Guyana Chronicle E-paper 7-16-2020

THURSDAY 16th July, 2020

' No.106062

‘Await the conclusion’ SEE PAGE 03

…Guyana gov’t says US should wait on declaration before any action …as Washington announces visa restriction sanctions on local officials

Eastern Airlines aircraft skids off taxiway ---no injuries to over 200 passengers PAGE

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Five new COVID-19 cases recorded in 24 hours 05&09 SEE PAGES

…North-West resident is latest fatality

‘We’ll wait on the court’ …GECOM undertakes to await High Court judgment before making any decision on the 2020 Elections 02 PAGE

President David Granger and his wife, Mrs Sandra Granger, share a piece of cake to celebrate his 75th birth anniversary, on Wednesday morning, at a simple ceremony at State House.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

‘We’ll wait on the court’ …GECOM undertakes to await High Court judgement before making any decision on the 2020 elections

By Svetlana Marshall CONFRONTED by another legal action, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has agreed to await the judgment of the High Court before proceeding with any decision that would impact the declaration of the results of the General and Regional Elections held last March.

Chairman of the Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, through her Attorney Kim Kyte-Thomas, made the commitment on

Wednesday (July 15) during a virtual Case Management Conference (CMC) in the High Court for the case – Misenga Jones v The Guyana Elections Commission and others, which was presided over by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire.

In this latest court action, Misenga Jones – a registered voter from Tucville, Georgetown – is challenging the Elections Commission’s decision to invalidate the Declarations made by the Returning Officers in the country’s 10 Electoral Districts, and to use Attorney-at-Law Kim Kyte-Thomas

as a substitute the Certificates of Recount as the basis for the declaration of the elections results.

The undertaking was offered in response to a request by the Attorney General Basil, through his Legal Counsel Maxwell Edwards, that an order be granted to maintain the status quo with respect to the electoral process being executed by the Elections Commission. In other words, Edwards sought to restrain the Chairman of Elections Commission from proceeding with any declaration or decision on the 2020 General and Regional Elections. A similar request was made by Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Counsel John Jeremie on behalf of

Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

Jones – the applicant.

Edwards’ request, however, did not sit well with Attorney-at-Law Timothy Jonas and Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Counsel, Douglas Mendes, who appeared on behalf of The New Movement (TNM) and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) – added respondents in the case.

“The Attorney General is the respondent in these proceedings, he is not the applicant; and I have said this on a number of occasions that we expect the Attorney General to be neutral in these matters and not to take a side,” Mendes told the Court.

In response, Williams reminded the High Court that the Attorney General is the custodial of the Constitution of Guyana – the supreme law of the land. “The Attorney General didn’t apply to enter into this case, the

Attorney General has been made a party to this matter,” he posited while noting that it is an elementary rule in the judicial system for the Attorney General to be added as a respondent in cases involving the Constitution.

Notwithstanding the concerns of Mendes and Jonas, Kyte-Thomas told the Court that the Chairman of the Elections Commission will await the judgement of the Court before proceeding to bring the electoral process to an end.

“Your Honour, as has been my client’s position in relation to these matters, once these matters are pending, I believe she has conducted herself, throughout all of these proceedings, in a certain manner; and I believe your Honour a similar approach would be taken in respect to this matter,” Kyte-Thomas told the court. Even as the court met at 10:00hrs,

the Elections Commission was scheduled to meet. That meeting, however, was subsequently cancelled.

The Elections Commission was reportedly scheduled to deliberate on the “failure” of the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, to submit an Elections Report in compliance with the instructions of the Chairman of GECOM. Justice Singh, on Monday last, had scrapped the March 2020 declarations made by the 10 Returning Officers, in an attempt to force the hands of the Chief Elections Officer to submit an Elections Report based on the votes tabulated during the National Recount.

She had warned that failure to submit an Elections Report reflective of the Certificates of Recount by 14:00hrs on Tuesday (July 14) would result in the Chief Elections Officer being substituted by the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers. That report was not submitted on Tuesday, and it was expected that the matter would have come up for discussion on Wednesday.

The commission, however, will now follow the completion of the High Court matter. To date, the Chief Elections Officer has submitted a total of three Elections Report with the first and the last compiled in accordance with the Representation of the People Act and Article 177 (2) (B) of the Constitution.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

‘Await the conclusion’

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…Guyana gov’t says US must wait on declaration before any action …as Washington announces visa restriction sanctions on local officials

EVEN as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is yet to make a declaration pertaining to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo announced on Wednesday that visa restrictions will be imposed on individuals “responsible for, or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana.”

Pompeo made the remarks during a press briefing in the U.S. where he also called on President David Granger to “step aside”on the basis on elections results not yet declared.

“Today I'm announcing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Guyana. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to restrictions. The Granger government must respect the results of democratic elections and step aside,” the U.S. Secretary of State said.

In his extended statement, Pompeo said that he has been clear on previous occasions that the United States stands with the Guyanese people and that there would be consequences for individuals who seek to undermine democracy.

He said that the events following the March 2 elections indicate that there are “forces” that have repeatedly refused to accept the will of the people at the ballot box.

Pompeo said: “Guyana’s non-democratic trajectory is dangerous for its citizens and for the hemisphere as a whole. I hope that Guyana’s leaders understand what is at stake if they continue down this path. This action is not about interference. It is to send a clear message of the consequences of subverting democracy and the rule of law, which poses a danger to us and our hemispheric partners. We have long said that we have no preference for a winning party, as long as it is selected through a free and fair electoral process that is

credible.”

Guyana Elections Commission would still have to com-

President of Guyana David Granger

NO DECLARATION, NO VICTORY OR DEFEAT However, the “electoral process” that the Secretary of State expressed the U.S. government’s favour of has not yet been completed and its completion rests solely in the hands of the elections commission, not those of the President.

Furthermore, in calling for the President to “step aside,” Pompeo may not have examined Article 92 of the Constitution of Guyana which states that “a person assuming the office of the President in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution shall, unless his office sooner become vacant under Article 178, continue in office until the person elected to the office of the President at the next election held under Article 91 assumes office.”

In other words, even if President David Granger were to “step aside,” the

of Guyana, has little choice but to await a formal decla-

government does not have a role in managing elections.

United States (U.S.) Secretary of State Michael Pompeo (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

plete the electoral process in accordance with the Law and Constitution, before another President can be sworn in.

On the same matter, President Granger has long stated that he, like the rest

ration of the results by the chair of the elections commission. He has pledged that his government will accept the results of the elections as declared, when declared.

“The executive branch of

Guyana’s Coat of Arms

That role is given unto the Constitution, exclusively, explicitly to the elections commission. I cannot claim victory, which I have not done, and I cannot concede defeat, which I have not done, unless I’m notified, formally, by the chairman of the elections commission,” he said in July 2020.

Added to this, the matter of a final declaration by the elections commission is now before Chief Justice, ag of the Supreme Court of Judicature, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, CCH, SC. Private citizen Misenga Jones has moved to the High Court to compel GECOM to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections in accordance with the declarations made by the 10 returning officers in mid-March as advised by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and in keeping with the Representation of the People Act (RoPA).

Nonetheless, lobbied by the main opposition the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, several U.S. senators and congressmen have called for sanctions to be heaped on Guyana and specific individuals.

It is not the first time that the U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has commented on Guyana’s electoral situation. Several tweets have come from the U.S. official about the need for Guyana’s elections to be transparently concluded, ‘or else.’

AWAIT THE CONCLUSION In a candid letter on Wednesday, the executive arm of government expressed that it regretted the decision taken by the United States (U.S.) Department of State, but nonetheless urged all locally and abroad to await the legal conclusion of the elections.

The government said: “The matter affecting the outcome of Guyana’s elections is still before courts, which is entirely the responsibility of the judiciary. No declaration has been made.

The executive branch has not participated in the undermining of the electoral process and urges all countries interested in Guyana’s development to await the logical conclusion of the process which is being managed by the elections commission, in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.”

The government further stated that the executive arm has not interfered in the functioning of the elections commission.

Reaching out to the U.S. Embassy this morning, the Guyana Chronicle was unable to obtain a list of the said individuals that could face visa restrictions.

However, the newspaper was informed that the U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch will be hosting a press briefing today, July 16, to apprise the media on the matter of the visa restrictions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

Coronavirus: US disease chief Dr Anthony Fauci calls White House attacks 'bizarre' (BBC) US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has described recent efforts by the Trump administration to discredit him as "bizarre" and "nonsense".

"Ultimately, it hurts the president to do that," Dr Fauci said in an interview with The Atlantic. "It doesn't do anything but reflect poorly on them."

On Sunday, a White House official shared a list detailing past apparent erroneous comments by Dr Fauci.

But on Wednesday Mr Trump insisted he had a "good relationship" with him.

"We're all in the same team including Dr Fauci," he said. "We want to get rid of this mess that China sent us, so everybody's working on the same line and we're doing very well."

The White House statement attacking Dr Fauci criticised him for what it said was conflicting advice on face coverings and remarks on Covid-19's severity.

Dr Fauci: "It's only reflecting negatively on them"

Responding to the criticism, Dr Fauci told The Atlantic that targeting him was "completely wrong".

"I cannot figure out in my wildest dreams why they would want to do that," he said.

"I think they realise now that that was not a prudent thing to do, because it's only reflecting negatively on them," he added.

Wednesday July 16, 2020 –– 01:00hrs & 13:30hrs

Anthony Fauci isn't angry. He's just... disappointed.

The top government expert on infectious diseases took the high road in his first public comments after White House officials, both on and off the record, questioned his professional judgement and handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Fauci acknowledges that the advice and analysis he has provided has shifted over time, but he insists his recommendations have always been based on the latest science.

Those views have sometimes led to clashes with the president, who has at-

tempted to shift focus to rebuilding a US economy that has been devastated by the pandemic. Dr Fauci has said that the top priority must be controlling the spread of the virus and recent reopening steps have set those efforts back.

Such blunt talk has helped make Dr Fauci a popular figure during the pandemic, and that alone may be behind some of the resentment that is simmering within the White House.

The swipes at Dr Fauci, however, seem destined to be counter-productive. With a general election just a few months away the Trump campaign needs a consistent

public message - and an administration attacking one of its own, then distancing itself from those attacks, may only promote a message of chaos and confusion.

Dr Fauci was also criticised by Peter Navarro, Mr Trump's top trade adviser, in an opinion piece for USA Today in which he said the disease expert had been "wrong about everything I have interacted with him on".

However, the White House distanced itself from Mr Navarro's remarks, with communications chief Alyssa Farah tweeting that the article "didn't go through normal White House clearance processes" and was "the opinion of Peter alone".

Asked about Mr Navarro's piece as he departed the White House for Atlanta, Mr Trump said he should not have written it.

"Well he made a statement representing himself.

He shouldn't be doing that," he said.

In his interview with The Atlantic, Dr Fauci said he was not thinking of resigning over the attacks on him.

"I think the problem is too important for me to get into those kinds of thoughts and discussions. I just want to do my job. I'm really good at it. I think I can contribute.

And I'm going to keep doing it," he said.

