Guyana chronicle 29 10 14

GUYANA No. 103995 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER PRICE:

$60

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Glenn Lall, Adam Harris, KNews sued by AG for over $30M Page

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Glenn Lall wipes away the tears Monday outside Force Headquarters, Eve Leary after filing a report there against the Attorney-General

Omawale testifies of ruthless ‘PNC Dictatorship’ 9 Page

-which carried out ‘State terrorism’

Dr. Omawale, former WPA member

Tributes come pouring in as ...

Veteran politician cum academician, Navin Chandarpal, passes away Page 10

Mr. Navin Chandarpal

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Bomb threat at Chronicle halts newsroom, production operations

––following release of Gov’t statement condemning Kaieteur News

GNNL main office on Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park

By Asif Hakim OPERATIONS at the Guyana Chronicle’s newsroom and production department were impeded at approximately 22:35hrs on Monday by a bomb threat minutes after the release of the Government of Guyana statement on the 19-minute recording between a senior Kaieteur News reporter and Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister, Mr. Anil Nandlall.

According to Mr. Raschid Osman, the editor-in-charge of the newsroom at the time, he received a call from a male individual whose words to him were, “We gon bomb the f***ing Chronicle.” Mr. Osman said he was so shocked, he could not recall everything that the person said.

At the time, there were three reporters on duty, along with the production department staff and the editor. One of the reporters was walking into the newsroom when the telephone was ringing and after it rang out, Mr. Osman’s phone started to ring.

The reporter said that after Mr. Osman answered the phone, he called out for one of the reporters whom he thought was in the newsroom but was outside.

“As soon as Mr. Osman shouted for the reporter, I then noticed that something was wrong, so I rushed

outside to get some assistance from the other reporters who then notified everyone about the bomb threat,” the reporter said.

All staff members then exited the building and the fire service and the police were notified about the bomb threat.

Six minutes later two fire trucks responded, one from Alberttown Fire Station and the other from the Central Fire Station. Then the police came on the scene with a Canter truck carrying about 30 officers and a jeep with five Tactical Service Unit (TSU) ranks.

Both the police and fire officers began conducting investigations while Chronicle employees remained outside the premises.

Later the entire newsroom staff went home and the police and fire officers were left onboard to continue their investigations.

Meanwhile, the management and staff of Guyana Chronicle would like to thank the Guyana Fire Service-Fire Chief Marlon Gentle and his officers for their prompt response. Moreover, gratitude is also extended to ‘A’ Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken and his officers for their timely response also.

The scene after the bomb threat at Guyana Chronicle on Monday night

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Glenn Lall, Adam Harris, KNews sued by AG for over $30M

A LAWSUIT of over $30M has been levelled against the publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall; the Editor of the newspaper Mr. Adam Harris; and the National Media and Publishing Company Ltd. Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, through his legal representative, Mr. Sase Gunraj, moved to the courts to file a Writ of Summons

Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall and the Statement of Claim, yesterday.

The AG, in Writ of Summons, is calling for damages in excess of $10M for libel contained in an article published on page three of the Kaieteur News, yesterday, under the headline ‘Attorney General Reveals Plan to ‘HIT’ Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News’; damages in excess of $10M for libel contained in an article published on pages six and seven of the Kaieteur News, yesterday, under the headline ‘Attorney General Reveals Plan to ‘HIT’ Glenn Lall, KNews’; aggravated or exemplary damages in excess of $10M; and

other costs.

The lawsuit follows Monday’s public disclosure of an illegally recorded 19-minuute private conversation that allegedly occurred last Saturday, October 25, between the AG and a senior reporter at the Kaieteur News.

FALSE AND MALICIOUS Additionally, in the Statement of Claim, Nandlall’s lawyer contends that Kaieteur News “falsely and maliciously” published, in unusually large fonts, the controversial article on its front page (Page one) and repeated the problematic assertions on page three.

The article published by the embattled and controversial local daily newspaper stated that Attorney General Nandlall: * has revealed chilling plans for the execution of Kaieteur News publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall; * advised a senior reporter of the newspaper to get out of the Saffon Street office, which he described as a “dangerous place”; Publisher of Kaieteur * hinted at an intended News Mr. Glenn Lall hit on the said Lall and the establishment; * was spying on his Saffon Street establishment; and * would use other weapons against Lall in place of cameras, if he wanted to destroy him.

According to the Statement of Claim, “The said headline and article conveyed the clear impression that the Plaintiff (Nandlall) was engaged in unlawful and criminal acts and that he is unfit to hold the offices of Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and a Member of Parliament.”

The Statement of Claim continued: “…the words published of and concerning the Plaintiff are untrue and were done so maliciously and is a part of an ongoing campaign to tarnish the reputation of the Plaintiff. “…the Plaintiff will rely on several other disparaging and libelous publications of, and concerning him, by the

Defendants “…that the aforesaid libel was calculated to cause and did cause the Plaintiff great public embarrassment, held him up to odium and ridicule and to disparage him as the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament, both nationally and internationally.”

The Statement adds that the Kaieteur News article “in its natural and ordinary meaning” was understood to mean that Nandlall was: engaged in criminal acts; engaged in a plot to kill and/or cause serious harm to Glenn Lall; engaged in acts designed and intended to intimidate, scare and terrorise the Defendants and the staff at Kaieteur News; engaged in acts designed and intended to interfere with the constitutional right and freedom to publish their newspapers; is part of or has connections to a criminal gang that fire-bombed a printing press of Kaieteur News at Eccles in 2002 and killed five Kaieteur News pressmen in 2006; has committed several criminal offences; and is Editor of Kaieteur News, unfit to hold the office Mr. Adam Harris of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and a seat as a Member of Parliament (MP).

The damage, according to the lawsuit, were calculated based on these, as well as the fact that at the time the assertions were made Nandlall was: an Attorney-at-Law duly admitted to practice law in the jurisdictions of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago; a member of the tenth Parliament of Guyana and was a member of the ninth Parliament of Guyana; the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and the Principal Legal Advisor to the Government of Guyana; a member of the Cabinet of the Government of Guyana; Chairman of the Law Revision Commission of Guyana; an Executive Member of the Council of the Legal Education of the West Indies; and a member of the Central Committee of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

KN’s privacy violations, illegal spying - spark widespread concerns in public, private sectors

IT has been exactly one month since the Guyana Chronicle made public the concerns of Government and Opposition Members of Parliament, as well as public servants and stakeholders in the private sector, over the privacy of confidential personal communications.

And presently that worry is even more widespread, across different spheres of society.

At least five officials from Government ministries who spoke to a staff reporter from the Guyana Chronicle, yesterday, questioned whether they were being recorded over the phone. Another two senior ranking officials in the private sector questioned the reporter on what is the process before a recording can be made. “It has to be two-way consent, right?” one of the officials asked.

These concerns follow the disclosure of an alleged private conversation between a senior reporter at the Kaieteur News and the Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.

The 19-minute recording was made public by the publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, who also used it to substantiate his claim that there is a ploy to close down his newspaper’s operations by the State – a claim that has repeatedly been vehemently denied.

Lall, on Monday afternoon, handed over the recording along with a statement to the Deputy Police Commissioner, Mr. Balram Persaud, when he made a complaint against the AG, alleging that his life and the lives of his staff were under threat.

IN HOT WATER Lall has mounted a campaign against certain Government Officials and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), since he found himself in ‘hot water’ over tax evasion charges.

In early September, Lall was alleged to have evaded taxes for over a decade now. Reports are that Mr. Lall, the owner of the Guyana National Media Publishing Company (printers and publisher of the Kaieteur News),

is being investigated by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the importation of printing ink packaged as a CARICOM (Caribbean Community) product, which enjoys duty free concessions under the Revised Treaty of Chaguramas. Upon closer inspection, however, it was allegedly found that the origin of the inks was from overseas, and therefore in breach of the Treaty.

As it relates to progress of the investigation of the alleged tax evasion, the Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that the necessary verification requests are still with the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Prior to the tax evasion allegation, Mr. Lall was fingered in an alleged remigrant duty-free concession

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan

General-Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr. Joseph Harmon

scam.

Since then, six criminal charges have altogether been filed against Lall; his wife, Bhena; and Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan, who have all been implicated in the scam. Lall and his wife have since been arraigned on four of these charges. The charges follow the seizure of two vehicles allegedly at the centre of a duty-free scam. The two vehicles in question, PRR 8398 and PRR 8399, were handed over to GRA and impounded at the Authority’s warehouse at

the end of August, after an hours-long standoff between GRA officials and the Brijnanans’ son, Navin Sankar, a high-ranking GRA employee.

An investigation was then launched to ensure that procedures and policy, as well as the provisions of the law were adhered to. The criminal charges, this newspaper understands, stem from that investigation.

Also, in mid-September, both Lall and his wife were sued by Acting Town Clerk of the Mayor and City Council, Ms Carol Sooba, for the sum of $5,660,142 and $60,142 as unpaid rates and taxes for the years 2004 to 2013 in relation to their property at 24 Saffon Street. The case is currently being

President of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo Magistrates Court.

Publisher of Kaieteur News Mr. Glenn Lall heard at the Georgetown

SERIOUS CONCERNS General-Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr. Joseph Harmon, had told the Chronicle that there have always been “serious concerns” about the security of communication between people.

“We have even had cases where communication between our party members are hacked, and the question is how are they accessed…whether we had the capacity here to do so or not is something I am not sure of,” Harmon said.

The APNU General-Secretary stressed that the privacy of information and communication exchanges ought to be treated as private.

“Every email you send passes through a network and if this is information that comes into the hand of someone, you have to know how to treat with it. The privacy of your communications must be protected,” Mr. Harmon said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

The 19-minute leak ...

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KN’s privacy Lall may have committed violations, illegal ... a criminal offence From page 4

can be looked at in the Parliamentary Committee, reviewing the moves to address reforms in the telecoms sector.

“Since the committee’s work is not complete, we can look into this and see if and how we can provide protection to the Guyanese people,” Mr. Harmon assured.

MUST BE ENFORCED Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, in a prior interview, also expressed strong sentiments on the matter.

He was firm in his contention that laws related to privacy, confidentiality and security of online communications must be enforced.

“All the laws related to privacy must be enforced …we are filled with laws, we have no deficiency of laws, but they are not adhered to,” Ramjattan said.

Ramjattan is also Lall’s lawyer in the matter regarding the complaint against the AG. MORE LAWS NEEDED Also, President of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, commenting on the issue, has called for the political parties represented in the National Assembly, to look at the legislation that deals with information sharing, the E-Commerce legislation, which has not been tabled in the National Assembly or passed.

The draft bill was intended to provide for the legal recognition of electronic writing, electronic contracts, electronic signatures and original

information in electronic form in relation to commercial and other transactions and to provide for the facilitation of electronic transactions and related matters.

“We had a big seminar at Liliendaal and all of civil society and Information Technology specialists were there to discuss the legislation and a lot of work was put into it. This piece of law makes it criminal to hack emails, but it was never addressed. Now there is no law in Guyana to protect you if your emails are hacked,” he said.

Dookhoo added that this is something that must be revisited.

“We need to get this legislation on the ground,” he stressed, “It is something that must be looked at. I don’t know if sending an e-bill is legal, but we are doing it.”

The CAIC Head bemoaned the political gimmickry surrounding the issue and called for concrete action in addressing this.

“The private sector is quite clearly fed up and what we and the Guyanese people want is for real civil issues to be in place. If we look at the emails that were published in the Kaieteur News they are the emails of two prominent people in our society, but there is no law in place. We need to act,” he said.

Additionally, according to the ‘Reporter’s Handbook: Invasion of Privacy and the Media: The Right To Be Let Alone’, invasion of privacy by intrusion is defined as: “One who intentionally intrudes, physically or otherwise, upon the solitude or seclusion of another or his private affairs or concerns, is subject to liability to the other for invasion of privacy, if the intrusion would be highly offensive to a reasonable person.”

––liable for up to $5M fine, three years’ imprisonment

THE public disclosure of a private conversation allegedly occurring between Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall and a senior Kaieteur News reporter may have landed the newspaper’s publisher in hot water.

Lall released on Monday a 19-minute recording of the conversation, which is reported to have occurred last Saturday, October 25.

He used this as the basis for making a report to Deputy Police Commissioner Balram Persaud, alleging that the contents of the recording indicate that his life and those of his family and staff members are under threat.

However, questions of the legal framework regulating the widespread public disclosure of the alleged conversation have been raised.

The Interception of Communications Act Chapter 47:03, Act No. 21 of 2008, which addressed the prohibition of interception (Section 3), states that: “3(1) Except as provided in this section, a person who intentionally intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunication system commits an offence, and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding five million dollars and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. “(2) A person does not commit an offence under this section if -

“(a) the communication is intercepted in obedience to a warrant issued by a Judge under section 6; “(b) the communication is not intercepted in obedience to a warrant issued by a Judge but on the authority of a designated officer in the case of a national emergency, or in responding to a case where approval for a warrant is impracticable, having regard to the urgency of the case. “(3) The court by which a person is convicted of an offence under this section may order that any device used to intercept a communication in the commission of the offence shall be forfeited and disposed of as the court thinks fit. “(4) For the purpose of subsection (1), a communication shall be taken to be in the course of transmission by means of a telecommunications system at any time when the system by means of which the communication is being or has been transmitted is used for storing the communication in a manner that enables the intended recipient to collect it or otherwise have access to it.”

