Guyana chronicle 22 04 14

GUYANA No. 103775

SATURDAY MARCH 22, 2014

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

More Caribbean leaders support Government’s effort to pass AML/CTF Bill Page 3

St. Lucia PM Dr Kenny Anthony

PRICE: $60

Barbados PM Freundel Stuart

INCLUDING VAT

Virgin Islands Premier Dr Daniel Orlando Smith

Preparations for 2 Monday’s Budget presentation underway Page

GDF gets three patrol boats from U.S. valued $340M

Page 3

APNU MP Deborah Backer dies President Ramotar remembers her as “a livewire in Parliament” Page 9

Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Deborah Backer

After meeting Commissioners…

Commander in Chief President Donald Ramotar receives the keys to the Metal Sharks from U.S. Ambassador Brent Hardt in the presence of Brigadier Mark Philips (Sonell Nelson photo)

APNU still unsure about participation 11 in Rodney COI Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Preparations REMEMBERING for Monday’s Dr Cheddi Jagan Budget presentation underway It is possible, the scientists tell us, to halve poverty by the end of this decade and perhaps to eradicate it completely in another 25 to 30 years. Science and Technology have that capacity. Regrettably the will is not there - perhaps at the political and other levels.

Of course, the origins of our plight lie in our colonial past when our resources were plundered and we remained underdeveloped. A development Agenda, therefore, is very vital at this present time. Otherwise, the gaps that I talked about will continue to widen and the plight of the poor, the underprivileged and the downtrodden will become even greater.

Opening of the 5thCaricom Regional Science, Technology & Mathematics Fair August 16, 1994

There is much anticipation brewing over Budget 2014, as Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh is slated to present his eight consecutive budget on Monday.

In keeping with tradition of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, this year’s budget is expected to exceed previous estimates.

While Ministry of Finance officials remain tight lipped about the contents and details of this year’s budget, indications are that it will continue to reflect Government’s commitment to the development of Guyana by investing in social services, preserving and strengthening Guyana’s macroeconomic environment, while improving quality of life of Guyana citizenry.

In previous years, the Finance Minister insisted that his budgets will continue to embrace government’s objecsee page 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

More Caribbean leaders support Government’s effort to pass AML/CTF Bill

SEVERAL regional leaders have written to President Donald Ramotar expressing their concerns about the failure of the local legislature to pass the critically needed Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Amendment Bill.

St Lucian Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic

Preparations for Monday’s Budget ... from page 2

Affairs, Planning and Social Security, Dr Kenny Anthony stated that Guyana’s intransigence is “exceedingly unfortunate as the damage to the reputation of Guyana could be costly”.

He expressed the hope that better sense prevails and a swift solution is found as he assured his government’s support in the Guyana Government’s effort to secure the passage of the Bill.

Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr. Daniel Orlando Smith, noted that Guyana’s pivotal role in bringing about regional AML/ CFT compliance, is recognised

and efforts in seeking to strengthen Guyana’s existing legislation of the AMLCFT Act 2009 is to be commended.

“The Virgin Islands supports your ongoing efforts to bring about the enactment of key legislative reforms. In the context, we will at CFATF level and especially at the ICRG level, endeavour to encourage and emphasise the need for expedited reform and the importance of national unity and cohesiveness in order to achieve this,” Smith stated.

President Ramotar was also wished success in moving for-

ward what was described as a very critical process.

It was hoped, by Barbados Prime Minister Freundel J. Stuart, that the initial statement issued by the CARICOM Bureau last November would have made a positive impact on this challenging situation, “but it clearly has not done so.”

The Barbadian Leader noted that without any doubt this situation and the threatened action

by CFATF will affect Guyana and the entire Caribbean region, “and will negatively impact the well-being of our people.”

facie review by the International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG).

There has been tremendous public outcry over the opposition’s proposals, with the Private Sector Commission, religious groups, the National Competitiveness Council, labour unions, and residents across the country calling on the political parties to pass the bill. Their urgings have since fallen on deaf ear as the opposition continues to be intransigent.

More recently, residents in several communities such as Lusignan, Mahaica, Anna Regina, Greenwich Park, and Bartica have demanded that the Bill be passed or elections be held. (GINA)

GDF gets three patrol boats from U.S. valued $340M

By Leroy Smith

tives, which are to ensure macro-economic stability and strength, transformative modernisation, strengthening and promoting innovative and creative enterprise with the aim of creating opportunities for all Guyanese.

These, he had said, will be accomplished through the implementation of various programmes and policies across the sectors.

Budget 2013 was a whopping $208.8B, the largest in the history of Guyana.

The graph below reflects the annual proposed budgets over the past six years.

Year Budget size 2013 $208.8 billion 2012 $192.8 billion 2011 $161.4 billion 2010 $142.8 billion 2009 $128.9 billion 2008 $119.3 billion

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at their 25th Inter-Sessional Meeting in Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines recently issued a call for Guyana to pass the Bill currently in a Special Select Committee of the National Assembly.

The Heads discussed the impasse in Guyana in caucus, and agreed that the non-passage of this piece of legislation will have devastating economic impacts, not only for Guyana, but the rest of the region if Guyana is blacklisted internationally.

In June 2014, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is slated to meet, when it will make a decision as to whether Guyana should be subjected to a prima

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The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was, yesterday, gifted three Metal Shark patrol boats from the United States to boost its marine wing. The keys to the boats were handed over to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Donald Ramotar by United

A close up view of the metal shark with President Ramotar, Ambassador Hardt and Minister Robeson Benn as they return from a tour on board one of the boats

States Ambassador Brent Hardt at the Coast Guard Headquarters at Ruimveldt.

President Ramotar said that the initiative will indeed help to increase the capacity of the GDF and the other law enforcement agencies of Guyana. He added that some crimes of the world see page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Ukraine: Putin signs Crimea annexation (BBC News) PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin has signed a law formalising Russia’s takeover of Crimea from Ukraine, despite fresh sanctions from the EU and the US. The European Union’s latest measures target 12 people involved in Russia’s annexation of the peninsula.

Earlier, Ukraine and the EU signed an accord forging closer political ties.

Separately, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe has agreed to send monitors to Ukraine, after Russia dropped objections.

The six-month mission will initially consist of 100 international civilian monitors, who will be employed in nine regions of Ukraine - including the south-eastern areas rocked by violence between pro-Ukraine and pro-Russian activists.

The observers will not go to Crimea but German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the decision was “a step that helps to support our de-escalation efforts”.

We s t e r n d i p l o m a t s h a d blamed Russia for several failed attempt to agree such a mission to help defuse the tense situation.

In Brussels, EU leaders also said they would step up efforts to reduce energy dependency on Russia.

The EU’s new sanctions add to an existing list of 21 officials affected by travel bans and asset freezes.

They include Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and two close aides of Vladimir Putin, Ser-

president, it does not hit his inner circle as hard as the sanctions announced by the US on Thursday.

DOWNGRADE Shares fell sharply in Moscow on Friday as investors assessed the impact of Western sanctions on Russia’s economy.

That decision triggered violent protests, Mr Yanukovych’s eventual overthrow and Russia’s subsequent move into Crimea.

The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, visiting Kiev the day after meeting Mr Putin in Moscow, urged Ukraine and Russia to hold talks to prevent the crisis spreading.

Ukraine’s interim President

The speakers of Russia’s two houses of parliament - both targeted by EU sanctions - were at Vladimir Putin’s side as he signed the law annexing Crimea gei Glazyev and Vladislav Surkov.

The speakers of Russia’s two houses of parliament, Valentina Matviyenko and Sergei Naryshkin - both at Mr Putin’s side as he signed the Crimea law - are also included.

While the list targets several figures close to the Russian

Two credit-rating agencies have now downgraded Russia’s outlook from stable to negative.

Visa and Mastercard have also stopped providing services to two Russian financial institutions, Bank Rossiya (hit by US sanctions) and SMP Bank.

The accord signed by the EU and Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk in Brussels on Friday contains the political part of the EU Association Agreement rejected in November by Viktor Yanukovych, who was then Ukraine’s president.

Olexander Turchynov, after meeting Mr Ban, said Ukraine would never accept “the seizure of its territory”.

In a separate development on Friday, Ukrainian police detained the head of the Naftogaz state energy firm, Yevhen Bakulin.

He is accused of embezzling $4bn (£2.4bn) during Mr Yanukovych’s time in power.

Officials investigating corruption at Ukraine’s agriculture ministry are reported to have seized tens of thousands of dollars in cash.

UK’s first female genital mutilation prosecutions announced (BBC News) – THE first UK prosecutions over female genital mutilation have been announced by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 31, of Ilford, east London, will be prosecuted for an alleged offence while working at the Whittington Hospital in London.

Hasan Mohamed, 40, of Holloway, north London, faces a charge of intentionally encouraging female genital mutilation.

Dr Dharmasena and Mr Mohamed will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 15 April.

‘Sufficient evidence’ In a statement, director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders said the CPS was asked by the Metropolitan Police to consider evidence in relation to an allegation of female genital mutilation (FGM).

It was alleged that following a patient giving birth in November 2012, a doctor at the Whittington Hospital repaired female genital mutilation that had previously been performed on the woman, allegedly carrying out female genital mutilation himself.

Ms Saunders said: “Having carefully considered all the available evidence, I have determined there is sufficient evidence and it would be in the public interest to prosecute Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena for an offence contrary to S1 (1) of the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).

“I have also determined that Hasan Mohamed should face one charge of intentionally encouraging an offence of FGM, contrary to section 44(1) of the Serious Crime Act (2007), and a second charge of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Dr Dharmasena to commit an offence contrary to S1 (1) of the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003).

“These decisions were taken in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors.”

NHS trust Whittington Health, which runs the Whittington Hospital, said it had contacted police and started its own investigation when staff raised concerns following a birth in November 2012.

MISUNDERSTANDING The CPS has decided to take no further action in four other cases of alleged FGM. In one of those cases it was alleged that two parents had arranged for their daughter to undergo female genital mutilation while abroad.

In another, a suspect contacted an FGM helpline to request the procedure for his two daughters after misunderstanding the purpose of the service for victims.

The CPS is currently considering whether to proceed with four other cases.

Prosecutors have also had discussions with police over investigations into two further cases, which are at an early stage.

‘UNFORGIVABLE’ The UK has in the past been compared unfavourably to other countries over the issue, such as France where there have been more than 100 successful prosecutions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Churches angry; Slam Gov’t over flexi week snub …churches say no to flexible worship days

(JAMAICA OBSERVER)–A POWERFUL umbrella church group may have thrown a spanner into the works to have flexible workweek introduced into the labour market this year.

The Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Church said in a statement yesterday that changes proposed in a Ministry Paper on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs), tabled in Parliament last year by Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier, were likely to have grave impact on the life of the church and its members.

“While the Ministry Paper expressed a desire to protect and respect the worker’s rest day and/or day of worship in an environment where there is unequal bargaining power of employee to employer, largely due to the scarcity of employment, the Church is of the considered view that such right to rest and worship cannot be left to negotiation between employer and employee, but must be protected under law,” the statement said.

The church men accused Kellier of avoiding them since last June and failing to meet with them despite numerous requests to discuss the issues.

They also recommended a number of changes to the Ministry Paper, including: the right of the worker to choose a day of rest; the right of the worker to choose and designate the 24-hour period constituting his/her day of worship; the right to void contracts that deny a worker this right; protection against discrimination in employment for exercising this right; and that before the Bill is tabled in Parliament, there should be a six-month public-education programme by the Government.

