Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_27_2020

SATURDAY 27th June, 2020

' No.106042

CEO STANDS

BY REPORT ON VALID VOTES

…says acted in conformity with the laws

SEE PAGE 03

--- urges critics to carefully read the Constitution

SEE PAGE 03

Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield

15 new cases of COVID-19 Guyana retains Tier1 ranking in TIP fight

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‘CEO’s report lawful’ …Coalition says GECOM must act exclusively on valid votes 02 PAGE

Guyana will escape regional recession …IMF says in World Economic Outlook

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‘CEO’s report lawful’ 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

…Coalition says GECOM must act exclusively on valid votes

THE Chief Elections Officer’s (CEOs) report which has assessed all 2,339 ballot boxes in the national recount exercise and which, according to law, takes into consideration votes verified as validly cast, must form the basis upon which an election declaration is made.

This was the message of the APNU+AFC on Friday in which it called on the public to respect the country’s Constitution and Laws which speak to these matters.

The party said that while the Recount Report of the CARICOM Scrutinising Team acknowledged the occurrence of anomalies, discrepancies and irregularities in the limited 18

per cent of the ballot boxes it reviewed, the CEO’s report presents a complete documentation of wrongdoings which occurred and which wrongdoings cannot form the basis of credible elections.

Furthermore, with the matter of the elections matter before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the party reminded that the Court of Appeal has already ruled on the basis upon which an elections declaration must be made and its ruling is final.

The Court of Appeal had ordered that the words

are cast” in Article 177 (2) (b) to be interpreted to mean “more valid votes are cast” which meant that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) could only declare elections results

mitting to the Elections Commission an election report, the Court made it clear that in its narrow and special jurisdiction, as laid out in Article 177 (4), it was not within the jurisdiction of the Appellate Court to grant such injunctive

based on valid votes cast.

The Court of Appeal also determined that a final credible count, as contemplated by Order No. 60 of 2020, does not mean a mere numerical tabulation of votes but an assessment of the credibility of votes as contemplated by the Order.

The APNU+AFC reminded that according to Article 177 (4) of the Constitution: “The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as the question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution; and any decision of that Court under this paragraph shall be final.”

Furthermore, though injunctive reliefs were sought to restrain the CEO from sub-

relief.

The CEO therefore submitted his report to the GECOM Chair based on votes which could be verified as validly cast and this was followed by the move of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic PPP/C to the CCJ to have single order granted by the Court of Appeal struck out on the basis that it had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

However, maintaining its position based on Article 177 (4), the APNU+AFC said that though the Opposition dislikes the CEO’s Elections Report which only considers valid votes, the Constitution makes it clear that only the CEO can advise the GECOM Chair on such matters.

The party pointed to Article 177 (2) which states that “[the] Presidential candidate shall be deemed to be elected as President and shall be so declared by the Chairman of the Elections Commission

“more votes

acting only in accordance with the advice of the Chief Election Officer, after such advice has been tendered to the Elections Commission.”

The coalition party concluded that the CEO has acted in accordance to the Representation of the People Act, the Constitution and the Court’s ruling.

“The CEO, clearly, is empowered and instructed by the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, not by any other entity or person. He has discharged his functions within the ambit of the law,” the APNU+AFC indicated.

Meanwhile, it called on the Guyanese public to keep themselves informed on what are the guidelines of the Constitution and laws with which the Commission must act within for the presentation of credible elections results.

“The APNU+AFC Coalition has iterated its preparedness to abide by the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Representation of the People Act which provides for the declaration of the Elections Commission,” the party stated, adding: “The APNU+AFC Coalition calls the public’s attention to the comment of former Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Professor Duke Pollard, in the Guyana Chronicle newspaper of 11th June 2020, asserting that the Elections Commission is bound to produce credible elections results and that it cannot submit to the country information which lacks integrity: ‘If the information provided for the outcome is not credible, then the outcome itself could not be credible’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

CEO stands by report on valid votes …says acted in conformity with the laws --- urges critics to carefully read the Constitution

Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield

WHILE some in the political arena have set out to chastise Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, for his submission of

an elections report which eliminated votes unable to be verified as valid, the CEO made clear his position on Friday that his

actions remain in keeping with the Constitution.

The most recent developments in the Guyana elections situation saw Lowenfield submitting his elections report to the Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) on June 23, utilising only valid votes as ordered by the Court of Appeal.

His report showed victory for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) by more than 5,000 votes and the rejection of over 100,000 votes which were tainted with irregularities, anomalies or voter impersonation.

Lowenfield’s report wasn’t taken lightly by the main Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP), and representatives of the Regional and International community. While these groups have noted irregularities coming out of the elections, they prefer that the main objector, the APNU+AFC, take up the matter by way of election petition but only after the recount data, as it is, is de-

clared. Much criticism has also come to the CEO for the submission of his report; such action being considered illegal.

However, by way of a statement on Friday, Lowenfield called on his critics to re-read the portion of the Constitution of Guyana which speaks to his responsibilities and, this time, in its entirety.

“I have noted the contents of an article published in the Friday, June 26, 2020 edition of the Stabroek News under the caption, ‘Lowenfield report seen as clear act of insubordination’. The source who articulated that position seems to have only read the Constitution in part, conveniently, and failed to recognise the sections that dictate the functions of the Chief Elections Officer. While the Commission makes certain policy decisions and provides guidance to the Chief Elections Officer for implementation by the Secretariat, I have to execute my duties as a Constitutional Officer, particularly in the conduct of Elections”, the CEO stated.

He added: “The contents of the Stabroek News article suggests that the CEO must only act as the Commission instructs and flout the Constitutional requirements. At all times, I have acted in conformity with the laws and therefore my action cannot be ‘seen as clear act of insubordination’ as articulated in the ill-informed Stabroek News article.”

Utilising valid votes, as ordered by the Court of Appeal, the CEO, on June 23, submitted his Election Report which saw the APNU+AFC securing 71,825 valid votes and the PPP/C, 166, 343 valid votes. In his Report to the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, Lowenfield stated: “I have taken note of the guidance of the Court of Appeal in Eslyn David v Chief Elections Officer et al in the preparation of my Report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act and providing advice as required by Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic

of Guyana.” The upset over his report comes as the PPP/C is contending that the ballots as counted during the first phase of the recount process should be declared and any alleged or evident irregularities or anomalies should be taken up by election petition after the declaration. On the other hand, the governing APNU+AFC coalition is contending that the Order which paved the way for the national recount mandated that the ballots issued be reconciled with ballots cast based on a number of statutory documents.

The absence of many of such documents during the physical count has resulted in the party’s argument that over 200,000 ballots have been compromised and cannot be validated.

Fire destroys ND&S furniture factory at La Jalousie A FIRE of unknown origin, on Thursday night, completely destroyed ND&S furniture factory at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara.

According to information received, the tragedy occurred sometime around 22:30hrs, while the proprietor of the business, Parasram Mahadeo, was sound asleep in his home at the top flat of the building.

The cause of the fire is still to be ascertained. Guyana Chronicle spoke to the daughter of the business owner, Natasha Mahadeo, who stated that her father was able to escape the building unharmed. From her information, the fire department was promptly contacted by one of the neighbours and shortly arrived on the scene to contain the blaze.

Natasha Mahadeo stated that they were not able to ascertain the origin of the fire and that the ranks of the Guyana Fire Service were conducting an investigation to gather that information.

Further, she stated that they were unable to save any of the items in the factory and were working along with staff members to detail the total cost of damages.

“We were not able to save anything form the factory of itself, but, from the store, with the help from neighbours of course, we were able to save some pieces from the showroom.” Destroyed in the building were several pieces of furniture, wood, ply, fabric and several pieces of machinery.

The fire-ravaged ND&S furniture factory at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Coronavirus: US hits record high in daily cases (BBC) The United States recorded an all-time daily high of 40,000 coronavirus infections on Thursday, figures from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) show.

A recent surge in infections and hospitalisations has prompted the states of Texas, Florida and Arizona to pause reopening plans.

Texas's governor ordered bars to close and announced other "targeted measures" on Friday to bring infections down.

Florida announced it was suspending alcohol consumption at its bars.

JHU's previous high of 36,400 was on 24 April when less testing took place.

The US has 2.4 million confirmed infections and 122,370 deaths - more than any other country.

While some of the increase in daily cases recorded is down to increased testing, the rate of positive tests in some areas is also increasing.

Health officials in the US estimate the true number of cases is likely to be 10 times higher than the reported figure.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said up to 20 million Americans may have been infected with coronavirus. The estimate was based on blood samples collected from across the country which were tested for the presence of antibodies to the virus.

The surge in cases was being driven by young people testing positive, especially in the south and west of the US, said the head of the CDC, Dr Robert Redfield.

Which states are worst hit?

Texas, which has been at the forefront of moves to end lockdown measures, has seen thousands of new cases, prompting Republican Governor Greg Abbott to call a temporary halt to its reopening on Friday.

He announced that he was closing bars, stopping river-rafting, and ordering restaurants to return to 50% capacity to try to stem the outbreak.

"It is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars," he said in a statement.

Saturday, June 27, 2020 - 09:30 hrs

Texas confirmed a record 5,996 new cases on Thursday, while there were also 47 more

said there was no plan to continue reopening step-by-step.

"We are where we are. I didn't

Alabama, California, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, South

States like Florida are experiencing rates of infection not seen since April

deaths reported, the highest daily toll for a month.

On Friday, Florida broke its own daily record for new infections, reporting 8,942 new cases. The previous record was 5,508, reported on Wednesday. The state now has a total of 122,960 recorded cases and 3,366 deaths.

State officials announced that alcohol consumption was being suspended at bars across the state. However, it was not clear how the new measures would affect restaurants that served alcohol, the Miami Herald reported.

Earlier, Florida's governor

say we were going to go on to the next phase," Ron DeSantis told reporters.

Arizona has emerged as another epicentre of the crisis.

Disease trackers there say the state has "lost control of the epidemic", the Washington Post reports. Governor Doug Ducey, who had been giving businesses a "green light" to reopen, now says Arizona residents are "safer at home".

The light is at "yellow", Gov Ducey said on Thursday.

"I'm asking for Arizonans to proceed with caution, to go slower, to look both ways."

Other states, including

Carolina and Wyoming, have all seen record daily increases in the number of confirmed cases this week.

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have said they will ask people travelling from eight states - Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Utah - to go into self-isolation for 14 days.

In California, which reported a record 7,149 new confirmed cases on Wednesday, Disney said it was delaying reopening of its Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park originally set for 17 July. The company said it first needed to receive approval from government officials.

Governor Gavin Newsom said the state had carried out more than a million tests over the past two weeks, with about 5% coming back positive. Mr Newsom has made wearing a face mask mandatory in public.

The University of Washington predicts 180,000 US deaths by October - or 146,000 if 95% of Americans wear masks.

The European Union is reportedly considering banning US citizens from entering the bloc as it considers how to reopen its external

borders.

How has the US responded to the pandemic?

The US federal system of government allows states freedom to devise their own solutions and policies to pressing concerns - even a national health crisis.

Governors have therefore been responsible for the varying degrees of lockdown put in place to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

That patchwork response has also been marked by contention between the Trump administration and some governors.

Back in March, President Trump made it clear he wanted to see America reopen for business "soon".

Faced with rising unemployment and an economic crisis just months ahead of November's election, he tweeted at the time: "We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself."

The president even went so far as to endorse street protests against stringent lockdown measures in several states.

Then, in April, President Trump unveiled guidance to governors on reopening state economies.

The guidelines for "Opening up America Again" outlined three phases for states to gradually ease their lockdowns.

Mr Trump promised governors they would be handling the process themselves, with help from the federal government.

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have said they will ask people travelling from eight states - Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Utah - to go into self-isolation for 14 days.

In California, which reported a record 7,149 new confirmed cases on Wednesday, Disney said it was delaying reopening of its Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park originally set for 17 July. The company said it first needed to receive approval from government officials.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Dean in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and project team leader, Dr. Lawrence Lewis demonstrates how the bioenergy gasifier operates (Samuel Maughn photo)

UG’s Dr Lawrence Lewis wins prestigious Energy Globe Award

Dr Lawrence Lewis, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Guyana has won the prestigious Energy Globe Award for his project titled Management and Use of Acacia Plantations on mined out Sites as Bioenergy Plantations for improved Livelihoods of

Mining Communities.

The ENERGY GLOBE AWARD is considered the most significant environmental award worldwide.

This year more than 2,500 projects aimed at protecting the environment have been submitted by more than 180 countries around the world, UG said in the re-

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Coronavirus: US hits ...

Back in March, President Trump made it clear he wanted to see America reopen for business "soon".

