Respect K NEWS CCJ’s ruling AIETEUR
Friday Edition
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July 10, 2020 -Vol. 22 No. 27
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- CARICOM Chair, Ralph Gonsalves
p.17
Claudette Singh orders Lowenfield to submit recount figures by 2pm today
Online readership yesterday, 149,363
p. 12
GECOM CEO, Keith Lowenfield
GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh
- tells him: ‘You are under the “direction” and “control” of the Commission’
Orinduik Partners to target - Remain hopeful sweet, light crude inabout commerciality drilling programme of heavy oil finds p.7
Put country above party - Ex Liberia President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf p.2
Rapist sent Lindeners question environmental behind bars impact of proposed want employment for 26 years Wismar Bridge - opportunities
p. 8
p. 14
NICIL’s sale of prime East Coast lands …
K/News publisher files court case p. 13
to quash deals
Kaieteur News
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Friday July 10, 2020
Put country above party - Ex Liberia President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
F
ormer President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has charged Guyana’s political leaders to reconcile from a turbulent and protracted electoral process and put Guyana above party interests. Sirleaf made these comments in a live address broadcast by the American Chamber of Commerce
(AmCham). A member of Nelson Mandela’s Elders Group, Sirleaf said that there has been much satisfaction with the progress the country has made, and that that should continue with the country moving forward on a democratic path. She noted that the recount results have been certified by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Guyana’s other regional
partners as credible and reflective of the will of the people. Those results show that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has won the general election, with a clear lead of 15,416 valid votes. To t h e i n c o m i n g President, Sirleaf urged that person to be the President of all people, and added that that person’s government must include everyone to
COVID-19 cases increase by 2 -recovery now at 46 percent
T
he total number of COVID-19 cases Guyana has recorded is now 286 with 125 recoveries. In institutional isolation there are 145 active cases, with 19 persons in institutional quarantine, and six persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). COVID related deaths remain at 16. According to the Ministry of Public Health, data collection shows that Region One is currently managing 69 percent of all active cases. It was also pointed out that 46 percent of all positive cases have recovered thus far and six percent of all infected cases have died. F u r t h e r, a s u r v e y conducted by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with UNICEF has indicated that respondents from all 10 administrative regions have indicated that the level of fear of becoming infected with COVID-19 has decreased from 81.6 percent to 53.5 percent over a period of four weeks; 30 percent of respondents reported that they are unwilling to give up their daily practice and adhere to guidelines provided. Over 70 percent of respondents indicated that they wear a mask when out in public while 58 percent of respondents indicated that they observe the six feet social distancing as per the guidelines. Additionally, 76 percent of the respondents indicated that they wash or sanitize their hands frequently. Addressing the survey in the daily update, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, said “30 percent of you are
Regional Health Officer, Dr. Steven Cheefoon. unwilling to give up your freedoms in order to adhere to the guidelines that could save your life. At the same time, 70 percent of us have made the sacrifice for ourselves and fellow man. Guys, get with the programme! Where is your regard for the lives of others? The majority of you are indeed observing the protocols and so it’s just for the few stragglers to join the band wagon.” She added that the
Ministry continues to witness the misuse of the facemask. The DCMO reminded that “the mask is needed for your protection as well as the protection of those around you. It helps to prevent those tiny droplets from infecting you and those around. Further, it does not work in isolation; it must be supported with practicing physical distancing and hand washing.” “I wish to discuss our children who I see riding the minibuses, completing errands for parents in the shops, market or stores without the protection of a mask. In some instances, parents are protected, children not so. Please remember that our assets for the future are our children. We do not wish to put them at risk, so if you plan on sending them to the shop or market, please ensure that they are appropriately attired with a face mask,” she added. Meanwhile, Region One r e m a i n s t h e c o u n t r y ’s hotspot for COVID-19 with (Continued on oage 7)
ensure the fullest cooperation to achieve the government’s vision and goals. Her statement follows a ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which paves a way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to declare the results of the recount. Sirleaf said that now is the time for Guyana to continue to consolidate the progress in the past decade. “This is the time to consolidate the progress,” she stated, “to see democracy that you have earned on a firmer footing, and that means reconciliation. That means cooperation. That means getting together and looking at the situation, and see Guyana as bigger than any p a r t i c u l a r p a r t y, a n y particular group, and any particular person.” “Please rise to the cause of upliftment of your own country, to the preservation of peace and stability and solidarity that your country deserves.” She explained that she had been victim to a situation in which the will of the people were not allowed to be announced following an election, and that the effect on the people was devastating. This is likely in reference to Liberia’s disputed 1985 elections, in which the incumbent had been declared the winner. When the will of the people is not respected, Sirleaf explained, “you cannot control events that would follow because those who conclude that their vote has not been respected will show resistance.”
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Guyana’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, had presented a report to the Elections Commission which sought to unilaterally invalidate 115,000 votes in a move to grant a false victory to the APNU+AFC coalition. That report has been invalidated by the CCJ, as it found that he acted unlawfully. If the people’s will is not reflected, Sirleaf said that there could be resistance in the form of protest, transcending into dissatisfaction and disillusion. “It transcends into people feeling my future has been taken away from me because my vote has not been allowed, and you’re dealing here with the majority of the people. It’s a recipe for disaster. And what can happen is that if that protest is not properly managed by the State, by the authorities, and it gets out of h a n d b e c a u s e t h e r e ’s counteraction to repress the protest, to contain it, then it ends up on the streets; that could easily lead to serious conflict. And conflict has serious consequences.” The disputed 1985 election of Liberia had led to years of conflict, then civil war. Sirleaf said that her
country faced such a situation for many years, and that the aftermath of the protest and repression was the destruction of the country. In addition, she warned that dysfunction in Guyana could result in external forces entering to take control and penetrate the workings of government – “then the state loses total control of the management of its resources…” In light of these warnings, Sirleaf appealed to the people of Guyana not to let the situation digress into violence and destruction. “Those of you who are continuing to call for calm, to call for peace, to call for rationality in consideration in these matters, are to be commended… Those of us on the outside that have been promoting all the efforts that Guyana has been making, must also continue our work. Continue to send these messages of hope, these messages to the Guyanese people, to please do not destroy the progress that your country has made so much with your hard work and dedication and patriotism, you’ve given so much to your country in the last decade to bring it to where it is.”
Friday July 10, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Friday July 10, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL, TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Anatomy of a fix The devoted political partisans around must be the only people in the world, who lack the gifts of seeing, analyzing, and coming to a place of levelheaded understanding. That is, of understanding what is wrong, what is so blatant, that to minimize or pretend reduces one to not only aiding and abetting, but to no less than a criminal conspirator. This is what it took a man invited from Canada to provide an outline and timeline that speak toward the constant attempts at sabotaging Guyana’s electoral process for the worst of crooked ends. The picture painted was compliments of, Selwyn Pieters, Esq., the Guyana Bar Association observer invited from Canada, who provided a continuing picture of what was afoot, and as occurred on Wednesday, March 4th at the Ashmin’s Building on High Street. This location served as GECOM’s Media Center, and our caption captures what unfolded, “New details emerge about Clairmont Mingo’s fraudulent declaration” (KN July 8). From the graphic eyewitness canvas sketched, all Guyanese-regardless of their political persuasions and prejudices-are presented with the first episode from that day of what has since served as the introduction to the farce to which Elections 2020 has been condemned. It is of the comedy cum fantasy now full out tragedy that has become an inseparable part of this nation’s current elections. From 11 o’clock onwards on March 4th, there was readiness by the planners to set things right with the elections, according to their way(s) with one final premeditated outcome in mind: victory by any method, no matter the heinous nature of what had to be done, since nothing was off the table. It just had to be victory at any cost, regardless of the price that had to be paid in either the potential ruination of personal reputation, or serious problems before the bar of justice, or record left to history. There was no price too steep, nothing beyond the pale of consideration, for this is the fanatical devotion to the suicidal that is so much a part of the partisan warfare undertaken by the willing and the unscrupulous. There was the creative, with a report of the first casualty: the sickening of Returning Officer Mingo, and the earlier sick call of his deputy. In regular activities, this happens all the time, and sometimes at the most crucial of times. But what was happening raises questions today, as to whether sickness was the first attempt at buying time through delay. According to eyewitness Pieters, the political brass came and congregated inside the building, but the media was locked out. At this sensitive moment, when the first clashing claims of victory were already voiced by both sides, the decision was made to block the media from reporting on developments, which had to be done secondhand. Then, legal SoPs were replaced by “an unverified spreadsheet system”, and later that same day, two workers attached to GECOM became unwell and were unable to continue. This was the first revealing day, and it was all bad, most unpromising, if not sinister, as to what was ahead. The creative now took a new twist with determined efforts by the CEO to insert replacements so-called ‘trusted’ replacements. These charades continued on Thursday with people feeling unwell or tired BUT removing computer and flash drive used in the official tabulation. Unwell and tired BUT sticking around out of sight and engaged in what could only be deemed as suspicious relative to flash drive(s) removed. Workers were so tired that they could not function anymore BUT found energy and doggedness to insist on remaining and working outside of the scrutiny of those approved to observe every step of the proceedings. It does not take any stroke of genius to recognize that many minds at many levels were at work from the beginning to thwart the will of the people, and in many perverse ways. They are of the many hands that make for much magic (as witnessed), more mysteries (since introduced), and mostly with a monstrous outcome envisioned (now obvious). The story of that first week is of the continually innovative, the willfully blind; and the completely compromised. Devoted exclusively to one ending only: coalition victory no matter what.
Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs and external forces have no right to interfere DEAR EDITOR, On June 30, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was passed by China’s top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), and added to the list of national laws in Annex III to the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and applied locally by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR. This is China’s internal affairs and to safeguard national security is China’s legitimate right. However, my good friend H.E. Greg Quinn, British High Commissioner, published the UK position stating that “UK will not duck its historic responsibilities to the people of Hong Kong”. The fact is, there’s no responsibility for the UK in Hong Kong affairs. To facilitate your readers’ further understanding of the national security law for HKSAR comprehensively, objectively, and accurately, I would like to share the following facts in addition to my previous letter on June 17. 1. The national security legislation in HKSAR answers the call of the people of Hong Kong. Maintaining national security complies with the “One Country, Two Systems” policy created by China’s previous leader Deng Xiaoping, and is the prerequisite and basis for Hong Kong to maintain prosperity and stability. Without national security, how can the “One Country, Two Systems”
policy be comprehensively and accurately implemented in Hong Kong? Since China resumed exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong 23 years ago, due to the obstruction of anti-China forces, the HKSAR has failed to complete the national security legislation as required by the Basic Law, causing Hong Kong to remain in a “defenseless” situation. A number of HK residents (some are foreign nationals) openly clamored for “Hong Kong independence” and “self-determination”, smashed and robbed stores, violently attacked the police, assaulted the Hong Kong Legislative Council and even cried for “waging armed revolution to gain independence”. These violent actions severely trampled the rule of law in Hong Kong, undermined social stability, hit the economy hard, and put national security at serious risk. Hong Kong people are heartbroken and desperately hope that chaos would be ended quickly, order would be restored, and Hong Kong would walk out of the desperation. In this context, the NPC decided to act in accordance with the Chinese Constitution and Hong Kong Basic Law, and established and improved the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for Hong Kong. Through multimode, multi-channel, the NPC sought the views of HKSAR government and people from different walks of life, and obtained the signature of support of nearly 3 million Hong Kong people (including
many employees of foreignfunded enterprises in Hong Kong) in 8 days. This fully demonstrates that the national security legislation in HKSAR is in line with mainstream opinion. 2. The national security law for HKSAR will not undermine Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. In fact, the law fully integrates the comprehensive jurisdiction of the central government and HKSAR’s high degree of autonomy. It does not affect the SAR’s administrative, legislative or independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. The law clearly stipulates that the HKSAR shall respect and protect human rights while safeguarding national security, and protect the rights and freedoms of speech, of press, of publication, of association, of assembly and of demonstration that the Hong Kong residents have never enjoyed under the British colonial rule, in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong. But the respecting of rights does not mean that there are no restrictions. The ICCPR clearly stipulates that the exercise of these rights must not undermine national security and public order. The national security law for HKSAR includes four types of offences: secession, subversion, organisation and
perpetration of terrorist activities, collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. It only punishes a very small number of criminals, and protects the vast majority of law-abiding citizens. 3. China does not fail to fulfill its international obligations by enacting the national security law for HKSAR. I must reiterate, the basic policies regarding Hong Kong declared in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration is China’s unilateral policy statement, not its international obligations to the UK. The British side confused the Joint Declaration with China’s “One Country, Two Systems” policy and falsely accused China of failing to fulfill its international obligations. The Chinese government governs Hong Kong in accordance with China’s Constitution and the Hong Kong Basic Law, not the Joint Declaration. The British side has made irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs after Hong Kong’s return, and now intends to break its promise of not conferring the right of abode to those holding British National (Overseas) Passports (BNO), claiming that it “will provide them with a route to British citizenship”. This is a blunt interference in China’s internal affairs and a flagrant violation of the basic norms of international relations. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to it, and has made (Continued on page 17)
Lowenfield has a chance to rehabilitate himself DEAR EDITOR, The world thinks unkindly of Keith Lowenfield viewing him as the obstacle to the conclusion of the election. His accurate report is holding up the declaration of the election. All that Lowenfield needs do is follow the law. Failing that, the consequences would be severe as there would be sanctions against the riggers. The final acts to bring closure to the March 2 election depend on Chief Election Officer Lowenfield and the Chair Claudette Singh. The latter already accepts the Caricom monitored recount as the basis for the declaration. She has triggered the finality clause of the process instructing the CEO to prepare the ten matrixes for each region, a brief summary of the recount process, and conversion of seats for each region as well as the national assembly. These would then form the basis for a declaration by the chair and the swearing in of the President by the Chan-
cellor of the Judiciary. He must act professionally independent of any influence from a party. The problem is so far since March 3 he has failed to carry out his responsibilities according to the constitution and electoral law. Lowenfield has no choice with the CCJ pronouncement on June 8 but to follow the law relating to the declaration of the outcome of the elections. The critical question that Guyanese in the diaspora and at home are asking is whether he would follow the law. Since March 3, Lowenfield has been viewed as contaminating the process and a participant in electoral fraud. He has sided with a party. He now has a chance to rehabilitate his image, retrieve the situation. Will he grab the lifeline to be a champion of free and fair elections or will he go down in history as the person who was an architect of electoral fraud? The CCJ, Guyana’s highest court, explicitly and sternly pronounced on what
Lowenfield must do with clear and specific instructions: prepare the declaration report based on the recount and not to nullify any vote. And he must do it expeditiously. He must do the honorable thing. He has no escape path. He is facing three sets of criminal charges for fraud and if he defies GECOM, he would be charged for insubordination and dismissed. Worse, he would be brought up on contempt charges for defying the ruling of the CCJ. In addition, he would face sanctions (visa cancellations) from the ABCE countries. It is in his interest to do the right thing to bring the process to closure. To bring an end to criminal charges, protect his job, and avoid jail for contempt of court, Lowenfield must do the honorable thing and prepare the election report based on the recount vote. It is also the moral and democratic thing to do. People around the region, the world, are laughing at Guyana for an inconclusive election stymied by what they
call the Lowenfield Fraud. In an election, one side wins and it may not always be the side one favors. But one cannot prolong the process when one’s side loses. Lowenfield must be mature enough to accept that his favored side lost and it is time to chuck in the towel. His job would be completed and he would be rendered safe from charges. His tarnished reputation would be rehabilitated. Let the chair take the issue from there to bring closure. It is her call to make. Guyanese are embarrassed by the behaviour of Lowenfield, and they and people around the globe are appealing to him to act decently — follow the law and execute the CCJ ruling by preparing the correct report for Gecom to use for the declaration. This act will bring closure to the election and allow the country to move on. And it will also allow him to retrieve a sense of decency. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
Friday July 10, 2020
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When all is said and done, it is clear that the APNU+ AFC is fighting a losing battle DEAR EDITOR, The week of July 5 broke with news of coup d’etat in the air. Indeed, one paper’s editorial of Sunday July 5 screamed ‘Coup d’etat’ The editorial stated: ‘ In the end, however, when all avenues have been are exhausted we are looking at a coup d’etat. There is simply no alternative’. The editorial went on; ‘The problem with coups is that no matter what they are called they are brutal...’ Next came David Hinds. In his article headlined, ‘Any seizure of jurisdiction by the CCJ is tantamount to a political coup’ Hinds wrote: “Any claim of jurisdiction by the CCJ would be a political act with clear political intentions. It would be a clear attempt to install a party in power against the wishes on half of population and in defiance of constitutional check.” “Such an act,” he asserted, “is nothing short of a political coup.” Earlier, in May this year, Anthony Vieira in a letter published in one of the dailies stated: “Lowenfield and
Mingo have in fact overthrown the winner.” Vieira went on to describe a coup; ‘Typically,’ he claimed, “it is an illegal, unconstitutional seizure of power by a political faction, the military or a dictator.” According to Vieira, “A coup is considered successful when the usurper seize and hold power for at least seven days.” In televised broadcast to the nation in June this year, Bharrat Jagdeo told the nation: “We want to assure Guyanese that we are fighting tirelessly against the attempted coup by the APNU+AFC operatives. We are not alone in this struggle for democracy and freedom.” Now that the CCJ has ruled that, “...this Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine the Application of Messrs. Ali and Jagdeo to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal. That decision was made without jurisdiction. It was therefore not final and is of no effect”, we are left to wonder what will become of Mr. Hinds’ theoretically contrived ‘political
coup?’ We should not be surprised with a change in Mr. Hinds’ narrative. Contrary to Hinds’ ‘seizure of jurisdiction by the CCJ’ and its ‘political coup,’ the editorial’s, Vieira’s and Jagdeo’s positions on an APNU+AFC inspired coup remains potentially valid though the CCJ has ruled that, “Now the laws of Guyana must run its course.” Clearly, this was a warning to the APNU+ AFC to stop horsing around by continuing to mislead its supporters, as Mr. Granger recently did, when he told his supporters outside State House: “...as far as we are concerned, we have evidence that there has been massive fraud and irregularities and we will continue to fight to make sure your votes are counted.” In stepped Mr. Joe Harmon who chimed in stating; “It is expected that GECOM will continue with the necessary process, in keeping with the Constitution, which speaks to the requirement of valid votes.” Not to be left out, Mr. Aubrey Norton throws in his
Difficulty lies in the lunacy of senior and some junior members of the incumbent DEAR EDITOR, Following the welcomed Caribbean Court of Justice’s decision on the 8th of July, 2020, it is now for GECOM and essentially it’s Chairwoman to act swiftly in concluding the exhaustingly lengthy elections process, which has prolonged for in excess of four months, causing grave distress to our nation, in accordance with the recount results. This being an obvious fact, it appears that there is no urgency in bringing this process to finality, which quite frankly is placing additional burdens on the people of Guyana. How much longer will our people and this country suffer at the hands of a few who clearly do not have our best interest at heart? It is truly frustrating and heartbreaking! There isn’t one right thinking person who will argue that the APNU+AFC will seek at all costs and measures to steal this Election. My difficulty lies in the lunacy and deranged behaviour of senior and some junior members of the incumbent, in their persisting and uncivilized need to delay the process as a means to a tragic end, to divide and conquer. It must stop! Guyana needs to
move forward. The CCJ has ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the matter of Mohammed Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo v. Eslyn David. It further ruled that the Guyana Court of Appeal did not have Jurisdiction under Article 177 (4) to interpret Article 177(2) and which did not need an interpretation in any event as it was clear that more votes cast could only mean on the face of it valid votes, thereby reversing the Court of Appeal’s decision. Finally the Court also ruled that similarly since Mr. Lowenfield’s report was prepared (unlawfully so) seemingly on the reliance and “guidance” of the Court of Appeal’s decision, that the said report is invalidated. There is absolutely no ambiguity in the CCJ’s judgment and therefore does not require time to “study” its meaning. The report prepared by Mr. Lowenfield on the 13th June reflected the certified results as valid, generated from the recount process. Not a single piece of legislation or the Constitution allowed him to disenfranchise electors in his reports and more recently on the 23rd of June, 2020. Rightfully so that report was
invalidated by the CCJ with a direction to GECOM that it must instruct Mr. Lowenfield to prepare a report in accordance with the recount results and the laws of Guyana. To my mind that direction was already given by Madam Chairwoman in her letter dated the 16th June, 2020. It is also my respectful view that while Madam Chairwoman seeks to give an opportunity to be heard to each party, the granting of a postponement of the GECOM meeting scheduled for the 9th of July, 2020 on the nonsensical request of the incumbent through their Commissioners, in their efforts to further delay the declaration, is overindulgent. It must be seen for what it is; another message to the Nation by the incumbent that time is needed to come up with another strategy to steal the Elections. It is with this in mind that I respectfully urge Madam Chair not to tolerate any further delays and to swiftly bring an end to this Electoral process reflective of the will of the people as seen by the certified recount results and give some relief to all Guyanese. Yours truly, Sonia Parag
stained and tainted tuppence claiming, “GECOM must live by the law, GECOM is expected to deliver on credible votes...” The target has shifted from the CCJ to GECOM once again but the narrative and the messengers remain the same. From these statements, we can conclude that the false narratives that preceded the CCJ rulings continue to be fed unabatedly to all those who prefer to be fed at the through filled with vile APNU+AFC propaganda, such as the false claim from David Granger that: “... there are some bad elements out there who tried to manipulate the vote...” When all is said and done, it is clear that the APNU+ AFC is fighting a losing battle. The CCJ’s Consequential Orders have provided no wiggle room for the coalition administration. Events following passage of the NCM motion have made the chances of the APNU+AFC winning another election highly improbable in the near future. If there is anyone who continues to harbour the view that Mr. Granger is a tactician and strategist and an experienced politician, they need to go have their heads examined. There remains one avenue, resembling the eye of a needle, that Mr. Granger like the proverbial camel must pass through. It’s called the GECOM avenue. At the Commission, his representatives will have to contend with the CCJ’s ruling to the effect that: ‘The Court
of Appeal impliedly invited the CEO to engage unilaterally in an unlawful validation exercise and should therefore be set aside”, meaning that the recount figures emanating from the report of the CARICOM Observer Team must be used for declaring the result for the March 2nd elections. Refusing to abandon his cynical efforts to feed his supporters false hopes, Mr. Granger has since changed the narrative once more telling his followers that: “It’s all up to GECOM” and that the “CCJ did not issue any coercive Orders” as if the whole country did not know that. Talk of a coup in whatever shape or fashion will continue
if the APNU+AFC refuses to abide by the Consequential Orders issued by the CCJ. Every Guyanese shares the fervent hope of the distinguished Judges at the CCJ that “there would quickly be a p e a c e a b l e r e s t o r a tion of normalcy” in our country. Since Mr. Granger has refus e d t o c o n c e d e , claiming he is awaiting a declaration from GECOM, it is GECOM that has history in its hands. Any conceding by Mr. Granger following a declaration by GECOM that the PPP/C has won the election will be meaningless. Yours truly, Clement J. Rohee
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Has David Granger lost touch with reality? DEAR EDITOR, I watched, with absolute dismay, David Granger come out of State House one Wednesday to address a crowd of APNU+AFC supporters who, under the COVID-19 regulations, should have been immediately dispersed by the police. Granger wore no face covering in coming close to address them, setting an appallingly bad example. The APNU+AFC supporters were, not surprisingly, calling for Granger to be immediately sworn in as President. For weeks now, Granger and Joe Harmon have used the Lowenfield Report, based on invented irregularities arbitrarily and in violation of his authority, submitted to the Chairman of GECOM on 23rd June to claim an APNU+AFC victory at the polls. Watching Granger’s pitiful but, unfortunately, dangerous attempt to cast aside the legal significance of the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), begs the question, has David Granger lost touch with reality? Is he, in fact delusional?
