Guyana chronicle 26 05 14

GUYANA No. 103839

MONDAY MAY 26, 2014

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

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On the eve of Independence ...

President Ramotar calls for ‘renewed patriotism and nationalism’ on the political front Page

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––says opposing for opposing sake will do country more harm than good

Watching the Golden Arrowhead make its stately ascent are President Donald Ramotar, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar (second and third left, respectively); Prime Minister, Mr Samuel Hinds and Mrs. Yvonne Hinds (third and fourth right, respectively); and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony (right of the President). With them are members of the Disciplined Forces (Photo by Adrian Narine)

At flag-raising ceremony ...

Culture Minister hails President Ramotar’s Page 6 determination and grit ––in spite of overwhelming challenges

CDB consultations with cooperating institutions, Page 5 MSMEs start today

Guyana appears before CFATFPage 4 today

Strange woman kidnaps ‘young water-baby’ Page 5 in broad daylight

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

Hoisting of Golden Arrowhead quickens many a flagging spirit ––as Guyana turns a mature 48

By Vanessa Narine HUNDREDS of Guyanese

flocked the National Park last night to participate in the annual flag-raising ceremony that this year marked the nation’s 48th Independence Anniversary; and for many, if not all, gathered for the solemn observation, the moment served to quicken the spirit.

The fire of a bond stronger than the elements of division that often plague our society was tangibly felt in the charged atmosphere that attended the midnight hour

when the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted, with President Ramotar, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces; First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar; Prime Minister Mr Samuel Hinds and his spouse, Mrs Yvonne Hinds; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony; and members of the Disciplined Forces standing beneath it.

The singing of the National Anthem followed.

Preceding the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead was the march of the Joint Services’ Guard of Honour, whose usual Parade March was met with loud cheers; and as they were met by the Head of See page 12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

On the eve of Independence ...

President Ramotar calls for ‘renewed patriotism and nationalism’ ––says opposing for opposing sake on the political front will do country more harm than good HEAD of State, President Donald Ramotar, last evening called attention to the fact that Guyana’s 48th Independence anniversary may have marked the end of oppression, but with international relations being dominated and determined by a handful of rich countries, Guyana must continue to build greater solidarity among countries of the developing world, while working in alliance with developed countries interested in genuine partnership.

He also noted the lead role Guyana has taken in promoting regional unity, and its continuing to work tirelessly within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to forge stronger and closer ties among the peoples of the region.

He further reported that cooperation with countries in the Americas have improved greatly, therby creating a foundation that needs to be continuously promoted, as it is a platform, the wide cooperation from which developing countries can benefit.

Among the other areas he underscored were the progress Guyana has made on the economic front, with social progress being made; the transformational projects like the Amaila Falls Hydropower project, which will propel social progress; and he also bemoaned the counter-productive actions of the combined Opposition.

The fact that Guyana has earned the international reputation of being one of the leaders in the fight against climate change was also referenced as one of the nation’s many successes over the last decades.

The following is the full text of the President’s address to the nation last night from the National Park, as Guyana marked the passage of another milestone in its 48-year history.

My dear Guyanese, we meet here to celebrate the 48th Anniversary of our Independence, our freedom; and indeed our sovereignty. This date is, without doubt, one of the most important in our country’s history. It marks the end of centuries of oppression including slavery, indentureship and foreign domination.

The journey was long and arduous. In the process, it was characterised by valiant

struggles and acts of mass heroism, as well as great individual feats. Whether our people were enslaved or bonded as indentured labourers, our peoples’ dream was always to be free, to be able to determine our own path of development.

This is, therefore, one of the dates that call for celebration of the achievements of our people; their strength; their bravery; their perseverance; and their sacrifices in the face of a powerful foreign force through the centuries of our history.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS We are marking this anniversary in a world that has grown more complex, more interconnected, but, unfortunately, one which still remains very unequal between the developing South and the developed North.

International relations today are still dominated and determined by a handful of rich countries. Many of the institutions established, particularly the International Financial Institutions, are mostly geared to serve the interest of the most rich and powerful countries.

Developing countries have to manage the affairs of their states in a great disadvantageous situation.

This is reflected in the growing inequality in relation to access to resources and the huge income gap between the rich and poor countries of the world.

Today, the richest 85 persons in the world are worth more than the poorest 3.5 billion persons; almost a half of the world’s wealth is owned by just 1 per cent of the population; and the bottom half of the global population own less than 1 percent of total wealth.

The struggle, therefore, for socio-economic justice and a more equitable world, continues. One of the major issues is the need to democratise international relations.

It is patently evident that the vast majority of countries in the world, and by extension the peoples of those countries, do not have enough influence on international politics and economics.

This situation demands that Guyana continues to build greater solidarity among the developing world, while we

work in alliance with those developed countries interested in genuine partnership.

As you are no doubt aware, Guyana took the lead in promoting regional unity.

We continue to work tirelessly within CARICOM to bring stronger bonds and integration of the peoples of the region.

While I know many have expressed some impatience with the pace at which this process is proceeding, let us not fail to see the gains that we have made as well.

I was heartened to hear at the last CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, leaders of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Dominica, our sister members, saying that last December when they experienced great damage caused by a major storm, that it was other CARICOM member states that first rushed to their assistance and helped to ease the pain that they endured. This is living example of the growing maturity of the nations, and of the region’s commitment to regional integration.

We are also seeing that the institutions of CARICOM are growing stronger. Indeed, later this week, Guyana will be hosting the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of

one of our foremost regional institutions, the Caribbean Development Bank. This Bank has served our Region with distinction, and we are pleased to welcome the leadership of this important institution to Guyana.

We will continue to work towards greater cooperation and integration. Closer links will certainly enhance the fortunes of all our peoples.

Guyana has, over the last two decades, also increased its contacts with countries on the American continent. We play an active role in major organizations that seek to improve relations among the countries of both North and South America.

We are working in the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as in UNASUR, MERCOSUR and CELAC. In recent years, cooperation with countries in the Americas has improved greatly. This is a good foundation, and we need to continuously promote such cooperation and work with countries both in the North and South. This will allow us to broaden our international relations and benefit from wider cooperation.

Moreover, in a wider setting, we are also working

with other former colonies to enhance our collective influence on world affairs. This is manifested in our role in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. It is an important forum for us. The ACP was formed to allow us to interact with the European Union in a more collective way. Now we are working to allow it to expand its relations with other countries and blocs of states.

Guyana also takes an active part in the work of the Commonwealth. This body brings together both developed and developing countries and seeks to enhance cooperation between and among them.

Our country has earned the international reputation of being one of the leaders in the fight against climate change and to better prepare the world to confront the challenges associated with it. Needless to say, this is the greatest challenge of our time, and Guyana stands in the front ranks of the struggle even though we play no part in creating this problem. We will continue to work within the framework of the United Nations process towards a global agreement on Climate Change by 2015.

In the process, we have built an important alliance

HEAD OF STATE, PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR with the Kingdom of Norway.

This relationship is now being recognised as a model for other countries to emulate.

Recently, Indonesia adopted a similar project to save its forests.

We are also working closely with the international community, mainly the United Nations, the United States and the United Kingdom in fighting international crimes which include the fight against drug dealers, money launderers and other global criminals.

Our work with the international community will become even more intensive as we are confronted with many global issues. Global problems must be solved by governments taking common positions.

These engagements are vital to also promoting the welfare of our own country.

ECONOMIC ADVANCES Fellow Guyanese, our country has had real consecutive economic growth every year since 2006. This represents the longest period of See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

Guyana appears before CFATF today

By Vanessa Narine

THE Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) meeting in Miami, USA, kicked off yesterday.

And Guyana, without an enacted Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill, appears before the regional body today. The local team is being headed by Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.

CFATF blacklisted Guyana regionally last November, at its 38th plenary meeting, issuing a missive which called for its members to “consider implementing counter measures to their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks” emanating from Guyana.

“Guyana has made efforts to address its deficiencies, however, it has not taken sufficient steps towards improving its AML/CFT compliance regime by failing to approve and implement required legislative reforms,” the regional body said.

LEGISLATIVE DEFICIENCIES CFATF added that 98 per cent of the deficiencies in the local AML/CFT framework identified are legislative in nature.

It has stated that Guyana must therefore pass the relevant legislation and implement all the outstanding issues within its Action Plan including: 1) fully criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing offences; 2) addressing all the requirements on beneficial ownership: 3) strengthening the requirements for suspicious transaction reporting, international co-operation, and the freezing and confiscation of terrorist assets; and 4) fully implementing the United Nations conventions.

While Government contends that these deficiencies were wholly addressed in the AML/ CFT Amendment Bill, it has still not received the support of the combined Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC), both of whom have attached conditions in exchange for their support.

APNU has proposed three amendments that proffer a change to the entire governing apparatus of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); removal of the Attorney General wherever

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that name appears and replacement of it with the FIU and vesting a Police or Customs Officer with the power to seize currency from any person, anywhere in Guyana, if those officers have reason to believe that it is the proceeds of crime or will be used to fund criminal activities. The party is also calling for President Donald Ramotar to assent to Bills passed in the National Assembly, through the Opposition’s one-seat majority, but the Head of State has explained that they are unconstitutional.

The Attorney-General, on behalf of the Government, has since forwarded counter-proposals in the interest of ensuring that the amendments made are CFATF complaint and to move towards a compromise.

These counter-proposals are being considered by the Parliamentary Select Committee, which has been reviewing the AML/CFT Bill for more than 12 months and held its most recent meeting last Thursday, May 22.

The AFC, which has expressed support for APNU’s position, is demanding the establishment of the PPC (Public Procurement Commission), which Government has agreed to, providing that Cabinet retains its no-objection role in the process but the latter position has been rejected by the AFC. MAINTAINED POSITIONS Meanwhile, local stakeholders in the financial sector, as well as regional organisations have bemoaned the conditions being maintained by the Opposition, despite both parties publicly stating that they have no objections to the AML/CFT Amendment Bill in its current form.

Advisor on Governance and Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee reviewing the Bill, Gail Teixeira, lamented the position taken, given the devastating consequences non-passage of the AML/CFT Amendment Bill will have for Guyana.

At the last sitting of the National Assembly, last Wednesday, May 21, she quipped in the National Assembly that the Bill is being “tortured” in the Select Committee. “I honestly feel that I am a victim of torture,” Teixeira said, citing the very lengthy time the Bill has spent with the Select Committee.

The ongoing meeting of CFATF ends on Thursday, at which time a final decision can be taken to send Guyana to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF), for review by the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG).

If that is done, Guyana could face further sanctions, including being put on the international blacklist.

CFATF is an organisation of twenty-nine jurisdictions of the Caribbean Basin Region, which have agreed to implement the international standards for AML/CFT, as well as recommendations of the international body, FATF.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

CDB consultations with cooperating institutions, MSMEs start today

By Vanessa Narine

THE Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) kicks off consultations with two key groups today at the Princess Hotel, ahead of the opening of its Annual Board of Governors’ meeting here Wednesday.

The three-day stakeholders’ network consultation, beginning today, will be followed by the two-day MSME (Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) consultations on Thursday, May 29.

The sessions will be hosted by the CDB’s Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS), and 16 representatives from key CTCS Cooperating Institutions (CIs) from across the Caribbean will join fifteen counterpart CI representatives from Guyana to exchange ideas geared towards fostering stronger linkages.

The participating countries are Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.

CTCS Coordinator Kenneth Harvey, in a statement, said, “The consultations are expected to contribute to enhancing the operations of the CTCS Network, as part of efforts aimed at ensuring that the

programme remains relevant to the needs of MSMEs, while taking into account CDB’s Special Development Fund and Gender Equality Policy and Strategy requirements.”

Over the three days of the Stakeholders’ Consultations, participants will engage in discussions and exchange of experiences and ideas in such areas as: * Integration of gender equality in all CTCS Network activities; * Establishment of a standardised Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism for effectively benchmarking and monitoring CTCS interventions; * Increased participation and input by local cooperating institutions (LCIs) in the design, preparation and oversight of proposed national CTCS activities and requests for direct technical assistance

by MSMEs; * Identification and development of a more diverse network of available resource institutions, private enterprises and resource persons in BMCs to support the exchange of technical and business knowhow within each BMC and across BMCs; * Increased efforts to investigate synergies and possible harmonisation of CTCS network services with those being delivered within BMCs by other international, regional

and local entities operating within the respective BMCs; *Identification of new areas of development within BMCs which will require enhanced and/or new CTCS delivery mechanisms and focus; * Redevelopment of a fully computerised CTCS Network of resource persons; and * CTCS’ initiatives in energy efficiency and renewable energy development, among other issues.

