Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_22_2020

MONDAY 22nd June, 2020

’ No. 106038

‘Fresh elections under new list’ PAGE

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… top coalition official urges as Court of Appeal hands down ruling today

3 die in separate accidents

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Venezuela dodges ICJ hearing Democracy in danger CDC lauded for prompt –– Guyana confident of a final, binding judgement upholding 1899 Arbitral Award 16 PAGE

–– Nagamootoo, Ramjattan say involvement of Cambridge Analytica, Mercury threat to elections in Guyana

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aid to flood-hit Coomacka

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

Democracy in danger –– Nagamootoo, Ramjattan say involvement of Cambridge Analytica, Mercury, threat to elections in Guyana –– urges public to support legislation against such companies the course of elections in its favour.

Cambridge Analytica is a data marketing firm that uses data to change audience behavior. It has been exposed internationally for its practices of data harvesting from tens of millions of Facebook users --- in some cases, pri-

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo AS long as political parties Ministerial Candidate, Khemare allowed to utilise the raj Ramjattan and Prime Minservices of unprincipled ister, Moses Nagamootoo, on companies which harness separate occasions. social media and personal Just recently, on June data to influence elections, 14, 2020, Brittany Kaiser of countries like Guyana will Cambridge Analytica Whisnever be able to assure its tleblower, appearing on The citizens untarnished demo- Red Line Podcast, explained cratic processes and politi- how Cambridge Analytica cal equality. was contracted by the PeoThis was a sentiment ple’s Progressive Party/Civic shared by APNU+AFC Prime (PPP/C) since 2013 to control

vate messages. The data is then used to identify target voter groups with designed targeted messages to influence opinion.

Meanwhile, Kaiser is the former Director of Programme Development at Cambridge Analytica. Revealing information previ-

APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan ously under wraps, she said of Cambridge Analytica that former PPP/C President, first started having discusDonald Ramotar, paid Ana- sions with President Ralytica G$80M for its services motar while engaging with for the manipulation of data.

See page 9 “In 2013, the SEL group

Former Director of Programme Development at Cambridge Analytica and present member of the Cambridge Analytica Whistleblower, Brittany Kaiser

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

‘Fresh elections under new list’ … top coalition official urges as Court of Appeal hands down ruling today

A SENIOR official of the APNUA+AFC Coalition is hopeful that the Court of Appeal would order fresh elections under a new list of electors.

The three-panel court will rule today on a series of orders being sought by the coalition regarding the March 2, 2020 polls. Should these orders be granted and the elections are nullified, the official said as a consequence the court should order fresh elections. “We have seen the Chief Elections Officer proffering what he called valid votes amounting to some 185,000 but we do not believe that those votes should be used to declare a winner, fresh elections under a new list would be the best solution to this crisis,” the official said.

Last week, when President David Granger was asked what should GECOM do given the report of the Chief Elections Officer which deemed the polls as massively flawed, he said that the Elections Commission could either instruct the CEO to compile a report for declaration, on the basis that the information contained in his report on the national recount is factual and credible, in its view, or it could decide that as a result of the “huge body of irregularities” cited in the report on the national recount, the basis does not exist for a declaration to be made.

“I think they can very well say that we cannot make a declaration, because the information indicates that the process has been badly flawed,” President Granger told journalists during an interview at State House. Such a move, he posited then, would land Guyana in “un-

charted waters”. The Head of State added: “It is widely known that if a declaration is made, and an interested party feels aggrieved, it can go to the courts, but, if there is no declaration, I think we are [going to be] in a legal no-man’s land.”

With the country running low on funds due to the absence of a national budget, President Granger said that should the elections be nullified, a mechanism would have to be put in place to reconvene Parliament to allow for finances to be appropriated to keep the country afloat, as it manoeuvres the “uncharted” territory.

Parliament was dissolved on December 30, 2019 to pave way for the 2020 elections.

However, the President noted that any move to reconvene Parliament would require “some form of agreement” among the Members of the 11th Parliament. “I cannot at this point say what legal mechanism could be employed to reconvene the 11th Parliament,” he posited, while noting that not much progress would be made in the absence of a Parliament, should the elections be nullified.

On Saturday, in the Court of Appeal, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, argued that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) clothed itself with the authority to determine the ‘final credible count’ of the General and Regional Elections when it enacted Order No. 60, but Kim Kyte-Thomas, the Legal Counsel representing the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, said no Order can supersede the Constitution, the Supreme Law

Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud

Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory

of the Land, and therefore GECOM cannot pronounce on the validity and credibility of the elections.

In his virtual oral submission in the case challenging GECOM’s failure to decide on the final credible count, the Attorney-General told the panel of three judges, led

by Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory, that the Elections Commission has a duty and responsibility under Article 162 of the Constitution and Order No. 60, to determine whether the General and Regional Elections held last March were fair and credible.

Minister Williams submitted that while Kyte-Thomas, in defence of her client, argued that the Elections Commission could not have clothed itself with jurisdiction to determine the credibility of the 2020 elections, GECOM did just that when it used Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act to bring Order No. 60 into legal effect. That Order, he posited, gave GECOM the jurisdiction to deal with credibility during the electoral process.

To prove his case, the Attorney-General invited the

judges -- Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud and High Court Judge, Brassington Reynolds -- to have a closer look at the provisions of Order No. 60, the legal cover GECOM used to facilitate a 33-day national recount. He submitted that throughout the Order and its amendment, GECOM undertook the responsibility to arrive at a final credible count before the elections results are declared. In keeping with the established criteria to determine credibility, there was a reconciliation of the ballots issued with the ballots cast, destroyed, spoiled and stamped. Further to that, the counterfoils or stubs, authenticity of the ballots, the number of voters listed and crossed out as having voted, the number of votes cast without ID cards, the number of proxies issued and utilised, the statistical anomalies and occurrences recorded in the Poll Books, were taken into consideration, and included in observation reports generated during the recount process, the Attorney-General pointed out.

“These are the powers that GECOM gave itself to determine the credibility of

High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds the Elections of March 2,” the Attorney-General put to the Appellate Court. He said, in particular, Paragraph 14 as cited in the addendum, establishes clearly the case for a “final credible count.”

The amended Order at Paragraph 14 states: “The commission shall, after deliberating on the report at Paragraph 12, determine whether it should request the Chief Elections Officer to use the data compiled in accordance with Paragraph 12 as the basis for the submission of a report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Cap 1:03, provided that the commission shall, no later than three (3) days after receiving the report, make the declaration of the results of the final credible count of the elections held 2nd day of March 2020.”

According to Paragraph 12 of the Order, the matrices for the recount of the 10 Electoral Districts must be tabulated by the Chief Elections Officer, and a report submitted to the Elections Commission together with a summary of the observation reports for each district.

GROUNDS FOR ANNULMENT Minister Williams was keen on pointing out that the Order provided the Elections Commission with the option of determining whether or not it should request the Chief Election Officer to use the data compiled as the basis for the submission of an elections report.

The Attorney-General submitted to the Appellate Court that utilising that option, GECOM should nullify the elections, on the basis that the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, in his report, indicated that the credibility of the elections could not have been ascertained due to widespread anomalies, and cases of voter impersonation that were discovered during the national recount.

He said the Elections Commission should not have requested the CEO to use the data to compile an elections report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, knowing very well that the elections were less than credible. The Chair of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, in requesting the Elections Report, said GECOM does not have the jurisdiction to investigate the anomalies, but the Attorney- General said Elections Commission has a duty to call off the elections, in light of the credibility issues.

“GECOM cannot make an order and [revert] from it; GECOM has to stay the course,” Williams argued, while maintaining that under Article 162 of the Constitution, GECOM, upon failing to conduct a credible and fair election, can annul it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2020

Indian forces kill armed fighters in Kashmir’s main city

(AL JAZEERA) Three fighters have been killed in a shoot-out with Indian government forces in the heart of Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar, police said on Sunday, two days after eight rebels were killed in another gun battle.

New Delhi has stepped up military operation in the disputed territory since the nationwide coronavirus lockdown was imposed in late March. Indian-administered Kashmir has been under a security lockdown since August last year when the Muslim-majority region’s limited autonomy was revoked.

The rebels were killed in a firefight in the Zoonimar area of the densely populated old city of Srinagar, a police officer who asked to remain anonymous told AFP news

agency.

One home was destroyed during the clash.

This was the second such gun battle in the old city in a week and took the death toll of armed fighters to at least 100 this year. More than 30 rebels have been killed in the past 20 days of this month, according to the local media.

Rebel groups have fought for decades for the region’s independence or its merger with Pakistan and enjoy broad popular support.

Just over a month ago, the son of a top pro-independence leader and his associate were killed in the city.

The May incident - a day-long firefight that saw 15 homes blown up by police and soldiers - was the first armed encounter between rebels and government forc-

Monday, June 23, 2020–– 05:00hrs & 06:30hrs

es in Srinagar in two years.

The fighting has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians, since 1989, when armed rebellion erupted against Indian rule.

India has more than 500,000 troops stationed in Kashmir, a Himalayan territory also claimed by Pakistan.

INDIAN FIRE KILLS PAKISTANI GIRL Meanwhile, local officials and Pakistan’s military said Indian troops - backed by artillery and long-range guns - fired on villages along the border in the Pakistani-administered side of the Kashmir region, killing a 13-year-old-girl and wounding her mother and brother.

In a statement on Sunday, Pakistan’s military blamed the Indian army for initiating Saturday night’s “unprovoked ceasefire violation” in the villages of Hajipir and Bedori. It said Pakistani troops “effectively responded” to the Indian fire, without elaborating.

Mortars fired by Indian troops also damaged several homes, according to local

media reports and government officials.

In neighbouring India, the local police blamed Pakistani troops for initiating the gunfire, saying Pakistani mortar shelling wounded five civilians on their side of Kashmir.

Pakistan and India often trade fire in the disputed Himalayan region, with both blaming the other side for initiating the fire. The latest incident comes days after Indian fire killed four villagers in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

To discuss the latest development, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir will hold an emergency meeting via videoconference on Monday.

The online meet will bring together the foreign ministers of the Jammu And Kashmir Contact Group member states: Azerbaijan, Niger, Pakistan Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the OIC said in a statement.

“The meeting is part of a series of continuous Jammu And Kashmir Contact Group

meetings to address the issue,” OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen was quoted as saying.

Tensions have soared between Pakistan and India since last August, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist-led government removed Article 30 of the constitution that guaranteed special status to the Muslim-majority region, touching off anger in Indian-controlled Kashmir and in Pakistan. Pakistan wants

the changes reversed.

Since early May, China and Indian troops have been engaged in a standoff on their disputed border in Ladakh region, which was carved out of Kashmir last August. Defence experts say China has objected to New Delhi’s decision to change the status of Kashmir.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from British rule in 1947.

Spain lifts coronavirus state of emergency and reopens borders (AL JAZEERA) Passengers wearing masks and wheeling suitcases arrived at Madrid’s main airport and French people crossed the border to buy bargain alcohol and tobacco on Sunday as Spain opened its borders to most European countries and ended a state of emergency imposed to contain COVID-19.

Spain’s borders are now open to all European Union countries except Portugal, as well as Schengen Area members outside the bloc and the United Kingdom in a much-needed boost to the country’s tourism industry which accounts for more than 12 percent of the economy.

BACK TO NORMAL People with suitcases boarded trains at Madrid’s Atocha station heading for coastal Valencia, after being confined to Madrid for months, more than 300km (186 miles) from the seaside.

Meanwhile, French people crossed the border to queue for relatively cheaper tobacco and alcohol in the northern city of Irun.

“Today it’s all getting a bit back to normal. It’s good for the shops, for the economy, for everything,” said shop owner Luis Mancho.

Some 1,500 German

tourists touched down in Mallorca early last week as part of a pilot scheme to establish a travel corridor between the two areas, before the lifting of restrictions on Sunday.

“We will allow British visitors to enter Spain just like the rest of the European Union or Schengen area from 21 June freely and without the need for the quarantine,” Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told BBC News on Saturday.

But the UK’s quarantine measures, requiring a two-week self-isolation for most people entering the country, could put off potential travellers. The UK is due to review its quarantine rule on June 29, three weeks after it was introduced.

Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said Spain was ready to welcome tourists in an interview with the ABC newspaper on Sunday, but added the country has to work to get that message out.

“We have to build trust,” she said. “Translate to travellers, Spaniards and foreigners, that the country is a safe destination.”

