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GUYANA

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

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No. 104228 MONDAY JUNE 22, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

INCLUDING VAT

CGX takes bull by the horns as...

Guyana to soon realise deep-water harbour dream – construction already underway in Berbice

President announces at public meeting...

Bartica to officially become township next April Page

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Former murder accused gunned down in bed

– Fiancée, son critical Page

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Dead Travis Rudder, Snr.

Injured son Travis Rudder Jnr.

National Assembly to sit this week – cap former Page

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President David Granger being greeted by Reverend Alfred David upon his arrival at the St. John the Baptist Church

Presidents benefits


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

President announces at public meeting...

Bartica to officially become township next April COME April 23, 2016 Bartica will attain the status of township in keeping with a promise made by President David Granger during his election campaign, and an ordinance made by the British government some 178 years ago. The President made the announcement yesterday during a public meeting at the Bartica Secondary School. With him at the meeting were Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Ms Simona Broomes. “I made a promise when I was campaigning, and I promised that Bartica will become a town before May 26, 2016, the 50th Independence anniversary,” the President said, adding: “In fact, Bartica will be a town on the 23rd April, 2016.” Speaking to the significance of the chosen date, President Granger told the gathering that it was on April 23, 178 years ago that the Ordinance was made by the colonial government, hence his government would like to make that decree a reality. Noting that April 23 may very well coincide with the Easter Regatta celebrations, the President called on all to come out and celebrate the township and show solidarity for the community moving forward. ‘GREENING’ OF BARTICA He also tasked residents with not only making the necessary preparations befitting of a town, but also striving to make Bartica become Guyana’s “first ever ‘green’ town.” “I would like you to use the next ten months to make Bartica the most beautiful town in the entire country. There are economic reasons; there are health reasons for that; there are political, social and cultural reasons for that,” the President said, adding that the ‘greening’ of

At the Bartica meeting yesterday: Seated from left are: Region Seven Chairman, Mr. Gordon Bradford; Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton; President David Granger; and Social Protection Minister, Ms. Simona Broomes

President Granger as he addressed Barticians and residents of other communities at the Bartica Secondary School

Bartica is important, in that when persons pay the community a visit, everything should reflect Guyana’s pristine hinterland region. “By a green town,” he said, “I mean that you must

look at your energy: Stop bringing in diesel and gasoline; let us use wind and sun power… But we have to adopt green energy; and Bartica must be Guyana’s first ‘green’ town.” For starters, he said Barticians should begin cutting back on the use of Styrofoam and plastic, and pay keener attention to proper solid-waste disposal. “Let us ensure that energy generation is sustain-

able,” he urged. “Let us ensure that our schools, our hospitals, our clinics, and our homes use green energy; sustainable renewable energy from sunlight; from the wind.” He also stressed the importance of children learning from small how to properly dispose of waste, and how to utilise the good things that are produced locally, in an effort to minimise the importation of

commodities, including plastics. “So, by being a ‘green’ economy, Bartica will renew itself, sustain itself, and not damage the environment as I see happening now.” Also at the meeting, residents were afforded the opportunity of raising some of their concerns, which includes the urgent need for a proper waste disposal site and the delay of the requisite permit for a cre-

matorium. Residents of Karrau raised some concerns over land distribution in the village and called for a thorough investigation and audit into the Village Council activities. While in Bartica, President Granger also joined in celebrating the 172nd Anniversary of the St. John the Baptist Church, and wishing fathers all across Guyana a Happy Father’s Day. (GINA)


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

CGX takes bull by the horns as...

Guyana to soon realise deep-water harbour dream – construction already underway in Berbice

Professor Suresh Narine (at podium) engages stakeholders at the CGX corporate presentation held at Cara Lodge last week

By Gary Eleazar GUYANESE have long heard about the economic prospects of having a deep-water port at the mouth of the Berbice River, and now one largescale foreign investor has already commenced construction of such a facility. CGX Energy Inc., the oil exploration company that has already invested in excess of US$350M in Guyana, disclosed last Friday for the first time that it

was already forging ahead with the construction of a deep-water port at the mouth of the Berbice River. The massive multi-million dollar facility is being built by CGX Energy Inc. to initially augment its operations, and tap into the potential created by other oil exploration wells being spud in the region. Co-Chairman of CGX Energy (Guyana), Professor Suresh Narine, made the disclosure as he announced that the government had agreed

to an extension for it to spud another exploration well offshore Corentyne. He was at the time speaking to industry stakeholders at a special briefing by the oil exploration giant at Cara Lodge International Hotel in Georgetown.

ECONOMIST, Dr Clive Thomas has been appointed Presidential Adviser on sustainable development. The professor will assume responsibility for economic matters, and the State Asset Recovery Programme. Professor Thomas

joins former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best, who was appointed Adviser on the Environment; Brigadier Edward Collins, Adviser on National Security; and former People’s National Congress General Secretary, Mr Aubrey Nor-

INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE According to Professor Narine, CGX is so far the only oil exploration company in Guyana to have invested not only in its activities

but also in infrastructure. “We invest in infrastructure here, not because we are only patriotic, but in addition to being patriotic, we believe that there is significant money to be made in the services to the oil and gas industry,” Professor Narine said. In explaining the company’s ownership and development of a deep-sea port at the mouth of the Berbice River, the CGX Co-Chair pointed to “a wholly-owned subsidiary called Grand Canal Industrial Es-

tates (GCIE).” Located north of the Berbice River Bridge at Palymra Village, Professor Narine disclosed too that the 50year land lease with the Government of Guyana is for a 22-hectare plot, with 600 meters of frontage at the mouth of the Berbice River. The wharf, he said, is a mere 10 kilometers from the open Atlantic Ocean, and CGX Energy Inc., through its subsidiary, GCIE, has already roped in the Dutch firm, Ballast Needam, to complete the first phase of construction on the project. Professor Narine told stakeholders that CGX Energy Inc. is currently in active negotiations with other oil and gas companies operating in the region, “as well as other venture partners” in pursuit of the project’s completion. He said that CGX has already invested between US$10M and US$15M on the facility. CHAGUARAMAS FACILITY Putting into perspective an oil exploration company’s venture into constructing a deep-water port at the mouth of the Berbice River, Professor Narine engaged stakeholders on the opportu-

nities available, and the fact that the closest such facility exists at Chaguaramas, in Trinidad and Tobago. Drilling for oil, he explained, costs just about US$500,000 per day, with a significant amount of that cost attributed to supplies having to be brought in with Chaguaramas currently being the only staging area, since it houses the closest deep water port. The world-renowned professor explained that at present, each of those oil companies exploring in the Guyana basin, including CGX Energy Inc., currently depends exclusively on one of its key sources of raw materials making its way through the Chaguaramas deep water port, 450 miles away. This economic activity related directly to the oil and gas sector will be transferred to Berbice as against having to reside in Trinidad and Tobago, according to Professor Narine. “So we believe that this is a tremendous opportunity,” according to the CGX Co-Chair. The GGX facility, Professor Narine added, when completed will be the main deep water port in north east South America.

Dr Clive Thomas appointed presidential adviser

Dr Clive Thomas

ton, as Adviser on Youth Empowerment who were all recently appointed by President David Granger. (GINA)


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22 2015

Mourning shooting victims, Charleston anguishes over ‘freshness of death’ embraces after Goff, whose voice rose to a shout at times, encouraged them to “hug three people next to you and tell them, ‘It’s going to be alright.’” The suspect, Dylann Roof, was arrested on Thursday and has been charged with nine counts of murder. Authorities say he spent an hour in an evening Bible study group at the church, nicknamed “Mother Emanuel” for its key role in U.S. black history, before opening fire. Federal investigators were examining a racist manifesto on a website that appeared to have been written by Roof. The site featured white supremacist writings and photos, apparently of Roof. Goff was standing in for Clementa Pinckney, 41, senior pastor at Emanuel and a Democratic member of the state Senate who was killed in the massacre. “When evil is in the world, you and I may not be able to control evil-doers. ... Some of us are still trying to seek answers to what happened last week, Wednesday,” Goff said. “I’ve decided to turn it to over to Jesus.” Among those at the service, which lasted more than two hours, were South Car-

By Edward McAllister, Luciana Lopez and Alana Wise CHARLESTON, South Carolina, (Reuters)-Hundreds of people packed a sweltering Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston for an emotional memorial service yesterday just days after a gunman, identified by authorities as a 21-yearold white man, shot dead nine black church members. “We are reminded this morning about the freshness of death that comes like a thief in the night,” the Reverend Norvel Goff told a mostly black congregation that swelled to about 400 people for a service remembering those killed on Wednesday in the latest U.S. mass shooting. Armed police searched bags at the door of the church, home to the oldest African-American congregation in the southern United States, and officers stood

A crowd of supporters of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church who could not fit inside stand in the street during service in Charleston, South Carolina, yesterday. brought people alternately Reuters/Brian Snyder at intervals inside the church along the side of the nave and in the gallery. Outside the church, a

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to tears and laughter as the church reopened to worshippers for the first time since the shooting. They whooped, cheered and raised their hands, and ended the service with

large, mostly white crowd gathered to express solidarity with those inside. Goff’s rollicking sermon

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olina Governor Nikki Haley, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley and Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum. “The blood of the Mother Emanuel Nine requires us to work until not only justice in this case but for those who are still living in the margin of life, those who are less fortunate than ourselves, that we stay on the battlefield until there is no more fight to be fought,” Goff said. Hand fans fluttered in the church as those in attendance tried to beat the heat. The massacre has again trained a spotlight on the divisive issues of race relations and gun crime in the United States and reignited a debate over gun control in a country where the right to own firearms is constitutionally protected. GUN CONTROL Riley, on the CNN program “State of the Union,” called for stricter gun control laws. “It is insane the number of guns and the ease of getting guns in America,” Riley said. “It’s not that people should not carry guns and all of that, it’s just that there are so many of them and the ease of them and there is no accountability.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Antigua extends Governor delays appointment of amnesty for opposition leader non-nationals

ST JOHN’s , Antigua (CMC) - An amnesty programme geared towards giving non-nationals the opportunity to regularise their status, has been extended. According to Acting Chief Immigration Officer Annette Mark, during this grace period, it is hoped that people will regularise their status. “The amnesty is a pardon,” she said. “Basically,

it’s for those persons who are here illegally, those persons who have gaps in their time, and persons who have applied already to the passport office and have been denied,” Mark told Observer radio on the weekend. “So, I’m encouraging persons to come forward….otherwise, after this period, our enforcement department will be out in full force looking

for persons who are here illegally,” she said, adding that during a meeting at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, it was decided that the deadline would be set to September 15, giving individuals at least 90 days to be informed. The amnesty was granted to non-nationals under the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act 2015 on April 8.