Additionally, the MSME consultations will see 30 small and medium-sized enterprises in Guyana learning about the experiences of counterparts from other Caribbean countries, as well as CDB support which could strengthen their businesses.

Harvey said, “This is part of CDB’s strategic objective of supporting inclusive growth and sustainable development, and its corporate priorities of promoting private sector development leading to enhanced viability of small and medium-sized enterprises.”

The CTCS is a network operated in cooperation with regional and national institutions, laboratories, industrial enterprises, and consultants to support the development and expansion of the region’s MSME sector.

It contributes to the stimulation of entrepreneurship, while at the same time enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s productive sector through capac-

ity building and skills transfer.

CTCS links people who have business and technical experience with businesses and enterprises that need consulting advice and assistance.

The CDB’s Forty-Fourth Annual Board of Governors’ (BOG) Meeting will be held at the Guyana International Convention Centre, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, May 28.

The Caribbean Development Bank is a regional financial institution established in 1970 for the purpose of contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of the member countries in the Caribbean.

There are nineteen regional borrowing member countries, three regional non-borrowing member countries, and five non-regional, non-borrowing member countries.

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Strange woman kidnaps ‘young water-baby’ in broad daylight A BABY boy merely nine days old was allegedly kidnapped Saturday, leaving its parents, who reside at Number 60 Village, Corentyne, frantic with worry about the infant’s whereabouts.

His father, Ravikant Vistonauth, and mother, Pinky, were up to 21:00hrs last night distraught over the fact that there has been no development since the child’s disappearance.

The parents’ emotional state has rendered them unable to speak, but according to the mother’s aunt, Radhika DeBarros, a woman named Bibi from the Surinamese border town of Nickerie befriended Pinky while the latter was in hospital awaiting delivery.

“Since then, she has been around to see the baby rather often,” DeBarros said, adding, “The woman was nice; I can’t even tell you how this happen.”

On the day of the kidnapping, De Barros said, Pinky had gone to the market in the company of the alleged kidnapper, and had asked the woman to hold the child while she went to get something.

“In two minutes, the woman disappear!” DeBarros said, her voice loaded with emotion.

The matter has since been reported to the Whim Police Station, and anyone with information in regard to the incident is being asked to contact the nearest police station, or the couple on telephone numbers 676-5348 or 338-1289. (VN)

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GUYANA

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

At flag-raising ceremony ...

Culture Minister hails President Ramotar’s determination and grit ––in spite of overwhelming challenges

EDITORIAL Dr. Cheddi Jagan: Liberator of Guyana THE Cooperative Republic of Guyana celebrates its Independence Day on May 26 every year. This day commemorates the date, in 1966, when this country attained freedom from the British Empire.

Sovereign Guyana’s first Constitution came into existence on the day of freedom itself, and at present, the people of the country observe their Independence Day in their homeland and nations across the world that house hundreds of thousands of inhabitants of Guyanese descent.

On March 22, 1918, in a rural village in Guyana, the remarkable life of an ordinary sugar worker’s son began.

His name was Cheddi Jagan, and before his time was over, he would change the course of his country’s history by first struggling to liberate it from British colonial domination, then by waging a 28-year-long struggle for the restoration of freedom and democracy, and finally by ascending to the Presidency as Guyana’s first democratically-elected Head of State.

Alongside Dr. Jagan, in all these struggles, was his American-born wife, lifelong friend and political partner, Janet, who left the USA for life in Guyana, where she remained until her death on March 28, 2009. She was a woman of a number of firsts in her long history of involvement in her adopted country’s politics. She was to reach the pinnacle as first woman Head of State in December 1997, following the death in office of her husband on March 6, after first serving as Prime Minister.

They were the founders of the country’s first mass political movement, and unquestionably the leading political figures in the history of Guyana.

As international figures, they are well known for their fight for peace and freedom around the globe. Dr. Jagan’s ideas on debt relief, as well as his proposals for a New Global Human Order, were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 14, 2002. As such, he deserves credit as a major figure in modern history.

However, despite the fact that the world knows that it was Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s dreams and efforts that forced the granting of independence to Guyana, because of Burnham’s allegation that the existing electoral system unduly favoured the Indian community, the British government introduced, for the elections of December 1964, a new system of Proportional Representation.

Thereafter, the PNC and the small United Force, under Peter D’Aguiar, formed a coalition government, led

by Burnham, under which the British eventually granted this country independence under its new name, Guyana, on May 26, 1966.

The PNC gained full power in the general election of 1968, which was characterised by questionable rolls of overseas voters, and widespread claims of electoral impropriety.

But Guyana’s liberator, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, continued

MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, last evening at the National Park, during the 48th Independence celebrations, called on the nation to remember the generations before us who have sacrificed and made Guyana the nation it is today.

The following is the full text of his address: I am delighted to welcome you to National Park, for the Annual Flag Raising Ceremony. This year we mark our 48th Anniversary, as an independent nation.

In marking this day, we must remember the generations before that have made our country what it is today; the workers and teachers, the farmers and engineers, doctors and cultural workers, entrepreneurs and elected leaders – people MINISTER DR. FRANK ANTHONY from all walks of life, all working to build a better and a greater Guyana.

Our journey was never smooth and easy, and along the way we have lost too many years. We experience a lot of growing pains as a nation. We

sometimes stumble and sometime fell, but more importantly we always got up and keep striding for a better future.

Our resilience was shaped by history, and sustained by the love, hope and pride that we each have, for our country. The defining task of our generation is to work more cohesively for a better Guyana.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is proud, to play its role in promoting, our country’s rich heritage, ideals and aspirations. I want to thank all the persons involved in this year’s celebration, the Police, Army, the cultural performers, the staff of the Ministry, but most of all the 600 children and their parents. They have done a fantastic job in setting the tone for the 48th Independence celebrations.

And we thank them.

Friends, nations are made great not only by its people, but by its leaders.

We have a great leader with us tonight: A President, who is committed to the development of all our people, especially the young and the vulnerable!

A President who is committed to eradicate poverty and spread prosperity! A President who is committed to national unity! A President who, despite the many challenges; despite the many impasses; despite the many obstacles, remains resolute and committed to making Guyana better for all Guyanese.

Taxi driver beats iNews reporter to a pulp ––for refusing to pay inordinately high fare

By Asif Hakim

SENIOR Journalist and Corporate Communications Officer of iNews Guyana, Mr. Kurt Campbell, was savagely beaten early Sunday morning by a taxi driver for refusing to pay the exhorbitant fare he was asking. The incident reportedly occurred around 03:30 hrs. Campbell, who caught the cab on Main Street, said he was physically attacked by the taxi driver, and was punched several times to his face even as a cutlass was held to his throat. But all he could recall about his assailant was that he was medium built, sported dreadlocks, and that the vehicle he drove (HC 2568), was attached to the Indian Chief Taxi Service.

Campbell said he and

three friends had just exited a popular city nightspot, when they spotted the cab outside the establishment. He said they chose that particular vehicle because of the service to which it belonged.

He said that as the driver was about to move off, he inquired about the fare from Main Street to Kitty, and was told that it was $1500.

“After the driver told me the fare was $1500,” Campbell said, “I asked him to stop the car, but he continued to drive before stopping two lots away. He then told me that I have to pay him a short drop fare of $300, and I refused and then questioned if Kitty was a long drop. I refused to pay him for that and exited his vehicle.

“While I was walking back... [to the nightspot], I realised that my friends were

his relentless struggle for real freedom in Guyana, even after the instruments of Independence were handed over by the British Government to a triumphant dictator.

The oppression of the newly sovereign Guyanese nation escalated to unbearable proportions under the dictatorship of the PNC administration, and it was not until October of 1992 that, thanks largely to former US President Jimmy Carter and the Carter Centre, that free and fair polls were returned to Guyana, consequencing a PPP victory, and Dr. Jagan’s assumption to his rightful place in this nation; and thereafter the struggle to restore democratic norms and real freedoms began.

still in the vehicle, so I turned back; as I was securing my friends, the driver, who had by then become very aggressive, pushed me and started to assault me.

“So I left him and continued to walk with my friends.

He then went into his vehicle and took out a cutlass; and as I was walking, he came up to me and placed it to my neck.”

The driver discontinued his assault on Campbell after one of Campbell’s friends paid the man the $300 he had demanded for the two-lot ride on Main Street.

POLICE CRITICISED Mr. Campbell and company visited the Alberttown Police Station just after the incident to make a report; but midway the statement being taken, a senior officer told the rank taking the statement to send them to Brickdam Station to receive a medical form, and further complete the statement.

Campbell said the officers at Brickdam Station handled the matter very unprofessionally. He said he was barred from entering the station, and although the Corporal on duty gave him

KURT CAMPBELL the medical form, she refused to take a statement.

“While we were exiting the station, one of my friends asked the corporal why a statement wasn’t taken, and she responded that she already knew what the situation was. She claimed the driver had already made a report about me abusing and assaulting him, which are total lies. She said she believed everything that the driver said, and that she would use her power and charge all of us.

“I was appalled; and right then I felt like the system to protect me had failed…I returned to my home,” Campbell said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

President Ramotar calls ...

From page 3

uninterrupted real economic growth since independence in 1966.

It is no mean achievement.

It is one that all Guyanese must be proud of.

We must recall that this was being accomplished at a time when the international economy was rocked by a series of international financial and economic crises from 2007.

In spite of these negative global developments which impacted on the price for our main exports and imports our country pushed ahead.

Last year the economy grew by more than five per cent.

That figure would have been much greater, but one of the big contributors to the economy, sugar, was experiencing many difficulties since the abandonment of the Sugar Protocol by Europe in 2010, which saw sugar price being cut by 36%.

That the industry survived this and that the country continues to grow in spite of this, demonstrates the resilience of our economy and of the sugar industry.

Growth was experienced in mining. Significantly, we recorded the highest declaration of gold last year. We surpassed the level reached at the peak of Omai’s operations here.

We have also seen a surge in rice production in which records were also broken.

We must congratulate our workers, miners and business men and women for the tremendous contributions they have been making to the expansion and diversification of our economy.

Our private sector has made significant achievements in every area of endeavour.

Much investments are taking place in mining, agriculture, tourism, commerce and information based technology.

The service sector has also grown steadily. It is making an important contribution to our economic progress.

Over the years we have also seen the massive development in the construction sector. Here is another area for growth.

Clearly we have laid and are continuing to lay a solid foundation for greater and faster progress in the future.

To do so, we need to have improved infrastructure.

For us, one of the main impediments to our faster economic growth is the lack of cheap energy. We need this to provide for a strong industrial and processing sector. We need it to add value to much of what we produce today.

We need it too, to ensure that our domestic consumers have cheap and reliable power

in their homes.

We need it so that we can reduce the importation of fossil fuel and to be able to save the nine billion dollars we use every year to subsidise electricity charges to our people.

I have every confidence that cheap energy will stimulate rapid economic growth and facilitate job creations in every sector.

That is why it was such a national tragedy that our National Assembly did not unanimously support the Amaila Falls Hydro Project last year.

It took us four years of negotiations to have reached that stage in 2013 and all of that has been lost. But we are determined to get this project, already we have recommenced the search and opportunities to bring hydropower to our country.

We will also pursue other forms of cheap, reliable and renewable (green) energy in the future. These will include wind, solar and co-generation.

SOCIAL PROGRESS Our strong economic growth has given us the room to expand our social services to our people.

We have achieved universal primary education in our country and we are close to achieving universal secondary education. We are supplying free books and uniforms to all our children in the public schools. From this year, we are providing parents with ten thousand dollars per child in our public schools as a transportation allowance to assist in their travelling to and from schools.

We have built new technical institutes to expand access by our young high school graduates to skills training and thus prepare a larger number of them with the appropriate skills badly needed for the expansion and diversification of the economy.

