Kaieteur News

Sunday January 18, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Voters need to let the pendulum swing to the forces of a racially united voice

The PPP is a relic of a bygone age

DEAR EDITOR, We all know “The wheels of justice can grind slowly”. Such is the case in Guyana where changing government by election can take decades which is a huge chunk of a Guyanese life in as much as the average life span is only to age 63. No matter how you cut it, racially based voting breathes life into this peculiar situation and it is wrong. It also undermines every aspect of the country, plunging it into the doldrums. Racial rifts run deep among Guyanese spurring Indo-Guyanese to be the main backers of the PPP/C and Afro-Guyanese to be the main backers of the PNC, which rebrands itself as APNU. Almost five-decades of history has shown us that the fractured voice of Guyanese voters, seldom swings the pendulum of power for the reign of a new government with it being in a deep freeze since the last movement in over two decades by forces of Indo-Guyanese supporters for the PPP/C government. Likewise, the PNC led government has also enjoyed power for almost three decades with the main support of AfroGuyanese. A similar story can be decked out over mayoral powers for the city of Georgetown. These stories have painted a dysfunctional political landscape in the country and it is largely driven by voters. Voters widely miscalculate the fruits of race based voting, thus granting politicians long stays in power for decades just because of their race not realizing the backlash. Indeed, giving politicians this kind of job security pushes the country into strong headwinds against any kind of development, by creating a sea of troubles including, skyrocketing corruption, breeding dictators and escalating poverty. Racially based voting

cast a destructive and unpatriotic image of voters, as Theodore Roosevelt once said that “A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user”. Voter inertia has enabled politicians to plunge the country into a “paradise” of destruction, leaving it to wither on the vine. Voters need to reclaim their image while rebooting the country, by recalculating their motivation for casting ballots. Politicians have benefitted by racially based voting to the point that they have fomented racial divide by racially baiting voters with an Indo-Guyanese and an Afro-Guyanese Presidential Candidate for the PPP/C andAPNU political parties respectively. Voters have loyally embraced this tactic not realizing that it is just a bait for votes with no incentives for anyone except for politicians. Racially based voting even gives politicians confidence to make calculations on political wins, so much so that the PPP/C government is openly remarking that despite the fact it is a failed government, it will be victorious in the upcoming Presidential election. The wind has been in the PPP/C‘s sails for decades with the Indo-Guyanese racial demographics tilted in its favor and so the PPP/C is parasitically taking advantage of this, to the detriment of the

country. A remedy for this kind of un-patriotism requires only decent human beings, to desist using the race of political candidates to attract voters. Since birth, I have been weeping alongside my country from pains precipitated by racially based voting but I am still hoping that this dysfunction will recede into irrelevancy by pragmatic voters and by decent human beings, as well as by the forces of evolution favoring survival. Guyana is a cosmopolitan nation, this means that its health, depends on voters speaking with a racially united voice, at the polls in effect realigning voters sentiments with a quote by John Quincy Adams who once said that” always vote for principle, though you may vote alone and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost”. Voters need to bring the pendulum out of the deep freeze by understanding this and let it swing to the forces of a racially united voice, as often as is needed, giving the country a chance to recuperate in good health. Annie Baliram

DEAR EDITOR, It is becoming more and more difficult to understand the nonsense that is being tossed around by the minority PPP regime that the economy grew by 25 percent during the past three years. And more disturbingly, much of this nonsense is passing as the truth to the nation. The fact is the PPP ship is sinking and there is no one in the regime with the intellectual capacity who can articulate a plan to salvage the ship from sinking. As the government continues to hurl money to parents of school children, rice farmers and sugar workers, crime and corruption keep increasing while the country’s foreign currency reserves are being siphoned away to fatten the overseas bank accounts of the rats who are preparing to go and join their money when the ship goes under. Apparently, no money has been approved by Parliament for the PPP regime to dole out to those who they believed are their supporters. So it is illegal for the PPP regime to use public funds in the form of bribes for votes. But the ill-advised PPP cabal seems to think that using the taxpayers’ money on their

supporters will help them win the elections. As their corrupt practices are being exposed, more and more people are becoming angry and frustrated at the way they continue to marginalize a certain section of the population. But the people are smart enough to take the money given to them and will not vote for the PPP. The ongoing corruption and scandals should be an enduring shame to the PPP government, but obviously they are not. It is something the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal is accustomed to and is more likely to curse and dismiss them rather than work to correct these problems. Given the sad state of the economy, high unemployment, poverty, an astonishing crime rate and massive corruption, it is hard to believe that after twenty years in power, the people will vote for the PPP regime that

has done nothing to reverse the trend except to make empty and broken promises. The creation of a SWAT team promised by the Minister of Home Affairs nearly two years ago is still in its infant stages while armed bandits continue to rob and murder their victims. In his three years in office, the president has done absolutely nothing other than to prorogue Parliament and issue rude and nasty threats to an Amerindian citizen at Aishalton and allow his security personnel to slap James Adams, another Amerindian citizen who accused him of distorting the truth. We are convinced that the responsibility for the collapse of the economy and the health, education and social infrastructures in Guyana should rest squarely at the Continued on page 6

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 18, 2015

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

The suicide of the secretary of Hindu...

Guyanese not benefitting from those fuel incentives

From page 4 eyes – petite with sand brown complexion, flowing black tresses and kind of short in stature with a definitely winning smile. I would put her age at about twenty one. At the time, the Minister would have been roughly forty years her senior. For the short months I knew Shanti, she opened up to me about her sexual relation with Minister Reepu Daman Persaud. The problem was not her sexual affair which to me she showed no particular disapproval of. It was the Minister’s failure to secure her a visa that he sincerely promised to get her. I had no particular words of advice for Shanti, because it was clear to me she liked the Minister, trusted him and was just waiting for her visa. But Shanti was depressed because the visa wasn’t coming. The last time I saw her, before I got the land, she told me she wanted her passport

to be returned because she felt she had enough of the Minister’s promises. Mr. Datadin eventually assigned a plot of land to me at Mahaica and I was instructed to go to Minister Persaud for him to sign. The Minister was not there but Shanti was in a terrible state of depression. It was clear she needed counseling immediately. She told me the Minister tore up her passport and she pointed to her replacement in the office that the Minister had brought in. It was clear to me that the Minister had used Shanti and had now moved on. That was the last I saw of this tragic young woman. The next week the Chronicle reported her suicide. Almost forty years, yes forty years before Shant took her life, I had urged my mother not to attend the mandir where Reepu Daman Persaud preached. I told my mother that he was a total snob of ordinary Hindus and that he

only conducted private services (like durga pat’ jandhi, yags) for rich Hindus. At the time, the competitor of Reepu Daman Persaud was Gowkarran Sharma, a Minister in Forbes Burnham’s Government. He was a Hindu priest with his own mandir at Camp and Quamina Streets. He was my mother’s first cousin (his sons still carry on their father’s tradition at that very mandir which would make them my second cousins) but my mom was an ardent supporter of the PPP, so she preferred to worship at the temple of Reepu Daman Persaud. The other side of Reepu Daman Persaud is well known in Guyana and it certainly is not flattering. I will leave that for another discussion on this most controversial Hindu pandit who died several years ago. I hope these notes satisfy the lady in London. I hope it has opened her eyes. In the academic world, we call it, revisionist history. Frederick Kissoon

DEAR EDITOR, I am bemused by the article in Stabroek News [January 15, 2015] - Gov’t drops tax on fuel for miners by 10 %. This decision by the Gov’t comes only a week after the Miners Association [ GGDMA] met with APNU and expressed their frustration that the playing field is not level i.e. foreigners are getting incentives including duty free

fuel denied to Guyanese miners. Well an identical situation occurs in the timber industry. It is alleged that these Asian owned companies who are here exporting our prime logs in huge volume on a weekly basis are getting similar incentives that Guyanese do not enjoy. Many of the hundreds of trucks imported duty free haul sand daily on the east bank road for a private housing

development. However, more importantly these operators are getting duty free fuel. In fact I have also noticed a bulk storage diesel tank being erected by one these Asians at Land of Canaan and I must be candid, I am very worried with what I suspect will take place upon completion. Clearly it is prudent for us, value added timber processors to meet with APNU also. Howard Bulkan

From page 5 feet of the inept Freedom House dictatorial gang. It is clear that they do not have the intellectual skills, talent and commitment to solve these issues and make Guyana a better place for all to live in decency and without fear. In other words, they are incompetent. The

administration, however, has not changed over the years. They remain locked in a Victorian work-ethic long abandoned in the 19th century as unworkable in the modern world. The PPP cabal appears to be an anachronism of a bygone age. They are an ineffective, ineffectual, belligerent, abusive and vulgar bunch, out of touch with the times, reality, the people and the technological age. They remain backward with primitive ideas and communist solutions to problems which have set

Guyana back to the 1920s. So where can we go from here? Is there any real hope that the enduring failures of the PPP regime can be turned around? That the people might once again proudly rally around a government that is corrupt and is not committed to nation building, putting the interests of the country and people first and improved the living standards of the poor and the working class. Some have suggested that this government has failed in every attempt to resolve the issues affecting the masses and therefore cannot be trusted. The national cry is the PPP has to go. Chandra Deolall, Asquith Rose Dr. Merle SpenserMarks.

The PPP is a relic of a bygone age

Sunday January 18, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 18, 2015

Dominican officials accused in drug case face 1 year in jail SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The former director of an antinarcotics unit in the Dominican Republic is one of nine people ordered yesterday to spend a year in jail as authorities investigate the disappearance of more than a ton of cocaine. The other suspects include five police officers, two prosecutors and a lieutenant colonel. Two other police officers accused in the case are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow. Prosecutor Dominguez Brito said it was one of the most serious corruption cases

the Caribbean country has investigated. The investigation began last month when Police Chief Manuel Castro noticed the drugs were missing. Authorities said the suspects are accused of not reporting at least three drug seizures, including one in September where 950 kilograms (2,000 pounds) of cocaine were discovered but never turned over to authorities. Police have accused the two prosecutors of keeping 250 kilograms (550 pounds) and enlisting a police officer to help sell the drug, while the lieutenant colonel is accused

of keeping 700 kilograms (1,500 pounds) and distributing the revenue to other police officers. Prosecutors said the suspects bought property and cars, while some of the officers turned over what cash remained. The investigation is still ongoing, with prosecutors pushing for the arrest of seven other officers. A 2011 Amnesty International report found that some 12,000 Dominican police officers were accused of corruption between 2007 and 2010. It is unclear how many of those cases were tied to drug trafficking.

Cuba, US to hold talks in Havana on normalising

Cuba and the US will hold talks here next week on normalizing their ties, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, head of the ministry’s US affairs section, would lead the Cuban delegation, added the statement issued Friday. On Wednesday, the topic would be immigration and on the following day the two

sides would discuss the principles and steps for the re-establishment of diplomatic ties, and the opening of embassies. Last month, US President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro e x p r e s s e d t h e i r intentions to normalise relations, which were severed half-a-century ago. (Caribbean News.Net)

Sunday January 18, 2015

Dem boys seh...

Kaieteur News

Page 9

Criticisms by diplomats against Govt.

Glenn, Adam & Gildarie Stop crucifying the messenger, pay to marry Jagdeo, attention to the message - AFC tells Govt. Brassington & Anil the government suspend The Alliance For Change

Dem boys was passing through de airport and see a fat Guyanese wid both shoe laces loose. He put up he right foot pun de chair and bend over fuh tie he left shoe. No wonder GPL, Marriott and Skeldon got serious problems. Uncle Adam see how he neighbor dem getting rich overnight. Dem start out wid one old minibus now dem got a whole fleet. He decide that he gun lef de newspaper wuk and mek money like dem too. Suh he tek a loan and buy a brand new, not second hand minibus. He get a driver and conductah. He set a target wid dem two fuh bring in $20,000 every week. Wid that kind of money Adam woulda able pay de loan and lef wid a nice piece in he pocket. De first week the driver seh he just mek enough to pay de conductah and heself. De 2nd week he tell Adam that dem barely mek it fuh pay eeself. Suh Adam go to he mudda savings and give de driver money to pay de conductah. De 3rd week de driver tell Adam that he got li’l problems with de bus. Adam go back to he mudda savings and pay de driver and de conductah. De 4th week dem complain that the radiator leaking and dem did not make enough, again. Adam go again into mom’s savings and pay dem plus give dem money to fix de radiator. De next week de driver seh that de radiator get more holes and leaking wuss suh. Again Adam tek he mudda money and give de driver and de conductah to pay demself and fix de radiatah. Up comes de next week and dem tell Adam that de radiator get wuss plus de engine oil now leaking. Dem ain’t wuk at all.Adam keep going to he mudda savings like an ass to give de driver and de conductah and fix de problems wha de bus got week after week. Which ass will run any business like that? Tek loan, tek money from savings and give it to a driver and conductor to fix the same problem day in and day out. You really believe that the driver fixing the vehicle or pocketing the cash? That is why Adam ain’t got a minibus today and he ain’t got money. He still paying de loan plus he mudda.Well is a similar situation we are facing with de Skeldon Sugar factory. Jagdeo go to China and tek a US$158 million loan fuh build a brand Skeldon Sugar factory. Like de minibus, week after week de factory never come off de ground. And year after year Jagdeo tekking money from de Treasury fuh fix de factory and it still ain’t fix. You believe de money he seh going to de factory year after year really going deh? Is only an idiot or a thief would do something like that. And guess what we still have to pay the loan? De exact scenario playing out at GPL and many other government corporations. Dem boys know fuh sure is not stupidity suh dem boys want to get close to dem because dem filthy rich. Dem boys prepare fuh marrid dem and America mekking it legal. Dem call it same sex marriage. Everything America do Guyana does do. Guyanese does celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and tek this one, Summer Sale. Adam plan fuh tie knot wid Brassington; one ugly and got brain and de other fat, and got brain. Dem match in bed. Glenn plan fuh bamboo wedding wid Jagdeo and he ain’t signing no certificate. Dem have common interests— business and media. Gildarie prefer Luncheon but he gun tek Anil. Dem plan fuh nikka. Dem got a lot in common because dem been to de same school. Gildarie seh that he wouldn’t record de honeymoon. Talk half and wait fuh invitation fuh de triple wedding.

(AFC) has taken note of government’s reaction to statements made by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Andrew Ayre. The Party made it clear that it is in total disagreement with the way government has chosen to respond. A t t h e A F C ’s m o s t recent press conference, Member of Parliament (MP) Trevor Williams pointed out that the government has developed a pattern of lashing out at anyone who dares to disagree with its principles or lack thereof. Williams urged however that “Instead of crucifying the messenger, the PPP Government should pay attention to the intent of the High Commissioner’s statement.” Last Monday, High Commissioner Ayre, who is expected to leave Guyana next month, said there could be possible sanctions by the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, for Guyana not sticking to the Commonwealth Charter which focuses on democracy and a recent declaration that was signed onto by Commonwealth Leaders, including President Ramotar. High Commissioner Ayre had said the Guyanese Head of State needs to lift his suspension of Parliament, since the ongoing suspension has created a country that does not have a functioning democracy. He noted that under the circumstances, the United Kingdom would not be able to justify to its taxpayers why it was still sending developmental funds to a country which has no functioning democracy and no parliamentary oversight

UK High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre

AFC Member, Trevor Williams

at the moment. Soon after he delivered his remarks, government officials came from left, right and center lashing out at Ayre. But he said he was prepared for this as he knew that government tries to “demolish and discredit” the character and credibility of “anyone who says anything that it doesn’t agree with.” As he spoke at his Party’s press conference,

Wi l l i a m s s a i d t h a t t h e “AFC thanks the High Commissioner for his candid statements and takes it in the context of advice for a fledgling democracy.” Williams said that it is clear that Guyana has found itself at a point where “whatever gains we would have made over the past decades on building a democratic state, are in danger of being erased. In no democratic state would

elected representatives of the people to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny.” He said that the PPP Government must remove its blinders and see that while Guyana is a sovereign nation, it is also a member of international groupings such as the Commonwealth and is obligated to practice and uphold the democratic principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. Williams told the media that Guyana, has for too long, shirked it obligations to International Charters. Then politician said that “The Alliance For Change joins the UK and High Commissioner Andrew Ayre in reminding the PPP Government and President Donald Ramotar that it was the sitting president himself who signed the declaration coming out of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka which speaks to the importance of democracy.”