The CCJ had just ruled invalidating the Lowenfield 23rd June Report and ruled that the so-called “irregularities” claimed by Harmon and Granger could only be addressed in an Election Petition and that GECOM had no authority to address these claims in the final tabulation of the Recount. Granger, however, refused to acknowledge the ruling of the Court, yet, in the same breath, told his supporters that “our Coalition is committed to the rule of law”. He told his supporters that the CCJ “made no coercive orders… they have not given any instructions to what GECOM is empowered under the laws of Guyana to do”, deliberately leading them to believe that the CCJ ruling was of no consequence. Granger then went on to repeat the entirely false claim that there has been “massive” fraud and irregularities during the elections and that his party will continue to fight for only “valid votes to be counted”. Again, Granger chose to ignore
the very specific rejection by the CCJ of the Court of Appeal’s unnecessary insertion of the word “valid” which, the Court pointed out, “invited the CEO to engage unilaterally in an unlawful validation exercise”. David Granger had known from the very day after the 2nd March, that a majority of just under 16,000 Guyanese voted to elect the PPP/C in an open, freely contested, internationally monitored and closely observed election. Granger knew this from the published Statements of Poll in his party’s possession, but he has consistently and dishonestly refused to accept the result. Granger, instead, first from behind the scenes, but now openly, has led his party to believe that they could cheat the counting process, cheat the Recount result, and, when that failed, depend upon a biased judiciary to keep him in power. He did not, however, calculate for the fact that this bias did not ex-
tend to Guyana’s Apex Court, the Caribbean Court of Justice. I repeat. Guyana’s Apex Court now being vilified by APNU+AFC’s leading spokespersons, James Bond, Aubrey Norton and Sherod Duncan, in a disgraceful display of lying about the CCJ judgment on the APNU+AFC Facebook page. Nor did Granger and his highly financially compromised hierarchy in APNU+AFC count upon the inherent commitment to democracy of his fellow political leaders across the Caribbean. Granger must know now that the GECOM Chairman is left with no alternative but to recognize the result of the Recount and proceed under the Constitution, as guided by the CCJ, to declare a decision in favour of swearing in Dr. Ali. He has consistently said that he will respect GECOM’s decision, but nothing that he has said or done since suggests that he will keep his word. David Granger has continued to insist that, regardless of the elections result, regardless of the Re-
count, regardless of the CARICOM Report, regardless of the universal position of every International and Local Observer, regardless of the ruling of the CCJ and regardless of the ultimate consequences to his country, his people, himself and those around him, he and his party will remain in office. There is nothing that has made me change my mind since my Commentary on 30th June that “these are men and women who are conniving, ruthless, ignorant and criminal in their intent” and that they “feel secure that they can do this supported by our military and our police”. It is fast becoming essential that the newly appointed Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, and the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, decide and state publicly whether or not they will uphold their oath of office, to which they are sworn, to the Constitution. Yours truly, Kit Nascimento
HAMILTON GREEN HAS FINALLY BROKEN HIS SILENCE DEAR EDITOR, Former PNC strongman, former Prime Minister and former Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green, has finally broken his silence. And as can be expected, he is solidly in the corner of the David Arthur Granger, a man who has brought this country to the brink of bankruptcy. At his age, rather than writing his memoirs and giving an accurate historical perspective of how the PNC under Burnham and Hoyte rigged every election in Guyana during the PNC’s 28 year-rule, sadly, Hamilton Green is still determined to see a Black man fraudulently sworn-in as president of Guyana, rather than a president of another ethnicity in a free, fair and credible election. Hammie should write about his opposition to Desmond Hoyte when the former President agreed to conditions laid out by US President Jimmy Carter for free and fair elections in 1992. He still blames Hoyte for that defeat that restored democracy to Guyana under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic. Now he’s looking at history repeating itself, and is as determined as ever to put Guyana back on the road he once travelled and was part of during the turbulent 70’s and 80’s. In a missive to the press, published on Saturday, July 4, Hamilton Green joined the ranks of despotic coalition leaders now cussing out everyone who dares to condemn the PNC/APNU for using Mingo and Lowenfield to rig the March 2nd elections. Like the others whose vicious
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attacks are directed at discrediting highly respected CARICOM leaders, foreign diplomats and observers, Hammie zoomed in on the new CARICOM Chairman, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who had previously made it clear that CARICOM will not tolerate the stealing of an election in Guyana, and suggested that Granger should take his blows like a man. Hammie then goes on to make the most asinine statement, painting the usurper president as an altar boy. He wrote, “President David A. Granger has neither violated our constitution nor broken our laws, but yet we see so many throwing stones at him and the government he leads… I can find no valid reasons for this relentless stone-throwing by a few people in the US, Guyana and the Caribbean.” The truth is, throughout his presidency, David Granger has demonstrated absolute disrespect and disregard for the letter and spirit of the Constitution, and continues to contravene its provisions with impunity. Of course, after being part of a PNC government that rigged every election in 28 years, Hamilton Green must have viewed the rigging of an election as the birthright of every PNC leader. Fortunately for democracy, we’re in a different era now where the world has no tolerance for dictators and where everyone has a smartphone with a camera, and knows how to go live on Facebook
to expose theft. But let me debunk this myth about David Granger being honest and decent, and refresh Hamilton Green’s memory by citing a few occasions when David Granger and his government callously violated the rule of law, assault important democratic institutions, and breach the Constitution in the most egregious fashion. Article 226(1) of the Constitution states: “In the exercise of its functions under the Constitution, a Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”. In May 2015, the then Junior Social Protection Minister Simona Broomes instructed the Secretary of the Public Service Commission, that “all interviews and meetings of the Commission are to cease forthwith until further as instructed by His Excellency, the President, David Arthur Granger’s notice”. This was challenged in the High Court, and Justice Chang ruled that the Public Service Commission, a Commission established by the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, in the exercise of its functions shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. The Chief Justice called it a violation of Article 226 of the Constitution of the Cooperative of Guyana, and ruled that it is unlawful, null, void and of no legal effect.Then, in a public statement released to the press on October 8, 2016, trade unionist Carvil Duncan said that he was asked by President David Granger in February of that year, to resign as Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and from other constitutional commissions. Duncan related that he was invited to meet with the President and the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and was asked to submit his resignation. Harmon, he said, offered him a suitable financial package for his exit. And during the
course of the meeting, Duncan reported that the President said “no less than 3 times”, that he does not want any blood on his carpet. Having rejected their offer, the Government embarked upon a manifestly unlawful course of action. While certain criminal charges were pending in the Magistrate’s Court against Duncan, the Government decided to trigger a Constitutional process to remove him from office. Without a hearing, President Granger set up a ‘kangaroo tribunal’ to remove the embattled trade unionist as chairman of the Public Service Commission. But by virtue of being chairman of the PSC, Carvil Duncan was ex-officio, a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Police Service Commission, institutions created by the Constitution and endowed with the fundamental role and function of guarding against executive abuses. As Chairman of the PSC, Carvil Duncan enjoyed all these constitutional protections. And in June, 2016, the President again deliberately violated the Constitution when he instructed the then Minister of State Joe Harmon to issue a directive to the Police Service Commission (PSC) in his name, instructing the PSC to halt the police promotions process. This vulgar, authoritarian attempt by the President to trample upon the independence and functional autonomy of the Police Service Commission, a constitutional agency, was again challenged in the High Court. The editorial in the Stabroek News on August 21, 2016 expressed grave concern for the country, as “a pattern of highly worrying behaviour has emerged. It is clear that when it suits the President and the government to ignore constitutional precepts – in this case the vital insulating of service commissions – it is prepared to do so. This tendency is rife with jeopardies to constitutional rule and the rule of law. It also adds to the unpleasant legend of the
PNC’s undemocratic rule of the 70s and 80s, the flying of colours of the party over the Guyana Court of Appeal and the entrenching of paramountcy of the party as enshrined in the Sophia Declaration.” These occurrences are well known to Hamilton Green for he was a senior functionary in the dreaded PNC dictatorial regime. President Granger’s unilateral decision to appoint the 84-year old retired Justice James Patterson as GECOM Chairman, was yet another shameful act in violation of Article 161-2 of the Guyana Constitution. Patterson’s appointment was ruled by the CCJ to be flawed and in breach of Guyana’s Constitution. The late Malcolm X, a courageous advocate for the rights of Black Americans , once said, “I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands, even if he’s wrong, than the one who comes up like an angel and is nothing but a devil.” There is no doubt that David Granger is the mastermind behind efforts to keep him in office. The whole world witnessed Clairmont Mingo’s fraudulent attempts at rigging the March 2nd election and stopped him. The GECOM CEO, Keith Lowenfield is attempting to do the same thing by discarding 115,787 valid votes in predominantly PPP strongholds. He too will be stopped. So if prominent CARICOM leaders like Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Prime Minister Mia Mottley are disgusted enough to call out David Granger for the scoundrel that he is, well like Mottley said before, “the truth hurts”. David Granger and his rigging cabal must now stop lying to their supporters and the Guyanese people. Hide their shame and gracefully, if that’s now possible, concede defeat to Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP/ C, and save our beautiful Guyana from devastating sanctions we may never recover from. Yours truly, Harry Gill
Friday July 10, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Orinduik Partners to target sweet, light crude in drilling programme -remain hopeful about commerciality of heavy oil finds
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ccording to S.P Angel, one of the industry’s leading stockbrokers, the partners of the Orinduik Block will be targeting sweet, light crude discoveries for its next drilling programme. In its latest assessment, the UK stockbroker said that the partners have a number of targets in the Cretaceous layer which has yielded multi-billion-barrels of light sweet crude in the adjacent concession, being the Stabroek Block. In fact, 11 of its 22 targets are in the Cretaceous play. With respect to the heavy oil found in the Jethro and Joe wells that were drilled back to back last year, S.P Angel recalled that the market was keen to express its disappointment as shares for both Tullow, the Operator and Eco Atlantic, a 15 percent interest holder, both dropped by more than 50 percent. Be that as it may, S.P Angel said the discoveries have been misunderstood by the market.
