Posted on 09/07/2012 1:37:53 PM PDT by JerseyanExile
Investors can begin construction in six months on three privately run cities in Honduras that will have their own police, laws, government and tax systems now that the government has signed a memorandum of agreement approving the project.
An international group of investors and government representatives signed the memorandum Tuesday for the project that some say will bring badly needed economic growth to this small Central American country and that at least one detractor describes as "a catastrophe."
The project's aim is to strengthen Honduras' weak government and failing infrastructure, overwhelmed by corruption, drug-related crime and lingering political instability after a 2009 coup.
The project "has the potential to turn Honduras into an engine of wealth," said Carlos Pineda, president of the Commission for the Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships. It can be "a development instrument typical of first world countries."
The "model cities" will have their own judiciary, laws, governments and police forces. They also will be empowered to sign international agreements on trade and investment and set their own immigration policy.
Oscar Cruz, a former constitutional prosecutor, filed a motion with the Supreme Court last year characterizing the project as unconstitutional and "a catastrophe for Honduras."
"The cities involve the creation of a state within the state, a commercial entity with state powers outside the jurisdiction of the government," Cruz said.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
even more, interesting
Hey maybe we can build our own conservative enclave!
I like it.
Hmmm, if they are privately run, then OWS types and bums could be legally charged with trespassing, and banished.
if Libs don’t like the idea of corporations being people, the idea of them being cities is gonna drive them straight freaking nuts.
“Honduras” weather over ALL 12 months will make people long for Houston in August.
If they allow only property owners to vote, they may be on to something
Honduras can be very nice in the sierra.
Possible new meaning to the free state project. Aside from the heat and humidity, it sounds wonderful.
hmmm
Honduras needs to smell the coffee and start using the American Dollar as their currency like El Salvador did.
Having traveled extensively in Central America, there is a strong bias for all tourists to stay in countries like El Salvador because you don’t get ripped off on exchange rates.
Costa Rica accepts the dollar all over and most of the tourist traps in Mexico also.
Galt’s Gulch(es)?
I’m having visions of “The Firm” and “The Stepford Wives.”
We could do this here. It’s very similar to the company town model. And we have SC precedent to help actually. The only outstanding issue is the state action doctrine. But there might be ways around it now.
East Tennessee...'State of Franklin'. Do it.
Been done. The hansiatic city-states.
Interesting development. I might consider opening an office there - I wonder how the fishing is?
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