Monday April 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Our political history did not start in 1992
DEAR EDITOR, It is very difficult to take Mr Jerome Khan seriously since he reads plain English like this and sees in it a tantrum, a fit, and a deepening vortex that swallows. I hope everyone is amused as I am by his rather wonderful purple prose. Humour at this time is most refreshing. It really does not matter that he still fails to grasp the contents of my original letter since the important issue is that our young voters, who are no doubt bright and capable, must be aware that no one can simply put aside the past as the coalition is asking them to do, and are also aware of the responsibility that the voting process requires of them. Elections are a fundamental cornerstone of democracy and the process should not be subverted by anyone asking any voter to evade, forget, or put aside any issue, event, or parts of the past when making their choice. Our political history did not start in 1992 with the PPP
coming to office and as much as the coalition is taking the PPP to task on its record of corruption and cronyism, the PNC, now APNU, must expect its own record to be similarly examined. It is a record that includes party paramountcy, institutionalized racism, organized thuggery, and electoral rigging. While the PPP’s wrongdoings have been committed in the glare of a free press, the PNC’s past is murkier, since the regime only allowed the operations of a state run media. A few brave souls like those at the “Catholic Standard” stood up courageously for press freedom and for this Father Darke was mistakenly and brutally assassinated. There is no comprehensive or objective account of our political history so young voters will have to make their way through a thicket of partisan accounts, edited memories and anecdotal reports to some semblance of the truth. Perhaps, the exercise might be useful and get some
Sociologist or Historian among them to take up the task of writing a full and proper account. The intent of my original letter was to ask why the coalition wants voters to put aside the past. The request appeared ominous. Hopefully, the discussion that has followed might be of use to some voters in helping them decide. As to pickney being on the PPP list, our electoral process is different but is every bit as democratic as the US’s and since the PNC/ APNU participated in deciding the process and its rules, what then is their vexation? They made the rules together with the PPP and agreed that buddy and pickney and granny and everybody can be on the list and gain political office. The rising rant and clamour of the campaign are to be expected. Let us hope that sober heads will prevail and see the process peacefully concluded. Ryhaan Shah
Guyanese can’t take promises to the supermarket DEAR EDITOR, I am convinced that the PPP is politically bankrupt, devoid of ideas, a lost ship with a broken rudder, sailing aimlessly on the high seas of this political campaign. All the great thinkers and strategists are gone. The Jagans, the Ramkarrans, Pandit Reepu, Narbada Persaud, Feroze, Navin, Moses, Shree-Chand, Sir Fenton, Mr. Benn, Mr. Wilson. Men and women who have struggled tirelessly, fought valiantly, wept sometimes and once in a while smiled, all in that monumental effort to make the PPP a great party. Today, a group of upstarts, political charlatans have besmirched this once celebrated party of the Caribbean. For 12 years, Jagdeo’s rule was layered with deceit, contempt and bad governance. Ramotar’s three years sleep was filled with excuses and, well whatever. For twelve years Jagdeo had only bad ideas, Skeldon, Amaila, Berbice Bridge, Mariott, etc. For three years Ramotar had only, well, no ideas. Jagdeo tells his followers that they should focus on his work and vote for the PPP. Ramotar tells his supporters to focus on what Jagdeo did and vote for him. Jagdeo perfected the
science of pan-handling economics. Ramotar tried that science and failed. No sane foreign government or lending agency will give aid or loans to a government that does not have the confidence of its people. I guess that is too much for Ramotar to comprehend. Today Guyanese are asked to vote for a PPP candidate who has no ideas, no experience in economics, finance, government, planning or even basic people skills. His campaign handlers are afraid to impart too much information to him, lest he chokes on it. They did not inform him that there will be no prime ministerial debates, so, at his press conference he sacrificed the poor woman. For 12 years Ramotar allowed Jagdeo to run roughshod over the country. As General Secretary he had the power to stop this evil. He was either too afraid to do so, or was promised bigger things. He presided over the demise of Guysuco as Chairman. Today he tells the country that Guysuco is in trouble because Parliament cut his budget. He further sealed the fate of the industry when he hired Shaik Baksh and Rajendra Singh. One is of questionable
repute and the other with no management experience and no idea what a sugar plant looks like. This schlick happens only in Guyana. The PPP has an advertisement called Vision Guyana Version - 2.0. I must ask, what the hell happened to 1.0? This ad is covered with beautiful pictures of foreign structures and neatly written text on their failed promises of 2011. They are asking the electorate to forget 2011. Ramotar promises this time around he will get it done. What doggy doo! Who is this man trying to fool? The simplest of all his promises was Local Government Elections. That he could not deliver. He could not deliver a half done project – Hope Canal. Ramotar and that political charlatan, Ramsammy, made dozens of deadline promises. All lies. Their last promise was March 31, that too, came and went, no Hope Canal. The financing of that project is another of Jagdeo’s debacle. Story for another day. Today it’s about Ramotar and his empty promises, promises, promises. Guyanese can’t take promises to the supermarket. With this man in charge for one more year, there will be NO HOPE FOR GUYANA. Amar Chinkan
