Saturday, October 10, 2009

Panama Headline News



Panama Headline News



Panama Airline Food Fly Copa But Bring A Sandwich


Story by Panama Jack


I recently traveled to the United States on Copa Air I was lucky because someone bought me a Executive Class Ticket much better leg room than flying coach. The problem was that they serve you a meal on this 6 hour flight. I remember flying in the old days and you could look forward to a first class meal on an airplane, those days are gone. On a trip flying to Bangkok Thailand in first class we were served a 20 course meal and it was wonderful that was 21 hour flight with one hour layover in Japan. Not in Business Class on Copa Air the food was Bad Bad Bad infact the worst I have ever had on an airplane.

The salad they served looked like the weeds that I pull out of my backyard. I had the pork surprise plate that came with rice at least I thought it kind of looked like rice but it was soft and icky and the Bar-B-Q pork my dog would not eat. Towards the end of the 6 hour flight they were trying to give dinners away to passengers but except for the 350 pound man in our section there were no takers.







Panama, electric connection hub for Central America
María del R. Martínez / The Panama Post

In Panama there are plants of energy generation, transmission and distribution, supplying the country
Currently there is an installed electric generating capacity of around 1,300 megawatts

The Government of Panama expects to double the country's electricity generating capacity in the period of 2009-2023, reaching 2,600 megawatts of hydro, thermal and wind power, according to data obtained by the Department of Energy.
Panama currently has an installed electricity generating capacity of around 1,300 MW to meet a demand of 1,150 megawatts, the highest recorded so far in the country.

According to the latest quarterly report of June 30, 2009, from the Comptroller General of the Republic, the generating of hydraulic power grew 10.3% and the Thermal-power 0.8%. However, the self-generated electricity by the Panama Canal Authority used for marketing was reduced 1.1%.
The aggregated supply and demand for electricity increased 5.6%. On the supply side, the increase is due to higher domestic electricity generation of 178.1 million kilowatts, while the demand rose due to higher electricity consumption of 130.8 million kilowatts and 54.5 million kilowatts in electricity exportation.

In Panama there are companies dedicated to the generation, transmission and distribution of energy that supplies the country. Each one of them has projects and innovations to improve the service nationwide.
Interconnection

One of the projects undertaken by Panama's Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica(Etesa), conjointly with Colombia's Interconexión Eléctrica S.A. (ISA), is to achieve electrical interconnection between the two countries.

ISA is the largest power transmission company in Colombia; it owns 74% of the National Transmission System, equivalent to 10,000 kilometers of circuit. On its part, Etesa is the company that runs the entire National Transmission System of Panama, consisting mainly of 230 kilowatts lines running through most of the country, which include a total of 1,845 kilometers of circuit.
Both make up the so-called "Interconexión Eléctrica Colombia-Panamá S. A." (ICP) (Electric Interconnection Colombia-Panama) which will be the responsible entity for constructing, operating and making the power transmission line between the two countries more feasible. It began operations on April 1, 2009.

The electric interconnection between Colombia and Panama as reported by Etesa, will favor the development of the regions and their competitive integration into the global economy. It will also promote the interest of foreign investors, ensure Mesoamerica's energy security and provide greater business opportunities.

This mega project of interconnection costs US $216 million and an extension of 614 kilometers, of which 340 are on the Colombian side and 274 on Panamanian territory. Of these, there will be 55 kilometers by sea, 15 in Colombia and 40 in Panama.

Other projects

Etesa also develops other electric power mega projects involving Panama, as is the case of the electrical interconnection of Central America, which could be ready by 2010.

This project, currently under construction, was devised in the 1980s and includes a grid of 1,800 km. It will allow trebling the current exchanges of energy between Central American countries, reducing costs for companies and users.

The "Empresa Propietaria de la Red"(EPR) is a public-private company, and was created in 1998 to design and build the Electric Interconnection System for Central America (Siepac). Based in Panama, it has nine partners, all electric companies in the isthmus, Colombia, Mexico and Spain.