We are making tertiary education more widely available to more of our people. Very soon the University of Guyana will begin to offer some degree programmes online.

In fact I am advised that the largest number of applicants for this new online programme is from Region 9. The use of technology can equalize equitable access by our young people regardless of where they live. The opportunities are immense for their future.

These measures are enhancing our human capital, the most vital requirement for sustained socio-economic progress. As we see, our children have been dominating the top spots at CXC Examination in the region over the last decade.

We have also extended greater services to our senior

citizens.

We are one of only two countries in the whole continent and probably the world that has developed a universal non-contributory pension scheme to assist the vulnerable old age population who have achieved pensionable age. Recall too that in 1993 we removed the Means Test and we also increased the pension from $300 to$13,126 per month.

My dear country men and women we have also vastly improved health services in our society. Today we have built a cardiac ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital as well as a cancer treatment ward.

We and some private hospitals are providing more dialysis services to people in need.

We want to expand these services and add more to make them affordable to the public at large. That is the thinking behind the construction of the new Specialty Hospital.

Unfortunately, this is another one of the projects that was cut from the Budget by the opposition in National Assembly.

Partly as a result of our greatly improved health delivery and service, life expectancy has improved significantly and infant mortality is at its lowest in our entire history.

Compatriots, I know that one of the greatest contributions to families and citizens’ sense of security comes when he/she owns his/her own home. Over the years, we have successfully housed thousands of our fellow Guyanese. We have drastically reduced overcrowding and created a better environment for families. The days of squatter housing schemes with poor roads, no water, sanitation and electricity are gone.

More women in Guyana own property than ever before and special focus is on single parent headed households. That constitutes a large percentage of beneficiaries in the government housing programmes throughout Guyana.

Our housing programme is being adopted by many Caribbean countries as they tackle that problem as well.

Yes, my dear comrades and friends, as a people we have much to celebrate and the momentum we have achieved at the end of 2011 could have allowed us to go even faster in the last two years if there had been greater cooperation amongst the parliamentary political parties in the National Assembly.

As I have mentioned earlier, politics of “no” that have characterized the 10th Parliament is hampering and undermining many important proj-

ects that have the potential of accelerating economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of all of our people.

I already mentioned the Amaila Hydro Electric Project and the Specialty Hospital.

But there are many others.

How can we talk about developing our tourist market and oppose a Marriot Hotel Project as well as a modern airport and airstrips in the interior? How can we speak of Human Development and cut the money to provide loans to students at the University of Guyana and remove all the monies committed to advancing the transformation of Amerindian Village economies and speeding up their integration into mainstream Guyanese economy?

How can we speak about fighting corruption and Narco-trafficking and refuse to pass the FATF and CFATF compliant Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism bill?

And in blocking such a bill coming to the House they have exposed Guyana to being black listed by the international community with all the consequences that will follow.

As we meet tonight the Guyana delegation is on their way to the CFATF meeting which will review Guyana on our independence day and all indications are that Guyana will automatically be forwarded for review by the FATF. This

means that Guyana will be listed immediately as a country that threatens the global financial, banking and insurance systems and countries will be instructed to take protective measures against Guyana.

What will Guyana gain by these irresponsible and reckless tactics in our body politic?

This I believe will have an impact on the collective morality of our nation. These actions threaten the foundations of our freedom and democracy that our fore parents fought so gallantly for.

Over the years we have worked tirelessly to restore and consolidate our new born democracy and embed it in our constitution, laws, institutions and administrations. Our governance architecture has not emerged as a result of a top down approach but arose from a participatory process with thousands of citizens in the regions and civil society bodies including the opposition parliamentary political parties. Our governance structures enshrined in the constitution are unique and progressive. No country in this hemisphere has built in a veto by the leader of the opposition in the appointment of certain constitutional post holders and establishment of service commissions. This was an important ingredient of the constitutional reform process to provide for greater inclusivity. However, the Constitutional Reform Commission never anticipated that these measures would lead to gridlock.

We have emerged as a democratic nation respecting and protecting human rights.

These are things that we

must guard like our ancestors guarded their dream of freedom and equality. We must not take it for granted; we must always try to strengthen these rights and we should let those who condemn them, those who abuse them know the harm they are inflicting on our country.

My dear countrymen and women on this our 48th Anniversary, allow me to call on all to take special pride in our achievements and to make a greater contribution to the improvements of our country.

Too often we hear about the litter and untidiness of our surroundings. Here, each of us can play a part in leading by example to make a personal contribution to the appearance of our living and working environment.

I call for a renewed patriotism and nationalism from our political parties. Opposing for opposition’s sake and introducing blackmail methods in our politics will gain us nothing; indeed, even if it gives results in the short-term, it will damage the moral fabric of our society in the medium and long-term.

The only criteria should be what is in the interest of our people and country.

As we approach the 50th Anniversary of our Independence let us work in greater cooperation and unity. We still have a lot to do to further enhance the quality of life in Guyana.

Thank you for your attention, and a Happy Independence Anniversary to all.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

GAWU...

PPP...

Committed to staying the Our prospects for course of development development are --in spite of all the obstacles encouraging

THE PPP, under the leadership of the Dr. Cheddi Jagan, made a sterling contribution to those struggles, especially in the decades prior to the winning of independence. While the PPP focused on the main task of winning freedom, it had to also struggle against many forms of political opportunism and those who wanted to derail the process. It was a long and bitter struggle against reactionary forces, both at home and abroad, for political independence.

Independence, for the PPP, was a victory and a stepping stone towards the achievement of an independent, prosperous Guyana.

That vision was, however, shared by the PNC/UF coalition which was in power in 1966. Though the PPP was the leading political force in the country at the time, local and foreign forces conspired to keep it out of power. The 1964 elections saw the PPP gaining more seats that all the other parties but the People’s National Congress and the United Force, joined forces to form the government.

The then government honeymooned with all sorts of reactionary forces, including the British and American governments. These two countries had a long history of interfering, at intervals, in the internal affairs of Guyana, including the removal of the PPP earlier from office though it was constitutionally elected.

The honeymoon period, however, soon came to an end.

The PNC, under Forbes Burnham, dumped the UF and went on its own path of co-operative socialism. To stay in power it blatantly rigged elections and brought destruction and decay in all areas of social, economic and political life.

The struggle against the PNC dictatorship to bring back the nation on track was also long and bitter. It was a period of total violation of civil, political and human rights. It was a period of brutal suppression of the political opposition when death, imprisonment and torture of opposition politicians were the norm. It was in that period that Dr. Walter Rodney was killed. That dark period came to an end in 1992 when, the vast majority

of Guyanese and the some foreign forces that initially backed the PNC, demanded free and fair elections.

Even then, the PNC did not allow the PPP to rule and implement its development agenda. On a constant basis, Guyanese have witnessed repeated attempts to trample of the democratic rights of the people. Guyana has seen many traumatic events – burning, looting, using criminals in political struggles, etc, to challenge the PPP. These historical acts of betrayal of the people, especially the working classes, which had great hopes for a bright future, had devastating effects on our people.

The decidedly most lasting effect was the division created among our people.

There is a fundamental lesson here. Our history has shown that removal of the PPP, the strongest political force at the time of independence, from the political power equation, was the worst possible path after independence. The simple truth is that the losers got together and left the winner out.

Today, there are attempts to repeat history. This time, however, it’s a farce. The PNC is now masquerading as APNU with AFC, through a political compact, is a willing stooge. Another great betrayal of our people is in the making. We can see the same assembling of forces lined up against the PPP. The PPP won executive power at the last elections though it lost its parliamentary majority.

It is clear to the nation that the combined opposition is using its one-seat majority to create mayhem, confusion, and stop the steady progress being made since 1992 by the PPP/C in government.

Tactics have changed, but it is the same old PNC. The focus of the opposition is to stop the PPP/C government from continuing developments and better the lives of Guyanese. They are targeting especially those transformative projects that will transform Guyana even further.

For some odd reason, the political opposition believes that by punishing Guyanese and stultifying growth and development, they will be enhancing their political fortunes. The Guyanese people will see through this smoke screen.

In spite of all this, the PPP remains committed to stay the course of development, and to pursue the vision it had since independence for a united, free and developed Guyana. Since 1992, it has implemented policies aimed at improving the lives of all Guyanese.

There have been tremendous strides in all walks of life.

There is evidence of this everywhere.

The hopes of our Guyanese people are very much alive. The vision of a free, independent, democratic and developed Guyanese continues to guide the PPP. There is much work to be done to reach these goals. We need to continue the country’s economic circumstances, improve social services, deepen the rights and freedoms of our people, creating a better investment climate, create opportunities for job creating especially of our youths, improve management and delivering of services, fight against corruption and constantly improve the condition of the working man and woman.

The PPP is proud of its role in bringing independence and democracy to Guyana on behalf of Guyanese. It will continue to walk with the people to fulfill their dreams. Independence is the achievement of all our people. The PPP acknowledges the great contributions made by leaders past and present.

And on independence, we must remember that great leader of our independence, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. On this occasion of independence the PPP extends warmest salutations

AS Guyana nears half-a-century as an independent State, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is pleased to join with the Guyanese people and Government to celebrate this exciting anniversary in our history.

We need to recall, at this time, that there was near absolute consensus amongst our then leaders that we needed to shed the constitutional and governmental chains which were still wrapped around us as a post-colonial objective.

We welcomed then the new status as citizens, as against former colonial subjects. The onus, therefore, was upon us to chart our own course.

Political independence was a great and significant beginning, but we had to

APNU...

sure Guyana lives up to its promise.

Forty-eight years after achieving our independence, we find ourselves in a struggle to preserve the very foundation of that independence – our Constitution. The fundamental human rights of many of our citizens are being eroded, as reports of abuse by the police continue to increase. Our democracy is threatened, and the right of citizens to be involved in the task of managing their communities has been denied.

These are things we must struggle against in our 49th year as an Independent Guyana Long live Guyana! Long live the fortitude of the Guyanese people!

Happy 48th Anniversary of National Independence!

...

--as a ‘maturing nation state’

A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity (APNU) greets all Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora in celebrating our 48th Anniversary of National Independence on 26 May, 2014.

The majority of the Guyanese people are poor. They are aware of the damage that has been wrought on the na-

Today commerates the beginning of a long journey --the journey to self-governanve

will be raised with pride, and in remembrance of that first poignant moment when, for the first time, it unfurled over our new nation.

This year, as our symbol of Independence is hoisted, it is well for us to remember the dreams of 1966, and the vision of that young nation.

Let May 26th serve to remind us of our solemn duty to en-

Happy Independence Anniversary to all Guyanese! ment.

The majority of the elected representatives in the National Assembly continue to work assiduously to re-assert the autonomy and authority of the Legislative Branch, to enforce the accountability of the Executive Branch to the nation, and to re-affirm the integrity and independence of our institutions, especially the Judiciary.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) renews its pledge to work towards making Guyana a nation in which we can build a truly inclusionary democracy. We shall continue to create the conditions in which all our people are allowed to play a meaningful role in fostering national unity and forging a robust national economy.

The observance of our 48th th Anniversary of National Independence reminds us all of the work that we have to do as a maturing nation-state.

We need especially to rebuild the education system for future generations, and to develop the economy in order for Guyana to progress and for its people to prosper.

We shall work towards a future that is culturally enriching, economically self-sustaining and politically inclusionary. We shall never rest from working to fulfill our promise of “A Good Life for All Guyanese.”

We have truly come a long way

AFC...

TODAY Guyana celebrates the 48th year of the achievement of Independence and the beginning of the journey of self-governance.

Across all ten administrative regions and in the Diaspora, we will pay homage to the fortitude of those who bravely struggled to realise this dream.

The Golden Arrowhead

move on to economic independence and social justice.

Those objectives had to be earned and sustained.

Whatever our current politics, as a people GAWU feels certain that the attainment of Independence brought us pride. It solidified us as a nation, even as it placed heavy responsibilities on us as a people.

Since Independence, we have moved forward.

There are successes in several fields nationally, and we have become more assertive in international fora. Democracy, despite the prolonged and unfortunate lapse, is now a sustained value of our reality.

