Kaieteur News

Monday December 22, 2014

Kaieteur News

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

Partisan politics and slave The Minister does not have a clue as how to solve crime wages are the underlying causes of poverty in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Below the surface of Guyana’s artificial political peace there exists an antagonistic ethnic monster waiting its moment of opportunity to explode. The PPP cabal’s pretense that Guyana is a politically stable and economically prosperous state, however, conceals powerful internal racial contradictions in the society. Many critical tensions prowl through the body politic threatening to throw the society into turmoil. Perhaps, the most salient of these tensions derives from the PPP regime’s partisan politics, and they range from cronyism, nepotism, jobs for only relatives and friends of the party leaders, slave wages paid to civil/public servants, meagre pensions for senior citizens and the marginalization of a certain ethnic group. After 22 years in power, the PPP should have known that the challenge of change, simply put, is to restore trust and confidence in the people. Trust and confidence are conditions that assume a common and equal stake among the people, and the joint promotion of Guyana as a country that supports and takes care of all the people, including the poor and the downtrodden. The PPP cabal needs to carefully reflect on what the primary problems are, what the secondary ones are, and what methods they intend to use to assess and address them in the interests of all and not a selected few who are their friends and relatives. But so far, they have failed in this endeavor thus plunging Guyana into one chaos after another. Conventional appraisal must be employed to maintain political economic and social stability in the country. We believe that ethnic allegiances, which are a sociological fact with potential political impacts in a multi-ethnic society, may lead to ethnic fragmentation. It should be understood that multi-ethnicity is not a curse but a blessing on all possibility for serious social, economic and political progress in Guyana. For the past 22 years the PPP regime has not invested in the living arrangements of all the people, only a selected few with party affiliation for their primary allegiance. If the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal does not take steps to end social, economic and ethnic segmentation; it will become

a permanent condition that portends dire consequences that could result in toppling the minority regime. In other words, a revolution similar to the Spring Arab Revolutions could occur sooner rather than later. The PPP leaders’ inability to break away from ethnic loyalties suggests that they are not interested in breaking this bond and construct a new, more inclusive ethnic social society. In fact, what the Jagdeo/ Ramotar cabal has done is to set false limits on the human spirit in Guyana by promoting a snapshot of society as an absolutely eternal truth. These uninspiring and deceitful PPP leaders should know that without ethnic solidarity there is no social, economic and political progress or peace. Moreover, there is an increasingly large number of young people who believe that their ethnic moorings should not be taken for granted by the PPP regime or determine which party is elected to office because they are prepared to vote on issues and for change and not ethnicity. Burdened as they may be with their internal conflicts and vindictiveness against those who criticize the cabal, it is becoming increasingly clear that the PPP regime has abandoned its moral obligation to ensure that the widening economic problems and challenges facing the poor and the working class do not get worst. Lack of jobs continues to devastate the poor, especially the youths in Guyana, and slave-like wages paid to civil/

public servants have led to widespread poverty, thus forcing some to steal or take bribe; others to commit crimes, sell drugs or indulge in prostitution and other illegalities in order to put food on the table. There is no denying that Guyana is a failed state and was ranked by Transparency International as the second poorest and corrupt country in the Caribbean after Haiti. A reality the PPP regime continues to deny simply because they know it is the truth but is in denial. Of more immediate relevance, however, the ruling PPP cabal has not done anything of substance to help the poor or has engaged in any practical initiatives that will reduce the poverty gap between the haves and the haves-not. The 2014 budget is a classic example of how the PPP continues to treat seniors by offering them a mere $625.00 increase per month in their pensions. The plight of the poor and the working class is not on their radar; only the fortunes of their relatives and friends are. It is for these reasons we believe that the Jagdeo/ Ramotar cabal is bad for Guyana. The Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal has the moral obligation to help the thousands of poor Guyanese, especially the elderly and the single mothers Continued on page 26

DEAR EDITOR, We are not happy with the way the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Seelall Persaud is running the Guyana Police Force. After almost a year on the job, he has not done anything substantial to prove to the people that he is a leader who will not accept anything less than sterling performance from the rank and file. Apart from the photo ops in Albouystown with a few residents, Mr. Seelall Persaud has hardly been seen or heard from. He is what we describe as the invisible Police Chief. He cannot run the Police Force from behind closed doors or having lunch with the President and the Minister of Home Affairs and be effective. Mr. Seelall Persaud, a career police officer with over 30 years of service, takes over a Police Force that is seemingly steeped in corruption, reeling from accusations of human rights abuses, and an organization which has, for all intents and purposes, totally lost contact, trust and confidence with the citizens of Guyana. There are too many ills besetting the Police Force, some of which require straight surgery with several scalpels rather than band-aid treatment which the inept Minister of Home Affairs has been applying over the years. The Minister does not have a clue as how to solve crime because he is not qualified or experience in security issues and the

portfolio is too difficult for him to manage or as they say in local parlance “way over his head”. The Commissioner must, once and for all, present a sound plan as to how he would get rid of the entrenched culture of massive corruption, excessive brutality and human rights abuses that currently plague the Force and how it can regain the trust and confidence of the people. The Force has been known for bullying the people, beating and torturing alleged criminal suspects, mostly Afro-Guyanese youths to sign false statements confessing to crimes they did not commit. It can be rightly said that the Police Force lacks resources, both personnel and equipment. We

understand this, but what we cannot appreciate or deal with is the often callous, rude and sometimes downright barbaric manner in which some police personnel treat the citizens. The Commissioner and Crime Chief have to immediately stop the police from arresting innocent citizens and pinning crimes on them. This has become a blatant and common practice of Force. If a DNA test is conducted on the prisoners it will show that roughly 30 percent of the 95 percent Afro-Guyanese youths are serving time for crimes they did not commit. In other words, they were forced to confess to crimes they did not commit and are too poor to hire lawyers to defend themselves. Continued on page 26

The dirt will simply wash back into the drains DEAR SIR, It was with seasonal joy that I welcomed a clean-up of the drains around my Queenstown neighbourhood over a week ago. The drains were cleaned and the filth and dirt were piled on the parapets – check out the corner of Crown and Irving Streets – and I felt sure that a truck would arrive to clear them away. To date, no such thing has happened and I have come to realize that a proud Guyanese would know that filth and dirt are the attributes of our national character that are most encouraged, praised and rewarded in every sphere of our society including our cultural and political life. Our municipal officials are simply presenting us with physical reminders of all that we must be thankful for. Could I ask that they decorate the piles of dirt with fairy lights over the holiday season? After all, the dirt will simply wash back into the drains with the next big rainfall and we would have missed such an opportunity to be festive. R. Shah

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Kaieteur News

Monday December 22, 2014

Law student by day, minibus tout at night…

The inspirational story of R.J Daniels By Kiana Wilburg He resisted a career in law for as long as he possibly could. And even though he has moved from being a minibus tout to a practicing Attorney-at-Law, Ronald J. Daniels is still to accomplish his two major aspirations in life. He wants to give his mother the best life he can, and become a politician who actually serves the people. He sums up his journey to this stage in three words graphic, saddening and inspirational. Originally from Linden, Daniels, the son of Marcia Daniels and former Magistrate Fitzgerald Yaw, spent most of his life in Kaneville, East Bank Demerara. He attended Grove Primary, Central High School and then the Guyana Technical Institute (GTI) where he studied Land Surveying. He then progressed to the University of Guyana (UG) where he did International Relations and returned to GTI to complete studies in Civil Engineering. Finally, Daniels decided to pursue studies in law; first at UG and then at Hugh Wooding Law school. But, he saw things a child should never have to.

Attorney-at-law, Ronald J Daniels Growing up, most holidays like Christmas which children look forward to, instantly lost significance and appeal after a bizarre illness took hold of his mother for which doctors to this day are unable to diagnose. “My mom got sick when I was eight years old and has been on and off ever since. I was forced to mature very quickly. I stopped celebrating Easter and Christmas because it lost meaning to me. She is the world to me and I was very saddened and confused by it at the time. I always wanted to be by her side, but she was always in and out of

hospital. Growing up was relatively tough because I was from relative to relative when she was not around. I didn’t grow up with my dad. I spent most of my early years with my grandmothers and aunts. In my early teens I moved in with my eldest sister. When I was around 14, I moved in with my step father who lived with his father. He was a gravedigger. My mom lived there too. The gravedigger was cruel to my mother. He said things to her that I can’t repeat. I would wake up sometimes and see him stirring funny things into her food. All I know is that when my mother was there with that man she got worse. Doctors couldn’t say what was wrong and they told us to seek spiritual intervention. We did. I saw my mom at times speaking in tongues and screaming of these images she saw. My mom only got her strongest relief when the gravedigger died in an accident. Let’s just say I believe that inequity exists.” But when Daniels turned 17, he found it imperative to get a job, any job. It didn’t matter to him because he had to make ends meet. He wanted to take care of his mother and still push himself to where he is today. As for his father, the former Magistrate, Daniels recalls his father being present throughout some parts of his childhood. He asserted that to some extent, his dad was there for him financially.

“My dad was active in the sense of stressing the importance of an education. I would do Saturday lessons in the English language with him. I wish he was around more often but I imagine he had his own challenges and reasons why he was not so involved in other aspects of my life,” Daniels added. Nevertheless, the Lindener said that his aspiration has always been to “give my mom a better life, a normal life. I am committed to her, she has shaped my life, the ultimate decisions I have made are because of her. She has taught me to be resilient. I had the opportunity to leave for better educational opportunities in the USA but I couldn’t leave her.” Because of his passion and unconditional love for his mom, Daniels took several odd jobs to help out. “I was a minibus conductor when I was at GTI and even at my first year of law at UG. I was working the bus even when I was working with Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes. So basically, I studied law in the day and worked as a tout in the night. I worked as a street vendor, selling glasses and knives sometimes. I worked as a construction labourer. I did pipe-work and I was even a security guard at night and went to classes in the morning. I have had those jobs because things were hard and I had to make ends meet. I did two to three jobs while studying and still managed to be at the top of the class,” he

Ronald J Daniels shares a happy moment with his eight year old daughter said. After much sacrifice, Daniels was admitted to the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago in November and in Guyana on December 19. He now works in Trinidad at the Templeman’s Chambers. He noted however, that his reason for not being in Guyana is due to the significant debts he incurred for his studies. He said that the TT economy is much better than Guyana’s but after taking care of his bills he hopes to return to his homeland and serve his country. But Daniels maintained that he wants to be more than a lawyer. He confessed that his true passion is politics. “I want to make a real difference,” he says. He disclosed too that part of his passion for being more than just the average lawyer is his role model, Nigel Hughes. He finds the local attorney to be one who is the embodiment of humility and personifies the oath taken by lawyers. “I have seen him do so many pro bono cases on very serious matters and he has conducted those matters

with an unrivaled passion and commitment. So even though I have bigger plans, I still want to be as great as my role model. Politics is my passion and the law is good for that passion. The leading politicians have a good command of the law and the Constitution is the back bone of the system, so what better place to start than to have a good grasp of the law. I have my sights on someday governing the country,” Daniels remarked. Now happily married and a father of an eight-year-old, Daniels says he has no regrets. His philosophy is, “Never look to the past with regret or the future with fear but live the present in awareness.” For those who may be in the position of moving from one odd job to the next , fearing that dreams may be unattainable, this lawyer says, “You see the obstacles when you take your eyes off the goals and the obstacles should never be a concern. Don’t complain and let pride get in the way. Do what you have to. It’s all part of finding your profound purpose in life. I am living proof of that”

Monday December 22, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday December 22, 2014

