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Master chess player Prime Minister
Said Musa may have run out of moves.
New information on the Universal
Health Services Guarantee and docu-
ments signed with the Belize Bank has
caused Belizeans at home and abroad
to follow "Guarantee-Gate" with rapt
attention, and anger.
Leader of the Opposition, Dean Bar-
row has not only reiterated his call for
the Prime Minister's resignation, he has
now set a deadline for the National As-
sembly. His ultimatum: call a house
meeting during which he can challenge
the Guarantee by Friday, May 11, or
the United Democratic Party will hold
a national protest.
The party is now playing hardball af-
ter News 7 disclosed last week that the
Prime Minister had already signed a
settlement deed with the Belize Bank
even as he was instructing his own Fi-
nance Committee to try and "renegoti-
ate" with that bank. In fact, the loan
payments are already overdue.
During a press conference May 3
Barrow said the PM has gone too far
this time: "There are two extremely
grave offenses that the Prime Minister


has committed against the constitution
and the polity of this country. One is
doing the guarantee and now, even
worse, the loan agreement in an unlaw-
ful manner, a patently illegal manner and
the second is in lying to everybody in
an effort to conceal those illegal actions
that had in fact engaged in... There can
be no question of any ignorance on the
part of the Prime Minister. Deliberately,
with malice a forethought, this man se-
cretly converts the already illegal guar-
antee into a loan that expressly violates


the terms and provisions of the Finance
and Reform Act."
In a bizarre twist to the whole affair,
PUP Secretary General Henry Usher,
became a useful pawn as he attempting
to defend the King-who also happens
to be his father- and justify the PUP
Parliamentary Council's support for the
party leader and Prime Minister.
But that was the day BEFORE News
7 showed copies of the Belize Bank
documents which, it seems, the Secre-
tary General did not even know existed.


Barrow lashed the Prime Minister for
this deception too, "So the man lies to
his own son, hangs him out to dry, sac-
rifices him publicly on this altar of fraud
and conspiracy. Well that may be a pri-
vate family matter, I refer to it only be-
cause his son is the Secretary General
officially of the PUP and this was said
on nationwide TV It thus illustrates the
lengths to which Said Wilbert Musa is
prepared to go."
How far Barrow is prepared to go
will be revealed this week as he told
the media he plans to send two motions
to the National Assembly asking 1)
House members to rej ect the loan ar-
rangements as unlawful 2) declare any
payments to the Belize Bank would be
illegal.
The Prime Mini ster was in Taiwan for
most of the firestorm but was expected
back in Belize on Sunday. Just what sort
of reception will greet him is unclear, but
Belizeans all over the world are not likely
to let him sacrifice other key players so
easily this time. They will also expect
the opposition to make good on its own
promised moves.


Supply Down, Milk

Prices Could Rise


Belizean consumers may see some
increases in the price of their powdered
milk and possibly condensed, evapo-
rated and other dairy products due to
heavy demand on European Union
countries and a shrinking supply in other
parts of the world.
Grace Kennedy Belize says Belizean
buyers should be made aware of the
current conditions which MAY result in
higher prices locally.
According to Melkweg Market Re-
port on Milk Powder last month there
is a historic high in world market prices
for all dairy commodities with heavy
pressure on the EU. Melkweg cited
conditions in a number of producing
countries: New Zealand-sold out for
the season, Australia-experiencing a
drought, USA-not appearing on the
market and behind schedule in deliver-
ing contracts, India-export ban,
Ukraine-seasonal shortage, Argen-
tina-new export tax leading to can-


celed contracts.
According to the report, buying zones
such as Algeria, Egypt, Mexico, Brazil,
South-East Asia are already experienc-
ing shortages and looking for milk pow-
der and Europe could be next.
According to Fronterra Briefing
Notes however, while there is growing
demand for fresh milk in many coun-
tries, "traditionally, developing markets
have shifted from powders to con-
densed milk to fresh milk as consumers
become more sophisticated and more
affluent. What we are seeing now is a
much faster transition to fresh milk."
Perhaps Belize's Mennonites might
see some increase in sales if there is a
shortage, however, a great many
Belizeans still rely on imported prod-
ucts due to refrigeration or other con-
straints, or simply prefer the taste they
grew up on.
Information for this article was supplied
by Grace Kennedy Belize Ltd.


Can the himself out ofthe mess?
Can the PM pull himself out of the UHS mess?


Ms Y' 2007


Mrs. Anita Henry wins Ms 'Y' pageant. (see story on pg. 16)








Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 2



1


Testing Our Mettle
Dear Editor,
Greetings. It is a tough environment
in Belize taking on 'the powers that be'
especially after what has occurred with
David Gibson, Christine Perriot and now
reports are in the media about Dr
Corinth Morter Lewis... People have to
be reminded of these 3 cases and simi-
lar cases over time. The majority of
Belizean public servants are one pay-
check away from financial difficulty
hence the fear of losing one's job.
"Dinero para mis amigos, Bala para mis
enemigos y Palo (beatings) para los
indecisos"
Business is far stronger than govern-
ment; government is far stronger than
civil society. We have to use some the
oil money to strengthen civil society with
education (not for the same 20 names
that usually get everything, ordinary
Belizeans-- not Preferred Belizeans) 20
PhD per year for the next 20 years, 40
MA per year for the next 20 years, 80
BA per year for the next 20 years. This
is additional to whatever training is oc-
curring now. It is likely that from these
2800+ people will come our next:
Phillip Goldson, Antonio Soberanis,
Henry Fairweather (This man planted
hundreds of mahogany trees knowing
he would not harvest, that's a patriot),
David Price, Julian Cho... It's possible
that there still is a moratorium on study
leave in the public service how will we
ever climb out of the hole without edu-
cation.
How many people could have been
educated with $33 Million? How much
money has been collected from the oil
company? How many geologists, indus-
trial engineers and surveyors are being
trained with the proceeds from oil, min-
ing around Belize? How has the money
collected from oil been used? How many


more loan guarantees have been signed?
How much is Mahogany Heights worth
today? How much was reportedly spent
on Mahogany Heights? Keep bringing
up these and other issues on our behalf.

signed, Concerned Lecturer

Textbook
Standardization Poses
Threat to Belizean
Printer
Dear Editor,
With the Government's free book
giveaway, the Ministry of Education
has chosen the Learning Tree reading
series for seven of Belize's eight
school years. They begin in Infant
One. MoE also chose a second set
of readers: for Infant One, Fast Phon-
ics written by QADS/MoE and the
New Caribbean Readers for Infant
Two through Standard Five.
The reasons why MoE/QADS did
not include BRC's books in the free
give away are complicated, full of
questionable, opinionated reasoning
and wrong.
BRC's reading method is called
Phonics First. The only reading
method Ministry of Education accepts
is the Whole Language method. By
the early 1990's, the Whole Language
reading method proved to be a fail-
ure in developed nations. It even
failed when the parents helped their
children and their children spoke En-
glish as a first language. It is for that
reason that "Hooked on Phonics" was
extremely successful. Today the de-
veloped world is using phonics based
books. BRC is a phonics based
book.
Because MoE demands that


schools use the Whole Language
method, they have been trying to get
BRC's books out of schools. Up until
now MoE has not been successful.
Children learn using BRC's phon-
ics first reading method, so BRC has
grown in the number of schools using
their books. More schools are using
BRC's books this year than in any pre-
vious year. Eighty-four percent of
Infant One children in Belize are cur-
rently being taught using BRC's Phon-
ics First method.
BRC' S Math and Reading for the
first three years of school are used by
a very large majority of the children
in Belize. I believe that an injustice will
be done to the children of Belize if the
MoE/GoB plan is carried out. I and
BRC's books, will be attacked, but
our children's learning cannot be sac-
rificed.
Thanks Deacon Cal,
BRC Printing Ltd.
E-mail: brc@btl.net


I Now available


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P.O. Box 2(666
Bclic Citl. Beli/c

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 3


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MARK
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and tihe
PUPAlberI Commintee







Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 4



Loan backsaid

even he knows anymore. All I know is is a ceremonial role; it is the Prime Min- Would we feel optimistic again?
it is a mystery to me how a man who isterwholeadsus. . wherever he wants Would the feeling last? Could we re-
was revealed to have lied in the cham- us to go. build this country, or at least salvage
bers of the House of Representatives So many people responded (verbally some of her?
while Minister of Immigration EVER and by email) to a piece I did recently Ithinkwe must begin to move forward
rose to be the leader of this country. on going to Chetumal. They all echoed towards this time... we must rise above
Why we, the Belizean public allowed the sentiment that when you are there, the current scandals on the ground and
7. think granderthoughts. Write offthose who
is"t .he.. H-.. are so flawed in character they can no
-' .It is the Prime M minister who leads longerholdtheirheadsup in public, or
B: KarlaHeusnerVernon whr h wevenwithintheir own families, and usher
Witheachnewdaythereseemsto US...wherever he wants us to go. inpeoplewecanrespect.
be a new deceit. So it is difficult for me, So who? Got any suggestions? Who
sitting here on Sunday, May 6, to know it, mystifies me still. We should have seen a weight is lifted from you, you feel less among the current PUP power structure
what will have transpired by the time the cut of his jib from early on. But then, stressed, more like yourself before ev- could we accept if Said should suddenly
you read this. So please forgive me if he seemed so sincere... erything fell to pieces in our own land. find religion, or the party suddenly re-
something maj or has developed, if there Some will blame the party system, say I tried to recapture that feeling this morn- trieves its backbone? The obvious choices
has been a resignation, a call for elec- the PUP chose him for us. Ifthat is so, ing when Iwoke up. I imagined what it are Mark and Johnny. Orboth, one Prime
tion, coup, some horrendous blood- maybe we have learned our lesson. would be like if there had been elec- Minister, the other Deputy. Markknows
shed. Maybe it is time we consider the direct tions and the man so many believe has thetourism market and international bank-
Many Belizeans are feeling that some- election of our Prime Minister or adopt sold us out, had been ejected from his ing climate. Johnny knows how to hold
thing occurring, even something ugly, is a republican form with a President. job. this place together in an emergency and
better than no change at all. Maybe the greatest job in the country What if, when we woke up tomor- has been an integral part ofthebirth ofthe
Many people have written about, or shouldbe filledby an applicant who gets row, there was a new government? Ei- oil industry.
written to, the man who holds us hos- more than a few thousand people's their a re-formed and reformed PUP, a But what of Joe? Would we not need
tage. They have threatened, they have votes and the support of a handful of renewed UDP, oramixture of either of his skillstogetusbackontrack?Arethere
pleaded, they have tried to appeal to partisan hangers-on. Last week the the above and some VIP or NRP or others, working in the background,
his sense of honor and decency. All, at Belize Times blared, "PUP back Said." members of the now forming Alliance. pushed away orunder, who could not be
this writing, to no avail. More like PUP loans back Said. Lone What if there was a new slate, a clean ofuse....? I say we look at each and ever
What kind of man is he? Perhaps not backside indeed. Like it or not, the GG slate, of people ready to represent us? (Please Turn To Page 13) "




























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You've painted yourself into a corner uith noluhere to go. NoU don't say I didn't uarn you'







Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 5


I


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By: Trevor Vernon
We are witnessing in Belize unusual
and incredible phenomena as a direct
consequence of the wonderful leader-
ship skills of the duly elected and in-
stalled Prime Minister. The man has
skills that would make Machiavelli en-
vious; Machiavelli had nothing on this
man and his mind. More should aspire
to be as great as Musa, instead of criti-
cizing him for the few shortcomings.
Once you get beyond those, you will
come to appreciate how truly great the
man is.
As a leader, Musa has moved Belize
out of the darkness... forget the costs,
please. The billions in loans that have
been built up is merely paper when you
think about it; and, Musa will fix it so
your children aren't hurt and won't suf-
fer. We now have beautiful roads, a fu-
turistic international airport, great wa-
terways, excellent communication ser-
vices, uninterrupted power supplies,
endless supply of drinking water, impec-
cable judiciary (he started out as a mag-
istrate), true separation of powers, un-
matched education system where the
poorest can get a good education,
houses galore and cheap too. And
money is circulating like crazy, if only
for a few. It's not Musa's fault that you
can't get any. You cannot blame him for
everything.
As a family man, the little we know is
that the man has been wildly successful
there too. Wildly successful... the envy
of most Belizean men and women. The
man has had a great many cakes and
kept them too, simultaneously.
As a scholar, the man is super well-
read... says so right there on his
website. Sartre to Satow, the man has
mastered them all. Well actually, his
website puts it better:
"He is a man of action, yet a closet
intellectual, as familiar with Camus and
Voltaire, and Vivaldi, as he is with "Baca
a' town Blues" and Punta Rebels. From
MajesticAlley tofBelmopan, Said Musa
is the archetype of Kipling's man. He
can walk among kings, but still keep the
common touch."
And he writes too. He writes up a
storm; the envy of world scholars. He
wrote and delivered quite a few great
speeches. You should see the ones he
did in London at exclusives lecture se-
ries and Leadership Conferences. The
man is the envy of Presidents and
Prime Ministers. Pity those don't get
released in Belize so you can read


them too. You should have seen the
one he delivered at "Whitehall", was
it? He lashed the Lord most cruelly
during the romance period with
Prosser of BTL fame. Why Press Of-
fice won't release that one is beyond
me. After all he was speaking for the
people of Belize and a beautiful
speech it was. Wished I had kept a
copy, but it was an eyes only docu-
ment the 'jefa' had said. I guess we
have to trust their good judgment to
"keep you from hurting yourselves."
Okay, I know what you are saying.
Yes, as a leader he has had to be lib-
eral with the facts and with the na-
tional treasury. What do you expect?
The man has a country to run. A coun-
try! It's no easy task. Give the guy a
break, okay? He's only human and
with the pressures he faces on a daily
basis, he deserves a little something
extra. Okay? Relax, its not that bad.
Wait till you get the other guy then let's
hear what samba you'll sing then
when he does what he has to do.
And the man Said W. Musa, excuse
me, The Right Honorable Said W.
Musa, has paid his dues and has
earned everything he has the good old
fashioned way: hard work. Please.
Let's not argue and fight about this. It
says so on his very own official
webpage. Oh, you want a reference?
I'll stick it in at the end. Here's what
it says, and we have no reason to
question this:
"Said Musa has been in public life
for the past twenty five years. During
this time he worked and served Belize
as Attorney General; Minister of Edu-


cation; Foreign Affairs; Economic De-
velopment; Sports and Culture. He has
won four general elections as the rep-
resentative of the Fort George constitu-
ency of Belize City. He has earned his
stripes."
I say we need to amend the consti-


Operations Executive -


I


tution and name this guy President-
for-life. What will that take? Well,
we have another wonderful world
class attorney & scholar to figure that
out. Let Ghandi figure it out like he
has figured everything else out for the
(Please Turn To Page 10) EMJ


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International Company


The succoissrul candidate will be reyiil for coordinating the bra nch
fi.-inagcn ll niacross the entire otp.,r~1ii1I1 and rnuitist tAilc to drive the
relevant performance indicators and J011% tur business fs wuils.

