Chronicle 23 10 2015

GUYANA

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Granger condemns Maduro’s objection to Aurora gold project

…lays out conditions for talks with Suriname on New River Triangle See stories on pages 3, 18, 19, 20 & 21 President David Granger is greeted by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland on his arrival at Parliament Buildings on Thursday (OPM photo)

Prison chief on sexual assault …steps down, charge vows to fight P.9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

Girls as young as 11 are common-law wives or pregnant mothers in North West – outreach finds By Shauna Jemmott DISTURBING realities of death and social dysfunc-

tion within three hinterland communities are now being brought to the surface as fed-up residents readily complained to officials during a weekend visit to

the North West District. The officials were drawn from the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, the Ministry of Social Protection and the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO). The mission which saw an outreach to residents of Port Kaituma, Arakaka and Baramita between Friday and Sunday last was prearranged by the GWMO as the organization intensifies its fight against exploitation of women while seeking to improve conditions for them in all sectors. As a result of the complaints received, the GWMO dispatched a letter to Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock underlining the challenges faced by the communities, according to what was reported to the officials, a copy of which was made available to this publication. Copies of that letter were also sent to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Education Dr.

Rupert Roopnarine, Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud and Welfare Coordinator in the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ms. Welch.

DISTURBING REPORTS Some disturbing complaints in the letter signed by GWMO President Urica Primus include those concerning a woman who recently had a caesarian delivery being raped by her husband, dragged into a yard and left to die, while several girls as young as eleven-years-old are common-law wives or pregnant mothers, while a man who is believed to be HIV positive has become a serial rapist, causing young girls within the community to live in fear. Primus highlighted reports about children being exposed to an abusive man who had raped and dragged his wife into the yard, leaving her hamorrhaging there. The woman, who resides in an outlying area close to Port Kaituma, reportedly had a caesarian delivery recently and refused to give in to sexual advances by her husband. The man allegedly “forced her to have sexual intercourse with him,” according to reports and as a result she started to hamorrhage. “She was dragged into the sun and left to die in the yard. Her three young children attempted to drag her back into the house and it was their cries that alerted neighbours of her plight. Unfortunately, by the time they were able to get her to “False Top” en route to Port Kaituma hospital, she died,” the report said. The organisation became concerned for the lives of the couple’s children who they said were robbed of the opportunity to even attend their mother’s funeral and was further left to dwell with the same man. However, their situation changed earlier this

A woman points to the blood-stained mattress at the Baramita health institution. (Photo compliments of GWMO)

week as the grandmother and aunt of the children took custody of them. NOT YET ARRESTED Primus, however, expressed concern that the man still has not been arrested and charged even after reports were made. She also noted that the area also needs to be equipped with an ambulance to transport emergency cases speedily. The GWMO President disclosed further that in the same district, a man who is suspected to be HIV positive has become a serial rapist, sexually abusing young girls. She said when the representatives enquired from police about accusations levelled against the man, they became very defensive and showed signs of irresponsibility. “When our (representatives) inquired about the matter, the CID officer replied by telling her, according to the Sexual Offences Act, they can hold a perpetrator for 72 hours before they can receive bail. When probed for the identity of the man she was told that he has a reputed wife and grown children and his name cannot be disclosed.” The organisation rejects a system in which perpetrators of such acts are protected and justice for victims is denied. Therefore, the organisation is calling on government to take urgent action since “the community is overwhelmed with fear, and this multiple of-

fender walks free to continue his reign of terror.” Moreover, there are a number of reported cases of girls below the age of consent being involved in sexual affairs with mostly older businessmen, who often bribe the victims, their parents or the police to escape prosecution. Girls as young as nine years are found to be sexually active and “11 year olds are living home or are pregnant and no one is being held accountable, nothing is being done to deter the spread of this situation.” Residents, she said, complained of police being “very ineffective” in executing their duties and are alleging that the lawmen accept bribes from criminals while victims cry for justice. Citing the urgent need for the presence of welfare and probation officers in the area, she noted that the health institution there is in an unhealthy condition, and there is an inadequate supply of usable drug, while comfortable beds are not available. Police, she said further, also complained that their living quarters are “unlivable” since the ceiling is falling and the back steps are falling apart. In Arakaka there is also a high rate of school dropouts and girls still in childhood are found “living home or pregnant”. She said the community’s medical officer Dr. Singh was very cooperative in providing information about some of the problems that affect the community, and pointed out that residents feel they are neglected since they receive little aid from government. Meanwhile, in Baramita young children accompany parents to night spots and become vulnerable after the adults get highly intoxicated. These children, she explained, eventually stay Turn to page 7 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

Granger condemns Maduro’s objection to Aurora gold project By Tajeram Mohabir DESPITE undertaking to work towards a peaceful settlement of the border controversy, Venezuela has objected to a major Canadian mining company operating here, a move roundly condemned by President David Granger who has insisted that Guyana has a legal right to the Essequibo region. Canada-based Guyana Goldfields only recently poured its first gold at its Aurora, Mazaruni mine, but Venezuela’s Ambassador to Ottawa sent a letter, dated 13th October, to the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the company warning against its operations. This announcement was made by President David Granger when he addressed the Parliament on Thursday. President Granger told Parliament that Venezuela’s claims of aggression by Guyana defy logic and commonsense, pointing out that quite the opposite is true. He lamented that its neighbour to the west continues to breach the Geneva

Agreement, which does not allow the parties involved to make new claims. Recently, Venezuela promulgated two new decrees laying claim to vast expanses of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone and dissuading foreign investors from developing Guyana’s territory. The President told the Parliament that Venezuela’s Ambassador to Ottawa on October 13 sent a threatening letter to the CEO of Guyana Goldfields Inc., which operates mines at Aurora in Guyana’s Cuyuni-Mazaruni region. An excerpt of the letter read by the President warned, inter alia, that the opening of the gold mine would be “infringing on the territorial sovereignty of Venezuela and committing unlawful actions which could incur legal consequences.” It added: “As such, you are hereby fully given notice of the respective legal actions that could herein occur.” According to Mr Granger, the Ottawa letter reflects the approach adopted by the late President Hugo Chávez Frias during his state visit to Guyana in

President David Granger

February, 2004. Mr Chávez had reportedly told the press that his administration would have no objection to everyday infrastructural works such as roads, water and electricity that directly enhance the lives of residents. But strategically sensitive projects – including major offshore oil exploration ventures, mineral exploration or the involvement of foreign governments – were another matter and should be discussed within the framework of the high-level Bilateral Commission. CHÁVEZ DOCTRINE “The ‘Chávez doctrine,’

in short, meant that Venezuela demanded a role in determining the developmental destiny of Guyana’s Essequibo. Another impudent example of that ‘doctrine” was President Chávez’s opposition to the proposed satellite project in the Barima-Waini Region in 2000. Chávez at that time had intervened to undermine the agreement between the Government of Guyana and Beal Aerospace Technologies Inc., which aimed at establishing a satellite launch station in the Barima-Waini region. “Is it that Venezuelan leaders derive satisfaction from the prolongation of this controversy?” the President asked. President Granger said the territorial issue, in the hands of President Hugo Chávez and his successive ministers of External Relations, became a sharp instrument of “Finlandisation.” The Guyanese leader contended that Venezuela’s interest in the continuance of the Good Offices Process would allow it to exert perpetual pressure on Guyana’s economy and enhance its political influence in the

Caribbean with regard to its territorial claim. Venezuela, for 25 years, has been able to apply that pressure with impunity and in spite of the existence of the Good Offices Process. VENEZUELA’S AIM Granger told the Parliament that Venezuela’s aim has been to obstruct Guyana’s development in spite of the so-called bilateral dialogue. The foreign ministers of both countries engaged in dialogue in the wake of the incident of October 10, 2013 in which the Venezuelan naval corvette – the Yekuana – expelled the ‘Teknik Perdana,’ a petroleum exploration vessel, from Guyana’s EEZ. The vessel, however, never returned to continue its work. The investors as well as others were scared into inactivity by Venezuela’s aggressive naval action. “Venezuela, apart from sending sent its navy to expel vessels from Guyana’s waters, also promulgated decrees purporting to annex Guyana’s maritime spaces; it augmented its military

manpower and exhibited offensive weapons and materiel to unprecedented levels; it conducted provocative manoeuvres on Guyana’s borders; it recalled its ambassador to Georgetown and it suspended the process of acceptance of Guyana’s Ambassador-designate to that country,” the President said. Guyana has reacted to these provocations with dignity and firmness and on the basis of compliance with international law. This country, Granger said, has always been respectful to the government and people of neighbouring states, confident in the correctness of its policies and in the justness of its cause. “Venezuela’s fear is that once a juridical process could prove that its contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was a nullity was proven to be baseless, its 50-year strategy of attrition aimed at gaining territory from Guyana stands in jeopardy of the prospect of collapse,” the Guyanese leader said.

T&HD understates financial statements by $1B-Audit Office finds Audits of the Transport and Harbours Department have revealed that the agency for the period 2003 to 2007 understated its financial statements by some $1. 7B. In the reports presented in the National Assembly, it was noted that in 2003, the department’s financial statement indicated that the sum of $597,085,616 representing operating income was earned for the year under review. However, an analysis of the revenue received reflected the amount as $639,230,699, representing an understatement by $43,951,903 million. For 2004, the operating income earned was $332,184,018, but revenues received amounted to 639,961, 080, indicating an understate-

ment by $307, 777,062; in 2005, the operating income earned was $362,838, 137, but the audit indicated that some $658,376,505 was received in revenues, reflecting an understatement by some $295,538, 368. The Audit Office picked up a similar trend in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, it found that the Transport and Harbours Department reported that it earned some $488,020, 905 in operating income, but an analysis of revenues received reflected the sum of $805, 221, 361, showing an understatement by $317, 200,456; while in 2007, the reported operating income earned was $718,051,088, but the auditors discovered that revenues received amounted to $830, 433, 355.

This represents an understatement of $112, 382, 247, and for the period 2003 to 2007 a combined total of over $1B. In 2003, the Audit Office reported that in addition, daily revenue returns that were prepared and sent by the outstations were not presented for audit verification. As a result, details of revenue collected at outstations could not be verified. “Amount totalling $156,416,799 were expended for administrative expenses. However, the general ledger reflected the amount of $154,502,247 giving a difference of $1,914,552. As a result, the accuracy, completeness and validity of the amount expended could not be ascertained. An examination of a sample of payment

vouchers revealed instances where payments vouchers were not prepared to support all the payments made. In addition, bills/receipts were not attached to vouchers. These were filed separately and in no particular order to enable verification,” the Audit Office reported. It further noted that a “paid” stamp was not used to prevent duplication of payments and six instances totalling $438,824 were observed where acknowledgement of payee was not seen. In addition, there were two payments totalling $2,530,000 for the purchasing of computers and accessories, but there was no evidence of Tender Board procedures being adhered to nor were the items included to the fixed assets

of the Department. In the 2007 report, the auditors from an examination of a sample of payment vouchers revealed instances where payments vouchers were not prepared to support all the payments made. In addition, bills receipts were not attached to vouchers. These were filed separately and in no particular order to enable verification. “As a result, of the foregoing the completeness, accuracy and validity shown as expenditure could not be verified. The amount of $790,301,465 represents depreciation charges. However, the depreciation charges were based on assets that were not properly valued by a qualified valuation officer.

As a result, the completeness, accuracy and validity of the amount shown could not be determined. “The amount of $98,875,000 was shown as Fixtures and Fittings in the Financial Statement. However, the schedule of Fixed Assets does not provide a listing of Fixtures and Fittings. As a result, completeness, accuracy and validity of the amount shown could not be determined. Further, no insurance coverage was taken out on Fixed Assets by the Department and certificates of title showing ownership of buildings and vessels as shown in the financial statement were not provided for audit verification,” a section of the 2007 report by the Audit Office stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 23, 2015

U.N. criticizes Czech detentions and strip-searches of refugees U.N. HUMAN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein accused the Czech Republic on Thursday of committing systematic human rights violations by detaining refugees for up to 90 days, strip-searching them for money to pay for their own detention. Human rights violations appeared to be “an integral part” of a Czech government policy designed to deter migrants and refugees from entering the country or staying there, he said in a statement. The Czech Republic lies

to the north of the main migration routes taking refugees through the Balkans to Germany. It has seen only a fraction of the hundreds of thousands passing through Hungary and Austria on their flight from war or poverty. Those who come through the Czech Republic have often been detained, some for weeks if authorities do not manage to return them to the country they arrived from. Very few claim asylum in the Czech Republic. Many continue their

journey to Germany upon release. The criticism follows reports by the Czech public human rights officer and multiple independent lawyers and non-governmental organizations working with refugees. The Prague government says the detentions are legal. It says it is trying to improve conditions in existing centers and opening new ones. Last week, there were 533 people detained. “What we fundamentally disagree with is the asser-

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tion that the Czech government intentionally and systematically violates human rights of migrants,” Interior Minister Milan Chovanec said in a statement. Zeid was welcome to visit any Czech facility for detention of foreigners to learn of the situation in person. “We will be happy to organise such a visit,” Chovanec said. The Czechs voted last month in a small minority against quotas to distribute asylum seekers across the European Union, putting them on collision course with EU partners. Zeid expressed alarm that the country’s detention policy was accompanied by

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increasingly xenophobic public statements, including “Islamophobic” statements by President Milos Zeman. Zeman, who does not have much policy-making power under the Czech legal system but is the head of state, rejected the criticism. His spokesman said: “The president has long warned of the threat of Islamic fundamentalism. He stands by his opinion and he will not change it under pressure from abroad.” The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR says the vast majority of those making the journey from Turkey through Greece, often hoping to reach Germany, are refugees rather than economic migrants, and have a right to protection and asylum. Zeman has warned migrants would impose sharia, stoning women to death for adultery and chopping

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thieves’ hands off. “We will lose women’s beauty because they will be covered head to toe in burqas, with only a fabric net over the face,” the CTK news agency quoted him as saying last week. Zeman’s views reflect those of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has vowed to protect Christian values by fighting to stem immigration from Muslim countries. The center-left Czech government has not used similar rhetoric to that of the 71-year-old president, but remains alone in detaining refugees for so long - routinely for 40 days and sometimes for 90, Zeid said. “International law is quite clear that immigration detention must be strictly a measure of last resort,” he said. Detaining children “on the sole basis of their migration status, or that of their parents, is a violation, is never in their best interests, and is not justifiable,” he said. Courts had released people who had challenged their detention, but most did not know their rights and were unable to exercise them, partly because their mobile phones were taken away when they were detained, Zeid said. They were often destitute on their release after being strip-searched for money to pay the daily cost of 250 crowns ($10.46) for their detention, often in poor conditions, he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 23, 2015

Media blocked from anti-bullying talks

MP for Princes Town Barry Padarath poses with Nazir Kooloo for a picture taken by his wife, Cindy, outside the Iere Village Government Primary School where Padarath addressed students on anti-bullying yesterday. ( Tr i n i d a d G u a r d i a n ) SCHOOL officials yesterday blocked media workers from covering the anti-bullying launch initiated by Princes Town MP Barry Padarath at the Iere Village Government Primary School. Padarath, who addressed the media outside the school gates, said he was informed that it was the school’s policy that media workers were not to enter the school without permission from the Education Ministry. “I don’t want to drag the school into a political issue so I quite understand their position. At another point in time, I will organise other anti-bullying initiatives,” Padarath said. He added: “It is a primary school, I didn’t invite the media and I was told the policy of the school was to not allow the media on the compound. I abide by that. I understand that children’s privacy has to be respected and we should not be politicising any issue using the medium of children.” In his address to the pupils, Padarath said he spoke about discipline, respect and tolerance. Saying the anti-bullying initiative was the “genesis of something great,” Padarath said within the space of two years, five people committed suicide in Mathilda, Princes Town, because of bully-

ing. He said scores of people had contacted him pledging support for his initiative. However, Padarath said he was disappointed that his parliamentary colleagues— Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith—did not come onboard.