US-based C’bean families torn apart by drug deportations – report

LOS ANGELES, United States (CMC) – A major human rights group here says thousands of Caribbean families in the United States have been torn apart in recent years by detention and deportation for drug offences. In its latest report, Human Rights Watch said that disproportionately harsh laws and policies relating to drug offences can lead to deportation for lawful permanent Caribbean and other residents and unauthorised immigrants alike. The 93-page report, “A Price too high: US Families torn apart by deportations for drug offences,” documents how the US regularly places legal residents and other immigrants with strong ties to US families into deportation proceedings for drug offences. Often, those offenses are decades old or so minor they resulted in little or no prison time, the report says. Deportations after convictions for drug possession in particular have spiked, increasing 43 per cent from 2007 to 2012, according to US Government data obtained by Human Rights Watch through a Freedom

of Information Act request. The report is based on more than 130 interviews with affected immigrants, families, attorneys, and law enforcement officials, as well as new data obtained from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Deportations of non-citizens with drug convictions, and especially with drug possession convictions, increased significantly from 2007 to 2012, the report says. In addition to the 43 per cent increase in deportations after convictions for drug possession during that period, the report says deportations after convictions for sales, smuggling, manufacture, or trafficking increased 23 per cent. For more than 34,000 deported non-citizens, the most serious conviction was for marijuana possession, according to the report. Human Rights Watch said it requested information on the immigration status of deported non-citizens in its Freedom of Information Act, but said ICE, in its response, claimed not to keep such records. Human Rights Watch said an ap-

peal is pending. Under US immigration law, expunged or pardoned drug convictions can still result in deportation, according to Human Rights Watch. It said drug offences also bar non-citizens from gaining lawful resident status, even if they have close family relationships with US citizens that would otherwise qualify them for green cards. Although it is possible for a non-citizen to apply for a waiver for offences such as assault or fraud if they can show a US citizen family member would suffer extreme hardship if the non-citizen could not gain legal resident status, the only waiver possible for drug offences is for a single conviction for possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana, Human Rights Watch said. The human rights organisation has urged states ensure that reforms to reduce criminal penalties for drug offences and facilitate rehabilitation for those with drug dependency are designed to allow non-citizens to benefit as well.

ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, (CMC) – Governor John Duncan has delayed a decision about the appointment of a leader of Opposition due to a deadlock between the two members of the opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) who won their seats in the general election on June 8. The Governor was asked to intervene due to a stalemate as both VIP members, Julian Fraser and Andrew Fahie, are interested in the position. It was widely believed that Fraser, who was appointed chairman of the VIP over a year ago, would, as customary, become the opposition leader, however this is not a requirement of the constitution. On Friday, the Governor of this British Overseas territory

Governor John Duncan said he is giving them a month and a day to hammer out the resolution and if the issue is not settled by then, he would be forced to make an independent decision based on his powers under the constitution. “It is my decision that the appointment of Leader of the Opposition will be deferred for one month and one day to allow for further consultations

between the members of the Opposition and as they deem appropriate, with other interested parties. I am satisfied that this brief delay will not adversely impair the conduct of business in the House of Assembly or Government,” the Governor said. Noting that the Constitution does not envisage a situation where members of a single party are unable to reach an agreement, the governor added: “I consider it would be a retrograde step in the development of democracy in the Virgin Islands for the governor to be required to impose a solution in this matter without allowing the people of the Virgin Islands and their elected representatives a further window of reflection to agree a solution.”


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EDITORIAL

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22 2015

GUYANA

A most welcome intervention --should it bear fruit

ANOTHER businessman has been shot as bandits robbed a Western Union outlet in Duncan Street, Georgetown. It was reported that two men on Saturday morning pounced on a three-compartment store on Duncan Street, Newtown where a Western Union outlet and Internet Café are also housed, and robbed the owner of that business before shooting him in the leg. “According to the Police, the incident occurred around 10:20 hrs when two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered the business place and held up the proprietor Gordon Nestor, 52 years, and staff member Fernandes Ally, 18 years, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and took away over $400,000 before escaping in a waiting motor car,” read the report in yesterday’s edition of one of the local dailies. What is frightening, however, is that although the businessman had cooperated with the bandits’ request and handed over the cash, the one carrying the weapon still shot him. Entrepreneurs acquire their capital, sometimes by way of loans, then invest in business ventures. One has to garner a lot of courage and will to gamble on investments becoming viable and profitable. It takes a while before seed capital is recouped before profitability can be gauged. There are also overheads that have to be factored into the enterprise at many levels, not least staffing components, all of which necessitate the

generation of funds from somewhere if the business is not immediately successful. It can be a tremendous risk to stake all one’s savings, then borrow money to boot, to establish a business, because business ventures are almost never immediately successful. Then, in the midst of a businessman’s struggles to survive in the competitive world of a free-market economy to the point where he reaches a stage where he feels he is relatively safe and has established an economic safety zone, along come persons who have no intention of creating wealth for themselves through hard labour and sacrifices, but whose sole intention is to get rich quick by preying on those who acquired their wealth and resources by legitimate means. In the process, not only are they terrorized, but their lives, including the lives of their children, are also threatened, their homes and places of business ransacked, ensuing in much damage while the invaders search for what they perceive to be hidden loot. The destruction often left in the wake of such criminal forays is many-pronged, and include inability to repay loans, to pay staff, whose lives would also be negatively impacted in myriad ways, and oftentimes inability to recover the impetus of their business endeavours, leading to the depreciation of their lifestyles and the quality of their lives. Then there are the instances where people are killed during these robberies, which generate another level of

incalculable loss. So when a bandit carts off the takings in a heist, he leaves in his wake much destruction and trauma, which may never be resolved and/or healed. There are too many instances and too many lives that have been destroyed because of the predators in society, and it has assumed an imperative of immediate need for this scourge in society to be effectively eradicated. The assurance by Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan that his ministry will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to criminal activities was welcomed with much hope by the citizenry of the land that bandits who attack and rob, injure and even kill law-abiding citizens for their own property would be hunted down and dealt with by the full force of the law. But even with the help of surveillance cameras mounted around the premises, the police seem helpless to catch the criminals in most instances, so there is urgent need for the government to devise more effective mechanisms to enable the law-enforcement bodies to fight crime in the country. However, discussions during a courtesy call by U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt on Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, promises were made by Hunt that the two countries will work closer on “improving criminal justice, and bringing to account those who are guilty of crimes.” The fructification of this promise heralds a new dimension in crime-fighting in Guyana, if the immense resources, both human and otherwise, of the USA are made available to Guyana’s law-enforcement sector. The current escalation of criminal activity in Guyana needs to be addressed with immediacy, if the private sector and indeed the average citizen of the land, are to feel safe to pursue their undertakings, with full confidence that they are secure from the criminal brotherhood who are prone to acquiring by force, and with impunity, the wherewithal of the law-abiding citizens of the land.

National Assembly sitting this week to cap former Presidents benefits --AML/CFT Amendments, Financial Legislative Reform on agenda

ALMOST one year after the National Assembly last met to conduct the people’s business, Members of Parliament will this week deliberate on a number of critical pieces of legislation that are expected to be tabled for first reading before an eventual debate and vote. This is in addition to a Motion adopting the policies of President David Granger, as adumbrated on the occasion of the Ceremonial Opening of the First Session of the

Eleventh Parliament of Guyana. That Motion is scheduled to be moved by Vice-President, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, and seconded by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Attorney-General Basil Williams is slated to present two pieces of legislation for consideration, namely the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2015 and a Constitution

(Amendment) Bill. The latter amendment is meant to provide financial autonomy for a number of constitutional bodies. Finance Minister Winston Jordan is also slated to table for consideration the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill.


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Lower VAT rate mulled for tourism sector

--Minister says Guyana to be rebranded, aggressively marketed abroad

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes By Tajeram Mohabir WITH the tourism sector being one of the fastest growing industries worldwide, Guyana is looking to burnish and enhance its image as a prime tourism destination. But locals will not be neglected in the process as the Ministry of Tourism intends to make the local tourism product accessible and affordable to all. And as obtains in some Caribbean countries, Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes will be pushing for a lower VAT rate for the tourism sector as against the standard 16 per cent rate the Government charges through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). In The Bahamas, the standard VAT rate is 15 per cent, but the rate applied in its tourism sector is 10 per cent; in Barbados the VAT rate in 17.5 per cent but its tourism sector enjoys a concessionary rate of 7.5 per cent. Similarly, Dominica has a VAT rate of 15 per cent but it is reduced to 10 per cent for its tourism sector. “We need to be able to provide incentives to spur the local industry,” said Minister Hughes, who has more than 20 years of experience in the tourism industry. In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Hughes said she is also bothered about the state of small hoteliers, who are local operators, some of whom have been in the business for 20 to 25 years. Hughes understood well the plight of the small operators, having been the owner of a small boutique hotel. “If you have a 15-room hotel, you were not entitled to duty-free on your towels, your sheets, your linen and so many other things. I

Local airport taxi drivers must be able to tell of the wonders of Kaieteur Falls, says Tourism Minister Hughes thought not enough incentive was put in place for small operators in the industry,” she said, pointing out that it is one of the issues she will be looking to address. LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES Guyana can celebrate the fact that its tourism industry comprises many locally-owned businesses. However, in other destinations, many of the investors are foreigners and there have been complaints that a lot of the money is taken out of those countries. This does not obtain in Guyana. AN ADVANTAGE “So it is like we are starting with an advantage because we have a high level of local investment and we want to be able to raise the bar in terms of services and products we provide,” Minister Hughes said. She also said that tourism has to be recognised as an export industry and attention will be paid to costs as it relates to taxes. The cost for a trip to Kaieteur Falls is between US$150-US$200. This is not too affordable to ordinary Guyanese. But the high cost is reportedly due to the high tax on aviation fuel.

