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AIETEUR APNU+AFC vows to Tuesday Edition NEWS

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appeal High Court's ruling in recount case

July 21, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 29

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- PPP/C calls it abuse of court, but sure it will fail

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GECOM must use recount to declare result - AG, Jones, Lowenfield submissions “hopelessly flawed” - Lowenfield cannot be a lone ranger, is bound by law and direction of GECOM - Chief Justice (ag) (See story on page 3)

Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George- Wiltshire

GECOM CEO, Keith Lowenfield

APNU+AFC Counting Agent, Misenga Jones

Attorney General, Basil Williams

Stop wasting Lowenfield tendered CH&PA fails to Man charged country's time ballot papers as provide details for threatening with court evidence in Misenga about Lusignan GECOM Chair Heliport and family cases - LJP, TCI Jones case p.

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Tuesday July 21, 2020

Stop wasting country's time with court cases - LJP, TCI T

he Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) have called on the governing A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) to stop wasting the nation's time, as the coalition, once again, indicated that it would challenge another clear court ruling.

The LJP and TCI issued their statements last evening following yesterday's decision by Chief Justice ( C J ) R o x a n e G e o rg e Wiltshire, in which she ruled that the national vote recount must be used to declare the results of the March 2, General and Regional Elections. George-Wiltshire also ruled that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, is not a “lone ranger” and must do as he is directed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

During the ruling, Attorneys-at-Law Mayo

Robertson and Roysdale Forde, who represented the applicant Misenga Jones, disclosed that they plan on approaching the Court of Appeal with the objecting of contesting the CJ's decision.

Considering that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the Chief Justice were “comprehensive and clear” in their previous judgments, the LJP sees the approach to the Court of Appeal as a waste of the court's and country's time “and it is an obstruction of the elections declarations by the PNC that we are hopeful will levy further sanctions on the perpetrators that continue to torture this nation through this process,” the LJP wrote in their statement to the press.

Meanwhile, the TCI wrote in their statement to the press that they remain concerned that “despite such a clear and concise ruling, there is yet to be another court matter.” TCI therefore calls on all parties to abide by

(From left) Presidential Candidates of LJP and TCI, Lennox Shuman and Rondha Lam the rulings and not waste any more of the court's time.

Incumbent President David Granger has repeatedly said that his party is not interfering in the work of the GECOM. However, matters were brought to the courts by three Coalition supporters under the guise of “private citizens”.

The first case was

brought by APNU+AFC Candidate, Ulita Grace Moore, on March 17, seeking to block a CARICOM-supervised recount.

Moore was an East Coast Demerara candidate for the Coalition in the 2018 Local Government Elections and she was on the Region Four list of candidates for the

regional elections.

In her application, Moore through her A t t o r n e y s - a t - L a w, government aligned Mayo Robertson and Roysdale Forde had requested that the Court order GECOM to utilize the fraudulent declarations made

by Clairmont Mingo on March 13.

The High Court had ruled on the case in favour of Moore; however that ruling was overturned by the Full Court, paving way for the National Recount.

After the recount was completed, showing a clear win for the Opposition, another Coalition supporter, Eslyn David, brought a motion to the Court of Appeal in attempts to block the CEO from presenting to the Commission, his final report using the figures from the recount.

That case was brought on June 19, mere minutes before Lowenfield was expected to submit his report before the Commission at

13:00hrs that afternoon.

David was also represented by Attorney-atLaw Mayo Robertson, who represented Moore in the first case, and Roger Yearwood. She sought from the Court among other things, a declaration that GECOM failed to act in accordance with the recount order No. 60, in that it “failed to determine a final credible count and or the credibility of the result” of the March 2 polls.

David based her request on the preliminary summation report compiled

by Lowenfield where he produced two alternate figures; the accurate numbers from the recount and another which took into consideration the baseless allegations made Coalition during the recount.

The Appellate Court ruled 2-1 in favour of David but that ruling was later overturned when the Opposition ventured to the (continued on page 14)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 21, 2020

PAGE 03

GECOM must use recount figures to declare result - AG, Jones, Lowenfield submissions “hopelessly flawed” - Lowenfield cannot be a lone ranger, is bound by law and directions of GECOM - Chief Justice(ag)

By Rehanna Ramsay

C

hief Justice (Ag), Roxane George Wi l t s h i r e h a s dismissed the latest application filed to compel the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to rely on nothing but disputed figures to make the final election's declarations.

The case filed by Misenga Jones, a Counting Agent for A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU +AFC), was thrown out after the Chief Justice (CJ) determined five main issues raised by her application.

Jones had petitioned the High Court for several orders, among them a declaration to prevent the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield from using the recount figures, which show a victory for the Opposition People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) over the incumbent APNU+AFC. The APNU +AFC counting agent wanted the Court to make a declaration that the CEO could instead use nothing but a report based on the March 13 district declarations as the basis on which a final election declaration would be made.

That report with the fraudulent March 13

declarations made by Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, has been rejected by the GECOM C h a i r, r e t i r e d J u s t i c e Claudette Singh.

In her ruling yesterday, the CJ determined the figures derived from the recount of the March 2, 2020 Regional and General Elections are valid and unless overturned by a Court in an election petition, it is the only data that could be used for the declaration.

Justice George-Wiltshire stated too that the previous ten declarations cannot be “resurrected”.

At several points in her ruling, the CJ stressed the issues outlined in the application breached the principles of res judicata which essentially meant that the issues outlined in the application were already considered and determined by a court of competent jurisdiction and therefore should not be further pursued by the parties in a similar course of litigation.

Justice George-Wiltshire specified that the issues of Jones' application has already been dealt with by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and Court of Appeal (CoA) and as such could not be otherwise determined by the High Court.

The judge said that the

Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George- Wiltshire High Court is also bound by the rulings the CCJ and CoA—both competent Courts of higher jurisdictions.

NARROW JURISDICTION P r i o r t o h e r pronouncements on the merits, the Chief Justice (Ag) determined that the High Court had the Jurisdiction to hear the case.

Noting that the crux of Jones' application is that GECOM's officers breached Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution in the conduct of their duties in a public office, the CJ said that their

Teen fatally stabbed in row over girl

A

row over a girl ended in tragedy after a teen was stabbed to death on Sunday last at a shop in Marudi Backdam, South Rupununi, Region Nine.

The fatal stabbing took place at around 00:20Hrs while the dead teen, Shadrech Martin, 18, of Aishalton Village was imbibing with friends and his alleged killer.

Eyewitnesses detailed that Martin, along with

friends and the suspect, 16, identified as a Venezuelan national, were in attendance a t a b i r t h d a y p a r t y.

According to eyewitnesses, a heated argument erupted between Martin and the suspect after the teenagers confronted each other over a “Spanish girl”.

The confrontation escalated rapidly and the suspect pulled out a knife from his waist and dealt Martin a single stab to his chest.

Martin collapsed and the suspect attempted to run away but was apprehended

by Martin's friends. Martin was picked up by persons who witnessed the ordeal and rushed to the Aishalton Village hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect, however, was beaten and tied up by the dead teen's friends who handed him over to the police along with the murder weapon.

GECOM CEO, Keith Lowenfield actions can be subject to judicial review.

She said on this premise the Court has “a narrow jurisdiction” to interpret the Constitution and determine whether the Chairperson, GECOM and the CEO are acting lawfully.

Cognizant of the restrictions imposed on the court by Section 140 of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), and by Article 163 of the Constitution, which would require an approach to the court by way of election petition, the CJ stressed that where there is an impasse regarding the decision-making of GECOM to complete the

APNU+AFC Counting Agent, Misenga Jones elections process, judicial review is necessary to advance this process.

“It is in this context that there can be judicial review of their decisions… Thus, on this narrow basis, it is an enquiry into the legal framework that guides the carrying out of their functions to complete the elections process...,” she added.

HOPELESSLY FLAWED In a closer examination of the case, the CJ said that it is her view that the submissions made on behalf of Jones, the CEO and the

Attorney General, Basil Williams Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams were “hopelessly flawed”.

She noted that, in their submissions, all three parties contended that the Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 2000 was unconstitutional and based their arguments on a ruling by the CoA. In this regard, she stressed that the submission on behalf of the applicant, that the CoA's decision on Section 22 is obiter dicta, cannot be accepted.

The Judge said the decision of the CoA on Section 22 cannot be considered to be obiter dicta (continued on page 16)

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Tuesday July 21, 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

Recovering or reconciling – which comes first?

Whichever way Chairwoman Claudette Singh proceeds, it will be one more bus stop in Guyana’s elections catastrophe. That is guaranteed and will intensify our divisions. It will confirm that this has been the most bruising of elections contest ever endured by the peoples of this young nation. There is the hardest of roads ahead, one that is soaked through by the most dreadful hatreds imaginable. How to proceed is the most burning issue, among a menu of issues clamouring for attention. What should come first, be the most urgent priority?

Recovering to reconciling, some form of it? Or reconciling first, then moving full strength towards the recoveries waiting to be addressed? Whatever is done, must be done immediately, delicately. That delicateness of approach must be unprecedented, for almost half the population is seething. Indeed, it could be accurately and safely stated that hundreds of thousands in society rage dangerously uncontrollably.

It would be the height of unwisdom to extend the narratives about who cheated and who aided, who tendered the intellectual underpinnings, and which leader or group failed. None of that mends anything, simply fuels fires not doused easily. Any new regime has to move with purpose, with genuine and broad devotion to staunch the national bleeding, the terrible emotional traumas.

Unlike our elections, there can be none of the usual dissembling, vacillating, and tiptoeing around the perils that hang over the head and threaten to pierce our fragile peace, our feeble restraints. This is where we are as a country, and it needs to be handled carefully and sensibly.

Leaders and seniors signal callers of both groups must (repeat: MUST) embody and project the right messages through words thoughtfully chosen and shared with every citizen of this nation. People are agitated and apprehensive of what the future holds, and this includes those from every side and every floor of our political house.

In view of where we have been, and what we have gone through, for approximately the last eighteen months, this is not the time for any kind of celebrating, for that first will remind of the fate of losing, and second rub salt in the raw sores. We urge that there be none of that, which will be the first indication of how disciplined we are, how strong and wise our leadership, and whether we are first and foremost about party, and nothing about the anxieties and concerns of the rest of the country.

Rather, this is a time for thanksgiving. Gratitude that we have struggled laboriously through the most battering storms, and now emerge with noses barely above the waterline to continue to somewhere. It has to be a higher place, and not in any way reminiscent of the same sorry and sordid places in which we have lived, and which we seem to relish so much. Thanksgiving at the quiet individual level, and still quieter national level, is what should grace and be the steady orderliness of the few days that stand before.

The greatest of care must be exercised so that mistakes are not made, that we do not resort to the old and regular ways that comfort. They will not on this occasion since this nation is precariously balanced on the edge of daggers. Every effort should be-must be-dedicated to anything and everything that helps to heal and reconcile this torn and broken society. We dare to say that should anything otherwise be attempted; it would be more than playing the fool. It would be the equivalent of playing with fires that could scorch, if not consume.

We must spare no energy, waste no strength, in seeking to begin the process of reconciling. Only then, can we dream of making a start, some kind of hesitant but confident start, towards the in-depth recovery so vitally and desperately needed here. Indeed, there are numerous recovery efforts that must be embarked upon and simultaneously. Our economy, our institutions, our relations, our environmental ambience. And, of course, our oil, which is, truth be told, the wellspring of all of our electoral troubles.

May we be ready. May we be so committed as leaders, as individuals, and as ONE people in ONE nation working towards ONE destiny.

A shining example in these dark times DEAR EDITOR, For a while now I wanted to publicly recognize the courageous act of Mr. Dominic Gaskin as one of the few bright spots in these dark times.

His example is important not just for this immediate period but for the future.

He has displayed great integrity, courage and a strong democratic stance when he came out openly to urge his colleagues to concede and stop the ridiculous attempt to take power illegally and undemocratically.

When you compare his stance to those of his colleagues, he looms very large.

For instance, we have all heard the recording in which Mr. Ramjattan was thanking his staff because as he said; ”...the numbers are

against us”. Yet he, instead of standing up for truth and democracy, has chosen to take a stand against the people and our Constitution.

Or take Nagamootoo, a man who has become one of the foulest defenders of the theft of an election. This is a man who beat his chest about freedom, etc. He wrote extensively about PNC and rigging of elections. Yet today, having benefitted from the massive corruption and the various manipulations, is defending the fraud.

