Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
No place for politics of revenge DEAR EDITOR, There has been a general perception among a large segment of the population as well as complaints from political observers, politicians and business people that the new coalition government is pursuing “vengeful politics”. In fact, as reported in the media, some elements of the coalition have been calling for political investigations that are tantamount to or what are described by opposition figures as “witch-hunts”. This is unacceptable behaviour that does not belong in a fledgling democracy like ours that has been reeling from some sixty years of divisive ethnic politics. People I spoke with say the recent government actions (removal or firing of staff affiliated with the PPP) smack of vengeful politics. Worse, they suggest a betrayal of the trust voters placed in the coalition that promised during the election campaign of no spiteful or revengeful politics. The fervour with which the then opposition politicians campaigned not to fire workers affiliated with PPP has died out like a flame in water. It is also noted by diplomats I interacted with that the government’s actions also betray the coalition’s announcements that it is willing to share political power with the PPP. The inescapable conclusion is that the government was engaged in PR stunts of promoting national unity but its actions betray its true intention of governing alone. Critics argue that if government is so interested in sharing political power and of forming a government of national unity, why would it
be removing hundreds of individuals from government employ because of their political and/or ethnic affiliation. The PPP leadership is accusing the coalition of extirpating staff known for their affiliation with the PPP; those considered loyal to the coalition remain in their jobs. Indian and Amerindian political leaders and business folks charge the coalition government with what they describe as a “vindictive politics of de-Indianization and de-Amerindianization” of the civil service and bureaucracy, pointing to the overwhelming number of Indians and Amerindians who were removed from employ. It is seen as racism. The business community and others complain that politics of revenge is dominating the vision and philosophy of the new political elite in control of the affairs of the state. They feel that elements of the new regime are seduced by the privilege of power (or office) to show who is bigger and with the syndrome of “I will teach you a lesson” because of “how you treated me when you were in power”. Such thoughts and actions won’t get the country far, as it will lead to a cycle of never ending revengeful politics. President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo started off well. They was much goodwill for the coalition and hope for the country. People, including many who voted for the PPP, welcomed the change. But the country has never been so divided since the firing of staff began mere weeks after the swearing in. Instead of healing, there has been bickering and acrimony. This is a contradiction of a new Guyana promised by the
coalition during the campaign. The focus now should be on developing the country, not firing staff or malicious revenge. The ruling party can’t tackle development all alone. No politician should be a practitioner of politics of revenge. Instead, all politicians from both sides of the political divide must be agents of change and of bringing people together so we can build a nation for all, regardless of political or racial affiliation. The President and Prime Minister, as leaders of their respective parties, should not allow themselves to be susceptible to the influence of partisan and revenge politics among their advisors or followers. There is no place for a politics of retribution in our society. The practice of removing people from their jobs and then holding investigations into perceived wrongdoing, is tantamount to conviction first and then a trial later to determine guilt. It cannot be that only those who are perceived to be affiliated with the PPP were wrongdoers. How about those who supported the coalition – did they not also commit wrongful acts? If the government is going after wrongdoers, then it must do so across the board, not only those who support the PPP. Instead of political partisanship, the country needs a beneficial vision of establishing and institutionalizing a veritable democratic system that is based on institutions and rule of law (due process), and that preserves and respects the culture of human rights (right to a hearing before being removed from employment). Revengeful politics must end. Vishnu Bisram
Mr Veecock missed the point about the Police Commander
DEAR EDITOR, I take note of Mr. Carl Veecock’s response yesterday in Kaieteur News to my letter on a recent incident involving a police officer and it is clear that he misunderstood the issue. The case is very simple. A police rank was directing traffic in Providence during the recent CPL games. A driver, a civil servant, becoming impatient with the congestion, came out and spoke with rank and during an exchange of words, asked for his name and regulation number. The badge was covered by a safety reflector jacket. Because the civil servant attempted to check the name on the badge, he was arrested, thrown in a police vehicle and escorted to the station where the Divisional Commander reportedly was waiting. The Commander was the one who was upset that the civil servant would dare question his rank. To compound the issue, when the Commander’s superiors, including the Commissioner of Police,
attempted to find out what transpired, he was informed that the rank was slapped by the civil servant. I am prepared to submit to Mr Veecock a copy of the rank’s statement. At no time, and I stress, at no time did he indicate any slapping took place. Rather, he said that the civil servant merely attempted to see his name and rank on the badge so that a complaint could be made to the police about his behaviour. Mr Veecock missed the point altogether. The civil servant was to be charged for slapping the rank. The next point is, the standing orders governing the operations of the police force are clear that traffic officers directing traffic must wear the white sleeves. Their name tags with the numbers must be easily seen. It cannot be covered. Surely the commander knew about this standing order. Further, the commander was at the Providence Station recently where he insisted that he will deal condignly with any rank who has the crown missing from the berets (caps).
It is obvious from the rank’s statement that he was not conforming to regulations. Further, from time to time, there are inspections of ranks, by even the commander himself. Mr Veecock may want to know that the inspection would not only be about the haircut, or how shine the shoes are. It may involve looking at the badges. Again, let us not miss the point. The civil servant was arrested based on what? Further, there is the statement of the rank. That itself is an interesting read. There seems to be an entire paragraph added in, raising the question if it was tampered it. I trust that the matter is closed, but remain prepared to engage again to stand up for Guyanese who have been victimized. Cobeer Persaud
Page 6
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Guyana’s TIP status unchanged Only one conviction in past year, victims were re-trafficked - US report For the third consecutive year, the US has placed Guyana on Tier 2 Watch List, recommending in its latest Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) that the country move quickly to increase funding to special organizations tasked with assisting victims. Tier Two level is accorded to countries whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards. The TIP report said that law enforcement efforts remained insufficient when it came to battling the problem. Noting that Guyana has a law in place, the report released recently was critical of weak law enforcement efforts which hindered the process of holding traffickers accountable. Only one conviction was recorded between April 2014 and January 2015 and that case is being appealed. Between April 2014 and January 2015, the government investigated seven trafficking cases involving an unknown number of suspects and prosecuted four suspected traffickers. Only one trafficker, compared with three in 2013, was convicted. The convicted trafficker was a police officer sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for child sex trafficking; he was initially denied bail, but ultimately granted bail pending appeal on April 1, 2015. In 2013, the government released three convicted traffickers on bail while their cases were under appeal; these three convicted
traffickers were still free on bail and had not had their appeals heard at the end of the reporting period. In 2014 and previous years, Guyanese courts ultimately dismissed the majority of ongoing trafficking prosecutions. The government trained eight police officers on trafficking victim identification and case investigation. With regards to offering protection, the US report noted that Guyana sustained some efforts to identify victims, but victim assistance remained insufficient. “The Ministry of Labour, Human Services, and Social Security reported referring 16 potential victims to care— largely provided by NGOs— between April 2014 and January 2015. The government did not provide information on how many victims were adults or children, male or female, or sex or labour trafficking victims. In comparison, the government reported identifying 23 victims in 2013, including 10 children, five male labor trafficking victims, and 18 sex trafficking victims.” INADEQUATE RESOURCES Government resources devoted to victim protection remained inadequate, and authorities did not consistently provide assistance specific to the needs of trafficking survivors, the report said. “The government provided victims with medical assistance, food, and counselling. An NGO—with $10 million (US$49,500) in assistance from the government—operated a
shelter for victims of domestic violence in Georgetown that assisted 14 victims of sex trafficking. “A separate NGO provided housing and assistance to 12 victims of sex trafficking without government support.” D o n o r - f u n d e d organizations provided much of the support for victims. In areas outside of the capital, NGOs provided shelter and assistance to victims, often in dangerous conditions, without any Government funding. Longer-term shelter and protection was not available in Guyana, putting victims at risk of traffickers’ reprisals as the government did not punish most traffickers with incarceration. Worryingly enough, the US report indicated that identified victims were retrafficked or became homeless after receiving inadequate protection services from the government. “The government reported it was developing standard operating procedures to guide officials in identifying trafficking victims. Victims often did not testify in court as officials failed to locate and inform them of court dates. Victims also did not testify when they had no transportation to courts or could not afford residency in Guyana in the months before their court date.” The government did not adequately address this problem, which contributed to the low number of trafficking convictions. While Guyana’s law protects victims from punishment for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking, in November, the government charged, and subsequently placed in police custody, a group of Nepalese suspected to have been subjected to trafficking while
Guyana needs to up the ante in its battle to stamp out trafficking in persons, the US urged in its latest report. illegally present in Guyana. Government officials reported cooperation with NGOs to develop childsensitive investigation and prosecution procedures; a lack of these procedures put children at risk of reprisal from traffickers. Guyana’s law provides relief from deportation for foreign victims; the government did not report extending such relief to foreign victims over the past year. The report, regarding Guyana, said the country is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. Women and children from Guyana, Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic are subjected to sex trafficking in mining communities in the interior and in urban areas. Victims are subjected to forced labour in the mining, agriculture, and forestry sectors, as well as in domestic service and shops. Children are particularly
vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labour. According to the report, limited government presence in the interior masks the full scope of trafficking crimes. “Guyanese nationals are subjected to sex and labour trafficking in Suriname, Jamaica, and other countries in the Caribbean region. Some police officers are complicit in trafficking crimes, and corruption impedes antitrafficking efforts.” The Government of Guyana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Despite these measures, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing anti-trafficking efforts compared to the previous reporting period. “The government released its anti-trafficking action plan in June 2014; however, the government made uneven efforts to implement it during the reporting period.” PLEASE PROSECUTE In its recommendations, the US called for Guyana to vigorously investigate and prosecute sex and labor trafficking cases and hold convicted traffickers
accountable with time in prison that is commensurate with the severity of the crime; provide increased funding for NGOs to identify and assist victims; investigate, prosecute, and convict government officials complicit in trafficking; make additional efforts to enable victims to appear in court and testify against traffickers in a way that does not further endanger victims; develop child-sensitive investigation procedures and court procedures that protect the privacy of children and minimize their retraumatization; in partnership with NGOs, develop and publicize written standard operating procedures to guide and encourage frontline officials—including police, health, immigration, labor, mining, and forestry personnel—to identify and protect victims of forced labor and forced prostitution; do not punish victims for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking; and offer increased protection and assistance for victims near mining communities. The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal Continued on page 24
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Turkey, U.S. aim for safe zone cleared of Islamic State in northern Syria
Turkish soldiers positioning an anti-aircraft gun at Incirlik airbase in the southern city of Adana, Turkey yesterday (REUTERS/MURAD SEZER) Turkey and the United States are working on plans to provide air cover for Syrian rebels and jointly sweep Islamic State fighters from a strip of land along the Turkish border, bolstering the NATO member’s security and providing a safe haven for civilians. Long a reluctant member of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, Turkey last week made a dramatic turnaround by granting the alliance access to its air bases and bombarding targets in Syria linked to the jihadist movement. Struggling with more than 1.8 million Syrian refugees,
Turkey has long campaigned for a “no-fly zone” in northern Syria to keep Islamic State and Kurdish militants from its border and help stem the tide of displaced civilians trying to cross. While no such formal arrangement has been struck with Washington, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the two allies saw eye to eye on the need to provide air cover for moderate Syrian rebels fighting Islamic State. “What we have now is air coverage to clear a region from Daesh (Islamic State) and support the moderate opposition so they can gain control of that region,”
Davutoglu told Turkey’s ATV in an interview broadcast live. “We do not want to see Daesh on Turkey’s borders.” In Washington, U.S. officials said discussions were ongoing about the size and scope of a safe zone along the border, which would be cleared of Islamic State fighters and allow moderate rebels to operate freely. “The goal is to establish an ISIL-free zone and ensure greater security and stability along Turkey’s border with Syria,” a senior Obama administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. ISIL is an acronym for Islamic State.
The biggest rout in Chinese shares in eight years stoked concerns over slowing growth in the world’s No. 2 economy yesterday, knocking down global equities and the prices of key commodities. The dollar eased on safety bidding for other major currencies and the euro topped $1.11 for the first time in two weeks, supported by strong German business sentiment data. Wall Street ended down on the worries over China’s slowing growth, crystallized by a stunning 8.5 percent fall in Shanghai shares that also rattled equity markets in Europe and Asia. China’s top securities regulator quickly said the government would continue to buy shares to stabilise the stock market as an unprecedented rescue plan already in place appeared to be sputtering. “Dollar weakness against the euro and the yen is a riskaversion story reflecting China stocks,” said currency strategist Richard Franulovich at Westpac in New York. Wall Street’s Dow Jones industrial average finished down 127.94 points, or 0.73 percent, to 17,440.59, the S&P 500 ended down 12.01 points,
or 0.58 percent, to 2,067.64 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 48.85 points, or 0.96 percent, to 5,039.78. Nine of the 10 major S&P 500 sectors were lower. Shares of Teva Pharmaceutical jumped 16.41
percent to a record high of $72.00 after it agreed to buy Allergan’s generic drugs business for $40.5 billion, giving up on its bid to buy Mylan. Allergan rose 6.09 percent while Mylan fell 14.51 percent.
