Kaieteur News

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 5

Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news

Privatisation of Guysuco with govt. Guyanese will continue to migrate retaining a 20% stake is also an option from a crime-ridden country DEAR EDITOR, The Guysuco Commission of Inquiry recently named by the Coalition government needs to be bold and I think the members have the capacity to have the forward thinking vision which understands that Guysuco is not going to survive with sugar as its main product being offered for sale. Also success for Guysuco in the context of all of Guyana’s capital spending needs implies private sector funding to ease the burden on the government. If the Commission does its work well long term Guysuco bonds could be an attractive investment for Guyanese in the Diaspora and other investors.

Privatisation of Guysuco with the government retaining a 20% stake is also an option that needs to be in the discussion. Guysuco cannot survive as Guyana’s employer of last resort. The Commission would have to ignore the mostly empty noise that is going to come from the PPP. The government has to speak to all the stakeholders in Guysuco directly and not through the filter of the PPP. When/if the PPP begins behaving in a grown-up manner it could bring good ideas to the table but the government cannot wait on that party as it goes forward in doing good for all Guyanese. Fitzgerald Yaw

Max Messiah has started an uplifting health movement on media DEAR EDITOR, Max Messiah has started a powerful movement on media, every Friday on NCN at 8pm, highlighting the benefits of strength sports as it pertains to a better life, be it body building, martial arts, boxing or mixed MA. Today in Guyana we have more than our quota of vehicles, necessary to our commuting, and as job earning machinery, where the varieties of job choices are lacking. We also consume a lot of alcohol and with the abundance of fast food official and non-official outlets; a lot of home cooking isn’t happening. Formulas for bad health without some loyalty to a fitness habit. Strength training works in various ways, it lifts self esteem, gets the blood flow going , enhances libido, so everyone is happy, though technically broke. Then it propels one to examine what one eats, because you are physically what you eat. One of the virtual legacies

my father left me was “The body is a temple, treat it right and the Gods will bless you” even for him, was easier said than done. Maximum Sports is a unique programme, with a universe of knowledge to be unfolded. On Wednesday, 3 June last, MAXIMUM SPORTS held its first Anniversary seminar at the National Cultural Centre. The star of the show was our own International Icon Laura Creavalle, a Ms Olympia favourite. I would have liked to have seen a full house of Health enthusiasts at the Cultural Centre, but true to my evaluation it was a small but reasonable crowd of serious folk, Max delivered a well balanced programme, with some hiccups, from the support NCC staff, The local martial arts groups did their thing, and though not pro-actors, they delivered their skits well. The throne of it was the Olympian Laura Creavalle , she delivered to us mortals and the Demi-Muscle Gods and Goddesses there. It was

a crisp no nonsense interactive programme. So you weren’t there? Well, here’s a profound extract, we don’t eat solid country no more, I’m talking boil and fry provision wid egg or fish, or giblets with loud tomatoes fuh breakfast. We eat sandwiches sunny side up and some tea, then grab something solid by midday because we’re really hungry then or fast food, and by evening we’re famished, eat something heavy late in the night and fall to sleep, and that’s how fat replaced my once 32" waist. The heavy meal should be breaking-the –fast, and the lightest meal, before we enter the Fast, there; you missed a great fitness seminar. Thanks again to my buddy, Max Messiah, and to his sponsors, A Ally & Sons and others, keep the good work up, get Guyana h e a l t h y, f o r St r e n g t h combat healthy people, think faster and don’t need the thorny shoulders of alcohol and drugs to lean on. Barrington Braithwaite

DEAR EDITOR, Recently, I went to the funeral for Jason Cort, a young professional who was robbed and brutally gunned down in his own home. He left behind a fiancée who is also a professional, and a two year old son to mourn his passing. The murder of this quiet and innocent man, and many others like him, is indicative that this country is a daunting place in which to live. A country is dangerous to live in when a person is not safe even in his or her own home. I know some people will disagree with me for describing our country as a violent place. But who would disagree with me that almost every day, innocent people are being robbed and murdered, and I’m not talking about people who are involved in illegal activities. Who would disagree with me that most people don’t feel safe outside or inside their home? Some people don’t want to hear our country is unsafe. They want to keep it a secret; this suits their selfish purposes, their financial interests; their ostrich mentality. It does not help, it hurts. There is also a perception in the country that when someone is gunned down, like this young man was, it may be because he did something wrong. In other words, in our society, a person is guilty until proven innocent. Whereas, in other societies, people are innocent until proven guilty. I want to make it clear this young man was in no way tainted. He wasn’t killed because he did anything wrong. And now that he is dead, his fiancée will be faced with an important choice for her future: to remain in Guyana and possibly face a similar

death or to migrate to a safer country with less violence, and a chance at a quality existence. I’ll tell you what most people in her situation have chosen to do: they’ve chosen to migrate because they don’t have the confidence that law enforcement can protect them. And if she chose to leave Guyana, then our country will have lost two young professionals, one by murder and the other by migration. And for a country that is already struggling to keep our young professionals from leaving this is not good. Editor, this is why I’m putting it to you that a high crime rate definitely influences migration. People will continue to leave the country as long as they don’t feel safe. I would like to be more optimistic about the future of my country, but I’m having a hard time feeling optimistic when I see that crime is getting worse and not better. If this young woman comes to me for advice on whether to remain or leave the country,

what reasons can I give to her to remain in Guyana? I can’t tell her things will get better. I can tell her that there are safer places to live than here. Editor, some people will read this letter and feel nothing: no compassion, no empathy, no sorrow for this family, because life has little value here. Some people have become unmoved by tragedies: they’ve become numb, callous and could care less about this horrific tragedy, because they’re not personally affected by it. The truth is, in this country we’ve become so selfish and selfcentred, that we don’t care about anybody but ourselves. Editor, even though this young man’s death was a tragedy, it didn’t come as a surprise, because we are living in a violent village and people are robbed and murdered daily in a violent nation. Today it is Jason. The question is who will be next? The point is: this does not have to happen. Not like this; not so many times; not with so little reaction from wider society. Anthony Pantlitz

Page 6

Kaieteur News

Monday June 29, 2015

Brazil-Guyana fibre optic cable...

Contract will be renegotiated - Harmon After some weeks of information gathering, the Granger administration has decided on its plans for the highly contentious Brazil to Guyana fibre optic cable project. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon during his latest press conference told Kaieteur News that this is another project to come under the government’s radar considering that it is absorbing millions of taxpayers’ dollars. “I did indicate to you the last time we met that I had a request from the gentlemen you spoke about, Fasil Mohamed, but I was not ready to meet with him because I need to get a better sense of where we are with the project and I am now able to do so. I have met with the persons in government who had anything to do with it and so I am in a better position to do so,” the Minister stated. He added, “I am looking at several things in this regard because we are spending monies on a daily basis on some of these projects and we may have to just draw the line, and say no more work until we see what is going on here but we haven’t gotten to that as yet because we were in the process of gathering information to put us in a position to make informed decisions.” The fibre optic cable project is part of an Information Communication Technology Initiative of the former PPP/C government to bring cheaper internet service to Guyana’s shores from the neighbouring Portuguese speaking territory. But after some years, the cable project collapsed and under pressure from the

- contractor remains very open to fresh talks - E-Governance Head, Alexei Ramotar, willing to work with administration

Alexei Ramotar, Head of the E-Governance Project media, the previous administration admitted that the cable was in a poor state. Before the PPP/C lost the May 11, 2015 elections, former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon had announced that Dax Contracting Services owned by Faisal Mohamed, was awarded a contract to rehabilitate the cable. The agreement states that Dax will undertake the repair and maintain the fibre optic cable from Brazil. This contract is for an initial 25 years with an option to renew it for a further 15 years. This gives Dax a total of 40 years of cable rights. The PPP/C administration also undertook to provide Mohamed with the necessary support to receive and transmit data by way of the cable after granting the company an operating licence. And for free, Mohamed will be able to use the Government-owned fibre optic cables and structures including, roads, the poles, access to repeater stations and other things. Dax Contracting Services would also be provided with

tax exemptions and incentives, including but not limited to tax holidays, remissions, tax waivers and duty free concessions on equipment, spares, tools and vehicles. The then PPP government insisted that it would retain possession and use of most of the bandwidth. As the owner of parts of the cable, the contract gave Mohamed the power to invite and sign with any company or entity to use them to transmit and receive data and information from any part of the world in the same way that today’s telephone companies operate. To add insult to injury, the former government had agreed to pay Dax for specific emergency maintenance. Harmon also spoke to the issue of Guyana already accumulating some US$76, 000 annually in debt for the internet connectivity which had stopped at the Brazilian borders even though Guyana is yet to utilize it. The Minister of State said, “We are going to renegotiate all these things (debt). What I found is that in a number of the international agreements which we entered during the PPP era, the quality of the negotiations was very poor in some cases…So with respect to Brazil and the debt and that contract, we have to re-enter into conversations with the Brazilians and to see whether in fact we can get a better deal.” He added, “We are fresh

and we are a new government and I believe some countries might very well want to cut us some slack because they recognize that the image of this country has been severely damaged by the previous administration…” Additionally, the Dax Contracting Services proprietor told Kaieteur News in a brief interview that he is eager to meet the new administration and speak with them on the works needed to be done on the Brazil to Guyana fibre optic cable. He sought to set the record straight that even though he was given what appeared to be a “sweetheart contract”, he has been unable to access the concessions. Mohamed said that “it is tied up at the Finance Ministry.” The Contractor said that as a result of this, he has been forced to dip into his own pockets to complete at least quarter of the works costing millions of dollars. He noted that thus far he has finished most of the works on the Linden Highway with

some minor adjustments to be made. “I am willing to negotiate with the new administration, the whole contract and everything, concessions included. I want us all to be happy,” Mohamed added. Further, the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon maintained that he has not seen the head of the EGovernance project, Alexei Ramotar at work since the new administration took over. Ramotar however, stated that his latest report on the project was submitted just about two weeks ago to the Ministry of the Presidency and he has been reporting for duties daily. Harmon in the past had been extremely critical of the former President’s son and questioned his competence to hold such a position. While Harmon still holds this view, Ramotar expressed that he is still willing to work along with the new government “given the importance of the EGovernance project.” The US$32M EGovernance project is not

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon concerned with internet, but acts as a database centre for government agencies and ministries with certain applications which would facilitate a better management of payment processes and other information efficiently. Ramotar had explained that internet is just a service the project can provide, but it is not the main purpose of the project. He had said that the project will be rolled out in a phased manner and could take a number of years because of its expansive nature. The E-governance project, he insisted, “was completed and is in the process of being operationalized.”

