Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
TWISTED VALUES AND PERCEPTIONS
DEAR EDITOR, In my days before I started fathering children and even after, I visited restaurants, nightclubs or just took walks with my lady or to the Cinema, which is now returning and was a popular rendezvous, [There was also an entertainment spot by the same name]. As young men we considered hard liquor as an old man’s thing that went with a certain kind of Rum shop music. I was almost forty when I drank Vodka, ‘Gin’, when my buddy Prince became an NCO. Parties ended at twelve O’ Clock and there was time for other dating stuff. I’m talking the 1970’s and 80’s. Back then you had to know how to dance, I mean waltz, not only fine wine or later, backball. Remember guys like Shaft, Sailor, Pop-a-long and others and those dance exhibitions and competitions at Talk-of-TheTown, which started in the afternoon. No, there was no youth sitting at a table drinking to helplessness and popping pills in sloppy decadence, confident in stupidity; you had to reach to work at 7 or 8am remember? I’ve had this conversation with my elder children, especially my son. I was not a sheltered youth; things went wrong with management and I was on my own pretty early. Thank God for the support systems of the PNC during the early seventies—GYC, Pioneer Corps, and there was a stable value system of things you didn’t do. There were no Saints in those days, just that the wildness was contained. There were fellows like ‘Jesus’ selling stuff back then, pills and other substances that we considered Hippie foolishness. I was in school during that POP- A-LONG, Durban Park craze; I didn’t feel that it was good for my faculties and manhood. I had a school mate up the Coast, named Nicky, It messed up his entire life, so I didn’t touch it. I support the return of the 2 am cut-off point implemented by the Minister of Public Security. Specific out of control Night spots made this necessary. But from the letters and social media comments, there’s need for an Alcohol Boot Camp, I am not joking. Then Clement Rohee is attempting to play Politics, saying that the 2am cut off is “not Guyanese”. Where was this Guy when we were living the above? He’s older than I am. Did he miss that entire teenage and early adult experience? Ask the owner of The ‘Gravity Club’, she’ll tell you that I’m not saying anything but the truth. The pathetic argument against the resumption to what was ordinary 25 years ago is that no one has taken count of the accidents,
many fatal, that have occurred in the early hours of the morning, assigned to drunkenness, nor the amount of whimsical murders that have happened at some prominent Nightspots over the last 10-15 years, corrosive liquids thrown into the face of a citizen asking an unreasonable open night spot to tone down the music, night after night. There was a guy who used to hang by Light and Robb Street corner, not sure what his business was, however one night the son of what they call ‘A Big Man’, after a binge at a Night spot, ‘felt like shooting somebody”. As an occupant related, he drove past and shot this fellow in the head. The victim didn’t die, but it surely affected him because the ‘Money Man’ got a Lawyer to offer him a settlement of $1M, and that was it. How many fatal and unexplained accidents are the results of sleep deprivation, hangovers or some other stuff in the blood stream? Remember, Drunken Minister of Government beats man with Gun, knocks down Policeman. Have we forgotten a few months ago another drunken Minister in an accident? Come on people, fight the mental dehydration of too much liquor and self destruction. I have friends who own bars, one concluded that his customers are coming earlier, but he’s able to get some early sleep. The son of a Rum shop owner once told me “I don’t want to inherit this business as it is, I’ll turn it to an off licence store”, because he had lamented about a particular group of drinkers who would alone sit in the shop with a quarter only asking for Ice until his father could escape with the then cut off time and they would grumblingly (be thrown out) leave. In my letters over the past years I’ve always lamented the destruction of our value system by the previous administration, especially its last 15 years; ‘Do as yuh like, once yuh wid we’. Didn’t the son of a Jagdeo untouchable over the river hit a policeman with his gun, and it was cool? I’ve seen fools, who I know can’t get a gun licence, shooting up in the air with 9MM weapons after a party. The next official step should be an exploration of whom and how licence fire arms were administered over the last 15 years. Should I Party, I’ll do like before, be there early, why should I want to wallow in alcohol till the sun rises. I however do recommend ‘ Substance Abuse Boot camp’, somewhere in the North west of Guyana, the beauty of that part of the country will sober up anyone. Barrington Braithwaite
Jacob Opadayi – has he a reputation to protect?
DEAR EDITOR, A little over a year ago, I was forced to shout at the VC in order to get my demand for guaranteed improvements heard; as he informed the students of the impending UG fee and tuition hike. At that time I had to endure the chatter of condemnation at my ‘rudeness’ by Dr. Patsy Francis and Thomas Singh as they echoed their support for increase tuition fees. This mixed reaction on the hike in UG tuition was clearly reflected in an article by one local paper. By the end of that week the ‘buse out’ had captured the attention of the nation, and Freddie Kisson titled his Friday column – Guyana: A Belizean student shames a nation of sheep. Since then, the position of the staff has shifted 180 degrees and they have issued a motion of no confidence against the VC. In line with the beautiful dance between freedom of speech and the right of an individual to his reputation, the VC is suing in the tort of defamation. While I don’t wish to pronounce on the merits of the VC’s suit, I would like to point out that in the Guyanese defamation case of Bacchus v Bacchus, Justice Massiah posited that the court should take into account the prevailing public attitudes in the particular jurisdiction. Applying the esteemed Justice’s pronouncement, the proper test therefore is what the average Guyanese citizen thinks about this matter. One has to bear in mind that the VC, as the CEO of the National University, implemented an unpopular tuition and fee increase and was the focus of a highly publicised five week industrial action and student upheaval. The state of the National
University and the cry for change and development through education in the country undoubtedly point to the need for high calibre of personnel at the helm of the University. The failure of the VC to positively impact the image of the University has unquestionably lowered him in my estimation and quite possibly in the minds of rightthinking members of society. It is against this backdrop that the words of the no confidence motion should be assessed by the court. Should the court find that the VC has made out his claim it will be for Dr.Ifill to establish a defence. If she cannot, the VC will have one final payday on the backs of Guyanese. However, if she does justify the content of the no confidence motion this will be the silver stake in the heart of the international academic career of the VC. On the face of it, a defamation suit is to protect one’s reputation. However, since I am of the opinion that in the Guyanese society the VC does not have a reputation to protect, I must question the intention of the action. To that I perceive a couple possible explanations: There have been assertions on social media that the lawsuit is an attempt to bully the unions. I must say that I find this view appealing. Since my involvement in the fight for improvement at UG, I have noted the VC’s big stick approach to dealing with those opposing him. The recent filing of a defamation
action could very well be yet another attempt at union busting and a poor reflection on his human resource management skills and thus his ability to run the University of Guyana. However, the cynic in me finds the notion that the VC is attempting to cast doubt, in the academic community, on the validity of the motion in an effort to secure employment after UG even more appealing. This has to be seen in light of the lengthy delays and backlog of civil cases in Guyana. The VC’s contract comes to an end early next year and he is presumably seeking employment elsewhere. It is rather convenient that the VC is now able to tell a perspective employer, that he has an action pending before the court in order to vindicate his name. Such a strategic move must be acknowledged; well played VC! It is a pity such ingenuity was not applied to raising the standards of UG without raising the fees and tuition. In closing, my vote of no confidence in the VC was in the form of a ‘buse out’ and the blocking of the UG gate. I am pleased that the Unions are now on the same page. I applaud the efforts of the decision makers to seek high calibre individuals for the post of VC and Chancellor of UG. These are the changes UG needs to make its way back to its former glory and I am delighted that I was here to see the transformation take root. Glenfield G. Dennison
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Kaieteur News
Monday July 13, 2015
Govt. moves to establish New GPC, others face scrutiny as forensic audit into drugs anti-corruption court Government is to set up a special court to preside solely over corruption cases. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo made this disclosure at the recent book launch of former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, which was held at the Pegasus Hotel. Since government assumed office, it has established a State Asset Recovery Programme headed by Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr. Clive Thomas. This is in addition to forensic audits it has launched into some 30 state agencies, national projects and funds. The First Vice President made it clear that the findings of the forensic audits will be used to build cases that can be won beyond the shadow of a doubt in the courts. But given the complaints of backlog of cases in the judicial system, the Granger administration will be making moves to have a special court that will preside over corruption cases. The Prime Minister said that the anti-corruption court will have to be established when all the anti-corruption laws are in place. He noted that government has already made steps towards this end, in addition to its efforts to strengthen already existing anti-graft laws. His disclosure was given
- PM Moses Nagamootoo
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo full support by Minster of Public Security , Khemraj Ramjattan, who reiterated that the number of cases government expects to have in the future on defaulters of the law, would perhaps necessitate an entire court. Ramjattan said that one cannot argue that such a court would not only support government’s commitment to enforcing the anti-corruption laws, but would also serve as a reminder that no one will escape punishment once they are found to have committed the crime. He said that those involved in cases of corruption can rest assured that they will not be denied their day in court, or would the course of justice be delayed. Strong support for this move was also given by
former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, who is a member of Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI). Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, had commented in 2011 that the ugly symptoms of corruption have become so deeply entrenched in society that it has become a norm of everyday life. Referring to the previous administration he said, “It has been established thousands of years ago, that where the leaders are corrupt, then the people behave likewise and eventually, as we are witnessing, the entire nation hovers on the brink of collapse from decay and rot.” “The PPP’s acolytes keep calling for the proof of corruption, yet every day, and in every way, and everywhere, the corruption is oozing like a cancerous sore. (We) have no need to find proof as the people have good and long memories as we move along memory lane from the stone scam to the law books, roads, schools, laptops, housing, Amaila Falls, Ed Ahmad and the never ending list of the suffocating corruption we are being forced to live in.” (Kiana Wilburg)
procurement begins
Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma disclosed that his team of auditors is already one week into the forensic audit launched into the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital to once and for all settle the decade old controversy over the procurement of drugs and pharmaceuticals. This has come as good news for some legal and financial minds, who believe that the move is long overdue. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo in a brief interview, noted that the forensic audit into the GPHC will see an investigation into past procurements, expired drugs and those companies that are part of the “procurement gravy train including New GPC.” This company is owned by Dr. Bobby Ramroop, who has close ties to former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Over the years, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) have spoken against the award of billion dollar drug contracts in favour of the New GPC owner. They have also spoken about the manner in which the previous administration changed the laws to ensure that Ramroop’s company would be used for the sole sourcing of drugs. When it served in the opposition, the current administration had lashed out at the PPP/C for granting billions of dollars worth in contracts to NEW GPC during the lead up to the May 11 National and Regional Elections. On May 8, last, New GPC uplifted the entire billion-dollar cheque for a drug contract awarded to that company. That was the last working day before General and Regional elections. The payment
- Junior Finance Minister arrangement was also contrary to all the country’s procurement procedures. Traditionally, 25 per cent of the contract is paid up front. AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, had said that the situation surrounding the health contracts and New GPC is nothing but “kick-down-the door banditry.” Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, had said that he finds the actions of the previous Government in the lead up to the May 11 polls, to be evidence of how “evil, corrupt, greedy and ruthless” it can be. He had stated that days before May 11, the past administration sought to chastise the media, particularly Kaieteur News and Stabroek News when the entities exposed its “nasty and most corrupt acts.” This newspaper had reported that the former administration had given out contracts for the procurement of drugs worth some US$12.8 million ($2,677,864,510) to New GPC. Three Cabinet Minutes had been leaked and reproduced in the electronic media. The document showed that Cabinet approved its most expensive contract for $6,730,526 dated April 23, 2015. It was signed by former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon. Greenidge had said that the PPP/C has given so much to Dr. Ramroop by breaking the laws that it has made him a king in his country. “Another critical point we need to pay attention to, and that is the fact, that Ramroop was given the opportunity to
Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma supply almost 85 percent of the country’s drugs for nearly 20 years. Considering the empire he has been able to build through the sole sourcing of drugs, we see clearly, too, for how long value for money in the health sector has been evaded.” It is estimated that over the past seven years more than US$200 million was spent on drug purchases, with the lion’s share going to New GPC. Greenidge had said that the control Jagdeo gave Ramroop over the health sector is not only unhealthy for the competitive market, but it also mars attempts at transparency and accountability. The politician had reiterated that through the sole sourcing of drugs, “Jagdeo and his government did not only ruthlessly rob the nation, but invited his best friend to help to further corrupt the system and to rob the poor people at the same time.” The pre-qualification criteria which were used to (Continued on page 24)
Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
Iran, powers nearing nuclear deal, no agreement seen before today Reuters - Iran and six world powers were close to nailing down a historic nuclear deal that would bring sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Tehran’s atomic programme, but the Iranian foreign minister said no agreement would be announced yesterday. After more than two weeks of negotiations in Vienna, Iranian and Western officials said the earliest an agreement could be ready was Monday, the selfimposed deadline for clinching a deal, though that could be extended again. “We still have got work to do tomorrow,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters from his hotel balcony. “No deal today.” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has cautioned that “major issues” remain to be resolved, and comments from both senior Republican and Democrat Senators yesterday suggested that any final deal would also face tough scrutiny in Congress.
