Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Sail San Blas, Republic of Panama



Day
1 To start the first day of your Panama sailing vacation as part of the Kuna Island Sailing Travel Package in Panama, we’ll pick you up at the airport and escort you to the beautiful Sheraton Panama Hotel where you’ll begin your adventure.


Day
2 - 4
On the morning of the second day on your Kuna Island Sailing Travel Package in Panama, you’ll take a quick flight to San Blas. The San Blas Sailing crew will welcome you and you’ll dive into this amazing Panama sailing vacation. Onboard a comfortable and luxurious Catamaran sailboat, you’ll explore the breathtaking Panamanian Caribbean. You won’t find a better way to view the San Blas Islands and the Kuna Indian culture. With three days of sailing you’ll have plenty of time to discover the wonderful landscapes, and to visit the intriguing Indian communities amongst the islands. Everyday, depending on conditions, you’ll get 10 hours of sailing, including plenty of time for snorkeling on different reefs each day on your Kuna Island Sailing Travel Package in Panama. Throughout the three days of your Panama sailing vacation, you’ll experience different water sports, sea life, Indian cultures, snorkeling, trawl fishing, spear fishing, bird watching, river exploration, swimming, kayaking, remote beach walking, volleyball, fresh food, Kuna villages, and craft shopping, all a part of the Kuna Island Sailing Travel Package in Panama. To cap off the fourth day of your Panama sailing vacation, we’ll take you back to the Sheraton Panama Hotel for a luxurious last night on your Kuna Island Sailing Travel Package in Panama. (B,L,D)

Day
5 On the last day of this memorable Panama sailing vacation with the Kuna Island Sailing Travel Package in Panama, you’ll enjoy a safe and comfortable ride to the airport at your convenience, and you’ll fly home with pictures and stories to last a lifetime.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

PANAMA Black Jesus of Isla Grande

PANAMA, Thunderbird Casino Sells to Merit Gaming.



The Group and Merit Gaming LLC (Merit) signed an agreement memo to purchase a 63.63% of the shares Thunderbird Resorts Inc. has in the International Thunderbird Gaming Corporation of Panama, published daily Panamá América.

Thunderbird Gaming in Panama is the main owner of the Fiesta Casino operations and the group has faced financial liquidity problems due to losses registered in the past years.

The daily indicates that Merit participates in the development of casinos in the United States and other countries, including the Gran casino Mallorca in the Colón province, in Panama.

In 60 or 90 days will take place the formal signing of the sale, according to the term the law provides Merit to verify that all the process has taken place along with the local rules, with the approval of the regulating entity of gambling and the Junta de Control de Juegos de Panamá (Games Control Board) , communicated the company.


The shareholders of Thunderbird Gaming Corporation will have until next December 26 to decide if they want to sale their stocks to Merit company or buy more from Thunderbird Corporation , pointed the daily.

Panama (Boquete) Flower and Coffe Fair



With less than a month to go for the inauguration of the 38th version of the “ Feria de las Flores y el Café de Boquete” (Fair of Flowers and Coffee of Boquete) , the preparations are ready a 90% and the event is expected to surpass the success achieved last year, published daily La Prensa.
Administrator Leopoldo Castillo, said that the flowers will remain as the main attraction of the fair and that for this year more than US$4,000 in plants´ seeds were bought in New York, including some of flowers never seen before in Boquete.
Castillo discarded that the global crisis might have an impact in the Flowers and Coffee Fair, and highlighted the fact that during the 10 days of this event more than US$5 million circulate in the district of Boquete.
The daily indicates that in the past edition, 100,500 persons paid to visit the fair. It is expected than in the coming one, to take place from January 7 to 17, this number will be significantly surpassed.
The Flowers and Coffee Fair is also commercial, industrial , folkloric and agricultural .
Besides the mechanic amusement park and the free events presented at the exhibitions´ stage at the fair in Boquete, the main liquor store companies of the country present popular artists for night entertainment.

Panama, Native Indians Grow Coffee in Panama



A group of indians from the region of Ñokribo, in the district of Ngöbe Buglé, have started producing organic coffee , points out a note published in daily La Estrella de Panamá.

Leonidas Aguilar, one of the 80 producers dedicated to coffee farming , said the activity seems to be going well, specifically in the district of Kankintú.
Since year 2006, this group of farmers has been able to sell more than 300,000 pounds of coffee per year. At the beginning the grain was sold to purchasers in the province of Veraguas, but now they have more buyers.

These are some tourist hotels located on the Bocas del Toro island, where the product has been well received by tourists.
The farmers are processing the coffee themselves and selling it at US$2.00 a pound.

Thanks to international support , currently they have 10 pulping machines and work themselves in the process.

One of the main obstacles they had to face was the arrival of the “broca” plague , which at the beginning caused a decrease in production , however they´ve fight this disease using biological controls, explained one of the producers.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Best day tours in Panama City



Here is a collection of some of the best day tours in Panama City from our friends at PanamaTours.com.pa


Panama City Tour – Rich history tucked into a modern city. It's more than just a Canal.

Take a tour of one the most vibrant cities in Central America. Discover the old Panama ruins of Casco Viejo, the original location of the city before pirates and disease destroyed the town. Also experience a progressive city of the future, boasting the banking capital of Central America, beautiful plazas, and breath-taking skyline views. Bring your camera, and open your mind to the culturally profound Panama City -- Panama City Tour

Panama Canal Eco Tour – Along the Canal view exotic animals and flora, and swim, fish, and kayak at a nearby lake.

On this tour you'll get an up close and personal look at the historically significant changes being made to the famous Panama Canal. Share the canal with towering container ships, cruises, and other unique vessels as you see the canal's history and it's transition into the future. This is also a nature tour because you'll have the chance to see tropical flora and rain forest animals along the way, and you'll take a canoe trip through lake Gatun. Enjoy some swimming, fishing, and kayaking during the afternoon -- Panama Canal Eco Tour

Embera Indian Village Tour – Experience a real Indian Village amongst an exotic jungle.

Travel up the Chagres River through a tropical jungle full of exotic plants and wildlife on your way to visiting a real Indian Village. Interact with the villagers and learn about how they hunt, fish, harvest, and more. You'll even experience their cultural traditions like dancing and body painting, and be able to see their handmade crafts like woven baskets, plates, and masks. Walk through the lush jungle and get a close and personal look at what real jungle life is all about -- Embera Indian Village Tour

Anton Valley Day Tour – Beautiful mountain and waterfall views alongside a dormant volcano.

This is a place you may only think exists in the movies, with it's luscious green vegetation, towering cliffs and mountains, and cascading waterfalls, but you can experience it first hand on this Anton Valley Day Tour. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Pan-American Highway, walk through elaborate gardens, and even visit a zoo. Bathe in the hot springs and waterfalls, and don't forget to browse the native Indian crafts at the local artisan market -- Anton Valley Day Tour

Panama Canal Train and the Caribbean Forts – Take a train ride alongside the picturesque canal.

Ride the train for a unique and beautiful vantage point alongside the Panama City Canal, where you'll wind through historical spot after historical spot from Panama City to Colon. Visit the Gatun Locks, the Old School of the Americas, the First Sherman and San Lorenzo National Parks, and enjoy a buffet style lunch at the Sol Melia Resort & Hotel in Colon -- Panama Canal Train and the Caribbean Forts

Panama Canal Partial Transit – Experience the canal on board a real ship as it passes through.

