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Where Angels Fear to Tread |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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Belize lies on another fault line. This one is not geological. It is a politico-religious fault line. Like the Motagua fault, most Belizeans are unaware of its existence. It has the potential of rocking the foundations of the religious denominations and educational institutions of the country.
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Rise of the Whistle-blowers |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Friday, June 26, 2009
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In a culture in which those of the professional class seldom raise their heads above the parapet except in their own self-interest – and never against their own party – Dr. John Sosa’s act of whistle-blowing is a milestone in Belize’s political culture.
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The End of the Honeymoon |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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The tenacity with which the prime minister pursued these controversial, non-urgent reforms which lack a coherent overall theme is beginning to look like lack of vision. That he has taken deliberate measures to tighten the looseness of the previous administration and is serious about accountability in government is one thing. Articulating a vision and executing on it is another.
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Adieu, Dollar Diplomacy |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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Since its independence in 1981, Belize has not been shy about converting sovereignty into cash. This involved deploying a few innovative, if undignified, tools available only to sovereign governments.
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No Country For Investors? |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
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There are two sizeable international arbitration awards staring the Government of Belize in the face. But the government is staring right back – without blinking. To foreign investors uninitiated in the ways of the Third World, it can come as a bit of a shock that a prime minister publicly declares he won’t honor an arbitration award and mean it.
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Fifth Summit of the Americas: Plus ça change? |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Thursday, April 23, 2009
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The summit in Trinidad has rightly been described as a new dawn in the relationship between the US and Latin America and the Caribbean. The dawn is not what really matters. It’s how each country exploits that new day, the morning after the remnant echoes of calypso have faded into silence.
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What’s Left to be Patriotic About? |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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Belize cannot compete nor distinguish itself militarily, economically, industrially or scientifically. The field of sports is one of the only areas of human endeavor where it can realistically hope to achieve some measure of regional recognition. But it will have to accept a few home truths first.
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Fear Mexico, Not Guatemala |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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The Guatemala claim is a political game played at the international level that features Belize jumping through hoops after hoops of hopeless negotiations like a trained circus animal as soon as some Guatemalan politician, long since forgotten, issues a mischievous statement about Belize.
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The Reckoning |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Friday, March 13, 2009
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The leader cannot now, in his moment of vulnerability, go after his nemesis. It is too late. He waited too long, repeating the mistake of his predecessor. The outcome of this game is already known. But it will be hellishly interesting to watch.
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Raising Cain |
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By Godfrey Smith on
Thursday, February 05, 2009
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The sugar industry crisis is a witch’s brew of bitter free trade medicine, plummeting prices, raw cañero machismo against corporate cane executives, pressure of desperately needed reforms and bad negotiation eclectics.
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