John Kerry Alireza Miryousefi, a spokesman for the Iranian delegation, said on Twitter that the draft agreement Iran and the powers - the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Russia and China were working on was “a 100page document”. Western powers have long suspected Iran of aiming to build nuclear bombs and using its civilian atomic
energy programme to cloak its intention - an accusation Iran strongly denies. The goal of the deal being negotiated would be to increase the time it takes for Iran to produce enough enriched uranium fuel for a single weapon to at least one year from current estimates of two to three months - the “breakout” time. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday further measures were still needed to overcome the remaining obstacles in the Vienna negotiations, ISNA news agency reported. “It might seem we have reached the top of the mountain. But no, there are still steps needed to be taken,” ISNA quoted him as saying. “Even if we fail ... we have performed our duty.” In a sign that prospects for a deal being concluded yesterday were fading, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond headed back to London but was expected to return today, officials said.
Senate leader says Congress will block some Obama moves on Cuba Reuters - The top Senate Republican said yesterday that Congress is likely to block any nominee that President Barack Obama names as ambassador to Cuba and retain broad economic sanctions, even as Obama moves to establish diplomatic and economic ties with the Communist-run island. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, interviewed on the “Fox News Sunday” television program, said the Senate is unlikely to confirm any U.S. ambassador to Havana nominated by Obama. McConnell added, “There are sanctions that were imposed by Congress. I think the administration will have a hard time getting those removed. This is a policy that there is substantial opposition to in Congress.” Last December, Obama announced he would use his executive powers to move toward more normal relations with Cuba after a five-decade standoff. Those steps have included establishing diplomatic relations, an expansion of some travel from the United States to Cuba, increasing the limit on remittances to Cuban nationals from those living in the United States and expanding some trade in goods and services.
Mitch McConnell But it would be up to Congress to allow normal travel and full trade. Republicans control both the Senate and House of Representatives. Many Republican oppose Obama’s moves toward better relations with Cuba, claiming they only bolster Cuba’s communist leaders. Republicans also fear alienating Cuban Americans in Florida who have fled the island nation and are supporters of the Republican Party. Obama charted a new U.S. path toward Cuba with the support of some
Republicans, including freshman Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona. Obama said in March his moves were already paying dividends, saying that since December the Cuban government had begun discussing ways to reorganize its economy. McConnell has been a consistent critic of Obama on a range of foreign policy fronts, including Cuba and U.S. participation in multilateral nuclear talks with Iran. “This president has been involved in ... talking to a lot of countries: talk, talk, talk. And Cuba is a good example. He thinks that simply by engaging with them we get a positive result,” McConnell said, adding, “I don’t see any indication that Cubans are going to change their behavior.” Human rights advocates have admonished Cuba for abuses, including arbitrary imprisonment of political opponents, and Cuba’s tight control of its economy also has been a lightning rod for criticism.
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Kaieteur News
China says top judge under investigation for corruption BEIJING (Reuters) - A judge on China’s highest court has come under investigation for corruption, becoming one of the most senior judicial officials to be swept up by the country’s anti-graft dragnet. Xi Xiaoming, vice president of the Supreme People’s Court, has been probed for “serious violations of discipline and laws,” China’s anti-corruption watchdog said in a brief statement on its website yesterday. The agency did not say whether Xi was sacked but his biography was removed from the court’s website less than two hours after Xinhua, the state news agency, reported the investigation. A member of the
Communist Party for 40 years, Xi would be one of the most senior judicial officials to be ousted by President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign since the downfall of Zhou Yongkang, the former domestic security chief whose brief included law enforcement and courts. The Supreme People’s Court said in its 2014 annual report published in March that it had cleared the “effects” left by Zhou, who was sentenced in June to life in prison for maintaining a vast bribery network, among other things. China’s top leaders have pledged to continue combating graft among both “tigers” and “flies” - top leaders and lowly officials as a matter critical to the ruling
Xi Xiaoming Communist Party’s survival. Xi Xiaoming, 61, was the number four official in the Supreme People’s Court, where he specialized in economic law cases. A native of Jiangsu Province, he rose from working as a policeman in the northern city of Shenyang in the 1970s to the highest echelon of China’s judiciary, where he was also a member of the court’s leading Party members’ group.
Monday July 13, 2015
Mexico kingpin ‘Chapo’ Guzman stages brazen jailbreak in blow to president Reuters - Mexico’s most notorious drug lord, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, broke out of a high-security prison on Saturday night for the second time, escaping in a tunnel built right under his cell, and heaping embarrassment on President Enrique Pena Nieto. The kingpin snuck out of the prison through a subterranean tunnel more than 1.5 km (1 mile) long that ended at an abandoned property near the local town, National Security Commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido told a news conference yesterday. Guzman, who had bribed his way out of prison during an escape in 2001, was seen on video entering his shower area at 8:52 p.m. on Saturday (0252 BST Sunday), then disappeared, the National Security Commission (CNS) said. Wanted by U.S. prosecutors and once featured in the Forbes list of billionaires, Guzman was gone by the time guards entered his cell in Altiplano prison in
central Mexico, the CNS said. “This is going to be a massive black eye for Pena Nieto’s administration,” said Mike Vigil, former head of global operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “I don’t think they took into account the cunning of Chapo Guzman and the unlimited resources he has. If Chapo Guzman is able to make it back to the mountainous terrain that he knows so well in the state of Sinaloa ... he may never be captured again.” Beneath a 50-cm (20 inch) by 50-cm hole in the cell’s shower area, guards found a ladder descending some 10 meters (32 feet) into the tunnel, which was about 1.7 meters (5.6 feet) high and 7080 centimetres (28-31 inches) wide. Prison workers were quickly detained over the escape. Rubido said 18 officials from the penitentiary were being interrogated at the unit specializing in organised crime at the Attorney
Joaquin Guzman General’s office. Outside the Altiplano lockup, and at the deserted property where Guzman surfaced, security forces barred reporters, while guards arrived for the day shift and encountered a prison in lockdown, wondering whether to stay or go home. After the launch of a massive manhunt for Guzman, Pena Nieto ordered an investigation into whether public officials had helped the capo escape.
Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Guyana is becoming a litigious society Constitutional interpretation should not be made into rocket science or obfuscated with references to legal irrelevancies. Constitutional interpretation is usually a simple and straightforward matter. Article 90 of the Constitution addresses term limits of the Presidency. Article 164 of the Constitution of Guyana is very exact. If you wish to amend Article 90 of the Constitution by an Act of Parliament, the relevant Bill has to be first passed by the National Assembly and then subject itself to a referendum. As such it follows that if there is to be any amendment to Article 90, it is subject to a referendum. As far as I am aware there never was a referendum to
formalize the changes made to Article 90 of our Constitution and therefore those amendments, however settled they may have become, were enacted via a deficient route and are null and void. It is now for the National Assembly to correct itself and embrace the correct procedure. Alternatively if it is felt that the recent ruling by our Courts on this question is flawed, then there is recourse to appeal. This matter can be debated within the media and the letter pages of the newspapers but it has to be tried in a court of law. The Court is the guardian of the Constitution. It has long been held that when it comes to disputes over the interpretation of the highest law of the land, indeed of any
Dem boys seh...
Moses is de weekend president When Moses become Prime Minister, people who didn’t even use to talk to him suddenly run up to him and tell him how dem come from Whim and dem vote fuh him. Some want him to tek way dem neighbor land and give dem; some want him to lend dem money but most of dem want him to give dem children house lot. Moses tell one that if all de people who come to see him did actually vote fuh him de coalition woulda get 100 per cent of de votes. However, he tek an oath fuh serve all de people of Guyana and he seh that he different from Jagdeo and all of dem who did tek de oath. He serving all de people and that is why he seeing everybody who come to see him. But he really busy because he got to be de president every weekend. Dem boys do some checking and dem find that Soulja Bai is president during de week days and Moses is President at weekend. De poor man don’t get a proper chance fuh do de Prime Minister wuk because
he seh that he can’t do all two at de same time. Dem boys seh that is a good thing he don’t like travel otherwise de country woulda get four president by now. But de one good thing is that Moses training suh that when he tun de president he gun be far better than Donald. Sam been in that same boat. Jagdeo use to travel so much that at one time Sam had to sign an order that ban people from marching. That was de wuss thing he coulda do because de ink didn’t even dry pun de paper when Desmond bring out he people pun de road and dem march. When dem boys ask Sam wha he gun do he tell dem that he only holding de brief fuh Jagdeo and is Jagdeo got to worry bout order and Desmond. Dem boys seh that is a good thing de coalition ain’t got time wid dem who want to march and in any case, de only place dem want to march is outside GECOM. Talk half and help Moses wid dem people who want to see him fuh talk name.
law of the land, it is for the Court to decide. That is the basis upon which constitutional order is founded. The Court in Guyana is going to be asked more searching questions in the years to come. While much attention is now being paid to the issue of term limits, no one has yet challenged the immunities granted to Presidents. All over Latin America such challenges have taken place and in some instance were upheld, thus allowing for the prosecution of those who were alleged to have violated human rights. Immunities under our
Constitution were intended to shield the highest office in our land from frivolous law suits. They were never intended to allow for the condoning of executive abuse and lawlessness and therefore if it is discovered that such conduct was manifest in Guyana at any time, then there should be no immunizing of such wrong doing. It has been reported that a limited amnesty was granted recently to allow for the recovery of State assets. It is not clear what was the legal basis upon which this amnesty was granted and whether those purporting to grant the amnesty were so
authorized. This issue of the amnesty needs to be made more clear and specific because if there is to be a unit to recover State assets, then this unit cannot be formed on the basis of speculation. It has to be established based on evidence that State funds have been stolen. The unit itself should have been involved in the granting of any amnesty and such an amnesty should have been authorized under the law and be transparent. It is discriminatory for an amnesty to be granted to recover one type of assets but not another type. This issue of the amnesty is likely
to be tested in the Court because Guyana is becoming, healthily so a litigious society. The world is changing and Guyana is likely to change with it. Expect sooner or later for either legislation to be passed decriminalizing marijuana use and allowing liberalization of laws concerning lesbians, gays and transgender. Guyana cannot avoid addressing these issues. But before it does this there are numerous questions for the Court to determine. The faster the Court does this, the better.
Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
Three-term presidency…
Ramkarran says PPP never sought Constitutional reform The issue of a President serving more than two terms should be dealt with during the process of constitutional reform, says former Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran, SC. Writing in his blog, The Conversation Tree, on Saturday, Ramkarran also suggested that reforms may be hard to come by as the Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), is not going be interested in any. On Thursday, Chief Justice Ian Chang issued a ruling in a constitutional challenge which opened the way for someone to serve more two terms as President. Government has signaled intentions for appeals to be filed. It is widely felt that former President Bharrat Jagdeo, whose presidency was filled with accusations of corruption, might make a run for office again. “It would have been tempting to suggest that whatever the outcome of appeals, the matter should be definitively dealt with during the process of constitutional reform. But while appeals in this case are pending and Dr. Jagdeo sniffs at a potential return as President, the PPP is not going to be interested in any kind of reform. It never was anyway.” “One of the few issues of agreement between all political parties in Guyana after 1992 was term limitation for the President. It was proposed by the Constitutional Reform Commission in 2000 and subsequently enacted by Act No. 17 of 2001. “The PPP had earlier proposed a limitation of two terms to the Special Select Committee on Constitutional Reform established by the
Ralph Ramkarran
Bharrat Jagdeo
National Assembly after the 1992 elections. But its work came to a premature end with the dissolution of the National Assembly for the 1997 elections,” Ramkarran recalled. On August 11, 1999, while the constitution reform process was in full swing, Bharrat Jagdeo succeeded to the presidency upon the resignation of Mrs. Janet Jagan. Until then there was not a single voice in the PPP in opposition to the presidential term limitation which had already been decided and which had already been put to the Constitution Reform Commission by a delegation led by then General Secretary, Donald Ramotar. After all of this had happened, Feroze Mohamed and Gail Teixeira, neither of whom had hitherto made any objection to presidential term limits, raised an objection to it in the executive committee of the party and sought to revisit the issue. They argued that the choice of President
is a matter for the electorate and suggested that the party should change its position. “While the suggestion was quickly dismissed, it would not surprise anyone that the assumption of office of Dr. Jagdeo and the effort to persuade the party to change its mind about the term limitation were linked. Since then, the issue of term limitation for the President has never been far from the headlines.” “During last year, after an article I had written Dr. Luncheon assured the Guyanese public that the Government supports the constitutional limitation on presidential terms and believes it to be lawful. Dr. Jagdeo has also repeatedly assured the Guyanese people that he is not interested in a third term.”
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Guyana in dire need of more mental health personnel – NGO As Guyana continues to record alarming numbers of suicides, a non governmental organisation has opined that the country needs more persons trained in mental health if positive strides are to be made. The viewpoint was shared by Bibi Ahamad, Managing Director of New York based NGO Caribbean Voice Inc. In an interview with this publication, Ahamad noted that Guyana currently has an inadequate number of professionals trained to deal with persons suffering from depression and who might be considering suicide. “We just don’t have enough qualified persons in the mental health field; that’s something severely lacking in Guyana,” she said. Ahamad also stated that even when the qualified persons are available, the cost of seeing them is out of the reach of many. “That alone can send a person into deeper depression,” Ahamad said. She said too that these trained professionals are often based in Georgetown. According to her, the Government of Guyana needed to work harder to facilitate the training of persons in the mental health field. She emphasised that while the entire process would take some time, it would be beneficial. “I’m hoping that the new government will send persons overseas to train in the area of mental health,” she said. She explained that, as a schoolgirl, she would have had a guidance counsellor present in her school. She opined that this feature was one which should be reintroduced into many schools. “That would go a far way; as a young person, you wouldn’t want to tell your parents certain issues or your class teacher but you
could have always gone to the guidance counsellor.” She also said that guidance counsellors would be trained to pick up the warning signs of depression simply through body language, even without having conversations with the youths. “It’s something we’re strongly advocating for; we’ve met with the previous Minister of Education [Priya Manickchand] and we had put forward a 10 point proposal to her. We are hoping to meet with the new Minister of Education to discuss some of these issues.” Meanwhile, Ahamad indicated that persons having thoughts of suicide could access Caribbean Voice’s website for free. She explained that the site hosts trained counsellors who not only listen and offer advice but also follow up individual cases. However, she noted that though the online services are free, it could prove difficult for persons who have no access to the internet.
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Kaieteur News
Monday July 13, 2015
Brutal attack on legal official and husband…
Eyewitness IDs suspect, gunmen shot at former police commissioner’s son An eyewitness to last Thursday’s foiled robbery at an East Coast Demerara gated community has placed one of four men in police custody at the scene of the attack. This was disclosed yesterday by a senior police official, who said that the man was picked out Saturday during an identification parade. Police also have an arrest warrant out for the same individual for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The suspect is among four individuals who were detained shortly after gunmen stormed the gated community at Felicity and
inflicted a severe beating on Commissioner of Title Nicola Pierre and her husband, Mohamed Chand. The eyewitness did not identify the three other detained individuals, who were still in custody up to yesterday. Pierre, 43, and Chand, 50, were attacked while they were asleep and gunbutted into unconsciousness after the men, numbering about four, gained entry to their home via a window. The robbers carted off a small safe containing US$7,000 and jewellery, and a suitcase containing other valuables. But they were
forced to drop their loot after coming under gunfire from a security guard who was stationed at a businessman’s home nearby. Pierre and Chand are reportedly still hospitalized. Mr. Chand reportedly sustained more severe injuries. Kaieteur News has also confirmed that the fleeing gunmen had shot at Philip Lewis, who is one of the sons of former Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis, after trying to take his vehicle. The incident occurred at the Bachelor’s Adventure Public road. The men had ordered the 42-year-old
Lewis to hand over his vehicle, and shot at him after he drove away. A bullet grazed Mr. Lewis’s left shoulder. The drama began at around 01.20 hrs when a female special constable stationed at a hut on the north-western side of the gated community saw some men scaling a concrete wall that surrounds the small community. The men used duct-tape to gag and bind the unarmed special constable, before heading directly to Pierre and Mr. Mohamed’s three-storey home.
Judge: Nicola Pierre
Mohamed Chand
After smashing a window in the bottom flat, the men entered the building and headed for the middle flat where the couple and their 11year-old son lay asleep. Pierre and Mohamed were awakened with blows to the head, and the Judge was reportedly beaten into unconsciousness. On regaining consciousness, Pierre reportedly ventured to the bottom flat, where she found her husband lying unconscious on the floor. But an armed security guard stationed in the same community spotted the bandits as they were heading towards a waiting car. The men also spotted the guard and opened fire in his direction. A fierce exchange of gunfire erupted between the gunmen and the guard, with the guard, who was armed with a high-powered weapon, getting the better of the exchange. However, no one was injured. Overwhelmed by the security man’s gunfire, the bandits dropped the safe and suitcase and escaped in their vehicle. Police were alerted and surrounded the area. Minutes later they pounced upon four suspicious-looking men near the Sparendaam Police Station. The security guard later handed over the stolen safe and briefcase that the bandits had dropped. In a statement issued on Friday, the Guyana Bar Association expressed “shock and sadness at Tuesday’s brutal attack on Ms. Pierre and Mr. Chand. At the same time, the body appealed to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Commissioner of Police Seelal Persaud to take further action to combat the surge in violent crime. “The members of the Guyana Bar Association are shocked and saddened at the brutal attack on Commissioner of Title,
Madame Nicola Pierre and her husband Mr. Mohamed Chand yesterday,” the Association stated in a release. “It is all the more shocking that the attack took place in their home on the East Coast of Demerara, while the judicial officer and her husband and son were asleep. The thoughts of the members of the legal profession are with Ms. Pierre and her family as we await the results of their treatment and pray for their full and speedy recovery.” Noting that judicial officers play an invaluable role in the administration of justice and the rule of law, the Association stated that every reasonable effort must be made to secure and protect them and their families. “While it is a measure of some relief that the alleged perpetrators have been captured and are in custody, the Association notes that too many serious crimes remain unsolved. “The Association has noted with increasing concern the escalating incidents of crimes committed on citizens, almost all of which involve the use of firearms, and many of which have resulted in death of the victims. The frequency and the serious nature of these attacks are desensitising our society to the rights of citizens to safety and security, whether in or out of their homes, and the duty of the State to protect every citizen, of whatever station in life. “The Association calls on the Minister of Public Security and the Commissioner of Police to develop strategies and take action to combat the level of violence in our society. Further, the Association calls on the Government to ensure that our law enforcement agencies are provided with the necessary tools to adequately address crimes in all their manifestations in our country.”
Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 21
THE ADVENTURES OF DON YUAN Suppose I called you a “cockchafer” how would you react? If you’re female you might be truly offended but perhaps not as much if you knew that the word refers to a large beetle native to Europe and western Asia. The “word-floss” site says the origin of its name is a mystery, but one theory claims the beetles are so characteristically aggressive that they can be made to fight one another like cockerels. Perhaps they find chafety in numbers. What if I described someone as “Not just a dik but a dik-dik”? I might prick his vanity or if he says, “Oh deer” he might be right. But it is definitely not as bad as it sounds. A “dik-dik” at onefoot tall is one of the smallest Antelopes in Africa. What is a “fanny-blower” and does it have a brown nose? It is described as a tool “used in the scissor-grinding industry,” and comprised “a wheel with vanes, fixed onto a rotating shaft, enclosed in a case or chamber to create a blast of air.” In other word, a “fanny-blower” is a fan and I have known some who are the boss’s biggest fans. Staying in the spirit of words that sound really bad
but are not try “tease-hole” which is defined as the opening in a glassmaker’s furnace through which the fuel is added. Clearly the definition adds extra fuel. There is “poonga” which is beech-tree oil and “pissaladière” a condiment popular in southern French cookery made from puréed anchovies and olive oil, mixed with garlic, pepper, and herbs, and would get you tossed if you call someone by that name. The reason I am taking this route is that I was reading about a man from Shandong in Eastern China who was referred to in the “Mail Online” as a Chinese Casanova and wondered how that would work out in English. Now Giacomo Casanova was an Italian adventurer famous for his affairs with women. In his famous Memoirs he mentions over 120 adventures with women and girls. But suppose we dropped Casanova on the streets of Kingston and he has to use the English translation of his name to a young woman he met. He would say, “Good afternoon, I am Mr. Newhouse. I am the world’s greatest lover.” Would she
say, “I prefer my old house and with a name like Newhouse you can’t love anything but paint and zinc.” Or say another great lover, Rudolph Valentino, appeared instead. “Beautiful lady,” he would say, “I am Valentine, the great lover.” Would she respond, “Come back on February 14.” Or would she say, “Valentine, the cricketer? Where is Ramadin?” In Portof-Spain he might hear, “Valentino? You mean the calypsonian? The one who sing, ‘Stay up Zimbabwe’?” And if he decides to pounce on the reference and respond, “That is what I do best Madam, I stay up longer than most men.” She will most likely retort, “Well in that case you better go and stay up with Mugabe.” The one who would fail utterly is Don Juan or “The Seducer of Seville”. You might think that he got his name from his habit of repeating it after every act of love but consider what would happen if he pops up and says, “I am Mr. John, the Seducer of Seville.” Mr. John? A seducer? No West Indian woman would take him seriously. After two rejections he would have to change his name to Don
Finish and in historical terms, Don Juan done gone. Interestingly, our Chinese Casanova is named Wu (pronounced “Woo” as in “marry”). He is already married but posed on several dating sites as a rich businessman and succeeded in scamming at least a dozen women out of over US$15,000 and blackmailed one of them with intimate photographs that she sent him. Since the Chinese currency is a “Yuan” and he scammed the ladies of about 100,000 of them, we can call him Don Yuan. His particular shtick was that he was a rich man whose wife had died in a car accident eight years ago and he had not remarried because he wanted to focus on his career but was now ready to find a new wife to accompany him for the rest of his life. One of his victims said he had asked her to agree to three things before they met in March. She had to hug him on their first date, pay for a fast food meal that cost under 50 Yuan (£5), and give him a present worth 10,000 Yuan (£1,035) or the same amount in cash. He said that this would prove that she was not a gold digger. The Mail Online
reported that during a date, he signed over the ‘deed to his mansion’ to the woman who was overjoyed at this and handed over the cash gift she brought. The Mail also featured another Chinese con-artist whose name is Yuan. After he got into an accident, seventeen women turned up at his bedside and none of them knew about the others. The kicker is that the story has attracted a lot of attention on social media, with some condemning Mr Yuan’s
actions and others expressing admiration. The key question on Twitter was, “How does one manage to have seventeen girlfriends?” When Mr. Yuan recovers he will probably reply with, “How Tweet it is!” *Tony Deyal was last seen repeating the joke about a man, hearing a woman say that Native American, Jewish and Redneck men were the best lovers, introduced himself as “Tonto Goldstein…but my friends call me Bubba.”