The group comprises the Jamaica Council of Churches, the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, the Jamaica Pentecostal Union (Apostolic), the Jamaica Association of Full Gospel Churches, the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals, the Church of God in Jamaica, and the Independent Churches of Jamaica headed by Dr Joseph Ade-Gold.

However, the Church’s position has raised some concerns for the Government, as well as the trade unions and employers, as it could delay the implementation of flexible work arrangements against the wishes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF has been pressuring the Government to move quickly to introduce FWAs. The Government, at the same time, has expressed its recognition of the importance of FWAs to its growth plans, including a viable logistics hub. In his sectoral debate presentation last year, Kellier promised that every effort would be made to have the system introduced by the end of 2013/14.

In addition, the Government’s Fiscal Policy Paper 2013/14 states that labour market reform, “entailing the establishment of flexible work arrangements” is scheduled to be implemented by the end of 2013/14.

President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, Lloyd Goodleigh said that the unions were fully behind the changes.

“The last time the IMF was here they wanted to know when we are going to introduce flexible work arrangements.

Jamaica has to make up its mind when we are going to join the real world,” Goodleigh said, confirming that the trade unions fully support the concept.

He also insisted that the question of days off for workers is a labour market issue, and not a religious one.

Meanwhile, former minister of labour and social security, Pearnel Charles said that he was surprised that the religious issues are still hampering the implementation of the arrangements, because he felt they were resolved by the joint select committee of Parliament which he chaired and which reported to the House of Representatives in 2010.

Efforts to contact Kellier failed yesterday, as he was said to be in his constituency.

Rio de Janeiro seeks federal help to quell recent violence (BBC News) THE governor of Rio de Janeiro state is meeting Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff to discuss a series of recent attacks against police facilities.

Governor Sergio Cabral is expected to ask for support from federal troops after three police bases were attacked on Thursday.

At least one officer was shot.

The police stations were set up in recent years to push drug dealers out of Rio’s favelas or shanty towns, ahead of the football World Cup in June.

Just over a week ago, another policeman was shot dead in a similar attack. Three more have been killed since February.

“It is clear that criminals want to weaken our policy of pacification and take back territories which were in criminal hands for decades,” Mr Cabral said ahead of the meeting with Ms Rousseff.

In Manguinhos, a shanty town in the north of Rio, police vehicles were set on fire on Thursday night and the police unit’s commander was shot in the leg.

“The state will not back

The governor of Rio de Janeiro state is meeting Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff to discuss a series of recent attacks against police facilities down. The public may be sure we shall act,” the governor said.

In the past five years, the authorities in Rio have installed more than 30 police bases in favelas to drive out drug gangs.

Correspondents say murders are down in those areas and the number of shootouts has dropped, but residents there

have often accused the police of using heavy-handed tactics.

The BBC’s Julia Carneiro in Rio says the deaths of security forces in recent weeks have prompted some groups to express solidarity towards police and their families.

The backlash to the police operations in Rio, Brazil’s sec-

ond largest city, has heightened concerns about law and order ahead of the World Cup, which begins on 12 June.

Seven World Cub matches, including the final, will be played in the city.

It will also host of the 2016 Summer Olympics, the first ever to held in South America.

Dookeran: Cops in schools to curb violence (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) –IN the wake of a growing number of incidents of school violence, police officers will be deployed at schools, says acting Prime Minister Winston Dookeran. Speaking at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, Dookeran said the issue of school violence was discussed at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting and members met with acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams. He said police officers would be deployed at schools during their opening hours to act as a deterrent.

In addition, he said, the Ministry of Education Value Education Programme would be expedited and individual schools must also take responsibility for the situation. Over the last few days, there has been reports of students charged for fighting in schools and suspended. But criminologist Dana Seetahal, SC, disagreed that police in schools was the best option. She said if that was the case then other areas of society would also want police presence and that would ultimately deter the police from carrying out its duties. “And then how long can you put a police presence in schools? That can’t be a permanent answer to anything,” Seetahal added.

She recommended there be an expansion of the Military-led Academic Training Programme (Milat) which was a voluntary programme and could only accommodate some 100 participants at a time. National Security Minister Gary Griffith agreed

that the problem of school violence was not only a law enforcement issue but also one which involved the entire society. In an interview yesterday Griffith said the root cause of the problem must be ascertained. “This is as an important matter as policing

and law enforcement and it is a social matter as it requires counselling to get to the root cause of the problem,” Griffith said. He added that the National Security Ministry would also be collaborating with various ministries to properly tackle the problem.

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Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Are these the leaders AFC have?

Not tarred with the same brush of unethical practice THE desperation of the Opposition is driving the most bizarre behaviour and utterances from the leaders and their allies in the media, and NGOs like WPA/APNU women’s arm – Red Thread, Transparency International (Guyana), which is run by an AFC supporter, GHRA, et al, and some known characters that write effusively in the opposition media.

Their primary weapon of choice is character assassination of PPP/C leaders and government functionaries – even technocrats not politically affiliated to the PPP, basically with misrepresentation/distortion of facts and outright lies, which was admitted by Kaieteur News’ Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris on live television during a corruption debate on NCN as a result of an outright challenge by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh. On that same programme, Kaieteur News’ publisher, Glen Lall, also admitted that most times, without verifying the facts or ascertaining veracity, his newspaper publishes articles provided by the Opposition political parties.

The latest victim being targeted is Guyana’s Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Anil Nandlall.

The AG has an impeccable reputation – both at professional and personal levels; and they have found it difficult to find filth to daub on his character so far, because he accumulated his formidable wealth before he became a Minister of Government and his salary as a government functionary is probably less than that earned in a day in his private practice; but like Irfaan Ali, who gave up a well-paid job in an international funding agency, and Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who refused innumerable offers that would make his disputed pension look like peanuts from the Bretton Woods institutions and other international organisations, Anil Nandlall eschewed financial rewards to serve his country which, as all of them are discovering, is a very thankless task indeed.

But manufacturing filth to daub on others is their forte’, something intrinsic to the joint Opposition that former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo termed “The Corbin Syndrome”. But this is one of the rare times that Dr. Jagdeo seems to have made a mistake, because this ploy of drawing red herrings to cover their own actions is inherent to the opposition’s make-up and not peculiar to merely Corbin.

So Nigel Hughes, after he was exposed for alleged jury tampering in one of the worst murder cases in the history of the country – a case he did pro bono, attempted damage control for going to such lengths to defend a self-confessed murderer of innocent people, including sleeping babies in their homes in Lusignan,

KINDLY publish this letter in your patriotic newspaper. Recently you published a letter from me which spoke about the lies and deception being aired on the ‘Alliance on the Move’ programme on DTV 8 in Berbice. On that same day an AFC councillor took offence with regards to the ‘lies and deception’ I wrote about. He wanted more evidence so I called him while he was in the DTV studio and outlined the lies Charrandass Persaud was peddling to his very few viewers. The following will explain his evil lies.

The Alliance ‘Cart’ Moves Again On Saturday March 8, the gossip lawyer was driving again but although somewhat subdued and apologetic at the inception, he soon became his normal asinine self and began dishing out his lies and deceptive statements.

In trying to tarnish my character he told a few of his gossip hungry viewers that he had to bring ranks from the CID to my school in order for me to refund monies to a parent. During this time he said that he was outside the school in his vehicle. He was trying to say that I was involved in some impropriety. I tried to call into the programme but as usual it was in vain. I then called the cell phone of another AFC Councillor, Michael Hintzen, who was in the studio at the time and asked him to tell Charrandass Persaud to invite the CID ranks that he took to my school on his next programme and let them tell the public what they have done.

When Hintzen told him that he brushed the matter aside by saying that ‘ah gon deal with that later.’ I challenge him and his cohorts to go with me to the Commander at Central Police Station and verify his defamatory statements he made on TV. Secondly, he said that I have been expelled from the AFCanother lie. Until this time I have not received any notification, formal or informal, that I have been expelled from the party, although at this juncture I care not. He further stated that I did not get the grapes so I am upset. He is so far from the truth. He should start educating himself by reading my first letter in the press about the Ramayya issue and then continue his reading. I am quite satisfied with my station in life and I have all the ‘grapes’ I need. I am not a paedophile, I am not involved in stealing donations, I am not a whoremonger, I am not corrupted, I am a devout Muslim, I do not cheat on my wife, I have great respect for my students, I have a family who loves me dearly, I love my country and the list goes on.

By the way Persaud, I am not only good at bodybuilding as you mentioned, I am a member of the Association of Chartered

and Certified Accounts(ACCA) and Certified Internal Auditors and I have lots of other academic and professional qualifications.

Thirdly, he lied that another AFC Councillor said at the same RDC statutory meeting, that I have been expelled from the Party.

The minutes of that meeting can provide evidence of the lie this unscrupulous individual is peddling to the public. But what was more appalling was that the AFC Councillor whom he alleged made that statement was sitting right beside him! Imagine she did not have the courage to correct him. I reminded her to revisit the oath she took upon assuming office as a councillor. Are these the leaders AFC have?

‘PNC Did Not Borrow from International Funding Institutions’ The next lie he told his viewers was that the PNC government never had access to funding from international institutions but the PPP/C government is borrowing monies from international funding institutions and mismanaging, stealing and squandering those monies. This man is deliberately lying, is insane or is really a dunce! When the PPP/C Government took office in 1992 this country was literally bankrupt. The PNC Government had owed international financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank more than US 2.1 Billion dollars- US dollars not Guyana dollars and our debt financing was 96 cents to the dollar. The PPP/C government has drastically reduced this to 9 cents to the dollar! Why don’t you quit making yourself a laughing stock on DTV 8? In academic circles people feel contaminated and insulted by the lack of facts and logical reasoning presented in you and your co-host’s presentation. Do not attempt to rewrite the history of this country with your lies!

Tutored Callers The ‘Alliance on the Move’ programme has only a few regular callers who are tutored what to say and the caller’s ID is used to filter the incoming calls so that the hosts will answer their calls. I heard Ramayya instructing some of his cohorts to make calls during the 2011 Election. People who listen to this program know that there are a few regular callers who want to give the impression that they represent the views of the majority in Berbice. Many times me and my family members and friends tried to get on to the programme but to no avail.

by daubing the Attorney-General with the mess he had been wallowing in; with Khemraj Ramjattan also making similar reprehensible allegations against the AG, which even his own media supporters ignored for the idiotic perspective he tried to bring to bear on the infamous Lusignan murder case.

The rabid defenders of the Opposition collective also saw this as an opportunity to tarnish the AG’s reputation, and one can immediately recall Ramjattan’s threat to take down Government functionaries ‘one by one’. Well, after Ministers Rohee, Ashni Singh and Irfaan Ali, and former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who is still considered a formidable threat by the opposition combo, it seems that it is now Minister Nandlall’s turn.

The latest salvo against Minister Nandlall came in the form of a letter of some length published in the Kaieteur News of March 17 under the caption “Was the P.P.P playing political games with the Lusignan Massacre trial”, purportedly written by one M. Maxwell, in which several farcical allegations were made against the minister.

