Monday June 09, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Dr. Persaud’s odd promise of abortion services DEAR EDITOR, Your report of Dr. Persaud’s assurances of preparation for public hospitals to offer services for elective abortions is very encouraging (2 June, 2014). Several of us have been waiting for this since 1995. In fact, I recall a former CMO, Dr. Rudy Cummings, making a similar effort to open services at West Demerara Hospital. That was in 1996. Never happened. I totally agree with Dr. Persaud in respect of the sensitive and controversial nature of providing these services. In my view, the real constraint is neither skill nor resources but stigma, prejudice, bias and hypocrisy. But let’s assume it is indeed skill. I have a simple
suggestion that could make the CMO’s task a lot easier: follow the very conservative WHO’s guidance and permit mid-level health personnel to provide medication abortion for treatment in the first few weeks of pregnancy. That would remove the burden on doctors, avoid any strain on hospitals, significantly reduce cost and substantially improve access. A winner on all fronts. And yes, our law makes clear provision for this. Further, with all due respect, Dr. Persaud is incorrect when he states that a license to practice medicine does not permit a practitioner to do abortions. Our law permits any duly registered medical practitioner to provide abortions up to 8 weeks. It is only for treatment
after 8 weeks that special training is required. Frankly, for all his admirable courage, Dr. Persaud is moving in precisely the wrong direction. He is restricting to doctors and burdening hospitals with a procedure that has become increasingly simple and safe. In many countries, early nonsurgical (medication) abortion is being provided readily by mid-level providers and outside of hospitals. Our CMO is relegating nurses to counselling only. Counselling is very important, but nurses can do a great deal more. Dr. Persaud is running against both the tide of technology and the tide of history. He should go with the flow. Fred Nunes
Lindeners celebrating 40 years of township in unsightly surroundings DEAR EDITOR, Permit me space in your column to express my opinion on a matter of great concern to me and some of my countrymen. My topic is “who or what is gained from town week activities”? I do support the Linden Town Week celebration, the visit of the overseas visitors, the going and coming of citizens from all over Guyana, the decoration of our town by the various businesses and most of all the fun and frolic that we are so much accustom to. I made some observations and recognized every year it’s the same thing. For example, the Linden Town Hall from its external appearance is very untidy; grass is growing on
the pavement outside the fence of the building, the drains or gutters on Arvida Road or Republic Avenue are filled with grass, wild eddoes, food boxes and plastic bottles. Greenheart Street, Mora Street, Potaro Street, Berbice Road and none of the other drains are different in appearance. The newly constructed river wall is filled with plastic and ware bottles, food boxes and all sort of garbage. Lindeners are a good people to be celebrating 40 years of township in an untidy situation. My question once again is who or what organization gain from Town Week activities. My answer is the Town administration and the business sector. I
suggest that those two groups make a collaborated effort before, during and after the celebration of Town Week to bring about a change to the physical appearance and the social standing of our Town. Can the organizers of the Town’s celebration respond? Would they respond? As a citizen of Linden Town I demand an answer. Please don’t judge me wrong. I love those celebrations more than many Lindeners but at its conclusion, Lindeners must witness some new development in one way or another, the organisers need to make a public declaration of profit or loss because it’s a business venture now! B. Winslow Parris
MORE LITIGATION OR MORE DEVELOPMENT?
DEAR EDITOR, Isn’t there a surfeit of lawyers in our little Guyana? Shouldn’t we be focusing more on professions that will fast track our country’s socio-economic development? Recent reports on perceived difficulties with accessing legal education and training to become lawyers might suggest, incorrectly, that there is a high demand for professionals in the legal field as opposed to say the engineering or agriculture fields. My personal impression is that there are far too many lawyers in our society so much so that many are under-utilized or worse yet tempted to take on cases irrespective of their merit. On the other hand I believe that our society’s real development can benefit tremendously
from an increase of professionals in such fields like engineering, mining, agriculture, aquaculture, animal husbandry, human resource management and similar disciplines. I hasten to add that these thoughts are not based on any formal research on Guyana’s current and projected occupational needs and I am therefore prepared to accept that my impressions might be unfounded; if any such data are available, it may be worth publishing same; if not we should start gathering relevant statistics in the hope that career counseling and expenditure on professional development can be more in line with demand for and supply of appropriate skills and competencies. Nowrang Persaud
Teaching kids what adults have forgotten DEAR EDITOR, This is a follow up to my letter ofApril 06/14 about a dog named Brown Girl who found a school, Smith Memorial Primary, to callhome. In passing the school one day I saw how kind some kids were treating Brown Girl so I decided to ask the Head Mistress, Donna John, permission to give a talk to the students at one of theirAssembles. The Head Mistress readily agreed and two weeks ago I gave a talk. While the weather conditions were not the best, the students were eager to listen and look at pictures of animals. My talk was mostly about why they should not litter, the meaning and importance of spaying dogs, speaking out against cruelty, rules in caring for a pet (leave water, feed every day, don’t tie in hot sun, etc.)why they should adopt rather than buy pets, and why they should never buy or harm wildlife. On the 5th of June I took
some food for Brown Girl; it was around 7:30am when I entered the compound and saw a kid run awayand disappear around the school building. When he returned he was carrying Brown Girl’s water bowl – it was clean and full of water. I gave him a high five and told him how proud of him I was. One of his fellow students was eating some food from a plastic bag, I asked the boy what hewas going to do with the plasticbag when he finished eating, he said “put it in the bin!”.I gave him a smile and another high five. Editor, kids are thirsty for knowledge and want to do what is right and be helpful. I’m always amazed at their ability to learn. I know my short and simple talk made an impact on many of them because of the questions they were asking after the talk. When it comes to littering and mistreatment of animals I think too many adults have forgotten what they learned as children. Maybe we should all read the interesting
book: All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten. It is not too late, every adult in Guyana has the potential to become a role model and it doesn’t take much, just a lot of thought and then a little time to sit and talk with children about what is the right thing to do. My thanks go out to Head Mistress John and Teachers for allowing me to share some time with their children. I hope to go back to the school to have a more indepth conversation with the older students. Syeada Manbodh
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Kaieteur News
Monday June 09, 2014
City Constabulary CANNOT remove my bodyguard A show down is looming at City Hall with the City Constabulary threatening to deny access into the compound to Sean Hinds, the controversial bodyguard of embattled Acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba. However, the acting Town Clerk has stated emphatically that neither the City Constabulary nor the Mayor has the authority to prevent Hinds from entering City Hall. Sooba made this clear last week when information surfaced that at the conclusion of an executive meeting with Constabulary officers, it was decided that Hinds would not be allowed to enter City Hall. The City Constabulary is the only authorized body to provide security services to the Council and its agents. It was however stated that Sooba has the personal right to a bodyguard of choice. Hinds, who is an expoliceman was hired by the Town Clerk as her personal bodyguard, after she expressed concerns about her safety and a distrust for the Council’s security section, the City Constabulary. Sean Hinds has been deemed a character of contention, having faced several charges which include murder and armed robbery among others; but managed to evade them all. His presence at City Hall became an issue when the Mayor and Councilors expressed security concerns for themselves and those visiting the location. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had stated that visitors to the Council
- Acting Town Clerk expressed fear when having to pass the gentleman at the foot of the staircase to Sooba’s office, where he is stationed. The Deputy Mayor had also expressed concerns for the safety of the Municipality’s Treasury Department, which is also in close proximity to where Hinds normally positions himself on a daily basis. Mayor Hamilton Green on Monday last wrote a letter of concern to City Constabulary Chief, Andrew Foo and Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud expressing concern over Hinds’ presence at the Council. The missive said that the M&CC is not aware of Hinds’ role in the compound and they were not comfortable with his presence. The letter was therefore asked to be taken as a report requiring an investigation into the matter. An investigation was already underway by the Constabulary, Foo told Kaieteur News. He stated though that caution had to be taken in addressing the matter since the Constabulary works within the confines of the law and it must be established whether Hinds’ is breaking the law; intimidating or threatening anyone before any action could be taken. This he said is despite expressions of concern by the Mayor and Councilors. Foo declined to comment on whether Hind’s presence in the City Hall compound was compromising the work of the Constabulary.
In a telephone interview with the acting Town Clerk last Thursday, she reiterated fear for her life. When asked, she said the Constabulary is unauthorized to prevent her bodyguard from entering the compound because, “I am the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of this Council and the Constabulary takes directions from me. Each rank has to be sworn in by me,” she reminded. As it relates to the Mayor and Councilors, Sooba said they too have no authority since, “they are the policymakers and that is their job.” She went on to challenge anyone wanting to remove Hinds from the compound, “to confront him, and take steps to shoot him if necessary.” She again expressed no confidence in the City Constabulary, claiming that the Chief Constable Foo has his “divided interest” and hence the need for her choice
Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba, with her bodyguard, Sean Hinds (extreme left) of personal security. Sooba described instances where the Mayor and Councilors and their supporters made threats against her life and she could not rely on the protection provided by the Chief
Constable. “If he was competent, he would have done better.” Local Government Minister Norman Whitaker and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee have expressed concerns over
Sooba’s safety. Whittaker noted that, “... the Town Clerk has no confidence in the security provided by the City Constabulary and if she so desires to have her own, then there is nothing stopping her from doing so.”
“Petro Caribe” funds being used for various “things” in social sector - President Ramotar
President Donald Ramotar has said that the funds which are being accumulated from the “Petro Caribe” deal are being used for a variety of issues. According to Ramotar, government currently uses the funds in the social sectors. He said that the funds have been used to construct a building in Berbice which is
used to house people who are less fortunate. Ramotar said that the funds are also being used to purchase fuel. The President stated also that he could not give details what else it is being used for, but the information could be made available. Under former President Hugo Chavez, a lucrative oilfor-rice deal called “Perto Caribe” was signed between Venezuela and 18 other countries including Guyana to delay payments for fuel supplied by Venezuela for a number of years. Venezuela exports an average of 180,000 barrels of oil per day to Latin American and Caricom countries under the Petro Caribe Deal. Since Petro Caribe was
created in June 2005, 17 CARICOM and Latin American countries have enjoyed an annual interest rate between one per cent and two per cent on fuel credited from Venezuela. It was reported last year that Petro Caribe countries’ debt for oil purchases had risen to US$5.7B. Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, last year said that towards the end of 2012, Guyana signed its first debt compensation agreement with Venezuela, which reduced the Petrocaribe debt owed to that country by US$100.8 million, equivalent to the value of rice and paddy shipped from December 2009 to July 2011. At the end of 2012,
President Donald Ramotar Guyana reportedly owed Venezuela US$364M. Rice is exported to Venezuela with the oil payments used to offset the shipments. However, the oil arrangements may be under threat now and CARICOM states participating would especially be concerned.
