National Perspective July 24, 2011

www.nationalperspectivebz.org Edition 152 Vol.3 week 47

The true voice of the silent majority

Page 6

Police Constable Charged with Carnal Knowledge Sunday, July 24th , 2011

‘Barrow’ feeling the heat!

Preventative Detention DOA, again!!

2 Chinese-Belizean businessmen fall victim to Honduras’ ‘preventative detention laws’!

…Belize heading the same route!!!

By: Omar Silva

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

Mesop. Rep. Michael Finnegan

Finnegan puts final nail in PD’s coffin

By Rhenae Nunez

Thursday, July 21, 2011 BELMOPAN – The proposal to enable police to detain persons suspected of being involved in gang activity but upon who police have no evidence was first presented to the House of

Representative by Prime Minister Dean Barrow on April 25, 2008.

Since then a fierce debate has raged over the proposal which led to it being pulled off the table back then.

But violent crime particularly in the Old Capital continued unabated with

Continues on page 16

BELIZE CITY - Two well known Chinese-Belizean businessmen, brothers who own the Everyday supermarkets in different parts of Belize, a gas station in Hattieville, and Horizon Wholesale on Racoon Street in Belize City, are today both detained in the Preventative Detention Centre of Puerto Cortes, Honduras, and have been detained there since May 11th, 2011. They are identified as Charlie and Jack Cao and are being accused jointly with “Money Laundering” and under Honduras’ preventative detention laws, the authorities there have a period of up to two years to bring charges against them.

Cao Shen known to Belizeans as “Charlie,” and his brother Cao Gui known in Belize as “Jack,” had travelled to Honduras at the invitation of a salesman representative of the popular “Frito Lay” potato chip brand from whom Charlie purchases large quantities for wholesale distribution in Belize.

Both brothers were going to use this opportunity to get acquainted with other products made or distributed in Honduras that could be saleable items in Belize but that did not happen.

They started their journey early travelling by road from Belmopan to Punta Gorda but because of a “James Bus” breakdown they were late in arriving in Punta Gorda and had to take a later boat

Continues on page 7

Barrow re-colonializing Belize’s sugar industry

Thursday July 21st. 2011 BELIZE CITY: Prime Minister Dean Barrow revealed at an impromptu street side press conference yesterday morning that he had not “saved” Belize’s mainstay agro-export sugar industry after all, and that he was busy readying it for sale to a foreign banking interest.

Following his appearance on a morning talk show Barrow was met by a phalanx of press as he was attempting to leave and reluctantly stopped to an-

swer a few questions on several issues.

The bombshell revelation was that the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) was being readied for sale to Honduran investor Banco Atlantida, and it is being done in a hurry because its creditors, ING and First Caribbean have called in some US$30 million in loans.

Only a few weeks ago as the sugar cane season grounded to a halt, the past harvest was being described as “successful,” even though the harvest was 250,000 tons short of cane delivered

and just under 100,000 tons of sugar was produced when production had been projected at as much as 118,000 tons.

Barrow revealed that he has already had discussions with BSI’s management and the employee trust that owns 82% of the company’s shares.

He revealed that he will be meeting with cane farmers’ representatives tomorrow to go over Banco Atlantida’s demands, among them that they get some 10,000 acres for their own sugar cane production, and the fact that they do not wish to deal with no more than 40 Belizean sugar farmers in all.

Banco Atlantida wants certain legislative changes that Barrow refused to specify but some insiders say that it will amount to a re-colonialization of the industry.

Barrow has already threatened that the Government of Belize will not “bailout” the industry and will frighten cane farmers into selling out.

Late this evening the Belize Cane Farmers Association revealed that they were looking through an arrangement with Fairtrade to buy a $5 million stake in BSI and expressed almost complete ignorance as to the details of the Banco Atlantida offer, especially their demands in regards to agronomic reform.

Barrow had said that: “Banco Atlantida won’t put in their 90 million US, except they get certain legislative changes, and I have to be sure that the farmers are prepared to accept those legislative changes. We had a meeting - what was it - a week and a half ago, and we agreed that I should invite Banco Atlantido to come now, and to talk to the farmers directly in my presence.”

Apparently the Prime Minister has not yet told the cane farmers what are the conditions of the Banco Atlantido offer, and it will be very interesting to see how they will react. It is clear that if Banco Atlandido have their way there will be thousands less cane farmers.

According to the Prime Minister BSI needs $100 million in loan repayments and working capital and the Government of Belize does not have that sum to bail them out.

When asked about a Government bailout Barrow said: “But Government, lord man, we came up with 10 million dollars last year. To come up with not just 60 million more to pay off ING, 60 million plus another 30 that Banco Atlantida is talking about - or perhaps 40 - no we can’t find 100 million dollars. Much as we would like to, we don’t have it.

And so, I think all of us must recognize

Continues on page 6

BIAS TOWARDS NONE !!

Page 2 The love relationship between the Prime Minister of Belize and the Kremandala outfit appears almost surreal.

This was the same Prime Minister, when he was the Deputy Prime Minister in 1993-1998 United Democratic Party Government, who was accused of being part of a conspiracy to destroy Kremandala. The UDP was accused of cutting the guy wires that sustained the Krem Radio tower. If this tower had fallen it would have killed many people.

The UDP Government of that 1993-1998 via the Belize Broadcasting Authority refused to renew the radio license for Krem Radio. Hubert Elrington was the Minister of broadcasting during that fiasco.

We caption this history surrounding the “Zinc Fence” and their hostile relationship with the UDP to draw a comparison and to establish the ungrateful nature of that outfit. While the PUP was in Government during 1998-2008 the Kremandala outfit was the darling of the then Prime Minister Said Musa. The relationship between Prime Minister Musa and Evan X Hyde Sr., the patriarch of the outfit, was excellent. Anything that Evan X requested of the PUP Government he was given.

His first request was to have his son Cordel run on a PUP slate, which happened. He then requested that his son after winning the election of 1998 must be given Minister of Education, and that was complied with also. Evan X Hyde also needed a platform to hustle from. He begged and was given the Chairman of the University of Belize, a post that he performed disgracefully at. It was under the Evan X Hyde chairmanship that full amalgamation of the University of Belize occurred and let it be known he was the one that presided over the closing down of Belize Technical College.

In the end Evan X Hyde greed for more power and his total disregard for people’s rights landed him in confrontation with the faculty and staff of

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

LOVE THEN HATE the University, and eventually he realized his incompetence and accepted the decision of the Government to be relieved from his chairmanship under the condition, he be given closing compensation, which included a brand-new SUV that he presently drives today and other numerous benefits.

Evan X Hyde will argue that he turned against the PUP in 2004 when the two

read nor write. Furthermore, the people know that when he cannot have his way, that is always unreasonable, he is taken on his “Rumpeltiliskin” persona and quarrel with Government. Evan X Hyde’s beef with Said Musa and Ralph Fonseca has nothing to do with the welfare of the Belizean people, but with the extravagant welfare life of Evan, X Hyde. Evan X Hyde has his habits; he was once a notorious womanizer and substance abuser. One

The Prime Minister and the entire country of Belize were drawn into a fight between Lord Michael Ashcroft and Kremandala because Krem Radio was a “mal pago”.

Krem Radio was sued and they lost the case because they reneged on paying monies borrowed from an entity related to Lord Ashcroft. The courts declared that Krem Radio got a loan and refused to pay and ordered that he must pay forthwith. “Mal pago” practice is typical of the Kremandala outfit because Evan X Hyde Sr. believes that Belize owes him something. He forgot that it was the PUP that always assisted him, but as mentioned before he and his outfit is ungrateful. traitor ministers from his outfit were fired by their Prime Minister. However, these two Ministers were not only working against the Government of the day, but it was destroying confidence in our democracy. Everyone in the country of Belize and the Diaspora knows Evan X Hyde is a user. He does this by disguising himself as a champion of poor people and gets them to spend money on the most expensive newspaper when many of them cannot

would hope now in twilight days that he abuses less.

However, they must be given credit because the Kremandala outfit has been brilliant in their manipulation of the Prime Minister of the UDP because if you examined all the blunders of the Prime Minister most of the blunders were done as a result of advice from Kremandala. The Prime Minister and the entire country of Be-

lize were drawn into a fight between Lord Michael Ashcroft and Kremandala because Krem Radio was a “mal pago”. Krem Radio was sued and they lost the case because they reneged on paying monies borrowed from an entity related to Lord Ashcroft. The courts declared that Krem Radio got a loan and refused to pay and ordered that he must pay forthwith. “Mal pago” practice is typical of the Kremandala outfit because Evan X Hyde Sr. believes that Belize owes him something. He forgot that it was the PUP that always assisted him, but as mentioned before he and his outfit is ungrateful.

Evan X Hyde Sr. hates the Jesuits and ridiculed them every chance he gets, but it was the Jesuits, who educated Evan X Hyde. They were the ones that flew him back and forth to Dartmouth University in New York. In short, the Jesuit made Even X Hyde.

As we mentioned the UDP got drawn in this hate fever against Lord Ashcroft, and soon the Hon. Dean Barrow was singing the same tune as his neighbor on the seashore.

They have brainwashed the Prime Minister so much that he broke the law by violating the Court of Appeal judgment on June 24th, 2011. On the Krem Radio talk show, this week the Prime Minister was the guest and was told by the host Mose Hyde that Kremandala was against the Preventative Detention Bill that is in the consultation period. The Prime Minister right on cue announced that he will place the Bill on hold. This is shocking and dangerous for the small country of Belize when the real power is in the hands of perceived substance abusers. Belizean believed that they were electing the UDP to govern Belize in 2008, but instead they have gotten the gang from Partridge Street in command, complete with a representative from the PUP as well. All we can say is “you the man X Hyde, you go boy!!! OPEN YOUR

EYES THE PEOPLE ARE AWAKE!!

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

Page 3

The Chamber responds to Mexican Feds provide specialPrime Minister’s rejection ized training to local police of its Resolution

In a two-thirds majority, on Friday, July 15, 2011, at a Special General Meeting held at the McField Conference Center on Coney Drive, the Chamber’s members voted to ratify are solution brought forward in response to concerns stated by the membership. The Resolution expressed the current sentiments of the business community regarding the current state of the business climate in Belize, the method of Government of Belize’s acquisition of private property, and the adherence to the rule of law.

The Prime Minister was made conversant with the results of Friday’s Special General meeting.via a letter that was sent to his office on Monday, July 18, 2011. In response, the Prime Minister stated in a letter to the Chamber that he “completely rejects the premises on which the resolution [forwarded in your letter of July 18, 2011] was obviously based. If, therefore, acceptance of those premises is a pre-condition of your ‘working with the Government of Belize in serious partnership..’, then we have a problem”.

The Chamber today issued a response to the Prime Minister’s note of 18th July clarifying that the Chamber has not placed “a pre-condition on the necessary private/public sector dialogue, which is essential to the improvement of the current economic climate” as inferred by the Prime Minister. Further to the point, the actions of the Chamber in persistently seeking a forum for dialogue with the Government is evidence of the honest intentions of the Chamber to work “hand in hand” with the Government for the development of the private sector. As an example, without the Chamber’s initiative to seek the Government’s participation, the formation of the National Consultation Council would not have been realized.

In addition, the business community clamoured for proper adherence to the rule of law based on the judgment issued by the court and the specific actions taken afterwards by the government as well as its handling of the acquisition of the Belize Electricity Board (BEL).

These three acquisitions in two years have far reaching implications for the investment climate.

Therefore, even though the Government sees these actions as nationalistic, investors see a climate filled with doubt, instability, and uncertainty and therefore require reassurance that the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in our nation’s Constitution will remain in place.

Just as these rights and freedoms apply to every citizen, Government’s decisions similarly affect not only businesses but also every private citizen in Belize who could have benefitted from job creation and an improved standard of living resulting from new investments.

There must be true private/public sector partnership for Belize to achieve meaningful economic growth and sustainability in the future. As a social partner, the Chamber “offers and hopes for true dialogue and cooperation with the Government” in ensuring the growth and development of our economy for the benefit of all of Belize’s citizens.

The ratified resolution, which was sent to the Prime Minister is stated below: 1. That the Government: I. uphold and

obey the rule of law in all respects as declared by the Courts of Law in all judgments and otherwise in accordance with the Constitution of Belize; II. desist from taking any actions that offend the principle of separation of powers and our democratic institutions enshrined and entrenched in our Constitution; expressly taking into account that no person or entity has a more imperative obligation to obey the law than those who make the law.

2. That as a matter of overriding national importance and interest, the Chamber calls on the National Assembly, subject to the provisions of our Constitution, to act within the scope of its legislative authority to make laws solely for the peace, order and good governance of Belize.

3. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, that in the interest of fostering economic growth and the social well being of Belize, to seek to restore a favorable investment climate for local and foreign investors, and to otherwise enable the private sector to function, without fear or favor, in partnership not in conflict with the public sector, the Chamber calls on the Government and National Assembly to refrain from taking any action, whether executive or legislatively, to deprive or otherwise infringe fundamental rights and freedoms entrenched in our Constitution, including but not limited to freedom from arbitrary deprivation of private property but instead protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of each and everyone in Belize.