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Sunday January 18, 2015

Sunday January 18, 2015

Interior vigilante killing… The mother of a miner who was beaten to death in the interior almost two years ago is surprised by the call by relatives of the men accused of killing him, to replace Special Prosecutor, Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes. Barbara James, the mother of John Derwin McPherson, is convinced that the four accused are trying to derail the justice system by accusing Hughes of deliberately prolonging the Preliminary Inquiry into the April 2013 murder. She claimed that the men should point fingers at their own Defence Attorney, who is engaged in other matters and who is constantly seeking time from the Magistrate to accommodate her tight schedule. Vishnu Babu, Mohamed Razack, Chetram Diaram and Shawn Caesar have been on remand since April 2013, having been charged with the vigilante killing of McPherson at a mining camp at Oku Backdam, Cuyuni Last Monday their relatives moved to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in protest demanding that a new Prosecutor should preside in the preliminary inquiry. They claimed that Hughes’ workload prevents him from attending court on a regular basis, thereby delaying the conclusion of their preliminary inquiry. But James said that she was upset when she saw media reports of the position taken by the accused and their relatives. A day after the protest, James said that Hughes was not the problem; it was the men’s Attorney who is otherwise tied up, resulting in the Preliminary Inquiry taking close to two years to be

Kaieteur News

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Victim’s mother surprised at call for removal of Special Prosecutor completed. The Preliminary Inquiry is being conducted at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, and Attorneys from both sides have to travel from Georgetown to the gold mining gateway community whenever the matter is called. James expressed the hope that the DPP does not continue to bow to pressure

trust that her son’s murder hearing will be fairly conducted by the police Prosecutor. “ That pushed me to get the services of Mr. Hughes…I had to write the DPP to get my own prosecutor…She asked me for reasons and I told her that the accused offered me $10 million to settle the case and I

“The state is not paying Mr. Hughes, I am. I had to seek permission from the DPP to allow Mr. Hughes to prosecute for me. Now is it fair to me now that she should pick up somebody to send to prosecute a case that the person doesn’t know anything about?” and give in to the demands of the four accused. James explained that she had approached the DPP to have Nigel Hughes be appointed special Prosecutor for the preliminary, since she had lost confidence in the police prosecutor who was handling the case in the initial stages. “I wasn’t pleased with the prosecutor that they had there, because he was a ‘yes man’ and always laughing with the accused, always ‘freindsie’ with them,” James told this newspaper. She recalled one day following a hearing of the PI, she was standing outside the courtroom with her cell phone in her hand when the accused complained to the police that she was taking their photographs. According to James, the same police Prosecutor approached her and using expletives, chased her out of the compound without ascertaining if the men’s allegation was true. That was when she lost all

refused. If I refused, then somebody in a more desperate situation than me is gonna take it and I wouldn’t get my justice, so she agreed and Mr. Hughes accepted the position,” James said. She is actually paying the Attorney to conduct the PI on her behalf. James said that as far as she is aware everything was going well with the PI, since the Attorneys on both sides would agree on dates set by the Magistrate. “When Mr. Hughes has to attend the High Court, they will get together and choose a date suitable for both sides,” The accused recently expressed fears that with General Elections imminent and since Hughes will be expected to be very involved in campaigning for the Alliance For Change, the PI could be affected. But the murder victim’s mother pointed out that the Attorney for the accused Latchmie Rahamat has also been granted new dates to coincide with her tight

schedule. Rahamat is one of the Attorneys integrally involved in the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry which is scheduled to recommence soon. “Miss Rahamat will tell the Magistrate that she cannot come to court for three weeks because that inquiry is more important than this case and the Magistrate allows. Both sides will compromise. It was on more than two occasions that their Defence Attorney said that the Rodney Inquiry is more important than this trial,” James explained. She said that to lay the blame on the special Prosecutor is dishonest, since Hughes had on one occasion overnighted in Bartica to ensure that the matter progressed without delay. However, when he returned to court the following day for the continuation of the matter, the Attorney for the accused was not there. “These people want special privileges from the court and because they realize that they can’t get the special privileges they want, they are annoyed,” James told this newspaper. Following initial complaints by the accused, the DPP last week sent a police Prosecutor who is attached to her Chambers to Bartica to assist the special Prosecutor. In a statement issued last Monday, the DPP said, “As a measure of precaution to avoid any further delay in the

Pl, the DPP assigned Inspector Hunt to the Pl in the event that special Prosecutor Nigel Hughes does not appear.” This move has not gone down well with the mother of the victim. “The State is not paying Mr. Hughes, I am. I had to seek permission from the DPP to allow Mr. Hughes to prosecute for me. Now is it fair to me now that she should pick up somebody to send to prosecute a case that the person doesn’t know anything about?” James asked. She said that she will be writing to the DPP, seeking reasons for the decision to send a police Prosecutor to

Bartica to deal with the matter. “When it was time for me to get justice for my son, I had the royal runaround. If it wasn’t for Kaieteur News, I don’t know what would have happened,” James said, referring to the persistent reporting of the matter until the men were charged. According to James, the file on the matter was sitting in the DPP’s Chambers for two weeks without advice and it was only after they planned a picketing exercise that the police were advised to charge the four men. “I don’t want them to play politics with this child’s life. This murder is going to be solved. It was my only son,” James stated.

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REGION TEN SPENDS $5M TO RENT CAR The Region Ten Administration has already spent some $5M to rent a car for the Regional Chairman between 2013 and today. The car is rented at the rate of $260,000 per month. This was reported by Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon at the Statutory meeting last Thursday in the Boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council. According to the Chairman he is without a vehicle for so long and the cost of the rental for a car so far exceeds the cost of a new one. “I see no reason why the vehicle which was recommended should not be purchased because it would have cost far less. This rental is only to frustrate the officers of this Region and to waste tax payers’ money.” The vehicle originally assigned to the Chairman was sent to the workshop with one defect. To date it is still there. APNU Councillor, Charles Sampson, openly stated his disgust of the situation, “What is happening to you and the VC it good. We buy recondition vehicle, the Government don’t buy new vehicles, most of the vehicles this Region got we should just drive them in the river. No vehicle available, if we need

vehicles let us take drastic action. I feel it is disrespect to the Chairman and Vice Chairman. We should boycott RDC meetings. It is a shame this Region renting a vehicle for the Chairman since 2013.” Councillor Sampson also noted that no one can accuse the Chairman or Vice Chairman of not carrying out their jobs effectively because there is no adequate transportation. Another Councillor was also upset over the fact that the Chairman and Vice Chairman are without adequate transportation. He said that he is not totally in agreement with the boycotting of the meetings. “I don’t believe these people are in their right minds because I can’t see they are and are allowing such things to happen – to waste money.” Chairman Sharma Solomon said that he has no idea why money is taken out of the Region to increase the stipend of Toshaos, Deputy Toshaos and other senior officers when there is a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Chairman and Vice Chairman are without adequate transportation although he has no problem with their increase.

Sunday January 18, 2015

ICAO compliance, Category One status among civil aviation 2015 goals The country’s aviation oversight body; the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has pointed to several important missions that it will be undertaking and continuing this year to bring the sector to a level that is compatible with the international community. The GCAA under the Public Works Ministry in a special press briefing Friday, highlighted the achievements of the agency for the past year. GCAA Director General Zulphicar Mohamed had expressed future plans for the agency. Aviation stakeholders have been speaking for some time about the attainment of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) compliance. The project to achieve compliance with the requirements of ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) commenced and the target is the achievement of an acceptable level of effective implementation; 70 percent by December 2015.

ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation. It fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure the safe and orderly aviation growth of all its member states. The GCAA stated that a Corrective Action Plan has also been prepared and submitted to and reviewed by ICAO and is ready for implementation. “The first draft of the new Civil Aviation Act and operating regulations has also been completed; and work is currently being done to review and improve other key elements of the legal and regulatory framework in order to achieve not only ICAO compliance but also Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Category One safety rating,” media operatives were told. The local agency said that it will continue to work towards achieving the

Category One rating under the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Programme. Category One means that air carriers from the assessed state (country) may initiate or continue service to the United States in a normal manner and take part in reciprocal code-share arrangements with U.S. carriers. For Guyana it would mean that Guyanese operators would be able to fly direct to the US among other benefits. Outside of this, GCAA said it will continue to improve and develop Aeronautical Surveillance using the Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast System (ADS-B). The system was introduced mid last year to better control air traffic at various flying levels. GCAA said that the development and expansion of ADS-B will increase efficiency and capacity of Guyana’s airspace to accommodate a larger volume

of traffic/aircraft operations in the airspace; and to track aircraft movement in real time. The ADS-B ground station, software and monitor were installed; and an ADS-B Task Force was established, to keep the industry informed while introductory training was completed for all ANS staff, it was mentioned. An Aeronautical Telecommunication Network of the South American Region (REDDIG II) node was also installed. The equipment will be commissioned on completion of installation in all the South American (SAM) countries. GCAA is also seeking to review and develop appropriate safety and security legislation and policies to enhance the Authority’s oversight and enforcement capability, while complying with ICAO’s USOAP-CMA programme. Acquiring a new Air Traffic Control Simulator for training of air traffic controllers and a review of the Continued on page 14

Union body slams CARICOM for backing... (From page 3) respect of diplomatic proprieties and for adherence to the principles of non-interference in the domestic affairs of Member States,” added the Council in its statement. Ayre and then United States Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt, publicly criticized the Ramotar Administration for its record of governance, specifically in the area of democracy. The UK envoy has also hinted that his country might be inclined to withhold bilateral aid, except for elections, because of the absence of parliamentary oversight on how British taxpayers’ monies are spent. Obviously displeased with the position taken by the Council, GTUC has also remarked that for the Ministers to speak about non-interference of and diplomatic propri-

eties by nations with whom Guyana and CARICOM countries have signed charters, “even as they are intimating to Guyanese that we must accept a situation where our elected representatives are denied the opportunity to function in Parliament on our behalf, is hypocritical, selfserving and reeks of double standards.” The Union believes that the only reason CARICOM could have issued such “a contemptuous statement is to serve as insurance for regional governments in the event they face similar challenge at home to account for their stewardship, they would invoke the Prorogation clause, a feature of Westminster politics, to replicate the repressive conduct.” “The challenge to Guyanese and citizens of the Region,” GTUC noted, “is that

while our ancestors fought against brutal slavery, indentureship and colonisation, their descendants are prepared to practice the behaviours of former oppressors and expect the people’s consent to the injustices and unfair acts.” The umbrella union body said that regardless of what programme a Government has, the absence of the parliament makes government dysfunctional. “The present repression poses dire implications, one of which can see spontaneous migration to CARICOM countries, where some of the very governments who approved the Government Information Agency-styled (GINA) press statement would reject additional undocumented Guyanese.” GTUC, the largest union in the Public Service, continued

“In the apparent focus to satisfy an immediate self-serving interest, it eluded CARICOM to examine the consequences of the repressive act of proroguing parliament. “It was ignored that CARICOM subscribes to the principles that good governance can only be considered when the citizens’ Rights and Freedoms are respected and safeguarded, and all branches of government and constitutional institutions are in place and are allowed to work.” The body surmised that these principles are not only adumbrated in the Commonwealth Charter, they are also ensconced in the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society. “CARICOM can best serve the interest of the Region’s people by speaking and acting in conformity with its Charter of Civil Society.”

Sunday January 18, 2015

Kaieteur News

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The La Grange crankshaft murder

Ganga Deolall

By Michael Jordan I really thought I had heard the last about Yvette Lall; and if you have to ask who Yvette Lall was, then you probably weren’t around 21 years ago. She was a pretty, 29-yearold seamstress who lived in Unity Street, La Grange, on the West Bank of Demerara. Back in October 1993, someone strangled Yvette, gutted her with a knife like she

was some huge fish, stuffed and tied a crankshaft and a slab of concrete in her empty stomach, then dumped her in the Demerara River. They caught a fisherman who they said was the killer. He’s on death row now. Case closed…or so I thought. But some time ago, I spoke to Ganga Deolall at the Georgetown Hospital, where he was undergoing surgery. Deolall is the guy whom

The goldfields are not the places they used to be because of technology. And this is the downside, because people who are anxious to get rich would do the unthinkable to grab gold. This is why another miner is going to get killed. His employer is going to cause other workers to beat him severely. ** Another shocking revelation is going to set tongues wagging. Someone is going to accuse a politician of demanding money for a favour. Shocked, the person is going to tell

the police identified as the ‘crankshaft murderer’, as we called him back then. But Deolall told me that he hadn’t killed Yvette Lall. He said that the real killers were still out there. You know what they say about every man on death row being ‘innocent’. But something about Deolall’s story intrigued me. So let’s go back to what happened in 1993. Yvette Lall was a young woman with a six-year-old son. She worked at Wilsun’s Garment Factory in Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, and lived with a sister at Unity Street, La Grange. Lall’s husband lived in Venezuela, and she had hoped to join him there. On Saturday, October 16, 1993, Lall left for her Industrial Site, Ruimveldt workplace. According to her employer, Roger Philips, she left the worksite at around 5:00 pm. According to a friend, she joined a bus and headed for home. A minibus driver and a friend later stated that Lall disembarked from the bus, at around 6:30 pm, at the head of Unity Street, La Grange. But Yvette Lall never reached home. Three days later, a group of fishermen got the shock of their lives when they spotted the body of a woman on the foreshore at La Grange. It is not that the fishermen had never seen a body before, but they had never

others, much to the anger of the politician. Then this man would be found unconscious at the side of a roadway. Make your conclusion. ** The government is going to bow to public pressure and pass on the saving from oil purchases to the people. The situation provided a windfall which the government simply pocketed, but people want relief from still high gas prices and electricity bills. They are going to speak out and the government, as it prepares for elections, will buckle.

seen one in such terrible condition. The victim’s head was in a plastic bag, and her hands were bound; and that was not the worst of it. Someone had slashed the woman’s stomach open and removed her intestines and other organs. That person had then placed a crankshaft and a huge concrete slab in her stomach, tied them in place with bits of rope, and then submerged the victim into the Demerara River. Somehow the corpse had washed up on the mudflats, revealing to everyone the river’s grisly secret. An autopsy would later reveal that the victim had been strangled. From all appearances, she was in her twenties and was of Amerindian ancestry. Eventually, the victim was buried without being identified. No one thought that the victim might be Yvette Lall, although she had not come home for three days, and had not attended work. Yvette’s sister assumed

that she was at relatives in Albouystown, while her boss assumed that she was merely absent. All that changed when the sister contacted the relatives in Albouystown and realised that Yvette Lall was not there. The relatives also learnt that she had disembarked from a bus in La Grange on October 16. That set them thinking about the body in the river. The sister went to La Grange Police Station, and they showed her a piece of clothing that was found with the corpse. The sister told the police that the garment looked like Yvette’s. The description given of the body fitted that of Yvette Lall, who had recently cutcurled her hair. Identity was reportedly further confirmed by fingerprints that were taken from the corpse. Now that it was

established that Yvette Lall was the mutilated mystery woman, suspicion fell on a 33year-old fisherman, who was her neighbour. The suspect, Ganga Deolall, lived at Lot 11 Unity Street, La Grange. He was married and had fathered three children. There were reports that Deolall had made sexual advances to Yvette Lall, and even had a photograph of her. On October 26, police arrested Ganga Deolall. A younger brother of the suspect was also shot in the hip, allegedly after attacking a police rank with a knife during their investigation. A f e w d a y s l a t e r, detectives stated that Ganga Deolall had signed a caution statement which indicated that he had sexual intercourse Continued on page 22

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Sunday January 18, 2015

The La Grange crankshaft murder From page 21 with Yvette Lall in the vicinity of a koker in La Grange. It is alleged that Deolall claimed that the young woman had succumbed during their

sexual encounter. On a rainy day, November 3, 1987, Ganga Deolall appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates Court before Chief Magistrate K. A. Juman-

Yassin, charged with the murder of Yvette Lall. During the brief hearing, the Chief Magistrate was moved to remark that whoever killed the young woman did

not deserve to live. Although Deolall’s attorney claimed that the statement was signed under duress, the document was later admitted during his High

Court trial. On November 22, 1995, Deolall was found guilty and was sentenced to death. Like I said, case closed; that is, until, from his hospital bed, I received Deolall’s

version of the events. Ganga Deolall admits that he knew Yvette Lall well. He described her as a “nice, good-looking girl.” According to the death row inmate, he visited the home regularly, but had never made any advances on her. “They used to come by we (home)…we used to live like family,” Deolall says. He alleges that on the day Yvette Lall disappeared, the woman’s sister had visited his home. He claimed that he followed the sister home at around 9:00 pm. He claimed that when the body was found, his brother was holding a religious function, so he never saw the corpse. Ganga Deolall says that he had accompanied Yvette Lall’s sister and others to La Grange Police Station, when it was realized that Yvette Lall was missing. But after the identity of the victim was confirmed, the police immediately took him, a woman and others into custody. They also shot his brother, Deolall said. The death row inmate alleges that some detectives, whom he named, subjected him to a beating. This included blows to his scrotum, which he claims remain damaged to this day. In fact, Deolall alleges that the surgery he underwent was for the removal of his damaged testicle. The death row inmate claims that, after being repeatedly beaten, he eventually signed the statement which implicated him. He says that after he was found guilty, he wrote to then President Bharrat Jagdeo to proclaim his innocence. However, in February 2000, a warrant was read for him and three other death row inmates to be hanged. Nevertheless, he was granted a stay of execution. So, if Ganga Deolall didn’t kill Yvette Lall, who are the real killers? According to Deolall, he received information, while in prison, that Yvette Lall was slain by three villagers. Unfortunately those ‘suspects’ now reside overseas, leaving him to take the rap for the murder, and to be stuck with the label of ‘crankshaft killer.’ If you have any information on this case, or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street office. You can also call us on telephone numbers: 2258465, 22-58458 and 2258491. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s : mjdragon@hotmail.com.

Sunday January 18, 2015

Kaieteur News

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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

Come from the Shadows: Joan Baez and Barack Obama in 2014 In the life of every human being, there is a moment when you hear a song, see a famous face, read about a historical event, and a memory comes forcefully into your consciousness. The name Joan Baez has stirring memories for me. Ms. Baez is a singer/songwriter/ musician/social activist who had more than a passing influence on me when I was young. I first came to know about Ms. Baez after the Bangladeshi war of Independence. She has a song about the Pakistani genocide during that battle that if you are faint-hearted, you should not listen to it. “Song of Bangladesh” is a haunting, maudlin, angstridden melody about what the Pakistani army did in that war. It was genocide that was as horrible as any previous genocidal madness in history. At the time I really loved that song. It was one of the first albums I bought for my wife when we went to study in Canada. It is titled, “Come From The Shadows.”