The first phase of Siepac, to be completed during 2010, will triple the energy exchanges between neighboring countries, but when the second phase goes into operation by 2014, the increase will be six times higher.

The funds for the interconnection are provided mainly by the Inter-American Development Bank (US $240 million), the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and the European Investment Bank (US $100 million between these last two).

The construction work of the grid began in April 2007 and 50% of electricity pylons have been installed, said José Enrique Martínez, General Manager of Electric Interconnection System for Central America (SIEPAC).

AES PANAMA

Separately, AES Panama, is the largest power generating company in Panama, both in terms of installed capacity and average released energy. It operates four generating plants with nine generating units.

AES Panama has four hydroelectric plants with an installed capacity of 482 megawatts: Bayano (260 MW), Estí (120 MW), La Estrella (47.2 MW) and Los Valles (54.8 MW).

Its main clients are the three Panamanian companies of electricity distribution: Elektra Noreste, S.A., Empresa de Distribución Eléctrica Metro-Oeste, S.A. and Empresa de Distribución Eléctrica Chiriquí, S.A., which represent a 95% of the total sales in electricity.

The remaining 5% corresponds to sales of electricity to large customers, such as companies with a consumption of more than 100 kilowatts per month.

Data supplied by AES indicated that they have hydroelectric water storage plants. Moreover, each of these plants operates under concession contracts, renewable at a 50 years term.

The hydroelectric plant of Los Valles is located approximately three kilometers northwest of the town of Caldera, in the Chiriquí province. This plant has two units with a total installed capacity of 54.8 megawatts: Los Valles 1 (27.4 MW) and Los Valles 2 (27.4 MW); and an average total firm capacity of 17.6 megawatts.

In 2006, with the aim to further improve La Estrella and Los Valles' Plants, a project of Re-empowerment, consisting of two phases, began. The first phase ended that year and the second one in 2007. This process involved the refurbishment and upgrading of the four existing units and produced an increase of 6 megawatts of additional capacity.

Bayano's hydroelectric plant, located in the province of Panama, was built between 1972 and 1976 and consists of four units.

Bayano 1 and Bayano 2, with 75 MW each, started operations between July and October 1976, and were upgraded to 87 megawatts in September 2002 and February 2004, respectively. Meanwhile, with 86 megawatts, Bayano 3 started operations in November 2002 as part of the expansion and improvement of the Bayano's plant.

This hydroelectric plant uses the flowing waters of the Bayano River to feed a 350 square kilometers dam. It has a total installed capacity of 260 megawatts and a total firm capacity of 160 megawatts.
Estí's hydroelectric plant, whose construction was completed in November 2003, is situated in the province of Chiriquí. It has two units with an installed capacity of 120 megawatts and an average firm capacity of 111.5 megawatts.

This hydroelectric plant uses discharges from the existing hydroelectric plants of Chiriquí and Fortuna, the flowing waters of the Chiriquí and Caldera rivers and natural flows from the Barrigón River. It has a storage volume for 11 hours of full capacity generation.

New Project

Another hydroelectric project being developed by AES is located in Changuinola. Water from the Changuinola and Culubre rivers will be used for this project, which will allow for the generation of a rated capacity of 223 megawatts and an average power output of about 1,046 GW per year.

Currently, the installed capacity in the country amounts to 1,300 megawatts, according to the Secretary of Energy. According to AES, this project will improve the installed capacity by 15% and production by 18%.
Energy will be delivered to the National Transmission System of ETESA through a transmission line of 230 kilovolts, which will run from a substation with two transformers and a distribution area.

The full implementation of the project represents an investment of approximately US$ 563 million and the estimated date of commencement for the commercial operation of the plant Changuinola I, is for the first quarter of 2011.