Parliamentary impasses, at times puerile notwithstanding, we are clearly maturing as a nation and overcoming the negative legacy

of colonialism.

The GAWU is also aware that several key objectives are yet to be attained. It is time to focus on these. One of these is our economic sovereignty, which we see as crucial to safeguard our political independence, especially in the context and circumstances that we see unfolding in the world.

The prospects for our country to strive and develop remain encouraging. We need to tackle the many and various tasks before us in a collective and united spirit.

Our people, especially our working people, still do not enjoy the prosperity and benefits that our country is quite capable of offering.

This needs to be addressed in a consistent way. Our independence anniversary can serve as a springboard to take on these challenges afresh.

As we celebrate this historic anniversary, GAWU urges that we recognize our achievements. It should also be an occasion for our greater efforts to give depth and greater meaning to our cherished independence.

tion under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration for nearly 22 years. They must now contemplate the celebration of our 50th anniversary of Independence, two years from now, in May 2016.

The people must be able to look forward to a ‘good life’ under a new Govern-

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana ...

The unearthing of a dangerous trend in Region 6 ––AFC leadership’s ‘physiological terrorism’ of Berbicians

OLD Kai must recognise the efforts of Haseef Yusuf in constantly exposing the threat posed by the AFC leadership to innocent and unsuspecting citizens. He has detailed knowledge of the intricacies of that Party, and the characters that make up its leadership cabal.

Yusuf was ostracised from the Party when he queried how a current MP and ‘bush doctor’ from Berbice could have spent millions of dollars on feeding a handful of people over a few days during the last elections. It did not help that immediately after the elections, the individual in question purchased a Toyota Prado. A florist in the Party was also accused of misappropriating millions; it was apparently a ‘Wild West’ scene, with absolutely no form of accountability.

Those who fell for their tall tales and accusations against the PPP and PPP/C Government, especially from overseas, and did not have the opportunity to determine first-hand the veracity of those accusations but instead placed their confidence in the Kaieteur and Stabroek News, sent thousands of US dollars to the Party.

However, as the old saying goes, ‘You give a man long enough rope, eventually he will hang himself’. And those donors, over time, soon came to realise that they were conned. When they enquired about their monies and asked for records, none could apparently be produced.

Instead, they were given all manner of lame excuses, including the one where a member spent over $4M on buying ‘bora and bigan’. The same member had told Berbicians on air that he was paying personally for his television programmes out of the goodness of his heart.

When the story did come out, it was revealed that he was using Party donations to pay for these TV programmes.

Upset and shocked, as these were the people who were preaching about accountability and against corruption, many of the overseas and local donors parted ways in sometimes acrimonious public spats with the AFC. Then, no less a person than Moses Nagamootoo had the temerity to go before the media and lament that Party donations had dried up as he begged for people to continue giving them their hard-earned monies.

But it was too late! An independent poll indicated that the AFC, during this time, had already lost over 50% of its supporters, and while the AFC moved to attack the credibility of the findings, the public admission by Nagamootoo of dwindling financial support confirmed the obvious.

They say a leader is not judged by his actions when the going is easy, but rather when the going gets tough; and here it was that the time had come for them to confirm if they were true leaders, genuine leaders, or merely

prima-donnas.

What followed was a shocking revelation, as the leadership became increasingly desperate to hold on to their MP duty-free status in the National Assembly, refusing to infuse new and young blood into their leadership cabal; contradicting themselves constantly; race baiting; and now we are informed

by Haseef Yusuf that they have added ‘physiological terrorism’ to their repertoire.

Not satisfied with bluntly informing citizens that they were ‘collateral damage’, the Party’s leadership now wants to terrorise citizens physiologically, as Yusuf reveals in a letter published by only a few media houses, that AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan on a television programme in Berbice on May 10, threatened Berbicians that their visas will be taken away by the US Government, if they did not support the US-led LEAD project, which is providing assistance to the Opposition.

In an openly racist tone, Ramjattan is quoted by Haseef as saying “When you get the Americans vex, all the East Indians in Berbice who want visa to go to America, if those people (US) retaliate, who you think will be affected? You will be affected by this Communist Government! They don’t like Americans!”

A few things immediately stand out: Is it only East Indians who live in Berbice? Why the direct reference to this ethnic group by Ramjattan? Why the indication that only this ethnic group will be affected? Does the AFC leader know of a plan to directly target East Indians in Guyana?

Then he accuses the Government of being communist, but citizens will recall that right in Berbice, and across the country, these very people have accused the government of being capitalist. So, which is it, AFC? Then he accuses the Government of not liking Americans.

This is the lowest the AFC could have stooped, in attempting to equate the government’s objection to certain aspects of the LEAD project to a dislike for Americans. This is shallow politics; this is disgraceful politics.

Without doubt, America and Guyana have enjoyed the strongest bilateral relationship under the PPP/C Government than at any other point in our history; even during the period when they propped up an illegitimate regime in this country.

Just like any partnership, there will be rough patches, and the PPP/C has shown the courage to not be intimidated, but rather raise their concerns in a respectful and responsible manner; and the fact that the US has agreed to put the LEAD project on hold indicates that they have recognised the position by the Guyana Government. So, Ramjattan has been left out in the cold.

Old Kai has been very critical of the U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, but that does not equate to dislike. There are many

13 petitioners granted $4.6M bail ––pending determination of their cases ACTING Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, SC., on Friday granted 13 petitioners bail in the total sum of $4,650,000 pending determination of their respective cases.

Particulars are as follows: For trafficking in narcotics, Zegga Phillips was granted $750,000 bail; Winston Peters was granted $225,000 bail; Curtley Thomas $550,000 bail; Gavin Shepherd $250,000 bail; Sandra Daniels $600,000 bail; Clifford Thomas $500,000 bail, and Keyon France $125,000 bail.

For cultivation of a prohibited plant, Kenneth Williams was granted $100,000 bail.

For possession of ammunition, Ryan Mayers was granted $300,000 bail.

For robbery under arms, Kurt Simeon was granted $300,000 bail.

For armed robbery, Merlon Providence was granted $250,000 bail.

For engaging in sexual activity with a child family member, Stanley Lam was granted $350,000 bail; and for having sex with a minor, Clinton Doris was granted $350,000 bail.

things for which I am an admirer of the U.S. society; there are many things I admire the U.S. Government for, including the fact that they are currently providing assistance in Nigeria to apprehend the Boko Haram terrorist group, and to free those female students. But there are times when I will disagree with some of their policies; and unlike the AFC and APNU, who are the quintessential soup-drinkers and are willing to be door mats, Old Kai will speak up.

The reason I will speak up is because I value the relationship between the US and Guyana, and it will only gain strength if there is mutual respect. The US will not respect anyone willing to be their ‘puppets’, as Ramjattan and Granger are so eager to become. How can ‘puppets’ become leaders?

We are informed that Ramjattan continued his threats against East Indians in Berbice by stating, “If the U.S. retaliates against you, then all hell will break loose, because you will not get your visa, and so many other things...” He then admits what Old Kai has been contending all along. “…they (the Government) putting our country in more trouble than what the Opposition is doing, and what they are saying about the Anti-Money Laundering Bill.”

When you have the AFC leader announcing publicly that they are indeed putting the country in ‘trouble’, it is self-explanatory! In the meantime, both the U.S. and Guyana Governments have announced that negotiations over the LEAD project is proceeding smoothly, which is in keeping with two nations that share a respectable and close relationship. There is no ‘jook-fuh-jook’ policy involved here.

I close with a fact that the Opposition cannot dispute: More Guyanese than at any other point in our history possess U.S. visas, and visas to other countries where they regularly travel. These people can afford to go for vacations and return home. Statistics by the U.S. embassy has revealed that indeed, there has been a marked increase in the number of Guyanese they have approved for visas.

If the U.S. had suspected that these people only wanted to go to their country and stay illegally as was rampant in a previous era, the increase in air traffic at the CJIA of both outgoing and incoming flights would not have been a reality. We would not have needed to expand the airport to accommodate this significant rise in air traffic.

It is testimony to the fact that Guyana’s economy has improved dramatically, and with it the standard of living of our citizens; the U.S. has recognised this, and, in return, is less hesitant about issuing visas.

So, to the AFC and APNU leadership, bring back commonsense. But, as Mrs. Old Kai will argue, it was never there in the first place.

Anthony George manslaughter trial commences THE hearing of the Better Hope manslaughter trial began Friday before Justice Dawn Gregory at the Demerara Assizes.

The jury heard about how Anthony George, called Ryan, unlawfully killed his stepfather Ralph Jacobs on December 7, 2008.

DPP lawyers, Misses Natasha Backer and Mercedes Thompson assured the jury that they would lead evidence to prove that the accused had stabbed his stepfather following an altercation between them.

The hearing continues tomorrow. (George Barclay)

10

Argentine guitarists on world tour to perform here

ARGENTINIAN guitarists Mr. Jorge Palacious and Mr. Jorge Marti, who are on a world tour, arrived here yesterday on a 10-day visit to give live performances at various events and conduct workshops.

Argentina’s Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Alberto Martino and Guyana’s Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony during a briefing Friday The Embassy of Argentina in Georgetown has said that during the tour here of the Escordando guitar duo from May 25 to June 2, they will be meeting with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, conducting workshops and giving live performances at various events.

Among these events will be the Caribbean Development Bank’s Cultural Evening at the National Cultural Centre, and the 204th Anniversary of the May 1810 Revolution Reception, hosted by the Embassy of Argentina at the Pegasus Hotel.

In addition to open concerts in Georgetown at the Theatre Guild, the Umana Yana and the University of Guyana, the duo will be performing at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School as well as the McKenzie High School in Linden.

‘An Evening of Guitar Music’ from Argentina is one of the open concerts that is being organized by the Embassy of

Argentina in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Theatre Guild for Thursday, May 29, from 19:00hrs at the playhouse on Parade Street, Kingston.

The guitar duo during their world tour have performed in Asia (India and Thailand) and the Middle East (Qatar).

The guitar group plays Argentine folk music, known as “folklore”, a very traditional and popular music of Argentina, particularly representing their native customs. The duo will also play tango music, known as the historical and cultural expression of Argentina. The concerts and performances will feature some of the most authentic lyrics and rhythms created and produced by Argentine artists.

These activities are being organized in keeping with the embassy’s objectives to promote cultural diversity in the area of music between Guyana and Argentina.

The Embassy is asking the general public to come out and support the event. The duo will depart Guyana on Wednesday, June 4th.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

Motorcycles, bicycles handed over to Region Two Administration

Motorcycle and bicycles handed over to boost health delivery in Region 2

JORGE PALACIOUS

Engaging choreography standouts at Physical Display Competition … for Independence Anniversary

Dancers from President’s College perform a pyramid during the National Physical Display Competition yesterday at the CASH

New farmers group formed in Pomeroon SIXTY-FOUR farmers at Unity, in the Lower Pomeroon River, have formed themselves into a group with the objective of working together through the Guyana Agriculture Producers Association (GAPA) to put some 190 acres of virgin land under cultivation to boost production and contribute to the national ‘Grow More Food’ drive.

A representative of GAPA on Essequibo Coast, Mr. Dawood Khan said the targeted acreage will be divided into five-acre plots to benefit 38 families in the area who will each get one plot.

He said each family would live on the land while cultivating it.

The Unity Farmers Group will be headed by Chairman, Mr. Frankin John and with him are Vice-Chairman Carmen Adams; Secretary Meshana Alfred and Treasurer Cenderealla Williams.

Committee Members are Cind Persaud, Lakeram Deepawn, Ambruce George, Amelia John, Maudia Lindore and Christine George.

JORGE MARTI

By Ravin Singh THE National Physical Display Competition held Thursday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, under the auspices of the Education Ministry, showcased engaging choreography by several schools, especially those from outlying regions.

The event which was held to commemorate Guyana’s 48th Independence Anniversary saw a display of gymnastic movements that highlighted aesthetic expression in four categories: Jump Rope and Combination for Primary Schools; and Pyramids and Combinations for Secondary Schools.

A range of schools from the administrative regions, except Regions 1 and 8, converged at the CASH yesterday to vie for the trophies and prizes that were up for grabs by those placing first to third in the various categories.