Police officers’ slaying raises pressure on New York mayor

Policemen are pictured at the scene of a shooting where two New York Police officers were shot dead in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Saturday. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri (Reuters) - New York Mayor Bill de Blasio faced the biggest crisis of his time in office yesterday following the fatal shooting of two police officers, in an attack intended as retribution for recent U.S. police killings of unarmed black men. Police said the daylight Saturday shooting was the work of a 28-year-old black man who traveled from Baltimore that day after shooting and wounding his girlfriend, having warned on social media t h a t h e p l a n n e d to be “putting wings on pigs,” using an anti-police slur. The gunman’s posts on Instagram indicated he had been motivated by the deaths of 18-year-old Michael Brown and Eric Garner, a 43-year-old father of six, at the hands of police officers. Grand juries reviewed both cases but found that the officers involved broke no laws, decisions that sparked weeks of sometimes violent protests across the United States, particularly in New York, the St. Louis suburb of

Ferguson, Missouri, and Berkeley, California. The decisions and subsequent protests prompted Barack Obama, the first black U.S. president, to set up a task force last week charged with rebuilding trust between police and minority communities. Neither of the officers killed on Saturday, Rafael Ramos, 40, and Wenjian Liu, 32, were white. Ramos was Hispanic and Liu AsianAmerican. The city’s Roman Catholic cardinal, Timothy Dolan, warned of rising tensions during a service on Sunday attended by de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton. De Blasio and Bratton, who described the attack as an assassination, left without speaking to reporters. The city’s largest police union lashed out at de Blasio. “There’s blood on many hands,” said Patrick Lynch, head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. “That blood on the hands starts on the steps of City Hall in the office of the

mayor.” The PBA had previously started a campaign in which officers could fill out a form asking the mayor and other officials not to attend their funerals if they were to die in the line of duty. It was not clear yesterday how many officers had filled out the forms and information was not yet available on funeral plans for the victims of the first fatal shootings of on-duty members of the largest U.S. police department since 2011. Outside St. Patrick’s, churchgoers reacted with exasperation and sadness. During the day on Saturday, Brinsley cited the deaths of Garner and Brown in threatening posts on the Instagram social media service, in which he said “they take 1 of ours ... let’s take 2 of theirs.” Baltimore police said they notified their New York counterparts of the threat after seeing digital evidence that the Brinsley had traveled to Brooklyn. Their alert came less than an hour before his attack.

IS has executed 100 foreigners trying to quit: report London (AFP) - The Islamic State extremist group has executed 100 of its own foreign fighters who tried to flee their headquarters in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the Financial Times newspaper said. An activist opposed to both IS and the regime of Syrian President Bashar alAssad, who is well-known to the British business broadsheet, said he had “verified 100 executions” of foreign IS fighters trying to leave the jihadist group’s de

facto capital. IS fighters in Raqqa said the group has created a military police to clamp down on foreign fighters who do not report for duty. Dozens of homes have been raided and many jihadists have been arrested, the FT reported. Some jihadists have become disillusioned with the realities of fighting in Syria, reports have said. According to the British press in October, five Britons, three French, two Germans

and two Belgians wanted to return home after complaining that they ended up fighting against other rebel groups rather than Assad’s regime. They were being held prisoner by IS. In total, between 30 and 50 Britons want to return but fear they face jail, according to researchers at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College London, which had been contacted by one of the jihadists speaking on their behalf.

Monday December 22, 2014

Kaieteur News

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CHARITY AT CHRISTMAS The mad rush to Christmas is about to take place. The next few days are going to be frenetic as Guyanese do as they do well, make a mad dash to ensure that every thing is in place for Christmas day. The commercial centers are already bursting at their seams with shoppers. These days you do not know the difference between Sundays and week days. The difference is blurred. The

stores are open. The streets are crammed with vehicles and pedestrians. Shoppers are everywhere. But if you ask most store owners you would get the usual answers that people are not buying, they are looking. That is not true at all. People are buying and have been buying for weeks now. But it all gets highly frenzied in the days approaching Christmas. One of the best days of business in the municipal

markets is usually Christmas Day. There are people who are still looking for things and since this is the one day that the stores are closed, the markets are the places that people go. Business is usually brisk but do not ask the many vendors. They will sell you a sad story about this being the worst Christmas ever. For many reasons, it can never be the worst Christmas ever. For one there is nothing like a bad Christmas. If you

Dem boys seh...

De fat man roast Glenn nuts Wid couple days lef before Christmas nuff people deh running about fuh gifts fuh exchange wid one and all. Some people don’t get but dem got to give to dem woman if not dem get nutten. Everybody know all who deh in that category. No name, no warrant, no lawsuit. Dem boys know de fat man who run into a pet store Saturday gone looking for an unusual Christmas gift for his wife. She already got everything. The shop owner suggested a parrot named Glenn, which could sing famous Christmas carols. He can sing chutney too. De fat man seh that seem like de perfect gift. “How do I get him to sing?” de fat man ask, excitedly. “Simply hold a lighted match directly under his feet”, de shop owner seh and he hold a lighted match under de parrot’s left foot. Glenn begin to sing: “Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! ...” De shop owner then hold another match under the parrot’s right foot. Then Glenn tune changed. He start fuh sing “Dem a watch meh.” De fat man was so impressed that he paid the shop-keeper and run home as quickly as he could with Glenn under his arm. When he wife see she gift she was overwhelmed.

“How beautiful!” She exclaimed, “Can he talk?” “No,” she husband replied, “But he can sing. Leh me show yuh.” So he pull out ee lighter and put it under Glenn’s left foot, as the shop-keeper had shown him, and Glenn sing “Jingle Bells! Jingle bells!...” De fat man then move de lighter to Glenn’s right foot, and out came: “Dem a watch meh...” The wife, her face filled with curiosity, then ask, “What if we hold de lighter between his legs?”

The fat man didn’t know. He and all get excited. “Leh we try it,” he answered. So ee hold de lighter between Glenn’s legs. Glenn twist ee face, clear his throat, and the little parrot sing out loudly like it was the performance of ee life: “Glenn’s nuts roasting on an open fire....” De wife then ask de fat man, wha you gun sing if I hold de lighter between you legs? Dem boys seh he would surely sing “My love fuh Jagdeo will never die.”

do not enjoy your Christmas it is because you do not want to do so. You do not need suitcases of cash to be happy at Christmas, at least not in Guyana where no sooner do you step out of your door on Christmas morning you are greeted with loud greetings from some stranger whom you have never seen, wishing you the best for the Season and indicating they came for their “Christmas”- as if you have an obligation to help them. I have seen thousands of beggars and panhandlers from all over the world, but I have never seen any brazen faced as some of those we now have in Guyana. I have seen beggars evoke sympathy from strangers by the way they look, by the stories of personal tragedies that peddle and by their theatrics. I have seen beggars soften the hearts of passersby without asking for anything. But in Guyana today and especially at Christmas time, there are some individuals who actually make you feel that you have an obligation to give them a “raise”. They actually make you feel that

before you put bread on your own the table, you should give them some money. And if you refuse or apologize for not being able to help, they are highly offended. That is what makes this country and its people extraordinary. We can make an act of charity seem like a basic necessity. Christmas can never be bad in Guyana when people are so gifted. I remember one day this guy who I never saw before came to my door and asked me for some money. I said, “I have no money”. He said, “Please for some rice.” I replied, “I have no food.” He said, “Give me an old shirt and pants.” I said, “I have none.” He said, “Come join me

and let us go begging together. You are worse off than me.” We have a great many shysters in Guyana but Christmas is also a time to take care of those in need no matter how difficult or trying they can be. But if you have to help somebody do so out of the goodness of your heart and not because they make you feel as if you have an obligation. You would not really know the difference unless you slow down, take a good look around and ask yourself whether all this fuss about Christmas makes you happier or broke.

Monday December 22, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Make a difference in the education system Deputy Chief Education Officer urges UG Masters students Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ms. Donna Chapman says that the education system in Guyana is going down instead of going up. She was speaking recently to a group of first – year Master of Education Degree students of the University of Guyana at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Conference Room at Turkeyen. “Why is the education system going down? “Because you, myself and others are contributing to that—and we’re not stopping to say, we can do better!” The educators were participating in their final presentations for the course Issues, Policies in Education Advanced” EFN8101, lectured by Former Chief Education Officer (CEO), Mr. Ed Caesar. She reflected on the glory days of the education system in the past, “but we’re in a place now where everyone who thinks they are a graduate or post- graduate believes you can’t be wrong!” She registered her dissatisfaction with senior education officers who become upset when their letters with grammatical mistakes and errors are sent back to their respective education departments in the Regions. “Our school and business community need administrators and managers of a high caliber…not only with GPAs of 3.0 and 4, but those who can think on their feet—those who possess the most problem solving skills and can think of a plan ‘B’!” Guyana needs people, she

said, who can think critically. “Guyana needs a generation of thinkers, movers and shakers. And Guyana needs that now. We’re not in a good place. If we say that we are in a good place, we are fooling ourselves.” The quality of a Master’s student must be seen in the things one stands for and believes in, in the various schools. She urged educators to continue to implement the Health & Family Life Education (HFLE) programme in the schools, “but it’s as if we have to beat people to teach that in the schools.” She urged the educators to adopt good attitudes and skills, not only in the workplace. She reminded them that they are not only attending the University of Guyana to become qualified. The education they attain at UG, she noted, “must work for you in the society and in the world at large.” “It’s not the letters behind your name that count; it’s what you do. The onus is on the students to make a difference.” In addition to the qualifications they attain, they would be gaining positive values and life skills. She urged the senior educators to copy the attitudes and behaviours of their role models in education, including Mr. Ed. Caesar. She longs for the day when she and her other seniors and retirees in the education system can, “sit back in our rocking chairs and see that the education system is in good hands.” She also urged more partnership and collaboration between UG and the MOE on the issues

A section of the gathering that students write about, especially for research purposes. Ms. Chapman hoped that each student’s education final thesis is shared with the MOE. “Continue to work hard; make a difference in your schools; share your information; and if you do that, incrementally, there will be a difference in this country,” she added.

Mr. Caesar, during brief remarks, questioned whether Guyana is really making progress in the education sector. “I say this because we seem to be caught up with results; we seem not to be too much interested in the development of young people, in order to cause them to live and work in our society.” The former Chief

Education Officer noted that there is a strong need for a decent manpower plan, “in the sense of identifying where our needs are and cause people to be trained in those areas, so that our young people…can be prepared for the working and living in Guyana, and contribute to the development of this country.” Some of the issues dealt with by the educators

Mr. Ed Caesar delivering brief remarks included: Equality of opportunity in the education sector is unachievable; the role and responsibilities of School Boards must be reexamined if these are to contribute to school effectiveness and Performance at the CSEC Exams results will improve significantly if greater emphasis is placed on the training of teachers.

Scarcity of male graduates a concern...

106 graduate from IDCE Berbice The scarcity of males pursuing certificate and diploma programmes at the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) Berbice Centre overshadowed the institution’s Annual Graduation Exercise. One hundred and six (106) students, with 97 females and just 9 males graduated at the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Hall on Sunday. The centre has no appointed Resident Tutor

since former Resident Tutor, Ms. Janice John vacated the post earlier this year. Ms. Janice John-Alexander, person-in-charge of the centre at present, outlined specific challenges being faced by students including continuous power outages that continue to hinder classes, especially in the evenings. She called on the relevant authorities to address the problems and made an appeal for a generator for the centre as well as an air- conditioner

for the computer room. The need for additional staff was also mentioned. She called on more males to take more advantage of the courses being made available by the centre. The IDCE Berbice centre offers numerous courses, including: Social Work II, Business Management; PreUniversity Math and English; Care for the Elderly; Supervisory Management; Marketing; Computer Applications; Language and Communications.