Don’t worry about Cuba taking away chunks of tourism pie, says JetBlue CEO Willemstad, Curacao: AS JetBlue Airways makes its impact in the Caribbean and Latin America, it’s CEO and president, Robin Hayes says the rest of the region should not show too much concern about Cuba taking away chunks of its tourism pie. Hayes, addressing delegates at the State of the Industry Conference now on in Curacao, said the Cuban market is sure to expand significantly once regularly scheduled flights from the United States begin. “But I don’t expect this growth to come at the expense of other islands. It certainly won’t for JetBlue. We’re not going to pick up all our planes and move them to Cuba,” he said. JetBlue has been flying charters to Cuba since 2011 and currently owns a third of the market in the Caribbean. Describing Cuba as a

fascinating destination, with a lot of beauty and intrigue, Hayes states that the Spanish speaking country, which is causing a lot of excitement particularly with Americans, has infrastructure issues. “The infrastructure needs to support any influx of tourists are massive. It’s going to be a long time before Cuba’s full potential is realised. These transformations do not happen overnight,” he said. Hayes said that in the meantime JetBlue would continue to focus on expansion where it sees the greatest opportunity, “and there is plenty of that across this region”. One of the country’s on which the airline is placing a lot of attention is Haiti. Earlier this week Hayes said an announcement was made to increase flights to Part-au-Prince from Boston, New York and Fort Lauderdale in response to growing demand for travel there. “And that includes a

growing element of tourist traffic. In total, we will increase our service to Haiti by more than 50,000 seats,

an increase of 80 per cent since JetBlue initially entered the market two years ago,” he said.

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Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 23, 2015

GCSM calls on Maduro not to place embargo on Guyanese rice farmers Dear Editor,

EDITORIAL

The President’s amnesty for imprisoned youth

PRESIDENT David Granger has been criticised, mainly by some elements in the People’s Progressive Party, for releasing 60 young people from prison. Those young people were jailed for committing non-violent crimes, and President Granger had made it clear that young people should be in school, not in jail. He has said that his pardon will place emphasis on young persons who are petty, non-violent offenders; and who have been given sentences of short duration. He was quoted in this newspaper as saying: “Sometimes a man [is] in jail for stealing a cell phone. Go your way and sin no more…! The offences are ‘really petty’, and the offenders [are] ‘pretty young. I hope they get back in school, get work, and get on with their lives. “They do not belong in jail; they belong in school [or] at home with their families. [They deserve to] be happy.” Not surprisingly, the criticisms have been fast and furious, and have ranged from those who question the legal procedure to those who contend that the President was sending the wrong signal to young criminals and to the magistrates. Criticisms in this latter category include those from the opposition PPP and its supporters, who have criticised every action of the President and his government. The President has responded to his critics by vowing to continue the initiative. It is understandable that, in a country where crime has been rampant, some citizens would be skeptical of any initiative aimed at bringing benefit to those who have been convicted. The violent nature of the crimes committed on innocent people has become unbearable. Many criminals, it seems, have no mercy for their victims. This is bound to engender a hardened, collective response. Yet, any society where its young people find themselves drawn to crime must examine itself. While violent crimes have escalated, many of the imprisoned -- mostly the sons and daughters of the poor -- have been convicted of non-violent petty crimes. There is a relationship between poverty and crime, especially petty crime.

AS AN advocate for solidarity, I would like to call on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro not to continue the embargo on rice farmers in Guyana, as both countries are supporting a mutual friend in the form of Cuba to end the embargo that has destroyed and promoted underdevelopment to the citizens of Cuba as a whole. As neighbouring states with an interest to develop South American and Latin American countries, there is need to understand that there is no honour in spiting Guyanese farmers, who depended on Venezuela heavily to purchase their rice. Guyana’s annual rice

barter agreement with Venezuela started since in 2009 under the exchange of the PetroCaribe Fund. Although the previous Government downplayed the impact of the ongoing row between Guyana and Venezuela over the maritime decree, saying that Caracas’s intentions to discontinue the annual agreement had already been communicated, it was something that should not have been taken for granted. Playing the blame game will have no positive result and meaningful input to assist the thousands of rice farmers who are heading for bankruptcy, and are unable to place a plate of food on their tables to feed their families. I would like to say that the

2015 Rice Agreement was signed in March of this year, and while the agreement is done on an annual basis, it is the rice and paddy shipments that bring the agreement to its conclusion. Once the annual agreement has been signed, Guyana has the full year to ship the quantities of rice and paddy that were agreed upon. These shipments are not even making it off the ships now that Venezuela has decided to place an embargo on Guyanese farmers. Both countries are fighting to end the embargo in Cuba, so how can Venezuela now enact this sort of treatment to a friendly neighbouring state? Political grandstanding should not cause the suffering of busi-

ness or the stifling of trade. The 2015 first crop produced more than 360,000 tonnes, with over 220,000 tonnes having been exported as of June. However, 148,000 tonnes of rice were carried over from 2014. Meanwhile, as Venezuela promised recently to assist Grenada in developing potential that may exist in its oil and gas sector, it is necessary for Venezuela to note that it has also been a big brother to Guyana, and issues can be sorted out diplomatically and in a bilateral method, rather than by creating an embargo that does no good for countries within the hemisphere. I have also noticed that See Page 7

We cannot see the forest for the trees Mr. Editor, A WRITER once said that he had kept focusing on the forest and lost sight of the trees. This connotation seems to be paramount in our expressions these days, when we are focusing on politics and losing sight of realities. Which brings me to the issue of the withdrawal of subsidies for water and electricity to old age pensioners. As a recipient, Mr. Editor, this is not what took place. The reality is that subsidies for 2015 were already given to those

who were benefiting before the application of the increase, and those who were not are now receiving cash in lieu. Whatever anomaly that may have been sighted is expected to be corrected in the plans for 2016. What is surprising is that there was no protest previously for the subsidy not being given to all pensioners; why are there protests now? Based on my trade union experience, you do not protest against administrations in their attempt to correct wages and benefits’ anomalies; you do so when

Further, as we witness an increase in petty crime among the youth of school age and just above, we see a corresponding increase in school drop-outs. It is not unreasonable to draw relationships between and among these factors. A big question here in Guyana and beyond is whether imprisonment rehabilitates the petty criminal, or facilitates his or her graduation to habitual or higher crimes. Most research suggests the latter. In the end, the cost to society is astronomical in financial terms, but more importantly, in terms of the escalation of crime. Small, underdeveloped societies like ours simply cannot afford this burden. It seems that it is this problem the president is tackling. He should be commended for identifying this as a core problem, the solution of which would have far-reaching consequences for national development. Of course, the amnesty must be part

they fail to correct same. This is one of the reasons why I am in disagreement with my colleague Lincoln Lewis for somersaulting on the wages issue. My understanding is that provision had to be made on the scale for the VPs, and in so doing, the anomalies sighted had to be addressed now. And I further understand that the 50% is not across the board; some will receive a paltry 5%. So why all this fuss? Patrick Yard did the right thing to support the issue,

which to my mind he will use as a yardstick to negotiate for better wages and working conditions for his members. Finally, Mr. Editor, we need to give this new administration breathing space to function; and as our President rightly said, we will see the benefits of that increase down the road. Again friends, let us not focus too much on politics and lose sight of realities. Yours truly SAM T. FRASER

of a larger rehabilitation project aimed at transforming these young people from potential criminals to productive citizens. The president is correct — our young people should be in school, and not in the criminal justice system; and we feel their rehabilitation is a role that the government must continue to undertake with utter seriousness. The success of the President’s initiative would depend heavily on the support of the wider society, especially family members of those pardoned and residents of the immediate communities. The villages and urban wards must once again become nurseries of the best in us, and the community must help to raise its children to turn their faces away from crime. Let us all get behind our president on this critical matter.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 23, 2015

Rampant nepotism, cronyism and GCSM calls on favouritism being practised at City Hall Maduro not ...

Dear Editor,

THE Government of Guyana, through the relevant ministry, should do something to bring an end to the alarming situation of rampant nepotism cronyism and favouritism that exist at the Georgetown municipality. Seemingly as a policy now rather than as the occasional occurrence, at City Hall, there is, by the Personnel Officer, the outright recruitment of relatives and friends of councillors and senior officers for jobs they are incapable of performing well. A visit to the Finance Department alone would reveal that the daughters of at least two councillors, along with relatives of senior officers, are employed there. Even more

worrying is the fact that the very councillors are members of the Finance Committee, the oversight body for the same department to which their daughters are assigned. This, of course, creates a situation of a clear conflict of interest, and is a recipe for corruption. These circumstances are replicated in every other department. Additionally, there exists a gross ethnic imbalance in the staff structure, which would suggest that discriminatory practices are being employed by the personnel section during the recruitment process. Surely, in a multi-racial society such as Guyana, the applicants would be diverse, and one would expect to see this diversity

reflected in the workforce, but this is not so. There is a feeling of inequality among many current employees, which results in an attitude of defeat by these staff members, as they assume that promotions and perks will always go to friends and relatives rather than deserving persons, resulting in them feeling less inclined to do their best work to distinguish themselves. Resentment and indifference are now the order of the day at City Hall, which leads to reduced productivity. The nepotism, cronyism and favouritism at City Hall are damaging not just a department or two, but the entire municipality. It is creating a sense of entitlement

Politicians should not get involved in religious matters Dear Editor I MUST agree with Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud (MP) that November 11, 2015 is the rightful day for Diwali, since this auspicious day is determined

by the moon. In my opinion, no politician should get involved in religious matters, as there is a fear they will intervene in other religious groups’ affairs. I suggest this decision be left up to

Dr Persaud, since she represents the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. This is my humble opinion on the recent dispute. DR YESU PERSAUD

Girls as young as eleven...

From Page 2

at home after being out late at nights and are too tired to attend school. She said the remote village has a situation in which school uniforms have not yet been made available, resulting in children being unable attend school. She further said on inquiry it was discovered that material was sent to the villages for the construction of uniforms, but the village officer has opted to withhold the material from skilled seamstresses in the area and has attempted to secure the services of a tailor from the coast at a price of $800 per uniform. A group of women, she said, have called for gov-

ernment to provide sewing machines to employ their skills in constructing the uniforms at a cheaper price. She said the medic within the community expressed a need “to sensitise communities on the necessities of healthcare, especially when it comes to pregnancy.” The medic also reported that the cots on which maternal deliveries are performed have become blood-stained since the institution is without padding and even though government authorities visited sometime back, the condition remains the same. WORKSHOPS Meanwhile members

of the community recommended that workshops to sensitise the public about the advantages of accessing proper healthcare and the other opportunities should be held and registrations of births be conducted within their communities since there is an evident lack of birth certificates and pension books. The organisation said it had received reports of trafficking in persons in the areas, but its plan was disrupted after a senior official within the district alerted businesses to shut their doors until the delegation had departed.

that is causing insubordination and disrespect for management and other employees. It is also creating reduction in workplace morale. Friends of the Personnel Section are being placed at the top of their salary scales and given acting appointments ahead of more qualified employees and those with much greater experience and longer service, resulting in distortion of the pay scale. Name withheld

From Page 6

President Nicolás Maduro is advocating the establishment of an economic zone for the Caribbean and Latin America. He says the economic zone should be part of a production and economic plan aimed at curbing the region’s high import bill. During a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell in Grenada over the weekend, the Venezuelan leader also suggested the establishment of a commerce and

purchase agreement with Caribbean countries. President Maduro suggested that the Caribbean and Latin America work out transportation arrangements to facilitate the movement of goods and services. It is my hope that the Ve n e z u e l a n P re s i d e n t would use his good office to assist his small brother and neighbor, while not forgetting Guyana is part and parcel of all plans within the hemisphere. HALEEM KHAN, President of GCSM

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

Guyana ex-police body in U.S. pays tribute to fallen Guyanese NY cop AS a mark of respect, the famous Empire State building in Manhattan, New York, was lit up in blue on Wednesday night.

THE members of the Guyana Ex-Police Association of America (GEPAOA) are deeply saddened by the vicious killing of Guy-

ana-born New York City police officer Randolph Holder. According to a release from the association, the members “openly condemn

this vicious, wanton act against yet another member of the New York City Police Department.” Officer Holder, a Guyanese-American, is the son of Reginald Holder, a former member of the Guyana Police Force. “As former police officers, we know the dangers law-enforcement officers confront regularly as they strive to keep our streets safe. Their sacrifice is immeasurable and for this we are eternally grateful,” the GEPAOA stated. The association, which is also based in Brooklyn, New York, sent sincere condolences to the entire Holder family and called on all members of the Guyanese community “to join us in supporting Mayor Bill deBlasio as he guides

New York City through this tempestuous period.” As a mark of respect, the famous Empire State building in Manhattan, New York, was lit up in blue on Wednesday might. Holder, 33, a Guyanese immigrant and a police officer for five years, was the fourth killed in the line of duty in the past 11 months, Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said during an emotional news conference on Wednesday. A suspect is in custody, the commissioner said. Holder and his partners were responding to reports of gunshots around 20:30 hrs on Tuesday when they encountered a man riding a bicycle on East 120th Street on a pedestrian path over

Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive. Gunfire was exchanged, and Holder was hit to the head. He was taken in critical condition to Harlem Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead at 22:22 hrs, Bratton said. Meanwhile, funeral arrangements have been announced, with the viewing scheduled to take place on Tuesday next at the Community Church of the Nazarene at 1414 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway from 9:00 – 18:00 hrs, while the funeral service will take place at the same venue the following day from 15:00 hrs. Holder’s body will be interred in his birthplace, Guyana, at a date to be announced. (Frederick Halley)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

Prison chief on…steps sexual down, assault charge vows to fight DIRECTOR of Prisons Welton Trotz was on Thursday slapped with a charge of sexual assault and granted $100,000 bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Fabio Azore. The head of Guyana’s prison service was not represented by an attorney during his first court appearance but reporters were blocked from entering the courtroom as the matter was held in-camera. Trotz was the recipient of the Disciplined Service Medal at the Investiture ceremony at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) earlier this month. The sexual assault accused had the charges read to him following the advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions whose chambers had been engaged in the

Welton Trotz

matter for some time now. According to reports, a junior rank has alleged that sexual advances were made to her by Trotz and despite her resistance he persisted. The matter was reported to the then Ministry of Home

Affairs, according to one report in another section of the media. However, speaking with reporters after his bail was posted yesterday afternoon, Trotz said that he was going to fight the charge since he is confident that it is trumped up and has no merit, and aimed at staining his character. Trotz yesterday afternoon also confirmed that he was stepping down from office until the matter is over. He also confirmed that he did have a discussion with the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and the discussion pertained to the procedures. “I will be handing over immediately,” Trotz told the media outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on yesterday afternoon.

Top Cop orders probe into alleged rape of Timehri Station detainee COMMISSIONER of Police Seelall Persaud has ordered a thorough investigation into allegations that a prisoner at the Timehri Police Station lock-ups was raped by one of the officers. Persaud has ordered that the matter be investigated by the police Office of Professional Responsibility as well as by the Criminal Investigation Department. Police yesterday had a medical examination conducted on the man who levelled the accusation, while they were also getting ready to perform the same tests on the police rank who is now under close arrest. Police Commander Clifton Hicken and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum when contacted confirmed that a statement was taken from the man accusing the police of raping him. However, it was pointed out that several aspects of his statement would have to be cross-checked, since some inconsistences have appeared. Meanwhile, persons at Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara reportedly came forward and told the police that the man has a medi-

Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud

cal condition and whenever that happens, he would seek financial assistance for medical attention. Among the alleged inconsistences the police said they were able to detect was that the man claimed the policeman who had raped him did so at gunpoint, but the records indicate that the rank did not uplift a weapon that day. The man also claimed that he was taken out of the police lockups to have the alleged act committed on him. However, police are saying that it was the day before that he was taken out of the lockups for the purpose of a

confrontation with a civilian who showed up at the police station to identify him in connection with a matter. Meanwhile, police are to take additional statements from persons in the community about the man as well as other prisoners who were in the lockups at the time the man was being held. The Timehri Police Station has had its fair share of negative press following the alleged baton rape of Colwyn Harding almost one year ago, a matter that is currently before the court. In that matter, it was stated that a police rank pushed a police baton up the rectum of the young man who was also a prisoner at the station. The Police Complaints Authority has since recommended criminal charges against two ranks of the station, while several other ranks who were on duty there at the time were disciplined departmentally. It was also reported that Phillip who is now making the claims against the police detective was inside the lockups when Harding was being held and is said to be a key witness in the matter for the police.