This event began as a part of the Children’s Mashramani programme in 1992. Over the years, schools have displayed a growing interest in this aspect of the programme, making it difficult to manage during the busy Mashramani calendar. In 2005 the event was separated from the Children’s Mashramani programme and made an individual national event to be held during Guyana’s Independence Anniversary celebrations.

THE Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Administration, in its drive to provide improved health services to residents across the Essequibo Coast, has given six Jialing JL 110-8 motorcycles to the Environmental Health Department and five bicycles to the Maternal Child Health Department of the Health Centres.

Speaking at the recent handing over ceremony in the Regional Administration compound, the Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud said it is another investment by Government to improve the delivery of health services to residents.

He called for the motorbikes and bicycles to be used for making faster contact with the people and not to fly past them. He warned that officers must not misuse the motor cycles and bicycles .

Regional Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo said the motorcycles and bicycles will surely improve the delivery of health services to citizens and help health workers to execute their tasks faster.

Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Sunil Singh said the motorcycles and bicycles were purchased under the Region’s capital programme for 2013 and the Environmental Health Centres along the Coast are now fully enhanced with transportation, so workers can move more quickly to do their work in the field.

Regional Health Officer, Dr. Allison Brown thanked the Government and the Regional Administration for the motorcycles and bicycles and said both departments are mostly involved in field work and the motorcycles and bicycles will be of great help to officers.

Region 2 Chairman Parmanand Persaud, Regional Executive Officer Sunil Singh handing over the keys to the Environmental Department

11

FITUG urges...

Give us something practical to celebrate!

THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) represents the bulk of the nation’s workers still fortunate to be registered with trade unions.

FITUG congratulates Guyana on attaining the 48th year of political independence, wherein post May 1966 saw a people who had just experienced divisive national trauma being determined to unite for a citizenship of statehood characterized by co-existence.

Our practical unity

also witnessed democratic norms, though too many elections suffered from electoral malpractices.

Nevertheless, democracy triumphed as Guyanese avoided the conflicts of separation which troubled other parts of the globe.

One political party saw us through twenty-six (26) years of Independence, the other administered for twenty-two (22) years.

Whilst political commentators, scientists and scholars analyse the stewardship of these political parties, the workers assess their

status and their quality of life after forty-eight (48) years.

FI T UG m u st in d ic t our leaders, those elected to represent our interests whilst managing our natural resources and economic life. Those citizens still living within the Republic’s borders share a sense of unfinished business. We should, and could, have been better off in a national sense. The distribution of our wealth has not been near equal.

The rich, who gained by hard, creative, risky work,

PYO...

WE SHALL OVERCOME

THE Progressive Youth Organization of Guyana extends best wishes to all Guyanese on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of Independence.

The PYO believes that Guyana is in a far better place today than it was back in 1966 as a result of the achievements of hard-working Guyanese who endured countless struggles to develop and modernize our great land.

For the Progressive Youth Organization, Independence was not an end in itself, but an important stage along the road to national and social liberation, which the party had set as its objectives from its inception.

We are respectful of the work done by the founders of the People’s Progressive Party Civic which led to the creation of a society of striving for equality, human rights and social justice. The PYO recalls the endless hardships faced by its members and senior PPP Comrades in the fight to achieve sovereignty and independence over the last 48 years.

Even in the post-Independence period, the people of Guyana had to wage a relentless struggle for the restoration of democracy

which was brutally snatched away by several rigged elections and other infringements on human rights.

We issue a call for all youth to understand the importance of safeguarding our independence and the democratic gains made since 1992. Our young people must strengthen their resolve to become catalysts in Information Communication Technology, New Media, and the fight against Climate Change while understanding the need to continue the pursuit of a new Human Global Order.

The PYO strongly believes that the new threat to Guyana’s forward movement since attaining independence is a brutish and cruel opposition which is willing to sacrifice the bright future of our youth and people at the

altar of political expediency.

This opposition which has a combined one seat majority in the National Assembly continues to hold the Executive to ransom.

However, the opposition’s unconstitutional efforts will continue to be resisted and in the end will prove to be futile.

The PYO wishes to advise that just as the struggle for independence was won through patience and unity, the youth of Guyana will continue to advocate support for critical projects and initiatives that will define the future of this great land.

The PYO is refreshed by the positive sentiments in our society and the zeal of our young people and their willingness to be part of the decision making of this great land.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014 must not be envied or despised; but systems and policies must be devised by government, parliament, and local governance to enable the trickling down

of the wealth for those who create from the bottom.

From legislative compromise to political will, FITUG sees our salvation as being in the hands of

leaders who must endeavour to abandon selfish agendas.

Give us something practical to celebrate!

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

Hoisting of Golden Arrowhead quickens ...

From page 2 State, President Donald Ramotar, the sombre tone for the flag-raising ceremony was set.

The other highlight of the night’s celebrations was a cultural performance that saw the participation of hundreds of young teens, who after last night had the privilege of being involved in one of the most phenomenal performances that occasioned the Independence celebrations.

Five groups of dancers clothed in the colours of the national flag took turns at depicting the representations of the colours in a showcase that was bolstered by awesome lighting effects.

Dancers in black, with lights attached to their wrists and other lights in their hands, illuminated a darkened National Park in a fitting depiction, as the colour black on the flag portrays the endurance that will sustain the forward thrust of the Guyanese people.

As they left the tarmac, a solitary Amerindian youth, whose movements indicated he was searching for something, took the focus, and his search ended with a rush of greendecked dancers. As he manoeuvred through the ‘trees’, given that green represents the agricultural and forested nature of Guyana, dancers with cutlasses appeared on the scene, and the ‘green dancers’ literally rolled off the tarmac.

Waves of white followed, interspersed with dancers in green, yellow and blue, accompanied by sounds of gushing water and birds chirping, eliciting images of rivers and the water potential of the country; as well as its cultural richness, as a most terrifying ‘Ol Higue’ traipsed in the midst.

The ‘gold dancers’ took the National Park’s tarmac by force as they represented Guyana’s mineral wealth, and they were accompanied by pork knockers.

The ‘reds’ took the meaning of ‘spirited’ to a new level as they rocked the National Park in a dance to a calypso tune.

Soon enough, they were surrounded by the dancers outfitted in black, then gold, then white and then green; and stooping low, they fashioned a living Golden Arrowhead, which for the most part translated to a call on the Guyanese people to be alive with the spirit of nationalism.

The Police Force Band’s rendition of ‘Let us cooperate’, among other songs, was a befitting sequence to follow the cultural display.

Performances by the National Steel Orchestra also interspersed the evening’s performance.

Additionally, a 48th Independence Anniversary Message from soldiers who climbed Mount Ayanganna to hoist the Golden Arrowhead was preceded by prayers and the recital of the National Pledge by student of the St. Joseph High School, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.

As usual, a scintillating display of fireworks that captivated the attention of all ended the evening’s observance.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

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President meets, has fruitful talks with ILO Caribbean Director

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

President Donald Ramotar (backing camera) during the meeting with, from left, Minister o Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Jennifer Webster; Chief Labour Officer, M Officer, Mr. Prandatt Basdeo; and ILO’s Dr. Giovanni di Cola

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

of Labour, Dr. Nanda K. Gopaul; Mr. Charles Ogle; Senior Labour

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar had the opportunity of meeting and engaging with Head of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Office for the Caribbean, Dr. Giovanni di Cola, when the latter called on him last week Friday at his office on New Garden Street, Bourda.

Here for the just-concluded meeting of the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COSHOD), Dr. di Cola and members of his delegation seized the opportunity to have discussions with the President and some Ministers of Government on relevant labour issues.

Among those officials were Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda K. Gopaul and Human Services and Social Security Minister, Ms. Jennifer Webster, as well as Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle, and Senior Labour Officer, Mr. Prandatt Basdeo.

Those on Dr diCola’s team were Mr. Rainer Pritzer, Senior Specialist, Social Dialogue and Labour Administration; Mr. Reynold Simons, Senior Specialist, Employment and Labour Market Policies; Ms. Paula Robinson, Senior Specialist, Workers Activities; and Ms. Anne Knowles, Senior Specialist, Employers Activities.

While here, Dr. di Cola commended Guyana for the successful implementation of the School Retention ILO/TACKLE Project, which targetted school children for increased attendance and performance at schools, thereby eliminating child labour.

He was quoted as saying that “Thanks to Guyana, the project was particularly successful in the Caribbean… The collaboration was even good during the challenges.”

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President Donald Ramotar accords ILO’s Dr. Giovanni di Cola a warm welcome at his New Garden Street office

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

Nations University launches Alumni Association

NATIONS University (NU), in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Business (AIB), has launched its first ever Alumni Association. The event took place on Monday, May 19 at Nations University at 41-42 New Market Street in Georgetown.

Nations University has, for approximately four years, been offering an internationally recognised Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programme through the AIB. With close to 50 successful graduates to date, the institution thought the time opportune to begin developing a productive and functional Alumni Association.

Director of Nations University, Dr. Brian O’Toole, said the initiative is poised to enable the institution to further develop past students, while simultaneously creating awareness of the advancement opportunities of Nations University.

“With this newly formed Alumni Association, we will be working assiduously and aggressively with other graduates to build awareness, strengthen networks, and create synergies amongst the members of the association,” Dr. O’Toole said.

The AIB has teaching centres in more than 12 countries around the world, many of which already have vibrant Alumni Associations. The local centre at Nations University is currently working with the seventh batch of MBA students.

Oliver Kanhai, a graduate from the second batch of students,

was last week elected president of the association. Vishnu Doerga was elected Vice President, while Theressa Madray was voted Secretary and Sahadeo Ramkirath, Treasurer.

Expressing his sentiments on the formation of the association, Kanhai said, “We are delighted to announce the formation of the Alumni. The purpose of the Alumni Association is for the persons who have graduated from the MBA programme to reflect together on issues facing the business community in Guyana, and to begin to charter new approaches to meet those challenges.”

The Alumni Association’s first event will be a Black Tie Gala, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 22, at the Pegasus Hotel.

Dutch student here to research local suicide epidemic ––courtesy local NGO, the Guyana Foundation

By Ravin Singh AS part of its mental health programme launched earlier this year, the Guyana Foundation is hosting Ms. Serena Coultress, a researcher from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, who will be conducting research into the local suicide epidemic which is reported to have reached crisis proportions.

The findings of her research will be used for a Master’s in Global Health programme at Maastricht University, and will shape and inform upcoming mental health projects conducted by the Guyana Foundation. Additionally, the findings of the research would be made available to local stakeholders in the Maastricht University mental health sector. researcher, For the duration of her Serena Coultress stay, Ms. Coultress will be meeting and conducting interviews with mental health professionals, social workers, representatives of local non-governmental organisations, religious leaders, and members of the community who have been affected by the social issue.

The young enthusiast commented that “mental health is a topic I feel passionately about, so when I became aware

of the high levels of suicide in Guyana, I was compelled to travel here. I was fortunate to make contact with the Guyana Foundation, who are not only hosting me, but will no doubt make good use of the findings.

“Ultimately, I hope my research will help the community to understand the underlying factors behind the high suicide prevalence in Guyana.”

Managing Director of the Guyana Foundation, Mr. Anthony Autar, expressed appreciation and delight at the work the researcher has embarked upon.

Autar told the media that findings of the research will help fill an existing information gap in Guyana about suicide, and although the suicide rate in Guyana is among the highest in the world, there is little to no up-to-date research, conducted in accordance with internationally-accepted research standards, about the underlying factors driving so many of our people – young and old – to end their lives in such great numbers.

He posited that interventions to tackle the suicide epidemic in Guyana have not been as effective as expected.

“We hope that the information gathered from this research study will give us insight that will shape and inform initiatives to stop the senseless loss of lives to suicide.

The Guyana Foundation is grateful that Ms. Coultress has reached out to us, and has travelled so far from her home country to Guyana to conduct this research. We are delighted to host her, and look forward to the findings of her study”, he said.

Autar said that anyone wishing to participate in the research study may so request by contacting telephone # 225-4414, or 693-6825.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

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ARIES For you to turn down an invitation, it takes something as life-or-death as a natural disaster. No matter where you’re going, you insist on getting there first, mingling with absolutely everyone and leaving first, too -- so that you can be the first to ring the next doorbell, of course! For most of us -- like your current companion, for example, it can be an exhausting pace. Be merciful and walk just a little slower.