The PNC leadership, President David Granger, the maximum leader, while paying lip service to procedures has done everything to frustrate the democratic process.

This is the same man who called Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, then Chairperson of CARICOM, and agreed to

have a recount. Lo and behold he has reneged on that position! Now you see why he is being described as a ‘Sanctimonious Gangster’?

This behaviour is, however, in keeping with PNC’s traditions. Recall in 1997 they agreed to Voters’ ID Cards. They voted in the National Assembly to change the law to allow the use of the Voter ID Cards.

When they lost those elections they went to court saying the Voters’ ID Cards were unconstitutional.

I wonder if these riggers and the benefactors of the rigging have ever stopped to ponder on the harm, they are doing to our country generally and to the moral health of mainly our youths.

For those who continue to follow and support them they are actually telling people

that fraud, thievery and corruption are ‘good’ things.

This is the example they are portraying. We will be counting the costs for years to come.

That is why Dominic Gaskin’s example stands out.

No doubt, he must be enduring a lot of attacks from his colleagues, but he is making no compromise to fraud.

When one take into consideration that he has family links to the President it is all the more significant.

It is just a pity that in the leadership of the PNC/APNU/ AFC alliance he is the only one that has displayed integrity and respect for the will of the people. He is really the only good example that has ever emerged from the ranks of the cabal.

Donald Romotar

I think that Christians are called to be advocates of justice in society DEAR EDITOR, Christians in Guyana should evaluate whether their identity and affiliation reside in a political party, and ascertain their role in the present political instability.

Admittedly, it is no easy task given that religious affiliation often influences political support; however, much can be realised if a Christian considers the question: Should a Christian fully identify with any particular political party and unreservedly defend its propaganda? Here, I offer my thoughts.

I think that the salvific message of Jesus Christ transcends the political. The fullest meaning of the Christian message is that of healing and restoration of every individual in society and not the division of people along political lines.

Christianity holds to an exclusive “one-kingdom” view. This is why the early church father and theologian, Tertullian, advocated that Christians should seek to insulate themselves from the corrupting political influences around them. After all, Jesus himself said during Pilate’s interrogation, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest…” (John 18:36, NIV). It appears, then, that no one fought to prevent Jesus’ arrest because he didn’t lead a political movement as his early disciples wanted of him. He knew that most governments would fall short of justice and he pointed them to a better reality.

Also recognising that most governments would fall

short of justice, the great western theologian, Augustine, drew a sharp distinction between the “City of God” and the “City of Man”. The “City of God” is a trans-political reality and something to which Christians should be ordered as their ultimate end.

Following the thoughts of Plato and the classical tradition of political philosophy, Augustine believed that it was necessary to ask what the best government would be. Yet, he also agreed with Plato that such a perfect government is impossible to create in this life and that attempting to bring it about would destroy actual governments. I think, then, that it is in their best interests—and of others— that Christians should be cautious about placing too much at stake in any political party or government.

In fact, the positions of some (if not all) political parties do not line up with biblical teachings. This does not mean that Christians can never speak on social, economic, and political situations because the Bible often does. To speak out against egregious violations of moral and legal imperatives in society is not optional; however, for a Christian to be fully identified with any particular political party and unreservedly protest in their defence is problematic simply because the church’s reputation as a nonpartisan and neutral voice for social and civil stability will be tarnished.

Furthermore, it is also problematic because political parties insist that you cannot

work on one issue with them if you do not embrace all of their approved positions.

This is what the British ethicist James Mumford calls “package-deal ethics,” remarking that one’s political identity runs deeper than mere party affiliation. He notes that “it works at a sociopolitical level in a way that makes left and right the most determinative markers of identity [and] polarization on that level grows even stronger than partisan fissuring.” The emphasis on package deals puts pressure on Christians in politics especially when historical Christian positions on social issues do not fit into political alignments. Take, for example, racism in Guyana and its persistent presence due to the political divide.

Racism and politics have always been two sides of the same coin in the history of Guyana. I observe, then, that Christians are pushed toward two extremes: one is to withdraw from political affiliation while the other is to assimilate and fully adopt a party’s whole package—be it of the APNU+AFC or PPP/C political parties.

I think that Christians are called to be advocates of justice in society. The entire corpus of Old Testament literature asserts that justice involves the restoration of that which is good and right and the retribution for the wrongs committed in society.

The ancient Jews saw themselves as active participants in creating a just society for all people, minority groups included.

And when they failed to uphold justice, advocates for social and civil reform (such

as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah) reminded them of the standard of justice and their responsibility to uphold it.

The famous and often quoted verse from the Old Testament resonates with this. Here is my translation of it: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good. And what does Yahweh require of you?”

(Micah 6.8a). And what is this requirement? It answers, “to do justice (miðpât), and to love loyalty (%ìsìd), and to behave prudently (hácnça)” (Micah 6.8b). I ascertain that “to do justice” refers to an approach to justice in which one of the responses to a breach or offence in the law is through restoring the proper function of the law and seeking the retribution of the offender(s) for the crime committed. Moreover, “to love loyalty” and “to behave prudently” refers to one’s respect and commitment to the rule of law, and one’s wise and judicious behaviour in practical affairs. As a democratic society, we create codes by which we choose to live and which embody the vision of rightness by which we ought to live. If Christians wish to live in a just society, then their commitment to these three requirements given by God will help forge a path towards such a society for all. They are called to respect the joint-obligation (another meaning of %ìsìd) to the law which they share with others in our society and to exemplify the standard of righteousness (another meaning of miðpât) which their Scripture claims to embody.

And since Christianity has as its (Continued on page 6)

Tuesday July 21, 2020

Giving credit where it is due DEAR EDITOR, The Ministry of Education was forced to close school in March of this year and rightfully so due to the Coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19. Editor, you can recall this was very close to the writing of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA); many know as ‘Common Entrance’, this exam had to be postponed.

The MoE for some time deliberated as to when this exam will be rescheduled for with the World gripped by the deadly and contagious COVID-19. Editor as a parent I must admit I had great reservation about the writing of NGSA at such a time and to be candid I was one of those persons who wanted

the NGSA cancelled due to the serious health risk posed by the pandemic.

The Ministry of Education to their credit pressed on and insisted that our children write what I believe is one of the most important exams on the MoE’s calendar.

In addition to announcing that NGSA was to be written on July 1 and 2, the MoE announced that NGSA will be guided by an examination order.

Editor, it was the Examination Order that caused me to have a different perspective on the NGSA writing. Kudos to the Ministry of Education, the order outlined some very stringent measures such as the compulsory wearing of face

mask at schools, handwashing, social distancing measures and restricted many categories of persons from entering the schools. Editor, in the end, the Ministry was able to conduct the examination very successfully and I dare say adopting international best practices.

There was this great clamour by a large crosssection of the nation for NGSA not to be held. What are your views now? I notice CSEC and CAPE are currently being written and if NGSA is a yardstick to use, then those two exams are poised to be successfully hosted. Well done Ministry of Education; as a parent I think I should give credit where it is due.

Nigel Matthews

Shifting sands DEAR EDITOR, The internet, artificial intelligence and sovereignty will be key issues of the 21st century.

The entire global economy is in disarray. The fight for technological dominance between the US and China is indicative of the importance of the internet to the future of the world.

Business, education and everyday life will increasingly use the internet and therefore the internet will become vital to the modern world.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most revolutionary tool human have invented in the modern era. Many jobs including BPO jobs will be taken over by AI. Some jobs will be created

by AI but they will require advance education so people with little formal education who are usually the poor will be disadvantaged.

Shorter work week and training for marginalized can mitigate the negative effects of artificial intelligence. The international infrastructure is

complex and large and will get more complex and larger. One country will be ineffective in influencing the global order.

The splitting of the world into pro US or pro China and nations who want to be neutral will increase the need to be protected by a group of nations. Sovereignty will be shifting.

Like Malcom X says the future belongs to those who prepare for it today, so prepare.

Yours truly, Brian Plummer

Like dog fighting, cock fighting is also brutal and senseless DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) would like to express its outrage that, according to recent reports in the media, the inhumane act of cockfighting regularly takes place on Sundays at the Port Mourant Race Course.

Like dog fighting, which is another despicable “sport,” cock fighting is also brutal and senseless.

It should be no surprise that the people who participate in these atrocious acts exhibit the same characteristics. There is a well-documented link between the barbaric acts of cockfighting and dog fighting and other crimes and violence. As Guyanese, we need to safeguard the moral fibre of our society by reporting these acts to authorities when witnessed.

The Society commends the Guyana Police Force for fulfilling its legal obligation to quash these illegal activities and arrest the perpetrators.

Under Guyana’s laws, cockfighting and dog-

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fighting are both illegal, and those found guilty of participating in these activities face a fine and imprisonment of six (6) months.

Citizens may continue to report these illegal acts to the GSPCA by calling 226-4237 or by making a report at the nearest police station.

Yours faithfully, The Executive Committee of the Guyana Society for

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Oliver Insanally, Hon. President Jennifer FalconerMajeed, Hon. Vice President Shiromanie Isaacs, Hon. Secretary Dominique Ahmad. Hon. Treasurer Dr.NardeoBassodeo Anya Samaroo Stacey Gomes Susan Isaacs

Groping for some sanity DEAR EDITOR, I stay with what I believe offers a way out of our ugly political impasses. Shared governance, it is called. It is certain to incur more hostility and scorn, which is enough to encourage continuing along the path chosen, while groping for sanity.

Shared governance. How do I see it?

It is comprehensive political and civil inclusion in managing all vital areas of governance: the economy, oil integrity, major institutions, and civilian and national security, among numerous others. It should not include the two political majors, but there is no ridding of them. Against all that I stand for, they have to be counted, with inclusive extending (significantly) to other crucial groups in society; religious, media, and professional estates are some.

Cumbersome certainly, but otherwise we have nothing, but the promise of good conduct, good practices, and good results, with nothing remotely resembling such.

We would need expert guidance on the formation and implementation of the organs for democratic management at different levels. Since upwards of 85% of our higher educated base migrate, what we have left is mainly the riffraff that relishes squabbling and cursing, while getting nowhere.

Which country can get anything done, succeed to any degree, with a 15% intellectual residue? And when it is almost equally divided along racial political lines? That reduces to a struggling 7% when governing, and with a critical and sabotaging 7% arrayed against in opposition and confusion. In truth, it is the confusion that ties in knots

over who is better and fitter to govern.

Some learned menprofessors and authoritiesthink of matters from academic angles, including political science (democracy), economics (distribution), statistics (demographics) and so forth. The religious see it as a cursing from above. The foreigners view it as a paradox that ruffles their drawing boards. And the vast local criminal class recognizes it as tailor made for moneymaking.

All have truth.

For myself, I reduce governance to the kernel: it is a ‘coolie and black’ issue. All problems, all controversies, all impasses distill to that irreversible reality. Who should, and who should not… also, who sacrificed more, who came later, (and who squandered more). That is the sum of the sophistication and simplicity of Guyana’s sociology. It is what everybody knows, but none own up to and do something. We comfort ourselves with lies. I tell the first one: we are only this way around elections season; such convenient falsifications should be a capital crime. The truth is that – regardless of haves and have-nots, slavery and indentureship, democracy and clean governance, backward and bright citizens – what we have is a ‘coolie and black’ epidemic of national proportions. We may pretend and wish otherwise, but there it is.

Editor, some questions are timely. After the race wars ingrained in elections proceed somewhere beyond tomorrow, how do we face each other in parliament? How do we stand each other? How do we trust any other from anywhere at any time on anything? How do we

overcome the hatreds that hurt so much? Johnnie Walker (pick a colour) may induce the blessed relief of momentary forgetfulness, but reality returns.

Is the Leader of the Opposition embraceable, when on his hands many wrongs are deposited, including over a thousand deaths (literal) and a thousand other cuts? Is the president to be regarded with warmth after his own death dealing (electoral) exploits involving well over 100,000 votes? Supporters have been assured and reassured that they have won. How do they deal tranquilly and contentedly with losing?

Remember the numbers of this coolie and black problem: it is not 90/10 or 80/20 or even 60/40, however counted.

Remember this: no viable center exists as buffer.

