Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

Turkey blames Kurdish militants for Ankara bomb; vows reprisals

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (L) visits a victim of Wednesday’s car bombing at a hospital in Ankara, Turkey yesterday. REUTERS/Yasin Bulbul/ Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters Reuters - Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed a Syrian Kurdish militia fighter working with Kurdish militants inside Turkey for a suicide car bombing that killed 28 people in the capital Ankara, and he vowed retaliation in both Syria and Iraq. A car laden with explosives detonated next to military buses as they waited at traffic lights near Turkey’s armed forces’ headquarters, parliament and government buildings in the administrative heart of Ankara late on Wednesday. Davutoglu said the attack was clear evidence that the YPG, a Syrian Kurdish militia that has been supported by the United States in the fight against Islamic State in northern Syria, was a terrorist organisation and that Turkey, a NATO member, expected cooperation from its allies in combating the group. Within hours, Turkish warplanes bombed bases in northern Iraq of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state and which Davutoglu accused of collaborating in the car bombing. Turkey’s armed forces also shelled YPG positions in northern Syria yesterday, a security source said. Davutoglu said the artillery fire would continue and promised that those responsible for the Ankara attack would “pay the price”. “Yesterday’s attack was directly targeting Turkey and the perpetrator is the YPG and the divisive terrorist organisation PKK. All neces-

sary measures will be taken against them,” Davutoglu said in a televised speech. President Tayyip Erdogan also said initial findings suggested the Syrian Kurdish militia and the PKK were behind the bombing and said that 14 people had been detained. The political arm of the YPG, denied involvement in the bombing, while a senior member of the PKK said he did not know who was responsible. The attack was the latest in a series of bombings in the past year mostly blamed on Islamic State militants. Turkey is getting dragged ever deeper into the war in neighbouring Syria and is trying to contain some of the fiercest violence in decades in its predominantly Kurdish southeast. The YPG militia, regarded

by Ankara as a hostile insurgent force deeply linked to the PKK, has taken advantage in recent weeks of a major Syrian army offensive around the northern city of Aleppo, backed by Russian air strikes, to seize ground from Syrian rebels near the Turkish border. That has alarmed Turkey, which fears the advances will stoke Kurdish separatist ambitions at home. It has been bombarding YPG positions in an effort to stop them taking the town of Azaz, the last stronghold of Turkish-backed Syrian rebels north of Aleppo before the Turkish frontier. Hundreds of Syrian rebels with weapons and vehicles have re-entered Syria from Turkey over the last week to reinforce insurgents fending off the Kurdish-led assault on Azaz, rebel sources said yesterday.

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Second term for CARICOM PNP to field questions from RJR after opting out of debates Secretary-General, following unanimous vote

KINGSTON, Jamaica – After opting out of the national debates organised by the Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC), the People’s National Party on Thursday said it has accepted an invitation from the RJR Communications Group to take part in a 90-minute session focusing on the 2016 general election. However, at least one journalist, who is also the president of the Press Association of Jamaica, Dionne Jackson Miller, has said that she will not participate in the RJR Group session with the PNP. Speaking on RJR’s Hotline with Emily Shields, Jackson Miller said: “I won’t be participating and I have told Milton Walker about my position already.” Walker is head of News and Sports at RJR. A news release from the governing party Thursday said that a PNP contingent, led by party President Portia Simpson Miller, would field questions from a group of journalists drawn from within the RJR Group’s newsroom.

PLACENCIA, Belize – CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has been re-appointed to a second term of office. CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister of Belize Dean Barrow, made the announcement during the closing press conference of the CARICOM Heads of Government Intersessional Meeting in Belize Wednesday. LaRocque’s initial fiveyear appointment ends in August, but Barrow told the media that Heads of Government decided to deal with the matter of his reappointment at this session, because they felt the next meeting in July was too close to the expiration of The session will be broadcast before February 22, the release added. Minister of Finance and PNP campaign director Peter Phillips said the party views the RJR session as “a feasible and indeed an equidistant” opportunity to the national debates in which the party

has refused to participate. The PNP said the refusal was sparked by Opposition Leader Andrew Holness’ failure to fulfil certain criteria demanded by the PNP, which included an apology to Simpson Miller for an “insulting reference” to her. (Jamaica Observer)

Irwin LaRocque the appointment. “I’m pleased to say that there was unanimous agree-

ment for the SG’s reappointment,” the host prime minister disclosed. “I want to make clear that, on a personal note, I am as convinced as anyone else, and perhaps more so, that the Secretary-General has done an exemplary job – his commitment to reform, the changes he has already made along the lines of obliging the Secretariat and the Community to become more productive, more efficacious, are well known. And he has done all this while remaining throughout, extremely even tempered and accessible.” The Dominican is the seventh Secretary-General of CARICOM.

Health Divide…

Wealthy Getting Faster And Better Care Daily Nation - Health care in Barbados may be free but Barbadians with money are getting faster and easier access to care, a medical doctor has revealed. Lecturer in public health at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr Natasha Sobers-Grannum, said research was showing several instances of inequities in the country’s highly touted health care system. She was speaking on Tuesday night at

the Ministry of Health’s third town hall meeting at Alexandra School, St Peter. “Over the past two years with the research we did . . . things like life expectancy and health care access differ by things that they should not differ by,” she said. The clinician added that she had seen health care outcomes in Barbados differ by things such as gender, educational and occupational standards, which should not be.

Dr Natasha Sobers-Grannum

The Gleaner - The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has announced a series of actions that Member States are to take to confront the Zika virus that is affecting the region. The course of action includes continuous public education, implementation of measures at ports of entry, health facilities, schools, private enterprises such as hotels and tourism facilities, factories and other businesses. Greater Prime Minister of Belize and Chairman of the Conference of the CARICOM

Heads of Government Dean Barrow says entities would be encouraged to do whatever was necessary, including fogging to render them free of aedes egypti breeding. The Chairman outlined that governments were being asked to reduce import tax on essential public health supplies such as insecticidetreated bed nets and insect repellent for the duration of the epidemic in the region which they estimated would be approximately two years. Prime Minister Barrow also announced that the sec-

ond week of May would be designated as ‘Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week’. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to respond to outbreaks of Zika in the Americas. The World Health Organisation has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) because of microcephaly and other neurological disorders in some areas affected by Zika.

CARICOM Announces Actions To Confront Zika Virus In Region

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

Defendant in Land Court judge attack denies statements …voir dire ordered

Damien Millington Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul, who is presiding over the trial of the five men accused of robbing and terrorizing land court judge, Nicola Pierre, and her husband, Mohamed Chand, has ruled that the court will commence a Voir Dire trial. This was revealed yesterday, when the matter continued in the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts. Magistrate Ally-Seepaul said that the court will embark on a voir dire (trial with a trial) to

ascertain whether an oral confession and caution statement given by Damien Millington will be admitted into evidence. It will also determine if they were willingly or involuntarily given. According to the Magistrate, Prosecutor Nigel Hughes had led evidence that Millington made a verbal statement to police on July 16, 2015 at Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Eve Leary. The statement was read aloud in court by the Magistrate. But Millington denied ever doing so. The Magistrate then told Millington that the police are also alleging that he gave a caution statement and signed to it. However, Millington who is the number two defendant claimed that he was forced to sign the statement. The defendant was advised by the Magistrate that he has the right to call witnesses to support his case. The Voir Dire trial begins on Wednesday (February 24). Continued on page 12

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THE LADY AND HER $50,000 BLINDS She was holding an oversized shopping bag. “Like you were out shopping?” her neighbour bellowed from next door. “Is Christmas, and I see these lovely blinds selling and just had to get them for the house?” The neighbour took a peek into her bag. “Wow!” she exclaimed. They are lovely. Is how much you paid for those?” “$50,000 for the ten pieces,” she replied Like you loaded for Christmas, asked the neighbour, “Where are you getting all this money from, I see you are also re-carpeting your floor and repainting the exterior of your house?” “I spend my money wisely. I want a nice house and therefore I use my money to get what I want inside and outside my home,” she replied. One month after, the same woman was seen welldressed stepping out of her yard. As things would have it, the ever-inquisitive neighbour was peeking through her window at the same time. “Like you going to pay your rates and taxes early

this year?” the neighbour asked. “Rates and taxes? I have no time with that. I don’t have money for that now. They have to wait!” It is a familiar story in Guyana. People spend money on expensive blinds and furnishings on their homes, yet their rates and taxes, payable for the services provided by the municipality, is amongst the least of their priorities. It was not always this way. Back in the day, people struggled hard to find the money to secure a property. They worked hard and saved enough to maintain their homes. They placed a high premium on home ownership and they did not want to be in arrears with the municipalities, and so they paid their rates and taxes on time. There were usually long lines at City Hall from the second day of January. People lined up to pay their taxes because they did not wish their properties to be seized or even to be in default, since that constituted a source of embarrassment. These days, people are tardy in the payment of rates and taxes. In some cases, if

the Councils do not offer amnesty on interest, the rates and taxes are never paid. It is not as if homeowners cannot afford to pay their rates and taxes. The rates and taxes for homeowners are dog cheap. It is the business community which has to shoulder high rates. Yet we read about some 30% of homeowners in the city now paying their rates and taxes as due. The government has signalled that rates and taxes have to be increased. The existing rates and taxes cannot finance basic services provided to homeowners. Residential rates and taxes need to be increased five-fold. The rates for businesses need to be halved. Greater equity is needed in the system. Homeowners have had it easy for too long. The services they received have been cross-subsidized by businesses and by government. That is coming to an end. Local government

elections will initiate a new dispensation. Local government authorities will enjoy a higher revenue base, because the government has signalled that it is prepared to raise rates and taxes, and from all indications, these rates will raise significantly. Do not tell that to the lady who bought the $50,000 blinds for Christmas. She is not going to be shortchanged. She will pass on any increase in rates and taxes to her tenants. They will have to pay any increase demanded by the municipality. It is commendable that the government is moving towards increasing rates and taxes, but in so doing they should also offer greater protection for tenants, who in the final analysis are pressured every time homeowners face increased costs.

