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AIETEUR NEWS
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OAS Secretary
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Tuesday Edition July 14, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 28
General makes good on Permanent Council threat
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80
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Lowenfield given final chance to prepare report on recount figures by - DCEO on standby 2:30pm today if he refuses GECOM Chair says...
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oil similar Finance Ministry Orinduik to crude produced
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warns staff not to discuss Govt, business p. 3
by Venezuela, Brazil and Angola - Eco Atlantic CEO Three patients 13p. recover at GPHC - but circular ends up being leaked from COVID-19 using USAID calls on Granger plasma from survivors
to assure peaceful CSEC, CAPE exams begin as COVID-19 fears mount transition of Govt. - almost 13,000 students registered Lowenfield remains on the job amid mounting calls for dismissal p. 12
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- ANUG says GECOM Chair showing weakness
GECOM chair throws out March 13th elections declarations p. 8
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
Orinduik oil similar to crude produced by Venezuela, Brazil and Angola - Eco Atlantic CEO O
il company, Eco Atlantic says that the oil discovered last year in the Orinduik block's Jethro and Joe wells has shown, after fluid sample analysis, to be similar to the crude being supplied by major oil producing provinces like Venezuela, Angola and Brazil. In its audited financial statements for the first quarter ended March 31, the company – which holds a 15 percent working interest in the Orinduik concession – said fluid samples analysis results from both of the wells confirmed that they contain mobile heavy crude with high sulphur content. Eco said that the crude appears “not dissimilar” to the commercial heavy crudes in the nearby Hammerhead discovery in the Stabroek Block and to those currently in production in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, the Campos Basin in Brazil, Venezuela and Angola. It was noted that the company engaged an independent third-party consultant with heavy oil development and economics expertise to help conduct preliminary evaluations related to various production and commercialization schemes. Apart from this,
Kaieteur News understands that in February, Eco Atlantic filed a National Instrument 51-101 compliant resource report on the Orinduik Block. That report noted that there was a significant increase in Gross Prospective Resources to 5.1 billion barrels as opposed to the previous estimate of 3.9 billion. The latter estimate was provided to the market in March, 2019. It was also noted that there are 22 drilling prospects identified on Orinduik Block, including 11 leads in the Upper Cretaceous horizon, the same place in which ExxonMobil has made most of its sweet, light oil discoveries. This newspaper understands that most of the 22 leads have over a 30% or better chance of success (COS). The report said that this conclusion was enhanced by the recent discovery of light oil in the Carapa-1 Well on the Kanuku Block to the south of Orinduik. Further assessments also show that leads in the Tertiary aged section where the heavy oil was found is estimated to contain 1.2 billion barrels of recoverable resource while leads in the Cretaceous section are
estimated to contain approximately 3.9 billion recoverable resource. Orinduik JV Partners It was in January, 2016 that Eco signed a Petroleum Agreement and became party to a Petroleum Licence
with the Government of Guyana and Tullow Oil for the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana. Tu l l o w O i l a s t h e Operator of the Block paid past costs and carried Eco for the first 1000km2 of the 2 5 5 0 k m 2 3 D S u r v e y. Further, Tullow contributed an extensive 2D seismic data set and interpretation. The Company's 2550 km2 3D seismic survey was
completed in September 2017, well within the initial four-year work commitment the Company made for the initial 1000km2. In September 2017, Eco announced that its subsidiary, Eco Atlantic (Guyana) Inc. entered into an option agreement on its Orinduik Block with Total, a wholly owned subsidiary of Total S.A. Pursuant to the option.
Total paid an option fee of US$1 million to farm-in to the Orinduik Block. An additional payment of US$12,500,000 was made when Total exercised its option to earn 25 percent of Eco's working interest in September 2018. Following the exercise of the option by Total, the Block's working interests became: Tullow – 60% (Operator), Total – 25% and Eco – 15%.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 14, 2020
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OAS Secretary General makes good on Permanent Council threat - Guyana may face similar resolution as Venezuela on govt. legitimacy
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he Secretary General of the Organisation of American States, Luis Almagro has requested the Chair of the Permanent Council Luis Fernando Cordero Montoya, to convene a meeting with the aim of addressing the electoral situation in Guyana. This is in line with a previous statement from the OAS, which warned that the Secretariat would write to the Council on the Guyana situation Almagro published notice of his request on Twitter, with a copy of the letter attached. Addressing the Chair, Almagro stated, “I have the honour of addressing Your Excellency to request your support in calling a meeting of the Permanent Council to deal with the situation of the
electoral process in Guyana.” The Permanent Council is one of the two main political bodies of the OAS, alongside the General Assembly, responsible for watching vigilantly over the maintenance of friendly relations among the member states, and assists them in the peaceful settlement of their disputes. As it relates to the Guyana situation, the member states had signed on to the Inter American Democratic Charter in 2001, which states that, “The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it.” Referring to this verse of the Charter in a recent statement, the OAS underscored the responsibility of
Governments in this hemisphere to seek after good democracy with its member states, and stated, “It is past time that the current leaders of Guyana comply with their democratic responsibilities and allow the newly elected government to take its place.” Guyana's electoral process has dragged on for four months, with officials at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) continuing to rack up attempts to alter the correct results so that it gives the APNU+AFC coalition a false victory. The Chief Elections Officer has been given his fourth chance by Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice Claudette Singh to submit a report based on the recount results, which shows
Finance Ministry warns staff not to discuss Govt. business - but circular ends up being leaked
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t appears that nothing can be kept secret when it comes to government business, not even a circular warning staff about the need for confidentiality. According to a circular that was leaked to social media, and issued by Finance Secretary, Michael Joseph yesterday, there are strict rules against making public state business. That circular too, ended up being leaked. “It has been brought to my attention that several staff members are involved in discussions and posting on social media and public fora, matters concerning the Government's business and political affairs,” Joseph said in the purported circular sent to his staff. He said that public servants should conduct themselves with regards to the tenets of confidentiality and objectivity when it comes to the “state of keeping or being kept secret or private of our knowledge of Government business,
NOT SECRET: Finance Secretary, Michael Joseph and a lack of bias, judgment, or prejudice while performing our duties competently.” The Finance Secretary yesterday also pointed to the Public Service Rules in relation to public servants and the press: “…not at any time during his or her engagement make public or disclose to any person any information as to the practice or as to any other
matters concerning the Government's business, which may come to his knowledge in the course of his engagement and or involve in any political discussion whereby the operations of the government as a whole comes into the discourse.” Joseph warned that anyone found in breach of this regulation shall be subjected to disciplinary action. The warnings of the Finance Secretary come on the very day Kaieteur News published an article exposing a US$14.63M contract signed by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on the final day of the recount, with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for a hydropower project. The article had exposed Government's disregard for its caretaker status as stipulated by the Caribbean Court of Justice in its ruling on the No Confidence Motion which defeated the Government on December 21, 2018.
OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro the PPP/C to have a 15,416vote lead over APNU+AFC. In a statement last Friday, the OAS had condemned persons whose actions display clear partisan bias, and who apply this bias unreservedly in hindering the natural unfolding of the democratic process in Guyana. In this regard, it called for those persons to be excluded from the electoral process. In the following statement released the next day, it became apparent that the OAS was referring principally to the Chief Elections Officer, who it said is acting in bad faith and contrary to the interest of democracy in Guyana. Despite its urgency, the Chair refused to dismiss Lowenfield amidst mounting calls, and has given him yet another chance to submit a report on the correct results of the elections.
Meanwhile, the meeting of the OAS Permanent Council which has been requested by Almagro, is set to elevate the protraction and hijacking of Guyana's democracy to an international stage for consideration by the organisation's 35 member states. This Council has the power to pass resolutions condemning illegitimate governments and refusing to recognise them. One example is its decision not to recognise the legitimacy of the Maduro Government in 2019, following a noncredible election in 2018. Though APNU+AFC officials condemn foreign governments and multilateral organisations now for speaking on the Guyana situation, Guyana joined 18 other nations in the hemisphere on the successful resolution at the OAS, condemning the illegitimate Maduro Government. Back in April, US Ambassador Sarah Lynch had responded to criticisms of US policy on the Guyana situation, reminding that in January 2019, Guyana displayed its leadership in defence of representative government recently by joining other Lima Group members from the Americas to strive for a democratic resolution to the crisis in Venezuela. She had stated “Along with 12 other countries, Guyana proclaimed in January 2019, 'We reiterate that the electoral process that
took place in Venezuela on May 20, 2018, lacked legitimacy as it neither included the participation of all political actors in Venezuela, nor did it have the presence of independent international observers, nor did it comply with the necessary guarantees or international standards for a free, fair and transparent election. Accordingly, we do not recognize the legitimacy of the new presidential term of Nicolás Maduro, or his regime, which commences on January 10, 2019.” Guyana has made good on its commitment to respect the Charter in other cases as well. Internationallyrespected Caribbean academic and diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders had told Kaieteur Radio in June that Guyana's undermined democratic electoral process could get it thrown out of the OAS if a government is sworn in on the basis of false results. Such an attempt has been made five times during this election season. Following resolutions by organisations like the OAS, it is not uncommon for consequences to follow. Venezuela is a striking example of the effectiveness of sanctions against undemocratic governments. Countries in the hemisphere have executed a range of sanctions against the government and against offending officials for years. Venezuelan officials (continued on page 9)
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL TEL:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Sanctions - should Guyanese press for them?