He has also told Reuters that he believes the US will successfully develop a vaccine against the coronavirus by the end of the year.

It follows early stage results from a vaccine developed by the firm Moderna, which Dr Fauci said were promising because the vaccine appeared to offer the type of protection seen in a natural infection.

Dr Fauci's comments come after reports that as of 15 July, US hospitals will have to report Covid-19 patient data to the federal health agency in Washington instead of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The CDC, the US's top public health institute, has until now been responsible for handling data about the pandemic from its hospital network.

Health experts have expressed concerns that data will be politicised, become less transparent and possibly affect the work of researchers and modellers.

The US has reported more than 3.4 million cases of coronavirus, and more than 136,000 deaths nationwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

North West resident becomes 19th COVID-19 fatality

A 34-year-old male of the North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) has lost his life to the dreaded novel coronavirus, making him the 19th person to die here from the disease.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the victim was a patient of the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

This newspaper understands that the man had undergone a surgery and was being treated in the unit after authorities found him to be positive for COVID-19. And, despite the valiant effort by medical professionals to save his life, the man could not recover and died on Wednesday.

Prior to knowledge of the man’s death, on Wednesday, the Ministry of

Public Health had reported the death of a 74-year-old resident of Georgetown, Milton Paul, who became the 18th COVID-19 victim. Authorities said the man also died while receiving treatment at GPHC, on Sunday.

As seen in recent days, there has been a consistent increase in cases of the disease and also deaths caused by the disease. In addition to the two recent deaths, there were five deaths in a short space of time. Less than a week ago, Geerjadai Jagnarine lost her life to the disease and the prior victim was 76-year-old May Portsmouth, who died while receiving treatment at the GPHC. The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that the COVID-19 disease has proven to be a “real killer,” especially in cases involving persons who have

co-morbidities. This was according to doctors of the GPHC. At the time, Guyana had recorded six deaths due to the COVID-19 disease, and while the loss of life is never pleasant, doctors had said most of the persons who died had co-morbidities.

In medicine, co-morbidity is defined as the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition; in the countable sense of the term, a comorbidity is each additional condition. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that 81 per cent of the persons who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms, and another five per cent will need intensive care.

“Most of the people who passed, have [sic] co-morbidities; some had diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and one of them even had severe pneumonia, which, without COVID-19, can also cause death… These, coupled with the complications related to COVID-19, can be dangerous,” said Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at GPHC, Dr. Genellys Camps, during a past interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Among those who lost their lives to the deadly disease are, 25-year-old Lethem schoolteacher, Donna Ambrose-Greaves; 34-year-old Abdool Khan, a resident of Bartica, who was asthmatic; and local ‘drag-racer’, Deryck Jaisingh, called ‘Mad Dog’.

Guyana’s first COVID-19 victim, 52-year-old, Ratna Baboolall, was also

Canada urges ‘swift’ elections declaration The Government of Canada has stated that it will “hold accountable” those working against a “swift and transparent conclusion” to Guyana’s March 2, 2020 elections.

In statement on Wednesday, Global Affairs Canada said that it will do all that is plausible, working with its international partners, to demand that Guyana’s over four-month long elections come to an end. “We support calls by the Organisation of American States, the Caribbean Community [CARICOM], the Commonwealth,

the Caribbean Court of Justice and civil society organizations to announce the results based on the national recount, as validated by the CARICOM observer mission,” Global Affairs Canada stated, adding: “In the interest of the democratic rights of the people of Guyana, Canada firmly maintains that the rule of law and democratic processes must be respected and a declaration be announced without further delay…Canada will continue to work with its partners in the international community, using all

tools at our disposal, to demand a swift and transparent conclusion to the election process and hold accountable those who prevent it.”

Canada’s statement came shortly after the statement of United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, in which visa restrictions were announced for individuals “responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana”. The names of those who have been placed on this list is still unknown to the general public.

However, the action was taken by the U.S. government even while the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not yet made a declaration on the elections. Added to this, the matter of a final declaration from the Election Commission is still before Chief Justice, ag of the Supreme Court of Judicature, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, CCH, SC. Private citizen, Misenga Jones, moved to the High Court in an attempt to compel GECOM to declare the results of the General and Regional

Brazilian Govt joins calls for elections declaration The Brazilian government has endorsed the conclusion of CARICOM, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (U.S.), Canada and the Organisation of the American States (OAS), in their call for Guyana to make a declaration on its March 2020 elections soonest.

In a release on Wednesday, the Brazilian government said that it has been closely following the developments in Guyana and calls on Guyanese politicians to respect the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

“Four months after the election, the Brazilian government considers that delaying the conclusion of the electoral process poses a serious threat to stability in Guyana and a departure from the democratic commitments that the country must observe in the regional and hemispheric context.

The Brazilian government calls on Guyanese political forces to respect the popular will emanating from the elections, in line with the recent sentence of the Caribbean Court of Justice, in order to guarantee the prompt official an-

nouncement of the country’s new representatives,” the release stated.

The Brazilian government also called on Guyana, as an Associated State of MERCOSUR, to maintain its status among the South American nations as a country committed to the highest democratic principles.

It endorsed that conclusions of the CARICOM Scrutinising Team and joined in with the statements made by CARICOM, the OAS, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada in urg-

ing for a declaration based on the votes cast in the recount process.

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hypertensive and a diabetic. Jermaine Ifill, an emergency medical technician (EMT), who had also succumbed to the dreaded disease, was also being treated for pneumonia.

Two other persons who died from the disease were Osa Collins, a 78-yearold resident of New Amsterdam; and 77-year-old Colonel John Percy Leon Lewis. Forty-five-year-old Lennox Williams, who also had underlying conditions, died because of COVID-19.

And most recently, a diabetic patient, 67-year-old Samuel Morris, also lost his life.

It was last reported that Guyana has so far recorded 313 positive cases of the coronavirus. There are 139 active cases of the virus, while 156 persons have recovered from the ailment.

--- says will ‘hold accountable’ those causing delay Elections in accordance with the Declarations made by the 10 Returning Officers in midMarch as advised by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield. Canada said that it

“strongly regrets” the elections impasse and stands in support with regional and international governments that have called on Guyana to conclude their elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

Overcoming our political crisis The present political crisis coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic has enormous consequences for our country’s immediate future. Therefore, we are forced to once again contend with both our frailties as a nation and our desire to march on despite those frailties.

It seems as if we can never find what it takes to muster that spirit that is needed to prevent political disagreements from becoming political liabilities. It is natural to have different approaches to national development—after all we are a diverse society—but it is not natural to succeed in constantly becoming trapped by those differences. Guyana, like the rest of the Caribbean, is a very complex space. Its politics is fuelled by a complex convergence of social class, ethnicity, race, gender and political tribalism.

Ours is a post-plantation society which still bears the raw scars of the plantation, but it’s a society that often allows itself to pretend that the plantation has receded into the distant past. Truth be told, most of our Guyanese and Caribbean history have been a story of bondage. And that must mean and teach something to its victims.

From the splits of our fledgling nation-

alist movement in the 1950s to the present, we have searched for that magic touch of national harmony. While there have been moments of hope and optimism, these have often given way to disharmony. And our moments of disharmony have stood in the way of our national development, our independence imperative and our constant struggle for survival in a world that is perpetually hostile to newly independent societies.

Fifty-four years after our final blow to formal colonisation launched us on the road to unfettered nationhood, we are still fighting the same internal political battles that threatened to tear us apart before we achieved full statehood. No doubt, we congratulate ourselves on the fact that we have stayed together as a nation, but how many times have we not been to the edge of ruin? While the legacy of colonisation is still very much present in our institutions and political culture, we have got to own the consequences—the colonials are no longer physically here.

In the end, we remain trapped in bondage, even if without the chains of the plantation.

The mystery of our underdevelopment in the face of our potential riches lies in this national malady. Every now and then, together

and separately, our factions have embraced reason, but these have been fleeting—we have allowed ourselves to be too wedded to the politics of unreason which has over time become normative.

How can the descendants of the colonised so often find ways to undermine national solidarity? Is it that the spirit which generated the quest for joint freedom no longer resides in our national consciousness? We refuse to believe that Guyanese have given up on becoming the model nation of co-equals.

So, there must be a way out of this vicious cycle of aggression and victimhood. Many have correctly put the onus on our political leaderships to show the way towards something healthier and hopeful. But maybe that’s where we have gone wrong. For all the visionary leaders that have passed our way, we still yearn for that zone of satisfaction where we can look the rest of the world in the eye and say we are worthy of emulation.

Most of our leaderships have flattered to deceive. It is as if the lure of power proves to be so seductive that they have not been able to help themselves. Or, is it that they have long surrendered to the emptiness of jargons, cuss-outs, false promises and the carnival of

political spite?

But leaderships arise out of followerships and in turn cultivate those followers.

As our national poet Martin Carter cautions: “All are involved/All are consumed.”

We feel that it is time to move beyond the leader-led model and reach for something much more inclusive and responsible. We cannot survive as a nation, if we continue to allow leaders to dictate our collective notion of socio-political reality. We must again become accustomed to questioning our leaders—not just the government, but our leaders in and out of government. It is the essence of civic engagement which unfortunately has been in short supply recently. We, therefore, renew our call for a widening dialogue away from the political competition. Governments come and go, but the nation must live on. So, this is not the time to be torn apart by the politics of expediency. All Guyanese, regardless of their stations in life, have an equal role to play in this endeavour. But we must stop poking one another in the eye. Progress as a nation requires civility, respect and appreciation for our jointness above and beyond catch-phrases.

Letter to the President of the United States

Dear Editor,

I AM respectfully writing this open letter to the President of the United States of America His Excellency Donald Trump. President Trump, Isaiah 1:18 says ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool’, my request to you is to come and let us reason together.

On Wednesday 15 July, 2020, I read in the press that the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced restrictions on individuals undermining democracy in Guyana.

The Secretary of State stated, “Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Guyana. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to restrictions. The Granger Government must respect the result of democratic elections and step aside.”

President Trump, as a citizen of Guyana who has worked hard and honestly to contribute towards the growth and development of my country and its people, as well as uphold democracy and the rule of

law, I wish to state that I respectfully disagree with the decision of the secretary of state and I think that it is an unfair position. This move by the US Government will only accelerate the racial divide and ethnic issues in Guyana. What Guyana needs at this point, after 70 years of ethno-political problems which have led to social and economic exclusion among the two major ethnic groups, Afro-Guyanese, and Indo-Guyanese, is not a declaration but rather a solution.

Most Guyanese know that both the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C were involved in malpractices in the March 2, 2020 elections; as such, it is unfair for the US government to conclude that the APNU+AFC is undermining democracy even though the PPP/C committed similar malpractices and in some instances, maybe worst. The difference, however, is that the PPP/C did not commit the acts in front of the cameras and observers.

President Trump, I believe that this is an injustice being done to the people of Guyana, at least some of the people of Guyana. I do not think that the seriousness of the longterm implications of this situation to Guyana and Guyanese are fully understood by your government.

