Kaieteur News

Page 04

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The marijuana laws It took 13 years for the United States to come to its senses and end Prohibition, 13 years in which people kept drinking, otherwise law-abiding citizens became criminals and crime syndicates arose and flourished.

It has been more than 40 years since Congress passed the current ban on marijuana, inflicting great harm on society just to prohibit a substance far less dangerous than alcohol.

It has been even longer that the drug has been illegal in Guyana, a far cry from the days when people walked around selling ganja, hence the famous folk song Ganja Manny who sold ganja by the shilling.

The federal government in the United States is being asked to repeal the ban on marijuana. And in this country, there is a renewed call for its legalization. The ever growing Rastafarian community is becoming increasingly vocal for the legalization of marijuana. They claim that it is important for their religious activities. There are others who say that they use the drug for medicinal purposes and indeed there is evidence that marijuana has its medical uses.

There are no perfect answers to people’s legitimate concerns about marijuana use. But neither are there such answers about tobacco or alcohol, and we believe that on every level - health effects, the impact on society and lawand-order issues - the balance falls squarely on the side of national legalization. That will put decisions on whether to allow recreational or medicinal production and use where it belongs — at the state level.

In the United States there was the consideration whether it would be best for Washington to hold back while the states continued experimenting with legalizing medicinal uses of marijuana, reducing penalties, or even simply legalizing all use. Nearly three-quarters of the states have done one of these.

In Guyana there is no consideration at all. Of course, there has been a slight modification in the law. The magistrate is allowed to forego a custodial sentence for a person caught with minuscule portions of the drug.

But that would leave their citizens vulnerable to the whims of whoever happens to be in the White House and chooses to enforce or not enforce the federal law.

The social costs of the marijuana laws are vast. There were 658,000 arrests for marijuana possession in 2012, in the United States, according to F.B.I. figures, compared with 256,000 for cocaine, heroin and their derivatives. Even worse, the result is racist, falling disproportionately on young black men, ruining their lives and creating new generations of career criminals.

The same applies in Guyana with its small population.

There were no fewer than 1,000 arrests last year. Most of those jailed were of African ancestry suggesting that some degree of racial profiling is fuelling the arrests.

There is honest debate among scientists about the health effects of marijuana, but we believe that the evidence is overwhelming that addiction and dependence are relatively minor problems, especially compared with alcohol and tobacco. Moderate use of marijuana does not appear to pose a risk for otherwise healthy adults. Claims that marijuana is a gateway to more dangerous drugs are as fanciful as the “Reefer Madness” images of murder, rape and suicide.

There are legitimate concerns about marijuana on the development of adolescent brains. For that reason, we advocate the prohibition of sales to people under 21.

There are no reports of someone under the influence of marijuana going on a killing spree. There were fights over marijuana cultivation and there were murders as ganja growers clashed. Jamaica saw ganja earning for it huge sums of money. In fact, a few years back the drug was touted as the major export earner. It is a currency earner for Guyana, too and forms a significant part of the underground economy. Creating systems for regulating manufacture, sale and marketing will be complex. But those problems are solvable, and would have long been dealt with had we as a nation not clung to the decision to make marijuana production and use a crime.

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Letters... Where your views make the news

It remains to be seen if PPP’s PM Candidate can make a difference DEAR EDITOR, When then US presidential candidate, Senator John McCain, picked Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, as his vice presidential running mate in August 2008, it was received with mixed reviews in America. Palin was a virtual unknown political quantity, which was a negative, since no one knew whether she was capable of helping the ticket win.

The positive, besides the gender impact, was that she was relatively clean with no baggage that opponents or media houses could dig up to hurt her and the ticket. She was also a proven elected leader and a supposed ‘fiscal conservative with conservative social values’.

As it turned out, Palin proved to be more of a liability than an asset to McCain. Without rehashing every single blunder, the one that easily stands out because of the humour it invoked, was an interview she did with NBC’s Katie Couric, and in response to a foreign affairs question about any insight into Russia, Palin said she can stand in Alaska and see into Russia.

I said all of that to say that in national elections, the person at the top of the ticket is always as important as the person holding the number two spot, because the role of the number two is to bring knowledge and experience that the number one lacks.

Strangely, in Guyana, the PPP’s presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar, has proven to be so woefully lacking in multiple areas of top flight leadership that the number two has her work cut out if she was ever going to help make up for his lack. Sadly, the PPP makes decisions based on collective thinking, so that Elisabeth Harper’s role as Ramotar’s running mate could be construed as mere window dressing.

I truly wish I could join others in congratulating her, if only because of the seemingly distinguished legacy she nurtured over the decades at Foreign Affairs.

But, in my opinion, and no disrespect to Harper, her selection to be Ramotar’s running mate is a step down, especially because of the political implications at this critical juncture of the fastfading PPP that is desperate for anything or anyone that can help it hold on to power.

While the PPP’s decision to pick Harper has surprised

the nation, with some saying it was a brilliant master stroke and others describing it as an act of desperation, editorials, analysts, commentators and letter writers will definitely be having a field day going forward scrutinizing this move, not to demean Harper, but to evaluate the decision in the context of rough and tumble partisan politics.

After all, Harper will be campaigning with the PPP and will have to make statements either promoting the PPP or denouncing the alliance. In short, she will become fair game for criticisms and praise based on her performance on the campaign trail.

But unless the PPP announces plans to allow her to become eligible for the p r e s i d e n c y, a s l e t t e r writer/blogger Mike Persaud has advocated, Harper is likely to be the female version of Sam Hinds: an African Guyanese political token whose loyalty is to the Jagdeo-Ramotar cabal and with no real effect on decision-making.

For the record, Harper was never known to have any political affiliation, which may well be advantageous to her as a neutral person, but the moment she starts talking on a partisan ticket, her politics immediately comes into focus by the media, the public and political opponent/critics. She also has no known political views – whether as a guest commentator, analyst, letter

writer or guest speaker at any forum - on current issues affecting Guyanese.

So what exactly is she bringing to the table of political power that can help the PPP, which itself is not in this game to help the people of Guyana, as much as it is to help itself?

Harper reportedly joined the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1976 as a clerk and rose through the ranks to Director-General (DG). She can easily be described as a person with tremendous institutional knowledge.

Unfortunately, it took the Bharrat Jagdeo-Frederick Kissoon libel case to expose what would become known as a deliberate act of discrimination in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, where Harper served as Director-General.

According to Kaieteur News, “Luncheon grilled on govt. contracts, postings, policies and land awards Freddie vs. Jagdeo libel case…” (August 25, 2011), HPS, Roger Luncheon, appearing as a witness for plaintiff Jagdeo, confirmed that, on the diplomatic front, Elisabeth Harper was the only Guyanese of African descent who held the position of ambassador (to Caricom, simultaneous to being DG at Foreign Affairs). When asked further if there was any other African Guyanese who was qualified to get an overseas posting, Luncheon said there was none.

That revealing testimony so shocked the nation and

embarrassed the PPP regime that in January 2012, Foreign Affairs Minister RodriguesBirkett announced some diplomatic and Foreign Affairs Ministry appointments, including that of some African Guyanese. I raised this sensitive issue to highlight the fact that Harper was the DG at Foreign Affairs when the PPP refused to appoint African Guyanese to open diplomatic posts.

Was her silence back then her agreement with the discriminating cabal or was she simply playing see-noevil, hear-no-evil?

That libel case has exposed a lot of discrimination under the Jagdeo regime. But while I would like to hear Harper’s take on that once hot mess at Foreign Affairs, I wish to remain respectful of her seemingly distinguished career at Foreign Affairs, because if there was a truly suitable candidate for Foreign Affairs Minister in 2008, it was her and not Rodrigues-Birkett. I would even go out on a limb and say that if the PPP could have chosen Clement Rohee as Foreign Affairs Minister (later as Foreign Trade Minister), then Harper was deliberately overlooked for the 2008 appointment, and we all should know by now the reason why.

It remains to be seen how DG Harper will morph into PM candidate Harper and what difference she will make, if any, for the beleaguered PPP. Emile Mervin

Prime Ministerial and Presidential Debates DEAR EDITOR, At the upcoming general elections, I believe Guyanese would be, for the first time, voting more on issues and quality of leadership, and not so much for parties and charismatic leaders.

It would therefore be nice if the editors of the daily newspapers could come together, in collaboration with the University of Guyana’s Department of Political Science, and organize at least two televised Presidential and Prime Ministerial debates among the various candidates contesting the upcoming general elections.

I personally would like to hear how these candidates plan to deal with the stinging issues currently and persistently plaguing Guyana. I don’t want to hear what they have done in the past, (and no propaganda, please!) but what concrete proposals they have for the next five years to deal with such issues as: the prevalent drug problem and its concomitants violent crime and money laundering; corruption (bribery in particular) and

accountability of public funds; opportunities for the diaspora to safely re-migrate to and invest in Guyana; general sanitation; racial harmonization, marginalization/ victimization of people who do not support the ruling party or parties; medium and long term capital development plans; and perhaps most importantly, their ideas on how to bridge the gap between economic growth and sociocultural, aesthetic, and moral development of our society. I know it would be difficult to get all the candidates to participate in debates.

They might agree, yes, but at the last moment opt out on lame excuses. Perhaps it would help if they are convinced that the debates would not be aimed or intended to expose their personal weaknesses, but their strengths as leaders. After all, voters have a right to know for whom and what they are voting.

If the above suggestion cannot work, can each party at least publish, in ample time prior to elections, a detailed manifesto for the public’s scrutiny?

Gokarran Sukhdeo

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

Mr. Gill says we’re doing great; I want him to show me that using legitimate statistics DEAR EDITOR, I am responding to a letter from Harry Gill in the KN of 21st February 2015 captioned “Over the years, I’ve tried to right a wrong and to recognize and support the PPP/C for good governance”. He is not only is speaking out of the other side of his mouth as Punti Persaud alleges, I am saying that he is speaking out of the top of his head.

As far as the schools, the roads, the improvement in banking etc. which he sees, he conspicuously neglects to point out that it was Desmond Hoyte and Dr. Kenneth King who started the Economic Recovery Programme [ERP] and a national movement to economic liberalization in the early 1990s. Benefits became immediately evident.

Up to 1997, Guyana’s economy grew at an average rate of 7.1 percent and fiscal and external deficits were reduced.

State-owned enterprises were privatized [Hoyte]; import substitution policies were abolished [Hoyte], and the government increased spending for poverty reduction [Hoyte] {IDB report} That Desmond’s Hoyte’s ERP carried Guyana well into the late nineties is a fact. We have never grown at 7.1 percent since.

It is widely held by our financial pundits that the PPP caused us to lose the momentum of the ERP by 1999.

Unfortunately, however, according to the IDB, “a drop in foreign investment caused by political unrest contributed to a sharp decline in the annual growth rate, which averaged 0.3 percent from 1998 to 2005. Added to that, a disastrous flood in 2005 wiped out 60 percent of Guyana’s production and affected a great deal of the country’s infrastructure”.

What about the PPP’s Empty Rice Pot strike in the sugar industry for more than 130 days to protest the ERP in 1989? The fact that up to today the PPP has never negotiated anything in good faith with the opposition - the Herdmanston Accord, the

Dialog, the Communiqué, the Linden agreements - is the reason that it cannot be allowed to rule without protest.

In this context, protest does not have to take the form of large numbers of people marching and giving the PPP the opportunity to make mischief - the small protests which we have seen recently are just as effective and less fearful to the population.

What caused all of this unrest after 1992? Was it the PPP’s attempt to rig the 1997 elections? I think that it was, and protest was necessary since the PPP does not respond to anything else except protest.

Justice Claudette Singh ruled that whilst the evidence before her did not establish outright fraud, it was enough to invalidate the election results, and called for a new election in 2001, two years before the prescribed period.

Up to today the PPP continues to rig elections. In 2011, less than a week before the elections, they changed where people had to vote and suddenly the homes of known PPP activists were used as polling stations. They illegally and blatantly used the government’s assets to campaign in elections in violation of our laws.

They made Election Day a holiday in 2006 so that minibuses would not be available to transport people who turned up miles away from home to vote, only to be told that they had to go miles in the opposite direction.

They are doing this even though they have very wealthy supporters compared to the opposition who have been deliberately impoverished so that they cannot finance an adequate mobilisation to challenge the PPP. This man Gill is telling me that the Marriott is evidence of growth! Which Guyanese will benefit from it? What about the sugar industry? Is the Skeldon Factory evidence

of growth? What about the waste of money on the Hope Canal? The Amaila Hydro project? What about GPL which continues to butcher the Guyanese people with high tariffs and poor service, and which has been a major impediment to the functioning of the manufacturing and value added sectors?

What about the collapse of the NIS; the failure to get us a deep water harbour, a proper road to Lethem, a hydropower facility at Tortuba, even though the Brazilians have been begging for 20 years to let them partner with us to put these in place?

What about the fact that Hoyte had Paranapanema here building the road to Brazil, which was stopped by the PPP? What about his plan to privatise GEC, now GPL? So today we still have no economic ties with Brazil, which in the 23 years since 1992 has moved itself from among the relatively poor countries to an economic superpower, chasing Great Britain to occupy the number six spot in the world.

The people who did this to us, i.e. the PPP, sooner than later will have to answer for it, because it is the direct result of corruption and bad governance.

What about the endless flooding of our city and agricultural areas, almost monthly, acting as a deterrent to agricultural activities? And the losses to private citizens?

Where do people like Gill get the nonsense they write?

These people make up their facts! They are entitled to their own opinion, but they are not entitled to their own facts.

I am not even going to say anything about the escalation of the trafficking in persons, the drug trade and money laundering, I don’t think that I have to, these are the only areas where we have made much progress.

Then we come to the lies.

Guyana’s poverty index the last time we gave information to the World Bank in 1996 was that 8.7% of us were living on less than $1.25 US per day and 18.02% were living on less than $2 US a day, and that 35 percent of our population in 2006 were living below the poverty line.

We are, however, at the top of the list in a few categories. We are number one in the world with suicides. We are in the top 15 places on the planet where you can be murdered.

According to a report released by the United Nations and the World Health Organisation, which examines the homicide rate in countries, Guyana ranked number 15 with 20.2 murders for every 100,000 persons. This means that there are only 14 nations on this planet where it is more dangerous to live than Guyana.