The front jacket has an elderly couple being escorted to the police van after being arrested in an anti-war demonstration. The back flap has a phenomenally beautiful Baez with her German Shepherd. It was on the back cover I wrote, next to the face of Baez, “To my wife Janet, with love.” This is one of my prized possessions. Yes! That album by Joan Baez is one of my priceless collections. It still baffles me why Joan Baez was never awarded the Nobel Prize for her fantastic legacy of anti-war politics. A few months ago while reading the Guardian (UK), I read an interview that newspaper did with her. In it, Baez said that prior to Barack Obama, the only American activist she admired was Martin Luther King Jr. Then the great, the phenomenal Joan Baez said some sad words about Obama. And before I quote them, let me say I admire Baez intensely and take what she says to heart.

Here is Baez on Obama; “I wish that Obama had a different enough personality that he would have stayed on the streets. If he had done that then he would have been the closest thing we ever had to King. He had the attention and support of hundreds of millions of people and now there isn’t much of anything.” Interestingly, Baez did a subtle thing. She didn’t want to look at Obama’s failure by highlighting the achievements of other superb leaders but just after mentioning Obama, this is what she said of the former president of Czechoslovakia, Vaclav Havel; “The thing that made him for me was that he was willing to take risks, risks, risks, risks.” In an interview with the Huffington Post this is what she said of Obama; “In some

ways I’m disappointed, but in some ways it was silly to expect more if he had taken his brilliance, his eloquence, his toughness and not run for office he could have led a movement. Once he got in the Oval Office he couldn’t do anything.” Baez is one of the most politically respected white Americans by the AfricanAmerican community and one of the most admired women of the 20th century, and for her to say that of Barack Obama, then, I believe something went deeply wrong with the Obama presidency. But equally famous people who admired and helped Obama are expressing disappointment. There is his Harvard law professor, the world famous Robert Unger, who said; “He has failed to advance the progressive cause in the

United States.” Unger went on to state that: · “His policy is financial confidence and food stamps.” · “He has spent trillions of dollars to rescue the moneyed interests and left workers and homeowners to their own devices.” · “He has delivered the politics of democracy to the rule of money.” · “He has disguised his surrender with an empty appeal to tax justice.” · “He has reduced justice to charity.” · “He has subordinated the broadening of economic and educational opportunity to the important but secondary issue of access to health care in the mistaken belief that he would be spared a fight.” · “He has evoked a politics of handholding, but no one

Frederick Kissoon changes the world without a struggle.” The last line of Unger can be linked to what Baez said about risk-taking in President Havel. Big supporter and campaigner of Obama, the actor Matt Damon had some insulting words to say about Obama’s failure. So is Obama a failure? If you talk to the intellectual crème de la crème of the African American society, they are bitterly disappointed. The question is, apart from health care, what has this guy done to cause him to retain the historic label he so deserved when he first won?

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The PPPC is monkeying around with parliamentary democracy [This column was first published on November 10, 2013. It is reprinted now with some minor modifications because of its relevance to the political situation in Guyana today]. The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration is monkeying around with parliamentary democracy. That Party, since the start of the 10th Parliament in January 2012, has attempted to diminish the authority of the National Assembly. It has challenged the Assembly’s legitimate decisions in the High Court, ignored recommendations of experts, failed to assent to bills and attacked the Opposition through the state media. The PPPC has been using every device at its disposal to hold back the ‘wave of change’ that surged since the

general and regional elections of November 2011. That ‘wave’ submerged it into a minority in the National Assembly. The threat to parliamentary democracy is real. Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman warned the Executive of the danger of a constitutional crisis. He said: “The continued resort to the High Court to question legitimate decisions of the National Assembly points to the grave and gathering danger of a constitutional crisis which has the potential to assume proportions the likes of which the nation has never seen and may be unable to handle.” President Donald Ramotar took the extraordinary step to announce publicly, on 13th June 2012, that he had no intention of supporting any bill piloted by the Opposition. He said, “That is not the

function of the opposition. They must respect what is their role…I am making it very clear that I will not assent to any bill that they carry unless it is with the full agreement of the executive and the full involvement of the executive.” It must have been as a result of this thinking that the President’s assent to three local government bills – the Local Government Commission Bill, the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill and the Fiscal Transfers Bill – was not granted until three months after they were passed. The Local Government (Amendment) Bill and others still have not been assented to. The Speaker had to warn the President that he could be in “gross dereliction of his constitutional duty” for not approving Bills that have been passed by the National

Assembly. He said, “The Office of the President is cautioned not to provoke a constitutional crisis as there is no winner in such a scenario but, rather, to respect and recognise the reality, authority and legitimacy of the 10th Parliament.” The PPPC has studiously ignored the most important recommendations of several reports and studies which pointed to the democratic way forward. The United Nations Development Programme in 2013 published a report – Assessment of Committees System of the National Assembly of Guyana – by Robin James and Dr David Ponet. The Report concluded that the National Assembly still lacks sufficient autonomy and resources and advised that it was “high time that Guyana’s political culture reflects this ideal of powersharing.” Several earlier studies made similar recommendations. The Needs Assessment of the Guyana National Assembly by Sir Michael Davies; Advisory Papers on Needs Assessment of the Guyana National Assembly by James Pender and Guyana Fiduciary Oversight Project-Phase 1: Inception Report by Bradbury & Associates, all recommended greater autonomy for the National Assembly. The Report of the 35th conference of the Caribbean,

Americas and Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Trinidad in July 2010 declared, “Autonomy is needed for Parliaments to function freely; Parliaments should therefore seek Administrative Autonomy; Institutional and Political Autonomy and Financial Autonomy; A weak feeble and subservient Parliament is a threat to democracy.” Recommendations on autonomy of the National Assembly by these studies generally reflect the Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles on the Three Branches of Government endorsed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria in 2003. Among those principles were that Parliament should be serviced by a professional staff – independent of the regular public service – and that an all-Party committee of members of parliament should review and administer parliament’s budget which should not be subject to amendment by the Executive. The PPPC’s other tactic has been to resort to the courts of law. Attorney General Anil Nandlall, starting his campaign of litigation in March 2012, filed a Constitutional Motion in the High Court seeking to overturn a parliamentary vote on the composition of the

Committee of Selection. He then moved to the courts in an attempt to have the 2012 National Budget cuts reviewed and reversed and, again, to set aside the Speaker’s order prohibiting a government minister from speaking in the National Assembly and referring consideration of the matter to the Committee of Privilege. The state-owned media – the National Communications Network (NCN), Government Information Agency (GINA) and the Guyana Chronicle newspaper that is published by Guyana National Newspapers Ltd (GNNL) – have relentlessly attacked opposition members of the National Assembly since February 2012. The state media have described Opposition Members and the Speaker on some occasions in scurrilous terms such as “irresponsible and reckless,” “vindictive and unprincipled” and “power drunk.” The Opposition has been accused of exercising “reckless and blatant opportunism.” The National Assembly was called a “sham and a veneer” and “an unruly horse.” Such has been the Executive branch’s contempt for the legislature! The PPPC, clearly, is monkeying around with parliamentary democracy by disparaging the National Assembly. By so doing, it is turning Guyana into a less free country.

Sunday January 18, 2015

Kaieteur News

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My column

There is a limit to free speech When two Muslims attacked the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and killed twelve people because of what the magazine kept doing, the world reacted furiously. The French hunted down the men and killed them. They also killed an accomplice who took over a Jewish supermarket and killed four people. The magazine then went on to publish much more copies than it ever did. It announced that it was going to print one million copies, much more than the 30,000 copies it printed each week. When last I heard the magazine had printed three million copies (all of which disappeared in the marketplace) and was printing even more. At issue is the disrespect for someone’s religion. The magazine mocked the Prophet Muhammad in many cartoons, much to the annoyance of the Muslim community. However, the common thread was that one does not kill everyone who offends us. And this is what I firmly believe. Yet I cannot tolerate someone mocking another person’s religion. In Guyana we have many religions, some mere branches of the older and more established religions. I remember when the Pentecostal churches made their appearance. The

traditional Christian churches were disgusted at what passed for religion. Priests told their congregation to beware of those who are agents of the devil posing as religious people. The people in the establishment did not burn the churches, and although the society was firmly proestablishment, there were no prosecutions unless the new pastors fleeced people. The musical bands entered the churches and religious services were more akin to a dance party. But people left feeling high in spirit. The Pentecostal churches are here to stay, and the traditional churches are essentially dying, having been stuck in tradition. We have our Jordanites who enliven many street corners. Many of us who are not of that persuasion are still seen depositing our money at the feet of these worshippers.

I remember bands like Little Jones livening up many neighbourhoods with the drums and the saxophone. One night in my native Beterverwagting there was such a ceremony at the home of a resident. The village was out in force to see the happenings. We saw people catching “the spirit” and squirming on the ground. We went home with stories to tell. We never considered these people to be mocking our religion. We have Muslims, Hindus and even agnostics in our midst, and we live in tolerance. It came as no surprise when the Pope even remarked that there is a limit to our tolerance, but he did not say to kill. He did exhibit a violent side to his character when he said that if a man told him about his mother, that person would get a punch. The publishers of Charlie Hebdo should realize that some things are not part of free

speech. If that were the case, then some of us would not be arrested for threatening another, or for using foul language in public. Free speech is not an absolute. I never heard of Charlie Hebdo until the massacre, and even if I did, I would not have bought the magazine. It goes too far. But the event makes us realize that we should teach tolerance during our assemblies. I have seen intolerant behaviour so often that I wonder how it is that we could still live among ourselves. Young men walk the streets with no regard for people. They attack them and spark another round of intolerance. The other day a group of young men entered a church and robbed the parishioners. Some time earlier, another group targeted some old women who had gone to an Anglican Church for their usual worship.

We have also had policemen displaying high levels of intolerance. They nab a petty thief and beat him senseless. When they take him to court they stand and watch a sentence that can only be described as intolerant. But, for the greater part, we have been forced to be tolerant in some cases. We no longer smoke in offices and in certain public places. Even smoking in some nightclubs is not tolerated. But where tolerance matters most, on the streets, there is none. I remember the occasion when Mash Day coincided with Ash Wednesday and with a Muslim holiday. The year was 1977. There were calls to postpone the Mash Day parade to allow the religious community to enjoy their day. This was not done, because the government of the day said that Guyana was a secular state and everyone

Adam Harris should be allowed to enjoy the activity of his choice. There was nothing to mock any religion, and at the end of the day everyone went home, happy. Did the Mash Day parade mock Islam and Christianity in one fell swoop? Did we disrespect any religion? We did not think so and we did not take out the guns. In my humble opinion, I do not believe that Charlie Hebdo, under the guise of free speech, should continue to disrespect any religion.

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Let us reach out and help those who are suicidal By Latchmin Sarah Punalall Women For Change Chairperson Essequibo is the El Dorado County of wealth for our country, with its natural resources and as home of the majestic Kaieteur Falls. It is not only its natural resources we should be proud of, but we should always recognize that its people in the natural environment are our most important resource. Our hearts are filled with love for Essequibo’s natural beauty; we embrace our hardworking and most kind-hearted Essequibian brothers and sisters. The business community in Essequibo ought to be flourishing. Businessmen and companies are supposed to be employing locals. They should be reaching out and providing empowerment with business skills to the people so that they can be

successful in life and do well in their natural environment. Why then are foreigners given more opportunities than locals? This question can only be answered by the Government. The year 2015 has just commenced and Essequibians of all ages are rapidly becoming disgusted with life. The Essequibo Coast has so far recorded three cases of suicide, with one being an elderly woman. The second was a man who was frustrated and often threatened to kill his two young children. He ingested poison. Prior to that, he had attempted to throw his two children over the sea wall. The third is a 33-year-old man of Golden Fleece who was apparently experiencing domestic problems. The many ills facing Essequibians undoubtedly contribute to so many suicides. The people are crying out for “Help”. Suicide

is a deliberate act of selfdestruction in which the chance of surviving is uncertain. It is caused by unbearable psychological pain or psychache. Psychache is the hurt, anguish or ache that takes hold in the mind. It is the pain of excessively felt shame, guilt, anxiety, loneliness, angst, dread of growing old or dying badly, terminal illness, financial insecurity, social ills in society and a government that seeks to take of its own and leave the other out in the cold. Suicide is a tragic drama in the mind. Death is actively sought to stop the unceasing flow of painful consciousness. There is one sign which characterizes a suicidal state of mind - constriction. It is the narrowing of the person’s focus of attention which leads to one word “only” in all suicidal intentions. We need to help them discover other

solutions. Many people who are contemplating suicide call a friend, church or agency for assistance. What can we do to help people who are considering suicides? Look out for the three “Hs” that are highly descriptive of a suicidal person. First is Hopelessness. The young people have become very hopeless in our society today. Many of them just completed Secondary School and have 7-12 CXC subjects and are unemployed. The elderly are also hopeless as they face expenses for medical health, food, electricity, water etc. The meagre pension is grossly inadequate. Very frequently these senior citizens have to assist in raising grandchildren because of the low income of their parents. Secondly is Helplessness concomitant with depression. They are no longer connected to anyone or anything. They are unable to help themselves and become frustrated because they are unable to help others who depend on them. This applies especially to

elderly men who have lost much of the meaning of life. They no longer have their occupation which was their source of identity and selfesteem. With no other pillar of finances, nothing is left with them. They feel incapable because they are unable to provide for those who depend on them. Third is Haplessness - where their lives have become very sad and they feel miserable in this world. Their emotion has dried up leaving them with nothing to entertain the physical body. Happiness, joy, peace and love are connected to our emotions. When this is dried up, everything becomes dead. A suicidal person feels that life is not worth living anymore. Over the years researchers and doctors have tried to determine what induces persons to take their lives. Based upon research, five types of suicidal indicators among adolescents have been identified. Among them the most common type is “a cry for help”. This type of individual is the most successful at recovering when treated. Teens have problems and

Latchmin Sarah Punalall would like to be advised of some way of dealing with it. They are at a place where nothing has worked. They feel blocked and that their only resort is suicide. Sometimes the attempt at suicide is their way of trying to get our attention to help them resolve their problem. Suicide rates in Guyana are among the highest in the world. This is indeed very disturbing. Mentioned above are just three cases of suicide in Essequibo. There was also a case of suicide this week in Georgetown. Women For Change, which is the women’s segment of the AFC, is calling on all organizations, individuals and households to pay attention to those who are suicidal to reach out and help them.

Sunday January 18, 2015

Kaieteur News

Guyana is exploring the possibilities of Indian help to fix GuySuCo’s problems.

SUNDAY SPECIAL RAMOTAR EXPLORES INDIA’S HELPTO RESCUE GUYSUCO President Donald Ramotar, during a six-day visit to India to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) celebrations, visited one of that country’s top performing sugar factories. It was essentially a signal that Guyana would be asking India for help to rescue the troubled Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). According to a Times of India news report last week Saturday, Ramotar flew in to the Valsad Sugar Factory on an Indian Air Force chopper where he was “impressed with the functioning of the sugar factory and praised the stateof-the-art technology” used to crush the sugarcane in order to make the crystals. Talking to the management of the Valsad sugar factory and district collector of Valsad, Dr Vikrant Pandey, Ramotar said that the relationship between India and Guyana is very old and that it was going to be further strengthened during his visit. The Government of Guyana has been struggling for over five years to make the new Skeldon factory work efficiently. Built by the Chinese under a US$200M programme the Skeldon factory has continuously failed to meet targets.

to this newspaper. He is now essentially saying that if the newspaper continues along the line it is going, it is likely to suffer the same fate of those who were killed in Paris. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, in a profanity-laced recording made public last November, was heard telling a senior reporter that “innocent people” working at Kaieteur News may be killed as a result of the types of stories the newspaper has been carrying. A group of reporters cornered Nandlall on Friday as he exited the Chief Justice’s Chambers and asked him about the comments he made back then. Nandlall was told that his colleague in Parliament, Moses Nagamootoo, had on the same day said that the Paris incident coupled with Nandlall’s threats should serve as a warning to all Guyanese that there can be terroristic attacks to media houses in Guyana resulting in the deaths of journalists. The Minister interjected, “And?” He was then asked to confirm if what he was heard saying on the recording should indeed be taken as a warning. At this, Nandlall laughed. After containing himself he said “It should serve as a warning, (Laughed again) Well if you cross the road carelessly you are likely to be struck down by an errant driver.”

NANDLALLREPEATS THREATS TO KAIETEUR NEWS …If you cross the road carelessly you are likely to be struck down by an errant driver

FREE EXPRESSION IS SEEN AS A THREAT TO THE POWERS IN GUYANA –GREENIDGE

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall has chosen to send yet another chilling message

A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl

MONDAYEDITION

Greenidge has opined that it is clear that free expression is now seen as a threat to the powers that be in Guyana, and probably treated as a criminal offence by some. This was after careful analysis of the horrifying massacre which recently took place in Paris, France, alongside the threats made against the Kaieteur News paper by the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. According to Greenidge, the importance of the press in the life of democracies cannot be exaggerated. For the people of the Caribbean, he said, the wanton and callous murder of 12 journalists in Paris last week followed by the related murder of an additional five persons in a supermarket by terrorists hiding under the cloak of religion, should strike a special chord because satire, the idiom of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo, is a form well known to the English Caribbean people. Greenidge said that the massacre at Charlie Hebdo is a further reminder, if one was needed, that all kinds of journalists, including cartoonists and satirists are also at risk on the front lines of the battle for press freedom and democracy. Although many in the government would tend to say otherwise, the Opposition member said that Guyana has not been spared such excesses. US$50M LOAN FROM INDIA…GUYANAIS BEING PLUNGED FURTHER INTO DEBT - NAGAMOOTOO Alliance for Change (AFC) Vice-Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo is worried that Guyana is being plunged into further debt through a deal that may not have been thought out and fine tuned enough.

