Aruba Today (January 14, 2011)

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A1
U.S. urges citizens to put off travel to Tunisia
Friday, January 14, 2011
Read Page A3
On Top Of The News E-mail:[email protected] Website:www.arubatoday.com Tel:[phone] Friday, January 14 , 2011
Giffords opens both eyes
and moves her arms, legs
Goodbye to
TUCSON, Ariz. – Gabrielle Giffords has made a “major leap
forward” in her recovery progress, opening both eyes and an angel
moving her legs and arms, her doctors said Thursday.
The Arizona congresswoman remains in critical condition
after being shot in the head Saturday. Few people who take a
bullet to the brain just 10 percent survive such a devastating
wound.
Tucson says farewell to youngest shootingvictim
With her closest friends from Congress holding her hand
Wednesday evening, Giffords opened her unbandaged left
eye and tried to focus on loved ones for the fi rst time.
“This is a major leap forward. This is a major milestone for
her and we’re hoping that she crosses through many more,”
said her neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Lemole. Roxanna and John Green, the mother and father of Christina Green, stand with their son Dallas
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who was present for the eye opening, as they arrive for Christina’s funeral at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church on Thursday, Jan. 13,
said: “It was raw courage. It was raw strength. It was so 2011, in Tucson, Ariz. Green was the youngest victim of Saturday’s shooting in Tucson.
beautiful and so moving.” See Next Page
Doctors have also helped Giffords sit up and dangle her legs
Biden addresses U.S. troops in Baghdad
from her bed. She’s able to open her right eye, even though
it’s bandaged.
LARA JAKES
The next milestone will be removing her breathing tube, and
Associated Press
perhaps have her sit in a chair on Friday, said Dr. Peter Rhee,
BAGHDAD (AP) — Vice
trauma chief at University Medical Center, who has treated
President Joe Biden said
soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Doctors want to make sure
Thursday that the U.S. should
Giffords doesn’t regress and are watching for pneumonia and make sure Iraq’s stability and
blood clots. democracy are strong enough
It’s a far cry from last week, when a shocked nation braced to make it “a country that was
for the worst for the 40-year-old Arizona congresswoman. worthy of the sacrifices” the
Several news outlets erroneously declared her dead soon American military suffered
after the shooting rampage that killed six. Stunned by the during eight years of war.
day’s events, crowds held candlelight vigils outside the Biden, speaking to some 400
hospital and Giffords’ Tucson offi ce. soldiers in Baghdad, also said
After her surgery, Dr. Richard Carmona, the former surgeon the U.S. would continue to train
general and family friend who looked at Giffords’ brain and equip Iraqi forces beyond
scans, gave a bleak outlook. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks to U.S. service members 2011. His remarks highlighted
continuing uncertainty about
“With guarded optimism, I hope she will survive, but this is at al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday,
a very devastating wound,” he said. Jan. 13, 2011. Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that the whether all American troops
But as the days ticked by, doctors shared signs of improvement. U.S. should make sure Iraq’s stability and democracy are strong will head home by the end
There was a glimmer of hope early on: Giffords was able to enough to make it “a country that was worthy of the sacrifices” of the year as required by a
the American military suffered during eight years of war before security agreement between the
squeeze a doctor’s hand in the emergency room.
the final troops depart. two nations.
Continued on Page A5
Associated Press Continued on Page A13
A2 UP FRONT
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tucson says farewell to youngest shooting victim
her age,” President Barack and swimming, and hoped
Obama said in an emotional to be the fi rst woman to play
address to thousands of major-league baseball.
people crammed into a Tucson The Bishop of Tucson,
sports stadium to mourn on Bishop Gerald Kicanas, was
Wednesday evening. scheduled to give a blessing
“I want to live up to her inside the church, as mourners
expectations, I want our offered each other consolation
democracy to be as good as outside.
Christina imagined it, I want “We’ve all been affected
America to be as good as in Tucson,” said Maggie
Christina imagined it,” he Parisoff, 35, a crisis counselor
said to applause and roars of roving through the crowd
In this photo provided by the
approval. outside the church to offer
family, Christina Green is
The lively youngster was born help to anyone in need.
shown. Green, 9, was killed
TUCSON, Arizona – Hundreds of mourners began on September 11 2001, the Her funeral will be followed at a political event with Rep.