Spain, which has recorded about 246,000 coronavirus cases and more than 28,000 deaths, has been easing its lockdown restrictions in recent weeks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

One new COVID-19 case recorded

GUYANA recorded another COVID-19 case on Sunday, after some 60 persons were tested. Even as a new case is added, the country recorded another recovery, taking the total number of recoveries to 103. To date, 184 persons have tested positive with the disease.

The additional 60 tests take the total number of persons tested to 2,108; and according to the results of those tested, 1,924 have so far tested negative. Of the 184 confirmed cases, 103

persons have recovered and 12 persons have lost their lives; the remaining persons are being monitored in institutional isolation.

According to the Public Health Ministry, there is no one in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit – a positive sign for the country.

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) is still the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of communities outside of Georgetown which have recorded cases. The Cuyuni-Mazaruni

Region, notably Aranka, has the second highest number of confirmed cases; it is a mining community which means that there is continuous movement in and out of the area, making it extremely easy for the disease to spread.

Among communities on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey, while among

those on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

“I wish to remind you that we are at a much higher risk because COVID-19 is rampant in our bordering countries and we have not seen a reduction but a constant increase in the number of positive cases,” said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in a virtual COVID-19 update, last Friday.

Regions One (Bari-

ma-Waini), Four and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) are the regions which have been most impacted by the disease.

“The mining community is now one of the most vulnerable groups for the spread of this disease…Residents in Region Seven, I wish to make a special appeal to you as the situation in your community is of grave concern to the ministry,” Dr. Persaud lamented.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue, not just here in

Guyana, but globally as well, and, according to global statistics, there are 8.3 million cases of COVID-19, with over 450,000 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.

Blossom Inc. reaching out to those in need BLOSSOM Inc. is a children’s charitable organisation based in Guyana and is best known for working along with children who were sexually abused or severely physically abused.

However, in a time of need, the organisation is not only giving psychological support but it is also distributing hampers to persons in need.

Several families in Region 10 have recently benefitted

from the organisation’s caring gesture. According to Coordinator of Blossom Inc., Melissa Chapman, the distribution was the organisation’s way of helping persons to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the organisation is not allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to stop it from carrying out its duties.

The organisation now does virtual counselling with its clients. It also does forensic interviews, while observing

the hygienic guidelines put out by the Ministry of Public Health.

“Due to the pandemic we are working from home but we still go out and conduct our forensic interviews when the police call and report a matter. Also, every week we call our clients, find out how they are coping and we give them different coping strategies. They are allowed to call us, at any time, if they feel the need to talk because you know

Suspect in teen murder case returns to crime scene DETECTIVES investigating the murder of 17-year-old Melissa Soman returned to the scene at Gaetroy Village, Berbice River on Sunday, where the suspect pointed out where he had slapped the teenager prior to her falling overboard, resulting in her death.

On June 17, around 20:30hrs, the suspect, the now deceased and a relative were in a wooden paddle boat returning to De Veldt after attending a birthday party at Gaetroy Village, Berbice River.

While travelling, an argument erupted during which Soman was slapped by the suspect, as a result of which she fell overboard.

The suspect’s relative

managed to pull her out of the water but even as she re-entered the boat another argument erupted, and again, she was slapped; Soman reportedly fell overboard a second time. The suspect’s relative reportedly made several attempts to rescue the teen, but was unsuccessful.

The suspect allegedly did not make any effort to rescue the young lady.

It was not until the following day – June 18 – that the police while on patrol in the riverain community were informed of the incident.

That very day, the body of Melissa Soman was fished out of the river. She was clad in a black and white skirt, peach top and a blue bra. It was observed that the upper torso, face and right hand

Dead: Melissa Soman appeared to have been eaten by fish. Soman’s body was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The suspect was arrested on June 19.

A post-mortem is scheduled for tomorrow (Monday).

The suspect, his relative and the detectives at the New Amsterdam Stelling on Sunday afternoon

some children would want to vent about something that’s bothering them,” explained Chapman.

Chapman noted that hampers were also distributed in Region 4, with Region 7 being next on the non-governmental organisation’s agenda to benefit from the hamper distribution.

Blossom Inc. was registered in 2014 and founded with the aims of supporting the Guyana Police Force and Child Care and Protection Agency with sensitive cases

of child abuse, and to support children and families affected by trauma.

The organisation, which was founded by Family Therapist, Ayo Dalgety-Dean, specialises in forensic interview and therapeutic counselling so that children who have suffered from trauma can begin a healthy healing process and have a better future.

The Blossom Inc. conducts outreach sessions across the country providing much needed awareness on child sexual abuse and violence.

The organisation has branches in Regions One, Two, Four, Seven, 10 and is currently in the process of opening a branch in Kwakwani where there have been numerous reports of sexual abuse.

If you know of a child who is being abused, you are being advised to contact the Child Care and Protection Agency’s hotline on telephone number 2270979.

Persons interested in contributing to the organisation can call 6596700.

Delivery man to receive new bike after being robbed THE founder and Chief Executive Officer of A to B Delivery Inc, who was recently robbed and beaten by a gang of armed bandits in South Ruimveldt Park was on Sunday morning the recipient of a tremendous outpouring of love and support from well-wishers.

One of those well-wishers was the management of Sheriff Security Services, which opted to donate to the young entrepreneur, Damion Vantull, a brand-new mo-

torcycle after his was stolen during the robbery.

“As we continue to support each other through these uncertain times, the company will take the initiative to lend a helping hand to this young man by donating a brand new motorcycle to him,” the security firm said in a statement.

During the ordeal, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, Vantull sustained a deep wound in the face, and several other superficial bruises about the body. He told the A to B Delivery’s owner, Damion Vantull

The injuries Vantull sustained during the robbery

Guyana Chronicle that he was pushed of his motorcycle by one bandit, while another attacked him with a knife.

The incident was subsequently reported to the Ruimveldt Police Station.

A similar incident occurred on Friday morning in the said South Ruimveldt Park when an employee of Xpress Delivery was robbed of his motorcycle and other valuables.

The delivery man was seen on a surveillance camera in a scuffle with one of the bandits after refusing to give up his valuables.

The bandits were armed with a gun and knife.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

The Recount Order is the elephant in the room

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HE Court of Appeal will today hand down its ruling in the election declaration challenge brought by lawyers for APNU+AFC supporter, Eslyn David.

The court would have to first determine whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case.

Lawyers for the PPP and GECOM chair, Justice Claudette Singh, have contended that the Court of Appeal does not have such jurisdiction given that Article 177 (4) assumes that a president must first be elected before the court can entertain such a case.

But the lawyers for Eslyn David and the Attorney General rejected that interpretation by arguing that the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear any matter that has to do with the qualification of the president.

John Jeremie ,Counsel for Eslyn David, cited as justification for his position the Eusi Kwayana case (1980) when the Court of Appeal agreed to hear Kwayana’s application challenging the oath taken by President

Burnham. According to Jeremie, “Parliament does not legislate in vain. The exclusive jurisdiction to interpret the Constitution in accordance with Article 177 (4) is afforded to the Court of Appeal and the Court of Appeal alone. There is no similar provision granting the same jurisdiction to the High Court acting as an election court.”

This publication is swayed by the submissions that the Court of Appeal does have jurisdiction to hear this case. It is our view that given the fact that the matter at hand has to do with the validity of votes to determine the declaration of the president, it does confirm to the “qualification” mandate of Article 177 (4). Further, Mr. Jeremie’s distinction between the expressed powers of the High Court and those of the Court of Appeal as they relate to elections is very compelling.

The substantive matter before the Court has to do with the standing of the Recount Order which was gazetted by GECOM to

effect the recently concluded recount. Ms. David is challenging the order by the GECOM chair to compel the Chief Elections Officer to produce a report that ignores the observation report of the said recount. The court must rule on whether the Chairman can choose to ignore the Recount Order.

Counsel for the Chair has virtually abandoned the Recount Order by maintaining that the Constitution is the supreme law and as such the court must put little store on the order. We find that argument to be very unconvincing and perhaps dishonest. The Recount order came as a result of a constitutional imperative. It was justified by Article 162 (b) which states that the elections commission “shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing du-

ties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid.”

Consistent with the article cited above GECOM chair justified the Recount Order this way: “Thus , once there is evidence that the electoral process was compromised, then to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the constitution, the commission is constitutionally mandated to intervene to ensure public confidence in the electoral process.”

It is therefore the height of inconsistency to now argue that the Recount Order has no constitutional standing. We believe it does and the chair is thus compelled to heed its findings in determining the outcome of the election. The lawyers for the PPP and GECOM chair are conveniently running away from the fact that the Recount Order is the elephant in the room. It cannot be wished away. And no amount of sheltering under the constitution would suffice. We await the verdict of the court.

Open letter to the members of the Catholic community My dear brothers and sisters,

L

AST Sunday we celebrated the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ; a very special feast in our tradition. This feast takes us into the mystery of God inhabiting the human state and through this act of love opening ways for us to have a fuller share and communion in the divine. In this feast we also celebrate the Body of Christ which is the people of God. We celebrate the many and diverse expressions of gifts and life that make up the body.

St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor.12:12 ff) gives a beautiful analogy of the human body to the body that is the people of God; the many parts and functions of the body working in harmony, in mutual dependency, each part sustaining life in the others, bringing about a whole in celebration of life, reflecting the divine. It is a wonderful image of what a people can and ought to be.

You, the people of God of this nation Guyana, in the civil domain have been on hold since December 21, 2018. From that time until the present the major political parties have had much to say, the courts have spoken, diplomats and observers have added their perspectives,

the elections commission has carried out its mandate. Local groups and individuals have given their views. What stands out in all of this is what you the people of God of this nation have shown. You have waited with patience and trust, you have admirably done your part in turning out to the polls and casting your vote.

Over ten thousand persons, from among you, have supervised the voting procedure at the 2,239 polling stations and done so in a responsible manner - so proved by the statements of polls and recount. In spite of the uncertainties that have been proffered, you the people as a body have held the body together. We give thanks to God for this.

Added to the matters of governance you also had to contend with the threat of the coronavirus and COVID-19. Here too you, the people of God, have risen to the call to keep the threat of the virus at bay. I have seen the very noticeable efforts on the part of many to wear their masks, to wash hands and sanitize, to keep distances and minimize gathering.

This, I am sure, has contributed to the relatively low rates of infection from the virus.

This we must sustain in order to overcome the threat. I have heard of the many positive and creative initiatives of people working at

home, accessing lessons on line, reaching out through streaming and Zooming to keep in touch and to offer encouragement. Reports have come to me of many who have been celebrating their faith in their homes and in their families and also with the wider community via various digital avenues. Guyana is the home for many faiths and many who profess and celebrate their faith in their daily course of life. It is wonderful to see.

We know that not everyone has fully grasped the gravity of the threat of COVID-19 and not complied fully with the sacrifice that we are all called to make in order to protect each other. Let us continue to reach out to that part of the body and draw them into the mainstream of life and love. There are reports that within some of our homes where relationships have been strained, more so with the lockdown and stay home requirements and where children are at home from school, that there are instances of violent behaviour. This is a very troubling reality for us and leaves terrible wounds and scars on the body of God’s people. At present and in the aftermath of COVID-19 an all out and concerted effort needs to be sustained to ensure that the fullest respect is shown to all by all in an effort

to remove this scourge of violence, in all its forms, from our midst altogether.

You the people, the body of this nation, have stood tall and firm through the whole period during which the nation was processing matters to do with governance and the threat of a pandemic. What you have done gives very positive testimony of this nation. You have kept faith, sustained hope and looked out for each other in love.

From this very solid position you can now turn to that part of the body, the leadership duly elected, made up of government and opposition, with legitimate expectations to have them honor your vote and act in diligent service and oversight of all matters pertaining to your well-being. You, the people of this nation, and how you have shown yourselves, are gifts in the hands of those elected to govern. We pray that the whole body will forge a way forward, coming together as a whole -- One People, One Nation, One Destiny -- marked with the enduring gifts of faith, hope and love.

Regards Francis Alleyne OSB Bishop of Georgetown

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

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Flooding and COVID-19 in South Rupununi Dear Editor,

W

HILE there has been much attention to coastal flooding in the country, not much has been written about flooding in the Rupununi.

The seasonal floods in the Rupununi region during the annual rainy season have continuously been affecting Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), which in extreme cases had adversely affected many communities. The region experiences only one dry and one wet season, when the effects of flooding are felt during the latter, usually extending from April to July. Based on climatic studies in the region, over 80 per cent of the annual rainfall occurs during the rainy season in the Rupununi. Normally this results in extensive flooding of the immediate landscape, creating huge seasonal wetlands. Although this is a natural occurrence that has many advantages for the natural environment, it has been considered an issue for inhabitants, as livelihoods across the region are affected.

