Guyana chronicle 06 22 14

SUNDAY No. 103866

SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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Opposition putting its narrow agenda before welfare, interest of the nation Page

-President Ramotar

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Nine-year old boy needs $$ for cancer At ACP/EU meeting…

2 Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett says treatment in US

PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR

-rejects its own Bill

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situation with sugar price is ‘serious and untenable’ -urges price review

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Dr Prem Misir newly appointed HSDU Executive Director 11 Page

Large mobile pump installed at Three Friends to improve drainage 13 Page

Hydraulic pump installed at the Three Friends sluice

Javier Anderson locked in deep conversation with the First Lady

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Nine-year old boy needs $$ for cancer treatment in US -First Lady, PYO respond in a tangible manner

By Leroy Smith FIRST LADY, Deolatchmi Ramotar yesterday joined

First Lady Ramotar gets ready to make a purchase in support of Anderson members of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) at a fund raising event in support of a nine-year old cancer patient who is suffering from a rare bone cancer found mainly in children.

The life of nine-year old Javier Anderson of West Bank Demerara had a complete turnaround after he was diagnosed with a bone cancer in December, 2013.

Javier Anderson, a student of the North Georgetown Primary School, averages 90% in his academic performance.

According to his mother, Lizzana Anderson, she and her son were invited by the PYO to have a first-hand experience of the event held in his honour.

The PYO sold juices, cakes, hot dogs and other sweets to passers-by on Water Street in front of the Republic Bank location.

Lizzana Anderson said that since her son was diagnosed in December, he had three surgeries, two of which included the removal of 10 cm of bone from his left leg followed by a another surgery which dealt with the amputation of the entire left leg from the hip.

At present he is in need

of a specialised prosthetic leg which is not manufactured in Guyana but only available in the United States at this point.

However, the health professionals in the United States have indicated that based on what they have heard of the child’s condition they are in a position to have his leg prepared but they must first examine him.

That is where the challenge for the mother of two comes in since she does not have all the money to cover the airfare, medical bills and accommodation costs for herself and child. She along with her son are also not holders of United States visas and as such would need to apply to the United States Embassy.

The challenges do not stop there for the mother of the sick child as she indicated to the Guyana Chronicle that she has since been able to raise just over $600,000 to assist the process but has no clear figure given as to the cost of the entire operation.

Anderson told the Chronicle that the doctors in the United States have indicated that they would only be able to tell her see page 12

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Opposition putting its narrow agenda before welfare, interest of the nation-President Ramotar

-rejects its own Bill

By Vanessa Narine

GUYANA has already been regionally blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and it faces definite international blacklisting by international body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which meets from tomorrow to Wednesday.

The nation’s economy, already grappling with the consequences of pronouncements of CFATF, stands to lose much more if Guyana is included in FATF’s International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) – a process that a country could take as many as seven years to exit.

With much at stake, President Donald Ramotar met with the Leader of the main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger last Wednesday, and indicated Government’s willingness to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill, as well as APNU’s amendments PRESIDENT to the Principal ALM/CFT DONALD RAMOTAR Act– despite the current administration’s position that they were non-compliant with international standards.

The offer was made with the understanding that if CFATF and FATF found that APNU’s Bill contained non-compliant provisions, that the Opposition would support amending the Bill accordingly.

APNU rejected the Head of State’s offer, essentially rejecting their Bill that proposes amendments to the Principal

AML/CFT Act. The President on Thursday addressed the nation and said: “We have worked hard to get the Legislation through, because we believe that the consequences could be very serious for our people.

“We said before that it was a patriotic duty to have this Bill passed, and spare you the Guyanese people the negative consequences of not doing so.”

“Unfortunately, the Opposition seems to have put more importance on its own narrow political, Party agenda before the welfare and interest of our people.”

ALL OR NOTHING The main Opposition’s position reflects an all or nothing

“Unfortunately, the Opposition seems to have put more importance on its own narrow political, Party agenda before the welfare and interest of our people.”

– President Donald Ramotar

stance as APNU maintains its call for other conditionalities to be met, before the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill is supported.

APNU had not only proposed three amendments, which were included in the party’s draft amendments to the Principal AML/CFT Act, but called on the President to give his assent to several Bills passed in the National Assembly, including the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013, which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014.

The Head of State has already forwarded his explanation for his-non assent to the National Assembly.

On the other hand, the AFC, which is fully behind APNU’s position, is demanding the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which the Government has agreed to, providing that Cabinet retains its no-objection role in the process; but the latter position has been rejected by the AFC. However, on May 29, after the announcement by CFATF, the AFC, in a statement, noted that it is now willing to budge on its position and support Cabinet’s retention of its no-objection role.

“I also proposed that because of the urgency of the see page 11

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

Iraq militants take Syria border post in drive for caliphate

By Kamal Namaa (Reuters) - SUNNI fighters have seized a border post on the Iraq-Syria frontier, security sources said, smashing a line drawn by colonial powers a century ago in a campaign to create an Islamic Caliphate from the Mediterranean Sea to Iran.

The militants, led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), first moved into the nearby town of al-Qaim on Friday, pushing out security forces, the sources said on Saturday.

Once border guards heard that al-Qaim had fallen, they left their posts and militants moved in, the sources said.

Sameer al-Shwiali, media adviser to the commander of Iraq’s anti-terrorist squad, told Reuters the Iraqi army was still in control of al-Qaim.

Al-Qaim and its neighboring Syrian counterpart Albukamal are on a strategic supply route. A three-yearold civil war in Syria has left most of eastern Syria in the hands of Sunni militants, now including the Albukamal-Qaim crossing.

Poroshenko’s Ukraine peace plan gets limited support from Putin

By Lidia Kelly and Richard Balmforth (Reuters) - RUSSIA’S Vladimir Putin on Saturday voiced limited support for Ukraine’s unilateral

ceasefire coming into force on Friday night.

While welcoming Poroshenko’s truce, the Kremlin said Putin believed his peace plan should not be an “ultimatum” to the rebels

Mehdi Army fighters loyal to Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr take part during a parade in Baghdad’s Sadr city June 21, 2014.Credit: Reuters/Ahmed Saad (Militants photo)

The Albukamal gate is run by al Qaeda’s official Syria branch, the Nusra Front, which has clashed with ISIL but has sometimes agreed to localized truces when it suits both sides.

The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, Rami Abdulrahman, said ISIL had pushed the Nusra

Front out from many areas of eastern Syria in the past few days and their capture of al-Qaim will allow them to quickly move to the Syrian side.

ISIL already controls territory around the Albukamal gate, effectively pinching the Nusra Front between its forces in Syria and those in neighboring Iraq, said Abdulrahman, who tracks the violence.

The al Qaeda offshoot has captured swathes of territory in northwest and central Iraq, including the second city, Mosul. They have seized

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large amounts of weaponry from the fleeing Iraqi army and looted banks.

World powers are deadlocked over the crises in Iraq and Syria. Shi’ite Iran has said it will not hesitate to protect Shi’ite shrines if asked

by Baghdad but Sunni-run Saudi Arabia has warned Tehran to stay out of Iraq.

U.S. President Barack Obama has offered up to 300 U.S. special forces advisers to help the Iraqi government recapture territory seized by ISIL and other Sunni armed groups across northern and western Iraq.

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Armed pro-Russian separatists of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic walk after an oath taking ceremony in the city of Donetsk June 21, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov (Rebel photo)

ceasefire in its conflict with pro-Russian separatists, but told President Petro Poroshenko there had to be talks with the rebels to prevent the truce collapsing.

The Kremlin set out Putin’s view after overnight fighting in Ukraine’s east in which pro-Russian separatists, according to Ukrainian government forces, attacked military bases and customs posts within hours of the

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and warned the ceasefire would not be “viable and realistic” unless there were practical moves to start talks between the opposing sides.

Poroshenko, who has unveiled a 15-point peace plan to end the insurgency in the east, has met regional leaders and offered to respect the use of the Russian language in the east but has refused to enter into direct dialogue with separatist leaders.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff endorsed to run for re-election (BBC News) BRAZILIAN President Dilma Rousseff has been officially endorsed by the governing Workers Party to run for re-election in October.

Speaking to party delegates in Brasilia, Ms Rousseff promised to boost social policies that have lifted millions of people out of poverty.

The party has been in power since 2003.

Ms Rousseff - Brazil’s first woman president - is a former left-wing rebel who fought against military rule in the 1960s and 1970s.

She told some 800 delegates meeting at the party’s convention that her second term would see more investment in

Ms Rousseff, the daughter of a Bulgarian immigrant, has been in power since January 2011 (Dilma photo)

housing, education and public health.

“It is time to move forward, it is time to make more changes,” she said.

World Cup investment Ms Rousseff also defended public spending on preparations for the football World Cup and the Olympics, which Rio de Janeiro will host in 2016.

“All the investment we have done for the World Cup in transport and other infra-structure will continue to benefit Brazilians after the event,” said Ms Rousseff.

She was elected four years ago, replacing her friend and mentor, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who served two terms.

Brazilians will go to the polls on 5 October. If no single candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff on 26 October.

Government to ban use of cell phones while driving Sheldon Williams, Staff Reporter (The Gleaner) MOTORISTS will have to get used to missing telephone calls and avoid reading text messages when driving, as new laws in the Road Traffic bill propose the b a n n i n g o f e l e c t ro n i c communication devices while driving.

Section 125 (1) of the bill states that subject to subsection (3), a person shall not drive or operate a motor vehicle on a road while using an electronic device whether by holding in one hand or both hands or with any other part of the body or otherwise unless the electronic device is: (a) Attached to the mo-

tor vehicle, or a fixture in the vehicle and remains affixed while being used; (b) specially adapted or designed to be affixed to the person of the driver as a hands-free device.

Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chairman and convener of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) welcomed the proposed legislation. “The general context is that the use of cell phones while driving is a major international problem especially driving and texting because driving and texting is shown to be just as dangerous as driving and drinking,” he said.

But he outlined that using a hands-free device might not prevent crashes.

“The data is showing that there are distractions even

when using hands-free devices because of what you call cognitive problems, because you are thinking about what you are saying rather than driving,” he said.

He pointed out that police data show that people are sometimes distracted when driving, fail to keep left and drift across the white line.

‘Lawlessness taking over T&T’

Tim Kee starts City Day parade

Port of Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee inspects members of the Coast Guard at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain before yesterday’s City Day Parade in celebration of Port of Spain’s 100th anniversary. (Parade photo)

By Michelle Loubon (Trinidad Express) PORT OF SPAIN Mayor Raymond Tim Kee said a general state of lawlessness was pervading the society.

He also said there was the need to address homelessness, parking and beef up security via humane methods within Port of Spain.

The Mayor made the comments outside City Hall, Knox Street, Port of Spain yesterday.

Earlier on, Tim Kee took the salute to signal the start of the City Day parade to mark Port of Spain’s 100th anniversary celebrations, which started at Queen’s Park Savannah (QPS) and ended at Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook.

Among those present were his wife Natasha Tim Kee and her daughters Paige and Nadine Smith. They

were joined by deputy mayor Keron Valentine and members of council at the Port of Spain Corporation.

Asked to share his sentiments on challenges facing the capital city, Tim Kee said: “We are a lawless society.

People who are like grandfathers and grandmothers are behaving in a way that they should not. People are at the traffic light and it is red, they are are not observing it.

I would like to see the laws being implemented. The laws are there, but they have to be implemented. We have to insist on standards and the enforcement of the law.”

Commenting on whether Port of Spain was a “dy-

ing city”, Tim Kee said: “It is a good plan to start a chapter and to put down infrastructure for the youth and development of the cities. We have challenges like homelessness and parking.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

EDITORIAL FOR WHOM THE BELLS TOLL? AS Mr. David Granger and his APNU colleagues continue with their special brand of disruptive, petty anti-national politicking, Guyanese must now hope that better judgment could yet be exercised by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to avoid the blacklisting of this nation for failing to meet the stipulated deadline for parliamentary approval of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.

Much kicked around in their blackmailing politics by APNU and its AFC partner, in an ongoing reckless abuse of their one-seat majority in the 65-member parliament, this “money bill” has been

much discussed by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) with Government and Opposition representatives as well as with our vital private sector.

In the process, both the regional CFATF and its international body, the FATF, had made it abundantly clear that the demands being made on the Government by the APNU/AFC coalition to ensure their support for Parliament’s approval of the bill were extraneous to required provisions in the AML/CFT amended legislation.

Well, tomorrow begins in Paris, a three-day plenary meeting of the FATF. That’s when the status of Guyana’s AML/ CFT Bill comes up for a crucial assess-

GUYANA

ment by the FATF’s International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG).

It is quite sad, tragic really, that having been held to ransom from the beginning of efforts to enact the relevant amendments to the legislation, that the Government and people of Guyana could be held to ransom by two Opposition parties bent on abusing a SINGLE-seat parliamentary majority to jeopardise this nation‘s future. The latest attempt by the Government to secure the cooperation of the Opposition failed at a meeting on Friday between President Donald Ramotar and Opposition Leader Granger, as outlined in a report in our yesterday’s edition.

It seems as if both APNU and the AFC

are sworn to the pursuit of crass, divisive now-for-now politics while still hoping for forgiveness from the Guyanese electorate at the next general elections.

What wishful thinking! Even now, when there are public sector workers who cannot receive their stipulated monthly income; and social and economic programmes and projects continue to be jeopardised by the callous, slash-and-burn politics by these parties when it comes to approval of annual national budgets.

For now, we remind readers of a burning question we had previously asked in an assessment of the dangerous anti-national politics of the APNU/AFC: For whom the bells toll?

AFC is a chameleon of diabolic propensity THE AFC is indeed a chameleon of diabolic propensity. It is a party which can say different things at different times to suit the occasion.

AFC on DUI Law On Saturday May 31, 2014 AFC’s Member of Parliament, Ramayya made a stunning statement when he vociferously attacked the PPP/C Government for passing the Drink and Drive Law which stated among other things that a person will be permanently disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence after three convictions. This was in 2008 and it received the support of the Opposition in Parliament. He further said that this law will seriously affect those who cannot read and write and would have “bought: their licences. He added that this will seriously affect a person’s ability to provide for his family if his driver’s licence is taken

away or cancelled. Imagine an AFC member attacking the Government for trying to make our roads safer. At that time, PNC Member of Parliament, the late Deborah Backer said in Parliament that there must be ‘a joining of hands in the quest to make our roads safer.’

Ramayya as an MP should be aware of this fact.

But this is nothing new since the AFC presenters on DTV 8 feel that they could say anything with impunity in their quest for political mileage.

AFC’s call for Anarchy Then there was an extreme stance taken by AFC National Executive member and practising attorney-at-law, Charrandass Persaud, who told Berbicians on June 14, 2014 that the person who is responsible for killing people in accidents while driving under the influence of alcohol should be killed and that

no lawyer should represent such persons. He sure suffers amnesia when it comes to the Lusignan massacre.

Now here is an AFC national executive member on an AFC programme calling for anarchy and lawlessness. But this seems, without doubt, to be the agenda of the AFC. Barely two weeks ago another AFC MP, Moses Nagamoottoo on the Alliance on the Move programme in Berbice angrily telling a young girl who reprimanded him for his disrespect for the President, that “I am Moses and I believe in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” yet he was calling for national healing and unity on that same programme! This is the philosophy of a man who wanted to be the President of this country! This is not only hypocrisy, but it is an extreme case on insanity. In their quest for political power these people can say and do anything. These people

are dangerous!

Once again, this brings to light the venomous nature of the AFC leaders and it confirms everyone’s fear that the AFC is one track in its quest for vengeance.