China stocks rout stings world equities, commodities
Page 7
Page 8
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Obama says more political openness would strengthen Ethiopia U.S. President Barack Obama told Ethiopia’s leaders yesterday that allowing more political freedoms would strengthen the African nation, which had already lifted millions out of a poverty once rooted in recurring famine. Obama was speaking after talks with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on the first trip by a U.S. president to Ethiopia, one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, which is often criticized for its rights record. He gave a similar message in Kenya last week at the start of his Africa tour, stressing the importance of human rights amid economic progress. Ethiopia’s opposition failed to secure a single seat in a May parliamentary election, drawing skepticism from Washington, which has also criticized Ethiopia’s detention of bloggers and journalists. The government insists that those detained have committed crimes. “The governing party has significant breadth and popularity and, as a consequence, making sure to open additional space for journalists or media or opposition voices will
U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) and his delegation, including National Security Advisor Susan Rice (L), sit down to a bilateral meeting with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (3rd R) at the National Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST) strengthen rather than inhibit the agenda that the prime minister and the ruling party have put forward,” Obama told a news conference. Hailemariam, speaking at the same briefing, acknowledged his country was a “young democracy” that had more to do, but said he had “minor differences” with America about the speed of that process. He said
Ethiopia needed journalists to be ethical and not have ties to violent groups. Obama’s careful phrasing, noting economic progress amid political restrictions, drew some criticism from opponents. “The Americans know (the situation) but they are cautiously looking away,” said Merara Gudina, vice chairman of the Medrek opposition
coalition. “They choose to wine and dine with dictators instead.” Maya Foa of the rights group Reprieve criticized Obama’s reference to “a democratically elected government”, saying this was “woefully misplaced.” Ethiopia, run by Hailemariam’s ruling party for a quarter of a century, is on track for 10 percent growth
this year, helping transform a nation that was brought to its knees by communist purges in the 1970s and famine in the 1980s. Obama praised Ethiopia’s development record that had pulled “millions of people” out of poverty in the past 15 years in the nation of 96 million, although he said there were still too many people struggling.
“My message to the people of Ethiopia is: as you take steps moving your country forward, the United States will be standing by you the entire way,” he said. Obama discussed closer security cooperation with Ethiopia and praised its role in an African force in Somalia that was helping shrink the area controlled by al Shabaab militants. Obama’s Africa tour, which began on Friday in his father’s homeland Kenya, also aims to boost trade and business with a continent where China overtook the United States as the biggest trade partner in 2009. The Ethiopian prime minister noted a century of diplomatic ties with the United States but said the U.S. “investment flow doesn’t match”. He noted that America was a leader in science and technology, which could help Africa. Ethiopia’s breakneck economic growth has been driven largely by state-led investment, which economists say is squeezing out private business. Hailemariam said the country had to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks to avoid deterring investors.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 9
RIDING ROUGHSHOD OVER THE WORKING CLASS Forty-two persons from the One Laptop per Family (OLPF) project have been sent packing by the APNU+AFC government. They have effectively been put on the breadline. Some of them will now lose their homes. Some of them will not be able to meet their other commitments. Others will not know from whence their next paycheck is coming. The APNU+AFC government cannot be oblivious to these concerns. It was APNU+AFC which on the election trail had said that
there were no jobs for young people. Yet they are the ones who are engaging in dismissals. The new government is on a rampage. It is sending more persons left, right and center. It is being cheered on by those who feel that persons who worked with the former administration should be punished with dismissal. I wonder what the AFC has to say in relation to the sending home of so many workers, most of whom are young people. Is the AFC in support of the dismissals of
these persons? Why could these persons not have been placed elsewhere in the public service? Or were they being simply cleared so that when the project is redesigned, they can be replaced by party hacks? The Guyana Trade Union Congress, which once accused the PPP/C government of practicing economic genocide, is strangely silent in the face of this assault on workers. These workers are not public servants. But should the Guyana Public Service Union
Presidential Advisor on National Security Brigadier (ret’d) Edward Collins is expected to present his first report to President David Granger by the end of August. The Advisor has been on a series of information gathering visits to Regions Five and Six, assessing the security resources and capabilities in these regions. Yesterday, Collins said that his visits provided material that he can use to formulate recommendations. He made it clear that he has no executive authority to implement any action whether those come from his recommendations or from elsewhere. The Presidential Advisor was adamant that, contrary to what is being peddled elsewhere, in one case in the editorial of Stabroek News (Sunday, July 26, 2015), he has not interfered in the functions or space of the Minister of Public Security. Collins said, “In fact, my first visit to the Police Headquarters was with the
Minister and that was a very thorough and beneficial meeting.” Collins added that he has received full support from the Minister, explaining that it was Minister Ramjattan, “who called the Head of CANU and told him to speak with me.” Collins explained that he has been working with the Minister, seeking his permission and approval to visit police stations, fire stations and the prisons. Following on the relationship established at the first meeting at the Police Force Headquarters which was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Brigadier Collins said he was able to meet with the Commander of ‘B’ Division Christopher Griffith. In a telephone interview, the ‘B’ Division Commander indicated that he was able to provide a thorough brief to the Advisor because of the close working relationship established between the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Public Security
and the Presidential Advisor. He said at no time did he get the impression that the Advisor was trying to usurp the role or functions of the Minister. President David Granger has taken a focused approach to improving national security making it a top priority. Immediately on the return from the Caricom Heads of Government Conference, the President had summoned a high-level security meeting. That meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, the Ministers of State and Public Security and top officials of the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force. It is expected that the recommendations from the Presidential Advisor, will feed into strategies and programmes to be implemented by the Ministry of National Security and other Ministries and agencies, so that a comprehensive approach will be taken to improve security across the country.
‘I have the support and cooperation of the Public Security Minister’ - Brig (Ret’d) Collins
Dem boys seh...
A dark secret now come to light There is an old saying that whatever happen in de dark does come to light one day. Padoville Two was a showpiece. It is oceanfront property that people would pay hundreds of millions fuh house lot. None ain’t available. Dem didn’t have plenty to start wid in de first place. That was de last set of oceanfront property up fuh grab. It was hidden but one day he was flying in Gerry plane when he look down and see it. He eye open bigger than de Atlantic Ocean and that is how he move from Pradoville One into Pradoville Two. He and ee kavakamites who buy all de oceanfront property pay next to nutten. And in case you don’t know what a kavakamite is. It means a person who live off anything that dem put dem eye pun, even a dog and a louse. De entire area use to get special treatment—de grass cut low, de roads well kept and even de empty lot was maintained. GPL run underground cable fuh dem, dem had de best drains and more security than a prison.
Well things change. Dem boys pass Jagdeo house de other day and dem see big, big bush growing in de empty lot next door to him. Dem boys believe that is de DPP lot wha dem boys learn about. Dem did never know who and who did own all de lots in Pradoville Two. That was de most highly kept secret. Dem boys only find out all this yesterday when dem pass. A man from Dubai was looking fuh a nice place to buy and dem boys hear dem got some who a sell dem property fuh get away. De Dubai man hear Jagdeo is one of dem and he got de best property in there. Is when de man tun up he see Jagdeo outside de yard wid a stick in ee hand. When de man ask him wha he doing he seh he frighten snake and jaguar and he believe some of dem live in de bush next to him. Dem boys hope and pray is true because is time something bite ee sk…. Talk half and pray that you never see another Jagdeo in you lifetime.
not say something also about these mass dismissals that are taking place? There are complaints about a slowdown in business. But what about the survival of these forty-two workers? How are they going to survive? The loss of income surely will mean that they will be unable for some time to enjoy the same purchasing power that they did. This will further aggravate the downturn in business activity. What was the wrong that these workers did? They were not accused of being political appointees and therefore, subject to be replaced by other favored underlings from the ruling coalition. They were working for a project which the present government had never supported. But is this reason enough to send them home? It is not and certainly this has not been the reason given for them being sent home. The reason given is that they have not been doing any work and were only putting on a pappy- show when a big one visited their office. If employees do not have work to do, who is to blame? You cannot blame the workers for not having work to do. You have to blame the employer for not
finding work for them to do. Yet, the workers are being accused of not having work and therefore they were relieved of their duties. If within close to three months the government could not find work for these employees, you cannot blame the employees, you have to blame the government. It is the government which did not find work for these employees which should have been sent packing. Yet these poor souls are being put on the breadline through no fault of theirs. It is possible that the government plans to scrap the OLPF programme. The government would have known this a long time ago because it was never in agreement with the OLPF. APNU had called for one laptop per teacher. The government therefore had to know that it would have been closing this unit. So why did it wait so long? And why did it not use the time since May 11, 2015 to try to find alternative employment for these workers. Surely the new government will be pursuing its own e-governance programme. So why could these forty- two workers, who are now left penniless, not have been absorbed into that
programme? The government is riding roughshod over the working class. It is trampling the working class. It is engaging in mass dismissals. It is dismissing mainly young people. At the same time, retired persons and party supporters are being employed. How can this be fair? And the AFC will sit there and not mumble a word of protest. The workers should protest their dismissals. They have to take action because no one else is going to come to their rescue
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 28, 2015
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Sooba is gone but the law remains an ass In my first year as a student at UG, just weeks after I enrolled, I came across an article in a journal. It had a profound influence on me. It is strange how a chance encounter with a song, newspaper column, book, advertisement, news item in the media can have a lasting influence on you. I was in the library reading voraciously when my eyes glanced on the journal, “Marxism Today.” It was the organ of the British Communist Party. In that journal was an article titled, “Law and Class Struggle” by Alan Hunt. I devoured that analysis and was never the same again. That analysis influenced the way I saw capitalism and the
law. I am sure that issue of Marxism Today is gone from the UG library. We are talking about something I read in 1974. Since then UG library would have lost almost ninety nine percent of the holdings it had in 1974. The analysis was a learned depiction of how the law is shaped to benefit the powerful classes in society. The author dissected the insurance industry and showed luminously how the law is designed to favour the insurance company and not the insured. From that night in the UG library in 1974, I became deeply distrustful of insurance. I remember when I lived on Hadfield Street; we
insured the house against fire for $500,000. Long after, it dawned on me that we had paid the insurance company over a million dollars and would only get $500,000 if fire struck. I went to the company and asked if there is any provision in the insurance regulations for my wife and I to get some money back because we had far exceeded the $500,000 ceiling. They said no. I stopped the policy and advised my wife to save the exact amount we would pay monthly to the company. Had we continued the policy, we would have ended giving the company millions of dollars only to get $500,000 in the event of fire.
It was Dickens in his work, “Oliver Twist” who put the words in the mouth of the character, Mr. Bumble who exclaimed to the judge; “The law is an ass.” If I was to write a book on the ugly physiology of the fifteen years of the Jagdeo/ Ramotar cabal, the Carol Sooba case would be among the first examples. I honestly still cannot get over the ruling in the Carol Sooba versus Royston King Case. It will linger in my mind forever. If there is any reason for me to believe the law is an ass it is in the judgement rendered in the Sooba-King matter. I have dealt with this matter many times in my columns, as recent as last week so I need not discuss it further.
Sooba is gone but the mysteries of law are still with us. We see those mysteries unfolding every day in this country, and all you can do is wonder why the law is such an ass. Every week, the Chief Justice grants bail to people whose bail requests the Magistrates refused the previous week. This thing takes on a farcical appearance not to mention its comical face. Can the Magistrate grant bail? The answer is yes. Why then do they refuse bail and just a week after those remanded prisoners go to the Chief Justice, use the same arguments, as they submitted to the Magistrates in the original court appearance and bail is approved. Is there any logic to this thing? Surely after a period of time, the Magistrate must be aware of the pattern. They must say to themselves that the lawyers will petition the Chief Justice anyway, and bail will be given, so it makes no sense refusing bail in the first place. But it doesn’t seem that the Magistrate could be bothered. Every week you read in the newspaper that the Chief Justice has offered bail
Frederick Kissoon to dozens of remand prisoners. But what about the cost to the remanded accused? If bail is denied in the lower court, an application has to be made to the higher court and that entails more fees for the Attorney. Why do the Magistrates carry remand prisoners through this financial torture? These are the mysteries of the judicial system that even God may have difficulty understanding. There is an enigma of the court system I will never fathom. By what logic did the Chief Justice assign the Bharrat Jagdeo libel case against me and this newspaper to begin eleven months after the affidavits were filed? A libel normally takes ten years before it is heard.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Rohee dubs Nagamootoo’s statements Sooba forfeits M&CC employment, to undergo police investigation for alleged fraud on Sean Hinds ‘a huge joke’ - says the PM has a wide imagination, is good at “spinning things”
General Secretary, Clement Rohee
Sean Hinds
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
By Abena Rockcliffe General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, yesterday dismissed claims made by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, to the effect that Sean Hinds was seen lurking around his home two weeks ago. Rohee also brushed aside Nagamootoo’s concerns that a criminal syndicate may have been attached to the PPP. On Saturday last, Nagamootoo told reporters that one of the suspects held by the police for the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing, was trying to get close to him under a disguise of a bodyguard. “But his (Rajput Naraine’s) nervousness when he approached me saying he will watch my back is what struck me,” said Nagamootoo. Naraine was also the bodyguard of former Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. Nagamootoo had noted suspicions that Naraine and Hinds may have been part of a PPP-orchestrated plot that had his assassination as its climax. He said that the plot was hinted at when Rohee said during the elections campaign that, “who ain’t end up dead will be badly wounded.” Yesterday, as he hosted PPP’s weekly press conference at Freedom House, Rohee rubbished
Nagamootoo’s statements calling them a “huge joke.” The General Secretary who claimed to be one of the few people knowing the “real Nagamootoo,” said that the Prime Minister is “good at spinning things” “If there is anyone in this country who knows Nagamootoo (well), politically and otherwise, I am one of them, so I would not take Nagamootoo’s statement seriously. He is good at what he is saying, he is good at spinning things, he is good at concocting things, he has a wide imagination,” said Rohee. Rohee also distanced himself and his party from Hinds, who had confessed to being part of the death squad that reigned during the early 2000s. He admitted that he did see Hinds in Freedom House last week but claimed that he did not pay him much attention. The General Secretary said that upon noticing Hinds sitting downstairs at Freedom House, he enquired about his purpose of visit and was told by Hinds that he was there to see someone. Rohee said he responded with an “Oh” and went about his business. “I never asked him who the someone was. I just left and went away,” said Rohee. The former Home Affairs Minister also sought to make
it clear that there is no relationship between the PPP and Hinds but said that even such a man who admitted to conspiracy to commit a crime is “innocent until proven guilty.” Last week, Sean Hinds admitted on national television that he was part of a death squad that hunted and gunned down suspected criminals during the crime spree of 2002/2003, when the PPP was still in office. He claimed that last week he was forced to seek refuge at Freedom House as it was rumoured that he was wanted by the police for CrumEwing’s murder. However, yesterday Rohee said as far as he knows, the PPP never had any arrangement, security or otherwise, with Hinds. But during the last elections, Hinds was spotted at all of the PPP’s major rallies and he also served as the personal bodyguard for former Town Clerk Carol Sooba. He said that he was paid well over $400,000 monthly to guard Sooba but did so with a “toy gun.”’ Hinds had told Travis Chase of Nightly News, that while he served as a member of the death squad, he received instructions from the “very top” on who to kill, how to kill them and how to dispose of their remains.
The Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) is convinced that former acting Town Clerk, Carol Ryan Sooba, has forfeited her employment at City Hall. Sooba was officially dismissed as Town Clerk of the Council earlier this month, after a majority from the committee, successfully tabled a no -confidence motion against her. Sooba received a dismissal letter from Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, weeks after she was sent on administrative leave by the M&CC. Her leave was to facilitate an investigation into alleged misappropriation of the Council’s funds. The Council had fingered the former Town Clerk (Ag) in a series of alleged fraudulent acts including the waiving of $27 million in interest for a property in Georgetown without the knowledge and fiat of the duly elected Mayor and City Council; the payment of fees to an Attorney in excess of $1 million, for extraneous matters, not approved by Council. But despite her dismissal
Carol Sooba as Town Clerk (Ag), there was some uncertainty about whether Sooba would return to the council in her original position as Legal Officer at the Georgetown M&CC, a position she held for a number of years. Councillor Ranwell Jordan at a Statutory Meeting held at City Hall, yesterday, disclosed that the Council is in receipt of certain documents which purport to show that Sooba had forfeited her employment with
the Municipality. Jordan did not give details but noted that among other misdeeds, Sooba is being accused of utilizing funds without the consent of the Council and for breaching the financial system regulation and procedure of City Hall. According to Jordan within the next 24 hours, the information will be forwarded to Minister of Communities for Sooba‘s formal separation from the Council. “She will no longer be Legal Officer of this City Hall,” he said, adding that a formal complaint will be subsequently lodged with the police for further investigations. Jordan further advised the administrative department of the Council to advertise its vacancy for a Legal Officer. The announcement by Councillor Jordan received resounding sounds of approval from the full complement of Councillors, who were in attendance at the meeting yesterday. Notably absent were Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Greene and Mayor Hamilton Green who are both on leave.
Repeat offender jailed for 2 years on break and enter charge Wearing an orange jersey that looked like it would glow in the dark, Hugh Cort was once again arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Ann McLennan, to answer to a charge of break and enter simple larceny. The father of three minors nervously stood in the prison dock and swayed from side to side as the particulars of the charges were read to him. The charge stated that between June 15 and June 16, Cort of 116 South Ruimveldt Park, broke into Gordon Saul’s Boutique and carted off a quantity of clothing. The court heard that the articles are valued $585,000. The unrepresented man did not deny the allegation before Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan and was jailed for two
years. Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones, said that the boutique which is located on Lime and Bent Streets, Georgetown, was open and the entire ordeal was captured on a Closed- Circuit television (CCTV) from which the police were able to identify Cort. The Prosecutor told the court that the defendant was
later arrested at a home in Hadfield Street which he had also broke and entered. He was consequently taken to the Alberttown Police Station. While in the lock ups Saul identified Cort as the person who broke into the boutique. According to the Prosecutor the defendant was wearing a T-Shirt and jeans from the said boutique.
Page 12
Kaieteur News
PPP again accuses Govt of ‘extravagant spending’ Repeating statements that have been deemed by the masses as “highly hypocritical,” People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee, said that his party continues to pay close attention to the “extravagant spending expedition the APNU+AFC has embarked on since assuming office.” Speaking at PPP’s weekly press conference held at Freedom House yesterday, Rohee accused the new government of wasting taxpayers’ money but sidestepped questions on private expenses of former President Bharrat Jagdeo that burdened the treasury. Rohee told the media that the APNU+AFC administration is currently doling out millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to make the State Houses “comfortable for their upper bureaucratic class officials. But it is these very houses which PPP officials occupied, temporarily or otherwise, for 23 years without a single complaint.” The General Secretary claimed that the PPP, while in power, chose not to “waste” taxpayers money on “fancying up” State Houses. He said that this is a
demonstration of the values of the PPP as against that of the “big shots” in the APNU+AFC government. For the PPP, Rohee said, “What mattered most was the work the party was doing while in government, whereas for the APNU+AFC, what matters to them, is the luxurious conditions in which they need to live and not the work they have been elected to do.” The former Minister said that the “spending extravaganza began with the public official swearing-in of (President David) Granger, followed by his multi-milliondollar inauguration, the victory parties, luxury trips, the birthday party at Camp Ayanganna and the list goes on.” In this regard, Rohee completely ignored the several public statements made by the government to the effect that friends of the coalition sponsored both the inauguration ceremony held at the National Stadium as well as the birthday celebrations for the President. When reminded of these announcements, the General Secretary said, “I do not have to believe what they say.” He also told the media that while the Granger-
Administration is wasting tax dollars, “the nation suffers as a result of floods, the persistent witch-hunting of public servants and lack of any viable economic plan by the government to take the country forward. From all indications, we are returning to vintage Burnhamism.” In spite of the countless revelations, about discoveries of empty state accounts, transfers of vehicles, misuse of state resources including the millions of dollars paid to a journalist to cover the Dr. Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, Rohee called for more evidence. He said, “One may recall the spurious accusations this very APNU+AFC made against the PPP/C when in office about unauthorized spending of taxpayers’ money. Now they are in a position to make this information public, they should do so immediately.” The General Secretary then, on behalf of his party, called on the “Granger Administration to state how much money is being spent by the government without parliamentary approval and to state the areas in which these monies were spent.” (Abena Rockcliffe)
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Research ongoing for ‘natural’ treatment for Diabetic Foot
Rajini Kurup displays her research agreement for her ongoing project Diabetic foot care has long been recognised as an area of health care that attracts a sizeable sum, globally. It is nevertheless a very crucial undertaking. While reducing cost for treating this condition may not be realised any time soon, local attempts are however being made to uncover a more natural treatment method. Through a grant awarded last week through the US$10 million World Bank-funded University of Guyana Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP), lecturer attached to the Faculty of Health Sciences, Rajini Kurup, will be aiming to derive a natural diabetic foot treatment. Entitled ‘Investigating the antimicrobial potential of azardirachta indica (also known as neem or nimtree) and syzygium cumini (commonly known as jamoon) seeds against microbial pathogens in diabetic foot’, the project is one that will see Kurup collaborating with key officials. She named Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Dr. Adil Ansari, and Director of the Diabetic Foot Centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr. Kumar Sukhraj. The investigative process will entail efforts being directed to separating microorganisms from the diabetic foot patient, according to Kurup, who explained that attempts will then be made to see if chemicals from the two seeds can work as antimicrobial agents. “If it is effective, we could cut down on the usage of the chemical antibiotics that patients use day after
day...We can instead use natural treatment,” asserted Kurup. “Dr. Sukhraj will be working closely with us to extract microbial and microorganisms from diabetic foot patients,” said Kurup as she explained that the extracts will be tested in a laboratory for antimicrobial susceptibility. This is in essence a test to determine whether the property of the seeds can in fact serve as an antimicrobial agent. Kurup, who hails from India, is a trained microbiologist who has been practising in this field for several years. She claims to have engaged in a number of research projects but noted that “this is the first time that I am doing something with a natural product to see if it can be effective...” She added, “I have been seeing lots of microbial agents that are getting into the system that are not working with the antibiotics and so on, and so I wanted to try and see how this (natural method) will work.” Several studies, according to her, have shown that the seeds under scrutiny have good microbial properties but (arguably) no study has been done to determine their antimicrobial potential. The project, which has already commenced, is slated to come to an end by next year end. It is among a total of nine investigative research projects being undertaken under the UGSTSP. The other projects include: Determination of aflatoxins in paddy, rice and rice by-products in Guyana; assessing prehistoric diet breadth and settlement to
model a low carbon life way; examining the impact of mining on fish diversity and diet in coastal and inland rivers of Guyana; assessing the ‘Greenness’ of the Guyanese population and its relation to green space; designing a Dual Approach Composite Material(DACM) filter for household water treatment; Assessing the wind energy potential on Guyana’s coastland; examining architectural and urban adjustments for the effective harvesting of LCDS benefits; and exploring the integration of environmental education in the mathematics curriculum. A total of eight grants were last year awarded under the UGSTSP. They included: Estimating the carbon storage potential of the mangrove forests in Guyana; Analysing the culture and propagation of edible mushrooms on different organic substrates in Guyana; Investigating the impacts of artisanal and smallscale mining and their associated road infrastructure on biodiversity in the Frenchman, Region Eight mining district; Studying the effects of educational intervention about “bush medicine” on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Pharmacists and Physicians; Investigating the effects of momordica charantia (carilla) on secondary and primary cancer cell lines; Studying antimicrobial activities of selected fruits and vegetables against selective pathogenic microorganisms; An experimental approach to economic behaviour, culture and institutions in support of low carbon development; and Investigating the use of solar generated steam power in the University’s thermodynamics laboratory. The 2014 grants commenced in March, 2014 and the researches are expected to be completed by December, 2015. It is expected that their results will lead to the formulation of public policy recommendations; development of LCDSrelevant services and products; generation of field research skills among academics at the University; and the production of baseline information against which the impact of economic activities can be measured. A study is also on-going for the establishment of a research and innovation fund at the University. Once established, this fund will facilitate the sustainability of opportunities for research and knowledge generation for the University and the wider Guyanese society.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
13-year-old dies under mysterious circumstances
Nikita Alana Naseeb The immediate relatives of 13-year-old Nikita Alana Naseeb, a former Cotton Field Secondary School student and Lima resident, are reluctant to pronounce on the nature of her death. This suggests that they are unsure at this time what to conclude. They have ruled out suicide since the child never exhibited suicidal tendencies and she did not suffer from any life threatening illness. Yvonne La Cruz, the
grandmother of the dead girl said that her family has no other alternative than to rely on a Post Mortem examination, which they hope would reveal the teenager’s cause of death. Nikita was transported to the hospital after falling sick. She died Friday last. The grandmother who has been caring for her deceased granddaughter, indicated that the child woke up before her and was discovered lying in a
Like any other Godfearing person, murder accused Sean Collins, would rise at the break of dawn and surrender himself to the heavenly Father by reading a few Psalms before attending his court session. But late last week the Devil was apparently offended with Collins’ morning devotion and sent one of his demons to intervene. The remand prisoner was said to be sitting quietly on his bed holding the Bible in his palms and reciting the scriptures, when one of his fellow inmates was reluctant to keep quite. Collins was caught up in the moment and calmly asked the inmate to be quiet. However the inmate became annoyed and dealt Collins several punches to the face. As a result an altercation ensued between the two parties which caught the attention of several other inmates and prison officers as well. The prisoner officers mediated and managed to prevent the fight from escalating. Collins and the inmate were subsequently escorted to the office where they were counseled and asked to explain the reason for the fight. The inmate, who was still angry suddenly reached into a rack, grabbed a wooden
baton and dealt Collins several blows to the forehead. Collins was left in an unconscious state and was later rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), for treatment. When Kaieteur News visited the Ketley and Drysdale Streets, Charlestown resident he was seen chained to his bed and under guard. From all indications he received head injuries, since his head was wrapped several times with bandage and blood was seeping out. His right eye was blood shot. The eighteen year-old was remanded to prison since January 2014 for the murder of taxi driver, Raphael Campbell, whose body was found at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. According to reports Campbell of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was murdered between January 2 and January 3, 2014. He was shot to the head and dumped at a backdam in Liliendaal; his body was subsequently identified by family members. It was reported that Collins and two other men stopped Campbell on January 2, 2014, at Camp Street, Georgetown. Campbell reportedly took the passengers to East Coast Demerara, where he was slain.
hammock in the kitchen. La Cruz said that moments later her granddaughter went into a front bedroom and sat in a chair. All that time La Cruz said nothing seemed strange with Nikita and she told her to get up and prepare her breakfast. La Cruz however said that she is unsure whether the child had breakfast, but however indicated that the girl instructed her younger sister to purchase a bottle of aerated drink for her. La Cruz said that she even told her granddaughter after she would have eaten her breakfast, to prepare to venture for a trip to the market since she would take her for a walk. She said that the child later collapsed. She tried to resuscitate her before taking her to a Pastor in Richmond market. “I started to rub her up after she collapsed and she appeared to be in a dazed state.” La Cruz said after she was told that the Pastor was not a home, she ventured straight to the Suddie Public Hospital where her granddaughter eventually died. The police were informed of the student’s death. Nikita would have celebrated her fourteenth birthday in August.
Remanded prisoner attacked in heat of morning devotion
The police had said that on January 3, 2014, Collins and four other youths were stopped on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway while they were in a black Toyota Premio that was stolen from the murdered driver. Collins’ Preliminary Inquiry (PI) is currently being heard at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Zamilla AliSeepaul.
