Wednesday July 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
A meddlesome ambassador DEAR EDITOR, We are facing an interesting situation with the TIP report published by the US State Department insisting, despite contradictions by the Guyana Government, that its report is accurate. I think the statement made by the departing US Ambassador Hardt that although the State Department did not get all the information he would have wished, the report is accurate and adequately expresses his thorough ignorance of what is right. How can one come to a conclusion when all the facts are not known? Ambassador Hardt should hang his head in shame when what he has said betrays his callous disrespect for the rule of law and seeks for no proper reason to accuse an independent state —Guyana — of wrongdoing. His principal complaint is that although persons have been convicted by the Courts but granted bail pending their
appeals, the Government should put systems in place so that the convicted persons are held accountable. He is of opinion that persons convicted of an offence should not be set free. He assumes the position of an interloper in a host country to find fault with our legal system that guarantees to each person the right to challenge his conviction if he believes he was wrongly convicted. Hardt’s President in the USA is a trained lawyer, we are told, and we would wish to get a comment from Mr Obama concerning the rights to which Hardt is objecting. Mr Hardt should be aware of the fact that Guyana has neither a Guantanamo prison nor water boarding — holding persons without accusing them of any offence but humiliate and torture them. The Ambassador should be told to bug off and stop meddling in our internal affairs. Vernon Mentore
Nothing better than the truth DEAR EDITOR, It baffles me to know that I live in a world that revolves around lies. Foundations that were once built on integrity, honesty and trust are now considered fragile and weak. Has the truth reached its expiry date and no longer flavours our lips? Or have lies blinded us so much that we fail to remember how beautiful life was before we became so polluted by the evil that fill our beautiful world? Some may say that the world is changing, but the last I checked the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west, the moon still gives its ambiance by night and the sun its glory by day. This clearly tell us that nothing is wrong with the world, it is the beings that fill it evolved into beings so far from their root that they waver when the breezes blow and break when the pressures hit. Why say all of this? All of this is said to simply say, there is nothing better that the truth in a world filled with lies. Does this mean that the world is going to get better? No, but at least our minds will be at peace, our souls will be at rest and the Lord Good our creator will be able to look upon and smile in his radiance. Therefore, those who have chosen to fight the good fight and walk the upright path, FAIL NOT. Walk the path you are called to walk and at all times speak the TRUTH no matter the consequences because nothing is we would have been given the assurance that he that is able to save is able to keep. Judge not, neither fail not to speak the truth, your truth, GOD’s truth, the truth that saves no matter how bitter I may taste the time is always right to speak GOD’s truth. After all, there’s nothing better than the truth in a world filled with LIES. Proverbs 16:6 - By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Trevis Johnson
The Minister and the City Council
DEAR EDITOR, We wish to bring to the attention of the public an incident which occurred at the last statutory meeting of the Council. At that meeting held June 23, 2014, the Minister walked out during announcements by the Mayor. This was rather unfortunate and worrying while the Mayor was away attending the 100th anniversary of Caricom Municipalities. He learnt by telephone, by way of his secretary, of the Minister’s request to address the Mayor and Councillors at its statutory meeting on Monday June 23, 2014. The Mayor’s initial response was one of compliance. However, after carefully examining the contents of the minister’s letter, a discussion with his colleagues, by phone, it was agreed that the Deputy Mayor (who was performing the duties of Mayor) write the Minister seeking an alternate date. There were compelling reasons: First, the matters and issues stated in that letter were of concern to the Mayor and City Councillors. However, it would have been inappropriate to discuss such matters at a Statutory Meeting, which is a public forum with a packed agenda. Therefore, the council proposed a later date in the month. But even as the Mayor returned to Guyana early Saturday morning and attended the conversation on Solid Waste Management — three ministers of the government were present— he was concerned that certain statements by Minister Whittaker, at that meeting, sought to ignore the duly elected council and to deal directly with Ms. Carol Sooba.
The Minister showed disdained and disrespect for this duly elected council. That forced the Mayor not to attempt to reverse the decision of the majority of councillors that the meeting be best held at a later date and time more appropriate. We understand that after the Minister walked out of the statutory meeting he said inter alia, that he was embarrassed, that there should be internal election, that government should disband the Council and install an IMC With respect to the first, the Mayor who expressed sentiments of warm welcome to the Minister at the statutory meeting was surprised that the Minister did not show embarrassment, when last year, a the Mayor requested a meeting of all staff, and to which Ms. Carol Sooba replied with an obnoxious and contentious letter. At a meet, the Minister agreed that the letter was obnoxious and requested Sooba to withdraw the letter, to apology. Ms. Sooba, after several months, has done neither of the things requested by the Minister. He should also be embarrassed that he imposed, on this council a person who is unqualified for the position of Town Clerk. Ms. Carol Sooba lacks even rudimentary knowledge of management. She has caused this council serious embarrassment and great harm. The Minister did not suffer embarrassment, when Ms. Sooba refused, on scores of occasions, to carryout decisions and instructions of the Mayor and Councillors. The Minister seemed not
to be embarrassed that the city is being neglected by the Government. When Ms. Sooba refused to engaged solid waste contractors to help the situation in the city that ought to have caused the Minister some embarrassment. He seemed not to be embarrassed when Ms. Sooba locked out of the council chamber the duly elected Mayor and Councillors, who wanted to hold its statutory meeting. The Minister ought to be embarrassed that in spite of numerous complaints to him, about Ms. Sooba which she attempt to suffocate the Mayoralty, to wit: no money is provided for water, stationery and fuel etc., he has done absolutely nothing. In fact, in many ways he has encouraged it. The unbelievable and unprecedented is occurring, at City Hall, because of the Minister, and the Government has no sense of embarrassment. Finally, I would have
expected that the Minister would be equally embarrassed that they are vacillating and clearly unwilling to implement a motion passed in parliament for restorations of Georgetown. Elsewhere I have noted that there is no need for a plethora of committee since we all known what is necessary for the restoration of Georgetown. The Minister is free since this is certainly part of a process to assail the duly elected Mayor and City Councillors. On the third and fourth issues, it is clear that for years this is an obsession with the PPP/C to control the city in circumstances where at the last election in Georgetown they only scored 27 per cent of the votes. Finally, the Minister can avoid embarrassment if he applies the political bleach to remove the stain on our democracy, to hold local government elections, for Georgetown. Mayor and Councillors City of Georgetown
This clerk is over stepping the bounds DEAR EDITOR, A very bad system is ongoing at the Eye Clinic of the Georgetown Public Hospital and it needs to be changed to better serve patients. On a daily basis, patients countrywide go there because of a ‘can’t do better situation’ due to financial constraints to do otherwise. After checking with the doctor, the advice is then given to go to the clerk who will give a date to return. The doctor should be the one to give the return date and not the clerk who does not know anything about the patients’ condition. On a speculative basis, some patients are given a date three months later to return during which time a worrying situation could develop. There is the possibility of them becoming blind. Patients will feel much happier, satisfied and comforted to get a return date directly from the doctor on whose instructions this can even be done but not for the clerk to randomly do so. With thanks, A Patient
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
TAILOR STABBED TO DEATH Inspector, Constable DURING ROBBERY IN GROVE to face court Alleged torture at Sparendaam…
After more than a month, the police are finally preparing to charge two of its own as a result of the alleged torture of 19-year-old Junior Thornton. Kaieteur News understands that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, has concurred with the recommendations of the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Cecil Kennard, to institute criminal charges against an Inspector and a Constable. Kennard had also recommended disciplinary action against three other ranks who were on duty at the time of the incident. On May 27 last, while Thornton was in custody at the Sparendaam Police
Station, ranks there allegedly doused his hands with methylated spirits and set them alight causing him to receive severe injuries for which he had to be hospitalized. The file on the matter is expected to be handed over to the police today with the advice that the Constable be charged with Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm, while the Inspector faces a charge of Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice. There are reports that an attempt was made by the Inspector, acting on behalf of the rank directly involved in the alleged torture, to compensate Thornton for his injuries, by offering his father $100,000.
Guyanese boat captain convicted for drugs Barbados – A 48-year-old Guyanese boat captain has been convicted in Barbados on a charge of importation of cannabis. Winston Leslie Fitzgerald Phillips appeared at the District A Magistrates Court here on Monday where he was ordered to pay $100,000 forthwith or face three months in jail.
He was also convicted, reprimanded and discharged on seven other charges related to the discovery on February 7, 2014 of 37 pounds of cannabis and two kilogrammes of cocaine on board the Guyanese registered vessel ‘Rudisa Global’. Members of the Customs and Excise Department, the Drug Squad, the Police Canine Unit, Marine Unit and the Barbados Coast Guard swooped down on the vessel, which was berthed at the time in the Bridgetown Port. During the operation, Customs personnel discovered the drugs hidden in cabins. Phillips, who was the captain, was subsequently charged and remanded into police custody. (http:// www.barbadostoday.bb)
Robbers ambushed a 26year-old tailor and stabbed him to death on the Grove, East Bank Demerara access road at around 20.30 hrs last evening. Bharrat Pitamber, of Lot 1401 Section ‘C’ Grove, was found lifeless on the desolate roadway with a stab wound to the chest and cuts on both hands, which police said indicated that he had fought back against his attackers. His pockets were turned inside out and it is believed that the killers made off with $45,000 that Pitamber had collected earlier in the evening after selling a bird to an acquaintance. Police recovered a large knife from the scene as well as the slain man’s bicycle. Relatives believe that Pitamber was attacked while riding through a short cut in an area known as ‘The Aqueduct’ while heading home. Pitamber’s wife, Menadei Persaud, told Kaieteur News that her spouse plies his trade at a house that is located near the East Bank Demerara
Public road. She said that he went to work earlier in the day and subsequently informed her that he had sold a bird for $45,000 to someone at his tailoring establishment. She said that she was expecting her spouse to come home at around 19.00 hrs. However, at around 20.30 hrs, persons who knew the family came to her home and said that Pitamber’s body was lying on a roadway near ‘The Aqueduct’. Relatives rushed to the area where they found the young man’s corpse and his bicycle nearby. The body was subsequently taken to the East Bank Demerara Hospital. The area where Pitamber was slain is poorly lit and relatives said that the tailor had narrowly escaped being robbed on Monday night while riding through the shortcut. A relative said that they had subsequently warned him about traversing that area. Pitamber and his spouse were married last December and have a six month-old daughter.
The murder scene
Bharrat Pitamber and his wife, who were married last year
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Sunnis, Kurds shun Iraq parliament Obama says to reform immigration on his own, bypassing Congress
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (R) and Osama al-Nujaifi, speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives (3nd R), attend a session at the Parliament headquarters in Baghdad yesterday. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani BAGHDAD (Reuters) Sunnis and Kurds walked out of the first session of Iraq’s new parliament yesterday after Shi’ites failed to name a prime minister to replace Nuri al-Maliki, dimming any prospect of an early national unity government to save Iraq from collapse. The United States, United Nations, Iran and Iraq’s own Shi’ite clergy have pushed hard for politicians to come up with an inclusive government to hold the fragmenting country together as Sunni insurgents bear down on Baghdad. The leader of the al Qaeda offshoot spearheading the insurgency, the Islamic State, has declared a “caliphate” in the lands it has seized in Iraq and Syria. Its leader vowed yesterday to avenge what he said were wrongs committed against Muslims worldwide. Despite the urgency, the
Iraqi parliament’s first session since its election in April collapsed when Sunnis and Kurds refused to return from a recess to the parliamentary chamber after Shi’ites failed to name a prime minister. Parliament is not likely to meet again for at least a week, leaving Iraq in political limbo and Maliki clinging to power as a caretaker, rejected by Sunnis and Kurds. Under a governing system put in place after the removal of Saddam Hussein, the prime minister has always been a member of the Shi’ite majority, the speaker of parliament a Sunni and the largely ceremonial president a Kurd. The Shi’ite bloc known as the National Alliance, in which Maliki’s State of Law coalition is the biggest group, has met repeatedly in recent days to bargain over the premiership but has so far been unable either to endorse
Maliki for a third term or to name an alternative. Fewer than a third of lawmakers returned from the recess. Sunni parties said they would not put forward their candidate for speaker until the Shi’ites pick a premier. The Kurds have also yet to nominate a president. Osama al-Nujaifi, a leading Sunni politician, former speaker and strong foe of Maliki, warned that “without a political solution, the sound of weapons will be loud, and the country will enter a black tunnel”. He said his bloc did not have a candidate for a speaker so far and was waiting to see who the National Alliance would nominate for prime minister. “If there is a new policy with a new prime minister, we will deal with them positively. Otherwise the country will go from bad to worse,” Nujaifi said.
