Wednesday August 07, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
Government continues to play Russian roulette with our economic well-being
DEAR EDITOR, Given the charge by the President at the PPP Congress to “fight any opposition” and “never relent” we had no other choice but to reject such a reckless political position. Is this a case of some people seeing “jumbies” left, right and center? We have not met any Guyanese who is anti-Hydro Power. In fact, Hydro Power is one of the leading options to safeguard our long term energy security. Therefore, the issue is not whether we should support Hydro Power; that is a given. The crux of the matter remains; is the financial structure of the Brassington DEAL reasonable to the consumers of GPL and at what cost will GPL retail electricity to the people. The President should have acted more maturely and level with the nation by guaranteeing a fixed electricity retail price over the next 12 years. With such an approach, more stakeholders would have found it easier to support this deal. This deal
is brutally one sided deal in favour of the developer. We only had to interrogate the legal documents to establish this fact since this Brassington deal guarantees a cash payout of US$1.944 million (G$404 billion) over 20 years to the developer. In such conditions, a President first loyalty is to his people and his first action is to create opportunities for a negotiated settlement in favour of his people; rather than engaging in imbecile political rhetoric in a lame duck attempt to “pull wool” over the people’s eyes. It is clear as day that this Brassington Deal, as currently structured, will be economically oppressive on the ordinary people and all this talk of a 20 per cent reduction on the current retail price of electricity is financial “voodooism”. It is time the PPP put up and provided a legal guarantee to the GPL consumers that their light bills will be reduced by 20 per cent or else they can be accused of gaffing numbers. It is unfortunate that the
President cannot fathom that it is difficult for the majority opposition to just sit and support this deal in its current form, notwithstanding all the intemperate lobbying from the Guyana Private Sector. After all who will be paying these electricity bills when the developer demands their US$122 million every year? Not those who have private generators, but the Johns in Sophia and the Persauds in Whim. That is why their representatives in Parliament must continue to interrogate this deal and seek answers. Such a process cannot be hurried. We fully support Hydro Power development but with so many unresolved and unclear issues, at minimum the President should have made a special effort to aligning the continuum of public opinion by introducing greater transparency into the process. For example the contract with the builder – China Railway is a state secret, but yet the people from whom it is being hidden are being called upon to fund it.
All the deficiencies Dr. Mangal raised should have been directed at Mr. Boodo DEAR EDITOR, Dr. Mangal’s latest tirade and expedition into invincible absurdity (SN-o6.08.2013) needs really only a one sentence answer: all of the deficiencies raised in his letter to the Chairman should have been directed at the Head of the Secretariat – namely Mr. Boodoo, the same Mr. Boodoo whom he has publicly supported to retain the position of Chief Election Officer. Commissioners, including Dr. Mangal, have had and have seized the opportunity to raise those very issues in the presence of Mr. Boodoo, at two separate post-2011 Elections Retreats. Besides, those issues have been
massaged ad nauseum at Commission Statutory Meetings. On the matter of my opinion on the 2011 Elections being the best ever, one must understand the genesis of that position. Throughout my exposure (actual experience and from the literature), the Official List of Electors (OLE) is globally usually the bone of contention. The 2011 OLE was near perfect. For the first time ever, no one questioned or complained about the accuracy of the OLE. Further, for the first time ever in the history of Guyana, we were able to get the contesting Political Parties to sign on to a Code of Conduct for Political Parties, to which
they generally adhered. All of the personal attacks against me are valueless. The Boodoo matter is history. Allow me to assuage the Stabroek News’ fear that “the continuing acrimony portends bruising battles at the Commission”. I will ensure that there will be no continuing acrimony nor will there be bruising battles. At Commission level, I presided over 12 years of mature (even if sometimes stormy) debate. Mr. Boodoo’s contract has not been renewed. We will now move forward in relative tranquility and civility of debate. That I guarantee. Dr. Steve Surujbally Chairman, GECOM
How more ludicrous can we get? Further, if we, the moderate ones, are to support what the PPP is proposing currently, then we will clearly be surrendering valuable political ground to the extremist forces. The people are not stupid, they know a sell-out when they see one and they do not trust the PPP with any increase in the Debt Ceiling at this point in time; so why would any
Parliamentarian want to facilitate the PPP in tricking the people? So we appeal to his Excellency; let us all pause, and give a third path a chance. This methodology promises greater buy-in from all stakeholders. It will also make it easier for all participants to swallow the bitter medium term financial pills to achieve long term energy security. Nobody is against Hydro Power Mr.
President; we are against this Brassington DEAL. This Brassington deal is structured very badly and we want to use this forum to highlight the facts that the PPP has skillfully buried. We also want to offer some suggestions on how we can re-structure the deal to make it more affordable to the GPL consumers. Some thoughts include: · Dis-engage Sithe as an Continued on page 6
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
This new development paints Red Thread does not pass on... a grim picture for pensioners DEAR EDITOR, It has now been 23 yrs since my mother has been receiving survivor’s benefits from the National Insurance Scheme. It has been 16 yrs since she has been receiving the benefits via the overseas route. The requirements have been that a life certificate be submitted; this should be signed “This declaration must be made before an Officer of the Guyanese Consulate in the country in which the Pensioner resides or before a Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, Medical Practitioner, Head Teacher, Superintendent of Police or the Manager of a Bank. The Official stamp of the person attesting to the fact of the pensioner being alive must be affixed”. As can be seen, no mention of compulsory signing by the Guyanese Consulate. As recent as January 2013, my mother received the benefits, the period received was September – December 2012 signed by the same officer who has been signing for the last three (3) years. The system was not working; hence pensioners had to wait
several months to receive the pension. That being said, a life certificate was submitted on behalf of my mother in June 2013. On inquiring since not seeing any transfer to her account we were told that the new arrangements in order for overseas pensioners to receive their benefits is that it must be notorized by the official(s) at the Guyana Consulate once the pensioner has attained the age of 80 years and older. Further to that the pensioner has to appear before the official(s). Is anybody thinking about the elderly? This new development paints a grim picture for pensioners and it makes me see that the elderly has no place in the Guyanese society. NIS pensioners live in various states in the USA and in fact in the world over. My mother lives in Seattle – Washington State. It requires travelling a long distance to appear before the Consulate who is located in Washington DC and also a large sum of monies for airfares which involves hours of travel. Travelling for older persons has now become prohibitive. I remember reading an
article written by Freddie Kissoon some months ago where he referred to the acceptable signatories which are required by the authorities at NIS. They were unbelievably archaic. Now we have this. When will those who are in the decision making process arrive at reasonable solutions for the problems? They need to stop reacting and be proactive. It should be remembered that there are a lot of senior Guyanese living in foreign countries and given the land mass careful consideration should be given to areas that the consulate is not easily accessible. Hasty nor ill considered decisions will not solve the problems. Are those selected to sit on boards just doing that sitting on boards? Or is this another way to deny pensioners who have contributed to the system their rewards. Due to frustration do they eventually give up? Remember the discussions on extending the age to become pensionable? Pensioner - Anna Coppin Maureen Williams Maureen Ann
From page 4 representation, advocacy for improvements in the law and/ or its implem e n t a t i o n , training workshops, community visits and workshops/ discussions to build active support for women and children in violent situations in those communities, training with magistrates, police and prosecutors on the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act, workshops with other groups including teachers, and facilitation of a Domestic Violence and Rape Survivors Self Help Group. Our training often uses research that we’ve conducted on domestic violence, women’s reproductive health and sex work, as well as material that we’ve produced including video and household guides to the law which have also been used by other groups working against violence, community groups, the police and the Women’s Affairs Bureau. We’ve also attempted (and encountered difficulties with) research into the racial/political violence of the early 2000s. 2. A living income for unwaged and low-waged women; activities in support of this priority have included advocacy for the removal of
VAT from essential items, increases in wages for lowwaged women workers including domestic workers, security guards, and shop assistants, and increases in old age pensions and public assistance. The advocacy has been backed by research including a time use survey. This area of work is now to have an increased focus, including via a drop in centre for women workers to get information about their rights and towards this end we’ve begun training in labour legislation. 3. Increased visibility and voice for grassroots women; activities include extensive training with sectors of grassroots women and speakouts designed to provide a forum for grassroots women to address issues that they identify as critically important, for example, after the flood of 2005 when women who had suffered from the flood presented their experience and demands to representatives of the media, parliament, trade unions, government units, local NGOs and international donor agencies. As part of addressing this aim we also use other popular forms, including street theatre and in the 1990s, a
radio serial and a play called “Every body ’s Business”. Almost all of our main projects of work related to our three priorities have been carried out in parts of the interior as well as along the coast and we try to ensure that what we do always crosses race divides. Back in town, for 13 years, we also ran free reading and computer classes with over 80 students from schools in South Georgetown (and a few adults) and we continue to run a library, workshops and camps for youth. The literacy classes included a feeding program three times a week for which we received donations. Finally (and here’s the problem for Mr. Notka and his group, no doubt), we picket and speak out in defence of the rights of grassroots women, children and sometimes men, but we don’t pay for those: issues have included calls for justice for several victims of violence, especially at the hands of the powerful, and solidarity with the people of Linden and with various other sectors and communities defending their rights. Karen de Souza National Coordinator, Red Thread
Government continues to play... From page 5 equity partner and re-engage them as a Management Contractor (they will be paid market rates to bring this deal to financial closure). · Replace Sithe’s equity investment with combination of alternative resources from: o the Low Carbon Development Fund; o the Treasury/NICIL/GGMC/NFMU/ Forestry Commission / CHPA / Lotto Funds; o the public sale of National Development BONDS to the local banks and other financial institutions, the Diaspora, the local public but especially to all those private sector players who are talking up this deal every second of the day (it is time to put up). · Request the support of the Brazilian Development Agency (Agência Brasileira de Cooperação) to walk with us to CIDA/USAID/ the World Bank/ the Brazilian Government/ the Caribbean Development Bank / the IDB / the EU/ the Norwegian Development Agency and the Chinese Development Bank to line up the required cash injection without any preconditions confining us exclusively to a Chinese contractor. · The records revealed that the Chinese Contractor has ZERO experience in building a Hydro Power plant in Amazonian conditions; comparable to “Fip” and his experience on constructing a forest road. Is this another Skeldon Factory in the making? · Our research also reveals that Brazil has an army of hydro power companies with vast experience in building, maintaining and operating Hydro power plant in Amazonian conditions. Brazil produces 85 per cent of its electricity needs using hydro power and they have built and continue to operate some 112 hydropower stations with a capacity of over 30 MW (the largest one being 14,500 MW). · From our preliminary estimates, if a Brazilian contractor is engaged, this Amaila Project can be structured at a cost of
approximately US$650 million vs. what currently obtains - US$858 million; a savings of some US$208 million on capital cost. · The cash payout from the consumers under the Brazilian option will be US$0.9 billion vs. US$1.9 billion under the Brassington deal. That is a saving of some US$984 million over 20 years. In this Brassington DEAL, there is an embedded return to the developer of some US$617 million for their equity investment of US$157 million. This is financial MURDER. So when Mr. Brassington boasts about a tariff of US$0.11 from the power plant, he did not tell you that is a calculated guess-estimate of the wholesale price. Mr. Brassington totally ignored the line losses in transporting the electricity from Amaila to Sophia and the line losses and commercial theft in the inefficient GPL network which is currently rated at some 31 per cent of the GPL generation cost. From our preliminary calculation, after Amaila, the cheapest GPL will be able to retail electricity for 12 years will be approximately US$0.33 vs. today’s price of US$0.30 (a 9 per cent increase). So much for a reduction in electricity rates for the next 12 years and all this “mumbo jumbo” that we shall secure a 20 per cent reduction in electricity rates. These people are really playing Russian roulette with the economic well-being of the Guyanese people. All eyes are now on the AFC and APNU Members of Parliament to observe their vote on the Motion to increasing the Debt Ceiling. Will they vote with the PPP thus committing the consumers of GPL to higher retail electricity prices for 12 years? Will they ask for a deferral to request more documents from the Government to guide a careful restructuring of this deal; causing a reduction of the retail price of electricity? Or if the PPP remains unyielding and uncompromising, will they just vote it down? Sasenarine Singh and four others
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Kaieteur News
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State-ownership of the means of production does not translate to working class power No one can dismiss the factor of race in Guyanese politics. But is race holding back this country? Or is the real problem economic, and more specifically, the absence of a model of development that would allow the working class, which comprises persons of all ethnicities, a greater share of the resources of the State? Race has been said to
have a crippling effect on the politics of Guyana. It has forged deep divisions and seen the competition for political power fractured along ethnic lines. This invariably results in a great deal of political alienation and leads to charges and counter charges of discrimination and victimisation in the manner in which the resources of the
Dem boys seh
PEOPLE GETTING BUY OUT
When people got nuff money dem does always feel that dem can buy everything and everybody. Everybody know that Jagdeo and he friends got nuff money and dem does use that same money to corrupt everything and everybody. Dem does even corrupt people who got nuff money because dem people always want more. Dem buy nuff people in de Pee Hen See too. Dem had this boy who was de mouthpiece. He use to check de voters’ list and he use to keep de Pee Pee Pee busy. Jagdeo buy he and since then nobody can talk fuh de Pee Pee Pee like he. Dem had this woman who was a big trade union lady. She lead protest outside de post office and Jagdeo buy she too. Dem boys hear she pun de campaign trail. De one who use to tell people he is a bishop get buy out too. Dem boys was looking fuh he at de Congress and if he been deh he probably hide from dem camera. He was de same one who jump up and claim how no reporter can ask question at de stakeholders’ meeting. Now Nigel is de man who mek nuff things come out when he represent Freddie in de libel case that Jagdeo bring. He show how Jagdeo do nuff wrong thing when it come to mekking appointments and sharing out land and things like that. He really expose nuff thing suh it ain’t no surprise if people want shut he up. Dem boys ain’t saying that Nigel get buy but it just look suh funny just when all dem professional people talking bout how much de Amaila project cost and how Guyana got de most expensive hydro in de world. In dem other country de hydro cost US$3 million per megawatt. In Guyana it cost US$4 million per megawatt. And Nigel can’t talk bout that. It mek people wonder. Dem boys wondering bout de whole AFC because now dem claim how dem deh behind Nigel. He tender he resignation and Prakash tell he to put de resignation in de toilet. Dem boys ain’t got to wonder how de AFC gun vote pun Amaila. De whole party probably get buy. Talk half and wonder who next.