Accused ‘baby killer’ remanded until December

MARC Angoy, 43, was remanded yesterday to the Camp Street Prison after he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates Court charged with the capital offence of murder. The man who was unrepresented by an attorney was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on Sunday last he murdered 13-month-old Ariane Gill of Eastville Housing Scheme,Annandale, East Coast Demerara. He will make his next court appearance on December 28. Angoy reportedly shot the child dead while she was being held by her 12-year-old aunt after he pointed a gun

through the window of the home and opened fire indiscriminately. The bullets struck the child and her aunt while the intended target, his estranged reputed wife, who had taken out a restraining order against him, was spared injury. On Wednesday, one day after Angoy turned himself over to the police following release by the police of a wanted bulletin, he was accompanied back to the scene of the shooting by the police. Subsequent to that visit, the police closed their investigation and sent the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice and the capital charge was recommended.

On the day in question, the man opened fire at the house of the child’s grandmother who had earlier severed an abusive relationship with him. The man said that he opened fire at the home because of the restraining order the woman had taken out against him after he had invested heavily in her, including selling marijuana in the interior to meet her needs. During the attack, the child’s aunt was also shot and injured. However, the man reportedly told police investigators that he regretted hurting the baby since he never intended to kill the child.

The wood cutter and the firearm CITY Magistrate Fabayo Azore yesterday remanded to prison a wood cutter from Marwari village in the North West District for unlawful possession of a firearm. The charge read that on Monday, October 19, the 24year- old, Deltim Williams had in his possession one 16-gauge shotgun when he was not a licensed firearm holder. He pleaded not guilty. On the same day it is alleged that he used threatening language to Sylvin George at Nut

Creek. He was charged with breaching the peace and again he said he pleaded not guilty. Police Prosecutor Simone Payne opposed bail based on the nature of the act, saying that if Williams were allowed pretrial liberty he might tamper with the witness George, since he had threatened to shoot him with the firearm. Williams’s attorney David James told the court that his client, who lived with his reputed wife, had no prior charges. He explained that Williams and George were

both loggers and on the day in question they had an argument. The lawyer requested bail in a reasonable sum for his client, stating that during the argument George disarmed Williams and took the defendant and the gun to the village Toshao. The accused was placed on $10,000 bail on the threatening language charge and was remanded for illegal possession of the firearm . He will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on October 27.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

Quality of education ‘questionable’ – UN envoy says bring back skills from the Diaspora The standard of education must be lifted if all Guyanese are to be treated as equal, says United Nations Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa. Musa, in an interview with this publication said “the quality of education in Guyana these days is a bit questionable.” Her view is in light of a continuous decline in the sector. The UN envoy recognised however the results of Guyanese students who topped the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), noting that while

the achievements in those areas were good, it was not enough. “Even though the quality of education in Guyana these days is a bit questionable; not as strong as it used to be, the fact that Guyana reaches out to every child to get education is still crucial. It is important that the new government work to bring back that level of quality of education that existed in the 60s, 70s and 80s,” she added. Musa said history has shown that persons from across the Caribbean came to Guyana to study because of the quality of education provided. Guyana, she said

must strive to ensure that its education system returns to where it was in its previous years. “A lot of Caribbean people came here… it would be very good if the government could work towards developing education and getting some of the losses back in terms of quality.” The UN representative said while the standard of education had dropped mention must be made of the efforts made. “Still I’d say Guyana has been doing well in education because even though not in large numbers you get some of the highest ranks in the CSEC examinations,” Musa

stated. More focus needs to be placed on equal access to quality education across the board. She believes that while there are some “acclaimed public schools” there are also private institutions that are doing well. It is her view that with a stronger education system, Guyana can return to being one of the leading countries with respect to the education. Guyana, the UN Representative said is a “wealthy country in terms of natural resources” but there must be equality and equity across the board. Guyana’s capacity is “depleted by migration.”

UN Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa

“I think that it is important to attract the Diaspora in order to bring back skills to this country. I think Guyana should be a place where Guyanese dream to go back to… not when they can’t walk anymore.” AMERINDIANS Musa emphasized the need to have Amerindian students gain access to quality education; it is her belief that while there is access to education, it is not necessarily quality education. She applauded the David Granger led administration, noting that its initiative to ensure that children of hinterland communities have access to quality education is a good one. Amerindians have been classified as one of the vulnerable groups here and while focus has been placed on Amerindian communities, enough has not been done to ensure that they have equal access. “I am hoping that the access to education would improve—actually, a lot of them have access to education but it is a question of the quality of education and proximity because some of the children have to travel for miles.” Musa believes that “the heart of the government is in the right place, particularly the Minister of Education. He is a formidable educator,” said the UN Representative. The move by government to develop the hinterland as the country’s frontier was lauded by Musa who noted that such efforts are important in bridging the gap that exists between central Guyana and the hinterland regions. “I think the fact that the government is talking about connecting the interior to the central areas is important but how it is done is another factor. You still want to maintain your pristine interior and you don’t want to expose it to exploitation and deterioration.”

She believes that with good management, Guyana can be a “beautiful environment surrounded with educated people”. “The Amerindians are land rich but do not have the wealth to develop it. I hope the talk will become a reality of connecting the two and making facilities accessible to the hinterland,” she added. It is her hope as UN representative to Guyana that there will exist in Guyana larger amounts of diversity in all areas. “To take advantage of the wealth of natural resources you have in this country, Guyanese need to be one in order to succeed.” Additionally, the UN Envoy noted that Information Communication Technology (ICT) can be used to alleviate poverty. “It is a key to alleviating poverty,” Musa said. IMPROVING MATERNAL HEALTH Improving maternal health care is also critical to Guyana achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, the UN Resident Coordinator to Guyana told Guyana Chronicle at her Brickdam office. Musa noted that improving maternal health was crucial. She explained that while Guyana had done well in other areas of the MDGs, pointing to food security, more needed to be done to improve maternal health care here. Guyana through Junior Minister of Health Dr. Karen Cummings announced earlier this month that Guyana had made significant progress in improving maternal health. But, though progress had been made, Guyana would need to reduce its maternal mortality rate to 67.5 percent by the end of this year. D r. C u m m i n g s s a i d the progress made was not enough in the area of maternal health as the country’s mortality rate was still too high. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, gender equality, and improving maternal health are only a few areas of concern for the UN office in Guyana. As the UN body celebrates UN Day on October 24 this year, Musa said the body had reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the marginalized and vulnerable globally. In Guyana, work is underway and partnerships formed. “We will work closely with the government to ensure they take the commitments they have made seriously,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

School of Medicine to meet June deadline – Minister Norton pushing for governmnet subvention THE University of Guyana School Of Medicine (UGSM) should have its accreditation restored by June next year, says Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton. Norton told the Guyana Chronicle that the issue is a serious one and efforts are already under way to ensure that the accreditation is restored. He said too, that he would be pushing for a government subvention to be granted to the institution as it is in dire need of finances. At the moment, students who are set to graduate in November will not be able to practise in any other country but Guyana, as their certificates will not be recognised in other jurisdictions given the institution’s lack of accreditation. UGSM lost its accreditation in July 2015 following an inspection by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). Dr. Norton said, “The situation affects us,” noting that while Guyanese students would be unable to practise in other jurisdictions, foreign students who are here would also be unable to practise in their own territories without writing a CAAM-HP examination. “We are doing everything to get the accreditation back. We have a consultant who specialises in Family Medicine here who is examining the issues which includes infrastructure, labs and so on. By June we expect to be fully accredited again,” said Minister Norton. CAAM-HP had granted accreditation for the periods 2008 to 2009; 2009 to 2012; and 2013 to 2015. The authority upon its last visit discovered that many of the issues highlighted during its last visit here were not addressed. Those issues were relevant to infrastructural improvements, a review of the curriculum as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the Ministry of Public Health, UGSM and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for funding of the school. Those

said there were varying opinions on the matter but he chose not to comment further. He noted that the quality of training provided in Cuba was high. “We have to start from somewhere… Havana has the oldest university; it is so advanced we won’t be able to reach that stage in the near future.” He explained that while Dr George Norton

issues were to be dealt with before the return of CAAMHP this year. SUBVENTION The Minister of Public Health acknowledged that the faculty, like the entire campus was starved for financial resources. “UG needs money… UG needs money to pay staff well, to upgrade the facilities, to ensure the institution is operating at a high standard. If you don’t pay staff well, you won’t attract competent and qualified staff. The Medical Faculty is no different. We need people to be paid well, that is the only way we can attract the level of quality health care practitioners,” the minister told the Guyana Chronicle. Dr. Norton said he was “pushing for a subvention” to be granted to the Institution. He believes while the UGSM has dire needs, the entire university should benefit from a government subvention. “I am making every effort to correct the situation,” the minister stressed, noting that he was yet to receive a report from Dr. Emmanuel Cummings, Dean of UGSM. “I have not received a report yet from Dr Cummings but I have to speak with him on the issue,” he said. Asked about the millions of dollars spent by the Government of Guyana (GoG) over the years to pay stipends to local medical students studying in Cuba, and whether that sum could be reduced to assist the UGSM meet the criteria for accreditation, Dr. Norton

the local institution needed money, government in the past provided a stipend to its students studying in Cuba. The stipend was paid in Canadian dollars, he told Guyana Chronicle. “We train doctors for our system… I have a lot of regard for the locallytrained doctors. Cuba has a lot of advances but I am satisfied with the quality of

doctors we produce.” The minister disclosed that the “vast majority” of students who receive scholarships to study in Cuba find it difficult to gain entry to UGSM. “They could not get into our medical school; they lack the qualifications to get into our medical school… we don’t flex on that at all. You either qualify or you don’t,” the Public Health Minister stated.

SATISFIED Minister Norton expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the programme was being run. He said; “We have come a long way. We have improved gradually. We have brilliant students and brilliant doctors who have specialised in various fields,” he said. The minister is alert to the challenges facing the faculty but noted that it is doing well despite the challenges.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

Violence prone ‘Regulars’ before ‘Fix-up’ remanded court again THIRTY-four-year- old Lloyd Sadloo of Quamina Street, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara and 23-year-old Howard Rambarose of Second Street, Meadow Bank, who are no strangers to the law, once again appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Yesterday they were before Magistrate Faba-

yo Azore - this time on a charge of drug possession. It is alleged that on October 20, 2015 at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, they had in their possession 1.452 kilogrammes of cannabis. They both pleaded not guilty to the charge. Sadloo has been in and out of court since 2008. Just recently, he was charged with

three counts of robbery and refusing to cooperate with the police. Rambarose was also before the court for robbery under arms. Sadloo and Rambarose were refused bail and they will once again be domiciled at the state’s penitentiary until October 27, when they will make their second court appearance.

THIRTY-year-old Quincy Henry, also known as “Fix Up”, stood before Magistrate Fabayo Azore yesterday to answer to the charges of attempted murder and armed robbery. He was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on September 20, 2015 at Bourda, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Troy Bacchus with intent to

murder him. Police Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Stephen Telford objected on the prosecution’s behalf to bail. He noted that the defendant had no fixed place of abode. It is also alleged that on October 12 at Orange Walk, Bourda, being armed with a knife, he robbed a Chinese national of $100,000 cash. To this charge he pleaded not

guilty. According to the charge, the accused would normally be around the Bourda Market begging for money. However, when persons refuse his request he would erupt in a violent manner and attack them. Magistrate Azore upheld the no-bail request and Henry was remanded. He will re-appear in court on October 27.

Ice pick charge

Georgetown, denied that last week at Georgetown he had an ice pick in his possession. P ro s e c u t o r S i m o n e Payne did not object to bail and the magistrate set the sum at $25,000. Benjamin must return to court on October 27.

A TWENTY- eight-year-old labourer was on Thursday released on $25,000 bail by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore. He was charged for

having an offensive weapon in his possession. Courtney Benjamin, also known as Maxwell Jones, of Lot 34 West La Penitence,

QC Alumi NY to host confab with students here THE Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Association (NY), Inc. (“QCAANY”) is visiting its alma mater in Georgetown on October 29th and October 30th, 2015. The purpose of the visit is to host a conference with students of Queen’s College with participation from students of Tutorial High, North Georgetown Secondary, Annandale Secondary, Richard Ishmael Secondary, Christ Church Secondary and Tucville Secondary schools. During the conference, alumni from Guyana, Atlanta, New York, West Virginia and London will come together to share their knowledge and expertise by leading seminars and exercises that will engage and expose students to age-appropriate matters. The lineup of eighteen presenters will include Dr. Terrence Blackman, Mr. Newell Dennison, Dr. Paloma Mohammed and Ms Amlata Persaud, Guyana’s first female Rhodes Scholar, and reflects the diversity of scholarship, interest and talent that the school and Guyana have produced. The agenda will include discussions on strategies to stop bullying, developing critical thinking, youth volunteerism, creative problem solving using the arts, the effects of drugs and alcohol on social development, ed-

ucation and development, the power to change the world, and goal-setting and time management, among others. The upcoming conference follows other enrichment services provided by QCAANY that began with a highly successful conference held in 2014 that engaged students during the school’s 170th anniversary reunion. “Our students benefited immensely from last year’s conference,” said Ms. Jackie Benn, Queen’s College Headmistress, “and based on the topics on this year’s programme, this conference has the potential to be even more beneficial.” She noted that as the country approaches its 50th anniversary, critical thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit, both topics to be discussed at the conference, are vital to the sustained development of our nation. “The selection that the New York Chapter has put together for our students, coming on the heels of their other offerings, is very impressive,” she said, adding that the teachers and students cannot contain their excitement. Ms. Benn anticipates that this type of interaction between returning professionals and the school will result in enhanced leadership and socialization skills within the student body The President of QCAANY, Mr. John

Campbell, in thanking the volunteers who are giving generously and enthusiastically of their time, said that the school’s motto of Fideles Ubique Utiles, Faithful and Useful Everywhere, is the foundation upon which alumni come together to energise and encourage the rich tradition of excellence and camaraderie that Queen’s College is known for. Further, he stated that he warmly welcomes and looks forward to the full participation of the sister schools. To t h e e x t e n t t h a t Queen’s College is hosting a conference, other schools should be invited to participate, when possible, because “we are one people, one nation and one destiny,” he elaborated, “our destinies are intertwined.” The conference with the students is being held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. QCAANY was formed on August 21, 1991. The NY-based non-profit’s stated purposes include to provide financial and other forms of material assistance to the school, and to associate with any non-profit organisation involved in assisting Guyanese in Guyana and elsewhere. To learn more, please email QCAANY at nychapter@ qcguyanaalumny.org and visit the organization on the internet at www.qcguyanaalu

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

SASOD report tells of discrimination against LGBTIs

THE United Nations (UN) Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has acknowledged several recommendations from the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), and the Committee has since made these known to lawmakers in Guyana. The Committee is tasked with ensuring that countries meet their treaty obligations in relation to the UN covenant on economic, social and cultural life, and SASOD was the only local body to submit a report on Guyana’s situation recently. Last October 9, the Committee released its observations in the form of a report and SASOD members yesterday sought to share their analysis of it with the public. It was done during ‘Lunch Talk’, a project started by USAID/APC to discuss social and human rights issues, among others. SASOD members Joel Simpson, Schemel Patrick, Monica Brinn and Chase

Gorishek conducted the meeting yesterday at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) – Guyana Office, Lot 6 Oleander Avenue, Bel Air Park. EXCLUDING LGBTIs According to Brinn, who performed a central role in compiling SASOD’s report to the UN Committee, while on one hand Guyana’s Constitution forbids any sort of discrimination, the Non-Discrimination Act of 1997 excludes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, as well as non-discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. “So that is in contradiction to the covenant which we thought was relevant,” she pointed out. SASOD further suggested that the Committee recommend to Guyana’s Government a repeal of all of the laws criminalizing consensual sex between two males

specifically, but between anyone, and cross dressing. Brinn said the Committee responded that it recognised this as an issue in Guyana and they were specifically concerned that the Prevention and Discrimination Act of 1997 deals with the employment sector and does not cover other aspects of life. Other SASOD member and contributor to the report, Patrick recalled that in 2014 the then government of Guyana introduced the Modern Education Bill which sought to enhance the quality of education at all levels. BULLYING However, this bill neglected to include sexual orientation and gender identity as one of the non-discrimination clauses. “One of the major issues we face is homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools. It continues to plague the lives of many LGBTI youths. We have recommended to the Committee in our stakeholder report that there needs to

be policies that tackle such bullying.” According to her, SASOD has also recommended that the Prevention and Discrimination Act of 1997 be amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity and health status. “There are no laws that relate to work and employment that protect LGBTI persons in the workforce. So we are calling for the amendment of the Act.”

