2015 3 25

GUYANA No. 104139 WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2015

PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR

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President recommits to unstinting development of sugar industry

…tells Blairmont meeting of plans for ethanol production and other types of refined sugar RODNEY’S DEATH: AN ENIGMA BEING ANSWERED Special Report on the Rodney Commission of Inquiry by Shaun Michael Samaroo

Weeping Wagner unfolds dramatic testimony 11 Page

Minister Benn’s Linden house destroyed by fire - investigations underway

APNU’s Vanessa Kissoon arrested

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... as she tries to disrupt PPP/C meeting

Donald Rodney

Ms Ann Wagner

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Vanessa Kissoon

Youth Minister emphasises importance of youths Page voting in May 11 polls 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

‘Born- again democrats’ pandering to political agenda - Rohee

THE criticisms of the “born-again democrats” asserting that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has departed from the principles of its founder, Dr Cheddi Jagan, hold no water.

This was the emphatic response from the PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, who addressed the issue at the party’s weekly press conference held at Freedom House.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, the Jagan legacy continues to be and remains the bedrock on which all major decisions on programmes and policies are being made both at the level of the party and Government,” he said.

The debate took on new dimensions after comments from former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, attracted the attention of former PPP Executive and former House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran, among others.

Rohee made it clear that his comments on the matter were not in defence of Dr. Jagdeo, but in defence of the PPP, which he stressed continues on the path of Dr. Jagan’s vision.

He said, “What is particularly disturbing is the selective and skewed application of the Jagan legacy and

tendency to project a view that members and supporters of the PPP are not entitled to the benefits of a strong and prosperous economy.”

Rohee underscored the fact that the “rising tide of prosperity” has lifted all boats and Guyanese today enjoy a much better quality of life.

He said, “It is evident today from the number of

Former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

persons who are the proud owners of their own homes, vehicles and consumer durables which was simply not possible under the incompetent and authoritarian PNC regime. “…every single Guyanese, be they supportive or not of the PPP/C Administration stand to benefit from an economy that is growing and delivering more and more prosperity across our country.

“The benefits from a prosperous economy cannot and must not be from one class and social stratum of the population. All must benefit and they must be free to dispose of their wealth as they deem fit, provided it is done within the meaning of the laws of Guyana.”

POLITICAL AGENDAS The PPP General Secretary contends that claims that the party has drifted from the values and principles of the late Dr. Jagan reveal a political agenda.

“They are deliberately playing up to a political agenda which is aimed at undermining the very institution which Dr. Jagan created and the lofty ideals which he stood for,” he said.

To this end, Rohee put forward several questions and benchmarks for a reality check in the matter.

“Did Jagdeo attack Dr. Jagan’s ideology? No! Did Jagdeo attack Dr. Jagan’s politics? No! Did Jagdeo attack Dr. Jagan’s economic policies? No! Did Jagdeo attack Dr. Jagan’s International policies? No! Did Jagdeo attack Dr. Jagan’s children? No!” the PPP General Secretary said.

Going the extra mile, he highlighted that Dr. Jagdeo, on the contrary, countered the political Opposition and sections of the media for attacking him; for using his personally accumulated wealth/savings to build something to his liking.

“By doing that does it mean going against what Dr. Jagan stood for?” Rohee asked.

He added that, “In the 1957-1964 Government, Former House Speaker Dr. Jagan had many “well Ralph Ramkarran to do” personalities with him who were PPP Members of Parliament and ministers of Government.

“The same can be said about the 1992 Government.

So why should it be OK for some in a PPP/C Government to be prosperous and to accumulate and spend their savings the way they want to while for others it must be different?”

All considered, Rohee conclude that it is “grossly unfair, unprofessional and unbalanced” to attribute Mr. Jagdeo’s statements to what the party stands for.

He said, “When a member of the PPP expresses a viewpoint, it is perceived by the newly found Jagan lovers to be “against what Dr. Jagan stood for.” We have to be suspicious of their intentions and pretentions.

It is best left to the leadership of the PPP to pronounce authoritatively on such matters.”

The PPP General Secretary reiterated that there has been no deviation from the principles and vision of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, primary of which was “development with a human face” – a sentiment reflected in the social agenda of successive PPP/ C Administrations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

President recommits to unstinting development of sugar industry …tells Blairmont meeting of plans for ethanol production and other types of refined sugar

RESIDENTS of Blairmont, West Coast Berbice, turned out in their numbers when President Donald Ramotar conducted a walk-about, then spoke at a public meeting on Saturday in the mostly agricultural community.

The Head of State, accompanied by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, took the opportunity to interact with dozens of residents who informed him of issues such as the sporadic quality of the water supply. This issue, the president said will be addressed.

Among the questions put to him was his reason for going to general elections before the constitutionally due date. President Ramotar informed residents that he was forced to call elections approximately one year earlier than constitutionally due, because of the stance taken by the political Opposition in Parliament.

He said, “They have never lifted a finger to tell the government that you should build more roads, that you should build more schools, and that you should build more hospitals, never!” He explained that instead, all the Opposition did was attempt to cut the National Budget and try to put obstacles in the way of the country’s development. Despite this, President Ramotar said, Guyana’s economy continued to grow at an average of 5% annually. This figure could have been as much as 10%, he added, if there was a “little bit” of cooperation from the Opposition.

The focus on education, President Ramotar said, has seen the construction of technical institutes and a series of training programmes to ensure that Guyanese are technically equipped to take advantage of job opportunities that would result from the building of the power plant, such as those in the manufacturing sector. Many would have also begun to benefit from the job opportunities from the actual construction of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, he noted.

The fact that the main Opposition leader, David Granger, has now had a change of heart and is in favour of the project, is a

President Donald Ramotar addresses the meeting

The crowd at Blairmont meeting demonstration of his character, President Ramotar said. Character, he said, is important when electing a president. “He wants personal power to run this country like his personal property”.

The president stated that the level of hypocrisy and dishonesty displayed by the Opposition showed that persons like that “must never be allowed to get close to government”. He announced that before the end of this year, once re-elected, construction will begin on the site.

The president was asked about his plans for the sugar industry on which many in the community depend. The challenges facing the sugar industry were acknowledged by the president, who cited the labour shortage with an average turnout of 63%. The sector has to be re-organised, he explained, and government remains committed to this, unlike the political Opposition.

He recommitted to supporting the sugar industry, saying that, “Over the next five years, I am

the Guyana Government is ably assisted in its quest to continue supporting the sugar industry, he added. Plans highlighted by President Ramotar included production of ethanol, other types of refined sugar and other value- added products.

These were just some of the incentives for residents to ensure that government

the

willing to put $20B in this industry to ensure its viability”, an announcement that was greeted with loud cheers from the crowd.

He urged residents to be vigilant against those who come bearing “wild promises”, such as a promised 20% pay increase which was made a few years ago by the

political Opposition.

Discussions are already underway with the Indian Government to ensure that

is returned to office with a majority, the Head of State explained. Mention was also made of the need for an expanded Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the Marriott Hotel, which is due to open its doors on April 16, the Anti-Money Laundering Bill and several other initiatives aimed at bettering the lives of Guyanese.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

German Airbus crashes in French Alps with 150 dead, black box found (Reuters) – AN airbus operated by Lufthansa’s Germanwings budget airline crashed in a remote area of the French Alps on Tuesday, killing all 150 people on board including 16 schoolchildren.

Germanwings confirmed its flight 4U 9525 from Barcelona to Duesseldorf went down with 144 passengers and six crew on board.

One of the plane’s black box recorders has been found and will be examined immediately, France’s interior minister said.

In Washington, the White House said the crash did not appear to have been caused by a terrorist attack.

The airline believed there were 67 Germans on the flight. Spain’s deputy prime minister said 45 passengers had Spanish names. One Belgian was aboard.

Also among the victims were 16 children and two teachers from the Joseph-Koenig-Gymnasium high school in the town Family members of passengers feared killed in Germanwings plane crash of Haltern am See in northwest Germany, a react at Barcelona’s El Prat airport March 24, 2015. REUTERS/Albert Gea spokeswoman said.

Investigators described a scene of devas“A helicopter managed to land (by the crash site) and has tation where the airliner crashed. Aerial photographs showed confirmed that unfortunately there were no survivors.” smoldering wreckage and a piece of the fuselage with six It was the first crash of a large passenger jet on French soil windows. since the Concorde disaster just outside Paris nearly 15 years “We saw an aircraft that had literally been ripped apart, ago. The A320 is a workhorse of worldwide aviation fleets. the bodies are in a state of destruction, there is not one intact They are the world’s most used passenger jets and have a good piece of wing or fuselage,” Bruce Robin, prosecutor for the though not unblemished safety record. city of Marseille, told Reuters in Seyne-les-Alpes after flying over the crash zone in a helicopter.

SHARP DESCENT French police at the crash site said no one survived and it Germanwings said the plane started descending one minwould take days to recover the bodies due to difficult terrain, ute after reaching its cruising height and continued losing snow and incoming storms. altitude for eight minutes.

Police said search teams would stay overnight at altitude.

“The aircraft’s contact with French radar, French air traffic “We are still searching. It’s unlikely any bodies will be controllers, ended at 10.53 am at an altitude of about 6,000 airlifted until Wednesday,” regional police chief David Galt- feet. The plane then crashed,” Germanwings’ Managing Diier told Reuters. rector Thomas Winkelmann told a news conference.

In Paris, Prime Minister Manuel Valls told parliament: Winkelmann also said that routine maintenance of the

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aircraft was performed by Lufthansa on Monday.

Experts said that while the Airbus had descended rapidly, its rate of descent did not suggest it had simply fallen out of the sky.

France’s DGAC aviation authority said air traffic controllers initiated distress procedures after they lost contact with the Airbus, which did not issue a distress call.

Islamic State recruits 400 children since January: Syria monitor (Reuters) - ISLAMIC State has recruited at least 400 children in Syria in the past three months and given these so-called “Cubs of the Caliphate” military training and hardline indoctrination, a monitoring group said on Tuesday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the children, all aged under 18, were recruited near schools, mosques and in public areas where Islamic State carries out killings and brutal punishments on local people.

One such young boy appeared in a video early this month shooting dead an Israeli Arab accused by Islamic State of being a spy. A French police source said the boy might be the half-brother of Mohamed Merah, who killed three soldiers, a rabbi and three Jewish children in Toulouse in 2012.

“They use children because it is easy to brainwash them. They can build these children into what they want, they stop them from going to school and send them to IS schools instead,” said Rami Abdulrahman, head of the British-based Observatory.

Islamic State declared a caliphate last year in territory it controls in Syria and Iraq and is being targeted

by U.S.-led air strikes in both countries.

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It has beheaded or shot dead Syrian civilians, combatants, foreign aid workers and journalists and has released videos appearing to show children witnessing or participating in some of the killings. The group persecutes people across sects and ethnicities who do not adhere to its ultra-hardline doctrine.

The group may be resorting to children because it has been having difficulties recruiting adults since the start of the year, with only 120 joining its ranks, Abdulrahman said.

This was partly due to tighter controls on the Turkish border, where foreign fighters tend to enter, he added.

Islamic State has encouraged parents to send children to training camps or has recruited them without their parents’ consent, often luring them with money, said the Observatory, which tracks the conflict using sources on the ground.

At the training camps, the children learn to fire live ammunition, fight in battles and to drive, it said. Islamic State also recruits children as informants and as guards for its headquarters as well as welcoming children with birth defects into its ranks, the Observatory added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Uruguay will no longer grant asylum to Guantanamo prisoners

(BBC News) THE new Uruguayan government says it will no longer grant asylum to prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention centre.

In December, Uruguay gave sanctuary to six Arab men who had been held at the US base in Cuba for 12 years.

Opinion polls said most Uruguayans rejected the decision taken by outgoing President Jose Mujica.

Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa also said Uruguay would stop taking refugees from the Syrian conflict.

Decisions on accepting new refugees from Syria will be put on hold “just until the end of the year,” Mr Nin Novoa said.

Uruguay has faced “cultural and infrastructure” problems to deal with the Syrian families, he explained.

Local media has reported several alleged incidents of domestic violence involving Syrian refugees.

‘Clearly struggling’ The six former inmates are Abu Wael Dhiab, Ali Husain Shaaban, Ahmed Adnan

They spent 12 years in jail for alleged ties with al-Qaeda but were never charged.

Mr Nin Novoa, who took up his post as foreign minister on 1 March, did not elaborate on the change of policy towards Guantanamo detainees.

But in February, Mr Mujica said that the six Arab refugees had not as yet adapted to life in the South American nation.

“They are clearly struggling with the [Spanish] language,” he said after paying a visit to the six men.

“They’ve had problems adapting here, not only because they come from different cultures but also because they bear the scars of living for so many years in isolation and in inhospitable conditions.”

Five of the former detainees in the apartment they share in Montevideo: Adel bin Muhammad El Ouerghi, Ali Husain Shaaban, Abdelhadi Faraj, Ahmed Adnan Ajuri and Mohammed Abdullah Taha Mattan Ajuri, and Abdelhadi Faraj from Syria; Palestinian Mohammed Abdullah Taha Mattan, and Adel bin Muhammad El Ouerghi from Tunisia.

Schools dismissed early

(Jamaica Observer) YESTERDAY’S nationwide roadblocks by police left thousands of workers and school children stranded in hours of gridlocked traffic which caused many to return home frustrated and upset. But those who made it to their destinations were sent scurrying for the doors early as news spread that officers intended to resume the action around 2 pm.

Confirming that the action had impacted both staff and student turnout at schools across the country yesterday, officials of the Ministry of Education said many school principals opted to dismiss classes early.

The situation was similar in Tobago, officials said. The ministry said there would be no consequences for students who missed school or arrived late for classes.

Questioned about whether or not the action had disrupted end-of-term exams, as school closes on Friday for the two-week Easter break, officials said many schools had already completed exams but principals had the authority to rearrange or postpone further exams. Officials of the T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) refused to condemn the police action yesterday. TTUTA first vice-president and acting president

Students from South East Port-of-Spain Secondary School, Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain, leave school after they were dismissed early because of the lack of many teachers due to police roadblocks yesterday. PHOTO: JEFF MAYERS Antonia De Freitas said: “The police have their job to do and they were just doing their job today (yesterday).”

She said she believed things would be put in place for schools to complete their activities for the end of term. However, she said they had contacted the chief education officer to alert him to the clause in the 1998 collective agreement and which

notes teachers cannot be penalised for their absence in “unusual or extraordinary circumstances.” Senior officials at the Licensing Division also distanced themselves from the early morning roadblocks, which were carried out during the peak hour commute. One official said: “Many of our officers were also caught in it and had to return home.”

Mr Mujica, who led Uruguay from March 2010 until March 2015, said they had been subjected to “an atrocious kidnapping”.

‘Black hole’ In Latin America, El Salvador is the only other country to have given Guantanamo prisoners sanctuary, taking two in 2012.

One of the former detainees, Abdelhadi Faraj, published an open letter through his lawyer in New York thanking Mr Mujica for his decision to grant them asylum.

MAKE IT WORK (Barbados Advocate) THE caricom Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) – Marketing Information Knowledge and Education (MIKE) Committee has a lot of important work to do throughout the Region at the individual and firm levels, before even approaching the governmental level.

In the effort to raise awareness about the significance and advantages of Quality Infrastructure (QI), MIKE is being asked to be the conduit which communicates and educates necessary

stakeholders.

CROSQ Chief Executive Officer Deryck Omar asserted, “The MIKE Committee is the bridge between the science of quality infrastructure and the companies that need it.”

With the European Union (EU) having partnered with CROSQ to bring the donor funding and technology “to assist in bringing the knowledge to the nonbelievers, and I won’t say nonbelievers because they just don’t have the time to believe, because they’re trying to survive in the moment. So our job is

to help these firms take a risk on the unfamiliar. Take a risk on the expensive and make that change to quality competitiveness”.

Therefore, using the example of the success achieved over four decades of solar water heaters in Barbados through constant public outreach and lobbying, he urged, “So your ability to market, your ability to convey information, your ability to communicate, your ability to educate the wider consumers of those firms as well as our own people in the bureaus, is the bridge that we need to carry science or quality infrastructure into the public marketplace.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

EDITORIAL The sugar industry and political hysteria THE sugar industry is currently in an economically volatile state. This is largely because of the PNC Government’s appropriation of billions of dollars from that industry to fund other state-run institutions (at that time) – including the bauxite industry, the joint services and para-military organisations, the Public Service et cetera; and the EU price restructuring.

During that time of absolute corruption by state officials, those friendly to the PNC hierarchy were handsomely rewarded with large swaths of land, especially in the hinterland regions, as well as other state properties and immeasurable and unquantifiable benefits funded by the treasury.