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

MEN RISKING THEIR LIVES FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS There is a letter in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News that is more sad evidence of what a wasteland Guyana has become since the sixties. Of course I don’t expect the traffic signals at the junction of UG Road and the Railway Embankment, close to where I live, to be repaired, even though I wrote several times about how dangerous is the crossing there without the signals. The Minister responsible to fix that, David Patterson, is a personal friend. I have not spoken to David since July last year when I asked him to intervene to get a cleaner paid. The cleaner had worked for a private contractor employed by David’s Ministry. The chap was never paid. I have not spoken to any Minister that I consider a friend the past eight months except Ronald Bulkan, to

whom I paid a formal visit on Wednesday on behalf of an employee. I am convinced that we are dealing with the same overdeveloped state that this country lived under during the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal. In the compound where I live, water has been gushing for several days outside my neighbour ’s yard. We reported it three days now to GWI. They aren’t going to come, because the overdeveloped state does not operate with the concept of service to the population. The overdeveloped state is driven by the need to use and expand power. Yesterday I went into Budget Supermarket on Sheriff Street, and one of the friendly attendants, Ramona, rushed up to me, “Please Mr. Kissoon, you have to write about the Georgetown Hospital; I had my sick baby

at the emergency and the waiting was really, long; why you have to wait so long?” Strangely, there was no vexation on my face. I was smiling when I said to her; “Do you know how many times I have done that?” As I walked out of the supermarket, she beseeched me again. I promised to write. I am writing it here. But centuries from now, Guyanese will complain about the Georgetown Public Hospital. Poor Ramona! She will live her decent life, work hard for her income, but may never understand that her country does not exist. Her baby will grow and take winged impulse, finally finding peace of mind in another land. Here is an extract from that letter which has the title, “Do lives matter in this country?” What you are about to read is pathetic, but the bitter irony is that this disrespect for

human lives was part of a programme to celebrate 50 years of Independence. The psyche is lacerated and the tear will never heal once Guyana is like this. Here is the quote; “The photo captured workmen manually lifting what appears to be a 10’’x 10’’ greenheart plank, up the steps of the temporary seating accommodation for the Republic Flag Raising ceremony. This photo is troubling because it appears that the safety of workers and visitors to the site is being ignored. Not only were the men not attired with the requisite safety gears, but one of the said workers was barefooted…Some visitors who appeared to be integrally involved with the execution of the project were also observed without safety gears.” (End of quote)

Well, you cannot get a greater irony than that. Here is the country planning a swashbuckling, coruscating celebration to mark not five years but fifty years (which is half a century) of Independence and a graphic manifestation of it is barefoot workers manually fetching poles up the stairs of a podium, when the machine to do that was invented more than fifty years ago. But the irony has a joke to it. Here is a country in the 21st century that banned used tyres and imported cars that are over eight years old, but has labourers fetching huge poles up the stairs of a platform, the very platform that speakers will use to offer gigantic panegyrics to Guyana for accomplishing fifty years of Independence. Here is another quote from that same letter written by

Frederick Kissoon Jeumayne Dummett; “It is frightening to imagine what would have been the result if an accident was to occur”. I do not want to be cynical with Mr. Dummett, who is an educated man, but I am tempted to ask him which country he lives in. He wrote it would be frightening to know the result if an accident had occurred. Such accidents have occurred in the past in this country and the results have been horrible. And all because lives do not matter in a primitive, parched landscape like Guyana.

Dem boys seh...

Kwame people singing and chanting in dem cage Guyana is one country in which people wid friends in high places does get away wid murder. Police use to see criminals in action and tun dem face. When dem boys complain de same police use to seh that de Goat man in charge and he does call de shots. De same Goat man did issue instruction to de police to lef Kwame and that if any of dem only arrest him that person would have to answer to de Goat Man. De Creatah don’t sleep. He does probably blink and in de blink of an eye de Goat Man exhibit he powers. De blink done and Rum Jattan sitting down in de Goat man chair. From de time that happen is nuff things change, Kwame who use to beat people like when women beating clothes spending some time in a cage wid tears in he eyes and he belly griping. Jagdeo does run to defend him. Not this time. Instead, de Goat Man put out a statement about political prisoners. Last night was loud singing. Dem boys seh de harmony was fantastic. When de first song done, everybody understand de tune that Kwame was de person who organize de filth that some of he boys throw pun Freddie.

De second song had even more harmony. While some singing some was chanting. One man chant, “Is not me, Is Kwame.” That was when de Chat-3 send a lawyer to see if he coulda get de men out of de lockups. He tell de police how de men get beat up. See-all don’t mek joke, suh he tell he men to send all of dem to de hospital. One man seh nutten ain’t happen to him and he don’t want see doctor. Kwame seh de same thing. Jason seh how he foot break, but de X-ray can’t see de break. Dem boys seh is a magic break. One minute he walking good, and de other he limping when people looking. One thing is certain; a murder charge coming and some of dem in de party start cutting spike nail again. Dem issue statement ‘bout political prisoner even as people chanting ‘bout Kwame. Dem boys seh that de talk about political prisoner is because dem frighten more name gun call. Imagine Jagdeo name calling in a murder charge. That would be shocking. Talk half and remember to keep yuh hand to yuhself.

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

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CARICOM agrees to lobby UN, US Defendant in Land... Congress on ‘de-risking’ issue The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will employ the full gamut of options available to it to confront the banking crisis that is threatening the region, says Chair of the Community and Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow. He underscored the necessity for collective action, sensitisation and mobilisation. Among the steps Heads of Government decided on at their Twenty-Seventh Intersessional Meeting which concluded in Belize on Wednesday, was the establishment of a high level advocacy group, led by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston Browne. Prime Minister Browne’s mission is to represent the Community’s interest at all levels, including with the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, and the United States Congress. “The goal is to underline to all the key players, including the US Congress “how absolutely existential this issue is for us,” Prime Minister Barrow said. A letter under the Chairman’s hand is also to be dispatched to the President of the United States. The threat relates to the possible loss of access to international financial markets by mainly the regional indigenous banks. Several international banks mainly in the US and Europe have signalled to client banks in the region, an unwillingness to continue carrying their business. The so-called ‘de-risking’ by the global banks threatens

Belize PM/CARICOM Chairperson, Dean Barrow to impact several critical services including remittance transfers. International trade and the facilitation of credit card settlements for local clients are among the other effects the region faces. At a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Placencia, Belize, Prime Minister Barrow dealt at length with the issue of correspondent banking relations and conceded that there was no simple solution. “It is going to take a great deal of doing. All we can say is that we are determined to pursue all possible means until we get the kind of resolution that we want,” he told media representatives. Prime Minister Browne’s mission, Mr. Barrow pointed out, was just one avenue through which the community hoped to find a solution to the

problem which he had earlier described as a “possible correspondent banking Armageddon” and for which the region had to wage a relentless war. PM Barrow pointed to the scenario in Montserrat to emphasise the gravity of the situation, noting that the member state has only two banks and they are “having their status revoked”. He reiterated that banking regulators had assured that there was “no problem with our jurisdictions” and added that all CARICOM member states were Financial Action Task Force-compliant. He rejected, outright, the notion that corruption in governments may be one of the factors responsible for the de-risking. “When the CARICOM Mission begins its campaign, it will involve not just talking to regulators - and I imagine part of that conversation will then be focusing on the declared willingness of regulators to look at the infrastructure to see if it can be made less stringent while still retaining its effectiveness. But the mission will also talk to correspondent banks, in the same way that Belize as an individual country has been attempting to do. And we recognise that the conundrum of the correspondent banks not

wanting to assume the burden of the regulatory requirements, given that the returns from our business are fairly small, is something that we have to address,” the Chairman said. The Chairman recommended that CARICOM member states pool their business to achieve critical mass, and to make it worthwhile for the correspondent banks. The governors of regional Central Banks, and the Committee of Ministers of Finance on Correspondent Banking, that Heads of Government have established, will consider the modalities of that recommendation. “There is no doubt that as a group and acting collectively we can achieve far more, certainly in relation to this particular issue, than if we try to go our separate routes. So I think there is a lesson in all this: that despite the difficulties and despite accepting certain realities, we must never lose sight of or let go of the ultimate need for us to move together as one Community,” Prime Minister Barrow said.

From page 9 Millington, 22, of Lot 118 Caesar Street, Agricola; Premnauth Samaroo; Nicholas Narine, 18, also of Caesar Street Agricola; Anthony David, 28 of 63 Hadfield Street, Stabroek and Warren Mc Kenzie, 22 of Lot 18 Brutus Street, Agricola; are jointly facing three charges, two for the offence of robbery under-arms committed on Pierre and her husband Mohamed Chand, and another for the offence of discharging a loaded firearm at security guard, Ron Peters. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently on remand. Pierre, Chand and Peters have completed giving their testimonies. They have so far positively identified four of the defendants (Samaroo, Millington, Narine and McKenzie) as the ones who were part of the robbery/ invasion that occurred on

July 9, last in the gated community of Felicity, East Coast Demerara. According to reports, heavily-armed bandits inflicted a brutal beating on the Land Court Judge and her husband after overpowering on-duty Special Constable, Ron Peters before storming the couple’s home. The couple was attacked while asleep. The duo was gunbutted into unconsciousness after the men gained entry to their home via a window. The robbers carted off a small safe containing US$7,000, jewellery, and a suitcase containing other valuables. But they were forced to drop their loot after coming under gunfire from a security guard who was stationed at a businessman’s home nearby. Pierre sustained a broken jaw and other injuries, while her husband received severe injuries to his right eye. He has since lost the eye.

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Bandits rob C’tyne shop Detainees admit throwing feces... owner of thousands in cash and jewellery The police are on the hunt for three armed bandits who, just before 22:00h on We d n e s day, robbed a Corentyne businessman and his family of a large quantity of money and jewellery before making good their escape. The masked men were

armed with two guns and knife, Information revealed that businessman Dharmen Ramkisoon, 40, of Lot 339 Train Line Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, was about to close his shop which is situated on the bottom flat of his two storey wood and

concrete house when he was accosted by the thieves. As he was about to close up the shop, one of the gunmen held on to him demanding cash and jewellery. He was badly beaten and forced back into the shop to hand over money. The bandits grabbed two hundred thousand dollars. Not satisfied, they forced the man into his bedroom where he handed over US $300 and a quantity of gold jewellery. The thieves then made good their escape. Although the yard is well fenced and the house is well grilled, the bandits were still able to carry out the attack. No one has been arrested. Investigations are ongoing.