4. That, further and in addition thereto, as regards the issue of the compulsory acquisition of private property, contracts or rights by the Government, the Chamber calls for certain conditions and procedures to apply, being in particular but not limited to the following: (i) The purpose of the acquisition must not only be stated and clear but must be the real, genuine and true intention of the acquisition; (ii) The acquisition must not be discriminatory in nature; (iii) Prompt, adequate and effective compensation must be determined and paid within one year from date of acquisition, unless challenged in the Courts of Law; (iv) The acquisition must be proportional to the intended purpose; (v) Any resale or redistribution to private entities must be in the spirit of the original intended purpose of the acquisition; (vi) Those to be deprived of their property by the Government must have a reasonable and fair opportunity to be heard prior to compulsory acquisition; (vii) Within reason, all opportunities for a negotiated settlement or alternative options must be explored between both parties prior to compulsory acquisition; (viii) In order to establish one’s right or interest, to determine whether the acquisitionwas duly carried out for a public purpose in accordance with applicable law and the Constitution, to determine the amount of reasonable compensation to which one may be entitled, and to substantively enforce one’s right to such compensation, right of access to the courts must not in any way be deprived.

Belmopan, Belize, 14 July 2011.- 13 members of the Belize Police Department attended a Ports, Airports and Border Security Training Course by the Mexico’s Federal Police (PF).

The course was conducted by a specialist from the Mexican Police with extensive experience in the field.

The training is part of the security cooperation between Mexico and Belize.

The training concluded with a closing ceremony held on Saturday, July 9th, headed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Miguel Segura, Head of the National Crimes Investigation, the instructor from the Mexican Federal Police and the Mexican Embassy’s Border Affairs and Press Officer, Marcelino Miranda. In his address, Mr. Segura, on behalf of the Government of Belize acknowledge

Mexico for its support by providing training courses to Belizean security forces. He stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between the two countries and the importance of coordination in combating transnational organized crime. For its part, the Embassy of Mexico reiterated the commitment of the Mexican government to continue promoting this type of assistance and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The training course was held from 4 to 9 July at the Police Academy in Belmopan, Belize, and included field work in some airport and border facilities. This course will also be provided to members of the National Police of Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, as part of the commitments of the Mexican government in the region.

July 19, 2011

away compressors, generators, dive tanks and regulators property of the marine conservation NGO. A statement from RCI said the this act of robbery at their base last Saturday is definitely a set- back for the organization who has operated in Punta Gorda for over seven years now.

They made an appeal to dive-operators and dive shops in Belize to be on the lookout for the stolen equipment and to alert them or the police. They are now appealing for the public for assistance, whether in the form of donated or loaned scuba equipment so they can continue their work.

Dive Gear Equipment valued $30,000 stolen from NGO

The off-shore operating base of Non Governmental Organization known as Reef Conservation International (RCI) situated at Tom Owen’s Caye came under attack last Saturday night by three armed robbers of Hispanic decent who arrived on the Caye flaunted short arms and stole diving gear equipment exceeding the value of $30,000.

According to the care-taker of RCI, after he was hit in the head with a pistol, blindfolded and tied up, the armed men spent three hours carting

CYCLIST DIES FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

San Ignacio Police say investigation continues into a traffic accident that claimed the life of Charles Trapp, 50 rear laborer of Esperanza Village, Cayo District which occurred on Monday 11th July, 2011. Initial investigation reveal that Trapp was riding a black mountain bike on the Western Highway almost in front of the three-flag Store in Esperanza Village when according to motorist Robert NUGENT, Trapp swayed in front of his moving Chrysler van.

Nugent, 54 years in his statement said he was driving his van around 8:30 pm from the direction of Santa

Elena towards Esperanza and as he turned left into Peter Austin Street, Trapp rode into his path. Trapp who received head and body injuries was transported in the same van by Nugent to the San Ignacio Community Hospital. However, the San Ignacio Hospital Authorities released him the following day on Tuesday. On Thursday 14th July, Trapp developed complications with his injuries and as a result was re-transported to the San Ignacio Hospital then rushed to the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital for specialized medical intervention but died on Saturday 16th July.

THE

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Published & Edited by

OMAR SILVA

Registered Address

# 3 Piccini Site, Third Floor 1 1/2 Mls Northern Hwy, Belize City Assistant Editor : Saida Silva

Phone: 501-632-6520

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

Page 4

MARIO VELASQUEZ, GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER July 19, 2011 In the Northern Session of the Supreme Court this past Monday, it took a jury of five men and four women three hours of deliberation to come out with a unanimous guilty verdict against 34-year-old Mario Velasquez on the charge of attempted murder.

The incident occurred on February 24, 2010 between miles 90 and 91 on the Northern Highway. 21-yearold Ursula Engleton who resided in San Joaquin Village testified that she was waiting for the bus to take her to the casino where she worked at the free Zone when Velasquez drove up in a Nissan taxi car and offered her a ride. She said she accepted the offer and the car broke down between mile 90 and 91. She said Velasquez attacked her and began to beat her and she lost consciousness. She said when she regained consciousness she opened the door of the car with her toe and jumped out of the vehicle. She said Velasquez ran behind her and threw her into some bushes and began to

stomp her. Engleton testified that she pretended that she was dead and the beating stopped and Velasquez left. She then crawled out of the bushes.

When Police found her following the incident there were bruises to her back, to the back of her head and marks on her neck consistent with strangulation.

Velasquez in his defense denied that he beat Engleton. He told the court that the strand of Ursula Engleton’s hair that was found in his car was because she brushed her hair. He also said that the blood that was on his pants that matched her blood type was from a cane farmer he picked up. Engleton’s injures were classified as grievous harm.

There are further reports that Velasquez is wanted to answer for robbery in Cayo.

Velasquez was not represented by an attorney. Crown Counsel Trienna Young represented the prosecution.

Justice Denis Hanomansingh has adjourned sentencing until August 9th, 2011.

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By Order of the Mortgagee Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 8th day of September, 2008, between DWAYNE STAINE of the one part, and Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., of the other part, and recorded at the Land Titles Unit in the Deeds Book Vol. 33 of 2008 at Folios 959 - 986, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedules hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising of 761.498 square metres situate in Hattieville Village, Belize District, bounded and described as shown

by Plan No. 1355 of 2006 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 1355 of 2006 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 1st day of July, 2011.

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

Preventative Detention

By Gilroy Usher Sr.

PUP Standard Bearer for Port Loyola

This incompetent UDP government truly believes that with preventative detention it can end the terrible crime situation in the country.

Consequently in less than a month it will amend the Constitution of Belize, which is the supreme law of the country, to force this outrageous plan on the nation. To succeed in doing that, the administration will past draconian laws that will enable it to deny hundreds of Belizeans their fundamental rights that have been guaranteed by the constitution since Independence 30 years ago. With the propose constitutional changes government will have the authority to take away our fundamental rights like freedom of express, freedom of movement, freedom of association, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and trail by a jury of one’s peers for the most serious offences for 52 days, almost two months if they merely have the suspicion that someone is engaging in criminal or antisocial behavior.

The number of robberies, burglaries, rape, and cold blooded murders that have occurred under this government is indeed shocking. Crime is so terrible across Belize especially in the old capital that people are afraid to walk on the street. Preventative detention however is not the solution to that social ill.

To effectively address the crime problem in the country government must provide better training and equipment to the Police Department instead of undermining it with the cutting of its budget and it must address the lack of jobs that is denying hundreds of Belizeans the opportunity to escape the vicious cycle of poverty especially in Belize City. The latter suggestion is just as important as the former one because when there is less poverty there is less crime, and when there is more poverty there is more crime. There is no escaping that. This administration has failed to address the poverty situation in the country by providing the 5,000 jobs its promised , reducing utility bills no matter what, building decent low income houses for the people ,making land available for the less fortunate, and among other things provide greater access to quality education at the primary , secondary ,and tertiary levels . This massive neglect of the poor people in

the country over the last three years by this UDP government is one of the main things that have contributed to the worst crime situation in the history of the nation.

To divert attention from its many broken promises to the Belizean people, government could also use preventative detention to make Belize look like a prosperous, peaceful, and caring nation. That would be easy as government could use the proposed new law to lockup hundreds of the underprivileged and its critics including members of the opposition in our cities, towns, and villages, who dear to expose its misguided policies that are making the families and friends of the Ministers richer as the Belizean people become poorer and more marginalized.

With preventative detention government could also decide to hide the huge unemployment problem in the country by sending the Police , Belize Defense Force , and Gang Suppression Unit into the many underprivileged neighborhoods to arrest hundreds of youths especially the males on crime prevention , and lock them up for almost two months without any charges and without the opportunity to speak with family members, an attorney, or concerned citizen organizations directly or by telephone to defend their rights. With preventative detention government could say it consider this very essay supportive of criminal activity and throw me in prison without any charge for almost two months.

History shows that preventative detention has always been used against the poor class of people and opponents of the government to enable the leaders to exploit the natural resources and people of a country.

Three of the countries that have used preventative detention are Germany which enabled Hitler to become a dictator, war monger, and butcher of his opponents, South Africa where the minority whites sought to legitimize the suppression and slaughter of the black majority for decades until they won their freedom, and Israel where it gives the state authority to suppress and slaughter hundreds of Palestinians every year for standing up for their rights in their homeland.

Preventative detention will be a disaster for Belize. Apart from the violation of our fundamental rights, with it abuse by the Belize Police Department and Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) will be 100 times worse, as they will they be able to act with total immunity from any sort of accountability for their wrong doings.

It is therefore in the interest of all Belizeans that we do everything possible including participating in the public demonstration slated for the end of July to demand the withdrawal of the preventative detention bill before it becomes law and demand that government fulfill its many promises to the Belizean people.

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

Page 5

Murder at Lord’s Ridge Cemetery Enforcement Officers accused of or just dying to get in?? the Drug Plane landing gets bail

...Murder or Suicide??

Belize City, Wednesday: 20th July 2011

Belize City police arte investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a fair complexion male who has since been identified as Ryheem John Vasquez who also goes by the name Franz Leopold Westby aka Red Lion.

Police say they responded to a call around 5:30 am on Wednesday and as a result went over to the Lord ‘s Ridge Cemetery where they saw Vasquez, 27 years of # 28 Cemetery

Road hanging from a tree suspended by a white electrical wire tied around his neck.

He was dressed in full camouflage pants and jacket with a black stockings over his dreadlocks.

Although from all appearances police have ruled possible suicide, a family member who identified him is not agreeing with the police suicide theory. The family members believed that Ryheem was murdered and placed in the silent city to make it appear that he took his own life and the are demanding a full investigation. Family members claim he had a son whom he showed a lot of loved to and never displayed any symtoms or visible signs of emotional problems.

Family members say the believed he was murdered because his hands were tied and showed marks around his wrists area.

The family says they are doing their own investigation to find out what actually took place but calling on the police to do their part also.

In the Supreme Court this week four enforcement officers involving police and customs official accused of facilitating the landing of a drug plane on the Southern Highway last November have finally gotten bail.

They appeared in the Supreme Court this week before Justice Herbert Lord where they were represented by Dickie Bradley Simeon Sampson and Ellis Arnold.

They are: Customs Officer Harold Usher, Police Corporal Renel Grant, Police Corporal Lawrence Humes, Police Corporal Nelson Middleton and Police Sergeant Jacinto Roches.

They are charged with the importation of a controlled drug by facilitating the landing of an airplane and were re-

leased on bail of fifty thousand dollars each today.

The condition for bail is that they are to appear in the Southern District sessions of the Supreme Court on November eighth, that they surrender all travel documents and they report to the police twice weekly.

On November 13th. a plane loaded with at least two-thousand, six hundred kilos of cocaine landed on the Southern Highway. Six Enforcement Officers 5 policemen and one customs were arrested miles away; in a van with wet clothing and several items that led police to concluded that they were directly involved - facilitating the landing of the naco plane and with rhe cargo of cocaine found.

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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

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Sunday, July 24th , 2011

Page 6

I

mpartialView By: Marshal Nunez Sr.

Finnegan crawls out from under a rock to oppose preventative detention Usually this column is written earlier in the week on Tuesdays, but because of an unforeseen delay I am obligated to do my article on Wednesday this week. It became a blessing in disguise, though, since I was able to listen to the Prime Minister on the KREM’s WUB morning show.

I interpret the Prime Minister’s presentation on WUB to be either one of disregard for the Belizean people, disrespect to the Belizean people, or just being totally hypocritical. I am referring to the matter of his discussion of “Preventative Deten-

entitled to legal representation.

This is just one example of why this proposed legislation robs you of your fundamental rights and your freedom. It becomes even worse because the Prime Minister and his administration have proposed to enshrine this legislation into our constitution.

The only reason that this Prime Minister and this government find it so easy to tamper with our Constitution is because they enjoy the super majority in the House of Representative. This should alarm all of

At the top of this essay I told you that I was awed by the way the Prime Minister presented himself on Wednesday on Krem as if though all they did was flirt with the idea of proposing preventative detention.

But even more than what the Prime Minister did, on Monday Minister Finnegan called the same KREM WUB morning show and purports to be the champion of the people especially as it relates to the preventative detention.

He postulated that preventative detention will only affect the “small man” and the only people who will benefit from preventative detention is the so called “big man,” and that he, Minister Finnegan, will campaign his colleagues from Cabinet to defer this legislation from passing into law, and that he, Minister Finnegan was so innocent of the whole idea of preventative detention. Then, of course, when Mr. Prime Minister appeared on the show a couple days later, he admits that he had conversation with Minister Finnegan and confesses that the preventative detention was never a done deal.

That is typical of the UDP, they campaign in poetry, but they govern in prose!

When the preventative detention legislation was read for the first time in the House of Representative in June, the Prime Minister in presenting the Bill stated that the Bill has the recommendation of the Cabinet. We must understand that in our system of government the Cabinet is an elite group and therefore, when a proposed Bill comes out of the Cabinet it must have the unanimous support of the members.

