Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Once past 50, get a colonoscopy Colon cancer kills about 50,000 Americans per year. And screening does save lives. But getting a colonoscopy isn’t risk-free. About three out of every 1,000 people who have the procedure experience serious complications, such as bleeding and perforation. The chances of having a problem depend in part on where the procedure is done and the kind of anesthesia used. Experts say that most people should have their first colonoscopy at age 50. If no precancerous polyps or cancer are found, you can usually wait a decade for the next one. But many doctors tell even low-risk patients to come back sooner. Guidelines also say that most people can stop screening at age 75, when the risks of the test begin to outweigh its benefits. But a 2013 study found that about two-thirds of those over that age may have had unnecessary colonoscopies. So if your doctor says that you need a colonoscopy more than once a decade or after 75, ask why. There are screening options less invasive than colonoscopy, including a DNA test called Cologuard, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last summer. It requires taking a stool sample at home and sending it to a lab for analysis, and it may need to be repeated every three years. Options with proven track records include an annual test for blood in the stool, and sigmoidoscopy (which examines only the lower third of your colon) every five years plus a stool test every three years. If the results of any of those tests are worrisome, you’ll need a colonoscopy to confirm the results. Many people think they need to be fully knocked out during the procedure. But it can be done without anesthesia or with conscious sedation, which uses a drug such as midazolam to ease pain while allowing you to be alert. “You should aim for the lightest level of sedation you need,” says Orly Avitzur, Consumer Reports’ medical adviser. “The trend toward deep sedation is worrisome because it increases risk.” Find the right clinic. Most colonoscopies are done not in hospitals but in ambulatory surgery centers. That’s okay; research suggests that they’re as safe as hospitals for the procedure. But not all centers are equal. Look for one that is Medicare-certified, and ask how many of the clinic’s colonoscopy patients have had to be hospitalized because of infections. “The right answer is zero,” says Lisa McGiffert of Consumer Reports’ Safe Patient Project. Going to a hospital for a colonoscopy can be safer if you have had a recent heart attack or you have lung disease or another risk factor. In some countries insurance companies do cover screening colonoscopy. But ask the insurer whether the patient will have to pay for a prep kit or for part of the pathology, facility and anesthesiology fees. Check the bill afterward as well. Diagnostic colonoscopies, used to investigate symptoms such as stomach problems or anemia, don’t have to be fully covered, so doctors might code your procedure to fall into that category, leaving you with a big tab. One is limited to a clear-liquid diet for about 24 hours before the procedure, and one might have to drink up to a gallon of a laxative solution. To improve the taste, chill it first or ask your doctor whether it’s okay to add lemon, lime, ginger or a flavor enhancer such as Crystal Light. Other steps that might help include eating more lightly than usual, including less fiber, for a few days before your examination, using a straw to drink the solution, staying near a bathroom and using flushable wipes and diaper ointment to soothe irritation. Whatever the case, the inconvenience is worth it because lives depend on it. Cancer is perhaps the third leading cause of death in Guyana. Colon cancer may not feature high on the list but each year about five per cent of cancer deaths can be attributed to colon cancer. These deaths were avoidable, if only for a timely colonoscopy.

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Letters... Where your views make the news

It is hoped that voters will see the PPP/C Govt. as one of false promises DEAR EDITOR, As Guyana approaches its general election on May 11, I would like to share some views with my fellow Guyanese as to why a APNU+AFC-led Government offers the best hope to get the country out of stagnation and corruption and back on the road to development leading to growth, transparency and accountability, given the bleak circumstances. Lest my political persuasion be misunderstood, my parents were lifelong supporters of the PPP while I was empathetic to the Party for much of the past century. During the 1950’s whenever the PPP held their meetings at Pln. Albion, the platform of our home was the stage from which the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan spoke to supporters. Over the years Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his Wife Janet were considered honest politicians who never forgot their humble roots and cared for the poor and disadvantaged. They experienced the

evils of colonialism and fought relentlessly to dismantle the system, which they did in the 1960’s. Unfortunately, Dr. Jagan made some bad political judgments which caused him to be out-maneuvered from political power. However, he kept a low profile during the PNC rule until he was returned to power in 1992. After his death and later that of his wife Janet, the PPP-led Government chose their then Financial Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, as President. He quickly became a shrewd and oligarchic President who quelled all opposition and manipulated the wealth and power of the state which became concentrated in his hands and those of an elite core of family and friends, and who were elevated above the law. And in the absence of an effective opposition to challenge him, he had an almost free rein in ruling the country until his mandatory second term of governing ended when he was given a handsome pension which he personally

packaged and got approved by his PPP/C majority in Parliament. It is this lavish goody at the people’s expense which he so much enjoys, as well as behind-the-scenes efforts to keep the PPP/C Government in power, that he is working so hard to preserve. The PPP/C Government, first under President Jagdeo and later President Ramotar, initiated a number of projects, none of which has been completed to date. The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) was started by Former President Jagdeo who had assured Guyanese that the project would have been completed and supplying electricity to the coastland before he demitted office. The Project went nowhere under him and his successor President Ramotar has been keeping the AFHP alive by seeking funding for its construction by claiming it is the panacea for cheap electricity, development and job creation. As a show of confidence to (Continued on page 23)

The PPP/C’s system is filled with bugs - big ones DEAR EDITOR, To entice Guyanese voters in 2011, the PPP/C released their plan to redesign their governance of Guyana with version 2.0. And so they should. The versions 1.0 thru 1.9 did not work. Those versions were extremely unstable as they had lots of bugs – some as big as cockroaches - running around in the system. For the past 23 years, the PPP never attempted to debug the system, and so now after over two decades of failure, they decided it is best to just do away with that failed Government and replace it with a brand new version 2.0. The problem with the PPP/C version 2.0 is that the same systems designer who was responsible for the failure of the past 23 years is still the architect in charge of design. The programmers are

still the same who had coded the last several versions of failure, and there is still no quality control team in place. So, with this, Guyanese can only expect the same system of governance from the PPP/C, even with their new version. What is needed now is not a new version from the same system design and development organization. We cannot afford to give them another chance to fail the country. If this had been a corporation, that team would have been fired from the first day their incompetence was uncovered. But this is a country, and the lives of all of its citizens – well not all, as the PPP/C party elites and their children are excluded – are stagnated when its Government is not working effectively. The Guyanese children’s future is at stake. They need to know that after high

school, they can have a future either with affordable or free higher education, or with job opportunities in a thriving private sector where career paths can enable them to develop skills and competencies that are available to youths in other Caribbean countries. Guyana cannot continue to lag further and further behind the other Caribbean nations. We must fire the PPP/C team and replace it with one that is more competent. As President Obama said during his campaign, we cannot keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result. We cannot keep electing the failed PPP/C over and over, and expect them to suddenly succeed. Their system is filled with bugs – big ones. Let us get rid of it. Max Mohamed

A serious distortion on the PPP policy of ‘critical support’ DEAR EDITOR, In a letter to the Stabroek News on 17/4/15 (‘Revisionist History’), Justice Charles Ramson makes the astonishing claim that “critical support” was given by the PPP to the PNC “only for the nationalisation of the bauxite industry.” As anyone who cares to check historical documents would quickly notice, the major part of the bauxite industry had been nationalised since 1971. Critical support was advocated by the PPP in 1975. By 1975, the PNC government had implemented policies such as nationalisation and the development of political ties with the socialist bloc countries. In appearance at least, these were what the PPP had been advocating for years, and the PPP leadership took credit for having pushed the PNC toward them. In mid-1975, at a conference in

Havana, Cuba, of a fraternity the PPP held dear, the Communist Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean, one of the key policies advocated was that communist-oriented parties like the PPP should offer more support to governing parties to encourage the latter to move more rapidly toward creating socialism. Following this trend, in August 1975, the PPP declared its new policy toward the PNC was “critical support.” As the Central Committee of the PPP, in its Report to the 25th PPP Anniversary celebration, noted, “the situation now therefore demands a more flexible approach on the part of the PPP... our political line should be changed from non-co-operation to critical support.” At the time the PPP advocated this policy, Dr. Cheddi Jagan and other PPP leaders clearly stated their reservations about the PNC, but they also felt the PNC was taking concrete steps to move

Guyana toward the socialist dream the PPP craved. Internationally, the PPP’s main friends were increasingly cozy with the PNC. In 1975, for example, the PNC leader L.F.S. Burnham, on an official visit to Cuba, was given Cuba’s highest state honour, the Jose Marti National Order. Regrettably, in his attempt to make the PPP appear “pure,” and distinct from the PNC, Justice Ramson is guilty of a serious distortion on the PPP policy of “critical support.” In his letters to the newspapers, Ramson portrays himself as deeply concerned with truth and accuracy. I hope this concern will enable him to acknowledge his misrepresentation. Taking this into account as mitigating circumstance, he should sentence himself to at least a week at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre to study historical documents. Ramesh Deonaraine

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

I call upon the police to It would be interesting to take appropriate action see Marriott’s code of ethics DEAR EDITOR, It has been brought to my attention by some friends and supporters of the APNU+AFC Coalition that a handful of persons of African descent have been threatening our brothers and sisters of Indian ancestry. They have been visiting certain communities, on the East Bank and the East Coast, in particular, threatening that when the coalition wins on May 11, 2015, they will take revenge against our brothers and sisters. Upon investigating, these reports, I have discovered that these persons, who are using APNU+ AFC T-shirts, are provocateurs working for the PPP/C; they are neither members nor supporters of the APNU+AFC Coalition. One was actually at our meeting, Sunday night at the Parade Ground, at the ceremony to observe the 40th day of the death of that Martyr, Brother Courtney Crum-Ewing.

Also, two were at the protest at the Marriott. At that activity, they were encouraging the protestors to destroy, loot and burn. We deprecate this evil action of the PPP/ C. It is very sad. Our brothers and sisters who have been so threatened should report it to the nearest police station. They should identify those scare-mongers and wicked persons; those provocateurs; satanic agents of the devil, who want to steal, kill and destroy. Take their photographs and hand it over to the police. I call upon the police to take appropriate action. Finally, I encourage all Guyanese to stay focused and strong; avoid distractions, provocation and all other negatives. Use all of your energies to advance the cause for a new Guyana. Hamilton Green Mayor of Georgetown

Where do Guyanese get off? DEAR EDITOR, It is really very sad to see so many people at the rallies of the PPP. One can only ask if these persons read the newspapers and listen to the news, because the PPP has been single-handedly responsible for their underdevelopment over the last 22 years. The PPP has rundown the sugar industry, increasing the hardships of those dependent on the survival of sugar, impoverished those dependent on the rice sector by facilitating underpayment to rice farmers, guaranteed many children nationwide will have limited job opportunities as a result of the delivery of poor education nationwide, and generally has delivered poor infrastructure and management to their locales by withholding local

government elections. The PPP has been boasting about economic growth, but the real questions are, are workers better off, and where are the job creation and the delivery of higher paying job opportunities to improve our welfares? Have there been attempts to address corruption and misuse and mismanagement of our taxpayers’ dollars in government? Are Guyanese satisfied with harbouring criminals within government whom the PPP have set above the law to perpetuate systematic abuse against us? The answer to all of these questions is no. The PPP continues to lie and incite fear into its supporters as a means of diverting their attention to the party’s selfish plans to keep on bleeding our economy - the latest example

being the revelations surrounding the fibre optic project. Guyanese need to recognize that we are not born into political parties. Politics is about choosing a government capable of delivering on the major issues of welfare growth, justice, effective administration and governance, and the commitment to the elimination of corruption. And until we do this intelligently, we will continue to have the PPP perpetuate its abuses against us and misappropriate our tax dollars and other resources to their ill-gotten ends. Craig Sylvester

DEAR EDITOR, The Marriott has opened its doors to the public national and international. It represents another lie on the part of the government that it was built by investors; the nation found out, from a confession by Dr Roger Luncheon, that it was build with the hard-earned dollars of taxpayers of Guyana in the face of stern objections from their representatives. So while PPP/C members were wining, dining and giving fanciful speeches, many taxpayers were at home studying where the next meal will come from or what they will put in their children’s lunch kits for school. The government keeps taking more and more from Guyanese by way of taxes PAYE, VAT and others – so that they have little to meet even basic needs. My main concern here is that government has been callous and cold in its approach to the hard-working Guyanese people; they have shown no interest in the needs of our citizens. In addition, taxpayers’ dollars were used to employ 100% Chinese labour to build

the Marriott. However, it would be interesting to see the code of ethics for the Marriott brand. Perhaps, it would be a good thing if Marriott could publish this for the general information of the Guyanese public. A code of ethics guides all managerial decisions, creating a common framework upon which all decisions are founded. Also, this can assist to create a cohesive understanding of the boundaries within an organization and the standards set for interacting with external stakeholders. My view is that such an international brand has to be concerned with economics as well as other issues involved in local economies in which it operates, including those that are contrary to democracy and good governance. There is something wrong with it; there is something wrong when a minority government, in the face of objections from the majority of citizens, can ignore those objections and just go ahead and construct a hotel. Moreover, the Marriott is standing in the midst of a city whose elected Mayor and councilors have been denied

every proposal to generate revenue to provide core services to citizens, including garbage collection. As a result, the city’s solid and liquid waste management programme is inefficient; parapets remain unkempt and drains are clogged by plastic and styrofoam. So while the government talks about tourism and international brands, they must know that hotels alone cannot enhance our prospects in that industry. Also, I do not know that this hotel will enhance our city treasury. The last time I checked, there was no valuation available for that property. In fact, the Hotel itself was constructed on lands that were ceded to the council in the late 1950s during the Mayoralty of Sir Lionel Luckhoo. Again, the city was not properly consulted. Ranwell Jordan Former Mayor City of Georgetown

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Former military bosses take umbrage at Jagdeo’s ‘insulting’ remarks Recent remarks about Guyana’s military by members of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic have angered a lot of people, among them two former Chiefs-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. Both Brigadier (Rtd) Edward Collins and his successor, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Gary Best, have condemned the statements, made by former President Bharat Jadeo and other PPP big wigs, at various campaign rallies in the run up to next month’s General Elections. PPP members have been telling their supporters about a militarisation of the state should they allow the coalition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), to win the elections. The coalition is led by former Military Commander, Brigadier (Rtd) David Granger and heavily supported by other top retired military officers. The most damning statements recently came from the mouth of former Commander-in-Chief Jagdeo, who told Berbicians last Sunday at Albion that, “when they (APNU+AFC) link up with the military and come into your homes and start kicking the doors down and when they come after you, who is going to be there?” That recent comment follows similar remarks he made to Essequibians the previous day. While Brigadier Collins has brushed aside Jagdeo as out of depth with reality, Rear Admiral Best was more reserved yet forceful in his condemnation of the former President’s pronouncements. Brigadier Collins, who headed the Guyana Defence Force from 2004 to 2007, initially brushed aside any mention of Jagdeo. “I don’t want to comment on Mr. Jagdeo; he doesn’t exist. He’s a drowning man…His comments are not

Former President Jagdeo has been ‘bashing’ the military recently.