Friday, October 23, 2015 - 13:30 hrs Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, October 25, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

High Court orders GNBA to issue broadcast licence to Channel 27 WHEN Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, SC, on Wednesday issued a High Court order instructing the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) to issue businesswoman Vidya Lewis of Lot 220 South Road, Lacytown, Georgetown with a broadcast licence, it ended Cable 78/Channel 27’s three-year battle with that entity for licence to operate. GNBA had, under the National Broadcasting License Act of 2011, refused to grant a licence to the businesswoman, who is known for broadcasting religious programmes, and she had taken the GNBA to court in this regard. The Chief Justice ruled

that the businesswoman “is and was at all material times entitled to fundamental rights and freedoms set out in Article 40 of the Constitution; and to apply to the High Court under Article 153 of the Constitution for redress for contravention by the State, or its instrumentality, of her fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 40, 142 and 146 of the Constitution”. The CJ made a declaration that “the applicant is entitled to be issued a broadcasting licence pursuant to Section 18 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2011; and that this honourable court issue, under Article 153 of the Constitution, such writs, make such orders, and give such directions as may be

appropriate for the purpose of securing to the applicant the enforcement of her fundamental rights, guaranteed under Articles 40, 142 and 146 of the Constitution”. Grounds in support of the application are that, pursuant to an application for a broadcasting licence and permission by Mr. Grudge, the then National Frequency Management Unit Director, Lewis, on or about the year 1998, imported the television broadcasting equipment and secured the allocation of Cable 78/Channel 27. Court documents explained that Lewis commenced operation of a television broadcasting facility located at Kuru Kuru, Linden/Soesdyke Highway around February 2000; and

before the import licence was issued and the cable/ channel was allocated, she presented proof of the acquisition of a site outside the environs of Georgetown to operate the said facility. She had also entered into an agreement with an engineering firm to install and maintain the station, and had drafted a project document detailing the design and specification of the proposed facility. Installation of the facility was completed in February 2000; and in January 2001, when she submitted a new application for licence as an existing broadcaster, the GNBA never told her its decision, until a letter ordering her to immediately cease operations was delivered to

her in December 2007 by Mr. Valmikki Singh, Managing Director of the National Frequency Management Unit. According to the court document, Lewis complied, and wrote a letter to then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, appealing the decision by the GNBA/National Frequency Management Unit that denied her a licence. Though Lewis received no reply, she again applied in the year 2012 under the Broadcasting Act 2011, Act No. 17 of 2011 enacted on September 29, 2011, and received the president’s assent. However, the Act was not brought into operation until eleven months after. On November 8, 2012, Violet Boyal, Secretary (ag)

of the broadcasting body, delivered Lewis a letter that informed that her application for a broadcasting licence under the said Act was acknowledged, and that the board was considering issuing licence to new applicants under the said Act. Lewis’s court document pointed out that she had since submitted all necessary documentation as required, but had not heard anything further from the broadcasting body. Her lawyer, Mrs Abiola Wong-Inniss, delivered to the GNBA on November 7, 2014, a letter that requested an update on the woman’s application. She received an unfavourable response on November 14, 2014.

Food For the Poor receives 40-foot container of donations from Carib Foods Inc

CARIB Foods Inc. donated on Thursday a 40-foot container packed with in excess of US$13,000 in items

for the Food for the Poor (FFTP) countrywide food drive, which was launched recently.

The donation, comprising various flavours of Campbell’s canned soup and toilet tissue, were handed over by

Carib Food Operations Manager Kharishma Narine, who said it was the first time that Carib Foods had contributed toward the FFTP’s charity drive, and she pledged to

continue donating. Ms Narine is encouraging other companies to join in supporting Food for the Poor, since there are lots of needy people who are de-

pending on the organisation’s charitable work. “It [donating] is something nobody thinks about until you’re actually on hand and you get a feel of what is going on out there,” she said. Meanwhile, a source from Food for the Poor explained that the donations of over five thousand cans of soup and toilet tissue will go towards the entity’s school feeding programme and to elderly care homes which it supports. The source said the organisation supplies assistance to more than nine residential homes for elderly people and less fortunate children on a monthly basis, and the drive is ongoing. In this photograph, Carib Foods Operations Manager Kharishma Narine officially hands over the items to Food for the Poor Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Aubrey Austin, as Public Relations Manager Wayne Hamilton and Donor Relations Associate Astacia Abel look on. (Shauna Jemmott)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 23, 2015

Republic Bank gives $1M towards Bi-annual Drawing Competition

THE National Gallery of Art has received a renewed commitment of monetary sponsorship for the National Biannual Drawing Competition from Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd, through its initiative called ‘The Power to Make a Difference’. A $1M cheque, the first round of support for the project, was presented yesterday to the Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry in the presence of the Gallery’s Curator, Ohene Koama and senior managers of Republic Bank. The project is aimed at continuing to foster the development and skill of drawing with clear intentions to hone excellence and wider country participation while substantially rewarding the victors of a structured and transparent competition, a press release said.

Minister Nicolette Henry receiving the cheque from Republic Bank’s Manager Celine Davis – the advertising campaign, A vibrant, enthusias- Drawing Competition and the medals and the honorartic and financially sound exhibition for Guyanese ium. Once the first biennial corporate entity, Republic artists who have a nag for drawing competition in 1994 Bank (Guyana) Ltd, adopt- fine drawing. was canvassed successfully, This sponsorship covers artists and others nationed a position to monetarily sponsor a National Biennial three aspects of the activity wide, who have an aptitude

for drawing, continued to eagerly participate and look forward to the biennially-announced competitions. This year’s ‘Power to make a Difference’ initiative award from Republic Bank is $2 million to cover a period of four years as sponsorship for the National Biennial Drawing Competition. The release said further, that $1 million will be utilised to realise this year’s competition. The structure of the awards will be Gold, Silver, Bronze and a Trophy. Recipients will be First, Second, and Third placed and there will also be a Special Young Person prize between the ages of 16 - 18yrs. Each recipient of awards will also receive honorariums. A bold projection for the Eleventh Biennial National Drawing Competition in 2017 will see the inclusion of a new component. The proposed sum for that com-

petition will be utilised for a new dimension of the competition. The structure of the competition with awards will be retained but the first place winner will not only be awarded a gold medal and an honorarium but also the opportunity of being Artist in Residency at Castellani House for a period of three to six months with a monthly stipend (conditions will apply). A space to work from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 2pm – 6pm on Saturdays will be provided along with easels and drawing materials. Students and visitors will benefit from the opportunity to witness live drawing and interact with the winner while s/he demonstrates her/his drawing skills and methods of approach. An exhibition of the drawings produced during the residency will be mounted and promoted by Castellani House.

Rohee mum on alleged rift with Jagdeo GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee has pleaded ignorance to a running rift between himself and

Leader of the party Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, choosing to say “I don’t know” when repeatedly grilled by reporters on Thursday.

In the past weeks, reports have surfaced that the two PPP leaders are at odds with Rohee being asked to stop hosting his weekly Monday press conference. Reports

also indicate that Rohee may have been asked to give up the post of General Secretary of the PPP. Rohee when questioned by media operatives at a

General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee leading supporters during a picketing exercise outside of GECOM’s office on Thursday

…says, ‘I don’t know’ protest on Thursday did not deny friction, but instead chose to plead ignorance on the issue. “No, I don’t [know] anything about that. I don’t know anything about that. I don’t know anything about that,” Rohee repeatedly stated when questioned. The issue of renewed friction between the two came to light after Rohee at a press conference on Monday made it explicitly clear that the PPP has not yet made a decision on whether it will accept the salary increases announced by the government. Just about an hour after Rohee made the statement, Jagdeo was on record stating that the PPP will not be accepting the salary increases. Meanwhile, despite the alleged rift Rohee led PPP supporters during a picketing exercise in front of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) saying “It is time for [Dr] Steve [Surujbally] to leave.” Rohee told reporters that while the PPP is calling for Dr Surujbally to resign, it would be willing to contest

local government elections with Surujbally remaining as GECOM’s Chairman. “Well if you look at the placards, it is not only focusing on Surujbally, but it is focusing on the elections in general. Whenever elections are held we are going to contest whether Surujbally is there or not. We would be contesting under protest,” Rohee stated. The protests were initiated shortly after the May 11 General and Regional polls with the party claiming that the elections were rigged and demanding a recount by GECOM. After a few weeks the protests subsided, but according to Rohee this was not the case. He said that the party will continue to protest until its demands are met by the government and GECOM. “We will continue until our demands are met. This is in keeping with a declared policy by the People’s Progressive Party and we will continue to mount the pressure on Surujbally and GECOM,” said Rohee.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

Border takes first place

…Granger reiterates calls for judicial settlement By Tajeram Mohabir REITERATING that Guyana will continue to be a peaceful nation, President David Granger has declared that Guyana’s “border takes first place”, and that the country is more than willing to settle the territorial controversies with Suriname and Venezuela through the judicial process. In his third address to the Parliament since assuming the presidency some six months ago, the Guyanese Head-of-State told parliamentarians from both sides of the aisle, diplomats and senior public servants that with regards to Venezuela, a judicial settlement will be consistent with the spirit of the Geneva Agreement. Following ExxonMobil’s discovery of oil in the Liza-1 well in the Stabroek Block, approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana, Venezuela has expanded its claim to include Guyana’s Atlantic front. This new area claimed by Venezuela includes Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and also intrudes on the EEZ of Suriname, French Guiana, Barbados and a chain of other Caribbean islands. ExxonMobil is a U.S.-based oil and gas company. Venezuela’s latest claim came in the form of decrees by that country’s President, Nicolas Maduro. The first decree claimed the waters that include the area where Exxon is drilling, in addition to the earlier claim of the Essequibo, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s land mass. The second decree, which replaced the first, does not specify any coordinates in relation to boundaries, but makes clear that Venezuela is ready to use President David Granger military force to defend its being escorted into the Parliament chamber new maritime boundary. Guyana has condemned both decrees, contending that the claim by Venezuela to this country’s EEZ has no basis in international law, pointing out that the 1899 Tribunal Award had put to rest that country’s claim to the Essequibo. Guyana’s pursuit of peace had led to the signing, together with Britain and Venezuela, of the Geneva Agreement in February 1966, three months before gaining Independence. The agreement required both Guyana and Venezuela, in the event of disagreement over resolving the controversy between themselves, to refer the matter to the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, who was mandated to choose one of the means for the “pacific settlement of disputes” stipulated in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations. The UN Secretary General selected the ‘Good Offices Process’ as one of the pacific means available under the Charter. “Guyana’s assessment now is that, after 25 years, the ‘Good Offices Process’ has been exhausted. It is, therefore, not an infraction, but a fulfilment, of the Geneva Agreement to seek another peaceful option if one tried option failed to resolve the controversy,” President Granger said. FAILED PROCESS He said Guyana, in its engagements with the UN Secretary General, with the teams that he has dispatched to Georgetown

President David Granger addressing Parliament

He said Guyana remains committed to dialogue with Venezuela although its experience with dialogue on territorialrelated issues never yielded encouraging results. “The chronicle of Venezuela’s provocations and aggression towards Guyana since Independence is well known. Through unsubtle threats and undiplomatic coercion, Venezuela has sought to establish itself as the arbiter of Guyana’s development of the entire Essequibo that it still refers to as its zona en reclamación. Venezuela’s claims are not only illegal. They are injurious to the economic development of Guyana.” HINDRANCE President Granger emphasised that Venezuela must desist from hinadering Guyana’s economic development in an obtru-

and in its meetings with leaders at the international level, emphasised that the ‘Good Offices Process’ failed to resolve the controversy. Mr Granger stressed that the time has come for another peaceful option to be pursued, and Guyana favours a juridical settlement through recourse to the International Court of Justice. “Guyana’s decision to select another one of the Argentina Ambassador to Guyana, Luis A Martino and his options available under the Venezuelan counterpart, Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz Geneva Agreement, thereduring Thursday’s sitting of the Parliament fore, was wholly consistent with its object and spirit. The recourse to a juridical process as a final and binding sive and obstructive manner that is tantamount to interference means of resolving the controversy is provided for by the in its internal affairs. He said that the neighbouring country must desist from provisions of the Geneva Agreement. Guyana has done nothing which can be regarded as being in breach of the Geneva threatening investors who have a legitimate right to pursue their activities in local territory. Agreement,” the President noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

President David Granger address to the National Assembly on Venezuela and Suriname’s claims to Guyana’s territory Guyana’s patrimony

THE Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana defines the territory of the state. Guyanese, today, inherited that territory from their progenitors. They have an obligation to pass it on to their progeny. They have a duty, as trustees of this precious, priceless patrimony, to protect their territory. They have the right to promote the exploitation of their resources. They have a prerogative to preserve their way of life without provocation from any foreign state. Guyanese deserve to enjoy the God-given rights for which their ancestors struggled − their land, their liberty and their livelihood − so that they can all have a good life. It is their birthright. Guyana received its territory from the three colonies — Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice — which had been under effective occupation by The Netherlands for over 200 years. They were transferred by treaty to Great Britain in 1814 and united into the colony of British Guiana in 1831. Its territorial boundaries, therefore, were established since colonial times. These boundaries were challenged by neighbouring countries. The borders were settled definitively by international award or agreement in the process of which Guyana lost several thousand square kilometres of territory. Guyana, nevertheless, has never laid claim to another state’s territory. It has always pursued peace despite the losses, assaults and injuries which have been inflicted on it. A former President of Suriname addressed this National Assembly on Guyana’s Independence Anniversary on 26th May, 1995 and stated that, as far as Suriname was concerned, “…the border takes first place.” I can say, similarly, that as far as Guyana is concerned, “…the border takes first place.” Guyana, today, faces threats to its territory which are similar to those that it faced fifty years ago just as it was about to gain independence for its people. The new state expected to co-exist peacefully with its neighbours, to expand its economy and to enhance its citizens’ quality of life. The prospect of peace on its borders and the promise of progress in exploiting its full potential in the hinterland soon faded. The first jolt came from its western neighbour, now called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which claimed 159,500 km² of the western Essequibo. This area represents nearly three-quarters of its landspace. It comprises five of Guyana’s 10 regions – the Barima-Waini; Pomeroon-Supenaam; Cuyuni-Mazaruni; Potaro-Siparuni and the Rupununi. The Venezuelan National Armed Forces seized the 7-km² Ankoko Island in the Cuyuni River in October, 1966 – Guyana’s independence year and has remained in illegal occupation ever since. The island is used as a military garrison to harass miners and to engage in occasional acts of provocation against the Guyana Defence Force’s border detachment at Eteringbang on the opposite bank of the river. Evidence suggests that Venezuela was involved, also, in supporting a rebellion aimed at the secession of the huge Rupununi region from the state. The second jolt came from its eastern neighbour, now the Republic of Suriname, which laid claim to the New River Zone in

south-eastern Guyana, an area of about 15,000 km². The Guyana Police Force expelled a team of Surinamese surveyors from the Zone in December, 1967. This led to threats by Suriname to expel Guyanese living in that country. Surinamese forces returned to the New River Zone to construct a military fortification at a place it called ‘Tigri’. The Guyana Defence Force seized the camp in August, 1969 without bloodshed and allowed the Surinamese forces to return to their own country. Guyana, despite these incidents, was swift to seek peace with its neighbours. It reacted quickly by reaching agreements with each state, separately, the next year, in Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana has had to defend itself against armed attempts to seize its territory. It will continue to do so while struggling to preserve peace, striving to maintain cordial relations and acting in compliance with international agreements and conventions.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION Guyana’s pursuit of peace had led to the signing, together with Britain and Venezuela, of the Geneva Agreement in February 1966, three months before gaining Independence. That Agreement required Guyana and Venezuela, in the event of disagreement over resolving the controversy between them, to refer the matter to the United Nations Secretary General who was mandated to choose one of the means for the “pacific settlement of disputes” stipulated in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations. The United Nations Secretary General selected the ‘Good Offices Process’ as one of the pacific means available under the Charter. Guyana’s assessment now is that, after 25 years, the ‘Good Offices Process’ has been exhausted. It is, therefore, not an infraction, but a fulfilment, of the Geneva Agreement to seek another peaceful option if one tried option failed to resolve the controversy. Guyana has always acted in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Agreement. It continues to urge a peaceful and expeditious solution to the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899, under which Venezuela was granted over 13,000 km² of territory, was a nullity. It was with peace in mind that I led Guyana’s team to meet the UN Secretary General, first, during the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community Meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados in July and, second, during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York in September. We agreed, at the meeting with the Secretary General in Bridgetown, to receive a Mission which would visit both Guyana and Venezuela with the aim of making recommendations for the consideration of the Secretary General on the way forward with respect to ending the controversy. Guyana met with the team in August of this year. We agreed, at the meeting with the Secretary General in New York in September, that a higher level team would also visit both Georgetown and Caracas to receive the views of both States on the way forward. The latter team visited both capitals and is expected to report to both Governments on their findings. Guyana’s readiness to receive both teams sent by the UN Secretary General evinced its commitment to observing the provisions of the Geneva Agreement. In so doing, it demonstrated its respect for the role of the

