Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

Where your views make the news

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Letters... Where your views make the news

It is time for us a nation to raise The police in this country are not thinkers the bar on public discourse DEAR EDITOR, The GTUC views with increasing alarm attempts by forces to make the Guyana Constitution a football, thereby removing the responsibility from the Executive/Government to govern in the interest of the society. Those who once said the Constitution is bad are now saying it is good, while some now in desperation for change are saying it is bad. All constitutions are amended from time to time and nothing is fundamentally wrong with making aspects of the constitution more responsive to the developing needs of the society. What is wrong is the misrepresentation of those calls, the wild and reckless calls that are being made without justification, and without first at least checking what the Constitution says. What this in effect does is lay the blame for the social decay and mismanagement of our society on the Constitution, instead of at the feet of those who are supposed to enforce it and operate within its confines. The Guyana Constitution is as good and as bad as those who are in power responsible for its application and those who are not in the Executive responsible for holding them accountable. Our

Constitution is a document that is evolving as society evolves and has also undergone amendments. This is acknowledged in its Preamble wherein, “As citizens…we adopt these fundamental laws and make provisions for their amendments to reflect changes in our society, inspired by our collective quest for a perfect nation…” GTUC is further concerned that some calls for constitutional reform serve a surreptitious purpose and not genuine concern to addressing and responding to the constitutional needs of the society. To some extent calling for constitutional reform has become a sexy topic, with some even calling for what already exists. For example, recent comments being made regarding:1. A Bill of Rights, when Title 1 in the Constitution specifically addresses the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of The Individual. These 26 Rights and Freedoms enshrined in the Constitution and guaranteed to every Guyanese deals with issues ranging from freedom of expression to the right to life; personal liberty; assembly, association and demonstration; protection from discrimination on the

grounds of race to the right to work; pension and gratuity; participation in decision-making processes of the state, and even Equality of persons before the law, Equality for women, Indigenous people’s rights, Equality of status and free education. Further, enshrined in the Constitution at Title 7 are Rights Commissions, viz, Human Rights, Women and Gender Equality, Indigenous Peoples’, Rights of the Child, Public Procurement, Public Service Appellate Tribunal, which mandate a secretariat and tribunal, and some of which the government refuses to establish, and; 2. The ill-informed assertion that Guyana has a 17th Century constitution. The USA constitution, the base of which is 1789, is still revered not condemned, along with the framers and their intent, and where necessary, ratified amendments were made as the society evolved and faced new challenges that were not envisaged at the time. When the USA Constitution was first formulated, the society did not envisage the need to enshrine free exercise of religion, speech, press; right Continued on page 23

DEAR EDITOR, It’s really a bad time for police. These people who received a bonus month’s pay from the government are now being accused of (nothing new) turning up at a Corentyne robbery some two hours after the fact. One political party is now calling for all the ranks of the Whim Police Station to go. I don’t know how feasible that would be, but seriously, the police in this country are not thinkers. Right now, New Amsterdam is overflowing with traffic. The main arteries in the town (and I’m sure Rose Hall and Corriverton too), have situations whereby vehicles on the move are within inches of each other. Pedestrians and other road users are within proximity to these vehicles too. Strand and Main Street are the main arteries in the town of New Amsterdam. The police are directing traffic and they feel they are doing ‘something.’ Well, they are not. If they were thinking people, they would make provisions for the festive season. In Rose Hall Town, a similar situation obtains. One has to spend over 15 minutes in the bottleneck. It’s as if the police do not sit down and strategize ways to deal with problems—traffic problems and bottlenecks during the Christmas season in these major traffic areas. Certain streets and

roads should be designated as one-way. You cannot have people parking vehicles along Rose Hall Public Road during this time as well. Restrictions should have been made along the Strand Public Road in New Amsterdam as well. Utilize the less busy Republic Road! Motor car operators must face restrictions during this season lest there be traffic mayhem and even accidents, since the situation is very chaotic. Hire car operators cannot be allowed to stop in front of the New Amsterdam Market and neighbouring areas, to let off or take in passengers, while a barrage of vehicles are waiting behind them. It’s ludicrous, too, that

drivers stop to do the same right before approaching the Canje River Bridge, sometimes where the slope begins. The police simply cannot think nor can they effectively enforce the laws as they should. What they can do, however, is arm themselves with radar guns just after one descends from the Canje River Bridge, a slope-like descent that would obviously have drivers over the speed limit, but this is where the police deliberately position themselves to ‘catch’ drivers. This is the police in Berbice for you. Reward them more, government. Leon Suseran

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Husband who killed Guyanese wife, her Stranded Dynamic passenger says lover, acted in self-defense - lawyer Gerry Gouveia pushed him down stairs

Charged: Steven Whittingham New York (New York Daily News) -The Brooklyn man accused of stabbing his wife and her new lover to death when he caught them having sex in a car, was acting in self-defense, his lawyer claimed Friday. Steve Whittingham was attacked by his wife’s panicked new flame when he came across them in a car outside Spring Creek Towers near Seaview and Louisiana Avenues early Wednesday, according to the accused killer’s lawyer, Jay Cohen. The cuckolded man’s wife, Jonelle Barker, 36, was pantless inside buck-naked Jerome Barrett’s Kia.

Killed: Jonelle Barker

“He lost it, as anybody would under the circumstances,” Jay Cohen said. The attorney said that he anticipates arguing Whittingham was defending himself and acting under extreme emotional disturbance. “The male victim came at him with a knife,” Cohen claimed during Whittingham’s arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Friday. Whittingham “disarmed the male and he has a slash wound to his arm. In the frenzy, he stabbed both of them.” Barrett, who also was married, ran away, clutching his clothes. But he collapsed and died at an entrance to Spring Creek Towers. His Kia was found parked on New Lots Ave. in Brownsville about 24 hours later with Barker’s naked body

stuffed in the trunk. Whittingham was charged with the murders late Thursday. “He’s devastated by what happened,” his lawyer said. Whittingham silently shook his head as a court officer read the charges of first- and second-degree murder against him Friday. Judge Craig Walker ordered him held without bail. Whittingham is a selfemployed auto mechanic who supports six children, his lawyer said. His wife moved out of his home about four weeks before she was killed, neighbors said. The two victims met at Kennedy Airport, where they both worked as baggage handlers. Barrett’s relatives said they are grateful he was able to be with his father when he died of cancer in Virginia on December 10. “He was by his side when he took his last breath,” said Barrett’s sister-in-law Michelle Wilson-Barrett. “It was one week to the day from when his dad passed away that he died.” Barrett had his wife with him in Virginia last week — and the family never suspected he was having an affair. “She loved him to death,” Wilson-Barrett said of her brother-in-law’s bride. “They just seemed like a happy couple. That’s why this was a surprise — and I was just devastated.”

Hardat William (left) and his son, Tommy United States of Americabased Guyanese, Hardat William, is hoping that the police will take action against leading airline executive Captain Gerry Gouveia, who he alleged pushed him down the stairs of the Roraima Airways office yesterday. Although he suffered no major physical injuries, the incident has left him stunned, especially since it occurred in the presence of his son and another relative. It was a double whammy yesterday for William, who is one of the many stranded passengers who are suffering as a result of the problems being currently experienced by the troubled Dynamic Airways. William, who arrived in Guyana on Dynamic Airways on Thursday for the funeral of his mother in law, was scheduled to return home with the same airline on Sunday. But the airline encountered difficulties and William and other family members who had travelled to Guyana were left high and dry. He told this newspaper that he was never informed that the airline was experiencing difficulty with

their aircraft, so on Sunday he travelled to the Cheddi Jagan international Airport, certain that he was going home in time to return to his job. He was in for a shock! “When we got there, we found out that there was no flight that day, that there will be one the following day,” William recalled. In fact the Dynamic Airlines aircraft was still in New York. Yesterday, he still did not hear from Dynamic Airlines officials, so he made a telephone call to the CJIA to enquire if the aircraft had arrived in Guyana and was told that it had not. This was despite assurances by local Dynamic Airlines representative, Capt. Gerry Gouveia, on Sunday that the flight will all be well by 07:00 hours yesterday. Nevertheless he travelled to the city to make enquiries about the flight back to the USA, especially since his job was at stake. He went to the Roraima Airways office on Duke Street, Kingston but was directed to the Head Office in Bel Air where he was told that he could meet directly with the boss, Captain Gerry Gouveia.

“I went to Bel Air to plead with Mr. Gouveia about my plight since my job could be in jeopardy. I first spoke to him on the phone and then he invited me upstairs into his office. We spoke a few words in the office and then he said let’s talk outside,” William told this newspaper. His son and another relative were with him. They are certainly taken by surprise by what happened next. Williams said he demanded an explanation from Gouveia about what will be done to facilitate his timely return to the US. “He asked me, ‘what do you want me to do?’ I told him that I expected if you cannot give me a refund, you could put me on Caribbean Airlines.” William said that Gouveia told him that he is only the handling agent for the airline and he was not responsible for what happened to the flight. But William continued to demand that Gouveia facilitate his speedy return to the United States and got no satisfaction. “He said that there’s nothing he could do, ‘Leave the premises.’ I said ‘I’m not Continued on page 21

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Spain’s Princess Cristina to stand trial on tax fraud charges (Reuters) - Cristina de Borbon, sister of Spain’s King Felipe VI, is to stand trial on tax fraud charges as soon as next year, becoming the first Spanish royal to face prosecution. Princess Cristina’s father Juan Carlos abdicated in June after a series of scandals, and his son Felipe is riding high in opinion polls. He has tried to modernize the monarchy and has taken away rights and duties from his two sisters, neither of whom is now formally part of the royal family. Prosecutors have been conducting an investigation into the affairs of Cristina’s husband, former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin, for four years. They have ordered Cristina, 49, Urdangarin and 15 others to stand trial in the case involving his Noos Foundation charity, the High Court of the Balearic Islands said on Monday. Graft investigations in Spain have exposed highlevel corruption among politicians, trade unions and bankers among others, and have eroded Spaniards’ faith in their institutions after a major economic

Cristina de Borbon crisis and a government austerity drive. As Spain heads into a general election year, corruption will be high on the political agenda. Polls show the issue as Spaniards’ second biggest concern after sky-high unemployment. New anti-establishment party Podemos - “we can” in Spanish - has already benefited from the disaffection, and threatens to eat away at support for mainstream political leaders, including those from the ruling center-right People’s Party (PP) and the opposition Socialists. Cristina and her husband have both denied any

wrongdoing in the case, triggered by a complaint from anti-graft campaigners Manos Limpias - “clean hands” in Spanish. Urdangarin has been charged with breach of legal duty, embezzling public funds, fraud, influencepeddling and moneylaundering. The princess is accused of two tax crimes. Her lawyer Miquel Roca said yesterday said she had been surprised by the court order. Spanish law can allow the accused to escape trial if the victim of a crime - in this instance, the Spanish state does not back the charges, as was the case here. He said Cristina would be launching an appeal based on that. “It’s a serious, surprising and exceptional situation,” Roca told journalists. The couple have been ordered to deposit funds with the court to cover possible liabilities - 2.6 million euros ($3.2 million) in the case of Cristina, and nearly 15 million for Urdanganrin. They now have 20 days to deposit the money, according to a written court ruling, or face having assets seized. Cristina remains sixth in line to the throne. A spokesman for the royal household declined to comment on whether the princess would give up her succession rights.

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

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ARE LOCALS ALLOWED IN CASINOS? There is a case before the Court in which someone took a local casino to court over a dispute over winnings. I will not comment on the substance of the dispute because the matter is sub judice. But what struck me was, that person who allegedly claimed certain entitlements was not a foreign national, nor was he a paid guest at the place where the casino is located, yet was admitted for gambling. There was an accident recently not far away from the casino and it was reported that one of those killed was part of group of friends one of whom had membership to the casino and had taken him there. My recollection is that when the Gambling Prevention Act of Guyana was amended, there was a big uproar by the Christian

community. They were concerned that the amendment allowed for the establishment of licenced casinos in Guyana. The religious community was concerned about the social effects of these casinos especially on young Guyanese who they feared would fritter away their earnings thereby leaving their homes without any means of sustenance. They were concerned that problems would develop in homes should casinos be allowed. The government assured the religious community that in so far as the casinos were concerned, the amendment did not permit locals from gambling in the casinos. Only foreign nationals and persons staying at the resort or hotel which had to have one hundred and fifty rooms—,

would be admitted to the casinos. The religious community seemed satisfied judging from its subsequent response. However, the statute says nothing about restricting entry to non-nationals. That was a matter left for regulations to be set by the Minister. One can therefore only assume that there was some regulation published that only permitted nonnationals and hotel guests to enter a casino because in the early days it was only these two categories of persons who were allowed admission. That regulation has to have been changed or is not being enforced. I say this because at one particular casino, all you need to gain admission is to produce some form of identification. Once, for example, you have a Guyanese

Dem boys seh...

