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INDEPENDENT TEAM TO BEGIN REVIEW OF CXC RESULTS Pg2
DROPPING THE ELECTIONS PETITION IS NOT AN OPTION –SAYS JOE HARMON
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Patterson resigns as AFC General Secretary Pg3
Shiprider Agreement provides training opportunities for local military Pg3
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INDEPENDENT TEAM TO BEGIN REVIEW OF CXC RESULTS
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formally requested and paid for. A statement by the CXC Chairman noted, “Nonetheless, it was anticipated that given these specific challenges a period of review and possible revisions would follow, consistent with the regulations of the Council. “It has been agreed,
therefore, that an Independent Review Team will shortly begin this work and present a report for discussion with relevant stakeholders.” He assured that the period of review and possible revisions would be consistent with the regulations of CXC. “There will be ongoing dialogue with regional Ministries of Education based upon the official gathering of data relevant to all ventilated concerns. Each and every formally reported case will be reviewed and where remedies are required they will be applied.” The Chairman
also commended the management at CXC for the delivery of the July 2020 regional examinations during the logistics nightmare of the COVID-19 pandemic and doubts about revised examinations systems and procedures. Following the release
s the Coalition prepared to drop its elections petition to facilitate talks with the PPP? This question was asked of Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon during a recent press conference. The suggestion was that this would be for the greater good. “The larger good is represented in that petition. That speaks to what is right, what is just, and what represents the will of the Guyanese people. “And that is something which we cannot bargain
out. We cannot sit down in a room and bargain out 217,000plus people plus their families want.” Senior Counsel, Roysdale Forde, who is among the team of lawyers that filed the petition. concurred. “The filing of the elections petition is an entitlement of the APNU+AFC having regard to what transpired in the elections. That is not something for us to bargain in any way at all. “I am surprised that that could be a consideration.” Mr. Harmon said
that the decision by the Guyana Elections Commission to adopt certain actions outside the law hurt both the coalition and its supporters. “All of us were hurt when these fraudulent votes were accepted as part of the votes to make the president the president. We were all hurt when we saw over 11,500 ballots which were in boxes with no other statutory document being included. “We were hurt when we saw so many dead persons voted. We were hurt when we saw so many people
who were outside of Guyana at the time of the elections, still voted. “We were hurt over the fact that the government and the police are hunting down senior officers of the elections commission trying to find evidence for matters that were filed long before now. “(Charles) Ramson had filed a matter as a private citizen and he should have been called upon to lead his evidence. You cannot file a matter as a private citizen unless you have evidence.” Mr. Harmon said
that they are now trying to find that evidence months later by harassing certain members of the elections commission. “This is wrong and so we continue to be
hurt. Those things pain us.” He said that the people, therefore, await the elections petition in their pursuit of justice. They have been patient, Mr. Harmon said.
The Ministry of Heath recorded 47 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday September 27. One case was recorded in Region One, four in Region
Three, 32 in Region Four, six in Region Six, two in Region Seven, two in Region Nine. The total number of recorded cases is now at
2,772. The death toll rose to 78 on Sunday with the deaths of two women, both from Region Four. Two deaths were also
recorded on Saturday– a 36-year-old man from Region Six and a 45-yearold man from Region Four. There have been 39
COVID-19 related deaths recorded in September As of September 27, there have been 13,589 persons tested for the virus. The number of
recovered cases has grown to 1,564 leaving the number of active cases in the country at 1,130.
hairman of the Caribbea n Examination Council (CXC), Professor Hilary Beckles, announced on Monday that an Independent Review Team would begin looking into the queries about this year’s CSEC and CAPE results. Dr. Wayne Wesley, the Registrar of CXC, announced last week that it was impossible for some of the reported discrepancies to occur given the rigorous system in place by the Examination Council and reviews would only be done once they are
Pro. Hilary Beckles
of results on September 22, last, many Caribbean countries, including Guyana, reported major discrepancies with the results. Guyana’s top secondary school, Queen’s College, had signaled its intention to file an injunction at the Caribbean Court of
Justice (CCJ) to block the official declaration of the results the grades were not reviewed. Authorities at the school also said they would petition Guyana’s Education Ministry to remove Guyana from participating in future CXC exams.