United Nations and its resolve to conclude this controversy peacefully in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Guyana, in its engagements with the UN Secretary General, with the teams that he has dispatched to Georgetown and, indeed, in its meetings leaders at the international level, emphasised that the ‘Good Offices Process’ failed to resolve the controversy and that the time had come for another peaceful option to be pursued. Guyana favours a juridical settlement through recourse to the International Court of Justice. Guyana’s decision to select another one of the options available under the Geneva Agreement, therefore, was wholly consistent with its object and spirit. The recourse to a juridical process as a final and binding means of resolving the controversy is provided for by the provisions of the Geneva Agreement. Guyana has done nothing which can be regarded as being in breach of the Geneva Agreement. The National Assembly will recall that, on my last visit here on 9th July, 2015, I explained the specific threat to Guyana’s maritime zone posed by Venezuela’s Decrees Nos. 1.787 and 1.859 published on 26th May, 2016 and 7th July, 2015, respectively. We denounced that threat and detailed the actions that our administration had taken, up to that point, in response. Guyana called on the Summit of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) held in Brasilia on 17th July, 2015, to continue its vigilance to safeguard the sovereignty and security of small states in South America and for the continent to be a ‘zone of peace’. The Ministerial Group of the 53 states of the Commonwealth of Nations on 24th September 2015 issued a statement in which it iterated: …the unequivocal and collective support of Commonwealth member governments to the maintenance and preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial borders, in accordance with the 1899 Arbitral Award, the upholding of the rule of international law and the resolution of conflict and differences by peaceful means. We reminded the international community, in my address to the United Nation’s General Assembly on 29th September, 2015, of the mandate of the Charter of the United Nations: …to bring about by peaceful means and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes. We expressed confidence in the capacity of the Office of the UN Secretary General to identify solutions that will validate the ‘just, perfect and final’ nature of the Arbitral Tribunal Award of 1899. VENEZUELA Venezuela continues to portray any attempt to disengage with the ‘Good Offices Process’ as an attempt to abandon the Geneva Agreement. This, as I have explained, is a flawed argument. Guyana iterates that it has always remained committed to dialogue with Venezuela although its experience with dialogue on territorial-related issues never yielded encouraging results. The chronicle of Venezuela’s provocations and aggression towards Guyana since Independence is well known. Through unsubtle threats and undiplomatic coercion, Venezuela has sought to establish itself as the arbiter of

Guyana’s development of the entire Essequibo that it still refers to as its zona en reclamación. Venezuela’s claims are not only illegal. They are injurious to the economic development of Guyana. Venezuela, therefore, must desist from hindering our economic development in an obtrusive and obstructive manner that is tantamount to interference in our internal affairs. It must desist from threatening investors who have a legitimate right to pursue their activities in our territory. Venezuela, for nearly 50 years, has exerted various forms of pressure on Guyana, hampering its development, in spite of the existence of the Geneva Agreement. That Agreement it should be understood, did not change the status quo ante in relation to Guyana's territory. The Agreement was not concerned about re-distributing territory. It is all about whether the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was a nullity. Venezuela, despite having been invited repeatedly to do so, has never produced proof of its claims or evidence of the award’s nullity. The Geneva Agreement, in accordance with Article 4, is the correct instrument for referring the matter to the UN Secretary General in the present situation. That Agreement states clearly No acts or activities taking place while this Agreement is in force shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty in the territories of Venezuela or British Guiana…No new claim or enlargement of an existing claim to territorial sovereignty in those territories shall be asserted while this Agreement is in force… Venezuela, however, has persisted in breaching the Agreement by asserting new claims, promulgating new decrees laying claim to vast expanses of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone and dissuading foreign investors from developing Guyana’s territory. Venezuela’s Ambassador to Ottawa sent a letter, dated 13th October, to the Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Goldfields Inc., which operates mines at Aurora in Guyana’s CuyuniMazaruni region. The letter warned, inter alia, that the opening of the gold mine would be: “Infringing on the territorial sovereignty of Venezuela and committing unlawful actions which could incur legal consequences. As such, you are hereby fully given notice of the respective legal actions that could herein occur.” The Ottawa letter reflects the approach adopted by the late President Hugo Chávez Frias during his state visit to Guyana in February 2004. He told the press plainly that his administration would have no objection to everyday infrastructure works such as roads, water and electricity that directly enhance the lives of residents. Strategically sensitive projects – including major offshore oil exploration ventures, mineral exploration or the involvement of foreign governments – were another matter. They should, he said, be discussed within the framework of the High-Level Bilateral Commission (Comisión Bilateral de Alto Nivel). The ‘Chávez doctrine,’ in short, meant that Venezuela demanded a role in determining the developmental destiny of Guyana’s Essequibo. Another impudent example of that ‘doctrine’ was President Chávez’s opposition to the proposed satellite project in the Barima-Waini Region in 2000. Chávez at that time intervened to undermine the agreement between the Government of Guyana and Beal Turn to page 20 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

President David Granger address... Aerospace Technologies Inc., which aimed at establishing a satellite launch station in the Barima-Waini region. Is it that Venezuelan leaders derive satisfaction from the prolongation of this controversy? The territorial issue, in the hands of President Hugo Chávez and his successive ministers of External Relations, became a sharp instrument of ‘Finlandisation.’ Venezuela’s interest in the continuance of the ‘Good Offices Process’ would allow it to exert perpetual pressure on Guyana’s economy and enhance its political influence in the Caribbean with regard to its territorial claim. Venezuela, for twenty-five years, has been able to apply that pressure with impunity and in spite of the existence of the

‘Good Offices Process.’ Venezuela’s aim has been to obstruct Guyana’s development in spite of the so-called bilateral dialogue. The Foreign Ministers of both countries engaged in dialogue in the wake of the incident of 10th October, 2013 in which the Venezuelan naval corvette – the Yekuana – expelled the ‘Teknik Perdana,’ a petroleum exploration vessel, from Guyana’s EEZ. The vessel, however, never returned to continue its work. The investors as well as others were scared into inactivity by the Venezuelan aggressive naval action. Venezuela’s claim that Guyana is an aggressor defies logic and plain common sense. Who is the aggressor? Who owns the corvette? Venezuela, apart from

sending its navy to expel vessels from Guyana’s waters also promulgated decrees purporting to annex Guyana’s maritime spaces; it augmented its military manpower and exhibited offensive weapons and materiel to unprecedented levels; it conducted provocative manoeuvres on Guyana’s borders; it recalled its ambassador to Georgetown and it suspended the process of acceptance of Guyana’s Ambassador-designate to that country. Guyana reacted to these provocations with dignity and firmness and on the basis of compliance with international law. It has always been respectful to the government and people of neighbouring states, confident in the correctness of its policies and in the justice of its cause.

Guyana has no need to resort to force to advance its rights. Venezuela’s fear is that, once a juridical process could prove that its contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was a nullity was proven to be baseless, its fifty-year strategy of attrition aimed at gaining territory from Guyana stands in jeopardy of the prospect of collapse. SURINAME Guyana has never been in doubt as to the shape or the extent of the territory to which it succeeded upon independence on 26th May, 1966. The Netherlands could not have bequeathed to Suriname at that country’s independence on 25th November 1975 what it did not possess. Guyana is confident that the boundary between Guy-

ana and Suriname was definitively established by 1936. There is an agreement as to what constitutes the territory of Guyana and what constitutes the territory of Suriname despite the fact that there is no formal treaty that encapsulates that agreement. Suriname, in the absence of a formal treaty, sought to seize Guyana’s territory. Its claim was based on an arbitrary, municipal, legislative resolution passed in October, 1965 by which the Staten changed the name of Guyana’s New River to ‘Boven Corantijin’ or Upper Corentyne. The President of the Republic of Suriname told that country’s National Assembly last month that the New River Zone (Tigri) issue will be placed “back on the agenda.” The meaning of that statement is unclear. Inter-state relations over the past 50 years have encountered testing times. The Suriname government in Operation Schoon Schip (Clean Sweep) in 1985 expelled over 5,000 Guyanese (and Haitian) workers, on the pretext of ‘national security’. Surinamese gunboats in 2000 evicted the Guyana-licensed, Canadian-operated CGX petroleum exploration platform from what is believed to be one of the region’s largest petroleum and natural gas fields. Guyana, in view of the fact that there is at present a mechanism for addressing this matter, is willing to continue a bilateral discourse with the Government of Suriname on the matter of that country’s claims. That discourse, however, must be grounded on the principles of mutual respect and a repudiation of the use of force. Guyana has no doubt about the soundness of the bases on which it exercises sovereignty of its territory. It has no fear in having Suriname’s claim to its territory resolved by an adjudicatory process. The discourse will be helped by ready access to the archival documents which are pertinent to the issues to be resolved. These must be open to both sides for scrutiny in order to determine that there has been full adherence to the principles of international law as they relate to sovereignty over territory. Guyana has already made a large portion of its documents available to Suriname for its scrutiny. It is hoped that the Suriname Government will do likewise by requesting the Netherlands Government to open the relevant Dutch Archives to facilitate research by both sides. The British Archives are open to all. Guyana has nothing to hide. Suriname, if it is con-

From page 19

vinced that its claim can withstand legal scrutiny, should agree to take the matter before an internationally recognised adjudicatory body. Guyana is of the view that, if an agreement cannot be reached at the bilateral level within a given timeframe, the matter should be taken to adjudication so that this controversy can be concluded. The governments of Guyana and Suriname can find a way of resolving its differences without acrimony or the use of force and in a spirit of cordiality. We must bring finality to our difference in a permanent and internationally recognised legal manner. We welcome the several initiatives outlined by the National Assemblies of Guyana and Suriname that will undoubtedly serve to deepen collaboration between the two states. We therefore commend the Speaker and members of the honourable house for leading the delegation to Suriname. Guyana is prepared to continue discussions on the unresolved issues within the mechanism of the National Border Commissions which have been meeting over the past two years. We believe that we should seek to build our relations on those issues which can bring our two countries and peoples closer together and not divide us. We are committed to collaborating on reaching a peaceful solution to the territorial controversies. GUYANA’S COMMITMENT Guyana fully respects the Geneva Agreement. We await the results on the Secretary-General's determination in the wake of the visits of his teams to both our countries. Guyana shall continue to work with both the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Suriname to make our region a more peaceful, prosperous place and to pursue cooperation arrangements but not to the detriment of our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Guyana has never, and will never, violate any international treaty to which it is a party. This country has no intention of displaying aggression towards its neighbours. It will continue to work to bring about a peaceful resolution to the controversies with Venezuela and Suriname. Let there be peace. I close as I started by saying that, as far as Guyana is concerned, “…the border takes first place.” I thank you.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 23, 2015

Suriname’s claim to New River Triangle

Granger lays out conditions for bilateral talks …urges opening up of documents from Dutch archive

President David Granger on Thursday laid out Guyana’s position on Suriname’s claim to the New River Triangle and while expressing confidence about the extent of this country’s territory, the Head of State asserted that there is at present a mechanism for addressing this matter and he is willing to continue a bilateral discourse. Suriname’s President Desi Bouterse last month told that country’s National Assembly that the New River Zone (Tigri) issue will be placed “back on the agenda.” The meaning of that statement is unclear; President Granger told the Parliament yesterday when he addressed MPs and diplomats. “Guyana, in view of the fact that there is at present a mechanism for addressing this matter, is willing to continue a bilateral discourse with the Government of Suriname on the matter of that country’s claims. That discourse, however, must be grounded on the principles of mutual respect and a repudiation of the use of force,” the Guyanese leader said. Mr Granger also pointed out that Guyana has never been in doubt as to the shape or the extent of the territory to which it succeeded upon Independence on May 26, 1966. The Netherlands, he said could not have bequeathed to Suriname at that country’s Independence on November 25, 1975 what it did not possess. He said Guyana is confident that the boundary between Guyana and Suriname was definitively established by 1936. “There is an agreement as to what constitutes the territory of Guyana and what constitutes

PPP/C MPs listen attentively as President David Granger address the Parliament

the territory of Suriname despite the fact that there is no formal treaty that encapsulates that agreement,” he said. President Granger said Suriname, in the absence of a formal treaty, sought to seize Guyana’s territory. Suriname’s claim was based on an arbitrary, municipal, legislative resolution passed in October 1965 by which the Staten changed the name of Guyana’s New River to ‘Boven Corantijin’ or Upper Corentyne. NO FEAR “Guyana has no doubt about the soundness of the bases on which it exercises sovereignty of its territory. It has no fear in having Suriname’s claim to its territory resolved by an adjudicatory process,” the Guyanese Head

of State said. The discourse, he said will be helped by ready access to the archival documents which are pertinent to the issues to be resolved. These documents, Mr Granger said must be open to both sides for scrutiny in order to determine that there has been full adherence to the principles of international law as they relate to sovereignty over territory. Guyana has already made a large portion of its documents available to Suriname for its scrutiny, he told Parliament, and said it is hoped that the Suriname Government will do likewise by requesting the Netherlands Government to open the relevant Dutch Archives to facilitate research by both sides. Mr Granger said the British Archives are open to all and Guyana has nothing to hide.