State are doled out. But is it really politics that holds Guyana back or is it the failure of the ruling administration to elevate the working class? How crippling is the variable of race? Or does this variable simply provide an excuse for the failure to advance Guyana economically? Race as a factor in Guyanese politics cannot be dismissed. A great many things are interpreted through the lens of race, but does this preoccupation with race blind us to the failure to evolve a development model in which all races benefit equitably in our economy? Can genuine egalitarianism be carried out in the absence of addressing the variable of race? Given that persons still strongly identify with race, it is hard to see how the construction of an egalitarian society can be done when there are perceptions of inequitable allocation of resources. As such, race cannot be dismissed out of the equation of governance, but this does not necessarily mean that race has been the source of our underdevelopment in Guyana. One of the first things to be noted about the class structure of Guyana is that none of the classes in Guyana is homogenous in terms of ethnic composition. The elite
propertied class is more characterised by the expropriation of surplus value and the exportation of much of their personal wealth than by the uniformity of its ethnic make-up. Traditional theory has held that the source of the underdevelopment of much of the Third World is attributable not to the mere fact that rapacious capitalism has dominated the economic system, but more to exportation of wealth to the metropolis. The underdevelopment of Guyana has not been so much about the problems of ethnic conflict, but more about the failure to have the proceeds of economic development reinvested back into the country. Even under a statecentric economy, the relations of production were as such that much of our fortune found its way outside of our borders. This pattern persists onto today. While there is an emergence of a local bourgeoisie and while the socalled new oligarchy is characterised by its links to the ruling, political elite and the benefits that flow from such links, the vast amount of wealth is expatriated. The problem may have to do with the nature of the economic elite, which is still very much dominated by a few individuals, some family-
owned empires and a few big corporations whose shareholding in turn is dominated by a few individuals and firms. Such a pattern of financial consolidation does not encourage repatriation of profits and wealth, but allows for the domination of the economy by a few and the exportation of the proceeds of the wealth accruing to this elite. This is why this imbalance in the nature (not ethnicity) of the economic class has to be altered. There should be broader forms of direct ownership of the means of production without repeating the mistake of the past when the working class was made to feel that State-ownership of the commanding heights of the economy meant working class control. It did not, for it is he who controls the company that has the real power, and Stateownership of the means of production never translated to working class power. If such were the case, then there would be no poverty in Guyana, for the small man would have been the real man a long time ago. State-ownership of the means of production has always been hijacked by the economic elite who control the political elite, and through this control, reap windfall profits for themselves which
are duly exported outside the country. A new model of workers’ empowerment is required. Instead of workers indirectly holding power through the government, they should be directly involved in the ownership of national assets and of the economic resources held by the State. Instead of the government using the resources of the State to float hotels and build bridges, it should, in the same manner as its allows its private sector friends to benefit from the largesse of the State, allow the small worker a direct stake in economic projects and in the ownership of shares in enterprises and projects. Sell the government shares in the Berbice River Bridge to the workers of Berbice. Why were the government shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company not sold to the workers of that utility? Instead of investing in a new hotel, allow the workers of Guyana to buy shares in the hotel. Sell GuySuCo to the workers! Remove the concept of government trusteeship of workers’ ownership. Allow the workers direct ownership through share ownership!
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 07, 2013
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The scorpion killed the frog. But why? The story of the scorpion and the frog is perhaps known to most adults in perhaps all the countries in the world. The scorpion sits on a stone pillar in the middle of the river and the water is rising rapidly. The scorpion knows he is about to drown. There appears a frog swimming his way to land. The scorpion begs the frog to take him across. The frog refuses. He says that as soon as land is reached the scorpion will sting him to death. The scorpion implores and promises he will not do
that. So on the back of the frog he climbs and they are on their way. Before land can be reached, the frog receives a deadly sting; “Why did you do that, now both of us are going to sink and die,” the frog exclaimed. The scorpion looks at him, and nonchalantly and murmurs; “I can’t help it, it is instinctive, it is in my nature.” This is the story of dictatorship. We just saw it in Zimbabwe last week. We saw it throughout history. The present generation in the world will see it over and over
again. Maybe the world’s most infamous example is the 1939 Non-Aggression Pact between the worst two dictators civilization ever saw. Hitler and Stalin inked their sacred deal not to attack each other. In 1941, Germany invaded the USSR. By that act, we will never know if Stalin would have done the same. The scorpion will kill because that is his nature. Autocratic systems will not humanize their authoritarian rule. They will not transform themselves into
understanding and considerate machines. They cannot. Dictatorships are scorpions. It is in their nature to expand and press on. They maul you, and will repress you relentlessly. They will only stop when you stop them. If the frog had stopped the scorpion by throwing him off mid-stream, he would have lived longer. The story of the scorpion and the frog most aptly applies to the PPP Congress in Berbice that concluded last Sunday. From the first word spoken by President Ramotar to the last closing address, not even a fraction of a sentence was voiced about dialogue or reaching out or even a subtle indication of concessions. From the lips of every speaker came the platitudes, inanities and rhetoric that characterize autocratic systems with their inherent authoritarian instincts. From the open addresses on stage to the plenary sessions, reality went out the window, replaced by the most macabre judgements that a human can bestow on him/herself. Here we go.
GECOM is pro-opposition. Nothing was said about when this bias originated. But if GECOM is biased it has to be the biggest donkey since animals first came onto to earth. The PPP has been in control of Guyana after five successive elections administered by GECOM. If GECOM is pro-opposition, and if President Ramotar is to be believed as when in December 2011 he said the election was rigged, then how come the PPP won the executive presidency in 2011? There can only be one explanation. The donkey is self-destructive to control an organization, rig the elections it has dominance over, yet its enemy won the poll. If GECOM is in the opposition camp then how come Boodoo almost gave the entire results to the PPP with only one opposition-appointed member, Vincent Alexander, spotting the “conspiracy” of Boodoo? The private media came in for savage treatment by Mr. Ramotar. This is old, stale, foul-smelling wine spilling out again. Mr. Jagdeo, Mr. Ramotar’s predecessor, spent the greater part of his twelveyear-old reign denouncing the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News. At a dinner in 2010 hosted by the Private
Frederick Kissoon Sector Commission, then President, Jagdeo openly advocated a boycott of the Kaieteur News. The lamentations from PPP leaders about the harm the private media are doing to the power base of the PPP are so boring that even the most hard core supporters are not moved by this journey into phantasmagoric senility. But these hard core supporters by now must have asked their leaders why the glossy Guyana Times, its partner the Guyana Chronicle, its junior partner, the Mirror, and their sidekicks Channel 11, 65 and 69, have not knocked out of contention, the KN, SN, Capitol News, Prime News and Demerara Waves? But are they allowed to ask anything? Here is what the Stabroek reported about the Congress: “Gail Teixeira quickly shut down critical questions from members…” Maybe Teixeira should have read to them that line from the Bible; “My father has chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Kaieteur News
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$17M difference in bids for GPHC security services A difference of $17M was seen in the two bids which were tendered yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main Street for the provision of security services for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC.)
The Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce received bids for the construction of roads, drains, structures and installation of pure water distribution network at Belvedere Industrial Site, Berbice, Region six.
Meanwhile, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) region nine received a lone bid for the construction of an Asphalt Road in Lethem Bids were also opened under the Maritime Administration Department for the dry docking and pilot launch M.L Allan Young. In addition, bids were opened for the upgrading to Massara access road for the RDC in Region nine. Still in the sector, bids were submitted for the dry docking and repairs to tug boat M.T setter.
The Ministry of Education received bids for the reprinting and delivery of textbooks for National Distribution. The bids were divided into three lots with black and white and coloured. In addition, bids were opened for the dry docking and repair to barge Seamang.
A lone bid was submitted for the supply of spares for the maintenance of buoys and beacons.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 07, 2013
More controversy surrounds Amaila Hydro Project...
Nigel Hughes resigns as AFC Chairman By Abena Rockcliffe Prominent Attorney-atLaw, Nigel Hughes yesterday tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC). His resignation comes on the heels of an article published in this newspaper’s August 6 edition titled “Nigel Hughes is Company Secretary for Amaila Falls Hydro Inc.” However, Kaieteur News understands that the AFC has rejected his resignation. Whether Hughes is still up to surrender the position he gained, just last year, is yet to be confirmed. Kaieteur News’s publication of the article marked the first instance where Hughes’s involvement with Amaila Falls Hydro Inc— the Special Purpose Vehicle/ Company created for the development, construction and operation of the US$858M Hydro Power plan—was made public. However in a press release yesterday, Hughes stated that his position as Secretary to the Company has been a matter of “public record since the incorporation of the company in April 2009.” According to official documents seen by this newspaper, Hughes was appointed as the Company Secretary on April 23, 2009, the very day the company was first incorporated in Guyana. “I welcome and support the publication of this fact as I do any other matter pertinent
to the issues surrounding the Amaila Falls debate,” Hughes said He added that “When the issue of Amaila Falls Hydro project became a matter of public interest I immediately disclosed my interest to the Leadership of the Alliance for Change (AFC). I also asked to be recused from participating in their deliberations on the matter.” However, AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, yesterday confirmed with Kaieteur News that though he was aware of Hughes’s “association” with the company, he hadn’t a clue that that association was in the capacity of him being the Company Secretary. Hughes claimed yesterday that this newspaper’s publication of the information at such a time “could only have been for the purpose of explicitly or implied suggesting that I have been advancing the cause of my clients in the deliberations by the AFC on the Amaila issue.” “I completely without reservation reject this contention. I have at all times acted professionally and disclosed to the party my relationship with the client as the client has been aware of my position in the party. As a result of this clear attempt to tarnish the name of the AFC and it’s publicly stated positions on the Amaila Falls Hydro project, I have today offered my resignation as Chairman to the Alliance for Change.”
Further, during an interview with Kaieteur News, Hughes said that he will always be available to the poor and powerless despite his resignation from the AFC’s Executive. Asked if his resignation marks the end of his political career, Hughes responded saying he wasn’t sure. He told this publication that he didn’t venture into politics for power, but solely to help the ordinary Guyanese and make a change. He said that his entry to politics came at a time when the Werk-en-Rust community—where his office is situated—was being “savagely” attacked by government. Hughes added “for me it was always about the people, I used to help the poor and powerless before my involvement and I will continue to help them after.” The lawyer reiterated that his resignation is to avoid “unnecessary scandals.” Hughes declared that he didn’t keep his position a secret. He said that he merely thought that over the few years when “this matter” became public interest, his position of Secretary would have been brought up. In a statement issued
several hours later, the AFC noted that the party “continues to repose full and complete confidence in him both as member and Chairman” and didn’t accept his resignation. “Mr. Hughes was not a member of the AFC in April 2009 when he commenced professional engagement with Amaila Falls Hydro Inc/ Sithe Global; Mr. Hughes officially joined the Party in July 2011” and “Mr. Hughes was elected Chairman of the Party on August 4th 2012.