Ukrainian forces attack rebel bases: parliament speaker KIEV (Reuters) Ukrainian government forces launched air strikes and artillery assaults on proRussian separatists in eastern regions yesterday, a military spokesman said, after President Petro Poroshenko announced he would not renew a ceasefire. Poroshenko said in an early morning announcement that government forces would renew offensive operations against rebels and “free our lands”, hours after a ceasefire to allow for peace talks with the pro-Russian separatists had expired. “After the President’s speech, the ATO (AntiTerrorist Operation) went into action. We opened artillery fire, carried out air strikes at the strategic points of the
Petro Poroshenko terrorists and places where they are concentrated,” military spokesman Oleksiy Dmytrashkovsky was reported as saying by Interfax news agency. Dmytrashkovsky said
rebels had fired on an SU-25 attack aircraft, damaging it, but the plane had manage to land safely at its air base. He denied a rebel report that a military helicopter had been brought down. One Ukrainian serviceman had been killed and 17 wounded in the past 24 hours in rebel attacks on Ukrainian posts, he said. The defence ministry confirmed that Ukrainian forces had launched attacks on the rebels “from the air and land”. “The terrorists’ plan to significantly escalate armed confrontation has been disrupted and the threat of losses to the civilian population and service personnel has been liquidated,” the ministry said on its website.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Monday he would take executive action to revamp the U.S. immigration system and move additional resources to protect the border after hopes of passing broad reform legislation in Congress officially died. Republican John Boehner, speaker of the House of Representatives, told Obama last week that his chamber would not vote on immigration reform this year, killing chances that a wideranging bill passed by the Senate would become law. The collapse of the legislative process delivers another in a series of blows to Obama’s domestic policy agenda and comes as he struggles to deal with a flood of unaccompanied minors from Central America who have entered the United States. It also sets up a new battle with congressional Republicans, who accuse Obama of going beyond his legal authority to take executive action on issues
such as gay rights and equal pay for women and men. Obama chided Republicans for refusing to bring immigration reform to a vote and said only legislation could provide a permanent fix to the problem. “The failure of House Republicans to pass a darn bill is bad for our security, it’s bad for our economy, and it’s bad for our future,” Obama said in the White House Rose Garden. “America cannot wait forever for them to act. That’s why today I’m beginning a new effort to fix as much of our immigration system as I can on my own.” The president directed Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Attorney General Eric Holder to move enforcement resources from the U.S. interior to the border. A White House official said the administration would look at ways to ensure the deportation process was focused on national security priorities and that more investigative teams were available to prosecute
smugglers bringing people across the border. Obama asked his team to prepare recommendations on other actions he can take unilaterally by the end of the summer. The president has pushed for reform that would create a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants within the United States. The Senate bill had such provisions, but Republicans in the House largely opposed them as amounting to amnesty for people who entered the country illegally. Immigration activists, frustrated with the administration’s deportation practices, pressed Obama to make his executive actions aggressive. “We are pleased that President Obama finally understands that Speaker John Boehner has officially allowed the extreme wing of the (Republican Party) to kill the best chance for immigration reform legislation in decades,” said PICO National Network, a religious and community organizing group, in a statement.
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Wednesday July 02, 2014
Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago to establish joint commission to improve bilateral relations KINGSTON, Jamaica - CMC – Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have agreed to the urgent formation of a joint commission “or a similar entity” to advance the issue of enhanced functional cooperation between them. A joint communiqué following the second round of bilateral talks between the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries also re-affirmed “the importance of the consultations as a mechanism for
strengthening political dialogue, reviewing bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on a range of pertinent issues”. The first round of bilateral consultations on free movement in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) was held here in December last year following the controversy that erupted when Port of Spain deported a number of Jamaican nationals. The move resulted in calls for a boycott of Trinidad and Tobago products in Jamaica.
CCJ president pleased with Dominica debate on Court ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – CMC – President of the Caribbean Court of Justice CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron yesterday welcomed the debate in the Dominica Parliament with regards to the island joining the Trinidadbased regional court as its final court. “It is very important news and I am very happy that Dominica has taken its pledge to make the CCJ its final court of appeal through the constitutional procedures,” Sir Dennis told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). “Today is a very important landmark in the move forward. It is a mature and responsible move and I trust that it wi l l b r i n g satisfaction to the people of Dominica,” he said. The Dominica Parliament is debating the second and third reading of the act to amend the Constitution to facilitate the establishment of the CCJ as its final court. The first reading took place on March 19, following the January announcement by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit that Dominica had received no objection from the United Kingdom on the move away from the Privy Council. The CCJ was established regional governments in 2001 to replace the Privy Council. It also acts as an international
Sir Dennis Byron Tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement. But while most of the Caribbean countries are signatories to its original jurisdiction, only Barbados, Guyana and Belize have signed on the appellate jurisdiction. Sir Dennis said it was significant that Dominica was debating the move in its Parliament on the same day that regional leaders were beginning their 35th annual summit here. “I hope that leadership shown by Dominica will encourage the other governments to follow suit. I know any have made positive statements in recent times and as I have mentioned the CCJ
is ready, willing and able and looking forward to fulfilling its mandate to dispense justice throughout the region in a fair and giving greater access to citizens”. He said regarding the other Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) making the move to join the CCJ,”the position is very clar. “There are two OECS countries whose Constitution require them to hold a referendum,. That is Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda. In both countries, Prime Minister (Keith) Mitchell of Grenada has made his position very clear that he is moving towards that process later this year and the new Prime Minister of Antigua, Gaston Browne has already made public statements to the effect that he is going to move his government for w a r d a s quickly as possible.’ The other countries in the sub-region do not need a referendum…and we already ad statements made b y P r i m e M i n i s t e r D r. K e n n y A n t h o n y o f St . Lucia indicating that his government is moving in that direction as well,” he said, adding that he is hoping that countries like Jamaica will follow. Sir Dennis said he is “still hopeful” that Jamaica would succeed in coming forward “during the term of this government’s tenure”.
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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GUYANA WILL LOSE OUT I am sure that the vast majority of Guyanese are enjoying the football. The matches are being televised live by the very entity which the country’s main opposition parties were denying a subvention from the State. Without that company, ordinary Guyanese may have been hard pressed to see the matches. I trust that as local fans watch the matches on television and cable they would have taken a good look at the crowds and witnessed
how many persons from all around the world are in Brazil for the matches. One of the many nations which had tremendous support at the World Cup was the United States of America. The USA’s team turned out to be fighting underdogs in the tournament. They were eliminated yesterday after a gallant fight against Belgium. The performance of the team at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil has been extremely heartening. The quality of their play
is improving with each tournament and given the resources that can be attracted to the game in the United States, it is only a matter of time, perhaps within one more generation before they have the biggest league and eventually become World Cup Champions. The performance of the United States at this year’s tournament will allow for more resources to be ploughed into the Major League Soccer (MLS). But that is just one benefit that will flow from their
Dem boys seh...
Rodney $112M spend pun sleep-in, wine-in and dine-in Jagdeo lef Guyana in tutu or wha decent people does call mess. Is thiefing and scampish, corruption to de max left, right and centre in Guyana. Is everybody learn from Ohh Pee, who had one of de best teachers de world ever know. Tek Luncheon special assistant. He deh behind bars because Luncheon nah bail he and he tun he back pon Kwame. He live next to a store and he decide fuh bruck in through he bedroom and go shopping every night till he get ketch and land in prison. He had to learn from de best. Jagdeo nah only lef Guysuco in a tutu, but also broke. Yesterday dem put out a statement that dem ain’t got enough money to pay staff. Today dem seh is not that
dem don’t have money, dem sell de sugar and dem ain’t get pay, suh dem can’t pay. Dem boys want know if is a rum shop or a cake shop dem running. Dem boys seh that Hen See Hen spend millions that dem coulda lend Guysuco fuh pay de staff rather than pay fuh football and allow Brian de Youth, a friend to Jagdeo and Brazzy, that fat crook, to enrich heself more. Instead, dem complaining that dem can’t pay de cane cutters. And Donald don’t see those things. He does hear good, though, because he does sing karaoke at Sleep Out every now and again. Dem boys want he hear wha people saying at de same Sleep Out bout de $112 million dem give fuh run de affairs of de Rodney inquiry.
Dem boys hear that threequarter of de $112 million— which is $84 million—gone in Sleep Out. Dem bring in nuff Guyanese and put dem up there. Some of dem same Guyanese dem never call to testify. One man wha dem bring fuh testify seh that he got he own house but when he hear dem putting you up at hotel giving you free food and free drinks and woman to wine and dine with, he could not say no. He tell he wife in Canada, “Honey I got to go and testify fuh de benefit of all Guyana.” He was lying like Jagdeo always did. He was coming fuh he own benefit and de hotel owners—not Cliff and Ah Kneel. Talk half and ask Donald to account fuh de $112 million.
participation in Brazil. Already, economically, the State of Miami has benefitted by being the transit hub for hundreds of thousands of passengers from all over the world who had connecting flights to Brazil. Miami was a major hub and would have raked in the dollars. Before the tournament started, Miami Airport was expecting a 30% increase in persons transiting through their airport. That is a massive increase in travelers and one that will boost the fortunes of the State. FIFA World Cup attracts 32 teams. The supporters of these teams travel in their thousands to support their players. These supporters come from all over and there is not just a sprinkling of supporters. One television commentator mentioned how some 5000 persons from Mexico arrived on a cruise ship. Imagine then how many visitors were in Brazil for this tournament. There were fans from as far as Africa, Australia, South Korea and Japan. And this is just for a tournament that attracts thirty-two teams in one sport. Imagine then the influx of tourists that will descend on Brazil for the Olympics where close to two hundred countries will be represented in forty-one sporting disciplines ranging from
archery to wrestling. This means that perhaps forty times the number of tourists that have gone to Brazil for the World Cup will go for the Olympics. This is two years’ time. Miami will also be a major hub for those tourists. Guyana could also have been such a hub considering its strategic location, especially for persons travelling from Asia and Africa. But we cannot be such a hub, because of the shortsightedness of the opposition parties in the National Assembly. They have refused to approve of funding for the extension of the airport. And they are yet to provide convincing grounds for opposing the funding for the expansion of this project. This failure almost certainly means that the extension of the airport cannot be ready in time for the Olympics and therefore Guyana cannot, even with its limited resources, market itself as a hub for the hundreds of thousands of tourists that will be commuting from various parts of the world to Brazil f o r t h e 2 0 1 6 O l y m p ic Games. This is a serious loss for Guyana which must be paid squarely at the feet of the parliamentary opposition parties. It is not as if the money is not there. The
Chinese are providing the funds. All that was needed was for the opposition to be convinced about the economic benefits of having a better airport. And what better evidence is there than the experience of Miami International Airport. That airport is a transit hub, the largest transit hub for passengers going to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The o p p o s i t i o n ’s actions will leave this country in the economic b a c k w a t e r s . We w i l l continue, so long as they have their way, to call our airport international, even though when it is raining, and an aircraft lands, passengers step out of the plane into drenching rain on the tarmac. They then have to walk through the rain to get into the terminal. By now we should have been well on our way to having an airport which would have allowed passengers to step from the plane directly into the terminal. But do not tell that to the opposition parties, especially that one which ran the country into the ground, so much so that at one stage the check-in area at our main airport was like a cowpen.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The US Embassy teaches Guyana how to be a modern nation There are literally thousands and thousands of printed analyses on the effects colonialism has had on the psyche of the colonial subject. Many scholars take the view that the psychic damage to the colonial subject is irreparable. And of course through a process of genetic evolution, the colonial subject has passed on his/her damaged mind to subsequent generations. VS Naipaul is not a social scientist and has not done any scholarly work on the psychological effects of colonialism, but he asserts most violently in his writing that the post-colonial mind cannot, and will never be creative. Since the Second World War, the post-colonial world has been a den of the most atrocious political and social miasma with the Arab world, India, the mandarin race in
Asia and the Englishspeaking Caribbean being the most tragic cases. Parts of both Africa and Latin America have proven to be tiny exceptions. Here in Guyana, the area I know best, European philosophies have had early implants, with Marxism being the most influential. But the colonial penetration has been so gigantic and profound that even Marxism failed in this country to save the helpless psyche of the post-colonial leader. Here in this land, the primitive mind of successive generations of leaders has effectively killed off any thought of the emergence into modern society. Leave aside physical and developmental slowness since Independence, the conceptual backwardness that resides deep in the minds of Guyanese leaders and their followers can only be described as primitive
madness. One hopes that the recent decision by the US Embassy on the issue of renewal of non-immigrant visas will shame our colonially-driven population and their leaders to at least think about the psychic damage they have been living with since Independence and at least try a NEW START, not start anew. The US Embassy announced that it won’t be necessary for certain categories of applicants to appear for an interview when renewing their visitor’s visa. Now that is common sense; it is a natural instinct which is yet to be discovered by those who lead hapless Guyana. Why would the Embassy ask applicants who have been in receipt of five/ ten-year multi-entry visas over a long period of time to come for an interview whenever their visa is up? It
makes absolutely no sense. Similar commonsensical pathways are waiting to happen in this country but colonial values stand in the way of a making Guyana a modern country. Cabinet has to give direction for these changes, but we go backward instead of forward. Under this government, the ten-year life of a passport has been curtailed to five. What is essentially wrong with a passport that has a ten-year life? A hundred years ago, to collect your pension, a category of five persons had to sign your form. Brace yourself for the stupidity of life since civilization began. The NIS and the University of Guyana have retained those five categories. Imagine that in the 21st century! To collect your NIS and UG pension, prominent citizens like journalists, engineers,
lawyers, architects, rich businessmen, astronauts, computer geniuses, army bosses and a vast array of occupation-holders are not allowed to sign your form. Only people who fall into five categories can sign. If you are an NIS pensioner and you are the maid of Adam Harris, the editor of this newspaper, you cannot ask your boss to sign your pension certificate. The poor soul has to go to a Justice of the Peace or one of those Cuban-trained doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital, never mind the boss of the poor maid is one of the Caribbean’s most recognized media practitioners. Imagine this is an anachronism that is a hundred years old and still obtains in Guyana. Tell me what is conceptually wrong with having a driver’s licence that
Frederick Kissoon has a five-year life or a vehicular road licence that has a three-year life span? Imagine in the 21st century in Guyana, the courts cannot grant a divorce unless one of three reasons is given. That is the law. And that law came into being in 1903. The colonial fools that run Guyana in 2014 cannot see that there could be a million reasons why a person would want a divorce. In Guyana, a woman cannot enter the courts if the dress she is wearing hasn’t got sleeves. Guyana jails poor youths for being in possession of a smoking utensil; not the drug itself. I close by asking a question – does such a primitively sick country deserve to exist?
