Monday December 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
The govt. must have a conditional No Objection role in Procurement DEAR EDITOR, There seems to be a misunderstanding of the meaning, of the words, “No Objection” to be issued by Cabinet. This No objection will not affect the independence of the Procurement Body (PB)= Public Procurement Commission(PPC) + Tender Board(TB). The Cabinet review, comments, and the No objection will be based on a pre-set Procurement Plan and Procedures(PPAP) for each Inititiatives/Project of Procuring Works, Goods and Services. Initiatives, Programs/ Projects are identified in annual national budgets, as Parliamentary appropriation, based on manifesto/needs etc. AT the inception, Initiation documents prepared by the government with inputs from the PB, set the goals, objectives, related issues, possible risks, preliminary criteria, timing, Class D estimates, addressing what, where, who, when, and why, with preliminary quantification and qualification, prioritize needs as critical, necessary, or desirable, with criteria for stakeholders satisfaction. A Procurement Plan and Procurement Procedures can be set now and revised after the Feasibility study is done. The PB has the responsibility to implement, award, control, evaluate all initiatives, contracts etc after the review, comments and No Objection of Cabinet, based on the Procurement Plan and Procedures. Cabinet has no authority to approve nor disapprove. An agreed PPAP for every initiative/project will reflect: a) contracts and details b)methods of
procurement —competitive, selective, prequalification, prior short list c)rewiew procedures/criteria by PB and Cabinet. d)pre approved evaluation criteria for the executing agency e)Terms of Reference review and how it meet the initiative etc Some Criteria of the Procurement Plan And Procedures (PPAP)which cabinet will use to review and issue the No objections are: 1)Have the criteria in PPAP been met. 2)Do we have the right alternatives 3)Is value for money achieved 4)Were all bidders provided with same information and opportunity to bid 4)Has domestic contracting/ manufacturing been encouraged 5)Is the process Transparent 6)Has Treasurary Board stipulations been met. 7)Has Quality and Quantity been satisfied 8)What are the activities that can prevent timely completion? What mitigation and at what cost 9)What risks are involved and at what cost 10)Are prices consistent with market value 11)What are the possibility of cost overrun? What %? Should government contemplate budgeting for cost overrun? 12)Is their joint ventures with local companies for transfer of technology? 14)Have consultants and contractors meet all bonding conditions, Liquidated damages, submitted accurate informations. 15) Are there contractors black listed or accused of mal practice 16)review documents, bid
e v a l u a t i o n s , recommendations and contracts to ensure that the process was consistent with the PPAP. 17) Fraud and Corruption: Fraud and corruption include acts of: (i) corrupt practice; (ii) fraudulent practice; (iii) coercive practice; and (iv) collusive practice. - A corrupt practice is the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting, directly or indirectly, of anything of value to influence the actions of another party; - A fraudulent practice is any act or omission, including a misrepresentation, which misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party in order to obtain a financial or other benefit or to avoid an obligation; - A coercive practice is impairing or harming, or threatening to impair or harm, directly or indirectly, any party or property of the party to influence the actions of a party; and - A collusive practice is an arrangement between two or more parties designed to achieve an improper purpose, including to influence improperly the actions of another party. (See IDB Procurement) We are now alleging that the government is corrupt, so Procurement must be the responsibility of the PB. What prevents the PB from being corrupt? Therefore, the only redress, is the No Objection by cabinet as an oversight, to ensure all criteria is followed in the PPAP. Pt. Joe Persuad
Bridging the Berbice River DEAR EDITOR, Bridging of the Berbice River is one of the most invaluable projects executed and delivered for the people of Guyana. This is one of the structures that come at a time when direct stress was passed on to the general citizenship of Guyana and moreso to tourists when commuting to the region; no one knows the stress levels and loss in time incurred with the previous model, so the opposition should shut up and face the reality of opportunity time. I am hoping the opposition knows that people time is valuable, and they realize how much is it really worth? The opposition must go back to the basics and try to analyze the stress about a delayed boat with a long line, is it possible to quantify—to put a concrete number on—the time being wasted? To say not just, “My time is valuable!” but “That’s US$250 of my time down the drain!” It turns out the answer is yes. And to do so you only need to use one of the most basic principles of economics: opportunity cost, let the opposition do some work rather than them using the “empty barrel makes the most noise” concept. The call for reduced tariff is not justifiable; they are comparing the Demerara Harbour Bridge tariff structure which is heavily subsidized by the Government with the Berbice Bridge which is fully self reliant. If the opposition is ready to offset the tariff differences for the reduction they are calling for, then they should sign onto to a MOU with the BBCI and proceed with their call, it is just politics that is emotionally driven. It’s not too hard to see how crucial is time lost (the opposition should conduct a time and motion study on the Berbice crossing now with data from the ferrying model) and
with time reduction that goes with increasing justification for increasing people’s social benefits. How much is an hour of your time worth? The bridge roll on the ease of commuting, for the farmers, construction workers, tourists to name a few, and very important reduced time for life saving events, transporting medical cases to the public/private hospitals in Berbice and also to the national Referral Hospital in Georgetown. We have to thank the many investors for coming on board with this project since, from an economic standpoint, social dimensions and environmental impacts, this bridge has closed the gaps within each dimension so translating all benefits to the people, and that is what this Government is all about, giving its general citizenship cause to develop themselves. Why only the Berbice Bridge? The opposition has their personal vendetta against some of the direct private investors; this is not professional analysis from the opposition side, but, rather “an eye for an eye” game that will only see the entire of Guyana going blind. I call on the opposition to work with the Government in parliament to ensure our country is taken off the blacklist with the passing of the money laundering and countering financing terrorism Bill — this is more important at this time. This is what the private investors did with the Berbice Bridge, since the private sector has the bottom or the operating core of the country at heart, they made this investment possible so that the hardship of commuting to and from the region becomes a model to push Guyana forward, and this is what the outcomes is. Michael H. Khan
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 23, 2013
Take away lethal weapons from CPGs The time is now right for those who are responsible for security in Guyana to begin to embrace modern technology and equip the ranks of the various Community Policing Groups with more effective but less lethal weapons. This view has long been held by Alliance For Change Leader Khemraj Ramjatan who said that his party will be pushing for legislative changes that could see community policing ranks be given relevant weapons “I have asked on numerous occasions for these people to be given stun guns…, which can knock you out, and not kill you. Why don’t they invest in that for the Community Policing Group? That’s the kind of investment that the Alliance For Change would like to see,” Ramjattan reasoned. His restated position comes in the wake of the shooting of a 20 year old Bellevue, West Bank Demerara youth, Godfrey Jhaggroo called ‘Oh-Oh’, reportedly by members of the neighbourhood’s Community Policing Group. A police official statement said that their “Initial investigations have revealed that Godfrey Jhaggroo was involved in an argument with his mother during which a man, who resides next door and operates an off licence liquor store, intervened and assaulted him with a piece of wood.”
- AFC Leader
AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan According to the police, Jhaggroo was on his way to the Wales Police Station to make a report when he was confronted by three men, one of whom is a licenced firearm holder, “and who were at the off licence liquor store, during which he was shot to his back with a shotgun.” Ramjattan said that he had read about the incident and “I want to believe that it is almost like murder and it smacks of an execution and extra judicial killing.” “It is totally abhorrent to our system of justice, and it must not be done and the people doing it be literally not chastised, and sometimes even being praised. It is a horrible development,” the AFC Leader stated. Ramjattan agreed that last Thursday’s case was not one that had to be attended to with the type of force that
Godfrey Jhaggroo was used. For one, he said that the CPG members have no real training to make proper assessment of a particular situation. “This just goes to show they want to be judge, jury and executioner …they are making their own assessment, and they are given guns that can shoot bullets at almost seven yards per second. Once that shot is fired it becomes unreviewable and the death thereafter becomes another horrific experience for Guyanese citizens and this has to be brought to a halt,” Ramjattan stated. Because of the nature of
criminal activities these days, Community Policing Groups are not expected to engage criminals in armed confrontations but rather they are supposed to gather information and contact the more equipped Guyana Police Force. Ramjattan strongly recommended that if the concept of Community Policing is to work there be a huge investment in the training of those involved, so that they can execute their duty in a lawful and proper fashion that will not end up in unnecessary injury or death to innocent Guyanese. “You remember the Yohance Douglas incident, and they were policemen much less these guys, and now they are given powerful weapons,” Ramjattan, a defence attorney, said. He pointed out that this development is symptomatic of the reality that passes for law enforcement in Guyana, adding that the real police are the lesser of the two evils, since in the main local law enforcers are trigger happy. “Within the community
policing group, once they have guns, they are far more trigger-happy, if you were to look at ratio as to how many shootings they would do normally. But it sometimes goes unreported. So it is something that we really have to start thinking through better…so that these Community Policing people don’t start killing people,” the AFC Leader stated. “We had seen this development in another period of Guyana’s history, when the Community Policing started getting a lot of immunity,” he added, noting that CPG members were usurping the powers of the regular police, by wantonly searching and arresting persons,” he added. Ramjattan laid the blame for the seemingly out-ofcontrol CPGs on the ruling People’s Progressive Party. “The PPP loves that kind of thing, because all those Community Policing Groups are made up of hardcore PPP activists. So they want to arm them in a very indirect way,” Ramjattan stated. His beliefs are similar to that of a former senior police officer who told this newspaper that Community Policing Groups operate as if they are only accountable to
the Ministry of Home Affairs. Speaking with this newspaper yesterday, the senior officer who was integrally involved in the early days of Community Policing, recalled that the late Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis always insisted that the CPGs know under which authority they fall, and that is the police. “It is clear that Community Policing is heading in a different direction. It is troubling and disturbing to note that during the 33rd anniversary celebrations of Community Policing in Guyana, the honourable Minister of Home Affairs had said that community policing had not been taken away from the Guyana Police Force, and that it is the police who are responsible for monitoring them. Yet the current circumstances reflect otherwise. Some groups are misguided because the Ministry through its Liaison Officers keeps insisting that CPGs report to the Ministry,” the former cop said. He added that this is why some Divisional Commanders and other senior police officers are now adopting a hands-off approach to some Community Policing Groups.
CPCE Principal calls for review of some teachers’ training centres
CPCE Principal, Viola Rowe
Although 14 teacher training centres were established in nine of the 10 Administrative Regions to complement the work of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Principal of the institution, Viola Rowe, is adamant that some of these centres are currently not active. Her disclosure was forthcoming even as she presented the Principal’s Report at the 79th Graduation ceremony on Thursday last at the National Cultural Centre. Formal initial teacher training commenced in Guyana in 1928 and
according to Rowe, over the past eight decades, the institution experienced many transformations including changes in governance structure and curriculum offerings. But it was in the quest to demonstrate, “our values of social justice and equity of access, the institution moved from (being) a one centre location...” Rowe explained. However, during the past year of teachers’ training, a period spanning September 2012 through August 2013, the Principal disclosed that not all satellite centres were active. She noted though that “with our commitment to providing access and our determination to improving the quality of teacher education, it might become necessary to revive some of those centres.” But on the other hand, Rowe said that some active centres could become inactive and new training locations identified to realise greater results. This potential move was emphasised even as she insisted that the institution remains committed to preparing men and women from all Regions of the country for formal entry into Guyana’s teaching profession.
Rowe in her presentation, disclosed that, “we are confident that our graduates are capable of providing high quality instruction to students in urban and rural classrooms of Guyana, contributing to the national development goal of having a competent citizen.” During the past year, the College offered the Associate Degree in Education, the Trained Teacher’s Certificate and the Teacher Upgrading programmes, Rowe disclosed. In her presentation she was vocal in pointing out that although the institution continued to prepare teachers for the 21st Century classroom, “we saw the absence of technology support in some of the schools to which traineeteachers were attached for their practicum stints as inhibiting the institution’s programme.” Rowe informed too that some students found the lack of such support frustrating because, among other reasons, they did not have the opportunity to incorporate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the teaching/learning situation. However, she Continued on page 12
Monday December 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 23, 2013
Essequibo Ferry Service comes Local Govt. Ministry donates brush to the rescue for Christmas cutters to health facilities countrywide The refurbished M.V. Malali, along with the two Chinese ferries have been operating on a double schedule daily, rendering services to persons traveling to Georgetown and back. Employees indicate while management has installed
three ferries at Christmas time, they are not sure if those ferries would continue to operate after the Holiday season. The employees added that the Good/Hope Supenaam Ferry Stelling continue to record an increased daily flow of
passengers leading up to the Christmas Holidays, since the new service is more convenient, especially for business people who are taking advantage of crossing the river with their vehicles, making it easier for them to return the same day. Meanwhile, a speed boat operator at Supenaam opined that persons continue to use the ferry service at GoodHope because it is much safer, taking into consideration the harmful effects of the rainy weather. The young man added that indeed there has been a decrease in the number of persons using the speed boats. Over 300 vehicles and passenger continue to utilize the service at Supenaam Stelling.The Good-Hope Ferry service has been operating effectively ever since repairs were done to a section of the Stelling, which was damaged after a laden rice truck fell under the bridge resulting in a huge hole. Rice Miller Hakh of Golden Fleece had rendered repairs to the damaged area, since he has a fleet of trucks that utilize the service to transport rice from the Region to Georgetown, where the commodity is further transported to Venezuela.
Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker handing over a brush cutter to a representative of the Mackenzie Hospital, Region 10. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has gotten onboard the enhancement drive in the administrative regions, and today it presented brush cutters to 27 hospitals and health centres. Representatives from the various hospitals and the Regional Executive Officers (REO) of the 10 Administrative Regions, along with representatives of the Cornelia Ida (CI) and
Ruimveldt youth groups received brush cutters at the Ministry’s Kingston Office. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud acknowledged that it was another event in which the Ministry used the taxpayers’ money for the development of the people and enhancement of the environment. Also at the ceremony the
Ministry handed over some books that were written by former Guyanese Presidents Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan, to the learning centers of Regions Eight and Nine. This was part of a distribution exercise that commenced a few months ago that saw the donation of such books to the education departments of the Regions with the exception of Regions Eight and Nine.(GINA)
Monday December 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Bringing Sustainable Initiatives to the Caribbean
Kiven Pierre (left) receives an award from Terry Brown, Director of the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship, during the Panasci Business Plan Competition. By Kathleen Haley In Kiven Pierre’s home country of Guyana, cheap electricity is a valuable commodity. “The majority of energy systems in the Caribbean are based on diesel, heavy fuel oils. It makes electricity very expensive,” says Pierre G’13, a Whitman Ph.D. student who earned an M.B.A. in May. According to his research, costs can range 28 to 30 cents or more per kilowatt hour in the South American country, four to five times as much as in New York State, which is about 7 to 8 cents per kilowatt hour. Pierre wants to change that using something that is plentiful in the warm climate—solar energy. “In the Caribbean, we do have a lot of sunlight; it only makes sense,” he says. “I see solar as something that is very overlooked.” H e ’s c r e a t e d t w o c o m p a n i e s — CaribVentures Consulting and El Dorado Energy— that are geared toward making the most of the sun and sustainability. Both ventures placed in the semi-finals in different years of the campus-wide Panasci Business Plan Competition through Whitman’s Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship. El Dorado Energy won $10,000 as part of the Raymond von Dran IDEA Awards at the Emerging Talk conference earlier this year at SU. BEST PRACTICES CaribVentures Consulting is a start-up providing consulting services to entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to put in place sustainable initiatives and practices.
“ I n C a r i b Ve n t u r e s , we’re trying to promote sustainable development throughout the Caribbean,” Pierre says. “El Dorado Energy was along those lines as an initiative to achieve sustainable development, seeing how energy is an important topic in the Caribbean.” The vision for El Dorado Energy, which won Panasci’s Holtz Prize in Global Enterprise, is to promote solar leasing by installing residential and commercial solar systems and selling the clients the electricity. “Our aim is to make the electricity much more cost efficient, ecological and socially conscious,” Pierre says. Pierre and his partner in El Dorado, which operates out of Whitman’s Couri Hatchery, were surprised by their win in the IDEA Aw a r d s , but were encouraged by the recognition. “It was great from the perspective that people really saw that promise in the idea, something that was worthwhile,” Pierre says. “We recently applied
for an IDB grant, and depending on the outcome we should be able to keep progressing.” Kiven Pierre receives an award from Terry Brown, director of the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship, during the Panasci Business Plan Competition. Pierre, who earned an undergraduate degree in business administration at Morgan State University in Baltimore, focused on entrepreneurship and sustainability during his master ’s coursework, completing a certificate of advanced study in sustainable enterprise (CASSE). The CASSE is open to all graduate students in every program at SU and SUNY ESF. It provides a solid grounding in sustainable enterprise and an enhanced understanding of the relevance and practice of sustainable enterprise within each student’s discipline.Along with the required courses and electives, Pierre worked with a team on a capstone project that studied an aquaponics company. In his work aside from his studies, Pierre serves as vice president of career development for the SU-ESF Net Impact chapter, which promotes the idea of sustainability through corporate and university chapters that embrace the concept. He also conducts his own research into social and sustainable entrepreneurship. Pierre also works with Todd Moss, an assistant professor of entrepreneurship at Whitman and faculty director for the Sustainable Enterprise Partnership, on identifying emerging markets for sustainable entrepreneurs. “Every business can find at least some way to be sustainable,” Pierre says. “It’s not going to be cost efficient for everyone to do it on the same level, but every little bit can go a long way.”
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 23, 2013
Parliament one step closer to becoming paperless - UNDP donates tablets, laptop and desktop computers
Speaker, Raphael Trotman receives the technological equipment The Guyana Parliament’s vision to become a paperless parliament has been brought one step closer to reality with the handing over of 15 Samsung galaxy tab3, five dell optiplex desktop computers and one dell laptop computer by the United Nations Development Project
(UNDP). Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony on Thursday last, Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, explained that the Parliament of Guyana will be embarking on a Paperless Parliament Test Project (PPTP). He said the Parliament
of Guyana has always recognized the UNDP as its biggest development partner and is pleased to be undertaking this project with them. He further explained that the project will facilitate the enhancement and upgrading of desktop computers used
by Members of Parliament in the Information Technology Resource Centre and upgrade the Parliament’s website to ensure that it is functional and effective in supporting the efforts of the Parliament to be more open to the people of Guyana. “Undoubtedly, the time to
begin to embrace and use modern technologies to a id in the work of the National Assembly is now,” he said, noting that there has been an enhanced interest in the work of the National Assembly, thus requiring Members to be more accessible to their constituents, citizens and stakeholders.
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Khadija Musa said that the UNDP is happy to be able to contribute to the reduction of paper usage in the Parliament Office and is committed to working together with the Parliament of Guyana to realise its vision. She encouraged the Government and other developmental partners to assist in supplying all Parliamentarians and the necessary members of staff from the Parliament Office with similar electronic devices. The Parliament Office will run a pilot project for four months in which the Speaker and a select group of Parliamentarians and members of staff will commit to share all information electronically. While this is done, the Office will commit to conducting a study of the amount of paper and financial and other resources that will be saved by the Office and the Government whilst acquainting MPs and staff of the benefits of the electronic sharing of information. During this pilot project, all Members involved will report regularly to a designated Officer who will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the project and preparing regular reports for sharing with the Parliamentary Management Committee and the UNDP.
Recreation does for you what it says literally. It creates you again. It refreshes the mind, renews the spirit, and motivates the body. Constant working towards some objective can do the opposite, unless we control it by rest and relaxation.
Monday December 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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SWANSONG FOR SANTA In my childhood, “His Master’s Voice” was not the lady of the house but phenomena that waxed even warmer and needed to be wound up to give voice. They were records set, not by Usain Bolt, but a large record company, RCA Victor. Those thick, black discs carried on their labels pictures of a dog named Nipper, with his face stuck in a large brass phonograph cylinder. “Why the dog trying to eat the gramophone?” I asked my Grandmother. “He teeth go break!” Unfortunately, His Master’s Voice was almost impossible for me to understand since it was invariably in Hindi. My grandmother preferred her “Indian songs” and played them almost incessantly. The one song I understood and played when I could was a calypso by the late Lord Melody called “Jonah And The Bake”. The story line was simple – Jonah’s father was making bakes, Johah diverted one, his father discovered that one was missing and poor Jonah, wishing perhaps that a whale would come and swallow him as he had swallowed the hot bake, was beaten to within an inch of his life. I remember the lines, “Jonah, you take a
bake here? One gone, one gone.” Given the frequency with which I played the song, I was lucky there were no neighbours around otherwise the next thing would have been, “Another one gone.” Years later the rage was the radiogram – huge, glassfronted wooden cabinets with a radio, phonograph, cloth-covered speakers woven within the design and lots of glass and polish. For something we called a “gram” it weighed tons. Like chrome dining sets and living-room furniture, “grams” became the rage and if you wanted to keep up with the Joneses, you had to acquire one. They were expensive but there was no more stirring spectacle than the truck from the village department store coming to your house on Christmas Eve to drop off a “gram”. Neighbours peeped surreptitiously from behind the curtains they were “putting up” and the children ran out asking “All youh buy a gram?” and then shouting rhythmically, “Dey buy a gram, dey buy a gram!” There were people who were so stretched financially after buying the gram, even though this was through “terms” or credit, they had no money left to buy records.
Our “gram” was a Blaupunkt, made in Germany, and coming so soon after World War Two, I later figured out that was the way the Germans chose to get back at us for winning the war. My mother, like my Grandmother, preferred Indian songs too but among the pile we had one song which that Christmas got more airtime than any Messerschmidt bomber. It was a “45”, the new record format which had started to replace the old “78s” and it had two songs on it – “Mamacita Donde Esta Santa Claus?” (which continues to be the most Spanish I ever learnt at any one time) and, my favourite, “Don’t Care Who You Are Old Fatso.” It was sung by a child star named Augie Rios whose career disappeared like Santa after that Christmas ended. But for a while he made it to the top of the charts. The premise was simple. A cynical little kid seeing this sled and its owner on his roof, demands, “Don’t care who you are old Fatso get that reindeer off my roof/ Don’t care who you are old Fatso get that reindeer off my roof/ Don’t care who you are because/ There aint no Santa Claus/ There ain’t no Santa
Claus and I have proof.” Now, Dr. Thomas Cavalieri, a geriatrician who is the dean of the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, has put a new spin on Santa’s avoirdupois without cutting a disk. In his view the Old Fatso is not doing so badly. “Because Santa is probably more than 550 years old, a lot of people would say that growing older hasn’t been a problem for him.” However, Dr. Cavalieri says that Santa still looks like he could lose a few pounds. He believes if Santa could skip some of those sugary snacks that children leave for him, he would avoid the weight gain that could lead to conditions like heart disease and diabetes especially in people over 65. On the plus side the milk that Santa drinks with his cookies helps him to avoid osteoporosis but climbing up and down chimneys while good is dangerous and should be replaced by a brisk walk. Cavalieri’s prognosis is that when you add it all together, Santa’s health habits definitely put him on a successful aging path that others can follow. “He appears to be in pretty good shape and should be able to continue filling Christmas wishes for many years
to come.” Researchers at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg are not as sanguine. “Santa’s quite obvious abdominal obesity and deep red facial complexion are convincing indicators that the man is at risk for both heart attack and stroke,” says Annika Rosengren, professor at the Department of Emergency and Cardiovascular Medicine. So if you see Santa on your roof next Tuesday night, tell him that Australian
public health expert, Dr. Nathan Gillis, advises that he should share Rudolf’s snack of carrots and celery sticks rather than brandy and mince pies and swap his reindeer for a bike or walk. Otherwise he would probably go down under. *Tony Deyal was last seen saying that the estimated speed of Santa’s travel would make both him and his reindeer explode and burn up within milliseconds of take-off. The fact that he survives is a record.
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 23, 2013
New Amsterdam gets another modern supermarket Building on what they have with the customers in mind, entrepreneurs Randolph and Rhonda Blair have expanded and remodeled the Stretch D Dollar Supermarket that was in existence at Pitt Street, New Amsterdam. The store which is now double its previous size offers customers a wider variety to choose from. According to Rudolph Blair the Supermarket presents an opportunity to customers for ‘a one stop shop scenario’ with the same products being offered in many different brands and varieties. The Stretch D Dollar chain of supermarkets, which boasts three locations across Berbice, was initially opened at Coberg Street, Cumberland, East Canje in 2002 and another on Main Street in 2005 (now relocated to Pitt Street, New Amsterdam). One more was opened at Rosignol, West Bank Berbice in 2010. Blair stated that he was inspired to expand on his old business, because of the tremendous support that he has been receiving from patrons at his various locations throughout Berbice. At present, the business employs 67 persons.
The new state of the art supermarket.
