K
Lowenfield’s NEWS report belongs at Haags Bosch dumpsite- FITUG AIETEUR
p. 7
Friday Edition June 26, 2020 -Vol. 22 No. 25
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
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ExxonMobil hid truth about rising global temperature for decades; slapped with lawsuit by Washington D.C Attorney General p. 3
Dead Leatherback turtle washes up Conservationist, Annette Arjoon-Martins says it is expected that the 6 feet, 1000lbs plus remains will be taken to the University of Guyana for further studies
CCJ schedules single hearing for recount case p.8 next Wednesday .
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stresses that status quo of no declaration remains has not yet ruled on jurisdiction no legal representation present for Lowenfield or GECOM
Lawyers ask GECOM Chair to instruct Lowenfield to p. withdraw his report 13 Norway says declaration must p. be based on 15 recount numbers
“We said what we have said” - Community paying keen attention to Guyana’s ‘bizarre’ political situation p. 2
- CARICOM Chair Mia Mottley tells TT press
Kaieteur News
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Friday June 26, 2020
“We said what we have said” - CARICOM Chair Mia Mottley
CARICOM Chair, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley
-says Community paying keen attention to Guyana’s ‘bizarre’ political situation CARICOM is standing b y t h e s t r o n g pronouncements made by its Chair, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who weighed in on Guyana’s political situation, expressing concern over the actions of Chief Elections O ff i c e r ( C E O ) , K e i t h Lowenfield, in his attempt to scrap a total of 115, 844 votes cast in the March 2, 2020 elections. Hours after releasing her statement, Mottley appeared on Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) CNC3 News where she said that CARICOM is keeping a watchful eye on the situation. “We’ve said what we have said for now. We are
watching the situation – The heads of government are particularly, particularly attuned to the fact that these situations are difficult,” the
three-member CARICOM Observer Team was satisfied that the March 2 Election recount process was certified by the Guyana Elections
Those results are not what were used when the CEO presented his report to the GECOM Chair, Ret’d Justice Claudette Singh and
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The Caribbean Community must stand for something with respect to the pursuit of these goals and with respect to the pursuit of the values that have made us stand up as a beacon in the global community and to be able to speak truth to power when we need to speak truth to power. Now, we can’t do that if our slip is showing.
Chair said during the interview. According to her, the
Commission (GECOM) and stood as a credible basis for the declaration of results.
Bartica confirms first COVID-19 case
-as total cases increase to 215 Bartica has now recorded its first COVID-19 case. This is among six new cases the country has recorded bringing the country’s total to 215. Sharing details about the Bartica case, Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Seven, Dr. Edward Sagala, revealed that the male patient has a travel history to Oku in the Mazaurni Mining District and has been transferred to an isolation facility in Georgetown for further management and care. Samples from 10 individuals who were in contact with the patient were also sent to Georgetown for testing, he revealed. These results are expected to be returned before the end of the week. Dr. Sagala in his release noted, “we continue to remind the Bartica Community again that COVID-19 is a real danger and has not disappeared, and will not do so soon. This disease spreads like wildfire and it kills. As such, we remind everyone to continue to seriously observe ALL the advisories, including hand-washing, wearing of masks, social distancing and observing the curfew.” Residents are also urged to comply with all measures put in place and to take the necessary precautions, and to get tested if so required. Earlier this year an individual tested positive for the virus in Bartica, however, the individual had contacted the virus in Aranka also in Region Seven but travelled to Bartica where the test was done. Over the last few days there has been an alarming increase in cases in the interior regions. To date, 73 persons have tested positive from Regions One and Seven with Region One accounting for 42 cases and Aranka in Region Seven 31. Meanwhile, during the Ministry of Public
Health’s daily update, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), said of 84 tests that were conducted there are six new cases, bringing the total number of cases to 215. The number of COVID-19 deaths remains at 12 while 108 persons have recovered. There are also 95 active cases in institutional isolation, 16 in institutional quarantine and one patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). To date Guyana has conducted 2,355 tests of which 2,140 came back negative. On the global level, the World Health Organization list the total number of cases at 9, 129,146 with 473,797 deaths, while in the Region of the Americas, the total number of cases is listed at 4,507, 006 with 226,504 deaths.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud
”
the Commission. “What is going on,” the Barbadian PM noted “is a little bizarre to say the least but we shall wait and see and let the process play out over the next few days but suffice it to say that there is a Charter of Civil Society within Caribbean Communities that causes us to have to aspire to a very high level of behaviour with respect to free and fair elections and with respect to giving full effect to the will of the people.” No election, according to
Mottley, is “worth the life of a single human being…there is no election that is worth damaging the reputation, not only of one country but our community.” “The Caribbean has been one of those few regions that have seen people move from poverty, absolute abject poverty in the 1930’s where we had riots across almost every country to the point where we were well on our way to meeting many of the w o r l d ’s s u s t a i n a b l e development goals, going forward. Obviously, we have had some difficulties but the reason why we have made such progress is because we have given such great stock to caring about people and building for people,” the
Chair said. The CARICOM Chairwoman posited that the continued developmental goals of CARICOM are “critical”, and their involvement in Guyana’s political situation emerges from their obligations to “stand for something” to achieve same. But this cannot be done, according to her, “if our slip is showing.” “The Caribbean Community must stand for something with respect to the pursuit of these goals and with respect to the pursuit of the values that have made us stand up as a beacon in the global community and to be able to speak truth to power when we need to speak truth to power.”
Kaieteur News
Friday June 26, 2020
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ExxonMobil hid truth about rising global temperature for decades; slapped with lawsuit by Washington D.C Attorney General By Kiana Wilburg xxonMobil, along with other major fossil fuel polluters such as Chevron, Shell and British Petroleum, was slapped yesterday with a lawsuit by the Attorney General of Washington D.C, Karl A. Racine, for engaging in a massive campaign of deception on climate change. The details of the court action note, among other things, that the four companies “systematically and intentionally” misled consumers in Washington, DC about the central role their products play in causing global warming so that they can continue to rake in billion dollar profits. The Attorney General is of the firm belief that had the oil companies revealed what they knew since the 1950s about climate change, consumers’ appetite for crude would have declined. Going back more than half a century—long before “global warming” was a common household term—the Office of the Attorney General said (OAG) that the defendants knew “with astonishing accuracy” that their crude oil, natural gas, and related hydrocarbon products , releases greenhouse gases which in turn, increases the temperature of the earth. Expounding further, the OAG said that scientists who were working for the oil companies or their industry trade associations predicted with precision, when global temperature rises would occur and by how much.
E
Attorney General for Washington D.C, Karl A. Racine
ExxonMobil’s CEO, Darren Woods
They also predicted the catastrophic harm that would result. The Attorney General’s Office pointed to a 1968 report that was paid for by the American Petroleum Institute (“API”) — the leading industry trade group at the time was funded and controlled by the defendants. The report projected that atmospheric carbon dioxide (“CO2”) concentrations would rise from 280 to 370 parts per million (“ppm”) by 2000. Years later, this was proven to be true with actual concentrations in 2000 at 369 ppm. It was further noted that by 1982, Exxon’s scientists in particular, predicted that atmospheric carbon dioxide would reach nearly 415 ppm by 2019. This also proved true for on May 11, 2019, atmospheric CO2 surpassed 415 ppm. This was Earth’s highest level in three million years. The OAG categorically stated that ExxonMobil and the other oil companies are
fully aware that the effects of a warming planet from massive fossil fuel combustion include, but are not limited to: i n c re a s e d s e a l e v e l s ; increased ocean temperature and acidity; extreme weather including heat and drought, as well as extreme precipitation events, wildfires, flooding, and more frequent, longerlasting, and more severe storms. These events threaten human health, food s e c u r i t y, a g r i c u l t u re , economic productivity, water supplies, national s e c u r i t y, a n d l a b o u r productivity. The effects of climate change also d a m a g e p u b l i c infrastructure and social systems, and exacerbate e c o n o m i c i n e q u a l i t y. Furthermore, a warmer planet poses a significantly increased risk for biodiversity, species loss and extinction, and ecosystem impacts, as well
as enormous economic injuries and losses on individuals, communities, and public and private institutions. The Attorney General’s Office was keen to reiterate that the defendants knew all of the foregoing. They knew that these increases in greenhouse gas concentrations would increase global temperatures, which would in turn wreak havoc on the planet, resulting in severe, pervasive, and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems. But instead of sharing what it was acutely aware of, the OAG stated that ExxonMobil and its counterparts hid the information and choose to deceive the public about the threat of global warming. The Office of the Attorney General said, “…Rather than telling customers the truth about their products, Defendants have and continue to place
profits over people by misleading consumers about the realities of climate change, the significant detrimental
impacts of their fossil fuel products, and their commitment to renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions…” The OAG stressed that the defendants’ deceptive and unfair conduct violates Washington D.C’s rules and regulations and stressed that they must be stopped. The district of Washington D.C is therefore seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, and costs to deter ExxonMobil and other oil majors from continuing to engage in these and similar unlawful trade practices. It is also going after restitution for DC consumers. To be continued …
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Friday June 26, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL, TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The world is in trouble While we, in Guyana’s dark and narrow political world, wait on electoral closure, other realities, just as worrying intrude. A few news articles convey the grimness of what lies ahead for the rest of this year. The first such caption was “Almost 90% of the world will be worst off by year end - IMF Managing Director” (KN June 10). And less than two weeks later, that prediction was made to look still bleaker with “Wreckage of global economy now looks even worse to IMF: Eco Week” Bloomberg June 20). Last, because of the extremely grim outlook, the IMF was forced to revise its prior bleak projection on Wednesday, “IMF predicts deeper global downturn, even as economies reopen” when it settled for the new figure of “4.9 percent contraction this year instead of its previously forecast 3% drop” (New York Times, June 24). The roughest hardships are ahead, which are made tougher by our own political stalemate. According to the KN coverage, “Early in January, and prior to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had predicted that 160 countries would finish the year with larger economies and positive per capita income growth. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic…those positive predictions have been shattered.” At this midyear point, the IMF has been prompted by global conditions to reverse course and conclude starkly that “almost 90 percent of the world—will be worse off with lower per capita income by the end of 2020.” It is an unparalleled place, never experienced before, and which casts a wide net that traps 170 countries. In the meantime, Guyana drifts along in crisis mode, and leaders indifferent to the plight of its peoples. For this we point a finger at all, who are consumed with party interests and personal power, and in both areas, the blame rests most heavily on those piloting the coalition. On the heels of this unnerving picture near the beginning of June, the Bloomberg coverage from late last week weighed in with still more bad news when it said that, “after its dire prediction of the steepest recession in almost a century, the International Monetary Fund will release new global economic forecasts…that will probably look worse.” It did with that downward revision to “4.9 percent contraction” from the earlier 3%. As Bloomberg’s economists opined, “despite green shoots of recovery in May and June - the outlook continues to deteriorate.” Those “green shoots of recovery” are in the more resilient economies, like China and Germany. On the other hand, “most countries still face a long path back to normality” according to Gita Gopinath, the Chief Economist of the IMF. This was what the Wall Street Journal indicated in an article dated June 23rd, and titled, “Global economy shows signs of pulling out of its slump” added this qualifying subtitle, “Countries that imposed some of the strictest lockdowns are seeing an economic rebound, but path to recovery likely long and bumpy.” And still further, it was noted by the World Trade Organization that exports and imports have all but collapsed. This is what most of the world at large is forced to consider and confront, but here we are fixated on elections and partisan victory and nothing else. It is as if the real world, and what is happening there, with the promise of much impacts here, has no application to Guyana. As the Journal reported, there are some glimmer amidst the heavy gloom. A survey of purchasing managers “pointed to a return to growth in France and Australia, and less severe contractions in Germany and Japan.” At the individual level, the New York Times caption of June 18, conveyed the circumstances with which many workers struggle, “Continued layoffs signal an ‘economic scarring’”. In New York, where many Guyanese make their living, the number of unemployed stood at over 1.3 million, which is in the lower double-digit range. As the Times stated, though the continuing layoffs are lower than the peaks of March and April, they are “more worrying because…the crisis was reaching deeper…even as lockdowns eased.” It is against these disturbing global backdrops in advanced countries, that this country goes about its business unheedingly. Our leaders swear that they are concerned about the welfare of citizens, yet they remain immovably focused on things that are exclusively about elections and their own success. We are in the middle of battering storms, and a harder road ahead is now almost certain.
