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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
A BUBBLING CAULDRON Ever so steadily – and insidiously – there is developing in our country a tale of two societies: one super-rich and the other desperately struggling to keep their heads above the water of survival. And like its Dickensian forerunner it is a tale of the best of times (the rich) and the worst of times (the poor). We have to wonder therefore, if like the latter tale, its dénouement will not be one of upheaval and revolution. After the socialist economic experimentation of the seventies and eighties, its egalitarian ethos had been achieved: we were all more or less equally down and out. In our slow climb out of those doldrums, the free-wheeling, anything-goes, free-market of the neo-liberals – the antithesis of the socialist model – became the vehicle of our liberation. Practically all our leaders went along. Fuelled by the profits of greed, which was now “good”; the growth of the economy was supposed to “raise all ships”. Three decades along, we can see that most of the ships, i.e. the poor, have remained moribund. Back in the 18th century, Rousseau, who can be called the theorist of the French Revolution that Dickens was to fictionalise, made a distinction between the sentiments of “amour de soi” and “amour propre” that was a crucial feature that sparked the revolution. Amour de soi was the striking of a healthy equilibrium between concerns for one’s own wellbeing; one’s self worth; one’s self regard and the concern and empathy that was owed and felt towards the less fortunate in the society. Amour propre, on the other hand, was the transformation of the healthy regard for one’s self worth into a malignant narcissism fuelled by the acquisition of property and the greed and envy that it engendered. And this is where we have evidently arrived at in Guyana: a tint, uncaring elite that is unbelievably rich and living in a luxurious style that can only be described as “obscene”, generating powerful waves of envy in the rest of society that can only be described as an underclass. Since we are not fortunate enough to have opinion polls to measure the orientation of our citizenry to current issues, we can guess at the level of envy towards the elite by the unbridled Schadenfreude in the blogs that comment on their doings. Envy has been described as having a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with a desire to possess that same advantage. To outline the effects of envy would be to obtain a very good snapshot of the cauldron of emotions boiling in Guyana today. The most common is to directly attack the accepted cause of the frustration – the rich that are believed to have secured their wealth through nefarious and unfair methods and schemes. We in Guyana have had several instances when our urban sans-culotte rose against the perceived “haves” of their times. During the era of extreme disparities of wealth and status, the attacks from the disenchanted of the middle strata would be strident denunciations by a few that have joined the poor in their barricades. Then there will be those that would seek to imitate the lifestyle of “the rich and famous” by joining them. Since there is no value to a club that would have everyone as a member, it is not easy at all to become one of the elite. Most aspirants start by becoming obsequious hangers-on and yes-men that are willing to become fronts to the ongoing scams. Others delve directly into a get-rich life of crime and corruption and celebrity – and enter the elite laterally. But most corrosive is the drive of some – quite a large group in Guyana – to idealize the elite and confer onto them almost divine qualities. They will fawn over the rich and famous and take it as a blessing if the latter are to condescend to be in their midst. One is exposed to this phenomenon at most public events. We hope the cauldron of envy doesn’t bubble over too violently.
Friday January 24, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
AN ACT OF SHEER BRUTALITY
DEAR EDITOR, The Harding allegations of torture by means of a baton pushed into the anus of a prisoner is an act of sheer brutality. Whether the Ministers concerned deny the act or not, and whether the alleged victim has a reputation or not, the testimonies on both sides seem to establish that Harding suffered an act of brutality. Its name is for the Courts, or for competent people to determine. There is a responsibility on a government to bring to justice any of its officers suspected of torture. If it does not, then the government itself deserves to be accused of cover up, and runs the risk of being seen and to rank as an accomplice after the fact. Young Harding’s testimony is credible and clears the way for a fair investigation or other legal procedure.
There can be no reasonable obligation on the part of the victim to instruct the physicians. What if he were unconscious? The victim does not have to know what a hernia is, or how it may be caused. That omission is a useless red herring. The responsibility for informing the doctors of the circumstance of the injury and the victim’s condition is that of the police. The Minister politically responsible is the Minister of Home Affairs, unfortunately the General Secretary of the ruling party. Harding has said that he was ashamed to tell people of his ordeal. His fears were not groundless. He wanted to tell the Magistrate, “quietly” in a court of strangers. He was too ashamed to do so. Is that not easy to understand? The prison guards laughed at him and mocked him when he told them of his ordeal. On Friday night the report came
out that a fellow prisoner, Mr Phillips, called “Muslim,” gave an eyewitness statement to Harding’s Attorney at law, Mr. Nigel Hughes. We should regard the hernia surgery of December 13, which no doubt took place, as intended to cast doubt. It may yet do the opposite. The point is that it came after the incidents at Timehri lockup. To push a pencil into a prisoner’s anus is a violation. A Baton is only evidence of the extreme brutality at work. A government that does not make its position on torture clear beyond doubt runs the risk of being seen as is a partner in crime. Many may see this issue as purely political or as not concerning us. The only way to ensure that our loved ones do not suffer similarly is to join forces to ensure that we expel torture from the system. Eusi Kwayana
Gloomy days are ahead for Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Ever since we began writing letters, we have tried to give some sense of what we could discern ahead for Guyana in 2014 under this PPP regime. In so doing, notwithstanding how difficult things are for the poor and the working class in the country, we were always able to offer reasons for hope to the less fortunate in the most difficult times. Today, as we try to look ahead, two things stand out. In the first place much of our future is impenetrable. The darkness is pervasive. This, in itself is not unexpected since we have a regime that is unfit to govern because of their lack of intellectual and moral faculty. We have argued before that as things get progressively worse under this regime, it would become much more difficult for the poor and the working class to make ends meet or even simply to provide a future for their children. Second, this cabal is drenched in corruption, greed, selfishness and evil as darkness has over taken them by leaps and bounds, hence the people and the country. People are frustrated to the point where their blood pressure in increasing. And there is a lurking danger because the people have reached the boiling point and there are no valves to open for the pressure to escape. But as uncomfortable as it is to view the darkness ahead, contemplating the shadows cast by that future darkness into our present is infinitely more depressing. It is not that there are no signs pointing the way ahead; rather, it is that all the signs tell a tale of unrelieved doom and gloom for the people in which hope lies dying
especially for the elderly, youths and the poor. In terms of our politics it is certainly a case in which the PPP is unable to develop the economy, create jobs for the youths and those who want to work, reduce crime, corruption and nepotism, improve the lives of the poor, and respect the rights of the people. This regime led has succeeded in drastically reducing the practice of good government and accountability in this country into an unseemly orgy of greed, corruption and venality without conscience or limits. We believe that the prospects are that the excesses of the regime will only get worse as it strives desperately to win a majority in the next election. That gloomy perspective spells unmitigated disaster for the country and the poor and the working class who are currently living on their knees. The result is that in
spite of talking about changes which have not taken place in the PPP in the last twelve years, the core of the party and its dominant ethos remain the same as they have always been. Its Stalinism-Leninism ideology is like a cult organization, without a national perspective, a human d e v e l o p m e n t strategy and thus the regime is incapable of delivering good government, reduce corruption and crime and improve the lives of the poor. The entire prospect is so depressing that we are reduced to wishing with the poet that, “surely some revelation is at hand”. Except that if it is, we freely admit we lack the foresight to see it. But the problem posed by this corrupt, uncaring and dictatorial regime is a major part of the gloom and doom that lie ahead. Even greater fear stems from the contemplation of the prospects of crime, corruption, the
economy and the society in which there is no security of the person. The economy of Guyana is in shambles and only the perversely ignorant in the PPP would imagine that G u y a n a ’s e c o n o m y i s splendid, unaffected by the economic implosion taking place around us. When we combine such gloomy prospects and we consider such developments in the context of the horrendous mismanagement, corruption and the raping of the treasury a n d o f t h e c o u n t r y ’s resources by the kleptocrats which has taken place over the years, the implications are frightening for the future. Only a peaceful revolution similar to the Arab Spring Revolution can save the youths, the elderly and the poor and the working class in Guyana from total disaster. The time is now. Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh.
Disrespecting the Cuban-trained doctors
DEAR SIR, I wish to address this letter to the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr Beri Ramsaran. It concerns the doctors who have studied in Cuba and have since returned to practise here, mainly to fulfill contractual obligations. If and when any of these doctors have to leave Guyana, even if it is to go to neighbouring Suriname they have to go through the process of getting a release from the Ministry of Health or the Public Service Ministry. These doctors have to lodge security before such a release could be granted or even considered. Now I do agree that if the Government has paid for your education then you owe a duty to serve some time to compensate for the cost of your education. What is of concern is the fact that the processing of these releases and in this particular case the return of security pledged. I speak purely from experience and it is
with disgust that I have to acknowledge that I have pledged my transport in March 2013 to facilitate one such doctor travelling to Canada. She has returned and has submitted her letter of resumption, which she had to struggle to get from the great Vishwa Mahadeo or his able bodied assistant, the Medical Superintendent, Dr V. Sharma. I have not yet received my transport. It is almost a year since this doctor has returned to Guyana and the person or persons responsible have not yet processed the document s to have that transport returned to me. Why are these young doctors treated like door mats? Don’t they deserve more respect than what they are getting? I wish to suggest to the Minister that this attitude be adjusted immediately and the young doctors be given their due respect. I need my transport. Charrandass Persaud
Friday January 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
Mr. Bisram seeks to misrepresent his Opponent’s position DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Devanand Bhagwan (Letter in KN Jan. 4), titled, “Antagonists should not deviate from the crux of the matter”), feels that I have not addressed the “salient points of the combatant”. He is referring to the so-called ethnic debate between me and Mr. Vishnu Bisram. Mr. Bhagwan has done me and the readers a great service by referencing my letter of Aug. 18, 2009 In SN titled “The PNC should elect an Indian leader, PPP an African one”, which laid out the basis of the real issue being debated. I posit that this debate is about the need for genuine democracy in Guyana. Excessively high levels of ethnic voting for ethnic parties and a numerical majority of Indians are key factors that have contributed to the Indo-ethnic party winning all the elections since 1992. What is wrong with this state of affairs? The AfricanGuyanese who form a substantial proportion of the electorate see themselves as permanently excluded from executive power. This creates all sorts of tensions in the society and therein lies the potential for ethnic and civil unrest. For the last 15 years I have written scores of letters, all calling on the ethnic parties to transform themselves into genuine multi-racial parties and adopt a platform catering to the alternative ethnic group. I have also specifically suggested that the PNC “elect” (not appoint) an Indian and PPP an African to be their respective leaders. This reform measure will help to diminish the ethnic perception of the parties, and
most importantly allow for the development of a significant pool of swing voters, comprising of both Africans and Indians. Swing voters, by definition will vote on issues: they will vote one way this election, and if the elected party doesn’t govern well, that same group of swing voters will vote them out next election. The key idea is that the baton of power will pass from one party to another every few election cycles. This is the ultimate test of a functioning democracy. Under this concept of democracy, the nation will be assured of always getting a “responsible” and “accountable” government. Mr. Bisram has chosen to disparage my suggestion of how the ethnic parties may reinvent themselves and change their ethnic image. He has labeled it “ethnic tokenism” and “ethnic pretensions”, and says it has not worked anywhere else in the world. (a) For the last 60-years the PPP and PNC have practiced “window-dressing” or “ethnic tokenism”. When PPP appoints an African to be its PM but who cannot ever be considered suitable for the presidency – that’s the worst form of hypocrisy in any multiracial society. When I suggest that this African PM should be eligible for the presidency (and as the Constitution demands) – this is a measure to end hypocrisy and tokenism. By what strange thought and reasoning processes, Mr. Bisram concludes this is more tokenism, I cannot fathom. My idea seeks to end ethnic tokenism. Misrepresenting your opponent’s position (it is called a straw person’s argument) is a cheap trick. (b) Mr. Bisram says
“appointing” a leader of a different ethnicity to head an ethnic party does not work – does not win votes. His confusion here is laid bare. He believes PPP and PNC are legally constituted ethnic parties. They are not. They evolved over the last 60-years and came to be perceived as ethnic parties, helped in no small measure by the fact that the founding ethnic leaders were also leaders-for-life and became deified in Guyanese culture. (c) Trinidad is one society that closely approximates Guyana’s demography and politics generally. And the baton of power there has passed from one party to another several times in the last 30-years. Panday, an Indian was Prime Minister; then Manning, an African; two cycles later he was replaced by another Indian, Bissesar. (d) Trying to conceal his core racist ideology, Mr. Bisram says he is an academic and the great body of academic literature supports his notion that only pure ethnic parties and strict racial voting will work for Guyana. This is where Mr. Bisram trips up. He produces a massive list of literature on all categories of ethnic voting in America, but none specific or relevant to Guyana’s peculiar profile of two major ethnic groups making up about 85 percent of the electorate. No party in America is perceived as ethnic, no party in America wins and holds power for 20or more years, based on support of a single ethnic group as is true for Guyana. None of the literature he mentions on America’s ethnic voting has any relevance to the specific topic of ethnic voting in Guyana as it relates to permanent domination of one race by another. Mike Persaud
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Friday January 24, 2014
$1.6B out of $4.4B used Owners of “sunken” cargo for 5% salary increase vessel suspect foul play There was a big brouhaha that emanated after the announcement of the five per cent increase for public servants last year. Opposition parties and labour unions insisted that there was enough in the voted provisions under revision of wages and salaries in the budget to pay at least 15 per cent more. As such Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, was asked to prove to the members of the House why more than five percent could not be paid using the $4.4B allocation in the budget last year for the revision of wages and salaries. Making the request was A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) Basil Williams. Williams in a question tabled in Parliament had asked the Minister to provide particulars, “the specific amounts utilized in relation to the following components of the $4.4B allocated under the head Revision of Wages and Salaries in the 2013 Budget...These are: Increase in wages and salaries; new employment and promotions. Dr Singh in providing the formal answer to the House
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh yesterday noted that in utilizing the $4.4B an amount of $1.6B was used to pay the five per cent increase. He said that employment shortfalls arising from new recruits amounted to $1.3B while employment costs shortfalls as a result of promotion totaled $300M. Dr Singh noted that $500M was utilized to pay the one-month bonus to the Disciplined Services. He stated too that another $700M was used as payment of employment cost shortfalls at subventions agencies while other employment shortfalls arising from
payment of salary in lieu of leave and other activities was some $100M. Dr Singh did point out that some of the agencies were able to make the five percent increase payment from their own voted provisions. When word came of the five per cent increase there was a wave of protests countrywide. Nurses were particularly vociferous. Public Service Minister, Jennifer Westford had at the time defended the five per cent payout saying that public servants should be happy. She had told this publication in an earlier interview that workers need to understand that Government is proposing what it can afford. Minister Westford said that the workers should be happy because Guyana is one of the few countries in the world that has been offering any salary increases to its public servants. She said that Government has been consistently giving its public servants increases on an annual basis. Minister Westford posited that if one were to take a look at several countries in the Caribbean and further afield, workers are in fact being laid off and some have had to take pay cuts in order to keep their jobs. “We can’t give what we don’t have,” said Minister Westford and urged that workers be more understanding of the prevailing economy not just in Guyana but across the world. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, had announced that Government will be giving public service workers an increase in pay for 2013.