Due process must be a necessity for govt. - watchdog group As accusations of witchhunting continue to be directed against the APNU+AFC administration, President of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) Calvin Bernard has opined that Due Process is necessary when the new government deals with various agencies. During an interview with Kaieteur News, Bernard said that Due Process allows for transparency and enables the new coalition government to show that it was serious in its fight against corruption. According to Bernard, Due Process is a necessity when making shifts in the hierarchy of any institution. Bernard noted that in many cases, there were persons who were clearly “politicking” and making their affiliations with the previous People’s Progressive Party administration known. Although this sort of open campaign was not ideal, Bernard emphasised that Due Process must nonetheless be enforced. However, he said, the process should be

TIGI President, Calvin Bernard appropriately based on the institution’s policies and will differ in each organisation. “Due Process will differ for the positions that the persons held and may differ on the contractual arrangements and the sector they are in. Essentially, whatever is appropriate – whatever is articulated, based on the norms or practices – that’s what must be followed,” the TIGI Head emphasised. For example, he said, the University of Guyana requires a number of steps before a

person could be terminated. “Every single step will be critical. We have not yet heard specific cases stating that Due Process was not followed; all we’ve been hearing is that they [the government] have removed this person or that person.” He further said, “Inevitably you’re going to have people with political affiliations being knocked off in any change of government. In the best examples of democracy throughout the world, when governments change, people who would have been affiliated with the previous administration are removed.” He added, “So that’s one thing that shouldn’t be exaggerated and deemed as ‘witch hunts’. Some of it will happen.” Meanwhile, Bernard emphasised that political affiliations did not negate persons from being in top positions in different organisations. However, he said, competency must be paramount, regardless of political affiliations. “Political affiliations do (Continued on page 12)

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

African Union says Burundi election not free or fair, speaker flees Reuters - The African Union stood down its election observers in Burundi yesterday, saying today’s parliamentary election would be neither free nor fair, as the speaker of parliament said he had fled after being threatened and heavy gunfire echoed across the capital. Residents of the capital Bujumbura reported hearing the sound of grenade explosions and heavy machinegun fire in northern and southern districts, after a night in which at least three people were killed. Burundi has been in turmoil since April, when President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term, exacerbating months of protests and triggering an abortive military coup last month. Opposition parties are boycotting today’s vote and the presidential election on July 15 in protest at Nkurunziza’s move, which they say is unconstitutional, and at rising political violence. “Noting that the necessary conditions are not met for the organisation of

Pierre Nkurunziza free, fair, transparent and credible elections ... the AU Commission will not observe the local and parliamentary elections,” Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the commission’s chairwoman, said in a statement. The European Union and the influential Catholic Church have already stood down their observers for the same reasons. Dlamini Zuma appealed to the government and all other parties to “take a full measure

of the dangers threatening their country”. Parliamentary speaker Pie Ntavyohanyuma said he been threatened after opposing Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term. “I was forced to quit the country due to the unrest caused by the president’s insistence on seeking a third term, which is illegal, which is unconstitutional,” he told France 24 television from Belgium. “I personally advised President Nkurunziza to drop his plan for a third term, but his answer was to threaten me, to humiliate me.” The government was not immediately available to respond to his remarks. Nkurunziza’s opponents say his decision to stand again violates the constitution as well as a peace deal that ended a civil war in 2005. Nkurunziza cites a constitutional court ruling saying he can run again, although the court’s vice president, another of those who have fled, said he and other judges had been pressured to rule in favour of Nkurunziza.

France attack suspect admits killing, police make link to Syria PARIS (Reuters) - The suspected Islamist who attempted to blow up a French chemical plant on Friday has admitted killing his manager beforehand, a source close to the investigation said yesterday, as police linked the suspect to a militant now in Syria. Yassin Salhi, 35, told detectives he had killed Hervé Cornara in a parking area before arriving at the plant in Saint Quentin-Fallavier, 30 km (20 miles) south of Lyon, where he tried in vain to cause a major explosion. Police found the 54-yearold victim’s decapitated body and head, framed by Islamic inscriptions, at the plant, which is owned by the U.S. firm Air Products. There were no other casualties.

Examination of one of Salhi’s mobile phones revealed that he had taken a picture of himself with the severed head before his arrest and sent the image to a Canadian phone number. Canadian authorities said yesterday they were assisting the investigation. The phone number belongs to a French national, known by his first name Sebastien-Younes, who has been in Syria since last year, the same source said, confirming media reports. His last known location was the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa. According to other French media reports, Salhi told police he had argued with Cornara and with his own wife before the killing.

One of their work colleagues, quoted on the website of the television station i-Tele, also said the two men had clashed days earlier after Salhi dropped a pallet of fragile equipment. The suspect, whose wife and sister were released yesterday after two days of questioning, is said by French security services to have associated with hardline Islamists over more than a decade, and had previously been flagged by them as a potential risk. Flanked by heavily armed police in masks and flak jackets, Salhi was taken on Sunday to the car park where he said he had killed Cornara, before retracing the route he had followed to the chemical plant.

Page 7

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Monday June 29, 2015

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 9

WHAT IS THERE TO BE ADVERTIZED? The Constitution of Guyana provides that for the appointment of the Chief Justice and the Chancellor of the Judiciary there must be agreement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition. For many years now there has been no agreement and therefore no appointment could have been made. The result is that the substantive Chief Justice is acting as the Chancellor and another judge is acting as Chief Justice. This has been going on for years now and

represents a major problem not just for the image of the judiciary but for its independence since essentially the confirmation of these top positions is being stymied by political gridlock. It was also felt that the PNCR’s refusal to confirm the two persons acting for years in the position amounted to a vote of no-confidence in those persons. The PNCR when it was in opposition had sought to break this gridlock by indicating that the positions should be advertised. But this

in itself does not solve the problem because there still has to be agreement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition and if there is no agreement, interviews or no interviews, there cannot be any appointment. It seems that the government needs to be reminded of this fact because it is saying that it will be advertising the positions. Well that is not its role in the first place. It is the role of the Judicial Service Commission and the government can be accused

Dem boys seh...

Moses show Jagdeo how fuh live wid you wife Politics does mek people show off dem stripe. Not that it is a bad thing. De other day, for example, Moses tour de Giftland OfficeMax complex and he go to de cinema. Dem didn’t have any movie but he sit down in de chair and he wife sit down near him. If you see de hug up. Dem boys seh that de only person dem see do that when dem other people was in de government was Donald. Jagdeo couldn’t do that because he wasn’t too interested in a relationship wid a woman. Dem others was too busy drinking rum. Some people declare that he got a human side and that he gun give Parvati a chance fuh cuss he again. Dem also believe that he gun give Kwame a job but not in de

media because once anybody put Kwame near to a media house is trouble. And while Moses doing these things dem got people who want to spoil he party. Dem talking bout de Accord wha he and Soulja Bai sign fuh form de coalition. Of course some things change but that didn’t happen just like that. Certain things wha dem agree on wasn’t possible. Same thing when Cheddi form de Civic. De next thing you know, de Civic people had to join de party but de same people who talking now wasn’t talking then. And while dem talking, people acting quietly. Dem finding out that some people hide up money all over de place like when squirrel hiding

nuts. Some of dem even forget wheh dem hide de money and now that dem boys finding it dem ain’t coming out to claim it.But wha dem boys want find is Irfaat. He disappear off de face of de map. Dem got some people looking fuh he too because dem claim how he tek dem money fuh give dem house lots and dem ain’t get no house lot and dem ain’t get back dem money. But dem boys got some advice fuh he. Just like how people carry back dem car de other day, he must carry back de people money and only de police gun ask question. And he can try fuh join de coalition. Robert done bruck crew wid dem. Talk half and watch how some of dem gun try fuh join de coalition.

of meddling in the affairs of the judiciary by even suggesting something like this. But mistakes are going to be made by the new government and accommodation has to be made for the occasional mistake. The government has no locus standi to advertise any position for the Bench. That is the responsibility of the Judicial Service Commission. Quite notably there is now a coalition government in place comprising the APNU and the AFC. The AFC’s position has always been that it feels that given the length of time that the Chancellor and Chief Justice have been acting that they should be confirmed in their positions. Has the AFC changed its position on this? Did the AFC concur with the recent statement, attributed to a government spokesperson that the positions would be advertised? If it did not, then it raises a number of questions including whether some form of democratic centralism is guiding decision making within the Cabinet. This would be unfortunate because it would be against the spirit of the Cummingsburg Accord.