In response, Minister Nandlall wrote, inter alia: “Some attempt is made to ensnare me in the conundrum in which Mr. Nigel Hughes has found himself in relation to the foreman of the jury in the Lusignan massacre murder trial. And also, there is some attempt to convert the PPP into the prosecutorial realm of criminal proceedings in our legal system…The PPP, as a political party, plays no role in the prosecution of criminal matters. In fact, the Constitution specifically insulates political influence from the prosecutorial process. The assertion, therefore, that the PPP failed to deliver a conviction in the Lusignan Massacre is simply ludicrous. The impression is conveyed that the Attorney-General superintends the DPP in the discharge of her functions, but that is equally grounded in pure ignorance.

“Article 187 of the Constitution vests in the DPP the power to institute, undertake, takeover, continue or discontinue criminal proceedings within the State of Guyana. It specifically provides that, in the exercise of those powers, the DPP “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”.

Minister Nandlall continued: “The DPP has already issued a public statement on this matter when Mr. Hughes, questioned why the DPP and the Attorney General converted one accused person into a state witness in the Lusignan massacre murder trial.

I deliberately ignored Mr. Hughes, because I reckoned that he must be aware of the provisions of Article 187, and intended to be facetious by posing such a question to the Attorney-General.

“The letter next proceeds to link me to Vernon Griffith, the foreman of the jury in that infamous trial, by contending that I had “a more recent relationship with Griffith”, and later on, that I had “a more recent non-hostile relationship with that juror”.

Unfortunately, the author did not explain the nature and purport of this “relationship” between Mr. Griffith and me.

However, I surmise that there is only one issue to which he can be referring: In October, 2011, Mr. Manoj Narayan, Attorney-at-Law and an associate in my law firm, filed an action for libel for and on behalf of Vernon Griffith.” Documents produced by Mr. Ramjattan, in which he dishonestly attempted to implicate AG Nandlall, were signed by Mr. Narayan, so Ramjattan knew that Minister Nandlall had no client-attorney relationship with Griffith.

Nandlall is Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and is not expected to keep track of cases dealt with by the capable attorneys in his law firm, nor is he expected to overlook cases in every courtroom; so it is hardly likely that the minister would be aware that the jury foreman in the Lusignan murder trial was a former client of an attorney in his law firm; and neither Narayan nor Nandlall was in the courtroom where Griffith was the jury foreman, but Nigel Hughes was, as the defence attorney, and it was incumbent upon him or Griffith to reveal that they shared a relationship of six years’ duration.

Not the “Corbin Syndrome”, but the opposition syndrome has become endemic to local politics; but in this instance the mud is not sticking. Truth has prevailed in this instance.

HASEEF YUSUF

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

With World Bank funding…

Eight UG staffers benefit from Education If you don’t like your wage then leave the job Ministry grants EIGHT research agreements were signed yesterday by academic staffers of the University of Guyana (UG) who were awarded grants by the Ministry of Education.

The signing was to facilitate the stimulation of researching in low carbon development (LCD) areas through the UG Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP).

The objective of the progamme is to strengthen the four science and technology faculties at the institution, namely Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Sciences, Technology and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The awards followed stipulated guidelines and procedures which commenced with the publication of a ‘Call for Proposals’ and culminated with the inking of the documentation yesterday.

Addressing the gathering was Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand,

who acknowledged that the World Bank financed a loan for facilitating this programme.

She disclosed that the arrangements which envelope the LCD projects are estimated to cost some US$329,000 and said it is a manifestation of the Government’s commitment to improve education in the country.

The Minister pointed out that, through this initiative, Guyana will be producing people who have the potential to change the social and economical framework of the society for the better.

Talented students “We have to provide the opportunity for the talented students to lead in these areas. Guyanese are talented and we always have the resources,” she said, while congratulating the awardees.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi also expressed the view that this is a milestone which seeks to transform the culture of UG. He thanked the World

Bank for its significant assistance and added that UG has a responsibility on its hand as the “process” of the project is vitally important.

Opadeyi explained that those who received the grants went through a competitive procedure of being analysed, locally and internationally, to fit the criteria necessary for approval.

It is expected that the result of the investigations will lead to the formulation of public policy recommendations and development of LCDS relevant services.

Overall, it is anticipated that a total of 40 grants will be funded under the scheme intended to provide the enabling environment for sustainable research and knowledge generation not only at the University but at the national level.

The undertaking is being funded with a US$10M loan from the World Bank secured by the Government of Guyana, in its efforts to enhance the quality of education provided at UG.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, sixth from right, with recipients of the grants

LEADER of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) David Granger has stated that corruption within government agencies is being fostered by the low morale that Public Servants face in respect of how they are paid, especially against the backdrop of the seemingly flourishing drug trade and other elicit activities, where that money can be used to influence government officials.

However, Granger needs to be reminded that everyone knows their wages up front before taking their jobs. Right there and then they have a choice to accept or reject that job.

Applicants then have a choice to apply some other

place for higher wages if they think they are qualified. If not, one can open one’s very own business with the help of the bank.

You bet your life the whole world knows why Granger’s heart bleeds for public workers working for a PPP government. If the ethnic make-up was totally opposite you bet Granger would not care about public servant’s wages.

Granger should go see how easy it is for them do things for their ‘kit an kin’, but all others must sit and wait and pay bribes.

It is foolish for Granger to say that the drug trade is flourishing because of low wages.

Next thing Granger will say is that the low wages are what

caused thieves to rob people by placing guns to their heads.

How long will it take someone to work for one million dollars as opposed to placing a gun to someone’s head and grabbing a few millions?

Granger knows that the drug trade is flourishing simply because the drug money is too good and has nothing to do with low wages.

PPP should hire the right people for these jobs and pay them higher wages and let Granger keep complaining.

The government should hire people who will be content with their wages and people who will not shake down others for bribes and people that are educated and know how to spell.

T. KING

Passengers slam Route 44 minibuses for overcharging MINIBUSES plying Route 44 on the East Coast Demerara are facing resentment from passengers who claim that they have been unscrupulous in overcharging.

Passengers have no other choice but to pay through their noses in order to hang on to their jobs.

Passengers always get the nasty end of the shaft since government cannot provide transportation for its citizens.

Recently, the minibus operators have been demanding an increase of $80 more than the normal fare from passengers travelling the Melanie/Victoria route. $80 more on a bus fare is a lot of money for many passengers and this is bound to make the poor get poorer.

Even school children are not exempted from this sudden hike in fares, posing a worrying situation, which the authorities have not been able to address so far.

As far as I am concerned school kids should be travelling free of cost.

The government should be spending money on providing transportation for all school

kids and all seniors.

Meanwhile, these minibus operators who are overcharging still overload the vehicles to the discomfort and danger of passengers, who do not have a voice because if they speak up they are put out of the buses.

A call to the Police Traffic Department said that passengers should report the matter to any police station, provid-

ing the minibus licence number and they will deal with the matter.

Why should passengers have to call the police to report overloading and speeding of minibuses?

The traffic cops are in on this thing to make their already fat bankrolls fatter by the day.

NAME WITHHELD

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Cheddi Jagan’s Ideas Will Live On

By Odeen Ishmael

(A tribute to Dr Cheddi Jagan written on February 23, 2003) SIX years ago, all of Guyana followed very closely the news reports of President Cheddi Jagan’s final days as he waged his final valiant battle at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. I recall those eventful days following his heart attack on February 14, 1997 when all of us hoped, despite the physical odds, that he would pull through. That was not to be, and twenty-one days later, in the early cold morning hours of March 6, Cheddi Jagan slipped away into the arms of history.

During those final three weeks, I spent much of my time at the Walter Reed hospital and got to know Dr. Jagan’s attending physicians very well. As his physical strength waned, they could not help admiring the fighting qualities of our legendary leader - qualities that his political friends and foes alike can attest to.

I can well recall that after March 4 when all hope had faded, he still refused to buckle under, which caused one of the medical specialists to say to me: “President Jagan is defying the laws of medical science.” Looking back at those final days, I can say that he died as he lived - fighting all the way to the end.

It was the nature of the man. During those final days, his wife and life partner, Mrs. Janet Jagan, told me of an incident that gave a vivid illustration of his sense of dedication and determination.

In the early 1960s when he was Premier, the two of them were spending a short vacation in Trinidad at a house on the bank of a river. The owner of the house gave them a boat outfitted with a little outboard engine if ever they wished to explore the river.

One day they finally used the boat but somehow ended up in the stormy ocean. Then the engine stopped. Dr. Jagan tugged at the starting cord, but it would not restart. By this time, high waves were driving them toward huge outcrops of rocks near to shore, and while Mrs. Jagan was in a panic and fearing for their lives, he patiently and seemingly without any sign of worry, calmly continued trying to restart the engine. The little boat was almost about to be smashed on the rocks when the engine finally burst into life. He had tried more than thirty times, but finally got it working, and they were able to escape danger in the nick of time.

Such was the determination of Cheddi Jagan - a quality which he displayed throughout, even up to the day he died.

Even from his early days as a politician he displayed this fierce, determined spirit. Some years ago an elderly Enmore gentleman told me that during the 1948 sugar strike, the expatriate owners of Enmore estate instructed the police to arrest Cheddi Jagan if he should ever “set foot” on their property. Of course this threat did not deter the Guyanese leader; he turned up on the public road, placed a small wooden crate on the roadside, and addressed the striking workers. The police could not arrest him for “trespassing” because he had not “set foot” on the estate’s private property!

It was Cheddi Jagan who started the fight for the political independence of the colonial territories in the Caribbean. From the time he climbed into the political arena in 1946 he listed independence for Guyana on his political agenda. He was the flame that lit the torch of freedom and democracy in Guyana. It must not be forgotten that it was his party that won universal adult suffrage for the Guyanese people, which gave them the right to vote to elect a government of their choice. His epic struggle against the might of the British Empire is legendary and he was glorified by anti-colonialists and freedom fighters all over the world.

His political struggle, based on his socialist principles, was

inextricably linked with his struggle to improve the social and economic conditions of the Guyanese people. During the 1957-64 period when he led the PPP Governments, effective land distribution programmes boosted agricultural production and a massive education drive was put into effect. It was through his initiative, despite some strong opposition from those who felt that university education should not be within the reach of all Guyanese, the University of Guyana was established in 1963.

Dr. Jagan led his party to election victories in 1953, 1957 and 1961 and won the highest number of votes in 1964. The undemocratic machinations which led to his removal from the Government in 1964 have been revealed by US State Department documents from the Kennedy era, released by the United States Government in 1996. Those who were saying that Dr. Jagan was making unfounded allegations that he was removed by overt and covert action, local and international, now only have to read these documents to see how always right he was.

It is unfortunate that Dr. Jagan had to spend 28 years of his life fighting for the restoration of democracy in Guyana.

Imagine the heights Guyana would have achieved if his innovative talents, ideas and leadership were applied to Guyana, if democracy were DR CHEDDI JAGAN allowed to flourish unbound during all those years!

After those 28 years of struggle for democracy, Dr. Jagan won the Presidency in October 1992. But he did not simply sit back and bask in his glorious victory, for it was not for himself that he fought. It was for Guyana. Among his many successes he achieved while in office for just four short years was to assure the children of Guyana a better future than the generation before them.

In 1992 he came to power in a country whose schools and health centres, like so many other institutions, were in a state of utter disrepair. This was not the environment this President wished his young people to grow up in, and so a massive social rehabilitation program began.

In his four years as President, many achievements were recorded.

These included a massive water rehabilitation program and doubling the electricity output of the country from 1992 and the significant improvement in agricultural production. Amerindian villages which were totally neglected by our previous administrations were provided with brand-new schools and health centres.