JUSTIFYING A WHOPPING SALARY INCREASE
DEAR EDITOR, Re: Article titled “Minister Doubles PPP Supporter’s Salary overnight” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wishes to provide clarification to the article referenced above, published in the Kaiteur News, Sunday, 19 April, 2015. Please be advised that Mr. Kemraj Parsram a young professional with significant experience in Natural Resources Management, across the Wider Caribbean, and internationally, was appointed Director of the Compliance and Enforcement Division at the EPA on June 1 2013. Mr. Parsram’s appointment and subsequent execution of his duties has since boosted the Agency’s work. In January 2014 the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) embarked upon a Litter Prevention programme
following the passage of new Litter Prevention Regulations. Mr. Parsram was tasked with developing and implementing this additional programme, as well as the Pick-it-up Guyana Campaign, that was being implemented by the MNRE since 2012. The salary increase referred to in the article is no “special boon”. Mr. Parsram’s terms of reference was amended to reflect his additional responsibilities for implementing these two programmes as of March 2014. Mr. Parsram’s salary was adjusted to reflect that commensurate with his additional duties, and it was only approved and took effect in January 2015, not retroactive to March 2014. All for your information and guidance. Indarjit Ramdass Executive Director
Jagdeo is rewriting the PPP’s economic blueprint DEAR EDITOR, Bharrat Jagdeo, it would appear, can no longer separate truth from fiction, sense from nonsense or reality from unreality. At a public meeting recently in Linden he erroneously, irresponsibly and meretriciously said: “They (APNU+AFC) plan to ban logging, they plan to ban the export of logs.” He said further “He (Granger) is being led by the nose by (Ronald) Bulkan and others were doing furniture until they became bankrupt … they want logs banned so they will get it cheaper for their furniture.” (INews, April 15, 2015). The said article also quoted comments made recently by APNU+AFC’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger who said: “We must ensure that we also at the same time discourage the export of raw materials … an APNU+AFC government will reward people who can manufacture rather than just cutting down and digging out.” Jagdeo, in the quest of expediency is prepared to be reckless and even to distort his own track record. As President it was he who on December 22, 2000 at the opening of the Guyana Forestry Commission renovated Head Office Complex made the following statement: “For us to really utilize and get maximum benefit from this sector we cannot continue to look at it from the traditional and narrow perspective of timber extraction. We have to encourage nontimber use of the forestry resources.” He said further: “We have to move from the export of primary commodities –logs- to more value added forms of activities. In this regard, I am pleased that the Commission has restricted the export of some species and I think that they intend to extend that restriction to other species in the future.” Today, fifteen years later, explicit in Jagdeo’s recent pronouncements is that we
must no longer promote or pursue value-added processing in the forestry sector; exporting logs is just fine! Welcome Bai Shan Lin, I could add. Some six years earlier and in 1994 and as Junior Finance Minister, Jagdeo was the recipient of a study requested by the Guyana Government and funded by the Carter Center which was then actively assisting the new administration. The report of this study known as the ‘Molinos Report’ revealed, inter alia, that for every 1000 m3 of timber, if exported as logs, created approx. seven jobs but if processed and converted into architectural millwork, i.e. sawn, kiln dried and profiled, it would create one hundred and eleven jobs, a multiplier of sixteen! Jagdeo today is obviously happy for seven jobs to be created and for one hundred and four to be exported. Guyana loses and the log exporters and others gain. This is the PPP’s plan: keep Guyanese poor and unemployed while they, their cronies and the cabal plunder our resources for their personal benefit. Starting in the 1950’s with its founder the late Cheddi Jagan, the PPP never subscribed to primary processing as a long-term development strategy. Valueadded processing was
always the goal, whether it was in the bauxite, sugar, agriculture or forestry sector. Jagdeo, however, is rewriting the PPP’s economic blueprint. He is discarding Dr. Jagan’s core beliefs, much as he has tarnished and desecrated Dr. Jagan’s legacy of integrity and personal incorruptibility. Jagdeo is a delusional thug who will soon be disabused of the fanciful notions that he has invented of himself. The many failed projects that he is responsible for including the neardestruction of the sugar industry and the worthless US$200 mln investment in the Skeldon Sugar Factory, the Fibre Optic Cable, Amaila Falls Access Road, Hope Canal, ECD and EBD 4-lane expansions, all of which started during his tenure will eventually be audited. Permit me please, Editor to remark that every day that Bharrat Jagdeo remains the chief spokesperson of the PPP’s election campaign, represents a boon to the APNU+AFC. If the coalition had to pay Jagdeo to say what he has recently been saying, it would have been a good investment. That he is actually doing this on behalf of the PPP makes it incomparable. Keep it up Mr. Jagdeo. Ronald Bulkan