Guest Speaker at the event, TV Journalist, Ms. Jenelle Williams, during her address to the graduands, focused on tips to create better persons. “Make plans and set achievable goals; but more importantly, make them flexible so that you will be able to effectively adapt to changes,” Ms. Williams stated. She urged them to take on new challenges, since “chances are you won’t be working for $300,000 a (Continued on page 23)

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Kaieteur News

Monday December 22, 2014

Guyana among top 20 countries with most murders Guyana has been listed in the 20 countries with the highest murder rate. Guyana is ranked number 15, a few places above Panama and below Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica in terms of the most per capita murders. Zimbabwe tops the overall list, which also includes South Africa, Guatemala, Iraq, Venezuela and Columbia. The United Nations and the World Health Organization recently released their 2014 Global Status Report on Violence Prevention, which paints a bleak and detailed picture of murder and violence around the world. Worldwide in 2012, there were 475,000 murder victims, 60 percent of whom were males between 15 and 44 years old. Half of all homicide victims are killed by a firearm, and Latin America is the world’s most murderous region. The global homicide rate for 2012 stood at 6.7 per 100,000 inhabitants — slightly lower than the 2011 rate of 6.9. Below is a list of the most murderous countries in the world. ZIMBABWE 15.1 murders per 100,000 people 33% killed by firearms Political violence has

become a fact of life in Zimbabwe, where President Robert Mugabe has ruled with a heavy hand for over 30 years. Mugabe ordered the takeover of white-owned farms in 2000, causing an economic collapse that still has lingering effects. Unemployment hit 90% by 2008. 19. IRAQ 18.6 murders per 100,000 people 45% killed by firearms Close to 8,000 civilians were killed in the first two months of the Iraq war, according to Iraq Body Count. Since 2003, the number of civilians killed every month has lowered significantly, but this wartorn nation remains one of the most homicidal on earth. The civilian death rate remained relatively low from 2008 through 2012 but has crept back up since 2013 and the rise of the Islamic State. Roughly 1,351 Iraqi civilians were killed every month in 2014. 18. PANAMA 19.3 murders per 100,000 people 80% killed by firearms Panama’s gangs and drug traffickers are responsible for roughly 23% of its homicides each year, according to a 2013 Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime and Safety report. The country is still safer than some other Central American countries,

like Honduras and Guatemala. 17. SWAZILAND 19.4 murders per 100,000 people 56% killed by firearms One of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchies has one of the highest homicide rates in Africa. That may be partly due to its low prosecution rates, the Times of Swaziland reported. Pro-reform protesters frequently take to the streets demanding democracy and the removal of King Mswati III, who has ruled for 25 years and has a fortune of $200 million. 16. NAMIBIA 19.7 murders per 100,000 people 47% killed by firearms Gender-based violence is a huge problem in this coastal South African country. Women are disproportionately victims of crimes of passion, and rapes and murders of women and children are reported almost weekly, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa reported. 15. GUYANA 20.2 murders per 100,000 people 49% killed by firearms Guyana is one of the few Caribbean countries that are part of South America. The government has made it difficult for the average person to own a firearm legally, which has caused more weapons to go

A Guyanese policeman weeps at the scene of a shootout that left two of his colleagues dead. unlicensed. It’s relatively easy to get handguns, machetes, and knives, according to OSAC’s 2013 Crime and Safety Report. 14. MEXICO 22.0 murders per 100,000 people 73% killed by firearms The Mexican drug war killed over 60,000 people between 2006 and 2012, according to a 2013 Human Rights Watch report. Drug cartels have battled each other and the government for control of territory since 2006, and the results have been extremely bloody: 22,732 people were killed in 2013 alone, compared to 14,827 in the US that same year. Because there is only one legal firearms dealer in Mexico and roughly 6,700 along the US-Mexico border, 70% of the guns used by these cartels originated from sales in the US, CNN reported last year. 13. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 25.4 murders per 100,000 people 64% killed by firearms The nonprofit Transparency International ranked the Dominican Republic as one of the most corrupt countries in the world earlier this year. This corruption has spawned civil unrest as citizens question why the government has failed to improve the country’s infrastructure and provide them with electricity and water, a 2013 OSAC Crime and Safety Report states. The country also has a thriving drug trafficking industry that makes it easy to exchange narcotics for firearms. 12. HAITI 26.6 murders per 100,000 people 36% killed by firearms Severe prison overcrowding, a deadly cholera epidemic, and high levels of food insecurity are among Haiti’s biggest problems. Haiti lacks the resources to address these problems adequately, however, especially since one third of its senate seats remain empty due to disagreements over a

2008 electoral law, according to a 2014 Human Rights Watch report. 11. BAHAMAS 32.1 murders per 100,000 people 75% killed by firearms Between 2006 and 2011, crime in the Bahamas rose by 49%, the Tribune reported last year. With a homicide rate of 32.1 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, this tropical paradise technically qualifies as an armed conflict zone, according to the definition provided by the World Health Organization. Armed robbery, rape, and homicide are common in the Bahamas. The causes of violent crime range from gang warfare to trivial disputes. Experts at the College of the Bahamas have speculated that the exposure of Bahamian children to violence at home may contribute to their own violent behavior later on. 10. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 35.3 murders per 100,000 people 77% killed by firearms This small island nation off the coast of Venezuela is home to over 100 different gangs that have taken over virtually every aspect of society. In the absence of a legitimate government, Trinidadian gangs have come to resemble governments in and of themselves, Insight Crime reports. Violent power battles frequently erupt between groups seeking control over the nation’s cities, and anti-gang legislation passed in 2011 has proven ineffective. 9. SOUTH AFRICA 35.7 murders per 100,000 people 54% killed by firearms South Africa’s rate of violent crime is one of the highest in the world, and it only continues to rise. The average number of murders committed each day increased from 45 to 47 between 2013 and 2014, Africa Check reports. In 20122013, 827 children were murdered in South Africa — more than two per day. A lack of respect for the

law and pervasive inequality — both lasting effects of the apartheid state — continue to drive violence in South Africa. 8. LESOTHO 37.5 murders per 100,000 people 50% killed by firearms Lesotho’s strict gun control laws do little to stem the flow of illegal weapons from nearby South Africa. While organized crime is uncommon, criminals are usually well-armed and willing to use violence to subdue victims, according to a 2012 OSAC Crime and Safety Report. 7. GUATEMALA 39.9 murders per 100,000 people 86% killed by firearms A common phrase in Guatemala is “En Guatemala, la vida no vale nada.” In Guatemala, life is worth nothing. Violence in this small Central American country kills between 11 and 15 people each day, and up to 98% of these crimes go unpunished, the Latin American Herald Tribune reports. Endemic poverty and weak law enforcement drive drug trafficking and gang violence, according to a 2014 OSAC Crime and Safety Report. 6. EL SALVADOR 43.9 murders per 100,000 people 77% killed by firearms Over 20,000 of El Salvador’s 6 million residents belong to gangs, according to a 2014 Crime and Safety Report. Gang rape is rampant and used as a weapon to terrorize communities, the Associated Press has reported. The gangs are also known to carry out murders for large drug cartels in Mexico. El Salvador’s gang violence has gotten so bad it’s spurred the US-bound exodus of thousands of children, who are often threatened with death if they don’t join a gang, the Guardian reported. 5. COLOMBIA 43.9 murders per 100,000 people 80% killed by firearms Colombia’s domestic conflict between the government and leftist insurgencies the FARC and the National Liberation Army has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians over 60 years, according to an OSAC Crime and Safety Report. Those insurgencies, along with right-wing paramilitary groups and drug traffickers, are constantly battling for control over the production and transport of illicit drugs. Control over Colombia’s lucrative coffee industry has also been a major source of violent conflict. 4. BELIZE 44.7 murders per (Continued on 21)

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The Special ones Jose Mourinho is not the only “special one” at the Chelsea Football club in England. One in five children surveyed at a mall in England believes that Jesus plays for Chelsea and is probably one of the new stars signed by Mourinho earlier this year. This puts Chelsea not just at the top of the table but the head of it as well. There was a story about a kid who saw a sign and thought that Jesus was Chelsea’s goalkeeper. The sign said, “Jesus Saves.” Actually half of the children, aged between five and ten, also believed that all the festivities on December 25th are in honour of Santa Claus whose birthday we celebrate on that day. Even more astonishing is that more than a third of the children (about 35%) believe that Jesus was born in the South Pole (the other half, the North, belongs to Santa). Getting things even more mixed up, one in every ten of the kids is convinced that Rudolph the Red-Nosed

reindeer was in the stable in Bethlehem when Christ was born. They’re not too sure about Olive. Well since the song refers to Olive in passing as “Olive the other reindeer…” who obviously was not very nice since she used to laugh and call Rudolph names, it is not surprising that she was left out. So how did Rudolph get there? Well unlike the shepherds he flew. About 25% (one quarter) of the British kids knew that some shepherds found Jesus but believed they had help from superior technology. They used Google Maps. What about the Three Wise Men? While the survey did not ask the children about how the wise men kept faithfully to the path, despite field, fountain, moor and mountain, most of them seemed to know that they followed a star. Whether it was a male or female star is another story. What it boils down to is that there are different WAZE of getting to

Bethlehem. Incredibly, twenty-seven percent of the British children believed that Mary gave birth to Jesus in a Church. Which means that for some of them their image of what happened must be pretty wild. There is Mary in Church, Joseph probably in the manger to ensure that the relationship remained stable so Jesus the Chelsea footballer would not be traumatized, especially since he had to deal later in life with the temperamental Mourinho, who might be there already trying to sign him early while Shepherds, with smart phones and laptops, shuttled between sites and Santa, being pulled by Rudolph and jeered by Olive, attempting to get there with his gifts for Christ before the Wise Men arrived, or even taking the place of Jesus as the birthday boy despite their being poles apart. While we are not sure what gifts Santa had in mind for Jesus, many of the kids were pretty clear on what the

Three Wise Men brought from afar. They said that instead of gold, frankincense and myrrh, the men were wise enough to bring some very useful stuff- a wand, tiara and wings. There are some kids in the survey who have serious doubts that Jesus plays for Chelsea. In fact, some argue that Jesus is an astronaut. Others insist he is a contestant on Britain’s “XFactor” television music show. Not all kids are so naïve or uninformed. A Mafioso’s son sat at his desk writing a Christmas list to Jesus. He first wrote, ‘Dear baby Jesus, I have been a good boy the whole year, so I want a new…’ He looked at it, then crumpled it up into a ball and threw it away. He got out a new piece of paper and wrote again, ‘Dear baby Jesus, I have been a good boy for most of the year, so I want a new…’ He again looked at it with disgust and threw it away. He then got an idea. He went into his mother’s room,

Guyana among top 20 countries... (From page 12) 100,000 people 69% killed by firearms This popular tourist destination has seen a steady increase in crime over the last few years, with the majority of homicides taking place in Belize City, OSAC reported in 2013. Between 2011 and 2012, the murder rate rose 15%. Two gangs, the Bloods and the Crips, are responsible for much of Belize’s gang violence, according to Vice News. Gang rape is rampant, and the country’s police force is understaffed and poorly equipped. As a result, many violent criminals go unpunished. 3. JAMAICA 45.1 murders per 100,000 people 70% killed by firearms While Jamaica’s political system is relatively stable, economic problems including

high unemployment and growing debt plague the country and have increased social tension, OSAC reports. Although Jamaica’s murder rate has fallen by 40% since 2009, gang violence and poverty remain serious problems, BBC reports. Since the country’s most notorious gang leader, Christopher “Dudus” Coke, was captured in 2010, his relatives and rivals have battled for control over his criminal empire. 2. VENEZUELA 57.6 murders per 100,000 people 90% killed by firearms Since taking over as president after Chavez’s death in 2013, the distinctly unpopular Nicolas Maduro has used heavy-handed police crackdowns to oppress people calling for his removal. Venezuela’s excessive use of force against anti-

Victims of La Penitence... (From page 20) had begun to fence off the area. “The people who live in front done push back everything and build a fence,” said King. She also revealed that mere hours after losing her home, an overseas relative of the said family called, telling King that she will have to move as they need the land. With the land dispute between the families and the destruction of her home, King is convinced that the origin of the fire was not an accident, rather an act of arson. Since the fire, King and her family have been allowed to stay with another neighbor. She said that they even had to borrow clothes because everything in their home was destroyed. The mother is calling for the help of public spirited citizens. Persons can contact King on 680-9387 or 256-3873.