The stockbroker said, “Whilst analysis confirmed the Tertiary formation at Orinduik contains heavy, sour crude; the reservoir is high-quality, over-pressured and at a high wellhead temperature, all of which will help with the mobility of the oil.” Eco Atlantic’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gil Holzman has since highlighted that the crude tested to date from Jethro and Joe appear not dissimilar to the commercial heavy crudes currently in production in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, the Campos Basin in Brazil, Venezuela and Angola. This was also supported by S.P Angel and given further credence by commentary from Hess Corporation on its Tertiary Hammerhead discovery, which is heavier than the Cretaceous discoveries on the Stabroek block. Holzman said that the partners being Tullow and Total, are still assessing the
COVID-19 cases increase... From page 2 a total of 75 active cases, according to the Region’s Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Steven Cheefoon. He said, so far the Region has recorded 74 cases in Moruca, nine in Mabaruma with a total of six recoveries. Dr. Cheefoon related too that the Region is coping well and is able to manage all of its cases. Moruca is currently on a full lockdown since it is the country’s epicenter for the virus. According to the World Health Organization, the total number of cases is 11,669,259 with 539,906 deaths.
oil regarding its commerciality but based on the initial results, they remain encouraged. He said that more information in this regard will be released as it becomes available. ORINDUIK JV PARTNERS It was in January 2016 that Eco signed a Petroleum Agreement and became party to a Petroleum Licence with the Government of
Guyana and Tullow Oil for the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana. Tu l l o w O i l a s t h e Operator of the Block paid past costs and carried Eco for the first 1000km2 of the 2 5 5 0 k m 2 3 D S u r v e y. Further, Tullow contributed an extensive 2D seismic data set and interpretation. The Company’s 2550 km2 3D seismic survey was completed in September
2017, well within the initial four-year work commitment the Company made for the initial 1000km2. In September 2017, Eco announced that its subsidiary, Eco Atlantic (Guyana) Inc. entered into an option agreement on its Orinduik Block with Total, a wholly owned subsidiary of Total S.A. Pursuant to the option. Total paid an option fee
of US$1 million to farm-in to the Orinduik Block. An additional payment of US$12,500,000 was made when Total exercised its option to earn 25 percent of Eco’s working interest in September 2018. Following the exercise of the option by Total, the Block’s working interests became: Tullow – 60% (Operator), Total – 25% and Eco – 15%.
Kaieteur News
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Friday July 10, 2020
Citizenship Initiative calls Rapist sent behind for swift end to Guyana’s bars for 26 years electoral process
T
he Citizenship Initiative (TCI) has called for a swift end to Guyana’s four month long electoral process, citing that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has delivered a timely ruling clearing the way for a declaration. “Guyana needs it. The people of Guyana need it. Now that the apex court of Guyana has definitely ruled on the way forward, it is quite clear what needs to be done,” TCI said in a statement. The Commission was slated to meet ye terday at 1:30 pm but this meeting was postponed after the government nominated Commissioners requested time to “study” the ruling by the CCJ. TCI noted with “grave concern” the decision taken by the GECOM, to facilitate what they said was “yet
TCI Presidential Candidate, Rondha Lam another request to delay the timely and lawful conclusion of Guyana’s electoral process.” The party pointed to the excerpt of the CCJ ruling which said “It has been four months since the Elections were held and the country has been without a Parliament for well over a year. No one in Guyana
would regard this as a satisfactory state of affairs. We express the fervent hope that there would be a peaceful restoration of normalcy. Now, the law must run its course.” With this in mind, TCI noted that “GECOM, and the people of Guyana have bent over backwards enough” and that the Commission “needs to act now” to bring the electoral process to a finality. “We as Guyanese need to work together to take this nation forward and this can only be achieved if we remain a nation that respects the laws that govern the land,” the party added. “We respectfully request that Madame Chair, Justice Claudette Singh (Ret’d), does everything in her power to bring this election to its swift conclusion and allow Guyana to breathe,” TCI concluded.
A thirty- one year old man from Tabatinga, Lethem has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for rape. Nick Skeete called ‘Shatta’ or ‘Jason Blair,’ was found guilty of raping a 20old-year-old female, last March. Skeete was on trial for the crime committed between July 8 and 9, 2016, along with two other accused, Harold Anderson and John Lee Edmond. According to facts of the case presented by State Prosecutor, Teriq Mohamed, Skeete along with the two other men pounced on the victim as she was waiting on a taxi to get home. Skeete and the other men reportedly dragged the woman in a swampy area and r a p e d h e r. H o w e v e r , following a trial in the High Court last March, a mixed panel of jurors found Skeete guilty of the crime and acquitted the two other men. He was scheduled to be sentenced yesterday following the reading of a probation report which was requested by his lawyer, Ravindra Mohabir. The report was read out loud during the virtual hearing yesterday. The Probation Officer provided the court with insight of Skeete’s life and upbringing as well as his feelings as it
Jailed: Nick Skeete called Shatta or Jason Blair. relates to the crime he committed. According to the report, Skeete maintained that he was innocent of the crime and believes he was being set up. The man reportedly told the probation officer that he felt powerless against those who were framing him. The officer said that the victim on the other hand suffered a horrendous, bestial attack which resulted in serious mental trauma. The woman reportedly became withdrawn and
fearful of men after the rape; she fled her home in Lethem and moved to Brazil. In arriving at an appropriate sentence for Skeete, Judge Barlow started at a base of 27 years, to which she added on three years for aggravating factors. She later deducted three years 10 months and fours days from the 30 years sentence due to the time that the accused had spent in custody before his trial. The deduction brought the sentence to a total of 26 years.
Kaieteur News
Friday July 10, 2020
PAGE 09
Leadership on leave
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he title of this column is borrowed aptly from the title of an editorial in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News. It is a statement about the abandonment of leadership in Guyana. During the peace negotiations in South Africa in 1993, some of the extremist supporters of Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress were becoming impatient. They were not interested in what he had to say about peace. During a rally, a note was left on the podium telling Mandela a rejection of peace. Mandela immediately set aside his prepared speech and began to talk about the responsibility for ensuring peace. The extremists, upon hearing this began to object. But Mandela was not deterred. He turned to them and said, “I am your leader. As long as I am your leader, I am going to give leadership… As long as I am your leader, I will tell you when you are wrong.” O n We d n e s d a y, supporters of the APNU+AFC gathered outside of State House after the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice. The gathering appeared to be preplanned and a dress rehearsal. They began to c h a n t f o r “ G r a n g e r, Granger”. When the President appeared, some in the crowd murmured, “Tell we what we want to hear”. Granger, to his credit began by telling them that the CCJ decision was not one the Coalition wanted to
hear.” But he did not go the extra step and do what should have been done. He should have told them that it was not likely that the Coalition would be returned to office and that they should begin to prepare for the next elections. That was not the message that they would have wanted to hear. But it is the message which a leader, worth his salt, should have delivered. It makes no sense trying to give your supporters false hopes. Most of these supporters know that the Coalition lost the elections. But they have been led to believe that it is possible to get away with stealing the elections. But that is not going to be allowed to happen by both the international and local community. The vast majority of Guyanese know who won the elections and just want to see the rightful winner be declared so that the country can move forward from this gridlock in which it is faced. The narratives which the APNU+AFC have been peddling get confusing with each passing day. First, they told their supporters that the APNU+AFC won the elections. Then when it was agreed for a recount, they claimed that the recount would confirm their victory and the results on their statements of poll which they continue to secrete. Then during the recount, they began to make wild and unsubstantiated allegations, claiming that dead and migrated persons voted. A steady flow of persons whom they said
were dead or had migrated began appearing disputing the allegations. When it was clear that the only fraud which was committed during the elections was the Bingo numbers, the narrative switched to the claim that the elections were not credible because of irregularities. Yet the same APNU+AFC decided to accept a concocted victory from this discredited elections. There are extremists who are now wickedly peddling the line that the elections have been the most divisive in the country’s history. This is far from true. The elections have been no more divisive than other elections. One leader within the Working People’s Alliance, is attempting to turn an election crisis into an ethnic crisis. This person wants the ballot boxes to be set aside and power sharing to be introduced. This is another way of saying that he only wants his side to win. But he should know that there is no way that either of the two main political parties could have received the votes they received without nontraditional support. There is no ethnic conflict at the moment. What there is, is an attempt to manufacture such a crisis. What is happening in Guyana is a blatant and an unadulterated attempt at electoral banditry. And intelligent people are being politically immoral in parroting falsehoods in order to facilitate this banditry.
Dem boys seh...
Rigadier dem gat one more court to go to Dem boys hear how de HAPNew+HAY-Eff-See looking fuh a higher court fuh appeal de CCJ decision. Dem boys know wheh dem should go. Is only one court lef fuh dem. It named Palm Court and according to dem odder boys, de Coalition can hire two top notch Russian lawyers - Smirnoff and Ivanoff. You don’t have to ask who gun be de lead local counterpart counsel at Palm Court. De same man wha seh ta-ta nah mean goodbye. De CCJ nah pull no punches Wednesday. Dem talk dem story plain and straight. Dem tell it logically. Dem judges, all five of dem, seh unanimously how de Court of Appeal decision nah valid, nah because it appealable but because de Court of Appeal nah had jurisdiction to hear de case in de fuss place. Therefore since dem nah supposed to hear de case, dem decision nah valid.
Dem also seh de Constitution mean wha it seh and it seh wha it mean. Dat mean if you nah know what it seh, just find out wha it mean and if you nah know what it mean find out wha it seh. De CCJ talk how when de Court of Appeal mek them decision, is like them invite de Chief Elections Officer fuh undertake something which he nah gat no authority fuh do. Rigadier, formerly known as Soulja Bai, also confused by de decision. He talking about coercive orders. Dem boys want remind everybody wha old people does talk. Dem seh when yuh go into de square ring, yuh must be able fuh stand up and tek yuh licks like a man. If you can’t stand up and tek yuh licks like a man, then you must stay at home and play dolly house. Talk half and lef de other half fuh GEECUM.