Corruption? We are ranked 124 out of 175 countries with a score of 30 out of 100 - so we are a failure in doing business because of the level of corruption in this country. Despite this, Gill says that he sees progress everywhere!

Gill tells us that our life expectancy increased from 62 in 1992 to 66 in 2012. The fact is that because of advances in medicine it increased everywhere during that time, but how do we fare when compared to our neighbours?

In Suriname the life expectancy is 74.5, Barbados is 78.5, Trinidad 74.8, Jamaica 74.8. There is nothing here to

inspire confidence in our health care delivery.

Of special concern is our infant mortality rate.

Everywhere its improving, from the 1950’s to 2010 e.g.

Suriname improved from 89.25 deaths per 1000 births in the 50’s to 28.68 in 2010, Jamaica improved from 91 to 26.81 in the same period and Trinidad improved from 75.96 to 26.57.

Guyana improved from 118 to 41.73 - almost double anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Mr. Gill says that we’re doing great; I want him to show me that using legitimate statistics, and not jumbie statistics and lies. Everything I have used here comes from Wikipedia, the IDB and the World Bank, not some trumped up science fiction garbage produced by Ashni Singh and Jagdeo.

We are in election mode, and I will be brutal and relentless with these people who produce lies to fool the Guyanese people.

Now we come to debt. We did have a big debt in 1992, but after the 1992 elections almost all of this debt was forgiven as we can see from this quote from an IDB article: “The IDB is the country’s principal creditor. Through a debt agreement with the IDB, Guyana was relieved of 100 percent of its debt on outstanding loan balances as of December 31, 2004, from the IDB’s Fund for Special Operations (FSO). Total relief granted to Guyana was $467 million”.

It is my understanding that the PPP has racked up as

much debt as the PNC according to a report by the IDB, “as at end of June 2014, Guyana’s total external public debt stood at US$1.23 billion”.

The local debt the PPP government has racked up is also unacceptably high.

And every economical commentator, including Christopher Ram and Professor Clive Thomas, has been disputing the inflated and unrealistic economic growth rates which the government of Guyana has been pedalling.

The Bank of Guyana has now come up with a new atrocity to fool us. They are using the 2006 year as the benchmark year to show us how well we are doing. 2006 is the year after the cumulative effects of two years of long term disastrous floods in 2004 and 2005, so instead of showing that in 2013 the output, for example, of bananas was only 5.2 tonnes when compared to 18.6 tonnes in 2000, they are now showing that it was 78.3% of the 2006 production of 6.8 tonnes, but in fact, when compared to the 2000 figure of 18.8 tonnes, it is only 27%.

This is a reasonably good example of the jumbie and voodoo statistics and economics.

Tony Vieira

Page 6

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Online media outlet seeks police Former “Phantom assistance for Cyber attacks Squad” member - Local IT specialist suggests cooperation between public, private sectors Rabindra Rooplall A local online news outfit, which has been experiencing persistent cyber attacks, is calling on the Guyana Police Force to investigate the attacks on the online media. “ We call on the law enforcement as well as the media fraternity to investigate and condemn this modern day type of attack on press freedom…This online news service will also be engaging specialized external assistance to combat this methodical cyber threat on our service.”

The online media agency stated in a press release, recently. “Our technicians have identified IP addresses linked to local subscribers who are being supplied internet service by a local telephone operator. We approached the telephone company and supplied the suspicious IP addresses. The telephone operator has since advised that the matter be reported to the Guyana Police Force.”

The management of Kaieteur News is examining legal options after several instances of its website coming under attack in recent weeks. The cyber attacks come at a time when General Elections are to be held on May 11 and when the website, www.

kaieteurnewsonline.com, has been showing significant increases in online readership in recent times. It is the most visited website in the country.

Many companies in Guyana have yet to take seriously the threat posed by cyber attack. This is despite signs that locally and regionally, many have experienced internet breaches where hackers cause havoc leading to fraud, defamation and disruption of online processes.

When hackers gain access to your computer, they can see everything. Since much of the personal, professional and financial parts of our lives have moved online, we risk losing much more than money or information.

Because of the Internet, privacy is limited, usually by choice. A hacker with access to your email, social networking accounts and personal photos can very

quickly destroy that privacy, the entity said.

Whatever the reason, cyber attacks and hacking cause damage to the computing devices of individuals and businesses, sometimes resulting in millions of dollars lost.

According to a local Information Technology specialist, if cyber attackers continue to get better more quickly than defenders, as is presently the case, this could result in a ‘cyber backlash’ which decelerates digitization.

The asymmetric effect of a small number of successful attackers, leading to tighter Government restrictions, could mean that the biggest technology risk that organizations face is the theft of information assets and the disruption of online processes.

Many are not immune to the actions of those who use the Internet to breach national security, undertake criminal activity or behave maliciously.

Typically, in such an intrusion, the attacker tries to prevent legitimate users from accessing or utilising a particular service by launching a flood of traffic from multiple points in a manner that slows speeds or brings a system down.

A large numbers of customers experienced degradation in their broadband service as a result of the attack on the company’s Internet infrastructure from an external source. What is required, a local IT specialist suggests,

is the development of a modern view of cooperation between the public and private sectors, since the latter owned and operated most of the information infrastructure within the country.

Unfortunately, while legal redress may be talked about, few Caribbean jurisdictions have the necessary legislation, regulations or infrastructure to address cybercrimes and making it punishable to violate a network.

The Caribbean has become so focused on ensuring Internet access and improved connectivity, that the region has not placed the same level of effort on implementing systems to protect networks and information. They argue that what is required is a Caribbean Internet governance policy framework.

It is also far from clear whether local lawenforcement agencies have the legal cover to cooperate with external government agencies in this area, given that most cybercrimes are extraterritorial in their effect.

According to Internet World Stats, some 28.7 per cent of the Caribbean population now uses the Internet or some 11.9 million users out of a total Caribbean population of 41.4 million people.

These high usage figures are paralleled by the number of cell phones with some statistics suggesting that mobile-phone use in the Caribbean now approaches 70 per cent of the population and significant numbers for usage of social media such as Twitter and Facebook with a parallel growth in apps, some of which may eventually be linked to banking and commercial translations.

All of this is a very good reason to emphasise the need to give cyber security and cybercrime much greater national and regional attention.

escapes execution A former policeman who was linked to the infamous “Phantom Squad” escaped execution early yesterday morning when he was attacked by two men.

Otis Grant, 39, of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was hit five times about his body with bullets.

He is currently recuperating at a city hospital.

Police stated in a press release that at about 05:15hours yesterday, Otis Grant was sitting in a parked motor vehicle on Regent Street, when two men approached and discharged rounds at him.

“Otis Grant was hit about his body and has been admitted to hospital. The perpetrators escaped in a waiting motor vehicle.

Investigations are in progress,” the police statement said.

A resident of the area where the shooting occurred told this newspaper that she was awakened by the sound of gunshots.

“Was a whole set of shots,” the resident stated.

Upon peering out she saw two men in black running east along Regent Street before turning north on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

The resident said that she then heard a female voice urging someone to get into a vehicle and upon closer examination, she saw a man “limping around a car with a gun in his hand.”

It turned out to be Grant, who was clearly wounded.

From all indications Grant traded gunshots with the would-be executioners, who apparently panicked and abandoned their mission.

“De man shoot back and maybe that is what saved his life. But like he had wanted to go after the two men even though he was wounded,” the resident said.

Grant was eventually persuaded to go into a car which took him to the hospital.

A few minutes later, the police turned up and collected several spent shells which they said were fired from two different caliber weapons.

Otis Grant According to reports Grant had dropped home his girlfriend when the attack occurred.

Grant is a well known individual to the police having been questioned about a few execution style killings.

He was linked to the infamous “Phantom Squad” that was led by the convicted drug dealer Shaheed Roger Khan.

In 2005, the Guyana Police Force had issued an extraordinary bulletin informing the public that nine ex-policemen including Grant were dismissed or interdicted for various acts of misconduct and were no longer empowered to perform duties as members of the Police Force.

Grant was later fingered in the 2011 killing of an elderly woman, Clementine FiedtkouParris, in her home on Robb Street.

He turned himself over to investigators at Eve Leary with a lawyer after police had expressed an interest in talking to him about the execution style murder.

According to the police, after Grant turned himself in, subsequent investigations led to a search on a building under construction at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, during which a .22 rifle and a .243 rifle were found. The building is located a mere two doors from where Grant lived.

A source said that the man’s property was searched but nothing was found.

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Somalia extremists urge attacks on US shopping malls

Hundreds of newly trained Shabaab fighters perform military exercises JOHANNESBURG (AP) A video purported to be by Somalia’s al-Qaida-linked rebel group al-Shabab urged Muslims to attack shopping malls in the U.S., Canada, Britain and other Western countries.

The threat by the al-Qaida affiliate came in the final minutes of a more than hourlong video released Saturday in which the extremists also warned Kenya of more attacks like the September 2013 assault on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in which 67 people were killed.

The masked narrator concluded by calling on Muslims to attack shopping malls, specifically naming the Mall of America in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington, as well as the West Edmonton Mall in Canada and the Westfield mall in Stratford, England. The authenticity of the video could not be immediately verified

by The Associated Press.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security provided local law enforcement agencies and private sector partners with “relevant information regarding the recent alShabab propaganda video,” DHS press secretary Marsha Catron said in a statement.

“However, we are not aware of any specific, credible plot against the Mall of America or any other domestic commercial shopping center,” Catron said.

The Bloomington Police Department said additional security measures had been put in place at the Mall of America, one of the largest malls in the nation.

Speaking earlier on morning talk shows in the U.S., Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson called the video “the new phase” of the global terrorist threat and warned the public to be vigilant.

“These groups are relying more and more on independent actors to become inspired, drawn to the cause and they’ll attack on their own,” Johnson said, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“I am very concerned about serious potential threats of independent actors here in the United States.

We’ve seen this now in Europe, we’ve seen this in Canada.”

Asked about the specific threat against the Mall of America, Johnson said: “Any time a terrorist organization calls for an attack on a specific place we’ve got to take that seriously. What we’re telling the public is you’ve got to be vigilant. ... There will be enhanced security there that will be apparent, but public vigilance, public awareness and public caution in situations like this is particularly important.”

In the slickly produced video posted online, a masked man, his face wrapped in a black-and-white kaffiyeh-type scarf and wearing a camouflage jacket, declared: “Westgate was just the beginning.” The video included footage from major news organizations showing the assault on the mall and said it was in reprisal for alleged abuses by Kenyan troops against Muslims in Somalia.

“What if such an attack were to occur in the Mall of America in Minnesota? Or the West Edmonton Mall in Canada? Or in London’s Oxford Street?” said the man, who spoke with a British accent and appeared to be of Somali origin.

The Mall of America said in a statement that it was “aware of a threatening video which includes a mention and images of the mall,” and said extra security had been put in place. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton was monitoring the

situation and has been in regular contact with the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety which is coordinating with federal and local law enforcement agencies and the Mall of America “to assure the safety of all Minnesotans,” said a statement released by the governor’s press secretary Matt Swenson.

“I’m more afraid of the cold today than any terrorists,” said Mary Lamminen, of St. Paul.

David Modrynski said he talked with his wife and son about whether to visit the mall after hearing about the video.

“But we can’t stop living our lives because somebody says they’re going to do something,” Modrynski said.

While al-Shabab has carried out attacks in neighboring Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti, which all have troops fighting the extremists as part of the multinational African Union force, the alQaida affiliate has never operated outside East Africa and the Horn of Africa.

Minnesota, home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., has been the target of terror recruiters in the past.

Since 2007, more than 22 young Somali men from Minnesota have traveled to Somalia to join al-Shabab, and a handful of Minnesota residents have also traveled to Syria to fight with militant groups within the last year, authorities say. At least one Minnesotan has died while fighting for the Islamic State group.

On Thursday, a 19-yearold Minneapolis man who was stopped at a New York City airport in November as he and three others were allegedly attempting to travel to Syria was indicted on charges associated with supporting the Islamic State group.

Page 7

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 9

WHITHER SHARED GOVERNANCE? No one has yet examined the implications of the proposed APNU/AFC marriage for shared governance in Guyana. This column proposes to begin an examination of this issue.

There are many variations of shared governance. The PPP had its version. It believed that in order for shared governance to emerge there must be the building of trust. In other words, there must be courtship before there is marriage.

The PPP was never comfortable with the idea of shared governance. For the party that connoted power sharing. Originally the PPP had embraced an idea of participatory democracy.

Later it developed its own model of power-sharing. It called that model, inclusive democracy. The PPPC boasted that Guyana has the most inclusive constitution in the Caribbean and that it has implemented in Guyana a participatory and inclusive system of democracy.

The emphasis on the word “democracy” is not accidental. Democracy as it is known today emphasizes competition amongst the parties. In effect therefore whenever parties speak about either an inclusive or participatory democracy they are in referring to a system which retains the element of competitive politics.

The PNCR on the other hand, felt that these models of inclusive and participatory democracy were superficial and did not get to the heart of the political problem facing the country. The PNCR was interested in a system of shared governance. This involved sharing of power at the highest common denominator, the government.

In the run-up to both the

2006 and 2011 elections APNU was keen on emphasizing that if it won power it would move towards this shared governance and that the People’s Progressive Party would be part of any power sharing government.

APNU made it clear that any government it formed would include the PPP APNU also recognized the indifference of the ruling PPPC towards such a system of government. It did not have confidence in the PPPC on its own coming around to this idea of shared governance.

As such APNU made it clear that the only way this shared governance could be achieved was if APNU won the elections.

The winning of political power was the only means through which a system of shared governance would be achieved. This is according to APNU. APNU did not win the 2011 elections. And as such it cannot be blamed for the fact that Guyana does not have a system of shared governance similar to the one it proposed. APNU however has never ditched this idea of shared governance.

One therefore would have expected that in moving towards a pre-election coalition with the AFC, A Partnership for National Unity would have sought to negotiate any such pact on the basis that any government that emerged from such a coalition would pursue the ideal of shared governance.