In some cases transportation to and from

communities across the region are affected, as overland transportation routes are disrupted; at times, communication to the town of Lethem, the only regional source of supply of goods and services is completely cut off. Alternatively, air travel to these communities has proven extremely expensive. Furthermore, flooding also affects the town of Lethem as the condition of the Georgetown-Lethem trail usually deteriorates during the rainy season. Based on past experiences, the prices of goods and services in the rest of the region are usually then inflated. Additionally, normal village activities such as agriculture are disrupted, affecting the main economic activity within some villages.

Fortunately, the effects of such floods are not life-threatening as in other countries.

To add to the situation, comes COVID-19, at a most sensitive time, when the effects of the annual floods are felt simultaneously. So far there has been no reported case of coronavirus infection in the South Rupununi, but a general fear has led people to be more sensitive to traffic passing through communities.; this is partly because of the outburst of numbers in neighbouring Brazil that has become

Anomalies, widespread evidence of fraud in the elections are unbelievable Dear Sir,

T

HE elections held in Guyana in March of 2020 have revealed evidence of widespread fraud, which was clearly orchestrated to hand the presidency to Irfaan Ali and the country to the People’s Progressive Party. However, the Guyanese people will not be bullied or fooled.

I would like to compare the United States presidential election of 2016 with that of Guyana; concerns were raised about the integrity of the election held in the US, and where evidence of anomalies may have affected the results. In Michigan, for example, Trump won by 10,704 votes (0.2%); he also won Pennsylvania by 49,543 votes (0.8%) and Wisconsin by 27,257 votes (0.7%). A shift of half these votes would have been a win for Hilary Clinton, but this was not to be. In the end, Trump received 304 electoral votes and Clinton received 227. Trump became the fifth president in the history of the United States to become President while losing the nation-wide popular vote. Allegations were made of hacking, and outside attempts to alter the voting technology in the US 2016 elections. It was because of those allegations that one Jill Stein engineered a “recount” to see whether the process revealed any evidence of electoral fraud. According to Ms.

Stein, “The recounts are part of an election integrity movement to attempt to shine light on just how untrustworthy the US election system is.”

Unfortunately, at the end of the “recount” process, there were not enough votes to help Mrs. Clinton, and no evidence to support, that there was tampering with the results.

In Guyana however, the anomalies and widespread evidence of electoral fraud in the 2020 elections are unbelievable. There is glaring evidence to show, for example, that more ballots were recorded in a polling station than there are (electors) on the list of electors. Undoubtedly, a record showing that you have 380 votes when there are only 300 registered voters at the polling station can never be credible. In any school or learning institution when you are caught “cheating” you are either not given a pass mark, or you are expelled from the institution.

The People’s Progressive Party is asking the court to declare them the winner of an election based on “fraudulent ballots.” How did they get those votes? The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has the report of the chief elections officer which shows that there are over 265,000 flawed votes. As Guyanese, should we shout to the heavens that the king has clothes when he is absolutely naked?

It has been noted that

after the elections of March 2020, we have seen tremendous pressure on the coalition government from the international community with regard to the General and Regional Elections held in Guyana.

However, it is worthy of note that in 1997, Dr. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, one of the Commonwealth observers to the 1997 elections in Guyana, stated:“We have no executive role. Our function is to observe the process as a whole and form an impartial judgment on credibility of the exercise.

“Our remit is to observe all relevant aspects of the organisation and conduct of the elections in accordance with the laws of Guyana, and at the end make an independent assessment as to whether the conditions existed for the people of Guyana to freely express their will through the polls.”

I do hope that from then to now their remit has not changed. However, we all know too well what happened when an interim order for a restraint, which was granted by the then Chief Justice Desiree Bernard, was served on Janet Jagan, who later became President of Guyana, and the many atrocities which later befell us under her presidency. Was she a flower named June?

Regards Ivor Lynch

the epicentre of the disease. Many transportation routes have been cut off due to rising water levels across the region. While this has been limiting transportation across the region, COVID-19 has enforced additional constraints on regional communication. This has further compounded the situation for transportation of goods and services, and communication within the region.

Before the rainy season fear of the deadly virus had caused the village councils of South Rupununi communities to implement drastic measures in an attempt to prevent transmission; these included preventing the entry of persons and vehicles in and out of their communities. This was already limiting the transportation of essential goods and services from Lethem to the rest of the region, even before the rainy season.

It is known that indigenous populations are one of the most vulnerable groups to infectious diseases and that health facilities cannot cope with outbreaks. Across in neighbouring Brazil the virus has reached many indigenous territories where there exist poor health facilities, and according to the Brazilian

Indigenous Peoples’ Association, it is affecting a population that has a history of being decimated by outside diseases. Conversely, in the Rupununi, many residents have reverted to their farms, and unfortunately for some in areas that are threatened by floods in times of severe climatic conditions. Although local businesses are functioning normally, measures enforced as a result of the COVID-19 situation and the annual flooding season, have negatively affected the inflow of essential goods and services into the sub-region.

Therefore, it is up to the leaders to prioritise the continued implementation of systems to prevent the transmission of the virus, while regulating the flow of goods and services. Although the situation is quite new, it must be adapted to in the fight against the pandemic that has been affecting all. Kudos to the toshaos in the Rupununi for doing a good job thus far during this crucial time, in the attempt to keep the villages safe despite the other challenges.

Yours faithfully, Timothy Williams

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

If GECOM cannot adjudicate validity of votes the recount was farcical Dear Editor,

W

HILE I am no lawyer, please permit me to give my views on the present elections impasse. To me the laws are logical, and if anyone challenges me on the logic of the law, then they will be admitting that the law is illogical.

In late March I penned a letter to the editor that was given the caption: “Verify Voters’ Whereabouts,” GC March, 24, 2020, when I posited that for a process to be deemed credible, it had to pass some litmus tests. I went on to paint some scenarios that could be presented that would make the process not credible.

My writings were prophetic. I was pleased however to see that the recount process followed, in general, some of my recommendations.

Now we are at this stage where some are insinuating that the laws are illogical.

First of all, let me point out Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Part XI Ascertainment of Elections Results: “The Chief Elections Officer shall calculate the total number of valid votes of electors which have been cast for each list of candidates and thereupon shall ascertain the results of the elections in accordance with Sections 97 and 98 of the Representation of the People Act.” Implicit in this section is the fact that: 1. The Chief Elections Officer, and by extension, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), has to set aside votes which are deemed invalid before calculating the number of valid votes cast. Given the Guyana context, we all know that not all votes are valid, hence the act of separation. This is but a mere administrative activity that needs no court to pronounce on.

2. A valid vote is one that meets the requirements set out by GECOM, and for which all polling day staff were trained and practiced in. Any deviation from those practices will deem such votes not valid. We saw a plethora of such in the recount.

3. Any reference to votes in relation to elections where the outcome is to be determined is a reference to valid votes.

It is in that regard that the commission was careful to insert by way of an addendum dated 29th May, 2020, the following: “Paragraph 14 of the Order is hereby amended to read as follows: The commission shall, after deliberating on the report at paragraph 12, determine whether it should request the chief elections officer to use the data compiled in accordance with paragraph 12 as the basis for the submission of a report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act Chapter 1:03, provided that the commission shall, no later than three days after receiving the report, make a declaration of the results of the final credible count of the elections held on the 2nd day of March, 2020.”

By this amendment the commission was cognisant of the need to use only valid votes to arrive at credibility, since any vote that was not valid and was included in the recount will not render the elections credible. That fact did not escape the commission when they made this amendment to the original Order.

This was further emphasised in the preliminaries to the Final Plan for Recount of General and Regional Elections 2020, a document prepared by GECOM. The document states thus: “The goal of the national recount is to provide results of the General and Regional Elections 2020 which are credible.”

It went on to state further: “The commission has agreed that the singular objective of the national recount is to ensure the final count of votes cast in the elections is accurate and meets the credibility criteria.”

At item in the document states that this is what was supposed to happen: “At the end of the national recount exercise, the CEO will compile a cumulative statement of the final count for all 10 districts.

This report of the national final count will in-

clude information on the number of votes cast for each list of candidates and a summation of the Observation Reports of anomalies for submission to the commission to determine the finality of the count.”

This item is a clear indication of what was to be done at the level of the Commission, but was not done because the chairperson suddenly realised that the commission could not “clothe itself with jurisdiction to establish itself as a Court of Law to determine the credibility of an election.”

Well that was already done from the time she made Order 60/2020. That Order effectively transformed GECOM into a Court of Law to adjudicate matters that were usually meant for an elections petition.

Another grave dereliction of duty of the chairperson is the fact that she admitted that some of the allegations are of a serious nature and must be addressed. She did not say how, or by whom.

I want to respectfully posit that the chairperson has that authority. The serious matters she was alluding to are of an administrative nature that the commission can deal with.

In other words, she is saying that I could have procured 3,000 17-year-olds to vote and the commission could do nothing about that, once it was brought to their attention? I’d rather think not.

In abdicating her responsibility she is pandering to unseen forces. She has already established GECOM as a court of law. If she cannot adjudicate on the validity of votes, then the whole recount was a farce and should be discarded by a proper court of law.

Coming back to Order 4 in the Addendum, it speaks to the CEO using data compiled to inform his report to the commission. What comprised that data?

Let me remind your readership: • Missing Poll Books • Ballot Boxes with no supporting documents inside, just marked ballots • Missing counterfoils • Ballots from one region in the box

of another • More ballots in boxes than what were supposed to be at a particular polling station • Unsigned Certificates of Employment • Improperly issued proxies • Dead people voting • Overseas-based Guyanese voting, even though they were not in Guyana on elections day • Unused ballot papers missing, among others.

Editor, this is the information that GECOM ought to have used to determine valid votes cast at the elections. These issues are administrative ones and need no court to rule on.

The chairperson of the commission knew from day one that she was not going to complete the process. This evidence is contained in Whereas number two of the original Order.

The whereas states thus: “Whereas…proposal for a total recount of all electoral districts as a means of assuaging the contesting parties and determining a final, credible count.

While the determining of a final credible count is once again mentioned, the chairperson showed her intentions not to proceed to the conclusion. The word assuaging was used.

The meaning of that word is as follows: Make, especially an unpleasant feeling, less intense. Similar words will include relieve, ease, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, dampen, calm, suppress, smother, stifle, subdue. From all of her actions to date, the chairperson obviously is trying to suppress and subdue the coalition. And why not? Everybody else is doing it, even the CARICOM team which examined 423 ballot boxes out of 2,339 and found missing documents in 29 of them.

Yours faithfully, Carl Parker

Failed Minister looking for happy ending Dear Editor,

I

T is a fair conclusion to say that the entire country is currently in discussion pertaining to the March 2020 Regional and General Elections and while most of the discussions are constructive in my view, we do have instances when sections of our society are partisan in their thinking.

My friends and I recently were examining the outburst of former Minister Dominic Gaskin and it was our collective view that he failed as a minister of the current government and is looking for a happy ending.

Mr. Gaskin, an executive member of the Alliance For Change, spent close to four years as the Minister of Business and we cannot find one reason to praise him for his duties during those years. Instead, we believe that he has

recognised that he failed to stimulate the business arena of our country and did absolutely nothing to create new business ventures. He inherited a number of business ventures from the PPP/C and after four years, the projects remain the same and in some cases deteriorated. An example that quickly comes to mind is the Wakenaam and Leguan plantain chip factories.

When my friends and I considered this point we drew the conclusion that Mr. Gaskin may be upset because he is not in the actual management team of the APNU+AFC for elections 2020; but maybe we are wrong, after all our discussions are oftentimes over vodka and orange juice.

Editor, with all joke and fun aside, this election is fraught with heavy fraud and no right-minded Guyanese can want a declaration simply because it is far, far, far from credible. Guyanese people deserve credible results and Mr.

Gaskin should give his view on the fraud that was unearthed at the recount exercise. Yes, Mingo did wrong, but thanks to Mingo the world is now seeing where the actual fraud is and we need to fix it forthwith.

In conclusion, my friends and I believe that Mr. Gaskin is trying to come over as the decent person in all of this. He wants the discussion to be shifted from his failure as a minister to his principles that he is purporting to have, but we will never forget that he was a failed minister under the David Granger-led administration.

Regards Martin King Seeram RajPersaud Harriram Lallbehary

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

Dominic Gaskin should read ‘confessions of an economic hitman’ Dear editor, “CONFESSIONS of an Economic Hitman” is a book that I would recommend to all right-thinking Guyanese, at home and abroad. It speaks explicitly to “U.S. foreign policy and how economies are undermined by large profit-driven corporations in the United States.