Where there is electoral banditry, democracy turns into dictatorship. And when there is no leadership in government mob rules takes root. Leaders have a responsibility in such circumstances to ensure that
their supporters are told the truth. They have a duty to tell them when they are wrong. But what happens when the leaders are themselves leading their supporters down a blind alley? (The views expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
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Friday July 10, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Conversation between Walter Rodney and Desmond Trotman WR: Trotty, I didn’t know that you had invoked my name in defence of election rigging until I read Freddie quoting you. He named the date of your letter in the press. I read it. Trotty, I fought against rigged election perpetuated by a Blackman, Forbes Burnham and even though I was a PanAfricanist and a revolutionary for Black liberation throughout the world, the dialectics of world revolution led me to oppose Burnham. It was because of rigged election, Burnham was in power and he denied me employment at UG and finally killed me. So Trotty, rigged elections were the
cause of my death. DT: Well, Walter, this is where I have to differ with you. I am not supporting fraudulent elections so there is no basis to continue this conversation. WR: So let me get this straight, Trotty, there is no fraudulent poll that took place on March 4? DT: Walter, I do not want to lecture to you but the perspective a researcher uses, determines the conclusion. Yes, there was a rigged election on March 4 but it was the PPP that corrupted the process not the PNC. You are living in the past Walter. This is a new PNC which me, Clive
Thomas, Rupert Roopnaraine, David Hinds, Eusi Kwayana, Tacuma Ogunseye, Moses Bhagwan, Nigel Westmaas, Maurice Odle, Bonita Bone and even Andaiye when she was alive, see as a different PNC from those days when we fought Burnham. Today the PNC is led by the best president Guyana has ever had –David Granger. WR: Trotty I don’t want to be disrespectful but you are talking nonsense. This same Granger has Burnham as his biggest hero and houses four foundations in Burnham’s name in his private residence at D’Urban Backlands where he lived before his presidency. Let me ask you a question; if Granger loves Burnham and Burnham killed me then, Granger would justify my assassination? DT: I haven’t spoken to the President on how he feels about your assassination but remember we have all moved on and even if he believes Burnham was justified in murdering you, I
cannot judge him on that belief. I have to judge him based on what he did for me. I wasn’t working but when he came to power. I was employed at SARA, working alongside Clive Thomas who has also agreed that the PPP rigged the 2020 election. P l e a s e r e m e m b e r, t h e president also made me a GECOM commissioner. WR: Tell me Desmond, what do you know of Granger? You were not involved in the struggle of the seventies when Burnham was after me and Granger was a big one in the army. Yo u h a v e n o d i r e c t experience of those days. Granger had to know about the plot to have me killed. At that very time, Joe Harmon was chief of military intelligence. You mean to tell me that Harmon did not know either. Have you read the commission of inquiry on my death? Please do. It is available online. DT: Why bring up your assassination with me and not one of your most, devoted buddies, Rupert Roopnaraine? It was Rupert
himself as an APNU parliamentarian that voted against the public release on the enquiry’s findings when the matter was debated in Parliament in 2017. Can we leave this topic because I think you are talking to the wrong WPA person about it? I want to get back to the PPP rigging the 2020 election. WR: But the avenues you and your hero, David Granger, have used since March 4 have been exhausted since CCJ was p e l l u c i d i n i t s pronouncements - you guys have to declare the election based on the CARICOM recount. You proved Freddie right yesterday when he wrote that you would not turn up for the GECOM meeting in keeping with the CCJ’s ruling? Where were you? DT: Walter, I was in the cemeteries of Region 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 collecting evidence of the dead who voted for the PPP. Walter I am going to confide something in you. I know you will not tell Freddie because we, WPA people, have to stick
Frederick Kissoon together. We are collecting evidence on the jumbies who voted because we intend to file an injunction to stop Irfaan Ali from being sworn in. Walter do you remember the army shot three PPP persons dead during the 1973 elections. Well those persons were still on the voters’ list and they voted in 2020. WR: Desmond, I am turning in my grave knowing what you, Eusi, Clive, Bonita, Westmaas, Moses Bhagwan, Maurice Odle, David Hinds, Ogunseye and the rest I struggled with have become. Don’t do this to my legacy. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Friday July 10, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Friday July 10, 2020
Claudette Singh orders Lowenfield to submit recount figures by 2pm today - tells him: ‘You are under the “direction” and “control” of the Commission’ By Kemol King
C
hair of the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh yesterday ordered Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield to submit a report of the recount results by 2 pm today, under the legal procedure leading to a declaration. The recount shows the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) to have attained 233,336 valid votes, a lead of 15,416 votes ahead of the APNU+AFC coalition’s 217,920 valid votes. The Chair qualified her request for the recount figures, by saying that they should be the “valid votes counted in the National Recount” – not by his own metric – but “as per Certificates of Recount generated” from the recount
exercise. A letter of this nature was addressed to Lowenfield previously on June 16 for a submission deadline of June 18, and he had disregarded it. His reason for doing so, as expressed in a public letter, is that he has duties to execute as a constitutional officer. This time around, Justice Singh reminded Lowenfield that as CEO, Section 18 of the Election Laws Act No 15 of 2000 stipulates that he is subject to the direction and control of the Commission. The Commission was expected to meet yesterday, but that meeting was postponed to today, as Government nominated Commissioners reportedly expressed that they needed more time to study the written judgment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), passed down on Wednesday. The Court had ruled that, in the appeal of the recount
case which had been adjudicated by Guyana’s Appeal Court, the Kingston Court’s judgment was unlawful as it did not have the jurisdiction. The Appeal Court’s ruling had moved Lowenfield, in his disregard for the Chair’s direction, to submit a report intending to invalidate 115,844 votes. The move sought to hand a false victory to APNU+AFC. As a consequence of the CCJ’s striking down of the Appeal Court’s ruling, Lowenfield’s then report was invalidated, and the CCJ said that it was for GECOM to direct Lowenfield to present the results of the recount, in accordance with the direction of the GECOM Chair. In a Facebook post y e s t e r d a y, O p p o s i t i o n nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj notified the public of the postponement to today. “Hasn’t this country and its people suffered enough?”
GECOM Chair’s letter to Chief Elections Officer, dated July 9, 2020
From left: GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh and Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield Gunraj asked, alluding to the fact that the electoral process has dragged on four months. After an uproar on socialmedia over the postponement, Government nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander took to Facebook, commenting on a post to say that the document of the CCJ’s judgment was
only delivered at 12:30 pm, and that persons complaining are doing so out of ignorance. The CCJ’s judgment had been made available on its website and circulated online shortly after the judgment was handed down on Wednesday. The Court, in its ruling,
noted how long the electoral process has lasted and that the country has gone without a Parliament for well over a year. It said that no one in Guyana would regard this state of affairs as satisfactory and expressed the fervent hope that there would quickly be a peaceable restoration of normalcy.
Kaieteur News
Friday July 10, 2020
PAGE 13
NICIL’s sale of prime East Coast lands …
K/News publisher files court case to quash deals K
aieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall, has filed an application in the High Court seeking to quash the June 11, sale of 130 acres of prime East Coast Demerara lands by the incumbent A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition government. National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Finance Minister Winston Jordan and the Attorney General Basil Williams are listed as the respondents in the fixed date application drafted by Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin. According to the document, Lall is seeking a declaration from the Court that the de facto Finance Minister and NICIL had no power or authority to transfer state lands to any person or entity not under the control of the Minister, pursuant to Sections 8 and 11 of the Public Corporations Act (PCA); Cap. 19:05. The application stipulates that Lall wants orders from the Court aimed at quashing the deals made on June 11, 2020 by Minister Jordan and NICIL that were published in the Official Gazette numbered Order No. 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73 – on the grounds that the sale was unlawful, made without legal authority, ultra vires, malicious, made in excess of jurisdiction, made without adequate legal consideration, null void and of no legal effect. The Publisher filed the application in his capacity as
a private citizen of Guyana. According to the application, he referred to Sections 8 and 11 of the PCA which stipulates that the Minister of Finance is empowered to authorize the transfer of State properties from only entities of the State. The PCA and its provisions of vesting order in general are not intended to apply to private companies. Section 8 of the PCA provides that “(1) The Minister may by order transfer to a corporation or to any other person, or place under its control the whole or a part of (a) any undertaking or any other property of any other corporation or any other person or other body corporate owned by the State or in which the controlling interest is vested in the State or any agency on behalf of the State; (b) any commercial, manufacturing or research undertaking of the State; and (2) The corporation, other body corporate, or undertaking affected by an order made under subsection (1) shall comply with any directions which may be given to it by, or under the direction of the Minister so as to give effect to the order.” Those specific sections, the Claimant contends cannot be employed to transfer property owned by NICIL to any private individual. He noted that the all of the entities to which the land were sold are private companies and that the PCA and its provisions of vesting orders in general are not applicable to private
De facto Finance Minister, Winston Jordan
companies which meant that the purported transfer by Minister Jordan was unlawful, ultra vires and null and void. “The essential and key precondition of the statue is that it applies to property of State being transferred to an entity under the control of the Minister, there is no authority to vest the specific State to these companies as mentioned in Orders published in the Official Gazette,” the application said. After the filing of the application, Lall explained that “the patrimony of this country must be disposed of transparently and in a manner which ensures value for money.” He added that “if the lands and the country’s natural resources, which are being given out, are done in a transparent manner and at real market value, Guyana can alleviate poverty, eliminate its foreign debt and triple the salaries of public servants.” He said, too, he will continue with his efforts, regardless of which government is in place, to ensure the best deal for the people of this country. Lall said that what is taking place with the disposal of the nation’s wealth has been taking a toll on his physical and emotional health. He noted that for the past 27 years his newspaper has been reporting on numerous acts of skullduggery in relation to public resources. He said that he decided that henceforth he will not just be reporting on these issues but
Kaieteur News Publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall also will be doing whatever is within his means to protect the interests of the Guyanese people. The massive land deal came to light after the vesting orders, bearing Minister Jordan’s signature were posted on Facebook, immediately raising questions as to how so many acres of land were sold in a day and also mounting suspicions that the incumbent Coalition government may be giving away lands before demitting office. The lands were handed over to Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Incorporated (General Manager, Eric Yu); Premier Sales Incorporated; American Marine and Services Incorporated; Trinuyana Investments Incorporated (Director, John
Attorney General, Basil Williams
Attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin
Aboud); Cardiology Services Incorporated; Supergraphics Enterprise (Owner, Eton Cordis); Navigant Builders (Owner, Danny Sawh); Caribbean Marketing Enterprise Incorporated (Director, Mike Elliot); GUYOIL (CEO, Renatta Exeter); and Earl’s Court Incorporated. NICIL, the entity charged with handling State investments, shortly after the vesting orders made their rounds, issued a statement in a bid to offer clarity on the deal. NICIL said that Finance Minister had no involvement in the selection process. According to NICIL, “Minister Jordan is not a member of the NICIL Board nor is he involved in the day to day business of NICIL or the SPU.” This is despite his signature is on the vesting
orders. To give context to the sales, NICIL said, “We wish to remind the public that NICIL through the SPU, sold lands that were vested to it by the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. NICIL received deposits for the lands commencing December 2019.” NICIL explained that despite December being the commencement of the financial transactions, they were incomplete as the vesting orders were not signed and Gazetted, as required by law. They said it was necessary to have the orders Gazetted so that the investors could complete their payments, and so that NICIL could acquire finances for the $30B GuySuCo bond.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of NICIL, Colvin Heath-London
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Lindeners question environmental impact of proposed Wismar Bridge -Want employment opportunities The Ministry of Public Infrastructure on Tuesday held a virtual public consultation with more than a hundred tuned in, during which it presented the proposed design for the intended new Wismar Bridge at Linden, and faced questions over the environmental impact of the bridge and opportunities for employment. The Government presented the proposed design for the bridge, by Italian Consultancy firm, Politecnica. Four design options were presented, the Ministry said: “Option (A) proposed a halfthrough arch bridge; (B) a composite steel-concrete
girder bridge; (C) a modular girder bridge; and (D) a precast concrete girder bridge.� The preferred solution, the Ministry said, is the last one, a preference which took into account the aesthetics, socioeconomic impact, technical challenges, navigation of the river and cost. “The new bridge will feature two traffic lanes, shoulders, LED street lighting, p e d e s t r i a n w a l k w a y, roundabouts at the two entrance points on the eastern and western sides of the river, vehicular and pedestrian underpasses, guard rails and a toll station. The new bridge (Continued on page 17)
Friday July 10, 2020
Design Alternatives
Proposed Design for Wismar Bridge
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NAIROBI - (Reuters) African countries must carry out more coronavirus testing and make people use masks, a regional disease control body said yesterday as cases topped half a million in the continent. New cases in Africa were up 24% over the past week, with data from governments and the
World Health Organization showing it had 512,499 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 11,930 deaths. “The pandemic is gaining full momentum,” John Nkengasong, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told a virtual news briefing from Addis Ababa. Nkengasong said African countries, many of
which do not have reliable data, must adopt an aggressive approach to encourage the wearing of face masks and ramp up testing and tracing. “This will save lives and save (the) economy.” Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Algeria account for 71% of infections on the continent, Nkengasong said.