Wednesday July 02, 2014
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Linden-Lethem road for rehabilitation Bids were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), under the Ministry of Public Works for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Linden-Lethem road. The bids were divided into five lots.
In addition, the Office of the Elections Commission received bids for the procurement of motor vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education received bids for the supply and delivery of equipment for the Carnegie School of Home Economics.
Four bids were also opened under the Education Ministry for the supply, delivery, installation, and testing of a Simulator at Linden Technical Institute (LTI).
Caribbean Airlines flights disrupted after pilots sick out
The Office of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) received bids for the construction of a registration office, Paramakatoi, region eight.
Several flights of Trinidad-owned Caribbean Airlines were affected yesterday after a number of pilots called in sick. Both international and domestic flights were affected as a result, Caribbean Airlines said yesterday. Many flights to and from Tobago were also cancelled. In a press statement, Caribbean Airlines stated that it was disappointed with the pilots’ action and apologised to passengers caused by the delays. The release quoted chief executive officer Michael DiLollo as stating in an internal missive to staff: “We are naturally concerned firstly for the health and welfare of our pilot body since
this is an unprecedented occurrence. This unfortunate situation has disrupted our scheduled services at the beginning of our critical summer season, during which we count most on our operational crews to demonstrate reliability and service for our loyal customers.” According to a report in the Trinidad Express, he also said: “Many families choose this time to travel and have committed hardearned savings to enjoying t h i s t i m e t o g e t h e r. To disappoint them will surely be a serious breach of our unspoken contract with them, a betrayal far deeper than our legal commitment
to provide the promised service.” Caribbean Airlines stated communication has been taking place between the entity and Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) regarding outstanding issues and they will continue to have discussions “in good faith.” Passengers are being advised to confirm their flight times with the Flight Status Tool on the company’s website at www.caribbeanairlines.com prior to travel to avoid further disturbance. Line Minister, Finance Minister Larry Howai could not immediately respond to the issue yesterday morning since he was making a contribution in the Senate.
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
NICIL paid $11.9B into Consolidated Fund over 11 years The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) which is headed by Winston Brassington has lashed out at A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) for its “calculated, ill-informed and politically motivated” assault on the operations of the controversial entity and its senior management. Through a statement yesterday, it contended that reports by the political opposition coalition - which have been driven in the media - have no foundation or basis in fact. They “are made with the clearly deliberate intention of undermining and discrediting the major development projects initiated and lead by the company.” The opposition coalition, specifically the Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge, had brought a Motion before the National Assembly which sought to have NICIL’s revenues transferred to the Consolidated Fund. However, NICIL made it clear that from 2002 to 2013, it paid into the Consolidated Fund, $11.9 billion in dividends from the profits of its operations and its various and ongoing investments. It
…but fails to declare how much it raked in claimed that it is a net contributor to the Treasury and, its operations remains fully accountable and transparent. It sought to remind as well, that it was incorporated under the Companies’ Act in July 1980, but began functioning as a Company in July 1991. In 2002, NICIL and the Privatization Unit were operationally merged. A Management Cooperation Agreement (MCA) was signed appointing the Privatization Unit as exclusive manager of NICIL and reaffirming that privatization of NICIL’s assets would be conducted in accordance with the Privatization Policy Framework Paper of 1993 (White Paper on privatization). It insisted that it is a holding company owned by the Government of Guyana, and functions as a commercial company which does not benefit from tax concessions and is expected to be and is, in fact, financially self sufficient. It added that the primary objectives of NICIL are to subscribe or acquire or
dispose of Government shares, stocks, debentures or other securities of any company, cooperative societies or corporate bodies. “NICIL’s operations have always been subject to public scrutiny and are accountable and answerable to Cabinet for its financial transactions made on behalf of the country. Its finances are also subject to full public disclosure. NICIL is audited by the Audit Office of Guyana. The company has received unqualified audit opinions each year, since 2002 (the year NICIL and the Privatization Unit were operationally merged), acknowledging the Financial Statements to be a true and fair view in all material respects of the financial position of NICIL up to December 31, 2012.” “This unqualified opinion also endorses that the financial performance and cash flows of the company are in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the IAS (International Accounting Standards) Board.”
The Company also went on to state that its privatization transactions from 1993 to 2011 have been published in a report released by President Donald Ramotar last year, listing every privatization in the period and identifying the buyer and the proceeds from the sales. “NICIL’s operations, contrary to the repeated complaints of the parliamentary opposition, are subject to parliamentary oversight. The Minister of Finance has laid the Annual Report, including the Audited Financial Statements of NICIL for the year 2012, before Parliament. Since 2002, NICIL has successfully endeavoured to bring its own and the accounts of its subsidiaries up to date. In doing so, the company has filed in Parliament, to date, 149 sets of accounts representing the accounts of its various subsidiaries in the various years since 2002.” The government holding company also stated that it owns a number of subsidiaries, including Guyana National Printers Limited, the National
Winston Brassington, Head of NICIL
Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge
Communications Network, Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Guyana Oil Company Limited, Guyana National Shipping Corporation Limited, Property Holdings Inc., Kwakwani Utilities Inc., and Lethem Power Company Inc. NICIL also holds minority investments in a number of companies. It said that its subsidiary companies are managed and operated by independent Boards and are financially independent, excepting the National Communications Network, which provides a combination of commercial
and public programming and its satellite electricity utilities, where subsidies are used to compensate for lower tariffs in the communities in which they serve. It added that the NICIL Group of Companies employs a substantial number of persons, between them, making a considerable contribution in company and employee taxes to the economy of the country. Copies of NICIL’s Annual Reports and the other Reports referred to above, are available on NICIL’s website: www.privitisation.gov.gy
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Prisoner gets 48 months for smuggling weed in buttocks A prisoner, busted with marijuana hidden in his anus at the Georgetown Prisons, was yesterday jailed for 48 months by a city Magistrate. Roger Samuels, 48, was sentenced to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman on a drug trafficking charge. It was merely four days after being caught by Georgetown Prisons staff with the 68 grams of cannabis in the peculiar place that Samuels appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the charge. Responding to the allegation Samuels said “Ya worship, I does be working at the Police Sports Club. When I go back to prison, they search me and find nothing.” “Then the medex put her hand in my bamzee and search it. I strain and a lump fall out. I is a hard working prisoner ya worship,” the accused explained as he demonstrated the motions to the Magistrate. “I gun plead guilty cause me ain’t able with no long story. I done deh in jail. I got 14 months more left,” Samuels said. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Joel Ricknauth said that Samuels was convicted in 2012 on a simple larceny charge and is serving a fouryear jail term. Ricknauth explained that about 16:03hrs on June 27, Samuels was amongst a batch
CONVICTED: Roger Samuels of prisoners who returned from the Police Sports Club. “Your worship, the defendant was seen walking in an unusual manner. He was taken to medical personnel who examined his anus and found a white plastic bag containing something.” The Prosecution explained that it was “taken out” by the defendant and further checks on the bag revealed a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was contained therein. Ricknauth stated that the substance was weighed in the presence of the defendant. According to the Prosecution, when Samuels was told of the offence he said “I gah hussle tuh.” He
was subsequently charged for the offence. During mitigation, Samuels stated “Ya worship, I begging for leniency. I is a hard working prisoner. I deh cleaning up for them this morning downstairs. I have three children and my child mother died. I used to live at PuntTrench.” “Me ain’t really want no long story. Why they gotta push they hand in me? I coulda seh that somebody push it up in me, but I ain’t want no long story ya worship.” “Prison ain’t easy. Down to ya food and drink, you gah fight fah. Two man sleeping on a mattress. I can’t go against the law. I’m begging for mercy. I just leff everything in the hands of the Father and the court,” he pleaded. Responding, Magistrate Latchman stated that she had considered all the mitigating factors in his favour as well as the prevalence of the offence and the manner in which the marijuana was concealed. He was told that coupled with a 48-month jail term, he will also have to pay $10,000. Magistrate Latchman instructed that the prison term for the drug trafficking charge will commence at the end of the four years he was previously given for simple larceny.
Russian roulette shooting of teen…
Trial date set for accused cadet officer, corporal The two Guyana Police Force members charged in the case of the 16-year-old boy, who was shot in his mouth whilst in police custody, are scheduled to stand trial later this month. Cadet Officer Franz Paul and his colleague, Police Corporal Baichan Singh will begin to hear the State’s case against them on July 14 before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It was following a sixweek probe that Cadet Officer Paul, the lawman believed to have been behind the gun, faced a total of four charges. Paul was accused of discharging a loaded firearm at Alex Griffith on April 30, last, in Georgetown with intentions to maim, disable, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm to him. It is also alleged that he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm as well as assaulted the teen. He and Corporal Singh were charged for conspiring with each other, on May 1, at Georgetown, to pervert the course of justice. Both men at the first court
ACCUSED: Corporal Baichan Singh
ACCUSED: Cadet Officer Franz Paul
hearing on June 9, last, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Franz, of Lot 159 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, has since been released on a total of $725,000 court bond, while Baichan was place on $150,000 bail. The two men are being prosecuted by Inspector Stephen Telford. Telford has since revealed that the Prosecution will be calling upon approximately
twenty witnesses to prove its case against Paul and Singh. At the court hearing on Monday, it was revealed that five statements have been submitted on the defence’s behalf. The defence comprises Attorneys Roger Yearwood, Arune Gajraj and Keisha Chase. Reports are that the teen was being held in police custody when the shooting occurred. The two accused are scheduled to return for trial on July 14.
Page 21
Man remanded for alleged burglary of relative’s house A Princes Street resident accused of burgling his relative’s apartment and making off with over $300,000 worth in items, was remanded to prison when he appeared before a city Magistrate yesterday. Kurt Pereira, 27, pleaded not guilty to a break and enter and larceny charge at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The charge which was read to him claims that Pereira on June 12, last, at Princes Street, Georgetown, broke and entered Nickel McKay’s house and stole his $30,000 BlackBerry cellular phone, two Samsung cellular phones valued $14,000, 20 jerseys and a pair of jeans costing $270,000 as well as $10,000 cash. He pleaded not guilty and submitted a bail application, but the court presided over by Magistrate Faith McGusty remanded him to prison until
July 22. Corporal Seon Blackman who represented the Prosecution told the court that the two men are related to each other. Blackman said that the victim lived in the upper flat of the Princes Street house while Pereira occupied the lower flat. McKay, he said, left for work about 6:45 hours that day. As he returned home, he reportedly saw the accused exiting his section of the house with a haversack. Blackman reported that as Pereira spotted the victim, he ran. McKay chased after the accused but he managed to escape.
The Prosecution noted that when McKay returned to the premises he observed one of the stairs removed from its place. Further checks revealed the articles missing. Pereira was later arrested and charged for the offence. Blackman related that none of the articles have been recovered. He offered objections to bail citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty it attracts. Blackman asked the court to consider too that the two men share the same premises, so Pereira may attempt to interfere with the witness. His objections were upheld and bail was refused.