John Perkins published this book in 2004. The book explains that imperialists and capitalists’ drive is so strong and so pervasive, that it has become the primary cause of most wars, pollution, starvation, species extinctions, and genocides. It speaks to decisions that have great significance which are made by powerful men and women, which impact millions of people, are made by people who are driven by self-interest rather than by a desire to do the right thing.

Regime change is a real phenomenon which is on the agenda of the countries who want to protect their self-interests and express no care about the human and economic causalities that follow. Regime change was achieved in Libya in 2011 when Muammar Gadhafi was painted by the Western media as an evil dictator. In 2019 the imperialists were successful in achieving regime change again in Bolivia, our South American neighbour, by influencing a military coup.

The mother of all elections which took place on March 02, 2020 was clearly tainted with all types of fraud. The imperialists were at it again. They are fully aware more than most Guyanese, of the value of Guyana’s oil and gas industry. They are aware that President Granger who is the more unbribable official Guyana or the Caribbean has ever seen does not care for personal wealth. I posit that Mr. Granger is of no use to the the Imperialists; as President, Granger will give all of the oil proceeds to the people and ensure that the children and generations of Guyanese after us will benefit from what rightfully belongs to us.

The imperialists engaged in the same interference that they condemned in their 2016 elections. Several Heads of a foreign mission were seen walking in and out of the GECOM’s chairperson’s office. What did they tell the GECOM chairperson, only God, they and the chairperson know! Another head of a foreign mission barged in on a meeting with the GECOM commissioners and began to instruct them. If the stance of the foreign missions in Guyana isn’t interference, then I am at a loss for words as to what interference means. Former Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin has taken his seat next to Charandass Persaud and is now claiming that the coalition lost the elections. A simple Google search of Mr.

Democracy in ...

From page 2

the People’s Progressive Party,” she stated on the programme.

“They conducted the type of political research that I talked to you about earlier, they did a behavioural poll and what they call a Target Audience Analysis (TAA) and that is large scale national research where they would have done those qualitative focus groups and then quantitative surveys in order to understand as much as possible from the population. From their politics to their culture to their affiliations, the way that they do their decision making…and that allowed them to go about an entire elections strategy based on what they found out from that research.”

Kaiser said that the PPP/C used the information for its advertisement and communication strategies and had a satellite team both in-country and internationally from the London Headquarters.

She said: “Not all countries actually allow political support from abroad or even political support from foreigners so it’s usually a satellite team that can be hidden in-country and is not obvious to the opposition that foreign assistance is active.”

Kaiser believes that even with the assistance the PPP/C lost the elections either because it did not sufficiently prepare for the elections; did not spend enough money; did not have a good candidate or, possibly, a combination of all three.

“From what I can see in the documents that I’m looking at, it seems like the PPP was going to have a really hard

time in that elections regardless of if they had support or not. They were having trouble engaging with their base and a lot of people were completely unconvinced

by President Ramotar’s effectiveness in office,” she explained.

INTERESTING LINKS Appearing on an APNU+AFC programme on Friday, APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, said that it was only through the airing of the podcast that he learnt that members of Cambridge Analytica had been present in the country.

He said that Kaiser’s comments put his thoughts back to when members of the government found out on the day of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections that representatives of Mercury Public Affairs --an American firm contracted by the PPP/C in March 2019 --- were in the country and were found in possession of cyber equipment.

The firm was embroiled in the probe into alleged Russian interference in U.S. elections but was nonetheless hired by the PPP/C to help run its elections campaign. At the time, Leader of the Opposition, Bahrrat Jagdeo, described the move to hire Mercury Public Affairs as “proactive.”

When Ramjattan raised the allegation of Russian interference after being informed of such by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), cyber equipment including computers and flash drives were seized; the three men were

Gaskin would indicate that Dominic Gaskin’s rise to popularity is primarily based on his appointment as Minister of Business.

Mr. Gaskin, a local jewellery store owner was appointed to this position in 2015 by the incumbent APNU+ AFC coalition. I really searched for his accomplishments at the Ministry of Business but sad to say, I came up empty-handed. Most persons simply know of his existence because he is the President’s son-in-law. I’ve watched Mr. Gaskin when all of the MPs and ministers voluntarily gave up their dual citizenship after the concocted no-confidence vote in 2018, Mr. Harmon, former Minister at the Ministry of the Presidency and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge among others give up their dual citizenship, but not Mr. Gaskin. He came up with a frivolous excuse as to why he could not surrender his British citizenship. The ministers and MPs who gave up their dual- citizenship clearly indicated that they are in the struggle with the Guyanese people for betterment.

Gaskin on the other hand clearly indicated that he will keep his safety net so if things in Guyana don’t go according to his plans, that he could leave at any time. At this point I must confess that it was a struggle to find any achievements listed under his name. He is therefore covered by the overall achievement of the APNU+AFC coalition. questioned and were subsequently deported from the country.

“They were seen talking to some PPP/C members at the Marriott. I’m not lying, that’s the information we have, we have photographs and, moreover, one conceded that he was talking to the Leader of the Opposition,” Ramjattan stated.

The Opposition Leader has acknowledged that the firm was contracted for G$34M to lobby U.S. support for his party and, as a result, the country has since seen several messages coming from U.S. congressmen on the Guyana situation which some have argued amount to interference.

The Public Security Minister does not believe that the G$34M is being paid for the said cause. He stated on Friday: “It is important to note that that kind of money, it could not have been that they are lobbying congressmen. When we started the Alliance For Change, myself, Raphael [Trotman] and a number of people…we utilised our AFC Chapter in Atlanta, in Washington DC, in New York and so on, to plead with them to go meet Senator Cardin and these important people. You don’t have to pay them to meet.”

Ramjattan believes that the money was used to create political ads, much like the types Cambridge Analytica specialises in, to alter the course of the elections. He said that the GPF is still doing investigations in relation to the matter.

A SERIOUS MATTER Expounding further, Ramjattan said that while some Guyanese have found humour in the situation of Russian interference, fueled by the Opposition to discredit the suspicions, persons should open their eyes and actually question the

Secondly, when there was debate within the coalition as to who would fill the post of prime ministerial candidate, he was heard on radio and television expressing that he is “battle-ready!” Battle-ready against his, at that time, government which he was a part of. Now he is exhibiting that he really does not stand for anything. Clearly he hasn’t read, “Confessions of an Economic Hitman” which is exactly what is playing out in Guyana. He ensured that in order to protect his little British passport, that he is siding with those who are deliberately attempting to bully the Government of Guyana into regime change. This regime change which the imperialists have succeeded in doing in Bolivia in 2018, In Iraq and in Libya. Mr. Gaskin, these tactics by the imperialists are old.

You can say whatever you want to say now, but we are well aware that you always have your little safety net, so leave us in Guyana who choose to stay, who chose to renounce foreign citizenship to work out what happens in Guyana.

We who read, and are knowledgeable about current events see right through the imperialists, but all you see Gaskin is your little burgundy passport.

AFC Member Region Two involvement of such companies in Guyana’s elections, companies that have been pinpointed in grave cases of interference.

“People could say that we are only jumping to conclusions but if you now know what Cambridge Analytica can do, what Mercury can do, what interference can come from people of that ilk, who can throw your psycho-demographics and then push nasty disinformation and fake news and all of that.

That’s probably where we got distracted from and that is where our gaze ought to have been…the people will have to urge that there is legislation against these things,” Ramjattan said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo said in his Sunday column, ‘My Turn’: “It is clear that there are foreign footprints all over Guyana’s general and local government elections in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020, and since there are no campaign financing laws, it would be, for now, almost impossible to trace the billions lavished by the PPP/C on dirty tricks.”

He said that it is clear that, with the records showing a decline of votes to the PPP/C since 2001, the party has turned to ulterior motives. Nagamootoo said that while the party has succeeded in influencing many foreign diplomats to speak on the Guyana situation in its favour, he is pleased that not all in the international community have taken up such stance.

On the other hand, Ramjattan urged Guyanese, especially the younger generation, to seek out higher education in the field of data and technology so that they can provide information to their country on how to deal with such matters. He said that unless action is taken, Guyana’s democracy remains in danger.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

Are we stressing our children?

AS adults, we face some traumatic times in our lives but we are meant to have coping skills and deductive, rational abilities to help us overcome whatever hardships come our way. Although distressing events may never leave our minds completely, in time, most of us learn to accept them and move on with our lives.

Trauma can be caused by so many things that happen; they can range from parting with a loved one to witnessing an accident or domestic abuse. Being physically or sexually abused or simply moving home; leaving behind a secure environment to embark on a new one are also traumatic events, especially for children.

Because children’s minds are vulnerable, trauma will affect them in a different way to adults. Even a slap around the head for telling a lie or having their ear wrung can seem traumatic from a child’s prospective.

A child’s perception of what is happening to them is significant because childhood experiences shape their outlook on life either positively or negatively. Recent studies have shown that traumatic experiences during formative years can also be a risk factor to whether a person is more susceptible to mental and physical health issues in later life.

Issues such as depression, obesity, cancer, heart attack, stroke and diabetes.

It seems, the more we learn about how to treat the human body, the more we realise how much we can influence its potential out-

come and longevity. The risk of developing an illness in adulthood, which was triggered by childhood trauma, increases with the amount of negative experiences that a child is exposed to - and endures.

To adults, some traumatic experiences may appear to pass over the heads of children, or they might believe that their children are coping well with a distressing change that has occurred. But many children do not know how to express the impact that a situation may be having on them. Added to this is the prevalent culture in many households, where children’s feelings, opinions and thoughts are not important and do not merit so much as a hearing.

Childhood traumas can include: Parents divorcing, substance misuse or alcoholism in the household, incarceration of a parent: the witnessing of domestic abuse and mental or physical illness in the home. If children have additional psychological scars that derive from emotional or physical neglect, or physical and/or sexual abuse, they could suffer from ‘Adverse childhood experience’s’ (ACE’s] a group of traumatic events that occur before the age of 18).

Trauma(s) during childhood can affect a person’s ability to cope well in situations and cause them anxiety, high or low blood pressure and stress. As adults, we may be inclined to one type of illness or another, but childhood trauma can heighten the illness in our bodies and push us over the edge. Our

bodies(including our inner organs) remember and absorbs the traumas we have experienced and react adversely when under strain.

Another reason why childhood trauma can be a risk factor for future psychological and medical problems is the methods that people use to blot out memories from the past. Persons dealing with trauma (especially adolescents) are likely to partake in risky or reckless behaviour, such as promiscuity, drinking, smoking and drug use, or over-eating for comfort.

They never ask themselves, ‘why am I behaving in this fashion? Because these are the coping mechanisms they use to overcome trauma. Unfortunately, this type of behaviour only offers short-term relief and they tend to become habits that lead to health problems.

Stress is a common word that is trivially bounded around by many. People say, ‘Don’t bother stress me out, you hear?’, or ‘That man is pure stress!’ when relating to a troublesome person, but did you know that stress ages your body faster? And chronic stress adds to inflammation in the body - which has been associated with a wide range of illnesses including cardiovascular disease?

Sometimes people who have stress pass it on to others in their homes without realising, including to their children. This is called ‘observational learning’. To prevent children from developing unnecessary health issues

in the future, adults must be mindful of the choices they make which affect their lives; and be cognisant of the things they do and say to them.

Adults have the option to create an atmosphere for children that is as stress-free as possible. But first they should work on their own stress level and monitor how they cope with distressing, worrying or unexpected situations.

There are a number of tried and tested methods that can help to reduce stress if adults are willing to give them a try; such as simple breathing exercises, yoga, regular exercise and meditation. Access to these types of activities is available free on the internet, with some classes, only 10-30 minutes duration.

Taking a few moments every morning to sit still and compose ones’ self with peaceful thoughts of gratitude and humility could give a person the encouraging mind-set needed for a positive day ahead. If adults find it hard to deal with traumatic events of the past they should seek professional help from a therapist or psychologist. Let’s take care of ourselves and our children’s future.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Rubis Guyana ‘fuelling’ education –– donates several tablets to support e-learning

FOLLOWING the partial re-opening of schools across the country last week, Rubis Guyana, the well-known energy company, made a generous donation to the Diamond Primary School on the East Bank of Demerara to facilitate electronic learning.

The donation is a part of the company’s six-year support in the area of key education projects.

Joylyn Johnson, Retail Accounts Executive of the fuel company, noted that the provision of the tablets will assist pupils with their e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some 26 Samsung and Lenovo tablets were donated to grade five pupils of the school.

