Guyana chronicle 25 10 14

GUYANA No. 103991 SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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With fifth installment to be made soon…

Norway transfers additional US$35M to Guyana Page

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– accumulated US$80M earmarked for Amaila hydro project

President meets with stakeholders to address Ebola preparedness plan Page

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FATF outlines actions for Guyana to become compliant Page 16 Massive reforms planned for CANU – Dr. Luncheon Page

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Six arrested in connection with Salim Abdool Azeez’s murder

President Donald Ramotar, yesterday at the meeting with several stakeholders from different sectors to address Guyana’s Ebola preparedness plan (Sonell Nelson photo)

Rodney Commission faces tedious task to understand Page 3 atmosphere under which Walter Rodney died as PNC paramountcy caused atmosphere of ‘depression and despair’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

With fifth installment to be made soon…

Norway transfers additional US$35M to Guyana – accumulated US$80M earmarked for Amaila hydro project

By Vanessa Narine A TOTAL of US$35M will be transferred to Guyana

by Norway, the fourth payment for climate services and continued low deforestation, as part of the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The announcement was made by President Donald Ramotar, in an address to the nation last evening, who stated that the payment was based on Guyana’s deforestation rate in 2012, as well as the country’s progress on indicators related to agreed goals for forest governance.

“Today, the Government of Norway announced the latest payment under the Guyana-Norway forests and climate change partnership.

Norway will pay Guyana US$35M for the global climate services provided by our forest during 2012,” he said.

FUNDING FOR AMAILA

He stated that the US$35M will go towards the Government’s Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP).

Last year, Norway transferred some US$45M for the project and coupled with yesterday’s transfer of US$35, the Amaila project now stands to benefit from an accumulated sum of US$80M. Norway is expected to transfer the US$80M to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to be used as Guyana’s equity contribution to the AFHP. Slated to be this nation’s most ambitious undertaking, the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP) is touted to be able to provide Guyanese

“Today’s announcement is also a strong rebuttal to those who have tried for several years to kill our Low Carbon Development Strategy and the Guyana-Norway partnership. For many years, vested interests in Guyana tried repeatedly to prevent our country from receiving this money from Norway.” – President Donald Ramotar with a cheaper, reliable and sustainable electricity supply.

It involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of West-Central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers meet. Electricity produced there would be delivered to Georgetown and Guyana’s second largest town, Linden.

The AFHP is anticipated to result in substantial savings to the nation’s coffers, particularly in terms of foreign exchange and the purchase of heavy fuel oil.

Additionally, the potential benefits of a more stable and reliable source of energy through the advancement of hydroelectricity was also targeted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), last December, as an area for continued focus.

The IMF has been joined by several other regional bodies that have underlined the benefits of hydropower in Guyana.

SIGNIFICANT FUNDING

To date, Guyana has earned US$150M in payments from Norway, inclusive of the latest transfer of $35M, since the partnership started - US$80M for the Amaila hydro project and approximately US$70M of the Norway monies has been deposited in the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), which is channelling investment into LCDS projects.

Additionally, the Presi-

dent noted that Guyana can expect a fifth installment of monies from Norway.

“In the coming months the independent, international validation of deforestation rates in 2013 will be completed and Guyana will receive the fifth payment under our partnership with Norway.

We expect that this will be an even higher payment than the one announced today (yesterday) – and the total payments earned by Guyana will soon come close to US$200M, all of which is being invested in our Low Carbon Development Strategy,” he said.

REBUTTAL According to him, the announcement is a “strong rebuttal” to the naysayers who have opposed the LCDS. He said: “It is a strong rebuttal to those who have tried for several years to kill our Low Carbon Development Strategy and the Guyana-Norway partnership. For many years, vested interests in Guyana tried repeatedly to prevent our country from receiving this money from Norway.

“On failing to do so, some politicians tried in three successive national budgets to stop the money from being invested in our people’s future.”

The Head of State referred to the disagreements between his Administration and the combined Opposition to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), as the most recent evidence of such opposition.

“I hope that they will now abandon their efforts to destroy one of Guyana’s most pioneering national initiatives,” he charged.

Mr. Ramotar stated too that inking the international partnership with the Government of Norway in late 2009, resulted in the economic calculations around how we use forests are changing, and

we are selling our forest’s climate services through the world’s second largest Interim REDD+ partnership.

“It hasn’t been an easy road at times. But we prevailed against these setbacks, and money is now flowing into our priority investments – both from our own budgetary resources and from the money we have received from Norway,” he said.

TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS

The President highlighted too that most of the monies from Norway have been invested into “transformative projects” that bring “real benefits to the Guyanese people.

“Most of this money is now allocated to transformative projects, and in most cases, it is flowing to create real benefits for Guyanese,” he said.

Evidence of this, he said, in seen in the fact that: ● Over 11,000 Amerindian homes have electricity for the first time – powered by solar units; ● Low carbon industries, such as eco-tourism, are growing fast in the Rupununi, as much as 20 per cent a year; ● Guyana’s business process outsourcing sector has more than doubled employment in less than five years; ● Innovative initiatives in agricultural development are taking off; ● Guyana is becoming world’s most inclusive digital society, as 90,000 vulnerable households gain access to computers and training, via the One Laptop Per Family programme; ● Guyana has been able to work with local banks and other financial institutions to stimulate the creation of 2,200 low carbon jobs over three years, in small businesses and vulnerable communities; and ● Some 187 Amerindian villages, communities and

settlements produced impressive Community Development Plans and have benefited from advances from the LCDS Amerindian Development Fund. In the last year, 26 of them received funding through this programme – creating low carbon opportunities in ecotourism, sustainable agriculture and manufacturing. In the coming year, the remainder of the plans will start to be implemented, among others.

M r. R a m o t a r s a i d : “Alongside these priority investments, we are continuing to upgrade our domestic standards and capabilities in our traditional sectors. Global certification of our standards will facilitate increased investment in Guyana and improve the potential for value added industrial activity, all while ensuring that our natural resources are managed in a sustainable and accountable way.”

LEADING THE WAY

The Head of State was emphatic in asserting that Guyana is leading the way in its response to climate change. “Guyana is on the threshold of achieving what few countries anywhere in the world have managed to achieve. We should stop to reflect on the fact that we have spent five years building the foundations of a genuinely low carbon economy,” he said.

He pointed out that Guyana is maintaining 99.5 per cent of our forest, simultaneously generating jobs and economic growth from sustainable forestry and mining practices – creating low carbon jobs; and invest in critical infrastructure projects.

Mr. Ramotar said: “Our LCDS is grounded in a recognition that climate change is a clear expression of the inequality and injustice that exist in our world – as a problem primarily caused by rich countries, but whose negative impact is felt primarily by poor countries.”

“Five years ago, Guyana was one of the first countries in the world to set out a vision on what practical steps were needed to begin correct-

President Donald Ramotar

ing this global injustice and we called on the world to act before it was too late. But we did more than that.”

He made it clear that Guyana has set out a vision, in addition to advocating for global action. “We said that we too would play our part in fighting this global challenge if partnership for international action was forthcoming.”

A NATIONAL CALL

To this end, he called on all Guyanese to recognise that democratic politics is not a competition of ideas, which will make Guyana better, but one that responds to the needs of the Guyanese people.

“Make your politicians know that democratic politics should be about a competition of ideas to make our country better. It should not be a battle between those who seek to build and those who seek to destroy,” he said.

Response to this call, the President stated, will improve our national politics.

“I will work with anyone in our society who sincerely wants to take this opportunity to show that we can plot a better path for all our people.

Let’s leave those who seek to destroy our development behind us, let’s keep working to build a new economy, and let’s prove to the international community that countries from the developing world can lead the way to global solutions,” Mr. Ramotar appealed.

Since 2009, Norway has been contributing to Guyana’s efforts to enhance economic development while maintaining over 99.5 per cent of its 185, 000 square kilometer forest.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

RODNEY’S DEATH: AN ENIGMA BEING ANSWERED Special Report on the Rodney Commission of Inquiry by Shaun Michael Samaroo

Rodney Commission faces tedious task to understand atmosphere under which Walter Rodney died as PNC paramountcy caused atmosphere of ‘depression and despair’

– Crime Chief James agrees with Counsel Pilgrim that Gregory Smith should have been court-marshalled as Army deserter – PNC Government, GDF, Police never investigated assassination suspect Gregory Smith

– Sir Richard Cheltenham WHO plotted the shadowy mysterious political conspiracy that caused the brutal bomb blast execution of world-class Guyanese scholar Dr Walter Rodney?

For 34 years the world has been wondering about that, in absolute frustration.

And that vexing question dogs the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry today as it seeks to unearth crucial evidence to discover who caused the horrible act of Dr Rodney’s alleged political assassination, and why the popular political leader had to die so ignominiously.

Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham yes-

Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham

terday said the atmosphere of paramountcy at the time, when the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government ruled with an iron fist under a dictatorship that banned basic food and restricted freedom of the press and citizens’ basic human rights, would have caused “depression and despair” in the society.

Finding out why the sudden deadly bomb blast rocked Georgetown and assassinated the outstanding Guyanese historian at that historically defining moment on the night of Friday, June 13, 1980, is proving to be a tedious task, while raising troubling questions and alarming implications, with Sir Richard Cheltenham not-

Senior Superintendent Leslie James

ing that conditions in Guyana were not “normal” then.

Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Leslie James, resumed the witness stand at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry in his marathon stay in the Box, and fended off intense questioning yesterday from Barbadian Counsel Andrew Pilgrim.

Pilgrim sought to establish why the Guyana Police Force neglected to pursue investigations of the controversial electronics expert Gregory Smith, a notorious Guyana Defense Force (GDF) soldier implicated in the political assassination of Dr Rodney on that dark night of Friday, June 13.

Evidence at the Commission reveals that a GDF plane flew Smith from Timehri Airport to a remote hinterland town the day after the assassination. Years later, Smith showed up living in French Guiana, and refused to return here to answer widespread suspicion that he played a key hand in Dr Rodney’s assassination. Smith died in French Guiana recently.

Days after the assassination, the only eye witness to the bomb blast, himself badly wounded, Donald Rodney, identified Smith as the suspect who supplied the deadly bomb, disguised as a communications device, to Dr Rodney. The device exploded

in Dr Rodney’s lap as he sat in his car outside the Camp Street jail, and Donald, sitting in the passenger seat, escaped bloodied and in a daze.

He sought help from members, friends and sympathizers of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the national political alliance that Dr Rodney led in a populist political opposition to the PNC Government.

Yesterday, Pilgrim led cross examination of Senior Superintendent James all day, and resumes Monday morning. Pilgrim questioned Senior Superintendent James based on a Guyana Police Force report titled “CID Report by Vernon Gentle”. The Report documents the findings of Police Officer Gentle, of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Force, who investigated Dr Rodney’s assassination. The Report is dated March 22, 1982, and considers the role of Donald Rodney, Walter’s brother, in the events of June 13, 1980.

Donald Rodney received serious injuries when the bomb that assassinated his brother exploded, and is the only eye witness to what happened in that moment.

He is due to testify at the Commission.

This week marks the sixth session of the Commission, which President Donald Ramotar convened at the request of the widow of Dr Rodney, Dr Patricia Rodney, who testified this week, and wept as she recounted the fear and political harassment the Rodney family faced under the PNC government that ruled Guyana under a 28 year dictatorship.

The Rodney family received political asylum in the United States after her husband’s assassination, and now lives in Georgia, USA. Yesterday, Counsel Pilgrim emphasised in his cross examination of Senior Superintendent James that the Guyana Police Force, the GDF and the PNC Government denied the existence of Gregory Smith, and never sought

Finding out why the sudden deadly bomb blast rocked Georgetown and assassinated the outstanding Guyanese historian at that historically defining moment on the night of Friday, June 13, 1980, is proving to be a tedious task, while raising troubling questions and alarming implications, with Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham noting that conditions in Guyana were not “normal” then. to question him, despite the accusations and suspicions swirling worldwide about his implication in the deadly events of June 13, 1980.