Hundreds of people gathered lining both sides of the road day of suicide aircraft attacks on Friday by that of federal Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson,
to say farewell on Thursday to outside St. Elizabeth Ann on New York. judge John Roll, who was Ariz.on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011.
a bright 9-year-old who loved Seton Catholic Church in A stars and stripes fl ag pulled gunned down alongside (AP Photo/Green Family)
to dance and play baseball, but north Tucson ahead of her from the rubble of the World her after he called in at the
was gunned down when she funeral at 1 p.m.. A church Trade Center in the days after “Congress on the corner” assassination of Giffords.
went to learn about politics bell signaling noon broke the Christina’s birth was brought event to see Giffords, who The congresswoman remains
from her congresswoman. quiet as mourners waited for in to hang between two fi re was a friend. in critical condition in
Christina Green, the youngest the service. truck ladders. Police arrested a 22-year-old hospital, where fi ve other
victim of a shooting spree Family members escorted the The top student, who was college dropout, Jared Lee patients are being treated for
last Saturday that claimed six small coffi n into the church in elected to her class council, Loughner, for the killings. gunshot wounds.
lives and left Rep. Gabrielle silence, for the service, which was the granddaughter of He made his fi rst court Giffords opened her eyes on
Giffords battling for her life, was closed to the news media. former pro baseball manager appearance on Monday, and Wednesday, during a visit by
will be the fi rst to be buried in “She showed an appreciation Dallas Green. faces fi ve federal charges, two close friends from the
a funeral on Thursday. for life uncommon for a girl She loved dancing, gymnastics including the attempted U.S. Congress.
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U.S. NEWS A3
Friday, January 14, 2011
U.S. urges citizens to put off travel to Tunisia
WASHINGTON – The State alert. several times turned violent,
Department advised U.S. At least five people suffered it said.
citizens on Thursday to put off gunshot wounds in clashes The unrest, in its fourth
nonessential travel to Tunisia, with police in the center week, had been confined to
citing the “intensifying of Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, provincial towns and working
political and social unrest” in on Wednesday in a sharp class suburbs on the outskirts
the North African country. escalation of the worst unrest of the capital.
“The U.S. Department of in the country in decades. “While these disturbances
State alerts U.S. citizens to The State Department’s appear to be triggered by
the intensifying political statement said the unrest has economic concerns, and
and social unrest in Tunisia spread to Tunis and “all major not to be directed toward
and recommends deferring cities, including popular Westerners, U.S. citizens are
nonessential travel to Tunisia tourist destinations.” The urged to remain alert to local
at this time,” the State events had been spontaneous security developments and
Department said in a travel and unpredictable and had to be vigilant regarding their
Retirement deferred for Navy
personal security,” the travel The protesters in Tunisia
alert said. say they are angry about
Americans were urged to unemployment, corruption and
officer over lewd videos case
avoid all demonstrations in what they say is government
Tunisia, even peaceful ones, repression. Officials say the
was removed from command as “a foreigner could become protests have been hijacked
of the nuclear-powered a target of harassment or by a minority of violent
Enterprise, one of the Navy’s worse.” extremists.q
largest ships, over his role
in the videos. Honors had
been second in command of
the ship when he produced,
starred in and circulated the
videos, which were made in
2006 and 2007 but surfaced
publicly just after the start of
this year and shortly before the
Enterprise was set to deploy.
As second-in-command,
one of Honors’ duties was
maintaining morale.
In announcing last week that
Honors was being relieved,
Admiral John Harvey,
commander of the Fleet
Forces Command, said:
“His profound lack of good
judgment and professionalism
while previously serving
as executive officer on
Enterprise calls into question
WASHINGTON – The Navy outcome of an investigation his character and completely
officer who commanded the into the incident. undermines his credibility to
aircraft carrier USS Enterprise “The deferment is a necessary continue to serve effectively
when lewd videos were made and prudent step as the in command.”
has had his planned retirement investigation continues,” When the videos became
deferred, pending the outcome Navy Chief of Information public, questions were raised
of an investigation of the Rear Admiral Dennis about what Honors’ superiors
matter, the Navy said. Moynihan said on Thursday. had known about them.