Johnson noted that the company was aware of the challenges faced by the school since the traditional learning methods were no longer active due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As the world faces the challenges and effects of this pandemic, a great toll is being borne by our children who have had to adapt to a different way of receiving information and learning,” she stated.

She added, “It is our concern for this most vulnerable group that sees Team Rubis rally to render assistance.”

In addition to the tablets for the pupils and their teachers, Rubis supplied SIM cards to allow the pupils to access the BrainStreet platform as part of their virtual education.

Local technology provider, BrainStreet, offers online tutoring and practice questions for multiple subject areas via its Brain Central platform. This initiative will see the pupils covering the core subjects, Mathematics, English Language, Science and Social Studies.

As part of the sponsorship, Rubis has agreed to offset the cost to have the teachers and the headmistress trained to use the platform, facilitate the orientation programme for the children and provide access to over 125,000 questions for a two-month period.

The presentation of the tablets was made on Friday, June 19, at the Rubis Head Office, Ramsburg, Providence, where the Headmistress of the Diamond Primary School, Sherron Howard,

Joylyn Johnson, Retail Accounts Executive, Rubis, at the presentation of the tablets to Headmistress of Diamond Primary School, Sherron Howard, along with Lance Hinds, Managing Director of BrainStreet. thanked Rubis for the generous donation and explained that some pupils were facing economic challenges especially at this time. She stated that the school through the donation, “will be able to engage our learners, especially the Grade 5, meaningfully.”

Over the past few months, Rubis

Guyana has also made donations to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Civil Defence Commission to assist frontline workers and vulnerable families in the community.

The company has also donated essential personal protective equipment to the Ministry of Public Health.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

CDC lauded for prompt aid to flood-hit Coomacka THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC) brought speedy relief to residents of the flood-affected community of Coomacka, Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice (Region 10), on Saturday.

On Friday, yards and homes were inundated after the heavy rainfall caused the Demerara River to overtop.

Director-General of the CDC, Lt Col. Kester Craig disclosed that Coomacka is one of the flood-prone areas which is constantly monitored. He explained that the commission was made aware of the situation through its National Emergency Monitoring System, and with the help of collaborating partners, they responded as soon as they were made aware.

“We allowed the community to respond through their disaster mechanism and also the region, so today it’s a culmination of community level, regional level and

national level response,” Lt Col. Craig stated.

The CDC donated a number of hampers containing cleaning and sanitation items which will assist affected residents in cleaning their homes and surroundings.

Since Coomacka is floodprone, a previously detailed drone assessment was done

CDC Director- General, Lt. Col. Kester Craig

Byron Kendall, District Community Development Officer, Region 10

to pinpoint the source of the soil erosion and how it affects the Demerara River.

According to Lt. Col. Craig, funding was provided to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and sections of the river were desilted. The NDIA also built mounds to reduce the impact of the erosion.

These measures will be

Director- General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Lt. Col. Kester Craig hands over hampers to District Community Development Officer, Region 10, Byron Kendall assessed over the next few weeks to ascertain whether it has had an impact in reducing the floods. This, the CDC head stated, will shape the next steps going forward.

CDC’s prompt response to bring aid to the community was commended by their leaders.

District Community Development Officer, Region

10, Byron Kendall said that flooding is an issue the community faces annually during the rainy season.

“We must say special thanks to the CDC for responding so quickly to this immediate emergency. This distribution will be of great assistance to those affected in the community,” Kendall

noted.

The Civil Defence Commission continues to monitor the situation along the coast and in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region (Region Nine).

Residents in flood-prone communities are urged to take all the necessary precautions.

Cop dies after crashing Two die in smash-up near Parika into autosales parking lot FATHER’S Day celebration for the Persaud family at Columbia, Region Two, came to an abrupt end upon receiving the tragic news that their loved one - Sergeant 21873 Lakhan Persaud – had died in an accident.

Persaud lost his life on Sunday, June 21, at around 13:35hrs on the Land of Plenty Public Road.

Persaud was attached to the Finance Department of the Guyana Police Force Headquarters, Eve Leary. At the time of the accident, he was visiting the Essequibo Coast for Father’s Day. According to information, the accident involved motor car PRR 5764 which

Dead: Lakhan Persaud was borrowed by the policeman to visit the Region.

He was proceeding south on the eastern lane of Land of Plenty Public Road, al-

legedly at a fast rate, when he lost control of the car and collided with several other motor vehicles and spare parts which were showcased at the front of Balram Kawal’s Auto Sales. The vehicles were damaged during the accident.

Persons, who heard the impact, immediately rushed to the scene. They immediately assisted and rushed the policeman to the Suddie Public Hospital. He was, however, pronounced dead on arrival.

The police have since collected CCTV footage of the accident from the auto sales dealer.

The investigation continues.

The car Sergeant 21873 Lakhan Persaud was driving at the time of the accident

TWO motorcyclists who were riding at ‘break-neck speeds’ along the East Bank of Essequibo public road, on Sunday afternoon, met horrific deaths after they crashed into a car at the village of Le Destin near Parika.

The accident was one of several which marred the peace and quietude of Father’s Day in and around the city.

The men, who have been identified only as “Shar” and “Michael”, left Parika at a high rate of speed with more than 10 other motorcyclists, some of whom could be seen, in video prior to the accident, lying on their stomachs on the motorcycles.

Soon after, the men crashed into a motorcar while riding along a turn on the roadway. At least three of the men laid unconscious at the scene as passers-by went to their assistance. The two men died on the spot from horrific injuries.

Persons in the area noted that the men

sped pass them several minutes before they met their demise. It was noted that the sight of the motorcyclists speeding along the roadway on weekends is a regular occurrence. Police are investigating the accident.

Also on Sunday afternoon, an accident at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, left a motorcyclist critically injured. While details are sketchy, reports are that the accident involved the motorcyclist and a car. In video posted online by passers-by, the man’s motionless body could be seen along the roadway while his motorcycle laid nearby.

Meanwhile, tempers flared at Sheriff Street close to the Guyoil gas station, on Sunday night, after several motor cars slammed into each other.

The drivers of the cars, cast blame on each other and reports are that one of the men drove across the right-of-way resulting in the collision.

The scene of the accident on the Le Destin Public Road, East Bank Essequibo

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2020

Kojo McPherson celebrates h anniversary and Father’s Day w two daughters Kinaya and Ma

Creating cherished moments

On Father’s Day the Guyana Chronicle went to the Kingston Seawall and caught up with some fathers who were spending the afternoon with their children.

Photos by Elvin Croker

Two veteran Journalists Harry Baptist (left) who said he was the youngest ever editor of a newspaper in Guyana at the age of 21 and Robert Lalljie (right), a former GBC broadcaster, writer, publisher and poet.

Ronel Seaforth with his three sons Shawn, Joshwha and Joel

Keron Marc and his wife with their one-year-old son Kymany

Two cousins and their sons.

Roshan Sukhran and his son Aaiduyn Sukhran (left) and Emran Ramnarina and his son Adon Ramnarina (right)

Randy Gangaran and his children – three-year-old Emma with her pet dog, Rockey, and his one-year-old Javeer

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday June 22, 2020 Matignol Saint-lot with his wife and two daughters, Yolmina and Melinda

his birth with his apenzi

Indian national, Joby Joaph, and his son

Wolsten Bacchus and his children Wollica, Jadan, Nakosi and Evon

Haresh Seegolan and his wife spending time with their two sons, Shivraj and Rockey

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 22, 2020

First-time voters disappointed at current political climate - Say Guyana needs mechanism for inclusivity

THE March 2, 2020 elections had built excitement in many of Guyana’s youths who were anxious to finally have the opportunity to play a role in the electoral process .

However, after over three months of waiting for the results to be declared, and all the fiascos that occurred, this excitement has slowly dwindled to disappointment.

Many first-time voters have expressed by way of their social media platforms, how disappointed and

perspective on all that has been happening.

A young woman who wishes to leave her identity unknown, said, “As a first time voter, I was very excited to exercise my constitutional right to vote. I especially looked forward to dipping my finger in the ink. After E-Day, I followed the electoral process for about a week because I really wanted to see if my vote would’ve played an integral part in deciding who takes governance of our country. But after all the disruptions and blatant attempts to delay the process, I got fed up

posed to be able to operate as an independent body. Looking at all that has played out with the inflated and deflated numbers, rigging accusations and so forth, I really don’t feel as though my vote really matters, because I guess at the end of it all, it’s still going to be a dirty game, and whoever plays dirtier wins, with or without my vote.”

Maliklya Blair, of East Bank Demerara said that disappointed is the word that best describes how she feels about the 2020 elections.

“As a first- time voter this isn’t how I expected every-

this whole process has stirred up in our country,” the young woman expressed.

She said that with everything that is happening, she feels as though this is not something that she would ever want to play a role in again.

Ashanti Horsham too, said she is disappointed that she has been waiting for three plus months to get the results of the elections.

“I feel like our political leaders are only concerned about obtaining power rather than serving us the people.

But in all of this I’m happy

A young Bartican, Jelina DaSilva said she was so happy to vote on March 2, but then got tired of waiting for the results and is heartbroken at the prevailing racial tension.

“But then I usually think to myself, it’s like only two parties fighting for power. Why? You know I think Guyana has been split in two, because things have been crazy since then and it’s sad to see so many [sic] racial discrimination between the Guyanese people because of that. Also, knowing that one people, one nation and one destiny means nothing to some is also so sad.

For we are a country of six

Reon Miller

Maliklya Blair

Omaiah Hall

Danella Thompson

Ashanti Horsham

Jelina DaSilva

heart-broken they are with the 2020 elections. Some even went as far as concluding that they will never be voting again.

This publication spoke with a few of those first-time voters to ascertain their honest

and just didn’t pay it any mind after that. It is honestly very disappointing that after three months we still cannot swear in a president and even more disappointing that so many injunctions are being served, even though GECOM is sup-

thing to turn out and I find it very discouraging. They say by voting we’re exercising our democratic right, but how can we do that when there’s no democracy? Apart from that, the part that sickens me the most is the racial tension

that citizens of this country are using the institutions in place to protect our rights (the court). I am also pleased that my fellow Guyanese are exercising patience and composure in this trying time,” Horsham said.

races and to see what’s going on is not nice. The fighting between the East Indians and Africans because of this thing called politics and the putting down of the indigenous people because of their way of life and the choices that they make are all so sickening. I am a proud daughter of Guyana’s soil. Neither am I East Indian, African, Amerindian or any single race in Guyana, but I’m mixed with majority. And I feel it for those races because my family is a combination of all. And not because our political choices are different we have to be at war. We are all special. We are all important, and we all need to stand as one to build a new Guyana, because she’s truly broken.

And now I just waiting on the results today to see wuh gon happen,” she said vehemently.

Omaiah Hall said she too was super excited to vote on elections day.

“I woke up bright and early because I was ready to make a change and do my part as a citizen. Then all things went south after the back and forth with the major parties.

I lost sight of what I wanted. I no longer cared about change, I no longer wanted to make a difference, and I just want any party in power now because all this madness and chaos just needs to stop. I’m no longer motivated to vote

other party doesn’t have it, then shouldn’t that mean that the other part automatically won? Like I really cannot think about the nonsense going on right now because it makes me feel sick to see how people are turning on one another instead of just facing the facts. That’s how I feel,” Thompson said.

Reflecting a more positive and hopeful view, Reon Miller, a final= year law student of the University of Guyana said that one should not opt out of the electoral process because of this 2020 experience. However, he pointed to the need for constitutional reform to avoid a recurrence.

“I would definitely vote again. I think for the foreseeable future I will always exercise the penultimate [sic] democratic right to participate in who makes the decisions in our country.

However, there needs to be reform to the Representation of the People’s Act and Guyana needs to heal.

Indeed, this election was marred with an abundance of tomfoolery. However, most importantly, we need to work on a mechanism of inclusivity that will end the feeling of polarisation in the supporters of the losing side.

If history had established any lesson it is that the winner take-all system is not conducive to racial harmony, democratic inclusivity

By Gabriella Chapman

in any other elections or take part in anything because of how unfit our system is. My first great experience turned into a nightmare, I just want a president and for the days to go by without the drama,” the young lady said.

“I’m still kind of confused by the process and how long it’s taking them to actually just announce the party that won,” Danella Thompson said.

“However, if I were to do it again I don’t think that it’s something that I’d wanna get in a long line to fulfil. Also, I understand that they need credible votes, etc. But if that’s what you need and the

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

‘Yoga is a gift to the world’ – Indian High Commissioner says as Guyana observes Yoga Day THE High Commission of India, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), celebrated the sixth International Day of Yoga on Sunday online with special effort put towards educating persons about the benefits of yoga.