Resort to arrogance... From page 4 single piece of evidence to show where else in the Commonwealth Caribbean, almost 20% of the slate of any political party, comes through immediate family ties. Moreover, her justification of this pickney business nails her lie that she is an impartial bystander. If anything it exposes her as an unabashed supporter of nepotism and cronyism. I noticed in today’s SN 17/4/2015, former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Justice Charles R. Ramson, has jumped into the fray, offering an uncharacteristic weak defence of the pickney politics business, focusing on L.F.S. Burnham, a person he reverently admires. The good AG needs to be accorded special attention and I shall respond to him separately, shortly. Jerome Khan
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Kaieteur News
EPA justifies massive salary hike for employee The Environmental Protection Agency has said that the hike in the salary of Director Kemraj Parsram was justified. In a letter sent to Kaieteur News yesterday the agency said that “Mr. Kemraj Parsram, a young professional with significant experience in Natural Resources Management, across the Wider Caribbean, and internationally, was appointed Director of the Compliance and Enforcement Division at the EPA on June 1 2013. Mr. Parsram’s appointment and subsequent execution of his duties has since boosted the Agency’s work.” Mr Parsram up to December 2014 was receiving a monthly salary of $300,999. A letter from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to the EPA said that the Public Service Ministry had approved the hike in salary to $501,665 per month. Yesterday the EPA said, “In January 2014 the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) embarked upon a Litter
Prevention programme following the passage of new Litter Prevention Regulations. Mr. Parsram was tasked with developing and implementing this additional programme, as well as the Pick-it-up Guyana Campaign, that was being implemented by the MNRE since 2012. The salary increase referred to in the article is no “special boon”. Mr. Parsram’s terms of reference was (sic) amended to reflect his additional responsibilities for implementing these two programmes as of March 2014.” The EPA said that Mr. Parsram’s salary was adjusted to reflect that, commensurate with his additional duties. None of the other Directors has enjoyed a salary increase. And the EPA did not address the payment of $70,000 per month to Parmanand Persaud as an addition to the salary he receives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Neither did it address the payment of $53,000 a month to Anil Ramlall
Monday April 20, 2015
PPP/C shields Harper from debate with Nagamootoo …claims it’s protecting its Prime Ministerial Candidate from disrespect By Kiana Wilburg Expressing fear of its Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper being subjected to ‘disrespect’, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic has rejected the invitation for her to debate with Moses Nagamootoo, her counterpart in the Opposition. The PPP/C noted yesterday that while it has accepted the invitation for a public Presidential debate from the Private Sector Commission, their decision to not entertain the HarperNagamootoo 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. The party noted that this “campaign of disrespect” started with the “most repugnant utterances” from Nagamootoo against Harper during the APNU+AFC’s rally in Whim, Berbice. The PPP/C said it strongly condemns Nagamootoo’s alleged statements at that election crusade. It also expressed disappointment that it has since been continued by the opposition’ campaign machinery. “The women of the PPP/ C, while not intimidated, will not allow themselves to be disrespected by the Opposition and their surrogates. It is for this reason that we view a public debate with Moses Nagamootoo as inappropriate, as he himself has been disrespectful and vile against Ms Harper and has shown no inclination to reverse or change this unacceptable course,” the Party added. “The women of the PPP/C said that they demand respect and equal treatment from those who present themselves as an alternative.” The PPP/C asserted that
PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper
APNU+AFC’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo
it has also observed that the APNU+AFC Coalition is attempting to include the proposed Prime Ministerial debate as conditionality for the execution of the Presidential Debate. While emphasizing that its Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar, stands ready for a debate, it refuses to open Harper further “to the bitter, rude and unbridled venom of disrespect from Nagamooto in a Prime Ministerial debate.” The party said that such a demand can only be viewed as reprehensible. “We reject this demand and wish to state unambiguously, that our party will not attempt to dignify the callous contempt with which Moses Nagamootoo has sought to ridicule Mrs. Harper and the personal hurtful and painful experiences of domestic violence she has exposed to the populace; with her participation in a debate with him.” As the PPP/C gears to face the electorate for the sixth consecutive time, it
expressed that it has all confidence that it is the only one in the race holding “the high moral authority” to present a performance record for scrutiny, knowing well that it can defend this record at any time. However, the APNU+AFC has made its position clear on the matter that it must have double or nothing , that being Harper versus Nagamootoo and Ramotar versus APNU+AFC’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger. Further, 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.