PrinLczp~il Ihpfns.ibilIice include but not limited Lo;
0 Monitoring of Businessi Performalnce
Moni I or bhi nc-s-iperfrmanev in branch operations a~nd .ik Io'- .I Ill..!*Ir
[trfo majicte improvement mCINmUres

I h~I e rini. Ajj-rd K!"Is
I )ovelrpai d. 'Iexecute s~pectific initjanvvqto I',lur'latin le rive for orr i''
L' kL 4Jiiti., ie-5ga],iI tI h I ill, ~~I ubLgI A ir. .rgets, FrL,LLtibiii And Nrv-

a M.,nagi ng and NMeli~ .ling Vrcronnet
Effecl ivedv n .lnLj1 pi-rsrilnel !to ensure thati each achleves hi- ih.r imdiv iduII .nd
t"M I tmuLotiflt.~bI ihiti'-, 'N ile zreatIinga~n tenvirlrIpTfl011l


T he successful candidate muist have:
F. 1. -.oi I jrwrit-nct in the 1Retajl business, li~i iiig proven track record in
11'1,11T a tfa to delivery ~ne~resiults.
*"~.i "Ii, r. ai dt.r, ii. n .,,tnero. Trmanagement tor branch iopvtr onshaving
1uincthiid at senior level ci fi minimum o(45 vers.I
Ir.i .j1Ni~to partner with and tohilIniIi IlkL -A'* lltral all lvverl" uf Ihe

*DriFve and be a sellI Jotorirth vai1, .ii communication 4;ill.
1 1, :k-. -1, 1. beig dhle o i)iravel ih1i, 'ith *ri the (inonlrv at short notiLce
a A Clea~n driver's 11,~n

Deadline is May 1 8th. 2007.
Please mail your resume to:
Horwoth Belize
P.O. Box 756
Belize City,
Belize


Try al


Canned

Vegetables


Available at your
fa vourite
Supermarket or
Grocery Store.

Distributed by:
GraceKennedy(Belize) Ltd.







Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 6


Israel's strong interest in continuing to
support programs of the Organization
of American States (OAS) was the sub-
j ect of discussion as Assistant Secre-
tary General Albert R. Ramdin this
week received Ambassador Dorit
Shavit, Director General for Latin
America and the Caribbean in the Is-
raeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Am-
bassador Shavit was at the
Organization's headquarters on a cour-
tesy visit.
Ambassador Ramdin briefed the visit-
ing Israeli official and her delegation on
the Western Hemisphere organization's
principal objectives and thrusts-around
the promotion of democracy and human
rights, integral development and security
from a multidimensional perspective. He
explained as well the range of issues and
activities that will be presented to the OAS
General Assembly-to be held June 3 to
5 in Panama City-which the Israeli dip-
lomat will also be attending.
Ramdin made mention of the special
OAS support for Haiti and the need for
support to vulnerable economies in the
Caribbean and Central America. The

UPF Ambassi
Students of the Seven Day
Adventist Primary School in Santa
Elena and the San Antonio RC Primary
School in San Antonio Village can now
have music lessons to play the recorder,
thanks to the Universal Peace
Federation (UPF)..
UPF Chairman for the Cayo
District and Ambassador for Peace Mr.
Ivan Roberts, and Ambassadors for
Peace Dr. Katsuhiko Ando and his son
Yoshiaki Ando, both from Japan,
donated ten recorders to the two
schools on Monday, April 2.
Dr. Katsuhiko Ando and his son
also performed a few magic tricks for
the children during the presentations. Dr.
Katsuhiko Ando, a commercial banker
and a dear friend of Mr. Roberts,
brought these recorders from donors
in Japan. Mr. Roberts said that the UPF
is currently running a number of
educational programs in Belize and as
the Chairman for the Cayo District, and
a candidate for the up coming general
election, he will make sure that as many
schools within the Cayo District,
partake in these programs.
Mr. Robert,s with his eye on the
Cayo Central Constituency, said that


Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin receives Ambassador Dorit Shavit,
Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean and Minister Michael Eligal,
Latin America &Caribbean Division.


lors donate recorders to


Assistant Secretary General and Am-
bassador Shavit also reviewed OAS
programs that currently enjoy support
from Israel, including some under the
Young Americas Business Trust
(YABT), whose Chief Executive Officer
Roy Thomasson was among those on
hand for meeting. The Director of the
OAS Department of External Relations,
Irene Klinger, was also present.
Shavit identified other potential areas
of interest, such as courses in gover-
nance and security, in which her gov-
ernment is willing to provide additional
assistance. Ramdin conveyed the
Organization's deep appreciation for the
interest as well as the longstanding sup-
port and collaboration it receives from
Israel, a permanent observer since 1972
and thus one of the first countries to be
granted that status with the OAS.
Accompanying Ambassador Shavit
on the visit to the OAS were Michael
Eligal of the Latin America and Carib-
bean Division of the Israeli Foreign Min-
istry and Oren Anolik, Alternate Rep-
resentative of Israel's Permanent Ob-
server Mission to the OAS.

Cavo schools


Cayo students thankedAmbassadors for Peace Mr. Ivan Roberts, Dr. Katsuhiko Ando and his son YoshiakiAndo for the gift of the
recorders and were entertained by their magic tricks.


the UPF is currently awaiting another
shipment of computers and those


schools who have already submitted
their request for computers will be


receiving their computers as soon as they
arrive in Belize.


For an online version of the INdependent Reformer visit us at

http://www.belizenorth.com/ independentreformer.htm







Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 7


PNP & We the People reprove UHS Guarantee

Pledge to Limit Government Power by Constitutional Reform


The key issue in the scandal
around the Universal Health Ser-
vices guarantee by Prime Minister
Said Musa is process. The Prime
Minister should never have signed
a guarantee to the Belize Bank tak-
ing on the debt of UHS without go-
ing through the process outlined in
our Constitution which requires ap-
proval from the National Assembly.
The fact that the PM did not have
proper authority to take on this
debt yet was able to hide his ac-
tivities and evade accountability
shows that our Constitution needs
reform in order to limit the discre-
tionary power of elected officials.
We are not a free nation if the of-


fice of the Prime Minister can hold
so much power and our directly
elected representatives in the Na-
tional Assembly are not able to pro-
vide any checks on his power be-
cause they are oblivious to his ac-
tions. Belize needs Constitutional
reform that places defined limits on
power with no loopholes like hav-
ing "prior approval of Cabinet," as
is allowed under the Finance and
Audit Act, which states that the PM
can spend more money on a project
without the approval of the National
Assembly if he has gotten approval
for the project previously. Belize
needs stronger checks on discre-
tionary power of government offi-


cials or the people will continue to
pay the price for the mistakes and
abuses of elected officials that act
without regard for process or rule
of law.
Cabinet ministers cannot be ex-
cused by claiming ignorance. It is
the individual responsibility of each
minister to be aware of what the
Prime Minister is doing because he
or she is responsible to the public
for what the GOB does. Section
44(2) of the Constitution states that
the Cabinet is responsible "for all
things done by or under the author-
ity of any Minister in the execution
of his office." Further, The Public
Finance Committee is responsible


for ensuring greater oversight of
public finances. Professing igno-
rance does not inspire confidence
in leadership and it should not pre-
vent voters from holding cabinet
ministers accountable on election
day. Exercising our right to vote for
another candidate is the ultimate
limit on the power of government
officials.
Meanwhile Belize still lacks a public
health care system and building one be-
comes more difficult with an unstable and
unpredictable government. Corruption
and lack of good governance hold back
the development ofBelize's public infra-
structure and private enterprise.
Press Release


VIP condemns intimidation of ACB


The VIP condemns the attempt
by Mr. Phil Johnson of the Belize
Bank Ltd. to intimidate and harass
members of The Association Of
Concerned Belizeans who in the
practice of their democratic and
constitutional rights have filed an
action in the Supreme Court to
estopp the Government of Belize
from unlawfully making payment to
the Belize Bank in fulfillment of a
purported guarantee on behalf of
the Universal Health Services.
The VIP wishes to make it clear
to Mr. Michael Ashcroft, the pro-
prietor of the Belize Bank that his


continued hostility towards Belize
and Belizeans will be resisted. It is
for this reason that the VIP has
closed its account with the Belize
Bank and is encouraging other com-
munity minded individuals and or-
ganizations to do likewise. At the
same time the VIP assures the
bank's employees that this action
has become necessary as a last re-
sort to bring to the fore issues re-
lating to our governance which have
disproportionately favored the pro-
prietor of the Belize bank at the ex-
pense of ordinary Belizeans.
It clear to the VIP that election


campaign financing must be the criti-
cal issue surrounding this matter. It
is an issue that both the PUP and
the UDP have failed to address
even though this issue alone has
done untold damage to our finan-
cial and economic system. In the
interest of our nation, the VIP there-
fore takes this opportunity to call
on both political parties to immedi-
ately address the matter of election
campaign financing.
At the same time the VIP also
wishes to lend its support to the
work of the ACB and Honorable
Senator Godwin Hulse whose tire-


less efforts have assisted in high-
lighting the corrupt practices of the
current government administration.
The purported guarantee by Gov-
ernment on behalf of a private en-
tity, the UHS is a shameless and
despicable act perpetuated on the
people of Belize that must not go
unchallenged.
The current crisis demands that
GOB makes known all of the facts
on this issue and that the matter be
debated fully in the National As-
sembly before any action is taken
regarding payment on the guaran-
tee. Press Release


SPEAR condemns


UHS guarantee


The Society for the Promotion of
Education, Advocacy, and Re-
search (SPEAR), categorically con-
demns the Government of Belize's
conduct as it relates to the reckless
signing of an open ended guarantee
offered for Universal Health Ser-
vices private loan of $33 Million
from the Belize Bank Limited and
which first came to public knowl-
edge exactly eight months ago.
In reviewing the time-line of
events from August 2006, SPEAR
notes that there have been gross
and consistent violations of Good
Governance Practices on the part
of Government, namely in its fail-
ure to take the matter of a sover-
eign guarantee to the House of Rep-
resentatives, which is the national
forum for Public Finance debate, in
order to have kept Belizeans fully
informed. That horrendous act of
deception was preceded by the ap-
parently deliberate failure to dis-
close the UHS guarantee to the


cabinet, failure of a Ministry of
Health appointed task force to ad-
equately address the idea of a
merger with KHMH because of
lack of transparency, and the intent
to swap public land in lieu of a pri-
vate sector debt cancellation.
SPEAR expresses its deep con-
cern over the Government's mis-
guided decisions to risk public mon-
ies to guarantee private sector ven-
tures, because such decisions have
serious implications for the people
of Belize and the nation insofar as
they relate to investor confidence,
national credibility, the management
of the local economy, and therefore
to national security.
SPEAR calls on the Prime Minis-
ter of Belize to immediately bring
this crisis to a final and positive
resolution by going back to the
House of Representatives for a vote
on the matter of the Government of
Belize's Sovereign Guarantee to the
Belize Bank for the UHS loan.


PRAGMATICA INVESTMENTS
Mile 46. Western Highway
Mount Pleasant, Belmopan
Tel/Fax: 501 822 2290
Cel: 501 620 3535
Email:harrisonbz@yahoo.com

Senior Partner:
Richard Harrison, MBA, BSPharm


* MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY
Management Audits
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Strategy Development

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Debt/Equity Planning & Restructuring
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Marketing Strategy Development
Product Development Strategy







Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 8










St Kitts halves Electricity Cost


By: Meb Cutlack
In a little heralded move the govern-
ment of the tiny island community
of St Kitts and Nevis has taken
measures to reduce the cost of elec-
tricity to consumers by almost half.
At a recent Cabinet meeting un-
der the chairmanship of Prime Min-
ister Dr. Denzil Douglas, it was an-
nounced that by using cheaper
heavier fuel oil at the generating
plant the price of electricity could
be cut by 10.5 cents a KWH.
"This conversion, however, will
cost the government $12.6 million
over two years," said Minister of
State for Information, Sen. Nigel
Carty.
Senator Carty said that Cabinet
was concerned about the environ-
mental impact of the use of heavier
diesel fuel and therefore they had
commissioned an Environmental
Impact Assessment, which will be
done according to international
standards.
The importance of this announce-
ment for Belize is that the Belizean
Government, with or without Fortis,
could supply the Belizean consum-
ers with electricity at probably half
the current price if new 'clean' hot
bed generating plants were put in
place to generate power from our
own oil resources.
Going back over 20 years; a
Colorado oil man drilled several
wells at Belmopan. He reported to
government then that one of these
wells could electrify Belmopan (as
a growing metropolis) for the next
35 years. The cost of using the oil
would have given Belmopan power
at about 7 cents or less a kilowatt
including amortizing the cost of the
generating plant.
The Belizean government ignored
his conclusion and his research.
It seems we have a government
(and it pretty well applies to all our
governments since Independence)
which puts profit before the inter-
ests of the people.
Today Fortis is spending another
$100,000,000 on a third dam -
which will not only up the price of
our electricity but tie us to a 15%
to 20% interest payback in U.S.
dollars for the next 50 years. It is
ruthless capitalism at its worse and
adds an even greater burden to the
already outrageous Chalillo dam
debt.
We have our own oil and we have


known it since the early 1980's and
yet we have to pay the highest elec-
tricity costs in the Western world.
We should be using our own oil
to fire our generators and our
people should not be deprived of
the benefit of the oil discovery but
profit from it.
Our cruder oil is some of the fin-
est grade oil on the planet and will


+conscious community


burn directly into generators with-
out expensive refining and yet we
have to put up with Chalillo's huge
costs and the high mark up to im-
port expensive fuel oil for generat-
ing power.
BEL is a prime example of 'deals'
which favor rich foreign companies
at the expense of Belizean consum-
ers in the same manner, as BTL


+fully fenced 6' high


and the former water company
WASA were 'sold off'.
The ongoing and extraordinary
deception over the UHS hospital
scandal is just one more deception
engineered at the expense of all
Belizeans.
What a shame our government
does not follow the lead of the
leader of St. Kitts and Nevis.


contact Independent Weekly


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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 9




The Fruits of Our Sweat!


