To Tackle Traffic Jams
The City of Panama hopes to solve traffic jams with the construction of nine traffic overpasses in the most critical zones during the next two years, it was reported by the Minister of Public works, Benjamin Colamarco. According to the minister, these projects of road modernization will change the face of the Panamanian capital by 2009, and more than US$60-million will be invested.

Noriega Out in Sept
The US Bureau of Prisons confirmed today in its Internet page www.bop.gov the announcement made yesterday by Frank Rubino, lawyer of Manuel Noriega, that the ex-dictator of Panama would be freed on September 9.

Reaction was swift from former Vice President of Panama Guillermo (Billy) Ford. He said: "Panamanian justice has cause to comply, and if Noriega is thinking about returning to Panama, he should be imprisoned and has to face his prison sentence". The statements of Ford were made after Frank Rubino, declared to an American news media that the former dictator has thought of returning to Panama once he regains his liberty.

Editor’s note: A photograph of Ford, his shirt covered in the blood of his slain body guard, and being attacked by Noriega’s bullies during a civic demostration was used in worldwide media towards the end of Noriega’s oppressive regime.

Clean the beach
A massive cleaning program of the beach on Avenida Balboa and the area from the estuary of the Matasnillo River to the Miramar Hotel is being carried out by the Panama Municipality as part of the Program "Summer 2007" .

Goodbye Mangroves
The expansion of the ports in the area of Coco Solo in Colon has sounded the death knell for the mangrove swamps of the zone. From the area of the Four Corners to the entrance of Galeta Island more than one thousand hectares have already been cut. Before long, another 50 hectares of mangroves will be sacrificed for the expansion of the container port of Evergreen. The Smithsonian Institute is "looking on with amazement at how this is putting an end to the "unique" natural barrier that separates Colon from the open sea"

New Chiriqui water supply
The Director of the water supply entity, IDAAN Juan Jose Amado III confirmed the construction this year of the Chorro Blanco project at a cost of US$6.5-million, which will benefit a population calculated at 53,000 in the Chiriqui districts of Boqueron, Alanje and Bugaba. Jose Olmedo Carreño, the representative of the area reported that Sr. Amado had confirmed that this project will have as its water source the headwaters of the Rio Chico located on the slopes of the Baru Volcano.

Torrijos, Bush meeting
A working meeting will be held in Washington between president Martin Torrijos and president George Bush, on Friday February 16. This was confirmed by the Office of the Secretary of State Communication which emphasized that, an extensive agenda will include the existing commitment between the two countries to expand free trade.

May Renew Forestry Incentives
A year after the elimination of the incentives for the re-forestation industry, the possibility has arisen that this sector will again receive fiscal aid. The National Environmental Authority (ANAM) and the United National program for Food and Agriculture (FAO) are consulting on the issue.

Taxi Rate Revision
The Land Transport Authority (ATTT) agreed to develop a new system of zoning in the capital city in those areas not covered in the rates that were drawn up more than 25 years ago. The acting deputy director of the ATTT, Heraclio Batista, explained that the project will use the same concept of zoning as the existing one, but outlying areas, previously designated with high rates will be carry more economical fares.

Viveros Development Inc Fined
The Department of Historic Patrimony of the National Culture Insitute (Inac) placed a fine of US$50,000 on the consortium Viveros Development Inc, on Friday January 19 for the destruction of eight archaeological sites located in the area of the real estate and tourist project that it is developing on Viveros Island, in the Las Perlas archipelago at a cost of some US$100-million.

New Tax
The creation of a new tax on the assets of the bottling, cigarette and gambling businesses as well as businesses that sell "junk food" and "promote harmful lifestyle to the public" was proposed recently. Proceeds of the tax would finance the National Authority of Health Services (ANAS).

Canal Tansits up
The Panama Canal registered an increase in the number of ships and cargo that transited in the first quarter of the financial year 2007, which covers the months from October to December 2006. The total number of transits (3.568) represents an increase of approximately 8% Cargo tonnage increased by 11.7%

BID Funds Renewable Energy
The Inter-American Development Bank (BID) will support the environmental needs of Panama, Colombia and Argentina with a total of US$2-million. Panama will receive US$289,880 of the fund to support renewable alternative energy development. Legal, financial and environmental and financial and marketing studies will be financed for an Aeolian project of 80 MW in the northwest of the country.