- Unable to contact Captain and crew The owners of the MV Stollie 1, which was reported to have sunk 45 miles off the Waini River mouth with $80M worth of cargo, are harbouring deep suspicions that all may not be as was reported. The owners are basing their suspicions on the discovery of items that were supposed to have gone down with the boat, in the possession of several persons on the Essequibo Coast…and the fact that neither the captain nor any of his crew has contacted them since the mishap occurred. In fact checks at the captain’s home were to no avail, although he has reportedly given a statement to the maritime administration in Georgetown, which has since launched an investigation. Brian Gilbert, acting on behalf of the vessel’s owner, visited this newspaper yesterday to shed light on his suspicions, since those who suffered significant losses as a result of the alleged tragedy, have been clamouring for a proper explanation. “The Captain is not reporting, he’s not coming,” Gilbert said. The vessel left Port Georgetown last Friday for the 18-hour journey to the North West District and according to reports, it capsized on Saturday. The captain and crew were reportedly rescued by a passing fishing boat. But Gilbert and his boss are not buying that story in its entirety. “That’s what we hear (that the boat sink). But we ain’t hear from de Captain heself, is just what he tell people,” Gilbert told this newspaper. He gave the captain’s name as Rondell Reid, of Essequibo Coast, who has been working on the vessel for a little over two years. The two other crew members are
reportedly relatives of the Captain. “We try contacting them. We go to dey house with police and we ain’t see dem neither. And if so be the case, why dey hiding? Why dem ain’t coming?” This newspaper has also been trying to contact the vessel’s captain since Monday, but without success. Several persons who lost cargo are also demanding the whereabouts of the captain and his crew. There were reports that items were seen floating in an area in the Atlantic where the vessel was reported to have sunk. Several other theories are floating around in Gilbert’s mind; one is that the captain discharged some of the cargo into another vessel before the MV Stollie 1 sank. “We ain’t know whey part de boat deh. We want to go whey part de boat sink,” Gilbert declared. He said that he later learnt that the police at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast had seized some items from another vessel that they suspected were smuggled. However, Gilbert said that they were later able to identify the items and those that were packed on the MV Stollie 1 before it set sail from port Georgetown. “Things that were supposed to be at de bottom of de sea were up top at de police station,” Gilbert told Kaieteur News. He added that some other items were reportedly disposed of on land before the police could have intercepted them. “Things like big truck tyres and dem kinda thing. Hose and dem thing that suppose to be going down under de sea if de boat did sink. He claim dat de boat gone down with everything and still you finding people gat dese things. You gat full gas bottle dat de tie up wha
supposed to go down, and still you locate these things,” Gilbert stated. Kaieteur News was reliably informed that on Sunday night the police intercepted a vehicle that was transporting the fishing boat crew which had reportedly rescued Captain Reid and his crew. They had in their possession several brand new tarpaulins, several pails of oil, a huge truck tyre and a bag with several pairs of brand new shoes, all items that were later identified as some of the things that were destined for the North West District. This newspaper was eventually able to contact the captain of the MV Stollie 1 last evening via telephone. He claimed that after he was rescued and brought ashore on Sunday night, he travelled to the city the following morning where he reported the matter to the Maritime Administration Department and the police at the E&F Headquarters, Eve Leary, where he gave statements. He explained that his cellular phone sank with the vessel, but he subsequently managed to contact a man who is closely associated with the boat’s operations and told him what had happened. “De boat sink with all we clothes. Is we bare brief we come off with,” the Captain said. He said that he is willing to take the owners of the boat to the location where it sank but he cautioned that that would be very difficult since the vessel’s Global positioning system (GPS) went down with it also. “I really don’t talk to de owner. I only talk to he about three times on phone, that is why I contact the other man,” Captain Reid said. “I was with the police and maritime all the time and none of them turned up to see me,” he added.
Friday January 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Sparendaam plane crash...
Letters... Where your views make the news
New housing for affected residents
KISSOON’S ARGUMENTS RIFE WITH ASSUMPTIONS
Efforts are being made to rebuild Florence Tyndall’s house Government has made good on its word to provide assistance to the residents whose properties were destroyed or severely affected when an American-registered aircraft crashed at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara on April 13, last. According to Zulifkar Mohamed, Director of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Florence Tyndall, whose property was completely destroyed and her neighbour, Michelle Belle, whose house was scorched, are recipients of new structures. He said that Belle was provided with a newly furnished two-bedroom house in Providence. She has already moved into her new property. Meanwhile, Tyndall opted to have a new house built on her plot of land at Sparendaam. Her house is currently being constructed. The Public Works Ministry is overseeing the construction. In April, the two-man crew on board a twinengine Piper Aztec, with registration N27-F, was on a technical survey mission for the Amaila Falls Hydropower project. Apparently, Sithe Global, responsible for managing the construction of the project, subcontracted Digital World Mapping, to conduct surveys. The aircraft reportedly had mechanical problems and crashed just after taking off from Ogle International Airport. Tyndall’s residence
was destroyed and a section of her neighbour Belle’s house was scorched. Another neighbour’s fence and water lines were destroyed. Tyndall escaped unharmed but the aircraft’s American owner and pilot Pierre Angiel and his passenger, Canadian Scientist Nick Dmitriev, perished. Last year, Brian Kubeck of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. had said that the company met with the Ministry of Public Works and GCAA on May 16 and provided a full briefing of the measures being taken to investigate the incident and to assist those affected by the tragedy. “Because of the delay in settling the insurance claims, Amaila Falls Hydro has agreed to assist Atlis in establishing a fund to provide resources to the affected homeowners so they can rebuild their homes as soon as possible,” Kubeck had said. According to Mohamed, compensation for the residents from the insurance company is being examined by GCAA’s legal representatives in collaboration with Sithe Global. Even though, Sithe Global pulled out of Guyana last year when there was no consensus on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant project in Parliament, the company still has an obligation to fulfill. Mohamed said that GCAA is still in contact with the company.
City man to face judge, jury for alleged rape A 24-year-old-man who is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown is now set to face a Judge and Jury. On Wednesday, Orwayne Welcome of 38 Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown was committed to stand trial at the High Court at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes by Magistrate Judy Latchman after she found that a sufficient case was made out against him. Welcome was indicted on a Rape of a Child Under 16 charge. The offence was alleged to have been
committed on March 22, last year in Georgetown. Prosecuting the case was Sergeant Vishnu Hunt who told the court that on that day, the victim left home with her sister en route to school. He said, however, she joined a Route 47 bus and was “bus riding” with the accused who later took her to a house and had sexual intercourse with her. The matter was subsequently reported and after investigations, the accused was arrested and charged for the offence. During the course of the trial, Welcome was granted bail to the tune of $250,000 but
Orwayne Welcome after posting it he failed to attend the subsequent court hearing without reasonable excuse. An arrest warrant was issued and the bail was escheated. He has been held in custody ever since.
DEAR EDITOR, I did not see the programme on the National CommunicationsNetwork (NCN) to which Mr. Frederick Kissoon (“Guyana had sovereignty under President Burnham:” KN: 12/01/2014) referred so I am in no position to say definitively how it was presented. However, in the interest of brevity, stripped to bare bones and given in his own words, it is not difficult to see the major problem Mr. Kissoon encountered as a result of the manner in which my discourse with the interviewer was presented or created. “When asked if it is not a contradiction that Dr. Roger Luncheon is invoking the sovereignty of Guyana in rejecting the continuation of the democracy project by the US, but the PPP went and solicited the help of the US during the government of the PNC, Dr. Jeffrey said the two things are different...He said back then, Guyana was an authoritarian system and did not have free elections... He went on to add that he is uneasy with the US insistence of continuing the democracy arrangement in a sovereign state where the government has rejected the programme... In other words, if you have to analyze what Jeffrey meant it goes like this – under Burnham, Guyana didn’t have sovereignty.” The above is rife with assumptions, questionable connections and conclusions, which may or may not have resulted from the manner in which the programme was finally presented. However, the seminal difficulty is the making of a direct connection between my statement with regard to Burnham’s authoritarianism and my current uneasiness about the US continuing with the democratic project in the face of government objections. So, as requested by Mr. Kissoon, let me state my position. The concept of state sovereignty has been around for over 300 years and has never been absolute in a de jure or de facto manner. Confronted by autocratic regimes, particularly in the developing countries, opposition forces have continually requested various forms of help, particularly, from the more developed countries. I believe that factors underlying the request for external help from those who wanted to be rid of the Burnham regime were much more substantive than the reasons given for similar types of request today. Putting aside the contention that Burnham’s approach was perhaps preventing a greater
(communist) harm, he was undoubtedly also avoiding regime change by subverting the very democratic process he had sworn to uphold. The results of the 2011 elections suggest that such is not the case today! That said, if the Americans had proposed a relevant type of direct intervention under the PNC and the regime had asked them to withdraw, I suspect that I would not simply have been “uneasy” but much more vociferous in my contention that they should withdraw. Quite apart from my support for the PNC, the appeal to sovereignty carried much more currency in that period and I believe that direct intervention in the internal affairs of a state over the objection of the host government should not be encouraged. Indeed, Article 41:1 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations states of diplomatic representatives: “They have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that state.” Dealing with the PPP/C
government is the task of the Guyanese people aided by what internal and external support it could muster and I stated in the interview that I supported the US democratic project. However, unless the regime becomes unusually brutal (based, perhaps, on some minimal contemporary world standards), direct foreign intervention of any sort should be avoided. Finally, Mr. Kissoon, I suggest that, in terms of public comment, we should not place too much faith in academic and intellectual c r e d i b i l i t y. A s T h o m a s Sowell, (2011- “Intellectual and Society:” Basic Books) observed: “The list of topranked intellectuals who made utterly irresponsible statements, and who advocate hopelessly unrealistic and recklessly dangerously things could be extended almost indefinitely!” We should pay much more attention to getting to know and telling the truth. Henry B Jeffrey
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Friday January 24, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
Bisram is no Indian triumphalist DEAR EDITOR, Instead of focusing on Alexei Ramotar’s performance and qualification, M. Maxwell delved into personality and character assassination in his usual self denigrating of peoples’ academic qualifications as though academic achievements are meaningless. He must be suffering from some inferiority complex hence his name-calling tirade. Maxwell, not me, fits the definition of an ethnic supremacist and triumphalist; I fought against ethnic triumphalism during the dictatorship. It is Maxwell who did not oppose the dictatorship and has been consistently attacking Indians. Sociologists define ethnic triumphalism or “supremacism” as an attitude or belief that one’s ethnicity is superior to all others and or when one’s ethnic party triumphs over others. I certainly don’t subscribe to such a belief and since I don’t belong to any political organization in Guyana , I don’t gloat in their victory. Thus, the description of being an ethnic triumphalist does not apply to me but it does apply to Maxwell who has been involved in excessive demonstrative glee at the combined PNC-AFC victory in November 2011. I do not support the idea of one ethnic group governing Guyana as happened between 1966 and 1992 or in South Africa or Zimbabwe or Fiji. I consistently penned there must be multi-ethnic governance. If fighting prejudice and racism against Indians, Amerindians, Portuguese, etc. by Maxwell’s former party is “supremacism” or triumphalism, then I have no problem with being described as an “Indian triumphalist”. I plead guilty noting that I am in good company with Dr. Jagan, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, etc. all of whom were also labeled ethnic triumphalists (for fighting racism). Ethnic triumphalism is predicated on a foolish assumption that one’s ethnic group is superior than another. Europeans had practiced that policy in Guyana and after that the PNC. The PPP and its supporters could not practise that policy because it was in office, never in government, as Dr. Jagan wrote. And since 1992, Guyana has been a full fledged democracy. No one has been celebrating an ethnic victory except the opposition over the
last two years – blocking one policy after another. Maxwell’s party, AFC, in coalition with the PNC (APNU), practices triumphalism dictating the directions of government policies. Such triumphalism is dangerous to the society. There must be no triumphalism for anyone. We need a constitution that assiduously offers the strongest protection of individual rights and that allows all ethnic groups a meaningful say in how the country is governed; let us go back to the 1961 consitution! With regards to Alexei Ramotar. Maxwell has not stated anything new. I reiterate that he should not be disqualified from heading the e-governance department simply because he is the son of the President. There are several people whose family are in government employ, including the daughter of my friend Moses Nagamootoo. I have no evidence on which to judge or evaluate his competence or the completion of the job for which he is assigned – if Maxwell has evidence, then present it to the appropriate authority for expedited action. I do not dispute Maxwell that people with doctorates and Masters Degrees at times have failed in their business or other endeavours. For goodness sake, I have countless masters and a doctorate and I myself have not succeeded in all of my tasks and responsibilities. There are reasons other than just academic qualifications, that account for failures or even successes. Degrees alone don’t bring success or failures. But one should not derogate the academic achievements of people. Degrees are requisite qualifications for certain assignments. Would Maxwell allow a cane cutter (no disrespect intended) to perform surgery on his heart? So it will be wrong for Maxwell to conclude that Alexei’s Masters in Computer Science is not an asset in his position as head of egovernance. Should the government hire someone without the appropriate qualification (Maxwell perhaps) to do the job? Maxwell should stick to issues and stop the name calling and unjust attacks on peoples characters. Vishnu Bisram
Friday January 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
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No basis for any sanction A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) should spare Guyana further embarrassment. It should avoid holding the National Assembly up to possible ridicule by refraining from the absurdity of attempting to place the Minister of Finance before the Committee of Privileges. APNU wants to have the Minister of Finance sanctioned for his failure to comply with a resolution of the National Assembly concerning the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). APNU has no basis to do so, and if its proceeds with this ill-advised action, would open the National Assembly to being seen as an object of political amusement. Guyana should be spared that fate. Anyone with an elementary understanding of how parliaments work would know that resolutions and motions are not binding on the government. Motions and resolutions are instruments through which the majority of the members of the legislature express an intention or a viewpoint. Adhering to resolutions and motions has nothing to do with obedience to the Standing Orders. Standing Orders are concerned with the procedures of the National Assembly, while adhering to resolutions and motions are about giving effect to the decisions made in the National Assembly. The Cabinet is not bound by such motions and resolutions. The reasons are fairly obvious. If governments were bound by the motions and resolutions of the legislature, then such motions would become the basis of arrogating to the legislature, the ability to determine on government policy. The determination of such policy has always been the remit of the Executive. The role of the legislature is to debate policy and to pass Bills, including Financial Bills. If the legislature feels
that the government is totally unresponsive, then it is within its powers to pass a special type of motion known as a motion of no confidence which, by convention, should lead to the resignation of the government. There is, therefore, no type of parliamentary motion that is legally binding on the government. The government is not even bound by the motions it supports. The Minister of Finance therefore cannot be sanctioned for not complying with non-binding acts of the National Assembly. How then, it may be asked, are the opposition parties to force responses from government? In his seminal work “Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentary Government”, Michael Laver reaffirms the position that parliamentary motions do not bind the government. But Laver goes on to point out a number of ways in which parliaments can force a response from a minister. The first is by asking questions. This is recourse which for some inexplicable reason is underutilized in Guyana’s National Assembly. Yet when employed, it has proven quite effective in allowing the opposition to hold the government’s feet to the proverbial fire. It should be recalled that it was the Alliance for Change that asked questions about the broadcasting spectrum. This particular question elicited a response from the Prime Minister which stunningly revealed that a number of persons close to the ruling party had been granted radio licences. This was a sensational disclosure that allowed the public for the first time to know just what had taken place as regards the distribution of licences. Had that question not been asked, the public and the National Assembly would have been none the wiser. The second way of forcing responses is through
parliamentary debate, including debate on resolutions and motions. In these debates, the government can be criticized and alternative policy proposals can be advanced. Governments will be forced here to defend their actions and decisions. This debate is part of the public record and allows the electorate to assess the merits of competing proposals. Thirdly, the opposition can force a response through hearings. A while back there was big furor over NICIL. The State-owned television
station invited the opposition parties to be part of a debateseries on various issues involving NICIL. One opposition parliamentarian declined the offer of a debate with the Head of NICIL, claiming he did not wish to debate with him but rather to interrogate him. The response suggested that the opposition member was also delineating a hierarchical relationship between himself and the Head of NICIL by implying that his role was not to debate with the Head of NICIL as equals but rather for the Head
of NICIL to be accountable to him as a parliamentarian. The public is still waiting for that interrogation. And it shows that the opposition parties are not utilizing the means at their disposal to hold government accountable. Instead there have been attempts to stop the Minister of Home Affairs from speaking and to have him placed before the Committee of Privileges, without it being clear just what offence he was being committed for. Now, there is this latest threat about sanctioning the Minister of Finance!