By: Richard Harrison
My rough estimate of the domestic
market for fresh fruits in Belize is around
BZ$30 million per annum. This market
can be expected to continue to increase
exponentially as Belizeans become more
health conscious, as their incomes and
education improve, and also as a result
of the growing tourism market.
This market is very important for the
small and medium producers, who natu-
rally depend on the domestic market to
consume what they produce. Hence,
the growth and development of this sub-
sector is vital to livelihood of thousands
of persons, from backyard growers to
street market vendors.
One backyard grower mentioned to
me that he was paid BZ$500 by a fruit
trader, for all the avocados on one of
the trees in his yard. He did not have to
lift a finger, as the trader brought his
helpers and they harvested the fruits
themselves. My estimate of current
demand for avocado in Belize is BZ$3
- 5 million at the farm gate; if the fruit
was made available year round as it is
in Mexico, and the culture of consum-
ing avocado was promoted to the gen-
eral population. The current harvest
is estimated to value less than BZ$1 mil-
lion per year to the farmer.
My information is that 95% of the
avocado trees currently in production
are from varieties that bear fruit from
July to October, only 4 months of the
year. Only five percent are from the
varieties that bear fruit outside of this
"window". Hence, there is a glut dur-
ing the months from July to October,
over-supplying the market demand dur-
ing this period. This causes increased
competition during those months, which
in turn causes the price to be relatively
low. At these low prices; farmers, trad-
ers and retailers can only realize a nomi-
nal profit from their investments; while
the consumers "gain" by paying a lower
price.
The avocados that "come in" be-
fore July are called early varieties.
Those that deliver fruit after October
are called late varieties. Farmers that
have early and late varieties harvest
their crop during a period that avo-
cado is relatively scarce, hence they
have less competition for their pro-
duce, and they can sell for a higher
price during those months. Early and
late avocados sell with ease for as high
as BZ$1.50 per fruit. At this price,
farmers, traders and retailers stand to
make a decent profit; while the con-
sumers "lose" by paying a higher price.
I suggest that the market determines
what the consumer is willing and able
to pay for a produce. I suggest that
the consumer is interested in having
avocados available all year round, and
thus "lose" by not having this demand


fulfilled. The consumer may thus be
willing and able to pay BZ$1.50 for a
good quality avocado; if it was made
available all year round.
It is known that Belize already has
the varieties that would allow year-
round production of avocados. It is
also known that the agronomic con-
ditions in the north, central and south
regions of Belize provide ideal and
differential conditions for segmenta-
tion of the crop varieties by geo-
graphical regions; so that different
parts of the country can harvest dur-
ing different periods of the year. This
opens the possibilities for significant
trading activity for this fruit between
these regions; as each region in pro-
duction sells to the region that is out
of production. This is the promise that
can result from production and mar-
ket planning.
This kind of scenario exists for
many fruits that can be produced in
Belize. The fruit market can become
a lot more important to the livelihood
of many lower and middle income
families. This importance can be en-
hanced if the fruit production is con-
centrated in clusters of backyard gar-
dens in villages with close proximity,
so that production, harvesting and
handling factors could be consoli-
dated at rationalized costs.
Both agronomic and cultural char-
acteristics can be taken into account
in this planning. While some villages
are well suited agronomically and cul-
turally to growing crops such as to-
mato, cabbage and lettuce; others
might be more suited to growing back-
yard fruit trees that does not require
daily and intense care.
The San Estevan to Sarteneja rim
already has a history of avocado pro-
duction which can be enhanced. The
villages along the old northern high-
way, the stretch from Roaring Creek
to Esperanza and the villages from
Pomona to Punta Gorda are ideal lo-
cations for setting up backyard avo-
cado production clusters.
Belize only needs about 10,000 ma-
ture avocado trees to supply the en-
tire domestic demand. Avocado trees
take approximately 5 years to bear
fruit. If more trees than this are
propagated, in the absence of an ex-
port market, then the domestic mar-
ket will be over-supplied, the prices
will fall and the incentive for the
farmer-trader-retailer chain will be
extinguished, defeating the entire pur-
pose of the exercise. Brooks
Tropicals, the same company that
now exports most of 'our' papaya, is
also developing a lucrative world-
trade in avocados.
Belize has various cooperation
agreements with Mexico. Mexico has


been very successful at penetrating the
large US market with exports of their
fresh avocados. They have mature
production and market experience
that they are willing to share with us.
There is a growing market for pro-
cessed avocado, especially for avo-
cado oil which is used in expensive
cosmetic products. It would take a
one-year cooperation with Mexican
help, to graft 10,000 avocado trees
of the appropriate varieties, and have
them ready for planting in the desig-
nated cluster villages at a nominal cost
to the farmers. Within five-six years
we would have added another $3 4
million dollars to the pockets of small
and medium farmers, especially as
supplemental income to families who
grow fruits in their backyard; poten-
tially increasing their wealth.
When small and medium producers
increase their income by $3 4 mil-
lion; they increase their savings, in-
vestments and consumption in the rest
of the economy, causing a multiplier
effect of potentially BZ$20 million.
Service industries develop as a pe-
riphery to production enterprise. It is
a fallacy to believe that an economy
can become dependent entirely on a
service sector, without having its own
production base, or a strong financial
integration to production bases such
as does Switzerland to Europe, Hong
Kong to China, Bahamas to the USA,
and Ireland to the USA/UK. Produc-
tion is still the core around which sus-
tainable services develop. Fad ser-
vices can and do develop without a
production core, however these are
highly likely to be unsustainable and
short-lived.
The avocado-scenario exist with
many other factors of production
within the Belize economy that can
improve the livelihood of small and
medium producers; and hence the
general economy.
Improving the small and medium
producers economy is lifting up the
country from its base. It is the setting
of a very strong foundation upon
which to build, with dignity for the
least among us. The already wealthy


will become even more so, as the
small and medium producers earn
more income and can demand more
services and goods that the wealthy
'control'.
The mango blossom this year seems
a little light. This might mean a less-
than-bountiful harvest of ripe mango
for small and medium farmers. This
might mean that consumers will have
to settle for green mango or "curtido"
mango, as the farmers cannot leave
the fruits to wither on the trees from
lack of water. Farmers that depend
on mango for supplementing their in-
come may see a little 'haad time' this
year.
Imagine if we concentrated our
fruits production in village clusters
within the various agronomic regions
of the country. Imagine if we had
more irrigation of fruits trees? Imag-
ine if we were constantly improving
our fruit-tree varieties to obtain the
more dominant genetics that give
higher yields and better quality fruits,
and are disease resistant. Imagine if
we had as many volunteers pollinat-
ing our fruit trees during blossom sea-
son, as we do for the climb up
Victoria Peak, walk-a-tons, and other
such "fund-raisers"? Imagine if we had
more agriculture professionals who
dedicated their lives to improving our
agricultural production instead of
pushing paper in air-conditioned of-
fices or offering 'consultancy' ser-
vices? Imagine if we grew more
honey bees near the clusters of vil-
lages that produce backyard fruits.
More of our blossoms would turn to
fruits. More of our fruits would be-
come ripened and sweet.
When last did you see a healthy and
ripe local guava, or custard apple or
sour-sop? Much less toki? Some-
thing is happening to some of our "in-
digenous" fruits; such that if nothing
is done; future generations might only
hear stories that such fruits existed in
Belize.
Do Belize and Belizeans wish to har-
vest more ripe and sweet fruits in its
future? Must we beware of the fruits
of our sweat?


Q0, 2l, 7%)

WE PAY CASH FOR
INFORMATION
ON ANY UNSOLVED CRIMES
O A Cnlennial Communilt Pmvim Cordincdtd by ahe Rotay Club of BUali.








Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 10


Identity and belonging, rooted in the land


Kate Heartfield, The Ottawa Citizen
The tiny country of Belize can teach a
big lesson to Canada, if Canada both-
ers to pay attention. The lesson is this:
If you reform property rights on re-
serves, you had better do it right.
Belize is a former British colony. It has
a reservation system that encompasses
part of the land the Mayans see as their
ancestral territory.
If you believe that only individuals
have rights, the whole question of what
to do with communal land is simple:
Chop it into parcels, distribute the par-
cels and call it a day. The principle ap-
peals to me, because private land own-
ership makes economic sense. In prac-
tice, there are hundreds of ways to mess
up that kind of project, to create bitter-
ness and litigation that can last years.
Jim Prentice, Canada's minister for
aboriginal affairs, is trying to step gently
onto thin ice by encouraging private
home ownership on reserves while pre-
serving communal land ownership.
We'll see if it works, and what the next
step is.
In Belize, the government's approach
hasn't been working very well, at least
if you ask many of the Mayans, or the
University of Toronto legal team that is
pressing their case.
The Mayans and the government have
been disputing resource and property


rights all over southern Belize. The gov-
ernment is understandably eager to
grant logging and oil concessions. Pri-
vate land ownership encourages devel-
opment and investment: good things in
a poor country, but not without safe-
guards for the ecology and human
rights.
In 2001, the government began hand-
ing out leases and grants in the village
of San Pedro Columbia, which is inside
a reservation.
According to Sarah Perkins, the act-
ing director of the International Human
Rights Program at the UofT faculty of
law, this process has displaced about
200 families in San Pedro Columbia
because the leases haven't respected
the customary land use patterns of the
Mayan farmers. "We have significant
numbers of people who have been dis-
placed and no longer use the land that
their families have occupied for genera-
tions."
Ms. Perkins, who is now a lawyer,
was a student at the U of T when she
became involved in this project in 2003.
She and other students and faculty trav-
elled to Belize in the intervening years
to gather evidence. With the help of
Belizean and Canadian lawyers, the U
ofT team is now bringing a challenge
on behalf of Mayans to the Supreme
Court of Belize.


Paul Schabas, a Canadian lawyer who
is working on the case pro bono and
just got back from Belize, says the case
could influence common law in Canada.
Belize's constitution is similar to our
own, and of course we have communal
land rights here, although the situation
of subsistence farmers in the small coun-
try of Belize is not very analogous to
the situation in Kashechewan in north-
ern Ontario.
I lived in Belize for 10 months in 1994
and 1995. I spent about half that time
in the one-phone village of Georgetown,
on a dirt road off the Southern High-
way. Georgetown is populated by
Garifuna people, descended from a mix
of escaped African slaves with peoples
indigenous to South America and the
Caribbean.
If you walk about two kilometres fur-
ther down the road that runs through
Georgetown, you come to the village
of Maya Mopan, where Mayan people
live and farm.
As a Canadian, I had trouble get-
ting used to the idea of communities
based, even unofficially, on ethnicity.
Georgetown was almost entirely
Garifuna; Maya Mopan was almost
entirely Mayan. The people did busi-
ness with each other and went to the
same soccer games, but that mile of
dirt road was always there. The


people on either end of the mile spoke
different languages, wore different
clothing, ate different food.
I hear Belize is changing, slowly.
Most of the Southern Highway, little
better than a mud track when I was
there, has been paved. Other forces,
including private land ownership,
threaten the idea of discrete ethnic
communities. "There's a lot of evi-
dence that when you allow land to be
alienable, the community on that land
disappears very quickly," says Ms.
Perkins.
I don't know if communities such
as Maya Mopan or San Pedro Co-
lumbia will be able to survive intact
and unadulterated forever, and to be
honest I'm not sure they should.
I do know that a sustainable
economy must be based on respect
for sound agricultural and forestry
practices, and that whatever a gov-
ernment does with land must be done
in full consultation with the people
who already live there. So I wish the
Canadians involved in this Belizean
legal challenge luck: Perhaps both
countries will learn something about
how to make change while respect-
ing land and people.
Kate Heartfield is a member of
the Citizen's editorial board.


Belmopan The United States
Embassy is pleased to announce the
2007 Ambassador's HIV Preven-
tion Program. This program is in-
tended to further the United States
Government's commitment to com-
bat HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean
region and in Belize. This is the fifth
consecutive year for this program
which has provided over
BZ$167,000 to local initiatives that
might not otherwise receive finan-
cial support.
The Embassy invites proposals
from community-based organiza-
tions, local non-governmental or-
ganizations, clubs, individuals and
the Belize government to develop
and implement HIV-related activi-
ties. This year, the Ambassador's
HIV Prevention Program will sup-
port community initiatives that will
specifically focus on HIV/AIDS-
related stigma and discrimination.


US Ambassador Robert Dieter
Interested persons may contact
the Embassy at 822-4011, exten-
sion 4308, for additional informa-
tion and proposal guidelines.
The deadline to submit proposals
is close of business Friday, June 8,
2007.


-_ilE(Continued From Page 4)
government and people of the
jewel. He'll fix it up for us and make
it acceptable to the other international
scholars and the international commu-
nity at large. So what if we go to a
Republican Form of government so
we can make him President for a
very, very long time? What's so bad
about that? We deserve no less and
he has earned his stripes.
So please, the next time you hear
people grumbling about the stuff
Musa has done that's not-so-good,
tell them to stop belly-aching and go
out and do something productive. The
man works hard for all of us and even
he is prone to make slips here and
there but its all for the good ofBelize.
Some people have life so easy they
actually have time to bellyache, in-
stead of thanking their lucky stars to


have gotten a "Kipling's man" for
Prime Minister. Geese! What a
thankless bunch of "Naysayers." And
no, I've gotten it from impeccable
sources: the man isn't resigning be-
cause of some trip up the dratted
media did to him with UHS and the
Belize Bank. And he isn't calling early
elections either. Get over it. We have
the most wonderful Prime Minister
Belize will ever see, even if V.S.
Naipaul doesn't think so.
Okay. Here are the web site refer-
ences:
1) Musa's homepage: http://
www.belize.gov.bz/pm profile.html
2) V.S. Naipaul's nasty com-
ments about Belizeans:
http://www. stab roeknews. corn/


1 fl d e x


n 1 /


article sunday features?id=56519209


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U.S. Embassy announces

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Prevention Program


Ungrateful



Bunch?







Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 11


MOTHERS
We all know that we can't live with-
out mothers. They care for us and help
us when you need it the most. They love
us and hug us for no reason at all.
They were there when no one else
was. When it felt like the world was
crashing down all around us they held
on tight. They love us even when we

Your




ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)
Take advantage of your attributes and
lure the mate of your choice. Extrava-
gance will be a problem. Organize so-
cial events or family gatherings. You can
buy or sell if you're so inclined. Your
lucky day this week will be Tuesday.
TA UR US (Apr. 21- May 21)
Don't point yourfingerunjustly at oth-
ers. You will have the stamina and the
know how to raise your earning power.
Be prepared to make changes to your
personal documents. You will have the
stamina and the know how to raise your
earning power. Your lucky day this
week will be Wednesday.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)
Travel will enhance romance and ad-
venture. this week will be hectic. Avoid
joint ventures and steer clear of groups
that want you to contribute financial as-
sistance. Look after financial transac-
tions this week. Your lucky day this
week will be Sunday.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
You'll be dropping friends for no ap-
parent reason. Don't force your opin-
ions on friends or relatives unless you
are prepared to lose their favor. Think
before you act. Rewards, gifts, or
money from investments or taxes can
be expected. Your lucky day this week
will be Saturday.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22)
Don't push your luck with your boss.
Don't involve yourself in the emotional
problems of those you work with. Sud-
den trips will take you by surprise. You
may be frustrated by the way situations
are being handled in your personal life.
Your lucky day this week will be Fri-
day.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)
You may have a problem keeping se-
crets. You can expect to have problems
with your mate ifyou've been spending
too much time away from home. Prob-
lems with relatives and friends could
surface. You will find that money could
slip through your fingers. Your lucky day


fall, when we mess things up, when we
are mad and even when we think we
don't love them.
SO HAPPYMOTHERS DAY!!!!!!
MAYYOU BE BLESSED ONYOUR
SPECIAL DAY!
-Abigail Marshall
Mothers are awesome, cool, and fun,
and there the only one.
They make U laugh they make U cry

But they're always there for U..

When U have done wrong tell put U
in your place.
When U've done right they'll be there
to reward U.
-JuliaHeusner

weekly .




this week will be Friday.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)
Emotional matters may not be easy
for you to handle. Stick to your own
projects and by the end of the day you'll
shine. You will get along well with your
colleagues this week. New projects may
lead you into a dead end. Your lucky
day this week will be Friday.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 Nov. 22)
Don't overdo it. You need to enjoy
yourself. Your high enthusiasm will be
sure to inspire anybody around you.
Your interest in helping others may take
you back to school. You can expect the
fur to fly on the home front.
Your lucky day this week will be Tues-
day.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)
Emotional relationships will be plen-
tiful if you attend group activities. Don't
overspend on friends or children. Get
into some activities that will help you in
making new friends. Your mind is on
moneymaking ventures. Your lucky day
this week will be Saturday.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)
You can make career changes that
may put you in a much higher earning
bracket. Female members of your
family may be difficult to deal with.
Your ability to communicate with ease
will win the hearts of those you are in
touch with this week. You can win
points if you present your ideas this
week. Your lucky day this week will
be Friday.












Information Security


AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)
Lack of funds may add stress to
your already uncertain situation. Short
trips will be educational. Do not get
involved with individuals who are al-
ready committed to others. Your lack
of attention may have been a factor.
Your lucky day this week will be Fri-
day.


Full Service


PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)
You can make sound financial in-
vestments if you act fast. Get the
whole family involved in a worthwhile
cause or cultural event. Professional-
ism will be of utmost importance.
Unexpected visitors are likely. Be pre-
pared to do your chores early. Your
lucky day this week will be Monday.


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scheduled flights

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A







Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 12


Exam


les


PUP Discriminati


Against the Poople of Tolod


By: William Schmidt
PG correspondent for
INdependent Weekly
Recently Mr. Candido Coh, from the
Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA)
group in San Jose, went to see Dr.
Ludwick Palacio, General Manager
of the Toledo Development Corpo-
ration (TDC) to ask him if there has
been any word from the Ministry of
National Resources regarding their
communities request for making their
community conservation area (part of
the Toledo People's Eco park Plan)
a protected area. He reminded him
of the many meetings and letters that
have been submitted over the last
years including the one presented only
a few months ago.
Dr. Palacio replied that he has re-
ceived no answer yet. Mr. Coh asked
if the TDC zone representative for
San Jose, Mr. Emeterio Sho, a mem-
ber of the TDC's board had recom-
mended it. When Dr. Palacio said he
had, Mr. Coh asked "why then hasn't
the Ministry responded?" Dr Palacio
said, he didn't know.
When Mr. Sho was running for zone


representative for the TDC he met
with the San Jose group asking them
to vote for him. They said they would
if he would support the Toledo
People's Eco Park Plan, he agreed.
The members traveled all the way to
Cattle Landing to cast their votes for
him. Mr. Vicente Sackul, Chairman of
the Toledo Ecotourism association
(TEA) has also asked the Toledo De-
velopment Corporation zone repre-
sentative for Laguna village Mr.
Ardiano Cucul to recommend their
community's conservation area CCA,
and he said he would. Now they are
asking what use is it to have zone rep-
resentatives on the Toledo Develop-
ment Corporation Board if the gov-
ernment will not respect them or the
General Manager? If San Jose and the
other villages don't get their commu-
nity conservation areas officially pro-
tected. The farmers will eventually cut
all the trees for their milpas. Where
will the tourist groups take their tour-
ists if there is no protected place for
them to see the animals and plants
they come to see? How will the valu-
able trees and animals themselves sur-
vive?
The members of the TEA from 14
villages have been asking the People's
United Party, Ministry of Lands and
Natural Resources for the eight long
years they have been in power to help
them get their communities conserva-
tion areas protected for the benefit of
all the villagers and the endangered
flora and fauna of the area and to help
to keep their tourism programs sus-


tainable.
When the tourists go to the TEAVil-
lage Guesthouse Eco Trail Program
where will they take them if there is
no Eco Trail? The big conservation
non-governmental organizations who
get funds and support from outside of
Belize always gets the government's
support. The TEA won the world's
prize for the most socially responsible
community based eco tourism pro-
gram, and is one of, if not the oldest
indigenous conservation, development
organization in the nation. TEA is go-
ing on seventeen years in operation
now. If this lack of support isn't proof
of the Peoples United Party's dis-
crimination against the Maya and other
peoples of Toledo District, I would
like to know what is.
When will the people of Belize, es-
pecially Toledo, demand that those en-
trusted with important leadership
roles in our nation tell the truth! The
slogan, "the truth shall set you free" is
well understood by those who keep
on lying to our people, if our People's
United Party government truly wanted
to decentralize and have the people
participate in real democratic planning
and development, if they really wanted
"power to the people", they would
welcome and support the Toledo
People's Eco Park Plan by and for
all the people of Toledo.
In the seventeen years of the TEA's
existence, there have been occasions
when the Belize Tourism Board threw
the TEA a few crumbs to cover-up
their gross neglect. Once they printed


a few brochures and posters, another
time after severe pressure, they al-
lowed them to have a desk in the
Belize Tourism Board office in Punta
Gorda Town.
In 2000 the TEA executive found
out the Belize Tourism Board was
telling people who inquired about
the TEA at the Belize Tourism
Board's office in Belize City, that
the TEA in Toledo no longer ex-
isted!
After all these years of meetings,
letters, phone calls, newspaper ar-
ticles, what else can we do? It's
been said that all that's needed for
bad people to get away with bad
things, is for good people to stand
by and say and do nothing to pre-
vent it. I'm doing my best. Con-
cerned citizens of Belize and To-
ledo, what are you going to do?
Demand a stop to the discrimina-
tion! Support the Toledo Peoples
Eco Park and power to the people.
Demand that our PUP government
tell the truth and allow our people
to free themselves!


with Anthony Hunt
THE .T[U- A T 'TITTV7


1 LLJ1 FOROOD


SUMATHI INDIAN RESTAURANT
Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City
Indian Cuisine has always been associated in my book with the Curry. And noth-
ing is better than a spicy curry and roti. Thusly, it is with this in the back of my
head that I headed on over to the recently upgraded "Ready Call" building and
the long time location of really the only Indian Restaurant that I know of in the
city. When I got there though, I changed my mind (in a good way) and ventured
out to order the Butter Chicken. It sounds fmr ni,,.. but it wasn't and the Nan
that accompanied this very "red" dish was good too. All of this and I could still
smell the curry from the kitchen. Service was a little slow, but the change of pace
from the rice-n-beans of our daily lives to the extensive menu of the subcontinent
is well worth the effort you make to get over to the north side. By the way I did
sneak a "sample" of the samosas, and they was good. So put some spice into life
and try Indian. Mi don taalk!


OPNDAL


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www4ol~riveradvenltures.com


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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 33


A Free and Active Press: A Pillar of Democracv


Statement by US Ambassador to
Belize, Robert Dieter
May 3 marks the 171 anniversary of
World Press Freedom Day, a day on
which the World recognizes the impor-
tant contributions of a free press and
honors the sacrifices of those who have
risked their lives and their fortunes for
the sake of a free press. Freedom of
the press is a key component of demo-
cratic governance and is essential to a
strong civil society. A free and vigor-
ous press fosters active debate, inves-
tigative reporting, and a forum to ex-
press views particularly on behalf of
those who are marginalized in society.
Unfortunately, the press is too often a
target of retaliation by those who feel
threatened by freedom of expression
and transparency in democratic pro-
cesses. Every day around the world,
brave journalists who are often the
first to uncover corruption, to report
from the front lines of conflict zones, and
to highlight missteps by governments -
face harassment, beatings, detention,
imprisonment and even death in retri-
bution for their efforts to expose the
truth. The instruments of repression in-
clude government interference, censor-
ship, or control of the media, disruption
of distribution networks, restriction of
the Internet, and laws targeting indepen-


dent press outlets. Such actions limit a
nation's ability to find its voice and be-
come a flourishing democracy.
The United States and Belize, along with
other like-minded and democratic nations,
must continue to do our part to ensure a
safe and non-violent environment for the
free flow of ideas and public discourse. A
new report from the Organization of
American States noted that 19 journalists
in the Americas were murdered in 2006
for "reasons that could be connected with
the exercise of freedom of expression."
The report also states that more than 200
instances of assaults and threats were
made in theAmericas against "communi-
cators" in 2006. These incidents fre-
quently are not investigated or fully pros-
ecuted.
Every year the U.S. provides profes-
sional development opportunities forj our-
nalists, editors, and media managers
around the world. Belizeanj oumalists
have benefited from these exchanges in
the past and will again in 2007. The U.S.
will continue to promote a free and active
press, in partnership with other govern-
ments, multilateral institutions, NGOs and
individuals around the world. While we
engage in these efforts year-round, the
U.S. Department of State is honoring
World Press Freedom Day by offering
special publications, webchats, and dia-


Loan baeksaid


-i. (Continued From Page 4)
one, at their track records and accom-
plishments. Most of all at their public
record ofveracity and accountability. Have
they declared their assets? Do they have
offshore accounts?
Within the UDP, who is a reasonable
choice? Many will assume its Barrow.
But who will support him? Who is ready
to step up, should he someday need to
step down? Some feel the weakness of
the UDP is the concentration of skill and
power in too one set of hands. Is that
something we are willing to gamble on?
To trust? Or do we need to see other
players be given responsibilities instead of
sidelined if they get too popular. Carlos
Perdomo wrote a fine piece in the Guard-
ian thisweek. In a time when our national
moral fiber is in shreds, might he notbe a
useful compass?
There is Zenaida, or there could be.
Saddled with Belize City debt and gar-
bage, herbaptism by fire would serve her
well as we try to extricate ourselves from
the national debt and carnage.
And Lois? UDP or ACB? Or both. I
don't personally care which, as long as
she can serve and continue as watchdog,
keep BTL and Ashcroft in check. She
could run for PM.
And of the Independents? Godwin
Hulse, the nation is calling you... will you
answer? Will you cloak yourself in the
Belizean Flag and run a victory lap for us
too?


Who will emerge in the Alliance?
Names are already being floated, some
good ones. We will watch with interest.
I guess all I am saying is we have
choices. We do not have to accept what
we have already been given or what
some would want us to believe is written
in stone forevermore. Belize does not
have to be or dragged down this path to
nowhere anymore. We deserve better.
And we can get it.


logues in May and June. I encourage you
to visit the State Department's public di-
plomacy website, http://usinfo. state.gov,
to learn more about these programs.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice observed that "there is no more im-
portant pillar of democracy than a free
and active press." Democratic societies


are not infallible, but they are accountable,
and the exchange of ideas is the founda-
tion for accountable governance. AsAf-
rican-American author, statesman, and
reformer Frederick Douglass noted in an
1860 speech, "Liberty is meaningless
where the right to utter one's thoughts and
opinions has ceased to exist."


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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Pagel44


GUEST


GALLERY


A few weeks ago, the Indepen-
dent Reformer published some pho-
tos of mangroves by naturalist
Christian Zeigler. We got such a
great response from readers we
decided to create a special section
called "Guest Gallery" for submis-
sions from other photographers,
p| *^I^^^^^^^ -^^^^ -I^Hf


m


amateur and professional.
As the month of May begins, it
just so happens Mike Heusner has
been out taking photos of some of
the magnificent trees now in bloom
along the river and near his fishing
resort, Belize River Lodge. In
March he also captured an interest-
r -


ing leg of La Ruta Maya which most
spectators never get a chance to
see, as the canoeists enter the
tangle of mangroves at the mouth of
the Haulover Creek.
In addition we have some submis-
sions from Leslie Kearns of Af-
fordable Web-site Design who en-


j oyed the rodeo at the National Ag-
riculture Show last weekend.
Please enjoy. If you or anyone you
know is interested in having your pho-
tographs in our Guest Gallery, please
email jpg or tiff images to
karlavernon belize(yvahoo.com.


This young equestrian knows how to get her pony to corner around a barrel.


Time often stands still in Belize, especially along the quiet banks of a river.


This young bull rider has all the right stuff!


The flamboyant's blossoms are a blaze of colour against their verdant setting.


Flamboyant is the only way to describe the lush colour of the tree in bloom.


No need for a gardener to plant flowers when the mayflower strews her blossoms across
the lawn.







Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 155


Inspired by the Life of Edgar X Richardson, by River of Fire

Eye of the tiger, roar of the lion
Dare to be wiser, and always stand strong
General with no army, his mind and his hands
Admiral with no navy, the maritime demands
Remember my mentor, won't forget my friend

X is for Pan African, Christian not Islam

Remember my mentor, won't forget my friend
I fought beside you before, and we will fight this war once again
Can you remember Mediggon, where the first battle began
Hear on Focal Point, the local global joint
A repeat programming coint, sealed ,delivered and signt
Remember my mentor, won't forget my friend
Dared to be wiser, and always stood strong
Soldier, father, husband, and a real black man
One brother who fought long, real Pan African
Now remember my mentor, won't forget my friend


Beauty blooms at

Cashew Fest 2007


Miss Sherice Banner won little Miss Cashew Fest Queen in Crooked Tree.


