Editor's Comment: If Paso Canoas was closed, then nothing could get to David from the other side, either. See what the sign in the photo above says? "Mining and Hydroelectric Projects Get Out." There are no mining projects in the comarca. So, what projects are they talking about? Petaquilla and Inmet, even though they are not in the comarca. Nor were they included in the San Felix agreement negotiated last year. This is a politically motivated show, nothing more.   

This does not say anywhere - argued Fabrega - that they would prohibit the exploitation of water resources, and the agreement is signed by the spokesman for the Coordinator, the Catholic Church and the representative of the national government.

The Bill - The Government Minister also referred to Article 5 of Bill 415 which was presented by representatives of the Coordinating Committee to the Commerce Commission. Article 5 says that they would "cancel all concessions granted and in force, to domestic or foreign companies for the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources and the construction of hydropower projects within the Ngabe Bugle region, surrounding areas, territories, and Ngäbe-Bugle communities outside the area and immediately suspend all work being carried out by such companies."

Put another way, Fabrega said, this wording has two proposals that go well beyond what was agreed in San Felix. "One, including the prohibition on water resources, which was not included in item number two of the agreement, and two, that the application of Article 5 goes beyond the borders and boundaries of the district, which exceeds in an extraordinary way the commitment agreed in San Felix," he reiterated.

Fabrega said the bill approved in the first debate in the Assembly last week has two articles that do adhere to the spirit and letter of the agreement reached in San Felix. "Article number 3 says: prohibits the granting of concessions for the exploration, exploitation and extraction of metal mining, non-metallic and its derivatives in the Ngäbe-Bugle region, and Article number 4 prohibits the alteration of water courses, river heads and private ownership of water sources within the Ngabe Bugle region and its areas, and so on." he said. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: Ah, OK. So this Article 5 was not included in the negotiations last year, and it was only submitted to the Committee in the National Assembly well after. So, the government never agreed to include this Article 5, anywhere. Got it. More bullshit...   

Editor's Comment: They might have a couple of days reserve fuel in tanks or something, but if they're burning 5,000 gallons a day it won't take long before they would have to shut down operations. Obviously, not a good thing. And do the math. At $3.50 per gallon that's $17,500 per day in fuel, $542,500 per month, or more than $6.3 million dollars per year. The people who sell them the fuel are making money on that activity, as well as the workers who are delivering it, and those who are running the machinery burning the fuel. All of this economic activity is paid for by the gold that's coming out of the ground. Petaquilla's operating expenses for the last three months in their most recent economic report was more than $10 million dollars. The vast majority of that money is staying right here in Panama. Economically speaking, mining is a very good thing for the country. And Petaquilla is peanuts compared to what's going to be happening with the Inmet copper mine. In the entire country there are only about 100,000 Ngöbe-Bugle Indians, compared to more than 3.3 million Panamanians total, which means they represent less than 3% of the people in this country. Why do they think they can dictate national policies for the exploitation of mining and hydro-electrical resources?   

Editor's Comment: And, there you have it. This "protest" is anti-mining, anti hydroelectric projects, and is being driven by environmentalists and political operatives from the PRD and Panameñista political parties, in order to create headaches for Ricardo Martinelli. These "protesters" are enough to close a road, but they do not represent the majority of the groups they claim to represent. This is a politically motivated show. In their most recent financial statement (Nov 2011) Petaquilla lists "Royalties Payable" of more than $8.9 million dollars. Meaning, since they started extraction and gold production operations they have already paid or will have to pay $8.9 million dollars to the government of Panama. This is a direct compensation to the country, generated by the ounces of gold extracted and sold. However there are also tremendous direct and indirect economic benefits - for example they spent more than $10 million dollars in "production costs" in just three months. That money remains here in Panama, paid in the form of services, payroll, logistics, expendables, fuel, etc. So great. A handful of paid political protesters and environmental extremists who want to shut down all mining in Panama are having their way with the country. I hope they are having fun, because the math sucks.   

The Article the demonstrators from the Ngäbe-Bugle region are asking to be reinstated to Bill Number 415 (Article 5) says "All of the existing concessions granted to domestic or foreign companies for the exploitation of mineral resources and the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Ngäbe-Bugle region, surrounding areas, territories, and communities outside the area are cancelled, and the work being done by all of these companies is suspended."