Faced with rising unemployment and an economic crisis just months ahead of November's election, he tweeted at the time: "We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself."

The president even went so far as to endorse street protests against stringent lockdown measures in several states.

Then, in April, President Trump unveiled guidance to governors on reopening state economies.

The guidelines for "Opening up America Again" outlined three phases for states to gradually ease their lockdowns.

Mr Trump promised governors they would be handling the process themselves, with help from the federal government.

lease. All national winners will be officially presented to the public for the first time on June 30, 2020 at www.energyglobe.info, a 2-minute-video by winning projects will presented and shown worldwide, these presentations will encompass (respective research problems and their practi-

cal solutions). The Energy Globe (The World Award for Sustainability) is presented annually to outstanding and sustainable projects in the area of environment and energy. Awards are presented on the national and international levels for the 5 categories of Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Youth.

With more than 180 participating countries, the Energy Globe Award is today’s most renowned worldwide environmental award. The international recipients of each category are presented with their awards as part of a ceremony that is broadcast all over the world.

The University of Guy-

ana on behalf of the Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene, Pro-Chancellor Major General Retired Joseph Singh, Professor Paloma Mohamed – Martin, Vice- Chancellor and staff of the University of Guyana to congratulated Dr Lewis for his achievement.

Blame it on illegal crossings, poor border control …GGDMA urges more rigorous The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) on Friday said it is alarmed by the recent upsurge in the number of cases of the disease in certain mining areas, but it has blamed it on illegal crossings and poor border control.

In a statement the association said it has recognised that most of the cases can be traced and are connected to illegal cross border activity at mining landings and areas where miners dwell. “These cases have been linked and traced to itinerant workers who are not directly involved or associated with mining or specific operations. It appears that the COVID-19 is being spread at our borders which remain porous because of lax enforcement of crossings and other border control measures, this must be addressed immediately by the authorities,” the GGDMA noted.

According to the mining association mining landings, registered shops need to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and the curfew which is in place.

“The association calls on all miners to have a strict adherence of the measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus and to avoid congregating unnecessarily at public spaces. Specifically, shops are reminded that no social gatherings or the consumption of food and drinks are to be allowed on premises, customers must purchase and leave. The GGDMA is against illegal shops which encourage mining workers to flaunt the COVID-19

guidelines and breaches the curfew. These illegal shops must be removed. We call on the relevant authorities to assist in this regard,” the statement said.

According to GGDMA activities, at landings and camps, that promote the spread of the disease and contribute to the disobedience of the curfew and COVID-19 guidelines must stop. “Camp Managers must follow the guidelines and enforce the rules established by the MOH, PAHO and WHO to ensure the safety of mining camps.

There can be no compromise to ensure the safety of all workers on the mining camp. The GGDMA recognises the increasing spread of the virus and would like to be engaged by the COVID-19 Steering Committee on whatever decisions are being made for the gold and diamond mining industry of Guyana to help alleviate this disease.

In the meantime, the Association continues to work with PAHO to develop a guideline for mining, this is expected to be completed by next week.”

Health authorities here have time and again warned “mining regions” to be extra cautious because of the “heavy traffic” in and out of communities within those regions. The traffic in those communities remain high because the gold and diamond mining sector remains “essential” and is fully operational.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Road accidents

THE high incidence of road traffic accidents occurring over the weekend period continues to evade law enforcement efforts to reduce the number of road traffic accidents occurring on our roadways and the resultant fatalities from the same. Despite the efforts of the Guyana Police Force to maintain the safety of our roadways, there continues to be a high number of road traffic accidents which could have been avoided if road users applied due care and caution when using the roads.

At the middle of the year, there have been 66 road traffic accidents which has caused the deaths of 68 persons. This time last year, there were 49 accidents and 52 deaths. From the statistics, it appears as though we are on course to surpass the figures from the previous year, if the current pace is maintained for the remainder of 2020. There has been an increase in accidents of 35per cent and an increase of 31 per cent in deaths. Last year, in total, we recorded 108 road traffic accidents and 129 deaths caused by the same.

Over this past weekend alone, there were four separate road traffic accidents which caused the deaths of four persons

with a number in critical condition. There appears to be a clear trend as we see time and time again that a large percentage of the accidents which occur tend to happen during the weekend period. And, even though we are currently under emergency measures in order to stem the spread of COVID-19, including a 6pm-6am curfew, the roadways continue to be utilized by commuters after the curfew has commenced as a number of accidents have occurred during this time period alone.

Accidents involving motorcycles have also been on the rise as an increasing number of commuters are tackling the crowded city streets by way of motorcycle, which is a cost-effective and convenient way of travel. However, many commuters who chose this method of transport flout the relevant road safety laws requiring helmets and other protective clothing to be worn. Additionally, the relatively relaxed requirements for motorcyclists continue to be a problem as, increasingly, younger and more inexperienced riders are taking to the roads. The end result is more reckless riding, speeding and blatant disregard for the rules of the road which ultimately has led to many young men in particular, losing their

lives on the roads.

Despite the efforts of the GPF to educate road users on the dangers of reckless road use through various campaigns on the radio and television, we continue to struggle to inculcate upon some road users, the need to practice care and caution. In efforts to change the culture of road use in Guyana, the GPF had been making visits to schools in order to teach road safety and promote safe road use, that has now paused for COVID-19 related reasons but it remains the best way to reach the next generation of road users. But what more can be done for the adult population who are the biggest road users and who shoulder the greatest responsibility to end the culture of reckless driving in Guyana?

Perhaps it is time to review the process which enables persons to legally use the roads. It has been argued that there should be stricter licensing laws for individuals who intend to use the roads. Additionally, there should be better standardized theory and practical testing for perspective drivers governed by a separate agency responsible for the same. Perhaps there could be a points-based system introduced in order to identify road users who continuously

infringe upon traffic rules by speeding, not wearing seatbelts and driving under the influence; some of the major causes of road traffic accidents. Perhaps, this points-based system could lead to a revocation of the individual’s driver’s licence, a fine or some other form of retributive justice.

In any case, in order to stop the avoidable loss of life by road traffic accidents, more must be done at all levels.

Of course, the government shoulders responsibility for ensuring that the laws governing road use are sufficient and enforced, additionally, the physical infrastructure of our roadways must also be improved, maintained and further developed in order to cope with growing road use. However, as citizens we also shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that we use the roads safely and with proper care and due caution. We must continue to speak up against mini-bus drivers who speed and overload their buses. We must continue to caution our friends and family members who use the roads and remind them too of the importance of proper road use. We must continue to be vigilant and inculcate upon our children the importance of proper road use.

Speaking with forked tongue

Dear Editor,

A NATIVE American proverb says, “white man speaks with forked tongue”.

It is believed that the proverb originated from the French inviting the Iroquois to a peace conference, only to have them slaughtered. Today, in Guyana, we see some validity in that proverb. European and North American diplomats rightfully insist on credible election results from one fork of the tongue, but the other fork calls for fraudulent votes to be counted.

That double-talk is driving a polarisation of the Guyanese society.

The meaning of credibility has been brutally chopped up during these post-election days. The PPP, with talking

point support from those who were expected to be impartial, continues to call for credible election results, but at the same time, the Party and foreign interests want votes that are clearly fraudulent to be included in the total count. How can it work both ways?

We cannot simply ignore that someone or group compromised the integrity of the electoral process, and that is the root reason why Guyanese must suffer this anguish as they wait for GECOM to do its job. Some of those who so loudly call for credible results to be compiled, using total ballots are either plain stupid or have no desire for a credible election. They know of the anomalies. Some irregularities were so obnoxious to be

unbelievable. For instance, ballots coded for one polling station ended up mixed in with ballots of another polling station. How can that happen? Who did that, and why? There can be only one answer to that last question.

Similar questions come to mind when more ballots are found in boxes than the number of names (and blank ballots given to the presiding officers) listed for those specific polling stations. How did these extra people get to vote, and from where did they get their blank ballot forms? Who gave those forms to these extras? And why were these not documented in the poll books?

And what about the 400 boxes without statutory documents? The law requires those documents to be placed

in the boxes, yet trained personnel chose to make those important documents disappear. And, curiously, when called by GECOM to a meeting to explain why these documents are missing, every single one of those presiding officers failed to show up for that meeting – not once, but twice. How then can sensible, objective people believe that those boxes contain valid and credible ballots? But yet, here we are with leaders of influential organizations completely ignoring these glaring indications of fraud and continue to insist that GECOM allow the fraud to be shoved down the throats of the Guyanese people.

Those very organizations speak highly of the principles of democracy and of non-interference. Those leaders

speak with forked tongues.

APNU-AFC coalition brought hope to the Guyanese people after 23 years of lawlessness, top-level corruption, systemic racism, and an almost failed narco-state. During those 23 years of the PPP rule, the population remained stagnant as families migrated. The memories of those years are still fresh in the minds of Guyanese voters, and that fact was clearly seen by international observers during the 2020 campaign cycle. The turnout at APNU-AFC rallies were significantly greater than those in 2015 when many did not believe that the coalition would win.

Despite that strong show of support for the coalition, these observers followed

the PPP cue to declare – BEFORE the count was finished, that the PPP won the elections. And when the evidence of fraud started to be exposed, those observers pretended not to notice. The behavior of the international community and those international and local observers point to one thing; they are not interested in credible election outcome.

They speak with forked tongues. And the best advice to the Coalition and its supporters: BE CAREFUL WITH THOSE WHO SPEAK WITH FORKED TONGUE; THEY COULD BE LEADING YOU TO THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE. Respectfully, Max Mohamed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

GECOM's Keith Lowenfield has dutifully done his part Dear Editor,

these people not constrained by the self-evident truth WHILE we wait for the that the democratic will of CCJ to either make the the people can be measured precedential decision that only by the counting of valid it has no jurisdiction over votes? Look, in my view, only Article 177 cases as claimed valid votes should be ascerby our AG, or surprisingly tained and counted prior to arrogate to itself jurisdic- the declaration of the results tion under some unique of our March 2 elections. No judicial principle, my mind presumption of validity must continues to be occupied be given to ballots that are with the mantra-like hue known to be not valid or are and cry over "valid votes" included in ballot boxes with and the "democratic will of fraudulent ballots from which the of the people" regarding they cannot be distinguished. the outcome of our March The presumption of validity 2 Elections. Surprising- of a ballot is reserved for ly, many with a self-serving the normal counting process personal or paid-for opinion under normal circumstances. are talking about "valid But this is neither the normal votes" and "democratic counting process nor the norwill of the people" as if mal circumstances. these notions have absoHow can these be norlutely nothing to do with mal circumstances when each other. But while these the recount has unearthed notions seem to be mutually t e m p o r a r i l y - r e s u r r e c t exclusive, they are in fact ed-but-now-dead-again votan inextricably linked se- ers, omnipresent emigrant quence. For in democratic voters, and ballots with the societies, it is only through miraculous ability to selfvalid votes that the demo- mark and self-stamp themcratic will of the people can selves and then appear in be discerned via elections. If ballot boxes, with obviously all the votes cast in an elec- no evidence of how they got tion are invalid for whatev- there? We all know that 'dead er reason, the democratic men tell no tales', so we must will of the people cannot be also accept that they must said to have been discerned. not be allowed to contribute Consequently, it makes any votes in determining the no sense for GECOM, as is democratic will of the peobeing demanded by many ple. Emigrants thankfully do at home and abroad, to pre- contribute to our economy, sume validity and count every but their omnipresent votes unspoilt vote cast by every must not be counted when voter, without regard for the determining the democratic actual validity of those votes. will of our people. We also Why should GECOM confer have to reject those votes that a presumption of validity on cannot be verified through votes that are known to be statutory documents as having invalid through fraud and come from eligible voters. irregularities? And why are And if all of these infected

votes cannot be individually identified, then all ballot boxes with them must be rejected, without any regard for the self-serving and self-censoring talk of disenfranchisement of innocent voters. The innocent will always suffer collaterally in wars of all kind.

Thus, GECOM's war against irregularities and fraud will have its collateral victims.

In fact, GECOM's rules already provide for the disenfranchisement of the innocent, the ignorant, and the illiterate for various reasons.

For example, if an exuberant but ignorant voter properly marks his or her ballot for a party but then innocently places his or her name thereon, he or she is automatically disenfranchised. Yes, that ballot will be invalidated!

A presiding officer can also eject a voter from a polling station for violating rules the voter may be unaware of, thereby potentially frustrating the voter into not returning to vote. The vote of an illiterate voter will be invalidated if he or she improperly marks a ballot. These types of disenfranchisement of voters I am supposed to accept because the sanctity of secrecy of the ballot, order in the polling place, and ability to clearly determine a voter's intent demand nothing less. But demonstrable fraud and irregularities must be condoned!?