Page 21
Speeding hearse collides with minibus
Steve Solomon displays his injuries yesterday at the hospital. Every morning Mahaicony carpenter, Steve Solomon, would board a route 44 minibus and make his way to the city to ply his trade. It would usually be a smooth ride along the East Coast Demerara thoroughfare for him. On occasions there would be a few traffic hiccups. On Saturday morning last, the father of two cheated death after a speeding hearse slammed into the minibus he was in. The accident occurred in the vicinity of the K&K Gas Station, Mahaica. It is unclear whether there was a coffin on board at the time of the accident that brought traffic to a standstill. Solomon, 32, of Perth Village, Mahaicony, is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after he sustained a broken left hand
and other minor injuries due to the impact of the collision. His hand is currently in a cast. He told Kaieteur News that there were six others in the minibus when the accident occurred. He was seated in the back seat along with another man. Solomon recalled that a Canter truck was driving in front of the hearse. At the time, he said that the hearse
lost control while overtaking the Canter truck and ended up crashing into the back of the minibus. He also said that the bus toppled several times before coming to a halt. “A utility pole saved the bus from rolling overboard,” he added. He said that he cannot remember how many times the bus toppled because the incident happened fast. Solomon noted that he was still in a conscious state when an ambulance came and transported him to the Mahaicony Hospital. He was later referred to the GPHC, where he was admitted and underwent surgery for the hand. The carpenter said that the man seated next to him received minor injuries. The remaining passengers managed to escape unhurt. When Kaieteur News visited him yesterday, Solomon said that he is thankful for being alive. He said he is feeling pain in the broken hand, but thankful that he is able to walk, talk and do basic everyday activities for himself. He has since praised doctors and nurses at the institution for their kind services. Solomon also related that since the accident he has not seen or heard from the driver of the hearse. He was informed that the man was in police custody as investigations continue.
Page 22
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822 Professional painting services available for private and contract work- Tel: 6044036 Eagle’s fridge re-gas $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 646-0966 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves - Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 GET YOUR USA, CANADA & UK VISA’S FILLED OUT PROFESSIONALLY. CALL FOR APPOINTMENT: 2315789/90 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall: 225-6496, 662-6045 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 H. Ramphal, Fabricating and welding – fence, grill, gate, steel Trestle, etc – Contact: 661-2652
FOR SALE/RENT American pools table- Call: 277-0578
Kaieteur News
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
1 Mazda Axela, PTT series, low mileage, e x c e l l e n t condition -owner migrating Tel: 649-0956 PRADO TZ Land Crusier, automatic diesel, PHH series, fully loaded -$M –Tel:2332546; 688-5554
1 Madza Axela PRR series, excellent condition- price $1.550M – Contact Shawn: 668-3412
WANTED One mechanic for Perkins and caterpillar machines contact 223-5273 /4 One Welder contact 223-5273 /4 Girls to work at Ressort in Bar – between 18-25yrs- Tel:6136613 One experienced domestic, must know to cook Indian dishes, must have pleasant personality & be trustworthy –Call: 656-6388 One Female to cook for family in the interior –Tel: 679-8765 One domestic cleaner, E.C.D –Call: 603-5416; 644-9802 One live in domestic Salary $50,000 monthly –Tel: 6885409 Welder needed-Call: 6277835 Female worker wanted sound secondary education, computer literate-Tel: 6121607 Domestic Cleaner wanted – Contact: 600-0051 Live in waitress to work in a bar –Tel: 604-6606 Experienced, qualified Phonics, Maths & Language Teachers to teach evening classes –Tel: 675-4379 1 live in domestic must know to cook - $70,000 monthly, live in waitress - $60,000 monthly – Call: 610-5043 1 Male to look after layer birds in the interior –Call: 6798765 One serious bus driver –Call: 641-3552, 698-3579, 684-0588 Experienced wash bay staff, living in G/Town, Attractive Salary –Tel: 646-8748
VACANCY International Employment: waiters, cooks, housekeepers, carpenters, plumbers, cleaners, securities, receptionists, printers- Contact: 2316296, 650-9880 www.plzrecruitme.com
Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
2008 PREMIO -$3.3M, 2004 SPACIO- $2.1M, FULLY LOADED TV, BACK & FRONT CAMERA, MAG RIMS & UNREGISTERED – CALL: 642-7295 One 318 BMW never register for $ 3.1M down payment $ 800,000- Contact # 650-0402 Fantasy Auto Sales at 38 Alexander St, Kitty. Get $100,000 discount on preorders- Contact: 611-1833
1 Mitsubishi Canter, 14 Ft Tray, price negotiable –Tel: 619-6267 212 HC 76 Price- $900,000 Negotiable –Contact: 6646232; 658-0960 1 Toyota Raum Excellent condition, AC, recently sprayed -$1.1M negotiable, 1 IST Excellent Condition, AC, rims - $1.3M –Contact: 6429755 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154
Work from home, earn $5,000$20,000 daily Call MondayFriday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 6 3 8 - 0 5 9 5 www.jobfairworldwide.com
Fantasy Auto SalesAvailable: 2010 Mitsubishi RVR, Nissan X-Trail 2008. New model Premio & AllionCall: 611-1833
Receptionist: apply in person with application at 27 Norton & Creen Street Newburg – Call: 225-5509 Cashier 6am-3pm & 3pm12pm, inventory clerk. Submit application to Shell Station Providence EBD, shellramsburg@gmail.com.
1-RZ Minibus BTT, Hardly worked; fully loaded, rims, USB Deck, A/C, excellent condition - $2.1M negotiable –Phone: 617-9143/ 660-8160 Timber Tack 450 B log skidder, imported from the USA, scrap Nissan pickup – Call Richard: 609-7675, 674-1705; 233-2614
Two security guards at Humphrey’s Bakery, 38 Ketley Street, Georgetown – Tel: 225-7864 Bartenders & Cleaners – Call: 225-8572
Unregistered Toyota IST (2002) –Tel: 657-1796
Property for sale, Grove $18M neg. Tel: 625-5461.
1-192 Carina alarm, A/C, music deck, working condition$750,000 negotiable, PLL/HC series now, owner leaving country –Tel: 687-3241
2 Storey 45x35 concrete property, lower flat incomplete. Land 65x120 @ Diamond N/S 5th Avenue, E.B.D- Call: 629-4017 Transported Property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, grilled store room & Shed, (45X26) – Call: 660-1353, 216-4338 2 Storied 22ftX45ft transported concrete property upstairs 2 bedroom & downstairs – bedrooms, fully grilled, Block ‘8’ MonRepos, E.C.D - $20M – Tel:625-1514, 231-7255
Bar workers, Bahir to work in the interior – Call: 231-0363 (9am-4pm) 1- Cook for guest house, must know to cook all types of dishes for interior –Call: 2310363 (9am to 4pm) Porters, wood mizer and moulder operator –Call Richard: 609-7675; 674-1705; 233-2614
2013 Mercedes C250 turbo AMG coupe, retractable glass top, mileage 15K, alcantara leather interior, brush aluminum acc- Call: 650-5136 Toyota Bus (pit-bull) 2008 model, AC, TV/DVD/NAVI, excellent condition -$2.7M negotiable, serious enquiries -Call: 690-4373; 639-4165 1 Toyota IST – $1.1M –Tel: 639-1997 EP 82 Starlet, AC 4 Doors, working standard rims, lady driven – good condition $550,000 – serious inquiries only - Call: 662-5052
EDUCATION
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVEAUTORENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL$4,000 & UPPER DAY-CALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO.COM
Tuesday July 28, 2015
9 Course Diploma in Computer $30,000, Job Placement After Completing – MicroGraphics, Vreed-Enhoop-264-3057 Summer Computer Classes Ages: 5-16; Register 2 Kids & Get Additional Discount MicroGraphics: Vreed-EnHoop- 264-3057 ACCOMODATION Specials on room! Free breakfast, Wi-Fi luxuriously & comfortably @ Signature Inn, 82 Laluni Street, Georgetown –Tel: 2262145; 227-5037
1 Ford F350 Pickup, extended cab, 4X4 Diesel, excellent condition, fully loaded, 6" lift kit, 1 Chevy Van –Call: 6105370 Chevrolet 2006 Silverado 1500 4WD pickup automatic – unregistered -$5.5M – Contact: 687-6884 One 750cc Suzuki, motor cycle for sale – Call: 667-2921 Toyota Fielder Wagon, year 2004, good condition – Contact: 694-6157; 216-0209 Toyota Fortuna, 2012, 16,000 KMS, Automatic -$16.5M – Tel: 688-5554; 600-0979
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities – $45M NEG. Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Small wooden house and end lot at Cove and John – Call: 256-0551 2-Two storey concrete & timber properties on single plot @ Newtown Kitty Sale by owner $75M (GYD) – Call: 643-7061/ 673-8721 2 Flat furnished building, 4 bedrooms @ New Amsterdam, lot: 50X100ftTel: 333-2915, 624-5567 2 Storey concrete property for sale at 2nd Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, E.B.D- Tel: 674-9266 or 686-9248 MASSAGE Relaxing Massage Therapy Services-Tel: 674-8147
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. IMPORTED AMERICAN BULLY PUPS –CONTACT HARRY: 220-7933, 6674845, 610-0068 (WHATSAPPAVAILABLE) BBM PIN 52E62193 1 Toyota Black Voxy with Chrome rims PTT - Contact: 253-3233; 651-4242; 6002691 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 One 1997 Yamaha outboard 225HP, saltwater series, 30" Shaft, just over 6000 hours – Contact Christie: 692-3305; 662-6151 Instock subject to being unsold; 1,000 - 10,000 watts; Complete Solar Units- Mr. Beepat – 600 - 5253 1-85 HP Yamaha outboard, remote control engine –Tel: 231-0363 (9am-4pm) One Tohatsu 40 outboard engine in excellent condition- Call: 680-6192, 225-5447, 225-5427 Mining properties in all mining districts. Price negotiable – Call: 231-0363, only serious inquiries , Monday –Friday, (9am-4pm) 1-225 HP Yamaha outboard engine, remote control on 23ft wooden boat –Tel: 2310363 (9am-4pm) One stall Stabroek market, 37½ Acre Farm land, Kuru Kuru – Laluni, ideal for chicken farm also –Call: 6791157, 225-7794 New Blackberry bold 4 $20,000 or best offer –Tel: 675-3062 D4H CAT bulldozer, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper truck, 20 lengths- plastic sheet piles– 1930 front end Contact: 2750538; 683-7225 Pile driv i n g h a m m e r s , w e i g h t 3 and 4 tons, 6 cylinder Leyland engine, 10 tons double steel wheeled roller –Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 Pneumatic roller – 9 wheels, 2,500 GLS, steel tank, 2,000 GLS, steel tank , 428 CAT Back-Hoe Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 PSP game disc –Tel: 6131499; 699-8504 Toyota 2L Turbo Diesel engine + automatic transmission, all in working condition, price negotiable – Tel: 617-4078 1 Generic Electric Start -7000 EXL, 1 Stainless Steel plucking machine –Contact Harry: 661-2652 or 679-0567 Continued on page 23
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news
Good advice from a former PM DEAR EDITOR, A former Prime Minister has given some good advice to the newly elected Granger/ Nagamootoo administration. Hamilton Green, who served as Prime Minister and Vice President for several years in the Forbes Burnham administration, said that the new government should stay on track in terms of their campaign promises. He stressed that the educational system needs to be retuned in order to lay the foundation for a new society which he said is extremely
important at this stage of the country’s development. He observed that “our standard is way below than what is expected of Guyanese” and called for the removal of square pegs in round holes and some who are bent on sabotaging the system. Speaking to me from his daughter’s home in Conroe, Texas, the former PNC strongman emphasized that the corrupt police officers in the force must be removed as quickly as possible because they are bad influences on the
credible ones, in order to stamp out the waves of crime now hitting the country. He pointed out there are several experienced and honest former police officers who could be re-recruited and, if necessary, seek external help. “People must live free of fear” the Mayor emphasized. He said it is important for the government to look into the country’s infrastructure, especially in the capital city, and it was unfortunate that it was neglected for such a long time.