So if Minister Finnegan and the Prime Minister have collective amnesia, or perhaps were absent from the Cabinet meeting and opposed the position of the Cabinet then they are obligated to resign from that Cabinet If they don’t resign then it means that all the rhetoric that they are bringing to the media is only that, rhetoric.

But I wonder, why is it that after Minister Finnegan has been in hibernation for so long that finally he has crawled out from under some rock trying to pretend to be champion of the people? My simple question to him is, as a Member of Parliament for the past 18 years how come you have not always been the champion of the people? Is there some pressure that you find yourself under that you feel compelled to come out? Or are you and the Prime Minister trying to bulls--t the Belizean people? That is not a possibility that the people were asked to imagine.

The power that this administration have, has enticed them to function as a dictatorship form of government rather than as a democratic system of government. Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. When we reflect on the way the government nationalized BEL and BTL, it was only 26 members of the house of representative and 6 members of the Senate32 members of our National Assembly who made the decision on behalf of the over 300,000 Belizeans. Does that resemble democracy to you? Or more like a dictatorship?

tion”, which is proposed as part of the 8th Constitutional amendment. You may recall that when the Prime Minister and this government first proposed preventative detention there was great public opposition to it and that forced him to retreat from that particular issue.

His administration has tried various crime fighting strategies but seem to be unable to combat the violent crimes that continue to plague. These strategies have included the amendment of so many various laws it appears that out of desperation, they have no choice but to resort to the preventative detention. When it was discussed by the Prime Minister he seems adamant and convinced that that was in fact the way to go to arrest the crime situation. At the time violent crime was on the rise and it seems opportune to weigh on the sentiments of the people who felt as if they were under siege by the criminal elements of the society and therefore felt that any measure to arrest the crime situation would be better than nothing.

Once again, however, there is public opposition to this draconian approach to addressing crime. Many legal experts believe that this takes away your fundamental rights and freedom. Furthermore, they believe that it is even inhumane the way that it is proposed, the point being that under preventative detention the authorities can pick you up and detain you for more than twenty days without levying a charge, without legal representation or advice, and without visitation rights. In the case of a minor, the same applies except that your parents will not be allowed to visit or contact you. After the expiration of the first phase of your detention they can apply to the court for an additional 30 days.

So for an innocent person who is only suspected of thinking about committing a crime, according to this law they could be detained to prevent them from committing a crime, and they would have even less rights than someone who has been accused of a crime and is remanded to prison. When you’re remanded to prison you are entitled to visitation, you’re entitled to telephone calls and you are also

us because we don’t know if there will ever be another government that will have a super majority that will be able to amend the constitution. We must also be reminded that our Belizean constitution is in fact the caretaker of the Belizean democracy and our Westminster-two-party system of government is not one that when formulated, envisioned that there would have been such super majority in your Parliament.

The power that this administration have, has enticed them to function as a dictatorship form of government rather than as a democratic system of government. Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. When we reflect on the way the government nationalized BEL and BTL, it was only 26 members of the house of representative and 6 members of the Senate- 32 members of our National Assembly who made the decision on behalf of the over 300,000 Belizeans. Does that resemble democracy to you? Or more like a dictatorship?

Because of this same super majority, this administration has amended our constitution three times in three years and is proposing to amend it for a fourth time in less than four years. It is very obvious that the Constitution might be fluid for this government and they can change it to suit their dictates or they’re shifting our Constitution from a sacred document that represents the security and integrity of a democratic nation to what they want it to be - a document that gives them the authority to do as they please, that is, to use their might to make things right as in the second nationalization of BTL.

This is just my impartial view.

Police Constable Remanded For Carnal Knowledge

Belize City Police have arrested and charged one of their officers with Carnal Knowledge of a female minor. He is identified as 24 year old PC Yannick Wade. He discreetly had sex with a girl and empregnated her while she was still 14 years and it was not until she gave birth last week when hospital authorities found out and shared the information with the police department.

Wade was arrested and charged with Carnal Knowledge.

He appeared in # 6 Magistrates Court on Wednesday for arreignment where no plea was taken because it is an indictable matter for the Supreme Court and he was niether offered bail because of the nature of the crime.

He was remanded to the Hattieville Correctional Facility until his next court date.

Wade hade sex with the female sometime between October and November last year and gave birth last week. His father has also given consent for the Police to marry his daughter when she turns 16 years.

Barrow re-colonializing Belize’s sugar industry Continues from page 1 what the reality of the situation is, and to deal with Banco Atlantida.”

He argued that BSI and the industry will have to accept the Banco Atlandtida offer: “I don’t see any other way, quite frankly, I don’t. I got to just leave it at that. We clearly need - BSI on its own - forget for a minute the 30 million dollars that’s owed - the 30 million US dollars that’s owed, that ING has called in. Even if you leave that aside, going forward, BSI needs capital injection by way of operating capital. They need to make certain repairs to the factory. Let me just summarize it in that way. BSI needs operating capital. If you both have to repay a 30 million US dollar loan, and get additional funds to take you forward, clearly this - at Banco Atlantida, interest is something that, in my view, must be looked at in every seriousness. And if there is any way we can come to an agreement so that the 90 million US dollars can be invested in the sugar industry, we ought to come to that.”

The dissident United Cane Farmers Association also said today that they had not been invited to tomorrow’s meeting and were contemplating some unspecified action to protest the “disrespect”. Its Chairman told the media that they controlled 30% of the harvest.

The situation has the potential to quickly become explosive if not handled with maturity and diplomacy.

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

Continues from page 1 from the Punta Gorda wharf to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. In Puerto Barrios, prior arrangements had been made for them to be picked up by a Honduran taxi sent for the express purpose of transporting them to Honduras, but because of the delay with the bus, the taxi left when they did not arrive in Barrios as agreed on the earlier boat.

Charlie and Jack took the 2:00 pm boat from Punta Gorda and arrived in Puerto Barrios at 3:00 pm that Wednesday afternoon and when they saw that no one was there waiting for them, they took a mini bus that only travels from Barrios to the Guatemalan side of the “Corinto” station on the Honduras Guatemala border.

Upon their arrival at the “Corinto” border station, they changed a quantity of US dollars into Honduran Lempira currency from money changers on the Guatemalan side.

Charlie had in his possession some $7,500 US dollars in his back pack and Jack was carrying some $6,000 US dollars and since both have been living in Belize and speak fluent English/Creole, they were both well aware of the universal $10 000US, dollar limit before declaring.

They entered the Honduras Immigration building around 4:00 pm and there were no problems - both were stamped in and given a week of stay in Honduras, but as they looked on the Honduran side, there were no signs of public transportation and so they walked towards a Honduran Police check point that they saw some 300 yards away from the Immigration building, supposedly to verify that passports were checked at the immigration point of entry.

The innocent Chinese brothers walked towards the Police post and, according to Charlie, they had walked over to inquire about the availability of taxis, bus or any other means of transport that could have taken them into downtown Puerto Cortes, about an hour or fifty miles away from where they were.

According to Charlie and Jack who don’t speak Spanish, they asked the three police officers that were at the post: “Amigo…taxi, bus …Puerto Cortes?”

The police officers appeared suspicious, perhaps because they were Orientals and started to question them as to their destination. Their passport were checked - Charlie’s is the old faded Belize logo black Belizean passport while Jack’s was the newer type bluish CARICOM-recognized Belize passport.

But that was only the first obstacle because they were then pulled aside and asked all sorts of questions, after which they both subject to body searches, and having their luggage searched as well.

When the police found out that both were carrying substantial sums of money in Honduran terms, they requested US $1,000 00 from each for them to be allowed to continue their journey but the two Chinese Belizeans told them “No, amigo…we no have fu pay, we are not breaking the law” The policemen took their gold chains and insisted on the US $1,000.00 each payment for their being allowed to continue, and after a long standoff due to their refusal, and it was getting late, they were told that they were going to be arrested and charged for “Money Laundering”.

According to Charlie, he laughed because they were both aware of the Money Laundering law and sincerely believed that the policemen were bluffing because they wanted to “steal” US$1,000.00 from each of them, and

Page 7

2 Chinese-Belizean businessmen fall victim to Honduras’ ‘preventative detention laws’! …Belize heading the same route!!! their gold chains which the policemen held on to.

Charlie, who is the most outspoken and defiant of the two, got the policemen mad when he told them that he would be reporting the matter to the police in Puerto Cortes and to the Belize Embassy.

According to Charlie and Jack, the policemen then combined their money and then told them that they were under arrest on the suspicion of ‘Money Laundering’.

Charlie and Jack were then taken into custody and transported into Puerto Cortes to be processed.

All this time Charlie and Jack believe they are getting a free ride into Puerto Cortes believing that all this mix-up would be clarified once in Puerto Cortes, and that they would be freed but they were sadly mistaken.

In Puerto Cortes, the policemen purport to write “their” statement, even though no statement was taken from them, and no interpreter was afforded to them at the police station. No questions were asked of them and the only time they were in front of a superior officer was to comply with a demand that they sign for their property, excluding the two gold chains.

They were also forced to sign documents, including the accusation which charged them jointly with money laundering for travelling with excess of US$13,000.00.

They were then told that they will be sent to the Preventative Detention Centre for six days while the office of Organized Crime in Tegucigalpa investigated them. After that they would be taken to court, and it could be cleared up with a good lawyer within that time.

Their Chinese friends in Belize, especially those in the southern districts of Belize who know them, quickly raised some money which was sent to Honduran Chinese friends who got them a lawyer hoping that it could indeed be cleared up within the six day period, but that did not happen.

In their first appearance, the office of Organized Crime and their prosecutor did not present any preliminary evidence to establish a prima facie case before the judge but used Honduras’ “Preventative Detention” law to have the judge confine both of them.

The judge opting for the prosecution, confined these two Belizean Chinese brothers to the Puerto Cortes Preventative Detention Centre on First Avenue in Puerto Cortes to a time not exceeding two (2) years to allow for the Office of Organized Crime to establish their case but declaring that it was up to the defence attorney to convince the courts as to the innocence of the two Belizeans.

Their first attorney wanted significantly more money but showed very little desire or made little effort to take the bull by the horns and do whatever is necessary to prove their innocence.

A second lawyer was contracted - he is a former prosecuting attorney, Walter Javier Molina Castro, who is characterized as the best attorney in Puerto Cortes. if not Honduras.

Attorney Molina Castro interviewed Charlie and Jack and quickly got on the

ball He has obtained favorable testimonials and character references for both men from the Government of Belize GST Department which proves that they are genuine businessmen. He has obtained copies of their trade licenses, liquor licenses, invoices and receipts from the Belizean gas companies who supply their Hattieville gas station, as well as financial statements from Heritage Bank and the Central Bank of Belize to show that the two businessmen regularly purchase US foreign exchange, He has also secured a report from the Honduran Embassy in Belize who investigated and notarized the documents and who have attested to the good character of these men.

The National Perspective Editor was travelling to Guatemala on a different mission and objective and had the intention of travelling to nearby Honduras, specifically to San Pedro Sula for last Sunday’s game with Belize and Montserrat but all that became secondary when he learnt of the plight of these two Belizeans. I was following the same route the two men had taken when I met Charlie’s wife whom I recognized from Belmopan. After hearing of the incident I travelled to Puerto Cortes in her company and visited with the two men last Sunday at her request.

At Centro Penal Preventiva of Puerto Cortes, the NP was given permission to visit with the two in company of a family member to have a family day.

As I entered I was directed to a cellsize room with makeshift triple bunk beds, which are smaller than the size of a regular bed. Luckily for Charlie and Jack they are short men and they fit just right, but it’s not a privilege to have a bed, they have to pay the inmate landlord handsomely to have privileges.

Charlie, who is the older of the two, pays to have his younger brother share a single-size bunk with him.

Anyway, it is very costly while in jail there to be able to enjoy outside food, have other prisoners wash your clothes and to be protected by the head trustee of the inmates. I also met three other Belizeans in there but that’s another story.

The long and short of all this is that for over two months these two BelizeanChinese businessmen have been casualties of the Regional Security Initiative sponsored by the US government under which Preventative Detention is an element that makes any innocent person guilty of malicious suspicions or trumped up charges by rogue cops as is the case of Charlie and Jack.

I had an interview and was permitted to speak the following day on Monday with Walter Molina Castro to whom I owe gratitude for his courtesy.

Dr. Molina Castro took the time to meet with me and the family member to apprise us of the latest update regarding the detention of the two. He also took the time recount the events that had transpired from when he took over to present with regards to the arrest under the Honduran Preventative Detention law.

He has presented all the aforementioned documents that establishes that the two are no peddlers but genuine

businessmen in Belize but it is up to the Office of Organized Crime in Honduras to accept them or not. The Office of Organized Crime is based in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, and hours-drive from Puerto Cortes. However, the said office are seeking “Legal Assistance” from Guatemala, Mexico and Belize to ascertain if they have anything in their data base regarding any previous or similar incidents regarding the two.

The bureaucracy involved with that will no doubt cause even further delay.

Dr. Castro has also managed to arrange and schedule a reactive scanning of the currency notes that would indicate or raise red flags of any residue or substance tied to illicit activities.

All this is red tape and bureaucracy that infringes on the basic human rights and civil liberties of these two Belizeans and every other innocent individuals that may be caught in the web of interpretation of this “Preventative Detention” that Belize is seeking to adopt.

The process that they have followed is also a Kangaroo Court only involving a judge, a prosecutor and a defense attorney, if you can afford one.