CARICOM Leaders must tell Granger to go Dear Editor, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, has declared that “it is undeniable” that the dissonance over the March 2 general elections in Guyana “has gone on long enough”. Almagro is right. And, undoubtedly, he speaks for the entire Caribbean and international community by expressing his exasperation with the process. Guyana has been known for election rigging, going back to the days of Forbes Burnham, the first leader of the Peoples National Congress (PNC) which is the main party in the APNU-AFC coalition that clearly lost the March 2 general elections but which, in what has become almost a criminal enterprise, is overturning every pebble to maintain their grab on power. The name Clairmont Mingo has already been carved in infamy in the history of Guyana. It is he, who like the comic strip figure of old, Mandrake the Magician, conjured figures on his sordid spread sheet to declare APNU-AFC the winner of Region 4 by numbers that allowed it to overtake the Peoples Progressive Party lead in 8 of the 10 voting districts. However much “Mandrake” Mingo may have gestured hypnotically, he failed miserably to hypnotise the regional and international Election Observer Missions
into accepting his voodoo numbers. They all protested vigorously, including former Barbados Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, who threw his observer badge to the ground when the Minister of Foreign Affairs threatened to withdraw the accreditation of all the Observers if they did not kowtow to Mingo’s attempted fraud. Enter, at this point, five CARICOM Prime Ministers, led by their Chair, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados. They brokered an agreement between President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo with the agreement of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that all the votes would be recounted under the now well known mantra: “Every vote must be counted, and every vote must count”. Ms Mottley spoke of “dark forces” at work in the elections’ machinery. The man in charge of the elections’ machinery is now rivalling “Mandrake” Mingo for infamy. Keith Lowenfield is the Chief Elections Officer who, along with President Granger, on the day of the Guyana elections, proclaimed it to be “free and fair”; in other words no fraud. All the Elections Observer missions agreed. All that was left was for the votes in each electoral district to be counted and a winner declared. Then, with the PPP/C ahead after 9 of the 10 districts were counted, Mingo appeared with his
magical numbers. Thereafter, Lowenfield fell in line with the “dark forces” to declare that the elections, of which he was the man-incharge and which he had pronounced to be “free and fair”, had now become fraudulent. According to him and without producing one shred of evidence to substantiate his claim, over 260,000 of the 460,352 votes cast were either persons who had emerged from the graveyards of Guyana or somehow managed to be “abroad” while presenting themselves, national ID in hand, to vote at the polling stations. He subsequently, reduced the number of fraudulent votes without explanation or evidence. So far, between Mingo and Lowenfield, the officials of GECOM have produced four different sets of figures at different times, not one pairing the other, but none of them matching the total votes as reflected in the statements of poll from each of the electoral districts on March 2. Mandrake and Houdini have raised the standard of elections rigging in Guyana to a new and preposterous high. Meanwhile, a CARICOM team of scrutineers, joined by a team from the OAS, scrutinised a National Recount of all the votes. The exercise began on May 6 and ended on June 8. The CARICOM scrutineers and each of the supervisors of the recount, certified that the PPP/C had won the elections
by over 15,500 votes. The “dark forces” then rushed to the Court of Appeal, where two allegedly faithful judges agreed to bypass the High Court where elections matters are normally heard. This was the third time since March 2 that APNUAFC agents have gone to the Courts, and twice to the favoured Court of Appeal. Lowenfield was given the opportunity to provide a report to the GECOM Commission, in which he bold-facedly stated, with no evidence, that 115,587 votes were fraudulent, and he gave the elections to the APNUAFC. The GECOM Commission is yet to pronounce on this extraordinary difference with the scrutinised recount. This Guyana election has brought shame on Guyana and risks tainting all of CARICOM. The matter has now been taken to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) from which the people of our region expect fairness and justice. I hold no candle for any of the contesting parties in Guyana, but I hold aloft a blazing torch for democracy and the will of the people. As the Secretary-General of the OAS has said:”GECOM is in possession of a result based on the valid votes cast on March 2, 2020, through a recount exercise that was approved by all stakeholders and a credible result was (Continued on page 5)
I believe that the CCJ has jurisdiction Dear Editor To say we are in interesting times is an understatement. I decided to write as I just listened to an APNU+AFC meeting where some were being told that Bharrat is taking the matter to the CCJ when it was he who signed the Act empowering the CCJ and therefore he should know that the Court of Appeal is the final court of appeal and the CCJ Act precludes such matters to be taken to it. I find this worrying as I know what lies to the public can result in. I recall during the protest in the early sixties lying to protesters telling them a child died when it was not so resulted in all hell breaking lose with a number of people being beaten. I am beginning to wonder what is the endgame of the ruling party. I am not a lawyer but sometimes a good knowledge of English is enough. So I will give my understanding of the written words. The Present Constitution was put in place in 1980. The Act putting in
place the CCJ as our final court of appeal was in 2004. The Attorney General (AG) argues that on a plain reading of Article 177 (4) of the Constitution and Section 4 of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, no appeal shall go to the Caribbean Court of Justice in respect of matters determined by the Court of Appeal under Article 177(4). So let’s look at what Article 177 (4) of the Guyana Constitution says. It states as follows, “(4) The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as that question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution; and any decision of that Court under this paragraph shall be final.” I believe that this is pretty clear and straightforward and in force at a time when indeed it was the final Court of Appeal. But in 2004 Guyana signed on to the CCJ making it the final court of appeal.
The question is, would the CCJ replace the Guyana Court of Appeal? The Answer is yes. The AG agrees but argues that there is one limitation, election matters, and argues Section 4 of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act confirms such limitation. So, let’s examine Section 4. It states: “Nothing in this Article shall apply to matters in relation to which the decision of the Court of Appeal of a Contracting Party is, at the time of the entry into force of the Agreement pursuant to the Constitution or any other law of that Party, declared to be final”. Indeed, this is a limitation, but we need to examine closely the construct of this Section. It says, “Nothing in this Article shall apply to matters in relation to which the decision of the Court of Appeal of a Contracting Party is declared to be final”. This seems to be straightforward except for in my opinion “is” may not be the correct verb. It does limit the Powers of the CCJ. So now the question is why the inclusion of, “at the
time of the entry into force of the Agreement pursuant to the Constitution or any other law of that Party”. This to me is also a limit placed on the limitation and as such the restriction to the powers seems not to be permanent or all encompassing. It seems that matters that were declared final at the time the CCJ entered into force could not be taken to the CCJ. In other words the CCJ would not look into matters that were already declared by the CA when it was the final court of appeal. The CCJ would not look back. There is nothing in the laws, in my humble opinion, that says the CCJ cannot look into matters that are new; that it could not assume full jurisdiction for new matters where the parties would be fully aware that there is another higher court to appeal to. This is, I believe is the plain and simple understanding of the English used. Yours truly, Rajendra Bisessar
Friday June 26, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Lowenfield’s reports not only violate an elector’s fundamental rights but are also criminal Dear Editor, Kindly permit me the opportunity to express my views on the current and ongoing election saga. In an unprecedented 115 days after General and Regional Elections were held in Guyana, a declaration is yet to be made electing a new President. It is the conclusion of many like myself that what Guyana and the world over have witnessed post Polling Day is nothing short of a travesty and a brutal attack on our country’s democracy. There was a time in our history when Guyanese did not possess the right to vote at all, much less for a leader of his or her choice. That fundamental right was later acquired in the name of democracy after many struggles. Today in 2020, the majority of Guyanese are yet again fighting to have democratic principles prevail, albeit this time it is to ensure their votes are not stolen or disregarded by rigging of the elections. By the 3rd of March, 2020 it was clear to the two major political parties that the PPP/C
won and the APNU+AFC lost the Elections. With that knowledge not once or twice were there attempts to thwart the will of the people in favour of the incumbent, but four times over the last 115 days. Twice by Clairmont Mingo and now after much litigation and finality of the recount process which most certainly tested the patience of the entire nation, we are yet again left at the mercy of Keith Lowenfield CEO of the Guyana Elections Commission who unilaterally decided more than one week ago that he will foist upon himself the power to disenfranchise 275,000 electors and most recently after the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal in the Eslyn David matter in a mad rush he submitted another falsified report this time wiping away 115,000 plus votes as being invalid. Let’s clarify: Mr. Lowenfield does not possess any right whatsoever to invalidate votes on mere allegations or the absence of documents in ballot boxes, or at all. His only function is to tabulate the votes as per recount numbers and to give a summary of the observation
report (not in his opinion). He is to then allocate the seats according to the final figures again as per recount results. To put it into perspective, the basket of issues provided by GECOM during the recount process clearly stated that a ballot is valid once the intent of the voter is clear. Section 87 (2) of the Representation of the People’s Act Cap 1:03, sets out in plain simple language the instances where a ballot must be rejected and is therefore invalid, most certainly not Mr. Lowenfield’s call. Most importantly, GECOM issued certificates after each region was completed in the recount process which stated plain as day the number of VALID votes cast for each list of candidates. Observers from the High Level CARICOM team (referred to by the President as the most legitimate interlocutor), who despite the COVID-19 pandemic dedicated their energies and time to scrutinizing the recount process and accurately presented their final report stating that “we are…of the
unshakeable belief that the people of Guyana expressed their will at the ballot box” and that the recount results are completely acceptable. Further, Madam Chairwoman of GECOM, in her wisdom as a retired judge, publicly announced that GECOM and by extension the CEO does not possess the authority of a Court of Law to pronounce on the validity of an election and definitely does not have the power to invalidate votes. Clearly, but wrongly, assuming that the Commission can only act on his advice the CEO wickedly produced two reports which did not accurately reflect the will of the people neither the results of the recount. This in my mind not only amounts to a serious violation of an elector’s fundamental rights but also a criminal act which must be condemned by all right-thinking persons. There should be no time wasting in having him removed as the CEO, notwithstanding that I am of the informed view that the CEO in any event is subject to the direction and control
of the Commission. Consequently, it is necessary at this stage for the Chairwoman to declare a result consistent with the will of the Guyanese people expressed at the Polls. Any aggrieved party has to take the appropriate route, that is, through an Elections Petition filed in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature after the completion of the Electoral process and a President is elected. This brings me to several reasons (in my view) why it was necessary to appeal the said Eslyn David case to the Caribbean Court of Justice; firstly the issues in that case touched and concerned the validity of an Election in so far as votes were validly cast and was quite clearly outside the ambit of Article 177 (4) of the Constitution; secondly as a precautionary measure to ensure no voter is disenfranchised, and thirdly to preserve the paramountcy of our Constitution which must not be altered by an ordinary piece of legislation on the whims and fancies of
any party. The incumbent seeks to erroneously give credence to Lowenfield’s reports, for the obvious reason that it places them in the lead, disregarding as they always have the Rule of Law and basic civil and democratic principles. Principles which the rest of world seeks to uphold. It is therefore with utter disgust, that I note the condemnation of many in the APNU+AFC camp whose mischievous or devious agenda it does not serve and to launch an attack on the statements made by the International Community and in particular that of the Honourable Prime Minister of Barbados and the Chair of CARICOM Madam Mia Mottley on the 24th June, 2020 as foreign interference. I strongly beg to differ and in fact commend the entire International Community especially the Honourable Mia Motley for her frankness and unwavering stand on upholding the principles of democracy as is expected of any great Leader. Yours truly, Sonia Parag
The Coalition’s female The Coalition is yet to show its leadership has been silent about SOPs despite claiming it won on the attacks on Mia Mottley two different sets of numbers
