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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
Genuine dialogue Dialogue is both a kind of conversation and a way of relating. It is a communication process in which participants may say or hear something they never said or heard before, and from which they may emerge irrevocably changed. The approach emphasises listening, learning, and the development of shared understandings. Dialogue differs from other central modes of communication, including mediation, negotiation, discussion and debate. In discussion, for example, parties try to persuade each other of the accuracy of a particular point of view. The goal is to bat ideas back and forth, evaluate multiple perspectives, and select the best one. Parties try to justify and defend their assumptions and convince one another that theirs is the right opinion. In discussion, disputants have a tendency to become defensive and reactive. Dialogue, on the other hand, seeks to inform and learn rather than to persuade. It is a conversation “animated by a search for understanding rather than for agreements or solutions.” One is concerned not only about oneself and one’s own position, but also about the other party and the position that that party advances. Participants focus on their relationship and the joint process of making sense of each other, rather than winning or losing. Dialogue has no fixed goal or predetermined agenda. The emphasis is not on resolving disputes, but rather on improving the way in which people with significant differencesrelatetoeachother. The broad aim is to promote respectful inquiry, and to stimulate a new sort of conversation that allows important issues to surface freely. While opponents in deep-rooted conflict are unlikely to agree with each other’s views, they can come to understand each other’s perspectives. The following conditions help to ensure productive dialogue: People speak openly, and listen respectfully and attentively. Derogatory attributions, attacks and defensiveness have no role in dialogue. Participants do not make assumptions about the motives or character of others. Questions are sincere, and driven by curiosity. As they listen to one another and relate in new ways, participants learn new perspectives, reflect on their own views, and develop mutual understanding. In dialogue, when one person says something, another person’s response expresses a slightly different meaning. This difference in meaning allows parties to see something new, which is relevant both to their own views and those of the other party. The conversation moves back and forth, with the continual emergence of new meaning. Through inquiry and conversation, parties try to integrate multiple perspectives and unfold shared meaning. This involves uncovering and examining their assumptions and judgments. When people enter into conversations with others, they bring with them basic assumptions about the meaning of life, their country’s interest, how society works, and what is most valuable. Most of these basic assumptions come from society and are rooted in culture, race, religion, and economic background. As a result, people coming from different backgrounds have different basic assumptions and values, and these clashing views and perspectives often lead to conflict. Dialogue attempts to expose these assumptions and the thought processes that lie behind them. It calls on participants to pay attention to their thinking, feelings, assumptions, and patterns of communication. In dialogue, participants explore the presuppositions, beliefs, and feelings that shape their interactions; they discover how hidden values and intentions control people’s behaviour and contribute to communication successes and failures. However, this can happen only if people are able to listen to each other without prejudice and without trying to influence one another. Because its broad goal is to increase understanding about parties’ concerns, fears, and needs, dialogue centres on inquiry and reflection. Participants refrain from assuming that they already know the thoughts, feelings, and intentions of the other. Instead, they assume that the other is speaking honestly from experience and listen closely. This process of deep listening and reflection typically means that to be fully open to new ideas, participants must be ready to abandon their old ideas in the face of new and better ones. We, in Guyana, particularly our decision-makers, seem oblivious to this fact.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
The biggest loser after the COI would be the Rodney family DEAR EDITOR, I offer some comments on a letter by Mr. Abu Bakr, (“An evocation of context is important to an understanding of events surrounding Walter Rodney’s death.” June 28). Bakr informed readers that he ran into a friend in Paris who was close to the Burnham family and this friend told him of the shock and anger on Burnham’s face when the President heard of Rodney’s death. Some people can be blinded by sentiments. It is common to humans and has run through the history of civilization. It will never end. The book of Adolph Hitler’s secretary is a poignant example. However, for people
writing history, sentiments have no importance. Maybe, because of the closeness the gentleman shared with the Burnham family he accepted that the emotional reaction of Burnham was based on real psychology. But why was Burnham not faking it? At that time, Burnham must have known that even the American President would be interested to know what would take place in Guyana seeing that such an internationally known scholar was murdered I believe that this acceptance of the emotions and psychology of authoritarian leaders by those who speak to them or know them is wrong,
misplaced and dangerous. I recall the anger in me when a former Guyanese journalist in the seventies and who currently lives in Florida and writes about Guyana told readers in one of his column that he met President Jagdeo at a function in New York and after talking to him he was impressed in what he saw in Jagdeo’s genuine intention about democracy. As an academic and historian, I hold the view that Mr. Jagdeo was less democratic than Forbes Burnham This interviewer’s journalistic imbroglio was beyond belief. What did this guy expect from the facial expression of Mr. Jagdeo? Did it occur (Continued on page 6)
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Lisa Punch is a statement of a type of marginalization that is peculiar only to Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Lisa Punch has worked her talents with smart support into the corridors that could lead to success, and a life in the upbeat enchanted forests with its myriad creatures that beckon every artiste, and I’m confident she can survive the paths with flying colours. The electronic media has done her good, at this point, though where she’s going now, is not all she was about. She had the courage to affix her name to a letter on Mon. January13, 2014 titled ‘Manner in which many initiatives executed by Ministry of Culture undermines its efforts and frustrates creative community.’ The letter was penned by 30 young creative individuals and it surrounded indiscretions and failures of management by the so-called Ministry of Culture in the handling of the 2013 National Drama Festival. The Ministry of Culture should have long ceased to continue under its present Minister, Frank Anthony. Matters of cultural development has crumbled because of the absence of the web effect that is crucial to its movement, though the letters have frequented the print media with related topics as [A] No policies for Cultural Industries [B] The abuses of the Caribbean Press [C] Inadequate support for the Cultural centre [D] NonPayments of Royalties to local Artistes [E] The question of enforcement for Copyright [IPRs] through ratifying obsolete laws [ F] The nonexistence of Policies to enforce the right for the economic existence of creative citizens. These issues, among others, have never inspired, clicked or aroused any interest enough to receive five minutes of interactive coverage by the electronic media, though I stand to be corrected. The institutions like GT&T, ANSAL MACAL , DIH, DIGICEL and others like the folks at The Upscale Restaurant, whose project support and interest have contributed to sustaining creative outlets and pot boilers must be commended. Lisa Punch is not just an item on the news, she’s a statement of a type of marginalization that is peculiar only to Guyana in the CARICOM belt and most likely in Central and South America. The problem lies, as Ruel Johnson pointed out in a letter on Dec. 1, 2013, ( Sunday Stabroek News) ‘Anthony has issues with competitive
inclusiveness’. This accusation is grounded on real scenarios, and i know this, as i have worked with genuinely creative heads of departments, who do not shy away from engaging the contentions and frustrations of Creative people, and solving those contentions. Lynette Dolphin, the Pilgrims, A.J Seymour, Denis Williams, Francis Quamina were all gifted talents in their own right. They created and shaped what institutions, though damaged, that still exist today as Guyanese. The
problem is, really, who’s Cultural in the Ministry of Culture? As a matter of fact, the PPP was schooled in communist ideals, which diminished artistic appreciation wherever that ideology prevailed, though currently they have become avaricious capitalists not through entrepreneurship but via State and Party underhand mechanisms. One does not have to be able to write a poem, play a musical Instrument, have acted in a play, painted a picture, executed a pencil
sketch of anything, even a ‘cup’ or published a book on any topic, to be able to comprehend the viability of Artistic economics. Has the electronic media missed this all? To date; only Kaieteur News of the print media has engaged the topics mentioned in the second paragraph. During CARIFESTA 1X the Stabroek News ‘Guyana review’ did Review the atmosphere of these contentions. The Saturday Stabroek and the Sunday edition through The Scene, and Al
Creighton’s Arts on Sunday respectively are among the oldest forums that celebrate creativity. But these are not columns that press urgency for the Arts-Rights campaigns, though, by the nature of those rights-economic survival based topics, they should be ongoing discussions in the Business supplement. The event of Lisa Punch is about empowerment, national prestige, and analytical reporting on the
DEAR EDITOR, I have been noting with dismay the interventions of the former Police Commissioner, Mr. Winston Felix, in his hypercritical comments on the performance of the present administration in relation to our crime situation, and his latest in which he decries those in the present hierarchy for not having allowed the DEA office to be set up before. This is true to form in that persons who were responsible for the affairs of our country in the past seem
unable to think of the greater good of our nation, set aside their petty differences, and contribute their experience and knowledge to help to solving our problems in a cooperative spirit. Instead we find that more and more many such, who were in the higher echelons of our public service, are indulging in gaining political mileage by criticising the workings of the present administration, and doing nothing to contribute to our progress. What amazes me is that someone who was in charge
of the police force should continue this futile practice when we all know that the police force from our Independence has been notorious for a culture of corruption and lackadaisical attitude, which was certainly the case in his time, and which was then inherited from his stint in office. Is it not about time that we in this small nation combine our efforts at advancing its affairs, regardless of our own selfish ambitions? Roy Paul
DEAR EDITOR, The entire Vanessa Kissoon suspension episode reinforces the view that young people hardly stand a chance in leadership positions in the established “old boys club” political parties. While I don’t have all the facts surrounding Ms. Kissoon’s suspension, I’m not surprised that she was suspending pending the outcome of the investigation while the other party to the dispute has not been sanctioned. Mr. Editor this is symptomatic of the way
elements of this achievement, for Ms Punch is not the mere semblance associated with impromptu guests, along the way festivals of which precedents exist, or are copied from other national realms. This is the context of which the pure talents of Lisa Punch embodies, and must be seen as a symbol, a creative prototype of potential realised so far, inspirational, back here in ‘Culture Stalag’ Guyana. Barrington Braithwaite
Youths stands no chance in this ‘old boy’s Dismayed at former Police Commissioner’s hypercritical comments club’ political landscape young people are perceived and treated in all the current political parties. Seen more as window dressing than actual substantive contributors to their party’s leadership and success. I sincerely hope that this matter is resolved swiftly and justice prevails. Clinton Urling Blue CAPS
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Kaieteur M@ilbox KUDOS TO THE US AMBASSADOR FOR SPEAKING THE TRUTH DEAR EDITOR, After years of propaganda, deceit, distortion and vulgar and unbecoming behavior from the intellectually bankrupt and immoral PPP cabal, we thought we have heard it all. We were wrong. This cabal has no shame whatsoever and this was highlighted by the cussdown behavior exhibited by Pyria Manickchand at a dignified ceremony at the US Ambassador ’s home to commemorate America’s 238 years of Independence. It is clear that this undignified PPP character has psychological problems that need urgent medical attention. Her cuss-down and gutter approach to politics is sending the wrong signal to our children. If she cannot conduct herself like a stately lady and respect the citizens of Guyana how does she expects the children, especially our young girls to behave differently let alone have any respect for her? Children learn from their elders, especially those whom they expect to discipline and guide them in life. Almost all the teachers and the children in both public and private schools have lost confidence in her. They are of the opinion that her flawed character and abusive behavior have made her unfit to be the Minister of Education. Not only does the Minister lack diplomatic skills, but she also does not have any skills whatsoever, other than her cuss-down-ghetto type talents which was on public display a few months
ago in Parliament and last Wednesday at the US Ambassador’s residence. We were reliably informed by one of our contacts at Freedom House that it was her former cuss-down boss and her who wrote the undignified and boorish speech. This type of rancorous behavior has not only set Guyana back for decades in terms of diplomacy but has also embarrassed the nation. Her vulgarity and verbal abuse have not only damaged Guyana’s reputation in the Caribbean and elsewhere but has brought it to an all-time low. No minister of the government since Independence 48 years ago has ever indulged in such vulgar and abusive behavior towards a diplomat. It appears that the Minister’s mental faculty is deteriorating rapidly and if the leaders of the PPP love her as their comrade, then they should encourage her to seek psychological help immediately. There are many qualified psychologists who would willingly help her if she sought their assistance. And for a certain columnist who hides his identity to say that the Ambassador deserves what he got is not only moronic but it shows that he is not intelligent enough to understand diplomacy. We strongly believe that the US Ambassador is quite correct that Ramotar and his PPP cabal are inconsistent in their use of the Constitution. Ramotar has on numerous occasions refused to assent
to Bills passed by Parliament and has not returned them to the Clerk of Parliament within 21 days as mandated by the Constitution. On other occasions, he has cited frivolous reasons not to hold Local Government Elections. The willful delay of Local Government Elections after 20 years is a clear violation of the Constitution which states that the elections must be held every three years. So kudos to Ambassador Brendt Hardt for speaking out against the cabal and for speaking for the 70 percent of the people of Guyana who want Local Government elections. We call on all Guyanese to rise up and demand the immediate resignation of Ms. Manickchand for her obnoxious, vulgar and unbecoming behavior as a minister. As the Minister of Education, she has lost the confidence of teachers, parents and the children of Guyana. It is time for her to step aside. The Education portfolio deserves a decent, respected and dignified individual and not someone who is vulgar and abusive. Asha Balbachan Derrick Arjune, Rohit Misir, Harish Singh, Chandra Deolall, Asquith Rose, Dr. Vincent Nauth, Sase Singh, Allison Rutherford, Devita Khan, Dr. Reginald Watkins, Dr. Terrence Simon, Donna Mathoo, Noel Moses, Vicki Rampersaud
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur M@ilbox America’s Independence and Guyanese Immigrants DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese Americans, like others, are celebrating American independence this extended weekend, commonly known as July 4th celebrations. It is the most celebrated of America’s festivals - a time for travel, barbecue and picnic at the park as well as take in the spectacular fireworks. But July 4 is not just a festive period. It is also a time for reflection on the significance and relevance of the American revolution that ushered in democracy and freedom. The Declaration of Independence limits powers of the government whose purpose, as enunciated by the founding fathers was/is to “secure” peoples’ natural rights and to be free from the dictates of government or unjust rule. The Declaration of Independence not only justified the American war for independence against an oppressive British rule but also identified the fair and just guiding principles on which the nation would be founded; it was revolutionary in that no other country had given so much freedom to its people up to that time. The rights of the individual were/are paramount and whenever there was a conflict between the people and the government over distribution of powers, the people won/ win out. The written constitution, as well as its broad interpretation by the Supreme Court, safeguards the rights of the individual. Government has limited power and people have a right to remove their government and they have done so periodically at regular scheduled elections unlike
say in Guyana. According to the Founding Fathers, the peoples’ rights derive from “the laws of nature and of nature’s God”. To say that all persons are “endowed by their Creator” with certain rights is to say that “these rights are derived from persons’ nature as human beings”. So these are “God given rights” which cannot be taken away or curtailed and as such must be defended with one’s life. And many people have sacrificed their lives to defend those rights. The declaration of independence paved the way for so hundreds of thousands of Guyanese and tens of millions of others to come and settle in the U.S to experience the American dream to enjoy a better standard of life than in their own countries. Many other countries also used the American independence as a model or framework to struggle for their own independence and to structure and define their constitution. On independence day and the extended weekend, Americans of all backgrounds, especially Caribbean nationals, demonstrate patriotism by hoisting the flag and partaking in traditional festivities. In Guyanese neighborhoods, the American flag flutter in the wind outside of homes, often next to a Jhandi. July 4th is a patriotic day and it is heartening to see so many Caribbean people being absorbed into the celebration. It is a day people fly the American flag and think about their country. Many immigrants are so grateful to come to America, they
The biggest loser after the COI would be... From page 4 to him that Mr. Jagdeo would have laughed broadly and yelled out that he doesn’t care who criticize him. Mr. Jagdeo’s facial reaction is banal stuff that all interviewers must be on the lookout for when they question leaders known for their undemocratic instincts. And any trained, mature journalist should know this Of course, that gentleman that Bakr met may still believe that Burnham’s reaction was sincere but he ought to internalize the thought that Burnham had no choice but to appear aggrieved. But what about Bakr’s position on citing the incident? Can it be interpreted that Bakr also believed
Burnham had no role in Rodney’s death because his friend transmitted to him the look of shock and lividness from Burnham when the President heard about Rodney’s death? My position on Rodney’s death has remained unchanged since 1980. I honestly believe Burnham lived in mortal fear of Walter Rodney’s overthrow and subsequent humiliation of him. If Burnham had a main weakness throughout his lengthy political career, it would be that he feared removal by Rodney. He took the decision to harm Rodney because he felt he had no other option I believe by circumstantial evidence, the present Commission will implicate the Burnhamite state but not the
President himself. The Commissioners will be hard-pressed to directly find that Burnham ordered Rodney’s death or to find evidence that he directed the conspiracy that led to Walter’s death. So in the end, it will be back to square one but with a huge, and I mean a really huge difference Those who believe Burnham was not involved would have been bolstered in their advocacy. They would point to a Commission of Inquiry that did not pronounce on Burnham’s guilt and I am predicting that the Commission will do no such a thing. One factor definitely exists that prevents such a pronouncement – there isn’t the evidence after such a long
time. If it existed five years after Walter’s death, it doesn’t exist any longer. The present government took too long to pursue the inquiry we are now seeing The biggest loser after the Commission completes its work would be the Rodney family. And this is indeed sad. I think the Rodney family erred in two ways in requesting the Commission. It believed that evidence and personnel exist that would expose Burnham in the murder plot without the family reflecting on the tremendous loss of documents since 1980. Guyana is run by an administration whose cultural ideology is devoid of the consciousness about the importance of historical record
collecting. Secondly, the family got close to the PPP Government who no doubt deceived them with a false sincerity of a vigorous judicial investigation. The Rodney family, being away for so long from Guyana, lost its ability to analyze the nature of the Jagdeoite PPP since Cheedi Jagan died. As the commission’s work shows, the PPP is using the inquiry for propaganda purposes of the crudest, most vulgar type. Rodney’s murder was a tragedy. The commission probing his death thirty three years after is a tragedy and the unanswered questions the Rodney family will have to live with is a tragedy. Frederick Kissoon
actually pray to the flag. So the flag is revered and highly respected and people value the freedoms enshrined in the constitution. For many, especially those who emigrate from former dictatorships, like our Guyana’s two decades ago, July 4th has given people a taste of freedom and to own material possession and pursue education attainment unimaginable in their native lands. Coming as immigrants, Guyanese and other Caribbean people show their pride in the new nation they call home by participating in activities (festivities) relating to nationalism cheering the nation. For Caribbean nationals, July 4th has meant opportunities to lead a more prosperous life, to acquire freedom and to get an opportunity to pursue one’s goals (with limited inhibitions) and to realize dreams (a car, home, higher education, wealth, foreign vacation, trip back home, etc.) that are/were virtually impossible in one’s homeland. It is not surprising, therefore, that every Caribbean immigrant is glad and grateful to come to America. But it is essential that people think of what it means to live in America and to live responsibly. The different groups of people in America celebrate July 4th differently in accordance with the their culture and they add their own country’s independence celebration with it. Guyanese add their cuisine and beverages and sport activities (cricket, in particular at the park this weekend) and many also travel long distance or visit the beach. Regardless of how they celebrate July 4, the various groups all have one thing in common – to stand up for their newly adopted nation against enemies and in solidarity against adversity. Whatever people take independence to mean, it is valuable to remember that immigrants (and America is called a nation of immigrants) braved harsh conditions to settle down in America and they faced difficult times and many lost their lives fighting for independence. Guyanese should cherish and protect this freedom by participating in every aspect of the American life - joining the armed forces, registering to vote and go the polling stations on election day. Guyanese need to meet one’s obligations to the state by becoming active participants. Vishnu Bisram
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
Egyptian court sentences Muslim Brotherhood leader to life in prison CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court sentenced Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie to life in prison yesterday, the court’s judge said, for inciting violence that erupted after the army deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi last year. Badie, convicted along with about 36 other Brotherhood leaders and supporters for the same crime, is facing the death sentence in two separate cases. All 37 defendants were also charged with blocking a major road north of Cairo during protests that followed Mursi’s ouster on July 3, 2013. The court also upheld death sentences for 10 other Brotherhood leaders and supporters, of whom 8 were charged in absentia, on the same crimes. Among the Brotherhood leaders sentenced to death in absentia is Abdul Rahman al-Barr, a Muslim scholar and member of the Brotherhood’s Guidance Council. Mohamed Abdel-Maqsoud, a Salafi
preacher and a Brotherhood supporter, was also sentenced to death in absentia. He fled to Qatar after Mursi was toppled. Senior Brotherhood member Mohamed ElBeltagy and some former ministers from Mursi’s administration were among those sentenced to life in prison. The Egyptian authorities have launched a crackdown on Mursi’s Brotherhood, jailing thousands and killing hundreds of street protesters. The state accuses the Brotherhood of turning to violence, an accusation the group denies. Badie and around 200 Brotherhood supporters were sentenced to death in a mass trial last month over violence that killed one police officer. The sentences caused outrage among western governments and rights groups. Mursi was ousted by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former army chief, following mass protests against his rule.
Allawi warns risk of Iraq’s dismemberment unless Maliki goes (Reuters) - Former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi called on incumbent Nuri alMaliki yesterday to give up his bid for a third term in power or risk the dismemberment of Iraq. Maliki on Friday rejected a chorus of such calls since militants of a group now calling itself the Islamic State rampaged through swathes of Iraq and declared a mediaevalstyle caliphate in land they control in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. “I think it is time for Mr Maliki to leave the scene,” Allawi told Reuters in an interview in Istanbul. “If he stays on, I think there will be significant problems in the country and a lot of troubles. I believe that Iraq would go the route of dismemberment, ultimately, if this happens. “Definitely there will be more violence, the security situation will deteriorate,” added Allawi, a secular Shi’ite who took 21 seats in April’s national election with his secular bloc. During his political career Allawi has drawn support heavily from disaffected Sunnis, who have
felt excluded from power during Maliki’s rule. Maliki’s statement on Friday will complicate efforts to form a new government to unite the ethnically and religiously divided country, something parliament failed to achieve this week. It extends a political deadlock made all the more dangerous by the pressing threat to Iraq’s territorial integrity. Allawi said Iraq needed a road map that prioritised reconciliation and the building of institutions, and that this was more important than the issue of who will be the next prime minister. “It is not a matter of changing faces. It is a matter of agreeing on a road map, to get Iraq from where it is now to a brighter future. I think this road map should incorporate two important areas. “One is the issue of reconciliation. The second is starting to lay down the ground to build the institutions of the state,” he added. The leaders of the various political factions needed to create a government of national unity committed to such a road map, he said.
Allawi, who met Turkish officials during his visit, also called for a meeting of Iraq’s neighbours with the aim of preserving its unity and preventing the conflict spreading to other places. He also criticised the government’s response to the insurgency, saying more stress should be put on intelligence work and political engagement with Iraq’s other communities, and that military activity should focused on “surgical attacks” by special forces. “The element of using army and aircraft to hit at provinces cannot distinguish between civilian groups and military or terrorist groups; this can be very dangerous and backfire on the political situation,” he said. Allawi said he believed there was “still hope” for Iraq to survive as a unified state. “It’s not too late,” he said. “I believe we should reverse the situation, otherwise the country will drift into being dismembered, one way or another.” For years Allawi has been an outspoken critic of Maliki, whom he has accused of acting like Saddam Hussein in trying to silence opposition.
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Sunday July 06, 2014
Taliban insurgents set about 200 oil tankers ablaze in Afghanistan
KABUL (Reuters) - Taliban insurgents set fire yesterday to about 200 oil tanker trucks supplying fuel for NATO forces in an attack just outside the Afghan capital Kabul, police said. Television footage showed black smoke billowing above the site of the attack, with the charred wreckage of dozens of trucks scattered around a vast parking space. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the trucks carried fuel intended for U.S.-led NATO forces. It was unclear how the fire was started. Some Afghan media reported that insurgents had fired rockets at the tankers late on Friday. There were no
immediate reports of casualties. “The number of tankers on fire is not yet clear, but based on preliminary reports from police around 200 tankers have been burnt,” the interior ministry said in a statement. The attack happened as Afghanistan prepares to announce preliminary results of the final round of a presidential election tomorrow in a tense atmosphere. Each of the two candidates vying to succeed President Hamid Karzai accuses the other of mass fraud. The Taliban have vowed to disrupt the election process. On Thursday, militants fired rockets into Kabul’s international airport, destroying a helicopter.
China’s top graft-buster says no off limits in probes BEIJING (Reuters) - No part of China’s ruling Communist Party is off limits for its crackdown on corruption, the country’s top graft buster was quoted as saying, sounding a warning a few days after the one of the country’s most senior former soldiers was purged. The party last week announced that Xu Caihou, who retired as vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission last year, had been expelled from the party and will be court-martialled after being accused of corruption. President Xi Jinping, who heads the Central Military Commission, which controls the 2.3 million-strong armed forces, has launched a drive against pervasive graft since assuming office. Speaking during a visit to the northern region of Inner Mongolia, Wang Qishan, who heads the party’s efforts to combat corruption, warned that every part of the party would be liable for inspection. “Inspection work is a ‘health check’ for the party. There are no off limits for oversight within in the party, and there are no exceptions,” the party’s graft watchdog cited Wang as saying, in a statement issued late on Friday. President Xi has vowed to take down
powerful “tigers” as well as lowly “flies”. Xu is the most senior person to date to have been felled. However, a potentially far juicier scandal is brewing - the case of the powerful former domestic security chief, Zhou Yongkang. Sources have told Reuters that Zhou is under virtual house arrest, and while the party made no announcement about his case, many of his allies have been publicly taken down. On the same day Xu’s fate was announced, three other former senior officials were also expelled from the party, all closely connected with Zhou, including the one-time head of the state assets regulator and a former deputy public security minister. The party has sent numerous teams into the provinces and government departments to expose corruption. Problems discovered during this process show that the party is “absolutely correct” in its judgement that corruption remains a serious and complex problem, Wang added. “It warns us that we must take the arresting of the spread of corruption as our aim and mission, and that these inspections are absolutely something we cannot do without,” he said.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
Top Cop insists on professionalism in force
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Dem boys seh...
De devil in hell resemble Jagdeo
Scenes from yesterday’s Police parade.