Monday June 09, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Egypt’s Sisi takes office to cool reception from West CAIRO (Reuters) - Abdel Fattah al-Sisi promised to rule Egypt in an inclusive manner after he was sworn in as president yesterday but gave no indication he would reconcile with the Muslim Brotherhood movement he removed from power nearly a year ago. In an inauguration ceremony with low-key attendance by Western allies concerned by a crackdown on dissent, the former army chief called for hard work and the development of freedom “in a responsible framework away from chaos”. Last month’s election, which officials said Sisi won with 97 percent of the vote, followed three years of upheaval since a popular uprising ended 30 years of rule by former air force commander Hosni Mubarak. Security in Cairo was extra tight, with armoured personnel carriers and tanks positioned in strategic locations. Sisi said combating terrorism would be his top priority for the time being, a reference to Islamist foes he describes as a threat to national security. “As for those who shed the blood of the innocents, there will be no place for them in this path,” Sisi said in his
first speech to the nation. “And I say it loud and clear, there will be no soft stand with anyone who resorts to violence or whoever wants to delay our march towards the future that we want for our children.” Sisi toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Brotherhood last July after mass protests against his rule. Security forces then killed hundreds of Brotherhood supporters in the streets and jailed thousands of others in a crackdown that polarised the biggest Arab state, which controls the strategic Suez Canal and has a peace treaty with Israel. In an earlier speech to foreign dignitaries, Sisi called for “an inclusive national march” in an apparent bid to heal political divisions and put an end to street protests that have hammered the economy. Critics fear Sisi will become yet another authoritarian leader who will preserve the interests of the military and the Mubarak-era establishment, crushing the hopes of democracy. Near Tahrir Square, the symbolic heart of the revolt against Mubarak where protesters now rarely tread, young men sold t-shirts with
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reviews guards of honor after he was sworn in as president of Egypt, at the presidential palace in Cairo, yesterday. REUTERS/The Egyptian Presidency/Handout via Reuters the image of Sisi in his trademark dark sunglasses. Commentators on state and private media heaped praise on him, turning a blind eye to what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, in the hope that he can deliver stability and rescue state finances. Many Egyptians share that hope, but they have limited patience, staging street demonstrations that
toppled two leaders in the past three years, and the election turnout of just 47 percent shows Sisi is not as popular as when he toppled Mursi. “Sisi has to do something in his first 100 days, people will watch closely and there might be another revolution. That’s what people are like in this country,” said theology student Israa Youssef, 21. Western countries, who
hoped the overthrow of Mubarak in 2011 would usher in a new era of democracy, have watched Egypt’s political transition stumble. Mursi was the country’s first freely elected president, but his year in power was tarnished by accusations that he usurped power, imposed the Brotherhood’s views on Islam and mismanaged the economy, allegations he denied.
Mursi’s ouster was applauded by Egypt’s Gulf Arab allies, who were alarmed by the rise of the Brotherhood, the international standard-bearer of mainstream Sunni political Islam. The 86-year-old movement with branches in many countries, is seen as a threat to Gulf dynasties. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait extended a lifeline exceeding $12 billion in cash and petroleum products to help Egypt stave off economic collapse after Sisi appeared on television and announced that the Brotherhood was finished. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia urged Egyptians this week to back Sisi and said they should disown “the strange chaos” of the Arab uprisings. Kuwait’s Emir, the King of Bahrain, the Crown Princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi are attending Sisi’s inauguration, according to a list provided by the Egyptian presidency. In contrast, the United States only sent a senior advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry and most European countries only planned to send ambassadors.
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Kaieteur News
Monday June 09, 2014
Monday June 09, 2014
Kaieteur News
AG reports expose weaknesses... (From page 3) expended on behalf of the University of Guyana (Berbice) for the purchase of library books, computers and accessories, completion of the science laboratory, and the payment of retention. The Ministry’s response to this was “The Head of Budget Agency indicated that efforts are still ongoing to locate the outstanding vouchers to be presented for audit scrutiny/examination.” In the case of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, an examination of the payments revealed that the major contracts had an aggregated face value of $1.162 billion, of which the Corporation paid $1.043 bil-
lion during the year. The Ministry of Health was noted to have paid the sum of $117.256M to the contractor on behalf of the Corporation. It could not be determined whether the supplier had satisfied the requirements for bank guarantees with respect to the contracts, since these were not provided for examination. As for the Ministry of Health, specifically, The AG’s reports said that at the time of reporting, outstanding deliveries for the year 2011 totaled $59.835M, following the receipt of pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies to a value of $28.266M. The position remained the same for 2008, in that the Ministry is
still to provide evidence to support deliveries valued at $79.262M. With the aforementioned examples highlighted, some financial analysts have opined that the Ministry of Finance should be ashamed to say that their alternatives are effective and should really reconsider its statement that millions in assets and consumables are not going untraced. It is clear that the manual systems cannot adequately keep track of government assets and expenditure until it’s almost too late. However, if the two vital IFMAS modules were implemented, there would be immediate tracking of discrepancies.
man was a resident of Charlestown, where he resided until a few years ago. “I know he used to live at Sussex Street a while back.
Only the people he does wuk wid could tell you… because the police already collect the body and gone with it,” a vendor stated yesterday.
Man found dead in city... (From page 11) heself,” one pavement dweller told this newspaper. Kaieteur News understands that the former watch-
Monday June 09, 2014 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): As long as you can focus on someone else's needs, today should go swimmingly for you both. It's easier for you to help with someone else's goals than to achieve your own for now. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Now that you're seeing things you hadn't seen before, you may begin to notice that a coworker who has played themselves off as your friend hasn't really done much to prove that to you. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Change does several things. In addition to shaking you out of your rut, it opens your eyes and gives you a chance to see your life from an entirely different perspective -- and that's really the point. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You're facing a family issue that can't be ignored. It may be life-changing or it could be as simple as a little spat -- but you've got to address it as soon as possible. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Are you ready to make that big request? Now is the best time to do it, because people are much more likely to fall in line and help you out as needed. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): This is not the time for the same old same old -you've got to shake things up! *********************
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Someone really seems to get you today -- so make sure that you're attentive enough to get them back! It could turn into a love connection, or it could be a vital new friendship. Either way, you win! ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): You feel a bit confused about what's going on -- and how you're responding to it all. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): You've got friends who love you more than you can understand -- but you don't have to! Now is the time to call on them to help out, as they are looking for an excuse to show how much they care. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): There's definitely something to be said for being idealistic, even for more practical types, like you. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): You've been visiting online travel sites for a while now -- not to mention all the time you've spent standing in front of a travel agent's office, staring at the posters in the window and sighing. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): It's time to clean house! That could mean you actually spend the day clearing out the attic, or it could be a spiritual challenge. Get rid of old clutter and make room for new, better stuff.
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Police refutes Timehri woman’s assault claims The Guyana Police Force is refuting the allegations of a Timehri woman, Vanda Thomas-Pitt, that a male cop pushed his hand into her bosom while his colleagues held her down. Pitt, of Hyde Park, Timehri, had told this publication that the three ranks visited her home on June 04, last, to give her a summons for her husband who was not at home at that time. The mother of four said she refused to accept the document because it was not in her husband’s name. “It is a summons for my husband. The first time they came, the letter was addressed to a Wayne De Jonge, but my husband is Wayne Pitt, so I refused to collect the documents,” the woman explained. She further added that when she refused to accept the court document for the third time, a male cop pushed the document in her brassiere
and then slapped her when she argued with him. His colleagues, she said, assisted in assaulting her. However, according to a police press release, the Force claimed that “at around 14:30 hrs on June 04, 2014, ranks from the Timehri Police Station went to the home of Wayne Pitt at Hyde Park, Timehri, to serve a summons for him to attend the Providence Magistrate’s Court in relation to a child-support matter.” The statement further added that, “The police had made efforts earlier to serve the summons that was in the name of Wayne De Jonge, which was his name before, and which is the name he was known by to the woman involved in the child-support matter. However, the ranks were informed by his wife Vanda Thomas-Pitt, whom they met on their arrival, that he was not at home and that the name on
the summons was not that of her husband. “The police subsequently had the document amended and went back on June 04, 2014, to serve it. According to the police, on their arrival, the ranks again met Mrs. Pitt who took the summons and, on seeing that it had been amended to the name of Wayne Pitt, began to abuse the police ranks and behave disorderly, during which she assaulted Police Sergeant 12870 Moore.” The release added that “Sergeant Moore instructed Woman Constable 21223 Griffith to arrest Pitt, who at this stage began to take off her clothes and attack Constable Griffith, damaging her uniform in the process.” Vanda Thomas-Pitt was then arrested and taken to the Timehri Police Station where she reported that she had suffered a miscarriage during the incident. According to the statement, Pitt was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, Diamond, EBD, where she was medically examined. She had refused to take an ultrasound test; however, the police were informed by the medical authorities that she had not suffered any miscarriage. She was then taken back to the Timehri Police Station where she was placed on $10,000 bail, which was paid the following day. The police said that while in custody at the station, Vanda Thomas-Pitt was kept on a bench in the Enquiries Office and not in any lock-ups as was claimed.
East Coast Demerara... (From page 13) Coast of Demerara and the CPG body there intends to keep it that way by working hand in hand with the regular police ranks. Earlier this year, the Mahaica CPG came in for high praise from Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee after they were able to capture a murder suspect who had been on the run for 10 years. “We get 100 support from the Guyana Police Force,” Bristol said. Chairman of the David Rose/Lancaster CPG Azad Osman, said that the youth group initiative will target those youths who are just out of school and are not presently engaged in any meaningful activity. He said that these youths are the most vulnerable since they are more inclined to pursue activities that are not in keeping with being good citizens.