government protesters from February to May resulted in 43 deaths, prompting Congress to sanction the officials responsible for the violence. Maduro recently called the sanctions “stupid” and “insolent,” Reuters reported. 1. HONDURAS 103.9 murders per 100,000 people 84% killed by firearms Honduras’ murder rate has been steadily increasing over the past decade and is now the highest in the world. There are frequent attacks on journalists, poor people, gay people, and human rights defenders. The government

routinely fails to bring the perpetrators to justice, Human Rights Watch reports. Organized crime gangs routinely collude with the police, and police brutality is rampant: 149 civilians were killed by officers from January 2011 to November 2012, according to Human Rights Watch. Many Hondurans have fled to the US to escape the violence, and some have been deported only to be killed upon their return. For this reason, President Obama recently granted amnesty to some 80,000 Honduran immigrants who have been in the country since 1999.

took a statue of the Virgin Mary, put it in the closet, and locked the door. He took another piece of paper and wrote, ‘Dear baby Jesus. If you ever want to see your mother again…’ It is really difficult to understand that out of a thousand British children so many would not know the basic “facts” of Christmas. In fact, while some people may argue that as a matter of fact the facts are not necessarily facts but stories that children might be better off not knowing, there are still some who see the traditional Christmas, with its mix of the Christ tale and the Santa stories, the blend of religion and fantasy, the “White Christmas” of Bing Crosby, as positive. Long ago, when I was a boy, going to an Anglican School, learning and acting out with my class the story of the birth of Jesus, practicing the carols and singing them at the annual concert, waiting expectantly for the Christmas treat, looking forward to my bun and “sweet” drink, it was a happy time. Even now, we

still continue the tradition of reserving Christmas for family. I no longer go to the Midnight Mass at the nearest Catholic Church but Christmas continues to be special with the occasional break for reflection and thanks. Santa is a myth. Some people think that Jesus is too. However mixing them up and believing that Jesus is a Chelsea player is really going too far. Mourinho already thinks he’s God. Remember that Jesus is a pacifist and advocates turning the other cheek. That means we have to rule out Arsenal. No way HE would have anything to do with a team known as the “Gunners”. Spurs? No. HE is all for people coming closer together and representing a common cause – in other words HE is for one-ness. So if he ever becomes a footballer, there is only one club Jesus would play for Manchester United. *Tony Deyal was last seen asking “How does Luis Suárez like his Christmas lunch?” Bite-sized.

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

ACCOMODATION SIGNATURE INN: Luxury Suites & Apartments. Free Wi-Fi & Breakfast; AC & Self Contained Rooms @ 83 Laluni Street Queenstown. Tel: 592-226-2145

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

VACANCY Work from home & earn $5,000-$20,000 daily; www.jobfairworldwide.com Tel:233-6517; 622-1957; 9am5pm Mon-Fri & Saturday 10am-4pm Male & female workers: managers, accountants, checkers, salesperson & housekeepers @ RA Soda Factory – Call: 330-23992772; 623-5920 Exist for one accounts clerk; apply in person at Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Immediate: Ice machine operators (training provided) & night security to work @ Ice Factory in Meadow Bank – Call: 2311408; 642-9191 CANTER DRIVER/ SALESMAN and Factory Assistant living on E.B.D, free accommodation also available. 266 4427

Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 6472943 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734 Services & repairs to gas stoves, washing machines, electric stoves, deep fryers Call: 688-0183 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

Experienced salesman/ driver 3 CXC Subjects including Mathematics, apply with 2 references, valid police clearance & driver license – Call: 233-3512 Pump attendant at Shell Providence E.B.D (shift work) 5AM-3PM & 3PM12PM Office clerk & domestic needed to work in Trinidad must be single & have secondary education – Call: 1868-2840586; 1868-6831528 Cashier able to work flexible hours and have CXC Maths, send application to jobs@awngy.com MASSAGE Massage Therapy - Call: 674-8147 HEALTH Money Back guarantee; cleaner, clearer younger looking skin in two weeks, also flatter stomach – Call: 684-9409; 699-4211

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) & MORE, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 Rooms & apartment in Eccles; rooms in Alberttown Call: 225-3234 1 Modern warehouse facility in central industrial area 8000sqft ware house facility 5000 per month – Contact Annie: 695-0333 Property for rent in Bel-Air Park - Call: 694-6606 Two and one bedroom apartment; furnished or unfurnished @ Eccles “AA” Tel: 686-5625

Monday December 22, 2014

FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Exercise equipment: Treadmill, cardio, bicycle, infant bed, swing & high chair – Call:600-1329 Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 648-6815; 641-4506

Parika (Butcher Shop Street) - One (1) Lot 38' X 150' $ 7m Contact 650-0402 - for serious inquiries

Toyota Mark 2 - $2.2M neg. BMW 318i - $2.2M neg. Toyota Tacoma (RHD) (Auto/4WD) - $1.2M neg. – Call: 653-2005

Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 PICK YOUR PIG! CHOOSE YOUR SIZEAND WE WILL HAVE IT READY! CALL: 266-2711 OR 609-4594

Queenstown: newly constructed office space, air conditioned, washroom & kitchenette included. 500sqft - $80,000 Tel: 6003171; 648-3171 LARGE 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT, LARGE VERANDAH, PARKING FOR 2 VEHICLES @ LAMAHA GARDENS $80,000 MONTHLY- CALL: 609-8132/ 672-8569 (MAX) 1-Two bedroom apartment, grilled, tiled@ Middleton St. C/Ville - $60,000- Call:6500716; 667-7836.

Blankenburg, Public Road W.C.D (38ftX150ft), (39ftX150ft) - $16M each; Back Street, Unity Street La Grange W.B.D 85X750- $16M Call: 666-3619 Mahaica Creek: River Front, 5 Acres - $5M - Tel: 600-3171; 648-3171

Evinrude outboard engine (new) 3-15HP; Can-am ATV 4X4 500cc; Sea Doo Jet-Ski 1500cc with trailer - Tel: 6003171; 648-3171 20ft fibre glass boat and Toyota Spacio- Tel: 617-3001 Portable sawmill fully hydraulic Th30-25 Timber Harvester – Call: 261-2553

EDUCATIONAL Pre- Christmas Give away $25,000 OFF 9 Course Computer Diploma. Promotion ends this week! Micrographics, Vreed- EnHoop. Call: 264-3057

Business space @ Middleton St. C/Ville – Call: 650-0716; 667-7836

Christmas Sale: Dell/HP Computer with 19" LCDs, laptops - $55,000 @ Futuretech – Call: 231-2206

WANTED One night shift supervisor at shell Providence E.B.D, Submit application to shellramsburg@gmail.com One secretary Guard - Tel: 218-5105 One live in domestic must know to cook Indian Dishes 25-50yrs; salary - $60,000 monthly- Tel: 610-5043 Looking for two working females/students to share furnished 3 bedroom house in Well Street North Ruimveldt – Call: 685-3971.

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807; 690-6494 Untouchable car rental: low rates, low deposits – Call: 677-4613; 226-9668

PROPERTY FOR SALE Six acres prime roadside land and metal workshop in Corriverton, can be sold with or without workshop. Call: 626-6245 One house & land in hope low land, E.C.D, one house & land in Bloomfield Berbice Call: 689-5254; 256-0504 2-Storey concrete house, virtual 2 units, 55 section ‘B’ Non Pariel, E.C.D Quick Sale Call: 651-8901 CATERING Monica’s Finger Licking BarB-Que, any amount to orderCall: 661-6793; 677-2482

SALE! SALE! SALE! New model Spacio (2005) TV, Front & back camera; fully loaded - $2M- Call: 6427295

Christmas Sale! 2003 Toyota Premio - $2.2M; never registered – Tel: 617-2891 Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 One ford IVECO sand truck with Cummings Engine, GNN Series, excellent condition, owner leaving country - Call: 604-6860, 643-2911 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154

Tibetan Terriers pups (FLUFFY) – Call: 222-7891; 609-9202. New/used salon equipment for sale, excellent conditionCall: 664-5401; 615-5343 Imported German shepherd and Siberian huskies for sale Call: 664-5401; 615-5343

Pitbull bus ($3.2M) Verossa - $3.7M, Noah- $2M (All new) – Call: 603-9700

1 - L-Touring Wagon; HB 9912, price $1,050,000 Neg. Call: 680-4990

Stalls at Robb Street & Bourda –Contact: 695-1359 between 9am -11am

Office space @ Kitty – Call: 652-8322 Three bedrooms; 1 self contained house with A/C, parking, full furnished, young professional Scheme Eccles - $1700US neg. Call Sonia: 666-4882

R1 2007; Candy Red motor cycle, never fall; 40 original paint 1100 miles $7,000US or best offer – Call: 623-4045

Spacio 2004, Body Kit, rims, camera, spoiler, dark interior, crystal light, new shape (unregistered) – Tel: 6175536

400lb 5 inch Catguts seine for sale – Contact: 220-7655; 6959860; 698-8998

TO LET Newly constructed 2 bedrooms apartment in safe environment – W.C.D- Call: 698-6496

Blankenburg @ The Back Of Gas Station (3) Lots @ 75' X 76' Each. $20M for all 3 Lots. (1) Lot for $10m - Contact 650-0402

A house lot/ 2 bedroom property to buy on the East Coast/East Bank Georgetown area - Contact Anthony Bowen: 609-6505 One live in experienced waitress must be honest & courteous 18-25yrs; salary $50,000-$60,000 monthly – Tel: 610-5043 Contract vehicles also mini bus and hire car drivers – Call: 645-0025 Porters, apply at Wieting & Richter Ltd Cooks, pastry maker, counter clerk; apply to Kiskar Veggie Hut: Camp & Durban Street. Call: 231-4971

We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price $2.5M neg. Call: 6201026 2006 Nissan Tiida Latio; mint condition, price - $1.650 – Call: 617-7113 GPP Tacoma 5VZ engine, stick gear, 4WD - $2.3M; negotiable – Call: 650-9840 PRR IST Body Kit, Chrome Kit, and crystal HID lights $1.650M – Call: 617-7113 Newly registered Toyota Allion with Body Kit – Call:667-4774 One Yamaha Rava125 Motorcycle and Kinlow KL110 motorcycle – Contact: 682-3942; 615-6474 or 6788236 Cheapest: VVTI & 1RZ Stick gear, automatic buses, front view property in Bougainvillea Park, E.B.D for sale. Call: 616-7635 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table – Call: 277- 0578

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Outstanding teachers honoured in Bartica In recognition of the value and contributions of teachers, the Bartica Association - New York, in collaboration with the Bartica/Three Miles Board of Governors, sponsored a Teachers’ Appreciation and Awards Ceremony last Monday to bestow honour upon several educators in the region. The ceremony which was attended by Regional

Education Officer (REO), Charles Holmes; Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford; Members of the Board of Governors, Head Teachers of the various schools in Bartica and other officials, saw outstanding teachers of the Bartica and Three Miles Secondary schools receiving awards and tokens for their contribution over the last academic year. The event was held at

106 graduate from...

IDCE Berbice Valedictorian Keshri Jailall receiving his prizes (From page 11) month. In fact for those of you who are not yet employed, you might not get the first or second or third job you interview for.” “You may never become the head teacher, CEO or manager you aim to be. You’re probably not going to become a billionaire. It may sound daunting and pessimistic, but this is the reality of life and that’s OK. The important thing is: you have already taken the initial steps needed to build a more promising future.” She also urged them to never stop learning. “If you want to be the best person you can be you need to use your talents to their full potential. You must find something to challenge you, so that you will be sharper, happier and stronger as a result. Continue furthering your education, seeking training to be better, advancing your skills – it will pay off in the long run.” Ms. Williams urged the graduands to find their passion and also be self-

aware, in order to be successful in life. “Always give your best; persevere with a smile on your face; and always help others,” she said. “The future holds great promise for each of us. Therefore, I heartily recommend that you never stop trying to improve and also help to improve the lives of those who are touched by you.” Also present at Sunday’s proceedings were Director of the University of Guyana’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, Ms. Winifred Kippin; Principal of the School of Nursing New Amsterdam Centre, Ms. Oslene Hickens, who delivered the Charge to the Graduands; and Attorney- at -law Horatio Edmonson. The Valedictorian at the graduation was Mr. Keshri Jailall, while the programme was punctuated with several cultural items including those from the Bethel Dance Group. Ms. Juanita Burrowes chaired the evening’s proceedings, while special prizes were distributed to several students.