“Suriname, if it is convinced that its claim can withstand legal scrutiny, should agree to take the matter before an internationally recognised adjudicatory body. Guyana is of the view that, if an agreement cannot be reached at the bilateral level within a given time-frame, the matter should be taken to adjudication so that this controversy can be concluded,” the President said. In the meantime, he noted that the governments of Guyana and Suriname can find a way of resolving its differences without acrimony or the use of force and in a spirit of cordiality. “We must bring finality to our difference in a permanent and internationally recognised legal manner,” he told the Parliament.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday October 23, 2015

$9.2B plugged into GuySuCo, GRDB By Tajeram Mohabir

SOME $3.8 billion was allocated to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and a further $5.4

billion to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) prior to the passage of Budget 2015. Finance Minister Winston Jordan in a written

explanation to queries from People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali, told the House that the monies for both agencies

--prior to passage of Budget 2015

were sourced from the Consolidated Fund. The payments made to the GRDB were charged to Agency 90—Public Debt, Programme: 901—Public Debt, External Public Debt Unfunded Principal Line Item: 9010158—Venezuela (PDVSA and LA CASA). These funds, Mr Jordan said are reflected under the External Public Debt (Principal) because Guyana’s debt to Venezuela is repaid principally through the value of the rice and paddy shipped to the neighbouring country. For GuySuCo, the support was charged to Agency 21, Ministry of Agriculture; Programme 211, Ministry Administration; Line Item 6321, Subsidies and Contributions to Local Organisations. Minister Jordan explained that the support to GuySuCo was released in two amounts on two different dates. He pointed out that the two payments of $1,858,500,000 and $3,577, 216,020 were transferred to the GRDB through the Bank of Guyana on June 25 and July 24, 2015 respectively. Ali enquired of the minister what additional support was provided to the rice industry from the amount of $5 billion, other than mere payments to farmers and millers for the rice and paddy they had

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

produced and supplied. Mr Jordan informed the House that no additional financial support has been provided beyond the sum of $5,435,716,020 paid to farmers and millers to cover the costs for white rice and paddy shipped to Venezuela. The sum for GuySuCo was released by the Ministry of Finance on June 17, 2015 to the Ministry of Agriculture and was paid over to the corporation on June 22, 2015. Meanwhile, in another set of questions, Ali asked of Mr Jordan which funding source other than the PetroCaribe Fund will be utilised to finance the $23

PPP/C Parliamentarian Irfaan Ali

billion allocated to the rice industry, to which he responded the Consolidated Fund. The amount of $23 billion was allocated under Budget Agency 90—Public Debt, Programme: 901— Public Debt, External Public Debt Unfunded Principal Line Item: 9010158— Venezuela (PDVSA and LA CASA). Minister Jordan also noted that the amount is reflected under the External Public Debt (Principal) because Guyana’s debt to Venezuela is repaid principally through the value of the rice and paddy supplied to the neighbouring country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 23, 2015

It’s ‘Latin Fever’ every Saturday ––down at ‘Midtown’ on Middle

A LATIN Fever is just about ready to engulf the new Midtown Restaurant, Hotel and Bar, and this new feature is just the ‘icing on the cake’ with regards to the new happenings there. Starting this and every Saturday, fans can enjoy a delicious Latin buffet dinner for $3,500, starting from 6:pm. As you dig into your dinner, you will be taken to exciting heights with music supplied by a popular live band. And come Thursdays and Sundays, you will be entertained by jazz enthusiast, Herby Marshall and company. And that’s not all folks, ‘cause as you dine in lulled conversation, you will be entertained by some of the most talented dancers around Georgetown. This location, which was formerly the Sidewalk Café, (Middle Street, Georgetown) is now under new management, who take great pains in ensuring their customers leave satisfied. To keep the fire burning there, General

Manager, Carol-An Lynch-Seetram has come up with a series of initiatives to keep their customers satisfied. Like the old saying goes, “Wuk dem right and keep dem coming”. The Midtown Restaurant is offering a special daily breakfast buffet for a paltry $1000. And that’s not all folks… This offer allows you to eat all you want. But a word of caution: Don’t walk wid yuh shopping bags, because yuh can’t carry away nutten. And of course, their breakfast buffet caters for all your morning relishes. From Monday to Friday, Ms Seetram and staff serves up a succulent lunch buffet for only $1500, and the same rules apply as with the breakfast initiative. And with the lunch buffet, patrons can enjoy Creole Dishes, as well as Mexican, Italian, Chinese… You name it, and they got it there waiting… This is truly an offer of a lifetime, so do not hesitate to step in style and be enthralled by the ‘Midtown Restaurant Experience.’

Entertainment Hot-flash!!!

Don’t miss Charmaine’s birthday bash CLUB 704 is set to come alive next Wednesday with a wonderful concert planned in celebration of Charmaine Blackman’s birthday. Themed TITANIUM, the ‘birthday girl’ said she particularly chose that title because it says a whole lot about her life in the music business. “You shoot me down, but I won’t fall,” she said. “I AM TITANIUM.” Indeed, many are they that have tired but failed to put this iconic artiste down, and so this concert is not just about Charmaine Blackman,

Charmaine Blackman

but for all those who may have been made fun of professionally, artistically or socially but came out victorious. The ervent will feature performances from the likes of the Classique Dance Company, Ego, Kreative Arts, Abigail James, Dance Fanatics, Devon Denny, Tennicia De Freitas, Bonny Alves, and Joyclyn Rockcliffe. Charmaine is asking her friends and fans, and those who may have had the Titanium experience, to come out and celebrate with her.

Herby Marshall and company is more than ready to give you ‘Jazz you like it’ at the Midtown Restaurant

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Are you a Hero, or a Villain?

––find out which at Pulse Halloween Party THERE are heroes, and there are villains. To save the world, let’s all assemble for Pulse Entertainment’s sexiest Halloween costume party, ‘’Heroes & Villains.’’ Last year, Pulse Entertainment took a journey through an Arabian city. This year, they fusing the comic book multiverses for one night of EPICNESS! So what’s gonna happen at this party? There’s gonna be amazing décor, galactic lighting, and DJ’s from another hemisphere. Enter into this ultimate universe where all heroes unite for one last stand against every villain. It’s a battle of Good Vs. Evil. Who will you choose to be? This event is slated

for next Saturday at the Palm Court Nightclub. Music will be supplied by DJ Jerry West, P-Star Perry, and the Pulse DJs. Generally, tickets are being sold for $3000, but you are required to pay more at the door. Be smart and purchase your ticket early. VIP Balcony Watch Tower Tickets are $5000 (more at the door), and all costumes are allowed this time around. Tickets are available at Gizmos and Gadgets, That Look Boutique, Freightlink Express, Palm Court, Movetown DVD Club, and Shoe Dazzle. This event is sponsored by Glamour Designer Brands, Jai Signs, Gizmos & Gadgets, Shoe Dazzle, Banks Premium Beer,

‘Tu’n up de vbyz’ wid RDX tonite

COME tonight, all roads lead to the Gravity Lounge on Camp and Regent, where international dancehall artiste, ‘RDX’ will ‘tu’n up de vbyz to screeching degrees’ with his latest hits like “Broad Out”, “Kotch”, and “Jump.” Fans are urged to deck out in their best to have a rollicking good time as they enjoy Premium Beer specials all night. While pre-sold tickets cost $2000, those without will be required to pay more at the door. Door opens from 20:00hrs. Tickets can be purchased from Gravity Lounge, Movietown DVD Club, Gizmos and Gadgets, Exclusive Styles Boutique, and That Look Boutique. Sponsors for this event are Fly Jamaica Airline, Star Party Rentals, Premium Beer, R1 Ice, Guinness Stout, and Banks D.I.H.

93.1 Real FM, Pulse Taxi Service, Bartenura Moscato, and Panasonic Air Conditioning. You can also purchase your costumes Online with Freightlink Express.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 23, 2015

Music in History...

‘The New Thing’ By Milton Bruce ACCORDING to some commentators, Jazz quickly leaped over the racial barriers that divided New Orleans in the early 1900s. These commentators claimed that Jazz was now being exposed to the rest of the world as America’s only original artistic contribution to the culture of the world. To all intents and purposes, Jazz of all music was linked to racial injustice suffered by Black musicians. But Jazz is not a racial music. Since its creation, this genre of music has been influenced by many social factors that enveloped the American way of life and its coming of age in that particular era.

Black musicians considered themselves to be greatly talented individuals. They also thought of themselves as musical spokesmen for a whole era of struggle and revolution. When Buddy Bolden, “The elusive father of jazz” passed in 1931, Sidney Bechet was 34 years of age. As the evolution of the music continued, Bechet was trying new things. He decided that he would introduce a new instrument into his compositions: The soprano saxophone. Bechet was besides himself at the results of his innovation; he claimed that the sounds emanating from the soprano saxophone were unbelievable. He was the first Jazz man to be recognized on the

instrument; he took the music to England in 1919. He then teamed up with King Oliver and Freddie Keppard Jazz bands. In the 1920s, Bechet made a series of records with the legendary Clarence Williams, on Blue Five. In 1932, Sidney Bechet and his good friend and recording partner, the trumpeter, Tommy Ladnier, made a semi-retirement announcement. This was after they had collaborated on “I Found a New Baby” and “Maple Leaf Rag”. They set up a barber and tailor shop in Harlem. Ladnier did the shoe shinning, while Bechet pressed clothes and did repairs. He was, however, enticed to come out of retirement and return to the scene by band-

leader, Nobel Sissel. He worked as a side man for Sissel until the bug forced him into forming his own band. According to Jazz commentators, Bechet’s playing had not declined; by this time his music had come back in favour with Jazz fans. The greatest moment for Bechet was being able to play alongside his greatest admirer, the Duke of Ellington. During this era of the 1920s, all the musicians were searching for “The

New Thing”. In this opening came Jelly Roll Morton, a Creole who was a fixture at “Storyville”, New Orleans ‘Red-Light district’. At this time, Morton was being hailed as the greatest of New Orleans Jazz pianists and composers. He was also accused of being a blustering loud-mouth, on account of a claim that he invented Jazz in 1901. It was also reported that Morton had a flair for rewriting his biography. He claimed that he was born in 1885, but records prove that he was actually born in 1890 as Ferdinand La Menthe to a very strict Creole family that resisted assimilation with New Orleans’ Black population. Speaking with Alan Lomax, the pioneering scholar and preserver of African-American music, in several interviews, Morton claimed that he changed his name because of ethnic hostility. As to acknowledging his African roots, Morton was in life-long denial; he only

spoke of his European ancestry. That notwithstanding, Morton’s Red Hot Peppers band elevated the music to another level between 1917 and 1930. Taking advantage of his writing ability, coupled with his improvisation skills, Morton rode his light complexion all the way to popularity. In 1926, he wrote and recorded “Sidewalk Blues”, “Black Bottom Stomp”, “Dead man Blues”, “Granpa Spells”, “Smoke House Blues”, and the “Chant”. After the Louisiana Code of 1894, proclaiming that anyone with African ancestry is a Negro, Morton expanded. He benefited from playing with talented Black musicians, the likes of Louis Armstrong and King Oliver, even though it was not his greatest desire. Kid Ory, another Creole and an accomplished trombonist who worked with Morton, released the first New Orleans Jazz recording inb 1922, featuring only Black musicians.

Talking healthy living with ‘Madame Cleo’...

Skin bleaching: Black or white, does it matter?

WE’RE forever being told that beauty is “only” skin deep. Well, for many Black women and a few Black men, that’s disturbingly deep. It looks like the politics of Black beauty gets more complicated by the day. The era when skin-lightening was frowned upon as a self-hating practice is slipping away, and many Black people are being vocal about their desire to be lighter; their argument being that it’s a personal choice, just like the one White people make when they darken their skin by sunbathing. So, what’s the problem here? And why does this issue make people (of all races) so uncomfortable? According to the great writer, Ama Agyemang, skin whitening is the lightening of the skin by cosmetic means. This is achieved in multiple by using various products such as skin whitening cream. Some people will go to great lengths to have lighter skin; the same also applies to people who want to have darker skin. This is actually a touchy and controversial topic, but it is about preference. Being lighter in colour is deemed by many cultures and societies as a representation of true beauty. Whether it is natural or chemical, safe or dangerous (and honestly, I don’t think those who use it care), why does skin-lightening in all its forms still have so many Black women under its spell, willing to risk the health of the body’s biggest organ? What is behind the “colour complex”? In my opinion, variety is the spice of life, such as variety in food, clothes, hairstyles etc. And it also abounds in nature. That is why all people on earth belong to different types of skin colours, from white to yellow and to black. Many African women are influenced by the media that uses lighter skinned women in

most of their advertisements. This pressure to look whiter or lightskinned paved a way for skin whitening products; some of which are helpful, and some of which are detrimental to one’s health. Many African women are also brainwashed into the believing that lighter skin is more attractive. My opinion is that beauty is both black and white, and everything in between. SKIN BLEACHING SYNDROME The post-colonial root of African

LEGS In recent years, the practice of skin lightening has come under fire because of its potential negative health effects. There is evidence to suggest that some types of skin-whitening products use active ingredients, such as mercurous chloride and hydroquinone, which can be harmful. Hydroquinone and mercury are the main ingredients found in skin bleaching creams, and are considered toxic chemicals. These chemical compounds can cause side effects, and should only be used as directed. Hydroquinone is a strong inhibitor of melanin production, meaning that it prevents the skin from making the substance responsible for skin colour. Skin bleaching destroys the black pigment found in the epidermis (top layer

of the skin). Exposure of the dermis layer, underneath the epidermis layer, to the harsh weather will increase the incidence of skin cancer. When the dermis cannot compensate for the absence of the epidermis, and coupled with the hot sun, one becomes at a higher risk of cancer. Creams that alter skin pigmentation can have ingredients that are not compatible with every skin tone, and can thus have side effects. Toxic levels of mercury may lead to mercury poisoning which causes neurological and kidney damage, and may also lead to psychiatric disorders and severe birth defects. So now, the ball is in you court; to bleach or not to bleach? In all that you do, just remember that beauty lies in the eye of its beholder, and ‘being natural is beauty in itself.’

Will you try to change your skin colour and end up like this? problems is directly related to skin colour. Under the cloak of personal preference, being light-skinned among African women has replaced dark skin as the native ideal. The aftermath is manifestation of the Bleaching Syndrome. Guidance and counselling professionals have overlooked the Bleaching Syndrome as relative to practice. DIFFERENT SHADES OF COLOUR, SAME BEAUTIFUL

STORIES BY ALEX WAYNE.

Whether your legs are black, brown or white, they are beautiful just the way they are

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 23, 2015

The Buzz Profile Personality…

Alicia Bess Beauty ambassador extraordinaire

The ravishing Alicia Bess is certainly a beauty with a difference I AM becoming increasingly tired of the attitude of many of our beauty queens, who, after just winning a simple local pageant, begin to act all stuck up and so snobbish, that even their loyal fans are put off by their attitude. Ever so often, some of our beauty queens transform from their former merry souls, to individuals who strut around looking at others with disdain, with their noses so high in the air that it’s a miracle they do not trip and fall over. Now that would be quite a laugh! Just recently, however, I had the rare opportunity of interacting for about two hours with one of our local queens, and I feel I must share this experience with you my readers. It was quite a refreshing, starry night, and being bored at home, I decided to step out to enjoy some ‘good ‘ole karaoke’ at the Cool Square Bar in Georgetown. My brother badly wanted to come along, so, together, we arrived and took a table quite close to the Karaoke DJ, ‘Melissa’, who was crooning quite seductively into the microphone, receiving thunderous applause

The talented Roshini Boodhoo

after her renditions. After about half an hour, I looked up and saw Guyana’s very popular beauty queen, Alicia Bess stepping in with a female friend whom I know had represented us at the recent Miss West Indies Pageant. Now folks, Alicia has always been my favourite girl from the first time I set eyes on her competing for the Miss Guyana Jamzone crown, which she eventually won in 2013, and later moved on to place as first runner-up in the international leg of the event. I had never really spoken to her before, save for sending an occasional wave or smile her way while attending many prestigious events. To be honest, I was a tad timid as I waved to her this time around, because I did not know how she would react at this location and in such an atmosphere. Nevertheless, wave I did and she not only rewarded me with a smile, but, surprisingly, headed my way. She even hugged me, rather warmly I might add, and said, “Hi Alex, it’s such a pleasure to actually meet you in person…” She next said, ever so politely, “Can I join you guys? I had no idea you liked karaoke, Alex.” Well, my brother was beside himself. So excited was he, that he almost tripped and fell over as he jumped to secure chairs for the pretty lasses. I just couldn’t believe my eyes! I mean, come on folks; it’s not every day one gets to be in the company of a woman of such great status. As to my goodly sibling, who is a regular scrooge, he began rolling out the dollars like a windmill and in no time our table was full to the brim with various beverages and cutters the ladies desired. Alicia offered to pay for the stuff, but my brother would not hear of it. And I was so shocked that he never even asked me what I wanted to drink. I had to get up and fetch myself some brown rum and coke, or else I would have been left there with my mouth dry as ever. Conversation flowed freely and Alicia was so smooth, moving from one interesting topic to another. And she was so abreast with current affairs that she actually surprised me… And inside I was having a laugh of my own, because my brother ‘seemed lost in the mist’ as to the topics we were discussing… This girl was so charming and down-to-earth, and in no time I felt as if we were best friends for years. But I was in for another pleasant surprise when she took the microphone and began to sing lustily the latest Riannah, Madonna, and Beyonce hit songs… When her favourite songs were being played, Alicia grabbed me to my feet to dance although I loudly protested. I told her I am not the best soul dancer but she pulled me up and took me through the paces giggling and reassuring me that I was doing

Roshini Boodhoo promises a dance frenzy for ‘Guyana Night Big Clash’

quite fine. Inside I gloated because my brother couldn’t move a muscle on the dance floor when it came to the waltz or ballroom dancing. So much for his kindness…lol… When the upbeat pop selections came on Alicia did not waste time, and this was certainly my field where my talent was concerned. It was a sight to see us gyrating and ‘shaking our botty’ as we took the floor by storm. And the entire gathering was just cheering us on with loud applause. When we left for our separate locations sometime later we were all giggling like excited little kids, exchanging warm hugs and kisses on the cheeks as we promised to meet up again. Even my brother was in awe when I told him about Alicia’s accomplishments in the field of local and international pageantry. The very night he called his mother in New York to share his delightful experience. As for me, I would never forget that fateful night…It was quite an intriguing experience for me. Alicia will always be imprinted on my mind as a beauty ambassador who is not haughty and indifferent, but instead leaves a special space in her life and heart for practically anyone. I want to believe that she takes pleasure in putting a smile on the faces of her fans and many admirers. Alicia Bess has to her belt the Miss Guyana Jamzone title, a first runner-up stop in the Miss Jamzone International Pageant, and has been also adjudged the second runner-up spot at the Miss Global International 2015 Pageant. She also won National Costume and Best Introduction at this pageant. She has to her belt also the first runner-up spot at the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant when Katherina Roshana was crowned queen, and she is also the winner of the Miss PJD2 Caribbean Queen 2014 Pageant that has been hosted by PJD2 Radio Station for the past nineteen years. Added to that, Ms Bess has also placed quite remarkably at several other local pageants. Alicia Bess is a perfect example of a beauty ambassador with a difference, and a woman who does not allow her fame to get in the way of making life merry for persons around her..