This situation might well be repeated in the near future in Belize when the “Preventative Detention” law gives authorities the power to extort or abuse their police powers by interpreting the law to suit their purposes.

I made arrangements and exchanged information, email, telephone etc. with defense Attorney Molina Castro and on Wednesday evening he graciously gave me a call and informed that the scanning process was carried out and that the results seem to favor his clients Charlie and Jack.

However, the prosecutor for organized crimes office told him in front of the judge that supervised the scanning process of the bills that the “Legal Assistance” to the three countries, Guatemala, Mexico and Belize is still being carried out as a protocol but a letter will be sent this Friday from the Office of Organized Crimes to the Foreign Affairs and Attorney General’s Office in Belize to verify and attest to the authenticity of the various letters and character references which have already been authenticated by the Honduras Embassy in Belize weeks ago.

Attorney Molina Castro told me in the phone conversation that he got the reassurance from the prosecuting attorney for the Organized Crime Office that as soon as he receives a positive response from Belize, they won’t wait for a response from Guatemala and Mexico but instead will withdraw the charges from the two men.

There are many Belizeans who travel to the neighboring republics to make purchases of clothing and grocery items to resell in Belize and this could be repeated with other innocent Belizeans.

We always say justice delayed is denied but what about the presumption of innocence and the benefit of the doubt?

What about “everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty?” We could all agree that we could expect these atrocities that obstruct true justice in our neighbours but we are not far behind. We have seen atrocities committed in Belize by our very own police department and we have not even implemented the ‘Preventative Detention’ law into our system yet. Is this the path we really want to go?

There are many small business individuals that make up our informal economy and who travel in groups to the neighboring countries to make purchases per dozens of clothing, footwear, etc, as well as grocery items to re sell in

Continues on page 13

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

Page 8

Caribbean News Don’t judge us on death penalty, AG says

Trinidad PM to try to avert national shutdown

Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said that a disproportionate amount of time and resources were spent on the death penalty issue.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar agrees to meet with unions to possibly prevent threatened strike action.

Monday July 18, 2011 - Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, outlining the Caribbean’s position on the contentious issue of the death penalty to Commonwealth counterparts, has insisted that a country’s legal position on capital punishment should not be a barometer to gauge its compliance with human rights obligations.

He contended that it is “a simplistic approach to a complex problem as the notion of human rights should not be reduced or judged by reference to its position on the death penalty.”

“In any event, there was not any international consensus on the relationship or consequences of the implementation of the death penalty (which is reserved for the most heinous crimes) and its respect for human rights,” Ramlogan said after a comprehensive report from the Human Right Unit was presented at the recent Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting.

Ramlogan said that a disproportionate amount of time and resources were spent on the death penalty issue.

His contribution ignited a strong debate with strong support coming from Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and several countries from the African continent.

During the sessions, Ramlogan also raised the issue of the rising HIV and AIDS rate among Member States and asked that the Commonwealth Secretariat focus on this critical issue at its next meeting which will be held in Botswana in 2014.

Global issues such as climate change and its impact on security and survival, cybercrime, overcrowding in correctional facilities, the modalities for civil society engagement, and issues of international family justice and the need for collaboration among Member States to protect the lives and welfare of innocent children were also discussed.

The Meeting had as its theme “Fostering a Just and Secure Commonwealth”.

Tropical storm threatens Bahamas

NASSAU, Bahamas, Monday July west Bahamas are under a tropical 18, 2011 - Grand Bahama Island storm warning as Tropical Storm and the Abaco Islands in the north- Bret - the second storm of the At-

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Wednesday July 20, 2011 – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has agreed to meet with the leadership of trade unions in another week in an attempt to prevent a nationwide shutdown by public workers who are demanding more than the five percent salary increase being offered by the government. But she has made it clear that the meeting will be on her own terms.

In a letter dated July 18, sent to President General of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) Ancil Roget, she expressed her willingness to meet with the bargaining agents next Tuesday, July 26, but said the discussions would not be aimed at negotiation, but rather at sharing views “in a cordial atmosphere to advance the interests of all concerned.”

Persad-Bissessar stressed that it was not her intention to subvert the Collective Bargaining process and added that she could not agree to any preconditions for the meeting.

Roget had written to Persad-Bissessar on July 7, warning that unless the government removes its five percent wage increase offer within two weeks, there would be a “mammoth” national strike that would affect all sectors in the twin-island republic.

In her response, the Prime Minister sought to downplay the threat, saying that she did not share the view that “there is or should be any collision course between the Labour Movement and Government.”

However, she did acknowledge that the industrial action which the union proposed would do serious harm to the country.

“I recognize your right to represent

your workers as I ask you to recognize the right of our government to represent the interest of all of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Unfortunately, the demands contained in your correspondence were accompanied by threats of union actions which, if pursued, may have dire consequences to both our national security and economic stability,” PersadBissessar said.

“It has always been my approach to negotiate in an atmosphere of cordiality and encourage an open mindedness so as to allow for a better understanding of the issues before us. This willingness, however, must not be misconstrued as anything but a desire for achieving a mutuality of understanding and, please be assured that I will do all that I can to protect the interest of our nation.”

She added that, as Prime Minister, she wanted to make decisions that are always in the best interest of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and agreed with the union, therefore, that “no effort should be spared to have the country’s productive forces collectively focus on moving the economy forward”.

The unions have flatly rejected a five percent increase over a three-year period offered by the Persad-Bissessar administration as settlement of terms and conditions of employment for the 2008-2010 period, which includes the consolidation of the existing Cost of Living Allowance for each year.

The offer would see workers paid two percent for 2008, one percent for 2009 and two percent for 2010, along with a TT$2,000 (US$315.95) lump sum payment.

lantic Season and the first to threaten the Caribbean - strengthened after forming yesterday.

Tropical Storm Bret was this morning carrying maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour and some additional strengthening is expected over the next two days.

It was centered 65 miles northwest of Great Abaco Island and is expected to move north-northeastward later today.

“On the forecast track, the centre of

Bret will begin moving away from the northwest Bahamas later today,” the 8 am bulletin from the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said.

Bret could bring up to four inches of rainfall over the northwest Bahamas.

The NHC also warned that high surf conditions can be expected along northern and western facing beaches in the northwest Bahamas throughout the day.

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

Page 9

Mexico cartel issues booklets for proper conduct

MORELIA, Mexico (AP) — An organized crime group calling itself the Knights Templar is distributing booklets saying it is fighting a war against poverty, tyranny and injustice, publicly appealing to hearts and minds in a part of Mexico where the government claims it has largely taken down the major drug traffickers.

Federal police said they seized copies of the cartel’s “code of conduct” booklet during an arrest of cartel members in the western state of Michoacan last week, but refused to release its contents Tuesday, saying they didn’t want fan the flames of the quasi-religious movement.

But a copy of the 22-page “The Code of the Knights Templar of Michoacan,” illustrated with knights on horseback bearing lances and crosses, was obtained

by The Associated Press this week. It says the group “will begin a challenging ideological battle to defend the values of a society based on ethics.”

The Knights Templar have been blamed for murders, extortion, drug trafficking and attacks on police. Analysts say the propaganda is part of an effort to transform a drug cartel into a social movement, along the lines of what right-wing paramilitary groups did in Colombia in the 1990s against leftist rebels — a fight in which both sides used the drug trade to finance their causes.

The Knights Templar was founded in March, according to the booklet, whose illustrations were lifted from an artist, a website of a company that sells swords and another promoting the 2007 Swedish film “Arn: The Knight Templar,” according to an AP image search.

Named for a medieval Roman Catholic order of religious warriors who fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem, Knights Templar is a splinter group of La Familia, another cult-like cartel whose leader, Nazario Moreno Gonzalez, published a motivational pamphlet called “The Sayings of the Craziest One.” While La Familia claimed strict codes of conduct among its members, including prohibiting using or selling drugs within Mexican territory, it didn’t distribute its booklets publicly. The contents of its “bible,” reportedly based on the teachings of U.S. evangelist John Eldredge,

have never been revealed by authorities.

The cartel became one of Mexico’s major sources of methamphetamine.

The Mexican government claims to have all but dismantled La Familia since Moreno was killed in a shootout with federal police last December and another founder, Jose de Jesus Mendez Vargas, was arrested last month.

But the mayhem and killing has continued in Michoacan as Knights Templar gunmen battle both the Zetas cartel and remnants of La Familia seeking to control President Felipe Calderon’s home state more than 4½ years after Calderon launched his crackdown on organized crime here in 2006.

More than 35,000 people have died in drug violence across Mexico since then, according to government figures, and some groups put the number at more than 40,000.

Calderon has said he took on the cartels to prevent organized crime from spreading to the roots of Mexican society.

Like La Familia, Knights Templar claims to be highly religious, but unlike La Familia, the new cartel has sought to distribute its teachings to the general public with kitschy but florid posters, banners, emblems and even medieval robes.

“God is the truth and there is no truth without God,” reads one passage in the booklet.

The person who gave the AP the professionally printed, pocket-size booklet said it was distributed earlier this month by two men in regular clothing aboard a bus traveling in rural Michoacan. He said the men handing out the material then sat down among the other passengers and, without saying a word, got off at the next stop. He asked that his name not be used for fear of retaliation.

The booklet says cartel members “must fight against materialism,” and respect women and children. It prohibits them from killing for money and says, “for all members of the order, the use of any drugs or any hallucinogen is strictly prohibited.” It mandates drug testing for members.

The Knights Templar have criticized federal police for failing to protect Michoacan against incursions by the ultraviolent Zetas.

Honduran president says he got death threats

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Honduran President Porfirio Lobo says he has gotten death threats from business owners angered by his plan to raise taxes to fund better security.

Lobo is giving no specifics on what he says are threats “from a high level.” Officials said Monday they are heightening security at his residence and offices.

Honduran legislators in June approved a 5 percent tax on bank ac-

counts of more than $5,000 along with taxes on cellphone sales, mining exports and casinos. It aims to raise $400 million over five years to equip police, the army, prosecutors and the Supreme Court to fight organized crime.

A council of 58 prominent businesses is challenging the law in court, arguing the taxes will be used to fund political campaigns.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is proposing a referendum to demand the United States pay damages to the Central American country for involvement in its civil war.

Ortega says U.S. support for the “Contras” that fought against his Sandinista government following the 1979 overthrow of dictator Anastasio Somoza caused $17 billion in damages.

He says Nicaragua has already compensated U.S. citizens for property seized during the war.

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Callahan says Washington paid compensation in the 1990s.

In 1986, the International Court of Justice ruled that the U.S. violated international law by supporting the Contras. The U.S. opposed the ruling and vetoed a resolution requiring compliance at the United Nations.

Ortega proposes referrendum to demand US damages

www.nationalperspectivebz.org

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

Page 10

Cameron denies staff Car blast kills Briton in Yemen port city Aden tried to halt hacking probe

ADEN/SANAA (Reuters) - A blast in a booby-trapped car killed a British shipping surveyor in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden Wednesday, local officials and shipping sources said.

A security source told Reuters he believed militants were behind the blast that killed the long-time resident of Aden, who was in his 60s, when he started his car.

The victim was an independent surveyor for a marine and insurance company in Yemen. A Western shipping source based in Aden said the Briton had just returned from surveying a tanker attacked in July by pirates off Yemen’s coast.

“We tend to think that it was some kind of terrorist attack because he was well known,” the security source said.

Attacks on foreigners are rare in the port city, which lies east of a strategic shipping lane that channels some 3 million barrels of oil daily.

Witnesses said the man’s car exploded as soon as he turned on the engine, shattering windows in nearby buildings on Aden’s Mualla Plaza.

“He started the car and it immediately exploded and he was engulfed in flames,” a witness told Reuters by telephone.

One passer-by was critically injured in the blast which also damaged nearby buildings, a municipal official said. She said there was no clue as to who was behind the explosion.

“It’s clear that there was some kind of explosive device placed in his car,” she said.

Aden has been relatively quiet in recent months, even as mass protests demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh drag into their sixth month, erupting into sporadic bursts of violence.

The neighboring Abyan province has been plunged into daily bloodshed since Islamist militants seized the city of Jaar in March and the provincial capital of Zinjibar in May. The army, which says the militants are part of al Qaeda’s Yemen-based wing, launched an offensive to retake Zinjibar five days ago but has yet to regain the city.

A security belt was placed around Aden several weeks ago in the hope of preventing more militants from slipping into the strategic coastal city. Some 54,000 Abyan residents have sought refuge in Aden.

OPPOSITION ATTACKED The United States and neighboring oil giant Saudi Arabia have grown increasingly worried about the turmoil in the Arabian Peninsula state -- the Arab world’s poorest country.

Riyadh and Washington, both targets of foiled al Qaeda attacks from Yemen, fear rising instability provides militants with room to operate.

In a separate incident Wednesday, an opposition official from the leading Islamist party Islah survived an attack by gunmen in the capital of Sanaa, the opposition said.

The northern capital has witnessed rising violence in recent days following weeks of relative calm after Saleh left the country for treatment on injuries he suffered in a bomb blast at his compound.

Islah leader Mohammed al-Yadumi’s car was fired on by gunmen Monday but he fled the attack, Yemen’s opposition coalition said. The group blamed forces loyal to Saleh.

“We hold the heads of national security, the Republican Guard, Special Forces and central security responsible for this criminal incident,” the coalition said in a statement.

LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister David Cameron emphatically denied claims that his staff tried to stop an inquiry into phone hacking at the News of the World and defended his decision to hire one of the tabloid’s editors as his communications chief.