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Speaking on the recent US$50M loan that government has been able to secure from India, Nagamootoo said that there is much to be considered before Guyana can count this as a blessing. India has approved a new Line of Credit of US$60M for two major projects in Guyana. The monies will fund the East Bank-East Coast of Demerara road link, and a ferry to be used in the North West District area.

Patricia Sanasie, 43, was riddled with bullets as she stepped out of her car to open her gate for her daughter to drive in, after the two had returned from a church. She was shot in the neck, chest, abdomen and groin. She was already dead when a resident and her daughter took her to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The gunmen made no attempt to shoot the victim’s daughter and reportedly escaped in a silver-grey Raum.

TUESDAYEDITION

WEDNESDAYEDITION

UKTHREATENS SANCTIONS OVER PROROGUED PARLIAMENT – PPP SAYS DIPLOMAT EXCEEDEDLIMIT

NORWAY, IDB ACCUSED OFAMAILA CONSPIRACY …WPA demands that money be withheld from Govt.

Government of Guyana and the United Kingdom (UK) are at extreme odds over the current suspension of Parliament. The statement of outgoing British High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre, during a press conference to explain his Government’s stance of calling for an early end to the Parliamentary stalemate and the definite naming of a date for elections, immediately drew sharp criticisms of meddling from the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the Government alike. In a clear signal that the diplomatic community was becoming exasperated over the current situation, British Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood, called “for the earliest possible resumption of Parliament” as required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter. “Parliament is required by Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter; it provides the necessary checks and balances and enables citizens’ voices to be heard. The suspension of Parliament therefore means that an essential element of a functioning democracy has been put on hold.” The British Minister also called for early holding of Local Government Elections, something that has not been held for over 20 years.

The Working People Alliance (WPA) is adamant that there should be no financial negotiations for the Amaila Falls project unless Guyana has a functioning National Assembly. The Party is saying that attempts to fund the project without parliamentary approval would be illegal. The WPA last week Saturday called on the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and Norway to withhold monies from the Government of Guyana for purposes of pursuing the Amaila Falls Hydro Project until the National Assembly is reconvened. The Party issued a statement that sought to register its dismay at the growing evidence that Norway and the IDB are “colluding with the Government of Guyana to violate the Constitution of

Guyana and to participate in the unlawful spending of public funds.” EXECUTION OFAUTO DEALER’S WIFE…DAUGHTER GOES INTO HIDING, FEARS FOR LIFE Having stood helplessly and watched a gunman pump four bullets into her mother, the daughter of slain businesswoman Patricia Sanasie has gone into hiding, fearful for her life. Ramona Sanasie, who was with her mother on Monday night when she was gunned down as she was about to enter her yard in Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, is convinced that her mother’s death was a hit orchestrated by a close family member. Since the killing, the young woman has been in the protective care of relatives who also told police that they too feared that she could be harmed. THURSDAY EDITION MPS PAID MILLIONS TO DO NOTHING The continued suspension of Parliament has meant a lot of agitation on the political front, but it is also costing taxpayers millions upon millions of dollars to pay Parliamentarians for basically doing nothing. President Donald Ramotar’s delay in dissolving Parliament and calling General Elections has effectively ensured that all Members of Continued on page 37

AUTO DEALER’S WIFE SLAIN IN HAIL OF BULLETS Gunmen clad in black executed the wife of popular auto dealer, Deokaran Sanasie, called Monkey Ram, around 19.00 hrs last Monday outside her Lot 129 Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara home. The shooting came almost a year after her husband survived a similar attempt on his life.

Dead: Patricia Sanasie

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Sunday January 18, 2015

Sunday January 18, 2015

From page 27 Parliament qualify to receive a Parliamentary pension. If you were to count just the salaries of Parliamentarians, including the Speaker together, the monthly salary adds up to $22.8 million. If you multiply that by six, it means that in the time since the last sitting of the House, Parliamentarians have been paid $136 million to do nothing, and if you add up the allowances over that time, you might want to put in a few million dollars more. GOVT. REJECTS PEGASUS OFFER FOR MARRIOTT’S US$8M EQUITY …pick up cheque from my lawyer – Badal More than one week after a local hotelier offered to plug US$8M in the Marriott Hotel, Project Head, Winston Brassington, has refused. Brassington, in a statement from Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), in turning down the offer, believes that Robert Badal, who owns majority stakes in the nearby Pegasus Hotel, could not be serious. The statement from Brassington and the Government would raise even more questions about where they are finding the billions of dollars needed to complete the hotel. Government has, as part of its stakes, plugged almost US$22M of the US$57M needed for the completion of the hotel. The remaining monies would have been coming from a US$27M syndicated loan from Republic Bank and US$8M from a private equity investor. Those monies now held up as a court action has

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been filed to block transfer of the properties to the bank for the financing. Badal earlier this month said that Pegasus is willing to plug in the US$8M needed that will give the neighbouring hotel a 67 percent stake in Marriott. However, it is more than clear now that Government is not interested in local investors. Where it raised the monies from to take the hotel to an almost complete stage has been kept in the dark as Brassington and Government have both refused to comment. AHI in its response to Badal’s offer for Marriott argued that the businessman is not serious since he had not in the initial stages shown interest. FRIDAYEDITION FOLLOWINGTHREAT OF INT’L SANCTIONS… GOVT. SAYS UK ENVOY’S DEPARTURE “EAGERLY AWAITED” United Kingdom High Commissioner Andrew Ayre has correctly anticipated the unflattering sentiments of the Guyana government. Following his comments to the effect that the UK is not in support of the lengthy prorogation of Parliament, Ayre said that he was prepared to be attacked by the government. The envoy was reported in sections of the media as saying that the Guyana government goes after people who don’t agree with all its decisions and polices. His words were “anyone who says anything that the Government doesn’t agree with, they try to demolish and discredit.”

The Marriott Hotel, Kingston The government did not give Ayre anything less than he expected. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Thursday told the media that the government is “eagerly awaiting” Ayre’s departure from Guyana. Speaking at his weekly post-cabinet press conference at the Office of the President, Luncheon relayed that Cabinet was indeed peeved at the diplomat’s assertions. Dr. Luncheon labeled Ayre as “dishonourable” and said that the Cabinet has decided that the diplomat needs to be accorded the status of a “pariah.” BITTER SUGAR POLITICS…AFC DEMANDS FORENSIC AUDIT OF GUYSUCO BILLIONS, SKELDON FACTORY

The reality that the approval of millions of taxpayers’ dollars for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to rescue the ailing industry was a waste of time, compounded by the poor performance of the “state-ofthe-art” Skeldon Sugar Factory, is what led Vice Chairman of the Alliance For Change, Moses Nagamootoo, to the firm conclusion that Guyana is now back to the gloomy days of bitter sugar politics. Nagamootoo made this, among other comments, at his party’s press conference which was held Thursday at the Georgetown Club. He was at the time, referring to a news item in the media which stated that the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) lambasted GuySuCo for its incompetence and subsequently called for a commission of inquiry into the

The AFC protestors outside the US Embassy, Kingston, Georgetown

industry. “The pre-harvesting of young canes on a number of estates during some weeks in November and December, 2014 was not only senseless and costly, but will compromise the production potential of the first crop (this year),” GAWU stated. Nagamootoo, on this premise, said that the AFC supports the call for the inquiry and went beyond this, by calling for a full investigation into all monies given to government by the European Union, as well as a forensic audit into the millions wasted on the Skeldon Sugar factory and the billions given by Parliament to help the cash-strapped company over the years. MPS EARN MORE THAN KN PREVIOUSLY STATED Members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) seemed offended when Kaieteur News in an article published Thursday suggested that Members of Parliament (MPs) in this period of prorogation were collecting millions of dollars for essentially doing nothing.The AFC MPs rushed to accuse the newspaper of inaccurate reporting and of lacking thoroughness when conducting investigations. Kaieteur News, in the article, stated that as of the start of this new year, MPs such as those in the political opposition were taking home gross earnings of $166,000 and their telephone and travel bills paid for. AFC was quick to deem this, among other revelations in that news item, as being far from the truth. The fact is that the MPs are earning more than the newspaper had stated. The pay slips willingly provided by AFC member Valerie Garrido-Lowe showed that her gross earnings are $180, 040 and after taxes are

deducted, the take home is $140, 992, while Cathy Hughes’ gross salary is $282,000. After deductions her take home is $212,000. SATURDAY EDITION AFC PICKETS US EMBASSY SEEKING VISA SANCTIONS AGAINST GOVT. OFFICIALS Members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) protested outside the Embassy of the United States of America in Kingston, Georgetown on Friday calling for the American authorities to enforce visa sanctions on all Ministers of the government, until general elections are held. Given the inclement weather yesterday morning, the AFC members armed themselves with umbrellas and held high several placards, some of which read, “No Democracy, No Visas,” “Guyanese Democracy stripped naked,” and “No Visas for Corrupt Ministers.” The Opposition party members said that they felt such a move was necessary and that embassies have a moral obligation to support democracy and even the rights of the citizenry which is enshrined in the Constitution. Kaieteur News columnist, Frederick Kissoon, said that the picket is just the beginning of a relentless drive to show the government that the electorate has had it with its dictatorial leadership style. Kissoon said that the AFC wants to appeal to the embassies of the ABC (America, Britain and Canada) countries to implement visa sanctions for three areas of venality. These he said are the move to prorogue the Parliament, unimaginable scales of corruption and immoral behaviour by government ministers.

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TONSILLITIS - Inflammation of STRESSFUL JOBS MAY the glands (tonsils) of the throat INCREASE STROKE RISK By Dr. Kumar Sukhraj Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the glands of the throat, which are called the tonsils. Tonsils are the two lymph nodes (glands) located on each side of the back of your throat. They function as a defence mechanism, helping to prevent infection from entering the rest of your body. Tonsils are your first line of defence against illness and they produce white blood cells to help your body fight infection. The tonsils combat bacteria and viruses that enter your body through the mouth, but are vulnerable to infection from these invaders themselves. Tonsillitis can be caused by a virus, such as the common cold, or by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat. Children come into close contact with others at school and play, exposing them to a variety of viruses and bacteria. This makes them particularly vulnerable to the germs that cause tonsillitis. There are many symptoms of tonsillitis. The most common include: · a very sore throat · difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing · a scratchy-sounding voice (Hoarseness) · bad breath · fever · chills

Dr. Kumar Sukhraj · earaches · stomach aches · headaches · a stiff neck · jaw and neck tenderness (due to swollen lymph nodes) · tonsils that appear red and swollen · tonsils that have white or yellow spots · Ear pain (caused by nerves that go to the back of the throat also go to the ear) It is important to note that in very young children, you may also notice increased irritability, poor appetite, or excessive drooling. Seek immediate medical care if you or your child have difficulty breathing, because the swollen tonsils may be obstructing the airways. Diagnosis is based on a physical examination of the

throat and may include a throat culture. To take a throat culture, your doctor will gently swab the back of your throat and send the sample to a laboratory to identify the cause of your throat infection. Treatment may not be required for mild cases of tonsillitis, particularly if it is caused by a virus, such as a cold. Treatments for more severe cases of tonsillitis may include the use of antibiotics (to fight bacterial infection) or a tonsillectomy (surgery to remove the tonsils) in cases where there is repeated tonsillitis, tonsillitis that does not respond to other treatment or tonsillitis that causes complications. In order to prevent tonsillitis you need to wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus or bacteria that cause tonsillitis and void prolonged contact with people with strep throat caused by bacteria until 24 hours after antibiotics are started. Please feel free to send an email to kumarsukhraj@ yahoo.com or call 6228032 for further enquiry and discussion on the topic. Patient education plays an important in the diagnosis and management of any illness. Please look forward for a continuation of the discussion on health issues in the next publication.

People who have demanding jobs and job strain are more likely to suffer one type of stroke, a review of previous studies suggests. Job strain has been linked to heart attack risk in the past, but not necessarily to stroke. “Previous studies on the association between job strain and stroke have showed mixed results, with some studies showing an association and others not,” said lead author Eleonor I. Fransson of the School of Health Sciences at Jönköping University in Sweden, in email to Reuters Health. In this new analysis, which pooled the results of 14 earlier studies from Europe, people with job strain had an increased risk of so-called

ischemic stroke. Ischemic strokes happen when the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen – when, for example, the arteries are clogged. Fransson, senior author Mika Kivimäki of University College London, and their coauthors used data from 14 European studies between 1985 and 2008. Altogether, almost 200,000 adults filled out questionnaires about job strain. The studies lasted nine years on average. Those with a demanding job and little control over their work environments were categorized as having high ‘job strain.’ This accounted for 13 to 22 percent of people, depending on the original study. In general, out of every 100,000 people in Europe,

Higher-fiber diet linked to lower risk of death People who ate the most fiber were less likely to die of any cause during a recent study of nearly one million people. The finding might be explained by fiber’s potential to lower the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several types of cancer, researchers say. Individuals should be encouraged to increase their dietary fiber intake “to potentially decrease the risk of premature death,” Yang Yang, of the Shanghai Cancer Institute in China, and colleagues write in the American Journal of Epidemiology. They pooled data from 17 previous studies that tracked 982,411 men and women, mostly in Europe and the U.S., and recorded about 67,000 deaths. Yang’s team divided participants into five groups based on their daily fiber intake. Those in the top fifth,

who ate the greatest amount of fiber daily, were 16 percent less likely to die than those in the bottom fifth, who consumed the least amount of fiber. In addition, eight studies showed a 10 percent drop in risk for any cause of death with each 10-gram per day increase in fiber intake.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that adults consume 14 grams of fiber in every 1,000 calories they take in, the authors point out. That translates to approximately 25 grams a day for women and 38 grams daily for men. “On average, intakes of dietary fiber in the U.S. and

other economically developed countries are much lower than recommended goals – in the U.S., about half of what is advised,” said Victoria Burley, a nutrition researcher at the University of Leeds in the UK, who was not involved in the study. These study results are

“very much in line with earlier published meta-analyses of the relationship between dietary fiber and risk of major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, and cancers,” Burley told Reuters Health in an email. She said the benefits of consuming fiber-rich foods have been known for decades, including lowering of blood cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and insulin, and possibly reducing inflammation. High-fiber foods may also make people feel full sooner, and for longer, which helps curb overeating and weight gain, she added. “Some or all of these factors may underlie the reduction in mortality observed here.” It’s not difficult to consume an extra 10 grams of fiber per day, Burley said. “This can come from two servings of whole grain foods, such as breakfast cereal and two servings of fruit or vegetables, for example.”

each year 115 men and 75 women have an ischemic stroke, earlier research has shown. In the new study, the risk of ischemic stroke was about 24 percent higher for people in the job strain group than for the others. There was no difference in risk of hemorrhagic stroke, another common type, in which a blood vessel ruptures and leaks blood into the brain. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and family history of stroke are all important risk factors, but this data was not available for most people in the new study. The researchers accounted for basic socioeconomic status, which they used as a stand-in for other health risk factors, which lessened the increase in ischemic stroke risk for those with stressful jobs. “This present study is good contribution but of course the results present more questions,” according to Susanna Toivanen, associate professor of sociology at the Center for Health Equity Studies in Stockholm, Sweden, who was not part of the new analysis. Some strokes may have a genetic component, which may be why the researchers did not find an association with hemorrhagic stroke, Toivanen told Reuters Health by phone. “The classification is not so exact and they don’t discuss these different types of hemorrhagic stroke,” she said. This and other studies do not necessarily prove that stressful jobs cause strokes, Fransson noted. “However, the association is plausible because stress might cause release of stress-related hormones, which in turn affect the metabolic, immunological and cardiovascular systems,” she said.

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For NBC chief, ‘critical mass’ of NICK CANNONS files for accusers ended Cosby’s TV show divorce from Mariah Carey NBC canceled plans for a new television show with Bill Cosby because the number of women accusing the comedian of sexual assault reached a level that tainted the project, NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said on Friday. Greenblatt, speaking at a Television Critics Association meeting, said it was “safe to say” NBC would never pursue a future show with the comedian, who starred in the network’s hit 1980s family sitcom “The Cosby Show.” “Fifteen women came out and accused him,” Greenblatt said in response to questions about the network’s decision in November to drop its development of Cosby’s new show. “While over the years we’d heard some of those accusations and knew there were a couple settlements, it didn’t seem to be the sort of thing that was critical mass,” he said, adding that it was a “tainted situation.” Over the last three months, more than a dozen women have come forward alleging that Cosby had sexually assaulted them. Many of those allegations are decades old and fall outside the statute of limitations for criminal or civil cases. Cosby’s attorney, Marty Singer, has dismissed the allegations as “discredited” and “defamatory.” Cosby, best known for his “America’s Dad” persona Dr. Cliff Huxtable on the “Cosby Show,” has never been charged over any of the allegations. He settled a 2005 civil suit alleging sexual misconduct. The new show was early in development and the network had not yet received a draft

script, Greenblatt said. The day before NBC canceled the show in November, streaming company Netflix Inc pulled Cosby’s stand-up comedy special “Bill Cosby, 77,” which had been due to be released on Nov. 28. Cosby’s attorney and publicist did not return emails seeking comment on Greenblatt’s remarks. But his attorney, Martin Singer, did send a statement refuting the claims of a woman, Chloe Goins, who accuses Cosby of sexually abusing her in 2008 at the Playboy Mansion and who met with Los Angeles police on Wednesday. “The party took place on August 9, 2008. Mr. Cosby was in New York on that date,” Singer said in the statement. “We will be providing documentary evidence to the appropriate authorities which conclusively establishes Mr. Cosby’s whereabouts on August 9th and for the preceding and succeeding days.”