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he calls for sanctions to be handed down are coming from more Guyanese. The calls are for tailored sanctions, with America taking the lead, to be targeted against unconstitutional and undemocratic Guyanese political leaders. Specifically, sanctions appealed for from Guyanese are for obstinate coalition leaders, who stand in the way of progress and the future of the peoples of this country, its peace, and its place in the comity of recognized and favoured nations. We do not want to, but we find ourselves drawn. Drawn to what, it appears, that the world is clamouring for, and what Guyanese believe will bring President Granger and his fellow partners in political provocations and leadership derelictions to their senses, and to an appreciation for the severe consequences of their ongoing rejections of rule of law. As we look at his, and listen to what makes the rounds, we hear much of what is punitive, even vindictive sometimes. Truth be told, if there is any group that is deserving, it is this Guyanese political coalition, which has first disappointed and disgusted many citizens, and then heaped upon that disenchantment and disillusionment. The thinking is prices must be paid. We at this paper feel all those things and deeply. But whatever sanctions are in mind, it is our position that they must be more of the corrective, and less of the punitive. The punitive brings out the worst in some men. They stiffen their spines and pretend at being victims unfairly targeted. And when they hurt and feel pain (in any form), they pass that on to the rest of the hapless population. The overwhelming majority of the population is left in worse shape than before, through much hardship and suffering. Rogue leaders in pariah states around the world have developed a knack of shrugging off the blows of sanctions, of living with them (living well, too), and of not caring for the plight of their peoples, who reel under harsh burdens, because of their leadership’s weaknesses and the woes that flow from them. Even if, by some miracle, this was not the situation experienced by larger Guyana, there still has to be a roadmap that charts the way either adjacent to the application of targeted sanctions, or that paves the way for what lies beyond such implementation. They are sure to come from all around, not just from the US, as make clear by US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Guyana’s trading partners and advisory reservoir from the B and C and E countries are certain to follow suit. The Asian nations, be they Japan or India or South Korea, will be watched to assess their reactions to any such developments concerning sanctions, if and when they were to come. If they all were to give some degree of support - in both tangible and less physical forms - to Western originated sanctions, then the walls would have close in tightly around Guyana and Guyanese. This would not just be felt by leaders in the coalition and its extensive cabal of cronies. For when sanctions come, no matter how targeted at the top and the cream of the perpetrators of multiple injustices, it would encircle also those less fortunate citizens for whom there is no wiggle room, who had no financial cushion to speak of, at the beginning. There would be no escaping for them from the squeezes. Already some unavailability has happened under the radar with medicines, and pressures from prices for needed goods. This is harrowing in the contemplation. It is why we tread gingerly in adding our voice to calls for sanctions, even targeted ones. This is not due to any empathy for coalition leaders, or
A competent and transparent government does not need a mouthpiece DEAR EDITOR, As provided for under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the protection and promotion of a free, independent, and diverse media in all forms is crucial to the functioning of inclusive, peaceful, and democratic societies across the world. Additionally, Article 146 of the Constitution of Guyana guarantees freedom of expression. However, one must wonder to what extent, if any, should state-funded or controlled agencies such as the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (i.e., Guyana Chronicle) and National Communications Network (NCN) be used to mislead or blatantly lie to the people of Guyana? Although the state-operated Guyana Chronicle and NCN have historically favoured the government of the day, such practices have
taken on a whole new meaning under the APNU+AFC regime. The Guyana Chronicle, whose board of directors is appointed by the government, has descended into a full-blown propaganda machine that stinks of partisanship and state interference at every corner. Ironically, this newspaper, if you can call it that, is overseen by beleaguered former Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, whose earlier career as a journalist placed him at the forefront of the fight for press freedom when none existed in Guyana. Similarly, NCN which receives subsidies and contributions from the Prime Minister’s office has been equally partisan as reflected in new programmes, elections coverage, and guest appearances. In its 2020 Freedom of the World Report, the research institute and think tank, Freedom House noted that there have been “concerns over the
editorial independence of the state-owned Guyana Chronicle” in recent years. In fact, one does not need to rely on Freedom House to highlight the extent of state meddling or one-sided reporting in the Guyana Chronicle or NCN. One only needs to quickly glance at the headlines or news coverage on any given day, especially since March 2. The straw that broke the camel’s back for me is the page one headline of the Sunday, July 12, 2020, edition of the Guyana Chronicle that reads “APNU+AFC Wins”. This repugnant headline not only flies in the face of decent and honest reporting but is also irresponsible and utterly wicked. The whole world knows that the APNU+AFC did not win the March 2 elections. To use state resources to communicate anything else is despicable and an insult to inde-
pendent-minded Guyanese and taxpayers as a whole. While the Fourth Estate’s role is fundamentally important in developing countries like Guyana, this abhorrent assault on our collective intelligence and on the back of taxpayers needs to stop. And while it is duly recognized that the behaviour of these state-run media agencies will not change unless and until a transfer of power takes place, any promise or assurance that they will be free of political interference if and when such a transfer takes place will not suffice. Therefore, it is incumbent on the next government to divest any and all state interest in the media. A competent and transparent government does not need a mouthpiece. should let their policies, performance, and good governance do the talking. Yours faithfully, Omchand Mahdu
Condemn attack on small Caricom States DEAR EDITOR, As part of my studies, I am fortunate to travel to almost all of the small island states of Caricom (plus French and Dutch islands and the few remaining British colonies) some multiple times interacting with so many Guyanese. The small islands have been very hospitable to Guyanese who are most appreciative of being permitted to make a living in them. The Guyanese diaspora would not agree with the vitriolic attack against the small islanders by Raphael Trotman. In fact, they condemn such acrid comments. I am also disappointed with the acerbic remarks uttered by Trotman, against ‘small member states’ telling them “to mind their own business” after they made remarks calling for the declaration of election results as per the national recount of votes and the ruling of the Trinidadbased CCJ. That is not the Trotman I knew who condemned Burnham and Hoyte’s electoral frauds and the persecution unleashed on Guyanese by the dictatorship between 1966 and 1992. For his remark
and for defending Mingo and Lowenfield electoral fraud, Trotman is losing the peoples’ respect. Trotman unwisely said: “the political situation in Guyana is Guyana’s problem”. Yet it was de facto President David Granger that called on PM Mia Mottley and other Caricom leaders to visit Guyana on March 13 to help bring about a solution to publicly exposed electoral fraud. Former PMs Owen Arthur and Bruce Golding reported they observed efforts to rig the vote count in public view. It was Guyana government that asked for Caricom’s intervention. Thus, it is inappropriate for a government official to attack fellow Caricom states on the issue. Besides, in a globalized world and in the integrated Caribbean, member states have a right to speak out against electoral fraud. It would be inappropriate for Caricom to stand by silently while rights are violated as happened between 1966 and 1992. Contrary to Trotman, Guyana does not have a constitutional crisis. It has an election declaration crisis in which the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield,
any of its inner influential circles, who have refused to detach themselves from what is flagrantly wrong, or to come forward and speak out against what is against conscience and is all about bad faith serially practiced and displayed, without shame. We have no good feeling for any of them, what was there before has evaporated. But we feel for the people. The poor and struggling in this country, who hope and are betrayed. They deserve better.
has refused to follow the directives of the election commission (GECOM) to prepare the final results of the recount as the basis for a declaration. On three occasions, the CEO defied the order submitting his own manufactured numbers that showed the incumbent won the elections. The vote recount was carried out by Caricom monitors that came from St. Vincent, Barbados, and Antigua. The Prime Ministers of Barbados and St. Vincent have been in the forefront calling for closure of the electoral process in Guyana. The President of the CCJ, Justice Saunders, who is from St. Vincent, and other judges unanimously ruled that GECOM must instruct the CEO to prepare a report based on the recount. GECOM’s hands are tied on the declaration. It must accept the recount numbers. Those who feel GECOM must accept the CEO’s report don’t understand the concept of natural justice. While a Commission is required to declare the result based upon the report of the CEO, it must be an accurate reflection of the ballots cast not based on the whims and fancies of the CEO. The constitution specifically states the CEO must prepare a report based on a count or a recount that replaces a count. The Commission is empowered to correct the report. GECOM cannot accept an incorrect report as it violates a basic principle of electoral democracy.
Trotman’s statement derogating Caricom states smacks of arrogance. Trotman forgets that hundreds of thousands of Guyanese found refuge in the small islands of the region including Barbados during the period of the ethnic dictatorship. It was from Caricom states that Guyanese were able to obtain basic foods, banned from Guyana and criminalized by the Burnham dictatorship, that were smuggled into Guyana using creative mechanisms. Even Trotman studied in a Caricom state; so many Guyanese studied in Barbados. Trotman is undoing what he and his father did decades ago when the latter also criticized Burnhamism. He is excusing electoral fraud and he is attempting to break the solidarity of Caricom people for democracy in Guyana. Trotman ought to apologize to the region and tell his colleagues to accept GECOM’s lawful declaration. Separately, the world has condemned attempts at electoral fraud in Guyana. The world (including the UN, OAS, Commonwealth and Caricom Secretary Generals) has called for a declaration of the results based on the recount figures. GECOM must act accordingly and President Granger must accept that outcome. Yours faithfully, Dr. Vishnu Bisram (Pollster and Pol Analyst)
Tuesday July 14, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Insanity, not COVID, is the real pandemic in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, “Judgement! Thou art fled to brutish beasts and men have lost their reason,” from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, aptly describes the words, conduct and thoughts of those who believe they can steal the next Government. They include the most educated to the uneducated. Were the situation and the consequences thereof not so tragic, it could have been a human marvel. For thousands, to persuade themselves, that a Chief Elections Officer can prepare a Report, which is to be used as the basis for the declaration of an election result, by not using the votes cast by the electorate and counted by election officers but some other statistic is simply incomprehensible.
Further, to think that they can actually secure the assistance of a court of law to compel that such a Report be used as the basis of the declaration of the election results is a manifestation of lunacy. My information is that the Executive of APNU spent hours at a meeting last Saturday, discussing these and other options on how such a perverse Report can be used to form the basis for the declaration of the election results. Just imagine, highly educated people, including lawyers, meeting and discussing how they can steal an entire Government! These are plots that producers in Hollywood have used to make blockbuster movies, such as, Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen. The exception here is that this is happening in real life.
Another manifestation of the insanity, is the misinterpretation of clear language expressed in the Constitution, in the laws, or in judgements delivered by the Courts, so as to make them consistent with their abominable narratives. I heard the likes of Dr. David Hinds and Vincent Alexander, both of whom are university professors and are the recipients of the highest form of post graduate tertiary education from foreign universities, assert that their understanding of the Judgement of the Caribbean Court of Justice, in the Eslyn David case, invalidates both the Recount Order and the Recount processes. These two men have made these statements publicly knowing full well that millions of people, across the region
and elsewhere in the world, following this election saga would have tuned in and heard the Judgement delivered by the Court, as well as, may have read a copy of it which is available on the Court’s website. These millions would have heard and read that rather than impugn, the Court endorsed both the Recount Order and the Recount process. Another illustration of the idiocy, is the argument being advanced that Article 177 binds the Guyana Elections Commission to accept any Report produced by the Chief Elections Officer, irrespective whether it is fraudulent or not. Inherent in this argument is that a Chief Elections Officer can unilaterally prepare a Report which bears no reflection of the will of the electorate
Some thoughts on Minister Trotman’s comments DEAR EDITOR, I note the article titled, “Small, sparsely populated Caribbean Islands must keep out of the “Guyana problem” Raphael Trotman” (Demerara Waves, July 12). The courtesy of space is sought to share the following thoughts. I offer comments because I identify closely with some of what Minister Raphael Trotman articulated. I chose to do so because of my respect for the level of our relationships as minister and servant, of fellow believers and citizens, and of that which came from our man-to-man dealings that put Guyana first. I may have chosen milder words than “keep out” for our brethren in the region, but that is moot. I agree and said so before, too many foreigners have been allowed to become too involved, at too intimate a level, in our political and sovereign affairs. In regular life,
no friendship, no matter how close (or frayed), no marriage relationship, no matter how held sacred (or desecrated), no fellowship, no matter how neighbourly (or torn), would have allowed the degree of intrusions from outsiders that was encouraged by Guyanese leaders and their thinkers and backers. When two friends or partners are involved, it is not permitted; but in the case of Guyana, we speak of a country and all of its “nuances” most still unfamiliar, even to those outsiders who believe that they are familiar with how we behave and how we are deep down inside. Now we are forced to deal with the many fallouts from the law of unintended consequences of all those foreigners being so closely and so stridently involved in our affairs, as to be inseparable. Too many foreigners were invited, I say so again. They stayed here too long the first time around, and they
ended up going where they shouldn’t have. I must wonder, as I look back at all that happened, as to which one of them individually, from any of those foreign groups, would have allowed the same in their house, in their domestic travails. As should be obvious, I agree with Minister Trotman as I have elaborated. But I think that we have allowed too many and too much to go too far, with our reality being what it is now. This disagrees with where I think he stands, but I say it: it is too late now. Even as I write this, the air is overloaded with calls for sanctions. Any sanction directed at any of our people - my people or others - only divides deeper and incites more feverishly. In addition, I have said that this is a Guyanese problem that requires Guyanese solutions. The people who pay attention, only do so with polite hearing and with even more perfunctory lip service.
If we invest precious time and energy, and goodwill and capital and heartbreak into Guyanese - only solutions, then we have something a little more cherished and much more inheritable. But it is for the foreigner we reach, and I to the white man we go. I apologize if I offend anyone, but this is the hardcore truth of our limitations and our craven dependencies. I reject outright any assertions that in a country of 750,000 souls, there are none that could urge and bring listening from the two sides of our angers and our hates, not even one, who can offer the “proper guidance as to what to do” and of which Minister Trotman pointed out that we need.. He and I agree that it cannot be so; yet look at where we leaned and what we have today. Surely, we cannot be this bad, this far gone. As I look, I detect that that is exactly where we are in the (Continued on page 6)
expressed at the elections and such a perversity must be declared as election results. These people simply do not recognize that such would be a “selection” of a Government by the Chief Elections Officer and not an “election” of a Government by the people. This is not democracy but the very antithesis of it. The truth is that Article 177 is simply another link in the chain which starts from the casting of the ballots, the counting of the ballots, the tabulation and aggregation of the total ballots cast, the preparation of the Report by the Chief Elections Officer allocating seats based upon the ballots cast and the declaration of that as the results. While a Commission must only declare based upon the Report of the Chief Elections Officer, if that Report is not a true reflection of the ballots cast, most naturally the Commission has a duty to reject it. Mr. Alexander boasts regularly of the Commission rejecting a Report of Gocool Boodhoo, the Chief Elections Officer in 2011, on this very basis. He is correct. The Com-
mission can only declare results that are reflective of the franchise expressed by the electorate on the ballot. Another symptom of this complete lack of reason, is the vilification and vitriolic abuses that have been hurled at every human being, organization and institution of high standing who and that have condemned the utter madness being displayed by the rigging cabal and their supporters. These public condemnations have come from every corner of this hemisphere. How the rigging cabal and their supporters have convinced themselves that all these persons and organizations are wrong and they are right, is a lesson in malevolent human psychology. I read with utter disbelief certain statements attributed to Raphael Trotman published in the press. Trotman is quoted as saying, “the political situation in Guyana is Guyana problem” and, “small, scarcely populated Caribbean Islands must keep out of the Guyana problem.” Trotman further stated that (Continued on page 6)
CONSENSUS politics no longer possible DEAR EDITOR, There was a time that I hoped that CONSENSUS politics (whereby we work together on national projects to develop trust, mutual understanding and mutual respect) in between the PPP/C and the PNC led APNU+AFC was possible. Consensus politics is no longer possible as the PNC led APNU+AFC have shown their true colours by attempting to steal the will of the Guyanese people. The PNC led APNU+AFC are a bunch of opportunistic sore losers who belong behind bars for what they are doing to Guyanese for the sake of self aggrandizement. These pathetic no-good crooks definitely belong behind bars. We cannot have CONSENSUS politics with these Pathetic No-good Crooks. Perhaps what is needed is for the PNC to have their own country to ruin and for us to have our country to develop (PARTITION). Yours faithfully, Sean Ori
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Hamilton Green pontificating on “theology vs thiefology” DEAR EDITOR, It was rich of Hamilton Green to pontificate on “theology vs thiefology” like he has some moral high ground on which to stand (K. News -July 12th).I agree with Harry Gill (K.News -July 10th); Hammy needs to spend the balance of his days telling the truth about his direct involvement during the rigging Burnham years. Maybe he has enjoyed not being held accountable but he should be reminded that he is not immune from accountability for the rigging that took place then nor as an enabler to the current crop of riggers.At a time when many Guyanese in and out of Guyana are concerned about the possibility of the country having an illegitimate government and facing sanctions which will be horrible for most Guyanese, many of the old PNC stalwarts are trying to keep the rigging alive.I also find it interesting when Green and others start to talk about reconciliation as they see things unraveling with their rigging attempts. They all of a sudden want to talk to the winning party about power sharing. Don’t these people understand that everyone can see through that? Just how foolish do they think the Guyanese people are?