“It is a challenge because when a trip to Kaieteur is beyond the reach of the average Guyanese, then you are saying that not many of the local people can enjoy our tourism product,” the Minister said, adding that it is a setback to word-of-mouth promotion of the country’s tourism products, which is a very effective means of selling Guyana. She added: “We want our taxi drives to tell visitors when they arrive at our airports that the Kaieteur Falls is a must-see before they leave Guyana. They must say I’ve been there and it is a breathtaking, life-changing experience.” The unaffordable cost to ordinary Guyanese to visit local tourist attractions and a reduction of the VAT rate for the tourism sector, Minister Hughes said, are issues she wants to address and change. MARKETING GUYANA But these are not all. She believes that Guyana has not been able to put ‘Destination Guyana’ out into the regional and international markets. Traditionally, Guyana’s target market has been the diaspora. And the minister is of the firm view that given the local investment in tourism and the fact that there are hotels, resorts, tour

companies and other services that go with tourism, more emphasis has to be placed on attracting more people to Guyana, and to promote Guyana more aggressively around the world. “We still have a scenario where in many parts of the world, people do not know that Guyana exists. They think Guyana is Ghana. We have long past stereotypes that relate to the Jonestown

situation, and more recently and very worrying, there is a concept of Guyana which is a bit unfair. “We have challenges with some of our Caribbean neighbours with some of us being perceived as people who go to other people’s country looking for work and overstaying their time and they don’t get treated well,” she noted. This is coupled with the perception

that Guyana is not a safe place. “We need to do a marketing programme, we need to revise strategically and carefully, design a programme that addresses all of those issues that I mentioned with a view to creating a new vision of what Guyana is; what we can offer a potential visitor and correct the negatives that seem to be out there.”


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Nandy Park execution...

Former murder accused gunned down in bed – Fiancée shot seven times, toddler five By Leroy Smith TRAVIS Rudder, 26, of Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara was killed in his bed early yesterday morning after a gunman pumped 18 bullets into his body through a bedroom window of his home. His girlfriend, 31-yearold Mawanza Gill, originally of 149 Regent Street, but residing at the Nandy Park address for several Injured son Travis Rudder Jnr.

Dead Travis Rudder, Snr.

years now, was shot seven times, with four bullets hitting her in one leg and another three the other. Injured in the shooting also and listed as serious last evening was the couple’s eighteen-month-old baby Travis Rudder, Jnr. who took five bullets about his body and was in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital while his mother was in the Female Surgical Ward. The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the gunman went to the home, which is owned by the dead man’s mother, and used an old walker in a wheelbarrow to gain access to the bedroom window from which he launched

his deadly attack on the three occupants asleep in the room. The incident occurred around 01:30 hrs yesterday and according to information received, the shooting lasted for about 20 to 30 minutes. The house that the victims occupied is a flat building which is elevated about four feet off the ground. The three were asleep in the western half of the building when the attack occurred. There are two bedrooms located on the western side of the house, but the gunman apparently knew the exact room that was occupied by the man and his family. Police investigators are of the view that Rudder was the intended target, given the number of shots which concentrated on him. The police have since recovered 24 9mm spent shells from the scene. When this publication visited the home where the incident occurred, no one was there. And the window which leads to the room occupied by the victims was barred up with boards, as broken louvre panes were seen lying around. It was also observed that the wheelbarrow and the old walker used by the

The side entrance to the yard where the incident took place

gunman to mount himself to the level of the window were still at the location.

Speaking with this newspaper from her hosp i t a l b e d y e s t e r d a y a f-

The wheelbarrow and walker the gunman used to access the window above (Photos by Delano Williams)

ternoon, Mawanza Gill explained that they were asleep when they were awakened by loud explosions which later proved to be gunshots. She said that by the time she realised what was going on, the father of her child was being riddled with bullets, then she and her child were also hit. “I did not see anything or anyone; they just came by the window and start shooting me, my child-father and my baby,” the woman recalled. She said that the ordeal lasted for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The woman said that she cannot point any fingers with respect to who carried out the crime. Asked if she thought that it might have been someone very familiar with the home, given that they knew which window to launch the attack from, the woman said that she could not tell. Mawanza Gill confirmed that she has been seeing Rudder for the past five years. She said that her mother-in-law was in another room sleeping when the incident occurred. Meanwhile, the toddler

is said to have lost a lot of blood but the doctors were working around-the-clock yesterday to save his life. The name Travis Rudder appeared in the news back in 2007 when he was just 17 and accused of shooting to daeth his then girlfriend, 14-yearold Donnis King of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara. The man was, however, found not guilty of manslaughter or murder by a jury presided over by Justice Dawn Gregory in 2011 when the judgment was handed down. B a c k i n 2 0 11 , t h e court was told by the defence attorney that the accused and the young lady were at home, and that he was playing with his .38 revolver when it accidently went off. The court was also told that the young man never intended to injure the woman, since he had no reason to do so. The prosecution, h o w e v e r, h a d s t a t e d that the man and the woman were having an argument over infidelity when he shot her.


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Infrastructure Minister...

Guyana’s zoning laws to be re-examined

– deviations from by-laws will be addressed By Ravin Singh THE level and quality of physical and social infrastructure within an urban area are among indicators used to assess the economic prosperity of cities or towns and the nation as a whole. However, while infrastructure has played a major role in enhancing the economic wellbeing of Guyana, deviations from zoning laws have posed significant social and environmental threats to citizens. One of the concerns in the social spectrum is the issue of commercial enterprises that are not adhering to zoning laws. Recently, it was noted that in traditional residential areas the deviations have been s spiraling out of control. In Alberttown for instance, an area that is designated as a residential area, commercial enterprises including Bish and Sons, Atlantic Star Cable Company and Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre are among the many businesses housed within that area. To combat this issue, however, Public Infrastructure Minister David Paterson in an invited comment said recently that the ministry intends to re-examine the zoning laws which currently exist. These laws were formulated in 1946 and have not been amended since, and there has been evident nonconformity with them over the years. According to the Minister: “There will be a comprehensive review of the laws,” which will seek to aid in the long-term survival of the country.

Murder on the High Seas...

Hope of ever finding Rosignol fisherman fades – as search enters Day Four By Clifford Stanley A F O U RT H d a y o f searching yesterday for the missing fisherman who was tossed into the Atlantic Ocean by masked pirates Wednesday last has proven futile, causing fading hopes for the recovery of his remains. Veteran fisherman Mohamed ‘Saeed’ Yusuph, 61, of Rosignol, West Bank Berbice was tossed overboard by pirates who attacked his boat while he was fishing off the Corentyne coast in Guyana’s waters. The masked pirates subsequently attacked and hijacked another boat which they used to tow away his boat and make good their

escape. They left the surviving crew stranded in the vessel they had used in their attack. One of the crew managed to contact colleagues by cell-phone, and they were subsequently rescued. His son-in-law, Feroze Singh told Chronicle Saturday that Yusuph’s colleagues had turned out in large numbers to assist in efforts to recover his body over the past four days. Saturday night, Yusuph’s wife, Mrs Zohora Yusuph said that she had resigned herself to the fact that he may be dead. “We know that he could not have survived in the Atlantic. All we praying for

now is that they can find he body so that we can get a chance to say goodbye,” she said. Relatives yesterday, however, sadly admitted that the possibility of recovering his remains from the Atlantic were fading. “The piracy took place far out in the Atlantic and he may have been carried out further, making the recovery almost impossible,” a relative said. Meanwhile it was confirmed that two suspects were arrested by the police and are assisting in investigations into the piracy and the suspected murder of the fisherman. The two suspects were reportedly found in the missing fisherman’s boat and police are looking for three accomplices.

Agriculturists to crossbreed local goats with Boer stock – so as to produce a better quality of animals

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

But not limited to the Infrastructure Ministry, Patterson noted that a collaborative effort will be pursued in ensuring that this initiative bears fruit. This will be done by sourcing efforts from City Hall, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across the country. TOUGH DECISIONS As it relates to the current violators of the zoning laws, the Minister posited that “tough decisions” will be made in that regard. “We have to make some tough decisions and the tough decisions will be for the betterment of the country. We can’t allow the transgression of people who did what they did because there is no enforcement to respect the growth and development of the entire

country,” Minister Patterson related. J u s t l a s t y e a r, l o cal merchandising giant, M. Beepat and Sons had their three-storey concrete storage bond at Temple Street, Ogle, ECD ravaged by flames. The fire which consumed the contents of the bond also destroyed a neighbouring wooden home, leaving five persons and two rabbits homeless. Meanwhile, enterprises including Chinese shops and retail stores existing within these residential areas have also posed environmental problems for citizens living within the vicinity. Improper solid waste management and the emission of hazardous gases from these companies are but two of the indicators of their contribution to environmental threats to citizens.

A Boer doe and her kiddies

By Clifford Stanley THE Boer goat, described as one of the world’s most meat-productive goats, will soon be widely available to local farmers, thanks to a groundbreaking artificial insemination (AI) programme being launched by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) with support from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, Dr Dindyal Permaul disclosed last week that the new service is in keeping with the GLDA’s mandate to promote greater efficiency in the livestock product industry and to provide enhanced services in livestock husbandry

and health. He said that the AI programme for goats, the first of its kind, is expected to get underway from early next month on the arrival in Guyana of a technician from Jamaica who will equip local technicians with the required knowledge and skills. Soon thereafter, local goat farmers will be able to get access to the breed by requesting AI services. He said: “With respect to the Boer, we have all the genetic materials we need. We know that we are good at AI of cows but have never done goats before. So the training has to be done first, and the service made available shortly after.” He said that apart from

improving productivity, AI for goats will be a great benefit to farmers since the service eliminates the necessity of keeping one or several bucks on the farm (depending on herd size). Additionally a top quality buck for breeding purposes cost upwards of $100,000 locally. Costs of feeding, housing, separate fencing and labour will also be eliminated. Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, Dr Dwight Waldron disclosed that a similar AI programme for the introduction of high-quality sheep will get underway later this year or early next year. The disclosures were made among others which stated that small ruminant farmers in Guyana have every incentive for increasing production since the markets are available locally and regionally. Head of the Animal Production Unit of the GLDA, Dr. Gavin Peters recently said that the Caribbean region produced approximately 7.4 million kilograms of sheep and goat meat in 2008, but imported 14 million kilograms for that same period from as far away as New Zealand and Australia. He told local small ruminant farmers that the aim of CARICOM countries is to reduce this import by 10%, and this offered a great opportunity for them to increase their income as commercial goat meat producers.