This lass has certainly done Guyana proud in the realm of international pageantry

AMONG the many dance groups carded to perform at the upcoming ‘Guyana Night Big Clash’ is the Roshini Boodhoo Dance Troupe, which has, over the years, been chalking up notable points on the entertainment scene. This group has performed remarkably well at several entertainment ventures locally, and has often been dubbed as the troupe to put Guyana on the map internationally in the field of dance. Sitting down for a little ‘chit-chat’ with Ms Boodhoo just recently, this publication was informed that her dancers have been engaged in feverish rehearsals over the past weeks for the mega event slated for next Saturday at the Guyana National Stadium. She said that this time around, her group is ready and raring to go with excitement as they ready to unleash a ‘broiling dance fever’ at the venue. She added that their presentations will

be spicy, riveting, and quite fitting for the occasion. This event is the first of its kind that allows the meeting of several genres of music and dances to be showcased on the same stage, according to Firefest Productions General Manager, Mahendra Ramkellawan. Meanwhile, with every intention of making the show super exciting, the Firefest Dancers, the Shalita Dance Troupe, and the Nach Gana Academy of Dance are all slated to perform at the event. It will also see dazzling performances from Mr. Ramkellawan himself, Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo, international act, Terry Gajraj, and local chutney bard, Rajesh Dubraj. Carded to perform also are character dancer, ‘Granny Ivelaw’, Young Bill Rogers, the entertaining Charmaine Blackman, Prince JP, Aaron Dasrat, Cecilia Samaroo, and Bunty Singh.

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Debutant Warrican takes four, Sri Lanka out for 200

BUOYED by a quicker pitch with some live grass on it, West Indies threepronged pace attack made light work of Sri Lanka’s top order before debutant left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican claimed four wickets to wrap up the Sri Lankan innings at 200, two hours into the final session on the first day at the P Sara Oval. In response, the visitors lost Shai Hope lbw to Dhammika Prasad in the first over but Kraigg Brathwaite and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo hung around before deteriorating light forced stumps. Jerome Taylor had woken up with a groin niggle but passed a fitness test and consistently hit speeds above 140 kph. He struck with his fourth ball - a beauty that angled in and curved away, leaving Kaushal Silva prodding and edging to the wicketkeeper. West Indies reviewed and the third umpire Marias Erasmus decided there was enough evidence to overturn umpire Rod Tucker’s on-field decision of not out. Silva was out for a duck and his lean patch was extended - he had failed to build on a start in the first Test against West Indies after managing only 87 in six innings against India. That wicket proved a scene-setter and each of the West Indies’ fast bowlers got extra bounce and zip before Warrican took

over. Milinda Siriwardana, playing his second Test, scored his maiden fifty in the format, and Rangana Herath, promoted to vice-captaincy after Lahiru

for 20-year-old Kusal Mendis for an edgy 13 on Test debut. Mendis had wafted at a Kemar Roach ball that straightened a touch and nicked behind.

and reduced Sri Lanka to 59 for 4, six minutes before lunch. The session ended with West Indies bowling coach Curtly Ambrose welcoming his bowlers with warm applause. Siriwardana helped Sri Lanka recover briefly, adding 31 and 37 with Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Perera respectively. With Siriwardana joining hands with another left-handed batsman in Kusal, West Indies’ premier spinner Bishoo was held back. He had come into the attack only after 36 overs in the Galle Test. Today, he came in after 46 overs. Siriwardana was assured in defence and cashed in when fed with width. He

carved Holder over covers, eased Taylor past the same region, and slashed Warrican behind point. He pushed on to bring up his fifty off 76 balls by dancing out and launching a straight six. He had a life when he was shelled at square leg on 63 but added only five more to his tally before he miscued Warrican into Taylor’s lap at long-off. Warrican began with a half-tracker, which was dispatched by Angelo Mathews to the point boundary with a strong cut. He settled down quickly, and twirled away in an uninterrupted 14-over spell after lunch. His reward came off a bad ball: Kusal Perera stepped out and spooned a return catch off a full toss, becoming Warrican’s maiden

Test victim. Having received his Test cap from Garry Sobers, it turned out to a happy day for Warrican. West Indies, who had spilled five catches to add to a sixth chance that was not attempted in the first Test, lifted themselves significantly on the field, with the only blip being the Siriwardana drop. Marlon Samuels made a diving save at backward point while Holder threw himself around mid-off. Brathwaite, though, produced the best piece of fielding when he bent forward from second slip to grab a sharp, low catch to snaffle Mathews for 14. The catch was deemed legal after being sent to the third umpire.

Digicel’s Annual Breast Cancer Cycle Race set for Sunday Jomel Warrican celebrates the wicket of Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka v West Indies, 2nd Test, Colombo, 1st day. Thirimanne was left out, indulged in hacks and hooks to avoid a total wipe out. The morning session was packed with action, containing as many as five reviews. West Indies’ second review, coming after the Silva wicket, was also successful, and accounted

Jason Holder’s first dismissal - West Indies’ second of the morning - had also involved a review. He had Dimuth Karunaratne lbw for 13 in his second over; Sri Lanka’s review going in vain this time. The quicks rattled the batsmen and beat the outside edge regularly

OVER 50 cyclists from 12 cycle clubs across Guyana have confirmed their participation in this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Cycle Race. The fourth edition of the Cancer Awareness cycle road race was launched on Thursday, October 14, at the Fort and Barrack Street office. The race, which is scheduled for Sunday, has an added leg this year, making it a two-stage

laps around the inner circuit of the National Park for the finish. The first six top spots will be rewarded with cash prizes and trophies. The winner of the seniors will cart off $150 000, the top junior $80 000 and the top female and veteran $50 000 each, as Digicel has earmarked over $1.3M for the one-day event. Keith Fernandes, whose

She added that Digicel will be donating all the proceeds from the registration to the Cancer Society, in addition to a sizeable donation, all in the fight against breast cancer.” This donation will help the Cancer Society take the fight to the hinterland regions of Guyana where it is difficult for persons to travel to Georgetown for screening, testing and treat-

Misbah-ul-Haq century frustrates tourists A HUNDRED from Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq seized the initiative after England threatened to take control of the second Test on day one in Dubai. Misbah, 41, hit two sixes off Moeen Ali’s final over of the day to reach 102 and take Pakistan to 282-4. A disciplined bowling performance had earlier seen Pakistan reduced to 178-4. James Anderson, Moeen, Mark Wood and Ben Stokes took a wicket each, while Shan Masood (54) and Younus Khan (56) made half-centuries. England can be pleased with their effort on a surface that holds few problems for batsmen, but one that has offered more encouragement for the pace bowlers than the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi. And even if Pakistan threatened to waste the advantage of batting first, Misbah put them in the stronger position, especially with fit-again leg-spinner Yasir Shah likely to bowl last on a wicket that is set to turn. Misbah averages more than 57 with the bat as Pakistan captain, but may have felt in debt to his side, after a rash stroke in the first Test sparked a

collapse that set up England’s unlikely push for victory. He initially looked uncomfortable against England’s pace bowlers and was hit on the head by a Wood bouncer, as well as edging Stokes just short of the slips. But he swept the spin of Moeen and Adil Rashid with aplomb as well as hitting the inconsistent Rashid for three straight sixes. Beginning the final over of the day on 87, he twice hit Moeen over the legside rope to move to 99, with a reverse sweep making him the oldest Test centurion since Australian Bobby Simpson in 1978. THE STATS: Misbah-ul-Haq has now won the toss in each of Pakistan’s past five Tests With 60 sixes, he has equalled the record for the most by a Pakistan Test batsman, level with Younus Khan. England’s XI included nine players who have taken a Test wicket - only Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler do not have one. James Anderson took his 418th Test wicket to go above Harbhajan Singh to ninth in the all-time list.

Last year’s winners pose with their spoils. race, rather than the previous years’ one stage. The first leg will commence at 08:30hrs at Schoonord on the West Bank of Demerara, proceed to Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo and return to Schoonord, covering approximately 40 miles. Ladies and veterans will ride to Uitvlugt then return to the point of origin. Leg two will commence at 12:30hrs on the same day and will see the seniors and juniors depart from Abary, East Coast Demerara. The ladies and veterans will start at Perseverance Halfway Tree and ride to the National Park, where they will make two

cycle club Team Gillette Evolution is coordinating this year’s race, has contended that he expects a clean, fair and competitive race. He further mentioned that registration begins at 06:00hrs and his club has committed to ensuring that the race is properly coordinated. Louanna Abrams Senior Sponsorship and Events Executive of Digicel, expressed the company’s pleasure at being involved in the event for the 4th consecutive year, adding, “We at Digicel are pleased to be a part of this event especially in this month of Cancer Awareness. We see it, as a part of a healthier society.”

ment. In addition to the race, pink T-shirts will be distributed along the route to onlookers in keeping with the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year’s event will serve as a warm-up for the five-stage tour of Guyana, formerly labelled `Ride for Life’. However, this year, the race has been branded Tour of Guyana and already, several international cyclists have indicated that they will be a part of the event, which is billed for October 29 to November 1. Last year’s winner of the event was veteran rider Robin Persaud.

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Coach Rodrigues ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Lady Jags chances WITH the ‘Lady Jags’ eyeing a spot at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, head coach Mark Rodrigues said that he’s “cautiously optimistic” about his team’s chances entering the Caribbean Championship round. Guyana’s senior national women’s football team – Lady Jags – will face Puerto Rico on Wednesday, November 18, at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago in the final round Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Olympic Qualifier final round. Guyana, Jamaica and Puerto Rico had qualified for the ‘four-team playoff’ by coming out on top of their respective groups. The Lady Jags are expected to arrive in the Twin Island Republic on November 16 and should Guyana be victorious against Puerto Rico, they will advance to the finals on November 20. In the final round, the four teams will play a single-elimination tournament. The two finalists and the winner of the thirdplace match will qualify for the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship as CFU representatives. If the Lady Jags finish within the top three, they will face the likes of USA, Canada, Mexico and two representatives from the Central American region. By virtue of reaching the 2010 CONCACAF Gold

Cup in Cancun, the Women’s national team is the country’s most successful. Rodrigues’ caution, he says, comes with several factors, with the USA-based coach pointing out “Trinidad have already encamped their players for over a week now, and will continue to work with them up to their first round of qualifying early in November, and thereafter into the Championships on November 18-20”. He added, “Jamaica

MARK RODRIGUES and Puerto Rico have also encamped their players in preparation for this all-important round, as they know the importance of advancing to the CONCACAF Championships, having been there just a year

ago in World Cup Qualifying”. According to Rodrigues, Trinidad had failed to advance to the World Cup finals by just one goal against Ecuador and played exceptionally well against the USA despite losing 1-0 in the CONCACAF Championships. According to coach Rodrigues, the Lady Jags’ challenge to win their group in the Dominican Republic in August was primarily fitness which showed in the second half against Cuba. Limited time together to train as a team was also a huge factor, with the coach drawing on the player’s experience to quickly understand what was involved with their chosen system of play. “Technical Director Claude Bolton’s extensive experience was invaluable in getting the players to quickly learn and adapt. The players experience allowed them to do a very good job of making numerous adjustments during the games on their own,” Rodrigues said. Since the players returned to their respective teams in the USA, Canada and the UK, their strength and conditioning coach David Lawrence has been working with them, using a structured system requiring the players to log and post online their results weekly. Rodrigues pointed out that the players have all re-

Nigel Hughes commits to GFF top job RENOWNED Lawyer and politician, Nigel Hughes has accepted a lobby from a group called “Friends of Guyana Sport” to lead Team Unity in its quest to guide Guyana’s football. Hughes, who represented Georgetown Football Association (then GFL) at the Sub Association level as a goalkeeper brings a passion for football and youth development

to the job in addition to the legal and political acumen. The powerful Team Unity slate includes fellow lawyer Mark Waldron, Aubrey Shanghai Major, Javed Ali, Troy Cadogan and Odinga Lumumba. The group will be taking their campaign direct to the community with a launch at the basketball court in Albouystown tomorrow morning from 11am.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday October 23, 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:

Jason Holder (WI); Angelo Matthews (SL) Milinda Siriwardana-SL

Today’s Quiz:

Name the SL players who were dismissed for ‘ducks’ in the first Test in the current series against the WI? Name the wicketkeepers involved in the first WISL Test of the current series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

sponded very well and the results have significantly shown in several players through their private online numbers. “Along with coach Lawrence’s fitness programme,

they have all continued to play in their respective leagues which are just coming to an end” Rodrigues and the Lady Jags are “old hands” at preparing for competition

to the best of their abilities with very limited time, and this time around is no different, except having the added bonus of Bolton’s experience and knowledge to draw on.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 23, 2015

GSSF launches Trapshooting in Guyana THE Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF), in its quest to promote the various disciplines and art of sport shooting, embarked on yet another journey when the first Clay was launched in a regulated manner at the GDF Range at Yarrowkabra.

several pieces thus launching the sport of Trapshooting locally. The GSSF at the end of 2014 secured affiliation to the Amateur Trapshooting Association. Since then, it formed an internal Trapshooting Committee tasked with

persons who equally contributed in order to purchase the ATLAS Automatic Trap Machine. These included Dr Soumi SenGupta, Nicholas Deygoo, Vidyanand Persaud and Dia Persaud as well as Richard Van Slytman of C&V Shipping who assisted in shipping

Mr Gerard Mekdeci takes the ceremonious first shot to launch Trapshooting. Member of the GSSF and renowned shotgun enthusiast, Gerard Mekdeci, was invited to fire the first shot at a clay target to mark this ceremonious occasion. He held true to the task, hitting the biodegradable clay target with his first shot, causing it to shatter in

pioneering this sporting discipline in Guyana which ultimately resulted in last Saturday’s Official Launch of the sport of ATA Trap. President of the Federation, Vidushi Persaud, in her remarks at the launch expressed thanks on behalf of the GSSF to the following

the machine and clays to Guyana. She also acknowledged the kind gesture from a well-wisher of the Federation, Anthony Mekdeci, who upon learning of our plans to launch this sport, donated two manual trap machines for practice. She went on to thank

Ramnarine Appiah Memorial T20 matches continue MATCHES in the Ramnarine Appiah (Brother Appiah) Memorial T20 cricket competition for second division teams in the East Canje/Lower East Coast, Berbice area, continued last Sunday with several teams recording wins. At Cumberland, Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) beat Hamid Eleven by 11 runs after they made 107 for 6 off their reduced quota of 15 overs, with Balram Samaroo making 32, Zaheer Moakhan 27 and Alex Algoo 20. Bowling for Hamid Eleven, 72-year-old Zamin Hamid took 3 for 15 and Hassan Hussain took 2 for 12, both off 3 overs. In reply, the visitors made 96 for 9 off 15 overs with Hussain scoring 22, and Nazooredeen Bux 21 while YWCC’s Moakan took 2 for 16. At the Rose Hall Estate ground, the hosts won the toss and

made 132 for 9 in 20 overs, Compton Hope top-scoring with 34 while Ameer Rahaman 24* and Kristoff Bahadur 21 were the

TONY DIPOO other scorers. In reply, Canefield SC made 82 all out In the other match played at the same ground, No.7 batted first against Seawell and made 136 for 4 in their reduced quota of 15 overs due to a late start, while Seawell could muster only 81 for

9 in 15 overs. At the Goed Bananen Land ground, Canje Pathfinders won both of their games. In the first match against Canefield SC, Canje Pathfinders inserted Canefield SC who made 134 for 9 in 20 overs then raced to 135 for 4 off 12.5 overs In game number two, the hosts batted first and made 121 for 9 off 20 while Canje Pathfinders again won, scoring 123 for 2 in 9.4 overs. Matches will continue this Sunday at Rose Hall where the hosts play Canje Pathfinders and Kendalls Union B take on Betsy Ground. At Cumberland, Number 7 will play Hamid Eleven while Young Warriors will clash wuth Kendalls Union Big Team At Goed Bananen Land, the hosts play Kendalls Union big team and Hamid Eleven take on Seawell.

the hardworking Board members. Trapshooting is a specific form of clay-target shooting utilising shotguns. It is a game of movement, action and split-second timing which requires the accuracy and skill to repeatedly aim, fire one shot in an attempt to break the 108mm clay discs which are hurled through the air at speeds surpassing 65kmh. In registered trapshooting, the rules specify that targets must be thrown no more than 52 yards and should reach a height of between 8 and 12 feet at 10 yards from the trap house. Shooters stand a minimum of 16 yards from the trap houses and take turns at calling ‘Pull’ for the targets to be launched when they are ready. Usually there are about 4 types of shotguns which can be used for trapshooting. They are over and under, single barrel, semi-automatic and pump action. Regulations stipulate they must be no larger than 12-gauge.