In a raucous emergency session Wednesday in Parliament, Cameron did admit that both the ruling Conservatives and the opposition Labour parties had failed to pursue key developments in the hacking case and had actively courted media baron Rupert Murdoch.

“The clock has stopped on my watch and we need to sort it out,” Cameron told lawmakers, promising that a government inquiry would examine the cozy relationship between British politicians and media and investigate whether other news organizations may have broken the law.

Police are also probing whether news media breached privacy laws.

Cameron cut short his Africa trip and the House of Commons delayed its summer break to debate issues engulfing both Britain’s political and media elite and Murdoch’s global communications empire, News Corp.

Murdoch owned the troubled News of the World, where the phone hacking claims first emerged in 2005, when the royal household alerted police that the tabloid may have learned about Prince William’s knee injury by illegally intercepting phone messages.

Cameron’s former communications chief Andy Coulson — a former editor at the tabloid — is among 10 people who have been arrested in the scandal. One has been cleared.

Lawmakers wanted to know why Cameron insisted on hiring Coulson despite warnings and how much the prime minister knew about the phone hacking investigation. There have been allegations that some people on Cameron’s staff may have met with police to pressure them to drop the investigation.

“To risk any perception that No 10 (Down-

ing Street) was seeking to influence a sensitive police investigation in any way would have been completely wrong,” he said.

Cameron did, however, meet with News Corp. executives more than two dozen times from May 2010 to this month — meetings that were criticized in Parliament by Labour leader Ed Miliband, who said Cameron had made a “catastrophic error of judgment” in hiring Coulson.

Coulson was an editor at the News of the World when royal reporter Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were arrested and jailed in 2007 for phone hacking. The original police inquiry into phone hacking was dropped, Coulson quit the paper and Cameron — then opposition leader — hired him.

This January, police reopened the hacking investigation. They are now investigating some 3,870 people whose names and telephone numbers were found in the News of the World files. It remains unclear how many were hacking victims. Coulson resigned his government post that same month.

News Corp. said Wednesday it had now eliminated legal payments to Mulcaire — a day after Murdoch told lawmakers in a special parliamentary committee hearing that he would try to find a way to stop the payments. Mulcaire’s lawyer, Sarah Webb, declined to comment on the development.

In other phone hacking news, a judge Wednesday awarded “Notting Hill” actor Hugh Grant — one of the most prominent celebrity critics of the Murdoch empire — the right to see whether he was one of the tabloid hacking victims.

The scandal captivated television audiences from America to Murdoch’s native Australia on Tuesday, as Murdoch endured a three-hour grilling by U.K. lawmakers.

The media baron said he had known nothing of allegations that staff at News of the World hacked into cell phones and bribed police to get information on celebrities, politicians and crime victims.

Page 11

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

By: Nuri Muhammad Many young black males, and to an extent some black men, depend too much on the ‘victim card’ when trying to get a job, a loan, a scholarship, or just sympathy for their situation; in other words, “help me because I am a victim”. The reality of Belize today however, is that there are many people who come from equally or more disadvantaged backgrounds, but who don’t rely on hands out to make it; they take life as they find it and do the best they can with what they got to survive; in other words, they refuse to play the ‘victim card’ .

Using the ‘victim card’ is not exclusive to black males in Belize; in fact, it has become an established strategy for correcting perceived injustices historically and used worldwide. In fact, one of the most successful uses of the ‘victim card’ can be seen in the history of Jewish state of Israel. As a ‘victim’ of the holocaust in Germany they made sure that history would not repeat itself by reminding the world through every medium possible over the last sixty three years that they were the ‘victims’ of humanity’s worst crime. So even in their current conflict in the West Bank where Israel maintains oppressive military control, the Israeli still sees themselves as ‘victims’.

Another use of the ‘victim card’ was the ‘Affirmative Action’ (AA) approached used in the US to correct years of unequal treatment of blacks in that country. The rationale for AA was that blacks should be given special consideration over whites in jobs, education, housing, etc., in order to correct the years that blacks had been deprived of equal justice in every aspect of civil rights in that country.

When the AA policy was first implemented in the sixties many black Americans received a jump start, a

Burning Issues AVOID PERMANENT DEPENDENCY kind of skip to the front of the line support, to correct the built-in historical injustice.

The women movement in the US also used the ‘victim card’ to highlight the fact that some kind of AA was needed to address the injustices built into that system that deprived women of equal rights. Another example of using the ‘victim card’ in the US is how the homosexual/lesbian lobby used the Civil Right amendment, originally passed to correct the injustices against blacks to lobby for equal rights for gay/lesbian on the basis that they were ‘victims’. There are many other examples of where the ‘victim card’ was an appropriate strategy to correct systemic injustices.

The problem with using the ‘victim card’ comes when the victim perceives that they have a right over others by virtue of the fact that they are a ‘victim’ and others are not. When victims themselves begin to depend on sympathy to justify that they should be helped before others then they are caught in the trap of “victimology”.

This is where using the ‘victim card’ becomes a problem.

There are many beggars in the city today. Some are clearly victims and need a helping hand to pull them through their temporary hard times till things get better. Some, however, have decided to turn begging into a daily profession. I recently met a youth asking for money who told me it was better to a beggar than a thief; but what about others who have turned their misfortune into an opportunity to work their way out of their

dilemma. Who do you think will get the most support, the perpetual victim, or one who is asking for help to help themselves?

It is almost becoming an accepted fact now that black men in Belize City especially, are lazy and want everything for free. Despite its derogatory nature this is a growing opinion among many who site all kinds of examples to verify their viewpoint.

They say, look how the Chinese, Indians and Arabs own all the stores that black Belizeans once owned on Albert Street and Queen Street. Look how the new Belizeans from Central America have established themselves over the last twenty five years. They say, unlike these new Belizeans, if you offer a black man in the city a job he is more concerned about how much he will be paid, and if the price is not right, he would prefer to be without a job.

We all know that working hard and working smart is the key to survival especially in this depressed economy that we face in Belize today, but how many people are waiting for the “right” job before they will accept any job. How many are satisfied to stand on the sidelines and complain instead of getting out there and finding a job and failing that, making a job?

And yes, those who use their entrepreneurial skills to do illegal trade rather than sitting around and begging must be commended for their effort to use their survival skills, especially when they have hungry mouths at home to feed; but we must also warn them that illegal trade is a dead-end

street with glitter in the front but death or jail at the end. Crime really doesn’t pay in the long run.

The fact is there are many legal ways to generate an income, albeit small, but such jobs have no glitter attached to them; they may be dirty and backbreaking and pay below the minimum wage but they can sustain you till you find something better.

They say that ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and that there are lights at the end of every dark tunnel; but if you don’t live in a culture that encourages working with what you got and to never depend on someone to do for you what you can do for yourself, you will forever miss opportunities to improve your situation.

Constantly crying about the half empty glass and failing to acknowledge what assets you have to work with essentially kills’ creativity and renders you forever dependent. We’ve all heard the story of the man who prayed vehemently to God to bless him with shoes ….he became vexed in spirit because his prayers went unanswered until one day he say a man who had no feet, but was yet cheerful and productive; clearly this man had learned to work with what he had.

It is the responsibility of government is to stimulate an enabling environment where jobs are created both in the public as well as the private sector; clearly this UDP government has been a dismal failure over the last three and a half years to accomplish that goal.

In fact, it’s the opposite that’s taking place… businesses are closing and people are losing their jobs in this economy. A good government would have targeted the employment of its citizens as a top priority.

But be that as it may, the individual citizen has no excuse to rely on the ‘victim card’ permanently; if jobs are not readily available then one has to find his/her own way to avoid dependency (Comments welcomed at nuribze@gmail.com).

Page 12 “Belize’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February 2011 shows that overall consumer prices rose by 1.1% from November of the previous year.

This rise, which follows a zero percent change between August and November 2010, was due largely to price increases in the ‘Transportation & Communication” and “Rent, Water, Fuel and Power’ categories.”

Statistical Institute of Belize (February, 2011) “Naturally the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany.

That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

Hermann Goering, Germany’s minister of propaganda during the Third Reich.

I listened to a portion of Minister of Transport Melvin Hulse’s comments when he called Love FM one morning this week in response to a caller who criticized him for allegedly facilitating a land owner in one of the villages in the Stann Creek West constituency. Another caller called and criticized Hulsein regards to a bus that overturned on the Northern Highway with 44 passengers on board.

The caller obviously exasperated by government’s ineptitude registered his disapproval by referring to the Minister Hulse by his nickname, “Flippin”. He was quickly chided

by Rene Villanueva not to address Hulse in the manner he did and the caller retracted.

Hulse called soon after and dismissed the caller’s comments and directed focus on the accident but did not squander an opportunity to ramble in his usual incoherent manner about the land matter. Much to Rene Villanueva’s chagrin, Hulse started out by using the very word that he (Villanueva) had earlier chided a caller for using in reference to Hulse.

Melvin Hulse has long branded the word so much so that it is embedded in our minds that the word is synonymous with Melvin Hulse. There were no corrections for Hulse, however. I am not first to say this. I have read it in other publications and have heard it said a number of times that Hulse’s use of the word “flippin’” is unbecoming of a member of government. We all know what he really means. But in the scheme of things Hulse’s behavior and his wanton use of indecorous language is normal in parliament and particularly of our UDP parliamentarians. The standard is set – we either like it or lump it.

Monday morning’s bus accident on the Northern Highway which risked the lives of all who were on board

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

The price of UDP ineptitude and corruption the bus is unfortunate and perhaps could not have been avoided, however, there are a few things that the incident brings to the fore.

During the recent flare up in the bus industry there was intervention by none less than the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, Minister of Police Doug Singh with the support of Minister of Works Boots Martinez, Minister of Housing Michael Finnegan, Minister of Education Patrick Faber and Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington.

ment with that many passengers on board? Did a blowout really cause the accident? Were there other contributing factors to the accident? If a blown out tyre was the culprit, then it points to a problem that owners and operators have complained of time and time again – that of the high cost of replacement parts including tyres.

This brings me to the dismal state of our economy thus the reason why I posted the statement from the Statistical Institute of Belize.

The additional weight of survival in

Unofficial reports from family members of some of the passengers on board the bus are that speeding was an element in the mishap. It is hard for me to accept that a rear wheel blow out caused the bus to flip.

Hulse in his harangue on Monday tried to downplay the implications of what happened and sounded rather pretentious about his concern for the injured.

It was quite an assembly in support of a Minister that bungled on the job.

Things are no better for commuters today. The pie has simply been sliced thinner in order to accommodate UDP crony Sergio Chuc. The reason for how Chuc was inserted and why he was inserted has not been justified. We either like it or lump it.

Unofficial reports from family members of some of the passengers on board the bus are that speeding was an element in the mishap. It is hard for me to accept that a rear wheel blow out caused the bus to flip.

Hulse in his harangue on Monday tried to downplay the implications of what happened and sounded rather pretentious about his concern for the injured.

The northern operators boasted of not being members of the Belize Bus Association casting the BBA aside as a “waste of time” showing no professionalism, preferring to act as a renegade group. I believe an unregistered “Northern Bus Operators” was later formed.

It begs the question whether there will be an in-depth investigation into the accident. While Melvin Hulse and the people in the Ministry of Transport may want to downplay the accident, I lay some of the blame at their doorstep. If the Transport Board was an autonomous one, the driver and his company would be worried about sanctions and lawsuits from the injured. I hope they do.

Will the investigation reveal whether the driver of the bus was rested and in shape to operate the equip-

Belize was brought on by increases in the prices of transportation, communication, rent, water, fuel and power. According to the Statistical Institute, those commodities drove cost of living in Belize by 1.1%. It is long held that when fuel prices go up then just about everything else goes up and where there are price caps or regulations on rates, example electricity “power”, it does send a shockwave through the economy.

We are not discussing power this week but one can appreciate at least (I hope) the problem that the former management of BEL faced why they requested a rate increase. Another day another time for that….

The level of “competition” in the bus industry has placed additional burden especially on smaller operators who owe mortgages and have families to feed therefore are unable to maintain their equipment thereby ensuring the safety of commuters.

Like electricity or “power” fares are regulated – those fares are not being adjusted to reflect the increasing cost of operation. While we as consumers do not and cannot countenance increases in goods and services, it must not be lost on us the cost of providing those goods and services in the environment we are currently living in. This is not time for Hulse’s supercilious PR maneuvering but for him and his government to get things in order and observe the real issues of the transport industry.

It is ridiculous that so many companies are operating in the industry where the market is not there for the volume of operators. I continuously draw comparison to the US where there are millions more people yet only one or two operators in a particular zone.

There is no competition in the industry because prices are regulated and runs are regulated therefore there is no need for all the companies/operators on the highways. But don’t expect this crowd to entertain the idea because they facetiously promote this “competition” thing that really is not a competition.

Once again we have seen another fruition of another of government’s diabolic plans that was to seek out and destroy. The Novelos were forced out of the industry when their runs were reduced thereby denying them the revenues necessary to meet their obligations therefore the bank foreclosed and that is the end of National Transport. The UDP propagandized that the PUP “gave $30 million to the Novelos”. This is totally untrue and there is no recovery from the damage done from this kind of propaganda anytime soon. The current Opposition remains reticent on addressing these issues that the UDP will certainly use to campaign on going into the next elections.

Even though the government is encountering the same type of problems that the former administration adopted policy to address, they continue the propaganda that it is someone else’s fault. In Belize - market size will always be a challenge to doing business – but we can only “imagine the possibilities” if the buffoons we elected to lead us were “sophisticated enough to conceptualize certain things” (Dean Oliver Barrow).