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Guyana sends strong delegation to the Bahamas – for Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers

Junior Education Minister, Ms Nicolette Henry

Chief Education Officer, Mr Olato Sam

A FOUR-member delegation, headed by Junior Education Minister, Ms Nicolette Henry, is in the Bahamas for the 19th Conference of the Commonwealth Education Ministers (19CCEM) which opens today in the Bahamian capital, Nassau. Accompanying the minister are Chief Education Officer, Mr Olato Sam; Caribbean Region Representative of the Commonwealth Students’ Association-Steering Committee, Ms Tricia Teekah; and President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society, Mr Joshua Griffith. . The five-day meeting is being held under the theme: “Quality Education for Equitable Development: Performance, Paths and Productivity”, and has as its objective to follow up on “a major commitment towards the attainment of the Internationally Agreed Goals,” which, according to Bahamas Minister of Education, Mr Jerome Fitzgerald, were signed on to, in Dakar, Bangladesh and at the United Nations. He said: “This conference will allow us to gauge where we stand with regard to that commitment and accordingly revisit, if need be, mechanisms to accelerate towards the attainment of the Internationally Agreed Goals, as well as to strategize for aligning Commonwealth priorities with education aspects of the new Post-2015 Global Development Framework.” The conference will provide an opportunity for the participants to deliberate on the priorities and emerging issues, identified by the Ministerial Working Group. These include the persistent inequalities and inequities, worsening income inequalities, high unemployment, vulnerabilities of marginalised groups, universality, measurement of quality and unmet education

needs. It is also expected that the participants will also be able to elaborate on policy, practice and strategic action required in direct response to the new development goals and targets, while exploring trends and innovative practices in education in the Commonwealth. The wide-ranging discussions at the conference are expected to cover a range of educational issues.These focusing pertain to quality and skills that meet the dynamic needs of learners-especially youth -and global qualification standards; ICT integration in education and training; opportunities for economic growth and investment; education for sustainable development; and the overall quality of education across the Commonwealth. According to Minister Fitzgerald, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Kamalesh Sharma, highlighted three factors --teachers, youth and other stakeholders-- which are vital components of the conference, thus creating relevant space for interaction and sharing of experiences by various partners in education. It is expected that teachers and young people will form part of the various delegations from Commonwealth countries that will be attending the conference. Minister Fitzgerald stated in his letter to Guyana’s Minister of Education that the Commonwealth Secretariat will officially launch its Fourth Edition of the Commonwealth Education Good Practice Awards (CEGPA) 2015. He further stated that there will be a dedicated 19CCEM website, which will provide adequate information and details pertaining to the conference.


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Land Degradation: A threat to Food Security

WORLD Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2015 was celebrated on June 17 with the recognition that land is critical more than ever; as one in eight people lacked nutritious food, according to the 2014 State of Food Insecurity report. This corresponds to a global figure of 805 million people; the vast majority living in developing countries. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) slogan this year, ‘There is no such thing as a free lunch, Invest in healthy soils’ is a reminder to countries that desertification could be effectively tackled. The day celebrates solutions that are possible, and highlights that strengthening cooperation and community participation are the key tools for good environmental stewardship. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is used to increase awareness of the Convention and global efforts to combat desertification and the effects of drought. Land is our natural ally. But the natural conditions of land

and soils are not eternal, and must be protected. Soil is the most significant geo-resource we have for ensuring water, energy and food security for present and future generations. Food security requires productive land. When land is degraded, it experiences a reduction or loss in the biological or economic productive capacity of the land (UNCCD 1994). This is caused by human activities, exacerbated by natural processes, and often magnified by the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. Persistent land degradation over a period of time and reduction of productivity in drylands, could lead to an extreme case of degradation or desertification. Another major issue requiring more attention is drought, a deficiency of precipitation that results in a water shortage, and like land degradation, occurs throughout the world including in the humid regions. Land degradation affects the value of land which is often determined by its capacity to provide goods, such as food, fuel and fiber. Global average estimates of the economic

loss of on-site productivity due to land degradation range between 3-5% of agricultural gross domestic product or approximately US$490 billion per year (Global Mechanism, World Bank). Land productivity is not only important for the provisioning of services (food, fiber, etc) but also for the delivery of regulating and cultural services. As land degradation reduces soil and water efficiencies. It either decreases food production or increases the costs of production through external inputs (e.g., fertilizers, imported water, pesticides). This in turn raises prices and increases food insecurity and poverty. WHY COLLECTIVE ACTION? Land degradation directly affects some 1.5 billion people, including 42% of the world’s very poor and 32% of the moderately poor. (GLADIS – Global Land Degradation Information System) Some studies indicate that the percentage of total land area already degraded or being degraded increased from 15% in 1991 to 25% in 2011. Estimates indicate that up to 25% of all land is currently highly degraded, 36% is slightly or moderately degraded but in stable condition, while only 10% is improving (FAO 2011). Many communities rely heavily on land as their main source of livelihood, human health and wellbeing; thus, the vital functions of land and soil

underpin the nexus of food, renewable energy and water security. GLOBAL TO LOCAL ACTIONS! Restoring degraded land and soil are proposed in the Sustainable Development Goal 15 which calls for countries to achieve the outcome - “By 2020, combat desertification, and restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation neutral world”. In Guyana, post mining land reclamation actions seek to restore productivity of the land by restoring the soil. The National Focal Point, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission is undertaking a Project to support the alignment of the National Action Plan to Combat Land Degradation (NAP) to the UNCCD Ten Year Strategy. Various Agencies have contributed to the implementation of the NAP over the years after its approval in 2006. The aligned NAP would strategically guide Guyana to fulfill its obligations to the UNCCD with priorities to combat and reverse land degradation and promote sustainable land management. Our implementing partners for the Project are the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility. The implementation of the Aligned NAP requires collaboration with Governmental, Nongovernmental and International Organisations. Economic development, nutritional intake, managing natural disasters among other priorities such as enabling policies and programmes are key actions needed. Competition for productive land and growing

population increase the need for food security. While some lands may be degraded, recovery options have become more critical than ever, and many Governments budget and reclaim land for productive use. A LAND DEGRADATIONNEUTRAL (LDN) WORLD The objective of a LDN World is to maintain and improve the quantity and quality of productive land and to enhance the flow of ecosystem services for current and future generations. Land degradation neutrality is achieved when globally or in a given landscape or terrestrial ecosystem, the area of productive land (and therefore sustainable land use) remains stable or increases. Countries need to reduce degradation processes and increase restoration activities at community and/or landscape levels. Zero net land degradation means that we prevent the degradation of productive land and restore land that is already degraded. This is possible through sustainable land management policies and practices. Scientific findings and technical know-how indicate that we can achieve a land degradation neutral world. Zero net land degradation is scientifically sound, technically feasible, and economically advantageous. It is not only possible, but prerequisite for sustainable development. Let us do our part towards reducing hunger and poverty for a land degradation neutral world!!! Encourage good land management practices by planting a tree in an open area, tell someone about this article or share your ideas on how to help combat land degradation on glsclupp@ gmail.com.


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22 2015

World Bank reports...

Guyana’s migration of university graduates highest in the world mona Morgan, speaking with this newspaper, was excited to add an entrepreneurial component to her medical doctorate. Dr. Morgan said she would continue her services at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), while declaring, “I think we as graduates have to think of creative ways to want to be here, and to invest in our

By Derwayne Wills

AT 89%, Guyana has the highest emigration rate of tertiary-educated nationals, aged 25 and older, in the world, Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine noted on Saturday, citing a World Bank 2009 report. The Education Minister was addressing a ceremony for graduates of Nations University/Australian Institute of Business 2015 MBA programme at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. The 2009 report titled, “A Gendered Assessment of Highly Skilled Emigration” by Frédéric Docquier, B. Lindsay Lowell and Abdeslam Marfouk found on the World Bank’s website, was an assessment of 195 countries in 2000, and 174 countries in 1990 on the migratory patterns of nationals from those countries to OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. National censuses and registers of the receiving countries reinforced the information. “Guyana, according to the World Bank… has the highest rate of migration of tertiary education graduates in the world,” Dr. Roopnaraine said, while lamenting, “Guyana has really allowed itself to become one of those cases where catastrophe has succeeded in remaining one stride ahead.” This reality is compounded even further when the Education Minister related that Guyana is “at the bottom of the hemispheric pile in terms of the number of citizens between the ages of 18 and

Education 30 who are enrolled in higher education.” In an invited comment from the Guyana Chronicle, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi noted the inevitability of students migrating: “I think the issue has to do with what I consider non-competitive wages and salaries that our graduates get from here.” The VC is convinced that university graduates leave Guyana to work elsewhere because there are better salaries for their qualifications offered in other countries. “When you look at the salaries that people pay in other parts of the region, like Trinidad, it’s evident that they go for the higher salary.” ENTREPRENEURSHIP He reckoned the solution to the problem is for more

country.” According to the World Bank’s website, the emigration rate of tertiary educated shows the stock of emigrants living in OECD countries as a percentage of the country’s population, aged 25 and older, with tertiary education. OECD countries include Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine development opportunities within the country, which would encourage graduates to not only remain in Guyana but also to become entrepreneurs wherever they can. Asked about the role of the University of Guyana in solving the problem, Opadeyi said that role is “making sure that our programme is current, [and] making sure that our programme attracts good jobs.” “One of the things we are working on at the University,” he continued, “is to establish post-graduate programmes that would make them [graduates] want to stay and follow their education.” He noted that there is room for the private sector to help in this development in supporting the University’s pursuit for developing programmes that are more relevant. To this end, the VC

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi

is hoping for support as the University embarks on developing E-Commerce, and Animation programmes. Director of the Nations University, Dr. Brian O’Toole, in an interview with this publication, agreed with both the Education Minister and the VC that the migration of graduates is a national concern but reassured his University’s commitment to solving that problem. “One of the things we are trying to do in the course [MBA] is to see how people can respond to the challenges here. The project they had to do was to address an issue within their own organisation so that they are trying to bring some of these theories, some of these ideas into very practical issues that they are facing day by day and then see what is the way forward,” Dr. O’Toole said. He said further that the result of this programme is “a very exciting synergy amongst the people from different groups who are trying to build a future with better prospects for Guyana.” At the same time, O’Toole explained the inevitability of students migrating since “it’s a global world.” He remained optimistic however that graduates will see the problems within Guyana that need addressing and “they would come back and try and bring some of those ideas [learned overseas] to promote a better future.” Valedictorian of the MBA programme, Dr. Ro-

Valedictorian of the Nations University/ Australian Institute of Business, 2015 MBA

Director of the Nations University, Dr. Brian O’Toole


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Skeldon Hospital staffers raise issues with Public Health Minister --as construction works move apace at institution

IN continuing his inspection of the various Health facilities countrywide, Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton visited the Skeldon Hospital, which is currently under massive renovation and remodelling. The minister toured the facility and was briefed on plans for the new structure of the building. As part of the Skeldon Hospital remodelling, a new theatre is being constructed along with a Recovery Room and an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which is expected to commence operation as soon as it receives a few pieces of minor equipment, which are yet to be acquired. A new Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit has also been constructed, and the current A&E Unit will be converted into a Diabetic Foot Centre. In addition, the Receptionist area will

Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton addressing Skeldon Hospital staff during a visit last week be used as the Specialist Clinic area. Minister Norton also interacted with the staff, listened to their complaints, and learnt that no functional

ambulance was stationed at the hospital. Nurses and doctors also aired their dissatisfaction with their living conditions, noting that the well is dirty

and worms and moss sometimes pass through their taps. There were also complaints of bats having infested the ceiling in the nurses’ hostel.