Rear Admiral Lawrence Rice, who had been with the Moynihan declined to put a
Rice was the commanding Joint Forces Command, will timetable on the investigation.
officer on the Enterprise now report to Fleet Forces “It is ongoing and proceeding
when videos that included Command. The news of the in what we consider a
slurs against homosexuals, move comes just over a week thorough and expeditious
simulated masturbation and after Captain Owen Honors manner,” he said.q
toilet humor were made and
shown to sailors as on-board
entertainment.
Rice’s retirement, which was
planned for February 1, has
been deferred pending the
A4 U.S. NEWS
Friday, January 14, 2011
Snow-covered Mass. lifts state of emergency
F-35 looking more
like white elephant
WASHINGTON – The F-35 fighter jet, set to replace a large
part of the US warplane fleet, has become the most expensive
weapons program ever, drawing increased scrutiny at a time of
BOSTON – Massachusetts also were returning to normal. merged together,” said tight public finances.
lifted its state of emergency Two active runways were Accuweather.com senior Following a series of cost overruns and delays, the program is
on Thursday as New England available at Logan, with meteorologist Kristina now expected to cost a whopping 382 billion dollars, for 2,443
dug out from under deep snow airlines operating at about 90 Pydynowski. aircraft.
following a winter storm that percent of a typical schedule, The storm that leveled the The so-called 5th generation fighter was built with features
blasted the region with high said Logan spokesman Phil South with snow and ice designed to help avoid enemy radar and ensure American
winds and chilly temperatures. Orlandella. Sunday into Monday was supremacy in the skies for decades.
The storm blanketed eastern Winds that were a major having lingering effects. But there is now the potential for competition from China,
New York and western New factor in Wednesday’s storm Several southern states battled which this week unveiled its first radar-evading combat aircraft
England with anywhere from were likely to linger in the 10 snow and ice for a fourth and fueled a sense of a military rivalry between the two powers.
8 inches to unofficial reports of to 25 mph range, which may straight day on Thursday as At home, the Lockheed Martin F-35 is getting increased
38 inches of snow in Berkshire cause snow to blow and drift, overnight temperatures well criticism even from some at the Pentagon.
County in Massachusetts, said say meteorologists. below freezing slowed efforts Defense officials say the original cost estimates have now
meteorologist Brian Frugis The winds were creating a to clear roads, but there was a doubled to make each plane’s price tag reach some 92 million
dollars.
with the National Weather significant chill in the air sense of optimism that an end
At the same time, the contract awarded in 2001 had been
Service in Albany, New York. throughout the Northeast that might be in sight.
planned to last 10 years, but has been extended to 2016 because
Despite the snow from was likely to keep the snow “It’s supposed to be 40 degrees
of testing and design issues.
Wednesday’s storm, from melting, according tomorrow,” Crystal Paul-
Lockheed Martin, which is working with Northrop Grumman
Massachusetts emergency to Accuweather.com Buchanan, spokeswoman
and BAE Systems, is developing three versions of the
management teams and state meteorologists. for the Georgia Emergency
aircraft, which are being designed for ground attack as well as
police reported no major Wednesday’s blizzard-like Management Agency, said.
reconnaissance missions.
accidents. conditions did set some “Freight is moving and stores
The F-35A is designed to replace the F-16 and A-10 of the
“The road clean-up was records, including a new are being restocked. Things
US Air Force, while the F-35C is designed for deployment on
excellent,” said Peter snowstorm record in Hartford, are looking good.”
aircraft carriers to supplant to F-18, and the F-35B would have
Judge, spokesman for the Connecticut of 24 inches Even so, many schools in the
a vertical takeoff capacity and replace Harrier aircraft.
Massachusetts Emergency and a new snowiest day in Atlanta area remained closed
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has warned the cost
Management Agency. “We Worcester, Massachusetts and roads remained icy in
overruns cannot continue and expressed particular concern over
attribute that to the fact that with 21.1 inches, according to spots, but government offices
the short take-off and vertical landing variant.
folks stayed off the roads The Weather Channel. and courts reopened.
“The culture of endless money that has taken hold must be
yesterday.” The heavy snow did not cause The upper northwest corner
replaced by a culture of restraint,” he said recently.