Market size is an issue that investors consider and a reason why Belize has not attracted much or any by way of foreign investment. Most companies that would hire the proletariat will not invest if they are not assured of a certain amount of return. It is business and not charity – no one owes us anything and it is for the people we elect to lead us to design the enabling environment for our people to earn a living and live in dignity.

The Barrow regime’s tactic is to spread fear and identify an enemy (Ashcroft, Fortis/Stan Marshal) and feed them to the masses like raw meat. Those that speak out against the government (COLA, Belizeans for Justice, Marcel Cardona, me and others) are called sellouts or are said to be on the take from Ashcrofts and others. It is another disingenuous and hypocritical claim since Dean Barrow has done business with Lord Ashcroft for many, many years and still is to this day. It is high time that the masses get over their love affair with Dean Barrow because he is a bold face liar who has betrayed our trust. Those opposed to our tyrant of a Prime Minister are labeled “vend patria,” called “unpatriotic” and the like. Seems for the PM and his government, true patriots are those like the PM’s ex wife, Lois Young and his brother Denys and his daughter.

Those are the true patriots I guess – what great example they set!

www.nationalperspectivebz.org

Page 13

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

2 Chinese-Belizean businessmen fall victim to Honduras’ ‘preventative detention laws’!

A Constitutional amendment I would support In October 2006 I was approached and asked to host a morning radio talk show on what was to become Positive Vibes Radio, a PUP owned radio station. After a long string of handy victories, going back to the 1996 Belize City Council elections, the party had been devastated in the March 2006 Municipal Elections.

Some in the leadership and many amongst the rank and file had credited the UDP’s WAVE Radio’s “Fus Ting Da Mawnin’” talk show with Joe Bradley, Sr., and Juliet Thimbrel, with leading their successful media campaign and wanted the PUP to respond in kind. I didn’t think the PUP could respond in vein and I was perhaps naively hopeful that the electorate would eventually reject or at least be turned off by the personal attacks, vituperation and lies that were a characteristic staple of the WAVE morning show.

I knew that the political tide of affairs had changed, but unlike many of my fellow partisans, I had perceived that with the exception of the Belize Times, the PUP literally had no influence in any of the other media houses. Whereas LOVE, Channel 5 and KREMANDALA had been perceived of being either pro-PUP or even neutral before 2005, it was clear to me at least, that they were now anti-PUP, if not pro-UDP. What was then FM2000 Radio had actually embarrassed the party when one of their employees had leaked a recording of Party Leader Said Musa swearing his loyalty to Ralph Fonseca at a political event the year before, following the G7. That alleged employee went on to become a successful UDP city councilor and a mainstay broadcaster over at WAVE. I signed on to the morning show believing at the time that this was my last hurrah in partisan politics, determined at the time to “retire” so to speak, from partisan politics regardless of the outcome of the 2008 General Elections campaign. I was still under contract to the Government of Belize, and though I felt bothered by the conflict it posed to my conscience, I swallowed hard and jumped into the trenches.

I had been assured that the show would not just be another talk show and that I would not have to become Joe Bradley or Juliet Thimbrel. I doubted whether I could. There would be others to assume those partisans’ roles and I would be free to just moderate and host. Within a few months the show was also being aired on television, in this case Channel 5, and it was ground breaking in many aspects.

Despite our best efforts the PUP were virtually wiped out in the general elections, the television operations suspended indefinitely, and my stint as a morning show host over with and done,

or so I thought. I had not counted on the venom and vindictiveness of the new administration.

I stayed away from the media almost completely for nearly two months while I tried to clear my mind and soul. I had long lost my taste for partisan politics but after a few weeks I began to realize that the UDP weren’t just being rhetorical when they had sworn from their rostrums that they were seeking the destruction of the PUP. They almost immediately took away the one piece of land I had because there had been a delay in getting the lease to me, and when I went to pay the rent they had refused to collect the money because they had closed the Lands Department.

There were other attacks and within a short time I was literally forced to take refuge behind PUP lines and wait out the bombardment.

In November 2008 new PUP chairman Carolyn Trench Sandiford prevailed on me to host the morning show again. I was far from enamored with the idea but I figured I wasn’t going to go anywhere anyway, and it was hard for me to see how anything I did or say could piss off the UDP anymore than they were.

I agreed to at least host the show until after the 2009 Municipal Elections.

The PUP was again badly beaten in the municipals, and a week after I was asked to keep the show going for a paltry sum. At this point I knew that getting another gig would be difficult, and the UDP would attack any entrepreneurial effort on my part. It was as good a way as any, short of leaving Belize, to bide my time.

For the first few months it was a lonely effort and it took a great deal of self-discipline and determination to get up weekdays and go sit alone and try to compete for the attention of the electorate on a radio-only signal when my competitors were on television, and in some cases on television and radio, and in one case on two television broadcast and on a nation-wide radio signal.

Meanwhile our signal was being degraded, and soon we lost our transmission completely in the north and west.

Eventually we would reach the point where our broadcast could only be heard in Belize City and its immediate environs.

Almost incrementally the show began to gain some listenership, as we expanded the panel and broadened the issues under discussion. It helped that we were able to break several stories and the Barrow administration controversial constitutional amendments, and scandalous episodes of corruption and/ or incompetence emerged and became part of the public discussion.

Every revolution eats its young, or so the old Trotsky quote goes. In April

…Belize heading the same route!!!

Continues from page 7 Belize. The small business women from little Melchor, are an example.

These two Chinese, though in the same unfortunate situation, at least have other business associates and relatives who are members of their Chinese community who were able to support them, especially with finance, so as to afford an expensive lawyer in their time of need.

What about others who may fall within the cracks of justice that may not be so fortunate with support, especially the finance to afford a good defense lawyer?

This should be an eye opener for Belizeans - we must never allow our rights and freedom to be strangled by a law like “Preventative Detention” and nei-

ther should we allow trial without a jury of your peers to be implemented.

We could regret it when it hits close to home involving one of our relatives and it might well be too late.

There must be other mechanisms that could give investigators a fair leverage to investigate without infringing on the human right and civil liberties of innocent people because we will never know when we will meet rogue policemen who will abuse their powers, extort monies from you or use the “Preventative Detention” law on you like the three rogue police officers at the check point at the Corinto border station in Honduras.

God forbid that PD be a part of our system.

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Subscriber’s Name:________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City: __________________State:_____________________ Zip:_______Country:______________________________ E-mail: _______________________________________ Telephone______________________________________ Receive Belize’s “National Perspective” Weekly in your mailbox: Yearly subscription: 52 ISSUES (12 months).

Domestic subscription: $100.00 BZ. 52 ISSUES (one year) Yearly subscription: 52 ISSUES (12 months).Caribbean , Central América ,US, Canadá and México Price: $US 100.00 Domestic subscription: Half year subscription: 26 ISSUES (6 months). $60.00 BZ. The Caribbean , Central América ,US, Canadá and México Half year subscription: 26 ISSUES (6 months). $US50.00 ADVERTISE WITH US AND SUPPORT A TRULY FREE PRESS of this year I was summarily dismissed from the morning show because it turns out I was not “partisan” enough. I had resisted the calls to engage in the type of “personal attacks, vituperation and lies that were a characteristic staple of the WAVE morning show.” The decision was never officially explained to me, but I believe that because Joe Coye lost his bid to run as a PUP candidate in the upcoming general elections, and complained about his opponent’s tactics, I was to be made an object lesson.

The point of this brief history is that this week Vibes Radio closed after it failed to pay its electricity bill, and despite the mumblings that it is closed while it is being re-structured I know that it has been running at a loss the past

several years and there is a debate ongoing as to whether or not to resuscitate its operations.

If I had my druthers I’d love to see Vibes/FM2000 restored to its former owners and it returning to the media scene as the fairly independent station it once was. The present Johnny Bricenoled PUP has clearly demonstrated that they can’t manage the station and it is time they ‘fessed up.

The party would be better served trying to mend fences and improving its relationship with the rest of the media.

Belize would better off without the partisan political electronic media – now there’s a constitutional amendment I’d support.

Page 14

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

HEAlTHY LIVING

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic type of arthritis. Early symptoms of RA include fatigue, joint pain, and stiffness. As it progresses, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may feel like the flu, with achiness, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown, although there may be a genetic component. Early and effective rheumatoid arthritis treatment can improve the prognosis and may help prevent joint and bone destruction associated with RA. Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation in a joint. Joint inflammation is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain within the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that typically occurs in joints on both sides of the body (such as hands, wrists, or knees).

This symmetry helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis.

In addition to affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis may occasionally affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, or nerves.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview

How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated?

There are many different ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Treatments include medications, rest and exercise, and surgery to correct damage to the joint.

The type of treatment will depend on several factors including the person’s age, overall health, medical history, and severity of the arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications

There are many rheumatoid arthritis medications available to decrease joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. Some of these drugs prevent or minimize the progression of the disease.

Drugs that offer relief of arthritis symptoms (joint pain, stiffness, and swelling) include: Anti-inflammatory painkiller drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen Topical (applied directly to the skin) pain relievers Corticosteroids, such as prednisone

What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include: Joint pain and swelling Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods Fatigue Rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone differently. For some, joint symptoms develop gradually over several years. In others, rheumatoid arthritis may progress rapidly and while other people may have rheumatoid arthritis for a limited period of time and then enter a period of remission.

Narcotic pain relievers

Who Gets Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the U.S. population. While it is two to three times more common in women than in men, men tend to be more severely affected when they get it. It usually occurs in middle age, however, young children and the elderly also can develop rheumatoid arthritis.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors.

With rheumatoid arthritis, something seems to trigger the immune system to attack the joints and sometimes other organs. Some theories suggest that a virus or bacteria may alter the immune system, causing it to attack the joints. Other theories suggest that smoking may lead to the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Research hasn’t completely determined exactly what role genetics plays in rheumatoid arthritis. However, some people do seem to have a genetic or inherited factor that increases their chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect the Body?

Once the immune system is triggered, immune cells migrate from the blood into the joints and joint-lining tissue,

tis may also have a positive antinuclear antibody test (ANA). This test is indicative of the fact that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and sometimes overlaps with other autoimmune disorders.

called synovium. There the immune cells produce inflammatory substances. The increased number of cells and inflammatory substances within the joint cause irritation, wearing down of cartilage (cushioning material at the end of bones), and swelling and inflammation of the joint lining. Inflammation of the joint lining stimulates it to produce excessive joint fluid within the joint.

As the cartilage wears down, the space between the bones narrows.

If the condition worsens, the bones could rub against each other.

As the joint lining expands, it may invade into, or erode, the adjacent bone, resulting in bone damage that is referred to as erosions. All of these factors cause the joint to become very painful, swollen, and warm to the touch.

How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on a combination of factors, including: The specific location and symmetry of painful joints, especially the hand joints.

The presence of joint stiffness in the morning.

Presence of bumps and nodules under the skin (rheumatoid nodules).

Results of X-ray tests that suggest rheumatoid arthritis.

Positive results of a blood test called the rheumatoid factor.

Most, but not all, people with rheumatoid arthritis have the rheumatoidfactor antibody in their blood. (Rheumatoid factors are actually antibodies that bind other antibodies.) Rheumatoid factor may sometimes be present in people who do not have rheumatoid arthritis. Other diseases can also cause the rheumatoid factor to be produced in the blood. Therefore, the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on a combination of joint abnormalities as well as laboratory information and not just the presence of the rheumatoid factor in the blood.

A newer, more specific blood test for rheumatoid arthritis is the cylic citrulline antibody test, also called anti-CCP. When positive, it is highly suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis.

The presence of anti-CCP antibodies implies a tendency toward a more aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis.

People with rheumatoid arthritis may have a mild anemia. Blood tests may also reveal an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which are markers of inflammation.

Some people with rheumatoid arthri-

There are also many strong medications called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

These medicines usually work by interfering with or suppressing the immune system’s attack on the joints.

They include: Plaquenil (originally used to treat malaria) Immune suppression drugs such as methotrexate, Imuran, and Cytoxan Biologic treatments, such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Orencia, and Rituxan Other drugs, such as Azulfidine and Arava

Why Is Rest and Exercise Important for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

A balance of rest and exercise is important in treating rheumatoid arthritis. During flare-ups (worsening of joint inflammation), it is best to rest the joints that are inflamed. This may be accomplished by the temporary use of a cane or joint splints.

When joint inflammation is decreased, guided exercise programs are necessary to maintain flexibility of the joints and to strengthen the muscles that surround the joints.

Range-of-motion exercises should be done regularly to maintain joint mobility.

When Is Surgery Necessary for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

When joint damage from the rheumatoid arthritis has become severe or pain is not controlled with drugs, surgery may be an option to help restore function to a damaged joint.

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Be Cured?

Although there is not yet a cure for rheumatoid arthritis, early, aggressive treatment has been shown to help prevent disability.

Sunday,July 24th, 2011

Page 15

Atlas rocket in line for human launches Nasa has taken another important step in its efforts to replace the shuttle with a commercial system to take astronauts into space.

The agency has signed an agreement with United Launch Alliance (ULA) to assess its Atlas 5 rocket for use in human missions.The Atlas is currently used to loft US military satellites as well as unmanned science probes for Nasa.It has an excellent record, having completed 26 flights with no failures.When Nasa lands its Atlantis shuttle on Thursday, it will have no means of getting American astronauts into orbit.