APNU, all heady about the combined opposition’s razor-slim majority, is operating as if that majority affords it the right to demand that the government do what the opposition parties compel in the National Assembly. It does not, and the sooner APNU deflates and comes to that realization, the less embarrassment and humiliation it will suffer.
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 24, 2014
=== The Freddie Kissoon column === When someone becomes your hero, there is a cluster of memories you keep about that person and they will always spring to mind, and will do so until you leave this world. I am sure the admirers of great humans have some cherished memories of things their heroes have done or said. For me, one of the vignettes I will always remember about Walter Rodney was a speech he gave at a public meeting. The topic was the murder trial of a PPP supporter. It was a political trial arising out of the assassination of a policeman who was shot to death at the Number 63 toll station in 1974. During the day, PPP supporters surrounded the toll station protesting the imposition of a fee to use the newly-built Corentyne highway. As dusk fell on the Corentyne, PPP activists attacked the two sentries, killing one and wounding the other. It was a political act of murder committed by PPP activists, but the question
was who the actual shooter was? In such circumstances, Governments do not distinguish between the actual killer and those in his company. They want someone to pay for the crime committed. Arnold Rampersaud was charged. As was expected, the evidence in such cases is always weak because the State doesn’t have the culprit, but it wants a conviction to teach the other side a lesson. Young Guyanese may not know about the Rampersaud scenario, but they do know about what happened to Mark Benschop, Oliver Hinckson and others, when the State wanted to teach activists a lesson and couldn’t be bothered with evidence and proof. Well what happened to Benschop, Hinckson and others under the PPP Government, did happen to Arnold Rampersaud under the PNC Government. Witness after witness gave testimony that was copious and egregious lies. The PPP asked for the
support of Rodney. At that public meeting which I will never forget, Rodney threw away his political hat and donned his historian’s garb. Rodney described for the meeting, the bravery of the slaves and how they fought and died for their right to dignity. He then directly addressed African Guyanese and urged them not to surrender their dignity and go in a courtroom and try to hang an innocent man by lying. He urged the witnesses to emulate their ancestors who chose death over life to preserve their dignity as humans on the slave plantation. It was one of the most moving speeches at any public meeting in the history of this country. That was in 1975. But what Rodney saw as the assault on the dignity of the Guyanese citizens is still being practised today in the 21st century. To keep their jobs, public sector employees have to go on the witness stand and lie. To keep their jobs, public sector
employees have to go in front of a television camera and lie to hide the crimes of ruling politicians. They even have to besmirch the character of their own colleagues and tell obnoxious lies on victims brutalized by the police. Vincent Alexander describes a pathetic situation in today’s Guyana that so reminds me of what Walter said at that meeting. In a letter to this newspaper captioned, “The Silence of the Medical and Nursing Councils is Deafening,” Vincent referred to medical personnel who may have violated the sacred Hippocratic Oath in the case of police brutality against Colwyn Harding. However distasteful has been the action of the medical personnel, we know why they had to say what they said to the press. It is the loss of dignity all over again, as with the Arnold Rampersaud trial. State employees accept the loss of dignity and humiliation because as Martin Carter reminded us, a mouth is muzzled by the food it eats.
Kissoon wraps up testimony in Jagdeo libel case One of the defendants in the Bharrat Jagdeo libel suit case, Frederick Kissoon, wrapped up his testimony in the High Court yesterday before Justice Barrington Reynolds, following reexamination by his Attorney Nigel Hughes. The former president is suing Kissoon, the National Media and Publishing
Company, publishers of Kaieteur News and Editor-inChief Adam Harris for over $10M, claiming libel in a Kaieteur News article published more than three years ago. Jagdeo is claiming that Kissoon wrote insinuating that the former Head of State exercised ideological racism during his time in office.
Senior Counsel Bernard de Santos closed his crossexamination of Kissoon on Wednesday after asking about Kissoon’s study of public individuals. De Santos questioned Kissoon as to whether during his career he would have studied other public officials as consistently as he did with the former President. Kissoon replied in the negative, before stating that Jagdeo was in power for 12 years and he would have come into the area of commentary, because the President is the most powerful person in the country. De Santos went on to ask for the names of three other persons who Kissoon would have reported on consistently. Those persons Kissoon named were former Police Commissioner Henry Greene, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and President Donald Ramotar. Kissoon, when asked by De Santos, said that he did not have a friendly relationship with the former President. He was then asked for his opinion as to what impact he felt his article on Jagdeo had on Guyana, but Hughes objected to the question, stating that it was searching for an opinion. The court upheld the objection. De Santos then put it to Kissoon that he has “morbid obsession” with the former President.
Hughes’ re-examination saw Kissoon explaining how he would have had the designation of an individual in his June 2010 research report before the appointment was even made. Before Kissoon could explain, Hughes reminded the court that that was a question raised earlier by De Santos, but he (De Santos) had not provided evidence to prove that Kissoon spoke about the person’s appointment before it actually occurred. Kissoon said however that he presented a summary of the actual research paper which was tendered as an exhibit in court. After further questions, Kissoon told Hughes that his research paper on Jagdeo lasted for over a year after the June 10 summary was presented at a conference on June 20, 2010. Kissoon explained further, when asked, that former President Desmond Hoyte was not part of his research since he was found to be a “multi-racial President.” Kissoon said he did not see systematic evidence of ethnic domination, ethnic fear, ethnic preference and ethnic ideology when looking at Hoyte. Before Kissoon answered Hughes’ question, Attorney Sase Gunraj who held for De Santos, objected to Hughes’ question on Hoyte, stating that Kissoon had answered the question already. The court had accepted the objection but after past notes were referred to, the line of questions was allowed.
I will leave you with one of the most sickening manifestations of how dictatorship takes away the dignity of a person who has to eat. Together with Malcolm Harripaul of APNU (at the time), Mark Benschop, and three AFC leaders – David Patterson, Gerhard Ramsaroop, and Michael Carrington - we staged a picket exercise outside the National Aquatic Centre to force the Government to open the pool to the public. The next day I did a column on the picket. The day after, a pool official described my behaviour and how I forced my way into the compound and abused the
Frederick Kissoon female guard. David Patterson was incensed, he publicly replied. I was nowhere near the gate much less inside the compound, and I never spoke to a female guard because there was no such guard. The poor fellow was forced to lie on me.
Dem boys seh...
Minister get nakk aff, tell de nation he resign Ganga, de Minister, lie so much that even when he get nakk aff, he lie. He ent tell nobody that Donald tell he that he is an embarrassment to de Cabinet. Donald remind Ganga bout de law volume money, he remind he bout de engineer gyaal and just recently de defence that he put up fuh de recycling plant. Dem boys seh that is de recycling plant argument that really piss Donald off and mek Donald give he de Ganga he marching orders. When he sehe that he resign, was fuh tek shame out he face and water out he eye. Dem Minister rather lie down pun dem face wid somebody pun dem back. In short, dem would give or tek de unthinkable before dem give up de wuk. Ask Kwame. Dem boys seh that a lot more of dem got to go, and dem ain’t hear that from Donald; dem hear it from de spirit in he. Under Jagdeo couple Ministers tender dem resignation but because dem did know too much about him, he beg dem fuh stay on. He couldn’t trust fuh leh dem walk around wid all dem things that dem know about he. Sam Hinds was one; he resign because he see although dem seh he blind. Luncheon resign because he hear, and dem seh that he deaf. Thank Gawd Jagdeo not in office today because he woulda keep scampish Ganga fuh have a drink pun he burrday, yesterday. Ganga did get invite to de burrday. After-all Jagdeo tun 50 without a regular man or a woman by he side. Bobby is a regular by Jagdeo side, but dem boys ent certain wha he is. Jagdeo plan a big thing; he invite nuff people including hambassadas and low commissionas. All he burrdays he does get drinks and eats lavish. New Thriving is de queen; she does prepare everything in abundance and in huge quantities. De police and army trucks use to collect food from New Thriving because dem Canter truck wasn’t big enough. This year New Thriving cut back on supplies because dem seh that he de Jagdeo ain’t no president any more. Dem send bhagee, plain rice, not even fry one, wid some vegetable inside. Dem give he roast poke but nuff of he guest don’t eat pork, including Bobby. Irfaat send home fuh he food from de time he smell de poke. Dem guests complain bitterly. And Jagdeo cry bitterly. To crown it, he ain’t get no gift. Not even dem scampish kantractah ain’t give he no gift. He call couple of dem but all he get was a message, “This phone no longer accepting calls from your number.” Banks DIH and DDL use to send lavish, just like New Thriving. Dem two and all realize that Jagdeo is a fraud. Dem send soft drink and Baby Bubbly and Soca. Donald been at de party. When he see de Baby Bubbly he tell people that he nah want nutten fuh mek belly get upset. De man is a real president. From de time he put he foot down hard, he belly start fuh guh down, he eye start opening up; he ears tekking in and now he mouth letting out. Is from that mouth come de words that send Ganga packing. Talk half and give thanks because one Ganda egg gone and more to follow.
Friday January 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Opposition approves $1.4B Govt’s overspending Government yesterday managed to gain the support of the political opposition to vote affirmatively on two financial papers representing more than $1.4B spent last year in November and December. Yesterday’s scrutiny of the Financial Papers saw for the first time, supplementary requests for moneys, fully complying with the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, in that there was attached to documents more details on what the expenditure was used on as well as the impact the expenditure will have. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge, welcomed the move and drew reference to a previous position held by Substantive Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, who said that he would not allow the consideration of any Financial Papers that did not meet the requirements of the law. Greenidge did point out that while the move is welcomed, the details that were provided still had shortcomings. SHADICK PRESIDES Bibi Shadick presided over yesterday’s sitting and opined that the move was a step in the right direction and in future improvements can be made. Shadick was elected to sit as Speaker for the day, given that Trotman is overseas and Deputy Speaker, Deborah Backer is ill and is overseas receiving treatment. Shadick was nominated by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, a nomination which was seconded by APNU’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally. The expenditure first up for scrutiny by the opposition were two subsidies provided by the Finance Ministry, one to the tune of $263M to the Linden Electricity Company and another $13.3M to the Kwakani Utilities Inc. APNU’s Greenidge queried what necessitated the increase in subsidies and was told that it related to the increased generation and provision of electricity in the two communities as well as increases in oil prices. The Finance Minister was unable however to give a proper breakdown of how the money was used and told the House that an invoice would be presented to the Ministry for a lump sum. Prime Minister Hinds explained that the requests would usually be reviewed by his office first before the invoice is sent to the Finance Ministry. URGENT, UNFORSEEN
Shadow Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge
Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill
AND UNANTICIPATED Pressed on how the Ministry could justify the expenditure as urgent and unforeseen, Dr Singh explained by saying, “we can’t anticipate with perfect foresight the volume of electricity to be consumed especially by a large community like Linden.” He also said that it was tied to the movement in oil price. The Foreign Affairs Minister was also grilled on an amount of money sent to St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and Dominica among others which were recently hit with severe flooding. Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, the Substantive Minister, informed the House that the afflicted governments had indicated that they prefer the cash as against the list of needs that had been determined by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The governments, she said, wanted to avoid having different countries sending the same supplies. She explained that the amounts were determined by Government, based on Guyana’s affordability. ILLEGAL BRIDGE TOLL Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Norman Whittaker, was grilled over a $24M allocation which was used to provide some relief in Georgetown following the recent floods and the Region 10 Municipality. Greenidge pointed out to the House that the initial voted provision was for $5M and that the supplementary request was for a whopping $24M. This, he suggested, was not consistent with principle of good management, and he asked whether the Minister had an acceptable answer. “What makes this expenditure urgent and unanticipated?” Minister Whittaker told the House that as it relates to $9M of the $24M, this was used to pay the wages and salaries to a number of
workers in the Region 10 Municipality. He said that the Council had appealed for help, as it was unable to raise the money after it was forced to remove what he called an “illegal toll” to cross the Mackenzie Bridge. Asked how come this happened, given the fact that the Ministry knew that there would be problems for the municipality’s revenue stream in relation to the problem with the toll, Minister Whittaker denied that at the time of the preparation of the budget they were aware that the toll would be an issue. FLOODS As it relates to the additional $15M, he said that the Ministry, following the November floods in Georgetown, did an assessment of the conditions in Georgetown and decided that it needs to pitch in. The money was however not turned over to the Georgetown Town Council, but in fact utilized by the Ministry. APNU’s Joseph Harmon took umbrage to this explanation, given that it was the Town Council’s purview to deal with the drainage conditions. Despite arguing that the clean-up is routine and that the money could not be urgent and unforeseen, it was voted for by the political opposition. Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford was also questioned in relation to a Supplementary Provision of $50M. She explained that it had in part to do with the fluctuation of the US dollar as well as an increase in airfares to return students. Westford told the House that 25 students had graduated later than the others and government could not have some 200-odd students sitting overseas waiting. SCHOOLS Education Minister,Priya Manickchand was questioned in relation to two provisions of $19M and $13.5M. She told the House that the US$19M was as a result of the statutory
APNU’s Winston Felix
Speaker for the day, Bibi Shadick
Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee
payment of a minimum wage. Manickchand informed the House that the money was used to ensure that the Ministry complied with the legislation. She noted too that the $13.5M was used to clean some 33 schools in Georgetown. APNU’s Amna Ally questioned whether any moneys would be used for the cleaning of schools in the lower Pomeroon, which was also affected by flooding, and according to Manickchand, those schools would be dealt with by the Ministry of Local Government. Greenidge had questions
for the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy. He wanted him to explain why the Ministry needed an additional $160M for what could be termed as routine maintenance and how can it be classified as urgent and unforeseen expenditure. Dr Ramsammy explained that as it relates to the equipment, the Ministry had purchased additional machinery but at the time of its Budget, it could have only made a request for those it had already in its fleet. He said that with the acquisition of the additional equipment it would
have then needed the extra money for its maintenance. 4000 HECTARES Ramsammy said too that a portion of the money also had to do with the fact that the Ministry had to extend a number of drainage infrastructure. This, he said, resulted in the fact that a number of private farmers extended their farmlands for the cultivation of rice by some 4000 hectares. Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee was also grilled over a number of chartered flights the police had used to the tune of $69M. (Continued on page 15)
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 24, 2014
Guyana receives equipment to destroy obsolete weapons, ammo
The Hydraulics Shears machine The Government of Guyana was yesterday presented with two machines from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC). The Hydraulics Shears and an ammunition burning
tank will serve to destroy obsolete firearms and ammunition. This is in an effort to prevent the surplus of weapons from being confiscated and circulated in the criminal network. The handing over ceremony took place at the Tactical Service Unit Armory at Eve Leary, Georgetown.