Dear Editor, On the 23rd day of June, 2020 the Chief Elections Officer submitted his report on the General and Regional Elections held on 2nd March, 2020, which showed a victory for the Coalition Government by way of producing fictitious numbers and altering the results of an elections. I know what you’re thinking: Fictitious?? How? Well, if you were following the events that followed after the Elections, you would see two clear distinct figures. The Mingo figures that showed an excess of over four hundred thousand valid votes cast and the Lowenfield figures which showed an
excess of three thousand valid votes cast. My question is that if you professed that you won the elections then where are the Statement of Polls? And why are there two distinct figures on the occasions that you claim you won? I suggest that you should release your party SOPs so that this elections can be a transparent one. Moreover, what is more disheartening is the lack of leadership shown during these elections. As a young Guyanese I am appalled. It is crystalline that you are acting upon your own self-interest and not in the interest of the nation and as such I cannot take you seriously. In theory
CARICOM Leaders... From page 4 provided. The process in Guyana must be brought to an end, based on the results of the national recount, and with respect for the will of the majority of the electorate”. The dark forces in Guyana must not be allowed to contaminate or disgrace other countries in CARICOM that value democracy and free and fair elections. Granger should be told by all CARICOM leaders that all attempts to
steal the elections have failed and are over; he should go now, put an end to the abuse of the Court system and spare Guyana any further shame. Yours truly, John Beale Ed. John Beale is a former Ambassador of Barbados to the US and Permanent Representative to the OAS for seven and a half years and was also a Financial Consultant to the OAS
no one is above the rule of law and if the rule of law is not followed it could lead to Anarchy. A legitimate regime is beneficial to Guyana’s economic growth as it solidifies the leadership standard of the country and also proves that the rule of law is being followed. When it comes to voting I would reply on the writings of Aristotle as he contends that voting should be taught. It is the lack of knowledge that will be the downfall of the nation. Finally as a Guyanese I cannot stress enough how I am appalled and embarrassed by the low level leadership being displayed. From gaslighting supporters to hijacking an election, from the ‘interpretation’ of the words “more votes cast” as meaning “more valid votes cast” to producing fictitious numbers, truly this is one for the history books. As such I have no confidence in the leadership of the coalition since they are trying to silence democracy and the will of the people. As Thomas Hobbes said, and I paraphrase, “Man’s innate nature is selfishness in personally pursing power for himself.” Yours truly, Name withheld
Dear Editor, They aren’t many female Heads of State in the world. It has been heartbreaking as a young lady to read the vile distasteful and disrespectful things supporters of the coalition are saying. The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley became Barbados’s first female Prime Minister, securing an historic landslide victory by winning all seats in their parliament. The glass ceiling was thoroughly shattered. Though I am not surprised by the new narrative of members of the coalition, after all, look at their representation – where are all the women? The women of the coalition have not impressed or inspired me. Why are they silent when their supporters and colleagues are making their
distasteful comments about this inspirational female leader. Where is Sandra Granger? Why is Cathy Hughes suddenly silent? Not only is it disrespectful to women everywhere, but it is also disrespectful to the LGBTQ community. To refer to a female leader as “man” and use male pronouns, clearly is a mockery and is unpalatable. Not only is it rude, but you are also mocking an entire community who are fighting to be recognized, whom only a daily basis gets referred to by all kinds of degrading terms, and have to constantly explain the concept of preferred pronouns. Stop with the disrespectful, unpalatable personal attacks. Yours truly, Nutana Singh.
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Friday June 26, 2020
Kaieteur News
Coretta McDonald has NICIL is more focused on creating a lost her way as a nation of servants than serving Guyanese representative of workers Dear Editor, I was scrolling through Facebook on June 24 and saw an interesting debate between former minister, Priya Manickchand and GTUC President and GTU General Secretary, Ms. Coretta McDonald as it relates to a statement issued by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) on the current political situation. Ms McDonald, who is also a candidate of the APNU+AFC, was very critical of the Federation’s sentiments which reflect the thoughts of a large cross-section of the rational thinking Guyanese nation. The learned lady has obviously thrown away her trade union cap and has become, it appears, a fullblown politician. Of course, that is her right though she should not seek to masquerade as something she is not. In clutching at straws, like many of her political colleagues, she sought to castigate the FITUG for remaining silent on other matters. As someone who tries to follow the news regularly and I do not believe I am losing my wits as yet at least, I felt Ms McDonald was
barking up the wrong tree. However not to be mistaken, I decided to do some research. Indeed I am happy to report my memory is intact. My search informed me that the FITUG has been very much vocal on matters of workers concern. I saw when Ms. McDonald’s teachers were striking, the FITUG lent its voice; that organization also lent its voice and bodies to stand up with the RUSAL workers, and more recently expressed its concern about the teachers returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. But apart from that I saw the FITUG making several positive recommendations to the Government as it regarded COVID-19 assistance and prior to that spoke up for workers during its engagements on the budgets with the Finance Minister. I must add that I didn’t see Ms McDonald as vociferous, as she is now, on those matters. Clearly, it seems Ms McDonald, who I felt had a bright future as a workers’ leader, has lost her way and has succumbed to political pressure and abandoned her cause. Yours sincerely, Patricia Persaud
Dear Editor, I was taken aback by a statement from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) as it sought to defend a flurry of land sales in recent days. According to the stateowned holding company, the haste arose from the need to provide immediate funding to the GuySuCo. The NICIL said it was concerned about the sugar workers well-being. I take this explanation with a pinch of salt. I say this taking into account that NICIL, a few weeks ago, admitted that the land sales finalization was necessary to meet an upcoming payment to the NICIL $30B bond which has been as the center of
controversy. So, I believe NICIL should drop its act. The reality, as I understand it, is that GuySuCo will receive whatever is left back from the land sales proceeds. But if it were that the NICIL was really concerned about sugar workers and their families, it would have aggressively and proactively sought to revitalize the sugar industry with the monies it apparently has in its coffers. It would not have starved the GuySuCo and reduced it to begging for monies after NICIL has confiscated its assets. To put into context what NICIL has gained at GuySuCo expense, I have learnt that it would only require the sale of some 1,200 acres of land along
the East Coast to fully finance the bond. On this score, it appears plans to sell East Demerara Estates have been shelved as the NICIL has decided to promote the City of Ogle. I recently saw a video presentation by NICIL depicting an artist rendering. Indeed, it is impressive and one may be tempted to say its heaven on earth. But after looking at the video, I wonder what is there for Guyanese. It seems the NICIL rather than putting our people to work in productive manner, is intent on creating a nation of servants, maids, janitors and security guards. While they are decent jobs, shouldn’t our people be able to aspire for
higher rungs of the ladder? One friend even remarked to me, after seeing the NICIL presentation, whether Guyanese would be required to have a visa to step foot in the glamorous City of Ogle. The reality is that NICIL has ignored the plight of the sugar workers and the industry. For those who lost their jobs, the heirs of the slaves and indentured servants who toiled and shaped those lands it is now selling, they remain languishing facing hardship and difficulty every single day. I hold that NICIL should drop its feigned concern and do what is right and decent. Yours faithfully, Liebert Alleyne
Banking services response to the pandemic should include attention to senior citizens Dear Editor, Recently, the banking services have pre-empted the decision-making process about relationships, in which ‘dear valued customer’ is confidently expected not to object, most overdoing the resort to technological communication against the convenient (for them) background of the current health pandemic, overlooking how their own customers (and families) could be otherwise discomfited. It is in this regard that one takes opportunity to being to attention the more sensitive reaction, banks in Canada for instance have brought to current challenges in customer relations.
Hopefully the following would be instructive – on the subject of a Code of Conduct for the Delivery of Banking Services to Seniors – it applies to banks operating under the Canadian Bank Act, and who are also members of the Canadian Bankers Association. For the purposes of the Code, Senior refers to persons 60 years and over. Banks are required to incorporate the Code into their regulatory compliance management framework. In this regard the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is responsible for monitoring the
banks’ compliance with the Code. Very briefly the commitments involved include the following: a member of the management be trained to promote the interests of Seniors Identification of circumstances where Seniors may require additional assistance with their banking activities Banks to implement measures to facilitate effective communication with Seniors Banks to provide employees and representatives with appropriate resources to help
them assist seniors Banks to endeavour to mitigate potential financial harm to seniors Banks to publicly disclose the steps they have taken to support the Principles of the Code Here is hoping that this commitment will catch not only the eye, but the conscience of the local banking community, and moreso the determination of the Bank of Guyana to dedicate some form of enforcement. In the meantime we desperately need a Seniors Consumers Association. Yours truly, E. B. John
Friday June 26, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Lowenfield’s report belongs at Haags Bosch dumpsite - FITUG T
he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) does not approve of the elections report submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair, Justice Claudette Singh by Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield. It said that the report, part of “naked attempts to thwart the will of the people”,
belongs at the Haags Bosch dumpsite. FITUG noted the report purports to dump more than 115,844 votes which were validly cast at the March 2 polls “without any explanation”. It also seeks to erase the lead the PPP/C has amassed, as tabulated and certified at the National Recount, granting the victory instead to the APNU+AFC coalition.
Though it recognises that the consideration of the report must await the pending case at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the Federation is of the view that Lowenfield’s report should be rejected outright, just like his previous report in which he had attempted to dump 269,619 valid votes, as well as the two fraudulent declarations made by Region
New Manari Concrete Bridge opens to light vehicular traffic
The new Manari Concrete Bridge The GYD$160Million Manari Concrete Bridge along the LindenLethem Trail was on Tuesday open to accommodate light vehicular traffic. This Manari Bridge project which begun in October of last year is considered almost complete after the test results
cleared it for light traffic. A test, called a Cube Strong test, was conducted last week to determine if the newly constructed bridge can withstand high levels of compression. The Regional Engineer of Region (Continued on page 15)
Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. It is of the view that the persons who are a party to acts of electoral fraud should face the full brunt of the law. “The record-speed in which Mr Lowenfield submitted his report,” FITUG said, “in our view, demonstrates his active participation in seeking to undermine our democracy. His actions have only further cemented the strongly held view regarding the partiality of the Secretariat of the Elections Commission.” FITUG is not the first to condemn the Chief Elections Officer for apparently partisan posturing. He has also been condemned by the political parties, People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) and A New and United Guyana (ANUG); as well as the local elections observers, Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). FITUG said that the Guyanese people have grown upset about the “shenanigans” at full display during this electoral process “seemingly as the behest of the incumbent Administration to perpetuate its grip on
Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield
power.”The Federation added to calls for the complete results of the valid votes cast, as tabulated and certified during the National Recount, to be respected. Those show that the PPP/C gained 233,336 valid votes ahead of APNU+AFC’s 217,920 valid votes. “These sordid attempts by compromised individuals cannot and will not change that reality,” it said. FITUG added that if the coalition intends to take Guyana down the road of undemocratic rule again, it is not only saddening, but it is
disturbing that the attempts are being supported by individuals who “were once part of the bulwark of the struggles for democracy...” “Indeed as the days go by, the masks are falling off and the truth is being revealed.” This is the time, FITUG posited, for people to push back against self-interested tyrants. It called on the Elections Commission to heed the one credible and acceptable result of the election, and to resist all attempts to undermine Guyana’s democracy.