Unión Fenosa Company

This company started operations in Panama on November 1, 1998. Unión Fenosa's companies (UF) in Panama, cover a range from Avenida 11 de Octubre to Vía Transístmica, and at the height of Betania is deviated through Panamotor to reach Dos Mares. From this layout the concession extends to Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro, including the provinces of Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas and Coclé.

Reports from this company point out that, in order to improve customer service, it has invested in new technologies such as: a Network Operations Center, installation of more than 100 points in the capital's medium voltage remote network, installation of the first network using organic wires to protect the birds and the use of Mobile Emergency Plants. Also it has the geo-reference network to locate all transformers, lines and lighting, among others.
In addition, the first and only country's shielded substation is being built and so far it is also the only mobile substation in the country.

Unión Fenosa currently has three mini-hydroelectric plants: La Yeguada (7megawatts) Dolega (3.12 megawatts)and Macho de Monte (2.4 megawatts). It also has under construction the CH Los Algarrobos, with 9.85 megawatts



Luxury Resort Opens in Panama
Minerva Bethancourth / The Panama Post



The hotel will operate under "Super-Inclusive ®" concept, which provides unique amenities and ambiances for all preferences, ages and events.
The new hotel has 294 rooms

Panama has a new resort: the Breezes Resort & Spa Super Clubs ® , which opened its doors on October 1 under the Super-Inclusive concept(vacations without hidden costs)and is placed within the Bijao tourist complex
This luxury resort is located in Panama's East area; the cost of the building was over US$ 40 million and it will be managed under the SuperClubs ® concept.
SuperClubs ® is a hospitality chain that owns the Breezes Resort brand, founded in 1976 in Jamaica, and which has become the world's leader in resorts.

The Latin American Issues adviser for the SuperClub's presidency and representative of the chain in Mexico, Central America and the Andean Region, Victor Manjarrés, said that Breezes Resort & Spa Super Clubs ® is a unique offering in the domestic market. It will have 294 rooms, including 20 deluxe.

Manjarrés said that Panama is the first country in Central America where the chain has settled, not ruling out expanding to other countries in the area.

The group's strategic plan is to consolidate the hotel and add new services such as conducting weddings in Panama, since many tourists go to the hotel to renew their vows or get married.

When it comes to employment, this new resort will generate 351 new jobs within the first year of operation.

Facilities
The resort, surrounded by beaches that encourage the tourism of sun and sea, will have four restaurants specialized in Italian and Japanese food, a buffet restaurant and a snack bar that will be located in the Canopy Lounge as well as a Sports Bar where the best cocktails, parties and games can be enjoyed along with a dance floor.
It will also have five pools and a lounge with video games for teens. Among its facilities there will be too a conference center called Gatún, with capacity for 300 people.

You will also be able to enjoy hiking, ecological and even archeological trips, rafting and lots of activities outside the hotel.

Manjarrés reported that the hotel is booked until December, and they have even made contact with Canadian and European airlines to bring direct flights to the resort.


Photos Courtesy of Breezes Resort & SPA



Martinelli Stands by His Work Plan
During an event marking his 100 days in office, President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli, defended his work plan.

Martinelli listed each of his achievements thus far across different institutions, such as the Police Force and the Ministry of Social Development, and the fact that he succeeded in addressing numerous complaints and bottlenecks across various institutions. The president further asserted his success in decreasing the electricity rates, which he says are continuing to drop.

The event commenced in the gymnasium of the Escuela Normal Juan Demóstenes Arosemena in Veraguas, and was attended by several ministers of state, who spoke about their plans.

The first to speak was Social Development Minister, Guillermo Ferrufino, who noted that the new government administration is in fact complying with their campaign promises. Meanwhile, Education Minister, Lucy Molinar said that 100 days was too little time to accomplish what they set out to do with regards to the education sector.






Number of Child Laborers on the Rise
story La Prensa

The National Secretariat for Children revealed yesterday that the number of children working in the streets is rising at an alarming rate.