Throughout Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo many villages, including those with residents generally not supporters of Dr. Jagan’s political party, were provided with roads, new water systems, new schools and new health centres. Dr. Jagan made sure these were provided to guarantee the well being of the young. He showed his

care for all the people of Guyana by ensuring that they have these amenities in all areas regardless of their political leanings or ethnic makeup of the people who live there. And this all was done as Guyana was enjoying one of the highest economic growth rates in all of the Western Hemisphere.

He certainly laid the foundations of a society free from political oppression and fear. The policies he implemented also gave momentum to the economic recovery program and social sector initiatives to assist the poor. No wonder President Clinton in paying tribute, described President Jagan as “a champion of the poor.”

In his short term in office, Dr. Jagan proved to both his political supporters and opponents that it was not politics which he fought for. It was for the sake of all of the Guyanese people. And the Guyanese people showed that they understood this when they came out in unprecedented numbers to pay their respects to their fallen leader. It was a showing unheard of in our history, numbers never before seen in Guyana, some say reaching 100,000, at the cremation alone. They came from all races, religions and political leanings, from the farthest corners of Guyana, and they demonstrated that they knew that he was a man who genuinely loved and cared for all of them.

Dr. Jagan was a President who set the precedence for all future leaders of Guyana. By his actions, he showed that Presidents and other leaders should not be concerned with the ethnic makeup of the popular vote which elected them, but instead should be concerned with the common good of all the peoples of Guyana, regardless of ethnicity and political persuasion.

As all the political parties unanimously agreed when they paid tribute to him in Parliament, this legacy of Dr. Jagan and his dreams for national unity will be wasted if we do not follow his example.

Cheddi Jagan was also very much a statesman of world repute.

He believed immensely in regional and hemispheric unity. He saw the necessity for helping the poorer countries of the hemisphere in order to ensure that they cope with the economic fallouts that will result with the advent of free trade. His idea of a Regional Integration Fund, which has been endorsed by countries of CARICOM, and which is now being discussed in the negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas, stands as a testimonial to this great intellectual, thinker, writer, statesman and visionary.

His campaign for debt relief for the poorer countries of the world is legendary and his proposal for a New Global Human Order to fight poverty is winning adherents in various parts of the world. Unselfishly, he thought of other peoples all over the world when he was waging the struggle for the Guyanese people.

In recognition of his visionary thinking, the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 and 2002 approved successive resolutions supporting the role of the United Nations in promoting the New Global Human Order.

Cheddi Jagan will forever remain a legend in Caribbean history. There are many who never agreed with his political philosophy, but what can forever be said of him is that he stood up for what he believed in and never at any time surrendered his principles.

During the 19th century, the Scottish writer, Thomas Carlyle, wrote: “No great man lives in vain. The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” Cheddi Jagan was surely one of those great men who helped to reshape the history of the developing world in the twentieth century. His ideas will live on, and he will surely be remembered in all the corridors of history. Indeed, he stamped his footprint indelibly on the bedrock of time.

UG sued by unions over salaries, other expenditure VICE-CHANCELLOR of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Jacob Opadeyi was, yesterday morning, served with a writ from the UG Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the UG Workers Union (UGWU), claiming outstanding payment of salaries and other expenditures.

Vice-President of UGSSA, Dr. Melissa Ifill charged that it was a result of continuous mismanagement of the financial situation at the in-

stitution by Professor Opadeyi.

She added that the recent spontaneous protest by the staff members was a manifestation of their disgust.

“He was hired to manage the affairs of the university and we believe that he is doing a poor job at it and the workers are suffering. Allowances are not being paid and basic functions of the university are in a mess,” she declared.

According to her, salaries for lecturers and academic staff are to be paid on the third Thursday of every month, but Ifill claims

that there is continuous late payment and no information is usually provided by the Vice-Chancellor, leaving the staff in a financial crisis.

“We have staff working for $35,000 a month and, when you don’t pay them, these people are clearly in a position where they, absolutely, must get money,” she lamented.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS The legal documents were handed to the Vice- Chancellor in the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) by a Court Mar-

shall who was accompanied by Francis and UGWU President Bruce Haynes.

Francis said they see no other way to solve the recurring problem than to take the university to Court and the lawsuit will seek to demand outstanding payments to staff, which include salaries for the month of March and work which has already been done for the last semester by part time members, gratuities, book and uniform allowances and other necessities.

She claimed “the University

is just falling apart and we are paying such a large amount of money every month to very high officials and we see no result.”

In his response the Vice-Chancellor said he was unaware of the reason for the protest which was in progress at the institution.

However, Francis alleged that she has approached him on many occasions concerning the issues, the most recent being Thursday last.

She said he reassured her that the monies would be in

the bank the following day but, in their attempts to claim what is theirs, the staff were disappointed when they realised no money was deposited into their accounts.

The protest coincided with a visit from Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who was officiating at the awarding of research grants for expansion of the University curriculum, in the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) at Turkeyen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

APNU MP Deborah Backer dies President Ramotar remembers her as ‘a livewire in Parliament’

By Leroy Smith and Asif Hakim MRS Deborah Backer, popularly known as “Debbie Backer”, attorney-at-law, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, political heavyweight, senior member of the People’s National Congress Reform and of A Partnership for National Unity, died early yesterday, a statement from the political coalition A Partnership for National Unity confirmed.

The passing of this hard-core politician, who recently resigned from Parliament and public offices to focus on her health, has signalled the end of a ding-dong battle with cancer, with which she was recently diagnosed.

The irrepressible Deborah Backer had been in politics for most of her life. She entered Parliament in 1997, but had previously served as a councillor with the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) in 1994. During her political life, she served on several important organisations and social clubs, which constitute part of her claim to fame and popularity, augmented by her professional practice as an astute attorney-at-law.

This APNU Parliamentarian was well known and mostly dearly loved for the life she injected into the National Assembly, especially during the debates on the National Budget, which incidentally should begin within the next two weeks.

Ms. Backer’s daughter just recently received a gift on her behalf, as she was among the female Parliamentarians who contributed tremendously to the work of the National Assembly.

Mrs Backer had been one of the candidates on the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) ticket for the 2001 National Elections. Prior to, and even after that campaign, she had remained very visible at functions of the Opposition, and had,

at the community level, participated in several meetings of the National Assembly.

His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, who once served in the National Assembly on the Government side of the House, while Mrs Backer had been a Parliamentarian, described Mrs Backer’s death as indeed shocking and a blow to him, since they had worked very closely.

Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Deborah Backer

THE PRESIDENT’S TRIBUTE In an invited comment to this newspaper yesterday, President Ramotar said the late Mrs Backer had been a stalwart in politics. He reflected on the excellent relationship they had maintained despite their being on opposite sides of the House, and he recalled seeing her for the last time on Christmas Day, when they had shared a pleasant conversation.

The President said he had admired Mrs Backer because, while he knew she had not been feeling well, she had not allowed her failing health to get her down, and had proved to be a fighter to the very end.

He said that in his conversation with Mrs Backer last year, he had recognised in her that typically optimistic individual whose pains had never been able to temper her mood.

The President said he remembers this fallen political stalwart as a livewire in the National Assembly, who had kept debates alive; and her heckling will be something unforgettable when the late Mrs Deborah Backer is spoken of in the future.

The Head of State was clear in his assessment of the sterling contribution this former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly had made to the Parliament of Guyana, and he said her passing is indeed a big loss not only to politics, her family and the People’s National Congress, but to the nation as a whole.

GDF gets three patrol boats from U.S. ...

From page 3

enjoyed that.

Mr. Ramotar pointed out that the boats are indeed needed and one should also understand that such advanced equipment are not only available to governments and security forces but also those who seek to profit and benefit from criminal activities.

He posited that Guyana and other nations need to rethink their traditional ways of demarcation and limitations of duties by some of the disciplined forces and for there to be defence of borders and the creation of the environment that will be able to carry on economic activities of people.

According to Mr. Ramotar, Guyana is still a poor nation but the need for security remains above all other needs, while at the same time those who are tasked with the handling of the equipment, to exercise care and caution so that they can have a longer lifetime. Funds saved in this way would enable procurement of other resources rather than replacing or engaging in revolving maintenance of one set of equipment.

The Metal Sharks can be used for the provision of services and functions such as containment, restriction of

waterways, seizure of coastal force, tactical situation, insertion, extraction, board and bank search, waterborne ambush and night movement.

In addition, the newly acquired “Sharks” can be used to carry out military assaults, blocking action, convoy support, high value transit protection and other functions.

The boats which are the first U.S made boats to be used by the GDF Coast Guard are being regarded as

valuable assets being added to its marine fleet. The boats are equipped with special communications equipment to aid in the timely sharing of information and coordination between the vessels on the water and personnel on land and in the air.

Mr. Hardt told the gathering that the handing over of the vessels also marks the beginning of yet another chapter in the relationship between Guyana and the U.S. Guyana’s acquisition of the

vessels also serves as a tool to assist in the fight to combat transnational and organised crime, while ensuring that freedom of commerce and navigation on inland waterways and the safety of Guyanese.

Hardt explained that the vessels which were handed over joins other vessels which have been handed over to other Caribbean countries and have yielded results, namely the interdiction of illicit trafficking. According

to the U.S Ambassador, the cooperation among the two nations forms part of the bigger plan of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which was announced

by United States President Barack Obama in 2009 and according to Hardt, the United Sates remain committed to the promise of its president.

The three Metal Sharks which are identical and carry police cockle horn and sirens also have fitted as part of its

The three Metal Shark boats in the Demerara River (Sonell Nelson photo)

combat tool, several other features which could not be revealed for security reasons. The vessels which will be directly under the control of the GDF will from to time be called into operation when the need arises by the Maritime Administration Department, police and other state agencies who from time to time conduct water operations including search and rescue and recovery exercises.

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Soldier pulled from creek died of fractured spine

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Second eye witness testifies in Tain murder trial - Prosecution accuses defence of intimidation

By Jeune Vankeric THE second eyewitness in the Tain murder case took to the stand at the Berbice Assizes and gave sworn testimony of the incident, which resulted in the death of Marlon Andrew Ramcharran. The witness is expected to return to court on Monday, March 24, when it is expected he would be cross-examined by Defence Counsel Mursalene Bacchus.

The other eyewitness, Nicolas Beharry, expected to return to court yesterday for further cross-examination, was absent. He is, however, expected to attend the hearings on the adjourned date.

State Prosecutrix Ms Renita Singh opined that Defence Counsel Mursalene Bacchus is intimidating the eyewitness Beharry by having him photographed.

According to her, following the adjournments at the Berbice Assizes, the witness, on exiting the courtroom, was photographed by an employee of Bacchus, while the lawyer was overheard telling friends of the witness, who had accompanied him, “You are all criminals”.

Ms Singh told the Guyana Chronicle that she is of the opinion that the lawyer was trying to scare her witness, who is still to continue his evidence.

Eighteen-year-old mason Nicolas Beharry had earlier said he knew the deceased Marlon Andrew Ramcharran, his neighbour, for approximately two years, and had, on June 3, 2012, accompanied Ramcharran to Bishoo’s shop, where they were joined by Rakesh Jairam, called Ajay.

‘Whilst there, Ramcharran’s friend, Adrian, had come and borrowed his bicycle and when the bicycle was not returned, “we proceeded to the Dusk til Dawn shop to get the bike.