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Kaieteur News
Monday June 09, 2014
Ninety one years later...
(From page 19)
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TO LET 1 – Four bedrooms house with all modern conveniences, semifurnished - $300,000 monthly, Happy Acres – Tel:231-7839 (working hours) 2 Bedroom apartment available for couple at Diamond New Scheme – Call: 225-3269, 621-9741, 227-8004 Studio apartment semi furnished: light and water included - $40,000 per month. Contact: 227-3196 Furnished and unfurnished two bedrooms apartment in Eccles, for short or long term. Tel: 690-6494
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GPSU has made enemies and encountered hostility in pursuit of justice In the 91 years that the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has been serving Civil Servants, it has made enemies along the way and encountered hostility in the stand for justice, head of the organization Patick Yarde stated. In an address to the nation to mark the birth of the trade union, Yarde pointed out that, currently, much is wrong with the way the government is treating the union, since its members continue to face various forms of injustice. He explained that while the union has made significant achievements over the years, workers are still plagued by inadequate salaries, allowances, unfair and suppressive conditions of service among other things. He was referring to government’s arbitrary implementation of five percent increases for public sector workers over the past decade. But Yarde used the opportunity to thank all GPSU members for standing firm and moving forward in their pursuit of justice. He said that, 91years ago, the founding fathers of the GPSU gave life to a wonderful dream, which enshrined the birth of togetherness and a commitment in the pursuit of “Justice for All Public Service Employees”.
Rights of the Child... From page 16 various subject bodies to better discharge their mandates. The Rights of the Child Commission has made two visits to the NOC for this year during which training was conducted with the staff. During the training exercise, the RCC focused on the needs of children, shaping of human development, components of the Juvenile Offenders & Sexual Offences Act, the psycho-social role of caregivers in a juvenile correctional facility and leadership development. The RCC has also made visits and conducted similar workshops with the staff of the Sophia and Kuru Kuru Training centres. The Commission intends to continue work in these Centres.
GPSU President Patrick Yarde To effectively undertake this task, they organized Union Members, which was necessary to cultivate a democratic organization, involving the widest possible participation and involvement of Public Sector workers. This was achieved and, subsequently, leaders were able to convince the Government of Guyana to agree to an Agency Shop Agreement, requiring as conditions of service that new employees joining the Public Service after the March 1, 1976 pay agency fees as a condition of service if they decided not to join the general membership. According to the GPSU president, “Undoubtedly, the GPSU has been a virtuous organization. Its history would reveal remarkable stories of its activities, actions and achievements, which unfailingly called attention to injustices and discrimination,
while defending the vulnerable, including the defense of women to secure the right to continued employment, if they choose to have families.” Outstanding also was the Union’s contribution which successfully laid the basis for Guyanese born and bred professionals to hold senior office in the Civil Service, presently known as the Public Service, Yarde said. The Union vigorously pursued respect and dignity for Public Servants, including rights to annual vacation leave with vacation allowances free of restrictions that were separate and distinct from paid salary. The Union was also in the vanguard that led to the amendment of the Constitution of Guyana to provide for the establishment of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal (PSAT), as well as other worker friendly legislations. But Yarde said that it is, however, disappointing that the Government of the day has failed to uphold this constitutional requirement, with the result that a PSAT was not appointed for almost a decade. With courage and consistency, the GPSU have been calling attention to abuse of power, corruption and the overpowering display of bad governance that has in recent times plagued the country. “The Union never ceases being a voice for justice, equality, racial harmony and national unity, and has always strived to help people
generally. For these pursuits we have made enemies and encountered hostility, but steadfastly take the stand for justice, equality and causes which merit the support of any right thinking functionary,” Yarde stated. According to the GPSU President, presently hostile attacks on the Union have resulted in the suffocation of the flow of financial resources, deprivation of property that was to provide recreational and educational facilities to members, and obstruction of the ability to give medical, educational, legal and financial assistance to members. He stated that one of the most grievous experiences was the Government of Guyana’s blunt refusal to support the “Children Day Care Project”, which was designed to provide a clean and healthy environment for the children of members, during work or study. ”I must salute and express eternal thanks to those thousands of members who, notwithstanding their inadequate and insufficient earnings, including the arbitrary imposition of inadequate salaries, wages and allowances, compounded by other unfair and sup p r e s s i v e conditions of service, have continued to endure that treatment and make the required sacrifice to ensure that the Union exists effectively, and to proudly and boldly continue the struggles to overcome the unwarranted and unpatriotic assault on workers’ rights.”
Digicel readies for landline... From page 16 executives of Digicel including owner, Denis O’Brien, met with President Donald Ramotar, signaling readiness to invest millions in new technologies. According to the CEO, when Digicel initially entered Guyana, the focus was on opening the market to allow it to also compete with international calls. However, new high-end phones and other devices offering possibilities, have seen Digicel eager to enter what was previously uncharted territory. A recently released study of the Inter-American Development Bank placed Guyana at the bottom of the region in terms of internet speed, yet one of the most expensive. “Digicel is more than happy to compete with anyone. It can only benefit
Guyana in terms of service and price.” Dean believes that his company can rollout the services in as little as year, in a market considered an important one for the group. Since its entry into the Guyana market in 2007, Digicel has sunk US$70M in network and data services. However, though it has managed to move its population coverage to 96 per cent, up from 70 per cent, it is only managing to cover a mere 14 per cent because of the terrain. The size of the country has been a major challenge in expanding to remote areas, Dean disclosed. However, Digicel is not daunted. The coming of the Linden/Lethem Road will ease the mobilization challenges. Already, the company has reached remote locations in the North West District, like
Baramita, Arakaka and also Eteringbang. According to the official, Digicel is aware of the fact that only a depressing five per cent of the population has access to broadband services. This places Guyana at a severe disadvantage in terms of moving apace with the rest of the world. Questioned whether Guyana should follow suit with Jamaica and India in putting its spectrum up for auction, Dean believes that ultimately the country should benefit. Whether it is an annual payment or a one-off payment, the spectrum, he agreed, is a valuable resource. “At the end of the day, we are confident that the legislations will be passed shortly, before the Parliamentary recess, and that Digicel will continue to fulfill its mandate.”
Monday June 09, 2014
Kaieteur News
PROPERTY FOR SALE For Sale by Owner: Twostorey property at 91 Third Street, East Meter-MeerZorg – Contact Mr. Basant: 277-3743/ Cell: 626-0150 FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool tables - Call: 277-0578
Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, Silverballi, Greenheart, Purpleheart etc – Call: 688-6579 One Taxi Base with antenna and radios- Call:619-2800 Dell computers with 17" Leds -$59,000, laptops from -$64,000, Blackberry 8310 $9,000 @Futuretech – Call: 231-2206; 644-6760 Prestige Car Alarm remote start - $24,000, USB Pioneer car deck – $22,000 – Tel: 6616793 1 Frigidaire 15 cu ft Gallery Freezer and 1 Ultra Chef 13 cu ft Display Cooler, (both like new) Call 622-2899. 1 Titan fully loaded 4 Wheel Drive, $2.6M Negotiable – Tel:699-2322 or 678-2814. Must go urgently! Executive houses located @ Ogle, Foulis E.C.D, Diamond, Parfaite Harmony etc – Contact: 223-8479/ 6473768, www.spaceseek.gy Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available - Call: 6722566, 265-3231 One house lot, in Butcher Shop Street, Parika. Contact # 650-0402 Three lots at Blankenburg behind the gas station Contact # 650-0402 House lots in Schoonord Contact # 650-0402 PSP games for sale - $800. New blackberry 9370 $34,000 Contact: 675-2239 5000 gas fuel tank - Call: 6013194 Used pedicure chair, hair dryer and salon chair – Tel: 668-9583, 698-5272
FOR SALE Ford F150 in excellent condition – Tel: 676-0706 or 660-8260 Pure Rottweiler pups, parents are imported pedigree dogs - Call: 2642870 or 672-6402 after 6pm 665-9140 or 639-1431 Tibetan Terrier Puppies for sale – Telephone: 226-4166, Cell: 641-8571
48 Feet boat for sale – 9000lb seine - can be sold separately Call: 609-0783, 683-3379 Price negotiable One fridge, one radio set with power supply – Tel: 673-5882
Sandy Babb Street Kitty – 2 Storey business property for sale, no repairs needed. Price: 75M – Call: 692-4223 for more information 1– 2 storey wooden & concrete house with 5 bedrooms, upper flat & lower flat 4 apartments located@ Shell Road, kitty - $38.9M – Tel:642-7898 Three bedroom flat house @ Belle West Canal #2 – Call: 601-1912. Prime location at Ogle - Twostorey house (need work), spacious land – Tel: 691-7049 Property at 139 Lindley Ave. Nandy Park, E.B.D, Size 55X35Ft. - $80M negotiable – Contact: 646-0336; 231-5876
Established business place, 3 storey building @ Lot 220 South Road – Contact: 2271042, 601-3399, 676-5450 2 Months old Rottweiler pups & 7 months old female German shepherd – Tel:6834832, 263-5755 1 RZ Toyota Minibus, PKK series, price: $1.2M neg. 1 Datson 4x4 pickup GEE, price: $650,000 - Tel:641-0804; 2162723 Salon furniture, hydraulic chairs, mirrors, sink and stations – Call: 223-1719, 6000036, 676-8208 Imported pups for sale: Husky, Malamute, German shepherd, golden retriever, Rottweiler – Call: 615-5343 or 680-6426 Large cooler (6ftX4ft) in perfect condition - $275,000 negotiable – Tel: 223-9719/ 227-1028 Toyota 4-Runner, great condition - $1.7M negotiable - Tel: 223-9719, 227-1028 Household items: stoves, beds, couch, sewing machine, etc – Tel: 223-9719, 227-1028
Spares for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Canadian rebuilt Perkins Duetz engine, Lincoln generator welder, Model M with winch, 320 excavator – Call: 691-2921
Apartment building for sale at William Street, Kitty - Call: Shalini on 674-9266 or 6869248
EDUCATIONAL IAE - Camp Street - Registration has commenced Forms 1-5 (full-time school); day & evening, adult CXC classes Call: 683-5742, 223-0604
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VACANCY
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Drivers, visiting & security officers. Apply within NM Security Solutions Inc, Lot “O” Ruimveldt Georgetown Tel: 225-5773/76
Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
2006 Blue Nissan Titan. Fully Loaded GSS Series. Contact: 604-6108.
Earn a certificate in cosmetology, wig designs or nails alone, limited spaces Call Abby: 619-7603, 666-5241
2009 Red Nissan Titan. Flex Fuel GRR Series. Contact: 604-6108.
24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 670-8893/684-2838 Office clerk senior/junior, CXC English, Mathematics & computer knowledge an asset- Call: 225-0188/225-6070 Salesperson to write bills & cashiers (experienced) to work in cosmetics/general store on the East Coast, age 25 plus – Tel: 629-8469 Straight Stitch Machine operator to work at Garment Factory between 8am to 4pm Tel: 222-2541 Exists for one motor grader operator and one Bob-Cat operator- Call:652-2777 Counter Girls & cleaners with experienced. Apply @ Hot & Spicy 112 Third & Albert St. Alberttown, G/Town. Accounts Clerk, must have pass in English & Maths. Apply within Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Driver/Porter must have lorry license. Office clerk, minimum 3 CXC (maths included)- Telles Steel & Hardware- Call:2313265/226-6771 Live – In housekeeper to take care of infant, long term - 3045yrs – Tel: 697-8797
Summer Computer Classes: coming to Leguan. Call for bookings at MicroGraphics Technology – Tel: 264-3057 Now enrolling for a Diploma in computers (9 courses) special discount for 2014 CXC students at MicroGraphics, Vreed-EnHoop –Tel: 264-3057 Now enrolling for summer computer classes – Ages: 514yrs, certificate course at MicroGraphics Technology, Vreed-En- Hoop –Tel: 2643057
CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental - Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693 dollys autorental@yahoo.com/ www.dolly sautorental.com ProgressiveAuto Rental: Cars & SUV for rental- $4,000 & up per day- Call: 643-5122, 628-2284 ,Email:pro_ autorental @yahoo.com Fab’s Car Rental- Call:6716051 Aidan’s Car Rental, Canter & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Wings Car Rental- Call: 6906494/ BBM pin: 24E17558
LAND FOR SALE Farm: East Bank Demerara , New Scheme: land (58X110) (front corner lot) - Tel: 603-9700 Concrete fenced, house lot @ Ann’s Grove Village, E.C.D 140ftX50ft – Price: $4.5M. Tel: 641-4677
TO LET Three bedrooms apartment situated @ Ketley St, Charlestown, G/Town, Preferably a family of 3. No parking space! $45,000.00 monthly – Call: 226-4120 Three bedroom apartment @ ‘B’ Sophia - $50,000 – Call: 223-1719, 600-0036, 658-0494 One top flat 3 bedrooms apartment- Call:687-0835/ 6818058
VEHICLE FOR SALE
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 Permanent & Visitors Vi s a Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 2256496, 662-6045 Ultimate Designs: Special on Vinyl Banners from $600 per SQ foot, etc – Tel:645-3293, 225-2380 DaSilva’s Welding & Fabricating specializes in: Grills, Gates, Pontoon, Lavador etc. Best prince in townCall:647-6880/ 219-1680 Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032,6472943 House plan drafting from$10,000 electrical works and estimates services available. Tel: 667-2189,646-6572, 6298750 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312, 627-3206 (Nick) For low cost: Repairs to fridge, freezer, A/C unit, microwaves, TV & washing machine – Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $10,000- CALL: 6949843/227-2766
1 AE 110 Sprinter, PHH Series, 1 Million (S1M) neg. Contact: 638-1666, 650-6339 1 F150 lighting (Black in colour) Call: 642-2135 DRESS-MAKING Jean offers courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration at 153 Barr Street, Kitty - Tel:670-2653, 618-1706
MASSSAGE Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heaven in its many forms by our masseuses: Abby, Lisa & others –Contact: 697-2011
Unregistered Toyota Noah with TV, 15" Rim, camera – Tel:663-2700, 629-2619 Honda CRV, Toyota AT192, AT212, Raum, L-Touring Wagon, AE100 Corolla, EP82 Starlet, Fun Cargo, IST – Tel: 644-5096, 697-1453 First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Spacio, IST, 212, Fielder, Raum, Allex, Runx, Bluebird, Axela - Tel:6098188, 638-3045 One Toyota Land cruiser Prado, PMM Series Call: 225-0188, 223-7500, Mon-Fri 8:15-4:15pm, Sat - 8:15-1:15PM Toyota Avensis 2003, PRR series 18" Rims, leather interior, HID, A/C, Alarm, TV, $3.250M, immaculate condition! Tel: 609-7257, 602-5974 2006 – PREMIO - $2.3M, 2008 – BLUEBIRD - $3M, 2005 – SPACIO - $2.1M. ALL VEHICLES ARE FULLY LOADED & UNREGISTERED – CALL: 642-7295 2 Silver Spacio – registered and unregistered, dark interior, new model with TV – Tel: 697-0294 Unregistered 2006 Premio TV/DVD -$2.8M neg. Mirror covers available – Tel: 6772482; 616-4661 2002 unregistered Toyota Regius 8 seats, fully loaded Tv/Navi/AC/PW/PS, alloy wheels - $1.8M - Tel: 624-5617 One black Nissan Bluebird; latest model – Call: 687-1392 Toyota Rav4 in great condition, woman driven $2,750,000 negotiable – Call: 609-8425 Toyota Raum, Silver, year 2002, PMM series with alarm. Call: 621-5244 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered 212, Allex, old & new model Spacio, 05 & 03 Allion, Voxy- Call:6523820/ 665-4529 One Hilux Surf, fully loaded, music set, mag rims, PLL series- Call:678-2298/6186659 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 15 Seater Diesel Turbo minibus late ‘NN’ Series, never used for passengers - $1.6M negotiable – Tel: 617-3124 (Continued on page 18)
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Kaieteur News
Government says no to devaluation of local currency BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – The Barbados government has rejected suggestions that it devalue the local currency saying it “will do what needs to be done to protect the Barbados dollar”. The Barbados dollar is trading at US $0.50 cents. Finance Minister Chris Sinckler in a statement said that devaluation is not even being considered by the Freundel Stuart administration as it grappled with efforts to turn around an ailing economy. Earlier this week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the local economy continues to “face major challenges, including low growth, a very large fiscal deficit and a high debt burden”. An IMF mission, which ended a weeklong visit to the island, said that real gross domestic growth (GDP) is expected to decline by 0.6 per cent this year, as slightly stronger tourism activity is offset by the impact of the government’s deficit reduction. The US-based rating
Chris Sinckler agency, Moody’s Investment Services downgraded the island’s international ratings. But Sinckler said the government is committed to the fixed exchange regime and will do what needs to be done to protect the Barbados dollar. “Neither the Government nor people of Barbados want a devaluation of the Barbados dollar, and as the Government, we are determined to do what is required to maintain the fixed exchange rate and honour our financial commitments”, he said.
“The Government is committed to the programme of fiscal consolidation, and we are seeing major signs of renewed economic growth in Barbados. As a Government and a people, we will stand shoulder to shoulder and overcome the challenges we currently face.” Sinckler said there were a number of projects that could come on stream by year end pumping an estimated US $900 million into the economy. “In the last six months, the Government has entered into an agreement with a foreign firm for the construction of a US $240 million Waste To Energy Plant (all private equity); Sandals Corporation is expending $130 million on expanding one of its properties in Barbados, while agreeing with Government to purchase a second property at the old Almond Hotel site and spend over US $250 million of its own money to rebuild a new 500 room hotel there. With this development, Government will now no longer have to take on debt to finance this operation.
Grenadian nurses for Trinidad & Tobago St. GEORGE’S, Grenada CMC – The Grenada government says it has been able to secure employment for 35 registered nurses in Trinidad & Tobago after “weeks of discussions and negotiations” with the Kamla Persad Bissessar administration. A statement issued by the Ministry of Health said that all travel arrangements for the nurses had been completed and that they will leave today
for Port of Spain. “On arrival in Trinidad, the Grenadian healthcare practitioners will be kept at a hotel for two weeks during which they will be presented to the Nursing Council of Trinidad & Tobago.” During the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Inter-sessional Summit in St. Vincent in March, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar offered regional countries an
opportunity to have nurses employed in her country. St Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony said the offer underscored the importance of the regional integration movement. But the St Lucia Nurses Association (SLNA) alled on the government to ensure that problems confronting the profession are adequately dealt with before seeking to satisfy the employment needs of member CARICOM states.
Monday June 09, 2014
Two PSs take off without approval Trinidad Guardian - Two permanent secretaries have gone Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). The Sunday Guardian has learned that Sport PS Ashwin Creed and Tourism PS Juliana JohanBoodram have both left their ministries without following proper communication protocol and, as such, no one has been put in place to act on their behalf. The lack of communication means that there are no accounting officers on the job, leaving the ministries rudderless. It also means that no payments can be authorised or approved. The Sunday Guardian was informed that both Creed and Johan-Boodram could face disciplinary action from the Public Service Commission (PSC) for leaving the country without proper authorisation. Creed has been absent from his job for almost a month. He was expected back on the job on May 26, as his authorised leave ended on May 23. Johan-Boodram, meanwhile, left the country to go to Argentina to watch the football match between T&T and Argentina. Up until the time the photographs of her surfaced on June 5, head of the Public Service/PS to the Prime Minister Reynold Cooper was unaware she was away from the job. Cooper was also in the dark as to whether Creed was back on the job or not. The Sunday Guardian checked with staff at the Ministry of Sport and was informed that Creed had not been back at his office for some time, and they were unsure when he would be returning. “He is on vacation until next week, we think,” said the person who answered the office line on Friday. An automated voice recording at Creed’s office at the ministry stated his mailbox was full.