Therefore the matters of professional engagement with AFHI predated, by some time, Mr. Hughes’ membership to the Party and further his election to the office of Chairman.” Further “facts” presented by the party were: “Mr. Hughes declared his professional association with Sithe Global at the commencement of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project coming into national focus and requested of the Party that he be recused from the
decision making process at every stage. The Party agreed and Mr. Hughes has been so recused; The AFC remains steadfastly supportive of hydro power projects (or any other alternative energy source options) with the express condition being that the benefits redound to the Guyanese people and the country. It was also stated that “The Party’s previously stated position with regard to the due diligence from the IDB (Continued on page 16)
Education Ministry appoints new DCEO A new Deputy Chief Education Officer has been appointed by the Ministry of Education, according to a statement released yesterday. Charged with the responsibility for Development is Mrs Doodmattie Singh. Singh, it was disclosed, has an extensive background in Education having spent 34 years of her life as an educator. She has taught at all levels of the local Education System – Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. She started her career as a Pupil Teacher at the Vergenoegen Nursery
Mrs Doodmattie Singh School and by 1985 was one of the few persons with a Class 1 Grade 1 Trained
Teacher’s Certificate in Nursery Education. Singh holds a Bachelors Degree in Education Teaching and Administration (Primary) and a Master of Arts Degree in School Management. Apart from her outstanding professional experience and contributions as a teacher, Singh also served as Administrative Officer in the Department of Education Region Three; District Education Officer 11- Region Three; Regional Education Officer Region Three; and Regional Education Officer Region Four. Also from 2007
to May 2013 she served as Assistant Chief Education Officer for all three levels – Nursery, Primary and Secondary. The Ministry stated that the opportunity to train and supervise at all levels of the education system has given her a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be an asset to her in the current position as Deputy Chief Education Officer Development. Minister of Education Priya Manickchand has extended congratulations and best wishes to Singh in all her endeavours.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Sithe Global wants removal of incentives to force self generators onto grid The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) under the implementation agreement with Sithe Global will be required to revise its tariff in order for the power company to ensure it “derives sufficient revenues during the relevant year to satisfy all of its then, anticipated obligations for such year.” This means that GPL will each year be empowered to revise its tariffs that it would
charge consumers, in order to meet all of its payments to Amaila Falls Hydro Inc., as well as keep its plant up and running, and meet its operational expenses. In addition, the Government, should it sign on to the agreement, will be prevented from freely privatising GPL in its entirety. According to the agreement that the two parties have negotiated, the
- GPL to revise tariffs annually to make Amaila payments
- Govt. required to maintain access road Government will be required to ensure that for the 20 years in which the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project is in operation, GPL will have to remain a state-owned enterprise. Government would need
Nigel Hughes resigns as... (From page 12) (awaiting their report) and the level of debt ceiling proposed by the motion (with regard to its sustainability) remains the same. The Party is favourably considering its support for the Hydro Amendments (the Environmental Bill) if retabled.” The statement said too that the AFC “views as unfortunate, but is not surprised by efforts designed to malign its image, particularly at such a
sensitive time.” And that “Mr. Hughes’s willingness to act in the public interest and to the detriment of his own political career speaks to his character and his offer of resignation, in the eyes of the Party and indeed of all Guyanese only enhances his stature and reputation as a leader of high principle and morality.” Meanwhile, Executive Member of the AFC, Catherine Hughes, the wife of Nigel Hughes, remains Sithe Global’s Public Relations Consultant. As recent as
Monday, she issued a press statement in which she was identified as the Public Relations Consultant for Sithe Global, locally. Sithe Global is the developer/investor in the Amaila Falls project. The company is looking for parliamentary consensus to move on with the project. Catherine Hughes is a serving member of Parliament, and of course has a vote in today’s proceedings that will determine the fate of the Amaila Project.
the consent of Sithe Global, if it would wish to privatise more than 49 per cent of the power company during that 20-year period. The Sithe Global group has further drafted in its implementation agreement, that the Government must maintain a monopoly on the sale of electricity. The power company will be obligated to ensure that the power it receives from the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Plant, be dispatched to the maximum extent possible, as well as minimise the use of electricity supplied using the traditional mode of generation, namely its thermal plants. During the recently held public consultation with Sithe Global officials and the Guyana Government, the local technical coordinator for the project, Winston Brassington, indicated that in order to get self generators of electricity such as the Banks DIH and DDL back onto the
national grid, it will remove all waivers. According to the draft implementation agreement negotiated by Government and Sithe Global, this is a move demanded by the latter. The agreement states that when the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Plant comes on stream the Government, “shall remove all tax and other fiscal incentives under the laws of Guyana related to generators and fuel and spare parts for generators that are provided to persons in the GPL’s franchise area that are self generators, to encourage such persons to procure electricity supplied by the grid system.” This obligation, according to the agreement, must be held in place until 80 per cent of the plant capacity is fully utilised. It is further incumbent on the Government to ensure that all of the necessary laws and regulations are adjusted in order for the GPL to comply
with all of the obligations being imposed by Sithe Global and must be done so unconditionally. ACCESS ROAD Another aspect of the implementation of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project placed the obligation on the government to maintain the access road to the plant. According to the project document, it is the government’s responsibility to have the road designed and built. This is the access road that was initially handed to Makeswhar ‘Fip’ Motilall, Synergy Holdings Inc at a cost of US$15.8M. The road has since been revised to cost between US$30M to US$35M, but upon its completion it will be the responsibility of the government to maintain it. Government will also have to ensure that sections six and seven of the road be provided for the exclusive use of the project. Under the agreement, the company will also be granted total relief from Corporation, Property, and VAT among other taxes.
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At 28th death anniversary commemoration…
PNCR remembers Burnham as African liberation fighter By Keeran Danny The Late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham’s legacy of struggling for African liberation was celebrated yesterday as the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) celebrated his 28th Death Anniversary at the Mausoleum, Botanical Gardens. Delivering remarks during the early morning ceremony, Vincent Alexander, Chairperson of the Burnham Foundation, said commemorating Burnham’s death ensures his achievements are etched in citizens’ memories. Burnham’s many contributions to humanity, particularly his struggle for African Liberation during an era of enslavement and mistreatment of Africans, was highlighted at yesterday’s function. This year, the South African Government indicated its intention to bestow Burnham posthumously The Order of the Companions of O R Tambo. Reportedly, because of unflattering comments about Burnham, South Africa did not proceed with the
award. But, according to Alexander, Burnham’s track record of fighting for African Liberation, particularly apartheid in South Africa, would denounce the withdrawal of the award. He listed several instances where Burnham’s struggles to achieve his dream of African liberation are registered in history. For instance, in 1960 Burnham was arrested in Great Britain for protesting against the barbaric apartheid policies of South Africa; Guyana with Burnham’s leadership championed legitimate concerns of the South African people in CARICOM, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth and the United Nations; contributions from Guyana’s treasury to aid freedom fighters; a national signature campaign for the release of Nelson Mandela; and naming of a street in Guyana in honour of Nelson Mandela. According to Alexander, Burnham also chaired the Commonwealth Sanction Committee which helped to chart the Commonwealth’s policy on the Unilateral
Kamana Burnham approaches his father’s resting place during the wreath-laying ceremony Declaration of Independence in Zimbabwe and apartheid in South Africa. Another significant undertaking of Burnham was “facilitating the refueling of Cuban planes in Guyana which were ferrying troops to Angola as Cuba joined the armed struggle against Apartheid South Africa’s attempt to stymie the liberation struggle of MPLA
to decolonize and liberate Angola.” The Chairperson said the PNC does not speak for Burnham since he is spoken of and in many ways “is still around”. He said party members would leave the commemoration ceremony recommitted to his ideas of making Guyana a better place. Those who partook in the wreath-laying ceremony
Dr. George Norton lays a wreath included Burnham’s son Kamana Burnham; former Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin; PNCR Chairman Basil William; PNCR Vice Chairman Dr. George Norton; Executive Member of Guyana Youth and Student Movement Dave Danny Jr.; Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette; Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon; and Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green. Leader of the Opposition
David Granger was unable to attend, as he is currently in the hinterland. Forbes Burnham became the first Executive President of Guyana in 1980, having led the nation to Independence in 1966 and to Republican status in 1970. He was born on February 20, 1923 and died on August 6, 1985. He is remembered as a leader, visionary, innovator, builder, educator and a giant who has bestowed this country.
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Kaieteur News
Sithe Global “eyes pass” Guyana Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall has labelled as an “eye-pass”, recent statements issued by Sithe Global on the revelation of Alliance For Change Chairman Nigel Hughes’s association with the company. Lall was referring to a statement issued by the company yesterday which claimed that the newspaper’s expose on Hughes and his wife’s links to the entity was a distraction aimed at obstructing the Amaila Falls Hydro project. In the statement, Sithe Global’s President Brian Kubeck, in what appears to be a direct attack on the newspaper, said “the dwindling detractors attempted to throw out the latest in a series of distractions aimed at obstructing a project that will have lasting positive benefits for Guyana.” But according to the Publisher of the newspaper “it is only now at this late stage that the Sithe Global officials have been making themselves available, when for years this publication has been putting probing questions to them regarding the deal, its cost, interest rates and repayment conditions.” Despite this, Lall stated that the company still has not come close to clean on the many issues raised. Kubeck, through AFC Executive Member, Cathy Hughes, insinuated that the
- Glenn Lall
Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall publication by Kaieteur News regarding Nigel Hughes’s position as Company Secretary “appears to be a deliberate and desperate attempt to shift the debate away from the Project merits (especially its significant electricity cost savings for consumers that start at 40% and increase to 91% over the life of the project), which have held up under intense scrutiny.” Lall in turn said that despite the Sithe Global claims, the principals are yet to make public to the local analysts, the documents that purport to back up that claim. One such analyst, Christopher Ram, had indicated in the presence of the Sithe Global President, that the electricity tariff would in fact increase by 23.6 per cent. According to Lall, the nation still awaits the meeting
between Ram and the project’s Technical Coordinator Winston Brassington in order to have these figures verified. At the recent public forum hosted by Sithe Global and the Guyana Government, this newspaper had also requested that these and other documents related to the project be made available so that independent scrutiny can be done. Lall said that the nation still “awaits a glimpse of these documents that have been so closely guarded under the guise of Confidentiality Agreement.” Kubeck had said that the company would like to reiterate the message that “we can only proceed with the project if there is consensus amongst the PPP, APNU and AFC, communicated via Parliament, that they unanimously support of the Project.” But according to Lall, “had this consensus been of such importance to the Project then it would have made public the project documents, a long time ago.” He added that the company would have provided answers to the many burning questions immediately. “Why should this nation pay 8.5 per cent interest rate to China Exim Bank, when that
same bank is lending to hydro projects around the world for less than three per cent.” “How is it that around the world countries are able to build a hydro power plant for less than US$3M per megawatt when they are charging Guyana in excess of US$4M per mega watt?” Lall asked. The KN Publisher said that “Sithe Global should have answered a long time ago why Guyana should pay them a 19 per cent rate of return for their US$157M that they said they were investing in the project.” “I want hydro in Guyana. I am not against it. All I am saying is let them come clean, let us know all of the details,” Lall said. He maintains that the project was prepared “in secrecy and designed to rob us. That, I firmly believe.” Kubeck in his statement also said that the two local consultants, Cathy and Nigel Hughes’s roles with AFHI, “are well known and have been in the public domain for years.” Lall retorted, “If this information was public knowledge and did not play a role in his political allegiance, why was Nigel Hughes, in his statement to the media, offended that it was published, and immediately resigned as the Chairman of the AFC?”
Construction work blamed for traffic build-up at major junction
By Javone Vickerie Heavy traffic congestion on Regent Street just before noon on Monday and continuing yesterday saw dozens of drivers stranded in their vehicles for extended periods. The congestion was blamed on the sewerage pump installation at the Camp Street intersection. According to a number of persons who conduct business in the area, on Monday the traffic jam began around 10:00 am after one of the lanes (on the northern side of Regent Street) was opened by the construction workers. This lane was closed during the construction period. According to a Regent Street vendor, Shane Isaacs, during the construction operation, there was congestion, but this only lasted for about 10 minutes. “Even before this construction work we had traffic build-up, but that was just the morning period when people got to go to work and in the afternoons when they ready to go home. Now soon as a whole set of vehicles pass
Intersection of Regent and Camp Streets where one lane is open. is sheer confusion,” Isaacs said. Another vendor, a female, told this publication that aside from the congestion there was also the sound of blaring horns which confused many pedestrians. “Soon as these men open the lane this (Monday) morning the traffic madness happen and is more we into the day is the worse it getting”, the woman said. She added that for that morning there were two minor accidents on Regent Street
which caused a much longer line. One of the drivers told this publication that he had been in line waiting for about 45 minutes after a vehicle, two cars ahead of him, would not start. He added that it took an additional 10 minutes for a tow truck to get to the immobile vehicle. “Regent Street does be this busy during Christmastime…otherwise I never see such a traffic build up”, the driver said. He also
blamed the “selfishness” of other drivers who did not exercise caution. “They had some people who just didn’t care, people crossing the road and they just hurry… they coulda kill people.” Meanwhile, when Kaieteur News visited the busy area yesterday, one police rank on motorcycle patrol was seen trying to improve the flow of traffic, but at times was also seen stopping commuters from using the single lane.
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Meeting the MDG deadline…
Improved measures to target maternal mortality
Khadija Musa
Adrianus Vlugman
By Tiffanne Ramphal With the 2015 deadline of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaching, Governments around the world are now reassessing their positions and reviewing their strategies and policies in order to meet the eight targets. Being included in the pact of nations who agreed, under the United Nations Millennium Declaration in 2000, to set clear cut goals to up levels of development worldwide, Guyana too is fixed on working to successfully meet every goal within the next two years. Khadija Musa, serving in the capacity of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Fund Resident Representative, during an interview with this newspaper acknowledged that, as with other nations globally, Guyana has made significant improvement in all areas and some targets have already been met, especially as it relates to poverty. However, while good performance is evident, there are specific areas that need continued focus, one of such being MDG 5 - to improve maternal health. Notably, MDG 5 was identified as the target which Guyana is lagging the furthest behind on. However, a comparison between the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the past as opposed to how it appears now, shows significant progress. Referring to statistics provided in the country’s 2009 MDG report, Adrianus Vlugman, representative of the Pan American Health Organisation, World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) pointed out that Guyana had achieved a fraction of the target in 2008, which states that maternal mortality should be reduced by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. The 2009 report revealed a reduction of 320 deaths for every 100,000 live births in 1991 to 86 in 2008. According to Vlugman, this improvement over the
period could be largely credited to an availability of skilled health personnel at birth, an increase of antenatal care at health centres and an increase in the proportion of mothers who receive at least one session of antenatal care. In order to keep on track, though, Vlugman stated that Guyana should ensure that all pregnant women have access to “total antenatal care, not only physical, but mental and social wellbeing.” What is slightly more important, he added, is early detection of risks to the pregnancies. This can only be accomplished through regular visits to antenatal clinics. According to the PAHO/ WHO representative, mothers should have at least four visits to antenatal care clinics which would allow the health system to detect any risk or complication on time and effectively treat the conditions. Conditions that would potentially present a risk to pregnancies and should be monitored were identified as high blood pressure, diabetes, medical conditions from previous pregnancies, the woman’s nutritional status and early detection of bleeding in the later stages of pregnancy. It was noted that while most pregnancies, as much as 90%, are normal, it is the complications that result in the high maternal mortality ratio. Therefore there is need to focus on the 10% of pregnancies that are high risk. In so doing, Guyana must increase the number of trained or skilled personnel in obstetrics and gynaecology. According to Vlugman, “skilled people can respond more effectively in emergency situations during the delivery of the baby”. He pushed for decentralisation of skilled obstetric and gynaecological services outside of the city walls to improve access and a referral system which accommodates quick access to high quality healthcare for women with high risk pregnancies.