Gloria Lozano de Díaz, Director General of the institution explained that as of July, there were an estimated 47,000 child laborers on the streets. However, in the subsequent two months, this figured jumped to 87,000.

Lozano de Díaz bases these statistics on studies recently conducted by the International Labor Office (ILO), which analyzes the social risk status of children and the "worst" forms of child labor.

The official said that the institution developed an assistance program that serves approximately 11,312 children who are victims of sexual exploitation.

According to the official, of the total 3.3 million people in the country, an estimated 1,120,842 are minors.



Chaves Signs Pact With Iran To Put Nuke Wardhead Missiles in Venezuela to threaten North America and Central America and South America.

story Panama Jack



These 2 clowns pictured below are looking to start World War Three. (WWIII) The one on the left wants you get down on your knees and pray to his GOD or die and the one on the right is so wacked out on cocaine he does not know what he is doing. who will stop these 2 bad men from ruling the world. Please come forward whoever you are.



Chávez to Iran: How About Some Uranium?
By Tim Padgett

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez
From left: Raheb Homavandi / Reuters / Corbis; Reuters / Corbis


When Venezuela's Mining Minister Rodolfo Sanz walked into a televised Cabinet meeting this week, President Hugo Chávez impishly asked, "So how's the uranium for Iran going? For the atomic bomb." Chávez was joking, but few were laughing outside Caracas and Tehran. Ever since Chávez announced last month that he was seeking Russia's help to develop nuclear energy in Venezuela — and especially since Sanz turned heads a couple of weeks ago by disclosing that Iran is helping Venezuela locate its own uranium reserves — the South American nation and its socialist, anti-U.S. government have become a new focus of anxiety over regional if not global security.

But how big a concern should Venezuela be? Chávez delights in getting a rise out of the U.S., and his alliance with Iran and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is largely a calculated affront to Washington — his version of Cuba's Cold War partnership with the Soviet Union. It's little coincidence that Sanz made his announcement the same day the U.S. and its allies called Iran on the existence of a secret nuclear-fuel plant near the Iranian city of Qum. The U.S. and the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) fear that Iran is on the verge of bolting the global Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and developing not just nuclear energy but a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies. Venezuela's ties to the Islamic Republic, as a result, have taken on dimensions beyond just tweaking Uncle Sam's nose. That suits Chávez's fondness for the international spotlight. Still, security experts say he's flirting with something more serious than anti-yanqui bravado. Chávez, who recently agreed to sell Iran 20,000 barrels of gasoline a day, backs the country's claim that it's enriching uranium only for peaceful purposes. But if the international community decides Iran is making an atomic bomb — something IAEA inspections may determine later this month — it would complicate any Venezuelan plans to export uranium to the country, since it would be widely viewed as aiding and abetting a rogue nuclear-weapons program. "In that event, the world is watching whether Venezuela seems poised to cross any international legal boundaries," says Johanna Mendelson Forman, a senior associate for the Americas at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. "But it's still too early to tell what Venezuela is really doing." (Read a story about the negotiations over Iran's nukes.)

A recent intelligence report put out by the government of Israel, which considers Iran's nuclear program a direct threat to its security, said Venezuela was already supplying Iran with uranium. But experts say it's hardly certain Venezuela even has much, if any, uranium to provide Iran or anyone else. Officials there have long estimated the country is sitting on 50,000 tons of the radioactive ore, concentrated mostly in western Venezuela and in the Roraima Basin along the country's southeastern border with Brazil and Guyana. (The U.S. has uranium reserves of about 340,000 tons.) It may be high grade, says James Otton, a uranium-resources specialist at the federal U.S. Geological Survey, a reference not to its quality but to the "tremendous quantities of uranium in a given volume of rock" found in places similar to Roraima, a virtual Lost World of Precambrian geology.

But those jungle conditions make extracting the ore, if it's there, difficult. "And there is still no publicly available information that uranium has ever occurred in Venezuela," says Otton. "Right now it's just potential." Robert Rich, a Denver-based uranium expert, agrees: "Chávez can claim the geology indicates they might discover it there, but as a scientist I'd say there's not much to it yet."