“However, after I got the bicycle, Marlon (Ramcharran) had

three beers, and a fight broke out with (murder accused) Joshua (Persaud) and (Raphael Rene) Morrison and other guys. Also, Marlon and Morrison had an argument.

“Me, Marlon and Ajay left to go home. However, Marlon, who was ahead, was later overheard shouting ‘You chopping the wrong person!’

According to the witness, as he drew closer with his friend Rakesh, he asked the murder accused men -- Joshua Persaud, called ‘Sunny Boy’ and ‘Bun Boy’, 22; and Raphael Rene Morrison, called ‘Red Head’, 24, both of Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice – “Why you chopping my friend?”, but instead of responding, the men, both armed, ran after him and Ajay, who fled in different directions.

“Marlon was standing with upraised hands as he attempted to defend himself from the injuries which were sustained from a ‘dabber’, a weapon used by cane harvesters to chop sugar cane,” the witness Beharry had said.

After an approximately-fifteen-minute seclusion, Beharry said, he had returned to the area, Block 4 Tain Village, to find his friend Marlon Andrew Ramcharran injured and lying with blood covering his body.

“I shouted for the neighbours, but no one responded. Ajay came, and we went to Marlon’s mother and we related to her what had transpired. The police then came,” Beharry had testified.

The witness said he went to Whim Police Station the following day, where he identified Joshua Persaud and Raphael Rene Morrison as the persons who had inflicted the injuries on Ramcharran.

Defence Counsel Bacchus had objected to the line of evidence, and had made submissions which were upheld.

The men on trial are accused of the unlawful killing of Marlon Andrew Ramcharran on June 3, 2012.

Correcting Stabroek News…

NABI Company remains committed to onshore oil exploration Wayne Paul on a hospital stretcher on Monday after he drowned.

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Unit soldier, Wayne Paul, 23, whose body was found floating in the creek opposite Splashmin’s, along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway earlier this week, died from a fractured spine.

That was reported after a post mortem examination was performed on the corpse at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), in the presence of Army Pathologist, Dr. Deen.

Paul had been in the company of eight other friends enjoying themselves when he took the fatal plunge and failed to surface.

But his companions felt he was playing a prank because he was a good swimmer. However, after he was taken out of the deep, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Hospital, East Bank Demerara.

The autopsy established that Paul suffered a fracture of the spine in his upper back, when he plunged because he is a very heavy individual.

It is believed that there was a 50/50 chance of him surviving if he had been removed immediately after he was seen in the water.

Dismissed speculations Paul’s mother, Angela Worrel, speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, dismissed speculations in the social media that her son may have committed suicide.

She said some people claimed reports of him plunging from a bridge about 20 feet high are false, because her son was not that stupid to jump from such a height into shallow water.

The woman also said her only child is loved by all his family and his friends and would not take his own life.

He leaves to mourn a two-year-old son, as well.

THE management of NABI Oil and Gas Inc., yesterday, admonished Stabroek News over an article published last Saturday, March 15, under the headline ‘Nabi Oil and Gas halts onshore exploration in Mahaica/Mahaicony’.

The Company Secretary/Director, Mr. Rafael Nabi said it remains committed to its onshore oil exploration work and the report, which quoted an “unnamed” official, is both highly inaccurate and misleading.

“The reality is that Nabi Oil and Gas has completed a series of soil and boundary tests using hydrocarbon imaging. The results of those tests are in the process of being compiled, analysed and interpreted by specialists abroad.

“This process is being supervised by the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Anthony Syms, in Trinidad and Tobago. During such time, there will be periods of non- activity at all three of the

local sites. Further tests will be conducted using seismic surveying, which involves the use of reflected sound waves to produce a ‘CAT scan’ of the earth’s subsurface and is regarded as a more detailed technique,” he explained.

NABI pointed out that, while the preliminary studies have shown promising signs, as a business venture, it is vital for the company to be thorough in its research and analysis to determine whether the long term commitment and investment in the project will be profitable and cost effective.

He said: “The company has now invested over $140M in this venture. Nabi Oil and Gas is excited to be taking lead on such a bold initiative, as a local company willing to invest in a local product in Guyana’s backyard.”

The investor was peeved that this information was ignored in the Stabroek News article.

Mother of murder accused to be charged for assaulting the mother of his victim

By Jeune Vankeric DEVIKA Ramdeen of Bloomfield Village, Corentyne, Berbice, mother of murder accused Joshua Persaud, called ‘Sunny Boy’, has been detained at the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam for allegedly assaulting Pamela Ramgobin of Tain Village, Corentyne at the famous ‘Stretch the Dollar’ store on Strand, New Amsterdam, yesterday.

The women had, moments earlier, exited the Berbice Assizes when the incident occurred.

Ramdeen’s son is facing a capital charge in which he is accused of unlawfully killing Ramgobin’s son, Marlon Andrew Ramcharran, on June 3, 2012. However, for reasons best known to Ramdeen, she had allegedly followed Ramgobin

and her companions along the Strand Public Road, and had accosted the group with an accusation that Ramgobin’s young daughter was having her photographed. The teen denied the accusation, and showed the irate Ramdeen her mobile phone.

Ramdeen then shifted her attention to Pamela Ramgobin, pushing her fingers on Ramgobin’s chest, and was overheard saying, “Your son was a bad man. Your son deserve fuh dead!”

Overwhelmed by the utterances of her assailant, Ramgobin hurriedly returned to the Berbice High Court, where she informed the police ranks of the incident.

Ramdeen was arrested in the precincts of the High Court when she returned there to complete unfinished business. She reportedly told the security that she had been beaten by someone.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

After meeting Commissioners…

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APNU still unsure about participation in Rodney COI SEVERAL members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), including Mr. Joseph Harmon and Dr. Rupert Roopnarine met, on Wednesday, with the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the assassination of politician/historian Dr. Walter Rodney.

But, after the meeting with Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham and Commissioners, Senior Counsel Seenauth Jairam and Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, APNU is still unsure of its participation in the public hearings which could commence as early as Tuesday, April 22.

According to Harmon, APNU, which is made up of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), among other parties, formally addressed concerns it had raised in the media about several of the Terms of Reference (TOR), in relation to which the WPA had written to President Donald Ramotar.

Harmon said the fear that Commissioner Jairam may present a case of conflict of interest since he had previously worked with the Government was also

raised in his presence.

When asked about these concerns at a press conference earlier the same day, the Commission Chairman said:“I believe the Attorney General has dealt with that and I would not want to add. Besides I do not see how working for the Government in

the past could affect the work of the Commission. The issue has no length, it simply has no walking capacity. I don’t understand how one can draw the inference of bias.”

APNU was informed at the meeting, which sought to garner support for the COI, that

it should raise those concerns with the sponsor, which is the Government, since there was little the Commission could do in that regard.

ENSURE CLOSURE The Chairman has given the Commission’s commitment

to go to all lengths to ensure closure is brought to the relatives of Rodney.

Harmon said APNU was asked to recognise and respect the experience and sound judgement of the Commissioners and, as such, has accepted those assurances in good faith.

APNU Leader, David Granger along with Party members meets the Commissioners of the Walter Rodney COI.

The Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) added that it was the Administration which is responsible for the now apparent mistrust and distrust in the motive of the COI, because of the manner in which it was established.

He said the Opposition was not privy to or consulted on the TOR and he thought the Administration would have shown better judgement, having recently concluded the Linden COI. Sir Richard pointed out that, in relation to concerns regarding the TOR, those should be raised with the relevant authorities.

There were meetings, too, between the COI members and the Commissioner of Police, Army Chief, other political parties, Speaker of Parliament, the Private Sector Commission and trade unions, among other stakeholders.

President Donald Ramotar had agreed, in June 2013, to establish the Commission, following a request from the Rodney family after an inquiry, ordered by former President Desmond Hoyte in 1988, that found Rodney’s death was caused by ‘accident or misadventure’ had been met with grave disbelief.

Distinguished former archivist CARICOM Heads adopt lectures on ‘Archival sources in Regional Reparations Committee plan Guyana and their significance’

By Michelle Gonsalves FORMER National archivist Mr. Hugh Payne A.A., delivered a lecture on ‘Archival sources in Guyana and their significance’, at Moray House at Camp and Quamina streets last Friday evening.

Payne, who served during the Burnham administration, spoke about strengthening the institution, collaborating with the University of Guyana Library and History Department, the acquisition of microforms, and the migration of documents from the United Kingdom.

He recalled that in his attempt to establish an Oral History Department in the National Archives, the Ministry of Information had resisted his efforts. He said the National Archives is still attempting to forge a connection with the underutilised archives that exist, such as the ecclesiastical archives and those of companies, banks, Fogarty’s, Guyana Stores, the various sugar estates, the bauxite companies, and the personal archives of prominent Guyanese.

In the ensuing lively interactive period, Mr. Payne emphasised that the subvention for the National Archives should be increased. He also supported the suggestion that, in accordance with the Archival Act, a copy of all publications and documents on Guyana should be lodged in the National Archives.

The organisational structure which was recommended by Mr. Payne has been implemented in the Walter Rodney Archives, with the appointment of two Cuban-trained archivists and a graduate of the History Department as the National Archivist. Consequently, that institution is now in a position to install a catalogue to support the digitization of its records.

Mr. Payne had headed the National Archives from 1970 to 1988, and had been consultant to the National Archives from 1988 to 1993. He was consultant at the Caribbean Development Bank from 1994 to 2007, vice-president of the Caribbean Archives Association (CARBICA) from 1979 to 1992, and president from 1982 to 1985.

A CARIBBEAN Reparatory Justice Programme (CRJP) has been accepted by the CARICOM Heads of Government as a basis for discussions on reparations from slavery and native genocide.

Chairman of CARICOM, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves made the announcement at a press conference following the Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government, held between March 10 and 11 at Buccament Bay in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He said the CRJP is a strategic and operational plan which consists of ten points prepared by the Regional Reparations Committee.

Gonsalves explained that a request for a full apology from the Governments of

Europe involved in the transatlantic slave trade, the establishment of Caribbean cultural institutions, an education programme, specifically to address illiteracy and debt cancellation, are among the recommendations in the CRJP. He advised that this action plan would be discussed in further detail by the Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Reparations under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Barbados.

Gonsalves added that the Heads also expressed support for the convening of a conference between Caribbean and European leaders, which would provide an opportunity for in depth discussions on reparatory justice.

Another outcome of the Inter-sessional Meeting was a mandate for the establishment

of a Commission that would shape the CARICOM’s Strategy on Human Resource Development.

Gonsalves said the strategy would form the basis for action by Member States and create the framework for the CARICOM Education Agenda.

“We are not starting with a blank slate. We are building upon work which all of us have been engaged in to carry out transformative revolutionary work in the field of education,” he asserted.

Gonsalves said a holistic approach to addressing the challenges was recommended and matters such as enhancing the quality of regional education systems and the creation of a seamless globally competitive network was among the topics discussed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Sophia mason slapped with carjacking and armed robbery charges - including armed robbery at home of retired deputy police commissioner

A MASON of Lot 1189 ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown was remanded to prison yesterday by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry when he appeared on twelve different charges, including carjackings and armed robberies.