The talk in the street in Guyana is,

why is it that the international community is so insistent on a change of administration in Guyana while at the same time are not recognising the wrongs done by the PPP/C and is apparently not even listening to the cries of the APNU+AFC about the irregularities which were committed by the PPP/C? How can one party be undermining democracy and the other party committed the same act and they are not undermining democracy?

The other question that is being asked is, while President Granger is being painted to the world as this President that is undermining democracy in Guyana, the US Government and the international community are adamant about the PPP/C presidential candidate, Mr. Irfaan Ali being sworn in as President of Guyana, despite the fact that Mr. Ali has 19 charges of fraud being processed in the courts of Guyana. Additionally, there are serious questions about Mr. Ali’s academic qualifications. The Canadian Government did not grant Mr. Ali a visa, presumably as a result of the 19 charges of fraud.

On the part of Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the Leader of the Opposition, the list is long as to the allegations and it is public knowledge that the US government is in possession of

this information. So, another big question in the Guyanese society is, how is it that the US government and the international community are so aggressively promoting Messrs.

Ali and Jagdeo as the upholders of democracy, while President Granger is being projected to the world as undermining democracy?

Mr. President, there are major questions on not only why has the international community turned a blind eye to the malpractices by the PPP/C in the March 2 elections, but the persons in the PPP/C whom the international community are projecting as the upholders of democracy. I am writing to you Mr. President, because this position by your government and the international community conflicts with what many of us were taught over the years about democracy.

I know that a response may be that the will of the people must be respected, despite this information, the people presumably voted for these persons. In this same light the APNU+AFC are advancing the argument that the PPP/C also committed irregularities, and their voices and that of their supporters ought to be heard, in the interest of fairness which is a key element of democracy.

Mr. President, with all due respect, many of us would really like to know what did President Granger do to warrant this response from the international community? Personally, I live in Guyana and I know the country inside out as we would say in Guyana and I do not think that it is accurate to conclude that he is undermining democracy. Is it that President Granger’s crime is being a black leader for a country that will be one of the fastest growing economies and among the 25 largest oil producers in the world?

This approach will not help Guyana and the Guyanese people, Mr. President. A few of us have pulled together an ad hoc, so-called ‘Governance Group’, to find a solution to this current election impasse and governance solutions for our country moving forward. We developed a proposal for an inclusivegovernance approach for possibly the next three years, whereby APNU+AFC and the PPP/C will rotate the presidency and prime ministerial positions during this period; other suggestions were also made for an inclusive- governance arrangement.

This proposal was shared with our leaders.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

The Chairperson can act only on the advice given by the CEO

Dear Editor

IN a situation that inflicted blows of indecency, our understanding of democracy and human rights, one of our elders in 1953 stated, and I quote, “this confounded nonsense must stop.”

This morning I listened to case management discussions that took place in the High Court and this statement came to mind.

I am a simple man, and there is no need for me to venture into intricacies and technicalities which exist as members of the legal profession seek to advance a case for their respective clients.

In every system, the vital ingredient to ensure the wholesomeness and manifestation of our laws, our constitution and the smooth running of our society, is the manner in which those persons placed in authority discharge their responsibilities.

If such persons are consumed by greed, prejudice and an inability or failure to properly and faithfully do their work in accordance with laws, regulations and even time- honoured traditions, we are in serious trouble.

I believe like the rest of Guyana, we looked forward to a settlement of the 2020 elections during the first days of this week.

After the declaration by the chief elections officer (CEO) a fortnight ago, there were grumbling and rambling in exercising their right, two of our leaders sought the intervention by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Many of us, including reputable attorneys, felt the CCJ could not intervene, since our Appeal Court was considered the final arbitrator in matters related to elections.

Nevertheless, the CCJ made a judgment and a pronouncement.

Some of us were perplexed, since we felt that the CCJ had exceeded its mandate, but as a disciplined

nation and particularly the government side felt compelled to accept the ruling of the CCJ. On the other hand, those who invited the CCJ seemed to have a strange myopia and are telling their supporters only part of the CCJ’s judgement and ignoring the written judgement, which in essence disregarded the recount vote, with all the conditions attached to the agreement, signed by Messrs. Jagdeo and Granger.

This is sad, since history has shown that massive damage has always been the result when persons place in positions of leadership peddle half-truths.

But let us get back to the gut issue.

The chief elections officer was requested to produce a report on the 2020 elections to determine the winner.

After difficulties arose as a result of his initial declarations, the CEO was again requested to produce a report to identify the winner.

Because of intervening events the CEO sought the guidance of the GECOM chairperson. This was not forthcoming. The CEO acting as a professional should prepared and presented his report to GECOM via its chairperson.

The next logical step was for the chairperson to present that report and make arrangements so that the winner could be announced and the head of that list sworn in as President. The law is crystal clear. The chairperson can act only, and I wish to repeat only on the advice given by the CEO. Instead of doing only right and proper things, the chairperson issues unacceptable directions to the CEO to use the results of the recount process.

The chairperson’s letter made no reference to the number of anomalies and apparent fraudulent transactions uncovered during the tedium of the recount.

It may not surprise any-

one if the more effective thing to be used at this stage may be assistance of the medical profession (psychiatric et al), to bring some sanity to the state.

Guyanese are fed up and tired of this stressful tug-owar.

Our laws and constitution are unambiguous.

If you are unhappy with the CEO’s proposal, then after a President is sworn in, those concerned elements in society will have access to the courts by way of an election petition.

For me, end of story.

One wonders whether there is a larger plot afoot to destabilise a government and to dislodge a President that has scrupulously respected the constitution and our laws.

Recent history in Latin American, Africa and parts of Asia has witnessed how the Cold War and other circumstances were used capriciously to destabilise sovereign states and as I said elsewhere, to engineer the three Cs, Corruption, Coups and Confusion.

Today, we also note the statement by Mr. Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, announcing sanctions against officials of the government.

The Granger administration has always expressed respect for the Government and people of the United States. I always made it clear, that I regard the US as a useful ally and friend.

It is rather mysterious such strong statements should purportedly come from a high US official.

This government has never even commented on US elections and stayed clear of commenting and allegations of meddling by external forces which took President Trump to the White House.

It is after the 1776 Declaration of Independence, the 1812-1815 Anglo-American war, the Jim Crow laws, the Mason Dickson line, the 1863 civil war and the epic struggle of the 20th century

Letter to the President of the United States ...

My appeal to you President Trump, is that you and your government kindly have a look at this document, as a possible solution for Guyana. Your legacy on Guyana and for the young people of Guyana could be, as the President of the United States who assisted Guyana to solve a 70-year old ethno-political problem and ushered in a new

dispensation of social and economic inclusion and not as one who turned a blind eye to the high possibility of a civil war.

Finally Mr. President, the US is well respected for its values, principles and leadership, I am therefore depending on your good office, to apply the country’s strong leadership towards assisting

FROM PAGE

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us to change the course of Guyana, as ‘One People’, working towards developing ‘One Nation’ with ‘One Destiny’. Please do not let this be a missed opportunity!

Regards Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

civil rights movement that within the US administration, there are remnants of a philosophy, which believe that the likes of President Granger and members of the coalition government are no more than folks whose proper place is in the slave quarters in the US and elsewhere.

But what is troubling, is that the propaganda blitz seemed geared to install a regime that has never been believers or supporters of the American system and political leadership and seems to either ignore or perhaps forget the many anti-US stances of the present opposition.

We can give many examples, but to be reminded of the vitriolic address by a then PPP governmen minister at the US independence anniversary in 2014, which coincided with the farewell of the US Ambassador.

At that function, the PPP minister launched a verbal assault against the US Ambassador and his government.

The irony is that the main body of the address which earned the chagrin of the PPP was the PPP hierarchy accusing the US Government of interfering in the internal affairs of the Guyana Government.

Those of us who were present were so shocked, we felt that the following day we would have seen an apology from the PPP government, but instead, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat de-

scribed the harsh remarks as a ‘feral blast.’

In contrast, the Granger-led government in dignified diplomatic language expressed surprise and reminded Mr. Pompeo that the coalition has in no way interfered with the work of GECOM, but more importantly, the process to declare a winner of the 2020 elections for whatever reason is incomplete.

In essence, Mr. Pompeo’s statement is at best precipitous and based on misinformation.

The present government, since it took office in 2015, cooperated with the US Government to tame the narco trade which flourished under the PPP Government.

It’s the American Government which captured Shaeed Roger Khan and took him to the US to face the justice system.

They overflew Guyana, knowing fully well that the then government would have protected and given Roger Khan and his ilk sanctuary as they did for many years.

Mr. Pompeo should know it is the same PPP administration that sought to use a disgraced police officer Bernard Kerik to take charge of the Guyana Police Force.

Thanks to the vigilance of the US administration, this gentleman like others are now behind bars in the USA. It is this government that reversed the PPP’s stance

of non-cooperation with the United States in security matters.

I recommend to those within and beyond our borders to digest the philosophical underpinnings contained in the literary gem titled, “The Challenge of Democracy” written by Janda, Berry and Goldman published in 1987.

This was a review of the American system of governance.

It seems to me that congratulations are in order to the PPP, Cambridge Analytica and the Mercury outfit for doing an excellent job at propaganda, making Adolp Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945) seem rather pedestrian.

Be reminded that the vast majority of Guyanese at home and abroad with passion cling to the words found in selected lines of the Song of the Republic “Her children pledge each faithful hour to guard Guyana’s lands and the second stanza states, “Unyielding in our quest for peace like ancient heroes brave, to strive and strive and never cease. With strength beyond the slave.”

All we ask is for the rule of law, mutual respect and above all, unity.

Regards Hamilton Green

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

Oral arguments for Friday in latest elections case …PPP/C among six respondents added

By Svetlana Marshall ORAL arguments in the country’s latest elections case will be heard on Friday (July 17), Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire announced, during a Case Management Conference (CMC) broadcast live on YouTube for the first time in the Court’s history in Guyana.

The arguments in the High Court case – Misenga Jones v The Guyana Elections Commission and others – will be heard virtually from 14:00hrs in light of the Emergency Measures instituted to suppress the spread of the deadly Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Jones is seeking a total of 27 declarations and orders with the primary aim of compelling the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections in accordance with the Declarations made by the 10 Returning Officers in mid-March as advised by the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield. Ultimately, Jones, a registered voter from Tucville, Georgetown, wants the Presidential Candidate to be deemed elected, in keeping with those declarations and the advice of the Chief Elections Officer and not on the basis of the data generated during the National Recount.

Justice George-Wiltshire, in presiding over the Case Management Conference on Wednesday, said that, among the primary issues in the case is whether the Recount Order – Order No. 60 – is valid and can be used as the legal basis to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections, based on the National Recount. Importantly as well is the question of whether or not the declarations made by the Returning Officers in the 10 Electoral Districts in accordance with the Representation of the People Act can be set aside. Further, the issues of jurisdiction and the constitutionality of Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act are among matters expected to

be addressed during the oral arguments.

Jones is represented by a battery of lawyers led by Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Counsel, John Jeremie and Guyanese Attorney-at-Law, Mayo Robertson.