Members of the Guyana Police Force continued their celebrations to commemorate the organization’s 175th anniversary as they took part in the annual route march along the streets of Georgetown yesterday. Ranks and officers turned out with shine shoes, well groomed horses, canine section, motorbikes, and cars with sirens - in Guyanese terms, “the full works”. Members of the force moved off from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Square, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary at 06:30hrs under the command of Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph, assisted by Senior Superintendent Whitney Bacchus. With good weather, ranks and officers marched east onto Young Street, south along Parade Street, east along Lamaha Street, south along Waterloo Street, east along Regent Street, south along Camp Street, west along Brickdam, north along Avenue of the Republic (western carriageway), east along Church Street, north along Cummings Street, west along Lamaha, north along Camp Street (western carriageway), west along Young Street and into the Tactical Services Unit Compound. Salutes were taken in front of the Ministry of Home Affairs by the Minister, Clement Rohee; Permanent Secretary, Angela Johnson and Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud. Seelall and his Assistant Commissioners and Divisional Commanders also took the salute from officers
and ranks outside Police Headquarters in Young Street, Georgetown as the march was nearing end. As members of the force showed off their marching skills, small groups gathered at different points on the route to witness the event. They wasted no time in taking photos of the once a year scene. Among the departments taking part in the parade were the Tactical Services Unit, Traffic Ranks, CID Ranks, Immigration, Mounted Branch, Scouts Association, Community Policing Groups and cadet ranks. At the ceremony immediately after the route march, Assistant Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, was tasked with introducing the
Commissioner, whom he said was the man who will restore pride and dignity to the police force. Persaud used the words of Mahatma Ghandi to send a message to his men. He said, “Consciously or unconsciously, every one of us does render some s e r v i c e o r o t h e r. I f w e cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and will make not only for our own happiness but that of the world at large.” Persaud told the ranks that the history of the police force is marked by a long list of accomplishments despite the significant changes from plutocracy, autocracy then democracy. He said however that the
core value ties through history lies in the duty to maintain professionalism. He told the parade that each has a duty to be professional and if one is aware of unprofessional behaviour one must address it in a professional way. Various groups were rewarded with cash and trophies for their performance on the road march. There were prizes for the best Female performers, best male performers and an overall winner of the entire Parade. The award for best female performers went to the Immigration Department, while the best male performers went to the TSU 1 Unit which surprisingly also coveted the overall best performance prize for their route march.
Bobby want tek over everything, every major business and industry in Guyana. Bharrat set de stage in many area. Dem boys compiling a list which dem gun share wid everybody very soon. Bharrat sell out de GT&T shares fuh bring in he padna in de same business. Dem know de power of telephone and de money that it does bring. Everybody know that wid telephone anything and everything is possible. You gun be able to mek a phone call to hell and heaven and talk to you family whichever one dem deh in. Dem boys know fuh sure that dem ain’t going to heaven suh dem need Bobby phone system. Dem already trying fuh buy he phone card already. Dem warning him that he and Jagdeo got to keep a lot fuh demself. Dem phone call gun be long distance, not local. Cheddi from Guyana, Eric Williams from Trinidad and Michael Manley from Jamaica all die and went to hell. Dem see a red phone and ask wha de phone for. The devil tell dem is fuh calling back to Earth. Manley ask fuh call Jamaica and he talk fuh one hour. When he done, the devil who resemble Jagdeo, tell that the cost is one million US dollar. Manley write a check and give de devil wha look like Jagdeo. Next, Eric Williams calls Trinidad and he talk fuh two hours. When he done de devil who still got Jagdeo face tell he that he bill is two million US. He too write a check and hand it over. Cheddi tek de phone and he talk fuh ten hour. When he done devil who tun out to be de real Jagdeo tell he that de call is only three dollar. When Manley and Williams hear that Cheddi talk fuh ten hour and only pay three dollar dem get vex. Dem nearly start a riot like that same man wha de police strip naked as he born. De devil, Jagdeo, smile and tell dem since Donald tek over Guyana wha I lef, de country gone to hell, so it’s a local call. Talk half and remember not to wear slack bukta like wha Naith Ram had on when de police pull down he pants.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.
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Police denies stripping AFC councillor but protestors say otherwise While the Alliance For Change (AFC) is condemning the actions of the police during the people’s protest action on the Essequibo coast on Friday, the law enforcement agency says it did nothing wrong. The AFC in a statement yesterday referred to the alleged assault and inhumane treatment of the party’s Region Two Councilor, Naith Ram, by members of the Guyana Police Force. The incident occurred during protest action by rice farmers in that Region. It’s not the first time that the police have come in for flack over its handling of protesters and on every other occasion they have sought to justify their actions. The statement from the AFC said that the “Guyana Police Force continues to bring shame upon our nation by the manner in which it mistreats and abuses our citizens. Its resort to publicly undressing a senior member of our party is yet another example of a crude and uncivilized approach to policing.” But the police denied that it had assaulted Ram, who is now in custody. Instead, the police accused him of stripping off his own clothes. According to the AFC, one of the parliamentary opposition parties, it received reports that the police actions were directed by the PPP Regional Chairman who reportedly instructed them to “crush the protest demonstration.” “The use of the Police Force as a tool of political oppression will not be tolerated by the Alliance For Change. This incident must be fully investigated,” the AFC stated. The Guyana Police Force, however, has a different version of what transpired. It stated that approval was given to hold a protest march on Friday, commencing at 09:30 hours from the Bush Lot New Market to the Anna Regina High Bridge where a meeting was to be held. The police said that at the conclusion of the protest march and meeting, most of the persons left, but some remained and began imbibing. Later Friday afternoon, those who were imbibing and some others that included Naith Ram, boarded their motor vehicles, including tractors and trailers, and proceeded to drive along the middle of the main roadway in the vicinity of the villages of Reliance and Land of Plenty, Essequibo Coast, at a very slow rate.
STRIPPED AFC Councilor, Naith Ram
This action resulted in a back up of traffic as other motor vehicles could not pass, and they continued their actions despite efforts by police ranks to get them to drive on the left hand side of the road. On reaching a short distance before the Land of Plenty Bridge, the men blocked the entire roadway with the use of their motor vehicles that included tractors and trailers, and to set fire to tyres and other debris that were thrown on the roadway. A utility pole was also used to block the roadway. The police explained that by then the
crowd had increased to over 400 persons and efforts by ranks deployed to the scene to get them to remove the vehicles from across the roadway proved futile. Missiles comprising bricks, bottles and other articles were thrown at police ranks in their attempt to remove the burning obstacles on the roadway, causing them to cease their efforts. The police then arrested Naith Ram, who was leading the protest, at which stage a number of other persons surged forward and accosted the ranks and took him away from the police. The police said that during this incident his clothing was torn and several police ranks were thrown into a nearby trench. The law enforcement body said Naith Ram then stood among the protestors and stripped himself. Several persons took his photograph. He then left the area and later returned in a change of clothing. “The Guyana Police Force emphatically reiterates that Naith Ram was not stripped by police ranks. He took off his own clothing after he had been taken away from the custody of the police by other protestors,” the police emphasized. The police then used tear smoke to clear the unruly crowd and 19 men, including Naith Ram, were arrested. They are still in police custody. Two tractors, four trailers, two motor cars and two motor cycles that were among the vehicles used to block the roadway have been seized by the police. “The Guyana Police Force recognises the rights of citizens to peaceful protest, but when such protests degenerate into a set of unlawful activities that infringe on the rights of other citizens the police will, of necessity, have to take the appropriate action in order to maintain law and order.” Meanwhile the AFC reiterated its support for the protest action by the rice farmers of Essequibo whose right to be paid in a timely manner for their produce cannot be ignored year after year. In this regard the AFC condemns the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters and deployment of soldiers “armed to the teeth.” “This is a clear attempt to prevent farmers from pursuing their democratic and constitutional human rights to association and protest. The AFC considers the release of teargas into the crowd and surrounding community as reckless and unnecessary, and cautions that brute force must never be the first mechanism to ensure law and order,” the
Impounded equipment
Burnt Tyres
AFC stated. And in a belated statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs condemned the Alliance for Change (AFC) for politically manipulating the plight and grievance of rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast and for encouraging a few among the farmers to block the public road on the coast. The Ministry said that it has advised and warned time and again that peaceful protest cannot mean blocking of public roads thus preventing the right of others to proceed without let or hindrance. “Public safety and security must be for all Guyanese and any attempt by a few to inhibit the peaceful and orderly life of law abiding citizens will not be tolerated,” the Ministry stated. It noted that over the past weeks representatives of the AFC have been frequenting the Essequibo Coast encouraging their political activists imbedded in the rice farming community to engage in unlawful acts to disrupt the peace and good order on the Essequibo Coast. The Ministry of Home Affairs said that it has reasons to believe that the protest was politically motivated and orchestrated by the AFC. “The action of the AFC is similar to the politically orchestrated protest by the AFC at Agricola and Linden which resulted in pain rather the gain for the protestors while the AFC leaders were comfortably ensconced in the comfort of their homes and never seen at the scene of the unlawful protests,” the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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Calm returns to E’bo…
Arrested rice protestors placed on bail but worries continue
Rice farmers and relatives gathered at the Anna Regina Police Station where 16 persons were being held.
Calm returned to the Essequibo coast yesterday but rice farmers remained defiant despite the arrest of 19 persons on Friday night. The area erupted Friday night as farmers, protesting outstanding payments, squared off with police who ended up firing several canisters of tear gas as the crowds swelled to around 500 persons at midnight. Residents were sent scrambling out of their homes at Land of Plenty, a village located not far from Anna Regina, as the tear gas took effect. Residents and farmers used tyres and burning logs to block the road It was an unusual situation as Essequibo coast is a laidback farming area not known for protests. Yesterday, after intervention by Members of Parliament, police released the 19 persons on bail. They will have to report to the police on Tuesday. Last night three of the men were being treated at the hospital for injuries. Rice farmers are insisting that millers owed them hundreds of millions months after taking their paddy for the first crop. Essequibo is heavily dependent on rice but farmers are claiming that a vicious cycle of outstanding payments, debt, poor weather and a lax attitude by Government towards millers have been keeping them in poverty. Yesterday, Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, was working with relatives of arrested farmers and others who were arrested during the protest actions. MP Christopher Jones, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was also there lending support. Several family members
and rice farmers gathered at the Anna Regina Police Station early in the morning calling for the men to be released. Among those arrested was AFC Councillor in Region Two, Naith Ram, who was reportedly left naked after clashing with the police Friday night. Police denied this yesterday and accused Naith Ram of taking off his clothes after he was held. Residents maintained yesterday that the clothes of the AFC Councillor came off after he was manhandled by police ranks. Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, several rice farmers spoke of a worrying situation in Essequibo. Over 30,000 acres is targeted for cultivation this crop. Several of the farmers claimed that it has been almost four months and some are still waiting to be paid by millers who they accused of using their monies to conduct expansions, instead of paying them. “We asked the Agri Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, and even the Minister of Home Affairs to visit us but nobody come. The Guyana Rice Development Board and rice producing association held a meeting Thursday that we did not even know about. We complaining all the time but nobody ain’t doing anything. Further when they actually talk, it is some cock-and-bull story about a free market and Government can’t interfere,” one irate farmer said. Farmers claim that two major millers owe them almost $1B each. Essequibo has over 4,000 persons involved in rice cultivation. “We know that GRDB has a law in which farmers have to be paid 50 percent of their money within two weeks and the rest in 42 days. If they fail
to pay within the time, the miller got to pay interest. They not paying the interest, but they taking interest if we late in taking fertilizer from them. Plus they robbing us when take our paddy to them on the weight and the grades they give us. You tell me how we can survive? GRDB and the Government not addressing this.” According to the AFC leader, he travelled to Anna Regina yesterday after several farmers called him. “We are working to get the farmers out of the lockups. I understand that a few persons arrested were not even part of the protests but were coming from work. People are suffering and AFC will be examining this situation.” According to Ramjattan, he also received complaints from farmers that millers are using their monies to finance the milling operations. “I understand that monies were paid to the millers from their customers, from the Venezuela rice deal, and others, and yet nothing was passed to the farmers. This is a serious situation which has implications for farmers in Essequibo and by extension
the country. I fear that the situation may also be the same in other parts of the country.” The situation may be even more serious that appeared at first glance. Farmers have taken loans and owe suppliers like Geddes
Grants and millers millions for fertilizers and equipment. With Guyana targeting almost 600,000 tonnes of rice this year, there are fears that too few markets may end up leaving Guyana with a surplus which could push prices downwards.
Rice has been the second biggest earner for Guyana, after gold with production breaking records last year. However, as the farmers pointed out yesterday in Essequibo, the production record may be pointless if prices remain low.
ANGER: Rice farmers and others voicing their concerns yesterday over the situation in Essequibo.
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NICIL’s outburst a WOMAN HELD FOR TRAFFICKING BOY, 13 diversion -Greenidge A Lyng Street, Charlestown woman was on Thursday taken into police custody following a fiveweek probe into the allegations of a 13-year-old boy who claimed that during his stay with her, she exposed him to prostitution. Last month, the City court had ordered a trafficking in person investigation on behalf of the teenager who had relayed the sordid story. The lad had initially appeared in court on a wandering charge. He had explained that he was sexually exploited by the female adult with whom he had stayed during his period away from home. The Charlestown teenager alleged that whilst he was away from home during April 4 and April 13, he was being trafficked by a female who would send him alongside renowned male commercial sex workers to participate in the trade. The boy has explained that the woman would dress him in female clothing and send him off to different locations
where he would engage in prostitution on a nightly basis with a number of men. A medical examination conducted on the child has thus far confirmed that his anus has been ruptured. Reports from a reliable source indicate that at the age of eleven the boy was molested by a male neighbour. He then began cross-dressing and roaming the city streets. July, last year his roaming habits landed him before the courts to face a wandering charge. He was released on probation and placed into a cousin’s custody. He also received counseling at the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA). On April 4, last the lad wandered from home once again and was brought back to his residence. But on April 11, he left again. Consequently, he was once more charged for wandering. According to reports, during that period he resided with an adult female who allegedly turned him to prostitution. At the court hearings, the young boy claimed that he left
his mother’s home because he was uncomfortable there since that is where he was abused. His wandering case is being heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond. On May 27, a probation report was prepared by a Probation Officer and presented to the said Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond. The court, in light of the revelations, had ordered an investigation into the allegations of the teenaged boy. Additionally, CCPA, the Red Thread (a nongovernmental organisation that champions for victims of TIP) and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security have been alerted to the situation involving the teen. He is currently being held at the Juvenile Holding Centre in Sophia, Greater Georgetown. The police made the arrest on Thursday and sources have confirmed that the teenager has fingered the woman, as the perpetrator.
‘Love triangle’ lands before court for 704 brawl A 52-year-old man, his wife, and his “friend” were on Friday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to charges which stemmed from an altercation at a recently opened ‘chill spot.’ One week after the Friday night hang turned sour, the man, Alfred Hinds, his wife Susan, 32, both of Republic Park, Georgetown and Hinds’s friend, Sue-Ann Cassou, 22, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore to face charges. Susan Hinds was indicted for assaulting her husband and his friend on June 27 at
704 Sports Bar’s Parking Lot on Lamaha Street. She pleaded not guilty to both charges. Alfred Hinds, a real estate agent, was charged for assaulting his wife and he too pleaded not guilty. And, the friend, Cassou, was charged for using threatening language towards the man’s wife whilst they were at the Alberttown Police Station to report the matter. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru explained that the man and Cassou were at 704 when his wife saw them and decided to
Rape accused no longer with organisation Consequent to an article ‘Ice Cream man charged with rape of girl 14,’ which was published in the July 4, 2014 Kaieteur News, the Development Association of Fort Ordinance, (DAFO) has said that the defendant in the matter, Colin Caesar, was no longer with the Association . Mr Caesar, who was the Vice Chairman of the Association, tendered his resignation two months ago. “As such he is no longer part of DAFO or the youth group therefore is not authorized to transact any business in regard,” said group secretary, S. Sayrange.
confront them. He said that it was in the parking lot that Cassou and the man’s wife had an argument when Hinds choked his wife and pulled her to the ground. Mangru explained that it was at the police station where the trio sought to report the matter that Cassou used threatening language towards the man’s wife. The husband who was unrepresented by legal counsel told the court that he had previously sought a restraining order against his wife. His claim was, however, refuted by his wife’s lawyer, Keisha Chase. The attorney explained that her client’s husband had obtained the order while she was out of the country and it had only been served on June 28 but the incident had occurred the day before. She asked the court to offer her client bail. Cassou who resides at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, also asked the court to consider bail. The Magistrate offered Susan Hinds bail in the sum of $20,000 ($10,000 on each charge), her husband $10,000, and his friend $5000. Their matter was subsequently transferred to Magistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond for hearing on July 9 for the commencement of trial.
The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) which is headed by Winston Brassington, recently 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. However, APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge, is challenging him to cite specific cases that show clear inaccuracy. In response to the missive sent out last week by the government holding agency, Greenidge said, “This outburst by the NICIL head is of course intended to divert the public’s attention from the substantive issues before the nation. Specifically, it relates to the constitutional crisis triggered by the illegal action of the Minister of Finance (unapproved spending).” He added, “I have read with sadness and no surprise the diatribe by Brassington against the APNU. No sensible politician claims to be omniscient or a saint. But for someone who is paid from the public purse, to attack the representatives of those who pay the taxes is pretty arrogant, if not provocative.” He added, “To bemoan the fact that a political party’s comments are politically motivated is pretty astonishing. That is the function of a political party and making comments that are calculated is a requirement of intelligent commentary. “If he (Brassington) has problems with the accuracy of any of the comments he should cite the specific case.” The politician had also asserted that Brassington would be better advised to do his work properly, “rather than take on the job as the Minister’s attack hound.” “Each time the Minister comes under public pressure he seeks to come to his rescue with some ridiculous diversion. If NICIL was established to do the job of managing securities, which he has mentioned, what is it doing giving out land to Ministers and cronies of the Government and to Chinese firms?” 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 claimed that it is a net
Dr. Ashni Singh, Finance Minister
Carl Greenidge, APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance
contributor to the Treasury and, its operation remains fully accountable and transparent. It added, “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.” Greenidge however contended that if NICIL had prepared and submitted all its annual reports from 2002 and 2013 why would the Parliament in a Resolution of June 2012, demand that the Minister transfer funds it was holding to the Consolidated Fund in the absence of regular transfers to the Fund…” He added, “The Assembly has called on NICIL to account for the Lotto Funds, the World Cup Funds and to explain what it was dong with GGMC funds. I do not recall them ever receiving an answer. “Where in their accounts are these accounted for? When was that report approved by the House? NICIL has paid G$11.8bn to the CF but what has become of the estimated $50B in privatization funds the former AG estimated NICIL holds?” A motion was filed in early December by Greenidge of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which charged the Finance Minister with failing to comply with a
Parliamentary order over the two matters. In his motion, Greenidge asked that the House send the Minister to the Committee to answer why he failed to comply with requests for the reports of the Government agencies to be laid in the National Assembly and for the monies to be placed in the central treasury account, the Consolidated Fund. Among the Government agencies which reports were supposed to be laid in the National Assembly were the Guyana Development (Lotto funds) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Greenidge pointed out that the National Assembly took the decision on the reports since June 27, 2012. However, as at December, the Minister had not complied. In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman had reportedly said that he had to consider whether the motion raised an issue of privilege pertaining to National Assembly, the Minister, or both. “While there are clear indications that the Minister did not comply, it is impossible to determine whether this was deliberate on the part of Singh; or whether there was difficulty in implementing them.” Trotman found that a case has been made out against the Minister and that the particular issue of the reports was referred to the Privileges Committee. Nonetheless, Greenidge added, “It is forgivable to be ill-informed but not to be dealing in half truths. The submission of NICIL’s annual reports has not been routine and they only followed the public outcry in 2012. As for those reports being unqualified he (Brassington) does not find it convenient to mention how many of those annual reports were submitted in 2012 and 2013, all signed by the same person on the same day. Clearly he believes that we have not seen the Auditor General’s reports for the years 2002/2003 or of 2008.”
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Kaieteur News
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Guyana has descended into chaos By Leon Suseran
Dr. Faith Harding Psychologist and former Government Minister, Dr. Faith Harding is of the opinion that Guyana has descended into chaos, due to the behaviour of both the government and opposition. Dr. Harding has done extensive work with the United Nations over the years, and was instrumental in the formation of governments for and restoring stability to war-torn nations such as Lebanon and East Timor. Speaking exclusively to this newspaper recently, Dr. Harding expressed concerns
with the manner in which this country’s Government and Opposition relate to each other in what needs to be done in Guyana. “Guyana has essentially descended into chaos; it has been disjointed and chaotic for the past two to three years. The incompetence of our leaders is spread all over the nation, and rising like a huge volcanic eruption. “I feel the tension in the society and it is frightening, because you know it could be better and we should be working on changing people’s lives; monetizing people’s resources; making people feel that they have a meaningful stake in the development of this country; taking away the frustration,” she added. “There seems to be little cooperation among our leaders, too. You don’t get a sense of a community of ownership going in the same direction…it’s always a fight; always a stretching of who I am, who are you, and everyone are trying to put the other one in their place, so to speak.” Dr. Harding noted that the kind of behaviour exhibited by the nation’s politicians is akin to those she experienced
The situation is interesting, especially since the ranks of the criminals have swollen tremendously. For one they are younger and for seconds, they can easily obtain guns. They are the ones who are going to do some outrageous things. One of them is going to be caught attempting to rob a market vendor. The sad part is that he would be severely beaten. It would then be realized that he had been caught in a similar situation. ** The fallout from the confrontation between the government and the United
when she taught in New York, “five-year-old children, especially the boys, who would gang up in the bathroom to see who can shoot the farthest using their physical organs.” “Everyone, both Government and Opposition is always in a rush to criticize and to pull down. You rush to pull someone else down, to destroy someone else’s esteem; because you have low
- Government and opposition to be blamed – Dr. Faith Harding the city—the vulgarity put to the public from people of leadership!” “How can one function effectively in a city that is so filthy—your capital city, that you must show off—where the Government is seated— where the National Assembly is seated—and you continue to make it a mental health crisis
“You don’t get a sense of a community of ownership going in the same direction…it’s always a fight; always a stretching of who I am, who are you, and everyone trying to put the other one in their place, so to speak.” self-esteem…you don’t feel good about yourself.” “The politicians seem to be playing marbles with the life of this nation…with the lives of 700,000 people and 83,000 square miles. Guyana could have gotten so far if there was not this lack of distrust and cohesiveness. “Look at the situation in the capital city of Georgetown. It is deplorable. Look at the lawlessness that emanates from our capital city—the mismanagement of
States ambassador would be nothing more than a storm in a teacup. Unfortunately, some of the visa applicants are going to blame their refusal on the Guyana Government.Some people have long memory and the impact would be far reaching. ** Murders are raging. Guyana is fast becoming the murder capital of the region. That is why the murder that will occur because two people become animated over a simple issue will scarcely raise an eyebrow. The movement of cocaine out of Guyana is at fever pitch and this would lead to the murder that will occur.
for people. All over this city we have the homeless and people who are not taken care of!” “Look at what is happening to the government—and the opposition as a team!” she exclaimed. Dr. Harding noted what you customarily have these days are a lot of accusations
and threats from both sides. “That’s because they are all insecure and unfortunately this nation is forced to deal with this insecurity. When pertinent issues are brought to the fore for discussion, people in authority get totally defensive, rather than being mature and secure, so that they can look at and deal with the issue effectively.” “I pain for my country and for the children of this nation, because they deserve better. We’re a land of richness and wealth, but we are not approaching it in the direct, comprehensive and cooperative ways—it’s supposed to be The Cooperative Republic of Guyana—the politics is supposed to be different from the nastiness we see!” She opined that the situation in Guyana is clearly forcing many citizens to leave the country. “It’s truly frightening! It’s time we mature—stop the
nonsense—stop trying to shoot farther than your brother—because you think you have got better prowess than your brother. This is a nation; become more mature! Time to stop the petty nonsense and let us get develop going!” “There’s too much chaos going on. You can feel it in the air. We are covered with too much confusion! This needs to stop - for the sake of our beloved nation and people.” In recent years, Government and Opposition have been involved in numerous bitter disagreements and what could be described as political warfare, especially on crucial issues in the National Assembly. A prime example of this is the Anti- Money Laundering Bill currently before the Assembly for passage, but on which the parties have not seen it fit to work in a collaborative manner.
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Kaieteur News
Dr. Mahendra Carpen
By Sharmain Grainger It has long been established that excessive alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking can result in erectile dysfunction, a development most, if not all, men would not want to be subjected to. But what many people may not know is that
these lifestyle habits have even farther reaching implications, whereby they can affect the heart. Of note, though, is that an earnest move towards reducing or even abstaining altogether from drinking and smoking could see people immensely reducing their
Sunday July 06, 2014
Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking - A HEART-DAMAGING COMBINATION risk of heart complications. In fact, according to Cardiologist attached to the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI), Dr Mahendra Carpen, two of the most preventable and modifiable risk factors for heart diseases are alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. He pointed out during an interview with this publication that whether persons opt to consume one or both, these factors are known to have “very dangerous effects on the heart.” “I might be tempted to say that cigarettes are much more dangerous but I don’t want to downplay the effects of alcohol on the heart either,” Dr Carpen stated. IMPLICATIONS OFALCOHOL CONSUMPTION He pointed out that while alcohol has the potential of impacting other parts of the anatomy including the liver, constant alcohol consumption has specific toxic effects on the heart. “I have seen patients who come here (CHI) with heart failure that is caused by alcohol consumption,” said Dr Carpen, who went on to note that while “a small fraction will revert back to normal once alcohol consumption is ceased, quite a significant number do not return to normalcy.” According to the Cardiologist, while some persons may be convinced that limited alcohol consumption could have some health benefits, there is currently no known safe limit.