Sanz, however, insists that Iranian experts have concluded Venezuela "has a lot of uranium." If so, the other big question is whether Venezuela itself will really pursue a nuclear-energy program. Like oil-rich Iran, it's hardly in urgent need of nuclear power: Venezuela has the western hemisphere's largest crude reserves, and 75% of its electricity is hydro-generated. It abandoned its one test nuclear reactor 15 years ago. Still, Chávez says the country needs alternatives, and has struck a deal to receive nuclear-fuel-technology aid from Russia, Venezuela's top arms supplier. "We're not going to make an atomic bomb," Chávez said after announcing the Russia agreement, "so don't bother us the way you're bothering Iran."

Experts say it could take Venezuela's less-than-stellar science infrastructure more than a decade to develop a nuclear-power industry, let alone a nuclear bomb. (Only Brazil, Argentina and Mexico produce nuclear power in the region.) What's more, Venezuela is a signatory to the 1967 Tlatelolco Treaty, which prohibits the development of nuclear weapons in Latin America. Even so, says Mendelson, "the U.S. is worried that Venezuela has become a platform for the entrance of Iranian mischief in the hemisphere." If Iran is building a bomb, she adds, the U.S. may well assume that Tehran is interested in slipping that technology to Venezuela as well.

All that is speculation at this point, of course, and Venezuela would face isolation not just from the U.S. but from its Latin trade partners — especially Brazil, which is campaigning for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council — if it were to ever toy with nuclear weaponry. As it is, Chávez can look forward to stepped-up global pressure if Iran, like North Korea, is eventually found to be pursuing a nuclear bomb, especially if international economic sanctions are imposed on Tehran. If that happens, Chávez has indicated he'll ignore the measures and keep supplying the 20,000 barrels per day of gasoline to Iran, which has to import almost half its gasoline because of a lack of refineries.

Then again, it's uncertain if powers like Russia and China, which sell even larger quantities of gasoline to Iran, would take part in U.S.-led sanctions themselves. Their postures are a reminder that when it comes to thwarting Iran's nuclear ambitions, Venezuela may be a small concern in comparison. But given the tensions involved at the moment, few besides Chávez are finding humor in it



'Ugly Betty' will promote
anti-malaria bed nets for U.N.



Special to A.M. Costa Rica


Remember "Betty la Fea," the evening telenovela that dominated the airwaves here in 2002?

The show has been transformed into English as "Ugly Betty" for U.S. television.

A United Nations-backed campaign to raise awareness about malaria – which claims over 1 million lives annually – has a starring role on the season premiere of the television comedy.

Airing Oct. 16, the two-hour special will center around the efforts by the main character, Betty Suarez, a young woman recently promoted to become the features editor at a fashion magazine, to draw attention to the “Nothing But Nets” scheme.

Under that campaign, the U.N. Foundation seeks to curb the spread of malaria by providing insecticide-treated bed nets, each costing $10, to communities in greatest need. Malaria infects over 500 million people worldwide annually, killing more than 1 million people, the vast majority of whom are African children. More than 100 persons catch the disease in Costa Rica each year.

To date, the campaign, which started in 2006, has resulted in the distribution of more than 2 million bed nets in Africa.

“Our storyline resonated with every member of our cast and crew,” said Richard Heusfrom, the show’s executive director.

One of the stars of “Ugly Betty,” Ana Ortiz, who recently gave birth to her first child, said that being a new mother has opened her eyes to the need to help vulnerable children around the world.

“Ugly Betty” is the first-ever television comedy series to be filmed at the U.N.




Negotiators leave Honduras
with little hint of success



By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services


A diplomatic delegation has left Honduras without resolving an ongoing political stalemate over the ouster of president José Manuel Zelaya.