Tuesday July 14, 2020
Kaieteur News
Morality should not be something amoral people preach about... Hammy needs to fully understand that he will be remembered as one of Burnham’s cronies in Guyana’s history... but even this truth does not bother amoral people... but please let’s remind such people that there is a final arbiter.Green is suggesting that we need to mend and heal a divided nation and goes on to write “In the United States we find a few who make simplistic statements about democracy in Guyana. They ignore, for example that the US maintains the largest and most powerful military in modern history, which in essence has always supported their interpretation of democracy”. Green further states “We have today an interesting situation where to my mind, the CCJ for whatever reason has cast aside our laws and assaulted our sovereignty”...Hammy for your information, unlike you and your friends in the losing party, there are many Guyanese who are thankful that the US and it’s military and economic power along with many other countries including Canada, CARICOM and the EU are standing up for Guyana against the rigging cabal. I imagine that since you and so many others in the PNC participated
in rigging for so long, you find those countries and institution trying to do what is right for Guyana somehow wrong.Questioning the motives of the CCJ when you showed little regard for the constitution of Guyana and respect for voters is both unfortunate and laughable. Once again, many Guyanese are thankful that despite the crude attacks from the PNC, the justices of the CCJ stood up for democratic principles in Guyana. What seems to be important to you and many of the PNC diehards is that the rigging must be accepted. I suggest you do the right thing and denounce the blatant fraud of Mingo and Lowenfield.If you live in the US, I imagine that you are enjoying the benefits of the very nice pension that the Granger administration arranged for you even though they found no money for sugar workers and others. I suggest you pay your share of taxes to the US treasury on the comfortable retirement benefits you are receiving from Guyanese taxpayers to allow for the US military to remain strong and protect those who are vulnerable to the evil actions of dictators not respecting the will of the people! Keep Democracy Alive in Guyana! Sincerely, C. De Barros
An Oil and Gas workers’ union should be established and it should be mandatory that all local employees be a part of it DEAR EDITOR, I have been residing in Guyana for over two decades and witnessed a lot of misfortunes happening to the citizens of this beautiful nation. My focus today is on the opportunity presented to the people of the lovely nation, Oil and Gas, which could help the country move forward, once the resources are managed efficiently, which I currently believe is not going to happen under the rulership of either the PPP or the Coalition. Oil and Gas is known around the world as one of the richest sectors to work or be a part of. Luckily for Guyana, it has one of the largest finds in history. Speaking of history, let us take a moment to focus on our Caricom sister, Trinidad, for a country that has been operating in the Oil and Gas sector for nearly half a century, they are no better than Guyana, in many ways. Some are even worse than Guyana. This is all due to poor management as well as allowing the “Oil Giants” to drain the country’s resources and the country gaining little to nothing. There are some that believe that a little bit of something is better than nothing. But that analogy should not
be attributed to the Oil and Gas sector. Why? Simple, the value of it is extremely high. With all that being said, I would like to focus on one major aspect, the local employees in the Oil and Gas sector. While I understand our nation is new to the field and the majority of the companies will need to be flooded with expats, it would be nice to see one of the purposes these expats serve is to train the local personnel to replace them in a few years time. This lovely country has been prostituted time and time again by corrupt politicians and greedy businessmen and every day that we do not stop this from happening is one day too late to fix it. The value of Oil and Gas in Guyana is the same as the value of Oil and Gas in any other country and as such, the country and the local citizens should be treated with the same level of value. I am almost certain, Guyanese Oil and Gas employees are being highly underpaid by their employers, when compared to an American, Russian, Italian, Swiss or even an Englishman, who shares the same job, titles and responsibilities for an Oil and Gas company.
Aside from the fact that Guyana is losing in the Oil and Gas sector, with that excuse of a deal they agreed to with ExxonMobil, the local employees are working for free when compared to if they brought in expats to do the jobs.A lot of these companies include clauses in their employment contracts which enable them to terminate an employee’s contract without cause or questioning. This should be illegal. Who is there to represent these local employees? The Guyana Workers Union? They are an excuse of what a Union should be and they are also corrupt. An Oil and Gas workers’ union should be established and it should be mandatory that all local employees be a part of this Union. Guyanese need to be represented by someone who would fight for them. Guyanese need to stand up for themselves, employment should not be a form of slavery. An employee should be confident enough to speak up against oppressive employers, not only in the Oil and Gas sector, but in every sector. Sincerely, Lonesome Larry
Guyanese will not take matters lying the torrid blows that can be rained on Insanity, not COVID, is the real... down any longer stand their fragility but at the said time, remain firm
DEAR EDITOR, Guyana stands proud to still rejoice in whatever little dignity and honour remains with the few sons and daughters she possesses who are willing to defend the soils of this nation. For too long, her rights have been trampled on, in particular over the past four years that tyranny has been in governance. She has been desecrated, pilfered, robbed, looted and raped mercilessly and perpetually with flagrant disregard for any sanctity, while the protectors for her prestige stand idle and refuse to lift even a finger and come to her rescue. This unabashed outburst translates to the breakdown of law and order in the country and the unflattering pursuance that ventures on a campaign besmeared with defecation, destruction, pollution and contamination. The upholders of justice have crossed the floor and shunned their legal robes to join hands in collusion with the promulgation of vandalism, desecration, erosion, defacing and devastation of the state’s property. The wheel of ruin, impairment and injury continues to spin throughout the length and breadth of this country at the whims and fancy of this villainous element of unprincipled rejects who continue to squat in office, unheeded and unaffected by any criticisms, regardless of the source. It confirms how high this cabal is floating and how aloof they pervade from decency and morality. They are fearless of danger and would extend their sharp steel to dispel and disperse any form of attack, in any form and shape.It is of some degree of consolation that, not many but few are ready and willing to shun their calm and pronounce their readiness and willingness to march to the front line and with-
and unmoved. More are needed to join force and link arm in arm so that, the right message will be relayed depicting that Guyanese will not take matters lying down any longer and are culpable of putting up a fight and resist the affront of attrition by constant harassment of barefacedness and bullishness. Guyana tips her hat to all the past and present legitimate heroes whose praises are sung who have stood their grounds in guarding the preservation of liberty, equality and fraternity. At this crucial moment in Guyana’s history, we are at the apex of the slaughter of democracy by the few desperadoes whose sole intention is to retain power come hell or high water. All sober minded and right thinking Guyanese would like to see more of this type of bravery as espoused by the valiant effort of Mr. Glenn Lall, a true patriot of Guyana. There is the urgent need for more measures to be translated into actions, especially by influential individuals and not only the political stakeholders. Followers of truth, honesty and decency raise their glasses and toast to your effort to help strike down injustice so that there can be an equitable distribution for fairness, transparency and egalitarianism. Citizens taking this position can only enhance the valour that most Guyanese associate their culture with and the teachings that their parents and foreparents cultivated in their families. This is reinforcement and encouragement for the international community to extend a more meaningful hand, come to the quick rescue of this depleted nation and champion a cause for the safety and security of an impoverished Guyanese nation. Respectfully, Jai Lall
From page 5 people who have constituencies of three hundred to four hundred people cannot “rightly tell us what to do or even give us proper guidance as what to do.” This is perhaps the most insular, arrogant and untutored statement ever made by a politician in the post-independent Caribbean. His leader, David Granger, recognized CARICOM as the most ‘legitimate interlocutor’ in these very electoral processes. Trotman is a lawyer and was once viewed as one of those politicians with the right ideology to take Guyana to a higher plateau. He functioned in the high Office of Speaker of the National Assembly for several years. He was educated at the University of the West Indies and at Hugh Wooding Law School, the two most premiere educational institutions in the Caribbean. His fa-
ther held several constitutional offices in those very small islands, arguably, after fleeing Guyana during the height of PNC’s dictatorship. His sister is married to a highly placed politician in Grenada and served as Solicitor General for that country. He chose that very small island for his second wedding. These small islands have rescued tens of thousands of Guyanese who ran away from the brutalities and economic hardships during the PNC’s dictatorship. I can cite a million more reasons why Trotman’s utterances render Shakespeare’s “Judgement! Thou art fled to brutish beasts and men have lost their reason”, a self-evident truth but space would not permit it. It is insanity, not COVID, that is the real pandemic in Guyana. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Attorney-at-Law
Some thoughts on Minister Trotman’s ...
From page 5 slippery mathematics and sciences of our distrusts, the terrible suspicions of our social order. It is why we need direly the region and the far foreign. And with that we are delighted. To shift gears slightly, Ms. Melinda Janki, another for whom I have some appreciation, articulated last week that we do not have a racial problem, but a toxic political one. I humbly disagree. For as I sense it, what we have is a toxic political environment and populace made possible by the high-octane fuels of our racial and racist impulses, our very DNA. The racial stokes and supports the politicos and the racial politics, in turn, feeds and stirs the racial embers in a continuous circle. One does not exist without the other; both are made
possible by the strength of the other in what is a mutually addicted and tribally self-empowering society. Though none wants to address this at the present time, it is Guyanese who must summon the will to fix this, not dependence on foreigners to heal our home; or then all we would have is another Band-aid, another poultice that falls off as soon as everybody leaves for home.Last, Minister Trotman spoke of our own political leaders putting their heads together “to find a way forward” so “that both sides could win, and the country could win.” It must be no other way, and to that I spare whatever I have left. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 14, 2020
PAGE 07
GECOM Chair says...