Present at the event were Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell, Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, US Ambassador, Brent Hardt and Senior Programme Officer of UNLIREC, Ms. Juliet Solomon. Guyana for sometime was
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee signs the document presented by Senior Programme Officer of UNLIREC, Ms. Juliet Solomon, confirming receipt of the equipment. faced with the difficulty of not having proper facilities that promoted the correct disposal and destruction of outdated weapons. Several programmes were put in place, but these produced poor results. Moreover, due to negotiations between government and UNLIREC, Guyana was able to acquire two pieces of equipment to effectively address the issue. There were several presentations at yesterday’s event. Ambassador Hardt, in delivering brief comments,
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said that UNLIREC was established in 1986 to assist in efforts to implement disarmament agreements through capacity building and technical assistance. He noted too that in the Caribbean, the company’s package has been focused on firearm destruction and the goal of the programme is to support Caribbean countries in the disposal of its surplus of firearms and ammunition thereby improving stock pile facilities. “The US Department’s bureau signed the grant for US$1.7M in September to facilitate this programme for Guyana and five other countries. But trafficking in arms still remains one of the topics for Caribbean member states. And this programme is intended to assist in dealing with that issue which is by
and large the bigger picture.” UNLIREC official Juliet Solomon informed members of the media that the move marks the joint implementation of the action plan for stockpile management of firearms, ammunition and explosives. “It is in conjunction with government following the national baseline assessment which was conducted in July 2013. Unfortunately Latin America and the Caribbean have the highest homicide rates in the world. Nearly 80 percent of the homicides are committed with firearms which were either trafficked across borders or stolen from government’s stockpile. With its long borders, Guyana has a particular challenge in this respect. It should be noted too that stockpile management practices are key elements of the Arms reduction policy.” She added that, “The periodic destruction of confiscated weapons and ammunition is the most effective means of ensuring that they do not make their way back onto the street and directly into criminal networks. It is in this vein that Guyana requested the support.” “Over the period of time, defence force personnel and officers have been trained in the proper use, management and maintenance of it. We will be returning in February to supply training in use of the burning tank.”
Friday January 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 13
Child Care Agency intensifying protective role In light of the fact that early sexual activity is not in keeping with the rights and development process of children, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) has in place strategic measures to help guard against such occurrences. This will therefore require that entire communities are reeducated so as to ensure that all are involved in the business of child protection. This opinion was expressed by Director of the Child Protection Agency, Ms Ann Greene, during an interview with this publication. However, achieving the desired results cannot be realised on merely the strength of the Child Protection Agency, which falls under the purview of the
Human Services Ministry. Moreover, Greene told this publication that efforts have been made to collaborate with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the likes of ChildLink. ChildLink has been in the forefront of the Tell Campaign, which according to Greene, helps to sensitise young children about their rights with a view of ensuring that they can deal with situations, mostly of a sexual nature, that they may encounter. And there have been many successes realised since the launch of the tactical campaign, Greene noted. Although the Tell Campaign already has a presence in a number of Regions, the Child Protection
Director said that moves are being made to ensure that there is an even greater impact in far-flung regions. “We are looking to carry it more there, because the problem is more there. So the Tell Campaign is the way we plan on doing this...We have to re-educate entire communities; everybody has to be a part,” Greene emphasised. The Director’s remarks were forthcoming even as she commented on the underage pregnancies of two young girls in the Region One area. Both cases were uncovered during the latter part of last year and the girls were brought to the city in the company of Child Protection officers who, together with the Police Force, are investigating the cases. The
Supervision of new doctors high on Health Ministry’s agenda Although the local health sector was built on a strong nursing background, moves are being made to ensure that doctors continue to play a major supervisory role, particularly as it relates to new doctors in the system. This disclosure was made by Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, even as he responded to questions from this publication about the supervision of doctors undergoing internship in the local public health sector. According to him, the new doctors are placed at various health institutions and are usually placed under the supervision of a doctor. However, Dr Persaud pointed out that “the (doctor) supervisor may not always be on site, but the supervisor is supposed to be available 24 hours. Those supervisors may be at the regional hospitals, district hospitals and so on...” But although a doctor may not always be there to watch over the operations of the new doctors, Dr Persaud noted that either a senior medex or nurse will be on site. “So I would not say that they are left alone; there is always a level of supervision that is present and the interesting thing about it is that our medical system is built actually on a strong nursing background. I myself went out there as a junior doctor at some point in time in my career and a lot of times your person on the ground was really the nurse who knew a lot about what to do,” Dr Persaud asserted. Added to this, he disclosed that systems have been put in place, particularly at the Georgetown Public Hospital, whereby
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud connections have been established through the use of cell phones. And this, according to the CMO, has in fact helped further. “I know the doctors have actually been co-managing patients in Mabaruma with Dr (Sheik) Amir at the GPHC. They are on the phone; he is instructing them what to do...taking vital signs and so on until, for example, the medical evacuations happen.” “We even from time to time send in people to do rotations...Some more senior doctors go at various points to these sites and they would provide some on-site supervision,” Dr Persaud disclosed. He explained that a lot of the supervision falls on the department of Regional Health Services. The CMO was at pains to
emphasise that throughout their 18-month internship, all new doctors are rotated throughout various aspects of the health care system with a view of ensuring that they are expected to be familiar with the basic protocol, guidelines and procedures in all of these relevant areas. And more importantly, this process is designed to identify each intern’s weaknesses and limits, said Dr Persaud who added, “This is what we want...we don’t want people going out there and trying to go beyond their skills and capacity.” He said this is essential; to ensure that the doctors are able to know when to refer patients, since this is a necessary part of the health care system. He pointed out that once a doctor sees a patient he/she is expected to carry out a complete assessment and come up with a diagnosis. And once the case is found to be out of the attending doctor’s realm then that patient must be referred. “We are trying to put a more stringent procedure in place that it is not left up to the patients any longer ...We now have more active involvement through our medical personnel in the referral process so that they must ensure that these persons get to the next level of care and are handed over to the relevant skilled persons who can then take it from there onwards.”
pregnant girls were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for medical care, and one has since given birth. As part of its efforts to dissuade underage pregnancies, the Child Protection Agency has been working to raise awareness in the communities that not only are such practices morally unacceptable, but they are in fact against the law. But even with collaboration, Greene noted that the target result, to considerably reduce the instances of child abuse, will not happen overnight, since it will be characterised by a process that will take much time and effort. However, it is expected that the intended goal will be fast-tracked with strategic moves to roll out the Tell Campaign in all schools across the country by this year end. “We have already taken it to Region One, and with our re-education efforts through the Tell Campaign, at the level of the schools, girls, in particular, will be able to understand their rights,” Greene informed. Added to this, she said that the introduction of One
Stop Centres will also help to cater to the re-education process. The One Stop Centres, Greene explained, are designed to deal with the sexual abuse of children where cases will be heard by a multi-disciplinary team. “We all will be collectively dealing with the issue of sexual abuse...We will do interviews where the child will only have to tell it (what occurred) one time, and then we will provide follow-up therapeutic work for the victim and the family,” Greene disclosed. Such centres, she said, will be involved in preventative work to raise awareness in communities on how to prevent child abuse. “It has to be a collaboration with other agencies...it is not just about the Child Protection Agency...Child protection is everybody’s business; people need to be more aware; every adult. The whole question is that adults should protect children, so it is an adult responsibility,” insisted Greene. In working towards the protection of the rights of children in communities countrywide, the Child Care Agency has been collaborating with various
Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene factions of the Human Services Ministry, including the Family Commission, which is tasked with reaching out to families. And strategic collaboration has been forged with other sectors such as Education, Health and Home Affairs. “This is the only way that we will be able to deal with it...and it is not an easy or an overnight task, it is a thorough process, and all must be involved,” Greene stated.
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 24, 2014
Accounting reports of NICIL, GuySuCo, GPL should be included in National Budget By Kiana Wilburg A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Shadow Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge, says that the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh should provide information to help account for the governance of agencies such as NICIL in the National Budget. Greenidge is also insisting that detailed accounting arrangements for funds provided to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) should be treated in like fashion. Expressing similar sentiments was Vice Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Moses Nagamootoo. “When it comes to NICIL there is an outstanding display of stubbornness to make full disclosure of the
APNU’s Carl Greenidge moneys that are not going into the consolidated funds. The company, which is headed by Winston Brassington, operates like a sub-treasury to which state assets are directed and it decides how resources from state assets should be spent, whereas these resources
should be part of treasury. The Company literally contributes to the deformity of the financial system. It operates as a mini-elected government by itself and any entity that is the recipient of funding from taxpayers ought to be accountable to parliament, either by way of periodic reports or review by the economic and services committee.” Nagamootoo added, “Any request to make them more accountable should not be spurned as unreasonable. The government must see the call for full disclosure to Parliament as an act of fiscal responsibility. “ Greenidge said that he had emailed the Minister of Finance on these requests, but he is yet to respond. The APNU parliamentarian also disclosed that he had submitted to the Minister a list of his issues relating to
- Opposition the 2013 budget, and the issues are by and large those that need to be addressed for the effective management and accountability of the expenditure and revenue of the country. “While these issues were brought to the table when the 2013 budget was being examined, APNU is of the firm belief that the issues need to be addressed, since it extends to the budget process as a whole.” In addition to this, Greenidge noted that APNU in its deliberations on the 2013 Budget had several concerns about a number of factors which form the background against which “economic policies are to be cast”. While he highlighted these issues, the Former Minister of Finance explained that this attempt to bring to the surface their concerns with the budget should not be misconstrued to mean that the faction is trying to prohibit the government from its right to fashion the budget. He insisted, however, that the budget must also serve as an instrument which promotes national development, and it is to that effect that the Opposition made its concerns with the budget process known. Greenidge stressed that several issues are not taken into account by the Minister
AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo of Finance when drafting the budget. “For example, the widening income and wealth disparities within the society, the spiraling cost of living and the plight of the poor and vulnerable including the old, young unemployed females and males, especially those without adequate education and the need for better pay and conditions of work for the poor, as well as nurses, teachers and public servants across the country.” In preparing the Budget, Greenidge suggested that the Government and its advisers should seek to address job creation, training, education and health facilities which can be accessed by the less fortunate. After reminding that the budget does not only examine the expenditure but also revenue, he then stressed the need for the “completion of
the tax reform process of which the Value Added Tax was an important element”. He explained that in response to this concern about both the level of taxation and the unfair weight borne by some segments of the community, President Donald Ramotar established a Commission to examine the tax regime. The APNU Member of Parliament said that he is yet to see a report on the work of the said team and this needs to be included in the budget. In addition to this, he said that it is also imperative that the country put in place arrangements to ensure that the resources of the state are appropriately and fairly managed as well as distributed. Greenidge then suggested that the first step in this direction would be to establish acceptable standards of financial administration and management at the national level. He noted too that there is a serious need for the discussions on the budget to also cover all measures affecting revenue, which include the disposal of state assets and criteria for such action. Moreover, given the importance of the capital programme in the overall budget, Greenidge asserted that it is imperative that there be arrangements for the careful consideration of the major elements of that programme. “The criteria and rationale for the overall programme are missing. The key documents on which decisions are based have yet to be seen by any member of the Opposition, let alone by independent technical teams,” Greenidge said in conclusion.
Friday January 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
Teen held for illegal possession of firearm, ammo A teenaged vendor, who was apprehended at his West Ruimveldt home for allegedly having 26 rounds of live ammunition and a pistol in his bedroom, made his first court appearance yesterday to be arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, just two days after the discovery. Eighteen-year-old Alex Mendonca, a resident of Vlissengen Road, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to offences of Illegal Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, but the court, presided over by the Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry ordered him held. The particulars of the charges laid against Mendonca detailed that on January 21, at West Ruimveldt, he had in his possession 26 rounds of .32 ammunitions and a .32 Taurus semiautomatic pistol while not being the owner of a firearm licence. The prosecution team led by Inspector Michael Grant, who briefed the court, stated that on the day in question, police ranks acting on information received went to Mendonca’s home. He explained that while the ranks were at the door, they rapped, but it was open, so they entered the house where they met Mendonca’s mother and asked for him. She reportedly informed the ranks that her son was in his bedroom sleeping. Inspector Grant told the court that the ranks then
Alex Mendonca proceeded to his bedroom and rapped, but the room was also open so they entered and met the defendant inside. They at that point informed Mendonca of the reason they were in his bedroom and proceeded to conduct a search of his dwelling space. The Prosecution explained that it was under a pile of clothes that the gun and ammunition were found. They reportedly asked the teen whether he was the holder of the firearm licence and he responded in the negative. Mendonca was subsequently arrested and charged with the present offence. Nevertheless, representing the accused was Defence Attorney George Thomas who, in submitting his application for his client to be granted reasonable bail, stated that his client is not a flight risk. He said that Mendonca is
a vendor who lives with his mother and has had no brushes with the law. Thomas asked the court to note that neither his client nor his mother was informed of the search, and he further stated that Mendonca’s mother was in fact awoken by the police who said that the door “was open, but not opened.” He lamented that it could have possibly been a set-up. According to him, the police told his client that he would be jailed for 10 years if he did not cooperate with them. The lawyer furthered his bail application stating that due to the circumstances he was asking that the court consider the nature of what transpired, and that his client was forced to give a statement. However, his application was met with objections from the Prosecution who argued that no special reasons for bail to be issued were raised by the Defence Attorney. Inspector Grant said that the serious nature and prevalence of the offence, as well as the fact that both a gun and ammunition were found, were sufficient grounds for Mendonca to be held in remand. The Chief Magistrate upheld the objections of the Prosecution and Mendonca was refused a court bond and remanded to prison until January 27. The matter was transferred and is set to be called before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the said court.
Opposition approves $1.4B... (From page 11) Rohee was unable to provide the details, but did undertake to obtain it and provide the opposition with the answers at a future date. LINDO CREEK SKELETALREMAINS As it relates to an additional $15M for the Guyana Police Force under the line item “other” the Minister told the House that this was the pay for the storage of the remains of those killed in the Lindo Creek massacre. He said that the remains had to be held in storage until the completion of the investigation. The payment was for the holding of the skeletal remains at a local funeral home between the years 2008 and 2011. APNU’s Winston Felix and others sought to query the provisions of a number of allocations made to the Guyana Defence Force. Under a number of line items,
the GDF received $237M under the maintenance line item, Felix described this allocation as programmable and scheduled and as such it could not be unforeseen and of an emergency nature. NATIONALSECURITY Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill spoke to the fact that there were a number of new vehicles purchased and given the nature of the operations of the GDF they would have had to be repaired and serviced. The Minister was asked about the total compliment of the vehicles for the GDF, but he declined to provide any answers saying that the security committee would be a more apt forum to discuss the matter, given the security implications. “With greatest respect to members of the House, the administration has been quite detailed…We are dealing with matters of national security and would prefer to have them dealt with at
another level.” The provisions for the GDF were all approved and when the entire financial paper was put to a vote, the House was unanimous. A second Financial Paper was also voted on affirmatively, and according to the Finance Minister, that Supplementary request which dealt with some $412M, had to do with outside funding and the exercise was merely to bring the funds into the accounts of Government. He said that the moneys would have been disbursed given that the projects being funded would have accelerated beyond what was anticipated at the time of the budget.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Page 15
Double murder trial aborted; accused “unfit for trial” The trial of fisherman Ravindranauth Mohanlall, 54,of Fyrish Village, Corentyne, Berbice ,who was facing two counts of murder in the Berbice High Court before Justice Diana Insanally and a mixed jury has been aborted. This decision was taken following a Psychiatric evaluation presented by Psychiatrist Dr. Maida Creajah which was ordered by Justice Insanally. The judge had adjourned the trial and ordered that the accused be evaluated at the National Psychiatric Hospital. This was after he constantly interrupted the trial with his utterances. In her evaluation, Dr Maida stated that from her conclusion the accused is suffering from Chronic Alcoholic Withdrawl Syndrome. She also concluded that the accused is suffering from fear and is constantly afraid that people would attack him. The accused, she said, also exhibited much aggression during the interview. She stated that he should be re-evaluated in another six months. The jury was then directed to return the verdict that the accused is unable to stand trial. Mohanlall is accused of murdering Beeram Motelall, 45, called ‘Boy’ of Chesney Village, Corentyne, and
Renard Fernandes, called ‘Renny’, 15, of 280 Rose Hall Town Reef. The killings are alleged to have been committed at sea, on September 6, 2011, in the vicinity of Bush Lot Village, Corentyne. The accused was represented by Attorney at law Charlyn Artiga. During the trial the prosecution had called six witnesses up to the time it had stopped. During that time the accused kept interrupting the trial and despite several warnings from his lawyer, the Marshal, the prison officer and the judge, he kept saying that nobody was there including the judge, magistrate, jurors, and police. ‘Nobody was there. How you can try me? You been deh? State Prosecutor Renita Singh had earlier detailed what happened on the day in question. She said that the accused threw gasoline on
Ravindranauth Mohanlall crew members Beeram Motelall and Renard Fernandes and set them alight. The cause of death as determined by a post mortem examination conducted by Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Mortuary, was Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, resulting from the severe burns to their bodies.