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
Page 22
Kaieteur News
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838 FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Crab Wood etc Call: 688-6579 Spares for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 One Water Dredge; 14" Missile, in excellent condition, situated in upper Mazaruni River – Contact: 685-7193 Fluffy dachshund pups – Call: 670-2653; 618-1706 Three caterpillar engines: Model3406-$1,6M,3116-$1,1M, 3208- $1,1M. Contact 650-0402; Serious Inquiries Only One Nissan X-trail 2004 Model PRR Series – Call: 647-0016 One lady-driven new model RAV 4J ‘KK’ series - $2.5M negotiable – Tel: 609-8425
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PROPERTY FOR SALE 1-2 storey wooden & concrete house with 5 bedrooms, upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M Tel: 642-7898 Diamond: Avenue A - Three bedrooms, two-storey concrete house & 1st Bridge - Flat concrete & high house. Have property for sale? Contact: 643-7633 1-3 storey business – Opposite GPHC, Middle Street, 2 business property @ Whim Public Road Corentyne, Price Negotiable – Contact:619-7134; 225-6481 3rd Avenue Diamond 95X30feet, flat concrete house (nice deal) – Contact GME Realty: 231-2199; 2312200; 618-7483
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Used pedicure chair, hair dryer and salon chair – Tel: 668-9583, 698-5272
Furnished new apartments USD$600-$1000 located in Ogle: Pool, parking, hot water, AC, Wi-Fi. Contact Richard: 622-7236 One bedroom furnished apartment, 1-2 bedroom apartment @ Lot 4 Henry Street, Werk-En-Rust – Call Winston: 660-6446 Mining Blocks to rent at Mazaruni and Kwakwani – Tel: 627-4900
Lots of Original PS2, PS3, 3Ds XBOX360 systems – Game & game parts – Call: 683-8386
Hair & nails station to rent @ Prime Location – Tel: 2254665; 602-0333
15 cu ft. Frigidaire Gallery Freezer and one Ultra Chef 13 cu ft. cooler/chiller - Call 622-2899 HP Printer Ink - $2,000; Cannon printer ink - $2,500. Phone: 650-7699
T&L Beauty & Barber (formerly Enid’s) Lot 57 Hadfield Street, upstairs at Bristol Plaza – Tel:695-6732 One Double stall with overhead storage at a prime location in Stabroek Market – Call: 619-7925 can be inspected One fruit dryer machine (new) 2 compressors, distilled water machine, 4 mag rims – Call: 231-5171 or 619-7134 Two 3 months old male Rottweiler, parents are imported – Contact: 264-2870; 672-6402 or 665-9140 after 6PM. 1-18 Nissan outboard Engine & 1-4.5 Evinrude & 1 omega compressor Call: 220-7664; 6127206 Ask for Barman One slate pools table 8’X4’ $360,000 – Tel: 601-8083, 6892658 Leyland Crane Truck, Evinrude outboard engine 115HP – Contact: 614 -2759
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DRESSMAKING Jean offers courses in dressmaking, designing curtains, floral decoration & cake decoration – Tel: 6181706; 670-2653.
TO LET 1 Bedroom apartments at Prashad Nagar – Fully furnished with internet, hot & cold water, air condition etc – Call: 611- 8584 for further information One 1-bedroom bottom flat to rent located at L.B.I, East Coast Demerara – Contact: 220-7399 or 682-6294
CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 2257126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 219-3900 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com Fab’s Car Rental- Call:6716051
One bedroom bottom flat apartment, located at Middle Road, La Penitence - $25,000 per month. Preferably single working person – Contact: 666-9534 ACCOMMODATION Tourist Villa: Furnished Rooms & apartments- 1, 2 &3 bedroom apartments at affordable rates – Lot 95 Fifth Av e n u e , Subryanville – Tel: 2272199; 227-2189; 227-2186
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Wednesday July 02, 2014
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Summer Special: Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces - Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Toyota Spacio, PNN Series, fully loaded, in excellent condition, Price: $1.850 Negotiable – Call: 651-9892 2006 Blue Nissan Titan. Fully Loaded GSS Series. Contact: 604-6108. Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered 212, Allex, old & new model Spacio, 05 & 03 Allion, Voxy- Call:6523820/ 665-4529
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Vi s a Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 2256496, 662-6045 Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032,647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312, 627-3206 (Nick) COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units – Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 For low cost: Repairs to fridge, freezer, A/C unit, microwaves, TV & washing machine - Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $10,000- CALL:6949843/227-2766 Meditation: Learn transcendental meditation, gain deep rest, and eliminate stress. Call Ashoke:6093701; 233-6921 for introductory lecture Farm Developing Experienced Agronomist (Hi Tech)- all your information – Call J.W Miller: 654-9106
One Leyland Daf dump truck $2,5M, One S130 Bobcat $2,1M -Contact 6500402; Serious Inquiries Only One BZ – Touring Corolla Wagon: AC, CD, 17" mags all wheels, Disk Brake, PPP series, never worked here – $1,050,000 -Tel: 619-1047. One newly registered Toyota Premio, PSS Series – Contact: 670-4484 One RZ minibus BKK Series – Tel: 684-0990 New model Toyota RAV 4 $2.5M negotiable – Tel: 2255034, 639-5577 Toyota Avensis, Corolla 110, Tundra – Tel: 645-0078; 6030078 Toyota Sietna, 7 Seater $2.1M, Toyota Voxy bus both fully loaded - $1.8M negotiable, financing available – Tel: 629-2314 New Toyota Noah: TV, Camera, 15" Rim – Tel:6632700, 629-2619 One Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, PMM Series Call: 2250188, 223-7500, Mon-Fri 8:154:15pm, Sat – 8:15-1:15PM One Leyland truck – Call: 656-1067 Diamond Auto Show: Black Nissan, Blue Bird 2007, fully loaded, 2/4 wheel drive – Tel: 682-1822 One Toyota Marina 1992, Red, mag rim, DVD Player, AC. Price- $800,000 negotiable – Contact: 6735475 Toyota 4 Runner great condition -$1.7M negotiable – Tel:223-9719; 227-1028 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154
CATERING Roxy’s Snackette & Catering Services: Any occasion, daily breakfast, lunch, snacks, fruit juices, power porridge – Call: 2230092; 223-0095 PEN PAL Lifelong partners, friends, companions- Call: 223-8237/ 648-6098 (8:30AM-5:00PM) both phones same hours. Confidential rules apply.
We buy & sell vehicles for cash. Also parts available & 30 seater buses; extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Toyota Premio (grey), Spacio & Belta. Never registered – Call: 269-0432; 686-0323 CF65 Leyland Daf Truck $2.5M, single axle. Working Condition! – Contact Shaba: 667-3436; 655-5018 (Continued on page 23)
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Rodney COI…
WPA’s growing influence also posed a threat to the PPP Historian and sociologist, Dr. Nigel Westmaas told the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI) yesterday that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had also felt threatened by the growing influence of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). Dr. Westmaas, also member of the WPA, continued his portion of evidence at the COI into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney under cross examination by Attorney- at -Law Basil Williams. Williams in his representation of Peoples National Congress Reform, (PNC/R) questioned the witness regarding the threats that the WPA posed on other opposition parties. It was suggested by the attorney that the WPA posed a serious threat to the support base of the PPP, which was the main opposition party at the time, and it was also explained that the WPA had undertaken a multi-racial challenge unlike the PNC and the PPP itself. Westmaas explained that in most cases, the parties were allies in broad coalition fighting a particular entity. “It was not one group but a group of political parties trying to work together to achieve a common goal in terms of democratic rule…but there were differences, in terms of ideology and political practices.” Williams subsequently made reference to the fact that the party must have felt somewhat threatened at the
- Dr. Nigel Westmaas
Dr. Nigel Westmaas growing influence of the alliance as PPP Executive, Janet Jagan, subsequently appealed to their supporters demanding that they stop joining the WPA. In response, Westmaas said “That was a later period in terms of the same multiracial challenges which I was referring to in the rural areas, where the WPA had active members that were distributing hand outs and so on before the meetings. It was a reaction that in some areas organizations felt threatened in one way or the other.” He clarified that during the 1970s the WPA expanded to Skeldon, Line Path and other areas in Berbice. As such, the Attorney referred to an excerpt from Eusi Kwayana’s evidence, in which he spoke of the work of Dr. Rodney and the WPA. “His work among the
sugar estate workers was less demanding and less thorough. The WPA went to the sugar estate in those days for the sake of good understanding and mutual trust between us and the PPP…not only the PNC but the PPP also had fears and misgivings about the WPA agitation and organisation in the sugar belt.” The witness agreed with the evidence as it was read. The lawyer quoted another portion of Kwayana’s evidence as he continued. “An important part of this anti-polarization process was the fact that the WPA supported any struggles of the sugar workers for improvement of wages and conditions of industrial relations. This support was declared not only in the sugar belt itself but in other areas which was formerly only known as under the influence of the PPP.” As such, the Lawyer concluded that both massbased parties (PPP and PNC) could have felt threatened by WPA activities. Westmaas agreed. While Dr. Rodney had offered the people a Christmas present (that is a downfall of the PNC Government) in Christmas of 1977, a familiar promise was made to the population by the PPP. Williams said that the PPP during an election period promised the people Dr.
Rodney’s head on a silver platter, which was a serious statement coming from that level of the PPP. The witness then explained that the PPP felt threatened by the WPA’s work in the sugar belt. “They felt threatened in terms of their support base but it was not antagonistic, in terms of what you’re implying. The Attorney later said that the PPP had guarded its constituencies, “zealously and jealously,” as the contrast between the groups widened. “The WPA did not agree with all the PPP’s proposal for a national patriotic front…The PPP exhibited its protective nature in 1977 therefore, it would be safe to say that the WPA was being carefully watched by the former opposition party, (the PPP)” While he disagreed with the phrase “carefully watched,” the witness agreed that there had been some back and forth between the two parties, but there was also unease about other political parties going in the areas which were under the influence of the PPP. The witness explained that the main political parties, at the time had formed the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) but that the coalition dissolved shortly after the PPP took power. “After the PPP took office Continued on page 24
Finance Minister disrespectful of the... From page 16 expenditure. While Article 218 (3) envisages a second situation regarding excess expenditure where there has been no appropriation, in my years of experience as Auditor General, I cannot recall any instance of moneys being withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund for this purpose. The reason is simple: (a) there is recourse to the use of the Contingencies Fund, assuming all the criteria have been met regarding the urgency of the expenditure; or (b) there is provision for a supplementary estimate to be tabled in the Assembly seeking prior authorization of the expenditure.” Besides, “there was deep respect for the general principle that it is Parliament that controls the public purse and that no expenditure can be incurred without Parliamentary approval.” The Financial Ana-
(From page 22)
lyst noted that the supremacy of Parliament in this regard was unquestioned. The second part of Article 218 (3), he said, may have been inserted to cater for some extreme circumstance, for example, a national disaster of great magnitude, where it is not possible to secure the approval of the Assembly, or recourse to the Contingencies Fund is not possible because it may have been exhausted. Financial Paper 1/2014, he said, relates to excess expenditure for the period January 1 to June 16 2014. “Article 219 (1) is therefore not applicable since it refers to the first four months of the year. It would appear that the Minister has used the second part of Article 218 (3) to authorize withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund since there has been no appropria-
tion.” “One would have thought that the Minister would have used the provision contained in the first part of Article 218 (3) to seek ex-ante (before the event) authorization by way of supplementary estimate. If the Assembly turns down the request, so be it – expenditure will not be incurred.” Goolsarran then questioned, “Why run the risk of authorizing withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund when there is so much uncertainty as to whether the Assembly will approve of the related expenditure? Should the Assembly reject Financial Paper 1/2014 partially or in its entirety, will the Minister not be held liable for causing unauthorised expenditure to take place?” He said that what the Minister should have done was to apply Article 219 (1) to authorize withdrawals from the Con-
solidated Fund for the first four months by following strictly the criteria set out in the said Article, as well as in section 36 of the FMA Act. In this way, “it is unlikely that there would have been excess expenditure.” He noted that to compound matters, the Minister has authorized withdrawals to June 16, to meet not only the cost of essential services affected by the Assembly's nonapproval of the six programmes but also other expenditure that the Assembly has specifically rejected. “In all probability, he would have also done so for the remainder of June. It is also unclear what is likely to happen for the rest of the year since there is no indication so far that a supplementary estimate will be presented in the Assembly to provide for ex ante authorization,” the former Auditor General concluded.
EDUCATION: I.A.E is registering students for its secondary school, Forms1-5; CXC classes for adults – Repeaters and beginners – Call: 223-0604; 683-5742 Now Enrolling for a Diploma in computers (9 courses) Special discount for 2014 CXC students @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-EnHoop –Tel: 264-3057 Study in Canada micro.gtek@yahoo.com – Micrographics Technology Now Enrolling for summer computer classes – Ages: 514yrs, certificate course @ MicroGraphics Technology – Vreed-En- Hoop –Tel: 264-3057 Summer Classes: Phonics, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft, fun day (4-12yrs) July 15th – August 15th @ Roxanne Burnham – Call: 6194355; 218-2076 CXC Mathematics/English Etc, Additional Maths, January/June 2015, Workers/ Students Form 1-5 -Call Mr. Lee: 227-7850 I.A.S : 2nd Street Alberttown, CXC Adults Classes, $1200 per subject, summer classes for children – 4-17yrs old $5,000 (6 weeks) – Tel: 2237906; 690-5008 Learn graphics designing at your own pace: CorelDraw, Photoshop, Illustrator! Training Tutorials available – Tel: 603-6823 Transitional/Foundation Summer Classes, Grade 6Grade 7 & 8: Mathematics, English, Spanish/Music, I.T. etc. Placement in July – Call Mr. Lee: 231-2076 Learn Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at your own pace! Training Tutorials and Software available – Tel: 6036823
WANTED Experienced roti/puri Cook, curry cook, handy boys Apply at Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce Street, Georgetown One experienced general domestic. Must know to cook a variety of dishes; pleasant & trustworthy- Tel: 656-6388 Live out domestic babysitter and live in babysitter –Call: 225-0188, 225-6070 (Monday to Saturday ) (8:15am4:15pm) Female worker needed, 3 CXC subjects or sound secondary school education - Call: 612-1595 Children feeding program continues, celebrating any occasion or just want to partake? – Call: 696-7467 Chef & waitress at Hibiscus Restaurant – Call: 231-5857 Welder, Gardener, Carpenter – Call: 265-3586 One handy boy to work in the interior- Tel:681-6044 Experienced cashiers, counter servers. Apply at Hacks Halaal with written application: 5 Commerce Street. 1 DJ, must know to play both Indian & English Music, 1 Handyman/woman/ gardener, 1 electrician – Call Office: 265-3586 General workers to work shift system- Tel: 218-1400; 6680306 Experienced taxi & bus driver at Princess Hotel, Providence – Tel: 265-7075/265-7076 One Oak Sports Bar: two Waitresses - Tel: 660-3360; 227-4897. Address: 23 Hadfield Street, Stabroek, Georgetown. Mechanic & Assistant Mechanic with experience at Lot 23 Hadfield Street, Stabroek, Georgetown- Tel: 660-3360; 227-4897
LAND FOR SALE Land for sale at Better Hope South – Price $6,350,000, negotiable – Tel: 642-7898 100’X200’ W/Foundation, Yarakabra- Linden Highway, $5.6M – American style plan – Tel:231-9701; 670-2700
LAND FOR SALE Land for sale 110X60 at 5th Avenue Diamond, EBD. For quick sale - $7M. Contact: 652-5601
For our advertising rates call: 2258491, 225-8465.