Lowenfield given final chance to prepare report on recount figures by 2:30pm today - DCEO on standby if he refuses By Mikaila Prince
C
hairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret') Claudette Singh, has given her fourth and final chance to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, for him to submit his report on the accurate results of the concluded National Recount. Refusal to complete this task by 02:30PM today will result in his removal from his function as the CEO, following which the Deputy CEO (DCEO) Roxanne Myers will assume her senior's duties. In contrast to Saturday last, all GECOM commissioners were present at yet another meeting convened by the elections commission to deliberate on the way forward to announce credible election results. Also present at yesterday's 10:00AM meeting was the GECOM Chair and the CEO. As the media stood on the outskirts of GECOM's Kingston head office, loud chanting could be heard by over 100 supporters of the A
Partnership For National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), who were situated some 300m from the GECOM building. These supporters, many of whom were unmasked and hence flouting the COVID-19 restrictions, chanted, “Fraud is fraud!” and “Swear in Granger now!” Police officers, receiving supervision from the divisional commander on the scene, made numerous efforts to disperse the crowds. However, the supporters stood their ground and refused to leave the streets as they hurled insults at the officers. Some even ended up in a scuffle with the police. At 12 noon yesterday, opposition Commissioners had related to the press that one of their colleagues, Robeson Benn, had filed a motion to have the CEO dismissed, and that the meeting was adjourned until 14:30hrs. When the meeting reconvened, a meeting in which Lowenfield was “patently silent”, Kaieteur News learnt that the GECOM Chair had made a decision to invalidate the ten March
declarations which were being held in abeyance, thereby paving the way for the final declarations to be only based on the results of the national recount. This invalidation, by extension, rendered the reports submitted by the CEO on those March declarations as null and void. Following the conclusion of the GECOM meeting, Commissioners Vincent Alexander and Sase Gunraj expressed their disappointment with the Chair's decision. A l e x a n d e r, a government-nominated commissioner had said that he was not in agreement with the instructions of the Chair, as he and the other two government-nominated commissioners maintain that massive fraud riddled the results of the national recount, and as a consequence, they cannot be deemed credible. “But those are her instructions” Alexander against the Chair's decisions, “which are buttressed by the support of three commissioners.” Gunraj linked his
(From left) GECOM Chair, Justice (ret'd) Claudette Singh and Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield disappointment with the Chair's decision to the fact that Lowenfield has, on a plethora of occasions, had defied her pellucid instructions as it regarded to what his report should entail. “It has been thrown back into the hands of the CEO,” Gunraj said, “who has demonstrated over and over again a very recalcitrant attitude and a trend of actually defying specific instructions of the Chair… I
don't believe that her ruling poses any ambiguity. I am hopeful that the Chair will write those instructions to him. ” Gunraj went on to relate that the Chair, in her ruling to the Commission yesterday, had said that Justice Singh views the role of the CEO not higher than the commission, but to the exclusion of extraneous persons or bodies. The opposition- nominated commissioner noted that as a
consequence, the Commission is not subservient to the CEO. Justice Singh took the opportunity to remind that the CEO is answerable to the Commission and as a consequence must answer to the dictates of that body. The Commission is now expected to reconvene at 14:30hrs today, at which point Lowenfield is anticipated to submit his second final report based on the results of the recount. If Lowenfield, refuses to execute the Chair's instructions then his subordinate officer, Roxanne Myers will be handed the task. Notably, Myers, like her superior, has been at the centre of controversy at the elections commission. In March 2019, watchdog body, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), had ruled in a complaint filed by the Opposition asking for an investigation into the hiring practices of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The ERC had also been asked to pronounce on the (continued on page 12)
Lowenfield remains on the job amid mounting calls for dismissal - ANUG says GECOM Chair showing weakness
O
pposition commissioner of G E C O M , Robeson Benn yesterday filed a motion for Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield to be fired from his post, the most concrete step so far taken in the wake of increasingly strident calls for the CEO's dismissal. The calls have come after several attempts by Lowenfield to thwart the electoral process by giving numbers that were not reflected in the national recount. On Monday, GECOM Chair, Justice (ret'd) Claudette Singh at a meeting at which the CEO was widely expected to be dismissed, gave the CEO a final chance to submit his report based on the recount
figures. Local political party A New and United Guyana (ANUG) believes that this decision is a sign of weakness on the part of the GECOM chair. In a statement issued yesterday, the party said the CEO's behaviour warranted a much sterner response. “Lowenfield's willful disobedience,” the statement read, “recalcitrant and contemptuous attitude through his submission of fraudulent numbers and failure to attend a meeting of national importance scheduled on Saturday 11th July warrants not only summary dismissal but immediate criminal investigation. The CEO has frustrated the work of the Commission in delivering a
declaration of the March 2, 2020 elections results, and has undermined the Commission's fundamental duty of ensuring 'impartiality, fairness and compliance' under article 162(1)(b) of the Constitution.” Another party, The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) issued a statement yesterday applauding Singh's patience but, in less explicit terms than ANUG, also called for the CEO's ouster from the process. “We urge,” the party argued, “that Tuesday 14th be the final stop of this CEO's involvement in the 2020 Elections process (and any future elections process in Guyana) regardless of whichever route he takes. We a s k t h a t M a d a m e
Chairwoman utilize her full authority as Chairperson of GECOM to usher this prolonged elections cycle to its conclusion, and for the Commission to hold any GECOM Officer who has proven themselves unwilling to act professionally and with integrity to full accountability for their actions.” Other organizations, both in Guyana and abroad, have increasingly been explicit in their calls for Lowenfield's dismissal. The strongest call so far has come from the Organization of American States (OAS). In an initial statement on Friday, the OAS had urged that GECOM remove what it referred to as 'obstacles' preventing closure to the process. “The OAS,” the
statement read, “notes that one of the principal obstacles to completing Guyana's current electoral process is a person whose duty it is to defend Guyana's democracy through ensuring respect for the results of elections.” When on Saturday the CEO, as well as the three g o v e r n m e n t Commissioners, failed to turn up to a scheduled meeting, the organization released another, stronger statement, specifically pointing to Lowenfield by position: “The Organization of American States (OAS) notes that the Chief Elections Officer of Guyana, in direct opposition to the instructions of the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission, has submitted
a final report which includes data compiled prior to the national recount; data which had already been deemed to be questionable. There can be no justification for this action. As intimated in our statement of July 10, this confirms that the Chief Elections Officer is acting in bad faith and contrary to the interest of democracy in Guyana.” Lowenfield is expected to know his fate today, at least in connection with his responsibility to deliver the election results. The GECOM Chair indicated yesterday that should he fail to produce a report based on the recount results, he would be replaced, for the purposes of producing that report, by his deputy, Roxanne Meyers.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 08
Tuesday July 14, 2020
GECOM Chair throws out March 13th elections declarations By Shikema Dey
T
he ten district declarations made prior to the National Recount were yesterday cast aside by the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Rt'd Justice Claudette Singh and, consequently, so were the previous final election reports prepared by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield. With this move taken by the Chair, it means that the winners of the March 2 Elections can only be declared using the figures accumulated at the end of the National Recount and leaves no room for ghost figures to appear as have happened previously.
Table showing different reports submitted by Lowenfield
Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield
GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh Rt'd
Those scrapped declarations included the fraudulent District Four declaration made by
controversial Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo on the night of March 13. These numbers were being held in
abeyance. Commissioner Sase Gunraj subsequently, after the GECOM meeting yesterday, relayed to the media that, “She [Chair] proceeded to say that the March 13 declaration which included the fraudulent declaration by the Returning Officer of Region Four has been set aside and replaced by the recount tabulation certificates. That, I believe, is an important finding and ruling of the Chairman.” This was also confirmed by GECOM's Public Relations Officer in other sections of the media. The fraudulent declarations for District Four made by Mingo were included in the final election report prepared by Lowenfield on Saturday who defied the Chairwoman's direct order to prepare his report using the numbers from the recount. T he recount figures places the win with the Opposition with a total of 233,336 valid votes while
the Coalition trailed behind with 217,920 valid votes and the remaining 5,214 went to the joiner parties. Wi t h t h e r e c o u n t numbers, the PPP would be positioned for 33 seats in Parliament, while 31 went to the Coalition and remainder to the joined parties. The CEO had however, presented three reports with fraud laced figures, each different than the last and no explanation given to account for the changes. In his first preliminary report on June 13, which contained a summation of the Observation Reports (ORs) from the National Recount, Lowenfield claimed that a total number of 182,260 valid votes were cast – 125,010 went to APNU+AFC and 56,627 went to PPP. In this report, Lowenfield dumped a total of 275,092 valid votes. He then issued another report on June 23 where he dumped 115,844 votes.
Lowenfield claimed that a total of 344,508 votes were cast in the elections with 171,825 votes going to the Coalition and 166,343 votes going to the PPP. In his latest report, Lowenfield claimed that a total of 475,118 valid votes were cast in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and added 14,766 new votes. On his newest calculation of the votes, the incumbent Coalition got 236,777 valid votes while the Opposition People's Progressive Party (PPP) attained 229,330 valid votes with 5,090 going to the triparty joinder: A New And United Guyana (ANUG), The Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TNM). Those figures would give the Coalition the 33 majority seating in Parliament with 31 going the PPP and the remainder to the tri-party joinder. All of these numbers are now invalid.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 14, 2020
PAGE 09
Thieves quoting law O
ne night, thieves broke into the home of a man and his wife. The thief was caught red- handed with jewelry and money belonging to the couple. The police were summoned and arrived. When the man was questioned, he admitted to being on the property. But he said that the money belonged to him and that that he had found the jewels earlier in the day while walking in a park. When the police asked him why he did not turn-in the items he allegedly found, he said: “finders' keepers; losers weepers”. The thief decided to try a thing. He decided to argue law. He said that the couple had to prove that the jewels were theirs. Even though he was caught red-handed, he said that by law: “finders' keepers; losers weepers”. He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment. He was still talking law when they were taking him to the prison. Once upon a time, a chimney sweep found a gemstone inside a piece of jewelry. He took the item to a goldsmith for an appraisal. He did not realize that the nickname for the goldsmith was Greedy Smith. The
goldsmith took out the precious stone and gave the chimney sweep the money to the value of the rest of jewelry. The chimney sweep sued and won. The Court held that he was the prior possessor and therefore had greater rights to the property, second only to the rightful owner, whoever that was. A thief's right to property is, however, void and once theft is established, the prior possessor right is annulled. The thief in the first case could have argued law all night. Once it was established that he had stolen the property, all the law in the world would not grant him rights to the jewelry which he took from its rightful owners. What we have taking place in Guyana today is a case in which thieves have been caught red-handed on more than one occasion. A plot to steal an election was neutralized. And those who were stealing the election have been exposed in front of the whole world. But yet they want to claim victory. And they have a lot of people, inside and outside of Guyana, supporting their criminal actions. The world knows that
they were trying and are still desperately trying to steal an election from the rightful winners. T h e w o r l d i s condemning them but they are so shameless, they are quoting law, just like the thief who was quoting law even though he was caughtred handed stealing. First they were caught with a spreadsheet. They were then caught with a bed sheet and finally with a cheat sheet of 'declarations'. They tried to quote law but the law said the rights of thieves are void. It said that the rightful winners should be declared. But this is not stopping the thieves from quoting law. They are now interpreting the Court's ruling to say that losers are the winners and winners are losers. This has become more ridiculous than a circus. But this is a typical trick which was tried before. The same Court had ruled on how a Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission should be appointed. Then it was countered that the President had a right to nominate someone to be added to the list of names to be submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. The illogicalness of this argument was obvious. If
.......................................................... Dem boys seh...
Fat Boy want move back to Cang-ress Place
D
em boys did never feel dat Fat Boy had trot off into de political sunset. Dem boys always know dat behind de chubby cheeks and clean face de man gat big ambitions. Dem boys know dat Fat Boy was a major player behind de scene of what going on in de country today. He might have only surface now but he bin doing he thing behind de scenes. He might not have been the chief cook and bottle washer but he didn’t go far from de kitchen or
washbasin. He wait patiently till de baby party about to bruk up. He big up heself like de Super Hero Bouncing Boy. When boys read wha Fat Boy seh about de Lolo man powers dem boys think that is time he go back to law school for a refresher. He talking politics not law. He talk how de Lolo man nah gat fuh tek direction from GEE-CUM. Nat even de Lolo man believe dat. A video appear which show de Lolo man admitting that he comes under de direction of GEE-CUM.
Fat Boy also seh that nat even de law can mek de Lolo man change he mind even if he wrong. Dem boys wan know if Fat Boy rewriting constitutional law or becoming ah expert in constitutional lawlessness. Dem boys believe dat Fat Boy gat he eye pun 2025 and de big prize. De Pee-HenCee gun need a new leader. Bouncing Boy might be throwing he hat in de ring. Suh dem boys believe. Talk half and wait fuh Fat Boy next move… right back to Cang-ress Place!
OAS Secretary General makes good... From page 3 have faced sanctions from the US such as frozen assets, cancelled visas and bans on business with American companies. The country also faces more serious, sectoral sanctions. The US has provided a page cataloguing Venezuela-related sanctions – https://www.state.gov/venezuela-related-
sanctions/ Similar sanctions have been replicated against the Bolivarian Republic by other countries in the hemisphere. The result is a Venezuelan economy that suffers, while countries refuse to conduct business with Venezuela, and millions of its citizens run to neighbouring countries for food.
you have a horse in the race, obviously you would pick that horse would you not? The CCJ ruling of last Wednesday has not ended chatter about law. But it has reduced the options open to the thieves to use law to gain what is not theirs. Attempts continue to be made to steal the election. Thieves are on the loose.
Desperation is stepping in because the plot to steal the election is being retarded at every attempt. Honest people are determined to ensure that the thieves do not succeed. Those who were trying a thing and were attempting to steal the rights of others have found out that when you are a thief you lose your right to
hold on to what is not yours. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Tuesday July 14, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
In the diaspora, in Plato's cave D
r. Alissa Trotz and Dr. Arif Bulkan are two Guyanese scholars who are recognized for their scholarly output in women studies and law, respectively. I am uncertain of the magnitude of their experience and research in Guyana's political sociology, but in their writing in the June 30 edition of “In the Diaspora” in Stabroek News, some worrying scholarly mistakes were
included or some disturbing omissions were incandescent. Could it have been random subjectivity? Bulkan, I believe had some sympathies for the AFC. Nothing wrong with that. I spoke at 35, yes 35, public meetings during the 2015 election campaign for the AFC. Trotz is an emotional embracer of the WPA.