RESPONDENTS Aside from the Elections Commission, the other named respondents in the case are the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh; the Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield; and the Attorney-General, Basil Williams.

On Wednesday, Legal Counsel Kim Kyte-Thomas appeared on behalf of the Chairman of GECOM, while the Chief Elections Officer was represented by Senior Counsel Neil Boston. The Attorney General appeared in person in association with Attorney-at-Law Maxwell Edwards. The Guyana Elections Commission was unrepresented.

Further, representatives from seven political parties – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A New and United Guyana (ANUG), The New Movement (TNM), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Citizenship Initiative, Change Guyana, and the United Republican Party (URP) – were added as respondents in the case.

The PPP/C’s General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali are being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Anil Nandlall and Davindra Kissoon and Trinidad’s Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes.

Attorneys-at-Law Kashir Khan and Mohamed Khan appeared on behalf of the Citizenship Initiative and Change Guyana; while Legal Counsel, Kamal Ramkarran, appeared on behalf of Dr. Mark France from A New and United Guyana. Further, Senior Counsel Hari Ramkarran, known as Ralph Ramkarran, is representing the Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party, Lenox Shuman; while Attorney-at-Law Timothy Jonas appeared on behalf of Executive Mem-

Friday (July 17) at 14:00hrs.

Chief Justice (ag), Roxane GeorgeWiltshire

Attorney General, Basil Williams

Senior Counsel, Neil Boston

Trinidad’s Senior Counsel, John Jeremie

ber of The New Movement, Josh Kanhai. Legal Counsel, Sanjeev Datadin, appeared for the Leader of the United Republican Party, Dr. Vishnu Bandhu.

Though Jeremie did not object to the applications, he expressed concern that the legal proceedings could be drawn out. “I have not seen the applications. I am not sure what they add or what they might add; we seek no relief against any of these persons. This is a dispute in respect of the exercise of certain powers of GECOM, and while I can accept that perhaps one of the others may wish to join, if you have 10 parties seeking to be joined, the proceedings are likely to be drawn out,” he reasoned.

He added: “And your Honour has to balance the

interest of an efficient and expeditious use of the court’s time with the interest of 10, 12 persons…being joined.”

In response, Justice George-Wiltshire said it would be difficult to decide who to choose, and as such, “in the interest of justice and fairness,” the representatives of the various political parties were added to the case.

SUBMISSIONS The applicant – through her attorney – was given until 23:00hrs on Wednesday (July 15, 2020) to make her submissions, while the respondents have until 22:00hrs today (Thursday, July 16) to make their submissions. The applicant, if so desire, has, until 11:00hrs on Friday, July 17 to file a reply. Oral submissions will begin on

CRUX OF THE MATTER Through her application, Jones, among other things, is seeking a declaration that Justice Singh failed to act in accordance with the advice of the Chief Elections Officer as mandated by Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Guyana, and, in effect, would have failed to declare the Presidential Candidate deemed to be elected as President in accordance with that advice.

Lowenfield’s July 11 Elections Report showed a win for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, which meant that President David Granger is in line to be elected to office for a second term, but that report has not gained the support of the GECOM Chair and the PPP/C-nominated Commissioners.

Jones told the Court that only the Declarations made by the Returning Officers in the 10 Electoral Districts are legal, and as such the High Court should confine the Chief Elections Officer, and by extension the Elections Commission to those declarations as stipulated in Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act. In defending her Application, Jones, through her lawyer, told the Court that while the first Declaration made by Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, on March 5, 2020 was invalidated by the High Court on March 11, 2020, his second declaration made on March 13, 2020 was never invalidated by the Court.

However, she noted that, on March 17, 2020, the President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed to a National Recount as a result of the intervention of the then Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Courts later ruled that there could not have been a CARICOM-supervised recount, and in keeping with that April decision, GECOM initiated a National Recount on May 6, 2020, using Order No. 60 as its legal cover.

But approximately one month after that recount process came to an end, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in its July 8 judgment in the case Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali v Eslyn David and others, stated that Order No. 60 could not create a new election regime.

“The Court further declared that validity means, and could only mean, those votes that ex facie are valid.

Determination of such validity is a transparent exercise conducted in the presence of, inter alia, the duly appointed candidates and counting agents of contested parties,” Jones pointed out.

She added: “After votes were duly cast in the General and Regional Elections of 2020, votes were tabulated, and spoiled and rejected ballots were removed in the presence of counting agents and representatives of the political parties by Returning Officers, as required by Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act, and a return in writing was issued by each of the ten (10) Returning Officers, in accordance with Section 89(1)(f) of The Representation of the People Act. Based on returns received from the Returning Officers of the ten (10) Electoral Districts, the Chief Elections Officer calculated the total number of valid votes, and prepared a report as required

by Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act.” The CEO’s Election Report, Jones noted, was submitted to the Chair of GECOM on March 13, 2020, but was placed in abeyance by the Commission amid complaints against Mingo. Jones however reminded that at no time did the Court ever invalidate Mingo’s second declaration, or any of the other nine declarations made by the Returning Officers.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

AG Chambers says PPP/C erring by relying on CCJ judgement summary

WHILE the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is lobbying for the use of the recount data to form the basis of an election declaration, the Attorney General’s Chambers has pointed out that the party is relying on the Judgement Summary of the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJs) judgement which is not permitted to be used for future consideration.

As widely circulated, the PPP/C is in favour of utilising the data from the national recount which, in its recent ruling, the CCJ said was made possible through Order No.60 which is in contradiction to the Constitution in its aim to determine the validity of ballots

cast beyond “votes that, on their face, are valid” However, the party argues, based on paragraph 24 of the CCJ’s Judgement Summary of the Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali v Eslyn David case, that the CCJ endorsed the recount stating that it is only data from the process that can be used to make the declaration. Paragraph 24 states: “…the relevant validation process has already been completed. Unless and until an election court decides otherwise, the votes already counted by the recount process as valid votes are incapable of being declared invalid by any person or authority.”

However, as mentioned by CCJ President, Justice Adrian

Saunders, and as stated below each page of the Judgement Summary: “This summary is not intended to be a substitute for the reasons of the Caribbean Court of Justice of Justice or to be used in any later consideration of the court’s reasons.”

Legal minds are aware that it is only the court’s written judgement that must be relied upon when making future references. Furthermore, in contrast to the Summary Judgement, in the court’s written judgement where it interpreted Article 177

of the Constitution, reference was not made to the recount as incapable of being declared invalid.

Paragraph 42 where the matter in question is located, states: “…It is clear that, under the legal infrastructure governing the electoral process, unless and until an election courtdecides otherwise, the votes already counted as valid votes are incapable of beingdeclared invalid by any person or authority.”

In handing down its judge-

ment, the CCJ had also noted that the election of a president and members of the National Assembly can only be done “on the sole basis of votes counted and information furnished by returning officers under the Representation of the People Act.” Therefore, the CEO, in presenting his elections report to the Commission, did so on the basis of declarations made by the Returning Officers in the 10 Electoral Districts, in accordance with Section 96 of the Representation of the

9

People Act. Those declarations and the Elections Report were placed in abeyance to pave way for the national recount. While the High Court had invalidated the March 5, 2020 declaration made by the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo; his second declaration made on March 13, 2020 was never invalidated by the Court.

In his report, the CEO reminded the Chair that the national recount was not undertaken by Returning Officers. “The concluding opinion [Paragraph 52] of the CCJ’s judgment states that Order 60 is in tension with the Constitution of Guyana, and could not create a new election regime,” Lowenfield had said.

U.S runs risk of being accused of trying to influence elections case –Dr. Hinds warns that sanctions could have damaging effects on the country

By Svetlana Marshall

Political Scientist, Dr. David Hinds said though the decision of the United States (US) Government to sanction Guyana comes as no surprise, it can be viewed as an attempt to influence the outcome of the latest elections case filed in the High Court, which challenges the decision of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to declare the results of the General and Regional Elections based on data generated during the National Recount.

“The move was not unexpected. The Western countries have long made clear their preference for one contestant in the election.

They have since then used their considerable influence including the threat of sanctions to force that outcome. That desired outcome has been thwarted by the prolonged court battles. With the beginning of a new round of court battles, the recent move by the US and the other Western interests, runs the risk of being viewed as intending to influence the outcome of the court cases,” Dr. Hinds told Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday.

Even as the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire was presiding over a Case Management Conference in a case brought by registered voter Misenga Jones against the Elections Commission and others, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced that visa restrictions will be placed on individuals the US believes are “complicit in undermining democracy” in Guyana. The announcement was made in an attempt to force the David Granger Administration out of Office notwithstanding the fact that results of the General and Regional Elections has not been declared by GECOM to date.

Article 92 of the Constitution of Guyana states that: “a person assuming the office of the President in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution shall, unless his office sooner become vacant under Article 178, continue in office until the person elected to the office of the President at the

next election held under Article 91 assumes office.”

Dr. Hinds said resort to the Court by Guyanese who participated in the March Elections ought not be viewed as an attempt to undermine democracy in Guyana, as he brought attention to the fact that since March, 2020 the electoral process as be the subject of court actions filed by both the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the ruling A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

“It is difficult to describe what has transpired since March 2 as “undermining democracy” since both major contestants have resorted to the court to argue the legal and constitutional merit of their respective cases. There is nothing undemocratic about Judicial Review. As far as GECOM officials are concerned, they have also been guided by the outcome of the court cases,” the Political Scientist told this newspaper. He said the “relatively extreme” action by the US and other Western countries threatening additional sanctions are aimed at something larger than the mere election.

Questioned whether the restriction would have significant impact on the country, Dr. Hinds responded in the affirmative, explaining that for a small country like Guyana it is not an insignificant development. The rippling effect, he posited, could be far reaching.

“Guyana has been there before. And if that history is anything to go by, the consequences could be grave,” the Political Scientist said as he turned back the pages of history.

“When in 1953 the British landed troops in Guyana to defend democracy, the effect was the split of the nationalist movement and the consolidation of ethnic politics which continues to blithe Guyana to this day. Second, when the US and Britain intervened in the early 1960s to again protect and promote democracy, it chose one party over the other. The consequence: a three-year ethnic Civil War and almost three decades of authoritarian

Political Scientist Dr. David Hinds

rule,” Dr. Hinds pointed out.

But the Political Scientist said notwithstanding the impositions, there is no reason for President David Granger to concede, as he pointed to the fact that the Elections Commission, chaired by Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, has not declared the results of the Elections. “If the revocation of the visas is to get Mr Granger to concede defeat then it may have missed the mark. What is he going to concede? There is no lawful declared result? If anything, the action will likely make the coalition look like the victim of external intervention. That would then likely incense their supporters,” Dr. Hinds reasoned.

Instead of attempting to force President Granger out of Office, he submitted that the ABCE Countries should put pressure on the leaders of both the APNU+AFC and PPP/C to negotiate a just and reasonable settlement to a political impasse in the interest of all political sides. “Any partisan outcome may lead to developments that could consume all of Guyana,” he warned.