Minister Norton pledged his full commitment to improving the situation, and urged the staff to continue performing at their best. Currently, the hospi-

tal serves approximately 45,000 people in its catchment area, and provides care to an average of 200250 persons on a daily basis. (Navendra Seoraj)

A novel way of moving house

IT never ceases to amaze how an entire house could be moved from one place to another in such a manner. The same thought must have occurred to the cameraman yesterday around 16:00hrs when he came across this novelty heading east on the Rupert Craig


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

‘Hugh Wooding Law School’...

Is automatic admission still applicable to Guyanese? – asks Former Attorney-General WILL Guyanese Law graduates still enjoy automatic entry to the Hugh Wooding Law School? That was the question posed by former Attorney-General and People’s Progres-

sive Party executive member Anil Nandlall. The question was directed to the current administration during a recent press conference held at Freedom House, at which he spoke ex-

tensively on the automatic entry Guyanese Law graduates enjoy presently. He said it is imperative that University of Guyana graduates know what their position is

relative to their entry into Hugh Wooding Law School. “What is the position regarding the University of Guyana Law students and the Hugh Wooding Law School

for the academic year of 2015/2016, which is scheduled to commence sometime in September of this year?” he asked. “I am aware that an arrangement was in place for the continuation for the acceptance of 25 graduates of the University of Guyana from the Law Programme, who are expected to enjoy automatic entry into the Hugh Wooding Law School; but that was not an arrangement that was the subject of a formal accord,” he posited. “Guyana was expected to aggressively pursue it (the entry) at every forum, because there are many competing interests for legal education in the Caribbean now, because there are several countries that are opposed to the University of Guyana continuing to enjoy automatic entry,” Nandlall said, adding: “When institutions within the various territories of the Caribbean other than the University of the West Indies are not enjoying such automatic entry status, it becomes difficult for the country to secure such niceties. “So it is not a bed of roses when you go to these meetings to canvas the position of Guyana continuing to enjoy this automatic entry process.” Nandlall said, “We need to know where we are and where the students are in relation to whether that position still obtains. I knew it obtained up to when I was AG, and I am not sure what has happened since.” The Council of Legal Education (CLE), the authoritative body for legal training in the Commonwealth Caribbean, had threatened since 2009 to

cease the automatic yearly admission of 25 University of Guyana Law graduates to the HWLS in Trinidad and Tobago. The CLE has been calling for the Guyana Government to pay an economic cost for Guyanese students attending the Trinidad-based law school. Anil Nandlall had said in June 2014, during a symposium on the future of Caribbean legal education, that the economic cost paid by regional governments amounts to half of the total tuition fees for students coming from the respective countries. Being then Attorney-General, Nandlall had defended this decision, which had seen Guyanese students paying in excess of $2M per academic year for their legal education training, which runs for two years. In a recent exclusive interview with this publication, Attorney General Basil Williams was asked whether the David Granger Administration would consider paying the economic cost to the CLE to ensure a long-term solution to the issue of Guyanese students being admitted to the school. Williams responded that he does not want to anticipate what decision Cabinet would make, but, “We will have to look at the whole issue in time.” Williams could not say how soon Cabinet would deliberate on that issue, but he acknowledged the issue as a priority for his office, since “the semester has ended and the question of them (UG Law graduates) going to Trinidad would arise.” (Rebecca Ganesh)


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Rosberg takes win in Spielberg SPIELBERG, Austria, (CMC) – Lewis Hamilton squandered the advantage of pole position and was forced to play second fiddle as Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg won the Austrian Grand Prix for the second straight year here yesterday The Brit led off but was overtaken by Rosberg on turn one and despite his valiant attempts, failed to make up ground and finished just over 3.5 seconds behind the German who clocked one minute, 30:16.930 minutes. Williams’ Felipe Massa was third while Ferrari’s Sebastien Vettel claimed fourth spot. “It was a pretty straightforward race. I didn’t have the best start. I had a problem with the revs in that, when I came off the throttle, the revs stayed up,” said Hamilton, whose paternal grandparents are Grenadian. “So, when I dropped the clutch, I had too much wheel spin and lost ground. That’s something we’ll look at after the race. Then, I was keeping up with Nico in the first stint

– but in the second phase he just had better pace. “At the end it was just about bringing it home – but Nico deserved the win so congratulations to him.” The victory reduced Hamilton’s lead to just ten points, with the reigning World champion on 169 points. For Rosberg, the win was his 11th career and the result also marked the fifth one-two of the current Formula One season for Mercedes.

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Fairview 08:15 hrs Spekboom 08:50 hrs Galco 09:25 hrs Aspen Winter 10:00 hrs Land Of Meadows 10:35 hrs Fort Ozrk ENGLISH RACING TIPS Chepstow 09:00 hrs Mill Springs 09:30 hrs Abyaat 10:05 hrs Farletti 10:40 hrs Noblest 11:10 hrs Orlando Rouge 11:45 hrs Spirit Of Wedza 12:15 hrs Lucky Clover WOLVERHAMPTON 09:15 hrs Noguchi 09:45 hrs Most Tempting 10:20 hrs Gerrard’s Slip 11:25 hrs Zamperini 12:00 hrs Toymaker 12:30 hrs Western Playboy 13:00 hrs Admirable Art Wetherby 13:10 hrs Rioca 13:40 hrs Father Bertie 14:15 hrs Elusis 14:45 hrs Arthurs Secret 15:15 hrs Harwoods Volante 15:50 hrs Gannicus 16:10 hrs Strait Run IRISH RACING TIPS Kilbeggan 12:50 hrs Rock On Fruity 13:20 hrs Sandymount Duke 13:55 hrs Miss Peachtime 14:25 hrs Getting Late 14:55 hrs Akorakor 15:30 hrs Ballyfinboy 16:00 hrs Blessed King AMERICAN RACING TIPS Philadelphia Park Race 1 Lawless Lily Race 2 Birthday Girl Race 3 Smart and Sensible Race 4 Horatio Race 5 Jar of Hearts Race 6 Cosmic Destiny Race 7 Bridgetta Race 8 Golden Moon Race 9 Feisty


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Banks did not do enough to police FIFA transactions … says global agency

By Mark Hosenball LONDON, (Reuters)-A global group of government anti-money-laundering agencies said that financial institutions have not done enough to police suspicious financial activity by officials at football’s global governing body FIFA, and cautioned banks to step up scrutiny. The warning from the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force came in the wake of last month’s indictment by the U.S. of nine current and former FIFA officials and five business executives on a series of corruption charges, including bribery, money laundering and wire fraud. With the U.S. investigation continuing to widen, and a separate Swiss probe gearing up into whether there was corruption involved in FIFA’s awarding of the hosting rights to Russia and Qatar for the next football World Cups in 2018 and 2022, the warning will add to banks’ concern about handling certain football accounts for organisations and individuals. Some European and U.S. banks had already stepped up scrutiny of FIFA-related accounts and at least one said it had stopped handling FIFA business for some time because of corruption allegations. In a statement FATF said that “recent reports about alleged corruption and money laundering activities on a large scale by several high-ranking FIFA officials underscore how important it is that financial institutions identify and monitor high-risk customers.” It said that financial institutions “do not appear to have given a sufficient amount of scrutiny to the financial activities of the officials concerned, as many of these allegedly corruption-related transfers passed through the international financial system undetected.” FATF, whose members include the U.S., China, Brazil, Switzerland and many other European countries, said that an “ongoing public debate about the integrity of an entity should raise flags to financial institutions. As a result they should treat customers that are related to that entity as high risk customers.” Reuters was told about the statement, which appears to be dated June 16, by a European official with knowledge of the FIFA case. It can be found through a Google search but does not appear to be accessible through the FATF website. FATF officials could not be immediately reached for comment on why that was the case.

NARCOTICS CONTROL REPORT While the indictments were only issued on May 27, for many years there has been widespread media coverage of alleged corruption at FIFA and its regional affiliates, including several books published on the issue in the past nine years. There had also been news reports about the FBI probe. One question being asked in U.S. banking circles is whether banks are acting quickly enough to flag activity once they have had subpoenas for information about an account from the authorities, said one source close to the industry. Also in March, in a routine report on narcotics control that was little noticed at the time, the U.S. State

Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber Department expressed concern about how loopholes in Swiss law which affected FIFA had created potential for corruption and money laundering. The report is commonly used by U.S. banks to assess the risks associated with foreign customers and correspondent banks. “Sports associations like the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) or the International Olympic Committee are not businesses but associations. They do not pay taxes and, as associations, are exempt from the Swiss anti-corruption legal framework,” the State Department said in the report. “The exception provided to these entities makes them more vulnerable to money laundering activity. The government should consider efforts to change applicable laws with respect to these organizations, many of which are suspected of corruption,” it said in reference to the Swiss government. Despite all the warning signs, the

indictment outlines dozens of questionable transactions that banks in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere allowed to go through, many of them in the past few years. In the indictment, U.S. prosecutors say that the defendants and their co-conspirators relied heavily on the U.S. banking system to promote and conceal their schemes. The acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Kelly T. Currie, told a news conference when the indictments were announced on May 27 that bank actions would be reviewed to see if they knowingly facilitated bribes. The banks concerned have not been accused of wrongdoing. EARLIER WARNINGS FATF has expressed concern in the past about football being a vehicle for money laundering. In 2012, the group issued a warning that as the sport grew, “the investment of money into the sector has increased exponentially, and some of this has criminal connections.” “Despite the rapid growth and high-visibility of the football sector, however, football’s regulatory structure has not yet caught up with these changes,” FATF warned then. Earlier, in July 2009, FATF issued a 40-page paper entitled “Money Laundering through the Football Sector”. The document said that football faced numerous vulnerabilities to money laundering, including a lack of professional management at various levels. FATF said that it would be discussing the issue at a meeting the group is holding, starting Sunday, in Brisbane, Australia, including “whether any further standards or guidance are necessary or whether the current standards are adequate if properly applied.” The involvement of anti-money-laundering monitors in current investigations of FIFA corruption was highlighted last week by Michael Lauber, attorney general of Switzerland. Lauber, who announced his FIFA investigation on the same day that U.S. authorities revealed the indictments, told a news conference in Berne last week that his investigators were examining sets of suspicious transactions related to FIFA. He said that these transactions included 104 banking relationships, some of which involved multiple accounts, as well as 53 suspicious transactions which had been flagged by Swiss financial institutions to Switzerland’s anti-money laundering agency, known as the financial intelligence unit.