Stepping overseas, my fellow Americans were invited to hold our hands and prevent us from tearing out each other’s liver. Now I understand that their hands are sullied: they wanted a military base here but were rebuffed. Something decays in Guyana’s Denmark.

Everything I have shared about trusting powers and principalities (vital strategic interests -Vladimir -are your people listening) take on a different light, including sanctions and partnering when other politicos make promises. I call it bartering among brigands under labels of democracy and clean elections.

Whatever it is, at the end of it, we still have this ‘coolie and black’ problem that is fixed through inclusive governance. Inclusive is the temporary cushion.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

PAGE 6

Remarks by incoming Caricom Chair must be taken seriously DEAR EDITOR, I am writing this letter after considering statements made by the incoming chair of Caricom, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in a broadcast on July 15, 2020.

Because of my own situation this broadcast was my only source until now of the alleged threats made in Guyana to the SecretaryGeneral of Caricom and to other officials of Caricom. I do not know what has been done to date about these reports but as a Caribbean citizen I wish to say that if they are true it deserves our general disapproval at all levels.

I am a Caribbean citizen of Guyanese origin living in the United States of America not because of fear of any government but because of an atmosphere created by the operation of two vigilante organizations aligned to the government and the opposition respectively. I therefore understand why my fellow Guyanese resident in Guyana may at times have sharp differences with what I write. As I understand it, Caricom was invited by Guyana’s two most popular political leaders to enter the situation with a view to resolving an impending conflict in an election which they both hoped to win.

As is known, I have refrained from making pronouncements on a situation I could know only by hearsay and also through reports of persons with a political bias one way or the other. I have noted that Prime Minister Gonsalves, like many of the persons and agencies he has cited, has been speaking with finality on a process that was at that

Tuesday July 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

time before Guyana’s courts of law, which so far as I know have not shut the door to any litigant on the ground of political persuasion or any other ground. Personally, I welcome the fact that the outgoing chairman of Caricom, Dr. Mia Motley, and her colleagues have lent their talents and time to our predicament. I only wish to warn, as I have done since the 1960s, that what in many Caribbean countries is simply an election among citizens, in Guyana includes other complexities. Here in Guyana, in the tissues of every general election are the fibers of communal struggle resulting from conscious designs of the colonial occupation.

Many may wonder at the USA’s high activism in our affairs in the face of a global pandemic of the present scale. However, it is of some relief to some sectors in the US Empire, to find diversion in the affairs of a mini-state when faced at home with a unique uprising of a multiracial nature in resentment of present-day lynching. The US State Department is not part of this uprising.

I recall once again that at a public meeting organized by opposition forces including Mr. Desmond Trotman, at City Hall Georgetown that the PNC leader of that time reminded listeners, “Walter Rodney is not here now to unite the people.” True, an election must end, but that end may be seen as an end in itself or as a beginning. Coming from the source it came from, reasonable citizens will understand that it was not a tribute lightly made and that because of that it deserves to be taken seriously.

Respectfully yours, Eusi Kwayana

Circumstances change; values shouldn’t DEAR EDITOR, Life is a funny thing and politics particularly so. At the end of WWII and at the dawn of internal self-government in the West Indies, the region was rather taken with the idea of a federation, uniting the British colonies. Noticeably absent from the ultimately ill-fated Federation was British Guiana. Cheddi Jagan and company felt that joining the Federation would lease their power to others in the Caribbean, who were black, which would, to them, be disadvantageous to and unpopular with Indo-Guyanese.

In the early 60s, bowing to American pressure to prevent another ‘Cuba’ in the Caribbean, the British contrived the proportional representation system for general elections, which resulted in the electoral weakening of the Marxist Jagan’s PPP, and allowing Forbes Burnham and his PNC to ascend to government, in the early years propped up by the conservative and American-supported D’Aguiar and his United Force.

The present political situation unfolding in Guyana, therefore, is pregnant with irony.

Today, the PPP welcome, with

open arms, the sentiment, judgments, and interventions by regional heads, courts and other prominent persons. Now, too, the Americans and British, among other international actors, are telling Burnham’s political progeny in the APNU+AFC that it is time to go, to make way for Jagan’s successors in the PPP/ C. Politics truly is a funny thing.

When I reflected upon these shifting political sands, I recalled the sentiment of our own Prime Minister Mottley in an interview with Canada’s CBC News. In defending Barbados’ support for Canada’s bid for the then-vacant temporary seat on the UN Security Council, she said that Barbados does not have permanent friends, but we have permanent values. This recognizes that states, organizations and people change over time in character and complexion and that it is folly to bind yourself completely to an entity for eternity. Rather, your support for an individual or an entity should be predicated upon their adherence to important values. In my view, that is not only a sound guiding principle for foreign policy, but it would serve individuals well also.

It is regrettable, therefore, that some in Guyana and elsewhere in the region would support in one way or another, the machinations of the APNU. That support represents an abandonment of basic values of integrity and fairness. Let us be clear, in its fourth month, the Guyana electoral saga has absolutely nothing to do with party, policy or personality. The time to litigate whether the PPP or APNU would make a better government is long past. To discuss the racialisation of Guyanese politics or whether a PPP government would be good for Afro-Guyanese is undoubtedly irrelevant. The only relevant consideration at this late hour is the winner of the recount exercise, and there is a near-universal consensus that that is the PPP/C and that GECOM must be allowed finally to declare that incontrovertible fact.

Is the fact that the fraudsters look like you sufficient grounds to abandon your values, I wonder? A person is little more than a fallen leaf in the autumn without holding fast to certain basic mores. Prominent among those are the same integrity and fairness. Most of life is

comprised of a great deal of uncertainty and ‘grey areas’.

Sometimes, however, an incident is so clear that there can be no room for debate; there is only one correct reaction. In this instance, that is absolute abhorrence at what is being perpetrated by APNU and their sycophants. Circumstances change as they clearly have done since the 1960s. Sometimes questionable motivations for some geopolitical maneuverings aside, what must not change is our individual commitment to guiding principles. Yesterday, the PPP might have been wrong and tomorrow they may be. However, today, it is APNU at fault and it is against that kind of antidemocratic despotism that we must all fight. Therein lies the broader lesson. No matter the rapid change in the direction of the winds, or the shifting sands of political positions or the changed tunes of various actors, in all of that ready chaos which life and politics serves up, if an individual holds firm to basic principles, you will always be on the right side of history, in the end.

Khaleel Kothdiwala 17 year old Barbadian student

Guyana requires a new and inclusive national response to COVID-19 DEAR EDITOR, What more evidence does the National COVID-19 Task Force need to conclude that COVID-19 outbreaks are linked to mining activity?

Gazetting of lockdowns in hotspots like Aranka (Region 7) (radius of 10 kms.) and Moruca (Region 1) two weeks ago contrast sharply with the decision of the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) to lockdown 21 villages as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak. Had the SRDC, for example, been supported three months ago when they blocked access to mining vehicles, they may not now be faced with COVID outbreaks in at least three communities. Similarly, had authorities in Moruca been incorporated into planning at an earlier stage, they would have been better prepared to counter the reportedly casual attitude of community members.

Moreover, the SRDC decision prompts the question why Regional Toshaos Councils are not empowered to play a more directive role in communitybased anti-COVID-19 strategies.

It is understandable that centralized direction of the GDF and the GPF is required to enforce curfews, non-essential travel and rogue elements in the mining sector. A centralized response is also essential to counter the worsening impacts of illegal gold-mining in Venezuela being channelled into

Guyana through the Cuyuni River. From recent reports, trafficking of women and girls, smuggling of gold for sale in Guyana, mercury-contaminated exports of fish and widespread river destruction are all worsening.

This approach, however, is not so effective in implementing public health strategies such as social distancing or contact tracing. Neither the Police nor the military have either the training or the resources to play this role.

The Police in Region 1, for example, have an outpost in Moruca, but cover a sub-Region that takes hours by boat to traverse. Moreover, the staff of State agencies such as GGMA, GFC and EPA, normally responsible for enforcement in the interior, are depleted as a

result of COVID-19 restrictions.

All of this suggests a more robust community-based strategy would benefit from an enhanced role for indigenous leadership. Such a role would better tap-in to prior community experience in combating epidemics, such as HIV, malaria and dengue.

Contact tracing, for example, is best conducted as close to the community as possible, whether interior or coastal.

People in communities know each other, are aware who might be vulnerable to contagion, even before information is volunteered.

Familiarity of so many of our medical personnel trained over the years with the worldacclaimed Cuban community health programmes, especially

in the areas of testing and contact tracing, should give our health personnel a head-start implementing such a strategy.

Overlooking indigenous expertise is not restricted to the NCTF. A recently reported meeting of the Borders Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with its Brazilian counterpart made no mention of any participation of indigenous leadership.

In light of this scenario, the continued promotion of the mining industry above national health interest by shielding this industry from COVID-19 restrictions grows more questionable.

Executive committee, Guyana Human Rights Association

I think that Christians are called...

From page 4 foundation the entire corpus of Old Testament literature, it is incumbent upon all Christians to live according to these requirements.

Thus, Christians should be guided by the gospel and its biblical mandates. Even though the Christian and culture must coexist, Christians must transcend the present cultural reality. The Christian’s role, then, is primarily that of critique— evaluating political policies from the framework of the

gospel—and of judicious involvement in social and civil issues without compromising the gospel priorities. In this way, the Christian maintains his/her integrity amid political instability, social upheaval, ethnic tensions, and even election crises while being agents of healing, restoration, and peace.

Therefore, Christians in Guyana must evaluate how they measure up in light of the above considerations.

Without wanting to throw all of them under the proverbial

bus, I do not think they measure up well. In fact, our election crisis reveals much to be desired of them. The political opinions which are so ingrained in their in-group thinking and the vileness with which they defend their views display a lack of sound judgment and morals. I urge them to remove their veneer of political attire, put away their party slogans and banners, and advocate for peace, justice and the rule of law in Guyana.

Sincerely, Ronald N. Emanuel

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 21, 2020

PAGE 07

Lowenfield tendered ballot papers as evidence in Misenga Jones case

By Shikema Dey

G

uyana's Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield had tendered a total of seven actual ballot papers used in the March 2 Elections as supporting evidence in the just concluded Misenga Jones litigation in the High Court.

Although, the Chief Justice, Roxane George Wiltshire (ag) refused to accept the ballots Lowenfield submitted as evidence in the case, questions arise as to how the CEO got possession of the ballots as such an occurrence should not lawfully be allowed.

Making his case, Lowenfield in his affidavit seen by this publication, made several arguments to support his contention that the report he submitted on July 11, is in fact the accurate report consistent with Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA).

Through his Attorney, Neil Boston, Lowenfield claimed that the total valid votes as recorded on the Certificates of Recount did not reflect what was recorded by the Presiding Officers (POs) on March 2, due to the assorted directives passed by the Elections Commission during the National Recount.

The CEO claimed that the approach by the Commission was “inconsistent” with the procedures set out in the ROPA and the official manual for POs and other polling day staff. He then referenced the ballot papers “Exhibit A1-5” that were attached, as clear examples of that variance.

Copies of those ballot papers seen by Kaieteur News showed instances where it was claimed that the Chair validated the votes because the intent of the voter was clearly shown.

Those six ballots carried an “X” marked in two places, the voter's initials along with smudges. Dates were attached to the ballots with the note “Invalid vote deemed valid; Voter intention clear – Madam Chair.”

Lowenfield argued that the “Basket of Issues” created by the Elections Commission to tackle day-to-day issues at the recount stations, was amended to accept ballots with smudges / erasures as long as the voter's intention appeared to be clear.

He then mentioned that

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

Copies of the ballots submitted

by Lowenfield as evidence

the ballot shown as “Exhibit C” was deemed “invalid” by the GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, despite the intention of the voter being clear and Commissioners arguing against it.

That ballot paper carried smudge and a clearly marked “X” along with a date and the note “Copy invalid, marked for more than 1 LOC.” The CEO contended that there was “inconsistent” application of the new rules “depending on the argument proffered or the officials involved.

In his affidavit, Lowenfield attached a table where he claimed that a total of 572 rejected ballots from the March 2 Elections were deemed valid and 319 ballots were invalidated during the recount process.

“The Commission's instructions changed from one day to the next,” he said “depending on the questions th at ar o s e d u r in g th e recount.” Further, he added that there was “no strict adherence” to the procedure for determining valid votes as spelled out in Section 84 (6) of the ROPA Cap 1:03.