- GTUC calls on Ramotar to “muzzle Jagdeo who is acting as a rabid attack dog”

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Gary Best worthy of a response at this stage, where people are no longer starved for information... Mr. Jagdeo is out of depth with reality,” the former Chief of Staff said. He said that the people will know that for the past 23 years the Guyana Defence Force has been used to

Brigadier General (Rtd) Edward Collins

He also referred to the role of the military in dismantling the Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins gang. “These things were not that long ago for him to forget.” According to Collins, Berbicians and Essequibians are not backward to swallow up the things that Jagdeo and

“It was the GDF along with the police who rid this country of a drug empire that was moving to strangle his government…” Eddie Collins. support the PPP to reduce criminality. Collins said that Jagdeo needs to be reminded of the role the Guyana Defence Force played during the crime wave that had threatened to derail the social fabric of the country. “It was the GDF along with the police who rid this country of a drug empire that was moving to strangle his government, by taking control of certain state apparatus…We moved and got rid of Roger Khan and his empire, dismantling it and destroying it,” Collins stated.

his party comrades are feeding them with about the military. Rear Admiral Best said that the comments are an insult to the citizens of Guyana. The Rear Admiral, who took over from Collins as Chief of Staff, and who recently endorsed the opposition coalition, said that apart from insulting the citizenry, the remarks were an insult to the service of former military ranks as well as current military men and women who are serving the nation. “I have every confidence that the Guyana Defence

Force will continue to execute its duties to the nation in the professional manner it has adopted since inception, notwithstanding insulting and unfounded attacks on its integrity,” Best told this newspaper. This newspaper tried to solicit a comment from Collins’ predecessor, Brigadier Michael Atherley, who is at present working within the Ministry of Home Affairs. The former military bosses were joined in their condemnation of the PPP’s statements by the Guyana Trades Union Congress, which called on President Donald Ramotar as Commander-in-Chief to muzzle Jagdeo who is acting as a rabid attack dog. The GTUC described Jagdeo’s statements made at Albion as the crudest form of Machiavellian politics to demonise and criminalise the Guyanese military. According to the umbrella union body Guyana should learn from the lessons of Rwanda and Bosnia, where the minds of people through

linguistic dehumanisation were goaded to hate and destroy the other, which led to civil wars and genocide. The lesson learnt from those societies is that if the problem of intolerance was nipped in the bud the catastrophes could have been avoided. Guyana has a history of and the potential for racial conflict, which according to the GTUC, the nation should collectively seek to reduce rather than nurture and escalate. “If on a public platform with thousands of people in attendance, the former President and former Commander-in-Chief can make such dangerous, irresponsible statements, it is fair/easy to assume that covert actions are occurring simultaneously or in the pipeline to support the environment of fear that is being created. President Ramotar must take responsibility if he is his own man and is going to be his own President for unleashing this reckless torrent of attack on Guyanese workers, more particularly the military that secures our peace and his Presidency. President Ramotar must call off Jagdeo, who is acting

as the attack dog and posing a threat to the stability of our nation and the peace among its people,” the GTUC stated. The GTUC said that the former President is laying the groundwork for race/ethnic/ civil war in Guyana, using the innocent and trusting people who support the PPP as pawns. The potential of this unfolding psychological conditioning of PPP supporters to see evil and do evil is of the making of a desperate despot and is not progressive politics but the unleashing of evil. “This is mad politics, mad leadership.” The GTUC said that it is therefore calling on all Guyanese to reject the lunacy of Jagdeo. “GTUC calls on Guyanese of all ethnic origins to embrace each other as one, for our destiny, our safety, our development, our collective survival lies in respecting each other, working with each other in an environment that is not charged with fear and suspicion, moreso when those who are responsible in societies throughout the world for keeping that peace, ensuring law and order, protection of citizens are being undermined,” the GTUC urged.

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News

Nevis senior banker shot to death in front his home Police are searching for those responsible for the murder of a senior official of the Bank of Nevis, whose body was found in his car outside his home over the weekend. Police Press and Public Relations Officer Inspector Lyndon David confirmed the murder of Everette Hanley, Credit Manager of the Bank of Nevis and urged persons with information to help law enforcement authorities solve the case. “If you see something,

say something,” David said, urging Nevisians to be on their guard and on the lookout for unusual activity. Hanley’s killing is the fourth in Nevis, and the second in less than two weeks. Meanwhile, police are investigating the death of Jeffrey Daniel, 42, who was hot and killed at his home on Sunday. Daniel’s death brings to 14, the number of homicides in St. Kitts-Nevis so far this year. The twin island Federation recorded 24 murders last year.

Everette Hanley, Credit Manager of the Bank of Nevis

Increase in demonic possession prompts Vatican to train army of exorcists a Over four decades after the film version of William Peter Blatty’s novel The Exorcist left movie-goers stunned, the Vatican is training ordinary Catholics to cope with the rapid escalation in the number of cases of demonic possession. A team of experts, including practising exorcists, has been convened by the Vatican to equip doctors, psychologists, teachers, and the like, with the skills needed to recognise and deal with demonic possession. One of the main purposes of the exercise is to assist would-be exorcists in distinguishing demonic possession from psychological or medical conditions, according to the organisers. The tenth annual “Exorcism and Prayer of Liberation”

course, sponsored by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, the department responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests, got underway this week at Rome’s Regina Apostolorum University. Father Pedro Barrajon, director of the Sacerdos Institute which is organising the course, said: “Living in an increasingly secularised society than in the past there is more tendency to open the door to the occult. “Demonic activity is increased by the practice of magic and visiting fortune tellers which can increase the likelihood of a possession.” Other experts say demonic activity is on the rise as a result of increased interest in the occult among the young

including ouija boards and seances. Last year, the International Association of Exorcists referred to the trend as “a pastoral emergency.” The Vatican went on to try to introduce Holyween, a festival in which children would dress up as saints and attend prayer vigils, as an alternative to the darker celebration of Halloween. Pope Francis has frequently expressed the belief that the devil really exists and is not merely “a myth, a figure, an idea, the idea of evil.” Two years ago, the pontiff reportedly performed an exorcism on a wheelchairbound young man, who shook violently when Francis laid his hands on him and said a blessing.

Trinidad rattled by second earthquake within six days Trinidad and Tobago was jolted by an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 on Monday, the second tremor to affect the oil-rich twin island Republic within six days. The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre has reported a 4.6 magnitude earthquake which occurred early today and felt on the West Coast of Trinidad. At around 3:11 a.m. many in north Trinidad felt the earthquake which followed one which occurred on April 16. Reports from North West Trinidad, particularly areas such as Santa Cruz, Petit Valley, Diego Martin, Carenege, Maraval, Port of Spain, Westmoorings, Maracas Valley, St. James felt the earthquake. The location: latitude 10.8(degrees) North, longi-

tude 62.3 (degrees) West and 68 kilometres(km) in depth. According to seismologist Dr. Joan Latchman, Venezuela would have also felt the earthquake. Latchman said that associated with an earthquake of a magnitude of 5.2 which was felt last week are what is called aftershocks and one such ‘aftershock’ was felt. She said that 12 associated events were estimated, yesterday’s being the largest. Latchman said, “we are supposed to recognise that we live in a seismically active zone. Trinidad is situated at the South East corner of the Caribbean plate making our area very complex tectonically and we get earthquakes from all sides of the country and on land”. Latchman recommends that there be building codes

be developed, legislated and enforced for the safety of citizens. She also said that citizens should be aware of the safe areas at home and work. Anyone interested can contact the centre 662-4659 or visit the centre’s website. Last week Thusrday across Trinidad and Tobago reported a 5.2 magnitude, location latitude 10.76 (degrees) North, longitude 62.4 (degrees) West and 58 km in depth. The quake, which struck at around 10:24 local time, was felt across Trinidad and Tobago, with light to moderate shaking the norm. Many people took to social networks to report on the tremor, but disaster officials here said there were no immediate reports of damages to infrastructure or injuries.

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Tuesday April 21, 2015

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News

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THE DEBATES ARE A WASTE OF TIME In 1992 there was a televised debate between the presidential candidates of the People’s Progressive Party Civic and the People’s National Congress. Cheddi Jagan represented the former and Desmond Hoyte the latter. Desmond Hoyte came with a predetermined strategy. He was grumpy and mean. He sought to bully Jagan into denying that he was a communist. Hoyte’s whole attitude spoiled the debate because he kept asking Cheddi whether he was a communist. I thought Cheddi, not known for personal attacks, handled himself well in the discussion. And I had anticipated that many of the supporters of the PNC would have been disgusted with the grumpiness that Hoyte demonstrated. To my surprise when I spoke the next day to a number of PNC supporters, they felt that Hoyte had won the debate and they even went as far as trying to ridicule some of the things that Jagan said. From that day I was never a convert to political debates between the presidential candidates contesting elections in Guyana. The

political culture is too polarized for these debates to swing anyone’s mind even though there has always been a significant block of voters who do not make up their mind as to who to vote for until the very last moment. The outcome of debates between presidential candidates has never been established to swing votes. They may allow for candidates to contest positions on issues but they do not force any major shift in the voting preferences of the electorate. They are thus merely held to allow for candidates to amplify their positions on issues. At least this is what it is said they do in theory. In reality these debates are a form of political theatre. Anyone who has ever been to a debate at the University of Guyana will appreciate what political theatrics is about. What takes place at the University of Guyana each elections year cannot be classified as a debate. It is really a piece of political theatre. The sessions are reduced to each of the political parties massing their supporters into the large lecture theater and having these supporters and cheer

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo reading about sex in Japanese This is de campaign season and de fever is on. Every political party deh all over de place fighting to get votes. De political animals deh in de rivers, in de back dam, in de air and at every road corner. Dem got special people to talk at special places. De Pee Pee Pee never put de Chat-3 to talk at a major rally because he is a special breed. And is he seh suh, not dem boys. De other night dem boys was looking fuh Harper fuh ask she two question and butt up wid de Chat-3 talking at a road corner meeting. De place was li’l dark. Is he voice dem boys hear when dem was passing and dem decide to stap. When dem boys look, all dem see is three policeman and a daag. As soon as he start fuh talk bout Jagdeo, Brassington and Ashni, de daag suck he teeth and walk way. Dem boys suh shame fuh de Chat-3 that dem and all tun dem back and jump in dem vehicle to continue de search fuh de next Pee Em—Harper. Dem boys was told that she running. ducking and hiding. She running more fast that Usain Bolt, Ducking lower than Donald Duck and hiding like how Jagdeo hiding in he mansion from de marshal. Dem boys hear when de guard tell de marshal Jagdeo was in de house not having sex but was talking in Japanese. He was reading de Japanese Sex Argument A Japanese couple is having an argument over ways of performing highly erotic sex: Husband: “Sukitaki mojitaka!” Wife replies: “Kowanini! mowi janakpa!” Husband says angrily: “Toka anjirodi roumi yakoo!” Wife on her knees literally begging: “Mimi nakoundinda tinkouji!” Husband replies angrily: “Na miaou kina tim kouji!” I can’t believe you tried to read this … as if you can understand Japanese. You will read anything so long as it’s about sex! … as Dr. Phil says, anybody who try reading dem words need help and certainly de security seh that Jagdeo need help. Talk half and help Jagdeo.

lustfully when their candidates make a point. These sessions bring out the worst in the supporters of the political parties and make a mockery of the view that the academic community can be expected to be objective in assessing arguments made by the contestants. These sessions are good for political cheerleading practice. But in terms of really allowing for an objective assessment of each candidate they fall far short of such expectations. The organizing of debates between the presidential candidates of the various

contesting political parties is a form of copycat politics. It is something that Guyanese have seen practiced in the United States and which has been an attempt to mimic here. It is not an old tradition in Westminster politics. It is only in recent times that there have been debates between the leaders of the parties contesting elections in Britain. The British are joining the American bandwagon. I have never heard a radio debate- there was no television in Guyana in those days- between Burnham and Jagan. And they contested a number of elections in

Guyana. The PPPC has opted out of a debate between its Prime Ministerial candidate and that of the opposition coalition APNU+ AFC. I do not think that many people accept the excuse that the PPP has offered. It has said that its candidate was subject to abuse on the political platform and it does not wish to countenance such conduct. It forgot to mention that the Prime Ministerial candidate of APNU+AFC has been the victim of similar treatment by speakers on the PPPC’s platform. I am sure that many people believe that the reason why the PPPC has opted out

is because it is attempting to shield its candidate from such debates. It should in fact not dignify any such debates. They serve very little useful purpose and are reduced to theatrics. They have no bearing on the outcome of the elections and on the choices of undecided voters as Election Day nears.