“There has been no consistent data to support that you are at risk if you go over a certain amount, but what we do know is some people can tolerate a lot of alcohol without demonstrating many of the adverse effects...Then there are also a significant number of patients who are unable to tolerate alcohol without it causing significant damage to end organs such as the heart,” disclosed Dr Carpen. He revealed that alcohol consumption can result in the enlarging or swelling of the heart which therefore means that the heart cannot undertake its blood-pumping task properly. The heart is the sole organ in the body responsible for pumping blood throughout the body via the arteries and veins. But once it becomes enlarged, failure
can be the result which often manifests with symptoms including: shortness of breath; the inability to lie flat, walk briskly, run and engage in other energetic activities. “Persons might find that they can’t even keep up with the children while at play,” theorised Dr Carpen as he outlined the very troubling developments that can occur from alcohol consumption. And since there is no regulation controlling the use of alcoholic beverages, Dr Carpen speculated that there is perhaps too much consumption in this regard for this practice to be considered safe. Moreover, another daunting challenge that is associated with excessive alcohol consumption is that of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat among other conditions such as ventricular (Continued on page 42)
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Manickchand’s mannequin: Dying moments of a failed regime Any historian would tell you that there are certain characteristics of a government facing imminent dissolution of power. One such feature is the definite loss of rationality. A beleaguered government cannot think rationally. Its leaders say and do the most irrational, illogical things that to the normal mind make no sense. Anyone who looked at Roger Luncheon’s defence of Priya Manickchand’s fishmarket tirade against the US Ambassador would have seen a PPP Government that has lost it. Irrationality has taken over this regime. No portrayal of these dying moments could have been more graphic than the style and language of Luncheon defending Manickchand. It was if Luncheon wanted to exceed the madness in Manickchand’s behaviour and maybe he did. Luncheon was literally gloating at the attack of Manickchand on Ambassador Brent Hardt. It had to be a mentally shattering moment for the average Indian supporter of
the PPP who would give anything to go to the US. Surely, Luncheon and Manickchand must know that cussing down the American government cannot find appreciation in Berbice and Essequibo. I believe all PPP leaders know that this is so, but irrationality inevitably takes over a government on the downslide and its leaders become helpless to pull back from the brink. Any analyst who says that he/she didn’t expect the unbecoming outburst the type of which Manickchand displayed maybe is naïve. The past five years we have seen endless Manickchand-like acts. We are talking here about unadulterated irrationality. Just to mention two recent Manickchand moments. The chairman of the West Indian Cricket Board was treated in the most contemptuous manner three weeks ago. He was lied to, insulted and pushed around. Now I am not talking about the Cricket Bill itself. I am referring to the arrangement put in place for
confabulations with the Chairman and how those meetings were approached. Let me give you just two examples. An appointment could not be made for the Chairman to see President Ramotar because Mr. Ramotar was in Berbice. But the Chairman was only told this after he arrived at the Office of the President for talks. And to add insult to injury, the Chairman was later given proof by an executive of the Guyana Cricket Board that Mr. Ramotar was in Georgetown and never in Berbice. Why would a Caribbean Government treat the Chairman of West Indian cricket like this? The answer is irrationality. It is silly for a PPP supporter to think that the Chairman did not report that mistreatment to his Caribbean colleagues. Here is the second example. It has to be hurtful to you, your spouse and children to have valid birth certificates, but you have to go through sheer torment to apply for a new one which must not be older than six months when you apply for a
passport. It is an obnoxious and asinine requirement. But did you see how Rohee at his press conference was gloating about this imposition? He kept asserting that people will have to get the new birth certificate. And who are these people? The PPP’s supporters who have to come from Essequibo and Berbice to apply for the document that will take more than a year to acquire. Rohee was in the same irrational mood like Luncheon. This is what happens to a faded, jaded regime that has been in power for too long and is experiencing drought in ideas and sapping mental energy. The irrationality began under the latter years of Bharrat Jagdeo, but it is taking its toll on the Ramotar cabal because of two factors. One is the minority status of the PPP Government. There has been no power dilution out of the loss of the Parliament majority and that is clear for any schoolboy to see. The PPP exercises power
without any oppostion or legal or constitutional restraint. It is the mental fatigue that comes with the bruising battles between the Executive and the Legislature that is exacting a heavy toll on the mental fiber of the PPP cabal. The Amaila Falls project was casualty of such a protracted war. The second factor is the divisive battles that are going on inside the PPP. Luncheon’s statement that Manickchand’s speech was written by the Cabinet is utter nonsense. Manickchand was probably told in an informal way to be frank and direct. But never for a moment one should believe that
Frederick Kissoon Manickchand accepted to be a mannequin. What Manickchand did was to go overboard to prove herself as a tough, nononsense PPP loyalist to advance her credentials in the ongoing leadership battles inside the PPP. In the mean time, the nation should expect nuff irrationalities.
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Book Review Review:: Author: H. Lloyd Weston Dr Glenville Ashby, Critic
We have all been smitten, bitten by a whirl of emotions that we call love. It’s a unique feeling that melts the heart of the stoic and stirs unbridled sensibility in the most vulnerable. Years ago, a popular musical group sang the popular refrain, “I want to know what love is. I want you to show me.” In “The Many Silences of Love” author and poet, H. Lloyd Weston dares to answer an enigma that so many have failed to unravel. Is love heightened infatuation? Is it a sobering gesture of affection? Is it an emotional intoxicant that dazzles and destroys the senses? Once unleashed, can it be likened to an incorrigible beast that destroys the individual? Is it cruel? Is it kind? Weston wrestles with love’s multiplex faces. It’s a herculean task, but he pretty much comes close to deciphering this emotional vortex. He simplifies love,
Kaieteur News
Sunday July 06, 2014
Poet unravels the mystery of love Book: The Many Silences of Love making it more comprehensible. Almost effortlessly, he likens love to the colour, beauty and cyclical character of nature. His metaphorical leanings are detailed and crisp. His tonal quality is even and soothing. His beat is structured, rhythmic and fluidly cadenced. Weston is the consummate wordsmith and he entertains to the hilt. Moreover, he proves to be a romantic, in touch with his sense and sensibility. He is gratuitous for being in love, but is well aware of the gnawing feeling of emptiness. He knows and feels the pain, the searing and maddening hurt that destroys the mind and incapacitates the body. He is a school boy overwhelmed by desire. He is a man who will accept and savour a touch, a caress, and a moment of quietude with his partner. Here, love is sublime and ethereal. Carnality is absent and hardly missed. In “The Arms of Love” he writes, “We lie transfixed in Love’s hypnotic spell, fully clothed, except for naked emotions. That is how love
forces us to honestly reveal our true Nature of Self.” In the subtly of “Love Song,” he fashions love to “a song that lingers longer - like music in the soul; one that soothes our longing for touch from another being.” And after contemplating the beauty of nature, he offers a clue to the essence love. It’s transcendental, yet pedestrian ineffable, yet understandable. Weston pens in the “Language of Love,” “If I were a red rose blooming in a French garden, I would say study me well. Learn the vocabulary of my structure...observe the sensuality of my curves, touch my petals! See how soft and sensuous - foreign, yet familiar.” But in “Love Sing,” the poet bemoans the burden of love. There is yearning, pleading and pain. But he battles through raw emotions hoping to temper, if not conquer his feelings. In “Moment” the “Hyde” side of Love rears its head and the poet is shattered, crestfallen, victim of unspeakable despair. Love
proves to be a double-edge sword. And Weston cries out, “Does there exist a remedy potent enough to speed relief? Or counteract the sting of unrequited love’s inconsolable grief? There is no magical formula capable of bringing instant relief.” Weston’s ability as a genuine poet is best exemplified in “One River of Love.” He writes, “Love came like a magician in the night, rearranging hearts that separately lie - like fading petals after summer roses die....Love is a bridge for strangers, two lives that melt into one river of self.” Weston is boundlessly resourceful, arguably in the vein of the best: Byron, Keats and Wordsworth of the Romantic era. No small feat. His entire repertoire is dedicated to a single theme, a sure recipe for repetitiveness and ennui. Yet, he deftly avoids that pitfall, producing a number of poems, all of which are fresh, unique, and provocative. A triumph that is undeniable. The Many Silences of
Love: Contemporary Love Poems by H. Lloyd Weston (2nd edition, 2012) Trafford Publishers, USA
ISBN: 978-1-4269-44888 Available: www.trafford.com Rating: Recommended
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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MY COLUMN
When your own bug bites you As a Guyanese I have been exposed to the kind of reaction that US Ambassador Brent Hardt’s comments evoked from the Guyana Government. And the reaction, according to the government’s Chief Spokesman, Dr Roger Luncheon, was calculated and premeditated. I was there when he explained why the government reacted as it did, and it was my question about who wrote the speech that Minister Priya Manickchand delivered on the occasion of the 238th anniversary of the independence of the United States. As Guyanese, we love to knock back and when we don’t, we always wish that someone would do the hitting for us in a hurry. Forget all the talk about leaving everything to God. Had the government adopted that line there would not have been the reaction by the Guyana Government. The Ambassador has been one of the foreign diplomats to insist that there be local government elections. The last of those elections were held in 1994. Why there have been no more can only be credited to the fact that the government is not too enamoured with holding those elections. They do not give a true reflection of the results should general elections be held. For example, in 1994 after
the People’s National Congress lost the 1992 general elections and after Desmond Hoyte made some significant changes within the ranks of his party, the former Prime Minister Hamilton Green became incensed and formed his own political party. In the local government elections of 1994, Hammy’s political party beat Desmond Hoyte’s PNC for the Georgetown municipality. Hammy immediately recognized that he could beat Desmond Hoyte in the city and its environs. The general elections of 1997 came and Hammy contested. Hoyte’s PNC demolished him. The people simply told him that they were prepared to support him for the lesser prize but when it came to the big thing he had better think again. So the ruling party does not set store on local government elections, although it feels a sense of power when it knows that it is in control of the happenings. But this is about the reaction to Ambassador Hardt. I know that the government does not take kindly to criticisms. I have heard the various Ministers describe those newspapers critical of some of the government’s actions as opposition media. To better understand how each Government Minister feels about the critics, one only has to listen to how
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh describes former Auditor General , Anand Goolsarran. Therefore, who the devil is Ambassador Hardt to criticize the Guyana Government? The government saw the Americans as meddlers in the internal affairs of the country. But the very People’s Progressive Party Government brought in and invited the meddling. I still remember the year 1990 and even earlier. The PNC was in power and the PPP seemed unable to uproot that party. The party campaigned and lobbied overseas, particularly in the United States. One Paul Richler was invited to canvas numerous Congressmen and even President Jimmy Carter. I was there when Jimmy Carter came and in not as many words, told Desmond Hoyte that his party was accused of rigging elections and that there were some things he needed to do if he still wanted United States support. There was the American Ambassador George Fleming Jones who not only openly criticized the PNC government, but had his every comment published with the help of the government. On Friday, Dr Luncheon, when asked about the American involvement in the affairs of Guyana, described it as hereditary. In short, they have always been
involved. But in post-independent Guyana, it is the very party that is now protesting about meddling that invited the meddling. I recall the British bringing in the mongoose to Guyana to combat the snakes that threatened the agriculture programme. In the end the mongoose became a pest and the British then did their utmost to exterminate them. Then we come to the manner in which the government decided to react to the charges of meddling. The American ambassador invited the Guyana Government to his home for the celebration. We Guyanese always respect a man’s home. We don’t criticize him there. The government threw that tradition through the window. Dr Luncheon gloated about the lash that Manickchand gave the Ambassador. Manickchand told Ambassador Hardt that from the time he came to
Guyana the relationship between the two countries became tense. How true this is, I don’t know. I do know that Jimmy Carter was so frustrated with the government that he told a press conference that he would never come back to Guyana. To this day he has kept that promise. At the same time, President Donald Ramotar has been full of praise for the ambassador. I heard him shower praise on Hardt when the ambassador presented three vessels to the Guyana Coast Guard. The same thing happened when the ambassador announced that he was getting the Drug Enforcement Administration to come to Guyana. This is the same ambassador whose tenure heightened tension between Guyana and the United States. I am convinced that we broke the diplomatic mould. I am also certain that there would be no fallout, because the Americans are
Adam Harris accustomed to dealing with Third World governments. I was embarrassed as many others were, but who cares? Ambassador Hardt is leaving today and I am certain that his help for Guyana would disappear with his departure. When Ambassador Roland Bullen took Guyana to task and cancelled all visas to Government officials there was not even a peep by way of a criticism from the government. Perhaps we have become adept at picking on those whom we know we can embarrass.
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Sunday July 06, 2014
When enough is enough! By Rajendra Bissessar It would take a lot to list the wrongdoing of the PPP. The list is well known and includes nepotism, favoritism, and the giving away of Guyana’s patrimony to friends and foreigners through secret lucrative deals. The corruption of the PNC pales before that of the PPP. Just recently we saw Cabinet intervening and giving China Railway a huge contract for the construction of the East Coast Demerara four-lane road by objecting to the company that was selected by the Central Tender Board as having qualified for the contract. We all know the relationship this company has with an ex-official of the government who was in a habit of giving away the people’s resources to his friends. And we must not forget that this government has not held Local Government Elections for over 17 years and now that everything is in place, the government is actually refusing to set the
date for the elections. The Local Government system is in disarray. Too many councilors and many of those on the lists have died or migrated, and so the local communities have become rudderless. As a consequence, their communities have fallen into disrepair. Local government elections, so vital to the lives of our people, are not being held because the PPP is deadly afraid of facing the populace, and so garbage is not being collected and the drains, canals and streets have fallen into disrepair. Today we are seeing the government in its death throes scurrying to repair some streets, hoping that the streets would bring it votes. The government has allocated $10,000 per school child this year. This amounts to a little more than $800 per month. A pittance, while they are diverting billions into the pockets of their already rich friends. Former President Jagdeo gets over three million dollars a month in pension.
They refuse to disclose how much more is expended on him. While the Minister of Health says we cannot afford to buy MRI equipment for our hospitals, the Former President took a trip abroad on a luxury jet because he had dengue fever. On the other hand, the old people who served Guyana faithfully are receiving a pittance, and even this would have been much less if it was not for the agitation of the AFC. The rags to riches in record time of some government ministers and their friends contrasts glaringly with the plight of especially the small farmers, the sugar workers, the carpenters, the masons, the bauxite workers, and especially the unemployed, which percentage seems to be a state secret. The youths, the graduates are without jobs, hence without a future, a life filled with despair. There are those who think that nothing would change, but the last elections demonstrated a vote of no confidence in the PPP government. The PPP was the incumbent, in full control of the government and Parliament, it had the state resources at its disposal, it had money to burn from the cronies it helped to get rich. The fact that it still lost the majority demonstrates that the people have begun to realize the betrayal of the Jagans’ legacy as pronounced by no other than Jagan’s daughter at Babu John during one of
his memorial services. This betrayal is recognized by the majority of PPP supporters. The only thing left for the PPP is to instill fear into its supporters by pointing to the atrocities of the PNC. But the reality is that we fought the PNC because of such atrocities. Can we now condone the same kind of atrocities because it comes from the PPP? We have seen that this deterioration, betrayal and massive corruption of the PPP caused myself, Gerhard Ramsaroop, Prakash Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo, Ralph Ramkarran, and other genuine stalwarts, to abandon the PPP. Continued support of the cabal that has hijacked the PPP spells abandonment of all we fought for, spells abandonment of our youths, our country and our future. And as if I have not said enough, the PPP has descended to another level of abandonment of all that the Guyanese people struggled for, universal suffrage – the right of every adult to vote for the government of their choice. You will conclude, and quite rightly, that you exercised your franchise and you are right, but that franchise was to determine who controls the highest decision-making body in the land, parliament. It is parliament that makes the laws, and very importantly, it is parliament that determines how the taxpayers’ money is to be spent. The voters of this country
put the parliament of Guyana under the control of the opposition. The opposition prudently cut areas where money is being wasted or misspent and the government moved to the court, and the court in the opinion of many lawyers, ruled incorrectly that parliament cannot cut the budget, but approve or disapprove expenditures. The government was fully aware that certain expenditures would be “not approved”. To by-pass this, the government bundled monies that the opposition would most likely not approve with those it would, thus forcing the Opposition to “not approve” the entire bundle. The opposition did not just “not approve” but informed the government that it would support any supplemental brought before parliament to cover the areas it wanted to approve. Instead of doing this the government, for political gains, screamed that the workers cannot be paid and that some needed programmes cannot be funded. Months passed and still no supplemental Appropriation Bill has been presented to parliament. Lo and behold, the government is presenting a statement of excess to cover monies spent by the government for May and June. Monies not approved by parliament. The government is asking the opposition to now vote in favour of monies it spent illegally. But it still has not brought a supplemental Appropriation Bill for monies to be spent for the rest of the year. The reasonable assumption here is that it would continue to spend illegally and
unconstitutionally, and then come again in a few months asking parliament to approve another set of illegal spending, as it refuses even now to present to parliament S u p p l e m e n t a r y appropriations. What is in fact happening is that the PPP has run roughshod over the highest decision-making body in the land, to remove any control over what it does with the people’s money, and wants the opposition to support its dastardly act. There is no way that the Alliance For Change can by any stretch of imagination support this Bill. There is no way the AFC can approve this illegal spending. It cannot support the emasculation of the sovereignty of the people that is exercised through its representatives in parliament. The PPP, through its own seeming madness, has created a constitutional crisis. In fact, the PPP by its actions has torn this section of the Constitution to shreds, clearly demonstrating no respect for the Guyana Constitution and the rule of law. It is now saying it can spend what it wants, when it wants, how much it wants, where it wants, without the approval of parliament. Anyone in my opinion can appreciate why under these circumstances the AFC has commenced serious discussions for a motion of noconfidence in the present PPP government, as this government has now signaled that it is above the law, above Parliament, and above the Constitution of this land. This sad state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue as all are involved, all would be consumed.
Sunday July 06, 2014
SUNDAY SPECIAL GOVT WAS NOT CAUSING PANIC OVER FATF BLACKLISTING …DANGERS OF SUCH AN EVENT VERY REALRAMOTAR The fact that Guyana was not mentioned by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) when it conducted its plenary has presented a dilemma where some will turn the situation and say that Government was only trying to create hysteria under the guise of international blacklisting and the consequences. This is the view of President Donald Ramotar, who addressed the media last week Saturday. He said that despite not being mentioned, the dangers of what comes with international blacklisting are real. Ramotar said that Guyana has a unique situation and in many ways has been getting measures of reprieve; hence the reason FATF did not blacklist Guyana during its recently concluded plenary. He was speaking to the fact that Government is unambiguous in its position that it wants to pass the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill and that it was the opposition which controls the National Assembly that is causing the delay. MONDAY EDITION SPENDING $4.5B IS A CRIME …AFC WILL LODGE FORMAL REPORT WITH POLICE – KHEMRAJ RAMJATTAN Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, committed a crime when he illegally spent $4.5B from the coffers when the National Assembly had expressly denied approval for such expenditure when it was considered in April last. This is according to Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, himself a practicing Attorney at Law. According to Ramjattan, despite the matter being in the public domain, he will be preparing a formal complaint to be submitted to the Guyana Police Force. He explained that he will be taking this course of action since in previous times when illegalities are uncovered and made public, the Police would in response say that no formal complaint was lodged with them. Ramjattan is adamant that what the Finance Minister did when he expended the $4.5B, is criminal. He said that the Finance Minister’s resort to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) does not hold matter, and further Dr. Singh is eminently
Kaieteur News
qualified to know this. According to Ramjattan, approval to spend monies from the coffers can only come through authorization from Parliament. He said that while the FMAA does allow the Minister to spend monies from the Contingencies Fund prior to receiving parliamentary approval, this is only for emergencies and unforeseen circumstances. He used as an example a hypothetical Tsunami hitting Guyana. According to Ramjattan, should this occur, the Finance Minister would justifiably be able to access the Contingencies Fund and be able to legally spend money prior to receiving approval from the House. TUESDAY EDITION COUNTRY’S CORRUPTION RATING WORSENS …HAITI FIRST, GUYANA SECOND President Ramotar, after nearly three years as President, still cannot pronounce on the NCN report. The Marriott Hotel project still has more questions than answers. This year, the Finance Minister has spent $4.5B without the approval of the National Assembly. Then there was the Internal Auditor with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority who was sent packing, because he unearthed fraud and recommended sanctions. These are some of the things that have contributed to the findings by Transparency International which rates Guyana as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
The Corruption Perceptions Index compiled by Transparency International for 2013 has found that Guyana has slipped lower than the previous year giving rise to a perceived increase in corruption under the Donald Ramotar Administration. Of all the countries of the world: Out of a score of 100 Denmark and New Zealand scored the best in the world with a score 91 each. Somalia was perceived to be the most corrupt of the 177 countries across the world that was surveyed. In the Caribbean region Barbados is rated 15th with a score of 75 while Jamaica and Trinidad are tied at 83rd with a score of 38. Guyana, however is tied with Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ivory Coast at 136th with a score 27. In 2012 Guyana had scored 28 points. Guyana remains the second most corrupt country in the Caribbean according to the report, just above Haiti which scored 19. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. MP SAYS…GOVT. MUST ACCOUNT FOR $112M BEING SPENT ON RODNEY’S INQUIRY Government will first have to show how it spent $112M which was allocated for the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry before the Opposition decides whether more funds should be voted for the Commission. A Partnership for National Unity Member of Parliament, Joseph Harmon, made this comment Monday to Kaieteur
A completed section of the Amaila Falls Access Road
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Guyana’s Acting Foreign Minister, Priya Manickchand shares a toast with United States Ambassador, Dr. D. Brent Hardt News, in the wake of pronouncements by President Donald Ramotar that government would be seeking more funds. Ramotar had told reporters on Saturday that there is a possibility of more money being allotted for the Commission since it has been extended until September. The Head of State said that from all indications, with the new extension they would need more money. Ramotar said that he could not definitively say that the entire $112M which was budgeted at the commencement of the inquiry is “exhausted”. He said that obviously once there is an extension there would be the need for more funds. “We would have to go back to parliament to get money.” However, Harmon said that the possibility of the National Assembly voting more money to the Commission, depends on how the Finance Minister
explains how the initial $112M was spent. WEDNESDAY EDITION DYNAMIC AIRWAYS CAN’T LAND AT JFK …FORCED TO FLY IN AND OUT OF NJ, CONNECTICUT New carrier, Dynamic Airways, cannot operate flights out of John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport, but the company is still selling tickets to passengers flying to New York. Passengers onboard an early morning flight that arrived several hours late in the United States Tuesday, were alarmed to have landed at the Bradley International Airport in the State of Connecticut when they were supposed to land at JFK. This occurrence is a repeat of what took place last Sunday when passengers, on the brink of being stranded, had to be transported from JFK to Atlantic City International Airport, New
Jersey, to be flown to Guyana. Dynamic Airways, in a release last week, said that it was denied clearance by airport authorities to operate out of JFK after some ‘technical difficulties’ arose. Passengers arriving from Guyana told Kaieteur News Tuesday that they were shuttled by bus from Connecticut to JFK, New York, which is a three-hour drive. They said that they were unaware that they would not be flown directly to New York, despite their airline tickets saying that they had a direct flight to the JFK International Airport. Several persons expressed disappointment at being fooled when the airline failed to disclose that it would not be flying into the JFK Airport. Dynamic Airways local partner, Roraima Airways, headed by Capt Gerry Gouveia, however, refuted claims that passengers were misinformed of their final destination. When asked, he said that Dynamic Airways has still not gained approval to operate out of JFK so they would have notified passengers of the alternate location. 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 Tuesday, 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 (Continued on page 45)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday July 06, 2014
Guyanese fleeing an ‘avalanche of crimes’ President Donald Ramotar’s warning to the Guyana Police Force, on 24th April, that the country might be facing an “avalanche of crimes” has heightened anxiety over the state of human safety, the rate of murders and the low level of public security in Guyana. Secretary to the Guyana Defence Board Dr. Roger Luncheon, on 18th October 2013, was also obliged to admit that “robberies under arms were a significant contributing factor to the increase the rise in serious crimes.” Minister of Home Affairs Minister Clement
Rohee, on 18th March 2013, criticised the Guyana Police Force – over which he has had ministerial responsibility for nearly eight years – for the number of serious unsolved crimes including murders by “execution.” The entire nation, indeed, is alarmed at the rising rate murders and armed robberies. There have been over 2050 murders in Guyana from January 2000 to May 2014 and the annual rate continues to climb. The United States Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) report on Guyana stated: “Serious crime, including murder and armed robbery, are common, especially in the suburban areas and the interior regions. The most recent information from the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime lists Guyana’s 2010 homicide rate as 18.4 per 100,000 people – the fourth highest murder rate in South America behind Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil. Guyana’s murder rate is three times higher than that of the United States.” There were 58 murders up to 31st May 2014, compared to 52 for the same period in 2013. This represents a 12 per cent increase and a rate of nearly 12 murders every month. There were also 473 armed robberies for the year up to 31st May 2014, compared to 372 for the same period in 2013. This represents a 27 per cent increase and a rate of over 3 armed robberies every day. There is every indication that the high rate of murders and other serious crimes has been a contributory factor to
the high rate of emigration. Guyana’s population, according to preliminary results from the Report on the Guyana Population and Housing Census 2012, has fallen to 747,884. This represents a decline of 3,339 from the 751,223 recorded for 2002, when the previous census was conducted. Census results show, among other things, a significant drop in the number of persons living in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region (No.6), which has been seriously affected by murder, armed robbery and piracy. The Region’s population now stands at 109,431, down from 123,695, representing a decline of 14,264. Chief Statistician and Census Officer Lennox Benjamin reported that the reduction was mainly influenced by ‘emigration.’ The US Embassy in Georgetown confirmed the ‘emigration’ trend. The Embassy reported that, during the last decade under the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar presidencies, it issued 46,540 immigration visas to Guyanese. The Embassy, therefore, has been issuing an average of 4,500 immigrant visas per
year since 2004. It reported that 4,572 were issued in 2013 alone. The flight of Guyanese to neighbouring countries – the Caribbean, Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname – has reinforced the causal connection between crime and emigration. Blame for Guyana’s high level of insecurity, soaring murder rate and escalating ‘emigration’ lies squarely with the nearly 22-year long People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration which has failed consistently to implement a comprehensive counter-crime strategy. Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, rather than tackling the causes of murders and criminal violence, has become infatuated with a variety of expensive, elaborate but ineffectual exotic imports. The Minister, on 28th January 2013, signed a $25M contract with the United Kingdom company, Capita Symonds, for the provision of consultancy services that focused, incredibly and in the midst of a spate of bloody murders, on “internal administration, successionplanning, professional probity and public relations.” The Minster, later that year, on 15th October 2013, signed a $163M contract for the
United States company, the Emergence Group, to create a SWAT team. Such a unit – given the nature of murders in the hinterland, at sea, in homes and rural areas – will not contribute to improving investigative techniques and lowering the murder rate. The People’s Progressive Party Civic administration has the responsibility to protect the population from violent crime. The Minister of Home Affairs, however, seems unruffled by the reports of criminal violence. He has not seen it necessary either to curb the soaring rate of murder or to explain to the nation why, after eight years in office, serious crimes continue to increase at such a phenomenal rate. The 12-year Bharrat Jagdeo presidency, most particularly, will be remembered in this country’s history for the extraordinary number of murders which occurred. The trend has continued to rise in the 2-year Donald Ramotar presidency. It is likely to persist as long as Clement Rohee remains responsible for public security. Guyanese, fearful of being murdered, will continue to flee from the “avalanche of crimes” to safer countries.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Cooking her way to success…Anna... Posing with some of her creations at the Carnegie School of Home Economics (2006)
From page 18 cook.” Anna still has her inspiration around today - her 77-year-old mother - a very happy and supportive mother who still gives “kitchen advice“. Our special person's days are very busy - spent preparing, supervising and managing. She would have to cater sometimes for as many as 1,000 persons, a responsibility that requires waking up very early, putting in hard and long hours, and a commitment from her staff. “You need to have adequate and appropriate finger foods and threecourse meals and complete that job in the desired time. Your reputation is on the line” Anna says she would love to pass on her knowledge; however, time does not permit. A few years ago, she was able to teach some courses on cake decoration and icing. “There are still people behind me up to now, wanting to learn, but there is so much to do in the business, and sometimes I have to fall in to help the workers…and it's hard, because when I am finished working I would be too tired to teach people in the afternoon-maybe some time in the future.” She recently returned from an overseas vacation. It
Receiving a certificate after completing a Food course. really rejuvenated her. Apart from relaxing with her family and friends abroad, she was able to observe unique culinary customs and dishes and, of course, took in a lot of ideas. “I got a lot of new ideas in terms of grilled food, jerk meats, fruit-filled tarts and cakes. Interestingly, many eateries abroad weigh their food for sale. This is some-
thing I'm not too fond of, since the plates would already carry much of the weight.” Apart from listening to soul and oldies music, she loves attending weddings, parties and other social gatherings, where her eye for
strange and interesting culinary preparation, foods and arrangements, remains ever so present. “I am always curious to learn different things. These are places I get my ideas. You never stop learning; you always yearn for more knowledge.”