Monday December 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Stringent checks before agreeing to next year’s public service funds - AFC Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan has indicated his party’s intent to scrutinize the spendi n g of Public Servants’ funds before agreeing to allocations in the New Year. Ramjattan highlighted the option of cutting budgeted funds if the government is unable to p r o v i d e a paper trail or account for money previously budgeted for public workers’ increases. Ramjattan said, “the party will be scrutinizing thoroughly, where that $4.4B voted for Public Servants went.” He said that Finance Minister Ashni Singh is making the case, “and not very cogently, that it (allocations) went towards promotions of certain staff members and also the hiring of new recruits”, but “that money was not supposed to go there.” Ramjattan clarified, “revised wages and salaries are exclusively for the revision of wages and salaries for public workers during the course of the year and the
AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo
AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan
Minister must say what happened to that money before we agree for any more. I did ask a question and he (Minister) never answered whether indeed any of the money for the revised wages and salaries went towards paying GINA and NCN staff and he deliberately did not answer that in Parliament.” “I believe moreover that when indeed they are caught, in the sense that they did take monies from the revised wages and salaries to put into
other line items that were reduced, there must be some measure of accountability at the criminal law process. Right now we do not have the capacity to carry the Minister to court because the Financial Management and Accountability Act Section 85, only states officials are those who will be penalized; and after investigations, we were told by those in charge that officials do not mean the Minister.” That is why, Ramjattan continued, that the Bill by Mr.
Carl Greenidge now indicates that official must now include the minister. “The President has not assented to that bill,” he asserted. It is then left to decide whether to go ahead with a private prosecution against the officials of the Ministry of Finance, who would then siphon off monies from the line items approved by the Assembly to line items that were not approved; “that is criminal. It has a penalty of imprisonment,” Ramjattan stated. He continued that it was intended, when passing the Financial Management Act, to endure that when the National Assembly puts money into line items, it is used for what it was approved. “So at budget time, there will be tremendous scrutiny as to where that revised wages and salary money went ($4.4B), even if he (Minister) has to tell us each promotion and each new worker that was hired and not paid out of the category called wages and salaries.”
Wages and salaries, he explained, is different from revised wages and salaries since wages and salaries would have already catered for the projected promotions and hiring of staff. Party Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo said that, 12 to 15 percent increase for public workers was what was supported and, “it was our conviction at that time that we were voting for no less than 10 percent for the workers. It could have been as much as a 12 percent increase, but when we get this type of explanation that it was not all for wages, then somebody is m i s l eading the National Assembly.” Nagamootoo said that the party supports the Public Servants protest. In terms of wage increases, it should be linked to collective
bargaining, while trade unions should be recognized and retire from their “paused” position. He said that a tripartite committee must conduct a forensic of the budget involving trade unions, the opposition and the government. He continued that there should be a thorough examination of the budget to see how much revision of wages went for the increase in wages and that for new recruits. The party concluded however that the budget will have to state clearly wages and salaries funds from revised wages and salaries given the manner in which they opined, the government has skillfully hidden Finance resources. They party sees this as theft to hide money in such a way using sections of the budget.
The Quest for Knowledge refreshes the mind, recreates the spirit, and motivates the body. It creates enthusiasm and desire to live an exciting and full day in spite of the routine.
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VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community - Call: 592624-8704/ 592-684-9203
2 - 2007 Toyota Avensis - Tel: 698-0674
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
One two- storey concrete house, Ave A DiamondTel:643-5161 One two storey business property (Transported) @ Brickery Public Road E.B.D Tel: 660-8128 Prime property opposite Leonora Primary School – Contact:652-0709/268-3572 2 Flat Concrete Building @ Chateau Margot ECD – $32M Tel:661-9431 Two storey business property (Transported). Situated in Tuschen New Scheme EBE - For more information Call: 627-6305/ 668-6858 North - $16M, Diamond, Sophia- $2.5M (La Grange) 37X600 - $23M & $40M, Dairy Contact Shawn: 2312199; 618-7483
Person to slaughter and clean pigs at new Hope, E.B.D. call: 266-2711, 609-4594
Experienced dispatcher & drivers to work @ Gem’s Taxi Services - Tel: 667-9013; 6279424; 227-0636 1 experience electrician with knowledge of house wiring Contact: 644-9084 or 664-9635
1 Raum PKK series - $1.250M Tel: 264-2954; 642-1305
Are you interested in opening a restaurant? A popular Hotel @ Tuschen Public Road have space- Tel: 638-1627
Toyota AT 192 PLL 841: Leather interior, rims - Tel: 616-1671
House & shop at 66 Broad Street Charlestown, Georgetown - Tel: 225-8305; 661-7527
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / termsCall:680-3154
Furnished two bedrooms apartment for overseas visitors – Tel:699-7559 1- Two bedroom apartmentContact: 617-3001 (call between 8:00am- 5:00pm)
Ducks & Pigs – Tel:688-7291
Newly built house call:6986496
Must See! 2002 and 2003 Premio - $2.5 Million and 2001 Carina 212- $2M, Fully loaded – Tel:226-5473 1-55 Leyland DAF truck, excellent working condition. Price $2.8M, Must Go!Contact:656-8346
Land for sale @ Lot 12 MonRepos Tel:220-7330
PIT-BULL pups (Red Nose) - Tel: 667-0338
Earth delivery to spot also Bobcat and Excavator rentals Tel: 626-7127
1½ & 2 Ton Canters with power gate, unregistered, $ 2 . 4 M & $ 2 . 7 M - Tel: 617-2891
LAND 40FTX600FT, LA GRANGE, W.B.D. (INDEPENDENCE ST) $12.8M (NEGOTIABLE). SERIOUS ENQUIRES CALL “MAX”:672-8569/ 609-8132 NOW!
Rayobe 2 colour printing machine etc - Tel: 639-9553/ 277-3627
Christmas Special! Premio $2.4M, Spacio-$2.1M, 2008 Fielder $2.7M, Unregistered - Tel: 617-2891
Furnished two bedrooms apartment in Linden for short term, local & overseas guests - Tel: 6144415; 444-4704
High Income Land for sale @ Diamond - $5.5M negotiable - Tel: 683-9699 2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at ParikaCall: 226-7968
Live and pluck chicken - Tel: 220-9203; 650-4421
Dog’s- Young Adult Terrier ready for reproduction – Call:696-7467 Household Items: Electronics, 4x4 Wheels, food warmers, steel grills, carpets, colognes, motorcycles, cars & much more. Tel: 223-1885
Original Games- Call:6722566
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154
Waiakabra, Linden Highway: 1,409’x403’ or 13.73 acres. Concrete house thereon. 1,100 feet from Highway Call: 619-4152
Dell computers complete with 20" LCD $69,000, 6 months warranty @ Futuretech- Call:231-2206
PORK wholesale only, whole half and quarter carcass - Tel: 266-2711; 609-4594
Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 347933-9790, 639-4452.
LAND FOR SALE
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
2008 Fielder – unregistered Tel: 617-2891
Toyota Allion PNN 9626 $1.9MContact:2335557,610-1309
Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
FOR SALE
1 Toyota Rav-4; excellent condition, one owner – Contact:626-9582
4 Corner property Broad & Charles St – Tel:677-3406
SALON
FOR SALE
1 farm 20.1 Acres @ Yarowkabra – Tel:265-3586
BMW sports (unregistered)Contact: 650-0979
TO LET
Scrap Metal – Tel:615-5315; 658-9045
Handyboys to work – 16yrs and over. Live-in accommodation and meal free! - $30,000 per month Telephone:228-5655; 6281756 1 Boy to work in interior salary - $80,000 age 20-35 call between 9-5 – Call:675-7043; 697-1164 1 Live in maid to work in Diamond – Salary $50,000 Call:675-7043; 697-1164
Unregistered Toyota Sienta (2004) 1500cc and 7 seater – Tel:617-5536
Rental of wedding dresses & clothing for sale Phone:6160505
1 Madza PPP series-Tel: 668-6329
Experienced roti/ puri cooks, pastry makers, counter servers, cleaner & handy boys. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal @ 5 Commerce St
Perkins engine 4 Cylinder & 6 Cylinder in good working condition – Tel:669-4680
ALYEA AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2004, ALLION 2008 NEW SHAPE & CARINA 212 @ 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK – TEL:231-7284; 622-3823
Property for sale - Call: 6275416
Season’s Greetings! Urgently Needed contract cars for taxi services – Tel:656-3669 Wanted 1 driver to work in interior must have bus and lorry license - Tel: 681-6044
Monday December 23, 2013
Driven Auto – Xmas Blowout Sale – Unregistered fully loaded Toyota IST $2,295,000 & Madza Axela $2,295,000 – Tel:643-6565; 226-9931 1 G- Touring wagon: A/c, mag rims, music & roof rack – Tel:618-8040 2008 Toyota Premio for sale (unregistered) – Tel:665-4480
1 Business Spot suitable for any business - Tel:223-9727; 673-0373 One bottom flat, 3 bedroom house @ Land of Canaan EBD opposite GafoorsContact:266-5469, 680-9252
Brand new Queen size spring filled mattress with box spring - $125,000 – Tel:6217728; 609-7257 12 Pure bred German Shepherd pups – Six [6] weeks old – Tel:638-5778 Metal scaffold, size 5"X5" & 6.6"X5"-Call: 267-1563. Price negotiable
Hifi Sound Connection: Car Audio, Pro Audio, complete sound system generator.Call:610-1230/673-5828 1 Boat, 40ft cabin Cruser – Contact:665-2314 Book: uses of Medicinal Plants @ Channel 9 office Dachshund mixed with Pekingese pups for sale BBM #:28E84848, Tel:6772476 1 pair weber racing carburetor $100,00, 5X15 tyres for road Pick-up $100,000, 1 & 3 phase entrance switch $10,000$15,000- Contact:222-4158 1Brand new Brazilian beef saw – Tel:671-7482 Quebra Pedra, Kidney stone tablets – Tel:671-7482
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032,647-2943 CAR RENTAL Premio Vitz (NM), Spacio, Rush latest models, best rates with low deposits – Contact:692-1051; 685-5011
Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
Old bottles, stamps and coins - Tel: 694-8486 Brand new RCA led TV $75,000 32", Vehicle Dash Board Video Recorder camera -$25,000 brand new Tel: 621-7728; 609-7257.