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Kaieteur News
FOR SALE HB 7651 new model 212. Tel: 615-1370 Eddie’s Auto Parts: Just arrive Japanese used partsCall:227-2835 Zack’s Lumber Yard Georgetown: Millcut form board $115 per BM, Softwood & H/wood $180 per BM- Call:687-5361/674-0013 Games for PS 2, $900,PSP $900, Xbox360 $2600, PS 3 $2600, call:672-2566
Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, m i c r o w a v e s , washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool. Call: 225-9032, 647-2943
Pitbull Pups for saleCall:223-9497
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer. Call:2310655, 683-8734 Omar
1 Freight Liner Hauler, 1- 48ft trailer, 1 Low Bed (hauler & trailer)- Call:613-6979
Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick)
2 A/C- (sizes 12 & 15), solar system 45 gallon (hot & cold) Call:691-9071/674-1231
We repair LCD, Plasma, LED TV, Microwave, Washer & Dryer, Amp etc. Call:6472276/693-3277 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 TransponderTV: No Monthly Fees, No Hidden Fees, No Additional Charges: 250 Channels + 50 HD Channels- Call: 675-3201 Are you interested in learning to sew? Are you free from 8-5?- Call Roxie’s Fashion 622-4386 Do you need someone to cut for you, to sew for yourselfCall Roxie’s Fashion 622-4386 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove repaired and serviceCall:601-0595/220-4073/2205785
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1 Male English Mastiff Dog $150,000- Call:678-2814/6992322 Wall dividers, Cabinets, Sofas, Beds & WardrobeCall:219-3732 (After 5pm) S & N Mining Inc. Large Quantity Of Virgin Mining Mercury: Best In Guyana: $14,500LB, Wholesale Negotiable- Contact Carol: 649-8505 One Honda Honmel 1000 CBR, condition usedCall:610-7005/219-1342 Original games for sale call:265-3231 One 3 Tons Bedford dump truck, 3 and 4" water pumpCall:270-4485 Guyana Brakes & Clutch Company, 27 Coldingen, E.C.D
FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $15,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 500 Ton Cargo Ship with Contract- call: 687-6174
2- 2007 Toyota Avensis. Call 698-0674
Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Canter and Truck tyresSizes: 295.80 22.5, 195.85.16, 205.85.16- Call:222-3538/ 6600342 WE HAVE ANY SIZE AND AMOUNT OF PALMS: #1 PLANT SHOP, 70 SHERIFF ST. CALL:227-8094 Pure Bred Rottweiler pupsCall:650-8496 150KW Genset, 12" Moulder, 7 Head Moulder, Resaw & Crosscut Saw- Call:616-5595 Pure Rottweiler Pups. Call 220-6879
9 months old salon equipment and furniture, barber chair and station – call:225-2303 or 681-61563 GPS map 76 – Call:600-0036/ 223-1719
Raum 04, Nav $2.4M: Fielder Nav, SP $2.5M: Spacio 03 $2.4M- Call: 609-8989/616-5595
Ray’s Motor Spares & Auto Sales: For best price, wholesale & retail dealer in Japanese automobiles & partsCall:233-5151/ 231-7839
3Y Surf $1.6M, Toyota Wills $1.6M- Call Shawn 618-7483
24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistantCall:688-9611/684-2838
New ATVs: Introductory price $1,450,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234
Refrigeration, A/C Technician. Call 231-0655/ 683-8734
New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabs- Call: 691-0234 One Mitsubishi Canter; late GPP series – Call:662-8743
1 Live in maid must be from country & able to cook, age 35-45 years- Call:662-1124 or 611-0200
2 Ford F150: Price $4.5M & $3.5M- Call: 643-5249 / 2654979 Model 192, PKK 3392 $1.1MCall:697-3191/697-8934 1 BMW 318i PNN series $3.2M, 1 Toyota Raum PKK series $1.250M: Both in immaculate conditionCall:613-5308
New Raum, Premio, Fielder, Alex and Vitz: Never registered- call: 269-0432/ 686-0323
B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield Lodge- call:2250150,229-7258,680-6826
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Natural beauty salon & spa: Grove Market Street EBD tele:265-4138,652-5800 specialized in everything for women & children Nails & Things : Get any nail service for $1,000 this Friday 9th to Sunday 11th August Tele:619-2220/600-2220
Toyota AE 81 in good condition: Price $450,000 NegCall:628-5988
1 Toyota Corolla: PHH 8906 $580,000- Call:602-0354/6786896 One Mitsubishi Canter GRR 5201: 15ft tray- Call:613-2150/ 254-0247
One person to build chairs in work shop- Call:610-7005/ 219-1342 VACANCY Experienced salesperson needed: Courtney’s Boutique; Stall A37 Bourda Market (behind Wireless Connection) Tele: 227-3407 Serious inquires only! Lookup for pastry maker, counter help, cooks: IKS Services / info@iksservices.com -2231719/ Experience Must
2006 Silver Toyota Tacoma 4WD, automatic transmission, low kilometers. With accessories G$5.5M Neg- Call:624-6008 Axio Special- 2007, TV/DVD & Reverse Camera $2.950MCall:617-2891 One NZE Toyota CorollaCall:614-9060 2006 Black Toyota Tacoma: 4 Cylinders/2WD/ manual transmission, low kilometers. With accessories G$3.8M Neg- Call:624-6008
One black Titan (2005) 4 wheel drive, fully loaded: $4.2M negotiable- Call:6782814/699-2322 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered Premio, Allion, IST, Fielder- Call:652-3820/ 665-4529
Vacancy exists for one Manager to work at an out of town Hotel/ ClubCall:226-9768/642-7963 Senior Accounts Clerk: Minimum 5 subjects CXC, CAT/ACCA, knowledge of Quickbooks Accounting (3yrs experience)- Call:231-4069 Cashier/ customer service Rep: Minimum 5 subjects CXC, knowledge of Point of Sale- Call:231-4069- email: jimmy@nvtech computers.com One live in general domestic: Must be over 45 years & must know to cookCall:627-5378
DRESSMAKING Classes in Designing and Sewing. Call Sharmela (Canadian-Trained) @ 6410784/626-2629
First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Spacio, IST, Axio, 212, Fielder, Verossa & AllexCall:609-8188/602-6307 Unregistered Mitsubishi long canter $3,350,000Call:615-7526/653-4560
Needed sellers to walk & sell Tin fruit juices: Apply at Alabama Trading G/Town Ferry Stelling Vacancy exists for able bodied male cleaner: Apply at Alabama Trading G/Town Ferry Stelling
1 Toyota RZ $650,000Call:265-4164
RZ minibus BKK seriesCall:685-2101
Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
Fielder Wagon- Call:6913812
VACANCY One Upholster & two JoinersCall:219-1342/610-7005
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Mix breed pups, Rottweiler and German Shepherd: Both male and female- Call:222-0410
LEARN TO DRIVE
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Sale! Axio: TV, DVD $3.1M Neg: Pre-order Premio $2.5M Neg- Call: 655-3400
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1 Gillotine: Wohlenberg 45" cut size: bindprintservice @gmail.com- Call:1-868-2227097 Dell laptops & desktops complete computers from $55,000 Futuretech call: 231-2206 Rottweiler pup – Contact:6196086/699-7077 1-Hilux Vigo, single cab; PMM Series – Tele:626-7040 Pro Care adults pull ups ( large), assorted linen table cloths, linen chair covers, flowers – Call:771-5388/7,6801198 2-320 excavator , 1 – Fiat Tractor, 4 wheel drive, 3engine, (2) - 6- Cylinder complete workshop – Call:695-5427 1 – Front end loader, 1 – D6D CAT bulldozer, 1-22RB dragline –Contact :695-5427
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Wednesday August 07, 2013
One professional seamstress, sewing girls, surgers: Great wages & added benefits- Call Roxie’s Fashion 622-4386 Can you cut, can you sew? Either way- Call Roxie’s Fashion 622-4386 One experienced female shop assistant preferably from West Bank Demerara – Call:690-2952
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Premio, Vitz call: 679-7139
(Continued on page 27)
CAR RENTAL Aidan’s Car Rental & PickupCall: 645-7981/ 698-7807
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 27
Minister dodges questions on absence from debate on Local Government Bills (From page 26) PROPERTY FOR SALE Prospect $13M, West Bank $18.5M, Section ‘K’ $40M, AA Eccles $60M- $40MCall Diana@ 227-2256/6269382 Houses on East Coast & East Bank for sale- Call:2238479/647-3768/ www.space seek.gy House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B.- Call: 6892973/698-3703
From left: Permanent Secretary Collin Croal, Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud, and Junior Minister Norman Whittaker at yesterday’s press conference. By Zena Henry Despite Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud energetically emphasizing on the importance of local polls and the hindrances caused by the non-holding of Local Government elections, he refused to answer pressing questions from media operatives as it pertained to his Ministry’s seeming reluctance to earnestly deal with the issue. The Minister was answering questions about the difficulties faced because of the absence of local polls, when he divulged that he was absent for debates over the four Local Government Bills in parliament for reasons best known to him; and he did not wish to disclose them. This was the first instance, the opposition members had stated, which caused a delay in the discussion of the Bills for local government polls. After this stunt, they said the Minister refused to answer when called on a second occasion to present the reform Bills. They argued that local polls have not been held since the early 1990s and they were earnestly trying to put the matter out of the way so the election could be held this year. Persaud stated, however, that he did not answer calls to discuss the Bills last month because the Opposition used its one-seat majority to rearrange government business. The minster told the media that the whole Local Government body is seriously affected by the absence of local polls. He said the actions of the opposition - with Mayor Hamilton Green as an example - demonstrates a clear indication of when people are around for too long, how citizens are denied proper service. He said Local Government election is impacted by the type of services delivered to citizens. He added that local
government officers are frustrated. “Too many Councils lack quorum; they can’t have meetings as often and Councils have difficulty in functioning,” the Minister said. He continued that road maintenance programmes, Neigbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and garbage collection systems are ailing, while most affected is the enforcement of bylaws with local authorities. When asked, Persaud said there is no Bill in Parliament that has bearing of the holding of Local Government elections. Local polls cannot be held unless there is a complete reform of the Local Government process. There was an administrative and political agreement that was made as it relates to the reform Bills. That agreement, he said, is that local polls would only be held after a holistic reform process. At the last sitting that saw Minister Persaud being called upon to address the Local Government reform Bills, he remained mute and did not present the items for debate. He told media operatives that that occurred, “simply because some people who call themselves politicians feel they can break up the laws of this country.” He highlighted that order papers showed that the Bills were listed for discourse and the names of speakers to debate the Bills from People’s Progressive Party (PPP) side were submitted. Yet the opposition moved a motion using their one-seat majority to suspend standing orders and change Government business by bringing the Local Government Bills upfront and government issues lower down the debate line. He said that the opposition cannot change government business and described it as one entering another’s home and telling the homeowner how to organize their house. Had the opposition sought not to
manipulate the orders, the Bills would have been debated and would have been history, the Minister declared. “But when we want to use a one-seat majority to show might, to bring arrogance ahead of law and order, we will end up in chaotic situations and the government will be no part of masquerading,” he charged. Persaud registered that his commitment to local polls is unquestionable. He said that the Bills will be debated today once the opposition does not attempt to interfere with government business.
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US SEC judge rules Stanford executives are liable for fraud (Reuters) - In a victory for federal regulators, an administrative judge has found three former executives who worked for Allen Stanford’s now-defunct brokerage liable for fraud and said they should banned from the industry. The ruling comes more than a year after Stanford was sentenced to 110 years in prison for bilking investors through a Ponzi scheme with fraudulent certificates of deposit issued by Stanford International Bank, his bank in Antigua. In her ruling, Securities and Exchange Commission Judge Carol Fox Foelak described as “egregious” the conduct of former Stanford Group Co. chief compliance officer Bernerd Young, former president Daniel Bogar and Jason Green, a former head of the private client group. Foelak also ordered the three executives to pay fines and forfeit ill-gotten profits. The SEC’s case against the three executives did not allege they actually knew about Stanford’s Ponzi scheme. Instead, it hinged on whether they sufficiently ensured that marketing materials and other
disclosures were adequate for investors. All three executives have vigorously denied any wrongdoing. Young, who was previously a regulator with the group now known as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, told Reuters in the summer of 2012 that he took due diligence steps including reviewing quarterly financial statements and reading annual reports about the bank. But he said in the exclusive interview that Antiguan privacy laws kept him from seeing more details about the investment portfolio, so he relied on the bank’s compliance experts. “If there is such a thing as a...perfect scam, this was the perfect scam,” Young told Reuters last year. Foelak ordered Young, Bogar and Green to each pay a $260,000 civil penalty. In addition, Young was ordered to return roughly $592,000 plus interest. Bogar was ordered to forfeit about $1.5 million, and Green must pay $2.6 million. Lawyers for both Young and Bogar said they were disappointed in the judge’s
ruling and are still considering their options. If they decide to appeal, the case would first go before the full five-member SEC. “Mr. Young...is deeply troubled by the initial decision’s disturbing implications for the securities compliance industry and the newer and more Draconian standards that compliance officers may be facing,” said Randle Henderson, Young’s attorney. “The decision demonstrates the real danger to compliance officers relying upon advice of independent outside counsel, fully licensed and qualified accounting firms and the audited financial opinions they issue, and the sovereign financial regulatory agencies of foreign countries.” Thomas Taylor, a lawyer for Bogar, said that while he felt his client got a “full and fair hearing,” he disagreed with her outcome profoundly. An attorney for Green could not be immediately reached. Friday’s ruling by the administrative judge marked the second big trial victory for the SEC in one week. On Thursday, a jury in New York found former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. vice president Fabrice Tourre liable for federal securities law violations for his role in a complex mortgage deal that cost investors $1 billion when it failed.