When asked what advice he would give the people of Guyana in light of the recent developments, Dr. Hinds said there is not much advice to offer. “The matter has been taken out of their hands. It is now in the hands of forces outside of their grasp. They are fast becoming onlookers as their fate is being determined,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

Meanwhile, in an interview with another news outlet, APNU+AFC Executive Member

APNU+AFC Executive and Political Scientist, Aubrey Norton

Aubrey Norton opined that many Guyanese would prefer to have their US visas revoked than to live under a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

“The People’s Progressive Party extra judicially killed many Guyanese; there can be no worse sanction in this country than living under a PPP influenced and informed by Bharrat Jagdeo…The

United States must know that the Bharrat Jagdeo regime transformed Guyana into a narco state; they must know that they (the PPP) refused to do a money laundering act because they were supportive of money laundering. The reports must have shown the level of trafficking in people that occurred under the People’s Progressive Party,” Norton said.

Norton, who is also a Political Scientist, said there appears to be a collusion to put “a criminal cabal” back into power, but the APNU+AFC will remain focus.

He said the 33-day National Recount, which was conducted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre unearthed massive irregularities and cases of voter impersonation – dead and migrant voters, particularly in PPP/C stronghold areas.

The Political Scientist said while the APNU+AFC does not believe that the revocation of vi-

sas is a step in the right direction, its primary interest is protecting the rights of all Guyanese. “We do not believe that putting visa restriction on us is right but it is their right, it is their visa. Our commitment is to Guyana not a visa to the United States of America. We have 83,000 square miles that we can travel, work and development. As for me, I am comfortable in my dear land of Guyana,” Norton said. He said the APNU+AFC has always demonstrated a willingness to put Guyana first, while pointing to the fact that in 2019 three Government Ministers relinquished their foreign citizenship in their quest to serve Guyana.

Among them was APNU+AFC Executive Joseph Harmon, who relinquished his US citizenship.

APNU+AFC, he iterated, will continue to put the interest of the people of Guyana first.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

Advisory firms give Guyana Goldfields the nod for Zijin Mining deal

The Aurora Goldmine project owned by Guyana Goldfields TWO leading investment advisory firms have recommended that Guyana Goldfields shareholder vote for the proposed acquisition of all of the outstanding common shares the Canadian firm by the Chinese company Zijin Mining Group Ltd. The registered shareholders have a proxy deadline of Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 10:30 hours (Toronto time) to vote their proxies; beneficial shareholders also have to vote their proxies or voting instruction forms prior to the deadline set out therein.

Guyana Goldfields (GG) is the parent company of the Aurora Gold Mines (AGM), with gold mining operations in Aurora, Region Seven. The company started commercial production in January 2016, but has been facing issues over the years including disputes among shareholders, and financial constraints.

In a statement released last Wednesday, GG noted that Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis & Co. (Glass Lewis), which provide “voting recommendations to some of the largest institutional

investors” has validated the CDN$323M (US$238M) deal.

It was in earlier June, that Guyana Goldfields had revealed the all-cash offer

by Zijin, and terminated a formerly announced arrangement agreement with Silvercorp Metals Inc., which had took place in April, 2020.

The Zijn offer had constituted a "Superior Proposal" in accordance with the terms of the Silvercorp Arrangement Agreement, and Silvercorp had elected not to exercise its right to match resulting in GG terminating the Silvercorp Agreement and entering the new agreement with Zijin.

The Silvercorp deal had been for CDN$105M. The Zijin Arrangement represented a premium of approximately 35 per cent to the implied value of the consideration offered pursuant to the Silvercorp Arrangement Agreement, based on the closing price of the Silvercorp common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange as of June 3, 2020, Guyana Goldfields President and CEO, Alan Pangbourne, said the company is

pleased with the council of the two firms, in support of the new acquisition arrangement.

“We are pleased that ISS and Glass Lewis have both recommended in favour of the proposed transaction with Zijin and unanimously recommend that our shareholders support this transaction,” Pangbourne is quoted as stating.

According to the statement ISS is quoted as saying that: “…shareholders will cash out of their investment at a significant premium… with certainty of value and immediate liquidity."

In their recommendation, Glass Lewis is quoted as having said: "…the proposed transaction appears to be the result of a robust and competitive process and we see no reason to doubt that it likely represents the most favourable offer available at the present time."

The move for the Zijin acquisition was another twist in the future of Guyana Goldfields which has been experiencing turbulent relations with its shareholders, as regards its management of operations here, at AGM.

Zijin has agreed to provide Guyana Goldfields with a US$30M secured loan facility to finance ongoing operations of the AGM and to fund its other liquidity needs.

Earlier this year, the company’s stock took a major hit following the release of a report on February 25, where the company’s production results showed that 2019 fourth quarter gold production declined by 28 per cent, when compared to that of the 2018 fourth quarter.

In March, a class action lawsuit was filed against the company and its former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Scott Caldwell, at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, seeking unspecified amount of damages for alleged misrepresentations.

The company has been facing challenges as it transitions from an open pit operation into an underground mine. In the February 2020 report the company said that it was exploring financing and strategic alternatives to fund additional waste stripping at its open pit and for underground development.

PSC, GMSA call for end to elections stalemate THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) have called for an “end to the ongoing political crisis and a transition to new government” in Guyana.

In separate releases on Wednesday, the PSC stated that while recognising that “minor administrative difficulties” did occur during the national recount, it believes the process was nonetheless “efficiently conducted and

authentic”.

It stated that these sentiments were shared by the CARICOM Scrutinising Team and international observers who found the recount results to be “valid and entirely credible”.

As such, it urged: “The Private Sector Commission, in all of these circumstances, has no hesitation in demanding of GECOM, the immediate acceptance of the results of the recount and that GECOM proceed to a decla-

ration reflecting those results of the General and Regional Elections without any further delay.”

Meanwhile, the GMSA said that despite the commitments to respect the results of the recount process, attempts continue to thwart the declaration of a winner.

“The political impasse, the absence of a functional government, the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of a coherent and comprehensive response, have made

it difficult for businesses to operate. As a result, many have closed, resulting in losses of jobs and income for Guyanese. A continuation of this current situation will have disastrous consequences on the business community and the economy,” the GMSA stated. The association called for a swift conclusion to the political impasse and the declaration of the results based on the recount process.

GGMDA releases protocol for miners MINERS are advised to avoid unnecessarily entering Amerindian villages, and refrain from entertaining local inhabitants from those villages to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus according to measures outlined in a newly-released protocol and guidelines developed by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.

In cases where miners need to past through Amerindian villages to access their lands, permission should be sought from the respective Toshaos, and persons are to refrain from interacting with members of the village while in transit. Transit should preferably be done by vehicle.

Miners are also asked to, where practical, encourage their staff to work longer rotations at the camp sites, advising that staff spend 12 weeks instead of the typical six weeks; in so doing, limiting the amount of new personnel coming into the operation on a monthly basis.

And staff are encouraged to ensure to travel with an adequate amount of clothing that will allow them to have a fresh change of clothes on a daily basis. The guidelines were all contained in a document called “Covid-19 Advisory and Worksite Safety Plan for the Small and Medium Scale Mining Community” which outlines the application of recognised COVID-19 prevention measures in the mining camp settings.

“The guidelines were compiled based on the GGDMA’s knowledge of what is practical and applicable to the local mining industry. The document will be regularly updated and modified as the situation demands and will be done in collaboration with the health authorities,” a statement from the GGDMA stated.

The measures follow the general principles of social distancing; covering of the face with the use of masks; and sanitising of hands and surfaces as

often as is possible or as necessary given the frequency of contact.

Heightened attention has been placed on preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus in mining areas following spikes of cases in Regions One and Seven. Earlier this month, the government effected lockdowns of mining areas in Moruca in Region One and Aranka/Arangoy Landing in Region Seven, as the situation escalated.

For the miners, recommendations in the plan includes screening of all personnel before entry into mining locations, and that persons exhibiting any of the COVID-19 symptoms, including a high temperature, be prohibited from entering the work ground or main camp.

It also called for the provision of adequate supplies of bleach, soap, disinfectant, wash sinks and paper towels on site, and for all camps to have a temperature gun and for all personnel to be tested.

The list also included already instituted protocols such as limiting the occupants of a vehicle to half, where practical; and sanitising vehicles between use when travelling. Miners should also seek to limit, as far as possible, the number of operators or drivers assigned to operate a specific piece of machinery, in order to limit the infection in the event any of these personnel contract the virus. Also advised is the thorough cleaning in high traffic areas in camp such as lunch tables and frequently clean and disinfect surfaces between shifts or between users.

“General Managers of the location must ensure that this takes place and put competent junior managers or other responsible personnel in charge of ensuring that this happens on a daily basis,” the plan said.

For those persons who do exhibit symptoms persons should, where possible, self-isolate in the camp, in a specifically built-forthis-purpose accommodation, away from the main camp and reduce contact with fellow workers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

Eastern Airlines aircraft skids off taxiway

--- no injuries to over 200 passengers AN Eastern Airlines flight bringing repatriated Guyanese from New York to Georgetown, slightly skidded off the taxiway after exiting the runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Director- General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, said that the incident took place at around 14:30 hours and, at the time, there were no visible damage to the plane or injuries the little over 200 passengers on board.

The Boeing 767 aircraft’s right landing gear went off the edge of the taxiway and into the grass

coming to a halt shortly after, but not before digging a path of mud with the landing gear.

It should be noted that the taxiway, where the incident occurred, is used by aircraft to facilitate their movements between runways and parking areas.

Meanwhile, the runway is a surface specifically intended for aircraft to use for takeoffs and landings.

“While on the taxiway, the right undercarriage departed from the taxiway at the corner of the taxiway and ended up in the grassy area just off of the taxiway.

It was a slow taxi so there weren’t any major damage to the aircraft just that it is bogged down in the soft, slushy side of the taxiway,”

The Boeing 767 Eastern Airline that slightly skidded off the taxiway

Field said.

There was quick response from airport authorities. The Director-General said that the passengers are all safe and they disembarked the aircraft at the point where it was lodged

and were bussed to the CJIA terminal. He said that the aircraft will not be able to leave the country directly on schedule as all the necessary checks must be done to ensure, without doubt, that the plane it safe for flight.

The right landing gear of the plane lodged in the mud

“They have to now try to pull the air craft out from the slushy area, so that might take some time, and, after inspecting, to make sure that nothing was damaged then it will

depart, most likely some time tomorrow morning because the crew would have to get their rest,” Field said. He added that the cause of the accident is now under investigation.

Guyanese archaeologist/artist George Simon passes on FAMOUS Guyanese artist/ archaeologist, Dr George Simon A.A, passed away on Wednesday, after a fight with cancer.

Reports are that Dr Simon died in Spain. He was 73.

Simon was viewed as one of the greatest indigenous artists and archaeologists in Guyana’s history and his efforts were recognized in 1998 when the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement was bestowed upon him.

He has been credited for

identifying the ancestry of Guyana’s first people stretching back for over 500 years.

During his time here, he was credited with forming the “Moving Circle” art exhibitions while honing his skills as a muralist.

In 2011, Simon and a team of scientists made key discoveries on human settlements which might have existed in the Berbice area some 5000 years ago.