Due to the pandemic-related restrictions, designated persons demonstrated the practice of yoga via zoom while remarks came from notable individuals both locally and abroad. The theme given to the observation of International Yoga Day to suit the situation is: ‘Yoga at home and Yoga with fam-

ily’.

In his opening remarks, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, said that though the practice has been passed down from generation to generation, it has not lost its value to modern society.

“Yoga, as you all know, is a gift to the world from ancient India. It is an intangible cultural heritage as declared by UNESCO. The practice of yoga has proven to be very beneficial for the physical, mental and spiritual health of individuals and focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body;

between the individual and society and between human kind nature,” he said.

Dr. Srinivasa explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has left the High Commission with no other option but to celebrate the day remotely, but the slowdown in activity has also created a greater avenue of time for persons to take a break from their busy schedules to get involved in yoga.

He stated: “Due to a slowdown in daily activity, accumulation of stress and potential disruptions of normal routines, the health building and stress relieving

Some of those who participated in International Day of Yoga in Guyana on Sunday

Members of the High Commission of India in Guyana and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) who assisted in live demonstrations. aspects of yoga are highly relevant in this present scenario. Yoga is also an effective way to boost immunity…celebrating the yoga in this way would also be a means of family and social bonding.”

In a global message presented on Sunday, Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, said that yoga has something to offer to everyone and enables strong minds and healthy bodies.

He said that moving past the pandemic, focus on preventative healthcare will become even more important to the world and is why practices such as yoga will always have relevance.

“I am confident that yoga will become even more popular,” he said, adding “these

are times of distancing…but yoga is that which joins or brings things together. Yoga ends various kinds of distance. Distance between our mind and body --- which is the root cause to many problems; distance between the life we have and the life we want to have, and distance between our expectation and reality which can become a source of stress.”

During the event, remarks were also shared by Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris.

The Prime Minister stated that yoga unites the consciousness of the soul and body and should be seen by more as an important, especially during these challenging times.

“At no time has it been

made more apparent, than at this momentous important juncture in history, that the most important connection we have on earth, apart from with ourselves, is to our families. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us closer to our families and our loved ones…the International Yoga Day 2020 theme, ‘Yoga at home and Yoga with family’, is therefore well chosen,” he remarked.

Also providing messages to the Guyanese public were Guyanese Cricketer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and former West Indies Cricket Captain, Richie Richard, who put forward that yoga impacts the life of a person at every level and remains an art and science for healthy living.

GGDMA donates over $10M to help vulnerable groups amid COVID-19 THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), within the last two months, has provided over $10M worth in donations and other relief effort to various communities and organisations.

The GGDMA relief effort began on March 31, 2020 with the establishment of a GGDMA COVID-19 Relief Account at Demerara Bank Ltd. In Bartica, Region Seven, GGDMA distributed N95 masks, hand sanitisers, medical gloves and educational posters.

Similar items were distributed in Mahdia and Campbelltown, Region Eight, in addition to cloth masks, medical gowns, medical scrubs, laundry soap and all-purpose cleaners.

The hospital and police station in Port Kaituma, Region One, were given hand-held infrared thermometer, bleach, hand sanitiser, N95 masks, rubbing alcohol, medical gloves, laundry soap, water dispenser, electrical fans,

cloth masks, Dettol soap, disinfectant and educational posters.

Similar donations were made to the village of Moruca, inclusive of 250 food hampers; the Matthews Ridge Hospital and Police Station in Region One; Aranka and Isseneru Village in Region Seven and Suddie Hospital in Region Two. “GGDMA, as part of its COVID-19 relief efforts, donated over 800 food hampers to the Natural Resources staffers.

This donation was given as a demonstration of the association’s gratitude to the Natural Resources staffers and all other related agencies such as the GGMC and the GGB, especially their field staffers who have been working away from their families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the mining association said in a statement See page 17

Representatives of the GGDMA (L) handing over food hampers to officials of the Ministry of Natural Resources

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

Venezuela dodges ICJ hearing –– Guyana confident of a final, binding judgement upholding 1899 Arbitral Award WITH the International Court of Justice (ICJ) set to hear the jurisdictional case on the Arbitral Award of 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela), just over a week from now, Venezuela has iterated its position that it will not be attending the hearing.

In a press statement on June 20, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, contended that the ICJ took

an unprecedented decision to hear the case via video conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic which the Spanish-speaking country does not support.

“This decision is unprecedented; it does not correspond to a new generally applicable practice; until now it has not been applied to other cases that are before this important international judicial [court],” Arreaza stated.

Even so, the position mirrors that of the one taken in June 2018 when the country declined to participate in the hearing based on the position that the Court lacks jurisdiction on the matter. In February 2020, the country added that it had no intention of appearing at the oral hearings. The case was filed by Guyana.

The long-awaited hearing was initially set for March

23 – 27, 2020, but the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic derailed those plans, and it was rescheduled to June 30 by video conference.

The Court required the two countries to provide their arguments on jurisdiction, as a first step. However even in that instance Venezuela has refused to participate and the Court has moved forward with the proceedings nonetheless.

In the press statement on Saturday, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister said: “Venezuela’s clear position of not attending the Court has been concretized on the basis that it lacks jurisdiction… it sincerely invites the sister Cooperative Republic of Guyana to renew the negotiation to which both nations are obliged under the Geneva Agreement, the only international instrument specially signed to govern the territorial controversy…with the purpose of reaching amicably

statement, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Venezuela’s aggression as a violation of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and general international law.

Meanwhile, in 2013, a petroleum exploration vessel – RV Teknik Perdana –conducting a survey in the Roraima block offshore, was intercepted by a Venezuelan Navy frigate and ordered to cease its activities.

President David Granger has stated publicly: “Incursions have occurred not only in our maritime space but also on land. Illegal mining, illegal logging, illegal arms, narcotics, people and wildlife trafficking and the smuggling of precious minerals have continued; they have to stop…incursions must be deterred; insurrections must be suppressed; the State must remain secure.”

Guyana was keen in pointing out that efforts over more than half-a-century,

seeks to obtain, from the Court, a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding,

a practical, acceptable and satisfactory arrangement for both Republics.”

Guyana, however, has recognised the importance of settling the longstanding controversy that exists between the two countries.

As recent as December 2018, Guyana’s territorial integrity was violated when a Venezuelan Navy corvette – the Karina PC-14 – made a hostile incursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The incursion took place at approximately 144 kilometres (km) from the boundary which separates Guyana from Venezuela and saw attempts by the Navy corvette to land a helicopter on the unarmed oil survey ship. In a firm

including a four-year Mixed Commission (1966-1970), a 12-year moratorium (19701982), a seven-year process of consultations on a means of settlement (1983-1990), and a 27-year Good Offices Process under the UN Secretary-General’s authority (1990-2017), all have failed to end the controversy.

In 2018, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Gutteres, referred the Guyana/Venezuela controversy to the ICJ. He acknowledged that the Good Offices Process had failed to achieve a peaceful settlement of the controversy.

The upcoming hearing will determine whether the Court has jurisdiction over the case filed by Guyana on March 29, 2018. Guyana

and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

“A favourable decision by the Court will be of tremendous benefit to Guyana.

Guyana has suffered tremendously over the years at the hands of Venezuela from acts of intimidation, threats of military action, incursions into our sovereign territory and the stymieing of our economic development,” Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, recently stated.

The Government of Guyana is confident of a win against Venezuela in both cases – the jurisdictional matter and the substantive matter treating with the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899.

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

Change Guyana calls for President Granger to concede –– says it is time for swift, smooth and democratic transition of governance CHANGE Guyana, one of the political parties which contested in the March 2020 poll, is calling for President David Granger to concede defeat and allow for the inauguration of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C’s) Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali. In a written statement on Saturday, Change Guyana leader, Robert Badal, contended that the results of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) supervised recount of the votes cast at the General and Regional Elections are irrefutable, confirming a PPP/C victory.

Badal posited that President Granger should exit office gracefully to maintain creditability and avoid any negative impact on his

record as President. “Rather than hanging to the last straw, legal and otherwise, to remain in political office, Mr. Granger must now put the country he has led for five years first… Any further delay would impact his record as President and affect the credibility of his Coalition, and therefore, their effectiveness on the opposition bench when they finally take up their seats in Parliament,” he wrote.

According to him, Guyana is being pressured by CARICOM and the international community, in particular international observer missions from the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Carter Center, the Commonwealth, and the European Union to bring an

GGDMA donates over $10M ...

From page 15

on Sunday.

Dharm Shala, the Palms Geriatric Home and the Amerindian Hostel were also among the beneficiaries.

In the statement, GGDMA expressed gratitude to the 25 individuals and companies that contributed thus far to its COVID-19 Relief Fund. It also used the opportunity to encourage other miners and companies to contribute by donating to the GGDMA COVID-19 Relief Fund via the chequing account at Demerara Bank AC# 4023412. Donations such as food hampers and other tangible donations can be dropped off at the association’s headquarters.

It noted that miners have taken strong preventative measures to ensure the safety and health of workers and the communities in which they work.

GGDMA is also currently working closely with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to develop protocol and guidelines for mining operations and miners to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cloth masks, laundry soap and all-purpose cleaners were among the items donated to the residents of Mahdia. In this photo, the beneficiaries stand next to the items while observing social distancing

end to the electoral impasse.

He said the country’s economy and social fabric have undergone enormous hurdles since the no-confidence motion 18 months ago with adverse consequences for businesses, investments and job creation.

Badal said the country must unite, heal from its racial wounds, and agree on an

economic and social agenda that will lift Guyanese out of poverty, remove the draconian tax system and incentivize the private sector – all for its accelerated growth and development.

“We have a country to build together, there’s space for everyone. Let us move forward in peace and harmony,” Badal wrote.

Leader of Change Guyana, Robert Badal

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

19

Dimitrov tests positive for COVID-19 (BBC) - World number 19 Grigor Dimitrov, who played in both of Novak Djokovic’s recent Adria Tour events, has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Bulgarian, 29, withdrew from the second tournament in Zadar, Croatia on Saturday with sickness after his opening loss to Borna Coric.

“I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused,” he said.

Sunday’s final, which would have featured world number one Djokovic, has been cancelled.

Dimitrov, who also played in the first event in Belgrade last week, wrote on Instagram: “I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19. I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during these past days gets tested and takes the necessary precautions.

“I am back home now and recovering. Thanks for your support and please stay safe and healthy.”

their match.

Djokovic’s coach and event director Goran Ivanisevic told fans courtside the final was off because of Dimitrov’s positive test.

Tournament organisers said the final was cancelled “as a precaution and to protect the health of all participants and visitors”.

A statement read: “At all times we have strictly followed the epidemiological measures in place with the countries where the Adria Tour was organised.

“None of the people involved in the organisation and who have been in contact with Grigor have any symptoms.

“However, we are in close contact with health authorities in order to insure that all people who were in contact with Grigor will be tested tonight. Since we do not want to risk, we decided to cancel the final match.”

There have been no professional tennis events organised by the main men’s and women’s tours since

Grigor Dimitrov (centre) sat with Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic during the first Adria Tour event in Belgrade last week

The tournaments were set up by world number one Djokovic to help players get back to match fitness after several weeks without competition because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Several top-10 players have been competing including Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem.

The first event in Serbia attracted 4,000 fans, and several thousand attended in Zadar.

With both Serbia and Croatia easing lockdown measures before the events, players were not obliged to observe social distancing rules in either country and were seen embracing at the net at the end of their matches Pictures on the tournament’s social media from three days ago show Dimitrov playing basketball with Djokovic, Zverev and Marin Cilic, while he also put his arm around Coric before

March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The US Open will be held without fans from 31 August to 13 September, despite some players voicing concerns about travelling to New York.

There have been handshakes and hugs. They have got up close and personal to play football and basketball, and celebrated the end of the first leg in Belgrade with some improvised limbo dancing in a nightclub.

Crowds were made welcome by the authorities, but that does not mean social distancing should have been abandoned by the players, who had arrived from various different locations for the Adria Tour series.

And then onwards to others. Dominic Thiem, who was part of the show in Belgrade last week, has been playing in the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in the south of France this weekend.

Most of those on the Adria Tour have sounded distinctly lukewarm about the prospect of travelling to New York for the US Open - and it has not been hard to empathise with some of their concerns.

But when watching the pictures from Belgrade and now Zadar, the feeling is simply one of bemusement.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

‘Hungry’ Pulisic will play a big Chelsea part- Lampard (BBC) - Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has backed “hungry” Christian Pulisic to play a big part in the Blues’ bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League after the forward scored in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

The visitors controlled the first half but fell behind when Kepa failed to hold Anwar El Ghazi’s shot and Kortney Hause was on hand to bundle in.