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Vice President of Senate resigns, quits ruling party P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – The Vice President of the Trinidad Senate, Lyndira Oudit, yesterday confirmed she had resigned her post as well as quitting the United National Congress (UNC), the biggest partner in the four-party coalition People’s Partnership government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar. Oudit, speaking on a local radio programme here, said her resignation stemmed from a number of disappointments and held out the possibility of joining the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) whose interim leader, Austin “Jack” Warner was victorious in a byelection earlier this month. She said she was disappointed. Her resignation is the second high profile one from the UNC, led by Prime Minister Persad Bissessar, and follows former justice minister Herbert Volney, who announced his resignation last Monday. The resignation comes amidst media reports that Prime Minister will announce a Cabinet re-shuffle on Thursday and that National Security Minister Emmanuel George and Communication Minister Jamal Mohammed will lose their Cabinet portfolios. It will be the third realignment of the PersadBissessar administration in its three years of government and comes on the heels of the crushing defeat for the coalition in the July 29 by-
Lyndira Oudit election for the Chaguanas West constituency, considered a heartland of the UNC. Oudit said in 2010 when the coalition People’s Partnership came to power she had taken a position “that I wanted to be a part of something that was for change and for the betterment of the country”. But she said over the last three years “whatever vision and hope and expectation I shared, somewhere along the line there has been a diversion in which the philosophy is unfolding and at this time, I choose to take a different direction”. She said she had been thinking about the matter ‘for some time” and told radio listeners “there were things I believe ought not to have taken place...and I feel that while you say you are listening to the people, I believe sometimes you have to understand what you are hearing.
“I think somewhere along the line we mix up the messages,” she said, noting that while she has not hidden her support for Warner, “my options are wide open. “Trinidad and Tobago is going through a political dynamite right now and there are options within and as soon as I know for sure...you will be the first to know,” she told listeners. Asked whether or not she was disappointed in how Prime Minister Persad Bissessar dealt with allegations of corruption within her administration, Oudit said “Yes I am a little bit disappointed. “I feel there are a number of cases that were brought to her attention and much more introspection and reflection and examination through the proper channel should have been done. “I believe there is a sluggishness in the way in which matters of that nature are dealt with, and that is the bane of most leaders if you don’t act in a certain way and at the same time you don’t want every Monday morning to start an investigation into your ministers, at some point in time you have a country to lead. “But she has a responsibility to pursue those that have merit,” she added. Oudit said the results of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections in January should have served as a wakeup call for the government. The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) won all 12 seats in the election. In the 2010 general election, the coalition won 29 out of the 41 seats, but that majority has declined by two with Warner and Volney’s decisions.
Trinidad rattled by 4.1 earthquake PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC — An earthquake with a 4.1 magnitude rattled Trinidad yesterday, but there were no immediate reports of injury or damage. The Seismic Unit of the University of the West Indies (UWI) said that the quake, which hit at 10.56 am local time, north of the Paria Peninsula, was located 10.75° north, 62.13° west, at a depth of 54 kilometres. “This event has been reported to be felt in Trinidad,” a brief Seismic Unit statement said. As recently as July 8, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 was felt in Antigua and Barbuda.
Wednesday August 07, 2013
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Opposition Leader wants PM Gonsalves to Former premier denies lobby CARICOM to intervene in St. Kitts negotiating plea bargain KINGSTOWN, St, Vincent - CMC - Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has written to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves asking him to lobby his Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to intervene in the ongoing political situation in St. Kitts and Nevis. The Dr. Denzil Douglas government in Basseterre has moved to present a boundaries commission report even as opposition lawmakers have failed to debate in Parliament a no confidence motion they tabled last December. “This state of affairs is patently unacceptable,” Eustace said in his letter to Gonsalves. Six of the 11 lawmakers in Basseterre who qualify to vote on the motion support it, but the government says the constitution does not set a timeframe for the debate of such motions. The continuing impasse has seen opposition lawmakers filing a case against the government then withdrawing it after the speaker said the motion could not be debated because of the pending legal process. But when opposition lawmakers applied to discontinue the case, the government objected, saying there are important matters to be ventilated in the court. Read also: Eustace pledges to help seek resolution to impasse in St. Kitts Gonsalves is among CARICOM leaders to whom the opposition in Basseterre has written, as they seek the help of the regional bloc to resolve the impasse.
Opposition Leader, Arnhim Eustace, left, and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. He told reporters in Kingstown last week that he prefers not to intervene in “a contentious matter in St. Kitts and Nevis” and referred a local television station to those comments again on Monday. But Eustace in his letter on Monday said Gonsalves is a beneficiary of such intervention by CARICOM. He noted that in 2000, when Gonsalves was in opposition and there was political unrest in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, CARICOM brokered the deal that resulted in the March 2001 general elections, which Gonsalves won. “Given your own experience in this regard, it is incumbent upon you and the other CARICOM heads of Government to intervene so as to broker a resolution to the Kittitian parliamentary deadlock,” Eustace said in his letter. “I leave it to you as Prime Minister of a CARICOM member state that was the
recipient of such regional intervention, to issue this call to regional heads,” he further said. “I shall today call upon other CARICOM Opposition Leaders and regional NGOs to let their voices be heard on this matter,” Eustace said in the letter, which was copied to Prime Minister Douglas, CARICOM heads of government and opposition leaders, the CARICOM Secretary General, the OECS Secretary General, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Eustace said his feelings about “the unfolding political travesty in St. Kitts and Nevis” are made worse by “the deafening silence of Caribbean leaders in reply”. “Are the Governments of our region unable to intervene collectively in this issue, fearful that any intervention will be construed as an interference in the internal affairs of another state? “This I reject. We are a region — the CARICOM region. The unambiguous
trajectory of our movement is not simply a single economic space but a single political space too. We are viewed by our people and internationally as a region, a democratic region with a strong parliamentary tradition. … “Do we ignore the voices of a majority of elected Members of Parliament and therefore perhaps a majority of Kittitians they represent? Do we ignore too the Chamber of Commerce, and the other civil society stakeholders I am informed have demonstrated their grave concern about the parliamentary stand-off?” Eustace said. He further said that while the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas — which established CARICOM — was celebrated with much fanfare and camaraderie in Trinidad and Tobago last month, “The white elephant in the resplendent hall was the St. Kitts and Nevis situation.”
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands CMC – Former premier Michael Misick has denied reports that he is negotiating a plea bargain with British and American law enforcement authorities. Misick, who is in a Brazilian jail awaiting extradition to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), has dismissed the report that he is negotiating the plea bargain that would implicate United States citizens and senior politicians in Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. In a hand-written letter to his brother Phillip Misick dated August 1, 2013, the former premier said the July 29th report on the on-line blog, the Turks and Caicos Islands Journal, under the headline “Michael Misick in plea bargain negotiations with Americans and SIPT” was part of an orchestrated plot “to destroy me”. “I hear the TCI Journal and their British sponsors (are) up to their old tricks by putting out online a bunch of bull … about me. These people are so low and will stoop to anything to try to further destroy me. “I am strong in my faith and will never give up no matter what they do…All I can do is keep on praying and be patient that God will soon
Michael Misick deliver me from prison here either home or free here in Brazil.” Earlier this year, the head investigator in a British government’s probe of corruption in the Turks and Caicos Islands, confirmed that Misick, will join 10 others, including four of his cabinet ministers, in defending allegations that they illegally sold government lands for profit and cut other sweetheart deals to enrich themselves during their tenure in office. Helen Garlick of the Turks and Caicos Special Investigation and Prosecution Team, said the trials could commence as early as September pending further appeals to the British Privy Council.
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Wednesday August 07, 2013
Syria rebels strike Assad’s Alawite stronghold, seize airport AMMAN/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian Islamist rebels have killed around 200 people in a three-day offensive in the mountain stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect and driven hundreds of villagers to seek refuge on the Mediterranean coast, activists said yesterday. Since launching the surprise assault at dawn on Sunday, the mainly Islamist rebel brigades led by two al Qaeda-linked groups have captured half a dozen villages on the northern edges of the Alawite mountain range, the activists say. The rebel strike into Alawite territory and their capture of a military airport north of Aleppo mark two major gains for Assad’s foes after months of setbacks during which they lost ground around the capital Damascus and the central city of Homs. Combined with a steady fightback in the southern province of Deraa, they highlight the challenge Assad faces in trying to restore his authority across
Syria after two years of conflict that has killed 100,000 people and fragmented the country. Assad controls much of southern and central Syria, while rebels hold northern areas near the Turkish border and along the Euphrates valley towards Iraq. The northeast corner is now an increasingly autonomous Kurdish region. (http:// link.reuters.com/puw22v) Rebels complain they are outgunned and lack foreign support, unlike the Iran- and Hezbollah-backed Syrian army. But they have support from regional Sunni powers and have equipped themselves with anti-tank weapons seized from the army. Syrian state television said yesterday at least two Alawite villages seized by rebels since Sunday had been recaptured and named 10 “terrorists” - as the authorities call the rebel fighters in Syria - it said were killed in the fighting. Overall, 60 rebels have been killed since the start of the operation, said Ammar
Hassan, a local activist in Latakia. “Assad is sending huge reinforcement from Latakia, but liberation will continue,” he said. Assad’s deployment of extra forces reflects the gravity of the challenge to his authority in a region that had remained firmly under his authority since the outbreak of Syria’s conflict, which started with peaceful protests in March 2011. The conflict has turned into a civil war, deepening the Shi’ite-Sunni schism in Islam and raising tensions between Iran and the rest of the mainly Sunni Middle East. Diplomats say the coastal area and its mountain villages could be the scene of an Alawite bloodbath if Islamist hardliners eventually gain the upper hand in the conflict. “We killed 200 (of Assad’s men) on Sunday alone, and yesterday at least 40,” said a rebel fighter in the area. “His people were kicked out to the city,” he said referring to the Mediterranean port of Latakia. “Only those who raised the white flag were
exempt from killing.” Ahmad Abdelqader, an activist with the Ahrar al-Jabal Brigade, one of the groups involved in the operation, put the death toll at 175, describing them as soldiers and militiamen who were manning roadblocks linking the mountain villages. A prominent Alawite cleric, Muwaffaq Ghazal, was also seized by rebels from the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, who were seeking an exchange for captured fighters, activists said. Mohammad Moussa, a Free Syrian Army commander, said rebel forces were on the outskirts of the hilltop village of Aramo, which is 20 km (12 miles) from Qardaha - Assad’s hometown and burial place of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria with an iron fist for three decades. “The objective is to reach Qardaha and hurt them like they are hurting us. The Alawites have been huddling in their mountain thinking that they can destroy Syria and remain immune,” Abdelqader said. In another gain for the rebels, Islamist fighters in the north of the country took
control of Minnig military airport after months of conflict, consolidating rebel control over a key supply route from Turkey into Aleppo. The opposition Syrian National Coalition announced the “full liberation of the airport”, saying its capture “will have a strategic effect on the course of battle throughout the north”. A statement issued by nine brigades that took part in the operation, including the al Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), said: “The airport has been fully liberated. The remnants of the Assad gangs are now being chased.” The command headquarters, the last section still held by Assad’s troops, was overrun on Monday by ISIL rebels after a suicide bomber drove an armoured personnel carrier packed with explosives into the building. Charles Lister of Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre said the fall of the airport “underlines the leading strategic impact being played by militant Islamists, particularly in northern Syria”. He said it will also likely
prove a turning point within the wider conflict in Aleppo province. Assad’s forces still control part of Aleppo city, the country’s former commercial hub, but most of the rural land around it is rebel-held. Activists said Minnig had not been used as an airport for several months as rebel fighters gradually took it over, capturing 15 soldiers during the final push on the facility in the last two days. Syrian state media said fighting continued in the area. “Our armed forces heroes in the Minnig Airport and the surrounding area are confronting the terrorist with unmatched valour. The terrorist groups are taking heavy losses,” a statement said. Activists said the fall of Minnig Airport now exposed two nearby Shi’ite villages, where Hezbollah fighters have been training loyalist militia. Assad’s forces tried to prevent the fall of the airport by launching an armoured offensive from Aleppo last month, backed by guerrillas based in the two Shi’ite villages, al-Nubbul and Zahra.