If you want to really experience the Panama Canal, what's better than traveling down the canal on a ship!? Go through the locks just like any vessel as you experience first hand how the trip goes for an average ship making it's pass through the historic canal. Lunch is included, and the ship's accommodations are comfortable to make for a great trip down the canal -- Panama Canal Partial Transit

Panama Canal Fishing Tour – Fish all morning and feast in the afternoon.

On this trip you get to fish in some of the best spots in all of Panama. Wake up early and enjoy the beautiful morning as you make your way along the lake searching and hunting down that perfect catch. After a full morning of fishing, return to the floating house to enjoy your delicious fresh catch and tell stories of your epic battles on the lake -- Panama Canal Fishing Tour

Monday, December 21, 2009

Hugo Chavez Mistakes Santa for a Spy Plane



BOGOTA – Colombia's defense chief joked Monday that Venezuelan troops might have mistaken Santa's sleigh for a spy plane, dismissing accusations by President Hugo Chavez about drones flying over Venezuela.

Chavez on Sunday accused the United States of violating Venezuela's airspace with an unmanned spy plane and ordered his military to be on alert and shoot down any such aircraft.

The Pentagon has declined to comment on Chavez's accusations.

Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva and armed forces commander Freddy Padilla told reporters Monday that Colombian aircraft couldn't fly the kind of espionage mission described by Chavez.

"Colombia doesn't have that capability," said Silva. He quipped that perhaps "Venezuelan soldiers mistook Father Christmas' sleigh for a spy plane."

Padilla said Colombia has only small, unmanned surveillance planes that it uses to monitor pipelines and other installations against sabotage by rebel groups.

"They don't have any firepower and what they do is observe to prevent attacks on electrical towers," Padilla said.

Silva and Padilla did not discuss U.S. military capabilities at Colombian bases.

Chavez has accused Colombia of allowing the United States to use its military bases to prepare a possible attack on Venezuela.

Both the U.S. and Colombia have denied such allegations in the past, saying the U.S. military presence is for the sole purpose of giving support to Colombia in combatting drug traffickers and rebels.

Tensions between Venezuela and neighboring Colombia have been high for months amid Chavez's accusations of warmongering and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's allegations that Venezuela has harbored Colombian rebel leaders.

San Blas Vacations




Tourism in Panama is immortalized by sky-blue waters, candid beaches, verdant rainforests, coconut palms swaying to the open winds of the sea, white sands, coral reefs, and aqua-sports to mention a few attractions. San Blas archipelago is very much a piece of that unspoiled paradise with a rich smearing of all that is part and parcel of the naturally endowed Panama. But there is a mighty difference here. There are more than 350 tiny islands in the archipelago, most of them uninhabited. The interesting difference between San Blas and the other Panamanian archipelagos is that San Blas is ruled by the indigenous Kuna Indians in their own style with little interference from mainland Panama. The tribal Indians have not only inherited the language, customs, and culture from their forefathers but have also adopted their ancestor’s economic system indicating how fiercely independent they are.

At San Blas, tourists will find the old world charm unfold in unexpected ways even though the islands are located at an arm’s distance from Panama City. For around $60, you can fly Air Panama or Aroperlas from the Albrook Airport and within 30 minutes you would have been transported back in time to a period some 2000 years ago. For the real experience of San Blas, though, you should hit the dirt roads while hopping from island to island and passing through places that are either packed with huts or completely desolate. Or, you can hitch a ride on the rough waters in one of the Kuna merchant ships. On the way, you will see fishermen on their canoes throwing their baited nets into the sea hoping for a good catch. Fishing technology is unheard of in this part of the world. It is true however that even the most advanced technology fades in front of the Kuna women’s talents in weaving colorful fabrics called mola bringing to life birds, animals, fishes, and many other shapes from their backyards with intricate embroidery works.

If you are lucky, you may get a chance to attend one of the simplest wedding ceremonies in the world. The wedding lasts no more than five minutes and ends with the grandmother passing bread rolls to the guests. The bride and groom are thrown into a hammock four times in between. You’ll be surprised to know that this is how the people of San Blas have lived for ages. Their legends, colorful dress, folk music and dance, all have a distinct flavor about them. It is not surprising then that San Blas finds frequent coverage in the National Geographic. And that the Survivor crew chose an idyllic island in San Blas to throw a reward party for the competitors.

Like the archipelago and its people, the food and accommodation at San Blas is simple. Traditional huts with thatched palm leaves making up the walls and roof gives a closest-to-the-earth experience and a taste of the Kuna Indian lives.

Apart from visiting the villages, tourists have many other options in San Blas including cruising, beaching, snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring the wild rainforests. For the records, Cruising World and Le Monde Voyage magazines rate San Blas among the top two cruising destinations in the world.

Panama Canal Tour



Panama Canal Tour
Here is why this is the best Panama Canal Tour:

Close look of the work being done to expand the Panama Canal; history in the making.
Rendezvous with container ships, cruises and a variety of vessels as they cross the Panama Canal.
Encounter Rain forest animals like Monkeys, Sloths, Toucans, Crocodiles and many other species.
Discover the exotic flora available in the area.
Experience a canoe excursion through lake Gatun ending at a pristine water hole & cascade where you can bathe.
Go fishing, swimming and kayaking as part of the afternoon activities
This full day tour includes panamanian lunch and sodas/bottled water.
Adults pay only US$95/person;
Children from 6-12 years old pay US$62.00/child;
Children 5 years old or under at NO CHARGE.

Canal Tour details:
Full day Trip starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m.

Pickup point is the Gamboa Public Boat Ramp.
Transportation to the ramp is not included.

Transportation to the ramp can be provided at an additional cost.

For tour days, availability, group discounts or more information, call:
Toll Free from USA: (1-866)390-3451 or (954)282-8214
From Panama: 209-5657 Or Email: canalecotour@panamatours.com.paThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

More Panama Tours
Soberania Bird Watching Tour Caving Tour Fishing Tour Panama Canal Kayaking Tour Boquete Tree Trek Tour Diving Tours Helicopter Tour Canopy Tours Embera Indians Tour Jungle Challenge Tour The Panama Canal Tour Highlights of Panama Multi-Sport Tour Family Fun and Adventure Bird Watching Tour The Dream Getaway Bird Watching Pipeline Road Tour Embera Natives Half Day City Tour Los Pueblos Mall El Valle Canopy Tour Panama City Tours Henry Morgan Tour Canal-Partial Transit Free Zone Shopping Canal-Full Transit Historic Tour Transisthmus Train Panama Canal Tour Panama Beach Tour Multiplaza Pacific Mall Fishing Tours Kayaking Tour Panama Camping Mamoni River Rafting Canal train and Colon Tour

Boquete Outdoor Adventures



Boquete Outdoor AdventuresPanama’s premier provider of highly-customized all-inclusive whitewater kayaking, sea kayaking, multi-sport and family adventure vacations. Home
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Boquete Outdoor Adventures

Boquete Outdoor Adventures, Panama’s premier provider of all-inclusive custom whitewater, sea kayaking, multi-sport and family adventure vacations, was founded in 2004. BOA’s proximity to both the Caribbean & the Pacific, to cloud forests & rainforests, to mangroves, mountains, beaches and amazing whitewater allow us to offer you an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, hassle-free vacation that you can’t find anywhere else. And our guides have all the logistics nailed down to get you out there where you can explore and play, focusing on one activity such as whitewater kayaking or a combination of activities such as whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, surfing, ocean fishing, hiking, canopy touring, backpacking, horseback riding, birdwatching and more! Both our guides and gear have been selected with your comfort and safety in mind, and exceeding your expectations is our primary goal.
Our trips are highly customized. Whether you’re planning an exotic honeymoon or an adventure vacation for your family, we are eager to tailor your trip itinerary to reflect your unique desires, goals & budget. Your trip cost varies with your trip length, your choice of destinations, and your preferences for lodging and dining.