TAURUS You’ve been holding onto a secret for several days, at least. It probably has nothing to do with the person you’ve been seeing so much of lately, but because you’ve spent so much time together, they might think there’s something wrong. You don’t have to let the secret out to clear the air -- in fact, you don’t even have to get close to discussing what’s really on your mind. Just let them know they’re in the clear.

GEMINI That recent confusion about where to go from here professionally passes quickly if you give it a chance. If you can’t quite seem to pin your boss or client down to a definite time for that big meeting, be patient.

While you’re waiting, distract yourself with something easy you can pull off with only half of your brain operating, while you mull over the really important stuff.

CANCER Believe it or not, your unshakable feeling of dread seems to actually be getting better. This morning, you wake up feeling like it might actually be on its way out for good -- then some fool says or does something to make you worry. Don’t give fools any power over you, your mood or your relationships with loved ones. You need to take charge.

LEO Most people don’t like power struggles -- and some dislike them so intensely that they do just about anything to avoid them! Unfortunately, they get tossed in your path on a regular basis anyway. Whether you like them or not, they’re a terrific way to learn to defend yourself. Keep that in mind when someone starts pushing your buttons for what seems like no good reason.

Monday May 26, 2014 ––– 14:30hrs Tuesday May 27, 2014 ––– 14:30hrs Wednesday May 28, 2014 ––– 14:30hrs

VIRGO It may seem that you’re being led astray by someone you love. It might even seem like they’re trying to make a fool of you. There’s just one person who can determine what’s really going on, and that’s you. Do yourself a favour before you finish up the investigation: Be sure you’ve got all your facts straight and that you’re not just rehashing an old grudge, or any old incidents that involve jealousy.

LIBRA You’re undeniably sociable -- it’s what you’re most famous for! That combines well with your ability to soothe troubled waters, no matter how many others have tried and failed before you arrived. Use those skills to add yet another successful outcome to your resume. This time out, the others saying this dispute just can’t be solved may be right. Don’t beat yourself up if it turns out that way!

SCORPIO If anyone knows that nothing ever happens until all conditions are right, you do -- so when someone close calls to vent because things aren’t progressing as they want, try to get that point across. You could also remind them that they’re not alone and that other peoples’ agendas can interfere with their own. If this is the hundredth time you’ve had to say this, just tell them to grow up!

SAGITTARIUS Weird variables that come into play when you meet someone fascinating never mean much to you or get in the way of getting to know them. You tend to drop what you’re doing and give them your full attention immediately. That’s due to happen now -- just be sure not to hurt anyone’s feelings in the process! The person you’re supposed to be devoting that attention to might feel left out.

CAPRICORN Put the phone down -- you don’t need emergency psychological care, and you’re not going to give anyone the impression that you do just because they spot a tear in your eye for the first time. It’s okay -- whether it’s nostalgia (a likely cause) or frustration, you have every right to let your feelings show. Just because you have the right, that doesn’t mean you’re comfortable with it -- but at least try it out.

AQUARIUS It’s never easy to fool you, as you’re far too smart. You can spot a phony a mile away, regardless of how sure they are that they’ve perfected their technique. At the moment, though, you still need to be careful of misplacing money -- literally, figuratively or via some bizarre bookkeeping error. Call someone who isn’t quite so involved to check over your figures. It couldn’t hurt!

PISCES It’s another emotional day for you -- and another day of feeling powerless to keep your face from betraying each and every emotion that flows through you. The good part is that everyone who loves you also loves your ability to feel so intently. It’s not just endearing, but also enviable.

For most, letting feelings show is even more of a battle than herding cats.

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Guyana CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

From back page

Atwell falls...

Atwell who holds both the WBC CABOFE Light Welterweight and Featherweight belts was not only having his first shot at a World Title but was also fighting for the first time outside of Guyana since turning Pro in 2010.

It was the Guyanese’s first defeat, pushing his record to 12 wins, seven of which he won by knockout, and one draw.

Chasing history, Atwell entered the ring looking like he normally does for any of his fights – composed, confident and ready – while Gonzalez seemed a little on the edge.

Little or nothing was known about Atwell by his Mexican counterpart before the fight while

the Guyanese knew that Gonzalez was a hardnosed veteran and it would take more than just tactics; it would take a knockout to rid him of his title - something only three fighters were able to do.

Slow but deadly was Gonzalez in the earlier rounds of the fight while Atwell showed little and at times no signs that he was actually fighting for a world title for the first time.

The 25-year-old Guyana featherweight champion was by far the more aggressive of the two fighters and often placed Gonzalez on the defence but experience was not on Atwell’s side.

Utilising a sharp jab and scoring straight

right hands, Gonzalez kept the athletic, but overmatched Atwell at bay for most of the fight.

Atwell’s persistence even caused points to be deducted with referee Laurence Cole doing so in rounds seven and ten.

This was Gonzalez’s first trip in the ring in nine months after reclaiming the WBC featherweight title from Abner Mares with a first-round knockout.

Forty-two world champions have been recognised by the WBC, of whom only five have regained the title – Jhonny Gonzalez, Vicente Saldiva (Mexico), Jose Legra (Cuba/Spain), Erik Morales (Mexico) and Inji Chi (Japan).

From back page

Blake, Jamaicans steal...

The United States also dipped under the former record as the Americans ran 16:55.33 with Australia placing third in

17:08.65.

Kenya’s men took the other long relay of the night, winning the 4x800 as Alfred Kipketer held on for victory in 7:08.40 with Poland a close second.

The United States wrapped up the evening

Racing Tips

Windsor 09:00 hrs Bazzana 09:30 hrs Among Angels 10:00 hrs Space Walker 10:35 hrs High On Life 11:10 hrs Jazz 11:40 hrs Presburg 12:10 hrs Lyric Ballad 12:40 hrs Links Drive Lady Carlisle 09:10 hrs Don Ricardo 09:40 hrs Circuitous 10:15 hrs Al Muheer 10:50 hrs Top Dollar 11:20 hrs Alluring Star 11:50 hrs Manatee Bay 12:20 hrs Dakota Canyon Leicester 09:15 hrs Trixie Malone 09:45 hrs Monopoli 10:20 hrs Zafrangar 10:55 hrs Golden Steps 11:25 hrs Tigrilla 11:55 hrs Rewaaya 12:25 hrs Corn Maiden Cartmel 09:20 hrs Sun Blazer 09:50 hrs Bop Along 10:25 hrs Ratify 11:00 hrs Tayarat 11:30 hrs Major Malarkey 12:00 hrs Know The Rules 12:30 hrs Any Given

of speed by winning the women’s 4x100 in 41.88 seconds with rival Jamaicans second.

The relays, which will return to the Bahamas next year, continued yesterday at Nassau’s national stadium.

Day Irish Racing Tips Ballinrobe 13:30 hrs Rae’s Creek 14:00 hrs Hurricane Jojo 14:30 hrs Zarawi 15:00 hrs The Ring Is King 15:30 hrs Run Fly Run 16:00 hrs Port Smith South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:25 hrs Dark Knight 09:00 hrs Laurie’s dancer 09:35 hrs River Tyne 10:10 hrs Miss Imperial 10:45 hrs Letas Bonnet American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Broadway Music Gal Race 2 Our Amazing Rose Race 3 Insighting Race 4 Mr Speaker Race 5 Shore Runner Race 6 Spango Race 7 Ballerina Belle Race 8 Za Approval Race 9 Hope Cross

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Guyana CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

Rosberg wins in Monaco to end Hamilton’s run

By Alan Baldwin

MONACO, (Reuters) Germany’s Nico Rosberg won the showcase Monaco Grand Prix for the second year in a row yesterday to snatch back the Formula One world championship lead from Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton.

Rosberg’s second victory of the year, from a controversial pole position that had ratcheted up the tension between the two title rivals, took his points tally after six of 19 races to 122 with Hamilton on 118.

Hamilton, who complained 13 laps from the end that he had something in his eye and could not see properly, was second as dominant Mercedes chalked up a sixth win in a row and fifth successive one-two finish.

“It’s a special win, definitely,” Rosberg told reporters of a fifth career victory that ended his team mate’s run of four in a row and came on the streets he has known since boyhood.

“Lewis has had the momentum with the results and everything and I really needed to try to break that

momentum ... I managed to do that this weekend.”

Australian Daniel Ricciardo took third after chasing Hamilton nose-to-tail to the finish while quadruple world champion team mate Sebastian Vettel, in his 100th race for Red Bull, retired after eight laps with a turbo problem.

After coping with two safety car interludes, Rosberg took the chequered flag 9.2 seconds ahead of Hamilton after the two had spent the first half of the race barely a second apart.

Hamilton, who had simmered on Saturday when he suggested Rosberg might have deliberately brought out yellow warning flags in qualifying to slow the Briton and deny him pole, had a comparatively low-key afternoon.

EYE PROBLEM The wheel-banging drama and Ayrton Senna-Alain Prost style rivalry that some had expected, or hoped for, never materialised even if Hamilton was certainly not about to extend a dinner invitation to his team mate afterwards.

He had talked enigmatically about taking a leaf out of Senna’s book, translated by some as referring to the late

Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany holds his trophy after winning the Monaco Grand Prix in Monaco, yesterday.

(Credit: Reuters/Max Rossi) McLaren driver’s notorious first corner collisions with Prost, but he kept his calm.

“I drove with all my heart and gave it all I could, fairly ... I feel like I drove fairly all weekend,” Hamilton said. “So I leave today quite happy and I can go into the next race with even more energy and determination.”

His hopes had faded long

before the end anyway when he told his team over the radio about his vision problem.

“It was just something that came through the visor - it was nothing important,” he told movie actor Benedict Cumberbatch in a post-race podium interview.

“It was a good day for us it’s very important for the team to get another one-two.

I had great pace and I felt I was strong but it’s incredibly difficult to overtake.”

In a 78-lap race of attrition, with only 14 finishers out of the starting 22 on a dry but overcast afternoon, Rosberg lapped all but the three cars behind him.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso took fourth place with Nico Hulkenberg fifth for Force India and Jenson Button back in the points in sixth with McLaren after the team had gone three races in a row without.

Felipe Massa was seventh for Williams, ahead of two Frenchmen - Romain Grosjean in a Lotus and an astonishing ninth for Marussia’s Nice-born Jules Bianchi despite him serving two stop/go penalties and

starting last on the grid.

Bianchi’s points, the first for his struggling Russianlicensed team since they entered the sport in 2010 as Virgin Racing, brought the champagne out - in limited quantities, given the team’s finances - as much as any podium celebration.

“All credit and recognition should go to Marussia today for scoring their first points in Formula One,” said Christian Horner, boss of champions Red Bull.

“It’s a big thing. They are the first new team to have done that and the guys at the other end of the grid work just as hard and sometimes harder because they have less resource than the ones at the front end.”

CARNAGE McLaren’s Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen took the final point in 10th.

Behind them, there was carnage with a spate of engine failures and collisions that twice brought the safety car speeding out of the pit lane to lead the field through the metal-fenced streets of the principality.

Crash-happy Venezuelan

Pastor Maldonado was not involved in any of them, after stalling his Lotus on the formation lap, but Mexican Sergio Perez crashed at Mirabeau after being tagged

by Button on the opening lap.

That incident brought out the safety car for two laps while the Force India was craned away.

The car was deployed again, triggering a run of pitstops, on lap 26 when Sauber’s Adrian Sutil crashed at the tunnel exit - his sixth race without a point - and speared into the barriers.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, who set the fastest lap but finished 12th, had to pit twice in short order after a run-in with Marussia’s Max Chilton led to a puncture.

He also collided with Magnussen.

Toro Rosso’s Russian rookie Daniil Kvyat and Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne both retired with power unit problems, Williams’ Valtteri Bottas stopped at Mirabeau with a smoking car and Sauber’s Esteban Gutierrez spun into barriers at Rascasse.

French Open tennis

Federer celebrates Mother’s Day with victory in Paris Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 13th seed, overcame fellow Frenchman Edouard RogerVasselin 7-6(4), 7-5, 6-2.