De DPP ears want cleaning When goat bite you, yu really deh bad. You cross fuh life. Some goat bite Gerry Gouveia and Dynamic because dem blight. De first one was Gerry. He park he plane and de next thing you know is that it disappear. It had to be that de goat only nip him because he get back de plane but he had to go till in Colombia for it. Is when he join up wid Dynamic that dem boys realize how serious was de bite. Is three time Dynamic trying fuh tek off and is three time it flopping. De first time it couldn’t land at JFK in New York. In de end it give up trying fuh land but Gerry didn’t give up. Like when li’l pickney playing race, dem does holler “Ready, steady, on you marks, get set, Go” Dynamic try fuh go but something happen. Is a goat did hold on pun it. Nuff people leff stranded in New York and in Guyana. But dem boys seh that is wha people does get fuh cheapness. Dynamic announce cheap flight and

people rush fuh buy ticket. One man find out that wha sweet a goat mouth does sour in he backside. He got to Gerry fuh collect back he money and Gerry kick he wheh Jagdeo got he plug. De police looking at de matter. Is de same way how de nation looking at de matter wid de DPP. She coulda find charge fuh Glenn when he telephone C fuh Satar from de States. Glenn tell C fuh Satar that he will expose all his wicked and corrupt ways. He tell de police that if that is a threat, so be it and de DPP recommend that that was enough fuh charge Glenn fuh threatening. De whole world listen to de tape wid Anil threatening and cussing fuh about 20 minutes. Everybody call fuh this man get charge fuh threatening but is only DPP did not hear no threat. In fact, dem boys seh she didn’t even hear Anil voice. Talk half and send de DPP to de ENT—Ear, Nose and Throat.

identification card, all you need to do is to show some form of ID, register and you will be admitted to the casino. Of course you have to be over 18 years of age. This is what is happening at the moment. The government therefore, needs to inform the Guyanese people and the religious community to whom certain assurances were given, as to whether the regulations under the Gambling Prevention Act have been amended to allow for locals to now be admitted into casinos because it is happening and the media can confirm that this is happening. Has there been a change in the regulations? Are Guyanese being allowed to gamble in casinos? The government needs to say clearly whether they have

issued any amendments to the regulation in so far as the admission of locals to casinos is concerned or if new regulations to allow locals to gamble in casinos have been issued. The Gaming Authority should clarify this issue. For one, the religious community would have had an expectation that they would have been consulted on any such changes to regulations governing gambling in Guyana. Secondly, there has to be some concern about the social and cultural effects of casino gambling particularly on our young people. I noted that one of the friends of the young man who was killed in an accident this past weekend said that they went to a club but it was boring. Then they went to

Baroombar and the now dead youth enjoyed himself there. Then they went to the casino. He must have also enjoyed himself there. The point is that certain types of activities are now becoming the preferred means of enjoyment for our young people and this is something that the religious community would wish to consider and make their views known. There is also the matter of the commitment given by the government in so far as casinos are concerned.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2014

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

What is the relationship between Donald Ramotar and Irfaan Ali? What has President Donald Ramotar done in three years? The first answer is he has been holding his own Academy Awards ceremony. For three years Irfaan Ali has been acting as the Minister of Trade and Tourism (for a stink, “dutty,” horrible dirty country to have a Tourism Ministry must be an insult to modern day civilization). It is beyond belief that Ramotar cannot find a person to be the Minister of Trade. And to think of it, the media has allowed him to get away with this asininity; he is still to be asked why Ali has been acting for three years in which time Ramotar has awarded him an Oscar. When one thinks of

all the possible candidates, then Ramotar should be pressed on why he continues with this imbecility. Take the Shaun Samaroo. Within weeks of praising the Stabroek News as a valued Guyana institution, writing as a Stabroek News columnist, Samaroo in a Chronicle column last Friday observed that “the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News, lack serious insight into the society’s body politic, and more and more engage in petty, crass, biased, prejudiced and incompetent reporting and editorializing, in fact, the average citizen ignores the newspapers, except to devour gossip and gore.”

This journalist (who is now writing for GINA) went on to praise Ramotar as a shining President. For months now Samaroo has been begging for a top job. Well one is available – the Minister of Trade and Tourism. What about the calypsonian Dave Martins? Mr. Ramotar has a supporter in Mr. Martins. Martins wrote in the Stabroek News that he doesn’t understand why Guyanese keep carping on corruption, begging in the streets and race bias. He sees these things in places like Canada and the US. Mr. Martins is now a tourism ambassador. He is an

experienced gentleman who has a business at the Ogle airport. I would think he has more standing in Guyana than a mediocre performer like Irfaan Ali. Does Ramesh Dookoo of the Private Sector Commission want the job? He is as sycophantic as any fanatical PPP supporter who would die for the PPP. Dookoo works at Banks DIH where he must have gathered some knowledge about business, so he would be qualified. Or could it be that the ministerial pay must be less than what he gets at Banks DIH? One of the most obvious candidates would be “Kit” Nascimento. He is also in the Private Sector Commission (never knew Nascimento owned any serious commercial entity but then again the circus is a business). Nascimento is in his mid-eighties therefore there is nuff experience there. Bobby Ramroop should have a talk with Ramotar about consideration for Nascimento. It was Nascimento who

wrote that the “Beacon of Truth”, the Guyana Times, is the New York Times of Guyana. The “Beacon of Truth” is the “Beacon of Dirt” and the Guyana Times is not the New York Times of Guyana but the Bharrat Jagdeo Times of Guyana. Ramotar, to my mind, is not intellectually developed at all (I honestly, most sincerely, feel in my analytical mind that Donald Ramotar is the poorest Head of Government ever to emerge in the English-speaking West Indies) so many eligible choices will naturally elude him. But can’t some of the other folks in the PPP suggest some names to Ramotar? If Ramotar cannot secure the services of a Guyanese from inside the country or from the diaspora to serve as the Minister of Trade, then it is an open admission by the PPP leadership that Guyana is a barren place that has failed and in which there can be no future. I would like to see a counter-argument. The fact is graphic and simple - for three years now, the PPP leadership cannot identify a Minister of

Frederick Kissoon Trade Suppose there is an alternative explanation. There is a Minister for Culture and Sports. There is one for Social Services. Another for the Finance Ministry. Yet another for Education. There is one for Labour. Yet another for Agriculture. Even the mining industry has a Minister. What is so complex about Trade and Tourism that finding a candidate is impossible? The answer is that Mr. Ramotar does not want a Minister of Trade and Tourism. He prefers to give Irfaan Ali an Oscar for acting for so long. This raises the question as to why. What is the relationship between Ramotar and Ali?

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Dredging operations completed PPP takes credit for US/Cuba renewed diplomatic relations in the Essequibo River

The “Steve N” dredging vessel. A critical dredging exercise in the Essequibo River has been completed. According to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the final phase of dredging activities in Chalmers Crossing by Dredge “STEVE N” was completed on November 30, 2014. “STEVE N” commenced dredging in the Essequibo River on September 17, 2014.

“This represented part of the plan by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) to dredge the shallow areas of the Essequibo River that currently impede the movement of ships.” “STEVE N” is now expected to conduct more dredging activities at New Amsterdam Stelling in the first quarter of the New Year.

Guyanese among 4 escapees from TT detention centre

Trinidad (Trinidad Newsday) - Four illegal immigrants—a Nigerian, a Guyanese, a Jamaican and a Barbadian— who were awaiting deportation to their respective countries, escaped from the Aripo Detention Centre, on Friday night. A joint police/army/ immigration exercise searched the forested area surrounding the centre, but failed to find the missing four. Reports are that about 11 pm on Friday, a guard at the centre, on making his rounds, discovered that a steel door had been forced open. Further checks by the guard revealed the four illegal

immigrants had scaled the barbed wire fence and had escaped into the nearby forested area. The joint police/army/ immigration search party extended their search to Wallerfield and Cumuto yesterday with no success. Officers of the National Operations Center’s Air Division also carried out aerial searches but also reported no success in finding the four men. Sources at the Centre told Sunday Newsday that the escaped men had told other detainees that they were planning their escape because they did not want to

be deported as was the case with a group of African detainees recently. The four also reportedly told detainees that they wanted to remain in Trinidad because they felt this country provides better opportunities than their home countries. Police and Immigration Officers are investigating how the four men were able to open the steel door. A report is to be forwarded to the Minister of National Security. On Sunday, the centre remained under lock down and security was beefed up as officers continued their search for the escaped men.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP), General Secretary, Clement Rohee expressed conviction yesterday, that the “strong advocacy role played by the PPP/C Government” had much to do with United States of America’s decision to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. He said this yesterday at the PPP weekly press conference at Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown. At that forum, Rohee announced that the Party is happy with the decision taken by the United States of America. Rohee pointed out that President Barack Obama’s move in this direction is indeed a historic development, as it ends over five decades of “diplomatic isolation inflicted by the USA against the government and people of Cuba.” Rohee said that his party consistently advocated the lifting of the trade embargo against Cuba having itself been

the victim of “past treachery and manipulation which resulted in the removal of the PPP from office in the 1960’s.” According to Rohee, the time was long overdue for the United States to normalize relations with Cuba and more importantly, to lift the trade embargo against Cuba which has resulted in that country’s inability to realize its full growth potential. Despite that fact, Cuba still continues to render technical assistance to several countries of the developing world especially in the areas of health and education. The General Secretary said that the PPP is especially pleased with the assurances given by Cuban President Raul Castro that the integrity of the nation will remain on course. Rohee boasted of the PPP “strong advocacy role” played in adding its voice for an end of the trade embargo against Cuba, and calls not only for normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba but also for

an immediate end to the US embargo against that country. He said that the party is convinced that it is “the strong advocacy role played by the PPP/C Government and the rest of the international community that resulted in a foreign policy shift by the US government in relation to Cuba. He said as well, that the PPP is confident that the economic blockade will also be lifted “sooner rather than later.” The General Secretary and sitting Minister of Home Affairs said, Cuba much be credited since despite the embargo and other acts of terrorism, it continued to offer technical assistance to Guyana and other developing countries. Rohee said that his party wanted to take the opportunity to renew the bonds of friendship and solidarity which exists between itself and the Communist Party of Cuba. He said that the Party sincerely hopes that the relationship between itself and Cuba will continue to grow and deepen in the years ahead.

No poultry, egg shortage this Christmas Poultry producers usually look forward to December when there is a higher consumption of eggs and other poultry products. According to officials from the Agriculture Ministry, there should be no shortage of eggs or other poultry products which is a major concern for this Christmas season. While the Guyana Poultry Producers Association has also given an assurance that there will be no shortage, since

supplies for the local market are expected to remain stable. According to a large scale chicken producer, Guyana would not be experiencing a shortage on the local market. It takes three weeks for the eggs to hatch and six weeks to rear chickens. As such

chickens for the season are already on the ground. Earlier in the year there was a poultry shortage, however, Government took action to ensure that consumers do not have issues with high prices during the Christmas season.

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Kaieteur News

Jagdeo/Kissoon libel case...

Plaintiff given six weeks to seek appeal

Lawyers for former President Bharrat Jagdeo have been given six weeks to file an application for an appeal out of time. This is after the Attorneys for the former Head of State would have had some nine months to file an appeal against a ruling which allowed the defence to amend their case, but failed to do so, and another two weeks to address the same action. The failure to file the appeal during the ninemonth period was described as a “tremendous oversight” by Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos when he appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court yesterday. The Jagdeo libel suit is also filed against the newspaper’s publisher and Editor-in-Chief Glenn Lall and Adam Harris r e s p e c t i v e l y. A t t o r n e y Nigel Hughes is representing the defendants,

... said nine-month failure was an oversight

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Kaieteur News columnist Frederick Kissoon

while De Santos and his junior, Sase Gunraj, are representing the former President. Jagdeo, back in 2011 accused Kissoon of writing libelous statements against him and the newspaper was cited for publishing it. During the course of the trial, the plaintiff was objecting to evidence that

was being provided by witnesses on behalf of the defence. De Santos was adamant that while the witnesses were providing evidence to justify the statements made by Kissoon in his column, they were not providing evidence that justified their information. Continued on page 24

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Harmon promises further scrutiny of “controversial” Public Works Projects Even as the combined opposition and public stakeholders drilled and slammed the government over what has been described as a number of “controversial” state projects, some of which fell within the ambits of the Public Works sector, portfolio Minister Robeson Benn says that 2014 has been a good year, despite the challenges. The Minister’s comments came last Friday at the Ministry’s Christmas party which was held at the Transport and Harbours Sports Club Kingston. The Public Works arm managed to keep going, despite the issues faced by the sector throughout the year. The Ministry’s communications department said, that Benn described 2014 as a challenging year for the Ministry; however, irrespective of the budgetary and parliamentary processes “we found ways to keep the works going.” Noting the criticisms leveled against the Ministry on the delivery of some of its works, Minister Benn added

...Minister Benn says 2014 was a good year

Shadow Public Works Minister Joseph Harmon that there is still an appreciation of the works done. “The growth of the country is dependent on us.” However, A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) Member of Parliament, Joseph Harmon, has expressed his party’s dissatisfaction with the execution of works by the Ministry. He has promised a series of revelations following the scrutiny of several projects, which the APNU Member of Parliament (MP) believes should be placed in the public domain. Harmon’s focus was on the state centered projects such as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project, and the Marriott Hotel project. Harmon, while hosting a special press briefing at Timehri North early last week, promised to go in-depth with many of the projects falling within his scope. He thus warned Minister Benn to be alert since his next expose’ will be on the nation’s speed boat operations. Harmon had told the media prior to that, that the Ministry of Works and by extension the government, owed the Guyanese people an explanation as to what was occurring with the CJIA expansion project; since there

were many changes occurring, but the public was not being made aware. Harmon claimed that the airport expansion project which has a price tag of US$150M is likely to increase to as much as US$250M, because of the exemptions and benefits handed down to the Chinese contractor, and because of the heavily over -priced items that exist in the projects plans. Additionally, he mentioned, that the airport project because of “poor planning and haste,” is likely to also cost Guyanese taxpayers an additional US$20M since more work has to be done at the initial stages, prior to the actual expansion. These changes include, for example; the testing of soil in the northern end of the airport runway since the soil in the south, where the initial runway expansion was intended is “unsuitable” Ministry’s engineers had stated. Harmon reiterated his demand for the government to update citizens on these changes.Harmon also brought up the four lane highways being constructed both on the East Coast Demerara and the East Bank of Demerara; both of which had their share of setbacks. “Just as I have given you a breakdown of the airport project and how monies are being spent, I will be examining other projects.” Harmon said that Minister Benn had told the National Assembly earlier in the year that by mid-2014 Transport and Habours would have fixed and established proper ramps for persons travelling with speed boats. However, there had been nothing new on the issue and with the prorogation (closing) of Parliament; Harmon declared that the questions will still be asked, even if it is in the ‘People’s Parliament’.