So don’t be shy. Tell us what you want!

Sport Fishing in Golfo de Chiriqui
The season is here for some amazing sport fishing off Panama’s Pacific Coast! Read more about trips to Isla Secas and Isla Coiba…

Why Panama?
In Panama’s Chiriqui province alone you can travel from mountains to sea, from cloudforests to rainforests, from mangroves to pristine white sand beaches and uninhabited islands all in a single day.
Read more…

Why Not Shoot The Monkey Out Of the Sky???



story by Panama Jack
Why has the United States not shot Hugo Chavez out of the sky. He flys around the world looking and buying weapons to attack the United States and other Latin countrys. He is working with his Iranian bothers to get hold of missiles to fire at the United States.

Chavez: Army ordered to shoot down any spy planes



Chavez: Army ordered to shoot down any further incursions

He says plane flies near a military base

Tensions between two nations have been high for months

Troubles over claims by both of attempts to destabilize each other

The army has been ordered to shoot down any further incursions, he said on his weekly television and radio show. Chavez said the aircraft quickly disappeared after flying near a military base in the western state of Zulia, on the border with Colombia.

Tensions between Colombia and Venezuela have been high for months over accusations by both sides of attempts to destabilize each other.

Colombia has accused Chavez's government of aiding leftist guerrilla groups that fight in Colombia. Chavez, meanwhile, has strongly objected to an agreement between Colombia and the United States to allow American troops to train at Colombian bases.

Chavez did not say who is suspected of launching the spy plane, but he said that such planes are "technology of the empire," referring to the United States.

"We will not fall for provocations, but, of course, we are on alert," Chavez said.

Colombian and American authorities did not immediately respond to the allegation.

Underage Prostitutes Walk the streets of Central America



Underage Prostitutes Walk the streets of Central America

Story by Panama Visitor’s Guide

All through Central America, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico you can teen age prostitutes on the streets.

You drive through downtown Managua, Nicaragua after 10 P.M. and you see the streets lined with 13, 14, 15 year old prostitutes. They are there to provide income for the families. They are growing number of economic prostitutes, young girls forced to sell their bodies to make sure their families can pay the rent and have food on their tables. The police seem to look the other way, possibly some of them are paying them to do so. These young girls are looking to make $20.00 to $30.00 for the night.

In Tijuana Mexico, just across the border from California, the United States in Zona Rojo Section of town, that is the red light district. The streets are lined from one end to the other with Teenage Girls to young to gain entrance to bars where American Men have sex with girls over the age of 18. There is a police station in the Zona Rojo Section and on both sides of the doorway leading into the police station there are standing underage prostitutes. Girls from all over Mexico go to the border towns to send money to their families. Sex with a underage street girl is about $20.00 in the bars it is $60.00 for an hour.

In Costa Rica you find underage prostitutes along the streets of the capital of San Jose and at all the tourist beach towns. You also find them in the nightclubs and bars using forged identification cards or one of a friends or an older sister. This is all about the economics. Their families need this money to live on. Mother encourage their daughters and sons to go out and bring home money for the family. The average wage in Central America for a grown man is $12.00 a day if you can speak English it could be as much as $20.00. Maximum is about $700.00 but that would take a degree from the university. Girls on the street can Make up to $20.00 an hour while girls that work the bars can make $30.00 and $100.00 depending what kind of bar they are working in and if there are any North American’s Around, they pay the most for sex on the entire planet.

In Panama there underage prostitutes working the street in front of the hotel’s in the tourist areas, in the hotel’s and casino’s there are prostitutes working in bars looking for gringo’s and men from all over the world with greenback in their pockets. Most of these girls are Columbians who come from their home country to enjoy the riches of Panama. Panama City has a great number of wealthy families and these beautiful Columbian girls are much better looking than the local girls and can sometimes marry into a rich family or get someone from outside Panama to buy them a condo and a car, which makes it easy for them to fend for themselves. Older men are the normal pray to this system. They live all their lives making money and these women work all their lives taking it from them. Local girls are $30.00 to $50.00 and the beautiful Columbian’s are asking for $100.00.

Here is a little advice. Do not get caught with an underage prostitute in Central America that is a girl under the age of 18. You will do many years in Prison.

Some these countries have now included on their underage arrest law’s Uncles, Cousins, Brothers, Stepfathers and Fathers , it is now illegal for these people to sex with children.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Villalobos backers plan a belated suit against Costa Rica



Villalobos backers plan a belated suit against Costa Rica


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


The moribund group of Villalobos supporters has sprung to life against and resurrected the idea of suing the Costa Rican government for cracking down on a ponzi scheme.

The informal group, which has the name of United Concerned Citizens, Residents & Friends of Costa Rica, contains the dwindling number of former investors who expect Luis Enrique Villalobos to show up in 2012 and hand back the money he took.

In an Internet posting and in a posting to its Web site, the group said it wants to hire a local lawyer to sue the Costa Rican government. The lawyer is David E. Romero Mora, who said in an accompanying report that he thinks the former investors have a high likelihood of success in the suit, according to the group.

There are certain problems. Luis Enrique Villalobos is still an international fugitive if he still is alive, and his brother has been sentenced to 18 years for fraud and accepting money illegally for his role in the scheme.

Some investors have talked about a suit since the July 4, 2002, raid on the high-interest borrowing operation and the money exchange houses operated by the Villalobos family. This is not to be confused with a suit already in international arbitration in which other investors blame the Costa Rican government for not cracking down soon enough.

The trial of Oswaldo Villalobos failed to establish the outline of a legitimate business operation with which Luis Enrique Villalobos was able to pay his investors about 3 per cent a month. The high interest attracted investors from all over but mainly from North America. Some investors had up to $16 million in the scheme.

According to the group, the lawyer ruled out negotiations because that would involve Luis Enrique Villalobos showing up, going to jail and entering negotiations. Villalobos fled Oct. 14, 2002, after faxing an explanatory message to A.M. Costa Rica. Periodically United and Concerned Citizens claim to have received letters from
him, but most observers dismiss them as a forgery. Villalobos did sent a New Year's Eve 2002 e-mail to A.M. Costa Rica in which he said that if he were jailed no one would get anything. It came from Guatemala.

Some of the United and Concerned Citizens are convinced that Villalobos will return in 2012 after the statute of limitations on the crimes expire and distribute investments for those who kept the faith. They claim that he cannot now do so for certain technical banking reasons. Romero is quoted as confirming that Luis Enrique Villalobos will be off the legal hook July 4, 2012.

In the past, Villalobos supporters have raised a number of arguments against the law enforcement action that triggered the end of the scheme. The Oswaldo Villalobos trial disclosed that the operation had been under investigation for years. The United and Concerned Citizens strongly urged investors not to join the criminal action against Oswaldo Villalobos, and some who did not were miffed when the court awarded money judgments to those who did join.