But that is an issue for another day. If you have someone acting in a position for a long time there has to be an expectation that the person would be confirmed. By then asking them to apply for the position you are humiliating that person. This should not be happening in the judiciary and it should not be at the behest of the executive arm of the government. In some jurisdictions there would have been a huge public outcry over what is taking place. This is rather unfortunate and will affect the morale of the judiciary which has enough problems of its own. It should also be noted that there is a substantive Chief Justice. With the agreement of a former Leader of the Opposition, it was decided that he should act as Chancellor until the deadlock was resolved. It is therefore strange to hear that both positions are going to be advertised. How can both positions be advertised when there is only a vacancy in one

position. These are not simple mistakes that are being made. There are legal luminaries that are in Cabinet and they should have brought these things to the attention of their colleagues. It is too early for such dangerous manevourves to be made. By the way is it true that the government sent a team to Venezuela over the weekend to discuss the continuation of the Petro Caribe Agreement? If this is so then the whole approach to the recent Decree issued by Caracas is out of sync because what should have been done first is being done last. How can you go to Caracas days after one member of the government publicly says that Venezuela knows what it has to do: It has to behave itself. Does anyone really believe that in the face of this approach that the Venezuelans are going to agree to anything?

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Micro-enterprise promotion to aid Guyana can capitalise on youths’ economic independence Barbados’ decline in visitors – Business Minister

Accountability, integrity and transparency will the guiding ethos of the newly created Ministry of Business and Investment, whose mantra will be ‘Guyana means business’, Minister Dominic Gaskin told the National Assembly on Friday during his inaugural address. Minister Gaskin listed several priorities for his Ministry over the next years, including: improved facilitation largely by removing obstacles placed on businesses by government; support for improved competition mainly to businesses to help them grow and become internationally competitive; entrepreneurial development focusing on innovation and technology at the small and microenterprise level; actively promoting Guyana as a good place to do business and preparing small businesses to access the public procurement pipeline. The Business Minister said President David Granger’s recognition that charitable handouts and trickledown economics are not the answer for pauperisation and privation, along with his emphasis on tackling youth unemployment, has given strong and early direction for policy formation of his ministry. Micro-enterprise promotion as a means of establishing economic independence for youths has also been recognised; he added and cited the recent Caribbean Development Bank’s study that estimates youth unemployment at 40 % which indicates an urgent need to address this problem.

“A well administered programme for developing small and micro enterprises can see a new culture of entrepreneurship among our youth population and provide a new generation of business role models,” he said. Minister Gaskin said that the consolidation of a number of departments and agencies into a single Ministry of Business has resulted in an effective, dedicated organisation committed to the growth of business and investment sectors. This is needed if the war is to be waged against the four real enemies of the Guyanese people, “crime, disease, ignorance and poverty”. MULTI-LAYERED PRIVATE SECTOR The ministry will be facilitating the expansion of a multi-layered private s e c t o r, t h e M i n i s t e r explained, “That can provide opportunities for advancement to all Guyanese and generate the increased revenues required for improving and expanding government’s programmes for achieving a better life for Guyanese”. The Ministry’s five -year strategic plan will lend itself to this realisation and it will be completed before the government’s first 100 days in office, Minister Gaskin promised. The Ministry will be promoting the idea of, “One Nation” to the business sector as adumbrated by the president, “By emphasising the principles of inclusiveness, fairness and equality within its five - year plan,” the Minister said. The immediate priority of the Ministry will be to

– Tourism Minister

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin develop its own capacity to deliver its long-term objectives, and this includes examining projects done under the previous administration such as Support for Competitiveness Programme, as well as exploring new initiatives to strengthen operations, he stated. The Ministry will also move to facilitate more engagements with the private sector, constantly upgrading the legal framework guiding local business. The Ministry will be reviewing its organisational structure to effectively carry out its functions he stated. Its five divisions are: the Commerce Division, the Industrial Development Division, the Small Business Bureau, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest).The National Exhibition Center will also be incorporated in the Ministry’s implementation programme. The Ministry is aiming to sustain an environment that is conducive to legitimate businesses and will pursue the necessary legislation to achieve this. (GINA)

Guyana is poised to capitalise on Barbados’ declining regional visitors, since the South American country has assets the island cannot offer. This is according to Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes, who in a recent interview with this publication said that Guyana offers something “new and different” for the international tourist market. “The Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism industries are the fastest growing sectors in the Tourism Industry. That’s why destinations like Costa Rica and Belize are doing well,” said Minister Hughes. According to the Minister, Guyana is an alternative to the conventional “blue waters, white sand” locations for travellers who have been there enough times to know what they are getting. “They want something different, which we (Guyana) are strategically placed to supply,” said the Tourism Minister. She added that the country has the assets to provide experiences that are new and different for travelers both in and outside the Caribbean Region. It was recently published in sections of the Caribbean media that Barbados had seen a reduction in Trinidadian visitors, the island’s number one market in the region. According to an official from the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Vicky Chandler, last year, Trinidad accounted for 35.6 percent of the island’s visitors. However, with increasing competition from the United States and Canada, Barbados has seen an overall decline in

visitors. According to Chandler, 2014 was the third year the island saw a reduction in visitors not only from Trinidad, but the entire Region. With tourism being the backbone of Barbados’ economy, the island has kickstarted a strategic and vigorous campaign to reinvent the country’s image with regard to what it has to offer. Chandler was quoted as saying that “most people love Barbados but they have done almost everything. We really do want to reinvent ourselves.” Additionally, while Minister Hughes did say that the country can capitalise on Barbados’ declining numbers, she contended that the countries can work together to provide travel packages for international visitors. Such packages would include joint trips to Barbados and Guyana. As it relates to Guyana, Hughes said that the country is looking to adapt an “aggressive marketing plan”, which will focus on products the nation has an upper-hand with. She pointed out that such products are locations along the Essequibo River, the Rupununi and other areas outside Georgetown. Moreover, the Minister

Minister of Tourism, Catherine Hughes added that activities such as bird watching and sports fishing are gaining more attention with the international market. However, for Guyana to be more competitive in the Tourism Sector, Minister Hughes said that the country has to look into reviewing its pricing structure. “We need to have incentives like reduction on taxes in aviation fuel... We need employ a lower VAT rates for the Tourism Sector,” related Hughes. She also noted that reduced airline taxes could bring new airline carriers to the country which would increase competition, ultimately benefitting the consumer market for travel to Guyana.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Bandits raid Enmore supermarket Customers and staff of the Savers Choice Supermarket at Enmore, East Coast Demerara were forced to endure several minutes of terror as a gang of armed bandits stormed the establishment and carted off several million dollars on Saturday. The bandits struck around 10:30 hours and forced all the customers to lie face down on the ground while they held the staff at gunpoint and demanded cash. It was described as a well planned attack. While no shot was fired and no one was reportedly hurt, the bandits terrorized their victims for several minutes, and it was only after the alarm went off that they eventually fled in a waiting car. A taxi driver, Rayaan Moideen called “Kojac”, was one of the victims. He told

this newspaper that he went to the supermarket to pick up an item for a customer and walked straight into the robbery which was already in progress. Moideen said that as he was walking into the facility, he did not know what was taking place, since from the outside everything appeared normal. But the bandits, who had secreted themselves when they saw him coming, ensured that the cashiers did not give them away. As Moideen entered the supermarket, one of the bandits who was carrying a gun “appeared from nowhere” and held him up. “He tell me ‘don’t run’, don’t holler, lie down pon de ground’,” Moideen related. He said that while he was lying on the ground, another bandit came to him and demanded his cell phone. The bandits proceeded to

rummage through his pockets and took out his phone, car keys and his wallet. “Other people been lying down pon de ground, but I didn’t look up because dem men say dey will shoot, if anybody move or scream,” Moideen explained. He said that he waited until the bandits left and when he heard the other victims getting up, he too got up and saw that everyone was shaken. Moideen said that he managed to keep his composure throughout the ordeal, since it was the first time that he had an encounter with bandits. Moideen said that he was hijacked at gunpoint before, during which he was badly beaten and thrown out of his car. Yesterday’s robbery was reported to the police but so far no one has been arrested.

Due process must be a... (From page 6) not mean that you ought not to be at the head; I wouldn’t say that. Competency is important though,” Bernard stressed. “We should be able to view those persons’ records; we should be able to look at their CVs and know that they’re suited for that technical position.” He stated that while Ministers do not have to

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

have any sort of competencies, technical persons who become heads of agencies should be technically competent, even if they are politically affiliated. “There are too many people who are politically affiliated. It can’t mean that if you’re politically affiliated you can’t get a job or the party can’t put you up for a job. That should be perfectly fine. But those persons should be acting in the interest of the people as opposed to the interest of the party. Where it gets twisted is when the heads begin acting in the interest of the party,” Bernard stressed.

Accusations of witch hunting have been leveled against the new administration following a number of sackings and shifting in numerous state agencies. Most of these accusations were leveled by the People’s Progressive Party, which was ousted out of power in May following a 23-year rule. During his address to the National Assembly last week, Finance Minister Winston Jordan stated that the government will not be sidetracked by cries of witch hunt but will instead do everything in its power to better Guyana.