Reynold Cooper, left, head of Public Service/ PS to the Prime Minister Finance Minister Larry Howai, in an e-mail exchange, said no one was appointed to act as accounting officer at either of the ministries. “We have not made those appointments to which you refer as we have not yet received the approval of the PSC,” he said. “That means that the relevant ministry didn’t make a request of the PS to the PM (Cooper),” he said. Howai explained that the process is that the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister (Cooper) assigns the officer and then the Minister of Finance and the Economy (MoFE) makes the appointment on the basis of that assignment. “The MoFE cannot appoint someone without that input from the PS to the PM. The appointment, however, only takes place after receiving the authorisation of the Public Service Commission (PSC) who acts on the recommendations of the Director of Public Administration (DPA),” he said. While Johan-Boodram’s absence was explained by the Argentinian football friendly, there has been no reason forthcoming for Creed’s prolonged absence. It was initially reported that Cooper
said Creed sought emergency leave from April 14 to 22, was in China from April 28 to 30 on official business, and then took ordinary vacation leave from May 15 to 23. Creed has been out of the country for the past 16 days—without applying for further leave—even though he is currently embroiled in an audit by the Finance Ministry’s Central Audit Unit into the multimillion-dollar spending of the Life Sport programme. He reportedly received death threats in connection with the programme. Cooper: No PS must go on leave without authorisation Cooper, in a telephone interview Friday, said as far as he was aware, JohanBoodram was supposed to be in the country as no application for leave, vacation or time away came before him or Cabinet. He said he was aware that her line minister, Gerald Hadeed, had sought and gained Cabinet approval to attend the game in Argentina, but said JohanBoodram did not have that approval. Hadeed, however, did not go to Argentina. When pictures of JohanBoodram at Wednesday’s football game between T&T and Argentina showed her happily celebrating from the stands, this left Cooper stunned. “No PS must go on vacation without authorisation, because it is only with authorisation that we can appoint someone to act in their absence,” Cooper said.
Say no to corruption it, it hurts us all.
Monday June 09, 2014
Kaieteur News
Venezuela rally supports jailed opposition leader CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Thousands of Venezuelans who oppose their country’s socialist-led government rallied peacefully in the capital yesterday to protest the continued detention of an opposition leader and to call for an early presidential election. Anti-government activists massed to voice support for hard-line opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has been held in a military prison since being arrested in February on charges of fomenting violence as a result of the initial protests. A judge ordered last week that Lopez proceed to trial. Those at yesterday’s protest also renewed their call for President Nicolas Maduro
Leopoldo Lopez to leave office and for Venezuela to hold a new presidential election. Venezuela’s constitution allows for an early presidential election if the president should resign. It also allows such a ballot if a leader is ruled physically or mentally
incapacitated by the Supreme Court or dies in office, as happened last year with Hugo Chavez, who had anointed Maduro as his choice to take over the presidency. During the rally in east Caracas, leaders of the student movement that has spearheaded the antigovernment demonstrations this year called for a new protest on June 24. The anti-Maduro movement has lost steam in recent weeks, but demonstrations still crop up across Venezuela. The protests, which have seen 42 deaths and 873 injuries, are fed by anger over Venezuela’s 59 percent inflation rate, shortages of basic goods and a high crime rate.
New data sharing project to support business innovation, transparency in the Caribbean – IMF WASHINGTON - CMC The World Bank says St. Lucia is the first country in the Caribbean making government data easily and freely accessible online. The Washington-based financial institution said St. Lucia has joined a new open data initiative, which will provide technical assistance and build capacity for countries to open priority data sets, including budget data. “Statistics tell the story of people and can play an important role in making policies more effective and accountable, boosting citizen’s engagement, and even generating innovation and local entrepreneurship in the region,” said Sophie Sirtaine, World Bank country director for the Caribbean. Sirtaine said the number of countries with open data programmes has grown rapidly over the last few years. She said more than 40 countries have now open government data sites in the world. However, she added that only one Caribbean nation scores above 35 per cent in the International Budget Partnership Open Budget Index, which monitors budget transparency across the world, and few Caribbean nations currently publish budget data on their websites. “We are glad to support Caribbean countries in this important area of open data and open budget data, and look forward to fruitful results in two years of important data
sets that have been made available online,” said Hugh Walker, head of United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), Caribbean. The World Bank said this new regional initiative is supported by a grant from the DFID, the World Bank and its Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building. The project will also partner with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and other regional organizations working in the Open Data area, the bank said. It said St. Lucia is starting this week an Open Data Readiness Assessment (ODRA). The bank said a pilot assessment in Antigua and Barbuda was completed in July 2013 and discussions are ongoing with several countries in the region to rollout the initiative. “This project is starting to sow the seeds to allow us to make information available,” said Dr. James Fletcher, St. Lucia’s Minister of Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology. “It is about making data available to the general public so that they can come up with their own conclusions on whether Government agencies are performing in a way we should be performing,” he added. Open government data refers to opening nonsensitive statistics held by governments and making them freely available for reuse by the public.
Sophie Sirtaine Open data has also proven to be extremely valuable for private companies in other countries where weather, traffic and real estate data have generated sizeable businesses and services, the World Bank said. It said research shows that agriculture in the U.S. benefited from US$19 billion a year from open geospatial and GPS data. “Opening data on government budgets and spending through ‘open budgeting’ is improving efficiency and increasing citizen participation and accountability,” said the World Bank, adding that the UK estimated a potential overall economic benefit of £6.8 billion (One British pound =US$1.68 cents) a year from open data.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
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Mexican president hints may be open to change in marijuana laws (Reuters) - Mexico and the United States cannot pursue diverging policies on marijuana legalization, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto was quoted as saying yesterday, hinting he may be open to following the lead taken by some U.S. states in changing drug laws. Political pressure has grown in Mexico to take a more liberal stance on marijuana since Washington and Colorado decided to legalize possession and sale of the drug for recreational use in 2012. Other U.S. states plan votes soon. Marijuana, along with contraband like cocaine and crystal meth, has been a major source of income for violent drug cartels responsible for thousands of deaths in Mexico in recent years. Proponents of reform say legalizing marijuana would both reduce the gangs’ economic power and help generate more tax revenue. Pena Nieto says he is in favour of debating the issue despite personal misgivings about legalizing cannabis, and lawmakers say Mexico cannot be out of step for ever with the United States, the principal buyer of illicit drugs that cross the border. In an interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais,
Pena Nieto said legalization of marijuana was a “growing phenomenon” and that the policies followed in the last 30 to 40 years had only led to more consumption and more production of drugs. “Therefore it’s a failed policy,” he told the newspaper. “It needs to be reviewed. I repeat, I’m not in favour of legalization, this is a personal conviction. But we can’t continue on this road of inconsistency between the legalization we’ve had in some places, particularly in the most important consumer market, the United States, and in Mexico where we continue to criminalize production of marijuana,” he added. His comments offered encouragement to supporters of change in Mexico, where polls have for years shown a majority of the population opposes outright legalization of marijuana. Still, an April survey published by the public opinion unit of the lower house of Congress showed 73 percent of Mexicans backed legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. In February, Mexico’s leftist opposition Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) presented an initiative to legalize medical use of
Enrique Pena Nieto marijuana and Fernando Belaunzaran, a PRD congressman pushing the plan, welcomed Pena Nieto’s remarks. Belaunzaran told Reuters the trend of liberalizing marijuana laws in the United States looked irreversible, and said he expected California to back legalizing the drug in 2016. “Once California has permitted recreational marijuana, maintaining the ban in Mexico won’t be sustainable,” he said. In 2009, Mexico made it legal to carry up to 5 grams (0.18 ounce) of marijuana, 500 milligrams (0.018 ounces) of cocaine and tiny amounts of heroin and methamphetamines. However, advocates of reform say more must be done to cut crime.
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Kaieteur News
Monday June 09, 2014
SHARE BLAME...First Citizens board probe recommends disciplinary action against CEO, deputy, over IPO scandal Trinidad Express - An internal investigation by the remaining board members of State bank First Citizens has recommended that disciplinary action be taken against three bank officers following the Hassan Philip Rahaman Initial Public Offering (IPO) scandal. The bank officers are Group chief executive Larry Nath, deputy chief executive and corporate secretary Sharon Christopher and Head of Legal Department, Lindi Ballah-Tull. During the bank’s IPO, Rahaman, the bank’s former chief risk officer, bought 659,588 shares from the employee bucket and sold 634,588 of those shares four months later to his cousin Imtiaz Rahaman, his aunt and five Rahaman-controlled businesses. The share purchase raised questions about ethics while the financing of the transaction is under investigation. The bank had already conducted a preliminary
audit on the IPO share allocation in which Rahaman and Nath’s shares were examined. Nath is now the largest shareholder of employee stock. He owns 215,000 shares. Nath applied for the shares during the period August 8, just before the IPO was closed. However, the board did another investigation into management’s responsibility during the IPO where the role of the three bank officers came under scrutiny. The findings were shared with the three officers at a special board meeting after which a report was finalised by acting chairman Anil Seeteeram to be submitted to the Ministry of Finance. That investigation concluded that Nath knew about Rahaman’s purchase after the IPO was closed last August as he was alerted by Jason Julien, head of First Citizens Investment Services, a subsidiary of the bank. The board was not
informed of Rahaman’s purchase. Christopher did not inform the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE) on why Rahaman’s trades were not reported according to Rule 604. Christopher, in a letter to the TTSE on February 20, had said the error was one of “inadvertence”. However, the Sunday Express understands that the bank’s officers have threatened legal action over the contents of the report and have sought legal advice on the matter. The directors who finalised the report are the remaining members of the board previously led by attorney Nyree Alfonso who were not voted out during the annual general meeting on May 12. They include Ved Seereeram, Anthony Mohammed, John Tang, Nian Vishnu, DK Musai and Ramish Ramanand. Contacted on the matter
last week, Howai said he had not yet had sight of the report but “matters involving disciplinary action against management would be the remit of the Board. The line Ministry would not normally be involved in a disciplinary measure involving employees.” On June 17, First Citizens is expected to hold an extraordinary general meeting to elect a new board. Howai has nominated former attorney general Anthony Smart to be the new chairman of First Citizens. Smart will replace Alfonso,
who retired from the board at the bank’s annual general meeting on May 12. Smart, Jean-Pierre du Coudray, Joel Pemberton, Michelle Durham-Kissoon, Courtenay Williams and Hazar Hosein are nominees to the board to replace the four directors who exited the company at the last AGM in Port of Spain. Two other directors are expected to join the board, one member from the Chamber of Commerce and another from the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA).