Massachusetts lifted the state major outages or accidents in of South Carolina was not
For the short-takeoff version, Gates has ordered “the equivalent
of emergency it had declared Vermont, said Mark Bosma, expected to thaw until Sunday.
of a two-year probation,” adding that “if we cannot fix this
at noon on Wednesday, at spokesman for Vermont Roads and highways remain
variant during this time frame and get it back on track in terms
the height of the storm. Such Emergency Management. covered in frozen slush with
of performance, cost and schedule, then I believe it should be
declarations are typically In fact, Bosma said the patches of black ice although
canceled.”
made in order to gain access state’s ski industry “is doing interstates and major roads
As part of a cost-saving drive, the Pentagon chief has decided to
to emergency funding and to backflips right now” over the are drivable, officials said.
delay the purchase of 124 of the 449 units of this version until
mobilize certain resources, fresh snow ahead of the three- In Greenville, one of the 2016.
such as the National Guard, to day holiday weekend. state’s hardest hit cities, Another bone of contention is a second engine being developed
cope with the storm’s impact. The latest storm to batter the 17 snow plows have been for the fighter by General Electric and Rolls Royce in case the
Power outages that affected Northeast came on the heels working around the clock. Pratt & Whitney engine is not up to par. Gates contends this
more than 100,000 homes at of separate weather systems “I’ve only been here six second engine is “unneeded.”
the peak of the storm were that wreaked havoc across the years, and people were telling Private analysts say the whole F-35 program is becoming a
reduced to just 3,500, said South and Midwest. me that this was the biggest money pit.
Judge. “The potency of Wednesday’s snowstorm since 1988,” said “The incredibly unfortunate phrase ‘too big to fail’ applies to
Traffic patterns at Boston’s snowstorm came to be after Mike Murphy, Greenville’s this aircraft more than any other defense program,” said Richard
Logan International Airport two separate storm systems director of public works. Aboulafia, an aerospace industry analyst with the Teal Group.q
U.S. NEWS A5
Friday, January 14, 2011
GIFFORD
The Other
Continued from Front Page
By Sunday, Lemole said he was “cautiously optimistic”
about her survival. She could follow basic commands when Arizona
they briefly eased up on her sedation.
Doctors were encouraged Monday that there was no further
The Nation, Just days
brain swelling, and Giffords could raise two fingers of her
before the tragic shooting
left hand and even flashed a thumbs-up.
in Tucson, Arizona’s former
The following day, doctors said Giffords was breathing on
superintendent of public
her own, but still connected to a respirator as a precaution.
instruction, Tom Horne,
She was also moving both arms. Doctors gave their most
invoked an eleventh-hour
confident prognosis yet: She will survive.
ruling and declared Tucson
“She has no right to look this good and she does,” Lemole
Unified School District’s
said.
Mexican-American Studies across the country; he even tend to dominate the
As her sedation was scaled back, Giffords became more alert
program in violation of a new resigned from the Arizona headlines, the truth is that
and moved on her own touching her wounds and fixing her
Arizona law that bans any board of the Anti-Defamation Arizona is also home to a
hospital gown. She even scratched her nose, Lemole said.
curriculum promoting ethnic League after the organization resilient base of progressive
The encouraging news continued when Gillibrand and Rep.
solidarity or the overthrow of found that the charges leveled and liberal leaders, who have
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., stood in the hospital
the government. against the program were worked tirelessly to rescue
room Wednesday, talking, joking and touching their friend.
In effect, Horne, a Canadian- baseless. In the past few the state from radical right-
“She was rubbing our hands and gripping our hands so
born son of Jewish refugees years, episodes like this have wing interlopers and political
... we knew she could hear and understand what we were
who fled Poland during the typified news coverage of carpetbaggers over the past
saying and she moved her leg, and so we knew she was
Holocaust, outlawed the Arizona, prompting furious century.
responding,” Gillibrand said. “And the more we joked about
celebration of one of Arizona’s debate among the nation’s The battle to transcend the
what we were going to do, she started to open her eyes.”
most enduring and important politicians and pundits, and headline-grabbing exploits of
Giffords’ husband, Mark Kelly, realized the significance of
voices: Mexican-American inviting laugh lines from the right wing in Arizona has
the moment. “Gabby, open your eyes, open your eyes,” he
leader Cesar Chavez, who late-night personalities like proven to be a formidable task
said, according to Gillibrand.
famously led the United Farm Daily Show host Jon Stewart, for Arizona’s liberal ranks.