Monday June 29, 2015

Drug trafficking cases threaten to overwhelm local courts From fish, to shrimp, to boulanger, to charcoal, to tonics- drug traffickers continue to find innovative and easy ways to sustain their trade. It’s not clear how many slip through using these ingenuous methods, since some of the cleverest missions have failed. Drug trafficking in Guyana affects nearly all aspects of our lives. In recent years, this epidemic has become a growing concern as a wide range of food exports are being used as conduits for the movement of illicit drugs. Although it generates vast illegal profits, it causes criminal groups to undermine the state’s authority; it also hurts the legitimate economy. Even though the authorities have managed to swoop down on some of these drug mules, the drug trade signals the presence of strong criminal groups and networks. Between January and June there were numerous drug trafficking cases called at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court (GMC). A few guilty pleas were entered by the defendants, while many others were found guilty at the conclusion of their trials. The others were remanded to prison pending the outcome of their trial. A few of them were dismissed because of insufficient evidence. The biggest drug case for the year is that of 58 year-old Linden businessman, Colin Prescod. This father of 29 allegedly tried to smuggle 178KG of cocaine to the USA. The cocaine was reportedly stashed in bags of charcoal. Coming in second, is the case of businessman, Barry Dataram, his 19 year-old reputed wife Anjanie Boodnarine and their two friends- Komal Charran and Trevor Gouveia. A trial is still being conducted in this matter. The quartet allegedly had 129.23KG of cocaine stuffed in frozen fish for export. The highest fine for the year was imposed on a single parent in March. Basmati Persaud, called ‘Lolita’ of 460 Grass Field, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara was ordered to pay a fine of $11, 097,000, after she tried to smuggle 12.330KG of cocaine in boulangers at the Cheddi

JAILED: Basmati Persaud

Remanded: Barry Dataram

Father of 29, Colin Prescod

FREED: Deon Layne

Jagan International Airport (CJIA). She will be spending the next 56 months behind bars. The drug busts continued in June, the month of brides. Four persons have been jailed so far. The quartet was jailed for a total of 17 years and fined a total of $392,350. Last month, appearing before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on separate drug trafficking charges were Damario Cheslie, a Surinamese and Zainab Mohamed. Cheslie, who was found with cocaine laced condom in her vagina and Mohamed were granted bail by the High Court. Meanwhile, fish trader, Mohamed Ali was released on $600,000 bail, by Magistrate Rushell Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Courts after he was accused of trafficking 51.626 kilos of cocaine stuffed in shrimp. Ali first appeared at the GMC and was remanded to prison. After spending last Christmas behind bars, Deon Layne of 88 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, walked out the GMC a free man in January, after his case was dismissed. In one of the most publicised cases, he was accused of giving a US citizen a bottle of SSS tonic containing cocaine to transport to his child mother.

Four persons died from consuming the tonic. In February, Canadian citizen, Rohbina Basdeo and her reputed husband, Mahendra Ransuchit appeared at the GMC after they had over 20kilos of cocaine in their possession. The couple slipped past airport security by using the VIP lounge but was later removed from the aircraft and searched. Cocaine was not the only drug that attracted the attention of anti-drug agents. In March, wife Killer, Rudolph London was jailed for three years for having eight grammes of cannabis in possession. London, who was an inmate of the Camp Street Prison at the time, was subsequently sentenced to 14 years imprisonment on a manslaughter charge by Justice Franklyn Holder. So far in April, two American citizens were jailed after pleading guilty to separate drug charges. Rueben Lamb 27 and Antwon Brumfield 20, of Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara, were each sentenced to three years imprisonment. They were ordered to pay fines of $1.5M and $30,000 respectively. They were several other cases that were heard including that of Prison Officer, Stayon Forde, who was jailed for four years.

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 21

See you later alligator President Barack Obama used the n-word during an interview released Monday to make a point that there’s still plenty of room for America to combat racism. This CNN story continued, “Racism, we are not cured of it. And it’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say nigger in public,” Obama said in an interview for the podcast WTF with Marc Maron. “That’s not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It’s not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don’t, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior.” CNN’s take on it was, “The jarring comment comes as the nation is engaged in a debate over the role of race after a white supremacist killed nine African-Americans last week in a historically black church in Charleston. They also reflect a growing willingness for Obama to

discuss race during the final years of his Presidency.” The Late Night comedians put their own special spin on it. Conan O’Brien quipped, “On a podcast the other day, President Obama used the Nword. In a related story, his new rap album drops on Wednesday.” Seth Meyers took a dig at Obama’s media enemies who tread very gingerly around it, “President Obama this weekend used the N-word when speaking about race relations in America. Which explains why everyone at Fox News today kept shouting, ‘And I quote …” Jimmy Fallon looked at the bigger picture, “Now that President Obama has 19 months left, media outlets are speculating about what his legacy will be. Some think it could be healthcare, or the trade deal. “Yeah, what could it be?” said the first black president, Barack Obama. In Trinidad, on September 25, 2013, the Trinidad Express reported on a contribution

made by Opposition Senator, Fitzgerald Hinds in a debate, “Borrowing a colloquialism from the late Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams, Hinds said: ‘They are all alligators from the same murky pond’.” At a recent political meeting, Senator Hinds, referring to the main opposition party, the United National Congress (UNC) led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, changed this to “all dem alligators from the same murky lagoon”. It is not the first time that a politician has referred to alligators – in fact President Obama is being chided for a jab he took at Republicans on the subject of the safety of the Mexican border. A Daily Mail report quoted the President as saying, “We have gone above and beyond what was requested by the very Republicans who said they supported broader reform as long as we got serious about enforcement…But even

Works on $9.2B WCD road delayed by utilities removal …expected to commence in two weeks Government has announced that work on the $9.2B West Coast Demerara road project will commence shortly. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson recently told Kaieteur News that the Vreeden-Hoop to Hydronie Road had been delayed owning to the process of the removal and relocation of utilities. Nonetheless he said the project will be moving apace shortly. In March, the previous PPP/C government commissioned the road with a 36-months deadline. Already three months have passed but no major work has started on the 30.7 kilometers road. Adding to the sentiments of the new Minister, Chief Works Officer, Jeffrey Vaughn said that the removal of utilities has commenced from the Parika end. “It’s continuous, so once they continue to move, we will continue to work. You will start seeing works because the utilities are being moved,” said Vaughn. The Chief Works Officer stated too “There is a delay because we didn’t get all the contracts completed with the utilities companies and those have been completed.” Continuing, he said the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) will be doing its part next

week. He said that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has already commenced works. Vaughn estimated that within two weeks “there will be actual excavation works for the road to start.” The roadway, which will stretch some 30.7 kilometers from Vreed-en-Hoop to as far west as Hydronie, is expected to be completed by local contracting company, BK International and Jamaican company, Surrey Paving and Aggregate (SPA) Ltd. The road network’s upgrade will cater for pavement rehabilitation, road widening, separation lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, installation of traffic signs, traffic lights and road markings, as well as the replacement of the Groenveldt bridge, relocation of utilities and general repairs. The project, dubbed the Fourth Road Project (West Coast Demerara Road Improvement), costs US$46M. The money, which was approved in the 2014 Budget, is provided primarily through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Guyana. The initiative started in 2013 and was based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Loan Agreement signed with the CDB. It was previously reported that the project has

though we’ve answered these concerns, I’ve got to say I suspect there are still going to be some who are trying to move the goal posts on us one more time. Maybe they’ll need a moat. Maybe they want alligators in the moat. They’ll never be satisfied.” The backlash was immediate, “Residents of an Arizona town who fled their homes because of a massive fire say they are outraged at Obama’s claims to have secured the Mexican border…The residents, many of whom have been staying in refugee centres, said they were sickened at Obama’s jokes about Republicans wanting alligators and moats on the border in an immigration speech in Texas.” The “alligator” references by Hinds are also being interpreted in a political context but in Trinidad that also means race. It is not helped by the fact that Dr. Eric Williams, who is said to have been the source of the “alligator” line that Hinds used in the Senate, was the first leader and one of the founders of the People’s National Movement (PNM), the party to which Hinds belongs and the one most closely associated with people of African descent in Trinidad and Tobago. The

UNC is linked to people of East Indian descent. With an election due on September 7, just a little more than two months away, the “a-word” has not gone down well especially as it follows another reference , also interpreted as racist, by the Deputy Chief Secretary of Tobago, Hilton Sandy, during a recent election campaign in that island. According to an Express Editorial, “Speaking on the platform at a public political meeting, Mr. Sandy said, ‘There is a ship at Calcutta waiting to sail to Tobago. That ship is waiting to sail to Tobago; they are waiting to get the results of this election, if you bring the wrong results, Calcutta ship is coming down for you!’” The Editorial pointed out, “Indeed, by including in his apology the clichéd claim of ‘I have a lot of Indian friends’, he has only reinforced the inference. People who have lots of friends from outside their ethnic group do not usually need to trumpet the fact.” I have a lot of friends and family who grew up in the lagoon or what we called the “LAH-goon.” In places like

the Caroni, Oropouche and other swamps, people of East Indian descent were the sole occupants and lived by planting rice and mixed farming. Many professionals emerged from the murk and made their mark in Trinidad and the bigger global pond. Mr. Hinds is adamant that his intention was not racial but in a heated election where race is the major determinant, the interpretation is unavoidable. Interestingly, as many people have said, “Only Indians are racist.” Several pointed out that if anyone of East Indian descent makes any statement that seems racist, the PNM and the media pounce on that person like…alligators? One of my friends called and asked me, “What do you call a law-firm with the most vicious lawyers?” Liti-gators. “What do you call an alligator that makes others fight?” Insti-gator. And why shouldn’t you taunt an alligator? Because it might come back to bite you in the end. *Tony Deyal was last seen saying to Hinds that when he gets tired from his tirades he should try some Gatorade.

Political will fundamental to...

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson combined six components that are to be implemented. These include Road Works, Engineering Services, Road Safety Awareness, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation and Project Management. Under the Road Safety Awareness component, there is School Road Safety Education, Community and Driver Road Safety Education Programme and Road Safety Public Relations and Communications. Shane Garvin, the Project Manager attached to the Surrey Paving and Aggregate (SPA) Ltd., had said that the project is expected to reduce road and traffic accidents by 30 per cent. He had said that although the contract is for 36 months, they intend to complete it before, in about 30 months. “It is very achievable providing we get access,” he had said.