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Caribbean stakeholders Mechanic falls from tractor to his death working to ensure finite water While some families are busy preparing for Christmas Day which is just a few days away, one Essequibo family is preparing to bury its dead. Paul Gounga, a/k “George”, 53, formerly of Five Miles Moruca, North West District(Region One) died Saturday evening, after he fell from a heavy duty tractor. The mechanic, who was attached to the Region One Administration for the past 19 years, died at the Kumaka District Hospital before

Paul Gounga receiving medical attention for injuries to his head and a severed left ear. His daugther, Zeena

Miguel, of Richmond Village, Essequibo Coast, explained that she received the devastating news of her father’s sudden death from relatives in Region One. The woman said that she learnt from persons in Moruca where her father was well known. Gounga’s body was transported to the Suddie Funeral parlour to await a post mortem examination. The dead man leaves to mourn seven of eight children.

Stranded Dynamic passenger says... From page 6 leaving without you giving me an answer on how to get back to the States.” “As I turned around, he grabbed me, hit me in the back and pushed me down the steps. There are two witnesses here,” William said, referring to his son and another relative who both nodded their heads in confirmation. “I said ‘why did you push me? Get your hands off me.’” He managed to break his fall by holding on to the rail of the stairs with the support of his son. He said that Gouveia appeared unconcerned when he told him that he was going to report the matter to the police as well as highlight it in the media. “He said ‘Get the F** off m y p r e m i s e s . ’ H e ’s powerful.” Gouveia retreated into his office even as William challenged him to step

outside. This newspaper understands that several Dynamic Airways passengers were left stranded at the JFK International Airport in New York over the weekend after the aircraft encountered difficulties. Earlier this year Dynamic Airways got off on the wrong foot with their direct flight from Timehri to New York, when they were barred from landing at JFK. Several passengers demanded refunds when the airlines temporarily halted operations. After sorting out their problems, the airline resumed flights only to suffer more problems that have once again caused passengers a lot on inconvenience. “What they are doing is wrong. I came here for a funeral, not a vacation. I should have been on my job (Monday), now it looks like I can’t be on the job

(Tuesday), because they haven’t even given me an answer when the flight will be coming,” William said. He subsequently sought an audience with ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken who referred him to the Alberttown Police Station where he gave a statement. The police had assured him that they will be seeking out Gouveia for his side of the story. Efforts by this newspaper to reach Gouveia were futile. “Now as a big Executive for a company, why would he want to assault somebody? Even if I’m angry, I have a right to be angry because I am stranded here. I did not t o u c h h i m , ” Wi l l i a m declared. William, who is an American citizen, intends to lodge a formal complaint about the assault with the local US Embassy today.

resources sustained- GWP-C

By Rabindra Rooplall The finite water resources are interdependent, and high irrigation demands and polluted drainage flows from agriculture mean less freshwater for drinking or industrial use. Caribbean stakeholders are working to ensure that freshwater is included in the regional plans for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), while the Global Water PartnershipCaribbean (GWP-C), which recently brought regional and international stakeholders together for a conference in Trinidad, examined adaptation options in relation to water and climate change. Underscoring that Water and Climate Change were critical national and regional concerns toward achieving a water secure Caribbean, project manager of GWP-C, Dr. Natalie Boodram said that the implementation of better water policies, strategies, programmes and water related adaptation actions, are always needed to promote human security and regional integration through better water resources management. According to Dr. Boodram, climate change does not only cause changes in precipitation volume, timing frequency and intensity, but in turn it alters the quantity and quality of water available for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes, in addition to rising sea levels and resultant salt

water intrusion into coastal aquifers. In a recent workshop it was noted that current variability and long-term climate change impacts are most severe in a large part of the developing world, and particularly affect the poorest. Much work has taken placed in the region to push forward a process of integration, and examples of initiatives and an evaluation of their outcomes and relative successes have been recorded. The focus is on the 15 States in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, the unifying effects of whose shared language, cultural and political similarities make this region a productive focus for the evaluation. This area has some of the region’s most vulnerable states and territories in terms of fragile economies, impact of climate change, and constrained development opportunities. The waterscape of the Caribbean is rich and diverse; it is home to some of the most water scarce nations on the planet, such as Barbados and the Bahamas. Yet in close proximity there are countries with abundant freshwater resources, such as Guyana and Belize. According to UN data, the Caribbean population has more than doubled from 17 million in 1950 to 41 million in 2010, and population density

Project Manager of GWP-C, Dr. Natalie Boodram has increased by more than 100 percent during the same period. However, as a general rule, water distribution infrastructure built in the 19th and early 20th century did not anticipate this growth. This has led to many cases of water stress and scarcity. Since a high proportion of the population in many Caribbean States and territories live in urban areas, there is a two-fold challenge to delivering potable water to densely populated communities, while addressing the storm water and wastewater challenges typical of urban environments. All English-speaking Caribbean islands and territories show a consistent trend of migration from rural to urban areas.

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Kaieteur News

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

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

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

VACANCY Work from home & earn $5,000-$20,000 daily; www.jobfairworldwide.com Tel:233-6517; 622-1957; 9am5pm Mon-Fri & Saturday 10am-4pm Male & female workers: managers, accountants, checkers, salesperson & housekeepers @ RA Soda Factory – Call: 330-23992772; 623-5920 Exist for one accounts clerk; apply in person at Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Pump attendant; must have Tin #, NIS, ID, police clearance & proof of address @ N&A Service Station Prospect, E.B.D CANTER DRIVER/ SALESMAN and Factory Assistant living on E.B.D, free accommodation also available. 266 4427

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

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

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) & MORE, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 LARGE 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT, LARGE VERANDAH, PARKING @ LAMAHA GARDENS $80,000 MONTHLY – CALL: 609-8132/ 672-8569 (MAX) 1 Modern warehouse facility in central industrial area 8000sqft ware house facility 5000 per month – Contact Annie: 695-0333 Property for rent in Bel-Air Park - Call: 694-6606 Two and one bedroom apartment; furnished or unfurnished @ Eccles “AA” Tel: 686-5625 Three bedrooms; 1 self contained house with A/C, parking, full furnished, young professional Scheme Eccles - $1700US neg. Call Sonia: 666-4882 Business space @ Middleton St. C/Ville – Call: 650-0716; 667-7836 CATERING

TO LET

Monica’s Finger Licking BarB-Que, any amount to orderCall: 661-6793; 677-2482

Tuesday December 23, 2014

FOR SALE

CAR RENTAL

VEHICLE FOR SALE

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

PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

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

Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 PICK YOUR PIG! CHOOSE YOUR SIZEAND WE WILL HAVE IT READY! CALL: 266-2711 OR 609-4594 400lb 5 inch Catguts seine for sale – Contact: 220-7655; 6959860; 698-8998 Evinrude outboard engine (new) 3-15HP; Can-am ATV 4X4 500cc; Sea Doo Jet-Ski 1500cc with trailer - Tel: 6003171; 648-3171 20ft fibre glass boat and Toyota Spacio- Tel: 617-3001 Portable sawmill fully hydraulic Th30-25 Timber Harvester – Call: 261-2553 Stalls at Robb Street & Bourda –Contact: 695-1359 between 9am -11am Tibetan Terriers pups (FLUFFY) – Call: 222-7891; 609-9202. New/used salon equipment for sale, excellent conditionCall: 664-5401; 615-5343 Imported German shepherd and Siberian huskies for sale Call: 664-5401; 615-5343

Newly constructed 2 bedrooms apartment in safe environment – W.C.D- Call: 698-6496 Queenstown: newly constructed office space, air conditioned, washroom & kitchenette included. 500sqft - $80,000 Tel: 6003171; 648-3171 LARGE 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT, LARGE VERANDAH, PARKING FOR 2 VEHICLES @ LAMAHA GARDENS $80,000 MONTHLY- CALL: 609-8132/ 672-8569 (MAX) 1-Two bedroom apartment, grilled, tiled@ Middleton St. C/Ville - $60,000- Call:6500716; 667-7836.

SALE! SALE! SALE! New model Spacio (2005) TV, Front & back camera; fully loaded - $2M- Call: 6427295 WANTED One night shift supervisor at shell Providence E.B.D, Submit application to shellramsburg@gmail.com One security Guard - Tel: 218-5105 One live in domestic must know to cook Indian Dishes 25-50yrs; salary - $60,000 monthly- Tel: 610-5043 A house lot/ 2 bedroom property to buy on the East Coast/East Bank Georgetown area - Contact Anthony Bowen: 609-6505 One live in experienced waitress must be honest & courteous 18-25yrs; salary $50,000-$60,000 monthly – Tel: 610-5043 Contract vehicles also mini bus and hire car drivers – Call: 645-0025 Porters, apply at Wieting & Richter Ltd Cooks, pastry maker, counter clerk; apply to Kiskar Veggie Hut: Camp & Durban Street. Call: 231-4971

Christmas Sale: Dell/HP Computer with 19" LCDs, laptops - $55,000 @ Futuretech – Call: 231-2206 XBOX 360 4GB - $40,000, XBOX 360 20GB- $45,000, XBOX360 250GB - $55,000 with original games/ controller – Call: 683-8386

CAR RENTAL

LAND FOR SALE

DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM

Blankenburg, Public Road W.C.D (38ftX150ft), (39ftX150ft) - $16M each; Back Street, Unity Street La Grange W.B.D 85X750- $16M Call: 666-3619

Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807; 690-6494

Mahaica Creek: River Front, 5 Acres - $5M - Tel: 600-3171; 648-3171 FOR SALE/RENT

Untouchable car rental: low rates, low deposits – Call: 677-4613; 226-9668

American Pool Table – Call: 277- 0578

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE Six acres prime roadside land and metal workshop in Corriverton, can be sold with or without workshop. Call: 626-6245 One house & land in hope low land, E.C.D, one house & land in Bloomfield Berbice Call: 689-5254; 256-0504 2-Storey concrete house, virtual 2 units, 55 section ‘B’ Non Pariel, E.C.D Quick Sale Call: 651-8901 2 STORIED 3 BEDROOMS CONCRETE & WOODEN PROPERTY ON LARGE LAND 300FTX40FT, IN BERBICE, NEAR CANJE BRIDGE. CALL MAX: 6098132, 672-8569 Unfinished house at Parfaite Harmony, West Minister, W.B.D - $4.5M – Tel:6610618; 601-3469

Spacio 2004, Body Kit, rims, camera, spoiler, dark interior, crystal light, new shape (unregistered) – Tel: 6175536 1 - L-Touring Wagon; HB 9912, price $1,050,000 Neg. Call: 680-4990 Christmas Sale! 2003 Toyota Premio - $2.2M; never registered – Tel: 617-2891 Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 One ford IVECO sand truck with Cummings Engine, GNN Series, excellent condition, owner leaving country - Call: 604-6860, 643-2911 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price $2.5M neg. Call: 6201026 One Yamaha Rava125 Motorcycle and Kinlow KL110 motorcycle – Contact: 682-3942; 615-6474 or 6788236

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

Nine prisoners get early release after Food For The Poor intervention

Nine non-violent prisoners have been released for the holidays as part of Food For The Poor’s ongoing programme. Food For The Poor (FFTP) has secured the release of 68 prisoners, who committed non-violent offences in Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti and Honduras, in time to spend Christmas with their families. The non-violent prisoners were incarcerated due to their inability to pay required fines. “There are large numbers of desperate people who are locked in jail, people who have been forgotten because they stole whatever they could, to try to feed their hungry families,” said Robin Mahfood, Food For the Poor’s President/