Leanna’s Kiddies Park on Fifth Avenue, Bartica. During the ceremony, Tamika Edwards of Three Miles Secondary School was adjudged the Teacher of the Year for Three Miles Secondary and Paulette Peters for Bartica Secondary School. They were both awarded for their commitment to quality delivery of education and working beyond the call of duty, among other things. Meanwhile, Alisa Holmes of Three Miles Secondary School and Judy Constantine

of Bartica Secondary School were awarded for being the most improved teachers over the last academic year. While teachers of both schools also received tokens of appreciation, Te a c h e r o f t h e Ye a r awardees received plaques and $20,000 while the most improved teachers received plaques and $15,000. The awards were sponsored by Bartica Association - New York. Speaking at the event, Chairperson of the Board, Rita Brouet outlined the goals

Paulette Peters of Bartica Secondary School responding to her selection as Teacher of the Year.

of the awards scheme. The Teachers Awards Scheme was instituted to motivate teachers to improve the quality of education offered at the school, leading to improved learning and results which will be consistent with the possible establishment of a Sixth Form School. Focus was also placed on greater teacher-parent relationships, teacher-teacher and teacher-community. Also addressing the gathering, the REO disclosed that at the last Regional

Educational Officers meeting, he was informed that Three Miles Secondary, which was previously ranked among the top 20 Secondary schools, has since moved to be among the top 10. The Regional Chairman also addressed the gathering. During the ceremony, attendees were treated to a poem recital by Jermaine Joseph and a brass instrumental by Sergio Joseph. Also, to help celebrate the Christmas season, a team rendered a medley of carols.

Alisa Holmes, Most Improved Teacher of Three Miles Secondary receives her award from Eion Williams - Board Member and representative of Bartica Association.

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Monday December 22, 2014

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

This is Bogus engineering The Minister does not have... DEAR EDITOR, I refer to an article in your paper dated December 20, 2014, re: the Hope Canal, and to state from what I observed after a visit to the site just over a week ago, lots of work is yet to be completed. The outfall has to be excavated, sea defences built on both sides of the wing walls , backfilling to be completed, sluice doors to be installed and electrical operation of the sluice doors etc are all yet to be completed. I also feel the Government and its Consultants have now brought the problems of the East Demerara Water Conservancy out to the public area. In my opinion, having

designed and built numerous sluices, drainage works and sea defences throughout the coastlands, there is a strong possibility of a breach occurring between the wing walls of the sluice and the tie in to the existing conservancy dam. I also feel uplift forces due to a hydraulic head are also possible to act on the sluice floor causing displacement at certain times of the year. Also the timber piles are designed to support vertical loads not uplift forces on the sluice. It should also be noted that a sluice built in Boeraserie during the 1950’s under similar soil conditions floated away shortly after construction. I also feel the earth dam

12 to 16 feet high built on a pegasse foundation is susceptible to failure and slips. I understand that there is already a failure in the dam— some 200 feet of slippage. Placing a geo-textile material under the dam to strengthen the pegasse foundation is bogus engineering. Lastly, in my opinion this entire project is a waste of money. To drain the conservancy, all you have to do is remove the vegetation, mount a dragline on a pontoon and design and excavate a hydraulic drainage path towards the Land of Canaan Sluice. This is how the conservancy was drained for many years. M.Alli

Partisan politics and slave... From page 5 and children in Plastic City who continue to suffer the daily hardships handed to them by the uncaring PPP minority regime. Today, the poverty gap between the rich and the poor in Guyana is 125 to 1 and this should have gained the attention of the Jagdeo/Ramotar regime to initiate changes and to uncover solutions to help the poor and the working class. There is no evidence that the President or any

member of his cabinet has made any sincere effort to reduce unemployment or help the 60 percent of the population at the bottom rung of the economic ladder. These problems are directly linked to negligence, arrogance and blatant disregard of the poor by the ruling PPP oligarchy who for the past twelve years has implemented policies to enrich themselves, relatives and friends at the expense of the poor.

They have given the c o u n t r y ’s a i r w a v e s a n d prime real estate land and resources to their friends and relatives. Simply put, partisan politics, lack of jobs and slave wages are the underlying causes of poverty in Guyana. S a d l y, a s i f t o o overwhelmed by recurring internal party conflicts between the Jagdeoites and the old guard at Freedom House, corruption and crime, the President has been mysteriously missing in action when it comes to tackling these problems or helping the poor as well as the victims of crimes and floods. Asquith Rose and Harish Singh

From page 5 We believe that the Commissioner’s first task is to establish trust and robust communication with the people to get their support in the important matter of solving crime. After all, every member of the Force, including the Top Cops, took an oath to serve and protect; not to abuse, hurt and violate the human rights of the citizens. That has to stop. Too often the partisan Minister of Home Affairs has interfered in the running of the Police Force and this has led to favouritism and a breakdown of efficiency and effective policing. He has issued directives to Commanders aimed at protecting the rich and powerful and members and supporters of the PPP without allowing the police to do a thorough investigation of the matter at hand. In an environment of generally bad news about crime, neither the Minister of Home Affairs nor the Commissioner has offered any hope to the people who are desperate for something positive from law enforcement in terms of solving crime. It is a way of sustaining their hope and indeed, may translate into something positive for the Force in terms of re-gaining the confidence and trust that is lacking from the public. The public’s perception of the Police Force is that it is a corrupt, brutal and an incompetent institution whose primary crime-fighting method is ineffective as

reflected in the fact that around 38 per cent of all murders in Guyana remain unsolved and that the police annually kill about 35 civilians annually, some innocent and others in alleged gunfights. This suggests that neither Minister Rohee nor the leadership of the Police Force seems capable of producing policies, strategies, or tactics for a sustained reduction in crime and murders of innocent civilians by armed bandits. There were more than 130 homicides in Guyana in 2013, a 28 per cent increase over the previous year and this will likely increase by an additional 10 percent in 2014. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime lists Guyana homicide rate as 18.4 per 100,000—the fourth highest rate in South America behind Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia. We want the people to know that Guyana’s murder rate in 2013 was three times higher than that of the United States on a per population ratio basis. This is the case despite the false claim by the incompetent Minister of Home Affairs that the murder rate in Guyana is declining. High unemployment and social neglect — the causes of which can be traced to the high crime rate have made armed robbery and murders

more easily accessible to the unemployed and hopeless youths. In the current atmosphere, the people must condemn the performance of both the Minister and the police. Obviously, strong and very proactive intervention is needed by the Minister to help reduce crime and ease the fear of the people. But such intervention cannot take place successfully while the Minister is in denial and the Force continues to abuse and brutalize the citizens. However, we believe that no priority should be greater than that of equipping the security forces with the personnel, material and legislative support to protect the country and its people from marauding criminals. For the nation to move forward, respect for the law by all and the security of the people must be priority one for the Minister of Home Affairs. Derrick Arjune Asha Balbachan Rohit Misir Allison Rutherford Harish Singh Chandra Deolall Asquith Rose Vincent Nauth Devita Khan Dr. Reginald Watkins Donna Mathoo Noel Moses Vicki Rampersaud Dr. Merle SpenserMarks

The Caricom Chairman...

From page 4 Caricom on the issue at hand then the entire regional body might find it necessary to review the role of Caricom with a view to becoming more relevant in the 21st Century. S e c o n d l y, C a r i c o m m u s t d e c i d e w h e t h e r t h e Chairman’s comments on this matter really reflect the organization’s position of non-involvement in “domestic matters” of member states, as espoused by PM Browne. At best, Caricom’s posture on the prorogation of Guyana’s parliament can be described as nothing but an escape route and a lack of will to address serious and important matters affecting member states. It is positions like these, taken by significant organizations like Caricom, which may tend to aid and abet repressive actions of regimes like the PPP/C. Will Mr. Gaston Browne perpetrate such repressive and bullish acts against the people of Antigua and Barbuda and then seek refuge under some provision in the Antiguan Constitution? Let me state that I have been a strong supporter of Caricom and an advocate of regional integration. However, given the way Guyana and its people have been treated by both Caricom and certain member states recently, I am forced to review my own position on these matters. Lurlene Nestor

Monday December 22, 2014

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Monday December 22, 2014

Four militants hanged in Pakistan Obama says Sony hack as execution campaign widens ISLAMABAD (Reuters) Pakistan hanged four Islamist militants yesterday in the second set of executions since the government lifted a moratorium after the Taliban massacred 132 children and nine others at a school last week. None of those hanged has anything to do with Tuesday’s school rampage in Peshawar, and some Pakistani commentators have said the executions are intended to divert attention from the failure to satisfy public demands to find the killers. Four prisoners were executed at the tightly guarded Faisalabad jail for their role in attacking former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, a senior government official said. Two others had been hanged at the same jail on Friday. A source in the local Punjab government identified the four as Rasheed Qureshi, Zubair Ahmad, Ghulam Sarwar and Akhlaque Ahmed, also known as Russi, who he said was Russian. Pakistan is home to a

Nawaz Sharif range of militant groups, many of them linked to al Qaeda, based in lawless tribal areas. They include an unknown number of foreign fighters, thought to be mostly Arabs, Uzbeks, Chechens and Uighurs. Official sources said more convicts would be executed in coming days, some of them in the city of Lahore, the power base of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Taliban have issued statements promising to

stage more attacks around Pakistan in retaliation for the executions of any of their fighters. Security has been tightened around major prisons, reflecting fears that the militants, who are fighting to topple the government and set up a state governed by Islamic law, might try to attack jails and free inmates. Rights groups believe Pakistan has about 8,000 prisoners on death row, more than 500 of them for terrorist offences. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told reporters police had arrested a number of suspects in connection with the school attack, but gave no details. The U.N. human rights office appealed to Pakistan on Friday to refrain from resuming executions. Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, said on Sunday the government had “chosen to indulge in vengeful blood-lust instead of finding and prosecuting those responsible”.

not an act of war

WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama moved to prevent U.S. anger at North Korea from spiraling out of control yesterday by saying the massive hacking of Sony Pictures was not an act of war but instead was cybervandalism. Wa s h i n g t o n ’s longstanding dispute with North Korea, which for years has centered on its nuclear weapons program, has entered new territory with the accusation that Pyongyang carried out an assault on a major Hollywood entertainment company. Obama and his advisers are weighing how to punish North Korea after the FBI concluded on Friday that Pyongyang was responsible. North Korea has denied it was to blame. The U.S. president put the hack in the context of a crime. “No, I don’t think it was an act of war,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union” show that aired yesterday. “I think

it was an act of cyber vandalism that was very costly, very expensive. We take it very seriously. We will respond proportionately.” Obama said one option was to return North Korea to the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, from which Pyongyang was removed six years ago. North Korea vowed yesterday to hit back against any U.S. retaliation. “Our toughest counteraction will be boldly taken against the White House, the Pentagon and the whole U.S. mainland, the cesspool of terrorism, by far surpassing the ‘symmetric counteraction’ declared by Obama,” according to North Korea state news agency KCNA. The hack attack and subsequent threats of violence against theaters showing the film prompted Sony to withdraw a comedy, “The Interview,” prepared for release to movie theaters during the holiday season. The movie depicts the

President Barack Obama fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Obama and free speech advocates criticized the studio’s decision, but Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton defended it, saying U.S. theaters did not want to show it. Sony lawyer David Boies said the Hollywood studio planned to release the movie at some point.