In the short-term it will rely on Russian Soyuz rockets and capsules, but eventually it hopes to buy transportation services from US commercial operators.“With the shuttle landing here in a few days it does not mean the end of human spaceflight; it means that chapter is going to finish and we’re going to pick up with a new chapter,” said Ed Mango, Nasa’s Commercial Crew Programme manager.“And today, with our agreement with ULA, I believe we are taking some of those steps to continue on with that tradition of being leaders in human spaceflight.”The Atlas has been chosen as the rocket of choice by three private companies that are in the process of developing ships capable of ferrying crews

to the International Space Station (ISS).Monday’s Space Act Agreement (SAA) signed between Nasa and ULA will help determine whether the rocket is up to the task.

The SAA involves no exchange of funds. ULA, which is a joint venture between rocket manufacturers Boeing and Lockheed Martin, will instead invest its own money in the review which is expected to last six to nine months.The work will de-

termine which components on the Atlas already meet Nasa’s stringent requirements for human spaceflight and which elements might need to be upgraded if the rocket is to be certified for astronaut missions.

In parallel with this assessment, ULA will also be continuing development on its Emergency Detection System that would be placed in the Atlas to give warning of a major malfunction.In such an event, the EDS would trigger the abort mechanism

on the crewship atop the rocket, carrying this vehicle and its astronauts to a safe distance.“From its roots as the launch vehicle for the manned Mercury programme in the 1960s, each new generation of the Atlas system has demonstrated advancements in reliability and performance,” said George Sowers, ULA’s vice president of business development.“The Atlas 5 is the proud inheritor of decades of improvements and lessons learned. The Atlas programme has a record of 97 consecutive successes that’s the best in the world. The Atlas 5 has launched 26 times with 100% success,” he told reporters.Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), Blue Origin, and Boeing itself are receiving funds from Nasa to help them develop spacecraft that could transport up to seven astronauts to the ISS. All three companies would like to launch their vehicles on an Atlas 5. A fourth company in receipt of Nasa funds, SpaceX, would use its own rocket to launch a crewship.Although the SSA covers work done on the Atlas 5 only, ULA says it is also assessing its Delta 4 rocket for human launches.Nasa is developing a capsule to go beyond the ISS called Orion. This is much heavier than the private astronaut taxis that want to use the Atlas 5.ULA says the greater power afforded by a Delta 4 could be used to launch Orion, if Nasa wanted to take that option.

Climate change ‘threatens peace’, UN official warns

Climate change poses a major threat to future peace and security, a senior UN official has warned.

Achim Steiner from the UN Environment Programme said climate change would also “exponentially” increase the scale of natural disasters.

His comments followed a UN declaration of famine in parts of Somalia.

Meanwhile, Russia rejected a Security Council statement backed by Western nations which asserted the link, but later agreed to a weaker text.

The Russian envoy Alexander Pankin said he was sceptical about the implications of putting climate change on the security council’s agenda.Security Council members finally agreed to a text which spoke of the “possible security implications” of climate change.

‘Exponential growth’ Mr Steiner warned that an increase in the frequency of natural disasters across the

globe could prove a major challenge in the coming decades.He said recent crises, such as in Somalia, illustrate that “our capacity to handle these kinds of events is proving a challenge, particularly if they occur simultaneously and start affecting, for instance, global food markets, regional food security issues, displacing people, creating refugees across borders”.

Somalia famine The final statement expressed “concern that possible adverse effects of climate

change may, in the long run, aggravate certain existing threats to international peace and security”.It also requested UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to include information on possible climate change impacts in his regular reports on global trouble-spots.

German Ambassador Peter Wittig welcomed the outcome, describing it as a “good day today for climate security”.

“We had quite extensive discussions,” Mr

Wittig said. “We wanted to get everyone on board. And we did.”The council had failed to agree on whether climate change was an issue of world peace in 2007, when Britain brought up the issue.The move came after two regions of Somalia were declared a famine, after the worst drought in six decades.Conditions for famine include more than 30% of children being acutely malnourished, and four children out of every 10,000 dying daily.More than 10 million people have been affected by the crisis across east Africa.

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Sunday, July 24th , 2011

‘Barrow’ feeling the heat!

Preventative Detention DOA, again!!

Continued from page 1

a record number of young black men gunned down in Belize City’s south side. None of the Barrow administration’s responses (increased presence of security forces, Restore Belize Program, removing former Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo) worked. The violence became more indiscriminate when women and children were also gunned down in the mean streets and in their homes in Belize City. Government was desperate for answers to sop up the bloodshed.

In May of this year, Prime Minister Barrow announced that he would once again revisit the Preventative Detention matter with a view to getting it passed in the House this time. He also announced that he will go as far as suggesting that trials for capital offenses are conducted without a jury.

And once again the Prime Minister has announced that his administration had “back ‘er up” on the proposal.

The same reaction that the original proposal ignited back in 2008 was again re-ignited following PM Barrow’s announcement this year. Attorneys for the Opposition People’s United Party took to the media critiquing the proposal now a Bill as well as a wide cross section of the society. Everyone is tired of crime and would want to see a cessation but many agree that Preventative Detention which seeks to enable police to detain persons suspected of being affiliated or involved in a gang for 21 days, was not the answer.

According to Barrow’s new remix of the proposed law, by constitutional amendment, “before the police can grab somebody they must make some kind of application to some tribunal.”

Those details, the PM reassured, “… will be drafted in accordance with the constitutional permission that will gain as a consequence of the amendment.”

Still, remix and all, the proposal has failed to gain traction with criticisms coming from different sectors of the society. Most critics say that the proposal if it ever becomes law, would give the state, through the police, the power to further exploit citizens’ rights as well as subject many, particularly young black males from south side Belize City, to abuse by the police. Others say that law would simply go too far while some also say that instead of implementing more draconian and restrictive measures Government needs to address the causes of crime by creating employment and other opportunities for displaced youths.

Speaking with the media on May 13th following the presentation of the Bill to the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister told the media that it was his, “… unshakable conviction, unsinkable conviction that the majority of citizens is behind these measures and I will not be deterred by however vocal the opposition is as long as I can be persuaded or as long as I remain persuaded that it will be a minority opposition.”

That unshakable and unsinkable conviction has once again turned out to be another one conjured in Barrow’s head because he was forced to concede yesterday morning that they would have to put the proposal on the back shelf of the “freezer.” Most political observers had expected this decision because no less than Michael Finnegan, a long

time ally and close friend of the PM had come out swinging against preventative detention.

In an interview on Channel 7 on Monday Finnegan said that after consultations with his constituents he could not support the Bill and would ask the PM to reconsider. If the idea was unpopular in 2008 it is even more so in 2011.

With political ramifications to consider and the timing of the Bill, the Barrow Cabinet considered carefully on Tuesday, and yesterday Wednesday Barrow revealed that they had decided to fold that particular tent, again.

Finnegan who is the UDP’s political whip, seems to have had a date with the possibilities had the Bill become law and it is more on the political considerations rather than the impact it would have, if any, that the Bill is being withdrawn for a second time. Finnegan did not want to wager the UDP’s already weakened chances at the polls on this one.

In April of 2008 the Prime Minister, less adamant then said, “We need to understand that we will err on the side of caution. So if even a minority is against it but it is a vocal minority and there is a majority, we think in favour it but it is a silent majority, it is the vocal minority that will carry the day. We prefer to err on the side of caution.”

Barrow appearing more the amenable PM later said in May of 2008 that“… everybody that has spoken about it so far, that might be a slight exaggeration, but by my reckoning, everybody that has spoken about it so far is against it. I have said from the start that as a democratic government, I would be bound to heed the position taken, even if it were by a minority, so long as it is a vocal minority. I don’t know whether it is a minority but those that are against it are certainly vocal and I say again those that may be supporting it have not said anything. I am therefore prepared to indicate that at this stage, the government would not be proposing, I will not be proceeding with those aspects of the constitutional amendments when the Bill goes back to the House.”

As the wind dissipates from the government’s sail for a second time on the Preventative Dentention Bill a squabble of words has ensued between Leader of the Opposition and Patrick Faber, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Consultation committee. Leader of the Opposition John Briceno wrote Faber charging that the ninety day period for consultations may soon elapse without there being any consultation. Briceno also warned Faber about a last minute consultation.

Faber fired back yesterday that Briceno has misunderstood the procedures saying that at least ninety days should be allotted for consultation and not a fixed ninety day period. For now it appears that the UDP has failed again at finding solution to addressing Belize’s importunate crime situation and Preventative Detention is dead on arrival.

Yesterday morning Prime Minister Barrow revealed that his administration, presumably at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, had decided to put the preventative detention proposal on hold once again. He cautioned that they may bring it back at anytime.

Barrow also revealed that he had been threatened over the preventative detention but did not elaborate.

Passenger Bus Flips with passengers 40 on board accident. The girl is alleged to have had her arm hanging out of the bus’ left side when the accident occurred. She was pinned under and rescuers had to extricate her by lifting the equipment off her arm.

Similar maneuvering had to be performed to extricate the 12 year old boy who was trapped inside the bus. The two children are said to be the worse injured in the accident.

By Rhenae Nunez Monday, July 18, 2011 COROZAL – Twenty-four persons are recovering from physical injuries and trauma suffered during a horrifying bus accident that occurred on the Northern Highway between miles 64 and 65 on Monday morning at 4:40.

A Cabrera’s bus carrying forty-four passengers on board was en route to Belize City from Corozal when it overturned near San Pablo Village in the Corozal District. Police say that a blown out rear inner tyre may have caused the accident. Other accounts suggest that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel while relatives of passengers who were on board say that the driver, Pedro Cumush, 43 was speeding.

While police continue their investigation into the accident, 24 passengers, two who are minors (11 year old Judith Canterero and a boy 12 years old) are in a fight to save their arms that doctors say may have to be amputated.

The children are reported to have been standing in the bus at the time of the

Most of the passengers were taken to the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk Town while others were taken to the Corozal hospital. On Tuesday doctors told the media that Judith’s arm was broken in three places. They are doing their best to save the arm but as a last resort may have to amputate it.

So far there has been no word from Cabrera’s bus company or the Northern Bus Operators who were recently embroiled in a flare up in the industry over bus runs after the government insisted on making accommodation for UDP crony Serjio Chuck who recently started his bus company Westline Bus Company.

Nothing has come out of the Ministry of Transport about the accident.

Transport Minister Melvin Hulse has only indicated that an investigation has been launched into the accident.

It might be too early to say whether any of the passengers will take legal action against Cabreras’ bus company.

Fortunately, the remaining twenty passengers injuries were minor and non-life threatening.

Thursday, July 19, 2011 BELIZE CITY – The chatter has died down, trailing away as the 14 young men and one girl make their way in scattered ad hoc groups through the wrought iron gates of the Mexican Institute on Sandlighters Promenade on Newtown Barracks. After they had departed the energy of their enthusiasm still hangs in the air of the room where they had just spent a few hours learning the craft of speaking their minds through the medium of audio/visual arts.

The intense three week sessions take them through the basics of learning to take pictures, record their creations, and putting it all together in what they want the world to sit up and take notice. These are our young people finding their voice, learning how to get us to listen to their cares, their concerns, their creativity.

Khalil Jacobs Fantauzzi is a film maker who had documented the rise of the genre of hip hop in Brooklyn, New York, and the African-centric diaspora in Cuba and in Ghana, and now in Belize. Along with his brother Eli, and a cast of thousands, their work is visually stunning, lyrically evocative, reaching across nationalities to grab at its viewers and listeners.

At heart he is a teacher. By profession he teaches New York children in the practical here and now of Social Studies. His is a bus boy’s vacation, teaching Belizean young men and one girl, the basics of how

to render the medium of information technology into a sword to cut across our everyday consciousness and to listen to them.

The backdrop to this piece is the persistent staccato of gunshots and “man did drap!” Instead he wants to ensure that these youths “di rap.” I am more do wop than hip hop but I can relate if only to the awesome potential and talent on display, about to be harnessed, groomed, crafted into the message of hope for another generation of artists, entertainers, and perhaps prophets whose message can save us, save the world.

This is the Global Parish Project, offering documentary storytelling workshops for youth and emerging filmmakers in Belize, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, Open Campus and the Belize International Film Festival.

The naked energy of coordinator Melanie Nyahbinghi Price meshing with the cool professionalism of Fantuzzi seems to promise that true art, the golden moment that transports us beyond the everyday and deepens our understanding of our lives, our purpose, our society, will emerge from these our children.

For Fantuzzi it may appear a busboy’s holiday but his lifelong passion is there in his documentaries, and his dedication to the craft of teaching the next generation, and generation next, is there for all to see, enjoy, learn from, and ultimately appreciate.