CEO. “It is a serious situation. The Gospel message strengthens and reminds us to give a hand up to others who dwell in darkness.” As part of the ongoing programme, 17 prisoners were released from St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre in Spanish Town, Jamaica, on December 10. One of the inmates was a 45-year-old barber from Kingston, Jamaica. On December 9, bailiffs took him from his shop because he had breached the Debtors Act, an offense that warrants 14 days in prison. As a barber, and father of

three, he found it difficult to continue to pay the backlog in rent when his business slowed. One of his last payments was made in November. “It happened so quickly, I was not even allowed to call or talk to anyone,” said the inmate. “When I came here, I begged an officer for a call and contacted my wife and explained the situation. I begged her not to tell my children, especially my daughter in high school, because it would devastate her. Continued on page 24

Security of the people should be... From page 4 130 homicides in Guyana in 2013, a 28 per cent increase over the previous year, and this will likely increase by an additional 10 percent in 2014. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime lists Guyana’s homicide rate as 18.4 per 100,000—the fourth highest rate in South America behind Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia. We want the people to know that Guyana’s murder rate in 2013 was three times higher than that of the United States on a per population ratio basis. This is the case despite the false claim by the Home Affairs Minister that the murder rate in Guyana is declining. High unemployment and so-

cial neglect — the causes of which can be traced to the high crime rate — have made armed robbery and murders more easily accessible to the unemployed and hopeless youths. In the current atmosphere the people must condemn the performance of both the Minister and the police. Obviously, strong and very proactive intervention is needed by the Minister to help reduce crime and ease the fear of the people. But such intervention cannot take place successfully while the Minister is in denial and the force continues to abuse and brutalize the citizens. However, we believe that no priority should be greater than that of equipping the se-

curity forces with the personnel, material and legislative support to protect the country and its people from marauding criminals. For the nation to move forward, respect for the law by all and the security of the people must be priority one for the Minister of Home Affairs. Derrick Arjune Asha Balbachan Rohit Misir Allison Rutherford Harish Singh Chandra Deolall Asquith Rose Vincent Nauth Devita Khan Dr. Reginald Watkins Donna Mathoo Noel Moses Vicki Rampersaud Dr. Merle Spenser-Marks

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Letters... Where your views make the news

It would be an engineering miracle if the Hope Canal is finished by year end DEAR EDITOR, I refer to an article in your paper dated December 21, 2014, with regard to the Hope Canal, and to state from what I observed after a visit to the site just over a week ago, a lot of work is yet to be completed. It would be an engineering miracle if the project is finished by year end. The outfall has to be excavated, sea defences built on both sides of the wing walls, backfilling has to be completed, sluice doors to be installed and electrical operation of the sluice doors etc., are among a number of other aspects yet to be completed. I also feel the Government and its Consultants have now brought the problems of the

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

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

From page 4 to peaceably assemble, petition for governmental redress of grievances, bear arms; citizenship; racial equality; term limit to the presidency; voting rights and other challenges, which as these emerged the society sought to address. And in a society where reportedly approximately 11,539 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress since 1789, un-ratified amendment pending since 1789, and the expected typically proposed 200 amendments with each two-year term of Congress, these have not seen government ground to a halt or same used as a front not to strive for good governance and hold government accountable to what is enshrined in the existing constitution. It is time for us a nation to raise the bar on public

discourse and we all have a role to play, particularly civil society, media, private sector, government, political parties, commentators and analysts. It should no longer be acceptable for myths to be perpetuated as facts, taking hold in our society, creating fear and mistrust through ignorance. For in such chaos lawlessness takes root and the lawless rule supreme. Citizens are urged to go to the original source to verify information given the proliferation of deceit and half-truth passing as facts. Citizens must not shy away from holding persons accountable for their

commentaries and must not feel these persons are beyond questioning. GTUC calls for the enforcement of the Constitution and holding those responsible for such task accountable for its application, notwithstanding continued efforts that ought to be ongoing through the prescribed Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Reform for necessary review and adjustment (Article 119A). As we seek to have our Constitution evolve so must our thinking and operation. Lincoln Lewis GTUC-General Secretary

It is time for us a nation to raise...

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Nine prisoners get early release... From page 23 “I prayed the whole night because I am the breadwinner for the family and I didn’t know what was going to happen to them. I said ‘God, is this a trial that you are putting me through to make me develop, or is this a way to teach me a lesson? I know you are real, and you have never failed me yet’.” Call it a Christmas miracle, but by morning the inmate’s prayer had been answered. FFTP’s Prison Ministry team had intervened and paid the nonviolent prisoners’ outstanding fines, granting them an early release. “People ask how I am so lucky, but I know God is powerful. I know He answered my prayer by sending angels this morning,” said the inmate. “I know that God was going to take care of me. Water came to my eyes this morning in the chapel when the gentlemen from Food For The Poor said, that we must give the gift of forgiveness to our enemies and that is what I plan to do.” On December 16, nine non-violent prisoners were offered second chances when they were released from three prisons in Guyana. One of the prisoners celebrated his 42nd birthday the same day he was unexpectedly released from prison.“I am very thankful and grateful to Food For The Poor,” said the inmate, who plans to return to work as a welder. “It is a blessing to me since today is my birthday. I wish you all the best. God bless you all. It was a pleasant surprise to me.”

FFTP said that in developing countries, the destitute sometimes have no way to feed their families other than to steal food. The consequence often is imprisonment, without first appearing before a judge, or receiving a prison sentence. Prison conditions are drastically worse in developing countries than they are in the United States. Overcrowded prisons are common, and perpetuate the spread of disease and violence. The potential spread of cholera in Haiti’s prisons remains a concern.Twice a year – during the Christmas and Easter seasons – it is the FFTP tradition to help release nonviolent inmates who have been incarcerated due to their inability to pay the required fines for committing minor offenses. Since the inception of FFTP’s Prison Ministry Programme in 1998, the charity has assisted in freeing, training and reintroducing prisoners back into the community as productive citizens.The organization does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This inter-denominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and microenterprise development assistance, with more than 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

From page 12 Arguments had to be laid, therefore, by both the defence and plaintiff to represent their position in regard to the justification of evidence. Hughes had stated for the defence that he would amend their case to include the justification of evidence, but De Santos was against that, claiming that the defence ought to have known that they had to justify the evidence they were giving. He was also against the defence’s application to amend since the plaintiff had already closed their case and he felt that it would have been prejudicial. The court decided however to allow the defence to amend their case. De Santos decided, however, that he would appeal the ruling and he was given six weeks to do so. But this occurred in March and the case was not recalled until two weeks ago. However, the plaintiff had filed no appeal. The plaintiff had to file, therefore an amended reply to Hughes’ amendment since he had failed to appeal. This too was not done. When De Santos appeared in court yesterday he asked for an adjournment so that the plaintiff could file an application for an appeal out of time. This means that in light of their failure to file the appeal or the amended response, the plaintiff is now looking to apply

to the full court for leave to file the said appeal even after the time to do so, had elapsed. On the last occasion, Gunraj had stated that De Santos had been engaged in the criminal assizes and that he had not been able to get guidance on how to deal with the current happenings in the case. He said that De Santos was engaged in criminal matters.This seemed somewhat “convoluted”, and pointed to time constraints. He reiterated yesterday that the failure to appeal was an oversight and that it was regrettable. Hughes argued that there were no legal grounds for any additional time to be given to the plaintiff. He said that the court indulged the plaintiff and after nine months they were still to do the necessary. Hughes objected “strenuously” to De Santos’ application and asked that the court proceed with the trial After the court asked De Santos a few questions and he revealed that a motion was before the full court it was decided that the plaintiff will get six more weeks before the matter is called again. The motion before the court is for the entertainment of the application to file for the appeal out of time. The two sides will return on February 2 when the court will hear the outcome of the application. The plaintiff is seeking more than $10M from the defendants.

Plaintiff given six weeks...

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Discussions on border Police, businessman refute issues to continue in 2015 claims of delayed action - Foreign Affairs Minister Discussions between Guyana and Suriname, regarding the New River Triangle issue, will be furthered in the New Year. This is according to Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, when she hosted a press conference yesterday. The issue, the Foreign Affairs Minister said, had in fact gained the attention of Border Commissions of both Guyana and Suriname during the course of the year and will resume in 2015. The Minister in her deliberations said, “I am pleased with the progress made thus far, but certainly in 2015 we hope to even further that, certainly that is the hope of the Government and of course the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” The Minister had earlier alluded to the notion that the New River Triangle as undoubtedly being a part of Guyana’s territory. She had even vocalized her conviction that Guyana’s position with regards to the issue is very clear. However, Suriname through its Foreign Affairs Minister, had insisted earlier this year that the area was and remains a part of Suriname, a development that RodriguesBirkett deems as “regrettable”. She said that in 1936, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Dutch Government at the time and British Guiana,

decided where the tri-junction point will be. The Foreign Minister, Rodrigues-Birkett, disclosed that efforts were continuing to address the controversial issue even as she stressed in a comment to the Government Information Agency [GINA] that Guyana is a peace-loving territory. In a comment to that news entity, too, Rodrigues-Birkett noted that while border issues are not resolved overnight, both commissions have been working. She said that what is necessary, is for all Guyanese citizens to be aware of the history of the matter, “to be aware of Guyana’s borders, to be aware of Guyana’s size and shape, and I think most of them are; and in this case we are very clear. “But we are a peace loving country, as well, and we have always adhered to the principle of resolving borders in a peaceful manner,” she insisted. “We went to the Commission on the Laws of the Sea to resolve our maritime border with Suriname. Our bilateral discussions with Suriname through the border commission are aimed at resolving the matter consistent with international law. This is the approach we will take,” the Foreign Minister said. Meanwhile, the Minister yesterday, commenting on yet

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett another border issue, said that it was following the removal of a vessel from Guyana waters that both the Government of Guyana and Venezuela had agreed to meet to deal with the maritime border issue. Already one meeting was held between technical teams of both countries but according to RodriguesBirkett, “Unfortunately we haven’t made a lot of progress.” Venezuela has put in place a new Foreign Affairs Minister and according to Rodrigues-Birkett she has since written to the new Minister asking that the matter be concluded. “It is not an easy issue but I believe with political will on both sides, we will be able to resolve this,” added the Minister.

Rumours, and more rumours was how the businessman and the police responded to the reports in some sections of the media that the cops took more than two hours to respond to a crime scene in Berbice. Businessman Latchman “Anil”Pooran, of 47-48 Maida Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, who was robbed on Sunday by six heavily armed and masked bandits of approximately $4 M in cash and jewelry, is refuting claims that the police took more than two hours to respond to a crime scene. Pooran, who injured himself when he jumped some 10 feet to the ground from his veranda, before scaling a seven-foot fence to escape from the thieves was subsequently admitted a patient at the Anamayah Memorial Hospital. He was discharged yesterday and immediately moved to dispel rumours that the cops took a long time to respond. He said that the cops resounded in less than half an hour to the crime scene and he praised the work of the police whom he said worked under stressful and strenuous circumstances.

Commander of Police B Division, Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph said that after initial investigations, his ranks who were patrolling some distance away responded in a timely manner. Around 02:45 hrs on Sunday morning the ranks were in the rough terrains at Topo Back dam more than 12 miles away when they received the call. They responded immediately and were in constant contact with the victims. They were informed to be cautious upon arrival since the men were heavily armed and were shooting indiscriminately. Upon arrival the ranks parked their vehicles and proceeded with caution on foot. They took up strategic positions, but no one was seen. After some time they made contact with the victims. The ranks after gathering information went after the bandits, but were unsuccessful. According to information the first call was made around 02:45hrs. Contact was made with the victims at the scene around 03:09 hrs. The aftermath of the

robbery had also drawn a mini protest on Monday in front of the Whim Police Station. This the police attributed to the protesters being misinformed. According to Assistant Commissioner Joseph, a number of initiatives have since been taken to assist the victims. The scene was visited by Commander Joseph and other senior officers. The victims were counseled by a pastor of the Cops and Faith Ministries with follow up sessions planned. Heavily armed bandits around 02:30 hrs on Sunday morning, broke into the home of Latchman and his family. The armed men harassed the family before escaping with the $4 M in cash and jewelry. Armed with a piece of wood the thieves smashed opened a glass door on the rear veranda. The family upon hearing that exited the house and hid on the front verandah. When the gunmen found the family they took them inside, beat and threatened to kill them. Personnel of the Police Office of Professional Responsibility were also in Berbice conducting investigations into the incident.

GPSU members ‘sick out’ to retaliate contracted increase Although there have been reports of a deliberate ‘sick out’ of nurses at the Region Three West Demerara Regional Hospital, the Guyana Public Service Union [GPSU] has neither confirmed nor denied this state of affairs. According to GPSU’s Industrial Relations Officer, Jermaine Hermanstyne, “I am not aware,” when questioned of the reported ‘sick out’. He however said, “What I will say is that for the nurses who are sick, we from a Union perspective wish them a speedy recovery.” There are reports that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation will be engaging in similar industrial action from tomorrow, a move that is intended as retaliation for failed talks for a higher increase for public servants. According to Hermanstyne, the Union has been meeting with its members throughout the country, and the response that has been forthcoming has been exactly what was anticipated. Moreover, he insisted that “most of our members are eager to do something about it because most people are totally fed up of the situation; they are fed up of the Government.” “They are fed up with promises,” said Hermanstyne as he pointed out that the Union members are cognizant of the fact that the five and eight per cent increases that were announced by Government are not merely a political tactic but rather a “bread and butter issue and cuts across religion, political affiliation and all of that so people are eager to respond.” The GPSU was reportedly long in discussion with Government for a 15 per cent increase for its membership. Reports are that President Donald Ramotar, when he assumed office, had promised to fully engage the unions but the promises had collapsed.