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Kaieteur News
Sunday July 06, 2014
Manickchand’s blast of US envoy was prepared by Cabinet - Dr Luncheon It was Cabinet who prepared and cleared the speech that was delivered by Minister Priya Manickchand, chiding the US Ambassador, Brent Hardt, during a recent reception held in observance of America’s Independence Anniversary at his residence on Wednesday last. This was confirmed on Friday by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who told
reporters that it is “standard practice”. Dr Luncheon also defended the occasion used by Government to launch the vitriolic attack on the Ambassador, as ‘ideal’ since Hardt is scheduled to leave Guyana’s shores today. He said that the Ambassador’s statements required an almost instantaneous response by Government. According to Dr Luncheon, the speech read
by Manickchand was compiled and edited at Office of the President. He added that input was received from those who are consulted and those who volunteered contributions, “to have these remarks made and heard and then they are compiled and edited, and at that point in time a decision is made.” He explained that since the substantive Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn
Minister Priya Manickchand as she delivered the scathing attack on US Ambassador, Brent Hardt
Rodrigues-Birkett, was not in Guyana a decision was taken on who would make the presentation at the Ambassador’s function. According to Luncheon, the situation is akin to the criticisms that were leveled at Winston Brassington over the affairs of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) when in fact he is only acting on Cabinet decisions. As it relates to Ambassador Hardt, Dr Luncheon noted that he leaves today, and has already identified his successor, but on Monday last, he still took the podium at an event hosted by the Blue Caps Organisation and launched a broadside against President Donald Ramotar, the Government of Guyana, Clement Rohee, the General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) and the party itself.” According to Dr Luncheon, the Ambassador’s remarks “came perilously close to the ranting of the current opposition parties.”
He said that the Ambassador saw it fit to accuse the President of duplicity regarding the constitutional rectitude, and belittle Rohee’s intellect. Dr Luncheon said that it was amazing to see Ambassador Hardt attempt to speak of the comparable grounds for insurrection between the 1776 issues that faced King George at the time of the birth of the US and that which is facing President Ramotar during his term in office with regard to local government elections. Dr Luncheon also observed a ‘muted’ reaction to the Ambassador by the local media and as such, the PPP was disposed to act immediately. “The annual July the fourth ritual presented an ideal opportunity,” said Dr Luncheon. He noted too that the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Manickchand, who is an Attorney-at-Law, was relying on Article 37 of the Guyana Constitution, when she
delivered a legitimate, “blast, a feral blast in response to the US Ambassador.” Article 37 of the Guyana Constitution says “The state supports the legitimate aspirations of other people for freedom and independence and will establish relations with all states on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity of states, peaceful settlements of disputes, non-intervention in internal affairs, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and cooperation among states.” According to Dr Luncheon, that article in the Constitution was imperative in guiding the Cabinet in the content of its response to the American Ambassador. Dr Luncheon was also quick to point out that the “feral blast” against the Ambassador, was not in response to only his remarks on Monday, but was rather in response to an accumulation which was capped by his remarks to the Blue Caps Organisation.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Solar cookers are an excellent alternative energy option - GEA By Rabindra Rooplall Daily cooking has always required fire, fuel gathering and frequent attention to be sure food cooks evenly, doesn’t burn and stick to the pot in which it is being cooked. This has been the case from the beginning of time and still is for many today. Even if the gathering of fuel, for example wood, is not an issue, the purchase of it is as it can be, and often is, costly, according to the Guyana Energy Authority (GEA). Solar food cookers use an arrangement of reflectors to concentrate solar energy on a cooking vessel. The agency’s Public Communications Officer Taiwo Williams explained that solar cookers eliminate some of the preceding concerns and are an alternative energy option in comparison to traditional cooking stoves. Through the use of solar thermal energy, the energy created by converting solar energy into heat, a solar
cooker uses the energy of direct sun rays to heat, cook or pasteurize food or drink. Simply put, it is a device that allows you to cook food using the sun’s energy as fuel. Though there are different types and variations of solar cookers, the basic principles of all solar cookers are: a)Concentrating sunlight: A mirror, or reflective metal, is used to reflect the sunlight so that it is concentrated and the energy is intensified. b) Converting light to heat: Parts of the inside of the cooker are painted black. Black surfaces absorb and retain heat which is important for keeping the cooker hot. c) Trapping heat: Isolating the air inside the cooker from the air outside the cooker makes an important difference. A plastic or glass cover creates a greenhouse effect within the oven to make sure that the heat is allowed in but cannot escape. Williams explained that the advantages to be derived
A Solar Cooker from solar cooking are endless. Solar energy (as it relates to solar cookers) uses free energy from the sun without producing pollution in the form of greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming. The use of solar cookers therefore guarantees an alternative, renewable, independent and inexpensive source of fuel. Additionally, she
underscored that the system allows for foods to be slowly and thoroughly cooked. According to an article titled ‘Solar Cookers- How to Make Use and Enjoy’, recent studies indicate that foods cooked at moderate temperatures can be healthier as slow cooking helps to retain flavour, moisture, nutrients, and makes meats tender. Though solar cooking takes about one hour more
than the normal cook time, there is no need to watch, stir or worry about the food being burnt. Pots are easy to clean as food does not stick on the inside and there is no soot on the outside. “Solar cooking is a simple, safe, and convenient way to cook. Solar cookers use no fuel therefore they cost nothing to operate. Hence, its usage helps to reduce fuel costs, air pollution, and slow down deforestation caused by the cutting down of trees to obtain firewood for cooking.” The GEA noted “While solar energy cannot entirely replace traditional fuels, the use of solar cookers can significantly reduce their use. This in turn would aid in reducing the dependence on imported fossil fuels which help to contribute to global warming. The GEA intends to continue the promotion and distribution of solar cookers by extending similar exercises in hinterland communities that are still heavily reliant on
fire wood and other types of biomass to meet their daily cooking needs.” The Energy Access at community level for Millennium Development Goals Achievement in Hinterland Areas, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project, implemented by Office of the Prime Minister, aims to provide energy services, electricity or cleaner fuels in rural areas to all Hinterland villages at the community level by 2015. Under this Project, the GEA assisted Office of the Prime Minister in the promotion and distribution of five hundred and seven (507) solar cooking stoves to five Hinterland communities Powaikoru (Region One), Kangaruma (Region Seven), Tuseneng (Region Eight) and Shulinab and Rupertee in Region Nine. Each household in these five communities received one complete solar cooker to supplement their traditional or adopted method of cooking.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday July 06, 2014
GNCPP welcomes officialdom of civil ...prepares for first Civil society’s status and role Society conference By Zena Henry “President Donald Ramotar, a vital component of Parliament, must be intimately familiar with the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, especially Chapter II, Article 13 which gives standing to Civil Society Constitutional duties, obligations and responsibilities in participating in the management and Governance of the society. “The Guyana National Council on Public Policy (GNCPP) hopes therefore that every member of the National Assembly; legislators, have at minimum, a working knowledge of the Constitution, in-particular Article 13 and welcomes officialdom on the part of the rising civil serving agency.” Dr. Philip Thomas, GNCPP Chairman, pointed out that
the Constitution’s Article 13, guarantees Civil Societies that the State is duty-bound to establish an Inclusionary Democracy wherein citizens and their organisations can participate and influence management and decisionmaking of the State. President Ramotar, he continued, has established a favourable reputation of consultations with the labour movement, religious, faithbased organizations, the Private Sector and Professional Associations, as testimony to his own acceptance of the status and role of Non-Government Civil Society. In recent efforts seeking passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, the President made resounding calls upon a collective Civil Society to play their role in
ensuring the passage of the Bill. As such, Dr. Thomas seeks the endorsement of the President. Opposition Leader, David Granger, in an address at an Organization of American States (OAS)-sponsored forum on the Role of Civil Society, participated in the Democratic Governance process and made an unequivocal call for greater participation and representation by Civil Society in managing the body politics. This forum was attended by representatives from government and opposition parties of 14 Caricom States. Granger ’s call was in response to the observation cited in the proposed draft OAS model regulations on strengthening political parties, when he was emphatic about greater action being placed on
strengthening Civil Society’s role rather than ‘regulation’ of parties. He also pointed out that Caribbean Constitutions guaranteed freedom of association and the political system should aim at reinforcing, rather than restricting, that freedom. A subsequent press release by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said that Granger, in the case of Guyana, added that a well organized Civil Society has a role to play in addressing the control and abuse of the State media, access to transportation assets, excessive powers of the head of state in the presidentialparliamentary system, and the use of dirty money from the drug trade. The call for officialdom was also made to the political body. “The GNCPP recalls with respect and appreciation, Finance Minister Ashni
Singh’s strident call for a greater and collective Civil Society involvement to foster and promote social programmes aimed at developing Guyana. His remarks were tendered during his address at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Salvation Army Dinner and Social held on December 27, 2013. It was stressed that, “‘nowhere in the world can Government alone confront and overcome all of the challenges faced by a country. Responsible social partners and responsible citizens are an absolutely critical prerequisite, if our country is to achieve what we want of it.’” Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman on June 12, 2014 was forthright with his views on the nation’s Civil Society role, as he proposed communitylevel, people-oriented
decision-making posited by the Constitutional provision that is Article 13. Hosting a new Youth Leadership Civil Society group, the Blue Caps, the Speaker is reported as saying: “There should be an inclusive form of governance in Guyana and decisionmaking processes so that all the different factors and sectors of our society should be factored into the decisionmaking. I believe that the real decision-making should be made at the bottom. So, we need to devolve more power to the people at the local government level.” “I’d like to see the power given back to the people. There is too much power centred around Parliament,” he noted. “The real power should go to the peoples of Guyana and the more national aspects should be left to (Continued on page 43)
Sunday July 06, 2014
ScotiaBank Bartica conducts cleanup campaign The staff of ScotiaBank, Bartica, cleaned the Hope Park monument and Smartt Park, on June 20, last. The monument of Hope Park gives reverence to the seven people who lost their lives when bandits invaded Bartica in 2008. The Bank has answered to the call to “Keep the community Clean� and the staff responded by volunteering their time to beautify the community where they reside.
Kaieteur News
From left Adrian Stephens, Nirvana Burnett, Carlos Prowell (Manager) and Delroy Williams.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday July 06, 2014
Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking - a heart-damaging... From page 22 arrhythmia, which are in fact abnormal rapid heart rhythms that originate in the lower chambers of the heart that can be life-threatening. “We are not talking about a benign substance by any stretch of the imagination...there has been some talk about the benefit of alcohol but as many studies that show you some benefits about mild consumption of alcohol, there is an equal
number or even greater number of studies that show you adverse effects of alcohol.” As such the Cardiologist is advising that “if you don’t consume alcohol don’t start, because you think it might have benefits for you, and if you do consume alcohol pay attention to the potential adverse effects.” He pointed out that a fact that is often overlooked is that alcohol has the ability to raise
one’s cholesterol. “Quite frequently, if you check patients’ cholesterol in this country, elevated cholesterol can be a direct result of excessive alcohol consumption,” said Dr Carpen as he explained that high cholesterol can then attack the arteries, even resulting in blockages and leading to heart attack. TOBACCO CONSUMPTION EFFECTS Although there are global efforts to combat the effects
of tobacco consumption, so much so that there are legislations in place that ban smoking in some public places in sections of the world, the impact of this substance is yet very evident. According to Dr Carpen, while an individual who smokes can be subjected to long-lasting implications, there is no denying that the consequences are similar to inhaling second-hand smoke.
“Your smoking can cause you to suffer from a number of diseases, but you might also be contributing to others around you suffering similarly.” In addition to lung diseases, Dr Carpen said that smoking can cause a number of other effects on the heart. And like alcohol, smoking can result in toxic damage to the internal aspect of the arteries that supply the heart muscles with blood and oxygen. “It can damage the lining of the arteries and when it does that, your blood platelets go and attach to it and form clots, and once those clots are formed then you have blockages, and when you have blockages there, then you can have a heart attack.” According to Dr Carpen, a vast number of patients are emerging with heart conditions which are directly linked to their smoking habit. Some of these, he said, are not even afflicted with the customary diabetes, blood pressure and overweigh challenges. As a result, Dr Carpen is keen on highlighting that “the adverse effects of cigarette smoking are no longer a debate that has been conclusively proven and steps have been taken internationally to combat its effects.” The Cardiologist is
therefore cautioning not only against the use of either heartimpacting factors, but against their combined use, since according to him, “that is a very bad combination...and I am not just talking about the impact on the heart; it affects a whole lot of things in the body and the thing that frightens men especially, is that alcohol and cigarettes, each by themselves and in combination, can cause erectile dysfunction.” Addressing these lifestyle challenges, Dr Carpen said, requires continued awareness which must embrace a multidisciplinary approach. He noted that while health officials and other health advocates are encouraged to sustain edification of the nation, people have a responsibility for their own health as well. The Cardiologist says that a great deal of the efforts in this regard must be intertwined with an education drive driven by medical practitioners, friends and family members too, who are aware of the potential harm of the lifestyle habits of drinking and smoking. “On a more national level, health policies should address these issues, but at the end of the day it comes down to education to stop these habits.”
Imbotero - Across the... From page 35 outpost and show my passport before proceeding across the creek where I repeated the routine at the Venezuelan outpost. After a while, they got to know me as the school's headmaster and I was allowed easy passage across the border. I found out, not surprisingly, that the shop was operated by a Guyanese who, if not living on the Guyana side, at least had relatives who did. (Incidentally I was thankful that there seemed to be no animosity or tension between the two outposts while I was there. I heard that sometime after I left, shots were fired from a Venezuelan boat just across the border at a Guyanese vessel no doubt engaged in cross-border trade, but it did not encroach on Guyanese territory.) There were alarming tales told by Guyanese fishermen and 'traders' who were at some time or other, stopped by members of the Venezuelan military on river patrol, and given a beating known as 'planas' with the flat blade of a machete that was first bent back, then released with great force across the chest of the alleged transgressor. Nevertheless, brisk trading flourished in the late seventies and early eighties after the Guyana government had
banned the importation of several food items including flour, one of the main commodities smuggled in from Venezuela during that period. For me as a Guyanese teacher and patriot, it was quite disconcerting to see some of our students carrying Venezuelan exercise books emblazoned on the outside with a map of that country showing the entire county of Essequibo, their 'Zona enReclamacion' as part of Venezuela. I said nothing, preferring discretion to disharmony, but it was then I realized how serious our neighbour was when it came to their border dispute with us. I wondered what they thought of Dave Martins' “Not a Blade of Grass.” I love the hinterland, but two months at Imbotero was enough. As I closed school on December 14th 1979, and headed out of the creek, I knew there was no going back, and took a last, lingering look at the ramshackle school and teacher's house that had been my home and workplace for that brief interlude in time. I heard that the school and the teacher's house have since been rebuilt. But I wonder have they drained the swamp, tamed the jaguars, relocated the alligators and silenced the mosquitos? If they have, well…I may go back one day.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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GNCPP welcomes officialdom of civil society’s... From page 32 Parliament.” These views, Thomas said, should resonate within the walls of Parliament and amongst the
burgeoning social movement which our Constitution supports. “Guyana does not have to depend on external directions
CARICOM: Arrest... From page 20 young people, the exclusion that it provokes can be debilitating in a lasting way which differentiates their plight from that of older generations”. Against this background, the Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister's call for a CARICOM Commission on Youth is opportune. He located his call “to widen the scope of opportunity and to broaden the space” for the aspirations of youth squarely in deeper integration of CARICOM countries by saying: “if we are to go forward, we must move together, offering our people a shared space in all our countries, and the scope to grow while contributing to national and regional development”. As the outgoing Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, declared: “National solutions are at best partial; and a concerted regional approach is required to improve our economies,
create wealth and jobs, and manage much better our fiscal and debt condition, and strengthen the social safety net for those who are disadvantaged”. The phenomenon of “bun wuk”, with all the indiscipline and disregard it entails, should also form part of the Commission's work on how the region addresses the problems associated with youth. No CARICOM country can bear the decline in productivity that the phenomenon presents any more than it can allow unemployment of its young people to persist. “Bun wuk” must be arrested, but the space and scope for youth employment must also be created in the region as a whole. (The writer is a Consultant, Senior Fellow at London University and former Caribbean diplomat) Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com
with respect to the role of Civil Society and its relationship with the political establishment. The two actually need each other if democracy is to be sustained. In that context, the observations of President Jimmy Carter of the United States of America during his visit to Guyana during the period August 11-13, 2004 were instructive as he put forward what he saw as a solution to Guyana’s malignant political crisis.” “President Carter stated that ‘An independent civil society forum should be created to lead a structured national discussion on a
vision for governance of the country to promote reconciliation and as it provides a new approach on what is expected from the political system. I hope civil society will organize itself in a nonpartisan fashion for this purpose.’” Thomas said that there is abundant evidence that the status of Civil Society, in all its varied manifestations, is either an accepted fact or one to be attained and implemented effectively. The GNCPP, in encouraging Guyana’s traditional and newer CSOs to continue pursuing their objectives, “felt mandated to mobilize and
organise these bodies into a National Council.” The GNCPP has done surveys and outreaches throughout the country over the past decade, as well as representatives of Guyana’s Diaspora. The Council will be a confederation of CSOs/NGOs with structured executive and management teams. It will reach out to both Parliament and its constituencies. As such, assistance will be offered whenever the needs arise, or when invitations are extended. Council members, such as the GNCPP Think Tank/National Policy Institute can make both its local and
overseas consultants available to volunteer expertise in the public interest. Dr. Thomas highlighted that the soon-to-be-formed Guyana National Civil Society Council will provide a forum within which more profound issues such as the relationship between social movements and political systems, thoughts and barriers to thwart cooperation, will be addressed. The GNCPP said it is not too early for Guyana’s Civil Society bodies to start thinking of nominations to such a Council, projected for September 2014.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday July 06, 2014
Electrical wiring and... From page 38 are covered with about halfinch thick mortar. “With this system, persons are less likely to encounter and damage a cable if they drill any wall for the purpose of hanging pictures, paintings or other decorations. With this method of wiring, the cables are likely to be 2 inches or more inside the wall,” the official explained. With the flat cable system in a concrete building, the cables are clipped to the surface of the concrete block walls. As such, when the halfinch thick mortar is applied to the walls, the cables are only covered with about quarterinch of the mortar as the cables themselves are about quarter-inch thick. Williams reiterated that this system puts the cables at a higher risk of being damaged, and exposes persons to electric shocks, should any of the walls be drilled for any purpose. PROTECTION “The GEI is therefore encouraging builders to use the single cable with conduit when wiring a concrete building. The flat cable system should be used for surface wiring, which is common in the wooden buildings. Single cables should not be run in ceiling or anywhere without using conduit, trunking, or other suitable methods for protecting the cables from mechanical or other damage.” This particular one is what I am worried about. Many homeowners, to cut costs, run the wires in the ceiling without the conduits. More than anything else, I fear rats. But leaks too from the roof over time can be even more worrisome. This will invariably lead to problems. You may have to replace the wiring in 10 years if the house does not burn down. Without showing a preference to any brands of wiring, I must point out that cheap is not always good. Speak to the electrician about choosing the right electrical wires. Williams also said that main switches or main circuit breakers should not be installed in bathrooms, toilets or over staircases. “They should be accessible, and installed at a height where the switch handle is not more than 6.5 feet high from the floor or platform.
Another important thing to note is that the ordinary power receptacle (outlet) cannot be installed within six feet of a water source such as a sink. It has to be installed beyond six feet from any edge of the sink, otherwise it has to be a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The GFCI offers superior protection against electric shock in high risk areas such as wet locations. In erecting a new building, or rewiring an existing building, the owner should first engage a licenced electrical contractor. If it is a large residential or a commercial building, then the contractor is required to submit the electrical design to the GEI before he/she commences any installation works. “The GEI would examine the design and make changes where necessary in keeping with the standards. The contractor will then be given permission to proceed with the installation, according to the approved design. After completing the installation, the contractor will apply to the GEI for an inspection of the installation,” the official said. GEI will inspect and test the installation for compliance with the design and the standards. “If the installation meets all the requirements, the GEI will issue the contractor with a certificate of inspection for the building. The owner of the building can then use that certificate to apply to the utility (GPL) for electricity service. For small residential buildings, it is not necessary for the contractor to submit a design to the GEI before commencing installation work. He/she, however, has to follow every other aspect of the procedure. Now, again because of the problems with GPL in especially new housing schemes with power spikes, low voltage, rats and other factors, I am urging that new measures be followed to the letter. While I have fire insurance, there are many new homes built with the life savings of Guyanese that are without. Imagine losing your multi-million-dollar home to a fire caused by an avoidable problem with wiring. Enjoy the weekend and don't forget to drop your comments as usual to gildarie@yahoo.com.
Sunday July 06, 2014
From page 27 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 claimed that it is a net contributor to the Treasury and, its operations remains fully accountable and transparent. THURSDAY EDITION PRIYAMANICKCHAND BOOED ATAMERICA’S 4TH JULY RECEPTION …ATTEMPTS TO HUMILIATE US AMBASSADOR In what can only be the most shocking abuse of hospitality and a disregard for the diplomatic norms, Guyana’s Acting Foreign Minister, Priya Manickchand, on Wednesday evening launched into an attack on United States Ambassador, Dr. D. Brent Hardt. And for her efforts she was soundly booed by the invitees. The occasion was the observance of America’s 238th anniversary of its independence. Just two days earlier, Ambassador Hardt, addressing a youth forum called Blue Caps, was critical of the Guyana Government for its failure to hold Local Government elections. This so rankled the ruling People’s Progressive Party that Wednesday, it issued a statement that chided Ambassador Hardt for meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign government. Minister Manickchand extended this criticism when she shared the podium at the American Independence Anniversary, Wednesday night. Early in her speech she lauded Ambassador Hardt for his comments about Guyana. She then launched into an attack on the comments of the Ambassador. WORKS ON AMAILA FALLS ACCESS ROAD AT A STANDSTILL Plagued by problems from its inception, the Amaila Falls access road has yet again run into another snag, with works now virtually suspended as a result of incessant rains. Of recent, contractors have been managing to get work done only on the few dry days that they would get. Observers have noted
Kaieteur News
that in future when Government and contractors ink contracts for roads in the interior, they must take into account the documented patterns of rain given that they are expected to undertake works in a “rainforest.” Work has been completely suspended at some sections while at others, workers utilize the dry days that are few and far between to complete the road that is desperately behind schedule. As it relates to the troubled ‘section seven’ of the road, all of the laterite has been put in place but the Chinese contractors are yet to level and compact it. Head of State, Donald Ramotar, was asked last week Saturday why liquidated damages are not being activated against contractors for failing to meet deadlines. In the case of the Amaila road there have been numerous deadlines and extensions largely because of poor planning for the rains. According to Ramotar, he has given clear instructions that should contractors not be able to fulfill their obligations under the contract then Ministers must apply the penalty clauses. FRIDAY EDITION CONSTITUTION APPEARS TO GIVE GOVT. BLANK CHEQUE …AS FINANCE MINISTER JUSTIFIES $4.5B SPENDING, RULES OUT ILLEGALITIES The Constitution of Guyana, the supreme law of the land, appears to have provided Government with a proverbial blank cheque for seemingly unlimited expenditure from the Consolidated Fund. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, recently tabled a Statement of Excess in
Parliament documenting more than $4.5B that the Administration has already spent – allocations that had been voted down by the Opposition - prompting allegations of illegal spending. Dr Singh on Thursday hosted an engagement with the press where he provided excerpts of the relevant sections of the Constitution that authorize spending outside of the budget using the Consolidated Fund and legislative provisions allowing access to the Contingencies Fund. The Minister, in justifying the legitimacy of the $4.5B expenditure, pointed to Article 218 (3B) of the Guyana Constitution which reads: “If in respect of any financial year it is found—that any moneys have been expended for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act, a supplementary estimate, or as the case may be, a statement of excess showing the sums required or spent shall be laid before the Assembly by the Minister responsible for finance or any other Minister designated by the President.” This provision, Dr Singh said, has been in the Constitution ever since 1980, and further, a Statement of Excess is not unknown to the political opposition, since over the past two years they would have approved at least 58.9 per cent of the amounts on three Statements of Excess that he has tabled as a result of the various budget cuts. $42.7M ECD ROAD EXTENSION PROJECT…CHINA RAILWAYAWARDED CONTRACT DESPITE INCOMPLETE BID
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It appears that China Railway First Group has been awarded a contract to upgrade and widen the East Coast Demerara Public Road by Cabinet, despite the fact it was found by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board to have submitted to a defective bid. When asked why the company was awarded the project even though it was found that its bid was incomplete and that Tender Board recommended for it to be retendered, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said, “Well I suppose it depends on what the nature of the incompleteness is, because there may be fatal and nonfatal incompleteness. The bottom line is that all of the bidders came from a pool of six that were prequalified and found to be capable, and of four bidders we awarded to the lowest…Had we gone with the highest bidder, a different level of accusation would have been made.” The Minister was at the time responding to questions posed to him during a press conference held Thursday at the National Communications Network. SATURDAY EDITION
E’BO ERUPTS OVER LATE RICE PAYMENTS… PROTEST LEADER STRIPPED NAKED BY POLICE, AS FARMERS BURN TYRES AND BLOCK ROADWAY A protest by Essequibo rice farmers over late payments turned ugly Friday night. Police fired teargas into an irate crowd that hurled bottles and other missiles at the ranks and burnt tyres on the main road at Land of Plenty, Essequibo Coast. The farmers also blocked the roadway with tractors, trucks and other vehicles and vowed to keep up their protest until their demands are met. During the melee, Alliance for Change (AFC) Regional Councillor Naith Ram was assaulted and stripped almost naked. A senior police official told Kaieteur News that at least 100 protesters had resisted arrest but that no one had been detained. The official also alleged that the protesters threw bottles, stones and other missiles at his ranks, though one of the rice farmers refuted this claim. The protest, which began peacefully, stemmed from
repeated complaints by rice farmers of late payments by millers and poor drainage. AFC Regional Councillor, Naith Ram had asked for an audience with Agriculture Minister, Leslie Ramsammy, Region Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaud and the Regional Executive Officer, Sunil Singh, but none of the Regional Officials engaged the angry farmers. They have also been demanding a meeting with members of the Guyana Rice Development Board and Guyana Rice Producers Association. Kaieteur News was told that the protest began at around 10.00 hrs near the Bush Lot market, with the crowd using a public address system to voice their complaints. The farmers, who were carrying placards, then headed for Anna Regina, where they stopped and again voiced their complaints. At around 18.30 hrs, the protesters shifted to Land of Plenty, where the growing crowd became unruly, with the farmers blocking the roadway with vehicles and burning debris. It was the second protest by the farmers in two weeks.