Losses to Villalobos investors may have been as much as $1 billion. Prosecutors have estimated the loss at $600 million. Some have applauded the action by prosecutors and investors because it kept many more victims from losing their money.

This is not the first time that the United and Concerned Citizens has sought to hire a lawyer. Two weeks after Luis Enrique Villalobos fled, hundreds of investors met at the downtown Holiday Inn. Some agreed to pay what amounted to $150,000 for a lawyer who later ran for president. Little came from that effort.

The current effort is more modest. The organization is asking from $25 to $100 from those who would like to join the legal case. The amount depends on how much they lost.

". . . filing a lawsuit could eventually facilitate a political negotiation with the new government, as it may have an interest in negotiation to prevent a potential sentence against the state," said the organization.

Top Mexican drug lord


Top Mexican drug lord
cut down in shootout


By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services


One of Mexico's most-wanted drug gang leaders has been shot dead.

Mexican navy officials said Wednesday that Arturo Beltran Leyva, head of one of the most powerful drug crime syndicates, was killed by security forces in a shootout in a high-end residential complex in the city of Cuernavaca.

At least three other gang members were also killed in the clash, while a fourth committed suicide, the navy said.

Beltran Leyva's death is a victory for President Felipe Calderon's drug offensive as gang-related violence is jumping. Despite deploying nearly 50,000 troops against the cartels since taking office in 2006, more than 14,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence.

Beltran Leyva, called the "boss of bosses," ran the Beltran Leyva drug cartel along with his four brothers. It was a spinoff of the Sinaloa cartel.

He was wanted by both the U.S. and Mexican authorities.

In August, he was among several suspected drug cartel leaders charged by the U.S. attorney general with funneling drugs in to the United States.

Twelve indictments stemming from investigations in Chicago and New York accuse the cartel and others of importing nearly 200 metric tons of cocaine into the U.S. since 1990.

Authorities seized more than 32,000 kilograms of cocaine and $20 million worth of cash during the course of the investigation.

Six Yemeni detainees at Guantanamo Bay to be repatriated


Six Yemeni detainees at Guantanamo Bay to be repatriated
story by By Peter Finn, Sudarsan Raghavan and Julie Tate
The Obama administration is planning to repatriate six Yemenis held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a transfer that could be a prelude to the release of dozens more detainees to Yemen, according to sources with independent knowledge of the matter.

The release is a significant first step toward dealing with the largest group of detainees at the prison -- there are currently 97 Yemenis there -- and toward meeting President Obama's goal of closing the facility.

But Yemen's security problems and lack of resources have spawned fears about its ability to monitor and rehabilitate returnees. Critics of the administration charge that returning detainees to Yemen, a country where al-Qaeda is believed to be thriving, is tantamount to returning terrorists to the battlefield.

The six Yemenis, along with four Afghans, will be transferred out of Guantanamo Bay in coming days. The release follows months of high-level meetings between the government in Yemen and senior American officials, as well as a visit to the country last week by Stephen R. Kappes, the deputy director of the CIA, sources said. The CIA declined to comment.

The transfer will be closely monitored and, if successful, could lead to the release of other Yemenis who have been cleared to go home by a Justice Department-led interagency review team, which examined the case of each detainee held at Guantanamo Bay. Obama set up the review process to accelerate the closure of the detention center.

"It's a breakthrough because the U.S. and Yemen governments have been at an impasse," said David Remes, an attorney for 17 Yemeni detainees, when asked about the impending transfer. "Something has broken the logjam, and that's good, because you can't solve the Guantanamo problem without solving the Yemeni problem."


Since the detention center in Guantanamo Bay opened in early 2002, 15 Yemenis who were deemed not to be a threat have been repatriated: 14 by the Bush administration and one by the Obama administration.

The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, declined to identify the latest detainees being released in advance of the transfer. A Justice Department spokesman would not comment.

Yemenis account for 46 percent of the 210 inmates remaining at Guantanamo Bay. Three of those Yemenis have been ordered released by federal judges following proceedings in which they challenged their detention under the doctrine of habeas corpus. Two of those decisions have been appealed by the government.

Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.), a critic of the administration policy on Guantanamo, said Yemeni detainees pose a particular risk because of the instability of their home country.

"Stop. These men are dangerous," Wolf said when asked about the transfer. "I believe they will be involved in terrorism that will cost American lives."

Although at least 34 Yemenis have been cleared for release, the fate of more than 60 others remains uncertain. Some will be tried in either federal court or military commissions, and others will likely be held in some system of prolonged detention at a prison in Thomson, Ill., once the detention center at Guantanamo Bay is closed.

New US sanctions on international companies that sell gasoline to Iran



New US sanctions on international companies that sell gasoline to Iran would raise Tehran’s energy bill but won’t devastate the Iranian economy, say financial analysts in the Islamic Republic.

Iranian government officials were defiant Wednesday, saying that the country has many suppliers.

“If any refiners or trading houses for any reason can not supply us gasoline... we will refer to our long list of suppliers and find others – as we have always done – and work with them. There is nothing to stop us from going from one region to another to obtain gasoline,” says Hojatollah Ghanimifard, the National Iranian Oil Company’s deputy director for investment affairs, in a phone interview from Tehran.

“They are trying to impose these sanctions at a time when gasoline consumption in the northern hemisphere is low, so gasoline supply is more than demand. Refineries are not running at full capacity, so there will be many suppliers,” Mr. Ghanimifard adds.

Also Wednesday, the Islamic Republic test-fired a missile with enough range to reach Israel and parts of southern Europe, something analysts said was a calculated Iranian response to the growing sanctions threat.

Congress moves on sanctions bill
Legislation proposed by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D) of Conn., which would sanction international firms that export refined petroleum products to Iran, is similar in scope to the Iran Refined Petroleum Act passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives. The House bill would build on current sanctions penalizing foreign firms that invest more than $20 million annually in Iranian energy projects. It would also sanction companies that give Tehran gasoline or tankers and insurance for fuel transports by preventing them from doing business in the US.

Both bills are expected to allow President Obama to waive sanctions for countries and companies that support US efforts to restrain Iran’s nuclear program.
Iranian financial experts say any legislation that includes waivers for Iran’s gasoline suppliers who support US efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program would reduce the effectiveness of the new sanctions.

“A waiver would ... dilute the total impact of the whole measure,” said an Iran-based former senior financial official. But “some 20 percent to 25 percent of total consumption would be affected if the bills are implemented and carried out [with full compliance].”

Sanctions bite US allies
Sanctions have been a key component of the US strategy to force the Islamic Republic to negotiate over its nuclear program. Sanctions to date have managed to constrain Iran’s access to global capital markets and prevent the country from acquiring some more advanced energy technologies. They have also prohibited US companies from doing business in Iran. And US political pressure has brought talks between Iran and Western European and Japanese firms on new energy projects to a virtual standstill.

Despite being OPEC’s second-largest oil exporter, Iran must import more than a third of its gasoline needs due to inadequate refining capacity. Total daily gasoline consumption is roughly 17.3 million gallons (65.5 million liters), while daily domestic gasoline production stands at 11.8 million gallons (44.5 million liters), Platts reports.

Iranian analysts say the House and Senate bills could serve to bolster the domestic political position of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who can look to countries such as Venezuela and China as well as the black market to meet its fuel needs.