(From page 18) extractive sectors must be invested in the sustainable industries and education in Guyana, and must be responsibly spent to ensure that the Land leg of the tripod is protected and maintained (through environmental stewardship and reclamation measures). He was clear that this means that the proceeds from the extractive industries such as the Oil and Gas and Mining Industries must not fall prey to the scourge of corruption, and pointed out that this can be avoided if good governance is pursued to craft transparent policies developed through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. The Professor stressed that political will is still the most important factor in making decisions which will impact sustainable development, as, however flawed, the democratic process is one through which a growing majority of the world is governed. He lamented however that political will can be hampered by the fact that the political cycle of four to five years is often much shorter than the cycles for successful solutions to systemic problems.

“This often means that politicians are not incentivized to make decisions which may be unpopular in the short term.” This point by Dr. Narine struck a chord with several members of the audience as was evident in the question and answer segment which also saw impassioned commentaries by some participants. One member of the audience, distinguished local singer, Dave Martins asked of Dr. Narine, “Well how do we inspire the political will?” Dr. Narine’s answer was: “Every person here and those at home who will view this tape and attend and participate in other conversations need to understand that they each have a responsibility to let their political representa-

tives know what is important to them – for the vote can be as powerful as the sword. Change through an engaged electorate is one of the most elegant ways in which we can progress as an informed and responsible society. So, make your voices heard, especially the overwhelming number of young people in this audience, for it is you who will inherit the repercussions of decisions made now.” The event was videotaped and will be available shortly on YouTube for those who could not be there to participate. The portal through which this and other conversations can be accessed, in the interim until the conversations acquire their own web portal, will be http://www.iast.gov.gy

Page 22

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building, visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall: 225-6496, 662-6045 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Washer/Dryer, Pump/motor repairs, plumbing and house wiring –Call Amos: 627-7343 or Adrian 673-7283 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Kaieteur News

WANTED Female domestic to work in Trinidad, must have education, age 25-35 – Call: 1868-683-1528 Hairdresser, nail technician, tattoo artist, pedicure/manicure Tel: 613-8710/ 680-7813 Farm worker & time clerk; call office Monday – Friday with 7am-4pm. Tel: 265-3586 One live-in maid must know to cook, age: 25-45 – Contact: 691-6260 1 Confidential Secretary must have excellent communication & writing skills, able to multitask, accounts knowledge is an asset. Tel: 223-9888 Contract cars & experienced drivers –Contact: 227-1721, 227-1720 or 660-6102 Ten years plus, experienced driver/mechanic, live in domestic, light duties, good rates - Tel: 227-1830 Relief drivers for weekends living in Georgetown-Tel: 687-8728 One live in maid –Tel:675-5256 One experienced Head Teacher to oversee setting up of New School details. Email:mozatart@yahoo.com Mature female to live in for two weeks and take care of a elderly person –Contact: 6921300 Security guards to work in the interior with mining firm must have military experienced –Contact: 2269768; 642-7963 Single, honest & reliable live in domestic, 35-55yrs - Call: 646-1758 (9am-7pm)

ACCOMODATION Aracari Resort –Tel: 2642946: Rooms from $45USD, double occupancy, fully air conditioned, hot & cold bath, WiFi, breakfast. Harmony Inn: furnished, airconditioned apartment & rooms, suitable for local & overseas guest -$20USD, $30USD, $35USD –Tel: 6680306; 694-7817, 218-1400

SALON

VEHICLE FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257

Sale on new model Allion, TV Reverse camera, low mileage, Honda Fit - PLL Spacio - PTT Tel: 697-0294 Honda 600 RR, Toyota AT212, AT192, Rush, BB, RZ-Bus Tundra & 150CC motorbike –Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 One Toyota Allion PNN SERIES & 1 new & unregistered Mazda Axela, excellent condition -Tel: 649-0956

1 Toyota Raum HB series, price -$750,000 –Contact: 642-4779 owner leaving country. AE100 Toyota Corolla PHH 7796 – Call: 670-1375 EP 82 Starlet, AC 4 Doors, working standard rims, lady driven – good condition $550,000 –Call: 662-5052

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Summer Special: In cosmetology, nails, wig design & hair cuttingClasses commence -13 July – Tel: 619-7603, 666-5241

1 RZ EFI minibus. BKK 7634Call: 226-9530, 651-2274 LAND FOR SALE 144X37.4ft house lot, available at Buxton -$3.2M – Call: 696-8391 3 Large house lots @ back of B/Burg gas station -$15M for all 3 –Call: 650-0402 House lot for sale at Grove/ Diamond, 2nd Bridge area, serious enquiries only –Call: 624-2857 1500 acres transported land 4½ miles from Bartica Rock, Quarry, Forestry, Agriculture. Contact Mark: 603-1266; 625-9788 Bartica, Westerbeck lies between, Mazaruni & Cuyuni, 7 acres of cleared land (rich land) -$5M, Diamond - $2.5M –Tel: 2312199; 618-7483

EDUCATION Summer Classes: Phonics, Reading, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft & fun day (4-12yrs) July 13thAugust 13th @ Roxanne Burnham Gardens-Tel:2182076; 619-4355

We buy residential house lots in Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, and elsewhere –Tel: 611-7223; 675-7292 1 Cleaner, apply @ 19 Middle St C/Ville G/town, closing date June 30th 2015 - Call: 219-4683, for information (must work Saturday). One maid to work in Boodhoo Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara. Attractive salary. Phone 6227933 or 600-5775 (2) General manager for a seafood company. Serious interest only. Send message to 644-4286 2 Accounts Clerk with Grades 1 & 2 in Maths & English. Apply at Technical Services, Eccles Industrial Site, E.B.D.

Monday June 29, 2015

1 Beige Toyota Spacio 2003 model, PMM lady driven -1st owner, excellent condition – Tel: 628-5828

One G-Touring, in excellent condition –Tel: 650-8187 One Toyota Celica convertible customizes (high performance set up). One Toyota Ipsum (new model) going cheap. Contact: 629-5414 1 RZ EFI bus BHH – Call:641-3700

Space suitable for salon/ massage parlor/beauty service to co-exist with other business –Call: 647-1773 Newly built 2 bedrooms house & apartment on W.C.D - Call: 698-6496 Fully furnished (2) bedroom apartment in South: TV, AirConditioned, Hot & Cold, Cable and washing machine Tel: 689-5877 3 Bedrooms bottom flat situated @ ECD, fully fenced, grilled & meshed. Large bedrooms, kitchen & bathroom, parking optional. Contact: 234-1330; 652-4304

Double lots (corner) in secure, gated community @ Land of Canaan, light, water, roads -$15M –Tel:668-0306 600AMPS, 200AMPS, transfer switches, exhaust box 6"-Tel: 627-7835

Toyota Prado, Price$4.4M Neg. Call: 643-2403

Pure breed Rottweiler pups, male & female, vaccinated, first litter-Tel: 225-8172, 6527647

1 Noah BSS 1650, excellent condition. Tel: 652-0709

1 Lincoln arc welder with Perkins engine on wheels – Call: 609-5672

Fantasy Auto Sales: 38 Alexander Street Kitty. Get $100,000 discount on perorders- Tel: 611-1833 2 Ford F350 Pickup, extended cab, 4X4 Diesel, excellent condition, fully loaded, 6" lift kit – Call: 610-5370 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Spacio, Fielder, Bluebird, Carina 212, ISTCall: 652-3820, 665-4529 First Class Auto in Stock: 09 Allion, 08 Premio, Carina 212, Spacio, Runx, IST, Mark 2, Axio, 06 Premio –Call: 6098188; 638-3045 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Mazda Hatch back, full body kit, rims, crystal lights on, in good condition -Tel: 691-5485

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Oceanicvillas air conditioned, apartments/ fridge/stove/washer/dryer/ microwave-Contact Shiv: 678-6887 or email: oceanicvillas@yahoo.ca Property for rent @ Matthew’s Ridge, ideal for business and live in–price $50,000-Call:691-2727 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 Charlotte St/Orange Wa l k : l a rg e b e d r o o m house, no parking -Tel: 652-8970; 674-3735

Tractor Driven 16c bore pump on trailer, long connections, new $1,200,000 new -Tel: 227-1830 Diesel Engines: 1-Perkins 6354 with irrigation pump 6in 60wt, 1-Perkins 4-108 complete bedded, for mining Call: 696-1439; 602-3906 One stall at Stabroek Market, 37.5 Acres farm land, Highway, Linden/SoesdykeCall: 679-1151, 225-7794 Canter Truck 2 Ton, Mitsubishi, GLL series $1.9M –Call: 223-6236 House and land - Call: 2653586 Adults Only: female enhancers and novelties – Tel: 644-6077

Pure breed German shepherd puppies – Contact: 615-0513 (afternoons)

SALE: 2001 PJJ Toyota Harrier SUV, 3,000cc, fully loaded, perfect engine- $3M –Tel: 647-4800 1 Mazda Axela, PNN Series, Flair Kit, 17" mags, etc, price negotiable –Tel:616-9081

Inboard marine parts, all type of engine, transmission, shaft, gland, propellers & all electronics, etc –Tel: 6528970, 674-3735

Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc call:225-9032, 647-2943

Just Arrived! TM Trucks from UK, excellent condition Tel: 679-7587; 695-3188 TO LET

Wild caught fresh fish depot @ Meadow Bank Wharf, E.B.D –Tel: (592) 628-1200, 619-6601, 619-7777. For your seafood needs!