TMZ reported Friday that Cannon filed papers on Dec. 12 to legally finalize his split from Carey. The filing came just days before Carey performed at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. She allegedly missed a pre-taping for the event because she was working out the settlement with her lawyer. The actor announced their separation back in August, saying: “There is trouble in paradise. We have been living in separate houses for a few months. My main focus is my kids.” Around Christmastime, he told “Good Morning America” host Lara Spencer that he and the superstar singer will “always be

family.” Carey and Cannon married back in 2008 and are parents to twins, Monroe and Moroccan. Although he and Carey have been broken up for some time, Cannon said he is not ready to date. “I’m great. There are a lot of people after me right now. I gotta slow it down. I’m trying to slow it down and stay focused. Family is the first thing and my kids are most important,” he told People magazine in November. Adding: “Obviously the dating thing will come down the line, but right now I’m just slowing down.” The split is not slowing down Carey’s career. This week, she announced her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.

Obama holds White House screening of Oscar-snubbed film “SELMA”

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars keep top spot in British MUSIC CHARTS English DJ Mark Ronson kept the top spot in the British singles chart on Sunday with “Uptown Funk,” featuring U.S. singer Bruno Mars, the Official Charts Company said. It is the fourth nonconsecutive week at number one for the track, which had a combined download and streams tally of 130,000. The song holds the record for most streams in a week at 2.56 million and was streamed 2.43 million times in the past week alone, the Official Charts Company said. Philip George, a 21-yearold DJ, kept the number two spot, with his debut release “Wish You Were Mine,” while Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” held firm in third place. In the albums chart, Sam Smith’s “In The Lonely Hour” reclaimed the top spot, moving up from number three, giving the soul singer

his fifth non-consecutive week at the top. Singer-songwriter George Ezra’s “Wanted On Voyage”

fell to number three from number one, while Ed Sheeran’s “X” remained at number two. (Reuters)

The civil rights movie “Selma” may not have gotten a lot of Oscar love, but President Barack Obama was giving it a lot of attention on Friday. The president was bringing in Oprah Winfrey, Common, David Oyelowo, Tim Roth and other cast members for a screening of the film in the White House family theater. Another featured guest was Georgia

Democratic Representative John Lewis, who was beaten by Alabama state troopers at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma when he and Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists were marching to Montgomery in March 1965. Some movie critics were surprised that “Selma” netted only two Oscar nominations, for best picture and best song.

‘Boyhood,’ Michael Keaton, Julianne Moore win top Critics Choice awards “Boyhood,” Michael Keaton and Julianne Moore were among the top winners at the 20th annual Critics Choice Movie Awards on Thursday, winning best picture and director, actor and actress. “Boyhood,” which earlier in the day received six Oscar nominations including best picture, was named the year’s best film by the

more-than 250 members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the largest U.S. and Canadian film critics’ group. The critics honored “Boyhood” director Richard Linklater, who in a virtually unprecedented move made the film over 12 years with the same actors, and awarded Patricia Arquette the best supporting actress

prize. The critics twice awarded Michael Keaton for his acclaimed performance in “Birdman,” in which he plays a fading action film actor trying to make a go of it on Broadway, with both its best actor in a comedy and best actor awards. The film also won for best ensemble among a total of seven awards. “I’ll take anything, to be honest with you,”

quipped Keaton, who has already won many awards, including the Golden Globe, and is considered a favorite for the best actor Oscar when Hollywood’s top honors are handed out on Feb. 22. Moore, another Oscar nominee and favorite to win, won best actress for “Still Alice,” in which she plays a professor with Alzheimer’s disease.

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Why is gas price so high in Guyana? By Ralph Seeram After finishing this article I am going to fill up my SUV. I am so happy buying gas these days. Before, I paid reluctantly, muttering some choice cuss words towards the big oil companies for ripping me off. These days I leave the gas pumps with a smile; I am going to pay US$1.99 per gallon for gasoline. Why am I so happy? Up to about three months ago I was paying an average of US$3.50 per gallon. Considering that I fill up about five times a month using about 70gls a month, it means I am saving approximately a little over US$100.00 per month. That’s, a good chunk of money. I mentioned SAVING a hundred bucks, but am I literally saving that money? Am I taking it and put it aside and stashing it as saving? Of course not; all it did was to give me more spending money, which goes back in the economy. Multiply by several million motorists in the US, and you get the idea why the US economy is on the rise. Consumers are spending more, which in turn spreads the wealth a little.

This is especially true for those at the low end of the economic scale, who need the disposable income more than anyone else. The gas situation in Guyana caught my attention; the prices did not go down proportionally as they should. As the gas went down the excise tax went up. Whatever savings that should be passed on the buses and taxi were taken away by the government. If the approximately 40 per cent reduction in gas was passed on, passengers would see a reduction in bus and taxi fares, manufactures would see reduced transportation costs and if the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) passed on the big saving to its customers manufacturers would be able to pass on the saving to consumers. This means that the local man or woman in the street will do as I did; they will not literally put aside that saving, but spend it back on other items, pumping more cash into the economy, more VAT (taxes) for the government. But no, the government got greedy. It wants the saving for itself. Its appetite for spending

taxpayers’ dollars, wasting taxpayers’ dollars, especially on projects that should be the domain of private enterprise like the Marriott Hotel knows no bounds. It bothers me. GPL is saving big time on fuel costs, its excuse for the high electricity cost, but is it passing this big saving to its consumers? No it also got a greedy appetite. It bothers me. Since I mention the new Marriott, what’s up with the design? I saw a recent picture of it and if I did not read the caption, I would have thought it was either a hospital or a prison, not a hotel. So much for aesthetics. Still on the subject, the owner of the Pegasus Hotel, Robert Badal, called the PPP government’s bluff and made a bid for an equity partner for the Marriott Hotel. Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to invest roughly 18 per cent or US$8M and get twothirds share in a US$57M hotel, plus all the tax incentives. You don’t see much of this type of opportunity in the investment world. The weird thing is that the GOVERNMENT for all the lies, could not find takers for this great investment, or so it appears. Then up comes Badal (who I am sure knew they would refuse him) to grab at the deal only to be rebuffed with the poor excuse that the man is not serious.

One gets the impression that the government is waiting for a “straw person. No one knows officially where the money came from to build the hotel but no doubt taxpayers’ money is sitting on that building. It bothers me. The Guyanese public has been told so often that the Government has turned into a dictatorship, spending money illegally and so forth because President Donald Ramotar using his constitutional power to suspend Parliament. Not to mention that the opposition also wanted to shut down Parliament at least for three months using their constitutional right to pass a vote of no confidence against the government. What caught my attention is all the Members of Parliament were still drawing their salaries; yes both Government and Opposition Parliamentarians were getting paid handsomely to do nothing. I never knew the “Pimp” was making so much money to arrange sex romps. Since according to the opposition the suspension was so undemocratic, I would think they would have refused to take that generous pay they get monthly as a protest to the government. I think that was the right thing to do if they felt the actions of the President was so undemocratic. Why take the Guyanese tax payers money if

you are not working for it. That bothers me. This week we had Mr. Feral Blast delivering his own “feral blast’ to another departing Diplomat. I have always maintained that the PPP has a Public Relations problem, and has the worst spokespersons in Dr. Roger Luncheon and Clement Rohee. These two have no idea of diplomacy or etiquette. So Luncheon called departing British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre a “pariah” and described him as dishonorable. It seems that’s the norm for the PPP. Thye party is thinskinned. Arrogance has reached

such heights that the party feels it is beyond criticism. That really bothers me. And finally as the elections are near and the PPP is in full campaign mode, quite a few of them are having shivers. They know this election coming is not a sure thing, and they can be out of power. Why are they shivering? Because if the PPP loses power some of those rear ends will be put to use, voluntarily or involuntarily, in prison. And that don’t bother me. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com and Facebook.

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SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 VACANCY Admin Assistant, within the vicinity of E.B.D & W.B.D. Must be well spoken & have 5 CXC subjects including: Maths & English. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com International Cruiseline Purser officers, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, cosmetologists etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 695-9880; 669-4755 Waitresses to work at a Bar at Agriculture Road –E.C.DTel:612-2522

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

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

One male security guard for the night - Contact: 2258205

Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045

Bond clerk, Cleaner, Accounts Clerk, Waitress/ Waiter, Security Officer & Engineer; interested persons can contact: 603-4094 1 Female Sales representation, between ages 18-25, must attain atleast two CXC Subjects - Contact: 227-1042

Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS-CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, AC Units- Call Lindon on 641-1086; 694-2202 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734 Services & repairs to gas stoves, washing machines, electric stoves, deep fryers Call: 688-0183 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $15,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766 Vyper Sound System/Studio: Hire, all events, recording of songs, building of Rhythms, etc – Tel:265-3586, 603-9074

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Certificate in: Cosmetology, nails, wig designs, early child care/ care for elderly classes commence February Call: 666-5241/ 619-7603

Stall for sale @ 136 Section A & B Bourda Market – Tel:6291067; 602-8700 Promix BX with microrize $10,500 per bag; ask for Rayman - Call: 615-2346; 6280200, 263-5300 T/Alteeza Benz C200, Sale! Spacio, Used T212 – Tel:6793140

FOR SALE Dell/Hp computers with 19" LCDs - $55,000, CPU - $35,000, laptops - $65,000 @ Fututetech-231-2206 Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available – Call: 6722566, 265-3232 Mixed breed German shepherd and pitbull puppies for sale - $30,000 each – Contact: 269-0711 or 6667895. Household items for sale, plants, 1 galaxy s4 (brand new) – Call: 675-4066

1- 10,000 Watts alternator (new), 1-small diesel engine (used) – Call: 669-7224

Cashier, pump attendant, cleaner. Send application to Shell Ramsburg, Providence E.B.D Night Shift Supervisor, email-shellramsburg @gmail.com or Shell Ramsburg, Providence E.B.D

One Brazilian cook needed to work at a new grill – Call: 6618814; 651-3544 Security guard/handyman to work night shift only @ Cool Square Inn; 635- Dairy Street Ruimveldt – Tel: 225-7407. Junior office clerk/assistant, must have Maths & English, Accounts would be an asset – Contact: 226-0772 Chef and cook to work shift @ 44 Public Road Kitty – Tel: 231-1908/12

Bleach-Blue for body, face & hair, available in 1 lb bags for $4,000, discount for larger volumes - Phone 264-3310; 600-3927

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

Sunday January 18, 2015

Do you need a cook? – Contact: 651-2757 BrianMoe@642-3543; Computer Technician; FB:Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!! Need professional counselor & social worker- Tel: 686-3421 Cheap! Cheap! House plan drafting and yes! Free Estimate – Call: 618-7848; 6953408; now before offer ends.

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) & MORE, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 3 Bedrooms house at 19 Goedverwagting. E.C.D opposite Pradoville, 2 months deposit upfront. Call: 222-9098 or 614-9516 for details Two/Three/Four bedrooms houses located at Durban Backlands & Georgetown Call: 223-8479/ 647-3768 or www.spaceseek.gy Prime business place for offices on Sheriff Street - Call: 627-6740 One apartment for rent @ Lot 10 Mon Repos ECD, First Street – Call: 220-7330 Commercial buildings & Bonds available right now Call: 223-8479/647-3768 or www.spaceseek.gy Executive houses & apartments - Tel: 223-8479; 647-3768 www.spaceseek.gy Three bedrooms; 1 self contained house with A/ C, parking, full furnished, young professional Scheme Eccles - Call Sonia: 666-4882 Prime Banquet Hall & Catering Service for weddings/ parties/ graduation etc @ Cotton Club, 44 Public Road Kitty – Tel: 231-1908/12; 693-3946 1 Upper flat 3 bedrooms apartment @ Ixora Ave. Eccles - $80,000, available February 2015, serious enquiries - Contact: 2332583 or 601-7229

Lincoln 500 AMP diesel welders with Perkins 4 cylinder engine - Tel#650-0402 Transformer: 25KVA industrial single phase 480/ 240/120V U.S.A PAD MOUNTED– Tel: 623-9761 Panel/Fancy Glass Doors @ HADCO in Bagotstown Public Road, Next to Harbour Bridge Mall – Call: 233-6743 Fully reconditioned; 6 head Robinson wood, planer for sale – Contact: 642-3828; 6680097 400 LB Cat guts, 5 inch for sale: 695-9860; 698-8998 Plastic shipping Barrel$6,000; XBOX One $100,000; Nintendo DS $15,000; PSP - $20,000 - Tel: 603-8643/ 621-7497 PSP games $800, Computer games $1000 & over 1200 titles. Contact: 675-2239; BBM 7FF1557E One brand new fishing boar 56 feet length; 12 feet in width and 7 feet depth - Call: 671-0329

LAND FOR SALE 1500 Acres Transported Land @ Bartica 2 ¾ miles River Front, Virgin Rock, Quarry Resort – Call Mark: 704-465-2222/603-1266 Eccles - $4.5M, Tuschen $3M, Providence - $5.5M, Herstelling - $5.5M, Parfaite Harmonie - $1.5M, $1.6M – Tel: 675-7292; 652-2018 House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) – Call: 227-2913; 6833033 Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913. Cell: 683-3033 1. Parika, Peter Street; 2. Blankenburg, behind gas station lot size: 75’X76' (3 parcels)= Contact 650-0402 Located in Republic Gardens, Peters Hall, E.B.D. Interest person – Contact: 231-5359 or 672-7189 Lot 12 Mon Repos E.C.D – Tel: 220-7330

Original pools table cloth, balls, pocket cuestick, rubber, coinshute, chalk spring, chalk holder, coins– Call: 669-9927 XBOX 360: 250GB, 2 Controller 3 games - $65,000, 4Gb, 2 controllers, 3 games & kinect - $65,000 – Call:6838386 One complete water shop with equipment: tanks, pressure pumps, ultraviolet lamp- Call: 622-5986

Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 Toyota Voxy to register in ‘B’ fully loaded never registered - $2.1M – Call: 617-2891 Pitbull Bus - $3.250M, VVTI Bus - $2.675M, Runx $2.275M, 212 -$2.150M, Allion -$2.4M, Raum $2.250M, Sienta - $2.100M – Call:623-6070 Nissan Titan for sale; immaculate condition, owner leaving country - Call: 641-4556

We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma - Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154 1 Honda 600RR, Toyota 212, 192, 170, Allion, Vitz, Starlet, AE100 Sprinter, Honda CRV Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 Honda Civic, remote start, alarm etc - $650,000 – Call: 615-7473 1 Pitbull minibus, stick gear, BPP series, mag rims- $2.2M neg. Call: 673-7652 1 Mit Lancer PKK Series; good condition - Contact: 683-0150 6X6 Truck & 6X6 long front alligator tractor in excellent condition – price $5.5M – Call: +1-347-865-3762, 6677512, 619-5784 Raum for sale - Price $950,000. Very good condition Contact: 642-1305 & 264-2954 One Toyota Hilux 1988-22R Engine, Solid differential asking - $350,000 “as is, where is” - Tel: 699-1546

Cat 320 CL 2005 only 3800HRs sold as is, cash offer only, must go – Contact Azim: 660-3235 Frigidaire freezer ($150K), Nissan Pickup ($800K), prices negotiable - Call: 6244076

PSS 3575 - $1.8M - Contact: 627-1751 or 673-3974 for information.

Toyota Spacio, Body Kit, Rims, spoiler, CD player; never registered - $2.1M – Call: 617-2891

Brand new power fist, 6,500 watts gasoline generator on wheels 110/240 volts AC/DC Contact: 617-2205; 681-1032 Generator – 65KVA Perkins 4236 Engine – Tel: 623-9761

VEHICLE FOR SALE

ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn Apartments: comfortable & clean apartments & rooms - $5000, $6,000 & $7,000 – Tel:6680306; 218-1400; 694-7817. Your luxury hideaway…… Aracari Hotel 24 HRs: AC, Cable, Wi-Fi, Restaurant & Bar, Pool & Gym, Salon & Spa & more. Rates from $45 Call: 264-2946-8 Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor / Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934

15 Ton dump Truck very good working condition, price very attractive - Call: 681-5988, 675-5448 Mitsubishi Lancer car (lady driven) owner leaving country - Call: 638-3203 Unregistered Premio, Bluebird Sylphy, 07 Fielder, 06 Allion, Axela Sports; Best Grade & Best Prices – Call: 616-3413; 692-6159 City’s Motor’s Blow Out Sale!!! Unregistered, fully loaded Toyota IST - $2,200,000, New Model Raum - $2,250,000 & Mazda Axela - $2,350,000Call: 643-6565, 226-9931 (Continued on page 55)

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GUYANA YET TO LOWER GAS PRICE As countries worldwide lower their gas prices at the pump, Guyana is yet to join, even as the average price of gasoline around the world is US$2.09 per gallon. However, there is substantial difference in these prices among countries. As a general rule, richer countries have higher prices while poorer countries and the countries that produce and export oil have significantly lower prices. One notable exception is the U.S. which is an economically advanced country but has low gas prices. The differences in prices across countries are due to the various taxes and subsidies for gasoline. All countries have access to the same petroleum prices of international markets but then decide to impose different taxes. As a result, the retail price of gasoline is different. In some cases, like Venezuela, the government even subsidizes gasoline and therefore people there pay close to nothing to drive their cars. Government has a mechanism in place to adjust petroleum prices in a more timely fashion, whereby prices will be regulated under the Energy Ministry. This Ministry has the power to alter price changes in accordance with the imported price of petroleum products. In Guyana the government charges a 50 per cent excise tax. One of the primary reasons gas prices rise or fall is the fluctuation in the price of crude oil. U.S. refineries buy several million barrels of oil every day to supply the world’s biggest economy, so even small price changes make a big difference. When crude oil prices go up or down, gas prices tend to follow. And right now, oil prices are on the decline. Oil prices have been falling for several reasons, including the increased U.S. crude production and an outlook for weaker growth in global oil demand. Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided toward the end of 2014 not to manipulate prices by restricting oil production. Overall, government energy forecasters expect crude prices to be significantly lower in 2015.