While Lall has made his report to the police, there is no information on how the recording was made, or how it ended up in his possession. If there were breaches of the law, the Kaieteur News publisher could be looking at a fine of up to $5M, or a jail term of up to three years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

A caring Government DURING disbursement of millions of dollars at the Rose Hall Primary School last Sunday, Guyana’s Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, accompanying other Government officials who visited several schools in Region 6 to observe the disbursement of the Government of Guyana’s $10,000 ‘Because We Care’ education vouchers, addressed the large gathering, and paid tribute to his parents and grand-parents who sacrificed so much to give him a solid education.

In those days, he said, his parents didn’t have much money. “Like some parents here, they were living largely on what they farmed. But whatever money they had, they made it a top priority to provide us with clothing and sent us

to school.”

Those were the days when parents darned clothes and turned around school uniforms so that the faded parts faced inwards, let down hems on uniforms that were supposed to last for years; when children walked with bare feet in all weather for miles to acquire an education; but they persevered, and some of Guyana’s elite scholars, most distinguished professionals, celebrated sporting personalities, accomplished entrepreneurs and most brilliant leaders emerged from such resonances of childhood poverty.

Guyana’s Prime Minister, who ultimately acquired a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick, initially served this country for many years

in the bauxite industry and has continued to give yeoman service to the country of his birth for in excess of two decades in leadership capacities, especially as Prime Minister, but his recollections reveal that he never forgot his humble roots, which have perhaps been the grounding force in the excellent discharge of his duties in the several areas in which he has served, and continues to serve his fellow Guyanese.

Proffering some words of wisdom, the Prime Minister adjured parents to be pro-active in the discharge of the responsibilities, positing that their time and efforts to maintain their children’s education is the most valuable contribution they could make to enhance their children’s future prospects. He warned that parents need to keep

abreast with what their children are doing in school and urged that television viewing and other unnecessary recreational pursuits be kept to a minimum to allow enough time for vital studies and homework.

Both the Prime Minister and Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, as well as other Government functionaries, including President Donald Ramotar, gave assurances at various venues of distribution of the grant that Government will try to increase the amount gradually as national finances improve and after a review of the success of this programme.

Minister Priya Manickchand promised that, “As our country grows and the economy gets better, this (grant)

too will grow.” Every day in excess of twelve million dollars is being distributed to parents and guardians throughout every region in Guyana.

To d a t e , m o r e t h a n $600M have been given to parents and guardians in every Administrative Region of Guyana. The campaign continues until every child registered in the system is accounted for. Parents are reminded that they have until the end of November to en-cash their vouchers at any Western Union outlet

throughout the country.

Government will stand the cost of all Western Union transaction fees to allow parents to benefit from the full $10,000 per voucher.

Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds lauded the efforts of his parents and grandparents for their sacrifices and input into the educational processes that eventuated in his various successes in life. However, into that equation today should be added, “… and a caring Government.”

National Toshaos Conference opens today at the GICC LEADERS of Amerindian communities from across Guyana will today have opportunity to address and evaluate the conditions affecting Guyana’s first people, as well as development in their communities, among other issues, during the 2014 National Toshaos Conference (NTC).

The NTC 2014 will be

hosted under the theme ‘Harnessing the power of leadership’, and will be addressed by President Donald Ramotar and subject Minister Pauline Sukhai.

Over 200 Amerindians will gather at the Guyana International Conference Centre for today’s event, where they will also have opportunity to engage Government Ministers and other key

officials on areas of concern.

There is also expected to be strong focus on engaging the state of the communities’ economy, and improving economic activity in the interest of further improving the livelihood of Amerindians in Guyana.

The last such conference, held last October, was an event deemed a major success, since the 2013

NTC made it possible for the Amerindian leaders to communicate closely with the leaders of the current administration.

Also, last year, two resolutions were near unanimously adopted during the course of the NTC. One dealt with the early determination by the judicial system of outstanding land issues, and the other dealt with the neg-

ative impact on Amerindian welfare and development that was caused by unfair decisions of political parties.

Community Development Projects (CDPs), Presidential Grants, Amerindian Land Titling Projects and the Opt-in Mechanism for Amerindian villages and communities were other highlights of the deliberations.

Additionally, ahead of

this year’s one-week national conference, Regional toshao conferences were held across the country.

The meeting, held annually to provide the platform for dialogue and forward planning for development of Amerindian communities, includes an agenda with the focus on the report of the NTC executive.

(Vanessa Narine)

CG motorcycle bandits cart off G$.5M A CONTRACTOR attached to Woodlands Hospital last evening had his vehicle broken into and a bag containing $500,000 was snatched from it by one of two bandits who showed up on a CG Honda motorcycle.

The incident occurred just in front of the Woodlands Hospital

on Carmichael Street, Georgetown seconds after the man entered the hospital to meet with his employer.

Speaking with this publication, Garanda Bhagraty, the contractor who is also known as “Brother” said that he collected the money during the week to carry out works

--left in vehicle outside Woodlands Hospital

on the home a doctor who works at the Woodlands Hospital.

The man said that just before the car was broken into, he had locked it before going into the hospital compound. However, just about two seconds later the security guard told him

what had happened. The bandits shattered the front window on the passenger side of the vehicle and removed the bag containing the cash.

Persons in the area said that the incident happened so fast that they could not even record the number

plate of the motorcycle.

One woman said that she was sitting with her children when the men rode up. They stopped the motorcycle in front of her home and the pillion rider went to the car and used a lug spanner to shatter the window before grabbing the bag

with money.

She said that he placed the bag in front of him before mounting the bike and then they made good their escape. The police were called to the scene and a statement was taken from the victim. (Leroy Smith)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Queen’s College celebrates 170 years --in the business of education

Minister Manickchand and academic and other staff of Queen’s College

EDUCATION Minister, Ms Priya Manickchand, Chief Education Officer Mr Olato Sam and other officials of the Ministry of Education yesterday joined the administration, staff and former students of Queen’s College in celebrating 170 years of its establishment.

The Ministry of Education yesterday hosted a breakfast to mark the event at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street.

Minister Manickchand, herself a former QC student, encouraged the management of the school to ensure that every child is given equal opportunity to optimise his or her learning potential.

In acknowledging the number of success stories coming out of Queen’s College, the minister said that the school has the potential to continue to put out top students. “Every

Minister Priya Manickchand (fifth left) with QC Old Students New York Chapter, and QC Headmistress, Ms Jackie Benn

Suddie Parlour needs help identifying dead Amerindian man OFFICIALS of the Suddie Funeral Parlour on the Essequibo Coast are calling on residents of Moruca in Region 1 to help identify the body of an Amerindian man that has been lying at the parlour for some six weeks.

Region 2 Chairman Mr Parmanand Persaud, who

visited the parlour that is under the control of the Regional Administration, was told by a supervisor that the body of the unidentified Amerindian man has been lying at the parlour for some six weeks and no one has so far come forward to identify the body.

Mr Persaud was also informed that the police at Suddie have been notified about the unidentified body.

Reports said the man who is about 42 years old visited the hospital alone and was admitted by doctors.He died some days after and his body was sent to the fu-

neral parlour, so relatives could have uplifted it for burial.

He gave his name at the hospital as Brian Miguel and address as Moruca, Region 1.

(Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

single child you get is a child worthy of topping the Caribbean, of leading our world...

How we deal with them will determine whether or not they live up to their full potential...”, Minister Manickchand said, adding: “Children coming out of QC must be academically sound, culturally conscious, and socially adaptable and cognizant of their duty to make a tangible contribution to the world.”

Several other matters were highlighted at

the breakfast, including teachers’ commitment to their job; the continuous investment in maintaining the school’s infrastructure; and opportunities for additional support from the various alumni chapters across the world.

Queen’s College was established in 1844 as the Queen’s College Grammar School for boys by William Percy Austin, D.D., Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of then British Guiana. The school became co-educational in 1975.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Police seek fired Kaieteur News senior reporter for questioning

SENIOR official sources confirmed last evening that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is yet to make contact with Leonard Gildharie, a former senior reporter attached to the Kaieteur News, in connection with a report made by the paper’s publisher, Mohan Lall, also known as Glenn Lall.

The Guyana Chronicle has been informed that the police need Gildharie to assist in investigations currently underway, but up to press time last evening, police ranks have been unable to locate him.

Lall reported on Monday to the Deputy Police Commissioner, Mr. Balram Persaud, after making public a 19-minuute recording of a conversation alleged to have occurred between Gildharie and Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, last Saturday, October 25. The Kaieteur News publisher is alleging that the contents of the recording indicate that his life and those of his family and staff members are under threat.

FIRED Gildharie was reportedly fired on

Monday following disclosure of the contents of the recording. His dismissal was confirmed yesterday by sources close to the Kaieteur News.

In the controversial recording, a voice -- purportedly that of the AG -- is heard making the newspaper’s senior reporter an offer of a job. Gildharie is recorded as saying, “Wha deh (expletive excluded) you gun offer me?”

The other party responded, “Better than Kaieteur News…Send me a proposal of what you working for.”

Gildharie then responded: “Ah gun have to discuss it with the wife.”

It is believed that the discussion of a job offer contributed to the Kaieteur News’ senior reporter’s dismissal.

ILLEGAL SPYING Gildharie’s dismissal follows concerns raised since last week over Lall’s illegal surveillance of telephone calls and other communications of his staff, Government officials and private Guyanese citizens. The senior reporter himself, in the recorded conversation, indicated that he could not disclose cer-

tain information for fear of his phone being tapped by his boss, Lall.

LEONARD GILDHARIE “Me gun tell you. Ah can’t tell you on the phone, man. Oh (expletive), you wan

(expletive) me up?” Gildharie was heard asking at one point. At another point in the conversation, Gildharie is heard saying that he stepped out of his office to take the call, when asked where he was.

“Me just deh at the back; I deh at the back of Kaieteur News…Ah just come fuh tek dis call heah,” he said.

As a result of the recent development, several stakeholders of both the public and private sectors who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday have expressed reservations about communicating any information over the telephones or via emails, in fear of having private conversations distorted and made public

by Lall.

Kaieteur News has earned a reputation of being focused on the sensational at a risk of fair news reporting. In the last year alone, the local daily has been slapped with several libel lawsuits and injunctions, and has been involved in other pending court matters as a result of the material published.

Attempts by the Guyana Chronicle to contact the embattled reporter have proved futile.

File on Glenn Lall’s threat to Sattaur still with DPP THE case file addressing the alleged threat made by publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall, to the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Khurshid Sattaur, is still with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) completed its investigations into the alleged threat some two weeks ago, and the file was initially sent to the DPP Chambers on October 14, before being returned to Crime Chief Mr. Leslie James on October 15. He has since returned it to the DPP, Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, for her recommendations.

The investigations followed a formal complaint made by the GRA Commissioner-General, and lodged at the Brickdam Police Station regarding an alleged threat from Lall.

LALL INVOLVED IN KILLING Sattaur has since gone on record indicating that he fears for his life, particularly given Lall’s involvement in the 1994 killing of 30-year-old Kenny France.

According to the Stabroek News, which reported extensively on the killing, Lall, a well-known stall-holder at the Stabroek Market and then rural constable with the police force, shot France in the chest at close range with a .38 revolver on January 20, 1994.

Reports are that France’s step-son, Oliver Marshall, was wanted by the police in connection with a robbery committed at

Lall’s home. On the day of the killing, Lall, using his position as a rural constable, went to France’s McDoom residence to arrest Marshall, where he was met with strong resistance by the lad’s relatives.

Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Mr. Khurshid Sattaur The Stabroek News article said police information indicated there was a scuffle

between Lall and Marshall, at which time the shot was fired and France was hit.

“We have information to suggest that the two were engaged in a scuffle before the shot was fired. It was not a cold-blooded killing, as France’s relatives would want us to believe,” the police source had said in the February 2, 1994 report.

In the case of France’s death, there was no official inquest into the circumstances of his killing – an action that has left eyebrows raised and many interested parties dissatisfied.

The conclusions reached by the police were deemed “not good enough” by France’s relatives, who have since continued to refer to France’s death as an “extra-judicial” killing.

In line with Sattaur’s expressed fear, it was expected that Lall would lodge his licensed firearm with the police. Standard operating procedures in similar matters require the lodging of one’s firearm if the person making the alleged threat is a licensed firearm holder. However, it remains unclear whether or not Lall has so done.

SINCE AUGUST The alleged threats to the GRA Head were made in late August, when two vehicles used by Lall and his wife and alleged to be part of a remigrant duty-free scam were impounded by the Authority.

At the time, Sattaur had disclosed that he had received a telephone call from a person

“whose voice I recognised as Mr. Glenn Lall” and was threatened.

He said, “Lall called me from an overseas number and threatened to expose me; he threatened to deal with me in a manner as if I’m a thief, and he’s going to do this thing because I am using my office to deal with the matters I normally deal with.