“This is not going to be much different in essence from previous sanctions,” says a Tehran-based analyst. “It gives the government a perfect opportunity to tell the people that you are suffering because of ‘them,’ not ‘us.’”

The former financial official says that Iran would be able to secure roughly 10 percent of its total gasoline needs through “smuggling or illegal importation” if all foreign firms targeted by the proposed House and Senate bills abide by the unilateral US legislation and cut sales to the Islamic Republic.

“The government would come up with new regulations for consumer gasoline rations and prices” as a result, but shortages in Iran’s gasoline market would be substantial, he says.

Madman Hugo Chavez accused the Netherlands


Venezuela's Chavez sees US threat in Dutch islands

COPENHAGEN (AP) -- Hugo Chavez accused the Netherlands on Thursday of allowing the United States to use Dutch islands off Venezuela's Caribbean coast to prepare a possible military attack against his country.

The Venezuelan leader said the U.S. military, to prepare for a possible offensive, has sent intelligence agents, war ships and spy planes to Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire, which are self-governing Dutch islands.

"They are three islands in Venezuela's territorial waters, but they are still under an imperial regime: the Netherlands," Chavez said during a speech at a climate change conference in Denmark. "Europe should know that the North American empire is filling these islands with weapons, assassins, American intelligence units, and spy planes and war ships."

In Washington, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly denied that U.S. military personnel in the Caribbean are planning to attack Venezuela.

"These allegations are baseless. These are routine exercises. We seek cooperation with the region," Kelly said.

Chavez did not offer evidence supporting his accusations, but he blamed the Netherlands and said the European Union should take a stance.

"I would like to know that the European Union has to say about this," Chavez said. "The Netherlands is responsible for this."

Chavez claims it's part of a broader plan by Washington to undermine leftist governments throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including Ecuador, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Cuba.

"It's a threat to all the people of Latin America and the Caribbean," he said in a speech on the sidelines of the climate change conference in Denmark.

The socialist leader has repeatedly accused President Barack Obama's administration of conspiring with neighboring Colombia to topple his government.

Chavez's latest remarks were his strongest yet directed at the Netherlands. Three years ago he also bickered with the Dutch government, calling its defense minister a "pawn of Washington" who was part of an orchestrated campaign to vilify him as a "tyrant making plans for invasions of neighboring countries."

Venezuela and Colombia have been feuding for months over an agreement between Bogota and Washington allowing the U.S. military to increase its presence at Colombian bases through a 10-year lease agreement. American troops also are stationed at airports in Aruba and Curacao.

"Venezuela is being surrounded by military bases," Chavez said.

Colombian and U.S. officials have dismissed Chavez's concerns that Colombian bases could be used as launching pads to try to unseat him, saying their sole objective to fight drug trafficking and leftist guerrillas within Colombia.

Chavez also took aim at Obama during Thursday's speech, saying the U.S. president did not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize because he is continuing warlike policies.

"Obama should give back the prize," Chavez said, suggesting that his close ally - Bolivian President Evo Morales - would have been a better choice.

---

Associated Press Writers Christopher Toothaker, in Caracas, Venezuela, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Panama, Alliances sought after in tourism



Alliances sought after in tourism
The Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) is looking for an Alliance between the Tourism Chambers of the country (CAMTUR), says a note published by daily Panamá América.

With this purpose it took place , for the first time in the country, a meeting including the formalized chambers, among them : Panamá, Veraguas and Bocas del Toro, and those in process of formalization,which include Coclé, Los Santos and Chiriquí.

Lidia Obaldía, in charge of social and communitary tourism of ATP, explained that the goal of the meeting was to determine the positive aspects of associativism and its benefits in the coordination of actions of the public and private sectors, and its direct impact in the development of the destinations, indicates the daily.

Salomón Shamah, general administrator of ATP, said that with this initiative they want to set strategic lines for the implementation of fostering programs, established in the Tourism Master Plan 2007-2020, including the participation of micro and small entrepreneurs.

Ecological fair in Panama



story by Panama Post


From January 9 to 10, of 2010, will take place the main ecological fair in Panama, called “Panamá Eco Feria 2010”, at salón Las Totumas, in the Atlapa Convention Center.

The organizers of this fair: the Association Ecological Consiousness of Panama (Asociación Conciencia Ecológica de Panamá) informed that in this first occasion will participate more than 50 exhibitors and take place conferences, educative activities for children and an ecological fashion show, among other surprises that are included in the fair´s program and that the organizers rather not reveal yet.

Duringg this ecological fair the attendant public will have access to the most recent information on eco-freindly products and services, systems and alternatives related with recycling, reusing and especially reduction in the consumption of energetic products, in order to increase that of ecological products and services.

“Panamá Eco Feria 2010, is a call to get conscious of our environment, with the goal that citizens get interested and involved in the big environmental problems we are living at world level , where the great impact produced in nature is no longer a threat but a worrying reality ” points out the web site of the guild: www.concienciaecologicapa.com.

This is a fair where culture and environment become together to create a new space in harmony with nature, through which we can learn about all the possibilities and choices our planet offers us.

Categories and participants

The province of Coclé,



story Panama Post

The province of Coclé, located an hour and a half from Panama city, is a place proud of its heritage and culture.

This province is of great importance to archeology, because there have been found there a great number of “Huacas” (old graves) that correspond to the Pre Columbian era, which shows that in this region lived a high civilization culture.

Its city has a great economic potential, since it has sugar plants, ports, good hotels and restaurants. Coclé is a land of great natural contrasts and touristic attractions.

It also has an extraordinary cultural and folkloric richness. The province has contributed with notable educators who have collaborated in an remarkable way to the consolidation of the national education system.

Coclé´s province has an approximate land extension of 4,827.3 square kilometers and a population of 173.190 inhabitants.

Politically it is organized in six districts: Aguadulce, Antón, La Pintada, Natá, Olá y Penonomé) and 39 zones, with their respective civil authorities.

Coclé´s population dedicates itself mainly to cattle raising and planting, especially rice.

Also, an important part of the population works in the sugar production industry.

In this province you have several options to choose from, such as the area of Farallón, located in the division nof Río Hato, in the district of Antón and almost in the heart of the isthmus.

Other of the suggested places during a visit to Coclé province is the Antón Valley, located two hours from Panama City. Placed in the crater of a volcano it has a nice weather and amiable people. It also has a zoo with different types of animals for you and your family to enjoy wildlife.

You will also find here the beach known as Santa Clara. When you arrive, the sound of the waves, its blue waters and clear sky provide a warm welcome to visitors.

To go to Coclé province you can take a bus at the National Transport Terminal in Albrook and take the route Penonomé, Panamá . The price of the ticket is US$ 4.00.
If you prefer to travel in your own car you can use the route through the Bridge of the Americas or the Centenario

Panama: the perfect place for sportfishing



story Panama Post

Panama: the perfect place for sportfishing
The Archipelago de las Perlas, Isla Coiba and Pedasí have become the favorite places of those who love sport fishing in Panama, an activity that attracts foreign tourists, especially from the United States.

Panama offers an unique attraction in the region, since it´s the only country where you can practice sportfishing in two different oceans the same day, that is the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Guilds from this sector promote sportfishing with the touristic operators in the country, as an added value to be included in vacational packages.

The country will continue being privileged for the development of sportfishing as long as there´s a will to apply the regulations necessary to protect and preserve the marine species.