They are willing to stir racial disharmony and destroy the blissful peace this nation is enjoying.

This brings to mind the infamous Agricola protest.

AFC’s national executive member, Charrandass Persaud in an article in the Stabroek News blamed APNU for that protest and APNU letter writer, Mark Archer, flung the accusation right back at the AFC. It is no secret that the AFC leaders were responsible for that terrible event when Indians were beaten, robbed and sexually molested. Now again the AFC leaders are in Berbice trying to ignite racial acrimony and hate.

These people are so consumed in their own selfish ambitions that they are will-

ing to burn this nation.

‘Close GUYSUCO’-AFC In the case of GUYSUCO, when the media quoted AFC Leader, Ramjattan as calling for a closure of the sugar industry, the AFC quickly issued a statement that it never promoted a position and that it is ‘downright political wickedness’ on the part of the PPP/C to promote such a position. Yet week after week on DTV 8, AFC’s executive member, Charrandass Persaud has been telling Berbicians that the sugar industry is not profitable and should be closed down. On Saturday, June 14, a GAWU representative and AFC member, Rolston Austin, was on the AFC programme and he again made a demand for the closure of the industry. He has done this on numerous occasions before but this time he has a redundancy plan for the industry. He said that sugar workers should

be given a sum of $5 million dollars each! This will amount to approximately 10 years of wages and salaries!

Why is AFC promoting the closure of the industry on their programme ‘Alliance on the Move’ if they are not seriously contemplating its closure?

The AFC is a party which is replete with lawyers and it is anyone’s guess why they are allowing such views to be aired continuously on their TV programme. They simply want to close down the sugar industry!

I am calling on all sugar workers to take note of these happenings which have now exposed the true nature of the AFC and their stance on sugar. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy was absolutely correct when he referred to the ‘forktongued’ nature of the AFC leaders!

HASEEF YUSUF AFC Councillor-Region 6

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Public Private Partnerships (Part II)

By Keith Burrowes LAST week, I wrote an article on the issue of public-private partnerships (PPPs or P3s), and promised a follow-up, something I have completed in this week’s article.

To recap, the basic model of what constitutes a public-private partnership is, to quote the EU, “a contractual agreement between the public and the private

partnerships into a high science.

P3s are increasingly recognised as crucial to development. As a Japanese ministry report, cited below, states: “Carrying out infrastructure construction projects efficiently using PPP can also be evaluated from the perspective of contribution to poverty reduction. In the joint study report (conducted by a Japanese ministry), ‘inclusive Keith Burrowes

sectors, whereby the private operator commits to provide public services that have traditionally been supplied or financed by public institutions. The ultimate goal of PPPs is to obtain more ‘value for money’ than traditional public procurement options would deliver.”

In the third installation of this series, I am going to take a look at how liberally we can interpret terms like ‘public services’ -- as a means of opening up the basic concept of PPPs -- but for now, we need to look at the foundation of any good public-private venture, the policy environment.

Looking at the research I’ve done over the past week or so on the issue of P3s, I’ve discovered that Asian countries in particular seem to have gone the furthest in the developing world in instituting workable P3 programmes, although – as we might expect – it is the developed world, the UK being the foremost example, which has made public-private

development’ means that poverty reduction and infrastructure construction are regarded as a pair of wheels; infrastructure construction drives economic growth that leads to poverty reduction, while promoting the supply of public services such as electricity and transportation, which will contribute to improving people’s living standards.”

In terms of a policy statement for the Asian model of PPPs, this implies a clear mandate for development in which the PPP venture - infrastructure construction projects - is arguably as incidental as it is correlative to poverty reduction, something to take note of, since it bears on what I’m going to posit in next week’s article. On the point of regional policy, there has been some recent focus to put this in place at the level of the Caribbean Community. A few months ago, at the opening of CARICOM’s 19th Council on Human and Social Development (COHSOD) meeting right here in Guyana,

Secretary-General, Edwin Carrington, directly linked the creation of a P3 policy framework to sustainable development in the Region: “Policy coherence in human and social development no doubt makes it imperative for labour to be mainstreamed into the social and economic strategies of the Region.

Among other things, this... means establishing a vision of the parameters of growth and development that are directly linked to the human resource requirements as a main prerequisite of development. But these cannot be achieved without a concerted effort to harness sustainable public-private partnerships, strengthen institutional capabilities and create the enabling environment for human resource development.”

The perennial problem, however, with regional initiatives such as this is that they often do not go beyond the specific donor-funded conference. True, this typical failure to launch often has an associated element of lack of funding; developing economies often do not have the capital to invest in the sort of trial-and-error conceptual development process that results in working practical programmes.

That said; innovation often costs less than people make out.

And in this case, the groundwork has largely been done already, with supporting information easily available as it should be in this age of the Internet. The Seoul Declaration on Public-Private Partnerships in Asia was actually built upon extensive work undertaken by the United Nations, and enshrined in several declarations and other policy documents, beginning with the Millennium Declaration of September 2000.

What has happened is that this has in turn spawned numerous other studies, reports and policy documents on P3s in Asia, undertaken by multilateral agencies, government agencies and ministries, non-governmental organisations and – as one should expect considering the issue – private

companies.

Within these documents is a wealth of useful information on P3s from a regional perspective, as well as national ones. For example, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry issued a report on the Asian P3 Study Group (2004) which makes for useful reading from an investor’s point of view considering the increasing influence of Asia – Japan and China particularly – in the Region. The Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), has published a seminal discussion paper, “Infrastructure Challenges in South Asia: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships”, written by Geethanjali Nataraj which makes a sobering case of

both the usefulness as well as limitations for P3s in Asia, usefully pointing out that while such partnerships will not replace state financing of large-scale projects, they free up state agencies to focus on their core mandates while still adapting to the changing infrastructural needs of the specific country. The international legal firm of Norton, with an office in Singapore, has its own publication on P3s in Asia inclusive of opportunities for investment as well as country-specific risk assessments.

In short, the resources to at least begin the establishment of a P3 policy framework, as touted by CARICOM’s Secretary-General, are already well within

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the public domain and accessible by anyone willing to dig. Therefore, the available information can certainly provide direction and serve as the basis for the regional embrace of the public-private partnership policy.

Next week, presupposing that we can build on the experience of the Asian experience in PPP policy formulation, I am going to take a look at how we can transform such policy into workable, practicable projects that are relevant to the development of the Region.

My sincere gratitude and thanks to all those persons who have been sending me emails and text messages about my articles, they’ve been very useful.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

WHY CARICOM SHOULD ‘EYE’ T&T ANTI-CRIME BILLS has an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives--having secured 29 of the 41 seats at the 2010 elections to the PNM’s 12---easily managed to pass both bills since the opposition PNM’s parliamentarians abstained.

But there remains the challenging hurdle that necessitates Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s “People’s Partnership Government” having to secure at least four votes from among Independent Senators in order to obtain a stipulated three-fifths majority Whatever the final outcome for the bills to be assented by the T&T Head of State (President Thomas Aquinas Carmona), the government should consider, as a matter of mutual interest, sharing with CARICOM the two pieces of legislation that, differently, deals with combating the plague of criminality with cybercrime—such as hacking of computers and misuse of

Trinidad & Tobago’s House of Representatives and abuse of the rights of foreign citizens, including from CARICOM, in view of provisions requiring fingerprinting of foreigners—including Community nationals—under suspicion, on arrival at ports of entry into T&T. As the saying goes, stay tuned.

LINGERING CHALLENGES The People’s Partnership coalition government, which

PM KAMLA PERSAUD BISSESSAR

unauthorised emails-being an increasingly dangerous human rights problem.

The current regional crime epidemic is a major challenge facing, in varying degrees, all 14 independent states of the Caribbean Community. And in the allocation of portfolio responsibilities among Heads of Government, a T&T Prime Minister has always been designated with lead responsibility for “crime and security.”

It is in this capacity, it is felt, current Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar should give consideration to the importance of sharing with her CARICOM counterparts both the “Cybercrime Bill 2014” and the “Administration of Justice Bill.”

Consistent with a prevailing region-wide political culture that elevates divisive party politicking in preference for consultative and information-sharing approaches, both the Cybercrime Bill and the Justice Administration Bill have been subjected to criticisms in and out of the House of Representatives, with the government offering strong defensive responses.

PRIVACY VIOLATIONS Those in the media familiar with the burden of violations of privacy by others committed to making a farce, and a crime, personal fundamental rights to which ALL of us are ENTITLED, should objectively assess the value of the proposed anti-cyber-crime legislation-if possible, with guidance of a legal mind and most certainly in preference to self-serving partisan political perspectives.

For instance, while one PNM parliamentarian (Terrence Deyalsingh) denounced the ‘Cybercrime Bill, contending that the media would be the primary victim of the legislation, another PNM parliamentarian (Marlene McDonald),had urged the Attorney General to revisit provisions of the Justice Administration Bill with a view to removing mandatory fingerprinting requirement.

Other critics of this T&T legislation feel that mandatory fingerprinting of CARICOM nationals by immigration officers at ports of entry, without any known prior consultation with governments, private sector and civil society organisations, is most likely to widen disagreements and disillusionment within the Community at a time when closer social and economic integration is urgently required.

Whatever the pluses for both bills, the government in Port-of-Spain, as well as CARICOM partner states, must bear in mind the fall-out that has already occurred over what is so often depressingly referenced as the “Myrie case” that led to that landmark ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in favour of the young Jamaican woman, Shanique Myrie, over the sexual humiliation suffered via Barbados immigration service.

More on this particular development later.

Redemption in Kosovo

By Gwynne Dyer “THE signs of collusion between the criminal class and the highest political and institutional office holders are too numerous and too serious to be ignored,” concluded the report submitted to the Council of Europe in December, 2010. The name of Hashim Thaci, then Prime Minister of Kosovo and former leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), was mentioned 27 times in 27 pages.

Hashim Thaci is still Prime Minister of Kosovo. Indeed, he has just been re-elected to the job, although the turnout was a feeble 42 percent.

The European Union and NATO, the two organisations that helped the Kosovars free themselves from Serbian rule, seem quite happy about his victory – and even the Serbian government urged the Serbian minority who still live there to vote in Kosovo’s election. So redemption is possi-

ble, after all.

Thaci might have turned out to be a mild-mannered accountant if he had been born in a different era, but he came to adulthood just as the independence struggle of the Albanian-speaking majority in Kosovo was coming to the boil. He joined the KLA, and after several rivals suffered unfortunate accidents he emerged as the undisputed leader.

Revolutionary movements need money, especially if they include an armed wing, and since they have no legal sources of income, they must resort to crime. They rob banks; they blackmail people and kidnap them for ransom; they smuggle stuff, including drugs. Whether their cause is good or bad, they

Please see page 11

BY GWYNNE DYER

Analysis by Rickey Singh

BOTH THE government and media enterprises in Guyana and other Caribbean Community states should consider acquainting themselves with two new pieces of legislation introduced last week in Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives.

They are intended as new initiatives to combat frightening levels of serious criminality, including rising rates of gun-related murders and violence.

Piloted in the 41-member House of Representatives by, respectively, Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, and National Security Minister Gary Griffith, the two pieces of legislation are: “Administration of Justice Bill” and the “Cybercrime Bill 2014.”

Expressed fears have come from both the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) and the T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) over the likely erosion of press freedom and the welfare of journalists in relation to the Cybercrime Bill.

So far as the Justice Administration Bill is concerned, Opposition MPs have pointed to likely discrimination

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Are APNU’s proposed amendments evidence-based?

This article was previously published March 1, 2014

By Dr. Prem Misir I DO not think that anyone will disagree that Guyana should be compliant with the international norms on anti-money laundering and countering financing terrorism (AML/CFT), and to correct existing deficiencies. At this time, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s ( C FAT F ) a d v i c e suggests that Guyana’s plan of corrective action is appropriate. Hence, the Opposition’s push to formulate ideal or optimum regulations without valid information is troubling and perhaps unnecessary, given t h e C FAT F ’s a d vice. And notwithstanding the corrective action now required through amendments, in the future, additional amendments and adjustments to sustain compliance status will become necessary. Construction and reconstruction of AML/CFT measures is an evolving process, so there is no need now to believe that additional proposed amendments will solve all the problems once and for all. The AML/CFT plan of action has to evolve on the basis of evidence-based information. But first, l e t m e i n t ro d u c e some caveats on anti-money laundering measures before proceeding further to Guyana’s status on these matters.

In many parts of the world, and perhaps more so in the developing world, large segments of the population are more likely to engage in cash transactions rather than in formal financial services (banks, electron-

ic money transfers, etc.), making for less transparency in transactions.

The international-setting body on AML/CFT the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in June 2011 provided support for financial inclusion (Koker and Jentzsch, 2013), that is, support for increased use of banks and other formal financial services as opposed to using mere cash transactions; FATF supports this line because financial inclusion results in greater transparency allowing for better law enforcement of AML/CFT regulations.

FATF’s support for greater financial inclusion is based on the premise that the more a customer uses formal financial services, the less that customer would use informal (cash) transactions.

But FinScope and Research ICT Africa’s (RIA) household surveys on Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia contradict that premise, showing that increased use of formal financial services did not lead to a decreased use of cash transactions (Koker and Jentzsch, 2013); and Koker and Jentzsch argued that if FATF wish to see some alignment between financial inclusion and f i n a n c i a l i n t e g r i t y, there needs to be better knowledge of customer choice between formal and informal financial services. Nevertheless, in order to protect privacy and in light of global public spying, many people may be more comfortable with cash transactions.

Let me now proceed to Guyana‘s action on AML/CFT. The modus operandi of the Guyana National Assembly (legislature) suggests a laissez-faire approach to legislate against

money laundering and financing terrorism.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) tabled the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill in the National Assembly on April 22, 2013.

The Bill was intended to correct deficiencies identified in Guyana’s third round Mutual Evaluation Report, approved by FATF’s regional body the CFATF at its Council of Ministers’ meeting in May 2011 in Honduras; the CFATF ruled at that meeting that Guyana be put on an expedited list and must do a follow-up at every Plenary.

At its May 2013 Plenary, the CFATF required Guyana to correct its deficiencies

by November 2013, as its progress was found to be unsatisfactory.

In fact, Guyana did not have an approved AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill comprising corrective measures to present to the CFATF Plenary by this deadline of November 2013 because the combined one-seat majority opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) rejected it.

Following this rejection in November 2013, APNU proposed amendments to the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill at the final moment just before the Paris Plenary in February 2014. APNU had ample time between November 2013 and February 2014 to present its proposed amendments. Now who precipitated some delay in parliamentary approval of corrective measures ensconced in the AMLCFT (Amendment) Bill, earmarked for CFATF’s

presentation at the Paris Plenary?

And even though Guyana was not on the agenda for the Paris Plenary of the FATF, it would have been a show of good faith had the Bill with the corrective action been approved by the National Assembly, since the CFATF would have reported on Guyana’s compliance status at that meeting. In this situation, the CFATF and its parent body the FATF more than likely raised the moral red flag against Guyana.

On February 27, 2014, the Opposition, in a brazen show of ignoring the national interest in the National Assembly, validated its sense of zero urgency on the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill. According to local press reports, the Opposition did not perceive meeting the CFATF’s deadline of February 28, 2014 as a big thing and further that no apocalypse was coming any time soon. So much for upholding national interest and national integrity by elected representatives of the people!

And again, at the National Assembly sitting of February 27, 2014, the Opposition shamelessly fingered the PPP/C Government for delaying approval of the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill because the Chief Parliamentary Counsel’s refinement of the main Opposition APNU proposed amendments was incomplete, resulting in the Bill not reaching the holy ground of the legislature.