“He threatened to use his newspaper to expose me; I don’t know what wrong I am doing. If I am trying to do the Government’s work, I don’t know why people should be upset. If they are doing wrong things, they should be subject to the laws as well.”

According to Sattaur, such actions, the making of threats, are unconscionable. “I am not acting vindictively; I am doing my work.

Mr. Lall is not excluded from paying taxes,” the GRA Commissioner-General said.

The two vehicles in question, PRR 8398 and PRR 8399, were handed over to the GRA and impounded at that Authority’s warehouse following an hour-long standoff between GRA officials and Navin Sankar, a high-ranking GRA employee.

A total of six criminal charges have since been filed against Lall, his wife Bhena, and Sankar’s parents -- Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan, who have all been implicated in the scam. Lall and his wife have since been arraigned on four of the six charges.

The charges follow an investigation which was launched to ensure that procedures and policy, as well as the provisions of the law, were adhered to.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday OCTOBER 29, 2014

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

Omawale testifies of ruthless ‘PNC Dictatorship’ - which carried out ‘State terrorism’ DISTINGUISHED Guyanese academic and former political leader, Omawale, blames the “dictatorship government” of the People’s National Congress (PNC) for the assassination of his close friend and confidante Dr Walter Rodney, claiming the “PNC Dictatorship” carried out “State terrorism”.

Omawale yesterday told the Presidential Commission probing Dr Rodney’s bomb blast assassination that the “State” of the “PNC Dictatorship…(as that period is known)” carried out an act of “terrorism” in planning and executing the bomb explosion on Friday, June 13, 1980 on Camp Street in Georgetown.

That explosion shattered Dr Rodney’s lower body, after a communications device exploded in his lap as he sat in his car, killing him instantly. His brother, Donald Rodney, is the only eye witness to the assassination, escaping from the car after the explosion, seriously wounded and bleeding.

Omawale travelled from his home in Florida, United States, to testify at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, his first public testimony of what transpired in those dark days of Guyana’s history.

Appearing calm, relaxed and conversational, Omawale easily answered questions from Counsels for the Commission and other interested organisations.

His Witness Statement to the Commission adds to a burgeoning file of written, signed statements that the Commission is compiling of witnesses who come forward to testify of how and why Dr Rodney was assassinated as he led a peaceful populist national uprising against the repressive, oppressive PNC dictatorship.

Omawale gave the clearest testimony so far at the historic Commission about the brutality of the PNC dictatorship against the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

to Omawale, and took him to meet Forbes Burnham. “Mr Burnham greeted me cordially and indicated that he wanted my cousin to ‘put some sense’ into my head. He initially engaged in a bit of light banter, including recounting some of his misogynistic sexual exploits with which he thought I would empathise. At one point he suggested that my joining his Government would substantially increase my power at the University (of Guyana) and in the society at large. He scoffed at my somewhat naïve response that I was not interested in power. He insisted that everyone was interested in power and everyone had a price. Then he turned to the subject of the proposed public meeting. He said that I should disinvite Dr Jagan or call off the meeting because he could not allow me to give a platform to Dr Jagan in Georgetown. I politely indicated…we would be determined to hold the meeting and to have Dr Jagan speak was our democratic right. Before I left his office, Mr Burnham warned that I ‘will see that the

“The Dictatorship had moved from the more subtle intimidation and subversion to brutal disruption of meetings and destruction of equipment, and now to plain extra-judicial murder,” Omawale said in his statement to the Commission. meeting will not be held’.”

Omawale, determined, proceeded with the meeting. “I invited Dr Jagan to the microphone which was attached to the stand.

Before he could say a word the microphone was snatched from his hand by a thug who then used it to hit Dr Jagan in his chest. Considerable commotion ensued and the meeting was broken up by a horde of plain clothed Afro-Guyanese thugs apparently allied with the PNC,” Omawale said in his signed, writ-

Omawale’s Witness Statement deals with several attempts to kill leading members of the WPA, including Josh Ramsammy, who was shot while in his car but escaped death, Dr Clive Thomas, himself, Omawale, as “next on the list”, and others. He also mentions the actual killing of Father Darke on the day that he, Omawale, along with Walter Rodney and Rupert Roopnarine were released from the Camp Street prison, and the killing of Edward Dublin and Ohene Koama, who “were killed for no discernable reason other than” associating with the WPA. Deep in his admiration for Dr Cheddi Jagan, Omawale organised a public meeting at Parade Ground in Georgetown, and invited Dr Jagan to speak on the platform, along with a number of other people, including Eusi Kwayana. Dr Jagan’s name appearing as speaker “caused disquiet among the PNC leadership and I was called to an audience with the Head of Government,” Omawale said yesterday.

Omawale’s cousin, Hamilton Green, gave the message of the proposed meeting

Dr. Omawale, former WPA member “Our fraternal bonds were further cemented in the period immediately before his murder when, as WPA activists, we waged daily strug-

ten statement to the prestigious Commission.

Dr Rodney and Omawale attended school together, and worked alongside each other in the debating team at Queen’s College and the school’s Historical Society, and the editorial boards of the school newspaper and magazine.

Although moving off to different institutions to further their education and career, the two close friends maintained constant contact, with Omawale visiting Dr Rodney at his home in Tanzania.

gles” against the “oppressive” PNC dictatorship, he said, noting that “like his friends and colleagues, I remain saddened and outraged by the assassination of Walter Rodney and I wish to assist the Commission by testifying about the atmosphere in the period leading up to, and around the time of, his death”.

Speaking in a gentle, pleasant tone, with a peaceful expression on his face, his whitened grey beard and full head of white hair giving him an air of dignified bearing, Omawale stood in the Witness Box, answering questions from Counsel with ease and confidence. Today he faces off against potentially hostile cross examination by Counsel for the PNC, Mr Basil Williams.

Williams ended his two-day absence at the Commission’s hearing when he appeared for a brief minute to inform the Commission that he would commence his cross-examination of Omawale this morning.

Omawale’s Witness Statement deals with several attempts to kill leading members of the WPA, including Josh Ramsammy, who was shot while in his car but escaped death, Dr Clive Thomas, himself, Omawale, as “next on the list”, and others. He also mentions the actual killing of Father Darke on the day that he, Omawale, along with Walter Rodney and Rupert Roopnarine were released from the Camp Street prison, and the killing of Edward Dublin and Ohene Koama, who “were killed for no discernable reason other than” associating with the WPA. “The Dictatorship had moved from the more subtle intimidation and subversion to brutal disruption of meetings and destruction of equipment, and now to plain extra-judicial murder,” Omawale said in his statement to the Commission.

He talks of banned food items, dictatorship of the State press and media, the Death

Squad of the Police Force attacking and harassing people, severe restriction on travel, his own safety precautions to escape death, living in fear and planning his movements with care and caution, and the banning of free, independent media and importation of newsprint.

“Life in Guyana under the…PNC Dictatorship was oppressive for anyone who opposed (Burnham) or his party. Distributing…opposition fliers was often not met only with hostility but physical abuse. There was intolerance of peaceful protest and severe restrictions on our freedom to travel, even within the country.

“I believe the oppressive environment of Burnham’s PNC Dictatorship really explains the tragic events of June 13, 1980.

The constant intimidation and harassment of the WPA … would lead any reasonable leader to seek home-made communications devices,” Omawale said, implying that the communications device that suspected GDF intelligence officer Gregory Smith supplied to Dr Rodney on the night he was assassinated was an attempt by Rodney to improve inter-party communication in the WPA. Instead, the device was disguised as a bomb, and exploded in his lap, killing the world famous historian and scholar instantly, forever transforming the history of Guyana and the Commonwealth Caribbean.

The case has remained unsolved for 34 years, until President Donald Ramotar convened the current Commission, constituting distinguished legal luminaries from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, along with a battery of Counsels. The Commission is also in answer to a recommendation by the International Committee of Jurists, and a three-decade old worldwide clamor for a Commission of Inquiry into Dr Rodney’s assassination, including from his widow Dr Patricia Rodney and their three children.

Now, Omawale joins a long line of witnesses who testify at the Commission that worldwide suspicion pinning the assassination on Gregory Smith, acting on behalf of the State of the PNC Government, including the GDF and the Police Force, and Ministries, may indeed be fact.

When the Commission - which President Donald Ramotar extended to January, 2015 to conclude its hearings - is ready to write its report on the Rodney assassination, the documents, witness statements, records and other material evidence that would be available to it from the Commission’s work would amount to a mammoth mass of information.

The documentary evidence being accumulated is testimony to the horrors of the darkest period in Guyana’s history, but also serves as a monument to the life and service of Dr Walter Rodney, Guyana’s outstanding son, to his nation.

As his close friend and confidante, Omalwale expressed satisfaction yesterday that this Commission would accomplish the long-awaited justice and healing that is duly due the fearless freedom fighter, Dr Walter Rodney, who wanted a free, democratic Guyana where freedom of the press prevailed, where citizens could travel freely, and where citizens could self-develop easily, and in full freedom.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Tributes come pouring in as ...

Veteran politician cum academician, Navin Chandarpal, passes away AFTER a long fight with stomach cancer, veteran politician and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) stalwart, Navin Chandarpal, 63, passed away yesterday morning at his East Coast Demerara home.

And the tributes from colleagues he has worked with for decades have been pouring in ever since.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke to several of Chandarpal’s well-wishers, all of whom contend that he was committed, hardworking, inspirational person who contributed significantly to the development of Guyana.

The PPP, in a statement, said, “The Central Committee and the entire membership of the PPP is saddened by the death of one of its leading stalwarts, Comrade Navin Chandarpal. “…The PPP wishes to express its deepest condolences to his wife, Comrade Indra; his two children, Geeta and Robin; and relatives, friends and the entire Party membership on his passing.

Mr. Navin Chandarpal speaking at the FAO during his tenure as Agriculture Minister

of the bereaved family.”

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who functions in a portfolio once held by Chandarpal, acknowledged the many contributions he made to the agriculture sector, as well as the country.

He said, “As Agriculture Minister, Navin played an important role in setting the stage for the transformation of the drainage and irrigation system. He was also pivotal in putting the rice industry on a new pathway.

“He has certain legacies that sometimes we forget, but his work has resulted in many developments. One of his legacies is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); he was the architect of the EPA, which is something that we often forget.

“Navin also played an important role in the establishment of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB).

Today, the Board is regarded as a best practice throughout CARICOM, and Guyana is seen as a leader in regulating the use of toxic chemicals and the responsible use of toxic chemicals, as well as the use of pesticides.”

According to Dr. Ramsammy, Chandarpal was also a premier freedom fighter in the Ruling Party’s struggle for freedom and democracy.

He said, “He played a significant role in many areas: As a freedom fighter, as well as when it came to integrating science and technology in the development of the areas where he worked and, by extension, the country as a whole. Navin will be sorely missed, for sure.”

CEO of the Guyana water Inc. (GWI) and former Education Minister, Mr. Shaik Baksh, reiterated similar sentiments, and also reflected on Chandarpal’s contribution as an Education Minister.

He said, “We have lost a real professional and technically-skilled expert. When I was Minister of Education, he was instrumental in crafting a national science and technology strategy. He worked hard for two years; it is to his credit that the Ministry of Education was able to complete that document.

“He was always supportive of science education, and worked closely with the coordinator of science education at the

for some time with cancer. The fact that he has passed sends a message to one that we have lost a great patriot, comrade and political leader. He served in different capacities, and served with distinction. He will be missed very much by the people he worked with; by the people he befriended; and by the country for the many contributions he has made to Guyana.”

PPP stalwart, Mr. Hydar Ally, also offered his condolences to the Chandarpal family. He said, “It is indeed a very tragic loss, because I knew Comrade Chandarpal since my early PYO days, and I have to say that he was an inspiration to me as a young man growing up in that organisation.

“I admired him for his sharpness of intellect, commitment, and dedication to the Party. We served on both the Central and Executive Committees, and I happened to be his neighbour; so we were very close. He was such a wonderful

Navin Chandarpal addressing residents of the Diamond/Grove Housing Scheme, EBD during a food price consultation as Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology

“This is indeed a great loss person: A man of honesty, to the Party, but his sterling integrity and one who was contributions; his dedication, willing to do whatever politicommitment and loyalty to the cal assignment he was asked Party will no doubt serve to to do.” inspire others in the struggle for a peaceful, progressive and DISTINGUISHED prosperous Guyana.”

CAREER At the time of his passing, Chandarpal, before his Chandarpal was a member death, functioned as Presiof the Central and Executive dential Advisor on SustainCommittee of the Ruling Party. able Development, Science The People’s National Conand Technology. gress Reform (PNCR) has also He entered politics while a expressed sympathy at Chanstudent at the Richard Ishmael darpal’s passing.

Secondary School, starting out In a statement, the Party as a member of the PYO, and said, “The Central Executive rising to the post of General Committee and members of the Secretary.

PNCR extend sincere condoChandarpal also played an lences to Mrs. Indra Chandaractive role in student politics, Mr. Navin Chandarpal having a look at the Exhibition on the late former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, before pal, M.P., and other relatives and was at one time elected declaring it open earlier this year and friends of Mr. Chandarpal.