Kaieteur News
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Friday June 26, 2020
CCJ schedules single hearing for recount case next Wednesday
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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has scheduled a single hearing for the Guyana elections recount case. Noting the urgency and importance of the case to Guyana, the full bench of the CCJ led by the Court’s President Justice Adrian Saunders yesterday, handed down several directives on how the substantive issues of the case will be dealt with during the single hearing scheduled for Wednesday July 1, 2020. The hearing set to start at 9:00 am on Wednesday concerns a case filed in Guyana’s Appeal Court by Eslyn David against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). David had asked the Appeal Court to rule on a number of issues regarding the credibility of the General and Regional Elections. Among other things, the Court of Appeal had ruled that in determining the results of the elections, the country’s Chief Elections
Officer, Keith Lowenfield, must do so based on who received the most “valid” votes. The ruling came after a CARICOM – supervised recount exercise which showed that the PPP/C has over 15,000 votes ahead of the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Responding parties in the matter which included the PPP/C held that the Court lacked jurisdiction to even hear the matter and subsequently appealed to the CCJ. Yesterday, the CCJ handed down directions as to how parties involved in the matter are to submit their arguments in accordance with the timeline of the Court. Notably absent at the case management hearing w e r e t h e l e g a l representatives of the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, and GECOM, who are chief respondents. The other parties on record include, Attorneys
.. .
stresses that status quo of no declaration remains has not yet ruled on jurisdiction no legal representation present for Lowenfield or GECOM
Devindra Kissoon, Sanjeev Datadin, and Anil Nandlall who are led by Trinidadbased Senior Counsel, Douglas Mendes, for P P P / C ’s P r e s i d e n t i a l Candidate, Irfaan Ali, and Party General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo , the appellants in the matter. Trinidad-based attorneys, John Jeremie, SC, Keith Scotland and Rondelle Keller: and Mayo Robertson and Roysdale Forde appeared on David’s behalf. Attorney Kim KyteThomas is on record for the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice retired Claudette Singh. Meanwhile, Attorney General (AG), Basil Williams, who is also listed as fourth respondent in the
Justice Adrian Saunders
document entered an appearance on behalf of himself in association with attorney-at-law Justin Simon QC and Solicitor General Nigel Hawke. Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran and Timothy Jonas appeared on behalf of Mark France of A New and United Guyana, Josh Kanhai of The New Movement, and Lenox Shuman of the Liberty and Justice Party. Kashir Khan appeared in association with Mohamed Khan for Shazaam Ally of The Citizen Initiative and Abedin Kindy Ali of Change Guyana. Additionally, the Court also granted an order which will allow for Attorney at law, Reggie Armour to appear on behalf of Joseph Harmon, a representative of the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), and Faiyad Hussain, a representative of the United Republican Party (URP), to
be joined as amicus (Friends of the Court) in the proceedings. The two parties will be allowed to make interventions and file submissions in relation to the matter. The Court ordered that each party represented will need to file written submission by 4:00PM Monday. Each submission, Justice Saunders said should be captured in no more than 10 pages. The Judge noted that the management conference was intended to determine the processes to be adopted to have the substantive matter set for Wednesday. As such, it was noted that the CCJ has not yet decided on the issue of jurisdiction. President Saunders told the opposing legal teams that on Wednesday each side will be allowed between 30-40 minutes each to present their oral argument. The CCJ President also noted the order which was
issued to prevent any further action by GECOM until the hearing and determination of the matter is still in force. The CCJ order will help maintain the status quo until further orders are granted pursuant to the holding of a full hearing of all matters in dispute. Representatives of the PPP/C in their appeal to CCJ noted the Appeal Court erred and failed in determining the application by David. The document outlined the Court erred and failed by holding that it had jurisdiction to hear and determine the Notice of Motion under Article 177(4) of the Constitution, despite the absence of rules effectuating the Court of Appeal’s jurisdiction to determine questions as to the validity of an election of a President, as is required by Article 177(5) of the Constitution. The Party contends inter alia that the Appeal Court erred in finding that it had jurisdiction to hear and consider the Notice of Motion even though a President had not yet been elected and the issue of the validity thereof had accordingly not yet arisen. According to the PPP/C, the Appeal Court wrongfully assumed jurisdiction under Article 177(4) since resolution of the questions raised by David did not depend upon the qualifications of the President or the interpretation of the Constitution as outlined by Article 177(4).
Kaieteur News
Friday June 26, 2020
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THE INEVITABLE CANNOT BE DENIED
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onfusion and speculation surrounds the implications of the case presently before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Many persons are of the mistaken notion that the case will determine who has won the 2020 General and Regional Elections. The case, however, is not about who won or lost the elections. Sensible persons would accept that both the count and recount of the elections gave the PPP/C a healthy victory in the elections. However, what has been taking place since March 5th has been a blatant attempt to steal the elections in “broad daylight”. These attempts have been neutralized on more than one occasion but attempts continue to be made. After the recount, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)
ordered the Chief Elections Officer to present a report on the results based on the recount tabulations. Almost immediately, there was an approach to the Court of Appeal for certain declarations, including an Order preventing the Commission from making a declaration and an Order to interpret a sub-section of an Article of the Constitution dealing with the validity of an election of a President. The Opposition parties viewed this approach to the Courts as a disguised elections petition. An elections petition can only be filed after the declaration of a President. This approach to the Court of Appeal was seen as a last ditch effort to prevent the declaration of Irfaan Ali as the President of Guyana. The hope was that the Court of Appeal would have given orders stopping the declaration. But this did not happen.
The Court of Appeal gave only one Order. And that Order was an interpretation of the Constitution to say that when the Constitution speaks to “more votes”, it means “more valid votes”. The aspect of the decision which was controversial was not the interpretation but whether the Court had the jurisdiction to do so. By a majority decision of 2-1 it held it did. The PPP/C has decided to appeal the decision dealing with jurisdiction of the Court. This may suggest that the outcome of the CCJ matter is of mere academic importance. However, it would appear that the PPP/C felt that unless the decision was challenged, GECOM could seek to present a result other than the result of the recount. This is exactly what happened when the CEO presented an incredible report with some incredulous numbers.There
Dem boys seh...
Con deh in some of dem con-tracts Guvment sharing out money like Wild West…. to dem con-tractors. Imagine dem nah gat time fuh share out hampers to dem poor people wha live pun sea dam, reserve and squatting area. But dem giving dem con-tractors millions of dollars above wha dem con-tractor bid. Instead of giving contract to de lowest bidder, dem overpaying de highest bidder. Something nah smell right about dah. It smell just like de dump site con-tract wha guvment pay out more dan a billion dollar based pun a lil lawyer letter. Is like if yuh ask a man give you an estimate fuh build a shed. And when de man submit de estimate, you decide fuh pay he far more dan wha he ask fuh. Who you know does pay somebody rent, den tun around and spend billions of dollars fuh nice-up de place? Imagine de guvment spending more than
a billion dollars pun a rundown hotel and yet dem gat fuh pay rent. And pun tap of dat, dem paying de rent even though dem seh dem compulsorily acquiring de property in de public interest. While all of dem billions ah spend, de poor people man catching hell. Dem still waiting fuh Lil Joe and Na-Ga- Nuttin’Much-Fuh-Do fuh send dem some hampers. Dem boys seh instead of some of dem going pun de Ben-cook radio and talking fart, dem should be helping de poor with hamper. De Waterfall bossman share out more hamper dan de CDC. And he nah talk about it or put it in he paper. He tek he own money and he help people. But some ah dem kavacamites in guvment sharing out con-tract instead… to dem friends. Talk half and wait fuh see when de wuk gun done.
are various possible outcomes of the CCJ case. For one, the CCJ may hold that it does not have jurisdiction to hear the case. The fact that the CCJ has ‘injuncted’ the Commission from declaring the results, does not necessarily mean that the CCJ determined that it can hear the case. If it rules it cannot hear the matter, then nothing changes. It is still up to GECOM to declare the results. It would be bizarre if GECOM d e c l a r e d L o w e n f i e l d ’s results since he has not complied with the directions given to him by the Chairperson. The second option would be for the CCJ to rule that it has jurisdiction in which case it can either uphold or reject the decision of the Court of Appeal. If it rejects the Court of Appeal decision it simply nullifies the Order which was granted.If it upholds the decision, it means the Order stands. But the CCJ, if it has jurisdiction, can pronounce on what should be the basis for a
declaration. Regardless of how it rules, GECOM still has to make a declaration. GECOM was ready to do this prior to the approach to the Court of Appeal. Some Ministers of the government had already cleared their personal stuff from the offices and said goodbye to their staff in anticipation of a new government being declared. This newspaper even reported about packing-up at State House and a Minister admitting that the Coalition was defeated by the PPP/C. From all indications, the APNU+AFC had consigned itself to a defeat. The PPP/C was preparing to assume the reins of government. But it appears as if there is a faction within the APNU+AFC which is determined to frustrate the transition to a new government. They are living in a different stratosphere. The international community will not sit idly by and allow the elections to be stolen. Not in the 21st century.
Regardless, therefore, of how the CCJ rules, the onus is on GECOM to make a declaration. It would be shocking for GECOM to use the farcical numbers of the Chief Elections Officer. But with GECOM, nothing is incomprehensible. Freddie Kissoon, a columnist in this newspaper, was right when he said there is a state conspiracy to rig the elections. And as we have seen, this conspiracy goes high and deep. It has already compromised the Elections Commission. Anything is possible with GECOM. But one thing is sure. Any government, other than the PPP/C, will never be recognized by the international community and will be subject to crippling sanctions. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
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Friday June 26, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Never in Guyana’s history has a diplomat been so personally insulted by a politician
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hen Priya Manickchand confronted the US Ambassador in 2014, she broke protocol as a politician but her remarks were political. She criticized US foreign policy. What Sherod Duncan did a few days ago, ought to result in immediate cancellation of his visa and those of the leadership of the AFC by every friendly country including our own CARICOM region. Mr. Duncan appearing on a public forum with Christopher Jones said something personally repugnant about the British High Commissioner that should never be uttered by politician of the ruling party. A ruling politician just does not say those things about a diplomat who belongs to a
country that is an extremely close ally. Even if it was an opposition politician still it would be an immoral action. The host country cannot treat a diplomat like that. Mr. Duncan is an executive member of the AFC and the ministerial spokesperson for Khemraj Ramjatan at Public Security. I have always had a healthy friendly relation with Christopher Jones. I have always advised Jones that he has a future in politics and he must acquire a university education if he is going to climb the ladder. It was Jones who facilitated me to have my dog walk on the vast parapet of the Aquatic Centre. I remember a night, I didn’t have my pass and the security said he was instructed not to let anyone
in without the pass. Jones left what he was doing and came down to the Centre himself to facilitate me. I saw him as one for the future. He has a far better standing among the Guyanese people than Duncan who I believe is little regarded in Guyana. I watched as Duncan said nasty, personal things about the High Commissioner and immediately thought that Jones would upbraid Duncan. But he didn’t. The CARICOM foreign ministries, the Indian, EU, British, Canadian, Argentine, Chilean, Chinese, Mexican diplomats and other diplomatic missions in this country should now move to cancel the visa of Duncan and his AFC colleagues. This man is in the executive of a party
that runs Guyana. He is the aide to the Minister of Public Security. How can his government remain silent on his personal remarks on the British High Commissioner? It is interesting to see what will be the reaction of President Granger. He has lost the election but legally he is still the care-taker president as pronounced on by the Caribbean Court of Justice. He has a moral obligation to the norms of international diplomatic behaviour to dismiss peremptorily Duncan from governmental service. An apology from Duncan should not suffice. Mr. Duncan should suffer visa consequences. He went too far. Such personal attacks never happened in British Guiana and independent Guyana. If it was President Hoyte, Duncan would have been removed within minutes. Cheddi Jagan would never have tolerated a high-level government
functionary saying such personal things about a High Commissioner. Obviously, Duncan has to know that within weeks his party is gone from power, never to have power again. I am absolutely sure there will never be another APNU+AFC regime in Guyana. They say life is unpredictable but I cannot see the future existence of the AFC and I doubt whether the PNC can win another national election in 20 years from now. O b v i o u s l y, D u n c a n knows that he will have to face the consequences of his action and he will not be a ministerial aide when that time comes because there will not be an APNU+AFC government. Obviously, Duncan has to know that even if there isn’t an official visa sanction in the coming days, he will be blacklisted by the ABCE countries if and when he applies for a visa. Duncan should go back and read up on the
Frederick Kissoon Manickchand incident. As unpleasant as it was, she never said anything personal about the character of the US Ambassador. Former Prime Ministers Bruce Golding and Owen Arthur have been viciously attacked by APNU+AFC leaders but the nastiness has been confined to political descriptions. PM Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and Mia Mottley of Barbados have come in for demonic denunciations from APNU+AFC leaders. But again the chastisements exist in the political sphere. Duncan’s action was ugly, hateful, and insane. Decent persons in the AFC should immediately come out and condemn him. Failure to do so makes them equally uncivilized. The APNU+AFC first, second and third tier leaders are in self-destruction mode. They are engaged in horrible misconduct for which they should be made to pay a high price. They have lowered civilization in Guyana. They must be sanctioned. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Friday June 26, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Friday June 26, 2020
‘Miraculous’ wind helps fire fighters contain Kingston blaze - pensioner’s home destroyed
Danny Harricharan’s destroyed Kingston, Georgetown home. By Shervin Belgrave he home of an 81-yearold gardener, Danny Harricharan, was yesterday destroyed by fire. The man’s home located at 33 Barrack Street, Kingston reportedly caught fire at around 08:15 hrs. Neighbours, who live nearby, told Kaieteur News that they became aware of the conflagration when they started to smell something burning.
