Member Info for frenchie38

Its genuine, as other recipients will verify, and BigDog, Mark knows I post his updates. I only share when he asks. The first line of his email read: "Please share my comments". Regards Frenchie

Yes

It is crystal clear the Ortega regime is over. Last Thursday the Bishops met him for 2 hours and provided a pathway forward for him to stand down and path the way for full and free/fair elections. Ortega said he would take 2 days to reply and after 3 days their isn�t an open reply! The violence continues. Ortega has already said he will consider early Presidential Elections. In my view he is negotiating his exit, wanting: Amnesty, to remain in Nicaragua, remain President until the next elections etc. This is a negotiation. it�s unreasonable to expect him to resign, stand trial on human rights abuses etc, it would be stupid and create a power vacuum. The Organisation of American States (OAS) has agreed to implement a structure for free and fair elections, which will be ready in January 2018. See OAS website. There can�t be free and fair elections until a clear, credible voting architecture is in place�overseen by the OAS�.otherwise the Elections won�t have credibility and it will be more of the same�with allegations of vote rigging. The Sandanista Party, headed by Ortega, has a massive grass roots membership and support. The Sandanista Party�s future will depend on who succeeds Ortega, if he/she is modernising, youthful person, the Sandanistas could be re-elected. 80% of the students and police involved in clashes are Sandanista. The former at State universities the latter employed by the State. The average age of the population is 25.2 years, all they have known is the Sandanista Party for the last 12 years of Ortega https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nicaragua+population+average+age&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari The opposition has been systematically dismantled by Ortega. There is no credible opposition. Business wants to avoid a power vacuum and an wants an orderly process for Presidential Elections. There could a split in the Sandanista Party with a break away, younger party....I am speculating. Whoever�s in power will need to demonstrate investor confidence, create jobs and increase tax revenues etc. The reason for the demonstrations 18th April was tax increases. Condor can help solve that with US$134M in taxes over 10 years. It probably enhances the grant of permits for La India Project, despite the uncertainty. Gold is the third largest export with thousands of artisanal miners. Condor�s 2.5M oz gold in the ground isn�t going anywhere.

.... unless you are deliberately trying to talk the share down for your own benefit....but you wouldn't be doing that would you?

There is a large sector of the public that, in view of the intransigence of the Government shown in the dialogue, is calling for a national strike. Does the Pellas Group support a national strike? At this moment we are focused on finding a solution through dialogue and negotiation, since the national strike to which it most affects is the workers and the population in general. It may interest you: Police criminalize social protest by linking it to organized crime and drug trafficking in Nicaragua We think that this is an extreme measure, since history teaches us that national strikes end up weakening enormously the small, medium and large companies, generating massive unemployment. I hope that in Nicaragua you do not have to come to contemplate scenarios of this type and that we can resolve this dramatic situation through dialogue and negotiation, however difficult it may seem.

Likewise, other agreed changes will have to be made in the dialogue process, in order to refine the institutions so that they acquire a genuinely national, non-partisan profile and express the reality of the separation of powers inherent to a democratic system. It is necessary to work and think a lot about the mechanics of the transition so that it is sustainable, sustainable and within a legal framework, allowing the country to be re-routed along a path of growth and justice. I believe that the Organization of American States can contribute as a companion and guarantor of the process, in support of the extraordinary work carried out by the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua. Some criticize the big businessmen and you in particular for not saying so far. From the first moment of this crisis I have been involved in depth, supporting and contributing to define the positions of the private sector, as well as its role within the Civic Alliance that participates in the dialogue, condemning the acts of violence against the population and contributing with the proposal of the democratic agenda. Also read: Nicaraguan Red Cross will receive international support to address the crisis in the country Since the first days of this tragedy we have opened the doors of Vivian Pellas Hospital to provide support and medical attention to the injured. The doctors and hospital staff have had an exemplary attitude, full of solidarity and compassion; only on Monday we treated more than 22 people injured. Following the impasse in the national dialogue and the tragic events of Monday, I considered it appropriate to speak publicly on these issues. In light of the changes you have listed, what do you expect to happen with respect to the victims of violence? The National Dialogue endorsed the 15 recommendations of the IACHR. These the Government must make them effective immediately. It can not be that Nicaraguan events such as those that shook the city of Managua on Monday afternoon have continued, despite the fact that the IACHR had already visited. There must also be an investigation with sufficient guarantees of professionalism and impartiality so that those guilty of all these crimes are punished. A march has been called for tomorrow (this Wednesday) in which the citizens are in solidarity with the mothers whose children have been killed in this stage of citizen resistance, do you support this march? Of course, yes, and even more so on Mother's Day, we hope it will be a peaceful march in which the blue and white flag is raised and that it shows a united nation that pays homage to the mothers of the victims and reaffirms its will to that we Nicaraguans can make the indispensable changes without violence and without further bloodshed. We have always supported the peaceful marches that demand just causes and like this, we have given our collaborators freedom to participate in them. There is a large sector o