Crock! Utter Crock!!! What is so wrong with disenfranchising "innocent" voters to prevent the triumph of fraud and irregularities?

The road to electoral democracy is littered with many instances of collective re-

Learn well the lessons from your history Dear Editor, I HAVE long argued that COVID-19 is much more than a pandemic; much more than a matter of health.

COVID-19, along with its deadly arm, also has a social component; a psychological component; an economic component. It is in the context of the latter that one needs to analyse Prime Minister Mia Motley’s unfortunate, untimely and prejudicial recent comments.

CARICOM has 15 member states.

For the purpose of this analysis, the five associate member states are irrelevant. All of the 15 member states have small economies. Of these 15 member states, only two are blessed with an abundance of natural resources: Namely Guyana and Trinidad.

Of these 15 member states, 10 depend on

tourism from Western societies. The main source of income of 10 is tourism. This represents nearly 70% of the CARICOM member states dependent on tourism.

Without tourism, the vast majority of the CARICOM member states’ economies will collapse. This was very much evident in the 2007-2009 Great Recession. Many of these small CARICOM tourist-dependent economies sustained a massive financial hit. Many are still on economic walking aids as a result of this crash.

Then, in 2020, these very economies were hit by the global pandemic, COVID-19. With this pandemic, air travel is virtually at a standstill for months. As a result, these struggling economies are now visited with another economic killer punch, at a point when they are most vulnerable: TURN TO PAGE

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sponsibility, some may call it collective sacrifice. Yes, it has been a messy road, and will continue to be so. Unintended consequences will always ensue when persons of ill-will inject fraud and irregularities to have things go their way. It is indeed a fact and a problem that GECOM cannot identify every specific vote that has been placed in a ballot box through fraud or irregularities, but it very well knows the specific solution to the problem. For if the specific votes cannot be identified, then GECOM must exclude the ballot boxes in which those votes are commingled. All parties will lose votes when those ballot boxes are excluded, some more than others.

But that is okay. To stay on the road to democracy, we all have to share the collective responsibility placed on us. And in this instance, the party that has benefitted the most from fraud and irregularities must of necessity bear the greatest

share of responsibility in resolving them.

I also firmly believe that many of the "innocent" voters likely to be disenfranchised were winking and nodding at what was going on right under their noses. When one member of an Olympic gold-medal relay team is found to have cheated, every member of the team is stripped of gold. They get nothing! Innocence is no defense. Years of hard work and sacrifice must come to nothing! The integrity of the sport has to be protected at all costs.

So, unlike many, I have no apprehension whatsoever about disenfranchising "innocent" voters to protect democracy. To be frank, I am completely sanguine about it. Thus, there will be no crocodile tears from me--others should spare me theirs--if GECOM removes those tainted ballot boxes or even annuls the election wholly or in part. For, as I have previ-

ously mentioned, GECOM's rules already allow it to disenfranchise voters. Those rules may have been written for the most frequent and vexing occurrences, but there is nothing that stops GECOM from also using the law to right the fraudulent wrongs that were unearthed during the recount. In fact, GO 60/2020 and our constitution empower GECOM to use only valid votes so that the world will know the true democratic will that was expressed on March 2nd.

GECOM's CEO Keith Lowenfield has dutifully done his part. It is now up to the six commissioners and the chairman to do theirs.

Regards, Lionel Lowe

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Lowenfield made his report in accordance with the Constitution Dear Sir, MR. Keith Lowenfield, Guyana’s Chief Elections Officer, should be praised not condemned; he has done his work in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana. The Constitution of our beloved country, Guyana, is unique to Guyana, different in many respects to constitutions in other countries of the Commonwealth. It is Sacrosanct.

Here, in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, when Officers are appointed to Constitutional Offices, including the office of Chief Elections Officer, at GECOM, they are expected to faithfully and undauntingly, in the face of threats, and abuses, comply with the laws, principles and regulations that govern those offices. Essentially, this is the reason why inherent in such offices are certain levels of authority, derived from the very constitution that establishes such offices, to execute their functions, responsibilities and duties. Their actions to do their constitutional duties cannot be equated with insubordination; how can it? And if by faithfully doing

their constitutional duties they are deemed to be insubordinate then the question must be to whom are they insubordinate? This is madness.

In the current electoral process, the Chief Elections Officer has faithfully executed his constitutional duty to satisfy the ultimate goal of the Order No.60 of 202, to ascertain a final credible count for elections 2020, in Guyana. So, why is this Constitutional Officer condemned by, a few, and not praised by all Guyanese for doing his job?

The answer is a simple one: because his constitutional act does not serve their interest, of those few who are seeking to gain political power and take the reins of government.

If the Chief Elections officer had submitted a result that included the tainted votes, giving a political victory to another political party would that party and its cohorts, including some of our friends, in CARICOM, and elsewhere condemned him?

Certainly no! Therefore, this battle appears not to be about democracy and fairness but interest, on the part of those, who are unjustifiably condemning this Officer. But even if the Chief Elections Officer wanted to

do otherwise, he could not because he is constrained by the constitution to ascertain a final result based on valid votes; it could not be anything else. Finally, I wish to highly commend Mr. Keith Lowenfield for his faithful commitment and loyalty to his constitutional duty.

I would not take the trouble to talk about the strange utterances of those, who believe that Guyana is still a colony or a satellite state. Many of those, who are now speaking have troubles in their own countries, which warrant their time and energies much more than them dabbling in our challenge here, in Guyana. And they can talk all they want about President, David A. Granger, his integrity has withstood the test of times; something that cannot be said for even some former and present heads of Governments, who are loudest among those shouting against us, without understanding our local socio, political and economic situation. In the end, we shall overcome.

Yours truly, Gregory Howe

Learn well the...

FROM PAGE

Recession! And even when the airports are reopened, air travel will be sluggish for an indefinite period. This is likely to be the case for at least until the end of 2020. This must be dire for these countries and small islands.

It is without doubt that our oil discovery has caught the attention of the West. It is without doubt that the development of the West economies was as a result of economic exploitation of the natural resources of Third World countries. “How Europe underdeveloped Africa,” by Dr. Walter Rodney, a must read. It is without doubt that the West wants regime change in Guyana. In the PPP/C, the West knows that they have an extensive dossier on the leaders. It is a known fact that Guyana was reduced to a narco-state.

The criminal fingerprints of many of the PPP’s leaders are all over this dark period in Guyana’s painful history. The West knows that if PPP regains power, with their assistance, then they can use this as leverage to control our oil. The West knows that they do not have such leverage over the APNU+AFC, hence they desperately need them out. Self-interest personified. It was obvious that the West was at the forefront of the attempted regime change in Guyana.

They employed the threat of sanctions to intimidate the APNU+AFC leaders. They spoke of democracy

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and all manner of euphemisms to hide their true intent. They placed all their bets on the PPP. All their attempts backfired subsequent to the recount.

As a result, their credibility came into question for supporting the fraudulent horse in the PPP. Despite this embarrassment, they refused to give up.

They seriously cannot allow Guyana to use her oil for her development.

It is this predicament that birthed an engagement with CARICOM. Nearly 70% of the CARICOM economies will require economic assistance from the West. Barbados included.

Mia Motley gained all 18 seats in the last Barbados General Election on the back of an economy which was very much close to recession. The only way out of this economic abyss is financial assistance from the West, since their economic-sustaining tourists are not coming any time soon.

Self-preservation over CARICOM preservation. No longer our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

Insularity destroyed West Indies cricket and will soon destroy our CARICOM. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Our foreparents must be turning in their graves. I am reduced to tears.

Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Two held for Enmore hit-and-run

Wonder what leadership Mottley would offer her country in the face of external aggression and invasion Dear Editor, THERE is much that is very offensive and repugnant in the statement made

by CARICOM’s Chairman, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley in response to the decision of the Guyana Court of Appeal, that is “votes castmean valid votes” and the subsequent report from GECOM (CEO) Mr Keith Lowenfield on the election results. However, this letter is limited to one aspect of the Prime Minister’s statement.

I write to express my disagreement with the view expressed by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, that an election isn’t worth the life of one Guyanese. Is she serious?

She stated, “no electoral

process can replace the life of any Guyanese”. In a literal sense, she is correct.

Since her usage was not meant to be literal, instead it was political: it is in this context what she stated must be understood. Mottley must be aware that a government coming out of an election can have extremely negative consequences for a people and nation by the policies that they implement which can result in hundreds of people losing their lives. As happened in Guyana during the PPPC rule. That period was marked by political assassinations and state-sponsored executions of hundreds of young African men. The Prime Minister in her remarks seems to be insensitive to the country’s recent political experience under

the PPPC. Are we to interpret her position to mean that our hard-won democracy and the right to choose a government is worth nothing? And should not be defended the way we Guyanese choice? To me, this is like a “slave master” telling a slave not to fight for freedom since (the slave’s life) is worth more than freedom. Caricom’s Chairwoman has put a very low premium on the historical struggles of enslaved Africans and others Guyanese, whose blood and life made democracy a reality in Guyana.

I don’t think in the context of Prime Minister Mottley’s position on the value Guyanese should place on elections, it is asking too much for her to say if the same applies to her country

Barbados. Or is there a different standard?

I wonder what leadership Mottley would offer her country in the face of external aggression and invasion. Would she say defending the country is not worth a Barbadian life?

One may say that the two situations are dissimilar, but the underlying principle is the same. Caribbean peoples given our history must place as a matter of priority a very “high premium” on our freedom and rights. And be prepared to defend those gains regardless of the price.

Regards, Tacuma Ogunseye

Injured: Christopher Pollard

Deceased: Sheldon Major

DAYS after two teen boys were struck down in a hit-and-run accident last Sunday, two persons have been apprehended and are in police custody assisting with the investigation, while the vehicle which is believed to have hit the boys has been impounded.

16-year-old Sheldon Major was killed, while his brother, 4-year-old Christopher Pollard, who is nursing severe injuries to the head and face, were stuck down by a motor vehicle on the Enmore Public Road around 19:00hrs Sunday evening.

Pollard, who was accompanied by Major was

said to be returning home from his grandmother’s residence when the accident occurred. One of the victims was discovered motionless on the northern edge of the road, while the other was found in a semi-conscious state on the grass parapet by passersby.

Both teens were found with severe injuries about their heads and bodies, and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by police ranks, where Major was pronounced dead on arrival, while Pollard was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Border controversy case opens Tuesday …Guyana to present from 2pm-5pm

…Venezuela opts not to defend, saying court has no jurisdiction PUBLIC hearing on the question of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s jurisdiction in the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October, 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) will open on Tuesday 30 June, 2020 at 1400hrs at the Peace Palace in The Hague, seat of the Court.

The Co-operative Republic of Guyana’s delegation will present its oral arguments from 14:00 to 17:00hrs, while the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has informed the Court that it will not participate in the oral proceedings, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday in a release.

In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing will take place in the court’s Great Hall of Justice via videoconference. Some members of the Court will be physically present, while the others will participate remotely. Guyana’s representatives will address the Court by video link.

Guyana is seeking final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between the then British Guiana and Venezuela remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela. Guyana had taken the case to the court following the decision by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in January 2018, that the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the International Court of Justice.

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

ceedings nonetheless. In the press statement on June 20, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister said: “Venezuela’s clear position of not attending the Court has been concretised on the basis that it lacks

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 Venezu-

gling 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 on

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations

mirrors that of the one taken in June 2018 when the country declined to participate in the hearing, based on the position that the ICJ lacks jurisdiction on the matter. In February 2020, the country said 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 pro-

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 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.

DECEMBER 2018 INCURSION As recent as December 2018, Guyana’s territorial integrity was violated when a Venezuelan Navy corvette, the Karina PC-14, made a

ela, and saw attempts by the Navy to land an helicopter on the unarmed oil survey ship. In a firm 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, the 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 smug-

pointing out that efforts over more than half-a-century, 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), have all 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 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, 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.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

It was established by the United Nations Charter in June 1945 and began its activities in April 1946. The Court is composed of 15 judges elected for a nineyear term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).

The Court has a two-fold role: First, to settle, in accordance with international law, through judgments which have binding force and are without appeal for the parties concerned, legal disputes submitted to it by States; and second to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and agencies of the system.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

U.S Foreign Relations Committee wants elections declared despite CCJ orders UG donates sanitisation supplies to Palms, other entities THE University of Guyana has gifted the Palms Geriatric Home, Demerara Mahaica Regional Health Office and Region Six Regional Democratic Council with a quantity of sanitisation supplies, masks, oximeters and thermometers.

