Trouble in Paradise

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Feb 1, 1999 | by John Elvin

Even utopia has its troubles. Founders of a new nation that would rise on a sunken island off the coast of Honduras found their plans interrupted recently by Mother Nature as Hurricane Mitch smashed into the mainland and forced cancellation of scheduled treaty negotiations. New Utopia, as the island nation will be known, has been years in the making and remains at the moment a vision.

Prince Lazarus Long, 67, has been seeking a site for New Utopia since his business partner ran afoul of U.S. laws some years back. Gill Bodden was jailed for seven years, according to Long, for refusing to turn over records of his charter flying service to the FBI. The FBI had picked him up as he on-loaded a passenger in Miami who happened to be carrying $20,000 in cash.

Lazarus' primary problem, aside from financing, has been that all identifiable sites for founding a new nation are claimed by other countries. But with the apparent blessing of Honduras, New Utopia will be built on platforms similar to those used in construction of freeway overpasses. Initially it will consist of 1,200 apartments, a shopping mall and five hotels. A golf course will be among priorities. Construction will continue until the country is about the size of Monaco, a total of 1.95 square miles.

The country apparently will operate as a libertarian monarchy. No taxes or trade barriers are envisioned. Citizenship is by invitation, which is extended to purchasers of government notes at a minimum of $1,500. According to Lazarus, the "by invitation" tactic allows citizens of New Utopia to retain their status as U.S. citizens as well. It's a bit complex and still something of a dream, but it's all explained at www.new-utopia.com on the Internet.