It seems to me that these crimes can not go unpunished, so I think it is essential that the Government immediately adopt the 15 recommendations of the IACHR. It may interest you: Daniel Ortega reinforces the security of his mansion with stone barricades quarries In addition to so much pain, economic stability, as well as the image of our country that has cost us so much to reconstruct all Nicaraguans, are deteriorating rapidly. To just give an example, the reduction of tourism could end up unleashing the loss of more than 100,000 jobs. The human drama unfortunately will worsen, as the economy contracts and job opportunities disappear. What do you consider are the exits to this situation? The model that brought the country was exhausted ... it is urgently necessary to agree on a new model of a nation that allows for the inclusive, democratic, institutional and peaceful coexistence of all Nicaraguans. To achieve this goal, the president has an enormous responsibility, he has to show willingness to dialogue and accept fundamental changes. I still believe that dialogue is the only option to find and agree on the transition to this new model, open, democratic and inclusive. We also all have to do our part to find that path. You have to do everything possible to avoid more violence and confrontation, stop the chaos and the destruction of the country's economy. That is why it is essential that the mechanisms of dialogue and negotiation work. Read more at: Gustavo Porras calls for "taking to the streets" on the day of mobilization of mothers asking for justice I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my total support for the work being carried out by the bishops who are members of the Episcopal Conference, who are called upon to continue to play a decisive role in order for dialogue and negotiation to be successful. If this model that has been followed until now is over, what changes have to be made? In Nicaragua we can not foresee any way out of the current situation that does not go through a profound institutional transformation and because democracy is restored as one of the fundamental pillars in the organization of the country. But concretely, where do you think the exit would go? From my point of view, and it is something that we fully share in the private sector, we must find an orderly solution, within the constitutional framework that implies reforms that lead to an advance of elections in Nicaragua, for a date agreed between the Civic Alliance for the Justice and Democracy and the Government, which allow the election of new authorities through a free and transparent process. As we said in the communiqu� of the entire private sector: the resignation of all members of the Supreme Electoral Council is required immediately. You can also read: Amnesty International: Government of Nicaragua uses a strategy of lethal repression Likewise, other agreed changes will h

Carlos Pellas: Solution to crisis in Nicaragua passes "by advance elections" The most recognized businessman in the country believes that "the model that brought the country was exhausted" and that before the new reality that Nicaragua is living "we must find an orderly solution, within the constitutional framework" The leader of the main business group in the country, Carlos Pellas Chamorro, believes that in order to get out of the current crisis, there must be "a profound institutional transformation that restores democracy." THE PRESS / COURTESY The leader of the main business group of the country, Carlos Pellas Chamorro, spoke yesterday about the political crisis that the country is experiencing, caused 43 days ago by the bloodthirsty repression with which the regime of Daniel Ortega has faced the peaceful citizen protests that first demanded to reverse the reforms to the Nicaraguan Institute of Social Security (INSS) but that before the violent response of the Government have escalated until demanding the exit of the power of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. Pellas says that since the first day of the crisis he has been personally involved in the search for a solution. The most recognized businessman in the country considers that "the model that brought the country was exhausted" and that before the new reality that Nicaragua is living "we must find an orderly solution, within the constitutional framework that implies reforms that lead to an advance of elections in Nicaragua , for a date agreed between the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy and the Government, that allow to choose by means of a free and transparent process to new authorities ". As the first of many steps, Pellas demands "immediately, the resignation of all members of the Supreme Electoral Council." However, faced with the demand for a national strike to pressure Ortega's departure, he hopes that this "extreme measure" will not be contemplated, since he says that everything must be done to get the response through dialogue. How do you assess the situation in the country since April 18? Like the vast majority of Nicaraguans, I am outraged and very hurt by the more than 80 lives sacrificed and the more than 800 injured caused by the disproportionate violence with which the Government has faced the demands of students and the population in general. Read also: Cosep urges members to resign from positions in state commissions and directives I sympathize with those families who have lost their children, who continue to suffer acts of violence and with all those who are being persecuted or imprisoned for a just cause, which began with the INSS and which today is expressed in a clamor for restitution of democracy, justice and human rights. It seems to me that these crimes can not go unpunished, so I think it is essential that the Government immediately

My view. The Dialogue Table has an initial time limit of 30 days. There is immense economic pressure to reach a settlement agreement. Carlos Pellas is calling for early elections. The President�s term is until November 2021 My bet is there will be free and fair elections in 12 to 18 months overseen independently by the OAS. This should stabilise the situation Change has to be reached within the framework of the constitution. Not because students want the President to resign.