The Opposition claimed that the Government should have ensured completion, since the Chief Parliamentary Counsel is an appointee of the Attorney General’s Chambers. Recall that APNU had ample time between November 2013 and February 2014 to present its proposed amendments, but it chose to propose its amendments at the eleventh hour, thereby giving the Chief Parliamentary Counsel a limited time and space to execute the ‘refinement’ work.

CFATF’s Financial Adviser, Roger Hernandez recently came to Guyana and advised that the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill was appropriate, and any further attempt at adding and/or subtracting amendments could reduce its effectiveness. APNU, in press reports, claimed that its proposed amendments are intended to strengthen AML/CFT measures.

H o w e v e r, g i v e n CFATF’s advisement on the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill as appropriate, it is possible then that APNU in its last ditch efforts to add or subtract to t h e G o v e r n m e n t ’s amendments, may be using optimum (ideal) strategies to obtain information on amendments that are unknown or unknowable (Simon, 1987); and so, with no available evidence-based information, the optimum approach may produce unworkable amendments. It is more practical to use the sat-

isficing method (Simon, 1990) to choose amendments. The satisficing approach uses available limited evidence-based information to select the most feasible amendments when not enough is known about future options. But on the contrary, if APNU is not using the optimum approach, then clearly its action is tantamount to forestall approval of the Government’s AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill.

W h e re a re w e now? The CFATF required Guyana to approve the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill by February 2 8 , 2 0 1 4 , i n o rder to assess Guyana’s progress in preparation for the CFATF Plenary in Santo Domingo in May 2014. At this point, Guyana has made progress in tabling the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill to correct some deficiencies. But it has been unable to execute action to improve its AML/ CFT compliance regime because of its failure to pass and implement appropriate legislative reforms. These re f o r m s re f e r t o the blocked AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill, lying dormant in the National Assembly, resulting in Guyana becoming branded as non-compliant, through the kind courtesies of the combined one-seat majority opposition APNU and the AFC.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

Chronicle Weekend Roundup with Telesha Ramnarine Monday 16

Albouystown businesswoman found bound, murdered in her home

THE bound body of 65-year-old Sumintra Dinool was discovered among items in her ransacked two-bedroom home at Barr and Sussex Streets, Albuoystown, Georgetown. She was found by her son, Shah Dinool, who had been out with friends and returned to find that his mother had been murdered.

Police have arrested two persons and had listed electronic equipment among the items which had been taken from the home. Shah Dinool said he has been living at that location for the past 29 years, and has never had issues with anyone in the area, neither did his mom.

The woman operated a stall at the La Penitence Market.

Father’s Day ‘hit-and-run’ robs family of their dad

FIFTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD, Mustak Alli of 179, Robindra Street, Annandale South, East Coast Demerara, a father of four, was discovered dead on the Annandale Public Road, a short distance from his home. He had been killed in a hit-and-run accident. The dead man’s wife, Indira, said that her husband had been heading home to assist her with the cooking for Father’s Day. Police reported that they were able to tow into the police station an abandoned car which was suspected to be involved in the accident. The owner of the car was not the one driving it at the time, but both the owner and the purported driver, an Annandale resident, were taken into custody. This is the second time that the family has lost a loved one to a road accident. In 2013, Mustak Alli’s brother was killed in a hit-and-run accident involving a Canadian citizen, who was acquitted after the police had failed to prepare a proper file.

Pitbulls maul 11–year-old Linden boy

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD, Dequan Gordon of Linden was attacked by two pitbulls while going fishing with two friends. The incident reportedly occurred around 10:30hrs, just after the child left home.

Preposterous though it may sound, the time was confirmed by both the child’s father and aunt. According to his aunt, Neshelle Bristol, Dequan was just about three lots away from home when the two dogs jumped their owner’s fence and launched their attack. While his two friends managed to escape unscathed, Dequan was not so fortunate.

The dogs bit him in the throat, on his buttocks and parts of his hands and feet. He had to undergo emergency surgery.

Tuesday 17

15 homeless after mid-afternoon Campbellville fire

FIFTEEN persons representing three families were rendered homeless after a double flat house at 27 Delph Street Campbellville home went up in flames.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that no one has been able to say how the fire started, but according to some folks in the area, the fire might have been triggered by a malfunctioning piece of equipment in the yard where a vehicle spray painting and bodywork shop operates.

Friends detail plan to eliminate Dhanraj Latchman for his vehicle

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD, Dhanraj Latchman of 115 Lusignan, East Coast Demerara lost his life in the Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, because two cousins, who had been friends of the teen– one of them who even attended school with him – had been planning his kidnap and murder for two weeks prior to his death, and had already found a buyer for his car. A source said the cousins told the police of a detailed plan they had hatched to wipe out the teen so they can have his car. The suspects reportedly told the police that after they had choked the teenager until he blacked out, one of them attempted to slit his throat with a knife after they realised that he was still breathing, but the other, a mason, decided against spilling the victim’s blood.

Instead, they cut the car’s seatbelt with the knife, and put the seatbelt around his neck. Then, using a piece of wood to turn the seatbelt, they tightened it around his neck until they had strangled him. The wood was later discovered in the car, which was found the following day.

They then drove further down the Parika Backdam and ‘four-handed’ the lifeless body of the teen into a clump of bushes, before making their way out of the area in his vehicle.

Driver who killed 7-yr old student remanded

A MAINTENANCE worker of Church’s Chicken who hails from Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown, was refused bail in court on a cause of death charge. Jermaine Carrol, 28, pleaded not guilty to two charges, one of which said, on June 12, at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, he drove motorcar PPP 5931 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Clement Joseph Collis. He also denied another charge that alleged on the same day, at

Freeman Street, he drove the said vehicle when the third party insurance was not enforced at the time. He was reportedly proceeding at a fast rate. He will return to court on July 4.

Wednesday 18

Wife killer, Baxter, jailed for 20 years

JUSTICE Dawn Gregory jailed 53-year old, Haydock Mc Donald Daxter for 20 years for the killing of his wife Carol. Baxter was originally charged with murder but had earlier pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. A probation report disclosed that the accused had a history of hostility towards his wife. In implementing sentence the judge began with 30 years. She removed two years for remorse and eight years for the time he had been incarcerated. Consequently he was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Teenage cousins charged with murdering Latchman

TWO teenagers charged with the murder of 17-year old Lusignan taxi driver, Dhanraj Latchman were remanded to prison until June 24.

The two cousins, 17-year-old Asraf Ali and 18-year-old Abdul Razack, were not required to plead to the charge which said between June 10 and 14 at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, they murdered Dhanraj Latchman in the course of a robbery, that is to say to steal motor car PMM 9823 and two cellular phones.

$100M earmarked for restoration works in Le Repentir Cemetery – Whittaker

SOME $100M of the $1B that was set aside in the 2014 national budget for the ‘Clean up Guyana’ project will be spent on restoration works in Le Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker said some of the major activities to be undertaken include the desilting of main and internal drains, road works, and repairs to kokers.

These works will be opened to a public tendering process, and advertisements for this will commence this week. The de-bushing in the cemetery will be done by inmates of the Georgetown Prisons, Whittaker said.

Thursday 19

Fish cleaner ‘Blondie’ jailed for 57 years

JUSTICE Navindra Singh sentenced 49-year old Quaison Jones, called ‘Blondie,’ to 57 years’ imprisonment after an Assizes jury found him guilty of murder committed on Marlon Greene. Greene had been a fish cleaner attached to the Meadow Bank Wharf Fish Cleaners, and his killing on Monday 17th January, 2011, allegedly followed a row relating to an old story.

On the day in question, at about 09:00 hrs, five other fish cleaners were attracted by a ‘hollering.’ They said they ran to the scene and saw “Blondie’ over Marlon cuffing away at him. According to them, when they got close enough, they noticed that ‘Blondie’ had a knife in his hand, and what appeared to be blood stains were visible on the blade.

The witnesses observed that Marlon was bleeding from a wound in the neck, and they all concluded that Blondie had been stabbing away instead of cuffing away at Marlon as they had at first thought.

Finance Minister to restore sums cut from 2014 Budget expenditure

FINANCE Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh is relying on constitutional grounds and rulings of the Court to initiate an exercise to restore funds from the 2014 National Budget that were voted down by the combined Opposition in the National Assembly. Dr. Luncheon explained that during the Committee of Supply, selected expenditure of selected budget agencies was not approved, and so the administration’s restoration exercise specifically addresses those omissions when expenditure subsequently exceeded what has been approved. Dr. Luncheon informed that the restoration exercises would take place for the rest of the fiscal year. “So, indeed, it is more than likely possible that each and every one of those areas, those budget agencies whose appropriations were not authorised, would be attended to by the Finance Minister,” Dr. Luncheon disclosed.

Top 25 UG law students cleared for entry to Hugh Wooding

THE top 25 Law students from the University of Guyana (UG) have been cleared for entry to the Hugh Wooding Law School, under the automatic entry agreement. This was confirmed by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, who noted that the decision not to automatically place the 25 students at the Trinidad-based school had left students apprehensive about their future. According to Nandlall, an additional 10 students who are non-Guyanese nationals graduating out of the UG programme will enjoy automatic entry to Norman Manley Law School, in Trinidad, or the Eugene Dupuch Law School, in The Bahamas, depending on

which zone their territory falls.

“It was also decided that there shall be comprehensive review of legal education in the West Indies, and the modalities extent and financial implications of the same will be discussed at the next meeting of the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Heads of the Government,” the AG said.

Friday 20

Manickchand lays historic Education Bill in National Assembly

A PROPOSED Education Bill, the first of its kind since Guyana gained independence, according to subject Minister Priya Manickchand, was tabled in the National Assembly and read for the first time.

The current Education Act being utilised in Guyana came into being since 1876, and was last amended in 1976. The proposed Bill, on the other hand, is intended to repeal the Education Act; reform the legal framework for education in Guyana; and provide an effective system of education related to the needs of the people.

The 126-page Bill includes legislative provisions for several first-time undertakings, and addresses several areas, ranging from administration of the sector, to special-needs education. And with regards to the latter, the Bill outlines the determination of special educational needs, special needs appeals, and the establishment of a council on special education.

Pandemonium on our roads

ACCIDENTS have claimed the lives of 52 persons, and a number of persons have been seriously injured although this year is only six months old. The Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) said in a statement that in light of the recent mayhem that has been occurring on our roads, it is appealing and urging all road users to be more responsible in their day-to-day activities on the roadways, in order to help put an end to this “pandemonium.”

The GNRSC said there has been a recent increase in the number of serious road accidents in and around the city, in outlying areas, and in other regions of our country, and this is mainly due to speeding, recklessness, and driving under the influence (DUI), all of which reflect total neglect of our traffic laws.

Health Minister welcomes 11th Chinese Medical Brigade

THE 16-member 11th Chinese Medical Brigade, consisting of Orthopaedic specialists, Plastic and Burn Surgeons, General Surgeons, Nephrologists, Ophthalmologists, Gynaecologists and Paediatricians, among other vital medical skills, was warmly welcomed to Guyana

by Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran. This brigade will perform duties at the Georgetown Public Hospital and at the Linden Hospital Complex, and would be engaged in medical outreaches for two years.

Saturday 21

Education grants to be disbursed during new school term

THE $10,000 grant to be given to the parents or guardians of each school age child in the public school system will be handed over at the beginning, or after the beginning, of the new school year or term, said Education Minister, Priya Manickchand. She explained that ministry officials would be able to capture all the registered students, including new incoming nursery students, and new students who did not attend nursery school but went to Grade 1.

She added that the Education Ministry will be informing stakeholders of the mechanism to facilitate the payments. “Guyana is so diverse geographically, and different services are available at different places, we want to make sure however we disburse this, it is the most effective and efficient way to the parents.”

East Bank four-lane expansion set to meet year-end completion

MINISTER of Public Works, Robeson Benn recently announced that the East Bank Demerara four-lane highway is set to meet its yearend completion date, alleviating much of the current traffic delays and improving safety. The East Bank four-lane project is divided into three lots. The first is being done by Dipcon Engineering; lot two by General Earth Movers in association with Geico Construction and General Construction Services; and Lot three B.K International.

Motor cyclist dead from collision with door of parked car

POLICE are investigating a fatal accident that occurred on the Goedverwagting Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resulting in the death of 58-year-old Wallace Nurse of Sparendaam, E.C.D. Investigations revealed that Wallace Nurse was driving motor cycle CC 9486 when he collided with the open door of a parked car, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The driver of the motor car is in police custody.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Redemption ... Dr Prem Misir newly From page 8

have almost all done it: the Taliban, the Irish Republican Army, Boko Haram, ETA, FARC and the KLA. Hashim Thaci certainly did it all. In fact, you could argue that he overdid it. After NATO’s 78-day bombing campaign against Serbia in 1999 forced Slobodan Milosevic’s government to evacuate all the Serbian troops from Kosovo and a United Nations administration backed by NATO peacekeeping troops took over, the time for fighting – and illicit fund-raising methods – was over. But Thaci just kept going.

The KLA was renamed the Kosovo Protection Corps, and used intimidation and occasional assassinations to gain control of almost all the municipal governments in the country. A recent report on corruption in Kosovo by BND, the German intelligence service, noted that “The key players (including...Thaci) are intimately involved in inter-linkages between politics, business, and organised crime structures in Kosovo.”

The Council of Europe report of 2010 says bluntly: “In confidential reports spanning more than a decade, agencies dedicated to combatting drug smuggling in at least five countries have named Hashim Thaci as having exerted violent control over the trade in heroin and other narcotics.

Thaci and [other former KLA members] are consistently named as ‘key players’ in intelligence reports on Kosovo’s mafia-like structures of organised crime.”

That report, commissioned after the chief prosecutor for war crimes at the Hague, Carla Del Ponte said she had been prevented from investigating senior KLA officials, also contained details about the KLA’s fund-raising methods just after the fighting ended in 2000. The most shocking was the allegation that some Serbian prisoners held by Thaci’s faction of the KLA were killed in order to harvest their organs for sale abroad.

The report found that Thaci’s people held Serb captives in six detention facilities in Albania, and that a “handful” was transferred to Tirana, where they were killed for their kidneys. “As and when the transplant surgeons were confirmed to be in position and ready to operate, the captives were brought out of the ‘safe house’ individually, summarily executed Kosovo’s Prime by a KLA gunman, and Minister Hashim Thaci their corpses transported swiftly to the operating clinic.”

The human rights rapporteur who wrote the Council of Europe report, the Swiss lawyer, Dick Marty, subsequently admitted that he had no evidence directly linking Thaci with the organ trafficking, but if you’re the boss, you have to accept at least a share of the blame. So why is this suspected war criminal and big-time crime boss being welcomed as Kosovo’s legitimate leader by all the European countries, including even Serbia?

Two obvious reasons are that he won the election, and that he doesn’t actually face any outstanding criminal charges. But the deeper reason is that Serbia wants to join the European Union.

The European Union wants it too: it’s important to bring the Serbs into the club and not leave them feeling bruised and resentful about the Balkan wars of the 1990s, even if they were largely responsible for them. However, Serbia cannot join the EU until it accepts that the breakaway province of Kosovo is gone forever and recognises its leader as legitimate. The EU does not accept applicants with unresolved border disputes. (Ukraine please note.)

And this also means, by the way, that the EU has to accept Kosovo as a legitimate candidate for membership even under its current leader. Both the EU and Serbia would certainly prefer the Prime Minister of Kosovo to be somebody a bit more presentable, but the Kosovars keep electing Hashim Thaci, albeit with a small and dwindling turnout of voters. And maybe he really has changed.