Under cross examination

Andrew Pilgrim

of Senior Superintendent James about the report of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) of May 2, 1995, into the assassination, Pilgrim revealed that no thorough investigation was ever conducted in Guyana about Dr Rodney’s death.

“No serious effort had been made … to identifying the persons involved in Dr Rodney’s death,” the ICJ report says.

Sir Richard Cheltenham directed Pilgrim to consider the atmosphere in Guyana at the time, where “with the aid of State agencies, all these people (are) gone”.

The Commission Chairman said people the Commission may have an interest in to unearth the facts of the Dr

Rodney assassination case “are all gone, Smith moved in a GDF plane. … Given the paramountcy of the times”, people would have felt their lives endangered, and they would have feared concerning their promotion prospects and so on, he said.

The Chairman lamented that “they are all gone, that is happening to all the relevant people. How they could get out like that, get passports, official documents. … We are trying to investigate people, people of interest to us - gone!”

Sir Richard wondered aloud if “we may not be wasting time” as so many records and relevant people to the cold case of Dr Rodney’s Turn to page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2014

‘We won’t pay,’ furious Cameron tells EU over surprise bill (Reuters) - IN a vivid display of fury at European Union technocrats, British Prime Minister David Cameron refused to pay a surprise 2.1-billion-euro bill on Friday as EU leaders ordered an urgent review of the calculations used.

Eurosceptics at home branded the EU a “thirsty vampire” for seeking an additional, immediate sum worth a seventh of London’s annual payment following a major statistical review of national incomes. Cameron demanded action from fellow leaders at a summit, calling the sudden bill “completely unacceptable.”

He found some sympathy. Cameron told reporters Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi lambasted “bureaucrats without a heart,” who made it harder to fend off the attacks of Eurosceptics.

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, which like France is to get a refund in the same exercise, offered

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron gestures during a news conference after an EU summit in Brussels October 24, 2014. (Credit: Reuters/Christian Hartmann) understanding for the peremptory way such a hefty demand was made - though she said Cameron did not tell his fellow leaders he would not pay at all.

“He just had concerns about the short deadline,” she said.

But in a show of anger in front of television cameras that some found at odds with a more collegial atmosphere in the summit room, Camer-

on said: “It’s an appalling way to behave.

“I’m not paying that bill on Dec. 1. If people think I am, they’ve got another thing coming. It is not going to happen.”

EU ministers will hold an emergency meeting on the issue next month. Cameron said he wanted to understand the technical calculations and was also ready to mount a legal challenge.

EU officials insisted the revision, which also saw Italy, the Netherlands and even crisis-hit Greece asked to pay much more for the share of EU costs, was part of an annual statistical exercise handled by civil servants, not politicians.

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Doctor with Ebola in New York stable; nurse is virus-free (Reuters) - AUTHORITIES retraced the steps of an American doctor with Ebola, who was listed Friday in stable condition at a New York hospital’s isolation unit, while seeking to reassure a jittery public that the threat from the virus was limited.

Dr. Craig Spencer, 33, who was infected after working with Ebola patients in West Africa, on Thursday became the fourth person diagnosed with the disease in the United States and the first in its largest city.

Spencer was awake and talking to family and friends on a cellphone, Dr. Mary Travis Bassett, New York’s health commissioner, said at a news conference.

Meanwhile, Nina Pham, one of two nurses from a Dallas hospital infected with Ebola after treating the first pa-

tient diagnosed with the disease in the United States, was declared virus-free.

She walked out smiling and unassisted from the Maryland hospital where she had been treated.

The White House said President Barack Obama will meet with Pham in the Oval Office later in the day.

An Atlanta hospital and federal health officials also confirmed that the other nurse, Amber Vinson, no longer had detectable levels of virus but did not set a date for her to leave that facility.

Spencer was quarantined at Bellevue Hospital six days after returning from Guinea, unnerving financial markets amid concern the virus may spread in the city. The three previous cases diagnosed in the United States were in Dallas.

Putin accuses United States of damaging world order (Reuters) - RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin accused the United States on Friday of endangering global security by imposing a “unilateral diktat” on the rest of the world and shifted blame for the Ukraine crisis onto the West.

In a 40-minute diatribe against the West that was reminiscent of the Cold

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War and underlined the depth of the rift between Moscow and the West, Putin also denied trying to rebuild the Soviet empire at the expense of Russia’s neighbors.

“We did not start this,” Putin told an informal group of experts on Russia that includes many Western specialists critical of him, warning that Washington was trying to “remake the whole world” based on its own interests.

“Statements that Russia is trying to reinstate some sort of empire, that it is encroaching on the sovereignty of its neighbors, are groundless,” the former KGB spy declared in a speech delivered standing at a podium, without a smile, in a ski resort in mountains above the Black Sea city of Sochi.

Listing a series of conflicts in which he faulted U.S. actions, including Libya, Syria and Iraq, Putin asked whether Washington’s policies had strengthened peace and

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democracy.

“No,” he declared. “The unilateral diktat and the imposing of schemes (on others) have exactly the opposite effect.”

Putin, 62, has stepped up anti-Western rhetoric since returning to the Kremlin as president in 2012, helping push up his popularity ratings since the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March.

Even so, the speech was one of the most hostile Putin has delivered against the West and it appeared partly intended to show Russian voters he will stand up to the rest of the world and defend their interests.

The criticisms of a world order dominated

by Washington, more than two decades after the Cold War, recalled a 2007 speech in Munich in which Putin shocked the West by lambasting Washington’s “unipolar” world view. The speech prompted many Western leaders to reassess their view of Putin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2014

Honduras drought puts thousands ‘at risk’ of hunger (BBC News) MORE than half a million people in Honduras have been affected by a severe drought, the Red Cross has said.

It said the most vulnerable families were in danger of hunger because of the loss of crops, higher food prices and lower incomes for farmers.

The Red Cross said some families were selling their belongings and livestock to survive, while others were leaving their homes to escape the drought.

It launched an appeal for $1.28m (£800,000) to assist 17,500 people.

In a statement, it said 3,500 families were “experiencing food insecurity due to their loss of livelihoods

and restricted access to food and water sources.”

It added that children and poor households were particularly vulnerable, “a concerning fact given the levels of chronic malnutrition in Honduras are 22.6% [of roughly 8.5 million people], and considering that 42.5% of Hondurans live in extreme poverty”.

Oscar Fernandez, Disaster Management Co-ordinator of the Honduras Red Cross, said they would be working “to facilitate access to food and water and hygiene, as well as improve nutrition and recover the basic production capacities of those affected by the drought”.

Honduras is already reeling after a deadly fungus devastated output of

Brazilian puffer fish lunch poisons 11

The fish is considered a delicacy in Japan (BBC News) ELEVEN people fell seriously ill in south-east Brazil after eating a deadly puffer fish for lunch, reports say.

The group of neighbours, including four children, were hospitalised after they made a mistake while preparing the fish - one of the deadliest in the world.

Within minutes all had become violently sick, according to Brazil’s RJ TV news. Five have since left hospital.

Puffer fish are highly venomous and contain a tox-

in which can trigger severe paralysis.

The neighbours met for lunch on Wednesday in Duque de Caxias, a city on the south-east coast of Brazil.

Quoting a hospital doctor, RJ TV news reported that the group were eating at one of their homes and had known they were being served a puffer fish.

The creature, which contains a toxin more lethal than cyanide, must be expertly prepared to avoid poisoning.

coffee, the main cash crop.

The drought has also affected tens of thousands of farmers in neighbouring Guatemala and El Salvador.

Crops are failing in the drought which is affecting parts of Central America

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

‘Them and us’ does not belong in national social demographics GUYANA is emerging, slowly but surely, out of the long years where we saw each other as “them” and “us”. And nowhere was this more evocative than the goodwill and genuine regret for the treatment Mrs. Janet Jagan endured from a nation to which she had dedicated her entire adult life emanating from persons who are not traditional Jagan or PPP supporters.

Several days ago the governing party celebrated the birthday of Mrs. Jagan, one of the party’s founding members who was also a former First Lady and first Prime Minister and first female Executive President of Guyana. And during the observances of her life and accomplishments, there were recollections of the terrible way Guyanese treated her, despite her magnitude of multi-dimensional contributions to this nation’s welfare – even to the enforced truncation of her term in office.

And the nefarious and vexatious reasons proffered by the Opposition elements was that she was a “white American jewess” and did not belong in Guyana.

When Mrs. Jagan died there were touching, sincere tributes from Emily

Dodson and others, who have demonstrated the great heart of the true Guyanese, which is reminiscent of the days when we all looked out for each other with genuine caring and respect, and this heralded a sublimating climate of reaching out to heal wounds, because there are wounds everywhere – some perceived from delusional premises on which the power-hungry had built their support, and others from a genuine sense of not belonging and of having no rights in this country.

No country in the world is without problems, and within the human condition there would always be human beings – black, brown, yellow, white, red…who would want to subvert the social systems in order to acquire wealth they have not earned. There would always be nepotism and corruption in and out of Government, because human beings are prone to human failings, and we need to be each other’s keepers, as in days of yore when it was the freed slaves who reported to the authorities on the inhumane treatment meted out to indentured labourers.

The ‘kith and kin’ mentality should no longer prevail, because family members

often hurt us more than outsiders – and many of us have forged deep and abiding bonds with ‘outsiders’ than with those we share with our own, so we need to take a step back and question everyone who tells us that wrong is being done to us, and that they can do right for us, then question their track record before deciding if they qualify for our trust.

On this note, one would expect that a responsible Opposition or media corps would not just criticize, but would put their criticism within reasonable contexts, without trying to demonise persons who may be working really hard to find solutions and to enhance the capacities and service of their respective portfolios; and while mistakes may be made, maybe a respectful suggestion to an alternative approach would be constructive and open avenues for rapprochement and genuine attempts to find answers, because no-one is above making mistakes. While we may disagree, respect for each other should be a paramount feature in our interactions and interrelation with each other.

One cannot want cooperation if there is a confrontational approach, because

even criticism can be well-received if there is a genuine attempt at problem-resolution, without outlandish accusations being flung at persons with no concrete proof.

It de-motivates persons who may be blameless of the accusations and who may be genuinely working for the general good. For instance, one cannot refute the fact that there have been corrupt practices in certain sectors, but if there is an accusation that there is discrimination within a certain sector, then statistics to prove this contention must be provided. Also the perpetrators must be identified instead of a blanket condemnation of an entire sector.

If this is done then perceptions would most likely be changed.

Guyanese need to take charge of their destiny – individually and collectively; and the future of their children by being responsible citizens striving to reach common goals for the common good.

To continue expanding divisions within the nation would see us all sliding into a crevice leading straight to hell, when we can join forces to make a heaven of our country.

GLOBAL SOLUTIONS WE live in a world that is far from perfect.

And while it is impossible to create a trouble free and perfect world, there can be no doubt that much more could be done by those who control the reins of power to make this planet we live in much more hospitable and eco-friendly.

United Nations General Secretary, Ban Ki-moon, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2014 highlighted a series of disasters afflicting millions of people, most of which were man-made and therefore avoidable only if there was more enlightened policies and greater tolerance for diversity by those in whose hands power are entrusted.

What is disturbing is the smothering of hope by so many people whose life and living conditions continue to get worse despite promises and pledges by policy makers to put in place measures to improve the quality of life of the poor and downtrodden.

The speech delivered by the Secretary-General does not leave much room for hope. ‘Every year at this time, hope fills this hall; the hope embodied in the Charter of the United Nations; the hopes of leaders who

speak from this podium; the hopes of peoples across the world who hear these promises.’

This year, the horizon of hope is darkened.

Our hearts are made very heavy by unspeakable acts and the deaths of innocents. Cold War ghosts have returned to haunt our times.

We have seen much of the Arab Spring go violently wrong.’