So far, in Archipelago Las Perlas and in Isla de Coiba, fishing with trammel nets has been void, in order to impede commercial fishing of marine species and thus their possible extinction.

Many of the ships intended for commercial fishing in Pedasí, in Los Santos province, are now being used for sportfishing, whose demand continues increasing due to the high amount of real estate projects in the area.

All of this occurs also due to the beauty of the beaches at Pedasí, that allow practicing that sport in zones near the Pacific coast.

In Panama there is the Sportfishing Clubs Association, that has organizations in the provinces of Chiriquí, Los Santos, Veraguas and Panama. Even though each club is independent, the association puts in practice the catch and release system, except in those species considered commercial .

Species

Depending on the season, most of the marine species captured in winter are the sailfish, tuna and dorado, whereas in the summer season you can fish sea bass , red snapper and jewfish.

However, the marlin remains as one of the most sought after species in sportfishing in Panama, especially in Bahía Piñas, Coiba Island and Pedasí.

Panama has the advantage that its two oceans allow sportfishing almost all year long. For example, in Bahía Piñas, this sport can be practiced from May to November and it is possible to capture mainly marlin, sailfish and dorado.

panama, Consumer prices up 0.1 percent




Consumer prices up 0.1 percent
Consumer prices in Panama rose 0.1 percent from October to November, according to a communication released on Monday by the Comptroller General of the Republic.

The entity informed that in the 11 months up until November, cumulative inflation rang in at 1.4 percent.

The rise in gasoline prices in Panama, an importer of fuel, led to a 1.6 percent increase in transportation costs as compared with October.

Nonetheless, the inflation rate in Panama has stabilized after rising 8.7 percent last year. In the period from January to November, inflation was down to 1.8 percent.

Shamah: Private sector disinterested in 2010 Carnival



Shamah: Private sector disinterested in 2010 Carnival
la prensa

Salomón Shamah.

Director of national tourism entity ATP, Salomón Shamah, said private enterprises and businessmen have little interest in helping to fund a 2010 Carnival in Panama City.

Shamah told television program Telemetro Reporta that the institution is currently seeking experienced individuals to develop the logistics of next year's carnival celebrations, with the the necessary financial support to back it up.

The official went on to assert that the disinterest of the private sector may be due to the fact that the government itself has been adamant about not pitching in any monetary resources for the implementation of this activity.

He opined that this position will be maintained, unless President Ricardo Martinelli changes his views on the matter and decides to provide at least seed capital for the activity.

In the event that the ATP is forced to take charge of the organization of next year's carnival, Shamah said he will stand firm on his position to only hire and support national artists.

Police train youth in drug prevention



Police train youth in drug prevention
An estimated 975 sixth-grade students from the Evelio Dolores Carrizo school in Llano Bonito, Chitré, received certificates after being trained by the National Police on drug prevention.

These trainings, which included 10 lessons, are part of an educational program to prevent the use and abuse of drugs and violence (drug abuse resistance education, or D.A.R.E., according to its initials in English). The lessons were taught by instructors from the Child and Adolescents section of the national police department of Herrera.

Commissioner Flavio Vergara, head of the administrative division of the Herrera police, announced that this program has been running for the past six years, and is currently being offered to 8 schools across the province of Herrera.

Survey to reveal routes of Aedes Aegypti mosquito


Survey to reveal routes of Aedes Aegypti mosquito
In the province of Coclé, health officials from the Vector Control Department of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) yesterday launched an entomological survey entitled "Life cycle of the Aedes Aegypti”.

According to a statement from Minsa, the survey will be conducted throughout the country and aims at discovering the level of infestation of the dengue-spreading Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Galindo Ruiz, head of Vector Control, explained that this survey will help health officials obtain a snapshot of the areas where the mosquito is moving more often to feed, mate, and hatch their eggs.

"A broader picture of the levels of infestation will enable us to increase our fumigation operations and more quickly eradicate the dengue vector," said Ruiz.

The areas of center-city Panama, San Miguelito, western Panama, and Chiriquí alone, account for an estimated 80 percent of classic and hemorrhagic dengue cases, which is why there are about 500 vector control agents rigorously "fumigating and eliminating potential breeding sites," he added.

Over the course of this year, Minsa has spent more than a million dollars on programs geared towards eliminating breeding sites and raising national awareness on the health risks associated with dengue and the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and applied over 8,000 sanctions for residences found to have breeding sites on their grounds.

Security minister asserts Child protectors report



Security minister asserts
that crime is going down


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


The Arias administration is pointing to a decrease in the number of 2009 murders and in fewer home invasions and car thefts as an achievement.

The statistics came Monday from Janina del Vecchio, the minister of security, who gave the annual summary in the presence of President Óscar Arias Sánchez. She has been criticized for being a political choice with little background in law enforcement.

She said the numbers came from the Judicial Investigating Organization and were based on reports from January through November. Robberies in San José were down 4.9 percent and home invasions were down 8.8 percent, she said.

Ms. del Vecchio credited among other factors the success of the Tribunales de Flagrancia that have been instituted by the Poder Judicial. Criminals caught in the acts or nearly so sometimes are tried and sentenced within hours. The Poder Judicial is trying to put the concept into effect nationwide.

The Fuerza Pública and its dependency have confiscated 92,974 kilos of cocaine since the start of the Arias administration in May 2006, the agency said.

The security ministry conducted three sweeps of Limón province in 2009 which resulted in arrests and confiscation of weapons and drugs. The ministry credits these sweeps for reducing the murders there by 23 percent.

There are 40,000 more policemen on the force now. This was a campaign promise by Arias, and the budget of the ministry has gone from 62 billion colons to 124 billion proposed for 2010, about $219 million.

In addition, the administration has raised police base wages some 25 percent.

This is the last full year of the Arias administration. He leaves office in May. He is known to be troubled by the public perception of a rising crime rate.


Child protectors report
that hotline is getting calls


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


The Patronato Nacional reported Monday that it has received 800 calls on its 147 hotline that has resulted in exchanges with 142 youngsters under age 18 in 18 communities.

The hotline is supported by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad in conjunction with World Vision.

The Patronato, the child protection agency, said that the service is designed to let youngsters know their rights and to clear up doubts about their sexuality.

The government agency also has a Web page, also in conjunction with World Vision where youngsters are alerted to their rights.

The Patronato said that 80 percent of the hotline calls are to seek information about services such as scholarships for school children. Just 3 percent could be characterized as complaints.


New defender of people
coming from legislature


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


Lawmakers did not have to look far for a new defender of the public. The Partido Liberación Nacional will be promoting one of its own, Ofelia Taitelbaum, for the job when a secret vote is held today.

There is opposition from other parties, in part because some lawmakers do not feel that she would be an independent actor because she is tied too closely to the Óscar Arias Sánchez administration.

The lawmakers had open nomination for the job, which is supposed to head the Defensoría do los Habitantes, sort of an ombudsman to help people enmeshed in bureaucracy. There were 25 candidates, which were evaluated on a numerical scale.

The principal opponents of the government's candidate are the Partido Acción Ciudadana and Movimiento Libertario.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez



HAVANA (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's warning to Latin American nations about their ties with Iran was "an overt threat," especially to his country and Bolivia.

Barack Obama

During a gathering of leftist leaders in Cuba, Chavez said Clinton's words were among "clear signs of an imperial offensive" targeting what he called "progressive forces" in Latin America.