Mugabe party vows to boost black ownership of Zimbabwe economy HARARE (Reuters) President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party said yesterday it would increase black ownership of the economy in the next five years after its landslide election victory, adding to investors’ concerns about the party’s political dominance. But the central bank sought to assuage worries of an imminent re-introduction of the local dollar, abandoned in 2009 after being rendered virtually worthless by hyperinflation. The stock exchange’s main Industrial Index shed 1.7 percent, extending Monday’s 11 percent slide, as investors on the $5 billion Harare bourse digested the extent of the ZANU-PF win, which puts it in position to enact laws and change the constitution at will. The local unit of Barclays Plc, Barclays Bank Zimbabwe, plunged 20 percent and top hotelier Meikles Limited was down 18.75 percent. Before the July 31 election, the index hit a series of highs on hopes Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai might unseat the 89-year-old Mugabe at his third attempt. Yesterday, ZANU-PF ran full-page advertisements in newspapers saying its crushing election win was an
Robert Mugabe endorsement of “black economic empowerment” plans that target foreignowned companies including banks and mines. “The people of Zimbabwe have given President Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF a clear mandate to transform the economy through indeginisation and economic empowerment,” the party said. “Over the next five years, Zimbabwe is going to witness a unique wealth transfer model that will see ordinary people take charge of the economy.” ZANU-PF has set its eyes on 1,100 foreign-owned firms. It also pledged to leverage mineral reserves ranging from gold to diamonds to platinum
to raise money to prop up an economy still emerging from a decade-long recession. Many Zimbabweans also fear reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar, a possibility alluded to by Mugabe and senior ZANU-PF official Patrick Chinamasa, who called the 2009 move to the U.S. currency a “strategic retreat.” However, Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono said the local currency would not be introduced anytime soon, adding that when it is adopted, the local unit would circulate alongside the greenback and South African rand. “There are no plans whatsoever, within and outside the bank, for the immediate or near-term reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar into our system,” Gono said in a statement. Gono presided over the industrial printing of the Zimbabwe dollar currency to cope with hyper-inflation of 500 billion percent. His last five-year term as governor ends in December. Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party is challenging Mugabe’s victory in court. The legal challenge should be made by Friday and the constitution says the courts must rule on the case within 14 days.
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Iran’s leader reaches out to U.S., vows to resolve nuclear row DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran’s incoming President Hassan Rouhani yesterday offered an olive branch to the United States in talks on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, raising hopes of progress after years of stalemate. Rouhani, seen in the West as a relatively moderate leader, told his first news conference since taking the oath on Sunday that he was “seriously determined” to resolve the dispute and was ready to enter “serious and substantive” negotiations. Hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear issue have risen with Rouhani’s victory over conservative rivals in June, when voters chose him to replace hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with a cleric whose watchword is “moderation”. Western countries and Israel have said in the past that they believed Iran was trying to achieve nuclear weapons capability, but Tehran says its program is purely for peaceful needs. Rouhani said Iran would not abandon its nuclear program, which it would uphold “on the basis of international law”.
“We will not do away with the right of the nation,” the 64-year-old said. “However, we are for negotiations and interaction. We are prepared, seriously and without wasting time, to enter negotiations which are serious and substantive with the other side.” “If the other party is also prepared like we are, then I am confident that the concerns of both sides will be removed through negotiations within a period which will not be very long.” His words were likely to reinforce a sense of cautious optimism in the West, despite the fact that negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program have long frustrated both sides. The last high-level talks between Iran and world powers - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - were held in April and failed to break the deadlock. Since Rouhani’s victory at the polls, the United States has said it would be a “willing partner” if Iran was serious about finding a peaceful solution to the issue. The former nuclear
negotiator dodged a question on whether he would like to meet President Barack Obama during a visit to the United Nations in New York. “If we see there is no covert secret agenda and there are good intentions, who will be meeting and who will be negotiating, these will be sideline issues,” Rouhani said with a wry smile. Hoping to seize on Rouhani’s appointment, Russia yesterday said fresh talks between Iran and world powers must not be delayed and should take place by midSeptember. Rouhani has yet to name his nuclear negotiator. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking during a visit to Italy, said Russia “absolutely agreed” with Rouhani, and criticized moves to tighten sanctions against Iran, saying it was a time for dialogue, not ultimatums. “Now it is critical to support the constructive approach of the Iranian leadership,” he said in comments carried on Russian news agencies. Russian leader Vladimir Putin is due to meet Rouhani
Hassan Rouhani for the first time as president in September. In a letter to the new leader yesterday, the European Union said Rouhani had “a strong mandate to engage in dialogue” and added that it hoped for a new round of talks “as soon as practicable.” Rouhani warned against what he called the “carrot and stick” approach of the United States of offering talks and at the same time ratcheting up sanctions, which have had a deepening impact on Iran’s economy over the last 18 months.
The measures have already cut Iran’s oil exports by more than half compared to pre-sanctions levels of about 2.2 million barrels per day, helping to devalue Iran’s currency and contributing to a steep rise in inflation. “It is said (that) through sanctions they check Iran’s nuclear activities. This is totally unfounded, and they themselves are cognizant of this fact ... It has nothing to do with the nuclear issue. It is pressuring people.” Rouhani’s election has led to divisions in the United States, with Obama’s administration cautiously welcoming the prospect of new talks and many in Congress arguing that the result of the vote showed sanctions had been effective. Washington should “realize the fact that the solution is solely through talks and the threats will not solve any problem,” Rouhani said. “If anyone thinks through threats they can impose their will on the Iranian nation, they are making a very big mistake. This dual approach will not yield any result. This brings into question the honesty of
American officials.” But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the pressure on Iran had, in fact, been effective. “Iran’s president said that pressure won’t work. Not true! The only thing that has worked in the last two decades is pressure,” he said in a statement. “And the only thing that will work now is increased pressure. I have said that before and I’ll say it again, because that’s important to understand. You relent on the pressure, they will go all the way. You should sustain the pressure”. Rouhani blamed what he called a “war-mongering group” in the U.S. House of Representatives for voting last week to increase sanctions on Iran. Referring to Israel, he said the group “pursues the interests of a foreign country and receives most of its orders from the same country ... even U.S. interests are not being considered”. The United States and Israel have said all options, including military action, are open to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear arms.
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South Korea approves $6M in aid for North Korea SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea has approved $6 million in government aid for vaccines, medical care and food for North Korean children, officials said yesterday, the first such humanitarian aid for Pyongyang since South Korean President Park Geunhye took office in February. Seoul will send the U.N. Children’s Fund the money Wednesday, and it will be used over the next year, the South Korean Unification Ministry, which is responsible for ties with North Korea, said in a statement. Seoul last provided aid through the U.N. agency in 2011. Park took office after five years of high tensions between the authoritarian government in Pyongyang and conservative South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. Seoul blames North Korea for attacks in 2010 that killed 50 South Koreans. Park has vowed a tough response to any North Korean provocations but has also supported a policy meant to build trust and encourage dialogue with Pyongyang. The South Korean
ministry also approved about $700,000 for a project allowing people in the South to leave video messages for family members in the North they were separated from because of the 1950-1953 Korean War. Many elderly people fear they’ll die before reuniting with their loved ones. The announcement of the $6 million in aid comes as the two Koreas remain deadlocked over efforts to restart a jointly-run factory park in North Korea that has been shuttered since Pyongyang withdrew its workers in April. North Korea unleashed a torrent of threats in March and April, including vows of nuclear strikes on Washington and Seoul. Pyongyang said it was responding to annual U.S.-South Korean military drills and U.N. sanctions over Pyongyang’s February nuclear test. The rival Koreas have had six unsuccessful rounds of talks meant to restart the Kaesong industrial complex, which was the last symbol of inter-Korean cooperation. But Pyongyang hasn’t responded to a call by Seoul in late July for another round of talks.
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Britain withdraws all staff, U.S. tells citizens in Yemen to leave immediately (Reuters) - The United States and Britain told citizens in Yemen yesterday to leave immediately and airlifted out some U.S. government personnel, following warnings of potential attacks that have pushed Washington to shut diplomatic missions across the Middle East. The poorest Arab country, Yemen is the base for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), one of the most active branches of the network founded by Osama bin Laden, and militants have launched attacks from there against the West. U.S. sources have told Reuters that intercepted communication between bin Laden’s successor as al Qaeda leader, Ayman alZawahri, and the Yemenbased wing was one part of the intelligence behind their alert last week. Britain, which has already advised for more than two years that its citizens in Yemen should “leave now”, announced it was temporarily evacuating all its embassy
staff. Yemen is one of a handful of countries where Washington acknowledges targeting militants with strikes by drone aircraft. In the latest strike yesterday, a U.S. drone fired five missiles at a car travelling in the central Maarib province killing all four of its occupants, local tribal leaders said. Yemen’s state news agency Saba said four al Qaeda militants were killed in the attack. The U.S. State Department’s announcement urging Americans to leave the country follows a worldwide travel alert on Friday which prompted Washington to shut diplomatic missions across the Middle East and Africa. Some of its European allies have also closed their embassies in Yemen. “The Department urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those U.S. citizens currently living in Ye m e n to depart immediately,” the statement posted on its website said. “On August 6, 2013, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Ye m e n d u e t o t h e continued potential for terrorist attacks,” it added. Britain also said yesterday it had withdrawn all staff from its embassy in the capital Sanaa, adding there was “a very high threat of kidnap from armed tribes, criminal and terrorists”. Restoring stability to Yemen - a country close to major shipping lanes and torn by regional and sectarian separatism and tribal violence as well as the al Qaeda insurgency - has been a priority for the United States. In a statement issued in Washington, Pentagon spokesman George Little said the U.S. Air Force “transported personnel out of Sanaa, Yemen, as part of a reduction in emergency
Ayman al-Zawahri personnel” in response to a request by the State Department. He did not specify which types of personnel were involved or where they were taken. “The U.S. Department of Defense continues to have personnel on the ground in Yemen to support the U.S. State Department and monitor the security situation,” the statement said. Ye m e n i Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qirbi criticised the measures but said they would not affect relations with the United States. “Unfortunately, these measures, although they are taken to protect their citizens, in reality they serve the goals that the terrorist elements are seeking to achieve,” Qirbi told Reuters. “Yemen had taken these threats seriously and had taken all the necessary measures to protect all the foreign missions in the country,” he added. The country’s Supreme Security Committee issued a statement saying it had information al Qaeda was plotting attacks during Eid al-Fitr, this week’s Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Ramadan fasting month. The committee also
published a list of 25 senior al Qaeda militants it said were being sought by security forces and offered a bounty of 5 million Yemeni riyals (14,964.22 pounds) for information leading to their capture. “Information has become available that terrorist elements of the al Qaeda network were planning to carry out terrorist acts targeting public installations and facilities, especially in a number of Yemeni provinces, in the latter days of the holy month of Ramadan and during the Eid al-Fitr holiday,” it said. Long-serving leader Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down following months of protests against his rule in 2011, part of Arab uprisings that toppled three other heads of state. His replacement, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, met U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington last week. Yemen is also home to 56 of the 86 detainees still being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and security in Yemen is a key element of any deal to send them back so that Obama can fulfil a pledge to close the U.S. prison camp. Washington’s warnings last week concerned possible attacks in the region, based on intelligence including intercepted communication between al Qaeda leaders. Some officials pinpointed Yemen as the main concern. No figures on the number of Americans in Yemen were immediately available. Washington had consistently cautioned citizens against travelling to Yemen since the protests in early 2011 that eventually forced Saleh to step down. A l Q a e d a ’s Ye m e n based branch AQAP has been behind plots against We s t e r n t a rg e t s a n d neighbouring Saudi Arabia. It claimed responsibility for a failed attempt by a Nigerian man to blow up a Detroit-bound trans-Atlantic airliner with explosives hidden in his underwear on Christmas Day 2009. The United States has acknowledged killing Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen and al Qaeda preacher, in a drone strike in Yemen in September 2011. The Obama administration’s policy allowing the killing of a U.S. citizen has been controversial.
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Wayne Rooney: Man Utd striker ‘will need to force Chelsea move’ Wayne Rooney must force his Manchester United departure if he wants to leave, says ex-Red Devils player Paul Ince. United say the striker is not for sale after rejecting a second Chelsea bid - of £25m plus add-ons while Rooney is understood to be intent on leaving. “If Wayne wants to go, then it is up to him to force that issue,” said Blackpool Manager Ince. “But Wayne has not said he wants to go or wants to stay; it would be nice to know what Wayne Rooney wants.” Rooney, 27, has been left
out of their squad for Tuesday’s friendly in Stockholm with a shoulder injury. Speculation has surrounded the England international’s future since ex-United manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated in May that he had asked for a transfer. That request - which sources close to the player insist did not occur - followed a season in which the player struggled for form and fitness, was usurped as main striker at the club by Robin van Persie and was dropped for the high-profile Champions League second
round, second leg clash with Real Madrid. Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes, has continually stressed that Rooney is not for sale. But that has not deterred Chelsea, who had an initial bid of about £20m turned down by United in July. Rooney has won five Premier League titles, one Champions League and two League Cups since joining United from Everton for a deal worth up to £27m in 2004. Ince - a combative midfielder who won 53 caps for England and played for several clubs including West
Wednesday August 07, 2013 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): The audience you appear in front of today isn't in the mood for vagueness or coded business speak. You need to speak directly and clearly if you want to keep their attention any longer than common manners requires them to give it. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You're far too humble to start bragging left and right about your recent accomplishments, but in your quest to not be pompous, are you depriving yourself of some positive press that you really deserve? ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Lighten up about yourself! No matter how bad things may or may not be right now, there is plenty of stuff in your life that you can celebrate. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Being selfless and giving your time to a worthy cause is a wonderful thing to do, but if you're only doing it for bragging rights, there's no point in doing it at all. People can see through a false act -even yours, which is better than most. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): The biggest risk you can take in life isn't letting it all ride on black at the craps table or betting your life savings on a football game. No, the biggest risk you can take is to give your heart completely to someone else. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): When you feel a jolt of social electricity hit you today, go with it. Don't be too rigid and try to figure out why you're feeling this burst of
outgoingness, just enjoy it! ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Are you afraid to take on a leadership role? You might have no choice today, when other people start looking to you for some answers or advice. Don't freak out! You can handle their questions. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Save all of your outrageous antics for another time -- today you'll want to keep things on the down-low. Ironically, being subdued will end up getting you a lot more attention than being flashy would. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Is someone's generous gift causing you to feel guilty? Do you worry that you don't truly deserve the praise (or the price tag)? Set your guilt aside and learn how to accept the things that people give to you. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): The person you are worried about right now needs your patience and your support more than anything, so give them the space they're asking for. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18):Today you will be given a wonderful opportunity to share what you think with people who can make a difference in your world. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): If you're going to be around a big personality, today, your tendency might be to let them take the lead and call the shots. After all, they enjoy it and they seem to be pretty good at it.
