March 30, 2016 issue of The Capital Weekly is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

  • NEW FISCAL YEAR BEGINS, Challenges Abound - Restraint Applied - Optimism Maintained:
    This Friday, April 1, 2016, marks the start of the new fiscal year. It is when the new National Budget kicks in with its approved allocations for public spending set out in General Revenue Appropriation Bill. The new Budget Proposal was introduced in the National Assembly three weeks ago on Tuesday March 8, 2016 and debated in the House of Representatives on Tuesday and Wednesday March 22 and 23, after which the House approved it. It is expected to be ratified by the Senate on Tuesday March 29, after which it will be signed into law by the Governor General.of unprecedented regional and international challenges, against a backdrop of shrinking disposable financial resources, but thankfully on the back of a macro-framework characterized by, in the words of the Prime Minister, "an economy and public finances which stand on the rock-solid foundation of a strong currency backed up by excess reserves, robust fiscal revenues and a well-managed public debt."
  • BelizeanMore Border Problems, Guatemalan Shoots BDF Soldier:
    A member of the Belize Defence Force was shot on Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016 by a Guatemalan farmer near the Western border. Sergeant Richard Lambey was at a water-pond more than a Kilometre north-west of the Valentin Operation Post, when he was attacked by the Guatemalan Xatero who had a .22 rifle. There was an exchange of gunfire and Sergeant Lambey was hit a few times, including to the abdomen and hand. As many as twenty-six expended shells have been removed from the scene. Sergeant Lambey is receiving medical attention at the KHMH Hospital. As we go to press Easter Monday evening, the matter is under investigation by the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the usual protocol adhered to with respect to such border incidents that have the potential to escalate tensions between our two countries.
  • Guatemalans Grab Garland, Belmopan's Borland First Belizean:
    After 144 grueling miles of pedal-pushing, Belize's most popular single-day sporting event, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, came to a finish at the BTL Park in Belize City, with two visiting Guatemalan cyclists taking first and second place. The new Cross Country Champion is Alejandro Padilla Miranda, and the second place finisher is his brother Julio Padilla Miranda. Third place was taken by Joel Borland of Belmopan, the first Belizean to cross the finish-line. Fourth Place went to Brandon Cattouse; Fifth Place to Bill Elliston; Sixth Place to Scottie Weisse, Seventh Place to Nissan Arana, Eight Place to Robert Liam, Ninth Place to Henry Moreira, and Tenth Place to Ron Vasquez.
  • Editorial: Reflection - Renewal - Recommitment:
    The Easter Holiday just past, is invariably for us a time of reflection, renewal and recommitment to the principles and ideals we strive to uphold. We trust that such is the spirit of the entire nation. The timing of the holiday this year was particularly appropriate, as it marked the end of the old fiscal year and the beginning of the new. Following some fiery, sometimes personal exchanges in the House of Representatives, our parliamentarians had the extended Easter weekend to cool off and refocus; and now the work of nation-building must resume in earnest. By all accounts, the fiscal year that commences April 1, 2016 will be exceedingly challenging as disposable public resources are shrinking and large sections of our productive and financial sectors face crippling adversities, some natural, others induced by the architects and regulators of the global economy.
  • Faber or Saldivar for Deputy? PM Barrow "Scrupulously Neutral":
    It's a contest that has been looking inevitable for quite some time, but it has now been hastened by the voluntary stepping aside of Hon. Gaspar Vega as First Deputy Leader of the United Democratic Party. And, as expected, Belmopan Representative Hon. John Saldivar and Collet Representative Hon. Patrick Faber have both announced their entry into the contest to fill the position. Both gentlemen did so on Monday, March 21, the day immediately following the Party's National Convention which was scheduled well in advance when no one anticipated the position of Deputy becoming vacant. As to the special convention to fill the post, that hasn't yet been exactly scheduled, but all indications are it will be sometime in June.