Friday July 10, 2020
Respect CCJ’s ruling - CARICOM Chair, Ralph Gonsalves
T
he newly appointed Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, has called on stakeholders to respect the verdict of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and allow the conclusion of Guyana’s four- month long electoral process. “The Caribbean Community welcomes the progress towards the finalization of the electoral process in Guyana following the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday 8 July. The Community calls on all stakeholders to respect the ruling of the CCJ, Guyana’s final court of appeal,” Gonsalves said in a statement last evening. He pointed out that accordingly, the Court’s ruling should lead to a declaration by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of the results of the General and Regional Elections held on March 2, 2020 “without further delay”. “Indeed, the CCJ in the summary judgment aptly
DDL donates generously in wake of COVID-19
CARCIOM Chair Ralph Gonsalves
stated: It has been four months since the elections were held and the country has been without a Parliament for well over a year. No one in Guyana would regard this to be a satisfactory state of affairs. We express the fervent hope that there would quickly be a peaceable restoration of normalcy,” the CARICOM Chair said. The CCJ in its ruling on Wednesday said that since it has the jurisdiction to hear the Jagdeo, Ali, et al case, it has the jurisdiction to invalidate the report of Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, where he sought to invalidate 115,844 valid
votes, and same was done. As such the Commission is slated to meet today, where the CEO is expected to present another report – this time, using the valid figures from the National Recount. Those figures show a win for the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) at the March 2 Elections with 233, 336 valid votes while the incumbent APNU+AFC Coalition attained 217,920 valid votes. The CARICOM Chair also commended the “continuing patience and calm of the people of Guyana” and called on all stakeholders to “respect the rule of law”.
Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s... From page 4 solemn representations to the British side. 4. Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, and external forces have no right to interfere. Sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs are the basic norms of international law and international relations. China has never interfered in the internal affairs of other countries, and has resolutely opposed to foreign interference in China’s internal affairs. On July 1, 1997, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Hong Kong has become a special administrative region of China and is no longer under British colonial rule. Not a single word or paragraph in the Joint Declaration gives
the UK any responsibility over Hong Kong after its return. Some British politicians should give up their outdated colonial mindset. With the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Hong Kong society is changing from disorder to governance and is expected to restore stability. The freedoms and rights of Hong Kong residents can also be better protected. Hong Kong is an international finance, trade, and shipping hub. Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability are in the interest of investors from all countries, including the UK. The UK and China have agreed to commit to building a global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century. This requires the two sides to
move towards each other. As State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone with Dominic Raab, the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the UK, “the Chinese side hopes that the UK will respect the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law enacted in accordance with the Constitution, respect China’s legitimate right to safeguard national security on its territory, and respect the Chinese central government’s administration of Hong Kong under the principle of ‘One country, Two systems.’” H.E. Cui Jianchun Chinese Ambassador to Guyana
Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) on Thursday announced a donation of 4,000 cases of juices to the Civil Defence Commission. This donation is intended to assist communities in providing support to persons affected by COVID-19. In a release, DDL revealed that it is also in communication with the Ministry of Public Health to finalize a donation to health workers countrywide and the National Commission on Disability. A total of 30,000 cases of Topco Juice will be donated, valued at $45M. Additionally, donations were also made to several orphanages across the country, and along with Amerindian Peoples Association, for COVID-19 affected areas. DDL’s Chairman Komal Samaroo said that: “This donation is another way that DDL continues to support the people of Guyana during the current public health crisis. We remain committed tosupporting agencies since we are all in this for the long run. Over the past few months we have seen the devastating effect of COVID-19 and challenges Guyanese are facing and as a company we
Lindeners question environmental impact of proposed... From page 14 will be 210 meters in length, and have a maximum vertical clearance of more than 11 meters to allow for vessels wishing to navigate the river south of the new bridge. The new bridge is being designed according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standards. This will allow for heavy vehicles that will come from Brazil to access Guyana’s seaport on completion of the Linden to Lethem road.”The Government registered concerns from the consultation attendees about how the Bridge would affect aquatic life, and the effects of air and noise pollu-
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tion. This led the moderator and environmental management specialist, Marciano Glasgow, to point out that the consultancy team is currently working on an environmental management plan to ensure that any harsh impacts of the project are mitigated. In addition, the residents also expressed that they would like to see employment opportunities result from the construction and operation of the new bridge in the future.Notably, there is already a bridge there which has been used for years and has a rich history. There were questions about what would be done with the old bridge. “Suggestions were made
for the old bridge to be used by pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and persons with disabilities. [Chief Transport Planning Officer ] Mr. Thompson however advised that no decision has been made yet about the future use of the old bridge. One resident, Mr. Clinton Hollingsworth also suggested that multiple accesses be made to access the bridge to reduce accidents,” the Ministry stated.Politecnica was represented by Team Leader, Francisco Reina; Project Director, Alessio Agori, and Social Specialist, Valentino Shal. Plans for the new bridge were announced two years ago, and National Procure-
ment and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) records show that bids had been made since early 2019. Politecnica had asked for US$700,000 to conduct the feasibility study and prepare the design. It was then contracted.An August 2018 article from the Department of Public Information had stated that the amount would be $919.3 million (US$4.4 million). However, such a price tag is likely to change once the design is finalized. Subject Minister, David Patterson, sought authorisation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the construction of the bridge, in September last year.
remain committed to supporting those affected.” The donations follow one previously made of 17,500 litres of Environ alcoholbased sanitizing cleaner in
March and June last to senior citizen’s homes, orphanages, night shelters, prisons, and other facilities similar to these and the Ministry of Education respectively.
Kamla: PNM supporters being let into country Trinidad Guardian - Opposition Leader Kamla PersadBissessar has accused the government of allowing their supporters to enter the country through “the back door” to vote. Persad-Bissessar made the claim while briefly addressing supporters at the opening of the United National Congress (UNC) Moruga/Tableland Constituency office at St Mary’s Village, Moruga Wednesday night. The UNC has selected Michelle Benjamin, a councillor at the Princes Town Regional Corporation, to fight the seat which is presently held by the People’s National Movement (PNM). Dressed in a black suit and a yellow shirt, former PNM government minister Peter Taylor warmly greeted PersadBissessar when she arrived at the venue. Persad-Bissessar who had called for nationals stranded abroad to be allowed to return home to vote in the general election said that decision lies in the hands of the government. “Whilst I do not call to open the borders, I leave that for the medical people to tell us what is the best thing to do, in the best interest of the health of the country. At the same time, they cannot be bringing people through the back door, bringing their supporters to vote.” She promised to pay special attention to this issue. Persad-Bissessar also said that by yesterday she will have the documents pertaining to the controversial visit of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez-led Venezuelan contingent after the borders were closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Noting that this was of great concern, she promised to share the documents with the public.
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Long serving Ptolemy Reid Rehab Officer, Hyacinth Massay, calls it a day
T
he Ministry of Public Health ( M O P H ) , Disability and Rehabilitation Services on Tuesday bid farewell to its long serving Rehabilitation Officer of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (PRRC), Ms. Hyacinth Massay. In a release it was revealed that Massay joined the Ministry’s team during the early 70s and begun work at the PRRC then known as the Polio Centre. She provided rehabilitative services to children who suffered residual paralysis following the 1960-1964 polio epidemics in Guyana. During her time there she was responsible for the administration of the facility, which had shifted its focus to providing rehab services for children with physical and developmental disabilities. She was tasked with the further expansion of rehabilitation, beyond physiotherapy, to include the disciplines of occupational therapy, speech therapy, and audiology and drug rehabilitation.
Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services, Dr. Ariane Mangar, said during Massay’s 50 years tenure, she served Guyana in an exemplary manner, reflecting great credit upon herself and the Ministry. “After an illustrious career in the Public Service, we are all proud of Massay’s distinguished service and many accomplishments; and we wish her success in her future endeavours,” Mangar noted. Massay was born and grew up in South C u m m i n g s b u rg , Georgetown. She attended Bedford Methodist and Wedgewood Junior Primary
Schools. Having been awarded a government county scholarship, she attended The Bishops’ High School in 1956. While there, she developed a passion for athletics and sports in general. It was this, together with her interest in helping people, which guided her choice of a career in p h y s i o t h e r a p y. After leaving The Bishops’ High in 1963, Massay spent one-year teaching English Language and Literature at Central High School. Her desire to join the physiotherapy profession was achieved when her
application for the position of physiotherapist trainee at the Georgetown Public Hospital was successful. In 1965, Massay was granted a Government of Guyana Scholarship, and went to Birmingham, England, where she qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1968. On her return to Guyana she continued to work at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Hospital (GPHC).
Hyacinth Massay
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Tiger Woods to make PGA Tour return at Memorial Tournament BBCsport - Tiger Woods will make his first PGA Tour start since February at next week’s Memorial Tournament. The 15-time major winner pulled out of the Players Championship in March with a back injury before the coronavirus shutdown. Professional men’s golf in the US has resumed behind closed doors and Woods is set to restart his season in Ohio from 16-19 July. “I’ve missed going out and
Tiger Woods is currently ranked 14th in the world
Friday July 10, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If you've got something you're trying to study, this isn’t the day to do it. Your concentration is likely to be off, and what you're reading will probably look like Greek to you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An older relative or neighbor may need your assistance today, Libra. This is apt to be a very inconvenient time for someone to ask for help, because you have plenty of chores of your own.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Dark, depressing dreams could plague your sleep tonight, Taurus, probably alternating with silly ones that make you laugh out loud.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your creative talents could seem totally blocked today. You may have a project you really want to work on. You have the mental focus, but the creative element just might not be there.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Have you been invited to a party that's supposed to take place today? If you think you haven't, Gemini, you'd better check your calendar again. All signs suggest that you could forget a lot of important things right now. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Too much mental or physical exercise could have you feeling a bit burned out today, Cancer. You could be considerably slower on the uptake than usual, and those around you could be surprised that you, seem to be moving like a snail. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Although your partner may be feeling very sensual at this time, Leo, you might not feel much like getting passionate. You've had a stressful few days and can barely move, so your response to sexual overtures is apt to be lukewarm at best. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your home could be a gloomy place today, Virgo. A member of the household is likely to be away, and this person's presence is apt to be very sorely missed.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) This definitely isn’t a good day to stay home and do household chores, Sagittarius. If you do, some sad and rather irrational thoughts may plague you throughout the day. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Some disappointing news could put you into a rather gloomy state at some point today, Capricorn. Someone close to you might suddenly have to leave town for several weeks and you'll be lonely without them. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) The fundraising activities of a group with which you're affiliated are going very well, Aquarius, but today you're likely to find that things seem to be stalled. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Career matters could move so slowly today that you just might be tempted to give up. Don't even think that way! It's just one of those days when nothing seems to go right, even though basically everything should still be going very well for you.
competing with the guys,” said Woods, 44. “I can’t wait to get back out there.” Woods, who has won the Memorial Tournament five times, finished 68th in his last PGA Tour appearance at the Genesis Open in February. He last played publicly in a charity match that saw him and Peyton Manning beat Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in an event that raised $20m (£16.4m) for coronavirus relief efforts in the United States.