‘Mongoose’ gets 22 years for murdering 7-year-old Murder accused Fazal ‘Mongoose’ Mohamed, also called ‘Boy’, 23, of No 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice who is accused of murdering a seven-year-old lad and had earlier pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter was on Monday sentenced to 22 years in jail by Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Berbice High Court. This followed the presentation of a probation report which was earlier received by the judge. This was the man’s third trial. Mohamed was accused of murdering Saheed ‘Buddy’ Muknauth, also called “Shiam” of Number 68 Squatting Area, Corentyne Berbice on August 20, 2012. Mohamed had indicated to the court through his lawyer, Attorney at Law Raymond Alli, that he wanted to take a certain course of action and so pleaded not guilty of murder, but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. The indictment was read by state prosecutor Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Judith Gildharie-Mursalin. The probation report which was read by Probation Officer Neesa Gopaul had indicated that the accused was born at Kuru Kuru, but had migrated to Yakusari Black Bush Polder with his parents at a young Age. He was the fourth of eight children and hadn’t much education, having to leave

school at the Grade Three level due to economic constraints. His father was an alcoholic and his mother and father separated with his mother being left to fend for six of them. At the time of the incident the accused was living with his sister. He was doing odd jobs and had become a heavy drinker and was also using narcotics. Before passing sentence Justice Reynolds stated that he had in mind a sentence of 30 years, but will deduct five years for the guilty plea and a further three years for the time the accused spent in jail thus, his final judgment will be 22 years in jail. Presenting the case State Prosecutor Attorney-at-law Judith Mursalin stated that during the time Saheed’s parents had a misunderstanding and as a result his mother, Anita Persaud, drank kerosene and was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital leaving her six children at home. The oldest was 12 and the youngest two. The children were left in the care of the 12year-old sister. The woman subsequently took a self discharge and returned home around 21:00hrs to find her son was not home. According to information Mohamed was the last person seen with the lad, the day he disappeared. Mohamed, who is well known to the family, had taken the child from his flooded

home to buy food. Muknauth’s body was discovered at the back of a rice mill two days later. It was found naked in a clump of bushes in a swamp about one mile in the backlands lying. The face was badly disfigured and large portions of one of his legs stripped of the skin. An on-the-spot post mortem was done by Government Pathologist Dr. Vivikanand Brijmohan because the body was too decomposed. The autopsy found that the child had sustained a clean cut to the chest and a large chop to the front of the head that caused fractures of the skull bones. Additionally, there was an open compound fracture of the right lower forearm with the hand hanging loosely. The cause of death was given as a result of multiple injuries. “Mongoose” had allegedly confessed to killing “Buddy” and had claimed he was drunk and was troubled by demons. “I then cuff he plenty

MURDERED: Saheed Muknauth times to his head and push he down. I then push up a piece of hard stick and I lash him in his head plenty time. He start to cry and when I see blood I leff. I beat ‘Boy’ five minutes. Then I went by my sister fence and sleep deh...” Defence Attorney Raymond Alli had earlier pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy. He stated that the accused had pleaded guilty was still young and could still make a contribution to society. His early life was not of the best since he came from a broken home.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 21, 2015

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Wesley Hickens and the relativity of values I was traveling to Berbice in a car packed with Alliance for Change members. During the long trip, one passenger began to talk about his love life. Another passenger asked that he desist because he strongly believes that talk about sex is idle and waste of time. He was visibly annoyed. I responded directly to him by saying if he was so concerned about values why does he smoke so regularly. I made a case for tobacco being a deadly killer. He conceded. I told him the problem I have with people is that they arrogate to themselves what they think are negative values and positive ones, and that philosophically such a discourse is a minefield. I was shocked that as soon as we reached the AFC’s

Head Office in Georgetown in the midnight hour, the very first thing he did was to put a cigarette in his mouth. I accosted him but he totally ignored me. He felt that it was right to denounce negative values of others while practicing his own negative values. Here is where my annoyance with people begins when it comes to a delineation of relative and absolute values. I think he is right about the talk about who had sex with whom etc. But he should not be the one to pronounce on values and their meaning since he does not set an example. That was all I emphasized to him. How is it acceptable for you to discriminate against people because of their race but you

dismissed the coffee lady for stealing the milk? Enter Wesley Hicken. I don’t know this gentleman though he said we were contemporaries at UG during our student days. He referred to himself as a former lecturer at the University of the West Indies. Mr. Hicken published a letter in the Kaieteur News in which he wants the editorial management to reprimand me over a column I did on Elisabeth Harper. The column is captioned “Is Elisabeth Harper the stupidest person in the world.” (April 10, 2015). It was an analysis of Harper’s reaction when the news broke out that her son was sued for three million American dollars which he took from investors and for which his mother stood guarantor.

Mrs. Harper’s defence was that APNU and the AFC were out to vilify her. Her evidence was the publication of an e-mail to her in which the letter-writer informed her she must cooperate because APNU+AFC is willing to pay as much as US$5 million ($1.1 billion) to expose her. Surely Mrs. Harper deserved the title of the stupidest person in the world for telling the nation that was her proof. The mere idea that the opposition could pay a person $1.1 billion to get at Mrs. Harper is so bizarre that it calls into question how rational is Mrs. Harper. Hicken took Mrs. Harper completely out of the picture, was totally oblivious to the fact that this woman was running to be the Prime Minister of Guyana and made me the villain. He wrote; “His (Kissoon) ad hominem attack on the prime ministerial candidate is unbecoming of a newspaper columnist and academic.” There isn’t one

word about the outlandish, eerie, insane claim by Mrs. Harper that the opposition is willing to pay $1.1 billion to tarnish her reputation. There isn’t one word that Mrs. Harper’s son took the money and is being sued. There isn’t one word as to why Mrs. Harper would stand guarantor for $1.1 billion. All Hicken could see is the unbecoming conduct of Kissoon in his capacity as a columnist. I have committed a cardinal sin. Mrs. Harper has done nothing wrong. The real wrong here is the contorted, convoluted, selfish way of Wesley Hicken in looking at values. Mr. Hicken’s relativity of values is frightening and such an approach has caused endless debate among the great philosophers. Would it not have been a more decent intellectual approach if Hicken would have pontificated on the stupidity, absurdity and irrationality of Harper in trying to deflect her son’s

Frederick Kissoon involvement in an investment imbroglio and Harper’s own involvement by lamenting on the fictional $1.1 billion? If Hicken wanted to blame me for rude academic language he would have been on safer ground if he had chastised both of us. But he exposed himself as being as silly as Harper because he neatly compartmentalized values and chooses them at his convenience. Hicken ends his letter by saying if Harper is a stupid person so is he, so am I. Mr. Hicken, please speak for yourself. You may be as stupid as Harper. Not me.

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Financially-strapped Berbice Bridge waives tolls for PPP/C Albion rally

Sunday’s rally at Albion organized by the PPP/C saw one of the largest procession in recent times. As if it is not already facing enough financial problems, management of the troubled Berbice Bridge on Sunday waived tolls for scores of vehicles heading to an Albion rally of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/

C). Motorists travelling to Berbice were reportedly asked by staff if they were heading to the rally which reportedly drew an enormous crowd. The ones that answered in the affirmative were waved through while others were reportedly

charged the normal tolls. Yesterday, Kaieteur News made contact with the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated and an official confirmed that vehicles were indeed allowed through. However, he would not discuss where the orders to

Former GWI driver jailed for causing death on Mandela Avenue City Magistrate Judy Latchman sentenced a former Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) driver to 60 months imprisonment, after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving at the conclusion of a one-year long trial. Shawn Ravindra Ramai, 28 of Lot 15 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was found guilty as charged for the offence, which alleged that on February 26, 2014, he drove motor pick up PRR 2923 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Claude McPherson. Further, Ramai was found guilty of failing to stop the vehicle after the accident, failing to render assistance to the deceased and failing to report the said accident to a police station within 24 hours of the said accident. On these three charges he was fined $30,000 with an alternative of one month’s imprisonment. Magistrate Latchman during her ruling said that the defendant falls below the classification of a skilled and competent driver. She took into consideration the mitigating factors raised by the defence lawyer of Ramai being married and the sole breadwinner of his family. Before handing down the jail term, the Magistrate also considered the prevalence in the numbers of road deaths. The matter was prosecuted by Police Inspector Vishnu Hunt while the defence was led by Attorney-at-Law Mr. Fazil Azeez. During the trial, a

DEAD: Claude McPherson number of witnesses were called to testify, inclusive of police ranks and civilians. Subsequent to the sentencing, Ramai’s lawyer indicated that he will appeal the matter. Ramai made his first court appearance on March 6, 2014 before the said Magistrate and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on $2M bail on that occasion. According to reports, Mc Pherson was riding his bicycle on Mandela Avenue, when he was struck by the SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) and dragged about 100 yards from the point of impact. He was found severely injured with his mangled bicycle in front of a shop. The father of six died a few hours after the accident at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Ramai, the driver fled the scene after the accident and reportedly parked the damaged vehicle at the GWI Vlissengen Road and Church

JAILED: Shawn Ravindra Ramai Street compound. He turned himself over to the police less than one week after the fatality.

waive tolls came from. Attempts to speak with Omadat Samaroo, Chief Executive Officer, proved futile yesterday. Kaieteur News was also unable to determine how much the Berbice Bridge would have lost in revenues because of the waiving of those tolls. The Opposition has been complaining about the use of state assets by the ruling party to campaign for the upcoming May 11 General and Regional Elections, which is being described by observers as one of the toughest for the ruling which took power in 1992. The Opposition A Partnership For National Unity plus Alliance For Change coalition (APNU+AFC), were not extended the same courtesy by the Berbice bridge during their recent rallies. The Berbice Bridge itself has been facing problems. It had reportedly written the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), a shareholder, indicating that it is unable to pay dividends for last year. Also said to have shares in the bridge are the Hand-inHand Insurance Company, New Building Society, Demerara Distillers Limited, Beharry Group of Companies, Queens Atlantic Investment Inv (QAII), owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, best friend of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. NIS, although sitting on billions of reserve, is facing long-term problems if it does not raise the number of contributions from employers and their w o r k e r s . Currently, its expenses outstrip revenues. The investments in the US$40M-plus Berbice Bridge had been argued as a wonderful opportunity for NIS to earn some more revenues, its managers and Government said. It would be hard for the Berbice Bridge and its

Scores of vehicles heading to the PPP/C rally at Albion, East Berbice on Sunday, were allowed through without any tolls being paid, an official confirmed yesterday. management to explain the waiving of the tolls especially when it could not pay NIS its dividends on the $950M investments made by the scheme. In a letter to the NIS, the bridge said last year that it did not record a profit in 2014. Chartered accountant/ lawyer, Christopher Ram, had complained that while the Bridge Company claims that it had not made profits, it has failed to file its 2012 and 2013 annual returns as required by law. Ram wrote on his online blog, chrisram.net earlier this year that based on calculations, it would appear that the tide is going out on the Bridge Company and it is leaving the NIS adrift. “With its high borrowings, liquidity dangers for the Bridge Company are never too far from the surface. This concern is not helped by the improperly prepared financial statements such as

CEO, Omadat Samaroo the word “maturity” in relation to the repayment of more than $5,575 million in corporate bonds.” He believed that the “unwillingness” by directors to file the annual reports of the company for more than two years may have something to do with the poor state of their finances.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Voters list will be out next Tuesday - GECOM With General and Regional Elections less than three weeks away, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced that its Official List of Electors (OLE) has been certified and preparations are underway to have it posted countrywide by next Tuesday (April 28). The elections body has also said that it will be utilizing 2,299 polling stations across the country. One hundred and sixty six of these are slated to be private

…2299 polling stations to be used on e-day residences. That announcement was made during a meeting between GECOM and representatives of A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) last Friday. By way of public statement, the Elections Commission said that the two met to discuss a number of important electoral issues. “Foremost among the list

Gunman shoots Bare Root vendor

A 24-year-old Bare Root, East Coast Demerara, vendor is in a critical condition after he was shot in the stomach by a man with whom he had a dispute over money. The victim, Eon Goodluck, was reportedly attacked around 19.00 hrs yesterday while standing on a road in his community. He was still undergoing surgery at press time. The shooter, who fled on a motorcycle, is said to be an East Coast Demerara resident known as ‘Cooler.’ However, he was reportedly detained after turning up at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to inquire about the victim. A close associate of Goodluck’s told Kaieteur

News that the suspect claimed that Goodluck owed him $50,000. The men had a confrontation several months ago over the debt and Goodluck’s girlfriend allegedly gave the man a mobile phone worth $32,000 as part payment. The friend claimed that Goodluck also paid off part of the debt. But at around 19.00 hrs, the man known as ‘Cooler’ allegedly rode up to Goodluck and demanded the entire $50,000. An argument ensued, during which a friend of the suspect allegedly tried to run Goodluck over with a car. Goodluck attempted to flee and the suspect shot him. The injured man reportedly caught a vehicle which took him to the GPHC.

of issues discussed was the coalition’s request of GECOM to issue a stern public statement advising persons against the defacing, destruction and or otherwise removal of Political Parties’ campaign materials,” the body said. GECOM stated that in this regard it will be issuing a statement shortly. It said that the coalition enquired about GECOM’s current posture as it relates to the issuance of Certificates of Employment to polling agents working on elections day. “The GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, mentioned that GECOM has undertaken steps to ensure that due process is maintained in order to achieve a legally binding position on the matter of issuance of Certificates of Employment,” the statement said. GECOM said that it informed the coalition representatives of its plans for polling stations and the party representatives expressed concerns about possible lateness of notification relative to changes of Polling Stations, especially those that are private residences. The body said that its Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield indicated that as far as is practicable,

US nears plea deal with cash jet... From page 7 proceeds of the deposits were used to renovate or pay mortgages. According to the US Government, when domestic financial institutions, including banks and money service businesses, are involved in a transaction for the payment, receipt, or transfer of United States currency in an amount greater than $10,000, the institution is required to file a currency transaction report (“CTR”) for each cash transaction, such as, by way of example, a deposit, withdrawal, exchange of currency, or other payment or transfer by, through, or to a financial institution. “Many individuals involved in illegal activities, such as tax evasion, money

laundering, and narcotics trafficking, are aware of the reporting requirements and take active steps to cause financial institutions to fail to file CTRs in order to avoid detection of the movement of large amounts of cash.” The court documents said that Lall and his family and others “structured” their payments deposit below US$10,000. In February, Lang disclosed that a plea bargain is being actively pursued but additional time of one month is needed. The Defence asked permission for the matter to be transferred from Puerto Rico to New Jersey for purposes of plea and sentencing. Lall’s case has been generating much attention in Guyana, Puerto

Rico and mainland US, because of the amount of cash that he was found with. In February, the US Government filed applications in the District Court of Puerto Rico to seize the jet which was reportedly used in the illegal transport of the cash. Assistant United States Attorney, Maritza Gonzalez, said that the forfeiture of the plane is in keeping with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The plane in question is a 1988 fixed wing, multi-engine Israel aircraft bearing FAA registration N822QL. It is one of the aircraft that Lall has been using to fly to Guyana. Also to be seized are the related aircraft maintenance log books and other records.