From page 3 Jagdeo era would now get justice. “This county needs to see the process taking place for those who suffered during the Jagdeoite period,” Kissoon stated, adding that he welcomes the possible prosecution of the perpetrators, even though it is belated. “People who do wrong things to citizens must pay the penalty,” Kissoon stated. He said that he had always suspected that Hinds, a selfconfessed hitman, was somewhat involved, since the description he gave of the vehicle that the perpetrators used, fit the car that Hinds owns. However, he believes that the attack “goes way beyond Kwame McCoy, Hinds and Abdulla.” Apart from confessing to the Kissoon attack, Kaieteur News understands that the men also admitted to attacking former Guyana Power and Light Inc. Finance Director Aeshwar Deonarine in De-

cember 2012. Meanwhile, the police have secured permission from the court to continue to hold Abdulla for a further 72 hours. Abdulla was first detained on Monday, and his mandatory period of detention would have ended yesterday afternoon. The suspect yesterday complained to his attorney, George Gomes that he was tortured by the police and had suffered a fractured right foot. As a result of the complaint, he was taken to the Georgetown Hospital where he was examined by a doctor who found no evidence of the broken foot. When this newspaper visited the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday, Abdulla was being escorted out of the hospital's Accident and Emergency Unit by two detectives. There are reports that he told the medical personnel that he suffered a fractured

foot after investigators had beaten him during interrogation. However, after seeing no signs of a fractured limb, he was sent to a private hospital to do an X-ray. Just as he was leaving the hospital, he told reporters that the police put “something” over his head and brutally assaulted him. With his right foot in a bandage, he said, “They beat me bad. They put something over my head and beat me. Not for long though.” Not wanting to take any chances, the doctor at the GPHC referred him to a private hospital for an x-ray, where again no evidence of a fracture was found. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told this newspaper that he is aware of the complaint made by Abdulla, and has advised the suspect to report it to the police's Office of Professional Responsibility so that an investigation can be carried out.

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Professor Opadeyi takes credit for improving UG’s financial situation Raising the financial status of the University of Guyana (UG) is an achievement that is being flaunted by immediate past Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi. Reflecting on his threeyear tenure at the national tertiary institution, the Nigeria-born Professor bragged about increasing the tuition fee, a feat that was not achieved in the past 20 years. “That has put us in the black, when we used to be in the red. We have not only increased the tuition fee (but) we have built into the system a five per cent increase every year to go with inflation so that the University will remain in the black,” he asserted. But his achievement has not been limited to improving the financial situation at the University. This was validated by University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) President, Joshua Griffith. Griffith during an interview with this publication disclosed that the improvements realised under Professor Opadeyi’s tenure included an improved bursary structure, efforts to pay off owed utilities after years of indebtedness, and attempts to regularise NIS contributions on behalf of staffers. “There are a lot of

Former UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi positives that he would have contributed to at the University and we appreciate his service. A lot of his implementations have indeed improved a lot of the management issues on the campus...we can’t deny that,” Griffith stressed. It was during Professor Opadeyi’s tenure that the University introduced its online degree programme which has been allowing students from as far as Lethem, Essequibo, and other far-flung areas to take advantage of courses offered. But according to him, “we need to do more so that more people can have access to University education.” The Vice Chancellor is also taking credit for

encouraging a culture at the University whereby faculty members have been striving to advance their level of qualifications. He revealed that when he commenced his tenure, about 87 lecturers had Bachelor of Science qualifications. But Professor Opadeyi insisted that “this is a no-no at any University; the minimum you need is a Master’s Degree.” Professor Opadeyi’s tenure came to an end on Monday last (February 15, 2016) and he was happy to report that the Bachelor of Science-qualified lectures have been reduced to a mere 33. Those who have not commenced the process of advancing their qualifications have been given a three-year ultimatum to do so, he informed. In the quest to help improve the quality of lecturers at the University, Professor Opadeyi revealed that the University has partnered with other universities that offer scholarships. And enhancing the quality of staffers was touted as particularly important, since according to Professor Opadeyi, “once you improve the quality of your lecturers the quality of their delivery will improve.” Added to this, he

disclosed that the University is committed to paying the fees of library staff desirous of pursuing degrees in library science. Professor Opadeyi, in boasting of the high quality of programmes that the University is able to offer, went on to assert that “the examination process is still very rigorous and our lecturers do deliver quality programmes.” This is in spite of the fact that the University last year lost its international accreditation status for its School of Medicine. The loss of the accreditation, however, was not due to the quality of the programme offered, but rather, other issues, including some infrastructural concerns. But according to Professor Opadeyi, he has been able to considerably better the infrastructural situation and general

atmosphere at UG. “If you were at the University three years ago and (came back) now, you would see how much cleaner the environment is, and that took a lot of doing. We are also very pleased with the donation of over 2,000 chairs...and we added 1,000 more (too); so students don’t have to move them from one class to another.” But a challenge that faced the University even before Professor Opadeyi’s arrival and continues to face the University even after his departure, is that almost 70 per cent of the student population can only attend classes in the evening. “When they get to class after work they are too tired and the next morning they have to go to work. There is no time to engage them in discussions, but I wish we can get a situation where our

students can come to class at 9 o’clock (9 am) and they can engage in full discussions,” Professor Opadeyi intimated. In fact he is of the firm conviction that “a good university student doesn’t need to go to class every day, but because our classes are packed in the evening they have to attend class every day and have assignment after assignment...because they are all full-time workers, all they are interested in is the examination.” In an attempt to help address this state of affairs, he disclosed that the University implemented a system to allow students to highlight issues that they face. This however has thus far not yielded the desired results, as according to Professor Opadeyi “students can complain more to us and things will be better, but our students do not complain.”

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Govt. seems afraid to face the truth - Former Pres.

Walter Rodney COI…

Former President Donald Ramotar says that he is extremely disturbed and disappointed with the way the APNU+AFC regime has treated the Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances that led to the assassination of Walter Rodney. This Commission, he reminded, had the mandate to identify those responsible for Rodney’s murder. Ramotar said that as is well known, Walter Rodney was one of Guyana’s most renounced scholars and revolutionists. He said that the great orator was not just a patriot, but a man who commanded the respect of the International community. He emphasized that the Guyana scholar was also held in very high esteem among the fighters for social emancipation in the Caribbean region and further afield, particularly in Africa. The Former President said that the circumstances surrounding his untimely death have left a gaping wound in the conscience of

…Says treatment of COI Commissioners “unpardonable”

The late Walter Rodney the Guyanese society. He asserted that it has also damaged the reputation of the country among democratic and peace-loving people in the world. Ramotar recalled that when he established the Commission of Inquiry, it was with the hope that its work would bring closure to “this horrible episode in our country and heal the wound to this nation’s conscience.” The Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said that the

Inquiry was also aimed at bringing closure to the family, whose sufferings over the years can only be imagined. Ramotar expressed, “I had hoped that bringing out the truth would have helped to heal many of the rifts that exist in our society. After many consultations I appointed three eminent legal personalities from our Region to undertake that important assignment.” The politician said that unfortunately, from the beginning, the APNU/AFC government showed great hostility to the Rodney Commission. He said that the Government brought the inquiry to a premature end after millions were already spent on this project. He opined, “They seem uninterested in getting to the truth or are afraid to have the truth exposed.” Ramotar said that many important persons were still

to be heard from while testimonies by others were incomplete. The former President said that the regime not only denied the Commissioners the time to question many of the players of that time, but its treatment of the Commissioners when they came to present their report from the work done, was unpardonable. Ramotar said, “They (the Commissioners) could not meet the President and the Attorney General (Basil Williams) described their delivery of the report to his office as disrespectful. It was later revealed that it was Mr. Williams who requested that the report be taken to his office. This is an insult to our Caribbean legal professionals. The regime only pays lip service to Caribbean unity and togetherness.” The PPP Executive Member questioned, “Why

this type of behaviour 36 years after Walter Rodney’s brutal murder?” He said that it would appear as though the PNCled APNU/AFC regime is preparing to reject the Commission’s report and to continue to dishonour the memory of Walter Rodney. He said that it will only go down as another “shameful page in the conduct of our affairs by this de facto regime.” It was only a few days ago that members of the Walter Rodney Commission Seenath Jairam, S.C and Sir Richard Cheltenham, attempted to explain the circumstances surrounding the handing over of the final report of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry. In a detailed statement, Commissioner Seenath Jairam, S.C, reassured that the reason the report was not handed over to President David Granger and to the Office of the Attorney General instead, was because they received instructions to do so, because President Granger was unavailable at the time.

Former President, Donald Ramotar He revealed that he was advised by the Attorney General to deliver the Report to his office. “As the Commissioners we felt that it would be improper and inappropriate to deliver a Presidential Report to the Office of the Attorney General, and that we should try to discover when the President could receive us. With that in mind, the Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham did try twice unsuccessfully to reach the President.”

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 27

CARICOM decides on measures to curb Zika virus spread

Care of elderly receives keen attention from Public Health Ministry

Prime Minister of Belize and Chairman of the Conference of the CARICOM Heads of Government, Dean Barrow, on Wednesday announced a series of actions that member states will take to confront the Zika virus that is affecting the region. The course of action includes continuous public education, implementation of measures at ports of entry, health facilities, schools, private enterprises (such as hotels and tourism facilities), factories and other businesses. He said entities would be encouraged to do whatever was necessary, including fogging to render them free of Aedes Aegypti breeding. The chairman outlined that governments were being asked to reduce import tax on essential public health supplies such as insecticidetreated bed nets and insect repellent for the duration of the epidemic in the region which they estimated would be approximately two years. Prime Minister Barrow

With a life expectancy rate that keeps increasing, Guyana, like other countries across the globe, has to pay close attention to a rising elderly population. In fact, according to Dr. Jean Seme Fils Alexandre of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), it is high time that Guyana puts measures in place to adequately cater to the health care needs of its elderly. Dr. Alexandre, who was speaking at recent stakeholders meeting convened by the Ministry of Public Health at Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, said, “it is absolutely imperative that all agencies and organizations plan and

also announced that the second week of May would be designated as ‘Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week’. “We have asked CARPHA and the CARICOM Secretariat to report to the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on health, which is an organ of the Community on the effectiveness of the course of action we’ve agreed, so there will be continuous monitoring and reporting,” the Chairman said. The announcements were made at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at the conclusion of the Twenty-seventh Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Placencia, Belize, that was held from 16-17 February 2016. Zika is a disease caused by the Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with

symptoms lasting for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. However, there have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly (a condition in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age) and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. On 22 January 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to respond to outbreaks of Zika in the Americas. On 1 February 2016 the World Health Organisation declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) because of microcephaly and other neurological disorders in some areas affected by Zika. On 8 February 2016 the CDC elevated its EOC to a level 1, the highest level.