Instead of this what we have are promises of an inclusionary democracy. But this inclusionary democracy makes no accommodation for the PPPC. This is at odds with APNU’s 2011 position in which it had made it clear that if it won the elections, it would

have formed a national unity government which would have included the PPP. Its proposal for 2015 is for a government of APNU and the AFC with public positions, including that of the Speaker of the National Assembly, being handed out to persons it civil society. This offering of positions is what the APNU and the AFC propose as a system of inclusive democracy. We are therefore come full circle.

From advocating a solid platform of shared governance, there is now a

the basis of inclusive democracy. Neither will the AFC or APNU. Inclusive democracy ignores the elephant in the room. That elephant is ethnic insecurity and those who advanced the idea of shared governance were mindful of this elephant because they recognized that unless both of the major parties in Guyana, the PNCR and the PPP, were included in any government, there would continue to be an elephant standing in the corner.

Any post 2015

government of the APNU and the AFC will therefore be no different from the PPPC. APNU cannot claim that the coalition is necessary for a government of national unity because it has ditched the concept of shared governance for a PPP-styled inclusive democracy.

Elections 2015…

Opposition faces uphill battle against Govt.-controlled media houses As Guyana switches gear for early general elections on May 11, the Opposition has once again raised objections over the ruling party’s use of state resources on the campaign trail.

Member of Parliament and Prime Ministerial candidate for the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/ Alliance For Change (AFC) front, Moses Nagamootoo, yesterday also said that note has been taken of the deliberate hijacking of the airwaves and of several news outlets.

“It is a form of electoral rigging. If you could access state resources, as a political contender to the exclusion of all others, this is part of the hypocrisy of the ruling party which claims it is democratic yet rigs the system in its favour.”

The coalition intends to routinely address matters with the independent Media Monitoring Unit (MMU), whenever infractions occur.

MMU, which is funded by the international donor

Dem boys seh...

De elections campaign tek over Mash Nuff people tired, even Donald tired. Dem tek de sun and dem follow de bands pun de Mash route. Wid this year being election year dem boys know that this was de time fuh dem see all dem politicians. Dem wasn’t wrang.

Was like Donald give instruction to he Ministers that dem got to dance fuh dem supper. All of dem dress up and try fuh dance.

Who couldn’t dance hop. Jagdeo been pun de Mash parade, too, He face been pun one of de truck.

Granger do de same thing. He ain’t got Minister but he get he Hem Pees fuh come out and Mash. He get Ramjattan fun come out too and poor Ramjattan who didn’t even try fuh get some exercise before Mash Day had top hop, skip, jump and wine like everybody else.

Dem boys seh that a neighbor tell dem that dem see he wife got he sitting down and soaking he foot in a basin.

Dem had Granger doing de same thing

proposal for inclusive democracy.

This system of inclusive democracy is a discredited concept.

Inclusive democracy is what the PPPC has long said it has implemented in Guyana and is committed to continuing. It is a system that invites nonpartisan persons to come on board the government. This is what the PPP has long practised and used as evidence that it is inclusive.

The PPPC has however not been able to build a platform of national unity on

but he had sense. He use to walk when de morning come suh he was kind of fit. At one stage, dem boys thought that was Election Day. Hap New wid Hay Hef See and Pee Pee Pee in one parade? Dem two couldn’t agree to share nutten; dem couldn’t even agree to talk and dem share a float parade. Was a miracle. Dem get judge and dem boys waiting fuh de result just like if dem waiting fuh elections result. De Mash had other things that ketch dem boys eyes. Dem see Lizzie, de new girl, who never join in a tramp ever in she life. She nearly cry because she now complaining that if she did know that she had to do all dem things just to replace Sam, she woulda tell dem know.

Dem boys seh that she don’t know that she got to go and hug up any and everybody, kiss some dribble mouth children and dem parents and when she done, she got to report to Donald day in and day out.

Talk half and wait fuh de rest of de campaign.

- Nagamootoo vows review of Jagdeo’s radio licences

MP Moses Nagamootoo

President Donald Ramotar

“Bobby” Ramroop

communities, monitors the local media, including the radio and television stations, and newspapers to ensure balanced coverage of the campaign.

Specifically, the Opposition has remained angry after former President Bharrat Jagdeo approved several radio and cable licences days before he ended his constitutional twoterms in office back in November 2011.

Multiple frequencies went to PPP’s newspaper, The Mirror; Jagdeo’s best friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop, and another five to an overseas-based sister of Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud. Persaud

happens to be the nephewin-law of Jagdeo.

The former President did not stop there. He also granted two television cable licences to close associates– Brian Yong and Vishok Persaud. Persaud is the son of the late former Government Parliamentarian and Agriculture Minister, Reepu Persaud, while Yong was a candidate for the ruling party during the 2011 elections.

Reportedly, the 2.5 Gigahertz band to Persaud and Yong are capable of offering other services, including catering to smart phones and the popular tablets computers. Radio and telephone services could also be offered using this band.

Ramroop was allowed, under highly controversial circumstances, to take control of television Channel 28, then granted hundreds of millions of dollars in concessions to establish a newspaper, Guyana Times, which is now aligned to the ruling party.

To make the licences’ approvals appear transparent, Jagdeo had also okayed single frequencies to a number of individuals.

Disclosures of those approvals immediately sparked widespread condemnation from prominent media houses which were shunned and criticisms from local and international bodies, (Continued on page 24)

Head of the Broadcasting Authority, Bibi Shadick

Brian Yong

Vishok Persaud

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 24, 2015

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

HARPER’S HARPSICHORD Can Elisabeth Harper’s prime ministerial candidacy play music for the PPP election campaign? She was selected for that reason thus Mrs. Harper must know she has to deliver. But isn’t her task a Sisyphean one?

Within the reason for Mrs. Harper’s anointment lies one of the most intriguing ironies of the PPP in recent years.

However nice and generous the media wants to be to Mrs. Harper the fact is she has never been political material

(of her own choosing of course) and therefore is a brand new name to public politics.

Why would the PPP politically elevate a longserving civil servant, not known for any role in active politics in the PPP’s twentytwo years of rule?

The obvious question is so obvious – they needed a new face, a face without baggage, a face not vulnerable to savage, political decimation from the opposition platform. There were none in that category inside the kingdom of the PPP. With Mrs. Harper’s announcement, the population must have been saying why not someone who has served the PPP devotedly? Knowing it couldn’t find a credible PPP leader, the hierarchy of the party found what it thought

was a water-tight alibi – the PM slot must come from the Civic component.

But Caroline RodriguesBirkett is Civic.

Was Elisabeth Harper a member of the Civic component all this time? If yes, then that was not a public fact. But it now gives the media an opportunity to question her about it.

Of course one way of getting around it is to say that in selecting her she didn’t come from the womb of the PPP. But this reinforces the point that they couldn’t find a credible PPP face.

Once the no-confidence motion of the PPP appeared to be inevitable, people inside the PPP began to jockey for the first two slots. Rohee’s name came up for the numero uno position and he kept saying that the presidential candidate has not been considered. If Ramotar ’s continuation was a done deal, then from day one Rohee would have simply said, “The party will go back with the incumbent; we won’t remove the incumbent.”

My take is that even with Ramotar, there was disagreement about his candidacy. He was returned because the PPP felt that to dump him was a big risk; it could signal to the country that Ramotar was a failure and the PPP could get the blame.

Once Ramotar was given the nod, Jagdeo came forcefully into the picture.

What the PPP will do is front Jagdeo in the hope that he can bring in the bacon because there are top people in the PPP who believe that Ramotar will not engender sparks in the PPP constituencies.

I think they are right. But whether Jagdeo is the bright light is left to be seen.

As the PPP faced the inevitable curtailment of its five-year tenure, jostling also began for the PM slot. It was a done deal that a woman will be given the permit. But who fitted the bill? Manickchand was definitely out because it was felt that she was damaged goods. Jennifer Webster’s name featured so did Faith Harding’s. There was the instant dismissal of Jennifer Westford. Only Birkett was under consideration but the PPP felt it needed a brand new face.

Since a man was out of the question, the PPP had to find a woman not previously involved in controversy, not previously known for any political role. The PPP wanted a person that Guyanese could look and say, “She is alright.”

But alright in what context?

Generally speaking, Mrs. Harper is alright. In fairness to her, she comes without any baggage. Her only grey area

Frederick Kissoon was when she was seen picketing Parliament against the 2012 budget cuts. But no one remembers that peccadillo or holds it against her.

So we come back to where we started; will her harpsichord play beautiful music for the PPP? My answer is no. Mrs. Harper is not a politician. She is not an electrifying platform speaker.

She is not someone who can excite an audience, the kind you find at political rallies. But most of all, she will not bring votes for the PPP simply because she is a woman and a decent Guyanese.

If the voters were looking at those facts when they voted then the PPP would have been devastated at the 2011 elections because decency was in short supply back then yet the PPP won the plurality. This election will be decided upon the track record of the PPP. The result will hinge on whether people think the PPP deserves to continue or whether so much bad things have been done, that it is time for a change.

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Unlikely migration major cause of Guyana’s population drop - US Charge d’Affaires US Charge d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt

It is unlikely that migration to the US has played a major role in Guyana’s declining population, said United States Charge d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt.

The US Embassy official during a recent sit down with Kaieteur News was asked about migration to the North American country and the likely impact of visas being issued.

There have been theories that Guyanese families have been leaving in droves to especially the US where thousands of Guyanese live, contributing significantly to a drop in population.

However, Hunt was

cautious. He pointed out that the final report of the 2012 household census has not been released as yet.

Government has said the report which indicates details of the population is likely to be released by mid-year. The results of the 2012 census would give the final picture, he stressed.

He said that the US Embassy has been serving on a weekly basis, an average of 25-30 families, whose relatives have applied for them to live there. This is a small number compared to the hundreds of applications that the US Embassy has to process daily for non-immigrant visas.

There is no immediate evidence that persons issued with the non-immigrant visas are not returning home.

Hunt does not believe that abscondees would be much, as the US Embassy is careful in screening applications for nonimmigrants visas. The applicants have to prove ties to Guyana.

Another factor for Guyana to consider is that migration is also happening within the region, made earlier with CARICOM skilled movement measures, as well as to other countries, including Canada.

The population decline

It is unlikely that migration to the US played a major role in the drop in Guyana’s population.

has been a worrying one for political parties especially for analysis on their respective campaign trail.

Last year, Government released the preliminary results of that 2012 census which indicated that Guyana’s population had decreased by 3,300 since 2002. As at September 15, 2012, the population census

recorded 747,884.

The decline from 2002 to 2012 represents an annual negative growth rate of 0.04 percent, the report stated.

The findings also proved that the coastland which includes the capital, Georgetown, remains home to the highest percentage of the population- 89.1 percent.

The population of the

Discussions on Gender based violence…

Let us be a part of the solution, not the problem - Men’s Affairs Administrator The Ministry of Human Services Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) is continuing with efforts to engage men in the process of finding solutions to gender-based violence.

This Unit, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, (MOH) Gender Based Violence Unit, held a two day workshop at the Convention Centre of the Ocean View International Hotel.

The initiative which commenced last Thursday targeted some 50 men from the Salvation Army Men’s Social Sector Programme and the Guyana Police Force.

Keynote speakers of the event included MAB Administrator, Diego Alphonso, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Human Services, Patrick Findlay and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) MOH, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud.

In his presentation, Alphonso said that the seminars are held to sensitize the public, particularly males, on the effects which violence can have on their lives and the society at large.

According to the MAB administrator, “these interactions are symbolic of our confidence in men and

MAB Administrator, Diego Alphonso boys to make significant contributions to our country and once again be respected as having a very important role to play in the well being of the family.”

He held that the role of the male is indispensable both to the country and family unit as a whole and therefore challenged men not to accept the negative labels society may place on them even if it’s because of mistakes or bad choices or behavior.

“We do encourage men to take responsibility for their actions... Let us make amends by showing that we are capable of loving, respecting and caring for our women and children. Let us be part of a movement that brings about a change in our society that whenever there is a conversation about men in Guyana the subject of violence against women must no longer be the talking point.

Let us be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem, “Alphonso remarked.

He noted that the members of the Salvation Army Men’s Social Sector Programme and the Guyana Police Force can have a twofold advantage as a result of their participation in the sessions.

Alphonso said that for the men in the Salvation Army and the Guyana Police Force, the knowledge and information acquired during these sessions can help in their personal lives as well as in their professional capacities.

“Police officers will from time to time have to deal with a report of Gender Based Violence and it is important that they know how to adequately deal with the

issue, which can be quite sensitive for the person making the report. For those in the Salvation Army, participating in the sessions can be help them through their rehabilitative process as well as obtain valuable information to counsel persons on issues such as anger management.”

The MAB Administrator said similar sessions have been held in Regions Three, Six and Ten. Alphonso said that the workshops which seek to underline the importance of men in the fight against gender-based violence have been scheduled for all the other regions as well.

He said that the interactive sessions have received a positive response from men.

He revealed that the MAB has been targeting men from various organizations, especially those from faithbased organizations and reform institutions.

“Men have an opportunity to make suggestions and have an input during the sessions...

As a result, some men have even expressed a need for joint discussions with the women so that they too can be a part of finding solutions

to the problem.”

During the seminar, the Chief Medical Officer noted that the issue of violence is seen as a major concern in the health sector. Dr. Persaud said that steps are being taken by the Ministry Of Health to collaborate with other agencies in addressing the issue.

He noted that the Ministry has outlined in the Health Vision 20/20 a strategic plan to place more emphasis on the matter. He added that the Health Ministry, through support from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has been able to create awareness and train individuals to find solutions to end violence.

Dr. Persaud said Government has placed emphasis on the need for early interventions an effort to curb the incidence of gender -based violence. In this regard, he noted that the MOH has set up the Gender Based Violence Unit which deals exclusively with the issue of violence. The Unit has been actively involved in workshops, seminars and other public forums held to deal with the issue.

hinterland -while comprising more than two-thirds of the total land area- continues to grow, but account for only about 11 percent of the total population.

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) has 41.9 percent, followed by Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) which holds 41.6 percent and 14.4 percent respectively.

The population density of Regions Two, Five, Six and Ten has shown signs of decline while the other six Regions experienced growth.