GECOM will be contacting political parties promptly and notifying them about any changes in location of any polling station, should any such changes occur. “The CEO indicated that the Official List of Electors (OLE) has been certified, and that preparations are being made to have it posted in all of GECOM’s Registration Districts by April 28, 2015, in accordance with statutory obligations,” the statement noted. The CEO reportedly mentioned that GECOM will be preparing folios containing the photographs and other important bio data of all electors. “These folios are to be utilized in polling stations by the presiding officers and

political party agents present, as an additional means of voter verification. At the end of Election Day activities, the Polling Agents are required to return the folios to the presiding officer.” GECOM emphasized that it is working assiduously to ensure it delivers an election that is free, fair, credible and transparent. The electoral body said that it took the opportunity to encourage the APNU+AFC to place every confidence in the professional work being done by the Commission and Secretariat and according to them, the APNU+AFC assured the Chairman and his team that it has confidence in GECOM’s undertakings. APNU+AFC were represented by Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, Attorney-at-Law

GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally Joseph Harmon, David Patterson, Clayton Hall and Tabita Sarbo-Halley. GECOM was led by its Chairman, CEO, Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud and Public Relations Officer, Richard Francois.

CATHOLIC CHURCH to monitor political speeches wants volunteers The Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of the Catholic Church, has announced that it is launching a campaign initiative to monitor the content of political speeches at the public meetings in the final stages of the run up to General and Regional Elections on May 11th. JPC said that the purpose of the campaign monitoring initiative is to increase public/ Catholic participation in an important element of the democratic process and helping to identify infringements/breaches of the Party Code of Conduct, expected to be signed shortly.

The monitoring will also look to deter inflammatory and reckless political campaign speeches in a sensitive period. “This initiative is all the more important given the recent display of irresponsible, reckless and vulgar behaviour on the Essequibo Coast with lynched effigies of the Opposition’s Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates being placed on a utility pole.” JPC said that such crass public displays are highly inflammatory and insensitive during national elections and can only serve to stoke

existing political and ethnic tensions. “The JPC is calling for volunteers from members of the public, especially Catholics, to implement this initiative. Volunteers will attend public meetings, fill out a prepared campaign monitoring form, and forward these to the JPC for later analysis and public release.” JPC said it is inviting persons who are interested in volunteering to contact them at jpc.guyana@gmail.com or at its offices at the Justice and Peace Commission, Roman Catholic Diocese of Georgetown, Bishop’s House, Brickdam.

Bharrat Jagdeo no show for court at... From page 3 whisper campaigns. In the last elections they went to some of the Afro-Guyanese villages and beat some drums at six o'clock in the morning and say let us throw out these coolie people. “Get up, go out and vote; throw out the coolie people. That's the kind of language they use. Anybody from our party who uses that sort of language, we will kick them out. This is our approach.” Attorney at Law Adrian Anamayah stated that the attempt to take Jagdeo to court is a puerile attempt to muzzle the former president in what amounted to be an attack on his constitutional right to free speech. If the case goes to trial and Jagdeo is convicted, he could be fined $100,000 and jailed

for a maximum of two years. The Representation of the People Act also prohibits a person convicted of such an offence from being a member of the National Assembly, local democratic organ or the holder of any constitutional or statutory office. The crowd which included Minister of Health Bheri Ramsarran, and other top Government and Regional Officials, got hostile as the court proceedings ended and the lawyers emerged from the building. Most of the crowd was subsequently ushered away from the scene, but some remained. Mr. Ram and his delegation which included Rights Activist, Sherlinger Nagar, were advised to remain in the courtyard for some time before being escorted out of the area by the lawmen.

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 21

PPP/C to update int’l Rasta community did observers on GECOM’S stance not endorse the PPP/C on COE’s for polling agents The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has lashed out at the Guyana Election’s Commission (GECOM’s) decision to approach the Chief Justice for a ruling on Certificates of Employment (COE’s), warning that the party will submit its concerns about GECOM to observer bodies. This was according to PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee yesterday as he hosted the party’s weekly press conference at Freedom house. GECOM had recently announced its intention to seek Chief Justice Ian Chang’s ruling on whether the electoral body can indeed issue Certificates of Employment to polling day agents from political parties. This was in a bid to ensure no one was disenfranchised should they be posted to locations outside of their designated districts. In such cases, the agents would need the COE’s to be able to vote at the polling stations at which they are assigned to work . The Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally had stated that though the constitution lay out that only GECOM staff can receive the COE’s, the law

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee also says that GECOM has the ability to make administrative decisions on the matter. According to Rohee, GECOM’s initial stance on issuing the certificates was justified by law, and the fact that the body now intends to seek an interpretation from the Chief Justice has been duly documented in a dossier which will be given to electoral observers. Rohee explained that the dossier the party had prepared would contain all of the PPP/C’s concerns with the electoral process. “We have a dossier on

these matters, fully documented to present to those who share our concerns.” Rohee also sought to defend the PPP/C’s increasing interjections into the electoral process under the purview of it having the legitimate electoral authority and it being the party’s ‘right’. “We are not creating roadblocks or hurdles for GECOM. We believe as a major stakeholder we have a legitimate right to raise questions.” The decision by the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) to conduct limited tests on the Revised List of Electors was mentioned by the General Secretary. He observed that this was only decided after questions about the list were raised by leader of the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) David Granger. According to the General Secretary, his party just wanted to help GECOM bring off a successful election. Rohee also repeated his call for public vetting of GECOM’s polling day staffers, asserting that treating their profiles as ‘top secret’ would only serve to create doubts in people’s minds. (Jarryl Bryan)

Truck crushes pensioner’s leg in Providence accident INJURED: Ramdai Dookdat

The photo that offended the Rastafarian community Senior members of the local Rastafarian community have not endorsed or committed support to the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Executives of the Guyana Rastafarian Council (GRC), the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and Nyabinghi House made this clear yesterday when they expressed disgust at the party using photos of a recent meeting they had with President Donald Ramotar as part of its campaign material. Photographs of the meeting with the “Vote PPP” slogan were placed on the PPP/C Facebook page promoting concern from the Rastafarian members. The Rastafarians said that they see the use of the photos as dishonest and deceitful, since the community only met with the President to discuss their concerns and not to endorse any political party. The community’s policy

does not include a political agenda and voting is the democratic right and individual choice of every member, they said. In this regard, they said that executives were meeting with the President just as they had met with the opposition parties to state their case. They said that the opposition responded to their request and a meeting was held. They said, however, that since Ramotar came into Government three years ago, they have been sending letters to him for an audience, but there had been no response. It was after being on a programme in mid-April on the Basil P show where they mentioned meeting with the opposition, that the Office of the President called them a day later stating that the President will meet with them. The meeting with the President, attended by Ras Binghi Trugs; ancient of Nyabinghi Order, Ras

Richard- treasurer of GRC and Ras Ruben of Twelve Tribe of Israel, among others, saw a four-point plan being forwarded to the Head of State. They said a photographer then entered the room and begun taking photos. To their surprise, the photos were later used as campaign material; giving the impression that the Rastafarian community endorsed them. “This is totally against the truth and what we stand for.” The executives said that their only concern is that an election is coming and they sought to make their expectations clear to both sides. The members have demanded that the PPP remove their photo as part of their campaign material as they seek to reassure the concerned membership that the organizations have not gotten tangled in political affairs and have not taken any bribes or inducements.

Barry Dataram, wife and friends...

A 75-year-old woman is likely to have her right leg amputated after a truck hit her on the Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) Public Road then drove over her leg around 13:45 hrs yesterday. The accident occurred in the vicinity of the Providence Police Station. The woman has been identified as Ramdai Dookdat of Herstelling, EBD. According to reports, the woman was crossing the road when the truck, which was heading north on the East Bank Demerara Public Road, struck her down then drove over her leg. At the Diamond Diagnostic Centre yesterday, medical personnel were preparing to send the woman to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she will undergo surgery. The driver of the truck was at the scene of the accident relating to traffic ranks what really took place. An eyewitness told this newspaper

that a vehicle stopped to allow another vehicle and the woman to cross the road. She was standing on the western side, heading in the opposite direction. “A truck stopped to allow the NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council) vehicle to pass across the road. There was a bus at the back of that truck and then another truck (the one that was involved in the accident). After the NDC vehicle passed, the woman crossed but the truck at the back, like the driver didn’t want wait, and he overtake and drive in front and hit the woman,” the eyewitness said. He added, “The truck side barely hit her but because she is old, she fell on the road and the truck run over her foot. The driver didn’t know he hit her. We had to shout and tell him to stop.” The woman was at press time in the theatre while the driver remains in police custody.

From page 3 see the father. Hanoman suggested that the young woman “was at the wrong place at the wrong time.” He contended that the house in which CANU allegedly found the drug is accessible to numerous persons. However, his submission became intense when he opined that Barry Dataram continues to be abused and is suffering at the hands of law enforcement officers who are trying to secure a conviction for him. He stressed that they are trying to “sink his client.” Additionally, the lawyer stated that the judicial system continues to mistreat Dataram. Hanoman has since indicated that he has continuously advised the man not to leave Guyana, since it is the safest place for him to live. Hanoman reiterated that it is unlikely for the court to

grant the defendants' their pre trial liberty unless special circumstances are advanced. He however, pleaded with the Magistrate to consider bail for his female client. The lawyer informed the court that Boodnarine's father is dead and that her mother is currently overseas. He stated that the young woman's child is still breast feeding and because of her being imprisoned, the child is now left in the care of her friend. Moreover, Hanoman emphasized that his clients were kept in custody beyond 72 hours. He noted that the defendant should have been

brought before the court the day after the offence was allegedly committed, hence he questioned, why they were kept beyond the allotted time. But Assistant Superintendant of Police, Stephen Telford justified the arrest and detention. He explained that investigations are still ongoing, while objecting to bail. He pointed out that other charges are likely to be instituted against the defendants. Telford also made reference to the amount of cocaine they were attempting to traffic. They will make their next court appearance on May 7.

Page 22

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1 Carpenter, 1 Mason, 1 Painter - Call: 265-3586 2 Male, 3 female general workers @ Land Of Canaan E.B.D & G/Town – Tel: 2256337

Office clerk: CXC English, mathematics. Live in, live out babysitter/domestic- Call: 219-5354 Urgently needed attractive waitress –Tel:693-4154

CAR RENTAL

SALON

VEHICLE FOR SALE

FOR SALE

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 -DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL. COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257

Toyota Prado, Price$4.7M Neg. Call: 643-2403 Canter Truck, 3 Ton with tail lift, asking -$1.50M negotiable, very good condition, owner residing overseas -Tel: 6874992; 695-7845

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807

SERVICES

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Vacant land space at Supply East Bank Demerara –Tel: 227-1744 or 657-9237 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 Five bedrooms house @ 107 Lamaha Gardens & large parking, AC rooms, hot & cold, purified water system Call: 661-8908; 335-3590 Apartments to rent @ 70 Bent Street Wortmanville $3,500 & $4,000 per day – Contact: 226-3309; 674-5760; 648-7154 & (218-1033 Saturday & Sunday only)

Wash bay attendants - Call: 646-8748 1 Day time security guard, 60yrs & older, who don’t drink & smoke, preferably from G/Town – Call:623-3231; 225-3198 Girl with experience in computer. Be able to keep account, deal with clients & be fast- Call: 231-8529 Salesman for food company, must go to different parts of Guyana in canters to help load & unload- Call: 231-8529 Salesman for a hardware store must have experience in sales & with clients. Ages 30-40yrs- Call: 231-8529 One (1) general worker to work shift system- Call:6657474 DRESSMAKING Learn to cut & sew at Enid Dressmaking, certificate classes @ Lot 66, 6th Street Alberttown –Contact: 2239106 or 643-7966

Tuesday April 21, 2015

TO LET Spacious upper flat three bedrooms with one master, at Fist Bridge Grove, New Housing Scheme – Call: 6420550 One apartment for rent @ Mon Repos, First Street E.CD –Tel: 220-7330 3-Bedroom unfurnished bottom flat in Sa Silva Street, parking for 2 cars, overhead tank, fully grilled, price $80,000- Call:616-0537 1 bedroom apartment with parking & other conveniences $30,000. For Christian working couple. Available from 1st May,2015Contact:672-1586, 218-3463

Deals! Deals! Deals! Venus Auto Sale, new model Toyota Spacio, front and back camera/TV/CD/Navi –Call: 682-5117 PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Advertisements; Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building visadocumentsgy@yahoo.com Call : 225-6496, 662-6045 Accounting & Taxation Services: tax returns, compliances, financial statements. Avinash Persaud Tax Consultancy, 163 Parika, EBE - Call: 260-4762. Your Dream Yard Today! Stunning designs, Assortment, colourful plant choices, Professional Landscapers Tel: 219-0468/ 648-1821 Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 Eagle’s fridge re-gas $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822

We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Toyota Voxy to be registered in “B” series - $2.1M & ‘G’ series - $1.7M - Tel: 617-2891 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom, Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Blow Out Sales @ Star Cars Auto Sale- Premio, Spacio, Bluebird, IST, Benz, Alteeza, free alarm- Tel: 679-3140 Mercedes –Benz C200 Kompressor, left hand driver, automatic, 2005 model, low mileage, excellent condition, negotiable - Call: 624-5130 1 L-Touring Wagon, flair kit, remote start- $1.450,000, 1 Honda CRV, $1.850, 000, 1 AT192 - $850, 000. All in good condition, price negotiable –Tel: 626-2884 One Honda Civic 1500cc ESI, excellent condition, lady driven –Tel: 223-0849

PEN PAL Male seek mature woman, who’s honest, Cool personality, believe in love. We here today….. Call: 687-5837 MASSAGE Relaxing massage servicesCall: 674-8147