They both left out the ugly, nasty, degenerate, destructive role of the AFC
and WPA after 2015 and continue to see the continued “bad boy” role of the PPP and PNC as the major dilemma when one studies the race problematic of Guyana. In their analysis, both Trotz and Bulkan offered a one-dimension explanation of politics in Guyana after 2015. The assessment of Guyana's tragedy prior to 2015 by the two academics was a solid output though not new since most of us, academics over
sixty years of age have read and have written on the role of PPP/PNC's contributions to the ethnic insanity that has devoured this land since the fifties. After 2015, another paradigm has to be employed in writing on the dual factor of race and PPP/PNC ontology. Above I did say that the mistakes or omissions could have been random. Suppose it was Freudian? Whatever it is, when one adumbrates on Guyana's ongoing tragedy after 2015, one must zero in on the poisonous insecticide the WPA and AFC threw on the flowers of a budding future. First, the WPA of which Trotz is a policy-maker. The WPA argued that its merger with the PNC in 2011 was to bring about a new political culture and that African Guyanese were overburdened with the permanent split that the Burnham/Rodney confrontation brought to African Guyanese. The intention of the merger was that in creating APNU out of the PNC and WPA, a new dispensation was born. With the capture of state power, the WPA defected from the Rodneyite agenda and accepted beinga Pavlovian supporter of the Burnhamite leader of government, David Granger and supported the practice of the old political culture of the PNC. Trotz has direct knowledge of this. She met with Minister of
E d u c a t i o n D r. R u p e r t Roopnaraine in his office in 2016 as part of a threeperson delegation including Dr. David Hinds and Keith Branche. Roopnaraine told them as a minister, he could not discuss government business with party leaders. Mr. Branche had lunch with me at the Tastee Dish Restaurant in Kitty, and had emotional and harsh words to say about the decay of Roopnaraine's politics. From 2015 onwards, you cannot analyze the deterioration in state behaviour simply by reference to the constant battle between the PPP and PNC. There has to be analytical space assigned to the negative roles of the WPA and AFC. Andaiye knew about the demise of the WPA and its organic melting into the PNC. She spoke to me about this in an email I kept but never publicly remarked about, regarding the WPA's surrogate status, a factor, I will refer to when I review her book, “The Point is to Change the World.” Surely, Drs. Trotz and Bulkan had to know that they could not have offered a polemic on Guyana's ethnic monstrosities and the demonic role of the PPP and PNC and omit the obnoxious, ugly and diabolical theatre of the AFC after 2015. In fact, it borders on academic heresy to pick on the PNC only after 2015 when in fact, there were far
Frederick Kissoon more autocratic impulses, undemocratic traits and oligarchic proclivities among the AFC leaders. The examples are too numerous but a few should suffice. The AFC voted with the WPA in Parliament not to release the Walter Rodney Commission report. The AFC and WPA support the closure of the sugar estates without the legally required compensation for the workers. Thomas was Chairman of GUYSUCO at the time. Ramjattan argued for more draconian clauses in the Cyber Crime Bill. Both AFC and WPA agreed to remove the marijuana amendment bill from the Order Paper of Parliament. The AFC advised Granger that he has the constitutional latitude to make a unilateral appointment of GECOM chairman. Trotz and Bulkan are not only in the diaspora they are also in a cave where it may not be easy for them to find their way out. But I am sure they read about Plato's allegory of the cave. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Tuesday July 14, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
USAID calls on Granger to assure Victim injured, suspect nabbed a peaceful transition of govt. in botched
O
ne of Guyana's most critical development partners, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has joined calls made by concerned stakeholders, both locally and further afield, for the Granger administration to allow the rule of law to prevail and facilitate a smooth transition of power. John Barsa, the acting Administrator of the international development body, in a direct appeal to President David Granger, said that Guyana should be put first by allowing the democratically elected winners to assume their
USAID's acting Administrator, John Barsa
rightful place. He noted that the winner of the election was chosen based on the results of the National Recount that concluded on June 8. The US government
official stressed that democracy requires statesmen to respect the will of the people. For more than half a century, USAID has been an
avid partner in supporting the development of Guyana's health and education sectors. Its health programme has been instrumental in strengthen the nation's public health systems and ensure the availability of comprehensive care. It also paves the way for enhancing civil-society and privatesector responses to HIV/AIDS as well as boosting the supply-chain management of drugs and other supplies. USAID's support has also improved Guyana's institutions and systems in the areas of rule of law, good governance, political competition and consensus building.
attempt to steal motorcycle The suspect's gun and spent shells used in the attempted robbery
I
n what was supposed to be a motorcycle robbery resulted in the injury of its owner and the apprehension of the suspect. The attempted robbery took place at around 14:30Hrs yesterday at a wash bay located at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, (ECD). Police said that a taxi driver, Jerome Jacobs, 21 of North Haslington ECD had posted advertisement on Facebook seeking buyers for his XR- Honda motorcycle. He then received a phone call from a potential buyer who requested to see the motorcycle before making any purchase. Jacobs decided to make arrangements to meet the buyer at Bull's Wash Bay, Enmore. While at the wash bay waiting for the buyer, the suspect approached Jacobs and demanded the keys for the motorcycle. Jacobs refused and the suspect responded by pulling out a handgun from his waist and ordered him to hand over the bike. Jacobs retaliated by
grabbing the suspect's hand and a scuffle ensued between the two. The suspect somehow managed to free himself from the victim's grip and discharged four rounds at the victim. One of the bullets grazed the victim on his left arm. The victim then began shouting and alerted persons w h o w e r e c l o s e b y. Realizing that he was out numbered the suspect decided to run-away. However, the victim and the persons who responded to his call gave chase behind the suspect, captured him and took away his weapon. He was then beaten before the police was contacted and the suspect, along with his gun, handed over. Ranks then transported both the victim and the suspect to the Nabaclis Health Centre where they were treated. The victim was then sent away while the suspect was taken to the Enmore police lock-ups. The suspect has since been identified as a 24-yearold resident of Pike Street, North Sophia.
Lowenfield given final... From page 7 appointment of Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers. In released excerpts of the final report by ERC, it was disclosed that former Deputy CEO, Vishnu Persaud, who was one of the candidates applying for the position last year, had scored higher than Myers during the interviewing process. “By all objective criteria, Mr. Persaud was, on the available evidence, the most qualified candidate for appointment to the position of DCEO. By long established practice, the candidate acquiring the highest score
secured the appointment,” the report said. Myers was, however, handed the job instead of Persaud by the former GECOM Chair, Justice (ret'd) James Patterson, who was unilaterally and legally appointed by the President David Granger—as ruled by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The ERC report went on to further highlight that Patterson had voted against hiring Persaud as the DCEO based on his conclusion that he was “shifty” and lied about his qualifications. However, the then Chairman provided no proof to back up his claims.
Kaieteur News
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Three patients recover at GPHC from COVID-19 using plasma from survivors Pan-American Health Organization World Health Organisation(PAHO/WHO) to administer the treatment to patients here. Since then, the National Blood Transfusion Service has been collecting convalescent plasma from recovered patients for treatment to be conducted via GPHC—the only authorised health institution to conduct the plasma transfusions.
By Rehanna Ramsay
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hree patients infected with the COVID-19 disease have successfully recovered following treatment of the convalescent plasma from survivors. Dr. Mahendra Carpen, who has been actively involved in the treatment of COVID -19 patients at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), explained that the convalescent plasma was initially administered to four patients –all of whom were in critical condition. He said that first patient did not respond favourably to the treatment, but the other three made full recoveries following the transfusion. According to him, the plasma is only administered to patients who are in “extremely critical condition.” The doctor explained that the first patient did not respond favourably to the treatment because of other medical complications. He said however that the latter three patients made full recovery with no complications. He noted that the convalescent plasma is by no means a substitute for full treatment; rather it is a supplement to the other medications used to treat COVID-19 patients: “What happens is that patients are given the treatment along with the oxygen, vitamins, hydroxychloroquine and other types of medications administered to COVID-19 patients.” Part of standard procedure for the plasma transfusion, Dr. Carpen said involves counseling. “We usually consult and counsel the relatives of those patients we deem necessary for the transfusion,” he told Kaieteur News, adding that it is part also of the procedure to encourage survivors to make voluntary donations to help other patients suffering from the disease. The convalescent plasma is collected from a recovered COVID- 19 patient that contains the antibodies against the virus and then used to treat critical patients
Dr. Mahendra Carpen who are suffering from the infection with the intention for it to fight the same viral infection. The plasma is obtained from the donor through aphaeresis, a process in which whole blood is removed from the donor via the veins and passed through a machine where the blood is separated by filtration or centrifuge into components such as platelets, plasma, leukocytes, lymphocytes and red blood cells. After separation, the desired blood component, in this case plasma, is removed and the remainder of the blood is re-infused back to the patient. The process takes a couple of hours. This form of treatment dates back centuries and was used during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, in an era before modern vaccines and antiviral drugs. Some experts have argued that it might be the best hope for combating the coronavirus until more sophisticated therapies can be developed, which could take longer. Plasma treatment has been successfully used for critical COVID-19 patients in the United States and other parts of the world. Thus far, over 600 patients in the U.S. have been given the treatment, all of whom have recovered. Guyana's introduction to the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID- 19 patients commenced last April after the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) obtained approval from the
The US is among countries that have recorded successful treatment for COVID -19 patients using Convalescent Plasma
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
Seized alcohol and marijuana led to Lusignan prison arson - Samuels - Eight names of suspected “masterminds� identified By Shervin Belgrave
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he seizure of contraband alcohol and marijuana was the spark that resulted in a riot at the Lusignan Prison that ended in part of the facility destroyed by fire on Sunday, and the names of eight suspect masterminds have been handed over to the
Guyana Police Force. This was revealed by the Director of Prisons (DoP), Gladwin Samuels, in a press conference held yesterday at the Boardroom of the Ministry of Public Security with some reporters tuning in virtually. Those names are said to be that of inmates who were involved in a riot at the prisons on Sunday which eventually resulted in
Sections of the prisons that were destroyed by the fire a fire that destroyed a section of facility and injury to several prisoners. Initial reports stated that the sequence of events began with the seizure of a number of illegal items and narcotics during a routine search by prison officers. However, Samuels said this was not true. He detailed that it all began when a prisoner was spotted with a package, acting suspiciously. This prompted prison officers to approach the inmate and conduct a search on him in the presence of other prisoners. In the package that he was carrying, officers found two parcels of an unknown quantity of marijuana along with a bottle of rum. These items were seized immediately and the prisoner was escorted to the Officer in Charge for questioning. Upon seeing this, other inmates started to behave in a disorderly manner. While officers were trying to calm them down, a fight broke out between two inmates who were working in the kitchen at the time. One officer rushed in to settle the dispute. However, one of the inmates confronted the officer. This led to the officer assaulting the prisoner before dragging him out of the kitchen and into the yard. The inmate continued to resist being restrained by the officer and threatened to kill him. Four other officers rushed to assist their colleague in restraining the prisoner and in the process beat the prisoner. According to sources, the beating of the inmate riled up the already vexed prisoners even more and they began kicking through walls and breaking down doors. They stormed out into the yard and rioted against the officers demanding that the seized
drugs and rum be handed over to them. Several others began setting fire to different sections of the prisons and the prison officers were left with no choice to call in the Fire Department. When firefighters arrived, the old prison building was totally engulfed with flames and the fire was spreading quickly to other sections of the prisons. The blaze was however contained fairly quickly. Meanwhile, some prisoners tried to escape in the midst of the chaos which forced officers to fire shots in the air to restore some order. Prison officers were quickly backed up by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who were called in to fully contain the rebellious inmates and prevent any of them from escaping. A few hours later, fire fighters were successful in extinguishing the blaze, saving other buildings and a section of the administrative office. Prison doctors were then called in to treat at least 11 prisoners who were injured. Two of the injured were sent to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further treatment. It was later revealed that one of two inmates sent to the hospital was the one assaulted by the prison officers while the other had sustained burns to the arms and shoulders. Both men were treated and sent back to the prisons. As investigations continue, DoP Samuels informed that because of the fire a total of 284 prisoners were displaced. As a result 27 of those prisoners were transferred to the Georgetown prison, 51 were transported to Timehri and another 50 are in transit to the Mazaruni Prisons. The remaining 156 will be accommodated at the Lusignan Holding Bay.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 14, 2020
PAGE 15
CSEC, CAPE exams begin as COVID-19 fears mount - almost 13,000 students registered
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he Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) began yesterday across the country under stringent COVID-19 guidelines. According to Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, she and her Ministry have recognised the efforts of the students, teachers, parents and guardians for their preparation to facilitate the sitting of the examinations. During a Zoom engagement with students from across the country today, Henry advised them not to be distracted and to give of their best for the examinations. The Education Minister noted that the examinations are being written at an unprecedented and challenging time and yet students, teachers and other stakeholders have exhibited great resilience and adaptability to ensure maximum preparation for
Scenes yesterday of the CSEC, CAPE exams begin
the examinations. Henry underscored the importance of the exams and reminded the students that the two exams, CSEC and CAPE, will determine students' future course of action and for many of the students their career choice. For CSEC, there are 168 centres countrywide with 11,998 students registered to
write that exam. For CAPE, 851 candidates are registered to write at 15 centres across the country. The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) took a decision to administer the examinations in a different format this year owing to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (continued on page 16)
Security guard on $300,000 bail in Guinness manslaughter case
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security guard of Lot 19 Pope Street, New Amsterdam was yesterday charged with manslaughter committed on his fellow villager. Seon Rajgopaul, 29, appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate Court where the charge was read to him by Magistrate Peter Hugh. Rajgopaul is accused of committing the act of manslaughter on Nickosie Vankenie, 23 at Patrick Dam, Angoy's Avenue, New Amsterdam. The charge was laid under section 94 of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01. Rajgopaul was not required to plead and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $300,000. The case was postponed to the 28th July. Reports are that the two men, more than a week ago, were imbibing under a shed next to a shop in Angoy's Avenue when an argument erupted over a bottle of
Died: Nickosie Vankenie Charged: Seon Rajgopaul Guinness. Based on information provided to this publication by a friend of the victim, Vankenie had left his beer down on the stand and the suspect, Seon Rajgopaul, allegedly picked up the Guinness and began to consume it. It was then that the victim tried to upbraid the suspect for doing so leading to a heated argument. He then demanded that
he be given a "fresh bottle of Guinness" but the suspect whipped out a sharp object and dealt Vankenie two stabs, one to his neck and another to his abdomen. The suspect then left the scene and Vankenie was rushed to the N ew Amsterdam Public Hospital where he received medical attention and admitted in the ICU where he later succumbed to his injuries.