Jagdeo spreads fear... (From page 3) (are) going around today bullying businessmen, telling them that if they don’t give them money for their campaign, we will deal with you in the future.” Then he went to Nagamootoo, whom he described as a megalomaniac, who loves to talk about himself. “Sixty per cent of his speech at Whim was about him—how nice he is; how loving he is…how nice marriage he has with Granger— silly, silly, silly!!” He urged Berbicians to go to every home in their villages, “and you must become the shock groups of the PPP—you must be more
hyped up than Freedom House, because they are already questioning the (Official) List (of Electors)—we are glad that President (Jimmy) Carter is here…..because we have nothing to fear…we don’t rig elections.” He said that if the (PPP) victory is decisive, the Opposition will have to, “go into their corners and accept the results.” Other speakers at the rally yesterday included President Donald Ramotar; Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs. Elisabeth Harper; and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. The rally was chaired by PPP/C Executive Secretary, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha.
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Monday April 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Racially divisive statements claim…
Jagdeo will not attend court today, lawyers will answer for him As he riled up a large crowd at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rally yesterday at Estate Road, Albion Corentyne, Berbice, Executive Secretary, Zulifkar Mustapha announced that former President BharratJagdeo will not be honoring his expected court appearance today. Jagdeo had been summoned to appear before the courts to answer criminal charges over racially divisive statements he reportedly made at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant last month. As a result Jagdeo, who had served as President from 1999 to 2011, was slated to appear at the Whim Magistrate’s Court today on the charge which was filed by Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram. But Mustapha told PPP supporters that efforts to get Jagdeo to answer to the court will go in vain as “he will not go, his lawyers will speak for him.” Further, Mustapha called on Berbicans to turn out today in support of Jagdeo. He asked that they assemble outside the court. The crowd responded with much enthusiasm. The former President is being accused of making statements to the public at large, at a public meeting held at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice, on March 8, last. The charge reads that the comments “can result in racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people.” A summons was issued by recently appointed Magistrate Charlyn Artiga for service on Jagdeo. He will be required to appear personally in the court and plead to the criminal charge. Jagdeo came under fire
- Executive Secretary Mustapha asks Berbicians to turn out in support
Former President BharratJagdeo after his delivery at a Memorial Ceremony held for former President and founder-leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr.
CheddiJagan. Jagdeo had said “ … c o n s i s t e n t l y, they shout about racism of the P P P, b u t t h e y p r a c t i c e racism. They 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.” Senior Counsel, Bernard De Santos was named as one of Jagdeo’s lawyers.
Brother’s taxi service not attached to Marriott - Brassington
Owner of Patrick’s Taxi Service, Patrick Brasssington
Owner of Patrick’s Taxi Service, Patrick Brasssington, has said that he is not in receipt of a contract to operate a taxi service attached to the Guyana Marriott. The denial followed the publication of a story to the contrary in yesterday’s issue of Kaieteur News. A source close to Patrick Brassington said that the hotel does not even have guests so the need for a taxi service has not arisen. Patrick Brassington said that he was never engaged in any discussion to that effect. Kaieteur News apologises.
