We had the privilege of reading your Internet article/newspaper yesterday and found it extremely informative and supported our decision as to why we had BAD VIBES about SCLD properties and we are glad that we did not invest (potentially lose) any money...

As we believe that you are doing a good service to the public and specifically helped us avoid a potential investment problem, we would like to meet with you when in Panama first two weeks in June and contribute in some way to your financial dilemma that will help make your business/news contributions continue.

Jay

The story on the American fugitive with the Bocas scam didn't need to have the word f**king in the story. That is just poor journalism.

David Burger
Arraijan, Panama

Editor's note: Over the past two weeks The Panama News has received many emails and phone calls about the Bocas del Toro land/noni/teak scheme stories, most of them not for publication, many pointing to bad experiences with other real estate hustlers or with public officials in Bocas, a few questioning my integrity or that of journalist Okke Ornstein, who wrote the articles in question. What this paper didn't receive were any claims that any specific thing that appeared in either of those articles was false.

Let me put things in their proper perspective: Bocas del Toro is attracting a lot of foreign visitors and residents because it is beautiful and laid-back and the cost of retiring there is very attractive. There are plenty of good and legitimate real estate deals to be had there, and plenty of honorable people with whom to deal.

However, there are also people who may smile at you but who are not your friends. They're laying in wait for people like you, and in many cases count on the protection of corrupt public officials. You should beware. Go there without the sponsorship of anyone who's trying to sell you something, get to know the community and its residents, and ask around before you consider buying any real estate in this little corner of paradise.

Note as well that much of the advertising in The Panama News is for real estate in Panama. This newspaper will not knowingly accept ads for fraudulent schemes, and none of its advertisers pay a commission for buyers who come to them via The Panama News. There are other online publications that are mere fronts for swindlers, and though I wish The Panama News was as profitable as those businesses are, I'm trying my best to bring the readers some serious journalism, which just doesn't mix with fraud.

I was disappointed that no mention was made of El General's (born Edgardo Arias Franco) --- the Spanish rap pioneer from Panama --- recent special recognition. This bit of good news received major coverage in US entertainment news recently. He received the "Spirit of Hope" award at the 2003 Billboard Latin Music Awards ceremony that was held in Miami on May 8, 2003. He was recognized for his work to aid disadvantaged children in his native Panama.

Maybe you can include a small article about his work in a future online article of your Arts section?

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Anayansi
Panameña in South Korea

Brian Tatarka's scurrilous, ad hominem attack on Bruce Harris and Casa Alianza cannot go unchallenged. I have known Mr. Harris and reported on the children's rights organization he represents since 1991. I have found both to be tireless champions of homeless children, both in New York, where Covenant House is headquartered, and in Central America and Mexico, where Casa Alianza shelters, rehabilitates and defends the legal rights of thousands of street children.

Mr. Tatarka's denunciation is as bizarre as it is mean-spirited and only he can account for the sleazy offensive he has launched in various newspapers. Mr. Tatarka doggedly obscures facts by conveniently omitting them. While he protests Bruce Harris' Costa Rica residence, he fails to mention that Mr. Harris first lived in Mexico then in Guatemala where he and his family became the target of countless death threats. He has since helped put away dozens of pedophiles, members of the national police and other state agents implicated in the assassination of street children. His undiluted activism and persistence in the fight against child abuse, illegal adoptions and sex tourism continue to earn him enemies.

Another reason for taking residence in San Jose was, at the time, purely geostrategic. Casa Alianza was also operating a shelter in Panama, now defunct. Costa Rica was deemed to be more or less equidistant from other operations in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. Last, seated in San Jose, the Inter-American Court on Human Rights and the Council for Justice and Law, give Mr. Harris direct access to two organizations indispensable in the successful prosecution of various humanitarian missions.

While taking issue with Casa Alianza's direct disbursements, Mr. Tatarka fails to mention that UNICEF contributes less than 10 cents for every dollar it collects and that other organizations I have investigated, namely Save The Children and Christian Children's Fund, while contributing about as much as UNICEF, have both been cited in widely publicized scandals for misappropriation of funds, mercenary executive salaries and other deceptions of public trust. Casa Alianza works "very close to the vest" and in a manner consistent with fiscal prudence.

Last, Bruce Harris, the recipient of several international humanitarian awards, clocks hundreds of thousands of air miles per year shuttling from shelter to shelter and attending world forums where he energetically lobbies on behalf of children. I'd be willing to bet that he can be found more often at 30,000 feet above sea level than at home in San Jose.

As witnessed by his latest brickbat, Mr. Tatarka continues to be obsessed with Harris and Casa Alianza. This fixation betrays a troublesome pathology.

W. E. Gutman
Los Angeles, CA

Hope when you receive these few lines, you and yours would be in the very best of health and strength , after God, "amen."

I recently came into contact with a friend, who introduced me to your bulletin, I must say, your vital information, was informative and precise. (Thank you).

sincerely,

Un hermano,
Earl A. Johnson

Your editorial today make me laugh and see your are one of those ignorant liberal, trying to pass for a journalist. I am glad you are over there. We don't need another one of you here.

name withheld
USA

It appears that SUNTRACS is guilty of the sin of pride. Why do they shun US help?

Panama is fortunate to receive the help and other countries get much much more....

Don't be another France!

Best of luck with your paper,

Kenneth Taylor

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