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Trinidad Express - The official dates for the 2020-2021 academic year have been announced by the Ministry of Education. In a statement released yesterday, the Ministry published the following dates. Term one will commence on September first and last until December 11 for a total of 15 weeks. The second term will begin on January 4, 2021 and end on March 26, while term three will begin on April 12 and end on July 2. All schools in Trinidad and Tobago were closed in March following the announcement of the first COVID-19 case in the country. Speaking at a Post Cabinet Media Briefing in March, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley explained that the decision was taken to slow the potential spread of the virus. “We don’t want gathering because it is in those gatherings that the potential will exist for the virus to leap from one person to another and bring the whole country to a place where we could find ourselves like some other countries right now, where the level of infections is such that it overwhelms the health system and then we know where barley grow,” Rowley said. In May, the Minister of Education Anthony Garcia announced that after deliberations, the school term will resume in September to facilitate the new school year. Following this announcement, CXC exam dates and the SEA exam were given by the Ministry. School visits throughout the country were completed
to observe health protocols in place. Speaking at one such visit in early June, he stated that health protocols remain a priority when considering reopening. “As I stated last week, schools are scheduled to be reopened on September 1. It is important that we adhere to the requirements of the Ministry of Health. We have been working very closely with the Ministry of Health all in an effort to ensure that what we have out down, can be obeyed and the health and safety of all those who operate in the school system will be assured,” he said. The Express contacted president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Antonia De Freitas for a comment on the newly announced dates. She said that it had appeared that the Ministry adhered to the typically scheduled dates for each academic term. However, she could not provide a statement on behalf of membership who have yet to meet and discuss potential concerns.
Minister of Education Anthony Garcia “Based on what the Ministry has published it appears to be a normal academic cycle, September to December, January to April and so on. They have not changed the cycle even though there was previous talk of moving term three to the September to December term. It is something we will have to discuss with the membership so I wouldn’t be able to give you a comprehensive statement.” she said.
CSEC, CAPE exams begin... From page 15 pandemic affecting countries globally. Grades will now be awarded utilizing the moderated School-based Assessments (SBAs) and Paper One. Yesterday, CAPE students wrote French Units 1 and 2, and Paper Four (4) and Orals; CSEC students wrote French Paper 2 and Paper 3. The CAPE and CSEC exams are being written under guidelines set out in the Gazetted and published Examination Order No 73/2020. Students, teachers and persons permitted to be in the school compound are required to wear a face mask at all times.
Additionally, handwashing and sanitizing must be done at the entrance of the school. The students are required to be two meters or six feet apart from each other at all times. Playing and gathering are prohibited and the MoE has prohibited vending outside schools to ensure the safety and wellness of everyone. Temperature testing is also mandatory and MoE Education Officers will be visiting schools across the country to ensure that there is full compliance with the order. The exams continue until early August.
Tuesday July 14, 2020
Kaieteur News
Partially decomposed body found in Strathspey canal The Stathspey Pump Station and canal
Police fished out a partially decomposed body of a man from the Strathspey canal, East Coast Demerara (ECD) yesterday. The body which is currently unidentified was found at around 07:30 Hrs by employees of the Strathspey Pump Station. Upon seeing the corpse floating in the canal, the employees contacted police who arrived shortly after. Investigators then retrieved the body from the canal and examined it. It was noted, that the male’s body was clad in a brown long pants and a red haversack slung around his back. No visible marks of violence was seen on the body, however, investigators were able to find an Identification Card (ID) in the haversack. The ID card bore the name of Deshawn McLean, age 26. The body was removed and transported to the Lyken Funeral Home.
Deshawn McLean
Lima Sands family fight off, capture home intruder
In a home invasion gone wrong, a 38-year-old man was overpowered and captured by a Lima Sands family, after he allegedly broke into their home yesterday morning. Based on a police report, the male intruder, who was outfitted in boxers at the time of the home intrusion, was caught by the female owner and her two children. The occupant, who was identified as Alana Da Silva, said that the man broke into her home sometime around 24:00hrs yesterday. According to Da Silva, the man gained entry to the home through a window. “The man came through a window,” she told Kaieteur News, “and was in my daughter’s room trying to hold her down. When she started to scream, he ran into my room and that is where my son and I caught him and we managed to press him down.” The woman said that she alerted her neighbours, who quickly rushed to her aid. The suspect, who also lives within the Lima Sands Community, was tied up and the police called to the scene. Police indicated that he is still in their custody, assisting with the investigation. Lima Sands is located some two miles aback the coastal area on the Essequibo Coast, running parallel to the main coastal land ranging from Anna Regina to Dartmouth. The rural community, known for its jaguar sightings, is generally peaceful.
The suspect who was caught after the failed home invasion.”
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 14, 2020
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Labourer jailed after ganja Guyana now has three hundred found at police control point COVID-19 cases - DCMO Charged: Victor Kippins
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The seized ganja
48-year-old labourer of Lot 9 Hosannah Street, Rosignol, West Coast Berbice, was yesterday charged for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Victor Kippins of Hossanah Street, Rosignol, West Coast Berbice appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh and was
charged with the offence. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years imprisonment. Reports are that Kippins was in a public transportation on Saturday when the police stopped the vehicle at the Fort Wellington Police Station. A search discovered 39 grams of the illicit substance in Kippins' possession.
nother three persons have tested positive for COVID -19, according to Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) within the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). During an update on the status of the virus in Guyana, Dr. Boyle disclosed that of the 78 new tests done y e s t e r d a y, t h e t h r e e discoveries were made bringing the total number of positive cases to 300. She stressed while the MoPH is happy to report that 155 persons have recovered thus far, and the COVID-19 deaths remain at 17, “increased focus has been placed on the hinterland which poses a unique challenge to contact tracing.” According to the DCMO, Region One remains the epicenter for infections with 93 positive cases. “ We a r e h a p p y t o announce that 33 have recovered thus far and 60 remain in institutional isolation. A special thank
Dr. Gordon-Boyle you is extended to all the health workers in Region One for going above and beyond during this time,” the DCMO said. Dr. Boyle nonetheless called on citizens to take all necessary precaution since it was also noted that the number of positive cases is still on the increase. She said, “We now have nine out of 10 regions with COVID-19 cases, Region 8 being the newest region to report cases. Residents of Region Eight, it is now time for you to be more vigilant
especially those of you in the mining areas and the bordering regions.” In closing, she drew attention to the vulnerabilities of certain communities to imported cases from Brazil, Guyana's giant neighbour to the south where numbers continue to increase significantly. “Therefore, we continue to ask the Toshaos,” said Dr. Boyle, “to keep monitoring the movements within your communities and continue to provide the updates to us centrally.”
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Former players hail ‘incredible’ Windies win on resumption
England’s Ben Stokes reacts as West Indies’ make runs, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).(Mike Hewitt/Pool via REUTERS)
SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) - Former England captain Michael Vaughan hailed West Indies’ “incredible” victory over England in the series opener and said their performance had been all the more remarkable given cricket was just returning from the COVID-19 shutdown.West Indies, No. 8 in the test rankings, arrived in England without batsmen Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer and all-rounder Keemo Paul, who pulled out of the tour citing concerns about safety during the pandemic. Few expected them to beat fourth-ranked England but Jason Holder’s team prevailed by four wickets in a see-saw contest.A “great week of test
Tuesday July 14, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your financial affairs could look especially rosy now, Aries. Some benefits are definitely coming your way, although everything isn't quite as promising as it seems. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You should be happier than usual with what you see in the mirror, Taurus, because your inner beauty is more visible than usual. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might find yourself more inclined than usual to actively explore your interests in the arts, Gemini. You might want to look at an online art gallery or attend a virtual concert or play. CANCER (June 21–July 22) YA female friend you haven't seen for a while could surprise you with a call. A lot of interesting news and useful information could be exchanged that benefits both of you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) With the current aspects at play, Leo, you could find that the hard work you've done in the past finally brings financial rewards. VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22) Today, Virgo, you might find yourself thinking longingly of exotic lands and possibly traveling to them in the future. You could also wonder about the people who live in those countries.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A small sum of money could come your way today, Libra. It could be that someone pays you what's owed you, or you could win a small amount in a lottery. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your romantic side is flying high today, Scorpio. The opposite sex in general and your own partner in particular are going to seem especially attractive to you. You could also see in an entirely different light someone you think of as a friend. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) New people you meet today are likely to be favorably impressed by your manners, social skills, and, above all, excellent sense of humor. Don't be surprised if all of this brings you some new opportunities today! CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Romantic feelings blossom today, Capricorn. You may suddenly appear more attractive than usual. Lovers and potential lovers may seem unusually attentive. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You could wake up this morning, look around, and decide you want to spend as much time as possible working on your home, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today, Pisces, you could receive an affectionate, supportive letter or phone call from someone close to you. Communications with others should go smoothly.
cricket,” Vaughan said. “For the West Indies to have come over to play is remarkable in these times... For them to have played so well & won is incredible,” tweeted Vaughan.“I don’t even think England fans will be too disappointed...bloody love test cricket.” West Indies batting great Viv Richards was over the moon.“First game after the break belongs to us,” tweeted the former captain.“Some gritty performance from the lads. This team deserves the win in this game. Congratulations boys. You make us proud.”Indian great Sachin Tendulkar praised the “good all-round” performance by both teams while captain Virat Kohli also hailed the “Top display of test cricket”. “Cricket is so much better with @windiescricket doing well in the longest format of the game,” tweeted former India quick Irfan Pathan. The three-test ‘bio-secure’ series moves to Manchester for the second match from Thursday. British actor Hugh Laurie summed up the impact of the Southampton test on the game’s followers. “What a game of cricket. It doesn’t solve anything, cure anything, make anything go away - but what a game of cricket,” he tweeted.
