brooklyn to Manhattan by a group opposed to genetically modified food. Another in the opposite direction marched against poverty organized by United Way. Elsewhere in the U.S. on Saturday, protesters assembled in Albuquerque, N.M., Boston and Los Angeles to express their solidarity with the movement in New York, though their demands remain unclear. Occupy Wall Street demonstrators have been camped in Zuccotti Park and have clashed with police on earlier occasions. Mostly, the protests have been peaceful, and the movement has shown no signs of losing steam. Celebrities including Michael Moore and Susan Sarandon made recent stops to encourage the group.

During the length of the protest, turnout has varied, but the numbers have reached as high as about a few thousand. A core group of about two hundred people remain camped throughout the week. They sleep on air mattresses, use Mac laptops and play drums. They go to the bathroom at the local McDonald’s. A few times a day, they march down to Wall Street, yelling, “This is what democracy looks like!”

There has been a growing swell of coverage in mainstream media, but there has been loud complaining the cause hasn’t been championed fast enough — or in the way protesters want.

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Moammar Gadhafi’s son, al-Saadi, denied allegations of corruption and intimidation and called Interpol’s decision to put him on the equivalent of its most-wanted list political, according to an email sent Sunday.

Al-Saadi Gadhafi is under house arrest in Libyan neighbor Niger, where he fled after Tripoli fell to revolutionary forces. His father and two of his brothers are in hiding, presumably inside Libya, as fighting between revolutionary forces and Gadhafi’s loyalists continues on three fronts.

Al-Saadi “regrets the issue of a red notice by Interpol and strenuously denies the charges made against him,” an email forwarded to The Associated Press said.

Interpol issued a red notice for alSaadi last week based on accusations he misappropriated property and engaged in “armed intimidation” when he headed the Libyan Football Federation. He also was a special forces commander and is the subject of U.N. sanctions for commanding military units involved in repression of demonstrations.

The international police agency said the notice was issued in response to a request by the Libya’s National Transitional Council, which has assumed leadership of the North African nation. Niger, which borders Libya on the south and long benefited from Gadhafi’s largesse, has said it would study the question.

In the email, al-Saadi called the Interpol notice a “clear political decision to recognize the de jure authority of the National Transitional Council taken without appropriate regard to the current absence of a functioning, effective and fair system of justice in Libya.”

It said al-Saadi “worked tirelessly to promote football in Libya, priding himself on the fact that Libya was formerly selected to host the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.” It added that Gadhafi’s son “continues to call on all sides to seek a negotiated and peaceful resolution to the present conflict.”

The South African Football Association has signed an agreement with Libya’s post-Gadhafi football federation to host the 2013 African Cup of Nations, while Libya will stage the 2017 games.

The email was relayed to the AP on Sunday by defense attorney Nick Kaufman, who has been involved

in a number of international criminal cases. Kaufman said he was contacted by an intermediary he identified as al-Saadi’s press secretary, Jackie Frazier.

Al-Saadi fled to Niger in mid-September along with several other regime loyalists, including some generals.

Interpol also has issued red notices for Moammar Gadhafi and his son Seif al-Islam upon request by the Hague-based International Criminal Court. Both men have been charged with crimes against humanity.

Interpol had urged authorities in Niger and surrounding countries — and those with direct flights to Niger — to watch out for and arrest Gadhafi “with a view to returning him to Libya” for prosecution.

Interpol’s red notices are the highest-level alerts they can issue to their member countries. The notices do not force countries to turn over suspects but strongly urge them to, and countries who ignore such notices can come under pressure from the international community.

Gadhafi’s eight adult children have played influential roles in Libya, from commanding an elite military unit to controlling the oil sector.

Al-Saadi, 38, headed the Libyan Football Federation, and at one point played in Italy’s professional league but spent most of his time on the bench.

Another Gadhafi son is with his daughter Aisha and wife in neighboring Algeria — along with other family members — while Khamis Gadhafi, who led the Khamis Brigade that fought in the west, was reportedly killed in battle, although that was never confirmed.

Libya’s new rulers have gained control of most of the country, but revolutionary forces still face fierce resistance in Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte, Bani Walid and pockets in the southern desert. NATO recent extended its mission, although the top U.S. commander for Africa said Saturday that the military mission is largely complete.

Army Gen. Carter Ham, head of U.S. Africa Command said that the National Transitional Council and its forces should be in “reasonable control” of population centers before the end of the NATO mission, dubbed Unified Protector. And he said they are close to that now.

For Sale by Owner Large track of Residential / Commercial Land, off George Price Boulevard in Belmopan. Price fix to sell by owners.

For serious Enquiries: Call: 601- 8100 or 650-5222

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

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Sunday, October 9th , 2011

ens to a failing financial system with growing civil unrest emerging without the bias of sovereignty, religion or political loyalty, a new, unifying perspective is slowly taking hold which transcends the framework many of us falsely assume as empirical to our way of life.

“With the slow grind down of the global workforce as machine automation continues to replace human labor for the benefit of corporate cost efficiency, simultaneously reducing purConsider this description of the world chasing power and hence inevitably monetary system: “Contrary to popular stifling so called ‘Economic Growth’; belief, most of our money today is not with the ever expanding Debt Cricreated by governments. It is created sis born out of the Fractional Reserve by private banks as loans. The private Lending System and the simple reality system of money creation has grown so that money is created out of debt and powerful over the centuries that it has sold as a commodity in exchange for come to dominate governments glob- Interest - Interest that can only again ally. The system, however, contains come onto existence through more loan the seeds of its own destruction. The sales; with the looming military prosource of its power is also a fatal de- grams growing in virtually all major sign flaw. powers as the financial crisis, coupled “The flaw is that banks advance with a pending hydrocarbon energy cri“bank credit” that must be paid back sis, begins to suggest a stage of global “The basic confrontation which seemed to be colonialism versus anti-colonial- conflict possibly never before seen; ism, indeed capitalism versus socialism, is already losing its importance. What along with the market psychology of matters today, the issue which blocks the horizon, is the need for a redistribution Infinite Growth Consumption that conof wealth. Humanity will have to address this question, no matter how devastat- tinues to pervade and distort our values ing the consequences may be.” ― Frantz Fanon, “The Wretched of the Earth” and what it means to live in harmony Frantz Fanon wrote those words around the time I was born 50 years ago, and it is with nature on a finite planet... a measure of how far we have not come that they are still very much apt today. In It concludes that: “... it might be time we begin to see that the social problems the face of growing inequality, a world with interest, while having no obliga- at hand are not specific to any general in which too few have too much and tion to spend the interest they collect policy, administration, or even so called too many have too little, they clearly so that borrowers can earn it again and “corporate greed”. The real problem at describe what we face today. again, as they must in order to retire the hand is actually systematic via the very Saturday, October 15th is the Interna- debt. Instead, this money is invested in core foundation of what defines our tional Day of Protest, and it is a protest various casinos beyond the borrowers’ Economic System and the psychology by those who have-not, against the de- reach. This leads to a continual sys- that is supported and rewarded.” facto re-colonialization of the world’s temic need for more new bank credit money, more debt with more interest resources by the richest and elite.