Bus driver robs woman at knife point Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan ordered a minibus driver to post bail in the sum of $150,000 after he pleaded not guilty to an armed robbery charge when he appeared before her in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that on November 8, 2015 at Campbellville, Georgetown, Hale Forrester, armed with a knife, robbed Natasha Allen of a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phone among other items to the value of $252,800. The 47-year-old man who resides at Second Street, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, was ordered to

- court hears

Hale Forrester return to court on March 7, before Magistrate Dylon Bess. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones did oppose to bail for the defendant. He had pointed

out the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. However, his objections were overruled by the Magistrate. Jones told the court that Forrester managed to escape after committing the crime. He said that on February 17, Allen spotted her assailant and contacted the police. But the defendant is claiming that he is being wrongfully accused of the offence. According to him, the alleged victim told police that she was robbed by someone on a motorcycle and he has never rode or owned one.

develop effective programmes to deal with the rapidly expanding aging population. Part of the PAHO/WHO work plan includes activities aimed at achieving maximum health for the elderly population. We are pleased to observe that the Ministry of Public Health has established a focal unit to deal specifically with elderly health care. PAHO/ WHO will continue to support the Ministry of Public Health in its strategies for the elderly population in Guyana”. But Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister within the Public Health Ministry, made it clear that her goal is in fact to provide the best quality health care possible, to all Guyanese. She noted that the

elderly, like any other group, are being catered to in the strategic plans of the Ministry, as it continues to reform and enhance its healthcare delivery services. The Minister pointed out, too, that in order to deliver tangible best quality health care to the elderly, there must be trained staff to be able to do so competently. “Health care of the elderly is integrated within the elements of primary health care in Guyana. However, I do believe we need to address, strategically, the provision of appropriate means and facilities of enhancing the training to health care workers operating in the health centres, so that they can deal competently, (Continued on page 29)

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Guyanese man indicted in US on 20 charges for murder of CEO, family Washington: The 35year-old man accused of brutally slaying a wealthy CEO, his wife, their son and their housekeeper inside their DC mansion has been indicted on 20 felonies. Darron Wint, of Lanham, Maryland, is facing 555 years in prison after he was charged with murdering 46-year-old Savvas Savopoulos, his wife Amy, 47, their 10-year-old son Philip and housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa, 57, before setting their house on fire on May 13, 2015. The list of indictments has revealed that he beat his victims with a baseball and then stabbed them with what is believed to have been a samurai sword at the

property near the home of Vice President Joe Biden. The document also states that the father-of-one burned 10-year-old Philip alive after knifing him. Guyanese-born Wint entered their home, kidnapped the family and extorted $40,000 from them as ransom before killing them, prosecutors say. A samurai sword from Mr Savopoulos’ martial arts collection and a baseball bat were also taken from the house and may have been used in the horrifying crime. Wint went on the run for a week and was eventually caught in Brooklyn, New York, after investigators matched his DNA to a pizza

crust he had left at the scene. Wint had previously only faced one murder count for the death of Mr Savopoulos, his former boss at American Iron Works, a major industrial company. He has now been charged with multiple counts of firstdegree murder for allegedly killing the three other family members. Wint was indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday on 20 felony charges, including first-degree murder while armed, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, arson and theft. The grand jury in the DC Superior Court found the murders were ‘especially heinous, atrocious or cruel,’ the US Attorney’s

Office in Washington D.C. said in a statement.. The seventh charge on the indictment reads: ‘While armed with a bat and other blunt force object and a sharp object (believed to be a samurai sword), in perpetrating and attempting to perpetrate the crime of kidnapping, as set forth in the second count of this indictment, killed Savvas Savopoulos by, among other things beating him with a bat and other blunt force object and stabbing him with a sharp object.’ Attorneys for Wint could not be immediately reached for comment, but his attorney, Natalie Lawson, said during his arraignment that the government’s case was ‘based on speculation and guesswork.’ He remains the only suspect in the murders. No one else was named on the indictment. Darron Wint allegedly entered the Northeast Washington DC home on May 13 and held the family and their housekeeper hostage for 18 hours while they arranged for $40,000 in cash to be dropped off at the home for their captor. After Mr Savopoulos’ assistant delivered the money the following morning, the victims were murdered and their bodies were found after the killer set the mansion on fire and fled. It emerged that the adults had all suffered fatal blunt force trauma before the blaze, while Philip Savopoulos died from sharp injuries and then burned to death. According to a search warrant that was released in June, police officers who responded to the Savopoulos’ $ 3million

mansion discovered a bloody baseball bat, which the killer allegedly used to bash the businessman in the head. His wife was found ‘with lacerations to her throat and head,’ according to the warrant, and the couples’ young son was discovered burned beyond recognition, The following week, Wint was named as a suspect after his DNA was allegedly found on the crust of a partiallyeaten slice of pepperoni pizza in a pizza box in the bedroom near where the three adults were found. The pie was one of two ordered by Amy Savopoulos the night of May 13 while the group was ‘being held against their will,’ the documents said. He was arrested as he left a hotel in Maryland almost a week after the murders. Three men and two women who were with him were also arrested but ultimately released without being charged. Wint, a failed US Marineturned-welder, has previous convictions for assault, as well as arrests for burglary. Records show he had had 39 brushes with the law in the past. A statement from the Justice Department’s DC office reads: ‘ Wint entered the Savopoulos home, seized and kidnapped the four victims, stole $40,000 through means of extortion, murdered the victims, and set fire to the house. After responding to reports of the fire, authorities discovered the bodies of Savvas Savopoulos, 46, Amy Savopoulos, 47, Philip Savopoulos, 10, and Veralicia Figueroa, 57. ‘Wint was indicted on a total of 12 counts of firstdegree murder while armed, all with aggravating circumstances. ‘The charges include four counts of first-degree murder while armed (felony murder) in the course of a kidnapping;

Indicted: Darron Wint four counts of first-degree murder while armed (felony murder) in the course of a burglary, and four counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed. ‘In addition, the grand jury indicted Wint on four counts of kidnapping and one count each of firstdegree burglary, extortion, arson, and first-degree theft. ‘In addition to the various substantive crimes specified in the indictment, the indictment charges Wint with specified ‘aggravating circumstances,’ including one finding that the murders were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel. ‘If these are found by a jury at trial, Wint could face a maximum of life imprisonment without the possibility of release on each of the 12 murder charges. ‘Each of the murder charges carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 30 years. ‘Additionally, each of the kidnapping counts involving the three adult victims carries a maximum sentence of 30 years; the kidnapping count involving Philip Savopoulos carries up to 45 years. ‘First-degree burglary also carries a 30-year maximum prison sentence, and arson, extortion, and firstdegree theft have maximum prison terms of 10 years each.’ He is set to appear in court today to be formally arraigned on the charges. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk)

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

Muslims courted as Govt. starts social cohesion consultations The Ministry of Social Cohesion yesterday hosted its first in a series of consultations with religious organisations and groups, starting with members of the Muslim community. The consultations are aimed at developing new strategies for the long-term attainment of national unity. Representatives from the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), the Guyana Muslim Mission, the Guyana Islamic Forum, the Muslim Youth League, the Guyana Islamic Trust, the Guyana International Relief Organisation, the Darul Uloom Centre of Islamic Education, among others, met with Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, in the Boardroom of the Ministry of the Presidency. “This is your opportunity to speak to us. We want to be able to undertake the initiatives that would [allow] us to partner in an atmosphere of trust,” Minister Ally said before the start of the meeting. “We want communities to be allowed to contribute in a strategic way. It is our duty to give you the opportunity to tell us how the Ministry and the Muslim community can collaborate to achieve this; how can we remove barriers to unity; how can communities be supported, how can we remove

inequalities? We want to talk about these issues openly and find solutions together. It is the only way we are going to progress and move this nation forward,” she said in a Government statement. The Minister informed the gathering that the meeting was not intended to be a oneoff discourse but rather, a series of consultations to ensure that all stakeholders are given a chance to contribute to and refine a plan of action that will allow the Ministry to achieve its mandate. “We cannot continue to live in Guyana as a divided society. Regardless of your political affiliation, religious beliefs, ethnicity. There is a need for us to work together to build our country. All of us want a good life and we must work together to achieve that,” Minister Ally said. Meanwhile, Shaheed Uthman, a representative of the Guyana Muslim MissionMasjid Muhammad, praised the initiative, noting that it is the first time that the organisation and the Muslim community has been contacted by any government on a matter of such national importance. At the close of the session, Minister Ally pledged to meet with the members of the newly formed group in the coming months and to seek further avenues for partnership.

Care of elderly receives... (From page 27) efficiently, and compassionately with the elderly,” the Minister said. Moreover, Minister Cummings asserted that the Ministry is striving to bolster its elderly health care services, pointing out that better efficiency will be derived in identifying health risks and detecting diseases earlier. “Timely intervention and prevention of complications, in a multi-disciplinary approach under best quality primary care settings will be the result of establishing best practices in elderly health care services,” the Minister said. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who also attended forum, underscored the commitment of the Public Health Ministry to provide holistic health care to all Guyanese, including the elderly. Noting that the elderly population in Guyana has grown over the years and will continue to grow, Dr. Persaud mentioned the need to plan strategically to ensure that adequate provisions are made for the equitable

delivery of health care to the elderly. Representatives at the stakeholder meeting included the Ministry of Social Protection, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Salvation Army, Dharm Shala, Palms Geriatric Home, Archer’s Home, Anglican Diocese of Guyana, and Rastafarian Council, among others. The event was coordinated by the Public Health Ministry’s Director of Women’s and Elderly Health Unit, Dr. Melissa DeHaarte. It comes at a time when the Ministry is striving to ensure that the quality of Public Health offered in all areas of the health sector is of the best quality. The forum was one that was intended to discuss a strategic way forward in offering quality health care to the elderly in Guyana. The stakeholders’ meeting allowed the Ministry to garner pertinent views from a number of organizations on the most efficient and effective ways to provide excellent, accessible, yet caring health care services to the elderly in Guyana.