Keron Cummings, 24, pleaded not guilty to three counts of robbery under arms committed on three individuals on Thursday, February 20, at Lamaha Park, Georgetown.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said on that day around 11:20hrs, retired Deputy Police Commissioner Clinton Conway and his relatives Kimberly Alphonso and her husband

Construction worker remanded over ganja trafficking charge

By Geeta Rampersaud CONSTRUCTION worker Christopher Jupiter of Lot M14-1059 Tucville Housing Scheme, Georgetown, was refused bail on a drug trafficking charge, yesterday, by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, particulars of which said on Sunday, March 16 at Vlissingen Road, also in the city he had in his possession 15 grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said around 17:00 hrs the police were on patrol on Vlissingen Road when the defendant was walking along the said road in a northerly direction. He was stopped and searched by ranks who found the illegal substance in his right side pants pocket in a plastic bag.

The prosecutor successfully objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the fact that he did not provide the court with any special reason why he should be granted bail.

The bail objection was upheld and the unrepresented defendant’s matter was transferred before Magistrate Judy Latchman for commencement of trial on April 7.

Diego Alphonso were at their Lamaha Park home watching television when Cummings and two others entered their home and demanded all their cash and jewellery at gunpoint .

The three men relieved Conway of $255,000 cash along with other articles, Kimberley Alphonso of $30,000 cash and Diego Alphonso of $235,000 cash and a cellular phone. They made good their escape and the matter was reported to the police.

The accused also pleaded not guilty to two other charges committed in the city. Particulars of the first offence said that on March 10 at Guyhoc Park, being armed with a gun, he robbed Collin Williams of one motorcar valued $3M, $50USD, $20CAN, $20EC, one wristwatch, one cellular phone, and $8,000 cash, together valued $3.1M. The prosecutor said the virtual complainant (VC) is a taxi driver operating at Stabroek Market area, Georgetown. The defendant hired his taxi to go to Guyhoc Park and on arrival Cummings placed a gun to the VC’s head, demanded the articles stated in the particulars along with the motorcar and drove away.

Particulars of the other offence said that again on March 6 at Durban Backlands, Georgetown, he committed a similar offence on another taxi driver Lionel Seenarine. The prosecutor said the virtual complainant operates at Diamond car park on the East Bank of Demerara and on the day in question he was hired by the accused to transport him to Durban Backlands. On arriving at the area, the accused again placed a gun to the taxi driver’s head and relieved him of his motorcar valued $3M. He pleaded not guilty to another charge that said on March 12 at Lamaha Springs, Georgetown, he made use of threatening behaviour towards Garlanda Benn.

Grant said on that day around 14:15 hrs, the VC was on her veranda sitting when Cummings went to her home and asked for some water. She told him she did not have any water and he pulled out a gun and told her “You go see what go happen, I will shoot you.” Benn became fearful for her life and dropped herself to the ground and crawled into her house. She then called the police and reported the matter.

The accused was not required to plead to six other charges which were transferred to be heard before Magistrate Alex Moore.

It was alleged that on December 31, 2013 at ‘A’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling

home of Loraine Adams and stole one CD player, one DVD player, one chainsaw, one electrical saw, five electrical drills, two monitors, one music mixer, 11 door locks, one diamond ring, three pairs of gold earrings, a quantity of clothing and footwear together valued $2,671,500.

The prosecutor said that around 10:00 hrs, the VC secured her home by the means provided and left for work, and on her return home around 20:30 hrs, she discovered the front door was open and the articles stated in the charge were missing.

Cummings was not required to plead to the offences that said on March 14, he had one revolver and three live rounds of.38 ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

Another charge stated that on the same day, he discharged a firearm at Detective Constable Marvin Richards with intent.

Particulars of two of the five indictable charges were attempt to commit a felony, that is to say being armed with a gun he attempted to rob Ezra Roberts and Shaundella Marks on Friday, March 14 at ‘C’ Field Sophia. In this case, police on a stake out observed a man and a woman walking on 7th Street, ‘C’ Field Sophia, when the accused was seen walking behind them. He reached up to the two persons and pulled a gun and was about to hold on to the woman when a policeman shouted “do not move”, the prosecutor related.

Cummings then discharged two rounds at Detective Constable Marvin Richards. The officer returned fire and hit the accused who fell into a nearby trench. He was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he was admitted a patient and held under police guard. After he was discharged from the hospital he was identified and subsequently charged for the offences.

Prosecutor Grant successfully objected to the pretrial liberty of the accused, citing the nature, gravity and prevalence of the charges. He said extreme violence was used and also a weapon was used in the commission of the offences.

The unrepresented accused will return to Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on April 22 for the five counts of armed robbery and threatening behaviour and will make his next court appearance at Sparendaam Court on April 14 for the other offences.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

12 wheelchairs donated to GPHC by New York-based Guyanese family

By Ravin Singh TWELVE wheelchairs were yesterday donated to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by a New York-based Guyanese family.

The presentation of the wheelchairs was done by Jacqueline Yhap in memory of her late brother Lennox Roy Lyken. Ms. Yhap noted that the presentation was made possible by contributions in New York in honour of her brother, including funds raised through a take-away lunch.

At this time we the family

Mr. Owen John (centre right) receives the donated wheelchairs from Jacqueline Yhap (centre left). Also in photo are two other family members.

wish to thank those persons in New York who made this presentation a reality with their loving support, which proceeds allowed us to be able to make this contribution,” she declared.

Noting that her brother’s favourite phrases were “love ya life”, “eat something or drink something nah” and “come again and bring a friend”, Jacqueline Yhap expressed her delight in making such a contribution to a worthy cause.

“It is our hope that this donation will be fully utilised by this organisation in its effort in providing the patients with

these chairs,” she said.

Receiving the wheelchairs on behalf of the hospital was Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Mr. Owen John who expressed his appreciation for the much needed wheelchairs.

Mr. John acknowledged the efforts of the Yhap and Lyken families and assured them that the wheelchairs will be put to good use as they are greatly needed at present.

Only recently two ambulances were donated to the GPHC through the Ministry of Health to boost the medical services provided at the hospital.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Rondy Jagdeo freed of biker’s murder

- as no-case submission upheld

By Geeta Rampersaud THE murder charge against twenty-eight-year-old businessman Rondy Jagdeo of Third Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, was yesterday discharged by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Be-

harry after the prosecution failed to prove the elements of the capital offence.

Particulars of the charge said on September 3, 2013 at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, he murdered his friend Kirk Davis.

He was represented by attorneys-at-law Mr. Mark Wal-

dron and Mr. Roger Yearwood.

Defence Counsel Yearwood made a no-case submission citing that the prosecution did not prove the elements of the offence. He said the prosecution proved that the deceased died within a year and a day of the incident as a result of a gunshot

wound, but did not prove who inflicted the injuries.

The no-case submission was upheld after prosecutor Mangru indicated that the prosecution would rely on the evidence before the court.

The prosecutor said that Rondell Marks, called Barber, and Naliffa Dookie, the girlfriend of the deceased, the main witnesses in the matter, were absent on several occasions during the trial despite summons being issued and radio messages sent out.

After Jagdeo was freed from the charge, a CBR motorcycle was parked awaiting him outside of the court compound. He handed the key to a man who started the motorcycle engine and kept it running. As Jagdeo stepped out from the courtyard, he jumped on the bike and rode off.

The accused had appeared in court on October 30, 2013 last, and Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, prosecuting, told the court that the deceased and Jagdeo were close friends and it is alleged that Davis had

kissed the suspect’s wife on her neck while at Palm Court, Main Street, on September 2, 2013, a

RONDY JAGDEO day before the murder.

Mangru said that on the day in question, Jagdeo went to the

home of the deceased at Seventh Street, Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank of Demerara, in a silver Toyota Allion motorcar to clarify the allegation.

The police prosecutor added that Davis was called out of his home and was seated in the back seat of the car when a heated argument erupted and the suspect came out of the driver’s seat of the vehicle and fired shots at Davis, who was still seated in the car.

Mangru told the court that subsequently, Davis’ body was dumped and the suspect fled the scene. Davis was conveyed to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Jagdeo, after a month, had turned himself over to the police in the company of two lawyers.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Davis was shot more than 15 times with a 9mm pistol. The autopsy was performed at the Georgetown Public Hospital by Dr Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhaging due to multiple gunshot injuries.

Man to do community service, pay fine for having ganja at National Park

By Geeta Rampersaud RAWLE Odin of Lot 13 Middle Road LaPenitence, Georgetown, who was charged with possession of marijuana at the National Park, Georgetown, was ordered yesterday

to perform six months of community service and pay a fine of $3,000 by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

He pleaded guilty to the offence, which said that on Sunday, March 16 at National Park, Georgetown, he had in

his possession two grammes of marijuana.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said the facts were as charged. Odin will do community service at East LaPenitence Police Station.

Saturday, March 22, 2014 - 08:30 Sunday, March 23, 2014 - 09:30hrs Monday, March 24, 2014 - 11:00hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 22, 2014

Modernising agriculture sector…

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Ramsammy leads team on Mahaicony Creek outreach COGNISANT of the fact thatfarmers play an important role in the advancement of the sector and in keeping with the Agriculture Ministry’s renewed thrust to modernise the industry, more emphasis is being placed on sustaining it.

Towards that objective, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, on Wednesday, led a team of technical officers and Heads of Departments from the Ministry and its sub-agencies on an outreach exercise in the Mahaicony Creek, East Coast Demerara.

During the visit, meetings were held with cash crop, livestock and rice farmers of Mora Point and Gordon Table on the way forward and to address some of the deficiencies that presently exist.

Among the issues which affected residents were dam maintenance, irrigation water to farmlands, and non-payment for rice by millers.

Minister Ramsammy, while addressing the residents alluded to the fact that, while all is not well, the sector has come a far way.

Underscoring the importance of agriculture, he said that Government will do all it can to ensure that farmers’ livelihood is protected.

Assisting farmers With respect to the withholding of cash to farmers by some millers, he announced that the Agriculture Ministry is working with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) on assisting farmers.

He added that this move is to make sure that farmers can access their monies so that production can continue.

“This is necessary, as farmers have been the ones suffering, as a result of the negligence of some millers who are bent on exploiting the farmers. Our Government will never sit by and let this happen. No, we will do all in our power to ensure that

all of the nation’s livelihoods are protected,” Ramsammy assured.

With respect to access of irrigation water to farmlands, he enlightened the residents of the new pump station construction, which has commenced in the Pine Ground area.

The ministerial team also visited the location where construction has been ongoing at a rapid pace and a request was made by farmers for the building of a dam in the Savannah area and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is to look into that matter.

“Other than interventions, investment will also be made to have the access road, which is presently a mud dam, into a community road in the near future. I am also appealing to farmers to stop tampering with dams and drainage structures as you, sometimes, are your own worst enemies,” Minister Ramsammy said.

Good drainage is an

essential ingredient in ensuring that favourable development takes place and the NDIA has been working

round-the-clock to make sure that access to dams are passable at all times and two new bridges are

expected to be constructed

by NDIA at Hyde Park and Jagdeo Canal shortly, he informed.

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy engaging Mahaicony Creek residents during a visit there Wednesday.

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Aries March 21 - April 19

You need the distraction, and your friend needs the pleasure of your company. It’s an even trade. You’re going out, there’s no doubt about it. It might be in a limo, en route to a delightfully formal evening, complete with a five-star restaurant and tickets to the opera. Or you might be heading over to a friend’s place for pizza, beer and a movie. Who knows? More importantly, who cares?