Dropping the elections petition is not an option – says Joe Harmon
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Opposition Leader Joe Harmon
Four people died of COVID-19 over the weekend
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Patterson resigns as AFC General Secretary
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e n e r a l Secretary of the Alliance for Change (AFC), David Patterson, has tendered his resignation from the party, a move which came as a surprise to the other party members. Patterson’s resignation letter was addressed to the Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, and copied to the party’s ViceChair. In the letter, Patterson said he will remain a member of the Alliance for Change and will continue to play a role in the party –just not the
role of General Secretary– and participate in party activities. Ramjattan said that Patterson’s resignation as the General Secretary could be a result of the AFC being shut out of the Vice Chairman position on the Region Four Democratic Council (RDC). Ramjattan explained that there was an agreement between the coalition partners, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC that the AFC would be given the Vice Chairman positions in Regions Four and Seven.
APNU candidate, Daniel Seeram, was elected Chairman of the Region Four RDC. The AFC had nominated Neilson McKenzie for the Region Four Vice Chairman position. APNU nominated Samuel Sandy and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated Desmond Morian. APNU and PPP cast their 14 votes each for their candidates and the AFC used their five votes on McKenzie. Seeram then used his deciding vote to elect Sandy as the Vice Chairman.
David Patterson
Shiprider Agreement provides training opportunities for local military
Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess
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hief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess has welcomed the operationalisation of the Shiprider Agreement between Guyana and the United States (US). It will allow US assets to patrol local waters with Guyanese support to combat illicit activities. Brigadier Bess said this extends the Force’s surveillance and provides an opportunity for additional training for senior ratings and officers as they conduct exercises with the US military. The Agreement, which was signed in 2001, was
followed by an exchange of diplomatic notes during US Secretary of State, Mr. Michael Pompeo’s official two-day visit to Guyana recently. The Agreement came into force on September 21. Meanwhile, National Security Advisor to the President, Captain Gerry Gouveia has hailed the Agreement as a boon to maritime security in Guyana’s waters. Captain Gouveia, told DPI the Agreement was significant as it would help safeguard Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone. “I think the US coming on to us at this time,
signing this Agreement gives us an enormous new capability to be able to have an overview of our Exclusive Economic Zone and security of the rigs on the high seas and also, our borders with Suriname, Venezuela and Brazil.” He echoed the Army Chief’s sentiments on the possibilities for training. “This is very timely. It also gives our own Guyanese military officers a great opportunity to sit alongside and inside US
high technology ships and planes, as they attempt to do surveillance of our air space, landmass and Exclusive Economic Zone. “There will be training for military too. It is exceptionally significant and I believe all of us should breathe a sigh of relief,” the Security Advisor said. According to the US State Department, the Shiprider Agreement aims to close the gap of global maritime law
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Cpt. Gerry Gouveia
enforcement; improve cooperation, coordination, inter-operability; and build maritime law enforcement capacity to more effectively combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and other illegal activity.
The US Coast Guard regularly exercises 16 bilateral fisheries law enforcement Shiprider Agreements with countries in the Eastern Pacific, West Africa, Jamaica, and Barbados.