Why October 15th is the International Day of Protest

On October 15th the representatives of the poor who are 99% of the people of the world will be protesting growing inequality, and I will be among those standing in solidarity. It does not seem as though there will be any organized protest in Belize, but if you think about it, all the protests here over the last ten years have been protestations against growing inequality.

I am no anarchist but sometimes I can’t help but wonder if the words of another revolutionary prophet, the late great Bob Marley, weren’t right.

Doesn’t it sometimes seem that “Total destruction” (of the current world order) is “the only solution” when you “check out the real situation”?

I heard the Prime Minister of Belize on the radio this week once again promising “band aid” solutions to this world wide wound and not once did he acknowledge the coming storm. We needed to have started preparing ten years ago. The next best time to start preparing is now.

The time is now to begin the restructuring of our economy to improve development for all, to provide growth opportunities for all, to ensure safe passage through the coming global storm by adopting the objective of self-reliance for sustainability.

The time is now to begin the re-structuring of our constitution to promote and perpetuate our egalitarian ideals of equality, liberty and solidarity.

The time is now to begin the re-structuring of our culture for the dignity of continued sovereignty and “peoplehood” through education, patriotism

PRESS RELEASE

It does not make the news here in Belize because we are parochial, but what has been dubbed the “Occupy Wall Street” protests have gained attitude and momentum, and have spread virally across the United States, and now the world. The protestors are calling for an end to corporate greed and injustice, and for real democracy for all human beings on this planet.

In the richest, most powerful country on the face of this earth, its poorer citizens have awakened to the simple fact that not only are the rich richer, and the poor poorer, but that the rich will continue to get even richer, while the poor are condemned to even greater poverty.

And the problem is simple – the rich are not only accumulating and hoarding more of the world’s wealth, they no longer need to risk any of that wealth to do so. The capitalist interaction between labor and capital can no longer in truth be described as a “partnership” but instead is a modern day form of slavery.

attached, to prevent widespread defaults and deflationary collapse.”

This is another driving factor behind the protest – the mushrooming anxiety caused by the debt ballooning over the world of finance that has long past the point of bankruptcy - an incredible system that can only repay debt with more debt. This system has succeeded in ensuring the indebtedness of every man, woman and child, even future generations, every business, organization or government, every group, every association to the international banking industry, for life.

The Zeitgeist Movement described the start of the protest: “On Sept 17th 2011, a grassroots expression of contempt was launched in the heart of the world’s financial center in lower Manhattan of New York City, also commonly known to the world as the institution of ‘Wall Street’”, and said that it “… could very well be a landmark event that will resonate for some time to come.”

It reasoned that: “As the world awak-

In celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on October 10th, 2011, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize is organizing a series of activities to mark the special occasion, including Taiwan Food Festival, Expo Taiwan 2011 and an art exhibition titled “Belize @ 30 –Taiwan @ 100: Taiwanese Artists in Belize”.

The General Public is invited to come out and participate in all of the undermentioned activities.

TAIWAN FOOD FESTIVAL The Taiwan Food Festival will be held on Saturday, October 8th, 2011 at the House of Culture, Belize City from 11:00AM to 4:00PM. Drinks and food will be on sale such as Rice Dumpling, Glutinous oil rice, Fried dumpling, Shu-Mai, Braised Pork rice, Steamed Buns, Fried Rice Noodle, Chow Mien, Tempura, Ice Cream Puff, Barbeque sausage, Pineapple cake, and Spring Rolls, as well as juices, smoothies and tapioca milk tea.

Various Chinese crafts will also be on display such as Chinese Macramé, Calligraphy and the Art of Tea Brewing. Entertainment will be an aboriginal Taiwanese dance show and local Belizean dances.

EXPO TAIWAN 2011 The Expo Taiwan 2011 will be held from October 8th-11th, 2011 at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City. The Expo will feature wide range of products such as computers, cameras, e-books, sports equipment, ceramics, etc.

Aside from the products on display, there will also be a Catalogue Exhibition for persons interested in acquiring information on importing products such as medical equipment, auto parts, giftware, sports equipment, textile, hardware, hand tools, bicycles, food products, and tourism information. The Taiwan Technical Mission based in Belize will also showcase their projects currently being carried out which include Rice Seed Project, Food Processing Project, Horticulture Project and Information and Communication Technology Project.

The Expo will be launched on Saturday, October 8th at 2:00PM and will run from October 9-11 from 9:00AM-5:00PM. “Belize @ 30 –Taiwan @ 100: Taiwanese Artists in Belize” Art Exhibition An Exhibition has been organized titled “Belize @ 30 –Taiwan @ 100: Taiwanese Artists in Belize”, featuring eight Taiwanese artists who live in Belize and their works, which ranges from paintings to sculptures, displaying a harmonious combination of both Taiwanese and Belizean cultural characteristics.

The official opening ceremony of the Exhibition in Belize City will be held on Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 at 7:00PM at the House of Culture in Belize City. The exhibition will run from October 5-20, 2011 from 9:00AM-5:00PM. The Exhibition was officially launched on September 12th, 2011 at the George Price Center in Belmopan, where over 150 people attended the opening with all of the artists present or represented by family members. The exhibition is travelling across the country, including Dangriga, Orange Walk and Belize City, giving each location an opportunity to view these amazing artists and learn more about Taiwan, its people and culture.

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Sunday, October 9th , 2011

No need to fear Commonwealth Democracy Commissioner

Sir Ronald Sanders BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, - The establishment of a Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights will be an important consideration for the 53 Heads of Government of Commonwealth countries when they meet in Australia next month.