Ham, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool suggested that after nine trophy-laden campaigns at Old Trafford, Rooney could now be looking for a fresh start. “I do know that there comes a stage where players get stale,” he said following Blackpool’s 1-0 Capital Cup
defeat by Preston on Monday. “When you look at most players who go to Man Utd, apart from the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, they have something like a six-year tenure and then they move on. “Whether that is the case
for Wayne, I don’t know, but I do know that he needs to be playing football this season. “He will not be prepared to play second fiddle to anybody because he is a world-class player and you expect world-class players to be playing football.” (BBC Sport)
Goodluck, TNT Dominoes finals on August 10 The playoff and final of the Sonia Goodluck/TNT Dominoes competition is set for August 10 at R & R in Meadowbrook starting from 14:30hrs. Preliminary round matches will continue tonight
at Gaulin Place South Ruimveldt and tomorrow
evening at R & R with the matches in the preliminary round. Mix Up, Thunder, Providence, Renegade, Turning Point and Determine are the teams
already through to the playoffs. The winning team will receive $145,000, runner-up $75,000 and the third place $35,000 while the player that shares the first love will collect $5,000.
Demerara U-15 to engage a T&T Club team today The Demerara Under-15 team will be engaging a Club team from Trinidad and Tobago in a 50-over match today at the Everest Cricket Club ground, from 9:30hrs. The team reads: Bhaskar
Cloud Nine/ Banks T10 to bowl off Aug. 16 The Cloud Nine Inc/ Banks DIH Ten10 knock-out softball cricket competition will get underway on August 16 at the Banks DIH Ground, Thirst Park. The tournament will continue on August 21 and will conclude two days later. Matches on each day starts at 18:00hrs and entrance fee is $12,000. The winning team will receive $140,000 and teams are asked to get registered on or before August 14 with Samuel Kingston on 6149536.
Frank Watson 40th Mem... From page 37 City, Tiger Bay, Goed Fort uin, Newtown Kitty, Stewartville, Kitty, Den Amstel, Pouderoyen, Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Bourda, Kuru Kururu, West Ruimveldt, Timehri, Wortmanville, East Ruimveldt, Werk-en-Rust, Lodge, Eve Leary, Crane, Festival City, West Ruimveldt Estate, North East La Penitance and Kingston are the teams listed to participate. All matches will be played at Den Amstel Ground with the final slated for November 30. Frank Watson was a former President of Pele Football Club. He died
on December 3, 1973 at age 23.
Yadram (Captain), Raymond Perez, Darshan Persaud, Richie Lucknauth, Ronaldo Mohamed (Vice-Captain), Timothy McCalmond, Ashmead Nedd, Vickram
Talmukund, Kelvin Shewpersaud, Andrew Clifford, Stephan Campbell, Collin Barlow, Dhanram Samroo and Paul Thamas. Coach: Gavin Nedd, Manager: Dhanpaul
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Wednesday August 07, 2013
Berbice Cricket Board to Zimbabwe cricketer resume cricket next week goes missing in Ireland
Anxious to resume cricket due to the current unpredictable and extended rainy season which has curtailed the game since April this year, the Berbice Cricket Board has decided that they will resume competitive action next week despite no guarantees of consistent sun. Heading the list of competitions which were suspended were the 2013 First Division competitions, the inaugural Berbice Bridge Inc. 50-Over knock-out and the Universal DVD T20 round-robin competitions. The Berbice Bridge tourney had progressed to the semifinal stage, Albion
Community Centre is scheduled to host Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets while Port Mourant Karibee Rice will travel to Cumberland to clash with Young Warriors. They hope to play off these two matches next week Saturday, August 17, with Sunday 18th as the alternate day. The Universal DVD competition should continue from Sunday August 18. Also on the list to resume next week, weather permitting are the Tenelec Inc Under-15 and Under-17 competitions, the Elizabeth Styles Under-19 50-over as well as the NCN Under-15 Inter-Zone and Diamond Fire & General
Insurance Under-19 InterZone. The 2013 New Building Society Second Division 40Over competition would hopefully continue from Sunday, August 18 also. Meanwhile, the 2013 Republic Bank Under-17 Inter-Zone tourney is expected to get started on Tuesday August 20, with the two semi-finals - New Amsterdam/Canje/East Bank vs Upper Corentyne at Cumberland and Lower Corentyne vs West Berbice at Albion. All cricket clubs are asked to take note and to make all efforts to get their grounds playable, weather allowing.
Kenya athletes stranded by Jomo Kenyatta airport fuel shortage Kenya’s athletics team has been delayed on its way to the World Championships in Moscow by a shortage of fuel at Kenya’s main international airport. The 49strong team is among 2,000 passengers affected, officials say. One airport official told the BBC that 67 flights were cancelled or delayed after low pressure caused a fuel
hydrant to fail. The airport, a hub for east and central Africa, was closed for several hours on Monday. Some 1,000 passengers were put up in local hotels. Normal operations have now resumed at the airport and the Kenyan team left on Tuesday morning. But Athletics Kenya spokesman Evans Bosire said the delay could affect the team’s
preparations: “We now have only two days to acclimatise once we reach Moscow since the competitions begin on August 10,’’ he told the Daily Nation newspaper. Kenya won seven gold medals at the last World Championships two years ago in Daegu, South Korea, coming third in the overall medals table.
Jamaican footballer provisionally suspended for failed drugs test
The Irish Police is searching for a Zimbabwe cricketer, Sharyce Saili, who went missing after the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 qualifiers, which concluded in Dublin last week. Saili, who has played 26 matches for Zimbabwe since 2008, was last seen in the team’s hotel shortly after their Shield final against Thailand on July 31. Saili, a right-arm fast bowler, was booked to fly
A Jamaica international footballer has been provisionally suspended for 30 days by FIFA for a positive drugs test. The player failed the test following a World Cup qualifier on June 11, and a team official has also been suspended. FIFA has given the player
and official until August 12 to request a hearing, and they must submit a statement with supporting evidence seven days later. Football’s world governing body will name the duo if it is determined an antidoping violation has occurred. It is a further blow to sport
in Jamaica after sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine last month. The Jamaica Football Federation began its own investigation into the failed test after it was notified by FIFA. Jamaica lost the qualifier 2-0 in Honduras.
in her hometown Harare, finished second on the wicket-takers list, taking seven wickets in five matches, including a careerbest 3 for 15 against Japan. Saili has not updated her Facebook page since her disappearance. On the day she was last seen, she posted the following message: ‘A strong woman is one who is able to smile this morning like she wasn’t crying last night.’
Dilshan powers Sri Lanka... From page 36 and Morkel and Parnell didn’t do much better, going for over 10 and 12 an over respectively.
batsman. Ajantha Mendis had been among his chief
Earlier, a 112-run thirdwicket stand between Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy had propelled South Africa to a commanding score, after the pair had exploited poor bowling from Sri Lanka’s pacers, who were without their injured spearhead Lasith Malinga. Their partnership, which helped South Africa recover from a first-ball wicket, was the highest against Sri Lanka for any wicket. Du Plessis’ 85 off 65 was his highest score in the T20 series, but he was by some distance the less convincing of the two
turned down the appeal as du Plessis had got glove to the ball before it struck him on the thigh. Then on 56, Lahiru Thirimanne failed to grasp a simple chance at deep midwicket - also off Mendis - and du Plessis did not fall until the final over of the innings. Duminy’s progress was both smoother and quicker than his captain’s, as he embellished his status as South Africa’s best batsman of the tour with his second fifty of the series. Placement and hard running gave energy to his
tormentors in the ODI series, and almost had him out lbw for 24, but the umpire rightly
innings, and the big shots
were largely reserved for the balls that deserved punishment. An overpitched slower ball from Suranga Lakmal was hois ted over the straight
boundary in the 15th over, before Nuwan Kulasekara was launched slightly squarer when he delivered a knee-length full toss. But their record, and that of the Hambantota stadium - which has allowed only one chasing victory in six previous matches - did not help South Africa, and having avoided a whi tewash, Sri Lanka will hold on to their top ranking in T20s. Sri Lanka 164 for 4 (Dilshan 74*, Wiese 2-24) beat South Africa 163 for 3 (du Plessis 85, Duminy 51*) by 6 wickets
England name women’s... From page 35 all three squads. All-rounder Laura Marsh and seam bowler Katherine Brunt both return
A Jamaica international was found to have ‘an adverse analytical finding in his urine’
home last Friday morning, but was reported missing. The Garda Siochana - the Irish Police force - says it has found no trace of the cricketer. Zimbabwe finished sixth of the eight teams in the qualifiers after losing to Thailand. It was soon after that game that Saili was last seen in Croke Park Hotel, where all the teams and officials were staying. Saili, who is a salesperson
after missing this summer’s games against Pakistan. Colvin and pace bowler Georgia Elwiss will replace Test call-ups Natalie Sciver and Danielle Wyatt for the ODI matches, with the latter pair returning for the Twenty20 internationals along with 17-year-old leftarm seamer Natasha Farrant. “Facing Australia is the ultimate test for every player,” Head of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said. “The inaugural multiformat Women’s Ashes is unprecedented in terms of establishing a winning team across all three formats. Our selectors have picked well-balanced squads to maximise the strengths of our players in each of the formats of the game.” Six points will be awarded to the winners of the Test in Wormsley from
11-14 August, with each side receiving two points in the event of a draw. The limited-overs games which follow will see two points for a win. The final two Twenty20 internationals, at Southampton and Chesterle-Street, will be played
before the men’s Twenty20 games between England and Australia. Australia are the holders of the women’s Ashes after winning a one-off Test match in Sydney in January 2011.
England Test squad: Charlotte Edwards (Kent) (captain), Tammy Beaumont (Kent), Arran Brindle (Sussex), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Lydia Greenway (Kent), Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire), Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire), Heather Knight (Berkshire), Laura Marsh (Kent), Natalie Sciver (Surrey), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset), Sarah Taylor (Sussex), Lauren Winfield
(Yorkshire), Danielle Wyatt (Nottinghamshire). England ODI squad: Charlotte Edwards (Kent) (captain), Tammy Beaumont (Kent), Arran Brindle (Sussex), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Holly Colvin (Sussex), Georgia Elwiss (Sussex), Lydia Greenway (Kent), Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire), Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire), Heather Knight (Berkshire), Laura Marsh (Kent), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset), Sarah Taylor (Sussex), Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire). England T20: Charlotte Edwards (Kent) (captain), Tammy Beaumont (Kent), Arran Brindle (Sussex), Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire), Holly Colvin (Sussex), Natasha Farrant (Kent), Lydia Greenway (Kent), Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire), Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire), Laura Marsh (Kent), Natalie Sciver (Surrey), Anya Shrubsole (Somerset), Sarah Taylor (Sussex), Danielle Wyatt (Nottinghamshire). (BBC Sport)
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Kaieteur News
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GBTI Open Tennis Jamaican athletes’ blood tested in Moscow pre-Champs camp tournament concludes Jamaica Observer MONTEGO BAY, St James — All 44 members of Jamaica’s team to the 14th IAAF World Championships were tested for drugs at their Moscow pre-championships training camp Monday, merely hours after the latest set of athletes entered the camp, ahead of Saturday’s start of the Championships. The management of the blood testing, which lasted approximately five hours and was conducted at the team’s hotel, was part of the new comprehensive anti-doping strategy for the World Championships that is being undertaken by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It was implemented for the athletes’ biological passport, and will see all of the near 2,000 athletes taking part in the nine-day event being tested, as part of the pre-competition test. Team media liaison officer Dennis Gordon confirmed the testing when contacted by the Jamaica Observer Monday. “All our athletes have completed the testing in accordance with WADA’s rules,” he said. He explained that the athletes were selected in batches of 10, and it took each set nearly an hour to be tested. The IAAF had announced earlier this year that following up on the testing of all athletes who took part in the 2011 edition in Daegu, South Korea, they would be continuing the
The outstanding players display their prizes
Blood tests sophisticated anti-doping programme for the 14th edition of the championships which take place from August 10-18, 2013. That anti-doping programme, which was conducted in close cooperation with the Lausanne WADA-accredited Anti-Doping Laboratory, and with the support of WADA, and local partners, was unprecedented in world sport history. It was the first time that nearly 2,000 elite athletes competing in a major sports event had their blood tested under the same optimal conditions, within the same time period. The IAAF release also stated that the blood-testing in Moscow is with the support of the Athlete Biological Passport programme and “as in Daegu, it will cover all disciplines in athletics and a wide range of relevant biomarkers. Notably, the analyses will not only screen markers indicating the use of EPO or blood manipulation in endurance events, but also markers
potentially indicating steroid or growth hormone doping more relevant to the power disciplines”. Monday’s testing will not be the only tests the athletes will undergo, however, as the regular urine samples will also be taken from the first three finishers immediately after each event, in addition to athletes who are target tested and some by random draw. The IAAF says another 500 urine samples will be taken throughout the competition. “The blood testing programme in Moscow will be organised in addition to the regular doping controls that are collected at every IAAF World Championships. Moscow 2013 will witness a programme of approximately 500 urine samples, in and outof-competition combined. In accordance with the IAAF policy implemented for the first time in 2005 at the World Championships in Helsinki, urine samples collected in Moscow, will be kept for longterm storage for possible reanalyses at a later stage in anticipation of new scientific developments.”
