Corrections about Odebrecht/PYCSA story

All PYCSA concessions contained in Contract 98 are in receivership --- not just one.

Your confusion might arise from the fact that just three of its portions are assigned to debt service of the bond issue.

Firms in receivership require Court approval for ANY "acto de comercio" (such as a cession of concessionary rights).

Since October 2005 the Parque Metropolitano case has not even passed the threshold of admission of the Mexicans' cassation of the Park's lower court findings in its favor.  Were the (usual) sale of admission NOT to materialize ( i.e., Court cop out), the Park would still come out ahead, with its lower court success(es) granting it receivership until such a time as PYCSA goes (formally) bankrupt.

Until PYCSA's concessionary rights are adjudicated in THAT scenario, it holds monopoly rights on transisthmian overland roads.

Ergo, the way AROUND such a morass is to complete the road under judicial administration, as is.

Kevin Harrington

Receiver of PYCSA for the Parque Natural Metropolitano

Editor's note: My principal source of information about how this deal was worked was BB&M, the publicists for Odebrecht, who told me this last fall, and secondarily by the recent announcements by the government. What they described was on its face an apparent fraud against PYCSA's creditors, and notice that AFTER the Cabinet approved the transfer of part of the assets and none of the debts of the insolvent PYCSA to Odebrecht, the Torrijos administration sought an opinion from the Administrative Prosecutor about whether this is legal.

The Panama News and reality

I won't bother to deconstruct your "messy divorce" between radical Islam and reality, but I suggest you investigate yourself the history of  the spread of Islam and their holy prophet before you dismiss the problem at hand as some conspiratorial "war for oil," or other such nonsense cliches that are peppered throughout your article.

As the saying goes, you may not be interested in the jihad but the jihad is interested in you. That's the reality. Your article is just a demonstration of the politically-correct, head-in-the-sand craziness that weakens the resolve to fight these savages.

Paul Davidson

Carnival query

Hola Panama News!

I'm planning to go from Costa Rica to Panama in February/March. I was wondering about the Carnival weekend in Panama City (or anywere else). Do you have some information about this? When it is and where the best places to experience it are... Everething would be of interest.

Mats Vilander Vikaune

Norway

Editor's note: It's February 16 through 20. Panama City will be celebrating along Via España, but that celebration will be dwarfed by the one in Las Tablas. Las Tablas, however, is so big and crazy that a lot of people stay away in preference to the many smaller locales. The Antillean Fair at the Museo Afroantillano in Panama City on the 17th and 18th and the Water Carnival on the Zarati River in Penonome are some particularly popular alternatives for those who don't want to be stuck in the huge and rowdy crowds of Las Tablas. All of Panama's larger towns and many of the smaller ones will be doing something or the other for Carnival, and much of the country's population will avoid partying altogether in favor of time spent at the beach or in the mountains.

Rex Freeman

I may have a follow up story for the one you did on Rex Freeman in the August 6 - 19, 2006 online issue.

I was told that Rex Freeman locked down the trading platform that Automated Trading Systems, here in the US, had deposited money into. Part of that money was $85,000 I had invested with ATS. I am a retired college instructor and that was a big chunk of my retirement fund. After four months it appears that Rex is not going to release the money he took from ATS. Of course I am just an investor, not a trader, so I only know what I have been told. I was told that Bruce Stampley was the head trader for ATS and it was mentioned that he had been in touch with you. I don't know, perhaps you have communicated with him. Actually I know very little and this is basically all I have been able to find out. In researching Rex on the web I came across his web sites, your article and the web page for SUGEVAL.

This man has to be stopped. ATS doesn't seem to want to ruffle Rex's feathers and seems to believe him when he "promises" to give the money back, but it hasn't happened and that may be just what they are telling me. For all I know they may all be in bed together. I have reached the end of my patience in this matter. I don't know if there is anything you can do other than possibly give me the name of someone down there I can report this to --- that in itself would be greatly appreciated. Any information or advice you have would be great.

Joyce Hewlett

Editor's note: I'm not very good about remembering names, but I don't believe that I have had any communications with a Bruce Stampley.

I really don't have any useful advice for those who invest their money with those who in turn invest it through the likes of Mark Boswell alias Rex Freeman. One who boasts about being beyond the reach of governments tends also to be hard to reach by creditors, especially indirect ones as Ms. Hewlett claims to be.

License question

I am a resident of Panama. I hold a Tourista Pensionado card. I still have my residence in Panama, but I am working in the United States. I go back to Panama every two years, and I will go back to live in about 5 years. I had a driver's license there when I was stationed in the military there, and then I went back to live there after I retired in 1995. I got a new license at that time with my Social Security Number as my driver's license number, although I went back as a civilian. After I received my license, I had my car shipped there. I then left Panama in 2000 to work in the USA, and I went back in June, 2005 to spend a month's vacation. I then went to the Driver's License section at the Transito office at Albrook to obtain a renewal of my license. I was told that my license that I have was when the military was present there, and I had to do something which I do not remember. I was told to go to the main office at Pedregal. I had presented my Tourista Pensionado card. I would like to know what is the procedure to obtain a renewal of my license. I will be going there for a month in June of this year, and I will like to obtain my license at that time. Can you help me with the information that I need to get a renewal of my license? I will really appreciate all the help. Thanks, and I love reading your newspaper.