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One neighbour spoke of stepping outside to investigate the “burning smell” and being alarmed by smoke emanating from the gardener’s home. Wi t h i n m i n u t e s a b l a z e escalated and the curious neighbour alerted others that the elderly man’s house was on fire. The fire service was immediately contacted and fire fighters arrived at the scene soon after. One neighbour estimated the
response to be within 15 minutes. Neighbours whose houses are in close proximity to the destroyed property said before the fire was contained they were fearful that their property too would have been destroyed. However, they claimed to witness something miraculous. “A strong wind miraculously blew the flames upwards,” one neighbour said. The wind, they claimed,
isolated the blaze in one area instead of helping to spread it to other houses. The neighbours praised the fire fighters too for their quick response. “If they did not arrive so quickly then who knows the blaze would have been more catastrophic and destroy more houses,” said one neighbour. Harricharan, who was not at home when the fire started, told reporters that he left for work at
6:00 hrs. for a three-hour gardening shift. The man was not informed that his house was on fire and only learnt of this development when he returned home and saw fire fighters and neighbours at the scene. Shocked at the sight of his destroyed two-storey house, the man entered his yard to assess the damage. The 81-year-old estimates his losses to be in excess of $20 million.
Kaieteur News
Friday June 26, 2020
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Lawyers ask GECOM Chair to instruct Lowenfield to withdraw his report The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) through its lawyers have asked the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice (ret’d), Claudette Singh to instruct Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield to withdraw his recently submitted report in which he invalidated over 115,000 votes. In their letter dated at June 24, Attorneys-at-Law Devindra Kissoon and Anil Nandlall wrote to the GECOM Chair that “… we would be grateful if the Chief Elections Officer can be directed to withdraw the report he submitted dated June 23, 2020 and be redirected to act in the accordance with the instructions previously given on June 16, 2020 “using the results of the recount” as the basis for his report.” Kissoon and Nandlall also said in the letter that while they are mindful of the admonitions of the CCJ which stated on June 23 that GECOM and its agents must take no step to prejudice the fair hearing of the ongoing case “the clear
language of the CCJ Order does not prevent compliance with our request.” In the letter the lawyers had asked the Chair to respond to their request by yesterday afternoon, but it is unclear whether such was completed. Meanwhile, Justice Adrian Saunders and Justice Winston Anderson, both of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), denied the same request made by those lawyers of the PPP/C. During the CCJ’s case management proceedings yesterday afternoon, PPP/C, Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes who is representing the party pointed out that Lowenfield acted in contempt of the stay order by the Appeal Court when he submitted his report to GECOM Chair. However, Attorney General Basil Williams rebutted Douglas’ points, as he argued that it is in his opinion that the order did not prevent Lowenfield from submitting his report. It is at this point that Justice Anderson interjected and told Douglas that if he had any concerns with Lowenfield’s actions, then they should be raised in
Guyana’s Court of Appeal, since the CCJ was not the court that handed out the order. Justice Saunders, who is also the President of the CCJ also shared his perspective. He stated that, “…we cannot
undo what was done by the Chief Elections Officer. If Counsel wishes to include it in his submissions, whether what was done was lawfully done or whether there is to be no consequence or whether there is consequence to what was done, you are free to do so, but certainly did not intend in these proceedings to embark upon the substantive issues.” Nonetheless, the CCJ has scheduled next Wednesday for the hearing of the appeal, in which it will decide whether it holds jurisdiction to determine the case.
Attorney at Law Anil Nandlall
Attorney at Law Devindra Kissoon
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Friday June 26, 2020
Six APNU+AFC supporters charged for breaching COVID-19 measures Supporters gathered in front of the court yesterday.
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ix A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) members and supporters were yesterday hauled before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court for
breaching the COVID-19 measures. The measures prohibit more than five persons from gathering in a public place/space. Former Member of Parliament, Barbara Pilgrim; Director of Regional Health Services in Berbice
Jevaughn Stephens; Berbice High School teacher, Kirk Fraser; Nurse Karen France; businesswoman; Pollyann Schultz and Kwesi Joseph all appeared in court yesterday. The charge read that Stephens, France, Fraser, Joseph and Schultz on
Pollyann Schultz (left), Jevaughn Stephens and Carol Joseph (yellow arrow) yesterday.
Thursday June 18, 2020 at Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam attended a social activity in breach of restriction contrary to section 2 (1) (a) of the C O V I D - 1 9 e m e rg e n c y measures (No.2), No.53/2020 contrary to section 21 (2) of the public health Chapter 145. Pilgrim was charged for hosting the activity. Schultz, France and Fraser pleaded guilty to the offence while Pilgrim, Joseph and Stephens pleaded not guilty. The trio that pleaded not guilty were granted bail in the sum of $10,000 each. The three others who pleaded guilty were also fined $10,000 each. They are all expected to make their next court appearance on July 14, 2020. Stephens who had spoken to the media denied that he was present at the event and challenged the police to prove that he was. When asked where he was on the day in question, he said “that is for me to know.” Pilgrim also denied that she was the host of the activity. Meanwhile, outside the court, throughout the morning, there were over 20 Coalition supporters, including Administrator of the Skeldon Hospital, Shurla Scott-Richardson, and Prime Minister Representative, Gobin Harbhajan, gathered along the roadside to show support. While such a gathering is also in breach of the COVID-19 restrictions police ranks who were present failed to intervene. The group of persons on several occasions taunted members of media from
Charged: Kirk Fraser
various media entities as they were executing their duties. Some of them were even heard ordering those charged to “don’t say a word” to the media. On June 18, 2020 dozens of APNU+AFC supporters marched and protested through the streets of New Amsterdam and in front the GECOM office on Princess Elizabeth Road. The Commander of Region Six, Calvin Brutus, had told Kaieteur News that instructions were given to his Deputy to disperse the protest. However, the Deputy and other junior ranks were seen walking with the protestors rather than dispersing them. Brutus, when asked about this development had disclosed that he had asked his ranks to provide an explanation of why the protestors were not dispersed. He had also assured that charges would be laid against some of the Charged: Karen France protestors.
Kaieteur News
Friday June 26, 2020
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25 ensigns promoted to Second Lieutenant
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wenty-five ensigns were y e s t e r d a y promoted to Second Lieutenants during the Commissioning Parade for the Standard Officers’ Course Number 51 (SOC51). Under Officer, Second Lieutenant Jubal West was awarded the Sword of Honour. According to the army, other awardees during the ceremony were Second Lieutenants Mark Alford of the Belize Defence Force (Best International Student & Best Shot), Mohammed Khan of the GDF (Best Military Knowledge), Dowayne Tobin of the GDF (Best Drill) and Nelroy Austin of the Guyana Prison Service (Best Fitness). Commander-in-Chief, President David Granger congratulated the new officers via a virtual platform. “I congratulate you, the newest and youngest officers of the Guyana Defence Force on your successful completion of the Standard Officers’ Course. You are the scions of a legendary lineage of servicemen who have protected our territory for generations and, today, you have become the heirs and successors of that heritage, proud guardians of Guyana’s patrimony,” he said. The Commander-inChief highlighted the auspiciousness of the officers graduation and promotion at this time, since it occurred during the year when the GDF will celebrate its 55th anniversary, and it is
The promoted ensigns
The parade of the new officers also the year that marks the beginning of Guyana’s ‘Decade of Development’. The young officers were reminded that the GDF is charged with preserving, protecting and safeguarding G u y a n a ’s p a t r i m o n y, political independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty, and that this mandate can be best executed if it is guided by a
relevant defence doctrine, commanded by well-trained officer and equipped with adequate resources. In this regard, Guyana’s national defence policy – the doctrine of Total National Defence – which seeks to employ all the elements of national power – diplomatic, economic, military, political, social and technological, will be deployed.
While the GDF has the direct constitutional mandate for the protection of G u y a n a ’s t e r r i t o r y, patrimony and sovereignty, Guyana has utilised international juridical mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of disputes. Additionally, the pursuit of defence cooperation with friendly countries engenders collective security, the
resolution of regional tensions, collaboration in combating transnational crimes and managing disaster. Defence cooperation, the officer heard, is “…an important bridge between South America and the Caribbean, and allows Guyana to pursue a policy of defence diplomacy”. “Defence diplomacy
presented opportunities for our officers and soldiers to be involved in major international training exercises usually in the annual international exercises involving Caribbean, continental and hemisphere states,” President Granger said. He also highlighted the fact that officers continue to benefit (Continued on page 17)
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Friday June 26, 2020
Kaieteur News
Tax relief measures extended to September The Government of Guyana has granted a further extension to the timeline on the existing tax relief measures for affected individuals and businesses. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday announced an extension of its COVID-19 tax relief which was scheduled to end on
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and payable in accordance with the law, GRA said. This includes Balance of Tax payments for Corporation Tax and Income Tax due for Year of Income 2019 which was payable by April 30, 2020. “Interest and penalties, though applicable for late filing and payment, may be waived by the Commissioner General for just cause,” GRA noted. “The Guyana Revenue Authority wishes to remind the general public that the authority will continue to strictly monitor visits to its office and will only allow a limited number of persons entering the building. Persons will be required to undergo mandatory body temperature checks. The wearing of masks and sanitizing of hands will continue to remain in effect,” the released added.