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Monday April 20, 2015
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Kaieteur News
Monday April 20, 2015
Monday April 20, 2015
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Kaieteur News
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Monday April 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
Hundreds drown off Libya, EU leaders forced to reconsider migrant crisis
Federica Mogherini
Matteo Renzi
(Reuters) - As many as 700 migrants were feared dead yesterday after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean, raising pressure on Europe to face down anti-immigrant bias and find money for support as turmoil in Libya and the Middle East worsens the crisis. If the death toll is confirmed, it will bring to 1,500 the total number of people who died this year seeking to reach Europe - a swelling exodus that prompted Europe to downsize its seek and rescue border protection programme in a bid to deter them. International aid groups strongly criticised the decision. After news yesterday’s disaster several government leaders called for emergency talks and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said foreign ministers would discuss the immigration crisis at a meeting in Luxembourg
today. European Council President Donald Tusk said he was considering calling a special meeting of EU leaders, a summit that Renzi had called for earlier. Meanwhile Italian and foreign ships and helicopters worked into the night to find possible survivors. So far 28 people have been rescued and 24 bodies recovered, Italian authorities said. The 20 metre-long vessel sank 70 miles from the Libyan coast, south of the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, as a large merchant ship approached it. A survivor told the United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR that 700 people on board, hopeful the ship would save them, moved to one side, toppling the boat. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said details were still “nebulous” and that he couldn’t estimate the total death count. French President Francois Hollande said the
EU had to do more, telling Canal+ television that rescue and disaster prevention efforts needed “more boats, more over flights and a much more intense battle against people trafficking.” “More EU countries must take responsibility for the refugee situation,” said Sweden’s Minister for Justice and migration Morgan Johansson. He called for an expansion of the EU’s Triton border protection programme, the scheme that recently replaced a broader search and rescue mission run by Italy. The Italian “Mare Nostrum” was cancelled last year because of the cost and because some politicians said it encouraged migrants to depart by raising their hopes of being rescued. “It was an illusion to think that cutting off Mare Nostrum would prevent people from attempting this dangerous voyage,” said the German government’s representative for migration, refugees and integration, Aydan Ozoguz. Yet Renzi warned that resolving the crisis was not only a matter of search and rescue at sea. He said a concerted international effort was needed to locate and stop people traffickers, many of whom have flourished during the chaos among warring clans in Libya. “We mustn’t leave the migrants at the mercy of criminals who traffic human beings,” Renzi told the news conference. “We are asking not to be left alone.”
Cameron says Labour-SNP power deal would be frightening (Reuters) - The prospect of Scottish Nationalists holding sway over a minority Labour government is “frightening”, Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday, as polls suggested deadlock 18 days before an election. The Scottish National Party could win 53 out of 59 seats north of the border, according to recent forecasts, giving a party whose aim is an independent Scotland huge influence over a British parliament where no single party commands a majority. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said the SNP and Labour, which are both left of centre, could “work together” to prevent Cameron from regaining power. Labour has ruled out a coalition with the SNP, but it could seek a vote-by-vote arrangement that enables it to
David Cameron govern. Cameron told the BBC that such a deal would give the SNP powers over policies that affected all the United Kingdom to politicians who wanted the demise of the nation. “This would be the first
time in our history that a group of nationalists from one part of our country would be involved in altering the direction of the government of our country,” he said. “I think that’s a frightening prospect.” The SNP lost a referendum on an independent Scotland last year, but the party has seen its support surge after it won a raft of concessions from central government in Westminster. “It’s possible to change the direction of government on individual issues without bringing that government down; that puts a party like the SNP, if we have the influence, into a very, very powerful position,” Sturgeon told the BBC. “It’s about the influence you exert over the lifetime of a parliament,” she said, adding that the SNP wanted to be a constructive force for people across Britain.