Several businesses in Panama have shown interest in the market of bio fuels. The government, will present a draft law in March that promotes incentives and quotas for national or foreign businesses that wish to participate in the production of ethanol.

Mining Reviving
Mining for gold and copper may be revived after a 15 year period of inactivity. There are five Canandian and American companies carrying out exploration in the provinces of Veraguas, Colon, in the region of Azuero, and in the Central Cordillera, according to a daily newspaper.

Meanwhile local communities near operations of the mining company Petaquilla, in Coclé province, dedicated to the extraction of gold by the open cut method, are complaining of the companies activities, says Maria Muñoz, the representative of the Rural Organizer Against Dams.

More Flights to USA
The general manager in Panama of Continental Airlines, Ana Lorraine Araya, reported that to meet the increase of passengers between Panama and Houston the company would begin a second daily flight to the George Bush Airport. The Panama to Newark, New York, route also has two daily flights.

Compulsive Gamblers on Camera
A photograph will be sufficient from this Thursday to detected compulsive gamblers through closed circuit cameras in the casinos. Previously the relatives of the player had to fill out a form for the Administrators Association (ASAJA), or in the casinos, where it was evident that the person was a compulsive player, or compulsive gambler who needed help.

Credit Cards Increase
A total of 149, 194 new credit cards were issued last year, which equals to US$294-million in lines of credit. According to the Panamanian Credit Association (APC).

"False" Molas
The practice of some local and foreign merchants of "pirating" or falsifying the Panamanian "molas" made by the Indians of the Kuna Yala region will be sanctioned and pursued at international level, warned the Attorneys General’s office.

Fishermen Suffering
Industrial shrimp fishing using explosives and poisoning in river estuaries has caused a decrease of fish products on the Pacific coast of Chiriqui that has damaged the cottage fishing industry of some 200 fishermen of the small town of Pedregal. Species such as the sea bass (corvina), bass (robalo) and snapper (pargo), that are most consumed in Panama, have been diminishing drastically over recent years, according to a report in a daily newspaper.

New Aids Test
A new kit that will expedite test results for AIDS will soon be in Panama It is the INSTI kit, already in Canada, Europe, Uganda, Vietnam, Colombia and other countries.

Dial Sea for Help
The National Maritime Service (SMN), has implemented a fast and direct emergency call line with the following digitts (*SEA). People needing emergency aid at sea can mark these digits (*SEA) and obtain immediate help from the Rescue and Search groups of the Maritime Service.

Air Europe (Air Madrid) flying to Panama
Through an agreement with the Mall Group, an Asturian (Spanish) business dedicated to real estate development project, the airline Air Europe will fly non-stop to Panama from Madrid’s Barajas International Airport. The agreement was signed yesterday by the president of the Mall Group, Julio Noval and Juan José Hidalgo, president of the tourist group Globalia, of which Air Madrid is part. The contract comes a month after the suspension of activities of Air Madrid in Panama.

Bamboo Sea Spa & Gym offers

The therapies are based on ancient Japanese health techniques.

The Bamboo Sea Spa & Gym, at Veneto Hotel & Casino, has recently launched a new package of oriental health and beauty treatments for this dry season.

The two main techniques are Reflexology and the Shiatsu Massage, the first of which restores the lymphatic and blood currents through reflex reactions. This 50-minute massage therapy prompts the release of a series of electrical impulses that help restore the correct function of internal organs. It is combined with hydro-therapy which diminishes swelling in the feet.

The Shiatsu Massage, on the other hand, is a type of physical therapy created in Japan thousands of years ago which consists of applying finger pressure in acupuncture areas with the purpose of re-distributing body energy and health. It lasts between 45 and 60 minutes.

Both therapies can be combined with the Cell Drain Method, excellent for the reduction of celullitis and for the elimination of waste substances produced by the body.

Each therapy costs between $60 and $86.25 per session.

Veneto Hotel & Casino is located on Vía Veneto, off Vía España, in the heart of Panama City’s banking and hotel district. Call (507) 340-8880 (ext. 4213) or visit www.venetocasino.com

The Panamanian cuisine is influenced by Caribbean flavors and ingredients, especially in the provinces of Colon and Bocas del Toro. Coconut milk is a flavorful staple.