WANTED

WANTED

Office clerk senior clerk/ junior CXC English / Mathematics an Asset –Call: 219-5354

Salesgirls & porters; apply with written application at Best Buy Food Supplies @ Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street Campbellville.

One Accounts Clerk – Tel:627-2550; 699-7782 Urgently needed; attractive waitresses - Tel: 686-3116 Live waitresses – Call: 2285129; 604-8277 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic –Call: 219-5354 Mon-Sat between 8:15-4:15 Live in Husband and wife Driving & domestic duties, excellent rates - Tel:227-1830

PROPERTY FOR SALE Land with small concrete house; for sale in Grove over 8,000 Sq. Ft. Call: 612-4030; 216-2759 2 Bedrooms flat concrete house and land furnished located @ Ocean View, Uitvlught West Coast Demerara – Price $3.7M. Call: 687-0930 Commercial Properties on Regent Street (double & single lot, Size: 81X113 & 41X115- Call: 223-8479/6473768 or www.spaceseek.gy Executive house in Bel Air Park waiting to be designed by you - Call: 223-8479/6473768 or www.spaceseek.gy Double lot property 33A Lamaha Street, Newtown Kitty – Just off Vlissengen Road –Contact: 231-4691

One experienced cook to work in snackette- Call: 2230955; 697-4326 (between 9am-5pm)

1 Live in domestic or maid to work; salary $50,000 monthly; age 25-45 - Call: 675-7043; 688-5409 or 6645199

Professional staff to work in variety / cosmetics store @ East Coast. Commission structure & salary – Call: 6013679; 642-1141

Hairstylists and Braidists needed at salon in Tortola. 5+ years working experience. E m a i l bvisalonowner@gmail.com or call 1-284-543-6822

One live in experienced waiteress - $50,000-$60,000, boarding & lodging free – Call: 610-5043

One cook for family in the interior – Tel: 691-6260

Part time domestic to work on East Bank near Harbour Bridge, must know to cook well - Phone: 669-8260 1 Puri & roti cook, must be able to work from 5:00am, apply in person @ 53 David Street Kitty

Sales clerk to work @ Nanda’s Boutique 223 Camp St. Next to Shell Gas Station, apply with application 2 Experienced salesgirls, $18,000 per week – Call: 2239677 between 8am-5pm Experienced Roti/Puri Cooks, Pastry makers, cleaners – apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. One live-in maid; must know to cook; preferably from country area – Tel: 691-6260 Musicians to play in a Bar at Parika, Bass guitar, rhythm guitar, head guitar and vocals Phone: 685-6934

PROPERTY FOR SALE Houses & house lots for sale in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities, located @ Eccles E.B.D – Tel:2272913; 683-3033 House and land for sale @ Buzz- A-Bee-Dam, Craig E.B.D – Call: 266-2381 MonFri between 5:30-8:30pm House & Land @ Cemetery Rd. Helena No.1 Mahaica E.C.D. Land (65FTX150FT) $13M- Tel: 689-0820, 6743902 Spacious 4 bedrooms two storied house, two large lots @ Zeeburg area, all amenities, move-in condition Call: 277-0024; 684-6106 ( Land 70’x50' & House 57’x30'), Modern Amenities & Features @Residential Granville Park , Beterverwagting , E.C.D G$27M negotiable. Contact: 592-220-3411, 592-639-2062

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Toyota Tundra - Tel: 6023585 1 RZ mini bus GHH series, 1170 car, 1 3Y engine – Call: 604-9400; 667-4178

One barber, nail technician & hairdresser – Call: 2255360; 625-7844; 687-7566

One couple to work on live stock farm, one live in cook Tel: 614-2464; 612-2057; 2251276

Overseas resident looking for house to buy in Bel Air Springs for $50M. Tel:6264487; 660-7672 PROPERTY FOR SALE Executive houses located in Georgetown, E.C.D & E.B.D - Call: 223-8479/647-3768 or www.spaceseek.gy 2 Storied concrete house with 3 bedrooms at 8th Street Foulis Housing Scheme – Call: 256-3360; 685-8485 Large house lot @ Zeeburg; fenced; bearing fruit trees; front & rear access - Call: 277-0024; 684-6106 One concrete two storey building; nine bedrooms @ Samatta Point, Grove E.B.D Tel: 602-3585 Business place Anna Catherina W.C.D, Public Road – Tel: 661-9880 Two storey; 2-3 bedrooms apartment at Tuschen H/ Scheme East Bank Essequibo – Contact: 650-2982

1 live in domestic to work in Mahaicony River & driver for tractor, must know about rice – Call: 644-6905; 225-6571

(From page 54)

Urgently needed two house lots to buy in Parfaite Harmonie - Tel: 675-7292 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 One able bodied male clerk @ Tatabu Trading Enterprise – Call:225-2313; 226-1497 Porters wanted to work at grocery stalls @ Stabroek Market – Tel:226-9800 1 Female cleaner; apply @ Technical Services Lot 1823 Industrial Site Eccles.

Earn a certificate in cosmetology or nails alone. Call Miss Jenny: 225-5360; 625-7844; 687-7566 TO LET Furnished one & two bedroom apartments in Alberttown & Kitty C/Ville, Bel-Air Springs – Tel:2231440; 626-4487; 660-7672 3 bedrooms bottom flat fully grilled @ Diamond New Scheme, E.B.D – Call: 2162972; 622-3021 One flat, 4 self contained bedrooms in a gated community (Versailles) on the West Coast of Demerara. Contact: 658-1328 Furnished two bedroom apartment for short term/ overseas visitors – Contact: 699-7559 One bedroom apartment for couple ($30,000) monthly – Call: 223-3959 or 660-9463

1 Live in domestic between age 30-45, salary $60,000 monthly – Call: 674-1767; 661-1301 Drivers for canter lorry to sell water - $25,000 & Porter to work on water truck$18,000 (WCD) Call:6848231; 629-4236.

Personal Tutoring for CXC English A, English B/ Literature, social studies and Information Technology – Contact Mandy: 664-1057

PEN PAL Indian Male; age 27 is seeking females between age 20-30; only serious females – Call: 691-5905

Three bedrooms upper flat concrete building, parking $70,000 monthly @ Block 8 Agriculture Road E.C.D – Call: 687-1050 1 Flat 3 bedroom concrete house telephone and prepaid GPL, Yard space for 1 vehicle Call: 618-8847; 613-6711 Three bedrooms apartment, fully grilled and secured @ Nonpareil – Contact: 6423927; 616-9523 One detached two bedrooms house – Contact Joy: 2181285; 627-8562

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM A i d a n ’s C a r & P i c k u p rental, cheap rate, low security - Tel:698-7807; 690-6494

Fully Grilled; 3 bedrooms bottom flat at Pearl E.B.D Call: 694-3540; 669-7201

One live in handyman to work in G/Town – Call: 6645199; 675-7045 Salesgirl to work in Georgetown, between ages 25-35 - Call: 674-1767, 6422994, 675-7043

EDUCATIONAL Balloon Decorating Classes. January 31st – Call: 225-3133 or 613-7513 for more information & registration

MASSAGE Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! – 668-4554 FOR SALE/FOR RENT 1 Flat concrete house with 5 bedrooms & 2 toilet & bath, concrete fence & grill @ 19 Ave Diamond Housing Scheme - Call: 641-2593/ 6627732

CATERING Catering for conference, retreats, weddings, re-union, family fun day and special events. Phone: 264-2946-8 CAKES & PASTRIES Enroll Now! Cake Decoration, cakes & Pastries, floral arrangement- Classes start February 9th Contact Sharon: 223-3303; 672-8768; 612-4193 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table – Tel: 277-0578

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France’s Hollande defends freedom of speech after anti-Hebdo clashes abroad (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday that antiCharlie Hebdo protesters in other countries do not understand France’s attachment to freedom of speech. He was speaking a day after the satirical weekly’s publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad sparked violent clashes, including deaths, in some Muslim countries. Demand has surged for Charlie Hebdo’s first issue since two militant gunmen burst into its weekly editorial conference and shot dead 12 people at the start of three days of violence that shocked France. A cartoon image of Mohammad on its front page outraged many in the Muslim world, triggering demonstrations that turned violent in Algeria, Niger and Pakistan on Friday. “We’ve supported these

countries in the fight against terrorism,” Hollande said during a visit to the southern city of Tulle, traditionally his political fiefdom. “I still want to express my solidarity (towards them), but at the same time France has principles and values, in particular freedom of expression.” The shootings in Paris were prompted by Charlie Hebdo’s previous publication of Mohammad cartoons, a depiction many Muslims consider blasphemous. In Niger, protesters set fire to churches and looted shops in the capital Niamey on Saturday in a second day of riots over Charlie Hebdo’s publication of the image. France’s embassy in Niamey advised its citizens against going out in the streets. Five people were killed on Friday in Zinder, the second city of the former French

colony, while churches were burned and Christian homes looted. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius condemned the violence in Niamey and Zinder and said France stood in solidarity with Niger authorities. Meanwhile, Belgium deployed hundreds of troops to guard potential terrorism targets. Two gunmen were killed on Thursday during an anti-Islamist raid in the town of Vervier.

A man holds a sign during a protest against Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou’s attendance last week at a Paris rally in support of French satirical cartoonist Charlie Hebdo.

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Husband injures wife, kills man, self in Florida mall (Reuters) - A man armed with “several pockets full of ammunition” opened fire at a Florida shopping mall on Saturday, injuring his wife and killing another man before fatally shooting himself, police said. Investigators believe a domestic dispute triggered the shooting just as stores at Melbourne Square mall on Florida’s east coast were preparing to open for the day, said Melbourne police commander Vince Pryce. Police who responded to the scene after receiving calls about a shooting could still hear gunfire when they arrived, Pryce said at a televised news conference. Inside by the food court,

they found the suspected gunman, Jose GarciaRodriguez, 57, of Palm Bay; his wife, Idanerys GarciaRodriguez, 33; and an unidentified male victim. The unidentified man died as a result of the shooting, and the gunman was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Pryce said. Idanerys GarciaRodriguez, who appeared to be the target, was in good condition at a hospital Saturday afternoon, Pryce said. Pryce said reports that the unidentified man had tried to wrestle the gun away from Jose Garcia-Rodriguez were unconfirmed.

The man’s connection to the married couple was being investigated. About 100 people were inside the mall at the time of the shooting, and police quickly evacuated them and closed the shopping center for the day. “It was crazy,” local resident Donna Evans said in a videotaped interview with the Florida Today newspaper. “All of a sudden, you just hear the ‘pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop’.” Pryce said three handguns were found at the scene, as well as the ammunition Jose Garcia-Rodriguez was carrying. The mall is expected to reopen on Sunday.

(Reuters) - Fighting raged on Saturday at the main airport of Ukraine’s city of Donetsk as separatists

resumed attempts to break the tenuous grip of government forces on the complex and Kiev’s military said three more

Ukrainian soldiers had been killed. With attempts to restart peace talks stalled, proRussian rebels have stepped up shelling attacks to break the resistance of government troops dug in at the airport, itself a wrecked hulk battered by months of war. Though its runways are cratered and it has long ceased to function, the airport has symbolic value for both sides and has become the main flashpoint in the fighting as prospects for fresh peace talks have dimmed. A planned meeting of representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and separatist leaders on the Ukraine crisis failed to materialize in the Belarussian capital Minsk on Friday. A meeting of the socalled ‘contact group’ is seen as vital for getting the warring parties to observe a real ceasefire. Separatists were concentrating their fire on Saturday on the airport’s new terminal and its weather station.

Fighting rages anew at Ukraine airport, three soldiers killed

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Jamaica hosts FIFA delegation for Chelsea hammer Swans to go five... regional development workshop Jamaica Observer - FIFA Development Officer to the South-East Caribbean Howard McIntosh is hosting a group of delegates from the governing body of the ‘world’s game’ at a FIFA development workshop yesterday and today at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. The group was also in attendance for the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship Group A match between Jamaica and the

United States at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. The workshop is being staged as part of the development strategy of FIFA for the advancement of the game in the CONCACAF region. The group will present an overview of 2014 and provide updated reports from each CONCACAF member state on the current status of their programmes. The workshop will also serve as a session to assess and agree

Troicki crushes Kukushkin... From page 66 with him. “They were with me throughout the hardest time that is behind me,” he said. “They stood by me and I really appreciate that.” Kukushkin said his injury had been a hangover from hip surgery he underwent three years ago and was not certain he would be able to face Malek Jaziri at Melbourne

Park on Monday. “Tough to say,” he told reporters. “Of course I hope I will be able to recover. Of course when I play eight days in a row it’s tough. “But I will have day off tomorrow and fly to Melbourne. I will have a match already on Monday. I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know.”

on strategies for the continued development of the game of football within CONCACAF for 2015. McIntosh is pleased that the meeting of CONCACAF’s Technical Development and Development Officers is being staged in Jamaica and has great expectations of the workshop in developing amicable strategies to further the game’s development in 2015. “I am elated that we can stage this workshop here in Jamaica. I have long been an advocate of hosting International seminars, tournaments and workshops locally and this along with the ongoing CONCACAF Under20 Championships is testament that progress is being made. The CONCACAF confederation has made an enormous impact in the international arena and the f u t u r e o f t h e r e g i o n ’s football continues to look brighter and brighter.

Sunday January 18, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Intellectual and spiritual discussions should bring you even closer to people dear to you, Aries. Relations with a romantic partner should be especially warm and intimate today. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Intellect combines with intuition to produce a particularly enlightening day on all subjects, Taurus, whether they're intellectual, practical, or metaphysical. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Group activities dedicated to intellectual or humanitarian matters could prove rewarding, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) If you've been thinking about writing, teaching, or pursuing a career based on the dissemination of information, Cancer, this is the day to look into it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A rally or other sort of mass meeting could take place in your neighborhood today, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you might try to put computers or other forms of advanced technology to work for you, Scorpio. This could be of great benefit to you. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You might feel especially adventurous today, Sagittarius, and wish to go away for a while with a romantic partner. CAPRI (Dec.22–Jan.19) A group that shares your interest in an intellectual or spiritual discipline might meet at your home today, Capricorn. This could be a stimulating event, especially since new members could become good friends.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you could feel like you have one foot in another world. It's a great feeling, Leo, with a lot of love and wisdom mixed in.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Communications with friends should go well, Aquarius. You have what it takes to express yourself clearly and honestly and give information without confusing the issue.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A number of exciting people could attend a party or group meeting at your home. You're in just the right space to be a great host, Virgo, and you're likely to meet some interesting new people.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A talent for a new field that you might never have tried before could come to light, Pisces. This might involve modern technology in some way or writing, drawing, or both.

From page 66 visitors Arsenal. The result was manager Garry Monk’s worst since taking over in February 2014 as Swansea capitulated to their heaviest home defeat since being promoted to the Premier League in 2011. Jose Mourinho has endured a difficult week as he contests a Football Association charge for misconduct, but his side quickly opened the scoring in Wales with midfielder Oscar pouncing on a wayward pass by Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson to fire a 20-yard shot past Lukasz Fabianski. Sigurdsson nearly made amends straight away when his rasping shot from the

edge of the area struck Petr Cech’s right-hand post. But the visitors were full of confidence and took a stranglehold in midfield, as Oscar, Costa and Willian found plenty of space behind Swansea’s midfield. Costa, who scored a hattrick in September’s reverse fixture, rounded off a wonderful team move after 20 minutes, collecting Cesc Fabregas’s cute pass to fire past Fabianski from inside the penalty area. Things soon got worse for Garry Monk’s side as defender Federico Fernandez gifted Costa his second on the half-hour mark. The Argentine’s attempted back-pass to

POINTS TABLE: Position Team Played GD 1 Chelsea 22 32 2 Man City 21 25 3 Southampton 22 20 4 Man Utd 22 15 5 Tottenham 22 2 6 Arsenal 21 12 7 Liverpool 22 4 8 West Ham 21 7 9 Swansea 22 -4 10 Stoke 22 -4

Points 52 47 40 40 37 36 35 33 30 29

Fabianski was picked off by the Spanish striker, who calmly slotted the ball past the Polish goalkeeper. Brazilian playmaker Oscar completed his brace a minute later when he found space in the Swansea box to shoot into the top corner. Swansea, who have not beaten Chelsea in the league since 1981, were playing their first game since top scorer Wilfried Bony left for Manchester City. Their new Portuguese forward Nelson Oliveira proved almost anonymous on his first start in the Premier League since joining on loan from Benfica. Oscar, 23, came agonisingly close to completing his hat-trick in the second half, but his shot flew narrowly wide of the righthand post after Hazard had dispossessed Marvin Emnes. But Chelsea capped their afternoon with a fine team goal when substitute Schurrle tapped home from Branislav Ivanovic’s cut-back. Swansea, who did not have a shot on target in the whole game, are now without a league win since the Boxing Day victory against Aston Villa. In other scores: Aston Villa 0 - 2 Liverpool, Burnley 2 - 3 Crystal Palace, Leicester 0 - 1 Stoke, QPR 0 2 Man Utd, Tottenham 2 - 1 Sunderland.

CBS suspends sports analyst Greg Anthony... From page 65 arrested Friday evening after making an agreement for sexual favours, according to Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department. He was booked into jail and released, Officer Hugh Carew said. Anthony issued an apology on Saturday to his wife, family and colleagues, saying he made a mistake. “With this lapse of judgment, I embarrassed many, including myself,” he said. “I will work to regain the trust that I have lost, and the first step is saying that I am sorry.” Anthony played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association before joining CBS in 2008 as lead studio analyst for the network’s college basketball coverage, according to his network biography. He previously played on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas team that won the national college championship in 1990. He was drafted into the NBA in 1991 by the New York Knicks. He had been scheduled to work CBS’ broadcast of the Michigan State-Maryland basketball game in College Park, Maryland, on Saturday.