By Sir Ronald Sanders
Letters Caribbean wouldn’t tolerate external interference on Republics
(The writer is Antigua and B a r b u d a ’ s Ambassador to the U.S. and the OAS. He is also a senior fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The view expressed are entirely his own) Of all the fanciful reasons imputed to the decision of the government to make Barbados a Republic, shedding its monarchical status with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State, the most surprising has come from the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons, Tom Tugendhat. The Foreign Affairs Committee, comprised of parliamentarians from all political parties in the House, is a serious body. It has produced important and influential reports in the past. Therefore, when its Chairman makes a statement, it would be imprudent just to dismiss it. The Times’ newspaper quoted him as saying on September 23, eight days after the Barbados G o v e r n m e n t ’s decision was declared: “China has been using infrastructure investment and debt
diplomacy as a means of control for a while and it’s coming closer to home for us. “British partners have long faced challenges from rivals seeking to undermine our alliance. Today we’re seeing it in the Caribbean. Some islands seem to be close to swapping a symbolic Queen in Windsor for a real and demanding emperor in Beijing.” As head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Tugendhat should have been better informed. The Barbados government was no more influenced by China to change its status to a Republic, than it was under pressure by the British government to continue to share Queen Elizabeth as the Head of the two separate realms. It is unfortunate that some in the international community regard small states as inexpert, seeing them as ready objects of manipulation by big powers through either coercion or enticements. Thus, the presence of China in the Caribbean, where it has made investments that have aided economic development, is characterised as “a means of control”, as Mr. Tugendhat puts it. Discounted altogether is that,
in many Caribbean countries, China has given much needed loans and grants when others have been significant by their absence, or where, by their presence, they institute unhelpful policies of ‘black listing’ countries without consultation, or blocking much needed loans from international financial institutions on criteria that takes no account of the vulnerability of small states. Do loans translate into coercive influence over small Caribbean states? The answer is unreservedly no. Loans must be repaid, including Chinese ones whose main attraction is their longer repayment periods and lower interest rates. If their rivals met their terms, competition would win out. In any event, amid the COVID-19 crisis, China has shown no desire to forgive debt or to defer interest payments to give developing countries more breathing space. However, unlike the members of the Paris Club of official creditors (mostly G7 countries), China has deferred principal payments on loans. If anything, it is other powerful states that provide space for China in the Caribbean by not offering money on competitive terms
and by refusing to support issues that are vitally important to Caribbean States. Among those issues are curbing Climate Change, promoting debt forgiveness in the epoch of COVID-19, and removing the skewed criteria of per capita income that prohibits many Caribbean countries from access to concessionary loans. Whether large and powerful nations accept it or not, governments of small states are not vassals; in making foreign policy and domestic decisions, they make them in the context of what is in their best interest. That choice may result in upsetting one or other of powerful rival states, but it would be wrong for them to believe that Caribbean governments are incapable of making reasoned decisions in their country’s interests. On other comments made about the Barbados’ wish to proceed to Republican status, should it do so it will not cease to be a member of the Commonwealth of Nations which stopped being “British” in 1949 on the independence of India and Pakistan and their becoming Republics. At that time, it was accepted that the British Crown would
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be the “Head of the Commonwealth” and, as such, “the symbol of the voluntary association” of its members. Of the 54 member states of the Commonwealth, 31 are Republics. There also appears to be a perception that, in swearing allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II in Barbados and other Caribbean countries, fealty is being sworn to the Queen of the United Kingdom. This is not so. The Queen is head of state of each of her realms separately. So, in each country when the oath of allegiance is made, it is to the sovereign as head of that state only. Another point worth making is that if, in becoming a Republic, the choice is made for a non-Executive President (as was recommended by a Constitutional Commission headed by Sir Henry Forde in 1998), no change in the system of government will occur in Barbados or any other county that follows that pattern. The decision of the Barbados government, which has been in contemplation for 17 years, resides in one overarching consideration. It is this: the people of Barbados have a right to decide that their Head of State should be a symbol of their nation – someone
who is from, and of the country, who lives within it, who shares its challenges and its benefits and who encompasses their common identity. That decision has not one jot to do with external influences. It is simply a national conclusion whose time has come, logically, emotionally, and intellectually. WillotherCaribbean monarchical states do the same? Highly likely they will, for the same important reason that motivates Barbados. But because their constitutions, unlike Barbados’, requires them to hold a referendum in which the majority of the electorate vote in favour (and they have to obtain a two-thirds majority vote in the elected House), the political parties – in government and opposition – have to agree to proceed. More importantly, they will have to jointly explain the implications to the people, or political rivalry and distrust of politicians will defer the change. Unless they do so, “God Save the Queen/King” may still be sung alongside the national anthems of remaining Caribbean realms for another decade.
Patrol attacked along Guyana/Venezuela border
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joint patrol being done yesterday by ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force came under fire from the Venezuelan shore while patrolling the Cuyuni River.