CAR RENTAL

Unregistered Corolla Fielder 2003, body kit, fog, rear spoiler, dark interior, roof rack Call: 617-5536

PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

1RZ Minibus, fully loaded, USB Deck, A/C, Excellent condition. Price $2.1M negotiable. Phone Andy: 617-9143 or Darius: 660-8160

DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

1 Toyota IST, PNN Series $1.6M negotiable –Tel: 6915804

Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807

40ft Banga boat, complete with 350lb net, 3000lb ice box, 40HP Yamaha-Tel:668-6624, Jack:672-8939 Pools table, cloth, balls, pocket, cue stick, rubber, coin Shute, spring coin, chalk holder –Tel: 669-9927 One wall divider (2Pcs), good condition-$40,000. Contact: 682-2428 Large 65FT, red snapper fishing boat, 3yrs old, including 100 traps, ropes, all licenses -15M –Tel: 6528970, 674-3735 Continued on page 23

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news

Humans are main cause of suffering animals DEAR EDITOR, As I drive or walk around the city and its neighborhoods I am always on the lookout for suffering animals and I seldom fail to spot one or more. When I’m at home there is seldom a day that good people don’t call informing me of animals they have seen in need of help. Sunday morning (June21st) I was coming out of the Botanical Gardens when Fazal, a horse owner, stopped my car to tell me the

cruel story about what someone did to his horse. Fazal lives in East Ruimveldt, across from a large fenced Nursery School with lots of overgrown grass, where he usually ties his horse (away from the school). On Saturday night, just before 9pm, he made his rounds to make sure his horse was tied and ok. He fed his horse some meal and retired for the night. The next morning he went to check his horse and found that rope

and horse had been moved to another end of the yard. Someone had tied the neck of the horse tightly to the left front leg and then to the fence, nearly strangling the horse. The other leg was broken. Fazal quickly did what he could to reduce the horse’s suffering. He was overcome with emotion; the horse, his only source of income, was loved like a member of his family.With immense sadness, Fazal said, “the next day was worst, someone cut

the horse above its’ knee and it lay dying”. The GSPCA was called and they arrived to end the suffering of the horse but there was no one to stop the suffering Fazal was feeling; and he still had to dispose of the body. Fazal also told me thatseveral times in the past his cart tyres had been punctured. He said he has no problems with anyone in the community and doesn’t know who the culprit is. In the 18

The Church must start preaching... From page 4 States Supreme Court., hence plain and simple, if they cannot uphold the original blueprint, then they should stay out of it. What are the implications of this latest ruling one may ask, and the answers are quite simple_- There will be far less people reproducing, for two individuals of the same sex biologically are unable to have a baby. It means that heterosexuals will have homosexuality sensitivity shoved down their throats, those who stick firmly with the Gospel regarding homosexuality will be viewed as being wrong, homophobic or plain out of place. Children will grow up in total confusion as to the roles of man and woman- roles that were defined by God and not by Man or a Court. In the first place, the homosexual agenda was never about equal rights, but instead about perversion on display and forcing others to accept it. The movement was somewhat hypocritical as homosexuals wanted to be accepted for their choices and preferences but not accepting heterosexuals who disagree with these said choices when they encroached upon

values, spirituality and businesses. Power was and is also involved in the homosexual movement as they wanted the majority of us to accept a life style that we all knew was sinful and perverted, and an act of rebellion against God. However, in this case, Time will serve as the decisive factor, for once a nation starts down a road of immorality, it is only a matter of time before there is full blown integration into chaos, anarchy and unspeakable perversion. There are existing laws that say people cannot practice bestiality, zoophilia or necrophilia, but it is still done as people believe it is their right. Now it is at this juncture that my wonderment reaches its nadir. The passing of the law brought about the death of a moral trajectory. The churches have been far too silent on taking a stand against homosexuality. Let this question then be addressed: Do the churches stand for much of anything today? Do the churches that say they represent Christ actually fear being politically incorrect? Let my message be clear and spoken without any form of restraint: It’s time to

hear it from the pulpit. Going to a megachurch is a rising trend in the United States. Megachurches are more than just your regular pulpit and pew church. They are larger, they are packed, and they are drawing in thousands of people. So the facts being stated and the truth be told but mega churches and big speakers like T.D Jakes, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyers and Rick Warren could strike a massive blow in the community against homosexual immorality , but pray tell me what are they doing. I am not proffering a guess, but instead boldly stating my truthful opinion that they are staying or sheltering behind the walls of their buildings , speaking or even murmuring softly against sin and preaching to those who already know the truth. Remember that Christ is and was the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. For far too long the Church has been the sheep amongst wolves. The time has come in fact the time is now for the church to take on the nature of the lion and destroy the wolves. Please will the real church please wake up, take up and raise up. I am worried about

children being taught about homosexuality, nor brainwashed to be sensitive and tolerant of it. God created man and woman with parts that work together, and the ability to reproduce. Yes, they were created with clear cut roles, long before America existed. That having been known, then who are we to change these things? God not man is the ultimate source of rights, and so Brent can never have two mommies any more than Mary can have two daddies. The truth is not about what each person wants to do. In the Black community we need to increase our numbers not decrease them. In the church we have to realize what one person does affect another, and doing the right thing is an extremely harder task that requires courage and strong unwavering moral values. Now that the die has seemingly been cast, yet all is not lost. The church must stop Peeking and start Speaking, Loud and Clear with Absolutely no Fear. Jesus walked upon the water when he oughta, so let’s not allow the church leave us in the lurch. Yvonne Sam

years I have been trying to help animals this is the worst case of sick intentional animal cruelty I have seen. On a happier note: On Thursday (June 25/15) morning, just before entering the Botanical Gardens, I saw a three toed sloth crawling outside the entrance. There were several persons looking on. I stopped my car, took out a towel and dog kennel, I wrapped the small slothin the towel and put him/her into the kennel. I took it to the Zoo where the Zoo supervisor, Ms. Adonika Spellen, made contact with Ms. Alona Sankar, of the EPA Wildlife Division. They decided in the best interest of the sloth it should be released back into the wild

since 3-toed sloths only eat certain leaves. Within 30 minutes the Wildlife division came and picked up the sloth and made arrangements to have it released in an appropriate locations. Kudos for quick actions by all those involved. To your readers:When you see wildlife on the streets of Georgetown, get help in rescuing and delivering it safely to the EPA (223-0940), GSPCA (226-4237)or Guyana Zoo (225-9142) or call them for assistance/advice and please do not remove any wildlife from their natural habitat. If you are on the highway and you see a sloth crossing please help it to cross the road safely. Do not pick it up! Syeada Manbodh

From page 22

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $18M neg. Tel: 625-5461. Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Lot 23, Area F Zeeburg, South, old gas station road, West Coast DemeraraContact: 621-8386 (Brodo) Two executive houses in gated compound at Oceanicvillas -$58M eachTel Shiv: 600-6681 2 Storey concrete building, partially completed 20X50, located at Leonora –W.C.D $16M neg. Call: 622-4490

VACANCY 1 Crankshaft grinder and machinist to bore engine block-Apply @ Technical Service -18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles. One handyman / gardener contact 223-5273/4 Dagger operator contact: 223-5273/4 Cashier to work in Super betCall: 625-5322 Waitress to live in or out – Contact: 612-2522

VACANCY Female Accounts Clerk, four years experienced. Apply Alabama Trading Georgetown, Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Security officers wanted at a security company – Contact: 672-1920 Work from home, earn $5,000-$20,000 daily Call Monday-Friday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 638-0595 www.job fairworldwide.com Live in housekeeper to care for infant, long term employment –Tel: 697-8797 Vacancy for a full time maid should be good in Indian cooking. Call 2274799, 618-1853 I N T E R N AT I O N A L EMPLOYMENT: NURSE, TEACHERS, CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, COOK, WAITERS, BELL BOYS, HOUSEKEEPERS, STOREKEEPERS, SECURITIES. CONTACT: 231-6296; 650-9880/ www.plzrecruitme.com Cutter/straight stitch/button tack/hole operators. Call: 222-2541 (8:00am-4:00pm Mon-Fri) Vacancy exists for one certified hairdresser, who knows to do everything. One nails station to rent –Contact Melissa: 610-1941; 225-1037 One experienced hairdresser magic touch beauty salon – Tel: 225-6492.