The team worked in the Berbice River community of

Dubulay on what was called the Berbice Archaeology Project. Along with the late Neil Whitehead, a University of Wisconsin professor of anthropology, the works surrounded the archaeological excavation of a mound site at Dubulay and the exploration of raised fields in the savannahs in the middle of the Berbice River.

Their findings which spanned years of research were documented by Simon for future reference. He later moved overseas to pursue fur-

ther studies and other pursuits in the two fields until the time of his passing.

Murals, the product of Simon’s hard work, have been placed at various parts of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport(CJIA) terminal building.

News of his death sent shockwaves throughout the arts community as well as within archaeological circles and many who knew him spoke highly of Simon’s contributions to the two fields he mastered.

Five new COVID-19 cases recorded in 24 hours GUYANA has recorded five new cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), a clear indication of the continued rise in cases.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, said health authorities discovered the new cases after testing 39 persons, on Wednesday.

Some 3,418 persons have been tested for the disease, with 3,105 being negative and 313 testing positive. Of the positive cases, 156 persons have recovered and 19 persons have died, but there are 139 active cases of disease, which are being monitored by local authorities.

Five of the active cases are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The consistent rise in cases has been worrying for authorities, who continue to call on persons to be responsible in their daily conduct. On many occasions, authorities have

said the rise in cases is due mainly to the callous behaviour of some sections of the population. Those persons were accused of flouting the control measures and failing to adhere to advisories.

Dr. Boyle said it is clear that persons need to be more responsible, and in justifying her call, she referred to a graph which showed the cumulative COVID-19 cases reported in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), from March to July.

During the four-month period, Region Four recorded a steady climb in cases from March-May, with successful flattening of the curve in June, when the region recorded just four cases, and then a steady climb in July.

Over in Region One, the first case was reported in April and it remained that way until

May 19, 2020. Thereafter, there was a relatively slow rise, until June 15, when 11 cases were recorded. Statistics showed that there was a consistent rise after that date, and from then to July 12, the region has recorded 80 cases.

Region Seven recorded its first case on May 13, and there was a continued rise from then on. To date, the region has recorded 44 cases.

“I have chosen to make this comparison to emphasise the challenge of contact tracing in the hinterland where often there are no street names or lot numbers. Finding contacts to have them quarantined becomes a particular challenge and hence the exponential increase in cases in these regions,” Dr. Boyle lamented.

In Regions One and Seven combined, since June 12, there have been 110 cases, six cases less than the total number of

cases in Region Four.

As it is now, Region One has the highest per capita infection rate, followed by Region Seven and Region Four.

Despite the glaring challenges, Dr. Boyle said authorities are doing all they can to reduce the spread of the disease in hinterland regions.

Strategies towards this include limited travel in and out of these regions; maintaining the curfew; closure of schools and workplaces; and the stipulation for citizens to maintain social distancing and wear face masks.

“Additionally, we need to heighten vigilance concerning undocumented migrants from Brazil and Venezuela who may not have been quarantined.

Please note that any such persons need to be reported to the relevant authorities,” said Dr. Boyle.

Authorities are banking on

The late Dr George Simon

…authorities say 50% of the total cases have recovered, 10% of all cases were children those measures to reduce the spread of the disease, which does not infect a specific group, but leaves everyone vulnerable.

For example, a number children have been infected with the disease. And, according to existing statistics from March 11 to July 12, 2020, in the 0-five age group, there were 11 children representing 3.9 per cent of all total cases have had the disease; in the six-10 age group, eight persons, representing 2.8 per cent; and in the 11-15 age group, 12 children representing 4.2 per cent; a total of 31 children representing 10 per cent of all cases.

“Parents, we need to remind you to do your part and protect your children; make sure when you are sending them to the market that they have all the required things: masks, sanitiser; encourage your children to comply with the guidelines so that they

are not infected,” Dr. Boyle advised.

She lamented that the highest rate of infection is in the 21-60 age group, representing 70 per cent of all infections.

This is the very age group most likely to be out and about and therefore at increased risk for exposure to COVID-19, said the DCMO. COVID-19 remains a serious issue not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 12.9 million cases of COVID-19, with over 570,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

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Guyana to benefit from UNHCR pre-manufactured housing units …to boost COVID-19 quarantine and isolation capacity across administrative regions

GUYANA will be one of five countries in the Caribbean including DR, Haiti, Aruba and Curacao, to benefit from pre-manufactured housing units from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The international organisation handed over 48 housing units to the Ministry of Public Health through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to boost the regional capacity of the COVID-19 response in Guyana.

According to Cecilie Saenz Guerrero, Senior Liaison Officer of UNHCR Guyana, “the pre-manufactured units will be used by the Ministry of Public Health

for quarantine and isolation facilities in the regions. We wish to show solidarity with the host country as part of UNHCR’s global response to the COVID-19.”

In the event that a region’s medical facility becomes overwhelmed due to increases in the number of cases, these units will provide additional space for persons who are asymptomatic and or are tested positive for the virus.

Ms. Guerrero noted that the MoPH has also expressed that the pre-manufactured housing units can also serve well for family members who need to self-isolate but cannot do so in their homes due to space constraints.

“This product is specifically designed for UNHCR to support its response to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR across the world, particularly for persons in need of international protection and displaced persons as well as support host countries affected by global emergencies. Hence, there is a very limited number of these units available globally and in the context of Guyana, they are therefore meant to support the MoPH in its response towards COVID-19”, Ms. Guerrero said.

To complement the donation, UNHCR undertook to train a cohort of persons from the CDC, regional en-

gineers and health officers in the setting up of the units.

The training was a twofold activity which included online theoretical while the practical setting up of two units were done in Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five).

UNHCR is awaiting the arrival of protective gear to further support the MoPH. The CDC, through the National Emergency Operations Centre - Partner and Stakeholder Engagement Platform (NEOC - P&SEP), formed a partnership with UNHCR along with several other international and Non-Governmental Organisations.

These partnerships are geared towards the strength-

ening of the CDC’s technical capacities to improve its preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to benefit from lessons learned from stakeholders which supported other countries in epidemics and pandemics over time.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, “the pre-manufactured housing units will be managed by the Ministry’s Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC). As part of the practical training, units were set up in Region five. Further, due to the spike in the number of cases in the Santa Rosa, Moruca sub-district, Barima-Waini, (Region One), a team recently set up

several units in Moruca to support quarantine and isolation needs in the sub-district.

This week, a team will be deployed to set up the housing units in Parika, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region three).”

Lieutenant Colonel Craig informed that the CDC will continue to deploy its team to set up more units as the need arises. The commission thanks the team from UNHCR for its continued support.

Ms. Guerrero commended CDC and the volunteers who participated in the training, as this will boost the skill resources of the country towards the COVID-19 response.

MOC donates $34.8M waste disposal truck to M&CC THE Ministry of Communities (MOC) has donated a $34.8M garbage truck to the Georgetown Municipality.

During a small handover ceremony at the City

Hall on Wednesday, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Annette Ferguson, noted that the garbage disposal will improve the waste col-

lection in and around the city. This donation is the second garbage truck the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has received, with last year’s truck being worth $45M.

The garbage truck donated by the Ministry of Communities

In her remarks, Minister Ferguson noted that from the time the coalition assumed office, “the Ministry of Communities has been working closely with the local organs to build

their capacity in human resources and providing equipment, and this simple ceremony is a testimony to what the ministry is committed to doing.” His Worship, Mayor Ubraj

Narine, thanked the ministry noting that the municipality has benefitted from “tremendous support from the government through the Ministry of Communities.”

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson, handing over the keys to Mayor of Georgetown, His Worship Pandit Ubraj Narine

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

Contraction of Caribbean economies intensifies …due to the COVID-19 Pandemic ..ECLAC predicts -9.1% in decline in 2020

Economic activity in the world is falling by more than what was foreseen several months ago as a result of the crisis stemming from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and this increases negative external effects on Latin America and the Caribbean through trade channels, the terms of trade, tourism and remittances.

In addition, the region is currently at the epicenter of the pandemic, and while some governments have begun to lift measures to contain its spread, others have had to keep them in place or even redouble them due to the persistent daily uptick in cases.

This is according to ECLAC’s Special Report COVID-19 No. 5, entitled Addressing the growing impact of COVID-19 with a view to reactivation with equality: new projections, which was presented this Wednesday, July 15, by the United Nations organization’s Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, in a virtual press conference held from Santiago, Chile.

The report indicates that since both external and domestic shocks have intensified, the region will experience a -9.1% fall in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020, with drops of -9.4% in South America, -8.4% in Central America and Mexico, and -7.9% in the Caribbean upon excluding Guyana, the strong growth of which prompts a smaller contraction in the subregional total (-5.4%).

The document sustains that the fall in economic activity is of such a magnitude that GDP per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean will end 2020 at a level similar to what was seen in 2010 – meaning that there will be a setback of 10 years in income levels per inhabitant. “A greater increase in unemployment is also foreseen now, which in turn will produce a significant deterioration in poverty and inequality levels,”

Alicia Bárcena stated in her presentation.

It is expected that the regional unemployment rate will be around 13.5% by the end of 2020, which represents an upward revision (2 percentage points) of the estimate presented in April and a 5.4 percentage point increase versus the 2019 figure (8.1%). With this new estimate, the ranks of the unemployed are seen swelling to 44.1 million people in total, which represents an increase of nearly 18 million people versus the level in 2019 (26.1 million unemployed persons). These figures are significantly higher than those observed during the global financial crisis, when the unemployment rate rose from 6.7% in 2008 to 7.3% in 2009 (0.6 percentage points), the report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) indicates.

In addition, the -9.1% fall in GDP and the increase in unemployment are seen having a direct negative impact on the income of households and their possibilities for obtaining enough resources to meet basic needs. In that context, ECLAC forecasts that the number of people living in poverty will rise by 45.4 million in 2020, which means that the total number of people in that situation will go from 185.5 million in 2019 to 230.9 million people in 2020 – a figure that represents 37.3% of Latin America’s population.

Within this group, the number of people experiencing extreme poverty is seen rising by 28.5 million, going from 67.7 million people in 2019 to 96.2 million in 2020, a figure equivalent to 15.5% of the total population.

ECLAC also forecasts greater inequality in income distribution in all of the region’s countries: the Gini index is seen increasing by between 1% and 8% in the 17 countries analyzed, and

the worst results are expected in the region’s biggest economies. According to the report, countries in the region have announced major packages of fiscal measures to confront the health emergency and mitigate its social and economic effects.

In addition, the magnitude of the current crisis has led monetary authorities to include conventional and non-conventional tools in their approaches. Actions taken by central banks in the region have been geared

towards not only attenuating the effects of the crisis and laying the foundation for an eventual reactivation, but also preserving their economies’ macro-financial stability.

“Although the region’s countries have announced very important measures, to the extent that the confinement is prolonged, additional efforts are needed to meet basic needs and sustain household consumption. ECLAC has made several proposals including

the implementation of an emergency basic income as an instrument of social protection, an anti-hunger grant – equivalent to 70% of one regional extreme poverty line ($67 dollars based on the 2010 dollar), with a total cost estimated at 27.1 billion dollars (0.52% of regional GDP) – and several initiatives to support companies and at-risk workers.