Page 29

Probe still underway for nurse who tended to shot criminals Investigators are still working on a case against a nurse, who was arrested in December for reportedly providing medical services to known criminals, who were injured during robberies. She worked away from the hospital. After completing the file, ranks will then forward it to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further advice, according to a credible police official. As of now, the nurse, who was working at the Georgetown Public Hospital

Corporation (GPHC) up to December 30, last, is out on station bail. She has to report to the police station frequently. “She hasn’t been charged as yet, but she is assisting the police with investigations. We are building a case against her, so we have her reporting to the station,” the official stressed. The nurse could be charged with aiding and harbouring a fugitive, since intelligence reportedly revealed that she was the nurse who provided medical

assistance to one of five gunmen, who was shot when businessman, Nicholas Coates, returned fire during a robbery on November 23, last. Coates was also shot to the leg. This newspaper was told that one of the bandits, who was later arrested for the shooting, had exposed the nurse to the cops. A few days after the shooting, a tape surfaced with one of the gunmen complaining of being shot just as they were fleeing the scene. One of them spoke of

being put in trouble and immediately recommended that they go to ‘Christy’. This suggested that this individual had medical knowledge, was known to the criminal “underworld”, and was a first choice in the case of gunshot wounds. Kaieteur News understands that the nurse was arrested on December 30, last, at GPHC, after police gathered intelligence that identified her as a nurse who provided assistance to injured gunmen away from the hospital.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

SERVICES

SALON

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Friday February 19, 2016

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VEHICLE FOR SALE AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall: 680-3154 VACANCY 1 Massage therapist, 1 pedicurist for new spa-Call: 696-7337 for details Continued on page 31

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Relief Council donates supplies to fire victims From page 30

MASSAGE Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! –Call: 690-6079

One of the three fire victims yesterday talking with GRC’s Administrative Officer Lynette Carter (second from right) The Guyana Relief Council (GRC) yesterday donated hampers to four families who lost their homes and belongings in fires. The presentation was done at the NonGovernmental-Organization (NGO)’s head office at

Riverview, Ruimveldt, by the Administrative Officer of the GRC, Lynette Carter. Those who benefited from the donations were Patricia Mc Caddy (and her family of 12), of Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Lennox Clarke (and his family

of three), of 356 Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD); Cidel Hector, (and a family of three) of Ann’s Grove, ECD, and Lalta Persaud, (with a family of six) of Unity, Lancaster, ECD. Three of the families received mattresses, kitchen

utensils, clothing and groceries. The other family is being given assistance to purchase building materials. The NGO also assisted two other families who are experiencing difficult circumstances. For the year, the council has assisted 62 persons.

Sam Hinds refers to the barriers around Parliament From page 5 Coalition’s proposals on vehicles including trucks and on tires show how less attuned to and caring they are for the average Guyanese man and woman, than we of the PPP/C. · I sensed a focus in the presentations from the Government on monitoring and regulation and keeping citizens in line - with which I cannot protest, but an understanding and sympathy for what is involved in working and earning and learning as we produce the goods and services on which our prosperity is based, seemed to be lacking. · In Opposition members of the Coalition sought to persuade the Guyanese citizens that VAT should be greatly

reduced – but now in Office VAT is respectable and necessary and studies are still required. · Mr. Freddie Kissoon (in KN of 2016-02-17) has pointed out that the Coalition in Opposition seemed to be against the barriers put up around Parliament, but now with the Coalition in Government the barriers have been put further out! It is true that in the real world, Governments are not free to do as they would like to. They find themselves hemmed in on many sides. In as much as that is so, overall, we of the PPP/C when in office do better for people and country. As Dr. Jagan used to say in the early 1990s, “the cook matters”. Different cooks

From page 5 for help; a bicycle patrol unit for which these constables ride all day long doing nothing; an executive body protection unit to protect the Mayor and Town Clerk; a special investigations unit which never solves any crimes such as who breaks

and enters the markets. Mr. Mayor, how could you allow our hard earned taxpaying dollars to be squandered like that? Paying the Police Department and then paying a guard service to do what the Constabulary should be doing? Amber Valentine

Non-stop skullduggery at City Hall

given the same recipes, the same food items and put in the same kitchen provide meals that are not the same. We of the PPP/C have been the better cooks: we had no need to cut and run. The walkout was a dramatic protest to catch the attention of fellow Guyanese, a dramatic protest against the Coalition Government trampling on another Parliamentary convention. And trampling for what? To provide the Prime Minister the opportunity to speak

without fear of reply? The truly brave and strong and courageous and able, do not need to so arrange; and certainly one who has announced his earnest intent to head a team that would pursue some necessary working relationship between the Government and the opposition would not start with breaking a convention. Don’t trifle with the patriotism of us of the PPP/C. Samuel A A Hinds Former Prime Minister and Former President

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

Russia warns Assad not to snub Syria ceasefire plan Reuters - President Bashar al-Assad was out of step with the views of his main ally, Russia, when he said he planned to fight on until he re-established control over all of Syria, Russia’s envoy to the United Nations was quoted as saying yesterday. In the first public sign of cracks in the alliance between Moscow and Damascus, the envoy, Vitaly Churkin, said Russia had helped Assad turn the tide of the war so it was now incumbent on him to follow Russia’s line and commit to peace talks. Churkin said Russia was working towards a peaceful settlement for Syria, and that attempting to take back control over the whole country would be a futile exercise which would allow the conflict to drag on indefinitely. Asked in an interview with Kommersant newspaper about Assad’s comments that he would keep fighting until all rebels were defeated, Churkin said: “Russia has invested very seriously in this crisis, politically, diplomatically, and now also in the military sense. “Therefore we of course would like that Bashar al Assad should take account of that.” “I heard President Assad’s remarks on television... Of course they do not chime with the diplomatic efforts that Russia is undertaking.... The discussions are about a ceasefire, a cessation of hostilities in the foreseeable future. Work is underway

Bashar al-Assad

Vitaly Churkin

on this.” Moscow and Damascus have been in lock-step since the end of September last year, when Russia launched air strikes on Syria which focussed on attacking rebels opposed to Assad’s rule. The Russian strikes saved Assad’s forces from imminent collapse and turned the tide of the fighting in his favour, exasperating the United States and its allies which have been working for years to defeat him. Western diplomats expressed hope that Russia could use its influence over Assad to persuade him to start talks with armed opposition groups and eventually agree to step down. Unofficial reports have emerged of Assad refusing to meet opposition figures proposed by Moscow as potential negotiating partners, but Churkin’s remarks are the first public sign that Moscow is frustrated with Assad’s reluctance to compromise. On Assad’s comments about fighting on in Syria,

Churkin said in the interview: “In this case I think that we ought to be guided not by what he (Assad) says, with all my respect to the remarks of such a high-ranking person, but by what he does in the end. “If the Syrian authorities... follow Russia’s lead in the resolution of this crisis, then they have a chance to get out of it with their dignity intact.” “But if in some way they are knocked off that path — and this again is my personal opinion — then a very difficult situation could arise. Including for the Syrians themselves. Because whatever the capabilities of the Syrian army, it was the effective operations of Russian air forces that allowed them to push their opponents back from Damascus.”

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Pope says Trump ‘not Christian’ in a sign of global concern Reuters - Pope Francis forcefully injected himself into the U.S. presidential campaign yesterday, assailing Republican candidate Donald Trump’s views on U.S. immigration as “not Christian” in a sign of growing international concern at the billionaire businessman’s prospects of winning the election. Trump struck back, swiftly dismissing the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics as “disgraceful” for questioning his faith. “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” Francis told reporters during a free-wheeling conversation on his flight home from a visit to Mexico. No stranger to controversy, Trump, the longtime party front-runner in national opinion polls, has accused Mexico of sending rapists and drug runners across the United States’ southern border and vowed if elected president to build a wall to keep out immigrants who enter illegally. It was not the first time U.S. allies have voiced concern over comments by Trump. More than half a million Britons signed a petition to bar him from entering the

Donald Trump

Pope Francis

country, where he has business interests, in response to his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States. British lawmakers decided against a ban as a violation of free speech. It was not clear what impact the pope’s remarks would have on the Nov. 8 presidential election. Asked if American Catholics should vote for someone with Trump’s views, Francis said, “I am not going to get involved in that. I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that. We must see if he said things in that way and in this I give the benefit of the doubt.” It remained to be seen if the pope’s comments would strengthen Trump, whose swipes at rival candidates and

heated exchanges with others have bolstered his standing in nominating contests and opinion polls. Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, speaking in Columbia, South Carolina, said he would not question anyone’s relationship with God. But Bush, a Catholic, said, “It only enables bad behavior when someone from outside our country talks about Donald Trump.” Trump, a real estate developer and former reality TV show host, said, “If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS’s ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been president.”

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

North Korea satellite tumbling in orbit again: U.S. sources Reuters - North Korea’s recently launched satellite is once again tumbling in orbit, after stabilizing briefly, according to a U.S. official and other sources. The satellite update came as a key congressional watchdog agency said the U.S. military had not demonstrated its ability to protect the United States against a possible North Korea missile attack. Earlier this month North Korea launched what it said was an earth observation satellite but what the country’s neighbours and the United States called a missile test. It was earlier believed to have achieved stable orbit but not to have transmitted data back to Earth. The U.S. official, and two other sources with knowledge of the issue, said they are less concerned about the function of the satellite than with the technology involved in launching it. They added that the launch was clearly intended to demonstrate

North Korea’s ability to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile. The U.S. Government Accountability Office, the research arm of Congress, highlighted concerns about missile attacks from North Korea in a report released on Wednesday. “GMD flight testing, to date, was insufficient to demonstrate that an operationally useful defence capability exists,” the GAO said. GMD is an acronym for a groundbased missile defence system. The report said that the missile defence system, or the Ground-based Midcourse Defense, had only demonstrated “a partial capability against small numbers of simple ballistic missile threats.” Ken Todorov, former deputy director of the Missile Defense Agency, said the organisation faced a difficult balancing act in meeting the needs of the U.S. military and operating

with limited resources for testing. Last month the Missile Defense Agency conducted a successful test of the groundbased U.S. missile defence system managed by Boeing Co aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of a redesigned “kill vehicle” built by Raytheon Co. The test purposely did not include an intercept by a ground-based interceptor but was designed to demonstrate the ability of new “divert thrusters” that were developed by Raytheon to manoeuvre the warhead. The report said that while there were benefits in the way the agency was acquiring the kill vehicle, challenges remained. It added that the Pentagon’s goal to reach 44 ground-based missile defence systems by the end of 2017 was based on a “highly optimistic, aggressive schedule” leading to “high-risk acquisition practices.”

Venezuela taking tiny steps toward fixing economy CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has announced long-awaited economic reforms, but analysts say they’ll barely have any effect in rescuing the economy. The socialist president raised gasoline prices and devalued one of the oil country’s multiple exchange rates Wednesday. He assured supporters the steps don’t amount to a dramatic austerity scheme. Analysts agree. They say the modest adjustments have no hope of bringing in the money Venezuela needs to save its crashing economy. “Whatever Maduro does now, it’s going to be too little, too late,” said Bruce Magid, dean of the international business school at Brandeis University, who previously worked as a banker in Caracas. Even a recovery in the price of oil would probably not be enough to save the economy at this point, he said. “It buys him more time. But it doesn’t do anything to address the underlying structural problems, which is the country has stopped producing and exporting anything,” he said. Underlining the gravity of the situation, the Central Bank said yesterday said inflation hit 181 percent last

Nicolas Maduro year, and the economy shrank by nearly 6 percent. The International Monetary Fund predicts inflation will top 700 percent by the end of the year. Venezuela has been spending more than $12 billion a year to subsidize gasoline. The hike could save the state oil company the equivalent of more than 1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product this year, according to the Caracas-based consultancy Ecoanalítica. But analysts say a much steeper hike is needed to chip away at the country’s budget deficit of around 25 percent of gross domestic product. The new scheme means drivers will pay dimes instead of pennies to fill a gas tank, and the fixed price will continue to be eroded by raging inflation. Maduro also changed the strongest of Venezuela’s ex-

change rates, lowering it from 6.3 bolivars per dollar to 10. That rate is supposed to be available only for vital imports like food and medicine. The weakest of the official rates, which trades at 200 bolivars to the dollar, is still just a fifth of the black market rate, leaving the door open to arbitrage and corruption. The newly ascendant opposition says the problem is that the government itself cannot stop stealing. Opposition leader Jesus Torrealba said the measures would do nothing to stop the opportunities for rampant theft created by Venezuela’s byzantine currency scheme. “This crisis is the result of years and years of looting the public coffers,” he told reporters. “These new measures do nothing to rectify the obscene chasm between exchange rates.”