According to Ban Ki-moon, not since the Second World War have there been so many refugees, displaced people and asylum seekers. Never before has the United Nations been asked to reach so many people with emergency food assistance and other life-saving supplies.

Diplomacy, he said, is on the defensive, undermined by those who believe in violence.

Diversity is under assault by extremists who insist that their way is the only way. Disarmament is viewed as a distant dream, sabotaged by profiteers of perpetual warfare.

It may seem as if the world is falling apart, as crisis pile up and diseases multiply.

The problems are not insurmountable but requires concerted political action. Indeed, it was precisely for that reason why the United Nations was established but many of its de-

cisions are being ignored or not acted upon by member countries in particular the bigger powers who enjoy veto powers.

Unless there are fundamental structural changes in terms of governance and decision making, the Secretary General would continue to lament the lack of progress.

My own view is that the time is long overdue to abandon the veto-system in the UN Security Council and allow for more democratic decision-making involving all members of the General Assembly rather than leaving important decisions on war and peace in the hands of a few powerful states.

Further, decisions taken and commitments made must not be honoured in the breach.

Take for example the pledges made during the 1990s which was supposed to be the Development Decade. The industrialised countries agreed to contribute 0.7 percent of their GDP for development assistance to the developing world but a mere 0.1 percent was actually made available in that regard.

The problems facing mankind are global in nature and therefore require global solutions. The way forward is for the developing and the developed world to work together in

partnership and not against each other as is currently the case.

Indeed, the balance of forces are now shifting in favour of what was once described as emerging economies with China now taking centre stage in terms of global trade and commerce. Brazil, India and Russia are also on the rise economically which is altering the trade equation between the developing and the developed world more particularly the United States and Western Europe.

Barriers to free and balanced trade between the heavily industrialised North and the developing South still exist. There are still too many trade restrictions and quota restrictions which limit the extent to which small countries can take advantage of their full market potential. In addition, rich countries still continue to offer huge subsidies to their farmers which give them a competitive edge over farmers from the developing world.

There is need for a new global architecture in which the poor countries can compete on an even footing in terms of market share and access.

HYDAR ALLY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Suicide has grown to be a mental and psychological phenomenon globally OUR little country Guyana has become one with the fastest rate of suicide in the world today. Most of the people who are committing suicide are very young teenagers and middle-age folks none whose age exceeds 35 years of age.

Suicide has now become a global phenomenon among the educated, aristocrats, drug users, teenagers, poverty stricken communities, religious communities and even among millionaires.

What cause one to commit suicide? Many people in many homes feel rejected by their wives, husbands, siblings; they are abused verbally on a daily basis thus leading them to commit suicide.

Some are depressed from long term incurable sicknesses, some are depressed and oppressed by poverty and financial problems, some are rejected and left alone by their husbands to fend for their children; some failed exams and failed in business, failed in their marriages, their friends and loved ones failed them thus pushing them to commit suicide. These victims feel lonely and rejected by society and even rejected by themselves. Suicide has grown to be a mental and psychological phenomenon globally.

Then we have those who fall in love for the first time like ‘Romeo and Juliet’, who take their own lives for the one they love because they were prevented to marry the one they love. Then we have those who kill the one they love then take their own lives.

Then we have some who dabble in witchcraft and obeah whose own demons turn against them and the long dismal list goes on.

Suicide is also inherited from generations of families who has committed suicide. When I was studying literature I read books by a very great American writer by the name of Ernest Hemingway after reading a biography about this great author, I was consternated to learn that most of the Hemingway family committed suicide including Ernest who shot himself through his mouth with a gun. Most people who commit suicide are unbelievers in God, or atheists.

Suicide can be prevented if our people are more spiritual and God conscious when they can discover that we are all children of God and we are born with a purpose to achieve, excel and overcome our obstacles in life by prayer and meditation to God. The scriptures informed us as follows: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

(Jeremiah 29:11)

Here we see in this scripture that God has a future and hope for us as a nation and Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 –‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.’

If we can love God then we will love our life and see the worth and dignity why we are here on this earth to live a life with a great purpose and a hope to be an inspiration and blessing to our family, friends and community. People who commit suicide have no knowledge of the after-life; they can kill their bodies but cannot kill their souls.

I discovered as a Pastor, academic and religious leader that very few people in our country want to come to church or want counselling when they are in problems. Most folks go to church Good Friday, Old Year’s Night, Christmas and Easter Sunday or when there is a funeral or wedding.

Sometimes more than half the people who attend church are not members; they just go to meet friends like a social event but have no real interest in living a life of Godly principles.

Religious leaders and leaders from academic circles have a hard time to deal with people who are very selfish and self-opinionated.

Not very long ago, I went to counsel a woman who was having serious marriage problems that led to violence between herself and her husband. She said to me: “We can deal with our problems” and ask me to leave. Due to her ignorance not long after her husband left her for a next

woman. She called me again after contemplating suicide; I counselled her but her marriage could have been saved from the inception when I visited her. Life is about choices. We will face life by the choices we make, either good or bad.

Some suicide signs include the following: * Talking about suicide — for example, making statements such as

“I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I was dead” or “I wish I hadn’t been born” * Getting the means to commit suicide, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills * Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone * Having mood swings, such as

being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next * Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence * Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation * Increasing use of alcohol or drugs * Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns * Doing risky or self-destructive

things, such as using drugs or driving recklessly * Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there is no other logical explanation for why this is being done * Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again * Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated, particularly when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above * Warning signs aren’t always obvious, and they may vary from person to person. Some people make their intentions clear, while others keep suicidal thoughts and feelings secret.

I close by leaving you with the following excerpt from ‘Mayo Clinic’: Suicide is not the answer to our problems; it reduces our population and destroys our morality as a people. It’s about time our people go back to their churches and I am calling on our religious and political leaders to work with our people on a one-to-one basis. May I ask the Hon. Minister of Education and our Parliament to introduce religious education in our schools to educate our pupils and students spiritually, morally, to deal with real issues and philosophy about life. We can eradicate suicide if we do home visits and build our people to comprehend that God has a great purpose and plan for their lives on this earth.

Rev. GIDEON CECIL

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Rodney Commission faces tedious task to understand ...

From page 3 death are “gone.”

The Commission has so far unearthed mammoth information through its research, including files never before released, some from overseas.

It has also gathered many witness statements and court room testimonies about the atmosphere and conditions that existed in Guyana in the period 1978 to 1980, when the nation plunged into the darkest era of its history as a Caribbean member state and a Commonwealth country.

This week saw intense drama at the Commission’s hearings, with Counsel for the PNC venting frustration and excusing himself from Wednesday’s session after a verbal fracas with the Commissioners. Yesterday, the Counsel table saw the absence of any PNC Counsel. The PNC has adopted an antagonistic stance towards the Commission, accusing it of political propaganda, a view that may impugn the distinguished character and reputation of the Caribbean Commissioners.

PNC Counsel Basil Williams hollered accusations at the Commissioners Wednesday that the Commission was “attacking” the PNC, and at one point said the Commission wanted to ruin the PNC. However, Commission Chairman tried to calm Williams.

The Commissioners’ professional integrity and impartial legal character nullify widespread Opposition views that the Government of Guyana set up the Inquiry for political gain.

The 34-year old Dr Rodney cold case is the worst political assassination in the history of the Commonwealth Caribbean, and the Commission of Inquiry follows decades of international lobby for it to be convened, including a recommendation by the ICJ, and pleas from the Rodney family, the WPA and the international academic community, including several academics from Africa.

Man jailed for robbery under arms KEVIN Lenard (no address given) was yesterday sentenced to 24 months imprisonment after he was found guilty of robbery under arms.

According to the charge on September 15 at High Street, Georgetown, being together with another and armed with a knife, he robbed Brian Harry of $G15,000 in cash.

The facts stated that on the day in question around 04:00 hrs, a dark- skinned man wearing a white cap grabbed him and placed a knife to his belly. The defendant then removed cash from the victim’s pants pocket.

Later, the defendant saw Mr. Harry and two friends at the West Ruimveldt Front Road bus park, in the vicinity of Footsteps’ store and he managed to join a minibus and evade Mr. Harry and his friends. As it turned out, the evasion was short- lived, since the minibus driver drove the said minibus to Brickdam Police station.

The court heard that at the Police station, Mr. Harry reported the incident and identified the convict as his attacker.

In his defence, the unrepresented man chose to give an unsworn statement and declined to call witnesses.

In passing sentence, Magistrate Latchman said he had considered factors such as the nature and prevalence of the offence and the need to deter the convict and others from committing such offences in future.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Digital Technology refutes Kaiteur News article

By Michel Outridge DIGITAL Technology in an effort to clear the air following an article which was published in Kaieteur News on October 20, 2014, headlined: “Controversial Digital Technology wins another contract,” in response said they have a very legitimate business and they bid like any other company for the contract which was mentioned in the article.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Terrence Sukhu ac-

and Communication Technology (ICT) business for the past seven years and employ 17 full- time staffers and also have several part-time employees.

When asked if Digital Technology as a company or he as an individual has any “beef” with Kaieteur News, Sukhu said there is no known existing problem and he was never contacted for a comment before the article was penned.

He stated that Digital Technology provides high-end products which are acquired from the manufacturers and

CEO of Digital Technology, Terrence Sukhu and his wife, Subrina Sukhu, a director of the company at the press conference yesterday. companied by his wife, Subrina Sukhu, a director of the company yesterday held a press briefing at their Lot 74 Brickdam, Georgetown, office told the gathering they are headquartered at Diamond, East Bank Demerara and opened their second store in the city this year to better serve their customers.

Terrence Sukhu said in the past they were awarded several contracts as a result of bidding for them through the normal procedure as a company through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board and the contract the Kaieteur News is speaking of was awarded through the Ministry of Finance, in which three lots were awarded to Digital Technology.

He explained that his company is a local one with all local directors and they do not get contracts on the basis of favouritism, since they bid like any other company for such contracts.

Sukhu added that they have been in the Information

their services are equally of high standard.

Sukhu told the press conference that in the article, several statements were made about Digital Technology Group’s reputation on the authenticity of products and services provided to the general public and the company’s negligence and favouritism in not adhering to standard bidding procedures.

He pointed out that the article had highlighted and summarised some of the major projects that are offered by the company had been awarded in the past, but added that since its establishment in 2003, the company has grown to become one of the premier technology-based companies.

Sukhu said Digital Technology is known for its technical and entrepreneurial expertise and they have evolved into a solutions provider of information, communication and technological products and services for consumers and professional markets.

CARPHA workshops to strengthen the Caribbean’s ability to respond to Ebola THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) will host workshops geared at strengthening the Caribbean’s ability to prepare and respond to outbreak situations such as the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

From November 17 – 21, CARPHA, in collaboration with the Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis (CHA) unit of PAHO/WHO, will provide two training workshops on Infectious Substances, Shipping, Training and Bio-safety Practices for the Clinical Laboratory, at its Port of Spain, Trinidad, headquarters.

Laboratory professionals from across the Caribbean who complete the World Health Organisation Shipping Infectious Substances course will be certified to prepare shipments of laboratory samples. Successful participants will be certified for a period of two years to handle and package Category ‘A’

Infectious Substances, such as samples from suspected cases of Ebola virus disease.

CARPHA will also train personnel in bio-safety measures, practised in the laboratory, which include infection control, proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and waste management measures.

It is expected that laboratory technicians actively involved in the packaging of laboratory samples, for the purpose of international transport, will in turn provide similar training to other colleagues at institutional and country levels.

Both the Shipping and Bio-safety courses are in accordance with WHO Guidance on regulations for the transport of Infectious Substances 2013-2014 and WHO Bio-risk Management Programme, respectively.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

West Bank teen killed in motor cycle accident

By Leroy Smith

A MOTHER is grieving the loss of her son who was killed on Thursday night in an accident after the motor cycle which he was riding

Dead 17- year- old Cecil Adolphus plunged into a canal causing him to suffer a suspected broken neck.