President of the University Mr. Navin Chandarpal’s passing of Guyana Student’s Society is a great loss to his Party, the Ministry of Education.”

(UGSS).

People’s Progressive Party (PPP).”

According to Baksh, Chandarpal was a close friend and He also represented the PPP and the PYO at several meetThe Alliance For Change (AFC), too, issued a statement on colleague for many years. “We were always able to have dis- ings and seminars, both locally and internationally. He played his passing. It said, “The Alliance For Change is saddened by cussions of many important matters. He will be missed; that is a key role in the struggle against imperialism and dictatorial the death of Navin Chandarpal, a former Government Minister for sure.” rule in the country. and Presidential Advisor.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Following the restoration of democracy and the assumption “The late Chandarpal has served his country in several President, Mr. Komal Chand, is another long-standing friend of to office of the PPP/C in October 1992, Chandarpal served in fields, as a teacher, youth and student leader, and in the fields Chandarpal, who has known him since his days in the Progressive several senior Government positions. of trade unionism and politics.

Youth Organisation (PYO), as well as during his tenure at the GAWU He also served on several other Committees, such as the Ched“The AFC shares the loss of Chandarpal, and expresses sym- School. di Jagan Research Centre and the Cheddi Jagan Commemoration pathy with his wife, Indra, and his children and other members Chand, said, “His death was expected, in that he was sick Committee, both of which he was Chairman. (By Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

TravelSpan inks seating arrangement deal with Dynamic Airways

TRAVELSPAN announced Monday that it has put in place a Block Seat agreement to service the Guyana market from the United States of America (USA) with Dynamic Airways.

The proposed United States Department of Transportation (DoT)-approved flights will depart John F Kennedy International Airport , Terminal 1 at 0100 hrs for Guyana from November 22, 2014, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, an issued press statement by TravelSpan revealed.

Only recently it was confirmed that DoT had granted the government approval for Dynamic Airways to restart it services.

“Dynamic Airways, a US carrier based in Greensboro has been given the green light to operate services to Guyana, and a variety of destinations in South America, the company said in a statement,” said Nohar Singh, CEO of TravelSpan.

Singh further related that: “The Block Agreement will give the company the additional seats for the holidays, and Air & Hotel Packages for its valued customers.” He noted with over 19 years in business,TravelSpan has always fought to secure affordable travel options for the travelling public and for the

people of Guyana.

Bill Gray, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Dynamic Airways said, “The airline is planning to resume regular flights between New York and Georgetown, Guyana late next month, as well as inaugurate service between Orlando and destinations in Brazil, Canada, and the US.” He explained that flights to Georgetown this summer revealed a tremendous need for reliable, quality air service. Due to an unfortunate situation, Dynamic has undergone a substantial internal reorganisation with new management and a new focus on its product and service. “Starting late November, Guyana travellers will delight in the comfort and the quality of air service that they all richly deserve,” he emphasised.

Travelspan has assured the flying public that their staff and management will continue to operate at full capacity with their Queens Office in New York opening seven days a week to offer a much- needed solution within the market, using this new block- seat arrangement.

The company is offering a special fare on the first flight at $499 per round trip, tax included. (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

Small swine farmers urged to take lead

––in advancing value-added pork products A THREE-day Value-Added pork products workshop yesterday kicked off with enhanced focus on expanding the industry to better add value to locally produced pork through the production of hams and other pork products.

The event, which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Development Project and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), brought together small swine producers to explore avenues to tap into value-added production, a press release stated.

PORK PRODUCTS Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in delivering remarks at the workshop charged the producers to take the challenge seriously as it can expand into one where Guyana will not need to import value-added pork products but can rather supply adequate amounts of pork and pork products to meet its own demand.

“This workshop is necessary as it can position you to supply the ever growing demand for not only pork but also pork products. While there are a number of constraints facing swine producers such as high costs for pork production, we have seen a trend where pork production is higher than the demand for fresh pork,” he said.

Minister Ramsammy stated that while price movement for the commodity will always occur, there needs to be stronger interventions to increase demand to meet the growing supply to boost the pork industry.

EXPORT PLAN As such, the Ministry of Agriculture with support from IICA will commence work on a business enterprise plan with swine producers to not only meet local demand for value-added products, but to position the industry to also tap into the export of pork and pork-products to other

countries.

“The fact that Guyana does not import pork on a regular basis shows that the country is self-sufficient in pork production, and, as such, farmers should now work ever harder to expand the sector through the production of value-added pork products,” Minister Ramsammy said.

Thus far, while farmers have been benefiting from the distribution of breeding animals, a series of training exercises are being conducted with Associations/Clusters of Farmers in order for them to become certified and to promote proper animal husbandry.

One of the constraints which have been facing swine farmers is the high cost of feed. To ensure that this becomes a thing of the past, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) commenced demonstration plots of corn and soya to supply the stock feed industry.

STOCKFEED “These were just demonstration plots to show farmers that we can successfully grow corn and soya right here in Guyana to be used in the stockfeed industry….farmers and investors have since taken up the challenge and shortly we will be harvesting the first batch of 22 acres of corn and soya in Ebini,” he said.

In addition, the Guyana Livestock Developmental Authority is experimenting with cassava to develop a low-cost feed for swine farmers.

The Agriculture Minister added that despite the limited resources and constraints which may affect farmers, the Ministry will continue to explore all possible measures to advance the industry, hence the value-added workshop.

The workshop which will run until today attracted scores of swine producers from across the country. It is addressing how to prepare certain pork products, such as pork sausages, pork patties, etc., good hygiene and sanitation practices and

Dynamic Airways aircraft business management for swine rearers.

The workshop is being facilitated by Mr. Arnold Mendonca of IICA, and technical sessions are presented

by Ms. Audrey Mendonca and Dr. Aubrey Mendonca. Dr. Aubrey Mendonca is a pork specialist from Iowa State University, the release added.

Armed bandits rob rice farmer of shotgun, cash, jewellery A RICE farmer, his wife and two friends were robbed by five men while they were in their yard at Number 57 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on Monday night.

The police reported that about 21:00 hrs on October 27, 2014, rice farmer Jaiswah Boodnarine, 59, was in the yard of his residence with his wife and two friends when they were held up by five men, two of whom were armed with a firearm and a cutlass.

The perpetrators took away Jaiswah Boodnarine’s licensed shotgun along with $200,000 and a quantity of jewellery and escaped.

Man, two women arrested with illegal firearm, ammo A MAN and two women are in police custody following the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition on Monday night.

The police said at about 22:30 hrs on October 27, 2014, police ranks at a roadblock on the Liliendaal Railway Embankment, Greater Georgetown, conducted a search on a motor vehicle in which an unlicensed .32 Taurus revolver with six rounds of ammunition was found.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Miner refused bail on armed robbery charges TWENTY-seven-year-old miner, Corwin Heywood of 7 Ogle Street, Beterverwagting, was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine–Beharry on two charges of robbery under arms.

Heywood pleaded not guilty to both charges, one of which detailed that on May 22, at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), being armed with a gun, he robbed Krishna Persaud of a Nokia cellular phone and $5,000.

The other charge detailed that on the same day, at Vreed-en-Hoop, Heywood robbed Navendra Ranauth

of one Samsung and Alcatel cellular phones, along with cash $500,000, belonging to Reyuad Hussain.

The prosecution’s facts stated that on the day in question, at the Vreed-en-Hoop Shell gas station, Ranauth was checking the day’s sales when the defendant, armed with a gun, entered the premises and robbed the gas station. Persaud, who was in the store at the same time, was held at gun point and robbed of the said items before Heywood made good his escape.

Reports were subsequently filed, and the defendant was apprehended by the police and identified by Per-

saud and Ranauth.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant opposed bail on the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence, and the fact that the alleged firearm was used twice in commission of the offences.

Heywood was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Clyde Forde, who said that his client was arrested from his home and was picked out on an identification parade.

The matter will be called again tomorrow at the Vreed-en-Hoop Court. (Clestine Juan)

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Commander Brutus visits ranks stabbed by fugitive

By Leroy Smith

POLICE ‘E’ Division Commander Superintendent Calvin Brutus and Deputy Commander Inspector Oswald Pitt, accompanied by two other ranks of the division, on Monday went to the Linden Hospital Complex to visit ‘E’ Division anti-crime unit rank Constable McFarlin, who on Saturday morning was stabbed in a robbery by a suspect known to the police, who is said to have already, fled to another country illegally over the weekend.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle following the visit, the commander said the visit was to ensure that the rank was receiving the best medical care and that he was responding to his treatment.

Brutus explained that the police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect and

Commander Brutus, his deputy and other ranks at the bedside of the injured policeman of other policemen during his accomplice, who were to- to rob the police rank when a small recreational outing gether when they attempted he moved away from a group over the weekend.

The commander said the police have since received information that one of the suspects has skipped the country, while the other may still be in the jurisdiction.

Police Constable McFarlin was on Saturday morning rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex with stab injuries he had sustained just below the collar bone. The wounds were allegedly inflicted by a man who had attempted to rob him and another police rank.

Information reaching this publication over the weekend stated that the rank and several others were present at a location in Linden where a promotion was being held. The injured constable had reportedly left to urinate, and while doing that, the known character approached him and demanded the gold chain he was wearing. And when the rank put up a fight, he was

stabbed while the man made off with the chain.

The other police ranks attempted to apprehend the assailant but he managed to enter a waiting car, which with a motorcycle have been impounded by the police as the investigation continues.

The Chronicle was told that the suspect who was driving the vehicle was recently released on a substantial amount of bail from the court after he had been incarcerated for several robberies and other crimes committed in the division.

Police sources have also stated that while the man was in jail the place was not suffering the kind of crimes that incidentally coincides with his release on bail by the court.

The injured Constable Mc Farlin rank is being treated for an incised wound, and is said to be recovering well.

Guyana creates quite a buzz at tourism fair in Argentina and travel agencies.

According to head of the Guyana delegation, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, the impact of attending such an event is immeasurable. He explained, “FIT would help us to make inroads into the large South American market. The fact that we have COPA flying to destination Guyana makes this possible. Today was the business day, and a lot of tour operators, travel agencies and media have expressed

great interest in Destination Guyana.”

He also said that the next strategic step is for the destination to host a FAM trip so that we can have agents selling Guyana as well. He said this would enable Guyana to generate coverage in the international media.

Mr. Haralsingh also met with Ms. Carol Johnson from Trip Advisor, who was given details about the product and was briefed on the developments taking place.

She opined that the addition of the 5-star Marriott Hotel

would add to the destination’s competitiveness and appeal on the international market.

Many companies visiting the booth expressed interest in making the connection with local tour operators in Guyana, and Mr. Haralsingh assured that the relevant information would be filtered.

The first two days of the Tourism Fair targeted business-to-business (B-to-B) contact, while the remainder was opened to the public.

Under-Secretary for Quality at the Argentine Tourism Ministry, Mr. Gonzalo Casanova Ferro (left), and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, at the Guyana booth GUYANA’S presence at the International Tourism Fair (FIT) in Argentina has been quite rewarding.

Already, more than two dozen Latin American tour

companies and operators have expressed interest in selling this destination.

Over the last three or so days, Guyana has been presented to thousands of

visitors passing through the Exhibition Centre, and several important meetings were also conducted with representatives from major marketing firms, tour companies

The Guyana delegation being presented with a Certification of Participation in FIT Argentina

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Farmer harvests large water melon at Lima Sands MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Alli Baksh, has congratulated cash crop farmer Andy Patrick of Lima Sands for producing a healthy, jumbo water melon on his farm in the white sandy area of Lima Sands on the Essequibo Coast in Region 2.

This is the same area that many persons said cannot produce any crops.

The minister, who visited the area on Monday, told farmers at a meeting that cash crop farming is important to the agriculture sector of the country, and urged families to get involved in “family gardening”. He urged the

farmers of the Lima Sands village to make use of the Ministry of Agriculture’s shade house and drip fertilizer technologies to boost cash crop farming in their community.

Minister Baksh said Field Officers of the Agriculture Ministry at Anna Regina would visit the farmers at Lima Sands to advise and teach them on how to use the new shade house and drip fertilizer technologies.

After the meeting, farmers thanked the minister for his commitment to push for the development of agriculture in their community. (Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

Minister Alli Baksh with cash crop farmer Andy Patrick [blue jersery] and other farmers of Lima Sands holding a large, healthy water melon that was grown in the village

E/bo farmer ploughing field stung by hundreds of African bees RICE farmer Goberdhan Polastray of WestBury, Essequibo Coast had to abandon his tractor in a rice field at D9 Better Success backdam on Saturday and run for his life after hundreds of angry African bees swooped down on him.