Chavez is the most outspoken U.S. critic in Latin America.

He is among several regional presidents to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran despite mounting international pressure on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear ambitions. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Brazil, Bolivia and Venezuela in late November.

Clinton warned Latin American countries last week against becoming too closely involved with Iran, saying that doing so was "a really bad idea" that could have consequences for them.

Her remarks drew criticism from Bolivia's Foreign Ministry and from Chavez.

"It's an overt threat," Chavez told reporters in Cuba. "Her declarations are like a threat, especially at Venezuela and Bolivia."

Along with Chavez, Bolivia's Evo Morales and Ecuador's Rafael Correa are fierce critics of U.S. foreign policy and recently have forged closer ties with Iran, Russia and other countries.

Vacation time draws near



Vacation time draws near
as do two tax deadlines


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


Expats have only a few days to get official business done until the bulk of the government goes on Christmas break.

Tuesday is the deadline for filing the annual taxes for the 2008-2009 fiscal year ending Sept. 30.

Many expats are worried about the Dec. 31 deadline on filing the valuation of a home for the luxury home tax. That also is the date that the taxes have to be paid, but the situation is complicated becausee the Dirección General de Tributación appears to have made no effort to advertise the deadlines to the Costa Rican public. There still is no word of a legal challenge to the complex law.

Friday is the last working day until Jan. 4 for much of the central government, judiciary and legislature.

Many municipalities are working through Dec. 21, although they may be short staffed.

Tourism operators on the other hand are hoping to be very busy this high season. They will be working with less staff than last year because government sources say that some 3,000 employees have been laid off in the tourism and hotel industries.

The season appears to be receiving about 80 percent of the business of prior years. Some upscale hotels are at 50 percent reservations for Christmas and New Year's. In previous years they would have been filled, but price appears to be a major factor this year for foreign and national tourists..


Police prevent mishaps
in Festival de la Luz patrols


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


There were some strange happenings at the Festival de la Luz Saturday. The Fuerza Pública said officers found several bags full of rocks that it appeared spectators were going to throw at the participants in the Christmas parade.

There also were rocks of another kind, crack rocks. Police said they detained 19 persons, and among them were individuals who were carrying crack cocaine and also baggies of marijuana.

Another individual was detained for trying to sell beer illegally. The man had 12 cans in a bag. Officials prohibited alcohol at the parade to cut down on the rowdy behavior. Still waves of youngsters were seen causing problems.

Police also stopped young men who were trying to remove the bolts from a grandstand. The Fuerza Pública said that had they done so they would have put the persons watching the parade from that vantage point at great risk.

Most of those detained were held for minor crimes like being drunk in a public place, disturbing the peace or not having identity documents. But one man was found who had an outstanding arrest warrant, police said.

About a million persons filled up the streets in San José to see the parade, and police were out in force. There were no reports of crimes with injuries, and police confiscated only one knife.


U.S. finances new clinic
in community of Bambu


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


The United States has financed a new medical clinic in the community of Bambu, Talamanca. The $62,000 clinic was constructed as part of a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored humanitarian assistance project. The work was done by local contractors. The 984-square-foot clinic includes a waiting room, emergency room, records room, consultations room, immunizations area, lavatories, kitchen and storage area, the Southern Command said.

According to Bambu inhabitants, the previous clinic was about to wash away with the heavy rains that fall during the rainy season. The clinic will offer general medical care, dental care as well as pediatric and gynecological services. The majority of the residents are BriBri.

The clinic will serve more than 2,000 inhabitants in the community of Bambu, as well as people of neighboring communities including Panamanians who live along the Costa Rica-Panamanian border, U.S., officials said.

Mrs. Clinton warns Latin leaders about flirting with Iranians



Mrs. Clinton warns Latin leaders about flirting with Iranians

By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services


U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday urged Latin American countries to think twice about establishing links with Iran, which she said is the world's leading promoter and exporter of terrorism. Clinton also expressed concern about democratically-elected leaders in Latin America who later undermine democratic institutions.

Mrs. Clinton's remarks at a State Department public policy forum on Latin America were some of the strongest by an Obama administration official to date about increasing Iranian activity in the region.

Iran has been establishing close political, trade and other relationships with several left-leaning Latin American governments, underlined by recent visits by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Brazil, Venezuela and Bolivia.

In a question and answer session with participants in the event, Mrs. Clinton said the United States has no problem with non-Western Hemisphere countries like China having legitimate business and investment activities in Latin America.

But she said U.S. officials are concerned about what she said was Iran's interest in promoting itself in countries like Venezuela and Bolivia and said allowing Iranian influence to take root is, in her words, "a very bad idea for the countries involved."

"We hope that there will be a recognition that this is the major supporter, promoter and exporter of terrorism in the world today," she said. "The Revolutionary Guard of Iran is increasing its control over the country because of the elections,
which were a stark example of the abuse of human rights in action, is deeply involved in the economy as well as the security issues of Iran. And I think that if people want to flirt with Iran, they should take a look at what the consequences might well be for them. And we hope that they will think twice and we're going to support them if they do."

There have been similar expressions of concern from Pentagon officials including Defense Secretary Robert Gates who in Senate testimony earlier this year said he was concerned about Iranian meddling in Latin America.

U.S. officials have accused Iran of supporting activities in Latin America of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and Tehran is accused of involvement in 1990's bomb attacks on a Jewish center and the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires.

In the policy forum, Mrs. Clinton also reiterated U.S. worry about countries in Latin America where leaders who, after being democratically elected, move to undermine constitutional rule, citing in particular Venezuela and Nicaragua.

"We need to make it absolutely an article of faith that any leader elected must not just further his own position, and his power base, but respect the right of the people who elected him and build up the democracy so that democratic development and economic development can go hand in hand," she said.

Mrs. Clinton said she hoped to see, in the not-too-distant future, a democratic Cuba, which she said would be extraordinarily positive for the hemisphere.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Republican U.S. congressional leaders urged President Barack Obama to work with them to win approval of long-stalled free trade pacts with Colombia, P

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. congressional leaders urged President Barack Obama to work with them to win approval of long-stalled free trade pacts with Colombia, Panama and South Korea as early as possible in 2010.

Barack Obama

"We agree with you that these trade agreements provide important new commercial opportunities that will benefit our economy and create jobs without adding to our nation's staggering budget deficit," House of Representatives Republican leader John Boehner and three other top Republicans said in a letter to Obama sent late on Thursday.

"We ask that you jump-start the implementation process through your leadership, particularly by promoting all three of these pending trade agreements when you speak to the nation in your State of the Union address," they said, referring to an annual speech to Congress usually in late January.

The letter followed a meeting between Obama and lawmakers on Wednesday in which Obama spoke favorably about wanting to move on the stalled agreements, according to Republican congressional aides.

There was no immediate comment from the White House.

A House Democratic aide said Obama told the bipartisan group of lawmakers that he supports expanded trade and that his November trip to Asia reinforced that support.

"But he promised no timetable for action, nor did the speaker," the aide said, referring to Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representative's top Democrat.

All three agreements have been stalled for a number of years, mainly because of concerns raised by Democrats.

Supporters see a window of opportunity for Congress to approve one or more of the trade deals in the first half of 2010, before the November congressional elections make that too politically difficult.