Dead is 17- year- old Cecil Adolphus of 99 Sideline Dam, Nismes Public Road, West Bank

Demerara and a student of the Patentia Secondary School.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle newspaper yesterday at her home, the dead teen’s mother Rosalind Gill recalled that he left home approximately 19.15 hrs on Thursday night to meet several of his friends. She said that around 00:30hrs a young male came to her residence, called her out and told her to accompany him.

The young man eventually took her to the scene of the accident, where she saw her son’s lifeless body and the motor cycle in the trench.

Ms. Gill said that when she questioned persons on the scene about what may have led to the accident, she was told by one lady that she saw the young man passing her with a helmet on and seconds later he had ended up in the trench.

Persons who went to rescue him found that he was already dead.

The mother confirmed that her son is not a licensed motor cyclist and admitted that on two occasions she noticed him showing up at home with the same motor cycle, whose owner she does not know.

In Thursday night’s case she was told that her son was “liming” with friends and based on what they told her, he picked up the motor cycle and rode off without seeking or getting permission from the owner.

Meanwhile, the police are seeking the owner of the motor cycle so as to ascertain how the young man was able to get the keys for the bike. In addition, the police will also have to investigate the

other cases where the young man was seen riding the same motor cycle prior to Thursday night as confirmed by his mother.

The motor cycle Adolphus was riding when he met his demise After the accident, persons reportedly removed the registration plates from the vehicle, making it impossible for the police to trace the owner; but the investigation into that aspect of the incident remains open.

Aound the courts with Geeta Rampersaud Four charged, remanded for murder of 17-year-old miner FOUR men were yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Fabayo Azore for the unlawful killing of a 17-year-old miner.

Twenty-eight-year-old Delroy Williams; 26-yearold Leroy Williams, both of Lot 431 Soesdyke Backdam Road; Quincy King and Uma Kant were all not required to plead to the indictable charge that said on Tuesday, October 21 at Konawaruk in the Essequibo Magisterial District, they murdered Azad Potter of Garden of Eden.

Police Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick told the court all four accused along with the deceased were working in the camp in the interior. He added that on the day in question they claimed that the deceased had stolen a cellular phone, an iPod, three ounces of gold and cash.

The court heard that the quartet beat Potter and then took him to a spot where the alleged stolen items were found.

The police were able to apprehend the four accused and under caution the men gave details of their involvement. Kant was represented by Attorney-at-law Mr. Hukumchand; King was represented by Attorney-at-law Mr. Adrian Thompson and the Williams brothers were represented by Attorney-at-law Mr. Dexter Todd.

Defence counsel stated that none of their clients have prior or pending matters.

The matter will be called again on January 12, 2015 at the Mahdia Court.

Quartet accused of murdering mechanic in Prashad Nagar FOUR men accused of murdering a mechanic at Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar, yesterday, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.

Twenty-one-year-old Glenroy Griffith, 26-year-old Jarrel Ward; 36-year-old Julian Mack and Justin Griffith were not required to plead to the indictable offence before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Particulars of the offence stated that on Sunday, October 19 at Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown,

they murdered Saleem Azeez Abdul in the furtherance of a robbery of an undisclosed amount of cash.

The charge was read to each accused separately and they were all unrepresented.

The prosecution facts were not revealed to the court and they were all remanded to prison. They will make their next court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on October 27.

Three men, one woman on ammo charge FOUR persons including a woman were yesterday placed on $100,000 bail each after pleading not guilty to a joint charge of illegal possession of ammunition.

A 21-year-old supervisor at Humphrey’s Bakery, Jacint Williams and his 33-year-old wife Tiffani Williams, along with 20-year-old mason Nacosi Gittens and 20-year-old mechanic Quason Roberts, all appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to answer the charge.

The couple resides at Lot 163 Curtis Street, Albouystown, and their visitors Gittens and Roberts all pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on October 21 at the couple’s home in Curtis Street, they had in their possession one.45 round of ammunition, when neither of them were holders of a firearm licence.

All four persons were represented by attorney-at-law Mr.

Paul Fung-a-fat. The lawyer said that the spent shell was found in the home and the police charged everyone in the house.

Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Michael Grant related that on the day in question, a police patrol acted on information and carried out a search at the couple’s home, where they met with the four defendants. As a result of the search, one live .45 round of ammunition was found in a white plate in one of the two bedrooms.

Subsequently, they were all told of the offence and arrested and charged.

The police prosecutor did not oppose bail and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Each of the defendants was ordered to post $100,000 bail each and the matter stands adjourned to November 19.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Businessman commits suicide after domestic quarrel

By Leroy Smith AN East Coast Demerara businessman, who operates a very popular supermarket at Agriculture Road, yesterday morning, ended his life by ingesting a poisonous substance. The business is registered to Rahim and Seeta, the husband and wife and is called the Rahim and Seeta grocery.

This newspaper was informed that the man and his wife Seeta would usually have domestic issues and yesterday morning he and the woman had an argument and she left the house, shortly after the employees of the supermarket arrived for work.

The business was opened as usual but then the man told them to close up the supermarket since they would not be doing any business for

the day as he sent everyone home. He also instructed his key person to take the two children with her to her home.

The young lady did not see the request as a strange one since the man would usually allow her to take the children with her. However, while the woman was close to her home on the lower East Coast the man called her to say that he drank poison.

The woman immediately informed the police station in the area where the man lives and operates the supermarket and police went over to the home/business place.

When the police arrived they found the place locked up and they got no answer.

Another relative of the man was informed of the development and arrived at the scene.

The police instructed him

to mount himself on a section of the building to see if the man was inside and when the young man peered into the house he saw his uncle frothing from the mouth while in his room on the floor.

He immediately raised an alarm and attempts were made to break into the building but that took a while since the place is heavily grilled.

The door was eventually broken down and the man taken from the house.

When he was taken from the house he was still alive and was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Family members, workers, and residents of the area

have expressed shock at the man’s actions but did admit that his wife was a very jealous person and someone who was never willing to see her husband make friends. One person who is a mutual friend of the man recalled several occasions where the woman would use harsh words at the man just for being in the company of other females.

In the past the business place was attacked by armed bandits on numerous occasions and on the last two occasions the businessman was pondering if he should close his establishment. However, the business was never closed due to those incidents.

President meets with stakeholders to address Ebola preparedness plan PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday met with several stakeholders from different sectors to address Guyana’s Ebola preparedness plan.

Included in yesterday’s meeting at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, were: the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon; Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public

Hospital, Mr. Michael Khan; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Seelall Persaud; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony; and Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, among others.

The President, in a recent address to the nation, assured that a proactive approach to ensure the deadly Ebola virus does not affect the Guyanese population has been adopted by the Government of Guyana.

According to him, several measures have already been put in place to address this

major public health concern.

“We have already taken steps in that direction,” he said.

THESE INCLUDE:

● The restriction on the issuance of visas to residents from a number of West African countries; ● The issuance of advisories to all Guyanese to avoid travelling to those destinations that are under surveillance for Ebola, for the time being.

In this case, if Guyanese have travelled to such destinations they are required to indicate so;

● The increased surveillance at ports of entry, as well as more thorough screening at these ports. In this regard, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Ogle Airport Authorities, the Ministries of Works and Health have been working closely to monitor the arriving passengers; ● The installation of modern equipment to raise the effectiveness of this exercise; ● The procurement of additional medical supplies, including more protective

gear, gloves, etc. to ensure that Guyana is prepared to deal with possible Ebola cases; and ● The identification of retention centres, to be used for quarantine and monitoring of suspected cases, among others.

“In the event of the discovery of suspected cases, the Public Health responses have been organised. Suspected arriving passengers will be quarantined at holding centres at Ports of Entry.

Elsewhere, suspected persons, if hospitalised would

be cared for under conditions of strict isolation. Larger population of suspected cases would be mandatorily quarantined at identified facilities established in the country,” the President has said.

He also stressed that Guyana has to take preventative and curative measures to protect our people.

“If, per chance, this disease reaches our shores we must be prepared to limit its effect to contain and bring it under control as fast as possible,” he committed.

(Vanessa Narine)

Squibs, other explosives re-surface for Diwali despite ban

By Michel Outridge EVEN though squibs and other firecrackers have been banned, they have found themselves in the hands of many persons once again.

On Diwali night several East Coast villages were overwhelmed by the loud, crackling sounds of squibs, flares and other explosives, scaring the life out of animals, including dogs, while assailing the ears of citizens.

On the night of the Diwali motorcade, the prevalence of these explosives was observed and even in the presence of the police, both children

and adults were openly igniting these explosives, with some throwing them into groups of people who had gathered to view the motorcade on the East Coast corridor.

Although squibs pose a hazard to children, they were nevertheless in possession of large amounts of these explosives and were noticeably unsupervised, setting them alight.

The Whistling Thunder, Colour Flower and Thunder King among others, when ignited, would cause huge explosions shattering the tranquility of the night and terrifying animals, especially dogs.

A worrying trend has developed in which person (s) are in the habit of causing it to go off over the roofs of the houses of residents.

Police yesterday said that it is still illegal to have firecrackers, but they found that many people are in possession of them somehow and would ignite them mostly at nights. If found in their possession, the transgressors will be charged and the GPF is urging law-abiding citizens to report incidents of noise nuisance by the use of firecrackers and other explosives.

When the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was contacted on Friday, no one was available to comment on the importation and sale of firecrackers and other explosives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2014

APNU’s Amna Ally chided for telling ‘half-truths’ STATEMENTS made by A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU), Chief Whip, Amna Ally, over the decision on a date for the next sitting of the National Assembly resulted in her being taken to task

by Government Chief Whip, Ms. Gail Teixeira, for telling “half-truths”.

The Parliamentary Management Committee has agreed to let the party Whips, from the Government and Opposition, hold discussions to settle on a date for the next sitting of the National

Ms. Amna Ally Assembly.

Ally has since charged that Teixeira’s disposition toward setting a date is cause for “frustration” and is also a case of “dilly-dallying” on her part.

The Government Chief Whip, in a statement yesterday made it clear that Ally’s “half-truths” to the Guyanese public is of “great” concern.

“I have noticed reports in the media and on the internet quoting statements attributed to Opposition Whip, Ms. Amna Ally with regard to the setting of a date for a sitting of the National Assembly.

Ms. Ally’s “frustration” and accusation of my “dilly-dallying” is of little interest to me, but, the fact that she is not telling the truth, or, at best only telling a partial truth to the Guyanese public, is of much greater concern to me,” she said.

TIMEFRAME AGREED Teixeira also disclosed that there was an understanding that there will be a sitting in the early part of November.

“We, then, had a tacit understanding that it would be held in the early part of November,” she said.

Prior to the House going into recess on August 10, there had been no sitting since the first week in July.

The Government Chief Whip made it clear that there is no undue delay in calling a sitting of the House. “We are prepared to convene a sitting

at any time,” she stressed.

TALKS Teixeira explained that she engaged Ally in talks on the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) proposals for a sitting on the dates of October 16, 22 and 24.

The Government Chief Whip said: “We both agreed that these dates were not suitable. She, then, suggested October 30 and within 24 hours called and said on checking her schedule that this date would clash with other planned events of APNU. I agreed to her request. “…I reminded her and reiterated on more than one occasion that once there was an opening and the President and Leader of the Opposition were engaged in some kind of dialogue that this process should be given a chance to evolve. I told her l would await the outcome of this engagement and advised her to do the same.”

The Government Chief Whip also made it clear that she abided with this understanding and the engagement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition.

“It appears that Ms. Ally, as Opposition Whip, is coming under undue pressure from the AFC and the more belligerent elements of the APNU, and as a result is having a difficult time,” she said.

On that note, Teixeira questioned whether, inadvertently or advertently, Ally has exposed her party’s intention of having no meaningful engagement with the President and the Government.

“I, as a result of her public statements, now have had cause to pause and wonder if her statements are in fact, inadvertently or advertently, exposing her party’s intention of having no meaningful engagement with the President and the Government,” she said.