  • Fireworks in the Capital, Debate on National Budget 2016-2017:
    Eagerly awaited, this year's edition of the annual debate on the national budget did live up to expectations as far as the fireworks were concerned. But how substantive and productive were the often fiery exchanges? The answer can be as subjective or objective as one wants to be. As objective as we can, let's recap some of the highlights of the two-day debate. In accordance with tradition as spelled out in the Standing Orders of the House, the debate kicked off on Tuesday March 22 with the rebuttal by Leader of Opposition Hon. John Briceno who gave an almost point by point reply to the PM's Budget Proposal.
  • CARICOM supports BELIZE, Issues Strong Statement against Guatemalan Intimidation:
    The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has issued a Statement expressing concern over an incident between Belizean Security Forces and Guatemalan Armed Forces, at the Sarstoon River, the Southern boundary of Belize with the Republic of Guatemala, on 12 March 2016. The full statement reads as follows: "The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expresses its grave concern over the incident which took place at the Sarstoon River, the southern boundary of Belize with the Republic of Guatemala, between Belizean Security Forces and Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) on 12 March 2016. The GAF entered Belizean internal waters and acted in an intimidating manner towards the Belizean forces at their Forward Operating Base on Belize's mainland at the mouth of the Sarstoon River.
  • National Unity on Belize-Guatemala Issue, New Bi-Partisan Efforts and Old Political Challenges:
    The new efforts at resolving the age-old Belize-Guatemala Territorial Dispute has an encouraging component, which is the rekindling of national unity around a bipartisan approach to negotiations and bi-lateral talks with the Guatemalans as facilitated by the OAS and supported by our international friends. This has been enabled, to a large extent, by the level of political maturity demonstrated by the opposition's new leadership. Shortly after being sworn in as Leader of the Opposition, Briceno met with PM Dean Barrow and expressed his party's desire to work in unity with the Government on matters of National importance, citing the Belize-Guatemala relations as one such issue. Prime Minister Barrow has reciprocated the goodwill, keeping Briceno and his party updated on developments and including the Opposition in negotiations and bilateral talks at the highest level.
  • BELIZE-GUATEMALA-OAS TALKS, New Efforts At Resolving An Age-Old Dispute:
    As we reported in our last edition, an encounter between elements of the Belize Defence Force and the Guatemalan Military in the Sarstoon area two Saturdays ago on March 12, had escalated border tensions between our two countries. In a press release, the Government had indicated talks were to take place in Washington on Tuesday, March 15th between the two sides under the auspices of the OAS, and that the Belize delegation headed by Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Wilfred Elrington would also include Assad Shoman as the representative of the Opposition. Following the talks, the Government hosted a press conference in Belize City on Thursday, March 17 with Foreign Minister Hon. Wilfred Elrington flanked by Ambassador Assad Shoman and Belize's Ambassador to Guatemala H.E. Alexis Rosado.
  • Catalyst For Change, At the Center of Economic Development, Trade and Investment:
    Every ministry and department is important, as it must fulfil its unique function as an essential part of the Government which has the full responsibility to manage the nation's affairs and look after the overall interest and wellbeing of the people and country. One of them is the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce. That Ministry is led by Honourable Erwin Contreras with Honourable Tracy Panton as his Minister of State. One of two women who are newly elected to the House of Representatives, Hon. Tracy Panton is a valuable addition to the Cabinet as she brings years of experience in various sectors of economic development, having served as Director of the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Tourism and CEO of BNE Trust managing proceeds from petroleum revenues for national development.
  • Breaking The Cycle of Poverty, Ground Breaking for Six New Schools:
    More than 1,500 Students will soon be enrolled in new pre-schools & primary schools in Belmopan, Stann Creek and Toledo. In this regard, ground-breaking ceremonies were recently held to officially commence construction of the respective schools, thanks to the Government of Belize. Funding for the construction of the 6 (six) government schools is made available through grant-funds from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under the bank's Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF 7) Program. This means that students in the respective communities will have easier access to a better learning environment.
  • "THE ESSENCE OF LIFE," Belize Celebrates World Water Day:
    Often referred to as 'the essence of life', water is one of the most basic elements that distinguish our planet in a universe filled with millions of lifeless cosmic bodies. To highlight its importance, the United Nations has set aside a day, March 22, observed every year as International Water Day. This year, World Water Day was celebrated under the theme, "Water and Jobs". In Belize, the day was heralded with an exhibition and Water and Jobs Summit held a week in advance on March 15th and 16th, in Belize City and Belmopan.