Cummings complete genset generator 4CYL 30KVA, 2011 Ducati 1198’s superbike, pearl white, CH series original –Tel: 684-2838 Male Enhancement - Tel: 638-1627 1 Mini marine tanker capacity 11,500 Gallons – Tel:227-1744 or 657-9237 Hymac, 200KVA CAT generators, portable, hours 07115, G3 John boat 14Ft, 25HP 4 Stroke Yamaha, 399 Massey Ferguson tractor Tel: 601-1138 Unregistered 2006 Toyota rush - $2.9M negotiable, unregistered 2007 Mitsubishi hard top convertible -$2.8M negotiable, owner migrating Call: 629-2314 International Truck and trailer –Tel: 624-4076 1- 318 BMW and register, cash 3.2 M, down payment 1.2 M- Contact # 616-0429 Pure bred German shepherd pups –Tel: 220-2277; 2208904; 629-1471

Honda CRV 2001, Excellent Condition, price $2,050,000 – Contact: 624-6099

Madza Axela bumper for sale - Tel: 691-5485 High quality rough or dressed lumber available at reduced prices. Free delivery- Call:6001212 for details

Mitsubishi Galant 1994-1996 Sold as parts. Body Condition Good. $600,000.00 Tel: 216 1079 6168027

Just arrived!! 18" Brush cutter blades wholesale & retail quantities- Call:6148564/ 639-3675

One Toyota Cami PLL Series$1.3M negotiable – Call: 6793410 One Toyota Premio & Toyota Spacio, excellent condition, owner migrating Tel# 6182576 or 678-0109 PROPERTY FOR SALE Grove Public Road property -$19M – Tel: 613-5645

Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Fazil Ali Constructionbuilding, repairs & construction needs: plumbing, carpentry, painting, trowel tex, electrical, mason etc.Call: 677-0465/ 275-0844

Great Deals on video games and all gaming consoles – Call: 672-2566; 265-3232

LAND FOR SALE Vacant transported land at 303 Independence Boulivard, La Penitence, Georgetown, serious inquiries only - Call: 622-9998 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front -reasonable offer accepted, serious enquiries only! Tel: 669-8152 5 Star gated community with pool, mall, well, solar powered, get your land/ house - Tel: 609-0783

Transported Property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, grilled store room & Shed, (45X26) – Call: 660-1353,216-4338 Water front house on 4 acre land @ Parika, Land on Friendship, Public Road, Unfinished 2 storey house @ Sophia - Call: 629-7611 (1) 2 storied concrete corner property, 3 bedrooms upstairs, 4 self contained apartment downstairs, land: 95X65 & house: 65X32 – Call: 642-0867; 644-6479 Continued on page 23

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

The face of Guyana’s leadership needs to be changed DEAR EDITOR, Having compared the campaign speeches of the leaders of the PPP and the APNU+AFC Coalition, we have noticed that a common trend has unfolded within the PPP. While the leaders of the Coalition have been insightful, visionary, creative and innovative with strong moral authority, those in the PPP seemed devoid of such attributes. More specifically, the leaders of the PPP lack vision, morality and integrity because they are endowed with cuss-down, vulgar and race-bait politics. Change in Guyana will not take place under this corrupt, brutal and deceitful regime, it will only occur with a change in government on May 11 when the new leaders will begin to empower Guyanese, especially the poor and the working class to identify opportunities for the betterment of their lives. The face of Guyana’s leadership needs to be changed, and this change must exceed the superficial assessment of political representation based on prejudices and preferences with respect to race and

hatred. It must be based on love and respect for one another and on the founding principles of one people, one nation and one destiny, which in Guyanese parlance means “all awe a one family.” Since Independence, Guyana has passed through many political and economic phases, which required a certain level of leadership at a different point and time, some good and some bad, but none of the leaders of Guyana was as bad as the current and former presidents. And they are the two worst Guyanese have seen in the life of the nation so far, and we do not believe that there will ever be anyone worse than them. Sadly, under the PPP, Guyana has found itself in a pothole, repetitively attempting to use the same corrupt methods to get things done, but which fail miserably to produce any effective change. The truth is that Guyana has not had decent and authentic leaders for the past fifteen years under the PPP who have been locked into political mind games of playing one race against the other. During this period, the average Guyanese citizens became like pawns on a

chessboard, as they were slowly but surely stripped of their dignity and rights. The PPP has used the power of the state and the people to advance their political agenda, and in the process the people, including many supporters of the PPP, have become casualties of the party’s vindictive inept and corrupt policies which have benefitted only the rich. Jagdeo and the PPP’s main concern in this election, is how to acquire power and how to manipulate this power to their advantage. In other words, it is Jagdeo who will determine who gets what, when they get it, how much they get, and even where and in what circumstances they get it, and how it must be used. If the PPP wins the election, Jagdeo and not Ramotar will determine who gets government contracts and a large portion of the state resources, just as he did in 2011 when he gave the nation’s airwaves to relatives and friends of the PPP and the largest medical contract to his good friend. The Leaders of the APNU+AFC Coalition on the other hand, are more

concerned about providing the state resources and opportunities for the empowerment of all Guyanese, irrespective of class, race, sex, age, wealth, or political affiliation. They will give an ear to the unheard, offer a helping hand to the poor, furnish better health care for the sick, create good and proper education policies for all, ease the fear of women of domestic violence, and provide a platform for those who believe they are voiceless and were victimized and abandoned by the Jagdeo/ Ramotar regime. They will provide jobs for the jobless, homes for the homeless, and a secure country for all to live without fear of being robbed or murdered. Unlike the powerobsessed Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal, the APNU+AFC coalition leaders are more interested in serving the people while ensuring that they grow and are transformed emotionally, intellectually, financially and socially by recognizing and developing their potential. What the PPP failed to realize is that in this election, the people are no longer docile

and they will not allow the PPP to abuse them as they did during the last fifteen years. The people are longer interested in their gangster language, empty promises, propaganda, distortion and untruths. It is clear that the PPP under Jagdeo and Ramotar has no core values, no deep-seated principles and no ethics on which it was founded; only the political rhetoric and propaganda of its campaign manifesto. Many in the PPP, including Jagdeo, may say that the policies of David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo are bad for Guyana, but it is these leaders’ rich intellect and practical views of change that have been sweeping the country, resonating with the people, who in this election have rejected their empty promises and lies. The counterattacks of PPP race-based politics by the leaders of the Coalition matter, primarily because they have wisely and strategically created the space for many to change their minds and vote on the issues rather than on race. David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo are transformational leaders with

It is hoped that voters will see the PPP/C Govt... From page 4 investors, he proceeded to construct an access road costing over US$30 million. Unfortunately the road when completed at taxpayers’ expense will be serving no immediate, useful purpose, but will continue to burden Guyanese with high maintenance costs until such time that the AFHP becomes a reality. The Moco Moco hydroplant to supply electricity to the Rupununi District suffered from the faulty installation of a penstock which made the facility inoperable. Instead of getting the plant repaired, the PPP/C Government neglected it and allowed the equipment to be vandalized beyond repairs. The Skeldon Sugar Factory was installed at a cost of over US$200 million. Since construction, the complex has failed to produce its designed output as it suffered from regular break-downs and lack of raw material (sugar cane). The East Bank and East Coast highways under construction should have been completed two years ago but mismanagement and poor oversight by the Ministry of Public Works continue to plague these projects. The Hope Canal costing over US$28 million to relieve flood water from the East Demerara Conservancy is still under construction, although it should have been completed years ago.

This project displaced hundreds of farmers at Hope/ Dochfour who are still awaiting reasonable compensation for their lands, compulsorily taken away from them to build the Canal, as well as the promise to construct ancillary drainage and irrigation works to enable them to cultivate what’s left of their farms. The Marriott Hotel which should have been ready to admit guests a year ago was only opened last week, although it is only partially completed. The CJIA upgrade costing over US$150 million will be a ‘white elephant’ (except the runway extension) when completed, as the projected throughput of passengers and cargo will take years to achieve. Therefore much of the unused infrastructures will require expensive maintenance as Guyanese struggle with funding their upkeep as well as debt servicing for the facility, since the refurbished airport will be unable to generate sufficient revenue to meet these obligations. All these projects have large time and cost overruns which the PPP/C Government is not disclosing, so there is no success story it could present to voters who should be told where the revenue will come from to pay the subsidies necessary for these projects. GuySuCo is producing sugar at a cost of over

G$0.40/lb while the world price is under G$0.26/lb. The PPP/C Government has no strategic plan to reduce production costs nor halt the decline of the industry, only promises of more subsidies to keep the over 16,000 workers employed. Rice farmers have been increasing their production, but the industry suffers from a lack of reliable markets and timely payments to growers. Recently a shipment of contaminated rice to Chile had a costly rejection because of inadequate oversight by the PPP Government. Under President Jagdeo, the Housing Ministry acquired from GuySuCo a tenacre choice piece of land north of Plaisance Police Station and south of the sea wall. The land was parceled out for development into housing lots which were only offered to families and friends of the PPP/C at rock-bottom prices. It is at this location where Ex-President Jagdeo has built his luxury home. This was naked nepotism as the PPP/C Government has failed to deliver on its promises and instead lined the pockets of its supporters and friends with Government’s resources. As the country heads for the polls, the PPP/C is once again making hollow promises to voters such as a new power plant for Bartica next year, surfacing the Linden-

Rupununi Road, reliable electricity for all and investing G$20B to revive the sugar industry by installing co-generating plants at Pln. Albion and other estates to supply electricity to GPL all fluff to win votes, as the country has no money for these investments. It is hoped that voters will see the PPP/C Government as one of false promises, who has failed them badly, as it pursues its policy of corrup-

tion and discrimination. The PNC has shed much of its excesses of the 1970’s and 1980’s and with an AFC Partner providing the checks and balances for better governance, the APNU/AFC Partnership could only improve the well being and living conditions of all Guyanese. Therefore let us unite and vote to make a change for the better on May 11. Charles Sohan

a vision, who have emerged in this particular time to create change through dialogue and to save our beloved Guyana from the hands of the wicked. What conversation have the leaders of the PPP undertaken in their management of Guyana’s affairs, locally and internationally for the past fifteen years? NONE! All they have done is to bully and dictate to the masses and have used their power to silent their critics, divide the races and to marginalize the other main ethnic group. Not to mention the raping of the treasury, the giving away of the country’s pristine forests to their overseas friends for huge kick-backs, and taking the country’s best ocean front lands for themselves. A diagnosis of the country’s problems has not only identified corruption from which the PPP politicians suffer immensely, but a proper diagnosis points to the PPP as a dictatorial, vindictive and dishonest regime where acts of corruption, bribery, high level of mismanagement, misappropriation of state funds, cronyism and nepotism are common place. Guyana is hurting badly from its many problems caused by the PPP and if the people do not find a cure to the problems on May 11, then it is apparent that the country will soon self-destruct and disintegrate. Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh

(From page 22) TOURS Suriname tour return May 1st -5th, sightseeing of dolphins; shopping –Tel: 639-2663; 644-0185; 665-5171

EDUCATIONAL Special after school classes for nursery students: phonics, reading, special etc for all ages, limited spaces –Tel: 675-4379 Earn a Diploma in Computers: 9 Courses, Windows 7/8, and office 2013 @ MicroGraphics Vreed-EnHoop - Tel: 264-3057 Computer Classes For 2015, Common-Entrance students, 9 courses, $30,000 @ MicroGraphics - VreedEn-Hoop Tel : 264-3057

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Tuesday April 21, 2015

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Why should Guyana have a Prime Minister who runs/hides from a simple debate? - Trotman By Abena Rockcliffe “One of the qualities of any good leader is mettle. Moreover, when someone decides that he or she wants to be a part of a country’s leadership and hold the future of hundreds of thousands of citizens in his or her hands, that person must accept and embrace the fact that mettle is no longer just an asset, it is a necessity.” That is the sentiment expressed yesterday by A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Campaign Cochair, Raphael Trotman as he responded to the reasons put forward by the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) as why it’s Prime Ministerial (PM) candidate will not debate her counterpart. On Sunday, PPP/C issued a statement to the effect that it will not allow its PM Candidate, Elisabeth Harper to be involved in a political debate against APNU+AFC PM Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo and fear was the reason put forward for this decision. The Party expressed fear that Harper

“Guyana has been through enough over the last 10 years with regard to leadership; one of the last things this country now needs is a Prime Minister who lacks mettle” would be subjected to ‘disrespect.’ The PPP/C noted that while it has accepted the invitation for a public Presidential debate from the Private Sector Commission, their decision to not entertain the Harper-Nagamootoo debate is final. The reason for this, it posited, is that there has been an ongoing campaign of vile attacks against women candidates of the PPP/C, especially towards Harper through the daily newspaper letters and articles being managed by the Opposition. While no mention was made of any particular article, the party said that it condemns the disrespect being meted out to women in the public service and said that such news items show disregard to mothers, wives, and daughters who want to serve the country. Yesterday Trotman told Kaieteur News that the “excuse” put forward by the PPP is “ultra lame.”