The Government Chief Whip assured that the delay in setting a date was only due to the overriding interest in allowing the engagement with the Leader of the Opposition to evolve.

“This should not in any way lead the public to believe that the Government is fearful neither of convening a sitting nor in addressing the no confidence motion brought by the AFC,” she stressed.

AFC SPONSORED MOTION The first inkling the public had that the AFC planned moving a no-confidence motion against the Government was back in mid-June, when

“We, then, had a tacit understanding that it (a National Assembly sitting) would be held in the early part of November.”

“As a result of her public statements, I now have had cause to pause and wonder if her statements are in fact, inadvertently or advertently, exposing her party’s intention of having no meaningful engagement with the President and the Government.” - Government Chief Whip, Ms. Gail Teixeira Teixeira insists agreement made for sitting in early November

party Vice-Chairman Mr. Moses Nagamootoo hinted at it.

He did so by way of an article published in the Stabroek News and headlined, “AFC considering no-confidence motion against Gov’t.” He, however, acknowledged that to do so would require the support of the Main Opposition, APNU. The AFC’s position was strengthened on Tuesday, August 5, when APNU Leader Brigadier (rtd.) David Granger publicly confirmed that his party was fully behind the no-confidence motion.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2014

Six arrested in connection with Abdool Azeez’s murder

By Leroy Smith ON Thursday investigators who have been working on the murder of 23year- old Saleem Abdool, a mechanic of Prashad Nagar several days ago, arrested six persons.

This publication did receive information of the arrests which were further confirmed by a police press release on Thursday afternoon. The persons arrested are said to be between the ages of 20 and 25.

According to the police, the first suspect was arrested on Wednesday and following intense interrogation of him by detectives, the police were given information on the other players in the murder of the man.

During the arrest on Thursday the police were also able to recover two unlicensed .32 pistols with a total of 21 live rounds which this newspaper was told the police believe might have been used in the

murder of the 23-year- old in front of his home.

The men who were taken into police are continuing to assist the police with investigations into that and other robberies and murders. The men are also expected to be placed before the court in the coming week.

According to information received the men arrested on Thursday were picked up from the “Blacka” at the back of Sophia by the police. That is the same area that the first suspect was also picked up by the police on Wednesday but not before giving the police some challenge.

There were no shots fired in the apprehension of the men based on the information this publication received. The murder of the 23- year-old according to sources close to the investigation was not supposed to happen since the men were only supposed to rob the victim and make good

their escape.

The deceased Saleem Abdool Azeez was employed with the Edward B. Beharry Company as a mechanic and was about to enter his yard when he was approached by the gunmen on the morning of October 19. The assailants who numbered three reportedly showed up at the location on bicycles and from all indications were awaiting the arrival of the man.

A b d o o l re t a l i a t e d when the men were attempting to rob him and that might have been the act that angered them forcing them to open fire on him, he was shot three times. The men reportedly panicked after shooting the young man and abandoned their robbery bid leaving the scene without relieving the man of anything since his mobile phone and cash were still in his possession when persons rushed to his assistance.

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Massive reforms planned for CANU – Dr. Luncheon THE staff strength at the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) is expected to double, among other advances, following Cabinet’s approval of a security reform initiative, which is expected to be implemented immediately.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, made the disclosure, yesterday during his weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the President.

According to him, the reform initiative follows “inter-current interventions” that have been made.

Dr. Luncheon added that in addition to doubling the Unit’s staff strength, the initiative: “provides for approval of job descriptions and specifications that will be applied to ‘authorised’ positions; addressed tenure and relativity, as it relates to what obtains across the board in Guyana’s joint-services.”

The HPS highlighted the fact that during the current Donald Ramotar’s Presidency, there have been substantial moves in improving the security sector, as promised by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic

(PPP/C).

He cited continuous training, the introduction of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the establishment of a Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and enhancement of Guyana’s National Intelligence Centre, among other initiatives.

Dr. Luncheon contends that a combination of these and other efforts, which are all part of the overall security reform thrust, have changed the face of crime fighting in Guyana.

The HPS explained that the security forces in Guyana have greater access to human, financial and political resources in the execution of their duties.

He stated too that the initiative recognises the contributions made by CANU to law enforcement in Guyana, as it relates to the body’s investigations and prosecution efforts, as well as collaboration with international agencies.

Dr. Luncheon expressed confidence that CANU’s efforts in combatting narco-trafficking will be bolstered by the reform initiative.

The reform process is expected to run into 2015. (Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Massive fogging exercise to follow mosquito invasion in New Amsterdam

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric JUST days after light rain showers in the New Amsterdam township, mosquitoes descended in their numbers resulting in cattle running wildly across the thoroughfare.

This is even as residents resorted to skin-slapping and itching, as the Public Enemy Number One, aided by their proboscis, stab into the skin of their prey, evok-

ing an apathy which only they can.

As a result of the invasion, the streets are sparsely occupied by nightfall, as, beyond the nuisance factor, mosquitoes are carriers, or vectors, for some of humanity’s most deadly illnesses, and they are public enemy number one in the fight against global infectious disease.

Clearly then, the Health Department of Region 6

has moved to address the health issue by hosting several fogging exercises in the district.

This intervention, is the result of the swarming of the blood-sucking insects on President Donald Ramoutar, who was at the State House in New Amsterdam, on Sunday, and several telephone calls made by the citizenry to the Berbice Regional Health Authority [BRHA], resulting in an

emergency media briefing.

BRHA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, reported that the mosquitoes are not carrying disease, but “the swamp mosquito is more of a nuisance.”

The plan of action involves fogging during the day and evening and although chemicals, though toxic will be used “it is not harmful to humans, but is deadly to the insects, and that is what we want to get rid of. However, residents must open their doors and windows, in order to al-

low the mist to enter their respective homes, as the fogging team passes around the streets.”

According to him, “We have had calls from areas like the fisheries at Number 66, Port Mourant both Corentyne areas. We have had some calls from other areas too, but, most of our calls are located in and around the New Amsterdam, Canje and Fort Ordinance area. So we will be tackling these areas first and then we will be dealing with the other areas.”

Meanwhile, Regional

Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Paul Ramrattan said the project will cost the administration about $500,000 weekly.

He explained the sum did not include wages and salaries for the fogging operators, however, the region was fortunate to have its own fogging machines, having bought two recently.

Additionally, the Ministry of Local Government donated a small swing fogging machine, to aid in the region’s fight against mosquito infestation.

Berbice criminal sessions open …jury sworn in Portuguese Quarters murder trial

ALTHOUGH there was a ceremonial opening of the Berbice Assizes with t h e t r a d i t i o n a l m a rc h past by ranks of the Berbice Police division, the declaration of the opening of the October criminal sessions seemed to be forgotten by the Court Marshal as Justice James Bovell Drakes took the bench to commence the session which will con-

clude in February.

Consequently, a mixed jury was sworn in for the case of the State versus Dharampaul Gopaul.

The accused, who is represented by attorn e y s - a t - l a w, M s . Ta n i a Warren Clements, in association with Kim Kyte John, pleaded not guilty to the indictment, following his arraignment.

Gopaul alias, Paulie

Gulliver is alleged to have unlawfully killed Mukesh Nandkishore called Muca on February 6, 2009, at Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, Corentyne.

State Prosecutrix, Ms. Renita Singh has deferred the opening of the State’s case to Monday, when the trial will commence.

Six witnesses are expected to testify during the seven-day trial.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

July 2011 CAL crash at CJIA…

Investigation finds pilot error due to poor cockpit resources management as the sole cause

By Clifford Stanley

PILOT error resulting from poor cockpit resources management by the pilot and co-pilot was identified as the sole cause of the crash of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) Flight BW 523 which ran off the runway at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on July 30, 2011.

During a media briefing on the accident report which was released yesterday, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn who is responsible for aviation, disclosed that the team of local and international investigators had listed this as their main finding.

He stressed: “The flight crew’s indecision as to the execution of a go-around, failure to execute a go-around after the aircraft floated some distance down the runway and their (the cockpit crew) diminished situational awareness were the main contributors.”

The aircraft had no mechanical defects which could have contributed to the accident.

The entire report can be found on the website www. publicworks.gov.gy.

Benn added that the report being public and available for viewing by all interested parties may be useful to those who may want to take any sort of follow-up action based on the findings.

The Accident Investigation Team, it was disclosed, was headed by Investiga-

An aerial view of the crashed CAL aircraft at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in July 2011

tor-in-Charge, Ms. Paula Mc Adam of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The team comprised representatives from the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA), Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) the United States of America National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) the Boeing Company, which is the maker of the aircraft, and the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS).

Attorney-at-law, Amanda Desir representing the Ministry took pains to point out that the report was prepared pursuant to article 26 of the Chicago Convention and as a result the sole objective had been for the prevention of accidents and incidents.

She stressed: “It was not the purpose of these investigations to apportion blame or liability.”

The investigators had added several recommendations

which when implemented will help to enhance safety of aircraft on touchdown.

Lessons learnt by Guyana’s security teams and firefighters on the ground in the immediate aftermath of the crash had also been implemented by way of emergency exercise drills and these forces are as a result now better equipped to deal with emergencies.

One recommendation to the management of the CJIA is that they must set aside an easily identifiable area to provide comfort to passengers who may be in distress as well as their relatives, during an emergency.

Disclosing details on the findings, Benn disclosed that investigators had found that the ill-fated aircraft had touched down approximately 4.700 feet beyond the runway threshold, a mere 2,700 feet from the end of the runway and the crew had been unable to stop the aircraft on the remaining runway surface.

“The aircraft exited the end of the runway approximately 20 feet left of the centre line breaking through a fence and coming to rest on the bottom of a 20 feet high earth embankment. The final position of the aircraft was approximately 130 feet from the end of the paved surface and 64 feet off the extended runway centre line,” he said quoting from the report.

The aircraft broke into two sections in the vicinity of the first class bulkhead. Both engines were destroyed by the impact and foreign objects ingestion. The damage had been found to be beyond economic repair.

There had been no fatalities but one passenger suffered a broken leg which eventually had to be amputated. Several other passengers and crew suffered minor injuries during the accident and investigation.

Ms. Mc Adam said that the team interviewed the crew and none of them could give any explanation as to why the plane had landed too late on the runway.

ROBESON BENN

She however disclosed that the cockpit voice recorder indicated that there was not enough coordination in the cockpit.

“During the landing and at the point of landing there was not significant interaction between the pilot and the first officer. There was a lack of awareness in the cockpit as to where the aircraft was. There was poor coordination in the cockpit during the landing. In short, there was poor Cockpit Resource Management. The pilots were not sleepy.”

She said that one recommendation the team had made

was with respect to training aimed at improving Cockpit Resource Management.

“This and other recommendations have been made to the CAL and T&TCAA and we have been assured that the T&TCAA is following up on the recommendations to ensure that they are implemented,” she said.

She said that she was certain too that the CAL would take the recommendations on board since it was a business and they would want to ensure that they do things to ensure that the safety of their passengers is enhanced.

She stressed that the team had not recommended grounding of the crew or any disciplinary action because that was not its role.

She said that such actions were the prerogative of T&T CAA and CAL since they both had the responsibility of ensuring that corrective actions were taken before allowing the pilots involved in the accident to fly again.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

FATF outlines actions for Guyana to become compliant - Dr. Luncheon says Sept 2015 the likely new deadline

By Vanessa Narine GUYANA has been mandated, by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), to undertake a number of steps to address the shortcomings in the local Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.

Among these which were outlined in a statement by FATF are: * Adequately criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing; * Establishing and implementing adequate procedures for the confiscation of assets related to money laundering; * Establishing and implementing an adequate legal frame-

work for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets; * Establishing a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit; * Establishing effective measures for customer due diligence and enhancing financial transparency; Strengthening suspicious transaction reporting requirements; and * Implementing an adequate supervisory framework.