Bolt confirmed for National Senior Trials

WORLD and Olympic champion Usain Bolt will compete at next weekend’s JAAA National Senior Championships that will be held between Thursday and Sunday at the National Stadium. Multiple sources told the Sunday Observer that Bolt will contest the men’s 100m that will be run between Thursday and Friday with the final set for 9:15 Friday night. His inclusion in the event could set up a mouthwatering final that could see Bolt, Asafa Powell, former World Championships gold medallist Yohan Blake, bronze medallist at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow two years ago Nesta Carter, Nickel Ashmeade and the up-and-coming pair of Julian Forte and Andrew Fisher. Bolt is the defending champion in both the 100m and 200m at the World Championships after winning the double two years ago in Moscow, Russia, and has a bye to the event, but opted to compete at the four-day championship after a string of slow times. His latest below-par effort being a 20.29 seconds clocking in the 200m at last weekend’s IAAF Diamond League meet in New York. Bolt holds the 200m record of 19.19 seconds. After his run Bolt, who took most of last year off, was at a loss as to what had caused his slow times and had suggested that he would have to run more races to get himself back into top form, thus his decision to run at Trials. He might have dropped an even more obvious hint at the pre-race press conference in Manhattan last Friday when he told the media that “one-off races” such as the ones on the circuit would not be beneficial to him to get him into top form. At Trials, Bolt will race three times in over two days -- the quarter-finals at 6:55 pm on Thursday and semis-finals at 7:10 pm Friday, two hours before the final is scheduled.

US based Guyanese Horace Burrowes ... From back page he will keep in regular contact with the Federation’s executive by way of telephone. He expressed his gratitude to Racing Secretary Hassan Mohamed who was re-elected to the post and Mohamed’s assistant Joseph Britton for their services over the years “their service to the sport more often than not, go unnoticed” Burrowes stated. The other positions on the executive were filled by new faces as veteran cyclist Paul Cho-Wee-Nam, businessman Andrew Arjoon and Jerome Allicok were elected first, second and third vice-presidents respectively. The Federation’s new secretary is Maria Leung, while Rosanna Sookoo is the new treasurer, taking over from William Howard who was acting in that capacity for the past three years. Leung, Sookoo and Mohamed were all elected unopposed. Cho-Wee-Nam defeated Malcolm Sonaram for the first vice-president position by a 6-5 margin and Arjoon defeated Okel Arthur by a similar margin for the second vice-president position. The new executive will start working almost immediately, as the national cycling championship is set for this weekend.


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

France brush aside South Korea 3-0, set up German clash By David Ljunggren MONTREAL, (Reuters)-A highly impressive French side out thought and out played South Korea in their Women’s World Cup second round game yesterday, winning 3-0 to set up a quarter-final clash of titans with top-ranked Germany.

mination and respect that is required,” he said. France had scored three times in the first 13 minutes in their previous game against Mexico and started with attacking runs down both wings. Marie Laure Delie opened the scoring in the fourth minute, ending a fast-flowing

Fans react following the goal scored by France forward Marie Laure (not pictured) against Korea Republic during the second half in the round of sixteen in the FIFA 2015 women’s World Cup soccer tournament at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory. France, perhaps the most technically skilled side at the World Cup, were a blur of clever passes, runs, flicks and shots and proved far too strong for a young South Korea team making their first appearance in the knockout round. All the French starters were drawn from top club sides Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint-Germain and they pressed from the start, scoring twice in the first eight minutes. South Korean coach Yoon Deok-yeo said his side simply had not been able to deal with the onslaught. “Their speed was incredible ... and our defenders had trouble coping with that,” he said. The French side, ranked third in the world, will play the physically imposing Germans in Montreal on Friday. Coach Philippe Bergeroo said he was not upset that two such strong teams were meeting as early as the quarter-final. “They are certainly the best nation in the world. We’ll play with all the deter-

attack with a cleverly-placed shot that trickled over the line. Four minutes later Elodie Thomis fired home after racing into the box to pick up a pass from Olympique Lyonnais team mate Eugenie Le Sommer, and South Korea were doomed. “We have the advantage of playing together and some things come automatically ... and that helps us,” said player of the match Amandine Henry, who also plays for the Lyon side. Le Sommer herself drove into the area in the 48th minute to set up an easy third goal for Delie. France, whose best World Cup performance was a fourth place in 2011, will likely have a tougher game against a German side that crushed fifthranked Sweden 4-1 in their second round meeting on Saturday and have scored 19 goals so far. Only 15,518 spectators made their way to the enormous Olympic Stadium in Montreal, where fans have proven largely indifferent to the tournament.

Australia stun Brazil to reach World Cup quarters AUSTRALIA shocked Brazil at the Women’s World Cup to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament in Canada. Samantha Kerr came closest to scoring for Australia in the first half, hitting a volley into the side netting. Formiga almost gave Brazil the lead in the second half, heading onto the post, before substitute Kyah Simon grabbed the winner from close range after goalkeeper Luciana spilled the ball. Australia face the winners of tomorrow’s game between Japan and Netherlands.

Brazil topped their group after winning all three games, but came undone in Moncton after conceding their only goal of the tournament. Earlier in the tournament, striker Marta, 29, became the World Cup’s leading scorer with 15 goals, but she was unable to inspire her team to a positive result. “We controlled the game, the statistics show that, the chances showed that but we lost the game and we are out,” said Brazil coach Vadao. “Australia were very efficient and clinical when it counted with the goal, congratulations to them.” (BBC Sport).


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Shah spins Pakistan to victory with career-best 7-76 (REUTERS) - Yasir Shah claimed seven second innings wickets in a spectacular display of leg-spin bowling to destroy Sri Lanka as Pakistan crushed the hosts by 10 wickets in the first test to go 1-0 up in the three-match series at Galle yesterday. Shah, who had claimed two wickets in

nings to win even after rain had washed out four sessions of the contest on the first two days at the Galle International Stadium. Dimuth Karunaratne (79) was the highest scorer for the hosts who folded for 206, leaving Pakistan to score only 90 in the final session to win the match.

morning to dismiss nightwatchman Dilruwan Perera. Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne (44) then added 69 runs for the fourth wicket to steady the ship before wheels came off Sri Lanka’s innings. Thirimanne, who hit Riaz for two boundaries in the same over, edged the bowler to slip where Younus Khan took the catch. Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews looked in discomfort against Riaz but was unlucky to be adjudged caught out at short leg. Mathews immediately sought a review, convinced he did not nick it and replay did not suggest any edge either but the original decision stayed, prompting the batsman to leave the field shaking his head. Karunaratne then succumbed to a rush of

blood, charging out to Shah only to miss the ball and get stumped, a poor way to end an otherwise patient innings. Shah dismissed Kithuruwan Vithanage to complete his only second Test five-for and Sri Lanka soon came apart. “It was pretty bad. We had to bat through and the morning session was crucial,” Mathews said. “We kept losing wickets... but we don’t need to panic. It was just a one-off game, we need to keep our trust in the players.” Sarfraz Ahmed was adjudged man-of-thematch for his gritty 96 in the first innings to go with the three catches and as many stumpings he effected in the match. Colombo hosts the second Test from Thursday.

SCOREBOARD An elated Yasir Shah walks off after taking 7 for 76 on the fifth day in Galle. the first innings, took a career-best 7-76 in the second before Pakistan chased down the 90-run victory target in a little over 11 overs to register their first test win in Sri Lanka since 2006. Openers Mohammad Hafeez (46) and Ahmed Shehzad (43) scored briskly as Pakistan came back from 96-5 in their first in-

“When you have so many left-handers in the opposition and on a fourth or fifth day pitch with lot of footmarks, leg-spinners play important role and his (Shah) performance was key in our victory,” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said. After Sri Lanka resumed the final day on 63-2, Shah struck with the first ball of the

SRI LANKA 1st innings 300 (K. Silva 125, K. Sangakkara 50) Pakistan 1st innings 417 (A. Shafiq 131, S. Ahmed 96, Z. Babar 56; D. Perera 4-122) Sri Lanka 2nd innings (Overnight: 63-2) K. Silva c Az. Ali b Riaz 5 D. Karunaratne st S. Ahmed b Shah 79 K. Sangakkara c Az. Ali b Shah 18 D. Perera b Shah 0 L. Thirimanne c Y. Khan b Riaz 44 A. Mathews c Az. Ali b Shah 5 D. Chandimal st S. Ahmed b Shah 38 K. Vithanage c Babar b Shah 1 D. Prasad st S. Ahmed b Babar 2 R. Herath c Hafeez b Shah 1 N. Pradeep not out 0 Extras (b-5 lb-1 nb-1 w-6) 13 Total (all out, 77.1 overs) 206 Fall of wickets: 1-18 K. Silva,2-63 K. Sangakkara,3-63

D. Perera,4-132 L. Thirimanne,5-144 A. Mathews,6-167 D. Karunaratne,7-175 K. Vithanage,8-200 D. Prasad,9-203 R. Herath,10-206 D. Chandimal Bowling: W. Riaz 16 - 4 - 46 - 2(w-2),J. Khan 7 - 1 23 – 0, Y. Shah 30.1 - 6 - 76 - 7(nb-1), M. Hafeez 10 - 3 - 24 – 0, Z. Babar 14 - 4 - 31 – 1. PAKISTAN 2nd innings (Target: 90 runs) M. Hafeez not out 46 A. Shehzad not out 43 Extras (b-3) 3 Total (for no loss, 11.2 overs) 92 Fall of wickets: Did not bat: A. Ali, Y. Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, A. Shafiq, S. Ahmed, W. Riaz, J. Khan, Y. Shah, Z. Babar Bowling: R. Herath 4.2 - 0 - 30 – 0, D. Prasad 2 - 1 10 – 0, N. Pradeep 2 - 0 - 18 – 0, D. Perera 3 - 0 - 31 - 0