Sometimes you just have to put the past behind you, and maybe even some of the present too.

appointed HSDU Executive Director

FORMER Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr. Prem Misir Ph.D, MPH, M. Phil, B.S.Sc. (Honours), FRSPH has been appointed Executive Director of the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU), Ministry of Health, Government of Guyana, with effect from June 5, 2014.

Dr. Misir has more than 10 years of experience in leadership and management in complex organisations which will contribute toward the enhancement of HSDU and strengthening the health systems in Guyana.

In this new position, Dr. Misir would have responsibility for plan-

ning, directing and coordinating activities of the HSDU, in order to advance and support the health sector reform process and the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs); and to assure the formulation, implementation, mon-

DR. PREM MISIR itoring and evaluation of all externally-funded health sector projects; and to identify, detail and negotiate projects necessitating external funding.

Opposition putting its narrow agenda ...

From page 3 matter, that the Opposition would not link my offer to pass their Bill to their other demands: (1) My assent of all Bills passed by National Assembly; and (2) my support for the Public Procurement Commission being established without Cabinet retaining its role in granting no-objection to awards above $15M (GYD). The Opposition Leader declined my offer,” the President said on Thursday night.

TWICE REJECTED This is the second time the Government’s offer to reach a compromise was rejected.

Last Monday, Ms. Gail Teixeira, also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee reviewing the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill, reported that Government last Friday indicated its willingness to compromise on the three “sticking points” that is holding up agreement on the Bill, but this was rejected by the main Opposition.

“We were rebuffed; we did not have the kind of response from APNU… We tried to have a meeting to reach compromise; something Government was clear that it was willing to do. Unfortunately, it appears that APNU is either not interested or unable to accept our offer,” she said.

Ms. Teixeira explained that she went to great lengths to stress the urgency of having a Bill brought to the National

Assembly, and pointed out that after the June 11 Select Committee meeting, there was only disagreement on three areas.

“What we have before the Committee is three versions of two Bills: The Government’s AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill; APNU’s draft amendments to the Principal AML/CFT Act; and the AG’s counter-proposals, which addressed the problem areas in APNU’s amendment,” she said.

The enactment of the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill before CFATF’s meeting in May, by all accounts, could have averted Guyana’s referral to CFATF, particularly since the body noted that 90 per cent of the deficiencies identified are legislative in nature.

The Bill, to meet CFATF’s requirements, was tabled in the National Assembly in April 2013, but referred to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee and eventually voted down by the combined Opposition in November 2013. The Bill was re-tabled in December 2013, and again referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee, where it has been since.

Government has since restated its assurance to do all that is possible to protect the interests of the Guyanese people and the country as a whole.

“Compatriots, I wish to assure you that we would continue to do all we can to protect our nation’s interests.

Regrettably, this is now being made much more difficult because of the clear unpatriotic stance taken by the Opposition, APNU,” President Ramotar said.

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Nine-year old boy needs $$ for cancer treatment ...

From page 2

Madame Ramotar takes the particulars from Lizzana Anderson on the condition of her son

the cost for the surgery when they would have been able to see the child’s condition and examine him.

Another bugbear for the family is the fact that the mother has been having the devil’s own job at getting the support from the father of the child who has been reluctant to sign certain very important papers to facilitate the process of his son travelling to the United States to have his illness treated.

It was also communicated to this publication that while the young man looks very healthy and is alert and up and about, the cancer has since spread to his lungs which means that very soon he will have to begin chemotherapy.

After listening to the concerns of the woman, Guyana‘s First Lady, Deolatchmi Ramotar pledged her support to the young man and his mother.

Madame Ramotar promised to speak with the father and have him understand the importance of the need for his child to seek the medical attention overseas.

She expressed optimism that she will be able to influence the gentleman to give the mother of his child the support needed to address the chronic illness his son is battling with.

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Large mobile pump installed at Three Friends to improve drainage

By Rajendra Prabhulall

THE Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Drainage and Irrigation Department [NDIA], has installed a large mobile hydraulic pump by the Three Friends sluice on the Essequibo Coast to boost drainage between Reliance and Capoey.

The pump which has a capacity to discharge some 120 cubic feet of water per second was installed and put in operation last week in an emergency effort to drain a high build-up of rainfall water in canals, trenches and some rice lands with young rice plants because of the blockage of the Three Friends sluice channel.

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Ali Baksh said the Government has spent more than $100M to set up the pump to boost drainage within the Reliance and Capoey area in light of serious accretion that is taking place on the foreshore of the Atlantic Ocean between Devonshire Castle and La Union.

Looking back 21 years ago when this Government took over the reins of power from the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, Baksh reminded farmers and residents that the Three Friends sluice was abandoned as well as Devonshire Castle, while sluices at La Union, Lima and Aurora had serious problems.

The minister said the

PPP/ C Government spent huge sums of money to build new sluices and rehabilitate existing ones which caused more rice lands to go under cultivation and production to surpass more than one million bags per crop.

Baksh told farmers that because of bad management and poor drainage systems under the PNC Government, only 22,000 acres out of some 32,500 acres were planted with very low production.

Baksh said because of good management and investment in the drainage and irrigation system by the Government, farmers have expanded production by more than 5,000 acres and the production is very far higher than the previous

Hydraulic pump installed at the Three Friends sluice

Government.

He noted that while the Government is building new sluices and setting up mobile pumps there are new problems emerging and pointed to climatic conditions and global warming as one area.

He said there is serious accretion taking place on the fore shore which has never being seen before.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority {NDIA], Mr. Lionel Wordsworth said the pump that was deployed to the site was in discussion for a long time. He said there are similar projects across the country taking place and pointed to Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara, East Coast Demerara and Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne).

According to the CEO, accretion is very predominant along the foreshore of the Essequibo Coast and is very active in the dry season.

He said similar problems are also taking place in Region 3, Black Bush Polder and most of the other administrative regions.

The CEO explained that a few years ago the Govern-

ment of Guyana entered into a line of credit agreement with the Government of India whereby a contract was signed for the supply of 14 pumps to Guyana. He said the pump at Three Friends is one from that line of credit agreement.

Mr. Wordsworth said a bigger facility which can discharge 200 cubic feet of water per second will be set up at Lima. He said the tender is already out in the newspapers for the project.

The CEO said in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) the challenges of accretion faced by residents, farmers and the Government will not go away, it will stay with us and the Government will continue to make interventions to set up pumps at specific locations. He also called for better work to be done in the dredging of sluice channels.

Mr. Wordsworth said the unit at Three Friends is designed to discharge 120 cubic feet of water per second and called for the channel to the sluice to be dredged so as to have a faster draught of water when the pump is in operation.

Chairman of Region

2, Mr. Parmanand Persaud thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority for setting up the pump.

He said the pump will improve drainage between Reliance and Capoey.

He also commended workers of the Region Drainage and Irrigation department and some farmers and residents who helped to set up the pump.

He said while some people helped, others drank rum and criticised the Government and the project.

The Chairman said those farmers that questioned where the fuel will come from to operate the pump were narrow minded.

Mr. Persaud, however, assured that the Government is committed to work in the interest of the people and the pump will benefit every person in terms of drainage.

Vice-Chairman of Region 2, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo said accretion is taking place between Devonshire Castle and La Union and it is a huge battle to keep the sluice channels clear.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Human Activities and Wildlife

WILDLIFE commonly refers to animal species that are not domesticated (raised by humans). However, in the strict sense, it includes all plants, fungi and other organisms that grow or live in the wild (areas untouched by humans).

Wildlife exists in all types of ecosystems - deserts, forests, rainforests, plains, grasslands, and even in developed urban sites.

Many persons obtain wild plant and animal species and try to domesticate them for their own benefit.

However, this can and has sometimes had major impacts on the environment and human safety and health.

Wildlife plays a vital role in the natural environment, and is as important to our survival, as air and water.

Understanding the threats to

wildlife and taking steps for its care should be considered a priority.

HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE There are few places left on our planet where the impact of humans has not been felt. We have explored and left our footprint – sometimes a very large one - on nearly every corner of the globe. As our population and needs grow, we are leaving less and less room for wildlife.

The impacts of human activities range from the direct destruction of wildlife habitats, to the introduction and spreading of invasive species and disease. Most ecosystems are being impacted by multiple threats and each new threat increases the stress on already weakened ecosystems and their wildlife.

The health of wildlife populations often reflects the health of the overall environment. Sensitive to seemingly minor disturbances, wild species may present the first indications of disease, toxins, or changes in climate. Some visible threats to wildlife stem from: INFRASTRUCTURE As human societies advance and develop, better and more roads are constructed to gain access to remote areas and water reservoirs are built to provide fresh water new communities. These and other developments change or fragment habitats and also introduce noise into them; these changes cause wildlife to migrate in search of mates and food and in doing so could pose

danger to the very communities.

OVER-FISHING Fish found in rivers and streams and the ocean is considered wildlife and for centuries humans have fished them for their livelihood.

Today, trends have changed in a modern world with more people to feed and better technology available. Fish stocks are now increasingly over-fished – excessive amounts of fish are taken out. As such, fish stocks become depleted and may not be able to recover quickly enough to feed the same people in the next season.

Wherever there is fishing, there is by-catch—the incidental capture of non-target species such as dolphins, marine turtles and seabirds.

Modern fishing gear, often undetectable by sight and extremely strong, is very efficient at catching the desired fish species—as well as anything else in its path.

A staggering amount of marine life—including turtles, and juvenile fish—is hauled up with the catch, and then discarded overboard dead or dying.

To ensure that harvesting is done at a rate that would allow fish stocks to recover, the use of effective fishing technology needs to be informed by fish population studies. Through such studies, open and closed seasons and net size can be determined to avoid the removal of young fish necessary to maintain the future fish stocks. Coastal communities that depend on fish as a protein staple must be influenced to practice sustainable fishing. These measures are important to ensure that fish

does not become scarce and expensive and eventually disappear from our diet.

DEFORESTATION Forests play a critical role in mitigating (reducing) climate change since they act as carbon sinks— trapping and storing carbon dioxide that would otherwise be free in the atmosphere and contribute to ongoing changes in climate patterns. Deforestation undermines this carbon sink service as well as the services of oxygen supply and homes for humans and wildlife. Further, forests are sources of food, fresh water, clothing, traditional medicine and shelter for humans. Deforestation often results from forest fires, unregulated logging, clear-cutting for agriculture, ranching etc.

CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change poses a fundamental threat to places, species and our livelihoods.

Sea levels are rising and oceans are becoming warmer. Longer, more intense droughts threaten crops, wildlife and freshwater supplies. From polar bears in the Arctic to marine turtles off the coast of Africa, our planet’s diversity of life is at risk from the changing climate.

OIL SPILLS Extracting oil and gas deposits can result in lasting damage to the environment. Specifically, oil and gas exploration and development causes disruption of migratory pathways, degradation of important animal habitats, and oil See page 15

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Money changer critical after being shot and robbed Human Activities ...

from page 14

By Leroy Smith

THE police are hunting for three men who they said are identifiable to money changspills—which can be devastating to the animals and humans who depend on these ecosys- er 44-year old Wendell Livtems. Oil spills can occur from blowouts, pipeline leaks or failures, or shipping accidents. erpool of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown who was shot Illegal wildlife trade Wildlife trade is a big business which is not always done legally. The substantial profits three times about the body attract international networks that are not always on the up-and-up – trading illegally in wild- while sitting at a shop with life and its products. It is almost impossible to obtain reliable figures for the value of illegal one of his siblings on Friday wildlife trade, though experts at TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, estimate that Night.

Yesterday his mother Berit runs into hundreds of millions of dollars. One example of illegal wildlife trade, is- jaguars nice Liverpool told this pubfor their skin and bones. Wildlife trade escalates into a crisis when an increasing proportion lication that she was at home is illegal and unsustainable—directly threatening the survival of many species in the wild.

To safeguard wildlife, countries are increasingly using an integrated approach that includes when she heard the news that regulations and education and livelihoods. Local people are made more aware of the rules her son was shot two corners of the trade and the value of wildlife and are more and more making the best choice for the from where they lived.

The woman recalled that future of wildlife. her grandson arrived and gave her the news and indicated that POLLUTION the man was being rushed to the Look at any ecosystem and there could be multiple forms of contamination—streams Georgetown Public Hospital. full of toxic chemicals from industrial processes, rivers overloaded with nutrients from Liverpool, a father of four, farms, trash blowing away from landfills, city skies covered in smog. Even landscapes works as a money changer in that appear pristine can experience the effects of pollution sources located hundreds or Georgetown. His mother said thousands of miles away. that her son fails to take advice Pollution may muddy landscapes, poison soils and waterways, or kill plants and animals. and it was because of his failure Humans are also regularly harmed by pollution. Long-term exposure to air pollution, for example, can lead to chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer and other diseases. Toxic chemicals that accumulate in top predators can make some species unsafe to eat.

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown; or email usat eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

to take advice that he ended up being a victim of a robbery.

She said that her son wears a lot of jewellery and she would often encourage him after he arrives home from work to strip himself of the valuables before heading out back to the road.

She said that he never listens to that advice and said that should anyone come to relieve him of his property he will not be releasing it so easy.

On Friday when the man was sitting in a shop with his brother the men, masked and brandishing hand guns began stripping Liverpool of the rings, chain and bands from his person.

Liverpool reportedly put up a fight and the men opened fire on him while also robbing him of the cash he had on him at the time.

Liverpool was shot to the shoulder, buttocks and back.

Yesterday his mother told

this publication that her son was in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital and is unconscious.

Yesterday, also, Crime Chief Leslie James informed this publication during an invited comment that the police are working on several leads with respect to the robbery. He said that the man seems to know his shooters and pointed out that the attackers knew that their victim was a money changer and that he would also have lots of jewellery on him.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Liverpool recalled that this is not the first time that her son was attacked by bandits. She said that some two years ago they were at home when two men attempted to invade their home but her son was able to wrestle one of the men to the ground and the other upon seeing that sprinted from the home.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Two murder accused to face -after prima facie cases were High Court trial made out against them

By Geeta Rampersaud

TWO murder accused on Wednesday were committed to stand trial at the next practical session of the Demerara Assizes.

Sylvester ‘Rambo’ Bristol, accused of murdering female taxi driver, Savitri Parma of Lot 4 Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara, had his preliminary inquiry (PI) commence on June 2, and the prosecution closed its case against the accused on Wednesday last.

Bristol was informed that a prima facie case had been made out against him, since there is enough evidence for the matter to be heard at the High Court.

The charge against Bristol details that between February 15 and 16 last, at Dakara Creek, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, he murdered taxi driver, Savitri Parma.

On Bristol’s first appearance before Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on February 19, the facts of the indictment were not read in court.

The 23-year-old labourer of Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, was unrepresented during his trial at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts.

The matter was prosecuted by Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, and nineteen witnesses were called to testify on behalf of the prosecution.

Bristol was apprehended a short distance away from the crime scene, and was badly beaten by public-spirited citizens. Parma’s body was later discovered in a clump of bushes.

Based on information provided by Parma’s husband, she had called him on his phone at about 20:45hrs on the Sunday night of the incident, and had informed him that she had just dropped

off someone at Buddy’s Farm, and someone else wanted to travel with her. She said the person looked like someone who worked at the pit.

Members of a search party found her eightyear old son in the back seat of the car. He was unhurt, but had slept through the fatal ordeal of his mother.

A prima facie case was also made out against minibus conductor Orin Kevin Roberts of Lot 3, ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who has been accused of the 2011 murder of Robb Street, Georgetown Pharmacist, Harold Rachpaul of Rachpaul’s Drug Store.