New arrival: 1 Toyota Tacoma, aluminum boats (12ft & 14ft)- Call:2201981,685-8282,690-1945
Wings Car Rental- Call: 643-1131
LEARN TO DRIVE
Live/pluck chicken call:6504421, 220-9203
2 Cummings six cylinder engines – Contact:691-9844 or 673-9501
Premio, Vitz call:347-933-9790, 639-4452. A i d a n ’s C a r R e n t a l & Pickup - Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807
Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call:672-2566 1- 20" Grizzly Planer 5 HoP’ 1- 62"X9" Wadkin Jointer, 1 Milwaukee mitre saw - Tel: 685-0904 German Shepherd mix with Pit-bull - $50,000 – Tel:6876072; 615-5315; 694-1900 RABBITS - $2000 EACH – TEL: 642-8843 1 counter top fridge $15,000, 1 Hammer drill $5,000, 1 mitre saw $75,000, HID 12V light kit $10,000- Contact:222-4158
EDUCATIONAL Learn any Language fast – Tel: 622-0001 Advance Mental Health Module 1 At Critchlow Labour College – 13th January, 2014, Monday & Wednesday – 5pm-7pm – Call:226-2483 or 226-2797 Advance Mental Health Module 2 at Critchlow Labour College. 18th January, 2014. Saturdays! 10am-2:30pm – Tel:226-2483 or 226-2797 (Continued on page 31)
Monday December 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Letters... Where your views make the news
Integrity is not a commodity that can be taken off a shelf DEAR EDITOR, Ever since the PPP won the election in 2001, this country has been plagued with bribery and corruption. It was not surprising, therefore, that provisions have been made in the Constitution for an Integrity Commission and a Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in clear recognition and acknowledgement of the fact that Guyanese are no longer living in the age when men were born gentlemen, but rather in the age when efforts are being made to make men gentlemen by laws and regulations. Yet the PPP regime has not been forthright with the nation in establishing the PPC or not even allowing the Integrity Commission to function independently of the PPP control. Had the Procurement Commission been in place, we would not have another Fip Motilall in Mohamed Osman and his Ghost recycling company, Natural Globe Inc. attempting to rob the taxpayers of Guyana. Corruption seems to be the key behind everything the PPP does, especially in awarding contracts to Ghost companies like Natural Globe Inc. Not only has is its CEO to be blamed, but also the minister for not disclosing her daughter’s interest in the company and the PPP regime’s failure to do due diligence. The PPP cabal is more interested in squandering the taxpayers’ money more than anything else in return for huge kick-backs. Their mode of operation is to get something from every contract and that is the reason they are not interested in vetting the contractors. The dictum that a man’s word is his bond has clearly lost all its intrinsic value and significance under this PPP regime and this is why the PPC and the Integrity Commission are urgently needed. Laws were passed, no doubt with the expectation of halting the escalation of corruption and dishonesty on the part of those in public life and those exercising public functions, but it has, it would seem, proven to be neither a palliative nor a p a nacea to reducing or eradicating corruption in Guyana except perhaps to adorn the statute books with
yet another law. It is significant to note, however, that while the law is one which primarily constitutes an invasion of one’s right to privacy, the enactment of the law has been justified on the grounds of public interest as opposed to the right of the individual. This is the message we want the PPP cabal to hear. The word integrity clearly connotes persons of unblemished character and strong moral principles and persons who are held in high esteem as exemplars and worthy of becoming persons in public life such as Ministers, Members of Parliament and those holding public office. But this is not the case with the cabal who are the owners of huge land and properties worth billions of dollars—some of which have been derived from the state, which the people are aware of. However, empirical evidence has established that persons of such caliber are clearly scarce commodities in the society, especially in the cabal and this conclusion may receive some support in a statement made some time ago by President Hoyte when he said that “selection of members of the Integrity Commission is not a matter to be rushed as these persons must be of the highest caliber and integrity.” President Hoyte and other decent and honest Guyanese of yesteryear must have been very restless in their graves for what this corrupt cabal has and continues to do with the state resources. Not only have they taken the state resources to fatten their bank accounts, they have also used the state resources to fatten their relatives and friends bank accounts as well. Integrity is therefore not a commodity that can be taken off a shelf as this immoral regime has done. The value and importance of integrity has to be nurtured and developed during a person’s formative years failing which the word becomes meaningless to
those who are strangers to it. As human beings we are basically the product of our environment, so that a person born, nurtured and developed in an environment destitute of those intrinsic values would clearly be devoid of them as is the case with the current cabal. While we address our ministers in the PPP as “Honorable” (righteous and incorruptible), the personal honor to which the word owes its genesis or origin would seem to have lost much, if not all of its value and significance since it has become imperative to enact laws and regulations, the purport and intent of which are to subject such persons to the submission of their incomes, assets and liabilities to the Integrity Commission on an annual basis for scrutiny and for the purposes of declaring them to be persons of integrity. This constitutional mechanism has been predicated on the fact that Ministers and parliamentarians in the regime have so misused and abused their powers and authority for personal gain and aggrandizement that they should be found guilty of criminal offences. As a consequence, the question that has arisen from time to time is whether these ministers and Parliamentarians should continue to be addressed as “honorable” or whether they should be addressed simply as Mr. or Ms. or just by their
first names. Most Guyanese seem to have lost confidence and respect for the cabal and would not want to address them as ‘the Honorable.’ One of the mind-boggling questions is therefore, whether legislation per se will stem the tide of bribery and corruption on the part of those in public life or whether there should be put in place a comprehensive and intensive educational programme designed to create an environment in which the children who would be the adults of tomorrow could be nurtured, developed and sensitized of the intrinsic value and significance of the principles of honesty and integrity. Since bribery and corruption would appear to be irrefutably endemic and pervasive in the regime and in the society, nongovernmental organizations such as the Guyana Transparency Institute, the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the trade unions among others ought to collectively consider speaking out against and condemning the regime for its failure to stop the daily growing escalation of corruption and bribery at all levels of government. And there is no better place to begin than with the contracts in which major kickbacks are often offered in return for them. Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh
(From page 30)
VACANCY
SERVICES
24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant - Call: 6910894/684-2838
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Hire car drivers from E.C.D @ A1 Taxi – Tel:220-1000 Writer needed. Web and article copywriting. US$1,000/month. www. capitaltyping.com/guyana writer for details. Salon station to rentContact:695-5336 Barber - Call: 683-1534; 6094983 Canter Drivers from E.C.D, Male Security Guards and Factory Assistants, accommodation available. 266 4427 Full Time Civil Engineer, security, personnel, labourers, accounts clerk, skid steer operators & truck drivers Tel: 603-4001 Now Hiring male and female general workers to work shift system @ Harmony Inn - Tel: 6947817; 668-0306 Salesboys, salesgirls, night security. Apply Avinash, Water St - Tel: 226-3361; 2277828 Vacancy exists for an experienced cosmetologist with pleasing personality and educational background - handsome salary Call Urgently: 227-4799 Vacancies for mechanical maintenance, Technicians on food packaging machine (overtime available)Contact Allison:603-1089 Vacancies exist for production line workers, previous production experience desirable (overtime available) Contact Allison: 603-1089 Car wash attendantCall:694-4148 or 225-6296 TOURS Suriname Old Years Into New Years return Trip December 29th –January 2nd Tel:644-0185; 639-2663; 665-5171; 227-8290
Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. U l t r a C o o l , call:225-9032,647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) Brains Construction & Rental Services: Excavator, Bobcat, Truck, Tools – Tel:6015024/ 227-4536 (Bobcat & Excavator Operator needed) We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc – Tel:6190793; 218-0050 Professional Pressure Washing: We clean homes, driveways, gutters, parking lots, business, $10.00 per square Ft.– call Kevin:592696-5424 Services and repairs to gas stoves, washing machines Call: 688-0183 Repairs to all generator, all industrial machine and wiring – Contact:644-9084, 664-9635 Kerrin Stanley Immigration Services, Canada, U.S, U.K visa services. Authorized by Government of CanadaContact:645-4789, kerrinstanley@gmail.com FOR SALE / FOR RENT American pool table - Tel: 277-0578 Vacant corner lot 58"X30" @ Garnette & Republic Streets, Newton Kitty - Tel:645-0616
For the BEST RATES, call us on telephones numbers: 225-8458, 2258465, 225-8491.
Page 32
Kaieteur News
Monday December 23, 2013
RICHARD PITMAN: One of the most sought after Guyanese Film producers By Kiana Wilburg Attention to detail and an uncanny approach are what make 31-year-old Richard Pitman one of the most sought after film producers in Guyana. And according to Dr. Paloma Mohamed, who heads the Communications Department at the University of Guyana, this is so because of his gifts of organization as well as his training and mounting experience in the area of film making in Guyana. This unassuming young man fell completely in love with filmmaking when he first came into contact with the art form in 2011 under the President’s Film Endowment Project, which was headed by Dr. Mohamed. In an interview with this publication, he said, “There was this huge workshop where more than 60 persons were trained fulltime for over
three months. We learnt about every aspect of filmmaking. In the end, we had to create eight short films and I ended up volunteering to be a producer for Tradition, which was directed by Margaret Lawrence. It was the best decision I made in my entire life. I honestly found my calling.” He added, “I love to sleep so anything that gets me out of bed at 2:00am to prepare for a sunrise shoot is definitely something that I love doing. I recall that at one time I was at a desolate location on Water Street calling crew and cast members at 3:00am, making sure they were up and ready to head to the location so the shoot could start on time.” While he is elated to have discovered “his calling,” he is saddened by “the fact that there isn’t enough support for this emerging and lucrative industry.”
He points out that Guyana is a perfect destination for film productions, since it has a variation of shooting locations which will come at a guaranteed affordable cost. The film producer continued, “CineGuyana (a local film organization) was publicly promised 30 million dollars by former President Bharrat Jagdeo but I don’t know what happened. I haven’t really heard anything about that money since.” “Filmmaking needs financial investment to get off the ground properly and create a life of its own. I believe that filmmaking is also a way to document and preserve our many dying cultures. Our young people are so caught up in American, Jamaican and other cultures besides their own and it is because we lack an identity as a people. We believe anything “foreign” is better. How do we solve this problem? Filmmaking can help! If you get the right storyteller, like screenwriter Mosa Telford, any of the film directors and producers (with a proper budget) plus a cast and crew from CineGuyana, you’re bound to get a quality film, which will definitely create interest in our Guyanese culture.” As a third year University of Guyana Communications
Richard Pitman poses for a picture with the daughter of Harry Belafonte, Gina Belafonte at the Caribbean Tales Film Festival in Barbados in 2012. student, Pitman has also been volunteering for CineGuyana for the past two years. He added that the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported CineGuyana in making three short films, which were screened this year at a Hollywood style red carpet event at the Avinash Theater on Water Street, Georgetown in January. “It was magical! Cast and Crew were welcomed on the red carpet with an opportunity to
take a celebrity photograph at a backdrop designed for the event, it almost felt like a Hollywood premiere but it was right here in Georgetown. I can’t wait for filmmaking to become this big in Guyana,” he expressed. Pitman’s first film “Tradition” was screened in New York, Washington DC, Caribbean Tales Film Festival – Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, Belize International Film Festival, Inter-Guiana Film Festival, Carifesta 2013, while “To the Night” was screened this year at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and continues to make its rounds on the film circuit. He has been writing for the popular radio serial drama Merundoi since the first episode hit the airwaves in October 2006. “I have been writing for Merundoi almost eight years now and I still don’t feel like it was ever a job. I love writing and if I get paid for it then it’s a bonus.” Pitman, however, complained of the lack of respect for the creative arts in Guyana and spoke of his experience of people calling him to “throw together a lil script”, stating clearly that they weren’t willing to pay a dime. “Writing is my job, filmmaking is my job, and I spend hours, sometimes days on my scripts because I’m never satisfied until I’ve done my best. As a producer, I don’t settle for “maybe this could work” or “let’s use this instead,” I work with my director to get him/her the closest thing to perfection. People need to respect talent and creativity because that’s how some people are trying to survive.” He also draws inspiration from two of his closest
friends, Christpen BobbSemple, who is just a few years older than him but has achieved great academic success despite the many life hurdles he has encountered and Dr. Roger Welch, who is younger than him but has already achieved his life’s goal. “I have to be grateful to the many people who played a part in nurturing me as I continue to grow. Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Dr. James Rose, Enrico Woolford, Dr. Frank Anthony through the Ministry of Culture are all responsible for me volunteering as Coordinator for CineGuyana, Coordinator for the Inter Guiana Film Committee and the Carifesta Film Committee which are experiences that continue to help build me as an individual and will certainly shape my film making career.” Pitman lives in LaGrange, West Bank Demerara with his mother who he deems as the core of his motivation. “My mother is my rock and my reason for living. Without her I would have given up on life by now. With every step that she takes, she urges me to stay on the right path no matter how rough it may get.” Desperate to hone his skills, he is constantly browsing the most famous filmmaking schools in the world. “I keep checking online for film scholarship every single day in hopes that I will get the opportunity to get myself qualified and take advantage of the great potential for film that Guyana possesses.” “My fellow filmmakers are such passionate people when you see them at their craft. They’re trying to persevere despite the lack of support and that is what encourages me to keep at it.”
Monday December 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 41
Page 42
Kaieteur News
Monday December 23, 2013
Protesters gather across Thai capital, demand PM resigns BANGKOK (Reuters) Tens of thousands of antigovernment demonstrators massed peacefully across Thailand’s capital yesterday in their latest bid to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra before a February election the main opposition party will boycott. Yingluck called a snap poll for February 2 to try to cool tension but protesters want to scuttle the election to prevent her from renewing her mandate and perpetuating the influence of her self-exiled brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra. Thailand remains in an alltoo-familiar deadlock after eight years of on-off conflict broadly between supporters and opponents of Thaksin, whose populist political machine has won every election since 2001 with widespread support among the rural poor. Chanting “Yingluck, get out”, whistle-blowing protesters gathered at locations around Bangkok and set up stages in at least four places, bringing traffic to a halt at three main
intersections and in two commercial districts. “I hate Yingluck and I want to get rid of her because she does everything for her brother, not for Thai people,” said Chaloey Thanapaisan, a 75-year-old protester. Among the protagonists in Thailand’s turmoil is an establishment elite with influence among judges and generals and which backs protests against governments controlled by Thaksin, who they see as a tax-dodging crony capitalist who used his power to enriches his family and his clique of tycoons. But to millions of rural working classes and farmers outside Bangkok, he is a benevolent billionaire who improved their living standards with cheap healthcare, easy credit and a raft of state subsidies. Thailand’s near-term future has become more uncertain following a decision on Saturday by the opposition Democrat Party to boycott the election, saying the democratic system had been distorted by Thaksin and was failing Thais.
The boycott adds to concern that Thailand could be left in political limbo if forces allied with the Democrats and the protesters block an election that is otherwise likely to return Yingluck’s Puea Thai Party to office. Firebrand protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Democrat heavyweight, was feted like
a rock star at rallies across the city on Sunday. He urged supporters to stop candidates from signing up for the election when registration opens on Monday. “No matter where this takes place, we will go there and block it. We don’t want this election,” Suthep shouted to roars and applause from tens of thousands of protesters. “We will take our country back from the hands of the Thaksin regime.”