Woods is aiming to defend the Masters title he won for a fifth time in 2019 when the rescheduled tournament takes place from 12-15 November at Augusta National. The rearranged USPGA Championship is now set to be the first major of the year in San Francisco from 69 August and the US Open is to be played at Winged Foot in New York State from 17-20 September, while the Open Championship has been cancelled.
Infantino congratulates CONMEBOL on its 104th anniversary FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) this 9 July on the 104th anniversary of its foundation. In a letter to CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez, Infantino extended, on behalf of the international football community, his congratulations on an anniversary “which has been reached only thanks to the support of all those who believe in the beauty and benefits of the sport that unites us all, football”. In addition, Infantino took the opportunity to remember the important role CONMEBOL has played in the development of football: “FIFA is proud to have its support and that of its ten
Serena Williams may... From page 20 March 2018 - and went on to reach the Wimbledon and US Open finals that year. Two more finals at the same Slams followed in 2019 as a pattern of performing impressively for the fortnight before falling short in the end emerged. “There is enough time lapse between those Grand Slam finals where she lost to now,” Evert said. “That was then, and this is now. Don’t you think [the lockdown] has changed perspectives for people? I want to do more than ever now things that I’ve been postponing and I want to get to my bucket list. “I’m a little bit calmer and living a bit simpler than before. And maybe that has changed Serena too. When she does come back and play I think she could use it to her advantage.” Williams’ first opportunity to once again try to equal Court’s record will be the US Open, which is scheduled to be held behind closed doors from 31 August.
Gianni Infantino © Getty Images member associations to develop our sport and promote its values in South America and around the world.” He concluded his letter by wishing CONMEBOL the
best for the future. “I wish all of you much success in the years to come and in particular good health for you, your families and the South American football community.”
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Froome to leave Team INEOS at the Champions League: Man City end of the season get green light to host Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium London (Reuters) Britain’s most decorated road cyclist Chris Froome will leave Team INEOS at the end of the season, ending a long association with the British outfit with whom he won the Tour de France four times. In a statement team boss Dave Brailsford, the mastermind of Froome’s Tour wins in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, said he had taken the decision not to renew the British rider’s contract which ends in December. The 35-year-old Froome, who is one win away from equalling the Tour record of five victories, has signed a multi-year contract at Israel Start-Up Nation. “We are making this announcement earlier than would usually be the case to put an end to recent speculation and allow the Team to focus on the season ahead,” Brailsford said. Kenya-born Froome suffered a dreadful accident last year in training and missed the Tour, which was won by Colombian team mate Egan Bernal. He said he was still focused on winning his fifth Tour title with the team in this year’s race which has been re-scheduled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It has been a phenomenal decade with the
Chris Froome Team, we have achieved so much together and I will always treasure the memories,” Froome, who joined the team then known as Team Sky in 2010, said in a statement. “I look forward to exciting new challenges as I move into the next phase of my career.” The recruitment of Froome, who also won the Giro d’Italia in 2018, the 2017 Vuelta as well as the 2011 edition retrospectively, is a major coup for Israel Start-Up Nation. “This is an historic moment for ISN, Israel, Israeli
sports, our many fans all around the world and, of course, for me personally — a moment of enormous pride,” said the team’s co-owner, Sylvan Adams. Froome is no longer automatic leader at Team INEOS with Bernal and Geraint Thomas, winner of the Tour in 2018, both vying for that position. “Chris is understandably keen to have sole team leadership in the next chapter of his career — which is not something we are able to guarantee him at this point,” Brailsford said.
Serena Williams may benefit from lockdown as she chases 24th Grand Slam - Chris Evert BBCsport - Serena Williams can turn lockdown to her advantage and finally win a 24th Grand Slam title, says Chris Evert. Williams, 38, has lost her last four major finals, prompting questions over whether the burden of chasing Margaret Court’s record is weighing heavy. Tennis great Evert says the break in the season because of the coronavirus pandemic could help Williams’ mindset. “Maybe she will be calmer out there,” she said. “I think she will have a fresh perspective and approach.” Williams’ age is against her and the cancellation of Wimbledon - widely seen as the American’s best opportunity for another trophy because of the way her game is suited to grass was unfortunate for her. But Evert says there is another way of looking at it. “She looks really fit and in great shape and she
Serena Williams and Chris Evert. Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images seems to be really eager to get back,” the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion told BBC Two’s Wimbledon: The Best of the Championships. “So that’s the danger zone for a lot of the other players because if anyone can get through these difficult times and these challenges it’s Serena Williams, with what
she’s had to go through in her life. This will be a like piece of cake for her, so watch out for her.” Williams has in the past spoken about how she nearly died because of a series of complications after giving birth. She returned to the tour six months later - in (Continued on page 19)
Manchester City came from behind to win the first leg 2-1 in Madrid BBCsport - Manchester City’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid will be played at Etihad Stadium. Governing body Uefa has confirmed all outstanding second-leg ties in the Champions League and Europa League will be held at the home teams’ stadiums behind closed doors. City host Real on either 7 or 8 August, while Chelsea face Bayern Munich away. In the Europa League, Wolves will host Olympiakos and Manchester United will welcome LASK on 5 or 6 August. Both competitions were suspended in March because
of the coronavirus pandemic, after the majority of first legs had been played. City lead Real 2-1 after the first leg, Chelsea are 3-0 down to Bayern, Manchester United are 5-0 up on LASK and Wolves are level at 1-1 having scored an away goal in Greece. Rangers will travel to Germany 3-1 down on Bayer Leverkusen. Inter Milan against Getafe and Sevilla against Roma will both be played as single-leg ties in Germany after the coronavirus situation in Italy and Spain in March resulted in both first legs being called off. Uefa also confirmed that
the ‘final eight’ tournaments for both competitions will be held without spectators present. The Champions League quarter-finals, semifinals and final will all be held in Lisbon from 12 to 23 August. The last three rounds of the Europa League will be held in cities across Germany, with the final in Cologne on 21 August, having been moved from Gdasnk in Poland. The draw for both tournaments takes place from 11:00 BST today. The Women’s Champions League will also be a knockout tournament, in northern Spain between 21 to 30 August.
Orlando City 2, Inter Miami 1 - MLS is Back MLS - The 2020 MLS season resumed Wednesday night with an all-Florida derby in Group A of the MLS is Back Tournament, and Orlando City downed Inter Miami 2-1 behind a star showing from Nani. The Designated Player secured all three points in the 97th minute, poking home after a cross fell to him from 10 yards out. It was an opportunistic finish that an onrushing Luis Robles couldn’t deter. That capped a come-frombehind effort after Juan Agudelo gave Miami the first goal with a close-range finish in the 47th minute. Agudelo peeled to the back post and tapped home a low cross from Victor Ulloa after the latter combined with Matias Pellegrini in the 18-yard box. Nani’s first key moment arose in the 70th minute as Orlando made it 1-1, equalizing via a back-post run from Chris Mueller. The Lions’
Luís ‘Nani’ Almeida winger was quickest to a driven cross from Nani, who used a burst of speed to create from the left flank. A scary moment arose in the 51st minute when Miami center back Andres Reyes went down after a clash with Orlando striker Dom Dwyer. Reyes needed to be
stretchered off and was subbed out for playmaker Rodolfo Pizarro, who started the match on the bench. That incident prompted 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time, and ultimately resulted in Orlando’s first win under head coach Oscar Pareja.
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Jason Holder’s career-best haul puts West Indies in control against England ESPNcricinfo - West Indies captain Jason Holder took a career-best haul of 6 for 42 to roll England for 204 at the Ageas Bowl, before their top order saw them through to the close one wicket down. Holder came into this series with an injury cloud over his head, having bowled only five overs across West Indies’ two intrasquad warm-up games while nursing an ankle complaint. He admitted that he felt “a little sore, a little stiff” after play on the second day, but that pain will be lessened thanks to the knowledge that he has put his team into the driving seat in this series. Holder had no hesitation in answering “discipline” when asked at the toss what he was looking for from his bowlers, and followed that message himself after Kemar Roach had set the tone. Shannon Gabriel was given license to attack, snaring another three wickets to add to that of Dom Sibley on the first day, and while Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Dom Bess offered some resistance with the bat, England’s total of 204 looked a little light after
a dogged start from West Indies. While it would prove to be Holder’s day, it was Gabriel who made the early breakthroughs after Rory Burns and Joe Denly had come through the first half hour. Denly was the first to go, his stumps splattered as a vicious nip-backer burst through a hefty gap between bat and pad and crashed into the top of off. Then, after hanging the ball outside Burns’ off stump from round the wicket, Gabriel fired one in full at his pads, striking him in front of leg stump. Richard Kettleborough concluded it was missing leg stump, but Holder disagreed and was vindicated by a successful review. In his second spell of the day, Holder started by teasing Zak Crawley with a series of outswingers, nibbling away and probing on a length in the channel outside his off stump. After Crawley’s streaky boundary through the slips ruined a maiden from his eighth over, Holder decided the time was right to bring one in at the start of his ninth, finding a hint of seam
Ben Stokes runs between the wickets © AFP via Getty Images movement from wide on the crease which Crawley played around. Again, Kettleborough said no; again, Holder was convinced, and was proved right. Ollie Pope started with a pair of boundaries off him, but was soon back in the hutch after fencing at an away-nibbler, which Shane Dowrich gobbled up behind the stumps. Buttler and Stokes led a counter-attack, putting on the only stand of 50 or more in the innings, but Stokes rode his luck. Before lunch he had miscued a hook shot to long leg, where Roach shelled a difficult chance after making his ground, and after looking to impose himself in the afternoon, Stokes chipped a low catch to Shamarh Brooks, who put down a sitter at short cover. Buttler looked a million
dollars from the moment he arrived at the crease, with a back-foot punch through the covers the pick of his shots, but both fell in the space of two Holder overs. First, having sensed Stokes using his feet, Holder pushed the ball fuller, first beating the bat and then drawing a faint edge through to Dowrich. The pair’s battle had been built up before this Test, with Holder suggesting he might not have been given the credit he deserved; there can be little doubt that he will be today. Buttler feathered his own edge behind which Dowrich took sharply, before Jofra Archer was trapped on the pad for a third overturned lbw. Mark Wood provided Holder with his sixth, driving loosely and edging to gully, before James Anderson’s stumps were rattled by Gabriel
Jason Holder leaves the field with the ball after taking six wickets, July 09, 2020 ©AFP after some late resistance from Bess for the 10th wicket. In reply, England bowled with good pace but failed to make as many breakthroughs as they would have hoped. Anderson was the most threatening bowler. Three times he wrapped John Campbell on the pad and had him given lbw; on the first two occasions, Richard Illingworth’s decision was overturned as the ball had pitched outside the leg stump, but on the third, the on-field call was upheld. Wood and Archer, playing alongside one another for the first time in Test cricket, both bowled with real pace. Wood regularly broke the 90mph/ 145kph barrier and even hit
95mph/153kph but drew few false shots, as Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope batting at No. 3, having come in below Shamarh Brooks in the warm-up fixtures managed to dig in until the close. It was easy to wonder whether Stuart Broad, tweeting his thoughts on the game from his hotel room balcony, might have made an impact in conditions that seemed perfectly suited to him. There was widespread frustration at another couple of stoppages for bad light, as the clouds rolled in and brought play to an early close for the second night in a row, but thankfully the forecast is set fair for the rest of the Test.