The CEO pointed to the Basket of Issues where the definition of a valid vote was changed. Initially, the Commission said on May 6 that a vote is considered valid once the intent of the voter is clear however, that definition was revised to accept ballots with smudges and erasures

once the voter intent is clear.

Additionally, Lowenfield claimed that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) did not say that the results of the recount are to form the basis of his report; rather it said, “It is for GECOM to ensure that the elections results are swiftly declared on accordance with the laws of Guyana.”

It was against that backdrop that the CEO claimed the report he tendered to the Commission on July 11 is official report, one that is consistent with Section 96 of the ROPA. That report contained the fraudulent declarations made by controversial Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo on March 13. Those declarations were thrown out by the Chair because of the fraud committed by Mingo, including the inflation of the total number of votes cast to more than 15,000 above the total ballots actually found and counted during the national recount.

Lowenfield in his July 11 report put the total valid votes cast as 475,118, giving 236,777 votes to the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change Coalition and 229,330 votes to the People's Progressive Party.

Those figures give the Coalition the 33-seat majority in Parliament with 31 going to the PPP while the three-party joinder, A New And United Guyana, the Liberty and

Justice Party and The New Movement received one seat.

The accurate figures from the recount to be used for the declarations however, show a win for the PPP with 233,336 valid votes while 217,920 valid votes went to the Coalition. A total of 560,362 valid votes were cast. With the recount figures, the PPP would have 33 seats in Parliament, the Coalition 31,

with the joinder retaining their single seat.

Questions quickly emerged from varying stakeholders who inquired how the CEO got his hands on the ballot papers. GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj, when asked, disclosed to Kaieteur News that Lowenfield may have acquired the ballots during the National Recount and

made copies while they were under consideration. That act, according to Gunraj should not have occurred.

During the Oral arguments in the Misenga Jones case on Friday last, Attorney for The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) and Change Guyana, Kashir Khan pointed to the Chief Justice that the CEO had tendered actual ballots as evidence but that was quickly shot down by the CJ who dismissed it forthwith.

She said “That is why at the very beginning, I said and I am going to state it again categorically, I am not going to be considering any of that kind of evidence. That is not germane to the issues I have to look after. That's the end of that.”

One new COVID-19 case emerges from a total of 84 tests done

D

eputy Chief Medical Officer within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle yesterday via press release that there was one new COVID-19 case. The one case emerged out of a total of 84 tests done.

This brings the total number of cases to 337, with 19 deaths.

A total of 155 cases are currently in institutional isolation and 15 persons remain in institutional quarantine. The number of persons in the COVID Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is currently two.

Boyle reported that there have been 45 new cases since July 12, most of which were from Regions One and Nine.

She stated that these numbers are very alarming and vigilance needs to be

executed. Even though there have been 163 recoveries, which include ten from Linden, the continuous rise in cases shows that the country still has a long way to go.

She is urging that the citizens of Guyana adhere to the regulations and protocols to prevent further spread of the virus and keep a watchful eye on movement within their communities.

She later added that this applies especially to those who have knowingly been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for the virus.

The current hotspots are Moruca and Mabaruma in Region One; Aranka, Bartica and Sulphur Rose in Region Seven; Itabac and Mahdia in Region Eight; and Lethem in Region Nine.

She noted that the Ministry has been increasing

their efforts in hinterland regions as they are at risk of being exposed to imported cases.

These regions share borders with countries like Venezuela and Brazil who have an alarming number of cases. Authorities were said to be ramping up border security to monitor illegal cross border activities, and have since apprehended several perpetrators.

Efforts are also being made to contain mining districts such as Aranka. The area saw teams of health officials travelling to observe and recommend proper protocols in dealing with the on-going pandemic and measures were also put in place to prevent miners from traversing throughout Indigenous communities which have been shown to be at high risk.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday July 21, 2020

Oil sale agreements remain shrouded in secrecy A

lmost two months ago, global watchdog Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) sought to remind Guyana of the importance of making oil sale agreements public, especially when one takes into consideration, the commitment given by the APNU+AFC government to be transparent in all dealings for the oil industry.

Even after this appeal was made, neither the local chapter of the EITI nor the Energy Department has made these agreements public.

Since producing oil from the Stabroek Block in December 2019, Guyana would have pre-sold three cargoes of sweet, light crude to Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited.

The oil giant has already received two cargoes. For

- Despite GY-EITI, Energy Dept.'s commitment to transparency the first lift, Guyana received US$55M and for the second, US$35M was paid to the government.

That money has been transferred to the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), which is being held in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Kaieteur News recently contacted the Head of GYEITI, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat and informed him that the agreements in question were not available on the agency's website to allow for public scrutiny.

D r. J a d o o p a t acknowledged that the documents are not there but noted nonetheless that when

they become available to the local chapter, they will be released in keeping with the EITI Standard on public disclosure.

Importantly, the Director of the Energy Department, Dr. Mark Bynoe, had given a commitment in January to be completely transparent regarding the sale of Guyana's crude public.

However, the Director and his department are yet to make good on this promise.

As a result of the inaction of both parties, the international body whose standards Guyana pledged to uphold, has called on the authorities to correct their actions. EITI reminded that

implementing countries are expected to disclose sale agreements related to the State's share of production or other revenues collected in kind.

The international corruption watchdog also said that the public disclosure of information on the sale agreements such as the identity of the buyer, committed annual and monthly oil volumes to be bought and sold, the price to be paid and mechanisms for price adjustment, are critical to public oversight.

Additionally, EITI said that open data is crucial to monitor revenues and how they are spent.

Energy Dept. Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe GY-EITI's Head, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat Especially in times like these, when sharp declines in oil prices upend entire economies, the body said that the need for transparency is as salient as ever. EITI said too that transparency on commodity trading agreements will enable the citizens of Guyana to hold companies and its government accountable as they execute

important transactions that significantly impact public revenues.

Further, EITI noted that Guyana's authorities should ensure the country's revenues are managed responsibly and sustainably while adding that it should remain high on the political agenda.

“The country's economic prosperity and the livelihood of its present and future citizens depend on it,” the group noted.

Don't waste Court's precious time, resources on issues already decided - CJ tells lawyers

By Kemol King

C

hief Justice (CJ) Roxane GeorgeWi l t s h i r e , i n handing down her ruling on the Misenga Jones case yesterday, was adamant that persons cannot be allowed to waste the time and resources of the Court to revisit issues already sufficiently adjudicated.

“There must be finality to judicial decisions,” The CJ said, “Myriad persons cannot be permitted to engage the court with multiple applications

regarding the same issue which has been decided, and shield behind the claim that they were not a party to the previous proceedings. To so permit would be to waste precious judicial time and resources. In short order – this cannot be allowed.”

The Chief Justice yesterday dismissed Jones' application to invalidate the national recount, given that the reliefs sought were already decided in previous litigation by the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Despite those details in

her adjudication yesterday, Roysdale Forde, attorney for the applicant announced, following the ruling, that they will seek to appeal the High Court's ruling shortly.

The APNU+AFC coalition's campaign manager, Joseph Harmon, also indicated in a release that the party will engage the matter at the Appeal Court.

Litigation on this matter has substantially contributed to the protraction of Guyana's 2020 electoral process for four and a half months. Key grounds in which the CJ rooted her

decisions were the principles of stare decisis and res judicata. The first principle requires a Court to premise its litigation on precedents, and the latter dictates that if a matter has been adjudicated by a competent court, it cannot be re-litigated.

Expounding on res judicata, the Chief Justice quoted the CCJ in Garraway v Williams [2011] CCJ 12 (AJ), in which the Court stated “As is well known, the principle of res judicata is intended to give finality to judicial decisions. Literally, the term means that a matter has already been finally settled by judicial decision and is not subject to further appeal.”

George-Wiltshire determined that the Jones case constituted public interest litigation, which should be considered to be in rem, “that is leading to a determination of 'the status of a person or thing or the disposition of a thing, as distinct from a particular interest in it of a party to the litigation.'

In this case, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, the judge

Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire said, was a party to the Ulita Moore case, which challenged the legality of the recount, and the Irfaan Ali appeal to the CCJ, which challenged the Appeal Court's unlawful interpretation of Article 177 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana.

Noting this, the Chief Justice said that the CEO is bound by the decisions in the Moore and Ali cases, whether or not he participated in the proceedings.

The Justice noted a precedent in one of her

rulings, i& Ors (No. GYCV2019/011n which she applied the principle of issue estoppel, a sub-principle of res judicata, where a particular issue that was judicially determined in previous litigation between the parties has been raised again under a different cause.

The Chief Justice pointed to her adjudication in Ram v Chief Election Officer et al FDA 1151/2019, in which she gave an interpretation of the CCJ decision in the consolidated appeals of Ram v AG & Ors (No. GYCV2019/009), Jagdeo v AG & Ors (No. GYCV2019/010) and Persaud v Reid ).

She stated “I applied the principle of issue estoppel in holding that the CCJ did not make an order that referred to, or included a date or period for the holding of elections following the successful no confidence motion. As such, apart from applying the doctrine of stare decisis, I concluded that res judicata applied to the claim

by Mr. Ram and he was bound by the decision of the CCJ in this regard.”

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 21, 2020

PAGE 09

Cricket in the time of election rigging

T

here is something special about tuning in to Test match cricket in England. It matters not whether it the coverage in by radio or television, whether you listening or listening and watching, a Test match in England is always a special experience.

For one, the matches start early in the morning, Guyana time. And play ends just after midday. It has always been such a lovely way to spend your morning, either sitting in front of your radio or in front of the silly-box watching Test match cricket.

The English grass always seem so lush and green. The outfields are lush and green and always immaculately kept. The players used to wear cardigans to keep warm and sometimes they were so cold that the fielders used to put their hands into their pockets – for warmth, not to play pocket billiards.

English pitches are not the best in the world. But they always have something for the bowlers even when they are slow. The second Test match between England and the West Indies which concluded yesterday was no exception. The pitch was slow during the 1st innings but there was always some movement which could be had once the effort was put in. The pitch offered more assistance to the bowlers in the second innings but the

effort still had to be made.

The conditions are often suitable, during the English summer for swing bowling.

And it always makes a game so more exciting when the ball is swinging around. And the home team tends to take advantage of the conditions, e x c e p t w h e n Vi v i a n Richards used to pulverize English bowlers in the 1970s.

The weather can be both lovely and lousy. And sometimes at the same time.

But that makes the matches even more interesting. If one day was not washed out from the just-concluded match, it would have been so less exciting.

The commentary is perhaps the most interesting.

Who can forget that delightful old man who once said that Ramadin and Valentine have bowled more maidens than there are in the ground? Who can forget Reds Pereira and Tony Cozier, and now Michael Holding and Ian Bishop?

Among my favourite English commentators were Tom Graveney, Christopher Martin Jenkins, Ray Illingworth and the inimitable – simply the best of them all, the incomparable John Arlott. His death in 1999 represented a great loss to the game.

Commentators sometimes said the craziest things. And England takes the cake when it comes to

this. One English commentator once said that the crowd was so small that he could count them all on his fingers. Then he added, “There are only about 30 persons in the ground.”

Another time, another commentator remarked that the bowler bowled so slow that if he wished, he could run after the ball and retrieve it before it got to the batsman. Or something to that effect.

Despite West Indies losing yesterday, the match was gripping down to the end. I do confess to harbouring hopes that the West Indies would have been able to survive to the end.

But they did not and it all made for a gripping Test match.

And then a wicked thought crossed my mind.

What if the West Indies did not lose? What if Observation Reports could have been produced which alleged that the scorers tallied the runs but not all may have been valid runs.

What is the official scorer decided that despite what the scorecard read, he would give the match to the West Indies because he was only dealing with valid runs and it is he not the umpire who determines the valid number of runs.

That wicked thought had me thinking, “What if cricket turned into politics?” Most would hope that the opposite

..........................................................

Dem boys seh...

Lampy and Pampy giving up dem visas pon Duke Street A man ask another: “How does de Rigadier cut his birthday cake?”

De other man answer: “In sanc-tions, of course!”

Guyana now in special company. It join Iran, Russia, Nicaragua, Ukraine, Syria, Zimbabwe and Venezuela as countries which are now subject to sanctions. Lampy and Pampy seh how is no big thing if dem visas get tek away.