A release from the GDF said it is believed that the gunfire came from Syndicato gang members. The ranks returned fire and none of them were injured. The GDF said that “aggressive” joint patrols by the Guyanese security forces have since been
intensified in the Cuyuni River area. The Guyana/ Venezuela border is more than 1,000 kilometres long and patrols are conducted on a routine basis. This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred and several new measures are being Guyana’s Border Patrol explored by the GDF.
47 new case of COVID-19 over the weekend FOLLOW US ON https://www.facebook.com/Guyana-Post
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Govt seeks to keep Keith Lowenfield off the witness stand Keith Lowenfield, Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, yesterday voluntarily attended the Criminal Investigation Department Head office upon the invitation of the Police where he was interviewed by officers of the department. Mr. Lowenfield was accompanied by one of his Attorneys at law. During the course of the interview, the investigating officers invited a PPP female party activist and polling
agent to confront Mr. Lowenfield on her analysis of the elections results. The rest of the interview consisted of inquiries in relation to matters which are currently before the Court. The arrest of Mr. Lowenfield and the institution of a new criminal charges by the State are clearly intended to have an impact on any testimony which Mr. Lowenfield may provide in the Election petition cases.
The unambiguous intention is to have him classified as a tainted witness at the time of any possible testimony in the conduct of the Election Petition cases. Mr. Lowenfield continues to assert his innocence. Mr. Lowenfield has always been responsive to any investigation conducted by the Guyana Police force and will remain available to be interviewed in any ongoing investigation. Keith Lowenfield
Rowley: Don’t use race to push personal or political agenda The Gleaner News
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rime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley is calling on influence makers in Trinidad and Tobago to stop attempting to use race to advance their personal or political agenda. Rowley made the call while speaking during a PNM meeting in Barataria on Thursday night. “You see this issue of race, it is the one issue that can derail us and ensure that we do not realize our fullest potential. Tonight I want to caution the influence makers in Trinidad and Tobago to stop trying to use race to advance
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley
their personal or political agenda,” he said. Commenting on the government’s decision not to support, the selection process of Deodat Dulalchan, the Prime Minister reiterated
BREAKING News
that there was no race in the matter. The Prime Minister slammed the Opposition MPs who walked out of parliament, saying that they were attempting to create racial strife in
T&T by playing the race case. “The singular statement that came out from the UNC today came out of the mouth of somebody called Anita Haynes is that we
the PNM government contrive last night to remove the Indian nominee and didn’t do anything about the African nominee, so Dulalchan was blocked but Phillip was not,” the Prime Minister said. Rowley also weighed in on the gun finds at a mosque in Central Trinidad on Thursday. He said Government received flack when it searched mosques earlier this year. However, Rowley noted that illegal firearms are now being found at places of worship. “Today one of the very mosques that we had to raid at Carnival time on credible information that
the security services had, we have found within that place of worship lethal weapons. I want to ask you tonight, given what we found today in a place of worship what do you say to and think of those persons who at Carnival time carried a conversation in this country that the government of Trinidad and Tobago was antiMuslim and was in fact desecrating Muslim places of worship. What are they saying to us now?” he asked. He assured that the Muslim community that government is not anti-Muslim.
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HOROSCOPE
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
It might be challenging dealing with those who are closest to you today. Best to ask yourself if what you are doing is useful. Go slowly and stick to practical tasks. If you work carefully, you won’t have to do the same job again. As the wise carpenter said, “Measure twice, cut once.”
Whatever you do today, proceed slowly, carefully and cautiously. If you try to rush anything, you will regret it. Furthermore, if you are hasty about pushing something through, authority types might try to block you. Easy does it – steady Eddie.
Whatever you do at work today (or for whatever task you’re doing) might be a bit of a slog. The secret is to slow down and be observant. Do things bit by bit. Do each task carefully. Don’t let others discourage you. Expect small gains but proceed in a slow, steady way.