Members of the delegation sponsored by the Organization of American States departed Thursday, following talks a day earlier with representatives of both interim President Roberto Micheletti and Zelaya.

Envoys also met with Micheletti, who criticized the diplomats for failing to understand why Zelaya was forcibly removed from office June 28. Additionally, Micheletti criticized the suspension of aid to the Central American nation.

Zelaya was forced into exile following his overthrow in a military-backed coup. He slipped into Honduras Sept. 21 and took refuge at the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa.

His opponents say Zelaya was ousted because he was illegally trying to change the constitution to extend his term in office.

The international community has refused to recognize the interim government, and called for Zelaya to be reinstated with limited powers until a presidential election is held. Zelaya's group insists that elections scheduled for Nov. 29 be delayed if he is not reinstated by then.


Chaves Attacks Jews in Central America

Panama Jack

The Battle Lines are Being Drawn

By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services


Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva said Honduras's interim government is illegitimate and has called for it to step down.

Speaking to reporters in Stockholm, Sweden Tuesday, the Brazilian president said the crisis in Honduras would be solved if the leaders of the June 28 coup simply left office and returned democratically-elected president José Manuel Zelaya to office.

Da Silva was in the Swedish capital for a summit with European Union leaders.

Zelaya has been holed up in the Brazilian embassy since his surprise return to Honduras last month.

Meanwhile, Both the Wall Street Journal and the Anti-Defamation League have expressed concern about anti-Semitic rhetoric in Honduras.

The Anti-Defamation league produced a news release titled: "Jews A Scapegoat In Honduras Political Stalemate." Wall Street Journal columnist Mary Anastasia O'Grady expressed concern over anti-Jewish remarks made by Radio Globo news director, David Romero. Romero, who has been accorded status as a press martyr, said “Sometimes I ask myself if Hitler wasn't right when he wanted to finish with that race, through the famous holocaust, because if there are people that are harmful to this country, they are the Jews, the Israelites.” He apologized Sunday in an interview and said his grandfather was a Jewish refugee to Honduras.

The anti-Defamation league cited these examples in its press release:

* False allegations by President Zelaya that "Israeli mercenaries" are trying to assassinate him;

* False claims by President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and other Zelaya supporters that Israel was the only country in the world to recognize Micheletti's de facto government;

* Other remarks by Romero of Radio Globo, claiming that "officers of the Jewish army" are working in conspiracy with the Armed Forces in Honduras.

Chávez also appears to have said in one of his Sunday speeches that Israelis were on rooftops in Tegucigalpa using some kind of device to disrupt thoughts.

Ms. O'Grady noted the close connection between Chávez and some of the more extreme Middle Eastern regimes, including Iran.

Monday, interim Honduran President Roberto Micheletti lifted a week-old emergency decree that had restricted civil liberties. The revocation order was expected to take effect when published in the government's official gazette. The order shut down pro-Zelaya outlets like Radio Globo, but Romero continued to transmit from his home.

Micheletti has been under international pressure to restore the civil liberties and negotiate an end to the political crisis stemming from Zelaya's ouster in the June coup.

A mission from the Organization of American States arrives in Honduras Wednesday for meetings on the political crisis.

The United States and other nations have condemned Zelaya's overthrow. Washington also has revoked the visas of Honduran officials and cut aid to the Central American country. Many conservative U.S. lawmakers have criticized President Barack Obama's support of Zelaya.

The de facto government says Zelaya was ousted because he was trying to illegally change the constitution to extend his term in office.

"From President Zelaya himself down to media pundits and political activists, there has been a troubling undercurrent of anti-Semitism in the situation in Honduras," said Abraham H. Foxman, Anti-Defamation League national director. "We know from history that at times of turmoil and unrest, Jews are a convenient scapegoat, and that is happening now in Honduras, a country that has only a small Jewish minority."

Out of the country's eight million inhabitants, there are less than 100 Jewish families living in Honduras, the league said.