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Ladyville home? Then call me at 624-
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Free Ads!
The INdependent Reformer is offer-
ing free classified ads
for the month of May:
1) 20 words or less
2) one ad per person in the promotional
period for free
(additional ads are only $10 each)
3) with photo (first time free... $10 ad-
ditional for photo ads)


jpeg or tiff formats only. Must be
emailed, no disk pickup or drop off
4) business card -first run is free for
month of May, 2007, $20 a run there-
after
5) All classified ads must be emailed to
independent, newspaper. bz@gmail.
com with cc to
kheusner@yahoo. com and checks to
PO Box 2666, Belize City.
Please note: We must receive your ad
by Friday at mid-day for inclusion in
following Tuesday issue.


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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Pagel6


Ms Y Pageant, more gracious than ever

















Mrs. Marie Lewis, 1st runner up, receives her bouquetfrom Breana Nunez Mrs Janet Graham was 2nd runner up.
They may not go on to compete in
prestigious international pageants, but
those who participate in the Ms "Y"
pageant do get national attention here
inBelize.
And goodness do they get affection
from the crowd.
The audience at the City Center on
Saturday May 5 enthusiastically cheered
their favorites during almost the three
and a half hour long pageant which in-_ .. '
cluded monologues and cultural dances.
There were six contestants, all deserv-
ing ofthe title. Who would win? Ms De-
termination, Ms Perseverance, Ms Vi-
vacious, Ms Gracious, Ms Personality,
Ms Courageous? How could the judges
chose from among the talented senior
ladies?
In the end it was Ms Personality, in
real life, Mrs. Anita Henry. She was ot
only crowned Ms Y but also voted
Miss Talent for her monologue "Poor
Man's Bread." She was sashed by Mrs ..
Jean Williams and little Keeva Wade
presented her flowers. 1st Runner up
was Mrs Marie Lewis, sashed by Ms ,
Dorla Lewis and attended by flowergirl, 6 4t
Breanna Nunez. 2nd Runner up was "h.
Mrs Janet Graham sashed by Celia
Mushchamp.
Also participating were Mrs Norma
Sutherland, Mrs Emily Avilez and Mrs
Eileen Haylock. Congratulations to all
thej ewels in the Ms Y Crown.
The event is an annual fundraiser for
the YMCAin Belize City.

Comments?

Suggestions?

or want toA

share yourC TvlH

thoughtsS

Email us at


bz(@gqmail.com

PAGE 1

Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 1 INdependent for the PeopleVol. 2 No. 18 Friday, May 11, 2007 $1.00TheReformer Chec Chec Chec Chec Chec kma kma kma kma kma te! te! te! te! te! Belizean consumers may see some increases in the price of their powdered milk and possibly condensed, evaporated and other dairy products due to heavy demand on European Union countries and a shrinking supply in other parts of the world. Grace Kennedy Belize says Belizean buyers should be made aware of the current conditions which MAY result in higher prices locally. According to Melkweg Market Report on Milk Powder last month there is a historic high in world market prices for all dairy commodities with heavy pressure on the EU. Melkweg cited conditions in a number of producing countries: New Zealand—sold out for the season, Australia—experiencing a drought, USA—not appearing on the market and behind schedule in delivering contracts, India—export ban, Ukraine—seasonal shortage, Argentina—new export tax leading to canSupply Do Supply Do Supply Do Supply Do Supply Do wn, wn, wn, wn, wn, Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk Pr Pr Pr Pr Pr ices Could Rise ices Could Rise ices Could Rise ices Could Rise ices Could Rise celed contracts. According to the report, buying zones such as Algeria, Egypt, Mexico, Brazil, South-East Asia are already experiencing shortages and looking for milk powder and Europe could be next. According to Fronterra Briefing Notes however, while there is growing demand for fresh milk in many countries, “traditionally, developing markets have shifted from powders to condensed milk to fresh milk as consumers become more sophisticated and more affluent. What we are seeing now is a much faster transition to fresh milk.” Perhaps Belize’s Mennonites might see some increase in sales if there is a shortage, however, a great many Belizeans still rely on imported products due to refrigeration or other constraints, or simply prefer the taste they grew up on.Information for this article was supplied by Grace Kennedy Belize Ltd.Master chess player Prime Minister Said Musa may have run out of moves. New information on the Universal Health Services Guarantee and documents signed with the Belize Bank has caused Belizeans at home and abroad to follow “Guarantee-Gate” with rapt attention, and anger. Leader of the Opposition, Dean Barrow has not only reiterated his call for the Prime Minister’s resignation, he has now set a deadline for the National Assembly. His ultimatum: call a house meeting during which he can challenge the Guarantee by Friday, May 11, or the United Democratic Party will hold a national protest. The party is now playing hardball after News 7 disclosed last week that the Prime Minister had already signed a settlement deed with the Belize Bank even as he was instructing his own Finance Committee to try and “renegotiate” with that bank. In fact, the loan payments are already overdue. During a press conference May 3 Barrow said the PM has gone too far this time: “There are two extremely grave offenses that the Prime Minister has committed against the constitution and the polity of this country. One is doing the guarantee and now, even worse, the loan agreement in an unlawful manner, a patently illegal manner and the second is in lying to everybody in an effort to conceal those illegal actions that had in fact engaged in... There can be no question of any ignorance on the part of the Prime Minister. Deliberately, with malice a forethought, this man secretly converts the already illegal guarantee into a loan that expressly violates the terms and provisions of the Finance and Reform Act.” In a bizarre twist to the whole affair, PUP Secretary General Henry Usher, became a useful pawn as he attempting to defend the King—who also happens to be his father— and justify the PUP Parliamentary Council’s support for the party leader and Prime Minister. But that was the day BEFORE News 7 showed copies of the Belize Bank documents which, it seems, the Secretary General did not even know existed. Barrow lashed the Prime Minister for this deception too, “So the man lies to his own son, hangs him out to dry, sacrifices him publicly on this altar of fraud and conspiracy. Well that may be a private family matter, I refer to it only because his son is the Secretary General officially of the PUP and this was said on nationwide TV. It thus illustrates the lengths to which Said Wilbert Musa is prepared to go.” How far Barrow is prepared to go will be revealed this week as he told the media he plans to send two motions to the National Assembly asking 1) House members to reject the loan arrangements as unlawful 2) declare any payments to the Belize Bank would be illegal. The Prime Minister was in Taiwan for most of the firestorm but was expected back in Belize on Sunday. Just what sort of reception will greet him is unclear, but Belizeans all over the world are not likely to let him sacrifice other key players so easily this time. They will also expect the opposition to make good on its own promised moves.Can the PM pull himself out of the UHS mess? Ms ‘Y’ 2007 Ms ‘Y’ 2007 Ms ‘Y’ 2007 Ms ‘Y’ 2007 Ms ‘Y’ 2007 Mrs. Anita Henry wins Ms ‘Y’ pageant .(see story on pg. 16)

PAGE 2

Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 2 Editorial Director Meb Cutlack Editor Karla Heusner Vernon General Manager Trevor Vernon Design/Layout William G . Ysaguirrre Published by: Independent PublishingCompany Ltd.P.O. Box 2666Telephones:(501) 225-3520 Email: independent.newspaper .bz@gmail.comPrinted by:National Printers New Road Belize City, Belize“Quote of the Week” Send me 6 months of the INdependent Reformer for as little as BZ$30.00 (US$30.00 international) INdependentReformer The Name (please print) Address Apt. City State Zip Email Address Payment Included Bill me later Prices for subscription and postage may vary for subscription outside Belize. independent.newspaper.bz@gmail.com For an online version of the INdependent Reformer visit us at http://www .belizenor th.com/ independentr eformer .htm OR http://belizenews.com/ independentonline.pdfYES! P.O. Box 2666 Belize City, Belize Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor Testing Our MettleDear Editor, Greetings. It is a tough environment in Belize taking on ‘the powers that be’ especially after what has occurred with David Gibson, Christine Perriot and now reports are in the media about Dr Corinth Morter Lewis...People have to be reminded of these 3 cases and similar cases over time. The majority of Belizean public servants are one paycheck away from financial difficulty hence the fear of losing one’s job. “Dinero para mis amigos, Bala para mis enemigos y Palo (beatings) para los indecisos” Business is far stronger than government; government is far stronger than civil society. We have to use some the oil money to strengthen civil society with education ( not for the same 20 names that usually get everything, ordinary Belizeans-not Preferred Belizeans) 20 PhD per year for the next 20 years, 40 MA per year for the next 20 years, 80 BA per year for the next 20 years. This is additional to whatever training is occurring now. It is likely that from these 2800+ people will come our next: Phillip Goldson, Antonio Soberanis, Henry Fairweather (This man planted hundreds of mahogany trees knowing he would not harvest, that’s a patriot), David Price, Julian Cho... It’s possible that there still is a moratorium on study leave in the public service how will we ever climb out of the hole without education. How many people could have been educated with $33 Million? How much money has been collected from the oil company? How many geologists, industrial engineers and surveyors are being trained with the proceeds from oil, mining around Belize? How has the money collected from oil been used? How many more loan guarantees have been signed? How much is Mahogany Heights worth today? How much was reportedly spent on Mahogany Heights? Keep bringing up these and other issues on our behalf. signed, Concerned LecturerTextbook Standardization Poses Threat to Belizean PrinterDear Editor, With the Government’s free book giveaway, the Ministry of Education has chosen the Learning Tree reading series for seven of Belize’s eight school years. They begin in Infant One. MoE also chose a second set of readers: for Infant One, Fast Phonics written by QADS/MoE and the New Caribbean Readers for Infant Two through Standard Five. The reasons why MoE/QADS did not include BRC’s books in the free give away are complicated, full of questionable, opinionated reasoning and wrong. BRC’s reading method is called Phonics First. The only reading method Ministry of Education accepts is the Whole Language method. By the early 1990’s, the Whole Language reading method proved to be a failure in developed nations. It even failed when the parents helped their children and their children spoke English as a first language. It is for that reason that “Hooked on Phonics” was extremely successful. Today the developed world is using phonics based books. BRC is a phonics based book. Because MoE demands that schools use the Whole Language method, they have been trying to get BRC’s books out of schools. Up until now MoE has not been successful. Children learn using BRC’s phonics first reading method, so BRC has grown in the number of schools using their books. More schools are using BRC’s books this year than in any previous year. Eighty-four percent of Infant One children in Belize are currently being taught using BRC’s Phonics First method. BRC’S Math and Reading for the first three years of school are used by a very large majority of the children in Belize. I believe that an injustice will be done to the children of Belize if the MoE/GoB plan is carried out. I and BRC’s books, will be attacked, but our children’s learning cannot be sacrificed. Thanks Deacon Cal, BRC Printing Ltd. E-mail: brc@btl.net Now available Independent Reformer Weekly t-shirts are now o On Sale for $10.00 when you buy a year’s subscription to the paper.

PAGE 3

Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 3

PAGE 4

Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 4 You’ve painted yourself into a corner with nowhere to go. Now don’t say I didn’t warn you! You’ve painted yourself into a corner with nowhere to go. Now don’t say I didn’t warn you! You’ve painted yourself into a corner with nowhere to go. Now don’t say I didn’t warn you! You’ve painted yourself into a corner with nowhere to go. Now don’t say I didn’t warn you! You’ve painted yourself into a corner with nowhere to go. Now don’t say I didn’t warn you! (Please Turn To Page 13) Loan bac Loan bac Loan bac Loan bac Loan bac ksaid ksaid ksaid ksaid ksaid By: Karla Heusner V ernonWith each new day, there seems to be a new deceit. So it is difficult for me, sitting here on Sunday, May 6, to know what will have transpired by the time you read this. So please forgive me if something major has developed, if there has been a resignation, a call for election, coup, some horrendous bloodshed. Many Belizeans are feeling that something occurring, even something ugly, is better than no change at all. Many people have written about, or written to, the man who holds us hostage. They have threatened, they have pleaded, they have tried to appeal to his sense of honor and decency. All, at this writing, to no avail. What kind of man is he? Perhaps not even he knows anymore. All I know is it is a mystery to me how a man who was revealed to have lied in the chambers of the House of Representatives while Minister of Immigration EVER rose to be the leader of this country. Why we, the Belizean public allowed is a ceremonial role; it is the Prime Minister who leads us…wherever he wants us to go. So many people responded (verbally and by email) to a piece I did recently on going to Chetumal. They all echoed the sentiment that when you are there, Would we feel optimistic again? Would the feeling last? Could we rebuild this country, or at least salvage some of her? I think we must begin to move forward towards this time… we must rise above the current scandals on the ground and think grander thoughts. Write off those who are so flawed in character they can no longer hold their heads up in public, or even within their own families, and usher in people we can respect. So who? Got any suggestions? Who among the current PUP power structure could we accept if Said should suddenly find religion, or the party suddenly retrieves its backbone? The obvious choices are Mark and Johnny. Or both, one Prime Minister, the other Deputy. Mark knows the tourism market and international banking climate. Johnny knows how to hold this place together in an emergency and has been an integral part of the birth of the oil industry. But what of Joe? Would we not need his skills to get us back on track? Are there others, working in the background, pushed away or under, who could not be of use….? I say we look at each and ever it, mystifies me still. We should have seen the cut of his jib from early on. But then, he seemed so sincere... Some will blame the party system, say the PUP chose him for us. If that is so, maybe we have learned our lesson. Maybe it is time we consider the direct election of our Prime Minister or adopt a republican form with a President. Maybe the greatest job in the country should be filled by an applicant who gets more than a few thousand people’s votes and the support of a handful of partisan hangers-on. Last week the Belize Times blared, “PUP back Said.” More like PUP loans back Said. Lone backside indeed. Like it or not, the GG a weight is lifted from you, you feel less stressed, more like yourself before everything fell to pieces in our own land. I tried to recapture that feeling this morning when I woke up. I imagined what it would be like if there had been elections and the man so many believe has sold us out, had been ejected from his job. What if, when we woke up tomorrow, there was a new government? Either a re-formed and reformed PUP, a renewed UDP, or a mixture of either of the above and some VIP or NRP or members of the now forming Alliance. What if there was a new slate, a clean slate, of people ready to represent us?It is the Prime Minister who leads us…wherever he wants us to go.