The post is one of the recommendations of the 10-member Eminent Persons Group (EPG) that was set-up by Commonwealth leaders at their last meeting in Port-of-Spain in November 2009. The EPG was given the task of recommending ways in which the 62year old Modern Commonwealth could be reformed to make it relevant to its people and its times.

Reaching a conclusion to recommend the post of a Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights was the result of 13 months of work that included careful contemplation of over 330 written submissions to the Group and many other face-to-face meetings in many regions of the Commonwealth. The submissions were made by governments, trade unions, and several civil society organizations.

“Development and democracy are intertwined”.

--Sir Ronald SanderAn overwhelming number of the submissions pointed to the danger the Commonwealth faced of becoming ineffective for its member states and the wider international community. In particular, the submissions emphasized that, for the Commonwealth to speak with an authoritative voice on issues such as development, environment, and the urgency of making the international financial system more just and responsive to developing states, it has to be seen to upholding the values for which it says it stands.

Over the years of the Commonwealth’s existence, its member countries have placed democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights at the heart of their shared beliefs. Indeed, every country that has joined the Commonwealth did so on the basis of a commitment to the common values of the association.

Commitment to these values, and firm action in support of them, were evident in the Commonwealth’s leadership role in ending racism in Southern Africa. Even though there was reluctance on the part of successive British governments to deal sternly with a whiteminority regime in what was then Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and later in Apartheid South Africa, the Commonwealth (including Britain in the end), succeeded in moving forward collectively to bring democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

This collective position in Southern Af-

rica gave the Commonwealth the moral stature to be equally forceful in matters such an economic justice in international affairs.

For instance, it was on the back of its moral authority that the Commonwealth launched an initiative in the UN organization, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to lift the burden of debt from the shoulders of poor countries. The Commonwealth spoke. And, it was heard. Action followed. Many countries, such as The Gambia, Guyana, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia, that are doing much better economically today benefitted from the debt relief that followed.

Development and democracy are intertwined. It is not possible to achieve one without the other in sustainable terms.

More than parallel paths, they are conjoined. When there is slippage in one of them, there is slide in the other.

In recent years, a number of Commonwealth countries have strayed away from the collective values of the association, and, except for the unconstitutional overthrows of governments, the Commonwealth has not spoken out, as a body, or acted jointly to bring errant countries into compliance. Yet, Heads of Government have mandated the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to take action against countries over a range of delinquencies.

This absence of action has severely hurt the Commonwealth’s credibility.

At the heart of this problem has been an absence of credible and verifiable information in a timely manner that could allow both the Commonwealth Secretary-General and CMAG to engage a government before its violations of the Commonwealth’s values become serious or persistent.

It is to fill this gap that the EPG recommended the post of Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights. The principal task of the Commissioner would be to provide the Secretary-General and CMAG with carefully researched and credible information upon which to make decisions.

The post has been set at the level of “Commissioner” precisely because it is envisaged that the occupant would be a person of sufficient standing and possessing significant diplomatic skill and sensitivity as to be able to engage any government in a mutually respectful and beneficial manner. Far from being punitive, the Commissioner’s role would be co-operative, designed to avert conflict and ensure sensible measures by all to maintain Commonwealth values.

The majority of Commonwealth countries will never hear from, or see, the Commissioner. The post will not require member-states to fill out questionnaires as they are required to do by the UN Human Rights Commission, nor will governments be burdened by inspection teams and peer reviews.

These are tasks already being undertaken by UN institutions that are much better resourced than the Commonwealth, and whose findings are publicly known.

It will not be within the Commissioner’s remit to recommend the suspension or expulsion of a country; this responsibility remains with CMAG or Heads of Government themselves.

The post of Commissioner should be

How to Cure Vitamin B12 Deficiency Memory lapses Inability to concentrate Apparently, the risk of having stomach cancer is increased therefore it is important to seek medical attention immediately if signs of the conditions are noticed. So maybe you’re wondering how to cure Vitamin B12 deficiency, you wonder. Learn more from the tips below.

How to Treat Vitamin B12 When there is a deficit or low levels of Deficiency Vitamin B12 or otherwise known as cobalamin, it can bring about the occurrence of many health disorders particularly pernicious anemia. Lack of the aforementioned vitamin may mean that your digestive tract is unable to absorb the vitamin in the body. Other causes of the condition include the following – vegetarian diet, surgical removal of the small intestine, and other noted medical conditions related to inability to digest food like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease. Excessive alcohol consumption may also contribute to the malabsorption of Vitamin B12.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Symptoms are usually unseen in the early stage of anemia, however once it progresses, the following may manifest: Pale skin Easy fatigability and palpitations Shortness of breath; fainting spells Constipation or Diarrhea Muscle weakness Gait abnormalities Color blindness Tingling of the hands and feet Mood disorders such as depression

embraced by all Commonwealth governments precisely because the Commissioner will be a very senior officer with the capacity to gather reliable and information in a way that involves governments.

Further, for the Commonwealth to continue to advocate for development, for money to militate against Global Warming, for reform of the criteria under which small states are graduated from concessionary financing, it has to be credible in relation to democracy.

Adherence to democracy, the rule of law and human rights is now a strong test for any country’s qualification for investment both local and foreign. In-

To further support the signs and symptoms, diagnosis must be done by your local health professional. Blood testing is usually taken as among the tests.

In cases of pernicious anemia, the red blood cell count is usually above normal. On the other hand, we also have what we call the Schilling test which helps determine your body’s absorption of the B12 vitamin and check whether the lack of intrinsic factor is among the causes.

Once diagnostic tests are over, treatment will revolve on injections and shots of the said vitamin. This is usually given every three months and is considered as lifetime treatment. There are a few noted side effects, but they are usually rare and depending on the dosage. With this, one should not overdose the drug to prevent unwanted reactions.

Supplements such as folic acid ones are also beneficial in addressing the issue.

Sadly though, home remedies do not have direct benefits on the condition.

However, making some dietary changes may also be necessary on how to cure vitamin B12 deficiency. Sources are foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish and dairy products.

creasingly, it is also becoming so for the granting of official development assistance. On the other side of the coin, Governments that that have been aid donors, but have not respected the rule of law or upheld democracy and human rights have faced intense upheaval within their own borders.

No government in the Commonwealth intent upon upholding democracy, the rule of law and human rights would fear the creation of the post of Commissioner recommended by the EPG. It will strengthen the Commonwealth and enhance its credibility as a strong advocate for development and the improvement of people’s lives.