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Kaieteur News
SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building, visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall: 225-6496, 662-6045 EAGLE’S FRIDGE REGASES - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966 Professional painting services available for private and contract work- Tel: 6044036 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves - Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 All types of grill work to be done, also experience in working on boats- Contact Brian: 666-2101 or 233-2847 GET YOUR USA, CANADA & UK VISA’S FILLED OUT PROFESSIONALLY. CALL FOR APPOINTMENT: 2315789/90 Computer upgrades from windows 7 to 8, antivirus, software downloads- Tel: 625-1024, 645-7471 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 FOR SALE/RENT American pools table- Call: 277-0578
WANTED One night guard @ Corine’s guest house, 6 Smyth Street Werk-En-Rust Experienced pastry maker, cake decorator, curry cook, cleaners, apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. 2 Experienced welder/ fabricator preferably from Bel-Air to Mon-Repos, E.C.D- Tel: 222-3844 One grill work welder must be able to work on boatContact Brian: 666-2101 or 233-2847 Accounts clerk @ Aracari Resort 16 Plantation Versailles, W.B.DPhone:264-2946/8. Email: info@aracariresort.com. Apply in person. One experienced hairdresser. Must know to braid & weave. At Time Square Mall, GroveTel:669-4390 One arc welder must know to do grill work and work with limited supervision- Call: 6133879 Waitress/ bartenders @ Aracari Resort 16 Plantation Versailles, W.B.D- Phone:2642946/8. Email: info@aracariresort.com. Apply in person. Indoor/outdoor salesman highly motivated/ energetic. Secondary education, 2 porters with reference & ID@ 13 Mc Doom Public Rd (Post Office)
Summer Special: In cosmetology, nails, wig design & hair cuttingClasses commence -13 July Tel: 619-7603, 666-5241 Empire hair and nails salon renting chairs. Lot 17 Burnham Drive Wismar, Linden- Call: 442-0171
VACANCY 2 Accounts clerk with Grades 1 & 2 in Maths & English. Apply at Technical Services, Eccles Industrial Site, E.B.D. Cashiers/ supermarket helpers, apply in person with written application @ Nirva Supermarket 49 Sheriff & Craig Street- Tel: 227-5771 1 Cleaner to clean yard & care for dogs. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling International Employment: waiters, cooks, housekeepers, carpenters, plumbers, cleaners, securities, receptionists, printers- Contact:2316 2 9 6 , 6 5 0 - 9 8 8 0 www.plzrecruitme.com Fish cleaners at Eccles- Call: 233-2546 Male supervisor to work in housekeeping DepartmentTel:225-0198 or 233 South road Lacytown
Contract cars & drivers from E.C.D- Contact A-1 Taxi: 2201000
Lot in G/Town to rent for wash bay- Call: 646-8748 Legal clerk/typist: applications with CV - Legal Aid 185 Charlotte & King streets, Maraj Building. By 20th July, 2015 Cook at Cotton Club 44 Kitty public road- Call: 231-1912 ACCOMODATION Aracari Resort –Tel: 2642946: Rooms from $45USD, double occupancy, fully air conditioned, hot & cold bath, WiFi, breakfast.
One new & unregistered Mazda Axela, excellent condition -Tel: 649-0956 Nissan Tiida, Hatch Back, PPP series, air-condition, magrims, excellent condition, price negotiable –Tel: 6002170 One 192 Carina with alarm, AC, deck. In working condition. Owner leaving country- Call: 687-3241 1 Beige Toyota Spacio 2003 model. PMM series. Lady driven. 1st owner, in excellent condition- $1.5M- Call: 628-5828 First Class Auto in Stock: 09 Allion, 08 Premio, Carina 212, Spacio, Runx, IST, Mark 2, Axio, 06 Premio –Call: 6098188; 638-3045 2008 Fielder -$2.5M, 2004 Spacio -$2M, Carina 212 $1.9M, all vehicles unregistered –Tel: 617-2891 Allion PRR, 42,000KM, alarm, reverse camera, 17" rims, DVD deck, HID, music, hardly used -$1.850M – Contact: 616-3566
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 ACCOMODATION Specials on room! Free breakfast, Wi-Fi luxuriously & comfortably @ Signature Inn, 82 Laluni Street, Georgetown –Tel: 226-2145; 227-5037
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Alteeza, PNN Series, immaculate condition. Tel: 649-9647 1 Noah BSS series. Price reasonable- Call: 652-0709 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 1 Mini Cooper PTT 2675. 1 cold storage canter-Call: 6190846 2006 Honda RR 1000cc. Price $1,300,000- Tel: 600-3177 Cheapest: Stick gear buses, Rush, Hilux, 4D33 two ton canter. Front view property in Bougainvilla Park- Call: 61676350 Pitbull unregistered (roof rack) $3M- Call: 668-0000 New model Raum PRR series $1,475,000 negotiable. In excellent condition- Call: 6999011, 266-2059 Just arrived from UK brand new TM trucks. Good priceTel: 679-7587, 264-1582
1 new model, Toyota Axio for sale – unregistered –Call: 642-6079 Toyota Prado, Price$4.4M Neg. Call: 643-2403 One 318 BMW never register for $ 3.1M down payment $ 800,000- Contact # 650-0402 Fantasy Auto Sales at 38 Alexander St, Kitty. Get $100,000 discount on preorders- Contact: 611-1833 Fantasy Auto SalesAvailable: 2010 Mitsubishi RVR, Nissan X-Trail 2008. New model Premio & AllionCall: 611-1833
40-45 years old for driving duties. Light duties. Good rates- Tel: 227-1830 2 experienced security guard, apply @ Humphrey’s Bakery & farm products ltd- Tel: 225-7864, 227-8607 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665
VEHICLE FOR SALE Sale on new model Allion, TV Reverse camera, low mileage, Honda Fit - PLL Spacio - PTT Tel: 697-0294 One Silver Toyota Premio, 2003 model, PNN series, excellent condition –Tel: 6484259
Monday July 13, 2015
Toyota Sequoia PKK series, fully loaded, like new -$M – Tel: 645-4709, 627-4080 1 Toyota Pickup GRR 9565 & 1 ATV motor bike- Call: 6600422 2013 Mercedes C250 turbo AMG coupe, retractable glasstop, mileage 15K, alcantara leather interior, brush aluminum acc- Call: 650-5136 Minibus BJJ 9267 $700,000 in good condition- Call: 6791813 Toyota- AT 212, AT192, BB, Premio, Rush, Hilux pickup 4x4. Nissan bluebird, Honda 600 RR- Tel: 644-5096, 6971453 AE100 Toyota Corolla PHH 7796 – Call: 670-1395
EDUCATION Summer Classes: Phonics, Reading, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft & fun day (4-12yrs) July 13thAugust 13th @ Roxanne Burnham Gardens-Tel:2182076; 619-4355 Institute of Academic Excellence- registration commenced for our Secondary school (forms 15), lessons & adults CXC classes- Tel: 683-5742 Summer classes. Congratulations to my top student Aselah Najah, 518 (Queens College). CXC classes, Phonics, Computer- Call: 6905008, 619-7911, 657-7398 Kids & adults balloon art workshop 13th-17th July. Kids $6,000 & adults $8,000 @ Tons of Fun, GeorgetownCall: 231-1154, 641-4032 TO LET For foreigners fully furnished two bedrooms apartment in South. Hot & cold, cable, washing machine & internet. Tel: 689-5877 Golden Grove Diamond house to rent- Call: 692-8513, 223-0733 Robb Street, BourdaBusiness/ professional office spaces available- Phone: 2262409, 682-1602
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Wood exporters- gang nail plates. Sizes in stock: 3x4, 4x6, 5x7- Contact: 266-4166, 666-2361 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 6722566; 265-3232 Pitbull computer box (ECU) for sale- Call: 628-0909 1 Yahama 8,000 watts generator, Freezer $49,000, 40" Toshiba smart TV, 14" chainsaw, computer monitorCall: 642-1510, 227-5080 1-40’ Reefer- Contact: Trevor Arno Wieting & Richter Ltd. Tel: 226-6150-7 150cc Scrambler in very good condition. Priced to go- Tel: 666-9719 152ft complete cabin cruiser. In excellent condition- Tel: 592-654-2817, 592-622-2958 One Ducati 1098cc motorcycle in excellent condition- Call: 617-6934, 674-0137 1-2004 Caldina wagon fully loaded, 17" mags, GT 4, turbo. 1 wedding dress (size 10)- Call: 613-9116 One Tohatsu 40 outboard engine in excellent condition- Call: 680-6192 Household furniture: Sofa set, wardrobe, wall divider and more- Tel: 264-1582, 6797587 New American made 24ft Werner aluminum ladderCall: 609-7257, 225-7946 Pure breed Rottweiler pups, fully de-wormed & vaccinated –Tel: 220-2277, 220-8904; 629-1471 Household furniture: Sofa set, wardrobe, wall divider and more- Tel: 264-1582, 6797587 ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTS&SOLAR PANELS SOLD @ AFFORDABLE PRICES. WE ALSO DO INSTALLATIONS- CALL: 621-3072 OR 600-1331 Hauler & trailer- Contact: 6396701, 602-2518 1 Toyota 212 (new model) dark grey. Price $1M- Tel: 6700382 1 Jailing motorcycle scooter (blue) JC 125T-39A, HP125cc- Call: 691-0592 LAND FOR SALE Gold and diamond land for sale in Potaro. State owner leaving country- Tel: 6092815, 231-8702 Continued on page 23
Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
People should vote to approve the Constitution DEAR EDITOR, The Chief Justice’s ruling nullifying the amendment (on term limit) to the original Burnham constitution was expected as I had penned a week before the General Elections. It is not that term limit is unconstitutional. Voters should have a voice in how they will be governed (drafting a constitution and approving it). People are very supportive of term limit as well as reducing the powers of the executive as I obtained in opinion polls. The parliament should have sought the approval of
the population on any constitutional matter and why not — If the people are supreme and all powers flow from them, then give the people the power to decide on all constitutional issues as is done in the US and several other countries. The people are always considered as fools when it comes to empowering them. With regards to the Judge’s ruling, in short, the Chief Judge said amendments to the Burnham constitution must be approved by voters in a referendum. It is noted that the 1980 Burnham constitution was never
approved in a referendum by the populace. So the Judge’s recent ruling provides a unique opportunity to challenge the validity of the Burnham constitution since it was never approved by voters. Public interest lawyers should file a petition challenging the legality of the constitution. The parliament faces an important decision on the Burnham constitution. All three parties (PPP, PNC, AFC) represented in parliament approve of the Burnham constitution. Since they love it so much, why don’t they muster the courage and put
the amended Burnham constitution to a vote before the nation? They won’t risk testing the constitution’s popularity with voters because they don’t trust the voters. They (all three parties) don’t want to empower voters; politicians don’t like when people become educated and powerful. In the unlikely event that they agree to hold a referendum, what if the constitution is rejected and in all indications the people will reject the amendment? Do we go back to the original Burnham constitution? In several NACTA polls I
conducted over the years, people are not supportive of the Burnham constitution. The government should present the amended Burnham constitution and the one it replaced (independence constitution) before the voters to choose one. Since the three parties are very supportive of the Burnham constitution, and they were the ones who drafted the amendments, they can campaign for it. If rejected by voters, they should return to the independence constitution
Venezuela has the wherewithal to leverage aggression at Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Never before has Guyana’s domestic security environment been so volatile, not even during the upheaval of the sixties. Today, Guyana is faced with threats to her national security on all fronts. We begin the list with acts of international delinquency posed by a bellicose Venezuela; followed by an upsurge in violent crimes, especially of the armed variety, and a manufactured political stalemate which has the potential to threaten economic and social development. In the Arthashastra, Kautilya wrote that a state could be at risk from four types of threats- internal, external, externally-aided internal and internally-aided external. He advised that of these four types, internal threats should be taken care of immediately, for internal troubles, like the fear of the lurking snake, are far more serious than external threats. The most dangerous enemy, he posited, is the enemy within. “Kautilya’s teachings on internal security and his skillful expression of the warp and weft of internal and external security have great relevance in the globalised 21st century. Destabilising a country through internal disturbances is more economical and less objectionable, particularly when direct warfare is not an option and international borders cannot be violated. External adversaries, particularly the weaker ones, find it easier to create and aid forces which cause internal unrest and instability” Even as Guyanese count their blessings for the country’s recent ability to checkmate Venezuela’s aggression; most nurtured a dream, the one so resonantly
expressed by President Granger, to get Venezuela off of our backs, once and for all. Accusations of aiding America and Britain in espionage were to be expected as these were the very tactics employed by President Gamal Abdel Nasser, after Egypt’s humiliating defeat by Israel during the 1967 war. We should not forget too, that when the Cubana air disaster occurred in 1976, four Venezuelan terrorists took part in that attack, which claimed the lives of several young Guyanese. So Venezuela has the wherewithal to leverage aggression at Guyana in diverse ways. If one took into consideration the presence of numerous terrorist cells in Venezuela, and other South American countries. And their relation with Al-shabab the Somalia-based militant Islamist group aligned with Al-Qaeda- that was responsible for the deadly Westgate shopping mall attack in Kenya. One sees how easy it is for Venezuela to aggress Guyana, especially given our close alliance with
the United States. Many observers acknowledging that a significant oil find here will forever change Guyana’s geopolitical standing believe that Venezuela’s recent escapades, apart from serving a domestic function, might very well be externally induced. Venezuela’s recent flare up could be viewed as a well calculated attempt to infuriate The United States of America and stymie its attempt to reduce its dependence on oil obtained
from suppliers deemed hostile. Given steady signs of improvement in U.S- Cuba, relations and America’s intent to close its military base there, Guyana’s strategic geographical position could become a focal point in the region once again, for a suitable replacement. Should the latter become a reality, it would most definitely stop Venezuela dead in its tracks and infuriate its allies. Of course only time will tell. Clairmont Featherstone
More than 5,000 traffic... (From page 20) was a recorded increase from May month end to June, police records show that there were decreases in a number of areas when compared to 2014. From January to June 2014, the police had recorded 52 fatal accidents as compared to this year’s 45 for the same period. This represented a decrease of 13 percent. Additionally, in 2014 there were 57 deaths as compared to this year’s 56 deaths, a decrease of two percent. Serious accidents were also down by 16% when compared to 2014 while minor accidents and damage accidents saw decreases of three percent and one percent respectively. The only area which saw an increase was deaths of children; up to June 2014, 7 children had died from fatal accidents while up to June 2015 there were 10, an increase of 43 percent.