Suthep wants democracy to be suspended and for an appointed “people’s council” to reform Thailand before any election can happen. His campaign is less about policies and more about weakening the influence of the powerful Shinawatra family. Yingluck had enjoyed a smooth two years in office but that unraveled in November when Puea Thai tried to push through an amnesty bill that would have
nullified Thaksin’s 2008 graft conviction, allowing him to return home from Dubai. It proved to be a political miscalculation by her party. Questions remain about how the protesters can remove Yingluck when the rallies, which have attracted as many as 160,000 people, have remained largely peaceful and have failed to stop her government from functioning. The rallies were expected to finish late on Sunday and protest leaders said the demonstrators would return to their base in the city’s historic quarter. Suthep has asked for the heavily politicized military that overthrew Thaksin in a 2006 coup to intervene on their behalf, but the top brass has so far refused to step in. Thailand’s Election Commission had suggested the poll could be delayed, fearing it could be marred by violence, but on Friday it ruled out a postponement. The Democrats boycotted an election called during similar protests in 2006, when Thaksin tried to renew his mandate. His party won, but the result was annulled on a technicality.
Bulgaria warns UK’s Cameron over ‘isolationist’ immigration plan LONDON (Reuters) Bulgaria’s President Rosen Plevneliev has attacked British Prime Minister David Cameron’s plan to tighten immigration rules for Bulgarians and Romanians, saying it will damage London’s global standing for the sake of short-term political gain. Cameron, trailing in the polls before a 2015 election, faces a threat from the UK Independence Party, which wants stricter immigrations controls and has been warning about large numbers of eastern Europeans coming to Britain in the New Year. The British leader is rushing out regulations to stop EU migrants being able to claim welfare benefits as soon as they arrive, addressing fears of an influx of Romanian and Bulgarian workers when EU restrictions on them end on January 1, 2014. In an interview with the Observer newspaper yesterday, Plevneliev said Cameron’s immigration policies risked “a switch to isolation, nationalism and short-term political approaches”. “Isolating Britain and damaging Britain’s reputation is not the right history to
David Cameron write,” Plevneliev told the Observer. The Bulgarian president urged Britons to ignore negative headlines and look instead at academic studies which suggest migrants have helped Britain’s economy. A YouGov poll for the Sun tabloid newspaper this week showed that 72 percent of Britons wanted Cameron to limit immigration from other EU countries. Those in favor of tighter controls say they are worried about immigrants taking their jobs or straining public services such as schools and healthcare. On Wednesday, Cameron said he was bringing forward
to January 1 a previously announced measure that will force EU migrants to wait three months before they can apply for benefits. Cameron said last month he eventually aims to restrict the relocation of migrants from poorer EU states to richer ones, saying EU membership confers only a qualified right to freedom of movement. That drew a strong rebuke from the European Commission. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, whose Liberal Democrats share power with Cameron’s Conservatives in a coalition, said curbing immigrant numbers would damage the economy. “Sticking a big no-entry sign on the cliffs of Dover may be politically popular, but at a huge economic cost,” Clegg wrote in the Sunday Times newspaper. In theory, citizens of the 28-nation EU have the right to live and work anywhere within it. But when Romania and Bulgaria, which are significantly poorer than the rest of the bloc, joined in 2007, nine EU countries imposed limits on this right for their citizens. Those limits expire on January 1.
Monday December 23, 2013
Kaieteur News
India anti-graft crusader hints at forming Delhi government
Arvind Kejriwal is greeted by supporters as he arrives at a public meeting in New Delhi yesterday. (AFP Photo/Sajjad Hussain) New Delhi (AFP) - India’s anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal vowed yesterday to clean up “dirty politics” in a fiery speech suggesting that his party will team up with the Congress party to form a state government in Delhi. Kejriwal, a former civil servant turned politician, has been under pressure to form a government with support from a major party since the stunning performance of his Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party in the December 4 state election. The party won 28 of the 70 seats, trouncing Congress which previously ruled the state but took only eight seats and depriving the biggest winner — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 31 — of an overall
majority. But Kejriwal has been wary of accepting support from either the nationally ruling Congress or the main national opposition BJP, after voters flocked to him because they were disillusioned with mainstream politics and angry at rampant corruption. “If we form the government, we will pass an anti-corruption law and send corrupt BJP and Congress leaders to jail,” Kejriwal told a rally in Delhi of several hundred supporters. “We are not after political power. We want to change the system and cleanse the dirty politics,” Kejriwal said, adding that he expected to make an announcement on forming a state government today. The success of the Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP), only a year after its formation, signalled its emergence as a new political force which poses a threat to the two main parties in a general election due by May. With the BJP declining to form a state government without an overall majority, the AAP was invited by Delhi’s governor to take on the job. In an unusual move it asked supporters whether it should do so, holding public meetings and urging them to telephone or SMS their views. Yesterday, the last day for supporter input, media speculation was mounting that Kejriwal would finally team up with Congress. The Hindustan Times newspaper and other media said the AAP has received an
Freed Khodorkovsky challenges Putin over ‘political prisoners’ BERLIN/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky said yesterday he would not seek power in Russia but fight for the freedom of political prisoners, challenging Vladimir Putin two days after the president freed him from jail. After more than a decade in prison that made him a symbol of what Putin’s critics say is his intolerance of dissent, Khodorkovsky, 50, told reporters in Berlin that “the struggle for power is not for me”. But he made clear he would put pressure on Putin and urged world leaders and “we who are free” to do the same. “We need to work further so that there would be no more political prisoners left in Russia and other countries,” he told a news conference at a museum near the site of the Berlin Wall. “I am going to do my utmost in this regard.” Putin unexpectedly announced on Thursday he would pardon Khodorkovsky, jailed in 2003 on fraud and tax evasion charges but seen by many as a political prisoner. Khodorkovsky’s release from a prison camp near the Arctic Circle and flight to Germany on Friday was shrouded in secrecy
reminiscent of the departure of Soviet dissidents into Western exile. He said the decision to leave Russia had not been his. “I had no choice. I was woken at 2 a.m. by the head of prison camp and he told me I was going home,” he said. “During the trip I learned that the trip ended in Berlin.” In Berlin, Khordorkovsky was reunited with family including his mother Marina, 79, who is suffering from cancer. Emotional at times but looking healthy and composed in a dark suit and blue necktie, Khodorkovsky said there were no conditions attached to his release and he had made no admission of guilt in asking Putin for a pardon. The Kremlin has given public assurances that he is free to return to Russia, but he said he could not do so now because there was no guarantee he would be able to leave again. He said he would not advise leaders on how to deal with Russia’s “complex” president but added: “I just hope politicians from Western countries will keep in mind that I’m not the last political prisoner in Russia when they talk to Putin.”
overwhelming response in favour of forming a new state administration. “We have got a very positive and clear response. If things go the same way (today), we will definitely form the government,” the daily quoted an AAP leader, Manish Sisodia, as saying. Congress, in power at the national level for a decade, has seen its popularity plummet following a series of corruption scandals, and policy paralysis that has been partly blamed for India’s faltering economy. The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi tore into Congress during a rally Sunday, saying its corruption scandals and poor governance have ruined the country. “Corruption has assumed enormous proportions in the country. The country can free itself of corruption if it throws out Congress from power,” Modi told the rally in the financial hub Mumbai.
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UK minister calls for review of ‘Help to Buy’ scheme (Reuters) - The UK’s business minister has called for a rethink of the government’s “Help to Buy” scheme because of concerns over a housing boom in London and South East England. “We certainly need to look at that (scheme) again. It was conceived in very different circumstances,” Vince Cable said on BBC television’s Andrew Marr show. “If you don’t increase the interest rate ... this boom that’s taking place in house prices gets out of control and the only people who can afford to live in large parts of London are foreigners and bankers,” Cable said. Cable’s comments came after the deputy head of the Bank of England, the central bank, said in a separate interview it was watching Britain’s housing market closely. The “Help to Buy” program, which provides governmentbacked low-deposit mortgages, is aimed at making it easier for first-time buyers to own a house.
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Monday December 23, 2013
Ukraine opposition urges more protests, forms political bloc KIEV (Reuters) Ukrainian opposition leaders urged supporters at a rally yesterday to stay on Kiev’s main square through New Year and Christmas, as street protests appeared to be losing momentum. About 100,000 people gathered at Kiev’s Independence Square to demonstrate for the fifth weekend in a row against President Viktor Yanukovich’s decision to shelve a trade deal the European Union and pursue closer ties with Russia. Although it was a relatively strong showing enough to fill the square and adjacent streets - the number was the lowest this month, and around half the previous weekend’s turnout which was estimated at up to 200,000 people. “We will not leave,” Vitaly Klitschko, a heavyweight boxing champion who leads the liberal UDAR (Punch) party, told the rally. “We will celebrate the New Year here and we will celebrate Christmas here.” In the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s calendar, Christmas
falls on January 7. Seeking to consolidate the protest movement, he and leaders of other major opposition parties said they were establishing a nationwide political movement called Maidan, a reference to the Ukrainian name of the protest site, Maidan Nezalezhnosti. “We will make life hell for this government,” said farright nationalist leader Oleh Tyahnybok. Street protests erupted after Yanukovich’s decision on November 21 to walk away from an agreement on free trade and political association with the EU, after years of careful preparation, and turn to Ukraine’s former Soviet overlord Russia. The U-turn, while backed by many in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine which is Yanukovich’s power base, angered others in western and central areas, where people see the country’s future in Europe. The rallies grew larger after police violently dispersed the initial protests. Demonstrators have since erected barricades around the
downtown area, including the city government building which they have occupied. However, despite securing support from Western powers and many of Kiev’s inhabitants - who are donating money, food and other supplies - the protests have failed to deter Yanukovich. Last week, he secured a $15 billion bailout from Russia along with a hefty price cut for natural gas, which Ukraine imports from its neighbor to heat homes and fuel industry. The initial euphoria prompted by huge rallies and protesters’ ability to repel riot police - is wearing thin, and keeping people on the streets will become harder, especially with holidays approaching and the weather likely to get colder. Establishing a political bloc could help opposition parties preserve informal networks created during rallies as they prepare for the presidential election in early 2015. The new bloc, however, lacks a clear leader, being cochaired by Klitschko,
Pro-European integration protesters shout slogans and wave flags during a rally in Independence square in Kiev yesterday. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich Tyahnybok, Arseny Yatsenyuk, head of Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, and Yulia Tymoshenko, a jailed former prime minister and Batkivshchyna’s first leader. The lack of tangible achievements is wearing
down protesters, said Mykhailo Pohrebinsky of the Kiev Center of Political Research. But it could also push some towards more radical action and spark violence. “The situation is very dangerous,” he said.
Some protesters were growing impatient for signs of a clear strategy. “People are standing here but I don’t see any concrete plan, something has to change,” said one of the protesters, 33-year-old unemployed Sergei Dutko.
Egypt court jails antiMubarak activists for 3 years Cairo (AFP) - An Egyptian court yesterday sentenced three activists who spearheaded the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak to three years in jail for organising an unlicensed protest, judicial sources said. It was the first such verdict against non-Islamist protesters since the overthrow of president Mohamed Mursi in July and was seen by rights groups as part of a widening crackdown on demonstrations by military-installed authorities. Ahmed Maher, Ahmed Douma and Mohamed Adel were also convicted of rioting and assaulting security forces during an unauthorised protest last month, and were fined 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($7,100, 5,200 euros) each, the sources said. The three activists chanted “down with the military regime,” as the court gave its verdict, official news agency MENA reported. Maher is the founder of the April 6 youth movement that led the revolt against Mubarak. All three defendants were leading dissidents under Mubarak, but they also supported the military’s overthrow of Mursi, whom they accused of betraying the 2011 “revolution”. Maher and Douma were arrested after Maher’s
supporters allegedly scuffled with police outside a Cairo court on November 30, when Maher handed himself in for questioning on suspicion he had organised an illegal protest. Adel was absent from the first hearing on December 8 but was captured this week in a midnight police raid on a non-governmental organisation in Cairo. They were found guilty of violating a disputed law enacted last month that requires police authorisation for protests, less than three years after Mubarak was toppled by massive prodemocracy demonstrations. Another prominent prodemocracy activist, Alaa Abdel Fattah, has also been arrested for allegedly taking part in a violent and illegal protest. The date for his trial has yet to be determined. More recently, the military justified its overthrow of Mursi — Egypt’s first freely elected president — as a response to massive protests against his turbulent yearlong reign, which critics said was marked by powergrabbing and economic mismanagement. Road map ‘meaningless’ Amr Ali, general coordinator of the April 6 youth movement, said the court verdict “aims to terrorise political activists so
they would stop demonstrating against the failings of this regime”. He said the “road map” outlined by the new authorities for Egypt’s transition to democracy “has become meaningless”. “The road map was to put in place a government which was to be the foundation of a democratic state, but what we see is a return to the practices of the repressive state of Mubarak,” Ali told AFP. “We don’t recognise the roadmap. We appeal for a demonstration today (Monday) and on January 25 against the protest law and to demand release of prodemocracy activists.” The road map envisages holding of a referendum on a new constitution next month, followed by parliamentary and presidential elections by the middle of 2014. The new protest law has angered many secular and liberal activists who had viewed the military-installed government as a lesser evil than Mursi. Human Rights Watch’s Egypt director said yesterday’s verdict was an “indication” of what could come in the future. “The verdict is significant because it sits in very much with the pattern that we have seen, particularly in the past three weeks,” Heba Morayef told AFP.