Almost three years after the Robb Street pharmacist was found dead at his home, Roberts was held in relation to the matter through the working of the newly-acquired Automated Fingerprinting Identification System (AFIS).

He was not required to plead to the capital offence, and the charge detailed that between August 18 and 19, 2011, at Robb Street, Georgetown, he murdered 84-year-old Harold Rachpaul during the course of a robbery.

Roberts was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. George Thomas.

Twelve witnesses were called by Police Prosecutor Mangru to testify on behalf of the prosecution. Among them were Rachpaul’s son, Leonard, and his grandson, Vincent; security guard, Ryan Kissoon, also known as “Dhal Belly”; Rachpaul’s neighbour, Ramchand Sukdeo; as well as Cadet Officer Mahadeo Singh.

On his first appearance in court, Police Inspector, Michael Grant, prosecuting at that time, did not reveal the prosecution’s case against the accused, but informed the court that it was through the use of the new fingerprinting technology that investigating ranks were able to pinpoint Roberts as the man who had committed the murder.

Rachpaul, a well-known pharmacy owner of Lot 75 Robb Street, Lacytown, was discovered murdered in his living quarters aback of his business place by relatives who had gone to open the premises.

Police said the victim’s body was found with his hands tied and mouth gagged with cloth.

A post-mortem revealed that he had died of suffocation.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Brazilian national gets 12-month sentence for break and enter, larceny

BRAZILIAN national, Jonatas Santos Ferreira was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a break and enter and larceny charge on Thursday.

The 23-year-old convict pleaded guilty to the charge, particulars of which said that between April 13 and 14, at Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Marciel Coehlo and stole a quantity of gold and diamond jewellery valued at $2M, along with one Apple IPod and one HP Notebook, both valued at $280,000.

Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, prosecuting, said the accused and the victim are known to each other, since they lived in separate rooms in the same apartment.

On the day in question, the virtual complainant (VC) left for work; and upon his return, he noticed that his room had been ransacked. After a search was carried out, he discovered the articles mentioned in the charge missing. He made a report

to the police, and the accused was arrested while trying to escape to Brazil. A ring valued $180,000 and a pendant valued $150,000 were recovered in his pants pocket.

The unrepresented prisoner told the court that he is guilty of stealing the jewellery, but not of breaking and entering the home. He said that, on the day in question, he was drinking with the VC at a restaurant when someone came and told him that his house had been broken into.

He explained that he is employed with the VC, hence his reason for being in Guyana.

The Chief Magistrate took into consideration several factors before handing down sentence. She said the defendant had abused the trust of the VC, his employer, by stealing the items from him.

She also considered that the defendant was only 23 years old, and that he had accepted responsibility for the offence by pleading guilty, thereby taking responsibility for his actions.

Weed cutter on $100,000 bail -for allegedly stealing jewellery during Delph St. fire FORTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD weed cutter, Ronald Subraj of Cumming’s Lodge, East Coast Demerara appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and pleaded not guilty to stealing jewellery during the Delph Street, Campbellville fire of June 16 last.

Particulars of the offence for which he has been charged stated that on June 16, at Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, he stole a quantity of gold jewellery valued at $1.26M, and a quantity of silver jewellery valued at $100,000, property of Odessa St. Hill.

Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, prosecuting, informed the court that the facts of the matter are as stated in the charge, but he did not oppose bail.

Subraj was represented by attor-

ney-at-law, Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat, who informed the court that, on the day in question, the victim’s house was burning down at Delph Street, and Subraj was asked to assist in carrying out the jewellery. He said Subraj had no intentions of stealing anything.

Counsel said his client is not a bailiff, nor is he responsible for the items, since some may have fallen out of his pocket or were burnt in the fire.

The prosecutor confirmed that all the items had been recovered, and based on that fact alone, defence counsel said, he is requesting that his client be placed on minimal bail.

The defendant was placed on $100,000 bail, and will have to return to court on July 11 for statements.

17

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

Sukhai reassures Region 7 residents Gov’t working to restore budget cuts

– so that Amerindian development could continue MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai and a team from her Ministry met with residents of several communities in Region 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) from June 15 to 18 and reassured them of Government’s commitment towards improving their quality of life.

The team also included, Ms. Pauline Welch, Welfare Officer, and Alexi La Rose, Project Officer, Region 1 (Barima/Waini) and met with residents of Jawalla, Kako, Kamarang and Waramadong.

The first meeting was held in Jawalla where the minister engaged residents on some of the developments following the presentation of the 2014 National Budget.

Ms. Sukhai informed the residents of the developmental projects which will be hampered as a result of the funds which were voted against in the Parliament by the combined Opposition.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s entire capital budget of $1.1B was cut, leaving projects and programmes, which specifically target and encourage self-sufficiency, and economic and social development in the hinterland

in limbo.

Speaking of the Community Support Officers (CSOs) project, which will be affected, she said since the money was not approved, the payment for the CSOs will be delayed as the administration continues to work to have the money restored.

The minister told the residents that every effort, for the further development of hinterland communities, is being frustrated by the combined Opposition which continues to peddle lies about Government not creating opportunities for hinterland youths.

Ms. Sukhai pointed out that the CSO programme was designed to build capacity among youths, but it is the Opposition that voted against funding for it.

She added that the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) was also another good example of capacity building for youths who are willing to learn a trade, but that too has been affected by the budget cut.

The minister spoke of residents raising the issue of being forced out of their communities to seek employment and training.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai addressing residents of Kako during a community outreach meeting

She explained that it is with that in mind, many of the programmes were developed for hinterland communities which deserve equal opportunities as all other citizens.

Residents were also

briefed on the hinterland airstrip rehabilitation works which will be affected, and which will have devastating effects on communities if the funds are not restored.

On April 10, the Opposition voted against the bud-

Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for rehabilitation of hinterland airstrips, as well as for the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The sum of $185M was for hinterland/coastal airstrips.

The minister called on

must play their part in community development.

She exhorted residents to help make their communities safer, ensuring their children attend schools and to fight against the social ills associated with drug and

Nurses’ Quarters at Kamarang

getary allocation of $6.5 billion for the aviation sector.

That vote also affected the funding for other aviation services, as $235M had been budgeted under the same heading with the Cheddi

residents for their support in having their voices heard on issues that affect them.

She noted that while the Government is doing its part in affording citizens a better quality of life, residents

alcohol abuse.

Meanwhile, the Government’s initiative of the $10,000 grant for every school age child in the public school was welcomed by the residents (GINA).

19

SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

New business named ‘Market Square’ opens in Kitty

By Michel Outridge A NEW business named ‘Market Square’, located at Lot 125 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown was launched on April 7, and the response has been satisfactory in terms of clients and potential clients.

Market Square offers general marketing services, public relations and management through social media, and is managed by owners, Christine Gooding and Akilah Mancey, and two other staff members who function as Marketing Coordinator and Office Administrator.

Market Square has a different approach to marketing, in that fresh ideas are incorporated with a touch of colour to get the desired result.

They operate out of a home which is functioning as an office, and the operation is

facilitated with the requisite personnel and expertise to handle any of the services they provide.

Gooding told the Guyana Chronicle that Market Square is an independent entity born out of the idea of catering to the needs of businesses which highlight their activities for the required results.

Mancey added that she has been working behind the scenes in social media for some time, and has what it takes to propel the operation forward, since their prices are relatively competitive.

SEVERAL SERVICES Mancey stated that Market Square is geared towards providing several services, including marketing, advertising campaigns, advertisements for both radio and television, consultancy; and can plan and promote any

Final of four escapees from Magistrates Court lockups recaptured AFTER one month and two days on the run, 26 -year old Keron Cummings of Sophia was recaptured by the police yesterday morning in Omai.

Yesterday, the police confirmed this in a press release issued to the media.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper, Crime Chief Leslie James said that immediately after his capture, yesterday morning, the man was processed in the police district where he was captured and by noon yesterday he was already on his way to the city under heavy police guard.

Late yesterday afternoon he was brought to Georgetown for processing before being placed in a lock up.

On May 19, Cummings along with three other persons escaped from the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court lockups shortly after a heavy continuous downpour on that day.

While two of the escapees were recaptured the third one was killed by the police in Berbice. Vickram Persaud, Steve Bacchus, Keron Cummings and Randolph Marks all escaped from lawful custody and were all expected to appear in court the same day that they breached the court security and escaped.

With the exception of Cummings who has been the longest running of the escapees the others were quickly recaptured.

Immediately after the es-

Recaptured escapee Keron Cummings

cape, the police gave chase behind the fleeing men but only managed to recapture one of the men. Among the steps the police took on May 19 to have the men back into their custody was visiting their respective homes to inform their relatives of the development and to encourage them to turn them over to the police should they show up.

The police with the aid of public spirited citizens were able to recapture Steve Bacchus on Hadfield Street where he was reportedly attempting to enter Leopold Street to seek refuge.

Vickram Persaud and Steve Bacchus were charged for murder, Keron Cummings was charged for robbery under arms and Randolph Marks was charged with murder and robbery under arms. (Leroy Smith)

event for small and large companies.

Since its official launch, Market Square has been working tirelessly to ensure clients understand that while the company is in its formative stage, the prospects for success are tremendous,

given its framework, work ethic, and small but dedicated team who all work to achieve one goal -- success in modern marketing.

Clients enjoy professional fun with the Market Square experience, and can sign onto any of the three packages

offered: basic, standard and premium.

The team is also committed to working with individuals and businesses in order to tailor agreements specific to their needs.

While Guyana is the birthplace of Market

Square, the group has already made links across the Region, and intends to strengthen those links to firmly establish its image as a regional marketing group to be reckoned with, Mancey said.

20

SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

APNU never intended to support any AML/CFT Bill – AG

By Vanessa Narine THE contention of the main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU), that President Donald Ramotar offered nothing to the combined Opposition continues to

attract attention, even as the Head of State was clear in an address to the nation on Thursday night on what was offered to the party.

And Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, in an interview with the Guyana

Chronicle stated that APNU, clearly never intended to support any version of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill.

He said: “This latest position of the APNU confirms

“It was never at all about having a ‘strong and enforceable’ AML/CFT Bill. It was all about political gimmickry, artifice and deception perpetrated against the Guyanese people. It was an attempt to get the top prize, the non-assented Bills passed.” -- Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall our contention all along that APNU never intended to

support any AML/CFT Bill, they were simply using it as a platform to extract political concessions from the Government.”

The two sides met last Wednesday in a last ditch attempt to settle on a compromise over the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill and President Ramotar indicated Government was willing to pass the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill, as well as the party’s amendments to the Principal ALM/CFT Act– despite the current administration’s position that they were non-compliant with international standards. This offer was rejected.

“In short, the Opposition rejected their own amendments,” Nandlall said.

Three versions of two bills are currently before the Committee: the Government’s AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill; APNU’s draft amendments to the Principal AML/CFT Act; and the Attorney-General’s (AG) counter-proposals, which addressed what were seen as problem areas in APNU’s amendment, the latter enjoying 80 per cent agreement, with the exceptions relating to governance and the roles of the President, Government Ministers and the National Assembly within the AML/CFT framework – the only three sticking points.

POLITICAL GIMMICKRY A d d i t i o n a l l y, A P N U had not only proposed three amendments, which were included in the party’s draft amendments to the Principal AML/CFT Act, but the party maintained its call for the President to give his assent to several Bills passed in the National Assembly, including the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013, which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014. The Head of State has already forwarded his explanation for his-non assent to the National Assembly.

Commenting on this stance, the AG said: “It was never at all about having

a ‘strong and enforceable’ AML/CFT Bill. It was all about political gimmickry, artifice and deception perpetrated against the Guyanese people. It was an attempt to get the top prize, the non-assented Bills passed.”

Asked about his views on why the main Opposition would take such a position, the AG pointed out that it is because those non-assented bills have one common thread running through them.

“All of them have one common thread, which is an unconstitutional and undemocratic hijacking of political power from the Government to the Opposition in the National Assembly,” Nandlall said.

The AG added that APNU’s latest public disclosure on the AMF/CFT Amendment Bill is one of “the most naked acts of sophistry” that he has seen in recent times.

“Fortunately, they will only be able to fool the uninitiated,” he posited.

According to him, the facts on the passage of the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill are plain as day.

“The truth of the matter is, in a last ditch effort, to have a legislation available, even one which runs the risk of being CFATF non-compliant, before the FATF meeting in Paris, France scheduled to take place on the 23rd June, 2014, Government was prepared to cede to the Opposition and agree to enact all their amendments which were proposed in the Special Select Committee,” Nandlall said.

MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT COMPROMISE He stated too that Wednesday’s meeting was the latest in multiple attempts by Government to compromise with the Parliamentary Opposition to ensure that the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill is passed.

The AG said: “We tried to do so, firstly, via the process of the Special Select Committee. In this regard, numerous efforts were made by the Chairperson of the Turn to page 21

21

SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

At ACP/EU meeting…

Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett says situation with sugar price is ‘serious and untenable’ –urges price review MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on Friday told the members of the 39th Joint Council of the ACP- European Union (ACP-EU) that the situation is extremely serious and untenable regarding the drop in the price for raw sugar.

The meeting which took place in Nairobi, Kenya saw approximately 100 representatives from member states

dropped sharply and are now in the region of Euro 500/t, some 30% less than same time last year.

“This situation is extremely serious and untenable. Small and medium size growers in ACP countries already have to cease activities with considerable political, social and environmental negative impact. In one major ACP producing country, the government took a decision

ments (EPA) and everything but Arms Initiative which were intended to protect our small and vulnerable economies,” she observed.

Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett pleaded that “it would be intolerable and most unfair, under those circumstances to maintain the specific sugar safeguard clause which features in the respective EPAs and are applicable only to non-LDC ACP sugar supply-

the fact that isoglucose production is expected to increase and will replace sugar in selected food consumption uses, following the expiry of isoglucose production quotas in 2017.

“In view of the new challenges which the ACP sugar supplying states are likely to face with the end of the EU quotas in 2017, the EU should seriously consider putting in place new accompanying support measures to enable the ACP sugar producing countries complete the nec-

essary reform to render their sugar sector competitive,” Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett declared.

Acknowledging that research and development, at both field and factory levels, will contribute significantly to supporting the ACP sugar sector, she called for ensuring the new Research and Innovation Programme is endowed with adequate resources to ensure that benefits are fully realised from the results obtained so far.

She also pointed to plans

for a Memorandum of Understanding with CIRAD, the French research centre working with developing countries to tackle international agricultural and development issues.

Accompanying the Foreign Minister to the ACP and ACP/EU Council Meetings was Guyana’s Ambassador to Brussels, Dr. Patrick Gomes, who also chairs the Ambassadorial Working Group on the Future Perspectives of the ACP. (GINA)

APNU never intended to...

Foreign Affairs, Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (3rd from left in front row) addressing the Joint ACP-EU Council on Friday(ACP photo)

attending to discuss several issues of importance.

She pointed out that an ISO study on “EU sugar market post 2017” released a fortnight ago, reaches similar conclusions and observes that the EU may lose its current status as one of the world’s largest sugar importers and that the LDC/ACP sugar producers may have to look at regional, as well as world markets to export their sugar.

Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett stated that while the EU study made a forecast that sugar prices would fall to around 400 Euros by 2023, it must be noted that prices have already

last week to provide direct support to growers for two years. You will appreciate that such budgetary support cannot be sustained over a long period,” she explained.

The minister observed that in spite of warnings, the EU has completely overlooked the impact of its domestic Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposals on trade and developmental interests and the specific commitment in the Lisbon Treaty to ensure EU Policy Coherence.