In order to implement any of these lines of action, it is necessary to strengthen the role of international finan-

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cial institutions so they can better support countries,” Alicia Bárcena emphasised.

“National efforts must be supported by international cooperation to expand policy space through increased financing under favorable conditions and debt relief. Likewise, making progress on equality is crucial for effectively controlling the pandemic and for a sustainable economic recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean,” Bárcena affirmed.

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Four games a day to be played in group stage in Qatar

(BBC) - Four matches will be played each day during the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA has announced.

The group games will be played over a 12-day period with matches not being assigned to particular venues until after the ‘finals’ draw in March 2022.

Kick-off times for the first two rounds of games will be 13:00hrs, 16:00hrs, 19:00hrs and 22:00hrs local time with the eight stadiums all within a 40mile radius of each other.

It means supporters and media could attend two games on the same day.

HOW WILL THE GROUP GAMES LOOK? For all but three games there will be a three-day rest period in-between.

There will also be no need for teams, supporters or media to spend time flying or taking long rail or road journeys between matches.

K i c k - o ff t i m e s i n the final round of group games and knockout-round matches will be at 18:00hrs and 22:00hrs local time.

Local time will be three hours ahead of UK time during the tournament, which will take place in November and

December 2022.

WHERE WILL THE OPENING MATCH AND FINAL TAKE PLACE? The tournament’s opening match will be played at the 60 000-seater Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor on Monday, November 21 in a game which will feature hosts Qatar.

The final venue is the 80 000-capacity Lusail Stadium in Doha on Sunday, December 18 at 15:00hrs GMT. A start date is yet to be announced for the European section of World Cup qualification. The qualifying draw is scheduled for December 1, but it is not yet known whether that will go ahead as planned.

BBC Sport will b ro a d c a s t t h e F I FA World Cup, Qatar 2022

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Thursday July 16, 2020 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Colin Cowdrey (ENG vs AUST, Birmingham, 1968) (2) 829 runs (4 Tests) TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) How many players have now captained the WI in Tests?

(2) In what year or series the WI & ENG began playing for The Wisden Trophy?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

Amla stands by Ngidi HASHIM Amla, the former South Africa captain, is the latest cricketer to come out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, posting on Instagram of the “delusions” of those who believe in one race being superior to the other. He also registered his backing of fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, thanking him and others who have “stood up for just causes in their own way”. “... The imagined superiority of whites over blacks or blacks over whites, or one nationality over another is simply delusional. Yes, that’s right - nothing but delusional,” Amla wrote.

“However, many of us, including myself, have borne the brunt of these delusions

and have crazy stories to tell which is why it makes it even more admirable to see exceptional youngsters like @lungingidi doing his bit to represent us all. Thank you brother and all those who stand up for just causes in their own way publicly and privately.”

Amla’s post comes a day after 31 prominent current and former South African players of colour wrote a letter in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and Ngidi. The letter’s signatories included Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, JP Duminy and Herschelle Gibbs.

The letter was in response to events stemming from Ngidi’s message that he hoped South Africa’s players would join the rest of the world in

“making a stand” in support of Black Lives Matter. He was criticised by former players Pat Symcox, Boeta Dippenaar, Rudi Steyn and Brian McMil-

lan for not being equally vocal about the murders of mostly white farmers in the country.

The South African Cricketers’ Association issued a

statement in support of Ngidi, and CSA also made it clear that it was behind the Black Lives Matter movement.

Since then, several players

Hashim Amla thanked Lungi Ngidi and others who have stood up for just causes (Lee Warren/Getty Images)

of colour have begun telling their stories on social media, including Ashwell Prince, who called the South African system “broken”.

Amla said while he agreed that all lives matter, people with darker skins have “had the worst of it. There are oppressed people here in this country and the world over, of all colours and walks of life, cricket included.

“H owever, the dark er-skinned people have had the worst of it. Some may convince themselves otherwise but you have to ask yourself - are those who know the same as those who don’t know?

“I stand with all those who are oppressed. And I stand with @lungingidi (again).”

Mortaza beats COVID-19

Mashrafe Mortaza celebrates a wicket (Associated Press)

(ESPNCricinfo) - Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza confirmed on Tuesday that he is COVID-19 negative. His wife Sumona Haque, however, continues to test positive.

Mortaza, who is also a Member of Parliament representing the ruling Awami League party, was diagnosed with the virus three weeks ago, on June 20.

“I heard the results of the test this evening, which is negative,” Mortaza wrote on his Facebook page. “I am thankful to everyone who prayed for me, was beside us and showed concern during this time. But my wife is still COVID-19 positive after two weeks of being diagnosed. She is doing well. Keep her in your prayers.

“I got treatment at home. To those who are affected, stay positive. Keep faith in Allah and abide by the rules. Together we will keep fighting the virus.”

Nafees Iqbal and Nazmul Islam, who also tested positive three weeks ago, have also recovered after undergoing treatment at home.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

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Kane completes 200 club goals City thump as Tottenham beat Newcastle Bournemouth

Harry Kane has scored 200 club goals in exactly 350 appearances

(BBC) - Harry Kane passed 200 club goals in his career as Tottenham Hotspur beat Newcastle United to boost their Europa League qualification hopes.

The victory - which takes Spurs up to seventh - is the first time Jose Mourinho has won a Premier League game at St James’ Park in his eighth attempt.

The visitors led in the first half when Son Heung-min drilled a low shot into the bottom corner moments after the drinks break disrupted Newcastle’s dominance.

Dwight Gayle almost levelled when his header hit the post and Matt Ritchie blasted an equaliser home 11 minutes after the restart.

But that parity only lasted four minutes as Kane headed home a deep cross from substitute Steven Bergwijn.

That was the England captain’s 200th club goal in 350 appearances, with 184 coming for Spurs and the other 16 for loan clubs Millwall, Leyton Orient and Leicester.

He got the 201st late on with another header after Martin Dubravka parried Erik Lamela’s shot.

It was an impressive performance from Newcastle, who managed 22 shots to Spurs’ eight, but their season is just petering out as uncertainty over their Saudi Arabian takeover continues.

Premier League announces transfer window (BBC) - The Premier League and English Football League summer transfer windows will be open for 10 weeks between July 27 and October 5, subject to FIFA approval.

In addition, Premier League and EFL say there will be a domestic-only window between October 5 and 16.

The 2019-20 Premier League season will end on July 26

“During this window, clubs will only be able to trade with EFL clubs (either loans or permanent registrations),” said a Premier League statement.

“No transfers can take place between Premier League clubs in this period.”

The EFL also said any new signings by its clubs could not play until the start of the 2020-21 season.

“This is applicable to clubs involved in the Championship play-offs,” it explained in a statement.

The EFL added: “The window for international registrations closes at 23:00 BST on Monday, October 5, with an agreement in place with the Premier League for an extended two-week domestic-only window, which will close at 17:00 on Friday, October 16.”

There has not yet been any announcement on a start date for the 2020-21 season.

Launching the new season on September 12 remains the most likely option, but that comes immediately after September’s round of international games.

The Football Association and EFL are concerned the reduced number of match dates will have an impact on their respective cup competitions.

(BBC) - Bournemouth are still three points adrift of Premier League safety with two games remaining after their recent revival ended with a battling defeat at Manchester City.

After the Cherries had seen a series of chances come and go, David Brooks’ late strike gave them the hope of an unlikely point at Etihad Stadium but they fell short of another comeback to boost their fading survival hopes.

David Silva had put City ahead with a superb freekick after just six minutes, curling in from the right-hand corner of the box via the underside of the bar.

Pep Guardiola’s side had scored five times in each of their previous two outings but, in their first game since learning their European ban has been overturned, they did not seem in the mood to punish their opponents further.

Instead it was Bournemouth, fresh from their remarkable comeback to beat Leicester at the weekend, who threatened a repeat of that recovery here.

The visitors went close in the first half when Ederson had to push Junior Stanislas’s whipped free-kick on to his post and was fortunate when the ball bounced back off his head and out of play.

Soon afterwards, City’s Brazilian goalkeeper needed the help of Nicolas Otamendi to deflect Dominic Solanke’s goalbound shot over the bar, and Philip Billing headed over from the resulting corner.

Bournemouth were on top and appeared full of confidence, but they were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal when Gabriel Jesus struck City’s second before halftime.

There were five defenders around Jesus when he collected David Silva’s pass inside the box but he beat two of them with a step-over and a dart into space before planting his shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Even then, the Cherries were not done but when they did get the ball in the City net after the break, it was ruled out for the most marginal of off-sides.

Stanislas cut back inside the box and bent the ball past Ederson but Joshua King was flagged offside after applying the final touch at the far post, and the video assistant referee (VAR) confirmed the decision by the width of his big toe.

It appeared City would get the chance to wrap things up from the spot when Lee Mason awarded them a penalty for Steve Cook’s tackle on Jesus, but VAR overruled his decision.

That gave Bournemouth fresh hope and Brooks set up a frenetic finish when Callum Wilson burst forward and found Brooks clear in front of goal to slot home.

The duo combined again deep in injury time, but Wilson saw his shot roll wide and his side’s hopes of salvaging a point were over.

Bournemouth had lost all nine of their previous Premier League meetings with City but they will feel they deserved to end that poor run here.

Eddie Howe’s side managed 14 shots in total, more than any other away league team at the Etihad during Guardiola’s reign.

A combination of bad luck and poor finishing means they do not have anything tangible to show for it, at least in terms of points that are so precious to them in their current situation.

But there were positives, not least the way they avoided any further damage to their goal difference - something Howe must have feared before the game given City’s current form.

Howe spoke before the game about how his side still believed they could stay up, and this performance proved they are still fighting hard to save themselves.

City’s team selection appeared to have one eye on their date with Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday night, and their performance was below par too.

Guardiola’s side are the highest scorers in the Premier League this season but they seemed short of energy and ideas in attack on this occasion, perhaps because of their intense recent schedule.

Two bits of lethal finishing gave them breathing space before the break but they only managed one further effort at goal in the second half, when Phil Foden saw his effort blocked at close-range by Aaron Ramsdale.

With second-place already secured and next year’s Champions League appearance now certain, they had little to play for against Bournemouth, and it showed.

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Holder’s Windies ready for the ‘unbelievable’ Chemar Holder bowls in the nets before the second Test (Getty Image)

(ESPNCRICINFO) - The question left Jason Holder somewhat disgruntled.

The question asked during the virtual media briefing on Wednesday, was: “The West Indies, you are pretty much on the verge of winning a Test series. I mean it is unbelievable to be saying this, but are the guys gee-ed knowing that they are just one Test win away from winning a Test series in England in some 30-odd years?”

Holder heard it stonefaced. He did well to put on a smile as he started to respond, but made it clear that he was not impressed with the usage of one specific word.

“Not sure I like the words in terms of ‘unbelievable’,” Holder said, rubbing the back

of h i s h e a d with his two fingers, trying hard to hide his annoyance.