He asserted that the situation should be remedied as expeditiously as possible. The 80-year-old politician said that he was pleased that the government has embarked on an exercise to carve out the massive corruption which has been a cancer in our society. In conclusion, he said a lot of work needs to be done to bring the country back on track and calls for cooperation from all - regardless of race, colour, creed or political affiliation. Oscar Ramjeet
A sociological perspective to the Sean Hinds scenario From page 4 relapse. Because change is natural and persons like Sean Hinds, if they live long enough, as the change takes place, the confession will come. Everything we do as human beings comes with its benefits and burdens, and very often the burden of some acts or knowledge of those acts are too much for humans to carry alone, hence, the relevance and importance of religion as a discipline in society. Human beings have a limit as to how much pressure they can withstand What Sean Hinds did in the media, very often, is done with the Pastors, Priests, Counselors; and the media too. Research shows that the compassionate side of the brain is reduced for many persons who commit crimes continuously. What religion does in many cases is to stimulate that compassionate side so that it becomes more a factor in influencing the person’s decisions. The brain largely functions by developing routines, hence a person develop habits, whether they be of a criminal nature or other. A shift in the brain happens when something with sufficient impact occurs to ‘shock’ the brain into a new reality. In behavioural change,
this could be called a trigger. My question therefore is; what was the trigger that caused Sean Hinds to respond in this jaw-dropping way? Something triggered this new behaviour, and that trigger is very important to him. Life is about stimulus and response, his response was stimulated by something with sufficient force. Another point to note is that some persons have commented that he is probably fearful. My view is that while there may be some degree of fear, which is not necessarily a key motivating factor. He is not necessarily afraid, because fear is as a result of an object and I don’t believe that there are many objects of fear for Sean Hinds. As a matter of fact, he is an object of fear to many. Hence, he said that he protected the former Town Clerk, Carol Sooba with a toy gun, and once people saw him, they were not going to do harm to her. Therefore he, the person, is more the object of fear than the weapon. However, it may be more anxiety than fear. While fear is as a result of an object, anxiety is as a result of uncertainty; not knowing what will happen. As you listen to him, he is asking more for certainty than protection. It is more in the
interest of those who think that he has something valuable, to protect that thing which will in turn be protection for him. His interest is more what he would get in exchange for what he has. It would be interesting to see in what form certainty comes to him. Would it be in the form of amnesty or other? For many persons like him, the anxiety comes because he is in uncharted waters, he is not in total control as he is accustomed to, he now has to depend on others, this is new ground, new territory. Further, he said that he is not a snitch or a whistleblower and this may very well be true, however, in the security business, whether it is of a legal or illegal nature, honour is a fundamental element in relationships. This is honour from both sides - the employer and the employee. When honour is broken, loyalty goes through the door. Someone is loyal because there is honour in the relationship. Finally, religion is therefore very important in developing the side of the brain that
is compassionate. Pastors, Imams, Priests and other religious leaders should go after the minds of persons who commit criminal acts, to stimulate the side of the brain that is compassionate. Since religion, Pastors, Priests and religious leaders in general play such an important role in the society and in the lives of persons who commit crimes, these persons should not commit crimes on religious organizations and religious persons. Another separate and distinct point for persons who commit crimes to note is that there is a developing situation in Guyana, where when they die because they did not belong to any religious organizations and it is a part of the Guyanese tradition for the Final Rites to be said for loved ones by religious leaders, many of their family members are finding it difficult to find religious leaders to perform those Final Rites, hence they should seek the assistance of and become associated with religious organizations as a part of the change process. No human being is beyond redemption! Audreyanna Thomas
From page 22
TO LET Furnished 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available- for further information – Call: 619-4824 Latchman Racktoo: office complex, space to rent –Tel: 225-3269 Bagotstown Public Road -2 Storied commercial Property (next to Ray’s Auto) -3,500 sq.ft –Tel: 233-2546, 233-5859 Newly built 2 bedroom apartment and house @ Vreed-en-Hoop- Call: 6986496 Rooms in Albertown –Tel: 225-3234 Newly built 2 bedrooms apartment: bath, toilet, kitchen, sitting area on High Road Greenwich Park, Parka –Tel: 649-6202/664-3508
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One bedroom apartment well secured preferably working couple or single person – Call: 638-8858 Mining s Land: Gold land to rent at Potaro, Kuri Brong, District #2 –Tel: 602-3585 Vreed- en-Hoop Junction: Storage Bond, office, lessons place, games shop, other –Call: 680-9905 3 Bedrooms house up & down at Hope E.C.D $30,000–Tel: 610-1920 1 Two bedrooms bottom flat; to rent, West Ruimveldt $40,000 per mouth –Call: 6927377; 672-7194
FOR SALE 45 Feet boat with 1000lbs, nylon seine, 40 Yamaha engine with icebox –Call: 6722135
LAND FOR SALE Farm land for sale at Yarrowkabra, two houses, chicken/pig pens/fruit trees, price negotiable – Call: 6909726 1500 acres transported land 4½ miles from Bartica Rock, Quarry, Forestry, Agriculture. Contact Mark: 603-1266; 6259788 Friendship house lot for saleCall: 692-8513, 223-0733 Farmland at Ruby Back about 6 minutes from Public Road, fully cultivated with bearing fruit trees, price negotiable –Call: 617-4078 Land @ Parfaite Harmonie & Tuschen -$1.5M each, 1-2 storey property @ Crane – Call: 604-6724 Land for sale in Diamond/ Grove with 30ftX40ft lone foundation complete –Tel: 624-2857
HEALTH Herbal nectar treatment for diabetic, hypertension and other sickness (follow me) sexual enhancers –Tel: 6962957
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Chairman warns of incomplete... From page 15 attached, Queen's Counsel (QC) Andrew Pilgrim, who represents the interest of Dr. Walter Rodney's immediate family. He said that his clients were disappointed that the Commission will no longer be taking evidence. His contention is that after waiting 35 years for answers, the Commission was being asked to truncate the proceedings, despite the fact that some “extremely significant and important” witnesses remain to be heard. “The family of Dr. Walter Rodney comes to these hearings seeking some form of closure; seeking to have a hearing that would be looked upon as being fair and thorough, and done in the interest of justice,” Pilgrim remarked in a stirring 9-minute plead. Pilgrim urged the Commissioner to lobby the executive to allow for two weeks of public hearings. He said in such a time, the commission would be able to do a complete job in light of all achieved thus far. The application he submitted sought to allow essential witnesses to be brought. The QC spoke too of Salmon letters that were disseminated with hopes that those parties will come before the commission tomorrow. During the proceedings it was said that Salmon letters have been sent to former People's National Congress Leader, Robert Corbin; Min-
ister of Education and Working People's Alliance Leader, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. In an inquiry, Salmon letters inform any party against allegation made against them and the evidence supporting them. Pilgrim considered that the three-day notice was limited especially since some of the parties being informed by way of Salmon letter are residing overseas. Pilgrim pointed out that “it's almost as if we are saying to them, we want you to have the opportunity to be heard but we are not giving you the opportunity.” He said that the Salmon letters sent will be given greater impact and effect if they were accompanied by an extension of time before the curtain comes down on the COI on November 30. He said given the deadlines imposed, counsel will not be given a chance to properly cross-examine those witnesses called by way of Salmon letter too. The opportunity, he said, is still there to rescue this commission from being called a “poppy show” and to safeguard both the government and Commission from criticisms. “We urge the executive to reconsider their position,” said Pilgrim as he asked for them to consider that two more weeks was necessary for a hearing that has in limbo for over three decades.
Pilgrim along with Attorney-at-Law Keith Scotland, who represents sole-eyewitness and brother of the late politician, Donald Rodney, had submitted a letter recently when they learnt of the direction being taken. The application for more time was seconded also by GTUC Attorney, Brian Clarke. PNC SAYS TIME SUFFICIENT The request for extension was nonetheless rebuffed by the People's National Congress. Though he held the post as Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) lawyer during the evidentiary stage of the inquiry, Attorney-at-Law Selwyn Pieters appeared on behalf of the People's National Congress (PNC) yesterday. The inquiry heard that he has resigned from the post to take up the position once held by Attorney General (AG), Basil Williams. Responding, Pieters insisted that the timeline given was adequate. He said the deadline had been extended and the party believes that the inquiry was not being terminated prematurely. He said that nothing precluded written submissions for the issues to which the Salmon letters pertain. Pieters argued that the Salmon letters could have been dispensed earlier but the Chairman highlighted that usual practice dictated that it be sent towards the end of any inquiry owning to the fact that the allegations made could add up as the inquiry progressed. The recently appointed PNC lawyer said that the party understands the concerns raised but there is no breach of legitimate expectations. The inquiry was set up after years of questions and speculations as to what led to Dr. Rodney's death. Thus far, the inquiry has seen many travelling from far and wide to offer their testimony into the incident which occurred over three decades ago. It was initially scheduled to last four months, following its April last year commencement date.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Haags Bosch Dumpsite Death…
Widow still awaiting answers after almost four years
The deceased, Clive Chisholm By Shyon Hoppie Almost four years ago, 42 year-old Clive Chisholm, was crushed to death by a Cevon’s Waste Management truck at the Haags Bosch dumpsite behind Eccles Industrial site, East Bank Demerara. Chisholm’s widow, Rajnee Annie Beephan, is reportedly still awaiting some form of justice for her husband’s death and answers from his employers. According to Beephan, the driver was never charged for causing the death of her husband and the matter has since been swept under a rug in some dark corner of the universe. The widow recently expressed her concerns about the matter and to her surprise, she was told that she cannot be given any information on her husband’s death. Over the years, Rajnee Beephan said that she had been trying to get some form of compensation from the company since she has 10 children to provide for and her husband was the sole breadwinner of the family. However to date she has not received anything from Cevon’s. Since December of 2011 the matter has been back and forth whereas the waste management company, Cevon’s, had been to court on several occasions for not
reporting the death which constituted an immediate breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Ministry of Labour had launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death of the 42-year-old at the Haags Bosch dumpsite. Former Minister of Labour, Nanda Gopaul, had told Kaieteur News at the time that the investigation was in the hands of officials from the Occupation Health and Safety Association (OHSA). Chisholm was reportedly crushed in one of the dumpsite pits by a truck which was reversing to discharge refuse. One report stated that he had disembarked from the truck to urinate when the mishap occurred. A bulldozer operator is said to have been the sole eyewitness. The mishap occurred at around 16:00 hrs on the December 15, 2011, and some sources are puzzled that the truck driver failed to notice Chisholm. There have been conflicting reports as to how the man met his demise. Persons have claimed that Chisholm had exited the truck and entered the pit, when the truck driver started to reverse. It is alleged that the driver was apparently unaware that the porter was near or behind
the vehicle. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered that an inquest be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death of Chisholm, Shortly after the incident, the police had prepared a file containing statements from the driver of the truck, as well as eyewitnesses and sent it to the DPP for advice. During the latter part, the file was sent back to the police ordering the inquest. Further, as it relates to another aspect of the investigation, the Ministry of Labour had told this publication that legal action would be taken against Cevon’s Waste Management. In early January they had completed the investigations, hence the recommendations. Subsequently, the matter between Cevon’s and the Labour Ministry had been resolved but the question still remains, she said. “What about the life that was lost?” Rajnee Annie Beephan has said that she just needs some closure since it is hard to wake up to the reality that nothing was ever done for her husband even though he died on the job. She said that something needs to be done about the matter. She wants the relevant authorities to be the voice of the voiceless.
Guyana’s TIP status... From page 6 diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue. The U.S. Government uses the TIP Report to engage foreign governments in dialogues to advance antitrafficking reforms and to
combat trafficking and to target resources on prevention, protection and prosecution programs. Worldwide, the report is used by international organizations, foreign governments, and nongovernmental organizations alike as a tool to examine where resources are most needed. Freeing victims, preventing trafficking, and bringing traffickers to justice are the ultimate goals of the report and of the U.S Government’s anti-human trafficking policy.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 25
Page 26
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 28, 2015
DANA ELEVEN GO TO COURT (Trinidad Express) Eleven men appeared in the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with the murder of senior counsel Dana Seetahal. They have been remanded in prison custody and will return to court on August 24, as the State and defence prepare their cases. Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar presided at the court appearance in which Rajaee Ali, Devon Cummings, Ishmael Ali, Ricardo Stewart, Earl Richards, Stefan Cummings, Gareth Wiseman, Hamid Ali, Kevin Parkinson, Leston Gonzales and Roget Bouche are charged with killing Seetahal in Woodbrook May 2014. Rajaee Ali is charged separately with being a gang leader and Devaughn Cummings, Ishmael Ali, Ricardo Stewart, Earl Richards, Stefan Cummings, Gareth Wiseman, Hamid Ali, Kevin Parkinson, Leston Gonzales and Roget Bouche are charged with being gang members. Two others, Deon Peters
Alleged gang leader Rajaee Ali and David Ector are charged with being gang members. And a woman, Stacy Griffith, is charged with committing an Act for the benefit of a gang. Bail was denied to all. DANASEETAHAL On May 4, 2014 at 12.05 a.m. Senior Counsel Dana Saroop Seetahal was fatally gunned down while driving her Sport utility vehicle near
the Woodbrook Youth Facility. Seetahal had just left the Ma Pau Members’ Club and was on her way to her One Woodbrook Place home when she was attacked. She died slumped behind the steering wheel of her Volkswagen Touareg SUV. Seetahal was shot five times—twice to the right side of her head, once to her chest, and twice to the right arm, according to the results of an autopsy by pathologist Dr Hughvin Des Vignes. On the day of Seetahal’s killing, Crime Stoppers issued a $1 million reward. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Government was offering an additional $2.5 million for information leading to a conviction. Seetahal would have celebrated her 60th birthday earlier this month. At the time of her death Seetahal was a special State Prosecutor in the murder trial of Chaguanas businesswoman Vindra Naipaul-Coolman.
Education minister announces increase in primary school maintenance grant (Jamaica Observer) Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites says the maintenance grant to primary schools will be increased at the start of the new school year in September. He said the move is in recognition of the “tremendous need for financial assistance” by schools across the island. He said the percentage increase will be worked out and announced to the schools soon. “I know the difficulties of balancing the budget in many of our primary schools, (therefore) we are increasing the maintenance grant for primary schools this year. It still will not be enough but we
are committed to doing that because we know that you need it, but also because high entrance fees and entrance examinations to primary schools are forbidden,” Thwaites noted. He was delivering the keynote address to hundreds of principals, board chairmen and other education stakeholders at the opening of the annual Back-to-School Conference for regions 3, 4 and 5, held on July 23 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall. Thwaites said that while it is “reasonable” for schools to ask parents for a contribution, “it is not allowed for schools to insist that there is some school fee to get into
a primary school”. “In the secondary schools the auxiliary fees are necessary and are applicable to everyone, except the PATH (Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education) students and even these PATH beneficiaries ...can be asked to make some contribution, but no one may be prejudiced if they cannot make it,” he noted. He called on all stakeholders in the education system to “seek to add value to education for the good of all students.” He said in this age of technology, all leaders, teachers and stakeholders in education “must use what is available and what can be had from other sources to enhance the teaching/learning outcome”. “All principals, board chairmen and others have a part to play and are equally responsible for growth in the system. You are all responsible and must be adjudged and held accountable for the progress of the schools you are assigned to. We have to stop making excuses. We can no longer remain complacent in light of the mediocrity in some of our schools and must do better with what we have,” Thwaites said.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Interim insolvency boss gets $10-million salary
Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Roy Anderson
Minister of Justice Senator Mark Golding
(Jamaica Observer) Minister of Justice Senator Mark Golding says retired Supreme Court judge Justice Roy Anderson is being paid a salary of $10 million to serve as the interim supervisor of insolvency under the new Insolvency Act for a one-year period. Golding said that Anderson’s salary includes a basic pay of $6.2 million, a $3 million housing allowance and approximately $1 million for travelling. Golding was responding to questions tabled in the Senate by Opposition member Senator Robert Montague, about the appointment of an interim supervisor for the insolvency mechanism which has been introduced under the Act. He noted, however, that the appointment is only for one year, effective January 2
this year, to allow for the launch of the insolvency regime.“It, being anticipated that an appointee of Justice Anderson’s expertise and experience, as a former judge of the Supreme Court, would be highly beneficial to the process, including the establishment of the permanent office of the supervisor,” he explained. He said too that Justice Anderson, being recently retired as a judge of the Supreme Court, “his appointment at a level of remuneration at or close to his recently vacated position would enable and induce him to take up the appointment”. He said that when a permanent appointment is made, it may not necessarily be at the level of remuneration that has been obtained with respect to the interim appointment. Anderson has been work-
ing out of the office of the former trustee in bankruptcy during a transitional period, while staffing and other administrative arrangements are being finalised. Golding said that with the coming into operation of the Insolvency Act, the Office of the Trustee in Bankruptcy (OTB) has been superseded by the Office of the Government Trustee. However, the former trustee in bankruptcy is acting as the government trustee. The functions of the Office of the Supervisor of Insolvency includes accepting applications from people who seek to act as trustees for a company, and issue licences to people who have been approved to provide this function; investigate or request inspections and/or investigations of businesses, companies or assets that would fall under the Insolvency Act; and maintain a record of all complaints from creditors and people interested in a company facing financial difficulties. In addition, it will examine trustee accounts through receipts, disbursements of funds and financial statements; maintain for the benefit of public records copies of proposals, bankruptcy orders, licences issued by the supervisor and notices sent to the supervisor; and investigate the conduct of the person applying for bankruptcy, the causes of bankruptcy, the nature of the property and report the findings to the trustee and the court.