He added, “That excuse simply lacks merit. Anyone vying to be Prime Minster for Prime Ministerial position should at least have mettle.” The former Speaker of the National Assembly pointed to the fact, that Harper will have to act in the capacity as President any time Ramotar leaves the country if the PPP?C is returned to office. He then questioned “Why should Guyana have a Prime Minister who cannot handle a simple debate.” Trotman also told Kaieteur News that “Guyana has been through too much over the last 10 years with regards to leadership…one of the last things this country now needs is a Prime Minister who lacks mettle.” The coalition member made it clear that his comrade, Nagamootoo, had no interest in attacking Harper as he has enough ammunition to just focus on the real issues affecting Guyana and how APNU+AFC government will

rid Guyana of such constraints. Trotman said, “This debate is not about Harper and her lifestyle; this is supposed to be a debate of substance.” APNU+AFC VicePresidential candidate Khemraj Ramjattan told Kaieteur News that the PPP’s statements vindicated his previously reported position that the PPP is “scared to death” to have debates. Ramjattan added that the PPP is trying to be clever in that “they do not want the public to know how rotten and discredited the politicians are and that is one of the things that the debate would have revealed. I knew from the inception that they would have run away.” Also, APNU General Secretary, Joseph Harmon was reported yesterday in a section of the media as saying that the PPP is hiding Harper. He said that Harper cannot aspire for public office

US nears plea deal with cash jet pilot US Prosecutors appear to be nearing a plea deal with Guyanese pilot, Khamraj Lall. They were making a counter offer to him last week. Lall’s lawyer has asked for one week extension to consider the offer and to report back to the court next Tuesday. According to court documents filed by Rafael Castro Lang, who is attorney for Lall, the US Government recently made a new counter plea offer. The lawyer was supposed to travel to New Jersey over the past weekend to meet with the pilot to discuss the plea. The US District Court of Puerto Rico was to have held a status conference today but Lang requested an extension of time Lall, who owns Kaylees Gas Station in Coverden, East Bank Demerara, was arrested by airport authorities in Puerto Rico in November, after his jet made a stop to refuel, on its way to Guyana. Stashed in different parts of the plane was more than US$600,000 that Prosecutors say was not declared by Lall. He reportedly took responsibility for the cash at the time of arrest. On board were his father and another person. The pilot, who also owns a limousine service in Guyana, had flown President

PLEA DEAL NEAR: Captain Khamraj Lall Donald Ramotar on occasions on the private jet. His company, Exec Jet Club, has a private hangar at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. There were swirling questions over the operations of the hangar and its accessibility. Government had denied that it granted the company any special privileges and said that the operations were in keeping with regulations. Exec Jet has reportedly also closed its Gainesville, Florida

Office because of the troubles. In addition to charges related to bulk cash smuggling, Lall is in deep trouble with the US authorities who by law can seize properties that are linked to illegal transactions. As Puerto Rico is a territory of the US, the country’s tax body, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), had stepped into the matter, going after 14 bank accounts, a Lexus car and two planes, including the jet that Lall used on that fateful flight. Two weeks after he was arrested in Puerto Rico, US tax authorities, on December 8, filed a civil case in New Jersey. They were able to seize US$442,743.59 from accounts controlled by Lall and his companies. This is in addition to the US$600,000 that was found on the jet in Puerto Rico, and which is subject to seizure too. Investigators, apparently working on information, started tracking Lall’s deposits to accounts held at Wells Fargo, Citibank and JP Morgan and found startling

evidence that between April 2011 and September 2014, the pilot and family members deposited an astounding US$6,324,411.41 (G$1.3B). There were over a thousand transactions. The IRS believes that a scheme was devised where Lall and others deliberately deposited less than US$10,000 each time in

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper

APNU+AFC Co-Chair, Raphael Trotman and subsequently make herself unavailable to such scrutiny from the public. “The PPP, they are trying to foist persons who are incapable of dealing with public issues on public platforms,” said Harmon. The PPP emphasized on Sunday that its Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar, stands ready for a debate, but Harper is out of the question. However, the APNU+AFC has made its position clear on the matter that it must have

double or nothing ; Harper versus Nagamootoo and Ramotar versus APNU+AFC’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger. Ramotar had said that Harper is quite capable of handling herself. The Head of State had even stated, “Nagamootoo is no match for Harper, I am sure Harper can account for herself.” The PPP/C, while accepting the Private Sector’s Presidential debate invitation, said nothing in its statement to the media about possible participation in the highly anticipated civil society discussion. This event was said to be postponed after issues of air conditioning and space were placed in the spotlight by the PPP/C.

The US Government is going after two planes owned by Captain Khamraj Lall

attempts not to trigger suspicion by banks which are mandated to report transactions above that amount. Lall’s wife, Nadinee, and mother Joyce, were named in the transactions. Investigators tracking the money said that Lall and his family had properties in New Jersey, Florida and New York. The US Government said

that it is not yet requesting seizures of properties that the Lalls control in three states but intends to do so, as (Continued on page 12)

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Deadly wreck adds to China and Pakistan launch economic corridor plan worth $46 billion Europe’s migrant crisis

Rescue operations were underway yesterday to save hundreds more migrants in peril (Reuters) - The European Union proposed doubling the size of its Mediterranean search and rescue operations yesterday, as the first bodies were brought ashore of some 900 people feared killed in the deadliest shipwreck while trying to reach Europe. Three other rescue operations were underway yesterday to save hundreds more migrants in peril on overloaded vessels making the journey from the north coast of Africa to Europe. The mass deaths have caused shock in Europe, where a decision to scale back naval operations last year seems to have increased the risks for migrants without reducing their numbers. “The situation in the Mediterranean is dramatic. It cannot continue like this,” said European Council President Donald Tusk, calling an extraordinary summit of EU leaders for Thursday to plan how to stop human traffickers and boost rescue efforts. Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said as many as 900 people may have died in Sunday’s disaster off the coast of Libya when a large boat capsized. That is the highest death toll in modern times among migrants, who are trafficked in the tens of thousands in rickety vessels across the Mediterranean. In Vienna, more than 3,000 people including President Heinz Fischer gathered at a memorial service for the dead. The demonstrators put candles on an inflatable raft in their memory. EU ministers held a moment of silence at a meeting to discuss the crisis in Luxembourg. The bloc’s executive, the European Commission, presented a 10-point plan to address the crisis,

which would include doubling the size and the funding of “Triton”, an EU naval operation in the Mediterranean. But even that would leave the operation smaller and less well-funded than an Italian mission abandoned last year due to costs and domestic opposition to sea rescues that could attract more migrants. “SLAVERY” Italy and Malta were working to rescue another two migrant boats with around 400 people off the coast of Libya on Monday. Hundreds of kilometers (miles) to the east, coast guards were struggling to save scores of migrants from another vessel destroyed after running aground off the Greek island of Rhodes. Greek coast guards said at least three people were killed there. Television pictures showed survivors clinging to floating debris while rescuers pulled them from the waves. Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi compared the smuggling of migrants across the Mediterranean to the African slave trade of centuries ago. “When we say we are in the presence of slavery we are not using the word just for effect,” he said. European officials are struggling to come up with a policy to respond more humanely to an exodus of migrants traveling by sea from Africa and Asia to Europe, without worsening the crisis by encouraging more to leave. “Search and rescue alone is not a silver bullet,” said German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. “If you just organize search and rescue, criminals who get the refugees on board will send more boats.” Nevertheless, Chancellor

Angela Merkel said that alongside efforts to fight trafficking, more should be done to save those at sea: “We will do everything to prevent further victims from perishing in the most agonizing way on our doorstep.” The vessel overturned and sank off the coast of Libya on Sunday when passengers rushed to one side to attract attention from a passing merchant ship. A Bangladeshi survivor told police there had been 950 passengers onboard, many of them locked into the hold and lower deck, according to the International Organization for Migration. Officials cautioned the figure was an informal estimate. In the Maltese capital Valletta, coast-guard officers brought ashore 24 corpses found so far. Wearing white protective suits, they carried the victims in body-bags off the Italian ship Gregoretti and deposited them in hearses as survivors looked on from the deck. Twenty-eight survivors rescued so far were to be taken on the same boat to the Sicilian port of Catania. In Greece more than 90 people were rescued from the boat wrecked off the coast of Rhodes: “We have recovered three bodies so far - that of a man, a woman and a child,” a coast guard official said. Among those calling for more compassion from Europe were the United Nations human rights chief and Pope Francis. “This is a humanitarian emergency that involves us all,” the IOM’s Italy Director Federico Soda said, calling for a mission equivalent to the Italian operation to be relaunched immediately.

(Reuters) - China and Pakistan launched a plan yesterday for energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan worth $46 billion, linking their economies and underscoring China’s economic ambitions in Asia and beyond. China’s President Xi Jinping arrived in Pakistan to oversee the signing of agreements aimed at establishing a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor between Pakistan’s southern Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea and China’s western Xinjiang region. The plan, which would eclipse U.S. spending in Pakistan over the last decade or so, is part of China’s aim to forge “Silk Road” land and sea ties to markets in the Middle East and Europe. Xi, whose visit to Pakistan winds up today, said it cemented an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the neighbors. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the corridor would transform Pakistan into a regional hub and give China a shorter and cheaper route for trade with much of Asia, the Middle East and Africa. “Friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy,” Sharif said in a speech. The corridor, a network of roads, railways and pipelines, will pass through Pakistan’s poor Baluchistan province, where a long-running separatist insurgency that the army has vowed to crush will raise questions about the feasibility of the plan. China is also worried about Muslim separatists

from Xinjiang teaming up with Pakistani militants. Although Xi did not refer to the issue on Monday, he linked economic cooperation with security in a statement on Sunday. “Our cooperation in the security and economic fields reinforce each other, and they must be advanced simultaneously,” he said. Sharif added: “I assured President Xi that Pakistan considers China’s security as important as its own security.” Xi called for greater efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan, where Pakistan is keen to restrict the influence of its rival India. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in civil nuclear energy, space and maritime technology, counter-terrorism and defense. COMMON INTERESTS Pakistan says China will provide up to $37 billion in investment for energy projects to generate 16,400 MW of power. Concessional loans will cover nearly $10 billion of infrastructure projects. The planned Chinese spending exceeds that of the United States, which has given $31 billion to Pakistan since 2002, according to the Congressional Research Service. About two-thirds of that was earmarked for security. Despite Chinese-U.S. competition for influence across Asia, they share interests in Pakistan. Both want a stable government fighting militancy, said Andrew Small, author of a book on China-

Pakistan relations. “China would like U.S. support for Pakistan to continue, in terms of aid, selling arms, and other support,” Small told Reuters. Few details of the projects have been finalised, and it is not only the Baluchistan insurgency that stands in the way of the ambitious vision becoming reality. Xi may seek assurances that Pakistan will rein in corruption and that leaders from rival political parties are willing to make a long-term commitment. “We should be cautious because of Pakistan itself, not China,” said Imtiaz Gul of the Center for Research and Security Studies, adding that Pakistan’s bureaucracy, political leadership and national unity would be tested as China seeks to build trade links. Pakistani officials have said China’s government and banks, including China Development Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd, will lend to Chinese companies, which will invest in projects as commercial ventures. Chinese companies investing in the projects will include Three Gorges Corp, China Power International Development Ltd, Huaneng Group, ICBC Corporation and Zonergy Corporation, officials said. Sharif made ending chronic power blackouts a central promise of his 2013 election campaign and will be hoping for an improvement before the next polls in 2018.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Venezuela praises T&T, Caribbean leaders for standing against US executive order Venezuelan Ambassador Coromoto Godoy-Calderon has praised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for supporting the repeal of the US executive order against Venezuela at the recent Summit of the Americas. GodoyCalderon was speaking at the press conference by the Movement of Social Justice (MSJ) at its San Fernando headquarters, in support of Venezuela’s fight against social injustice and to commemorate Venezuela’s independence anniversary. T&T is among several countries, trade unions, social activists and groups around the world supporting the call for US president Barack Obama to revoke his March 9 executive order, declaring Venezuela a threat to

US national security. GodoyCalderon said so far they have garnered more than 11 million signatures in Venezuela, more than three million in Cuba and thousands in T&T in support of the executive order repeal. “We will be asking at every forum and every time we have an opportunity we will be clamouring for the repeal of this executive order.” Reflecting on the Summit of the Americas, held in Panama, on April 10 and 11, GodoyCalderon said Caribbean leaders “spoke like giants, they were not afraid of the US.” Declaring solidarity with Venezuela, MSJ president David Abdulah said it is quite clear that Obama’s decision for an executive order against Venezuela was an

imperial act. Abdulah described the action as a power using its power to bullying effect on another country which was violation of their right to self-preservation and independence. “So we stand in solidarity with people of Venezuela against that executive order and must be seen in the wider context of the imperial agenda...and also control for energy, Venezuela having the largest oil reserves in the world and we see the US interference in the Middle East leading to ISIS and chaos.” Abdulah said the MSJ is planning to host a public forum on the situation in Venezuela, Latin America and the Summit of the Americas in about a week.

Pensions at risk for 80 million people in Latin America, Caribbean WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – Financial experts and policy makers have warned Caribbean countries that in the absence of reforms, members of the growing middle class may be vulnerable to poverty in their old age. The experts were discussing Monday the future of pensions in Latin America and the Caribbean at a panel discussion organised by the Inter-American development Bank (IDB). The panel explored different policy approaches to ensure greater coverage and sustainability of pension systems in the region. The event here marked the launch of “Pension at a Glance: Latin America and the Caribbean”, a report co-published by the IDB, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank. “Pensions at a Glance: Latin America and the Caribbean” provides a detailed

analysis of the systems in 26 countries, focusing on their structures, rules and parameters. The report also includes up-to-date information on the last wave of pension reforms, as well as key comparable indicators of demography, public spending and pension rights. Population ageing will lead to higher spending on pensions in Latin America and the Caribbean; at the same time, the high number of workers in the informal sector, who

do not make contributions, put the adequacy of pension benefits at risk. Currently, only 45 out of every 100 workers contribute to a retirement plan, and this ratio has hardly changed in recent decades. By 2050, between 63 and 83 million people in the region will be at risk of not receiving an adequate pension, unless pension systems are reformed and efforts are made to increase formal sector employment and access to quality education.

French customs make record cocaine seizure off Martinique French customs officers have seized 2.25 tons of cocaine, worth around US$108 million, on a yacht off the coast of Martinique. The haul and three arrests was made on Wednesday but only made public by French officials on Saturday. One Venezuelan and two Spanish citizens who were on board the vessel when it was

intercepted 125 miles off the French Caribbean island have been arrested. Director of customs operations in Martinique, Michael Lachaux, said it was the biggest cocaine seizure ever carried out by French authorities. The drug haul followed a two-year operation conducted jointly with Britain and

Spain, and amounted to more than a third of the total of 6.6 tons of cocaine seized by French customs last year, according to NBC. It was also the second large bust off the coast of Martinique in the last six months. Back in November last year, French customs officials also seized nearly 550 pounds of cocaine on a vessel.