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with the statutory due dates for the payment of taxes. In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 and encourage persons to adhere to the regulations set out by the National COVID-19 Task Force, an external station was established at the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) for payments of Internal Revenue, VAT, Customs transactions and Motor Vehicle licenses. Among other measures, GRA has established early working hours at its Camp Street headquarters and has also relocated some of its Licence Revenue services to its Smyth Street building. The relocated services are Motor Vehicle Transfers, New Motor Vehicle Registrations, Motor Vehicle Examinations and cashiering. All other taxes are due
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June 30th. The extension will allow persons an additional three months to submit the necessary payments and documentations. The extension, which caters for the removal of VAT on water, electricity and domestic air travel, has now been extended to September 30th 2020. In a press release GRA also noted that first time applicants a s w e l l a s persons wishing to renew their drivers licence will soon benefit from a drivethru facility at its Lamaha Street Parking Lot that will allow persons to uplift their licenses after completing the application/ renewal and online payment procedure. GRA also emphasized that individuals and companies not affected by COVID-19, will be required to comply
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GuySuCo on verge of foreclosure NICIL sill as funds run out - GAWU -toSays release funds The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) could be heading into foreclosure by the end of this week, if it does not receive money from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). In a statement the Guyana Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) revealed that, through several sources in GuySuCo, it has learnt that the state-owned company will exhaust its remaining funds by this week-end. “Our sources have informed us that the monthly-paid employees of the company, who were to be paid on June 26, 2020, will not receive their salaries as there are insufficient resources to offset the payment,” the statement said. GAWU added, “When we asked about the promised release of resources from the Government-holding company, NICIL, our sources confirmed that, so far, none of the touted monies have been released to the sugar company. Persons in the GuySuCo, we have learnt, are very anxious, at this time,
considering production has halted and income from the sales of sugar and molasses have ceased. One source indicated that if NICIL does not release any monies soon, the Company will be forced to close its doors.” Additionally, “GAWU was informed that with several more weeks before the second crop commences, the industry requires about $1B to meet wages and salaries expenditures while additional monies are required to meet other operational expenses.” Speaking to Kaieteur News, Seepaul Narine, Head of GAWU, explained that “ GuySuCo through our sources does not have money to pay salary workers such as the senior and junior staffs, they only have money to pay wages (weekly salaries).” He added that the industry requires $1B but NICIL has approximately $21B outstanding for GuySuCo after it raised $30B in bonds but only gave the company approximately $9B. This, he said, is in addition to the $30M raised recently from the sale of prime lands which was
GAWU’s Seepaul Narine said to be used for GuySuCo. In its statement, GAWU also raised concerns about potential flooding due to the lack of funding. “There are some worries that in the absence of sufficient funds, the Corporation may not be able to purchase sufficient fuel to operate its pumping stations. If this becomes a reality, we could see several villages being flooded, should the rainy season persist. We have learnt that the Corporation is seeking the assistance of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to avert such disaster.”
Kaieteur News
Friday June 26, 2020
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Norway says declaration must be based on recount numbers P
ressure from international c o u n t r i e s continues to mount for a “fair and transparent” end to Guyana’s current political situation, one referred to as the longest elections since the 90’s. This time, The Kingdom of Norway, one of Guyana’s major financiers in the fight against climate change has weighed in on the current political situation and called for the end to Guyana’s electoral process using the figures amassed from the national recount. Those figures would grant a victory to the O p p o s i t i o n P e o p l e ’s
Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. Once declared the victor, PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali will be poised to become Guyana’s ninth President. Norwegian Ambassador, Nils Martin Gunneng posted to his twitter “#Norway joins the call for a fair and transparent conclusion of the Guyana Elections.” “The declaration of the election result” Gunneng stated “must be based on the national recount, as witnessed by the CARICOM Scrutinizing Team”. The Norwegian Ambassador was in full
support of the statements made by CARICOM Chair, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Ambassadors from the ABCE countries, chiding GECOM Chief Elections O ff i c e r ( C E O ) , K e i t h Lowenfield, for submitting his final report using alternative figures from that of the recount. Those figures simultaneously dumped 115,844 votes. The recount figures show that the PPP won with a total of 233,336 votes. The A Partnership For National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition managed to attain 217,920
25 ensigns promoted to Second Lieutenant From page 11 from education and training scholarships with a number of foreign states. The Commander-inChief observed that for the officers, this is an exciting time to be a military officer in Guyana. “You are heirs of the Force’s illustrious legacy of service. I charge you to ensure continued adherence to your professional values and standards in the enhancement of the Force’s capabilities and in your
service to our citizens, to our country and to the Caribbean.” Congratulations are extended to the new officers from all the officers and troops of the GDF. The Standard Officers’ Course 51 commenced in June of 2018 with a compliment of 54 officer candidates. This is the second cohort of officers to graduate from the restructured SOC which has effectively extended the range of knowledge and skills training for potential
officers. This restructured programme began in 2017. The curriculum and duration of the course were extended. The course is now conducted over a 24-month period from the previous 12month offering. Military subjects cover 70 percent of the programme while the remainder focuses on academics. The completion of academic training earns the officers an Associate Degree in General Studies from the University of Guyana.
and the Tri-party Joinder - A New And United Guyana (ANUG), The Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TMN) 5,214 votes. However, Lowenfield’s new figures instead, puts the APNU+AFC Coalition in the lead with a one-seat majority in Parliament with 171,825 votes. According to his report, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) got 166,343 votes. The Kingdom of Norway had in 2019, released $393.4M Norwegian Kroner or $9.1B (US$45M) to the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund, administered by the World Bank for climate aid and other approved projects. But in March, when the country became engrossed in a political impasse, the
Norwegian Ambassador, Nils Martin Gunneng (Nils) country halted the release of those funds. It is expected that further
funding will be released when a legitimate government is in place.
New Manari Concrete Bridge opens to... From page 7 Nine said that the test results have proven the pounds per square inch (PSI) used to construct the bridge is sufficient enough to withstand pressure. Nevertheless, the newly constructed bridge will only accommodate bicycles, cars,
motorcycles, ATVs, minibuses and small unladen canters for now. A period of 28 days is given for the bridge to be assessed and for a section of casting to be completed. When this time-frame is up then the authorities will allow heavier vehicles to use the Bridge.
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Kaieteur News
Friday June 26, 2020
Friday June 26, 2020
RHTYSC/Walter Nero... From page 23 cricket teams. He congratulated the club on its outstanding work over the last 30 years and the role it has played in making a positive difference in the lives of youths including his son. The club also distributed 120 food hampers to less fortunate fathers as part o f t h e Wa l t e r N e r o Father’s Day Programme. Meanwhile, the joint RHTY&SC/Berbice Cricket Board Corona Virus Crisis Response programme continues to be a success, with the distribution of over $4M worth of food hampers, personal items and cleaning detergents to less fortunate families across the
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Kaieteur News
entire coast. Foster, who is also the BCB President has spearheaded the project and has visited each sub-association to hand over the supplies. The programme was launched in April with the objective of handing over 500 hampers but it has since surpassed over 1500 hampers. Bounty Farm Ltd. has also donated over 1000 lbs of chicken products, which were distributed to homes by the team. Over $200,000 worth of cleaning detergents were also shared out to several public institutions including Port Mourant Public Hospital, Port Mourant NDC and Rose Hall Town Council.
Several families also received special assistance on request including a Port Mourant family, whose house was destroyed by fire. A wide cross section of Berbicians and cricket clubs have supported and Foster extended gratitude to them. Major donors have include, NAMILCO, Bakewell, CIDI, Bounty Farm Ltd., Food for the Poor, Farfan and Mendes Ltd, Ravi Etwaroo (Criczone USA), Dr. Puran Singh, Mortimer George and Big ‘B’ Restaurant among others. The RHTY&SC has to date been the biggest contributor to the hampers project under its charity project.
NBA: Kings, Pacers players among three positive coronavirus tests Reuters - Three NBA players have tested positive for COVID-19 including the Sacramento Kings pair of Jabari Parker and Alex Len and Indiana Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon, the league has confirmed. All three players said on Wednesday they expected to recover in time for the resumption of the league next month. “Several days ago I tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately self-isolated in Chicago which is where I remain,” Kings forward Parker said in a team statement. “I am progressing in my recovery and feeling well. I look forward to joining my
teammates in Orlando as we return to the court for the resumption of the NBA season.” Centre Len later said in an Instagram post w w w. i n s t a g r a m . c o m / alexlen_25 that he too had the disease while Brogdon confirmed his positive test in a statement here released by the Pacers on Twitter. The NBA, season halted by the novel coronavirus outbreak, is set to resume with a tentative July 31 start date, at Disney World in
Florida. The plan would see 22 of the NBA’s 30 teams play eight seeding games to determine a 16-team playoff field that would follow the traditional post-season format with four best-ofseven series that would crown a champion no later than Oct. 12. The NBA was the first North American sports league to suspend its season after one of its players tested positive in mid-March with five weeks left in the 82-game regular season.
Lyles, Stefanidi... Friday June 26, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You probably crave solitude, Aries. Even though you may have committed to doing something for a friend or relative, now you find the idea irritating. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Although you're normally a sociable person who feels most comfortable in the company of others, today you might rather be alone. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You tend to enjoy solitude, Gemini, and today you might feel more reclusive than usual. You could be invited to spend time with friends but not feel like accepting. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today there might be tension in the air with no discernible cause, Cancer. Family members could seem preoccupied with problems they can't quite define. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You could get some mysterious phone calls today, Leo, like wrong numbers or hangups. Other people might seem less communicative than usual, Leo, and you're likely to be preoccupied with your own thoughts. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Confusion over money matters might come up for you today, Virgo. You may need to check your records in order to shed light on some past transactions. Don't panic. All should be well. You just need to ascertain the facts.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Someone close to you might seem more preoccupied than usual, Libra, and perhaps a bit difficult to deal with. Don't take this personally. It has little if anything to do with you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you might be feeling a bit tense, Scorpio, and you probably won't understand why. The secret? It's the planets. You might tend to jump at unexpected noises or take offense where none is intended. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) ou probably aren't going to feel much like socializing today, Sagittarius, though friends might contact you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Uptight is the word for today, Capricorn. At some point you might find yourself the center of attention. While you normally might not mind, now it could make you a bit nervous. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You're likely to want to be left alone with your own thoughts today. Relaxing with a good book might be at the top of your agenda, and you aren't liable to want to be interrupted. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Worries over money could have you edgier than usual, Pisces. While you may be doing well, you still could be insecure and think your funds might not stretch far enough. Try to consider the situation objectively.
From page 20 champion Sam Kendricks and Polish star Piotr Lisek in the men’s. Elsewhere, two-time Olympic and four-time world champion Taylor will take on Portuguese rival Pedro Pablo Pichardo and compatriot Omar Craddock in a mouth-watering three-way triple jump battle. On the track, a 150m showdown between Felix, Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji and 400m Olympic champion Shaunae MillerUibo had already been confirmed as the headline event. Felix and Kambundji will also join flying Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers in a 3x100m showdown, while world champion Dalilah Muhammad will take on Zuzana Hejnova and Lea Sprunger in the 300m hurdles. In the men’s events, Lyles will face European stars Churandy Martina and Christophe Lemaitre in the 200m, while Jamaican hurdles star McLeod will test himself in the 100 yards flat against Andre De Grasse and Jimmy Vicaut. Lemaitre and four Swiss athletes will compete in Zurich. The other venues include Aubiere (FRA), Bradenton, FL (USA), Karlstad (SWE), Lisbon (POR), Papendal/Arnhem (NED) and Walnut, CA (USA). The Letzigrund Stadium will serve as the event’s control centre and start all competition. Live TV signals will be sent to Zurich, synchronised and edited for global broadcasting with split screens and a two-minute delay - a technical first in international sports. For more information and the full entry lists, head to the Zurich Diamond League homepage.