Milos Raonic and Agnieszka Radwanska shook off the morning chill to ease into the second round.

Poland’s Radwanska, the third seed, won 6-3, 6-0 after the first seven games against Zhang Shuai went against serve. Canadian Raonic, seeded eighth, beat feisty Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 7-6 (1), 6-3.

… Williams sisters reach second round

By Robert Woodward PARIS, France ,(Reuters) - Roger Federer spent as little time as possible on court on the opening day of the French Open tennis yesterday, beating Lukas Lacko 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 before returning to his parental duties on Mother’s Day in Paris.

Serena Williams, the No.1 seed and overwhelming favourite to retain the women’s title, needed time to find her rhythm against France’s Alize Lim before winning 6-2 6-1. The American’s older sister, Venus, also reached the second round in straight sets.

Watched by his wife Mirka and his twin girls, Federer moved gently through the gears against the shaggyhaired Slovakian under grey skies on the Philippe Chatrier show court.

The former champion, who

has returned to something close to his best form after a disappointing 2013, admitted a trace of fear before the year’s second grand slam.

“I wasn’t nervous going into the match,” said Federer, 32.

“It’s more just like those hints of fear, maybe yesterday, maybe this morning at one point, just for like five seconds ‘Oh, I really hope I don’t have to pack my bags today’, that kind of feeling.”

But he had little to fear from Lacko and by mid-afternoon he was once again in a position to help Mirka look after their newly-born twin boys.

“Everything is great,” Federer said.

Serena, who warmed up for the match against her training partner, wearing a blazer suit, committed 23 unforced errors in the first set. She allowed the local favourite two break points

in the fifth game but the American always had too much power.

With the first set under her belt, Serena tightened up her game but relaxed again at the death when she wasted four match points, one with a double fault.

“I was in really top form last year on the clay, this year I’m just going day by day.

I have to say I don’t feel as much pressure on myself as I did last year,” said Serena who is bidding for a third French Open.

Venus Williams, wearing a self-designed dress that added splashes of colour to a grey day, showed she is still a force at the age of 33 by taking, and returning, all that Belinda Bencic could throw at her in winning 6-4, 6-1.

The 17-year-old Bencic, coached by Martina Hingis’s mother, traded low, hard blows with the American from the back of the court.

Roger Federer But Williams had too much experience for the Swiss and demonstrated that her powers of recovery remain undimmed.

“I’ve not played a lot in the last couple of months so I have to try to focus,” said Venus who may meet Serena in the third round. “It was definitely good to try and get some rhythm.”

Sixth seed Tomas Berdych beat Peter Polansky of Canada in straight sets while

S P R I N G - L I K E TEMPERATURES Wearing a floral print dress perhaps in anticipation of more spring-like temperatures, Radwanska took a while to get into her rhythm and both women struggled badly with their service.

But the Pole eventually held for 5-3, after saving three break points, and then broke the Chinese to take the set.

The second set was a rout, however.

“Every two-set match

is great in a two-week tournament. It’s important that I spent only one hour on court,” added Radwanska who played with a heavily strapped thigh.

Raonic pushed Novak Djokovic in the Rome semifinals before losing in three sets to the eventual champion and he eased through the first set against Kyrgios.

The eighth seed was broken midway the second but recovered immediately, leaving his 19-year-old opponent to hurl his racquet to the court.

The Australian got increasingly frustrated through the second-set tiebreak, before Raonic took it 7-1. Raonic served out to win the third set on his third match point.

“I felt very good,” said Raonic.

“In the first round you go in not knowing exactly how things are going to play out, and I was able to, when it mattered, put forward the right attitude and the right level of tennis.”

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Guyana CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

Sri Lanka skittle England for 99 to level ODI series (REUTERS) - Sri Lanka’s bowlers ripped through a fragile England batting line-up to win the second one-day international in Durham by 157 runs to level the five-match series 1-1.

Tillakaratne Dilshan topscored with 88, as Sri Lanka made a respectable total of 256 for eight from their 50 overs.

The total looked achievable for an England side who easily won the first onedayer but they collapsed to 99 all out with Nuwan Kulasekara and Sachithra Senanayake taking seven wickets between them.

Renowned for his

extravagant and creative batting, Dilshan played a more subdued knock.

“We needed that kind of innings when the wicket is not suited for the batsmen,” man-of-the-match Dilshan told Sky Sports.

“We wanted to bat as long as possible then we can go for our target. That was the aim for us.

“The conditions suited the bowlers, especially in the first 10-15 overs when it seamed around and they bowled really well.

“After a few overs we knew 230-240 would be a good score. The main target was to bat long partnerships and I think it worked.

Off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake took four for 13.

“I was a little bit disappointed (not to score a century) but it

was a very good ball.”

After winning the toss, England were frustrated

by Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara who piled on the runs to take the visitors to 129 for one.

Sangakkara, who signed a short-term deal with English county Durham in preparation for the tour, fell for 40.

England’s fielding, an issue of late, was again sloppy with both Harry Gurney and Ravi Bopara dropping relatively routine catches, as Dilshan continued his expertly controlled innings but he was eventually bowled by Chris Jordan just 12 runs short of an

18th one-day international century.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews and Ashan Priyanjan shared a 66-run partnership for the fifth wicket as the visitors passed the 200-run mark.

England took four wickets towards the end of Sri Lanka’s innings for just 23 runs, including the impressive Priyanjan (43) who became James Anderson’s 250th ODI wicket.

England’s reply got off to a steady yet unspectacular start before Michael Carberry, replacing injured captain Alastair Cook, was caught behind off the bowling of Kulasekara.

Kulasekara claimed a wicket in each of his next two overs with the dismissal of Ian Bell and Gary Ballance, and Joe Root was clean-bowled for a duck by Lasith Malinga as England crumbled to 29 for four.

Bopara became the first of Senanayake’s four victims as he also accounted for Jordan, James Tredwell and Anderson.

Eoin Morgan top-scored for England with 40 before becoming the ninth victim as England finished with just two batsmen in double figures.

The third ODI will take place at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Mumbai pull off stunning jailbreak THE scenes at the Wankhede Stadium were scarcely believable as Mumbai Indians’ turnaround of a campaign that had begun so disastrously culminated in the most fairytale of finishes.

(Scores: Mumbai Indians 195 for 5 in 14.4 overs (Anderson 95*) beat Rajasthan Royals 189 for 4 (Samson 74, Nair 50) by five wickets) As Aditya Tare swung his first ball - James Faulkner’s leg-stump full toss - over long leg to give Mumbai the boundary they needed to claw into the playoffs, Rahul Dravid rose from the dugout and flung his Rajasthan Royals cap to the ground as the team he was mentoring completed the most spectacular of meltdowns to lose an un-losable game.

The shambles that caused Dravid to lose his temper would have broken lesscomposed men much sooner.

Despite the mad-scientist experiments in their last few matches, Royals had gone into this game with a hand full of aces. Mumbai Indians, having decided to chase, needed to achieve whatever target they were set in 14.3 overs to get ahead on net run rate. Royals set them 190.

Corey Anderson, whom Mumbai picked in place of fast bowler Marchant de Lange, played the attackshredding innings he had been bought to play, but had failed to produce so far in the tournament. However, when Mumbai needed nine off three deliveries to win in 14.3 overs and qualify for the playoffs, Anderson could manage only a single

off Faulkner’s first to move to 95 off 44 balls and take his place at the non-striker’s end.

Faulkner had eight runs to defend off two balls, but that equation lurched heavily in favour of Mumbai when he delivered a leg-stump full toss that Ambati Rayudu smacked over the long-leg boundary. Rayudu then mistimed what should have

train, Watson looked listless and frazzled, and at times Brad Hodge was seen marshalling fielders to their positions.

As Rayudu sank to his knees after his dismissal, gutted because he thought Mumbai had fallen so agonisingly short, chaos broke out around him. Calculators went to work off the field, the batsmen and fielders

Man-of-the-Match Corey Anderson slams nine fours and six sixes to spearhead Mumbai’s chase. been the decisive ball of the match into the covers and would have been runout had Shane Watson hit at the bowler’s end. But the throw was inaccurate and Rayudu was eventually runout attempting the overthrow that would have given Mumbai all they needed.

That moment in the field capped a horrendous match for the Royals captain.

Watson’s timing had been incredibly poor during his struggle for 8 off 18 balls after opening the innings, and then he conceded 33 off two wicketless overs. As Mumbai began building the momentum of a runaway

crowded the umpires for clarification, and play halted for several minutes. Some Royals players had begun to celebrate - 14.3 overs had been bowled and the scores were only tied, Mumbai had not won - but substitutes ran out with the message that it was not done yet. If Mumbai hit a boundary off the next ball, they would make it. And then Faulkner bowled a staggeringly loose full toss, Tare hit it for six, got in Watson’s face, tugged his jersey over his head and celebrated like a footballer.

Beyond the boundary, Dravid threw down his cap.

The hero on the night was

the man striding off the field, chest puffed, and wearing a smile as broad as his shoulders. Anderson had played only because Mumbai were in desperate need of men who could hit a long ball. His team-mates - Lendl Simmons, Michael Hussey, Kieron Pollard and Rohit Sharma - came out swinging but soon ran out of steam. Anderson’s guns never stopped firing.

Coming in at 19 for 1, he hammered his first ball from Watson - to the cover boundary and pulled his second into the crowd beyond deep midwicket.

Anderson then watched Kevon Cooper york Hussey and pocket Pollard with a slower ball.

Cooper conceded only four runs in the seventh over, leaving Mumbai needing 115 off 45 balls to qualify.

They scored more than 14 in all but two of the remaining overs, and never less than 11.

Anderson slog-swept Tambe’s legbreaks and googlies to and over the deep-midwicket boundary and repeatedly pummelled the seamers between long on and long off. Only 11 of his 95 runs came behind the wicket.

In Rayudu, Anderson found an equally aggressive partner and they put on 81 in 5.1 overs. When Mumbai needed 51 off 21, Rayudu hit three fours and Anderson a fourth in a Watson over to turn the game. Cooper, Tambe and Faulkner were entrusted with the remaining overs to delay Mumbai beyond 14.3, but a battered Royals outfit had no self-belief.

Mumbai had it all. (ESPN

Ambati Rayudu does not immediately realise Mumbai Indians still had a chance of qualifying despite the scores being tied at 14.3 overs.

Why Mumbai got that extra ball

By Shiva Jayaraman

IN the calculation of net run rate (NRR), the final score, and not the target, is the relevant number.

For Mumbai Indians, the requirement to finish the chase in 87 deliveries was only subject to their final score being 190.

The chasing team, if they take a few extra deliveries to get home, can still push their NRR up to the required fraction, if they manage to achieve a final score that is sufficiently higher, by finishing things off with a boundary.

Mumbai Indians, despite failing to score that allimportant extra run off 14.3, had already inched ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ NRR when they had drawn level on 189.

At that stage, Mumbai Indians’ NRR read 0.078099, while Royals’ was 0.076821.

Had Mumbai Indians just

run the single they needed for victory off the fourth ball, though, their NRR would have gone below that of Royals’.

Since they were using the extra ball, they would have needed to get their score up to at least 191 off that delivery. Running two was not an option, as they needed just the one run to win. So their only option was to hit a boundary.

However, had they played out a dot ball, they still would have not been out of it. They could have hit a four off 14.5 or 14.6 and still finished with a NRR better than that of Royals.

If they played out three dots, they would have needed to hit a six off 15.1 to bump their NRR up above Royals’. If this had happened, Mumbai would have ended with a NRR of 0.080519 against Royals’ 0.074163. (ESPN Cricinfo)

26

Guyana CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

CULT/EBFA U-17 League

Kuru Kururu Warriors upset Diamond United; Grove Hi Tech blast Soesdyke Falcons THE Linden Soesdyke Highway-based Kuru Kururu Warriors created the first upset of the CULT-sponsored East Bank Football Association Under-17 League on Saturday at the Grove playfield, erasing a 1-0 deficit to defeat Diamond United in the feature game.

Yesterday’s opening encounter saw home team Grove Hi Tech, led by a helmet-trick from Joel Dick and a double each from Threvon Pluck and captain Trevor Jones, hammer Soesdyke Falcons 12-0 in a lopsided affair.