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Sunday, October 9th , 2011

I mpartialView By: Marshal Nunez

While we still await word from the office of the DPP regarding the alleged rape of a four year old child we have to be reminded that last week that hideous sexual assault on the four year old kindergarten student totally dominated the talk show circuits. The discussion sparked some controversy because there was some inconsistency with the police report as it relates to the relationship between the police and the office of the DPP. For the most part ordinary peoples’ emotions were high and they were just intent on the police making an arrest and charging the person that they felt was initially responsible for this hideous act. The police, on the other hand, have the responsilibility to collect evidence and based on the evidence they collect, they would have been able to make the arrest. Obviously the police, based on their investigation, realize that it was not as clear cut a case as picking up the initial suspect levying charges on him and successfully obtaining a conviction. And, of course, the police was heavily criticized for the pace at which they were addressing this situation.

Various organizations have expressed concern over this type of sexual abuse and exploitation of children. There was a demonstration organized on Saturday denouncing this type of sexual abuse and predation of our children. This incident just highlights the fact that there continues to be numerous cases of abuse of a sexual nature on our children and that is on both boys and girls. Many times the adult perpetrators of these acts are males

We have to focus on stopping child sexual abuse and females and more often than not they are people close to the family who are familiar with the children that they prey on, that they exploit and that they abuse.

On Monday the news reported yet another case of child abuse, this time the mother saw her husband atop the seven year old. Because of the fear for her own life the mother had to endure this horrific incident until morning when she were able to go to her parents and so they were able to report the incident to the police. It is understood that the seven year old girl was not sexually abuse but was physically assaulted by her own father.

There are also cases and incidents of parents who for their own personal pleasures and self-interest allow their children to be with other people many, many times and in several cases people who they only know superficially.

Parents especially have to be far more responsible and take far better care of their children. You as parents may be comfortable with friends or even family members but you don’t know the evil intentions of these people whom you entrust the care of your children with.

There are simple incidents of strangers coming into your home with bad intentions in their own minds against your kids so imagine how greater that becomes when your child is the stranger in that predator’s home! Before we behave in such irresponsible ways as adults we must always bear in mind

that the safety of our children, their innocence and their vulnerability, is our responsibility. We therefore need to sensitize ourselves with the effect that the exploitation and abuse of our children can have on them.

Sexual abuse effects on children and youth can be evident in emotional, physical and behavioral ways. These effects can be just as devastating whether there was only one occurrence or there were repeated occurrences. Sexual abuse cannot be compared, because each abuse experience is unique. Children are vulnerable to sexual abuse because of their age, size and innocence. When a child or youth is molested, she/he learns that adults cannot be trusted for care and protection, well-being is disregarded, and there is a lack of support and protection. These lead to grief, depression, extreme dependency, inability to judge trustworthiness in others, mistrust, anger and hostility. And as if all that isn’t enough, children’s bodies often respond to the sexual abuse, bringing on shame and guilt.

Miraculously, not all children or youth molestation victims display signs that something is wrong. Between 21% and 36% of sexually abused children will display few or no symptoms. The nature of the relationship between the victim and the offender is that the closer the emotional relationship, the greater the emotional trauma. An ongoing sexual relationship with repeated contacts is

generally more traumatic and usually produces more sexual abuse effects than a single contact.

Depending on the ages of our children the reactions may be very different. So while we get certain reaction from very young children (toddlers) we will not get the same effect from young teenagers and adolescents.

Some teenagers and adolescents become confused and sometimes believe that they have done something wrong and that they are the ones to be blamed. When we get this type of reactions these incidents perhaps won’t be reported. The way we find out about these types of sexual exploitations is when these minors end up becoming pregnant.

Now I’m not trying to cast blame on anyone but I think it absolutely necessary to emphasize how important it is that we adults, both male and female, know that we have that legal and the moral responsibility to protect out young. There are institutions that are making conscious efforts to address the proper prosecution of these crimes, that is to ensure that there is proper evidence gathered, that there are DNA and forensic evidence and samples, but all of these effort are after the crime has been committed against our children. We have to make the effort to do all that is necessary to prevent this type of horrific, hideous crime from being committed against our children.

If we know that we have shortcomings or delinquencies of any kind then we need to strengthen our weaknesses. If there is someone that you know that exhibits such weakness then we have that collective responsibility to communicate that weakness to the person. These desperate times call for desperate actions and now we need to resort back to the philosophy where it takes the entire nation to raise the child. Let’s stop this terrible crime from being committed against our children - together we can. Together we can.

Just my impartial view.

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

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Burning Issues DISCONNECT IN NATIONAL CULTURE By: Nuri Muhammad During childhood, most of the rapid growth of the physical, mental and emotional selves occurs. We begin to experience ourselves and the world around us during childhood and the predominant aspects of our personalities are formed here. The events and persons that are impactful during childhood will strongly affect us throughout our lives and will largely define out responses to people and to life in general. (UNICEF) It is known that if there are too many traumatic experiences in the early development of a child’s life that this will continue to affect that child psychologically until that trauma is reconciled; but if it is not reconciled it continues to persist in new, sometimes distorted forms. What we see being acted out in the streets is a reflection of this trauma in its later stages referred to by some psychologists as ‘post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Numerous studies have proved the relationships between childhood experiences and adverse behavior in later life – school drops-out, discipline problems, early sexual initiation, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, violent and risk taking behaviors are all said to be caused at least in part, by dysfunctional family structures. (NHDAC Study) To understand the nature of this problem we are dealing with in Belize City we also have to ask ourselves what kinds of influences have been impacting our youths during the last 30 years of independence! What has been the state of our culture and the institutions that support it?

Have we successfully extended to the Belizean youth a historical root to hold on to as ‘his story’, to define himself?

In a recent TV news interview some youths were asked who was Phillip Goldson, Leigh Richardson, Samuel Hynes, Cleopatra White and most of them did not know the answer. Marcus Garvey said that a people without knowledge of their history are like a tree without roots.

During the mourning period for the Rt. Hon. George Price an avalanche of information on his history and vision for the advancement of Belize was repeated, ad infinitum, for public consumption. As a result of this media exposure many learned aspect of Mr. Price’s life and history of Belize that they had not known before. It was clear from this experience that 30 years after our independence, and 63 years after the nationalist movement, there is still a disconnect in our national culture.