The donation was part of UG’s Cares Initiative. The handing over activities were held on Monday June 22, 2020 at Region Four, Regional Democratic Office, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, while Region Six handover was done on June 24, 2020 at the RDC Chairman’s Office in New Amsterdam.

According to a release from UG, the Regional Executive Officer of Region Four, Ms. Pauline Lucas, expressed thanks to the University of Guyana and stated that, “the supplies will be used to fight the pandemic COVID-19 on a daily basis in all 31 Health Facilities across the Demerara-Mahaica Region.” The ceremony was attended by Dr. Emanuel Cummings, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Christopher Seetram, a representative from Region Four, Regional Health Office and Officers from the Office of Philanthropy Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), which organised the funding and logistics in response to letters to Prof. Paloma Mohamed, Vice-Chancellor Xi, from alumni of the university requesting various forms of support in fighting the pandemic.

The Regional Chairman of Region Six, Mr. David Armogan, himself an alumnus, echoed similar sentiments stating that he is thankful to the University of Guyana and that, “this is indeed something that is needed in the region to assist in the fight against the pandemic”. The Chairman further stated that “this will go a long way to assist the people of Region Six.” The ceremony was attended by

Prof. Gomathinayagam Subramaniam, Director of the University of Guyana Berbice Campus along with Officers from PACE Office. There will be upcoming handing over activities of similar items by the University of Guyana to communities in Linden.

To date, the University of Guyana’s administration has taken measures to put the safety of its staff and students first. A decision to restrict physical contact and interaction was taken just after Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 case on March 11, 2020. To this end, specific social work and psychology assessments in the University have been modified to require students to apply their knowledge and expertise to NCOV-19 by supporting the university and university connected including alum who are on the front line and whose communities are vulnerable. UG Cares is responding to this in six ways by partnering with local industry giants GTT and ExxonMobil, volunteers and students (1) Supplying care packages based on a certain set criterion (2) creating and disseminating communication materials especially on prevention, nutrition and care to hard to reach communities (3) providing educational support to children in orphanages (4) providing counselling support to persons in psychological distress and (5) providing analysis and technical support and data for policy and (6) in directly supporting medical and frontline workers who are UG alumni or affiliated. Read more about UG CARES on www.uog. edu.gy or Contact: University of Guyana, Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), Turkeyen Campus on Telephone: 592 623-3159

THE U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has urged that the results of the recount of the March2, 2020 elections be declared, ignoring a Caribbean Court

interested parties designed to continue forestalling a final declaration of results, which members of the press say indicates a defeat for the incumbent government. President

Trinidad’s Senior Counsel, John Jeremie expressed concerns that statements issued by leaders of the Region could influence the case. Jeremie, who is part of a battery of law-

can rest assured that we are not going to have regard to anything which is being said outside of the court, and which does not feature as a relevant part of these proceedings,” the

Some members of the Foreign Relations Committee

of Justice (CCJ) order that stays the hands of the authorities here.

Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee respectively; Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ben Cardin (DMd.), chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues, on Friday released a statement encouraging Guyanese authorities to begin a democratic transition of power that reflects the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections: “Nearly four months since their national election, the Guyanese people are still waiting for an official result following the general and regional elections in their nation. This is unacceptable.

We share in the frustration expressed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and other international stakeholders, and call on the Guyanese authorities to issue an official election declaration that reflects the results of the March 2 election which were confirmed in the official recount by CARICOM’s observer mission.

“Recent reports suggest questionable manoeuvers by

Granger should honour the will of the Guyanese people and concede. We extend our support and solidarity to the people of Guyana, who have borne more than their fair share of patience during this process. For their sake, the future of democracy and the rule of law in our hemisphere, the ongoing uncertainty and gamesmanship must end.” On May 12, Risch, Menendez, Rubio, and Cardin led several colleagues in penning a letter to President Granger, encouraging a free, fair, and transparent recount of the presidential election.

On Thursday, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Justice Adrian Saunders was forced to give assurances that the regional Court’s decision in the case challenging the ruling of the Court of Appeal that the election of a President should be based on “valid votes” will be in keeping with the laws of Guyana and the submissions of the attorneys, and not the utterances of external forces.

During a virtual Case Management Conference (CMC) on Thursday for the case filed by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, and its Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali against North Sophia voter Eslyn David, and the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and others,

yers representing David, said: “Statements are being made by persons outside of this court with considerable influence in the region, which impact on the decision of the Court of Appeal, and which have the potential to impact on the decision of the Court.” Dubbing the statements expressed by the Region’s Leaders as “unfortunate,” Jeremie reminded that the case is of utmost importance to the people of Guyana.

In recent times, Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, and incoming CARICOM Chair Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines have come in for heavy criticisms owing to statements they made which can prejudice the case. Mottley, as recent as Wednesday delivered stinging criticisms against the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lownefield, and sought to direct that GECOM use invalid votes to declare the March 2, 2020 Elections.

In response, Justice Saunders offered his assurance.

“You can rest assured that the bench is going to treat with this matter only on the basis of the material that you and your colleagues, those with you, those against you, those who are in this court today, on the basis of what you submit; and that is what is always done, certainly by this court. So you

CCJ President said.

The CCJ President took to the bench alongside Justices Jacob Wit, Winston Anderson and Denys Barrow. In the case before the Court, the PPP/C, through its General Secretary and Presidential Candidate, is seeking to overturn the decision of the Court of Appeal that the election of a President ought to be done using “valid votes” in accordance with Article 177 (2)(b) of the Constitution, and Order No. 60.

The respondents in the case are: Eslyn David; the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh; GECOM; the Attorney-General, Basil Williams; A New and United Guyana (ANUG) Executive, Dr. Mark France; The New Movement (TNM) Representative, Daniel Josh Kanhai; Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Leader, Lenox Shuman; Citizenship Initiative Representative, Shazaam Ally; and Change Guyana Executive Abedin Kindy Ali. With no objections from the attorneys representing the appellants and the respondents, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) was added as a respondent, as well as a representative of the United Republican Party (URP).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Guyana will escape regional recession … IMF says in World Economic Outlook

By Vishani Ragobeer

GUYANA, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago are expected to record a growth in real GDP this year despite the recession the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts for Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) report released on June 24, global growth is projected to be negative 4.9 per cent in 2020, a further 1.9 per cent below the projections

given in April. For the Latin America and the Caribbean economy, growth is now expected to contract by 9.4 per cent, a further 4.7 contraction than was reported in April. These contractions are largely attributed to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications on the global economies.

A cumulative loss to the global economy of over $12 trillion over two years (2020 to 2021) is expected.

Of this amount, 10 per cent (or about $1.2 trillion) stems from Latin America.

“Latin America and the Caribbean has been hit particularly hard, with an expected contraction of 9.3 per cent this year, its largest recession on record,” said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

Following the release of the WEO report on June 26, the IMF published an article detailing the specific outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean. In this article, the forecast for the Caribbean was divided into two sections: Tourism-dependent countries (includ-

ing Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and Commodity Exporters (Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago).

For the commodity exporters, all countries with an oil-and-gas industry, positive economic growth of 3.5 per cent is expected.

Though this is less than what was earlier projected for these three countries, this is the only set of countries escaping the region’s projected recession. “The steep drop in oil prices is hurting commodity exporters through a loss in exports and fiscal revenues,” the IMF said. In April, Guyana’s economy was projected to grow by 52.8 per cent, a revision to the prior 86 per cent growth projection. That revision came about as a result of the less-thanusual global demand for oil due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the oilprice war between Russia and Saudia Arabia. The IMF has not yet released figures specifically for Guyana in its new June report.

Oil aside, though, Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Gobind Ganga indicated on Thursday that the country’s pro-

jected non-oil growth, previously pegged at some five per cent, has been revised to negative five to seven per cent or even lower, as major sectors take a big hit.

TOURISM BLOWS Tourism-dependent countries are expected to record negative growth in their real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by a massive 10.3 per cent this year. In 2021, there will be an expected growth of 4.8 per cent.

According to Georgieva, the high dependence of Caribbean economies on tourism, a sector she describes as “one of the most dramatically impacted,” contributes to the countries’ particularly high level of impact. For some countries, 50 to 90 per cent of their GDP and employment is dependent upon this sector.

She acknowledged that the policy response in the region has been swift though, with governments and central banks intervening. This has come in the form of monetary policy, including but not limited to reducing interest rates and fiscal policy (increased government spending and reduced taxation) to strengthen the healthcare systems and support employment.

“The immediate priority for fiscal policy is to

IMF Mnaging Director Kristalina Georgieva (IMF Photos) continue protecting lives and livelihoods, which, given the limited fiscal space in the region, will require reprioritising expenditure, and increasing its efficiency. Policymakers will need to find creative ways to reach different segments of society, especially where informality is high,” the IMF report said. Furthermore, the IMF is advising that monetary policy should remain “accommodative”, given the subdued inflation outlook, negative output gaps, and elevated unemployment. Essentially, governments and central banks should remain cognisant that economic activity must be supported, and that the financial markets must function effectively.

Additional policy rate cuts and measures targeted to specific markets should be considered where necessary and possible, to support economic activity and ensure the proper functioning of financial markets.

Maintaining employment in the region should be a priority, as this will reduce longterm unemployment, and help springboard recovery. Finally, the IMF stressed that countries should be keen on avoiding a “second pandemic wave,” and managing localised outbreaks.

Three-year-old drowns in bucket at Charity

The IMF’s June forecast for Latin America and the Caribbean

A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl of Charity, Squatting Area, Essequibo, allegedly drowned in a bucket of water on Friday morning.

Dead is Sitana Alexander of Charity. The incident reportedly occurred around 10:53 hours. According to reports, the mother of the child, Vanessa Alexander, left the toddler in the house and went to wash her clothes. When she returned she did not see her daughter.

During a search she discovered her child’s lifeless body in a four-gallon bucket with water.

The child’s body was removed from the bucket of water and taken to the Charity Hospital where a doctor pronounced her dead.

The body was then taken to the Suddie Public Hospital awaiting a post mortem examination.

Investigations into the alleged drowning continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

PPP/C says Lowenfield under GECOM’s direction THE PPP/C said it is clear that Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield is subject to the direction and control of the Commission at all material times, and that he has failed to do so.

“That the Commission enjoys an overarching power over the entire electoral process and its officers, including the Chief Election Officer, to rectify any wrong or illegality or irregularity committed is expressed in both Article 162(1) (b) of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Election Laws Amendment Act,” the PPP/C said Friday in a press release.

The Party has noted that, importantly, Article 162(1)(b) clearly states: “The Election 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 duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid (i.e. the administrative conduct of elections),” and that “Accordingly, Mr. Lowenfield’s position is simply untenable. We reiterate that he is part of a larger conspiracy to commit elections fraud. No law gives Mr. Lowenfield the power to do what he attempted do, a fact he well knows. Mr. Lowenfield is not a constitutional officer holder as he claims in his release, since the office of the Chief Election Officer is not created by the constitution. It is created by the Representation of the People Act.” It noted, too, that the Chief Election

Officer is hired by the Commission. “He is therefore a statutory contractual officer of the Commission and his mandate is to only act upon the directions of the Commission. He has no power to invalidate a single vote, moreover 115,000 votes.

Even the Commission has no power to invalidate votes,” the release said.

The party said that such a position is the preserve of the High Court moved by an election petition after the declaration of the final results upon the presentation of evidence. “Moreover, his reliance on the Court of Appeal’s judgment is also conveniently misplaced in furtherance of his scheme to defraud the electorate. At no point did the Court of Appeal rule that the Chief Election Officer could unilaterally determine the valid votes cast in the election. The Court of Appeal certainly did not empower Mr. Lowenfield to disenfranchise voters,” the PPP said.

“Indeed as much as we have an issue with the Court of Appeal’s ruling, to their credit, Justice Reynolds resided the power in the Commission, not the Chief Election Officer, to determine final and credible results. In any event the Court of Appeal’s decision was stayed and was not in effect at the time,” the release said.

The party said that on those bases alone Lowenfield’s attempt to hide behind the Court of Appeal’s judgment in committing electoral fraud must be discarded. “APNU/AFC is clearly part of Mr. Lowenfield’s scheme to commit these criminal acts. The Attorney General, who ought to be an independent and

impartial constitutional officer holder in the current proceedings at the CCJ, as part of that conspiracy, attempted to justify Mr. Lowenfield’s conduct at yesterday’s CCJ hearing, showcasing to the world the conspiracy at work,” the party said.