Today, those so rewarded are eager to restore the PNC to the seat of power so that the goodies can continue to flow into their bottomless coffers, now depleted somewhat because the PNC largesse stopped abruptly post 1992 elections.

The fallacious pronouncements and prognostications of the ilk of Stanley Ming and Tony Vieira on any issue are therefore suspect, especially their analyses of the sugar industry and their denouncement of Government’s efforts to sustain and restore viability to that sector, which is a painful work in progress.

The current PPP/C Administration has made clear its intent on restoring the viability of the sugar industry because the lives and livelihoods of thousands of families depend on the jobs provided by that embattled industry.

According to Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, “Ming’s call to close the sugar industry is another wild, vile and wicked attack on the sugar industry and those who work in the industry. But this call is also an anti-Guyana call. The only persons who will support the call for closure of the sugar industry are those who have no idea on the importance of sugar in the fabric

of the development story of our country.”

Mr. Ming was unequivocally out of his league when he attempted to talk about sugar. Dr Ramsammy recalled that, as Minister of Agriculture, he is deeply disturbed at the fact that the Opposition uses people like Mr. Ming to sound out their position on political matters.

“Today, I am demanding that APNU+AFC state their position on sugar.

They must not speak with forked tongues – they must be clear to the Guyanese people and to the sugar workers,” he said.

Dr Ramsammy noted that when the APNU+AFC refused to provide vital support to GuySuCo, they showed disdain to the sugar workers and they betrayed Guyana.

He stated: “Today, it is another chance for them to be clear – will you close the sugar industry? Are you willing to say that Tony Vieira previously, and now Stanley Ming do not represent the position of APNU+AFC? No ‘ands, ifs or buts’. We want a clear answer. The PPP/C will do whatever is necessary to ensure that sugar sustains its importance in Guyana and we will expand sugar for it to continue to play a crucial role in Guyana’s economy and social welfare development. We will invest whatever we need to ensure a strong sugar industry. The PPP/C has no ‘ands, if, and buts’ when it comes to the sugar industry.”

Dr Ramsammy also made it clear that the PPP/C Government continues to treat sugar as an indispensable part of the economy and social welfare of our people.

“We see sugar as ‘too big to fail’, a position taken by Cheddi Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and various Ministers of Agriculture of the PPP/C,” he said.

Ramsammy noted that throughout his tenure as Minister of Agriculture, during one of the very difficult periods for the sugar industry, as it tries to position itself against global circumstances unfavourable for sugar, he has maintained a position

Will the real Moses stand up?

I WAS in the audience on March 22, 2015 when Mr. Moses Nagamootoo announced that his party, the AFC formed an alliance with the APNU because he was interested in change. It was Mr. Nagamootoo who, in March 2001, flew in a rage when Bharrat Jagdeo was selected

by Janet Jagan and others to be the President of Guyana.

This was a dramatic change from the party’s policy to promote those who “struggled” the most, to the top echelons of the PPP. Mr. Moses wants change but he cannot handle change. He is in for a rude awakening should the APNU/AFC collation wins the election.

The PNC/APNU on the other hand, takes decisive action when it comes to

GUYANA

consistent with the PPP/C’s position – “we must take all initiatives and facilitate the sustainability and expansion of sugar in Guyana.”

APNU in March 2014 held a press conference hosted by Mr. Joe Harmon and Mr. Tony Vieira. At that Press Conference hosted at APNU’s headquarters, Mr. Vieira insisted that the only sensible thing to do is close the sugar industry. Today, almost exactly one year later, another activist of APNU, Mr. Stanley Ming, a former PNC MP, again reiterates the call to close the industry.

Mr. Granger and APNU never disassociated themselves from the call to close sugar that was made at its Press Conference on March 8, 2014. Mr. Ramjattan, in March last year, also gave full support to the call made at the APNU press conference then.

In light of all of this, Dr Ramsammy said the PPP/C’s position has always been very clear and unambiguous – sugar is too big to fail.

“We are encouraged that Granger now says that he agrees with our position. But he was leader of the PNC and APNU when a call was made to close the industry at one of its weekly press conferences,” Ramsammy chided.

He noted that during the 2014 budget debate, Granger led the Opposition’s response in Parliament during which he never once disassociated himself from those statements. Now that Ming has raised the possibility again, Ramsammy is questioning: “What is APNU’s position?”

But the Minister’s question is merely rhetorical. All Guyanese know the real intention of the PNC/APNU if (sic!) they win the 2015 elections; and by now everyone is aware that when the PNC/APNU barks, the AFC wags its tail.

The PNC has never supported the rice and sugar industries, on the assumption that PPP supporters earn

making changes. The jettison of the United Force (UF) is a glaring example.

Mr Nagamootoo addressing an audience that was made up predominately of African supporters of the PNC/APNU, declared that when he was invited to India to accept an award from the Indian Government, as an accomplish Indian, he informed the Indians that he was a Guyanese not an Indian. Yet Mr Moses Nagamootoo is asking Indians in Guyana to vote for him. Mr Nagamootoo is a Guyanese when it suits him and an Indian when he wants Indian votes. He is what

their livelihoods from these two vital sectors to the national socio-economic fabric. History will record that these two industries hit their lowest production graphs under the PNC administrative prowess (sic!). Under the tenure of the dictatorship the sectors were demolished to such an extent that beet sugar was being imported from Guatemala for local consumption and chicken feed rice was imported from Spain, with rice production falling below 90,000 tonnes in 1990. Today rice production is at an unprecedented high – projected to hit the million ton mark this year; and sugar production, despite the many deleterious factors – including adverse weather patterns inhibiting the productive capacities of the sector, is slowly but inexorably climbing out of the decline because the PPP/C Government is treating, not merely the sugar and rice industries, but every sector – including bauxite, as important and vital sectors of Guyana’s patrimony and economy.

The PNC and its loyalists once destroyed every sector in Guyana’s social, infrastructural and productive systems and sent this nation’s economy plunging to subterranean levels. The PPP/C Government has circumnavigated those dungeons and have charted an unerring path to an escalating developmental paradigm – the trajectory which is unerringly pointed upwards for every sector.

The likes of the Mings, Vieiras, Harmons, Grangers, Ramjattans et al cannot comprehend the immensity of the task – much less implement systems to save any sector; especially the sugar industry, which Granger can only pay lip service to by using the PPP/C’s mantra “Sugar is too big to fail”. This is basically another electioneering gimmick meant to lure those “12,000 Indian votes” promised to him by Moses Nagamootoo.

some people call a mud skipper/chameleon.

I think Mr Nagamootoo is confused as to what he wants. He was PPP, then he was retired from politics, then AFC and now he is PNC/APNU. As a PPP member, he always accused anyone with the aforementioned quality to be a ‘lumpen proletariat’. Has Nagamootoo now become that which he once accused others of being? Will the real Moses stand up or are we in for another surprise?

LATCHMAN MOHABIR

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Ordinary Guyanese owning homes under the PNC was a distant dream

AS we inch closer to Elections Day, Guyanese will be inundated with promises by the APNU-AFC on what they will do for the Guyanese people should they be elected to office.

But promises are not enough especially when seen against the country’s economic standing and the resources available to the country to deliver on such promises.

During the run-up to the 1964 elections, the PNC and the UF made all manner of promises in order to woo the electorate to vote for the then PNC-UF coalition government.

The PNC promised ‘Free Cassava and Milk’ and not to be outdone, its junior co-

alition partner, the United Force promised the nation ‘A Highway to Happiness’. Under the PPP, milk production and agricultural produce was booming; hence the Opposition party’s offer of free milk and cassava should they win political office.

The reality however turned out to be quite different. After having booted out the UF from the coalition government in 1967, the PNC went on to rig all elections from 1968 to 1985. The PNC continued to feed the nation a diet of lies and empty promises. In the early 1970’s there was the promise to ‘Feed, House and Clothe the Nation’. An ambitious 5-year development plan was crafted which was supposed to see the construction of 65,000

housing units and a strong and resilient economy that would have resulted in the country being self-sufficient in food. The small man was supposed to have been ‘the real man’.

Needless to state, the opposite actually happened. A mere 13,000 housing units were built during the entire period which were doled out to party supporters and friends under the doctrine of party paramountcy. The vast majority of Guyanese were forced to fend on their own with a significant number being forced to squat on state lands or endure life under slum conditions.

Housing was never a priority of the PNC regime. There was no housing policy following the failed 1972-1976 Development Plan

and housing was eventually dropped as a line item in the Budget Estimates in the 1980’s.

It took the return of the PPP/C Government in October 1992 before housing was once again put on the front burner. All squatter settlements were regularised and new housing schemes opened up in all parts of the country.

The PPP/C Administration has a proud record of making house lots available to all eligible Guyanese and putting in place the requisite fiscal incentives to make it possible for ordinary Guyanese to own homes which under the PNC was a distant dream.

HYDAR ALLY

Kudos to Gov’t for supporting rural sports facilities I WRITE to laud the Sports Ministry, and by extension, the Government for the construction of a synthetic volleyball court at the Port Mourant Community centre. Kudos also to the Government for developing sporting facilities in the rural communities that were neglected for decades under the PNC dictatorship.

Sporting facilities were underdeveloped or non-existent under the PNC regime. Communities suffered tremendously without access to quality equipment and facilities to partake in sports.

As a young lad, I played volleyball at Port Mourant for several years during the 1970s before migrating to New York to further my studies. Even the studies of rural lads were neglected by the then Government.

At Port Mourant and at other community centres and schools, the court was hard. At Port Mourant it was made of concrete while others were grass or hard clay. Several of the players

were prone to injuries on the concrete surface, suffering bruises and battered knees as well as damage to various parts of our bodies when we fell or dived on the concrete.

Our appeal for a proper volleyball court in Port Mourant fell on deaf ears during the time of PNC rule. Sporting activities in rural communities were neglected. During the time of the PNC regime, practically all of the sports resources were spent and attention concentrated on the urban areas with virtually nothing for the rural communities.

Rural areas were deprived of appropriate sporting facilities. Rural communities had to produce and develop their own facilities and provide their own resources for games and other activities. We contributed our own funds (subscribe to a pool or donate money) to acquire gear and equipment in order to engage in sports. Other communities had gears given to them by the Government.

It is about time that the Corentyne has a

quality volleyball court. It will attract players from throughout the county.

The court can now host games at various levels. I represented Corentyne High a few times against neighbouring schools at poor, hard courts that were detrimental to the knees.

Now, quality games can be played at Port Mourant and more students attracted to the sports as a means for recreation and exercise (great workout for health fitness).

Kudos also to the Government for establishing a synthetic track on the West Coast which was also deprived of quality sporting facilities during the heydays of the PNC regime that discriminated against rural people.

Now, rural youths can train to become better runners and quality athletes.

It should be noted that Port Mourant produced a few quality players in volleyball -- Roy Gokool (Ankerville) and Rohan Chandisingh (from neighboring Rose Hall) who practiced at Port Mourant though he also

played at his home village and at Corentyne High School and Comprehensive High.

Both players represented Berbice at the national level and Guyana at the regional and international levels. With a synthetic court, more Berbicians would spend greater amounts of time perfecting their skills, and providing them opportunities to be selected to represent Berbice and Guyana at various competitions.

Quality games can also be attracted at Port Mourant.

I should note that volleyball is among the games played at the various international and regional competitions (Internal Olympics, Caribbean Games, Inter-American Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan-American and Central American Games, etc). It would be nice to see participants from the rural communities representing Guyana at these international events.

VISHNU BISRAM

Freddie Kissoon has gravely damaged his reputation as an independent commentator - and fatally damaged his integrity as a journalist

IN his March 15 Kaieteur News Column, at the height of saturation media coverage of Crum-Ewing’s murder, Freddie Kissoon wrote an article under the headline: ‘Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar were right on what they said about me’.

It turns out upon further reading that Messrs Jagdeo and Ramotar had stated that they knew businessmen who helped Freddie Kissoon build his house and Kissoon was now courageously admitting this fact.

I find this admission entirely disturbing because when political and public figures, journalists and commentators take “help” from businessmen, this tends to compromise their integrity and independence and in the case of journalists who crusade against corruption, this is particularly disappointing

and sad.

The justification for taking what Kissoon calls “generous help” from businessmen had to do with his inability to “buy a proper lower middle class house with salary from UG after 20 years of service”.

This is a preposterous concept and is usually the same one used when politicians and bureaucrats shake down businessmen for help to build their homes.

In Kissoon’s case he needed a home “befitting” an academic. This also is an incredible concept where persons require homes “befitting” their perceived status and years of service and where they couldn’t afford same, then businessmen are called upon to provide “generous” help to achieve this goal of having a “proper lower middle class home”, another fuzzy idea.

I find all this extremely distressing and shocking coming from an “academic” like Kissoon and I am immediately reminded that this is what the politicians and bureaucrats do all the time and this is what Kissoon and others rightfully complain about when they speak about corruption in the society.

In the same article, Kissoon raises the question again about the manner in which “acolytes” of Jagdeo build houses only after entering Jagdeo’s Government.

In his brave admission, he answered the question. They did it just how he did it.

Decide on a house that you can’t afford and then ask the businessmen for “generous” help.

Many businessmen will readily respond because not only politicians and bureaucrats have power but also journalists and com-

mentators. It is indeed sad how these vile habits have spread throughout the society like a cancer.

Kissoon has gravely damaged his reputation as an independent commentator and fatally damaged his integrity as a journalist.

As a person, he has behaved just like the rest of them.

As for the “interesting story” about a quarry owner who is a friend of Jagdeo who got a three billion dollar contract to pay off a two billion dollar loan, this is all false. But after peddling this nonsense Kissoon states: “I don’t know if the story is true.” This is wickedness. It has nothing to do with journalism and cementation. It is all very sad and depressing.

RAMON GASKIN

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Forbes Burnham lives in the hearts and minds of Granger’s party WE all can agree that Forbes Burnham was a charismatic leader with the ability to manipulate and control minds of the people as a means to his own ends. We also know that his followers and disciples believe in him whole heartedly, so for Granger to distance himself from his former master is just another wool he is pulling over the faces of Guyanese. And we also know AFC drank the “cool aid” and sell out their followers.

How can a man in such a high position of the past, who played a part to destroy this country, say that he is the future? Granger is already a product of, and was indoctrinated

by Burnham.

Guyanese are no longer anybody’s flocks to be led by a “Burnham indoctrinated” leader, who thinks they can take us into the future. The PPP/C has made a point to ensure we are a free people with the freedom to

do what we will with our lives and become leaders of our own destiny.

We are a people living in the time of “moving forward” that is why the PPP/C is face with so many challenges and criticisms from the Opposition. If Dr Cheddi Jagan was standing here today he would have been faced with challenges as well. He would also know we cannot take our eyes off the path of success for Guyana. Any government that is leading a country through a transitional change for economic prosperity faces similar challenges on the way and it is no different today in Guyana.

Even the most “average Joe” knows that you never change the sails of a ship when the wind is blowing, so why would we change the course for Guyana at this critical moment? The Burnham inspired Opposition wants change backwards to a depressive time that only made them rich. Now they have a

so called “patch work” of rejects they call a coalition whose sole intentions are personal interests.

All the right plans for our future are laid out on the table by the PPP/C that will provide the growth we need. For me, the one with the plan and better track record will provide a better future for us all and that is the PPP/C. The Opposition has already demonstrated that they are still stuck in the past of destructive and counterproductive politics. Granger and Greenidge are colossal failures, where Granger is tainted with election rigging from both pre and post 1992. And for Greenidge, how could there possibly be a worse choice of candidate for the post of Finance Minister?

Who in their right mind would pick a known failure and expect success?

If Granger is not a true reflection of Burnham and the PNC, why not support at

least one major project that is beneficial for Guyana during the last three years? They did not because of the indoctrination of PNC political practices. The past three years tells me that the Opposition is a regressive group of people without any idea of what progressive political thought is and as such, most of their criticisms they place at the foot of the PPP/C is a creation of themselves.

They say that Burham is dead, but I say it is only a fool who would believe their lies and think that a legacy of a person is killed when that person dies. If that were true, we would not know the great legacy of Dr. Jagan.

Burham is alive and well in the hearts and minds of the Opposition, which they have proven over the past three years and beyond.

I am moving forward with the PPP/C. MALCOLM WATKINS

The cacophonous choreograph of calumny directed at the Government at this time of electoral competition is not unexpected ONE of the topical ideas embraced by news commentators about work related lifestyles in public office is the lean, clean and mean image articulated by Cde Cheddi Jagan following his inauguration speech in October 1992. It was indeed meant to contextualise the intentions of the new democratically elected PPP/C Government, in contradistinction to the debilitating extravagance of the previously rigged PNC regimes, pre1992, given the acknowledgedly bankrupt state that characterised the Treasury at the time.