We have continued an argument over our history from the very beginning of the nationalist movement. When that movement should have been promoting our own unique brand of Belizean nationalism and patriotism, incorporating the uniqueness of our history

and multi-culture as a way of life and a stimulus for development, we were instead arguing about the myth or non-myth of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. Our failure to resolve that single difference in historical interpretation over the last 63 years has remained a divisive wedge in our national consciousness up to today.

When we should have been stimulating a culture of our own uniqueness in our diversity as a people, using culture

What has been the state of these in the last thirty years? The first three have declined in importance and impact while the latter has inherited a role it is unable to fulfill. We are expecting from government what governments are incapable of fulfilling, given the nature of the institution. Responsibility for character development and implanting of values must go back to the first three institutions, i.e. the family, religion and school. Govern-

When we should have been stimulating a culture of our own uniqueness in our diversity as a people, using culture as an instrument of development, we were instead interpreting culture as art and dance exhibitions, ethnic dishes, colonial architecture, mystical ruins, and unproductive idiosyncrasies.

Today the mental space that should have been filled with love for Belize and Belizean heroes has been influenced by television images of plastic heroes and an inordinate love for consumer goods. as an instrument of development, we were instead interpreting culture as art and dance exhibitions, ethnic dishes, colonial architecture, mystical ruins, and unproductive idiosyncrasies. Today the mental space that should have been filled with love for Belize and Belizean heroes has been influenced by television images of plastic heroes and an inordinate love for consumer goods. As a result of our collective neglect, our young people have formed their own values from T.V., which, by the way, hitched a piggyback ride on our independence thirty years ago, much like a master plan.

What were those images influencing our youth from popular media? How has media defined some of the modern day conflicts? Take as an example the model of the ‘thug’. While the image of a thug may be repulsive to the average of us in society that image is an attraction to many youth, especially young males. In an increasingly hostile and violent environment that young males face today the thug image becomes a badge of honor and respect to some young vulnerable males.

It repels potential enemies who fear reprisals for disrespect and is even an image that attracts young females who are drawn to its power and protection.

It is not hard therefore, to understand why young males adapt aspects of this personality type as they go through their ‘rites of passage’.

We also have to ask ourselves about the social structures that were to provide healthy stimuli for personal and social development of the individual, i.e. the family, the religious institutions, the schools, and the government.

ment’s responsibility is to provide the enabling environment to support these three institutions.

Our approach to dealing with youths in Belize must be twofold. On the one

hand we must address the social and economic conditions that affect the ability of a young person to reach their fullest potential as a Belizean citizen.

At the same time we must build upon those initiatives that promote the character of citizenship, encouraging and insisting on productiveness and industry. Our young people need a healthy dose of patriotism; a sense of love and respect for Belize, which comes from a healthy love, and respect for one’s self.

Clearly we are experiencing the symptoms of a global social cancer that will not go away if our social intervention programs remain reactive. We must take the initiative and implement proactive programs designed to attract these derailed youth back to a course of self-development and national involvement. While this is a big job, it is entirely achievable. We are fortunate that we are experiencing a first generation gang crime problem, which can be reversed if we are decisive.

Young people must become the center of the decision making processes on those issues that effect change among youth. Youth should provide the leadership and be facilitated by the institutional memory that comes from those elders who serve as their support. While some may take a position of gloom and doom in relation to our youth in fact the situation on the ground is quite different. Youth are engaged in addressing their issues and are ready to work in partnership as long as their special contribution is given the respect that it’s due. Youth are ready to play their part it’s up to us to give them their respect.

Real and lasting change can only be effective if it is comprehensive enough to cover the whole subject and involves an attitude that the problems that our young people face is not the government’s problem alone, but everybody’s problem. While clearly government has a major role to play, the onus for real change rests with all of us, the people of Belize. (Comments welcomed at nuribze@gmail.com)

Prison Officer Charged with trafficking ...for Smuggling Marijuana into Prison

Dean Crawford, Prison Guard Monday, October 3rd. 2011 Belize City-On Sunday Prison Guard identified as Dean Crawford was arrested by his fellow colleagues at the Hattieville Correctional Facility after he attempted to smuggle some four ounces of compressed marijuana into the prison for the purpose of trafficking to the

general population of inmates. He was handed over to the Hattieville police then transported to Belize City where he was charged with the single charge of trafficicking after being placed on interdiction regarding his job pending the outcome of the criminal case now before him.

In Court on Monday before Magistrate Dorothy Flowers not guilty after he was read the charges against him. He was released after he was offered and met bail in the sum of $4000,00 dollars. He is to return to court on the 11th November when his case is scheduled to begin.

According to reports that led to his arrest, Crawford reported to work and after a random search of his attire, security personnel found that he had a stash of weed hidden inside sections of his boots.

Over the years the smuggling of drugs into the Correctional compound has become a regular challenge and a hustling end for rogue prison guards who supply inmates with their stash at premium price.

It is said that the price of a hit of marijuana within the prison walls are about ten times more that it cost on the outside.

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Sunday, October 9th , 2011

Paraplegic accused of murder granted bail

By Rhenae Nunez Monday, October 3, 2011 BELIZE CITY - On May 27th 2011 a prison bus carrying twelve inmates back to the Hattieville Central Prison from Orange Walk overturned between miles 37 and 38 on the Northern Highway. The accident is said to have resulted from blown out tyres in the back and front of the van.

Prison Officer Delbert MCLaughlin, 46, died from serious head and body injuries while inmates, Dean Davis, 25 and Andres Moreno sustained spinal injuries which have left them paralyzed.

The other inmates sustained minor injuries which were treated at the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk and then released back to prison custody.

Dean Davis is accused of the murder of Erin Sutherland which occurred in April of 2010. The story surrounding Sutherland’s murder is quite a salacious tale involving homosexuality. Reports are that Sutherland first visited his girlfriend on her job at Lee’s Restaurant in Orange Walk Town. Thereafter he visited the home of two homosexuals where a party was being held for one of them for his birthday.

Sutherland apparently took a discrete route through an abandoned property nearby the home of the homosexual men and that is where he allegedly met his killer who stabbed him in the abdomen, cheek, chest and forehead.

Sutherland died a short while later at the Northern Regional Hospital. Police from then were looking for one “Dean” who was seen at Nostalgia Bar, not far from where the homosexual men lived.

“Dean” it is said was drinking and getting into fights with other patrons. Police were called out but they never responded.

Dean Davis was later captured and charged for the murder of Erin Sutherland. It was after a court appearance in Orange Walk Town that the accident that left Davis paralyzed occurred.