Guyana ineligible to participate in the 2016 CFU Club Championships THE Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) sought clarification from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and CONCACAF on the local clubs that were eligible to participate in the 2016 CFU Club Championships and was given a response by CONCACAF’s Director of Competitions, Mr Horace Reid, who confirmed that the 2013-2014 winners would not qualify, according to the CFU regulations. Reid also noted that since Guyana does not have a league champion, no club from any other competition is eligible to participate. He noted, however, that on completion of the STAG Elite League in 2016, Guyana would be able to participate in the 2017 CFU Club Championships. Guyana’s previous top league was completed in January 2014 and none was restarted as a result of the Federation being embroiled in administrative turmoil, which led to FIFA installing a Normalisation Committee to run the affairs of the Federation in October 2014. The Elite League was restarted in September 2015 with many of the clubs having to meet rigorous Club Licensing requirements to participate. However, it seems as though the CFU might be side-stepping its own rules. According to the CFU, all Caribbean league champions and runners-up are invited to participate in the tournament, and if there is no domestic league held, the domestic cup champions are invited to play in the tournament. The 2016 CFU Club Championship will be the 18th edition of CFU Club Championship, the annual international club football competition in the Caribbean region, which is held among clubs whose football associations are affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). The top three teams in the tournament will qualify to participate in the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.

GCB/Banks DIH/Digicel NSSCL…

Karim’s century powers Rosignol Secondary to huge victory … Bush Lot Secondary also register comfortable victory

A BLISTERING 133 from Javid Karim saw Rosignol Secondary whip Belladrum Secondary by 116 runs at the De Edward ground in the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) inaugural National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL), sponsored by Banks DIH’s Coco Cola and Rainforest Water, along with Digicel. Karim recorded the first century of the League as Rosignol Secondary amassed 239 all out in 29 overs. Karim’s knock included 17 boundaries and four maximums. Even though wickets kept tumbling at the other end (the next highest score was 15), Karim showed great composure and control. Bowling for Belladrum Secondary, Orlando Lowenfield grabbed 3/37, Anthony McPherson 3/0 and Curtis Maxwell 2/36. There was never a threat to the target during the Belladrum’s innings, and they crumbled for meagre 123 in 22.4 overs. Curtis Maxwell contributed 48. The destroyer with the ball was Hem-

chand Singh who captured 5/23 from 6 overs. At Bush Lot Secondary School ground, the home team registered a comfortable 141-run victory over

Javid Karim of Rosignol Secondary records the first century in the League. Woodley Park. The match was a one-sided one in favour of the home team. Batting first, Bush Lot Secondary totalled 227 all out in their allotted 30 overs. The primary scorers were

Marvin Persaud with 50 (3x4), Seon Glasgow with 47 (6x4), and Nivendra Peraud with 24. Among the wickets for Woodley Park were Tamesh Roopnarine with 4-41 from 4.5 overs, Tony Dalona 2-24 from 4.0 overs and Lookram Evans 2-39 from 6.0 overs. In their reply, Woodley Park were bowled out for 86. Clinton Grant snatched 4-33 from 5.0 overs, while Seon Glasgow and Nivendra Persaud snared 3-11 and 2-16 respectively. The NSSCL continues tomorrow with St Rose’s taking on Chase Academy at GNIC ground, Institute of Professional Education clashing with Golden Grove at Enterprise ground, and Fort Wellington battling Woodley Park at De Edward ground. This League was launched last week Friday at the Everest Cricket Club ground. Its major aim is to identify talents who would be channelled towards joining cricket clubs and transitioning into our national teams.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 23, 2015

Pele in dominant 3-0 win over Alpha United FOOTBALL fans flooded the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Camp Ayanganna ground on Wednesday to witness two interesting match-ups, with one team having a point to prove and the other whose mission is to maintain their dominance in the STAG Elite League. With much controversy surrounding their club, Slingerz FC, in a point-proving performance, trounced the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) 5-0 in the opening game of the double-header. In the night’s second encounter, Pele FC dominated Alpha United to win 3-0. It was the second time the respective teams were facing each other and ironically their previous meetings ended in draws; Alpha United and Pele (2-2) and GFC and Slingerz FC 0-0. After threatening to pull out of the league, Slingerz FC’s owner, Javed Ali, had a change of heart and allowed his side to further participate, stating that they will be doing so under protest. The team had struggled to find goals in the league and, though touted by pundits to be playing the best football so far, their usual tactics never resulted in many goals - until they faced GFC. Veteran forward Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams, getting his first of the league, after coming off the bench in his club’s seven previous matches, headed home his side’s opening goal in the 21st minute. The half ended 1-0 and the second half saw Slingerz FC pressure the GFC defence and had their lead extended to 2-0 when midfield player Vurlon Mills scored a spectacular header in the 54th minute. Second half substitute Dexroy Adams was in a no-nonsense mood, scoring two goals in two minutes and then Dominican international Julian Wade scored the Vergenoegen club’s fifth goal. Slingerz FC’s performance had their boss in ‘awe’, as they moved to third in the standings with 12 points behind Pele (17) and Alpha United (14). The team will head to the West Coast of Berbice on Sunday in an attempt to clinch their fifth win of the league, against Monedderlust at the Number

... Slingerz FC inflict 5-0 thrashing on GFC

5 ground. Meanwhile, in a performance unlike any other in the league so far, Pele FC turned the ‘hammer’ on Alpha United, blanking them 3-0.

Slingerz FC’s Anthony Harding rides a tackle to remain in possession of the ball during his side’s 5-0 win over GFC. The league’s leading goalscorer Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson (seven goals) did not score for his club but he was instrumental in all the goals that were scored.

It was obvious that Alpha United’s primary target on the pitch was Richardson, and why not? After all, he did score two classic goals in their previous meeting to salvage a 2-2 draw for Pele. But not to be contained, Richardson had his way with the defence, forcing Alpha United goalkeeper to make a few early saves. Being hampered by Wayne Dover’s sturdy defence, Richardson, like a true gladiator, bullied his way into his 18-yard box before finding Ronel Gordon, who hammered in Pele’s first goal in the 15th minute. It was obvious who had the crowd’s support when they roared in appreciation of the opening goal. Three minutes later, Richardson was again giving the defence trouble, but his shot on goal was blocked by the keeper. As a result the ball landed in the path of Jermaine Somerset, who doubled the score. Alpha United answered immediately after conceding their second goal but Delon Lanferman’s goal was disallowed with the referee’s assistant raising his flag to indicate the player was in the offside position. The few Alpha United fans were not in favour of the assistant’s call, claiming that the club’s leading goalscorer was not in breach of the rules. At halftime, the scoreboard read Alpha United 0, Pele FC 2. The second half was no different and Pele kept their composure and pressed for more goals. Richardson came close to adding to his goal tally when his clinically slipped the ball by the two defenders and then sent his right-footed shot flat and hard to goal, but the ball missed by mere inches. Nonetheless, it was all about Pele, as Jamaal Cozier put the finishing touches in the 86th minute. The win extended Pele’s lead at the top while Alpha United suffered their first loss in the STAG Elite League.

Team Integrity officially launched … Wayne Forde at the helm

THE FIRST official announcement of intentions to challenge for the governance of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was revealed yesterday at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, where Team Integrity was launched. The Wayne Forde-led slate, referred to as Team Integrity, includes 1st Vice President, (Ret’d) Brigadier General Bruce Lovell; 2nd Vice President, Civil Engineer Rawlston Adams and 3rd Vice President, Attorney Thandi McAllister. In addition, the names of two of the five Committee members were released while Forde assured the Media that the other three names would be known before the submission of the slate.

According to Forde, president of the Guyana

Brigadier General Bruce Lovell Football Referees Coun-

cil (GFRC) Dion Inniss and president of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club Captain Otto Benons are the names already committed to Team Integrity. T h e 4 5 - y e a r- o l d Forde is no stranger to the ‘Beautiful Game’ having been at the head of Fruta Conquerors for many successful years. He also served on the executive of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA). In his address to the Media he outlined the vision of Team Integrity. “My brothers and sisters, the best days for football are ahead of us. Team Integrity will deliver to you a rules-oriented football fraternity that is characterised by – discipline,

openness, inclusiveness, credibility, fairness, solid fiscal management, an active league schedule and youth and community empowerment through football.” “This morning I am joined by my distinguished colleagues to declare our candidacy for the Executive Committee of the GFF. In exactly 23 days, the eligible members from amongst the 22 members of the Guyana Football Federation will be called upon to make the most important decision of our time. On the 14th of November, we will have the opportunity to make a profoundly emphatic statement to our loyal membership, the players that live for this ‘Beautiful Game’, to the skeptical business community, to the Government of Guyana, to

all 41 members of the CONCACAF family and to the entire FIFA organisation that we are ready to embrace the quality of leadership that has for so long eluded us,”, a confident and executively outfitted Forde stated. “The image of football is experiencing its worst days and at times we are consumed by an immense sense of helplessness. Today I present to you the finest minds and most respectable professionals, each with a solid record of service, discipline and integrity, I give you Team Integrity. Team Integrity brings to you a strong balance of business and commercial experience, technical and logistics skills legal and constitutional competence and discipline and institutional

governance knowledge,” Forde boasted. “We will build a strong, mutually respectful relationship with the business community and the Government of Guyana. We believe these partnerships are essential as a platform to kick-start a sustainable football development programme. Today I ask you to acknowledge your moral responsibility to the sport and do what is right. Trust us and let us together be the change you have long hoped for. Let us on November 14, choose Team Integrity. We believe in you and trust you,”, Forde emphasised. Members of Team Integrity present at yesterday’s launch also signed their letters of commitment to the slate, which must be handed in to the GFF no later than tomorrow.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday October 23, 2015

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Fairview 08:35 hrs Copper Parade 09:10 hrs No Resistance 09:45 hrs Eastern Charm 10:25 hrs Villa Del Largo 11:00 hrs Mystical Twilight ENGLISH RACING TIPS Newbury 08:20 hrs Cee Jay 08:50 hrs Bedrock 09:25 hrs You’re Hired 10:00 hrs Taurean Star 10:35 hrs Distain 11:10 hrs Predominaance 11:45 hrs Rex Bell 12:15 hrs The Ducking Stool

Cliff Anderson portrait unveiled at Sports Hall By Stephan Sookram

A PORTRAIT of Cliff Anderson was yesterday unveiled in the building, named in his memory, as the current administration makes good on its promise to revitalise and rebrand sport in Guyana by enhancing the older facilities.

ment and to work with those who are striving to represent our country as ambassadors,” said Jones. Meanwhile Jones noted that this is the first of many such initiatives planned for the facility. He continued, “One notable, especially female boxer would be Gwendolyn, ‘The

DONCASTER 08:30 hrs King’s Pavilion 09:00 hrs Zest 09:35 hrs Night To Remember 10:10 hrs Shipyard 10:45 hrs Hardstone 11:20 hrs Classic Collection 11:55 hrs Maraakib 12:30 hrs Moojaned CHELTENHAM 09:10 hrs Penglai Pavilion 10:20 hrs Dark Spirit 10:55 hrs Vicente 11:30 hrs Drumlee Sunset 12:05 hrs Top Cat Henry 12:40 hrs Savello IRISH RACING TIPS Dundalk 13:05 hrs Peleponnesus 13:35 hrs Doc Holiday 14:05 hrs Captain Cullen 14:35 hrs Jenniechild 15:05 hrs Speed Hawk 15:35 hrs Eric The Grey 16:05 hrs Credit The Giver AMERICAN RACING TIPS Belmont Race1 Voluntario Race 2 Skill Not Luck Race 3 Screwgie Race 4 Kellyesque Race 5 U S Citizen Race 6 Privately Speaking Race 7 David Rocks Race 8 Good Response Race 9 Amaze Me Grace

The portrait of Cliff Anderson hangs at the entrance to the Cliff Anderson for all to see (Samuel Maughn photo) The portrait, one of several initiatives planned specifically for the Homestretch Avenue-based facility, was unveiled by Director of Sport Christopher Jones and top-rated Guyanese boxer Clive Atwell. Jones, speaking after the unveiling, said “This represents the National Sport Commission’s move to remember the great professional boxer who kept Guyana on the pedestal. “This is just part of what government intends to do with all our sportsmen throughout the length and breadth of our country; to acknowledge their achieve-

Stealth Bomber’ O Neil. So her portrait, once her organisers would have sent one that we can replicate and increase the size, that will be hung in the Sports Hall as well as those that represent futsal, basketball and other disciplines.” Atwell conceded that the portrait is a welcome initiative that showcases “one forefather of the sport of boxing.” He said, “We can look and hold very close to our heart the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and be encouraged that one day a portrait might be unveiled of our self.”

Clifford Matthew Anderson was born on October 22 1921 in Berbice and was a Gu featherweight fighter who toured the United States, Cuba and other countries before retiring in 1954, after spending nearly 14 years working and boxing in England. Anderson also took a

course of boxing for sport coaches and physical education, Professors of America in Mexico City from August to September of 1976. He was awarded the Medal of Service in 1987 by the Government of Guyana. The Sports Hall, which is named after him, was re-opened on December 5, 1997 in a sim-

ple ceremony witnessed by then president the Hon. Janet Jagan, and other government ministers including then Minister of Sport Dr. Dale Bisnauth, and Michael Parris, Guyana’s only Olympic boxing medallist Anderson died on December 2, 1998 at the Davis Memorial Hospital. He was 77 years old.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Debutant Warrican takes four, Sri Lanka out for 200 See story on page 31

Pele in dominant 3-0 win over Alpha United ... Slingerz FC inflict 5-0 thrashing on GFC

See story on page 34

Tempers flare! Pele FC’s Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson plays peacemaker between Jermaine Somerset and Alpha United’s Philbert Moffat.

Nigel Hughes commits Team Integrity officially launched to GFF top job See story on page 34

See story on page 32

TEAM INTEGRITY! (L-R) Dion Inniss, Thandi McAllister, Wayne Forde and Rawlston Adams

Team Unity Presidential candidate Nigel Hughes (3rd right) flanked by from right, Troy Cadogan, Mark Waldron, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, Javid Ali and Odinga Lumumba.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015