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Khamenei says Iran nuclear weapons are U.S. ‘myth’ (Reuters) - Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told military commanders yesterday the United States had created the “myth” of nuclear weapons to portray Iran as a threat, hardening his rhetoric before nuclear negotiations resume this week. Khamenei, the highest authority in Iran, has supported the nuclear talks but continues to express deep mistrust of the United States. “They created the myth of nuclear weapons so they could say the Islamic Republic is a source of threat. No, the source of threat is America itself, with its unrestrained, destabilising interventions,” Khamenei said in a televised address to a hall of several hundred military commanders. “The other side is methodically and shamelessly threatening us militarily ... even if they did not make these overt threats, we would have to be prepared,” he said. Political leaders in Iran and the United States have to
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei contend with domestic constituencies sceptical about the outcome of the talks. Khamenei’s comments did not appear to suggest he has withdrawn his cautious support for the diplomatic process. Iran and six world powers including the United States reached a framework accord on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme this month and will resume negotiations in Vienna this week, aiming to
reach a final deal by the end of June. The framework accord is a step towards a settlement that would allay Western fears that Iran could build an atomic bomb, with economic sanctions on Tehran being lifted in return. Despite significant progress, the two sides still disagree on several issues, including how quickly international sanctions would be lifted under a final deal. Earlier this month, Khamenei insisted that all sanctions be lifted immediately on a deal being reached, a condition the U.S. State Department dismissed. He warned of Washington’s “devilish” intentions, even as he reaffirmed his support for Iran’s negotiating team. The deputy commander of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) yesterday rejected any inspections of military sites as a “national humiliation”, highlighting another area of difference between the two sides.
Monday April 20, 2015
Islamic State shoots and beheads 30 Ethiopian Christians in Libya – video
(Reuters) - A video purportedly made by Islamic State and posted on social media sites yesterday appeared to show militants shooting and beheading about 30 Ethiopian Christians in Libya. Reuters was not able to verify the authenticity of the video but the killings resemble past violence carried out by Islamic State, an ultra-hardline group which has expanded its reach from strongholds in Iraq and Syria to conflictridden Libya. The video, in which militants call Christians “crusaders” who are out to kill Muslims, showed about 15 men being beheaded on a beach and another group of the same size, in an area of shrubland, being shot in the head. Both groups of men are referred to in a subtitle as “worshippers of the cross belonging to the hostile Ethiopian church”.
Libyan officials were not immediately available for comment. Ethiopia said it had not been able to verify whether the people shown in the video were its citizens. “Nonetheless, the Ethiopian government condemns the atrocious act,” government spokesman Redwan Hussein said. He said Ethiopia, which does not have an embassy in Libya, would help repatriate Ethiopians if they wanted to leave Libya. Militants professing loyalty to Islamic State have claimed several high-profile attacks on foreigners in Libya this year, including an assault on the Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli and the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians in February. The killing of the Egyptians prompted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to order air strikes on Islamic State targets in Libya.
In the latest video, a man dressed in black clutching a pistol stood behind some of the victims. “Muslim blood shed under the hands of your religions is not cheap,” he says, looking at the camera. “To the nation of the cross: We are now back again.” The video concludes with a warning that Christians will not be safe unless they embrace Islam or pay protection money. Islamic State controls large parts of Iraq and Syria and wants to redraw the map of the Middle East. It is not clear how many fighters it has in Libya, an oil-producing nation. Egyptian security officials estimate that thousands of militants who share Islamic State’s ideology moved from the Sinai Peninsula to Libya after the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013.
South Africa vows crackdown against anti-immigrant attacks Pretoria (AFP) - South Africa yesterday vowed to hunt down those behind a wave of attacks targeting immigrants, saying 307 people had been arrested over violence that has left at least seven people dead. The government stepped up its response to unrest in Johannesburg and the eastern coastal city of Durban, with Home Minister Malusi Gigaba resolving to end “all acts that seek to plunge our country into anarchy”. Rioting and looting over the last two weeks have exposed tensions between South Africans and immigrants from across the continent, including Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia and Malawi. President Jacob Zuma on Saturday cancelled a state visit to Indonesia to deal with surge in violence, and pleaded with foreigners to stay in South Africa. Heightening public concern over the attacks, the Sunday Times published frontpage pictures of a Mozambican man being stabbed to death in broad daylight in the Johannesburg township of Alexandra. The photographs showed Emmanuel
Sithole being attacked early Saturday by a man in jeans wielding a knife. Sithole was taken to hospital but died of his wounds, the paper reported. “Perpetrators are being arrested, charged and prosecuted,” Gigaba told a press conference in Pretoria. “So far 307 suspects have been arrested in connection with attacks on foreign nationals and public violence. Sporadic violence erupted again overnight in Johannesburg and Durban, where an AFP photographer said that one Zimbabwean’s house had been petrol-bombed and his two cars torched. Buses to Malawi were to leave yesterday, and Zimbabwe said about 700 citizens expected to be ferried out by bus within days. Zimbabwe has about one million mostlyillegal immigrants in South Africa, many of them working in the service sector, on construction sites and as casual labour. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said most victims of the xenophobic attacks were refugees forced to leave their own countries due to war and persecution.