The farmer and his nephew, “Coney”, were reportedly ploughing and levelling their ten-acre rice field with a tractor when the swarm of angry bees swooped down on them and began stinging. He said he was severely stung See page 15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

PPP alleges security breach at GECOM ––calls on GECOM Chairman to publicise details of the breach

General Secretary, Mr. Clement Rohee

THE ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has alleged that it is in possession of information to the effect that a security breach has been committed at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

That party’s General Secretary, Mr. Clement Rohee, at a press briefing Monday said, “The PPP has been reliably informed that 25 cartons of the indelible electoral ink and dozens of black tanks have gone missing or unaccounted for within GECOM.” According to him, even more alarming is GECOM’s apparent effort to keep the security breach under wraps.

“What is even more alarming is that there seem to be efforts within GECOM to keep these breaches of security from the public and the stakeholders,” Rohee charged.

He said that GECOM’s covering up of these se-

E/bo farmer ploughing field stung ...

From page 14

on his head, face, neck and arms, and quickly stopped the tractor and ran for his life, with hundreds of bees in hot pursuit.

The farmer said the bees would not abandon the chase although he fell down several times in the muddy rice field. He said he escaped after he reached the bank of the field and took cover under some huge mango trees. The farmer said his nephew had run to another bank of the field and so escaped the killer bees.

Goberdhan, a very experienced tractor operator, said the bees that have their hive on a tree in a clump of bushes not far from his rice field were probably disturbed by the noise of the tractor, and so attacked them. The farmer said he had sustained numerous stings in similar fashion several years ago while ploughing the same rice field.

The farmer and his nephew had to seek medical attention at the Charity hospital.

(Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

curity breaches is troubling, since it is a move that would “further shake the confidence and trust” that stakeholders have in the entire elections commission.

Rohee said, “The People’s Progressive Party calls on the Chairman of GECOM to provide to the parties and the public (with) the full details of these breaches of security, as well as assurances that appropriate action(s) will be taken against person(s) found to be negligent.”

Rohee, moreover, called for the Guyana Police Force to become involved in investigating these breaches.

“For too long, equipment and items procured from tax payers’ monies by GECOM are stolen or declared lost and no has been is held accountable. The PPP recalls that for ‘the declared lost’ laptop computers, to date, no one has been held accountable and or responsible. GECOM may wish to update the populace on these issues as well,” he said.

Rohee also told reporters that this concern has been communicated to the Commission via a letter.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Richard Francois, in response told the Guyana Chronicle that the matter is currently with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

GECOM’s (PRO), Mr. Richard Francois

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

China commits to helping Guyana undertake mineral property assessment

By Clifford Stanley

Minister Robert Persaud and GGMC Chairman, Mr. Clinton Williams, along with another participant at the mining conference

GEOLOGICAL mapping will increase the level and quality of knowledge of Guyana’s mineral resource potential; thus the recent announcement that the China Geological Survey has committed to assisting the Government of Guyana to undertake a mineral property assessment is being welcomed by local stakeholders in the mining industry.

Guyana is under-explored, with not much mapping and mineral inventory work done so far. Such assistance will help us get a greater share of the resource rents, since the more that is known about the potential value of a resource, the more the share of the rents a potential investor will be willing to give due to the elimination of the high risk

of discovering or dimensioning the resource.

It is imperative to improve knowledge of Guyana’s mineral resource endowment. This will strengthen the country’s bargaining power during contract negotiations vis-àvis well informed partners.

Local small and medium scale miners can also benefit immensely from such an inventory of the natural minerals resources endowment, a local stakeholder has said.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNR&E) announced last week that Guyana is one step closer to completing its geological mapping as a result of the offer made to MNRE. Minister Robert M. Persaud at the 2014 China Mining Conference and Exposition, at which Guyana was represented by the Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Mr. Clinton Wil-

liams. They were both invited by the Minister of Land and Resources of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Jiang Daming.

The conference was held in Tianjin between October 20 and 23.

Mr. Williams and Minister Persaud participated in discussions relating to the developmental trend of both Chinese and foreign mining industries. They also examined the global commodities’ outlook.

An MNR&E media release disclosed that, during his presentation at the Mining conference, Minister Persaud stated that numerous opportunities exist for investment in the mining sector, and investors are welcomed once they adhered to the various acts and regulations governing the mining sector.

This is so, he told participants, because Guyana encourages green mining and investments that are environmentally safe and sustainable.

Private/hire driver allegedly impregnates 14-year-old BERBICE Police are awaiting further advice from the Director of Public Prosecution as they continue their investigation into the pregnancy of a fourteenyear-old secondary school student.

The teen was discovered pregnant even as sleuths were investigating an allegation of rape against a private/hire car driver who would solicit juveniles as passengers, and instead of transporting them to their respective schools, would take them to various destinations where he would sexually violate the unsuspecting minors.

According to reports, the alleged perpetrator, an ex-soldier who targets school girls, would take the victims to a relative’s home at Edinburgh Village, where he would sexually penetrate the children.

This newspaper was informed that the property was left in care of the suspect, as the owner is presently out of the jurisdiction.

However, following the initial act, the child was threatened with harm should she tell anyone what had transpired. Nevertheless, she confided in a relative, who reported the incident at Central Police Station.

But as police ranks were awaiting a response from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, [DPP] on the matter, relatives reported that the teen is now pregnant.

Consequently, another file has been sent to the DPP for further advice on the matter.

This reporter was reliably informed that the local arm of the Child Care Unit has also been notified.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

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Prospect home invasion ...

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Roving cops intercept armed bandits at crime scene

By Leroy Smith BUSINESSMAN Kalicharand Surupaul and his wife complied with the requests of three heavily armed gunmen who invaded their home at Lot 205 Prospect, East Bank Demerara early Monday morning, and were able to have their lives and those of their three children spared.

Speaking with this newspaper yesterday, the businessman related that he had returned from a wedding reception and had locked up his home and had gone to bed, but was alerted to a noise at approximately 03:00 hrs.

When he ventured into the lower flat of his two-storeyed home, he was confronted by three masked and heavily armed gunmen, who tied him up with duct tape and beat him in the head with a hammer while demanding cash and jewellery, and enquiring whether he was the holder of a firearm, to which he responded in the negative.

Surupaul, who was not hesitant in speaking with this newspaper, explained that the men choked him and continued to beat him to the point where he began having difficulty breathing. By that time, his wife had also ventured downstairs, and the gunmen tossed her on the floor and made the same request of her that they made of him -- for cash, jewellery and firearm(s).

The businessman said the men had gained entry to his home by removing a sheet of glass from a window next to the front door, then screwing out the grill work. When this

––recover gun and some of the loot

newspaper interviewed the businessman, it was observed that his eyes were bloodshot and his head was lacerated.

In evaluating the items that the bandits had removed from his house, the businessman recalled that the men had made off with $800,000 in cash, 780,000 in cheques, and $2 million worth of jewellery. They also removed three laptops from the home.

After the men had finished robbing the house and were exiting the yard, police who were patrolling the area at the time observed them and initially mistook them for members of a private security service who were doing routine checks, since the place was East Bank businessman, Kalicharand Surupaul dark and it was not imme-

diately clear to the ranks that the three were masked; but after realising that the men were masked, the police immediately became suspicious and opened fire on the men, who returned fire. Two of the bandits were able to flee, but the third was arrested right at the location, and the police were also able to recover a firearm and the three laptops which that bandit had on his person, coupled with one of two phones which were stolen.

Kalicharand Surupaul told the Guyana Chronicle that this is the first time his family had had such a traumatic experience, and they were all shaken by it. He said that all the loss the family had suffered in the past had amounted to a few little things going missing from around the yard through the action of petty bandits.

When this publication visited the Surupauls yesterday morning, the police were again on the scene, and the ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department were dusting the place for finger prints even as the lower flat of the house’s interior was evidently ransacked.

Persons from the area who heard of the incident converged at the scene at dawn, and were offering comforting words to the shaken family members. The police investigations into the matter are continuing.

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Alleged prison rapist faces new charge

By Jeune Bailey-Vankeric ALLEGED prison rapist, Krishendat Seeram faces another charge after the previous case had been dismissed due to the prosecution’s failure to file the relevant statements within forty–five days, as required under the Sexual Offences Act. However, at the New Amsterdam Magistrates Court on Monday, Sergeant Godfrey Playter, prosecuting, said he currently has in his possession all the statements, but sought adjournment to have opportunity to organise the file containing the various written testimonies.

Consequently, Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus adjourned the case for hearing on November 3.

Seeram, who was ordered to post $100,000 bail, is alleged to have raped a fellow inmate on June 25 last.

The alleged victim, a 45-year-old male of the Amerindian Reservation of Orealla, had himself been remanded on a charge of attempted rape when the incident occurred behind the walls of the New Amsterdam Prison.

Police Sergeant Godfrey Playter, prosecuting, said the defendant, of Lot 341 Yakusari North, Black Bush Polder, had engaged in sexual penetration of the alleged victim without his consent on June 25, last.

According to reports, the complainant had reported the dastardly act to wardens of the prison after experiencing much discomfort.

The report was made a day after the act had allegedly been committed, as the complainant was ashamed to reveal the incident.

On June 25, the men were in the cell when another prisoner held the older man in a vice while the defendant, who is also facing a charge of robbery under arms, allegedly removed the older man’s pants and committed the unconsented act.

The victim was taken to the New Amsterdam hospital, where a medical practitioner confirmed that he had been sexually violated.

NA businessman gives the ‘Ancient County’ its first ‘Wedding Expo’

By Jeune Bailey-Vankeric THE inaugural Berbice Wedding Exposition allows the expectant bride and groom to have an opportunity to walk through the aisles of the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus, where the county’s best wedding products and services will be on display in one convenient location.

Scheduled to be held on December 7, the event was birthed by New Amsterdam Businessman Ryan Alexander and is as a result of the arising needs of his customers, who would often seek assistance in meeting the needs for parties and weddings.

“The idea was born after persons from as far as Suriname had repeatedBusinessman, ly visited the family-run Ryan Alexander business, ‘Party Plus’, at New Street, New Amsterdam, seeking services, especially in the wedding industry.

“A lot of people come to us looking for persons who make cakes, do catering, sewing, etc,” he recounted. As a result, the young entrepreneur observed, over the past years, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has conducted about 117 courses and programmes that are aimed See page 22

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

NA businessman gives the ‘Ancient County’ its first ...

From page 21 at equipping persons to become economically viable.

“We figure that the time has come to showcase these persons, such as the cosmetologists, tailors and seamstresses; caterers, cake decorators who are underutilised.

A wedding expo is a good way to have such persons showcase their talents,” he emphasized.

Additionally, Alexander and his team aim to market Berbice as a prominent wedding and tourist destination, as that county has conjured images of Dutch architecture amongst the availability of other ancient and antique artifacts.

Meanwhile, in his feature address, Regional Chairman David Armogan congratulated the pioneer of the local venture for his bold undertakings, while noting that an activity of such a magnitude is good for Berbice, and can be used as a new form of tourist attraction.

Besides, it would also give opportunities to different sectors in the business environment, and has the potential to open up new avenues to the business sector,” he said as he noted that planning a wedding is very demanding and time consuming, and observed that “these days” people are extremely busy with their work and other daily chores. As such, persons with required skills and expertise can be hired to do it all, he said.

However, whilst praising Alexander for his initiative, Armogan, who incidentally is a successful businessman, noted that entrepreneurs need to be more innovative when setting up businesses.

“Many persons would prefer to venture into business areas which are traditional, areas which we know about; but Alexander has chosen to do it differently. The fact that he has chosen to launch into something outside of the box means that he is a businessman with great ideas,” Armogan posited.

Meanwhile, Senior Product Development and Marketing Officer of the Guyana Tourism Authority (TAG), Annarie Shiwram, who, while signalling her organisation’s commitment, noted that the initiative would create a marketplace where buyers and sellers of goods and services associated with weddings would meet, and eventually the small businesses would expand.

“We know that weddings are an integral part of our society and a striving business, and Guyana is making efforts to become a wedding destination among our counterparts in the Caribbean.” Shiwram added.

At the Berbice Wedding Exposition, persons would discover about fifty various services, which will save countless hours of seeking out those amenities that can be found in different locations in the East Berbice/ Corentyne district.

Instead of looking through the telephone directory or on-line at pictures of wedding cakes or floral arrangements or vehicles, one would be able to taste the cake, hold the bouquets of flowers in the hand, and sit in the multiple styled vehicles as participating vendors create lavish exhibit displays showcasing their products so that one can easily see everything that would be offered for the memorable wedding.

Wedding Expo is also the place to find one-of-a-kind show specials. Many of the exhibitors will offer booking incentives and special discounts not found anywhere else. Whether the wedding is large or small, persons would find a wide range of wedding merchants eager to please a variety of tastes and budgets.

There is much to discover at the Berbice Wedding Expo, as one could literally plan an entire wedding in one day!

On exhibition would be photographers, car rentals, cake makers, event planners, florists, venue providers, beauty salons, makeup artists, wedding decorators, dressmakers, hoteliers, and boutique owners.