That was a time that goods, local and foreign in particular, the common fare to which the population had become accustomed, were not available to the public at large. Overtime, with prudent fiscal and macro-economic management, the financial balance sheet reflected incremental progress to the point where imports and local production were par for the course in every sphere of economic activity.

Logically, this 1992 reservation appeared to lose its silver lining with the advent of a more prosperous economic climate upon a change of guard, and moreso, under President Bharrat Jagdeo in the early 2000s, when our economy was able to free itself from the barnacles associated with dependence upon the IMF, and the World Bank to a lesser extent. Programmes, once tethered to the structural harness of some international financial agencies, were locally driven by and large, without the impediments of supervision from overseas, blossomed exponentially, and provided the surplusage to which every Guyanese has access. It may be fair to state that vision without business sense is anathema to progress and gives currency to the expression that the private sector is the engine of growth. Embedding the public-private partnership of the recent past places us on the eve of great fortune.

The construction sector, the social and education environment and the infrastructural development process saw enviable improve-

ment leading to the expectation of the more comfortable accommodation and luxuries currently in vogue. Comparisons of the immediate post-1992 era with the post-2001 environment become otiose, if not odious, to the level of discourse which ought to ensue when confronted with the kind of unprecedented success experienced in the last decade.

The return of democracy was never contemplated, or intended, to forestall an expectation of a better life or living standard equal to, or surpassing, that of sister Caribbean countries or even further afield, considering the inhospitable democratic climate and deprivations current at the time. The agenda of the few must be exposed by the majority of us whose reminiscences reflect our experience of the calamity of an earlier regime.

In this more enlightened period, youths are less likely to do archival research, given their access to the tools of the Internet and the other IT equipment.

It is therefore reasonable and understandable for the older generations to step in to prevent “mass myths, which in the hands of treacherous hypocrites and demagogues, can be transformed into bloody dictatorships”, so advised the renowned Russian Scientist, Andrei Sakharov.

We also should not overlook the wise counsel of Alistair Cooke, who reminds us that “the best compliment to a child or a friend is the feeling you give him that he has been set free to make his own enquiries, to come to conclusions that are right for him, whether or not they coincide with your own.”

Those destructive footprints on the sands of time long gone by, must not be overlooked lest we fail to protect the youths who may be lured into a sense of false security from which they may never recover.

Growing up in a far gone era when parents and elders were inevitably the only source of information, young people were warned that leopards do not change their spots, whatev-

er may be the environment! In this regard, reality is not lost, nor must it be allowed to fade away imperceptibly when the window of past events prised open by the return of a democratic ethos, remain intact for all to peer through in search of history.

Guyanese must seize the opportunity to learn from both the good and bad if they are to move forward. Ironically, and quite unwittingly, some political antagonists lend powerful insights into their mindsets, as this confession of Dr David Hinds illustrates in his letter to Stabroek News of the 19th March 2015. I quote, “Parties in Opposition, especially those fighting dictatorship, generally become paragons of political virtue.

After all, they are fighting against supposed political evil…Once they got into power, the scenario changed … In the process excesses and overreach were inevitable.”

The cacophonous choreograph of calumny directed at the Government at this time of electoral competition is not unexpected but it takes the democratic process to another level – downwards! The lessons of the past

have not all been learnt by some Guyanese who are likely to be misled by the handful of operatives having exclusive access to some disgruntled media houses. These mindshapers represent a residue of the bourgeois philistines, a description which a former President so rightly attributed to them but most of them are loathe to subject themselves to the rigours of elective office.

Speaking for myself, and from the personal experience of being most fortunate to have served H.E. President Cheddi, H. E President Janet and H.E. President Bharrat, as their principal legal adviser, I can safely say that progress was, at first, linear and, eventually, exponential. In the great sweep of history we must protect the advantage we have acquired by dint of industry if the molecular lattice of prosperity is not to dissipate into atomic destruction.

JUSTICE CHARLES R. RAMSON, S.C., O.R. (Retired Attorney-General + Minister of Legal Affairs)

Proud that we have a Marriott ALL Guyanese should welcome the opening of the Marriott Hotel. No matter what Government is there or if we are alive over the next 10 or 15 years, the Marriott would be there.

Guyanese abroad and locally now feel proud that Guyana has entered the world league of Five Star Hotels and those of us in the diaspora now feel equal to others in this regard.

The Marriott would cater for and attract a different clientele than the other hotels,

so no hotel should fear that Marriott would have all the business. Actually, Mr Gerry Gouveia, an experienced hotelier, has been saying so from day one.

May I single out the Pegasus. The Pegasus has been doing a good job of renewal and anytime I visit there, the place is always lively with a growing occupancy.

M. BHUSHAN

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

David imitating Forbes in show of flattery!

POTSALT still trying fuh stop laff after hearing some of what David sehin. De laff is not only about he repeating everything that Uncle Donald seh, but now he hollering that he is not Forbes. While people know that David ain’t look like Forbes, dem know that he action is de same. Forbes use to rig elections fuh stay in office and David doing de same fuh stay in de Palm Tree Party complex in Sophia. People remember during de last internal elections, David lock out Vanestsa and padlock de gate! She and others from down south was leff in de hot boiling sun!

While dem was roasting outside and meking noise fuh get in, people inside was roasting in fear. That was because a man, who always behind and watching David back, turn trigger-happy and exercise he finger. De noise from that and de screams from de frighten “comrades” drown out Vanessa and she posse outside! It was chaos more than when bull running in Spain. Dem inside rushing fuh get out and dem outside still waiting fuh get in. At de gate was like tug-o-war fuh get in and out! People remember that Forbes had men like that around.

Potsalt hear that de man exercise

he finger after it look David might get “lock out” from de race and might have had fuh give up de “Comrade Leader” chair. Apparently, de “finger exercise” sort out that problem and David keep de chair. People remember how Forbes use to “sort” out things. One man tell Potsalt that he remember when Forbes give a certain man a “free” helicopter ride high in de sky so that “things” could be “sorted” out. De man seh how “height” could mek thing get resolve very quickly given de promise of “coming down” alone!

People who know both Forbes and David know dem gat similar ways of “sorting” things out in addition to having de knowledge to rig. Potsalt know that when somebody do things just like others, is a form of admiration. That is why David wanted fuh launch de Palm Tree PNC Party campaign pun Forbes birthday on February 20 gone! People seh that kind of admiration and de similar ways of “sorting” things out, does give credence to de old adage, “imitation is de best form of flattery”! That is why David “flattering” and Forbes smiling with he! Potsalt gone! Fuh now!

Over 600 motorists charged with speeding between March 15-21 THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday reported that with its traffic enforcement unto March 23, 2015, there has been a total of twenty-two (22) road fatalities compared to twenty-seven (27) for the corresponding period last year.

During the period March 15 to 21, 2015, a number of cases have been made against motorists for breaching the traffic laws.

These include: Speeding 606 Driving Under the Influence 34 Breach of Condition of Road Service Licence 93 Careless Driving 17 Dangerous Driving 20 Failure to wear safety helmet 10 Failure to wear seat belt 61 Prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phone 12

Twelve (12) persons were charged for soliciting passengers (touting).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Creating and generating development capital

By Shaun Michael Samaroo HOW could we create and generate capital to achieve the national development we envision?

Just like any person who sets big goals, who self-develops, who must exercise sound management and financial sense and prudent thinking to achieve his or her dreams, a nation must organise itself to generate and create capital.

Bottom line is: it takes money and significant financial capital to fund society’s development, to develop communities, to further propel the living standard of Guyanese citizens.

Our nation plunged into bankruptcy within 20 years of Independence, to the point we couldn’t even feed ourselves, to pay to import flour, our basic food staple.

We had run out of capital, and we faced a debt burden of crippling crisis.

Once we had restored democracy with free and fair elections in 1992, Government set about fixing the broken financial system, and former President Bharrat Jagdeo detailed earlier this month the important changes to legislation that Government had to pass to see the economy recover from its debilitating death-bed, in his Babu John address.

One must marvel at the lack of quality discussion in this country, in realising how the national media, public commentators and Opposition leaders absolutely ignore Jagdeo’s statement that Government had completely reformed the nation’s financial system, to propel development of the housing sector, where every Guyanese could now acquire his own home, to make hire purchase legislation line up with modern realities so that Guyanese could finance home appliances and cars and other necessities, and to create a solid macro-economic foundation. Jagdeo also detailed Government’s work to eradicate the national debt burden, which before free and fair elections saw debt servicing accounting for 90+ percent of national revenue, with former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge’s Economic Reform Programme (ERP) struggling to even keep the Demerara Harbour Bridge from collapsing into the Demerara River.

Instead of focusing on this kind of national stats and important policy and legislative reform that turned Guyana into an emerging 21st century Caribbean socio-economic power, we saw national newspapers and Opposition leaders and social commentators lash out at a single phrase Jagdeo used in his speech at Babu John this month, using the “kick ass” cliche as sound bite for a national discussion lacking quality, class or value to the nation.

This sort of crassness we must overcome, with a reformed media landscape, if we are to inspire our citizens to focus on what’s necessary for us to achieve our national potential.

President Donald Ramotar appointed Jagdeo as head of the National Economic Council because our nation needs to develop its economic systems to handle Guyana being an emerging 21st century Caribbean powerhouse.

Jagdeo, as a Russian-trained Marxist economist, understands the profound importance of creating and generating capital for national development. In fact, during his Presidency, he implemented creative ways, many of them generating confusion and heated controversy from Opposition forces, to garner and generate development capital.

Jagdeo generated the capital we needed to construct the Berbice Bridge, a mammoth undertaking, and he created the atmosphere for the admirable development of the Providence, East Bank Demerara corridor, including the Providence Stadium.

Through the State agency, NICIL, Government generated capital for the Marriott Hotel and several other key projects.

Guyana faces unique problems in capital generation, as the country’s tax base functions on an inefficient tax-collection system, and, since we’re such a cash-based society, many citizens who are self-employed or work for cash simply don’t pay taxes. Also, many businesses, including liquor restaurants, these ubiquitous bottom-house establishments situated in every village and town across the country, avoid the tax system.

Our national budget is less than US$1 billion, and much of this goes to pay Public Servants and fund the social sectors like health and education.

It leaves very little financing to fund the big projects we need, to develop our latent potential. The Guyanese nation sits on a wealth of natural resources, including hydro power and alternative energy such as wind and solar, and mineral deposits and so on.

We need capital to develop these.

Since Independence, we’ve tried to develop hydroelectric power for export to Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname. In fact, Forbes Burnham’s pet project was the Mazaruni Hydroelectric project, which he hoped would fuel Linden’s development into the world’s premier aluminum smelter plant.

However, he needed around US$4 billion for such a grand idea, and it all collapsed because he could not find creative ways to generate such capital, especially since both the United States and Soviet Russia spurned his overtures to fund such development.

Now, President Ramotar is on the verge of making real the Amaila Hydroelectric project, as the cost is way lower than the Mazaruni project. Despite the Opposition’s efforts to stymie all Government’s efforts to develop the project, stifling the keen interest of US multinational firm, Blackstone, in funding it, President Ramotar is set on making sure Guyanese achieve independence in our electricity needs.

We need developmental capital to move to the next phase of our national development. Today, our nation has come a far way, and in fact we’ve overcome the fall we took over the 28 years of dictatorship, when we plunged from a model British colonial society, to the poorest economy in the

Commonwealth.

Today, we’re back up and we’ve repaired broken walls that erupted from the socio-economic collapse we experienced from 1964 to 1992.

It took us two decades for this recovery to happen. Now it’s time to accelerate the pace of our development.

One crucial necessity is to broaden the reform process we enacted in the national financial sector to other areas, especially the media landscape. We must realise the intangibles like motivating the Guyanese citizenry through the national media is just as crucially important as tangibles like Guyanese being able to garner financial capital for their home, car or appliances.

In the next decade, our biggest challenge would be in developing creative financial instruments to create and generate development capital. In developed countries, creative capital generation is a fine art, with developmental bonds and debt-swap instruments and other forms of financing constantly evolving.

First, we must create the national platform for such important, visionary and focused discussions to take place, instead of petty newspaper editorials on Jagdeo’s clichéd phrase and social commentators lambasting each other for petty small-minded stuff.

The Guyanese nation is moving into becoming a sophisticated society, and this calls for national discussions of focused thinking, such as how could we create and generate the financial capital we require to fund development projects and to bring to reality the Guyanese 21st century vision.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

RODNEY’S DEATH: AN ENIGMA BEING ANSWERED

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Special Report on the Rodney Commission of Inquiry by Shaun Michael Samaroo

Weeping Wagner unfolds dramatic testimony EMOTIONAL drama unfolded at the Rodney Commission yesterday as the weeping sister of main suspect in the bomb-blast assassination of Dr Walter Rodney, Ms Ann Wagner, took to the witness stand to vehemently oppose the account of Donald Rodney about the tragic events of Friday, June 13, 1980.

Guyana experienced its deadliest bomb-blast on that day when, as dusk settled over the city, a disguised communications device exploded in the lap of the nation’s most famous and world-recognised historian, Dr Rodney, causing his instant death.

The only eyewitness to the tragedy, Dr Rodney’s brother, Donald Rodney, wrapped up his testimony as star witness at the Commission on Monday, declaring that he had to flee Guyana after he escaped the assassination, because he “feared death by the dictatorship”.

Living in Barbados, he travelled to Georgetown to engage in the Presidential Commission’s work to see that national justice is accomplished in the 34 year old cold case, which languished as the worst case of political crime in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

Yesterday, he sat in the audience in mute silence as Wagner’s testimony opposed his own account about the tragedy.

Wagner told Rodney’s Counsel, Keith Scotland of Trinidad and Tobago, under cross-examination, that she had several conversations with her brother, Gregory Smith, concerning worldwide suspicion that Smith had supplied the bomb that killed Dr Rodney.

The Commission’s probe, now entering a year since it commenced last year, unfolds a dramatic tale of political intrigue and State-sponsored espionage and sinister plots under the Government of the People’s National Congress (PNC) that targeted the leaders of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).

Dr Rodney became a prime target of the State’s sinister plots, as leader of the WPA, Commission testimonies have revealed.

For the past 34 years, Smith eluded facing any justice system, despite being widely suspected as the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) espionage agent who supplied the bomb to the Rodney brothers.

Wagner’s name surfaced several times

over the past year at the Commission in testimonies from witnesses, especially as she co-authored a book with her brother, Smith, denying Smith’s role in the assassination, and calling for Rodney to take a lie-detector test.

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ination into a heated exchange, and at times Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham and Commissioners Seenath Jairam and Jacqueline Samuel-Brown intervened to clarify or calm the exchange.

Wagner displayed dramatic body

Ms. Ann Wagner and her lawyer, Keith Scotland of Trinidad and Tobago

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Scotland established from Wagner that Smith never told her a GDF pilot flew him directly from Timehri airport to a remote hinterland location in a secretive military flight aboard a GDF military plane that flew out of a military hangar at Timehri airport, on June 14, 1980, the morning after the deadly bomb blast. Former GDF pilot, Gerry Gouveia, has testified at the Commission that he piloted the plane that transported Smith to the hinterland on June 14, 1980.

Wagner said Smith told her three men accosted him after the bomb blast, drugged him into a stupor, and transported him unawares to the hinterland location.

Yesterday, Wagner said the bombblast was an “accident”, and told the Commission that her brother told her that Rodney was wrong about the events that happened, and Smith was innocent.

She, however, admitted that Smith constructed the “triggering device” that remotely exploded the bomb once it was in the hands of Dr Rodney.

In her book, Wagner cast aspersions on the character of Rodney, but admitted to Counsel Scotland that she made such a judgement based entirely on what Smith told her, rather than on personal knowledge of Rodney’s character.

Scotland developed his cross-exam-

after the deadly bomb blast. Former GDF pilot, Gerry Gouveia, has testified at the Commission that he piloted the plane that transported Smith to the hinterland on June 14, 1980.

Wagner said Smith told her “three men” accosted him after the bomb blast, drugged him into a stupor, and transported him unawares to the hinterland location.

Smith showed up living in French Guiana under a new name, as Cyril Johnson, and rebuffed a Guyana Government request in 2006 to travel to Guyana to face a probe into the Dr Rodney suspected assassination, instead demanding clemency from the death penalty.

Counsel Scotland terminated his cross-examination at 2 pm yesterday because he had a commitment overseas, and said he would be willing to resume on Friday.