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Western officials suggest Iran tries to wiggle out of nuclear pledges VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran is backtracking from an interim nuclear agreement with world powers three months ago, Western officials suggested yesterday, as U.S. and Iranian officials said talks on a final accord would likely run past a June 30 deadline. Securing an historic agreement would end a more than 12-year nuclear standoff between Iran and the West and open the door to suspending sanctions that have crippled Tehran’s economy. It could also help ease the diplomatic isolation for an Iran that has become increasingly assertive across the region. Highlighting how much work remains in the nuclear negotiations, British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond said on arrival in Vienna that major challenges remained, including on the parameters already agreed in April in Lausanne, Switzerland. “There are a number of different areas where we still have major differences of interpretation in detailing what was agreed in

Lausanne,” Hammond told reporters. “There is going to have to be some give or take if we are to get this done in the next few days,” he said. “No deal is better than a bad deal.” Other Western officials echoed Hammond’s remarks, saying some of the backtracking involved the mechanics of monitoring Iranian compliance with proposed limits on nuclear activities. “It feels like we haven’t advanced on the technical issues and even gone back on some,” a Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity. Another Western official traced the apparent backtracking to a speech by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week, in which he ruled out freezing sensitive nuclear work in the country for a long time. “His speech last week seems aimed at constraining (Iranian negotiators’) flexibility in the last stretch of the talks, as he has done at a

U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (L-3rd L) meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2nd R) at a hotel in Vienna, Austria yesterday. REUTERS/Carlos Barria number of key intervals over the last two years,” a Western diplomat told Reuters, citing an internal government intelligence assessment of Khamenei’s speech. But he added that Khamenei’s tendency to issue vague directives “could leave the negotiators with some limited room to play with and to find creative solutions that could help wrap up the diplomatic process.” The main differences are on the pace and timing of sanctions relief for Iran and on the nature of monitoring

UK warns of possible further attacks in Tunisia

British tourists arrive at the Enfidha international airport in Sousse, Saturday. (Atentado, Incendio, Túnez) EFE/EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA London (AFP) - The British government cautioned yesterday that other attacks “are possible” in Tunisia as Queen Elizabeth II sent condolences to the relatives of victims of a mass shooting that killed at least 38. The 89-year-old monarch said she and her husband Prince Philip were “shocked” at the attack in which at least 15 British people died. “We send our sincere condolences to the families of those who were killed and our deepest sympathy to the people who are still fighting for their lives in hospital, and those who have been seriously injured,” the queen said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those of all countries who have been affected by this terrible

event.” Interior minister Theresa May said there had been no change in the British toll, the worst in a terror attack since the 2005 London bombings, but told the BBC: “We are expecting that to rise.” Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood said Saturday that several British tourists had been seriously injured, while desperate families have said that some relatives were still unaccounted for. Three Irish citizens were also killed, according to the Irish foreign ministry. Prime Minister David Cameron announced that he had asked for flags over his office 10 Downing Street to be flown at half mast “in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Tunisia”. It was the largest British

loss of life in a terror attack since 52 people died in suicide bombings on the London transport system on July 7, 2005. About 20,000 Britons were on package holidays at the time of the attack, and travel companies have laid on flights to repatriate those who want to come home. In updated travel advice, the Foreign Office urged those who remained in Tunisia to be vigilant and said there was a risk of further incidents. “Further terrorist attacks in Tunisia, including in tourist resorts, are possible, including by individuals who are unknown to the authorities and whose actions are inspired by terrorist groups via social media,” it said.

mechanisms to ensure Tehran does not cheat on any agreement. U.S. and European negotiators also want to ensure there is a mechanism for restoring sanctions if Tehran fails to meet its commitments under any future accord. Germany’s foreign minister told reporters that Iran had promised to stick to the commitments it made in April. “We were told that Iran stands by the (Lausanne) parameters and that’s what we will of course measure the Iranian side against,” FrankWalter Steinmeier told reporters. Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Iran was committed to the Lausanne agreement. “If the other party also remains committed to the Lausanne agreement and avoids having excessive demands, a final deal is within reach,” Iran’s Tasnim news agency quoted Salehi as saying on Sunday. A U.S. official, who spoke

to reporters on condition of anonymity, said Washington was not bothered by Zarif’s plan to return to Tehran overnight, saying it was always expected that ministers would come and go from Vienna as the talks heated up. “Zarif told the Secretary (of State John Kerry) yesterday that he would be returning to Iran for a very short visit,” a senior U.S. official said. Iranian media said Zarif would return on Monday. An Iranian official told Reuters that Zarif would “consult with the leadership” over the talks in Vienna. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who arrived in Vienna on Saturday, left for New York on Sunday and was expected to return soon. Kerry and Zarif have met repeatedly over the last two days. Kerry also met on Sunday with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Britain in Vienna, along with European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. Deputy ministers

from Russia and China also joined. Zarif was also holding bilateral meetings with other members of the six-nation group. The United States, Israel and some Western nations fear that Iran has been trying to develop a nuclear weapons capability, but Tehran says its program is for peaceful purposes only. In November, the seven nations involved in the talks set a late March deadline for a framework agreement, which they ultimately reached on April 2, and a June 30 deadline for a comprehensive deal. China’s Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong was more upbeat about the state of the negotiations, saying that Iran and the six were “only steps away from the finish line of the marathon of Iran nuclear talks.” However, he added that there were still “a number of very hard issues” to be resolved. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the biggest critics of the U.S. policy of engaging with Iran, said too many concessions were being made to Tehran. “We see before our very eyes a stark retreat from the red lines that the world powers set themselves only recently, and publicly,” said Netanyahu, whose country is generally believed to have the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal. “There is no reason to hasten into signing this bad deal, which is getting worse by the day.”

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Monday June 29, 2015

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

BRAZIL’S ROUSSEFF BEGINS US VISIT New York (AFP) - Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff was to meet yesterday with investors in New York on the first day of a long-delayed US visit aimed at overcoming strains caused by the NSA spying scandal. Revelations two years ago that the US National Security Agency electronically eavesdropped on Rousseff’s email and other communications prompted her to angrily call off an official visit to Washington that had been set for October 2013. The White House has expressed hope that her meeting with President Barack Obama this week will turn the page on an acrimonious chapter in US relations with the South American giant. The fence-mending trip comes as the Brazilian president faces growing difficulties at home stemming from a faltering economy and a huge corruption scandal at state oil company Petrobras. Rousseff, who arrived Saturday night, was to kick off her US visit by meeting

Dilma Rousseff yesterday in New York with a group of about 20 Brazilian business leaders. She was to follow that up today with a meeting with US and Brazilian business people before speaking at the end of a seminar organized by her government on plans for a major infrastructure program with hundreds of contracts in the offing. She has a working dinner with Obama at the White House today, followed by

their main talks tomorrow, before she heads to the US West Coast. Rousseff has proposed $62 billion in spending on infrastructure to stimulate her country’s lagging economy, even as she cuts back spending overall by $23 billion to get its books in order. After experiencing nearzero growth last year, Brazil’s once sizzling economy is expect to contract 1.1 percent this year. Unemployment rose to 6.7 percent in May, and inflation is expected to hit nine percent this year. Though re-elected to a second term in October 2014, Rousseff’s approval rating has plunged to a record low of just 10 percent, making the US trip an opportunity to recast her image at home. “The domestic importance of this trip is much greater than its external importance,” said Carlos Melo, a political scientist at the Insper business school in Sao Paulo. “Certainly at this moment, it is much more important for Brazil than the United States.”

Barbados, Panama sign agreement

Vice mayor of Panama Raisa Banfield, accepting the keys to her Bajan “home” from Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley (Picture by Sandy Pitt) Daily Nation - Barbados has formally established ties with Panama. Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley and Vice Mayor of Panama City, Raisa Banfield, signed an agreement Saturday evening during the activities in Heroes Square for the First Citizens City Fest And Ceremonial Delivery Of The Last Canes. At the end of the signing Lashley presented Banfield with the keys to

Bridgetown. The Panamanians will return the favour when a local contingent visits the country next month. During brief remarks Banfield said the trip to Barbados for the presentation was much more than that, and thanked the local authorities for bringing her “home”. Banfield said her great grandfather was one of the Barbadians who helped to build the Panama Canal.

Page 27

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Minister tries to avert national shutdown threatened by Barbados trade union BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Barbados’ Minister of Commerce is trying to avert an island wide shutdown threatened by the country’s largest public sector trade union over the dismissal of elderly workers at the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC). But Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development Donville Inniss told the Sunday Sun that the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) should not mistake his attempt for a shift in the BIDC’s position. The BIDC sent home 13 people last week, including 10 over the age of 60. It said its Board of Directors had invoked its right under the Statutory Boards (Pensions) Act to retire officers reaching that age, but the NUPW, which is

Donville Inniss being supported by the country’s largest union – the Barbados Workers’ Union – has insisted that the move was illegal. The NUPW has demanded the withdrawal of the dismissal letters and threatened a national strike if the BIDC fails to comply.

The union’s National Council will meet tomorrow to make a final decision on the matter. “We will recommend [to t h e u n i o n ’s N a t i o n a l Council] that if BIDC fails to change their decision, then the only option that we will have is to embark on serious industrial action . . . We will not be going backwards, we are going forward,” NUPW general secretary Roslyn Smith said last week. Inniss told the Sunday Sun that Monday morning he will send an invitation to the NUPW for representatives to meet with him and BIDC officials. “As Minister of Commerce, I am prepared to facilitate a meeting between the BIDC and the NUPW to discuss matters related to the recent retirement of ten members of the BIDC staff,” he said.

PM reminds State agencies to provide quality service KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is reminding State agencies that they have an obligation to provide quality service to the public and ensure the timely completion of projects. Simpson Miller gave the charge while addressing a corporate governance seminar for departments, agencies and statutory boards under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. Describing the OPM as the “premier organisation

within the Government”, the prime minister reminded the board chairmen, and heads of agencies and departments in attendance that, “we have a responsibility to set the stage and the tone, to ensure that if there is anything close to perfection, it is the work being done by the Office of the Prime Minister.” She added that the OPM must set the example of providing service of the highest quality and urged those who interface with the public to ensure they display humility and respect for the people they serve.

Portia Simpson Miller

Venezuela signs $500M credit line deal with Iran CARACAS - (Reuters) - Venezuela has signed an agreement with Iran for a $500 million credit line to fund joint investments and help improve supplies of goods “necessary for the Venezuelan people,” President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday. Declining oil prices have crimped Venezuela’s cash-flow and aggravated shortages of

consumer goods ranging from dish soap to milk, leaving Maduro’s government seeking financing from allies around the world. “We’ve signed (an agreement for) an open credit for $500 million that will begin to function immediately,” Maduro said during a televised address following a meeting with an Iranian delegation.