The IPO scandal has had several casualties: Rahaman; Subhas Ramkhelawan, the managing director of Bourse Securities, who resigned as an independent senator and former chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange; and the four First Citizens directors. It is still the subject of two investigations—one by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Central Bank. An audit done by PricewaterhouseCoopers has been handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.
Trinidad government denies there is a “foreign exchange crisis” P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – Finance Minister Larry Howai has reiterated that there is no foreign exchange shortage in Trinidad and Tobago even as opposition legislators accuse the government of failing “to deal effectively with the current foreign exchange crisis”. Howai, a former banker, told the Parliament late Friday that there is “no foreign exchange crisis. “Let me repeat that, there is no foreign exchange crisis and I’m not just talking about US dollars … I’m talking about Euro, Yen, Sterling, whatever currency you are looking to acquire. There is no foreign exchange crisis. “There are some issues around the timing of getting funds which is something that has been ongoing over the past 20 years. It is not something that is new that didn’t exist that suddenly is appearing on the horizon,” Howai told legislators. The opposition had filed a motion on the “government’s failure to deal effectively with the current foreign exchange crisis” and former minister Colm Imbert called for an explanation as to why persons were unable to acquire United States dollars at commercial banks despite ongoing injections by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. “I am speaking the truth and going to take full responsibility for that. The Governor of the Central Bank has introduced a system where 90 per cent of the available foreign exchange is auctioned to 12 foreign exchange dealers including foreign exchange dealers who have a very small customer base … giving large sums of
foreign exchange to financial institutions that don’t need it,” said Imbert, referring to the Governor, Jwala Rambarran, as an on-the-job trainee with no experience managing a large organisation. In an interview published in the Sunday Guardian newspaper, Rambarran defended the new policy saying “the foreign exchange auction system for US dollars has not been changed. It operates under the same mechanism since its inception in May 2012, prior to my appointment in July 2012. Improvements were made to the Central Bank’s foreign exchange allocation system, not the auction system. “The improvements were introduced to realign the Central Bank’s foreign exchange allocation system to match expanding imbalances in the domestic foreign exchange market. In 1993 when the market was liberalised, the shortfall stood at US$44 million. By 2003 this shortfall had widened to US$600 million.” He said 10 years later, the gap had further widened to US$1,200 million in 2013. “Given the economic recovery underway and the anticipated acceleration of economic growth in the next few years, we expect the imbalance in the foreign exchange market to further increase,” he said, adding that based on these trends, the Central Bank made changes to its foreign exchange allocation system. “Only eight of the 12 licenced authorised dealers were part of the 20-year old system that was being used when I came into office. Now, based on the improvements implemented, all 12
Larry Howai authorised dealers are included and can access the allocation system. “Two of the newly included authorised dealers form part of the country’s two largest conglomerates. This means the combined foreign exchange demand of these two conglomerates can now be met by the authorised dealers within their group” he added. Rambarran insisted that the improvements made to the 20-year old foreign exchange allocation system have not failed, noting “if these improvements were not made there would have been insufficient supplies to meet growing demands in the US dollar market. This is presently not the case. “The US dollar market is currently in excess supply and can meet demand. The factors contributing to rising demand for foreign exchange will only continue to increase exponentially. Pair this with a 20-year old system and what do you think would have been the natural outcome? “In addition, the Central Bank’s recent interventions have targeted meeting immediate trade-related demand, which benefits the business community.”
Monday June 09, 2014
Kaieteur News
Bandit shoots accomplice during Corentyne robbery An attack on a Number Eleven Village, Corentyne family went badly wrong for a gang of bandits last night, after one robber accidentally shot another, while attempting to kill a housewife whose home they had invaded around 19.00 hrs. The hapless bandit was shot after one of the gang was ordered to shoot housewife Premwattie Doodnauth. The four-man gang was forced to leave without their wounded partner and most of the loot after residents responded to Mrs. Doodnauth’s screams. Kaieteur News understands that police collected the injured man and took him to the New Amsterdam Hospital. The suspect, who is known to some residents of the area, is believed to have been shot in the shoulder and is presently under guard. Mrs. Doodnauth’s wheelchair-bound husband, Rohan Doodnauth, operates a machine shop where he fabricates farm implements and the gang struck shortly after the family had closed business for the day. Mrs. Doodnauth told Kaieteur News that she had just entered her house and was about to give her brother-in-law some money when she felt someone grab her hair and press a small handgun to her head. She then realised that she was being held by a masked man, who was clad in black. By then, two other men, also masked and clad in dark clothing, also entered the house. One of the men had a ‘long gun’ and he positioned himself near the back door. Meanwhile, a fourth man had cornered
one of the Doodnauth’s employees near the storeroom and ordered him to lie on the ground. Taking her to the living room and warning her that he would shoot, the bandit who had grabbed Mrs. Doodnauth then ordered her to hand over all of her valuables. The woman said that she gave the robber some money, but the men demanded more and she then took off her wedding band and a bangle. After she had handed over the valuables, the bandit who had grabbed Mrs. Doodnauth ordered his accomplice who had the ‘long gun’ to shoot the housewife. But the gunman’s shot went wild and instead struck the bandit who was holding the loot. “The man fall, and the one who hold me tell he ‘get up and collect the money,’ but then he (the one holding Mrs. Doodnauth) turn he (the wounded man) over and see the blood,” Mrs. Doodnauth said. Forgetting about their victims, the bandits then dragged their wounded accomplice out of the house. By then, neighbours had responded to Mrs. Doodnauth’s screams, and the robbers fled the scene, leaving the injured robber in the family’s backyard. They also left all the cash behind. Kaieteur News was told that police ranks arrived some 10 minutes later and took the suspect to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Mrs. Doodnauth revealed that armed men invaded their home in 2004. She had survived by pleading for her life and handing over all of the family’s valuables.
Ramotar must act immediately on Constitutional mandates - GTUC “The Opposition’s demands to ensure the establishment of constitutionally mandated bodies and assent to Bills constitutionally required as conditions for passage of the Anti-money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill are not horse trading as the President is wont to articulate.” This is the position of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which yesterday called on President Donald Ramotar to avoid temptations to invoke reasons for not executing his constitutional responsibilities. According to the GTUC, the President has a responsibility to respect and implement every element of the Guyana Constitution. GTUC maintains that the Opposition to date has made no demands of the President that can be considered unofficial or requiring of him to surrender anything within his constitutional scope and responsibilities. “The Opposition’s positions are grounded in what are mandated in the Constitution and passed in the National Assembly by the required simple majority, and in one case unanimously supported even though the Constitution made no such demand.” GTUC suggests that political threats of early National and Regional Elections, even as excuses are being made not to hold the long overdue Local Government Elections, are not ways to resolve or address this
country’s AML/CFT responsibility. “Elections, be they National, Regional or Local, ought not to be used as swords over the nation’s head to avoid carrying out responsibilities within the remit of elected leaders.” According to GTUC, the abuse of the people’s entrusted goodwill ought to cease, and the time may be now to legislate stipulated dates/day in the calendar for the holding of the elections. “It will also give GECOM a fixed timetable to work with and avoid this institution too being held hostage to a political mindset that refuses to accept a modern political landscape.” The GTUC urged President Ramotar to remember he shoulders the burden of responsibility to
ensure and protect this nation’s integrity and reputation. “The AML/CFT Bill has to be passed, assented and implemented before Guyana can be removed from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s (CFATF) Watch list/Blacklist.” According to GTUC, “This nation’s interest would be best served if its Chief Public Servant remains mindful of his responsibility to the Oath of Office to bear true faith and allegiance to the People of Guyana and to faithfully execute the office of president without fear or favour, affection or ill will and that in the execution of the functions of that office he will honour, uphold and preserve the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”
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Monday June 09, 2014
POPE SAYS ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS MUST SEEK PEACE ‘UNDAUNTED IN DIALOGUE’ VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis told Israeli and Palestinian leaders they “must respond” to their people’s yearning for peace “undaunted in dialogue” during an unprecedented prayer meeting among Jews, Christians and Muslims at the Vatican yesterday. The pope made his vibrant appeal to Israeli President Shimon Peres and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas at the end of a two-hour evening service in the Vatican gardens, an encounter he hopes will relaunch the Middle East peace process. “Peacemaking calls for courage, much more so than warfare. It calls for the courage to say yes to encounter and no to conflict; yes to dialogue and no to violence; yes to negotiations and no to hostilities,” he said. The pope spoke after Jewish rabbis, Christian cardinals and Muslim Imams read and chanted
from the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Koran in Italian, English, Hebrew and Arabic in the first such inter-religious event in the Vatican. At times the chanting made it seem that participants were in a synagogue or outside a mosque in the Middle East rather than a primly manicured triangular lawn, a spot the Vatican chose as a “neutral” site with no religious symbols. In his strong speech in Italian, Francis called for respect for agreements and rejection of acts of provocation. “All of this takes courage, it takes strength and tenacity,” he said. Francis, who made the surprise invitation to the two leaders during his trip to the Holy Land last month, said that the search for peace was “an act of supreme responsibility before our consciences and before our peoples”
and noted that millions around the world of all faiths were praying with them for peace. “ We h a v e h e a r d a summons and we must respond. It is the summons to break the spiral of hatred and violence, and to break it by one word alone: the word ‘brother’,” the pope said as Peres and Abbas listened intently and read the live translations. He said the children who have been the innocent victims of wars and conflicts made the search for peace an imperative. “The memory of these children instils in us the courage of peace, the strength to persevere undaunted in dialogue,” Francis said. It was the first public meeting between the two presidents in more than a year and took place more than a month after United States-led peace talks collapsed amid bitter mutual recrimination.