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News

Russia’s World Cup critics should “stay at home”, says Blatter SOCHI (Reuters) - World politicians unhappy that Russia will host the 2018 World Cup should “stay at home”, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on a visit to host venue Sochi on Monday. “If a few politicians are not particularly happy that we are hosting the World Cup in Russia, then I always tell them: ‘Well then, stay at home’,” Blatter told reporters at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Swiss said he was happy with Russia’s progress in preparing for the tournament which will be hosted in 11 cities. “Your organising committee and you personally deserve five stars,” he told the Russian president. Earlier this month, a group of U.S. senators urged football’s governing body to strip Russia of its role as host nation, objecting to Moscow’s role in the Ukraine crisis. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has also advo-

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with FIFA president Sepp Blatter in Sochi, April 20, 2015. REUTERS/Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti/Kremlin cated boycotting the tournament unless Moscow withdraws Russian troops which Kiev says are supporting separatist rebels in east Ukraine. This is not the first time Russia has come under fire when hosting a major sporting tournament. The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games were mired in controversy with some world leaders choosing not to attend in pro-

test over the country’s poor human rights record. Similar concerns have been raised ahead of the 2018 World Cup about the high levels of racism amongst Russian football fans, a problem FIFA has acknowledged will be hard to solve. Putin said Russia had a big task preparing for the tournament and would respond promptly to any comments from FIFA.

Tuesday April 21, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Memories of past events that caused traumas that you're still dealing with could come to light today. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you might see old and new friendships and romantic involvements reach a new understanding, Taurus. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) An important project could require intense concentration today, Gemini, and you're in the right frame of mind. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your practical skills should be operating efficiently, C a n c e r. A creative or intellectual discipline that fascinates you might require some intense concentration today. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Practical matters involving home and family might need some attention today. This isn't anything alarming, Leo, just a few tasks that you may have put off, such as house cleaning or yard work. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Matters involving your community might require your attention. This is likely to involve communication in some way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Financial matters might need attention today. Bills may need to be paid, checks deposited, and budgeting worked out. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Some projects might require practical attention today, getting irritating little details cleared up and out of the way. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Relatives or old friends, particularly seniors, who visit you today are likely to awaken childhood memories that you'd long since forgotten. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today you might spend a lot of time on the phone with friends, some of them seniors. Your conversations will be loving, informative, and revealing, Capricorn. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today you could resolve to work harder than ever on whatever it is that brings the results you hope for, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Pursuing intellectual interests may be on hold today because of career matters.

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Games being played with... opportunities to impress the National youth selectors in a tournament which was also used to help pick the national U-19 team for this year’s Regional U-19 tournament in Jamaica. This will be the first time since 1968 when Regional youth cricket was first played, that no three-day matches are scheduled. Essequibo looked an organised unit with a bunch of talented players who played consistent through-

out the competition until they saved their worst performance for the final day of the threeday format and were bowled out for 94 to lose by an innings and 100 runs against Berbice. The performances in the tournament were of a fairly high standard even though the players lacked consistency, while the lack of scorers on the Scoreboard at most of the venues, the quality of the low and slow pitches, which all favored spin, the

inept shot selection by most of the batsmen and the Umpiring, especially in the DCC game which involved the debatable issue involving Umpire Ryan Banwarie, were some of the low points in the competition. The selectors will no doubt focus their attention on the one-day format to pick the Guyana U-19 50-over team to travel to Jamaica for a tournament that began in Trinidad in 1998 when rain washed out the three-day competition that year.

Bradley Fredericks reelected President... (From page 34) money from the DCB and the GCB.” He also noted that any cricket played in the Region must be sanctioned by the Association and he intends to keep the clubs in the fold in the interest of cricket. The re-elected President of the UDCA thanked the clubs for having faith in him and hopes that they all work together to make cricket a success and to bring development to the game. N e w l y e l e c t e d Vi c e President Andrew Forsythe said that he is pleased to be a part of the Association for only one reason. “MY love for the game” and assured the gathering that cricket would move to a higher level under this new executive. The new executive body

U-17s holds nerve to... (From page 35) operated with immaculate control. Hetheramani, who flighted the ball teasingly, soon removed Mahendra Mahase for a duck and Harry, who played a brainless shot after not getting to the pitch of a cleverly flighted delivery and skied in ‘miles’ into the air. Off-spinner Looknauth, bowling very quickly, wrapped up the match by taking the last two wickets and the Man-of-the-Match award. Looknauth finished with 3-27, while Nedd and Hetheramani had two each as the U-17s defended their paltry total beautifully although they were aided by some atrocious shot selection by the batsmen. The competition continues today with Berbice facing Essequibo at Everest, while the National U-17s battle Defending Champions Demerara at the Police ground in the other match.

is President – Bradley Fredericks, Vice President – Andrew Forsythe, Secretary – Eutol Wilson, Asst. Secretary – Noreen Whyte who was former Treasurer, Treasurer – Victor Persaud, Asst. Treasurer – Ray Peters and PRO –

Jacquey Bourne. The Returning Officer was Mr. Ronald Williams. The President said that the members of the committees will be elected at the first members meeting. (Jacquey Bourne)

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News’ Mike Parmanand Narine’s 87 put Baptist honoured at Port Mourant on road to victory GOA Awards Ceremony

2015 Raffik and Sons Second Division 20-over cricket competition in Berbice

Former Berbice under-19 all rounder Parmanand Narine hit 87 for Port Mourant to enable them to post an eventual winning total against Sand Reef as the 2015 Raffik and Sons Second Division 20 Over Cricket Competition organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in the Lower/Central Corentyne continued recently. His knock, which included 8 fours and 1 six, saw Port Mourant to 154 for 4 in their 20 overs, a total which turned out to be too much for Sand Reef who in response could only muster 100 for 9 in their 20 overs with legspinner Avinash Wajib taking 3 for 14 off 4 overs for Port Mourant. After posting 127 for 9 in their 15 overs, Kennard’s Memorial bowled out the highly favored Chesney for just 104 in 14.3 overs in their response with Kennard’s medium pacer Devendra Sydney doing the damage with 3 for 11 from 2.3 overs. Medium pacers Leland Edwards and Michael Cummings picked up 3 for 7 from 3 overs and 2 for 2 from 2.2 overs respectively as Courtland All Stars bowled out Tain Block Four for 83 and then went on to win by 8 wickets.

Parmanand Narine

Devendra Sydney

In summarized scores: At Port Mourant, the host beat Sand Reef by 54 runs. Port Mourant 154 for 4 off 20 overs with Parmanand Narine 87, Besham Deolall 23 n.o and Devindra Thakurdeen 22. Sand Reef 100 for 9 in 20 overs with Mohan Jagmohan 27 and Zaheer Azeez 21. Avinash Wajib 3 for 14, Devindra Thakurdeen 2 for 10 and Haifa Walters 2 for 19. At Bush Lot Farm, Kennard’s Memorial beat Chesney by 23 runs. Kennard’s Memorial 127 for 9 in 15 overs with Mankarran Singh 28 and Kamedevin Permaloo 20. Narine

Deonarine 3 for 34 and Fazir Bacchus 2 for 19. Chesney 104 in 14.3 overs with Youardan Gurdayal 33. Devendra Sydney took 3 for 11, Somesh Mangroo 2 for 9 and Mankarran Singh 2 for 21. At Tain, Courtland All Stars beat Tain Block Four by 8 wickets. Tain Block Four 83 in 14.2 overs. Leland Edwards took 3 for 7, Michael Cummings 2 for 2, John Percival 2 for 4 and Keon Sinclair 2 for 17. Courtland All Stars 88 for 2 in 12 overs with Dwayne Crandon 24, Keon Sinclair 22 n.o and Jamal Cort 22 n.o.

Bolt woos Brazil

Kaieteur News’ Mike Baptist was honoured Saturday night when he received an Award for his ‘Contribution to the Development of Sport’ (Table Tennis) at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Appreciation and Awards Ceremony at Georgetown Club. The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) recommended Baptiste for the Award. Below is the excerpt from Baptiste presentation: Mike’s auspicious tenure in the sporting arena has allowed him to gain much recognition here in Guyana and the region, particularly during the golden years of local table tennis, the mid 60s through the mid 70s. It all started back in the 60s (1964) when he made his official debut at a Caribbean Championship, which were held at Queen’s College. Mike eventually made the national team in 1965 and represented Guyana continuously until 1974. The Aries-born Baptiste spent the early days of his life at a 175 Charlotte Street, Georgetown, home. He at-

tended the Bourda Roman Catholic School then Central High School and eventually Saint Stanislaus College. He was nicknamed ‘Bouncing Baptiste’ and claimed the recognition and admiration of any sportsman worth his salt. He won his first national title in 1967 and was the winner of five (5) national championships, triumphing over table tennis stars, the likes of Morris Moore and Garth Isaacs. He was a Caribbean Mixed Doubles Champion in 1968, when he teamed with Denise Osman and won the Caribbean Mixed Doubles event, competing against compatriots George Braithwaithe and Barbara Jekir. In 1974, in what he always describes as one of his most memorable performances, the finals of the Caribbean men’s team competition: Guyana versus Trinidad and Tobago at Queens College auditorium. With the teams levelled at 44, Baptiste played against one of the Caribbean ‘greats’: the vaunted Mansingh Amarsingh defeating him in

straights sets affording Guyana a 5-4 win and the Caribbean Men’s Team Title; incidentally, that was the last time Guyana won that crown. He served and was appointed as National Coach by the National Sports Council then, which came under the Sports Ministry; there he enjoyed an extensive coaching career which spanned 1974 to 1994 where he helped to propel several outstanding players to reach their greatest potential; the likes of Christopher Chung-Wee, Doreen Chow-Wah, Denise Osman, Matthew Khan and Michelle John among others who like him, repeatedly did Guyana proud. In addition, Mike contributed significantly to sports in the field of journalism in a career that spanned from 1973 to present functioning in the capacity as a proof reader, Sports Journalists, Sports Editor, Columnist and Author of the book ‘Gallery of the Greats’. He has worked at the Guyana Chronicle and currently the Kaieteur Newspaper.

Rossi wins in Argentina after Marquez crashes out

Says he’s impossible to beat when at his best RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Usain Bolt has a few goals left before he retires: He wants to break his own 200-metre world record, and do it by running under 19 seconds. He set the record of 19.19 seconds in 2009, and also set the 100 record of 9.58 in the same year. “That’s one of my biggest goals,” Bolt said Friday in Rio, which will host South America’s first Olympics next year. “It’s actually to run under 19 seconds. I think this season it will be hard to do, but the key thing is trying to stay injury free so I can go into the Olympic season in the best shape that I can be.” The six-time Olympic gold-medal sprinter was in Rio to run an exhibition race over the weekend. Asked to rate himself, Bolt was forthright. “When I’m in great shape, I’ll tell you guys, I worry about nobody because I know that when I’m at my best, it’s definitely almost impossible to beat me.” Bolt reiterated that Rio will

Usain Bolt in Manguiera slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil recently (PHOTO: AP) be his last Olympics, but not his last season. He said he’ll retire after the 2017 world championships in London.

“After the Olympics I’ll go on for one more season,” he said. “My sponsors asked me if I could continue. I’ll do one more season, and then I’ll hopefully hang my spikes up.” Bolt will turn 30 the day the Olympics close — August 21, 2016. Forbes reported Bolt earned US$23.2 million in 2014, almost all from sponsorships. He is number 45 on Forbes’ list of the highest earning athletes. Bolt won three gold medals in Beijing in 2008, and three more in London in 2012. This will be third exhibition race in Rio, which he said is an advantage as he’s getting to know the city, the people and what to expect. “It makes it easier to transition into the Olympics next year, which I’m really getting exciting about,” Bolt said. “I’m just happy that I get to come here and be a part of this so early, so I’ll be much more comfortable when the Olympics come around.”

Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy celebrates with members of his team after crossing the finish line. (Reuters/Marcos Brindicci) BARCELONA (Reuters) Italian Valentino Rossi won the Argentine MotoGP Grand Prix with a thrilling display after a clash with world champion Marc Marquez in the second-last lap saw the Spaniard crash out. Championship leader Rossi won with more than a five-second lead over second-placed compatriot Andrea Dovizioso with Britain’s Cal Crutchlow finishing third. The stage seemed set for Marquez to win his second straight race this season after building a lead of over four

seconds but Rossi weaved his way from his eighth-placed start to the front. The nine times world champion, who also won in Qatar, showed he is back to his best as he moved up to second place behind Marquez on the 11th lap. There was still plenty of work to do, though, to rein in Marquez but Rossi gradually ate into his rivals’ advantage and was ready to pounce on the second-last lap. Rossi went wide on a corner and cut across Marquez who collided with the Italian’s back wheel and went over.

“I am sorry about this, he touched me on the corner and I hope he is okay. It was a great race,” Rossi told reporters. “The bike was great and now two victories already. I think we will be able to fight to the end.” Rossi (Yamaha) leads the overall standings with 66 points ahead of Dovizioso (Ducati) on 60 and fellow Italian Andrea Iannone (Ducati) with 40. Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) is fourth on 37 with Marquez (Honda) trailing on 36 ahead of Crutchlow with 34.

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Kaieteur News

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GCB’s Raj Singh 50-over U-19 cricket continues today Games being played with Red balls & White clothes Sean Devers Reviews the Three-Day competition After a fairly successful Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Raj Singh’s under-19 threeday cricket tournament the 50-over version of that competition began yesterday and continues today with second round matches. The competition takes a break on Wednesday before the final preliminary round is played on Thursday. The tournament climaxes with the grand final on Saturday at Everest. The 2015 Regional 50over U-19 tournament will be played in Jamaica with white balls, colored clothes and Black Sight-Screens and a disappointing feature of the

Raj Singh

Shemron Hetmyer

Kemo Paul

Raj Singh Insurance 50-over competition is that it is being played with Red Balls, white clothes and white SightScreens which is far from the ideal preparation for Jamaica.