Wagner’s appearance at the Presidential Commission, which convened last year March after President Donald Ramotar made the determined move to secure national justice for the Guyanese people and the WPA in the bomb-blast tragedy, generated dramatic interest, as her book on the case, along with her close connection with Smith as his sister, promises to shed crucial light on the events that forever changed the political map of Guyana.

The Commission has heard extensive testimony that Smith worked as a double agent as a GDF soldier, supplying clandestine information and misinformation on behalf of the PNC Government’s State Intelligence Joint Command, to Dr Rupert Roopnarine of the WPA, and similar information from the WPA to the Intelligence officers, including the late former Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis, and former GDF boss, Major General (retired) Norman McLean.

Wagner, tall and elegant, speaking with a strong North American accent, dressed in black business wear, sat in the witness stand to answer questions, and wept openly as she talked of Smith and what he told her of the tragedy. She said Smith wanted to “clear his name” and to correct the historical record about his role in Dr Rodney’s suspected political assassination under the dictatorship PNC regime.

The Commission resumes this morning.

language, at times shaking her head or sighing in exasperation as she reacted to Counsel’s robust questions.

At one point, Commission Counsel Glen Hanuman intervened to object to Wagner apparently being coached on how to react to questions by members of the audience, some of whom included Smith’s surviving family.

Scotland established from Wagner that Smith never told her a GDF pilot flew him directly from Timehri airport to a remote hinterland location in a secretive military flight aboard a GDF military plane that flew out of a military hangar at Timehri airport, on June 14, 1980, the morning

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Guyana leads Region in combatting ––says CARICOM environmental crime General Counsel

GUYANA yesterday came in for high praise for not only protecting its priceless natural resources, but also for its efforts in combatting international environmental crime.

CARICOM Secretariat General Counsel Safiya Ali said Guyana is one of the few countries in the Region that is party to Multinational Environment Agreements (MEAs) that are vital to sustainable development, locally and farther afield.

These are the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundry Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal; the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Containing Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade; the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety on Biological Diversity; the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances; and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Guyana thus far is also the first country in the Region to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit- Sharing and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, both of which have trade and border control implications.

“Guyana is leading the field, demonstrating a strong recognition of the importance of Multinational Environment Agreements (MEAs), not only for protecting this country’s priceless natural resources,

but also for combating international environmental crime,” Ali told a three-day national workshop for customs officers on the enforcement of MEAs. The workshop was hosted by CARICOM. International environ-

chemicals, often involves organised criminal networks operating across borders.

And of course, she said, environmental infractions have significant impacts on the environments and economies on the countries and

Agency (EPA) Compliance and Enforcement Unit Director Khemraj Parsram said that the agency, in partnership with the Wildlife Management Authority, has been working diligently to align policies, develop legislation

and Export Bill.

The bill will provide a national framework and mechanism to Government to tackle international trade of all species of wildlife in Guyana.

The workshop was

meel Baksh, said border control officers play an important role in controlling cross-border trade by stopping movement of illegal goods.

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Guyana,

CARICOM, EU, GRA and other officials with customs and border-control officers pose for a group photograph following the opening of the workshop yesterday mental crime is no longer an emerging issue, nor is it a minor enterprise.

“The illegal trafficking of wildlife, for example, is worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances is a multi-million dollar business and is projected to grow as trade restrictions become more stringent,” Ali said.

The CARICOM General Counsel pointed out that illegal trade in environmentally sensitive goods, such as wildlife and hazardous

communities that are the victims of the illegal activity.

BORDER MONITORING But, she noted that despite the scope and severity of the problem, well-monitored borders can make a major contribution to controlling the crisis of international environmental crime.

Ali said customs agencies have been essential to the recent achievements in the fight against illegal trade in environmentally sensitive goods.

Environmental Protection

and implement programmes to meet the obligations of the MEAs. These are being done under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. The EPA is currently developing a national biosafety policy, a national biosafety bill and associated regulations, including a biosafety clearing house mechanism.

Also, in light of numerous cases of smuggling of local wildlife including endangered species, Government will table a wildlife Import

geared towards building the capacity of customs officers to ensure compliance with and enforcement of MEAs. Most environmental problems are trans-boundary in nature, and the global environmental impact can only be addressed through international cooperation and shared responsibility, said Parsram.

This has been made possible through MEAs. Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs, Excise and Trade Administration Deputy Commissioner Ja-

Robert Kopecky, said the EU remains committed to strengthening good environmental governance and border controls.

The three-day workshop is part of a wider project for capacity-building related to MEAs in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

The project is funded by the EU and coordinated globally by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). The initiative began in 2009 and is now in its second phase.

Ministry slams exaggerated social media report by Hughes about fire at forensic lab THE Ministry of Home Affairs has said that while it is true that the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory was subject to a minor electrical fire on the evening of March 17, 2015, the facts have been exaggerated in the statement released on social media by Attorney-at-law, Mr. Nigel Hughes.

The Ministry in responding to the statement released on social media by Mr. Hughes, which has been featured on other media outlets, said that contrary to his claims that the fire “burnt all the electrical outlets on the rest of the floor”, it should be noted that only a small fraction of electrical outlets were actually affected and

these are being replaced.

According to the Ministry’s press statement, the fire itself was caused due to the close proximity of a chair to an outlet when the outlet itself burned due to an electrical surge and a problem which developed in a phase in one of the main cables.

With regard to the issue of air quality at the Laboratory, the Ministry is currently proceeding with legal action against the Design Consultant.

Whilst this process is ongoing, consultations are being made with regard to identifying a temporary solution for correcting the air flow issue.

These issues, while regrettable, cannot

be attributed to negligence on the part of the Ministry and by extension the Government of Guyana, thus the Ministry rejects the allegations made in the release by Mr. Hughes.

The statement that the “construction of the laboratory is poor with loose tiles scattered throughout the building” could not be more untrue. Evidence of poor construction and loose tiles has not been reported by the Ministry’s representatives on their regular visits to the GFSL nor has the Ministry received complaints on that specific allegation from the staff of the GFSL. It is not unusual for teething problems to be discovered when such a highly technical

and complex structure is built and put into operation.

The Ministry therefore is of the opinion that Mr. Hughes by his comments on this matter is imparting political motives to the staff of the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory.

The Ministry of Home Affairs added that it gives highest consideration to the health and safety of its staff and staff of the Agencies under its purview and is making efforts to ensure that any deficiencies currently being experienced at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory are alleviated on a timely basis.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Youth Minister emphasises importance of youths voting in May 11 polls

By Ravin Singh

AS the political atmosphere intensifies in the face of General and Regional elections slated for May 11, repeated calls have been made for youths to exercise their franchise at the upcoming polls - the latest call being made yesterday by Youth Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, yesterday, the Minister emphasised the importance of youth voting, saying that, “I think it is very important for young people to come out and vote, particularly first time voters.”

According to Dr. Anthony, it is the constitutional right of every eligible Guyanese to come out and exercise their franchise and have a say in the country’s electoral process.

Over the years, he noted, the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has worked hard to win and maintain this franchise not just for young people but all Guyanese who are eligible to vote.

As such, he stressed that, “They are encouraged to exercise this democratic right which we have fought long and hard to win.”

Meanwhile, former longstanding PPP member, Ralph

Youth Minister Dr. Frank Anthony

Ramkarran, echoed similar sentiments on how important such a process is for the younger population, while adding that one must not “over emphasise it [Youth voting]”.

The rationale behind this is that the, “vast bulk of youths vote like their parents” Ramkarran posited, adding that, “There is of course more disaffection and more sympathy for the Alliance For Change (AFC) but to what extent that will be decisive, I do not know.”

Aiding the process is the recently launched voter education campaign by the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), under the theme: “Vote Like a Boss”.

Alleged mastermind in Regent St heist in custody - cops looking for other suspects

ONE man has been arrested and remains in custody while police are hunting for the others since the March 19 armed robbery in which the National Credit Union office was broken into by three men, who fled with seven weapons and more than $10M in cash.

It is said that the man in custody may be the mastermind behind the robbery.

The bandits had tied up the lone security guard before torching a safe which had the weapons and cash.

Police had reported that at about 02:00 hrs on March 19, 2015, three men, one of whom was armed with a firearm, broke into the National Credit Union building at Regent and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown, and torched a

safe and took away one .32 pistol, one .32 revolver and five 12-gauge shotguns along with 45 cartridges.

The unarmed watchman on duty at the compound was confronted and tied up by the perpetrators during the incident. Investigations are in progress.

Police have since reviewed the footage from nearby buildings because the ones installed at the said facility were removed by the robbers but they have an idea who they are looking for.

The robbers had removed the security cameras after which they went to a secured area where the company’s security service weapons were stored and took away the guns and cash and fled.

Mash 2013 murder trial ends today MURDER accused Devon Thomas and Randy Isaac who allegedly killed Kumar Mohabir on Mashramani Day 2013, will know their fate today.

Justice Navindra Singh did not sum up the evidence yesterday as was expected. He made it clear, “I will sum up on Wednesday.”

This afternoon, the mixed jury who tried the accused for murder will deliver their verdict of ‘’Guilty” or “Not guilty”, unless they could not agree on a verdict.

Thereafter, the presiding judge, depending on the type of verdict, will either discharge the accused if the verdict is “Not guilty”, or impose sentence if the verdict is “Guilty” or discharge the jury and call for

a new trial in the event of a disagreement among the jury who could not reach a unanimous verdict.

In his summing-up of the evidence, Justice Singh had recounted the different testimonies and directed the jury on questions of law as it related to the case.

The facts revealed that an eyewitness, a police officer and a forensic pathologist had given evidence for the prosecution which had been presented for the jury’s consideration, one way or the other.

Prosecutrix Miss Stacy Goodings in association with Miss Diana Kaulesar, prosecuted.

Defence counsel, Mr. Peter Hugh, with Attorney-at-law Miss Latchmi Rahamat represented the accused, who had pleaded not guilty.

GNYC’s executive member, Tricia Teekah, at the launch on Saturday, explained that citizens can expect voter education campaigns to begin as early as today in Anna Regina, with voter education workshops open to the public along with civil groups.

On Saturday the youth agency will meet to analyse parties’ policies and positions for the upcoming elections. Activities will also continue around various towns throughout Guyana until the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Prior to these developments, however, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) and Shadow Minister of Youth, Christopher Jones, also underscored the importance of this democratic right, disclosing that, “I think the single most important thing in the life of a young person is the ability to cast a vote.”

Reflecting on what are considered taboo cultures, in which females are prohibited from exercising any form of democratic right through the election of a government, Jones said, “When one thinks of not only the young population, but women in some parts of the world who have no right to vote, we should always place that at the back of our minds how important this single right is.”

In this regard, Jones is of the opinion that the most important effect of one’s vote is the ability to have the power to choose the type of future one would want for oneself. Attendant issues, he opined, include where you work, if you would be able to find a job, the type of job you would be engaged in based on your studies, how much you are paid, if you could afford a house lot, how secure would you and your family be, and the education you and your children will get, among other things.

These, he said, were just some of the critical issues which depend on the younger generation voting.

Minister Benn’s Linden house destroyed by fire - investigations underway

THE Guyana Fire Service has mounted investigations into the origin of a fire which razed the former home of Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn yesterday afternoon.

According to Minister Benn, he received a call informing him that the house at Lot 84 Richmond Hill, Linden, was ablaze and firemen were responding. The house, which was unused since early 2006 after Minister Benn and his family moved to Georgetown, was formerly hit by a spate of thefts, the minister said. Thieves made off with appliances, furniture and eventually half of the roof, despite arrangements being put in place to secure and check on the property.

Minister Benn said that initial investigations show that the fire was as a result of a “bush fire”.

The issue at hand, however, the minister said, was whether the fire was accidental or intentional, and he hopes that investigations will pronounce with certainty, as to the cause of the fire which resulted in millions of dollars in losses.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Bartica IMC receives $14.7M in assets under the Clean-up my Country programme UNDER the Government of Guyana’s Clean-Up My Country Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) in 2014, the Bartica Interim Management Committee (IMC) has received equipment for the sustenance of the cleanup programme within Bartica and its environs.

Mr. Collin Croal, Permanent Secretary in the MLGRD, last Friday, on behalf of MLGRD Minister, Norman Whittaker, handed over to the Bartica IMC one mini-excavator, one tractor and trailer, and 25 solid waste receptacles. Mr. Croal, in his address, said, “The mini-excavator will be in the custody of the RDC, and it is intended to be used in the confines and space of the NDC and the neighbouring communities”.

Mr. Croal also informed the representatives that “the tractor and trailer will be assigned to the Bartica NDC” and “it is expected to aid in infrastructure support for the NDC”; while “the solid waste receptacles must be utilised to help to address the issue of littering in the community”.

Mr. Croal acknowledged the challenge facing the community in relation to disposing of solid waste after collection, and assured the representatives that, under the Solid Waste Bill, which is likely to be passed in the next sitting of Parliament; measures would be put in place to address the challenges in Bartica.

The mini-excavator was procured at a cost of G$8.9M, while the tractor was procured at a cost of G$4.4M, and the trailer at a cost of G$1.2M. Mr. Croal

emphasised that the equipment handed over should be managed by a Management Committee comprising representatives of the RDC, NDC and MLRGD, and that a workplan should be developed to ensure that the people of Bartica and its environs are the beneficiaries of the equipment.

Mr. Croal informed representatives that a tripartite meeting between MLGRD, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Regional Solid Waste Contractor for Bartica will soon be held to discuss the progress in formulating the environmental plan to be submitted to EPA to gain approval of the operation of the new landfill site.

Under the Regional aspect of the Clean-Up My Country Programme, Bartica, in December 2014, benefited from a massive community Programme

which gave residents the opportunity to get rid of bulk waste stored on their premises, as well as a massive clean-up of the Water Front and removal of road side/illegal garbage piles.

Chairman of the IMC, Mr. Ovid Benjamin, welcomed the assets and expressed his gratitude to the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. He also assured the Permanent Secretary that the equipment would be used for their intended purpose.

Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Ramotar also thanked the Government for the mini-excavator, and said the people of Bartica welcome the gesture. He assured the Permanent Secretary that a plan will be designed and implemented to ensure the efficient usage of the asset.

Collin Croal, Permanent Secretary, MLGRD, hands over one mini-excavator, one tractor and trailer, and 25 solid waste receptacles to the Regional Executive Officer, Peter Ramotar

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Nandlall: APNU+AFC ‘love affair’ won’t work

By Tajeram Mohabir

ATTORNEY General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has described the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Alliance as a “love affair” that was forged out of convenience, and would not work.

Speaking last evening at a rally at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, the Attorney General said the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the controller of the coalition, the APNU, is not known to be democratic, and it might not be long before the AFC gets a rude awakening.

According to Nandlall, the PNC is haunted by its own past and has been trying desperately to ‘shake off’ its abysmally poor economic and human rights record in Government by trying to hide behind name changes.

He told a gathering of supporters that first the party changed from PNC to PNCR, but when that failed, it moved to PNCR-I Guyana, but that also flopped.

But the PNC did not stop; it changed to APNU and it is now APNU+AFC. Nandlall said the constant change of name of the party has not changed its character of being violent and destructive to achieve

-- says AFC will soon have rude awakening

power by any means possible, contending that the fight at the elections is purely one between the PPP and the PNC. The AFC, he said, has been ‘swallowed up’ by the PNC because party leader, retired Brigadier David Granger ‘loves’ AFC Executive Moses Nagamootoo, choosing to ‘consummate’ the APNU and AFC union on no other occasion, but Valentine’s Day. Through the ‘love’, he said Granger promised Nagamootoo the Prime Minister position if elected to government, with two Vice Presidents, the Ministries of Agriculture, Home Affairs, Natural Resources and the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, and Nagamootoo saw nothing afoul, but grabbed with both hands, because it was too ‘sweet to refuse’.

But the Attorney General warned that ‘Wha is too sweet does hut goat belly’.

If the ‘PNC’ wins, he said, it will be a different ball game, one that the AFC will deeply regret as Granger knew what he did as he is smart, but Nagamootoo seems to be not.

The PNC, Nandlall said, is not known for sharing power, but is known for doing everything possible to

The PPP’s Anil Nandlall relates to a resident at Vreed-en-Hoop keep it. He pointed out that the PNC did join with The United Force (TUF) in 1964 to keep the PPP out of power, but after a year it showed its true colours.

It ditched the TUF and passed a law banning coalition after the elections, and thereafter rigged every election to stay in power until the ‘free reign’ ended in 1992.

In the deal brokered by the AFC and APNU, he said,

what Granger effectively did was give Nagamootoo an opportunity to ‘build a building in the sky’.