“These principles are enshrined in Cotonou, the Economic Partnership Agree-

ing States.”

She urged that the EU review the situation in 2017 and adopt appropriate corrective measures to mitigate the impact of quota abolition on countries.

The Foreign Minister also focused on the decision to do away with beet and isoglucose quotas in 2017 despite the consistent submissions made by a majority of stakeholders including the EU beet-growers, the EU processors and the ACP that such a decision should be stalled until 2020.

She pointed to the growing demand for ethanol and

Parliamentary Special Select Committee, Comrade Gail Teixeira, to convene a meeting of that committee before 19th June, 2014, sitting of the National Assembly. We have a long line of e-mail exchanges between the Chairperson and several members of the APNU who sit on the committee to prove these efforts.

“Additionally, the President spoke to the Opposition Leader on the telephone requesting that he persuade his members on that committee to meet before the June 19 sitting of the National Assembly. All those efforts failed.”

He contends that in the end APNU has demonstrated that the party has only changed its name, but like the People’s National Congress (PNC), it remains “steep” in authoritarianism.

“In the end, this saga

demonstrates beyond any shadow of a doubt, that the APNU is simply a change of name only. The PNC, steep in authoritarianism and which rigged every election in this country from 1968 to 1985 is still alive. They will stop at nothing to gain and stay in political power,” Nandlall said.

Guyana is, to date, grappling with regional blacklisting which was implemented by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) last November, which also referred Guyana to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on May 29 last.

Moreover, the country is saddled with a range of onerous measures in its financial dealings with Caribbean countries, which have been advised to safeguard their CFATF-compliant status in their dealings with Guyana.

Among those measures are

From page 20

the following: enhancing due diligence measures in their dealings with Guyana; introducing enhanced reporting mechanisms, or systematic reporting of financial transactions; refusing to establish subsidiaries or branches or representative offices in Guyana; and taking into account the fact that financial institutions from Guyana do not have adequate AML/ CFT systems, and thus limit the business relationships or financial transactions with this country.

FATF’s next plenary meeting is slated for the period June 23 to 25, 2014 in Paris, France – tomorrow. The international body is likely to put Guyana up for review by its International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) – a review process that Guyana could take as many as seven years to exit.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

Guyana unequivocally opposes acts of discrimination-Minister Ali tells OIC “ I N T E R N AT I O N A L peace and security must be of paramount import a n c e f o r u s . We c a n not allow terrorism to threaten peace and security anywhere, as this undermines sustainable development.”

Minister of Housing and Water and Minister of

Tourism (ag), Irfaan Ali made this declaration as he reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) while attending the 41st Session of Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Saudia Arabia from June 18-19.

In his address to the

delegates, Ali conveyed Guyana’s concern over the present situation where peace, unity and stability in the Middle East are under threat.

He urged those present to reaffirm the values upon which the OIC was formed and called for more dialogue, trust, cooperation

and sharing of ideas as this is the only approach that will ensure partnerships are built.

“I am most pleased that the agenda will address in a frontal manner, the issues of discrimination, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. The question of Syria and Palestine cannot

Minister Irfaan Ali meets His Excellency Iyad Madani, Secretary General of the OIC on Friday

escape our consideration and thoughts as it is indeed a testing time for our commitment to one Ummah (Community),” he stated.

On this note, Ali emphasised that, as a peaceful, democratic and culturally diverse country, Guyana equivocally opposes acts of discrimination including xenophobia and Islamophobia and stands solidly with the OIC in addressing these issues.

He said: “Guyana promotes and re-affirms its commitment to the Palestinian people including their rights to self-determination. The Palestinian people deserve a homeland of their own. All efforts must be exhausted to finding a peaceful and just solution to this issue. We reiterate our support for the Palestinian people for their inalienable rights and firmly support a two state solution to Palestine / Israeli conflict. Extremism under the guise of religion, cannot be tolerated, Guyana therefore fully embraces the UN Global counter terrorism strategy adopted in 2006.”

He stressed the importance of looking at non-traditional blocks like South America, and engaging them into the wider collaboration of the OIC. “Guyana is ready to assist as a member of UNASUR and CARICOM. This will be most fitting under the conference theme: “Ex-

ploring Areas for New Cooperation.” Ali declared.

Ali also pointed to Climate Change as another major issue that the Ummah must become vibrant on and the OIC must lead, noting that it is “imperative that all countries agree to minimum acceptable standards to combat climate change.”

He reminded the meeting too that Guyana has chosen to pursue a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) to ensure economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability in an interrelated manner.

“We must build trade linkages that would help to deepen our cooperation.

I therefore welcome member states to make use of the opportunities available in Guyana as a safe destination for investment.

Kuwait has already started in this direction to build in the economic fortunes of our country,” Minister Ali said.

Ali congratulated His Excellency Iyad Madani on his appointment as Secretary General of the OIC and noted that his stewardship will be marked by the strengthening of the OIC and the expansion of its reach into emerging areas of the Ummah; he also thanked the Kingdom and people of Saudi Arabia for their overwhelming hospitality.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

Father & son busted at CJIA with cocaine in suitcase handles

A FATHER and son were, on Friday, busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri with a quantity of cocaine in the handles of their suitcases.

Both the 41-year-old father and his 19-year-old son, former residents of North Road, Georgetown, were outgoing passengers

on a Caribbean Airways flight to New York when drug agents from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) inspected their suitcases and discovered a whitish powder emanating from the handles. The powder was tested and found to be cocaine.

Investigations are in progress The police have disclosed that, at about 15:25hrs on Friday, June 20, 2014, ranks of the Narcotics Branch conducted a search on the baggage of a Guyanese national on an outgoing flight at the CJIA, and found a quantity of cocaine in the handles of his suitcases.

The men have been arrested and are in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Only last week an American citizen boarded a flight from Guyana to JFK New York and was caught with

cocaine in his suitcase handle. He is currently facing charges in the United States. (Asif Hakim)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Nadal ready for another dangerous liaison with Wimbledon

By Pritha Sarkar LONDON- (Reuters) To most tennis players, Wimbledon’s inviting lush lawns represent green and pleasant land. For Rafa Nadal, however, dangers lurk around every nook and cranny of the famed grass arena.

A champion at the All England Club in 2008 and 2010, memories of those joyous days when he lifted the gilded Challenge Cup now seem like a lifetime ago.

A man considered to be almost unbeatable on clay and the owner of almost every record worth having on red dust - including a mind-boggling nine French Open trophies - has proved to be very, very beatable on grass.

So beatable in fact that his record on grass since 2012 stands at played 4, lost three.

A second-round hammering at Wimbledon in 2012 was followed by a first-round mauling 12 months ago.

Having also lost his first match at the Wimbledon warm-up event in Halle this month, he arrived for what he called “the most dangerous tournament of the year” on the back of a threematch losing streak on turf.

So did he spend hours and hours on the practice court getting his grasscourt game into fine shape over the past 10 days?

“I went back home. I didn’t practice tennis. I went a few days with the family, with friends. I was able to go for From page 37

Rafa Nadal a party on Saturday with my friends,” the Mallorcan, demoted to second seed despite his world number one ranking, told reporters ahead of his first round match against Slovakian Martin Klizan.

“I was able to go to the beach few days in Mallorca.”

While diving into the cool blue Mediterranean Sea might not be the most conventional way to prepare for the world’s most famous tennis spectacle, the

Spaniard felt he needed the time away to heal his body after his claycourt exertions.

The swift two-week switch from clay to grass has never been easy for Nadal and his overworked knees but for the first time in three years, he feels in good shape coming into Wimbledon.

“I am feeling better this year than last couple (of) years. Personally, I feel that I am doing things better. I am able to move myself more freely now ... I’m not scared

about my knee. That’s the most important thing for me,” the 28-year-old said as he prepared to launch his bid for a 15th major title.

“It’s true that for the last couple of years I didn’t play lot of matches on grass. But I am confident that I can do it again. Not talking about win, talking about play better than what I did last couple of years on grass.”

His great rival Roger Federer believes that if Nadal can survive the first two rounds, he is more likely to resemble the champion who won the contest dubbed as the “greatest ever tennis match” - the 2008 final - rather than the impostor who turned up for the past two years.

“He might be slightly more vulnerable in the early rounds, like most of the guys. This new, fresh, lush grass, we’re not quite used to it,” said Federer.

“As you go deeper in the tournament, it becomes more clay courty, hard courty, with a bit of grass on it. It’s easier to move; the ball bounces a bit higher; it becomes more what we’re used to.

“If he gets the first two rounds, I would think we’ll see more of what we’ve seen in the past.”

Rawle Marshall named...

Looking ahead, Agard noted that with the squad now down to 18, along with his coaching staff, he will begin focusing on the more tactical side of the game.

“What we will do now is get to work on the more tactical side of the game and let these guys work on their team chemistry. I’m not saying its not there but

now the group is smaller, it would be better for them.

It’s now down the crunch time and more specific training and preparation to do well in the BVI,” Agard said.

The team will not be encamped, and GABF President Nigel Hinds stated that the Federation is still cash strap and are calling

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

From back page

Record-equalling...

By Gideon Long F O R T A L E Z A Brazil(Reuters) - Germany striker Miroslav Klose came off the bench to score a record-equalling 15th World Cup goal and salvage a 2-2 draw against Ghana in a pulsating Group G game yesterday.

With his first touch two minutes after coming on, Klose poked home at the back post from a Toni Kroos corner in the 71st minute to move level with former Brazil striker Ronaldo.

He becomes only the third man after compatriot Uwe Seeler and Brazil’s Pele to score in four World Cups.

“Twenty (World Cup) matches and 15 goals is not bad at all,” Klose said. “But what’s important is that we have a good match against the United States.”

Germany, who are top of the group with four points, face the Americans in their final group match in Recife on Thursday while Ghana, with one point, play Portugal in Brasilia.

The United States (three points) take on bottom-side Portugal in their second match today.

Germany coach Joachim Loew said his players were “exhausted” from an engrossing encounter in which the Germans took the lead, trailed 2-1 before fighting back to secure a point.

“Ghana did a good job.

They succeeded in closing down space, we weren’t able to get the open spaces.

It was an incredible high pace and the players gave everything,” he said.

“We wanted to avoid a hard fight with these temperatures. The team showed a strong morale to come back after we were down.”

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah described the clash as “a really good, competitive game.”

“Germany are the best in the

world and playing them is always going to be difficult.

We had some opportunities and unfortunately when you’re playing such a big team, if you don’t take your chances, you’re always going to face problems.”

After a cagey, goalless first half, Mario Goezte put the Germans ahead with a downward header that came off his knee before beating Fatawu Dauda in the Ghanaian goal.

But the Africans hit back three minutes later, Andre Ayew outleaping the towering figure of Per Mertesacker in the German defense to meet a Harrison Afful cross and head his side level.

Roared on by thousands of Brazilians in Fortaleza’s Castelao arena, Ghana then took the lead, their lone striker Asamoah Gyan breaching the German back line and firing a right foot shot past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Loew then turned to experience, throwing on Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger and it proved an inspired switch with Klose netting the goal that keeps the Germans in contention to reach the second round for a remarkable 16th consecutive World Cup. The 36-year-old celebrated his goal with a summersault, reminiscent of his younger days. He landed on his backside but it hardly seemed to matter as his jubilant team mates buried him under a pile of bodies.

This was the 800th match in the tournament’s history and was a fitting tribute to an event that began in 1930.

It marked Mertesacker’s 100th German cap and Gyan’s 10th World Cup match, a Ghanaian record.

It also saw the Boateng halfbrothers face each other for the second World Cup in a row. Jerome played the first half for Germany while Kevin-Prince played for Ghana.

From page 34

Under-fire Powell...

Blake, though, has been in action recently and Dr Blake said the JAAA were hopeful he would participate.

“Most of our senior athletes have applied and, in fact, the only two notable names that have not applied are Usain Bolt, who we know has been suffering with injury problems, and Yohan Blake,” the JAAA chief said, adding that he was expecting sprinter Blake to enlist for the event by weekend.

The championships will be used to select Jamaica’s squad for the Commonwealth Games which

run from July 23 to August 3 and Dr Blake believes the presence of the senior athletes will make the contingent a strong one.

“I expect that our team will continue to do well as we have always been doing at the Commonwealth Games and I suspect that we will be taking one of our strongest teams in a long while,” he said.

“And this is underlined by the fact that most of our senior athletes have indicated a willingness, which is not usually the case for Commonwealth Games.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Robson hits maiden Test ton before Sri Lanka fight back

Sam Robson takes in the ovation for his maiden Test hundred against Sri Lanka in the 2nd Investec Test at Headingley, Leeds on the second day.

By Tom Hayward LEEDS England- (Reuters) - Opener Sam Rob-

son hit his maiden Test century before Sri Lanka fought back with four late wickets on the second day

of the second test at Headingley, England closing on 320 for six, a lead of 63.

Robson (127) put on 142 with Gary Ballance (74) and 87 with Ian Bell (64) - in his 100th test appearance - but not until struggling England captain Alastair Cook had been caught behind for 17.

Cook went in the fourth over of the day when he edged Prasad to Kumar Sangakkara at first slip, his 23rd innings without a test hundred dating back to May 2013.

Robson and Ballance were hardly troubled but Ballance had two escapes when umpire Billy Bowden’s lbw decision off Rangana Herath was overturned on review and when he was put down at short leg off Angelo Mathews.

Joe Root and Moeen Ali were also dismissed cheaply as skipper Mathews and Shaminda Eranga led the Sri Lanka recovery with two victims each.

England lost four wickets for nine runs near the close but Matt Prior and Chris Jordan were still there on three and four respectively, even though both were dropped as well.

Australian-born Robson, 24, played patiently and looked self-assured in his second test appearance for his adopted country, reaching his century with a drive off Dhammika Prasad.

Robson’s magnificent innings was eventually ended by the third ball after the drinks break when he was bowled by Nuwan Pradeep.

The lively Pradeep also caused Bell problems, beating his outside edge on more than one occasion but the 32-year-old eventually regained his composure to bring up his 41st test half-century.

Eranga had bowled well with little reward but eventually got Bell’s prize wicket, caught down the leg side by wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal.

Root (13) followed soon after with a timid edge through to Chandimal before Ali (2) became Eranga’s second victim and Chandimal’s fourth of the innings.

Sri Lanka’s late burst halted England’s chance of building the large first innings lead that had looked inevitable for much of the day.

Scoreboard SRI LANKA first innings 257 .(K. Sangakkara 79; Liam Plunkett 5-64, Broad 3-46) England first innings A. Cook c Sangakkara b Prasad 17 S. Robson b Pradeep

127

G. Balance c Chandimal b Mathews 74 I. Bell c Chandimal b Eranga

64

J. Root c Chandimal b Mathews

13

M. Ali c Chandimal b Eranga

2

M. Prior not out

3

C. Jordan not out

4

Extras (b-3, lb-2, nb-11) 16 Total (for 6 wickets, 104 overs) 320 Fall of Wickets: 1-49 2-191 3-278 4-311 5-311 6-313 To bat: S. Broad, L. Plunkett, J. Anderson Bowling: Pradeep 22-3-90-1, Eranga 27-10-63-2, Herath 25-3-61-0, Prasad 20-3-75-1, Mathews 10-3-29-2 (Editing by Marty

Under-fire Powell, Simpson down Rutherford dominates World for National Championships Olympic Day BMX cycle programme

By Michael DaSilva KEON Rutherford, yesterday, dominated the open category of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) organised World

General Deon Nurse who witnessed the day’s activity said the GOA is pleased to be associated with the event and said he is happy to see such young persons involved in the sport.

portunity to showcase their talent and called on them to keep on training, remain dedicated to the sport and always be disciplined cyclists.