Ashes 2015: Michael Clarke aims Rahman bowls Bangladesh to to prove ‘Dad’s Army’ label wrong maiden ODI series win over India AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke says his side are aiming to prove wrong former team-mate Jason Gillespie’s claim that they are a ‘Dad’s Army.’ Gillespie, who took 259 Test wickets for Australia, is Yorkshire coach and has tipped a young England side for success in this summer’s Ashes series. “Jason’s entitled to his opinion,” said Clarke. “There’s a long list of people who’ve criticised this team. “We might just add ‘Dizzy’ to that list of people we continue to prove wrong. As many as six Yorkshire players could feature in the Tests, with pace bowler Liam Plunkett the oldest, aged 30. Gillespie held talks to take over the England side before new coach Trevor Bayliss’s appointment. Since joining Yorkshire in 2011, he has led the county to promotion and the County Championship in 2014. Under his guidance, players such as Plunkett, Joe Root (24), Gary Ballance (25), Adam Lyth (27), Adil Rashid (27) and Jonny Bairstow (25) have risen to prominence in the England set-up. Who are the Aussie oldies? Australia’s squad includes opener Chris Rogers and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who are both 37, as well as 35-year-olds Ryan Harris and Adam

Voges. Clarke himself is 34 and has consistently been troubled by injuries to the point that he feared his career might be over because of a hamstring injury last December. However, he has since led his side to World Cup success on home soil and a series win over West Indies. Australia also have 26-year-old Steve Smith, ranked the world’s top Test batsman, David Warner, 28, and 27-year-old spinner Nathan Lyon within their ranks. “A lot of our young players have come a long way over the last few years,” added Clarke. “The senior players deserve a lot of credit for mentoring them and helping them through the tough times and we’re seeing a lot of benefit from that. “They will play a big role in this series - their youth and enthusiasm is vital to our squad. “The experience of the senior players is crucial too and, hopefully, we can find that perfect mix and we’re able to have success.” Clarke also insisted the Ashes series will be played in the “right spirit”. Australia were involved in a number of confrontations against India at the turn of the year. Pace bowler Mitchell Johnson had an angry exchange of words with India

batsman Virat Kohli during the third Test between the two sides in Melbourne. Opener David Warner was then fined 50% of his match fee after he told Rohit Sharma to “speak English” when the two clashed in the one day series. Clarke was also fined 20% of his match fee in November 2013 for using an obscenity while warning England bowler James Anderson to expect a broken arm as Australia won the first Test down under on the way to a 5-0 series victory. “I’m confident the Ashes will be played in the right spirit. Both teams will play hard,” said Clarke. “We respect that there’s a line you can’t cross. Both teams might head-butt that line but I’m confident we won’t overstep the mark. “As captain, I’ll make sure I’m leading the way on that front and I’m confident the boys will follow.” Ashes Tests First Test: Cardiff - 8-12 July Second Test: Lord’s - 16-20 July Third Test: Edgbaston - 29 July-2 August Fourth Test: Trent Bridge - 6-10 August Fifth Test: The Oval - 20-24 August

DHAKA, (Reuters)-Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman haunted India again with career-best figures of six for 43 to lead his team to a first ever one-day series victory over the twice world champions yesterday. After their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted to bat first, India were shot out for 200 in 45 overs in a rain-disrupted second ODI. Set a revised 200-run victory target in 47 overs, veteran Shakib Al Hasan (51 not out) anchored Bangladesh’s chase and the hosts romped home by six wickets in 38 overs to clinch an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and qualify for the 2017 Champions Trophy. “It’s a great moment for us and now we’ll be playing Champions Trophy which is a great achievement,” Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said at the presentation ceremony. Bangladesh had underlined their recent 50-over progress by beating England in the World Cup before whitewashing Pakistan 3-0 in a home series in April. They will hope to inflict a similar humiliation on India when the teams meet in the final match on Wednesday. Rookie Rahman, 19, was instrumental in Bangladesh’s 79-run win on Thursday and his off-cutter and subtle changes in pace made him only the second bowler, after Zimbabwe’s Brian Vitori, to claim five wickets or more in each of his first two ODIs. India lost wickets at regular intervals, only Shikhar Dhawan (53), Dhoni (47) and Suresh Raina (34) managing to withstand Bangladesh’s relentless hostility. Rahman drew first blood by dismissing Rohit Sharma for a duck but Dhawan and Virat Kohli (23) added 74 runs to steady the ship. Off-spinner Nasir Hossain dismissed both batsmen and Ambati Rayudu fell for a duck. Dhoni and Raina added 53 runs before Rahman dismissed Raina with a short delivery and sent back Dhoni and Axar Patel off successive deliveries. Ravichandran Ashwin denied him a hat-trick but eventually became Rahman’s fifth victim. “A few of us got starts but they had to make it big, that’s when it really counts,” Dhoni said. “They were bowling really well. Even when they didn’t get wickets, they kept it really tight. Once they got two-three wickets in a row, they maintained pressure on us,” he added.


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Sir Viv relives World Cup triumph on 40th anniversary BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – West Indies cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards yesterday recalled the epic day 40 years ago when he was a member of the great West Indies team which won the first ever Cricket World Cup staged in England. The Caribbean side, led by now chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, trounced Australia by 17 runs in the final at Lords, held on June 21, 1975. Sir Viv played a key role in the match with three run outs while Lloyd hit a sparking century to win the Man –of- the Match award. He later lifted the cup in front of adoring fans, in a historic moment for the Caribbean. “Hearing the guys speak about it today I said ‘wow Viv … you’ve come a long way … 40 years ago, already. I’m 63 now and to be here alive to celebrate that particular precious moment in West Indies history fills me with great joy,” Sir Viv said. “To be on that team with the magnificent players we had is something special and truly significant in my life and my cricketing career. “I can remember that day like it was yesterday. That was one of the greatest days of my cricket life. It was so great to play so hard and so well and win the World Cup for the West Indies. That was

a great team with some really great men in the side and we were all so delighted to win that day.” Sir Viv was speaking as the special guest player at the West Indies Retired Players Foundation’s inaugural Golf Day at the Sandy Lane

Sir Viv said even though he failed with the bat in the historic final, he recalled the three runs outs – two of which accounted for the dangerous Chappell brothers Ian and Greg – as being crucial to the outcome as Australia

Sir Viv was one of several former stars playing in Sunday’s golfing extravaganza with former West Indies players Desmond Haynes, Jeff Dujon, Sir Richie Richardson, Phil Simmons, and Ian Bishop, also hitting the greens.

Brazil beat Venezuela to set up Paraguay tie By Gideon Long SANTIAGO, (Reuters)-Thiago Silva and Roberto Firmino scored either side of halftime to fire Brazil to a 2-1 win over Venezuela at the Copa America yesterday, sending the fivetimes world champions into a quarter-final meeting with Paraguay. The victory completed the quarter-final line up that will see hosts Chile

game. Venezuela had never beaten Brazil in six Copa America games and their job was made all the harder after just nine minutes. Thiago Silva, recalled to the side for this match after being dropped, opened the scoring in spectacular style when he volleyed home a corner from former Real Madrid striker Robinho. Firmino doubled

Flashback: In virtual darkness, at nine o’clock, Lloyd and his teammates lifted the coveted World Cup trophy, and it turned out to be an epochal night for them some 40 years ago. Country Club, overlooking Barbados’ scenic west coast. The event was jointly hosted by the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association and also supported by the Caribbean Premier League and sponsors, Digicel.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday June 22, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Doug Walters-242 & 103 (AUST vs WI, Sydney, 196869) Devon Smith &Tino Best

Today’s Quiz:

Name the Australians that have been dismissed for 199 in Tests? Put these in order beginning with the man who has captained the WI most in Tests against Australia? Gary Sobers; Brian Lara; Viv Richards; Ritchie Richardson

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

were dismissed for 274 in pursuit of 291. “Back then I was the kind of player who was known for my batting but I didn’t really feature with the bat that well. But I knew I had to do something special in the field and those three run outs helped us to get over the line,” Sir Viv recalled. “I wanted to do something for the team in the field. I just happened to knock down a few stumps. And I was happy to play a part in helping us to accomplish what was an historic and magnificent victory for West Indies.” He added: “The nicest thing about it was the celebration to see the hundreds, even thousands of West Indian people enjoying the moment and relishing the opportunity to join us. Those are the things you remember.” West Indies also went on to win the next Cricket World Cup in 1979.

The list of players also included modern day stars Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka and Daniel Vettori of New Zealand, as well as officials of the International Cricket Council and several regional sporting and public figures. Speaking on the golf event, Sir Viv noted: “This is a magnificent initiative and I am really happy to be here in Barbados to share in this occasion and to support the work of the West Indies Retired Players Foundation. “It is important that we look after each other and lend a helping hand to our brotherman in any way we can. This golf event, at such a prestigious facility such as Sandy Lane, signals the start of a good thing as we make sure the players who represented the West Indies can be looked after in a positive way.”

Brazil’s David Luiz kicks the ball next to Venezuela’s Andres Tunez during their first round Copa America 2015 soccer match at Estadio Monumental David Arellano in Santiago, Chile, yesterday. Reuters/ Ivan Alvarado face Uruguay on Wednesday, Peru take on Bolivia on Thursday, and Colombia line up against Argentina on Friday. Saturday’s tie between Brazil and Paraguay will be a repeat of four years ago when the Paraguayans advanced on penalties. “Paraguay is a hard opponent, anyone who watched the last Copa America could see that they got to the final and deservedly so,” defender Thiago Silva said on Brazilian television after the

their lead six minutes into the second half when he leapt to volley home a cross from Willian on the left. Nicolas Fedor got a consolation goal for Venezuela six minutes from time when he stooped to head home from close range after Jefferson had touched a free kick from Juan Arango onto the post. The result takes Brazil’s goalscoring record against Venezuela in the Copa America to 27 goals for to two against.