Monday April 20, 2015
Kaieteur News
India’s enigmatic Gandhi fires up opposition at farmers rally NEW DELHI (Reuters) India’s Rahul Gandhi led a large farmers rally yesterday that focused rural anger toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, in the first public appearance in months for the elusive scion of the country’s most famous political family. In what seemed like a stage-managed appearance, the opposition leader spoke to thousands of villagers brought to New Delhi on special trains and buses, vowing to block Modi’s plan to make it easier for business to forcibly acquire farm land. “Modiji wants to give your land to industrialist friends,” said a hoarsevoiced Gandhi, addressing some 70,000 farmers in the large ‘Ram Lila’ ground. Anger at the land bill, bad weather and low commodity prices have dented Modi’s popularity in the countryside, his first major political challenge since taking office
last year. Gandhi, 44, landed in India on Friday after a mysterious eight-week foreign break that led to rebellious grumbling from party colleagues that the great-grandson of India’s first prime minister was a part-timer with dulled political instincts. The rally was Gandhi’s attempt to regain momentum and put the government on the defensive about its support for farmers suffering after bad weather damaged crop. Modi’s government is determined to push through amendments to a land acquisition law passed when the Gandhis were last in power, saying the law has made it almost impossible to buy land for industrial development. Flanked on stage by his mother, party president Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Gandhi said Modi was undemocratic in using a decree to implement the new
land rules. The government must now pass the amendments in parliament, which convenes on Monday. “We are not against the land acquisition, but this should happen with the consent of farmers at a good price” said Muktar Singh, a 66-year old farmer who came from Jhajjar district of Haryana, about 65 kilometers away from the capital city. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party hit back, with Ravi Shankar Prasad, communication and telecom minister at the Modi-led government, saying the new land rules were pro-poor. The government hopes the opposition Congress Party will agree to a middle path, but the Gandhis vowed on Sunday to stand their ground, setting the stage for a bruising showdown in parliament that could slow the passage of a major tax reform bill also slated for this session.
Farmers cheer as they listen to a speech by India’s Congress party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi (not pictured) at a farmers rally at Ramlila ground in New Delhi yesterday. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee
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Bolt wins 100m in Rio but unhappy with performance RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Usain Bolt cruised to victory in a sprint challenge on Sunday but the Jamaican world record holder declared himself unhappy with his performance in his first 100 meters of the season. Bolt pulled away from Ryan Bailey over the last 30 meters to finish in 10.12 seconds, 0.12 seconds clear of the American Olympian. Brazilian Jose Carlos Moreira was third in 10.51 and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands was fourth in 10.53. “I think it was poor execution overall,” Bolt said. “I am sure my coach isn’t going to be too happy. The good thing is that I won.” The race, at Rio de Janeiro’s horse-racing track in specially assembled lanes, was literally a walk in the park for the six-time Olympic gold medal winner. With the iconic statute of Christ the Redeemer behind him, Bolt clowned
(From page 19)
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around on the starting line but was more serious in his post-race assessment. “Overall I didn’t feel myself, but I think it is just lack of races, he said. “It will take time for me to get back to my best so I just need to run more and I’ll be OK.” “This is always my first race of the season so it is not going to be as fast as everyone wants it to be.” The race was his third ‘Mano a Mano’ challenge in Rio, the city that will host the 2016 Olympics. Bolt, who won gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in both Beijing and London, hopes to complete another Olympic triple gold in Brazil and he has come to the city four times to acclimatise.He is next scheduled to race in the World Relays in the Bahamas on May 2-3. In the women’s challenge, Jamaican Veronica CampbellBrown won her first 100m race of the season in 11.04. The two-time Olympic sprint champion easily beat U.S. Olympian Carmelita Jeter (11.19), Jamaican Kerron Stewart (11.30) and Brazil’s Antonia Rosa (11.59). “I’m pleased,” CampbellBrown said. “Athletes always want to go faster but I understand that it is my first 100m race of the season and it is not a bad way to start.” Richard Browne won the paraolympic challenge that was marred by the withdrawal of local hero Alan Fonteles. Fonteles, who rose to fame by beating Oscar Pistorius to the 200m gold in London, pulled out because of problems with his prosthetic leg. Browne won in 10.88.