Martinelli vows to end human trafficking from Asia
la prensa

According to the Chinese Association of Panama, there are an estimated 15,000-18,000 Chinese businesses currently operating in the country.

President of the Republic Ricardo Martinelli reiterated today that his government will put an end to human trafficking from Asia, an activity, he said, that has become big business for some people.

In a communication yesterday, Martinelli said "we are changing the immigration laws" to eliminate the negotiations, bribes, and kickbacks to officials who have engaged in this practice across various administrations.

Among the measures they intend to impose, is the requisite for Asian citizens to make a substantial deposit to Banco Nacional de Panamá in order to enter the country.

"The illegal smuggling of Asian immigrants is over," said the President. "Whoever wants to come to this country must come by legal means," he added.

Martinelli further informed that next week he will meet with members of Chinese associations established throughout the country in an effort to address this issue.

Meanwhile, members of the Chinese population in Panama have expressed their dismay in reaction to Martinelli's proposed plans to tighten measures for the entry of Chinese citizens into the country.

A delegation of the Chinese Association of Panama complained to Telemetro Canal 13 that, last year alone, a mere 80 Chinese citizens were granted naturalization in a country of 3 million people; a country that “seeks to present itself to the world as open and welcoming to the investor,” they claimed.

The representatives further denounced the lack of security experienced by many Chinese vendors who work in the red zones of the country, recalling that three people have died so far this year as a product of criminal acts.





The Slum Lord Landlords of Panama

Doctor Israel Besser Slum Lord

Story by Panama Jack editor of the Panama Visitors Guide

I rented an apartment in Panama city owned by Dr. Israel Besser in the Rennisance Building on Via Ventio and Via Argintina it was a 2 bed plus maids 152 mts on the 10th floor light and airy the rent was high $1420.00 but that what gos on in Panama City high rents and slum lord. This was a furrnished appartment, I think the value for all the furnature must had been around $300.00 because it was old and worn. The first thing I noticed was termite dropping all over the place, so I told them about it and the came and spaied the appartent with ssomething that made me sick for 2 weeks and it did not get rid of the termites or the carpenter ants. The bed Dr. Israel Besser provided would have got him thrown in jail in the United States of any other country in the world, it was blood and urin stained. I had to go and buy 2 new beds. After a year I gave a 30 notice and to this day have not gotten my $1420.00 deposit back. Anyone looking to rent an appartment in Panama Make sure that Dr. Israel Besser is not the owner, I also think he has a building called Harmony and I advise you to say away from this one also.

Dr. Israel Besser gets the Panama Slum-Lord Award of the year for calling me on Yom Kipper him being a jew and working on that holy day and for being a cunt of man. Dr. GOD will be waiting for your ass and he will have read this story.









Panama Restaurant Review

Story by panama Jack editor of the Panama Visitor's Guide


I like to do restaurant reviews, I have a background of eating out as a child with my parents, my father was an eater he enjoyed eating out at fine restaurants all over the world and he would drag me along, as a child I preferred 20 cent hamburgers to prime-rib or lobsters. But as I grew older I acquired a taste for fine food. Well here is today's review.

Any restaurant of which you have 3 choices all owned by the same person at the Panama International Airport below Panama City provide the worst airport food of any other airport I have ever been in and there have been hundreds. The nerve of the owner of these 3 restaurants at Panama's airport to provide a low quality meal at a extremely high price so that he or she is a self-centered greedy cunt of a person who must have some political connections that eliminate any competition by others restaurants at the airport. If President Martinelli is getting rid of coruption in Panama he should start with this cunt of person who has the restaurant consession at the airport. Panama a country that wants to build a growing tourist industry does not need their tourtists leaving with a bad taste in their mouth becouse some greedy cunt of person desided to feed them foul food as they exit the country where they may have spent thousands of tourtist dollars, so they can share the expericance with their and possible future tourist.

I hope some one will get on the ball and straighten the airport mess out.