Monday December 23, 2013
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Opposition calls for resignation of Finance Minister BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Leader of the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Mia Mottley has called for the resignation of Finance Minister Chris Sinckler based on his handling of the economy. At a press conference Saturday, Mottley blamed Sinckler for the state of the economy, saying – “For Barbados to grow, the Minister of finance must go.” “Chris Sinckler has done more damage to the short and medium term prospects of Barbados and to the lives and livelihood of Barbadians than any Hurricane Sandy did. It is almost unpatriotic now to support Chris Sinckler as Minister of Finance,” she said. Mottley, who brought a no-confidence motion against Sinckler in October but later abandoned it, declared that Barbados is faced with a crisis. “We are deep in a crisis and the Government has lost control…The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance must come clean with the
country and stop spinning tot in mud. Persons are asked to make sacrifices if it will lead to stability or improved circumstances. The question must be asked, “Where will these sacrifices take the country and our economy?” “Time has come for persons in influential positions to start putting Barbados first and that, in spite of Christmas, time is of immediate essence. The magnitude and scale of the problems must be shared with the public and institutions. Further, those who are aware must stop burying their heads in the sand too,” she added. According to Mottley it is time for the opposition party to return to the issue of confidence and the incompetence of the Minister of Finance. “Bloomberg last weekend and now Forbes Magazine this week are now referring to Barbados in the most unflattering of terms and even calling Barbados, “Cyprus West” to communicate the scale of the problem to
Chris Sinckler
Mia Mottley
international investors and capital markets.” She said the time has come for urgent action from where it matters most and there are only two possible sources that hold the balance of power and pointed to “Either any of the other 15 elected members of the Government Benches in the House of Assembly and the leadership of the Trade Union movement and the Private Sector.” “Special interest groups
must now act in the interest of the country. We are not talking about hundreds of groups but a hand full of groups. They are given legitimacy by the population by reason of the titles and positions they hold. They have a duty to the same population, even beyond to their sectoral group or interest,” she said. The opposition leader urged “ all concerned and well meaning Barbadians” to lobby the groups over the season and in the New Year.
PETROTRIN PROBES OIL SPILL ‘SABOTAGE’ Trinidad Express - Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar has confirmed that an investigation has been launched into possible sabotage of operations at State-owned oil company Petrotrin. Persad-Bissessar was responding to reports of another oil spill—this time at the company’s inland oil exploration operations at Rancho Quemado Saturday. It was the fifth oil spill in South Trinidad since Tuesday. She was speaking to reporters during a toy drive in Penal. “Minister (of Energy) Kevin Ramnarine spoke with me this morning. He advised that Petrotrin is investigating a possible sabotage. At the moment it would not be appropriate to blame anyone but the nature of it seems to indicate that there may be some sabotage and therefore that needs to be investigated before we can say anything further,” she said. Persad-Bissessar said the government was also dealing with the issue of scrap iron and illegal bunkering. Her statement came moments after Petrotrin president Khalid Hassanali announced that one of the company’s lease operators, Trinity Oil, discovered several valves opened
overnight, allowing oil to flow out of the tanks on land. “(Friday) night in our land operations in Rancho Quemado, one of our lease operators, Trinity Oil, discovered a number of valves opened overnight allowing oil to flow out of the tanks. The oil spilled out into the land. They do morning checks of wells. And this morning check, to their horror, there was oil all over the place and upon further investigation it was discovered that a number of the valves attached to the tanks were opened,” he said. Hassanali said it was not normal for oil to be flowing out of tanks. “But it is a fact it has happened. The clean-up will take days and especially if that oil gets into water courses. Crude oil floats, hydrocarbon floats on water and therefore the consequences to persons, communities and wildlife can be disastrous,” he said. Preliminary investigations found the amount of oil spilled onto the land was approximately 80 to 100 barrels. “This is of concern because the other spills have been marine. It is extremely disturbing because (oil spills) affect people and the one this morning is another one of grave concern. The valves were found opened which
doesn’t normally happen, all these things happened altogether,” he said. Hassanali was speaking at a media conference to give an update on the recent oil spills at Petrotrin’s Pointe-aPierre refinery. Company chairman Lindsay Gillette, Shyam Dial, manager Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE) and other members of the board of directors were present. Hassanali said the company was concerned about the number of incidents which have occurred in recent days. Asked whether the company was investigating a case of sabotage in the onland oil spill, Hassanali said: “To reach that conclusion one needs to go through a process of investigation. It’s early...we can’t reach that conclusion without being fair and without investigating fully.” Hassanali admitted, however, that pipelines were removed for scrap iron in several areas in Point Fortin recently. “I presume that was seen as scrap iron. This is a company with 100 years of operations and even 100 years in refinery, so there are installations around the country and some may still contain hydrocarbons,” he said.
“We need action from these people to give Barbados a chance to rebound from this catastrophe. And Barbadians from all walks of life must now make it clear to them that they cannot sit on the fence anymore and wait for outcomes that will not happen. They cannot bury their heads in the sand anymore.” Her appeal came in the wake of the most recent downgrade from Moody’s Investors Service. On Friday, Moody’s downgraded the government bond rating from Ba1 to Ba3, citing poor economic growth and rising fiscal deficits. “The Prime Minister and the Minister must stop handling the downgrades in this childish and irresponsible manner that they have been doing it – trivializing them. Our ignoring them will not solve our problems in the same way that a person who ignores the advice from the Doctor that their blood count is down cannot get better.” The opposition leader announced that she will
speak to Barbadians in January in a State of the Nation address in which she will lay out in detail all of the facts on the state of the economy. She said several things must be in place in 2014 including, “a restoration of confidence on the competence of the Minister of Finance of Barbados; a Governor who will come to us on a monthly basis from now on, not quarterly and a national advisory group to the Government that is competent, credible and will act in the national interest.” According to Mottley the Prime Minister needs to establish an Eminent Person Group to address national economic concerns with urgency. “This group should be set up no later than the 6th January 2014 and should be given 4 weeks to report back to the country as to all of the necessary actions to be taken to truly stabalise Barbados and return us to growth.” She said the group should be no more than 6 or 7 persons.
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US CONCERNED ABOUT DOM REP COURT RULING WASHINGTON - CMC – As pressure intensifies on the Dominican Republic to rescind a Constitutional Court ruling that essentially strips Dominicans of Haitian descent of citizenship, the United States has for the first time expressed “deep concern” about the court’s decision. “We’ve urged the (Dominican Republic) government to continue close consultation with international partners and civil society to identify and expeditiously address, in a humane way, concerns regarding the planned scope and reach to affected persons,” said Marie Harf, the US Department of State’s deputy spokeswoman. The Dominican Republic Constitutional Court’s September 23 ruling retroactively stripped citizenship from anyone born in the country to undocumented parents dating back to 1929. “We’ll continue to dialogue, but we have expressed our concerns over it,” said Harf, acknowledging that the majority of those affected are of Haitian descent. But, in defending the ruling, Dominican Republic officials said it ends uncertainty for children of Haitian immigrants, allowing them to apply for residency and eventually for
citizenship. According to Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, last week, Haiti and the Dominican Republic agreed to establish a joint commission to discuss the migration problem caused by Constitutional Court ruling. After meeting on the sidelines of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) and of PetorCaribe , Haitian President Michel Martelly and Medina agreed to the “creation of a high-level committee with representatives of both sides to address various issues on the bilateral agenda.” The joint commission would comprise five representatives each from the two countries, and Venezuela, the United Nations, the European Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have been invited as observers. A United Nations-supported study, released this year, estimated that there were about 210,000 Dominican-born people of Haitian descent and another 34,000 born to parents of other nationalities. However, the Government of the Dominican Republic estimates that around 500,000 people born in Haiti live in the Dominican Republic.
Big things lined up in Jamaica, Colombia alliance Jamaica Observer - Jamaica and Colombia are set to roll out key programmes, beginning early in the New Year, that will result in significant benefits for both countries, a Colombian official has said. Apart from increased cooperation in education and sport, details of which have been carried by the Daily Observer, there is to be significant cooperation in agriculture, industry and commerce, culture, and defence. William Bush, Colombia’s Deputy Head of Mission at that South American country’s embassy in Kingston, said that over the next two years, the spotlight of progress will be focused on improving life for the people of both countries. “We have a free trade arrangement with Caricom already, but we have said that we want a free trade arrangement with Jamaica only. We are in talks with Jamaica’s ministry of foreign affairs and foreign trade, as well as the ministry of trade and industry. “Last week we had our eighth neighbourhood commission between both countries to establish cooperation for the next two years. “Next year we will have an exchange programme with Jamaican farmers in the second phase of a cassava development programme that both countries have. We produce a lot of cassava and we will bring experts here, to work with farmers mainly from St Elizabeth,” he said.
Bush and his secretary at the Colombian Embassy in Kingston, Sherrill Wilmot, go over documents relating to cooperation agreements between Jamaica and Colombia. (PHOTO: LLEWELLYN WYNTER) Already, Colombian business interests are lining up a large delegation to attend a trade Expo in Kingston from April 3 to 6 next year. The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce will also have a strong Colombian presence at a conference for investors in Montego Bay during the year. In the area of security and defence, both countries will strengthen their cooperation in respect of the protection of each other’s coastline, through improved and increased activity with the coast guards of both nations. “We will have an exchange of information on patrolling of the seas, as Colombia and Jamaica share a huge maritime frontier,” Bush said. “Trade between both
countries can be improved and we are inviting Jamaican business people to export their products to Colombia. “Now, Jamaican exports to Colombia are limited, as most of the items that go to Colombia are linked to the food industry. There are much more markets for Jamaican products. “Also, Colombia exports things like foodstuff and toiletries from Colombia and more can be done in these and more areas, too,” said Bush, who was posted to Jamaica from the Colombian capital, Bogota, last May, after previous postings as Colombia’s Consul General in Vancouver, Canada, and one of the country’s representatives at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC.
Monday December 23, 2013
Diaspora members on the hunt for deals
Vice-President at JAMPRO, Claude Duncan, speaking with a group of delegates at the 5th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre , in St James earlier this year Jamaica Gleaner Meetings with members of the Caribbean diaspora and an online survey by World Bank consultants reveal that 25 per cent of diaspora members have invested in real estate and 10 per cent in business ventures in the Caribbean. The survey said that most of those who participated in the research were on the hunt for business deals and startups to back, but were unsure where to find such deals and businesses. Qahir Dhanani, a private sector development specialist for the World Bank Group, in an online blog summarising the findings, said that “Among just the 850 diaspora members we engaged in the study, a pool of about US$3.5 million is available over the next five years for investments in early-stage start-ups in the
Caribbean, seeding at least 25 start-ups across the region.” The survey found that in general, diaspora members favoured start-ups over small and medium enterprises or established public companies, with 23 per cent having made investments in new or early-stage ventures in the Caribbean. Dhanani and a working group met with 220 members of the Caribbean diaspora in New York, Toronto, London, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. during this year and received responses to an online survey from 636 other individuals, all from the Caribbean. The intent was to understand the business and investment interests of the Caribbean diaspora and to use those findings to design a programme that would make it easier for the diaspora dollars to flow back home, the
researcher noted. Dhanani concluded that through the study, “we found the diaspora to have a tremendous interest in making such investments and contributing to the development story of their countries of origin.” He quoted one Silicon Valley entrepreneur, originally from Barbados, as saying: “We have the money, but it’s just not that easy to find the deals back home.” Dhanini said “The willingness and ability of the diaspora to engage represents a significant untapped potential for Caribbean nations. While the money is out there, creating avenues for these funds to flow back home and ensuring that the regulatory environment for businesses is conducive to receiving such investments remain a challenge.”