From left: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual head of the Orthodox Christians, arrive in the Vatican Gardens to pray together at the Vatican yesterday. REUTERS/Max Rossi
China Minister to meet India’s Modi in reset of tense ties New Delhi (AFP) - China’s foreign minister is expected to meet newly elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today as the nucleararmed rival giants attempt to reset decades of tense relations. Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to call on Modi as part of a two-day visit to New Delhi to build relations with the new right-wing government that swept to power last month on a pledge to revive the economy. Wang held talks with his Indian counterpart yesterday in the first high-level meeting between the two countries since Modi took office. India described those talks as a “productive and substantive” step towards stronger relations between the neighbours whose ties have long been frosty over a border dispute in the Himalayas. “In our view, this is a productive beginning between the new government of India and the Chinese government,” foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said yesterday. Wang, for this part, told an Indian newspaper that China wanted to “cement our existing friendship and explore further cooperation”. Modi, who has a reputation as a hardline nationalist, invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit India later this year, extending an olive branch to one of New Delhi’s traditional rivals. Modi faces a tough task of dealing with an
Wang Yi
Narendra Modi
increasingly assertive and well-armed China, which is looking to play a larger role in South Asia, while still trying to strengthen economic ties with Beijing. China is India’s biggest trading partner with two-way commerce totalling close to $70 billion. But India’s trade deficit with China has soared to more than $40 billion from just $1 billion in 2001-02, Indian figures show. Relations are also still dogged by mutual suspicion — a legacy of a brief, bloody border war in 1962 over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh that is nestled in the eastern stretch of the Himalayas that China claims as its own. In February, Modi had warned China to shed its “expansionist mindset” at an election rally in Arunachal Pradesh. China hit back, saying it
had “never waged a war of aggression to occupy any inch of land of other countries”. The neighbours have held a series of talks to try to resolve their border dispute but the frontier still bristles with tension. Ahead of the talks, Wang sought to play down tensions over their border, saying with “strong will and resolve, we will eventually find a solution”. “No country can choose its neighbour, but friendship may be fostered,” he told the Hindu newspaper in an interview published yesterday. China has been embroiled in a series of territorial and other disputes with its neighbours over the years. Beijing is also involved in multiple other disputes in the South China Sea, and has a bitter row with Japan over islands in the East China Sea.
Monday June 09, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Former UN envoy warns Syria becoming ‘another Somalia’ Berlin (AFP) - Former UN envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has warned that the war-torn country was heading toward becoming “another Somalia” ruled by warlords, in an interview published in a German weekly last weekend. He also said that the entire region may “blow up” if a political solution is not found. Brahimi, the former special representative on Syria for the United Nations and the Arab League, resigned in frustration last month after making little progress towards ending the brutal civil war, now in its fourth year. When asked what he predicted would ultimately become of Syria, the veteran
Algerian diplomat told der Spiegel: “It will become another Somalia. It will not be divided, as many have predicted. It’s going to be a failed state, with warlords all over the place.” Brahimi also painted a grim picture for the countries neighbouring Syria. “Unless there is a real, sustained effort to work out a political solution, there is a serious risk that the entire region will blow up. The conflict is not going to stay inside Syria,” he said. Brahimi, who previously served as a UN special representative for Iraq, Afghanistan and South Africa, oversaw two rounds of peace talks between
President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the fractured political opposition-in-exile. But during two years in the post, he was unable to stop the bloodshed in a conflict that has killed more than 162,000 people and created millions of refugees. He also warned of the danger posed by the rise of extremist Islamist groups in Syria, and the threat they posed to the West. He said the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) — a rebel group known for its ruthless tactics and suicide bombers — “is active in both Syria and Iraq already, and Jordan is really struggling to continue resisting. Even Turkey.
Ukraine’s Poroshenko plans new team to take on Putin, build ties with West KIEV (Reuters) Ukraine’s newly-installed President Petro Poroshenko is set to remake a governing team which will handle the crisis with Russia, with talks on gas prices today providing an early test of his new relationship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Poroshenko’s swearing-in as president at a pomp-filled, but relaxed, ceremony Saturday conveyed the feeling that a line had been drawn under six months of unprecedented and bloody upheaval which toppled his predecessor, Viktor Yanukovich. But behind the euphoria that Ukraine might now, at last, start to “Live in a new way”, as Poroshenko’s campaign slogan has promised, lies the reality of seething separatism in the east in which Ukraine sees Moscow’s hand, and Russia’s opposition to his plans to lead Ukraine into mainstream Europe. Poroshenko’s blunt refusal to accept the loss of Crimea in a combative inaugural speech puts him further at odds with Putin. An indication of whether Putin is ready to give the 48year-old businessmanpolitician some early breaks or test him in his first days in office may come in trilateral talks in Brussels today aimed at solving a dispute over the price of Russian gas. Russia has threatened to cut off supplies to its neighbor, a major gas transit route to the European Union, if it fails to pay its debts to Gazprom by tomorrow. In early steps to install key allies, Poroshenko is expected in the coming days to name new foreign and defense
Ukraine’s new president Petro Poroshenko (L) shakes hands with Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper during their meeting in Kiev Saturday. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko ministers. The rebellions, in which pro-Russian separatists have declared “people’s republics”, have claimed scores of lives in clashes between government forces and armed militias. Militia leaders declared on Saturday they would not give up their fight. These are not the only challenges facing Poroshenko. He inherits a country on the verge of bankruptcy which is rated by monitoring agencies as one of Europe’s most corrupt and ill-governed. Poroshenko, a billionaire from a confectionery business with big experience in government, says he is pen-poised to sign an association and trade agreement this month with the EU. His pledge to stick to
West-leaning policies was quickly rewarded in the shape of aid worth $48 million from Washington to go towards economic reform. The EU agreement - which Yanukovich spurned, sparking street protests that finally drove him from office will take Ukraine into a freetrade zone with the European Union, thwarting Putin’s ambition of keeping Kiev in his sphere of influence. In his inaugural speech, Poroshenko vowed he would never accept the loss of Crimea which Russia annexed in March following the fall of the Moscow-backed Yanukovich. He declared: “Crimea was, is and will be Ukrainian soil”. But the reality on the ground is that there are few, if any, forces that can persuade Russia to hand the territory back.
According to a senior Iraqi official, ISIS has carried out 100 operations in Syria and 1,000 operations in Iraq in just three months.” He added that there were 500 or 600 French nationals, and roughly the same number of Britons, fighting in Syria, together with several thousand non-Syrians. “These are your nationals that are training in Syria and that are part of [ISIL], which believes that you have got to build an Islamic state all over the world. That’s a threat to you, isn’t it?” Brahimi’s grim assessment of the country’s future came as it was announced that one of two ships upon which Syria’s chemical weapons have been stored after being handed over by the government had left for the United States and Finland, where its cargo will be destroyed. The Norwegian vessel Taiko departed on Sunday,
Lakhdar Brahimi the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement. A second ship, the Danish Ark Future, is to stay in Syria in order to receive the remaining chemical weapons held by the government. “We remain focused on
removing the last consignment of chemicals from Syrian territory and urge the Syrian authorities to complete the removal as soon as possible,” the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Uzumcu, said in the statement. Around 7.2 percent of Syria’s declared chemical weapons arsenal remains in the country, Sigrid Kaag, the UN official overseeing the removal of those weapons, said on Thursday. Under a US-Russian deal negotiated last year, Syria signed up to the Chemical Weapons Convention and agreed to the destruction of its entire chemical weapons arsenal by June 30 of this year. The agreement was reached after deadly chemical attacks outside Damascus last August that reportedly killed hundreds of people. The West blamed Assad’s regime but the government said rebels were behind it.
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Kaieteur News
Monday June 09, 2014
Female suicide bomber hits Nigerian barracks: witnesses ABUJA/MAIDUGURI Nigeria (Reuters) - A female suicide bomber killed herself and a soldier outside an army barracks in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Gombe yesterday, the military said, as local leaders reported the death count from a string of earlier militant attacks had reached 110. No one claimed responsibility for the blast or last week’s assaults but Islamist group Boko Haram
has set off bombs and killed thousands in its five-year-old bid to carve out an Islamist state in the region. Soldiers stopped the woman as she tried to get into the barracks with explosives hidden under her robes, defence headquarters said in a statement. The device went off, killing her and a soldier searching her, it added. “I heard a loud sound and then black smoke covering the
place ... We saw soldiers moving bodies,” Gombe trader Bello Kasuwankatako told Reuters. Witnesses had earlier said between three and five people died. Boko Haram – which dominated world headlines by kidnapping more than 200 schoolgirls in April – has fought back against an army offensive, piling political pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan and the
Five people dead in attack on airport in Karachi, Pakistan – police (Reuters) - Gunmen attacked one of Pakistan’s biggest airports in Karachi yesterday, killing at least five people, police said. The attack on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan’s sprawling commercial hub of 18 million, took place as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government tries to engage Taliban militants in negotiations to end years of fighting.
“The old terminal of Karachi airport was attacked by militants,” said a senior police official. Officials said all flights had been diverted. “All flights destined for Karachi have been diverted to other cities,” said a civil aviation authority spokesman. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. “Over half a dozen armed men made towards the
runway from the backside of the airport,” said a private television channel, quoting a witness. Peace talks between the government and the Pakistani Taliban - separate to but allied with the Afghan Taliban - have failed in recent months, dampening hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement with the insurgency, which continues attacks against government and security targets.
military to end the carnage. Leaders from Gombe’s neighbouring state of Borno told journalists on Sunday they had now buried 110 bodies from attacks on nine villages early last week giving the first detailed breakdown on the casualties. “It was a great tragedy. There are still corpses lying in the bushes surrounding the communities. Many of our people that fled to the top of the hills during and after the attacks are still there and now stranded,” said Ali Ndume, a senator representing southern Borno. CIVILIANS EASY TARGETS Boko Haram started off focusing on military and government targets alongside schools seen as representing corrupt Western influence churches, and Muslim leaders who do not follow its brand of Islam. It has been increasingly turning its guns
on civilians in recent months, particularly after locals started setting up vigilante groups to try and fight back. It has become the biggest security threat to Africa’s biggest economy and oil producer. Traditional leader Lawan Abba Kaka said they had buried 42 corpses at the village of Attagara, 24 at Aganjara, 20 at Agapalawa and smaller numbers at other settlements - all of them in the Gwoza hills near the border with Cameroon. “The insurgents came and said they wanted to discuss something with us. They said we need to discuss some issues bordering on our differences in the communities but they opened fire on people who were gathered,” said Kaka. On Wednesday, gunmen rounded up more villagers outside Borno’s state capital Maiduguri saying they were going to deliver a sermon,
then opened fire, killing at least 42, said a police source. “It seems they are moving to rural areas,” Hannah Donges, a researcher at the Small Arms Survey, told Reuters. “They are easier targets ... It doesn’t need sophisticated tactics. It makes them (Boko Haram) less predictable.” Suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a town in Cameroon’s far north on Saturday but local security forces fought them off, killing at least two gunmen, Cameroon’s government said. The militant group is also thought to be active in neighbouring Niger and Chad. The kidnapping of the girls from a secondary school in Borno’s town of Chibok triggered a national and international campaign under the Twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, calling on the government to step its efforts to free them.