She applauded four-year old Jessica Mohabir who suc-

Prize winners of the various categories of the GOA World Olympic Day BMX cycle event strike a pose with race organiser Hassan Mohamed (extreme right) and GOA’s Assistant General Secretary Deon Nurse (centre with green top) yesterday.

He congratulated all the par- cessfully completed the twoOlympic Day BMX Cycl3e ticipants and Mohamed for lap race for boys and girls six programme which was ormaking the event a success. to nine years old, and who ganised by national cycle Also speaking at the presen- placed third in the event that coach Hassan Mohamed tation ceremony was Guyana was won by nine-year old around the inner circuit of Cycling Federation’s (GCF) Sherwin Sampson in a time the National Park.

President Cheryl Thompson, of six minutes 27 seconds.

Rutherford won both open who told the participants that Second was six-year old Alraces that were on the cards her association is pleased to exander Leung.

– the three-lap as well as the be associated with the event Thompson impressed on the lap races to come out the top for the fifth year. young cyclists to listen to rider in the event which was She said it was nice to see their coaches and remain disconducted under the theme that Guyana’s young and ciplined and said maybe one `Move, Learn and Discover’. budding cyclists had an op- day they will represent GuyGOA’s Assistant Secretary

ana at an Olympic Games.

The other GOA executives present were General Secretary and former national cycling champion Hector Edwards, and former Guyana Amateur Swimming Association President and GOA’s Vice-President Dr. Karen Pilgrim.

Rutherford returned a time of eight minutes 45 seconds in winning the three-lap race and 14 minutes 37 seconds for the five-lap affair.

Adrian Sharma who is a cyclist to watch in the future placed second to Rutherford in the three-lap event and third in the feature five-lap affair.

Brighton John was third in the three-lap open race, while Daniel Vassey was second in the five-lap event.

Sampson also won the nine to twelve-year old two-lap race in a time of six minutes 44 seconds. Second was Khristoph Austin and third was Taran Garbaran.

John won the boys 12-14 years three-lap event ahead of Richie Ceres and Amunike Gomes respectively.

He returned a winning time of 10 minutes 10.46 seconds.

Asafa Powell KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Embattled sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson will participate in the National Championships here starting next week, organisers here have confirmed.

Both Jamaican runners were slapped with 18-month bans earlier this year following positive drugs tests, but have appealed to the Court of Arbitration of Sports for a reduction in the sanctions.

This week, the Switzerlandbased CAS cleared both athletes to resume competition until their appeals were heard.

Powell and Simpson’s participation means they could be in the Jamaica team that heads to the Commonwealth Games in

Glasgow next month.

“Over 300 of our senior athletes have applied for entry [for the championships] and this includes Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson,” said Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association president, Dr Warren Blake.

Both Powell and Simpson tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine last year and were subsequently banned in April by the Jamaica AntiDoping Commission.

Meanwhile, neither superstars Usain Bolt nor Yohan Blake are down to participate in the June 26-29 event. Both have struggled with injury this season, with Bolt yet to make an appearance on the international circuit.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE Sunday June 22, 2014

Messi wonder goal saves Argentina against Iran ..and passage to the last 16

By Andrew Cawthorne BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (Reuters) - Lionel Messi spared Argentina's blushes with a wonderful last-gasp winner against unheralded Iran at the World Cup yesterday to give the South Americans a 1-0 victory and passage to the last 16.

Argentina's fabled "Fab Four" strike force had appeared heading for a blank despite dominating possession to the frustration of their massed hordes of fans who came expecting a goalfest at Belo Horizonte's Mineirao stadium.

But four-times world player of the year Messi, who has struggled to reproduce his Barcelona form at past World Cups, curled the ball in during stoppage time to send them wild with his second goal of two games in Brazil.

"With Messi, everything is possible," said relieved Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella, praising Iran for playing a "great" game and making it difficult for his side.

Watched by past Argentine great Diego Maradona in a 57,698 crowd, Messi had appeared in an unthreatening

position when he received the ball on the right in the 91st minute.

Then dropping his shoulder and cutting quickly inside, he curled a simply brilliant 25-yard left-foot shot over Iran's massed defence and into the far corner past outstanding goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi's outstretched hand.

"Not even two goalkeepers could have stopped that Lionel shot," Sabella added.

The result was probably fair given Argentina's 71 percent possession and superior ballplay in the middle but felt cruel after Iran had grown in confidence and begun counter-attacking neatly to complement their solid defence.

The result leaves Argentina on top of Group F with six points from two games and takes them into the knockout stage.

ARGENTINA WILL NEED MORE GUILE Sabella's men will need more guile and precision, however, than they have shown against both Bosnia and Iran, if they want to take home a third World Cup. Iran, on just one point after a draw with Nigeria

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina and Iran at Estadio Mineirao, yesterday in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

and widely viewed as one of the weakest teams in Brazil, were shattered by the game's denouement but will take heart from a fantastic performance against one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Their final game is against Bosnia, who face Nigeria later on Saturday Constantly crowded out by two and sometimes three Iranians, Messi had until the end been unable to pull the

strings and again vomited on the pitch in the first half.

The Argentine captain put two free kicks wide in either half, and saw a shot go wide after a trademark run early in the second.

In a succession of wasted Argentine first half chances, Gonzalo Higuain was quickly shut down by goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi in a oneon-one in the 13th minute, Angel Di Maria shot over the

bar and Sergio Aguero had a curling shot well saved.

With their increasingly hopeful supporters heavily outnumbered but cheering "Ole, ole, Iran!", Asia's highest-ranked team defended en masse but also enjoyed some second half forays that could have caused a sensational result.

"At the end, two personalities in the game made the difference. The number one

was the referee. The second was Lionel Messi," said disappointed coach Carlos Queiroz.

The Iran boss was furious a second half penalty claim was denied when Ashkan Dejagah was challenged by Pablo Zabaleta though the Argentina defender appeared to touch the ball.

Sensing an upset might be possible at 0-0, Iran were bolder after the break. Lone striker Reza Ghoochannejhad broke free in the 53rd minute but shot at Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero before winger Ashkan Dejagah saw a strong header tipped over.

Then Ghoochannejhad got behind the Argentine defence in the 86th minute but saw his shot again well saved

by Romero.

With the misfiring Aguero and Higuain pulled off in the second half, replacements Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo Palacio were unable to provide the missing spark until Messi did.

"That's what Leo has," said Javier Mascherano, grateful for a win on his 100th cap. "On days when he doesn't have that aura of brilliance, then with one move he wins you the game!"

Odemwingie goal ends long Nigeria wait, Bosnia out

By Rex Gowar CUIABA Brazil (Reuters) Nigeria beat Bosnia 1-0 yesterday to record their first World Cup finals victory since 1998 and condemn the European team to an early exit in their first appearance at the tournament.

Peter Odemwingie's 29th-minute goal lifted the African champions to four points from two games, two less than Argentina who they meet in the final Group F match on Wednesday with top spot at stake.

“It’s been 16 years and no wins for our country so

we are very excited," Odemwingie said in a television interview.

“We needed the win. They have some fantastic players so we are happy to bounce back after what our people thought was a poor performance in the first game (a 0-0 draw with Iran).

“Victories affect people in different ways so we are looking up now and if we get into the second round anything can happen. Maybe we will be inspired as we were in the last African Nations Cup.” Nigeria took the lead when Odemwingie fed Emmanuel Emenike on the right

wing and raced into the box to receive the striker's low return before sweeping the ball under goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The Bosnian bench angrily protested that Emenike had fouled captain Emir Spahic as he bundled past him into the box before making his cross.

The tournament newcomers had earlier been denied a goal after a poor offside decision against striker Edin Dzeko after he ran on to a through pass and beat goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama in the 21st minute.

Dzeko had another shot saved by Enyeama but he was

well off target with chances later in the half as he fought a lonely battle with the Nigeria defence.

The more experienced Nigerians, playing in their fifth World Cup, created several chances in the first half but were let down by the final pass, poor control or wayward shooting and a couple of smart diving saves by Begovic.

The Bosnia keeper made a string of saves to keep his side in the match in a second half of end-to-end excitement and Dzeko's shot was deflected on to the post deep into stoppage time.

Nigeria's Peter Odemwingie celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match between Nigeria and Bosnia at the Pantanal arena in Cuiaba, yesterday Credit: Reuters/Suhaib Salem

36

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Ramdin scolds team for ‘lazy attitude’, says improvement needed PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jun 20, CMC – West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin has chastised his team for their “lazy attitude” in the field and says they need to improve ahead of the decisive third Test which bowls off next Thursday at Kensington Oval.

The Caribbean side won the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval by ten wickets on Friday to level the three-Test series at 1-1 against New Zealand, but not before the visitors’ lower order had run them ragged and caused them several anxious moments.

Trailing by 239 on first innings, the Black Caps were reduced to 212 for eight in the first hour after tea on Thursday’s fourth day, but rallied to 331 all out at lunch on Friday as the last two wickets put on 119 runs.

“It was frustrating, having their lower order come and put on that partnership.

They created some chances but we didn’t take them. At the end of the day, we were lackadaisical in the field, we were not hungry enough for the last few wickets,” Ramdin told reporters following the win.

“We came back this morning with a lazy attitude and this could have [come back to haunt us] but we came out on the better end in this match.”

On 257 for eight overnight, New Zealand added 74 runs in the morning session with BJ Watling and Mark Craig, the overnight not out batsmen, both completing halfcenturies.

Watling struck an unbeaten 66 while Craig, in only his second Test, got a top score of 67, as they extended their ninth wicket stand to 99 before being separated.

The Windies also squandered golden opportunities to remove Craig in the third over of the day when Su-

lieman Benn and then Chris Gayle muffed chances in the slip cordon off successive deliveries from pacer Jerome Taylor.

Ramdin, in his second

“We have to get at them (batsmen) a bit more, let them play at balls and hopefully we can do some work on our slip cordon so we can take those catches when the

West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin match as Test captain, said his bowlers needed to attack the New Zealand lower order batsman more while his slip fielders needed to step up their game.

ball comes,” Ramdin said.

“It is frustrating to drop catches off those type of batters, they put on partnerships and it’s always frustrating and hopefully we’ll

England tour will be a challenge for us, says Dhoni INDIA captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher addressed the media in Mumbai on Saturday ahead of their long tour of England.

India will play five Tests, five ODI matches and one T20I during June-September 2014.

Here are a few key points which Dhoni shared with the media: “It will be a good exposure tour. We have youngsters who have a few games behind them”.

“We are going a bit early and it will help especially since it’s a long series. Overall it’s looking good”.

“During the 2011 England, we had 8-9 injuries. It put lot of presure on us and we didn’t have part timers with us then”.

“2011 was a difficult period for us. We lost the series 7-0 and later lost in Australia also”.

“There are quite a few things we learned from those tours”.”It will be a challenge for all members of the tour. We have 18

Team India coach Duncan Fletcher (L) , captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C) and team manager Sunil Dev (R) address a press conference in Mumbai ahead of India’s tour of England. (Source: IE Photo) member squad and its a long series”.

“The squad looks big but we needed it because last time we lost too many players due to injuries”. ”It is important to have good practice session before the tour starts”.

“Overall I was happy with the effort put up in South Africa. The bowlers tried their best”.

“Zak (Zaheer Khan) reads the game well and left-arm pacers do have slight advantage. The more games Zak plays, the better he gets”.

“I can’t say at the moment whether we will miss Zak (Zaheer) or not”.

“The tracks in England depend a lot on the conditions.

If it’s overcast, then the ball will swing”.

“It is very difficult to re-

place Sehwag at the opening slot and Rahul bhai (Rahul Dravid) at no. 3.

“It will be a good challenge for these boys. They have got good exposure now in past two series”.

“What I have realised is that I have to be aggressive when I bat. If the ball is in my slot, I should go after it”.

“My role is to go and play my strokes”.

get it right come the next game.”

Ramdin was also critical of his own captaincy, pointing out that his field placement also needed improvement.

He was guilty of negative tactics, setting defensive fields from as early as the first over on the final day, allowing both Watling and Craig to pick off singles and ease any pressure.

“It (captaincy) is challenging I would say, it is not something I am accustomed to in terms of West Indies level but hopefully with more games to come, I will go from strength to strength,” the wicketkeeper/batsman noted.

“There is a lot of improvement [I can make]. In terms of field placing, looking back at the game in hindsight, there are things we could have done better but hopefully come Barbados, we can get those things right.

“It will be a different pitch, different atmosphere and we

would love to get a good result there as well.”

Set 93 for victory, West Indies defied a frustrating rain delay at the start of their second innings, to race to victory without losing a wicket.

They were led by big-hitting opener Gayle who smashed an unbeaten 80 from just 46 balls. His 28-ball 50 was the second fastest by a West Indies batsman in Tests.

Ramdin hailed the team’s performance, especially following on from the heavy 186-run loss in the first Test last week at Sabina Park.

“It was a fantastic victory in the end, a hard fought one as well. All our bowlers put in a big effort and our batsmen did the job in the first innings which is always good in trying to set up the match,” Ramdin said.

“Coming out of Jamaica, what we tried to do was attack their bowlers some more, be confident and play our natural game.”

Toure brothers to stay on at World Cup despite death of younger brother S A L V A D O R , Brazil,(Reuters) - Kolo and Yaya Toure will be staying at the World Cup in Brazil despite the death of their younger brother in England on Thursday, Ivory Coast officials said yesterday.

The pair trained with the rest of the squad on Friday soon after learning of the death of 28-year-old Ibrahim Toure in a Manchester hospital and were due to practise again yesterday at their base at Aguas de Lindoia, a football federation spokesman told reporters.

There are no plans for the pair to leave Brazil to be with family in England, where they both play.

Ivory Coast play Greece in Group C on Tuesday and if they win they will advance to the next round. They failed to get past the first stage at the last two World Cups.

Ibrahim Toure was long in the shadow of his more illustrious siblings, having had a journeyman career in Ukraine, France, Egypt and Lebanon. He was on the books of Ligue 1 club Nice for a year but never made

Ibrahim Touré, seen here playing football in Lebanon, died from cancer at the age of 28.

Photograph: Stringer/ Reuters a first-team appearance and last played at Safa, where he scored six goals in 10 games this season as they finished second in the Lebanese league.

Messages of condolence have come from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football plus English champions Manchester City, where Yaya Toure plays, and Kolo’s club Liverpool.

37

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Go into the countryside and scout talent - Jackson suggests

By Michael DaSilva JAMAICA’s three-time Olympian Grace Jackson suggested that if the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) along with the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) go into Guyana’s countryside they should be able to find raw talent that can be nurtured.

Jackson was at the time touring Guyana’s first ever synthetic track which is currently under construction at Leonara, West Coast Demerara when she told MCY&S Permanent Secretary Alfred King, his deputy Steve Ninvalle and other members of the touring party “ to get more youths involved in track and field and broaden your base of athletes, you should look at going into the countryside, construct 300 and 400-metre tracks and stage competitions.

The more people you have involved the better your chances are of identifying some who will show the potential and who you would

be able to nurture to one day become an elite athlete”.

Jackson who is in Guyana for the MCY&S sponsored three-day National Sports Management Workshop which concluded yesterday, said with the completion of the synthetic track a lot of persons would enjoy getting an opportunity to use it and if regular meets are held in rural communities and the top performers are identified, the organisers can then have the athletes from the various communities compete against each other and the outstanding athletes can then move to the next stage until he/she advances to the stage where they can be given specialised training and a chance to represent Guyana.