“But, look, this series is still wide open. There are 10 days of cricket left. It is one day at a time for us. England are a very good cricket team, they have got some worldclass players, so we have got our work cut out in order to win another game.

“Again, I don’t like the word you use in terms of ‘unbelievable’, but if that’s the word you choose to use, fair enough.”

Whether he likes it not, though, Holder’s team now stand on the cusp of history after taking the series lead in Southampton, a significant achievement in itself.

Not since 1995 have West Indies won a Test series against a major Test-playing country - a feat achieved by Courtney Walsh’s team who won 1-0 against New Zealand. But in a series involving three or more Tests, West lndies last emerged victorious under Richie Richardson when they pipped Australia 2-1 to win the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1992-93.

West Indies started their training on Monday in Manchester, but not once has Holder uttered the word history in the dressing room or various group chats he has been part of. He wouldn’t say it, but it might be because he does not want to saddle his team with any added pres-

sure.

“No, I haven’t mentioned anything about history to the guys.

Again, it is hard for us to get caught up in the peripheral stuff.

We are here to play cricket.

And we are here to win the series,” Holder said.

“That’s the only thing I am going to shout to the guys, I’m going to spoonfeed: how are we going to win a cricket game, what do we need to do in order to win a cricket game. I know once the guys share as much information together, to get that end result, afterwards we can look back and we can feel pleased with whatever we achieved as a group.”

As much as he would want the pulse of the dressing room to be in check, Holder cannot and will not be able to control the excitement, the emotions, the joy that victory in Test cricket can bring in the Caribbean.

The joy is double now in time of the pandemic where the fans are deprived of the pleasure of living a normal life.

The Southampton win also had heads of some of the Caribbean states stop all other important work to take a moment to “rejoice” and join the happiness that spread fast and thick on the final day of the first Test on Sunday.

Among those who celebrated the victory were three premiers: Mia Amor Mottley (Prime Minister of Barbados), Dr Ralph Gonsalves (Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines) and Dr Keith Mitchell (Prime Minister of Grenada).

Talking on the Mason and Guests show, hosted on a Barbados-based radio station, on Monday, all three politicians pointed out discipline, maturity, commitment and pride were the characteristics that stood out in the Southampton victory. Listening to them, from Manchester, in awe and surprise was Holder.

Mottley felt she could “cross the ocean” and hug Holder because she was “so, so, so proud” of him. Mottley had seen Holder and his team beat England at Bridgetown in three days last year when West Indies won the Wisden Trophy.

According to Mottley, the best part of the Southampton Test came at the end when

Holder and John Campbell kept their heads and stayed calm to cross the finish line after Jermaine Blackwood departed five runs short of a deserving century and 11 runs adrift of the target.

“You are just carrying us to greater heights,” Motley said.

“For me the highlight was just how long you took to make the winning runs, the last 10-11 runs.

That said to me that the maturity is there - to understand that unless you finish the mission you have not achieved what is required of you.

“You brought that sense of hope in us again that this is a team that is now going to carry us on a pathway to victory because what you showed was the maturity and the discipline to keep the mission in focus.”

As for Mitchell, he was not surprised to see the “discipline and approach” of West Indies’ bowling unit.

Mitchell said that this West Indies has been “different” because of its commitment to the cause.

Gonsalves said he has been “very happy” since the win. “I rejoice in the victory. Cricket is a cultural and sporting institution of our Caribbean civilisation. When I saw that Jason and his team took a lead on the question of Black Lives Matter - and this is a great cause, and great causes have never been won by doubtful men and women - I said these young men are on the right track.

And when I saw that the English team were persuaded to join Jason and his colleagues, I said, ‘Well, yes, this is a historic moment’.

And I felt a supreme confidence in the whole confluence of circumstances that we were in for a game of historical proportions. And this is what we had.”

Gonsalves pointed out that even when West Indies were reeling at 27 for 3 chasing 200 for victory, he remained confident. “I didn’t think at all that this was another West Indian collapse.

We had played with such,

to use Mia’s words, discipline. We had played with such commitment that I felt it.

“There was something in me which said the purposefulness with which the players as a team went about their job that I felt absolutely confident that we are going to make the 200 runs.”

M o t t l e y summed up the emotions stirred by the feats of Holder’s men and that had unified the Caribbean.

“You have lifted in our hearts a pride even as we face this pandemic (which) is indescribable.

We the Caribbean people want to be wind beneath your wings.”

Obviously politicians do like to be on the winning side, but the feelings expressed by the three reflect the fact that Holder and his men are not just playing for the result. No matter the result, if the players put u p a fight, show resolve and show daring to do the impossible, then the fans will stand by you.

On Wednesday, Holder said he was “blown away” speaking in such company.

“To be on the show with the three Prime Ministers was great,” Holder said. “Great knowing that they are 100% behind us. Great knowing that they pay so much attention to it. I was actually blown away and amazed at how much they actually followed it and how closely they followed it. It tells us a lot about our Caribbean people.

It is great again, to have their support.

“The reception that we got not only particularly from the heads of the government but the people in the Caribbean has been tremendous. This COVID period has really put a dampener on things for the world per se.

“Things like cricket especially in the Caribbean, unified Caribbean, and it is really good to see how many hearts we have really pleased in the Caribbean so far. But in order to take it a step further now they all want us to win this series. So we have got a lot more to play for.”

For Holder and his men nothing is unbelievable.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 16, 2020

Mature Blackwood int ent on batting for longer periods

… credits Radford, time away from team as factors behind success

By Clifton Ross FRESH off his match-winning knock, West Indies middle-order Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood said confidence and new approach to batting are the catalysts behind his success.

During a Zoom interview recently, the Jamaican who bullied his way back into the Test side, after heading the run charts this past Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day season, was oozing confidence following his classy 95.

Blackwood had played a gruelling innings, batting for hours accumulating just 4 fours from 154 balls, during the Caribbean team’s second innings.

Quickly identifying Windies batting coach Toby Radford as one of the figures behind his current run with the bat, Blackwood lauded his coach for the feedback provided during these difficult times of training.

“I work with Toby, I sent him some clips with my training and he communicated back to me, so I thank him for what he has done for me,” he said.

Regarding his approach to the innings which helped his side draw first blood in the away series, the Jamaican Scorpions skipper said, “To be honest it wasn’t difficult at all; it was mental for me, it wasn’t too much of a technical thing. I told myself I was going to bat and once I face a 100 or 200 balls I know that I’ll score runs,” said a poised Blackwood.

After dominating the Regional batting charts this past COVID-affected season which Barbados Pride eventually won on points; the right-hander rated his return to the international side and circuit, right up there with his memorable knocks.

“It’s certainly up there having not played for West Indies for about three years. coming back and performing was pretty amazing. I was a bit disappointed when I got out but I was

23

Jermaine Blackwood in action ©(Getty Images)

more worried about getting the team across the line,” said and unselfish Blackwood.

With the second Test set for July 16 at Old Trafford, Blackwood who scored his first Test ton in England against the home team back in 2015, said he was more fixed on batting for longer periods rather than just going on and attacking the bowling carelessly.

“Looking back when I started playing I would have gone after the ball from ball one, but this year I said I was going to give myself a chance and bat as long as possible so I wasn’t really thinking much about scoring,” he ended.

Windies will be looking to go 2-0 when the second Test bowls off today at the famous Old Trafford ground in Manchester.

Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool: Gunners come from behind to end champions’ record hopes Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his side "have to learn" after the champions' hopes of setting a new Premier League points record ended as they suffered only their third defeat of a stellar campaign at Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp's side - who will receive the trophy after the game with Chelsea at Anfield next week - needed to win all of their remaining games to eclipse the tally of 100 points set by then champions Manchester City two seasons ago.

And they looked on course when Sadio Mane gave Liverpool a fully deserved lead after 20 minutes as he slid home Andrew Robertson's cross.

Arsenal were then allowed back into the game before the interval after uncharacteristic errors by two of Liverpool's most reliable performers, Alexandre Lacazette taking advantage of a dreadful back-pass by Virgil van Dijk to equalise before goalkeeper Alisson's poor clearance gave Reiss Nelson the opportunity to score with a composed finish.

The second half was al-

most an exercise in attack against defence as Liverpool laid siege to Arsenal's goal but Mikel Arteta's side showed real resilience and determination to close out the win and receive a real morale boost before this weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley.

"We have to learn from it, 100 per cent. We've had sloppy moments before and not been punished for it but this is good because we have to learn from it. Credit to Arsenal for being there and using it," Klopp said.

"I can't make something negative from something so positive, we get the points we deserve and we will see how many that will be.

These boys played an exceptional season, nobody can take that away from them.

"I'm disappointed and angry about a few things but the game was good, the attitude was good, but we took a break and that is why we lost the game. That is football, someone is surprised these boys are human beings - I am not. From time to time they are not perfect."

Arsenal's defensive frailties have continued to

much-criticised rearguard remained organised and put their bodies on the line in desperation to preserve the lead given to them by the generosity of the champions.

This was not an artistic Arsenal performance but Arteta will have been delighted with the sheer industry and resilience on show, especially as they face anoth-

plague their latest manager, Arteta, and they were demonstrated again in the north London derby defeat at Tottenham on Sunday.

Here, however, Arsenal dug deep to survive a second-half siege from Liverpool in which they existed almost entirely in their own half.

Liverpool had almost all the possession but Arsenal's

When Liverpool did get through they found Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in commanding form once more. He has been a real revelation since stepping in for the injured Bernd Leno and was excellent again here, dominating his area and also producing a fine save from Mohamed Salah in the second half.

er team who will want to dominate possession as they prepare to confront Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday to battle for a place in the FA Cup final.

Liverpool lack their usual edge Liverpool will be disappointed to miss out on that Premier League points record but it is almost inev-

ARSENAL SHOW TRUE GRIT TO DEFY CHAMPIONS

itable a crucial edge would be taken off their game after securing the club's first title in 30 years with seven games still to play.

And it showed here in those awful errors by Van Dijk, so careless when he is normally so precise, and goalkeeper Alisson, who was sloppy with a clearance to allow Nelson to score.

There was no shortage of effort or determination from Jurgen Klopp's side but even up front they did not possess the ruthless streak that has been such a part of their success, with Salah heading tamely at Martinez when free at the far post and other good positions escaping them.

Liverpool have now lost three league games in winning the title when they only lost one in finishing second to Manchester City last term, that sole defeat coming against the eventual champions at Etihad Stadium - and while one piece of history will not be theirs they can still look forward to receiving the trophy on a special podium erected on the Kop when they play Chelsea next Wednesday.

Jason Holder and Nkrumah Bonner head to the nets, Old Trafford, yesterday

Holder’s Windies ready for the ‘unbelievable’ PAGE 22

Four games a day to be played in group stage in Qatar PAGE 19

The FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed during the draw of the South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 at Centro de Convenciones de CONMEBOL on December 17, 2019 in Asuncion, Paraguay (Photo by Luis Vera/Getty Images)

PAGE 23 Jermaine Blackwood in action ©(Getty Images)

Mature Blackwood intent

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THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020