And since the GPSU is a representative body of its membership, Hermanstyne without giving precise details, said, “It is our members who give us a mandate in terms of what it is that they want. What it is that we are doing is meeting with our members letting them know what are the realities and they would decide what is the course of action they will take,” added the Industrial Relations Officer. The Office of the President at the end of last month announced its intent to give increases of five to eight percent. More than 20,000 public workers and members of the Disciplined Forces are therefore slated to receive the increases as at December 31, last year and retroactive January 1, 2014 a public missive from the President’s office mentioned. The release stated, “In keeping with the Government of Guyana’s commitment to provide these increases, Public Servants and Members of the Disciplined Forces earning above $50,000 monthly wages and salaries as of December 31, 2013 are being granted an across the board increase of five percent. “Those earning less than $50,000 monthly as at December 31, 2013 would be receiving eight percent across the board increase, retroactive to January 1, 2014.” The notice continued that additionally, “teachers earning less than $50,000 monthly as at December 31, 2013 are being granted an additional three percent across the board increase, on top of the five percent increase already paid to them in keeping with the multiyear agreement concluded with their Union, bringing their total increase to eight percent retroactive to January 1, 2014.” It was stated that circulars have already been issued to effect the payment of these increases on the wages and salaries for 2014.

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Cops intensify hunt for Tuschen killer after threatens of second bloodbath - Cops take steps to protect fugitive’s spouse and sister In the wake of threats of a second bloodbath by a man claiming to be Tuschen murder suspect, Jerome Franklin, police yesterday intensified their hunt for the fugitive. They also took steps to protect his reputed wife and her sister. As an added precaution, an official told Kaieteur News that police have notified their counterparts in neighbouring territories about the case and have also circulated photographs of the suspect. On Sunday, a man who identified himself as Jerome Franklin contacted Kaieteur News by telephone and indicated that the killing would not stop until he had “dealt with” his reputed wife, Geeta Boodhoo, whose left hand he had severed, and her sister. In the approximately 20-minute conversation, ‘Franklin’ confessed to slaughtering his reputed wife’s mother, Bibi Zalima

FUGITIVE Jerome Franklin Khan and his spouse’s alleged lover, Floyd Drakes. Expressing not a shred of remorse, he also admitted to chopping his reputed wife. But he vehemently denied killing his nine-year-old stepdaughter, Ashley Boodhoo. He claimed that it was his mother-in-law, Bibi

Khan, who accidentally hacked the child to death while attempting to chop him. However, police sources said that the nine-year-old sustained at least three cutlass wounds, which suggested a deliberate attack. The caller claiming to be Franklin also expressed anger that police have detained his son as an accomplice in the three murders. Police appear to suspect that someone helped Franklin to murder the alleged lover, Floyd Drakes. During the conversation, the man claiming to be Jerome Franklin claimed that the murderous attack occurred after he learnt that his wife had sneaked her lover into the house he once shared with her. The court granted Franklin’s wife a restraining order a few months ago after she claimed that he had threatened her life. ‘Franklin’ alleged that on Thursday night, a taxi driver,

who is his close friend, tipped him off that he had dropped Franklin’s spouse and a man into Tuschen Housing Scheme. ‘Franklin’ said that he immediately contacted his mother-in-law, Bibi Khan, by phone. But according to him, Ms. Khan “sucked her teeth and hung up the phone,” after he told her to let Drakes leave the house. The caller told Kaieteur News that he then forced his way into the house and attacked the occupants. He claimed that Bibi Khan, his mother-in law, picked up a cutlass and tried to chop him, but accidentally chopped and killed nine-year-old Ashley Boodhoo. He also hacked his spouse but she managed to escape. ‘Franklin’ said that he then turned on Floyd Drakes, and killed him although the man pleaded to be spared. Police said that Drakes sustained at least 25 cutlass

SURVIVOR Geeta Boodhoo

wounds. His spouse told Kaieteur News that she hid in a neighbour’s verandah, with Franklin standing a few inches from her hiding place. The mother of four of Franklin’s children said that she believes her reputed husband is in Suriname since

Anna Regina council workers strike Employees attached to the Anna Regina Town Council, staged a protest yesterday morning, .clamouring for increase of wages and salaries. Labourers, security personnel and staff of the Town Council complained about not receiving any increase in wages and salaries since 2010, despite prior promises being made to them by the Town Council’s management. Employees bore placards which read “No money, no work”, “This injustice must stop,” “All Ministers enjoying holiday with their family, but we can’t, cause there is no money to even buy sweets.” One employee said that the protest taken by his fellow employees will continue until agreeable negotiations are met between workers and management. Senior Industrial Officer, Dennis English, and Mortimer Livan, traveled to the Essequibo Coast to stand in solidarity with the protesting workers. Livan said, that workers have decided that they would continue to protest for an increase in salaries until they get some form of justice. English said that the situation facing workers has to do primarily with non-payment, late payment and workers being underpaid. He said that the stated issues are known to the Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Norman Whittaker, who recently visited the Region to

he has more relatives over there than here. The 30-yearold waitress denied knowing Floyd Drakes, her alleged lover. This is despite the fact that Drakes’s body was discovered by investigators in a clump of bushes at the back of Boodhoo’s house, near to an outhouse.

The striking workers

commission projects in the market. It seems like the Minister is more interested in gaining political mileage than rescuing the workers, he said. English said that management is not making an effort to meet the workers’ demands. He argued that no worker should be made to suffer after they would have worked. Meanwhile, vendors operating inside the Anna Regina Old market were locked out, due to the protest by workers of the Anna Regina Town Council.

Hoyte remembered:

Guyana ready for another PNC leader - Corbin Former leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Hugh Desmond Hoyte, is being remembered for his calls for a new type of Governance in Guyana. The former President was the one who engineered the economic recovery that sparked a rebirth of Guyana's development. These were among some of the tributes paid by former PNCR Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin, at yesterday's ceremony at the Botanical Gardens in remembrance of Hoyte's 12th death anniversary. According to Corbin, with Guyana again at the crossroads, the people are “quagmired” in a national cri-

sis of unparalleled proportions. “The crisis of governance is well known. Our democracy is under serious threat.” He said that in his last Congress address, Hoyte had called for a different type of Government. He had urged for “an adjusted system of governance for our country – whether we call it “power-sharing”, “shared governance”, “inclusive governance” or any other name – appears to be an idea whose time has come.” In that address, Hoyte had also noted the need for Guyana to “change to survive. And we must be in the forefront of the battle to bring about such change. Our Party will have to transform itself to

cope with the inevitable change.” Speaking to several senior PNCR officials, Corbin said that the time has come for another PNC Leader to again

rescue the nation in a time of crisis. Born in Georgetown, Guyana on March 9, 1929, Hoyte was a teacher in Guyana and Grenada before qualifying as a British-trained

Barrister-at-Law, where he was called to practice at the Middle Temple, London. He took silk as a member of the Inner Bar in 1969 and was (continued on page 19)

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Tuesday December 23, 2014

China condemns cyberattacks, but says no proof North Korea hacked Sony

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) delivers remarks as China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) looks on, before their meeting at the State Department in Washington October 1, 2014. CREDIT: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST (Reuters) - China said yesterday it opposed all forms of cyberattacks, but there was no proof that North Korea was responsible for the hacking of Sony Pictures, as the United States has said. North Korea has denied it was to blame and has vowed to hit back against any U.S. retaliation, threatening the White House and the Pentagon. The hackers said they were incensed by a Sony comedy about a fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which the studio has pulled. China made no reference to calls by the United States for joint action with it and other countries to counter any similar cyberattacks. “Before making any conclusions there has to be a full (accounting of) the facts and foundation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. “China will handle it in accordance with relevant international and Chinese laws according to the facts.” She said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi “reaffirmed China’s relevant position, emphasizing China opposes all forms of cyberattacks and cyber terrorism” in a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday. China is North Korea’s only major ally, and would be central to any U.S. efforts to crack down on the isolated state. But the United States has also accused China of cyber spying in the past and a U.S. official has said the attack on Sony could have used Chinese servers to mask its origin. South Korea, which is still technically at war with North Korea, said computer systems at its nuclear plant operator had been hacked and non-critical data stolen, but there was no risk to nuclear

installations or reactors. “It’s our judgment that the control system itself is designed in such a way and there is no risk whatsoever,” Chung Yang-ho, deputy energy minister, told Reuters by telephone. He made no mention of North Korea and could not verify messages posted by a Twitter user claiming responsibility for the attacks and demanding the shutdown of three aging nuclear reactors by Thursday. U.S. President Barack Obama and his advisers are weighing how to punish North Korea after the FBI concluded on Friday it was responsible for the attack on Sony. It was the first time the United States had directly accused another country of a cyberattack of such magnitude on American soil and set up the possibility of a new confrontation between Washington and Pyongyang. “SYMMETRIC COUNTERACTION” North Korea’s state news agency said it did not know who had hacked Sony Pictures. “We do not know who or where they are but we can surely say that they are supporters and sympathizers with the DPRK,” the KCNA news agency said. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the North’s official name. “Our toughest counteraction will be boldly taken against the White House, the Pentagon and the whole U.S. mainland, the cesspool of terrorism, by far surpassing the ‘symmetric counteraction’ declared by Obama,” it said in a typically aggressive commentary. Japan, one of Washington’s closest Asian allies, said it strongly condemned the attack on

Sony, but also stopped short of blaming North Korea. “Japan is maintaining close contact with the United States and supporting their handling of this case,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference. He did not answer when asked if Japan was convinced North Korea was behind the cyber attack, but repeated that he saw no effect on talks with North Korea over the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang agents decades ago. Obama put the hack in the context of a crime. “No, I don’t think it was an act of war,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union” show that aired on Sunday. “I think it was an act of cyber vandalism that was very costly, very expensive. We take it very seriously. We will respond proportionately.” The hack attack and subsequent threats of violence against theaters prompted Sony to withdraw the comedy, “The Interview,” which had been due for release during the holiday season. Republican Senator John McCain disagreed with Obama, telling CNN the attack was the manifestation of a new kind of warfare. R e p u b l i c a n Representative Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, would not call the hacking an act of war. But he did criticize Obama for embarking on a two-week vacation in Hawaii on Friday without responding to the attack. “You’ve just limited your ability to do something,” Rogers said. “I would argue you’re going to have to ramp up sanctions. It needs to be very serious. Remember - a nationstate was threatening violence.”

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

Record number at Germany’s anti-immigrant rally (Reuters) - More than 17,000 people took part in Germany’s largest antiimmigrant rally to date yesterday in the eastern city of Dresden, gathering to sing Christmas carols and listen to speakers complain about immigrants and asylum-seekers. The rally by a fastgrowing grass-roots movement calling itself PEGIDA, or Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West, was its 10th and largest so far. “Germany is not a land of immigration,” PEGIDA leader Lutz Bachmann told the cheering crowd, which waved Germany flags and chanted criticism of media it accuses of biased reporting. Bachmann started

PEGIDA in October with an appeal on social media in Dresden to protest plans to add 14 centers for about 2,000 refugees locally. Demonstrators reject charges they are far-right extremists or neo-Nazis. Yesterday’s rally took place in front of Dresden’s famous Semper Opera house in the city’s historic center. A counter-demonstration of 4,000 people tried to disrupt the PEGIDA rally, which grew from a previous record of 15,000 a week ago and has embarrassed the political establishment with claims that Germany is being overrun by Muslims and other immigrants. Justice Minister Heiko Maas has called PEGIDA a disgrace for Germany.

PEGIDA’s demands have attracted support from some on the far-right as well as ordinary Germans alarmed by a sharp rise in r e f u g e e s , m a n y fleeing conflict in the Middle East. The rallies have spread across Germany even though Dresden, with a tiny immigrant community, remains the movement’s hotbed. Instead of their usual marches through the nighttime streets, the rally remained at the crowd sang Christmas classics as “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night) and “Oh, du froehliche”. The Semper opera turned off its lights to protest the rally. The number of asylumseekers in Germany has surged to some 200,000 this year, more than any other western country, due in part to an influx of Syrians.