Lampard sent Pulisic on in the 55th minute and five minutes later the United States international equalised when he lashed Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross into the roof of the net.

Olivier Giroud then sealed victory two minutes later when he drove in from 15 yards with the help of a slight deflection.

Pulisic was playing his first game since New Year’s Day after recovering from injury and Lampard is confident he will be an important player for him in the run-in.

“He will start games for us, of course, and I think he’s going to be a big player for us, not just in this run-in but going forward,” he said.

“He was hungry. I know that and I felt for him, as I felt for the players with long-term injuries.

Elliot Vieira records second successive win as SOAR continues

GUYANESE Elliot Vieira stormed the front row of the SOAR (Southern Ontario Association of Racing) and snagged his second chequered flag in as many weekends as superbike action continued in Canada over the weekend.

The former Caribbean Champion Vieira returned to the Grand bend in Canada last weekend for his second weekend of Pro-sport 600cc action where he snapped up his second win.

Qualifying on P2 during the Saturday Session, the Guyanese snagged the lead early on Sunday and never looked back, picking up his second straight win in as many weekends racing.

H e als o s n a g g ed a second place finish in the 1000cc event aboard the same 600cc bike he had earlier used.

On Saturday, Vieira contended that the bike was working well and he was confident of win.

“The ability he’s got to arrive in the box, it’s a big thing, I’ve spoken about it with him all season.”

where they left off The suspension of the season had perhaps come at a frustrating time for Chel-

Mason Mount saw a powerful strike kept out

by Villa keeper Orjan Nyland before Ruben Lof-

Giroud’s goal was only his third in the Premier League this season

The win means fourthplaced Chelsea restored their five-point advantage over Manchester United and Wolves, who are fifth and sixth respectively.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone, one point from safety after taking one point from their first two games back following the resumption of the Premier League.

Chelsea pick up from

sea. They had just beaten Liverpool 2-0 in the FA Cup fifth round and then thrashed Everton 4-0 in the league.

But, 105 days on from that win against the Toffees, Chelsea looked fresh and motivated from the outset against a Villa side fighting for survival.

The only concern, however, was their inability to turn chances into goals - particularly in the first half.

Lukaku scours for AC Milan

Lukaku celebrated his goal by taking a knee while raising his right fist in the air to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement

(BBC) - Romelu Lukaku scored his 18th league goal of the season as Inter Milan marked their return to Serie A action with a 2-1 win against Sampdoria.

Former Manchester United striker Lukaku struck from 10 yards and celebrated by taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lautaro Martinez made it 2-0 from Lukaku’s cross but Morten Thorsby pulled one back from close range.

The win means Inter are third with 57 points, six behind leaders Juventus.

Serie A returned this week after being suspended since 9 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

tus-Cheek, making a welcome return to the side after a year out with injury, just failed to turn home a teasing ball across the face of goal.

It could have proved costly, particularly when Villa scored from only their second shot on target to take the lead.

In the end Chelsea got the job done but, with 19 attempts on goal, they

should perhaps have won by a more comfortable margin.

“It has been the story of our season - to play well, concede and then have to fight your way to try and get the victory,” Lampard added.

“We haven’t always got the victory and that is the next step for us - to be clinical when we are on top.”

The signing of Timo Werner for next season will hopefully address Chelsea’s struggles to make the most of their opportunities but for now, Frank Lampard will hope his current forwards will use the striker’s impending arrival as motivation to be more clinical in the endof-season run-in.

A TOUGH RETURN BUT SOME HOPE FOR VILLA It has been a tough return to Premier League action for Aston Villa, who resumed their survival bid against two opponents fighting to secure European football next season.

They were fortunate to pick up a point against Sheffield United, with goalline technology failing to register a goal for the Blades.

But despite seeing their winless run in the Premier League extended to six

games, there are some signs of encouragement for Villa.

They competed well against high-flying Sheffield United and against Chelsea they started with a good shape and discipline that initially served to frustrate their opponents, although seemingly lacked a Plan B and never looked like getting back into the game once they fell behind.

Jack Grealish has also continued to be an influential and dangerous presence in their team. He was involved in the move that led to their goal against Chelsea and if he can continue to shine in midfield, then Dean Smith’s side still have a fighting chance of survival.

“I think we made Chelsea work very hard. It was always going to be a tough game for us - Chelsea are an established Champions League team,” said Villa boss Smith “We have worked all through the lockdown to be tougher to beat defensively and I thought we were. It took a great ball in for the first goal and they got a bit of fortune for the second.

“We are disappointed with the goals but you have to work hard against teams like Chelsea and I felt we did that.”

Dowrich hails West ... and hostility.

Dowrich said the strength of the pace attack was the diversity it presented.

“If you look at the main four – Shannon, Kemar, Jason and Chemar – I think they all present different skills,” explained the 28-yearold Dowrich.

“Kemar is probably the most skilful out of all of them in terms of being able to hit a consistent line and length and move the ball both ways.

Shannon and Alzarri have a little more pace and Jason is ‘Mr Consistent’ – he can put the ball on a ten cent piece – so I think we bring a whole dynamic.

“And obviously now we have young Chemar Holder now coming up who’s an exciting talent and the way he bowled in first class cricket this season shows that so I think we have a well versed attack. In fact, I’m excited to see them go in this series.”

Dowrich, who averages 30

from 31 Tests since making his debut five years ago, also has a point to prove in the upcoming series.

On his last tour here three years ago, the pint-sized gloveman endured a wretched time with the bat, scraping a mere 24 runs from six innings.

Since then, Dowrich has notched three hundreds – including one against England in the Caribbean last year – and conceded the failures on the 2017 tour had been a turning point in his career.

“The last time I was here it was very tough for me and I think it was a series that really changed around my career,” he explained.

“I was young, I was in unfamiliar territory to be honest and I really didn’t cope well with it but since then I’ve been able to go away and I’ve learnt a lot from experience up here last time and I consider myself a different player to what I was three years ago.

TURN FROM PAGE 21

“Obviously it’s still going to be a challenge. Playing in England [and] batting will always be a challenge but I think I’m ready and up for that challenge.

He continued: “I’ve always considered myself as a genuine wicketkeeper/ batsman but obviously that innings (hundred against England) did a lot for me and gave me a lot of confidence but going forward I think I just need to continue to be consistent and do what is necessary to help the team win.

“I would love to score a Test hundred in England. Obviously scoring runs away from home is always a challenge but I think if you’re going to rate yourself as a player you have to be able to do it and I think I’ve been putting in enough work to come out with something during this series.”

West Indies take on England in the opening Test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton starting July 8.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

21

Newcastle beat Sheffield 3-0

(BBC) - Steve Bruce remains unconvinced that his Newcastle side have secured their Premier League status despite an emphatic victory over Sheffield United which moved them 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

The Magpies have 38 points with eight games remaining, and a win over struggling Aston Villa on Wednesday would all but secure safety.

Manager Bruce told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We can’t take anything for granted because you never know. The points return with eight games to go... I can’t be more pleased.

“If somebody said with eight games to go that we’re two points behind Arsenal, I wouldn’t quite believe it.”

It was a great day for Bruce and his striker Joelinton, who scored only his second Premier League goal, and his first since 25 August.

The relief on the Brazilian striker’s face was apparent when he tapped in Newcastle’s third, and although

there were no fans inside St James’ Park to celebrate with, no doubt many were screaming with delight as the £40m striker ended his terrible run in front of goal.

That was the icing on a sweet Magpies cake. Despite playing their first match since the Premier League restarted, they looked far fresher than their opponents who produced one of their worst defensive displays of the season, capped by the red card shown to John Egan five minutes after the break.

Sheffield United gave away poor goals against Newcastle United - Chris Wilder It means Chris Wilder’s side, who drew against Villa on Wednesday, have taken only one point from two games. Next up for them is Manchester United - a crucial match in the race for a top-four spot.

As for Newcastle, Allan Saint-Maximin sent them on their way when he fired home at the far post after Enda Stevens inexplicably

Dowrich hails West Indies Pace attack (CMC) - Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich on Sunday hailed the quality of West Indies’ pace attack and believes it can be the decisive factor in next month’s three-Test series against England.

The Caribbean side have travelled with five seamers in their main 14-man Test squad but have access to a further six – including the experienced Shannon Gabriel – in 11 reserves which are also on tour.

Dowrich said the Windies attack was now more experienced than ever and capable of making the adjustments that were so critical when bowling in English conditions.

“Obviously home advantage will come into play [for England’s bowlers] but if you look at our pace attack, most of the guys have played here already so I think they have an understanding of the conditions,” Dowrich told reporters via Zoom from quarantine at Old Trafford.

“We’ve got Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, Shan-

non Gabriel and those guys are in the top 20 in the world.

They understand their games and they know how to adjust well to different conditions so I think that will work well for us going into the series.”

He added: “I’m not one to compare eras but if you look around at the statistics it will show that these guys are quality and they can come up against any team in the world and perform.”

West Indies quicks have improved leaps and bounds in recent times leading to a significant improvement in their respective ICC rankings.

Captain Jason Holder is the highest ranked at number three to be also number one in the all-rounders charts while Roach lies 11th and Gabriel, 19th.

Uncapped 22-year-old Chemar Holder is on his first West Indies tour but impressed in the recent first class championship with 36 wickets, bowling with pace TURN RO PAGE 20

allowed Matt Ritchie’s low ball to go between his legs.

Ritchie then added a second with a thunderous strike from the edge of the area.

Then came Joelinton’s strike from close range after Miguel Almiron delivered a pinpoint low ball to his feet.

dream job last summer. As an ex-Sunderland manager who followed former fans’ darling Rafael Benitez, he was already in the red when he arrived.

His team selections, particularly the reluctance to drop Joelinton, further frustrated the supporters and

Allan Saint-Maximin had an outstanding game for the Magpies

BRUCE MAKES HIS CASE AGAIN Newcastle United 3-0 Sheffield United: Steve Bruce says ‘big calls’ favoured hosts Steve Bruce has somehow remained gracious ever since he took his

now the possibility of new, moneyed owners from Saudi Arabia has cast further doubt on the future of the manager.

But time and again Bruce has confounded his critics this season with wins over Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and

now this double over the Blades.

His side produced a disciplined display with plenty of verve provided by Saint-Maximin, Almiron and Ritchie.

Saint-Maximin, in particular, was exceptional.

The £20m outlay last summer now seems a snip for the 23-year-old who embarrassed the visiting defence with his trickery and pace, before he got his reward in the 55th minute.

Ritchie added the second 14 minutes later with the goal of the game - a fierce drive which was too hot to handle for Dean Henderson.

And with 12 minutes remaining, Joelinton, who had missed an easy chance in the first half, scored his second league goal for the club - 2,130 minutes and 39 shots after scoring the first.

BLADES LOSE SHARPNESS AT ST JAMES’ Wilder’s post-match talk to his team might not be repeatable. His side’s success this season has been built on

unwavering discipline and a miserly defence - the second best in the league before Sunday - but neither were evident here.

There were suggestions something was not right early in the match when midfielder Oliver Norwood lost possession far too easily on a couple of occasions before Egan got caught up in an unnecessary altercation with Joelinton which earned him a yellow card.

That became two yellows for the Irishman in the 50th minute when he got on the wrong side of the striker, who he pulled back as Joelinton tried to run in on goal. Referee David Coote was given an easy decision.

If Wilder had his face in his hands then, worse was to follow. For Newcastle’s first, the usually dependable Stevens got his legs in a muddle as he tried to stop Ritchie’s ball from finding Saint-Maximin and for the second, right-back George Baldock’s reluctance to close down Ritchie gave the Scot room to shoot.

‘Factor This’ strikes gold again

CMC – Jamaican Shaun Bridgmohan guided Factor This to his third straight added-money success when he produced a sterling front-running effort to win Saturday’s 31st running of the Grade II US$200 000 Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Going off as the even-money favourite in a mile and sixteenth trip, Bridgmohan found himself under pressure throughout and was forced to fend off a strong challenge from the fast-finishing English Bee and Parlor before he could get the five-year-old to the wire by a neck.

They completed the trip in one minute, 41.15 seconds to follow up on backto-back wins in the Grade III $150 000 Fair Grounds Stakes and the Grade III $300 000 Muniz Memorial.

“We got a lot of pressure early and, once we sort of got into a rhythm, I tried to wait on him as much as possible,”Bridgmohan said afterward.