  • Making Municipalities Child-Friendly:
    Much public investment has been made over the past few years in improving the physical infrastructure of our cities and towns countrywide; but most will readily agree that development is really about people, perhaps more importantly about children and young people who represent the future. The question of how child friendly are our towns and cities, particularly Belize City, was recently addressed by UNICEF's Country Representative in Belize, Ivan Yerovi at an event in the Old Capital.
  • International Belizean Scientist ReturnsStrengthening Capacity against Human Trafficking, Two-Day Workshop for Caribbean held in Belize:
    The International Organization for Migration (OAM) has brought together key stakeholders from five Caribbean territories at a two-day workshop in Belize in an effort to strengthen coordination to counter trafficking in persons in the Caribbean. Government representatives charged with leading their country's counter trafficking efforts from Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago gathered in Belize City on March 16 and 17, 2016, to discuss best practices as well as to explore areas of collaboration and cooperation. "One aim of the workshop is to promote amongst the participants the use of regional cooperation and to share information, ideas and techniques," said Rukiya Brown, project manager. IOM has been working for more than nine years with countries in the Caribbean training stakeholders, providing assistance to victims and governments, and raising public awareness through information campaigns.
  • International Belizean Scientist Returns:
    President of the University of Belize, Alan Slusher, extended an invitation to Dr. Arlie Petters to visit with the University's Institutional Curriculum Review Committee. The visit, held on Friday March 18, 2016 at the Jaguar Auditorium on UB's Belmopan Campus, was intended to facilitate dialogue with Dr. Petters and the institution's academic leaders. Their Discussions focused on strategies to increase UB's contributions to national decision making processes through a focus on targeted research engagements by Faculty. The group also discussed the significance of STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as a tool to build national capacities to support national development, economic growth and achieve poverty alleviation.
  • TRANSFORMATION & INAUGURATION, OFFICIAL OPENING OF ISIDORO BEATON STADIUM IN CITY OF BELMOPAN:
    The best FIFA certified stadium with all-weather synthetic turf in the country, was inaugurated in the City of Belmopan Tuesday, March 15. The new facility is home to the Belmopan-based Bandits Football Club. Attending the opening ceremony was Area Representative and Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Works Hon. Rene Montero, Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture Hon. Elodio Aragon, and Minister of Immigration and Natural Resources Godwin Hulse, along with Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle. The magnificent facility was constructed under the supervision of Belize Infrastructure Limited and Pedro Lizarraga & Sons Construction Company. The opening segued into the inaugural football match, Bandits versus the professional football club Progreso from Honduras. Belmopan Bandits lucked out and the match ended 3-0 in favour of Honduras.
  • RibbonNational Coastguard Graduates 46 New Recruits:
    Belize's National Coast Guard brought in the Easter Holidays with its 8th Graduation Ceremonies on Holy Thursday, March 24 for a total of 46 new recruits. The recruits, both men and women, underwent rigorous training over a period of 12 weeks in order to become sailors in the National Coast Guard. Speaking with Channel 5 News at the graduation, National Coast Guard Commander Admiral John Borland stated, "By and large they get absorbed into the fleet to start doing operations in an apprenticeship role because, remember, their first year they spend as seamen apprentices to get all the practical work and on the job training that they couldn't get in twelve weeks of basic training, which was basically for transforming them from a civilian into a military figure."
  • Taiwan President's Farewell Visit To Belize:
    He first visited Belize back in 2009, one year into his presidency and the first term of the Dean Barrow Administration which both started in 2008; and President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan was back in Belize from March 16 to 17, 2016 as part as his farewell tour. Upon arrival at the Phillip Goldson International Airport, he made the following statement: "It is a great honor and privilege for me to be invited by Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize, to lead a delegation to visit Belize. This is my second visit to this beautiful country. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to extend our warm greetings to the government and people of Belize.