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Friday February 19, 2016

GSSF pays courtesy visit to NSC On Tuesday 16th February, 2016, representatives of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation paid a courtesy visit to the Headquarters of the National Sports Commission on Homestretch Avenue. Members of the newly elected Board of Directors engaged the Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones, in a productive discussion as to the proposed activities of the Federation and highlighted some areas where they can collaborate with the NSC to continue the promotion and

development of sport locally. The Board concretised arrangements for Archery Guyana to have access to the National Gymnasium for Indoor Archery and to the Leonora Track for Outdoor Archery. Discussions were had as to expanding Outdoor Archery to other facilities closer to the Capital City and the possibility of working together to develop Archery in all regions of Guyana so that in a few years Guyana will have a greater chance in securing another Olympic medalist. The Director of Sport was

also briefed on the various firearm related disciplines such as handgun and shotgun sports which the GSSF facilitates for their diverse members to enjoy. Assistant Secretary / Treasurer, Mr. Ryan McKinnon also indicated that the Federation’s various sections are asked by the Board to comply with international sporting guidelines set out by the specific affiliations that the Federation holds and maintains. This approach not only ensures safety is always put first but enables members

Pride aiming to narrow Jaguars... (From page 37) five innings with two tons at the top of the order. Braithwaite has 15 First-Class hundreds since making his debut at this level in 2009 and has been the Region’s most consistent batsman in the last five years. The 23-year-old Royston Chase (476) and 23-year-old Shamarh Brooks (429) are among two of the four in the 400 club. The 22-year-old

Test batsman Shai Hope and Braithwaite scored centuries in the last round against the Windwards. Kyle Corbin and Keeper Shane Dowrich will also be depended on to contribute runs for the Bajans who will be without Jason Holder and off-spinner Ashley Nurse and Carlos Braithwaite, replacements for the West Indies team for next month’s t20 World Cup. The Bajans, the

most successful Regional First Class team with 20 titles, will depend on pacer Miguel Cummins, all rounder Kevin Stoute, Antiguan off spinning all rounder Hadyen Walsh jr and Chase with the ball. The only new comer is Barbados U-19 pacer Keon Harding who also played for Barbados in U-17 Football team as a Goalkeeper. Guyana Jaguars: Rajendra Chandrika, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson (Capt), Vishaul Singh (V/Capt), Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton, Robin Bacchus, Esuan Crandon (Head Coach), Rayon Griffith (Asst Coach/Manager) B’dos Pride: Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Shai Hope, Omar Phillips, Kevin Stoute, Hayden Walsh Jr., Wendell Coppin (manager), Henderson Springer (head coach), Roderick Estwick (Consultant to fast bowlers)

Mashramani Volleyball action... (From page 34) Port Mourant Jaguars, Albion United, No 53 Survival, Tain Humanitarian, Corriverton Jets, and Fyrish. Among the female teams expected to participate are Black Birds volleyball club, Corriverton females and Berbice High School and Canje Secondary School. Incentives will be presented to the top teams in the various categories and the outstanding individual players. Serve off time is 09:00 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones, centre, along with (from left) GSSF’s Directors, Mr. Jagmohan Bassoo, Mr. Ryan McKinnon, Ms. Vidushi Persaud and Mr. Steve Ninvalle. to experience these sports just as they are on the international arena. Secretary of the GSSF, Mr. Steve Ninvalle also led the discussion as to GSSF’s involvement in the country’s 50th Republic Anniversary Celebrations and this was well received by Mr. Jones. The Directors of the

G.S.S.F. committed that they will continue to maintain records and follow the requirements set out by the N.S.C. so as to upkeep the prestigious recognition as a Guyanese Sporting body, while continuing to assist in the promotion of sport and our Country both locally and internationally.

In this regard, Ms. Vidushi Persaud, President of the Federation, took the opportunity to lay over a copy of the Federation’s 2015 Audited Financial Statement duly audited by an external auditor pursuant to NSC requirements and the Federation’s Nominees for the Sports Awards 2015.

Friday February 19, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Educational pursuits should help you develop your hobbies. You should make sure that your personal papers are in order. You need to lie back and enjoy a little rest. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your unique approach to life will interest others. Being unappreciated by your boss could make it hard to do your work effectively. Don't take your frustrations out on loved ones. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't get involved in idle chatter that will hurt your position. Travel and communication will be lucrative for you. Don't let the moods of those you live with get you down. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't overlook that fact that someone you care about may be hiding something. Your charm will attract someone special. Don't torment yourself. Disharmony in the home will be extremely stressful. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't let your personal dilemmas interfere with your goals. Social activity should be on your agenda. Mingle with those who can help you get ahead. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You can pick up additional responsibility that will lead to higher wages and a better position. Be careful not to show your temper when

dealing with the boss. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Use your quick wit to win points with friends. Your mind will be on matters that deal with secret affairs. Don't beat around the bush; state your case in plain and simple terms. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You should regain some of your self esteem if you get involved in organizational functions. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You may be angry if someone tries to take credit for something you did. Take a look at the possibilities of starting a small part time business with friends or relatives. Be prudent and don't be led down the garden path. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Difficulties will result if you have to deal with controversial groups today. Don't let your emotions interfere with completing your chores. Do not expect too much from others. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your flair for dramatic appeal will unleash itself at social functions. You could pick up valuable knowledge through conversations with experienced individuals. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will be able to talk about emotional problems with your partner. You must use discretion when it comes to lending money or making donations.

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

More United woe in Europa League, red-hot Valencia

Page 37

Prince Ali invites Kofi Annan to lead new FIFA reform group

FCM’s Pione Sisto scores a goal. (Reuters/Henning Bagger/Scanpix Denmark)

Former United Nations Secretary Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of JorGeneral Kofi Annan speaks at the dan speaks at the Roman Munich Security Conference in Amphitheatre area in downtown Munich, Germany, February 14, Amman, Jordan, September 9, 2016. (Reuters/Michael Dalder) 2015. (Reuters/Muhammad Hamed) Thursday’s statement “The FIFA Oversight ZURICH (Reuters) FIFA LONDON (Reuters) Manchester United’s hopes of salvaging their season in the Europa League suffered a stinging setback when they lost 2-1 at Danish side Midtjylland in the first leg of their last-32 clash on Thursday. With the triple European Cup winners already immersed in a pall of gloom after a hugely underwhelming campaign, their best hope of returning to the Champions League next season is now in peril. It should have been as straightforward an evening for United as it was for Borussia Dortmund and holders Sevilla who were among the high-profile clubs to secure comfortable wins as the Europa League’s knockout stages got underway. There was rare joy for former United stalwart Gary Neville when his Valencia side crushed Rapid Vienna 6-0. Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 at Fiorentina while Liverpool were held 0-0 at Augsburg. United conceded the winner in the 77th minute when substitute Paul Onuachu pinched the ball on the edge of the area and swivelled before firing home a low bouncing drive. It was another cruel blow for United. Their poor season has left them fifth in the Premier League although the club’s financial might dwarfs the meagre resources of Midtjylland. According to their latest annual report, the value of the entire Midtjylland squad is 55.6 million Danish crowns (£5.8 million) — United spent around 18 times that amount on close-season transfers. One of the Old Trafford club’s biggest close-season acquisitions Memphis Depay, bought from PSV Eindhoven for 20 million pounds, put them ahead in the 37th minute.

Midtjylland replied a minute before halftime when Pione Sisto pounced on a mistake from United captain Michael Carrick and scored with a low shot. “Our performance was nowhere near good enough and it has to be better,” said Carrick. “We caused a lot of our own problems.” LLORENTE DOUBLE Sevilla’s grip on the trophy showed no sign of loosening as their bid for a third straight triumph began with a 3-0 victory at home to Norway’s Molde. Fernando Llorente netted twice for the holders who, like United, were playing their first game in this season’s competition having dropped into it after failing to reach the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Sevilla, who beat Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the final in Warsaw in May, opened the scoring against Molde when Llorente fired a pinpoint effort into the net off the post 10 minutes before halftime. The Spain striker doubled his tally when he held off his marker and blasted the ball into the roof of the net four minutes after the restart. Kevin Gameiro made it 3-0 with 18 minutes to go. Lukasz Piszczek and Marco Reus were on target for Dortmund who recorded a 20 win at home to Porto on a night when the fixture list had an alluring look. So often derided as a poor cousin of the Champions League, Europe’s second tier competition returned with a high-profile lineup including five former European Cup winners. One of those, Olympique Marseille, suffered disappointment as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Athletic Bilbao while Bayer Leverkusen notched an im-

pressive 1-0 win at Portuguese giants Sporting. Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli scored a priceless away goal from the penalty spot before Fiorentina levelled through Federico Bernardeschi in one of the evening’s more glamorous ties while Villarreal overcame Napoli 1-0 in Spain. Valencia coach Neville has endured plenty of misery since taking over in December but, having claimed his first La Liga victory at the weekend and, on his 41st birthday, his side ran riot against Rapid Vienna as Santi Mina scored twice and set up three others. “We came out like a hurricane and settled it quickly,” Santi Mina said after Valencia went 5-0 up by halftime. St Etienne beat Basel 3-2, Anderlecht downed Olympiakos Piraeus 1-0, Galatasaray and Lazio drew 11 while Shakhtar Donetsk and Schalke 04 shared a goalless draw.

presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan said he would set up an independent oversight group led by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan if elected. A statement on Thursday by Prince Ali’s campaign organizers said the group would “help steer FIFA through its first year to recover from crisis and to support the future reform process.” Soccer’s world ruling body is engulfed in a graft scandal that has led to the indictment of several dozen leading soccer officials in the United States, and is under enormous pressure to reform. Prince Ali is one of five candidates standing to replace outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter, himself banned for eight years for ethics violations, in the Feb. 26 election. Last year, campaign group New FIFA Now also called for Annan to be put in charge of an independent reform commission.

said Prince Ali had already discussed the idea with Annan. It said the group would focus on governance issues “with the goal of stabilizing an organization in crisis.” In the longer term, it would turn its attention to FIFA’s development policies, and advise on aspects of the sport such as the expansion of the World Cup and combating match-fixing.