Xi warns Hong Kong and Macau in ‘one China’ message Macau (Macau) (AFP) Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Hong Kong and Macau weekend to remember they are part of “one China”, as pro-democracy campaigners in both semiautonomous territories call for free leadership elections. Dozens of protesters marched through Macau’s historic centre Saturday afternoon as Xi wrapped up his two-day visit to mark the 15th anniversary of the handover from Portugal — just days after police cleared the last remaining protest sites in neighbouring Hong Kong. Residents of all ages walked in the middle of the

Xi Jinping road through the historic district shouting: “We want universal suffrage” through

megaphones, some wrapped in banners and others with slogans painted across their faces. The protest march culminated in a public square where around 100 demonstrators remained in the early evening, though some bystanders were confused by the scene. “Are these people from Hong Kong?” asked one. Xi warned both territories against a “misguided approach” in a speech Saturday. “We must both adhere to the ‘one China’ principle and respect the difference of the two systems,” Xi said at the inauguration of Macau’s chief executive Fernando Chui, who was selected for a second term by a pro-Beijing committee in August. “At no time should we focus only on one side to the neglect of the other. This is the only way leading to sound and steady progress. Otherwise a misguided approach from the beginning, just like putting one’s left foot into the right shoe, would lead us to nowhere,” Xi said. He also warned against “external infiltration and interference” to safeguard the stability of Macau. Beijing has accused foreign forces of stirring up the Hong Kong protests.

Monday December 22, 2014

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Trinidad’s Prime Minister seeks to bring back hanging PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced Saturday her Government will again be seeking to reintroduce the “hanging bill” next year, even though four years ago, it was defeated in Parliament. Persad-Bissessar said the number of murders in the

country were “too high” and she would ask Cabinet to reconsider the death penalty. She spoke to reporters during her annual toy drive in her constituency of Siparia where she distributed toys, calendars and mugs to her constituents. “We have brought down serious crimes but the

murders still remain too high and, therefore, I want Cabinet to reconsider the death penalty and take that legislation to Parliament,” said the Prime Minister. Almost four years ago, in February 2011, the “hanging bill” failed to secure a majority vote in the House of Representatives.

St Lucia P M responds to death threats

CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC - Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has responded to reports that jobless and frustrated young people are entertaining thoughts of killing him. The matter was brought to light during a television show, hosted by newspaper publisher Rick Wayne. Anthony, in a television interview Friday, said it was not unusual for a prime minister to receive threats, but observed that it was not often that such statements are made publicly. “In these islands we treat these things lightly, but we don’t understand that times have changed,” Anthony told his audience. “Clearly, when the statements were made the best thing was to have said to the young man was that’s not the way to deal with those issues and resolve them,” the Prime Minister stated. Anthony noted that Lashawn Lambert, who made the complaint during the television programme, while complaining on behalf of others, was himself employed, so that the issue was not the same for him. The prime minister recalled that when Stephenson King was prime minister, someone was killed in King’s constituency office in La Clery, just over four years ago. “That really was to all intents and purposes, a

Dr. Kenny Anthony warning of what could happen to any MP or Prime Minister, so we need to take these issues seriously and get a sense of who are the persons orchestrating and encouraging this kind of behaviour,” Anthony said.Asked whether he felt personally threatened, Anthony, who is also the Member of Parliament for Vieux Fort South, said it was part of the “hazard of the business”. However, he revealed that his family and officials of his ruling party were concerned. Anthony also disclosed that he was disappointed in the reaction of leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Allen Chastanet and his party, whom he accused of being “apologists” for anti social behaviour. In a statement this week

Chastanet, accused the government of overreacting to reports that young people, frustrated by the economic situation, were entertaining the idea of killing the Prime Minister. He said that while he considered it an extremely serious matter, he did not think that when the young man made the claims, he was threatening the prime minister. “I think he was crying out to the young people who are being marginalised and have lost hope,” the UWP leader asserted. According to Chastanet, one would have hoped that the government would have reacted “accordingly” and actively reached out to all the young people in St Lucia. He said he had hoped that the Ministries of Youth and Economic Affairs would have gotten together on a programme to bring relief to young people. Chastanet said that the unemployment rate has risen almost five per cent since the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) got into office, with the unemployment figure for young people being some 44 per cent. “That to my mind is what the government should have been reacting to,” he said. Two police officers this week interviewed Lambert at the offices of the Star newspaper, where he is employed.

The bill was defeated 29 for, 11 against after the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) did not support the bill. The bill required a threefourths majority. Persad-Bissessar explained the death penalty has proven to be a deter-rent in the murder rate in other countries, and she will be seeking support from the Opposition PNM again. “In other parts of the world, it has shown that there is a great deterrent effect. Research shows us empirical data that there is a reduction in murders once you have an effective death penalty. On the last occasion, the Opposition did not support us but I think they must also be concerned with the high level of murders, homi-cides. But we seek their support again.” The Prime Minister said crime was one of three high priority areas which her Government will focus on next year. The other areas were health care and reducing food prices. “I had a two-hour meeting

Kamla Persad-Bissessar with (Minister of Finance Larry Howai) for us to look at projects which we can safely put on the back burner and which ones we should put on the front burner. “We have agreed that the social services programmes will remain, national security and health services are also highpriority areas. We are working to complete the Couva Children’s Hospital and to begin work on the Point Fortin Hospital, and have some enhanced health faci-lities elsewhere. Those are projects we have agreed

we will not cut,” she said. On reducing the prices of oil, rice, sugar and flour for the Christmas season as she did for Eid and Divali, the Prime Minister said it was a measure needed even more this season. “We need it even more for Christmas because every single citizen, regardless of religion, celebrates Christmas in our country. The feed-back has been very good. (Friday) was the first day and people are taking advantage of the discounts. Minister Bharath, who is responsible for (National Flour Mills) has assured me that there will be full accountability. “The drain on the State coffers is not as great as people imagine it may be. We have thought of doing it yearround but then it will not be a special something. We will not be able to afford to do it year round,” said PersadBissessar. The Prime Minister, accompanied by her grandson, Kristiano, distri-buted toys to hundreds of children in Penal, along Penal Rock Road, and Scott’s Road, Mendez Village, yesterday.

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Kaieteur News

Monday December 22, 2014

US customs officials remind Caribbean US seeks to overthrow travellers of currency declaration Venezuela government: official “truthfully report it all to a

NASSAU, Bahamas CMC – The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has reminded Caribbean travellers of the need to declare currency amounts of US$10,000 or more when travelling to or from the US. “Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the United States; however, if the quantity is US$10,000 or higher, they must formally

report the currency to CBP,” said CBP in a statement here. “If travellers have someone else carry the currency or monetary instrument for them, they must file a currency report for the entire amount with CBP,” it added. “Failure to report may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.” Robert Allen Smith, area port director for Nassau Preclearance, said the easiest way for travellers to hold on to their currency is to

CBP officer.” CBP said its preclearance operations allows for advance inspection of passengers and special coordination with law enforcement on arrival in the United States. Through preclearance, the same immigration, customs and agriculture inspections of international air passengers performed on arrival in the United States are instead completed prior to departure at foreign airports, CBP said. It said, currently, preclearance operations exist at 15 foreign airports in six different countries, benefitting air passengers, airports and air carriers in the United States and abroad. “To keep our borders secure, every traveller entering and exiting a CBP port of entry is subject to a CBP inspection,” the statement said.

Caracas (AFP) - Tighter new US sanctions against Venezuela are aimed to foment violent unrest to try to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro, his defense minister said weekend. “This US interference is aimed at promoting violence... against our institutions” to oust staunch US critic Maduro, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino told Telesur television. US President Barack Obama signed a law on Thursday to allow sanctions against senior Venezuelan officials accused of violating the rights of protesters during antigovernment demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year. The text approved just over a week ago by both houses of the US Congress would freeze assets and deny visas to Venezuelan authorities responsible for violence and political detentions triggered by the

Nicolas Maduro protests. Thousands of activists were arrested and more than 43 people were killed during mass demonstrations that raged from February to May against the government of Maduro, the elected successor of late leftist firebrand president Hugo Chavez. Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of

fomenting the protests and seeking to overthrow and even assassinate him. The Venezuelan leader condemned the sanctions law in a series of Twitter posts this week, calling it a “misstep” that resembled the US policy isolating Cuba, which was overturned Wednesday as Obama and Cuba’s leader Raul Castro announced a bilateral rapprochement. “The background of all this is much more nuanced. It is dangerous because these are the steps they are taking so that they can try to have the world see the Venezuelan state as a failed one,” Padrino warned. Caracas and Washington have had strained diplomatic ties since Chavez first came to power in 1999, leading to the withdrawal of ambassadors from each other’s countries in 2010. Still, the United States is the main buyer of Venezuelan oil.

IMF disburses funds for Haiti WASHINGTON - CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it has approved US$2.4 million for Haiti after the Frenchspeaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country successfully completed its final review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. The IMF said the new disbursement brings to US$60 million the amount of funds provided to Haiti under the facility that was first approved in July this year. The facility was approved together with the full relief of the country’s outstanding debt to the Fund of US$268 million. “Haiti’s satisfactory performance and successful completion of the programme supported by the ECF is commendable, particularly given the exceptionally difficult circumstances that followed the 2010 earthquake,” said IMF deputy managing director Naoyuki Shinohara. He said growth in the fiscal year 2014 was in line with projections and headline inflation remained moderate, although fiscal imbalances remain high. He said progress was also made in advancing the structural reform agenda, most notably regarding the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, strengthening the public accounting system, and an initial reduction in fuel subsidies.

Naoyuki Shinohara “”Fiscal consolidation remains essential to reduce vulnerabilities, and the Haitian authorities have taken steps to reduce the fiscal deficit and address external financing risks in fiscal year 2015. “The ongoing effort to strengthen tax and customs administration will help to mobilize additional revenues, in tandem with continued streamlining of expenditures, while safeguarding priority social spending. “To this end, the authorities have reduced fuel subsidies, together with mitigating measures, and are planning to restructure the electricity sector, which has become a large drain on the budget. Reforms are also ongoing in the areas of public financial and international reserve management,” Shinohara said. He said that monetary

restraint in support of a tightened fiscal stance will help to curb inflationary pressures and reduce exchange rate pressures. “Efforts will also be made to strengthen the financial sector ’s supervisory and regulatory framework, with a view to enhancing financial stability. Greater exchange rate flexibility – with foreign exchange interventions limited primarily to smoothing large fluctuations – will contribute to strengthening reserve buffers.” The IMF official said that the ex-Post Assessment of Longer-Term Program Engagement (EPA), Fundsupported programmes since 2006 have helped Haiti promote macroeconomic stability and encouraged structural reforms, given Haiti’s domestic and external vulnerabilities. “However, while growth after the 2010 earthquake has been positive, it has been below original projections in the context of weaknesses in aid effectiveness; and fiscal deficits and public debt stocks have risen. “The authorities intend to deepen implementation of key reforms, possibly under a new medium-term program to be negotiated with the Fund. Such a programme would help in consolidating macroeconomic stability and removing remaining bottlenecks to sustained growth and poverty reduction,” he added.