Said Schultz: “It felt like we were watching a miracle.”
Workers under the banner who dubbed the state “the But in the aftermath of the
So how did Giffords survive the gunshot wound? The path
that “nonviolence is the only meth lab of democracy.” But shooting, the nation has been
of the bullet, quick and quality medical care, and a stroke
weapon that is compassionate while Horne and fellow anti- reintroduced to “the other
of luck meant the difference between life and death, say her
and recognizes each immigrant demagogues like Arizona,” a truer reflection of
doctors and brain experts.
person’s value.” After Horne Governor Jan Brewer (recently the borderlands’ multicultural
Doctors think the bullet pierced the front of Giffords’ head
announced his decision, his transplanted from California) and progressive politics--not
and exited the back, slicing the left side of the brain, which
popularity surged among and Phoenix-area Sheriff Joe the worst but the best the state
controls speech abilities and muscles on the right side of the right-wing anti-immigrants Arpaio (from Massachusetts) has to offer. q
body.
Had the bullet damaged both sides of the brain or struck the
brain stem, which connects to the spinal cord, the outcome
would likely be worse extensive permanent damage,
vegetative state or death.
“So far, she’s passed with flying colors of each stage” of her
recovery, said neurologist Dr. Marc Nuwer of the University
of California, Los Angeles, who is not involved in the
congresswoman’s treatment.
Most gunshot victims are not that fortunate. Several years
ago, a Tucson police officer was shot in the head during
a chase. His heart was beating when he was rushed to
University Medical Center, but doctors couldn’t control the
bleeding in the brain and he died, Rhee said.
When Giffords arrived at the hospital, doctors first checked
to make sure she didn’t have any other injuries. They took a
brain scan and wheeled her to the operating room in a swift
38 minutes.q
A6 U.S. NEWS
Friday, January 14, 2011
WikiLeaks gives 15K for accused leaker defense-group
Specialist Bradley Manning, Manning’s defense to over soldier to build a case against
a former intelligence analyst $100,000, the group said. him.
suspected of obtaining the Manning is being held at the Assange is in Britain on bail
classifi ed video of a 2007 Quantico Marine Base in awaiting possible extradition
helicopter attack that killed Virginia as U.S. authorities to Sweden, where he is wanted
a dozen people in Baghdad, investigate last year’s for questioning over alleged
including two Reuters publication of the leaked sex crimes.
employees, and downloading cables, many of which Supporters have claimed
more than 250,000 U.S. State were an embarrassment for responsibility for cyberattacks
Department documents. Washington, and military on major credit card sites in
“This donation from documents related to the wars retaliation for moves to block
WikiLeaks is vital to our in Iraq and Afghanistan. donations to WikiLeaks.
efforts to ensure Bradley Julian Assange, the Australian It is not clear when Manning,
WASHINGTON – WikiLeaks and other secret documents, receives a fair, open trial,” behind the website that has who was arrested in the
has contributed $15,100 to a support group said on Mike Gogulski, a founder of been strongly condemned by fi rst half of 2010, will face
help defend a junior U.S. Thursday. the Bradley Manning Defense the Obama administration, trial. Manning served in the
soldier accused of leaking to The website’s contribution Network, said in a statement. has denied knowing Manning. intelligence operations of the
it hundreds of thousands of would help pay lawyers The WikiLeaks contribution But he has accused the United 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd
sensitive diplomatic cables representing U.S. Army brings total donations for States of using the jailed Brigade in Iraq. 