In addition, a number of organisations have already indicated their support. They are Citizens Bank, Banks DIH Limited, Fly Jamaica, Pan American Motor Inc., A. Ally and Sons, Hand-in Hand, Homeline Furnishing, Furniture World, Guyana Tourism Authority, Impressive Signs and Graphics, Little Rock Hotel, Guy Gas, Scotia Bank, CIDI, Outar Jewellery, J’s Printery, First Impressions Hotel and Party Plus among others.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday OCTOBER 29, 2014

Iwokrama teaching East Coast residents all about eco-tourism, birding

By Clifford Stanley THE Iwokrama International Centre (IIC), located in Region 8 (Potaro/ Siparuni), is conducting a two-phased field bird watching and basic tour guide training to support community conservation and development in the mangrove forests near Hope Beach, at Belfield, and in the Greenfield community in the lower East Coast Demerara area.

Members of those communities are being provided with a skills combination of conservation of the natural systems and revenue-generating opportunities in the form of birding and tour guide training, which is entering its second phase.

Local conservationist, Annette Arjoon-Martins, whose brainchild the programme is, said the programme is being supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (MinTIC) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Admin 3.

Birding, also known as bird-watching, is considered an eco-tourism niche market with great potential, and the Ministry of Tourism has identified Hope Beach as a prime bird-watching site due to its easy accessibility from Georgetown and its vast population of migratory and other species of birds.

During the first phase of the IIC training, which ended earlier this month, participants learnt the basics of core bird identification techniques, and how to understand bird habitats and their behaviours and ranges.

Classroom learning was enhanced with field exercises on Hope Beach, in the Botanical Gardens, and at other coastal locations, to hone birding techniques and identification.

The second phase of the training, comprises a field exchange visit to Surama Eco Lodge in the North Rupununi, Region 9, (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo), where participants will get a first-hand look at a community owned and managed tourism initiative.

This commences in the second week of November.

At Surama they will be given hands on training in birding by Ron Alicock, whose family runs the Surama Lodge.

From Surama also participants will get to visit Iwokrama River Lodge and the Canopy Walkway, thereby deepening their understanding of bird ecology as well as conservation and local perspectives.

They will also have opportunities to interact with indigenous guides who have been trained by IIC and who have been bird guiding for years and have grown into full-fledged, independent

tour guides and operators.

The IIC was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest in Region 8, “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general.”

Aries Past impressions that you may not even know you have could enhance your ability to deal with practical matters today. You might need to handle some paperwork regarding a settlement of some kind. The thoughts and feelings of those closest to you are more apparent than usual. You may tailor your behaviour toward them accordingly. Spend a quiet evening with your loved ones. You won’t even need to talk.

Taurus Social events and group activities are on the agenda today. You may be introduced to someone who could prove helpful to your career. A letter containing good news could come from a friend or partner. Any new moneymaking enterprise begun now is likely to succeed as long as you stay with it and continue to face it in a businesslike manner.

Gemini Glowing health and an enthusiastic attitude make almost anything a pleasure today.

Relations with friends and family are warm, congenial, and cooperative. Your day should go as smoothly as you could expect. There is something you want to do in the afternoon that you’re looking forward to. In the evening, consider attending a class, lecture, or workshop. Your mind is especially sharp right now.

Cancer Information that comes your way today could launch you into a search for truth.

Perhaps this is a new business-related idea that you want to explore. It could be a new philosophical interest, and you will want to learn as much as you can about it. Whichever it is, your mind is sharp, so you’re likely to finish the day a lot more knowledgeable than you were when it began.

Leo Although you’re usually very responsible and you try to keep the proper balance between your home and professional lives, today your mind and heart are more focused on your home. A warm sense of unity with family and close friends could make for a very pleasant day and an even more pleasant evening. Even finishing up paperwork will seem easier than usual. Relax and enjoy a great evening.

Virgo A gathering in your community could unite the people around you in aiming for a common goal, and this could be a new interest for you. Warm and loving emails and calls could come from family, close friends, or your life partner. An impromptu short trip to a favourite place could result in a pleasant surprise. This promises to be a busy day and a great one.

Trainee birders on a field exercise near Hope Beach, during the first phase of the programme

Libra You may have been expecting some money over the past several days, and today it could finally arrive. Delays in reaching your goals are finished for the moment. If you have a project you’ve been trying to complete, this is the day to do it, especially if it involves paperwork. This isn’t the day to compete with anyone, however. Your sense of cooperation is too strong.

Scorpio You’re feeling especially sharp. Your thoughts are more focused than usual and your mind especially penetrating. A promised get-together with friends or loved ones may have to be delayed, but it will take place. Information about possible business opportunities could come through periodicals, and if you like them, check them out. The outlook on anything that comes your way today is especially bright.

Sagittarius

Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - 08:30hrs Thursday, October 30, 2014 - 09:30hrs

Practical thoughts may be the result of unconscious impulses brought to the surface by events at home. Old traumas and phobias could be released, although you should take care to not dwell on them too much or you’ll reinforce them instead of get rid of them.

Your imagination is flying high. You might focus it on decorating your house. You could find antiques especially appealing.

Capricorn Gatherings in your neighbourhood could bring new and interesting information your way. A message from an acquaintance could send you down a new path toward a new goal. Relations with everyone around you - from your romantic partner to the most casual of acquaintances - should be warm and congenial. Conversations should be stimulating.

Aquarius Success in a project you’ve been working on could mean you want to go out and celebrate. You might feel guilty about doing it, but go ahead. Order a glass of wine and dessert! Tonight is the night to forget work and go for sheer, unadulterated pleasure. You have the break coming. Your efforts are finally being recognised, and you’re on your way.

Enjoy your good fortune!

Pisces A subject that you’ve been studying for a long time might suddenly start making sense to you. Or you could finally reach a point where you can make it work for you in a practical way. Your thinking now is especially clear, focused, down to Earth, and efficient, so whatever you try or start today is likely to lead to success. Don’t let occasional self-doubt stop you.

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FIFA names GFF ...

From back page

Speaking exclusively yesterday with Chronicle Sport, Urling said that he’s confident in the established committee given the professional portfolio of its members.

“We have people with expertise in business management, marketing and one with a great amount of knowledge about sports and how things should be done correctly, so this is something we’re all looking forward to, because in the end of what we have been mandated to do, Guyana will benefit tremendously,” Urling noted.

The German’s Restaurant proprietor said that personally, chairing the Normalisation Committee is a “complimentary challenge” and one that he looks forward to, noting “we are all doing this voluntarily; we’re not being paid a salary

but we’re all looking forward to working together on this”.

Urling said that while it’s important for them (the committee) to work with all stakeholders of the sport, it’s also imperative that a relationship is established with the media since “the press plays an important role in what we have to do, so will be looking to work closely with them”.

A press conference is arranged for Friday at the GFF head office in Georgetown where Urling promised to give in full details, the extent of work that was asked by FIFA for the committee to carry out along with other key information.

It was stated by Cavaro, that “the Normalisation Committee, has the same power and duty like the executive committee; it’s exactly the same, but nominated by FIFA that’s the difference,

meaning the chairman of the Normalisation Committee will have the same power like the president of the GFF. He will be the one responding to FIFA as president”.

M e a n w h i l e , CONCACAF’s Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal said “Let’s hope that the tasks and the work done by the Normalisation Committee with the help of the whole football family can restore harmony in Guyana’s football because we don’t want to discuss what consequences of not achieving this objective would be.

“This Normalisation Committee is not elected by the Congress (of the GFF) but appointed by FIFA so this body cannot be removed internally; FIFA appoints it and FIFA removes and this is a show of faith in Guyana’s football”.

GT&T pumps ...

In an effort to expand the reach of the competition and ensure maximum

participation from spectators, the organisers have increased the number of venues this year.

Grounds earmarked to host games are Police Sports Club, Everest Cricket Club, Georgetown Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club, Muslim Youth Organisation and Malteenoes Sports Club, with the finals set to take place on Sunday at DCC under lights.

Trophy Stall and New York Better Hope are the defending champions of the Open and Masters Categories respectively, while the previous champions were NYSCL New York (Open) and Savage Masters in 2012 and Cotton Field Wild Oats (Open) and Regal Seniors (Masters) in 2011 and according to information from the GFSCA, this year’s

Racing Tips South Africa racing Tips Kenilworth 08:50 hrs Highly Decorated 09:25 hrs Varlo 10:05 hrs Westchester 10:40 hrs French Revolution 11:15 hrs Rocket Rider French Racing Tips Toulouse 11:40 hrs Bebel 12:10 hrs Rose Des Bois 12:40 hrs Al Fahda 13:10 hrs Mister Ginoux 13:40 hrs Anna De Bersac Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 09:05 hrs Wrath Of Titans 09:35 hrs Pack The Punch 10:05 hrs Stop Road Lad 10:35 hrs Chancol 11:05 hrs Wounded Warrior 11:35 hrs Old Supporter 12:05 hrs Germany John English Racing Tips Worcester 09:20 hrs Silent Knight 09:50 hrs Lysino 10:20 hrs Bengali 10:50 hrs River Deep 11:20 hrs Supapowers 11:50 hrs Commitment

From back page

tournament has an estimated budget of $10M. The Open and Masters Over-45 categories will have an MVP who will be the recipient of one 14-carat gold bracelet, accentuated with diamond studs, while three female exhibition games will be contested among Mike’s Wellwoman, 4R Lioness, Trophy Stall Angels and Karibee Girls and will be a 10/10 affair commencing at 11:00hrs.

In addition, two lucky spectators will have the opportunity to win a trip to Aruba on the day of the finals, thanks to the kindness of Survival Travel Agency, while admission to the venues on Friday and Saturday will be free, with fans asked to pay an entrance fee of $500 for the finals on Sunday.

12:20 hrs Sykes Taunton 09:40 hrs Skate Department 10:10 hrs Vesperal Dream 10:40 hrs Supreme Present 11:10 hrs Springinherstep 11:40 hrs Kamimantan 12:10 hrs Pod 12:40 hrs A Hairy Koala Nottingham 09:30 hrs Boxing Shadows 10:00 hrs Fredrica 10:30 hrs Arthur’s Way 11:00 hrs Storm The Stars 11:30 hrs Dubai Star 12:00 hrs Nabatean 12:30 hrs Nellie’s Quest American Racing Tips Aquaduct Race 1 Black Coronas Race 2 Granpa Len Race 3 Forever Utopia Race 4 Mama Zee Race 5 Eight Cents Race 6 Edie Race 7 Bond Vigilante Race 8 Lucky Leroy Brown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Third test ends in a draw as Windies A lose series to Sri Lanka A MORATUWA, Sri Lanka (CMC) – West Indies A lost their three-match unofficial test series against Sri Lanka A after their third and final four-day match petered out into a draw on the fourth day here yesterday.

Bad light stopped play as the Sri Lankans were chasing a 218-run target set by West Indies in a match in which the pendulum swung back and forth at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium.

An unbeaten half-century from Lahiru Thirimanne pulled the home side out of a slump on the chase after West Indies, slipped, recovered and then suffered another spectacular batting collapse to be all out for 234 in their second innings.

Pacer Shannon Gabriel removed openers Upul Tharanga and Kusal Perera cheaply sending the

home side reeling at 48 for three.

But a 61-run partnership for the 4th wicket between Ashan Priyanjan and Lahiru Thirimanne repaired the damage and revived efforts for outright victory.

Priyanjan was run-out for 36 after hitting six fours while Thirimanne, who struck five fours, was undefeated on 57 when bad light stopped play.

Gabriel finished with two for 36 while Devendra Bishoo picked up two for 71.

Earlier, a fourth-wicket century stand between Jonathan Carter and Andre Fletcher consolidated the innings after the visitors were in a spot of bother on 97 for three.

Carter added nine runs to his overnight score of 69 before he was stumped; bringing to an end a partner-

finish the match with ten wickets.

The 21-year-old Kaushal picked up wickets at the top and middle orders as the last six West

Andre Fletcher scored 66 but his demise signalled a familiar batting collapse. ship that produced 120 runs.

Fletcher built on his overnight score of 36, smashing six fours in a knock of 66 before losing his stumps to Chaturanga de Silva who grabbed four for 57.

Fletcher’s demise signalled a familiar batting collapse, undermined once again by the spin of emerging Sri Lankan bowling sensation Tharindu Kaushal, who grabbed five for 78 to

WEST INDIES A 2nd innings (1833 o/n) K. Brathwaite c Tharanga b de Silva 32 A. Fudadin lbw b Priyanjan 39 J. Blackwood c & b Kaushal 2 J. Carter stp. Dickwella b Kaushal 78 A. Fletcher b de Silva 66 S. Ambris b de Silva 3 C. Walton c Dickwella b Kaushal 6 C. Brathwaite c Perera b de Silva 0 D. Bishoo stp.Dickwella b Kaushal 0 M. Cummins not out 1 S. Gabriel c Priyanjan b Kaushal 0 Extras: (b-2, lb-3, w- 2) 7 Total: (all out; 83.2 overs) 234 Fall of wickets 1-44, 2-53, 3-97, 4-217, 5-226, 6-227, 7-227, 8-227, 9-234.

Bowling: Nuwan Pradeep 0.3-0-1-0, Kasun Madushanka 12.3-1-52-0, Chaturanga de Silva 25-3-57-4,

Indian wickets tumbled for the addition of only 17 runs.

Sri Lanka A have secured the series three games to nil.