Diamond United went

into the game against Kuru Kururu Warriors as favourites to win, especially since it was the first competitive junior game for the Warriors this season.

The lack of cohesiveness did show for the highwaybased side in the first half as Diamond established themselves, taking the lead in the process through a 19th minute strike from Daniel Melville.

The Warriors did show at times glimpses of individual understanding of the game and as the game progressed, they came into their own to the extent that they shocked the Diamond side. They

Minister Anthony to commission DCC lights tonight THE DEMERARA Cricket Club (DCC) in conjunction with the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) will, tonight, commission the lights that have been recently installed, with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony MP doing the honours.

He is also expected to deliver the first ball in the commissioning match between DCC and Rest of Georgetown.

During the day, there will be lots of entertainment and barbecue will be on sale. The club’s coach Garvin Nedd will conduct a training session for Under-13 cricketers, which will be followed by an Under-15 T20 match between DCC and their nemesis at this level - Guyana National Industrial Corporation Sports Club.

The club extends a cordial invitation to the general public to come and be a part of the day’s activities, which will have a small cover charge being applied towards the continued

development of the club’s facilities.

According to a press release from the club, the lights will also benefit the community and it is hoped that this invitation will morph into an annual event in the calendar of the larger national Independence Day celebrations.

Teams for the Commissioning match which bowls off at 19:00hrs will come from DCC Christopher Barnwell, Trevon Griffith, Brian Sattaur, Sherfane Rutherford, Kemol Savory, Paul Wintz, Kemo Paul, Antonell Atwell, Totaram Bishun and Dexter George. The coach is Garvin Nedd and the manager is Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis.

Rest of Georgetown Shemroy Barrington, Joshua Wade, Seon Daniels, Collis Butts, Troy Gonsalves, Keon Morris, Cordell Mars, Ricardo Adams, Robin Bacchus, Rawle Browne, Joseph Perry, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed and Leroy Bristol, with Quason Nedd executing the duties of coach.

Another goal is scored by Grove Hi Tech (yellow) against Soesdyke Falcons. earned the equaliser when one of their players was brought down in the area, Brian Daniels making no mistake in finding the back

of the net.

The Warriors’ bench, including the coaching staff, was actually in a huddle when the penalty kick was

being taken and erupted in celebrations when Daniels scored as if they had won the championship.

Pressure was now on Diamond to stave off the Warriors and they did not succeed in this regard. In the 64th minute, Joshua Grant inked his name on the score sheet for the first time when he lashed in the winning goal for Kuru Kururu Warriors enabling them to start their campaign at this level on a high.

It was easy sailing for Grove Hi Tech, the reigning Trophy Stall Under-15 champions.

Soesdyke Falcons did look a bit rusty and were not able to

catch their length against the rampaging home team.

Joel Dick led the goal party with four goals, netting in the 13th, 43rd, 47th and 52nd minutes. Threvon Pluck netted a brace, he found the back of the net in the 25th and 50th minutes; his captain Trevor Jones also netted twice, in the 53rd and 61st minutes.

There was one apiece for Antone Stanton (26th), Kevin Padmore (64th), Alwyne Haynes (66th) and Marvin Squires in the 68th minute.

Action will continue this Saturday at the same venue with two more matches.

CFU poised to take off again, says Derrick BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Caribbean Football Union president Gordon Derrick believes the organisation has turned the corner and is poised to take off yet again.

The governing body was left in disarray following the cash-forvotes scandal three years ago and subsequently underwent a change of leadership and an overall restructuring.

Derrick said CFU was now a stable entity again and was anxious to regain its place in the football world.

“Slowly but surely the CFU will continue to be solidified. In fact, I think we have solidified now so we’re now back to the building

stage to really put our stamp on the CONCACAF region,” Derrick told CMC Sports in a recent interview.

“My hope and my vision is that in short order – within ten years – to become a dominant region within CONCACAF that any tournament that is being played, Caribbean teams will be mentioned in the finals with the possibility of actually winning some of these tournaments.”

Derrick took over the reins of the tournament in 2012, following the resignation of then longserving FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF president Jack Warner.

Several Caribbean associations

Heat recover to take 2-1 lead over Pacers in East finals

By Simon Evans

MIAMI, Florida (Reuters) - The Miami Heat took a 2-1 lead over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals after coming back from 15 points down in the second quarter to win 99-87 on Saturday.

Miami’s habit of making a slow start was particularly acute - they trailed 17-4 in the first quarter and were 37-22 behind midway the second as the Pacers made them pay for some loose turnovers.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra shuffled his pack, however, and Miami came out strong in the third quarter though and took the lead for the first time on the night with a LeBron James dunk, putting them 52-51 up with 7:36 left in the quarter.

The game turned decisively in Miami’s direction when Wade made a superb steal and set up a three-pointer from Ray Allen and

put the Heat eight points ahead.

Allen (16 points) had three other three-pointers in the final quarter for the Heat while James made 26 points and Dwyane Wade 23.

While James and Wade top-scored, James was quick to praise the contribution of some of Miami’s less heralded players.

Norris Cole brought energy and aggression to defence and was able to provide some penetration on offence while Rashard Lewis provided some valuable work to frustrate the Pacers’ offence.

“Those guys off the bench they did it for us, they’ve got the game ball for sure,” said James, who was annoyed with the team’s first quarter.

“We started the game with mental turnovers and mental breakdowns.

“We don’t want to keep digging holes; we hate the way we played.

We have to start the game like we are down 15.

were implicated in the corruption scandal, resulting in bans and fines for various regional administrators.

However, Derrick said many of the CFU members were finding their feet again and were also looking to make strides. He said an emphasis on youth football would be key to football development in these countries.

“The majority of the countries are doing well. There are one or two, whom we have to give some assistance to, but the important thing is to start and once you start … you can constantly improve. Once you’re doing that you can only get better,” Derrick explained.

“Youth football must be important. We must make it an important event. Once it becomes important, sponsors come on board, parents come on board, everybody comes on board and the quality of the product will definitely improve so a lot of countries

are concentrating on that.”

He added: “CONCACAF is putting a lot of money into grassroots development. We have started our coaching licences … so we now have a unified licensing programme throughout the whole of CONCACAF and CFU so all that will help for the further and future development of the sport.”

Derrick said the establishment of the Women’s Caribbean Cup, which kicked off Friday across the region, was testament of the development taking place in CFU. “We’ve never had this before at the senior level and that is something we have instituted to show our real commitment to women and the development of women in football itself,” he said.

“It’s going to be a qualifier for the Women’s World Cup and an Olympic qualifier so we have a lot of football going.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday May 26, 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) Rajasthan Royals (2008) (2) Sohail Tanvir (4-0-14-6 RR vs CSK, 2008) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the IPL 2012 champions?

(2) Which Chennai Super Kings player has made most runs in a single IPL tournament? How many?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 26, 2014

NCN secures Broadcasting Rights for FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup in Guyana

… This is part of our national obligation – CEO

NEWLY appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN) Molly Rampersaud-Hassan believes their recent acquisition of the rights to broadcast the June 12 – July 31 FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup is the company’s obligation to the people of Guyana.

A release recently from NCN stated that the procurement of the terrestrial, cable and satellite broadcast rights from Caribbean Broadcast Rights holder; International Media Content Ltd (IMC Ltd), makes them the only authorised broadcaster for all FIFA World Cup 2014

Newly appointed NCN Chief Executive Officer Molly Rampersaud-Hassan

contents, before and during the games, including promotional materials.

According to NCN CEO Rampersaud-Has-

san, “It is an investment, a significant investment and NCN sees this as part of our national obligation, to bring to the Guyanese public the FIFA 2014 games coming out of Brazil, so across the length and breadth of Guyana, Guyanese can now view the games and we can all share in the excitement.”

The company also sees bringing the FIFA World Cup 2014 as an important aspect of its social responsibility, in ensuring Guyanese enjoy the experience of this world class quadrennial tournament, taking place in our backyard.

Marketing Manag-

er of NCN, Raymond Azeez, said that NCN has not sub-let the rights to any other television station.

“In terms of cable and direct TV, NCN will be looking at that, because we do understand that people in their homes should have a choice, but for anyone outside of the legal framework trying to pirate or take a feed of the FIFA world cup, there will be some legal implications.

So I want to advise other networks and viewers at large not to breach this contract, since it can lead to our losing the broadcast rights and ultimately the Guyanese public losing

the opportunity to see the games.” Azeez said With Coca Cola being one of the game’s biggest sp ons ors at the FIFA World Cup, Troy Peters, Communications Director of Banks DIH, franchise holder of Coca Cola in Guyana, expressed delight at NCN’s bold investment to bring the world’s most popular sport to the Guyanese household.

“Like Coca Cola, we are very much pleased to be associated with the World Cup Football 2014. Coca Cola is one of the longest corporate partners of the World Cup Football.

“I know that not a lot

of people will be able to travel to Brazil, but with the kind of coverage being done by NCN, all Guyanese can benefit (and) we are totally behind NCN in this endeavour.” Peters noted.

Apart from the airing of the games, NCN said that there are a number of other promotional activities that will be taking place on its Radio and TV, including a high-energy, interactive and analytical programme, to be hosted by UK-based Football analyst Faizal Khan and Sports Journalist Isaiah Chappelle on Saturdays from 15:30hrs, starting on May 31.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

NCN secures Broadcasting Rights for FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup in Guyana See Story on Page 27

Atwell falls to Mexico’s Gonzalez via technical decision GUYANA’S Clive Atwell (12-1-1) fell to Mexico and World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez (56-8) by a technical decision when the two met on Saturday evening at the Convention Centre in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.

Referee Laurence Cole stopped the fight with just three seconds remaining in the tenth of the 12-round encounter, after a clash of heads opened a gash above the left eye of Gonzalez midway through the fight, but the rigours of the bout worsened it and led to the stoppage.

Judges Rey Danseco of the Philippines and Americans Herb Santos and Michael Tate scored the fight 99-89, 96-92, 98-90 all in favour of the Mexican Gonzalez whose record has now improved to 56 wins from 64 fights.

Turn to page 23

Guyana’s Clive Atwell prepares to land a left to the face of Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez during their WBC Featherweight World Title fight in Mexico.

Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez wins over Guyana’s Clive Atwell on a technical decision when the two met on Saturday for the WBC Featherweight Title.

Blake, Jamaicans steal show at World Relays NASSAU, Bahamas (Reuters) - Yohan Blake and a speedy Jamaican 4x200 metres relay team did not need Usain Bolt to add to the island nation’s collection of world records on Saturday.

Blake, the world’s second fastest 200 metres runner behind Bolt, turned on the jets and anchored Jamaica to a world record one minute 18.63 seconds at the inaugural IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas.

The sizzling performance took 0.05 seconds off a 20-year-old record held by a Carl Lewis-anchored American team in 1994.

“We knew we could come

here and get this medal and world record,” said Blake, whose training partner Bolt holds both the 100 and 200m world records and Olympic titles but has not run this year.

“It feels very good enough I think that we could have gone faster,” added 100m Olympic silver medallist Blake.

Nickel Ashmeade, Warren Weir and Jermaine Brown put Blake into position for the record. None had been on Jamaica’s world record teams in the 4x100, making the victory sweeter.

St Kitts and Nevis finished a surprising second in 1:20.51 while France took third in

Jamaica’s 4x200 relay team pose next to the clock after they set a new world record while winning the 4x200 metres relay at the IAAF World Relays Championships in Nassau, Bahamas on Saturday. At left is Nickel Ashmeade (top), Yohan Blake (bottom) and at right is Warren Weir (top) and Jermaine Brown (bottom). (Credit: Reuters/Mike Segar)

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a European record 1:20.66 after the U.S. team were disqualified.

The world record also tumbled in the women’s 4x1500, to help launch the innovative championships in the relay-loving Bahamas.

Kenya, with Hellen Obiri on anchor, obliterated the global mark in the infrequently run event, taking top honours in 16:33.58.

Mercy Cherono, Faith Chepngetich and Irene Jelegat put Kenya in a commanding lead as they wiped out the previous record of 17:05.72 which a different Kenyan squad had set in Nairobi last month.

Turn to page 23 Monday, May 26, 2014