Diamond, Grove, Land 40X80 feet $3.3M, Hadfield Street $14M, $12M, Kitty Railway 96X89X20X50ft – Contact GME Realty: 231-2209; 618-7483
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Kaieteur News
Late sugar payments delay staff salaries -- GuySuCo The state-owned sugar company yesterday denied that it ran out of cash to pay office staffers over the past week. Rather, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) said that the situation was exacerbated by a delay in payments from one of its customers. “Contrary to the news that were carried by Stabroek and Kaieteur News that GuySuCo “ran out of cash” and was “illiquid” thus salaries were not being paid last Friday, the normal pay day for salaried employees, the Corporation wishes to make clear that payments were delayed as a result of the late payment for sugar sales by one of its customers.” GuySuCo said that the delayed payment was indeed a financial constraint, “but certainly not caused by “running out of cash” or “illiquidity”.” Office workers were set to be paid last week when GuySuCo said it “realized that payments could not have been made on the
normally due day”. It “communicated to all affected employees, both senior and junior staffs, that payment of salaries will be delayed and that payments will be made next Wednesday (today), which is July 2. Payments of wages were made last Friday to all daily, weekly and piece-rated employees.” GuySuCo has been plagued by a run of poor performances in recent years, plunging to a 23-year low in 2013 to 187,000 tonnes. The first crop of this year has surpassed targets, with the industry recording 74,842 tonnes. This year, GuySuCo has set a lowly 216,000 tonnes compared to the 260,000 tonnes set in 2013 and which had been revised several times downwards. GuySuCo has benefitting from billions of dollars in cash from Government to help finance a number of critical agriculture projects to help turn the fortunes of the industry.
WPA’s growing influence... From page 23 the WPA got no Minister… The WPA had no part in change of constituently and politically for the better. In other words, PPP turned its back on you,” the lawyer suggested. To this, the witness responded that the issue is much deeper than that. Dr. Westmaas later agreed that Burnham regime’s sanctions on WPA resulted in civil rebellion. “Because if you imprison persons of influence such as Dr. Rodney or Dr. Roopnaraine society will react” He explained that the security forces were confronted with all sorts of threats against
national security. The witness recalled a content document presented by Attorney Keith Scotland, who later read the contents of a pamphlet which was circulated among the population, following the death of Dr. Rodney Questions were raised with regards to the author of the document which read “To Walter, hickory dickory dock, appointment at eight o’clock we wouldn’t need bail when we done with the jail and this walkie talkie start talk..Rock-a-bye Rodney now lives in the past dispatched to his master so quick and so fast…”
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Hire car driver charged with rape of schoolgirl, 15 - placed on $175,000 bail Hire car driver Kester David, 29, of Heathburn, East Bank Berbice was yesterday placed on $175,000 bail by Magistrate Shurdel Isaacs Marcus when he appeared before her at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of rape. The man is charged with raping a 15-year-old school girl. The incident allegedly occurred on March 27 at Belle Vue, East Bank Berbice. According to information, the man would usually transport the girl and her family from their East Bank Berbice residence to work and school on a daily basis. The matter was reported to the relevant authorities by an elder of the home after the girl had related what had
occurred. The victim was taken to the hospital for a medical examination which proved that she had been sexually assaulted. David was arrested and charged. He was subsequently placed on bail and a file prepared and sent to the DPP for advice. It was advice that he be charged. Attorney at law Michael Baird, who appeared for David, in his bail application told the court that his client is not a flight risk. He is married and is the father of an 18-month-old child. Police Prosecutor Godfrey Playter did not object to bail but asked that it be substantial, and that the accused be ordered to stay at a court-ordered distance from the victim. The accused is
Lloyd Allen
Lloyd Allen, a 59-yearold businessman, was remanded to prison y e s t e r d a y, for the possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Allen who appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on June 30, 2014, at his home in Roxanne Burnham Gardens, he had in his possession 470 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. H i s l a w y e r, E u c l i n Gomes, suggested that
Kester David also required to visit the Central Police station at once every fortnight Additionally, Magistrate Isaacs Marcus ordered for the victim to receive counselling and told the accused to return to court on July 18.
Man on cannabis charge refused bail
several persons in the household had access to the room where the drug was found, including his sons and grandchildren. He also said his client was a taxi owner and the room did not belong to him. Gomes explained that at the time when ranks arrived at Allen’s home, persons were also watching football. With these explanations, he requested from Magistrate Ann McLennan that she consider bail for his client. The Custom AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor, Oswald Massiah, objected to the bail request of Gomes. Massiah said that at 15:00 hours when Allen’s home was invaded, two other males were present with him, and ranks conducted the search and found the quantity of cannabis in a room. He said that Allen and the two others were apprehended by CANU, for inquiry on the findings. The prosecutor mentioned that the two men denied any association with the cannabis. With the remarks of the client’s lawyer and CANU’s prosecution taken into consideration, Magistrate Ann McLennan, denied the defendant bail and remanded him until July 11.
Say no to corruption it, it hurts us all.
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
Shaw accuses IMF boss of political interference KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesman on finance and planning, Audley Shaw, has accused managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, of interfering in Jamaica’s internal politics, during her two days visit to the island last week-end. Shaw said that he was particularly concerned about two comments made by Lagarde at a cocktail reception for the IMF team at Jamaica House on Friday, in which she appeared to be showing support for the People’s National Party government.
He said that Lagarde’s comment that the government should not “let the electoral process get in the way of” the economic process it is undertaking; and that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was “the best possible advocate” that the most vulnerable Jamaicans could have, were “unfortunate and inappropriate”. “I believe that comments like those ascribed to the managing director of the International Monetary Fund in Jamaica, in a democratic society, was unfortunate and inappropriate and she quite
properly should have stayed out of our political affairs,” Shaw told OBSERVER ONLINE Monday night. Lagarde told guests at a function at Jamaica House on Friday that: Jamaica’s “track record” in rebuilding its economy in the past was “not the best you could think of”; the management of the Jamaican economy by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips, was “astonishing” and reflected “superb work”; and that to be greeted by a woman of the calibre of Prime Minister Simpson Miller was “a rare privilege”.
Questions over ‘secret’ Life Sport funding Trinidad Guardian Leader of the Opposition Dr Keith Rowley Monday claimed the controversial Life Sport programme had been secretly funded since it was established in 2012. Rowley said Minister of Finance and the Economy Larry Howai could not remain silent on the matter any longer. He was speaking during a news conference at his office at Charles Street, Port-of-Spain, Monday. He insisted Howai “must tell us that now because this programme was being operated in secret, it was being funded in secret.” The first time we saw it in the Parliament was last week Friday (two Fridays ago), when they came for $32
million, part of which was for the first payment to the programme,” he added. Life Sport is a training programme for less fortunate youths, via sports. It was transferred from the Ministry of Sport to National Security after claims were made in May it was funding criminals. An audit is also being done by the Finance Ministry. An executive of the programme, Ruth Marchan, said she and others, including her so-called bodyguard, Curtis “Tallman” Gibson, have received death threats. She went into a safe house provided by former national security minister Jack Warner this week after Gibson, who recruited trainees for the programme in Carapo, was killed at his home
early Thursday morning. Sport Minister Anil Roberts said the programme was necessary for the safety and security of citizens. But Rowley said Life Sport “is so shrouded in mystery that I know of no source at this time which can tell me how much money the Government had expended on that programme.” He insisted Howai must provide answers to the nation on the issue. Rowley said Howai made a request in Parliament recently, “asking for $3.5 billion and among that was (a request) for more money for the programme. Interestingly enough, he was asking for $8.8 million for the payment of the initiation of the programme.
HAVANA (Reuters) Cuban dealers sold 50 cars and four motorcycles nationwide in the first six months of the year under a new law that removed limits on auto purchases for the first time in half a century but came with prices so high few people could afford them. Long-frustrated Cubans welcomed the law that took effect in January until they saw sticker prices were marked up 400 percent or more, pricing family sedans like European sports cars. Cuba has said it would invest 75 percent of the proceeds from new car sales in its woeful public transportation system. But total sales at the country’s 11 national dealerships reached just $1.28 million in the first six months of the year, the official website Cubadebate.com
reported on Monday, citing Iset Vazquez, vice president of the state enterprise Corporacion CIMEX.Before the start of this year Cubans had to request authorization from the government to buy from state retailers, which sell new and second-hand vehicles, usually former rental cars. Most of the sales this year appeared to be of the second-hand variety considering the average sale price of $23,759 per vehicle, including the motorcycles. A Havana Peugeot dealership was pricing its 2013 model 206 at $91,000 when the new rules came into effect, and it wanted $262,000 for the sportier 508. Such prices drew howls of protest from the few Cubans who could even consider buying a car. Most state
workers make around $20 a month. The high prices have also been a complaint of foreign businesses and potential investors, who need government permission to import a new or used car without the huge markup. Cuba only gradually is loosening the auto market. In 2011, it started allowing its people to buy and sell used cars from each other. Before then, only cars that were in Cuba before the 1959 revolution could be freely bought and sold, which is why there are so many U.S.made, vintage 1950s cars on the streets. Giant Chevys and Buicks rumble alongside little Sovietmade Ladas, another popular brand dating from the era before 1991 when Moscow was the communist island’s main benefactor.
Cuba sells 50 cars (yes, 50) in first six months of year
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France’s former President Sarkozy detained by police in corruption probe (Reuters) - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was held for questioning for 15 hours yesterday over suspicions he used his influence to secure leaked details of an inquiry into alleged irregularities in his 2007 election campaign. It was the first time a former French head of state has been held in police custody and is the latest blow to Sarkozy’s hopes of a comeback after his 2012 election defeat by Socialist rival Francois Hollande. The conservative politician denies all wrongdoing in a string of investigations involving him. Sarkozy arrived early yesterday to be quizzed by police investigators at their offices in Nanterre, west of Paris. He spent all day and evening in police custody but at about 11:40 p.m. local time (1040 BST), he was seen by a Reuters journalist arriving at a civil court in Paris, where he was to be presented to judges. Under the French legal system, being sent before the court would be the next step in the possible opening of a formal investigation against a suspect - a step that often, but not always, leads to trial. A few hours earlier, Sarkozy’s attorney and a judge involved in the case were put under formal investigation on suspicion of influence peddling, their attorneys said. Placing a suspect under formal investigation means there exists “serious or consistent evidence” pointing to probable implication of a suspect in a crime. Investigating magistrates, rather than the police, then conduct their own probe. Influence-peddling can be punished by up to five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros (£398,836). Sarkozy lost presidential immunity from legal prosecution a month after he left office in June 2012. Allies rushed to support Sarkozy. “Never has any former president been the victim of such treatment, such an outburst of hatred,” Christian Estrosi, the mayor of the southern city of Nice and a close Sarkozy ally, said on his Twitter account. Government spokesman Stephane Le Foll, however, said Sarkozy was “subject to justice like everyone else” and told i<Tele television that the justice system needed to “go all the way.” The probe is one of six
Nicolas Sarkozy legal cases involving Sarkozy either directly or indirectly, including more recent allegations of irregularities in his unsuccessful 2012 election campaign.