Tharindu Kaushal 29.2-4-78-5, Ashan Priyanjan 16-2-41-1.

SRI LANKA A 2nd innings (target: 218 runs) W. Tharanga c Blackwood b Gabriel 4 M. Perera c Cummins b Gabriel 10 H. Thirimanne not out 57 L. Chandimal c Carter b Bishoo 11 S. Priyanjan run-out (CR Brathwaite) 36 N. Dickwella c Carter b Bishoo 11 K Vithanage not out 20 Extras: (b-5, lb-2, nb-10) 17 Total: (5 wickets; 44.1 overs) 166 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-22, 3-48, 4-109, 5-123.

Bowling: Shannon Gabriel 9.10-36-2, Miguel Cummins 8-2-220, Jermaine Blackwood 5-1-7-0, Devendra Bishoo 14-0-71-2, Carlos Brathwaite 6-1-16-0, Jonathan Carter 2-0-7-0.

Identikits released of suspects in death of South Africa football captain

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - South African police issued identikit pictures yesterday of two men suspected of killing the national football captain, a death that led to more calls for tighter gun laws a week after track star Oscar Pistorius was jailed for shooting his girlfriend.

Senzo Meyiwa was hit by a single round in the chest on Sunday night while confronting two intruders at the home of his girlfriend, actress and singer Kelly Khumalo.

The identikit pictures show two black men, one wearing a goatee and clad in a hoodie or hooded sweater.

The other man is roundfaced with dreadlocks.

Meyiwa will be bur-

South Africa captain Senzo Meyiwa was hit by a single round in the chest last Sunday night.

ied on Saturday in his hometown of Umlazi, a township on the edge of the Indian Ocean port city of Durban. His death has highlighted the phenomenon of gun violence in South Africa, days after Pistorius was jailed for five years for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year.

Even though South Africa’s murder rate has been gradually dropping, it remains one of the world’s most violent countries. Police recorded more than 17 000 murders last year, or 31 per 100 000 people - seven times the rate in the United States.

Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association and

the lead organiser of the 2010 football World Cup, expressed his anger at what he described as “yet another South African sacrificed at the barrel of a gun.”

“Perhaps a ‘Senzo Meyiwa Gun Law’ should deal with this question and imprison those who carry illegal guns for the purpose of destroying the youth of this country,” he told a news conference.

Meyiwa was the South African team’s captain and goalkeeper. He led the team in their last four matches in the African Nations Cup qualifiers without conceding a goal and played on Saturday when his club Orlando Pirates advanced to the semi-finals of the South African League Cup.

Proteas top ODI rankings after NZ series victory (REUTERS) - South Africa have moved to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) one-day rankings for the first time in five years, the Proteas climbing above Australia following their

2-0 series win in New Zealand.

The last time South Africa headed the ODI rankings was in September 2009 but they slipped down the standings after their first round elimination from the ICC

Champions Trophy at home later that month.

South Africa trailed Australia by one point before the three-match ODI series against New Zealand and though the third and final match in Ham-

ilton was washed out on Monday, the 2-0 result was enough to take them up to the top of the table.

The number one ranking comes as a welcome boost for the side ahead of the 50-over World Cup

being held in Australia and New Zealand early next year.

Reigning world champions India are in third spot while 2011 runners-up Sri Lanka are next with four points separating the top four

nations.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers also retained top spot in the batting rankings with team mate Hashim Amla overtaking India’s Virat Kohli to claim second.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday OCTOBER 29, 2014

OSCL 19th annual presentation …

Dant take lion’s share of awards after dream season

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – Primed and ready for their Guyana invasion, Dant were the centre of attraction when the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) held its glamorous and radiant 19th annual Presentation Dinner and Dance at the Eastown Banquet Hall here, last Saturday night.

In a dream debut season competing in the OSCL, Dant, who are scheduled to participate in the fourth edition of the Guyana Softball Cup this weekend, made an unprecedented clean sweep of all the major titles while their players also took home the lion’s share of the top awards.

Dant’s titles included being crowned West Division regular season champions, winning the newly-introduced T-20 tournament, West Division play-off champions, ruling the roost in the 15-over competition and carting off the prestigious Grand championship.

While Dant excelled it was another bitter-sweet season for East Coast Sports Cub who had to settle for the runners-up spot in the Grand championship for the third consecutive season, losing to Dant in a close final.

They were however crowned East Division winners, turning back the challenge of Caribbean Sensation in another nailbiting finish. East Coast also captured both the T-10 and the 15-over Consolation titles, winning from Cougars and Matrix respectively.

Dant’s success was built mainly on an all-round team effort with former Guyana Under-19 batsman Shaun Deonandan being among the outstanding performers, registering the most runs (353) in the West Division. Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards were won by Farouk Hussain (T10), Riaz Kadir (West Division playoffs and 15-over final) and Aftab Shamshudeen (Grand championship).

For East Coast, Rakesh Dyal stood out with a hat-

Hazari Girdhari (Enmore) (Masters), Iman Ghafour Officer, the league’s oldest Robert Kanhai (Robbies) (Essequibo), Rishi Ram player Oswald Kanhai, and Narindra Nyssa Narine, B u c h a n a photographer all of who Krisho Singh claimed hatNarayan, Shine tricks while Party Rentals Better Hope’s and Fly Jamaica Davendra for their Ramkissoon “outstanding had the unique support and distinction of contribution to clobbering six softball cricket consecutive during 2014. sixes.

The 2014 Richard Norman Sue Dias of Better Spirit Award, in Hope tallied Guyana Chronicle’s Frederick Halley (right) receives memory of the the most runs late Guyanese (386) in the East his plaque from OSCL president Albert Ramcharran. businessman,

Members of Dant pose with OSCL executives. trick and also claimed the most wickets (25) in the East Division. Former Guyana Under-19 batsman Krishna Deosarran was one of two MVP awardees, the other being his cousin Surujpaul Deosarran who got the nod in the T-10 and 15-over finals as well as in the Grand championship.

Apart from Dyal, other outstanding awards recipients were Azeem Khan (Matrix), Jairam Ramoutar (Better Hope),

Division Conference A and Ganesh Mahadeo of Rebels (507 runs) in Conference B. Sheldon Burnett of Cougars had the honour of bagging the most wickets (30) in East Division Conference A while Vijay Prashad of Cricketers Cove topped the West Division with 20 wickets.

Among the centurions were Deonandan (Dant), Anand Nirmal (Rebels) Anil Girdharry (Scarboro Angels), Azam Haniff

making process which includes amending and implementing the rules of the game.

The league showed its appreciation for Oswald Kanhai of Robbies, whose 70th birthday coincided with the league’s ceremony and who is credited with being the oldest participating player.

Kanhai was presented with a birthday cake and stuck it with his wife who was in attendance.

Among the many sponsors were Trophy Stall Guyana Inc., Norman Sue Bakery, Mohan Singh of I

The East Coast Sports Cub players pose with the Trophy Stall Guyana Inc.sponsored trophy among other awards. (Pictures courtesy of Bobby Ramlagan) Samuel (Caribbean Sensation), Rovendra Madholall (Rems) and Surujpaul Deosarran (East Coast).

Special awards were also handed out to Guyana Chronicle Toronto’s representative Frederick Halley, OSCL executives Terry Mathura (vicepresident) and Ravendra Madholall (Public Relations

went to East End Coordinator Vish Jadunauth with Sue’s daughter Kim handing over the plaque.

In brief remarks, OSCL president Albert Ramcharran lauded the efforts of his executives during a challenging season and urged players to attend the annual general meeting in order to be part of the decision-

Saw That On TV & More, Mark Nazir of Sweet Temptation Grill and Bar, Rajin Roopchand, Rem’s Employment Agency, DTE Industries, Hemant Misir of Hollis Wealth Financial Advisor, Twilight Family Restaurant and Bar, Remax All-Star Realty, B&B Video and Photography and Alliance Mortgage Adviser.

Watch the straight ball, Lehmann warns Australia (REUTERS) - Australia’s batsmen need to concentrate as much on hitting the straight ball as worrying about movement when they face Pakistan’s spinners in the ongoing Test series, coach Darren Lehmann has said.

Australia, who topped the world rankings briefly earlier this year, face the prospect of a first series-defeat against Pakistan since 1994 after a 221-run loss in the first of two Tests on Sunday.

Pakistan spinners Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah took 14 wickets between them in Dubai, sometimes bamboozling the batsmen by skidding the ball straight on to the wickets when the Australians expected turn.

Conceding that they had been outplayed in the first Test, Lehmann refused to blame the wicket and laid into his players for their failure to play the conditions.

“I think this was a really good cricket wicket and we didn’t adapt well enough and didn’t play well enough, simple as that,” he told reporters in Dubai.

“I think when you are talking about learning to play in these conditions ... we missed a lot of straight balls - I think five or six dismissals throughout the game.

“We need to get better at actually hitting straight balls, watching the ball for a start.

“We need to be sharper,” he added. “A lot of wickets came from no spin, so maybe we’re trying to play for things that aren’t there.”

Of the Australian batsmen, only opener David Warner, who scored 133 in the first innings, and Steve Smith, who hit 55 in the second as Australia were battling to avoid defeat, made serious inroads into the Pakistan bowling.

Australia will be keen to limit the impact of Pakistan’s spin attack in the second Test, which starts in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.

“We were again just disappointing with the bat, weren’t we? We’ve got to get through that and make big scores,” Lehmann added.

“One of the things we haven’t done on the sub-continent is: make big, big scores.

Darren Lehmann We should have made 450-500. At the end

of the day Pakistan out-bowled us and outplayed us.”

The defeat was a stark reminder of the 4-0 humiliation in India last year, the nadir of Australian cricket in recent years which cost coach Mickey Arthur his job.

Lehmann took over and led the side to a 3-0 defeat in England before helping turn Australia’s fortunes around with a 5-0 home Ashes sweep and a 2-1 series triumph in South Africa.

For all that success, the Dubai defeat was a reminder that Australia are far from the finished article.

“To be a very good cricket side you’ve got to find a way to get out of those situations, which we didn’t do,” Lehmann said.

“Two, you’ve got to learn to adapt to conditions from Brisbane to Delhi to Dubai.

Good cricketers can adapt.

“And we’ve got to make sure we’re learning each time, and learning quickly, because this game is a tough game.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

Braithwaite wins GNRA’s Recorded Shoot

LENNOX Braithwaite defied inclement weather and poor lighting conditions to win last Sunday’s Recorded Shoot at the Timehri Rifle and Pistol ranges.

The competitors found the going tough against adverse weather but the reigning Caribbean individual champion dropped just two points to win the match with an overall score of 148 points with 12 V-bulls to win the X Class Grand Aggregate from a grand

Peter Persaud

aggregate of 150 points with 30 Vs. Braithwaite shot a possible 50 points with 6 V-bulls at 600 yards and recorded scores of 49.3 at 300 yards and 49.3 at 900 yards on his way to victory.

National vice-captain Dylan Fields also recorded 148 points but he had 11 Vs with scores of 49.2 at 300 yards, 50.4 at 600 and 49.5 at 900 yards.

The current national champion Ransford Good-

Lennox Braithwaite

luck who was the winner of the previous competition finished in the third spot with 146 points and 10 Vs with scores of 47.2 at 300 yards, 49.4 at 600 yards and 30.4 at 900 yards.

Leo Romalho placed fourth with 144.11 (49.6, 49.5 and 40.0).

Peter Persaud topped the competition in ‘O’ Class with 127 points and 9 Vs. He shot 45.3 at 300 yards, 50.5 at 600 yards and

32.1 at 900 yards to be into second position. Sherwin Felicien ended with 122.10 (45.6, 46.3 and 31.1) while Chaflin Velloza shot 107.2 with scores of 42.1, 39.1 and 26.0.

Inspector Dane Blair and Colin Loncke were also in action as they fine-tuned preparations for the National Senior and Junior Championships which will fire off on Saturday at Timehri starting at 10:00hrs.

GT&T Indoor Hockey

Hikers upset defending male champs

By Leeron Brumell VINTAGE HIKERS: These two words sum up the Hikers’ play on the opening night of the GT&T Indoor Hockey tournament, as they humbled the GCC first division male team.

Playing at the National Gymnasium, under less than desirable lighting conditions, the Hikers put in a telling performance to come away 6-2 winners.

After two minutes of play, Hikers opened the scoring through Robert France. Two minutes later GCC found the equaliser through Mark Sargeant and the stage was set for an impressive battle.

GCC attacked the goal and so too did the Hikers. After 15 minutes Kevin Spencer gave

Hiker’s Robert France goes airborne to send one past GCC custodian.

GCC the lead, but Andrew Stewart found the equaliser for Hikers soon after.

On 19 minutes Aroydy Branford slotted home, Hikers 3-2 at the half.

After the 5-minute interval Branford extended the Hikers’ lead on 22 minutes - GCC down by two, but not out. They would increase the

pressure on the Hikers, but the ball just could not find the back of the box.