File Photo: NBA Preseason Friendly Indiana Pacers v Sacramento Kings Indiana Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon in action. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas
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Friday June 26, 2020
Kaieteur News
FIFA Council unanimously approves COVID-19 Relief Plan The FIFA Council convened by videoconference yesterday and made important decisions for the future of football, chief of which was the selection of Australia and New Zealand as hosts of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™. The Council approved several measures with a view to responding to COVID-19 and helping football around the world in the face of the pandemic and its aftermath, namely: FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan - The Council unanimously approved the FIFA COVID 19 Relief Plan, which was designed by the FIFA administration in close cooperation with representatives of the confederations. Across its three stages, this global support plan will make available up to USD 1.5 billion to assist the football community. In the first two stages of the plan, FIFA provided for the immediate release of all Forward operational cost payments to member associations and, subsequently, for the opportunity to transform Forward development grants into COVID-19 operational relief funds – with a minimum
of 50% of released funds to be allocated to women’s football. In stage three, approved by the Council yesterday, further financial support will be provided through a system of grants and loans: Grants: a universal solidarity grant of USD 1 million will be made available to all member associations, and an additional grant of USD 500,000 will be allocated specifically to women’s football. In addition, each confederation will receive a grant of USD 2 million. Loans: member associations will be able to apply for interest-free loans amounting to up to 35% of their audited annual revenues. In the interest of solidarity, a minimum loan of USD 500,000 will be available and a maximum of USD 5 million. In addition, each confederation will have access to a loan of up to USD 4 million. Both grants and loans can be directed by member associations to the wider football community in their respective territories, including clubs, players, leagues, or others that have been affected. Governance model: to ensure effective oversight of the plan, there will be strict
controls on the use of funds, audit requirements, as well as clear loan repayment conditions. A FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan steering committee will also be established to supervise the administration of the scheme. Olli Rehn, the deputy chairman of the FIFA Governance Committee, has been appointed to lead this committee. He is also the Governor of the Bank of Finland, a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank and a former Vice-President of the European Commission. As a next step, the principles of the plan will be consolidated in a set of regulations to be put forward to the Bureau of the FIFA Council. Revised budget - The members of the Council approved the 2021 annual budget and the revised budget for the 2019-2022 cycle, both of which were the result of a comprehensive assessment of the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Match Calendar - As a result of an extensive consultation process with the confederations and stakeholders across the football landscape, the
COVID-19 FIFAConfederations Working Group agreed to put forward five proposals in relation to the Men’s International Match Calendar in the wake of the pandemic. Below are the five proposals, which were unanimously approved by the Council: * to move the intercontinental play-offs for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ from March 2022 to June 2022; * to postpone the September 2020 window for the AFC, CAF, Concacaf and the OFC; * to proceed with the September 2020 window as planned for CONMEBOL and UEFA, subject to continued monitoring of the situation; * to extend the October 2020 and November 2020 windows by one day for UEFA in order to facilitate the playing of three games instead of the current two; and * to extend the June 2021 window by seven days for the AFC, CAF, Concacaf and the OFC in order to facilitate the playing of four games instead of the current two. The COVID-19 FIFAConfederations Working Group and the stakeholders’ task force will continue their work of monitoring the situation in each confederation, discussing
alternative solutions and, if required, putting forward any further proposals to the FIFA Council. The FIFA Council also supported a pan-Arab tournament to be played in 2021: an invitational competition for men’s national teams that will be contested by Arab nations from Africa and Asia. It will involve homebased players only and be played outside the International Match Calendar. The tournament, which will be held in Qatar from 1-18 December 2021, will be delivered by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC and will allow the organisers to use facilities and run operations that are also planned for the subsequent FIFA World Cup 2022™. Furthermore, FIFA’s decision-making body approved the updated Regulations for the Olympic Football Tournaments Tokyo 2020, adapting them to the new dates of 21 July to 7 August 2021 and including the adoption of VAR technology. There are no changes to the eligibility rules for players taking part in the men’s tournament (i.e. players born on or after 1 January 1997, with the exception of a maximum of three players per participating team).
Regulatory framework Following the establishment of a dedicated working group by the Football Stakeholders Committee, the work of which was also endorsed by the Players’ Status Committee, the Council was presented with a proposal to amend the FIFA Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes, particularly concerning the eligibility of players to play for national teams. The amendments include, among others, the new provisions relating to the exceptions to the general prohibition on changing associations and the access to national team football for stateless players. The Council has recommended that the statutory changes be put forward for approval by the FIFA Congress. The new FIFA AntiDoping Regulations – in compliance with WADA’s recently approved World Anti-Doping Code – were also approved by the Council and will come into force on 1 January 2021. The next Council meeting is scheduled for September, ahead of the 70th FIFA Congress, which will be held on 18 September 2020. Both will be organised as virtual events held by videoconference.
Lyles, Stefanidi and McLeod among the stars confirmed for Vince Carter retires from basketball after record 22 NBA seasons Zurich’s Inspiration Games WorldAthletics - Noah Lyles, Katerina Stefanidi and Omar McLeod are among the star names who will take part in a border-spanning, Wanda Diamond League exhibiton event at the Inspiration Games in Zurich next month. Lyles, the reigning world 200m champion and multiple Diamond League winner and Olympic champions McLeod and Stefanidi will be among 30 international superstars
now confirmed for the Inspiration Games, which is scheduled to take place on 9 July. Meeting organisers published a star-studded entry list which also includes Diamond League record champion Renaud Lavillenie, triple jump legend Christian Taylor and US sprint star Allyson Felix. The unique event will take place in seven different venues across the globe, with
timing and broadcasting coordinated centrally from Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium. Simultaneous women’s and men’s pole vault competitions will kickstart the programme, with Stefanidi taking on Diamond League record holder Sandi Morris and Sweden’s Angelica Bengtsson in the women’s event, and Lavillenie going head to head with world (Continued on page 19)
Noah Lyles wins the 200m at the IAAF Diamond League final in Zurich (Mark Shearman) © Copyright
BBCsport - Vince Carter has retired from basketball at the age of 43 after a record 22 seasons in the NBA. Carter, who spent the last two years with the Atlanta Hawks, played his last game on 11 March before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Olympic gold medallist was the first NBA player to play in four decades, having made his debut in 1998 with the Toronto Raptors. “I’m officially done playing basketball professionally,” said Carter. The Hawks were not one of the 22 teams to qualify for the NBA restart which will be played at Florida’s Disney World Resort from 31 July. Carter said making his last shot, a three-pointer in a 136131 loss to the New York Knicks, helped his decision to retire. Speaking on the Winging It podcast, he said: “I think if I didn’t make my last shot, it’d have been a little different. I’d have been itching to, at least get back and just play one minute and just make one shot.”
Vince Carter played 1,541 games in his 22 year NBA career. He added: “I’m not going to say since March 11 [I knew I was going to retire], I’m not going to say since that day, but pretty close. “With the coronavirus, it was taking people’s lives rapidly -that’s the big picture in my mind. I was able to put the weird ending, the abrupt stoppage of play to an ending, aside for
the bigger picture.” Carter played for eight teams during his career but is best remembered for his time with the Raptors where he earned the nickname “Air Canada” for his slam dunking skills. He was named rookie of the year in his debut season and was an eight-time NBA All Star.
Friday June 26, 2020
Motorsports set to resume behind closed doors in Barbados The Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) in a release to the media on Wednesday confirmed that the green light has been given to restart motorsports which has been on hold since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. With guidance from the BMF, the island’s seven clubs are drawing up plans for a staged return to competition next month, while Bushy Park Circuit Inc (BPCI) has announced a Track Day at the St Philip facility for this Sunday. In line with Government Protocols on mass gatherings, no spectators will be allowed, while the BMF has prepared detailed guidance for organisers and competitors to mitigate any risk of spreading Covid-19. These procedures are based on six key principles: Government guidelines, good hygiene, social distancing, restriction, monitoring and education, training and resources. BMF Vice-President Mark Hamilton said, “We are very pleased to be able to confirm that we are back in business, although in a limited way at first; motor sport plays an important role in island life and everyone is keen to restart. But we must manage its resumption in a responsible and risk averse manner in the ongoing Covid19 environment, so no spectators will be allowed for the foreseeable future and
Barbados is the first in the region to return to competitive motorsport. there will be limitations on the number of personnel allowed to accompany each competitor. “The BMF will be working with all stakeholders in the sport in the coming weeks to determine when a full return to spectator participation might be possible, given ongoing changes to protocols, as Government reacts to local, regional and international developments. We will publish further dates once the fluid situation becomes clearer.” Motor sport ceased with confirmation of the first Covid-19 cases in the island shortly after the opening round of the Radical Caribbean Cup at Bushy Park on March 15. Before that, only three events on the BMF calendar had been run – the Barbados Association of Dragsters & Drifters (BADD) copromotion at Bourbon with the St Lucy We Gatherin’ committee and the opening rounds of the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) Autocross and
Barbados Karting Association (BKA) Championships, both at Bushy Park. The BMF’s revised calendar lists a further 27 events, although it is not certain that all will run. Following this Sunday’s Track Day, which BPCI management hopes will attract a healthy turn-out of competitors eager to shake the rust off their machinery – and themselves – the first four events on the revised BMF calendar are: Sunday, July 5 – BKA; Saturday, July 18 – BRC Autocross Championship; Saturday/ Sunday, July 25/26 – BRC MudDogs Safari Championship; Sunday, July 26 – Bushy Park Motor Sports Inc (BPMSI) Race Meet. Hamilton added that, “The BMF consulted widely with our Member Clubs and the Ministry of Health and drew on guidelines prepared by the world governing body, the FIA, and the National authorities in Australia and the UK. We acknowledge that, subject to on-going
restrictions, some disciplines will suffer longer delays before restarting. Beyond that, those events which involve Regional and International competitors will be at the mercy of travel restrictions not only in Barbados, but also in each participant’s home country.” The BMF’s Event Organiser Toolkit includes signage promoting social distancing and hygiene requirements, guidelines for competitors and officials, emergency response plans and checklists detailing mechanisms for deployment of equipment and personnel. All paperwork will be dealt with on-line, organisers of larger events will be required to submit Covid-19 venue plans outlining the maximum number of people permitted in buildings, individual offices and spectator areas, while arrangements are also under discussion to facilitate the media to ensure social distancing requirements can be met.