This growth includes all the hinterland regions which, according to Chief Statistician and Census Officer, Mr. Lennox Benjamin, could be attributed to the growth in the mining sector which has witnessed an influx of persons into the mining regions.

The gender population report showed that the number of women continue to surpass men. Nationally, the ratio of men to women was 49.8 per cent to 50.2 per cent.

This translated to 98 men to every 100 women. Along the coast there were 96 men to every 100 women.

However, overall, in the hinterland regions, men continue to outnumber women, which Deputy Census Officer Mrs. Vanessa Profitt expressed, could be as a result of the number of men involved in the maledominated field of mining.

Buildings increased from 187,696 in 2002, to 219,509 buildings in 2012. This represents an increase of 16.9 percent during that period.

This growth was attributed to government policies of making land available for home construction, as well as increase in the development of both government and private housing schemes.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Students are not supportive of ongoing strike action - UGSS asserts - but insists UG workers have a right to strike

Students of the University of Guyana (UG) are not buying into a subtle proposal by the tertiary institution’s workers unions – the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) – for them to fully support ongoing strike action.

This is according to member of the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), Nicholas Carryl, who currently chairs a Special Committee aimed at helping to return normalcy to UG. During a march to the city last week Monday as part of intensified strike action, President of the UGSSA, Dr. Mellissa Ifill, who was accompanied by scores of workers and other supporters, speculated that support of the students could possibly lend to an earlier resolution to the industrial action.

She said that while the striking workers understand the concerns of the students, at the same time, they are seeking to ensure that the quality of education that is being delivered is what they deserve.

“We also need to ensure that as staff we can live decent lives…We sympathise but our resolve is strong; we urge them (students) to come

on board with us, in fact, I would want to suspect that if they came on board with us a resolution would be much sooner rather than if we were to do it alone,” Dr. Ifill noted.

But Carryl, reacting to that comment during a recent UGSS spearheaded media conference, said that since the ongoing dispute is between the University’s administration and the Unions “the students were not, are not and could never be a party to the labour dispute.”

He nevertheless affirmed that students, through a ‘Revolution’ initiative of the UGSS, are making some demands that do coincide with what striking lecturers are calling for as it relates to better teaching facilities.

“Better teaching facilities for them mean better learning conditions for us. So although they coincide in that way we are not taking any sides in the labour dispute.”

He added that the UGSS position, and by extension that of the students, is that “we want both sides (Administration and Unions) to be reasonable and return to the negotiating table so that there could be normalcy at the University.”

“Most students want classes; they want what they paid for,” Carryl said.

FROM LEFT: UGSS’s President, Joshua Griffith, Elsie Harry and Nicholas Carryl His comments were mirrored by UGSS President, Joshua Griffith, who said that even when the UGSS had engaged talks with the unions “we had stated unequivocally that the students have concerns about the performance of some of their members, and we would continue to bring that to the fore.”

Griffith noted that while the UGSS understands the premise for the ongoing industrial action “it is not that we would go all out and support any one party. We must remain cognizant that we represent the interest of students and that is where we stand.”

When questioned about the UGSS support for the industrial action during its early stages, UGSS Council Representative, Elsie Harry,

sought to point out that it was in fact the media that skewed the position of the UGSS. According to her, “From the beginning we had made it clear that we are not supporting strike action. We support the cause of our lecturers so it is not to say that we are supporting the strike and us not having classes from the beginning and now we are jumping ship; that was never the case.”

“The UGSS always said that we support the fact that our lecturers deserve to be paid (more), that the conditions at the University of Guyana need to be fixed but we are not involving ourselves in the method they (Unions) choose to display these grievances. We are just saying that the method that they have chosen currently is not the one that we would

prefer since we are not having classes,” Harry highlighted.

She noted that while the UGSS does not have the authority to prevent lecturers from striking, it certainly wouldn’t want that right to be taken away from them or even from the UGSS. “What we are saying is, while you are doing this or doing that, please be mindful of the effects that it would have on the students.”

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, has since lobbied the UGSS to work along with the University administration to amplify the “effects” concerns. But according to Harry the UGSS is still not prepared to take sides in the matter.

“If we decide we are siding with the administration or we decide we are siding with the unions; who is left

to represent student issues?

We have to stay where we stand as students and represent those issues not the issues of the administration, not the issues of the union,” asserted Harry.

UG workers have for close to one month been engaged in strike action to retaliate a breakdown of negotiations for increased salaries, improved working conditions and other benefits.

The Unions have sought the intervention by way of a letter from President Donald Ramotar and the Ministry of Labour but is yet to garner intervening support.

Moreover, the Unions are adamant that unless a decent proposal is made by the Administration, it is not prepared to bring an end to the strike action.

CARICOM nears realization of harmonised Customs Bill A 12-year effort to bring to pass a much-coveted harmonised Customs Bill for the Caribbean is now in its final stages.

The bill, according to the CARICOM Secretariat, is intended to foster economic growth in the region, which will ultimately contribute to the improvement of its member countries.

CARICOM policymakers are due to finalise the harmonisation of Customs laws in two meetings that will take place in Antigua and

Barbuda starting yesterday and ending on Friday.

If successful, the harmonisation project will see businesses assured of equal and fair treatment by customs authorities throughout the region.

“It will also increase transparency of all activities

by Customs administrations and give trading partners a level of predictability.”

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) comprising 15 member states and five associates has been

CARICOM says it is nearing completion on a harmonized customs bill for the region which will see reduced clearance times at ports. in effect since 1973.

“As the region moved closer towards integration, it was recognised that an enabling environment for greater inter-regional trade must be encouraged.

Subsequently, a project to harmonise the Customs laws of the Caribbean Community

was launched at the beginning of the 21st century, spearheaded by the Caribbean Executive Committee.”

Agreement for the bill was finally reached in August of 2014 with only one outstanding issue remainingthe drafting of regulations. It

will be this issue that is deliberated on over the course of two meetings, the first taking place in Antigua and Barbuda, with the second in Trinidad and Tobago in March.

“A harmonised Customs Bill will see improved regional integration and bring many

economic benefits to the region. These include greater foreign direct investment in the Caribbean, reduced clearance times for goods at ports of entry and greater support of regional companies as they expand their operations to other territories.”

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Woman found dead No major incident reported in Saffon Street home in Mash Spot sale confusion Rajdai “Sheila” Yong was discovered dead in her Lot 25 Saffon Street home, opposite Kaieteur News headquarters, around 18:00 hours yesterday.

Yong had been living alone in the house since her husband passed away a few months ago. The police discovered her body lying face-down on her living room floor, after they gained access by using a ladder to enter through an open window at the front of the house.

Her landline phone was found under her already decomposing body. The 64year-old woman was last seen by relatives on Saturday evening. Yong’s sister-in-law, who lives next door, made a report to the police, after she was unable to make contact with the woman.

The woman’s relatives, who were present at the scene yesterday, explained that they tried to make contact with the woman on Sunday, but got no answer and assumed that she was sleeping.

They added that Yong does not like when people check on her too often, so they assumed that she did not want to be bothered after they had been making numerous attempts to reach her. But Yong’s sister-in-law began to assume the worst after two days passed without seeing or hearing from the now dead

...Vendors could seek reimbursements

Some of the Mashramani spots that remained vacant yesterday (Photo Phylicia Richardson)

Police entering an open window at Rajdai Yong’s home yesterday woman. That was when she decided to report the matter to the police who responded promptly and made the discovery.

Kaieteur News understands that Yong had been suffering from many ailments including hypertension, diabetes and

high cholesterol.

Yong’s daughter, who only identified herself as “Tasha”, said that her mother went to the clinic on Friday last, and this is coming to her as a shock.

Police at the scene said that initially they do not suspect foul play.

From the looks of things most of the persons who conducted vending activities for the Mashramani celebrations yesterday did not pay for the spots they utilized. At least many of the persons Kaieteur News questioned about purchasing Mash spots replied that they had occupied the spot free of cost since that is what the Mayor and City Council was insisting on.

Outside of this, it appears

15-year-old accused of stabbing step-father goes into hiding As 47-year-old Winston Christiani remains at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) recovering from a stab wound to his back, reports are that his 15-year-old stepson who is responsible for his condition, has been sent away.

In an interview with Kaieteur News on Monday last, the Cevon’s Waste Management employee explained, that he has since got word that his reputed wife “Tyra”, has sent the child into the interior to avoid being arrested.

“She brother call me and tell me that she sen’ de boy in the bush,” the injured man said. Around 19:00 hours on Friday, during an argument with his wife, Christiani’s 15year-old stepson stabbed him in his back and fled the scene.

The injury has affected the man’s spine, leaving his right leg paralysed.

The day before the stabbing, Christiani confronted his wife, whom he found in the company of

Injured: Winston Christiani

another man. The two exchanged words, and Christiani thought that that was the end of the matter.

However, upon returning home from work the next day, he said that his wife began to “pick on him” after he decided not to give her any money. It was then that she took his cell phone, hid it in her pants, and refused to give it back to him.

He claimed that in an effort to retrieve the phone, he held onto her, and that was when the 15-year-old stabbed him

in his back.

Christiani said that the young man was sent to live with him and his mother at his Block 22 Wismar, Linden home, after his grandmother could not control him.

“This li’l boy don’t even go to school no more. He livin’ in de house with me and he thiefin’ up all my things. He is out of control. Nobody can control him.”

The young man has been involved in many criminal activities, the most recent being a burglary. He is said to have broken into and stole many valuable items from his uncle’s home in Linden.

Christiani said that the child is currently on probation for the offence, and was set to report to the police station at Linden on the day of the stabbing.

that many persons also stayed away from vending activities this year.

According to City Hall’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Royston King, no major issue was reported in relation to the spot sales controversy. By late afternoon, there were also no reports of anyone being arrested or detained for failing to pay for Mash spots as stipulated by acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba.

Many of the vendors along Vlissengen Road and Merriman Mall were relieved to have conducted their business incident free despite the recent disagreement between the agency’s authorities. Some people opted to “be on the safe side” and purchased spots, while others simply occupied vacant spaces or those designated.

A male vendor who did not give his name said he paid for his spot on Merriman Mall and he felt relieved when he saw City Council agents going around asking questions.

However those persons never came to his tent, he said, and he started to think twice about paying for his spot. He then contemplated seeking a reimbursement since he claimed that he should have had the same privilege as those who did not pay for spots.

Many of the designated locations remained empty yesterday and some persons suspected that it was the

bickering between the Mayor and Councillors and the Town Clerk (Ag) Carol Sooba that caused the decline. One vendor opined that many persons opted out of the vending activity this year to avoid possible “trouble”.

It would not be farfetched to think that persons might be returning to City Hall seeking reimbursements, a City Councillor told the publication. “That is the real trouble.”

The two sides of the Council have been bumping heads with the Town Clerk demanding payment for Mash spots and the City Councillors ruling that it would be given for free. On Sunday a few vendors had glitches in prime vending spots when they had similar location numbers. The one who paid for the spot was given priority in the cases observed.

Kaieteur News was unable to contact the Town Clerk yesterday to get an update on the issue. She had told the publication that persons who did not pay for spots would have to do so or remove.

King told Kaieteur News that in other matters, the cleanup process has already been resolved. With Mash spots being offered free of cost there was concern as to how the Council would handle after Mash cleanup activities.

King said that Cevons Waste collection agency was already on the job.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

VACANCY Work from home: Earn $5,000 to $20,000 daily, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday - Call: 233-6517/ 638-0595 or www.jobfairworldwide.com International Cruiseline AB Sailors, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, welders, cosmetologists, etc.

Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 One combine operator & one tractor operator, must have mechanical knowledge, Lodging provided – Tel: 647-0463 Waiters to work at a bar at Agriculture Road, E.C.D- Tel: 612-2522 One Female house keeper, between ages 30-45yrs – Contact: 225-8205 RA Soda Factory: Bond Clerk, Accountant, Drivers – Call:330-2399, 330-2772, 6235920 One male sales clerk between 20-30yrs old Contact: 225-8205 Vacancy for cashier/CSR apply with written application & passport size picture to survival – 173 Sheriff Street – Tel: 2275286/9

WANTED 1 Mechanic to work in the interior; must know about Cummings & Perkins Engine.

Tel: 691-6260 1 Live in waitress, with Secondary Education – 1825yrs salary $60,000 monthly, must be honest and willing – Tel: 610-3974 1 Carpenter Mason to work in the Interior – Tel: 691-6260 Presser / Clipper, straight stitch/over edge machine operators, cleaner – Call: 222-2541 (8:00am-4:00pm) (Mon-Fri)

Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Cook: must know how to bake, bar attendant, waitress, cleaner and house keeper needed. Tel: 669-1900

Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves.

Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

1 Farm Manager to work @ Pomeroon River must have Vast Farming Experienced.

Accommodation & Attractive Salary offered.

Contact: 226-9768 One driver must be living within Georgetown, apply in person at 176 Middle Street – Tel: 227-0152 Live in Waitresses to work in bar – Contact: 604-6606

Repairs to plasma, LED, LCD television etc – Call: Abdul Electronics: 225-0391

One live in/live out maid / Nanny – Tel:623-5011; 6226113; 227-0152 Pastry maker, counter servers, roti cooks & handy boys @ Hacks Restaurant, 5 Commerce St Georgetown Salesgirl needed for clothing store @ Sheriff St. must be good looking, good salary – Tel: 686-3040 Part time & full time maid for foreign national household, easy work @ Duncan Street, Good Salary – Call:686-3040 Carmen’s Funeral Home, wanted driver, porter, handyman – Call: 265-5010, 265-4099; 666-3637; 647-1776

DRESSMAKING Designing & Sewing classes, ladies wear, curtains etc. (CanadianTrained Tutor), Schoon-Ord, W.B.DTel:626-2629, 676-6312 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 ACCOMMODATION EDUCATIONAL CXC Day & Evening classes/lessons Forms 1-5, Phonics Classes - Tel:2233086; 619-7911; 690-5008

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

Harmony Inn Apartments: comfortable & clean apartments & rooms - $5000, $6,000 & $7,000 – Tel:6680306; 218-1400; 694-7817.

Your luxury hideaway……

Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 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 Eagle’s fridge re-gas - $8,000 & washing machine repairs.

Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966

Tuesday February 24, 2015

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Sale! Sale! 2004 Toyota Premo: TV, CD, DVD, fully loaded, unregistered - $2.2M. Call: 642-7295 New shipment of pit bull parts: Wind Screen, bumpers, fog lights, back/ front bearings - Tel: 628-0909 Lights: Premio, Allion, Fielder & Carina and One Toyota IST never registered - $1.9M - Tel: 628-0909 600 Amp Automatic transfer switch sold as is – Tel: 6277835 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras Tel: 621-4740 Pure bred pit bull pups – Tel: 661-1601 Brand New, Power fist, 6,500 watts gasoline generator (on wheels) 110/240 volts AC/DC – Contact: 617-2205; 681-1032 3 Engel moulding machine – Please Contact: 695-0333 1-10X10 wooden building (Kabukalli wood), with grill inside can be used for shop purpose (painted) – Tel: 6225986 1 New/ Ridgid /Generator 3600W - $180,000, Two 32" Flat Screen, TV $75,000 – Tel: 672-7194 Sawmill: Timber Harvester, 30th 25th fully hydraulic, electric motor- Tel: 261-2553 Ryobi Tools, routers, sanders, circle saw, glue –Tel: 264-2126/ 683-0113

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM FOR SALE/RENTAL American pool table – Tel: 277-0578

GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 1 -8000 SQ Feet ware house, located 20 miles from City $5000USD monthly – Contact: 695-0333 Sharon’s Building, limited mall space from $65,000 $275,000- Call: 225-4413/ 614-0949 1 Executive apartment in an exclusive residential area with all modern amenities including parking. Call for appointment: - 653-2920 Furnished two bedroom apartment for short term overseas visitors – Contact: 678-6690 1 Business place to rent opposite Stewartville, Primary & Secondary School W.C.D – Tel: 613-5261 House to rent at Mon Repos North - $55,000 monthly – Contact: 682-6016; 692-9295 One 2 bedroom bottom flat apartment situated in Middle Road, La Penitence.

Preferable working couple or single. $35,000. Call 225-5553.

LAND FOR SALE Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913.

Cell: 683-3033 Measuring 90’X165’ facing Atlantic Ocean, approximately half mile from Sheriff Street on High Way. Contact Shiv: 600-6681

Phone unlocking services/ Computer reload, located @ Tuschen – Tel: 683-2202 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Khemraj & Son landscaping & plant nursery, cutting big trees & removing, 18 Months Coconut trees & lime plant for sale – Call: 627-5969

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 2-Bedroom upper flat @ 5 Wallers Delight, W.C.D – Tel:674-4929; 662-0187

PROPERTY FOR SALE Houses & house lots for sale in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities, located @ Eccles E.B.D Tel: 227-2913; 683-3033 One – Two Storied wooden & concrete building at Ketley & Howes Street Charlestown – Tel: 623-9679 Front Section, Diamond, East Bank Demerara – Tel: 674-9266 or 686-9248 Transported two storied concrete property $22M, Block “8” Mon Repos E.C.D Tel: 602-4418 Executive 4 bedroom house @ AA La Flora Gardens, Eccles, EBD, -$55M negotiable; serious enquiries: houseforsale.921@gmail.com

House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) - Call: 227-2913; 683-3033

VEHICLE FOR SALE Nissan X-Trail 2006, low mileage, good condition $2.6M – Call: 695-9548 Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price negotiable - Call: 6201026 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 Unregistered vehicle: Toyota Sienta- $1,895,000, Honda Civic-$1,895,000, 318i B M W -$3,000,000 Contact: 650-0402 One RZ minibus, good condition - Contact: 6785887 1-19 Seat pit bull bus BSS series; price $3.5M negotiable – Contact: 660-3385 2003 unregistered Toyota IST Special Edition, TV/ DVD Player, HID, after market suspension, rims & aero body kit – Tel: 609-2815 One 580C Hymac @ Mahaicony Creek – Call: 611-8283; 638-6125 One 2004 NZE $1.750M, One 2001 Stick Shift, Carina 212 - $1.9M – Call:616-5974 or 618-8703 Canter: Short Based - $2.2M, Voxy $1.7M, Spacio $2.1M, (all never registered) – Call: 617-2891 Toyota Caldina, white Car, 2000cc – Tel:679-4420 Toyota Carina 212 real good condition -Tel: 691-5485 Toyota Vigo smart cab for sale - $3.3M negotiable – Call: 668-4553 1 Mitsubishi Canter GNN 722, good working condition – Tel:228-5655; 628-1756 One Toyota 212 Carina PSS Series & one Toyota Premio, PPP, Immaculate Condition (Owner migrating country) Tel:618-2576; 678-0109

Land @ William Street Kitty; Size: 79FT wide by 116FT length, price $60M Negotiable - Tel: 664-0829 Land @ William Street Kitty; size: 38FT wide by 116FT length, reasonable price – Tel: 664-0829 One residential land at Herstellling Plot ‘B’ E.B.D $4.5M Tel: 661-0618; 6013469; 600-1062 Land located @ Brushe Dam Friendship E.C.D -669-7570 Transported land, cultivation lots 29, 30 & 33 in Rosignol – Tel:3275934; 625-5746

TO LET Apartment with 2 self contained bedrooms in Kitty, wireless internet, Cable, TV, parking, rent $100,000 monthly - Tel: 645-0247 Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218 (Continued on page 23)

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Letters... Where your views make the news

Our vote is our choice as to what sort of future we want to move towards DEAR EDITOR, The experience of living in Guyana is the experience of living through a series of contradictions. We live in a country vastly rich in resources yet the multitudes live in terrible poverty or just manage to eke out something resembling a dignified life.

We live in a country that could swallow up much of the Caribbean Community yet we all compete with each other for square footage on the coastland. We live in a land of many waters but can’t get potable water in our houses.

The contradictions go on and on and many of us are too, too familiar with them.

In this moment we are faced with a new contradiction. Change is coming. It is assured. It is not inevitable.

The signing of the Cummingsburg Accord, which forms the foundation for the pre-election coalition between A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change, gives us further assurance that not only will there be a change of government come May 12, but the beginning of a change in the circumstances of this country and of its people.

Even before the signatures were affixed to the document the writing was on the wall.

But change - change of government, change in our society and societies, change towards a more equitable economy, is not yet inevitable. Change will never be inevitable, never be a sure thing that we can bet the house on, until we as the people of this country understand what it means to be “we the citizens of Guyana”.

As Guyanese we have failed to understand that citizenship does not begin and end in the “Place of Birth”

field on our birth certificates.

As Guyanese we have failed to understand that democracy is a way of life, not an exercise to be carried out every five years (barring prorogation, of course).

As Guyanese we have carried on too long with the farce that national unity is found tramping down the road in a Mashramani band.

But what do citizenship and democracy and national unity mean? I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to declare that I know, definitively, the answers to these questions.

I have some ideas and perhaps a line of inquiry that can help to move us towards a better understanding of these concepts.

Social media users over the last week or so may have come across an initiative called #MoveForward. #MoveForward is an incredibly simple campaign with an extremely powerful message: the youth of this country have spent most of, if not their entire lives, under a PPP administration, and all they know is economic, social and cultural underdevelopment.

These young people consume media across the spectrum, some even have had the opportunity to travel abroad and they can say without fear of contradiction that our country has not only been left behind, but continues to slip further and further back in the race of states to develop the people, institutions and infrastructure within their own borders. These young people have no time with ‘jumbie politics’.

Their memories and concerns don’t stretch back that far (and the few who have feigned knowledge have been caught in their flights of imaginations and brought to

task by the online community).

So, does national unity mean forgetting the past? No, it means acknowledging the past. All of it. I’ve heard it said that any telling of any history can never be totally objective, that there will always be intrusion of the writer’s or speaker’s personal feelings, tastes or opinions; their particular point of view on the world and how the world revolves (and around whom or what forces). But what we’ve been fed over the last several years is not history but narrative; for the most part a series of bald, malicious half-truths and none-too-clever concoctions.

National unity, or maybe ‘national maturity’, means being able to look at our past - the successes and the catastrophes, the proud moments and the painful, not only how we have been wronged but how we have wronged others - as an opportunity to improve ourselves both individually and collectively and to move forward, not with a guarantee, but with better odds of getting ‘it’ right, for ourselves

and for our children.

Democracy is not a ballot paper or an ink-stained finger, alone. Democracy is not the politician that we so love to malign. The act of voting is to democracy what consummation is to a marriage: an essential and exciting act but not the sum total of the relationship. Yes, democracy is a relationship.

It is a relationship between the citizen and the State and all its organs.

By the way, the government of the day is not the State, it is only a temporary caretaker, someone you lend your car keys to for a few years. More than a state of being or a set of institutions and rules, democracy is an aspiration for the voices of the entire people to be heard and accounted for.

Democracy aspires to have people’s voices matter.

The citizen understands this in his/her core, even if not explicitly. The citizen does not abdicate from their entitlement to respect and to dignity and to a responsibility, if not to their fellow countrymen, then at the very least to themselves.

We have roughly threequarters of a million naturalized Guyanese within these borders. We do not have nearly as many citizens.

Citizens exercise democracy, if not through traditional means then they create their own means. Citizens seek national unity, even if they do not call it by this name.

Again we find ourselves at a critical juncture. We have an opportunity, not to right all wrongs but to start the knitting back together of this country that has been wounded and torn apart and never given an opportunity to heal and mend. We have an opportunity to turn a corner, to end one age and begin another. We have a choice!

We have a vote. We must find our voices. Our vote is our voice, is our choice as to what sort of future we want to move towards. Let us move forward.

Kojo McPherson

(From page 22)

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property located @ Gay Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice Tel: 669-7570 Prime Property in Brickdam - $60M – Phone: 617-4261 Building for sale & removal dimensions 105ftX50ft – St Anne’s Anglican Church Agricola – Call: 233-0077 to arrange viewing.

Public Road Grove corner property $25M Negotiable Call: 613-5645 VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Prado, Price$5M Neg. Call: 643-2403

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Political parties take centre stage at Mash float parade Despite the threat of rains earlier yesterday, the National Park was packed to capacity.

Thousands gathered to view the large procession of revelers who took to the streets in the usual showcase of colour and celebration in observance Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary.

Under the theme “One People, One Culture, One Celebration,” revelers danced and paraded around the National Park’s tarmac in colourful pieces of costumes to the amusement of the large crowd of onlookers gathered at the venue. They had already tramped through the streets of Georgetown.

Amongst the 27 bands in this year’s parade were Qualfon Guyana Incorporated, the Guyana Youth and Student Movement, the Chinese Association, Fly Jamaica/ Honest Illusion Multimedia, Slingshot and his band, Hits and Jams Entertainment, Pulse entertainment and UMobile Cellular Incorporated.

Large processions included those from the People Progressive Party, (PPP) band, the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Ministry of Education, the

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Coalition Party A Partnership for National Unity- Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC), the Guyana Defence Force and bands from Regions Three, Five, Six, and Ten. Noticeably absent from this year’s Costume Parade and Road March competition was Banks DIH Limited and Ansa Mc AL’s Carib beer revelers.

Spectators were entertained by the dancing, drumming, steel pans performances which accompanied the float parade showpieces into the National Park. Members of the audience raised their flags in delight at the appearances of those Digicel (Guyana) Road March band; their exuberant display of colours was an instant crowd pleaser.

Other noteworthy and entertaining showcases came from Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport whose band was led by Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and local soca sensation, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and

CIOG donates wheelchair to disabled teen The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) came to the rescue of 17-year-old Lisa Marcel with a wheelchair to help with her mobility.

Miss Marcel was handicapped from the age of five months old having suffered from typhoid and malaria.

After a request from the Disabled Group headed by Mr. Omar Cooper, through the CIOG, the wheelchair was made available.

The CIOG is grateful to Michael Khan, Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, who initiated the request for the donation.

Commerce.

The two main political parties, PPP and the newly formed APNU/AFC appeared to be in full campaign mode as they came out with their full entourage of supporters.

The PPP had noticeably the largest procession of supporters out yesterday.

However, participants from the APNU/AFC created quite a stir as they entered the tarmac; the crowd waved the Golden Arrowhead wildly and cheered loudly at the sight of the coalition. Persons

more local music instead of Caribbean soca. We would prefer some more of our own,” the spectator noted.

Another person expressed disappointment; she said that Mash scene has become redundant. “Mash is so repetitive, the same thing every year. I think there is room for much more creativity ...The theme was so broad c o m p a r e d t o l a s t y e a r.

There was a reduction in the number of bands compared to previous years I didn’t feel the

excitement this year” Some persons seemed to totally enjoy themselves.

“The bands came bigger and better this year, especially Ministry of Health. It was a very eye catching band!” “It’s crazy! The boom truck tun up!” one person shouted.

There were those who expressed disappointment that political parties took their campaign strategy to the celebrations. “It is sad that they would use Mash as a platform to campaign,” one observer noted.

US, Latin America worry over Venezuela tensions Caracas (AFP) - The United States and Latin American nations voiced concerns over political tensions in Venezuela after the socialist government arrested the opposition mayor of Caracas in an alleged coup plot.

Almost exactly one year after opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez was arrested as he led a wave of protests against socialist President Nicolas Maduro, intelligence agents burst into Mayor Antonio Ledezma’s office late Thursday and hauled him to jail.

A third radical critic of the government, ousted lawmaker Maria Machado, is under investigation over an alleged plan to assassinate Maduro, though she remains free.

Ledezma, 59, will be held in Ramo Verde prison, the same jail on the outskirts of the capital currently housing Lopez, officials said in ordering his continued detention.

The attorney general’s office earlier said Ledezma will

‘Saddist’ found dead in Tuschen

‘Saddist’ lying lifeless Piercing screams reverberated throughout a section of an East Bank Essequibo (EBE) community around 15:00 hours yesterday afternoon after a resident discovered a man’s lifeless body.

The body of the man, called ‘Saddist’ and ‘Fishman,’ was clad in a blue cargo pants and a black and white tee-shirt, with a pair of green rubber slippers on his feet. He was lying on his back with his mouth open in a clump of

were seen soliciting photo opportunities with members of both political groups.

This year’s celebrations seemed to have attracted a larger crowd. In addition to the revelers, scores of people thronged the streets and stood outside the National Park in an attempt to get a glimpse of the float parade.