She said this is what is done in Jamaica and even in Trinidad and Tobago.

According to the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympian, in Jamaica there are various categories of competition such as basic schools championships, primary schools championships and high schools championships.

Jackson suggested that in Guyana, the national schools championships should be staged earlier in the year so that the top performers will be in peak form going into the many youth games that is staged each year throughout the Caribbean and further afield.

“We need to think how we look at sports, how do Guyana relate to other national championships in the Caribbean; we need to look at how we get back to the days of June Griffith, Dennis Collison and James Wren Gilkes,” Jackson stated.

While on tour of the track on Thursday, Jackson made several suggestions, one of them being the placement of electrical points at several areas around the track so that film crews would not have the headache of moving electrical cords all across the place, and this was noted by King who said he thinks there are points around the track but he was not sure.

She also suggested that running alongside the long jump

Olympian Grace Jackson makes a point to Permanent Secretary Alfred King and his deputy Steve Ninvalle last Thursday. (Cullen Bess-nelson photo) pit there could have been a drain so that during its use, when a jumper jumps into the sand, the sand that spills out of the pit will spill into the drain instead of onto the synthetic track.

She advised that the sand in the pit should be turned over regularly.

She asked about a warm up track and King told her one will be constructed at the northern end of the facility, but this would not start un-

til sometime next year, when the current track becomes operational.

According to Jackson, while addressing sport administrators at the National Resource Centre in Woolford Avenue on Thursday, she was looking at the space around the centre and the tennis court there and thought that a set of grass courts can be constructed there, especially, with the many schools in the immediate area.

“You have nice grass and lots of land, you can have grass courts and engage international players to come here and with so many schools in the area, I think it will be a boost for the sport” Jackson suggested, adding “You can even invite the Williams sisters (Serena and Venus) here, I think it will have a great impact on the youths and regular tennis players themselves”.

Rawle Marshall named national captain as GABF cuts CBC team to 18 Final 12 to be selected on Friday

Coach Mark Agard pays attention to his troops at yesterday’s practice session at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

By Rawle Toney WITH just nine days before the start of the CBC Championships in Tortola, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF),

yesterday, named 17 players following two weeks of training at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The announcement which was made by Coach Mark Agard after the team’s prac-

tice session yesterday came after the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) had shortlisted just over 30 players upon the completion of their National Inter-Association Champion-

ship.

“I think this is the best possible players we could’ve selected from the crop of over 30 that we had training,” Agard said.

The final 12 will be named on Friday, according to Agard, since the former National point guard pointed out that overseas based Keron McKenzie and Kevan Creppy will arrive today and Gordon Klaiber by the end of the week.

Former Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers shooting guard Rawle Marshall was named as captain of the team, which some pundits are calling one of the best composed side to represent Guyana in recent years.

The ‘Bane’ of Guyana’s basketball Dwayne Roberts,

Akeem ‘The Dream’ Kanhai, Victory Royals ace Chris Williams, Bounty Colts duo Dave Causeway and Shellroy Thomas along with Shane Webster, Royston Siland, Ryan Gullen and Ryan Stephney, are the locally based players selected.

Tyler Persaud, Andrew Ifill, Richard Hall, Ray Victor, Andre DeFlorimonte joins Marshall, McKenzie, Creppy and Klaiber as the overseas based players named.

In an invited comment, Agard pointed out that based on the work and improvement all the players had shown over the past couple of weeks, selecting 18 players was one of the hardest decisions he has ever made in basketball.

One of the most experienced players of his time, Agard,

and his assistants Kevin Joseph and Darcel Harris had a thorough look at the players before making the all important cut; something he conceded that should’ve been done a long time ago.

“It was hard, but we took our time, had a proper look at all the players and I think we’ve made the best decision with the squad selection,” Agard told Chronicle Sports.

Asked what criterion was used to come up with the 18 names, Agard said “we wanted a mixture of height and speed along with size and I think we have that in this team. We have guys that can play big and small and are able to run the floor, hit the open shots and guys that are easy to coach”.

Turn to page 32

38

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Harper starts work with local based players

By Calvin Roberts AS he did last year, head coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Roger Harper has commenced preparation for this year’s Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) with four of the local based players, including newcomer Robin Bacchus.

In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground, where the four players, namely Robin Bacchus, Christopher Barnwell, Trevon Griffith and Steven Jacobs were undergoing net sessions on the concrete surface, Harper expressed his pleasure in their work ethic.

Said Harper, “It’s all about an arrangement we had last year where I started work with the local players to ensure that when the time comes along for the team camp, they will all be at a good level of fitness, while at the same time their skills would have been sharpened.

We are grateful for the opportunity to utilise the concrete facilities here at GYO so we can get some practice even though it is not a full scale one, we can do some batting and bowling drills and we are thankful for that.”

Six Under-19 players in Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer who both played First Class cricket for Guyana this year, along with Kemo Paul, Ashkay Persaud, Kevin Paul and Daniel Basdeo, were added to the franchise team’s lineup for this year’s tournament, giving them added exposure and a chance to rub shoulders with the international players.

However, their absence at the early preparation camp was highly noticed. Meantime, the 51 year old Harper who played 35 Test matches and took 46 wickets at an average of 28.06 with a best of 6 for 57 said they are working at getting the Under-19 players involved in the early preparation camp at a later date.

-Under-19 players to join soon

Robin Bacchus As it relates to the work ethic of the players, the former Guyana and West Indies all-rounder said, “Our early preparation camp has gone pretty well. The players are enthusiastic and everyone is putting in the work, with the aim of getting to a good level for this year’s tournament.”

Trevon Griffith Quizzed on a prediction for his team which placed second to the Jamaica Tallawahs in last year’s inaugural tournament, Harper said they are looking to go one better this time around.

Last year’s tournament was played in front of sold-out crowds at all the venues in the Caribbean and the

Steven Jacobs same is expected for this year’s edition, which will be played from July 11 to August 16, with Jamaica Tallawahs set to defend their title against last year’s runner-up, the Guyana Amazon Warriors; Antigua Hawksbills; Barbados Tridents; St Lucia Zouks; and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

The Guyana franchise, bought by the NEW GPC/ Limacol, will play three of their nine preliminary games at home, on July 17 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel (19:30h); July 19 against St Lucia Zouks (16:00h); and July 20 against Jamaica Tallawahs (16:00h).

Prior to the three home games, the Warriors will play Antigua Hawksbills on July 11; Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel on July 24; Barbados Tridents on July 27; Jamaica Tallawahs on August 2; Antigua Hawksbills on August 7; and St Lucia Zouks on August 10 in their final preliminary game.

Guyana Amazon Warriors team reads: Sunil Narine, Mohammad Hafeez, Lendl Simmons, Dinesh Ramdin, Martin Guptil, Krishmar Santokie, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Navin Stewart, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, Robin Bacchus, Corey Anderson and Trevon Griffith.

Windies name unchanged squad for Barbados Test

New Zealand off-spinner Kane Williamson

Williamson reported over suspect action DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC – New Zealand off-spinner Kane Williamson has been reported for having a suspected illegal bowling action, the International Cricket Council confirmed Saturday.

The part-time bowler was reported at the end of the second Test against West Indies at Queen’s Park Oval, by umpires Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth and Rod Tucker, along with match referee Chris Broad.

In a report handed over to the New Zealand team manager on Friday, the umpires raised concern over a number of deliveries by the off-spinner.

Under ICC stipulations, Williamson’s action will now have to be tested within 21 days. However, he will be allowed to continue bowling until the results of the tests are known.

Williamson sent down 14 overs during the second Test, taking a single wicket.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – West Indies selectors have predictably named an unchanged 14man squad for the decisive third Test against New Zealand starting at Kensington Oval here next Thursday.

The Caribbean side won the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval by ten wickets on Friday, to level the three-match series 1-1.

Denesh Ramdin, in his first series as Test captain, believes West Indies can now go on to win the final Test and take the series, and has called for support from the Barbadian fans.

“It is very important that we stay patient, stay humble, and hungry as well for success and go out there and play hard cricket,” Ramdin said, looking forward to the final Test.

“Hopefully people will come out and support the team. It takes five days to win a match, not just one day so hopefully we can get good support … and give a good account of ourselves.”

wood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Shannon Gabriel, Chris

Gayle, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Shane Shillingford, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday June 22, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Jermaine Blackwood Friday’s victory came just a week after the hosts were thrashed by 186 runs inside four days in the opening Test at Sabina Park.

However, they quickly made changes, axing Marlon Samuels and Kieran Powell and including Jermaine Blackwood and Kraigg Brathwaite in the final XI. Brathwaite hit his maiden Test century while debutant Blackwood stroked a half-century, to help set up the win.

SQUAD – Denesh Ramdin (captain), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Black-

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Michael Holding (16); Curtly Ambrose (13); Lance Gibbs (11); Colin Croft (10) (2) Daniel Vettori-31 ODI wickets Today’s Quiz: (1)How many times the WI and NZ have played Test matches at Bourda? How many WI/NZ centuries have been scored there?

(2) Where and when was the first time two NZ players struck centuries in the same ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

39

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 22, 2014

Rutherford and Looknauth land GCB Under-17 title for Demerara -Squad shortlisted for two day trial

By Calvin Roberts LEFT- HANDED Shurfane Rutherford missed scoring the lone ton of this year’s Guyana Cricket Board Under-17 tournament, but Demerara still managed to walk away with the title, courtesy of their 139 runs victory over Berbice at the Everest Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Asked to bat first in the rain reduced encounter, Demerara on the back of Rutherford’s 94 (78balls, 6x4, 3x6), 38 from Raymond Perez and 33 from Renaldo Renee, posted 253 for 8 off their 40 overs, despite Brandon Prashad picking up 4 for 49 and Deon Sinclair 2 for 34 for Berbice.

In reply, the Ancient County side was limited to 114 for 5, as Richie Looknauth went on a rampage with the ball, claiming their first three batsmen including the dangerous Retash Umroa (18, 2x4), on his way to ending with 3 for 18 off eight overs of off spin with the new ball.

Earlier in the day, Perez and Renee posted 76 for the first wicket, with the former driving Nicholas Seenarine down the ground for two fours in his fourth over, while Renee also scored a boundary off the same bowler, as they posted the 50 from 7.4 overs, with Perez on 25 and Renee 12.

In his bid to hit Suraj Dookna over extra cover, Perez picked out Adrian Sukhwah in that same position, after hitting four fours from the 41 balls he faced and he was followed by Renee, who was given a life by Sukhwah at 81 for 1 in the 14th over off Dookna, before he was caught by Randy Wade off Asif Ally at 97 for 2.

Ramnarine Chatura joined Rutherford, who strolled to the wicket at the demise of Perez and pushed the score to 130, before he was caught

by Matthew Hardyal off Prashad for 15.

Despite the loss of wickets, Rutherford soldiered on and posted his 50 from 56 balls with five fours, following which he struck Deon Sinclair over long on for his

first six to push the score to 173 for 3 in the 32nd over.

He raised Demerara’s 200 with another six over long on, this time off Dookna, while pushing his personal score to 81, but the introduction of the final power play that came into effect at the start of the 36th over, saw a collapse for the home team’s batting.

From 218 for 3 at the start of the final four overs, Demerara ended on 253 for 8, losing the wickets of Travis Persaud (04), Ronaldo AliMohammed (04), Rutherford, Malcolm Hubbard (00) and Timothy McAlmont (00), as Prashad and Deon Sinclair tightened the reins for Berbice.

In their reply, Umroa and Sukhwah (17) added 33 for the first wicket, before they were both sent back

by Looknauth, who also removed Kevin Sinclair (06) to leave Berbice on 66 for 3, which became 67 for 4 when Wade was brilliantly caught

by Ali-Mohammed at slip without scoring off Hubbard (1 for 17).

Prashad played a captain’s innings, hitting three fours in his topscore of 34 (65balls) for his side, but painstakingly at the other end, Hardyal soaked up 58 balls for his unbeaten 11, while he had Seenarine with him on 1, when the overs expired, handing Demerara the massive win and title.

Meanwhile, at the brief presentation ceremony President of the Demerara Cricket Board and Marketing Manager of the GCB Raj Singh, said he was disappointed by the batting display of the Berbicians, while congratulating the victors.

Junior Chairman of Selectors Nazimul Drepaul announced a 27 man squad which will compete in a two day trial to be held at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, from which the national team would be selected to compete in the Regional Under-17 tournament.

Players from Berbice and Essequibo, who are shortlisted in the squad listed be-

The victorious Demerara team

low, are asked to be at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence where they will be hosted on Monday, while they are reminded that the Regional tournament will be held early next month.

The squad reads: Renaldo Renee, Raymond Perez, Adrian Sukhwa, Travis Persaud, Brandon Prashad, Richie Looknauth, Akini Adams, Deon Sinclair, Ershad Alli, Malcolm Hubbard, Kelvin Sewpersaud, Ramnarine Chatura, Timothy McAlmont, Sylus Tyndall, Kevin Martinborough, Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed, Kemo Paul, Retash Umroa, Nathan Persaud, Shurfane Rutherford, Matthew Hardyal, Malcolm Hubbard, Vivekanand Jagjit, Daniel Samaroo, Joel Seetaram, Ewart Samuels and Samuel McKenzie.

We must execute in Barbados Test, says McCullum PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum believes one bad session cost his side the second Test against West Indies, and says they need to stick to their game plan if they are to win the third Test and the series.

The Black Caps won the opening Test by 186 runs inside fours day in Jamaica to take a 1-0 lead in the series but then slumped to a disappointing 10-wicket defeat in the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval which finished Friday.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand were 159 for three at tea on the opening day but lost seven wickets for 62 runs in just over an hour in the final session, to be dismissed for 221.

“I thought right throughout the Test, barring that one session … we were pretty good,” McCullum said.

“I thought the application and the intensity with which our seamers bowled was outstanding and something we can be really proud of. On another day they could have easily

Captain Brendon McCullum ... says Black Caps must execute plans to win third Test. knocked the top off the West Indies batting order.”

Even when trailing by 239 runs on first innings after West Indies piled up 460 all out, the Black Caps showed plenty char-

acter to battle back from 212 for eight after tea on the penultimate day, to 331 all out at lunch on Friday’s final day.

They were led by gutsy wicketkeeper BJ Watling who finished unbeaten

on 66, in 6-1/2 hours at the crease, along with tail-ender Mark Craig who top scored with 67.

“BJ’s fast becoming my favourite cricketer actually – his strength of character and fighting qualities [stand out],” McCullum noted.

“The guy never complains he gets on with the job, he goes out there and keeps for a hundred and something overs and then bats for seven hours trying to save a test match for his country.”

The two teams meet in the final Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados starting Thursday, and McCullum believes New Zealand have a strong chance of getting a positive result.

“We have been going pretty well in Test cricket in the last 12 to 18 months and our formula has become pretty familiar to us. We have just got to make sure we are still trying to do the right things and still trying to execute our game plan,” said the skipper.

“If we do that and we have a little bit of luck go our way as well in Barbados I’m confident we can certainly turn this performance around and finish strong.”

Sport CHRONICLE

Rutherford and Looknauth land GCB Under-17 title for Demerara

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

SEE STORY ON PAGE 39

Record-equalling Klose salvages 2-2 draw for Germany SEE STORY ON PAGE 33

Miroslav Klose of Germany scores his team’s second goal past Fatawu Dauda of Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Germany and Ghana at Castelao yesterday in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)

Asamoah Gyan of Ghana celebrates with his teammates scoring his team’s second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Germany and Ghana at Castelao, yesterdayin Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Image

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SUNDAY, June 22, 2014