Caribbean adopts plan to eradicate hunger and poverty CARACAS, Venezuela - CMC – The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says a group of South American and Caribbean countries has adopted a common plan of action to eradicate hunger and poverty, designed with FAO support. The FAO says the agreement was announced during the Second Extraordinary Summit of the Petrocaribe oil bloc and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America - Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP). “The plan aims to strengthen food and nutrition security in the Petrocaribe economic zone and in ALBA countries through national and regional hunger eradication projects,” said the FAO, adding that it will provide advice to governments in developing interventions. During the summit, Venezuela President
Nicolas Maduro said that “the Action Plan ALBA-Petrocaribe to free our territories from hunger seems fundamental for the future.” The FAO said the plan reflects the priority that hunger reduction has been given by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and under the Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative, a commitment by the 33 countries of the region to eradicate malnutrition by 2025. “The ALBAPetrocaribe Action Plan represents the most ambitious attempt to eradicate hunger in the history of the region, “the FAO said. “Latin America and the Caribbean are showing that across the entire region there is political will for and commitment to achieving hunger eradication,” said FAO directorgeneral José Graziano da Silva, speaking at the summit.
Monday December 23, 2013
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Adebayor double inspires Spurs victory BBC Sport - Emmanuel Adebayor scored his first two league goals of the season to help managerless Tottenham beat Southampton. Spurs, who had Tim Sherwood in temporary charge after sacking Andre Villas-Boas on Monday, fell behind to Adam Lallana’s early 25-yard strike. Adebayor’s close-range volley made it 1-1 and an unfortunate own goal from Jos Hooiveld put the visitors ahead. But Saints striker Rickie Lambert levelled after fine play from Lallana, before Adebayor curled in the winner. He had only made one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season under Villas-Boas but was the match-winner at St Mary’s Stadium.
The defeat means Southampton, who were third at the start of November, have now failed to win in six games, their joint worst run since Mauricio Pochettino became manager in January. However, the result also boosted Sherwood’s hopes of getting the Tottenham manager’s job on a long-term basis, after he had made clear his interest in replacing VillasBoas earlier in the week. If Sherwood does get the job, then on this evidence Spurs fans can expect a great deal of excitement and attacking play. Tottenham made six changes to the side that lost 5-0 to Liverpool in their last Premier League game, a result that led to Villas-Boas’s departure the following day. Sherwood, who took charge for the 2-1 League Cup
Emmanuel Adebayor (right) celebrates one of his goals. (Getty Images)
Monday December 23, 2013 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): You are the most important person in the room today — it’s your energy that gets things rolling. Make sure that you’re ready for action at a moment’s notice, as things should move really fast. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You need to gather your forces together and make sure that you're all marching in step. Things are getting pretty weird, but you can make sure that they get better with just a little effort. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): People take your jokes a little too seriously today. That shouldn't be a big deal, as long as you can backtrack quickly if someone gets offended. Just smile and apologize, and then move on. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): It's time for an upgrade of some kind. That could be almost anything from your cell phone to your career path. Go for it with confidence, and you should be pleased with the results. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): That heart of yours is making life sweeter for one special person -- maybe a family member? You find it easy to show people the brighter side of nearly any situation, and should lift a few moods. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): You've got way too much going on today -- so make sure that you're refreshed and ready for whatever comes. It's just as important for you to get help
when you need it. Don't be shy! ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): A question this morning carries some urgency, and you may find that you've got plenty of answers. In fact, you may have too many answers, so try to peel back everything but what is absolutely essential. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Your career takes a weird turn -- but it may be one that works out really well for you in the long run. Don't see it as a problem, see it as an opportunity. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): If you don't have enough to do, make up some busy-work for yourself. You need to stay active, as your energy is sure to vanish if you take much time to rest or even just daydream. .********************* CAPRICORN(Dec.22-Jan. 19): Things look brighter than they really are today, so make sure that you're asking probing questions and striving for the truth. Expect a big, positive turnaround to come pretty soon. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): You're locked in a struggle with someone who doesn't seem likely to back down. Try not to worry too much about the long-term solution; instead, you need to focus on the here and now. ********************* PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20): It's a great day for solving problems and addressing major issues in your life.
defeat at home to West Ham on Wednesday, picked an attacking line-up that included no recognised defensive midfielder. And that lack of cover proved costly as his side fell behind after less than quarter of an hour. Southampton’s Danny Fox passed to Lallana and the England midfielder was allowed time to turn, run at goal and shoot low past visiting goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. That prompted Sherwood to race down from the stands and watch the match from the touchline after starting the game in the directors’ box. Before the match the Spurs interim coach had said his side would face no problems if they kept hold of the ball, but the hosts nearly doubled their lead after Danny Rose lost possession to Lambert. He passed to Lallana, who released Jay Rodriguez but the striker’s curled finish went narrowly over. Two minutes later Sherwood’s side were level as Adebayor stretched to volley in Roberto Soldado’s excellent cross from the left wing for his first league goal since 12 May. And Spurs then went ahead in fortunate circumstances early in the second half through an own goal from Saints centre-half Hooiveld. Christian Eriksen played the ball to Rose and his pullback was prodded into the net by the Dutch defender, the ball squirming underneath goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. But the visitors’ lead only lasted five minutes as Spurs conceded the 18th goal in their last seven league matches. Lallana raced
through and pulled the ball back to Lambert, who had the simple task of finding an empty net with Lloris stranded. Before this game, only five teams had scored fewer league goals than Tottenham, but they got their third of the afternoon as Adebayor
capitalised on some indecisive Southampton defending from a throw-in, which enabled the Togo striker to curl the ball past Gazzaniga. Soldado missed two further chances to make the win secure, but Spurs had done enough to clinch a thrilling victory.
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Monday December 23, 2013
Duel in the Pool: Europe edged out Graeme Swann: England spinner by Team USA in thrilling tie-break retires from cricket during Ashes
Team USA celebrate. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - The European Allstars were just edged out by Team USA in a thrilling end to the Duel in the Pool event in Glasgow. Boasting a 68-54 overnight lead in swimming’s equivalent of golf’s Ryder Cup, the Americans fought back to tie 131-131 after the scheduled 30 races. But the United States, unbeaten in two previous meetings with Europe, took the mixed-relay tie-breaker to prevail. The Americans needed a world record time of one minute and 37.17 seconds to beat the Europeans by just 0.2 seconds. On the second day of competition, Britain’s Fran Halsall (50m freestyle) and Sophie Allen (200m individual medley) both picked up individual wins for the Europeans while Spain’s Mireia Belmonte added wins in the 800m freestyle and 200m butterfly to her two victories from the opening night. But the Americans pulled themselves back into the contest with a sweep of the men’s events, Conor Dwyer leading the way with a double over 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley. Fran Halsall combined with Michelle Coleman, Jeanette Ottesen and Femke Heemskerk to take the last of
the 30 events, the women’s 4x100m freestyle. She returned minutes later, anchoring the European quartet in the agonising tiebreak decider. “It’s been a tough day,” said Halsall. “We were ahead but we knew it was going to be touch and go as to who would win. “It came down to the freestyle relays and the girls really got together as a unit and swam really well and broke the world record. That was fantastic to be a part of and I was really buzzing after that. “I knew I’d have to calm back down and get ready for a swim-off and that was hard and emotional but so great to be a part of and I really enjoyed it. “Standing up as a European team and being that close to the Americans with so many people behind you is something I will be proud of for a long time.” After a 200m breaststroke victory on the opening day, Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson broke the British record but narrowly missed out on points as he clocked 57.52 for fourth in the 100m breaststroke. There were also British records for Sophie Allen in the 100m breaststroke (1:05.39) and 200m individual medley (2:05.90) while Jazz Carlin
touched third with a Welsh record 8:12.01 in the 800m freestyle. Jamieson said he could have no complaints with his form on his international homecoming. “I’m really happy with my swim tonight,” said the Scot. “That’s 0.3 faster than my time at the Europeans last week, which is a new British record, so I’m delighted. “I don’t have the speed that those other guys have over 100m and can’t match those tall guys over the front half. “But the atmosphere was amazing again and it’s so good to have so many people here and this kind of coverage.” What is the Duel in the Pool? · The competition sees 30 races take place over two days of competition with points awarded depending upon finishing positions which are then added to the team’s total · The USA have dominated both previous Duel in the Pool events against the E-Stars, winning in Manchester 2009 and Atlanta 2011 · The format was created back in 2003 and featured the then two biggest rivals in swimming - the USA and Australia
BBC Sport - England off-spinner Graeme Swann has announced his retirement from international and first-class cricket. The Nottinghamshire player, 34, has taken only seven wickets in this Ashes series defeat and has ruled himself out of the rest of the tour. “This decision has been very difficult seeing as the England team has been my family for seven years now, but I feel it is the right time,” he said. Swann is sixth on the list of England wicket-takers with 255 in 60 Tests. “I don’t regret a single day of my career,” he added. “Every high has been celebrated with verve and vigour and every low painfully accepted as a chance to learn and improve.” Swann’s shock decision comes at the end of a week in which Australia secured an unassailable 3-0 series lead with two Tests to play and the player apologise for making comments on Facebook comparing his team’s loss with rape. Australia coach Darren Lehmann said: “It was a bit of a surprise. It’s mid-tour, but obviously he’s decided he’s had enough. A number of England players took to Twitter to praise Swann. “Congrats on an amazing career mate you can be a very proud man,” said England wicketkeeper Matt Prior on Twitter. Fellow England and Nottinghamshire bowler Stuart Broad added: “A great friend and team-mate retired today. Been a pleasure to play and tour for Nottinghamshire and England.” Following the departure of batsman Jonathan Trott with a stress-related illness earlier in the tour, Swann’s retirement further unsettles England ahead of the fourth Test, which starts in Melbourne on Boxing Day. “I know I’m making the decision for the right reasons,” added Swann. “My body doesn’t like playing five-day cricket anymore and I don’t feel I can justify my spot in the team in the latter stages of a game. “As a spinner, that’s when you need to come into your own. “With two games to go in Australia and then a fiercely competitive summer against Sri Lanka and India, I feel that it is a great time for someone else to strap themselves in and hopefully enjoy the ride as much as I have.” Swann, first named in an England squad back in 1999-2000, made his Test debut in 2008 and took four wickets against India in Chennai. He established a reputation for taking wickets in the first over of a spell and became the sixth-highest wicket-taker for his country. Despite struggling with elbow problems in recent years, Swann played in three Ashes series victories and helped England become the number one Test side in the world in 2011. He also took 104 wickets in 79 one-day
Graeme Swann
internationals after making his debut against South Africa in Bloemfontein in 2000 at the age of 20 and spent a spell as the top-ranked ODI bowler in 2011. In addition, he helped England clinch their first major global world title at the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean. “My personal highlights include the three Ashes victories, which I will cherish for the rest of my life, and the World T20 victory in the West Indies, which ranks as my limited overs highlight,” he added. “I have met, played with and against, and become friends with some magnificent people throughout my journey and feel truly privileged to have been given these opportunities.” Former England captain Michael Vaughan said Swann had quit “too soon”. adding: “Spinners of his quality are a rare breed. Of all the England players over the last 20 years, he is the one the team will miss the most.” BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew described Swann as a “true character” who had made a “massive contribution” to England. Agnew said: “The general feeling was that this might be Swann’s last tour, but this is unexpected. England’s greatest challenge is replacing the man who was the lynchpin to their four-man attack.” England team director Andy Flower paid tribute to Swann’s “outstanding contribution” to the team. “His commitment, competitive spirit and sense of humour have been recognised and admired by team-mates and supporters alike,” he said. “He has played a big part in England’s success over the last five years.” England bowler Tim Bresnan said Swann’s retirement will be a relief to some batsmen around the world. “I will miss your constant put downs and abuse of my mental capacity,” Bresnan said on Twitter. “Also, many batsmen around the world have just exhaled a huge sigh of relief due to your constant challenge of the stumps and prodigious spin.” England batsman Johnny Bairstow added: “Congratulations on a fantastic career. Thank you for the laughs, memories and smiles. Good luck mate, you are going to be missed.” “Going to miss you a lot,” said England bowler Steve Finn. “Hope the next chapter is as exciting.”