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Sunday July 06, 2014
DIABETES AND YOUR SKIN By Dr. Kumar Sukhraj For people with diabetes, having too much glucose (sugar) in their blood for a long time can cause serious complications, including skin problems. About a third of people with diabetes will develop skin problems at some point in life. In fact, some skin issues can be warning signs of diabetes. In some cases, people with diabetes develop skin conditions that can also be found in non-diabetics. Fortunately, most skin conditions can be prevented and successfully treated if caught early. But if not cared for properly, a minor skin condition in a person with diabetes can turn into a serious problem with potentially severe consequences. Some common skin
conditions in people with diabetes: Acanthosis nigricans This condition results in the darkening and thickening of the skin. Often, areas of tan or brown skin, sometimes slightly raised, appear on the sides of the neck, the armpits, and groin. Also occasionally, these darkened areas might appear on the hands, elbows, and knees. This condition can affect otherwise healthy people, or it can be associated with certain medical conditions, however it is frequently found in people with diabetes. Allergic reactions Allergic reactions to foods, bug bites, and medicines can cause rashes, depressions or bumps on the skin. If you think you might be having an allergic reaction to a medicine, contact your health care provider. Severe
allergic reactions might require emergency treatment. It is especially important for people with diabetes to check for rashes or bumps in the areas where they inject their insulin. Loss of hair, thinning and shiny skin, thickened and discoloured toenails, and cold skin- These conditions can result from atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of blood vessels and thickening of the vessel walls. While atherosclerosis most often is associated with blood vessels in or near the heart, it can affect blood vessels throughout the body, including those that supply the skin. When the blood vessels supplying the skin become narrow, changes occur due to a lack of oxygen. Loss of hair, thinning and shiny skin, thickened and discoloured toenails, and cold skin are symptoms of
Smartphones allow DO-ITyourself stress hormone tests The next addition to the collection of health apps coming online for smartphones may be a stress test, researchers said at a recent conference. With a simple tube, some software and a saliva sample, people and their doctors can measure levels of the stress hormone cortisol, according to new research presented last week at ICE/ENDO 2014, the joint meeting of the International Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society in Chicago. “We have designed a method by which anyone with a smartphone will be able to measure their salivary cortisol level quickly, easily and inexpensively,” said lead investigator Dr. Joel Ehrenkranz, director of diabetes and endocrinology at Intermountain Healthcare in Murray, Utah. While a commercial lab in the United States may charge up to $50 to run a quantitative salivary cortisol test and take up to a week to provide the results, the smartphone test will cost under $5 and give results in less than about 10 minutes, Ehrenkranz told Reuters Health in an interview. “Parts of the United States and the rest of the world that lack facilities to measure cortisol will now be able to perform this essential diagnostic test,” he said. “Also, measuring salivary cortisol with this technology will provide a way for
individuals to monitor their personal biometric stress levels easily and inexpensively.” Ehrenkranz and his research team would like to see healthcare providers around the world, especially in low-resource areas, use the smartphone test to help diagnose disorders involving excessive cortisol or depletion of the hormone, and to allow cortisol levels to be monitored easily over time. They’d also like the public to monitor their own cortisol levels whenever they want. So they designed their device to be inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to use on all cell phones, all platforms and all form factors. It consists of a case, a light pipe, and a lens, it uses no battery power and it’s unbreakable and reusable, they say.
For the developing world, it needs to be inexpensive, Ehrenkranz said, and it costs only about $1 to make. Project collaborator Dr. Randall Polson, senior optical engineer in the College of Engineering at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, wrote in an email, “We are trying to make sure a skilled 8th-grader – a 12-year-old – can get accurate results.” “The measurement system’s smartphone and reader act as a photo studio. . . . The complex and difficult processes are put into the strip chemistry and embedded into the smartphone application, so if you have a charged phone and a test kit you can get accurate results without complicated infrastructure and highly trained technicians,” Polson wrote.
Dr. Kumar Sukhraj atherosclerosis. Because blood carries the white blood cells that help fight infection, legs and feet affected by atherosclerosis heal slowly when they are injured. Bacterial infections There are different kinds of bacterial infections affecting the skin. Skin infections with the bacteria known as Staphylococcus are more common and more serious in people with poorly controlled diabetes. These include styes, which are infections of the glands of the eyelids; boils, which are infections of the hair follicles; and carbuncles, which are deep infections of the skin and the underlying tissue. There also are bacterial infections that affect the nails. With a bacterial infection, the areas involved generally are hot, swollen, red, and painful. Most bacterial infections require treatment with antibiotics in the form of pills and/or creams. Fungal infections - A yeast-like fungus called Candida albicans is responsible for many of the fungal infections affecting people with diabetes. This fungus creates itchy red rashes, often surrounded by tiny blisters and scales. These infections most often occur in warm, moist folds of the skin. Treatment of fungal infections involves keeping the area dry and using a combination of topical steroid and antifungal medicines. Bullosis diabeticorum (diabetic blisters) - In rare cases, people with diabetes develop blisters that resemble burn blisters. These blisters-called bullosis diabeticorum-can occur on the fingers, hands, toes, feet, legs, or forearms. Diabetic blisters usually are painless and heal on their own. They often occur in people who have diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic dermopathy Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels of the body
that supply the skin with blood. Changes to the blood vessels because of diabetes can cause a skin condition called diabetic dermopathy. Dermopathy appears as scaly patches that are light brown or red, often on the front of the legs. The patches do not hurt, blister, or itch, and treatment generally is not necessary. The patches are sometimes called skin spots. Digital sclerosis - The word “digital” refers to your fingers and toes, and “sclerosis” means hardening. Digital sclerosis, therefore, is a condition in which the skin on your toes, fingers, and hands become thick, waxy, and tight. Stiffness of the finger joints also might occur. Lotions and moisturizers might help soften the skin. Disseminated granuloma annulare - This condition causes sharply defined, ringor arc-shaped areas on the skin. These rashes most often occur on the fingers, hands, and feet, but they can occur on the trunk. The rash can be red, red-brown, or skin coloured. Treatment usually is not required, but some cases might benefit from a topical steroid medicine, such as hydrocortisone. Eruptive xanthomatosis Eruptive xanthomatosis can occur in some individuals when blood glucose levels are not well controlled and when triglycerides in the blood rise to extremely high levels. This condition appears as firm, yellow, pea-like bumps on the skin. The bumpswhich are surrounded by red halos and can be itchyusually are found on the feet, arms, legs, buttocks, and backs of the hands. Lipidlowering drugs might be needed. Itching - Itching skin, also called pruritus, can have many causes, such as a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor blood flow. When itching is caused by poor blood flow, the lower legs and feet are most often affected. Use lotions or creams, avoid taking hot showers, and use gentle soaps to help keep your skin soft and moist. Moisturizers will also prevent itching due to dry skin. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) – This is caused by changes in the blood vessels and generally affects the lower legs. With NLD, the affected skin becomes raised, yellow, and waxy in appearance, often with a bluish-purple border. Sometimes, NLD is itchy and painful. As long as the sores do not break open, treatment is
not necessary. See your health care provider for treatment if the sores do break open or if the lesions are painful. Scleroderma diabeticorum - Like digital sclerosis, this condition causes a thickening of the skin; but scleroderma diabeticorum affects the skin on the back of the neck and upper back. This condition, which is rare, most often affects people with diabetes who are overweight. Lotions and moisturizers might help soften the skin. Vitiligo - Vitiligo is a condition that affects skin coloration. With vitiligo, the cells that make pigment (the substance that controls skin color) are destroyed, resulting in patches of discoloured skin. Vitiligo often affects the elbows, knees, and hands, but it might be found on the face (around the mouth, nostrils, and eyes). This condition can be seen in people with type 1 diabetes. You should use sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher to prevent sunburn on the discoloured skin. It is important to note that keeping your diabetes under control is the most important factor in preventing the skinrelated complications of diabetes. Follow your health care provider’s advice regarding nutrition, exercise, and medicine. Maintaining control of blood glucose level within the range recommended by your health care provider is most important. Proper skin care also can help reduce your risk of skin-related problems. Please feel free to send an email to kumarsukhraj @yahoo.com or call 6228032 for further enquiry and discussion on the topic. Patient education plays an important in the diagnosis and management of diabetes and any other illness. Please look forward for a continuation of the discussion on health issues in the next publication. References: · Grandinetti LM, Tomecki KJ. Dermatologic signs of systemic disease. In: Carey WD, ed. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine 2010. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:section 3. · Habif TP. Cutaneous manifestations of internal disease. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 26. · American Diabetes Association. Skin complications. http://goo.gl/ zK46I.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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BACON TRIPTYCH SELLS FOR ‘Transformers’ turns into box office ‘landmark’ $45 million in London behemoth with $100 million opening
A Francis Bacon small-format triptych of his lover George Dyer made what Sotheby’s called a “landmark” price of 26.7 million pounds ($45.4 million) on Monday in a contemporary art sale that surpassed estimates and set records for some artists. The Bacon, a 1967 work which Sotheby’s said was one of about 40 such triptychs that the artist painted in a format of 11 by 14 inches for each of the three frames, was the star of the show for a packed auction in London that netted a total of 93.15 million pounds. Even with eight of 59 lots unsold, the total topped the pre-auction top-end estimate of 89 million pounds. The previous top price for a similar Bacon triptych was 23 million pounds, Sotheby’s said, while the highest price ever paid for a work of art at auction was the sale by rival Christie’s of a large format Bacon triptych in New York last November for just over $142 million. “The driving force tonight was passion,” Cheyenne Westphal, chairman of Sotheby’s contemporary art department, told Reuters. “The Bacon was bought by collectors who truly wanted to own it. It was a completely private market that came from virtually every side of the world and people wanted to own this wonderful piece and they bought it.” Westphal declined to identify the
geographic region of the winning buyer but noted that the losing bidder in the tense 10minute-long battle in which the price for the Bacon soared well above the 20-million-pound top guide price had been handled by Patti Wong, Sotheby’s chairman in Asia. The sales event set an auction record price of 8.5 million pounds for Scottish artist Peter Doig for his “Country-rock (wing mirror) of 1999”, though this was slightly below the “in the region of 9 million pounds” that Sotheby’s had guided for the enormous oil painting. There also were some surprise prices for works by younger artists, among them Romanian Adrian Ghenie’s “The Fake Rothko”. It went for 1.43 million pounds, or roughly four times its top guide price and six times the highest price previously paid for the artist at auction. A real Mark Rothko “No. 10” from 1949 also sold for much more than the top guide price of 800,000 pounds, going instead for more than 2.5 million pounds. Other major works sold at the night auction of the two-day event that continues with a day auction on Tuesday included an Andy Warhol “Nine Multicoloured Marilyns” that went for 4.6 million pounds, a Bacon “Study for Portrait of P.L.” that sold for just under 4.5 million pounds and a Warhol “Dollar Sign (Yellow)” which went for 4 million pounds.
“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” the fourth in the series of films about formchanging Autobot robots that save the planet, powered up with $100 million in box office sales, jump-starting a sleepy summer with the year’s biggest opening weekend. “22 Jump Street,” starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, was second with $15.4 million in its third week in theaters, according to studio estimates. Animated film “How to Train Your Dragon 2” took the No. 3 spot with sales of $13.1 million for the Friday through Sunday period at U.S. and Canadian theaters. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” stars Mark Wahlberg in his first outing taking on the evil Dinobots. The series’ three previous installments, starring Shia LeBeouf, generated nearly $2.7 billion in worldwide sales, according to Box Office Mojo. “It’s just a spectacular result,” said Don Harris, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Paramount. The film took in more than $200 million overseas, an indication of “what a beloved franchise this is worldwide,” Harris added, crediting director Michael Bay who helmed all four installments. “Transformers” added another $10.7 million on domestic IMAX screens and $16.6 million internationally. Made for more than $200 million, the film
pits Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and other Autobots against new villains. It met industry projections for its opening weekend. The nearly three-hour movie garnered mostly poor reviews, with only 17 percent of 121 critics giving it a “fresh” rating, according to the site Rotten Tomatoes, but ticket buyers gave the film an A- rating according to polling service CinemaScore. Prior to the opening of “Transformers,” summer ticket sales had lagged last year by 15 percent, according to the box office tracking site Rentrak, when blockbusters such as “Iron Man 3,” “Monsters University,” and “Fast & Furious 6” drove ticket sales. Last weekend’s box office leader “Think Like a Man Too,” a comedy starring Kevin Hart based on TV personality Steve Harvey’s book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” was fourth with $10.4 million. “Maleficent,” Walt Disney Co’s revision of its 1959 movie “Sleeping Beauty” starring Angelina Jolie as a spell-casting evil fairy, rounded out the top five with $8.2 million and has totaled more than $200 million since opening on May 30. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” was distributed by Paramount, a unit of Viacom Inc. Sony Corp released “22 Jump Street” and “Think Like a Man Too.”
Lindsay Lohan sues makers of ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ video game Actress Lindsay Lohan is suing the makers of the popular “Grand Theft Auto V” video game, saying it used her likeness without permission, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday. Lohan accused New Yorkbased Take-Two Interactive Software Inc and its label Rockstar Games of creating a look-alike character named Lacey Jonas to boost sales, according to the complaint in state Supreme Court in New York. For months ahead of the game’s release, the complaint said, the companies promoted the Lacey Jonas character and a side plot in which players must rescue
her from swarms of paparazzi. Lohan was once one of Hollywood’s most soughtafter young actresses with starring roles in movies such as 1998’s “The Parent Trap” and 2004’s “Mean Girls,” but of late has become better known for her legal woes that include theft and reckless driving. She has been to rehab six times. The in-game Jonas shares similarities with the real-life Lohan, including her voice, image and outfits from her clothing line, the complaint said. The game also features the Hotel Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California, where the actress once lived.
Claiming that the game violates her privacy rights under New York law, Lohan is seeking undetermined damages. A spokesman for Take Two declined to comment. The 16-year-old Grand Theft Auto franchise has won numerous awards and become embedded in popular culture over the years. But the criminal drama and action-adventure series has also stirred controversy over the violent and adult nature of its content. Grand Theft Auto V was released in September 2013 and exceeded $800 million in global first day sales. (Reuters)
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Manickchand’s disrespect and a disappearing Guyanese population By Ralph Seeram My mother who is in her 90th year has always reminded me that there is “book sense” and “common sense”. I tried to pass this on to my kids. Today, if I needed a perfect example to demonstrate to them, Priya Manickchand would be ideal; she has book sense but no common sense. I read somewhere, this little story of how a cruise ship developed engine problems and the engineers with all their degrees and computers could not fix the problem. The owners decided to call an old retired ship mechanic to look the problem. He came with a hammer, looked around the engine and gave two taps with the hammer on a particular part of the engine, which immediately hummed to life. Later, when he sent his bill of US$1000, for the twominute work, the owners were outraged and asked for an explanation. His invoice said hammer US$2, knowing where to knock hammer US$998. That’s the problem with Priya Manickchand; she doesn’t know where to knock. You don’t go into someone’s house as a guest and “knock” them down with insults; it is downright insulting to your host, demeaning, and lacks class. And to think that this woman is the Minister of Education. In politics, it’s all about diplomacy, especially in foreign affairs; that’s why
they are called diplomats. It’s for a reason, so if she was the Acting Foreign Minister, she certainly forgot her ‘diplomatic hat’. Now if Manickchand gives a reception at her home, and Brent Hardt goes and suggests that she joins a gym and lose some weight, that would be downright undiplomatic and insulting, but if he notes that President Donald Ramotar lost some 40 pounds and maybe some of his Ministers should ask him his secret, that would be very diplomatic. I wrote in these columns a long time ago that I think Brent Hardt meddles too much in the internal affairs of the country, but as old people say “there is a time and place for everything”. The Ambassador’s house was not the place. I wonder if she understood why she was booed down. As an added insult, she staged a walkout of the man’s home, demonstrating a disrespectful if not primitive behaviour. Manickchand is considered by some as one of the better Ministers. Trouble is, many feel the same way. Was she given this script to read by the PPP or was it her thoughts? Either way she made a fool of herself; the booing she got should make her realize that. As a Guyanese I am embarrassed by her behaviour, and as a US Citizen I feel offended. One must remember that despite its earlier actions in the 60’s, the US cleared the way for the PPP
to get in power. I have a daughter that reminds me of my youthful and impetuous ways, telling “it as it is”, but I always cautioned her, “You can say it with lemon and vinegar, or you can say it with sugar and honey.” If Priya Manickchand wants to be the PPP “pit bull”, that’s fine. Go take the pulpit at Freedom House or her office and shout as loud and as long as she wants. It would appear that everytime a PPP official opens his or her mouth he creates a public relations nightmare. Whoever is in charge of the PPP public relations is a complete idiot. Now let us talk about one of the subjects that caused Manickchand’s tirade - Local Government Elections. The PPP has been in power for 22 years and had four General Elections. You really want to convince people that you could not have held Local Government Elections over the last 18years or so, especially since you controlled parliament from 1992 to 2011? Credit the Guyanese people with some intelligence. Who the PPP thinks it can blame? Don’t attack the US Ambassador, he is only speaking the truth. The fault lies with the Government in power. Another issue that emerged this week was the omission of the ethnic makeup of Guyanese in the recent census. I can’t say if there is anything sinister behind this omission, but it should have been in the
census. After all, that’s what a census is all about, getting as much information as possible about the population. I personally believe the ethnic makeup was done but is not being released. While we are on the census, those that released the figures really take the Guyanese public for fools for their simplistic ways of saying Guyana’s population declined marginally by some 3,000 odd persons since 2002. Are they saying that Guyanese men took a leave of absence from sex or got impotent in the last 12 years prior to the census? No babies were born, or were there more deaths than birth? Somebody is afraid to say that more Guyanese left the country than women can deliver babies, not to mention people who migrated to Guyana. Since I was a “small boy’ in primary school I was told that Guyana’s population was about 750,000. That was more than 50 years ago my friends. My son asked me one time about the population of Guyana, I told him it’s the same as it was 50 years ago. He was puzzled as to why it is the same, so I explained that he should take our immediate and extended families and multiply that by at least a 100,000 families that left Guyana over the years.
I was happy after reading Christopher Ram’s explanation that Guyanese men are still great sperm donors and the women are great producers. According to Ram, there were some 124,000 births over deaths and in reality Guyana lost over 128,000 people during the period and not the simplistic 3,000 decline. That Guyanese are leaving in droves is no secret, but that’s a subject for another day. There is a certain satisfaction in writing these articles. Long lost friends scattered around the globe (that caused the population decline) have been able to reconnect with me. This week I got a surprise email from a person who comes to my
mind often when I write these articles, my old English teacher, Nowrang Persaud. I still practice a lot of what he taught me “back in the days” when English teachers were dedicated to their craft. Nowrang went on to excel in bigger things on the International scene, but the teacher in him brought him back to Guyana to pass on his knowledge to a new Guyanese generation. Sad to say I contributed to the decline of the Guyanese population, and would gladly return, however I have to get my grand kids’ approval, and I doubt they will approve. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email; ralph365@hotmail.com
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Kaieteur News
VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838 One female clerk – Tel: 225-6481 FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One smoothie machine and ice machine – Call: 231-0655 or 683-8734 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 One Nissan X-trail 2004 Model PRR Series – Call: 647-0016 Used pedicure chair, hair dryer and salon chair – Tel: 668-9583, 698-5272 Lots of Original PS2, PS3, 3Ds XBOX360 systems – Game & game parts – Call: 683-8386 Yamaha outboard engines, various sizes, tundra wheels, boat trailer – Tel: 220-1981, 690-1945
FOR SALE Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Crab Wood etc Call: 688-6579 Chicken- Whole plucked available at BM Enterprise Inc. contact: 227-8175/8176 Delivery also available. New and used fryers, food warmers, 1 RX8, 125 KVA Diesel Generator 5500 watts generator – Contact Raj: 2604643 1-10 Ton Winch & Cable, One Cylinder Diesel Engine (New) – Tel: 618-4872 Hallow block machine – Call: 617-3001 MERCURY 99.99% PURE ELEMENTAL LAB GRADE QUALITY, NOT CHINESE! BEST PRICE! – CALL: 592648-5281 Virgin Coconut oil, honey, Cassareep, crab wood oil, ground coffee, plantain flour, farine, cassava bread – Tel: 233-2907 or 689-7707 Two months old Tibetan Terrier – Call: 225-4780; 6015927 Pure breed Rottweiler puppies for sale – Contact Natasha: 653-5132/626-1743
Fully furnished houses at La Parafaite Harmonie - $19M, Foulis - $75M, Ogle -$65M, Republic Gardens - $45MContact 223-8479; 647-3768/ www.spaceseek.gy Land located at Mon Repos - $95M, Linden Highway$1.6M Size: 100X200 Contact 223-8479; 647-3768/ www.spaceseek.gy One used Xbox360 & TV with two controls & four games - $100,000 – Tel: 6217497; 603-8643 One Samsung S4 19500 cell phone, 64GB storage, 2GB RAM, good condition$65,000- Tel:672-7422; 2256455 Computers, freezer, laminating machine, game controllers, UPS, chairs, etc - Call: 696-4832; 234-0530 Complete computer – 3.21 Quad-Core /4GB DDR3/1TB Hard drive- 22" monitor/ups/ keyboard& mouse, etc – Call: 234-0530; 696-4832
LAND FOR SALE Land for sale 110X60 at 5th Avenue Diamond, EBD. For quick sale - $7M. Contact: 652-5601 Land for sale at Better Hope South – Price $6,350,000, negotiable – Tel: 642-7898 Eccles (100ftx50ft) - $3.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.1M, Grove (with foundation) $2.6M, Tuschen -$1.5M – Tel: 218-5591; 675-7292 At Eccles Housing Scheme – price $6.5M – negotiable – Call:616-6000 15 Acre transport land opposite Timerhri Docks, next to Kamuni Creek – Tel: 2224708
Experienced News Reporter - $150,000 -$200,000; Hours: Midnight – 8AM; 6 days per week - Tel: 673-5475 GUARD for Land of Canaan, accommodation available, LORRY DRIVER living on E.B.D. 266 4427 One female cleaner: Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Salesgirls- $10,000 weekly: Come into Dian’s Delhi, opposite Kitty Market. One Experienced Hauler Driver: Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. One night security: Apply in writing with a valid Police Clearance to GCC Ground, Bourda. Exist for one handyman – Salary - $22,000 weekly – Call: 223-0595 Cashiers @ Shell Service Station Providence EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) – Tel: 265-7305 1- Live in maid, must be from the country between age 3545yrs & know to cook Indian Dish – Tel:662-1124; 611-0200 Experienced Male/Female Bar attendant, experienced Chef/Cook & one domestic at Cotton Club, Lot 44 Public Road, Kitty – Tel: 231-1908; 231-1912 Kitchen assistants and cooks to work and live in Buckhall Essequibo – Tel: 668-7660 or 690-4860 Bahamas Catholic Board of Education to teach Electrical Installation & Auto M e c h a n i c s : director@cec.edu.bs/ cathboed@coralwave.com – Tel: 1-242-352-2544
Lifelong partners, friends, companions- Call: 223-8237/ 648-6098 (8:30AM-5:00PM) both phones same hours. Confidential rules apply.