Monday December 22, 2014

Kaieteur News

FIFA official says England had best bid for 2018 World Cup LONDON (Reuters) England’s failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup “was by far the strongest contender”, FIFA official Harold MayneNicholls was quoted as saying on Sunday. “How could England have only got two votes? It was a big surprise,” MayneNicholls was quoted as saying in The Sunday Times. The 53-year-old, a former Chilean football federation president, was chairman of a FIFA group tasked with assessing the strength and feasibility of the various bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals. Having visited all 11 countries bidding, MayneNicholls concluded that England had the best infrastructure and public involvement, crucial facets of any successful bid. The bid, however, received just two votes from a possible 22 with Russia winning the right to host the 2018 tournament. Qatar secured the 2022 Cup. “England were on the top. They had the best concept, the best infrastructure and the people were very much involved,” said MayneNicholls. “I was there and I saw the faces of Prince William and (David) Beckham, and they were shocked. It’s like when you are a first division team and you play a third division team and you lose by five goals.” Mayne-Nicholls has previously raised concerns about Qatar, whose bid was the only one labeled as high risk by the evaluation committee due to the searing heat. He again questioned the logistical issues raised by hosting the tournament in

Chief FIFA inspector Harold Mayne-Nicholls speaks during a news conference for the FIFA Inspection Visit for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Bid in Doha September 14, 2010. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad one city and said the transport and infrastructure would not be able to cope with the deluge of fans flocking to the tournament. “It is a real possibility that lots of people cannot get to the games,” MayneNicholls. On Friday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced the world body would publish, “in an appropriate form”, a 430-page report compiled by former ethics investigator Michael Garcia which explored claims of bribery in the bidding process. Mayne-Nicholls said last month he would decide in the New Year whether to stand for FIFA presidency against Blatter. FIFA rules prevent campaigning before Jan. 29 with the election set for May 29.

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Boxing great Muhammad Ali hospitalized with pneumonia (Reuters) - Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been hospitalized with pneumonia and is expected to recover because the illness was caught early, a spokesman said on Saturday. Ali, 72, was admitted to a hospital in an undisclosed location Saturday morning and is being treated by a team of doctors and remains in stable condition, spokesman Bob Gunnell said. “Because the pneumonia was caught early, his prognosis is good with a short hospital stay expected,” Gunnell said in a statement. He declined to give any further details of the boxer’s condition and said Ali’s family was asking for privacy. The boxing great, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, made a public appearance in September to

U.S. boxing great Muhammad Ali poses during the Crystal Award ceremony at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland January 28, 2006. REUTERS/Andreas Meier attend a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, for the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards. A three-time world

heavyweight champion, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about three years after he retired from boxing in 1981.

Nicol David wins eighth title at World Squash Championship BBC Sport - Nicol David saved four successive match points as she beat Raneem el Weleily to win her eighth world title. The Malaysian world number one was on the brink of defeat against her third-seeded Egyptian rival when she trailed 10-6 in the fourth game of the final. But the 31-year-old fought back to triumph 511 11-8 7-11 14-12 11-5 in front of a partisan Cairo crowd. “I think it’s the most memorable match of my entire career,” David told the BBC World Service. “To win this world title in that way, I don’t think there’s any match that could compare to that.” David, the first player to top the world rankings for 100 consecutive months, reclaims the title won by England’s Laura Massaro in March. Massaro was beaten in the quarter-finals by countrywoman Alison Waters, who lost to el Weleily in the last four.

Nicol David (AFP)

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Injured Roach ruled out of second Test

Kemar Roach Cricinfo - Johannesburg, South Africa - Kemar Roach has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test in Port Elizabeth, after the condition of his ankle worsened over the last two days. Roach only bowled 15.5 overs on the first day of this Test, and did not bat in either of West Indies’ innings, as his team ended up losing by an innings and 220 runs. Although he remained “in high spirits” according to West Indies’ media manager Philip Spooner, severe swelling and pain when he puts weight on the right ankle could even see Roach take no further part in the series. The West Indies’ management will take a call on whether Roach returns home

by the end of the day. West Indies, meanwhile, have brought in Narsingh Deonarine as a replacement for Assad Fudadin, who had withdrawn with a finger injury. That brings to four the total number of niggles in the West Indies camp since the tour began. Chris Gayle, who was in South Africa playing for the Lions, had to pull out of the series with a back problem before Roach and Fudadin were injured, while Jason Holder, one of the reserve bowlers, also picked up a wrist injury. West Indies’ resources were already depleted before the series, as Darren Bravo had chosen not to join the squad in South Africa for personal reasons.

Den Amstel and Slingerz... From page 36 play when Andre Hector finished clinically after latching on to a squared ball from Delon Lanferman playing on the right flank. Lanferman, one of the team’s most prolific scorers, finally etched his name on the scoresheet when he placed a low shot into the lower left hand corner of the goal. Earlier, Slingerz FC fans had to endure some anxious moments, before Captain Tichard Joseph eased their agony when he unleashed a pile-driver from just outside the penalty area that blew past the Pouderoyen defensive line and custodian and settle into the back of the goal in the 71st minute. It was worth the wait, but their fans will be hoping to see a much improved performance when they battle Den Amstel in the final on December 26, at the same venue. Former national striker Anthony Abrams gave early indications about their intentions when he fired just outside the upright and then had to endure more torture when his screaming rightfooter slammed onto the

crossbar and rebounded into play, causing much relief to the Pouderoyen side. Pouderoyen all this time soaked up the pressure, showing good defensive discipline, while reminding Slingerz FC of their counterattacking ability as well. On one such counterattack, they nearly grabbed the lead when Sherwin Bernard’s shot from the edge of the box prompted a diving effort from the Slingerz FC goalkeeper to parry it into touch. Shortly after, however, their defensive establishment unexpectedly crumbled allowing the dangerous Joseph sufficient freedom to lash past the keeper in a flash. It all started when Devon Millington evaded his marker on the right side and made a cross into the box which received a poor clearance that landed into the path of Joseph and the result is a place in the final. Pouderoyen will now play Uitvlugt for third place. Up for grabs is $1million for the winner, runner-up takes home $500,000, 3rd place-$300,000 and 4th place$200,000.

Monday December 22, 2014

NAGICO Super50 practice match

Chandrika’s 53 spurs Barnwell’s XI to win in low scoring game against Singh’s XI By Sean Devers The inability to build on good starts is becoming an epidemic at all levels of West Indies cricket and Saturday was no different when the Guyana Cricket Inc held its last practice match for the year at the Everest ground as the Guyana Jaguars continued their preparation for next month’s NAGICO Super50 Regional One-Day cricket tournament in Trinidad & Tobago. Seven batsmen in the match got to 15 but only the right-handed Rajendra Chandrika reached 50 as Chris Barnwell’s X1 were dismissed for 130 in 39.2 overs on another slow track in sweltering heat. Vishaul Singh’s X1 feared even worse when they batted and crumbled for 115 in just 30 overs. Leg-Spinner Devendra Bishoo added 3-25 to his 4-28 in Friday’s first practice match to help his team to a 15-run win. The players will now take to break for Christmas before returning on January 2 for three more matches at the Providence and Bourda before the squad to travel to Carnival Country is selected.

Rajendra Chandrika

Devendra Bishoo

This was the second win in two days for all-rounder Barnwell as he continues to advertise himself as Guyana’s best limited overs Captain. But Barnwell, like the other batsmen, must start stringing together consistent scores if Guyana are to claim its first Regional 50-over title in a decade. Saturday, impetuous shots by ‘set’ batsmen, rather than unplayable bowling orchestrated the demise of most of the batsman as only Chandrika and the fast improving Kandasammy

Surujnarine put together a half-century partnership in ideal conditions for cricket at Camp Road. Chandrika, a stylish stroke player from Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara, reached the boundary five times in his fluent 53 and along with Surujnarine (18) shared in a 50-run stand for the second wicket before the right-handed Surujnarine departed. West Indies under-19 lefthander Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who, like fellow Guyanese Shemron Hetmyer,

should gain selection for the Regional under-19 which will participate in the Super50 tournament along with the six Regional teams, was looking good for a big score before the teenage son of Test veteran Shiv Chanderpaul, fell for 20. After that only Barnwell, who thumped two fours and a six in 17, offered any resistance as Steven Jacobs, a serious contender for the One-Day team, captured 3-27 from 10 tidy overs of off-spin. When Singh’s X1 began their run chase, Hetmyer looked confident and reached the boundary twice before he was sent packing for 30 and only the Skipper, who hit four fours in 21, offered any prolonged resistance after that. Permaul, who shows indications that he could develop into a genuine allrounder, finished unbeaten on 16, while promising 17-yearold fast bowling all-rounder Kemo Paul clobbered two sixes in 13. Spinner Royston Crandon (3-31) and pacers Paul Wintz (2-21) and Keon Joseph (2-28) supported Bishoo with the ball.

Accolades pour in for Lakers’ Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts during the game against Indiana Pacers forward Solomon Hill (44) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 110-91. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant has often been a polarizing figure during his illustrious NBA career, criticized by some for being too selfish and not doing enough as a facilitator for his team mates. For his peers, however, Bryant is simply a winner and will do whatever it takes to instill a winning mindset, even though this season has been especially challenging for an injury-hit team

decidedly low in overall quality. While the Lakers have stuttered to a dismal 8-17 record and languish 13th in the 15-team Western Conference standings, Bryant has flourished and averages 25.2 points, five rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. Five days ago against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bryant eclipsed basketball great Michael Jordan as he moved into third place in the all-time NBA scoring list and

the accolades have since poured in from all quarters. Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant described Bryant as a quintessential winner and 12time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki rated the veteran Lakers guard as “probably” the greatest player of his generation. “It means everything because those are my peers so to have the respect from them is really what the game is all about,” Bryant, 36, told reporters while preparing for

Friday’s home game against Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. “As players, we play for each other. We play to have respect from one another so to hear those comments from your peers, it means a lot.” Bryant, who has made a living by making the seemingly impossible possible for the Lakers, scored 26 points against Minnesota to lift his career total to 32,310. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928) are ahead of him. Jordan himself paid tribute to Bryant for reaching the milestone and pondered what his long-time protege might achieve before he retires from the game. “He’s obviously a great player, with a strong work ethic and has an equally strong passion for the game of basketball,” Jordan said of Bryant. Bryant, who has won five NBA championship rings during his Lakers career, acknowledged his debt to Jordan. “He’s helped me out a great deal,” said Bryant. “I’d reach out to him, he’d hit me right back. He continues to be helpful to me today.”

Monday December 22, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 33

PSP, MOE, MCYS U-17 School’s Football Final

Kallis, Hussey provide Tutorial beat Q/town 3-2 master-classes for Thunder to take C/Ship trophy By Sean Devers Tutorial High School beat Queenstown Community High in an exciting final of the Premier Sports Promotions, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport under-17 School’s Football tournament at Ministry of Education ground yesterday to claim a 3-2 win, the championship Trophy and the $200, 000 cash prize. The 16-team tournament climaxed with an entertaining final which was contested after North Ruimveldt Multilateral got the better of St George’s High 4-2 on penalty kicks in the Third Place play-off which ended scoreless after full time. Multi’s custodian Renaldo Wishart made a crucial save during the penalty kicks to give his team victory and the $100,000 third place prize. St George’s collected $75,000 for their efforts. With the waves of the Atlantic Ocean pounding the Seawalls just over 100 meters behind the Northern Goal Post and a strong breeze blowing across the ground, a small but raucous crowd saw Tutorial take an early lead when leading goal scorer David Coates opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a long range shot which beat Goal Keeper DosSantos Williamson in overcast conditions The talented Coates, who started the contest with five goals, the same as Queenstown’s Kelsey ‘Neymar’ Benjamin, scored again in the 25th minute to put his school two up. It could have been 3-nil shortly after but for an excellent save by Williamson, while Coates was again in the action when he crossed from the right flank to Rudy Richmond, whose kick rebounded from the upright with the Keeper well beaten. Tutorial dominated possession in the first half which ended 2-nil and the body language of the Queenstown students suggested that they were not far away from giving up as Benjamin, known for his ability to mesmerize the opponents with his flamboyant ‘dribbling’ Skills, was given little freedom the fire his shots. The tempo picked up when the halves were switched and with the strong wind behind their back as they launched a concerted counter attack, Queenstown seemed to get a ‘second wind’ while Tutorial relaxed a bit. But it was Tutorial who scored again as both teams played in attacking mode as Queenstown changed their goal Keeper and Ronel Brandis found the back of the net in the 50th minute, and at 3-1, Queenstown seemed to be heading for a crushing defeat. However, the 15-year-old Benjamin was not

MVP & highest goal scorer David Coates proudly displays his trophies. be robbed of his spot glory and, with a clinical left-footer from the ‘top of box’ rocketed one past the Keeper in the 65th minute to make it 3-2 to keep hopes of a sensational come from behind victory alive. Queenstown, led by the diminutive Benjamin, orchestrated an all out attack on Tutorial’s goal as their players seemed to tire despite the heavy cloud cover and Emmanuel Harper scored in the 70th minute in what was to be the last goal of tournament. Queenstown had to settle for the runnerup spot and $150,000 while Coates (7 goals) was given medals for scoring the most goals and being named MVP of the competition. Tummine Whitney (Best Defender), Rudy Richmond (Best Mid fielder) and Ronaldo Wishart (Best Goal Keeper) all received medals for their efforts. At the presentation Coates received a pair of shin guards from former West Indies under19 cricketer Kwame Cross who witnessed every game, while Deputy PS Steve Ninvalle spoke on behalf of the Sports Ministry. Coordinator of the event Mark Young informed that it was a successful venture and hoped that it would be an annual one. The Trophies and Medals with the exception of the first place Medals were provided by Fazia’s Collection while Onzie People’s Choice Barber Shop in New York provided the hardware for the Champions. Coates (7), Benjamin (6), Matthew Harrison (4) and Robby McClaggon (3) were the leading goal scorers in the tournament.