since voters would be suggesting they want nothing to do with that fraudulent constitution. I read where APNU+AFC spokesperson, Minister Harmon, says the government plans to challenge the High Court’s ruling (SN Jul 11). Since the government is giving its approval of the constitution, in challenging the ruling, why not give the people an opportunity to voice their opinion in a vote? And if it is rejected, agree to return to the independence constitution. Vishnu Bisram
From page 22
FOR RENT
PROPERTY FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Oceanicvillas air conditioned, apartments/ fridge/stove/washer/dryer/ microwave. Contact Shiv: 678-6887 or email: oceanicvillas@yahoo.ca Property for rent at #2 Canal Polder- Tel: 613-1860
Lot 23, Area F Zeeburg, South, old gas station road, West Coast DemeraraContact: 621-8386 (Brodo) Two executive houses in gated compound at Oceanicvillas -$58M eachTel Shiv: 600-6681
Vreed-En-Hoop Junction: Storage bond, office, lessons place & other- Call: 680-9905 One 2 bedrooms apartment @ 35 Howes Street- Contact Pet Boy Shop, between the hours 11am-6pm - $40,000 monthly Two bedrooms flat apartment for rent at La Grange, West Bank Demerara- Call: 6678896 Newly constructed business spot located on public roadCall: 613-0448, 672-8625 2 bedrooms apartment at West Bank Demerara- Call: 674-6080, 267-1446 One barber station for rent at Time Square Mall, GroveTel:669-4390 One 2 bedrooms bottom flat at L.B.I, E.C.D- Tel: 226-7585
Property for sale, Grove $18M neg. Tel: 625-5461. Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 House for sale at Craig- Call: 679-8091 or 718-213-6496 2 Storey 45x35 concrete property, lower flat incomplete. Land 65x120 @ Diamond N/S 5th Avenue, E.B.D- Call: 629-4017 House with 3 apartments @ Friendship, E.B.D $9.5M. House with 2 bedrooms $8M @ Patentia- Tel: 671-2689 2 Storey concrete property for sale at 2nd Avenue, Diamond H/Scheme, E.B.DTel: 674-9266 or 686-9248 LAND FOR SALE 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front -reasonable offer accepted, serious enquiries only! – Tel: 695-3493 Land @ Parfaite Harmonie & Tuschen -$1.5M each, house & land @ Belle West. Call: 604-6724 Luxury gate communitymall, pool, swipe card entry, underground irrigation selling @ $6USD per sq.ftCall: 609-0783 Friendship house lot for saleCall: 692-8513, 223-0733
Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
Euro zone leaders - Greece must do more to earn rescue
From left: Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, France’s President Francois Hollande and Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel attend an euro zone leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium yesterday. Reuters/Francois Lenoir Reuters - Euro zone leaders told near-bankrupt Greece at an emergency summit yesterday it must enact key reforms this week to restore trust before they will open talks on a financial rescue to keep it in the European currency area. Leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will be required to push legislation through parliament to convince his 18 partners in the euro zone to release immediate funds to avert a state bankruptcy and start negotiations on a third bailout programme estimated at up to 86 billion euros (62 billion pounds). Six sweeping measures including tax and pension reforms must be enacted by Wednesday night and the entire package endorsed by parliament before talks can start, a draft decision by Eurogroup finance ministers sent to the leaders showed. The document included a German proposal to make Greece take a “time-out” from the euro zone if it fails to meet the conditions. But not all ministers endorsed the idea, which a senior EU source said was illegal and would not survive in the summit statement. Tsipras said on arrival in Brussels he wanted “another honest compromise” to keep Europe united.
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country is the biggest contributor to euro zone bailouts, said the conditions were not yet right to start negotiations, sounding cautious in deference to mounting opposition at home to more aid for Greece. “The most important currency has been lost and that is trust,” she told reporters. “That means that we will have tough discussions and there will be no agreement at any price.” If Greece meets the conditions, the German parliament would meet on Thursday to mandate Merkel and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble to open the talks on a new loan. Then Eurogroup finance ministers would meet again on Friday or at the weekend to formally launch the negotiations. A Greek government official, in a first reaction to the draft, said: “How can they demand all these measures at the last minute without securing a lifeline to see us through till next week?” A European official said a Eurogroup meeting on Monday could discuss ways to provide emergency finance
to keep Athens afloat. As the summit dragged into the late evening, officials said the biggest of a series of sticking points was Germany’s insistence that Greek assets worth 50 billion euros earmarked for privatisation be placed in a trust fund in Luxembourg to be sold with proceeds going directly to pay down debt. One diplomat said that was tantamount to turning Greece into a “German protectorate”. Another diplomat said Merkel had declared the matter a “red line” for Germany. Tsipras, for his part, was insisting on a stronger commitment by the creditors to restructuring Greek debt to make it more sustainable in the medium-term. Some questioned whether it was feasible to rush the package through the Greek parliament in just three days. Tsipras is set to sack ministers who did not support his negotiating position in a vote last Friday and make dissident lawmakers in his Syriza party resign their seats, people close to the government said.
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Monday July 13, 2015
Tough economic choices for next govt. Trinidad Guardian Tough economic choices will have to be made by the next government to keep the country afloat, especially in the face of the 7.5 per cent decline in oil and gas export earnings between 2013 and 2014. Those choices include, in part, possibly cutting Cepep and URP by 80 per cent to release labour for absorption by the private sector, inclusive of the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. So said UWI senior
...Hosein warns PP to watch election promises, spending economist Dr Roger Hosein as he renewed his call for “urgent structural reform” of the T&T economy and serious moves towards diversification. Long-term changes in the way the economy worked, he said, was needed. Hosein suggested a better alignment of fiscal expenditures with non-oil revenues and a lower level of state participation in the
labour market, an improvement in worker ethic and worker productivity, an improvement in the ease of doing business, and an enhancement of the country’s overall global competitiveness. The economist, who did a comparative analysis on T&T’s revenue loss following the dip in oil prices using data from the draft Monetary Policy report June 2015,
Colombia says to de-escalate war if rebels uphold ceasefire HAVANA (Reuters) - Colombia’s government pledged yesterday to de-escalate military actions against leftist guerrillas beginning July 20 if the rebels make good on their pledge of a unilateral ceasefire from that date. The commitment, issued in a joint statement with rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Havana, provides a boost to peace talks that have been threatened by increased battlefield violence in recent months. The two sides have been engaged in
peace talks for 2-1/2 years in Cuba in an attempt to end Latin America’s longest war, which has killed some 220,000 people and displaced millions over 50 years. “The national government will as of July 20 put in place a process of de-escalation of military actions in correspondence with a suspension of military action by the FARC,” the statement said. The two sides also pledged to reach a final agreement and enact a definitive ceasefire as soon as possible.
stressed the need for urgent economic diversification by policy makers within the next 24 months. Current fiscal accounts, he said, would suffer over time if things remained the way they were and significant moves were not made to develop other sectors of the economy. “In many regards, if diversification is not pursued more deeply over the next 24 months to 36 months and should energy commodity prices remain as they are and with inertia in non-energy import consumption, the current account balance could go into deficit and the economy could see a fall in its stock of reserves and with time, possibly rising unemployment and rising debt,” he said. With the softening of petroleum prices on the global market, he said, the market value of T&T petroleum products had fallen “considerably.” To enhance the supply capacity of the economy from a longer term perspective, the highway to Mayaro must be started immediately to bring into use underutilised resources “by expanding the infrastructural capacity of the
economy,” Hosein also stressed. Given the decreased oil and gas earnings, Hosein is urging Government to manage its expenditure and platform promises as campaigning heightens for the 2015 general election. He said they should “manage the degree of irrational exuberance and do not make fiscal promises which may just widen the fiscal deficit by increasing fiscal expenditures and lowering fiscal revenues.” The political campaigning has led to an increase in fullpage advertisements as well as television commericals. Additionally, he said, he would encourage politicians “to use the platform to convince the electorate about the urgent need for diversification.” He said, “Business as usual will not suffice as the economy is in a new normal.” The way forward for the economy, he said, included a more pronounced effort to maintain expenditure at a level sustainable by nonpetroleum government revenues. This, he said, would likely subject the economy to less volatility than would petroleum
Dr. Roger Hosein revenues. He said some comfort could be drawn from the fact that the most recent data available online from the Central Bank website “indicates that the Government has been able to slash some of its expenditures and its adjustment to a lower budgeted price of oil and gas.” If maintained, it forms “the basis around which a realignment of the fiscal side of the economy can proceed.” Hosein, in explaining his analysis provided exclusively to the Sunday Guardian, said while aggregate export revenues fell by 7.5 per cent, non-energy exports also fell by 7.5 per cent which was worrying.
Foreign demand for Caribbean real estate doubles in first half of year LONDON, England Demand for regional real estate has doubled during the first six months of 2015, compared to the same period last year, according to Caribbean independent luxury property specialist 7th Heaven Properties. Analysis of enquiries received via the 7th Heaven Properties website and the company’s magazine, The Caribbean Property Investor, indicates that interest in residential and commercial real estate in the Caribbean increased dramatically across all price brackets. There was a particularly high increase in enquiries for residential real estate in St. Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos Islands, Antigua and the Dominican Republic/ St. Lucia and Jamaica also saw notable increases in enquiries for commercial real estate, including hotels for sale and land for development. The majority of the enquiries originate from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom with enquiries from American and Canadian buyers more than
Walter Zephirin doubling, and enquiries from British buyers up over 30 per cent. Managing Director of the London-based 7th Heaven Properties, Walter Zephirin, said the increases came as economic growth in the US, Canada and the UK stimulated buyer confidence. “Growth in demand for Caribbean property has been underpinned by the impressive performance of the region’s tourism sector, particularly in locations such as the Dominican Republic
and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the continued success of highly attractive Citizenship by Investment Programs in St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua,” he added. “The outlook for the second half of 2015 is extremely promising with a strong sales pipeline. A succession of announcements on increasing airlift to the region and major resort developments linked to Robert de Niro in Antigua and Barbuda and Leonardo DiCaprio in Belize, as well as the first licensed casino in Jamaica, have boosted the Caribbean’s profile and enhanced its accessibility and appeal to buyers.” According to 7th Heaven Properties, which lists residential and commercial property for sale in over 30 Caribbean territories, enquiries for properties priced from US$1 million to US$2 million more than doubled and the proportion of enquiries for properties priced below US$1 million increased from 39 per cent to 44 per cent.
Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Caricom considers debt relief proposal KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Caricom is considering a proposal for the region to pursue gradual write-off of its multilateral debt as a means of economic prosperity. The debt relief strategy was put forward by the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), at the 36th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, held recently in Barbados. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon; Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma; and the President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr Warren Smith, were also at the meeting. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator A J Nicholson, in a report in the Senate on Friday, said the proposal is for 100 per cent debt write-off over
A J Nicholson time, and would involve cooperation of multilateral institutions, donor countries and small State debtor countries. He said the debt relief would create more fiscal space, and assist member Governments in adapting to social, economic and climate challenges. “This would mean more ease of the liquidity constraints, as
well as address potential solvency risks,” he said. Senator Nicholson, who noted that the proposal “is welcomed and deemed worthy of serious consideration”, said ECLAC has come to the realisation that it is not possible to use only domestic resources to move the Caribbean countries from debt to growth. In addition, he argued that with only one per cent global debt, “the region’s debt burden is not enough to generate much international concern”. “The work of ECLAC is to be commended. Using data from research undertaken by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Caribbean Development Bank, the Commission noted the need for a paradigm shift in how the challenges of countries in the region are viewed,” he said.
B’dos needs ‘competent leaders’
Ian Gooding-Edghill
Daily Nation - Barbados needs competent professionals with a proven track record to manage its affairs. Therefore, attempts to negate people with such expertise from participating in public life would only hurt the country. This, essentially, was the reaction of the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) Ian Gooding-Edghill and Lynette Holder to rumours that supporters had infiltrated the trade union movement and key professional associations and were seeking to stoke the industrial unrest in the country for political gain. Dismissing the rumours as unfortunate, Gooding-Edghill, the president of the Barbados Employers Confederation (BEC) for the last seven years, said the Constitution guarantees everyone freedom of association. As such, a person’s political persuasion should never be something which people should ever be made to feel ashamed of, or feel they need to exercise in a secretive manner.
Monday July 13, 2015
Clico Policyholders Group wants money:
‘CLF has $1.3bn in cash’ Trinidad Guardian - The Clico Policyholders Group (CPG) says it has new evidence that Clico is in a position to pay its outstanding debt to policyholders contrary to reports from Central Bank and the Finance Ministry. CPG chairman Peter Permell said he planned to present Finance Minister Larry Howai with the information he obtained when they meet on Wednesday to discuss outstanding Clico policyholders’ payments and related issues. Saturday, Permell told Sunday Guardian that the group found evidence of a 180-degree turnaround in the financial health of CL Financial in the 2013 audited statement of one of its major subsidiaries, CL World Brands Ltd (CLWB.) The audited statement, which was signed on May 28, by then Clico chairman Gerald Yetming and Malcolm Holder, points to a £191.9 million or circa $2 billion (TT) net asset,
Peter Permell $1.3 billion (TT) of which represents “cash at bank and in hand.” “This is good news for the policyholders, in the first instance, and the Government because it means that the Government can get back its money. It means that more value is restored to CLF,” Permell declared. He said he intended to present the CLWB audited report to Howai when they meet to show that CLF has money to pay its policy holders.
Permell said even though it was a 2013 statement, it was the most up-to-date report from CLWB, especially since it included post statement sheets with information on transactions outside after the audit date. He also said, in a media statement, that the discovery of the information came on the heels of confirmation by the Governor of the Central Bank and the Minister of Finance that Clico was now solvent and its statutory fund was fully funded. Permell contended that the CPG had always questioned why financial reports were taking so long to be completed and released to the public. He also questioned why, with all the excess liquidity floating around at Clico and CLF, the Government was taking so long to put appropriate mechanisms in place to pay assenting policyholders the balance of their money that is “morally and legally due to them from Clico.”
Trinidad national leadership debate postponed
Jamaica watchdog group regains status as charity KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica’s most prominent human rights group has regained its longstanding status as a charity. Earlier this year, Jamaicans for Justice said it was forced to dramatically cut its operations and turn down grants after the government decided to reject its charity status. Chairman Barry Wade said the denial came due to concerns about the watchdog group’s advocacy for legislative change, a reason he
described as “puzzling” and “contrary to international norms.” But in a Friday statement, Jamaicans for Justice said it has been once again certified as a charitable organization. That means it’s eligible for tax exemption. An official with the government’s Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies, which had rejected the rights group’s renewal application, did not respond to requests for comment.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar (left) and Dr. Keith Rowley PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - A debate between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley, has been postponed. In a letter dated July 3, Lorraine O’Connor, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago
Dates Commission (TTDC), wrote to attorney Larry Lalla stating that the July 30 debate was not possible. Lalla noted that the date was fixed following meetings with the negotiators for the Prime Minister and Rowley. He also stated that this news was deeply disappointing. “Given that the TTDC is not now able to fulfil its commitment to hold a debate on the date fixed, it is surely now time for the debate to be organised by other organisations.” He said the public deserves the opportunity to hear the Prime Minister and “the only other contender” (Rowley) debate their policies in a transparent and timely
way. The TTDC chief executive officer Catherine Kumar told TV6 News on Saturday that the July 30 date was designated prior to the announcement by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) of August 17 as Nomination Day, ahead of the September 7 general election. She said the TTDC still plans to have two debates but can’t do that before Nomination Day, and if the events were to take place, “they probably may be closer to each other”. Kumar said discussions are continuing with the two parties with a view to working out the possibility of having the debates come off.
Monday July 13, 2015
Kaieteur News
England name unchanged squad for second Ashes test
England’s Joe Root celebrates with James Anderson and Alastair Cook after dismissing Australia’s Mitchell Johnson. (Reuters / Philip BrownLivepic) LONDON (Reuters) England have named an unchanged 13-man squad for the second Ashes test at Lord’s next week having thrashed Australia by 169 runs in Cardiff on Saturday to take a 1-0 series lead, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Sunday. England won the opening test inside four days having bowled Australia out for 242, who were chasing a daunting 412 to win, and banished memories of the humiliating 50 Ashes whitewash in the previous series down under. Joe Root scored a masterful hundred in the first innings and a fifty in the second while there were also pressure-easing half centuries from Gary Ballance and Ian Bell. Moeen Ali also scored a swashbuckling 77 and took five wickets, as did Stuart
Broad, in the match as part of an England bowling attack that subdued Australia’s dangerous batting lineup. The opening test also marked the first match in charge for new England head coach Trevor Bayliss, 52, who was appointed Peter Moores’ successor in May. The Australian said he had seen signs during the drawn test series against New Zealand in May and June that England were poised to do something special but warned against complacency ahead of the Lord’s test. “The players have been heading in the right direction over the last series with New Zealand and I was lucky to come in at this time,” Bayliss told reporters. “They are interested in playing good, attacking cricket. Any win is a fantastic feeling.
“The boys are aware that when you beat Australia, the next match is going to be even tougher because they will come back hard. “There is a long way to go in this series. To win we will have to play some very good cricket.” Should the same 11 take the field at the home of cricket on Thursday, Middlesex pace bowler Steven Finn, without a test cap since July 2013, and Yorkshire’s uncapped spinner Adil Rashid will miss out. The third test begins at Edgbaston on July 29, the fourth at Trent Bridge on Aug. 6 and the final match of the series at the Oval on Aug. 20. Squad: Alastair Cook (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Adam Lyth, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood.
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Djokovic downs Federer to win third Wimbledon crown LONDON (Reuters) Novak Djokovic displayed the true depth of his steely core to end Roger Federer’s hopes of a record eighth Wimbledon title with a 7-6(1) 6-7(10) 6-4 6-3 victory on Sunday. The world number one overcame losing a stomachchurning second set tiebreak in which he squandered six points for a two-set lead, rebounding to overwhelm the Centre Court favorite who had reached dizzy heights in beating home favorite Andy Murray in Friday’s spellbinding semi-final. Djokovic now joins his coach Boris Becker on three Wimbledon titles, taking his grand slam haul to nine ahead of the likes of Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl. After swiping away a forehand winner to end a two hour 56 minute contest that never quite reached the heights of last year’s five-set epic, when Djokovic also ended Federer’s bid for an 18th grand slam title, he roared to the skies. The 28-year-old Serb then knelt down and plucked up some of the cherished grass and put it in his mouth. “He (Federer) makes you push your limits, work hard and win every single point,” 28-year-old Djokovic said on court. “I have to say it’s a big challenge playing against
Winner, Novak Djokovic of Serbia and runner-up Roger Federer of Switzerland pose with their trophies after their Men’s Singles Final. (Reuters/Stefan Wermuth) Roger. A lot of players of my generation have looked up to him and followed his lead.” Second seed Federer scored the first blow in the final, breaking for a 4-2 lead but Djokovic hit back immediately. The Serb’s often under-rated serve bailed him out at 5-6 in the first set when he saved two set points and he then ran away with the tiebreak, winning it 7-1 as Federer crumbled. Djokovic had already wasted a set point in the second set before an epic tiebreak. The clinical Serb was 6-3 ahead and seemed to have the final in his pocket,
Hingis, Mirza win women’s doubles
Austin strikes late for Boyz... From page 30 Jamaica now move to four points and on the cusp of qualifying for the quarter-finals, pending the outcome of the Central America derby between Costa Rica and El Salvador. Jamaica got their momentum going in the third minute with a spot of neat passing down the right side, but Adrian Mariappa, who was on the end of it, was hustled in possession and the referee called play back. Canada hit back in the seventh minute when Adam Straith launched a searching ball from deep to Tosaint Ricketts out right, the latter cutting in to pass to Samuel Piette, but the effort was not telling enough. At the other end, a couple of neat combination plays, involving McCleary, Mariappa and Simon Dawkins, put the Jamaicans on course for goal. On a couple of those, Dawkins ended up in possession, but his well-intended efforts lacked the sting and precision to pick the Canadian lock. In the 12th minute, the Canadians again breached the Jamaican backline, putting a nippy-looking Ricketts on a collision course
with Dwayne Miller, but the Syrianska goalkeeper pulled off another fine save. Following a spell of offensive excitement, the Boyz sparked to life in the 26th minute when Dawkins snatched possession close to the half line, passed to McAnuff, who served up a delicious ball for Austin. And the skipper, in typical style, went for a long-ranger from 25 yards, but the target was not acquired. A minute later, Jamaica were again on the attack when Mariappa, maturing in the rightback role, put a low ball in that Canada mishandled, which bounced for a lurking Lawrence, whose low shot failed to beat a web of tangled feet. On the resumption, Jamaica threatened immediately with Dawkins, but the Derby County man could not steer on target an inswinging ball from the right past goalkeeper Kryiakos Stamatopoulos. In the 59th minute, hometown boy Giles Barnes tested the Canada ‘keeper with a teasing 22-yard free kick, which struck the crossbar on its way over.
but Federer showed incredible fight to stay in the final and provoked an explosion of noise heard halfway across London when he cut off a backhand volley to eventually take the breaker 12-10. It proved the high point of the afternoon for the Swiss maestro though and his level dropped sharply as he was broken early in the third set. A short rain delay halted Djokovic’s progress, but when play resumed the fire had gone from Federer’s belly and he was powerless to stop the top seed’s march to victory.