(Reuters) - North Korea experienced Internet outages yesterday, a U.S. company that monitors Internet infrastructure said, adding that the reason for the problems was not known. “For the past 24 hours North Korea’s connectivity to the outside world has been progressively getting degraded to the point now that they are totally offline,” said Doug Madory, director of Internet analysis at New Hampshire-based Dyn Research. “There’s either a benign explanation - their routers are perhaps having a software glitch; that’s possible. It also seems possible that somebody can be directing some sort of an attack against them and they’re having trouble staying online.” U.S. President Barack Obama vowed on Friday to respond to a major cyber attack on Sony Pictures, which he blamed on North Korea, “in a place and time and manner that we choose.” Several U.S. officials close to investigations of the attack on Sony said the U.S. government has no knowledge what might have caused any outages in North Korea and is not involved in any cyber action against Pyongyang. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said at a regular briefing she could not confirm whether North Korea had lost access to the Internet due because of cyberattack. “We aren’t going to discuss ... publicly,

operational details about the possible response options or comment on those kind of reports in anyway except to say that as we implement our responses, some will be seen, some may not be seen,” she said. The instability is in North Korea’s main link, which runs through the northern Chinese city of Shenyang. Madory said this applied to North Korea’s main Internet connection via Chinese company China Unicom, although it was possible the country had limited connection via satellite. “All I can say is that in the last 24 hours, their communications have been degraded to a point where they are unable to communicate. They have disappeared from the global Internet presently,” Madory said. Dyn Research monitors Internet performance though live feeds of router tables from about 450 telecommunications providers worldwide. A White House spokeswoman declined comment. Madory said North Korea’s Internet connection has historically been stable, although it has come under attack in the past, including during a period of high tension with South Korea in 2013. He said there were a lot of players - including potentially teenage hackers - who could mount a “distributed denialof-service” cyber attack on North Korea, if this were the cause of its reported outages. “It doesn’t need to be some

big nation state.” Distributed denial-ofservice attacks are a relatively unsophisticated type of cyber warfare, in which a targeted computer system is bombarded with traffic, rendering it temporarily useless. North Korea’s latest Internet problems were first reported by the blog www.northkoreatech.org. North Korea has denied it was to blame and has vowed to hit back against any U.S. retaliation, threatening the White House and the Pentagon. Pyongyang called for a joint investigation, but Washington’s U.N. envoy, Samantha Power, called the suggestion “absurd.” Harf said of those threats: “We have no specific credible threat information that leads credence to these reports.” “Obviously, we take very seriously any threats to U.S. citizens, to U.S. companies, regardless of what that threat looks like,” she said. The hackers behind the attack on Sony Pictures said they were incensed by a comedy from the studio about a fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The studio pulled the film from distribution after U.S. movie chains declined to exhibit the film. Separately, computer systems at South Korea’s nuclear plant operator have been hacked, the company said yesterday, sharply raising concerns about safeguards around nuclear facilities in a country that remains technically at war with North Korea.

NORTH KOREA HAS INTERNET BLACKOUT

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Tuesday December 23, 2014

I DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO SWITCH OFF PHONE - says senior Tobago cop in aircraft row (Trinidad Express) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for Tobago, Peter Reyes said Sunday he did not know how to switch off his cellular phone, which caused him to run afoul of flight regulations on a flight from Trinidad to Tobago last Thursday. Reyes, who was on his way to assume duties as ACP of the sister isle, was kicked off the 15-minute flight after his phone rang twice and he answered, despite the flight attendants’ request that the phone must be switched off before the aircraft could depart. Reyes’ action caused inconvenience to the other passengers and delayed the flight. The BW1528 flight, which was supposed to have departed at 4 p.m. left Piarco at 5 p.m. and Caribbean Airlines (CAL) was forced to transfer the passengers to another aircraft to transport them to Tobago. A report was lodged by the CAL crew on duty at the Piarco Police Station and the matter is now under police investigation. Reyes called the Express Sunday and in the short telephone conversation, said the media had published “erroneous” information and he expected an apology and would be pursuing legal action against this newspaper.

“The truth is I did not know how to switch off the phone but that is not included there (in the Sunday Express story),” he said. When the Express pointed out that it had quoted from the flight attendants’ reports and he was given an opportunity by the Sunday Express to tell his side of the story but was dismissive, he responded: “I am asking you to stop printing half-truths about me. It is hurting my feelings. It is interfering with my reputation and it is interfering with the reputation and feelings of my family.” Reyes is the former head of the Professional Standards Bureau which is in charge of investigating infractions by police officers. Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams on Sunday said he was replaced when he was appointed ACP of Tobago. He was appointed to deal with crime in Tobago after the murder of a German couple Hubertus Keil, 74, and Birgid Keil, 71, who were chopped to death at Bacolet Bay last month. The reports by flight attendants Karen Wilson and Lieko Sue Hong described Reyes as an “unruly” passenger who had made racial remarks. “He continued his conversation briefly with the caller and as I stood by his row asking him to please

switch off his cellular phone as the doors were closed, the engines were running and the aircraft was taxiing, he advised me that it was an urgent call. I advised this passenger that all cellular phones must be switched off at this time despite the urgency of the call. He then loudly stated to me that I was attacking him because he was not white. At this time he increasingly showed that he was angry by talking loudly to the passengers around him referring to the point that I wouldn’t pick on him if he wasn’t black,” Wilson stated in her report to CAL’s management on the incident. Reyes had told the Sunday Express that he knew nothing of the incident. Reyes eventually got to Tobago on another CAL flight on Friday. The Express reported last Saturday that a senior cop had been kicked off an airbridge flight and had been transported to Tobago by helicopter. Reyes was not named in this report as he could not be reached. Following the flight attendants’ report to the police which named Reyes, the question was asked of Williams on Saturday. He said Reyes eventually got to Tobago on a CAL flight. Reyes also said yesterday he did not travel to Tobago by helicopter.

US-Cuba trade could reach $10 billion if embargo lifted HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) — Experts with the Peterson International Economy Institute in the US estimate that US exports to Cuba could reach $4.3 billion annually, if commercial relations between the two countries are reestablished. The experts added that, if the executive decision by US President Barack Obama is implemented, Cuban exports of good to the United States could reach $5.8 billion dollars, up from zero currently, representing $10 billion in total trade exchanges. “This is big news, Cuba is a virgin market,” said Seth Kaplowitz, lawyer and lecturer on finance at the San Diego State University, cited by PL news agency. Bilateral trade exchange between Havana and Washington was cut in 1962 following the US decision to impose an economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. According to the experts, the lifting of the US blockade could benefit US farmers, manufacturers, airlines, hotel companies, and telecommunication entities, among others. At present, Washington authorizes the sale to Cuba of foods like corn, rice, soybeans and frozen chicken at about $350 million

annually, but requires advance cash payment, since no credits are allowed for the island. One of the companies interested in doing business with Cuba is Cargill, which is in the business of the sale, purchase, processing and distribution of grains and other produce, as well as animal feed and pharmaceutical raw materials. Cargill’s vice president Devry Boughner described Obama’s decision as the first big step towards the reestablishment of relations with Cuba, and he noted that financial restrictions are the major obstacle. Other US entities that have expressed interest in the Cuban market include Delta Airlines and Jet Blue, as well as hotel companies like Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International and Carnival Cruise Line. And according to the experts, US oil companies could find a new market for their fuels and refining technology in Cuba, if the embargo is lifted. Meanwhile, a recent survey has revealed that 58 percent of Cubans residing in Miami between 50 and 64 years of age support the re-establishment of diplomatic relation with the island.

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

British NFL player Menelik Watson gives match cheque to ill child BBC Sport - British NFL player Menelik Watson has donated his payment from Sunday’s game between the Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills to the family of a four-year-old girl with a heart condition. The Raiders offensive lineman, 26, handed over the cheque, worth around £12,000 after tax, to Ava Urrea’s father following the game. The youngster suffers from hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The Raiders won the game 26-24 to deny the Bills a playoff place. The Touchdown Dreams programme, which helps ill children, arranged for Urrea to lead the Raiders team as captain for a day.

Menelik Watson (left) in action during a game. (Getty Images) She received a signed helmet and autographed footballs from players as well as the cheque from Watson. Watson was brought up in the Longsight area of

Manchester before moving to the United States in 2009. The former basketball player was drafted by the Raiders from Florida State University in April 2013.

Tuesday December 23, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) The atmosphere may seem a bit oppressive today, Aries. You like to be free to do what you want to do, and it may bother you that the people around you don't make themselves available to you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may feel a bit tied down today. It won't necessarily be a bad day, but you may wonder about certain aspects of your family life. Don't try and kid yourself. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) There are days when you should take everything with a grain of salt. Today you may realize how important it is to gain the appreciation and respect of a certain person. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Cancer, you shouldn't even try to find a reasonable explanation for what goes on around you today. There isn't one. Be carried by the tides of emotions from the past that run through your body and soul. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you may ask yourself if you're satisfied. How is your personal life? Do people live up to your standards or are you always left feeling dissatisfied? VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Nothing is simple where your family is concerned. If you've forgotten that, don't worry. Today will remind you. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct.

22) You like to give people advice and help them find direction in their lives sometimes when they haven't even asked. But now it's your turn to feel a little lost. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Scorpio, you may put your integrity under the microscope today. We all have deep convictions that we would never let go of. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your freedom is more important to you than anything else in your life. It's often very difficult for you to get involved, whether personally or professionally. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Certain very narrowminded people may get on your nerves. You're lucky enough to be an open, tolerant person, Capricorn. You take people and situations just as they come. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today you will be able to explore the power of your emotions. Don't try and fight what you call your "oversensitivity." A force from childhood will permeate you and help you to find out what your real needs are. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Pisces, you feel secure in the warmth and depth of your emotions. Today you will have the opportunity to reenergize and regenerate yourself from the inside out.

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Seahawks crush Cardinals to take control of NFC West (Reuters) - Russell Wilson tossed two touchdown passes to Luke Wilson and ran for another as the Seattle Seahawks thumped the Arizona Cardinals 35-6 to take control of the battle for the NFC West division crown on Sunday. With their fifth straight victory, the Seahawks improved to 11-4 and can clinch the division ahead of the Cardinals (11-4) with a win next Sunday against the St Louis Rams in their regular season finale or an Arizona loss at San Francisco. The Seahawks and the injury-ravaged Cardinals stepped onto the field at University of Phoenix Stadium knowing they had already secured a playoff spots but with plenty at stake with a home playoff date on the line. Seattle piled up a franchise record 596 yards of total offense against one of the NFL’s top-ranked defenses as Wilson recorded the longest run of his career (55 yards) and Marshawn Lynch rumbled for a pair of scores, including a 79-yarder in the fourth quarter. After a scoreless opening quarter, the Cardinals registered first in the second on a 27-yard Chandler Catanzaro field goal before the Seahawks replied on their next possession, Wilson finding tightend Luke Wilson with an 80-yard touchdown strike. Seattle took control of the contest when Lynch capped off a short drive with a sixyard run to send the Seahawks into the break 14-3 ahead. A 32-yard Catanzaro field goal accounted for all the scoring in the third before Seattle put the contest away with a 21-point explosion in the fourth. Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Cardinals will try to regroup behind third string quarterback Ryan Lindley. Lindley, getting the start due to injuries to Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton, came into the game having never thrown a touchdown pass and left it the same way completing 18-of-44 passes for 216 yards with one interception. Taken in the sixth round of the 2012 draft, Lindley hold the dubious record of having thrown the most NFL passes (225) without a touchdown.

Savina promoted to 3rd Degree

Savina with WUKO-AD USA President, William Valdes. Sensei Savina Suyanne F. Araujo passed her 3rd Degree Black Belt exam under the World United Karate Organization and Associated Disciplines –USA (WUKO-AD-USA) in Orlando, Florida. She is also a WUKO-AD national referee in Brazil. She is the Technical Director for the Associacao Independete De Karate-Do (AIK) in Terezina,Brazil. She spent three weeks training under WUKO-AD Referee coordinator- Darryl Williams polishing her skills. She will be sharing her new skills with members of AIK on her return to Terezina, Brazil.