Dem challenge de embassy to fuh call dem.

Dem seh how dem embassy is free to go right ahead and mek dem revokees.

Dem boys din know dat dem gat choice. Dem nah even know whether next week dem gun still gat dem

wuk in de guvment. So even if dem once had a visa, dem nah certain whether dem gon still gat it fuh give it up. Dem boys seh if Lampy and Pampy gat cohones nah wait fuh nuttin.

Write a letter or go to the embassy pon Duke Street and invite de media. Dem like cameras and deh pon TV and social media. Nah wait fuh next week. Do it today.

Both of dem, Lampy and Pampy, are liars. Dem hoping dat de Pompeo man gon fuget dem.

Dem boys also hear how de Rigadier hold a public meeting to condemn the sanctions wha de United States clap pon he guvment.

He get up and begin to talk. De Rigadier put on he

best Burnham voice and seh: “Comrades, de Americans put sanctions on we. We shall have to tighten our belts.”

A man in the crowd seh: “We will wuk double shifts.”

De Rigadier smiled and said: “Thank you. You a true patriot. But we gon also have to stop importing goods from America.”

De man shouted: “We will work three shifts” De Rigadier looked at the man adoringly and said, “What patriotism! By the w a y, w h a t i s y o u r occupation?”

The man replied, “I wukking at Sandy's Funeral Parlour.”

Talk half and leh de blow-blow blow.

would happen: that politics would turn into cricket.

Cricket is the gentleman's game. People normally do not contest the outcome of a cricket match.

But the review rule, like the recount rule in politics, allows for a bad decision to be sent upstairs for review.

Each team only has 3 reviews. After that, there is no review. It is a pity there is

no such limitations when it comes to reviewing political disputes.

The problem with politics is that the review process has many layers and a decision at one level can be taken to a higher level and then an even higher level.

Imagine if that were the case in cricket.

“Cricket lovely cricket!

At Lords where I saw it!

Cricket lovely Cricket. At Lords where I saw it.” When will we be able to sing the same about politics?

(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 21, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

After this court ruling, the PNC and AFC still will not concede defeat F

or a large number of persons, Guyanese and non-Guyanese who have been following the post 2020 election Frankenstein vaudeville show, they believe that GECOM with Claudette Singh's vote will make a declaration after the Chief Justice's ruling based

on the CARICOM observed recount and that brings an end to it. I don't think so.

In a column in March, I posited that the PNC and AFC will remain in power illegally and hope for a settlement where there will still have some form of power. Yog Mahadeo on Kaieteur Radio last Friday

evening as ked me an interesting question. I believe every Guyanese in and out of the land should reflect on my answer.

Mahadeo inquired if the Chancellor will swear in Dr. Irfaan Ali should GECOM make a declaration based on the CARICOM scrutinized recount and what will be the attitude of the police and the army should Granger refuse to exit the presidency. I have always said to myself that as a trained academic, my first loyalty is to history and scholarship and not to people's feelings As a human, your first loyalty is to helping people.

But when you put on the hat of an academic or journalist, your obligation is to history and journalism. You cannot write on social phenomena to ease the pessimism or elevate the optimism of society. That is not your role as an academic or journalist.

What follows may generate maudlin thoughts in

people that speak to me all the time about the election crisis since the Mingo sarcoma of March 3. To give an alternative explanation will be deliberate deception. I hope what I write below I am proven wrong for the sake of my country but as I see it, the Chancellor will swear in Dr. Ali but Granger will not demit office. Granger is going to cite illegal conduct

by GECOM and seek further court sessions.

How are the security forces going to react?

Neither the army chief nor the police commissioner is going to speak to the press.

They are not going to comment on their constitutional loyalty. They are going to take instructions from the President and his Cabinet. What this means is that once APNU+AFC's oligarchic nihilism continues, the army and police are going to follow instructions from the caretaker government.

Obviously, they will be sanctioned by the international community but I don't think that will lead them into conceding defeat.

In fact, the totality of the state sector - all state institutions, including the autonomous ones like UG and others – will not officially recognize there is a new president but will accept the Granger government until it

is officially out of office through its own volition.

I think APNU+AFC is hoping that there will be violent behaviour by PPP supporters so they can proclaim a state of emergency but I doubt the opposition parties will swallow that bait.

The reason for the PPP's stance on country-wide demonstrations is because it knows that it is in a win-win situation now that the Chief Justice has ruled.

Once you have the entire world including all the important international and regional institutions, all the important international and regional governments on your side then why give the APNU+AFC's autocracy a reason for having a state of emergency. The opposition parties know the APNU+AFC regime will fall within weeks or months so they are not going to galvanize their supporters to protest.

In this scenario, how does the APNU+AFC regime hope to survive? The key figure here is Raphael Trotman. He is the one that the APNU+AFC will designate to open negotiations with the Americans. The West will not speak to Harmon, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan whom they have disdain and contempt for. Granger

Frederick Kissoon doesn't have even an ounce of skills to be part of one of the most sensitive and complex political dialogue in the history of both British Guiana and Guyana.

Trotman is going to ask for an interim government with a new GECOM, new voters' list, new Constitution. This will take two years and in that interregnum, APNU+AFC will ask for a PNC prime minister while conceding the presidency to the PPP. There are three huge boulders blocking the pathway to the house of compromise.

First, the Canadian and the EU will not go along with the arrangement. While the OAS may remain silent, Canada and the EU may see it as rewarding APNU and AFC for uncivilized political behaviour in the 21st century.

Secondly, CARICOM under the chairmanship of Ralph Gonsalves will see the settlement as a terrible precedent that will destroy free elections in the region in the future. Finally, the PPP will fight it down.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Tuesday July 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Tuesday July 21, 2020

Investigations reveal alleged perpetrator in Lusignan Prison fire O

ne person has now been singled out as the alleged perpetrator behind the Lusignan Prison fire that displaced at least 284 prisoners on July 12. Director of Prisons, Gladwyn Samuels relayed this information on Sunday, saying that police are currently investigating a sole arsonist.

Initial accounts were that a seizure of contraband alcohol and marijuana at the prison sparked a riot, which resulted in sections of the facility going up in flames.

A source had told Kaieteur News that the beating of an inmate by prison officers added to tensions and prisoners resorted to kicking down doors and breaking through walls, and that in the midst of the chaos several inmates began setting fire to different sections of the prison.

Kaieteur News had also previously reported that a list of eight persons, identified as the suspected masterminds, was given to investigators. It is unclear whether the inmate singled out was one of the names on this list.

This newspaper learnt from a source that the prime suspect might be charged for committing the act of arson. As investigators are building a case against the suspect, however, it has been difficult to get other inmates to provide key information concerning the circumstances that led to the fire.

Meanwhile, officials from the Fire

Department are facing similar challenges too. While they have been able to confirm that indeed the fire was deliberately set at different locations of the prison, determining what was used to ignite these fires has proven difficult.

An official from the Fire Department explained that they are working daily towards wrapping up the investigations in a timely manner, but the chaotic events that led to fire impounded by little or no cooperation from prisoners is a major hindrance.

The official reminded this publication that it took five months to complete investigations into the deadly fire that destroyed the Camp Street Prison a few years ago. He added that his department is doing its utmost to finish the current investigations in a much lesser time frame.

The Lusignan Prison fire took place on July 12 at around 12:45hrs. Eleven inmates were injured as a result and the relevant authorities were prompt enough to save a few buildings in the prison compound.

According to reports, a total of 284 prisoners were displaced. Out of this quantity, 27 were transferred to the Georgetown Prison, 51 were taken to Timehri and another 50 were transported to Mazaruni Prison while 156 were accommodated at the Lusignan Holding Bay.

Burnt sections of the Lusignan Prison

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 21, 2020

PAGE 13

CH&PA fails to provide details about Lusignan Heliport G

overnment a g e n c y, t h e Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) has refused for the second time to reveal key details recently announced construction of a heliport at Lusignan, E.C.D, after infuriated residents complained about being left in the dark.

Kaieteur News reached out to CH&PA yesterday for further clarification on why public consultation evaluation forms were issued to residents of the community one year after the commencement of construction for the heliport as well as pertinent information about ownership of the lands on which the heliport was being constructed.

A representative of the CH&PA had informed this publication on Friday last, that the information being requested had to be related by department heads of the authority. This publication reached out the relevant department heads; however those attempts proved futile.

Speaking with Kaieteur News Friday last, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr. Vincent Adams had revealed that a public consultation meeting was held with residents of the community and various stakeholders including Orinduik Development Inc. and

government officials.

Additionally, Dr. Adams noted that persons were notified of the project through its advertisement in the daily newspapers and publication on various media sites as well as the issuance of a 40-day public notice.

Corroborating this was the managing director of Orinduik Development Inc, Brian Backer.

In a telephone interview with this publication, Backer noted that a public consultation meeting was held in February 2019 with residents of the outlying communities, the Sea and River Defence Board, the EPA as well as officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Backer explained that as a requirement, before any major development can take place in a community, the residents must be informed and given the opportunity to have their concerns addressed by interested parties. Referring to the recent complaints as surprising, Backer further said that he believes the concerns being raised by some of the residents of the community have stemmed from misinformation, adding that his company has, from the start, been compliant with the necessary procedures set out by the relevant authorities.

B a c k e r, a d d r e s s i n g further concerns about his

company's plan to build a deep-water wharf along the sea defence reserve, noted that although initial meetings were held with the relevant authorities back in 2017, the company was a far way from making it a reality since several requirements have to be fulfilled by the company before further developments can take place.

Responding to questions about land ownership, Backer explained that the lands on which the heliport was being constructed were

private transported lands owned by his company.

Orinduik Development Inc, a local development company, was granted permission by the EPA and MoPI to construct a commercial heliport after the necessary due diligence was completed.

The primary objective of the proposed heliport is to provide an independent facility for helicopter operations in close proximity to Georgetown, and to facilitate the growing need for

such air transport services coming from many sectors, including the extractive industry and will provide a location for the voluntary basing of helicopter operators providing commercial services (moving people and cargo, mining, tourism, oil industry, construction, agriculture, news and media) from and near Georgetown and is also intended to support the medical, coast guard, security, search and rescue, law enforcement and other emergency services.

Picture saved as: Brian CAPTION:

Managing Director of Orinduik Development Inc. Brian Backer

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday July 21, 2020

APNU+AFC vows to appeal High Court's ruling in recount case - PPP/C calls it abuse of court, but sure it will fail

T

he incumbent APNU+AFC Coalition has said that it will seek to take the Misenga Jones application adjudicated by Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire to the next level of the Court system, the Court of Appeal.

The opposition PPP/C has, in turn, described this as an abuse of the judiciary, and has condemned it to failure.

Jones, an APNU+AFC surrogate, had approached the High Court hoping for the Chief Justice to pass down a judgment which would force the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to rely on the ten district declarations as the basis on which a final declaration is made. Since Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo's fraudulent March 13 declaration is included in the lot, Jones application – if it had been successful – would have handed a false national victory to the party she represents.

Jones' action sought to invalidate the recount order, on grounds that the Chief Justice found to be “hopelessly flawed”.

In her ruling, George Wiltshire decided that the Court had jurisdiction to

hear the matter, but ruled that it could not invalidate the recount order as the reliefs sought were already adjudicated by the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), whose adjudications determined the order to be valid.

She also ruled that the declarations of the Returning Officers have been overtaken by the recount, as GECOM invoked its authority to resolve difficulties arising from the process by ordering a national recount.

That recount confirmed that the Region Four declaration of March 13 was produced through a fraudulent tabulation process.

The Chief Justice also substantially ruled that Chief Elections Officer could not “be a lone ranger” and that he is subject to the direction and control of the Commission.

All in all, Jones' application was dismissed.

Immediately after the judgment concluded, APNU+AFC candidate Roysdale Forde and member of Jones' legal team, told the Court that the matter would be appealed.

While the Coalition was not a formal

PPP/C General Secretary, APNU+AFC campaign Bharrat Jagdeo manager, Joseph Harmon party to the case, APNU+AFC campaign manager Joseph Harmon confirmed Forde's intention, saying in a brief statement sent late last night that, “Our lawyers will engage at the next level of the Court System to ensure that our Constitution is respected and adhered to by all.”