New York cabs sued for lack
of wheelchair accessibility
NEW YORK – New York accessible to wheelchair- requirements specifi ed by
City taxis are facing a class- bound passengers. the city for the new model is
action lawsuit accusing the The lawsuit seeks no wheelchair accessibility.
fl eet of failing to provide damages but aims to have the Chris Noel, a member of
enough access to passengers court acknowledge that the the coalition of groups and
who use wheelchairs. city’s Taxi and Limousine individuals that fi led the suit,
The lawsuit, the fi rst of its Commission violates local said in a statement he has
kind in the United States, was and federal laws by not faced extreme diffi culties
fi led in Manhattan federal providing more wheelchair- getting cabs since he became
court on Thursday on behalf accessible taxis. handicapped.
because there are so few requires that taxicabs be
of a coalition that advocates “I have been using a
taxis I can use, I often wait accessible to people with
for rights of people with The suit comes as the wheelchair for almost ten
for an hour or more before an wheelchairs, and, in fact,
disabilities. commission is poised to years. I remember how
accessible taxi even passes the ADA (Americans with
According to the suit, only select a new model which easy it was for me to hail a
me,” he said. Disabilities Act) specifi cally
about 1.8 percent of New will replace the city’s entire cab when I was not using
exempts taxicabs from the
York City’s 13,237 taxis are fl eet of taxicabs. Among the my wheelchair. But now,
TLC spokesman Allan requirement.”
Fromberg said the
commission had made an The suit notes that the taxi
effort to accommodate commission is not legally
handicapped passengers but bound to choose a wheelchair-
said it was not bound by law accessible model for the new
to do so. fl eet, but the transition would
“We have made tremendous be “a golden opportunity
strides over the years in for the TLC to introduce
improving transportation accessible cars with minimal
options for persons with administrative burden and
disabilities, which we at minimal cost to drivers
continue to prioritize,” he and medallion holders,” said
said. “At the same time, Edith Prentiss of the Taxi’s
no federal or local law for All Campaign.
LOCAL A7
Friday, January 14, 2011
Cruise ship AHATA supports creation of
outbreaks
“independentized” Aruba
drop to all-
time low
Tourism Authority
The number of outbreaks of
gastrointestinal illness on
cruise ships sailing from U.S.
ports dropped again in 2010,
continuing a downward
trend that began several
years ago as the industry
increased prevention efforts.
The U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in
Atlanta recorded just 14
outbreaks of illnesses such as
norovirus on ships operating
out of U.S. ports for the year,
down from 15 in 2009 and in
2008, 21 in 2007 and 34 in
2006.
ORANJESTAD - In reviewing
The decline came even as the
the outlook for 2011 the
number of people cruising
President and CEO of the
continued to rise. The
Aruba Hotel and Tourism
Cruise Lines International
Association (AHATA) said
Association has estimated
that the membership of
the industry carried 14.3 AHATA was looking forward environment and explained G.F. (Junior) Croes and, as He applauded the fact that
million passengers in 2010, to the creation of the new that this was something the independent member the ATA would now be
up from 13.4 million in ATA which is scheduled AHATA had been advocating and current Chairman, Jossy a much leaner and more
2009. to come into existence for many years which would Lacle. Mr. Hepple said that efficient organization and
Cruise ships arriving in U.S. in early February. James result in a much more the draft legislation which that the new Board would
ports must report all cases Hepple, AHATA’s President entrepreneurial like tourism would establish the new have the authority to review
of gastrointestinal illness and CEO, said that he had authority. ATA had been extensively and approve marketing plans
treated by on-board medical explained the process by He said that AHATA had been discussed with the Minister of and programs as well as
staff to the CDC’s Vessel which the new independent working with the Government Tourism, Transportation and their supporting budgets. He
Sanitation Program division, ATA would come into being for more than a year to arrive Labor Affairs, and that there further applauded the fact that
and a separate notification is to AHATA’s membership at a mutually acceptable had been give and take on both it was clear the Government
at the association’s General agreement to set up an effective sides before arriving at what wanted an entity which would
required when the number
Assembly held on December joint public/private marketing appears to be an effective set combine public and private
of cases exceeds 2% of
30th and said that this new Board of seven persons of ordinances which would expertise working together in
passengers and
approach to marketing which would work in the best establish the new tourism the best interests of Aruba.
crew. When the number
could only be beneficial for interests of Aruba’s tourism authority. Mr. Javier Wolter, the
of cases exceeds 3% of
Aruba as a whole. He said sector and Aruba as a whole. The Chairman of AHATA, Mr. President of CMB and
passengers and crew the
that AHATA’s membership, Three members of the Board Alex Nieuwmeyer, endorsed AHATA’s Treasurer, also
CDC issues a public report.