Regional U-19 Tourney
Chanderpaul hits century as Guyana take control against Leewards Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul stroked a fine century as Guyana took control against the Leeward Islands in their fifth (final) round game in the Regional Under-19 three day tournament at Conaree in St.Lucia yesterday. Chanderpaul made an unbeaten 102 and featured in a 182 run seventh wicket stand with Romario Shepherd who was unbeaten on 94. The left hander brought up his century in 415 minutes off 310 balls with fifteen fours as Guyana declared on 344-8 off 104.1 overs, leading by 216 runs. Ricardo Adams had earlier scored 54 and Askhay Homraj
By Zaheer Mohamed The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) open lawn tennis tournament concluded with a presentation ceremony which was held last evening at the GBTI Recreational Centre, Bel Air where the outstanding participants were rewarded. Speaking at the presentation ceremony Coordinator Andrew Shaw said the tournament which lasted for 18 days was a major success. He stated that there were ninety-four (94) participants inclusive of 71 males and 23 females and matches were played in 12 categories.Shaw also thanked GBTI for their continuous support of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association. Chief Executive Officer of GBTI, John Tracey said he was pleased to hear that the tournament was a success and that GBTI is happy to support the growth of tennis locally. Tracey indicated that he was satisfied to read the media release in the Kaieteur News stating that ‘GBTI elevates young tennis players’ and that the local players are making a mark in
the Caribbean which encourages sponsors. “We at GBTI want to see the sport blossom and make a mark outside the Region. We still have a lot of work to do in terms of completing with other sports but we are moving in the right direction”, he added. President of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association Ramesh Seebarran said the tournament provides the opportunity for the junior players to fine tune themselves for tournaments in the Caribbean. He indicated that players from India, Nicaragua and Suriname took part in the competition. He also urged the participants to take the game seriously and spoke of the importance of fitness while crediting Kaieteur News for their high level of coverage. The full results are as follows: Ladies Novice Singles Champion Kizzy Richmond, Runner Up Tracy Shamshudeen Men’s 35 Doubles Champions Carlos Adams / Owen Lewis; runner-up Godfrey Lowden / Omar
Persaud Men’s Novice Singles Champion Darren King, Runner up Jesus Lamazon Mixed Doubles Champion Shelly Ramdyhan / Leyland Leacock; runner-up Nicola Ramdyhan / Gavin Lewis Medley Novice Doubles Champion Jesus Lamazon / Khawn Rodney; runner-up Denise Barrington / Darren King Ladies Doubles Champion Shelly Ramdyhan / Nicola Ramdyhan; runnerup Carol Humphrey / Tanya Niamatali Girls’ 18 - Champion Afruica Gentle; runner-up Jaamali Holder Ladies Singles Champion Nicola Ramdyhan; runner-up Carol Humphrey Boys’ 18 - Champion Johnathan Christie; runnerup Seanden David-Longe Men’s Doubles Champion Anthony Downes / Jason Andrews; runner-up Daniel Lopes / Gavin Lewis Men’s 35 Singles Champion Godfrey Lowden; runner-up Carlos Adams Men’s Singles - Champion Anthony Downes; runner-up Leyland Leacock
England name women’s squads to face Australia Spinner Holly Colvin has been left out of England’s 14player squad for the women’s Ashes Test against Australia, which starts on August 11. Colvin, 23, who recently suffered a broken thumb, has been named in the one-day and Twenty20
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
supported with 45 while Shevon Moore grabbed 3-54. Leewards who were bowled out for 128 in their first
innings were 44-3 at the close of the second day, batting a second time, trailing by 202 runs. Today is the final day.
squads. The England side is led by Captain Charlotte Edwards, with wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor also set to star. The 2013 women’s Ashes will be decided by who gains the highest points total after playing all three formats. In total, England have named 17 players across
(Continued on page 34)
The Captains display the Trophy
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 07, 2013
Smalta boosts Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic IV PMTC One are Champions Rick Sakawat Mem. Volleyball - Berbice
Port Mourant Training School one (PMTC 1) continued their dominant performance in the volleyball arena when they demolished all opposition to win the Rick Sakawat Memorial Volleyball competition organised by the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA). The event was played on Sunday last at the Guysuco Training Centre, Port Mourant Volleyball Court. The competition, which was played on a best of three basis, saw five male teams and two female teams competing. The day’s activity was
intense and the standard of play was high. Despite humid conditions, the players tried to stay focused and gave it their best. Three Doors Strikers 1 copped the second place, with PMTC2 coming in third. In the female category, the Berbice Under-19 female side served their way to the top spot, winning for themselves the Trophy Stall Trophy while the entire team received medals. The event was graced with the presence of His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar who took time out to mingle with the players.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) on show was Quacy Matheson of the PMTC1. At the opening ceremony participants, officials and spectators observed one minute’s silence in honour of the late Rick Sakawat who was a volleyball player for Port Mourant. Brief remarks were delivered by overseas based sponsor, Devo Girdhari and former President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation Reggie Bhagwandin. Mr. Girdhari also presented the Rick Sakawat T-Shirts to all the players and officials. (Samuel Whyte)
Dilshan powers Sri Lanka to consolation win Sri Lanka’s batsmen found fluency for the first time in the Twenty20 series, as the hosts rode a furious start and a fast finish to a consolatory six-wicket win in Hambantota. Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 51-ball 74 was both their anchor and primary propeller, with Mahela Jayawardene and Thisara Perera contributing with cameos to help haul in a stiff target of 164, with 11 balls to spare. Jayawardene and Dilshan have repeatedly been Sri Lanka’s most dynamic opening combination, and South Africa’s large total was sufficient reason to reunite the two batsmen, displacing Kusal Perera to No. 3. Jayawardene’s breezy brilliance matched Dilshan’s daring in the Powerplay, and when they were separated in the sixth over, Sri Lanka were traveling at more than 11 runs an over, and had built a foundation from which their target seemed straightforward. Yet, they stumbled in the middle once more, and before Thisara launched a Wayne Parnell over for 21, their fate had become uncertain. Dilshan’s first scoring shot foreshadowed the opener’s blitz, as he walloped a Lonwabo Tsotsobe slower ball over square leg for six in the first over, before playing the Dilscoop to successive balls, to make 14 in the first over. Jayawardene’s salvo was more stylish, but no less explosive. Morne Morkel was not spared either as fours came of his first three deliveries - all from Jayawardene’s unhurried blade. Jayawardene fell to Parnell in the sixth over, but despite his disappointment, Sri Lanka required just under seven an over with nine
“It is a great opportunity to be on board”- Ansa McAl Ansa McAl Limited, distributors of a wide range of products, including Smalta, has provided yet another year of sponsorship for the upcoming Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic IV under that very brand for the August 17-18 local and regional competition. Public Relations Officer at Ansa McAl, Darshanie Yussuf, during the Presentation Ceremony at the company’s Beterverwagting Headquarters yesterday, said that they are proud to be aboard an emerging event on Guyana’s annual calendar of activities. “It is a great opportunity to be on board and not only because it’s a good competition for athletics but it is also a competition that we see lots of results from; we hope that it continues to grow, and that it will move across Guyana,” Yussuf said at the presentation. In accepting the company’s unswerving support for the meet since its inception in 2010, Edison Jefford, who is Co-Chairman of the Management
Committee for the Classic, made it clear that it would not have been possible for them to grow without Ansa McAl. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ansa McAl; they have been with us from the very beginning in 2010 and it is their support that has helped us to grow into the mega event that Boyce & Jefford Classic is now,” Jefford told the media. He said that from a local platform, the meet now features top athletes from the Caribbean against Guyana’s best for lucrative cash prizes. “Ansa McAl’s support is widespread and it’s unmatched in local sport,” one of the founding members of the meet reiterated. The Boyce & Jefford Classic will feature four international races for a total purse of US$2000 at US $500 per race with the top finisher earning US$250, second place US $150 and third US$100 along with plaques that will accompany the cash prizes. Trinidad and Tobago’s national 400m and 800m athlete, Mark London, who is a multiple Junior CARIFTA
Games gold medallist, has been scheduled for the lineup of regional athletes for the meet, along with Trinidad’s top distance athlete, Tonya Nero. In addition, top athletes will also be arriving from Grenada, and Suriname, to match strides with the locals in the four international races. Apart from those races, the other events will feature the local clubs in a tense battle for supremacy and a year’s bragging rights. The top club will pocket $500,000 while second place gets $300,000 and third place $200,000; it does not stop there. The club that places fourth will get $100,000 while fifth and sixth places get $60,000 and $40,000 respectively along with trophies. The Champion Male and Champion Female athletes will receive $50,000 each with trophies and other prizes. There will be two Masters’ events (male and female) set to roll back the years and a ‘Media 60m Classic’ on and entertaining programme of events.
Fitzgerald crowned overall Champion in GDA/MSC Tournament Sudesh Fitzgerald played undefeated when the Guyana Darts A ssociation (GDA) in
Tillakaratne Dilshan wickets left, thanks to his 16ball 33. Dilshan made do with stuttering partners in the middle overs; Kusal Perera’s innings was his briefest in a poor series for him, Dinesh Chandimal fell trying to accelerate after having progressed slowly to 14 and Angelo Mathews was dismissed for 14, after having promised a solid contribution. Although Thisara scored at only a run-a-ball in his first five deliveries, his onslaught in the 18th over secured the match for Sri Lanka. Parnell attempted to bowl full and wide, but Thisara reached out and struck three fours and a six in the arc between extra
cover and long-on. At the beginning of that over, Sri Lanka needed 27 off 18, and by the end, only one blow was needed to complete the win. Dilshan provided it in style, when he swept Morkel high over square leg, first ball of the next over. Though Hambantota’s surface has had a reputation for favouring fast bowlers, the spinners from both teams bowled best in the match, with only David Wiese maintaining an acceptable run rate from among the seam bowlers. Tsotsobe conceded 49 from his four, in addition to shelli!ng a simple catch and committing two misfields,
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collaboration with the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) held a tournament last Friday night, at the latter Headquarters on Thomas Road. Fitzgerald not only won the Open Singles category where he once again defeated Madhoo, but also teamed up with two other players to capture the Mixed Triples. Luck of the Draw Doubles In the luck of the draw, Team Christopher Jagmohan and Sudesh Fitzgerald defeated Anthony Bissondyal and Jaswantie Hiralall 2/1 in the quarter final whom went on and came out victorious against Terrence Joseph and Delon Correia in the semi finals winning 2/0. The pair Norman Madhoo
and Sherwyn Greene defeated Mary Correia and Jamal Holligan in their semi final 2/0 meeting up with Christopher and Sudesh. Unfortunately team Fitzgerald and Jagmohan was crushed by Norman Madhoo and Sherwyn Greene in the finals 3/1. MIXED TRIPLES Team Greene, Jagmohan and Mohan were defeated by team Lachman, Seetaram and M. Correia 2/1, they went on and played team Bissoondyal,
Ramirez-Merlano and Joseph in the semi finals where they were crushed 2/0. In the other semi final team Fitzgerald, Hiralall and Holligan defeated Mahdoo, D. Correia and James 2/1. Meeting up in the final Fitzgerald’s team
defeated team Bissoondyal, Ramirez-Merlano and Joseph 3/1. OPEN SINGLES Jaswantie Hiralall defeated Sherwyn Greene 2/ 1 to set up a clash with Madhoo where she met her demise, Madhoo not only won 2/0, but also finished the game with a 13 darts finish; 140,140,43,138, double 20, this spectacular finish attracted a monetary prize from the GDA which was handed over to him at the presentation. After defeating Hiralall, he went on to the semi finals where he played against Anil Lachman and won 3/1. Meanwhile, in the other half of the draw, Fitzgerald after defeating Bissoondyal in the quarter finals 2/0 went on to crush Colin France 3/0 in the other semi final to set up a showdown against nemesis Madhoo for the top prize. In the final, Fitzgerald won the first leg 10, D5, but Madhoo showing great determination
rebounded to win the second leg finishing with 96; 60, 20, D8, leaving Fitzgerald at 218
points. He also scored the maximum points of 180 in this leg. In the third leg it was a fight for the win, both players playing for 40 points Madhoo being the first to check out at D20. Madhoo won his consecutive 3rd leg checking out again with D20. At 3/1 Fitzgerald now had to win all 3 legs to capture the title. In the 5th leg Madhoo had a chance at D14, but missed giving the leg to Sudesh for D6. The fight for the 6th leg saw Fitzgerald produce a remarkable performance, starting off with
the maximum points 180, then 140, followed by 59, 108 and leaving D7. He missed the double on the first round, but got a second chance at it and hits. At 3 all both players played at their best in the 7th leg, Fitzgerald played 3 consecutive 140 leaving him at 81, Madhoo determined to win played; 140,100, 40 leaving him at 221. Fitzgerald tried to end the game with a Bull finish, but failed, he played 15, 16 and hit 25. Madhoo came back with a weak 100, leaving himself at 121 points. Fitzgerald at his best terminated Madhoo, playing 9, D8, a 14 darts finish to beat Madhoo 4/3 in the final and in the process register consecutive wins over the former national champion.