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Tuesday December 23, 2014

Fifa and Sepp Blatter in secret talks about president’s future BBC Sport - Secret talks between Fifa officials and Sepp Blatter have taken place over his future as the president of football’s world governing body, BBC Sport has learned. The discussions, involving representatives from a number of football confederations, are understood to have started in October 2013, at the celebrations for the English Football Association’s 150th anniversary. Blatter has since confirmed his intention to stand in May’s presidential election and seek a fifth term of office. However, with the 29 January deadline looming for candidates to declare their interest, there is mounting concern amongst several Fifa executives over the governing body’s future direction and leadership. Speaking in Manilla earlier this month, Blatter reaffirmed he has support from five of the six confederations that constitute Fifa. But BBC Sport has been told the recent crisis within the governing body, stemming from an investigation into alleged World Cup bidding corruption that culminated last week in the resignation of ethics committee investigator Michael Garcia, could yet have far-reaching effects. Garcia quit citing a lack of independence in Fifa’s judicial processes and his belief the organisation’s culture was beyond reform. Speaking to BBC Sport, one source described 78year-old Blatter as being increasingly “weary” following years of firefighting multiple scandals, a hectic work schedule and the acrimonious fall-out from the decision to award the next two World Cups to Russia and

Qatar. Fifa sources have also spoken of how, in light of recent events, a number of potential challengers are now weighing their candidacy options. The question being posed within Fifa circles is whether Blatter, if he opts to stand aside ahead of May’s election, would back the candidacy of one of the five publicly supportive confederation presidents. Uefa, the European confederation, remains the most vocal critic of Blatter’s desire to continue on as president. European football association chiefs, including FA chairman Greg Dyke, told Blatter he should stand aside for the good of the sport during a stormy meeting in Sao Paulo in June. Yet Uefa has yet to propose a candidate of its own, with president Michel Platini ruling himself out of the running in July. Fifa executive committee member Prince Ali of Jordan is understood to be one potential candidate Uefa would consider supporting. However, given that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), under the leadership of Shaikh Salman of Bahrain, has declared strong support for Blatter, it is thought he would struggle to secure the necessary votes to win. In addition, Ali is facing his own fight to remain a Fifa executive, with AFC elections looming, and may yet choose to focus his attention on that objective instead. He is not expected to announce his decision until late January and declined to comment last week when asked if he would stand. With former Fifa official Jerome Champagne the only other person to publicly state his wish to be on the presidential ballot paper, attention amongst Fifa

Peters called up as Roach ruled out of tour JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – Left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters has been confirmed as the replacement for the injured Kemar Roach, on the Test tour of South Africa. A short release from the West Indies Cricket Board Sunday said the 32-year-old had been called up for fast bowler Roach, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour with an ankle injury. Peters is a seasoned first class campaigner who topped the bowling charts with 40 scalps at an average of 12.75 apiece, in the regional four-

day championship earlier this year. He has already taken 13 wickets in four outings for Windward Islands Volcanoes in the WICB Professional Cricket League. Overall, Peters has taken 190 wickets in 62 first class matches. He joins a squad still smarting from an innings and 220-run defeat inside four days, in the opening Test in Centurion. The second Test bowls off Boxing Day in Port Elizabeth. Roach, meanwhile, will return home to continue his rehabilitation.

insiders is starting to turn to Jeffrey Webb. He was appointed president of Concacaf, the football confederation for North, Central America and the Caribbean, in 2012 in the wake a major financial scandal involving the former Fifa vicepresidents Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner. Since then, he has stabilised the organisation’s finances and has led Fifa’s anti-discrimination taskforce, which has introduced tough new sanctions for racism offences within the game. Webb has stated he does not intend to run for the presidency in 2015, with the expectation amongst observers that he intends to target the 2019 poll instead. But as the pressure on Blatter continues to build, and given the recent haemorrhaging of Fifa’s credibility, Webb is believed to be considering his options. He is thought to be undecided over whether now is the right time to attempt to seize power. Blatter has praised Webb in the past, lavishing praise on his efforts to reform Caribbean football at a Concacaf conference last year. Shaikh Salman is another name thought to be under discussion amongst insiders, along with Fifa general secretary, Jerome Valcke, as candidates Blatter could potentially accept as a successor. With five weeks to go until the deadline for presidential candidates to formally declare their candidacy, it is thought Blatter’s actions in Marrakech last week, where he backed the redacted publication of the Garcia report once current investigations have concluded, has provided him with sufficient political breathing space to make it onto the list of nominees. But the man who has led Fifa since 1998 was far from convincing about his candidacy when asked last week by BBC Sport if he would categorically run. “We will see on 1 February who are the candidates for the election,” he said. “Probably you will see my name there because I’ve been asked by a lot of national associations to do so. But let me pass Christmas, or let’s say the fiestas at the end of the year, and give me then the opportunity to say: ‘Yes I will be present.’” Blatter has also spoken about the “health and good luck” he would need to stand, comments seen by some within Fifa as a sign he may

Fifa executives are also thought to fear that any further serious allegations in the next few months against the organisation could seriously destabilise world football. Reports of an FBI investigation concerning Fifa, or the prospect of action by other foreign law enforcement agencies, has led some to believe there should now be an orderly transfer of power. The possibility of the Garcia report being published in April or May - and the conclusion of disciplinary cases against three serving Fifa executives - is seen by some as a potential opportunity for Blatter to depart under the claim he instigated and completed a thorough reform process. A valedictory review by Fifa of his time in charge of world football would also allow Blatter to enter retirement basking in the glow of taking the World Cup to new countries, highlight his work with football associations in conflict zones such as Israel and Palestine and showcase how football has risen in recent decades to be the world’s most popular

Sepp Blatter sport. But should Blatter decide to stay and fight for a fifth term, his opponents are growing in confidence that the right candidate could garner the necessary global support to defeat him. A majority of 50% of the 209 Fifa member associations plus one additional vote is required to claim victory in the Fifa presidential election. Four years of controversy 2 December, 2010 Russia and Qatar chosen to host 2018 and 2022 World Cups 4 October, 2013 - Fifa agrees to set up taskforce to look into alternative dates for 2022 World Cup in Qatar 1 June, 2014 - Sunday

Times alleges ex-Fifa vicepresident Mohamed bin Hammam paid £3m to football officials in return for supporting Qatari bid 5 September, 2014 Report into 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process submitted to Fifa by Michael Garcia 13 November, 2014 - Fifa releases 42-page summary of Garcia report which clears Russia and Qatar of corruption 13 November, 2014 Garcia claims summary of his report is “materially incomplete” and contains “erroneous representations” 20 November, 2014 Garcia and Fifa ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert agree to release full report to organisation’s compliance chief, Domenico Scala 16 December, 2014 - Fifa deems Garcia’s complaint against Eckert’s summary of his report is “not admissible” 17 December, 2014 Garcia quits as independent chairman of the Fifa Ethics Committee’s Investigatory Chamber 19 December, 2014 - Fifa agrees to release full Garcia report

Metro throws support behind KMTC Boxing Day Meet

Chief Executive Officer of Metro Avia Maria Lindie (left) presents the trophy to KMTC president Cecil Kennard, while Manager Bernard Ramsaroop looks on. The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) has received the backing of Metro Office and Computer Supplies for their Boxing Day meet which will be held at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice starting from 12:00 hrs. The company has committed to the first prize of $1,000,000 and the first place trophy for the feature A1 and Lower event. Yesterday at Metro Office in Quamina Street, Chief Executive Officer Avia Maria Lindie made the presentation to President of the KMTC Ceil Kennard. Lindie stated that the company is once again happy to be linked with the event and this is the sixth year they are on board. Kennard thanked Metro for their

continued support, adding that not only his club benefits from their kindness, but other sporting organizations. He informed that entries close today. “Entries were set to be closed yesterday, but we have decided to extend the registration period by one day to facilitate horse owners who still are interested to participate,” Kennard explained. He stated that entrance fee for adults is $1,200, children between 10-16 years old $600, while children under-10 will be admitted free. Eight races are carded for the day while programme and parking cost $300 each. The races will be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA).

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Boxing legend Boxing Day test of India’s resolve Muhammad Ali’s in Melbourne condition ‘vastly improved’ MELBOURNE (Reuters) With all hope of a first series triumph in Australia gone after defeats in the first two tests, India need to draw on their reserves of pride and motivation to avoid a seventh straight test loss on Australian soil this week. If the tourists can retain the fighting spirit that has made the Adelaide and Brisbane tests anything but one-sided contests, however, they could record a victory of some significance at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Since they triumphed in Perth in January 2008, neither side has won a test match in the other ’s country with

Ali, pictured here in 2012, has been battling Parkinson’s disease for 30 years. (EPA) BBC Sport - The condition of boxing legend Muhammad Ali has “vastly improved” since he was taken to hospital with a mild case of pneumonia, his spokesman has said. Bob Gunnell said Ali’s doctors hoped to discharge him soon. He added that “the Ali family continues to request privacy and appreciates all of the prayers and well wishes”. The 72-year-old former

three-time heavyweight champion, who has Parkinson’s disease, was taken to hospital on Saturday. Mr Gunnell provided no further details. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984, three years after his retirement from boxing. He appeared in public at a ceremony in September in his hometown of Louisville for the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards.

England postpone France game after World Cup draw BBC Sport - England’s proposed friendly with France has been postponed after the two nations were both drawn in Group F for the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada. The teams had been scheduled to face each other in April as part of their tournament preparations. England head coach Mark Sampson said: “France approached us to postpone the friendly after the draw and following discussions we agreed to it.” Colombia and Mexico complete Group F. England will still play

USA on Friday 13 February and will now seek new opponents for their vacant friendly fixture, with kick-off times and venues to be confirmed in due course. Sampson added: “Our intention is to prepare as thoroughly as possible for the tournament with a balance of training and matches against opponents with a variety of playing styles. “We hope to name another opponent for our April fixture as soon as possible.” Sampson’s side ended qualifying with a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 games.

involved in.” According to her, the focus these days seem to be more on the Grade Six results than anything else and this sole concentration could hinder the development of well rounded students. Offering her comments on

the top six batsmen have all got into the runs at some stage of the series. Just how long the unrest caused by opener Shikhar Dhawan’s decision not to bat on day four in Brisbane after injuring his arm in the nets continues to unsettle Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s dressing room remains to be seen. But if Dhoni, who has been criticised for appearing less than convinced of the importance of the longest form of the game, can lead his team to victory, he could make a considerable addition to his legacy as skipper. His predecessor Anil Kumble rated the 72-run victory at the WACA in 2008, when India were also 2-0 down in the series, the best of his 132-test career.

Packers, Steelers and Cowboys head to playoffs (Reuters) - The Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys booked their places in the playoffs after victories on Sunday while the New England Patriots earned a first round bye for the postseason. Sunday’s results meant that defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks also secured a place in the playoffs before crushing their NFC West rivals the Arizona Cardinals 35-6 in the evening finale. The Packers gained their berth with a 20-3 win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but they will have to wait until next week to see if they can clinch the NFC North title. Green Bay will face divisional rivals the Detroit Lions in the final week of the regular season with both teams on 11-4 records ahead of the showdown. The Lions, who are also assured a playoff place, beat the Chicago Bears 20-14. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 31-of-40 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown and running back Eddie Lacy rushed for 99 yards including a 44-yard touchdown run. The Steelers, six-time Super Bowl winners, have been absent from the postseason for the past two

Stella Maris HM encourages students’... From page 29 encouraged and supported my students who’re involved in sports and I would like to take this opportunity to urge parents and fellow teachers to support their children in whatever sporting activity they are

Australia suffering 2-0, 2-0 and 4-0 defeats on the subcontinent and India losing all four tests on their 2011-12 tour. There have been signs too that Australia, for all the confidence that back-to-back test victories will bring to any side, have a fragility to their batting order that India’s pace attack can exploit. Prolific opener David Warner has a bruised thumb that could hamper him if he is passed fit to play, veterans Shane Watson and Brad Haddin are in poor form, while injured all-rounder Mitch Marsh has been replaced by the uncapped Joe Burns. Quite how Australia will line up when the test starts in

front of the traditional bumper crowd on Friday is matter of some conjecture with coach Darren Lehmann suggesting Burns could slot in anywhere in the top six. Against that instability, there is the sparkling form of stand-in skipper Steve Smith and the mercurial menace of paceman Mitchell Johnson, whose performances with bat and ball turned the Gabba test. Fast bowler Ryan Harris has recovered from a thigh strain and should return in place of left-arm quick Mitch Starc alongside Johnson and Josh Hazlewood, who took 568 in his first innings in test cricket. India look the more settled of the two sides, though, with the fast bowlers working as unit and taking wickets, while

the girls’ performance, Teacher Myrna said they were determined to duplicate the feat of the boys and they went into the tournament with a positive mindset which according to her was the main factor for the win.

seasons but Mike Tomlin’s team ensured they will be in the mix this year thanks to a 20-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger directed the Steelers (10-5) to their third consecutive win, passing for 220 yards and a touchdown. RECORD FOR ROMO The most emphatic statement came from the Dallas Cowboys who crushed the playoff-bound Indianapolis Colts 42-7. With the win, the Cowboys finish top of the NFC East for the first time since 2009. With another impressive performance Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo surpassed Troy Aikman to become the franchise’s alltime leader in passing yards. He now has 32,971 yards passing in eight full seasons, bettering Aikman’s mark of 32,942 yards. Romo completed 18-of-20 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns before he was given a rest in the fourth quarter. Russell Wilson tossed a pair of touchdowns and ran over another as the Seahawks grabbed pole position in the race for the NFC West division crown. With their fifth straight victory the Seahawks improved to 11-4 and can clinch the division ahead of the injury ravaged Cardinals (11-4) with a win against the St Louis Rams next week. The Patriots had already wrapped up the AFC East title before Sunday’s game at the New York Jets but they secured a bye with a 17-16 win. New England will have

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) is congratulated by defensive end Mike Neal (96) after he sacked Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (not pictured) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports) home field advantage throughout the playoffs if the Denver Broncos lose to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday or if the Patriots win at home to Buffalo next week. The Patriots struggled in the first half with quarterback Tom Brady sacked four times. A one-yard touchdown run by Jonas Gray in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference. The Houston Texans (8-7) kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 25-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Randy Bullock converted a franchise record six field goals and running back Arian Foster threw a touchdown pass in the win. The New Orleans Saints are out of the playoffs

after losing 30-14 at home to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons will now take on the Carolina Panthers, who beat Cleveland 17-13, for the NFC South title. Rookie Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel left late in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return. The Buffalo Bills remain without a playoff appearance since 1999 after a 26-24 loss to Oakland knocked them from contention. The Miami Dolphins were eliminated despite a 37-35 win over Minnesota. Afterward, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross announced coach Joe Philbin would return in 2015 despite having failed to reach the playoffs in three seasons.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Holder’s appointment as Captain is shocking Especially since Ramdin is an automatic ODI pick Says Sean Devers The appointment of 23year-old Barbadian Jason Holder as the youngest ever West Indies Captain comes as a shock to most West Indian fans, especially since Test Skipper Denish Ramdin is only 29 and seems an automatic pick for the World Cup with the experience of 115 ODIs to his name. Only Tatenda Taibu (20 yrs), Nawab of Pataudi (21), Waqar Younis (22), Graham Smith (22), Shakib Al Hasan (22), Ian Craig (22), Javed Miandad (22), Murray Bisset (22) and Mohammad Ashraful (22) have led their sides at International level at a younger age than Holder since 1877 when Test cricket was first played. Holder made his ODI debut against Australia last year and has 29 wickets from his 21 games at an average of 28.65 and the decision to appoint Holder, considered by some as an all-rounder. But his highest score at this level is 22 and his appointment to captaincy ahead of Ramdin, who has two centuries and five fifties in ODI cricket and has already been established as Test Captain, is baffling.