You might be frustrated today because whatever you try to do (likely from behind the scenes) you will meet with opposition. It might be in the form of rules and regulations. It might be in the form of a strong opinion from social media? Be careful.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
If you try to coordinate the efforts of others today, it will be like herding cats. Expect some opposition. Others might object because of financial reasons or because they think you’re moving too fast. Any advance will have to be slow and steady.
Parents might find it frustrating dealing with their kids today. There’s no point in throwing your weight around. Accept the fact that you can only make small advances and achieve small results. It’s easy for people to feel discouraged. Respect that and don’t be demanding.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Expect opposition to whatever you try to do today, especially from authority figures and possibly from a partner or close friend. It’s as if you’re trying to do the impossible? Two steps forward, one step back. In fact, it feels more like one step forward and two steps back! Go gently.
Whatever you attempt to do at home or within your family might meet with resistance and opposition. Don’t overreact. Be calm. Today is full frustrating little moments that can be overcome with quiet perseverance. Do not engage in angry confrontations. (Definitely!)
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Travel plans might be blocked today. Likewise, your efforts to explore opportunities in publishing, the media, higher education, medicine and the law will be discouraging. Be satisfied with small successes. Everything is relative.
It will not be easy for you to get your way today so the sooner you can grasp this, the easier this day will be for you. Remember the game where you say please take a giant step? Or please take a baby step? Today is full of baby steps – at best.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Do not try to force financial matters today or purchases. There might be a reason that you meet with obstacles and objections from others. Maybe you need to take a moment and listen? If something is important, you will still be able to do it later.
Disputes about shared property, inheritances or anything that you own jointly with others (including debt) might be tough to deal with today. It’s hard to get cooperation. Whatever you do today, you will have to do carefully and pay attention to detail. One step at a time.
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SPOT The difference They are 5 differences
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Amerindian & Foods GUYANA’S AMERINDIAN Guyana’s Amerindian population consists of several tribes, including the Caribs, Wapisianas, Arawaks, and Warraus. Anthropologists believe that Amerindian tribes were Guyana’s first inhabitants, arriving around 11,000 years ago. They settled lowlying coastal regions of the country, where they fished, hunted, and used a variety of plant species to produce fibers, oils, dyes, and a variety of different dishes. Over the centuries, Guyana’s Amerindian population migrated inland, penetrating the dense jungle via the country’s extensive river system, constructing temporary and permanent settlements. While Amerindians dwelling in coastal regions lived on turtles, fish, crabs, and snails, those inhabiting the savannahs hunted various types of mammal, including deer, monkey, and sloth, as well as various types of waterfowl. Guyana’s indigenous eetay palm is an important source of flour in Amerindian cuisine, while the country’s interior is also rich in cashews and wild honey.
CASSAVA BREAD
Amerindian cuisine remains incredibly popular in Guyana, both within traditional indigenous villages and in towns and cities. In 2014 Tuma Sálâ opened in Georgetown, establishing itself as the country’s first Amerindian restaurant.
PEPPERPOT – TASTY TRADITIONAL GUYANESE DISH
Image courtesy International Institute of Tropical Agriculture | Flick Next, the fully dried cassava root, resembling off-white flour, is poured into circular forms to cook over a fire. It is hung to dry and is soon ready to eat. While cassava bread is one of Guyana’s best known and loved foods, its preparation can require days of travel to obtain the right ingredients.
Made from just cassava and salt, farine can be mixed with sugar and milk, creating a nutritious drink. It can safely be stored over long periods, and it is an effective thickening agent for stews and soups. Farine can also be used as a stuffing for chicken or fish, and it forms a key component in several sweet dishes, such as white pudding, coconut rock buns, and black cake. PEPPERPOT – TASTY TRADITIONAL GUYANESE DISH G u y a n e s e Pepperpot is an Amerindian dish popular in Guyana and sometimes called pepper pot stew by the locals. It is traditionally served at Christmas and other special events; it is also Guyana’s national dish. Pepper pot is typically a stewed meat dish, strongly flavored with cinnamon, hot peppers, and Cassareep – a special sauce made from the Cassava root. Beef, mutton, and pork are the most popular meats used, though some have been known to use chicken. Pepperpot is popularly served with dense bread and butter, though it is equally as good with rice or roti
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