ACCOMMODATION LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
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
Tourist Villa: Furnished Rooms & apartments- 1, 2 &3 bedroom apartments at affordable rates – Lot 95 Fifth Avenue, Subryanville – Tel: 227-2199; 227-2189; 227-2186
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 Hair Station for rent - $5,000 weekly, also 1 Nail tech with clients – Call: 604-3002; 2316972 Nail courses, Day & evening, also Brazilian & Indian Virgin Hair – Call: 604-3002; 6998477; 231-6972
Property for sale around Banks DIH area – Telephone:231-6693 AA Eccles - $55M, East Bank (land) - $5M, Durban Street $34M, West Coast - $15M Call Diana: 227-2256; 626-9382 Two transported properties (house & land) & One 100 acres farm land with live stock & fruit trees. – Tel:6928923 2- Storey 10 rooms Hotel/ Restaurant/ bar with attached apartments uptairs & downstairs. large store room @ Better Hope, E.C.DCall:222-2514 Double lot at Ruimzeight, W.C.D – Call: 629-1532; 6647326 Unfinished two-storey threebedroom concrete house at La Parafaite Harmonie – Price: $10M Neg. – Tel: 6559102 Two-storey wood & concrete, 3 self-contained apartments, concrete garage, yard, fence at Shell Road, E.B.D – Price negotiable – Tel: 658-5452 Two-storey concrete house (26X45ft), 4 bedrooms, 3 washrooms, grilled with electronic security at Granville Park, Beterverwagting - Tel: 6726169 Two-storey with two threebedroom apartments with kitchen, bathroom and toilet at Tuschen, E.B.E – Contact: 650-2982
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) For low cost: Repairs to fridge, freezer, A/C unit, microwaves, TV & washing machine - Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822 Farm Developing Experienced Agronomist (Hi Tech)- all your information – Call J.W Miller: 654-9106 Cold storage-facility available at BM Enterprise Inc. Contact: 227-8175/8176 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655, 683-8734 Commercial and domestic building designs from $10,000 estimates and electrical works available – Contact Sean: 667-2189 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, washing machines, A/C units – Call Lindon: 6411086, 694-2202, 227-8907
PENPAL
Male, 49-year-old, need a friend – Call: 690-1405
Dachshund Puppies for sale - $10,000 each – Tel:2160521; 694-3567 One fruit dryer machine (new) 2 compressors, distilled water machine, 4 mag rims - Call: 231-5171 or 619-7134
Office clerk senior/junior CXC: English, Mathematics & computer knowledge an asset- Call: 225-0188/225-6070
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
Sunday July 06, 2014
MASSAGE #1 Massage Therapist: Trinidadian decent, professional massages, male & female – 8am-6pm – Call: 690-0341 The Gents Spa: Beautiful qualified masseuses, new attendants from Cuba & Trinidad, drinks available – Tel:657- 5979
Certified electrician: Does your house / business need electrical installation & wiring. Affordable cost (negotiable)- Contact Zaheer Ibrahime: 638-4311; 234-1626 We Refill HP Printer Ink $2,000; Cannon printer ink $2,500. Phone: 650-7699 Brian Moe at 642-3543; Computer Technician; FB: Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!!
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Toyota Spacio, PNN Series, fully loaded, in excellent condition, Price: $1.850 Negotiable – Call: 6519892 2006 Blue Nissan Titan. Fully Loaded GSS Series. Contact: 604-6108. New model Toyota RAV 4 $2.5M negotiable – Tel: 2255034, 639-5577 Toyota Avensis, Corolla 110, Tundra – Tel: 645-0078; 6030078 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 Diamond Auto Show: Black Nissan, Blue Bird 2007, fully loaded, 2/4 wheel drive – Tel: 682-1822 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash. Also parts available & 30 seater buses; extra Cab pickups; 2006 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 1 Backhoe - $6.5M, 2 Chipper - $300,000 each, XTai brush cutter - $80,000 (vehicle unregistered) – Contact: 662-0701, 692-0661 Two Massey Ferguson 3115/ 3095, German made, and England Standard - $5.5 M each- (vehicle unregistered) – Contact: 662-0701, 692-0661 Two EFR Dump truck, aluminum tray, 2001 model $6.5M negotiable each (vehicle unregistered)– Contact: 662-0701, 692-0661 1 Seddon Atkinson truck 3 side dump, 2003 model $6.5M negotiable (vehicle unregistered)– Contact: 6620701, 692-0661 Best 2007 Nissan Titan flair, trunk cover, 22" mags, air brush $2.8M- Call: 674-9593 Toyota IST - $1.6M, excellent condition, chrome rims – Contact Chad: 685-7728; 267-1551 1 Man curtain side truck, 2005 model, hydraulic back life $6.8M negotiable (vehicle unregistered)– Contact: 6620701, 692-0661 First Class Auto: 2006 Premio, 2006 Allion, 2004 Spacio, IST, Axela, Fielder, Rush – Call: 609-8188; 638-3045 (Continued on page 63)
Sunday July 06, 2014
US Judge’s order exposes New GPC deception From page 3 the answers will be used by Lall to target and hurt its customers. However, the New York court, presided by Judge Joan Kenney, nixed the excuse, denied the request and last month ordered the New GPC to produce the answers within 20 days. The political opposition had been incensed over the arrangements between Government and New GPC and its other sister companies, especially over the seemingly cosy relationship in the purchasing of drugs. For this year alone, Government is set to spend upwards of US$25M for drug purchases. Last year, Guyana spent US$23M. The drugs bills would represent half of the total Ministry's budget of US$50M. Drug purchases have accounted for a large chunk of the Ministry of Health's expenses with New GPC in 2011 being awarded almost 80 per cent of the US$65M expended. The Opposition parties in the National Assembly have expressed alarm over the developments with members of its Public Accounts Committee arm, clashing during examinations of the 2010 Auditor General's report. Hotly debated also, was how the Ministry did not follow competitive bidding processes and as such allowed US$6M in contracts to be granted to New GPC to deliver drugs in 2010. Last December, the prequalification period expired and Government immediately moved to invite companies to apply. However, local suppliers and the Opposition again criticized the “unfair” conditions which included among other things, large spaces for storage and evidence that it supplied hundreds of millions of dollars in drugs. They said that the conditions were specially created forRamroop, Jagdeo's best friend. The conditions, in effect, tipped the scales in favour of New GPC.
VACANCY Exist for one domestic cleaner – Salary - $20,000 weekly – Call:223-0595
Kaieteur News
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2003 Toyota Premio with back camera & TV - $2.4M, 2008 Toyota Premio - $3.6M & 2004 Toyota IST $2.2M – Tel: 6154114 Blowout Sale!!! Unregistered, fully loaded Toyota IST $2,250,000 & New Model Raum - $2,250,000 – Tel: 6436565; 226-9931 One Suzuki R1 wagon (Jeep) Automatic, fully Powered with A/C, hardly used – Price: $1.1M. Contact Rocky: 6215902/ 225-1400 One AT 192 Carina (Private) automatic, fully powered, mags, A/C - price$1.1M Contact Rocky: 225-1400 1 - Toyota RZ mini-bus, gear, mags, hardly used, (EFI) Price: $1.4M - Contact Rocky: 621-5902 or 225-1400. Toyota extra cab pick-up (22 R engine) manual, (EFI) 4×4, (Solid Def) price $2.4MContact Rocky 621-5902/2251400 One Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab – Pick up manual, diesel, excellent condition – price $1.8M. - Contact Rocky 6215902/225-1400 One Isuzu Canter (open back) short base manual, excellent condition, price $1.3M - Contact Rocky 6215902/225-1400 1- Toyota Tundra extra cab (4x4) automatic, fully powered, A/C, alarm – Price $2.1M - Contact Rocky 6215902/225-1400
(From page 62) FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Furnished new apartments USD$600-$1000 located in Ogle: Pool, parking, hot water, AC, Wi-Fi. Contact Richard: 622-7236 1- Two bedroom apartment at 35 Howes St. G/Town$45,000 per month- Contact: Pet Boy’s Shop between 11am-6pm Mining Blocks to rent at Mazaruni and Kwakwani – Tel: 627-4900
One Toyota AT170 Carina manual, fully powered, A/C, mags, Price: $650,000 Contact Rocky 621-5902/2251400 One Toyota NZE Corolla (lady Driven) automatic, fully powered, A/C, Price: $1.6M Contact Rocky 621-5902/2251400
TO LET Suburban Suites 1039 Fifth Avenue, Section A, Diamond, EBD, Guyana Call: 609-2466 2 BEDROOM UPSTAIRS FLAT, LARGE VERANDAH & WASHROOM, PARKING ETC @ LAMAHA GARDENS – SERIOUS ENQUIRIES – CALL:6098132 OR 672-8569 (MAX) Furnished and unfurnished two bedrooms apartment in Eccles, for short or long term – Tel: 690-6494 Newly constructed 2 bedroom apartment in a healthy & safe environment on W.C.D – Call: 698-6496
GT TOOL RENTALS SPECIALS CONCRETE SAW; JACK HAMMER WELDING MACHINE, PRESSURE WASHER & RANSOM – CALL: 675-0767; 627-5098. Houses & apartments at Queenstown - $1800USD, Kitty-$45,000, $50,000, $120,000, Bel-Air $2500USD, Campbellville - $65,000Contact 223-8479; 647-3768/ www.spaceseek.gy House to rent at La Parafaite Harmonie -$ 70,000 – Contact: 686-2332 Two bedroom apartment $35,000 at Lot 2387 Diamond E.B.D– Contact: 602-9302 One bottom flat twobedrooms apartment, garage, big yard space, located at Section ‘A’ Diamond – Call: 223-4281; 678-4072
Kitty - $100,000, Lamaha Garden- $US1000, AA Eccles – US1200 – Call Diana: 2272256; 626-9382 One three bedroom top flat unfurnished – Contact: 6815058; 687-0835; 644-7207 One two-storey house at Diamond New Scheme – Price: $50,000 – Call: 6099909; 233-5476
One building with spacious yard space at Coverden, E.B.D. Call 623-1615 for more information.
CAR RENTAL
1-Toyota Dyna (2 ton) open back canter, 5 speed manual (short base - 3Y) excellent condition - Price$1.4M Contact Rocky 621-5902/2251400 1- Toyota L-Touring Wagon, automatic, fully powered, A/ C, mag rims –Price: $1.3M Contact Rocky 621-5902/2251400
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Three-bedroom bottom flat to rent, located at Diamond Housing Scheme - $35,000 per month – preferably working couple – Contact: 628-2388
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
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Raum, PMM Series, leather interior, DVD, touch screen, 17" rims, candy paint, alarm & remote start - $1.4M – Tel: 601-8625
One AE91 Toyota Corolla (private) automatic, excellent working condition – Price: $450,000 - Contact Rocky 6215902/225-1400
One AE 100 Corolla Wagon, L-Touring $775,000, one AT212 Carina - $875,000, one unregistered Toyota Noah $1.8M – Tel: 611-6632; 664-3488
One Toyota Rav4, 2004 Series, PNN - $3.6M Neg., one Corolla NZE PLL Series - $1.5M Neg. Contact: 668-7660
Toyota Raum, AT212, AT192, L-Touring Wagon, AE110 Corolla, Tacoma, 2007 Year Model, fun cargo – Tel: 6445096; 6971453
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 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 Transitional/Foundation Summer Classes, Grade 6Grade 7 & 8: Mathematics, English, Spanish/Music, I.T. etc. Placement in July – Call Mr. Lee: 231-2076 Canadian School of Arts & Science, now enrolling students for summer classes in remedial Mathematics & English – Call: 216-6921
CATERING
Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 6987807
Roxy’s Snackette & Catering Services: Any occasion, daily breakfast, lunch, snacks, fruit juices, power porridge – Call: 223-0092; 223-0095 WANTED One cook (must be able to assist in cleaning) Tel: 6883686
DRESSMAKING Jean offers courses in dressmaking, designing curtains, floral decoration & cake decoration – Tel: 6181706; 670-2653.
Are you looking for a job anywhere in the country? Call Ron’s Real Estate – Tel: 6757292 Why work for $50,000 monthly when you can earn it and more instantly? – Tel: 218-5591; 675-7292 Are you looking for a big career or a business partner? Call Ron’s Real Estate – Tel: 675-7292 FOR HIRE
Wings Car Rental- Call: 6906494/ BBM pin: 24E17558
Toyota Fun cargo, PMM series, immaculate condition - $1.250M – Call: 601-8625 2005 Audi A4, leather interior, 17" rims factory, PSS series, after market head & Tail lights Halo - $4.2M – Call: 601-8625
LEARN TO DANCE Learn Ballroom dancing in 10 weeks, every Monday & Thursday – starting 10 July 2014 – Call: 642-9053; 617-0170
VEHICLE FOR SALE Mitsubishi Car EVO 2 mag rims, DVD/CD, air brush – Tel: 610-6927 FOR AVERTISING RATES CALL US ON 226-8210
Moving? Need to transport goods? One canter for hire – Contact: 694-5441 or 6854161
WANTED Live out domestic babysitter and live in babysitter –Call: 225-0188, 225-6070 (Monday to Saturday ) (8:15am4:15pm) Children feeding program continues, celebrating any occasion or just want to partake? – Call: 696-7467 One handy boy to work in the interior- Tel:681-6044 1 DJ, must know to play both Indian & English Music, 1 Handyman/woman/gardener, 1 electrician – Call Office: 2653586 Experienced taxi & bus driver at Princess Hotel, Providence – Tel: 616-5419/265-7076 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 to buy in Eccles, La Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen & all low income areas – Tel: 218-5591; 675-7292 Skilled carpenters – Call: 6157526; 668-9863 Shop Assistant to work in the interior, age 30-40, salary $80,000 – Call: 664-5199 Between 9am-6pm Minibus Driver to work relief on Sundays – Call: 675-3093 Male & Female Cashiers apply in written application at NIRVA supermarket – Tel:2275771 One experienced domestic must know to cook & bake. Starting salary $70,000 monthly – Tel:610-5043 Over edge and straight stitch operator to work at Garment Factory – Call: 222-2541 Monday – Friday One Cleaner to work in snackette & bar , must know to cook, age 20-35yrs – Tel:647-7432, 223-5798 Salesgirl/boys and porters apply in person, to Avinash Water Street 8:30 to 4:30 M A N U FA C T U R E / IMPORTER, FOOD PRODUCTS SEEKING A G G R E S S I V E SALESPERSON FOR BERBICE AREA, PREFERABLYARESIDENT FROM BERBICE.CALL:231-8344 FOR INTERVIEW.
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Sunday July 06, 2014
Infant remains critical US Ambassador was expressing universal views after vehicle collision Manickchand’s incident was “vulgar and crass” - Granger
US Ambassador, Dr. D. Brent Hardt Leader of the parliamentary Opposition, Brig. David Granger, has deemed the incident in which Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Priya Manickchand lashed out at the outgoing US Ambassador during a July 4 Independence reception, as “vulgar and crass.” Prior to the “unprecedented send off” on Wednesday last for Ambassador Brent Hardt, he had made comments supporting the call for Local Government Elections in Guyana and had also said that President Donald Ramotar is an inconsistent defender of the Constitution. The government subsequently issued a statement which chided the Ambassador for meddling in the internal affairs of the country. When asked to what extent he would say the envoy’s comments amounted to some degree of meddling,
Opposition Leader, David Granger
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand
Granger said, “I do not see things that way. There are two issues here, the first one being whether he did in fact say or do things that were in contravention of normal diplomatic practice. “I do not think so because the views he expressed were not only those of the State department and his government, they are universal views. “Specifically, Local Government election is a constitutional requirement and everyone in Guyana except the government wants these elections. It is normal for a democratic country to have Local Government elections. It is abnormal and undemocratic not to do so. I think the response of persons at the reception indicated that there was support for the
Ambassador’s position.” He added, “The second issue is of course the nature of international relations. In my entire life I have never come across such a crass and vulgar incident which occurred that night. You don’t conduct international relations like that and use such a forum for that purpose. “It is counterproductive; it is not going to improve our reality…we have been beneficiaries of some assistance from the USA and I am not saying because of that we should keep our mouths closed but I am saying that there are diplomatic channels that could have been used. What occurred was just vulgar.” The Minister was roundly booed by the invitees during her presentation at a reception held at the Ambassador’s residence in observance of America’s 238th anniversary of its independence. During his weekly press conference, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Cabinet Secretary, came out in defence of the style and line of verbal attack on the outgoing envoy. He said that it was Cabinet that prepared the speech and that the event was considered ideal since Ambassador Hardt was leaving Guyana today.
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
Shortly after 10:00 hours yesterday morning at the junction of Main and New Market Streets, Georgetown the driver of a cement-filled canter slammed into the side of a blue motorcar. The impact sent the smaller vehicle to land in a nearby drain. The canter toppled on its right side spilling the sacks of cement it was transporting. Following the collision, a two and a half month-old child who was in the car with its parents, who are registered nurses here in Guyana, was taken to the Woodlands Hospital and admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where up to press time it remained in a critical
condition. The parents, Princy and Matthew Thomas, were stable but were grief stricken since their child was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Dyall Ramkissoon, the driver of canter, GKK 8333, stated that he was with a porter on his way to deliver a quantity of sacks of cement when the accident occurred. Ramkissoon said that the driver of Mitsubishi Lancer, PJJ 7560, was moving along New Market Street when it failed to stop at the junction and “made a reckless right turn into Main Street.” He said that in an effort to take the turn ahead of his Canter which was
coming from Main Street, the car crossed the first half of the intersection but had instead made contact with the Canter. Ramkissoon said that his vehicle slammed the car into a drain. The Canter driver insisted that his vehicle had the ‘right-of-way’ on Main Street. Eye witnesses at the scene who also spoke to Kaieteur News confirmed his version of events. Whilst the driver and porter sustained injuries, they did not immediately seek medical attention. Kaieteur News understands that the family was rushed to the Woodlands Hospital by an acquaintance.
Canter and Mitsubishi Lancer collide at the junction of Main and New Market Streets.
Horse racing President suspends Secretary The Guyana Horse Racing Authority’s second executive meeting ended in chaos due to an individual’s misconduct towards the President and secretarial mismanagement. In an interview with Kaieteur News, the GHRA’s President, Vickram Oditt, expressed his disappointment with the President of the ‘Kennard Memorial Turf Club’ and the secretarial management within the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. He suspended Ms. Zenzie Goring, Secretary of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, for ‘gross insubordination and other charges’. He said that, Mr. Ramnauth of Port Mourant Turf Club will act as Secretary, until further notice. Oditt was elected President of horse racing body at the ‘Annual General Meeting’ on February 9, this year. He explained that after this meeting, the association planned two executive meetings with prior notices
and agendae. Oditt explained that the second executive meeting was adjourned because of the ‘threatening and abusive behaviour’ of R. Matadial, the President of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club. This was due to his subsequent inquiry for Mr. Raj Poonai, GHRA’s legal adviser, to address this matter under chairmanship, in a meeting with Matadial and members. The meeting was scheduled for June 28, but executives were only notified on June 27. The meeting was rescheduled because of Matadial’s claim that he was given insufficient notice, as members were notified only one day before the meeting. Oditt said that Mr. Poonai therefore advised the Secretary to ‘reschedule the meeting to July 12 to ensure that adequate notice was given’. Oditt opined that on June 28, the Secretary, Zenzie Goring, disregarded the instructions to postpone the meeting, and was present with a ‘few’ executives at the
Bush Lot Turf Club. He said that Mr. Sookdeo, the Secretary of the Bush Lot Turf Club, hosted the meeting. Sookdeo later confirmed that there was only a general discussion among the few members present. He continued that, the press release purportedly issued earlier this week by the horse racing association, ‘through a complicit Secretary’, was a ‘useless document, which had no legal standing.’ He said, “The GHRA is about horse racing, but it should never be run in a cowboy manner.” He noted the accredited representatives of the reputable Turf Clubs attached to GHRA, namely, Port Mourant Turf Club, Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club, Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club and the Bush Lot United Turf Club have all expressed their support for his position as the duly elected President, and remains firm that the Authority will implement measures to improve horse racing locally.
Sunday July 06, 2014
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Sunday July 06, 2014
Ukraine government forces Violent protests spread to Israel after burial of Palestinian teen recapture separatist stronghold
Palestinians carry the body of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khudair during his funeral in Shuafat, an Arab suburb of Jerusalem. REUTERS/Finbarr O’Reilly RAMALLAH West Bank (Reuters) - Violent protests sparked by the abduction and killing of a Palestinian teenager spread to Arab villages in Israel yesterday, presenting a new challenge to the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel has stayed silent on the investigation into the death of an East Jerusalem youth who Palestinians believe was kidnapped and killed by far-right Jews, but the Palestinian attorneygeneral was reported as saying he had been burned alive. “The direct cause of death was burns as a result of fire and its complications,” Mohammed Al-A’wewy was quoted as saying by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa late on Friday. Israeli-Palestinian tensions have risen sharply since three Israeli teens were kidnapped on June 12 and later found dead in the occupied West Bank. This was followed on Wednesday by the kidnapping of Mohammed
Abu Khudair, 16, in his neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. His charred body was found hours later in a forest on the edge of the city. Saber Al-Aloul, the director of the Palestinian forensic institute, attended the autopsy, which was carried out by Israeli doctors. Al-A’wewy said Al-Aloul had reported soot had been found in Khudair’s respiratory canal, which meant that “the boy had inhaled this material while he was burnt alive”. Burns covered 90 percent of the body and there was a cut to the head. Samples such as fluids and tissue were taken for more lab examinations to complete the legal medical report. At Khudair’s funeral on Friday, furious Palestinians chanted “Intifada! Intifada”, calling for a new uprising against Israel. Stones thrown at Israeli police were met by tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets in one of the most highly charged displays of enmity in Jerusalem in years. At least one Palestinian was hurt in confrontations in
the city of Nablus overnight, medical staff said. The protests spread yesterday to normally calm Israeli Arab areas, mainly along roads in the centre and north of the country where protesters threw stones and firebombs at passing cars. Dozens were arrested in these clashes, a police spokeswoman said. A Jewish driver was forced from his vehicle and told to flee before his car was burned at one location while at another, a woman suffered light injuries from rocks thrown at her car. Palestinian officials trying to calm tensions have said they would prevent any intifada, or uprising, and seek a solution to the crisis that began when the three Israeli teens were kidnapped. The discovery of the bodies of the three Jewish seminary students on Monday prompted an outpouring of national grief in Israel. Many Palestinians, including President Mahmoud Abbas, assert that Khudair was the victim of farright Jews incensed at the Israeli deaths.
SLAVIANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) Ukrainian forces routed pro-Russian rebels in a flashpoint area of eastern Ukraine yesterday and raised the country’s blue and yellow flag again over what had for months been the separatist redoubt of Slaviansk. A Reuters reporter saw a convoy of about 20 military transport vehicles and buses filled with armed rebels driving out of Kramatorsk where they had gone after apparently fleeing Slaviansk 20 km (12 miles) to the north. About 100-150 Ukrainian troops patrolled the center of Slaviansk and some soldiers were bringing out weapons and ammunition from one of the administration buildings the rebels had been using as a headquarters. Shooting could be heard from the outskirts of the town which had served as a stronghold for rebel forces command, and one Ukrainian soldier said the city was not yet fully under government control. Newly-appointed Defense Minister Valery Heletey appeared confident in reporting to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. “Your order to free Slaviansk from the (separatist) fighters has been carried out,” he was quoted as saying on the presidential website. The rebellion in largely Russianspeaking eastern Ukraine has been a source of great tensions between the West and Russia. Moscow, which has already come under economic sanctions, denies Western accusations it has been backing the insurrection possibly with a view to dismembering the former Soviet republic. Heletey said the Ukrainian flag had been hoisted over the main administrative building in Slaviansk, replacing the Russian whiteblue-red tricolor separatists had hoisted in early April when they seized key buildings in the city of 130,000. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said a large number of separatists had fled in the face of sustained fire from Ukrainian forces. “A significant number of militants have left Slaviansk ... along the way, our battle groups are greeting them. They are suffering losses and surrendering,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page. A source close to the rebels told Reuters they had been outnumbered by 50 to one. “(The Ukrainian forces) have greater numbers of troops and military hardware,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The rebels acknowledged the loss. Aleksandr Borodai, a leader of the selfproclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, was
quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying: “The punitive forces of Ukraine ... moved into a large-scale offensive. “Given the disproportionate numerical superiority of the enemy troops, units of the armed forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic were forced to leave their previous positions on the northern sector of the front.” Slaviansk has been the strongest redoubt of militants fighting government forces in eastern Ukraine. Its re-capture represents Kiev’s most notable military victory in three months of fighting in which more than 200 Ukrainian troops have been killed as well as hundreds of civilians and rebels. Yesterday evening, a white flag with the St George’s ribbon on it - one of the standards of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic - lay on the ground in front of one of the main buildings used by the rebels. Soldiers brought out crates of ammunition and several shoulder-carried grenade launchers and rocket launchers of a type often used against tanks. A group of about 15 men in civilian clothes lined up near Ukrainian soldiers and were accompanied by police though it was not clear if they were formally under arrest. “We came here early this morning and those that were here opened fire rather stupidly because of information they have received about us. The town is not yet fully under our control,” said one Ukrainian soldier who did not wish to be identified. Alla Belousova, who lives in Kramatorsk in the eastern industrial Donbass region, expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Pass on these words to Putin: the people of the Donbass believed him for some reason when he said he would help. But now they (government forces) are killing peaceful civilians and if that is not genocide I would like to know what is. “The (rebel) fighters are without shoes and don’t have anything to fight with, she said. Poroshenko’s website said separatist fighters had come under mortar fire as they tried to break through government forces’ lines. The separatists had lost one tank and other armoured vehicles, the statement said. A Ukrainian paratrooper, Eduard, who was at an army checkpoint going into Slaviansk said: “It was a quiet night when suddenly a column of separatists appeared and began firing. They didn’t have much luck. Artillery guns hit part of the town and part of those here.”
Ukrainian troops stand at a checkpoint near Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, yesterday. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
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CARICOM Heads want early resolution to Guyana/ Nigerian army says it has killed 53 Boko Haram fighters Venezuela Maritime dispute MAIDUGURI Nigeria (Reuters) Nigeria’s military said yesterday that it had killed 53 fighters from the Islamist Boko Haram group when it repelled an attack on a military base in the northeast Nigerian town of Damboa. A statement from defence spokesman Major-General Chris Olukolade added that five soldiers and a senior military officer had also been killed in an exchange of fire on Friday night. The military often reports high casualty figures for the rebels and relatively low ones on its own side. It is usually not possible to verify these reports independently. Earlier, police said insurgents had attacked the Damboa base, in the northeasterly Borno state, with rocket-propelled grenades. A security source said the raid was a revenge mission after dozens of Boko Haram militants were killed in an air and ground attack on two of their camps in the Yejiwa and Alagarno areas. In a separate incident, also on Friday, a suicide bomber targeting worshippers at a mosque in a remote village in the village of Konduga in northeast Nigeria killed five people and wounded dozens, a security source said yesterday, in an area where Islamist insurgents are mounting attacks almost daily. The source, who declined to be named, said Muslims in the village were observing Friday prayers when the pick-up truck approached. A local vigilante group stopped the truck to inspect it and the bomber then detonated the bomb a few metres from the mosque, he
said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Boko Haram was likely to be the prime suspect. Witness Mohammadu Sheriff said he had seen the vigilantes conducting checks on a pick-up van carrying firewood. “Suddenly it exploded,” he told Reuters by phone. “It would have been more devastating if the bomber had succeeded in driving near the mosque, which had over a thousand people in it.” Boko Haram has killed many thousands since launching an uprising in 2009, and several hundred in the past two months, as it has stepped up a campaign against civilians in the northeast. The militants, who are fighting for an Islamic state in religiously mixed Nigeria, see all who do not subscribe to their austere brand of Sunni Islam as enemies, and often attack mosques as well as churches, especially ones they regard as too moderate. They have become by far the biggest security threat to Nigeria - Africa’s most populous country, largest economy and leading energy producer. The kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram from the village of Chibok in April made world headlines. Despite pledges of Western support and promises by President Goodluck Jonathan to free them, they remain in captivity. A spate of bombings across the north and centre of Nigeria in the past three months has also demonstrated the rebels’ ability to strike outside of their northeastern stronghold.