It said that this latest incident “is merely only a part of APNU/AFC, and now their surrogate Lowenfield’s sordid history, in attempting to justify their actions under the colour of the law and constitutionality.”

On Friday, Lowenfield called on his critics to re-read the portion of the Constitution of Guyana which speaks to his responsibilities, and, this time, in its entirety. “I have noted the contents of an article published in the Friday, June 26, 2020 edition of the Stabroek News under the caption, ‘Lowenfield report seen as clear act of insubordination’. The source who articulated that position seems to have only read the Constitution in part, conveniently, and failed to recognise the sections that dictates the functions of the Chief Election Officer. While the Commission makes certain policy decisions and provides guidance to the Chief Election Officer for implementation by the Secretariat, I have to execute my duties as a Constitutional Officer, particularly in the conduct of Elections,” the CEO stated.

He added: “The contents of the Stabroek News article suggests that the CEO must only act as the Commission instructs and flout the Constitutional re-

quirements. At all times, I have acted in conformity with the laws and therefore my action cannot be ‘seen as clear act of insubordination’ as articulated in the ill-informed Stabroek News article.”

Utilising valid votes, as ordered by the Court of Appeal, the CEO, on June 23, submitted his Election Report which saw the APNU+AFC securing 71,825 valid votes and the PPP/C, 166, 343 valid votes. In his Report to the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, Lowenfield stated: “I have taken note of the guidance of the Court of Appeal in Eslyn David v Chief Elections Officer et al in the preparation of my Report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act and providing advice as required by Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.” The upset over his report comes as the PPP/C is contending that the ballots as counted during the first phase of the recount process should be declared and any alleged or evident irregularities or anomalies should be taken up by election petition after the declaration. On the other hand, the governing APNU+AFC coalition is contending that the Order which paved the way for the national recount mandated that the ballots issued be reconciled with ballots cast based on a number of statutory documents.

The absence of many of such documents during the physical count has resulted in the party’s argument that over 200,000 ballots have been compromised and cannot be validated.

Second COVID-19 case at Mabaruma … new cases recorded at Moruca

THE number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus, in the North West District, continues to rise, with a secondary school teacher at Mabaruma being among the new cases.

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) reported, on Friday, that 15 new cases of the pandemic have been recorded in Guyana, carrying the total number of active cases to 109.

Reports from Mabaruma are that the teacher, who recently travelled there from the Moruca sub-region, the epicentre of the disease in Region One, tested positive for the virus. He has been placed in isolation and medical officials are expected to undertake contact tracing in the area.

His is the second positive case there since April, when a female businesswoman was recorded as the first case in Region One. The Guyana Chronicle understands that several new cases of the virus have been recorded at Moruca. Unconfirmed reports are that as much as 13 new cases

were recorded there from tests undertaken within the past several days. The figures would carry the total number of cases at Moruca to more than 50 recorded within the past several weeks.

The new cases this week include that of a student who is preparing to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The village council at Santa Rosa is receiving support from the authorities in its efforts to boost awareness as well as provide assistance in the form of care packages to residents affected by the virus. Santa Rosa is the largest populated indigenous settlement in Guyana.

To date, 2,423 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Guyana, with 2,193 of those being negative.

The MOPH is reminding persons to continue practising social distancing in the workplace, public spaces, and while using public transportation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Persons are also reminded to practise frequent hand washing/sanitising and

The Mabaruma Regional Hospital always wear a face mask if they have to go out.

Globally, over 9.7 million cases of the virus have been recorded, according

to Johns Hopkins University.

The United States has seen a spike in new cases while Brazil continues to record hundreds of cases daily.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

BK sea defence contract included more work THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure, in a statement addressing an article that appeared in the Kaieteur daily newspaper, ‘over a $352 million contract awarded to BK International’, said the newspaper failed to take into consideration that there was a change in the scope of work covered by the contract.

The statement noted that the tender considered by the Kaieteur news article was for the construction of 350M of rip-rap revetment, whereas the “scope of work was expanded to cover a 500m stretch of sea defence”, the expansion in scope being deemed necessary given “the severity of the deterioration of the sea defences… of which 200m was breached”.

Kaieteur news in its article published on June 25, noted that the construction company was paid $74 million more than the $278,876,300 it had initially

bid for the works, and that the initial bid was the highest among three.

However, according to the ministry’s statement, the contract that was eventually awarded on June 16 was different from a previous restricted tendering process which was initiated in April, 2020, but was later annulled based on the recommendation of the Evaluation Committee.

“The ministry strongly rejects the publication of misinformation regarding the award of the contract. The Kaieteur News article failed to distinguish between two distinct procurement processes which were undertaken, with significantly different scope of works. Several design considerations were also taken into account in the revised scope of works,” the statement said.

BK International was awarded the contract for the project “Construction of Rip

Rap Sea Defences at Content, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, Region No. Five”, the project at hand being the ministry’s effort’s to initiate

permanent flood protection works along the deteriorating stretch of sea defences between Dantzig and Content, Mahaicony.

icony.

“In recent months, the erosion of the Dantzig/Content foreshore has resulted in the depletion of the mangrove

bridges and supply contracts to facilitate the delivery of key materials to the sea defence sites.

The target areas for these

Works being undertaken within the breached section of sea defences at Content/Dantzig

Drone photograph of critical stretch of sea defences at Content, Mahaicony

The work is among of series or works the Ministry is implementing, that in the immediate future will also include the construction of 500m of rock armour revetment to reinstate critical sections of sea defenses which have progressively degraded due to natural shoreline erosion.

The statement said the news article also failed to adequately recognise the critical nature of the sea defence works, which are being implemented to seal active breaches which have resulted in inundation to agriculture lands and pose severe flood risks to residents of Maha-

fringe, exposing the existing earthen embankment to direct wave attack and repeated overtopping,” the statement said.

“Due to the progression of the erosion along the Mahaicony foreshore, urgent flood protection works are required along an additional three Km of shoreline outside of the current emergency zone,” the statement said.

The measures to be implemented by the ministry in the near future will also include the execution of a number of contracts focused on revetment construction works, maintenance of access dams, construction of critical access

interventions are located between Content and Belvidere and Fairfield and Zealand, Mahaicony. Arrangements are currently being made to initiate the procurement processes for the execution of these critical works, the ministry said.

During the period April to June 2020, temporary works were undertaken to reinstate heavily-compromised and breached sections of embankment while the requisite procurement and funding arrangements for implementing permanent flood protection works were pursued with the Ministry of Finance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

COVID-19 cases jump by 15 within 24 hours – Regions 1, 7 continue to be on the radar CASES of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to climb, as the country recorded some 15 cases within the past 24 hours.

Health authorities discovered these cases after conducting 68 tests between Thursday and Friday, said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, during a virtual COVID-19 update, on Friday.

Some 2,423 persons have been tested to date, and the results of those tests proved that 2,193 were negative and 230 were positive. Of the positive cases, some 109 persons have recovered and 12 persons have died, but health authorities are still contending with 109 active cases, of which 108 are in institutional isolation and one in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The safety of every Guyanese is dependent on the compliance with control measures, which were implemented by local health authorities to contain the spread of the disease.

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 of Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey; among those on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

There is, however, a worrying development in Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini), where over 20 cases have been recorded in a short space of time. This has prompted health authorities to label the community as the epicentre for Region One. “We call again on the residents of Moruca and those of the mining communities in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) to heed the warning. This disease is easily transmitted when you are in close contact with someone who is positive,” Dr. Persaud warned.

Health authorities have found that a large number of positive cases, in both of these regions, have no signs and symptoms, so they are asymptomatic. These persons can transmit this disease and the infected person will not even know that they are sick because there is no sign.

Toshaos and village councillors, operations’ owners all have a role to play in this pandemic.

Dr. Persaud called on them to impress upon villagers and workers the importance of what

is being said. All of the evidence points to the fact that if the guidelines are followed, the disease will be contained.

Considering the situation, Dr. Persaud had said residents of the community need to “be on guard” and take all necessary precautions in order to prevent further spread of the disease.

“We are urging you to support the health team in this area by coming forward for testing if you have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive; by staying home unless it is necessary for you to come out, and if you must come out, ensure that your noses and mouths are covered.

“We ask that there is no congregating of persons, and that all passenger vehicles adhere to the guidelines that were provided.

“We wish to also remind you of the runaway situation in neighbouring Brazil that has climbed to the position of being the second country in the world to have reported cases with an alarmingly high number of deaths registered,” said Dr. Persaud.

EXTREMELY VULNERABLE Residents in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are extremely vulnerable because of this situation, and need

to be vigilant and stop all cross-border movement and stop migrant persons entering the communities in those regions.

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

as well, and according to global statistics, there are 9.2 million cases of COVID-19, with over 479,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after con-

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud tracting the disease.

In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Kupanda NGO celebrates one year of working with Sophia youths

TWELVE-YEAR-OLD designer and entrepreneur, Autum Rose, and thirteenyear-old author, Anaya Willaus, will be among a lineup of speakers who will be participating in a virtual forum, on Saturday, that will mark the first anniversary of Kupanda Sisters Inc, a NGO that advocates literacy.

Celebrated under the theme “Literacy is a Human Right” the forum will take place, via Zoom, from 15:00 hours to 16:30 hours.

Other speakers slated to take part in the event include Congolese/Cypriot philanthropist and international model, Noella Musunka; founder and CEO of the World Literacy Foundation, Andrew Kay; Headmistress of Sophia Primary School, Audrey Sue; and overseas-based Guyanese Neville Welch “The anniversary event will be a reflective celebration of the challenges and

opportunities the organization has encountered over the past year. It will also be a time to recognise those who have measurably contributed to the success of the organization and gather support for the work that needs to be done,” a statement from the organization said.

The Kupanda Sisters was incorporated in New York in April, 2019 and launched in Guyana on May 25, 2019, and has been partnering with the Sophia Primary School since. The pilot programme began with a class consisting of 10 academically at-risk pupils and 10 high achievers.

This curriculum used is consistent with that of the Ministry of Education (MoE) targets literacy standards and benchmarks and is structured into six modules. Classes are held for two hours every Saturday.

Kupanda Sisters Inc, was created as a non-profit organisation aimed at uplifting and empowering women

Founder and CEO of the World Literacy Foundation, Andrew Kay and young people from underprivileged communities by providing “quality literacy resources and skills that would help them to become meaningful contributors to their communities”.

“Kupanda Sisters envisions a world wherein people of underserved communities have free, timely, and reliable

US Marine and overseas-based Guyanese, Neville Welch

access to quality educational resources. We will deliver quality and effective literacy programmes, resources, mentorship, literacy and personal development, and community stewardship,” the statement said.

Kupanda Sisters originated from the childhood experiences of its founder, Cindy Charles, who grew up in societal illiteracy and widespread poverty. “Kupanda” is the Swahili word which means to rise As a child, Charles, spent many days memorising passages rather than learning to read, and was

later disappointed when she failed the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations. Subsequently, she took private literacy lessons.

“The leadership team at Kupanda Sisters is excited about the upcoming anniversary celebration.

They are also grateful for all the support and resources donated to the organization as it strives to uplift women and young people, in underserved communities, through quality and reliable educational resources,” the statement quotes Charles as saying.

Essequibo cop died from multiple injuries-autopsy

By Indrawattie Natram AN autopsy conducted on the remains of sergeant Lakhan Persaud, aka Vinood, of Colombia Village, Region Two, revealed that he died as a result of multiple injuries he sustained from the accident.

The autopsy was conducted Thursday evening by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at the Suddie Hospital Mortuary.

Persaud, 25, unfortunately lost his life on Father’s Day around 13:35 hours on the Land of Plenty Public Road.

He was attached to the Finance Headquarters Eve Leary but was visiting his father for Father’s Day. According to information, the accident involved a motor car PRR 5764 which was borrowed from a friend by the policeman to go to Anna Regina.

He was proceeding south

Dead:Lakhan Persaud

The white car Persaud was driving

on the eastern lane of Land of Plenty Public Road when he lost control of the said motor 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.

Residents from Land of Plenty heard the loud noise and immediately rushed to the scene when they saw the car turned turtle. They immediately assisted and rushed the policeman to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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

Several persons from the community were called in by the police for questioning concerning the accident. The auto sales dealer has suffered big losses due to the accident as three new vehicles that were parked outside were reportedly damaged.

Ever since the policeman’s death, many of his friends have expressed sadness on their social media.

He was described as a very helpful and friendly individual.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

ACDA says time has come for shared governance

AFRICAN Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) on Friday said called for a political solution between the two major political blocks which would see a shared balance of power distribution amongst the Guyanese people.