The AFC telling its supporters that they will pass a no-confidence motion against APNU if they are short-changed by the coalition, Nandlall said, is ‘utter nonsense’.

The AFC with 12 seats in Parliament, he said, cannot successfully pass

a no-confidence motion against APNU, and the claim that the PPP/C will support them if they do, he said, is equally outlandish.

But, he pointed out that Granger, as President, has the power to recall parliamentarians in the APNU+AFC Alliance, and should the AFC file a no-confidence motion against the APNU, it is hardly likely it will see the light of day.

In fact, he said, by then the most sensible thing Granger will do is recall Nagamootoo, as he has the power to do it, and this is the reality of the AFC in the AFC+APNU Alliance.

This is why, he said, the May 11 elections is a fight between the PPP and the PNC, urging the gathering to vote solidly for the PPP to ensure progress and development continues.

APNU’s Vanessa Fight against farm theft Kissoon arrested gets shot in the arm

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon was arrested last evening after she and several APNU supporters attempted to disrupt a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) meeting at Blue Berry Hill, Linden, Region 10.

PPP/C Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Joseph Hamilton, who spoke at the meeting, told the Guyana Chronicle that all was going well until Kissoon emerged with half-a-dozen APNU supports, behaving in a rowdy manner.

Hamilton said the APNU Parliamentarian and her supporters were warned by the Police, and were ‘pushed back’, preventing them from disrupting the meeting.

But he said notwithstanding the warning, and ‘being driven back’, Kissoon continued with her rowdy behaviour and it was then she was arrested and taken away

Vanessa Kissoon by ranks from the Wismar Police Station.

This was a second attempt to break up a PPP meeting in Linden.

He told this publication that on Monday, APNU instigators also attempted to break up a meeting a Christiansburg, but failed after Police intervened.

Some of the instigators, he said have since been summoned by the Police and are expected to make a court appearance this week.

(Jamaica Gleaner) HOURS before last Wednesday’s official opening and handover ceremony of the Fellowship Hall Police Post located in the Hill Run Agro Park, St Catherine, lawmen there were pressed into service their third day on the job at the new facility.

“This morning, a lady came and made a report that 13 head of pigs had been slaughtered right there in her pigpen, along with two goats,’ Sergeant Patrick Mahoney, the sub-officer in charge, told The Gleaner during a tour of the facilities shortly afterwards.

The plight of that Hill Run resident effectively underscores the timeliness of the latest plank in the drive to tackle farm theft in a game-changing demonstration of public-private-sector collaboration.

The establishment of the country’s latest police post was spearheaded by the

Caribbean Broilers Group, which operates its 400-acre agro campus known as Imagination Farms. It is in response to growing concerns by residents of Hill Run, Fellowship Hall and other farming communities, regarding threats to personal safety and continued praedial larceny.

The Fellowship Hall Police Post is outfitted with modern amenities including security and communication capabilities, with the overall cost of more than $10.5 million facilitated by the Caribbean Broilers Group, in partnership with Atelier-Vidal Limited, Cool Connection Limited, Digicel Jamaica Limited, Hylton & Hylton, Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS), National Outdoor Advertising Limited, Zoukie Trucking Services Limited and Innovative Corporate Solutions.

It is located on the Imagination Farms premises, for which the Jamaica Constab-

ulary Force pays a nominal annual fee. Zoukie Trucking donated the building, and JPS provided the services and material to establish the electricity connection, including a transformer and street light.

Digicel, which provided all communication equipment, will facilitate a broadband interconnection, with Cool Connection Limited supplying all the security equipment.

Architect and design firm Atelier Vidal and attorneys-at-law Hylton & Hylton both offered their services free, as did National Outdoor and Advertising, which provided all signage, while Innovative Corporate Solutions donated a desktop computer.

In addition, the Caribbean Broilers Group donated a Ford Ranger Pickup valued at $2.5 million to cover the patrol needs and which will be integral to police operations.

Mahoney told The Gleaner: “There will always be a

mobile unit out for the purpose of patrolling the area 24 hours a day. My advice to the people of Hill Run and surrounding areas is that it is very important for them to come to the police and report any and all matters affecting them, so we can help them in the best possible way.”

Meanwhile, farmer Morris Lawrence, acting president of the Hill Run Citizens’ Association, in welcoming this “long-overdue” initiative, urged the law enforcers deployed there to invest time in learning invaluable lessons from law-abiding residents.

“Some of the thieves will kill a goat and they put the meat in a five-gallon plastic bucket on a bicycle with couple bundles of callaloo on top. Now if you see him riding past like that with a cutlass and don’t know, you might think is a farmer, when is rob him just rob a farmer,” Lawrence said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Guyana’s reputation as sport fishing destination gaining traction A team from the award-winning GEOBASS series, renowned for its wild adventures, journeyed to Guyana to film the epic voyage of catching the famous Arapaima and other popular fish.

During an interview on Friday at Cara Lodge, the crew expressed their delight at having the opportunity to film in one of the “friendliest forests” they have experienced. The five- member team spent two weeks in Guyana and returned to Georgetown from Rewa in the North Rupununi. This was their first time in Guyana, but the team has vowed to return to begin filming for a television series on tarpon fishing in Region 1.

“We caught peacock bass, two kinds of piranha, and an arapaima. It was unbelievable, it was really an experience,” explained Thad Robinson, the team’s filmmaker.

“My favourite part was seeing the culture and how the people were living. They know everything about the jungle and they took the time to show us many things,” Joseph Carson revealed.

GEOBASS’ videographer, Brian Jill explained, “We have gone all over the world on crazy adventures, but this is right up there at the top.

The experience is world class and the jungle is the friendliest jungle we have ever seen.”

Explaining the motivation behind their Guyana adven-

ture, Robinson revealed that they were encouraged by a team from Costa Del Mar who came a few years ago to promote sustainable sport fishing while preserving the country’s natural resources.

He continued by noting that the compiled footage of their adventures will be available on YouTube within the next five weeks and will receive worldwide circulation, as it will be promoted via multiple sites.

“It is going on YouTube and there is going to be teasers online. It’s free and all of your sponsors and networks will carry it including Go Pro, Mountain Dew, and Car Heart. It will be posted on costadelmar. com, they will send out press releases that hit all the trade publications. It will get a lot of traction,” the team assured.

The Guyana Tourism Authority Director, Indranauth Haralsingh lauded the team for choosing the destination and invited them to explore additional locations in Guyana, which hold potential of becoming popular sport- fishing sites, particularly areas in Region 1(Barima-Waini).

He reminded the media that just a few weeks ago , a film crew from GM Productions, out of the United States, concluded the filming for a new documentary here titled: “The Obsession of Carter Andrews” to be aired on the Outdoor Channel in May. Sport fishing is a new area of tourism attraction in

The GEOBASS crew arrive at Cara Lodge after their trip Guyana, known as the “Land of many Waters,” the country is home to many uncharted rivers that are virgin to man.

Guyana shares with the Amazon River over 1800 fish species; among these are several Game Fish Species such as the Payara, Arowana, Himara, and what is considered by professional anglers worldwide as the world’s most popular Fresh Water Game Fish, the Peacock Bass (Lukanani). Rewa village is a small Amerindian community located in the north Rupununi in central Guyana, at the confluence of the Rewa and Rupununi rivers. With about 300 inhabitants, the people of Rewa village are mostly from the Makushi tribe. The

Rewa area is renowned for its abundance of wildlife and ecological diversity.

According to Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, the investments made towards the development of this niche market is well placed, as Guyana would have gained millions of US dollars in exposure and destination awareness over the last few years.

“We remain committed to developing Sport Fishing in Guyana, as a tourism niche product. The fact that more ‘A’ list documentary and filming crews are travelling to the destination to participate, promote and share their sport -fishing adventures speaks to the successes of our marketing drive. Guyana holds

a distinct advantage as home to unique species including the Arapaima and we will continue with the sustainable development of this new ecotourism product, while promoting Guyana as a new and emerging sport-fishing destination.” Minister Ali explained.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation identifies fishing as one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in the United States.

As many as 33 million people aged 16 or older participate in the activity, and spend $48 billion annually on equipment, licences, trips and other

The GeoBass team and GTA Director, Indranauth Haralsingh

fishing- related events.

With Guyana’s growing popularity as a sport- fishing destination, tapping into the market of the growing legion of anglers could be the economic engine that helps to develop the product and keep fisheries conservation moving successfully forward; this drive is also supported by connectivity provided

by Suriname Airways, Fly Jamaica, Caribbean Airlines and Dynamic Airways.

The team continues to look for undiscovered locations and new ways to find and catch fish like no one has before; they risk life and limb to make their dream of catching bass around the world a reality.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Man jailed for 10 years after sexually penetrating child

- Probation officer gets ‘baptism of fire’ from lawyers

By Jeune Bailey Vankeric JUSTICE Brassington Reynolds on Monday sentenced Dennis Evans, called ‘Die Die’, to 10 years imprisonment for engaging in a sexual activity with a child.

The crime was committed in 2010 and the prisoner, not wasting the court’s time, ‘threw in the towel’ and pleaded guilty to the offence.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Judith Mursalin, referred to the evidence of the victim and her mother, who had shared a common-law relationship with the accused for seven years.

That witness said that in October 2010, the victim was ten years old and was attending primary school.

However, after school hours she would attend private lessons in the same village.

On October 18, 2010, Evans, who worked as a cane harvester with the Guyana Sugar Corporation, left home at about 05:00 hrs, presumably to go to work at Blairmont Estate.

However, at about 11:00 hrs Evans returned home and he began abusing the witness, using a series of expletives. The witness told him she was fed up with his behaviour and she did not want him anymore. Evans became annoyed and responded by saying, “This time I would not burn down the house or hit you. I know what I will do.”

After he made that statement to the witness, he went away.

The witness said that later that day, sometime around 16:35 hrs, when the victim left the private lessons place, fully dressed in her school uniform, she saw Evans on his bicycle at the street corner.

As she approached him, Evans asked whether she wanted to go to see her mother and the minor responded, “yes.” Evans told the victim that he was tak-

ing her to see her mother at Number 11 Back Street.

The trusting child joined Evans on his bicycle, and he rode through Middle Street, Bath and then to Number 12 Village and stopped by a clump of bushes close to the village burial ground.

Evans then covered the child’s eyes with both hands and threw her off the bicycle. She fell to the ground and began screaming for help. He told her if she continued screaming he would kill her, but she continued bawling anyway, even as he covered her mouth and nose with a hand, while using the other hand to pull off her underwear.

Evans then squeezed her neck, and inserted his finger into her vagina as the minor continued screaming.

Her screams were heard by Kalawattie Hansraj who had gone to the burial ground to throw away garbage.

Hasraj, on reaching the weeping child, observed that she had marks on her face and that the accused had fled from the scene.

The child was taken to the Fort Wellington Police Station, where a report was made and the victim’s mother was contacted.

Woman Police Corporal Daniele Blair escorted the child to the Fort Wellington Cottage hospital where she was examined by a doctor who issued a medical certificate with his findings.

According to the medical certificate, the victim sustained abrasion to the right side of the face, as well as the anterior aspect of her neck. Her hymen was intact but she had abrasions and redness to her vagina.

Efforts to contact the accused that day were unsuccessful as he did not return home.

However, on November 11, 2010 at about 18:30 hrs, Evans telephoned the victim’s mother requesting to talk with her.

He asked that she meet him at a Chinese restaurant

at Armadale, West Coast Berbice. She agreed but informed the police of the impending meeting. After they met, they each had a Mackeson stout and during that period the police arrived and arrested him and, subsequently, instituted charges against him.

Meantime, Probation and Welfare Officer, Remesia Lewis, reported that Evans has denied his involvement in the court proceedings but admitted pleading guilty because he choked and slapped the virtual complainant, after his daughter had reported that the complainant had slapped her.

The probation officer’s report stated that Evans had obtained his education at primary school but was unable to complete the required level due to continuous financial difficulties encountered by his parents, Mary and Ernest Evans, now aged 71 and 77 years old respectively.

Lewis said he assisted his mother with vegetable and fruit vending but thereafter sought employment with the Guyana Sugar Corporation Blairmont Estate as a cane harvester.

Shortly after, he met and established a common-law relationship with Babita Basil which was later terminated. However, they had a child together, who is now 14 years old.

Information emanating from the community suggests that Basil suffered immense physical and verbal abuse by the accused prior to them migrating to Trinidad and Tobago and subsequent to their return.

However, because of domestic issues the accused left to cohabit with the victim’s mother.

The report said also that Evans made several appearances before the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court for various offences, including sexual activity with a child.

From reports, prosecu-

Dennis Evans, called ‘Die Die’, after being sentenced on Monday tion in this proceeding was dren should be protected at discharged due to lack of all times in order for them to a police witness. He was develop into well rounded recharged, but investiga- individuals.

Meanwhile, on completors had to revisit the Child Protection Act. However, tion of the probation report he was recharged with the the prosecutor immediately queried why information current offence.

The probation officer regarding the views of the noted too that investigations virtual complainant, and the in the community described impact of the incident was the accused as an abusive, not inserted in the report. violent and a dangerous In addition, the Senior State Counsel said she learnt that individual.

Residents, she said, ex- the victim was in the care of pressed comfort at his incar- the Child Protection Agency ceration but fear at knowing for five years. “…Not what the child that the accused was around.

Lewis noted that the said, but how life impacted accused has a history of on the child…”

Meanwhile, Defence criminal activities. He lured Counsel Horatio Edmonthe virtual complainant to a son objected to the line of place where he committed the act. In fact, he should questioning by the prosecuhave been the protector and tor and asked whether she guardian of the child but wanted to give the evidence.

However, during instead he violated her. He betrayed the trust that would cross-examination, Edhave been placed in him mondson harshly questioned by the child who has been the witness about her qualifications and experience bescarred for life.

Children should be al- fore asking her whether the lowed to live normal life- accused denied involvement styles, with guidance, su- in the court proceedings.

Lewis, who had given pervision and support of her first report at the High every adult member of the community and by exten- Court, had seemed comsion the society. The ac- posed, but was taken aback cused has done otherwise by the line of questioning and therefore it is felt that and stated that the accused strong messages must be did not deny his involvesent as reminders that chil- ment in the court case.

17

In an attempt to soothe the wounds, Justice Reynolds, told the probation officer that it is not common for lawyers to question other officers so adeptly, as some probation officers who would have given evidence in the courts know what is expected and they would just ‘cut and paste’.

But your ‘baptism of fire’ is to let you know what is put here can be tested by the lawyers.

Pleading for Evans in mitigation, Defence Counsel Edmonson said, that while he joins with his colleague on the other side [prosecution], in considering the totality of the evidence, based on the statement, none was tested because of the Sexual Offences Act ...”My client has accepted responsibility and would not allow the girl to go into the box….I ask that you exercise mercy … even though the accused has not expressed regret in the court …I know he is remorseful…..”

Addressing the prisoner, Justice Reynolds said, “Dennis Evans, I have listened to the facts by the State Prosecutrix, and have weighed those facts against the probation report, along with the plea in mitigation by your lawyer….You should know that your lawyer should have told you that the maximum for this offence is life imprisonment.

But, you have quite sensibly not wasted the court’s time and have adopted a course by pleading guilty. “……..the sentence of this court is that you serve ten years imprisonment.”

On a point of law, the Sexual Offences Act [Amended] Chapter 8:03 states that “penetration means any intrusion, however slight and for however short time, of any part of any person’s body or of any object into the vagina or anus of another person, and any contact however slight, and for however short time between the mouth of one person and the genitals or anus of another, including, but not limited to sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anal intercourse and female to female genital contact.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Talks about marijuana legalisation absurd, says NIP leader Saphier Hussain --laments that laws encourage homosexuality

By Tajeram Mohabir LEADER of the National Independence Party (NIP), constitutional lawyer, Mr. Saphier Hussain, is contending that it is one of the most ‘absurd’ things to engage in talks to legalise marijuana, as that action can be equated to ‘smoking’ the stuff.

He said that many ills already beset the nation, and legalising marijuana would only add to those woes. He said he has seen many users appear in the

courts, and has firsthand knowledge of marijuana’s destructive tendencies from the narrations of those victims.

Both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have said they would consider legalising marijuana if elected to office. Members of the local Rastafarian community have also said they would throw their support behind any political party which supports the legalisation of marijuana.

The Healing the Nation Theocracy Party headed by Ras Leon Saul has since joined forces with the AFC+ APNU coalition as the country heads to the May 11 polls. Saul parted ways with Vishnu Bandhu, the Presidential Candidate of the United Republican Party (URP) following a disagreement on the legalisation of marijuana.