Jason Holder

Dave Cameron

Clive Lloyd

Denish Ramdin

More strange it the utterances of the once highly respected former West Indies Captain Clive Lloyd that Holder will continue to grow and demonstrate leadership. “He has a very good cricketing brain and has the makings of a very good leader,” said Lloyd, who was appointed to Head the IMC, set up by the Guyana Government to take control of Guyana’s cricket until the GCB’s next Elections. One wonders how Lloyd, who jumped ship from Government’s IMC Chairman to the Chairman of the WICB

selection panel, came to this conclusion when Holder has never captained any team before. The recommendation to replace Bravo with Holder was made by Lloyd who claims Holder’s appointment was made ‘with an eye on the future’. Lloyd said now is the time to make the transition. “Some might say it’s close to the time of next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but we know that we have a good one-day team which can do very well,” Lloyd, who seems divorced from the realities of West

Indies cricket, added. Lloyd seems to be working on instructions from the WICB and it appears those involved in the ‘pull out’ from the India tour two months ago, are being subtly phased out of the West Indies set-up. Holder could also find himself undermined by the senior players, something he would no doubt have at the back of his mind. “I obviously look up to all the senior players in the squad,” Holder said. “My role has primarily just shifted a little bit into leading and guiding these guys. It’s

something I’m up for. “I think I’ll have the support of the senior guys because I have a pretty good relationship with them. It’s just about moving West Indies cricket forward and I think most of the guys can buy into what I’m going to put forward, and I think that is best for West Indies cricket,” Holder said. The WICB seems not be thinking of how well this team plays but how well they can have control over the players and Holder’s appointment seems similar to that of Darren Sammy’s elevation to Captaincy, when his St Lucian countryman was WICB Head, since Holder is not deemed a ‘certain pick’ in every West Indies ODI side. There is no Bravo, Gayle, Pollard, Narine or even Chanderpaul in this team yet Lloyd think this is “a good one-day team which can do very well.”

West Indies are ranked eighth in the world in ODIs, with only Bangladesh and Zimbabwe behind them and with the World Cup just two months away this is not the time to be making decisions that could further embarrass the West Indies on the field based on politics and how many votes could be acquired by favourable deals for certain territories. At a time when a lot of ‘big’ money is involved in cricket, West Indies Cricket is at an all time low and the executives of the WICB must not think of what cricket can do for them but rather what their positions on the Board can do for the cricket. Of course West Indies fans are fed up the substandard performance of players, but they are also fedup of the performance of the Board and demand changes be made, and not only of the players.

Ravens complete Phillip George Legacy three-peat After a rocky start in the third Phillip George Legacy tournament, Ravens Basketball Club made light work of Republic Bank Nets to bounce away with their third title in as many tournaments at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Saturday night. Nets had beaten Ravens in the group stages of the tournament, forcing the top club to dig deep in the preliminary rounds to reach the final; notably, in their early loss against Nets, Coach, Darcel Harris was visibly absent from the Ravens bench. Harris was absent for more games and Ravens struggle continued up until they had to overcome Pacesetters to move out of the group, which they did. Saturday night was their crowning moment with a 72-60 revenge thrashing of Republic Bank Nets. Guard/forward, Akeem Kanhai finished with 20 points while Ryan Gullen had

14 points, Ryan Stephney 12 points and Dominic Vincente 11 points for Ravens. Jermaine Slater had six points but literally lived on the board with 12 rebounds. Forward, Drumson McCaulley was the leading scorer for the Nets with 15 points while Pellam Doris contributed 14 points. Ravens showed their allround superiority, taking advantage of Nets, which Kanhai emphasized with two massive dunks. Nets just could not score; it was as if Ravens had broken them down to fine detail and produced a winning blueprint. The choke began in the first quarter with a 22-12 lead for Ravens, then with both hands firmly around Nets’ neck, Ravens squeezed for a 42-24, 18-point lead, at halftime that centre/forward, Slater punctuated with an awesome one-handed dunk. Ravens’ aim was clear: beat Nets badly for beating

Ravens’ Coach, Darcel Harris (right) joins his team with the show of the sign ‘three’ signaling their third straight Phillip George Legacy tournament title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Saturday night. us in the first round, and they did just that with a 22-point lead at the end of the third quarter. Nets were neutralised and could not bag the Ravens, who did as pleased on the offensive end.

Nets went on a run in the final period in a push to prevent embarrassment, outscoring Ravens 23-13 but it was much too late to create any come-back, Cinderella story. Ravens ensured that

they owned the Phillip George title with a third straight win. Meanwhile, Eagles defeated Colts 61-56 to win the Phillip George Legacy Division III title in an intense clash. Travis Belgrave scored

14 points for Eagles; Japheth Hackett and Lyndon Wilson had 13 points apiece for the win. Dellon LaRose was the only player to score in double digits for the Colts with 12 points. (Edison Jefford)

Tuesday December 23, 2014

Kaieteur News

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WICB President Dave Cameron pays courtesy call on Floodlights cricketers

W

est Indies Cricket Board President Mr Dave Cameron paid a courtesy call on The Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) in the company of Mr Alfred Mentore President of the DCC last Friday evening at the DCC ground. There he witnessed a softball cricket match which was in progress. The WICB President was indeed very enthusiastic with our version of cricket and intimated that he would love to start a similar type of games in his native country Jamaica. The members of the GFSCA took the opportunity to present Mr Cameron with one of the White Softballs used in the local and international softball cricket tournaments.

Stella Maris HM encourages students’ involvement in sports

Myrna Kendall Visibly ecstatic after the girls duplicated the boys’ performance earlier in the year, Headmistress of Stella Maris Primary School Myrna Kendall speaking with the media shortly after

the conclusion of the inaugural Ministry of Health / Health 2000Inc / Ministry of Education / Ansa McAl Girls Schools Football Competition called for a more comprehensive Sports Policy for schools. Kendall, who has been a teacher for a number of years, disclosed she has always encouraged students to get involved in sports since many positives could be derived such as understanding to work in a team environment, problem solving, having a healthy b o d y w h i c h i n e ff e c t produces a healthy mind and just as important, being gainfully occupied in their spare time. “I’m one of those teachers who has always (Continued on page 27)

From left: Lalta Gainda, Guyana Softball Cup 4 Masters MVP Uniss Yusuf, Ramesh Sunich, Alfred Mentore, WICB President Dave Cameron, Jailall Deodass, GFSCA President Ramchand Ragbeer, &Ricky Deonarain.

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Tuesday December 23, 2014

Mahaica Determinators beat Rosignol; New Amsterdam United trounce Timehri Mahaica Determinators defeated Rosignol United by a 2-0 margin, while New Amsterdam United mauled Timehri Panthers 10-1 to book quarter final slots when action continued on day three of the inaugural Stag Super XV1 knock-out football tournament at the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice on Sunday last. Hosting their second set

of matches following the opening day one w e e k e a r l i e r, t h e Berbice fans were treated to a goal feast especially in the first match which saw New Amsterdam United putting away the challenge of Ti m e h r i P a n t h e r s i n dismissive style, led by Adrian Adams who blasted the nets on five occasions. Adams, wearing the popular #10 jersey represented in style; he first blasted the ball past goal keeper Cletus Johnson in the

18th minute which started the onslaught. Thereafter, it was a steady trek back to the centerline for the restart of the ball. Adams was again on target in the 36th minute to end the first half with a brace of goals as did Rondel Hazel, who hit the network in the 29th and first minute of added on time (45+1), as New Amsterdam enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 advantage at the end of the first half; Timehri pulling one back three minutes to the break, through an Andy Higgins

effort. At this stage of the encounter, it was only a matter of how many goals the Timehri boys would allow as they proved to be no match for the home boys. The procession was even more frequent in the final 45 minutes as New Amsterdam decimated their prey. Leonardo Adams started the goal party in the 59th minute during the second segment, while Devon James took over with a brace of his own in the 73rd and 84th minute to increase the

advantage to 7-1. It was only appropriate for Adrian Adams, who started the onslaught to finish it. He {Adams}blasted the nets in the 86th, 88th and first minute of added on time (90+1) to seal the fate of the wounded Panthers, 10-1 and secure their place in the quarter finals; a date with fellow Berbice side Monedderlust on Christmas Day at the Buxton Community Centre ground. Sunday’s feature matchup provided keen action despite the 2-0 margin of

victory enjoyed by Mahaica Determinators who would now face Cougars, another Berbice side on Boxing Day at the Victoria ground in their quarter final clash. Mahaica sealed the deal early in the piece, by the 29th minute they had netted both goals; Kurt Roberts opened proceedings in the 12th minute with Quincy Holder doubling and virtually sealing the deal in the 29th minute. Rosignol tried their utmost to get on the score sheets in order to put pressure on the visitors but they were unsuccessful in that regard. Round-of-16 matches Meanwhile, the final set of round-of-16 matches are set for today at the Victoria ground from 18:00hrs when Buxton United comes up against Kuru Kururu Warriors followed by a main attraction when Victoria Kings will engage Corriverton Links.

Tuesday December 23, 2014

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As battle continues for championship honours, Rhythm Squad Camptown FC dims Beacons light triumph over Santos By Michael Benjamin A beacon is an intentionally conspicuous device designed to attract attention to a specific location but the Beacons FC failed to meet the qualifying standards and, in fact, it was Camptown FC that played masterfully and dimmed ‘The Beacons’ light 6-1 when action resumed in the G FA / B a n k s B e e r C u p Round Robin football tournament at the GFC Ground last Sunday evening. This was only a part of the action as Rhythm Squad added to the excitement and defeated Santos FC 3-1 thus

cementing its place in the knockout stages and staying on track for championship honours. Reshawn Sandiford netted a hat-trick in the 26 , 69 and 90 minutes for Camptown, while Peter Parks supported with a brace in the 11 and 55 minutes. Antonio Sancho (65) was the other player to breach the Beacon’s defence, while Beacon’s lone goal came in the first half. Rhythm Squad’s goals were scored by Amos Ramsay (1; 55) and Andel Flue (65) while Santos’ response was kicked in by Krenroy Demonic (34). The sound of the whistle was still resonating when Ramsay seized the initiative and raced to Santos’ goal. He th

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was met by an advancing goalkeeper but retained an impeccable presence of mind, scooping the ball over his head to send his teammates into ecstasy. The game continued at a hectic pace with Santos opting for long passes but Rhythm Squad maintained a strong offensive complimented by an efficient defensive cordon. Ramsay was the man to watch and Santos kept him in check while looking for the equalizer. The dapper striker eventually made a breakthrough along the left flank and tested the opposition’s custodian, Dervin Bennett, with a sharp kick which he miraculously parried back into play. As the

minutes dwindled to the culmination of the first session, Rhythm Squad seemed to be sitting pretty, that is, until Demonic pasted their custodian to equalize the situation. Sheldon Hope then performed a solo and unleashed a powerful kick which the Santos custodian disdainfully tipped over the crossbar moments before the break. The battle for supremacy intensified and both teams attacked with venom, each attempting to surge ahead. Rhythm squad was

eventually rewarded when Ramsay went up to a superb cross from the left and deftly steered the ball with his head into the goal. The effort seemed to have opened the floodgates and Flue took advantage of a loose ball amidst a goal scrimmage that extended his team’s lead even as the end drew close. The game then got a bit rough as Santos valiantly attempted to bring the situation back to equilibrium. This resulted in several incidences of

unorthodox confrontations and the referee issued no less than 3 yellow cards to players from both teams. In the end, Rhythm Squad held its nerve right up to whistle time. Play continued at the same venue last evening when Black Pearl went up against Flamingo while GDF opposed Pele FC. The tournament has now reached the stage when the losers go home so the action promises to be intense. Results of last night’s games will appear in tomorrow’s edition.

t r o Sp

Ravens complete Phillip George Legacy three-peat Peters called up as Roach ruled out of tour

Kenroy Peters (Flickr.com)

Ravens’ guard/forward, Akeem Kanhai elevates in the paint for a right-handed floater in heavy defensive traffic at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Saturday night in the Phillip George Legacy tournament final.

As battle continues for Fifa and Sepp Blatter championship in secret talks about honours, president’s future Camptown FC dims Beacons light Mahaica Determinators beat Rosignol; NA United trounce Timehri Sepp Blatter

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