Since then Davis’ lawyer Phillip Palacio has been trying to secure bail for Davis and Andres Moreno who was also seriously injured in the accident.

The charge against Moreno however was reduced therefore affording him bail. He was released on bail and is at home paralyzed from neck down. Davis however is accused of murder for which there is no bail.

Attempts to get bail for Dean Davis who was in prison paralyzed have all failed until Monday October 3rd. Attorney for Davis, Phillip Palacio presented his case before Justice Troadio Gonzalez who granted bail of $25 thousand plus a surety of same amount or two sureties valued at $12,500.00 each.

Davis who is paralyzed from waist down complained that he was unable to get the specialized care that he needs in prison. That was borne out in court when Palacio questioned a nurse attached to the prison.

“In fact one of the grounds that we had applied for bail on is special infirmity and the fact that the Belize Central prison does not really have persons trained or specialized in the care for somebody who has his nature of injuries. That was confirmed when we appeared in court on September 9. The nurse although said that he was in a hospital setting under cross examination we were able deduce from her that he was in a cell like any other inmate and also she had deposed that he was given 24 hours treatment at the hands of EMP technicians and in cross examinations I was able to extract from her that he was not being treated by EMP technicians but instead he was being treated by just first responders - people who were trained in first aid and these persons were prisoners; actually his cell mates,” Palacio told the media on Monday.

Palacio also informed that he had filed notice of intention to sue the Government of Belize on Davis’ behalf. “I had filed the Notice of Intention to sue the government of Belize on behalf of Dean Davis and that was filed on July 26 of this year and so we had given the government a month’s notice of our intention to sue but that was in relation to the traffic accident - the injuries that he have received in relation to the traffic accident. In relation to the suing of the prison, I am not aware of that and I have not received any instructions from Mr. Davis in relation to that incident,”Palacio explained.

Davis is at home in Benguche area of Dangriga Town. He was due back in court on September 22 at the start of the Northern Session of the Supreme Court however the DPP had not tendered an indictment. Davis’ attorney Phillip Palacio told the National Perspective that the indictment may come for the January session.

Stop GMO Corn Planting In Belize!

A petition has been launched country-wide demanding that government put a stop to GMO in corn planing across Belize.

GOB has allowed GMO corn to come into the country. So far they are only talking about test fields, to see if we Belize can profit from this technology without realizing the consequences.

Belize is and can stay the bio diversity seed vault of the region. Once we let GMO crops into the country we will lose our Bio diversity, and with that an awful lot more. Like: Food security, bees, moths, birds, social security, sustenance farming, Eco-tourism, clean drinking water, ocean life etc.

Permission to bring in GMO corn seed into Belize to be planted in test fields was recently given to Henry Wolf, the owner of Midwest Steel from Spanish Lookout. The following letter is from Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gabino Canto of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries: “Dear Sir/Madam, The permission to bring in GMO corn seeds for trial was made by the Biosafety Council that is comprised of the following representatives: Mins. of Ag. & Fisheries, DOE, CARDI, IICA, Mins. of Health, UB, BAHA and BASS group. Therefore, MAF did not unilaterally give permission for the seeds to come into the country. A public forum was also made at George Price Center to discuss the issue in March, 2011. The legislation for the GMO corn seeds is at Solgen’s office for review. At this time, no seeds for commercial use will be allowed into the country in the near future. A socio-economic benefit analysis must be completed as well as the legislation.”

The petition reads: “We strongly oppose the planting of GMO corn, even on a trial basis, for the following reasons”: 1. GMO corn will contaminate non-GMO corn through wind pollination.

2. GMO seeds are patented; farmers will have to pay a license fee to the patent-holder every time they plant their seed.

3. Farmers are not allowed to keep the GMO seeds, not even if their local corn gets contaminated and turns in to GMO corn; those who keep GMO seeds, knowingly or unknowingly, can be prosecuted for stealing.

4. Since the GMO company both owns the GMO seeds and produces the agrochemicals that are needed to grow them, the whole of the Belizean corn production will eventually be in the hands of a US-based company.

5. As the weeds and pests develop resistances to the agrochemicals, more and different herbicides and pesticides will have to be used to obtain the same results.

6. In the long run, GMO corn will require significantly-increased use of herbicides and pesticides, polluting our land and water and making people sick in the process.

7. GMO corn will benefit big farmers while wiping out small farmers, creating a monopoly for a handful of big monoculture farmers.

8. Eventually, all corn varieties will disappear, leaving just one kind of corn. This loss of biodiversity will put the sustainability of our agriculture at great risk.

9. GMO corn threatens the traditional Mayan way of life of subsistence farmer as well as that of the organic farmer.

10. Opening the door to one GMO crop will invite all other GMO crops in, jeopardizing Belizean food security even more.

SESNECIL ROUQIL RO61FegSaPNOITACILPPA

Sunday, October 9th , 2011

Page 17

Michael Silva spirited out of Belize?

P.M. Barrow Cries “GANG EXTORTION”!!!

Prime Minister Dean Barrow Continues from page 1 Wednesday, October 05, 2011 BELIZE CITY – Just over a month ago when Prime Minister Dean Barrow cut short an official visit abroad to return home to negotiate a “truce” with Belize City gang leaders, he was heavily criticized.

His critics maintained that his policy was one of appeasement and that it would not last because he would soon be subjected to extortion.

Today Barrow admitted that some gang leaders were seeking to extort money from him, and that a program he had initiated several months ago and had praised continually as a model example of his compassion and magnanimity, had had to be closed down after a only few weeks.

In a surprise guest appearance on the WUB Morning Show, and in subsequent interviews with the evening television news today, Barrow acknowledged that “ … there is an element of legitimacy to the criticism …” and that the entire so-called “truce” process, “… from here on out it is going to be very iffy …” because “… some of the leaders …“ had “… developed an attitude …” and were saying, “You know, (these) people are saying you have to pay me …” or else.

Barrow further explained to his morning hosts that “Leaders are saying that you have to pay me, I am not going to do any work you will pay me just for being a leader.”

Barrow declared that “When it reaches a point where people are going to say you must pay me to keep the peace, I draw the line.”