Monday December 23, 2013
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Analysis: Club Cup a reminder of soccer’s great divide MARRAKECH, Morocco (Reuters) - For the estimated 10,000 Atletico Mineiro fans who made the arduous journey from Belo Horizonte to Marrakech, the Club World Cup was the most important competition their team had ever played in. Ever since winning the Libertadores Cup in July, the Brazilian club and its supporters have been dreaming obsessively of a chance to measure themselves against European champions Bayern Munich in the final. In the event, they suffered a shock semi-final defeat to Raja Casablanca, who in turn faced the Bavarians in Saturday’s decider. That match brought Morocco to a standstill, thousands of Raja fans made the trip south and the game was attended by King Mohamed. In Europe, the same event is often regarded as a midseason excursion to play unknown teams with exotic names, a view summed up by Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp’s reference to
the classic movie “Casablanca”. “The last time I heard about Casablanca was when Humphrey Bogart was playing,” Klopp quipped. “Maybe someday it (the competition) will be of a higher value.” In many ways, the competition acts as a reminder of the great divide between European club football, which attracts the very best players, and the rest of the world, which acts as its feeder. European sides such as Bayern Munich are replete with top talent from around the world and even most of their substitutes are regular internationals for their respective countries. The best South Americans play against, rather than for, the teams from their continent. South American and African club sides are generally made up of players who have not been good enough to earn a move to Europe, plus a few who have been abroad and have returned home to play out their careers, such as
Atletico’s Ronaldinho. Raja Casablanca, a team of average league players with only a sprinkling of international caps between them, are a case in point. Morocco’s national team is based almost entirely on players based abroad. BLATTER FRUSTRATED FIFA president Sepp Blatter admitted he was frustrated at the lack of European interest in the competition, especially as the tournament has moved closer to home after previously being staged in Japan and the United Arab Emirates. “I agree that we are disappointed,” he said. “I think there should be a little bit more attention to other competitions, but with the big leagues in Europe, you have the question of the calendar. “The quality of the matches we have seen, with some very good football in a remarkable ambience, this is best publicity, and the best way of getting more attention of the five big leagues,” Blatter said.
Raja Casablanca’s fans celebrate winning their FIFA Club World Cup semifinal soccer match against Atletico Mineiro at Marrakech stadium December 18, 2013. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh “It’s a question of solidarity,” he added. “They should also be interested in the other leagues and have a look at what is going on elsewhere.” Unfortunately for Blatter, Saturday’s final, where Bayern strolled to a 2-0 win, was a poor advertisement,
PEDRO SCORES NINEMINUTE BARCA HAT-TRICK
Pedro scored a nine-minute hat-trick as Barcelona overturned a two-goal deficit to lead La Liga. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Spain international Pedro scored a nine-minute hat-trick as Barcelona overturned a twogoal deficit to lead La Liga going into the winter break. Getafe led 2-0 inside the opening 15 minutes after Sergio Escudero drilled in after a neat one-two and Lisandro Lopez powered in a free header. But Barca, without the injured Lionel Messi and
suspended Neymar, led before half-time thanks to Pedro’s treble. Cesc Fabregas scored twice more as the champions moved above Atletico Madrid. Gerardo Martino’s side knew they needed to beat eighth-placed Getafe with anything other than a 1-0 win to move back ahead of Atletico, who won 3-2 against Levante on Saturday, on goal difference. And while much of
the pre-match focus concentrated on Barca’s ability to cope without attacking duo Messi and Neymar, it was the away defence which was severely questioned in the opening stages. They went behind when Escudero exchanged passes with Angel Lafita before firing home from close range. And four minutes later an unmarked Lisandro jumped
above the Barca defence to nod in Pedro Leon’s corner leaving Barca coach Martino looking visibly shocked on the touchline. But the Catalans’ revival began as Pedro proved he could deliver in the absence of Messi and Neymar with trio of a clinical finishes. The winger raced on to Fabregas’s pinpoint pass and then watched his chip have enough power to evade Getafe goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya’s grasp. Pedro then cut in from the left flank to curl an unstoppable shot into Moya’s top corner from the edge of the area and, just two minutes later, collected Jordi Alba’s cutback to calmly slot in his third. Barcelona enjoyed a measure of control after the break before ending Getafe’s unlikely ambitions of mounting their own fightback with the fourth goal. A wonderful team move saw Sergio Busquets break on the counter attack, before finding the supporting Pedro whose right-wing cross was emphatically volleyed in by Fabregas. And the ex-Arsenal player added another from the penalty spot after Pedro was clipped by Getafe midfielder Borja Fernandez.
especially as the Bavarians had also eased to a 3-0 win over Guangzhou Evergrande in their semi-final. In fact, the tournament has yet to produce a truly memorable final since it started in 2005. South American clubs have won three times out of nine but those were all achieved by accepting their role as the underdog, shutting up shop, defending doggedly and snatching a goal on the break. Sao Paulo in 2005, Internacional the following year and Corinthians last year all won the final by a single goal. Bayern made the right noises about the importance of winning and their players appeared to be repeating prerehearsed lines when they talked about facing “different opponents from other continents”. Guangzhou coach Marcello Lippi admitted there was a huge gulf between his team and Bayern, however. “You see the real difference between the best club in the world and the rest,” the Italian said. “Maybe this competition was stronger when it was just a single match between the champions of Europe and South America.” But he also pointed out that Bayern had enjoyed similarly easy wins in the Bundesliga and Champions League and it would be unfair to exclude teams from the rest of the world. “It’s not just us. They play with this superiority against everyone else,” he said. “Taking part in international competition allows us to become a better team. You need to take part in this sort of football experience to grow.”
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Monday December 23, 2013
Sandro: Tottenham’s ‘Beast’ focused on Brazil World Cup place BBC Sport - They may call him ‘The Beast’ but after a few hours in the company of Sandro Raniere Guimaraes Cordeiro it becomes clear this is a man very much in love with the beautiful game. It is a cold, crisp December day in London. The setting could not be more different from his native Brazil and yet it is clear the statuesque Tottenham midfielder feels right at home. I ask him about his nickname. “The Beast? I love it,” he says. “I’m a beast. It came from the fans.” We meet at an inner-city leisure centre near Shepherd’s Bush. He changes into his football kit and boots in the gents, before striding past alleyways plastered in graffiti and onto a small astroturf pitch. The noise of incessant traffic thunders all around us and tower blocks rise into the clear winter sky, but all of that melts away when the ball is thrown his way. Camera crews scurry around, photographers train their lenses on him as he gathers the ball in his stride. It soon becomes clear to
those within earshot that Sandro is commentating on himself in Portuguese, as a schoolboy would in the back garden. “He beats one, beats two, it’s Sandro,” he says. As the ball thumps into a wall, his makeshift goal, he lets out a cry of “gooooalll - goalagoala-gooaaall!” A smile spreads across his face, he winks and then laughs. In an age when footballers are accused of not caring, of lacking in personality, Sandro is the antidote - a larger than life character, warm, generous with his time, aware of his responsibilities as a role model and with an infectious laugh. The 24-year-old does not have to be here, but has chosen to come as part of his work with the Western Union PASS initiative, which raises funds to help children around the world go to school. As he juggles the ball, a man shouts from outside the fence: “Sandro, you’re a legend, you’re a beast. Come on you Spurs.” The Brazilian has impressed in Tottenham’s midfield in recent times.
Physically imposing and comfortable on the ball, he has oozed authority. But with the World Cup less than 200 days away, it is hard to discuss club without first thinking of country. What would it mean to him to be part of the World Cup on home soil? “Everything,” he says clasping his hands together in front of him in prayer. “My friends and my family are in Brazil. If I can play there with the power and support of the people it will be amazing - all of my dreams come true.” Brazil first recognised his talent as an 18-year-old after he captained the Selecao’s Under-20s to success in the 2009 South American Youth Championships in Venezuela. Seven months later he was a full international, the youngest of the 88 players called up by Dunga in his four years in charge. But Sandro won the last of his 16 caps in 2010 after a cruciate ligament injury ruled him out of last summer’s Confederations Cup triumph. Pulling on that iconic yellow shirt is never far from his mind, however. Tottenham were on their way
to Wearside when the World Cup draw was made last Friday. Sandro and his compatriot Paulinho sat together on the team bus watching the draw unfold, thinking of what may await them next summer as teammates for club and country. What would it mean to win for Brazil? “Wow,” he says. “As players we know the responsibility we carry to win. Everyone is there to support us. If I don’t win, my family will say to me: ‘Come on, Sandro.’ That is a lot of pressure but we are ready, we have great players, we have a lot of spirit. So let’s go and do it.” Preparations for the World Cup may have been overshadowed by protests, stadium delays and talk of crime and chaos but Sandro has no fears. “Everyone will enjoy it, and forget the problems,” he says. “These problems have happened, the stadiums still need a bit of work to be perfect, but we hope everyone will enjoy it - the people are friendly, it will be perfect.” The World Cup must wait for now. Tottenham are
Bayern win Club World Cup BBC Sport - Bayern Munich capped a memorable 2013 by lifting the Club World Cup after a routine victory over Moroccan champions Raja Casablanca in Marrakech. The German side added the trophy to the Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup and Uefa Super Cup titles won in a silverwareladen year. Raja hoped to become the first African side to win the tournament, but were brushed aside by Pep Guardiola’s team. Dante and Thiago Alcantara both scored before half-time to seal Bayern’s win. Bayern were overwhelming favourites to beat a Raja side who had exceeded all expectations to reach the final on home territory. The Moroccan club, who were backed by a partisan crowd inside the Marrakach Stadium, were considered the weakest team in the tournament but dispelled that by recording wins against Auckland City, Monterrey and Ronaldinho’s Atletico Mineiro. In contrast, Guardiola’s team only had to beat Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande to book their place in the showpiece, with the European representatives afforded entry at the semi-
Bayern Munich celebrate their win which capped a memorable 2013. (Getty Images) final stage of the competition. Bayern swept aside the Chinese side in a comfortable 3-0 win and the signs looked ominous for Raja as the Bundesliga leaders raced into a twogoal lead with less than a quarter of the game gone. Brazilian defender Dante opened the scoring when he fired past Raja goalkeeper Khalid Askri after fellow centre-back Jerome Boateng headed Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner into his path. Bayern continued to dictate proceedings and, after the busy Askri saved from
Thomas Muller and David Alaba, doubled their advantage through Thiago. Left-back Alaba cut inside from the flank to pick out the Spain international, who accurately fired into the far corner from 15 yards. After the break, Bayern slowed down the tempo as they looked to maintain possession without offering the same attacking threat that they did before half-time. However, they almost added a third when Swiss winger Shaqiri hit the crossbar with a speculative shot.
Raja began to enjoy a greater share of the ball and were nearly rewarded with a foothold back in the match as a flurry of chances were spurned. Two opportunities fell to captain Mohsine Moutouali, who shot over Manuel Neuer’s crossbar and then failed to hit the target after the Germany international had saved Vivien Madibe’s close-range effort. But Bayern were never in danger of letting their advantage slip and saw out the game to win the Club World Cup for the first time.
Sandro Raniere Guimaraes Cordeiro (Getty Images)
enjoying a season of ups and downs. Home defeats by West Ham and Newcastle have contrasted with valuable points against Chelsea and Manchester United. The 6-0 defeat by Manchester City was something else altogether. “That defeat was my most difficult moment in football,” Sandro says as the pain of that afternoon at the Etihad Stadium comes flooding back. “6-0 is so bad, man. And I felt it on the pitch, I felt helpless. It was a game that you don’t want to think about. We have just focused on the next games. We have drawn with Manchester United and beaten Fulham and Sunderland. So this is in the past now.” The goal ‘The Beast’ scored against against United was a thing of beauty, as Spurs held last season’s champions to a 2-2 draw and Sandro saw plenty of positives in that performance. “Everyone had to be close after that defeat by City. Everyone spoke about the game, everyone was sad also. But against United we pushed, we showed more passion on the pitch, we were stronger and this helped.” And yet there is a lingering uncertainty around the future of Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas, although according to Sandro no-one in the dressing room shares that. “He’s still a great manager,” he says. “Everyone in the dressing room likes him. We all feel
comfortable with him, he has helped us a lot as a manager and we play for him every game. This [situation] happens with everyone if you don’t win games, people start to talk about your future. This happens in football all the time. We need to move on, stay strong and get back in the top four.” Much has been made of the world record departure of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid last summer and the void left by the Welshman. Have Spurs missed him? “Yes, for sure - he is a great player,” says Sandro. “But we bought a lot of players and now we can rest players because the group is stronger. But Bale is an unbelievable player. We have to move on, Bale is in Madrid now and I’m happy with the new players.” The big games keep coming for Spurs, with Liverpool due to visit White Hart Lane on Sunday - and there will be some familiar faces in the opposition lineup. “Liverpool are a great team. They have Coutinho a Brazilian who is a friend of mine - and Lucas, who is doing well also. So for me it will be great.” The coming months will not be easy, with Tottenham battling for a top-four finish and Sandro waiting on a callup to Brazil’s World Cup squad. But for now ‘The Beast’ is determined to ensure this season turns into a thing of beauty for club and for country.