Coconut Fish

Preparation time
Cooking time
Yield: 2 Servings
Ingredients:
1 pound of grouper fillet
1 big coconut (or milk made from coconut powder)
1 spoon of tomato sauce
1/8 pounds of margarine
1 cup of chopped onions
1 teaspoon of sugar
3 crushed garlics
Lemon
Salt & pepper
Parsley for decoration

Directions
Put the grouper fillet to marinade with the salt, lemon and the garlic for 30 minutes. Sauté the onions with lemon, and then add the coconut cream, the sugar and the tomato sauce. Mix well and cook for a few seconds. Now add the fillets to this sauce and cook for 20 minutes. Serve with the sauce and decorate with the parsley.

Note: To get the coconut cream; put the coconut in the blender and strain the milk leaving on the fridge the night before, so the cream can rise or prepare the milk from coconut powder available in supermarkets.

Celebration honors the struggle of the Kuna people

Kunas celebrate with dancing and the haunting music of their bamboo pipes.

 

The observance of the "Dule Revolution", the most important event of the year in the San Blas islands, will take place February 21-25. The festivity, which honors the 1925 uprising of the Kuna people against Panamanian colonial authorities, will be observed in the communities of Ailigandi, Tigre, and Ustupu with plays based on historical facts, dance shows and food and drink.

Kuna authorities will provide special amenities and translation services for visitors, who are allowed to film and take pictures of the celebration.

The festival, declared a holiday in the Kuna Yala Indian comarca (territory) in 1998, marks the almost succesful secession of the Dule (Kuna) nation from the Republic of Panama. The revolution was led by Nele Kantule (1868-1944) who from an early age, exhibited the traits of a leader, seeking to preserve the traditions of his people, who inhabit both sides of the Panama-Colombian border.

Becoming a respected traditional healer and tribe chief, he married and had eight children.

Dancing Kuna women. The Kuna inhabit the San Blas islands and the jungles of Darién. Photo: Andrés Villa.

The continuous abuses by Panama's colonial police stationed on the San Blas islands, which tried to force Western cultural norms on the Kuna, angered Kantule, who sought the advice of a Mexican Indian named Manuel Olivares, who visited the islands in 1920.

Kantule's revolutionary sentiments also caught the attention of the U.S. Government which in those days was interested in launching scientific studies about the genesis of a "white race" among the Kuna (the Kuna have the highest percentage of albinos in the world).

With the support of Richard O. Marsh, a U.S. Adventurer, the Kuna attacked the colonial police station of San Ignacio de Tupile, killing the police chief, Miguel Gordón, and a number of officers. The proclamation of the "Republic of Dule" prompted Panamanians to send a government delegation to the islands to restore order. A peace treaty between the Kuna and the government of Panama was signed on March 4, 1925. Since then, the Kuna have enjoyed a high level of autonomy and legal protection.

The celebration of the "Dule Revolution" was established by law on April 16, 1998.

A letter from The Expat Social Club

The following open letter, sent as an email has been received from Expat Explorers, the organization of foreign residents in Panama City.

Dear Expats In Panama, Members, Panamanian Friends, & Supportive Businesses:

As a sage once said "Imitation is the highest form of flattery". So consider us flattered; but we nevertheless want to contact everyone to avoid confusion.

It has recently come to our attention that a new group has formed in Panama stating they are an Expat "Charitable Organization". This group has chosen to utilize the name of the "Expat Socials" as part of their website without consulting us, seeking our consent, or even our support and participation. As all of you know from our updates and calendar of events, we are very supportive of other groups as long as we feel they are legitimate. So we have had to ask ourselves (and encourage you to do the same) why this group would not contact us to assist in their efforts? especially when some of the organizers are previous members of our group.

While we do believe charitable work is very important, and each of us contribute where and when we can, it is very important to note that the actual Expat Social Committee was unaware of this group being formed.

If this new group is on the "up & up", we wish them the best. However, we are sure most would realize that protocol would have been to contact us prior to utilizing the name (expatsocials.com) as part of their website name, especially since expatsocials.com has been registered to us for over 2 years. Thus, while we wish any organization that is valid in their concerns for charity the best of luck, we feel these questions have left us no option but to inform all of you:

This new group (sorry, we do not know what the actual name is) has NO affiliation with the "Expat Socials" or the "Expat Explorers"; and do not appear to have a registered charitable organization number.