Barrow went on to admit that in the case of his much vaunted program to take 15 “high energy” gang leaders out of the City to work in three districts, the men “… stopped working after a couple of weeks but still came every week to collect their pay …”

He said that “I was faced with this ultimatum and I absolutely re-

ject that …”

But Mr. Barrow’s not-so-contrite admissions of failure raise not only more questions than answers, but also a host of serious questions about the transparency and accountability of these programs. Rumors and street reports have been rife that certain gang leaders have boasted of receiving large amounts of money, and were sedated and pacified as a result throughout the celebrations.

There was a reduction of violence between the gangs as a result of the payments, but it was not totally eliminated.

Some observers also point out, though, that there has been an increase in armed robberies nationwide, accompanied by a callous resort to violence that have left dead and wounded victims. The gangstas having more freedom to roam without fear of violence from their rivals are now using the opportunity to prey on a hapless population, courtesy of the Prime Minister’s half-baked efforts.

Indeed just last night another shopkeeper at the junction of the old and new Northern Highways was shot dead after being robbed.

He is the third such victim to have been killed in the pat several weeks.

The Prime Minister may not personally need to fear violent retribution from frustrated and disappointed gang leaders, after all he is guarded my armed men at all times, but it would appear that once again the wider population is at serious risk.

The wars between the governments in neighbouring Guatemala and Mexico and the transnational gangs have claimed the lives of tens of thousands of their citizens.

Criminologists, sociologists and observers are now coming to the conclusion that the true calamity of those situations is that the entrenched cartels are no longer dependent on drug trafficking for the larger proportion of their revenues, having branched out into other forms of illegal activity, and having invested their wealth in completely legal enterprises, and having leveraged both their tremendous legal and illegal influence to corrupt government officials at all levels.

Could Prime Minister Barrow’s insistence on personally interacting with the Belize City gangstas have now legitimized them and in so doing sown the seeds for what could be a protracted and bloody civil war between the legitimate authority and these criminal organizations with ordinary citizens just “collateral damage”, the payment in spilled blood for Barrow’s blunder?

For Sale by Owner Large track of Residential / Commercial Land, off George Price Boulevard in Belmopan. Price fix to sell by owners.

For serious Enquiries: Call: 601- 8100 or 650-5222

Michael Silva, 26

By Rhenae Nunez Wednesday, October 05, 2011 BELIZE CITY – Unconfirmed but reliable information reaching the National Perspective is that alleged murderer/patient Michael Silva has been flown out of Belize to the United States for further medical treatment.

Silva was hospitalized at the Belize Healthcare Partners Hospital after he ingested the deadly herbicide Paraquat on Friday September 23, after he allegedly killed

his girlfriend of only one month.

Nineteen year old Maritza Santos was found dead in the bedroom of a home in the Kon Tiki area of San Ignacio Town. The pair did not live at the address but neighbors say that it was their trysting spot.

Police found the body of Maritza Santos in one of the bedrooms with a large wound to the right side of the head. Police also retrieved a quart of paraquat from the house.

Michael Silva was rushed to the Belize Healthcare Partners Hospital in Belize City for treatment.

We have been unable to confirm when Silva was flown out but credible information is that he is no longer in Belize and his whereabouts in the United States is unknown. It is unknown whether any arrangement was made with authorities or if they were notified that Silva would have been flown out. It is a rather unusual set of circumstance following an alleged murder. Ordinarily Silva would have been under police guard – such, we are made to understand was not the case. Our information is that his prognosis is not good.

PEOPLE’S UNITED PARTY WESTERN CAUCUS

PUP WESTERN CAUCUS TO BOYCOTT BELMOPAN CONSULTATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Vaughan Gill, Western Caucus Secretary Tel. 6619077

OCTOBER 4, 2011 --- As a consequence of the UDP government's policy of politicizing the House Committee Consultations on the controversial Ninth Amendment to the Belize Constitution, the PUP Western Caucus will boycott the hearing scheduled for Wednesday October 5th. in Belmopan.

Although thousands of PUP supporters from the six constituencies in the Cayo District maintain grave concerns about the language of the Amendment, and the long term consequences of these changes for our democratic process, it has become clear that the UDP government is rigging these hearings in order to give the wider public the false impression of widespread support. On the one hand, UDP supporters are transported to the hearing, paid to make blind statements of support and recorded for the purposes of political propaganda; on the other hand, citizens with authentic apprehensions or those appearing to be PUP supporters, are prevented from entering the venues where the hearings are hosted or are badgered and cut short in their presentations.

It is obvious that the UDP Representatives of the Cayo District are using the resources of taxpayers to induce and bully the same taxpayers into accepting this contentious amendment. The process is neither democratic nor inclusive, and the behavior of the Government undermines the legitimacy of any future claim of proper consultations.

The Caucus reaffirms its support for the PUP resolution opposing the language of the Ninth Amendment. We call on the six UDP Representatives of Cayo to respect the wishes of thousands of Cayo voters who adamantly object to the proposed Amendment. The Caucus, through its Constituency Campaign Committees will continue its crusade to alert citizens in all Cayo communities about this tainted amendment, and about the many grievous shortcomings of this UDP administration.

End

Sunday,October 9th, 2011

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Millennium girls rule Belize District women’s football Sand

Hill,

October

2,

2011

Belize City’s undefeated Millennium Girls ran over the hosts, the Sand Hill Untouchables in a 10-0 blast to post their 6th win in week 7 of the Belize district female football competition at the Sand Hill field on Sunday evening.

The Untouchables were at a numerical disadvantage as they took the field with only 7 players.

The Millennium girls’ Sherryann “Baby” Tracy and Geanne Cayetano made them pay for such omission as Kursha Pollard launched a cannonball shot which the Sand Hill goalie deflected the ball over the crossbar.

She had no such luck when Kursha executed the resultant corner kick, which Gianne Cayetano kept alive with a header, and the Sand Hill defensive efforts to clear the ball only succeeded in sending the ball into the net for that dreaded autogoal.

Millennium took a 2-0 lead when winger Sharmaine Augustus set table for Sarah Arzu to blast the ball into the net.

Sheryann “Baby” Tracy embarrass the goalkeeper with a 3rd goal and Baby could not resist another bite of the apple scoring a 4th goal before the half.

Kara Kisling added a 5th goal, and Kursha Pollard’s long range missile found its mark for a 6th goal as the city girls led 6-0 at the half.

Millennium added four more goals in the 2nd half for their 10-0 win.

The competition continues in Hattieville next Sunday, October 9.