Hernandez spoke about the protesters who are blocking the Inter American Highway in San Felix and other parts in the Western area of the country on the channel 13 Telemetro morning news broadcast, saying they cannot advocate for the rights because they are not the (true) representatives of the Ngöge-Buglé region. Hernandez said he thinks political operatives from the opposition political parties might have infiltrated into the ranks of the protesters. "It's sad to see how they are using our Ngöbe brothers," said the deputy. (Panama America)

National Assembly Deputy Raúl Hernández

Editor's Comment: Ah ha! So THAT'S why we have not heard until now the contents of this famous "Article 5" - it's complete and utter bullshit. If you read it carefully, if those words were included in Bill 415 and passed as law, then all mining operations in the entire country would immediately become illegal. All hydroelectric plants in the entire country would immediately become illegal. All currently operating mines and hydroelectric plants would have to be shut down instantly and all concessions cancelled. And all construction on these types of activities for newly granted concessions would be immediately suspended. Of course that's not going to happen. This is why yesterday several government ministers said the protesting Indians are being "coached" by political operatives from the opposition PRD and/or Panameñista political parties to demand things that they know the government is never going to grant. And the protesting Indians are not even sitting down at any kind of a negotiation table to talk with the government - they are just blocking the roadway and waiting for the riot police to fire tear gas, so they can claim they have been "repressed." And what's more, these are not even the legitimate representatives of the Ngöge-Buglé people. This is a show. A politically motivated circus. What crap...   

MEASURES - So far the carriers have decided to approach the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT), to ask them to monitor everything that is happening on the Inter American Highway. "We call attention to the authorities so they can see the seriousness of the problem, for them to report on the situation," he added. The Indigenous people are calling a for a dialogue with the Government on the mining bill that is being discussed in the National Assembly. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: The actual economic damages are way, way more than $1.5 million dollars. That's just what the transportation sector can put their finger on. It's much higher when you consider that this protest has basically cut the country in half, and no one can get from there to here and back again. Lost time, fuel, etc.   

Editor's Comment: They are worried that the law as it is written now would allow for mining to be conducted at Cerro Colorado - this protest is not about the Inmet copper project.   

CLOSING - Earlier riot police from the National Police were waiting at the intersection of San Felix in San Lorenzo and Vigui to prevent the closure of the Inter American Highway. The Deputies who are members of the Trade Commission of the National Assembly approved on January 25, unanimously and in the first debate, Bill No.415, which established a special regime for the mineral resources, water and environmental issues in the Ngäbe-Bugle region. Bill Number 415 consists of nine articles and was approved by the Deputies who are members of the Committee on Commerce, after several months of meetings with the Indians in an ad hoc committee. Therefore, the Buglé Ngäbe do not understand why Article 5 was removed from the consensus bill.

At 1:45 pm this afternoon the Indians began to march from the Plaza in San Felix to the intersection of San Felix and Las Lajas, where there is already a large number of riot police deployed. The Indians also are located in the areas of ​​Horconcito and Vigui. The group shouts slogans against the government and the approval of the bill without the article agreed between Deputies and the indigenous peoples. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: OK. What was in Article 5? Why was it eliminated?   

Editor's Comment: Obvious question - what did the article that was removed from the bill say?    

I hope we get a chance to catch up soon and perhaps we can provide a briefing on our project status. all the best, MM."

Editor's Comment: Yeah, I saw the video and read the articles. As far as I'm concerned there's no mystery here. Simms is obviously an environmental activist who also dabbles in the rights of indigenous peoples, posing as a journalist. She co-wrote a couple of articles about these issues when she was here in Panama in early 2011 during the anti mining protests against Law 8. To me it's blazingly obvious the government of Panama simply decided to prevent her from entering Panama this time around. And you're right, how can Simms say she was not at any of the anti mining protests, but this statement is contradicted by the content of her own articles which clearly indicate she was there, and the publication of photos she took at those protests.

What I Think About All Of This: First of all on the issue of censorship, banning or deporting journalists, or trying to control the media. I think it's wrong. It never works. It never has worked. And, as in the case of Rosie Simms, now everyone is talking about how ham-fisted the government of Ricardo Martinelli is in dealing with the press and journalists who are not in his favor, and it makes their administration look like they are inept, unsure, insecure, bumbling amateurs. Any effort to open a new and massive open pit copper mine is guaranteed to meet with resistance from the environmentalists and other indigenous rights activists. Anyone in the government should know it's going to happen, and they should have developed a plan and method for dealing with that. But banning journalists is not going to work. Now every backpack toting "Occupy Panama" tree hugging extremist within flying distance will be coming down, "under cover", with a mission of trying to become more famous than Rosie Simms. So, her case will be cited forever by organizations such as Reporters Without Boarders as an example of how the current government of Panama is violating the basic tenants of freedom of the press. Because, they are. And what's worse, that will turn Simms into a sort of international journalistic freedom of speech martyr, with the government of Panama on the wrong side of the equation. So, tossing Simms was dumb on several fronts and for several reasons. If the copper mine is a good thing for Panama, then explain that. If the indigenous peoples have a legitimate gripe or beef, then address those issues (and buy them out.) There's nothing environmentally friendly or pretty about an open pit copper mine. But if the long term benefits outweigh the potential downside, and the executive decision has been made to proceed, then deal with the fallout of that decision, in a sane, logical, coherent, and responsible manner.