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>>> Letter to the Editor <<< Businessman John Lewis retains presidency of Flying Ace Cycle Club Kristian Jeffrey a front runner Businessman and long serving president John Lewis has been returned unopposed at President of the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) when they held their annual general meeting of Tuesday at the Port Mourant Turf Club. Lewis is the manager of Water Chris International Hotel. Attorney at law Merceline Bacchus retained his position of first Vice President, while founder and coach Randolph Roberts in now the club’s second Vice President. Businessman Ganesh Singh remain the club’s third Vice President. Police woman Margaret Kuma is back in the position of club Secretary, while Randolph Roberts will remain as Treasurer and Public Relations Officer. Cyclist Neil Reece continues to be the club captain with veteran Syborne Fernandez voted in as the vice captain of the team. Five committee members were also named and they are Rawle Felix, Fizal Ally, Lloyd Joseph, Pearl Arokium and Darrel Toolsie. Former New Amsterdam Mayor and Businessman Errol Alphonso remains the Patron of the club.

Former Long serving Secretary of the club Rhonda Russell remains an honorary member. Lewis thanked the club for continuing to show faith in him and expressed his pleasure in continuing to work with the club. He congratulated all the member for a job well done and had special words of commendation for the cyclists who participated in the club’s activities last year, while wishing them a better year in 2015. He also expressed his satisfaction in the number of events hosted by the club in 2014. In 2014 the FACC held a total of 23 events; six were open for cyclist throughout the country. Of the six three were sponsored by former national cyclist and overseas based Guyanese Wilbert Benjamin. The first event for the club will pedal off on Sunday January 25th with the staging of the third annual Benjamin Sports Store open 50 miles cycle road race sponsored by Former national cyclist Wilbert Benjamin. The event will be held from Fyrish to No 51 police station and back to the place of origin. (Samuel Whyte)

for Sportsman of the Year DEAR SPORTS EDITOR, The Sportsman of the Year Award should be unanimously awarded to Kristian Jeffrey, Group 4 Motorsport driver. What he did in his rookie season in the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motoring Racing Championships is unlikely to be duplicated. His debut race at Bushy Park, Barbados is one for the history books; he dominated by winning all three races from different starting positions including from the back of the pack. His skills are next to none! His patience is unrivaled! His desire to win

Mallela is top performer at WICUA Oral and Practical exam Baksh is leading Guyanese

Vijaya Mallela of the United States of America scored 96 marks to emerge as the leading student of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) oral and practical examination which was held in November 2014.

Forty nine candidates took the examination and 96% were successful. Mallela was closely followed by Derrycky Davis of Barbados with 95 marks. Essequibian Anwar Baksh chalked up 91 % to be the top Guyanese. The results are as follows:

is unmatched! His competitiveness is priceless! He is the purest driver anywhere in the Caribbean. He is the only ‘top’ driver that still competes with a manual transmission race car. Keep in mind; he competed with the best from around the Caribbean including David Summerbell whom is still considered the best racer in the Caribbean. Now, that all the drivers’ have experienced what Kristian Jeffrey is all about they’ve been busy re-doing their race cars during this offseason just to elevate their levels to be competitive. Every driver has been upgrading their cars including David Summerbell

who is rebuilding his machine from the ground up! There will be a few ‘new’ faces from around the Caribbean that will be competing to take the coveted CMRC crown from reigning champion, Kristian Jeffrey who should be adding yet another award (Sportsman of the Year) to his trophy collection. The people of the Caribbean can be proud that they have a world-class driver! South Dakota, Guyana is not big enough to accommodate all of the best drivers’ of the Caribbean that will be competing in Group 4 in the 2015 Season. Especially when the Championship will end there!!! Jogi Ram

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“Now it is over to 50-overs cricket everywhere!” Says Colin E. H. Croft If you like One-Day Internationals, then the next two months are just for you! Test and T-20 games for West Indies are completed for now. With WI playing those five ODI games against South Africa as its last warm-up before ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and WICB’s Nagicosponsored 50-overs tournament already started, emphasis is now firmly on 50overs cricket! India, England and Australia too are presently contesting an exciting triseries 50-overs tournament, while Sri Lanka and New Zealand are duking it out relentlessly. ODI cricket has taken over until March! Those series should be really good, as all teams involved can be in contention for ICC CWC 2015! It is a pity that scheduling could not allow WICB’s

Caribbean’s 50-overs tournament to have been played before WI went to SA, as there could well have been many more alternative names included in that WI squad for ICC CWC 2015. But there is always time to perform for the future too! In WICB’s tournament, Guyana Jaguars, Barbados Pride and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force have started favorites. The Jaguars, whose playing uniform more portrays black panthers than their fairer feline cousins, who last won this competition in 2006, has already demolished Windward Islands Volcanoes. No eruptions were visible when Guyana managed 2276, including a rambunctious 71-run partnership between import Raymond Reifer and Anthony Bramble, after Rajendra Chandrika had made 52 and Vishal Singh debuted with 49. Recovering from 152, then 150-4, Guyana’s total

AB de Villiers

was just adequate. Left-arm spinner Verasammy Permaul, already with thirty two wickets in four games completed late last year in WICB’s 4-day tournament, which will be restarted after this 50-overs tournament, looked almost unplayable, ending with 4-12, “Man of Match”, as Volcanoes, winners in 2012/3,

were doused for 85! Guyana’s Jaguars will maul many a team with spin from Davendra Bishoo, Verasammy Permaul and Steven Jacobs, plus experienced, exciting captain Christopher Barnwell, now a much more accomplished cricketer than he gets credit for. For Guyana, spin is the real thing!

Jamaica is led by another left arm spinner, Nikita Miller, and with Suleiman Benn the incumbent in WI teams in SA, there are three main left-arm orthodox leg spinners twirling to be the chosen one. Jason Holder’s first stint as WI ODI captain must have been nerve-wracking and exhilarating, but he should have gotten over that immediately after the he lost the toss for ODI #1 in Durban. After all, as a bowling allrounder, he was more needed to bowl at the start of SA’s innings, but for a losing cause. South Africa’s ODI captain, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers; “AB” to everyone except perhaps his parents; has recently been described as “the best cricketer in present day contemporary cricket.” That is not far from the truth at all. “AB” has been absolutely phenomenal, especially recently against West Indies! 152 and four catches in Test No. 1 at Centurion; 10 and one catch in Test No. 2 at Port Elizabeth; 148, one stumping and two catches in Test No. 3 at Cape Town; then “Man of Match” in ODI No. 1, with 81, four catches and one stumping; must have already made “AB” taste more like vinegar than beautiful SA wines to the WI tourists. Yet, WI still have four more games in which to face him in. What a thing! 50-over cricket is the hardest of the three formats to play properly. There is no slash, bang, wallop as in T20’s, while Test matches are more chess games. The trick, treat or threat of winning at ODI cricket is knowing when to attack and when to consolidate. Most teams never find that difference. Under “AB”, SA is trying hard to do just that! On paper, WI lost ODI No. 1 by 61 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method, having been set to get 226 in 32 overs, after rain had interrupted SA’s innings at

279-8 after 48.8 overs, a good WI bowling comeback, since SA were at one time 238-3 in over No. 40. But WI’s batsmen could not muster the needed goods! All of WI’s bowlers leaked more than 5.0 runs per over, while only the indomitable Chris Gayle; 41 from 24 deliveries, five 4’s and two 6’s; and Denesh Ramdin, who made 31, looked like making proper efforts at the total required. It was not even close! Pace, from Dale Steyn; 317; and right-arm leg-spin, from Imran Tahir; 3-30; pinned WI to the floor! Jamaica’s Franchise did similarly to the severely disappointing, hapless Leeward Islands Hurricanes. There is great irony here, as it was the Hurricanes who were simply blown away by Jamaica! Batting first, as expected, on a beautiful pitch, LI Hurricanes mustered only 115, mesmerized by the leg spin of Nakita Miller; 2-13; and truly talented right-arm leg-spinner Damien Jacobs, whose ten overs cost only 24 runs while getting three wickets. Jacobs is certainly one to watch for the future in WI cricket! Yesterday’s game, Guyana Jaguars v Barbados Pride, was probably already a preamble to one semi-final, so sit back, relax, assimilate and appreciate ODI cricket at its best for the next several weeks. Enjoy! (E-mail: c.e.h.croft@ gmail.com)

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Shabazz re-appointment heralds new era By Santokie Nagulendran It has been a momentous few days for Guyanese football, with key appointments made and the road to the 2018 World Cup becoming slightly clearer. Last Saturday, the GFF unveiled Claude Bolton as Technical Director for the Senior National Team, then followed it up two days later by revealing Jamaal Shabazz as new Head Coach. With staff now instilled, this past Thursday saw the CONCACAF preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup held in Miami, and Guyana found out they would be playing St Vincent and the Grenadines in the second round, which takes place in June of this year. Sticking to a proven successful formula has appeared to be the motto with which FIFA’s Normalisation Committee have based their appointments on, with Jamaal Shabazz returning to lead the National team once again, two years after taking Guyana to their furthest ever point in World Cup qualifiers for the 2014 edition of the tournament. Shabazz is thus the most successful National Team coach in the history of Guyana, and his appointment signals the rebirth of the Golden Jaguars. Denzil Thompson, the previous National team coach, is well-respected in Guyana’s football fraternity, but his lack of experience of leading teams for big, international games, meant he had to be replaced if Guyana wanted to achieve the ambition of being one of the best teams in the region. Alpha United coach Wayne Dover will take charge as assistant coach, thus reforming the partnership with Shabazz that took Guyana to the semi-finals of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying in 2011, eliminating Trinidad and Tobago in the

process. Dover has previously been Head Coach of the Men’s National Team, overseeing the team as they reached 86th in the FIFA World Rankings, the highest in the history of Guyana. Dover had a 59% win ratio for the International games he was in charge of, and his credentials have been increased this year, as he led his club Alpha United to the group stages of the CONCACAF Champions League, the first team from Guyana to achieve such a feat. Dover has cemented his status as one of the top coaches in the Caribbean. Shabazz, despite being Trinidadian, has helped Guyana in numerous ways throughout the years; aside from being coach and technical director of the National Team, he has helped numerous Guyanese players earn contracts abroad at Trinidadian Club Caledonia AIA, where he has served as coach on a few occasions. In fact it was only a few months ago he appeared on NCN to passionately describe his love for Guyana and its football scene in the wake of stagnation under the previous administration. Since taking charge of the National team in 2004, Shabazz had lifted the fortunes of the Golden Jaguars: between 2005-2008 they achieved 11 wins, a substantial increase from the previous four years under coaches Joseph Wilson and Neider dos Santos, in which the team only won three games. The following year they had a 100% record in 2007 Caribbean Cup qualifiers, a tournament in which they only missed out on the semifinals (and a spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup) by virtue of goal difference. Shabazz’s first stint was thus very successful, and established Guyana as a force in the CFU region. Wayne Dover must also be credited for consequently building on

Jamaal Shabazz has returned to the National team for a third time. that success as head coach from 2009-August 2011 by achieving thirteen wins during that period and helping Guyana reach 86th in FIFA rankings. When Shabazz returned to coach

the team in 2011, he oversaw Guyana’s greatest ever period of football: defeating T&T to reach CONCACAF World Cup qualifying semi-finals, and going on to face footballing giants Mexico and

Cost Rica. Shabazz’s reign as coach during this period ended in disappointing circumstances as disputes between administration and players meant Guyana quietly exited 2012 Caribbean Cup qualifiers towards the end of 2012 and Shabazz immediately left his position, albeit with tears in his eyes. However, during this period, the National Team was aided by the fact that many players, thanks to Shabazz, had professional contracts in T&T and the standard of their game was raised. Shabazz was also a supporter of bringing in overseas-born Guyanese players into the team, and this substantially increased the quality of the side, helping to defeat T&T in 2011. Although initially only contracted to coach for the friendly match against Barbados on 1st February, the support for Shabazz from both

Santokie Nagulendran players and those in the footballing fraternity are a testament to his qualities as a coach, and many are hoping his contract is extended for a longer term. With Wayne Dover as his assistant, and Claude Bolton serving as Technical Director, the Guyana National Team is in capable hands, and looks set to be rejuvenated.

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BOWLERS FACE WANDERERS CHALLENGE ESPNcricinfo - Neither a storm or a Gayle could stop South Africa taking the early lead in the one-day series. The transition from 20 to 50-over cricket (then 33 overs) exposed West Indies’ problems of sustaining performances over a longer period, despite rain shortening the match. Gayle cut loose again for 41 off 24 balls, but it is much more possible to absorb such an onslaught in the longer game, especially with a decent total on the board, as was shown once he was removed to a wild hack when the run-rate was already ten an over. However, with this series a chance to fine-tune ahead of the World Cup South Africa will also need to look critically at certain areas

of their display. The batting started and ended poorly, beginning with ducks for Rilee Rossouw and Faf du Plessis, and then later there was a wobble of 5 for 34 when 300 should have been comfortably reached. Finishing an innings, with bat or ball, is not a new issue for the South Africans and though it did not prove decisive it remains an area of concern. One significant pluspoint for them, though, was the innings of David Miller. Given a chance higher up the order at No. 5 he savoured the opportunity to build an innings rather than have to dash from the start. He did not always seem comfortable against the short ball, but his driving matched

that of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. For West Indies, the fightback in the field came too late although the intensity with which they were closing out South Africa’s innings should be a marker for them to follow for a full 50 overs. With the bat, they need more from the likes of Gayle than thrilling cameos. IN THE SPOTLIGHT

It has been a difficult start to ODI cricket for Rilee Rossouw who has been dismissed for a duck as often as he has got off the mark in his ten matches. He is currently filling in for the injured Quinton de Kock at the top of the order, but the way he played around a full delivery from Jerome Taylor albeit at decent pace with

some swing - did not instill vast confidence. Still, many a young player has been challenged in the early stages of their career and one of the fascinations is seeing how they respond. West Indies’ best period of the opening match revolved around Andre Russell who played various hands in restricting South Africa. There was a catch to

remove de Villers and a sharp bouncer to take JP Duminy’s top edge, but it was the neat footwork which found Farhaan Behardien short that was really eye-catching. Russell has been given a significant vote of confidence by this management team and is now a senior allrounder in the absence of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard.

Jaguars book semi-final spot with thrilling 2-wkt win over defending Champs B’dos By Sean Devers in Trinidad In Association with Carib Beer, GT&T Lifetime Reality & Cascadia Hotel Raymond Reifer played the innings of his life as the Guyana Jaguars clawed their way to a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Barbados Pride at the Queens Park Oval last night in their rain affected second round Zone ‘A’ fixture of the NAGICO Super50 cricket tournament, their second Day-Night encounter and maintained the lead, booking a place in the Semifinals with one game to play in the preliminary round of the eight-team competition. The win took the South American based Franchise, who also leads the Four-day format with 57 points from four matches, to nine points from two matches, five more than the CCC who for a second time in a row collected two points in their washed out match against the Windwards at Couva after their first round contest against Barbados was also washed out without a ball being bowled at same venue. Man-of-the-Match Reifer faced 105 balls and reached the boundary five times and cleared it twice in a wonderful unbeaten 84 as he rescued the Jaguars from 77-7 to 169-8 from 35.2 overs. The Bajans had earlier made 168-4 off of their allotted 36 overs with Kraigg Braithwaite top scoring with 73. Persistent rain in Port-of-

Spain delayed the start of play by three hours and 20 minutes and when play finally began the overs were reduced to 36 overs per side and Barbados won the toss and elected to bat. Test batsman Braithwaite, who was dropped on 13 by Skipper Chris Barnwell at slip off Veerasammy Permaul and benefitted from two other chances, along with Shai Hope provided Barbados with a solid foundation before Royston Crandon produced one that did not turn and he was well taken by wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble for 26 from 50 balls. Kurt Edwards (7) prodded at one that spun viciously from Devendra Bishoo that found the edge for Bramble to take another good catch to leave the Bajans on 78-2. The 22-year-old Braithwaite, who has played 17 Tests and scored three tons at that level, continued to play in a workman like manner and favoured the cut and dab to third man. He soon reached his third fifty at this level from 78 balls before Shamarah Brooks (6), who never suggested permanence, provided Bramble, who enjoyed a good night behind the wicket, with his third victim as Barbados slipped to 89-3. Braithwaite, who soon passed his highest score of 63 at this level, looked to put his foot on the gas towards the end of the innings, and was run out at 135-4, but the experienced Ryan Hinds who

hammered a cameo unbeaten 37 from 36 balls with two fours and a six, and Ashley Nurse, just back from South Africa, added 31 in quick time to set a challenging total for their team in the rain affected match. When the Jaguars began their reply on the lush green outfield and a good batting track with a tinge of grass, another disappointing crowd saw Trevon Griffith being LBW for a duck to Fidel Edwards before the Jaguars had scored. It was soon 2-2 when Rajendra Chandrika (2) played no shot to a straight ball from Jevon Searles and was trapped LBW while Shivnarine Chanderpaul looked to counter attack, pulling Searls for four before hooking the lively Edwards for a disdainful boundary. However after stroking another four Chanderpaul (15) spooned one to mid-on running back as the ball from Skipper Kevin Stout got ‘big’ on him as he attempted to pull as the Jaguars slipped to 323. Reifer, who batted at number three in the order, put together 39 runs with his Skipper Barnwell before Barnwell (16) was run out at 73-4 in the 17th over before Royston Crandon (1) edged left-arm spinner Hinds to the Keeper one run later. The Jaguars lost Steven Jacobs (1) and Bramble comprehensively bowled for a duck as the wounded

Jaguars slumped to 77-7 and at that point getting the victory target seemed as difficult as climbing Mount Roraima. However the left-handed Reifer, in his 11th regional 50over game and second for the Jaguars reached his second fifty at this level and along with Permaul (11) added 51 runs which were as valuable as Guyana’s Gold before Permaul was bowled by Searles to leave Guyana on 128-8. But Reifer broke the shackles with two thumping sixes off left-arm spinner Jomal Warrican to leave the equation to a ball-a-run and along with Bishoo, who played a wonderful supporting role in his unbeaten 26 from 22 balls as they took the Jaguars home with four balls to spare as Reifer proved that he was worth every cent he was bought for. The Jaguars play CCC in their next game on Monday at the same venue, while Barbados face the Windwards in their final preliminary round Zone ‘A’ game in Tobago also on Monday. Scores: Barbados (36 overs) 168 for 4 wickets; Kraigg Braithwaite 73, Ryan Hinds 37*, Shai Hope 26. Guyana (target: 169 runs from 36 overs) 169 for 8 wickets; 35.2 overs; Raymon Reifer 84*, Devendra Bishoo 26*; Javon Searles 2-31, Ryan Hinds 2-33.