Commenting on the ruling, Harmon stated, “It is disappointing that in its ruling today, in the case of Misenga Jones v GECOM et al, the Court has side stepped the issue of fraudulent ballots in the tabulated votes

Stop wasting country's time with court cases - LJP, TCI From page 2 apex court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

David, who turned respondent in the case, was represented again by Mayo Robertson.

They ruled that the Appellate Court has no jurisdiction to rule on David's case, and cleared a path for the GECOM Chair, to once again, order the CEO to prepare his report using the recount figures.

With the clear CCJ ruling, the CEO was instructed again to prepare his report. That action was marred once more, with a next court action, the most recent brought by a Coalition's Counting Agent, Misenga Jones. Jones, like Moore and David, was represented by Attorney-atLaw, Mayo Robertson.

In their conclusion, the LJP made an appeal to President Granger “to stop lying to his supporters, stop torturing this nation, call off his dogs of war and end this charade. We also call on

Madam Chair to see through the PNC's continued attempts to derail the conclusion of these elections and take decisive steps to show her mettle and end this torture.”

at the Recount.”

APNU+AFC has not proven a single case of electoral fraud, let alone the thousands it claimed there were. Kaieteur News had

performed sustained investigations on those claims during the recount, and pressed the Coalition's officials to provide proof several times. It yielded no results.

This was corroborated by the CARICOM Scrutineer Team, who rejected the public efforts to discredit the March 2 polls, and stated that no evidence was provided to substantiate the claims.

“We will continue to insist,” Harmon stated, “that Fraudulent Recount Votes cannot determine the will of the Guyanese People. Only valid votes can produce such a result… We remain steadfast in making our case for valid votes only.”

While the Coalition, including most recently, de facto President David Granger, has continued to allege fraud in the ballot

boxes, they have so ignored the fraudulent result produced by Mingo in the Coalition's favour. Mingo's declaration had produced more than 15,000 ghost votes, which no one could a c c o u n t f o r, y e t h i s declaration has been repeatedly endorsed by APNU+AFC. Guyana's apex court, the Caribbean Court of Justice had put the contention over “valid votes” to rest when, in its judgment in Irfaan Ali vs.

Eslyn David et al, it ruled that the Representation of the People Act already determined that valid votes were votes so determined on the face of the ballots. The CCJ had ruled that the Appeal Court's judgment, which sought to modify the definition of valid votes according to the Coalition's (continued on page 17)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 21, 2020

PAGE 15

Man charged for allegedly threatening GECOM chair, family

A

store clerk was yesterday charged and released on $500,000, bail for allegedly making a post via Facebook threatening to kill the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission, Claudette Singh and her family.

The defendant, Ryan Williams, 41, of 27 Silver C i t y, Wi s m a r L i n d e n appeared virtually before Magistrate Wanda Fortune, in the Linden Magistrate's

Court.

He denied the charge which stated that between July 13, 2020, and July 14, 2020, at Wismar Linden, he used a computer system to threaten the GECOM Chair and her family.

Williams is the first person to be charged under the Cyber Crime Act, Section 2, Chapter 19:1(b), “using a computer system to coerce, harass, intimidate or humiliate a person”.

The nature of the charge

COVID-19 hampers ERC's investigative capacity - Commission

T

he Ethnic R e l a t i o n s Commission (ERC) of Guyana on Friday, July 17 relayed to the public that they are trying their best to investigate reports of racial discrimination in the country despite having obstructions by COVID. The Commission stated that they have been receiving a high number of complaints about social media posts and comments inciting racism.

These posts and comments were also said to be targeting individuals, politicians and political parties.

They further noted that these acts are placing a divide within the nation and are taking a tremendous toll on the citizens of Guyana.

They further informed that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, their staff was unavoidably reduced', even as they continue to attempt the investigation and assessment of complaints in a timely manner.

Just a few weeks ago, a group of citizens expressed outrage at the apparent “slackness” in terms of persons being penalized for offences, primarily under two laws. The Commission has the authority to enforce the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the Peoples (Amendment) Act, both of which carry significant penalties for racist statements.

Anyone in violation of

the Racial Hostility Act, Chapter 23:01 (as amended in the Racial Hostility (Amendment Act) of 2002), shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment for three years. Additionally, anyone found guilty under the Representation of the Peoples (Amendment) Act, Chapter 1:03 shall be liable to conviction on indictment to a fine of $100,000 together with imprisonment for two years.

The social media posts, the Commission said, were adding to the tensions in Guyana given the current political limbo. The Commission itself took to social media to reprimand persons making racist posts, publishing on its Facebook page the names and pictures of the perpetrators as well as screenshots of their prejudicial remarks. These persons were all called to issue a public apology and to retract their racist statements. No further penalty was however applied.

The Commission stated that they are disappointed in the attempts made by people to cause further divide in the country despite their steady cries for unity.

They further lamented that political leaders and their supporters should operate in a more responsible manner and act in the best interest of the nation.

stated that, with intent to compel the GECOM Chair to do an act, which she is not legally bound to or to abstain from doing the act which she has a legal right to do, Williams allegedly threatened her and her family by using a computer system to publish or transmit computer data.

According to the report, under a fictitious name, “Raheem Raahman”, Williams made a post stating, “If you Claudette

Singh think you will declare fraudulent votes so that the PPP will win, well think again bcuz you and everybody in ur house will f@#$ing dead.”

The post was circulated on Facebook and police launched an investigation.

Eventually, they were able to make an arrest and the suspect allegedly confessed to issuing the threat and claimed that he is a supporter of the A Partnership for National Unity / Alliance For

Charged: Ryan Williams Change (AFC+APNU) party and that he is unhappy with the current situation.

Williams is expected to make his next court appearance on August 3, 2020.

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (ret'd), Claudette Singh

PAGE 16

Tuesday July 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

GECOM must use recount figures...

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guishing feature that would permit me to depart from this judgment; nor has any evidence been disclosed on the affidavits by and/or on behalf of the applicant such as to permit me to do so,” Justice George -Wiltshire said.

Further, she concluded that a holistic review of the CCJ judgment in Ali versus David and others supports the contention by the Chairperson and the added respondents that this issue is indeed res judicata.

“Thus, the interpretation of the CCJ decision by the applicant, the CEO and the AG is hopelessly flawed. The CCJ judgment lends to the ineluctable conclusion that the recount votes are ex facie valid.

Hence, the view expressed that any irregularities would have to be addressed via an election petition,” she said.

Additionally, in relation to the argument that Lowenfield should be allowed to present a report to GECOM based on nothing else but the reliance on the declarations of the ten Returning Officers (R.Os), the Judge referred to the interpretation of the CCJ decision regarding Order 60 that it is to provide an open, transparent, and accountable recount of all the votes cast in those elections.

Further quoting Section 18 of the Elections Act, the Judge noted, “the CEO and the Commissioner of Registration shall notwithstanding

anything in any written law, be subject to the direction and control of the Commission.”

She emphasized that the fact remains that the circumstances surrounding the declaration of results of the March 2, 2020 elections are contextual.

“As just concluded,” she stated, “given the decisions of the CoA and the CCJ, the recount cannot be considered to be invalidated, at least not at this point in time. In this context, the Section 84 (1) declarations can no longer be considered useful. Hence, while the CEO may be expected to act independently, he cannot be a 'lone ranger' so to speak.”

The CJ therefore noted that she does not agree with the submission that the CEO has a constitutional mandate under Article 177.

“It is the Chairperson and GECOM that have the constitutional mandate. The CEO is a functionary of GECOM pursuant to Article 161 and Sections 2 and 7 of the RoPA,” she added.

RES JUDICATA According to the CJ, res judicata is a legal principle that speaks to ensuring finality in litigation.

She explained that the doctrine of res judicata applies where a matter has been adjudicated on by a competent court so that the matter cannot be re-litigated.

Importantly, she noted as submitted by the Chairperson

and added respondents, the Court had to consider that the application of similar nature in Moore, as well as Holladar before them.

“As is well known,” she reasoned, “the principle of res judicata is intended to give finality to judicial decisions.”

She said that it is her view that there must be finality to judicial decisions.

According to Justice George-Wiltshire, “Myriad persons cannot be permitted to engage the court with multiple applications regarding the same issue which has been decided, and shield behind the claim that they were not a party to the previous proceedings.”

To so permit, she said would be to waste precious judicial time and resources.

“In short order – this cannot be allowed,” she proclaimed.

“The reliefs sought are all based on issues that have been litigated previously and determined by Courts that take precedence over this High Court.

Apart from res judicata, under the common law system, applying the principle of stare decisis, I am bound to follow the decisions of the CoA and ultimately the apex court, the CCJ,” the Chief Justice added.

By the end of the ruling, Jones' lawyer Roysdale Forde indicated their intention to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal. He said that the appeal will be filed by the end of today.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 21, 2020

PAGE 17

Man stabbed twice by wife Bruce Golding to present at OAS discharged, wife still on the run Permanent Council meeting on Guyana elections today

A

man who was stabbed by his wife last Saturday evening has been discharged from the Suddie Public Hospital, but his wife is still on the run.

The man, who was identified only as Ravindra, was stabbed twice last Saturday night by his wife, who was identified as Sheena. Based on reports reaching Kaieteur News, the incident occurred sometime around 18:00hrs in front of the couple's Richmond Housing Scheme home, located on the Essequibo Coast.

A c c o r d i n g t o information reaching Kaieteur News, the couple was imbibing with friends and neighbours, just moments prior to the stabbing.

This publication understands that an argument ensued between the two, which escalated into violence. The intoxicated woman, who was armed with a kitchen knife, stabbed her husband twice, to the left and right side of his back.

The man was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, reportedly by police officers who subsequently arrived at the scene. There he was admitted and his condition was later listed as stable.

His wife on the other hand, was seen by neighbours fleeing the community sometime around 23:45 hours with what appeared to have been a huge haversack.

F

ormer Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding is set to make a presentation today at the Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council virtual meeting on Guyana's four month long 2020 Elections process.

The meeting was requested by OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro as Guyana's governing A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition endorsed the use of fraudulent figures as the basis on which an elections declaration should be made.

This is also coupled with increasing efforts by its appointed electoral Commissioners, and the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield to work

The stabbed man on the roadside last Saturday night Kaieteur News understands that the couple share two children and are frequent drinkers. Reports also indicated that the couple's 'parties', would usually end violently for either one of them.

“Them does always drink and we know them does always fight. It had this one time that he wife deh

beating he on the road in the night.

He lef unconscious on the road and she left and gone home, we hear it was a piece wood she deh beating he with,” said one resident who spoke to this publication. Police told Kaieteur News yesterday that they are still in pursuit of the suspect.

Former Jamaican Prime Minister - Bruce Golding towards frustrating the declaration of the recount results.

Golding who served as the head of the OAS Elections Observer Mission for the March 2, 2020 Elections has been outspoken over the

fraudulent actions committed by District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

The former Jamaican Prime Minister had detailed in his electoral observer report several instances where Mingo fraudulently awarded votes to APNU in order to grant them an unlawful win.

Golding during his presentation of the report several weeks ago had said, “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election.”

The Permanent Council has reaching powers, which could see its powerful 35state union passing resolutions to condemn wayward states or even to recognize a government sworn in on fraudulent results as illegitimate.

Food for the Poor embarks on several projects to provide COVID relief

F

ood for the Poor (Guyana) has embarked on several projects that aim to provide COVID relief in vulnerable communities. In speaking with Kaieteur News, the non-governmental organization listed a few of their projects which include the facemask project, hamper distribution, the washing sink initiative and their Angels of Hope Program.

The organization's Public Relations Officer, Akola Thompson told this newspaper, “The women under the masks project have been unemployed or have become unemployed due to COVID, so the project is sort of a two for one in the sense that the women are being made for their labour, ensuring they have a steady

stream of money to meet their needs plus contributing to the safety of their communities.”

It also aids residents of impoverished Indigenous and coastal communities, which are COVID hotspots, to adhere to the regulations that deem masks as mandatory in public spaces. The organization presents the material and funding and the women are in turn paid for their labour.

So far, over 2000 masks have been sewn and distributed and more are in the making.

This project is implemented in Regions 1, 3, 4 and 6.

T h e i r h a m p e r distribution project saw 1000 food hampers being distributed in Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. They had collaborated with their community partners like groups and churches.