Afghanistan says Pakistan-based group involved in Abdullah attack KABUL (Reuters) Afghanistan said yesterday the intelligence unit of a foreign country and the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group based in Pakistan were involved in the failed assassination attempt on presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah. Front-runner Abdullah escaped an assassination attempt on Friday when two bombs blew up outside a hotel where he had just staged a rally, killing 12 people and wounding 40. “Initial investigation indicates that an intelligence agency of a foreign country and LeT have been involved,” said a statement from Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s office after he chaired a security council meeting at the presidential palace yesterday. “The terrorists of this group are after disrupting the
Abdullah Abdullah Afghan presidential election.” The ministers of the security sector briefed the meeting on the attack against Abdullah. Afghanistan usually speaks of unnamed foreign powers when it wants to hint at a suspected Pakistani role
in an incident. Kabul has often accused the powerful Pakistani intelligence agency, the InterServices Intelligence (ISI), of orchestrating attacks in the country, including one on Kabul’s Serena Hotel in March in which militants shot dead nine people, including foreigners. The LeT is founded by Hafiz Saeed, who has a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. The group, which has been accused of attacking Indian targets in Afghanistan, was also blamed for the 2008 commando-style raid on Mumbai that killed 166 people. Security is being ramped up so the two candidates in Afghanistan’s presidential election run-off next week can continue campaigning after the attempt to assassinate Abdullah, an Interior Ministry spokesman said early yesterday.
Monday June 09, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Adam Harris impressive at Virgin Islands Meet Adam Harris
Guyanese residing in the Virgin Islands got a rare opportunity to witness 2012 Olympian and 2014 Commonwealth Games bound Guyana sprinter, Adam Harris as he cruised to an impressive victory at the second annual BVI Twilight Invitational track and field event on Saturday evening. Held at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on Tortola, the event attracted world-class sprinters from the United States and throughout the Caribbean, including Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. Racing for the first time in the Virgin Islands, Harris clocked 10.23 seconds, a shave under his 10.12 season’s best posted last month in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Brijresh Lawrence of St. Kitts and Nevis was second with a time of 10.38, while Ivory Williams of the USA earned third in 10.49. Before arriving in the BVI, Harris broke the 10 seconds barrier for the first time in his career, posting 9.90 in Florida with a 4.5 wind measurement, which is above the 2.2 legal wind speed allowed by the IAAF. Nonetheless, Harris is focused on getting better and is pleased with the BVI performance. “I made sure that I focused on my race. I had to make sure I got out and stayed relax,” Harris said after
the race. Recognizing the Guyana supporters in the audience flying the Golden Arrow Head, Harris celebrated his victory in front the grandstand. “I have been representing Guyana since 2008 and love to represent Guyana; my parents are from there. I was born in the U.S., but I just love it when I race for my country. Every time I represent I try to do my best. This year I have been doing pretty well so I am trying to put Guyana on the map. My focus this year is to get better and compete at the Commonwealth Games in July and hopefully coming home with a medal.” Asked about his stay in the BVI, Harris replied, “The track here in the BVI is really not that bad; it’s a pretty nice turf. I didn’t know what to expect coming in since I haven’t been here before so coming out here and getting this win has been good. I wish I was able to stay here longer because I am looking through the brochures and seeing a lot of nice pictures of the beach, but I will not get to see it; I definitely have to come back.” Before he returns to the BVI to get his feet wet, Harris will shift focus next week to the Nigeria racing circuit as he continues to prepare for the Commonwealth Games. (Gordon French/BVI Platinum News)
Monday June 09, 2014
WILLIAMSON TON BUILDS STRONG PLATFORM FOR KIWIS ESPNcricinfo - The first Test match after two highprofile Twenty20 tournaments - the World T20 and the IPL - got off to a slow start at Sabina Park, as New Zealand’s run rate stayed below 2.65 an over throughout the day. The visitors, however, had the better time of it after Kane Williamson and Tom Latham adjusted to the pitch, whose strongest characteristic was its sluggishness, and put on a 165-run stand for the second wicket. The spectators who came to the ground to see Chris Gayle bat in his 100th Test had to wait after West Indies’ new Test captain, Denesh Ramdin, lost the toss. Instead, they were witness to the comebacks of four bowlers from layoffs of varying lengths, and the discipline of two young New Zealand batsmen, who played with a patience that is becoming increasingly rare in international cricket. Jerome Taylor, whose last Test was in November 2009, opened the bowling with Kemar Roach, who had been out of action for more than a year. Neither bowler hit the speeds they used to before their injuries, but that was probably due to the pitch. Moving the ball away from both the right and left-hand openers, Taylor was more effective than Roach, but on
the whole they could have made the batsmen play more than they did. Their lengths too were shorter than ideal on this surface, whose slowness made it easy to play on the back foot. New Zealand were cautious in the opening exchanges, with their newest opening combination Peter Fulton and Latham barely playing a forceful shot. Fulton was beaten by a couple of deliveries from Taylor that seamed away from off stump, and when one did not move as much, his poor footwork resulted in an edge to the wicketkeeper. It was the ninth consecutive innings in which Fulton had failed to pass 15. In the 11th over, Ramdin made a surprising bowling change. Darren Bravo had never bowled in any form of international cricket - he had bowled only 100 deliveries in first-class cricket - and yet here he was bowling mediumpace in a Test. His lengths were horrible and the experiment lasted only one over. Benn, playing his first Test since December 2010, came on in the 12th over and immediately found turn and bounce to keep his two slips alert. New Zealand scored only 22 in the first hour. Shortly after drinks Ramdin deployed spin from both ends, but it was Marlon Samuels that he turned to and
not the other specialist Shane Shillingford. Samuels thought he had Latham lbw first ball and reviewed the umpire’s not-out decision, only to find the ball had hit both the inside edge and then the pad outside off stump. Benn bowled five maidens in his first six overs and had a bat-pad appeal upheld shortly before lunch, but Latham successfully challenged it. New Zealand went into the break on 62 for 1, scoring at just over 1.90 an over. In the first over of the second session, Latham drove loosely at a full and wide Taylor delivery and edged to Samuels at gully. He was on 39, and his partnership with Williamson was worth 55, but both received a lease of life when replays showed Taylor ’s back heel was not behind the crease. In the next over - the 34th - Williamson cut Benn for four to take the run rate above two for the first time. It had taken Williamson 84 balls to hit his first boundary. He and Latham swept the spinners when they bowled fuller lengths, and when it was short they had enough time to go back and play square of the wicket. Every now and then, though, the odd delivery spun sharply past the outside edge. Benn bowled 19 consecutive overs either side
of lunch, far more than any other bowler. When he had finished his 16th, Shillingford was coming on to bowl only his fourth. Shillingford ripped an offbreak from leg and middle past Latham’s defensive prod but the batsman got to his maiden half-century a couple of balls later, off his 126th delivery. Until the 54th over, not a single ball had been hit in the air, and then Williamson cut Roach over gully. He got to his half-century in the same over, by edging a drive through the same region. By tea time Williamson and Latham were using their feet, and the depth of their crease, with ease. They had scored 102 runs in the second session. The old ball began to do things after tea. Taylor reversed it a bit, but Shillingford got it to spin big. Latham, on 83, closed the face too early to an offbreak and the ball lobbed back to the bowler off the leading edge. It could have been tricky for the new batsman but the hard toil told on the West Indies bowlers, whose line and length were shoddy. Williamson moved into the 90s by cutting a short and wide one from Roach for four, but then stopped scoring for 33 balls. Scores: New Zealand 240 for 2 (Williamson 105*, Latham 83) v West Indies.
2014 Elizabeth Styles Under-19 50-Over Cricket Competition for teams in Berbice
Chatterpaul’s 60 nudges No70 Young Star to Quarter-finals No70 Young Stars is the first team to reach the quarterfinals of the 2014 Elizabeth Styles Under 19 50 Over Cricket Competition for teams in Berbice. They earned the right after defeating Skeldon Community Centre in their final zone D (Upper Corentyne) preliminary match to complete a clean sweep of that zone. Opening batsman Parmeshwar Chatterpaul, topscored with 60, while Berbice under-19 allrounder, Viendra Gooniah and Thameshwar Kumar made 32 each to lead them to a total of 245 in 43 overs. Gooniah came back with his leg spin to take 3 for 18 from 9 overs to help bowl out Skeldon for a modest 92. In a zone C (Lower Corentyne West) match, Berbice allrounder Balchand Baldeo had an amazing figure of 7 wickets for 5 runs in 3
overs, one of which was a maiden for Albion Community Centre who bowled out Chesney for an embarrassing 24 runs in 6.3 overs. Albion won the match in 1.4 overs without losing a wicket. Summarized scores: At Skeldon, No 70 Young Stars beat Skeldon Community Centre by 153 runs. Batting first, No 70 Young Stars made a challenging 245 in 43 overs. Parmeshwar Chatterpaul topscored with 60 runs. He was supported by Viendra Gooniah and Thameshwar Kumar with 32 runs each, while Totaram Rajaram with 3 for 53 and Deon Esau 2 for 38 were the pick of the Skeldon bowlers. Skeldon in reply were shot out for 92 in 28.1 overs with only Deon Esau offering any resistance with 37. Gooniah took 3 for 18, Mohamed Deochand 2 for 14 and Kumar 2 for 20.
Baldeo takes 7 for 5 for Albion
Balchand Baldeo
Parmeshwar Chatterpaul
At the famous Albion Sports Complex, Albion Community Centre destroyed the hapless Chesney by 10 wickets. Chesney batted first and made 24 in 6.3 overs. They had no answer for off spinning allrounder Balchand
Baldeo who took an amazing 7 wickets for 5 runs. Kavendra Persaud supported with 2 for 8. Albion CC rushed to 27 without loss in 1.4 overs to win by 10 wickets. Adrian Sukhwa made 23 not out.