Liverpool win Premier League: Reds’ 30-year wait for top-flight title ends BBCsport - Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a top-flight title is over after Manchester City lost 2-1 at Chelsea to confirm the Reds as Premier League champions. Jurgen Klopp’s side needed one victory to seal the league but City’s failure to win means they cannot be caught. It is Liverpool’s 19th topflight title and their first since 1989-90. But, despite waiting three months to celebrate this moment because of coronavirus, fans have been urged to “stay home” by the city’s metro mayor. As the global pandemic disrupted life in England and led to the suspension of the Premier League, Reds supporters endured a nervous wait to see how the league season would be concluded, with some early suggestions it might have
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been declared null and void, thus wiping their remarkable efforts from the record books. Thankfully for them, this did not come to pass, with the Premier League returning to action this month, enabling them to cap their stunning success. However, because of the measures put in place in response to the virus, the Reds will not be able to celebrate their long-awaited success with their supporters immediately, at least not in the traditional sense. As with Wednesday’s impressive 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, when they next play at Anfield, against Aston Villa on Sunday, 5 July - and for their two other remaining home games - it will be behind closed doors. As things stand it also seems unlikely they will be able to partake in any of the usual public events in
Liverpool, such as an opentop bus parade around the city. By quirk of fate, though, the next time they take to the field will be at the side they have beaten to this season’s title and who pipped them so narrowly last campaign, Manchester City. A record-breaking season - Winning the title was always the main aim for a club which had endured such a long wait to be crowned champions of England again, having earned that honour 11 times between 1973 and 1990. But having achieved that ambition things could get better yet, with City’s 100point total for a season one of numerous records Liverpool can still break. Klopp’s side have already produced one of the most memorable campaigns in Premier League history, amassing 86 points already,
with a record of 28 victories, two draws and a single defeat from their 31 games. Such has been their dominance, at one stage they led the table by 25 points - a record gap between a side in first and second in English top-flight history. Also still a possibility are the most wins in a season (which currently stands at 32), most home wins (18), most away wins (16) and biggest winning margin (19 points). Their title win this season is the earliest on record, at least with regard to games remaining, with the Reds having seven still to play. That it is not the earliest title win by date is only because of the halting of football in England between March and May as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Shamarh Brooks and Shane Dowrich find form in drawn Windies warm-up ESPNcricinfo - West Indies captain Jason Holder maintained a watching brief as the tourists’ three-day intrasquad match at Emirates Old Trafford ended with halfcenturies from Shayne Moseley, Shane Dowrich and Shamarh Brooks. Holder, who has been working back from an ankle niggle, declined to bowl himself once again despite taking the field in the morning session and did not bat in his team’s second innings. That means the all-rounder’s time in the middle has been restricted to a golden duck on Wednesday afternoon, though word from the West Indies camp is that he has done enough in training to suggest a more active role awaits in next week’s four-day clash. “Jason has had a slight niggle on his ankle and that is what has held him back from bowling, but that was always the plan for this match,” Simmons told the PA news agency. “He will be back to bowling in the four-day game and should be bowling his full quota. As for the batting if you get one ball and you’re out, that’s all you can do.” There was also a moment of concern for wicketkeeper Dowrich, who injured his side midway through the final day and was not seen again. He received treatment back in the dressing room, with Brooks and Shai Hope each taking a turn with the gloves. Simmons later confirmed he would need to see a doctor, but insisted he was “doing fine”. The match itself - the first top-level cricket anywhere in the world since mid-March moved gently towards its drawn conclusion, the intensity of the first two days dialled down as the prospect of a positive result receded. Kraigg Brathwaite’s XI were able to declare 313 ahead at lunch, with a stand of 131 between Dowrich (56 not out) and Brooks (66 not out) leaving them in a strong position. Moseley managed to outscore both in the final innings, following his earlier score of 40 with a wellconstructed 83 not out, but
he is listed among 11 reserves rather than in the 14-strong Test squad. There is a chance to be promoted from one to the other before the first Test against England on July 8, with Trinidadian paceman Shannon Gabriel almost certain to having proved his fitness here, but the uncapped Moseley still has work to do to leap the existing pecking order. Brathwaite’s XI resumed on 99 for 3 and quickly lost Roston Chase lbw for 4, Gabriel with his fourth scalp of the match, after which Dowrich and Brooks took over for the remainder of the session. Brooks was dropped on five, a one-handed effort going down at mid-off, while Dowrich was also in single figures when he found himself in the midst of an opportunistic appeal. The wicketkeeper had gloved a Gabriel bouncer to third slip but seemingly missed a noball call - there were a sloppy 34 in the match - as he began walking away. The catcher, Kyle Mayers, hurled down the stumps but the ensuing celebrations were quietened by the umpire’s dead-ball call. The scoring was care-free thereafter, leading to the declaration on 231 for 4. The fourth and final innings of the match was by a distance to gentlest, with Moseley taking advantage better than anyone. Joshua da Silva switched with Jermaine Blackwood to open the batting but nicked off for 14, while Sunil Ambris was cleaned up cheaply by Raymon Reifer as the leftarmer followed up his day two five-for. Blackwood played Keon Harding into his stumps but although Moseley was moving towards a century against some gentle spin bowling from Brathwaite and Chase, the decision was made to wrap things up at 5.30pm with the scoreboard reading 149 for 3. Scores: Brathwaite XI 275 and 231 for 4 (Dowrich 56*, Brooks 66*) drew with Holder XI 193 and 149 for 3 (Moseley 83*).
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Formula 1 to launch diversity foundation to fund apprenticeships & scholarships
World champion Lewis Hamilton is so far the only driver of Afro-Caribbean descent to make it into F1.(Getty Images) BBCsport - Formula 1 is setting up a foundation to fund apprenticeships and scholarships to increase diversity in the sport. The foundation has a start-up fund of $1m (£804,000), which has been provided personally by F1 chairman and chief executive Chase Carey. The fund will grow with contributions from others, both within and outside the sport. F1 and world governing body the FIA are to instigate a plan to promote drivers from diverse backgrounds. This will, according to a statement, “identify and systematically eliminate barriers to entry from grass roots karting to Formula 1”. F1 launches equality and diversity taskforce World champion Lewis Hamilton is so far the only driver of Afro-Caribbean descent to make it into F1. The 35-year-old has in recent weeks been outspoken on the subject of race
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F1 chief Chase Carey. (Reuters) and diversity, in the wake of the global Black Lives Matter protests that followed the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis last month. Carey said: “We fully recognise that Formula 1 needs to be more inclusive and diverse. “While we set out our strategy last year to improve the position of our sport, we need, and want, to do more. “That is why we will establish a task force to listen and ensure the right initiatives are identified to increase diversity in Formula 1. “We want to ensure we give people from all backgrounds the best chances to work in Formula 1 regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical abilities. “We are therefore also taking the initial step of creating a foundation to support key educational and employment opportunities across Formula 1 that will give underrepresented talent the chance to work in this incredible sport and build an exciting career.”
Australia and New Zealand named hosts of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ © FIFA.com
Reuters - Australia and New Zealand were handed the right to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup soccer tournament by a comfortable margin after a vote by the FIFA Council yesterday. Their joint proposal beat a rival bid from Colombia to host the tournament which is being expanded to 32 teams. Japan, who had also put forward a bid to stage the event, pulled out on Monday after they were ranked below the joint bid by world governing body FIFA’s evaluation report. The report highlighted the infrastructure and organisational advantages of the Australia/New Zealand bid which FIFA believed would make for a
commercially successful tournament. “The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand will be ground-breaking in many ways,” said a delighted Chris Nikou, president of Football Federation Australia (FFA). “Not only will it be the first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup and the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in the Asia-Pacific region, but we will unlock the huge potential for growth in women’s football in the AsiaPacific region.” There had been media reports that the vote could be tight with UEFA’s European representatives backing Colombia but in the end the margin of victory was wide
with Australia and New Zealand gaining 22 votes to Colombia’s 13. The 2019 World Cup in France was hailed as a watershed for global interest in the women’s game and FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally drove the campaign to increase the field to 32 teams from 24 for 2023. Infantino had also expressed a preference for the successful Australia/ New Zealand bid during the FIFA Council meeting. Colombia, who were hoping to become the first South American nation to hold the tournament, were disappointed at the decision but vowed to keep fighting to host a major FIFA event.
World Athletics launches ‘Road to Jason Holder injury not a concern Tokyo’ qualification tracking tool - Phil Simmons World Athletics has launched ‘Road to Tokyo’, an online tool to help athletes, media and fans track the qualification process for next year’s Olympic Games. Searchable by discipline, country and qualification status, the tool will provide a real time view of each event over the course of the Tokyo 2020 qualification period which ends on 29 June 2021. As announced last month, the Tokyo 2020 qualification system already in force was adapted to fit the new dates of the Games, which were postponed in March. The Games will now be held from 23 July to 8 August, 2021. The qualification principles remain
unchanged with athletes able to qualify through entry standards and then the World Athletics World Rankings. Athletes who have already met the entry standard since the start of the qualification period in 2019 remain qualified and will be eligible for selection by their respective Member Federations and National Olympic Committees, together with the other athletes who will qualify within the extended qualification period. Due to the uneven training and competition opportunities around the world during the coronavirus pandemic, World Athletics announced on 7 April that the qualification period (for all events) was suspended from 6 April to 30 November 2020.
Jofra Archer joins England training camp after negative coronavirus test BBCsport - Bowler Jofra Archer will join England’s training group in Southampton later on Thursday after testing negative for coronavirus. The 25-year-old was delayed in joining the camp after a member of his household felt unwell over the weekend. Archer, and the rest of his household, tested negative earlier this week for the virus and after a second negative test he will now travel to Southampton. England’s 30-man group is preparing for the Test series against West Indies.
The three-match series, originally due to start on 4 June, begins on 8 July behind closed doors in bio-secure environments at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford. England’s training group - based at the Ageas Bowl - will play a three-day practice game from 1 July, after which a squad will be chosen for the first Test. Archer revealed last week that the elbow injury which kept him out of the final three Tests of England’s series against Southampton last winter had fully healed.
BBCsport - West Indies coach Phil Simmons has no injury concerns over Jason Holder, despite the captain taking little part in their first warm-up game. Holder did not bowl in the three-day match at Old Trafford which ended as a draw yesterday. “Jason has had a slight niggle on his ankle and that is what has held him back from bowling,” said Simmons. He will be back to bowling in the four-day game and should be bowling his full quota.” West Indies will play one more intra-squad match, starting on 29 June, before the three-Test series against England gets under way at Southampton on 8 July. Holder is ranked as the number one all-rounder in Test cricket by the International Cricket Council. Captaining one of the teams in the practice game, he opted against promoting himself up the batting order in the second innings after
Jason Holder averages almost 33 with the bat and 26 with the ball in 40 Tests.(Getty Images) making a golden duck in the first. Sheyne Moseley made 83 not out for Holder’s side, after Shamarh Brooks’ unbeaten 66 and Shane Dowrich’s 56 not out allowed Kraigg Brathwaite’s team to declare at lunch. Simmons said pace bowler Shannon Gabriel, who is
officially listed as a reserve to the West Indies squad, is ready to play in the first Test after recovering from an ankle injury. “You could see he’s close to 100%,” said Simmons. “Now we want to get him up to 100 just before the Test match.”
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RHTYSC/Walter Nero Memorial Father of the Year Award presented to Timothy Sandia The ten cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) on Sunday last named Timothy Sandia as the 2020 Walter Nero Father of the Year. The Hampshire village businessman was rewarded after being nominated by the Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 team and
seconded by the Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour First Division team. R H T Y & S C Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, Vice President Mark Papannah, Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu and Office Manager Joel Pike visited the Sandia family to hand over the award. T h e Wa l t e r N e r o
Timothy Sandia receives his award from Hilbert Foster, Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC in the presence of his son, Jeremy.
M e m o r i a l Aw a r d i s sponsored by his five daughters - Karen, Sandra, Theresa, Jackie and Narcy in memory of their dad who died five years ago. Foster, stated that since its formation in September, 1990 by three times Guyana and Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St. Francis Community Developers - the RHTY&SC has honoured a Father and Mother of the Year. The main objectives are, to express thanks for their input into the club’s success, to acknowledge their contributions in the development of their child and to promote them as positive role models to the younger generation. Sandia is the father of
two children, the youngest, Jeremy being a member of the RHTY&SC. He has represented Berbice and Guyana at the junior levels and is considered one of the best cricketing talents in the club. Jeremy Sandia is a left arm spinner and solid middle order batsman. Foster issued an appeal to fathers across Guyana to play a major role in the lives of their children and to encourage them to reject the evil ways of Satan. He committed the club to continuing leading the battle to get youths to Say No to Drugs, Crime, Alcohol, Suicide and Tobacco. A humble Sandia stated that he was pleased to be honoured by the RHTY&SC and the (Continued on page 19)
RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/ CEO Simon Naidu hands over donation to Mr. & Mrs. Jaundoo, who last their home by fire.
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Shayne Moseley flicks the ball to the leg side, Brathwaite XI v Holder XI, Old Trafford, 3rd day, June 25, 2020 ©Getty Images
Shamarh Brooks and Shane Dowrich both posted half-centuries ©Getty Images
Shamarh Brooks and Shane Dowrich find form in drawn Windies warm-up Reds’ 30-year wait for top-flight title ends
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