They also introduced the Washing Sink Initiative to residents of Sophia. This saw sinks being installed at popular shops and stores to promote healthy hygiene.

The Angels of Hope program provides nine children's homes with a monthly support of food, personal care items and educational items. They have also been receiving emergency items amidst the COVID-19 virus to ensure everyone's safety.

Ye s t e r d a y, t h e organization donated to the Ministry of Public Health, a supply of medical items. The items included needles and syringes, urine collectors, catheters and as well as other supplies. It was reported that the items will be given to health centres across Guyana that are in dire need.

APNU+AFC vows to appeal High...

From page 14 intention, was unlawful.

In its statement on the matter, the PPP/C noted a section of the Chief Justice's ruling, in which she stated, “there must be finality to judicial decisions.

Myriad persons cannot be permitted to engage the court with multiple applications regarding the same issue, which has been decided, and shield behind the claim that they were not a party to the previous

proceedings.

To so permit would be to waste precious judicial time and resources. In short order - this cannot be allowed.”

The party stated, “The Chief Justice found that the issues litigated had already “been decided by superior courts” and signaled her intent to penalize Jones in costs.”

This, juxtaposed against the Coalition's intention to appeal the decision, led the PPP/C to conclude that the

Coalition is operating in abuse of the Court's process. The party stated, however, that it is confident that no attempt to thwart the will of the electorate will succeed.

“We the PPP/C,” the party stated, “together with members of civil society, all of the contesting parties and the international community will continue our united stand to do all we can to protect Guyana's democracy.”

PAGE 18

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Tuesday July 21, 2020

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UFC Fight Island: Deiveson Figueiredo defeats Joseph Benavidez for flyweight title BBC Sport - Brazilian Deiveson Figueiredo defeated American Joseph Benavidez by a technical submission in the first round to win the UFC flyweight title on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

The 32-year-old recorded three knockdowns before a rear naked choke ended Benavidez’s night after four minutes and 48 seconds of the fight - the main contest of the latest UFC ‘Fight Island’.

“I’m the guy that everyone wants to beat and I’m the guy everybody is looking at,” said Figueiredo.

The contest was thrown into jeopardy last week when Figueiredo produced a

positive result for Covid-19, but subsequent tests came out negative.

Asked if he thought the fight should be rescheduled, he said: “I’m a guy who doesn’t give up, ever. I had to overcome those hurdles to get here. This is something I had to do.”

Elsewhere, British lightweight fighter Marc Diakiese lost by a unanimous decision of 30-27 29-28 29-28 to Kazakhstan’s Rafael Fiziev.

Both men were given $50,000 each after their contest was declared Fight of the Night.

Afterwards, the 27-yearold nicknamed “Bonecrusher”, tweeted: “Sometimes enough isn’t

enough, I’ll be back. I can do so much better.”

Irish fighter Joe Duffy announced his retirement from MMA after his firstround submission defeat by Spaniard Joel Alvarez. It was the 32-year-old’s third straight loss.

“I think it’s time to realise that I haven’t got what it takes any more,” Duffy, who ends with a 16-5 record, posted on social media.

Wales’ Brett Johns defeated American Montel Jackson by unanimous decision - 29-28 29-28 29-28 in the bantamweight category.

England’s Nad Narimani was beaten by American Grant Dawson by unanimous decision in their catchweight (150 pounds) contest.

Tuesday July 21, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Here's a reminder that it's OK to be you. You may feel more centered than usual, which encourages you to stand up for yourself and say the things you must to people who need to hear them.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Other people are likely to be anxious to get up and moving with their plans, Libra. It might be better for you to hang back a bit and see how things pan out before you take action.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may have that awful feeling that you really need to get down to work yet something seems to stand square in the way of progress.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your heart has been active, Scorpio, and you're probably feeling the need to take charge of a certain relationship. Instead of being too hasty in your pursuit of this romance, you should probably do more planning.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're anxious to take action, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Be careful about acting too hastily.

It's important that you and your loved one be on the same page first.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) It may feel as if something or someone is trying to keep you from moving ahead with your ambitious goals and aggressive nature, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're apt to feel more talkative than usual.

There are many times when you may shrink from a situation in disgust or perhaps boredom.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may be anxious to try an uncharted path that speaks to your sense of risk and adventure, Virgo. It's important to temper these actions with realistic planning. You're much more likely to get a flat tire when you don't carry a spare.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There is solid grounding to your emotions right now that is helping you stabilize your sensitive feelings. As you become more attuned to your internal needs, you may discover that recent actions in romance.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your relationships are going well from an intellectual perspective, Capricorn, but from an emotional one, you might feel like they aren't as fulfilling as you'd like.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Concentrate on nurturing your needs right now instead of trying to accommodate the needs of others.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Things may roll along nicely in love and romance and then suddenly run into a snag, Pisces. Perhaps you failed to recognize an important birthday or anniversary.

Deiveson Figueiredo (right) has only lost one of his 20 fights. (Getty Images) The 33-year-old from Bristol was dominated by Dawson for much of the

contest with the judges scoring it 30-26 30-27 29-27.

This was the second of

the four UFC Fight Island contests to be held at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

PAGE 22

Tuesday July 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

2020 T20 World Cup pushed back to next year The ICC has postponed the 2020 men’s T20 World Cup, a decision made because of the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision to put off the tournament, originally scheduled for OctoberNovember, was taken by the ICC Board yesterday. The board has also shifted the 2023 Men’s World Cup from the February-March window to October-November that year.

The board agreed to windows for three men’s events, with T20 World Cups in October-November 2021 and October-November 2022.

One decision not yet made is in which order Australia and India will host the T20 World Cups.

In the original calendar, India was scheduled to host the event in 2021 but Cricket Australia. (CA) has expressed a preference to host the postponed event next year.

The Women’s World Cup, in New Zealand in February next year, has not yet been postponed, the ICC saying that planning for the event continues “as scheduled”.

Though it has taken some time, the announcement isn’t a surprise given that Cricket Australia had reiterated more than once that it was going to be difficult to host the tournament during the pandemic with 16 teams taking part. After the then CA chief executive Kevin Roberts had said in May that it was a

The T20 World Cup was originally scheduled to take place between October 18 and November 15. (Getty Images) “very high risk” to conduct the tournament, the CA chairman Earl Eddings echoed that pessimism in June, saying it was “unlikely” and “unrealistic” when the pandemic was “spiking” worldwide.

Australia has been relatively less affected by Covid-19 than most

countries, with 3026 active cases as of yesterday, but Melbourne and surrounding areas are currently back in lockdown and cases are rising in New South Wales amid concerns over a second wave.

International borders, and quite a few state borders, remain closed other than for

special cases.

With some of the participating countries including India, South Africa and Pakistan among the most severely affected by the pandemic, the risks of bringing together 16 teams from around the world and creating a bio-secure bubble are seen as too high.

On May 27, the ICC said in a media release that reports of “a postponement” of the T20 World Cup “are inaccurate and planning for the event continues whilst a number of contingency plans are being explored”. The ICC Board has met several times since April to discuss contingency planning and

was meant to make a final decision on the T20 World Cup during a meeting on June 10, but eventually deferred the call. Yesterday’s Board meeting was attended by all the directors including the global body’s interim chairman Imran Khawaja and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly. (ESPNcricinfo)

Sunshine Girl Vangelee Williams Ballon d’Or 2020 scrapped due to coronavirus disruption - organisers retires from national team SportsMax - Senior Sunshine Girl and former Netball captain and vicecaptain, Vangelee Williams, has announced her retirement from the national team.

Wi l l i a m s first represented Jamaica against South Africa in 2012 and over the next few y e a r s a n d p l a y e d Wi n g Defence, Goal Defence, and Goal Keep for her country.

During that time, she won medals at the Commonwealth Games and Fast5 Wo r l d Series competitions but after more than 50 international caps for the perennial Caribbean queens, Williams, 28, has decided to call time on her career.

“The curtain has closed on what one would call the biggest and best part of my life.

I’ve been blessed to be able to represent my

country, Jamaica, over all these years. The little girl coming from the country on weekends to try and win a spot in the national program was willing, was motivated, was full of aspirations and big dreams of representing the country at the highest level,” she said while revealing that she intends to continue playing at the local level.

“I am now 28! And Lord knows I’ve made those dreams and aspirations a big reality! I am super proud of all the contributions I’ve made to the programs I’ve been a part of i.e. U16, U21 and the Senior Squad.”

Wi l l i a m s , w h o f i r s t represented Jamaica at the U16 level, said she found success at every level at which she has represented Jamaica.

“Mi get voted captain, mi get voted player to watch, have gotten MVPs,

have made the game swing in our favour with one of my famous steals have impacted others players positively, and that is and will always be a big thing for me.

I want to see everyone win! Play the best netball you can and enjoy it,” she said in her post on Facebook.

“What I’ll miss the most is the team banter, our big and very opinionated debates on the bus after training, every dancing session (where Adean (Thomas) to this date is trying to get me in rhythm.

Every celebration after a big win!”

“One U16 gold medal, one U21 bronze medal, two senior Bronze at Commonwealth Games, two Silver at Fast Five, and few international and local Series wins in between and over 50 caps later I am retired and loving it.”

PARIS (Reuters) - The Ballon d’Or will not be awarded this year for the first time in its 64-year history after the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the football calendar, organisers France Football magazine said yesterday.

The prestigious award, voted for by journalists, is an annual prize given to the best male footballer in the world since 1956. The women’s Ballon d’Or was first awarded in 2018.

The 2019-20 season has been ravaged by the pandemic, with all the major European leagues suspending matches from March to June.

International tournaments, such as the European Championship and Copa America, were also pushed back to 2021 due to the virus.

Pascal Ferre, editor-in-chief of France Football, said in a statement: “From a sports perspective, two months (January and February), out of the eleven generally required to

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi with the Ballon d’Or award.

(REUTERS/Christian Hartmann) form an opinion and decide who should lift the trophies, represent far too little to gauge and judge. “... Without forgetting that the other games were played – or will be played – in extraordinary conditions (behind closed doors, with five replacements).”

The final stages of the Champions League, from the

quarter-finals, have also been rescheduled as a minitournament featuring single leg matches behind closed doors in Portugal next month.

Barcelona’s Argentina forward Lionel Messi has won the men’s award a record six times — one more than longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo can still help Juventus win the Serie A and Champions League double this season but the Portuguese forward will be among several leading players who will miss the opportunity to contend for the individual honour.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski reached 50 club goals this term and has an opportunity to win the treble, while Messi became the first player in Spain’s La Liga to record 20 goals and 20 assists in a single campaign. To fill the void left by the annual ceremony, France Football magazine’s jury of 180 will elect an all-time ‘Dream Team’ at the end of the year.

Tuesday July 21, 2020

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Windies taste defeat after batting crumbles MANCHESTER, England, CMC – West Indies lost their last five wickets for 61 runs to slump to a 113-run defeat to England on the final day of the second Test at Old Trafford here yesterday.

Set an improbable 312 for victory, West Indies were dismissed for 198 in their second innings, despite halfcenturies from Shamarh Brooks and Jermaine Blackwood.

They were tottering on 137 for five at tea and even though captain Jason Holder tried to rally with 35, the West Indies innings folded tamely with 14.5 overs left to survive.

Veteran seamer Chris Broad led the attack with three for 42 while fast bowling all-rounders Ben Stokes (230) and Chris Woakes (2-34), along with off-spinner Dom Bess (2-59) all finished with two wickets each.

Brooks, unbeaten at tea on 52, top-scored with 62, striking four fours and two sixes off 136 balls in just short of 3-½ hours but was second out after the interval, trapped lbw on the crease by left-arm seamer Sam Curran.

Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich completed a pair in the match when he also fell lbw to Woakes in the first

A dejected Shai Hope walks off after being bowled for seven in West Indies’ second innings on Monday.

Jermaine Blackwood drives through the covers, England v West Indies, 2nd Test, Emirates Old Trafford, 5th day, July 20, 2020 © Getty Images over after tea, and Holder mixed defence and attack in striking five fours and a six off 62 balls before being bowled through the gate by Bess. Blackwood had earlier struck an attractive 55, sharing a 100-run stand for

the fifth wicket with Brooks, to pull West Indies out of trouble from their lunch time position of 25 for three.