Also unlike years gone by, all of the matches are set for Demerara thus robbing other youngsters a chance of seeing the players in the flesh and the players the opportunity of seeing and learning about their country. However, Marketing Manager of the GCB, Raj Singh, has sponsored both

competitions and told Kaieteur Sports that inadequate funds continue to prevent these things from happening. “The GCB is aware that the Regional under-19 tournament will be played with white balls and colored clothes but due to a lack of more funds this could not be done this

Letter to the Sports Editor

Banned from contesting elections by WICB Director Dear Editor, Most of the clubs that fall under the aegis of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee including myself were stunned when it was confirmed that I was banned from contesting the elections of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee which was held on 2015-0406.The reason given was that I had organized disapproved cricket in the Pomeroon and as a result it was not in keeping with the WICB regulations according to a WICB Director, even though I have not breached the constitution of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee. It must be noted that very few competitions are played in the Pomeroon because of the lack of sponsorship and the poor functioning of the Committee. In view of this and for the love of the game, I have been using my own resources to ensure that some degree of sports is available to keep our sportsmen active. I have organized numerous one-day cricket events in the past and I was never sanctioned before. In fact officials of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee always supported the events including the clubs. On 2015-04-06 the Committee held its AGM which was overdue and I had indicated my interest to contest for the Chairmanship due to the overwhelming support that I had received from the Pomeroon Community. Notably present were Mr. Fizul Bacchus, Vice President of the GCB and Mr. Anand Sanasie, Secretary and WICB

Director. Before the commencement of the meeting, I was emphatically told by Mr. Bacchus that I cannot participate in the AGM because I have been banned. It was then that Mr. Sanasie elaborated on the issue and disclosed that I have to obtain approval from the West Indies Cricket Board to sanction any such cricket. Mr. Sanasie was very firm in hammering in the point to the gathering as well as supporting me being banned. While his explanation can be viewed as official, being a Director of the WICB, it is inconceivable that I was only told of this on the morning of the AGM. I believe that it was a deliberate act to remove me from challenging the incumbent even though cricket in the Pomeroon is at its lowest ebb and there is very little representation for the players. I have observed that there are a number of competitions that are being organized by persons across Guyana. Have they been sanctioned by Mr. Sanasie? I am challenging him therefore to set the record straight since I am of the conviction that he along with Mr. Bacchus had manipulated the process and found a way of denying me the right to participate in the Pomeroon Cricket Committee’s AGM. Not surprisingly, Mr. Bacchus was returned unopposed with the full backing from the WICB Director. Yours Faithfully, Sherman Austin Jacklow Sports Club.

year. We were trying to make it possible at the last minute and spoke about it at a meeting last Friday night,” Singh lamented. In a bowler dominated three-day tournament, West Indies under-19 left-hander, Shemron Hetmyer playing for Berbice, scored the only hundred when he played against the National U-17s at Bourda in the second round, while West Indies U-19 fast bowling all-rounder Kemo Paul was best all-rounder in the tournament as he contributed with both bat and ball for Essequibo. Like Hetmyer, he looked a class ahead of his peers and seemed well set for a ton on 52 when he was controversially run out against Demerara at DCC. Left-arm spinner Keanu Harry was the highest wickettaker and also registered the best bowling figures (7-66) in the four-team competition in

which all of the spinners did well, with off-spinner Sagar Hetheramani picking up 6-59 on the last day for the National U-17s against Demerara in the drawn final round encounter at Everest. Sherfane Rutherford had 17 wickets, the most by a pacer, while U-17s spinner Ashmead Nedd, Essequibo’s Akeeni Adams were also among the wickets. Berbice looked the best side in the tournament. They began with a 10-wicket win against the National U-17s and were only team to win all three of their games. But a disappointing feature for them was the repeated use off spinner Balchand Baldeo to share the new with the only ‘real’ pacer in the side, Grisean Grant, who bowled impressively. The National U-17s pacers were given the most (Continued on page 29)

Berbice Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Competition

Manchester outlasts Unruly Gang to grab inaugural title By Rawle Welch It is an observable fact that the Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ unrivalled popularity has not been restricted to the community of its birth, Georgetown. The huge crowd that descended at the Berbice River Stelling Tarmac on Sunday evening to witness the conclusion of three days of exciting action provided irrefutable evidence of the event’s attractiveness to fans wherever it is held. In the end which came in the early hours of Monday morning, Manchester outlasted Unruly Gang in sudden death penalty kicks after regulation and extra times and normal penalty shootout failed to separate the two teams following a pulsating game. Earlier, Manchester edged East Bank Gunners 1-0 with Carlos Mingo being the hero, rifling in the loge goal of the game, while Unruly Gang beat New Amsterdam Kings 1-0 in a penalty shootout after the teams remained deadlocked at 1-1 when regulation time ended. In the playoff for third place, Stephen Boucher’s solitary strike gave NA Kings a 1-0 triumph over East Bank Gunners to grab the $100,000

Part of the action in the final that featured eventual winners Manchester and Unruly Gang. prize, thereby relegating their opponents to the $50,000 accolade. In the highly anticipated final, Manchester were lucky not to concede the top prize in regulation time as Unruly Gang peppered their goal area with some thunderous shots some of which crashed on to the crossbar or uprights or went agonizingly close to finding the back of the goal. Credit must be given to Manchester though as they never seemed fazed by the near misses and orchestrated some incursions of their own, but were thwarted by solid defending on the part of Un-

ruly Gang. The losers technical staff, however, must take some of the blame for their loss as they left their most potent striker in Devon James on the bench for almost the entire opening period, bringing him on seconds before the whistle for the half sounded. However, they still dominated possession for a major part of the final period, but luck seemed not to be in their corner as threatening buildups culminated with the shots hitting the woodwork or landing just wide of the intended target. Manchester managed to cling on tenaciously to send

the game into extra time and they duplicated that characteristic during that period as well. The next option was the penalty shootout and just like the game that segment had the fans screaming with excitement as the players efforts either knocked the uprights or landed just outside it. The penalty shootout once again failed to produce a winner and sudden death was the next option and after a few misses, Manchester managed to score on their attempt to send their gathering of supporters into celebratory frenzy. However, Unruly Gang’s consolation was the fact that, like Manchester, they have won the right to represent Berbice in the national playoffs set for early June. They took home $300,000 and the winning trophy, while Unruly Gang went away with $150,000 and a trophy. Among those witnessing the final were Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, Outdoor Events Manager Gavin Jodhan, Communications Manager Troy Peters and representatives of the Banks DIH Berbice Branch. The phenomenon now goes to Linden with tomorrow set to be the commencement of competition.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 21, 2015

2015 NBS Second Division 40-over cricket competition in Berbice

Christopher Jaundoo slams competition’s highest score so far, 150*for Skeldon CC Christopher Jaundoo became the batsman with the highest individual score so far of the New Building Society Second Division Cricket Competition in Berbice when he slammed 150 not out for Skeldon Community Center in their match against No 72 All Stars. Skeldon took first strike with Jaundoo opening the batting, and he featured in a first wicket partnership of 32 with Ryan Yacoob (11), 28 for the second wicket Parmanand Narine (12), 75 for the third wicket with Robindra Singh (23) and an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 113 with Duane Edwards (35 n.o) to steer them to 249 for 3 in 40 overs. No 72 All Stars could only respond with 201 for 9 in their allotted overs. Jaundoo’s knock included 11 fours and 6 sixes. Tristan Ramsarran, 47, led Scottsburg United to 159 in 34.2 overs against No 70 A. Their off spinner Oddel Kyte took 5 for 15 from 7 overs which together with Ramsarran’s 3 for 19 saw No 70 A restricted to 138 in 24.4 overs. L e g s p i n n e r Gajendranauth Ramnarine took 5 for 30 from 7 overs

for Springlands when they bowled out No. 73 Young Warriors for 90 in 19 overs. In reply, they found themselves in early trouble at 30 for 4 with medium pacer Lakeram Latchman taking all four wickets. However, their opener Trishan Ramdass 56 n.o. with 6 fours and 2 sixes and Robin Rampersaud 10 n.o. put on the required 61 for victory. After Clavern Beresford took 4 for 13 from 7 overs for Corriverton to bowl out No 72 Cut and Load for 104 in 28.2 overs. Opening batsman Jeremy Moore then slammed 51 (6 fours and 3 sixes) to help Corriverton to a 7 wicket victory. Off spinner Kumarjeet Joseph took 5 for 42 from 5 overs in a losing effort for Rose Hall Town Bakewell B against Toopoo Rising Star. Summarized scores: At Skeldon, Skeldon Community Center beat No 72 All Star by 48 runs. Skeldon CC 249 for 3 in 40 overs with Christopher Jaundoo 150 n.o and Duane Edwards 35 n.o. No 72 All Star 201 for 9 in 40 overs with Kumar Chatterpaul 36 and Trishan Heera 28. Alex Burnett took 3 for 19 and

Ankit Keshri: Indian cricketer dies in fielding collision BBC Sport - Indian cricketer Ankit Keshri has died after colliding with a team-mate as they both attempted to take a catch in a club match in Kolkata on Friday. The 20-year-old, a former captain of Bengal’s under-19 state team, was only on the field as a substitute fielder. He reportedly regained consciousness after the collision, but later suffered a cardiac arrest in hospital and died on Monday. Former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar said he was “saddened” by the news. “A promising career aborted by an unfortunate incident on field,” Tendulkar, who has scored more Test and one-day international runs than any other player, tweeted. “May God give strength to Ankit’s family and friends to cope with this loss.” Manoj Tiwary, who has played nine one-day internationals for India, pre-

Ankit Keshri (bangalranjiteam) dicted on the social media site that Keshri would have represented his state at senior, as well as age-grade, level. Australia Test batsman Phillip Hughes died in November after being struck by a delivery bowled in a domestic match in his home country.

Christopher Jaundoo

Trishan Ramsaran

Clavern Beresford

Trishan Ramdass

Parmanand Narine 3 for 32. At Scottsburg, Scottsburg United beat No 70 A by 21 runs. Scottsburg United 159 in 34.2 overs with Trishan Ramsarran 47. Naem Yacoob took 3 for 26, Omesh Khemraj 2 for 24, Devendra Jaggernauth 2 for 25 and Mohamed Deochan 2 for 26. No 70 A 138 in 24.4 overs. Rayon Yacoob made 35. Oddel Kyte 5 for 15 and Trishan Ramsaran 3 for 19. At No 73, Springlands beat No 73 Young Warriors by 6 wickets. No 73 Young Warriors 90 in 19.4 overs with Gajendranaut Ramnarine 5 for

30 and Victor Pedro 2 for 17. Springlands 91 for 4 in 13.5 overs with Trishan Ramsaran 56 n.o. Lakeram Latchman took 4 for 26. At No 72, Corriverton beat No 72 Cut and Load by 7 wickets. No 72 Cut and Load 104 in 28.2 overs with Akeshwar Jagroop 33. Clavern Beresford 4 for 13, Faoud Bacchus 2 for 15, Errol Byass 2 for 26 and Eric Phillips 2 for 31. Corriverton 105 for 3 in 18.3 overs with Jeremy Moore 51 and Amzan Applesamy 27 n.o. At Albion Primary School ground, Toopoo Rising Stars

beat Rose Hall Town Bakewell B by 84 runs. Toopoo Rising Stars 179 in 25.2 overs with Vinod Narine 42, Majid Mohamed 31, Yoganand Permaul 28 and Surindra Ramdeo 25. Kumarjeet Joseph 5 for 42, Sunil Morimootoo 3 for 12 and Keith Simpson 2 for 19. Rose Hall Town Bakewell B 93 in 19.2 overs with Lakeraj Sanichar 3 for 8, Aftab Afroo 2 for 9 and Surindra Ramdeo 2 for 10. At No 63, No 64 Fighting Marines beat No 43 Scorpion by 6 wickets. No 43 Scorpion 80 in 16 overs. Vadenand Sugrim 4 for 12, Kumar Chand

2 for 7, Davendra Budhoo and Jason Itwaru 2 for 15 each. No 64 Fighting Marines 84 for 4 in 16 overs with Ramesh Joseph 26, Kumar Chand 25 n.o and Devin Baldeo 2 for 19. At Rose Hall in Canje, Rose Hall Community Center beat Betsy Ground Triple Stars by 31 runs. Rose Hall CC 115 in 31.4 overs with Ameer Rahaman 29 n.o. Davanand Gopaul 4 for 22 and Lawrence Basant 2 for 4. Betsy Ground Triple Star 84 in 28.3 o v e r s . A m e e r Rahaman 3 for 8, Keon Isaacs 3 for 8 and Mahendra Parasram 2 for 15.

Sent From Above wins feature event at Anjune and Hamlet race track The Anjune and Hamlet Park Race track at Branch Road Mahaicony came to life on Sunday with the return of competitive horseracing after an absence of over four years. It could not have been a better day to welcome the return of horseracing at the venue as Sent From Above blessed the track by taking the feature G class and lower event in emphatic style. Sent From Above of the Lenny Singh Stable with champion Jockey Paul Delph on the hunch rode brilliantly in the 1000M event as it took over from the front runners down the homestretch and opened a handsome gap to win easily in the end as it took home the $250,000 money and Haroon Karim trophy. Taking second place was Red Cloud with Princess Paige third and front runner Shantal Baby fourth. Mary Ann ridden by Paul Delph made sure that it was a double win for connections of

the Lenny Singh stable as it whipped the field in the J and lower event to take home the $150,000 and trophy ahead of Red Jet and Young Turn About. However, the authorities may have to investigate the actions of the connections and jockey of Royal Cash who seemed to deliberately hold back the animal so that it would not place and thus drop a class in a future event which might be more lucrative. Red Jet of the Sewsankar Stable with Jockey Norville on board landed nicely on the homestretch before it took off and blazed away to victory to win the J class event and the $100,000 and trophy. The others that placed were Regina, Little and Trigger. Secretariat owned trained and ridden by the 60 year old Desmond Ramkissoon rearranged things to show the youngsters how it is done by winning the L1 and lower

Mr. Ghansham Singh, at left, presents the winning trophy in the L1 race for Secretariat’s Victory. event and the $60,000 winners money and trophy in convincing fashion from Galaway, Young Turn About and Natural Mystic. Plane Land of the Dookie Stable with Godfrey landed a first place and $40,000 in the L2 and Lower race with Blue, Flash and Up Front rounding out the money.

The L3 race with a first prize of $30,000 saw Jockey Colin Ross riding Chronic to victory. The top stable on show was the Lenny Singh Stable. Paul Delph was the top Jockey with Lenny Singh The top Trainer. They received trophies compliments of the Trophy Stall. (Samuel Whyte)