According to the international watchdog, “Guyana made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and CFATF to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies and Guyana will work on implementing its action plan to address these deficiencies.”

FATF has also stressed that Guyana must act with urgency to address the deficiencies in the local AML/CFT framework.

Additionally, the country will be subject to the body’s ongoing process of improving AML/CFT compliance.

“As part of its on-going review of compliance with the AML/CFT standards, the FATF has to date identified the following jurisdictions (including Guyana) which have strategic AML/CFT deficiencies for which they have developed an action plan with the FATF. While the situations differ among each jurisdiction, each jurisdiction has provided a written high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies.

The FATF welcomes these commitments,” the international body said.

Both FATF and Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the FATF-style regional body (FSRBs), is expected to continue to work with Guyana and to report on the progress made in addressing the identified deficiencies.

To become FATF compliant, Guyana MUST: * Adequately criminalise money laundering and terrorist financing; * Establish and implement adequate procedures for the confiscation of assets related to money laundering; * Establish and implement an adequate legal framework for identifying, tracing and freezing terrorist assets; * Establish a fully operational and effectively functioning financial intelligence unit; * Establish effective measures for customer due diligence and enhancing financial transparency; Strengthening suspicious transaction re porting requirements; and * Implement an adequate supervisory frame work.

“The FATF will closely monitor the implementation of these action plans…the FATF calls on Guyana to complete the implementation of action plans expeditiously and within the proposed timeframes,” the international watchdog said.

NEW DEADLINE Relative to the new proposed timeframe, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, disclosed that September 2015 is the likely new deadline for Guyana.

“Guyana has staved off blacklisting,” he said, during a news conference held yesterday at the Office of the President.

According to him, Guyana has been fortunate enough to have been given time “to put its house in order” and enact FATF compliant AML/CFT legislation.

Guyana was referred to FATF last November by the CFATF), after missing a compliance deadline, as a result of which the country was blacklisted regionally.

The move was a result of Guyana’s cited failures relative to the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill, which continues to languish before the Parliamentary Special Select Committee reviewing the Bill.

In June this year, Guyana was reviewed by FATF, which decided that the country will be subjected to a targeted review by the Americas Regional Review Group (ARRG). In a letter dated July 9, 2014, FATF officially confirmed its decision to commence a targeted review of Guyana prior to its October 2014 plenary meeting, which ends yesterday. FATF made it clear that the purpose of that targeted review would be to examine the most significant deficiencies in Guyana’s AML/ CFT framework that pose a risk to the international financial system.

In September, a team from Guyana, led by the Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, met with the ARRG, to finalise a report on the advances made by the country. Coming out of that meeting, Guyana moved to put in place alternatives to address the technical deficiencies in its existing legal and financial legislative architecture for the assessment of FATF. ARRG is FATF’s specially appointed body comprising representatives from the Americas to work with Guyana for the purpose of making a presentation of Guyana’s case at FATF’s plenary which ended yesterday.

It is based on this report, that FATF made its pronouncement of Guyana being subjected to an ongoing process of improving AML/CFT compliance, as well as its call for action.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

UNJPS launched to help combat HIV/AIDS epidemic

By Navendra Seoraj

THE United Nations (UN) yesterday officially launched “the United Nations HIV/ AIDS Joint Programme of Support (UNJPS) 2013-2016”, in an effort to assist Guyana in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Flach, in her address stated that since the year 2000 efforts have been made to ensure the widespread of HIV/AIDS is contained.

She noted that this year due to the proper funding by the joint agencies, a more compact programme will now be implemented to combat this epidemic.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Leslie Cadogan receives the United Nations HIV/AIDS programme of support Guyana from the UN’s Resident Coordinator, Khadija Musa (Cullen bess-Nelson photo) The event took place at the office of the UN, Brickdam.

The UNJPS is designed to reinvigorate the dialogue between the UN and the National HIV Stakeholders, towards what is envisaged in the “HIVision2020” which is the elimination of HIV in Guyana.

According to UNAIDS Country Director, Dr. Roberto Campos, the UNJPS will contribute to the achievement of five of the eight targets set at the 2011 UN High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, These include, reducing HIV sexual transmission, eliminating HIV new infection among children, avoiding tuberculosis (TB) deaths, accessing treatment and eliminating stigma and discrimination against persons living with these infections.

He noted that each agency which is involved in the UNJPS will be allotted their own tasks, which will be applied after they have made a common agreement among each other.

Campos stated that in order to achieve these targets all UN agencies in Guyana, in addition to providing technical assistance to the National HIV response, will mobilise US$306 400 through the UNJPS. Some 51% of the funds will be devoted to the reduction of new HIV infection among children, 20% towards reduction of HIV sexual transmission, 15% towards the reduction of TB deaths and the remainder will be allocated for the treatment and Stigma and Discrimination.

A representative from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ms. Marianne

She commended the Government for their continuous support towards this initiative and hopes to receive their continued support throughout the programme.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Leslie Cadogan, stated that the Ministry of Health (MOH) wishes to reiterate its

UNAIDS Country Director, Roberto Campos, addresses the members of the gathering

Flach further noted that this programme will now open up opportunities for Guyana to access Universal treatment for these deadly viruses.

She stated that each agency has a role to play in order to make Guyana a HIV/AIDS free nation sometime in the near future.

thanks to the UN agencies that have been supporting the Ministry in its effort of responding to the epidemic of HIV/ AIDS. He also encouraged the UN to bring more agencies on board to assist in the fight against an epidemic which has been going on for years.

Officials present at the launching yesterday with a copy of the programme

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Designer Donna Ramsammy James to launch 2015 collection ‘Carpe Diem’

By Raveena Mangal LOCAL and internationally-renowned designer, Donna Ramsammy James will launch her 2015 Collection at Herdmanston tomorrow. Her intriguing collection is called “Carpe Diem,” a Latin term meaning “Seize the day!”

Sixteenth in the line of the SHAPE2000 Annual Collection, it promises to be a stunning display of elegant and striking women’s and men’s wear.

Ramsammy James has over the years developed a distinctive trademark of fusing African, Caribbean, Indian and Latin American influences in her designs. As such, the softness of Asia, the depth of Africa and the colour of the Caribbean will mingle and play in her 2015 collection.

At her previous launch, the designer had noted that for the past 15 years, the viewing of her work was done at her residence, but she believes that it has outgrown the space and a decision was made to shift the venue.

Sixteen years later, in association with the Guyana Relief Council, she decided to make her annual collection open to the public. The funds raised will be dedicated to the council which renders assistance to victims of fires and other natural disasters.

Ramsammy James’ collections reveal her proud heritage and influences while

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

GAPSO conducts basic first aid course for 26 security officers

her work has created an impact on the fashion of the Caribbean as well as such places as Italy and London.

Participants in the Basic First Aid Course conducted by GAPSO Wednesday

Designer Donna Ramsammy James

THE Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) conducted a one-day Basic First Aid course for security officers so they can respond appropriately to basic medical emergencies.

The training course was hosted at the John Fernandes Boardroom, Georgetown.

Tw e n t y - s i x o ff i c e r s participated in the train-

ing course that represented GAPSO members, namely, Banks DIH, Bank of Guyana, Security Alliance, Kalibur Security, Federal Management Systems, John Fernandes Ltd, Integrated Security Services, Sentinel Security, Secure Security and Management Services, MMC Security Force and Guyoil.

The course was delivered by Denzil Hernandez, who is a professional nurse

at the Davis Memorial Hospital, and holds an Associate Degree in Occupational Health and Safety.

Speaking about the initiative, Public Relations Officer, Ghalee Khan said that it was conducted as a comprehensive step to promote increased standards and professionalism of private security.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES He added that security officers are the first on the scene of most medical emergencies and should be able to respond effectively, which may save the lives of the people they are protecting.

Khan said the course was also a forum to enable participants to acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence to give immediate care to a suddenly injured person until more advanced medical personnel arrive.

Ye s t e r d a y ’s t r a i n i n g consisted of a combination of instructions using visual resources and slides and demonstrations and practical hands-on activities.

Participants were given the opportunity to practise techniques related to first aid, such as how to put a victim in the recovery position, how to administer CPR, how to deal with choking and how to apply bandages.

GAPSO has long worked to increase the standards and professionalism in the private security industry. Private security officers play a critical and ever-increasing role in keeping their community safe, Khan stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Cyclists confident ahead of team time trial

By Rawle Toney in Suriname GUYANA’S cyclists, competing at this year ’s Inter-Guiana Games’ second leg in Suriname, believe that they have what it takes to win the championship ahead of today’s time trial.

The team of Akeem Arthur, Shaquille Agard, Alonzo Ambrose, Kravitz Jeffrey, Toshwanna Doris and Ronella Samuels will take to the road today at 08:00hrs in an attempt to head into Sunday’s road race in a good position to better their Dutch and French rivals.

The males will cover a distance of 10 kilometres while the females will ride for six kilometres at Anton Dragtenweg.

National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, speaking to Chronicle Sport after the team’s training session yesterday, expressed his delight at the prospects of Guyana winning the cycling championship, since he believes that they are equipped with some of the best riders in the Caribbean.

The long-serving National cycling coach believes that both Suriname

and French Guiana stand no chance against his troops but voiced some concerns about the readiness of the females.

Guyana’s attack will be led by Alonzo Ambrose who copped bronze at the just concluded Caribbean Junior Cycling Championships held in Suriname while Arthur was a silver medallist at the 2013 event in Aruba.

The 2014 IGG’s second leg opened yesterday and Guyana, being champions of the first leg held in Georgetown earlier this year, are hoping to wrest the overall title from champions from Suriname.

Meanwhile, coach of Guyana’s badminton and table tennis teams, Gokarn Ramdhani and Linden Johnson, are optimistic thatf their contingents will come out successful at this year’s Inter-Guiana Games (IGG), currently on in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has selected its best juniors with St Stanislaus College’s Elishaba Johnson and Mae’s Kyle Edghill being the most notable of the four players, along with Priscilla Greaves of Marian Academy and Salinas Jackman as their team members.

The Ramdhani siblings, Narayan and Priyanna, will

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... Table tennis and badminton optimistic spearhead a strong badminton team that also includes their Marian Academy school mates Krystal Peters and Jonathan Mangra as well as Ambika Ramraj of Queen’s College.

This is the first time in the game’s 40-year history that badminton is being played among the three countries (Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana) and according to Gokarn Ramdhani; his only concern is that his players are outmatched age-wise.

The elder Ramdhani, who also sits as the president of the Guyana Badminton Association, pointed out that his players are 17 and under while their rivals are all 19-year-olds.

Nonetheless, he said his players are up to the challenge and the upbeat badminton coach is pleased with his team’s preparation ahead of today’s championship which starts at 10:00hrs.

Meanwhile, Johnson and his table tennis delegation are only fearful of the French who he says are equipped with players with exposure

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of playing in France and other parts of the world. Johnson opined that nonetheless, his players are fully prepared for whatever the competition brings.

“The players are all ready to go tomorrow (today) and they are certain about winning as well. There’s

one particular player from French Guiana that I’m a little worried about because he’s very good. I saw him play against Nigel Bryan recently,” Johnson said.

Table tennis, like the other disciplines chose to expose their younger players but Johnson said age is not a

factor at present, given the fact that his selected players are accustomed to playing against older opposition in Guyana.

Both table tennis and badminton will be played at the Table Tennis Centre Zinniastraat and the Chinese Sporthal respectively.

Guyana, French and Suriname commit to continuity of games

- IGG second leg officially opens

By Rawle Toney in Suriname THE SECOND leg of this year’s Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) opened yesterday at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Suriname’s capital of Paramaribo with the country’s Minister of Sport Dr Ismanto Adna encouraging the athletes and officials of the three countries to play in the spirit of ‘Goodwill’.

Chess, Volleyball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Football and Cycling (male and female) are the disciplines being contested by the three participating countries in Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana with the ‘Land of Many Waters’ being the winners of the first leg which was held in Georgetown earlier this year.