However, Blackwood perished in the final over before tea, fending a short ball from Stokes to be caught by

wicketkeeper Jos Buttler running around to the leg side. The three-match series is tied 1-1 after West Indies won the first Test last week by four wickets.

Old Trafford will host the final Test starting Friday.

Hamilton braced for ‘super-weird’ Silverstone LONDON (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton expects Silverstone to feel “superweird” as he heads back to Britain on top of the Formula One world championship standings.

The first three races in Austria and Hungary have been held without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that will remain the case at what was the best attended circuit on the calendar last year.

Silverstone will host the British Grand Prix on Aug. 2, followed by the 70th anniversary Grand Prix the weekend after.

Hamilton spoke before winning S u n d a y ’s Hungarian Grand Prix for Mercedes of how much energy he had gained from just seeing a few fans at the airport in Budapest and how much they were missed at the track.

“The British Grand Prix is the best grand prix, particularly because of the fans, the thousands that turn up and really create the spectacle,” said Britain’s six times world champion. “So it’s going to be super-weird.

“That is something I think I am still coming to terms with,” added Hamilton.

Speaking after the 86th

Third placed Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas during a press conference after the race. (FIA/Handout via REUTERS) win of his career, and record eighth in Hungary, Hamilton said he understood the circumstances and was just grateful to be able to go racing again.

“But absolutely, the atmosphere for me, it’s night and day different,” he said of racing past empty grandstands in the ‘new normal’.

Hamilton has won a

record six times at Silverstone, celebrating in the past by crowd-surfing and soaking up the applause and warmth of the fans.

With Mercedes in a class of their own, and the circuit hosting two races back-toback, there is every likelihood of him adding to his tally.

“The whole year... it’s the highlight of my year, the support is insane,” he said.

“It grows every year and I get to interact with the fans differently on that weekend and it’s such an honour and privilege to be able to perform well and win a Grand Prix in your home country.

“I’ve also felt that fans give you extra time because they just give you so much energy and it really lifts you up and you’re bubbling, you’re walking on a cloud.”

PAGE 24

Tuesday July 21, 2020

Kaieteur News

Olympics: Human Rights Watch report documents abuse of child athletes in Japan TOKYO (Reuters) - A Human Rights Watch report has found child athletes in Japan often suffer physical and verbal abuse and sometimes sexual abuse during training after documenting the experiences of over 800 athletes in 50 sports.

The 67-page report released yesterday titled “I Was Hit So Many Times I Can’t Count” looks at Japan’s history of physical punishment in sport and includes first-hand accounts from athletes.

The report comes in the week that would have marked the start of the Tokyo Olympics had it not been for the global coronavirus pandemic. The Games have now been delayed a year.

“The specific abuses we documented include punching, slapping, kicking or striking with objects (and) excessive or insufficient food and water,” Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch (HRW), told a news

conference.

In 2013, the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) promised to take steps to wipe out violence among its sports federations after an internal survey revealed more than 10% of its athletes had been victims of bullying or harassment.

It also cut funding to its judo federation for a time after coaches were found to have physically abused female athletes.

HRW said not enough had been done since then and demanded organisations such as the Japan Sports Council and the JOC use the upcoming Olympics as a catalyst for change. It noted child abuse in sport is a global problem and that the systems for reporting abuse are opaque, unresponsive, and inadequate.

“Human Rights Watch is calling on Japan to take decisive action and to lead in tackling this global crisis,” Worden said.

The JOC did not respond to Reuters

The National Stadium, the main stadium of Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, is seen through visitors wearing protective face masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at an observation deck in Tokyo, Japan July 20, 2020. (REUTERS/Issei Kato) requests for comment.

The report was based

Rare LeBron trading card brings $1.84 million at auction (Reuters) - A rare trading card of NBA great LeBron James’ 2003-04 rookie campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers fetched $1.84 million at auction over the weekend, the league has said.

Bidding for the Upper Deck card, signed by the 35year-old who now plays for Los Angeles Lakers, began at $150,000 before it became the most expensive basketball card purchased in the modern era - those produced in 1980

or later.

“Only 23 versions of the Patch Autograph Parallel collection for James were ever produced. The rare card received a 9.5 mint gem grading from Beckett grading service,” the NBA said here.

“Numbered 14 of 23, the card attracted 34 bids over the course of the 26-day auction.”

Darren Rovell of sports media company Action Network said the winning

bidder was Leore Avidar, the CEO and co-founder of a San Francisco-based company.

James is a three-times NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016) and twice Olympic gold medallist (2008, 2012). He has won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award four times.

In May, Michael Jordan’s autographed game-worn sneakers from his rookie season fetched $560,000 in an online auction.

Team LeBron forward LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates in the fourth quarter of the 2020 NBA All Star Game at United Center. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

on interviews with more than 50 current and former athletes, an online survey that drew 757 responses and meetings with eight Japanese sports organisations.

Of the 381 survey respondents aged 24 or younger, 19% indicated they had been hit,

punched, slapped, kicked, knocked to the ground or beaten with an object while participating in sports.

“The coach told me I was not serious enough with the running, so we were all called to the coach and I was hit in the face in front of everyone. I was bleeding, but he did not

stop hitting me,” the report q u o t e d a profes s i o n a l athlete given the pseudonym of Daiki A. as saying.

Eighteen percent reported experiencing verbal abuse, and five reported experiencing sexual assault or harassment while participating in sport as children.

Joseph comes close in million-dollar Haskell OCEANPORT, New Jersey, CMC – Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph agonisingly missed out on victory in the 53rd running of the US$1 million Grade 1 Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park when his entrant Ny Traffic lost to favourite Authentic in a spectacular photo finish here Saturday.

Authentic, under Triple Crown winner Mike Smith for Hall-of-Fame trainer Bob Baffert, seemed home and dry when he cruised three lengths in mid-stretch, in race 12 of the 14-race card.

However, 6-1 bet Ny Traffic who had tracked Authentic every inch of the 1-[! mile trip, then burst to life and produced a thundering late run under Paco Lopez, leaving a photo finish to determine the eventual winner.

The 33-year-old

Joseph said he was still proud of Ny Traffic despite the defeat which has now seen him finish second in his last three starts – all graded stakes outings.

“At the quarter pole, you could see he was off the bridle and Authentic was cruising. So to see him dig deep, I’m super proud of him,” said Joseph, the leading trainer at Gulfstream Park in Florida.

“I just want him to go forward. Hopefully, all goes well until the Kentucky Derby. We’re living the dream.”

Authentic carved out the early fractions, notching 23.60 seconds for the quarter and 47.52 for the half mile, with Ny Traffic glued to his flank, Jesus’ Team tracking from third and Lebda fourth in the seven-horse field.

Leaving the final turn with a narrow lead,

Authentic opened up beautifully before Ny Traffic created the late fireworks.

There was also disappointment for Joseph in the US$315,000 Grade III Monmouth Cup Stakes in race 10 when his Math Wizard finished 1-½ lengths behind winner Global Campaign in second.

Going off at odds of 91, Math Wizard came with a strong late run under Trevor McCarthy but failed to really threaten Global Campaign, who had earlier dismissed a challenge from Joevia through the half-mile before dominating under Jorge Vargas.

Math Wizard, a fouryear-old chestnut colt, won the Grade I Pennsylvania Derby last September at Parx in Philadelphia for Joseph.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 21, 2020

PAGE 25

FIFPRO wants specific measures to protect players from overload

Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic in action with Azerbaijan’s Gara Garayev during Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group E at Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb. (REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic)

B

ERN (Reuters) The global footballers’ union FIFPRO wants concrete safeguards to protect players from fixture overload and the consequent risk of injury as the sport

catches up with a backlog of matches following the novel coronavirus stoppage.

FIFPRO general s e c r e t a r y J o n a s B a e rHoffmann told Reuters that, with the sport facing an overcrowded calendar for

the next three years, the union was talking to European clubs and leagues to find ways of protecting players.

“There is the big question of how we manage the load in a very condensed

period,” he said. “We can’t just leave it to the mercy of individual decisions because we know how big the pressure is on the players and nobody is going to benefit from additional injuries.”

The new coronavirus halted football for three to four months around Europe and longer in some other parts of the world.

But, rather than shorten competition formats and eliminate fixtures, most federations and leagues are simply cramming them into a shorter period of time, producing a concertina effect.

The only major exception is the Champions League and Europa League where UEFA has replaced two-leg ties with single-leg ties for the end of this season and the start of next.

“From now to three years ahead, the calendar is completely overloaded,” said Baer-Hoffman.

“The only solution is to

put a framework in place to manage the load and guarantee recovery periods,” he added, citing two mandatory rest periods per year as an example of a rule that could be implemented.

“We need sensible rules based on medicallyapproved safety standards.”

PLAYER OVERLOAD FIFPRO had expressed concern about player overload even before the coronavirus stoppage and a report last year said players needed five days’ rest between matches — compared to two to three days at present in England and Italy.

One example FIFPRO gave in that report was B a r c e l o n a ’s C r o a t i a midfielder Ivan Rakitic who it said had played 68 games between May 2018 and June 2019.

One idea proposed would be a so-called match cap to limit the number of games for players in a

season, but not clubs.

Baer-Hoffmann said that with the first round of South A m e r i c a n Wo r l d C u p qualifiers pencilled in for October, the restart of internationals had led to concern that players may travel to countries where coronavirus cases are still surging.

“We need to ensure that players are not put under pressure to travel to countries where the pandemic may still be a threat, otherwise it’s not going to be sustainable,” he said.

Similarly, FIFPRO is worried about leagues starting in countries where infection rates are still high.

“In certain countries, health standards are not what we would want, commercial pressures are overriding health and safety precautions and players are vulnerable to pressure because they need to play to put food on the table,” he said.

Golf: Rahm overcomes nerves and penalty to take Memorial and top ranking (

Reuters) - Spain’s Jon Rahm overcame nerves and a two-shot penalty to claim victory at the Memorial Tournament on Sunday and replace Rory McIlroy at the top of the world rankings.

Rahm began the final round at a steamy and gusty Muirfield Village Golf Club with a four-shot lead and padded that to eight with nine holes to play, but late drama saw his advantage shrink to three before the 25year-old sealed his fourth PGA Tour win.

Rahm, who joins childhood hero Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to hold the top ranking, celebrated with a massive fist pump in fading light and near silence with spectators still banned due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“I don’t know how to describe it,” said Rahm. “It’s been a goal since I was 13-, 14-years-old.

“I remember I heard a

story on the radio from my swing coach back in Spain, Eduardo Celles. We were driving somewhere and he asked me what my goals were and my ambitions and this and that, and I remember telling him I’m going to be the best player in the world.”

Rahm’s final round of three-over 75 saw him finish on nine-under 279, three shots ahead of Ryan Palmer (74), with Matthew Fitzpatrick (68) in third on 283, and Matt Wallace (72) and Australian Jason Day (73) one shot further back.

Rahm’s round began to unravel with a bogey at 10 followed by a double-bogey at 11, while Palmer rolled in a birdie at 12, and when he missed a routine three-footer to take bogey at the 14th the Spaniard’s once commanding lead was reduced to three.

But the big-hitting Spaniard steadied the ship with a flash of brilliance at the 16th, chipping in from

30-feet to restore a four-shot cushion with two to play.

There was more late drama, however, when Rahm was later handed a two-shot penalty when his ball moved while addressing the shot at 16.

Rahm was unaware of that penalty and, after Palmer bogeyed the 17th, walked to the 18th tee without being told his lead was three strokes, not five.

“As unfortunate as it is to have this happen, it was a great shot, serious,” said Rahm. “What it goes to show is you never know what’s going to happen.

“So I’m glad I grinded those last two up-and-downs because had I missed both of them, plus the penalty stroke, maybe Ryan finishes strong, I would be in a playoff, and I’m glad I finished it off good.

“But it did move, so I’ll accept the penalty, and it still doesn’t change the outcome of the tournament.”

Jon Rahm plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. (Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

rt Spo

West Indies’ Jermaine Blackwood walks off after losing his wicket, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Jon Super/Pool via REUTERS)

Windies taste defeat after batting crumbles

Stuart Broad celebrates the wicket of Shai Hope, England v West Indies, 2nd Test, Emirates Old Trafford, 5th day, July 20, 2020 © Getty Images

2020 T20 World Cup pushed back to next year

West Indies are the current T20 men’s world champions after beating England in Kolkata in 2016. (Getty Images) Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.