Jack Warner to file for judicial review The extradition case involving Jack Warner has been adjourned to August 28th.When the matter came up for hearing before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Port of Spain Magistrates Eighth Court yesterday, the State and defence requested more time to examine the 166-page indictment against Warner and other top FIFA officials.Speaking to the media following the matter, Warner said he and his attorneys will be filing for judicial review. He pointed out that given the fact that the matter has been prosecuted in the public domain it will affect his chances of having a fair trial. Six days ago, Attorney General Garvin Nicholas announced that the United States had made a formal request for the extradition of Warner, supplying documentation to support its case. Warner, a former FIFA vice-president and leader of
- extradition case adjourned to August 28 the Independent Liberal Party (ILP), has been indicted in the United States on multiple counts of fraud, racketeering, money laundering and corruption.Warner is being represented by attorneys, including Fyard Hosein SC, Nyree Alphonso, Rishi Dass
and Anil Maharaj, and has retained British QC, Edward Fitzgerald, to lead his defence.The State’s legal team includes Pamela Elder, SC, attorneys Jagdeo Singh and Gerald Ramdeen, along with Alan Newman, QC, and James Lewis.
Page 27
Page 28
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 29
CONCACAF says referee... SA to play four Tests... From page 31 Rica made similar requests. It also requested that certain referees not be assigned to their matches in the future. CONCACAF said in a statement: “The confederation takes these claims extremely seriously and will look into them immediately.” On Thursday, Panama’s federation demanded the removal of CONCACAF’s referee selection panel after describing the officiating in the loss as “insulting and embarrassing”. The statement also accused the match officials of favouring Mexico in a “vulgar and shameless way”. Panamanian players were seen arriving for Saturday’s third-place match wearing Tshirts that read, “Dignity isn’t
bought”. Panama went on to beat the US on penalty kicks. Two Panama players — Tejada and goalkeeper Jaime Penedo - were both suspended two games by CONCACAF on Friday. Penedo was disciplined for pushing the assistant referee after Wednesday’s match. Along with the red card, Tejada was punished additionally for not leaving
the field in a “timely manner”. The federation also was fined an undisclosed amount for “team misconduct both on and off the field”. The Professional Soccer Referees Association said in a statement that the group in the MexicoPanama match “refereed the match honestly and with the highest respect for all participants”.
From page 30 played in Bangalore where the Castle Lager Proteas previously secured our only ever Test Series win over India in India in 2000. If all works out this will be AB de Villiers’ 100th Test match and it could not be a more appropriate venue as it has become AB’s second home through his involvement with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.” South Africa’s schedule in India September 29: T20 tour game, Delhi October 2: 1st T20I, Dharamsala (D/N) October 5: 2nd T20I, Cuttack (D/N)
October 8: 3rd T20I, Kolkata (D/N) October 11: 1st ODI, Kanpur October 14: 2nd ODI, Indore (D/N) October 18: 3rd ODI, Rajkot (D/N) October22: 4th ODI, Chennai (D/N) October 25: 5th ODI, Mumbai (D/N) October 26-27: Team-building session, Goa October 30-31: Tour match v Board President’s XI, Mumbai November 5-9: 1st Test, Mohali November 14-18: 2nd Test, Bangalore November 25-29: 3rd Test, Nagpur December 3-7: 4th Test, Delhi
Reggae Boyz impress... Despite concerns, full steam... From page 32 lot of people, but it’s not the end of the world, it’s football and I am sure that Jurgen Klinsmann and his staff will go back and try to correct it for the game in October,” Friedel ended.
In October, there could be a possible rematch between the Reggae Boyz and the USA in the Confederations Cup play-offs, but that would be contingent on whether or not the Jamaicans defeat Mexico in the Gold Cup final.
Tuesday July 28, 2015 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) Your ability to converse with charm will entice someone you may have had an interest in for some time now. Don't let siblings put pressure on you. TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) It's doubtful anyone will try to stand in your way or cut you off at the pass today. Let your lover know what your personal intentions are. GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) Traffic will be busier than you anticipated, so try to get a head start if you have made plans to travel. There are ways of making extra cash if you put your mind to it. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Arguments with children or friends may leave you steaming. Love relationships will flourish. Plans to make physical improvements may lead to psychological changes, too. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) You will have a great deal of insight when dealing with others. You should be able to tie up loose ends today. Don't bend to the pressure. VIRGO (AUG. 23 SEPT. 23) Don't let any small misunderstandings get in the way. Your creative input will be appreciated by your boss. Jealousy may get in the way of a good relationship.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Get domestic chores out of the way early. Do not let others exhaust you financially. Career changes may not be your choice right now, but in the long run they will be to your advantage. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Spend some time on yourself. You can finish projects early, which will bring you praise from superiors. Any financial limitations will probably have to be dealt with on your own. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Get busy making those changes to your home. Help elders with their concerns. Don't be too eager to spend what's left over; more unexpected expenses are evident. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) Changes in your home may be alarming at first. Don't hesitate to voice your opinions when it comes to matters pertaining to work. Travel may be confusing. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Don't let your mate stop you from attending an event that could be most important. Get involved in the activities of children. They will teach you far more than you expect. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Problems with in-laws or relatives may be more damaging than you realize. Do not invest in joint ventures. You will be in the mood for entertainment.
From page 30 Kaliningrad. The capacity of that stadium has been reduced from 45,000 to 35,000 and work held up for technical and financial reasons but Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko says it will be ready on time. “There is no Plan B regarding Kaliningrad. It will be finished on time and part of the World Cup,” he told a news conference on Friday. Other stadiums such as the Kazan Arena in central Russia and the Spartak Moscow stadium in the capital are virtually ready, and the host cities outside Moscow and St Petersburg are advancing with ambitious road, airport and hotel programs. For some of Russia’s less well-known cities it represents a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Valery Shantsev, the governor of Nizhny Novgorod, which will stage six matches including one quarter-final, summed up best what the World Cup meant to
Klinsmann job safe despite.. From page 33 respect, like Haiti for example, or especially Jamaica being in the final.” Veteran defender DaMarcus Beasley says the US will bounce back. “We have to pick ourselves up and move forward and obviously take the criticism,” he said. “But this is just going to make us a stronger team. There are a lot of young guys that will grow. This is giving them a taste of what it’s going to be like come qualifying time. I’m 100 per cent sure we will be ready for it.”Klinsmann said referee inconsistency that aroused the ire of Costa Rica and Panama in the event was an issue even for his side. “Every time you go on the field you don’t know what happens with the refs,” said Klinsmann. “This feeling was there from the beginning of the tournament where you always wonder what will happen. It kind of overshadowed everything that went on, really.”
his region. “I travel all over the world, and feel offended whenever I am asked ‘Where is Nizhny
Novgorod?’ Well no-one will ever have to ask that question again after the World Cup, that’s how important it is for us.”
Page 30
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Despite concerns, full steam Preparations begin for Guyana Cup 2015 horserace ahead for Russia World Cup meet on Sunday 16th August Ninth annual event has over $25M on offer Preparations are underway for the ninth annual Guyana Cup Horserace meet which is arguably one of the biggest sporting event held in Guyana. The mega event, held in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club, is set for Sunday 16th August at the Port Mourant Turf Club, beginning at 12:00 hrs. Known as the ‘Sport of Kings’ Horseracing is being dubbed as the number one sporting event in the country which by far attracts the largest prize monies on offer for any sport in the country. Thus the Jumbo Jet conglomerate and friends are offering big winnings for the races with over $25M in cash trophies and other goodies up for grabs. Ten races are carded for the day and with a number of feature events on the day’s card, most of the top Horses in the country have already given an indication to be a part of the programme. The feature event is for animals classified A and lower
with a mouth watering winning prize of $3M and the Guyana Cup Trophy from a total package of $6M over 1800M. The other placers in that event will also be handsomely rewarded. In the Co-feature 1600M event for 3yrs old horses, bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies, the organizers have put up a mouthwatering $2M and trophy. The Two year old event for West Indies Bred horses which has its first prize tagged at $1.2M and trophy will be run over 1000M. The E class and lower 1000M event will see the winner racing away with the $1M top prize and trophy. There is an event for four year old West Indies bred animals for a winning take of $900,000 and trophy over one mile. Horses classified F3 and lower will have an opportunity to race for a winning pocket of $800,000 and trophy over 1200M. The G3 and lower race is also a 1200M event where the winning horse will run away with $600,000 and
ESPNcricinfo - South Africa will play three Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs and four Tests on a 72day tour of India this year, according to the schedule released today. The tour, which runs from September to December, will be South Africa’s longest trip to India and will feature their first Twenty20 international against India in India and the first four-Test series between the two teams in India. The second Test in Bangalore, scheduled to start from November 14, is also
likely to be AB de Villiers’ 100th Test. De Villiers has played 98 Tests so far and is not a part of South Africa’s squad in the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh. The tour will begin with a T20 practice match in Delhi, before the three T20Is in Dharamsala, Cuttack and Kolkata, which will be played between October 2 and 8. The ODI series will be played between October 11 and 25 in Kanpur, Indore, Rajkot, Chennai and Mumbai. The visitors will have a two-day team-building
trophy. The second two year old event is for Guyana bred horses and has a $400,000 price tag along with trophy for the top runner over 1000M. The ‘I’ and lower race also goes over 1000M with the pole position takings being tagged at $350,000 and trophy. The final event on the day’s card is for unclassified animals over 1200M with the winning take being $150,000 and trophy. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the organizers. The event is set for a grand launching later this week at a venue to be named. Officials of the Government along with the organizers and major sponsors are expected to be on board to brief the media. The event will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed. (Samuel Whyte)
SA to play four Tests on 72-day India tour session in Goa and a two-day tour-match in Mumbai against the Board President’s XI before the start of the first Test in Mohali on November 5. The remaining Tests will be played in Bangalore, Nagpur and Delhi. The BCCI had earlier allotted one of the Tests in the series to Ahmedabad. With the Motera stadium going under renovation, Mohali has been allotted the Test match, while the T20, which was scheduled to be held in Mohali, has been moved to Cuttack. “This will be the longest tour that we have undertaken to India and the first time we will play a four-Test series,” Cricket South Africa’s chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, said. “Both countries are now working to develop this into an icon series. Another first is that we will be playing our first T20 International match against India in India. “Of note will be the second Test match to be (Continued on page 29)
FIFA’s President Sepp Blatter shakes hands with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) during the preliminary draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia July 25, 2015. (Reuters/Stringer)
ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) The preliminary round draw for the 2018 World Cup in Russia marked both a first and last step on the road to the finals. While Saturday’s draw was the start of the countdown to the event, the announcement on the same day that FIFA’s Executive Committee had endorsed Russia as the host nation was designed to end talk of it being stripped of the finals. The decision by the heads of world soccer’s governing body bore more weight, officials said, than U.S. and Swiss investigations into how Moscow won the bidding to host the tournament five years ago. Even with Western governments concerned about Russia’s role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and human rights groups alarmed about racism in Russian soccer, it now looks all but impossible that Moscow will not host the World Cup. “Even if there were any irregularities in the voting, and none have ever been proved or are likely to be, the only body that can take the World Cup away from Russia is FIFA’s Executive Committee,” a senior FIFA insider told Reuters on Monday. “I think we can finally put that idea to bed.” Despite cutbacks in the budget for the month-long tournament taking place in 11 cities across the European part of Russia during June and July 2018, work is generally advancing rapidly on stadiums, roads, hotels and airports.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the Executive Committee had voted its “trust and confidence” in Russia as the host nation. President Vladimir Putin seemed to have no doubt Russia would host the event in opening remarks at Saturday’s ceremony in the city of St Petersburg, beamed live to 170 countries. “We are here to launch a football marathon,” he said. “It is a good chance to visit a multi-faceted and open Russia that can surprise and inspire” while promising a “special atmosphere of unity and overwhelming joy.” RACIST CHANTS That atmosphere was not shared by all because of worries about racism after an incident in which Ghanaian player Emmanuel Frimpong was subjected to racist chants during a match this month and sent off over a rude gesture to the crowd. Days after the incident, Brazil international Hulk pulled out of Saturday’s ceremony in the city where he plays for Premier League champions Zenit St Petersburg. Hulk warned it would be “really gross and really ugly” if racism marred the 2918 finals but Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko cautioned against letting the incident become a “big scandal” and said it was being talked about too much. Russian officials want to ensure the build-up to the World Cup finals is not marred by negative publicity in the same way as preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Russian city of Sochi were
overshadowed by discussion of gay rights, high spending and allegations of corruption - denied by the Kremlin. The finals start shortly after Russia is due to hold a presidential election in which Putin is widely expected to run and to win a fourth term: he will do all he can to ensure the preparations go smoothly. But United Nations AntiDiscrimination commissioner, Yuri Boychenko, suggested Russia must do more to fight racism. “I don’t think there is a total denial of racism in Russia but there is certainly a lack of understanding by officials in Russia of what racism is,” he told Reuters. “Too often, officials in Russia only see the problem from their point of view. They do not stand inside the shoes of the victim and see it from his point of view.” Russian officials say there is not a significant problem with racism and Alexey Sorokhin, head of the 2018 organizing committee, told reporters during a tour of the World Cup venues that “everything is on track”. “There are no infrastructure challenges, there are no challenges in terms of our relations with the FIFA administration. We are working very well together,” he said. ON SCHEDULE In contrast to the buildup to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, Russia is either on schedule or ahead of schedule in its stadium building program, except for the one being built in the European exclave of (Continued on page 29)
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Shaw’s three-timer lifts Wins for Trinidad and Tobago, Girlz to 5-0 triumph Regional U15 tourney
Windwards, but rain ruins Guyana, Barbados fixture
Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands registered victories when the latest round of matches in the regional U15 50-over tournament concluded yesterday. At the Guyana National Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago defeated Jamaica by nine wickets (D/L). Batting first Jamaica managed 125 all out in 40.1 overs. Michael Thompson scored 26, Geordae Seymour 24 and Kirk McKenzie 19; extras assisted with 30. Jayden Seales bagged 4-44, Sameer Ali 3-9 and Ronaldo Forrester 2-28. Trinidad and Tobago replied with 125-1 in 34.3 overs. Sachin Dookie led with 45 not out (5x4) while Joshua James made an unbeaten 29 (2x4). McKenzie took the only wicket to fall. The game was reduced to 49 overs due to rain. At Albion, Windwards got the better of Albion by 18 runs. Windwards took first strike
and were bowled out for 118 in 47.4 overs. Tehj Tavernier struck 39 (2x4), Michah Joseph made 12 and Tijourn Pope 11. Extras contributed 22. Zawandi Whyte claimed 3-26, Bodgenarine Sharma 3-26 and Uri Smith 2-14. Leewards were routed for 100 in 40.4 overs in reply. Whyte was the only batsman that reached double figures with 40 not out (3x4) as Rene Montoute, Dhan-raj Cepal and Simeon Gerson picked up two wickets apiece. At Everest, the game between defending champions Guyana and Barbados was rained out without a ball being bowled. The competition continues today with Guyana playing Jamaica at Albion, Trinidad and Tobago facing Leewards at Everest and Windwards clashing with Barbados at the Guyana National Stadium.