Group ...is an essential element to revive FIFA’s reputation and restore it to what it should be – a service organization for football,” said Prince Ali. “Having the commitment of a group of people with such impeccable credentials, unquestioned integrity and global standing represents an unprecedented response to the unprecedented crisis sweeping FIFA.”

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Assanah and Branford make debut in England Cheered on by national women’s team members Janella Munroe and Chantelle Fernandes Guyana’s talented young duo of Jamarj Assanah and Aroydy Branford, made their debut on Saturday for the Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club in a 30 loss to points leaders Wapping, in the East London Men’s Hockey League. The match took place at the venue where the London 2012 Olympics was hosted, on an extremely cold and windy Saturday afternoon. Wapping enjoyed the

lion’s share of the possession with Bishop’s Storford threatening on the counter through the pace of Assanah and Branford. On one such break Branford was denied by Wapping keeper Ben Brind. Dom Oliver opened the scoring for the home side 15 minutes into the game before before Alain Trail added a second with an excellent finish. The pattern of the game continued into the second half with Wapping enjoying the majority of the possession and Bishop’s Stortford looking to hit on the counter. Although Stortford threatened several times in the

Branford & Assanah in action during the match in England. second half, man of the match Heye Sheftel would put the result beyond doubt when he

Demerara Volleyball Association hosts workshop for coaches Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) on Wednesday night hosted a workshop for coaches at the National Gymnasium. The clinic was facilitated by overseas based Guyanese Andrew Woolward, the assistant coach of the Hunter College female volleyball team in the USA. Woolward who attended St. Stanislaus College also presented a quantity of volleyball equipment to his

former club Castrol on Tuesday. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport president of the DVA Trevor Williams said he was happy with the clinic and expressed confidence that it will benefit the clubs in the county. “We recognise that the game has been growing but the pool for national selection is small, a lot of people play volleyball but not a lot knows the game or get opportunities to benefit from fun-

damental and technical aspects so this is a step in the right direction. We do have higher levels of training that would be made available shortly. Our policy is to get more people involved which will also help to promote a better society,” he stated. DVA Vice President Ian Wills, who is a member of the technical and competitions committee, expressed confidence that coaches will benefit tremendously from the venture. “Woolward would have coached at a higher level so he has a wealth of experience and at the conclusion our coaches should be able to see coaching from a different angle which will help to advance the sport here,” said Wills. He pointed out that the association will host a number of work shops to familiarise new coaches with the sport. “One of the areas we intend to target is the schools. We also have plans to conduct similar programmes in Linden in our drive to develop the game in Demerara,” he added. “Clearly the sport needs to get out there so people can be aware that volleyball is active in Demerara, the club structure needs to be strengthened and this is an area we will focus on as well.” Wills indicated that they do not have much financially, but they would at times benefit from the South American Federation which he said is not adequate and hopes that the Government can assist. The programme was attended by members Castrol, Guyana Defence Force, Young Acehivers, Van Guard, Classic Ball, Blasters, Bank of Guyana, Timehri Red Ground, Timehri Airport and Pleasance clubs.

slotted home a beautiful dragflick from a Wapping penalty corner. Assanah and Branford arrived in London last Monday, February the 8th and had their first training session the following day before playing the match on Saturday. The club is fortunate that their next fixture is not scheduled until February 27 since training had to be canceled this week due to a frozen pitch. They will

take on Ford next, who sit just two points above them in the points standings. The two players are using the opportunity to gain valuable experience ahead of upcoming national team duties. Branford will be part of the National Under 21 outfit scheduled to compete in the Junior Pan American Championships from May 20-28 this year. Assanah is expected to

play a key role for the senior team in 2017 when Guyana attempt to improve on their bronze medal winning performance in the Indoor Pan American Cup and compete in the CAC Games qualifying tournament later in the year. The players would like to thank all those individuals who contributed towards making this opportunity a reality.

WICB President salutes the life and work of former TTest est player Ganteaume St. John’s, ANTIGUA West Indies Cricket Board President, Dave Cameron, is saluting the life and work of 95-year old, Andy Ganteaume, the C a r i b b e a n ’s o l d e s t t e s t cricketer, who passed away on Wednesday in Trinidad and Tobago. Cameron declares that Ganteaume was a stalwart of the game and “…the region should make every effort to recognise the contribution

h e made to the game of cricket.” The President noted that, “He served the game as a player and an administrator. He played one Test, 50 first class games and went on to serve as West Indies team manager. He also played football and represented a club in Port of Spain. He had a fairly short, but impacting contribution to the sport. May his soul rest in peace.”

Andy Ganteaume (T&T Express)

WDCA President’s Cup T20

Esau guides Independence SC to victory Safraz Esau slammed an unbeaten 82 to guide Independence SC to a sevenwicket victory over Christ Ambadassors when the West Demerara Cricket Association President’s Cup T20 tournament continued recently. Batting first at La Grange, Christ Ambadassors managed 118-8 with Mark George scoring 30 and Kevin Paul 22 not out. Ameer Ayube snared 4-17. Esau then struck six fours and a similar number of sixes as Independence SC replied with 119-3 in 13.2 overs. Paul took 2-32. At Windsor Forest, Cultural CC overcame Cornelia Ida by five wickets. Cornelia Ida took first strike and scored 129 all out in 16.4 overs. Naveed Ali slammed 79 and Chanderpaul Persaud 22. Seecharran Persaud captured

4-23 and Anthony Ifill 3-14. Cultural CC responded with 133-5 in 16.5 overs. Persaud made 29 and Ifill 22. Askhaya Persaud took 2-14. At Canal Number Two, the home team defeated Belle Vue by 51 runs. The host took first turn at the crease and posted

149-9. Chabiraj Ramcharran led with 44 and Seenarine Mathura 27. Dyal Rajpat bagged 5-20. Belle Vue were bowled out for 98 in 15.2 overs. Kenton Bennet got 18; Chein Gittens picked up 3-13 and Parmanand Raghunath 212.

Mashramani Volleyball action set for Berbice Volleyball teams in Berbice are being kept on a busy schedule as the hectic Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) 2016 volleyball season continues. The teams are busy preparing to take to the court for the one day open Mashramani volleyball tournament slated for Tuesday February 23 at the Skeldon Volleyball court. A number of teams from

throughout Berbice including male, females and youth teams are expected to participate in the competition. A number of teams from the Orealla/ Siparuta areas are also expected to travel to the coast to be a part of the action. Among those down to compete are Port Mourant Training Centre, one, two and three, Three Door Strikers, (Continued on page 32)

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

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A.Ally and Sons supports WBCA A. Ally and Sons has supported the West Berbice Cricket Associaiton for its T20 bash set for Sunday at Albion. Manager of the entity Devita Baldeo presented the third place trophy to Secretary of the We s t B e r b i c e C r i c k e t Association Carol Nurse yesterday. Nurse thanked the entity for their support. Meanwhile, the teams for the competition read; East Berbice SuperkingsAviskar Sewkarran, Joshua Ramsammy, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Troy Gonsalves,

Andy Mohan, Rajiv Ivan, Romario Shepherd, Yu d e n d r a H a r r in ar i n e , Shawn Pereira, Arif Chan, Jomael La Fleur, Nail Smith and Nickolas Seenarine. West Berbice Titans: Raun Johnson, Carlston Nurse, Raffell Estraido, Troy Matteson, Steffon Adams, Rendell Bobb, Brentol Wo o l f o r d , G l e n f o r d Fordyce, Ryan Shun, Kevin Jawahir, Akeem Blackman and Winston Joseph. Essequibo XI; Anthony Adams, Ricardo Adams, Ricardo Peters, Kevon

Boodie, Kemol, Savory, Kevin Jordon, Neilan Cadogan, Eknauth Persaud, Keemo Paul, Narendra Mandolall, Herry Greene, Parmesh Parsotam, Edwin Burnette and Royan Fredericks. Demerara XI; Kellon Carmichael, Sherfene Rutherford, Orin Forde, Ashmead Nedd, Andre Stoll, Steven Sankar, Derwin Christian, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Akshaya Persaud, Ronaldo Mohamed Winston Forrester, Marcus Watkins and Steven Jacobs.

Junior Squash players departed Guyana yesterday for St. Vincent & Grenadines Open The Guyana Squash Association named six players to represent Guyana at the St Vincent & The Grenadines Junior Open 2016 scheduled to be held in St Vincent from February 19-21. According to a release from the GSA, the team which is being accompanied

by David Fernandes, Manager, Garfield Wiltshire, Coach and Juanita Fernandes, Chaperone left the coutry early yesterday for the event. The release added that the tournament is a World Squash Federation Junior Circuit Event and the players who

will be representing Guyana are as follows: Larissa Wiltshire & Taylor Fernandes Girls Under 19 and Mixed Event Under 19, Daniel & Anthony Islam, Boys Under 15 & 17, Makeda Harding, Girls Under 15 & 17 and Shomari Wiltshire, Boys Under 13, 15 & 17.

Devita Baldeo (left) presents the trophy to Carol Nurse of WBCA.

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

MOE/GTTA host beginners programme Students share a moment during the clinic.

The curtains finally came down in the Ministry of Education, Department of Sport and the National Sports Commission (NSC) in collaboration with the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) beginner’s table tennis coaching programme for Students of 30 Secondary Schools in central Georgetown at the National Gymnasium that commenced on Monday January 18, 2016 and concluded on Friday February 12, 2016. The programme attracted 21 schools namely, The Business School, Central High, Charlestown, Christ Church, Dolphin, Full Benefit Academy, School of the Nations, New Campbellville, North Georgetown, North Ruimveldt, Queens College, Marian Academy, St Georges, St John’s College, St Rose’s, Tucville, Kingston, Queenstown, Sophia Special School, St. Barnabas Special School and Freeburg. The objectives of the programme were to develop and improve the level of table tennis in schools, to help students with the basic skills, to increase the number of participants involved in the sport and to create an integrated coaching programme that incorporate the coach education and players development.