PM: PSA holding nation to ransom Trinidad Express - There will be no negotiation when the nation is held to ransom and the rights of citizens are compromised, says Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar. Persad-Bissessar said her Government will not condone the illegal shutting down of Immigration offices by the Public Services Association (PSA) which threatens to endanger the lives of thousands of citizens. The Prime Minister made the statement at the South terminal of the Piarco International Airport on her return from a Caricom meeting in Antigua on Thursday night. The Industrial Court had hours earlier granted an injunction to Labour Minister Errol McLeod restraining the PSA from shutting down public offices. “I regret that good sense did not prevail by the PSA. Negotiations on wages continue to be held by Government in good faith but we cannot have the PSA hold the entire nation to ransom with the continued shutdown of Immigration offices and other areas of critical service to the nation,” said PersadBissessar. She said her Government deems the industrial action by
the PSA to be unreasonable, unjust and illegal and will do everything in its power to avert the continued shutting down of essential services. “My expressed intention to talk things through must not be construed as a weakness but the strength in my belief for workers’ entitlement to better conditions,” said PersadBissessar. She said she will not condone the attack on the fundamental rights of citizens such as the freedom of movement and the right of a citizen to hold a passport or the right to conduct their daily businesses. “These cannot be tools to be bargained with to advance any interest especially when negotiations are continuing in good faith,” she said. The Prime Minister said threats of shutting the country down cannot be taken lightly when Immigration offices and other areas serving the vital needs of the population remain closed, inconveniencing and even endangering the lives of thousands of citizens. She said those seeking to travel for urgent medical attention, employment or to take up places at educational institutions have been jeopardised and put at risk. Persad-Bissessar said the
cost in human and economic terms was incalculable. She said in much the same way that the PSA represents its membership, citizens also entitled to be represented and in this regard McLeod had a duty to protect the people by filing the injunction against PSA. The Prime Minister explained that the effect of this injunction is such that any public officer who takes or continues to take industrial action at the Immigration Departments of the State will be in breach and violation of a Court. Government, she said, demonstrated much restraint in this matter as it continued to negotiate in good faith with PSA President Watson Duke in the hope of an amicable resolution. “Unfortunately, this was not possible and the State was under a duty to protect the public interest in light of the understandable public frustration, inconvenience and distress,” she said. She added her Government remains open to genuine and meaningful dialogue in the public interest and urged all parties concerned to quicken the urgency to find common ground and broaden perspectives in the national interest.
By Gary Eleazar
The recently completed Heads of Government meeting of the Caribbean Community has called on Guyana and Venezuela to pursue the negotiations with greater expediency towards the conclusion of a maritime delimitation agreement. The Heads made known their official position in an official communiqué issued at the conclusion of the confab held in Antigua. Head of State, Donald Ramotar, led the Guyana delegation which included Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall among others, The CARICOM Heads, following the conclusion of the regional confab, reiterated their firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and for the unhindered economic and social development of all of Guyana. They expressed their hope for an early resolution of the controversy which arose as a result of Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899, which definitively settled the boundary between the two countries, is null and void. The Heads of Government also expressed their concern over the lack of progress towards the consideration of options, within the context of international law, in delimiting the maritime boundary between Guyana and Venezuela as agreed by the Foreign Ministers following their meeting. A committee was established following that meeting to explore options in
resolving the Guyana and Venezuela maritime dispute over its delimitation but talks stalled when protests erupted in Venezuela over internal matters. There has been no movement on the matter since. Last October, a Venezuelan armed naval vessel, the ‘Yekuana’, was trailing the seismic vessel, the RV Teknik Perdana which was under contract with Anadarko. Anadarko has a petroleum prospecting licence to search for hydrocarbons in the Roraima block offshore Guyana. At the time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced that upon entry into Guyana’s territory the Venezuelan naval vessel obstructed the research vessel’s passage, and requested that they change course and stop surveying. The Ministry reported that the crew of the RV Teknik Perdana explained to the crew of the Venezuelan vessel that they were conducting a multibeam survey of the seafloor in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone. The Venezuelan crew however insisted that the vessel was doing such work in Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone and instructed that the vessel switch off its engines and shut down its seismic equipment. Two hours later, the Venezuelan naval vessel ordered the RV Teknik Perdana, to travel at five knots in a westerly direction. The vessel was later instructed to increase its speed and given directions to sail to the island of Margarita in Venezuela. “It was then clear that the vessel and its crew were not
only being escorted out of Guyana’s waters, but was under arrest…These actions by the Venezuelan naval vessel are unprecedented in Guyana Venezuela relations.” The ship’s Ukrainian captain was charged with violating Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone but allowed to leave with other crew members and the search for oil on Guyana’s part was halted until a resolution of the dispute as there is no assurance that another vessel attempting to conduct a survey in that location will not meet the same fate. There is no formal maritime border in place with Venezuela hence the incident involving the Teknik Perdana. Minister RodriguesBirkett had explained that Guyana maintains that the vessel was in Guyana’s Jurisdiction. She said that under international maritime law, where there is no formal delimitation of the maritime border, a line can be drawn using equidistance. “We drew our line and they drew their line,” said Rodrigues-Birkett. She explained that where the confusion arises is that the border line drawn by Venezuela cuts across to Guyana’s coast. Both parties, she said, starts the maritime border at the correct location but as the line is taken further out, the Venezuelan claim cuts across to Guyana’s coast.
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CARICOM STRATEGIC PLAN ROLLED OUT
CARICOM heads of government at the recently concluded meeting. Barbados Nation - THE FIRST STRATEGIC Plan for the Caribbean Community is designed to significantly chart a developmental path for Caribbean people over the coming years. So says Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM and national change driver for the Strategic Plan 2015-2019, Robert “Bobby” Morris. His comments came as he spoke with members of the media at the just concluded 35th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which was held in Antigua from July 1 to 4. During their closed-door session on Thursday, CARICOM Heads of Government reviewed the plan and gave it the thumbs up. Explaining his role in educating Barbadians about the plan, Morris said: “I am going again to meet with the Leader of the Opposition. I have met with her twice so far
[and] she has had her inputs into the plan. I met with the [Barbados] Manufacturers’ Association ... [and] the labour group. I‘ve met with almost everybody. But clearly my bigger role now is moving from those small groups into the wider community. Because if every Barbadian …, if every CARICOM citizen is not aware of what we want to do, and is not allowed to buy into the plan, [then] I don’t think we have much chance of success.” The envoy noted that since the Strategic Plan placed great emphasis on restabilising the economy, Heads of Government took the opportunity to hold discussions with key business leaders. “We met sometimes with presidents and secretaries of various associations at the administrative level in the private sector. But, we are sending a signal that Government cannot carry the [burden of the] region by
itself. The role of the private sector is very important,” he affirmed. In addition, he noted that part of the developmental process would also involve building on the concepts of CARICOM identity and unity, since, according to him, “... there are still too many people who don’t know what CARICOM is [and] what it means”. The five-year Strategic Plan was one of the items on the agenda at this year’s summit. It is designed to help the governments and people of the region to better cope with the demands of a changing world; and foster greater regional integration, as well as economic, social, environmental and technological development. Change drivers have been appointed in member states to mobilise national communities in the roll out of the plan, and its implementation, adjustment, monitoring and evaluation.
Clico workers protest outside Central Bank
Trinidad Guardian - Scores of Clico workers staged protest action in front of the Central Bank, Port-of-Spain, Friday. The protest was due to the bank’s threeday delay in responding to three issues raised by the union at a meeting on June 17 with the bank’s special advisor Neil Dingwall. The union wanted to know what was the reason for the government’s decision to discontinue plans for Atrius’ operation. Atrius is the company the Government established to assume control of Clico’s traditional insurance portfolio. The union also sought details of the operational plan for Clico and the timeframe for VSEP negotiations.
The T&T Guardian was told by the Central Bank that it had sent a letter in response to the three concerns on July 2. However, the Banking, Insurance, and General Workers Union (BIGWU) which is representing the workers said it did not receive the letter. Mario Als, secretary general of the union, said it had resorted to protest in a bid to “catalyse that response from the Central Bank.” “They are willing to engage discussions and negotiate. What [the bank has] not done is to submit a specific proposal for the consideration of the workers and the union on the content of the VSEP offer.
Sunday July 06, 2014
No need to consult US on ganja, says Knight Jamaica Gleaner DECLARING THAT Jamaica should not allow itself to be dictated to by outside forces, government Senator K.D. Knight said the matter of sovereignty should be at the forefront in the debate on ganja. Knight, who was speaking during the debate on the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act in the Senate, said he does not care about the views of the United States on how Jamaica approaches the matter. “When the US passes laws in Arizona, they consult me? The position has nothing to do about consultation. This is a sovereign country and if other countries who are signatories to the conventions act on the basis of their sovereignty, then my country can act on the basis of our sovereignty,” Knight said. He told the Senate that he fully supports the use of ganja for medicinal purposes and cautioned justice minister Mark Golding to be on the look-out for persons who would seek to exploit a loosely regulated medical marijuana industry. “I know that some of the
supporters calling for it for medicinal purposes have no intention of participating in that programme. They start buy trailer to export,” Knight said. “You have people who articulate beautiful positions and there are those with a hidden agenda and so you have to be careful,” he added. Cabinet approved certain changes to the law relating to ganja. These relate to the possession of small quantities for personal use, the smoking of ganja in private places and the use of ganja for medical/ medicinal and religious purposes. Jamaica, being a signatory to several international treaties such as the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drug and the 1972 Protocol Amending the Single Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, is restricted from engaging in the production, manufacture, export, import, distribution of, trade in, use and possession of drugs except for medical and scientific purposes. US not consulted
K.D. Knight Earlier this week, an American diplomat said Jamaica and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states that are now moving to change their marijuana laws did not consult the United States (US) government. “To my knowledge, we have not been consulted formally by CARICOM as an institution or, for that matter, its individual member states in terms of our position on marijuana legalisation,” William Brownfield, assistant secretary at the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, said during a teleconference with journalists from across the region and the US. CARICOM leaders, this week, agreed to the establishment of a Commission to further the debate on the decriminalisation of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Ramesar wants police recruitment process revisited - Change status quo Trinidad Guardian President of the Police Social Welfare Association Insp Anand Ramesar is calling on acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams to reevaluate the recruitment process for the T&T Police Service after the arrests of eight officers. Up to yesterday, a Southern Division constable remained in custody for allegedly raping a schoolboy earlier this year while four Princes Town policemen were expected to be charged after being positively identified by 18year-old Jameson John, who reported that seven policemen had doused him with a flammable liquid before setting him on fire last December. Speaking by telephone, Ramesar said, “It is never a good thing when allegations of gross misconduct are made against police officers. Regardless of whether the allegations are true or false, injury is done to the image of the police service that will not be repaired, even if the allegations are proven to be false. “It is of concern to the
Anand Ramesar association when allegations of these nature occur against officers. It raises the issue of the reliability of our selection process. “Having regard to the changes and the introduction of different testing methods, it is unfortunate that the statistics do not show a reduction in the annual amount of allegations made against police officers.” He added, “It is important that the Commissioner of Police reevaluate what is being done in the selection process with a view to improving the professionalism and the
conduct of police officers. It would be unfortunate if no effort is made to change the status quo.” Noting that there have also been allegations against the service in relation to the 27 police killings this year, Ramesar said the welfare body supports investigations against police. But he lamented that it take too long for investigations to be completed and a key objective should be to complete all investigations efficiently and with transparency. “The association has always maintained that it will support investigations into any allegations of misconduct against police officers. Notwithstanding this, we ask for due process, as is the right of every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago. “Too often investigations against police officers appear to be a bit tardy, as to the current circumstances of the Princes Town matter. Efficiency coupled with transparency is necessary and too often the processes appear to be wanting in this regard,” Ramesar said.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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“Time for new look West Indies – Gayle, Chanderpaul and Shillingford must go now – WI selectors too!” Not next year, not next overseas tour, to South Africa come December, but right now, for Bangladesh’s Caribbean tour next month, West Indies Test team needs changes! They blunder aimlessly, making lame excuses, operating similarly to England, hiding behind whatever shadows they could find, while continuing to lose! WI Director of Cricket Richard Pybus must get busy quickly for his own good, as nothing happened at Kensington Oval except asinine team tinkering that cost WI a Test and series too! Immediately, Chris Gayle, Shiv Chanderpaul and Shane
Shillingford must be put out to pasture; discarded. Their “sellby” dates are now past. This trio are no longer fit for purposes at hand, if we believe suggestions that the highest WI priority is to rebuild a young team for a good future. Shillingford, 31, was absolutely putrid in the 3rd Test v New Zealand, bowling 31 innocuous overs on that relatively spin-responsive pitch, surprising for K-O, conceding 134 runs, 4.3 runs per over, expensive for any spinner, getting no wickets. Conversely, spin-twin Sulieman Benn managed fair match figures; 5-187, 52.2 overs, RPO 3.58 avg., literally bowling
his fingers off after a similar marathon return; 86.3-26-151-5; at Queen’s Park Oval’s 2nd Test, a victorious game for WI that Shillingford missed. Last week, as ‘those two little pals of mine’, off-spinner Sonny Ramadhin and left-arm spinner Alf Valentine, were remembered for massive efforts, WI’s first Test win in England, Lords, 1950, unbelievable match figures too; 115-70-152-11 and 116-75127-7 respectively; Shillingford looked badly out of place! Captain Denesh Ramdin, whose wicket-keeping v NZ was also way below his normal standards, realized that he had been given a dud, allowing Shillingford only
Sunday July 06, 2014 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Uptight is the word for today, Aries. At some point you might find yourself the center of attention. While you normally might not mind, now it could make you a bit nervous. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You're likely to want to be left alone with your own thoughts today. Relaxing with a good book might be at the top of your agenda, Taurus, and you aren't liable to want to be interrupted. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Worries over money could have you edgier than usual, Gemini. While you may be doing well, you still could be insecure and think your funds might not stretch far enough. Try to consider the situation objectively. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You probably crave solitude, Cancer. Even though you may have committed to attending a party or two, now you find the idea irritating. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Although you're normally a sociable person who feels most comfortable in the company of others, Leo, today you might rather be alone. You could feel a little under the weather or be stressed from job-related worries. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): You tend to enjoy solitude, Virgo, and today you might feel more reclusive than usual. You could be invited to go out with friends but not feel like accepting. You might even feel a little irritated by them.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Today there might be tension in the air with no discernible cause, Libra. Family members could seem preoccupied with problems they can't quite define. Your natural inclination might be to try to cheer them up, but it probably won't work. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): You could get some mysterious phone calls today, Scorpio, like wrong numbers or hang-ups. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Confusion over money matters might come up for you today, Sagittarius. You may need to check your records in order to shed light on some past transactions. Don't panic. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Someone close to you might seem more preoccupied than usual, Capricorn, and perhaps a bit difficult to deal with. Don't take this personally. It has little if anything to do with you. He or she doesn't want to share their troubles. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Today you might be feeling a bit tense, Aquarius, and you probably won't understand why. The secret? ********************* PISCES (Feb. 19 March 20): You probably aren't going to feel much like socializing today, Pisces, though friends might want you to go out. Your patience has worn a bit thin and you could get annoyed at incidents that normally wouldn't bother you.
13 overs in 78.2 overs first innings, 18 overs from 89.1 2nd innings overs; not enough for a front-line spinner. Dis-armed of his “doosra”, ordained as illegal by ICC, severely depleting his repertoire, after, laughably, going through, for a 2nd time, bowling reconstruction by WICB and Australian coaches, Shillingford now operates like a sedated, muzzled Doberman, useless to any Test captain! 16 Tests, 70 wickets, 34.55 runs each, is average. Losing Shillingford now will not hurt WI. Ramdin’s confidence in Shillingford was low, putting extra pressure on other bowlers, after sightless selectors Clyde Butts, Courtney Browne and Robert Haynes; Coach Ottis Gibson is culpable too; dropped a bowler marginally successful at Q-P-O, Shannon Gabriel, to include untried newcomer Jason Holder. Why that change from a winning combination at Q-P-O, and an extra, fifth, bowler, when, despite 2nd Test’s win, courtesy of only four bowlers, it was very obvious that WI’s batting needed stability? Is that always silently lurking insularity of picking venue countries’ players becoming more visible again? Holder managed just two wickets in 3rd Test to Gabriel’s four in Test No. 2. Why was Gabriel dropped? How do WI’s visually challenged selectors come to these equations anyway? At Q-P-O, four bowers, six batsmen and a wicket-keeper, won. How then could that translate to stupid, unnecessary changes, so that five bowlers, five batsmen, and a wicket-keeper should also win, when WI’s batting was almost always suspect, except in Test No. 2 v NZ? People never change. The sub-standard international cricketing careers of WI senior selectors Butts, Browne and Haynes have re-surfaced as tangible, all-encompassing lack
of fore-though. They are obviously devoid of understanding, imagination or appreciation for real cricketing excellence. Paraphrasing, they are incompetent and should be fired; replaced; now! Collectively, that entire façade and presentation by WI in Test No. 3 v NZ was quite distasteful! Now 40, Chanderpaul’s excellent recordbreaking race, like late, great racehorse “Sea-biscuit”, is now run. Shiv, as a player, is no longer useful for immediate or future needs of WI cricket. Also, from what I saw at QPO, 2nd Test, something I had never witnessed before, a bitter phenomenon I would never forget, Shiv’s seeming selfishness has become more acute, if indeed possible. So, Darren Bravo had just been dismissed, after a magnificent career-building, game-changing 109, Bravo’s acclaimed 1st Test century in the Caribbean. While exiting and entering Q-P-O’s out-field respectively, Bravo and Shiv exchanged no words whatsoever, not even furtive glances, so distant, by maybe 20 feet, were they separated, laterally, when they crossed, seeming like two suspicious strangers traversing some dark night. Check television video tapes! What about Shiv giving Darren a tap on the back, a hug
Colin E. H. Croft says: even, words of “Congratulations”? Or is it that Shiv cannot accept that WI’s batting parade has changed, that he is no longer Grand Poobah, or even necessary anymore? So Chanderpaul made 11414 runs, 156 Tests, average 51.88, WI’s batting backbone this last decade. So what? He cannot go on forever, but life, and cricket, to quote (Sir) Winston Churchill, will ‘KBO’ - “keep buggering on!” (Sir) Gary Sobers, Brian Lara, Steve Waugh and Sachin Tendulkar eventually stopped playing Tests too! Gayle, 35; 102 Tests, 7141 runs, avg. 42; is similar to Chanderpaul. How will continued Test inclusions for Gayle help WI?WI loses Test series with these anyway, so we may as well chose younger, hungrier cricketers now. Bravo, Kraigg Brathwaite, younger brigade, newer additions, must ‘KBO’! Enjoy!
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Kaieteur News
More than 70 horses entered for Rising Sun, Inshan Bacchus $8M horserace meet With a seeming break in the inclement weather all is now set for the previously postponed and much anticipated Rising Sun Turf Club/ Inshan Bacchus ‘Hard Runnings’ Trucking Service grand one day horserace meet today at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park West Coast Berbice. The meet, which was scheduled for last Sunday, was pushed back due to the inclement weather. With the extra week, a number of additional horses have entered to take the total entries to over 70. With over $8M in cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs, all of the top stables are making full preparations for the sizzling day of horserace action anticipated. A number of sponsors have also taken the opportunity to finalise their arrangements for the big meet. The latest to do so was Fazal Haibulla representing the Rising Sun Cattle Ranch, Chester Fried Chicken of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice and Hablaw Meat Centre of Georgetown. Habibulla is also a co-organizer of the event. Most of the events have a full compliment of horses with the race for animals classified D1 and lower with a profitable first prize of $1M and trophy up for the taking over 1500M being the feature encounter. A full gate has been assembled for this event with the likes of Treacle, Swing Easy, City Tune, Run Nana Run, CP Got Even, Milwaukee Blitz, Jack is My Style, Red and Lovely, Africanist and Goodwill Boy in the running. There is a rich collection of horses lined up for the rest of events with horses such as - Fresh Again, Savion, Shooting Star, Cat Messiah, Royal Empire, Unsettled, Easy To Win, Iron Man, Mary Ann, Ameera’s Joy, Church House, War Craft, Damascus Dream, Release the Beast, Today is my Day, Quiet Dancer, Goodwill Boy ,It’s my Turn, Appealing Harvest, Captain Crook ,Rosetta, Another Jet,
Businessman Fazal Habibulla (left) presents his sponsorship package at a simple ceremony at the Shariff Cattle ranch to one of the organizing assistants William Fraser. In the back ground is top horse Swing Easy with apprentice jockey Andy ‘Jugu’ Jameson. Settling Jet and Bridal Stone Corner, Silent Night, It’s My choice, Fairy Landing, She So Special, I want Revenge, De Gump, Keep On Swinging, Smarty Light, Affinity, Windy Killer, Prince Bayaya, Princess Alisha, Today is My Day, Famous Pride, Royal Cash, Little and Happy Choice competing for the lucrative stakes on offer. Anwar Trucking Service has joined the growing list of major sponsors which includes Trophy Stall, Banks DIH Limited, Mohammed “Nankoo” Shariff, Inshan Bacchus Business Enterprise, Chester Fried Chicken of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice, Rising Sun Cattle Ranch, Hablaw Meat Centre and Jumbo Jet Business Establishment. The other events are the co-feature race for three-yearold Guyana and West Indies - bred animals which will fetch a winner’s take of $600,000 and trophy over 1400M. There is a race for animals classified F1 and Lower also 1400M with the winner set to take home $500,000and trophy.
The G3 and Lower event is once again expected to be competitive as the animals will race over 1000M for a winning take of $400,000 and trophy. The H1 and Lower horses will run for a top prize of $400,000 and trophy also over 1000M. There is the introduction of the Two-year-old Guyana and West Indian- bred horses for this year and they will compete over 600M for a first prize of $300,000 and trophy. Horses running in the I1 and Lower 1000M race will race for a first prize of $250,000 and trophy. The final event for the day is for animals classified J and Lower for a winners money of $200,000 over 1000M. Top individual performers including top jockey, trainer and stable will receive incentives compliments of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and the organizers. Last minute information can be accessed by contacting C. Ramnauth on 337-5311, Fazil Habibulla on 657-7010, Inshan Bacchus on 629-9419 and Chandu Ramkissoon on 232-0633/6249063. Race time is 12:30 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
Silver Gliders of Moruca competing From page 72 peed Swim Club) was unstoppable in the 100m free 8 & Under boys equivalent clocking 1:19.87. Persaud was also unbeatable in the 50m breaststroke in 55.89; Noel too was a winner in 52.94. Jadyn George (SSASC) topped the field in the girls 910 100m free recording 1:29.77 while for boys, Sekhel Tzedeq of Dolphin Speed Swim Club took top honours in 1:18.07.
George also won the 50m breast (52.04) with Leon Seaton of Silver Shark Aquatic Speed Swim Club taking top honours for boys in this 9-10 category (46.83). Kenita Mahaica (Dolphin) was the leading 11-12 girls breaststroker winning in 46.63; Nathon Hackett clocked 40.22 for boys in the same age group. Nikita Fiedtkou was the lone competitor in the girls 13-
14 50m breast clocking 47.34. In the 100m backstroke races; Donna Carter of Dorado won the 9-10 girls (1:41.76) with Tzedeq for boys (1:28:00); Grant took the 1112 girls (1:34.46); Khan 13-14 girls (1:17.09); van Lange 1517 girls (1:13.08); Athena Gaskin was the top 18 and over girl (1:31.29) with De Nobrega for boys (1:21.73); Angel Rodrigues (Silver Gliders) was the leading 1517 boys (1:23.91).
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kwakwani, UG, Marian, NA Multi win YBG Conference titles
The University of Guyana Basketball Team pose with Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King (centre) Friday night after winning their YBG Conference Finals. The University of Guyana lifted the East Coast title of Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Friday night in a comefrom-behind effort against President’s College at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall when YBG held its regional conference finals. The University won 64-54 with Jonathan Pooran, who was later named Most Valuable Player (MVP) on the East Coast, leading the way with 22 points. Pooran was effective primarily in the paint, scoring easily at the rim. Pooran also collected seven rebounds and completed two assists in a game-winning performance. In the Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani conference, Kwakwani Secondary School embarrassed Linden’s Mackenzie High School 59-20 in a one-sided affair.
Mackenzie High, once a formidable force in schools’ basketball, found it difficult to score against the tough Kwakwani defence. Stanton Rose was MVP with 14 points, five assists, six rebounds and five steals. In the Georgetown final, Marian Academy was able to prevail over a shorthanded Bishops High School in a lowscoring game that ended 3727. Bishops played without their star player Marvin Durant, who was ejected in the semifinal, forcing him to miss the final. Durant watched from the stand as his team put up a valiant effort with Judah Stephney putting in an outstanding performance to gain the MVP award with 12 points and 13 rebounds. In the Berbice conference final, New Amsterdam
Multilateral prevailed over JC Chandersingh 46-38 to win the Ancient County title. Ramone Fodgenay top scored with 12 points while adding eight rebounds, four assists and four steals for MVP honors. Meanwhile, following the Conference Finals, all the top schools in the various conferences will now clash in the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF), which is set to begin tonight. New Amsterdam Multilateral will face Mackenzie High School, while President’s College will go up against St. Roses High School in under-19 clashes. The other game will be an Under-14 clash between Marian Academy and St. Roses High. Digicel, Beharry Group of Companies and Banks DIH are the sponsors of the event.
New Zealand win rain-hit...