“I looked over and (Ritzy A.P) was actually about to take the lead and

then I had to go. He was still able to hold off the charge after getting that pressure early. He has a lot of fight and determination; he’s just getting better.”

and Casa Creed and Aquaphobia racing just off the pace in the nine-horse field.

Racing off the hedge, Factor This came under challenge from Parlor com-

tage quickly evaporate under challenge from Parlor and English Bee and was forced to dig deep to hold on at the wire.

“That wasn’t as easy as

Jamaican Shaun Bridgmohan

Bridgmohan broke the Brad Cox-trained horse sharply to produce fractions of 23.93 seconds for the first quarter and 47.53 for the half, as Ritzy A.P stalked from second with Emmaus in third

ing off the final turn, forcing Bridgmohan to also quicken, sparking a heated battle at the top of the stretch.

Factor This led by a length but saw that advan-

an even-money shot is supposed to win but he ran a huge effort,” Cox lamented.

The victory was the 10th career one for Factor This who now has earnings of $844 070.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

The racism I have seen in cricket

By Ian Chappell

As racism is playing a prominent role in the current turbulent times, it’s worth reflecting on my experience of prejudice in and around cricket.

As a youngster growing up in a family where there was no notable prejudice, despite being in the era of the White Australia Policy, I wasn’t really aware of racism. I had the good fortune to commence my Sheffield Shield career in the same team as champion West Indian allrounder Garry Sobers. That was a wonderful education in both cricket and life.

My first overseas tour was to South Africa in 1966-67 and it was an eye-opener. The apartheid regime was in power and we got a taste of its abhorrent nature after winning the second Test in Cape Town. “Why don’t you pick Garry Sobers?

Then you’ll have a team full of blacks” was the offensive comment directed at Australian batsman Grahame Thomas by an ignorant patron in the team hotel. Thomas has Native American lineage dating back to the days of slavery. Sensibly he walked away from any confrontation.

As captain in 197273, prior to commencing a home series against Pakistan and then touring the Caribbean, I spoke to the Australian players. I warned them if there were any terms of address prefixed by the word “black”, there would be trouble.

I said: “You don’t call someone a lucky white bastard, so why include the word ‘black’ in any outburst?” I never heard any such comments from those Australian players.

In 1975-76, my broth-

er Greg captained Australia against West Indies. In a book published after the

denly told Basil D’Oliveira, a South African-born Cape Coloured man who

aged by Richie Benaud and captained by Greg, we travelled to a ground

side. As we were leaving, a member of the crowd shouted out: “Why don’t

Basil D’Oliveira lunges to intercept a ball played by Ian Chappell during a tour game in 1968. In 1972, Chappell was witness to a racist act against D’Oliveira in Zimbabwe PA (Photos/Getty Images) outside Port Elizabeth to watch players of colour who weren’t allowed to compete in the Currie Cup competition because of South Africa’s apartheid laws. John Shepherd, who played for West Indies and Kent, and is of the most gentle people on this earth, was part of our Ian Chappell series, Viv Richards suggested there had been some racially prejudiced comments. I asked Greg, who had a similar outlook to me, if he’d heard any such and he said, “No”.

I later spoke to Viv on the subject and he said he was referring to one player and assured me that it had all been sorted out.

In 1972 I played in a double-wicket contest in Zimbabwe. On a rest day a few players were drinking in the back bar at the Victoria Falls hotel.

We had been there a while when the proprietor sud-

played for England, that he had to leave the bar. I asked why.

“Because he’s been swearing in front of my wife,” came the unconvincing reply. “Turn it up, mate,” I responded.

“There’s a few of us been swearing, why pick on Basil?” The man insisted that Basil was the only one swearing, so we all put our unfinished beers on the bar and walked out.

During the 1975-76 tour of South Africa by a mixed-race International Wanderers side man-

you paint yourself white, Shepherd, and then you can be like the rest of them.”

Shep stopped abruptly and turned to face the crowd with a withering glare. I happened to be next to him. I grabbed his arm and said: “You don’t have to put up with this -

let’s leave.”

Shep’s arm was as firm as a steel rod, but without redirecting his glare he simply said: “You keep going. I’ll be there in a minute.” Then as a reassurance he added: “There won’t be any trouble.”

I had another experience of the harmful effects of racism in Jamaica in 1991. At a television forum there, the moderator introduced the subject of the ICC. In answer to a question I said the power of veto that Australia and England held over ICC decisions was a disgrace and should have been abolished long ago. I did not anticipate that many in the audience would be aware there was a power of veto, but the crowd burst into applause. That made a mockery of the standard reply from Australian cricket administrators when that particular issue was brought up: “The power of veto has never been used, so why would it upset anyone?”

This is the sad reality of racism. What is implied often cuts deepest.

Liverpool boss praises ...

even days, before they are back at the peak of the domestic game by clinching that long-awaited title.

"The point is one we deserve," added Klopp.

"Everton were well organised so we had to run a lot but we looked fit and ready.

"Now we've got three days. Crystal Palace looked good on Saturday and we have to make sure we are ready for Wednesday."

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti's predecessor Marco Silva was sacked after a 5-2 derby capitulation at Anfield in December - and the difference the decorated Italian has made since was in evidence here.

Ancelotti had already made a good start to his Goodison career before the season was halted, but

he has now had more of a chance to impart his methods and can be well pleased with what he saw here. In fact, he may feel disappointed his side did not win.

Everton conceded possession for long periods but were superbly organised defensively, and Alisson was much the busier goalkeeper.

Captain Seamus Coleman was simply outstanding for Everton, while the budding leadership qualities of young defender Mason Holgate could be heard as his instructions echoed around Goodison Park.

Ancelotti also has two dangerous forwards in Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison while talented teenager Anthony Gordon, who struggled to make an impact, will be better for the experience.

TURN FROM PAGE 23

Ancelotti will know he needs more strength and physical presence in central midfield but this is a different Everton side to the one that capitulated so miserably in December, before also losing to a youthful Liverpool side in the FA Cup third round under the new manager.

Everton will be better when Ancelotti has more of his own signings in the team, but the signs are still promising.

"Honestly we were really close to winning but it was a tough game, difficult game," Ancelotti said.

"We performed really well.

We were focused, we sacrificed. We had opportunities to score at the end.

"Liverpool played a good game, they had more possession but defensively we were really good."

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 22, 2020

Chase underscores warm up matches importance

CMC – Roston Chase has underscored the importance of the scheduled warm-up matches ahead of the first Test, especially in light of the recent lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic which prevented players from enjoying crucial match practice in the Caribbean.

West Indies play their first three-match starting Tuesday which will represent the first taste of competitive cricket for the players since the first class championship was cut short after eight rounds due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

And they are expected to play a second warm-up before the first Test gets underway at the Ageas

Bowl in Southampton on July 8.

Chase, who has not played a competitive match in four months since the one-day tour of Sri Lanka in March, stressed it was important West Indies made the most of the upcoming games.

“Practicing and training is a big difference to match preparation but I think we have two practice games before we go into the actual series so I think we have to take those two matches as seriously as possible because that is the only preparation outside of the training we’ve been doing,” the batting all-rounder pointed out.

“The guys have been training hard. We came to

the conclusion that we have to do a lot of extra work because of the COVID-19. The guys haven’t been really able to go about their normal routines as usual so we’ve been putting in the hard work.

“Hopefully we can get some good weather for those two games and we can get a bit of match practice before the first game of the series.”

The warm-up matches will be played among themselves, with West Indies taking a 14-man squad and 11 reserves on tour in order to facilitate this.

Strict isolation measures are in place for the tour because of COVID-19 and as a result, there will be no tour matches against

county sides.

West Indies are currently wrapping up two weeks of quarantine at the “bio-secure” facility at Old Trafford here, where they have also been undergoing intense preparation for the three-Test series.

Chase played a key role when West Indies recaptured the Wisden Trophy last year in the Caribbean, producing an astonishing spell of eight for 60 with his off-spin in England’s second innings to inspire an historic 381-run victory in the first Test at Bridgetown.

With frontline off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall now a part of the squad, Chase said he was willing to play the

support role.

“He’s definitely the number one spinner but I have no problem with that,” the Barbadian said.

“I’m always willing to do whatever it takes for the team. If I have to back him up or if I have to be the main spinner it doesn’t really matter to be once we’re going in the right direction and winning cricket games or winning cricket series, that’s all that matters to me.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m number one, number two or number three, I just want to go out there and do well for the country and myself.”

West Indies are expected to rely heavily on a four-pronged pace attack in

the upcoming series, with Chase’s role anticipated to be one of providing relief in short spells.

And the 28-year-old said he was ready to assume whatever role he was asked to perform, once it helped the team’s bowling plans.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes for my team to be victorious or to be successful,” he noted.

“Last time we came to England it’s something (long spells) I had to do quite a bit of so it’s not new to me. I’m looking forward to that challenge if it presents itself, f we go with the four-prong attack.

But if not, I’ll just look to contribute to my team in any way possible.”

Madrid top La Liga thanks to Sociedad win Liverpool boss praises ‘world class’ Alisson (BBC) - Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised "world class" goalkeeper Alisson after his late save secured a point against Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's close-range flick was kept out by the Brazilian before Tom Davies' shot from the loose ball struck the post.

That was the closest either

City fail to beat Burnley at Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Alisson also saved well from Brazilian compatriot Richarlison as a largely tame game, with the surreal atmosphere of a derby played behind closed doors, sprang to life.

Everton keeper Jordan Pickford saved well from Fabinho's free-kick in the

Forward Mohamed Salah was only fit enough for the bench while leftback Andy Robertson was injured. Both were missed as Liverpool saw plenty of the ball but struggled to seriously test Pickford.

Naby Keita looked energetic until he came off but boss Jurgen Klopp now has further concerns over James

Karim Benzema is Real Madrid’s fourth highest scorer in La Liga history with 165 goals

(BBC) - Real Madrid went to the top of La Liga thanks to a hard-fought victory at Real Sociedad.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are level on points with Barca, who drew 0-0 with Sevilla on Friday, but go top because of their superior head-to-head record.

R E N R

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Sergio Ramos’ penalty after the lively Vinicius Jr was fouled gave the visitors the lead.

Karim Benzema doubled their advantage before Mikel Merino’s strike set up a tense finale.

There was controversy

Monday, June 22, 2020

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(1) The Oval, London, 1975 (2) Christchurch, 1980 TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who is the first NZ player to crack an ODI hundred against the WI? (2) Who is the first WI player to hit an ODI century against NZ?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

when substitute Adnan Januzaj thought he had made it 1-1 with a strike from outside the area but it was ruled out for a Merino offside. Merino did not get a touch but the officials deemed he was blocking goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ view, so interfering with play.

Their sense of grievance grew when moments later Benzema controlled a Federico Valverde cross with his shoulder before firing home. The goal stood after a video assistant referee review for handball.

Madrid looked comfortable at that stage but Merino rifled a shot in via the underside of the crossbar, after a cross from substitute Roberto Lopez, to keep the closing minutes interesting.

The visitors’ biggest problem from the game came when Ramos was injured soon after his goal and needed an ice pack on his leg in the stands.

Madrid - who have only won one La Liga title since 2012 - are now eight victories away from winning the league.

Alisson denied Dominic Calvert-Lewin before Tom Davies hit the rebound against the post late in the second half

side came to scoring in a lowkey Goodison Park encounter, which ended goalless.

"We should not take him [Alisson] for granted," said Klopp.

"Absolutely outstanding. That's what a worldclass goalkeeper is - nothing to do for pretty much 90 minutes then he's there."

Liverpool now need five points to be sure of the Premier League title and can still clinch their first top-flight trophy in 30 years against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday - but only if Manchester

closing moments but it was a game that highlighted two understandably rusty sides - although Liverpool's coronation will come soon.

This was both sides' first game in three months following the resumption of the Premier League Liverpool would have hoped to set up a potential title win at Anfield on Wednesday with victory here at Goodison Park - but after 106 days out of action, it was perhaps understandable that a side that have overpowered so many were short of their best.

Milner, who sustained a hamstring injury, and Joel Matip who also limped off - although Joe Gomez is an ideal replacement there.

Liverpool's star of the show was keeper Alisson, who was in superb form when called upon in those crucial late moments.

This point - and Liverpool certainly did not deserve more - means the celebratory champagne may be on ice a little longer but it is only a matter of time, TURN RO PAGE 22

Chase underscores warm up matches importance PAGE 23

Roston Chase takes a tumble to complete a catch (Š Getty Images)

Wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich

Elliot Vieira records second successive win as SOAR continues PAGE 20

PAGE 21

Dowrich hails West Indies Pace attack PAGE 22

The racism I have seen in cricket

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MONAY, JUNE 22, 2020