Monday April 20, 2015
Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Competition
NA Kings, Unruly Gang, Manchester Boys stay unbeaten New Amsterdam Kings continued their dominance of opposing teams when the Super Eight stage of the Berbice segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Competition continued on Saturday evening at the Stelling Tarmac. The semi-finals and final were expected to be played
last evening, at the same venue. In the night’s full results: Game-1 East Bank Gunners-2 vs Canje-0 Jermin John-18th Andrew Cameron-19th Game-2 NA Kings-6 vs Courtland Stars-1 NA Kings scorers
Lusignan Golf Club Annual General Meeting set for May 30 The Annual General Meeting of the Lusignan Golf Club will be held at the Club’s Building at Lusignan on Saturday 30, May 2015 at 16:00 hours. AGENDA: Approval of minutes of previous AGM. Consideration of Matters Arising from the minutes. Receipt and approval of Annual report of the President. Receipt and approval of Financial Statements of the Cluband the Auditor’s report. Nomination and election
of the next year’s Executive Committee, comprising of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Club Captain, Grounds Superintendent and Public Relations Officer will be held. And any other Business In order to include any matter for consideration at the AGM under Any Other Business, members should communicate the matter in writing, to the Secretary Guy Griffith, at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date of the AGM.
Adrian Adams-3rd, 6th, 9th and 14th Leonardo Adams-10th Samuel Johnson-12th Courtland Scorer Michael Cummings-19th Game-3 Unruly Gang-1 vs Corriverton-1 Unruly Gang won 2-1 on penalty kicks Unruly Scorers Devon James-9th Corriverton Scorer Nolen Richards-4th Game-4 Manchester Boys-0 vs Spartans-0 Manchester won 1-0 on penalty kicks Super Eight Stage-Round-2 Game-5
East Bank Gunners-1 vs Corriverton-0 Ronaldo August-15th Game-6 NA Kings-4 vs Spartans-0 Adrian Adams-4th, 7th and 15th Leonardo Adams-10th Game-7 Unruly Gang-3 vs Canje-1 Unruly Scorers Delroy Ferdinand-5th Kelvin Joseph-18th and 20th Canje Scorer Sherwin Parris-9th Game-8 Manchester Boys-6 vs Courtland Stars-0 Carlos Mingo-20th, 12th and 14th Trendy Grey-17th and 20th Keron Grenville-3rd
Foreign Ministry to host workers games on April 26 The Foreign Ministry office will be hosting the 2015 workers games on April 26 at St. Stanislaus ground from 12:00 hrs. Workers will compete in softball cricket, 3-a-side small goal football, dominoes, whist and athletics. Among the teams set to take part are EPA, Guyana Forestry Commission, Lands and Survey, Guysuco, CPCE, Prisons, CJIA, NIS, Caricom, Digicel, GRDB, Larpakan, Auditor General office, BOG, Guyoil, Hand in Hand and Banks DIH.
GCB propose to upgrade LBI facility but.... From page 25 Kallicharran, said it is sad to see the current state of the LBI facility going to waste like this adding that the vision the GCB has for the facility will tremendously benefit everyone involved, hence, he is hoping GUYSUCO and/or the Government will facilitate
the proposal of the GCB. Kallicharran conducted sessions for the teams involved in the current GCB/ Raj Singh Insurance Brokers Inter-county U19 competition. He thanked the GCB for inviting him to work with the youths, noting that it is the
first time in his entire career that he had been invited back home to be part of the cricket development process. He lauded the GCB and promised to make a difference with his skills and expertise he has gained over the years. He told the players that the GCB has created the
opportunity for them to play this great game and they should not let it go in vain. He asked them to follow up on this by committing themselves to continuous training. “Ask yourselves what your next challenge is; do you want to play for Guyana and the West Indies? One half century wouldn’t get you selected, you have to make centuries consistently. Do the simple things correctly over and over and you will be successful. Don’t cry out that you have problems. Your problem is not that huge that it cannot be solved. Continue to bowl, bat and field for long hours and there wouldn’t be a problem,” said Kallicharran. The Inter-County competition continues today with the one day version.