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 5 By: T r evor V ernon Ungr Ungr Ungr Ungr Ungr a a a a a teful Bunch? teful Bunch? teful Bunch? teful Bunch? teful Bunch? We are witnessing in Belize unusual and incredible phenomena as a direct consequence of the wonderful leadership skills of the duly elected and installed Prime Minister. The man has skills that would make Machiavelli envious; Machiavelli had nothing on this man and his mind. More should aspire to be as great as Musa, instead of criticizing him for the few shortcomings. Once you get beyond those, you will come to appreciate how truly great the man is. As a leader, Musa has moved Belize out of the darkness…forget the costs, please. The billions in loans that have been built up is merely paper when you think about it; and, Musa will fix it so your children aren’t hurt and won’t suffer. We now have beautiful roads, a futuristic international airport, great waterways, excellent communication services, uninterrupted power supplies, endless supply of drinking water, impeccable judiciary (he started out as a magistrate), true separation of powers, unmatched education system where the poorest can get a good education, houses galore and cheap too. And money is circulating like crazy, if only for a few. It’s not Musa’s fault that you can’t get any. You cannot blame him for everything. As a family man, the little we know is that the man has been wildly successful there too. Wildly successful… the envy of most Belizean men and women. The man has had a great many cakes and kept them too, simultaneously. As a scholar, the man is super wellread… says so right there on his website. Sartre to Satow, the man has mastered them all. Well actually, his website puts it better: “He is a man of action, yet a closet intellectual, as familiar with Camus and Voltaire, and Vivaldi, as he is with “Baca a’ town Blues” and Punta Rebels. From Majestic Alley to Belmopan, Said Musa is the archetype of Kipling’s man. He can walk among kings, but still keep the common touch.” And he writes too. He writes up a storm; the envy of world scholars. He wrote and delivered quite a few great speeches. You should see the ones he did in London at exclusives lecture series and Leadership Conferences. The man is the envy of Presidents and Prime Ministers. Pity those don’t get released in Belize so you can read (Please Turn To Page 10)cation; Foreign Affairs; Economic Development; Sports and Culture. He has won four general elections as the representative of the Fort George constituency of Belize City. He has earned his stripes.” I say we need to amend the constithem too. You should have seen the one he delivered at “Whitehall”, was it? He lashed the Lord most cruelly during the romance period with Prosser of BTL fame. Why Press Office won’t release that one is beyond me. After all he was speaking for the people of Belize and a beautiful speech it was. Wished I had kept a copy, but it was an eyes only document the ‘jefa’ had said. I guess we have to trust their good judgment to “keep you from hurting yourselves.” Okay, I know what you are saying. Yes, as a leader he has had to be liberal with the facts and with the national treasury. What do you expect? The man has a country to run. A country! It’s no easy task. Give the guy a break, okay? He’s only human and with the pressures he faces on a daily basis, he deserves a little something extra. Okay? Relax, its not that bad. Wait till you get the other guy then let’s hear what samba you’ll sing then when he does what he has to do. And the man Said W. Musa, excuse me, The Right Honorable Said W. Musa, has paid his dues and has earned everything he has the good old fashioned way: hard work. Please. Let’s not argue and fight about this. It says so on his very own official webpage. Oh, you want a reference? I’ll stick it in at the end. Here’s what it says, and we have no reason to question this: “Said Musa has been in public life for the past twenty five years. During this time he worked and served Belize as Attorney General; Minister of Edutution and name this guy Presidentfor-life. What will that take? Well, we have another wonderful world class attorney & scholar to figure that out. Let Ghandi figure it out like he has figured everything else out for the

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 6 For an online version of the INdependent Reformer visit us at http://www .belizenor th.com/ independentr eformer .htm Israel’s strong interest in continuing to support programs of the Organization of American States (OAS) was the subject of discussion as Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin this week received Ambassador Dorit Shavit, Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Shavit was at the Organization’s headquarters on a courtesy visit. Ambassador Ramdin briefed the visiting Israeli official and her delegation on the Western Hemisphere organization’s principal objectives and thrusts—around the promotion of democracy and human rights, integral development and security from a multidimensional perspective. He explained as well the range of issues and activities that will be presented to the OAS General Assembly—to be held June 3 to 5 in Panama City—which the Israeli diplomat will also be attending. Ramdin made mention of the special OAS support for Haiti and the need for support to vulnerable economies in the Caribbean and Central America. The Isr Isr Isr Isr Isr ael r ael r ael r ael r ael r eiter eiter eiter eiter eiter a a a a a tes its str tes its str tes its str tes its str tes its str ong ong ong ong ong suppor suppor suppor suppor suppor t f t f t f t f t f or O or O or O or O or O AS pr AS pr AS pr AS pr AS pr o o o o o gr gr gr gr gr ams ams ams ams ams Assistant Secretary General and Ambassador Shavit also reviewed OAS programs that currently enjoy support from Israel, including some under the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), whose Chief Executive Officer Roy Thomasson was among those on hand for meeting. The Director of the OAS Department of External Relations, Irene Klinger, was also present. Shavit identified other potential areas of interest, such as courses in governance and security, in which her government is willing to provide additional assistance. Ramdin conveyed the Organization’s deep appreciation for the interest as well as the longstanding support and collaboration it receives from Israel, a permanent observer since 1972 and thus one of the first countries to be granted that status with the OAS. Accompanying Ambassador Shavit on the visit to the OAS were Michael Eligal of the Latin America and Caribbean Division of the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Oren Anolik, Alternate Representative of Israel’s Permanent Observer Mission to the OAS. Students of the Seven Day Adventist Primary School in Santa Elena and the San Antonio RC Primary School in San Antonio Village can now have music lessons to play the recorder, thanks to the Universal Peace Federation (UPF). . UPF Chairman for the Cayo District and Ambassador for Peace Mr. Ivan Roberts, and Ambassadors for Peace Dr. Katsuhiko Ando and his son Yoshiaki Ando, both from Japan, donated ten recorders to the two schools on Monday, April 2. Dr. Katsuhiko Ando and his son also performed a few magic tricks for the children during the presentations. Dr. Katsuhiko Ando, a commercial banker and a dear friend of Mr. Roberts, brought these recorders from donors in Japan. Mr. Roberts said that the UPF is currently running a number of educational programs in Belize and as the Chairman for the Cayo District, and a candidate for the up coming general election, he will make sure that as many schools within the Cayo District, partake in these programs. Mr. Robert,s with his eye on the Cayo Central Constituency, said thatUPF Ambassadors donate recorders to Cayo schools UPF Ambassadors donate recorders to Cayo schools UPF Ambassadors donate recorders to Cayo schools UPF Ambassadors donate recorders to Cayo schools UPF Ambassadors donate recorders to Cayo schoolsthe UPF is currently awaiting another shipment of computers and those schools who have already submitted their request for computers will be Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin receives Ambassador Dorit Shavit, Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean and Minister Michael Eligal, Latin America &Caribbean Division . receiving their computers as soon as they arrive in Belize. Cayo students thanked Ambassadors for Peace Mr. Ivan Roberts, Dr. Katsuhiko Ando and his son Yoshiaki Ando for the gift of th e recorders and were entertained by their magic tricks.

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 7 The key issue in the scandal around the Universal Health Services guarantee by Prime Minister Said Musa is process. The Prime Minister should never have signed a guarantee to the Belize Bank taking on the debt of UHS without going through the process outlined in our Constitution which requires approval from the National Assembly. The fact that the PM did not have proper authority to take on this debt yet was able to hide his activities and evade accountability shows that our Constitution needs reform in order to limit the discretionary power of elected officials. We are not a free nation if the ofPNP & PNP & PNP & PNP & PNP & W W W W W e the P e the P e the P e the P e the P eople r eople r eople r eople r eople r e e e e e pr pr pr pr pr o o o o o v v v v v e UHS Guar e UHS Guar e UHS Guar e UHS Guar e UHS Guar antee antee antee antee anteePledge to Limit Government Power by Constitutional Reform fice of the Prime Minister can hold so much power and our directly elected representatives in the National Assembly are not able to provide any checks on his power because they are oblivious to his actions. Belize needs Constitutional reform that places defined limits on power with no loopholes like having “prior approval of Cabinet,” as is allowed under the Finance and Audit Act, which states that the PM can spend more money on a project without the approval of the National Assembly if he has gotten approval for the project previously. Belize needs stronger checks on discretionary power of government officials or the people will continue to pay the price for the mistakes and abuses of elected officials that act without regard for process or rule of law. Cabinet ministers cannot be excused by claiming ignorance. It is the individual responsibility of each minister to be aware of what the Prime Minister is doing because he or she is responsible to the public for what the GOB does. Section 44(2) of the Constitution states that the Cabinet is responsible “for all things done by or under the authority of any Minister in the execution of his office.” Further, The Public Finance Committee is responsible for ensuring greater oversight of public finances. Professing ignorance does not inspire confidence in leadership and it should not prevent voters from holding cabinet ministers accountable on election day. Exercising our right to vote for another candidate is the ultimate limit on the power of government officials. Meanwhile Belize still lacks a public health care system and building one becomes more difficult with an unstable and unpredictable government. Corruption and lack of good governance hold back the development of Belize’s public infrastructure and private enterprise. Press Release The Society for the Promotion of Education, Advocacy, and Research (SPEAR), categorically condemns the Government of Belize’s conduct as it relates to the reckless signing of an open ended guarantee offered for Universal Health Services private loan of $33 Million from the Belize Bank Limited and which first came to public knowledge exactly eight months ago. In reviewing the time-line of events from August 2006, SPEAR notes that there have been gross and consistent violations of Good Governance Practices on the part of Government, namely in its failure to take the matter of a sovereign guarantee to the House of Representatives, which is the national forum for Public Finance debate, in order to have kept Belizeans fully informed. That horrendous act of deception was preceded by the apparently deliberate failure to disclose the UHS guarantee to the cabinet, failure of a Ministry of Health appointed task force to adequately address the idea of a merger with KHMH because of lack of transparency, and the intent to swap public land in lieu of a private sector debt cancellation. SPEAR expresses its deep concern over the Government’s misguided decisions to risk public monies to guarantee private sector ventures, because such decisions have serious implications for the people of Belize and the nation insofar as they relate to investor confidence, national credibility, the management of the local economy, and therefore to national security. SPEAR calls on the Prime Minister of Belize to immediately bring this crisis to a final and positive resolution by going back to the House of Representatives for a vote on the matter of the Government of Belize’s Sovereign Guarantee to the Belize Bank for the UHS loan. SPEAR condemns SPEAR condemns SPEAR condemns SPEAR condemns SPEAR condemns UHS guar UHS guar UHS guar UHS guar UHS guar antee antee antee antee antee The VIP condemns the attempt by Mr. Phil Johnson of the Belize Bank Ltd. to intimidate and harass members of The Association Of Concerned Belizeans who in the practice of their democratic and constitutional rights have filed an action in the Supreme Court to estopp the Government of Belize from unlawfully making payment to the Belize Bank in fulfillment of a purported guarantee on behalf of the Universal Health Services. The VIP wishes to make it clear to Mr. Michael Ashcroft, the proprietor of the Belize Bank that his continued hostility towards Belize and Belizeans will be resisted. It is for this reason that the VIP has closed its account with the Belize Bank and is encouraging other community minded individuals and organizations to do likewise. At the same time the VIP assures the bank’s employees that this action has become necessary as a last resort to bring to the fore issues relating to our governance which have disproportionately favored the proprietor of the Belize bank at the expense of ordinary Belizeans. It clear to the VIP that election campaign financing must be the critical issue surrounding this matter. It is an issue that both the PUP and the UDP have failed to address even though this issue alone has done untold damage to our financial and economic system. In the interest of our nation, the VIP therefore takes this opportunity to call on both political parties to immediately address the matter of election campaign financing. At the same time the VIP also wishes to lend its support to the work of the ACB and Honorable Senator Godwin Hulse whose tireless efforts have assisted in highlighting the corrupt practices of the current government administration. The purported guarantee by Government on behalf of a private entity, the UHS is a shameless and despicable act perpetuated on the people of Belize that must not go unchallenged. The current crisis demands that GOB makes known all of the facts on this issue and that the matter be debated fully in the National Assembly before any action is taken regarding payment on the guarantee. Press Release VIP condemns intimidation of ACB VIP condemns intimidation of ACB VIP condemns intimidation of ACB VIP condemns intimidation of ACB VIP condemns intimidation of ACB

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 8 By: Meb Cutlack Current Issues Current Issues Current Issues Current Issues Current Issues Current Issues Current Issues Current Issues Current Issues Current IssuesSt Kitts halv St Kitts halv St Kitts halv St Kitts halv St Kitts halv es Electricity Cost es Electricity Cost es Electricity Cost es Electricity Cost es Electricity Cost In a little heralded move the government of the tiny island community of St Kitts and Nevis has taken measures to reduce the cost of electricity to consumers by almost half. At a recent Cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, it was announced that by using cheaper heavier fuel oil at the generating plant the price of electricity could be cut by 10.5 cents a KWH. “This conversion, however, will cost the government $12.6 million over two years,” said Minister of State for Information, Sen. Nigel Carty. Senator Carty said that Cabinet was concerned about the environmental impact of the use of heavier diesel fuel and therefore they had commissioned an Environmental Impact Assessment, which will be done according to international standards. The importance of this announcement for Belize is that the Belizean Government, with or without Fortis, could supply the Belizean consumers with electricity at probably half the current price if new ‘clean’ hot bed generating plants were put in place to generate power from our own oil resources. Going back over 20 years; a Colorado oil man drilled several wells at Belmopan. He reported to government then that one of these wells could electrify Belmopan (as a growing metropolis) for the next 35 years. The cost of using the oil would have given Belmopan power at about 7 cents or less a kilowatt including amortizing the cost of the generating plant. The Belizean government ignored his conclusion and his research. It seems we have a government (and it pretty well applies to all our governments since Independence) which puts profit before the interests of the people. Today Fortis is spending another $100,000,000 on a third dam which will not only up the price of our electricity but tie us to a 15% to 20% interest payback in U.S. dollars for the next 50 years. It is ruthless capitalism at its worse and adds an even greater burden to the already outrageous Chalillo dam debt. We have our own oil and we have known it since the early 1980’s and yet we have to pay the highest electricity costs in the Western world. We should be using our own oil to fire our generators and our people should not be deprived of the benefit of the oil discovery but profit from it. Our cruder oil is some of the finest grade oil on the planet and will HOUSE FOR SALE HOUSE FOR SALE HOUSE FOR SALE HOUSE FOR SALE HOUSE FOR SALE By Owner +Exclusive Ladyville nighborhood +Quiet cul-de-sac in close knit, security +conscious community +Two bedrooms, two bath +Newly constructed home office/ sunporch +Fully tiled, laundryroom, +vat, generous yard, +fully fenced 6’ high Perfect for young family or retirees Asking US $75,000 contact Independent Weekly burn directly into generators without expensive refining and yet we have to put up with Chalillo’s huge costs and the high mark up to import expensive fuel oil for generating power. BEL is a prime example of ‘deals’ which favor rich foreign companies at the expense of Belizean consumers in the same manner, as BTL and the former water company WASA were ‘sold off’. The ongoing and extraordinary deception over the UHS hospital scandal is just one more deception engineered at the expense of all Belizeans. What a shame our government does not follow the lead of the leader of St. Kitts and Nevis.