One spectator noted that this year’s turnout was good but some of the costumes left much to be desired.

“There is also need for

bushes just off a track in Tuschen, EBE. Residents, who ran to the scene, were only able to identify him by his aliases. He is said to be a resident of Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo who normally vended fish in the area.

A resident, who reported the matter to Kaieteur News, could not provide his real name since like her fellow residents, she only knew him through his work.

be booked for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy “to organize and carry out violent acts against the government.”

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on the government to produce evidence of the supposed conspiracy.

“Does Maduro think that putting everyone in prison is going to get him 50 popularity points or that h e ’s g o i n g t o w i n

elections?” the two-time presidential candidate asked.

Maduro, who has accused the opposition of trying to topple him several times since his April 2013 election, said late Thursday that the mayor was detained over a coup plot financed by the United States.

Washington dismissed the “baseless and false” claims.

- Regional worries -

The United States condemned Ledezma’s arrest, saying the “systematic intimidation” of opposition figures appears to be a bid by the government to divert attention from the country’s political and economic challenges.

“Venezuela’s problems cannot be solved by criminalizing legitimate, democratic dissent,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Usain Bolt fan forced to hide in...

From page 2 shots behind me,” the wounded man said. He was struck once.

According to Wickham, “I jump inside the trench and hide under a wood and I see he (gunman) come and he peeping but he ain't see me.

My phone and so get wet. My slippers float away.”

The vendor said that he

estimated when the men left and climbed to the surface where he was then rushed to the GPHC. “I never see them men before. Like they went somewhere and they were passing through the village because I never see them in Annandale before. I think they went looking at me for a long time though,” the 28-year-old man

said. He noted that the men waited until his friend left to purchase food before they approached him.

“I see when they come but I didn't suspect anything. If I de only know it was my two gold chain they wanted I would have taken them off long ago,” Wickham said. No one has been arrested as yet.

Opposition faces uphill battle...

From page 9 including the local diplomatic communities. Among those sidelined by Jagdeo were the independent newspapers, Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, and televisions stations like CNS 6, WRHM 7, Capitol News, HBTV 9 and RBS 13.

President Ramotar had promised to review the issuance of those licences but there has been silence.

Following protests by media owners and others, Ramotar had promised to regularize the issue in three weeks with the Broadcasting Authority to speed up other applications.

However, more than two years later, and with Guyana heading now into elections, there has not been much movement.

According to Nagamootoo yesterday, because of the iron-grip that the ruling party has on a significant section of the media, there is very real fear that while the elections on May 11 will be free, there are questions whether it will be fair. “How can you trust these people? We have already said

that you will probably have an election that will be free but will it be fair? Basically the playing field is uneven.”

He said that the Opposition continues to take note that the government has unrestricted access to strategic resources, including domination of the public media as well as the “crony” media that “Jagdeo had set up by issuing frequencies to his friends and party and relatives and party hacks.”

Nagamootoo made it clear that the Opposition remains convinced that the current situation has created an “uneven game”.

“The (Guyana) Chronicle for example has become a very obscene, propaganda broadsheet of the ruling party.

You can see on a daily basis the way the editorial content… the news that are twisted in favour of the ruling party. It is a PPP rag. The Guyana Times as well has been showing its true colors.

So too have the so-called independent radio stations.”

The MP vowed to have his Government, after

elections, review all the radio and cable licences that have been allocated.

“We will also move to ensure that the Broadcasting Authority is reformed and sanitized to purge it of party and political contamination.

And therefore, that body will be tasked to review the frequency allocation and to consider applications on their merit.”

The situation is even more difficult as the Broadcasting Authority, headed by Bibi Shadick, a MP for the ruling party, has already reported that very few frequencies for the Demerara area are available now for allocation.

This means that even if new licences are to be granted, it will mean very little.

The Ramotar administration, hard pressed to recall the licences, has defended Jagdeo, saying he did nothing wrong.

The administration was silent on accusations that one businessman – Maxwell Thom- was granted a licence although he was facing financial problems in 2011.

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

CHILD SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS SEVEN IN NIGERIA Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - A girl thought to be as young as seven killed herself and seven others in a suicide bombing in northeast Nigeria as President Goodluck Jonathan conceded his government had initially underrated the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.

The attack on a market in the city of Potiskum, the commercial capital of Yobe state, was the latest in a string of suicide strikes in which children have been used.

The initial death toll given by witnesses and hospital sources was six — the bomber and five others — but medical sources at the state-run hospital in Potiskum said later two of those injured had also died.

Previous attacks have been blamed on Boko Haram.

Nineteen people injured in the blast were taken to the hospital, a local vigilante leader, Buba Lawan, told AFP. The bombing highlights the severe security challenges facing Nigeria in the run-up to presidential and parliamentary elections on March 28.

During a swing through neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger, French

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Sunday urged Nigeria to entirely commit itself to battling Boko Haram.

“It is necessary that there be full commitment from Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram,” Fabius told reporters in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

On Saturday in the Chadian capital N’Djamena, Fabius visited a coordination cell set up on a French military base to liaise between Cameroon, Chad, Niger and France.

Paris has promised to increase intelligence-sharing and other assistance to the armies of Nigeria and its three neighbours, which banded together to battle Boko Haram after the extremists expanded their campaign across the region’s borders.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been in office since 2011, is engaged in a tough re-election campaign against ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Voting initially scheduled for February 14 has been delayed for six weeks to give Nigeria’s military time to secure the country, despite its failure to beat back Boko Haram in the previous six

years.

Jonathan admitted in an interview published on Sunday that early on in their rise he had underestimated the Islamists, who have overrun swathes of the northeast.

“Probably at the beginning, we, and I mean myself and the team, we underrated the capacity of Boko Haram,” Jonathan told newspaper ThisDay. He said the military had recently acquired more arms and ammunition to battle the Islamists, and vowed their defeat was imminent.

Sunday’s bombing in Potiskum was the second suicide attack in or near the market where new and second-hand phones are sold and repaired.

The first attack occurred January 11, when two suicide bombers — one of whom appeared to be aged around 15 — blew themselves up outside the market killing six people and injuring 37 others.

Before Sunday’s strike, suspicious security guards and vigilantes said they tried to prevent the girl — who witnesses said appeared around seven — from entering the market.

An ambulance evacuating people injured in a suicide blast

Toddler dies as measles outbreak hits Germany BERLIN, Germany – A toddler suffering from measles has died in the German capital, health authorities said Monday, amid the country’s worst outbreak in years and a debate about vaccinations.

The 18-month-old boy died on February 18, the first known fatality among more than 570 recorded measles cases since October in the German capital, a Berlin health department official told AFP. The resurgence of the preventable disease in Germany, as well as in parts of the United States, coincides with a movement among some parents to refuse to vaccinate their children.

Health Minister Hermann Groehe said “the irrational fear-mongering of some vaccinationfoes is irresponsible”.

“Those who refuse to vaccinate their

children endanger not only them but others, threatening serious health problems.”

German national health officials said Monday there were no current plans to make measles vaccinations mandatory.

But they said the Government would ensure that parents receive advice on the need for immunisations when children start early childcare.

Vaccination certificates would also be checked during regular doctors visits, a health ministry spokeswoman said.

She added that “if that doesn’t help, other steps will have to be considered.”

Berlin’s prestigious Charite hospital said later in a short statement that it had treated the measles-infected child which had died and that the cause of death was “still being examined”.

Page 25

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Fashion designer sentenced to life in prison for 14-year-old schoolgirl’s murder KINGSTON, Jamaica- A 37-year-old fashion designer and photo studio operator who pleaded guilty to murdering 14-year-old schoolgirl Santoya Campbell, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Cornelius Robinson was told by the Westmoreland Circuit Court that he would become eligible for parole after he spends 25 years behind bars.

The body of the schoolgirl was found in garbage bags under a bridge, near a river close to the Frome Technical High School, where she was a grade eight student on January 27.

Robinson turned himself over to the police two days after her body was discovered.

In court, he broke down, apologising to the family of the school girl.

The court heard that Robinson, who had no previous conviction, admitted to the police and the probation officer that he knew Santoya, who lived in the same community as himself, since she was attending

14-year-old schoolgirl Santoya Campbell primary school and that her mother asked him to assist her with lunch money, to which he agreed.

Robinson claimed that the young schoolgirl, who used to visit his photo studio, started to make sexual advances on him to which he finally yielded once between late September and October 2014.

He also claimed that he was blackmailed by Santoya who started to make demands, including that he buy her a smartphone, to which he agreed.

Robinson said that before Santoya went to school on

the morning of January 26, she visited his business where she aggressively demanded J$6,000 (One Jamaica dollar =US$0.008 cents) to purchase the cellular phone. He said he told her he did not have the money and she threatened to report their relationship to her mother and his wife. Robinson said that it was at that time he became frustrated and held the girl from behind and strangled her to death.

He confessed that he hid the corpse in a back room of his business and later in the night dumped it under the bridge.

Wheatley calls for audit of Gov’t online services KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesman on Science, ICT & Digital Society Development, Dr Andrew Wheatley, has demanded that the Government immediately execute security audits on all government online services and websites, and especially those which house sensitive citizen information.

“My information is that there are a number of online Government platforms which

house sensitive information but fall short of the mark where best practices relating to online security are concerned.

Whether it be use of cyber security best practices or implementation of proper administration and monitoring processes, many of these platforms are woefully inadequate in terms of security provisions,” Wheatley said.

He said data privacy concerns were recently made public as it relates to the NSIPP registry, and that “that is only half the story”.

Wheatly also said that the platform on which this registry is hosted has itself been found to be insecure and this is most unacceptable.

Wheatley noted that the recent launch of the National Cyber Security Strategy was a move in the right direction, but said in spite of that, the Opposition has concerns regarding the implementation timeline for certain aspects of the strategy in light of escalated global cybersecurity threats.

“It is absolutely critical that, in this time of increased cybercrime activity, the Government prioritises the security of all our online systems and the services which run on them, take immediate action to ensure the security, protection and integrity of citizen’s data and ensure that measures are put in place to ensure that sensitive citizen information o not fall into the wrong hands,” he said.

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Qatar 2022: Fifa taskforce says...

(From page 27) Sheikh Salman said he hoped his proposal was “a done deal” and was hopeful a recommendation would be made at Tuesday’s taskforce meeting in Doha. The tournament date will then be put to Fifa’s executive committee for final approval in March.

“Hopefully we can settle this issue once and for all,” he added.

A Premier League spokesman said the league’s position was unchanged on the matter: “The 2022 World Cup was bid for and awarded to Qatar as a summer tourna-

ment. The prospect of a winter World Cup is neither workable nor desirable for European domestic football.”

Analysis - BBC Radio 5 live’s Richard Conway Sheikh Salman’s dismissal of May as an option for the 2022 World Cup will anger the big European clubs and leagues.

They feel that if the tournament can’t be held in its traditional timeslot of June and July then it should take place as close to those dates as possible.

A detailed plan has been proposed by the European

Clubs Association and the European Professional Football Leagues - but it is now set to be rejected and consigned to the dustbin.

The European clubs provided 75% of the players at last summer’s World Cup in Brazil - a fact they’re sure to remind those opposed to them in Doha this week.

What is clear is that for Sheikh Salman and others upsetting their European colleagues is a price worth paying in order to switch the World Cup to winter in 2022 and deliver the first Middle Eastern tournament.

Slingerz Football Club tame...

(From page 26) and the Most Prolific Goal scorer who cops a 3-piece suite compliments of AH&L Kissoon. This will be done at the presentation ceremony to be announced later.

Those corporate individual entities that supported the tour-

nament include Aruwai Plaza and Resort of Georgetown and Bartica respectively which has put up the 3rd prize of $200,000 while Bakewelldonated the $100,000 4th prize. The second prize is $300,000. Other supporting businesses include Bakewell, MACORP, Busta, Sterling

Products, John Fernandes, GT&T, TCL, CIDI and the Vieira brothers of Houston.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Courtney Benn have also chipped in, while Ricks and Sari and Keishars have also donated hampers for the outstanding performers.

Tuesday February 24, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A temporary separation from a love partner might have you in a very gloomy mood, Aries. Attempts to reach your friend by phone might prove fruitless.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Expect to be frantic if you have to take care of something that's time critical today, Taurus. People and situations aren't in your favor.

Everything will seem like a challenge.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Generally you avoid politics in any group you belong to, Gemini, but today you might get caught up in the fray in order to support a friend. This goes against your grain.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Changes you're making at home might necessitate your planning extra time, Cancer.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A business or romantic partner might be in a foul mood and not very likely to tell you why, Libra.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Have you been exercising beyond your fitness level, Scorpio? If you have, you're probably feeling very tired, sore, and out of sorts.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A goal you've recently been on the verge of attaining may suddenly hit unexpected setbacks, Sagittarius.

However major or minor they are, it's going to be disheartening.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You could be introduced to a new person today Capricorn.

He or she may be someone who will play a very important role in your life at one point.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Are you involved in a search through every store for a particular item, Leo? You might be looking for a long time.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Is there a secret you're obsessed with unveiling, Aquarius?

Something strange could be going on in your neighborhood, or it might be an intellectual puzzle.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you've given up on something you've lost, Virgo, you might get a real surprise tonight when a dream sheds light on where you might find it.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Various intellectual or humanitarian subjects you've been reading about have changed your value system, perhaps subtly, Pisces.

Page 27

What a Twit! WICB president...

(From page 29) tweet was a kneejerk reaction, the retweet was just jerk. And not the kind that is served with a Red Stripe beer and festival.

It meant that, long before the final ball was bowled, the West Indies’ first genuine moment of joy in months was always going to be overshadowed by an underperforming batsman and a cricket official who has turned into a walking parody.

Almost certainly, Cameron was allowing himself a bit of revenge for Gayle’s criticism of the omissions of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the World Cup team. Gayle was reported to disciplinary committee for his outburst.

But who will report Cameron and stand up for the veteran cricketer?

At present, Cameron’s post as WICB president is set to be challenged by former

West Indies cricket legend Joel Garner. But perhaps Garner should rethink his campaign.

Cameron, who almost singlehandedly bankrupted West Indies’ cricket, is on a roll now and who knows what he will do next. It is like watching Mr Bean drive a monster truck blindfolded. With his feet. Into parked traffic. While juggling a stick of dynamite.