Hikers staunchly defended their turf and applied pressure on their own, and ten minutes later France collected a clean pass and slotted home - 5-2, a comeback out of the reaches of GCC. Hikers were not content

to defend their lead, instead they pressed on, effected steals and intercepted passes from GCC – a 6th and final goal off the stick of Colonel Heywood three minutes before time.

The margin of defeat was probably the biggest for some time for a senior GCC team who found themselves in unfamiliar territory on Monday night.

Earlier in the evening, the Old Fort/Hikers veterans provided some sparks of their youthful days on the court.

At their stage of play, the plan is to play smarter not harder and Hikers’ James Mentore made the best use of this as he tormented Old Fort at the top of the arch, sending three lightning strikes to goal.

7-5 the game ended.

The Hikers led 5-1 at the half, added two more in the

2nd to go 7 clear, 7-1. Staring down the barrel of a humiliating defeat, Old Fort found their rhythm and scored four goals in four minutes – 24th through 27th. With three minutes left, Hikers knocked the ball around and played defensively.

Devin Munroe scored a double, and there was one apiece from Brian Asregado and Reyad Shivrattan for the veteran Hikers.

John Abraham and Chris Low each scored twice while Dwayne Allen accounted for Old Fort’s 5th.

In Ladies’ play, the GCC Spice Girls outplayed Hikers 4-2, Vanessa Pires and Sonia Jardine accounting for the goals while the National U-19s were 5-1 winners over Old Fort. Macaela Harding and Aaliyah Gordon

scored doubles while Rebecca Xavier accounted for the fifth item. Bushani Kaladeen scored for Old Fort.

In the 2nd division, Old Fort beat Saints 3-1 in the evening’s opener, while GCC beat Hikers 4-2 in the other.

Tony Cole opened the scoring for Old Fort with Omar Hopkinson sending in two strikes. Shemar Boston had the lone strike for Saints.

Michael Craig with a double and one each from Eric Hing and Eon Burke gave the win to GCC. Laured Stewart and Colonel Heywood were the scorers for Hikers.

More matches in the round-robin tournament continue tonight. Tomorrow is a rest day while play resumes on Friday and concludes on Sunday in the round-robin tournament.

Chandrika blazes unbeaten half-century for Johnson’s XI

By Calvin Roberts AFTER seeing national all-rounder Christopher Barnwell scuttle out the opposition with his swing and pace, national opener Rajendra Chandrika blazed his way to an unbeaten half-century which helped placed Leon Johnson’s XI in ascendancy position at the end of the second day of their four-day practice match against Vishaul Singh’s XI at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Resuming on their overnight score of 16 without loss in response to Johnson’s XI first-innings score of 240,

… Barnwell snares 5 for 57

Christopher Barnwell

Singh’s XI were bowled out for 194 with Barnwell claiming 5 for 57, while there were two wickets each for Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai.

With a lead of 46, Johnson’s XI recovered from 33 for 2 to be 73 for 2 at the close of play for an overall lead of 119, with Chandrika unbeaten on 53 and Narsingh Deonarine 8, while Steven Jacobs has so far taken 2 for 12.

Earlier in the day, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Tagenarine Chanderpaul resumed their innings on 2

and 9 respectively, and took the overnight score from 16 to 33, before Surujnarine, who was given a life the previous afternoon by Deonarine at slip off Paul Wintz, was caught at the wicket by Anthony Bramble, the first of Barnwell’s five victims.

Barnwell, the Demerara Cricket Club first division captain then removed Shimron Hetmyer (4) and Singh (0), while Wintz got the scalp of Chanderpaul for 26 that included four fours to leave the opposition on 50 for 4.

Ricardo Adams and Royston Crandon set about repairing the damage with their 29-run fifth-wicket

partnership which was broken when Permaul removed Ricardo Adams for 20 (3x4) at 79 for 5 and soon after it was 87 for 7 following the quick demise of Jacobs (0) and Crandon.

At this stage, Jason Sinclair and Kemo Paul went about ‘Operation Recovery’ for their team by adding 85 for the eighth wicket, before Sinclair who topscored with 58 (8x4) was sent back by Motie-Kanhai at 165 for 8.

The innings folded shortly after for 194, with Paul being dismissed

by Permaul for 37 (2x4, 1x6) while Motie-Kanhai wrapped things up with the wicket of Anthony Adams

(02), leaving Amir Khan unbeaten on 12.

Motie-Kanhai had 2 for 28 and Permaul 2 for 34 in support to Barnwell, who later watched as Chandrika and Trevon Griffith (9) solidified their team’s lead by adding 33 for the first wicket before Griffith and Robin Bacchus (0) were both dismissed by Jacobs at 33.

However, Deonarine joined Chandrika and together they have so far added 40 for their unbroken third-wicket partnership, heading into today’s third day action which begins at 09:30hrs, with Johnson’s XI enjoying a healthy lead.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday OCTOBER 29, 2014

Kristian Jeffrey looks Samuels blames forward to November 16 WIPA president ... promises to entertain at South Dakota

By Rawle Toney ON NOVEMBER 16, the Caribbean’s top drivers and riders are expected to turn the South Dakota Circuit into a battle ground as Guyana play hosts to the final leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) and one driver is already signalling his intention to make a clean sweep.

Meet Kristian Jeffrey: At 25 years old, he sits atop the points standing with 85 points after two runs (Barbados and Trinidad) and the former Go-Kart Champion, who is on debut in the championship said that the experiences of previous legs will play a vital part in how he approaches the final leg in Guyana next month.

“It feels so nice to race at home.

It’s been years since I have competed in Guyana and can’t wait to put on a good show in front of our home crowd. I’ve raced in North America and the level of racing is high but the support from our local fans is what makes the sport in the Caribbean so

special. I’ve missed this atmosphere and hopefully team Guyana comes out on top,” said Jeffrey.

Kristian’s father Kevin will also be competing on November 16 and the younger Jeffrey said, “Indeed both cars are out of the same camp and are similar. However, every driver has a different driving style so even though they may be similar cars, the set up may be a tad different. I believe my dad has a lot of experience in racing; South Dakota has been the track he spent the most time racing and preparing. It will be a big challenge as he is going to be one of the quickest guys on this track. It’s hard to say who will be the better driver, as we are both capable of rising to the occasion. Every dog has its day, so let’s just see who comes out on top on race day.”

The Group 3 cars are usually the crowd-pleaser and the likes of Mark Vieira, his brother Paul, the veteran Andrew King and Danny Persaud have all signalled their intentions to compete; not to mention David Summerbell

Kristian Jeffrey

of Jamaica and Stuart Maloney of Barbados.

One thing is certain, the CMRC final leg is one that all racing-lovers will certainly not want to miss this year.

Organisers confident West Indies will be at World Cup

John Harden- chief executive of the World Cup, MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) Organisers are confident West Indies will take part at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year despite the crisis caused by their withdrawal from the tour of India earlier this month.

West Indies, who won the first two World Cup tournaments in 1975 and 1979 and reached the quarter-finals in India in 2011, are always among the most popular teams at the 50-over showpiece.

Caribbean cricket was plunged into turmoil on October 17, however, after the series in India was aborted over a protracted payment dispute between the players and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

India’s powerful cricket board (BCCI) responded by suspending all future tours involving West Indies as well as taking

legal action against the WICB, which could have a devastating financial impact on cricket in the region.

John Harnden, the chief executive of the World Cup, said there was a contingency plan in place for a West Indies no-show but doubted it would be needed.

“We see that everyone’s very focused on resolving the situation as quickly as possible,” he told reporters yesterday.

“We’ve got 108 days until the

World Cup and from our point of view I’ve no doubt the West Indies will be here and entertaining the crowd as only they know how.”

West Indies are scheduled to open their campaign against Ireland in Nelson, New Zealand on February 16 and also play defending champions India, South Africa, Pakistan and Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates in Pool B. The World Cup runs from February 14 to March 29.

NOTABLE DATES ON October 29, 1976 lightweight legend Lennox Blackmoore stopped his Jamaican opponent Errol West in the 9th round of a 10-round contest held in Guyana.

It was the 12th fight of Blackmoore’s career and West failed to come out at the start of the ninth round. Blackmoore had two more fights before successfully challenging home boy Jonathan Dele of Nigeria for the Commonwealth title.

The slick counter-puncher won via a 15-round decision becoming the first Guyanese to win a Commonwealth title.

On this same date in 2008, junior welterweight `Vicious’ Vivian Harris needed just six rounds to take care of Nicaraguan Octavio Marvaez in a contest scheduled for 10 rounds. Harris, a former world champion was coming off a one-year layoff, having been knocked out by WBC champion Junior Witter in his previous fight.

On October 29, 2010 featherweight world title hopeful Clive Atwell won a unanimous four-round decision over Cecil Smith at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Atwell went on to challenge Mexican Jhonny Gonzalez for the World Boxing Council.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC)- West Indies middle- order batsman Marlon Samuels has blamed the president of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) Wavell Hinds for the circumstances which forced the players to abandon their tour of India Samuels says the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is not at fault since the players are upset with Hinds over the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, signed recently between the WICB and WIPA. The tour was abandoned after the fourth OneDay International in Dharamsala, with a fifth match in Kolkata and a single Twenty20 in Cuttack remaining and with the test series due to start on Thursday.

“If you look at the situation, the real, real person here to be blamed is WIPA. Wavell Hinds, the president, that basically messed up everything,” said Samuels who had refused to be a member of WIPA, claiming the player’s body did not support him when he was serving at two-year ban for having links with an Indian bookmaker.

“If you look at the situation you can’t really blame [the WICB] for accept-

ing what Wavell has done.

Wavell is the main problem here. The players are upset with what Wavell has done.

But remember I am not part of WIPA.” Players have argued that the new agreement results in a drastic reduction in their earnings and have called for a return to the old CBA. They have also called for Hinds’ resignation and wrote to inform the WICB that WIPA no longer had the authority to act as their bargaining agent.

Samuels, who scored two centuries during the shortened tour, also criticized WICB president Dave Cameron for not intervening.

“All situation is handled badly. Wavell is wrong.

The [WICB] president [Dave Cameron] should have taken a flight down to India and come and have a talk,” Samuels told ESPNCRICINFO. “To sit in the Caribbean and not come and speak to the players cannot be the right way to deal with things. So right across the board it is wrong.”

Representatives of the three disputing factionsWICB, WIPA and the players- met in Jamaica on Sunday to start talks aimed at resolving the impasse.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday October 29, 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 Tuesday’s quiz: (1) Rohan Kanhai (2) 295 Today’s Quiz: (1) How many ODI centuries Marlon Samuels has scored against India?

(2) Where and when the very first ODI game was played?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 29, 2014

35

Sport CHRONICLE

Samuels blames WIPA president See story on page 34

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

FIFA names GFF Normalisation Committee ... Chairman Clinton Urling looks forward to changing Guyana’s football landscape

By Rawle Toney

GFF Normalisation Committee member Dr Karen Pilgrim

Chairman of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, says that the body will serve in the best interest for Guyana and strive for the development of the sport.

Yesterday, Urling, the former Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, vice-president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Dr Karen Pilgrim, former squash player and executive Tariq Williams, Stewart May and Rabin Chandarpal were named by FIFA and CONCACAF as the Normalisation Committee responsible for football in Guyana.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)

Head of Member Associations Premo Cavaro and CONCACAF’s Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal announced on Tuesday, October 21 that a Normalisation Committee will run Guyana’s football until September 2015.

The sport’s governing body’s ruling means that the Christopher Matthias-led Executive has been disbanded and will have no place in football.

Atop the long list of priorities for the five-member committee, apart from managing the dayto-day activities of the country’s football will be to adopt the new constitution of the GFF; to amend the current one and to organise elections according the new constitution.

Turn to page 30

GFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling

‘GUYANA SOFTBALL CUP 4’ AT A SIMPLE presentation ceremony held in its Hadfield Street-based canteen yesterday afternoon, telecommunication giant Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) honoured its word of commitment with the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), by pumping $500 000 into the ‘Guyana Softball Cup 4’ international tournament.

Prior to making the presentation GT&T Marketing Officer Nicola Duggan, who along with Margaret Washington made the presentation to Ramchand Ragbeer and Dharam Persaud of the GFSCA, said her company was delighted to be associated with the GFSCA on this tournament once again.

In his thank-you remarks, Ragbeer said, “We, at the GFSCA, feel pleased to have GT&T onboard with

GT&T pumps $500 000 into this year’s tournament

Here you go, sir! GT&T’s Marketing Officer Nicola Duggan (left) hands over the cheque to Ramchand Ragbeer and Dharam Persaud, while Margaret Washington (right) looks on appreciatively.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

us once again. They have been partnering with us for the past two years with this tournament and we look forward to a continued relationship with them in future tournaments.”

In his brief preview of this year’s tournament, Persaud said all logistics are in place and softballloving fans in Guyana will get to see 26 teams, 14 of which are in the Masters category, doing battle for supremacy when the action bowls off on Friday with 26 matches at various venues across Georgetown.

Two dozen teams will compete in this year’s event, with 12 from Guyana, seven from New York, three from Florida and two from Canada.

During the three-day championship, there will be a total of 36 preliminary games, followed by four semifinals and two finals.

Turn to page 30

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014