The current questioning relates to suspicions he used his influence to get information on an investigation into funding irregularities in his victorious 2007 election campaign. One cloud was lifted off Sarkozy’s future last October when a court dropped inquiries into whether he had exploited the mental frailty of France’s richest woman, L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, to fund that campaign. But as investigators used phone-taps to examine separate allegations that late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi funded the same campaign, they began to suspect he had kept tabs on the Bettencourt case through a network of informants.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Forde, Nero win third Colours Boutique chip in straight CARICOM 10k titles Cricket For Unity T20 Match
With the DCC ground set to come alive this Saturday night when the inaugural Cricket For Unity T20 match will be contested between Roraima Strikers and Kaieteur Thunders, Colours Boutique of 70E Robb Street, has added some colour to the game by chipping in with sponsorship. Chairman of the
organizing committee, Dexter Garnett was on hand to collect the cheque from Ms. Christine Singh who said that they are proud to be a part of this inaugural event that brings together a n u m b e r o f p r o m i n e nt persons i n s o c i e t y i n a sporting atmosphere. “ We see this contribution as our way of giving back to society and
this game we do believe is something positive for all. It is not often if at all that you will see so many prominent members of society competing against each other so we are happy to be a part of this.” Garnett thanked the management and staff of Colours Boutique for their support on behalf of the organizing committee.
Wednesday July 02, 2014 ARIES (March 21 April 19): Today is a good day for you to simply get things done. Take care of those annoying tasks that have been building up for a while. You have a great opportunity to accomplish quite a bit. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 M a y 2 0 ) : Yo u r e m o tions may seem a bit m u d d y t o day and you might not understand the r e a s o n w h y, Ta u r u s . Share your thoughts with others and you should find that talking it out will help you sort through the maelstrom of feelings. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 June 20): You're going to get it all today, Gemini. You may not be feeling especially powerful, and in fact, some around you may be trying to make you feel incompetent. ******************** CANCER (June 21 July 22): Today is a day t o s h i n e , Ca n c e r , s o make sure you're giving it your all. Get the credit you deserve for all you do. Try not to fall into self-pity. ********************* LEO (July 23 Aug. 22): To d a y i s a day of contrasts for you, Leo. Eat chocolate in the morning and go jogging in the afternoon. Sleep in late and go to bed early. ******************* V I R G O ( A u g . 23 Sept. 22): The day doesn't begin until you clear your head and take stock of some pending personal issues, Virgo. You might be making mountains out of molehills.
.LIBRA (Sept. 23 Oct. 22) : Today might be a somewhat difficult day for you, Libra. Instinctively, you'll want to escape the situation and explore your freedom, but something will be holding you back. ********************* SCORP I O ( O c t . 2 3 - N o v. 2 1 ) : The world is wide open to you today, Scorpio. Take advantage of all the great things on offer. You may not realize it, but you have a loyal fan club building in the wings. The things you say and do affect others. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Speak your mind today, Sagittarius, but don't take offense if it seems like no one is listening. Don't push your viewpoint. Concentrate on your goals and aspirations, and feel free to push them to the limit. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Get your head out of the clouds today, Capricorn, and come back to Earth for just a little bit. There are some things you need to take care of here. ******************** A QUA R I U S ( J a n . 2 0 - F e b . 1 8 ) : Bring things down to Earth today, Aquarius. Get grounded and enjoy the day. You'll find that the more you slow down and adopt a caring, sensitive, receptive attitude, the more things will naturally flow your way. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): Today is a fantastic day for you, Pisces, so enjoy yourself fully. Your emotions will be stable and you'll find that you have a very expansive sense of well-being.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana) Trinidad and Tobago’s, Tonya Nero and Guyana’s Cleveland Forde won the female and male categories of the CARICOM 10 k m R o a d R a c e o n Sunday last in St. Johns, Antigua for the third consecutive year. Nero finished in just over 38 minutes, claiming the winning trophy and cash prize while Guyana’s Euleen Josiah-Tanner was s e c o n d a n d Tr i n i d a d ’s Janel Nedd third. I n t h e m e n ’s r a c e , Forde stopped the clock at 34:52 with Antigua and Barbuda’s Elliot Mason second in 34: 59, while Grenadian Radix Graham (35:17) was third. Te n c o u n t r i e s f r o m across the region had converged on the island for the 10th staging of the CARICOM 10k race. The event, which is held annually to signal the start
Luis Suarez... From page 27 statement suggested he simply fell into Chiellini and did not bite him. This time, though the language’s phrasing is incredibly vague, at least Suarez admits that a bite did in fact occur. Last week, FIFA banned Suarez from all soccer-related activity for four months and suspended him for nine international matches, the harshest punishment the government body has ever given. Uruguay lost to Colombia in the Round of 16, 2-0, on Saturday. (ESPN)
of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference, featured some 70 athletes, who vied for the prestigious Secretary General’s and Chairman’s Trophies. A release from the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana, said yesterday that key objectives of the event include reinforcing the value of health as a cornerstone for regional development and the promotion of integration through sport. Special prizes were presented to six year-old brothers, Mark and Marcus Murphy, for being the
youngest to complete the race. CARICOM Assistant Secretary G e n e r a l , D r. Douglas Slater presented the cash awards, trophies and plaques. The race was organised through collaboration with the Ministry of Sport of Antigua/Barbuda and the Antigua/Barbuda Athletics Association. The Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies and Scotia Bank Antigua Ltd provided sponsorship. The 35th Annual CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting takes place in Antigua and Barbuda, July 1-4 2014.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Guyana ‘Ruggers’ reclaim 15’s title after 43 years in Wilderness
‘Hardest game ever at International level’- Guyana Skipper Gonsalves By Sean Devers Guyana’s ‘Green Machine’ Rugby Captain Ryan Gonsalves fired the decisive penalty kick to lift his team to an exhilarating 30-27 victory last Saturday when the South Americans came up against number one ranked USA Panthers at the Life University Rugby Complex in Marietta, Atlanta, Georgia to take the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Men’s 15 Rugby title. “This was the hardest International game I have ever played and I first must thank God for our victory since without him nothing is possible,” a beaming Gonsalves told the Media yesterday during a press conference at Olympic House. The Guyanese unit was dominated by the Americans in the opening half when the hosts scored 24 points to their eight and seemed to be cruising to victory before a never-saydie attitude by Guyana saw them score 22 second half points while the USA only managed three points. “ We k e p t p u t t i n g pressure on their back line in the second half …we never gave up. The senior guys like myself, Richard Staglon, Rondell Mayers, Claudius Butts and Vallon Adams were supported by the younger ones and this is just the starting of things to come as we once again proved we are the best
Guyanese sporting team in the last six years,” Gonsalves added. “This is our greatest victory even though we have dominated in the seven’s format, 15’s is like Test cricket to T20s and it is a big thing to win a 15’s title against a team like the USA. We have never won an International 1 5 ’s championship in 43 years and the win has completed us now on the World stage. We are now ranked 15 in the World and would like to thank all of those who supported us to make our trip possible,” Gonsalves disclosed. Even up to the last minute a cloud hung over the team’s participation due to a lack of funds until NACRA offered to pay the team’s passage and hotel accommodation while the Guyanese community in Atlanta pooled together to pull for the ‘Green Machine’. President of the Guyana Association Dr. William Thompson and members Marva Jacobs and Andria Fraser made timely donations when little funds were available. “I must commend the guys for sticking to the task at hand even when we were not sure we were going. We tried to not let the administrative side of things get to us and remained focused on making our country proud if we got the chance,” the Guyana Captain explained.
According to Gonsalves, John Fernandes Ltd provided financial assistance towards the VISA Application Fees while Caribbean Containers Inc., New GPC Inc, Banks DIH Ltd, Noble House Seafoods, Bank of Nova Scotia, GT&T and the US Embassy all contributed towards the team’s trip. Team Manager Kenneth Grant-Stuart, who last played in the 2001 NACRA Championships, said despite the off-the field hurdles the team had to face, the miracles started to unfold and continued especially in the second half when Guyana could have been easily overawed by the Americans. “It was unbelievable to see the young players step up to the task. Even when we were told we might not be going everyone chipped in…..the $1,000 from the man in the street, to the contribution from some old Rugby players from Tutorial. I am proud and we pa i d t h e m b a c k b y returning home with the NACRA Trophy,” GrantStuart pointed out. He added that the win gives Guyana the right to host matches next year but says the team needs to play more International matches and needs more support from the Government as they prepare to defend t h e i r s i x t h 7 ’s t i t l e i n Mexico. Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) President Peter Green disclosed that the ‘Union’ has been carefully planning for this since January and it was never ‘I’ but ‘we’. We have embarked on a youth development programme for 60 young players. “ We w i t h d r e w o u r
Under-19 team from the tournament in Trinidad because we did not want to just take part for the sake of participating. We plan to have them play in December when they are better prepared and stand a realistic chance of winning. We missed out last year in the 7’s Championships. This year the 7 ’s tournament is fixed for December in Mexico and it will be such a shame if we don’t go this time,” Green added. The GRFU will not have to repay NACRA for offsetting the cost of G u y a n a ’s a i r f a r e o r accommodation and Green claims that the North side is much richer than the South and the distribution of funds is not a fair one. The Government failed to contribute to the team’s trip to the USA but Director of Sport of the National Sports Commission (NSC) was a part of the welcoming party on the team’s arrival. “We have appealed to Government for assistance and were disappointed that they could not assist but the NSC has a new criteria for providing funds to national teams. One requirement is applying for funds in a timely manner which we were not able to do due to late notification from NACRA. We h a v e s e t u p a vibrant Marketing and fund raising programme since we continue to make Guyana proud and we are confident that they will give us something,” Green said. In 2008, Guyana were runners-up of the 15’s tournament to Trinidad in the Cayman Islands.
Amazon Warriors commence Training Camp The Guyana Amazon Warriors commenced preparations for the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 tournament yesterday with six players from the 15 membersquad along with the six Under-19 members at the Guyana National Stadium Under Coach Roger Harper. While New Zealander Martin Guptill, Pakistani Mohammad Hafeez and Guyanese Leon Johnson are expected to join the squad shortly, Captain Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons, Krishmar Santokie, Sunil Narine and Christopher Barnwell, will be with the team at the end of the West Indies/ New Zealand T20 series. In an invited comment, Harper said the camp is essential for the constant progress of each player and to get them in the best possible shape, physically, technically and mentally. Harper pointed out that they want to gear the players for T20 cricket and there are some key areas they will be working
on to fine tune them for this format. The Amazon Warriors have retained 10 players from last year’s tournament and Harper said he knows what to expect since everyone showed good team spirit last year. The training camp will conclude on July 8 and the Warriors will open their campaign against Antigua Hawksbills on July 11 in Grenada. The competition ends on August 16. The Guyana Amazon Warriors includes Denesh Ramdin (captain), Sunil Narine, Mohammad Hafeez, Lendl Simmons, Martin Guptill, Krishmar Santokie, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Navin Stewart, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, Robin Bacchus, James Neesham and Trevon Griffith. The Under-19 players are Shimron Hetmeyer, Akshaya Persaud, Kevin Paul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Daniel Basdeo and Kemo Paul.