Like Hussain, Bandhu has maintained that marijuana, currently illegal in Guyana but legal in Jamaica, Argentina and several states

in the USA, is destructive and would do the nation more harm than good.

Saul has, however, contended that the use of marijuana is part of the Rastafarian culture, and has pointed out that he cannot belong to a party that does not represent the sacramental values of ‘his people’.

NO SUPPORT Hussain has also criticised the laws of the land, saying that homosexuality is encouraged. He has made it clear that his party would not be supporting the decriminalisation of same-sex unions, even if it has to lose gay supporters.

He said that, as a Christian, he holds strongly to the belief that homosexuality is against God’s Will, and while he is uncertain about the homo erectus, the practice should not be normalised among homo sapiens.

He was, however, quick to point out that homosexuals should not be discrim-

inated against, as God is forgiving, is all-embracing, and loves gay people; but he says the focus should be mainly on changing gay people.

Taking issue with the law, Hussain posited that even if a man knows a woman and is in a relationship with her, if he touches her hand and she does not like it, or if she has some issue with him, he can be in trouble.

He can be accused of molestation or even attempted rape, depending on the mood of the woman, even though the intention was just a gentle greeting.

Because of the law, he said, men have to be careful, even when they politely greet some women, for the sake of it not being construed as their making an advance on the woman. This situation, Hussain said, is troublesome and can influence some men to go in the wrong direction.

Hussain, whose party is known for resurfacing close

National Independence Party Leader, Mr. Saphier Hussain to election, told this publication that he needs just two seats in the upcoming election. He has promised to not only ‘fix the law, but many of the problems affecting Guyanese’.

IMPACT The NIP Leader said his party has thus far been able to capture a few disaffected AFC supporters, and he is hoping that after the results have been declared, the NIP would emerge as the new third force.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Margery Kirkpatrick cremated

…she did much for the Chinese community in Guyana

Mr. Dougal Kirkpatrick, bereaved husband of the deceased, at the service

By Shirley Thomas THE body of the late Mrs. Margery Joy Kirkpatrick, M.S., was yesterday afternoon cremated at the Memorial Gardens Crematorium, Plantation Le Repentir, following a thanksgiving service in celebration of her life at the St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, Broad and Saffon Streets in the city.

At the church, a packed congregation gathered in solemnity to join the bereaved relatives and the Chinese Association of Guyana in paying their last respects to a distinguished daughter of the soil and one of Chinese ancestry, who had passionately championed the cause of the Chinese community in Guyana.

Among those assembled were Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Hamilton Green; Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier (Ret’d) David Granger; Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Raphael Trotman, President of the Chinese Association of Guyana and others.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick died on March 21, 2015, at the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI), in the compound

of the Georgetown Public Hospital, following a brief period of illness. She was 76.

In acknowledgement of Mrs. Kirkpatrick’s years of dedicated service and valuable contributions to the Chinese Community in Guyana, the Association rendered a tribute to her, in the form of a ‘Lion Dance’ outside the Church, preceding the service.

Meanwhile, the Association, in a documented tribute on behalf of that body and the Chinese community in Guyana, noted that it was with a heavy heart and deep sadness that they said farewell to one of their most distinguished and outstanding members.

It noted that, as a very active member of the Chinese Community in Guyana, Mrs. Kirkpatrick was well recognised for her efforts in promoting the Chinese culture and for her kind assistance and long years of service to the Chinese Association.

“As an author, historian and philanthropist, Mrs. Kirkpatrick had touched the lives of many persons, and was a true inspiration and a pillar of strength to those

who knew her. She will always be remembered for her selflessness and sterling contribution to the Chinese Community in Guyana,” the tribute concluded.

And the management and staff of New Thriving, also acknowledging the works of the author, historian and musician, recalled: “She was a valued friend and mentor whose advice and support we deeply cherished over the years. We offer our deepest sympathy to her husband, Dougal, and her entire family.”

Meanwhile, her cousin, Amanda Richards who read the eulogy, reflected on her childhood days – being the eldest of eight children born to Victor and Cicely Ting-A-Kee on October 23, 1938. She attended Duggin’s Private School and later, Bishops’ High, creating the ideal launching pad for a career she later pursued in banking at the Royal Bank of Canada where she spent 23 years.

In 1972 she married Dougal Kirkpatrick, son of the first Guyanese Postmaster General of Guyana, a union which grew progressively ‘from strength to strength and in which they upheld the sacred vow “...’til

death do us part.” The union also produced three children – two boys and one girl.

Innovative and industrious, on leaving the Bank of Canada, Margery took over her mother’s catering service which had the contract to cater for the National Assembly. Investing heavily in the business, she caused it to bloom and grow. Such a huge success it was, in time she developed a reputation both at home and abroad for her culinary skills. She was also responsible for training women in the culinary arts.

In 1984 she was awarded the Medal of Service for long service and exceptional dedication in the research and promotion of Guyanese foods. Mrs. Kirkpatrick, proprietrix of the popular Kirkpatrick’s Catering Service, Jamoon Drive, Meadowbrook Gardens, had made a big impact in the catering business in Guyana and was known for her tasty cuisine. She also offered for rental a prestigious banquet venue

for the hosting of wedding receptions, staff parties and the like, in a garden-like atmosphere.

In 2002 she was awarded for being a ‘Woman of Distinction; and in 2005, Mother of the Year and an Ambassador of peace. She was one of the founding members of the prestigious Woodside choir, a former member of Bishops’ High Old Girls’ Choir, the Royal Bank Singers and the St. Saviour’s Anglican Church Choir.

A published author, historian and philanthropist, she is well known for her book “The Way We Were – Memories of a Childhood in British Guiana.

Margery will be remembered as one who was always willing to contribute to a worthy cause, giving willingly to religious organisations, service clubs, youth groups, schools and the like. She had a big heart and was always disposed to helping those in need,” the eulogy noted.

Mourners and sympathisers look on as the Lions perform a dance in tribute to Mrs. Kirkpatrick

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

All vehicles, motorbikes Safari-ready

Chevon Lim, GTA’s Senior Communications Officer and Safari Coordinator Frank Singh with some of 2015 Safari participants ALL vehicles and motor cycles have been checked and are safari-ready for the 13th Pakaraima Mountain Safari slated to commence on March 28th and end at Lethem on April 5.

On Tuesday, participants and sponsors gathered at the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) Gas Station on Regent Street for the inspection ceremony, where representatives from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Rainforest Tours provided a synopsis of the highly anticipated activity.

The event is also set to coincide with the annual Rodeo at Lethem, Region 9, affording participants both the option of returning to Georgetown for the Easter celebrations or remaining at Lethem for the Rodeo.

Speaking at the ceremony Chevon Lim, GTA’s Senior Communications Officer, explained the importance of the inspection. She noted that prior to Tuesday’s event, persons would have already been aware of the vehicle requirements for the safari. “Extensive checks will be done in the bonnet of the vehicles, on the tyres to make sure they are off-road worthy and to make sure vehicles are equipped with winches and fire extinguishers,” Lim said.

Lim wished the participants a safe and enjoyable trip on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and GTA and also related that the safari is one of the yearly calendar events which both the ministry and GTA support fully. She also gave some insight into what to expect on the trip, noting that both communities and participants are set to benefit from the experience.

Frank Singh, Coordinator of the Safari, explained that it his duty to make sure before officially branding the vehicles that they are checked and equipped with the necessary equipment.

“Some of the things we check for is the winch on the vehicle, off-road tyres and very important, fire extinguishers,” Singh noted. Some 26 vehicles had to be inspected along with motorbikes.

The Pakaraima Mountain Safari, dubbed the “Adventure of a Lifetime,” entails travelling via 4×4 vehicles across Regions 4, 8, 9 and 10, starting below sea level and reaching approximately 3,800 ft above sea level. The journey takes participants through rugged terrain and passes through more than 25 Amerindian villages before reaching its destination, Orinduik Falls. The safari will cover some 600 miles.

Safari Coordinator Frank Singh during inspection and branding of one of the vehicles.

Branding of one of the motorbikes to take the trail at the 2015 safari.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

New GWI initiative to help consumers access easy credit

Senior officials of GWI and CreditInfo Guyana.

THE Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has partnered with Creditinfo Guyana to help consumers when they approach banks, microfinance institutions and other lenders for loans and other forms of credit.

The decision was taken to mark the implementation of an historic partnership, driven by their shared concerns and mutual support for the financial development of Guyanese and the economy of Guyana.

Through the Creditinfo Partnerships Initiative, GWI collaborated with the credit bureau to help consumers when they approach banks, microfinance institutions and other lenders for loans and other forms of credit. Information on the payment patterns of individuals from the utility was not available to third parties until the Creditinfo Partnership between GWI and Creditinfo.

This information could be a very useful tool to help in determining the character and creditability of a potential borrower. The information is included in the various credit reports that are now used by banks throughout the sector as an indicator of eligibility for funds. Further, lower rates of interest on loans and faster approvals are also now possible, making the whole application process with lenders faster and easier approvals more likely.

Creditinfo Guyana is both pleased and proud to publicly acknowledge Guyana Water Inc.’s outstanding leadership, corporate responsibility and outstanding efforts on behalf of their customers as demonstrated by their unstinting support for the credit bureau programme.

Throughout the world, studies have shown that the presence of a credit bureau in the market is always followed by a vastly improved climate for lending and credit access for consumers. It is exciting news that this is now available in Guyana, for Guyanese.

CREDITINFO Creditinfo Guyana Inc. is the second regional presence of the Creditinfo group of companies, a well-respected Icelandic conglomerate with credit bureaus and subsidiaries in over 16 countries worldwide.

Creditinfo Guyana currently serves every commercial bank and lender licensed under the Financial Institutions Act in the country, as well as a wide cross-section of other stakeholders in various sectors. The company is actively engaged in bringing together lenders and providers of credit from all sectors to add transparency, efficiency and effectiveness to the business of credit across the board.

Internationally, Creditinfo is regarded as a leading service provider for credit information and risk management solutions worldwide, and has developed numerous products and services from official and customer information sources to facilitate best practice decision-making in credit risk management.The company brings to bear over 20 years of solid experience and considerable expertise in the industry to the drive for improved access to credit in Guyana.

Creditinfo’s comprehensive line of credit reports will be in widespread use throughout the credit and lending sectors of Guyana, and are expected to significantly increase access to credit, reduce interest rates, help to lower the overall costs of borrowing and significantly reduce processing times for loans to the Small and Medium Enterprise Sector as well as for all Guyanese.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Miner survives after being buried in 85ft pit at Port Kaituma

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- thanks God for another chance to live

By Rajendra Prabhulall A 24-year-old miner, Kevin Henry, of West Bury, Essequibo Coast is thanking God for giving him another chance to live.

The miner who is currently recovering at Crane Village on the West Coast of Demerara said he was working alone in a deep pit at Barama in the North West District, Region 1 some one week ago when tons of mud, rocks and sand began to cave in on him.

The miner said the depth of the pit was eighty-five feet and he was not afraid to work alone at the bottom because he believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord, Saviour and Protector. Kevin who started to work as a miner at a young age said the mining job is very dangerous and risky. He said he has experience as an excavator operator in the mining industry.

Recalling his experience with death, Kevin said the day started very quietly for him and in the pit it was he and God alone. Kevin who talked to God by himself, praised the Holy and precious name of Jesus while working in the deep pit. He sang praises to the Lord too as he always did when he attends the Voice of Faith Miracle Ministries Church at

Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast.

Kevin said all of a sudden he heard voices of his colleagues at the top yelling at him that the pit was caving in. He said he had a chance to quickly

Miner Kevin Henry look up and all he remembered was tons of earth, rocks and sand hitting him to the ground and then it was all dark.

The miner who is the father of a 7-year-old son, Kevon Henry, and husband of Sister Velita, said he

knew nothing after but miraculously regained consciousness after some one and a half hours after he was dug out by the other workers and dredge owners from the pit. Kevin said he knew he was dead because he was buried alive under tons of earth.

He said his colleagues told him they had to dig quickly to get him out from the bottom of the pit. According to Kevin they told him that his body was lifeless and there was no sign of life. He said they took his muddy lifeless body to the top of the pit and put it down and while washing the

mud and sand off his body some one and a half hours after to transport it to the landing he miraculously regained consciousness.

Kevin said although his body was seriously injured he is thankful to the Lord Almighty for returning life to his body. He said God remembered him when Satan tried to kill him by burying him alive.

Kevin said he is thankful to Pastor Rocky and all members of Voice of Faith Miracle Ministries for their prayers, always lifting him up before God while he worked in the interior.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Man found dead at Kitty seawall was beaten, strangled and drowned - autopsy

AFTER an autopsy performed on Monday on the body of Ramesh Katarnauth by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, the cause of death was given as asphyxia due to drowning, compounded by compression injury to the neck and multi-

ple blunt trauma to the body.

The body of Katarnauth was found on the Georgetown seawall on Sunday.

Katarnauth, 26, of Lot 83 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, had left home to make a pur-

chase at a nearby shop the day before he failed to return home.

Relatives stated that the man left home at about 21:30 hrs for the shop and his whereabouts were unknown and they could not say how he ended up at the

seawall.

Katarnauth was involved in an accident last year on Phagwah day in which he was seriously injured and one of his friends died and since then he has not been himself.

He sustained a fractured skull and other injuries which had rendered him unfit for work and he had gone into a

state of depression.

Dead: Ramesh Katarnauth

After he went missing a search was launched and on Sunday morning his relatives received a telephone call saying a body was found on the seawall after which they showed up.

Relatives are in the process of arranging a funeral service which is scheduled to take place this week. (Michel Outridge)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

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Sales clerk accused of stealing $300,000 from employer --claimed mother needed financial assistance for surgery

A sales clerk of Lot 6 Vryheid’s Lust, Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, who allegedly stole over $300,000 from her employer, was yesterday granted $75,000 bail.

Before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Parvati Abhimana, 23, denied that between March 5 and 9, 2015, at Regent Street, Georgetown, she stole the sum of $361,000 from Hardat

Persaud.

Abhimana was at the time employed by Persaud at Fullworth’s Store.

According to the prosecution, on March 5 Persaud secured the cash in a drawer in the store room, located in the store.

H o w e v e r, l a t e r o n March 9, Persaud made checks for the cash but discovered it missing.

The matter was reported and Abhimana was arrested. Under caution,

Abhimana reportedly admitted that she stole the money because her mother was in need of financial assistance for a surgery.

The defendant’s attorney asked that her client be released on reasonable bail because she is not a flight risk.

Abhimana will make her next court appearance on April 13, before Magistrate Annette Singh.

Man bailed for discharging loaded firearm, assault A man was yesterday granted $110,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on charges of discharging a loaded firearm and assault.

Maurice Prince (no address given) denied that he on November 15, 2013, at the Botanical Gardens, Georgetown, discharged a loaded firearm at Colin Primus, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Prince also pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on the same day at the Botanical Gardens, he unlawfully assaulted Eon Primus.

Police Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru did not object to bail and Prince was ordered to post $100,000 on the firearm charge and $10,000 on the assault charge.

The matter was transferred before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, for report and fixture.

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Aries You may be excited about an idea today, but unfortunately no one else may be. You spring up with enthusiasm only to smack into a brick wall. One side of you may be communicative and witty while the other is confused. The two sides aren’t really connecting well, so perhaps you should just lay low. Hold on to your ideas, and save their presentation for a later day.

Taurus Much of today will be a continuation of yesterday, but with perhaps a bit more intensity for you. There’s an added buzz in the air, like static on a radio. This background noise may not provide the best environment to work in, but you should be able to navigate with no problem. Tune out the chatter and move on.

Gemini Today is one of those days when you might feel like four people have a hold of each of your limbs. The people are tugging and you’re getting stretched in every direction. Someone wants you to go there, someone wants you to come here. Take some time out for yourself and clearly state your needs to others.

Make it known what the best situation for you would be.

Cancer There’s an emotional intensity inside you today that’s squirming to find a way out. Sudden outbursts are likely, so take care to hold your temper in check. Surround yourself with good friends who can support your erratic feelings. Don’t be clingy. Seek friends who are thoughtful listeners, not permanent crutches.

They may be feeling the same strong tension and don’t need an extra burden.

Leo Today may have some crazy emotional ups and downs. There seems to be an intense cloud seeping into every part of your day. Don’t try to fool people. They will see right through you. Bursts of positive energy will pop out of nowhere to remind you of your more important purpose. Try not to get so bogged down in the heaviness of the day that you fail to spot opportunities that arise.