From page 72 minutes. West Indies enjoyed their best period of the game immediately after the resumption, Fletcher lofting Boult over long-on for six in the sixth over. The debutant Ish Sodhi came on in the ninth and Bravo launched his first ball leanly over the straight boundary. There was more tap for Sodhi, Fletcher carting hit straight for a four and a six and running hard between wickets to take 15 off the 11th over. Fletcher enjoyed some fortune in the next over, when he was caught at cover of a
no-ball from Southee, and then he hit Corey Anderson for consecutive sixes, but the slump was around the corner. The home side lost six wickets in the next six overs and scored only 34, the batsmen unable to get the better of clever changes of pace, especially from Southee, who bowled several bouncers at varying pace. Bravo topedged a short ball from Anderson to the keeper to end an 88-run stand for the third wicket, and Sodhi picked up his maiden wicket when Fletcher, on
52, miscued a slog to short third man. Darren Sammy, Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard, all capable of hitting the ball far, could not inflict serious damage at the death and fell in successive overs. Brendon McCullum with 40 led the Kiwi effort as they stayed ahead of the DL requirement to take the first game. Scores: New Zealand 117 for 4 (McCullum 40, Sammy 3-22) beat West Indies 132 for 8 in 18 overs (Fletcher 52, Southee 2-20) by 12 runs on D/L method.
Dainty, Campbell win GBTI Lawn... From page 73 Hope 6-0 to set up a semi-final with Fiona Bushell, who got pass Tandy Primo 6-2. Campbell won her semi-final 6-1 to challenge last year’s novice competitor, Denise Barrington in the final. Campbell took the first
game then lost consecutive games to Barrington in a match that had consistent rallying from both players. After being down, Campbell took the next five points to win the GBTI Women’s Novice title 6-2.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Higuain sends Argentina into semi-finals BBC Sport - Argentina reached their first World Cup semi-final since finishing as runners-up in 1990 with victory over Belgium in Brasilia. Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal at Estadio Nacional, a thunderous early volley that ended his run of six international games without a goal. But Belgium’s so-called golden generation were undone by another quicksilver Lionel Messi performance, as Argentina set up a last-four encounter with either the Netherlands or Costa Rica in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. The two-time champions again failed to reach their fluid best, and it is significant that all five of their wins at this World Cup have been by a single goal. Belgium went out with something of a whimper, lacking cohesion, creativity and precision and only threatening late on when they played one long ball after another towards Marouane Fellaini. But on the day he equalled Diego Maradona’s haul of 91
caps for Argentina, Messi stood apart, with a performance of majesty that propelled his side into the last four. At times, he was balletic, at others he was bold. He played 40-yard passes with the precision of a master craftsman and pirouetted away from danger time and again. Sharper to the ball, more urgent in possession, Argentina started the quicker of the sides. With Brazil striker Neymar confined to a wheelchair, there was a sense the tournament needed one of its superstars to produce a performance to remember. Messi did not disappoint. Belgium did not help themselves, however. Captain Vincent Kompany gave possession away carelessly inside his own half after eight minutes, the ball running to Messi. The Barcelona forward spun away from two defenders and clipped a pass to Angel Di Maria. His pass was deflected into the path of Higuain, who swivelled and
volleyed unerringly beyond Thibaut Courtois to send the tens of thousands of Argentina fans in the stadium into raptures. There was more Messi magic to come. Argentina’s talisman danced his way through a crowd of Belgium players before being clipped on the edge of the area. His resulting free-kick curled narrowly wide but Belgium were on the back foot. For much of the opening 45 minutes, the Red Devils were insipid, not inventive. Kevin de Bruyne stung Sergio Romero’s palms from distance and Kevin Mirallas headed a Jan Vertonghen cross narrowly wide, but there was little pace or purpose. With Messi in the spotlight, Eden Hazard struggled to escape the shadow. Belgium were caught between wanting to throw caution to the wind and a fear of what Argentina might do on the counter attack. An example came 10 minutes into the second half, when Mirallas lost the ball after a swift Belgium break.
Higuain raced away, nutmegged Kompany and skimmed a curling shot onto the crossbar. The introduction of substitutes Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens was an attempt to change that dynamic. With time running out, Vertonghen found Fellaini, who headed over. Moments later, Ezequiel Garay almost deflected De Bruyne’s cross into his own net. Hazard was replaced by Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli as Marc Wilmots played his last card. Belgium poured forward in search of a goal that might take them to extra time, but failed to produce a moment that called Romero into serious action. Messi had a chance to cap his display with a late goal, only for Courtois to smother his shot when the pair faced each other one on one. With time running out, Belgium came again, Lukaku prodding a ball across goal before Axel Witsel fired the rebound over. But Argentina and Messi stood firm.
Waramadong Sec outlasts Bartica Secondary to vie for zone championship honours By Michael Benjamin A vociferous crowd comprising teachers and staunch supporters of the Bartica Secondary School (BSS) lined the touchline and shouted encouragement to their team but despite staging a courageous battle, the lads from the gold mining community bowed out to Waramadong Secondary School 2-1 when action in the Digicel Schools Football championship continued at the Bartica Secondary School ground Friday afternoon last. Ashton Ward (26) and Deon Rodrigues (30) were on target for the winners, while Godfrey Norton pulled one back for the losers in the 70th minute. Waramadong is known for its qualitati v e b r a n d o f football and the lads from the Region 8 community did not disappoint. Their attacking skills coupled with acute ball distribution were indeed a joy to behold. Conversely, BSS was all showmanship, dribbling the ball while wending their way to their o p p o n e n t ’s g o a l . T hey attacked and peppered the Waramadong goalie, Gerald Isaacs, with pinpoint shots which he did well to save. Ward and Rodrigues were the two standouts and both pierced the opposition’s goal after skilful ball weaving tactics and accurate conversions.
Costa Rica’s run ends with loss to Netherlands on penalty kicks USA Today SALVADOR, Brazil — Louis van Gaal’s gamble paid off. The Netherlands coach brought on Tim Krul for a penalty shootout, yanking the goalkeeper who’d played every second of the World Cup. But Krul came up with two big saves to send the Dutch into the semifinals for a second World Cup. When Krul batted away Michael Umana’s shot to seal the victory, he let out a roar as the rest of the Dutch players raced out to congratulate him. The Netherlands will now play Argentina on Wednesday in Sao Paulo. The finish ended a surprising run by Costa Rica. Drawn into the “Group of Champions,” the Ticos weren’t given much chance of advancing, let alone winning a group that also had Italy, Uruguay and England. But Costa Rica went toe-to-toe with the big boys, and they did so again Saturday night. The Netherlands dominated the game both in terms of possession and chances, with Keylor Navas coming up with one huge save after another. And as the game headed into extra time and then penalties, it seemed as if the soccer gods might be exacting some payback for
the Netherlands’ ugly play in the 2010 final and its tendency to dive and embellish here. Wesley Sneijder hit the crossbar in the 119th minute, after hitting the post in the 82nd. And Robin van Persie missed what is normally a gimme for him at the end of regulation. Getting the ball just beyond the edge of the 6-yard box, with Navas out of position, van Persie shot only to have Yeltsin Tejada clear it off the line, banging it up and against the cross bar. Van Gaal has made all the right moves at this World Cup, but his decision to pull Jasper Cillessen looked silly. After all, Cillessen had played every game, and Krul doesn’t exactly have a reputation as a penalty killer – unlike Navas, who shut down Greece just a few days ago. But if Krul was nervous, he didn’t show it, taunting several of the Ticos as they got ready to take their shots. He got his hands on Bryan Ruiz’s penalty, while Navas suddenly lost his touch. He guessed wrong on both Arjen Robben and Sneijder’s shot. When Dirk Kuyt buried his in the back of the net, all Krul had to do was save one more and the Dutch were into the semis. He did, making van Gaal look like a genius.
KMTC Emancipation Meet set for August 3
Waramadong’s marksmen, Deon Rodrigues (left) and Ashton Ward will be key players in this afternoon’s game for zone honours. Early showers had left the ground in a sodden state and hindered the smooth movement of the Bartica players but those of the Waramadong team seemed to be at home in those conditions and applied the pressure. The match then got physical as the Bartica team tackled with gusto until a similar confrontation left three players on the turf with the medical staff called in to render first aid treatment. When the action resumed, Bartician, Luciana Narine, performed a solo, skilfully wending his way past the opposition’s mid fielders but had to contend with Waramadong’s defence line up of Ali Granis, Herbert George and Marlon Ondris, who forcefully checked
his advance. Entered Deon Rodrigues, a slick Waramadong striker; he sprinted down the right flank and sent in a powerful shot but the goalie, Shane Luke, was ready and averted any danger after scooping up the ball. As the match dwindled, and being a goal shy of the equalizer, Bartica Secondary upped the ante and peppered the Waramadong custodian with shots from varying angles but Isaacs proved his worth with good saves. Just as suddenly as it has subsided, the rain returned in torrents and the sloshy terrain made the job a mite more difficult for both teams, yet the Waramadong players kept up the tempo until one of the players failed to control an offering and kicked the ball into the corner for
the opposition to be awarded the kick. With limited opportunities in the field, Norton took the corner kick and his pinpoint strike zoomed past the outstretched hands of the Waramadong custodian and settled aback the net. The success witnessed a reenergised effort from Bartica but with limited time and a strong Waramadong offensive, their efforts dwindled to naught and the final whistle, minutes later, sealed their fate. Activities continue this afternoon at the same venue when Waramadong tackles Eight Mile Secondary to determine the winners in the Region Seven zone. Kick off time is 15:00hrs.
The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Emancipation meet is set for August 3 at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice. Several races are carded for the day and will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. In the event that there are less than five horses entered for any race the club reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event or reduce the prize money after consulting with the horse owners. Entries close on July 28 and no late entry will be accepted. The events slated are J 3 Maiden (5 furs) with the winners pocketing $150,000, G 3- Non Winner from August 2013 to present and H and
Lower (5 furs) with a first prize of $300,000, J 1 and Lower W/ A (6 furs) for a first prize of $200,000, D 3 and Lower W/A (6 furs) which has a top prize of $500,000, G 1 and Lower (6 furs) which will see the winner taking home $320,000, I and Lower W/A (6 furs) for a top purse of $250,000. The main event is the A and Lower for a distance of one mile and the champion will receive $1,000,000. For more information contact can be made with Roopnarine Matadial on 3253192 or Ivan Dipnarine on 3310316, Cecil Kennard on 6237609, 225-4818 or 226-1399, Isabella Beaton on 693-7812 or Dennis De Roop on 6099143.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday July 06, 2014
GSA’s Digicel Nat Squash C/Ships
Former Caribbean Champion Richard Chin advance By Sean Devers United States based former Caribbean Champion Richard Chin was clinical in his victory over Nicholas Narain in the Men’s Open while the Wiltshire siblings, Larissa and Akeila, also advanced to yesterday’s round of action when night three of the Guyana Squash Association’s (GSA) Digicel’s 2014 National Senior Squash Championships at the Georgetown Club squash courts, was contested on Friday. Friday’s action included several exciting quarter-final matches and there were a few major upsets on the night with the first coming in the Women’s Open Division when 2014 National Junior Under-17 Champion Larissa Wiltshire defeated fellow junior team member, 2013 Caribbean Under-19 Runner up and number three seed Victoria Arjoon by three games to one. Wiltshire won a close first game 11 - 9 and then again won the second game 11 - 9. At 8 - 7 up in third game it seemed as if Wiltshire would close out the match in three but Arjoon summoned all of her energy and won the next four points and the game 11 - 8. This however seemed to sap all of Arjoon’s energy and from being 4 - 2 down in the fourth, Wiltshire won the next nine points in succession to win the game 11-4, to take the match three games to one. Wiltshire’s sister, 2014 National Junior Under-19 Champion Akeila was clinical in her win over Kathy TenPow in the third Women’s quarterfinal match. Wiltshire won a close first game 11-9 but things got easier for her as she won the second game 11 - 2 and the third game 11 6. National under-17 junior player Taylor Fernandes was also looking for a major upset win over number two seed Ashley de Groot. But de
Wiltshire siblings also through to next round
Brian Young (left) defeated Stephen Fernandes in their match.
Larissa Wiltshire
Akeila Wiltshire
Groot had other ideas and even though all three games were very close de Groot prevailed in straight games 11- 8, 11 - 9, 11 - 7. The last Women’s quarterfinal was rescheduled for yesterday afternoon due to the unavailability of number one seed Mary FungA-Fat who sustained an ankle injury while training on Friday. Fung-A-Fat was set to battle Alysa Xavier yesterday. The other major upset occurred in the first of the Men’s Open quarterfinals when 2014 National Under 19 Junior Champion and three time Caribbean Champion Nyron Joseph defeated former National Champion and number four seed Regan Pollard three games to one. Joseph won a close first game 11 - 8 before Pollard won the second 11 - 7. Winning the second game took a lot of the energy and strength out of Pollard and Joseph easily won the third 11 - 1 and the fourth, 11 - 4. In 2010 Chin returned to Caribbean squash after a 19-year sabbatical to capture the prestigious men’s singles crown in St Vincent when he defeated defending champion, Chris Binnie, in the final of the National Lotteries
Authority Caribbean Squash Championships. The slimly built Chin demonstrated he had lost little of his skill with a convincing 11-8, 11- 0, 11- 5 victory over Nicholas Narain, winning in straight games. Current National Champion Alex Arjoon easily overcame his former junior teammate Deje Dias also in straight games. Alex won 112, 11-2, 11-4. In the last of the quarterfinal Men’s matches Jason Ray Khalil was initially made to work hard by 2014 Under 17 National Champion Ben Mekdeci but eventually wore him down and took the match three games to nil. Khalil won a tight first game 11-9. The loss of this game seemed to deflate Mekdeci and Khalil easily won the second 11-3 and followed it up with a crushing 11-0 victory in the third game. In the Men’s Veterans (3549) category all of the top seeded players won their quarterfinal matches in convincing fashion. Only the match involving Stephen Fernandes and Brian Yong failed to be completed in straight games, with Young winning by three games to one. Young won the first two games 11 - 3, 11- 9 lost the
GASA July Sprints – Goodwill Trials
Silver Gliders of Moruca competing The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) July Sprints is currently taking place at the National Aquatic Centre with a 20-memebr strong contingent from the village of Moruca, Region 1. The usual consistent performers held the usual sway on the opening day of action Friday and yesterday. The final day is today. Following are the results from day one, Friday.
Amy Grant (Sliver Shark Aquatic Swim Club) won the girls 11-12 100m free in 1:18.30; Antonio Hussein (Dorado Speed Swim Club) was the top boy in this age group with a time of 1:08.29. Accalia Khan (Orca) won the girls 13-14 age group in 1:08.00 with Joseph De Nobrega (Dorado) for boys in 1:01.46; Britany van Lange (Dorado) was the top girls in the 15-17 class in 1:01.71 with club mate Hannibal Gaskin
the leading boy in 58.97. Britany van Lang also won the 50m breast (38.46); Gaskin was the lone athlete in the 50m breast (41.78); Dylan Nurse took the 13-14 boys 50m breast (36.77); Gaskin added this event to his collection (34.26). Aleka Persaud (Orca Speed Swim Club) took the top spot in the girls 8 & Under 100m free, clocking 1:35.01 while Raekwon Noel (Dorado (Continued on page 70)
third 7-11 but rebounded to take the fourth 11 - 7. In the Women’s Open plate division, former Caribbean Junior Champion Andrea King was pushed to the limit by 2014 Under 15 Champion Rebecca Low but prevailed in five tough games. King won the first game 11-9 but then lost a tough second game 17-15. She bounced back to win the third game 118 but then again lost a close fourth game 13-11. King however held her nerve in the fifth and won the game 11 - 5. Matches were scheduled to continue yesterday at 12:30hrs. After a short break the competition was set to resume at 18.00hrs with the semi-finals. Friday’s results: Men’s Open Alex Arjoon beat Deje Dias 11 - 2, 11- 2, 11 - 4 Richard Chin beat Nicholas Narain 11 - 8, 11 0, 11 - 5 Jason Ray Khalil beat Ben Mekdeci 11 - 9, 11 - 3, 11 0 Nyron Joseph beat Regan Pollard 11 - 8, 7 - 11, 11 - 1, 11 - 4 Women’s Open Ashley De Groot beat Taylor Fernandes 11 - 8, 11 - 9, 11 - 7 Akeila Wiltshire beat Kathy Ten-Pow 11 - 9, 11 2, 11 -6 Larissa Wiltshire beat
Nicolette Fernandes chats with overseas based former Carribean Champion Richard Chin. Victoria Arjoon 11 - 9, 11 9, 8 - 11, 11 - 4 Men’s Veterans 35 - 49 Joe Mekdeci beat Timothy Jonas 11 - 6, 11- 4, 11 - 3 Alwyn Callender beat Damon Woodroffe 11 - 5, 11 - 8, 11 - 5 Medhi Ramdhani beat Philip Fernandes 11 - 4, 11 - 5, 11 - 4 Brian Yong beat Stephen Fernandes 11 - 3, 11 - 9, 7 11, 11 - 7 Men’s Open Plate Joshua Abdool beat Antonio Joseph 11 - 2, 11 -
2, 11 - 5 Robert Hiscock beat Jamaal Douglas 11 - 6, 11 4, 9 - 11, 11 - 5 Oliver Kear-Downes beat Haopei Yang 11 - 2, 11 - 2, 11 - 5 Alec Melville beat Ian Mekdeci 11 - 6, 11 - 8, 11 2 Women’s Open Plate Andrea King beat Rebecca Low 11 - 9, 15 - 17, 11 - 8, 11 - 13, 11 - 5 Tiffany Solomon beat Sarah Lewis 11 - 5, 11 - 7, 11 - 3
New Zealand win rain-hit contest ESPNcricinfo - Dominica’s inaugural Twenty20 international was a damp affair, with an ever-present drizzle dousing the intensity of the contest that New Zealand claimed to ensure at least a share of the spoils in the two-match series. There was only one stoppage, which made it an 18-overs aside rubber, but persistent showers greased both ball and outfield, nullifying West Indies’ potent spin attack to facilitate a largely clinical chase.
West Indies were 22 for 2 in five overs when play was interrupted, and the hosts were unable to achieve the desired acceleration after the resumption and at the end of the innings. Chasing a belowpar target, New Zealand suffered no such problems and were always ahead of the game. When the umpires finally decided that rain and poor light had made conditions unfit to continue after 15 overs, New Zealand were 12 runs ahead of the D/ L equation.
The New Zealand newball attack backed Brendon McCullum’s decision to bowl, striking in successive overs to reduce West Indies to 10 for 2 in the third. Lendl Simmons was lbw to one from Boult that bent in to hit pad before bat, and Dwayne Smith dragged Southee’s short ball from outside off to deep backward square leg. Darren Bravo and Andre Fletcher had just come together when rain forced the players off for 90 (Continued on page 70)
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
El Dorado to Sponsor the Guyana Amazon Warriors
DDL’s Sharda Veeren presents the sponsorship to CPL’s Trevor Bassoo as Steven Jacobs (right) & Veerasammy Permaul share the moment. Demerara Distillers’ Limited most popular brand is the official spirit of the Amazon Warriors. El Dorado is now an official spirit partner of Guyana Amazon Warriors, throwing their support behind the last year finalists. The Beverage Giant is already a Major Partner of t h e C P LT 2 0 a n d t h i s additional support of the Guyana Amazon is a strong show of support for the this tournament which promises to be the Biggest Part In Sport. At the formal signing ceremony, Guyana Amazon Warriors Head of Marketing Trevor Bassoo thanked Demerara Distillers for their continued support and look forward to a rewarding and successful tournament. Mr. Bassoo also noted that the Guyana Segment of the Limacol CPL tournament was adjusted the best managed and most successful of the entire tournament and he assured DDL that 2014 will be even bigger and better.
Mrs. Sharda VeerenChand, Marketing Director of Demerara Distillers Limited noted that El Dorado is already a major partner of the Limacol CPL T20. “CPL T20 gives cricketing fans a chance to see some of the World’s Greatest Players competing in what promises to be the World’s Biggest Party in Sport. This being said, it is only fitting that we celebrate with the World’s Best , El Dorado! Our brand is an embodiment of the spirit o f G u y a n a – competitiveness, fun, hard work and enjoyment and of course being the best! We believe that this is also the essence of the Amazon Wa r r i o r s , m a k i n g t h i s partnership a natural one”. The CPL T20 To u r n a m e n t o p e n s i n Grenada on July 11, 2014 with the Guyana Amazon Warriors going up against the Hawksbills. The Warriors will then next play the Trinidad Red Steel at the Guyana National Stadium on July 17.
Dainty, Campbell win GBTI Lawn Tennis Novice titles Oronde Dainty and Cristy Campbell won the Men’s and Women’s Novice titles respectively at the 2014 Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Lawn Tennis Open. Dainty defeated Jamal Goodluck in a strategic come from behind game in a 7-5 classic semis to set up an entertaining final with Charles Adams. In the final, Adams had an early lead of 4-1 before Dainty fought valiantly with aggressive shots to clinch the title 6-4. In the first round, Campbell made light work of Pamela (Continued on page 70)
Cristy Campbell
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Kaieteur News
Sunday July 06, 2014
Third Malta Supreme Nat. Park Meet
Akeem Wilkinson secures debut win in feature contest
Banks DIH Malta Supreme Brand Manager Colin King presents the winning trophy and cash to Akeem Wilkinson. A k e e m Wi l k i n s o n pedaled to his maiden win in the feature 35-lap school boys and invitation race when the 3rd Malta Supreme 11-Race National Park Meet came off yesterday at the inner circuit of the Park. Wilkinson took the win in a photo finish from veteran campaigner Warren ‘Forty’ McKay in One Hour 17 Minutes 24.94 Seconds. There was some amount of uncertainty as to who the winner was, given the close nature of the finish, but after some amount of consultation, Wilkinson was declared the winner. Junior competitor Alanzo Ambrose took the third place and was followed by Paul Choo Wee-Nam, Michael Anthony and Stephen Fernandes to close out the top six. Anthony had earlier won the juvenile 10-lap race, recording a time of 24 Minutes 09.41 Seconds; crossing the line ahead of Alanzo Ambrose and Raphael Leung. Anthony won both sprint prizes. Linden Blackman was the lone Over-50 rider; Montgomery Parris won the O v e r- 6 0 c o n t e s t f r o m Maurice Fagundes with Shameer Baksh taking the Under-50 event from Mark Sonoram and Wasim Hasnoo in that order. Baksh stopped the clock at 12 Minutes 07.35 Seconds for the 5-lap race. Keon Thomas was the top mountain biker on the
day, winning the 5-lap showdown in 11 Minutes 59.41 Seconds. Emanuel Gay Raul and Julio Melville completed the top three spots in that order. Jaleel Jackson won the 12-14 boys and girls 3-lap race in 14 Minutes 08.06 Seconds from Omesh Leonard who won the prime prize and Ammo Gomes. Sherwin Sampson was again dominant in the BMX 6-9 and 9-12 events over 2 and 3 laps respectively. He beat Sham Sue Hang and Alexander Leung in the 6-9 contest whilst taking the 912 race from Kristoff Austin and Taran Garbarran. Adrian Sharma was better than Keon Rutherford in the open BMX 3-lap showdown. Banks DIH Malta Supreme Brand Manager Colin King was on hand to deliver brief remarks to the participants and officials. He complemented the riders for coming out to make the event another success, noting that Banks DIH has always been in the forefront of promoting the development of sport across the board in Guyana. Zooming in on the finish of the feature race, King said that it was a very close finish and reminded the cyclists that they must always respect the decisions of the officials as final. National Coach, Hassan Mohamed, who organised the event, also thanked the riders for making the meet another successful one.
Sunday July 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Rupie Shewjattan leads Guyanese 1, 2 in Group 4 at Bushy Park
Guyanese racecar driver Rupie Shewjattan headlined a one two for the Land of Many Waters as he and Danny Persaud took the top podium spots in the first race of opening leg of the newlyformed Caribbean Motor Racing Association (CMRA) race meet at the Bushy Park race track in Barbados yesterday. Competing in Group 4 and driving a Mitsubishi Evolution 5, Shewjattan starting from the back of the grid after failing to qualify, stormed through the field to win the first race on the newly relayed Bushy Park racetrack, followed home by
Persaud. The pair will be in action against today and will be seeking more outstanding results. Shewjattan is sponsored by Auto Fashion among others. Other members in the Guyana contingent competing at this meet are: Group 4- Kevin and Kristian Jeffrey, Andrew King and Vishok Persaud, Group 2Shairaz Roshandin, Chet Singh, John Joseph and Andre Dhanraj, while the Superbikers are Nikhil Seereeram, Matthew Vieira, Carlos Mendonca and Nicholas Boodram.
Planet Paintball resumes competition today
Reona Cathro
G u y a n a ’s l e a d i n g Paintball Sport Park operator, Planet Paintball Guyana (PPG) will be resuming its novelty competition today on Woolford Avenue, opposite Stella Maris Primary School, where a video of the games will be done to continue to grow the sport. Chief Executive Officer of PPG, Reona Cathro told Kaieteur Sport that their new location will be representing everything that patrons are used to in the sport. “We are asking participants to come out in their numbers and be part of the excitement,” she said. Planet Paintball began operations in August 2012 and since then the sport has been stretched to different facilities, including the National Insurance Scheme Ground on CARIFESTA Av e n u e , t h e J a c k i e Robertson Sports Ground on the East Coast (before UG
road) and Dakota Park near the South Dakota Circuit on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Each venue represents a space for a different format of the game. The speedball format will most likely be played at the Woolford Avenue venue today. The founders of Planet Paintball Guyana, Chris and Reona Cathro, is committed to development of the sport, which is globally played and recognised through the National Paintball Professional League (NPPL) with 18 franchise teams in the United States of America. The World Ultimate Woodsball League appointed Planet Paintball the official ‘Ultimate League’ status in Guyana. With this appointment, Guyanese players can now play League and tournament games and receive an international player and team ranking among 180 countries.
Rupie Shewjattan
t r o Sp
Costa Rica’s run ends with loss to Netherlands on penalty kicks Netherlands’ goalkeeper Tim Krul saves a penalty kick during the World Cup quarterfinal. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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The Dutch team celebrate after winning a penalty shoot out against Costa Rica at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
GASA July Sprints – Goodwill Trials
Silver Gliders of Moruca competing P.72
Competitors in the girls 12 and under 50m free, heat 4 of 4 on their way yesterday. The race was won by Amy Grant who swam in lane 3. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Higuain sends Argentina into semi-finals
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