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Whisperings on the Street (The CoastWatcher: Caribbean
West)
News from the Honduras Bay Islands and North Coast
21 July
2001
By
Pierre Renaldo, The
CoastwatcherŠ
I
have been wondering why there has been no word on the Hondutel
sale for such a long time. I've begun to suspect that it is
no longer a consideration of the Honduran government, and
that other efforts to raise much needed cash have superceded
that old tired story with some more manageable schemes that
have a chance of success.
I
raised the subject with an attorney friend of mine who is
well connected in Tegus. He reluctantly admitted that it is
unlikely that the government will sell controlling interest
in Hondutel. There are two major reasons nobody in their right
mind would consider such a venture. First, was the way the
management/ownership would be structured, and second, was
the ridiculous price being asked for a big obsolete turkey.
So, no takers.
Since
I rely heavily on imports and am exposed to the dealings of
the Aduana on a weekly basis I have seen a complete change
in how tariffs are being applied. They have always been random,
depending on the individual and his/her mood or whether they
liked the way you part your hair. But now they are gouging
everybody. Is that what is meant by the phrase "even
handed"?
Though
denied by those in charge, the fees seem to have tripled overnight,
with an emphasis on taxing Americans and American products
especially hard. Some kind of retribution? They say that they
are only charging what they should have been collecting all
along. Don't send friends or relatives any care packages for
a while. (Until after the election). They will have to pay
ten times the value of your gifts in import fees. Needless
to say everyone is outraged, but the outgoing administration
could care less.
I
asked my friend if the loans Honduras was seeking from the
IMF/World Bank had been denied due to the stipulation that
control of Hondutel had to pass out of government hands as
well as controlling interest in some of the other federally
controlled monopolies. He hemmed and hawed for quite a while
but I got the gut feeling that my question was on target.
Said requirements had not been fulfilled, so no dineros.
One
other word of advice, and this one is under the table. Just
a lot of rumblings, but it would not be wise to hold onto
Lempiras in any great quantities until we see what the politicians
do about the real value of the Honduran currency. If they
let it float it will be a real banger.
More
Good News
They
must be getting money from someplace. Probably the printing
press. But on the plus side for us here on Roatan, I can only
say that what is happening is totally amazing. New road paving,
new waterlines throughout Coxen Hole, and French Harbour.
And several new bridges on the coastal road.
I
have heard that we will have four cruise ships per week calling
on Roatan beginning this fall. I suspect it is true, evidenced
by the concerted efforts of the Municipality of Roatan to
beautify the area around the pier. There is new infrastructure
construction everywhere. Even some of the terrible roads in
French Harbour and Barrio Los Fuertes have been paved. Somebody
has decided to get serious about developing Roatan in a very
positive way.
The
cruise ship passengers will now be able to stroll on paved
streets and public sidewalks between the municipal pier and
beautiful downtown Coxen Hole. No more muddy feet. They can
go home with nice white, clean tennis shoes. Unless one of
the ports of call for the cruise line is some mud hole like
we used to be.
It
seems like all those old stories we have been hearing for
years are becoming a reality. Well, it sure beats a bad dream.
I
thank all of you who wrote about wanting to offer geography
books and maps. Anything you can bring will be put to good
use. The public schools here have very little in the way of
teaching tools, so please bring what you can. Please Do Not
Send It. Bring It! It makes no difference if the maps/books
are printed in English.
Rain + Sun = Lush and Beautiful
I
am totally convinced that the seasons are changing. I cannot
recall as many thunder storms in any previous summer that
I have lived here. Most of them have made landfall in the
early morning hours, having the least disruptive effects on
the work day. And you should see the vegetation. It is super
lush.
My
sea grapes are nearly mature a month ahead of schedule. Some
of the spider lilies are in bloom on the Ironshore Coast,
and everything is clean looking, being washed daily. And the
evenings have been very comfortable. I can hardly believe
it's July. I especially enjoy the drive from Flowers Bay to
West End. Paved road and lush tropical scenery. It used to
be a ride on the mechanical bull so I could never do anything
but try to survive the trip.
That's
going to do it for this week. Remember, you can preview valuable
information about living on Roatan, and preparing yourself
for that eventuality at my book site: http://www.eroatan.com/cgi-bin/pierre.cgi?books
That's
all for this week
Ciao,
Pierre
By
Pierre Renaldo, Mountain Coastal S.A,. General Contractors,
Construction Management and Construction Consultants.
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