Picture saved in Friday as Greenidge Caption: APNU’s Carl Greenidge Picture saved in Friday as Nagamootoo Caption: AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo
Page 16
Kaieteur News
Friday January 24, 2014
Guyanese convicted swindler dies before sentencing Connecticut, US (courant.com) - A former Wethersfield man who swindled hundreds of thousands of dollars from people drowning in debt was to be sentenced Friday (today) to prison. Instead, Deowraj “Deo” Buddhu will be buried. The convicted felon died in prison January 16 and his funeral is today. He had been incarcerated since his arrest in June 2012. He was 71. The cause of his death was not available on Wednesday. Buddhu was convicted in U.S. District Court in Hartford in June 2013 of six counts of mail fraud and seven counts of passing phony financial
Deowraj Buddhu instruments. He faced spending the rest of his life in prison. A jury took less than an hour to convict him after hearing nine days of testimony. The government said
Buddhu preyed on unsuspecting Hartford-area residents who were saddled with mortgage payments, credit card debt and car loans. He promised to erase their debt, and in some cases, get them more money, by enrolling them in what he called a secret government program - one that prosecutors said didn’t exist. He provided fake bonds that he said would cover their debt, according to testimony. Like Buddhu, who was from Guyana, many of his victims were immigrants and were unfamiliar with American financial practices. “This defendant’s fictitious debt elimination
scheme defrauded numerous struggling homeowners, many of whom were immigrants with little command of the English language,” U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly said at the time of the conviction. In 2005, Buddhu was sentenced to four years in prison for selling fake U.S. birth certificates to illegal immigrants. In 2009, as a result of a civil action by the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal judge permanently barred him and his daughter from operating a tax preparation business. The judge found that they had prepared thousands of false and fraudulent tax returns
from 2004 to 2008, substantially understating their clients’ tax liabilities. The crimes, for which he was found guilty in June, date back to 2009. Dozens of clients who already were experiencing financial problems plunged deeper into debt, and some homes ended up in foreclosure, according to
testimony and court records. His daughter, Sunita Buddhu, 43, of Wethersfield, was sentenced in October to 30 months in prison for helping her father with his fraudulent debt elimination scheme that victimized more than 125 people in Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin, Florida and Georgia.
Minister resigns From page 3 regionally; establishment of a Local Government Department to provide support to the NDCs and Municipalities; enhancement of relationships with communities across Guyana, through constant outreach programmes and visit to villages. There was also significant movement in the direction of informational technology that resulted in the improvement of the Ministry's communication network. “I am extremely proud that together we, at most times, worked as a team to achieve all that have made us proud. I wish to thank my colleague Minister, the Hon. Norman Whittaker, PS Collin Croal, PA Chitra Singh, Confidential Secretary Geetanjali Curicca, Chauffeur Vedesh Lall and staff of my Ministry, as well as all in the RDCs, NDCs, Municipalities and CDCs for the support given to me and urged that they continue to work as a team for the good of all Guyanese.” Ganga, in the statement, insisted that as a member of the leadership of the PPP, he is committed to working with the party to enhance its chances at the next General and Regional Elections so as to reclaim the majority in the
Parliament. “This is so important for Guyana's continued growth and development since no other political party can assure our country's development other than the PPP.” Meanwhile, in a separate interview yesterday afternoon with Kaieteur News, the Minister expressed gratitude to media workers for the almost two and half years he was minister. He said that numerous factors would have led to his resignation including a number of future job opportunities and his desire to spend more time with his family. The Minister did not disclose what moves are next. He stated also that it is likely to be in service of Guyana in another field. The Minister has been in the hot seat, especially concerning the state of Georgetown and late last year, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a US$30M recycling plant. Government abandoned the MoU after revelations that the company may not have had the experience or resources for such a project. The administration admitted that proper due diligence was not followed.
Friday January 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 25
Suriname opposition peeved over recent developments in New River Triangle By Zena Henry Even as the issue of survey being conducted in the contentious New River Triangle area is dying down here in Guyana, Surinamese opposition Parliamentarians remain bitter over Guyana’s occupancy of the location, with opposition members in that country condemning the recent Permission for Geographical and Geophysical Surveys (PGGS0 granted to a mining company, “as a violation of Suriname’s national sovereignty.” The opposition members slammed their government yesterday for their silence on the issue, while holding firmly that they (Surinamese) are the true owners of the area, bordering both the English and Dutch-speaking countries. Additionally, a letter has been dispatched to the speaker of the Surinamese Parliament, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, calling for President Desi Bouterse to give an explanation in parliament over Guyana’s moves to grant permission for survey/mining activities in the disputed area. DevSur, a Surinamese online media site explained that nationalistic emotions surrounding the Suriname/ Guyana border dispute flared up during the week, when information again surfaced about Guyana granting a
Brazilian company rights to survey in what is known in Suriname as the Tigri area and in Guyana as the New River Triangle. The media site said that, Opposition parties in Suriname have demanded answers, “but both the Suriname and Guyana Governments have so far remained mum on the issue.” The report said further that opposition members in Suriname believe that the nation’s sovereignty was violated. “Very disturbing information has reached us about the granting of mining rights by Guyana to a third party on Surinamese territory. Timber is being robbed from Surinamese soil,” it was asserted. Opposition members added that Guyana’s action is a “serious violation of our territorial integrity and undermining our national economic interests.” The Dutch-speaking nation however feels that Guyanese have been trespassing on the area, since 1969, “when Guyanese soldiers forcibly claimed Tigri; the area has been under Guyanese rule, leaving the conflict simmering below the surface. Suriname stays true to its claim and considers the Guyanese occupation of the disputed land trespassing.” The report said that
Guyana and Suriname have “locked horns over the Triangular shaped area in South West Suriname since 1840.” Both Guyana and Suriname have claimed that South East Berbice region. “Suriname considers the area part of the Coeroenie area of District Sipaliwini, whereas the Guyanese consider it part of their East Berbice-Corentyne region,” the report noted. Again an issue was raised over the disputed area in 2000, DevSur said. “Canadian oil company CGX started drilling in the area with Guyanese authorization, and Suriname sent out its navy to stop operations. Then last year Suriname said that the disputing neighbours were looking to put aside their differences and jointly exploring the riches of the Tigri area.” In the meantime, Muri Brasil Ventures Inc withdrew its intent to survey the New River Triangle area, attributing the move to, “the misinformation, prejudice and hostility toward this proposed survey by persons and agencies which are fostering an adverse investment climate in Guyana.” The company was granted permission for exploration activities under the PGGS granted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
Burglars strike at Carnegie School Carnegie School of Home Economics
Investigators have questioned three security guards who were on duty Wednesday night when burglars entered the Carnegie School of Home Economics located on High and D’Urban Streets, Georgetown, and stole a quantity of groceries, two computer monitors and a laptop. The discovery of the break and enter was made by a female guard around 01:00hrs yesterday. Kaieteur News was told that the intruder(s) most likely concealed themselves in the building during the afternoon class on Wednesday and broke their way out with tools belonging to the institution. The suspects allegedly ransacked the office of the Head Mistress, Deputy Head Mistress, the 80th Anniversary Secretariat’s office and the General Office. This newspaper was told that the stolen laptop was being used by the office assistant, who is also a computer technician.
Fingers are now being pointed at a staffer who sources say knows the building “inside, out.” Kaieteur News was also informed that the “suspect” was spotted in the area hours after the discovery was made. The Carnegie School of Home Economics is secured by MMC Security Service alarms, but another security firm provides three guards during the night and two during the day. “When the girl was closing up the place, she heard a noise but she didn’t see anyone. The alarm went off, too, and the guards from MMC came and inspect the place and they left after they didn’t see anyone,” a source said. When contacted yesterday, the Principal of the institution, Penelope Harris, could only say that the police visited the school and took fingerprints. She also added that the investigators have questioned the security guards who were guarding the property when the incident occurred.
Arrow (left) shows the Guyana/Suriname disputed area However, plans to work the disputed area reached a brick wall when several independent bodies expressed against the foreignowned company having rights to the area. Moreover, critics were loud about the
apparent secrecy surrounding the deal which saw Muri being able to survey some 2.2 million acres of forest. Even GGMC said that it had advised against the company getting the PGGS. It was further stated that the
agency had been instructed to give the go-ahead to Muri. Retired army personnel had also spoken of the sensitivity given the “shaky relationship” between Guyana and Suriname on this particular location.
Page 30
Kaieteur News
Friday January 24, 2014
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Friday January 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Ministry seeks to make solar energy primary source for traffic signals Some 30 percent of traffic signals in and around Georgetown are powered primarily by Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and the Public Works Ministry is currently conducting studies to have solar energy be the primary source in this regard. This was explained by Nigel Butts, Electrical Engineer, Public Works Ministry, during an interview with this publication yesterday. Butts noted that the Ministry has been successful in having 70 percent of traffic signals use solar energy as its secondary source of power. He explained that whenever there is a power outage the signals are powered via solar energy for about five to six hours. However, after the stored energy is exhausted the system would obviously shutdown. Butts said that the Ministry’s intention is to have solar energy as the primary source of power for the systems. There is a prototype at Church Street and Vlissengen Road which is functional. He noted that within the coming weeks the Ministry will be adjusting the first batch of six systems to have them powered by GPL and solar energy. According to Butts, of the 47 traffic systems installed, 45 are functional. The two that are not working are located at Cummings and Middle Streets and Robb and Camp Streets. He said that the operation of the system at Cummings and Middle Streets was obstructed owing to Cummings Street turning to a one-way. The Ministry had to adjust the system and it is expected to be operational soon. Meanwhile, vandals struck at the Robb and Camp Streets system. Butts noted that the flashing red or amber lights are not indications that the signals are not working. Instead, they are traffic warnings that should be observed. The Ministry has adjusted the systems to flash at off-peak hours to allow the free and safe flow of traffic. He noted that in some cases, while the traffic signal may be operational, the presence of a traffic rank controlling traffic is the discretion of the traffic department. He explained that during the peak hours at particular routes, the flow of traffic may be heavier and so a traffic rank
may override the signal and direct the flow of traffic. But many road users find the presence of the traffic rank as the cause of the traffic build-ups and prefer to depend on the traffic system. For instance, at the junction of Diamond Housing Scheme this has been a source of concern. Meanwhile, some road users prefer when there is no traffic system and pointed to the last Christmas season when the traffic signals on the Avenue of the Republic were in flashing mode. It was emphasized that at the start of the season, before the lights were set to flash, it took about 30 minutes to travel from Robb Street to Brickdam. But, when the lights were flashing, it took approximately five minutes. (From page 30)
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Friday Januray 24, 2014
Friday Januray 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
U.S. military sees risks in ChinaJapan tensions, seeks restraint WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. military commander in the AsiaPacific region acknowledged his concern yesterday over entrenched tensions between Japan and China, a day after Japan’s prime minister evoked comparisons to Britain and Germany before World War One. Admiral Samuel Locklear, the head of the U.S. military’s Pacific Command, said the role of the United States was to keep encouraging restraint, professionalism and “hope there will be diplomatic dialogue and a solution to this.” “I am concerned,” Locklear told a Pentagon briefing, after being asked to assess the tensions between Japan and China and the risk of conflict. “Anytime you have two large powers, two large economic powers, two large military powers, that have a disagreement that they’re not talking to each other about, that has no clear diplomatic end state in sight. ... The risk calculation can grow.” Sino-Japanese ties, long plagued by what Beijing sees as Japan’s failure to atone for its occupation of parts of China in the 1930s and 1940s, have worsened recently due in part to a territorial dispute in the East China Sea, where China declared an air defense zone late last year. Ties have also suffered because of Tokyo’s mistrust of Beijing’s military buildup and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s December visit to a shrine that critics say glorifies Japan’s wartime past. Abe said on Wednesday that Japan and China should avoid repeating the past
Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, adjusts his translation earpiece at the start of the 45th Security Consultative Meeting at the Defence Ministry in Seoul. REUTERS/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool mistakes of Britain and Germany, which fought in World War One despite strong economic ties, according to his main government spokesman in Tokyo. China and Japan, the world’s second- and thirdlargest economies respectively, have deep business ties and bilateral trade worth nearly $334 billion in 2012, according to Japanese figures. The U.S. military’s ability to quickly defuse a crisis in the East China Sea is unclear, and Locklear said he did not have a hotline to his counterpart in China’s People’s Liberation Army.
Iraq hangs 11 convicted of terrorism BAGHDAD (Reuters) Iraq hanged 11 people convicted of terrorist offences on Thursday, the justice ministry said, pursuing what a U.N. official has criticized as a “conveyorbelt of executions”. All those executed were Iraqi nationals, justice ministry spokesman Haider al-Saadi said in a text message to Reuters, bringing the total number of people executed in less than one week to 37. Violence in Iraq has surged in the past year to its
highest levels since the Sunni-Shi’ite sectarian bloodshed that peaked in 2006 and 2007, when tens of thousands of people were killed. Iraq hanged at least 151 people in 2013, up from 129 in 2012 and 68 in 2011, New York-based Human Rights Watch said in its annual world report published on Tuesday. The United Nations human rights chief, Navi Pillay, has frequently condemned Iraq’s mass executions.
“I don’t have the ability to pick up the phone and talk directly to a PLA, or PLA Navy admiral, or general, at the time of a crisis. And we need to work on that,” Locklear said. He did say that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, did have capabilities to reach out in a crisis and “we would hope it would work”. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns concluded a three-day trip to China yesterday in which he met senior Chinese leaders and “stressed the importance of all sides avoiding unilateral action to assert territorial and maritime claims and for China to work constructively with its neighbors to reduce tensions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.” the U.S. State Department said. “He reiterated longstanding U.S. interests in all parties managing the situation diplomatically,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement. The risks of a mishap in the region were highlighted last month when the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens had to take evasive action to avoid hitting a Chinese warship operating in support of Beijing’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.