A fellow long term shareholder in Condor Gold emailed this morning to say: �you are as cheesed off, probably more so than many of us longstanding investors. What an awful black swan event this political chaos in Nic is�. Succinctly put! The permitting progress is ongoing and has not yet been delayed by the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Energy and Mines. We are working towards a technical sign off for permitting the mine. Then we will have to wait for a political window to open to grant permits. When the dust settles, the Government will need a good news story of a US$120M investment, 800 jobs etc. Yesterday, I met the Nicaraguan Ambassador to the UK and Nicaraguan Minister Sidhartha Marin, who is the Minister Advising Policies and International Affairs. Both affirmed that the Government, including the Presidency, is committed to the Dialogue Table headed by the Catholic Church to find a peaceful way forward. Separately, Carlos Pellas, the richest man in Nicraragua, heading the largest business group in Nicaragua made a statement today to the opposition press, La Prensa.https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2018/05/30/politica/2427376-carlos-pellas-solucion-a-crisis-de-nicaragua-pasa-por-adelanto-de-elecciones (Google translation will follow). I have met Carlos Pellas several times, he is Stanford University educated and will have the ear of the President. Key points 1. "the model that the country had it was exhausted" 2. "we must find an orderly solution, within the constitutional framework that implies reforms that lead to an advance of elections in Nicaragua, for a date agreed between the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy and the Government, that allow to choose by means of a free and transparent electoral process to new authorities ". 3. "National blockade is an extreme measure, the solution of the conflict must comes from dialogue"

I can't see Mark, after the blood/sweat/time/effort/money put into proving up the gold letting the company go for �1 a share. Nobody could have foreseen what is happening on the ground in Nicaragua at the moment, but things will calm down, and businesses will continue as normal. The country needs the revenue generated from mining. I believe we will get the permits and a mine will be developed at La India. With the IFC investing heavily in Nicaragua, I cannot see the government doing anything untoward to upset them.I don't see any of our major backers backing out, and I'm sure they have their fingers on the pulse. Happy to sit and wait. GLA.

7and28day - From an email I had from Mark on 15th May: "2 May 2018, the Chairman and senior management of the Company held a meeting with the Inter-Institutional Committee at the offices of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to discuss additional information required by the Inter-Institutional Committee following their site visit inspection on March 13th, 2018. The Company intends to submit the technical information by May 31st, 2018.�

You are twisting what I said. I said I said Pat doesn't need to substantiate his posts for you, you cold drop an email to Mark and hear what Pat was saying directly from MC himself. As to the comment �You should post links� I asked you once to provide a link becauseI couldn�t find what you were referring to in one of your posts, and still could not find it. The comment you made was B2Gold we�re stirring things up in Nicaragua and I found no evidence of that, unless you were not referring to the current crisis but to something that took place in 2015? I am not one for bickering on a bulletin board, it is not what other subscribers want to read. GL with your strategy.

You are twisting what I said. I said I said Pat doesn't need to substantiate his posts for you, you cold drop an email to Mark and hear what Pat was saying directly from MC himself. As to the comment �You should post links� I asked you once to provide a link becauseI couldn�t find what you were referring to in one of your posts, and still could not find it. The comment you made was B2Gold we�re stirring things up in Nicaragua and I found no evidence of that, unless you were not referring to the current crisis but to something that took place in 2015? I am not one for bickering on a bulletin board, it is not what other subscribers want to read. GL with your strategy.

ElectricLion, from an email I received from Mark last week: "We will submit the technical information by 31st May 2018. Assuming the technical information is okay and there are no further questions, the Project will be signed off as technically okay and goes to the Minister and President for approval. A date for a Public Consultation should be set and permits granted a couple of weeks later."

A report by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is very damaging for the Government and Presidency. There is a positive development. The Dialogue Table which includes the Government representatives, Business, Students etc approved the 15 recommendations by the IACHR, copied below. This lays the groundwork for a peaceful way forward. The situation on the ground is still very tense and flare ups can be expected. IACHR Recommendations In light of the above preliminary observations, in the exercise of its mandate to monitor the human rights situation in the hemisphere, the IACHR urges the Nicaraguan State to implement the following 15 initial recommendations: 1. To immediately cease the repression of demonstrators and arbitrary detention of those participating in the protests. 2. To respect and ensure citizens� full enjoyment of the right to protest, the right to freedom of expression, to peaceful assembly and to political participation. 3. To create a mechanism for international investigation into the acts of violence that have occurred, with guarantees of autonomy and independence in order to ensure the right to the truth and to properly identify those responsible. 4. To guarantee the life, integrity, and safety of all persons demonstrating and exercising their rights and public freedoms and suffering the consequences of the atmosphere of repression, in particular students, children, and adolescents. 5. To offer effective guarantees to protect those who gave testimonies to the IACHR or who participated in any way in its activities in the country; and refrain from taking or allowing retaliation against them. 6. To adopt measures to diligently investigate, judge, and sanction those responsible for all of the acts of violence committed during the protests. Likewise, to respect the guarantees of due process for those persons who remain in custody for acts related to the protests.