Virgo This day will be filled with many exciting surprises for you. Approach it with gratitude and you will be amazed at the number of things that just naturally seem to flow your way. Your generous heart will be rewarded in unexpected ways. Old friends are likely to show up. Open yourself up to conversations.

Act spontaneously and with a great deal of passion.

Libra There’s a larger trend operating in your life. It’s asking you to break the rules and enter a new realm - a new mindset or way of living. Today that trend comes into focus, as emotional outbursts call attention to the changes. Your heart may want to go one way while your brain wants to go another. Take deep breaths and infuse a wave of calm into the situation before you proceed.

Scorpio Pour yourself a comforting cup of tea today. Take a hot shower or a long bath.

In short, pamper yourself. You may be picking up on the extra tension of the people around you. Be conscious of this and make a mental note to strip away the garbage that others dump on you. You’re a sensitive individual. Pat yourself on the back and look out for sudden moves from others.

For Wednesday March 25, 2015: 08:30hrs For Thursday March 26, 2015: 09:00hrs For Friday Friday March 27, 2015: 10:00hrs

Sagittarius It may be that people are a bit upset by some of your recent actions or words.

The offhand remark you made a couple weeks ago is catching up to you. What you may consider friendly, light-hearted sparring may actual do a bit of damage to someone’s sensitive emotions, especially today. Think before you speak.

Others might not have as tough a skin as they seem to have.

Capricorn This is an exciting day for you. You can accomplish quite a bit. Your intuition is especially acute and your sensitivity is strong. Computers might irritate you today. It’s possible to get all worked up if your laptop crashes. Save your work often. Keep in mind that it’s just a machine. Don’t let it get the better of you.

Aquarius You might be a bit jittery, even without caffeine. Sudden actions may cause people to freak out, since people will be on edge in general today anyway. Save the surprises for another time. If you need to tell your boss that you’re going on vacation for a little while, now isn’t the time. There’s a rough edge to the astral energy. Relax to soothe your soul.

Pisces Things may be coming at you from all angles today. Sooner or later you will be forced to take action. It may seem like the walls of the room are slowly caving in. The pressure is building and the air is getting stagnant. Go out for a run.

Exercise will help you release some of that pressure you feel.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Elliott six brings New Zealand’s epic victory

By John Mehaffey

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Reuters) - - New Zealand’s Grant Elliott struck the premier South Africa strike bowler Dale Steyn for six

yesterday, to give the World Cup co-hosts an epic four-wicket victory with a ball to spare in their semifinal at Eden Park.

Twelve runs were required off the final over of the rain-reduced match after New Zealand had been set a daunting 298 to score off 43 overs.

Veteran Daniel Vettori squeezed a four past third man, the pair ran a bye and Elliott hit the winning six over long-on to secure New Zealand’s first semi-final victory in seven attempts.

They will now meet the winners of tomorrow’s second semi-final between Australia and India in Sydney at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Elliott was named the man-ofthe-match after his masterly 84 not out from 73 deliveries.

Captain Brendon McCullum set the tone at the start of the New Zealand innings with a brutal 59 from 26 balls, including four sixes.

Elliott and Corey Anderson

then combined in a fifth-wicket partnership of 103 after Martin Guptill (34) had been needlessly runout and Ross Taylor (30) was caught behind.

Anderson could have been run-out for 33 when he was stranded hopelessly down the pitch at the bowler’s end. But South Africa captain AB de Villiers removed the bails without collecting the ball to give him a reprieve.

The tension began to tell in the South African fielding when Elliott was dropped in the outfield after JP Duminy collided with Farhaan Behardien who had lined up the catch.

Morne Morkel bowled a potentially telling over when Anderson skied the ball to Faf du Plessis and was out for 58. Luke Ronchi followed for eight but Elliott and Vettori saw their team home to a rapturous reception from the sellout crowd of 41 269.

Elliott’s final shot was the second six by a New Zealander to win a match in the tournament after Kane

Danns, Briggs excited about ‘Golden Jaguars’ stint

By Rawle Toney GUYANA’S Senior National football team, popularly known as the ‘Golden Jaguars’, were given a boost with the inclusion of English duo, Matthew Briggs and Neil Danns, ahead of their International Friendly against Grenada to be played this Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium.

Briggs, 24, in 2007 at just 16 years 65 days old, became the youngest player to feature in the Barclays Premier League when he played with Fulham FC against Middlesbrough FC and now plays with Championship side Midwall FC, but is on loan to Colchester FC. A member of Bolton Wanderers Football Club, Danns, 32, played for several top teams in the English Championship Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Birmingham City and Leicester City - just to name a few, before signing permanently with ‘the Whites’ last year.

Eligible to play for the ‘Golden Jaguars’ through their grandparents, both Danns and Briggs believe that their arrival sparks the dawn of a new era for Guyana’s football, since it would encourage others like themselves in England, to voyage to the South American country and help build a super team to compete in CONCACAF and further afield.

Speaking at a Press Conference hosted yesterday at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) head office, the players shared their reasons for wanting to represent Guyana.

Danns stated, “This is my first time in Guyana and when the opportunity came to play for the National team, I was excited not just for the football side but to also come and get to educate myself about my family’s heritage and right away, I can see the distinct culture of my family over here.”

“I just want to play International football,” Briggs said. “Growing up around Guyanese people is all I’ve known and I’ve never been here so the first opportunity I got to come I snatched it. I lost my grandmother eight years ago and when I hear the grown women speak, it reminded me of her, so it’s just these little things that made me come here.”

But Briggs told reporters that a few years ago, he got a similar offer but “at the time I was around the England youth set up

where Guptill leaped to his right to hold the catch. du Plessis reached his halfcentury from 85 balls and celebrated by lofting Matt Henry straight back over his head for six. de Villiers started to collect boundaries at the other end as the South Africans started to accelerate.

The 50-partnership came off 44 balls and de Villiers struck Anderson for 14 runs off three balls immediately after he had been dropped on 38 by Williamson who failed to cling on to a fierce drive. de Villiers was in full flow now before the players left the field after the 38th over with the score on 216 for three when rain blew in over the stadium.

After the teams returned Anderson dismissed du Plessis but the New Zealand jubilation was cut short when left-hander Miller climbed into their bowling and 65 came off the final five overs.

Williamson’s identical strike against Australia at the same venue in the group stage. de Villiers (65 not out) and Faf du Plessis (82) laid the foundations of South Africa’s impressive 281 for five off 43 overs with a fourth-wicket partnership of 103 from 73 balls.

David Miller blasted 49 off 18 balls and New Zealand did not help their cause by dropping three catches, none of them easy but all the sort of chances they had been taking in their unbeaten run through the tournament.

South African openers Hashim Amla (10) and Quinton de Kock (14) fell cheaply to Trent Boult who broke Geoff Allott’s New Zealand record of 20 wickets set at the 1999 World Cup. Rilee Rossouw and du Plessis restored South Africa’s fortunes with a third-wicket partnership of 83.

When McCullum introduced Anderson, the first ball to Rossouw was a wide and the second flew off the shoulder off the bat to backward point

and back then I was a bit young and not as mature as I am now, but after I played for the Under-21s I thought to myself that, I’m Guyanese and now I have a chance to make a contribution and to play for my country”.

The tall, well-built defender has played in England’s youth system starting from their U-16, straight through to their U-21 team.

Asked what difference he will add to the Golden Jaguars, Danns, a midfield player, noted that he brings with him, “the experience of playing at a high level in England and not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well. There are standards that you need to live up to, like how you live, how you diet and how you rest and train, and I feel with our experience we can show the local lads, especially those who never had the opportunity to work with professional players that we have worked with; we can pass on that knowledge”.

Head coach of the Golden Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz, said that at present, it’s an “interesting time not just for Guyana’s football but for Caribbean football.

“Because as Marcus Garvey would say ‘as a tree without root is dead, so too is a people without knowledge of their past and history and culture’.”

“For these guys to do what (Chris) Nurse and Carl Cort and Leon Cort before them (have done), it’s saying something very profound, that they are very conscious not just of football, but of the need to connect with their roots and it is with that connection, we’ll see football develop and the young people of the Caribbean being able to benefit”.

Shabazz added, “I’ve officially banned the terms foreign and local; it’s only Guyanese, because this is the Guyana National Team and (by the way), this is not a paid political announcement. I want to thank the guys for coming and together we will live this dream.”

The players said that in England there are many quality players, even in the Premier League who would love to represent Guyana but (are) hesitant, based on expectations, but with them now being part of the system locally, they will use their experience to encourage them to come and be part of the programme and help Guyana to progress to the World Cup finals.

Racing Tips South Africa Racing Tips

11:50 hrs Meshardal

Kenilworth

12:20 hrs What Asham

08:20 hrs Legal Force

12:50 hrs Light The City

08:55 hrs Seattle Kat

Lingfield

09:30 hrs Study The Stars

11:00 hrs Skidby Mill

10:05 hrs Baby Be Mine

11:30 hrs Callac

10:40 hrs Oreo Shake

12:00 hrs Watersmeet

11:15 hrs Gauteng

12:30 hrs Dishy Guru

English Racing Tips

13:00 hrs The French Grey

Newton Abbot

American Racing Tips

10:10 hrs Seven Nation Army

Gulfstream Park

10:40 hrs Drumlee Lad 11:10 hrs Velator

Race 1 Transeunte Race 2 El Botas Race 3 Stone Jak

11:40 hrs Snowell

Race 4 Boss Man

12:10 hrs Ballyegan

Race 5 Lying Eyes

12:40 hrs Giveitachance

Race 6 Vinny’s Wildcat

Southwell

Race 7 Birthday Girl

10:20 hrs Tijan

Race 8 Ziggy the Great

10:50 hrs Blazeofenchantment

Race 9 Stefochop

11:20 hrs Pearl Nation

Race10 Ansiedad

From Back Page

Cameron praises ...

“The news of this latest achievement has come as a great delight to all of us at the WICB, and on behalf of the directors, management and staff, we express congratulations and best wishes for continued success to the Jaguars,” said WICB president Dave Cameron.

“This championship is a remarkable achievement and everyone involved must be commended for their hard work. They proved to themselves and everyone else what can be attained with the right level of determination and commitment.”

Cameron said that the R4-Day again highlighted the tremendous talent in the region and he was satisfied that the inaugural season of the PCL had achieved some of its objectives.

“This season, the R4-Day was played under a franchise format and there were some teething issues as you can expect with any new system,” he said.

“We have learnt from those experiences and will put things in place to make the next season much more fulfilling, but we are happy with some of the results and the talent exposure that we have seen this year.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Blatter forced to sit through stinging criticism of leadership

By Brian Homewood

VIENNA, Austria Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter was forced to sit through some stinging criticism of his leadership as his three rivals addressed an audience of European football leaders at the UEFA Congress yesterday.

Blatter sat stony faced as Michael van Praag, Luis Figo and Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan outlined their plans for soccer’s governing body.

The Swiss had earlier addressed Congress as FIFA president but had declined to give a campaign speech. van Praag was the most outspoken, saying there was a responsibility to “clean up the mess”.

“I simply cannot accept that we leave FIFA in its current shape for the next generation,” he said.

“The beautiful heritage of international football has been tarnished by ever-continuing accusations of corruption, bribery, nepotism and waste of money.

“The current state of disarray asks for a change in leadership. I cannot look away.

It is the responsibility of our generation to clean up the mess.”

In another dig at Blatter, who has been

FIFA president Sepp Blatter talks to journalists before the start of the opening session of the 39th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Vienna, yesterday. in office since 1998 and is bidding for a fifth term, van Praag said he would only stay in charge for one four-year mandate.

“Effective change is simply impossible under the leadership of the same person who

Pietersen released from IPL deal to make county switch LONDON, England (Reuters) - Kevin Pietersen has been released from the majority of his Indian Premier League (IPL) contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad so that he can play domestic county cricket in an attempt to earn an England recall.

The 34-year-old, who won 104 Test and 136 one-day caps, was sacked in February 2014 after England’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia but incoming England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves suggested this month he could be recalled if he “scores a lot of runs” for a county.

Pietersen said his agreement with Hyderabad will allow him to miss the IPL’s league fixtures but he could be recalled should the team reach the knockout stages of the competition.

The IPL starts on April 8, with the knockout stages of the competition commencing on May 19 and the final taking place on May 24.

Kevin Pietersen “I’m hugely grateful for all the support and understanding I’ve received from everyone at the Sunrisers and the IPL,” Pietersen said in a statement on his website (www. kevinpietersen.com).

“My focus is now very much on the upcoming season in England and I’m absolutely determined to score as many runs as possible.

“I’ve never made any secret of my overwhelming desire to once again

represent England and I’m going to do everything in my power to earn a recall to the international set-up.

“To once again put on that England shirt would be a privilege and an honour but now I have to focus on performing domestically and give myself the best possible chance of meriting selection.”

Pietersen parted company with Surrey last September because of his IPL and Caribbean Premier League commitments.

is responsible for the state FIFA is in,” he said.

“I have absolutely no ambition to become the next president who stays in office for 20 years. I want to be FIFA

president for only four years...to start the normalisation process towards a more open, democratic and credible FIFA, to be handed over to the next generation in 2019.

“A more humble FIFA, back to basics, mostly occupied with helping member states to improve the position of football in their countries.”

Prince Ali said that “around the world there is a real appetite for change, new leadership, better support to national associations, meaningful investment in football development, and for FIFA to be a genuine service organisation.”

“FIFA, from a commercial perspective, has in many ways been riding the wave of European football’s success which has also helped directly the success of the FIFA World Cup,” he added.

“While the popularity of the World Cup has soared, the image of the organisation has sadly declined.”

Figo said that he was “not a servant of a European association acting as a special agent to conquer Zurich.”

“FIFA should not be dependent on a president; that is not healthy. What is missing is you; you all need to be more present in FIFA life,” he told delegates.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

`Stealth Bomber’ fresh as a Allen back in the rose for first fight in years ring next month LENNOX `2 Sharpe’ Allen is expected back in the ring next month for his 20th professional bout but up to yesterday his opponent remained unknown.

Internet website Boxrec.com reported that Allen is scheduled to fight an eightrounder on April 17 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, USA but did not reveal the identity of his opponent.

A former CABOFE super middleweight champion, Allen made his last appearance in the ring in January when he secured his 18th professional victory following a second round knockout of Ghanaian Koso `Dangerous’ Issah.

The Ghanaian was stopped at 51 seconds of the round. The six-foot oneinch Allen has since moved up to the light

heavyweight division.

Last October the 29-yearold southpaw was scheduled to clash with Julio Garcia but the fight was cancelled when his opponent weighed in 15 pounds over the168-pound super middleweight limit.

Allen turned pro in 2004. He secured the vacant World Boxing Council, Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) title in 2011 following a unanimous 12-round decision over Kwesi Jones at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

However, his career had slowed with him having one fight in 2012 and a similar number in 2013.

Allen is undefeated in 19 fights (one draw) and has a 57 percent knockout average.

Gwendolyn `The Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil GWENDOLYN `The Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil’s return to the ring has been pushed back by almost two months but the ageing warrior believes that when the times comes, Sonya Lamonakis would be on her back inspecting the ceiling lights.

O’Neil meets Lamonakis on May 30 in St Maarten and would be coming off a fouryear hiatus. “I was waiting two years for this fight and I don’t mind waiting another two months. The result would still be the same,” O’Neil declared.

“I think that I have rested enough. I am coming back fresh on the scene. I am fresh as a rose for this fight and ready to take care of my business. I want to win by a wide margin and am thinking knockout.”

The fight was originally scheduled to be held on April 4 but was pushed back because of administrative issues.

Lamonakis who is known in boxing circles as `The Scholar’, was born in Greece and has lost once in 13 fights. She has fought

twice in 2014 and had a similar number of bouts the previous year.

O’Neil, who will turn 46 in August, last fought in October 2011 when she defeated Pauline London. She won the Women’s International Boxing Association light heavyweight title in May 2004 after beating American Kathy Rivers at the National Park in Georgetown.

The victory allowed Guyana to have its first female world champion and created history for O’Neil who became the first Guyanese to win a world title on home soil.

At present the `Stealth Bomber’ resides in the USA and is being trained by former Commonwealth lightweight champion Lennox Blackmoore at the Gleason’s Gym. “I know that I have a lot left in me so I am focusing on getting past this girl so that other doors can be opened to me,” said O’Neil who turned pro sixteen years ago.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni

India spinners to test Australia - Agnew PLAYING India in Sydney is about the stiffest challenge Australia could have been given as they seek to join New Zealand in the final of the World Cup. This match will be played on a pitch that should turn and grip, so you feel that India will give Australia a tougher examination than New Zealand or South Africa would have done at this stage.