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Friday Januray 24, 2014
Ukraine president hints at compromise, but PM slams protesters (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich called for an emergency session of parliament to end political crisis and violent unrest, in a sign he might be ready to soften his hardline stance and strike a compromise. Yanukovich was due to hold talks yesterday with opposition leaders including heavyweight boxer-turnedpolitician Vitaly Klitschko, and anti-government demonstrators in the capital agreed to a truce with police until 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) pending the outcome. The parliamentary website said the special session would be held on Tuesday. Underlining the level of mistrust between the government and opposition, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov accused protesters of trying to stage a coup d’etat, and dismissed the possibility of an early presidential election to resolve the standoff. “All those who support this coup should say clearly, ‘Yes, we are for the overthrow of the legitimate authorities in Ukraine’, and not hide behind peaceful protesters,” Azarov said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “A genuine attempt at a coup d’etat is being carried out,” Russian news agency Interfax quoted him as saying. Azarov told Reuters the government had no plans to introduce a state of emergency: “We don’t see the
Viktor Yanukovich need for tough and extreme measures at the moment ... But don’t put the government into an impasse,” he said. “People should not think that the government lacks available resources to put an end to this. It is our constitutional right and obligation to restore order in the country.” The protests against Yanukovich began in November, when he pulled out of signing a free trade deal with the European Union in favour of closer economic ties with former Soviet overlord Russia. The unrest has swollen in recent weeks, and turned violent on Sunday when hardcore radicals broke away from the main protest area in the capital Kiev and clashed violently with riot police. Three people have been killed on the side of protesters - two of them from gunshot wounds - and more
than 150 police have been injured. Outside the capital, thousands stormed the regional administration headquarters in Rivne in western Ukraine yesterday, breaking down doors and demanding the release of people detained in the unrest there, UNIAN news agency reported. The turmoil has caused alarm abroad. A White House spokesman warned of possible sanctions against Ukraine and said the tensions were a direct result of the government failing to acknowledge the “legitimate” grievances of its people. German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed anger over the crackdown on protesters. “We are greatly worried, and not only worried, but also outraged at the way laws have been pushed through that call these freedoms into question,” she told a news conference. But Merkel added it would be wrong for Europe to respond to the violence with sanctions at this stage. French President Francois Hollande called on Ukrainian authorities to “rapidly seek dialogue”. A European Commission spokesman said Yanukovich had spoken to President Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday and assured him he was ready to maintain political dialogue and saw no need to impose a state of emergency in Ukraine.
Iran wants full nuclear deal and investment, Rouhani tells Davos DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Iran is determined to negotiate a comprehensive deal on its nuclear programme with major powers so it can develop its battered economy, President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday, inviting Western companies to seize opportunities now. Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, the pragmatic president said Tehran was negotiating with the United States as part of a “constructive engagement” with the world and wanted Washington to back up its words with actions. However, a day after a chaotic Syria peace conference from which Iran was excluded, he was unbending in his support for Syrian President Bashar alAssad. Ending “terrorism” backed by some of Syria’s neighbours was a precondition for any settlement of the country’s civil war, he said. Elected last year on a promise to improve
Tehran’s relations with the outside world, Rouhani took the United Nations by storm in New York in September. His appearance in the Swiss resort launched phase two of a charm offensive aimed at ending sanctions that are crippling Iran’s economy. An interim deal with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - known as the P5+1 - came into force this week. This granted Iran a limited easing of the sanctions in return for temporary constraints on its uranium enrichment and nuclear development. Rouhani stressed his commitment to achieving a final settlement. “Iran has a serious will to come to an agreement with the P5+1,” he told the assembled business and political leaders. “I do not see a serious impediment in the way of this agreement. The Iranian will is strong.” Asked what might prevent a long-term settlement, he cited the risk of “pressure
Hassan Rouhani from other parties” - a veiled reference to Israel, which denounced the interim deal as an “historic mistake” and urged the U.S. Congress to resist it. Rouhani broke no new diplomatic ground in his speech. In a private session with energy executives, he promised a new, attractive investment model for oil contracts by September as part of a drive to lure back Western business barred by the U.S.-led sanctions, participants said.
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Kaieteur News
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Dominica moves closer to Prime Minister to make becoming a full member of the CCJ official visit to Cuba next week ROSEAU, Dominica British Government CMC – Britain has given Dominica its stamp of approval to adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the island’s final court of appeal. Yesterday, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit disclosed that he received a letter from British Foreign Secretary William Hague indicating that the British Gover n m e n t agrees and has no objection to Dominica recognizing the CCJ as its final appellate Court.”Section 42.4A of the constitution of Dominica mandates the government to write to the British Government, seeking agreement before we move to delink from the Privy Counsel.
Roosevelt Skerrit We wrote to the government late last year and very early this year, January 2014, we received a letter from the
indicating that the United Kingdom is in agreement or has no objection to Dominica recognizing the Caribbean Court of Justice as it court in the appellate jurisdiction.” Skerrit said this removes the need for a referendum “If we had not gotten the agreement from the British Government we would have to go through a referendum. So the fact that we have gotten the agreement from them means therefore with a simple two-thirds majority, Dominica can recognize the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final court.” He signaled that while he is anxious to make the move there is one more hurdle to clear.
EU eyes changes to policy on Cuba MADRID — AP - A senior European Union official said Friday the bloc is considering changes to its policy on Cuba. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told reporters during a visit to Madrid that the EU “is discussing, internally, the possibility of modifications” to its Cuba policy, though any changes would require the blessing of all the bloc’s 28 member countries. Barroso didn’t elaborate, but he reaffirmed the EU’s long-standing insistence that Cuba must respect human rights and introduce democratic reforms. “It’s very important for Cuba to respect human rights, it’s very important for Cuba not to have any political prisoners, it’s very important to have freedom of expression,” Barroso said. He added: “Everything positive that can be done in
Jose Manuel Barroso Cuba to open up the country to full democratic rights will be beneficial.” His comments came after a series of reforms in Cuba since Raul Castro became president in 2006, including opening up Internet access, and allowing Cubans to run
their own businesses and travel abroad without asking permission from the government. However, Cuban authorities still consider the island’s small community of dissidents to be subversive counterrevolutionaries who take foreign money to try to undermine the Communist system. Cuba has had rocky relations with the EU. Ties soured dramatically in 2003 when Havana jailed 75 dissidents in a crackdown, prompting Brussels to tighten sanctions. The last of those prisoners walked free in 2011, and Cuba has cleared its lockups of internationally recognized prisoners of conscience. Cuba denies holding any political prisoners. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who appeared alongside Barroso, did not comment on the Cuba policy.
Venezuela overhauls foreign exchange system CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s government is tightening a much-used loophole in rigid currency controls as part of an overhaul of its foreign exchange system to safeguard a dwindling supply of dollars. As part of the changes announced Wednesday by Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, Venezuelans traveling abroad will no longer be able to purchase air tickets or obtain cash at the official rate of 6.3 bolivars per dollar. Instead, they’ll now be required to make purchases at a higher rate established at weekly central bank auctions,
where the greenback currently fetches about 11 bolivars. The fluctuating rate also will apply to the limited quantity of money Venezuelans can send abroad to family members and to foreign companies investing in Venezuela. Ramirez, who is also President Nicolas Maduro’s top economic adviser, denied that forcing travelers to pay more for dollars signals a stealth devaluation as many economists have argued. He said that more than 80 percent of the nation’s dollars will still be sold at the official rate. The central bank’s international
reserves have fallen to a 10year low as demand for air tickets and dollars has soared in tandem with 50 percent inflation and the bolivar’s plunging value in the black market. Foreign airlines say they have an equivalent of $3.3 billion in bolivars tied up in Venezuela by decade-old exchange controls that make it impossible to send earnings abroad. Ramirez said that last year alone more than $8 billion leaked from the oil-dependent economy as even some nonVenezuelan travelers purchased hard currency at the “preferential” rate.
Jamaica observer - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is to make an official visit to Cuba next week. The minister with responsibility for information, Sandrea Falconer, told journalists this morning that the Prime Minister has
accepted an invitation from Cuban P r e s i d e n t R a u l Castro. She said during her visit, Simpson Miller is expected to engage in discussions on regional and international issues as well as bilateral talks on possible areas of
increased cooperation. Falconer says the heads of Government will explore issues of climate change, natural disasters, transportation, intra-regional trade, science and technology among other matters.
Crime is not spiralling out of control, Bunting insists KINGSTON, Jamaica — National Security Minister Peter Bunting is insisting that despite the 2013 calendar year ending with a “disappointing increase of nine per cent” in crimes, “crime is not spiralling out of control” contrary to sentiments expressed elsewhere. The 2013 calendar year ended with 1,197 murders versus the 1,099 recorded for 2012. For the first half of 2013 the figures were continuing the downward trend experienced since May 2010, however in the third quarter the number of murders spiked to almost four per day. Speaking at yesterday’s Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House in St Andrew the National Security
Peter Bunting Minister said this increase was due to a number of factors including the release
of certain gang leaders from incarceration, an increase in the number of murders during the course of robberies, and an increase in the drug and firearm trafficking trade. However, Bunting noted that there were some positives as every other category of crime was down. He also said since the start of Operation Resilience, a police initiative against gangs, in October last year there has been some measure of success and a drop in crime figures. “So crime is not spiralling out of control. To prevent future spread we have been building capacity in the Jamaica Constabulary,” Bunting said, pointing to the addition of personnel and material resources.
Ecuador’s Correa wants US military to leave
Quito (AFP) - Ecuador’s leftist President Rafael Correa said Wednesday he would ask the United States to withdraw American military personnel assigned to its embassy in Quito. Correa said he became aware of what he described as an outsized presence after learning that four US military personnel were aboard an Ecuadoran military helicopter that came under fire on October 3 last year near the border with Colombia. “That’s when we learned of all this, of the military group, nearly 50 military personnel. This is inconceivable,” he told foreign reporters. “Unfortunately, these people have been so infiltrated in all the sectors that what is scandalous appeared normal.” Correa, an economist by training who has long railed against America’s “imperialism” in its Latin American backyard, said Quito was “already taking measures” to address the issue. US Embassy spokesman Jeffrey
Rafael Correa Weinshenker said the United States had not yet received “formal notification” of the Ecuadoran request. He said about 20 US Defense Department employees, both military and civilian, were assigned to the embassy and were “fully accredited.” “All our activities are carried out with the explicit approval of the Ecuadoran counterparts,” he said. In Washington, a US official also said that the 50 military personnel cited by
Correa were “more than double the actual number. Correa has been often at odds with the United States since first taking office in 2007. “We want it to be better, but let’s not fool ourselves: yes, there are certain tensions, there is mutual distrust,” the president said, pointing to Washington’s “goofy” policy toward governments it considers hostile. “It’s not that we are antiAmerican, but we will always denounce double standards in international policy, and if that strains our relations with America, we will never renounce our principles.” The United States is Ecuador’s main trading partner, and has repeatedly questioned Quito’s links with Iran and Belarus, its decision to grant asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and Correa’s troubled relationship with the press. In 2009, Correa declined to renew an agreement with the United States that had allowed it to operate a base for counternarcotics operations on Ecuadoran territory.
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Kaieteur News
Friday Januray 24, 2014
Pan Am Elite All-Star pays courtesy... World Cup qualifying: Scotland From page 41 forward to this summer... The song is called ‘We Are One (Ola Ola)’, and it follows up Shakira’s hit for the competition in South Afrifca, 2010, ‘Waka Waka’. Secretary General of FIFA Jerome Valcke was with Pitbull and Leitte at the iconic Maracana stadium to mark the announcement, and revealed on Twitter that the single will be released in a matter of weeks. ‘I grew up in a house that loved ‘futbol’, so I am thrilled to be performing at the World
Cup Opening Ceremonies with Pitbull and Claudia Leitte,’ said Lopez in a Sony statement. The music will be shown off at the opening ceremony of the tournament, which kicks off on June 12, and will also feature on the official album. Pitbull’s single ‘Timber’, featuring Ke$ha, has conquered the charts this month and he has collaborated with Jennifer on three previous tracks, 2011’s ‘On The Floor’, ‘Dance Again’ a year later, and ‘Live it Up’, a single from her
upcoming album. Claudia Leitte, who is currently a judge on the Brazilian version of ‘The Voice, will add a samba flavour to the song. The song can be expected to include English, Spanish and Portuguese lyrics, to give it global appeal. It is also the third World Cup song by a Latin star, after Shakira and Ricky Martin, who released ‘The Cup of Life’ (La Copa de la Vida), for the 1998 tournament in France. It hit the number one spot in seven different countries.
Friday January 24, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Point your aggressiveness in the right direction today. That shouldn't be too hard since you know and understand the meaning of a job well done and what's required to get things accomplished. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today isn't a day to lounge around. There's a very important practical matter that must be dealt with before you can engage in any lighthearted activities. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Try to keep your emotions in check today. It's possible that you could become extremely angry and do some damage to yourself and others around you. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may feel like someone is trying to rain on your parade. It's important not to forget who you are now. Don't be surprised if you feel a negative pull from someone or something.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) There's aggressiveness to you today, but this feeling can be useful to you and what you have going on. There's a practical force helping you stay grounded and realistic about certain issues. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There's increased emotional tension today. You may be at the forefront of the action as you take things higher and farther. Have a map handy or you could wind up alone in the middle of nowhere. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Don't hold back today. You're the right person for the job in about every situation you encounter. You'll have the instincts required to move on a project, see what needs to be done, gather the resources, and get the ball rolling. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Strong feelings may arise through relationship dynamics today and you’ll be better off if you can share what’s on your mind.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today is a terrific day for you. You're able to accomplish a lot during the day, leaving the night open for excitement with others. Once you take care of the necessary things, feel free to grab a big helping of fun.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Don't be surprised if you feel like you're being poked with a stick today, as something urges you to get moving. There's an aggressive energy moving about and making demands on everyone.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Promote balance and harmony today by letting off a bit of steam before you try to engage with others and their dramas. Secure yourself in a stable environment where you can vent your concerns, punch pillows, or jog around the block.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Pull yourself together, and figure out what it is your heart desires. There's an aggressive force tugging at your heartstrings today. Unless you have it firmly in your mind what it is you want and feel, you'll be easily pulled off track. Stay grounded and you should be OK.
beat Canada to reach Super Six Calum MacLeod hit a stunning 175 as Scotland beat Canada by 170 runs to advance to the Super Six stage of the ICC World Cup qualifying tournament. MacLeod shared a secondwicket partnership of 144 with Matt Machan (68) in Christchurch. He then put on 118 with Freddie Coleman (40) as the Scots posted 341 for nine in their 50 overs. Hamza Tariq posted 71 in reply for Canada but they never looked like winning as they were dismissed for 171. Canada put Scotland in to bat and that decision looked a good one as Matty Cross fell for just four in the fifth over, caught by Raza-urRehman off the bowling of Khurram Chohan. That brought Machan to the crease and he supplied good support for MacLeod as
the pair occupied the middle for 23 overs before the former fell to Nitish Kumar with Harvir Baidwan taking the catch. Captain Preston Mommsen then scored just six to leave Scotland 189 for three, but Coleman’s arrival prompted another big partnership. MacLeod and Coleman guided Scotland past 300 before the latter was caught by Ruvindu Gunasekera off the bowling of Jeremy Gordon and MacLeod then fell next ball. The 25-year-old had compiled his total off just 141 balls with 14 fours and five sixes before Raza-ur-Rehman and Chohan combined once again to dismiss him. Scotland then lost four cheap wickets in the last five overs as Chohan finished with five for 68, but the damage was already done.