Arsenal football manager and part-time philosopher Arsene Wenger once said: “the target of anything in life should be to do it so well that it becomes art.”

Apparently, the same is true of ineptitude and we were blind to that fact until Cameron came along. He is King Midas in reverse; blessed with the ability to turn gold into garbage. He is the Brian Lara of thoughtless administration; breathtaking and unmatchable once he is in the

mood.

If Cameron tried to toss himself in front of a moving vehicle, he would discover he was in a car showroom. If he threw himself off a building, he would be on the first floor.

If he found the girl of his dreams, he would wake up.

Live Wire applauds the West Indies outfit for successfully rebounding from their embarrassing opening loss to Ireland. Keep your feet on the ground, gentleman. Remember form is temporary but class is permanent.

And so, apparently, is crass. Not so, Cameron? You twit…

Editor’s Note: Hours after his initial tweet, WICB president Dave Cameron responded to a barrage of criticism from cricket fans with the following message: “No offense intended. Full apologies extended. Rally round the West Indies.”

Jumbo Jet, Singh stable...

(From page 30)Warrior.

Mary Ann of the Lenny Singh Stable with Paul Delph again in the saddle saw that entity winning it second event as it raced away with the I3 and lower event ahead of Red Jet, De Gump and Red Jet. Affinity with Kevin Paul was in winner’s row in the J3 and lower race with Cart man, Short man and Quincy the others that placed.

Paul Delph for his two wins was adjudged the top jockey on show. The Jumbo Jet stable flew away with the top stable prize with the Lenny Singh Stable also being outstanding; with Carlton “Black Mouth” Pluck of the Jumbo Jet connections the top trainer on show.

Organizer Nasrudeen ‘Jumbo Jet’ Mohammed was pleased with how the

day’s events unfolded and thanked everyone for their

patronage.

(Samuel Whyte)

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 24, 2015

WICB Four-Day Franchise Cricket

Deonarine, Chanderpaul lead 2nd highest successful chase as Jaguars win by four wickets

By Sean Devers in Barbados In Association with Western Union, Carib Beer & Meet Your Match Dating Service In a game of fluctuating fortunes the Guyana Jaguars produced the second highest successful run chase to earn a hard fought four-wicket victory against the Barbados Pride in the seventh round of the WICB Four-Day Cricket Franchise at the Kensington Oval on a rain hit final day yesterday.

Only the Windward Islands, who made 371-8 against T&T in 1983 have scored more runs to win a Regional match and yesterday the Jaguars win was set up by a magnificent 146-run fourth wicket stand between the experienced Shiv Chanderpaul (64) and fellow Test left-hander Narsingh Deonarine (90) as Guyana, set 334 to win reached 334-6 to move to 107 points and maintain their lead in the tournament.

Deonarine, who batted for 147 minutes and 130 balls with seven fours and four sixes and Chanderpaul, whose innings lasted 126 minutes, 92 balls and was laced with five fours and a six, joined forces at 103-3 when Rajendra Chandrika fell for 60 from 105 balls, 156 minutes and reached the boundary seven times.

After Chanderpaul and Deonarine departed in the space of two runs, Raymond

Reifer, who finished the match with a six in his unbeaten 41 from 89 balls, 105 minutes with three fours and a six and Anthony Bramble, who made 27 not out from 47 balls, featured in an unfinished 59run seventh wicket stand to see their team to victory in fading light.

Spinners Ashley Nurse (281) and Jomel Warrican (2-81) were the best bowlers for the defending champions.

Guyana are 25 points ahead of ahead of Barbados, who are second on 82 points.

The Windwards (80 points) are third following their victory over the Leewards in St Lucia.

Scores: Barbados (312 & 241-6 dec), Guyana (221 & 335-6) Play began in bright sunshine with the Jaguars, set 333 to win, on 41 without loss needing another 292 more for their 34th victory against Barbados in 85 games.

Chandrika (25) and Vishaul Singh (14) started shakily with Chandrika being dropped at gully off Carlos Braithwaite before Guyana had added to their overnight score.

Singh soon touched one from Miguel Cummins to the Keeper to leave the Jaguars on 41-1 in glorious sunshine to bring Skipper Leon Johnson to the crease.

Chandrika brought up to 50 in 15.5 overs in 57 minutes with a well played hook off Braithwaite for four and cut the West Indies pacer for four

to third man along with his captain, repaired the early damage with responsible and sensible batting.

Slowly but surely the pair brought Guyana back in the contest as they launched ‘operation rebuild’ as a fair size crowd made up of mostly Barbados based Guyanese turned up at Kensington Oval on a working day here while Guyanese at home were dancing in the streets in Mashramani day festivities.

Chandrika followed up his 83 against the Leeward Islands in the last game in Antigua, with his fifth FirstClass fifty which took 104 minutes, 73 balls and was decorated with six fours while Johnson who played the supporting role and batted for 70 minutes in the 43-run partnership with Chandrika before he seemed very unfortunate to adjudged LBW for 14 from 40 balls with two boundaries.

Chandrika was joined by Deonarine and smashed Braithwaite delightfully through cover to bring up the 100 in 35.2 overs but in the next over pushed forward to Warrican and was taken at silly mid-off to end his promising knock and leave the Jaguars on 103-3.

Deonarine, who punished Nurse to the cover boundary, and Chanderpaul, who got going with a commanding pull off Royston Chase which was followed up with a flowing cover driven boundary in the next over off Warrican, took

their team to Lunch with the score on 133-3 with Deonarine on 25 and Chanderpaul on16 and victory still 200 runs away.

Guyana scored 92 runs in the first session and lost three to leave the exchanges ‘even stevens’ by Lunch.

After the Interval, Deonarine, the only batsman with two centuries this season and Chanderpaul, with the most centuries by a Guyanese at Regional level (16) buckled down to bat their team out of danger.

Deonarine pulled Nurse for four and Chanderpaul hit him for a huge six to bring up the 50 partnership off 94 balls and 52 minutes and 150 from 54 overs as the partnership flourished on a track still good for batting on a fast outfield as conditions became increasing overcast.

With the score on 162-3 rain stopped play 45 minutes after Lunch to stall the run chase with Chanderpaul, the only batsman with a triple ton in contemporary Regional Cricket (303 against Jamaica at Sabina Park in 1996) using his vast experience to full effect. When play resumed 10 minutes later Chanderpaul and Deonarine picked the gaps and rotated the strike cleverly to reduce the victory target to less than 150.

Chanderpaul, who along with Ramnaresh Sarwan shared in the 203-run record fourth wicket stand against Barbados in 2003 at this ground, backed away and

smashed Braithwaite behind point for an audacious boundary and the most capped West Indian Test player (161 matches) was looking dangerous.

Deonarine, the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in a Regional season, clobbered Warrican for four before dumping him for a colossal straight six to post his 44th First-Class fifty from 160 minutes, 100 balls with five fours and a six.

Chanderpaul, who need another 178 runs to overtake Brian Lara, the leading West Indian run scorer in Tests, reached his 130th First-Class fifty from 93 minutes, 70 balls with three fours and a six.

Chanderpaul swept Warrican for four to post the 100 partnership while he majestically stroked Warrican to the boundary with a classy cover drive as both batsmen oozed confidence.

Deonarine danced into Warrican and deposited him on the top of the Media Centre before pulling the next ball into the empty Greenidge & Haynes stand at mid-wicket and at Tea the Jaguars were well placed at 222-3 with Deonarine on 71 and Chanderpaul on 57. Guyana dominated the second session and were 112 short of their target.

However, a sharp shower during the break threatened to deny the Jaguars, who look easily the best team in the tournament, their sixth win of the competition but Guyana,

with six titles to their name where not to be denied and the action resumed in sunny conditions.

After Tea Chanderpaul cut Nurse for four before Deonarine moved into the 90s with a six off Chase but the Bajans fought back when both batsmen were sent packing in the space of six minutes.

Deonarine missed one that turned across him from Nurse and was stumped while two runs later Chanderpaul was LBW to Chase as the Jaguars slipped to 249-5.

Reifer and Chris Barnwell joined forces with Guyana 85 away from their target and Barnwell (6) was dropped at long-on off Nurse by Carlos Braithwaite with the score on 260-5 before he was removed by the same bowler for 12 at 276-6.

Reifer (13) was put down at slip on 283-6 off Chase before Bramble swept Nurse for four and with the victory target less than 50 the game was on a knife’s edge as the 300 was achieved in 86.2 overs.

Reifer and Bramble, with level headed batting, ensured the Jaguars avenged their loss to the same team at Providence when Reifer pulled Cummins into the stands with five required for victory.

The team is set to return to Guyana today and will play their next two games at home before travelling to Dominica for their final game.

Slingerz Football Club tame ‘Tigers’ to bag Mayor’s Cup accolade

By Michael Benjamin The match kicked off at around 22:30hrs under light showers which got progressively heavier, and the atmosphere colder as the night wore on, but footballers of the Slingerz Football Club compensated by restoring the warmth into the hearts of their fans with a sizzling and tactical display that humiliated Western Tigers FC 5-0 which earned the Vergenoegen based team the prestigious trophy and the million dollars donated by Banks DIH Ltd when the curtains came down on the Mayor’s Cup Football Championships at the Georgetown Football Club Ground last Sunday evening.

Football buffs were also entertained one match earlier when Fruta Conquerors FC, after erratic performances in the early stages of the com-

petition, finally got it right and dished out a 6-1 drubbing to Pele to clinch the honours in the third place playoff.

Monedderlust FC was also in winners’ row when it defeated the Guyana Police Force 2-0 in an exhibition match that netted the winner the ‘A’ Division Commander Trophy donated by that principal, Clifton Hicken.

The prolific, Daniel Wilson, continued with his rich vein of form for Fruta Conquerors after netting a hattrick in the 49th, 57th and 69th minutes, supported by a brace from Odel Williams (36, 66) and a solitary strike from Sheldon Holder (9). Marlon Nedd (63) narrowed the score for Pele, albeit inconsequentially.

Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams sent in two successes for Slingerz (89&90+2) and re-

ceived commendable support from Julian Wade (9), Dextroy Adams (16) and Dwayne Lawrence (81).

Slingerz stamped its authority from the onset and it seemed as though the plan was to apply pressure in the early stages of the game to offset the opposition. Julian Wade set up Slingerz’ first goal after passing the ball to Adams whose firm kick left Western custodian, Derick Carter, clutching at thin air as the ball nestled in the network.

Slingerz second goal was simply a beauty as Adams was forced to shoot from an acute angle when the opposition’s defensive bore down on him; his right foot shot was unerring and sent his team up 2 nil.

Slingerz appeared to be the more tactically sound

team with slick passes and great combinations but star striker, Vurlon Mills pleaded guilty after spoiling a simple chance when he had only Carter to deal with. The dapper striker attempted to make amends shortly afterwards when he gifted a pass to Julian Wade but his efforts were wasted as his teammate flunked the shot with a wayward shot over the upright.

The dependable Dwain Jacobs was also guilty of tardiness when he was gifted a pass in what appeared to be a simple shot but the dapper striker flunked the chance with a misdirected kick.

The two teams were locked in an interesting duel but despite several other near misses by players from both sides, the score remained at 2-0 at the halfway break.

The Slingerz players really

distinguished themselves in the second half where they made fodder of the opposition. Western Tigers’ porous defence coupled with a team that appeared to have lost the will to fight, encouraged Slingerz to press home the advantage and Mills, Julian Wade, Clive Nobrega and Solomon Austin worked in tandem to strengthen Slingerz position with clever passes and enterprising raids.

‘Awo’ Abrams, who had been kept quiet for most of the duel, experienced a change of fortune as the game wound down and his double strike pushed Slingerz to a comfortable lead where they remained up to the final whistle.

The win was well received by the man behind the team’s administration, Javed Ali, who joined with throngs of other

supporters in congratulating his boys as they celebrated the momentous occasion just after the sound of the final whistle.

Meanwhile, coordinator of activities, Lennox Arthur, congratulated the winning team while expressing gratitude to the patrons that flocked the venue to see the matches. Arthur was also grateful to members of the corporate community for their input saying that it was integral towards the success of the tournament. He said that the organizing team is currently in the process of examining the various performances in order to establish the individual awards including Best Goalkeeper and that player receives the DeSinco Trading Trophy, Most Valuable Player for the Alfred King (Continued on page 25)

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

National Sports Clinic Commissioned The Disability & Rehabilitation Services, Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Office of the President formally opened the National Sports Clinic at the Castellani Pool House on Thursday last.

The Feature Address will be done by H.E. President Donald Ramotar with remarks from Dr Bheri Ramsaran, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Director of Rehabilitation Services Ms. Debita Harripersaud.

The establishment of the National Sports Clinic will provide the professional guidance athletes and coaches need to help athletes achieve fitness and expediently recover from injuries. This facility will holistically and comprehensively cater for the sports medicine needs of sportsmen and women nationally with a vision of functioning as a Sports Rehabilitation Centre of Excellence in the Caribbean.

During her address, Ms. Debita Harripersaud, Director Rehab. Services Ministry of Health noted that; “It is with great pleasure and pride that I stand before you all today to launch the National Sports Clinic here at Castellani. Not so long ago, the Ministry of Health thru the Division of Disability and rehabilitation services engaged officials from Office of the President specifically HE president Donald Ramotar and the Permanent Secretary Omar Sharif in utilizing the facilities here.

As some would say the rest is history, sparks flew (good sparks), wheels started to turn.

An immediate acknowledgement into the merit and justification for such a facility was evident; it

would be the beginning of a great collaboration.”

Ms. Harripersaud noted the history of the facility, “During the 1970’s the Ministry of Health established a Sports Clinic at the Castellani House which came complete with a pool and sauna facilities. The clinic provided sports medicine services for athletes of various sporting disciplines and had the notable distinction of being among the first of such clinic to be established in the English speaking Caribbean.

The clinic was managed by professional Physiotherapists on a rotational basis. It would be remiss of me, however, if I did not acknowledge the sterling if not golden efforts of our veteran Physiotherapist, a stalwart in Rehab services who played an integral role in the start up and management of the clinic…..Ms Geraldine Maison Halls. Unfortunately, in the early 1990’s this facility closed due to shortage of professional staff to manage the clinic.”