Belize – these are the voices of our children

SESNECIL ROUQIL RO61FegSaPNOITACILPPA

Sunday, July 24th , 2011

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Featured Recipes

Marriages Alberto Luis Lanza to Elvira Juanita Mejia both of Maskall, Belize Juventino Tillett Mason to Saira Edelmira Interiano Perez both of Copper Bank, Corozal Delmir Audomar Chan of Guinea Grass, Orange Walk to Amanda Belen Mendez of San Antonio, orange Walk Miguel Chub to Candelaria Cab both of Midway, Toledo Glenford Supal to Marsha Virginia Logan both of Independence, Stann Creek Alexander Mess to Estelita Martinez both of Independence, Stann Creek Filiberto Cho to Paula Francisca Choco both of San Pedro Columbia, Toledo Sean Paul Lydiard to Karin Weiner Ham both of California, USA Jeremy Robert Goodin to Christina Bernice Heim both of Washington, USA Shawn Luis Reuland to Lydia Hermelinda Oakes both of California, USA Emmanuel Iloabuchi Agbo of Belize City to Shauna Jo Anderson of Arkansas, USA Claudio Tzul to Lurdez Romero both of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye Rony Danilo Garcia to Lisa Marie Chock both of Steadfast, Stann Creek Admir Osbaldo Balam to Ernilda Estela Osorio both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk Armando De Leon Guox to Irma Noemi Ordonez both of Trial Farm, Orange Walk Raymond Flowers Jr. to Tecia Te de Tec both of Carmelita, Orange Walk Joaquine Rodriguez to Juana Paulita Salam both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk Emilio Ku to Noemi Balam both of August Pine Ridge, Orange Walk Jen Wei Tung to Li Lee both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk Vicky Hareshlal Gyanchandani of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk to Alejandra Sandra Garcia of Guinea Grass, Orange Walk Gumercindo Ernesto Mendoza to Rosa Elena Suchite both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk Zamir Isair Herrera to Elisani Lehopoldina Tejeda both of San Jose, Orange Walk Rogel Baldemar Escalante to Dora Suyapa Munoz Castellanos both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk Jaime Efrain Novelo of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk to Adelita Hernandez of Carmelita, Orange Walk Julio Cesar Guerra of Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo to Angelica Maria Salazar of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk Jose Carlos Catzim to Gisela Paola Castillo both of San Estevan, Orange Walk Eder Abimael medina to Farrah Liet Marchand both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk Eddy Obdulio Monzon to Alba Patricia Aragon both of Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk

Births Albert Gian to Albert and Doreth Alvarez nee Flores Jerimiah Rodolfo to Rodolfo Paulino and Justina Antonia Cocom nee Ogaldez Gabrielle Gisselle to Carlos Renan and Sonia Elizabeth Gamez nee Rivas Jayla Diane to Henry Allan and Delma Bernett Holiday nee Tillett Jhnelle Alexandrea to Jason Alexander and Michelle Marie Brakeman nee Pott Yue Zhou to Xiong Jie and Xue Ting Huang nee Xu Jazirah Curtlynn Amalia to Curt Stanley and Lizany Thomas nee Cawich

Deaths Humberto Chan, 81 Gladys Richards, 80 Romel Alexander Palacio, 53 Leonard Harrison Gillett, 24 Joseph Chesterfield Dawson, 75 Paula Herbert, 91 Karina Zelda Goff, 28

Remoulade is a mayonnaise-based French sauce or dip traditionally made with mustard (horseradish in this recipe), gherkins, and capers.

It is frequently featured in Creole or Cajun recipes and goes terri cally with shell sh and seafood. is lower-fat version features shrimp and a wealth of fresh, earthy vegetables. Try the dressing with other sh or grilled meats.

Ingredients 1/4 cup tarragon vinegar 2 tablespoons catsup 1 tablespoon horseradish mustard 3/4 teaspoon paprika 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper 1/4 cup cooking oil 2 tablespoons nely chopped celery 2 tablespoons nely chopped green onion 1 pound fresh or frozen shrimp in shell, peeled, deveined, and cooked 4 cups torn mixed greens 2 medium avocados Sliced cooked beets (optional) Hard-cooked egg wedges (optional) Lemon peel strips (optional) directions For remoulade, in a small bowl combine vinegar, catsup, horseradish mustard, paprika, and ground red pepper. Slowly add oil while beating with a whisk or fork; beat until combined. Stir in celery and green onion.

Place cooked shrimp in a plastic bag set into a bowl. Pour remoulade over the shrimp. Seal bag. Turn bag to coat shrimp. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, turning occasionally.

To serve, drain shrimp, reserving marinade. Divide greens among 4 dinner plates. Halve, peel, and seed avocados. Slice avocados and arrange on torn greens. Arrange shrimp over avocados. If desired, garnish with beets, hard-cooked egg, and lemon peel. Stir and pass reserved marinade. Makes 4 main-dish servings.

For Sale by Owner

1990 Toyota Picup Truck ---Good working condition Call: Kent McField at 223-0362 --$6,000 or OBO

Sunday,July 24th, 2011

Page 18

MOE/Alamilla’s rules Interoffice basketball 7-0 Belize

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rebounds and the end was never in doubt as CYDP led 12-10 in the 1st quarter and Justine Wade added 9 pts, 4 rebounds and Leon “Bigs” Williams had 7 pts, 12 rebounds for them to lead 32-22 at the half. Ports’ Vince Estrada had 14pts, Lennox Bowman added 13pts and Leroy Forbes - 12pts, but CYDP still led 47-35 in the 3rd quarter, with Marcel Orosco and Darwin “Dawgy” Elijio each drained in a long trey for the 61-51 win, while Ports’ Ian “AC” Augustine had 8pts, 10 rebounds.

CYDP had also enjoyed their 5th win 58-53 over Krem/Hard Rock last Wednesday. After wining their opening night debut against Belize Telemedia, BWS Pressure has been plagued by a string of 5 losses before they finally posted their 2nd win 69-61 over Youth for the Future on Sunday. BWS’ Jamir Enriquez had 16 pts, 11 rebounds to lead 2013 in the first quarter and Ashley Hemsley added 16 pts, 11 rebounds and Lawrence Young had 14 pts, three rebounds to lead 31-25 at the half. Benson Matthews added 10pts, 8 rebounds to lead 46-38 in the 3rd quarter, while YFF’s Fenton Noralez led with 21 pts, Norman Humes scored 16 pts and Fenton Ross drained in 3 long treys to add 11pts and Stephen Wade had 5pts.

2011

The undefeated Ministry of Education/Alamilla’sFurniture (7-0) rules the 2011 interoffice basketball competition with back to back wins at the Belize City Center over the weekend.MOE/Alamilla’s Furniture posted their 7th win: 68-52 over San Pedro’s War Paint Designs on Sunday. Greg Rudon drained in a long trey for 22pts to lead MOE/ Alamilla’s. Jay Jex replied with 14 pts for War Paint to lead 14-11 in the 1st quarter. MOE/Alamilla’s Brandon Rogers scored 14 pts and Kevin Lorenzo added 13 pts, to lead 27-22 at the half. MOE’s David Jones drained in a long trey to add 11 pts, while Rhenton Belisle and David Alamilla each scored a bucket to lead 57-34 in the 3rd quarter.San Pedro’s Emerson Castillo added 9pts, Franklin Aranda and Aaron Hendricks chipped in 5pts, and Whitman Williams and Jerome Gillett each added a bucket in their loss.MOE/Alamilla’s had posted their sixth win: 67-44 against of Caye Caulker’s Tropic Air on Wednesday.The CYDP are also undefeated after posting their 6th win 61-51 against the Ports of Belize last Friday. CYDP’s Earl Johnson had 20 pts 10 Belize

City,

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2011

The Strikers stopped the Dantos 9-8, and Team 313 cuffed the Police 14-2 inthe Belize City men’s softball at the home of softball at the Roger’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon.Brandon Bood on the mound for the Strikers struck out 6 batters, conceding no runs for the first 4 innings, while Rayan Rowland came home in top of the 1st. inning.Dantos’ pitcher Garth Godoy struck out 7 batters to give up no more runs in the next 4 innings, and made it a 1-1 ball game when he came home in the bottom of the 5th inning. Dantos’ catcher Norman Martinez also came home in the 5th for the Dantos to lead 2-1.The Strikers soon led 7-2 when Rayan Rowland hit an out of the park homer in the top of the 6th and Bood, Troy Williams, Keith Madrill, Stephen “Muerte” Williams and Brent Hamilton also came home in the 6th.Dantos’ shorstop Johnston Machado, Go-

Strikers & Team 313 win in men’s softball

doy and Oscar Rios came home in the bottom of the 6th to trail 5-7. Machado and Godoy crossed the plate again in the bottom of the 7th taking the game into a tiebreaker 8th inning.The Strikers’ Brent Hamilton and Floyd Flowers came home in the top of the 8th to lead 9-7, and only Ronado Siu scored for the Dantos.In Game 2 of the evening, the mercy rule ended Team 313’s 14-2 spanking of the Police. 313’s Patrick Rowland came home in the top of the 1st inning, the Derrick Jones hit an out of the park homer to tie the bal game 1-1 in the bottom of the 1st.Jeremy McCulloch on the mound for the Police struck out 5 batters, but his wildly erratic pitching walked 9 batters and 313’s Michael Nolan came home in the top of the 2nd and followed by Densmore Edwards as 313 led 2-1.Team 313 lead grew to

David Vasquez, Belisle, Nolan, Elton Gentle and Densmore Edwards scored 7 more runs in the top of the 4th and Milton Flores hit an out of 6-2 as Nolan, Jason Belisle, Gods- the park homer to lead 14-2 and the den Ferguson and Oscar Arnold game was called, when the Police came home in the top of the 3rd to scored no runs in the bottom of the lead 6-2 and only Linton Broaster 4th. Oceana Pros won 7-0 when came home for the Police in the Team 313 were a no show for their bottom of the 3rd.Kevin Siroki, scheduled game on Friday night.

Sunday,July 24th, 2011

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Belize Telemedia & Guardian win in Interoffice basketball

2011 20-20 at the half. Vergil Miller had 5 pts 10 boards for Belikin and MiBelize Telemedia and the Guard- chael Staine tossed in 8 pts and 10 ian both enjoyed big wins when boards, but Guardian took over the the interoffice basketball competi- lead 36-31 in the 3rd quarter and tion continued at the Belize City Bernard Felix’s 4 pts, 5 rebounds Center on Monday night.Jamal and Zach Young’s 9 pts, 7 boards Kelly had 17 pts, 3 rebounds as he saw them through to a 80-58 win.. led Belize Telemedia to a 80-58 On Sunday, BTL did not do so blowout of Youth for the future on well as the Belize Bank Bulldogs Monday. With Deveon Lozano’s crunched down on a 71-61 win.

13 pts, 3 rebounds, BTL led 31-9 Darwin “Puppy” Leslie led the in the 1st quarter and Lupito acos- Bulldogs with 16pts, 5 rebounds ta’s 13 pts, 4 rebounds gave thema and Roscoe Rhys also had 15 pts, 44-21 lead at the half.Ed thjomp- 9 rebounds. Jamal Kelly’s 13 pts, 5 son’s 8ppts 5 rebounds and Lennox rebounds gave BTL a 15-12 lead in Cayetano’s 6pts ,10 rebounds put the 1st quarter, but Darren Neal’s 12 BTL up 61-40 in the 3rd quarter. pts, 5 rebounds and Kachief ThomFenton Noralez led YFF with 14 as’ 7 points, 5 rebounds put the pts 7 rebounds, while Fenton Ross Bulldogs ahead 35-26 at the half. added 190 pts, Lincoln Kelly added Rupert Brown scored 8 pts for the 8 pt 3 rebounds and Darwin Fergu- Bulldogs to lead 48-39 in the 3rd son had 7 pts, 4 boards.The Guard- quarter. Lupito Acosta drained in ian had also brewed a bitter 53-46 a long trey to add 11pts for BTL, defeat for the Belikin Knights of the Lennox Cayetono had 7pts, 12 Bowen & Bowen Group in Mon- rebounds and Chaka X had 7pts. day’s nightcap. Dwayne Davis led Tuff e’Nuff (6-1) posted back to Guardian with 13 pts, 9 rebounds, back wins: 81-62 over the Roe and Egbert Walford had drained Group on Sunday, and 66-57 over in 2 long treys to add 14 pts, 2 re- Tropic Air on Friday night. Mirab bounds while Calbert Carcamo has also enjoyed their first 2 wins of added 11 pts 13 boards. Stafford the competition: 54-51 over Tropic Young had led Belikin with 14 pts 6 Air on Sunday, and an overtime 65rebounds and Milton Flores added 57 win over the Belikin Knights on 12pts 3 boards to tie the ball game Friday night.

Belize

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Orio making it a 1-1 ball game in 2011 the 59th minute.“No pasa nada” as Team Belize ran rings around the Team Belize has advance to the bigger, island boys in the 2nd half Group Stage in the 2nd round of and Deon McCauley scored the 2nd qualifiers matches for the 2014 winning goal in the 60th minute World Cup in Brazil a 3-1 win .Luis Mendez iced the victory cake in Belize’s ‘home’ game against with a 3rd goal in the 62nd minute.

Montserrat at the Estadio Olimpico The group in which Belize will be Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula on competing, will be determined by Sunday, July 17. Belize moved up a draw to be held in Rio de Janeiwith a 8-3 goal aggregate, as they ro on July 30, in Belize now joins had also won the 1st game 5-2.Dan- the US Virgin Islands, Dominiiel Jimenez struck Belize’s the first can Republic, St Lucia, the Bahagoal in the 23rd minute, finishing a mas, Panama, Canada, el Salvador play created by Elroy Kuylen racing Granada, Trinidad & Tobago and up the left flank.Team Belize was up Haiti are leading the series, which 1-0 at the half time break, but Mont- also include Antigua, Guyana, Suriserrat’s star striker Gayle Hodgson, name, St Kitts & Nevis, Guatemala, who had also scored the 2 goals Dominica, Puerto Rico, Barbados, in the first game, blasted in a shot Curacao, St Vincent, the Cayman past Belize’s goalie Shane Moody Islands, Nicaragua, and Bermuda.

Belize

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Belize vs Monserrat June 15th

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Sunday, July 24th , 2011

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