“As Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Suriname, I would like to express our feelings of satisfaction, appreciation, and joy to host the IGG 2014, in Paramaribo Suriname.

“We are about to give the school youths again, what they really deserve in sports and culture within the Guianas and must do everything possible to assure the continuation of these games in upcoming years” Dr Ismanto Adna said while delivering the key address at the opening ceremony.

The IGG begun in Suriname in 1967, initiated by Guyana’s Deryck Whitehead along with Orlando Amson, Abbdul Raman and Eddie Van Genderen of Suriname with the intention of strengthening relationships

Suriname Minister of Sport Dr Ismanto Adna among the three countries pleased that Guyana can using sports. play a significant role in Football, basketball and helping in the continuity of athletics were the core dis- the games. ciplines contested then, until Guyana will not be repswimming and volleyball resented in football. Kumar were added and, most re- apologised for his nation’s cently chess, table tennis and absence which he said was badminton. due to the ramblings in According to Adna, his the sport. The long-servcountry is in full support ing sports director however of the IGG, pointing out, promised their participation “We want sports to develop next year. consistently, and want to Head of the French Guigive, therefore, the youths ana delegation, Jean-Claude the ability to be aware of the Mariema, shared similar senbenefits of sports and phys- timents as both Guyana and ical activity in order to have Suriname, but said that he a healthy and productive looks forward to his country community. We also want playing hosts to the games in them to deal with and respect the near future. victory and loss. The IGG Suriname’s Permanent have proved to be the event Secretary of Education Dr that supports this aspiration.” Robert Peneux stressed the Meanwhile, Guyana’s importance the games play Director of Sport Neil Ku- in bringing a balance bemar applauded Suriname for tween sports and education playing a part in preserving and called on the nations to the game’s rich history and safeguard the games for as said that he’s more than long as possible.

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CHRONICLE Sport wishes to apologise to the public for the error in the article published in yesterday’s edition of the Guyana Chron-

icle Sport pages captioned “Windies staying focused ahead of World Cup, states Bravo’.

Kindly see below the

correct story that was to be published, even as we take the opportunity to offer our sincerest apologies that such error would have created.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Bristol donates Cavilon cream to GABA

I wanted no part of strike, says stroke-maker - Samuels KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – West Indies stroke-maker Marlon Samuels said he wanted no part of the one-day team’s plan to abandon the tour of India, and revealed he stayed away from most of the players’ meetings on the troubled tour.

The first player to speak out about the controversial decision taken by the players, the Jamaican said he was focused all along on completing the tour and then dealing with the contracts and pay issues afterwards.

West Indies players abandoned the tour following a bitter wrangle with the Wavell Hinds-led West Indies Players Association over the new terms of the recently negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement, which they have claimed result in a drastic reduction in their earnings. “… Wavell Hinds cannot negotiate on behalf of me so I know that once I continued (to play) – I just needed to finish this tour and then I would have asked questions,” Samuels said in a radio interview on Power 104 FM. “The main thing first was West Indies cricket; that

Marlon Samuels is why I remained focused throughout everything.”

Samuels was the only bright spot on the tour, smashing two superb centuries to finish the series with 254 runs from three innings.

In the opening game in Kochi which came under threat of strike action from players, Samuels carved out a brilliant unbeaten 126 as West Indies took a 1-0 lead in the series with a comprehensive 124-run victory.

He returned in the fourth ODI in Dharamsala to hit 112 as West Indies slipped to a 59-run loss.

Off the field, Samuels said he stayed away from

most of the players meetings.

According to the 33-yearold, there were about eight meetings but he attended only two at which chief selector Clive Lloyd was present.

“For most of those meetings (of the players) I was probably in my room ordering room service. I don’t go to those meetings,” Samuels explained. “A lot of meetings were kept but I have no time for those meetings. My focus was just on playing some cricket.”

West Indies players walked out on the tour following the fourth ODI, with the scheduled fifth ODI in Kolkata, a Twenty20 in Cuttack and a three-Test series still to be played.

Samuels, who was selected for the tour of India after missing out on Bangladesh’s recent tour of the Caribbean, said he had been prepared to play the remaining games.

The West Indies Cricket Board is facing a major fall-out from the players’ decision, with the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) planning a multi-million lawsuit over losses and also suspending future bilateral tours between the two countries.

Seon Bristol presents Cavilon cream to GABA president Steve Ninvalle.

BOXING Promoter/Manager Seon Bristol yesterday presented the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) with much-needed Cavilon Cream, at the office of its president Steve Ninvalle.

GABA introduced the application of cream to elite boxers yesterday when the National Open commenced at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre ground.

The application of cream before the fights was made mandatory by the international governing body AIBA earlier this year after the outlawing of head guards for elite boxers.

Bristol arrived from the USA yesterday morning and again pledged his continued support for amateur boxing.

“It is always an honour to assist amateur boxing in Guyana. I think that if we all do our bit the sky would be the limit for our amateur fighters,” Bristol said.

In the past Bristol had donated gloves, mouth guards and other equipment to the GABA. In 2011 he provided the local association’s annual fees to AIBA. In addition, Bristol is responsible for USA-based super heavyweight Quincy `Biggy’ Small participating in the National Open after donating a return air ticket.

Cavilon cream has been specially developed to help reduce cuts. The cream was first used in a major international competition at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. However, it was met with mixed reception with some countries opting to use while others did not.

Guyana opted not to use. It was reported that fighters who used the cream suffered less cuts than those who did not. AIBA has now made use of the cream mandatory, and has issued guidelines for its use in its technical rules, while youth, junior and female boxers are still required to wear head guards.

Sport Minister pleased with FIFA intervention … hopes to restart Leonora discussion

Leeron Brumell MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, has come out in support of FIFA’s intervention, aimed at saving Guyana’s football.

Earlier this week, FIFA held discussions with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), removed the weakened executive headed by Christopher Matthias and will in a few days, name a Normalisation Committee to oversee affairs until September 2015.

‘I’m pleased that we have an intervention that would seek to normalise the administration of football and hopefully help us to transition through

this problematic period and put a better local administration for football in place, so that we can start implementing programming, developmental facilities and things like that,” said Dr Anthony.

Dr Anthony in an interview last Thursday evening noted that local football has been underserved.

“Guyana can do far more in football and to the development of football and I know from the regional administration (CONCACAF), they’d allocated a lot more funds for developmental programmes in Guyana.’

He continued, “We’ve not been able to benefit from those developmental programmes

primarily because we didn’t have our house in order and that has retarded the development of football.”

The minister is hopeful with this committee discussions can soon be restarted for the development of 10 acres of land at Leonora for footballing purposes.

‘That programme was stalled because of a lack of feedback from the GFF; so we hope that with the new normalisation process that will be put in place, at some point when they settle down we can resume those discussions.’

Dr Anthony is of the view that local football has been stagnated because of

what he called ‘poor administration’ over the last couple years and believes that those involved in the sport, need to respect FIFA’s decision and work with everyone to develop the sport.

FIFA intervened because they said a ‘vacuum’ had been created in the sport.

FIFA Head of Member Associations Premo Cavaro and COCACAF Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal were the officials to hold discussions with the GFF and its administrative staff on Tuesday.

The Normalisation Committee, Mr Cavaro told the media, would comprise five persons, passionate about the sport, but not drawn from the current crop of administrators.

Guyana hammer French Guiana in straight sets to win opener

By Rawle Toney in Suriname GUYANA’S male volleyball team made an impressive start to their Inter-Guiana Games title quest when they defeated French Guiana in straight sets yesterday at the Ismay van Wilgen Sporthal in Paramaribo Suriname.

With the other Guyanese athletes and officials and a sprinkling of spectators cheering them on, the ‘GT’ team raced to a 25-19

first set and then followed that up by winning the other two 25-13 and 25-15.

The win means that the Guyanese are just one win away from clinching the Volleyball title which is currently g held by Suriname.

Meanwhile, up to press time the Guyana and Suriname female encounter was still in play.

Volleyball (male): Davendra Latchman, Anthony Fraser, Kumar Budhram, Anthony Veerapen, Muaaz Inshan, Rolwyn Heywood, Daniel Richie, Klondyke Rodney, Joshua Jagmohan, Ravi Rampartab, Xavier Lambert, Yoganand Dhoray and Ryon Mangrau.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Carter in one-day squad for Sri Lanka series ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Left-handed stroke-maker Jonathan Carter is among four players called up for the West Indies A team’s threematch one-day tour of Sri Lanka starting next month.

West Indies selectors on Friday named Carter, along with right-hander Nkrumah Bonner, off-spinner Ashley Nurse and fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, to join the bulk of the squad already in Sri Lanka for the ongoing unofficial ‘Test’ series.

The four new players will replace leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, off-spinner Shane Shillingford, left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell and batsman Kirk Edwards who head home when the ‘Test’ series concludes.

Carter is a free-scoring batsman who has represented West Indies A in recent times but who was surprisingly overlooked for the ongoing ‘Test’ series.

The 26-year-old was one of the standout players at the recent Champions League

Ronsford Beaton Twenty20 in India where he smashed an unbeaten 111 in his first innings of the series, playing for Barbados Tridents.

Current captain Carlos

Amla inspires Proteas win HASHIM Amla’s century set up a 72-run victory for South Africa over New Zealand, to give the tourists an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series yesterday.

Amla made a well-crafted 119 off 135 balls to take man-of-the-match honours, scoring his fourth ODI century of the year and 16th of his career at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

A second-wicket partnership of 113 with Faf du Plessis put the Proteas, who were put in to bat, in prime position for the final overs.

That stand ended when du Plessis was caught behind off James Neesham for 67 but that only brought AB de Villiers to the crease and his 37 off 25 balls kept the scoreboard ticking over to keep the pressure firmly on the Black Caps.

Tim Southee gave New Zealand respite as he removed first de Villiers and then Amla. The hosts then

made light work of the South African tail, with only JP Duminy able to make much of a contribution with 19, as the Proteas lost seven wickets in the final eight overs and five in the last three.

However, the damage had already been done as South African finished their innings on 282 for nine to set an imposing target.

New Zealand never even threatened to reach it as they suffered another top order collapse, swiftly crumbling to 69 for five despite a handful of fielding lapses from South Africa.

Of those five wickets, only Corey Anderson failed to get into double figures, but there was little fluency to the innings and the scoring rate was way off the required pace.

Luke Ronchi, batting seventh, stopped the rot but was made to work with a rapid succession of partners as the Black Caps slumped to 134 for nine.

Brathwaite will continue to lead the side.

West Indies A will bowl off the one-day tour on November 1, in Dambulla before playing matches in Kurunegala on November 3 and Colombo two days later.

They currently trail the three-match ‘Test’ series 1-0, after losing the first game in Hambantota by ten wickets and drawing the second in Matara, with the third fourday ‘Test’ beginning today in Moratuwa.

SQUAD: Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Miguel Cummins, Andre Fletcher, Assad Fudadin, Shannon Gabriel, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Chadwick Walton.

Pakistan on top despite Warner ton (REUTERS) - David Warner’s third consecutive century was not enough to keep Australia in touch with Pakistan, who ended day three of the first Test in Dubai in an ominous position.

Warner, whose previous Test appearance against South Africa in March yielded hundreds in both innings, turned his 75 not out into 133 to prop up an otherwise disappointing innings from his side.

Having started the day on 113 without loss, and hoping to at least match Pakistan’s 454, they were all out for 303 and with 13 overs possible before the close, Pakistan then reached 38 without loss, a lead of 189.

Warner and Chris Rogers

started the day by adding 15 to their overnight stand, before the latter dragged a thick inside edge off Rahat Ali into his stumps.

Warner continued unflustered and reached his ninth Test ton by punching Imran Khan for an eighth four in 128 deliveries.

Alex Doolan’s stay was less fluent, yielding five runs in 34 balls before he was run-out by Rahat scrambling for an ill-judged single.