Annual Forbes Burnham Memorial Three Stage Cycle Race starts Sunday

Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham (Corbis) The Forbes Burnham Foundation in keeping with its annual tradition will be hosting the Forbes Burnham Memorial Cycle Race on the 21st and 23rd of February. The first stage of the race will be on Sunday, Feb 21 at 7:00am from New Amsterdam to Rose Hall and return, while the second stage is on Feb 23 at 7.00am from Linden to Georgetown. The final stage will also be held on the 23rd at 2.00pm from Georgetown to Belfield and return. This race was first held 6 years ago. At that time it was a one stager. Three years ago it was extended to two stages and this year it is being further extended to three. It has always been held in the month of February, the birth month of the Late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and has always attracted a large field of cyclists from Georgetown, Linden and Berbice. The winners will be rewarded with cash prizes. The event will see juniors, open, veterans and female categories being contested. Formerly administered by the Guyana Cycling Federation, this year’s race will be administered by the Flying Stars Cycling Club.

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Pride aiming to narrow Jaguars lead on home soil By Sean Devers in Barbados In association with Trophy Stall & Tower Suites Defending Champions Guyana Jaguars, on the back of six consecutive wins, sit top of the points table with 101 points in this season’s PCL four-day First-Class cricket tournament and with four games remaining the Jaguars are well positioned to roar to back-to-back titles. The last time the Jaguars lost a game in CPL cricket, the PPP/C was in power, Georgetown was an untidy mess and there were no issues over the national colours (Green & Yellow) of Guyana’s sporting teams. Many things have changed since Barbados registered a heart-breaking two-run win 13 matches ago in November 2014 in Guyana’s own backyard. Set just 69 to win Guyana fell for 67. But the one thing that has not changed since then is the consistency of the Jaguars who have devoured every team except the Red Force, who escaped with a draw. In recent times the Guyanese have dominated Barbados in Bim and they have won both of their games in Barbados in PCL cricket including the one last season when the hosts declared, setting the Jaguars 335, the highest fourth innings total to win at the Kensington Oval. That Guyana won by four wickets is now history. In the third round of this season last year, Guyana registered their first win against Barbados in Guyana since a century from Andy Jackman and an 11-wicket match haul from Roger H ar p er led th e S o u th Americans to a nine-wicket win in 1984. Today at Kensington, the front-runners face-off with their closest opponents on the points table and should Barbados get the maximum 20 points they will go ahead of Guyana by a point. No team has recorded the maximum five batting points although Barbados had 19 in their last match to reduce Guyana’s lead from 22 to 19 points. Guyana and Barbados have faced each other 85 times since they met in the first ever Regional FirstClass game at the Garrison Savannah in Bridgetown in 1865 and Barbados have dominated with 34 wins to

The Guyana Jaguars will look to continue their unbeaten run in the competition. Guyana’s 16, while both teams highest total at this level was achieved against each other. In 1966, when the Shell Shield was inaugurated, Barbados amassed 559-9 declared in Barbados against Guyana who responded with 641-5 declared the next year in the first series played by Guyana as an Independent Nation. Today the Jaguars will again pin their hopes on 27year-old Vishaul Singh (548) who is the only batsman with 500 runs, three centuries and an average of 68.50. Skipper Leon Johnson, the 28-year-old left-hander has 409 runs at an average of 51.12 and is only one of four batsmen with 400 runs. Both Singh and Johnson got unbeaten centuries in the last round and would want support from Test batsmen Rajendra Chandrika and Assad Fudadin to fire at the top of the order. The absence of his illustrious father provides 19-year-old Tagenarine Chanderpaul another chance to register a big score after getting 81 against Jamaica and 42 against the Red Force in his only two games for the season. Anthony Bramble has improved tremendously behind the stumps but need to be more consistent with the bat, while Raymon Refier is capable with both bat and ball as are Test spinners Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul who had a nine-wicket match haul in the last round. Gudakesh Motie is the leading wicket-taker with 36 but with Bishoo and Permaul back he is not needed as the third spinner and the Coach might want add the pace of Ronsford Beaton as Keon Joseph new ball partner with Reifer as the third seamer along with the two spinners. Barbados will look to Kraigg Braithwaite who is averaging 79.00 from just (Continued on page 32)

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2016

Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Mashramani Cup 2016

Demerara Bank Limited and Venu Shopping Center and Beauty Salon on board

Omadatt of DBL hands over cheque to UCCA president Dennis D’Andrade.

Demerara Bank Limited, Corriverton Branch and Venu Shopping Center and Beauty Salon have joined the list of sponsors for the Upper Corentyne 5/5 Mashramani Cup. Popular cricket umpire Omadat Samaroo, Supervisor of DBL and

Taruna Harrinarine of Venu were both elated to be part of this charitable event. Both organisations indicated how pleased they are with the work of the UCCA for keeping the game alive in the area despite challenges. The much anticipated 5/5 Mashramani Cup 2016 is a one day cricket extravaganza set for February 21 at the picturesque No. 69 Vikings ground and features 10 top teams from the Upper Corentyne area: namely: No. 70 A, Crabwood Creek Sports Club, No. 72 All Star, No. 72 Cut and Load, Scottsburg United, Yakusari Caribs, No. 69 Vikings, Corriverton Cricket Club, No. 73 Young Warriors and No. 48 Challengers. The day’s action will start at 9:00 hrs. Admission for adults is $200 with children

under 12 free. There will also be gate prizes to be won. Musical entertainment will be provided by Spanish Eyes sound system with lots to eat and drink on sale. The UCCA thanked Demerara Bank Limited and Venu Shopping Center and Beauty Salon for making contributions towards cricket development in the area. Proceeds from this event will go towards cricket development at the youth level. The Association also expressed thanks to the following sponsors for coming on board: NPG Packaging and Plastic Inc., Office Express, Safraz Photo Studio, Massy Distribution, Vi s h n u S u p e r S t o r e , Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, New Building Society Limited and Country Side TV 19.

Taruna Harinarine of Venu Shopping Center and Beauty Salon hands over cheque to UCCA president Dennis D’Andrade.

GCA/NBS second division final set for tomorrow Arch-rivals Georgetown Cricket Club and Demerara Cricket Club will clash in the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association/ New Building Society second division 40-over tournament tomorrow at Bourda. Both teams boast a number of exciting players; GCC will look to the likes of Devon Lord, Martin Pestano Belle, Ronaldo Mohamed, Manny Forde and Steffan Wilson, while DCC will depend on Sherfene Rutherford, Dennis Squires, Raymond Perez, Ashmead Nedd and West Indies U19 World Cup winner Tevin Imlach for success. Action gets underway at 11:00 hrs and the umpires are Zaheer Mohamed and Deon Faessal. In the Trophy Stall, GISC, Star Party Rentals first division two-day which starts on Saturday, Malteenoes SC will host UG (Clyde Layne and Shannon Crawford) and Everest will take on Transport SC at Eve Leary (Javed Persaud and Cyril Garnath).

Friday February 19, 2016

Kaieteur News

Former GABBFF President George Marshall laid to rest The former Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) President, George Marshall was laid to rest yesterday. Following a viewing at Merriman’s Funeral Home and a service at St George’s Cathedral, where several tributes were paid, his remains was interned. Many friends, family and members of the bodybuilding and weightlifting fraternity were present to bid farewell to the former sports stalwart. Marshall has been Guyana’s first and longest serving IFBB-certified Bodybuilding Judge in

Guyana, and got into the administration of the sport in the 1970s up until when he resigned as President in 2003. Being a former Competitor, Coach and Team Manager as well, George as he was familiarly known was always seen rendering his services as a Judge even after he left as President. He was known for his sternness whenever it came to the rules of the sport and was always giving advice to the young and even seasoned athletes in the sport. His career as an a d m i n i s t r a t o r, w h i c h spanned over 25 years, also

National Basketball Championships launch at 704 Sports Bar today

The National Basketball Championships: The Road to Mecca III will be launched today at the renowned 704 Sports Bar and Lounge at the corner of Lamaha and Albert Streets from 3pm with teams and enthusiasts invited to usher in one of the most hyped basketball tournaments. T h e N a t i o n a l Championships, which is being held under Guyana Golden Jubilee umbrella, will bring together teams from New A m s t e r d a m , Georgetown and Linden for three w eekends of rivalry to

determine the bes t club in Guyana. More significantly, the winning team will have the right to be remembered as the one that won the National Championships in the year Guyana turned 50; as a result, and in an effort to allow more entertainment into the game, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) will be officially launching the tournament today at 704 Sports Bar and Lounge.

Nandy Park, Sand Pipers chalk wins Nandy Park and Sand Pipers registered victories when the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) 50over tournament continued recently. At Everest, Nandy Park overcame Uprising by one wicket. Batting first, Uprising managed 239 all out in 40.3 overs. M. Baksh scored 56, H. Pooran 36 and S. Jowahir 33; Yearwood (only name given) claimed 3-49 and N. Dhanraj 240. Nandy Park responded with 240-9 in 43.3 overs. B. Shewmangal struck 60, N. Dhanraj 47 and M. Sultan 46. M. Baksh had 3-54 and T. George 2-19. At Laluni, Sand Pipers beat Silver Bullet by 44 runs. Sand Pipers took first knock and made 227-9 off their reduced 40 overs. V. Rampersaud and R. Ramoo got 51 each as K. De Jonge claimed 3-33. Silver Bullet were bowled out for 183 in 22.1 overs. S. Wong cracked 66, K. De Jonge 41; C. Benn snared 4-30 and O. Sandy 2-25.

saw him serving as Secretary and was associated with the Kingsrow Barbell Club for over 40 years. Kaieteur Sport joins the rest of the body building fraternity in extending sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late George Marshall. May his Soul rest in peace.

Members of the Bodybuilding and Weightlifting fraternity bears the remains of George Marshall out of the Merriman’s Funeral Home yesterday after a viewing.

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t r o Sp Demerara Volleyball Association hosts workshop for coaches

Participants going through their paces while Coach Andrew Woolward looks on.

Windies U-19 star players back home Pride aiming to narrow Jaguars lead on home soil Annual Forbes Burnham Memorial Three Stage Cycle Race starts Sunday

West Indies U19 World Cup winners, second from left Keemo Paul, Captain Shimron Hetmyer and Tevin Imlach along with GCB president Drubahadur at left and Treasurer Anand Kaladeen at Bourda yesterday.

Assanah and Branford make debut in England

The Guyanese members Led by Skipper Shimron f o r t h e i r o u t s t a n d i n g D r u b a h a d u r l e d o t h e r o n t h e W o r l d C u p Hetmyer, with Keemo Paul performance in winning members in praising the Championship winning and Tevin Imlach, the trio the youth World Cup for y o u n g s t e r s a n d West Indies Under-19 team visited the Guyana Cricket the first time for the West p r e s e n t i n g t o k e n s o f have returned to home soil Board office yesterday Indies. appreciation to them following their historic win. where they were recognised G C B p r e s i d e n t yesterday. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210