She further informed that, “To facilitate the sportsmen, a reduced service was offered twice weekly at the Physiotherapy Department, Georgetown Public Hospital, However, with this system athletes were required to enroll in the regular out-patient clinic to receive treatment, which resulted in lengthy delays for the athletes. Due to the large patient load at the hospital, it became quite a challenge to afford priority attention to the athletes in the face of serious debilitating medical conditions: to date some of these challenges still exists and in this regard the re establishment of the national Sports clinic is both

timely and necessary.”

“It is clear that the changing competitive environment as it relates to sports have implications for the provision of sports medicine services.

More young persons are involved in competitive sports at the national and international levels. Guyanese who are disabled participate at the Special Olympics, Hence, the need for a holistic approach in the provision of sports medicine that will fit into the overall development plan of sports in Guyana,” she informed.

“With the re-establishment of the National Sports Clinic the main beneficiaries will be athletes from the various sporting fraternities. This clinic will provide the professional guidance and advice athletes, coaches and other individuals involved with sporting teams need in achieving and enhancing fitness as well as to expediently recover from injuries. It will offer an effective and integrative service with a professional, qualified technical staff that includes Physiotherapist, rehabilitation assistants, athletic trainers and consulting sports nutritionist and Orthropods. Castellani is also strategically equipped to offer hydrotherapy as a main adjunct to comprehensive rehabilitative care. The overall management of the national sports Clinic will be spearheaded by our very own expert in the field of sports medicine, Ms Beverly Nelson. For those of you who do not know this highly skilled individual, she has in excess of 25 years of experience in rehabilitation and significantly, is only one of 2 specialist sports physiotherapist in Guyana,” she stated.

Page 29

Letter to the Sports Editor

“Insight into Athletics” Dear Sports Editor, Over the past few years athletics performances has displayed dramatic progress.

Levels of performances which just a few years ago were hard to imagine are now common place and the number of athletes capable of outstanding results is increasing continuously, except for Guyanese athletes.

Legitimate questions to ask; “what are the reasons behind such dramatic improvements and what are coaches in Guyana doing about Guyana’s “Olympic Gold Medal Drought?”

Obviously there is not a simple answer to these questions; however, among others one may consider the fact that athletics is a very challenging field and that high levels of motivation have encouraged long hard hours of work.

Similarly, coaching has become more sophisticated, partially as a result of the assistance received from sports specialists and scientists, which is either ignored, underutilized, or mis-conceptualized in Guyana, hence “Guyana’s Olympic Gold Medal Drought”.

There is now a much broader base of knowledge regarding these special human beings called athletes, and this is directly reflected in the methodology of training. New methods are surfacing which are often found to be useful in daily training.

It seems that on the whole, sport sciences have progressed from a descriptive nature into a distinct science.

Most sources of knowledge (ie. Experience, research), regardless of the sci-

ence from which they are directed at improving and understanding the effects of an exercise on the body. Thus exercise is the focal point of the sports science endeavors.

By the same token, research from several sciences serves as a feeding system, enriching the theory and methodology of training, which has become a science of its own. The theory and methodology, as the science of training, has its own subject of applied research, which is the athlete.

The athlete represents a vast source of information for both the coach and the sport scientist. During training the athlete experience reactions to various stimuli, some of which may be predicted with more certainty than others.

The information collected from the training process includes physiological, social and also methodological information.

Although this information is diverse it comes from the same source, namely the athlete, and is produced by the same process, the training process. The coach who is the builder of the process, may not always be in a position to evaluate the training process.

Coaches must evaluate all information feedback from the training process in order to understand the athlete’s reactivity to the quality of training so that the future programmes will be properly planned.

In light of the above, it becomes clear that the coach requires scientific assistance in order to ensure that his/her programme will be based on objective evaluations, a fact

that most coaches practicing in Guyana failed to recognize or utilize.

The theory and methodology of training is a vast area.

A close observation of the information available from each science and sports medicine will make the coach more proficient in his\her training endeavors.

The principles of training represent the foundations of this complex process, while the acquaintance with training factors will enable the coach to understand the role played in training by each factor in accordance with the characteristics and specifics of a sport/ event.

A training programme must be designed in consideration of the biological and chronological ages of the participants, since success depends in part on the quality and abilities of the individual athlete involved, consideration must be given to the selection of athletes. Not all athletes have the physiological capabilities to become world class champions.

Knowledge acquired while planning training programmes of athletes will provide the coach with the ability to train his/her athletes in such a way that maximum performances will be achieved at the desired time. A training programme needs to also include periods of regeneration and recovery between training lessons, which is a necessary factor to ensure continuous improvement towards high performance athletics.

Better late than never towards Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2016 and beyond.

Wayne Walcott Athletics coach.

Qatar 2022: Fifa taskforce says November/December is only option BBC Radio - The 2022 World Cup in Qatar can only be held in November and December, says the head of Fifa’s taskforce looking into possible dates for the tournament.

Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa has ruled out a May tournament - the European leagues’ preferred option.

Qatar’s bid proposed a summer tournament, but temperatures in the Gulf state are believed to pose a potential risk to players’ health. A January/February tournament would clash with the 2022 Winter Olympics.

“All parties have to compromise, not just the Europeans,” Sheikh Salman said.

The proposal raises the prospect of a stand-off between the game’s governing bodies and European clubs over domestic schedules and player availability for the tournament.

However, Uefa president Michel Platini has already said it will be a winter tournament and “that it’s not possible to play in May when it’s 40 degrees”. Sheikh Salman, president of the Asian Football Confederation, said there were two winter options January/February or November/December - but cited a clash between January 2022 and the Winter Olympics as undesirable.

“We don’t want it to collide during that period,” he

said.

“Stakeholders are concerned about playing in the summer, so we have to change to winter. That’s January or November. They have to make a choice - either a) or b).

“But I think everybody agrees that in January or February it’s difficult to play for the reasons that I mentioned before [Winter Olympics clash].

“The only option that I see is November/December.”

However, a winter World Cup would also be problematic - not only for European league schedules, but for the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for January 2023 in Guinea.

(Continued on page 25)

Artist impression of one of the venues in Qatar. (Getty Images)

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 24, 2015

Moeen Ali-inspired MY TWO CENTS ~ England beat Scotland Perspectives on the GFF NC Letter to the Sports Editor

Dear Sports Editor, In the cultural transition from corruption and incompetence to organization efficiency where core values of transparency, integrity, accountability and open communication (among others) are not merely given lip service but exemplified in word and deed, there will inevitably be elements of resistance. The aphorism “old habits die hard” aptly captures this phenomenon.

All stakeholders, internal and external, with a vested interest in the organization’s future success should temper idealistic expectations of change with the practical reminder that “Rome was not built in a day.” However, this understanding does not absolve internal leaders of their responsibility to learn and practice new habits that demonstrate their commitment to the transition process.

High on the list of new habits are the embodiment of transparency by opening existing financial records and opera-

tional systems to public scrutiny, and inviting/encouraging input and objective critique from external stakeholders. The public should be persuaded by the words and actions of the transitional leaders that the status quo or old ways of doing business are things of the past.

The transition of the erstwhile dysfunctional Guyana Football Federation has been entrusted by FIFA to an allvolunteer Normalisation Committee (NC) comprising five (5) accomplished business/legal professionals with no historical ties to football.

It will be (and has been) a dynamic period of learning, conflict, mistakes, adjustments, introspection and, hopefully, growth.

In fairness, the all-volunteer GFF Normalisation Committee has an enormous challenge and mandate to save or at least redirect association football in Guyana to a trajectory for future success and greatness. Fans of Jaguar

football in the diaspora need and deserve some reassurance that the post-NC federation will not revert to “old habits” i.e. business as usual.

Constitutional reform to improve governance should help in this regard but it is ultimately up to all football stakeholders to hold ourselves accountable and responsible for higher standards of personal and professional conduct.

In closing, I would like to emphasize that the constraints of time and resources coupled with the inherited administrative dysfunction should be factored into our assessment and objective critique of the Normalisation Committee. We need them and they need us. Some may even posit we need them more.

Together, we only have until September, 2015 “to build Rome”.

By James Paul - MBA Small Business Consultant Atlanta, GA

True to form the AG displays his duplicitous nature Dear Sports Editor, The Attorney General, Mr. Anil Nandalall surely has very thick skin as my grandfather used to say, when describing someone that has a tendency to withstand or ignore criticism and twist issues to suit his argument.

I read the detailed statement, in Demerara Waves and the Guyana Chronicle edition of 17th February 2015, written by the Attorney General, captioned “Gov’t acted in compliance with constitutional provisions and CJ ruling”, where the Attorney General is quoted as saying “that ought to have brought an end to the matter since that application was all that was before the court. Unfortunately, the Chief Justice chose to express his views on a number of other matters”.

This statement related to the illegal spending matter that was brought by the opposition against the AG and the Speaker of the National Assembly.

He goes on to state “the pronouncement of the Chief Justice on these matters are, therefore, obiter dicta and are not binding aspects of the ruling. In short they do not constitute the “ratio decidendi” or the reasons for the ruling”. This ruling certainly

seems very much similar to t h e A n g e l a H a n i ff v s Ramsay Ali et al matter in 2011, which resulted in the Government using the said Obiter dicta comments to carry out the most relentless and vindictive of agenda against the Guyana Cricket Board, commencing with disbanding the GCB, whose members had to eventually move to the CCJ for redress after the local courts threw out all of their submissions.

In that case, the CJ basically dismissed the application by Angela Haniff on the grounds that it was misconceived and she had no “locus standi” to bring the matter. The Hon. Chief Justice went on to make some pronouncements “Obiter Dicta” or ‘by the way’ comments that the Attorney General and his Sports Minister Frank Anthony interpreted and touted publicly to all and sundry as an Order of Court. WHAT HYPOCRICY? Both Ministers sought to mislead the entire public in their quest to hijack the GCB with the following very deliberate actions and consequences: (1) Disband the GCB and establish a government IMC- Totally illegal action.

(2) Seize the assets of

the GCB.-Legalized highway robbery!

(3) Put padlocks on their office doors- Promoting unemployment of the Board staff and preventing innocent cricketers from plying their trade.

(4) Search the homes of their Executives- Widespread fear, harassment and humiliation of innocent citizens utilizing state resources.

(5) Prosecute members of their Executive CommitteeWhimsical persecution and trial by vengeance.

(6) Enact flawed legislation to control cricket-Loss of International cricket to our shores.

Apparently, “obiter dicta” or “pronouncements” or “utterances”, as the Attorney General describes it, when made by the CJ, can be interpreted conveniently to the advantage of Mr. Nandalall and his friends.

I do hope the Attorney General is not suggesting that the Honourable Chief Justice, Ian Chang, talks too much.

On another note, I do wish the Joint Opposition good luck so that Sir Fenton R a m s a h o y e ’s wishes can be realised or should a private citizen now institute the criminal charge?

Yours Sincerely, Anand Dyal.

BBC Sport - Moeen Ali’s century led England to a 119run victory over Scotland and a first win of the World Cup. Moeen scored 128 and shared 172 for the first wicket with the stuttering Ian Bell, who contributed 54. But, when they were parted, England could only manage 131 runs in the final 20 overs as they posted 303-8.

Still, it was too many for Scotland, who never threatened an upset, despite Kyle Coetzer’s 71, and were bowled out for 184, with Steven Finn taking 3-26.

Following heavy defeats against co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, the success in Christchurch provides England with a muchneeded morale boost. However, little can be learned as to whether England are in better shape for the sterner tests to come - starting with Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday - given the nature of the opposition.

Scotland are the lowestranked one-day international side in Pool A and slip to the bottom of the table following the three-wicket defeat by New Zealand in their opening game.

Preston Mommsen’s side face Afghanistan on Thursday, likely to be their best chance for success in the tournament.

Still, there were times when they troubled England.

An attack which began poorly improved to take eight wickets in the final 20 overs and ensure that Eoin Morgan’s men did not fully capitalise on a platform of 1720 after the first 30.

At one point around the beginning of the batting powerplay, England lost three wickets for two runs in three overs, Moeen being caught on the leg-side boundary from the off-spin of Majid Haq,

The opening stand of 172 by Moeen Ali and Ian Bell is the biggest of the 2015 World Cup so far. (Getty Images)

Kyle Coetzer scored his fifth ODI half-century. (Reuters) Gary Ballance continuing his poor run by chopping on to his own stumps and Joe Root edging behind.

Before that, Moeen, who gave a half-chance to cover on only seven, scored freely, particularly through fierce pull shots and lofts down the ground.

His 107-ball knock included five sixes and 12 fours and his second ODI century is also his highest score.

In contrast, Bell never looked fluent, scratching his way to a half-century in an 85ball innings that contained only two fours.

It was Bell’s wicket, caught at extra cover off the medium pace of Richie Berrington, that began England’s slide, a decline halted by the late impetus of Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler.

Patient at first, Morgan accelerated to a 42-ball 46, including two sixes, while Buttler contributed an inventive 24 from 14 deliveries.

If the win was most welcome for England, then next will be the runs scored by Morgan, who had managed only 19 in his previous five innings.

The target of 304 always seemed beyond Scotland and they never came close to pulling off a first win against a Test-playing side as they slumped to a 10th defeat in as

many World Cup matches joining the Netherlands with the worst record in the tournament’s history.

England put in comfortably their best bowling performance of the tournament, admittedly under little pressure, picking up wickets at regular intervals.

Finn, who conceded 49 runs in two overs against New Zealand, was the pick of the seamers, while Moeen (2-47) had Coetzer caught at longon to end his resistance for 71.

Coetzer had earlier added 60 with Mommsen, who swept Root to deep square leg to spark the collapse that accelerated the end of the contest.

Six Scotland players were dismissed for singles figures as they lost their final seven wickets for 70 runs.

There were two wickets apiece for James Anderson and Chris Woakes, ensuring England’s margin of victory was extremely comfortable.

But, the fact it could have been greater suggests there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Scores: England 303-8 (50 overs): Moeen 128, Bell 54, Davey 4-68; Scotland 184 (42.2 overs): Coetzer 71, Finn 3-26.

Result: England won by 119 runs.