Pakistan had the door open and quickly added the key scalp of captain Michael Clarke, nudging a batpad catch to short leg to give Zulfiqar Babar his first wicket.

Despite his partners’ struggles Warner was evidently seeing it well, string-

ing together a series of boundaries before lofting Mohammad Hafeez for six over mid-wicket.

Steve Smith came and went for 22 - sloppily handing Yasir Shah a maiden wicket, and it was the legspinner who finally ended Warner’s stay.

It was a wonderful ball, turning and bouncing on its way clattering middle stump.

That left Australia on 207 for five and in need of a substantial knock from the lower middle order.

Brad Haddin hinted at one, with two fours and a six in his lively 22, before Imran Khan removed him with the new ball, while debutant Mitchell Marsh reached 27 by the time Zulfiqar snared him legbefore on review.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Mosiah Yellow crowned champions RBC postpones of LDSPL T20 Tournament Troy Humphrey Memorial

The victorious Mosiah Yellow lineup pose with their spoils and a broad smile, after defeating Queenstown Jama Masjid in the final of the LDSPL T20 tournament last Thursday at the MYO ground. was adjudged the Man-of- ment and Ajay Seepaul, 15 the-Match, his teammate wickets at 4.52 - the Most MOSIAH YELLOW de- 12, were instrumental in Safraz Esau copped the Wickets award. feated the Queenstown turning the tables on QJM, Man-of-the-Tournament Aaron Sewpersaud was Jama Masjid (QJM) team who were led by a solid award while Wazir Hus- adjudged the Most Promisin the final of the Latter bowling performance from sain 184 (121 balls, 19x6, ing Young Player and AarDay Saints Premier League Javid Kayume who took 4 6x4) of Moroni Orange on Bacchus (9 years old) T20 tournament which for 26 and Majid Khan, 2 was awarded the prize for was awarded the Youth was played at the Mus- for 20. the most runs in the tourna- with Heart prize. lim Youth Organisation QJM responded with (MYO) ground at Wool- aggression for the first five ford Avenue on Diwali Day. overs, but as wickets began QJM captain Aslam to tumble, so did their hopes Baksh called correctly at and they faded away for the toss and asked MOY to 120 off 19 overs, with only bat first and they posted 128 Paul Shivram 31 (4x6, 1x4) all out off 19.3 overs, led and Azhar Khan 18 offering

by Alvin Persaud who top- resistance to the bowling of scored with a run-a-ball 31 Persaud who took 3 for 18 (2x6, 2x4). and Barker, 3 for 21.

Persaud and his skipper At the Awards cereDaniel Barker who made 17, mony which followed, along with Avinash Pitamber Alvin Persaud of MOY

2014 BCB/Carib Beer First Division T20

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday October 25, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Surav Ganguly (190); Yuvraj Singh (148); Brian Lara (133); Viv Richards (126) (2) 19 Today’s Quiz: (1)Who is the first Indian to take an ODI hattrick?

(2) Who has played most ODIs without ever winning a Man of the Match Award?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Playoffs bowl off today

PLAY-OFF action in this year’s Berbice Cricket Board-organised, Ansa McAl Carib Beer-sponsored first division T20 cricket competition, gets under way today with two matches set for today and the other for tomorrow, with action on both days commencing at 13:30hrs.

In today’s contest, West Berbice and Universal Solutions Bermine will collide at Bush Lot with Joseph Simon and Moses Ramphal calling play while Young Warriors and Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets will do battle at Cumberland, under the guidance of Dhieranidranauth Somwaru and Clement Brusche.

Tomorrow’s matchup will be held at the Albion Sports Club ground and pits the home team against D’Edward, with Omadat Samaroo and Imran Moakan calling play.

DUE TO the unavailability of the National Park’s inner circuit which will be occupied with other matters relating to the Government of Guyana, the Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) is advising the public of the cancellation of their 17th Annual Troy Humphrey Memorial cycle programme.

The eight-race programme was set to pedal off at 09:30hrs today, but has been rescheduled for Saturday November 8 at the same time and venue.

According to a press release sent by RBC, the club was informed by the National Parks Commission about the distribution of the $10 000 Educational Grants to approximately 5 000 parents/guardians and this is scheduled from 09:00hrs to 14:00hrs today.

“After a brief meeting with management of the National Park this morning (yesterday), it was decided to reschedule the event in the interest of the safety of the cyclists and the crowd that is expected to converge on the National Park,” the release stated.

EDFA Stag Beer League

Kings still sitting atop throne after Diwali Day victory over Sparta

… Ann’s Grove triumph over BVTU FOLLOWING their 2-0 Diwali Day victory over a game Sparta United lineup, defending champions Victoria Kings maintained their lead at the top of the points table in this year’s East Coast Demerara Football Association-organised, Ansa McAl/Stag Beer-sponsored league football tournament.

Also recording a victory on the day were the lowly rated Ann’s Grove lineup who shocked Beterverwagting/Triumph United (BVTU) to come away with a similar margin of victory, when the double-header was hosted at the Victoria Community Centre ground.

The Kings maintained their stranglehold on the crown, thanks to goals, scored off the boots of Seon Robinson in the 60th minute, followed by Alden Lawrence’s 82nd minute strike, which led them to victory.

In the feature matchup of the evening BVTU faced Ann’s Grove who were the underdogs but came out as the top team, courtesy of a Travin Allen brace, scored in the 80th and 83rd minutes of play, leaving their opponents shell-shocked with the defeat.

The action will continue tomorrow at the Buxton playfield with another double-header, which will see BVTU take on Golden Stars in the first game at 14:00hrs, followed by Buxton United against Buxton Stars in the feature clash from 16:00hrs.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 25, 2014

Digicel Golf Classic set to tee-off next Saturday

By Calvin Roberts JUDGING from the present form that is being displayed by local golfers so far this year, picking a winner for the second annual Digicel Open Golf Classic is definitely not an easy task, when the action tees off next Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Course at 07:00hrs.

Yesterday at a simple ceremony held in the Barrack Street, Kingston-based boardroom of the telecommunications service provider, Club captain David Mohammed said the tournament is one of the biggest on the calendar of the club.

“I am happy to have Digicel on board with us once again as the sole sponsor of this tournament that is the biggest on the calendar of the club. It is a wonderful journey to work along with Digicel, whom we have partnered with before on several tournaments,” said Mohammed.

Looking at the lineup of players who will be competing for supremacy out of three flights which are 0 to 9, 10 to 18 and 19 to 28, from which a champion will be crowned and adorned in the ‘red jacket’, Mohammed readily identified players such as the

defending champion Avinder Kishore, former champion Roger Rajkumar and current Ladies champion Christine Sukhram.

Mohammed believes that the excellent condition of the venue, especially the greens and fairway are in now, will make the tournament more competitive, even though it will best suit the foreign competitors.

“With the dry weather we have been experiencing for the past month or so, the venue is in excellent condition. Yes we would welcome the rains since it will aid in more ways than one, but as it is right now, the conditions would best suit the foreign competitors who are expected to come and do battle for supremacy.

However, having said that, I do expect the Guyanese players to put their best foot forward and ensure the ‘red jackets’ for both categories remain here in Guyana as some of them are in excellent playing status right now and this augurs well for a high competitive two days of golf,” said Mohammed.

He added, “The defending champions of both categories are ready and raring to go out there and defend their titles.

… Large field expected

Members of the head table at yesterday’s launching from left: Vidya Sanichara, David Mohammed, Gavin Hope, Chatterpaul Deo, Roger Rajkumar and Esau Shamshudin.

In fact, they are ready to battle for the defence of their titles, while Roger Rajkumar is already here, getting himself acclimatised to the fairways

and greens of the venue, so we do expect a high level of competition when the action tees off next week Saturday.

“There are golfers from

the USA, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and neighbouring Suriname who are accustomed to the level of conditions being presented at the club right now, so you can

safely say that the Guyanese golfers have their work cut out for them, if they intend to win.”

Sponsorship and Events Manager of Digicel Gavin Hope called on all and sundry to come out and support the event next week, with free admission to the venue on both days even as he called on the Guyanese golfers to make sure the championship titles stay in the Land of Many Waters.

“This is the second year we are sponsoring this tournament, applying our signature to it even though we have been associated with the LGC for the past five years,” said Hope.

He called on all to come out and support not only the Guyana Open Classic, but the sport of golf. He complimented the club for putting its best foot forward in ensuring the sport gets bigger and better as the years go by.

In an invited comment, Rajkumar said he is ready to do battle with his counterparts for supremacy and likened the course to those he is accustomed to playing on in the USA, even as Chatterpaul Deo and Esau Shamshudin promised this tournament will indeed be a classic.

IGG Tennis Tournament

Suriname take first day honours Leeron Brumell SURINAME take a six-point lead into today’s second and final day of the Inter-Guiana Games Tennis Tournament.

At the end of 36 matches in three divisions – Suriname totalled 60 points, six more than host nation Guyana on 54, with the defending champs – French Guiana on 45.

Suriname won 18 games, Guyana 16 and French Guiana two games on the day, with doubles matches set for today, at the end of which a champion will be crowned.

Matches were played at the GBTI Courts in Bel Air and Diamond as well as the Harry Panday Court, also in Bel Air. At the Diamond Courts, it was a day of mixed fortunes for Guyana’s Under-14 and U-18 boys.

Only six of the eight singles matches were possible on the courts due to a rain delay and a lack of lights at the facility, as heavy showers battered the venue and lasted for just over an hour, before the first served occurred at

08:30hrs yesterday.

When play was finally possible, Daniel Lopes in the Under-18 division gave Guyana their first victory for the day, outplaying his opponent from French Guiana – Clement Gaumont - to register the first point for the locals.

Khalif Gobin, another Guyanese competing in the Under-18 class, lost his first match to Dani Sampson of Suriname, but redeemed himself in the final match of the day, when he defeated French Guiana’s Kevin Cothnet, one of the late come-back wins by the Guyanese on the opening day.

Playing under lights in Bel Air, Lopes fell to Joshio Lor (SUR), while in the Under-14 class, Keenan Persaud lost both his matches, first to Sergi Calor (SUR) and as light faded, to Lilian Briot (FG), with Guyana’s other Under-14 player Mark McDonald also going down to Sale Geer (FG) in the other match.

After a simple but exciting gathering on Thursday’s

Guyana’s Inter-Guiana Games tennis unit strike a pose while displaying the Golden Arrowhead at last Thursday’s opening ceremony held at the GBTI Bel Air Park tennis court. opening ceremony day, the players threw the gauntlet down and started a heated competition similar to the

Davis Cup in the round robin rules, where the first and second seeded players played their counterparts of

the other countries.

The ladies were stationed at GBTI Bel Air Recreational Centre, the Under-12 Boys

played at Harry Panday’s residence also in Bel Air Park, while the Boys Under-14 and Under-18 played at the GBTI Diamond, East Bank Demerara club.

Despite the threat of some bad weather, the matches went under way and Guyana launched the attack with a lead over French Guiana and Suriname, with scores and matches being close as the results suggested at the end of the first day of action.

The female star players did not disappoint, with Aretha Dey, Nicola Ramdyhan and Afruica Gentle winning both of their matches, while the younger players Sarah Klautky and Kalyca Fraser won one of their two matches.

The Under-12 boys team of Jordan Beaton and Heimraj Resaul won both their matches, even as Mark McDonald and Keenan Persaud lost both of their matches while Khalif Gobin and Daniel Lopes took one apiece from their two matches.

Sport CHRONICLE

RBC postpones Troy Humphrey See Story on Memorial Page 30 Scenes from IGG games in Suriname The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

See Story on Page 27

Team Guyana after training yesterday, at the Star Dust Hotel in Suriname, with national cycling coach within the National Sports Commission, Hassan Mohamed (at centre).

Team Guyana in Suriname at the opening ceremony. (All photos by Rawle Toney)

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Director of Sport Neil Kumar delivering his address at the opening of the IGG second leg in Suriname.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2014