In other football news, the Belize national selection is preparing for its third and fourth matches of the group stage of qualifiers towards World Cup Brazil 2014, when it will host Grenada at the Football Federation of Belize field in Belmo- will travel to Guatemala to take pan on Friday, October 7 and then on the Guatemala national team at

the Estadio Olimpico on Tuesday, October 11.

Ladyville Tornadoes crush Caye Caulker Island Stars 3-0 Sand Hill, October 2, 2011

Revenge was oh so sweet for the Ladyville Tornadoes as enjoyed their 4th win, crushing the Caye Caulker Island Stars 3-0 in week 7 of the Belize district female football competition at the Sand Hill field on Sunday, to avenge their 1-2 loss to the Island Stars in their first encounter.

Marcelina Mai blasted Tornadoes 1st goal past Caye Caulker goalie Maribel Dominguez when she converted a penalty kick, after Dominguez brought down Tornadoes midfielder Claudia Martinez in the goal area in the 10th minute of play.

Lillian Joseph and Juana Rodriguez led the Island Stars’ counterattack with the help of Angie Lima and Stephanie Duarte on the wings and Aliny Guzman and Esperanza Reyes at midfield, but the Tornadoes’ defenders Alma Alarcon, Sherrie Gillett, and Nancy and Dawn Bainton frustrated their efforts to keep them scoreless the entire game.

Natasha Young and Julie McCord led the Tornadoes’ offensive with the help of Mertell

Bailey and Marcelina Mai on the wings and Salambu Munnings and Claudia Martinez at midfield, but Dominguez managed to stop a shot by Bailey Caye Caulker’s Lilian Joseph, Juana Rodriguez and Angi Lima pressed their attacks, but their shots either went wide or only served to make the Tornadoes goalie Emelda Alarcon look good and the Tornadoes were up 1-0 at the half.

In the 2nd half, Caye caulker’s coach John Trejo introduced Jacqueline Riverol, Karen Cadle and Wendy Castellanos to replace Stephanie Duarte, Aliny Guzman and Esperanza Reyes, while Saira Reyes led the Island Stars’ defence with the help of Vanessa Smith, Shehady Chan and Yevonne Norales. A defensive error by the island girls cost them dearly as Natasha Young intercepted a pass and embarrassed Dominguez with a 2nd goal.

Joseph, Lima, Rodriguez and Riverol continued to press the islanders attacks, but Mertell Bailey execution of a corner kick found Young, who kept the ball alive to Julie McCord, nailed home the 3rd goal for the Tornadoes’ 3-0 win.

Sunday,October 9th, 2011

Sand

Hill,

Page 19

Hattieville Heat blasts Ladyville Orchids 5-1 October

2,

2011

The Hattieville Heat enjoyed their 3rd win in a 5-1 blast of the Ladyville Orchids in week 7 of the Belize district female football competition at the Sand Hill field on Sunday afternoon.

Jersha Estrada scored the Heat’s 1st goal when she picked up a rebound from Orchids’ veteran sweeper Helen Flowers and immediately blasted a cannonball shot right through goalkeeper Esperanza Parkinson’s legs.

Ashlya Gordon and Deandra Coote led Hattieville’s attacks with the help of Lauren Stevens and Felicia Gillett on the wings and Jersha Estrada and Doraine Linares at midfield, but the Orchids defense denied Stevens next attack. Estrada then set table for Felicia Gillett to drill home a 2nd goal in the 15th minute of play.

Kenia Villamil and Besy Gavarette led the Orchids’ attacks with the help of Joselyn Tillett and Lenny Ayuso on the wings and Loida Contreras and Lilian Banegas at midfield, but the Hattieville defenders Kelsey Pou, Sylvanna Barrow, Ja-

nel Thompson and Ebony White held them scoreless up to the half.

Helen Flowers anchored the Orchids’ defense with the help of Jacqueline Reivera, Shakera Clarke and Noemi Savedra, but Lauren Stevens’ execution of a corner kick embarrassed even Helen Flowers, as the ball sailed past between her and the goalpost. Parkinson misjudged the ball’s trajectory as it floated over her head, just inside the far upright. The Heat led 3-0 at the half.

Orchids’ Gabina Teck and Edita Young entered the ball game, while Karina Villanueva took over from Parkinson in the goal The referee awarded the orchids a penalty when Sylvanna Barrow took down Kenia Villamil in the goal area, but Hattieville’s goalie Khadijah Marin denied Loida Contreras when she tried to convert. The orchids got a 2nd penalty when Ebony White committed a handball infraction and this time Contreras beat Marin to put the ball into the back of the net. It was the orchids’ only consolation goal.

Ashlya Gordon blasted in Hat-

tieville’s fourth goal past Karina Vil- Barrow on defense, Felicia Gillanueva, ans while Hattieville coach lett delighted in scoring a 5th goal Albert Arnold substituted Shelly- past Villanueva for their 5-1 win. mae Barrow for her sister Sylvanna

India launches Aakash tablet computer priced at $35 USD Millions of students will have access to the tablets, officials hope

“We’ve created a product that will finally bring affordable computing and internet access to the masses.”

India has launched what it says is the world’s cheapest touch-screen tablet computer, priced at just $35 (£23).

Costing a fraction of Apple’s iPad, the subsidised Aakash is aimed at students.It supports web browsing and video conferencing, has a three-hour battery life and two USB ports, but questions remain over how it will perform.

Officials hope the computer will give digital access to students in small towns and villages across India, which lags behind its rivals in connectivity.

At the launch in the Indian capital, Delhi, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal handed out 500 Aakash (meaning sky) tablets to students who will trial them.

Singh Tuli said.

The company says it will also offer a commercial version of the tablet, called UbiSlate.

It is expected to hit the shelves later this year, retailing for about $60.

He said the government planned to buy 100,000 of the tablets. It hopes to distribute 10 million of the devices to students over the next few years.

“The rich have access to the digital world, the poor and ordinary have been excluded. Aakash will end that digital divide,” Mr Sibal said.

The Aakash has been developed

by UK-based company DataWind and Indian Institute of Technology (Rajasthan).

It is due to be assembled in India, at DataWind’s new production centre in the southern city of Hyderabad.

“Our goal was to break the price barrier for computing and internet access,” DataWind CEO Suneet

Experts say it does have the potential to make a huge difference to the country’s education, particularly in rural areas where schools and students do not have access to libraries and up-to-date information.

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Sunday, October 9th , 2011

$167,500

.00

Saturday, October 8th, 2011