Rob Taylor removed Gunasekera as he edged just the third ball of the day behind to Cross without a run scored. Iain Wardlaw then saw off Zeeshan Siddiqi (seven) and Kumar (26) in three balls to leave Canada 38 for three and, when Jimmy Hansra (two) fell to Taylor in the next over, the North Americans were in big trouble. Tariq’s half-century helped Canada continue to occupy the crease, but noone could stay with him for long and he was the last man to fall, caught behind off Safyaan Sharif. In the other Group A game, the United Arab Emirates beat Hong Kong by 22 runs with both sides through to the Super Six, of which the top two teams qualify for the World Cup. (BBCSport)
Friday Januray 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Wawrinka reaches first final, Li to meet Cibulkova
Li plays a backhand in her semi final win over Bouchard Reuters - Stanislas Warwinka edged Tomas Berdych in the tightest of duels to reach his first grand slam final at the 36th attempt yesterday and set up a possible all-Swiss Australian Open title showdown against Roger Federer. Federer will have to get past world number one Rafa Nadal in the second semi-final today first, but 28-year-old Wawrinka did his part by the narrowest of margins with a 6-3 6-7(1) 7-6(3) 7-6(4) victory over the tall Czech. The earlier women’s semifinals were one-sided affairs with China’s Li Na beating teenager Genie Bouchard 6-2
6-4 to get to her third Melbourne final and diminutive dynamo Dominika Cibulkova downing Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1 62 to reach her first. There was nothing uneven about the battle between the seventh seed Berdych and eighth seed Wawrinka that followed on Rod Laver Arena in which three of the four sets were decided by tiebreaks. While Wawrinka’s victory over defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals was all about guts and shot making, the arm-wrestle with Berdych was a study in big serving and
Wawrinka lunges to make a forehand return against his Czech opponent heavy hitting. Wawrinka grabbed the only break of serve in the contest to take the first set and exactly three hours later he clinched the fourth-set tiebreak on his second match point, a thumping unreturnable serve providing a fitting climax. The bald statistics showed the Swiss won 143 points to Berdych’s 142, the Czech edged the ace count 21-18 and had more winners (60-57), while there were 49 unforced errors apiece. With top three seeds Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova - all victims of
upsets, Li knows she will rarely have a better chance of adding another grand slam title to her 2011 French Open crown. The 31-year-old, who dodged a bullet when she faced match point against Lucie Safarova in the third round, set off at a blistering pace and won 20 of the first 23 points to take a 5-0 lead. It could not last and the 19year-old Canadian broke and held serve for 5-2 before fourth seed Li upped her game again and wrapped up the first set with a forehand volley. The second set was a closer affair with Bouchard grabbing an early break but Li ramped up the power on
Dominika Cibulkova was at her best to beat Agnieszka Radwanska and make the final her groundstrokes and added another 22 winners to the 13 she smashed in the opening stanza to seal victory. Bouchard, the world number 31, again reiterated that she had not been surprised to reach her first grand slam semi-final. Cibulkova lay down on the court and kicked her legs in the air in delight after the quickfire victory over fifth seed Radwanska that made her the first Slovakian woman to reach a grand slam final. The 24-year-old has been on fire at Melbourne Park this year, belying her lowly seeding by upsetting Sharapova and doling out a
string of thrashings as she made her way to the last four. The 20th seed scuttled around the Rod Laver Arena feasting on the lethargic Pole’s second serve and blasting winners from both sides. She grabbed three breaks of serve to take the first set with a crunching backhand winner and was celebrating her victory just 33 minutes later when Radwanska netted. Radwanska was as bad yesterday as she had been brilliant in beating double defending champion Azarenka on Wednesday and blamed her quarter-final effort for her lackluster display.
Natal unveils Arena das Dunas to the world The Arena das Dunas in Natal, which officially opened on Wednesday last, will host four games featuring eight different teams, including two former FIFA World Cup™winning nations, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. The official opening of the stadium was attended by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke and Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman Jose Maria Marin. Also present were Governor of Rio Grande do Norte Rosalba Ciarlini and Mayor of Natal Carlos Eduardo Alves, as well as former players Bebeto, an LOC Management Board member, and Cafu, captain of the Brazil team that won the 2002 World Cup. “Today’s inauguration of the Arena das Dunas in Natal represents another important step towards Brazil hosting the World Cup to end all World Cups,” President Rousseff said. “The 42,000seater stadium will host four games during the World Cup and after the event will become the home of ABC and America. As well as football,
the Arena das Dunas will be used for concerts, trade shows, workshops, major events and exhibitions. The next World Cup stadium to be delivered will be the Estadio Beira-Rio, in my beloved Porto Alegre.” FIFA Secretary General Valcke accompanied Rousseff and local officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the official opening of the Arena das Dunas. He then took to the field for the symbolic kick-off with the President of Brazil. “I would like to congratulate Natal for all the hard work that has gone into building this beautiful stadium,” Valcke said. “The fans that come here for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will have a wonderful experience amidst the unique scenery of this marvellous city.” “This stadium is a gift from Natal and Rio Grande do Norte not just to Brazilian football but to all Brazilians,” LOC Chairman Marin said. The Arena das Dunas was built on the site of the old Estadio Machadao, which opened in 1972, and takes its name from the spectacular
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke among other officials at the Stadium opening. sand dunes of the beaches of Rio Grande do Norte. The stadium has a capacity of 32,000, and will have an extra 10,000 temporary seats during Brazil 2014. “Rio Grande do Norte has worked tremendously hard to get ready for the World Cup and I am sure we are going to be one of the best host cities,” the Governor of Rio Grande do Norte, Rosalba Ciarlini said. “Tourism is the main economic activity of Natal and
Rio Grande do Norte, and the World Cup is the best opportunity we’ll ever have to let the whole planet know all about our city,” Mayor of Natal, Carlos Eduardo Alves said. Natal’s first game in the 2014 World Cup will be on 13 June between two of Brazil’s Group A opponents, Mexico and Cameroon. Three days later, it will be the turn of Group G rivals Ghana and USA to go head-to-head. On 19 June, Japan will take on Greece in Group C, before
a mouth-watering clash in Group D on 24 June, when four-time world champions Italy and two-time winners Uruguay face off in the last World Cup game in the city. “It’s a beautiful stadium,” Bebeto said. “Congratulations to everyone involved, especially the workers who helped build it.” “It makes me wish I could be out there on the pitch playing when I see a stadium like this,” was Cafu’s verdict.
“I played in four World Cups and I know how special it is to be hosting an event like this in Brazil.” The stadium will host its first games this Sunday, with a double-header featuring the two biggest teams in Natal: America-RN and ABC. First America will take on Confianca in the Copa do Nordeste, followed by ABC’s meeting with Alecrim in a Natal clássico in the Rio Grande do Norte state championship.
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Kaieteur News
Friday Januray 24, 2014
Letter to the Sports Editor
North Essequibo condemns the silencing of Mr. Holder by the ECB DEAR EDITOR, The executive and members of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC) strongly condemn the blatant, dismissive and deliberate act by the executive of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) to gag the President of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee Mr. Prince Holder. The decision was made via a motion passed at the ECB’S Annual General Meeting held on 2014-01-19 which debarred Mr. Holder from speaking at the meeting and any further forum to be held by the Board. Mr. Holder is the NECC’S constitutionally elected representative to the ECB. Interestingly, present at the AGM also were Mr. Dhru Bahudhur and Mr. Anand Sanasie, President and Secretary respectively of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB),
both of whom took an active role in the proceedings. The Committee is asking the question, isn’t this collusion between the ECB and GCB of executive lawlessness? Mr. Holder was ostracized for the ludicrous claim that he had wasted the ECB’S time following an issue he had raised at a statutory meeting that implicated an executive member of the Board. As a responsible and dedicated administrator Mr. Holder continues to represent the welfare of the players and in doing so he sought the Board’s intervention regarding a serious complaint made by a group of Under-15 players from the County. The issue surrounded the alleged irresponsible and unacceptable behavior of the Coach during the players’ encampment in 2013. The
Coach is an executive member of both the Essequibo and Guyana Cricket Board. The players had reported that the individual was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and proceeded to take some of them from their beds one evening, turned the lights off and began throwing cricket balls at them to catch while using obscene language. Mr. Holder intervened and brought the issue to the attention of the ECB at a statutory meeting. A date was set for an investigation. Mr. Holder subsequently contacted the parents of the affected cricketers seeking their permission to allow their children to attend the meeting. The parents however had expressed the fear that their children would have been victimized. The request was therefore denied
by the Parents. This matter did not re-surface until the Board’s AGM which took the opportunity to gag Mr. Holder in his absence since he arrived at the meeting about 20 minutes after the scheduled start and decided that he had wasted the Board’s time, hence his sanction. The NECC also wishes to record that a letter was written by a parent of one of the affected players to the GCB regarding the same incident, yet nothing was done. With the isolation of Mr. Holder, it means that the North Essequibo Cricket Committee, which organizes the most cricket competitions and is the central area for most activities of the Board, will not have a voice as a constitutional representative of the ECB. The Committee views this as undemocratic and dictatorial since it is a deliberate attempt to silence Mr. Holder especially since he has been openly critical of the Board’s inefficiencies both at the local and national level. In light of Mr. Holder’s sanction the NECC is seeking answers on the following issues that continue to negatively impact on the
image and function of the ECB: 1.Why is the ECB bowling machine still not in operation and remains at the Secretary’s home after four years? 2. Why has the office of the Administrator never been used, yet the individual continues to be paid by the GCB? 3. The Hostel is not properly furnished, yet it is being regularly used to host other activities other than cricket. The proceeds were never spent on its rehabilitation. Why? 4. An Under-15 player who is a relative of the ECB Under-15 Coach was selected for the County and subsequently for the Country in 2013. A Senior Coach of the ECB knew that the player was over-aged based on his records but the ECB, including the junior Coach who also is a selector thought otherwise. He subsequently had to be withdrawn from the national team after he could not have produced his birth certificate. Why the GCB did not launch an investigation against this deliberate mischief and offence? 5. Why is the ECB President personally holding
shares in the name of the ECB in a virtually secretive company created by the GCB as DEB Essentials? Can the President declare what the shares have been used for and what is the figure? 6. The ECB never held an inventory of the Board’s assets. The Hostel is rapidly deteriorating and the utensils including plates, glasses, chairs and mattresses are being frequently borrowed by executives of the Board and even destroyed. Are these assets the personal property of the executives? These are some of the burning issues that the ECB must address instead of being visionless and vindictive against another Committee. The NECC and Mr. Holder will not be silenced since the decision by the ECB can be viewed as being injurious and malicious. The NECC therefore wishes to publicly request that the motion be withdrawn and appeals for democracy to remain as the only mandate by which the ECB should be governed. Yours Faithfully, Hakim Khan Secretary North Essequibo Cricket Committee
Barca plunged into crisis ahead of City clash with President Rosell set to quit over court case into murky Neymar transfer Barcelona have been thrown into crisis just three weeks ahead of their trip to Manchester City with president Sandro Rosell set to resign. Rosell, the former Nike executive who took over from Joan Laporta in 2010, looks set to stand down after the club were taken to court over their signing of Neymar. He met with his No 2 Josep Maria Bartomeu yesterday morning and it is understood the vicepresident will now take over from Rosell. Rosell has always maintained that Barcelona paid £47million for Neymar – £14m to his club Santos and £33m to a company owned by the player’s father called N&N. When a club member, Jordi Casas, asked him to explain the £33m payment to N&N he was ignored so he went to the courts and Rosell now has a lot more explaining to do. After being shown all the contracts from the
Neymar transfer Judge Pablo Ruz has accepted the case although it is still not clear if Rosell will need to give evidence. It is understood there are 12 contracts in total surrounding Neymar’s switch from Santos and adding all agreed payments between Barcelona and N&N and Barcelona and Santos the total fee is closer to £82m. Rosell argues that other contracts drawn up with Neymar-owned companies have nothing to do with the player’s move from Santos to Barcelona. One contract pays them to unearth new talents in Brazil and another pays them to find new commercial partners for Barcelona. There is also a third contract with a Neymar charity to fund work in the favelas. These three contracts amount to £7m and if the court decides they form part of the money earned by Neymar
from Barcelona – in effect disguised wages – then the club will be liable to pay tax on them. Rosell also argues that payments to Santos for preferential rights on three players and for two friendly games have nothing to do with the purchase of Neymar but if the court decides they are part of the deal, third parties who part-owned the player will pursue Barcelona for more money. The original payment of £33m to N&N is also being disputed. It was agreed in a contract signed in 2011 that Barcelona would purchase Neymar in 2014 when he was due to become a free-agent. In the end the money was paid in 2013 when the player still partly belonged to Santos. Rosell says this was a penalty payment for breaking the agreement with N&N to sign the player in 2014 but this is disputed. (MailOnline)
Friday Januray 24, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Change in fortune for Guyana’s Rugby By Rawle Welch At one time they were among the most dominant teams in local sports stretching their dominance well beyond these shores, racking up six NACRA titles during the period 2006-11, but it seem as though the sport of rugby has fallen on hard times, especially since the exit of former Presidents Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento and Noel Adonis. For the first time, last year saw Guyana fail to attend the NACRA Championship due to alleged late confirmation by the local governing body of the team’s participation, but even before that unfortunate occurrence, the sport had begun to take a nose dive in terms of activity and popularity. The sport enjoyed sparse activity last year with two 10’s and three 7’s tournaments listed as the only competitions to be played during the period and while the inclement weather had some amount of say, how you explain the absence of action among the women. Clearly there needs to be a more concerted effort by the Union to attract more females to the sport and while this is not an indictment on the current administration exclusively, it is their responsibility to formulate new strategies to entice more females to the game. Previous administrations could boast about how they were able to not only attract females to the sport, but win Caribbean titles as well. . This segment of the sport is no longer attractive, many of the former female nationals would tell you and this is mainly because
of an absence of a clear policy to attract new recruits, while the nonexistence of tangible rewards such as a tour has also acted as a disincentive for the sacrifices that they made previously only to hear that the insufficiency of funds caused them to miss international engagements. The current administration already has one major blemish on its record and while it will not be easily forgotten, in attempting to move forward with its mandate, fulfilling all regional and international obligations this year could commence the healing process. The players and coaching staff were left disappointed last year when they were told that Guyana would not be attending the NACRA Tournament due to late confirmation of participation and this came after months of intense training. This year is definitely the litmus test for the administration failing which they should step down and allow a new group of personnel the opportunity to advance the sport. Speaki n g w i t h o n e official, he said the Union has started to address the need to be more decisive and productive this year which has commenced with National Coach Theodore Henry’s attendance at a NACRA-organised one-week Coaches Workshop in Las Vegas, USA, while the domestic season is set to begin on February 8 with a 15’s tournament. Guyana then open its regional campaign against Barbados on May 17 in the NACRA 15’s and that will be followed by a clash
NACRA Champs
NACRA Champs
against long time rivals Trinidad and Tobago in the same competition with the winner to play the North America champions.
In order for the Union to fulfill these obligations and change the game’s fortune, it must start preparations very early and by this I mean
not only on-field, but early notification to the Government for its support, fund-raisers etc. Much is at stake here,
Olympic berth, global recognition and a return to regional dominance so there is much needed urgency to get on with it.