In a statement the organisation said too that it is concerned that the protracted election crisis is counterproductive to National interest and by extension the interest of African Guyanese who have had to endure historic systemic exclusion and oppression. “The situation also provides fertile grounds for foreign powers to tighten their grip on Guyana’s sovereignty and natural resources. The numerous statements emanating from Foreign capitals seem to be a clear breach of diplomacy and hints at geopolitical manoeuvering which often results in destabilising of countries,”

ACDA said in the statement.

The organization said: “our leaders on both sides of the fence should recognise these tactics and resist aligning with these acts which may appear to bring short term gains but in the long run would not be in the best interest of all Guyanese. Guyanese both home and abroad should take note of what appears to be an orchestrated attack on National sovereignty which seems like a sinister attempt to hijack Guyana`s natural resources at the expense of every Guyanese.”

ACDA then called for a political solution between the two major political blocks which would see a shared balance of power distribution amongst the Guyanese people. It is now time for our national leaders to rise to the historical challenge and reach a compromise that restores dignity to the Guyanese nation and

give justice to all races. In our view, an internal solution is superior to one imposed by external forces, political or judicial: this is the only sensible way out of this potentially dangerous situation.

“ACDA wishes to remind our national leaders that they and the nation were “criticized” by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for being unable to resolve their problem in the no confidence case. Guyanese deserved better from our leadership.”

The organisation noted.

ACDA also noted that the persistent interference and corruption by external forces leave most right-thinking Guyanese to have little to no confidence in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) being a neutral and fair arbitrator of the election crisis given the geopolitical importance that the Developed world

Focus on easier intra-regional travel amidst pandemic woes

By Vishani Ragobeer

INTRA-REGIONAL travel should be made easier, especially as tourism-dependent Caribbean countries contend with the effects of COVID-19, according to the former Director of Economics at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Justin Ram. “I think that it is high time for us to consider how we make the movement of people easier, that we should consider not having any restrictions on the free movement of labour and I also think we need to look at how people move around, (that is), how costly it is,” Dr. Ram said while speaking at an online forum organised by the Guyana Economic Development Trust (GEDT).

This forum focused on the Caribbean’s post-pandemic recovery.

Dr. Ram has been a longtime advocate for easier intra-regional travel, citing that there are greater benefits to be garnered through this.

Speaking at a forum in Guyana last year, he made known that, over the last 10 years, a majority of Caribbean citizens were travelling extra-regionally, particularly to destinations in North America and Europe, while intra-regional travel declined. That decline, he asserted, was due to the high taxes and fees.

At the recent GEDT fo-

rum, he explained that, typically, 40 to 60 per cent of the airfare for intra-regional travel is made up of taxes and fees from the individual countries. However, he reasoned that if the taxes and fees are reduced, governments may be able to recoup those funds through money spent in the countries.

Added to the easier intra-regional travel of people, he posited that the movement of goods and services within the region should be made easier too. Once this is done, he said that ordinary persons in the private sector will be able to capitalise on entrepreneurial activities, which will lead to the growth of Caribbean economies. And, once the economies begin growing, he explained that governments will, in turn, receive more taxes and revenue.

“We need to consider the Caribbean as a single economic space, because when you add up all the small population sizes, you come up with a significant market,” Dr. Ram said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that due to many Caribbean countries’ high dependence on tourism, the COVID-19 pandemic, and its resulting ramifications have been particularly harsh to those economies. In fact, the IMF reported that tourism-dependent countries are expected

Former Director of Economics at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr Justin Ram to record negative growth in their real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by a massive 10.3 percent this year.

Cognisant of this, Caribbean governments have been looking into ways of restarting tourism in the Caribbean, while safeguarding from the spread of the novel coronavirus.

At the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)’s 50th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), held in May, leaders mulled over the reopening of borders for intra-regional travel.

Grenadian Minister with responsibility for CARICOM and chairperson of that COTED Meeting, Oliver Joseph, indicated that the CARICOM Member states were planning to open the countries’ borders

for regional travel only and not international air traffic, during the first phase of reopening borders. The reopening of borders was tentatively set for June 2020.

Chairperson of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, alluded to CARICOM leaders pondering over making intra-regional travel easier, at least during this pandemic period.

While being interviewed on Trinidad and Tobago (T&T)’s CNC3 news earlier this week, the Chairperson explained that the CARICOM leaders have decided that travel should only be reopened to low-risk areas; and with the Caribbean recording fairly good management of the coronavirus pandemic, it qualifies as a low-risk area.

“We believe that there are opportunities for Caribbean people to prefer to come within the Caribbean rather than go to countries that are inundated with COVID-19 at this point in time,” she said, relating that intra-regional travel can be “promoted” at this time.

However, she was unsure whether CARICOM would mandate that countries lower airport taxes or look into lowering the cost of airfare- given that quite a few countries are stakeholders in regional carriers: Caribbean Airlines Limited and LIAT Airways.

capitals seem to have in the outcome of these elections. “This interference equates to the highest form of disenfranchisement of all Guyanese, extending beyond this sudden, misplaced and insincere concern of vote and voter disenfranchisement. The laws of Guyana are clear and adequate to support peaceful resolution of Guyana`s Electoral challenges. A position by the CCJ counter to the recognition of this reality translates to a dark day for Caribbean “democracy”.

Our history has informed us that in a world dominated by “White Power and Privilege” justice for Africans is elusive and for the naive a misadventure. We are not fooled.

The African proverb teaches us that when brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their father’s estate.”

Cops still hunting Albouystown murder suspect POLICE are seeking the whereabouts of Steven Archibald, 18, as investigations continue into the murder of Kyle Chase, who was stabbed to death on December 30, 2019, at Guyhoc Park, Georgetown.

The last known address of Archibald, called ‘church boy’, is Lot 136 Victoria Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Chase, 23, of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was at a female friend’s house playing cards with his cousin, Trevon Chase.

Police said that two males, one being the ex-boyfriend of the female, turned up at the house and became enraged upon seeing the two cousins there.

An argument subsequently

Dead: Kyle Chase

Steven Archibald called ‘church boy’ ensued and a scuffle ‘erupted’ among the men, during which the suspect allegedly stabbed Chase several times with a sharp object.

Chase collapsed and was rushed to the Davis Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

On January 6, 2020, a 22-year-old Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) employee was remanded to prison for the murder.

Nigel Thomas, of James and Victoria Street, Albouystown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the capital offence.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Steven Archibald is asked to contact the nearest police station or on telephone numbers 226-6978, 225-8196, 226-2870, 226-7065, 2271149, 226-7065 or 911.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

19 companies shortlisted to market Guyana’s crude –– 34 EOIs submitted; ExxonMobil, Shell, Total, BP amongst those interested DESPITE the global pandemic and uncertain oil prices, 34 large oil traders from around the world submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to market Guyana’s crude and 19 have been shortlisted by the Department of Energy (DE).

On Friday, the DE reported that it intends to hire an Oil Marketing / Trading Company in 2020 and the 19 shortlisted will now move on to phase two of the procurement processes.

WELL-KNOWN COMPANIES Based on geographical region, there were four countries which placed tenders from

North America, all hailing from the United States of America.

They included ExxonMobil, already involved in oil production offshore Guyana; BP Products North America Inc., a well-known oil major; Hartree Partners LLP, a global merchant commodities firm; and Glencore Limited, a major producer and marketer of commodities.

Showing interest from Europe are four companies registered in Switzerland. They include Mercuria Energy Trading SA; Total Oil Trading SA; Lukoil Oil Company / Litasco SA and Vitol SA. Switzerland has no domestic oil production and is entirely dependent upon crude oil and oil

products imports.

Meanwhile, from the region, there are also Petrobras Global Trading BV from the Netherlands; BB Energy Trad-

ing Limited from the UK and Equinor ASA from Norway, the latter country known as one of the world’s largest exporters of oil. Shortlisted too are

Petraco Oil Company Limited from Guernsey, located in the Channel Islands off the Normandy coast of France and Sinochem International Oil (London) Company Limited, registered both in the UK and China.

Showing interest from South and Latin America are the Shell Western Supply and Trading Ltd. which registered in the Bahamas and was selected to buy Guyana’s first three lifts of crude. It is amongst one of the first set of companies which submitted EOIs. There is also Mercantile and Maritime (IMMS Ltd.) as registered in Belize and Cyprus and PetroChina International (Brazil) Trading Limited, registered in neighbouring Brazil.

Hailing from the region of Asia are China Offshore Oil (Singapore) International Pte Ltd. (CNOOC) and Freepoint Commodities registered in Singapore as well as Cathay Petroleum International Limited, registered in Hong Kong.

MORE PHASES TO COME The EOIs were sent to the Chairman of National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) specifically for the provision of ‘Marketing Services for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana’s Oil Entitlement from the Liza Destiny FPSO Vessel’.

The Request for Expressions of Interest was an open invitation with no limit to bidders invited, at the initial stage. However, the DE had made it clear that it had planned to qualify and shortlist no more than 20 firms which will be then invited to submit Technical and Financial Proposals.

“A five-member Evaluation Committee was formed tasked with producing a Shortlist of Companies, after a detailed check of each firm’s Expression of Interest for general and technical data in relation to qualifications and experience pertinent to the assignment at hand, and as was required to be submitted in the request for Expression of Interest,” the DE stated on Friday.

“This activity has now been completed successfully and the Shortlist of Companies, 19 in total, will progress to the next phase of the procurement process exclusively, and, at the same time, receive the Request for Proposal (RFP).”

The companies shortlisted, after receiving the RFP, will be notified of the nomination procedures as per the Crude Lifting Agreement of the Lisa Destiny FPSO. The DE has stated that it is looking forward to successfully completing this next phase and appointing a marketing partner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

Guyana retains Tier1 ranking in TIP fight

GUYANA has retained its Tier 1 ranking in the latest Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report of the United States Department of State, which was released on June 25, 2020.

The Ministry of Social Protection said, on Friday, that it was the fourth consecutive year that Guyana received a Tier 1 ranking.

The annual TIP Report ranks countries across the globe based on their efforts to combat “trafficking in persons,” with Tier 1 being the highest-ranking a country can attain. Countries given the ranking are those which have “made efforts to address the human trafficking problem that meets the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) minimum standards.

Guyana and The Bahamas are the only two Caribbean countries with a Tier 1 ranking. The Report applauded Guyana for its efforts in “demonstrating serious and sustained efforts by completing a draft amendment of the Combating Trafficking of Persons Act; sentencing a convicted trafficker to a total of 15 years imprisonment; drafting a national action plan to eliminate child labour; completing standard operating procedures for investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases, and opening its first trafficking shelter outside of the capital area.”

In the period covered by the report, law enforcement authorities, in collaboration with the Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit, Ministry of Social Protection, investigated twenty-seven (27) cases of alleged trafficking in persons.

In addition, one hundred and twelve (112) alleged victims were identified and provided with psychosocial support from the Ministry of Social Protection (MoSP) and its partners.

INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN

BY MOSP The Ministry notes the US State Department’s prioritised recommendations in its 2020 TIP Report and wishes to state that it concurs with those recommendations as areas that need to be bolstered.

In fact, the Ministry, through constant monitoring, identified those and other areas that needed to be strengthened to alleviate the anxieties of victims and survivors.

For example, on the recommendation of providing specialised services to migrant victims of TIP, the Ministry established a halfway home in June 2019 to cater specifically to adult migrants (male and female victims) of trafficking. The Ministry also recognised the need to have staff who are bilingual hence, a bilingual staff was employed and assigned to the C-TIP Unit in February 2020.

Other frontline officials – including members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the C-TIP’s Unit - are currently participating in Spanish classes, an initiative funded by International Organization for Migration (IOM). It is the Ministry’s vision to expand on this initiative to include other languages.

Additionally, on the recommendation to strengthen the capacity of Labour Inspectors to identify and refer victims of labour trafficking, MoSP has conducted a number of training sessions with the Inspectors over the years. The next training is scheduled for October, 2020. On the recommendation of tracking reports, the Ministry also activated a system to track and report data on trafficking cases reported to the trafficking hotline and by the Inspectors. The Ministry is soon to launch a Spanish hotline for addressing reports of

Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, John Richmond, delivers remarks on the virtual release of the 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report on June 25, 2020 at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. [State Department Photo by Freddie Everett/Public Domain] trafficking in persons.

The ministry said it remains committed to protecting victims and survivors and will continue its engagement with its local and international partners,

including the Guyana Police Force, the Together in Peace Home, Help and Shelter, and Food for the Poor Guyana Inc., to ensure best practices in trafficking investigation

and screening, including ways to maintain shelter location confidentiality.

The Ministry encourages continuous reporting of suspicious activities by the public.