Lindsay Beharry

Editor's note: Transito regulations were just changed at the end of December, but basically you have to go down to the authority with your valid US license and ID like your pensionado card to show that your are here legally, and go through the procedures of getting a Panamanian license. Bring something to read while waiting in line. Remember that in Panama they want to know your blood type for your driver's license and beware if you have any old tickets outstanding, which will have to be paid along with late fees that are often more than the original fine.

Production pointer

Thank you for your excellent publication and congratulations on your lively editorship and your amazing fìghting spirit.

This is merely to remind you that The Panama News's Archive has not been updated to include 2007 issues.

Luis Kaffman

Editor's note: Thanks for the reminder and the compliment. The archive has now been updated, thanks to this heads-up from a reader.

Politics in and around Brooklyn's Panamanian community

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke officially endorsed Mathieu Eugene, candidate for the New York City Council 40th District Special Election on February 20.

Mathieu Eugene does not live in the 40th Council District. As indicated in his Nominating Petition, the Kings County Democratic Voter's Roll lists Mathieu Eugene as residing at 1420 East 87th Street, Brooklyn , NY 11236. This location is in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn, miles outside of the District.

Mathieu Eugene therefore has a moral and political obligation to explain his candidacy in the context of his refusal to live in the very community he seeks to represent, and among the voters he has been attempting to deceive into believing that he is a resident of their community. His imported candidacy seems to justify suspicions that his candidature is not based on the interest of the voters of our 40th Council District, but on opportunistic motives and political self interest. Hence, the voters must seriously question Mathieu Eugene's independence and the circumstances of his candidacy which suggest a tendency to be led rather than emerge as a leader.

Ambassador Joel Toney stands in contrast to Mathieu Eugene. He is a strong leader and an 18 year resident of the District, with deep roots in our community. He is a 15 year member of Community Board 14, and Co-Chair of the Environment Committee. He oversaw the redevelopment of all playgrounds and parks. He fought for, and helped, establish the Flatbush Caton Merchants' Mart. This facility accommodates over 60 small business owners and has boosted business development and job opportunities in our community.

Unlike Mathieu Eugene, Ambassador Joel Toney needs no crash course on the 40th District. He has lived in the District in Flatbush for 18 years, and is an executive of the Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association. His children attended public school in this very community. Joel Toney knows every neighborhood in the District and understands their issues. He will fight to make our local issues the City's top priority.

As Ambassador to the United Nations, Joel Toney worked with representatives of 156 nations to build coalitions and form consensus. He will therefore be a leader who will draw on his expertise and experience to unite the diverse communities of the 40th District.

Joel Toney served as Ambassador to the United Nations, in the US Army and as a corporate executive. He has an MBA from Long Island University and a Diploma in Diplomacy from Georgetown University. He is a member of Community Board 14 for fifteen years and is Co-Chair of the Environment Committee. He oversaw the redevelopment of all play grounds and parks and helped establish the Flatbush Caton Vendors’ Mart. Joel Toney has been a member of the Ditmas Park West Neighborhood Association, Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), his Block Association and Precinct Council. He was honored by the Flatbush Development Corporation for outstanding community service.

Ambassador Joel Toney is a proven leader. He is a Democrat who puts people first. He is an 18 year resident of the District in Flatbush. He knows every neighborhood and understands their issues. He will make your local issues the City's top priority.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2007, elect Joel Toney to the New York City Council. He is a Democrat who is your best choice.

The Joel Toney campaign

200 NGOs

My name is Stephanie and I am reader of The Panama News. I like what your doing. I think it's great. I read your article about the 200 NGOs losing their tax free status. I was wondering where you found your information? I am very interested and would like to find more information or sources on the subject.

I can read Spanish and Portuguese so any sources would be awesome.

Stephanie

Editor's note: This was an announcement by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and was reported on in the January 12 edition of El Panama America. The various measures to restrict NGOs have popped up in the news from time to time especially under this administration but also under predecessors.

Looking for family

Kindly, I like to know how can I find a family in Panama, Republic of Panama.

The family is of Lucinio A. Valdez and the last time I called him he was working at the University (Estafeta Universitaria) (CEPELIN).

They used to call me often and e-mail me, but all of the sudden, I have not being able to contact them by phone or e-mail.

I hope there is nothing wrong going on with them.

I am the only uncle and the only family member of them here in America.

Please be so kind to advise how can I find their situation.

Gonzalo S. Flores

floresg301@sbcglobal.net