We would hope that this organization is on the "up & up", especially since it is involved with charity. We have no way of verifying this, nor do we feel we should be expected to.

At one time we utilized the email address of expatsocials@yahoo.com, however it is no longer valid due to unauthorized use from a previously trusted member of the Social Committee. Any and all emails from us will come from the secure website of "Expats In Panama", thus will end with "@expatsinpanama.com".

While making email addresses and websites that appear to be someone else is easy; it is hard to pretend to be someone else face to face. The undersigned will be available to confirm our commitment to the above, in person, at the next Expat Social event being held at Alberto's on February 12th.

Sincerely,
The Expat Social Committee Members:
Laura Alexander, Warren Oster, Ed Higgins, Glenn Deuel, Mary Sloane, (Hall Hunter has been unavailable for response)

Front view of Multicentro Mall, on Avenida Balboa.

If you want a peaceful and relaxing shopping day, the best place in town is Multicentro Mall.

It will be peaceful mainly because Multicentro Mall, the multi-million dollar complex at the beginning of Avenida Balboa opposite Paitilla, has fallen short of the original expectations of its developers in terms of shopper volume. The bonus is that the spacious halls of this classy facility can be particularly appealing to foreign visitors wishing to avoid the crowds of other malls of the downtown area.

Shopping is Panama’s great national sport, (rivalled only by partying) even during seasons considered low, such as January/February. This means that, especially on weekends, shopping venues are always packed, sometimes forcing drivers to a long search for a parking space. Shoppers at Multicentro have it easy in this regard, with more time to search for the best brands and prices in a stress-free environment.

The mall has everything it takes for a successful, up-scale shopping mecca: ample underground parking, large food courts, modern multi-cinemas, luxury boutiques and a very trendy ambiance. Yet, a number of factors, including the presence of many foreign stores, unknown to most Panamanians made Multicentro a bit too "exclusive" for local tastes.

Exclusive boutiques line the mall's ample halls.

Aware of the situation, the management modified the main entrance of the facility, making the ground-floor food court more visible to passers-by on Avenida Balboa. Multicentro's management is also transforming the mall into a multi-purpose center, offering financial, legal and real-estate services to the area's growing expat population.

One particular company enjoying Multicentro's benefits as a business center is Century 21, which, according to its manager, Frank Morrice, "gives visitors the chance to think about business in a comfortable manner, "as he or she shops or goes to the movie at the mall".

More good news. Conway, a popular department store, will soon open a branch at Multicentro, making the mall more appealing to the middle-class market.

Opened in 2003, Multicentro is located on the entrance of the Corredor Sur expressway, which connects downtown with Tocumen International Airport in 20 minutes.

Penal Code reforms spark contoversies

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panama and a handful of "pro-life" entities are part of a cacophony of protest from the private-sector requesting the National Assembly to stop (or delay) the discussion of a series of reforms of the country's penal code. The reason: too many controversial topics, including the legalization of abortion and the reduction of penalties for crimes such as the sexual exploitation of minors, in addition to the creation of a new "hall" at the Supreme Court of Justice specializing in Constitutional Guarantees, which critics fear will give the president of the Republic opportunities for abuse of power.

Despite the extension of extraordinary sessions, many Panamanian legislators believe that the multiple controversial issues of the legislative package will not be solved quickly. After a week reading the proposals, the legislators, grouped in committees, are currently revising the proposals, which are "interrupted" by long and often heated meetings with civil organizations interested in delaying the legislation's approval.

Many aspects of Panama's Penal Code are as old as the Republic, a fact that creates endless loopholes in this day and age, when society expects tougher penalties for corruption, domestic and sexual abuse and irresponsible acts threatening public security.

Two major scandals taking place last year (the contamination of cough syrup that resulted in the deaths of over 50, mostly elderly Panamanians, and a gruesome accident that claimed the lives of 18 bus pasengers) stirred emotions within the private sector against the country's belleaguered social security institution and outdated public transportation system –two of the most controversial aspects targeted in the penal code reform saga.