Vincent banned for life by ECB Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman, has been banned for life by the ECB after he admitted breaching the ECB’s anticorruption regulations. Hours before the penalty was announced, Vincent released a statement saying that he was a cheat and that he had accepted money to under-perform. Vincent is banned from “all forms of cricket” and prevented from “playing, coaching or participating i n a n y f o r m o f c r i ck e t which is recognised or sanctioned by ECB, the ICC or any other National Cricket Federation.” The ECB said Vincent had pleaded guilty to 18 breaches of its anticorruption code in reference to three matches: a Twenty20 match between Lancashire and Durham in June 2008, a Sussex v L a n c a s h i r e Tw e n t y 2 0 match and a Sussex v Kent CB40 match both played at H o v e i n A u g u s t 2 0 11 . During these matches, Vincent had committed 11 offences punishable by a life ban under ECB anticorruption regulations. The life ban on Vincent has also been extended to the Champions League T20. Vincent pleaded guilty to seven charges related to entering into agreements with bookmakers for financial gain and match-
fixing in the 2012 CLT20 in South Africa. Vincent had played for the Auckland Aces in the CLT20 and the matches under scrutiny included those against Hampshire on October 10 and Kolkata Knight Riders on October 15. He was also charged with failing to report an approach from a bookmaker in the 2011 CLT20. NZC chief executive David White said the organisation was, “appalled” by Vincent’s actions, “and supported the penalty handed down.” The anti-corruption c a s e a r o u n d Vi n c e n t relating to county cricket had, ECB CEO David Collier said, “crossed different cricketing jurisdictions and required close collaboration and intelligence-sharing between both our own anti-corruption unit, other domestic boards and the ICC’s ACSU.” He described Vincent as “an individual who repeatedly sought to involve others in corrupt activity for his own personal gain has accepted that his conduct warrants a lifetime ban from cricket.” The terms of the ban, the ECB said, still “required the approval of the ECB’s independent Cricket Discipline Commission”. (ESPNcricinfo)
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Last-gasp Di Maria saves Belgium edge USA in thriller Argentina, sinks Swiss Angel Di Maria’s strike in the 11th hour of extra time sunk Switzerland and snatched Argentina a place in the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals. A goalless draw seemed inevitable until, on 118 minutes, Lionel Messi produce one of his patented dribbles to set up the Real Madrid man, who duly booked La Albiceleste a trip to Brasilia. Ottmar Hitzfeld set his charges up defending very deep and in numbers, and the tactic served to limit Argentina to nothing more than half-chances in the first half. Gonzalo Higuain headed over from a Messi free-kick, while goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was up to tame attempts from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Di Maria. Xherdan Shaqiri’s influence began to flower as the half progressed, and just before the half-hour he carved out a big chance for the Swiss. The diminutive, solidshouldered 22-year-old nutmegged his marker down the right, broke into the Argentinian area and cleverly cut it back to Granit Xhaka, whose low drive from eight
yards was excellently repelled by the outstretched leg of Sergio Romero, who then saved Stephan Lichtsteiner’s follow-up. Romero was nevertheless let firmly off the hook on 39 minutes. The 27-year-old curiously elected against vacating his box to clear a hopeful punt forward. Josip Drmic accepted his rival’s invitation, raced clean through on goal, but elected to try a chip when he had much simpler options, allowing Romero to make a straightforward catch. The man who had the last opportunity of the first half had the maiden one of the second. Shaqiri tricked his way to the byline and passed it back for Drmic, whose strike curled aimlessly over. That was the cue for Argentina to assume the ascendancy. Marcos Rojo broke into the left of the Swiss penalty area but fired straight at Benaglio, Higuain’s closerange header was acrobatically tipped over, and Messi cheated the ball into his own path on the edge of the box and unleashed a dipping volley which was just too
high. Rodrigo Palacio came on with 16 minutes remaining, and within seconds he headed a Messi cross wide from six yards out. Swiftly, Messi gathered a poor clearance on the edge of the box, side-stepped his marker and fired a low drive, which Benaglio did well to first keep out and then jump on amid flying boots. That sent the game into extra time, in which Di Maria’s fizzing strike brought a fine push-over from Benaglio. The game was on the cusp of a penalty shoot-out, until Messi went on one of his mesmerising dribbles and teed up Di Maria, whose firsttime strike curled around the arm of the diving Benaglio and into the bottom corner. Play restarted on 119 minutes, but Switzerland almost equalised, with Blerim Dzemaili’s header coming back off the post, hitting him and rolling just wide. Shaqiri had the last chance, firing a freekick into the wall as Argentina hung on. They will now face the winners of Belgium-USA for a place in the semi-finals. (fifa.com)
Luis Suarez Apologizes For Biting Italian Player Giorgio Chiellini Uruguayan striker Luiz Suarez took to Twitter today to release an updated apology regarding the incident in the second half of Uruguay’s World Cup match versus Italy, when he bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. Here’s the full statement (via Twitter): After several days of being home with my family, I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect about the reality of what occurred during the ItalyUruguay match onf 24 June 2014. Independent from the fallout and the contradicting
Luiz Suarez declarations that have surfaced during these past
days, all of which have been without the intention of interfering with the good performance of my national team, the truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me. For this: *I deeply regret what occurred. *I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. *I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like Suarez’s original (Continued on page 27)
Kevin Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku finally took the umpteenth opportunities of a pulsating game as Belgium survived a late USA rally to reach the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals. The hands, legs and even ankle of Tim Howard, coupled with some supreme defending from Matt Besler, had kept Jurgen Klinsmann’s side, who always looked a threat on the break, in it beforehand, before Marc Wilmots’ men scored twice before the 105-minute mark. A Julian Green volley nevertheless gave the Americans hope, but despite their admirable efforts, the Belgians held on to book a Brasilia date with Argentina. The American supporters made the decibel levels incalculable in the run-up to kick-off, but they were silent, hearts in mouths, within a minute of action. De Bruyne uncorked USA’s backline and sent the pacy Divock Origi one-on-one with Tim Howard. The 19-yearold striker shot low and hard, but the 35-year-old goalkeeper saved impressively with his legs. DaMarcus Beasley was USA’s next saviour. Vertonghen broke elegantly down the left and, from the byline, squared the ball towards Marouane Fellaini, who appeared set to tap home until the sliding fullback hacked it clear. It was all Belgium, with De Bruyne and Hazard snapping at shots from the edge of the box, but the 32nd-minute introduction of DeAndre Yedlin for the injured Fabian Johnson gave the US a lift. The hypersonic wingback had already threatened on a couple of occasions when Michael Bradley’s gorgeous pass sent him racing down the right. A crowd of players expected Yedlin to square the ball from the byline, but he intelligently cut it back into the path of Graham Zusi, who mis-kicked it from a great position nine yards out. Just like they had in the first half, came close to breaking the
deadlock within 60 seconds of the second. Dries Mertens, the smallest man on the pitch, met De Bruyne’s cross with a looping header which was heading into the net until the fingertips of a leaping Howard tipped it over. Vertonghen once again found space on the left after 54 minutes and delivered a teasing ball across goal, which somehow eluded Omar Gonzalez, De Bruyne, Matt Besler and Origi and rolled out for a US throw-in. Howard’s legs again denied Origi on 71 minutes, before it was his ankle’s turn to maintain deadlock. Origi’s delightful, delicate pass with the outside of his boot sent substitute Kevin Mirallas through on goal, but the USA goalkeeper rapidly stuck out his boot and diverted the ball behind. Besler, a rock throughout, made a brilliant challenge to prevent Mirallas having a clear sight of goal, before Howard made another fine tipover from an Origi piledriver and Hazard blasted into the side-netting when well placed. An unlikely source then had Belgium’s final chance of normal time. Vincent Kompany dispossessed Alejandro Bedoya in the Belgian box, galloped upfield and fed De Bruyne out left. The Wolfsburg midfielder cross low into the box and the Manchester City defender, who
had continued his run, forced Howard into his umpteenth save of a pulsating match. Substitute Chris Wondolowski’s composure deserted him when a great opportunity fell his way in injury time, but the offside flag spared his blushes and it was on to an extra 30 minutes. Belgium required merely two of them to go ahead. Romelu Lukaku, on for Origi, made a purposeful dash down the right. His cut-back was intercepted, but the Americans failed to fully clear their lines. De Bruyne pounced on the loose ball, spun neatly, and fired the ball across Howard and into the back of the net. Before the referee’s whistle sounded for the next break, it was 2-0. Lukaku raced on to De Bruyne’s through-ball and clipped it past Howard. The American dream was seemingly over. It took Julian Green two minutes to revive it after being sent on by Klinsmann. With his first touch, the 19-year-old volleyed the ball past Thibaut Courtois to provoke an almighty roar from the pro-USA crowd. The momentum was now with the Stars and Stripes and Jermaine Jones’ snap-shot went narrowly wide, but despite a valiant effort, Belgium held on for a 2-1 win. They now head to Brasilia. The USA head home following a World Cup campaign they can be immensely proud of.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Defending champions CWSS... Shradananda guides Shakeer XI From page 33 winners. As a matter of fact, Jupitor dominated the first session after scoring another goal and when added to those of Peters, Johnson and Dick gave his team a comfortable 6 nil lead at the end of the first session. Dressed in red tops with the Digicel logo boldly emblazoned at the back, Vreed-en-Hoop kept the ball in the oppositionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s half for most of the one sided affair and registered the goal after goal with hardly any resistance. Notwithstanding, the winning team was also guilty of blunders and the win should have been by a wider margin after one of the PLI players was cited after handling the ball in the box. The ensuing kick by one of their strikers was wasted over the uprights. An unmarked Olanzo Edwards made amends after he collected a pinpoint pass and unleashed an equally pinpoint strike that flew past the PLI custodian who by now,
to victory with attacking century
Stephon Jupitor (centre stooping) is flanked by Tiffon Troy and Floyd Peters (back row left and right respectively) upon completion of their game. along with his other teammates, seemed clueless to change their fortunes. Despite the loss, one thing could be said of the lads from the PLI; they are a determined bunch albeit devoid of the requisite skills. They did
show some resistance as the seconds dwindled to the end and when supported by Coach Bilal Nan Tambu, who offered impromptu coaching sessions from the touch line, the lads upped their game somewhat but even that assistance failed to convert into realistic goals resulting in their eventual drubbing. The action continues at venues countrywide today.
Captain of Shakeer XI Shakeer Ali (right) collects the trophy from supporter Nareesa Rookmin. An attacking century by Avinash Shradananda propelled Shakeer XI of West Coast Demerara to a sevenwicket victory over Superstar XI in an over-35 softball contest sponsored by Trophy Stall Friday night last at Thirst Park. Shradananda stroked eight fours and ten sixes in his top score of 101 and dominated a third wicket stand of 140 with Naresh Persaud to set his team on course after they were reduced to 20-2. Persaud scored an unbeaten 27 (4x4) as Shakeer XI reached their target of 207-3 in 14 overs in front of a fair size crowd. Jagdesh Persaud snared 3-18.
Superstar batted first and posted 206-3 off their allotted over 15 overs. Surujpaul Mohan slammed a sparkling 93, while Jagdesh Persaud scored 38 (3x4) and D. Hemraj 30 (2x4). Mohan, who cracked four fours and eight sixes, and Persaud, put together134 for the opening stand to set the tone for a challenging total before Persaud was dismissed. Mohan continued to take the fight to the opposition and added a further 45 with Hemraj before he went in the penultimate over. Naresh Persaud claimed 2-30. Shradananda was given the man of the match award, while Shakeer XI received a trophy.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Akilah Jones, Quincy Williams emerge as top U-10 Mini-Tennis players
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19 year-old Avinda ‘Gangully’ Persaud is new Wartsila Golf Champion
Wartsila winner Avinda Persaud (centre) is flanked by from left, Haresh Tewari, Fazil Haniff, Mattie Wesslin and David Harry.
The top performers of the Inter-school Tennis 10s competition display their trophies following the conclusion of the event. Akilah Jones is 3rd left and Quincy Williams is right. Nine year old Akilah Jones of Green Acres was all smiles on Saturday June 28th last as she struggled to hold her trophies for Best Girl, Most Talented Player and Best School in the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) Inter School Tennis Under10 competition. After playing four rounds of competition and 10 matches, she proved her potential to be Guyana’s top seed in the future by not allowing herself to lose a match. Coming in for a close second spot was Sunnah Sealy of Redeemer Primary who was also feisty in her ability to keep the ball in play. In the boy’s category, Quincy Williams of F.E. Pollard copped the top spot by winning three rounds and seven matches, showing off his consistency and style even at this grass roots level of tennis. Runner-up was Vinicius Spricigo of Gisele Primary.
A total of nine boys and twenty-seven girls were selected for participation in the competition, coming from other schools such as St. Pius Primary, Stella Maris Primary, Marian Academy Primary and Mae’s Under-12 Primary. The round-robin format was used to give the players an opportunity to play many matches against the participants from other schools and the number of matches won was used to determine the winner. At the closing ceremony, President of the Guyana Tennis Association Grace McCalman thanked the New Guyana School for hosting the competition and r e i t e r a t e d G TA’s commitment to rebuilding their junior programme for bottom up. G e n e r a l M a n a g e r, Alphonso De Armas Jr., who was present for most of the competition, was enthusiastic about the event
and committed his school to supporting such an activity in the future even as he develops his own tennis programme for the school. The President further urged parents and teachers to ensure that physical and competitive activities are maintained for children, as it contributes in a big way to their ability to focus and perform well in their academics. She noted particularly, that the Roraima Tennis Club was well represented for the first time in this competition where also for the first time the number of girls heavily surpassed the boys. National Junior Tennis Coordinator Shelly DalyRamdyhan expressed her optimism about the future of tennis with this new crop of young players, but hopes that parents and teachers make a special effort to support physical activities such as tennis.
2014 Men’s CFU U-20 Tournament
Cuba and Dominican Republic advance Cuba and Dominican Republic earned the right to advance to the next round of the 2014 Biennial Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Men’s Under-20 football tournament, after topping Group 1 and 2 with five and six points respectively on
Sunday last. Cuba defeated Martinique 3-1 in their game while St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados played to a stalemate to complete the Group 1 games. Dominican Republic clipped Guadeloupe 1-0 and
Bermuda and Antigua and Barbuda drew 0-0 to mark the end of the Group 2 games. The quest to advance further in this tournament will continue on July 18 when games from Group 3 and 4 will be played in Haiti and Aruba respectively.
Nineteen-year-old Avinda ‘Gangully’ Persaud, handicap 4, produced a scintillating gross 71, net 67, to emerge winner out of a field of some 47 enthusiastic golfers in the Wartsila (Guyana) Inc. sponsored Golf tournament contested on Saturday last at the Lusignan Golf Course. With play commencing promptly at 12:30hrs the golfers were determined that they would complete the day’s play despite the threat of rain – and that they did. Rain interrupted three times, some competitors played through while some waited out the passing showers before continuing play, and yet the game finished in good time at approximately 17:00hrs. But while ‘Gangully’s’ gross was fantastic, his net was rivaled by Mattie Wesslin – the Finland
representative from Wartsila who is also an avid golfer. Wesslin, handicap 21, grossed 88 hence also ending with a net 67. However, Avinda turned in a much better 35 as against Mattie’s 46, on the ‘back nine’ holes. Persaud, who won the November 2013 Digicel Guyana Open tournament as well as recently placing third in the Crown Mining tournament of June 7 last with a gross of 72 and net of 68 (handicap 4) commented: “I think my play was excellent. In all, though I did 5 bogeys, I still managed 2 birdies and 1 eagle! Despite the fact the rain fell about three times I played through the rain. I just continued playing and enjoyed the game!” Persaud’s best gross so far has been an amazing 69 which he delivered in
October 2013. Wartsila’s representative, second placed Mattie Wesslin referring to the day’s winner as “Guyana’s Best Golfer”, conceded that if his own play of the back nine holes was 1 stroke less, he would have won the tournament. However, he was happy that he was involved in the game and that Wartsila was making a positive contribution to the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC). He pointed out that this was the third tournament Wartsila had sponsored and he looks forward to continue to support the LGC. Fazil ‘That’s it’ Haniff copped the third place with gross 80, net 68; David Harry followed next with gross 83, net 69; Ayube Ali, gross 91, net 69; and Haresh Tewari (LGC Executive member), gross 88 net 70.