During the period 2013-2015, Guyana was on the Tier 2 watch-list; 2016 – Guyana moved to Tier 2; 2017 to 2020 – Guyana moved to Tier 1 status.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, June 27, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 27, 2020

Sixteen NBA players test positive for COVID-19

The NBA season was suspended on March 11 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

(BBC) - Sixteen NBA players have tested positive for coronavirus, with the season set to resume on July 30.

Tests were carried out on 302 players on Tuesday.

The 16 who tested positive will remain in self-isolation and will have to be cleared by a physician before they can return to training.

Individual workouts are set to begin on July 1 and teams can arrive at Disney World Resort in Florida, where the season will restart on July 7.

Training camps will then take place from July 9 to 29.

The NBA and players’ union (NBPA) announced

on Friday that “stringent health and safety protocols” will be in place when the season resumes.

“We have worked together with the Players Association to establish a restart plan that prioritises health and safety, preserves competitive fairness and provides a platform to address social justice issues,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.

Thirteen Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams will contest eight games each to determine seedings for the play-offs.

All 22 NBA teams will be based at the Florida resort and games will be played without spectators.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (SATURDAY JUNE 27, 2020)

COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK - STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) &CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz (1) Brendon Mc Cullum-(20 dismissals: 18 catches/2

stumpings)

(2)Dinesh Ramdin (21 dismissals: 20 catches/1

stumping)

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many players have captained NZ in ODIs

against the WI to date?

(2)How many players have now led

the WI in ODIs against NZ to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 27, 2020

American Denny McCarthy withdraws from Travelers Championship Denny McCarthy is the third player to test positive for coronavirus since the PGA Tour resumed on June 11.

(BBC) - American Denny McCarthy has withdrawn from the Travelers Championship before the start of Friday’s second round after testing positive for coronavirus.

England’s Matt Wallace and American Bud Cauley, who played with McCarthy in the first round, tested negative but Cauley has also withdrawn.

The players’ caddies have all tested negative.

McCarthy, 27, is the third player to test positive since the PGA Tour restarted on June 11.

“I was feeling pretty tired

and sore after the round yesterday but didn’t think much of it because I had practised a lot Monday to Wednesday,” said world number 180 McCarthy, who shot a first round three-under-par 67.

“Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night with additional aches and soreness and sensed something was off.”

Under the PGA Tour’s response plan, 16 tests will be administered for those who had close contact with McCarthy.

McCarthy will self-isolate for 10 days, according to Tour protocols.

Cauley, who tested negative twice on Friday, said he withdrew “out of an abundance of caution for my peers and everyone involved with the tournament.”

Nick Watney withdrew from the RBC Heritage after testing positive last week, while Cameron Champ did so at a pre-tournament screening before the Travelers.

World number four Brooks Koepka and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell also withdrew from the tournament in Cromwell, Connecticut as a precaution after their caddies tested positive.

Everything is possible for Liverpool - Klopp (BBC) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says “everything is possible” for his side if they stay “humble” after completing the club’s first title win in 30 years.

The Reds were crowned Premier League champions after Manchester City’s defeat at Chelsea on Thursday.

The title triumph is the Anfield club’s 19th overall but first since 1990.

Speaking to BBC sports editor Dan Roan, the German said it meant “absolutely everything” to help deliver a first Premier League title to Liverpool fans.

“As long as we stay humble and we’re still ready to write stories we want to tell our grandchildren, everything is possible for us,” he added.

The German became Liverpool manager in October 2015 and led them to Champions League victory last season, as well as a second-placed finish in the league. They subsequently won the Club World Cup in December.

“Without knowing it at the time, the most important thing I said to the players was that we have to create our own stories and own history,” said Klopp.

“When I came in, I had to tell them not to compare themselves with anyone anymore, some of the fantastic people who played for this club and won everything in the past.

“We needed to get the opportunity from our supporters to find our own way, and this is only possible because people never lost patience with us in any moment.”

“We got rid of the heavy backpack. I took it off that day and never got it back.”

His first reaction to winning the title “Last night I was absolutely overwhelmed and didn’t understand anything, what happened with my body, what happened with my emotions.

“I realised it was obviously really big, I knew that before but I don’t think you can be prepared for a situation like this. I was not.

“Maybe you can, but I wasn’t and so it hit me full, in my face, and when I’ve had similar situations you know that it’s nice but it’s intense as well.

“I don’t feel the pressure too much before it happens - but when it happens the amount of relief shows how big the pressure was before.

“I was just not able to speak. Usually it’s a good moment to have a speech to the players but I was just not able to do it - I was completely overwhelmed, I was crying too much last night.”

HIS RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIS PLAYERS “I have a very good relationship with all my teams

we don’t compare anymore, since we are just happy about it, build on it, since then we can do what we do now.”

Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Dejan Lovren of Liverpool celebrating winning the Premier League on June 25, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/ Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

but the mix of skill sets that these boys bring in here, plus the personality they bring is absolutely exceptional and only this combination of things makes it possible.

“They are really a bunch of top boys and I am really happy to be part of this moment.

“They are all individuals and different and that’s good, but they have no real selfish characteristics as well.”

a lot of hard times, like the club had to go through, and having these good moments is essential. Having a successful football team in a city always lifts the mood in a city so it helps everything.

“At this moment in time, in the biggest crisis our generation has probably ever had, it’s so important that we don’t forget that there is something we can really look forward to.”

GIVING JOY TO LIVERPOOL FANS DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC “It means absolutely everything to me. It’s the only reason why we play football.

“This city is a very emotional city that went through

COMPARISONS TO BILL SHANKLY, BOB PAISLEY AND SIR KENNY DALGLISH Klopp told a news conference he “doesn’t want a statue, that’s not my motivation” and responded to a question

about a lifetime contract by saying he will “be here for a while”.

On comparisons with Liverpool managerial legends, he told BBC Sport: “I don’t see it that way. It’s not too important. But if people want to see it like this, I’m not the guy to tell them to stop doing that.

“But they are really icons.

What Bill and Bob did is just incredible and in very difficult times - people had nothing and they lifted and built this city. Kenny was player-manager - it’s unbelievable, I don’t think there is any story that can compare with that, just incredible.

“Since we use our history in the right manner, since

OVERCOMING HISTORY AND NOW BUILDING A DYNASTY “The history is no burden anymore. It is the basis for what we are doing.

“Last year we had 97 points so we were really close - it’s not like it’s been up and down with us. Here’s the second year now where obviously we are pretty good.

“Winning all the time that’s really difficult because the other teams are too good for that. They have a good chance to improve of course as well - we have to be better, they have to, we will, they will and then we will see who is best.

“We have to bring in new things, other teams will defend us differently, we have to adapt but that is normal in life and in football. But the consistency, if we can keep it that would be a massive achievement already.”

DANCING IN CELEBRATION “If I want to dance, I’ll dance. I don’t do it for the boys.

“We were in a good mood, so it happened not for the first time at an evening event. The boys know that I like a dance from time to time.

“Last night was a good moment in my life so I expressed that on the dance floor as well.”

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 27, 2020

Was the 2007 World Cup that bad?

ASKS SIDHARTH MONGA

Ricky Ponting and Mahela Jayawardene speak to the umpires about the chaotic scenes at the end of the final. (Getty Images)

(ESPNCricinfo) - When comparing the 2007 World T20 to the 50-over World Cup that had taken place a few months before it, BBC’s Jonathan Agnew delivered the bigger event a blow in the solar plexus.

It is rumoured, Agnew said, that the 50-over cup is still going on in some remote Caribbean island. He was deriding the length of the tournament: 51 matches played in four stages over 47 days.

The 2007 edition is widely considered the worst of the 50-over World Cups.

The first World Cup in the party capital of cricket, the West Indies, this one came with big expectations, under whose weight it soon began to crumble. Everything that could go wrong did.

The ICC micromanaged it to the extent that it barred music and joy in the stands.

Pakistan’s coach died during the World Cup, and the investigation that followed was both farcical and insensitive.

There weren’t many close matches.

India and Pakistan failed to make it past the first

round. The final ended in the dark, a victim to the game’s regulations and interpretations.

During the tournament’s last press conference, an advertising unit bearing the logos of the sponsors - to protect whom, arguably, the ICC banned atmosphere in the stands - symbolically fell on the ICC chief.

The 2007 World Cup brought about a new world order where draws were fixed to make sure India and Pakistan did not get knocked out in the first round. The draws even began to make sure the two played each other in the first round, just in case, you know. The “World” Cups began to shrink to the extent that the number of teams came down to ten for the 2019 edition. All this to make sure the disaster of 2007 was not repeated.

But was the 2007 World Cup really that disastrous or was it just an opportunity for the opportunists waiting to get rid of the Associates?

The 2007 World Cup had a fair bit going for it. Apart

from being the most inclusive World Cup of all, this one had a better format than the two that followed it - in 2011 and 2015, the first round, with two groups of seven teams from which four went through, was a glorified warm-up.

It was not quite the perfection of the Super Six of the two earlier events - where only three teams made it out of each group, and played the best teams from the other group - but to accommodate 16 teams they had to improvise.

All games were meaningful, and lesser teams had a fair chance to progress to the next round. Unfortunately for the ICC’s broadcast partners, Bangladesh and Ireland played out of their skins and grabbed that chance.

In terms of playing conditions, this was the first World Cup with powerplays instead of the stale mandatory 15over field restrictions.

In a Telegraph round table after the World Cup, England captain Andrew Strauss and Sri Lanka vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara both agreed

it was a fine addition, revitalising the ceasefire middle overs and forcing captains to innovate.

On the field, a broader transition was taking place in terms of white-ball batsmanship. Australia kept pushing on from where they had left off in the 2003 final, trying to set the bar of the average ODI total even higher. That didn’t mean we didn’t have low-scoring thrillers.

In fact some of the better matches were played on slower pitches that made 250 an excellent total. Lasith Malinga took four wickets in four balls but was denied by South Africa in a heart-stopper. Dilhara Fernando bowled a great last over to help Sri Lanka prevail over England.

Zimbabwe and Ireland tied their game.

While close games are always welcome, they can neither be an indicator of the quality of a tournament nor can they be designed into existence. All you can do is provide a fair format and hope the teams are evenly matched. If India and South

Africa are not good enough on the day against Bangladesh, you don’t blame the format but sit back and enjoy the breathtaking batting of Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful.

If close games didn’t come about with regularity, it was also down to the surreal quality of the cricket Australia played. If you went into an auction today with no cap on spending, you’d still struggle to put together a better team.

Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist redefined fear for bowlers, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke were in the middle order should things go wrong or should conditions demand a little circumspection, there were two all-rounders in Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson, and Michael Hussey batted at No. 7 (enough said).

The bowling attack had a left-arm swing bowler, a right-arm metronome, a wild thing, and a left-arm wrist-spinner. That team was as far ahead of any other side as a team has been in the history of limited-overs cricket.

Complaints about the length of the tournament are disingenuous, raised in hindsight to suit a narrative.

The next two World Cups had 14 teams playing 49 matches over 43 and 44 days respectively. Last year’s event took 10 teams 48 matches and 46 days to decide a winner. Yet they are remembered as better tournaments, largely because there were no upsets to deny the big teams the final stages.

The 2007 format was not too different from 2019’s the eight teams in the Super Eights played each other once - and yet it allowed for six more teams with just three extra games.

The 2019 World Cup had a similar number of matches over a similar number of days; they were just played by teams that are good for business.

A close final might have elevated the 2007 World Cup in the pundits’ estimation. Or if there had been a story they could get behind. Pakistan’s great surge helped them overlook all the flaws in the 1992 World Cup: a daft rain rule, the consequent disproportionate premium on winning the toss and cynical manipulation of over-rates, and several meaningless matches because teams eliminated themselves too soon.

The 2019 edition came within one match of containing a full month of dead rubbers. But those two tournaments are remembered for their great finishes, and 2007 - in which a semi-final spot was up for grabs till the 44th match - for the confusion in the dark.

Apart from the criminal alienation of local crowds, the 2007 tournament got most things right: the format, a range of pitches that allowed for big-scoring and low-scoring thrills, and the playing conditions. That a coach died during the tournament, that two of the biggest draws couldn’t make it past the first round, that the final could not be played to its natural conclusion were unfortunate and unforeseeable events.

Even today, that format is likelier to provide you a better World Cup than the formats that followed.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday June 27, 2020

Skerritt could face CWI Ethic Committee for alleged breaches

PRESIDENT of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Ricky Skerritt is set to face the Board’s Ethics committee, following a report accusing him of breaches to the Code-of-Ethics, among other claims.