Martina Hingis of Switzerland and Sania Mirza of India pose with their trophies.(Reuters/Toby Melville) LONDON (Reuters) Martina Hingis and partner Sania Mirza produced a stirring fightback to claim the Wimbledon women’s doubles title under the Centre Court roof lights on Saturday. The 34-year-old former Swiss Miss, who won the singles in 1997 and has returned to the doubles circuit with great success after coming out of retirement, held her serve to seal a 5-7 7-
6(4) 7-5 win over Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina. The match had been stopped at 5-5 in the third set to allow the roof to be shut as darkness fell on the All England Club. Mirza was playing her first doubles final at Wimbledon while former world singles number one Hingis lifted the trophy with Helena Sukova in 1996 and Jana Novotna in
1998. “This is above my expectations,” Hingis told reporters. “I had a great partner to pull me through. “It takes guts and courage being 5-2 down in the third set. Couldn’t have asked for more drama.” Earlier Dutch/Romanian duo Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau won the men’s doubles beating Andy Murray’s older brother Jamie and John Peers of Australia 7-6(5) 6-4 6-4. Rojer and Tecau, the fourth seeds, were playing in their first grand slam final as a pair. Tecau avoided becoming the second player in the professional era to lose his first four Wimbledon finals after American Stan Smith. Tecau was runner-up in 2010, 2011 and 2012. “I was extremely happy,” Tecau said. “Very emotional to lose those finals because this is one of my favorite tournaments. I won it here as a junior twice. I wanted to come back and win it as a professional.”
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Kaieteur News
Monday July 13, 2015
Austin strikes late for Boyz Bangladesh square series, in victory over Canada seal Champions Trophy place
Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah put on 135 runs for the third wicket, Bangladesh v South Africa, 2nd ODI, Mirpur. (AFP) ESPNcricinfo - It has taken Bangladesh eight years and eight completed ODIs to record a second victory over South Africa, and it came with some added bonuses. Not only did Bangladesh square the series, they also secured their spot in the 2017 Champions Trophy. One of West Indies or Pakistan will miss out on the tournament but for now, it was South Africa who were left smarting. It was South Africa’s lowest total against Bangladesh and their lowest batting first in an ODI since November 2009, when they were bowled out for 119 by England. South Africa’s batsmen were strangled by both seam and spin on a slow surface. By contrast, Bangladesh seemed to be batting on a totally different pitch and strolled to victory with more than 20 overs to spare. The match was won by Bangladesh’s attack, who displayed the discipline and guile that has seen them enjoy recent success over Pakistan and India. They frustrated the batsmen with tight lines,
changes of pace and a slew of spin to keep the scoring rate down and force poor short selection but had none of the same troubles themselves. With South Africa’s attack failing to find the nagging length, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah anchored the chase with a half-century apiece and a third-wicket stand of 135. South Africa, in contrast, could not even manage a partnership of 30. Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis combined for 29, after Quinton de Kock’s uncomfortable stay at the crease ended when he was squared up by a Mustafizur Rahman delivery that popped up from a short length and took the shoulder of his bat on the way to Sabbir Rahman at backward point. Amla worked his way to 22 which took him to the top of the averages list in ODI cricket, but could not work his way around Rubel Hossain, who uprooted his offstump with the first ball of his second over. Rubel was recalled for this match and stepped up, with two maiden overs in succession to begin the
Brazil’s Wu claims Pan Am shooting gold, Olympic berth (Reuters) Brazil’s Felipe Almeida Wu took gold in the men’s 10 meter air pistol at the Pan American Games on Sunday, clinching an automatic qualifying spot at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Wu, silver medalist in the air rifle at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics, finished with a total score of 201.8 to edge out American Jay Shi, who took silver with 199.0. Ecuador’s Mario Vinueza Delgado grabbed bronze to complete the podium. The men’s air pistol is one of a handful of disciplines in 10 sports at the July 10-26 Pan Am Games which offer athletes a chance to secure spots in next year’s Rio Olympics.
drought. He operated in tandem with Shakib Al Hasan, who rushed Rilee Rossouw by pushing deliveries through flat and fast. The more Rossouw battled to get him away, the more the pressure built. By the time Nasir Hossain came on, Rossouw was confounded and missed a straight one to end an unconvincing knock. That was the first soft dismissal; David Miller, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy went the same way. Miller chipped Mahmudullah to short midwicket, du Plessis, who worked hard for his runs holed out to long-on and JP Duminy drove a Mustafizur offcutter to short cover. Bangladesh were into South Africa’s lower-order with 20 overs left in the innings, which gave Farhaan Behardien an opportunity to prove his worth. He batted with resolve, sought runs straight down the ground and ushered Chris Morris, Kagiso and Kyle Abbot through some tail wagging. Behardien’s 36 pushed South Africa’s score to some respectability but it was still a big ask for their bowlers. Kagiso Rabada seemed up for it when he bowled Tamim Iqbal with his first ball - a fast, full delivery that the opener dragged onto his leg stump - and removed Litton Das’ off stump in his next over. If Bangladesh were rattled, they did not show it. Sarkar and Mahmudullah were confident, targeting Chris Morris who, like Kyle Abbott, often bowled too straight, and JP Duminy. Sarkar’s half-century came off 47 balls, an indication that run-scoring was not as laboured as South Africa had made it look. Sarkar alone scored 13 fours and six; in their entire innings South Africa managed 14 fours and a six. Mahmudullah’s fifty was harder work and came off 63 balls but his staying power meant Bangladesh did not have to worry about middleorder wobbles. In a stamp of his authority on the match, Sarkar even took on Imran Tahir, South Africa’s most threatening bowler, as the target was within sight. He sent two full tosses to the rope and then sealed the win with a slowswept six to level the series 1all going into Wednesday’s decider. Scores: Bangladesh 167 for 3 (Sarkar 88*, Mahmudullah 50) beat South Africa 162 (du Plessis 41, Nasir, 3-26, Mustafizur 338) by seven wickets.
Jamaica’s captain Rodolph Austin celebrates his goal in stoppage time against Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. (PHOTO: AFP) Jamaica Observer HOUSTON, Texas — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz turned up the heat on Canada in a late flourish to snatch the winner in their Group B CONCACAF Gold Cup
encounter on a hot Texas evening at the BBVA Compass Stadium here Saturday. Captain Rodolph Austin, named man-of-the-match in Jamaica’s previous 2-2 draw
with Costa Rica on Wednesday, popped up in the box to head home a pinpoint, right-sided cross from Reading FC’s Garath McCleary. Continued on page 29
Keith Thurman defends title, calls out Floyd Mayweather TAMPA, FL – (Yahoo Sports) WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman remained undefeated Saturday night as Luis Collazo retired on his stool after the seventh round at the USF Sundome in Tampa, Fla. In what has become a formality with the most talented welterweights in the world, Thurman took the chance to call out pound-forpound king Floyd Mayweather after his victory. “I’m a young, strong champion, Floyd, come get it,” Thurman said to the camera during his postfight interview in the ring. “I’m undefeated like you, baby, come take my ‘[zero],’ baby. I’m ready.” While Thurman may feel he’s ready for Mayweather, things weren’t always easy during the main event of the ESPN primetime debut of the Premier Boxing Champions. Collazo hurt Thurman with a perfect left hand to the body near the end of the fifth round that forced Thurman to run and try to hold on for the remainder of the round. “He caught me with a great body shot, but I took it, I endured like a champion does,” Thurman said. Thurman did indeed endure like a champion, something Collazo couldn’t seem to do after a cut developed near his right eye. Collazo told his corner and the ring doctor after the
Keith Thurman (left) exchanges blows with Luis Collazo during their WBA Welterweight fight on July 11, 2015 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) seventh that he could not see out of the eye and could not continue. “I couldn’t see nothing,” Collazo (36-7, 19 KOs) said during his postfight interview. “I’m the type of fghter, I keep going if I could. I couldn’t see, so better safe than sorry.” On the broadcast, ESPN commentator Teddy Atlas said Thurman injured his left hand in training camp and hinted that it might have affected the champion. Still, Thurman improved to 26-0 with 22 knockouts in his first fight since defeating Robert Guerrero on March 7 on the
primetime debut of the Premier Boxing Champions on NBC. Upset time: On the televised undercard, Willie Nelson shocked prospect Tony Harrison with a knockout at 2:57 of the ninth round in a junior middleweight bout. Nelson (24-2-1, 14 KOs) was behind on the scorecards of a mostly lackluster fight before delivering a pair of big right hands that floored Harrison (21-1, 18 KOs). Harrison, 24, rose to his feet but looked shaky and turned his back to referee Frank Santore Jr. as Santore called the bout.
Monday July 13, 2015
Letter to the Sports Editor
Football MalAdministration & Under-development, at an all-time low! DEAR SIR, “With administration being the most important, but yet still the most unthankful area of any sport,” I still support the notion of the philosopher, who once said, “If one were to ask me for the prerequisite of being involved, in sport, I would say it is to be happy”. Editor, while I cannot provide the answers for numerous past (old school) administrators, along with a few present ones. For myself, empathically, I can say I am unhappy! Unhappy in the sense, that in our time, management/ coaching/ physical training et.al of national teams was done primarily, on a voluntary basis. Occasionally, a stipend was worked out for local matches, whenever profitability was substantial. Meanwhile, fast-forward to 2015, with an extended administrative arm of the Normalization Committee, consisting of no less than three (3) individuals in the area of management, suffice it to say that financial remunerations are accorded. But yet still regularization of immigration status of overseas born players for national representation were a colossal failure; moreover, with one of the players have represented England, the country of his birth at the junior level. Editor, it would be remiss of me not to mention, and of course for public edification, outside of recruitment for national representation by overseas born player (s) by FIFA statues, three (3) clauses are applicable: i. Mixed parentages/ Grandparents ii. Representing a country of birth, at the under 21 level, then switching to another country, confirming to clause (1). iii.Declaration of self-independence (break-away) from a sovereign state. i.e. Yugoslavia- Croatia! (This however, is a longer and more tedious process). If the afore-mentioned are not known then, the entire administration (management included must be replaced), since an extension of the administration occurred, with the under-23 national team for the Olympic Qualifiers. Whereby, an overage player was selected and travelled also? Once again, wastage of scarce finances. Editor, on a pertinent point the “Adoption of the GFF’s Constitution, by the majority at the behest of the Normalization Committee” With the possibility existing of legal ramifications! Can it be ascertained if based on the previous constitution; the articulation pertaining to “loss of membership” was applicable? Whereas prolonged inactivity in relation to coordinating competitions; convening General Council Meetings, Submission of its Annual Calender of Activities inclusive of:(Bi) Annual Audited Financial Statements, Minutes of Meetings. How many Associations fulfilled all, if not most of these requirements that previously would have enabled them of affiliate status? Failing which, “Associate status, devoid of voting rights” is applied with the concurrence of the General Council! Within this context, how is there an increase of affiliates? What criteria were utilized? “With the comedy of errors continuing unabatedly and the mal-administration and under development at an all-time low”, best suited for the Critchlow Labour College Auditorium in “nothing to laugh about”! Inclusiveness must be extended to the former GFF President, Christopher Matthias and his two acolytes that were all armed with placards, picketing outside the Marriot Hotel, where the Normalization Committee held its Congress. Picket/ Protest over what? When factually and in actuality the “beginning/suspension of Executive Members of the UDFA, almost two years ago, during Matthias’ tenure was: Unconstitutional, a breach of natural injustice and dictatorial. The bigger picture simply translate into “all are involved, all are consumed”! A burning shame that in 2015 abnormalcy supersedes normalcy, to the extent that, No Association, for the corresponding period under review, have coordinated a senior and under- 21 league competition, to aid in the proper selection of national teams. Hence, first round eliminations! What is now the new dispensation with an expanded Digicel Schools’ Championship, including a private lesson holder as a participant along with tertiary institutions? Am I happy, definitely not! Respectfully yours, Lester Sealey
Kaieteur News
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Geron Williams win Inaugural David Granger cycle event
Minister Nicolette Henry presents the winning prize to Geron Williams as former Mayor Errol Alphonso other sponsors and organisers share the moment. By Samuel Whyte Geron Williams, in a time of 2hrs: 34:36.77 seconds, edged out a star studded field in a tight, 10 man sprint home to take top spot in the inaugural David Granger – collation victory cycle event which was held yesterday. The 60 miles event which was organized by the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) was staged along the Corentyne highway and saw 37 cyclists taking to the starting line. The riders were sent on their way by Minister in the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Youth, Sports and Culture Nicolette Henry who was assisted by former Mayor of New Amsterdam Errol Alphonso. The race got on the way from in front of the Lewis and Sons General Store at Rose Hall Town and journey to the Springlands Police station before returning to it place for origin. As the cyclists went on the grueling journey, a bunch of 15 quickly separated themselves from the rest of the field and stayed together for most of the upward ride. By the half way stage on the downward journey a three man team of Robin Persaud, Christopher Holder and Alanzo Ambrose made a break for it, but were sucked in by the chasing pack after about five miles. During the return phase, top cyclist Orville Hinds suffered a fall,
but was able to quickly regain his composure and rejoin the leading bunch after a while. With just about a mile to go the race was still up for grabs as the bunch kept together and the cyclists still tried to outdo each other. In the final sprint home it was Williams that was able to edge home ahead of Orville Hinds in second with Robin Persaud third, Shaquille Agard fourth as Hamza Eastman, Michael Anthony, Christopher Holder and Rawle Leal rounded out the top eight. On the veterans side, the consistent Junior Niles was the first to cross the finish line as he rode away from Leer Nunes and Jaikaran Sookhai. Jamal John was the first junior to cross the line as he won from Andrew Hicks and Rapheal Leung. The winner in the beginner ’s category was Curtis Dey with Kellon Collins and Keoma Logan rounding out the top three. On the distaff side Toshawana Doris made full use of a slight mishap by top cyclist Marica Dick to ride home with Dick coming in second as Whitney Poyer placed third. Robin Persaud copped three prime point prizes with Geron Williams. There were one each for Michael Anthony, Raul Leal, Stephano Husbands, Paul DeNobrega and Alanzo Ambrose.