Obama opposed the Colombia and South Korean pacts during last year's presidential campaign. But since taking office, he has pledged to work with both countries and Congress to resolve concerns blocking approval of the deals.

"We offer our full support for your efforts and look forward to an opportunity to work steadfastly with you to implement each of these agreements as close to the start of next year as possible," the senior Republican lawmakers said.

MANY HOUSE DEMOCRATS OPPOSE PACTS

Since a large bloc of House Democrats oppose the free trade agreements, Obama will likely need strong support from Republicans to win approval of the pacts.

With the U.S. unemployment rate at 10 percent, the White House has been looking for ways to create new jobs without adding to the already huge budget deficit.

Proponents say approval of the free trade pacts would help do that. But many Democrats are skeptical and believe trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement are to blame for U.S. manufacturing jobs moving overseas.

U.S. trade officials have been working to resolve labor and tax haven issues blocking the Panama agreement, the smallest and least controversial of the three pacts.

Opponents of the Colombia deal say that country must take stronger action to stop violence against trade unionists and punish those responsible for thousands of killings.

The main stumbling block to the South Korean pact is concern over the agreement's auto provisions.

Critics say it is a one-sided deal that will open the U.S. market to more South Korean-made cars, without tearing down hidden barriers that block U.S. auto sales to that country.

(Reporting by Doug Palmer; editing by Mohammad Zargham)

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Brain study patients use thoughts to run computer



Brain study patients use
thoughts to run computer


By the Mayo Clinic news service


Neuroscientists at the Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville, Florida, have demonstrated how brain waves can be used to type alphanumerical characters on a computer screen. By merely focusing on the "q" in a matrix of letters, for example, that "q" appears on the monitor.

Researchers say these findings, presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, represent concrete progress toward a mind-machine interface that may, one day, help people with a variety of disorders control devices, such as prosthetic arms and legs. These disorders include Lou Gehrig's disease and spinal cord injuries, among many others.

"Over 2 million people in the United States may benefit from assistive devices controlled by a brain-computer interface," says the study's lead investigator, neurologist Jerry Shih. "This study constitutes a baby step on the road toward that future, but it represents tangible progress in using brain waves to do certain tasks."

Shih and other Mayo Clinic researchers worked with Dean Krusienski from the University of North Florida on this study, which was conducted in two patients with epilepsy. These patients were already being monitored for seizure activity using electrocorticography in which electrodes are placed directly on the surface of the brain to record electrical activity produced by the firing of nerve cells. This kind of procedure requires a craniotomy, a surgical incision into the skull.

Shih wanted to study a mind-machine interface in these patients because he hypothesized that feedback from electrodes placed directly on the brain would be much more specific than data collected from electroencephalography in which electrodes are placed on the scalp. Most studies of mind-machine interaction have occurred with EEG, Shih says.

"There is a big difference in the quality of information you get from ECoG compared to EEG. The scalp and bony skull diffuses and distorts the signal, rather like how the Earth's atmosphere blurs the light from stars," he says. "That's why progress to date on developing these kind of mind interfaces has been slow."

Because these patients already had electrodes implanted in their brains to find the area where seizures originated, the researchers could test their fledgling brain-computer interface.

In the study, the two patients sat in front of a monitor that was hooked to a computer running the researchers' software, which was designed to interpret electrical signals coming from the electrodes.

The patients were asked to look at the screen, which contained a 6-by-6 matrix with a single alphanumeric character inside each square. Every time the square with a certain letter flashed, and the patient focused on it, the computer recorded the brain's response to the flashing letter. The patients were then asked to focus on specific letters, and the computer software recorded the information. The computer then calibrated the system with the individual patient's specific brain wave, and when the patient then focused on a letter, the letter appeared on the screen.

"We were able to consistently predict the desired letters for our patients at or near 100 percent accuracy," Shih says.

Once the technique is perfected, its use will require patients to have a craniotomy, although it isn't yet known how many electrodes would have to be implanted. And software would have to calibrate each person's brain waves to the action that is desired, such as movement of a prosthetic arm, Shih says. "These patients would have to use a computer to interpret their brain waves, but these devices are getting so small, there is a possibility that they could be implanted at some point," he says.

Venezuela gets set for war with arms shipment



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« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryPublished Date: 08 December 2009
Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez said his country had received thousands of Russian-made missiles and rocket launchers to prepare for a possible armed conflict with Colombia. "They are preparing a war against us," Mr Chavez said. "Preparing is one of the best ways to neutralise it."

Am Costa Rica News




Arias to meet with Lobo,
Honduran president-elect


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


President Óscar Arias Sánchez is scheduled to meet today with the president-elect of Honduras in a session that may contribute to ending the Honduran political crisis.

Arias has said that his government will recognize the election of Porfirio Lobo in part to spare the people of Honduras more political woes. Many governments have blacklisted the country because the elected leader, José Manuel Zelaya, was ousted last June 28.

Arias served a major role in trying to negotiate a settlement to the crisis, but the negotiations were overtaken by the presidential elections, which had been planned for a long time.

Some countries like Brazil and Venezuela say they will not recognize the Lobo regime. The meeting will be at 3 p.m. at the Rohrmoser home of Arias, the same place he held discussions with Zelaya.

Bum check was fraud key
for building materials gang


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


The trick was pretty simple. The crooks would order construction material and promise to pay for the order at a bank. They used a bum check at the bank but then changed the deposit slip to look like they paid in cash.

When the crooks faxed the doctored deposit slip to the supplier, the delivery was scheduled or they were allowed to pick up the goods.

The Judicial Investigating Organization said that a gang of fraudsters stole about 500 million colons in material using this technique. That's about $880,000.

The Judicial Investigating Organization made 12 raids Monday and detained eight men they said were linked to the ring. The agency also said that the gang had been operating in the country for a long time and that some of the members of the band were arrested previously but set free. One man has been referred to prosecutors 58 times and another 78 times, the agency said.

The raids Monday were in San José, Tibás, Heredia, Los Guidos, Los Cuadros and other points in the valley. Agents also located two warehouses, one in Hatillo and the other in Barrio Cuba. They said they found material that may have been the result of recent frauds.

Two die in separate mishaps


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


Two men died in separate accidents Monday. A man identified by the last name of Arias tried to pass a truck at the Villa Bonita de Alajuela bridge, but his passenger car was struck in the front by an oncoming semi and crushed in the rear by the cab of the truck he had just passed. His vehicle was mangled beyond recognition.

In Tejar de Guarco in Cartago a motorcyclist collided with a utility pole about 3:45 a.m. and died a short time later at Hospitalal Max Peralta in Cartago. He was identified by the last name of Granados by the Judicial Investigating Organization.

Boy, 15, detained in murder


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


A case of mistaken identity led to the shooting death of a man Saturday, and a 15 year old is being held as the gunman.

Dead is Roy Quirós Piñar, a 36-year-old agricultural worker. The death happened in El Precario de La Unión. Quirós appears to have lost a bicycle to a thief and incorrectly accused the boy and hit him in the back with a machete. The youth responded by shooting the man twice in the chest. The Poder Judicial said that the action was self defense, but said that a judge placed the boy in provisional detention for two months.

Koreans lose three weeks work


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


A group of Korean photographers spent three weeks in Costa Rica filming the wonders of the country. The work was for a television show.

But thieves got there first. The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo reported that someone took 37 rolls of the photographic work while the Koreans' car was parked Saturday in a Rohrmoser restaurant.