Dealing With International Rabble Rousers: Martinelli has demonstrated time and time again he simply does not care about the potential for negative fallout, and he would simply eject international journalists who disagree with him and his policies. But wait a minute, I'm still sitting right here, and I disagree with Martinelli all the time. So, what's the difference? I don't go out and participate in anti government protests. I do my best to present both sides of any controversial issue. I separate my own personal thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and bias from the content of the articles I write, and present those ideas as my own. I don't try to make anyone else (readers) share my own personal thoughts and beliefs. I write to inform, not to convince. And, I believe my readers are intelligent adults who are capable of making their own decisions about any issue. I trust them. In regards to this mining issue, there's big money involved - billions and billions of dollars for the government of Panama over the 30 some year lifespan of the production of the mine. The government of Panama could easily say "we will give the Indigenous peoples one billion dollars to shut up and go away. If you take the money then no more protests. If you have any more protests or block the road, then we cut off the money. Deal?" But they might not do that, or decide to do something else, or nothing at all. And there's the point. The government is going to do whatever it decides. The indigenous people and environmental activists will do whatever they are going to do. And I'm going to simply report on the story. I don't even have a vote in this country, and neither do the vast majority of the people who read this website. I follow, I report, and you can decide. But I'm no threat whatsoever to the government of Panama. I just watch what they do and report. Because that's my job. The news is not supposed to be about the journalist - and when that happens then something is wrong. And in my personal experience, when it happens - as in this Rosie Simms case - then normally it's because the journalist wasn't doing a proper job, as a journalist. If Rosie Simms had gone out of her way to get a quote from a couple of government sources, or if she had clearly presented a fair and balanced report, then she probably would not have gotten bounced. But, she's highly biased. And therefore, she got PNG'd. Simple as that.

Copyright 2012 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

This time, El Siglo learned that CBC will send another group of journalists to Panama, but without saying how many it would be. The National Immigration Service, an institution that maintains the data and information on the entry and exit of foreign nationals, said they do not know if there was any standing impediment to entry against the journalist Simms.

Government spokesman Luis Camacho said he does not know what happened to the Canadian journalist, or if there is any impediment that would prevent her from entering Panama. In any case, he said, he would correspond with the National Immigration Service to define if there is any action against the journalist.

The Secretary General of the Union of Journalists of Panama, Filemón Medina, expressed concern over this situation and he regretted that a democratic country can prevent the entry of journalists doing research. According to Medina, the Panamanian government will not find, at the end of the tunnel, a light that provides guidance on their relationship with the news media.

This is not the first time a foreign journalist has been prevented from entering Panama, because on 28 February 2011 the Spanish journalist Francisco Gómez Nadal was deported to his country. Nadal worked at the newspaper La Prensa and in his writings he had spoken in defense of the indigenous peoples' struggle against the mining projects. (Siglo)

Editor's Comment: And, there’s the answer. Rosie Simms was in Panama in early 2011 working as a journalist and political activist. When I first started investigating this issue, I heard she was a "fixer" - someone who does the initial legwork for a news organization. It simply didn't make any sense for the government of Panama to bar entry to a low level, relatively young, and inexperienced fixer. None. So, I started checking into it. I contacted Lynn Burgess, a producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I explicitly asked Mrs. Burgess if Rosie Simms had any experience working as a journalist in Panama, if she had ever been to Panama, or if she had ever done anything while here that might have prompted the government to take this action against her. Lynn Burgess went out of her way to describe Rosie Simms as a young, inexperienced, and harmless college student, saying "she says 'gosh' and 'golly' for example." Lynn Burgess said she had no idea why the government of Panama would want to keep her out of the country, and suspected it might have something to do with their intent to do a story about Canadian companies and mining in Panama. Well, Lynn Burgess was right.