Minister Henry expressed thanks to the organizers for their thought in organizing the event in honour of his Excellency President David Granger and the collation for their victory at the recently held General and Regional Elections. She stated that President Granger would have loved to be present at the event, but was unavoidably absent since he is out of the country. She said that youths and the development of youths is of much importance to his Excellency. She also mentioned that opportunities and activities like the cycling event provides an ideal setting for development, discipline, character and team spirit all of which are desirables characteristic for a globally productive citizen. She expressed sincere thanks on behalf of his Excellency President Granger, herself and government to the organizers, sponsors and supporters. She also had words of commendation for the participants especially the winners and other outstanding participants. She also promised to convey all the sentiments expressed to his Excellency as soon as possible. Mr. Alphonso who is also patron of the FACC, gave brief remarks and thanked the Minister for taking time out of her busy schedule to be a
part of the activity. He also congratulated the cyclists especially the winners and those from out of Berbice. He also made a call for more females to be a part of cycling in the country. Alphonso also had much praise of the work that Coach Randolph Roberts is doing, especially in helping to keep youths off the streets, away from illegal and illicit activities and meaningfully occupied. Coordinator Randolph Roberts and assistant organizer Eli Hazel also took the opportunity to thank Minister Henry for giving her blessing and being a part of the presentation activity. Roberts for his part was very thankful to all the sponsors and made a commitment that the event will be a part of the FACC calendar of events. He promised a bigger and better event next year. Among the sponsors were Mark and Neil Lewis of Lewis and Sons General Store Rose Hall Town, Kurt Alphonso of HE Alphonso and Sons of Berbice, Assistant Commissioner of Police Brian Joseph, who also donated a trophy for the top cyclist in the beginners category, Dharry Tulsie, Eureka Lab, Dr. Michele Ming and Businessman Mark Arokium among others. Malcolm Sonoram was the race director with Joseph Briton his assistant.
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Kaieteur News
Monday July 13, 2015
Tridents repel Tallawahs to Vintage Hodge fires Amazon Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel beat St Kitts head on up & Nevis Patriots by six wickets! Warriors to easy victory CPL - In a thrilling match which see-sawed in momentum between two closely matched sides, Barbados Tridents eventually defended 146/7 to beat Jamaica Tallawahs by 17 runs before a packed-out Sabina Park to head to the top of the CPL standings Saturday. In an amazing atmosphere at Kingston, Dilshan Munaweera tried to quell the noise from the home fans as he made a quick start for the Tridents, assisted by fellow opener Dwayne Smith. But after the Sri Lankan opener departed with 33 runs on the board and Jonathan Carter went soon afterwards, the Tallawahs applied further pressure and slowed the run rate right down in front of a partisan home crowd, their efforts lead by Jerome Taylor and Rusty Theron. New arrival Misbah-ul-Haq was out for a duck, while Kieron Pollard made a scratchy start but did get going late in the innings after being dropped twice. Jason Holder contributed at the other end after also getting a reprieve thanks to a misfield by Mahela Jayawardena on the boundary. Pollard hit 16 of the 22 runs in the final over as he finished on 59*, giving his team something to defend after a challenging 20 overs in a knock that would prove to be the centrepoint of man-ofthe-match performance. The Tallawahs suffered an early blow in their run chase after losing Chris Gayle for 14 runs, but it was the decisive contribution of Robin Peterson that really changed the course of the game. The bowler took two wickets with his first two balls – including the dangerous Chris Lynn, who made way for 13 – and, while
his hat-trick was denied, the South African bowled Jerome Blackwood after dismissing Jayawardena to claim three wickets in the over. The Tallawahs were losing wickets too regularly for comfort, but the run rate was not suffering and, with Chadwick Walton still at the crease, the hosts seemed like the favourites to claim victory. But Rayad Emrit dismissed the opener during a fine spell in which he went for just 3.5 runs per over, and by the end of the contest the Tallawahs batsmen could not find the boundary rope as the Tridents won with something to spare to climb to the top of the Hero Motocorp Leaderboard. Meanwhile, Red Steel captain Dwayne Bravo produced a man of the match performance as he lifted his side off the bottom of the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League table as they cruised past the Patriots in the last game at Warner Park. Bravo claimed his second four-wicket haul of this year’s CPL, taking 4-29 in 4 superb overs - which also saw him reach the milestone of 250 T20 wickets, only the fifth player to reach that landmark. Bravo was ably supported by Samuel Badree (2-18) and Johan Botha (2-23) ans the Patriots struggled to put together a challenging total only a few hours after their fine win over the St Lucia Zouks, bowled out off the last ball for 146 in their 20 overs. That was largely thanks to Devon Thomas’s fabulous late knock of 44 off 23 balls, including 22 off the last over, which saw them at least have something to defend.
Shabazz back & ready to rebuild “Energized and Ready to Go!” This is how National Coach Jamaal Shabazz describes his mood on his return to Guyana after a two week break in Trinidad. Undaunted by the fact that Guyana does not have a major tournament until next year, given this country’s failure to advance in the World Cup, Shabazz is still upbeat. “In six months we got the national team back up to a level where we can compete. Not advancing in the qualifiers will never be allowed to kill our spirits. “We cannot be faint hearted nor weak, this is a time to show faith, conviction and strength,” he explained. “But we must show patience and resilience and God would help us bring the people together and grow the Guyana football.” A keen follower of Caribbean politics, Shabazz says Guyana’s football can learn a lot from the ascension into office by the APNU/AFC alliance. “Normally sport especially football teaches politicians to come together. But now the football fraternity in Guyana is so divided we can learn from what we saw with the formation of the new Government of Guyana. In the last elections both parties lost but saw the potential of their
Jamaal Shabazz power as a united effort and after 4 years they now reaping the benefits of uniting for a common good.” Pointing to the GFF upcoming elections Shabazz said, “This family called Guyana football is divided because two much IMen want to dictate instead of stakeholders coming together in a forum to decide on a collective pathway. Chairman Mao is no more and so to the politics of a Supreme Leader is dead.” “The stakeholders must have a voice because the people must have a say in how their affairs are run,” he added. “Football is a team sport based on unity and organization. Anyone who wants to lead football but desire to create chaos and
disunity cannot be on a football agenda.” Asked to comment on the dismissal of the three managers from the senior and Under-23 teams, Shabazz stated: “This matter will be resolved no need for people to take sides and further fragment the football. They are my colleagues and how we treat with this situation that is so close to my heart will be a test on whether we want to walk the unity or just talk the unity.” With regard to the National team programme, Shabazz is to have a meeting this week with the Technical Director and the GFF General Secretary. “Our aim is to get the local based players back into training as soon as possible but we have to meet with those in authority first. But our enthusiasm and passion are alive and we have a strong will to resolve those staff issues,” insisted Shabazz. Ending on a philosophical note Shabazz said, “You know Allah says if the journey was short and the victory was in sight they all would follow you. But the journey is long and it weighs heavy. I encourage the Guyanese people home and abroad not to become weak. This is a time we must show strength and continue the rebuilding process.”
CPL - Guyana Amazon Warriors ensured Jamaica Tallawahs endured misery in their final match on home turf in this year’s Caribbean Premier League as Denesh Ramdin’s side thrashed the hosts by 84 runs at Sabina Park. Guyana made a modest start, with Assad Fudadin going along at a strike-rate of 80 after five overs and fellow opener Lendl Simmons not getting off the mark until his 11th ball faced. Despite a quick four and a six from Simmons, the Amazon Warriors were just 29/5 after five overs. Simmons stuck around for 36 runs from 32 balls and Fudadin made a first CPL halfcentury, hitting 54 from 43 deliveries. While the openers picked up the pace, their main contribution to the Guyana innings was the solid platform they laid. Umar Akmal – who reached 3000 T20 runs – took advantage, but this innings will be remembered for the contribution of one man. Brad Hodge picked up the momentum for Guyana with a power-packed knock of 65* from just 30 balls, including six maximums. The Tallawahs bowlers, who restricted the openers to such good effect at the start, where unravelling as Hodge helped himself, hitting a six from the final ball of the innings to help the Amazon Warriors to their
Lendl Simmons plays into the off-side during his innings. (CPL) highest total of this year’s tournament. The Tallawahs needed 180 to win and, despite a Chris Gayle six in the first over, this was a run chase that never looked like being successful. Chadwick Walton went for a three-ball duck, while Gayle departed for 11 in the third over and Bonner was dismissed for 3 in fifth over. Chris Lynn again got off to an explosive start, but again he failed to go on for the Tallawahs and the Aussie went for 16. The resistance instead came from Andre Russell, who despite suffering a bad knock to the knee less than 24 hours earlier
against Barbados Tridents took the attack to the Guyana bowling. The hosts were five wickets down but Russell was building momentum and, for a brief spell, it seemed possible that he could deliver a most unlikely victory for Jamaica. But his clean hitting was put to an end by the debutant David Wiese, who celebrated appropriately as the Amazon Warriors more or less secured a notable win. And the Tallawahs must have known it too, losing their last five wickets for just two runs as Ronsford Beaton picked up three wickets in just four balls to wrap up the game.
Regional U17 tourney
Guyana thump Leewards to record second victory Guyana defeated the Leeward Islands by 126 runs when the Regional U17 50over tournament continued yesterday in Tobago. Playing at Canaan, Guyana posted 207 all out in 48.1 overs, batting first. Ramnarine Chatura led with 39, while Joshua Persaud cracked 33, Richie Looknauth 23 not out and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed 23. Zawandi Whyte claimed 4-39 and Tassilo Allen 2-25. Leewards were sent packing for 81 in 30.2 overs in reply. Jemuel Cabey made 23 as Bhaskar Yadram snared 310. At Shaw Park, Windward Islands trounced Jamaica by 103 runs. Windwards took first strike and rattled up 2255 off their allotted 50 overs. Johann Jeremiah struck an unbeaten 84 and Nick Elibox 50 not out. Jamaica were
Joshua Persaud
Bhaskar Yadram
bowled out for 122 in 29 overs in response. Ajae Gordon made 45, Kashwayne Beale 30; Johnnel Eugene bagged 5-22 and Narun Singh 2-41. At Louis D’Or, Trinidad & Tobago overcame Barbados by 5 wickets. Barbados batted first and were skittled for 82
in 21.4 overs. Shian Brathwaite scored 35; Nathaniel Mc David grabbed 5-22 and Kirstan Kallicharran 2-4. Trinidad and Tobago replied with 86-5 in 24.2 overs. Keagan Simmons slammed 40 and Cephas Cooper 21; Donte Nile took 3-9.