Rudy Richmond’s (white shirt) shot to Goal hits the bar as a well beaten DosSantos Williamson looks on.

ESPNcricinfo - Two very special innings from veterans Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis saw Sydney Thunder register a 56-run victory over Brisbane Heat in their first match of the Big Bash League season. The win is only the Thunder ’s second in 22 matches following their 19match losing streak that ended last season. Kallis and Hussey played innings of classical style and modern mentality. Hussey, who scored 96, and Kallis, with an unbeaten 97, put on a record breaking 160 for the first wicket - only six short of the Thunder’s highest team score before today and comfortably the highest partnership for any wicket for the Thunder and the secondhighest partnership by any team in the BBL. No bowler escaped the onslaught, Andrew Flintoff on his BBL debut, was struck for 25 from just two overs. Flintoff later recorded a third-ball duck as the Heat lost 6 for 19, their chase crumbling badly to be bowled out in the 18th over. 39 year olds Kallis and Hussey, both retired from international cricket and irregular T20 freelancers, fused the old world with the new to propel the Thunder well past their previous highest score of 166 for 6 to 208 for 1. Kallis’ 97 became his new highest T20 score; surpassing the 89 not out he made for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2010. With very short straight boundaries the Heat, who won the toss and elected to bowl, looked to hit back of a length, forcing the Thunder to score to the larger square boundaries. But Kallis and Hussey countered, using their feet and opening up the off side, thrashing the ball behind square. When the Heat then went shorter still, Kallis and Hussey stayed back and hooked, pulled and swatted the ball away. Although the pair played with similarly classical techniques and finished with very similar scores: Hussey 96 from 60 balls; Kallis 97 from 55, their innings differed in strategy. Hussey, after facing twelve balls, eight of them dots, elevated his scoring rate and maintained it throughout his innings, six fours and seven sixes puncturing proactive rotation of the strike. He faced just twelve dot balls in his last 48 deliveries. Kallis meanwhile reaffirmed the lasting value of acceleration in an age of

Jacques Kallis perfectly timed his innings. (Getty Images) consistent scoring intensity. He scored just 33 runs from his first 28 balls, including ten dot balls and he hit just one boundary in his first 22. But off his last 27, he doubled his scoring rate to score 66 runs facing just two dot balls, and at one point he scored off 22 consecutive deliveries. It truly was an innings of two halves; a strike-rate of 117 preceded a strike-rate of 237. His approach was so effective that its lessons should be borne around the T20 world. Hussey led the partnership, at one point he was 42 runs ahead of Kallis, but the pair complimented each other. They exited the Powerplay at just 54 for 0 and passed 100 in the twelfth over, and truly accelerated thereafter scoring eight consecutive double-digit overs all the way up until the close of the innings. Admirably, Hussey didn’t slow as he neared what would have been his second T20 century, but fell just short of the milestone when he was caught well by wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson after top edging a pull shot high into the night’s sky off the bowling of Cameron Gannon. Eoin Morgan joined Kallis for the final few balls of the innings and had enough time to play a single jaw-dropping shot. Backing away to a delivery from Ryan Duffield that was angled in towards Morgan’s legs, he moved

away to the leg side and back deep in the crease; just as the ball narrowly missed leg stump, Morgan jammed his bat down on the ball deflecting it behind the stumps, wrong-footing the keeper who was headed well down the leg side, through where first slip would’ve been and fine of third man. The Heat’s faced a tough chase and it got a lot harder by the third ball of the innings when debutant Simon Milenko fell for a duck. Kallis then bowled Dan Christian for 8 in the third over. The middle order trio of Joe Burns, who made 28, Chris Lynn, 40, and Nathan Reardon, 49, brought the match back into the balance and Thunder captain Hussey admitted to being worried when they were at the crease but the required run rate never dropped below 12 after the ninth over. Lynn was dismissed by new signing Andrew MacDonald in the twelfth over and after Reardon fell in the fifteenth the Heat fell away miserably with only Peirson joining Burns, Lynn and Reardon in double figures. The Thunder’s attack was varied and potent, Gurinder Sandhu with 3 for 19, and MacDonald, 3 for 20, the pick of the Thunder bowlers. Scores: Sydney Thunder 208 for 1 (Kallis 97*, Hussey 96) beat Brisbane Heat 152 (Reardon 49, Sandhu 3-19) by 56 runs.

Page 34

Kaieteur News

Rest of the World emerge champions in Golf Club Tournament

The members of the victorious Rest of the World team, except for member Roberto Grisi: (from left) - Hilbert Shields, Ian Gouveia, Mohanlall ‘Santo’ Dinanuth, Kalyan Tiwari, Nick Jackson (visiting player of South Africa), Richard Haniff, Kishan Bacchus, Fazil ‘Thats it’ Haniff and Parmanand ‘Max’ Persaud. With their love for the game and their spirits undaunted by the recent arson on valuable club equipment Thursday night, golfers turned out with high enthusiasm on Saturday 20th December for the Club sponsored ‘Rest of the World’ versus ‘Lusignan Golf Club’ tournament. Captain Chatterpaul ‘Chen’ Deo expressed his pleasure at the turnout, the keenness of the competition and the high morale with

which golfers participated. At the end of the day’s play, the ‘Rest of the World’, returning a score of 12 points, emerged champions over Lusignan Golf Club by a clear 4 points. Captain Deo was also grateful for the effort Grounds Supervisor Mike Gayadin and foreman Avinash Persaud expended to ensure that the greens were in fine condition despite the loss of the valuable equipment that would normally be used to provide

easy preparation of the greens. Three prizes were awarded for the day’s play which began at 12:30 p.m. These were the Team prize, the Best Net Pair prize and the Most Honest Pair prize. The competition was played in a ‘pairs format’ – the simple average of handicaps and scores of pairs of members of each team were calculated and the pair with the Best Net awarded the appropriate

prize. The Team prize was determined by the sum of the net points awarded each pair in the team. Best Net pair was Kishan Bacchus (h/cap 16) and Kalyan Tiwari (h/cap 20) whose average handicap of 18 and average gross 76 resulted in the best net of 58. Most Honest Pair was Hilbert Shields (h/cap 18) and ‘Santo’ Dinanauth (h/cap 4) whose average handicap of 11 and average gross of 75 resulted in a net 64.

Video seems to show football’s Rice, future wife kiss after brawl Former Baltimore Ravens NFL running back Ray Rice arrives for a hearing at a New York City office building November 6, 2014. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

NEW YORK (Reuters) Newly released video footage appears to show professional football’s Ray Rice and his future wife kissing while handcuffed in a casino elevator following the couple’s fight that cost Rice his job with the Baltimore Ravens. The brawl in which Rice, 27, knocked out and dragged an unconscious Janay Palmer,

26, at an Atlantic City casino in February inflamed debate over domestic violence and professional football. In a surveillance video released to ABC News on Friday through a public records request, several people who appear to be hotel staff can be seen talking to Palmer while she sits in a chair and cries. Rice sits away from Palmer

with his hands behind his back. Rice and Palmer then appear to kiss and nuzzle while handcuffed, accompanied by several law enforcement officers in an elevator, and are led away to patrol cars. Palmer appears to cry hysterically on and off throughout the footage, while Rice looks calm.

Rice attempted to block the release of the footage but was unsuccessful, ABC reported. National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Rice, a three-time Pro Bowler, in July for two games over the fight. Goodell’s handling of the case raised questions about the effectiveness of the NFL’s response to domestic violence and prompted an independent investigation led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller. After release of surveillance footage in September showing the onepunch knockout, Rice was dropped from the Ravens, losing his $35 million contract, and the NFL suspended him indefinitely. He was reinstated to the NFL on November 28, but it was unclear if any club would sign the six-year veteran. It was also not clear how the new video footage would affect his job hunt. Rice’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday.

Monday December 22, 2014

GFA/Banks Beer Cup Round Robin football tournament

GFC maul Houston Stars; Western Tigers squeeze juice from Fruta Conquerors By Michael Benjamin A 6 goals blitz by Trayon Bobb (23, 42, 44, 53, 83, 90) supported by doubles from Kieron Solomon and Terrence Lewis (10;38 and 8:58 respectively), further aided by one goal apiece off the boots of Dellon Cadogan (37) and Sherman Anthony (36), propelled the Georgetown Football Club FC to a crushing 12 nil shutdown over Houston Stars FC when the action continued in the GFA/Banks Beer Cup Round Robin football tournament at the GFC Ground last Saturday evening. A blow by blow report would highlight the fact that more than 80% of the Group ‘B’ fixture was played in Houston Stars FC territory and the fact that the margin of defeat was not wider was due, largely in part, to tardiness of the GFC players. It was a total walk in the park for the eventual winners who scored 8 of their goals in the first session. Notwithstanding, the consensus seems to suggest that the win may be the shot in the arm that the GFC needed to advance to the knockout round of the tournament. The feature match between Western Tigers FC and Fruta Conquerors was far more competitive and in the end, the former team managed to squeeze the juice from the latter with 1 nil victory after Daren Benjamin netted in the 20th minute of the game. Both teams attacked frenetically at the whistle and the exchanges during the early stages were truly exciting. The Benjamin goal came after a clever bit of weaving culminated in a powerful shot that passed the opposition’s defence and goalie. Conqueror’s striker, Pernell Schultz should have equalized some ten minutes later but his firm right foot shot slid along the right of the ‘Tigers’ goal. As the battle continued, Western Tigers’ striker, Mervyn Joseph, attacked and unleashed a ferocious kick to the opposition’s goal but their goalie, Dennis Edwards, plunged to his right and chucked the ball back into play. Another Western Tigers player, Mervyn Joseph, adroitly weaved his way to Conqueror’s goal, swiveled on the ball of his right foot and struck but was dismayed to see his shot sailing over the upright.

Trayon Bobb

Darren Benjamin The Fruta strike force of Jermaine Taylor and Schultz continued to work hard yet failed to find the magic to equalize the situation and the teams went in at the intermission with the score unchanged. Fruta Conquerors continued to search for the equalizer early into the second session when Schultz sent in a fierce kick only to be denied after the Western Tigers custodian, Dereck Carter, flung himself to the right and intercepted the ball. Thereafter, the battle intensified with both teams enjoying favourable moments; through skilful intervention and staunch defensive work on both sides, the score remained unchanged. Schultz was to feature once again as the clock wound down the minutes, and with just the goalie to contend with, the striker lost his nerve and pushed the ball down the right side of the Western Tigers’ goal. It proved to be the last chance to bring the situation back to equilibrium as the shrill sound of the whistle sealed the issue for the West Ruimveldt based team. Play continued at the same venue last evening when Beacon FC opposed Camptown while Riddim Squad matched skills with Santos FC. Those results will appear in tomorrow’s edition.