Highly Biased Reporting On Mining in Panama: Rosie Simms wrote and published a series of articles about mining in Panama and the participation of Canadian companies in those operations. Every one of her reports are written staunchly from the side of the protesting Ngöbé-Buglé indigenous peoples of Panama, highly biased against the mining projects being promoted by the government of Panama and president Ricardo Martinelli. She is NOT "just a fixer" but rather much more of a political activist playing the role of investigative journalist. Simms co-wrote and published an article in “The Dominion” on 4 May 2011 with the title “Ngobe Protest Prevails.” You can read the article for yourself at this link: http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/3968.

At the end of the article, in the section describing the authors, it states “Dana Holtby and Rosie Simms are Montreal-based students and environmental organizers with a focus on water justice and Indigenous rights. They are currently travelling throughout Panama on a four-month field study semester.”

About The Dominion: In the “About Us” section of their website, they write:

• “Is the Dominion biased?

• We believe all media are biased. Every time a reporter chooses a story, chooses who to interview, chooses what questions to ask, he or she is revealing a bias. Much of the coverage in the mainstream press is biased towards the rich and the powerful. For example, articles in the business section of the Globe and Mail focus on how rich people are making more money and rarely cover the impacts corporations are having on labour rights, the environment, social inequality, First Nations land rights, etc.

• Where mainstream media makes false claims of 'balanced' and 'unbiased' coverage, the Dominion is explicit about its bias: we are biased towards the perspectives of those most affected by events, government policy and corporate activity.”

So, Rosie Simms was apparently prevented from entering Panama because of this article. And that's not the only one. On 11 March 2011 another article was published by this same pair, The Consequences of Copper. Again, this article was highly biased against the copper mining project in Panama, and was literally written from the inside of the indigenous protests against Law 8. Simms also co-wrote and published In The Belly Of The Machine. Finally, they posed another report with an audio file here, under Ngöbé-Buglé unite against Panamanian mining code changes.

Bottom Line: I hope Rosie Simms enjoyed her time in Panama, because she's probably not going to be let back in until the SUNTRACS candidate gets elected as the new president in 2098. This Inmet copper mine deal is a multi-billion dollar project. The numbers are massive - way to big for the government to give a single rat's ass about Rosie Simms or her world view about the impact of copper mining on the indigenous people of Panama. You might agree or disagree with the government's position on mining, freedom of the press, or the treatment of international journalists - but that's why she got thrown out of Panama. And apparently, Lynn Burgess at the CBC either didn't know about these articles, or she "neglected" to tell me about them when we spoke. Anyway, no matter. There's no mystery here anymore. Done. Next.   

Paul Bouche, an officer of the Department of Community Response for Minera Panama SA, said the company's presence in the community is not for the mining project, but a power transmission line will pass through the area from the substation located at Llano Sanchez to the Panama Copper Project in Donoso, Colon province. The regional director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI) of Cocle, Gustavo Ortega, confirmed what the company said about the power transmission line, and he said any private farm owners affected by the installation of the towers for the power transmission line will be compensated by the mining company. (Mi Diario)   

Editor's Comment: Expect a huge fight from the environmentalists in Panama as this project moves forward. The project obviously has the support of the government of Panama, there's no doubt about that. However Martinelli's political opponents have demonstrated their ability and willingness to control and manipulate the poor in Panama, to get them to protest against the government's plans. Anyway, this won't be smooth sailing - batten down the hatches, we're in for a blow...   

Editor's Comment: Hoo boy. The environmentalists in Panama are up in arms over this deal. And, there's an issue with the constitution. Article 3, Paragraph 2 of the Panamanian Constitution reads: "The national territory shall never be ceded, transferred or disposed of, either temporarily or partially, to other States." The company Korea Resources Corp is run by the Government of Korea, and they have been granted a 20% stake in this deal. I can predict there will be court challenges. The bottom line is that the government of Panama really wants to make this copper deal happen, because it's a great deal economically speaking for the country. And, this Korea Resources Corp will only have a 20% stake in the deal, so the Supreme Court of Panama (currently controlled by appointees named by president Ricardo Martinelli) will have to decide if a 20% stake in this mine is the same thing as ceding or transferring the national territory to another state. I suspect the Supreme Court will listen to all of the arguments and then decide in favor of the money, business, and jobs, and against the environmentalists. But, that's just me making predictions, for what it's worth. There's a whole lot of copper up there in them there hills. And I mean, a lot. This could end up being one of the largest copper mines in the world. Thousands of jobs, lots of money. It will be ugly, because all copper mines are ugly. But it doesn't necessarily have to be an environmental nightmare if it's done right and in a responsible manner. Don't like copper mines? Then turn off your lights, your computer, your air conditioner, sell your car, etc.