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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2015

Heavy rain denies Zouks and Red Steel in St Lucia HEAVY rain in St. Lucia forced the second match of the 2015 Caribbean Premier League season to be abandoned after just four balls of the second innings. The points will be shared between the St. Lucia Zouks and Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel. The rain would’ve arguably come as a bigger disappointment to the St. Lucia Zouks, who registered the highest CPL score ever at the Beausejour Cricket Ground of 179-6 after they were put into bat by the Red Steel. Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles got the Zouks innings off to a blistering start taking 31 from the first three overs. Charles fell in the fifth over to bring Kevin Pietersen to the crease. Fletcher and Pietersen combined brute force, daring cheek and sheer genius to put on 70 runs for the second wicket off just 8.5 overs. Fletcher finished with 57 (49) while Pietersen scored 42 (26). Kallis was the pick of the bowlers and then hit a four and a six before the rain came Red Steel captain Dwayne Bra-

Andre Fletcher, the St Lucia Zouks top run-scorer in the 2014 CPL, scored 57 at the Beausejour Stadium.

vo shuffled his bowlers well in the middle overs and between the eleventh and the seventeenth over the Zouks could only manage 40-2 from 36 deliveries. However, a powerful cameo from Henry Davids, who scored 27 (16) and assistance from Darren Sammy and Kyle Mayers helped St. Lucia Zouks plunder 52 from the final four overs to take them to their record home score of 179-6. Jacques Kallis was the pick of the Red Steel bowlers, taking 2-31 from his four overs, Samuel Badree and Kevon Cooper collected the one wicket each and there were two run outs. Kallis then hit a four and a six off the bowling of Shannon Gabriel at the start of the Red Steel innings before the rains came. The fans and players waited for two hours before the officials eventually called the match off. The next match in the CPL sees the 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs play 2014 champions the Barbados Tridents in Barbados tomorrow.

Phillips, Ceasar, George and Foster take double wins at AAG Junior Championships SPRINT doubles by Kenisha Phillips, and Linden’s Compton Ceasar accompanied by double wins by distance athletes Cassey George, and Andrea Foster were among the highlights of the day when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held its National Youth and Juniors Championships last Saturday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora. With arch-enemy Andrea Foster competing in the 18 – 19 category, CARIFTA Games gold medalist George optimized on the opportunity to rule in the girls’ 14 – 17 distance races where she championed the 800m and 1500m runs. George took the 800m in 2:20.10s, while in the 1500m she clocked 4:52.80s. Second place for the 1500m went to Running Brave’s Claudrice McKoy who clocked 5:02.10s. Foster, who had ruled over an injured George weeks earlier at the National Senior Championships, was off dominating in the girls’ 18 – 19 category, where a 2:12.30s finish in the 800m gave her a gapping lead ahead of Christianburg’s Shontel Hinds. In the 1500m, Foster took

another commanding win, this time clocking 4:57.60s this time coming in almost one minute ahead of Hinds who clocked 2:34.00s.

CASSEY GEORGE Over in the sprints, up and coming sprint ace Kenisha Phillips championed the 100m earlier in the day in a time of 11.70 seconds, settling Mercury’s Cassie Small to second place. The De Challengers athlete returned to take the 200m

taking another win over Running Brave’s Avon Samuels. Samuel’s clubmate Natricia Hooper took third in the race after clocking 24.80s. Hooper would have her moment to shine in the 400m where her 56.40s saw her also out mastering Samuels. National Senior Championships 100m winner Aniqah Powley took the 100m in the 18 – 19 category. The Guyana Defence Force athlete dashed to 11.90 seconds to claim the win over Running Brave’s Shoquane Daniels. The 200m 18 – 19 category went to: Christianburg’s Compton Ceasar who led in the 14 – 17 100m and 200, while Police’s Arinze Chance also copped a double win in the 18 – 19 200m and 400m races. It was 10.80 seconds in 100m and 21.80 seconds in the 200m for Ceasar. Meanwhile, Chance ran to 21.60 in the 200m to settle boys’ 100m winner Linton Mentis to second place, and covered the 400m in 49.40 seconds. GDF’s Ornesto Thomas claimed the 18-19 800m in 1:55.70s, and Running Brave’s Matthew McKenzie won the 14-17 1500m in 4:20.50s.

GBTI 2015 Open tennis tournament underway A TENNIS player bellows, “Come On!” not only to get the crowd into the match but to signal that battle is on. It is an effort to dig deep within and play as if one’s life depended on it, as well as to drive fear into the heart of the person standing on the other side of the net. As much as tennis is one of the most physically demanding sports, it also requires strategy and mental toughness. The combination of these attributes makes champion tennis players. The defending Men’s and Ladies’ champion of GBTI Open 2014 know these qualities are needed to be at the top of their game. The GBTI Open can be described as the Grand Slam of tournaments locally and players from across the country flock the GBTI Bel Air Park court to contest in the battle of the year. After the rain forced officials to reschedule matches, the sun came out on Saturday to kick start the opening matches of the GBTI 2015 Open tennis tournament. The junior girls and boys were the first sets of contestants to hit the court. The junior boys played 9 matches, while the junior girls played 3 of their round robin matches. Later that afternoon, the novice players had their opportunity to battle it out on court. Okenna Jackson in his first attempt at the title was defeated by Delon Fraser 6/2. Jamal Goodluck took a 6/2 win over Martin Campbell. In the Novice Medley Doubles, Jamal Goodluck and Tandy Primo took a win of 6/2 over the new partnership of Fiona Bushel and Martin Campbell. The Assuria Novice Doubles runner ups Philbert Clark and Diana Bharrat lost to Joseph DeJonge and Fiona Bushel 6/1, 6/1 in the Mixed Doubles. While there was much fight on court 1 against Khawn Rodney and Romario Chanderballi on court 1. The match came down to the battle of will and consistency. Rodney took the first set 6/1, however, he had to battle against the big serves of the left handed player, Chanderballi. The second set proved to be tougher with the game going into a tiebreaker. It seems as if a third set loomed when Chanderballi held his nerve to level the tiebreaker at 4-4. Rodney noted at this point of the game that “I had to get my nerves under control”. He then secured the tiebreaker at 7/4 to defeat Chanderballi 6/1, 7/6(7/4). Rodney made mention to the fastness of the court but thinks he will be better prepared to play his next opponent, Indian National Chethan Narayan, who is excellent in his ground strokes. The highlight of the evening matches came from the unexpected surprise win from the two Under-14 players, Hemraj Resaul and Mark McDonald who dismissed the 18 year olds Benedict Sukra and Khalif Gobin in a nail biting match. They secured the win at 6/4, 7/6(7/2). In the men’s open, Stephen Bailey defeated Dominic Fraser 6/2, 6/0. Matches will continue at the GBTI Recreational Centre in Bel Air Park this afternoon.


Sport CHRONICLE

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

The new hero: Mustafizur Rahman is hoisted by his team-mates after Bangladesh’s historic series win over India in Mirpur, yesterday.

Sir Viv relives World Cup triumph on 40th anniversary

See story on page 22

Bangladesh make Champions Trophy 2017

M

USTAFIZUR Rahman was the hero in Mirpur again, cutting through India’s batting with a six-wicket haul to add to his five-for on ODI debut, and launching Bangladesh to their first ever bilateral series win against India. Mustafizur’s 6 for 43, the second best figures by a Bangladesh bowler in ODIs, skittled India for 200, before

Dorado swim club bids farewell to Britany Van Lange THE Dorado Speed Swim Club last Friday bid farewell to one of its most accomplished swimmers, Olympian Britany van Lange, following the club’s training session at the Colgrain Swimming Pool, Camp Street. Van Lange, who is also an officer with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), left Guyana yesterday for the United States of America (USA) where a scholarship awaits her at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. “We are very proud of her, we know that whatever she sets her mind to she can achieve and we wish her all the best. I know that she will continue to make us proud,” Dorado head coach, Stephanie Fraser, expressed Friday night. “Over the years Britany has really become a really talented swimmer and it’s a pity we could not have done much for her with regards to education because of how our education system is, because when she had exams or she had lessons, that really kept her back from a lot of training,” Fraser related. Van Lange first became a member of the Dorado club after attending a Learn to Swim programme at the Colgrain pool. Fraser recalled how even at the beginning one could see van Lange’s great potential. “From the time Britany came on you could see that she was somebody special. She had all the prerequisites to be a good athlete; she had good coordination, she had the right spirit, and she had the motivation, she was

very self-motivated,” Fraser said. As a swimmer, Van Lange excelled at the local and regional levels, and represented Guyana at the highest level. In 2012, she was among the team that represented Guyana at the 2012 Olympics, Guyana’s youngest member on the team

Britany Van Lange off to Military Academy at West Point at the time, and Guyana’s youngest female swimmer to ever attend the event. Van Lange has also represented Guyana at the FINA (International Swimming Federation) World Swimming Championships, as well as the Pan America Games in 2011. Locally, Van Lange dominated with recording breaking performances always leaving her mark as she passed through

the various age categories, from the eight and under to her current 18 and over category. Van Lange’s dominance locally spilled over on the regional scene, where Van Lange ruled supreme at events like the tri-nation Inter-Guiana Games and the Goodwill Games. Teaching instructor, Aritha Scott recollects Britany as always being a “go getter”, admiring how very disciplined Van Lange was. For her part, Van Lange is very much looking forward to this new chapter in her life. “It feels great, it also makes me feel more responsible. It’s just a great opportunity that I am willing to try my best on and to take full advantage of. I think it will be a very interesting experience, in that it will be tough, yet it will be fun. I will have specific heights to reach and to continue reaching,” Van Lange noted. Extending heartfelt gratitude to all those who helped her along the way, Van Lange was particularly grateful to have swimming be a part of her life. “Swimming played a major role. Swimming helped me to learn to manage my time, help me to learn to work with a team, help me to make some great friends. And it has always helped me to keep fit and prepare for the rigours of the army,” Van Lange shared. Van Lange encouraged her club to keep up with their drive to keep getting individuals involved in swimming. “Continue with involving more children in sports, because being in a sport helps you to become the best version of who you can be.

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Shakib Al Hasan steered the chase with a busy fifty, his second on the trot. With this six-wicket win, Bangladesh also cemented their place in the 2017 Champions Trophy. An overjoyed Mashrafe Mortaza, who has been a part of each of Bangladesh’s five victories against India, toasted his team’s “big achievement”. (See other story on page 21)

Bolt confirmed for National Senior Trials See story on page 19

USAIN BOLT

US based Guyanese Horace Burrowes is new GCF president

UNITED States Guyanese businessman Horace Burrowes defeated Cheryl Thompson six votes to five to become the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) president when the Federation held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday at Olympic House, High Street, Georgetown. Burrowes, a former national cyclist, in his acceptance speech thanked the clubs for showing confidence in him and promised that there will be many changes for the betterment of the sport during his tenure. He said he is looking forward to working with the clubs and every executive under his watch will be dutiful to raise the federation to what it is suppose to be. According to Burrowes, being based in the United States will not affect in any way, since he comes home to Guyana four or five times yearly and on each occasion he spends about one month. Apart from that See page 19 MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015


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