Not only will Australia have to deal with India’s spinners in conditions that should suit them, they will also have to consider their own options.

Do they continue with the battery of fast bowlers who served them so well throughout the tournament, or do they include the left-arm spin of Xavier Doherty?

Some can point to the fact that India failed to win any of their 10 matches in all formats on their tour of

Australia between November and January, but they have played very good cricket since then to get to this stage with seven wins from seven matches.

Australia also had some alarms in their quarter-final win against Pakistan, Wahab Riaz roughing up their top order with a spell of very hostile, very pacey fast bowling.

They are unlikely to face anything like that in this match, rather the different challenge of India’s slow bowlers on a pitch that turned during the South Africa-Sri Lanka quarterfinal.

Clarke’s men also have to cope with the pressure of a home public that expects them to win this tournament.

Yes, they will be buoyed by their good record against India, but Dhoni’s men are used to playing in these highstakes games.

They are under constant pressure at home, play in front of baying crowds in the Indian Premier League and have that excellent record in knockout matches.

However, India will have to find a way of playing left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc, who, along with Boult and Southee, has been the outstanding bowler of the tournament.

Ideally, they would like to bat first then put the screws on Australia’s chase.

I’m looking forward to this contest immensely and it is very difficult to choose a winner. If Australia do come through, then it will be a huge tick for their credentials as World Cup winners.

Win in Sydney and you suspect it will be Clarke’s men celebrating in Melbourne and going on to face New Zealand in the final. (BBC Sport)

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

South Africa falter again at critical moment

By John Mehaffey AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Reuters) - - South Africa faltered yet again at the critical moment of a cricket World Cup yesterday when New Zealand snatched a semi-final victory which had appeared to be beyond their grasp for much of a rain-affected match at Eden Park.

The pre-tournament favourites had dismissed suggestions that they could succumb under pressure as they have in previous editions of the 50 overs tournament despite losing to India and Pakistan in the first round.

A ruthless demolition of Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals, their first knockout win at a World Cup, indicated had put the demons of the past behind - an impression confirmed yesterday when they

scored an impressive 281 for five from 43 overs.

However, as man-of-the-match Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson systematically chased down a victory target of 298 from 43 overs, signs of panic began to creep in.

Anderson received a let-off when captain AB de Villiers made a total mess of a run-out opportunity, knocking the bails off without securing the ball in his hand with the batsman stranded.

Elliott was dropped when JP Duminy crashed into substitute fielder Farhaan Behardien who had lined up the ball and was poised to secure the catch.

South Africa’s leading strike bowler Dale Steyn was smashed all round the field by Brendon McCullum at the start of the innings

The South African team walk back in low spirits. and then conceded a four to Daniel Vettori and the six to Elliott which gave New Zealand their dramatic victory. de Villiers was in tears at the post-match news conference after overseeing another South African defeat on the big stage. “It’s a tough one,” he said.

“We had our chances in the second half of the game but we didn’t take them.

It’s difficult to say the kind of emotions I’m feeling.” de Villiers said the team had badly wanted

to take the World Cup back home. “I guess life moves on, the sun comes up tomorrow,” he said.

“We had a lot of fun in this tournament and I’m proud of the guys.

“It hurts quite a bit, we had our chances and we didn’t take them.”

He agreed that the missed run-out chance had been one of the opportunities to win the game.

“I guess if you want to see it that way that I cost us the game,” he said.

McCullum savours the experience of a lifetime AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Reuters) - New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum savoured the experience of a lifetime as his team celebrated an epic cricket World Cup semi-final victory over South Africa at Eden Park yesterday.

Grant Elliott gave the co-hosts a four-wicket victory when he struck Dale Steyn over long-on off the

penultimate ball of the rain-reduced match.

New Zealand will now meet the winners of tomorrow’s semi-final in Sydney between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

“Pretty amazing,” McCullum said at the presentation ceremony. “It was a great advertisement for cricket;

A despondent Faf du Plessis after South Africa’s loss.

everybody will remember this for the rest of their lives.

“It’s the greatest time of our lives.

We have enjoyed the experience, the crowds that have turned up; the brand of cricket we have tried to play. We hope the crowds are all dreaming the way we are.

“We don’t mind who we face in the final, they are both quality sides but we know if we play the way we want to we have a good chance.

I’m really proud to represent New Zealand.”

Man-of-the-match Elliott, who scored 84 not out, said the support from the crowd had been amazing as New Zealand chased down their demanding target.

“It’s not for myself, not for the team, but it’s for everyone here. The support has been amazing,” he said.

“We just wanted to take it as deep as we could. Corey (Anderson) batted fantastically well. We timed the pace of the innings to perfection.

“When you have got 40 000 fans screaming at you every ball, it’s been an absolute pleasure playing at Eden Park, playing in front of the home crowd. Now it’s the first final we have been in as the New Zealand team.”

South Africa captain AB de Villiers said it had been an amazing game of cricket.

“Probably the most electric crowd I have ever heard in my

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum thanks the crowd for their strong support. life,” he said. “I guess the best team has come out on top. We gave it out best.”

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

US-based Thompson on top of her Windies youths to game ahead of CARIFTA Games begin training for ICC SHAUN Dietz, coach for US-based Guyanese sprinter Brenessa Thompson, who will be representing Guyana at next month’s CARIFTA Games in Basseterre, St Kitts, has declared his confidence that Thompson will be ready to take on the Games when it rolls around in a few weeks.

“Brenessa is on top of her game now and I feel that she can compete with the best of them,” Dietz affirmed earlier last week.

Thompson is one of nine athletes set to represent Guyana at the April 3 – 6 Games.

Thompson, who has enjoyed a good season so far, will be the only overseas athlete on the team this year, while the locals are CARIFTA Games Girls’ Under-20 1500m defending champion Cassie George, Kenisha Phillips, Claudrice McKoy, Chantoba Bright, Natirica Hooper, Compton Caesar, Matthew McKenzie and Ornesto Thom.

Dietz is optimistic, based on the improvements that Thompson has displayed this year, compared to how she performed last year prior to her participation in the 2014 CARIFTA Games, albeit still needing to work on a few things, and dealing with the weather in New York, where she lives and trains.

“She is in great shape but not 100%; she still needs to work on improving strength of her core muscles, and working on techniques,

Brenessa Thompson (and) the weather here in “I’m really confident New York is not great. She in my training and myself is a lot faster than last year, and also confident that my at this point of the season. coach will get me ready,” “Last year she ran 7.03 the enthusiastic Thompson for 55m, this year she ran noted.

6.87, in the 60m it was 7.58s Thompson is expected (last year), this year it’s to be out for her second 7.42s.” Dietz pointed out. year at CARIFTA, again On the point of medal in the Girls’ Under-20 aspirations, though 100m, as well as the 200m, Thompson is showing in which Guyana gained promising displays, Dietz a silver medal last year said such predictions would compliments of Kadecia go down to the wire, saying Baird. competition day will be the Baird, another of Dietz’ tell-all moment. athlete, is not on the team “She can be a finalist, this year having graduated but I leave the medals hopes out of the Under-20 age (for) the day the competition group at the Games. This starts. She will give Guyana leaves room for Thompson their best hope, in a long to step up her game, but time, in the event … she is she is sure to get a major more confident now than she fight from the powerhouse was last year.”

Jamaicans.

Shaun conveyed a Thompson will message reiterated by battle against the likes Thompson who expressed of Jamaica’s Saqukine full trust in her coach’s Cameron, who comes into ability to take her the full the Girls’ 200m event fresh mile. off of clocking a personal

best 23.18s at Jamaica’s CARIFTA Trials, earlier this month.

Behind Cameron are Rene Medley and Natalliah Whyte both of whom churned out sub24 second performances.

Thompson currently stands with a personal best of 23.91 seconds in the 200m, which she clocked last year June. At last year’s CARIFTA, Thompson had clocked 24.33 seconds finishing sixth in an event won by Trinidad’s Kayelle Clark in a time of 23.10 seconds. Baird’s time in the event was 23.13 seconds.

The Trinidadians were also a force to be reckoned with in these events last year, though not much fight is expected to come from the Trinidad camp this year, where bleak performances ensued in the Girls’ Under-20 100m and 200m events at that country’s CARIFTA trials.

In the 100m Thompson will b Guyana’s sole representative. Last year, Thompson finished fifth in this event in a time of 11.61 seconds, after a hard time against the Jamaicans and Trinidadians. The race was won by Jamaica’s Jonielle Smith, whle second place went to Trinidad’s Aaliyah Telesford for her 11.42 seconds finish.

With Smith not taking part in the event this year Jamaica’s best will be in seventeen-year-old Whyte who clocked 11.71 seconds in the event earlier this month. Thompson currently has a 11.60 seconds PB in this event.

Mixed fortunes for Linden teams in K&S championship

Winners Connection, Western Tigers advance

By Joe Chapman LINDEN teams won one and lost one when two more matches in the 25th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai football championship were played at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Monday night.

In the first game Western Tigers triumphed 1-0 over Hi Stars, while in the second game Linden’s Winners Connection gave Ann’s Grove the boot with a 2-0 victory.

Western Tigers were able to grab the lead and winning goal in the first half, when Anthony ‘Sugar’ Abrams collected a short-range pass, motoring down the outside right from Shane

Morris and unleashed a shot from just around the 18-yard box in the 17th minute.

Despite some near misses for both teams, that game ended with the scores unchanged 1-0 for the City team.

In the second game the home-side Winners Connection balanced things off for the local crowd, as they first took the lead through a goal scored from close up, after several forays, after their forwards had pressed their opponents.

That goal was in the 18th minute as forward Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens tucked in to give his side the lead. Two more clear chances went a-begging in the last five minutes of the first session.

The Linden team dominated the

exchanges although Ann’s Grove did create some opportunities of their own.

In the 67th minute Gittens eluded his marker and the goalkeeper was out of his citadel but he sent the ball wide.

The slim-built striker made amends later, in the 83rd minute, when the ball was cleared but his volley in the centre from outside the 18-yard box swirled high enough to beat the goalkeeper on his line over his head to send the Linden team into a 2-0 advantage which they never relinquished.

Winners Connection will now play Pele while Western Tigers set up a clash with Riddim Squad on Saturday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.

Youth World Cup

Kemo Paul ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - A 16-member West Indies Under-19 squad has been selected to begin early preparations for the ICC Youth World Cup scheduled to take place in Bangladesh next year.

All but five of the players selected - Kofi James, Kirstan Kallicharran, Ryan John, Dominic Drakes and Gidron Pope - were part of the squad that took part in the NAGICO Super50 Tournament in January in Trinidad & Tobago.

The two-week training camp at the West Indies High Performance Centre, located on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies, will be run from March 29 to April 11.

The camp forms part of the West Indies Under-19s’

Shimron Hetmyer preparations for the 2016 ICC Youth World Cup scheduled to take place next year in Bangladesh.

A WICB statement says the squad is not the final one for the ICC YWC. Players still have a chance to impress during the Regional Under-19 Tournament, scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 16 in Jamaica.

Squad: Kacey Carty, Jaeel Clarke, wicketkeeper/ batsman Dominic Drakes, Michael Frew, Shimron Hetmyer, Kofi James, Amir Jangoo, Ryan John, Allrounder, Alzarri Joseph, Fast bowler Kirstan Kallicharran, Nicholas Kirton, Keemo Paul, Gidron Pope, Akil Seetal, Odean Smith, Shamar Springer.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday March 25, 2015) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)Clive Lloyd-102 (vs AUST, 1975) (2) Andy Roberts/MohinderAmarnath Today’s Quiz: (1) Name the WI who won the Man of the Match Award in the 1975 World Cup? (2) When was the last time England appeared in a WC semi-final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 25, 2015

Bakewell Slingerz FC to make K&S debut tonight against Victoria Kings ... Alpha United in opening clash with Agricola

Bakewell Slingerz FC

Alpha United FC ACTION in the 25th Kashif and Shanghai Football tournament continues tonight at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground with another doubleheader, starting at 18:30hrs.

Game one will see Guyana’s top club Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United come up against Agricola Red Triangle while tournament debutants Bakewell Slingerz FC face off against Victoria Kings.

With participation at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) being their priority, Alpha United will be using the Kashif and

Shanghai tournament as part of preparation plans but head coach Wayne Dover made it clear that despite the side looking beyond the competition, losing is not an option.

Equipped with some of Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s best players, Alpha United are expected to secure a victory tonight, but as they say in football, ‘the ball is round and anything can happen’.

Agricola, competing in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) had finished second behind Grove Hi-Tech in the league and can be an element of surprise for coach

Wayne Dover and his troop.

Meanwhile, the night’s second game should be one of the biggest of the tournament so far.

Built as a rival to Alpha United, Bakewell Slingerz FC; the star-studded squad from the ‘West Side’ have held their own against some of the country’s big clubs since being formed two years ago.

The club can easily boast of being more than just a ‘big money’ team, having won all but two tournaments (NAMILCO and Goal for Gold) since formation.

An unbeaten track record within the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) and the recent signing with one of the country’s top corporate entity Nasir and Nasir Group under their Bakewell brand now puts pressure on the Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson-coached team to come up with a victory.

Both Kings and Bakewell Slingerz are the top sides in their respective associations but the Vergenoegen-based club hold an advantage over their East Coast counterparts.

Vurlon Mills, Clive Nobrega, King Solomon Austin, Colin Nelson, Dwayne Jacobs, Joshua Brown and Les Charles

Critchlow are all current members of the Golden Jaguars while the club’s two leading goalscorers Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and Devon Millington were also prominent players on the National side.

With more depth, more talent and more experience on their side, Bakewell Slingerz should come out on top but the experience and ‘never-say-die’ will of Winston Pompey and, Aubrey Gibson should push the Victoria Kings unit to limits never before reached.

Pompey, now a veteran, has over the years been the Victoria club’s best player and taking the ‘player-coach’ position in the team it will be interesting to see how well he operates in the dual role.

Calvin De Souza, Alden Lawrence, Sherwin Skeete, Inceford Charles, Ruben Morris, Rondel Assanah and Kirk Warren are some of the other players in the Victoria Kings line-up.

A win for either club will see them play Fruta Conquerors on Friday, while the winner between Alpha United and Agricola Red Triangle will meet GFC at the same venue.

Four uncapped players named in Green Machine hold practice game against Russia Windies 20-man training squad ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - Four uncapped players have been included in a 20-man West Indies squad chosen to start a training camp in Antigua ahead of the International Home Test Series against England, starting next month.

The uncapped players are: Carlos Brathwaite, fellow fast bowler Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich and fellow wicketkeeper/batsman Shai Hope.

They, along with the spin bowling pair of Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul, who earned a recall, were the only members of the squad not selected in the previous Test series against South Africa which ended in January.

Left-handed batsman Darren Bravo has recovered from the injury that ended his participation at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 early.

The training camp will begin on April 5 and culminate with preparation for the first Test, starting on Monday, April 13, at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Squad: Sulieman Benn, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich,

Part of the scrimmage between Guyana and Russia ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens World Series.

Barbados batsman Shai Hope is one of the four uncapped players named.

Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Leon Johnson, Veerasammy Permaul, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.

GUYANA’S 7s rugby team, currently in Hong Kong for the World Rugby Hong Kong Sevens World Series held their first practice game since arriving on the Asian continent.

The game against Russia, according to coach Theodore Henry was one which didn’t focus on how much tries either teams could have scored, but rather allowed the technical staff of the sides to focus on areas that can help them in the tournament while using the match to acclimatise to the conditions in Hong Kong.

The team departed last Friday for Hong Kong where they will play Zimbabwe in the opening game of the tournament, followed by clashes against Spain the same day and will wrap up their group play against Tonga the following day.

Russia are grouped with Tunisia, South Korea and Papua New Guinea.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Grant Elliott and Daniel Vettori held their nerve to guide New Zealand home.

Cameron praises GCB for Jaguars success KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Dave Cameron has praised the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for the success of the Jaguars in the Professional Cricket League (PCL) which ended on Monday.

The Jaguars formalised their position at the top of the table with an innings and 10-run victory over Windward Islands Volcanoes, on, the final morning of the final round of matches at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Cameron said the achievements of the Jaguars underscore the work which the Guyana Cricket Board has done to overcome a number of challenges in recent times.

The WICB president referenced the successes of the Guyana Under-15 and Under-19 teams, and commended GCB president Drubahadur and his team for bringing another championship to their country.

Turn to page 34

Elliott six brings New Zealand’s epic victory See story on page 34

Neil Danns (left) and Matthew Briggs

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn is distraught after getting smashed for a six that won the game for New Zealand.

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Danns, Briggs excited about ‘Golden Jaguars’ stint See story on page 34

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015