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Normalisation Committee Chairman to forge ahead with Constitutional reform - No General Council meeting scheduled until after Head of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee (NC), local businessman Clinton Urling, has indicated that they will have constitutional reform on the NC’s front burners in the coming weeks. While the General Council is supposed to be the highest decision making forum for the Federation, no meeting of that body is scheduled shortly, with the NC’s full attention on the reforms as directed by world governing body for Football, FIFA. Disputes in the sport over the years and highlighted under Christopher Matthias’ p r e s i d e n c y s a w F I FA moving to sort out the issues with the installation of G u y a n a ’s f i r s t Normalisation Committee. Led by Urling, the task was specific, bring Guyana’s football up to scratch and the businessman has been following according to plan.

FIFA Head of Member Associations Premo Cavaro and Head of Legal Affairs Marco Leal were here to pass on the specific instructions of the governing body last year. Cavaro indicated that the current constitution needed some improvement and following getting its feet wet with the appointment of a Technical Director and Head Coach among other business, the NC has turned to the requisite changes necessary in the constitution. Cavaro noted that there will be major changes in how the game is governed here, and the NC will be the forerunner for a new GFF which will advance the development of local football. Urling recently told the media, “Currently with the normalisation Committee, there’s no General Council meeting until after we’ve done the constitutional reform and we have the General Council meeting

which is the annual one; there’s no emergency one”. Some have questioned this decision, however Urling pointed out, “We wouldn’t be calling any general council meeting or emergency meeting or anything like that from now until maybe after September. The Normalisation Committee is the GFF executive committee which FIFA appointed to straighten things out which primarily is the constitution and running this office and supervising the elections.” “Early February, we’ll have a committee of no more than 15 persons sitting on that committee for two days and FIFA will handle that process and not the Normalisation Committee and after the two days, we’ll come out with a new Constitution, hopefully and from then, all our Member Associations’ constitution should mirror or fall in line,”

Kevin Pietersen (Getty Images) Clinton Urling Urling disclosed. How the NC will structure those reforms is not yet known. Urling, however had stated, “The approach to doing it in terms of how we’re going to our member association, I can’t say presently; maybe we will hire a consultant to go around or we go as a committee, I’m not sure of the process”.

Jim Bacchus Travel Agency joins list of sponsors for YWCC Mash Cup 2015

J

im Bacchus Travel Service is the latest sponsor of the Yo u n g Wa r r i o r s Cricket Club third edition of Mash Cup 2015. The event will be held on Monday 23rd of February, 2015, a national holiday, and will involve eleven second division teams in the East Canje/No.19 area. It will be held at the picturesque Cumberland ground, the venue of the host and will be of five overs aside. The day promises to be entertaining. At the presentation of the sponsorship cheque, Mr Inshan Satar, husband of CEO Angela Satar said that he is happy to be part of this mega event that provides so much fun and entertainment for the family. He said that he is also happy to know that the cricket club is so active and is helping to develop the skills of the young cricketers. He added that as a born and bred resident of the area and a cricket fan, he is so happy that players like Shimron Hetmyer who is so young and talented and is now a senior national

Kevin Pietersen: Big Bash top scorer after 67 for Melbourne Stars

BBC Sport - Kevin Pietersen is the leading run-scorer in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash competition after hitting an unbeaten 67 off 42 balls for Melbourne Stars. The 34-year-old, who was sacked by England last February, helped Melbourne beat Sydney Thunder by eight wickets and has scored 262 runs in six innings. “I’m batting as well as ever. I’ve got rid of my knee pain,” he said. Pietersen said England had “an outside chance” of winning the ICC Cricket World Cup, which starts next month. “I’m just enjoying myself, having fun. I think the batting line-up they’ve [England] got is exciting,” he told Sky Sports. Pietersen’s runs have come at an average of 52.4, with a strike rate of 124.17 per 100 balls, putting him ahead of Brisbane Heat’s Chris Lynn in the run-scoring list. Melbourne Stars are third in the table as they seek a semifinal place, with Sydney Thunder now out of contention after their defeat. England’s selectors regard the issue of picking Pietersen as redundant, although the player has said he would welcome the chance to return. This week, he displayed his new tattoo - a map of the world on his chest and back, with red stars indicating everywhere that the batsman has scored an international century.

CBS suspends sports analyst Greg Anthony after his arrest

Inshan Satar (right) of Jim Bacchus Travel Service hands over sponsorship cheque to Arshad Rahaman, a representative of the YWCC. cricketer. He hopes that others will be motivated by Shimron’s achievement at such a tender age. He called on parents in the area to send their children to the club so that more Shimrons can be produced. Arshad Rahaman, a representative of the YWCC

said that Satar has made the right call and the club is now equipped with two quality coaches in former national senior player, national coach and selector Hubern Evans and former youth pacer and Berbice senior player Qwesi Maltay. He added that the club is open to anyone who

wishes to join and that there is no fee attached. Other sponsors so far are: Ashraf Ali of Ashiek and Son Motor Supplies and Auto Sales, Republic Bank, Scotiabank and J’S Printery. Proceeds from this event will go towards further development of the club.

Former NBA player Greg Anthony (R) and writer John Ridley. (REUTERS/Chris Pizzello) (Reuters) - CBS Sports basketball analyst Greg Anthony has been suspended indefinitely by the network, a CBS spokesperson said on Saturday, a day after he was arrested in Washington, D.C., on a charge of soliciting prostitution. “Greg Anthony will not be working again for CBS this season,” the spokesperson said in an email. Anthony, 47, was (Continued on page 60)

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Alia Atkinson, Nicholas Walters: Darren Sammy avoids being Sportsman and Sportswoman for 2014 drawn into controversy over

Bravo, Pollard omission

Swimmer Alia Atkinson and boxer Nicholas ‘Axeman’ Walters, the 2014 RJR Sports Foundation’s National sportsman and sportswoman of the year pose with their awards Friday night during the award ceremony. (Photo: B. Cummings) Jamaica Observer KINGSTON, Jamaica – Swimmer Alia Atkinson and boxer Nicholas Walters are the 2014 RJR Sports F o u n d atio n ’s N ational Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year (2014). Atkinson became the first black woman to win a gold medal at a swimming world championship, in the process equalling the world record in the 100m breaststroke. The last time a non-track and field person won the award was in 1976 when cricketer Vivalyn LattyScott triumphed. Atkinson joins Belinda Phillips (1974) and Frances Noble (1968) as the only other swimmers to have won

this prestigious award. Kaliese Spencer was the runner-up. Spencer was listed at the end of 2014 as the top 400m hurdler in the world. Nicholas ‘Axeman’ Walters became the first boxer in 24 years to win the award, the last being Michael ‘The Body Snatcher’ McCallum in 1990. Walters successfully defended the WBA World Featherweight title and later won the WBA Super World Featherweight crown to remain undefeated in 25 professional fights. O’Dayne Richards was the runner-up for winning the shot-put at the Commonwealth Games.

The 2014 Sports Awards is a landmark one for the RJR Foundation as it is the 10th year that RJR is staging the event. The first awards were bestowed in 1962, the year of Jamaica’s Independence, when it was then managed by the Carreras Sports Foundation. That year, the first winners were table tennis player Joy Foster and boxer George ‘Bunny’ Grant. Since then, the track and field disciplines have dominated the awards — winning the last 37 years in the women’s section and 46 times overall. On the men’s side, track and field has accounted for 25 winners and 12 of the last 13 years.

Chelsea hammer Swans to go five clear

Brazilian Oscar took advantage of an error from Gylfi Sigurdsson to score Chelsea’s opener. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Chelsea extended their lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League to five points after hammering an abject Swansea City. The visitors led after just 50 seconds thanks to Oscar’s

18-yard strike, before Diego Costa scored twice in 15 first-half minutes. Oscar completed his brace moments later and Andre Schurrle finished the rout in the second half. Swansea, who stay in

ninth place, are now winless in four league games. Chelsea, who have 52 points from 22 games, will see their lead cut to two points on Sunday if Manchester City beat (Continued page 60)

DURBAN, South Africa (CMC) — West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy says he will not be drawn into the controversy surrounding the omission of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the regional squad for next month’s World Cup. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and its selection panel headed by Clive Lloyd have come under fire from many quarters for excluding the two all-rounders from Trinidad and Tobago. Sammy has declined to comment on the specific issue only to say that Bravo and Pollard will bounce back. “I know with all the controversy guys will bounce back, that’s just cricket,” said Sammy. “I won’t be drawn into all what’s going on ‘cause that has never been me... so we are just looking to move on in the one-day series.” Among those who have blasted the omission of Bravo and Pollard is flamboyant opener Chris Gayle, who described the decisions as “ridiculous” and said it smacks of victimisation. The Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonzalves has also accused the WICB of victimisation despite public statements from WICB president Dave Cameron and Lloyd denying those claims and arguing that the World Cup squad was selected on merit. “It’s a situation that you don’t really want to deal with in cricket, but for me I have always stayed away from controversy and

SAMMY... I won’t be drawn into all what’s going on. stuff like that,” said Sammy after West Indies won the T20 series against South Africa twoone. “So it was good that we won the T20 series, moving into the one-day series, now it’s about supporting what’s there. We would have liked to have a lot of players in our oneday team but I am not in charge of who selects teams.” Pollard and Bravo were members of the West Indies team during the controversial abandoned tour of India when the one-day team abruptly quit the series over a contracts dispute with their players union, WIPA.

Troicki crushes Kukushkin to win Sydney title SYDNEY (Reuters) Serbian Viktor Troicki took a big step on his comeback trail after a doping ban by ruthlessly dismantling fellow qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin 6-2 6-3 to win the Sydney International Yesterday. The 28-year-old righthander, who returned to action last July after serving a one-year ban for missing a dope test, took just over an hour to claim his second career ATP title. A rampant Troicki won the last four games of the first set and was 4-1 up in the second when Kukushkin took a medical timeout to have treatment on his left thigh. The Kazakh had made his way to the final without losing a set, including in his quarter-final victory over Juan Martin Del Potro, but his mobility had been key to his progress. The world number 66 rallied to win the next two games for his only break of

Viktor Troicki (REUTERS:Jason Reed)

serve in the contest and offered hope of an extended contest to the neutrals on Ken Rosewall Arena. Troicki, however, was just too strong and, roared on by vocal support from S y d n e y ’s e t h n i c S e r b community, broke back before serving out the match to love, sealing victory with his 13th ace. “We both came through the qualis so it was a tough week and we’re heading to straight to Melbourne where we play on Monday,” Troicki said after receiving the trophy from Australian tennis great Rosewall. “There’s no stopping.”

Troicki will take a big boost in confidence into his first round tie at the Australian Open against Czech Jiri Vesely, who also won an ATP title as a qualifier on Sunday at the Auckland Open. Once ranked 12th in the world, Troicki’s victory in his second Sydney International final will send him back towards the top 50 from his current ranking of 92. He has made it clear this week that he believes his doping ban was unfair and paid tribute to his Australian coach Jack Reader and the rest of his team for sticking (Continued on page 60)

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Kaieteur News

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Urling confident ‘Golden Jaguars’ can better last WCQ performance By Franklin Wilson Following the Official Draw for the CONCACAF Qualifiers for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in Miami on Thursday last which saw Guyana drawing St. Vincent & the Grenadines in their first game, second round play, Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Normalisation Committee (NC) Chairman, Clinton Urling believes that the Golden Jaguars will better their previous World Cup showing. Last time around, Guyana made it to the CONCACAF semi finals (third round) the furthest they have ever gone. Urling, who along with Technical Director Claude Bolton were Guyana’s representatives at the draw, noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will not be easy opponents for the Guyanese but has confidence in the Jaguars doing well. He offered this comment on the draw. “The draw puts things into perspective and remind all member associations of

FIFA and CONCACAF that the time is near and the necessary ground work and due diligence must start now if they intent to see their respective national teams succeed and qualify for the seminal football tournament, that is the FIFA World Cup.” Despite not being drawn in the first round of qualifying, the Golden Jaguars will have to do their homework in order to get past the usually tough ‘Vincy Heat’ side that have always provided stiff competition for the ‘Golden Jaguars’. The last time the two sides met, February 2012, Vincy Heat prevailed by the lone goal of that encounter. In previous encounters, Guyana won 2-0 in November 2010; they battled to a 2-2 stalemate on January 28, 2008, on January 13 Guyana won 1-0 while in the 2007 Caribbean Cup, SVG won 2-0. So in five meetings the spoils are even at two apiece with one draw. “We don’t expect an easy challenge from St. Vincent and will carefully devise our

CONCACAF President Jeff Webb with GFFNC Chairman Clinton Urling (center) and GFF TD Claude Bolton at the World Cup Draw in Miami. football strategies over the next few months to ensure that the senior men’s national team has the support and resources necessary to succeed not only for our round two matches with St. Vincent but for the entire tournament when we advance in rounds.” But even before the

CONCACAF draw, the GFF NC had contracted a new Technical Director in Bolton and had finalized a friendly international with Barbados which is set for February 1, next in Barbados. This game, Urling believes presents the ideal opportunity for the players to showcase their abilities

while it will also be used as a yardstick to assess where Guyana’s football is at the moment. “It will also show us which areas need improvement before we commence our World Cup campaign. Moreover, the TD and coaching staff will work out a plan of activities and schedule to ensure our

domestic players have structured and sufficient playing time now and June.” Urling indicated that there is a high possibility of a Super or Premier League that would provide high level exposure for players while providing the necessary leg hours for the inform and talented players. It was also pointed out that the first FIFA windows for playing friendly internationals will be in March when the first round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 world cup would also commence. Urling noted that the GFF would be making moves to utilize these dates to expose the Golden Jaguars as well as assess the international based players. “The GFF is looking forward to the world cup qualifying campaign and we are pretty confident that the Golden Jaguars will roar with a deafening pitch and go furthest into qualifying than we ever have in the past and culminate with a trip to Russia in 2018.”

Exciting fixtures anticipated as teams prepare for Mayor’s Cup 2015 T

ime really flies and it seems like only yesterday that footballers were battling tooth and nail for top honours in the Mayor ’s Cup Football Championship. In fact, one year has expired and those players will once again take to the field when the organizers stage the yearly edition of that championship at venues across the country from Friday January 30 to Sunday February 22. This time, the winners will take home off a tidy first place prize of one million dollars while the runners up cart off $300,000. The 3rd and 4th place finishers receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. The GFF Normalization Committee is now conducting the affairs of the sport and football is experiencing a delectable transition. The teams are all in kittle shape after engaging

in fierce rivalry in the just concluded GFA/Banks Cup Round Robin Knockout tournament, won by Alpha ‘The Hammers’ United. The Guyana Defence Force had played classical football all through the tournament but had succumbed to Alpha in the finals. That team will be bristling and eager to avenge that loss. Western Tigers also played well in that tournament but stumbled against the soldiers. They had also nurtured doubts about the loss and are ready to rumble once again, this time with their eyes on the prize. As such, fans could expect fierce rivalry among units like Pele, Fruta Conquerors, Police, Slingerz and Flamingo as they anticipate the treat in store. When the action gets underway on the inaugural night, Golden Grove will play Grove HiTech at

Joshua Kamal

Devon Millington

Solomon Austin

19:00hrs while Victoria Kings tackle Agricola. These matches will be played at the Victoria Ground ECD. Matches will also be played in Berbice and Den Amstel WCD. Among some of the leading players of the representative teams on show are Joshua Kamal,

Shemroy Arthur, Devon Millington and Solomon Austin. The organizer is former national coach, Lennox Arthur and he has intimated that the tournament would be played under the rules and regulations of the GFF. He also said that only clubs and

Shemroy Arthur players affiliated to their respective associations for

the 2013/2014 season would be eligible for participation. Teams will not be charged entrance fees. A copy of the rules and regulations could be uplifted from the organizer.

t r o Sp SOUTH AFRICA V WEST INDIES, 2ND ODI, JOHANNESBURG

Bowlers face Wanderers challenge

Andre Russell (AP)

David Miller took his chance higher up the order with a confident 70 © Gallo Images

Rilee Rossouw (Getty Images)

Raymond Reifer played a fighting knock

Kraigg Braithwaite is dropped by Chris Barnwell.

Jaguars book semi-final spot with thrilling 2-wkt win over defending Champs B’dos 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