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 9 My rough estimate of the domestic market for fresh fruits in Belize is around BZ$30 million per annum. This market can be expected to continue to increase exponentially as Belizeans become more health conscious, as their incomes and education improve, and also as a result of the growing tourism market. This market is very important for the small and medium producers, who naturally depend on the domestic market to consume what they produce. Hence, the growth and development of this subsector is vital to livelihood of thousands of persons, from backyard growers to street market vendors. One backyard grower mentioned to me that he was paid BZ$500 by a fruit trader, for all the avocados on one of the trees in his yard. He did not have to lift a finger, as the trader brought his helpers and they harvested the fruits themselves. My estimate of current demand for avocado in Belize is BZ$3 5 million at the farm gate; if the fruit was made available year round as it is in Mexico, and the culture of consuming avocado was promoted to the general population. The current harvest is estimated to value less than BZ$1 million per year to the farmer. My information is that 95% of the avocado trees currently in production are from varieties that bear fruit from July to October, only 4 months of the year. Only five percent are from the varieties that bear fruit outside of this “window”. Hence, there is a glut during the months from July to October, over-supplying the market demand during this period. This causes increased competition during those months, which in turn causes the price to be relatively low. At these low prices; farmers, traders and retailers can only realize a nominal profit from their investments; while the consumers “gain” by paying a lower price. The avocados that “come in” before July are called early varieties. Those that deliver fruit after October are called late varieties. Farmers that have early and late varieties harvest their crop during a period that avocado is relatively scarce, hence they have less competition for their produce, and they can sell for a higher price during those months. Early and late avocados sell with ease for as high as BZ$1.50 per fruit. At this price, farmers, traders and retailers stand to make a decent profit; while the consumers “lose” by paying a higher price. I suggest that the market determines what the consumer is willing and able to pay for a produce. I suggest that the consumer is interested in having avocados available all year round, and thus “lose” by not having this demand By: Richard Harrison The Fruits of Our Sweat! The Fruits of Our Sweat! The Fruits of Our Sweat! The Fruits of Our Sweat! The Fruits of Our Sweat! fulfilled. The consumer may thus be willing and able to pay BZ$1.50 for a good quality avocado; if it was made available all year round. It is known that Belize already has the varieties that would allow yearround production of avocados. It is also known that the agronomic conditions in the north, central and south regions of Belize provide ideal and differential conditions for segmentation of the crop varieties by geographical regions; so that different parts of the country can harvest during different periods of the year. This opens the possibilities for significant trading activity for this fruit between these regions; as each region in production sells to the region that is out of production. This is the promise that can result from production and market planning. This kind of scenario exists for many fruits that can be produced in Belize. The fruit market can become a lot more important to the livelihood of many lower and middle income families. This importance can be enhanced if the fruit production is concentrated in clusters of backyard gardens in villages with close proximity, so that production, harvesting and handling factors could be consolidated at rationalized costs. Both agronomic and cultural characteristics can be taken into account in this planning. While some villages are well suited agronomically and culturally to growing crops such as tomato, cabbage and lettuce; others might be more suited to growing backyard fruit trees that does not require daily and intense care. The San Estevan to Sarteneja rim already has a history of avocado production which can be enhanced. The villages along the old northern highway, the stretch from Roaring Creek to Esperanza and the villages from Pomona to Punta Gorda are ideal locations for setting up backyard avocado production clusters. Belize only needs about 10,000 mature avocado trees to supply the entire domestic demand. Avocado trees take approximately 5 years to bear fruit. If more trees than this are propagated, in the absence of an export market, then the domestic market will be over-supplied, the prices will fall and the incentive for the farmer-trader-retailer chain will be extinguished, defeating the entire purpose of the exercise. Brooks Tropicals, the same company that now exports most of ‘our’ papaya, is also developing a lucrative worldtrade in avocados. Belize has various cooperation agreements with Mexico. Mexico has been very successful at penetrating the large US market with exports of their fresh avocados. They have mature production and market experience that they are willing to share with us. There is a growing market for processed avocado, especially for avocado oil which is used in expensive cosmetic products. It would take a one-year cooperation with Mexican help, to graft 10,000 avocado trees of the appropriate varieties, and have them ready for planting in the designated cluster villages at a nominal cost to the farmers. Within five-six years we would have added another $3 – 4 million dollars to the pockets of small and medium farmers, especially as supplemental income to families who grow fruits in their backyard; potentially increasing their wealth. When small and medium producers increase their income by $3 – 4 million; they increase their savings, investments and consumption in the rest of the economy, causing a multiplier effect of potentially BZ$20 million. Service industries develop as a periphery to production enterprise. It is a fallacy to believe that an economy can become dependent entirely on a service sector, without having its own production base, or a strong financial integration to production bases such as does Switzerland to Europe, Hong Kong to China, Bahamas to the USA, and Ireland to the USA/UK. Production is still the core around which sustainable services develop. Fad services can and do develop without a production core, however these are highly likely to be unsustainable and short-lived. The avocado-scenario exist with many other factors of production within the Belize economy that can improve the livelihood of small and medium producers; and hence the general economy. Improving the small and medium producers economy is lifting up the country from its base. It is the setting of a very strong foundation upon which to build, with dignity for the least among us. The already wealthy will become even more so, as the small and medium producers earn more income and can demand more services and goods that the wealthy ‘control’. The mango blossom this year seems a little light. This might mean a lessthan-bountiful harvest of ripe mango for small and medium farmers. This might mean that consumers will have to settle for green mango or “curtido” mango, as the farmers cannot leave the fruits to wither on the trees from lack of water. Farmers that depend on mango for supplementing their income may see a little ‘haad time’ this year. Imagine if we concentrated our fruits production in village clusters within the various agronomic regions of the country. Imagine if we had more irrigation of fruits trees? Imagine if we were constantly improving our fruit-tree varieties to obtain the more dominant genetics that give higher yields and better quality fruits, and are disease resistant. Imagine if we had as many volunteers pollinating our fruit trees during blossom season, as we do for the climb up Victoria Peak, walk-a-tons, and other such “fund-raisers”? Imagine if we had more agriculture professionals who dedicated their lives to improving our agricultural production instead of pushing paper in air-conditioned offices or offering ‘consultancy’ services? Imagine if we grew more honey bees near the clusters of villages that produce backyard fruits. More of our blossoms would turn to fruits. More of our fruits would become ripened and sweet. When last did you see a healthy and ripe local guava, or custard apple or sour-sop? Much less toki? Something is happening to some of our “indigenous” fruits; such that if nothing is done; future generations might only hear stories that such fruits existed in Belize. Do Belize and Belizeans wish to harvest more ripe and sweet fruits in its future? Must we be ware of the fruits of our sweat?

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 10 people on either end of the mile spoke different languages, wore different clothing, ate different food. I hear Belize is changing, slowly. Most of the Southern Highway, little better than a mud track when I was there, has been paved. Other forces, including private land ownership, threaten the idea of discrete ethnic communities. “There’s a lot of evidence that when you allow land to be alienable, the community on that land disappears very quickly,” says Ms. Perkins. I don’t know if communities such as Maya Mopan or San Pedro Columbia will be able to survive intact and unadulterated forever, and to be honest I’m not sure they should. I do know that a sustainable economy must be based on respect for sound agricultural and forestry practices, and that whatever a government does with land must be done in full consultation with the people who already live there. So I wish the Canadians involved in this Belizean legal challenge luck: Perhaps both countries will learn something about how to make change while respecting land and people. Kate Heartfield is a member of the Citizen’s editorial board.Kate Heartfield, The Ottawa CitizenThe tiny country of Belize can teach a big lesson to Canada, if Canada bothers to pay attention. The lesson is this: If you reform property rights on reserves, you had better do it right. Belize is a former British colony. It has a reservation system that encompasses part of the land the Mayans see as their ancestral territory. If you believe that only individuals have rights, the whole question of what to do with communal land is simple: Chop it into parcels, distribute the parcels and call it a day. The principle appeals to me, because private land ownership makes economic sense. In practice, there are hundreds of ways to mess up that kind of project, to create bitterness and litigation that can last years. Jim Prentice, Canada’s minister for aboriginal affairs, is trying to step gently onto thin ice by encouraging private home ownership on reserves while preserving communal land ownership. We’ll see if it works, and what the next step is. In Belize, the government’s approach hasn’t been working very well, at least if you ask many of the Mayans, or the University of Toronto legal team that is pressing their case. The Mayans and the government have been disputing resource and property Identit Identit Identit Identit Identit y and belonging y and belonging y and belonging y and belonging y and belonging , r , r , r , r , r ooted in the land ooted in the land ooted in the land ooted in the land ooted in the land rights all over southern Belize. The government is understandably eager to grant logging and oil concessions. Private land ownership encourages development and investment: good things in a poor country, but not without safeguards for the ecology and human rights. In 2001, the government began handing out leases and grants in the village of San Pedro Columbia, which is inside a reservation. According to Sarah Perkins, the acting director of the International Human Rights Program at the U of T faculty of law, this process has displaced about 200 families in San Pedro Columbia because the leases haven’t respected the customary land use patterns of the Mayan farmers. “We have significant numbers of people who have been displaced and no longer use the land that their families have occupied for generations.” Ms. Perkins, who is now a lawyer, was a student at the U of T when she became involved in this project in 2003. She and other students and faculty travelled to Belize in the intervening years to gather evidence. With the help of Belizean and Canadian lawyers, the U of T team is now bringing a challenge on behalf of Mayans to the Supreme Court of Belize. Paul Schabas, a Canadian lawyer who is working on the case pro bono and just got back from Belize, says the case could influence common law in Canada. Belize’s constitution is similar to our own, and of course we have communal land rights here, although the situation of subsistence farmers in the small country of Belize is not very analogous to the situation in Kashechewan in northern Ontario. I lived in Belize for 10 months in 1994 and 1995. I spent about half that time in the one-phone village of Georgetown, on a dirt road off the Southern Highway. Georgetown is populated by Garifuna people, descended from a mix of escaped African slaves with peoples indigenous to South America and the Caribbean. If you walk about two kilometres further down the road that runs through Georgetown, you come to the village of Maya Mopan, where Mayan people live and farm. As a Canadian, I had trouble getting used to the idea of communities based, even unofficially, on ethnicity. Georgetown was almost entirely Garifuna; Maya Mopan was almost entirely Mayan. The people did business with each other and went to the same soccer games, but that mile of dirt road was always there. The Belmopan – The United States Embassy is pleased to announce the 2007 Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program. This program is intended to further the United States Government’s commitment to combat HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean region and in Belize. This is the fifth consecutive year for this program which has provided over BZ$167,000 to local initiatives that might not otherwise receive financial support. The Embassy invites proposals from community-based organizations, local non-governmental organizations, clubs, individuals and the Belize government to develop and implement HIV-related activities. This year, the Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program will support community initiatives that will specifically focus on HIV/AIDSrelated stigma and discrimination. Interested persons may contact the Embassy at 822-4011, extension 4308, for additional information and proposal guidelines. The deadline to submit proposals is close of business Friday, June 8, 2007. U.S. Embassy announces U.S. Embassy announces U.S. Embassy announces U.S. Embassy announces U.S. Embassy announces Ambassador’s HIV Ambassador’s HIV Ambassador’s HIV Ambassador’s HIV Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program Prevention Program Prevention Program Prevention Program Prevention Program (Continued From Page 4)government and people of the jewel. He’ll fix it up for us and make it acceptable to the other international scholars and the international community at large. So what if we go to a Republican Form of government so we can make him President for a very, very long time? What’s so bad about that? We deserve no less and he has earned his stripes. So please, the next time you hear people grumbling about the stuff Musa has done that’s not-so-good, tell them to stop belly-aching and go out and do something productive. The man works hard for all of us and even he is prone to make slips here and there but its all for the good of Belize. Some people have life so easy they actually have time to bellyache, instead of thanking their lucky stars to Ungr Ungr Ungr Ungr Ungr a a a a a teful teful teful teful teful Bunch? Bunch? Bunch? Bunch? Bunch? have gotten a “Kipling’s man” for Prime Minister. Geese! What a thankless bunch of “Naysayers.” And no, I’ve gotten it from impeccable sources: the man isn’t resigning because of some trip up the dratted media did to him with UHS and the Belize Bank. And he isn’t calling early elections either. Get over it. We have the most wonderful Prime Minister Belize will ever see, even if V.S. Naipaul doesn’t think so. Okay. Here are the website references: 1)Musa’s homepage: http:// www .belize.gov .bz/pm_profile.html 2) V.S. Naipaul’s nasty comments about Belizeans: http://www .stabroeknews.com/ index.pl/ article_sunday_features?id=56519209US Ambassador Robert Dieter

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 11 MOTHERS We all know that we canÂ’t live without mothers. They care for us and help us when you need it the most. They love us and hug us for no reason at all. They were there when no one else was. When it felt like the world was crashing down all around us they held on tight. They love us even when we ARIES (Mar. 21April 20) Take advantage of your attributes and lure the mate of your choice. Extravagance will be a problem. Organize social events or family gatherings. You can buy or sell if youÂ’re so inclined. Your lucky day this week will be Tuesday. T AURUS (Apr. 21May 21) DonÂ’t point your finger unjustly at others. You will have the stamina and the know how to raise your earning power. Be prepared to make changes to your personal documents. You will have the stamina and the know how to raise your earning power. Your lucky day this week will be Wednesday. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Travel will enhance romance and adventure. this week will be hectic. Avoid joint ventures and steer clear of groups that want you to contribute financial assistance. Look after financial transactions this week. Your lucky day this week will be Sunday. CANCER (June 22-July 22) YouÂ’ll be dropping friends for no apparent reason. DonÂ’t force your opinions on friends or relatives unless you are prepared to lose their favor. Think before you act. Rewards, gifts, or money from investments or taxes can be expected. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) DonÂ’t push your luck with your boss. DonÂ’t involve yourself in the emotional problems of those you work with. Sudden trips will take you by surprise. You may be frustrated by the way situations are being handled in your personal life. Your lucky day this week will be Friday. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You may have a problem keeping secrets. You can expect to have problems with your mate if youÂ’ve been spending too much time away from home. Problems with relatives and friends could surface. You will find that money could slip through your fingers. Your lucky day this week will be Friday. LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Emotional matters may not be easy for you to handle. Stick to your own projects and by the end of the day youÂ’ll shine. You will get along well with your colleagues this week. New projects may lead you into a dead end. Your lucky day this week will be Friday. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 Nov. 22) DonÂ’t overdo it. You need to enjoy yourself. Your high enthusiasm will be sure to inspire anybody around you. Your interest in helping others may take you back to school. You can expect the fur to fly on the home front. Your lucky day this week will be Tuesday. SAGITT ARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Emotional relationships will be plentiful if you attend group activities. DonÂ’t overspend on friends or children. Get into some activities that will help you in making new friends. Your mind is on moneymaking ventures. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.Jan. 20) You can make career changes that may put you in a much higher earning bracket. Female members of your family may be difficult to deal with. Your ability to communicate with ease will win the hearts of those you are in touch with this week. You can win points if you present your ideas this week. Your lucky day this week will be Friday. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Lack of funds may add stress to your already uncertain situation. Short trips will be educational. Do not get involved with individuals who are already committed to others. Your lack of attention may have been a factor. Your lucky day this week will be Friday. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You can make sound financial investments if you act fast. Get the whole family involved in a worthwhile cause or cultural event. Professionalism will be of utmost importance. Unexpected visitors are likely. Be prepared to do your chores early. Your lucky day this week will be Monday. T een ly Page fall, when we mess things up, when we are mad and even when we think we donÂ’t love them. SO HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!! MAY YOU BE BLESSED ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY! -Abigail Marshall Mothers are awesome, cool, and fun, and there the only one . They make U laugh they make U cry . But theyÂ’re always there for U .. When U have done wrong tell put U in your place. When UÂ’ve done right theyÂ’ll be there to reward U. -Julia Heusner