consisting of the hotels and would be appointed by the these sentiments and said that congratulated this joint public/
An analysis of the public
other stakeholders of the Minister of Tourism, three by this initiative had the strong private initiative which is a
reports for 2010 by USA
Aruban tourism endorsed this the Board of AHATA with the support of AHATA’s Board first for Aruba and clearly to
TODAY’s Cruise Log shows
initiative. seventh independent director and membership as it was clear be in the best long term interest
that, as in past years, the
He went on to say that creating agreed upon by the other six that a fund dedicated almost of tourism for the island. He
majority of the outbreaks a much more efficient, directors and then appointed completely to marketing, acknowledged that it could
-- 8 out of 14 -- were due streamlined and more agile by the Minister. The Board is independent of central take some time for the new
to norovirus, a common destination marketing in place and consists of Ewald Government finances, was a ATA to reach its full potential
stomach bug. The causes organization was vital if Aruba Biemans, Warren Stanley, very effective way to ensure given it would be operating
of the six other outbreaks was to remain competitive in Jim Hepple (Vice Chairman), the long term continuity of with a completely new set of
remain unknown. q a very challenging marketing Ed Malone, Sanju Luidens, Aruba’s marketing efforts. policies and practices.q
A8 LOCAL
Friday, January 14, 2011
Another challenging year ahead says AHATA
CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism throughout the community as a countries which had suffered less
Association (AHATA) James Hepple whole complaining that visitors were from the global recession. He said
said that 2011 had all the makings of spending less than in previous years. that because of the weakness in our
another challenging year for Aruba’s Mr. Hepple said that forecasts for primary markets tourism businesses
tourism industry. the high season were reasonably in Aruba would find it difficult to
He said that whilst the final numbers positive although the loss of air seats charge higher prices which was a
were not yet in 2010 had shown some out of the United States together particular concern when the costs of
modest improvement over 2009, with higher air fares could dampen doing business continued to rise.
which had been one of the worst years demand. He expressed concern that Given these challenges Mr. Hepple
in memory for the tourism sector, the price of oil had reached in excess welcomed the fact that a new
with the number of visitors up almost of $90 a barrel and that this would “independentized” Aruba Tourism
2%. He went on to say that whilst the translate into higher costs for our Authority would be coming into
hotels had seen higher average room airline partners who would pass this existence early in 2011 with an
occupancies than the previous year increased cost on to their passengers enhanced marketing budget, new
there had been no improvement in the in the form of higher fares or fees. management, and a joint public/
average price achieved for the sale of The CEO said that consumer private Board to guide its marketing
each room night as hotels continued confidence was still low in our efforts. The CEO said that this new
to struggle with consumers’ demands major North American and European initiative would go a long way to
for discounted prices. He said that markets but that opportunities for making Aruba more competitive
ORANJESTAD, Thursday January, 13, visitors had cut back across the Board growth did exist in Brazil, Argentina, and to achieve its primary goal of
2011 -- At a briefing today President and with many tourism related businesses Colombia and other Latin American growing revenues from tourism.
Dia di Betico celebration at Seaport Casino
ORANJESTAD – The Seaport Casino between 4:30pm and 11:00pm, and to
will be a hub of activities on Dia di complete the great day’s program a free
Betico, January 25th, 2011 with live slot tournament starts at 8pm.
entertainment and special promotions all The casino will be serving free local
day. snacks, and hopes to entertain many
Caha di orgel Nos Ambiente will people on Aruba’s beloved national
entertain from 10am to 2pm and patrons holiday, dedicated to the Father of the
are invited to come early and buy their Nation.
bingo tickets, as Dia di Betico Bingo
starts at 2pm, with over Awg 4,000 in Another much-enjoyed grand bingo
prizes. event planned for the Renaissance
Bingo tickets are Awg 15 for 4 bingo Convention Center is the upcoming bingo
cards of 8 bingo game. party on February 5th, when Friends of
Slot players would be pleased to hear the Handicapped will be hosting their
that double points will be awarded annual fund raising event.
