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The much anticipated Istanbul talks are over and done with, but there is no definitive resolution and certainly no protocols coming out of those very high-level discussions. A release sent out by government speaks of recommitment to peace and stability and the recognition that there is need for protocols governing the Sarstoon – not exactly […]
The fact is that if Guatemala agrees to any protocols with equitable use of the Sarstoon as an end point, it would represent a significant back-tracking. In past months the Guatemalans, both military and diplomats, have run to a so-called status quo for cover – a status quo which they say requires that Belizean civilians, […]
Both positions are polar opposites, so the next step is actually to the point where concrete protocols enter the equation. We’ve actually been there. On April eighth Belize presented eleven Sarstoon protocols which were promptly and roundly rejected by Guatemala. More than six weeks after, both countries are preparing to get back to that point. […]
The incident in Chiquibul in which a Guatemalan minor was shot also made it to the negotiating table in Istanbul. Following that incident, Guatemalan officials including President Jimmy Morales, Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales and Defense Minister Williams Mansilla unleashed a blistering condemnation of Belize and at one point even lashed out at Prime Minister […]
And finally, in our coverage of the Istanbul talks, we asked Courtenay about the ongoing investigation into that Chiquibul incident. The OAS launched one at the request of Guatemalan authorities, but since then no information has been forthcoming. Eamon Courtenay, Opposition’s Representative, Belize Delegation “My understanding is that the O.A.S. is taking the steps […]
Two collective bargaining agreements were signed today to benefit members of the Christian Workers Union. The Belize Port Authority and the CWU, after five weeks of negotiations, reached agreement in which the forty-eight technical and clerical staffers attached to the five branch offices across the country will be receiving a twelve percent salary adjustment over […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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According to Chairlady of the Belize Port Authority, Ruth Staine Dawson, the signing is a historic experience because the agreement was concluded in a relative short time and there is mutual respect between union and management of the Port Authority. It’s been seven years since the last CBA was signed in 2009. Audrey Matura-Shepherd, […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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As we said, there was a second CBA signed earlier today, but at the Central Bank. While the media was not invited to that signing, a total of one hundred and eight members stand to benefit from that agreement. This, says CWU President, Audrey Matura-Shepherd is separate from that of the security officers, who are […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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The official figure tallied in what will very likely be a whopping arbitration award is due in soon. We’ve all heard the numbers being thrown around – anywhere from a quarter billion to a half billion dollars, and we’re not talking monopoly money. Half that award will have to be paid out by the Government […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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That arbitration award is hefty, but government will spend much more. Recently, G.O.B. lost another multimillion dollar litigation brought by BCB Holdings in a U.S. Court. Courtenay says that the figures are piling up as G.O.B. keeps falling down in court. Eamon Courtenay, Attorney, Ashcroft Group “What it is, is an award that was […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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Blackadore Caye Resort is back in the news tonight. The multimillion-dollar, eco-friendly, luxury resort project restructured, following a round of consultations in San Pedro in which residents expressed serious concerns in January about environmental impact that the proposed luxury resort could have on the fragile eco-system. Well someone has been listening because at a media […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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The police department has embarked on a new initiative to strengthen its community policing approach. The three regional commanders of the Eastern Division came together today to Lunch with a Cop. The program will take place on a monthly basis; the cops will meet with ordinary folks to get a sense of what’s happening in […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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A donation that will go a long way for children was handed over to the Lifeline Foundation today at Courts Main Store in Belize City. Unicomer Belize Limited provided the non-profit organization with a ten thousand dollar cheque to assist pediatric cancer patients, who are in dire need of financial assistance to fund medical treatment. […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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And this news…Elijio Briceño, affectionately known as Don Joe or Boss Joe, was laid to rest in his hometown of Orange Walk on Wednesday. The former Minister of Energy and Communications passed away Saturday at midnight, and the celebration of his life in an official funeral brought together politicians from both sides, family members, friends […]
Written on May 26, 2016 | Posted in
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Today, the Belize Police Department is reeling from the sudden death of one of their own, Police Constable Edwardo Gonzalez – not in the line of duty, but allegedly by his own hand. The terrible, shocking tragedy unfolded at the Queen Street Police Station in the early hours of this morning, when the quiet was […]
That suicide this morning follows what we are told was an attempt by another police officer on Monday. In that case the officer allegedly ingested some form of poison, reportedly in an attempt to take his own life. He wasn’t successful and today his boss, Commander Chester Williams told News Five that he is expected […]
When and if that officer does recover, he will be placed into counseling which is provided by the Employee Assistance Program. It’s a twenty-four hour service available to those within the Police Department who may need real help, or just to talk to someone. According to ACP Dezerie Phillips, supervisors play a critical role in […]
That counseling is sorely needed by officers who deal with long hours at a very difficult job. The suicide and attempted suicide this week highlight the need. But there’s some dissent as to where that help should come from. Two of the Belize District’s top cops are of two completely different minds when it comes […]
There is another confirmed case of zika in Belize. Late this evening, the Ministry of Health issued a release confirming that another patient has tested positive for the virus. This second case is being closely monitored by the Ministry of Health staff, however, because the sample was that of a pregnant woman from Cayo and […]
Written on May 25, 2016 | Posted in
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On May twelfth, nineteen-year-old Zachry Knox allegedly fired three shots at Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams during a high speed chase in the city. Knox was picked up that same night and has been charged for attempted murder, but two weeks after, he still hasn’t been arraigned in Court. There’s a reason for that. […]
An all-day information fair concluded in Belize City this evening. The event was part of the annual celebration of Public Service Day and saw the participation of a number of government departments. The ITVET compound was teeming with students and employees earlier today, checking out the various booths and learning about the role of the […]
Written on May 25, 2016 | Posted in
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A Memorandum of Understanding was signed earlier today between Belize Electricity Limited and Restore Belize for a grant of thirty-six thousand dollars. The money, given for a specific purpose, has been earmarked for the I Am Belize Scholarship Program and will be used to cover the cost of tuition, books and uniforms. The financial contribution […]
Written on May 25, 2016 | Posted in
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Over four hundred students have been graduated from the Skill Training Center in Belize City since its inception in 2012. There has been a fifty percent success rate so far with students working at the various utility companies and in the hospitality industry. It is with that achievement and overall feeling of confidence that an […]
There’s a lot of news tonight revolving out of Belize/Guatemala talks and the Sarstoon – perhaps the most sensational being that G.O.B. has revoked the Sarstoon Prohibition S.I., that piece of legislation which made it illegal for Belizeans to go into the Sarstoon. According to a release from the press office, quote, Government’s decision comes […]
While those talks were supposed to be happening on Saturday, the P.U.P. had planned a trip to the Sarstoon. They claimed that it was an educational trip as opposed to a political trip, though the intent to send dual messages of protest to the Belize and Guatemala governments was clear. The trip never materialized, and […]