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 12 Examples of PUP Discrimination Examples of PUP Discrimination Examples of PUP Discrimination Examples of PUP Discrimination Examples of PUP Discrimination Against the People of Toledo Against the People of Toledo Against the People of Toledo Against the People of Toledo Against the People of Toledo Recently Mr. Candido Coh, from the Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA) group in San Jose, went to see Dr. Ludwick Palacio, General Manager of the Toledo Development Corporation (TDC) to ask him if there has been any word from the Ministry of National Resources regarding their communities request for making their community conservation area (part of the Toledo People’s Eco park Plan) a protected area. He reminded him of the many meetings and letters that have been submitted over the last years including the one presented only a few months ago. Dr. Palacio replied that he has received no answer yet. Mr. Coh asked if the TDC zone representative for San Jose, Mr. Emeterio Sho, a member of the TDC’s board had recommended it. When Dr. Palacio said he had, Mr. Coh asked “why then hasn’t the Ministry responded?” Dr Palacio said, he didn’t know. When Mr. Sho was running for zone By: William Schmidt PG correspondent for INdependent W eeklyrepresentative for the TDC he met with the San Jose group asking them to vote for him. They said they would if he would support the Toledo People’s Eco Park Plan, he agreed. The members traveled all the way to Cattle Landing to cast their votes for him. Mr. Vicente Sackul, Chairman of the Toledo Ecotourism association (TEA) has also asked the Toledo Development Corporation zone representative for Laguna village Mr. Ardiano Cucul to recommend their community’s conservation area CCA, and he said he would. Now they are asking what use is it to have zone representatives on the Toledo Development Corporation Board if the government will not respect them or the General Manager? If San Jose and the other villages don’t get their community conservation areas officially protected. The farmers will eventually cut all the trees for their milpas. Where will the tourist groups take their tourists if there is no protected place for them to see the animals and plants they come to see? How will the valuable trees and animals themselves survive? The members of the TEA from 14 villages have been asking the People’s United Party, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for the eight long years they have been in power to help them get their communities conservation areas protected for the benefit of all the villagers and the endangered flora and fauna of the area and to help to keep their tourism programs sustainable. When the tourists go to the TEA Village Guesthouse Eco Trail Program where will they take them if there is no Eco Trail? The big conservation non-governmental organizations who get funds and support from outside of Belize always gets the government’s support. The TEA won the world’s prize for the most socially responsible community based eco tourism program, and is one of, if not the oldest indigenous conservation, development organization in the nation. TEA is going on seventeen years in operation now. If this lack of support isn’t proof of the Peoples United Party’s discrimination against the Maya and other peoples of Toledo District, I would like to know what is. When will the people of Belize, especially Toledo, demand that those entrusted with important leadership roles in our nation tell the truth! The slogan, “the truth shall set you free” is well understood by those who keep on lying to our people, if our People’s United Party government truly wanted to decentralize and have the people participate in real democratic planning and development, if they really wanted “power to the people”, they would welcome and support the Toledo People’s Eco Park Plan by and for all the people of Toledo. In the seventeen years of the TEA’s existence, there have been occasions when the Belize Tourism Board threw the TEA a few crumbs to cover-up their gross neglect. Once they printed a few brochures and posters, another time after severe pressure, they allowed them to have a desk in the Belize Tourism Board office in Punta Gorda Town. In 2000 the TEA executive found out the Belize Tourism Board was telling people who inquired about the TEA at the Belize Tourism Board’s office in Belize City, that the TEA in Toledo no longer existed! After all these years of meetings, letters, phone calls, newspaper articles, what else can we do? It’s been said that all that’s needed for bad people to get away with bad things, is for good people to stand by and say and do nothing to prevent it. I’m doing my best. Concerned citizens of Belize and Toledo, what are you going to do? Demand a stop to the discrimination! Support the Toledo Peoples Eco Park and power to the people. Demand that our PUP government tell the truth and allow our people to free themselves!

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 13 13 Statement by US Ambassador to Belize, Robert Dieter. May 3 marks the 17th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, a day on which the World recognizes the important contributions of a free press and honors the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives and their fortunes for the sake of a free press. Freedom of the press is a key component of democratic governance and is essential to a strong civil society. A free and vigorous press fosters active debate, investigative reporting, and a forum to express views – particularly on behalf of those who are marginalized in society. Unfortunately, the press is too often a target of retaliation by those who feel threatened by freedom of expression and transparency in democratic processes. Every day around the world, brave journalists – who are often the first to uncover corruption, to report from the front lines of conflict zones, and to highlight missteps by governments – face harassment, beatings, detention, imprisonment and even death in retribution for their efforts to expose the truth. The instruments of repression include government interference, censorship, or control of the media, disruption of distribution networks, restriction of the Internet, and laws targeting independent press outlets. Such actions limit a nation’s ability to find its voice and become a flourishing democracy. The United States and Belize, along with other like-minded and democratic nations, must continue to do our part to ensure a safe and non-violent environment for the free flow of ideas and public discourse. A new report from the Organization of American States noted that 19 journalists in the Americas were murdered in 2006 for “reasons that could be connected with the exercise of freedom of expression.” The report also states that more than 200 instances of assaults and threats were made in the Americas against “communicators” in 2006. These incidents frequently are not investigated or fully prosecuted. Every year the U.S. provides professional development opportunities for journalists, editors, and media managers around the world. Belizean journalists have benefited from these exchanges in the past and will again in 2007. The U.S. will continue to promote a free and active press, in partnership with other governments, multilateral institutions, NGOs and individuals around the world. While we engage in these efforts year-round, the U.S. Department of State is honoring World Press Freedom Day by offering special publications, webchats, and dialogues in May and June. I encourage you to visit the State Department’s public diplomacy website, http://usinfo.state.gov, to learn more about these programs. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice observed that “there is no more important pillar of democracy than a free and active press.” Democratic societies are not infallible, but they are accountable, and the exchange of ideas is the foundation for accountable governance. As African-American author, statesman, and reformer Frederick Douglass noted in an 1860 speech, “Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist.” A Free and Active Press: A Pillar of Democracy A Free and Active Press: A Pillar of Democracy A Free and Active Press: A Pillar of Democracy A Free and Active Press: A Pillar of Democracy A Free and Active Press: A Pillar of Democracy one, at their track records and accomplishments. Most of all at their public record of veracity and accountability. Have they declared their assets? Do they have offshore accounts? Within the UDP, who is a reasonable choice? Many will assume its Barrow. But who will support him? Who is ready to step up, should he someday need to step down? Some feel the weakness of the UDP is the concentration of skill and power in too one set of hands. Is that something we are willing to gamble on? To trust? Or do we need to see other players be given responsibilities instead of sidelined if they get too popular. Carlos Perdomo wrote a fine piece in the Guardian this week. In a time when our national moral fiber is in shreds, might he not be a useful compass? There is Zenaida, or there could be. Saddled with Belize City debt and garbage, her baptism by fire would serve her well as we try to extricate ourselves from the national debt and carnage. And Lois? UDP or ACB? Or both. I don’t personally care which, as long as she can serve and continue as watchdog, keep BTL and Ashcroft in check. She could run for PM. And of the Independents? Godwin Hulse, the nation is calling you…will you answer? Will you cloak yourself in the Belizean Flag and run a victory lap for us too? (Continued From Page 4) Loan bac Loan bac Loan bac Loan bac Loan bac ksaid ksaid ksaid ksaid ksaid Who will emerge in the Alliance? Names are already being floated, some good ones. We will watch with interest. I guess all I am saying is we have choices. We do not have to accept what we have already been given or what some would want us to believe is written in stone forevermore. Belize does not have to be or dragged down this path to nowhere anymore. We deserve better. And we can get it.

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 14 14 A few weeks ago, the Independent Reformer published some photos of mangroves by naturalist Christian Zeigler. We got such a great response from readers we decided to create a special section called “Guest Gallery” for submissions from other photographers, Guest Galler Guest Galler Guest Galler Guest Galler Guest Galler y y y y y amateur and professional. As the month of May begins, it just so happens Mike Heusner has been out taking photos of some of the magnificent trees now in bloom along the river and near his fishing resort, Belize River Lodge. In March he also captured an interesting leg of La Ruta Maya which most spectators never get a chance to see, as the canoeists enter the tangle of mangroves at the mouth of the Haulover Creek. In addition we have some submissions from Leslie Kearns of Affordable Web-site Design who enjoyed the rodeo at the National Agriculture Show last weekend. Please enjoy. If you or anyone you know is interested in having your photographs in our Guest Gallery, please email jpg or tiff images to karlavernon_belize@yahoo.com.This young equestrian knows how to get her pony to corner around a barrel. This young bull rider has all the right stuff! Time often stands still in Belize, especially along the quiet banks of a river. The flamboyant’s blossoms are a blaze of colour against their verdant setting. Flamboyant is the only way to describe the lush colour of the tree in bloom. No need for a gardener to plant flowers when the mayflower strews her blossoms across the lawn.

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 15 15 1/2 acre lots in Burrell Boom starting at $10K independent.newspaper.bz @gmail.com 70 acres in Burrell Boom for US$50K independent.newspaper.bz@gmail.com Single-12 acre plot in Ladyville $120 K independent.newspaper.bz@ gmail.com Need help with cleaning, ironing, painting or other household chores at your Ladyville home? Then call me at 6243652. Reasonable rates, mature female. Land F Land F Land F Land F Land F or Sale or Sale or Sale or Sale or Sale Inspired by the Life of Edgar X Richardson, by River of Fire E ye of the tiger, roar of the lion D are to be wiser, and always stand strong G eneral with no army, his mind and his hands A dmiral with no navy, the maritime demands R emember my mentor, won’t forget my friend X is for Pan African, Christian not Islam R emember my mentor, won’t forget my friend I fought beside you before, and we will fight this war once again C an you remember Mediggon, where the first battle began H ear on Focal Point, the local global joint A repeat programming coint, sealed ,delivered and signt R emember my mentor, won’t forget my friend D ared to be wiser, and always stood strong Soldier, father, husband, and a real black man O ne brother who fought long, real Pan African N ow remember my mentor, won’t forget my friend Poet’s Corner Poet’s Corner Poet’s Corner Poet’s Corner Poet’s Corner INdependent Classifieds jpeg or tiff formats only. Must be emailed, no disk pickup or drop off 4) business card –first run is free for month of May, 2007, $20 a run thereafter 5) All classified ads must be emailed to independent. newspaper . bz@gmail. com with cc to kheusner@yahoo. com and checks to PO Box 2666, Belize City. Please note: We must receive your ad by Friday at mid-day for inclusion in following Tuesday issue. Tropical SPA Stressed out in the City? Pamper yourself at Tropical Spa with a massage, facial, pedicure, manicure, acrylic and gel nails, or eyebrow threading. Reasonable rates. Call 2801011 for appointment. Located at #42 Albert Street (downstairs of Heusner’s Dentistry). “Free international real estate and investment blog and podcast. Go to http://investtheworld.blogspot.com as Free Ads! The INdependent Reformer is offering free classified ads for the month of May: 1) 20 words or less 2) one ad per person in the promotional period for free (additional ads are only $10 each) 3) with photo (first time free...$10 additional for photo ads) we travel the world for fun, investment and profit.” Beauty b Beauty b Beauty b Beauty b Beauty b looms a looms a looms a looms a looms a t t t t t Cashe Cashe Cashe Cashe Cashe w F w F w F w F w F est 2007 est 2007 est 2007 est 2007 est 2007 Miss Sherice Banner won little Miss Cashew Fest Queen in Crooked Tree .

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Friday, May 11, 2007 The INdependent Reformer Page 16 16 Ms Y Pageant, more gracious than ever Ms Y Pageant, more gracious than ever Ms Y Pageant, more gracious than ever Ms Y Pageant, more gracious than ever Ms Y Pageant, more gracious than ever They may not go on to compete in prestigious international pageants, but those who participate in the Ms “Y” pageant do get national attention here in Belize. And goodness do they get affection from the crowd. The audience at the City Center on Saturday May 5 enthusiastically cheered their favorites during almost the three and a half hour long pageant which included monologues and cultural dances. There were six contestants, all deserving of the title. Who would win? Ms Determination, Ms Perseverance, Ms Vivacious, Ms Gracious, Ms Personality, Ms Courageous? How could the judges chose from among the talented senior ladies? In the end it was Ms Personality, in real life, Mrs. Anita Henry. She was ot only crowned Ms Y but also voted Miss Talent for her monologue “Poor Man’s Bread.” She was sashed by Mrs Jean Williams and little Keeva Wade presented her flowers. 1st Runner up was Mrs Marie Lewis, sashed by Ms Dorla Lewis and attended by flowergirl Breanna Nunez. 2nd Runner up was Mrs Janet Graham sashed by Celia Mushchamp. Also participating were Mrs Norma Sutherland, Mrs Emily Avilez and Mrs Eileen Haylock. Congratulations to all the jewels in the Ms Y Crown. The event is an annual fundraiser for the YMCA in Belize City.Mrs. Marie Lewis, 1st runner up, receives her bouquet from Breana Nunez Mrs Janet Graham was 2nd runner up. Comments? Suggestions? or want to share your thoughts Email us at Independent.newspaper. bz@gmail.com