LOCAL A9
Friday, January 14, 2011
Marriott guests keep coming back to Aruba
New Yorkers “sprinkle” Aruba with love

Marriott Resorts. and a half ago, later to the enjoying a BBQ in between
PALM BEACH – Today, a for the past 16 years and They all have several things in Allegro (aka the Occidental the Marriott’s Ocean and
group of Aruba-lovers will enjoying every second of the common; the love for Aruba Grand) and now the group Surf Clubs on Wednesday
return back to New York if day they are on the island. and a common business in stays at the Marriott’s Vacation afternoon right before the sun
weather permits. The group Some of them come back sprinkler and lawn systems. Surf and Ocean Clubs. gently set into the Caribbean
of 30 plus friends have been several times a year as many The group started out staying The group of Distinguished Sea.q
visiting Aruba consecutively own timeshare at the Aruba at the Divi Resorts a decade Guests of Aruba are pictured ~ Photos by Julia Renfro
Don’t miss the show tonight
Angela Croes is back by popular demand at Casa Tua Barcelona
Italian cuisine, all served in a
friendly, casual setting.
On the menu, a wide variety
of Spanish Tapas, appetizers
starting at $2.95, and plentiful
Paellas, made daily, filled
with mussels, clams, shrimp,
pork loin and chicken. The
menu also boats famous Pata
Negra ham, Chorizo, and
other specialty dry-cured pork
sausage.
Naturally, the restaurant’s
whole Grilled Red Snapper,
fresh fish fillets and beef
tenderloins are all cooked “A la a native of Spain, a golden starting at $8.95 p/p.
“Plancha,” with just a sprinkle recording artist, will perform Birthday parties? Wedding
of olive oil, representing a all Wednesdays and Fridays Rehearsal Dinners? Family
healthy Mediterranean life- from 8pm with her daughter Reunions, we love those,
style. Patrons also favor the and Spanish-Aruban guitar and always take very good
restaurant irresistible thin- talents. care of our guests!
crust pizza, baked according You really don’t want to miss
to a secret family recipe, such an enchanting voice and Open from 11:00 am to
ORANJESTAD - What Atelier, under a small country topped with Casa Tua infused spectacular show. 10:00 pm Monday to
a surprise!!! This old hut, covered with old hand- spicy olive oil, a signature From the dramatic Spanish Saturday
warehouse transformed made roof tiles. condiment for Casa Tua ballads to the catchy warm 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
into a typical Spanish or Opened downtown restaurants on the Island. Flamenco music of the Gypsy Sunday
Italian town’s square, with Oranjestad two years ago, the To complete this Spanish Kings, Angela delivers a night Located downtown first
its gurgling fountain, French restaurant dishes reflect this experience and make it of fun and emotion…. floor Aventura Mall behind
The Renaissance Resort
lamp-post and lime-washed inter-cultural relationship truly unforgettable, Angela Special food combos are
Telephone: [phone]
walls features an open Pizza of Spanish, French and Croes, the local Song-Diva, available for lunch weekdays,
A10 LOCAL
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Asian Bistro hosts
An Appreciation Lunch for the Sunset Grille crew of the Radisson
consecutive year, and appreciation luncheon also
recognize them for their served to show gratitude
standard of excellence and for the staff’s ability to
dedication. operate so well under
The Sunset Grille, at the pressure. Rugia Cilie,
Radisson Aruba Resort the Food and Beverage
Casino & Spa is the resort’s Department secretary was
signature restaurant, and queen for the day, as she
features an exhibition-style celebrated her birthday
PALM BEACH – The entire Food & Beverage Gerard resort’s appreciation for the kitchen, an elegant dining at J.H. Yee’s with her
Sunset Grille crew enjoyed Coste, the hard-working staff members who helped room paired with exquisite peers over award-winning
the gracious hospitality team of the Sunset Grille the restaurant achieve the terrace views, over the creative specialties of Asian
of the Asian Bistro at the had many reasons to distinguished American Palm Beach tree-tops. flavors melding traditional
South Beach Centre over celebrate. Automobile Association The restaurant was dishes with contemporary
lunch. We got together, says (AAA) Four Diamond very busy during the combinations.q
Invited by the Director of Coste, to express the award for the eighth holiday season, thus the