FIFA reform plans in doubt as Scala backs away from task force ZURICH (Reuters) Reform plans by scandalplagued FIFA were thrown into doubt on Monday when its choice to head a task force, Swiss businessman Domenico Scala, said he would not take on the job unless he was guaranteed full independence. Scala had been asked by at least half of FIFA’s six continental confederations to take on the role of being the task force’s neutral chairman. The 10-member panel will be made up of representatives drawn solely from the confederations. But Scala made it clear on Monday that he was unhappy with how events had unfolded. “Domenico Scala never applied for such a chairmanship. He would consider to chair such a taskforce, only under the strict condition that independence was guaranteed,” a spokesman for Scala said. World soccer’s governing body has been in crisis since May, when nine officials and five marketing executives were charged by the U.S. Justice Department with exploiting the sport for their own gain through bribes of more than $150 million over 24 years. In the wake of the scandal, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said he will stand down next February. FIFA has been under pressure to clean up its act following the corruption scandal, with major sponsors Coca-Cola, Visa and McDonald’s demanding reforms. Scala had been working on reform suggestions for
Domenico Scala, head of FIFA’s watchdog audit and compliance committee, talks on his mobile phone in the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland July 20, 2015. (Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann)
FIFA before the new body was created and had given FIFA’s executive a detailed briefing of his proposals last Monday. These include term limits, enhanced integrity checks and transparency over executive salaries. That same meeting then announced the creation of the task force and said it should present proposals to their next meeting in late
September. Its future is now unclear given that it has no chair and no members have yet been appointed to the body from the confederations. Scala is also independent chairman of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee and of the Ad-hoc Electoral Committee, handling the process for February’s vote for a new FIFA president.
Jamaica Observer CASTRIES, St Lucia — Jamaica’s young Reggae Girlz whipped Grenada 5-0 in their opening match at the 2015 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Under-20 Qualifying game at the Mindoo Philip Park Sunday. It was a Sunday stroll in the park for the Jamaicans as they easily dispatched their Caribbean neighbours to take command of Group Two with some impressive playing of football. Rasha Roberts started the ball rolling in the fourth minute, Captain Khadija Shaw was brilliant in scoring a three-timer in the 47th, 57th and 90th+ minutes, and Asia Lee-Fatt got the other goal in the 88th minute. From the first whistle it was all Jamaica. It didn’t take long before Roberts gave her team something to cheer about, as she received a welltaken corner from Konya Plummer and placed it wide of Kinda Lambert in the Grenada’s goal. The Grenadians came close to levelling the score, but Shikkra Charles watched her powerful, swinging free kick hit Jamaica’s crossbar. The young Girlz kept pressing on but failed to convert numerous chances as the first half finished 1-0. The Grenadians didn’t improve on their defensive
tactics in the second half and the Jamaicans charged at their goal. Shaw got an open run at the top of the 18-yard box and sent her shot past the diving Lambert in the 47th minute to give Jamaica their second. Shaw wasn’t finished. Ten minutes later she got a rebound from teammate Keona Simmonds and converted easily for a comfortable 3-0 lead. It then seemed the young Girlz were tiring as Grenada threatened their goal on numerous occasions but lacked the will to score. Grenada’s defence was then breached in the 88th minute when substitute LeeFatt, who was left unmarked, found the back of net before Shaw got her third and Jamaica’s fifth seconds from full time. “I have been working hard
and I am just happy that I got the result. I am not 100 per cent (fit), but I am happy for the goals,” Shaw said. Assistant Coach Xavier Gilbert said that he was happy with the team’s performance. “Technically we are better; physically we are stronger and faster. I am happy with their performance and good show by Khadija Shaw on scoring three goals,” Gilbert told the Jamaica Observer. Clarke John, Grenada’s coach, blamed his team’s defence for the loss. “Too many defensive errors cost us today (yesterday). The girls were too wide at the back and I believe that contributed to the defeat,” he said. The group games continue tomorrow at the same venue when Grenada meet hosts St Lucia.
CONCACAF says referee admits errors in contentious semi-final Pennsylvania, USA (AP) - The president of CONCACAF said Saturday the referee acknowledged making mistakes during the contentious Gold Cup semifinal between Mexico and Panama. The regional football body did not say what those errors were. Mexico won 2-1 on Wednesday night in Atlanta to reach the title game against Jamaica. Referee Mark Geiger “accepted that officiating errors had been made” and they “impacted the outcome”, CONCACAF President Alfredo Hawit said in a statement. Hawit added that “such human errors are part of the game”. Panama were incensed by two particular calls in the loss. First, Geiger issued a disputed red card to Luis Tejada in the 25th minute. Panama still went ahead 1-0 despite playing with 10 men. But Geiger then called a hand ball when Roman Torres fell
on the ball in the area, leading to Andres Guardado’s penalty kick in second half stoppage time for regional power Mexico. Guardado won it with a penalty kick in extra time on a less debatable call. The Panamanian team posed with a banner after the game calling CONCACAF “corruptos ladrones” (corrupt thieves), and Panamanian Football Federation President Pedro Chaluja told reporters Friday “we feel that that game was fixed”. Geiger last year became the first American to referee a knockout stage World Cup match. Hawit became president of North and Central America and the Caribbean’s governing body in May after Jeffrey Webb’s indictment. Webb and predecessor Jack Warner were named in a US federal indictment charging soccer officials with racketeering, bribery and money laundering. Panama and Costa Rica
have formally asked for reviews of CONCACAF’s referee procedures, according to a person in the governing body with knowledge of the requests. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because he was not authorised to discuss the matter. CONCACAF had announced that the issue had been added for discussion to the agenda of Saturday’s executive committee meeting but did not detail the requests. In the final minute of extra time in last Sunday’s quarterfinal, Mexico were awarded a questionable penalty kick with the game tied 0-0 and converted to beat Costa Rica. The person said Panama requested investigations into the referee committee and its procedures, the people who assign referees to games, all unspecified “suspicious matches”, and Geiger. In a separate letter, Costa (Continued on page 29)
Page 32
Kaieteur News
Race to succeed Blatter is ‘poker’ game : FIFA executive member
FIFA President Sepp Blatter addresses during the preliminary draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia July 25, 2015. (Reuters/Maxim Shemetov) AMSTERDAM, (Reuters) The race to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president is like a “poker game”, longserving FIFA executive committee member Michel d’Hooghe said on Monday. “A poker game is currently being played. I think there will be a number of candidates, one from
Europe,” Belgian D’Hooghe told Dutch broadcaster NOS. D’Hooghe said UEFA president Michel Platini would be a good candidate. “Michel Platini has led UEFA well and he has taken on all the challenges. He is a wonderful man, though, in his own way. Michel is highly appreciated in European
Political tension puts India-Pakistan series in doubt ESPNcricinfo - Anurag Thakur, the BCCI secretary, has said that any bilateral series between India and Pakistan was unlikely until the political relationship between the two countries was stable. Thakur was speaking on Monday soon after a gunfight in the Gurdaspur district in Punjab - close to India’s border with Pakistan - led to several civilian casualties. Though security agencies in India were yet to determine who was responsible for the attack, Thakur, who is also a Member of Parliament from India’s ruling BJP, cited the incident as an example of why he believed the time was not right for a cricket series with Pakistan. “Even today there is a terrorist attack, in Gurdaspur. On one hand there is a rise in terrorist activity from Pakistan, on the other you can’t expect to play a cricket series with Pakistan,” Thakur told ESPNcricinfo. “For me the safety and security of my
countrymen is more important than a cricket series. This is not the way to go ahead. I was never against the dialogue process. At the same time, if you do not have good relations, you can’t have good cricket.” Last month the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, while visiting India, had said Pakistan had a “Plan B” should the series not go ahead. “We know there is always such a possibility when it comes to Indo-Pak relations but we think the situation will be clear in two months time,” Shaharyar had said. “We have a plan B in case the series (against India) cannot be held but I can’t share the details of that now. If such a situation is created we can call alternative teams.” India have not played a bilateral Test series against Pakistan since 2007, though they did host them for two T20Is and three ODIs between December 2012 and January 2013.
soccer.” The 69-year-old D’Hooghe, who has been a member of the powerful cabinet of world soccer for 27 years, will step down in two years, frustrated by allegations of corruption hanging over FIFA. “I will not be a candidate for re-election in 2017,” he said. “I have family commitments and I can tell you that last two years have been very difficult for me. Having to insist all the time that I have done nothing wrong becomes a heavy burden to bear.” D’Hooghe was cleared in February of ethics breaches over a gift from Russia 2018 World Cup organizers and trying to secure a job in Qatar for the son of a friend. Qatar is to host the 2022 World Cup. “Everything you do comes under suspicion, everything. I have attempted to do everything ethically correct,” he said. “And if at the end your career’s work is held in doubt, that is not enjoyable.” D’Hooghe last month criticized Blatter’s refusal to take responsibility for the corruption crisis following the arrest of several top officials in Zurich ahead of the FIFA Congress in May. “If there some that are corrupt, they have had a crushing impact,” he said. “They have tarnished the reputation of all the people who give of their best for the Institution that is FIFA. And I find that very disappointing. “I can name hundreds of FIFA employees who do their work seriously but now have to walk a little with their heads bowed below their shoulders.”
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Second Ground Entertainment ‘Ballers in the Summer’ knockout competition...
Agricola defy odds to become West Side Street Football Kings Not very often you could find a team’s dream survive for an entire tournament, but that was exactly the case with giant killers Agricola, who cemented their standing in street football after winning the inaugural Second Ground Entertainment ‘Ballers in the Summer’ Knockout Competition which ended on Sunday, at the Pouderoyen Tarmac. The East Bank Demerara-based side now has the lofty status as inaugural champs, but also the new kid on the block label after knocking off three champions considered being amongst the best exponents in the street style format in the process. Playing in the final against North Ruimveldt, the new champs captured the $200,000 first prize after prevailing 3-2 on penalty kicks with regulation and extra times failing to unlock a 0-0 stalemate. In the shootout to determine the winner, North Ruimveldt’s Colin Daniels placed his effort off the upright to immediately hand the advantage to Agricola. The nifty Kacy John strode up for Agricola and he buried his chance which gave them the lead. However, Joshua Brown scored on his attempt to keep North Ruimveldt in the fight, but the determined Agricola unit would not relent as Gordon Grant’s successful spot kick
kept their lead intact at that point. North Ruimveldt’s most experienced player Gerald Gritten netted to level the scores, but with Agricola needing just to score to take home the bacon it was left to one of the masters of the spot kick Glen Eastman to nail his effort and he did just that to instigate euphoria among the team’s supporters. North Ruimveldt as runner-up received $150,000. In the third place playoff, Sparta Boss rebounded from their semi-final loss to Agricola to tame Showstoppers 2-0. Sheldon Shepherd opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a first time shot that finished into the back of the goal. Travis Grant’s 17th minute effort from a pinpoint pass gave enough space between the two teams and it stayed that way until the final whistle sounded to hand Sparta Boss the $70,000 third prize, while Shpowstoppers collected $20,000 for their effort. In semi-final action, Agricola beat Sparta Boss 2-0 with Eastman in the 18th minute and John’s 30th minute strike creating daylight between the two combatants. North Ruimveldt squeezed past Showstoppers 3-2 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 0-0. Sponsors of the event included Golf Motor Oil and A. Forrester Lumberyard among others.