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Fortunately, you’ve been blessed with the ability to get what you want in such a charming fashion that no one minds. Send out a subtle signal, via a glance or a carefully placed phrase. You perfected the technique -- it’s only fair that you put it to use. In fact, it makes them happy to give it to you. That goes double for right now, so go ahead and do what you do best.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Don’t do anything you don’t want to. Sure, you’re as loyal as the day is long, and that’s what people have come to expect from you. But you may suddenly find yourself considering an about-face with someone who’s demanding that you back them up, even if it amounts to perjury. You do have to look yourself in the mirror -- enabling is a heavy responsibility.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You’re always there for everyone and completely dependable in tough times.

Circumstances may not allow you to keep that up today, but since you know others will be counting on you, let them know what’s going on. If you keep in contact with them, they won’t be angry. Oh, and if they’re really important to you, keep them in the loop -- a card wouldn’t hurt.

Leo July 23 - August 22

It’s all been said and done, and you’ve cleared the way for your future. You managed to extricate yourself from a situation that wasn’t helping your personal evolution -- or doing much good for the other person involved, either.

You definitely deserve a special treat. How about giving it to your mind, instead of your body? Take a class or go on a trip. Expand those horizons even farther. Stretch!

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Okay. You’re still in a bold frame of mind, speaking those thoughts as they come, and your dear ones are still rather jumpy when you’re around -- but things have levelled off. Somewhat. In fact, tonight you may even be in the mood to do some listening. Some very intense listening. Ask those questions -- about everything you’ve ever wondered. It’s time to feed your mind.

Libra September 23 - October 22

Your imagination, creativity and intuition can be combined today to give you almost super-human powers, so use them with abandon to get an edge. Is everyone around you scratching their heads at the big mystery that’s been plaguing them? Cook up a theory about what’s been going on, and chances are you will be right on the money! This is a wonderful time for you if you are in any kind of leadership position. People will know that what you say goes -- because what you say is usually so dead on.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Uh oh. Got a bit carried away? Still haven’t been able to pry that charge card out of your hand (except when you’re handing it over to a salesclerk)? Well, it might be time to sit down with the calculator and figure out exactly how much damage you’ve done. You wouldn’t want to have to take on a part-time job just to pay the bills. That would certainly cut into your social life. Think about it now, while you still can.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Your reputation for being funny is entirely deserved. And you’ll find an appropriate place to use those silly but invaluable talents now, thanks to someone who’ll turn up with ‘that look’ on their face -- the look that says they really need to be cheered up. So get busy. And don’t think that the powers that be -- the ones who really matter -- won’t notice your kindness.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

As practical and matter-of-fact as you always are, you’re not the type to deliberately tease your partner or make them think you might be interested in someone else just to get a rise out of them. So seeing jealousy on their face isn’t something you’re used to. Now that it’s there, and you’re not responsible, it might actually feel like a compliment. Just don’t let it go too far.

It’s an ugly emotion.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

That exotic new acquaintance you’ve made? You know the one. You’ve been thinking about them for days. Well, they’ve been thinking, too, and thinking all the same things about you: that you’re different, interesting and fun. So what’s the holdup? Get in touch with them and let them know how you’re feeling -- no gushing.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Still dashing around smiling? Well, it’s only fair that you share the wealth, so tell your dear ones all of the marvellous things that are going on. That way, even if their day isn’t going along quite so swimmingly, they’ll at least be able to enjoy yours vicariously. Good things only get better when you reveal them.

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Kohli helps India maintain World Cup record against Pakistan

By Amlan Chakraborty MIRPUR, Bangladesh (Reuters) - India maintained their impeccable World Cup record against Pakistan after Virat Kohli’s fluent 36 not out powered them to a seven-wicket victory against the arch-rivals in a group two Super 10 stage match of the World Twenty20 yesterday.

Put in to bat, Pakistan did not get the flying start they were looking for and could not mount a late assault either against India’s disciplined bowlers who

restricted them to 130-7 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

India made a strong, if not spectacular, start to their chase with their openers adding 54 runs in eight overs before Shikhar Dhawan (30) fell to Umar Gul to trigger a mini-collapse.

Rohit Sharma (24) dragged a Saeed Ajmal delivery on to his stumps while Bilawal Bhatti rearranged Yuvraj Singh’s stumps as India slumped to 65-3 in the 11th over.

Kohli displayed the kind of form that has made him the mainstay of Indian batting, playing with char-

VIRAT KOHLI

acteristic ease and grace to add 66 runs with Suresh Raina (35 not out) to win the match with nine balls to spare and prolong India’s unbeaten record against Pakistan in 20-over and 50-over World Cups.

Wary of the dew factor and confident of his team’s ability to chase under floodlights, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni earlier asked Pakistan to bat first and opened with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Kamran Akmal warmed up with a couple of boundaries before running himself out in the second over following a com-

ical mix-up with Ahmed Shehzad.

Shehzad featured in another confusion in the very next delivery but was fortunate as Dhoni’s direct throw missed stumps as the batsman hurried back abandoning his pursuit for a non-existent single.

Hafeez also had his share of luck as Yuvraj, usually a safe catcher, dropped him at deep midwicket off Mohammad Shami when the Pakistan captain was on five.

Hafeez (15) could not make the most of the reprieve and fell to Ravindra Jadeja’s third delivery after

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar ran from deep cover to take a low, diving catch.

Shehzad (22) joined him in the pavilion in the next over, having charged out only to be completely foxed by leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s prodigious turn.

Umar Akmal (33) added 50 runs with Shoaib Malik (18) but fell to Mishra just when he looked set for a late assault to push the score.

Much depended on Shahid Afridi when he walked in but the all-rounder fell for eight as Raina took a diving catch in the deep to snuff out Pakistan’s hopes of a late surge.

Racing Tips Netherlands advance in World ENGLISH Kelso 09:30 hrs Keeneland 10:00 hrs Sydney Paget 10:30 hrs Neptune Equester 11:05 hrs Stagecoach Pearl 11:40 hrs Plan Again 12:15 hrs Everdon Brook 12:50 hrs Fearless Tunes

T20 after stunning run-chase

NEWBURY 09:50 hrs Huff And Puff 10:20 hrs Tara Rose 10:55 hrs Toubeera 11:30 hrs Reblis 12:05 hrs Stiff Upper Lip 12:40 hrs Apachee Prince 13:15 hrs Sands Cove LINGFIELD 10:40 hrs Addictive Dream 11:15 hrs Major Crispies 11:50 hrs Premio Loco 12:25 hrs Court Room 13:00 hrs George Guru 13:35 hrs Nautilus SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Turffontein 08:15 hrs Gold Bank 08:50 hrs Money Grubber 09:25 hrs Cage Fighter 10:00 hrs Mesmerize 10:35 hrs Flawless Gem 11:10 hrs Besame Mucho 11:40 hrs Perfect Winter IRISH RACING TIPS GOWAN PARK 10:20 hrs Shield 10:50 hrs Moonlight Boy 11:25 hrs Let’s Celebrate 12:00 hrs Vicky De L’oasis 12:35 hrs Kates Benefit 13:10 hrs Down Under 13:45 hrs Fine Article AMERICAN RACING TIPS AQUEDUCT Race 1 Fashionation Race 2 Lasso Race 3 Tiger Tank Race 4 Bay of Plenty Race 5 Crafty Dreamer Race 6 Majestic Number Race 7 I’m Stoked Race 8 Long River Race 9 Ten Items Or Less

Ben Cooper and Wesley Barresi exult as Netherlands confirm their passage to the Super 10 stage.

(REUTERS) - THE Netherlands qualified for the World Twenty20 main draw following a dramatic six-wicket victory over Ireland in a run-feast featuring a record 30 sixes in Sylhet, Bangladesh yesterday.

Stephan Myburgh and Tom Cooper hit 13 sixes between them as the Dutch chased down a 190-run target in just 13.5 overs to advance ahead of Zimbabwe and the Irish on superior net run rate.

Myburgh (63 off 23 balls) hit seven sixes and four fours and added 91 runs in just six overs for the opening wicket with captain Peter Borren (31 off 15).

The Irish bowlers had no respite despite the departure of Borren and Myburgh in quick succession as Cooper got the Dutch team close with six sixes and one four during a 15-ball 45.

The Dutch power-hitting

completely overshadowed the Irish pair of Andrew Poynter and Kevin O’Brien, who smashed 101 in 45 balls for the fourth wicket to take Ireland to 189 for four.

Earlier, Elton Chigumbura’s 21-ball 53 took Zimbabwe past the United Arab Emirates’ total with 38 balls to spare and five wickets in hand.

Former Zimbabwe captain Chigumbura smashed six boundaries and three sixes to boost his team’s net run rate above that of Ireland.

Sean Williams took three wickets for 15 runs while Tendai Chatara and Sikandar Raza picked up two wickets apiece to restrict the UAE to 116 for nine wickets in their 20 overs.

All three teams finished with two wins in the qualifying stage but it will be Netherlands who join Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and South Africa in Group One of the Super 10 stage.

Seven-minute delay to kickoffs on Hillsborough anniversary LONDON, England (Reuters) - Matches across England will start seven minutes late over the weekend of April 11-14, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives, the FA said yesterday.

The delay signifies the fact that the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was abandoned after six minutes, at 15:06hrs, following a deadly crush in the Leppings Lane End of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground.

Kickoffs will be delayed in both FA Cup semi-finals that weekend, as well as in the Premier League, the Football League and the fifth-tier Conference division.

Wigan Athletic’s Wembley semi-final against Arsenal will kick off at 17:07hrs and the following day Hull City v Sheffield United will begin at 16.07hrs.

A minute’s silence will also be observed around the grounds prior to kickoff.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 21, 2014

Phillips, Dowrich lead solid Barbados effort BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Half-centuries from lefthander Omar Phillips and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, led a steady Barbados batting effort on the opening day of their fourth round clash with Trinidad and Tobago.

At the close at Kensington Oval the hosts were 243 for five after earlier winning the toss and choosing to bat first in the Regional Four-Day, fourth round contest.

Phillips, who played two Tests for West Indies during a players’ strike five years ago, top-scored with 67 while Dowrich was unbeaten on exactly 50.

Left-hander Jonathan Carter chipped in with 45 while West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards got 41, to provide support for Barbados as they kept T&T in the field all day.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, with two for 33, and leg-spinner Imran Khan, two for 68, have been the most successful bowlers.

Barbados had a shaky start, when their captain Kraigg Brathwaite missed a full-length delivery from Gabriel and was leg-before-wicket without scoring in the day’s third over, without a run on the board.

However, Phillips and Edwards then added 73 for the second wicket, to take Barbados to lunch in a solid position. Phillips faced 157 balls in a shade under four hours at the crease and struck 11 fours while Edwards was at the crease for 77 balls and 112 minutes, and registered three fours and a six.

Barbados suffered a setback in the second over after lunch when Edwards was bowled by Gabriel, without addition to the score.

SCOREBOARD

BARBADOS 1st innings K. Brathwaite lbw b Gabriel 0 O. Phillips c Barath b Khan 67 K. Edwards b Gabriel 41 J. Carter lbw b Mohammed 45 R. Chase c wkp.

Katwaroo b Khan 12 S. Dowrich not out 50 C. Brathwaite not out 20 Extras: (b-1, lb-5, w-1, nb-1) 8 To t a l : ( 5 w k t s , 9 0

overs) 243 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-73, 3-155, 4-164, 5-202.

Bowling: Gabriel 15-633-2, Emrit 17-5-34-0, Cruikshank 9-2-24-0, Khan 27-5-68-2, Cariah 8-0-38-0, Mohammed 142-40-1.