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Kaieteur News
Friday Januray 24, 2014
Sarwan to play final practice Under-19s start preWorld Cup camp match today at Providence - one of the strongest Guyana teams to leave these shores By Sean Devers Former West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan holds the record for most Regional 50-over centuries since 50-over cricket was first played in this part of the world in 1973. He also holds the Regional record for most tons in a single tournament when he registered three magnificent hundreds when Guyana last won the title in 2005. He scored and unbeaten 106 against the host team and 113 against the Leeward Islands in the preliminary round in Barbados before making 113 in the semis at Bourda against the Leewards. The 33-year-old, who averages 42.67 from 181 ODIs and 40.01 from 87 Tests, was unavailable for last Tuesday’s first Day/Night practice game at the Stadium but is set to play today in the final practice game at Providence from 13:30 hrs. The Guyana team, one of the strongest to leave these shores, is scheduled the wing out for Trinidad next Tuesday and most likely will bat first today since they bowled first in the last game and should want to give their bowlers the opportunity of operating under lights and in conditions which should produce due on the outfield. Their batting, according to Skipper Christopher Barnwell, is their strength with seven of the top order possessing West Indies experience in Shiv Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson, Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Royston Crandon and the Skipper, who has played six T20 matches for the Caribbean side. However, there must be serious concerns regarding the scoring rate and the injudicious shot selection
Narsingh Deonarine
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
from most of the big-hitters. Fudadin and Chanderpaul should be the glue which holds the innings together with the pugnacious Barnwell hoping for another productive regional season to propel him to a West Indies ODI selection. Crandon, who has played a solitary ODI, will know that at age 30 prospects of a West Indies recall is getting increasingly slim unless he produces an outstanding performance this year. Like Sarwan he should be keen to resurrect his career in Maroon colors. Deonarine is among the team’s most entertaining batsmen and his unbeaten 102 against Barbados at Albion in 2009 was hailed as one of the best tons at this level by those who saw it. But not short of opportunities the patience of his fans is growing thin with the elegant left-hander not matching his tremendous talent with consistence scores. Between 2005 and this year in New Zealand, the Berbician has only played 29 ODIs with just four fifties to
show for it. At 26, Johnson, who made his first Class debut a decade ago, has played three ODIs but none since 2008. He too will be looking forward to an outstanding tournament since time is running out on him to stamp his authority at this level and fulfill the promise he exhibited as a youth player when some even compared his fluent stroke play to the great Brian Lara. The 27-year-old Barnwell is the best All-Rounder in the Region yet to play an ODI but with ILP experience already under his belt his chance should come sooner rather than later. His aggressive batting could again rescue his team from slow starts in this competition while his medium pace gives the selectors options. The other batsmen in the team are both young openers in Trevon Griffith and Robin Bacchus, the only player without any experience at this level. They are both shot makers but with Chanderpaul in the side one or both of them
could find themselves on the Guyana bench especially since Wicket Keeper Anthony Bramble could also play the role of make-shift opener. Test spinners Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul could also bat while fast bowler Paul Wintz was good enough to have scored a First-Class fifty at the Queens Park Oval this year. West Indies ‘A’ team pacer Ronsford Beaton is genuinely quick and spearheads the Guyana attack while Fudadin could also provide back-up seam bowling to Beaton and Barnwell and Wintz if he make the final eleven. Deonarine could play the role of a Steven Jacobs and produce spin support to Bishoo and Permaul. Guyana play their opening game against 2015 World Cup qualifiers Ireland on January 31 before facing defending champions Windward Islands on February 4 and Eight-times champions Jamaica on February 8 in the tougher of the two groups. The host team, Barbados, Leeward Islands and CCC comprise group B. The South Americans, who play all of their matches under lights at the Queens Park Oval, are hunting their 10th title at this level. The Guyana team is being coached by Esaun Crandon and Managed by Alvin Johnson and the full team reads: Christopher Barnwell (Capt.), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Vice-Capt.), Robin Bacchus, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble (wk), Royston Crandon, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Trevon Griffith, Leon Johnson, Veerasammy Permaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Paul Wintz
Cavalier’s Sports and Tour Club yearly itinerary gets underway The Christmas season is over and after a lengthy rest to facilitate the period of celebrations race walkers will commence their itinerary for the fiscal year when the Cavalier’s Sports and Tour Club (CS&TC) presents a 10K junior race walk around the Soesdyke community, Sunday February 2 next. The race will be the first
in a series of activities to commemorate the death of founder/coordinator, Olga Harry, who passed away one year ago. Walkers will convene at the Soesdyke Assembly of God Church, Back Road Soesdyke and proceed along the periphery of the village and back to its place of origin. Activities continue one
week later, Sunday February 9, with the Olga Harry Open Memorial Race walk, this time from the Barama Plywood Factory, Land of Canaan, EBD, to the Soesdyke Primary School for the finish. There will also be a candlelight service at the Club’s Back Road headquarters on February 10 followed by a wreath laying
ceremony at the graveside of the deceased, Kuru Kururu Cemetery. Later on that day, at 17:00hrs, CS&TC officials will convene at the club’s headquarters to bestow a posthumous award of the late PRO. Organisers have also said that they will be planning several activities in line with the Masramani celebrations.
Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai Bridgetown, Barbados – The West Indies Under-19 team started their camp in Barbados on Wednesday as they get ready for next month’s start of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The 15 players are under the guidance of longstanding Head Coach Roddy Estwick, as they intensify their preparations at the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre. As part of the camp they will play a warm-up match against Combined Campuses & Colleges tomorrow afternoon at the 3Ws Oval. CCC will use the match as part of their preparations for the NAGICO Super50 tournament. “We have to make the most of this camp here as we prepare for the World Cup. The boys know they have to work hard and look to tick all the boxes for what is a very prestigious event on the cricket calendar,” Estwick told WICB Media. “What we are aiming for is to peak when we reach the UAE for the tournament – when it really matters. We have to hit the ground running in February and make sure we have the right combinations and chemistry.” This year’s ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup will feature 16 teams in four groups. The Windies have been drawn alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe and Canada in Group C. Their opening preliminary match is against the Proteas on Friday, February 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. The second match is on Sunday, February 16 against
Shimron Hetmyer
Tagenarine Chanderpaul Zimbabwe at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The third match is two days later against the Canadians at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery Ground 1. Camp Schedule: Thursday, 23rd: training at 3Ws Oval; Friday, 24th: training at 3Ws Oval; Saturday, 25th: match vs CCC at 3Ws Oval; Sunday, 26th: training at 3Ws Oval; Monday, 27th: depart Barbados. FULL SQUAD: Ramaal Lewis (Captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice Captain/Wicket-keeper), Fabian Allen, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Bryan Charles, Tristan Coleman (Wicketkeeper), Jonathan Drakes, Shimron Hetmeyer, Jerome Jones, Ray Jordan, Brandon King, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Gudakesh Motie, Jeremy Solozano. (WICB)
Kaieteur News
Friday January 24, 2014
Page 41
Pan Am Elite All-Star pays courtesy call on Sport Minister National goalkeeper Alysa Xavier paid a courtesy call on Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, at his office on Main Street yesterday. Xavier, who is currently on scholarship at the Miami University in Ohio, was accompanied by President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Philip F e r n a n d e s a n d Vi c e President Ivor Thompson. The local hockey star is the lone Guyanese named on the Pan American Elite hockey squad that also features 7-time world p l a y e r o f t h e y e a r, Argentine Luciana Aymar among other top players within the Pan Am region. Dr. Anthony applauded Xavier on her achievement and offered words of encouragement, adding that he is hopeful that her selection to the Elite squad will provide inspiration to more females to get involved in not just hockey, but other sports as well. A c c o r d i n g t o Fernandes, the Pan American Hockey Federation selects an allstar team among players from all of the Americas every two years, based on their performances during the period and she is the first Guyanese to be selected to the Elite All-Star squad in its history, referring to it as a fantastic achievement and one that could only serve to inspire more players from this country to want to excel to attain the honor. He added that Xavier was selected along with five players from world c h a m p i o n s A rg e n t i n a , three each from the USA
and Canada, two from Chile and one each from Mexico and Uruguay. Fernandes said, “Alysa finds herself in esteemed company and is the only player from the English speaking Caribbean to be selected. This is a significant achievement and is the first time a player from Guyana has ever been selected for this accolade.” He disclosed, “Alysa begun playing hockey at 13-years-old. She excelled both at goalkeeping and field play, but chose to pursue the former as she was also a keen football player. Being one of those gifted athletes to whom all ball sports seem to come easily, Alysa excelled at hockey goalkeeping, rising rapidly in the ranks to earn her first national selection less than two years later. Since 2007, Alysa has been a fixture in the women’s national hockey team as its first choice goalkeeper and was one of the key players responsible for Guyana’s rise in world ranking over the past few years including a record 20 place jump in 2013.” The GHB President pointed out that the Guyanese stopper is well known within the Caribbean as one of the top goalkeepers and has won numerous individual awards for goalkeeping t h an any other active goalkeeper in the Englishspeaking Caribbean. “Alysa continues to represent Guyana with distinction in international competition as evidenced
Lone Guyanese named on the Pan American Elite hockey squad Alysa Xavier is presented with a certificate from Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony in the presence of GHB President Philip Fernandes 2nd right), Vice-President Ivor Thompson (right) and GOA member Deion Nurse. by her selection to the 2013 PAHF elite team. The GHB hopes that other young men and women can follow Alysa’s example of maximising their potential through hard work and dedication to the sport or any other pursuit that they love. The Board also wishes to thank the Ministry of Sport and the Guyana Olympic Association for their support, especially throughout the past few years which has enabled the Guyana women’s team and Alysa to showcase their talents on the international stage,” Fernandes stated. Xavier in brief comments said that she is enjoying the scholarship so far, adding that even though combining studies and playing hockey is “hard”, it is not beyond her capability.
Rap superstar Pitbull teams up with J-Lo and Leitte to bring official World Cup anthem
US rapper Pitbull (right) and Claudia Leitte (centre) will be joined by superstar Jennifer Lopez to bring the official World Cup song, titled ‘We Are One (Ola Ola)’ US rapper Pitbull will be joined by superstar Jennifer Lopez to bring the official World Cup song, it has been
announced.Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte will also feature on the track as the tournament in her country approaches,
though it may not be quite what football fans are most looking (Continued on page 36)
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Kaieteur News
Obama seeks advice from Spanish PM on how the United States can win the World Cup US President Barack Obama (right) and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (left)
The United States is the undisputed world superpower in most regards, but football - or soccer, as they prefer - is one where they’re definitely lagging behind. So President Barack Obama has gone straight to the top in an attempt to boost the USA’s presence in the world game. Meeting for high-level negotiations with Spanish
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at the White House in Washington, Obama took the opportunity to quiz him on how the US could emulate Spain and win the World Cup. He said: ‘The United States is rapidly improving. So I asked for some advice on football so we can win the same title.’ But Rajoy wasn’t giving away any secrets. He
replied that he would happily give Obama some pointers, but that his advice would only ensure the States finished second to Spain in Brazil this summer. Spain are the current world champions, having beaten Holland in the 2010 final, and have also triumphed in the last two European Championships. (MailOnline)
Friday January 24, 2014
Sanasie clears the air on ‘ICC has failed Guyana’s Cricket ‘ In response to an article captioned “How ICC has failed Guyana’s Cricket “ written by Colin Benjamin and published in yesterday’s Kaieteur News, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Anand Sanasie highlighted several inaccuracies by Benjamin. “It would have been professional to seek my comments and or answers before publishing such an article,” the GCB Executive opined. Sanasie who is also a Director on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) claimed that he was not surprised the Article was published on the same day the Cricket Bill was again tabled in parliament— Thursday, 23rd January 2013. According to Sanasie Mr. Chetram Singh never resigned from the Guyana Cricket Board as the Article stated. In fact the long serving GCB head did not seek re-election at the AGM of July 10, 2011. An upset Sanasie said that contrary to Benjamin’s story the Demerara Cricket Board and the Essequibo Cricket Board attended the GCB’s AGM of January 27, 2013. A quorum was present in keeping with the Constitution of the GCB. The Minutes and Video Recordings are available for perusal. He further explained that in Pakistan, the Cricket Board President was reinstated by an order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and not by any Government, and this was against its wishes. “I cannot dictate what the ICC should do in Sri Lanka or in any of its member states but I can say the WICB President and CEO visited Guyana twice to
Anand Sanasie
mediate in the disputes here. “On one such occasion Caricom brokered an agreement and Mr. Frank Anthony and Attorney General Anil Nandalall said they had to discuss it with “higher authority”; they are still discussing two years after. Sanasie feels that had the Government of Guyana disbanded the Guyana Football Federation, or tried to do so, FIFA would have not entered Guyana but from afar would have instituted a ban for many years. Sanasie, whom Benjamin deemed the wrong person to assist the Leeward Islands Cricket Association to solve their dispute, countered, “I am honoured to have been involved in the resolution of the impasse in the Leewards Islands. “It took two short meetings with eight smart, honourable representatives of their membership who
had cricket and their countries at heart, to resolve the issues. “They had elections, a new President and CEO and an office provided by the Antiguan Government, with more support on the way. The Antiguan government willingly provided assistance without hijacking the Board” He said being honoured by the GCB for hard work along with Terry Holder and Chetram Singh is something he would cherish. “Maybe Mr. Colin Benjamin can question the Committee that m a d e s u c h a recommendation. Most good journalists also receive accolades from time to time” Sanasie concluded. Editor’s note: Benjamin’s article was on file and was never intended for publication. Its publication was inadvertent.
Kaieteur News
Friday January 24, 2014
Page 43
Build bridges over troubled waters By Edison Jefford Newly-elected President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Nigel Hinds has shown an early sign of administrative maturity that will elevate him for positive projections if the effort to build bridges over troubled waters is continued. Hinds’ ability to envisage an encouraging outcome for basketball with the election of a Guyanese to the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Executive took precedence over the culture of retribution that is threatening to destroy sports in Guyana. It is unclear whether or not Patrick Haynes supported Hinds’ bid for the GABF Presidency in the run-up to the election, but what is known is that GuyanaBasketball.com, which brothers Paul and Patrick Haynes manage, campaigned with Michael Singh on the website and the social networks, including Facebook. Yet Hinds, having won the local election, was able to look pass that fact and nominate Haynes at the CBC Congress in Puerto Rico for a Vice-President position, which he won, giving Guyana an echoing voice at the highest decision-making level in the region. Hinds had the option of slighting Haynes for not supporting him for the GABF Presidency but he put both the country and the sport ahead of emotions and vendetta. The result was that basketball for Guyana
sprung through the paint for a mammoth slam-dunk. The matter of who supported who is now firmly a thing of the past, and as Hinds has shown with his choice of Haynes on the CBC Executive, the process of building bridges over troubled waters must continue to connect the divides for holistic development. Hinds and Haynes are now uniquely poised to take basketball in Guyana to the next level with an overwhelming sense of responsibility and urgency. Both gentlemen are wellplaced to leave what will be an indelible impression on the sport for the country. The year has began with encouraging signs for local basketball, following the decision of former GABF President, David Patterson to step aside from the administration of the sport, accepting his limitations in getting things done as an Alliance For Change Executive. Patterson returned Guyana to CBC competition and kept the GABF somewhat relevant, but was severely injured in his attempt to forge the sport ahead at the level of Government, because of his affiliation to the combined opposition that has the Parliamentary majority. Hence, there was constant sidestepping of GABF’s authority in the past, as the governing body for basketball in Guyana, from the Neil Kumar-run National Sports Commission. But Hinds and Haynes have shown early
Russia says ignore ‘provocative’ messages Reuters - Russia urged other countries yesterday to ignore letters threatening an attack on next month’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, dismissing the warnings as a hoax. The host nation echoed international Olympic officials who said the messages received by national Olympic committees in the United States and at least five European countries, making a “terrorist threat”, posed no danger. “I think this is a provocation ... and we recommend that our colleagues from other countries pay no attention,”
Russian Olympic Committee Chief Alexander Zhukov told a news conference. After two suicide bombings killed 34 people in the southern city of Volgograd last month, Russia has been keen to assure athletes and spectators that the Olympics in Sochi, close to the turbulent North Caucasus, will be safe. Islamist militants in the North Caucasus have threatened to attack the Games. But Zhukov said: “All necessary security measures have been taken and safety will be ensured.”
ability to transcend those dynamics. Whether it is safe to conclude that Guyana’s basketball is in good hands is unknown for a simple fact that it is still too early to make a prediction; what is certain is that Hinds, Singh, who is now a GABF VP and Haynes on the court, with other support on the bench, Guyana’s basketball should ultimately win.
Patrick Haynes
Michael Singh
Nigel Hinds
t r o Sp
Sarwan to play final practice match today at Providence - one of the strongest Guyana teams to leave these shores P.40 Christopher Barnwell
Ramnaresh Sarwan
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