7. To ensure that security operations for protests and demonstrations are carried out according to protocols that conform to international standards for the use of force by officers in charge of enforcing the law. 8. To disband the parapolice groups and adopt measures to stop third party armed groups from operating and attacking or harassing the general population. 9. To guarantee that the independence of the media will be respected and to refrain from applying prior censorship by any state body, as well as any prior conditioning that may imply censorship of freedom of expression. 10. To exhort state authorities to refrain from making public statements which stigmatise demonstrators, human rights defenders, or journalists, or using state media to run public campaigns that could incentivise violence against people because of their opinions. Also to provide effective protection for human rights defenders and journalists who are at risk. 11. To implement an information system for persons treated in public and private hospitals as a result of the social protests. This register should be specific, indicating the date admitted, the cause of the injuries, treatment provided, and where appropriate the cause of death. This information should be public and at a minimum broken down by age and gender. 12. Complaints of access to medical attention in hospitals and the humanitarian work of the Red Cross and firefighters being blocked should be investigated. 13. To ratify all international human rights instruments that are still pending ratification, in particular the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons. 14. To remain open to international scrutiny and, in this regard, to facilitate visits of all mechanisms for the protection of human rights from the Inter-American System and the United Nations, as well as other relevant actors from the international community. 15. To commit to a follow-up mechanism with the IACHR in order to check the implementation of the recommendations issued in this visit and its report. To work with the IACHR to make a specific schedule for further visits. Bearing in mind the painful past that affected Nicaraguan society and the historic commitment not to repeat it, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights trusts that a peaceful, democratic, and constitutional solution can be found to the serious political crisis currently facing the country. The Round Table for National Dialogue is of particular note. A commitment to the truth, guarantees of effective investigations and justice, and appropriate reparations for victims and their families are all indispensable ingredients in any possible solution. Lastly, the Commission would like to thank the Nicaraguan State for the invitation to carry out this visit and the support of civil society in setting it up. The Commission is grateful for all of the information supplied by state authorities and the logistical assistance provided.

Today, Friday 18th May 2018, saw the start of the first session of the National Dialogue, presided over by the Commission for Mediation and Witnessing, made up of His Eminence Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, Mons. Rolando Alvarez, Mons. Jorge Sol�rzano, Mons. Bosco Vivas, and Mons. Silvio B�ez, Bishops representing the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua. The main sectors were: government representatives, private companies, students, universities, civil society, workers, rural communities, evangelical churches, indigenous communities, and communities of African descent. On the subject of justice, the presence at the table of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) was noteworthy. The Commission is here as a research institute, in order to shed light on the facts and the truth, which is a fundamental right of the people, with the aim of finding a way out of the crisis facing the country. The Round Table reached the following agreements: The urgency of putting a stop to the acts of violence, as stated in the Letter from the Episcopal Conference dated 11th May this year. All sectors agree to hold a truce on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May, during which time the government must return the police to their barracks and remove the riot squad, government sympathisers and civil society should work together to promote better conditions for Dialogue, restore the transport system and continue with a better atmosphere on Monday 21st May 2018. Likewise, all sectors recognise the urgent need to respect the right to peaceful assembly, protest and demonstrations. To be thankful for and support the work of the IACHR in Nicaragua, particularly with regards to the investigations and clarifications of events in April and the adoption of urgent precautionary measures to ensure the safety of young people and the general population. To embrace the meaning and the spirit of the Press Release issued by the IACHR in Managua today, 18th May, in the context of the field visit. Likewise this Round Table makes itself available to collaborate with the mission. The importance of reaching agreements in the national dialogue for the benefit of the Nicaraguan nation within the constitutional framework, based on the principles of respect for human dignity, justice, freedom, and democracy. Lastly, we would like to highlight the importance of making every possible effort to create a stable and safe environment with an atmosphere of harmony and freedom. Issued in the city of Managua on the eighteenth of May twenty eighteen.

I think Mark was guided down that route by MARENA

You mean Ortega