Reggae Boyz impress former US goalie Brad Friedel Jamaica Observer Pennsylvania, USA — Former USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel says the current Reggae Boyz team is perhaps the best he has seen in a very long time. The former Tottenham Hotspur custodian said the Reggae Boyz have shown in the CONCACAF Gold Cup that they have grown as a team, culminating in them making the final of the biennial tournament for the first time. “It’s probably the most organised team I have seen since the one that qualified for the 1998 World Cup. In the game against the United States, I think Wes Morgan and (Michael) Hector in defence were excellent, and I think when you have pace with the likes of Giles Barnes, (Darren) Mattocks, you are going to be formidable against a lot of opponents,” said Friedel, who has had a successful professional career in England. “Also that they (Jamaica) have not started someone like a Simon Dawkins from the beginning, who has got a lot of qualities, and then when you add to that (Garath) McCleary, (Jobi) McAnuff, there is a lot of experience and are players playing in good clubs,” he added. Friedel, who has played
Brad Friedel (right) being interviewed by Assistant Sport Editor Sean Williams. (Jamaica Observer) against Jamaica in an international career spanning 13 years, has argued that Jamaican teams of the past tend to be more individualistic, than they were cohesive. “The Jamaican teams of the past have always had individually good players, but sometimes they weren’t a unit, but if you stayed resilient against them, you usually get good results. “This Jamaica team to me looks a bit different. I watched the game against Haiti and they scored earlier and then defensively the two (central) midfielders and the back four were outstanding in a good defensive display... and against the United States, which is a good team, they
withstood the pressure, so it’s a much different Jamaica team now than the ones I played against,” said Friedel, who has 82 caps for the USA. The former Blackburn Rovers star said that the success of Jamaica at the Gold Cup will be a big boost for the overall football product of the country. “With regards to Jamaica’s football, this is a step in the right direction, and I think they fully deserve to be in the final,” said Friedel. He confessed that Jamaica’s 2-1 win over his native USA in the semi-final was a hard pill to swallow for many people. “It was a big shock to a (Continued on page 29)
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Sergio Romero: Manchester Klinsmann job United sign Argentina goalkeeper safe despite USA
Gold Cup losses
Sergio Romero (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Manchester United have signed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero as a result of the uncertainty over David De Gea. Romero was a free agent after leaving Sampdoria and will replace back-up keeper Victor Valdes, who has been told he can leave by boss Louis Van Gaal. Romero, who has penned a three-year deal, played in the 2014 World Cup final and won the 2008-09 Eredivisie title under Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar. De Gea is into the final year of his contract and is wanted by Real Madrid. “We have to prepare our season with the threat that David De Gea is going to Real Madrid,” said Van Gaal. If De Gea stays, Van Gaal said Romero, 28, could compete for a first-team place. “You need always competition,” added Van Gaal. “When I see that a player is better than the player in the line-up, he shall play the next match.” Romero, who knocked Van Gaal’s Netherlands out of the World Cup by saving two penalties in a semi-final shootout, has 62 caps. He becomes United’s fifth signing of the summer, following deals for full-back Matteo Darmian, midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin and forward
Memphis Depay . Valdes was left out of the tour to the United States and will be sold after Van Gaal claimed he “refused to play” in the reserves. What can United fans expect from Romero? “He is a very dominating goalkeeper, he dominates the 60-metre area,” Van Gaal said. “His stature is also tall and he gives a lot of confidence to the players. “Of course, he has to learn English because that is also a problem always with a foreigner. He is very good with his feet, so he fits in our profile. I have a lot of confidence that he can fulfil what we are expecting.”
Ian John is... From page 35 serve as the Treasurer, Russell Jagbeer Assistant Secretary Treasurer and Intitercam Kharamattallee Organizing Secretary. Zaheer Mohamed is the new Public Relations Officer and the trustees are Mahendra Azhar Hardyal and Ms. Bibi Kadya Samaroo. The organization will name its respective committees at their first executive meeting later this week.
Philadelphia, USA (AFP) — Jurgen Klinsmann’s job as US national coach is safe for the time being, despite a disappointing fourth place finish in the Gold Cup, US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. A 2-1 semi-final loss to Jamaica and a 3-2 penalty defeat on Saturday to Panama in the third-place match left the Americans fourth. Only a 2000 quarterfinal penalties loss to Colombia kept this from being their worst showing ever in the biennial regional football tournament. But Gulati said there was no thought of dumping Klinsmann. “We don’t make judgements based on one game,” Gulati said. “It’s obviously a disappointment. I wouldn’t call it a step back. “There’s no panic. It’s a big disappointment. We move on.” It was four years ago when a runner-up showing in the Gold Cup cost Bob Bradley his job and led to Klinsmann’s hiring. The German’s run has been praised, including a last-16 World Cup effort at Brazil last year and away wins last month over the Dutch and Germans. “Progress is not linear,” Gulati said. “There are bumps along the way. This is clearly a bump. We’re making progress in certain areas, less so in others.”
Jurgen Klinsmann
Klinsmann has the team focused on September friendlies against Brazil and Peru and an October playoff with either Mexico or Jamaica for a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup, a warm-up event in Russia for the 2018 World Cup. “ We l o o k t o w a r d September to build things in order to be prepared for the p l a y o ff i n O c t o b e r, ” Klinsmann said. “The goal is always to go further in the next World Cup than we did in Brazil. “This is a work in progress that here and there will give us some setbacks, some situations where you
make a step back maybe and hopefully make two forward. This team will grow, this team will get better.” It will need to improve because the bar has been raised for regional World Cup qualifying. Costa Rica reached the last eight in last year’s World Cup, while Jamaica and Panama, teams that only beat the Americans once before, humbled them this week. “It shows you also how competitive this region is,” Klinsmann said. “Nations that maybe weren’t regarded as high before the tournament earned a lot of (Continued on page 29)
Shawne Gas Station on board GMR&SC Aug 9 Race Meet
Hetmyer shines as Guyana thump B’dos, Leewards overcome Windwards
O
pener Shimron Hetmyer stroked sixteen fours and one six in a top score of 98 to lead holders Guyana to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Barbados when the Regional U19 50-over tournament continued yesterday in Jamaica. Playing at Chedwin Park, Nain, Hetmyer faced 68 balls in 96 minutes stay at the crease and shared in a second wicket stand of 104 with Balchan Baldeo 23 (2x4) to set Guyana on course following Tevin Imlach demise for 11 after they restricted Barbados for
216-6. Keemo Paul and Travis featured in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 31 to see their team home as they ended on 218-3 in 38 overs; Extras assisted with 38. Kirton took two wickets. Earlier, Lee-Germon Gaskin top scored with 68 to lead Barbados batting. He struck four fours and three sixes and got support from Shamar Springer 36 (2x4,2x6) and Akil Greenidge 28 (5x4); extras contributed 34. Paul and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed claimed two wickets each while Baldeo had one.
At St. Elizabeth High School ground, Leeward Islands overcame Windward Islands by one wicket in a thrilling contest. Windwards batted first and scored 141 all out in 39.3 overs. J. Hilton cracked 47 (3x4,1x6), R Johan supported with 36 (3x4) while extras contributed 37. Alzarri Joseph claimed 3-11 and C Archibald Jr 327. Leewards replied with 142-9 in 29.3 overs. T Williams slammed 43 (4x4,2x6) and S Williams made 30 (2x4); extras supported with 22. O Lewis snared 3-22 and J Eugene 2-6.
A representative of Shawne Gas Station (left) hands over the sponsorship to a GMR&SC representative recently.
Shimron Hetmyer
Shawne Gas Station of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara became the latest entity to add its name to the growing list of sponsors after presenting a cheque for an undisclosed sum to the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) recently for the staging of its ‘National Race of Champions’ Meet on August 9, at the South Dakota Circuit. The club extended thanks to the sponsor for its support and ensuring that the Meet is a success, while the sponsorship was given for the Group 2 category.
Page 34
Kaieteur News
Tuesday July 28, 2015
First stage of Inter-Guiana Starc taunts England over their uncertainty Games cancelled - Suriname informs of inability to take part
Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (right) updates the media yesterday on the status of Guyana hosting the first stage of the Inter-Guiana Games along with NSC Administration Officer, Gervy Harry. By Edison Jefford Guyana has shelved all preparations to host the first stage of the 2015 Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) owed to the non-participation of Suriname that informed Guyana that it will not participate in the competition through its local Embassy. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones held a press conference yesterday where he disclosed that as a result of the recently held elections in Suriname where the Minister of Education, who also has responsibility for Sport, has not been appointed, the neighbouring country has communicated the unfortunate development of being unable to participate. “As it stands, Suriname is unable to participate and as such, the IGG first stage is off,” Jones said adding that Guyana was wellprepared to host the tri-nation competition that was set for between August 6-10 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. As such, he informed that a meeting among the Directors of Sport for Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana, the three participating countries, will be held during August 13-14 in Suriname with the relevant issues related to the event high on the agenda for discussion. In addition to the rescheduling of the Games, Jones informed that he will be advocating for some review of the protocol for the age of athletes in school.
Jones said that Suriname has a secondary school age of 19 years while Guyana’s is 1718 years. He believes the disparity in age of athletes in school, who are eligible to compete, places Guyana at a disadvantage. The Director of Sport indicated that he will be relating Guyana’s disappointment of being unable to host the Games as planned. “Our athletes were encamped for about a month, and Cabinet had approved out of budget to host the Games,” Jones informed. Asked how they are dealing with any financial loss that may have been accrued, Jones said that a two-day competition has been planned for the local contingents from the five disciplines that are: Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Badminton and Chess. “At the level of Government, they are no losses, but in terms of our teams and preparations there will be because they were encamped for some time,” Jones said, but Admin Officer, Gervy Harry was quick to point out that the development should not be seen as a loss. “It should not be seen as a loss, but an input. It’s money spent, but our athletes were able to come together and gel; they were able to play together from all over Guyana for the weeks,” Harry said as he disclosed that from accommodation to food, all the administrative work and systems to host the Games were well on stream.Hoiw
DACG/BPO Inter Block Football
West Side Masters and Back Street win
W
hen competition in the Den Amstel Culture Group (DACG) / Big Player Organisation (BPO) Inter Block, round-robin football tournament continued on Sunday at the Den Amstel ground, registering wins were West Side Masters and Back Street. Back Street edged West Bank Masters 2-1 with goals coming off the boot of Akimbo Henry and Delon Lanferman. For the losers, Quason McCaulay converted. The day’s
opening game produced a 1-0 win for West Side Masters over Fellowship compliments of an Owen McGarrell goal. Five teams are battling in a round-robin format before the top two advances to the finals. Prizes will be awarded to the first to four place teams, $50,000, $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 respectively. Defending champions are Front Road; more matches will be contested this weekend at the same venue.
Mitchell Starc gave Ben Stokes the silent treatment, England v Australia, 1st Investec Ashes Test, Cardiff, 1st day, July 8, 2015 ©Getty Images ESPNcricinfo - Mitchell Starc has effectively dared England to prepare a seaming pitch for the Edgbaston Test, and declared changes to the hosts’ batting order show Australia have the upper hand in the series. Much speculation surrounds the character of the wicket to be used in Birmingham after Alastair Cook and Trevor Bayliss both said they wanted livelier pitches for the rest of the series after being well beaten on a flat surface at Lord’s. It was music to Starc’s ears. “We’ll be licking our lips. Don’t worry,” he said. “They’re not really sure what they want to do now. Some of their team want battingfriendly wickets and that hasn’t helped them at Lord’s.” The pitch is currently quite well grassed, and it remains to be seen whether it will be shaved and brushed as Cardiff and Lord’s both were. “They want to get their bowlers back in the game, but we’ve got the pace as well,” Starc added. “So I think as Michael said, maybe last week, it doesn’t matter what they dish up. We’ve got all bases covered, we’ve just got to adjust to the conditions the quickest. “They’re searching for some form after Lord’s and have made a change with Gary Ballance out. They’ve brought in Jonny, who has scored a lot of runs in county cricket this year so far. Whenever you make the opposition make changes, it shows you’re on top. It’s about staying there and really pushing that home this week.” Starc struggled with an
ankle problem in Cardiff and has had cortisone injected into the joint. After using the example of Ryan Harris to push through the pain, he was better at Lord’s and expects to be freer still at Edgbaston although was sketchy on the intricate details of his problem after previously having surgery for ankle bone spurs in 2013. “I don’t actually know. You’d have to ask the medical guys. All I know is it was quite sore. I got through that week in Cardiff and it felt a lot better at Lord’s. Miles better than what it was. So hopefully it keeps getting better and hopefully it’s gone this week. “It was on the inside this time, not the outside. So there’s no spurs there, as people have said or written about. No spurs there at the moment. I’m sure they will probably come back one day, but at the moment I think it’s
just bone on bone. The cortisone is going to help that and hopefully get me through the rest of the tour.” Young pace bowlers need to learn what Brett Lee calls the “difference between good pain and bad pain”, and Starc appears to have made that distinction on this tour. “Coming from that scan, knowing there was nothing wrong with the bone or the joint. It’s just going through the pain, it’s nothing new for fast bowlers to push through the pain,” he said. “If Ryan Harris can get through a broken knee to try and get right for the Ashes, I can get a little bit of ankle pain to get through. “Pain is part and parcel of fast bowling, as you progress through your years of bowling you start to learn what you can and can’t get through. As far as I was concerned, I knew there was nothing wrong with the joint so just push on.”
Tour de France: Two held
after barrier car crash
BBC Sport - Paris officials, investigating why a car was driven through the security barriers ahead of the Tour de France on Sunday morning, are holding two people who handed themselves in overnight. The car tried to crash through the barriers at Place de la Concorde, and police opened fire as it sped away. One of the two is a 16-year-old male who said he was at the wheel. A third person, a young woman in hospital with bullet wounds, is also thought to have been in the car. She was operated on overnight at the hospital in a suburb to the west of the French capital. Her life is not in danger, a police source told journalists. A bullet-ridden car was later found abandoned near to the incident. Two men and two women were reported to have been seen leaving the vehicle. British cyclist Chris Froome won his second Tour de France later on Sunday.
35