Blackwood always key to run chase... From page 24 manner in which West Indies started their last series here in 2017. In a nightmare performance at Edgbaston, West Indies slumped to an innings and 209-run defeat and went on to lose the series despite a revival at Leeds.This time around, Holder said there was an awareness they needed to begin the series strongly.“We want to win every cricket match we play. It doesn’t often work that way but at the end of the day we strive to win every single Test match we step on the park to play,” he stressed.“In the past we haven’t always started series this well and have been made to play catch up but it was always important we started this series well.” MATCH SCHEDULE #RaiseTheBat Test Matches July 8-12: 1st Test at Ageas Bowl, Southampton – West Indies won by 6 wickets July 16-20: 2nd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, ManchesterJuly 24-28: 3rd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
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Kaieteur News
Olympics must go ahead next year as symbol of overcoming COVID-19, Tokyo governor says TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, often floated as a future Japanese premier, said yesterday the Olympics must go ahead next year as a symbol of world unity in overcoming the novel coronavirus, even as her city grapples with stubborn spikes in cases. Japan has not seen an explosive coronavirus outbreak as suffered in some other places but a recent increase in cases in Tokyo, which accounts for more than a third of its more than 20,000 total, has fanned worries about a second wave of infections. The 2020 Olympics were scheduled to start this month but were postponed because of the coronavirus. Koike has pledged to win public support for the Games, although a media survey showed a majority think they should be cancelled or postponed again. “I want to host them as a symbol of the world coming together to overcome this tough situation and of strengthened bonds among humankind,” Koike told Reuters in an online interview. She declined to specify a deadline for deciding if the
Games could go ahead. A media-savvy former television announcer who speaks English and Arabic, Koike is to many a paradox: a global thinker with a nationalist tinge; a political outsider who advanced with help from old-boy mentors, and a risktaker who shied away from the big gamble of running for parliament in 2017 as head of her upstart “Party of Hope”. The party floundered after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called a snap election. Instead, Koike stayed on as Tokyo governor and has won plaudits for her straighttalking handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in contrast to what critics called Abe’s clumsy response. She was re-elected by a landslide last week, reigniting talk she has a shot at becoming Japan’s first woman prime minister. Yesterday, she sought to brush such speculation aside. “I’m happy that people have hopes for me but I received support for a second term as governor,” she said. “I want to protect the lives and health of the people of Tokyo by addressing the immediate issue of policies for
Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike speaks at the opening ceremony of the Ariake Arena, which was due to host volleyball and wheelchair basketball competitions in the now-postponed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan February 2, 2020. (REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo) the coronavirus. That is my greatest mission.” POLITICAL MACHINE? Tokyo’s jump in COVID19 cases comes as Abe’s government prepares to launch a campaign to promote domestic tourism, but that has raised concern about spreading the virus outside the capital.
Fraser-Pryce sets world lead at Velocity Fest
SportsMax - Decorated 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, clocked a worldleading 11 seconds at the Velocity Fest meet in Kingston, on Saturday, as athletes slowly start returning to the track. Running into a -2.2m/s headwind, FraserPryce, the former MVP athlete, stopped the clock at 11.00 flat, well clear of Sprintec’s Shashalee Forbes who was second in 11.49. Bahamas’ Anthonique Strachan was third in 11.84. In the men’s equivalent, MVP’s Nesta Carter clocked 10.38 to only just edge out Tumbleweed’s Tyquendo Tracey and G.C Foster’s Romario Williams, who both clocked 10.39 for second and third respectively. Over double the distance, MVP’s Shericka Jackson ran 22.89 to finish heat three ahead
of teammate Elaine Thompson, who clocked 22.98, with Forbes third in 23.45. The men’s 200m went to Julian Forte, who clocked 20.71 running into a negative headwind. He finished ahead of Rasheed Dwyer, 21.06, and Romario Williams, 21.07. In the women’s hurdles, Janieve Russell (57.29) dominated affairs, claiming the event comfortably ahead of Rhona Whyte (57.97). In the 100m hurdles, Megan Tapper won the event in 13.25, ahead of Amoi Brown, who was second in 13.46s. World long jump champion Tajay Gayle topped his pet event with a wind-assisted 8.52m (4.5m/s). Doha 2019 triple jump silver medallist, Shanieka Ricketts, claimed that event with 14.11m.
Koike said it was important both to contain the virus and revive the slumping economy. “At present, a tough situation continues but ... by taking a proper response in Tokyo, I want to advance both the prevention of infections and social and economic activity,” she said. Tokyo accounts for about 20% of Japan’s economy. Koike, who clashed with Abe’s administration over the timing of a state of emergency, and over which businesses to target for shutdowns, said she wanted greater clarity on local governments’ authority during the crisis. A veteran member of parliament before defying Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to make her 2016 bid for governor, Koike also
wants to make the metropolis a global financial centre by luring foreign talent. Still, speculation persists that she could yet aim for Japan’s top job. She has already broken several glass ceilings: first female governor of Tokyo, Japan’s first female defence minister and the first woman to run for LDP president. But creating a new political machine to vault her to the top would be tough, political analysts said. “Does she have what it takes to be prime minister? Absolutely. But she doesn’t have the political machine that can make it happen,” said a source who has advised Koike for years. A return to the LDP fold would also face obstacles, given that mutual antagonism runs deep.
Lifebuoy becomes the Official Hand Sanitizer of West Indies tour of England The Unilever brand has partnered with the West Indies, the first international cricket team to travel to the UK since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide hand sanitizer product to the touring party. The partnership is actively contributing to Lifebuoy’s commitment to improve the hand hygiene habits of communities around the world and has already reached over 1 billion people. Saturday, 11 July 2020 — Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the West Indies team announced a new partnership with Lifebuoy, the world’s number one selling hygiene soap, for their ongoing Sandals Tour of England. The series started last Wednesday July 8, as West Indies faced England in the opening match at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Lifebuoy will be working with the West Indies by providing hand hygiene products to the full touring party. The brand will also be capturing content with the squad to help champion the cause for
better health through hygiene. Players and support staff will take part in a number of ‘myth busting’ challenges as well as light-hearted educational videos, to help motivate fans around the world to improve their hygiene behavior. Kartik Chandrasekar, Global Vice President of Lifebuoy, said: “Lifebuoy has always been a brand that has looked to support people in their quest for better personal hygiene. We are incredibly proud to be partnering with such an iconic team as the West Indies, who are the first international sports team to travel to the UK since the country was placed in lockdown earlier this year. Dominic Warne, Commercial Director of Cricket West Indies said: “CWI are delighted to announce this new partnership with Lifebuoy where our cricketers will be delivering engaging and fun content as part of a serious mission to improve hygiene and health. The West Indies are loved and followed
around the world, and we’re looking forward to joining forces with Lifebuoy to improve hygiene behaviour as fans tune in from around the world to follow this historic Test Series.” West Indies’ Tour of England consists of a threematch Test Series, played behind closed doors. The #RaisetheBat Series is part of the ICC World Test Championship which concludes in 2021. The First Test starts at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton on July 8 before the second (July 16-20) and third (July 24-28) Tests will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. Players have been quarantined and entered a ‘bio-secure bubble’ ahead of the matches, with temperature checks and COVID-19 testing taking place on a regular basis. To join the conversation, watch any of Lifebuoy’s exclusive content with the West Indies team search ‘Lifebuoy Global’ on YouTube, or follow @lifebuoysoap on Twitter and Instagram.
Manchester City’s ban from European... From page 23 “Prosecution is barred after five years for all breaches of the UEFA Club Licensing and FFP Rules”. UEFA said it remained committed to FFP. “UEFA notes that the CAS panel found that there was insufficient conclusive evidence to uphold all of the CFCB’s conclusions in this specific case and that many
of the alleged breaches were time-barred due to the 5 year time period foreseen in the UEFA regulations. “Over the last few years, Financial Fair Play has played a significant role in protecting clubs and helping them become financially sustainable and UEFA and ECA (European Club Association) remain committed to its principles.”The decision led
Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish league and longstanding critic of City, to question the role of CAS in such decisions.“We have to reassess whether the CAS is the appropriate body to which to appeal institutional decisions in football. Switzerland is a country with a great history of arbitration, the CAS is not up to standard,” he told reporters.
Tuesday July 14, 2020
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Tendulkar slams loopholes Messi becomes first player in in umpire referral system La Liga history to have 20 goals Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar (right), pictured with former teammate Harbhajan Singh, who backed his view on the DRS (AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu SARKAR)
New Delhi (AFP) - Batting great Sachin Tendulkar has renewed demands for cricket rules to give greater weight to TV playbacks over umpires in making LBW decisions. Tendulkar, a long-standing critic of the decision review system (DRS), returned to the fray after multiple LBW calls in the West Indies’ victory over England in the first Test.If a ball-tracking playback shows that less than 50 percent of a ball would hit the stumps then the umpire has the discretion to reject a legbefore-wicket appeal. If an umpire rules a batsman not out and the fielding side calls for a review, 50 per cent of the ball must be hitting the stumps for the third
umpire to overturn the onfield call.Tendulkar feels this is unfair and wants the International Cricket Council to rethink the system. “One thing I don’t agree with, with the ICC, is the DRS they’ve been using for quite some time,” Tendulkar said in an online conversation with West Indies legend Brian Lara. The former India captain said the playback should trump the umpire no matter how much of the ball would hit the wickets.“The only reason they (the batsman or the bowler) have gone upstairs is because they are unhappy with the on-field decision,” said Tendulkar.“So when the decision goes to the third umpire, let the technology
Russell Westbrook tests positive for COVID-19 SportsMax - Russell Westbrook tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the Houston Rockets’ departure for Orlando, the former NBA MVP has revealed. Westbrook will join up with his team-mates for the resumption of the NBA season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida after a period of self-isolation. “I tested positive for COVID-19 prior to my team’s departure to Orlando,” he wrote in a statement posted on social media. “I’m currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to re-joining my team-mates when I am cleared. “Thank you for the well wishes and continued support. Please take this virus seriously. Be safe. Mask up!” The league was suspended on March 11 amid the coronavirus pandemic but will continue from July 30 at its bubble site near Or-
lando, with all players being tested before travelling. Players returned to team facilities in June and were tested for COVID-19, with Nikola Jokic, DeAndre Jordan, Malcolm Brogdon and Jabari Parker among those to have contracted the virus. Figures released by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) on July 2 said 25 of the 351 players tested between June 23-29 had returned positive results. It added that of the 884 staff members checked, there were 10 confirmed coronavirus cases. The Rockets will resume their campaign against the Dallas Mavericks on July 31. Westbrook was averaging 27.5 points, 7.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds for Houston - who acquired the 31year-old via a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder last year - when the season was halted.
and 20 assists in same season
Yahoo Sports - Turns out there’s still a La Liga record Lionel Messi still doesn’t own. Or didn’t, at least. Messi’s assist on Arturo Vidal’s first-half goal Saturday made him the first player in La Liga history to record 20 goals and 20 assists in a single season. Barcelona beat Valladolid 1-0.Messi has 22 goals total this season and now 20 assists. He’s just the second player this century to accomplish the feat in one of Europe’s top five leagues, and he did it in six less games than Thierry Henry did for Arsenal in 2002-03. Messi is also the first player in La
take over; just like in tennis — it’s either in or out, there’s nothing in between.”Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh backed Tendulkar’s position, saying on Twitter it was “1,000 percent correct”. India was the last Test nation to embrace DRS, in 2016. It was rumoured that Tendulkar had led opposition to the technology until his retirement in 2013.
Liga to reach 20 assists since former Barcelona teammate Xavi in 2008-09. Messi’s nifty flick and Vidal’s impressive composure and finish came at a key juncture for Barcelona, which needed a win to stand a reasonable chance of catching Real Madrid in the La Liga title chase this season. Barcelona now trails by a single point, but has also played one more game than its El Clásico rival. Real Madrid visits Granada on Monday, and while it’s been in fine form since the restart, Granada has only lost twice during that period as well.
Lionel Messi made history with his assist to Arturo Vidal on Saturday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Manchester City’s ban from European football overturned MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester City’s two-year suspension from European football was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yesterday, allowing the club to compete in next season’s elite Champions League competition. CAS ruled that City did not breach Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules by disguising equity funding as sponsorship. Sport’s highest court also reduced a fine for failing to cooperate with UEFA to 10 million euros from 30 million euros. “Most of the alleged breaches reported by the (UEFA) Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB (Club Financial Control Body)were either not established or timebarred,” CAS said in a statement. European soccer’s governing body UEFA ruled in February that City had committed serious FFP breaches and failed to cooperate with its investigation. Missing out on the Champions League would have cost City, who have denied any wrongdoing, as much as 100 million pounds in prize money and broadcast revenue, as well as matchday and other revenues.