GSA’s Digicel Nat Squash C/Ships begin today at GT Club The Guyana Squash Association (GSA), in collaboration with Digicel Guyana will host the Digicel 2014 National Senior Squash Championships at the Georgetown Club Squash courts from today. The sixday event, which has four categories, will conclude on Sunday. Action starts in the Veterans Categories and Men’s Open this afternoon from 18.00hrs and continues daily, commencing at the same time with the finals scheduled for Sunday at 11.00hrs. This is the first time a Men’s Veterans 35 - 49 and Men’s Veterans Over-50 tournament will be held w h i l e Wo m e n ’s O p e n matches will be held and
Caribbean Queen Nicolette Fernandes to miss
Alexander Arjoon Mary Fung-A-Fat is tipped to capture her first senior national title since defending champion and Caribbean Squash Queen Nicolette Fernandes is unable to defend her crown because she is scheduled to leave the country today.
But Fung-A-Fat should not expect an easy ride since the talented foursome of Ashley De Groot, Victoria Arjoon, Akeila Wiltshire and Kathy Shuffler could give her some stiff competition. Defending Men’s Open champion Alex Arjoon will be fully tested with the inclusion in the draw of overseas-based former Caribbean Champion Richard Chin and locals Jason Ray Khalil , Regan Pollard, Nyron Joseph and Ben Mekdeci. Alwyn Callender is the number one contender for the Veterans Men’s Over-50 while Jo Jo Mekdeci is the number one seed in the Men’s 35-49 Category.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Tenelec Inc. U-15 cricket GCB continues preparation for TTCB female U-19 tourney Kris Ramnarine’s 63* & 11 wicket haul puts Bush Lot into quarters
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) yesterday continued preparations for the upcoming Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) female Under-19 tournament which is set to commence shortly in the Twin Island Republic. The round-robin tournament is expected to feature other Caribbean territories and will be played on a 20-over basis. Players from Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara were taken through the technical, physical, mental and tactical aspects of the game at the Everest Cricket Club which was followed by a T20 trial match. The final squad of fourteen will be selected today after two more trial games which are slated for the said venue. In an invited c o m m e n t Te r r i t o r i a l Development Officer of the GCB Colin Stuart said he is impressed with the commitment shown by the players. “The bowling department looks fine, but there is still some work to be done in the batting area”, he stated. “The players are aware of what is required of them and a lot of emphasis will be placed on their mental aspect”, Stuart said. Coach Clive Grimmond informed that he is satisfied
Nyokabie Thorman (left) and Mandy Mangru with the preparation so far, adding that his players are capable of holding their own in any given situation. In the match played, Plaffina Millington XI overcame Latoya Smith XI by 20 runs. Batting first, Smith XI managed 86-9 off their 20 overs. Smith led with 27 while Erica Batson and Lashana Toussiant chipped in with 18 and 17 respectively. Offspinner Mandy Mangru was the pick of the bowlers with 3-15 while Steffi Rodney claimed 2-16 and Shabika Gajnabi 2-17. Millington XI replied with 87-8 in 19.4 overs. Nyokabie Thorman slammed 27 (3x4), Nagma Boodhoo 18 and Amanda Persaud 15. Tinisha Cort
captured 2-20 and Sheneta Grimmond 2-25. The teams for today’s trial games: Smith’s XI - Latoya Smith (captain), Christine Quntine, Russhane Liynett, K a v i t a R a m s a m m y, Nyokibie Thorman, Priya Kishun, Sheneta Grimmond, Steffie Rodney, Odessa Caesar, Tinisha Cort, Yogeta Balkishun and Lashana Toussiant. M i l l i n g t o n ’s X I Plaffina Millington (captain), Shawana Va n d e r s t o o p , A l e e m a Arokium, Erica Batson, Cynthia Rampersaud, Nagma Boodhoo, Mandy Mangru, Shirely Boyce, Shabika Gajnabie, Amanda Persaud, Krystal Lee and Natasha Elcock.
Courts launches Best Seat in House promotion for LCPL Courts, the largest furniture, appliance and electrical retailer in the Caribbean, has launched an exciting consumer win promotion for the Limacol CPL (LCPL) T20 2014 tournament, the Courts Best Seat in the House. This is the first promotion of its kind in the region where any consumer that shops $99,999 and over at
Courts will enter for a chance to take in the game in true VIP style. The best seat in the house affords a winner and three of their friends the opportunity to see and enjoy the game in the middle of the excitement with lots of food and drinks. They will get to experience exceptional cricket right at the edge of
the field. Three lucky costumers will win. The promotion commences on July 1 and ends on July 10. Courts in its second year sponsoring the LCPL sought to match the excitement and thrill of the game and offer its customers a once in a life time opportunity to see the team compete on a world stage at the Providence stadium.
An outstanding all-round performance from Berbice Under-15 cricketer Kris Ramnarine led his team Bush Lot New Generation to full points from D’Edward to end their Zone A preliminaries with 24 points and runner-up to Blairmont Community Centre thus earning their place in the quarterfinal of the Tenelec Inc. Under-15 club competition in Berbice. Ramnarine top scored with 20 in Bush Lot’s first innings 76 and then came back with his left arm spin to take 7-24 to help bowl out D’Edward for 56 in reply. In his team’s second innings, Ramnarine stroked an unbeaten 63 as they declared at 117-5, leaving D’Edward 138 to get for an outright win in their second
Kris Ramnarine innings. They were bowled out for 51; Ramnarine taking 4-13 to end with match figures of 11-37. In summarised scores: At Bush Lot - Bush Lot
New Generation beat D’Edward by 86 runs. Bush Lot New Generation 76; Kris Ramnarine 20. Dishan Phillips 5-17 and Hemraj Harilall 2-20. In their 2nd innings they made 117-5 declared; Kris Ramnarine 63*. Henry Harilall 4-33. D’Edward first 56; Kris Ramnarine 7-24, Nivendra Prasad 2-16; second innings 51; Kris Ramnarine 4-13, Nivendra Prasad 3-8, Nicholas Shivrattan 3-15. At Cumberland - Police took first innings points from Young Warriors in their drawn match. Police 145; Malcolm Mickle 49; Junior William 419. Young Warriors 115; Junior Williams 44, Alex Algoo 23, Kevin Sinclair 435, Malcolm Mickle 3-25.
GABF revises National Women’s Basketball team - Gibson, Jacobs, Joseph-De Rouche included The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has revised its National Women Basketball team to include the previously omitted point guards: Lowquantor Gibson, and Timike Joseph-De Rouche, and veteran forward, Linden’s Nicola Jacobs. A release from the federation ahead of the July 6 departure of the team to play in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) said that the three players were “reinstated into the team” on Monday. The federation had over the weekend released a 12member squad minus the three players. “Two of the players readded were unable to attend training sessions due to work commitments and the lack of
Lowquantor Gibson proper arrangements for time off to practice,” the release said. In addition it observed that “issues of fitness and attitude were raised by the coaches concerning the other player,” who the federation did not name. However, those issues seemed to have been ironed
out and the “certain picks” for the team were included. “Following discussions between the coaches and the GABF (and its executive) the decision was taken to reinstate the players who are considered certain picks by the coaches for the National Team once they attend all practice sessions and give 100% individual effort and team commitment,” the document from the federation continued. The full squad now includes Natasha Alder (Captain), Shakelia Sampson, Sonia Rodney, Tamara Hunter, Shauna Chester, Kristy Roberts, Ginelle Ifill, L a t o y a R o d n e y, Philomena George, Kean Andrews, Necosia Mitchell, Natasha Andrews, Lowquantor Gibson, Nicola Jacobs and Timike JosephDe Rouche.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 02, 2014
Page 33
Defending champions CWSS march into quarter-finals - School $100,000 richer By Rawle Welch Showing the resilience of champions Christianburg / Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) marched into the quarter-finals of this year’s Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Championship after resisting a late charge from Mackenzie High School (MHS) to secure a 4-2 win yesterday, at the Wisburg ground in Linden. Playing in the final of the Region 10 Zone, before a small band of fans, the defending national champions were led to victory through solitary strikes from Anthony Layne (62nd), Shane Luckie (68th) and Donavan Francis, while an own goal (13th) got things started for the champs following a free kick which was taken by Shane Luckie that was inadvertently steered into the net by a defender. That slim 1-0 advantage stood until the half came. Seven minutes after the resumption, Kelon Primo gained the equaliser for MHS when he found himself unmarked inside the penalty
area after a poor attempt to clear the ball by a defender fell into his path and he hit a shot into an open goal with the goalkeeper stranded. Playing with more urgency, CWSS regained the lead through a wonderful strike from Layne, who curled a free kick from about 30 metres out over the wall and the keeper’s head into the top right hand corner. S i x m i n u t e s l a t e r, Luckie, who was making some menacing runs down the right flank, but not finishing with his usual efficiency eventually entered the score sheet when he collected a pass down the middle, outpaced his marker, before beating the goalkeeper with a flat shot into the far corner. MHS, however, would not go flaccid, but rather orchestrated a relentless pursuit to reduce the deficit and Taffon Alexander was the player who took the responsibility to do so when he fired in a fierce right-foot shot past the goalkeeper after another weak attempt to clear the ball from the danger
Regional champions Christianburg / Wismar Secondary School pose with Marketing Director Jacqueline James (right) and Communications Manager Vidya Bijlall-Sanichara (left) yesterday. area. It was poor judgment from the Captain Jahshaun Moore whose back heel landed into the path of a lurking Alexander. However, the champs were in no mood to entertain any further resistance from MHS and the lanky Francis delivered a scorching right-
foot volley from a perfectly weighed cross that sealed the win and a beautiful trophy, medals and uniforms along with the monetary incentive which is to go towards a school project. MHS on the other hand took away a trophy and medals. Meanwhile,
Marketing Director of Digicel Jacqueline James speaking shortly after the conclusion of the game expressed her satisfaction with the quality of the game, adding that it is a good sport and she is looking forward to seeing the champions as the competition progresses.
James promised that next year would be greater and was looking forward to seeing the teams in action again. Also present at the game were Communications Manager Vidya BijlallSanichara and Events and Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope.
Vreed-en-Hoop school beat Professional Learning Institute 11-0 A goal blitz in the first session of play, in the 18th, 20th, 28th and 31st minute earned Stephon Jupitor a helmet trick that contributed largely to an 11-0 drubbing of Professional Learning Institute (PLI) by Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School (VHSS) when action in the Digicel Schools’ Football Championship competition continued at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground, West Coast Demerara yesterday afternoon. Tiffon Troy and Floyd Peters supported with doubles in the 2nd and 23rd and the 51st and 76th minute respectively
while Daniel Dick (32), Olanzo Edwards (65) and Esahanaka Johnson (16) heaped further misery to the losing team. Indeed, the lads from the winning team looked more prepared from the onset and it was hardly surprising that they started out as the firm favourites. That team did not take long to endorse this confidence when Troy sent in the first of his two contributions courtesy of a wicked right foot shot that settled in the nets at the right side of the goal. The Vreed-en-Hoop lads had earlier launched an attack
from the onset and their success came after they were denied what looked like sure goals after several enterprising attacks were spoiled with wayward kicks. The second goal was just as easy as the first as Jupitor blazed his way unchallenged to the opposition’s goal where he made no mistake. Two minutes later, Jupitor performed a solo down the left flank and with the opposition bundled in one area, enjoyed a free run that registered the third goal for the eventual (Continued on page 30)
t r o Sp
Last-gasp Di Maria saves Argentina, sinks Swiss
Belgium edge USA in thriller
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Super sub: Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku unleashes an exquisite finish to double Belgium’s advantage
Angel di Maria celebrates netting his last-minute goal
Forde, Nero win third ‘Hardest game ever at International straight CARICOM 10k titles level’- Guyana Skipper Gonsalves P.27 Guyana ‘Ruggers’ reclaim 15’s title after 43 years in Wilderness
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GRFU President Peter Green is flanked by National Rugby Captain Ryan Gonsalves (right) & Manager Kenneth Grant-Stuart with the NACRA trophy
Cleveland Forde and Tonya Nero pose with CARICOM Assistant Secretary General, Dr. Douglas Slater (centre) in Antigua after winning their third consecutive CARICOM 10km Road Race on Sunday.
Luis Suarez Apologizes For Biting Italian Player Giorgio Chiellini P.28
Amazon Warriors commence Training Camp
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