On Thursday June 25, the Jamaica Gleaner confirmed in an article that the CWI boss was accused of breaches in the CWI Code of Ethics while apparently violating the Memorandum of Association (MOA).

According to reports, Justice Winston Anderson, Chairman of the CWI Ethics Committee, received a report in the form of a complaint from a CWI director last week. The complaint outlined several issues synonymous with the breaking of CWI’s Ethics code, stemming from the PKF consultants Business Situation Assessment and Financial

Report.

The Gleaner report stated that it had acquired ‘Contents of the complaint report’ which highlighted that Skerritt violated Article 102 of MOA; allegedly “entering into a contractual engagement with PKF without the prior knowledge, approval, or authorisation of the CWI board of directors”.

The report according to the media house further highlighted the violation of Section 4, Subsection 4.1 in the Ethics Code which it states – ‘the President and the CEO refused and/or neglected to facilitate a reasonable request of a Director to receive information pertaining to the operations of CWI’.

Skerritt also came under fire for supposedly “leaking and/or failure to keep the report confidential as

well as the engagement in conduct giving rise to a conflict of interest”.

Earlier this year CWI head came under public fire prior to the West Indies tour of England, which starts shortly, after a US$3 million loan for the CWI by the England and Wales Cricket Board in May. The loan was eventually the subject of an International Cricket Council (ICC) ethics inquiry.

Skerritt in an interview with ESPN CRICINFO on June 12 2020, said the loan was a “helping hand” given the CWI’s financial state, which had more of a downward spiral thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Skerritt said that CWI was transparent with ICC about the need for a short-term loan and ECB’s involvement. Following the hearing, the

Ethics Officer settled on the notion that there was no “intentional violation” committed by either of the two boards and it was “clear beyond any doubt” that the CWI and ECB’s arrangement was “in accordance with their pressing and necessary business and cricket” reasons.

More so, was that the Jamaica Gleaner stated in their article that they made attempts to confirm whether speculations were true or not, by means of contacting CWI Corporate Secretary Alana Medford Singh, who referred the media house to CWI CEO Johnny Grave.

Grave, upon being contacted by the Jamaican newspaper, stated that he was not aware of such reports.

However, Skerritt via text contacted the Gleaner and said, “There is nothing unethical about CWI conducting

an internal assessment of its financial operations by competent and independent professionals”.

“The resulting findings and recommendations are being used to help improve the way CWI does business today and in the future.

No petty politics, or mischief, can erase the reality of the much-needed change and improvement that is taking place within CWI’s financial operations as a result of the PKF review,” wrote Skerritt.

When a time is designated for any possible hearings, Skerritt will come before the CWI Ethics Committee comprising the Chairman Justice Anderson, Madam Justice Desiree Bernard, Archbishop Donald Reece, Justice Stanley John, and Nellen Rogers-Murdoch.

Thomas gets approval nod from Windies great Roberts (ESPNCRICINFO) - Former West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts has said that Oshane Thomas will be the first name he will “pencil” in for West Indies’ final Test squad for the three-match series in England, which begins in Southampton onJuly 8.

Speaking to his former West Indies team-mate Michael Holding, Roberts also predicted the young pair of Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder could grow to become the “backbone” of West Indies’ fast-bowling attack “within the next fivesix years.”

All three fast bowlers are part of the enlarged squad of 25 players that landed in Manchester on June 8. But while Joseph and Holder are part of the 14-man primary squad, Thomas - along with Shannon Gabriel - is part of the 11 reserves.

According to Roberts, Thomas has the most basic skill of fast bowling, which at the same time is also unique. “Pace”,. Roberts believed, could be turned into a “weapon” when used wisely.

“Oshane Thomas would probably be the first name I would pencil on this tour because he has what others want: he has pace,” Roberts

said in an episode on Holding’s YouTube channel aired on June 20. “And you should always have somebody like that on your team so that he can create uneasiness amongst batsmen.”

Holding himself had said recently he was “a little bit surprised” to not find Thomas amongst the primary Test squad of 14, especially after he had gained prominence as one of the fastest bowlers in the previous year. Thomas has also talked up his desire to make his Test debut because that is the format where “greats” are recognised.

The current West Indies fast-bowling contingent is led by Kemar Roach along with captain Jason Holder and Gabriel.

However, it is the pool of young fast bowlers like Joseph, Chemar and Thomas that has given the Caribbean selectors renewed hope that West Indies’ pace attack could be built into the sort of formidable unit that was championed once

by Roberts and Holding.

“I am glad to see there is a sort of resurgence in the last couple of months, not years, just the last couple of months - there are some youngsters coming through and I hope that we don’t

try and expect too much off them too soon,” Roberts said.

He also had a word of advice for the young fast bowlers - he wanted them to use their pace smartly and not let it go to waste.

“Alzarri is a good youngster coming up. He has some pace, but I don’t think at the moment he is bowling genuinely fast,” Roberts said.

“At the (Under-19) Youth World Cup (2016) I think he was bowling faster than he is now. Maybe if he has some experience and e can bowl within himself and produce the odd fast ball which is required. Because I don’t think anyone should try to bowl every ball at 90 mph. I would like to see the youngsters learn (that).

“If you have a 95 mph ball in your armoury, that is a weapon. And you need to use (that) sparingly. You need to have the batsman just guessing: when is this faster ball going to come?

Then there is young Chemar Holder. I saw a bit of him and I think he, to me, along with Alzarri will be the backbone of West Indies fast bowling within the next

five or six years. I’m hoping that I don’t talk too soon.

But you need to have two genuine fast bowlers who can bowl in pairs.”

Roberts said Roach was a certainty along with Jason to lead the fast-bowling attack. He was unsure whether Chemar would be ready to be blooded on this tour, but felt Thomas could compete with Gabriel for a slot in the team.

“I don’t know how fit Gabriel will be because he hasn’t played since last September,” he said. “And he is not one of the most athletic of our bowlers.”

‘BATTING HAS TO COME GOOD’ Asked by Holding how West Indies could retain the Wisden Trophy, Roberts said that was possible, only by playing “good all-round” cricket. According to him, West Indies’ batting remained a concern especially against the “short” delivery.

“I hear many people are talking now about the strength of the fast bowling unit, but then we cannot forget the bating because we are not playing against ourselves,” Roberts said.

“And England, at the moment, have some very good fast bowlers. Along with the two old stagers (Jimmy Anderson and Stu-

art Broad) they have two youngsters in (Jofra) Archer and (Mark) Wood.

“We have to be very careful because you know some of our youngsters in the region don’t play the short ball as well as we think they should. And so, first, the batting has to come good on that tour.”

The West Indies selection panel, led by former off-spinner Roger Harper, was forced to ring in some last-minute changes after Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer had opted out of the England tour because of health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently Holding had said that it was “unfortunate” for both batsmen especially Bravo, who has struggled to find consistency, to miss out on the England tour.

Roberts agreed, saying: “They would have played an integral part of the batting.

As much as we don’t like the way Hetmyer has been playing, he is one of the batsmen for the future. But somebody has to get into his head and let him realise that you can’t score runs sitting in the pavilion.”

According to Roberts, the challenge for most West Indies batsmen was they “don’t really train and prac-

tise enough to work the ball into gaps.

WE BELIEVE IN BOUNDARIES West Indies coach Phil Simmons had admitted recently that batting was an area that West Indies needed to strengthen to compete in England.

Key concern for Simmons would be the form of his two senior batsmen: vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope - both of whom were the best batsmen on West Indies’ previous visit to England, when they lost 2-1 after a thrilling victory in the second Test in Leeds.

While Hope has failed to score another ton, after becoming the first batsman to record twin centuries in the same Test at Headingley, Brathwaite has averaged 25.33 in his last 20 Tests.

“If our fast-bowling unit can click then we may have some hope, but I am not going to put too much emphasis on our batting,” Roberts said. “Speaking, just by listening, watching and hearing people talk about these batsmen that we have there isn’t much to shout about.”

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday June 27, 2020

Refreshed Johnson says Jaguars hungry for cricket … Jaguars captain optimistic about young core

GUYANA Jaguars captain Leon Johnson said the 5-time 4-Day champs are eager to get back to doing some team practice, adding that time off from cricket helped to refresh his mind and body.

Johnson, who played nine Tests for the West Indies along with six One Day Internationals (ODI), told Chronicle Sport in an interview for the first time since the abrupt end to COVID-19-affected 2020 Regional 4-Dayers that he, along with his colleagues, was revitalised and ready to get back to work.

Eyeing their 6th 4-Day title, Jags had a topsy-turvy latter part to the season, suffering defeat, drawn games and then worse; suffering the wrath of the pandemic.

When Cricket West Indies (CWI) pulled the plug on the tournament, all sports came to a halt and Johnson and his men like other athletes were forced into indefinite isolation.

“The time off was good for myself as well as the rest of players. It was a chance for us players to get our body and mind refreshed following a long season. We (the Jaguars) are still upbeat, the guys are eager to start back training, and working; we just miss practice and being out there doing things cricket-wise,” said the skipper.

The players have been

Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson

engaging in daily ZOOM sessions with physio Neil Barry Jr and these help to monitor fitness and keep them in shape. Apart from training, Johnson believes that another huge benefit from lockdown was that

cricketers can have that rare time home with family.

Johnson, a father himself, said spending time with loved ones was invaluable, and a great way to improve one’s mentality. He also believed that it was a great

way for players who were injured or carrying niggles to further get themselves back into peak playing shape for whenever action resumes.

Recently, CWI hosted their professional players draft for the Colonial Med-

ical Insurance Super50 Cup and the West Indies FourDay Championship via a ZOOM meeting two days ago.

Jamaican overseas all-rounder Ramaal Lewis and pacer Niall Smith were

the two added to the Jags 13-man squad, rounding off the 15 members. All-rounder Kevin Sinclair and pacer Niall Smith were the pair along with Akshaya Persaud to earn full-time Grade contracts, thus adding to their Regional 1st Class, List ‘A’ and Windies U-19 cricket experience.

Arguably the most decorated Regional 4-Day captain in contemporary times, having won 5 straight 4-Day titles, while experiencing the highest points of International and Regional success over those last 6 seasons; the 32 year-old said it was good to have a few star-quality youngsters in the team heading into the new season; which will be under COVID-19 watch.

A former ex-West Indies Under-19 player in his own right, having captained the youth side back in 20056 U-19 World Cup, said having those few new faces among the troupers, adds greater value to the imminent preservation of the Region’s most decorated 4-Day franchise.

“We have a few newcomers in the squad this year, but they are experienced and will go along nicely with our seasoned bunch of guys; so I predict good things for the Jaguars heading into the future,” Johnson ended.

Djokovic’s coach tests positive for COVID-19

(BBC) - Novak Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic is the latest person involved with the world number one’s Adria Tour to test positive for coronavirus.

Former Wimbledon champion Ivanisevic, 48, was the director of the Croatian leg of the event organised by Djokovic.

Serbia’s Djokovic apol-

ogised after becoming the fourth player - along with Grigor Dimitrov, Viktor Troicki and Borna Coric to test positive.

Ivanisevic urged people he has been in contact with to “take extra care”.

The Croat said he is “feeling good” and does not have any symptoms.

He added: “I will continue to self-isolate as I

have been doing already. I wish everyone who got infected a speedy recovery.”

Djokovic, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, was criticised for his role in the event, which was held in front of fans and without social-distancing rules being observed.

The first leg in Serbia attracted 4 000 fans, and players were later pictured

Goran Ivanisevic, who famously won the Wimbledon title in 2001, joined Novak Djokovic’s team last year

dancing close together in a Belgrade nightclub.

In Croatia, players including Djokovic and Ivanisevic, were pictured taking part in a basketball

match.

Djokovic, 33, said they had “met all health protocols” in the two countries, which have relatively low levels of recorded

COVID-19 cases.

But, after announcing his positive test on Tuesday, he added: “We were wrong and it was too soon.”

Skerritt could face CWI Ethic Committee for alleged breaches PAGE 26

See story on page 27

Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson said the 5-time champs are keen on getting back on the field as a unit and playing some cricket after almost 3 months away.

Refreshed Johnson says Jaguars hungry for cricket ‌ Jaguars captain optimistic about young core

Thomas gets approval nod from Windies great Roberts

CWI president Ricky Skerritt

See story on page 26 Oshane Thomas bowls as Sunil Ambris watches on during Day Two of a West Indies warm-up match at Old Trafford on June 24, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB)

Was the 2007 World Cup that bad?

PAGE 25

Australia celebrate their World Cup win. (Getty Images)

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Asks Sidharth Monga SATURDAY,JUNE 27, 2020