Manchester City’s Manager Pep Guardiola celebrates a goal scored by Raheem Sterling that is later disallowed during the Champions League Quarterfinal second leg against Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium. (Reuters Andrew Yates) The FFP regulations are designed to stop clubs running up big losses through spending on players. They also ensure sponsorship deals are based on their real market value and are genuine commercial agreements — and not ways for owners to pump cash into a club to get around the rules. CAS said its full legal ruling, with details of the case and the decision, would be
published in the coming days. “Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the Club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present,” City said in a statement. “The Club wishes to
thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered,” the Premier League club added. UEFA had said City had committed “serious breaches” of the FFP rule in information submitted to them between 2012 and 2016. However, Article 37 of UEFA’s own procedural rules covering the CFCB states that (Continued on page 22)
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
Blackwood always key to run chase, says Holder
Jason Holder SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – Captain Jason Holder said Sunday he had not spoken to Jermaine Blackwood following his glaring first innings indiscretion that cost him his wicket cheaply, but always knew the dashing right-hander would have a key role to play in any successful run chase to win the opening Test. Blackwood gifted his wicket cheaply for 12 on Friday, smashing an ordinary delivery from off-spinner Dom Bess into mid-off’s lap as West Indies were dismissed for 318 in reply to England’s 204. However, the 28-year-old redeemed himself with an innings of the highest quality here Sunday, laying aside his usually impulsive stroke-play to top-score with 95 as West Indies chased down a target of 200 to pull off a four-wicket win at the Ageas Bowl. “After his first innings dismissal I said nothing to him. He knew what he’d done and he knew he is a better player than what he did in the first innings so there was no need to talk to him,” Holder told a media conference. “I [always] felt he was going to be a crucial player for us in this run chase, him and probably John Campbell because these guys when they get going score relatively quickly and can really swing the tide for us when they form partnerships. “I just said to Jermaine ‘look, just give yourself a chance, give yourself a good chance. See a few balls and then play
Jermaine Blackwood your game. If you see a ball in your arc and you feel you can put it away, put it away’ because that’s the way he plays.” He continued: “I don’t like to get into complicating players’ heads and congesting their brains with too much information. They’re all responsible enough and know themselves well enough. We’re just here to help one another – lots of these guys in the dressing room help me and help me in significant ways.” The game marked Blackwood’s first start in a Test match in nearly three years after featuring on the Windies’ last tour here in 2017 before being axed later that year. He appeared as a concussion substitute in the second Test against india in Kingston last year when Darren Bravo was forced out of the game, but missed out again thereafter. Blackwood impressed in the recent West Indies first class championship where he plundered nearly 800 runs at an average of 51 and Holder said he had merited his place in the side by the sheer weight of his performances. “To be honest, his case was pretty strong to get back into the team. He scored a double hundred this year in a first class game,” Holder explained. “Unfortunately for me, I haven’t been able to see him bat but his numbers speak for themselves and he’s not a slouch with the bat at this level either. “In comparison to the players we’ve got, he’s still averag-
Athletics: Russian federation chief resigns amid new doping troubles
Newly elected president of Russia’s athletics federation Evgeny Yurchenko speaks at the Russia’s Olympic Committee building in Moscow, Russia February 28, 2020. (REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva/File Photo) MOSCOW (Reuters) - The president of Russia’s suspended athletics federation resigned from his post yesterday as the federation grapples with new doping setbacks that could
keep its athletes further sidelined from international competitions. Yevgeny Yurchenko, a businessman and former deputy regional governor, had been in the position since late February. He did not provide a reason for his resignation. The federation’s troubles have piled up in recent months, with some of its officials and senior coaches having found themselves embroiled in doping scandals. Most recently the federation missed a July 1 deadline to pay millions of dollars to World Athletics, putting on hold the chances of its track and field athletes being able to compete internationally as neutrals. World Athletics had handed the federation a $10 million fine for breaching anti-doping rules in March. At the time World Athletics reinstated the process by which Russian athletes could apply to compete internationally as neutrals after demonstrating that they are training in a doping-free environment. It said, however, that this process would again be suspended if half of the fine was not paid by July 1. World Athletics said this month that the Doping Review Board, which reviews Russians’ applications to compete internationally, and the Russian Taskforce overseeing the federation’s reinstatement efforts were standing down until a meeting of its Council later this month. The federation was suspended by the global body governing body in 2015 after a report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of mass doping among Russian track and field athletes.
Jason Holder and Jermaine Blackwood. ing above 30 so he’s done well for us. We just hope he can kick on and make a few more hundreds.” West Indies appeared to be squandering the opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the series when they slumped to 27 for three before lunch on Sunday’s final day. However, Blackwood repaired the innings, first in a 73-run fourth wicket stand with Roston Chase who made 37, and then in a 68-run fifth wicket partnership with wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich who made 20. The victory came on the heels of the Windies’ 2-1 series victory in the Caribbean last year and saw them take a giant stride towards ending a 32-year wait for a series win on English soil “It’s a massive, massive win. To beat England in England is no easy feat,” said Holder, who presided over the Windies’ last win at Leeds three years ago. “We were able to do it last time we were here in 2017 so we all know what the feeling is like but things have changed drastically since then. “They’re a massive, massive unit in their backyard so to start the series this well is very promising for us and we feel very proud about the way we performed.” In fact, Sunday’s victory was in complete contrast to the (Continued on page 19)
After 7-wicket haul against England, Jason Holder climbs to No. 2 in Test bowler rankings SportsMax - West Indies captain Jason Holder has moved up a place to the number-two spot in the Reliance ICC Test rankings for bowlers. The 28-year-old Barbadian, who is also the number-oneranked Test all-rounder in the world, took match figures of seven wickets for 91 runs in the first Test against England in the #RaisetheBat series that concluded on Sunday with the Caribbean men winning the closely fought match by four wickets. Holder’s 6 for 42 in the first innings against England at the Ageas Stadium in Southampton, helped restrict the home side to 204 on Thursday’s second day and helped set up a famous victory for the West Indies. The performance that included 1 for 49 in England’s second innings, earned the lanky medium pacer 32 points in the Test rankings taking him to 862 points. Those points also moved him ahead of South Africa’s Neil Wagner who has 859 ranking points. Australia’s Pat Cummings leads the rankings with 914 points. Kemar Roach, who went wicketless in the match is ranked 16th with 731 points, while Man-of-the-Match Shannon Gabriel is ranked 18th with 726 points. Gabriel took 9 wickets in the match and was a key player in the West Indies victory on Sunday.
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Tuesday July 14, 2020
At 14, Rampertab Ramnauth is a little runs machine By Sean Devers Gifted fourteen-year-old West Indies U-16 lefthanded stroke player Rampertab Ramnauth is a little runs machine and already has scored 16 centuries including a double. He seemed capable of joining his Port Mourant club mate Roopnarine Ramgobin as the only Guyanese to play for the West Indies U-15 and U-19 teams when still at the U-15 level. But the Regional U-15 tournament fixed for April, the U-17 fixture which was set for June in Trinidad and the Regional U-19 competition, set for August, have all been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic although a CGI official says there is still some hope of playing the U-15 competition in December. Last year April in Antigua, in the final round of the CWI Regional 50-over U-15 tournament, Guyana and T&T met in the Championship match which Guyana, led by Man-of-theMatch Ramnauth’s unbeaten 92 and Mavindra Dindyal’s
52, reached a revised target of 204, making 204-3 from 30.2 overs. T&T had reached 180-2 from 43 overs in the rain a ff e c t e d g a m e g i v i n g Guyana a seven-wicket win on the DLS system. H o w e v e r, G u y a n a finished .1 of a point behind TT since their fast bowlers took one more wicket than the Guyanese although both teams ended with four wins and one loss from five matches. TT took the title because of the fast bowling points. Each wicket taken by a fast bowler gets .1 of a point for their team. After T&T and Barbados won the first two titles in 1996 and 1997, Guyana won their first tournament in 1998 in Jamaica when Damodar, Dasrath, Narsingh Deonarine and Keeper Imran Hussain made the first ever West Indies U-15 team. Guyana again emerged Champions the next year at home before winning their third and fourth titles in 2014 in Jamaica and 2015 in Guyana. But despite being denied
Rampertab Ramnauth celebrates another century.
their fifth title and first in four years, Ramnauth, who still has this year at U-15 level, says this was his second most memorable game playing for Guyana. His most memorable was his debut 114 against Jamaica in the opening round. Ramnauth had scores of 114, 0, 57, 8 and 93 in Antigua which led to him being selected last year to tour England with the West Indies U-16 team along with fellow Guyanese Mavindra Dindyal and Pacer Isai Thorne. “The conditions in England were challenging. Playing the ball late and leaving the ball away from off-stump were key things I leant there,” said Ramnauth. Ramnauth was born on December 4, 2005 and grewup in Clifton Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. He is the son of Roopnarine Ramnauth and Lilowtie Lacchminarine and one of nine siblings including five sisters. Ramnauth grew up in a single parent home, since his mom who has been working for 12 years at the Port Mourant Hospital and his dad, are no longer together. Ramnauth attended the Tain Nursery and Primary schools and Port Mourant Secondary and is now a fourth form student of RVC, preparing to write five CXC exams next year. A c c o r d i n g t o Ramnauth’s mom he loved cricket since he very little and was always with a bat in his hand. Rampertab joined Port Mourant as an eight-year-old and made his Inter-County Under-15 debut as a 12-yearold after making 51 against Rose Hall Canje in his debut U-15 game for PM in 2016. Last year he became the youngest player to participate in the CWI franchise league (Guyana’s highest domestic tournament) when he was picked in the Upper Corentyne Squad at the age of 13 after returning from the West Indies under-16 tour to England. This is his second year playing Franchise cricket. “The Franchise cricket is far tougher than club cricket because there are so many senior players in the teams so you have concentrate more
when you are batting. But it has been a great experience for leaning from the senior players,” said Ramnauth who enjoys playing a game called Sal pass. He was among seven batsmen with half-centuries in this year’s U-17 InterCounty tournament scoring the most runs (136). His runs were more than the tournament’s best batsman, Dindyal and fellow Berbician Mahendra Gopilall; the other two batsmen reached 100 runs from their three matches. Ramnauth (78), Gopilall (58 & 54), Zeynul Ramsammy (50), Shemar Yearwood (54), Dindyal (50), Jaden Campbell (58) and Aryan Persaud (51*) were the batsmen with halfcenturies. “I know education is the key to success and I am writing five CXC subjects next year, but I still want play for Guyana and then West Indies in Test Cricket. So I have to focus on cricket and studies…I can’t go to school now due to the COVID-19 Virus and I can’t go to the ground to practice but our pastor bowls to me in the yard,” informed Rampertab who loves Maths. “I don’t go to lessons but don’t watch TV unless it showing cricket and I enjoy studying my school work and reading…. don’t really play other sports,” says Rampertab who loves playing the cover drive. “My favourite batsman is Indian right-hander Virat Kholi because of his talent, technique and his professional attitude to his cricket and training,” informed Ramnauth who wants to play Test cricket and become one of the top 10 batsmen in the world. The young runs machine fashioned a majestic 265 against Number 73 Village in the Jai Hind Ground in Berbice as Port Mourant scored a record 447-run win after he had scored his brilliant 179 which orchestrated a win over Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes. He followed-up his top score of 37 in Berbice’s upset defeat against Demerara at Bourda. Ramnauth disclosed that his only double century was unforgettable. “My most memorable
Rampertab Ramnauth match is last January when I made 265 against Number 73 in the U-15 competition. I hit 28 fours and 17 sixes and was LBW in the 41st over. But I prefer two innings and 50 overs cricket. I don’t really like T20 cricket,” says Rampertab, who loves fish broth.” Last February at Lusignan, Ramnauth hit a masterful unbeaten 147 from 178 balls, 225 minutes with 11 fours and shared in a century second wicket stand with Thameshwar Mahadeo to give Berbice an empathic 257-run victory over Essequibo in the second round of the GCB’s Dave West Indian Imports 50-over U-15 cricket encounter. “That match was my most memorable match for Berbice in U15 cricket,” said Ramnauth who scored his first of 11 centuries at the age of 11. “My family, BCB President Mr Foster and my Coach Leslie Solomon are among the main people who
have helped and supported me with my cricket,” concluded Rampertab who says he can also bowl parttime leg-spin. Pic -
Rampertab in England last year with Windies U-16 Team.
BCB Treasurer, Dr Cecil Beharry honours Rampertab Ramnauth.
Russell Westbrook tests After 7-wicket haul against England, Jason Holder positive for COVID-19 climbs to No. 2 in Test bowler rankings
Russell Westbrook tested positive for COVID-19.
West Indies captain Jason Holder
At 14, Rampertab Ramnauth is a t r o Sp little runs Fraser-Pryce sets machine
world lead at Velocity Fest
p. 20
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Rampertab gathers leg-side runs during his double century for Port Mourant.
Messi becomes first player in La Liga history to have 20 goals and 20 assists in same season
Olympics must go ahead next year as symbol of overcoming COVID-19, Tokyo governor says Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.