T&T – R. Emrit (captain), E. Lewis, A. Barath, DM Bravo, J. Mohammed, J. Augustus, S.. Katwaroo, I. Khan, Y. Cariah, S. Gabriel, D. Cruikshank.

Omar phillips celebrates his half-century.

Phillips and Carter then buckled down in an 82-run third-wicket stand after lunch to keep T&T’s bowlers at bay. Dropped on 42 by Adrian Barath off Gabriel, Phillips brought up his 11th first class half-century before finally falling on the stroke of tea, caught closein by Barath off Khan at 155 for three.

Three overs later into the final session with just nine runs added, Carter followed when he was lbw to Khan, after counting five fours and a six off 112 balls in just over two hours at the crease.

Roston Chase (12) put on another 38 for the fifth wicket with Dowrich before nicking Khan behind but Carlos Brathwaite arrived at the crease to help see Barbados to the close, in an unbroken 41run, sixth-wicket stand.

Dowrich has so far batted 88 balls and 111 minutes, and hit seven fours.

COURTS on board for ECI Engineering Blitz Chess tournament

THE furniture and appliance giant, COURTS Guyana Inc., is the latest company to join with the Guyana Chess Federation to host a one-day Blitz Chess tournament.

The tournament is set for today in front of COURTS Main Street Branch on the Avenue of the Republic and registration is scheduled to start at 09:30hrs, with the first pawn or knight being moved at 10:30hrs. The tournament will take the Swiss format and will consist of 9 rounds, with a time control of 5 minutes per player.

Miss Trudy Abrahams, Marketing Officer, said the company was pleased to be associated with the tournament. She added “COURTS is always keen on supporting sports in Guyana and Chess is no exception.

President of the Guyana Chess Federation, Irshad Mohamed, thanked the furniture and appliance giant for its commitment towards the tournament. He also added that ECI Engineering has also partnered with Courts for this tournament and expressed thanks to them.

Some of the country’s top chess players are expected to be in action today. The entrance fee is $500.

COURTS (Guyana) Inc. Marketing Officer Trudy Abrahams (left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to president of the GCF Irshad Mohamed

Harper led GCA to continue until November 20 PURSUANT to the order of the Hon. Chief Justice (ag), Mr Ian Chang, dated February 27, 2014 which resulted from the hearing of the injunction filed by Mr Nazimul Drepaul, the Georgetown Cricket Association Executive Committee held a Special General Meeting on Thursday, March 20 2014 at 18:00hrs at the Malteenoes Sports Club pavilion.

As ordered by the Hon. Chief Justice the Agenda for that meeting was as follows: 1) To decide to waive the Rules of the Georgetown Cricket Association to provide for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held outside the month of January.

2) To set a date for the Annual General Meeting.

3) To decide whether the 2012 Elected Executives will function as executives up to and Including the Annual General Meeting set in Item 2 above.

Based on the ordered agenda the Members of the Georgetown Cricket Association decided unanimously, to waive the Rules of the Georgetown Cricket Association to provide for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held outside the month Roger Harper of January in the year 2014 only.

By majority, to set the date for the Annual General Meeting to be held on November 20, 2014.

By majority, that the 2012 Elected Executives will function as executives up to and including the Annual General Meeting set for November 20, 2014.

President Roger Harper and his executives would like to thank the members for giving them the opportunity to continue to serve them and cricket in Georgetown until November 20, 2014.

The Georgetown Cricket Association is delighted to be able to get on with its main business which is running cricket in Georgetown thereby providing our players with the opportunity to showcase their talent and develop their skills.

CARFITA Games trials on today and tomorrow at Police Sports Club ground LOCAL athletes will take to the Police Sports Club Ground today and tomorrow at as they seek qualification for the CARIFTA Games scheduled for Martinique from April 18-21.

Last year's gold medalist Cassie George, bronze medallist Jason Yaw, Tirana Mitchell, Avon Samuels, Shannon Griffith, Ashley Tasha and Natricia Hooper are all contenders aiming to meet the qualifying mark.

Guyanese athletes returned from last year's games with six medals - 2 golds, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.

President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson said he is impressed with the fresh pool of talent that is emerging annually which boosts Guyana's chances of capturing more medals.

Athletes take to the track from 13.00hrs today and tomorrow (Sunday) from 10.00 hrs.

Meanwhile, April 4, 2014 is the deadline set for the submission of the final list of athletes to the IAAF. Jason Yaw

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 21, 2014

Shillingford shines on return but Jamaica hit back SCOREBOARD

JAMAICA 1st Innings H Miller c Theophile b Johnson 0 J Campbell lbw b Pascal 18 N Bonner c Shillingford b Sebastien 38 *T Lambert b Johnson 1 J Blackwood c wkp James b Sebastien 36 +C Baugh Jr. not out 56 D Bernard Jr c & b Shillingford 29 N Miller c Peters b Shillingford 2 J Merchant c Theophile b Shillingford 3 J Taylor c Sebastien b Shillingford 0 B Buchanan lbw b Peters 0 Extras (b4, lb1, w1, nb5) 11 TOTAL (all out, 68 overs) 194 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-20, 3-23, 4-92, 5-107, 6-173, 7-179, 8-192, 9-192, 10-194.

Bowling: Pascal 13-1-44-1, Johnson 13-3-41-2, Peters 9-3-20-1, Shillingford 16-3-

61-4, Sebastien 17-5-23-2.

WINDWARDS 1st Innings D Smith c Bonner b Taylor 1 T Theophile not out 27 S Ambris c Campbell b Bernard Jr 23 K Lesporis c Campbell b Merchant 4 K Peters c Campbell b Merchant 0 R Currency not out 0 Extras (lb1) 1 TOTAL (4 wkts, 17 overs) 56 To b a t : * L S e b a s t i e n , +Lindon James, S Shillingford, T Theophile, D Johnson.

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-46, 3-52, 4-52.

Bowling: Taylor 4-0-25-1, Buchanan 3-1-10-0, Miller 5-2-11-0, Bernard 3-1-9-1, Merchant 2-2-0-2.

Position: Windwards trail by 138 runs with six wickets intact.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford made an immediate impact on his return to first class cricket, rattling Jamaica on the opening day of their fourth round,

Regional Four-Day match against the Windward Islands here yesterday.

His haul of four for 61 sent the hosts crashing for a season low 194 at Sabina Park, with Carlton Baugh Jr top scoring

Shane Shillingford

with an unbeaten 56.

By the close, however, Jamaica had hit back strongly with the Windwards collapsing to 56 for four after losing three wickets late in the evening.

They were coasting at 46 for one but off-spinner Jamie Merchant picked up two quick wickets for 23 runs, to leave the Windwards still 138 runs adrift with most of their top order gone.

Opener Tyrone Theophile was unbeaten at the close on 27.

Sent in, Jamaica were off to a horrid start when they lost their openers Horace Miller (0) and John Campbell (18) cheaply, and then their captain Tamar Lambert (1), to plunge to 23 for three.

The damage was done by left-arm pacer Delorn Johnson who knocked over Miller and Lambert, to finish with two for 41.

Nkrumah Bonner and Jermaine Blackwood repaired the innings in a 69-run, fourth wicket stand that saw Jamaica to the

safety of lunch at 89 for three.

Bonner, who has played two T20 Internationals for West Indies, made 38 off 88 balls with two fours and two sixes while Blackwood hit 36 from 59 balls with five boundaries.

Off-spinner Liam Sebastien, who claimed two for 23, plucked out both in quick succession to reduce Jamaica to 107 for five.

However, Baugh led another recovery for the hosts, putting on 66 for the sixth wicket with David Bernard Jr, who scored 29.

Baugh faced 122 balls in 174 minutes at the crease, counting five fours.

Shillingford, in his first first-class match since being banned by the International Cricket Council for an illegal action last December, then ran through the lower order.

He had Bernard caught and bowled and then took four of the last five wickets to fall, as Jamaica lost their last five wickets for just 21 runs.

Shillingford was recently cleared by the ICC to resume bowling.

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

Guyana reach 209 for 6 on first day against CCC GUYANA finished the first day on 209 for 6 in their fourth round Regional 4-Day match against the Combined Campuses &Colleges (CCC) at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados.

Sent in to bat only Assad Fudadin put up any resistance with a top score of 71. Next best was skipper Leon Johnson with 34. At the close Christopher Barnwell was unbeaten on 21 and wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble on 20. CCC best bowlers were Kevin McClean with two for 36 and Raymon Reifer two for 35.

GFA 2014 season kicks off today with Camptown versus Conquerors ODINGA LUMUMBA

THIS evening at the GDF ground, Camp Ayanganna, Camptown will be afforded the chance to avenge a recent defeat suffered at the hands of Fruta Conquerors.

The top teams will collide in the feature event of a double-header card that will signal the commencement of the Georgetown Football Association 2014 season.

In the opening game scheduled to start at 18:00hrs GFC will face Northern Rangers. Camp-

town were on the losing end after being edged 1-0

by Conquerors when they last met in the GFF Premier League late last year.

Since then Conquerors have kept their composure and remain a formidable force in football in the Garden City.

For today’s game, to be played under floodlights, Conquerors will look to attacking midfielder and captain Delon Williams, midfielder Daniel Thomas, goalkeeper Dennis `Lion’

Thomas and defender Lennox Arthur among others to put the hush on Camptown supporters.

The competition will continue tomorrow at the same venue when play in the Division Two department commences.

Meanwhile, GFA general secretary Odinga Lumumba promised more aggressive play during this year’s competition.

“We have been given a mandate to develop the game of football in George-

town and that’s what we plan to do. This year our aim is to fulfil all our obligations and to take the sport to another level, “said Lumumba.

“We will have an aggressive league and spectators and players can expect football of a high quality.”

This evening’s games would be preceded by an opening ceremony which includes the march past of teams and remarks by GFA president Vernon Burnett.

VERNON BURNETT

Netherlands captain hails ‘new memory’ after monster chase (REUTERS) - Netherlands captain Peter Borren hailed his team for creating a “new memory” as the Dutch side prevailed over Ireland in a six-hitting run-feast to qualify for the main draw of the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh yesterday.

Five years after humbling England in the 2009 World Twenty20, Netherlands chased down a target of 190 in only 13.5 overs to advance ahead of Zimbabwe and Ireland on net run rate.

“We didn’t have much to lose and we were not happy with our bowling. The Irish boys played pretty well to score 190,” the 30-year-old Borren, who was born in New Zealand, said at the presentation ceremony.

The all-rounder, who also contributed with a 15-ball 31 during yesterday’s chase, said he was reminded of the “special night” when Netherlands picked off the target set by England on the last ball at Lord’s.

“In 2009 we beat England and that was a pretty special night,” Borren said. “But I told the boys: 2009 was five years ago and it was time to create a new memory.”

Borren’s opening partner Stephan Myburgh smashed the Irish bowlers effortlessly during his 23-ball 63, studded with seven sixes and four boundaries.

The 30-year-old left-hander said his only strategy was to hit anything that came his way and it worked.

“It looked calm (hitting), but it wasn’t very calm,” Myburgh said. “Today, the strategy was to keep my head still and look to hit everything out.”

Tom Cooper, an Australian, also smashed 45 in 15 balls as the Dutch qualified for Group One of the Super 10 stage where they join Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and South Africa.

Netherlands’ players celebrate after qualifying for the Super 10 stage.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2013