Black Lives Matter: South African cricketers mull fresh expression for 3TC game ESPNcricinfo - The 24 South African players who will take part in an exhibition 3TC match, featuring three teams in the same game, may not wear the Black Lives Matter (BLM) logo on their shirts but will join in the antiracist movement. The BLM slogan has been worn by players in the English Premier League and the logo is on the collars of players and badges of commentators involved in the first Test between England and West Indies in Southampton. But, the 3TC jerseys have already been made, sans the logo, and CSA and the players are in talks about other forms of BLM expression. “We’re discussing various ways of handling it. The kit has gone to print already. We need to figure out how we can be effective about it, authentic, and
spread the messages that are meaningful to us as South Africans and how it affects us on a daily basis,” Graeme Smith, CSA’s director of cricket said. Earlier this week, Lungi Ngidi expressed his hope that South African cricketers will “make a stand,” against racial discrimination, especially given the country’s segregated past. But, he explained that they have not had an opportunity to discuss how they want to become involved as a group. Smith agreed that more consultation is needed, and indicated it could take place before next Saturday, when the 3TC match is played. “We are all in our own little pockets and I think it’s important that in the future we all come together and figure out how we can play our role in the Black Lives Matter movement,” Smith said.
“My belief in these things is that its important to have buy-in and everyone invested in it as well and I have no doubt that will be the case but the discussion in each team environment and as CSA how we handle it going forward is important. We do have the 3TC approaching and that will be our first occasion with the Black Lives Matter movement.” The 3TC match will be played on July 18, which is also Mandela day, and celebrates the birth of Nelson Mandela, who led South Africa out of Apartheid. On this day, people are asked to
spend 67 minutes of the time (the number corresponds to the years Mandela spent fighting for liberation) engaged in activity to help others and in the past South African players have given time to helping to improve facilitates in disadvantaged areas or holding coaching clinics. This year, the 3TC match aims to raise R3 million for CSA’s Hardship Fund, created to assist those who have lost livelihoods because of the coronavirus pandemic. It will also be the day when South African cricket joins the BLM movement, and “we use our voice to join the cause, as Dr Jacques Faul, CSA Acting CEO told ESPNcricinfo.
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Tokyo 2020 expects to secure all venues for Games, local media says Tokyo (Reuters) - Tokyo Olympics organizers expect to be able to use all the venues as originally planned at next year’s rearranged Games, several Japanese media outlets reported on Thursday (yesterday). Securing venues was a top priority for organizers after the Games were pushed back to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Kyodo and NHK, citing unnamed sources, said they were now confident they would be tied down for Olympics use again. However, at his regular weekly news conference, Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya said the reports were
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“optimistic” and that nothing had been announced. “We have seen a series of media reports concerning the status of securing venues for the Games in 2021,” said Takaya. “Tokyo 2020 is aware of these reports but I need to be very clear ... this is not something on which Tokyo Metropolitan Government or the Tokyo organising committee has made a formal announcement. “The organising committee has not made such an announcement at this stage and during this process, it is very unfortunate to see such reports based on this optimistic view.” Last month, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said 80%
of all venues needed had been secured, with the Athlete’s Village and Tokyo Big Sight, the planned media centre, among those yet to be fully secured. Thursday’s (yesterday) reports also said the competition schedule would remain largely unchanged and that all tickets holders would be eligible for refunds, and that organizers would seek approval of these decisions from the IOC’s General Assembly on July 17. Asked to confirm those details, Takaya said nothing had been decided and Tokyo 2020 did not expect to seek approval from the IOC next week.
Asia Cup postponed to June 2021
The Indian team celebrates winning the seventh Asia Cup title Associated Press. ESPNcricinfo - The 2020 edition of the Asia Cup stands cancelled, the tournament’s governing body confirmed Thursday (yesterday), ending weeks of speculation. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is looking at a window in June 2021 to host the tournament. The T20 tournament was to be played in Sri Lanka in September after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offered to swap hosting rights in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was to feature the four subcontinent sides along with Afghanistan and an Asian qualifier.
“Travel restrictions, country-specific quarantine requirements, fundamental health risks and social distancing mandates have posed as substantial challenges to holding the Asia Cup,” read a statement from the ACC. “ Above all, the risks related to health and safety of participating players, support staff and commercial partners, fans and the cricketing community were deemed to be significant.” On Wednesday, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had unofficially confirmed the tournament’s cancellation during an Instagram Live with
the Indian news channel Aaj Tak. As per the original ICC calendar, the Asia Cup T20 was to be a precursor to the men’s T20 World Cup that was to be staged in Australia in October-November. However, the ICC continues to remain tightlipped about the possibility of staging the event this year. An announcement is expected soon. With Sri Lanka set to host the Asia Cup in 2021, Pakistan have been awarded the hosting rights in 2022. The previous edition was hosted by the BCCI in UAE in September 2018, with India emerging winners.
Sophie Devine named permanent New Zealand captain File Photo: Shoppers wearing protective face masks, following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), are seen inside a Tokyo Olympics 2020 souvenir shop in Tokyo, Japan March 25, 2020, a day after the announcement of the games’ postponement to 2021. REUTERS/Naoki Ogura
Doping: IOC sanctions weightlifter Binay after 2012 Games re-test Reuters - Turkish weightlifter Mete Binay was disqualified from the 2012 London Olympics after a doping sample he provided at the Games was found to be positive during re-testing, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday (yesterday). The IOC said in a statement that Binay’s incompetition test in July 2012 did not result in an adverse analytical finding but reanalysis of his sample returned a positive test for Stanozolol, a substance banned by the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA). Binay, 35, had finished sixth in the men’s 69 kg weightlifting event. More than 60 athletes have had positive results in re-tests of
© Reuters. Turkey’s Mete Binay competes on the men’s 69Kg Group A weightlifting competition at the ExCel venue at the London 2012 Olympic Games samples taken during the London Olympics conducted by the IOC. The re-testing program is part of the IOC’s efforts to catch cheats by using newer testing methods or by looking
for substances that were not known at the time of past Olympics. The IOC said the re-testing programme for samples from the London Games would continue until August.
ESPNcricinfo - Sophie Devine has been named the permanent New Zealand captain with her predecessor Amy Satterthwaite taking the vice-captaincy on her return from maternity leave. Devine stepped into the captaincy when Satterthwaite took leave last year to have her first child with wife and team-mate Lea Tahuhu and led the team at the T20 World Cup in Australia where they were knocked out in the group stage. She is now set to lead the side at the home one-day World Cup next February and March should that tournament retain its spot in the schedule amid the fallout from Covid-19. “It’s a huge honour and privilege to be awarded the White Ferns captaincy,” Devine said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time as captain over the past season. It was challenging results-wise at times, but I feel we are moving in the right direction as a team, both with our cricket and our team culture. “I’m very much looking forward to working with Amy who has an exceptional cricketing brain and I feel we
Sophie Devine can form a strong leadership partnership in combination with a well-established leadership group.” Devine has enjoyed a prolific run of form over the last 18 months and became the first player to score five consecutive fifty-plus scores in T20Is with a century against South Africa, a run she extended to six when she opened her T20 World Cup campaign with an unbeaten 75 against Sri Lanka. “Sophie is a strong leader, she has her own style and knows what she wants from herself and the team,” head coach Bob Carter said. “It’s a testament to her ability as a leader that her performance with the bat last summer went to a new level. She leads with
her actions and the team responds well to her leadership style. “Amy is on the comeback to cricket after giving birth and she is progressing really well. Having her experience, knowledge and leadership working alongside Sophie is only going to benefit the team.” Satterthwaite said: “I’m looking forward to returning to international cricket and doing my best to support Sophie and the team.” New Zealand are due to return to international action with a tour to Australia starting in late September to play three ODIs and three T20Is. They will begin pre-season preparations with a training camp in Lincoln next week.
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Young Gaza amputees play soccer again after coronavirus curbs eased
Palestinian girls, part of a team of amputees some of whom lost limbs in Israeli fire, attend a soccer training session arranged by the Inte. AZA (Reuters) - Yo u n g Palestinian soccer players, all amputees and many on crutches, were back on the field in Gaza on Tuesday for the first time since coronavirus restrictions were eased in the territory. Their coach said some of the 26 athletes lost limbs to Israeli fire in Gaza, where Hamas, the ruling Islamist militant group, and Israel have fought three wars since 2008. “We are now back on the field. We are training and keen to play in the league,”
G
said Mai Al-Yazji, 14, referring to an amputee teams’ tournament for boys and girls under the age of 16. Its borders tightly controlled by Israel and Egypt, Gaza has reported 72 coronavirus infections and one death from the respiratory disease. The Mediterranean coastal enclave has around two million inhabitants, many of them impoverished. Gaza health authorities recently allowed sports clubs, gyms, mosques, restaurants and event halls to resume operations. About 80
Palestinian boys, part of a team of amputees some of whom lost limbs in Israeli gunfire, participate in a soccer training session for the first time after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions were eased in the central Gaza Strip July 7, 2020. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem adult amputees compete in their own soccer league. Many of them were injured in the conflict with Israel, according to the Palestine Amputee Football Association in Gaza. “It felt great to play football for the first time,” said 15-year-old Weam AlAstal, who said she lost a leg when an Israeli missile landed next to her house in 2014. “I am now loving sport more and I dream to become a famous player.” The association sponsors the league in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross,
and the ICRC also provides uniforms and crutches. “We are very happy we are restarting the amputee football activity, training and competitions,” said Ignacio C a s a r e s , I C R C o ff i c e
director in Gaza. “Make no mistake, they are athletes, they have special abilities and they are somehow special as well as persons.” Fouad Abu Ghalyoun, chairman of the Palestine
Amputee Football Association, said the partnership with the ICRC helped in the amputees’ rehabilitation and reengagement with the community.
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Shannon Gabriel looks on after bowling Joe Denly ©AFP via Getty Images
Jason Holder celebrates dismissing Ben Stokes © Getty Images
Jason Holder celebrates the fall of another English wicket with teammates ©AFP
Jason Holder’s career-best haul puts West Indies in control against England
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