Monday June 29, 2015

DUPREY WANTS BACK CLICO

Return my shares and I will fix company - Former CL Financial Chairman

FLASHBACK, January 2009: Former Central Bank governor Ewart Williams, left, greets former CL Financial chairman Lawrence Duprey following an agreement for the Government to bail out CLICO and related companies. At centre is former CL Financial executive Andre Monteil. — Photo: Curtis Chase Trinidad Express Lawrence Duprey feels he was duped into disposing of his company, CL Financial (CLF), to the Government in January 2009. Six years after the Government took over management of Duprey’s CLF to stem money problems in two subsidiaries—Colonial Life Insurance Company of Trinidad and Tobago (CLICO) and the CLICO Investment Bank (CIB)—Duprey wants the State to return it. And he’s prepared to challenge the Government legally for it if the State does not submit a proposal plan to exit CLF to its shareholders by month’s end. Duprey, 81, remains the main shareholder of CLF. In March, Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran announced that CLICO had turned a profit and was able to satisfy its main creditor— the Government—with a $7 billion payment. That $7 billion (which

comprised $4 billion in cash and three CLICO assets— Angostura Holdings Ltd, CL World Brands Ltd and Home Construction Ltd), Rambarran had said, represented 40 per cent of the debt owed to Government, which works out to $17.5 billion. But former attorney general Anand Ramlogan had pegged the bailout figure at $25 billion, while the country’s former and current finance ministers, Winston Dookeran and Larry Howai, had estimated it at about $22 billion. “The company is easy to fix. The economy and the country need that company. I have unfinished business to take care of,” Duprey told the Sunday Express in a phone interview from his Florida, USA, home last week. In a message to the Government, he said: “Hand me back my shares and I will come in and fix it.” The Government has been managing the CLF conglomerate through a shareholders agreement originally signed in June 2009 and which has had multiple extensions as the Government seeks to exit the company. Fired CLICO chairman Gerald Yetming remains the chairman of CLF, Angostura and HCL. The Government will not exit CLF until its debt has been satisfied.

But Duprey said he was coerced into agreeing into the situation in the first place. He provided the Sunday Express with a letter which he sent to then Central Bank Governor Ewart Williams to alert him of the liquidity situation. The letter, he said, was drafted by his then adviser Ram Ramesh (the former chief executive of what used to be CLF subsidiary Caribbean Money Market Brokers). The January 13 letter, said Duprey, did not call for a bailout, but liquidity support. “CL Financial being a significant part of the financial sector has been disproportionately impacted by these adverse conditions. Many of our customers are also affected and are consequently calling on their reserve cash positions. Thus far, all our member companies have been able to deal with their commitments. “However, we need to develop a comprehensive contingency plan to meet any further developments, if this were to follow a similar pattern to other countries. As a result, CL Financial is taking urgent and decisive action,” the letter said. The letter outlined CLF’s assets for re-structuring—real estate, $2.5 billion; manufacturing, $6.3 billion; energy, $7 billion; and financial services at $8 billion, for a total of $23.9 billion.

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 29

No sense in extending my career for a year - Sangakkara ESPNcricinfo - Though 37 years of age, Kumar Sangakkara has recently been in the form of his life. In 2014, he played Tests against Pakistan, England, South Africa, Bangladesh and New Zealand to hit 1438 runs at an average of 71.90. In the 12 months, he hit more international runs, across formats, than have ever been struck in a calendar year. In March, he became the first batsman to hit four ODI centuries on the trot, at the World Cup. And as his catching in the Pakistan series have shown, he remains as sharp as anyone in the Sri Lanka side. So why is he quitting now? Sangakkara said it was his father, who has been a well of advice to him throughout his career, who first suggested it may be time to step away. “My father, when I was at home with him a couple of years ago in Kandy, asked me: ‘Don’t you think it’s time you started thinking about retirement?’ I got a shock. I

thought, ‘What are you trying to tell me? That I’m not good enough?’ But then speaking to my mind, it actually made some sense. It was back in 2012 or 2013 when he asked me that, and it struck home. I thought, ‘Maybe it was time I paid attention to what’s happening.’ “Then when I had my back injury against India in October last year and I came back, it just kind of felt right. The voice in my head was there from maybe that July South Africa series when Mahela decided to retire. It was strange because I had decided before him to start writing a letter, when he called me and told me that he was retiring. I said, ‘Okay, that’s fine. We can’t have two people going at the same time.’ “But I spoke to my father, and I spoke to my family. My wife told me that playing for Sri Lanka would be great for us as a family, because that meant I’d be spending a year at home. But even she felt that

it was time for me to call it a day. When I heard that, I realised it was absolutely the right decision for me to make.” Had Sangakkara stayed on, he would have had several Test milestones on his horizon. He is fifth on the Test run-scorers list now, but on form, he might have conceivably finished with close to 14000 runs. He is also two short of 40 Test hundreds, though, in the five potential innings that remain, there remains a chance he could hit one more doublecentury to match Don Bradman’s tally of 12. “I’ve been told if I play another year or two years, I could score another 1000 runs. I might be the second highest run scorer, or I might be able to break the Don’s double-century record,” Sangakkara said. “But if you really think about it, if that’s the only reason you want to prolong your career, then it is really time to say, ‘Thank you very much.’ “I’ve always prided myself on performing well for

Sri Lanka need 153 to win after dour Azhar Ali ton

Dhammika Prasad’s four-for took his match haul to a career-best seven wickets © AFP COLOMBO, (Reuters) - Sri Lanka require 153 runs for a series-levelling victory after Pakistan rode Azhar Ali’s obdurate century before being all out for 329 on day four of the second test on Sunday. Heavy rain washed out the entire final session, leaving Sri Lanka with three sessions on Monday to score those runs and go into the third and final test, starting on Friday, on equal terms. Ali scored a painstaking 117 off 308 balls but Pakistan lost six second-innings wickets after lunch, the last five going for 28 runs at the P Sara Oval. Dhammika Prasad (4-92), who initially bowled without much luck, was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, while Dushmantha Chameera (3-53) also impressed. Resuming on 171 for two, Ali led Pakistan’s reply with a dour display of resolute batting despite losing senior batsmen Younus Khan (40) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (22) in the morning session. Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews made the breakthrough when he induced Younus to edge a delivery behind and Prasad then trapped Misbah leg before. The Pakistan

skipper reviewed the decision but could not get the verdict overturned. Ali took 266 balls to bring up his ninth test century, a knock of unflattering strike rate as well as unwavering determination spread over eight-and-half hours. He took two runs off Chameera and was celebrating his hundred even though the third umpire was still checking whether he had been run out by Mathews’ direct throw from midoff. Ali was adjudged leg before to Prasad on 114 but the batsman reviewed the decision and got it overturned. He could only add three more runs before falling to spinner Rangana Herath. Wahab Riaz (six) displayed no less grit, coming out to bat with a fractured hand and was the last Pakistani batsman to be out. Riaz, who was hit on the left glove by a Chameera bouncer in the first innings, will miss the third test and is doubtful for the fivematch one-day series that follows. Scores: Sri Lanka 315 need 152 runs to beat Pakistan 138 and 329 (Azhar 117, Shehzad 69, Prasad 4-92, Chameera 3-53).

Kumar Sangakkara had a stellar 2014, scoring more international runs than have ever been struck in a calendar year © Getty Images

the side as an individual, but at the end of the day I want to be able to look my teammates in the eye and say I went out there because I really wanted to do well for the side, and it was nothing to do with individual records. I can do that right now. Extending my career for a year doesn’t make a lot of sense. Two to three years maybe, but then I’ll be 40, which is too long. “I still remember what Muttiah Muralitharan told me when he was retiring. When the selectors sat with him, and he said he’ll be playing only one Test in the India series, but he still needed eight wickets to reach his 800 wickets mark. We told him to play more matches and go for that 800 wickets. He said, ‘If I can’t take eight wickets in one match, there’s no point. If I take eight, we’re going to win that match.’ I’ll play my last two Tests the way I get them. I consider myself very fortunate to play for my country for 15 years.” Sangakkara said he took particular satisfaction from the runs he made overseas. He averages over 60 in Australia, New Zealand and the UAE, and more than 40 in England, with Test hundreds in all nations apart from the West Indies, where he’s played only seven innings. “In Sri Lanka, we take pride in winning away from home and scoring runs away

from home in conditions that are tough. So I’ve enjoyed every hundred I’ve scored, but the ones away from home are special. “The third Test against South Africa in Centurion in my second Test series, I was batting on 98 - and I hope I don’t get in trouble with the ICC - but I got a pretty bad decision. I was on 98 batting with Ruchira Perera at the other end. That was a really important innings for me because I played against a really tough pace attack quick wickets - and that was probably the first time I thought I can become a Test player. My first Test series in Sri Lanka, I had had a terrible time. “Then scoring a century against Australia was special. I had a grade two hamstring injury, and I managed to get back in 16 days and score a century in Hobart, in a losing cause unfortunately. Everyone wants to score runs against Australia, because you consider them the toughest side. “Then there was the hundred in England at the Rose Bowl, which was very, very satisfying. I’ve found England very hard to bat in. I’ve watched Marvan score runs there, Dilshan, Mahela, Aravinda, Sanath all got runs. I watched all these players, and when I found it difficult, I had to come to terms not only

with conditions, but also my own expectations.” Sangakkara’s major disappointments were no surprise. He was captain when Sri Lanka were runners up in the 2009 World T20 and the 2011 World Cup. He also played in the 2007 World Cup final and 2012 World T20 final, both of which Sri Lanka lost. He is part of the reigning World T20 champion team however, having hit an unbeaten fifty in the final of that tournament, in Dhaka. “I think there have been about four sad days - all the World Cup finals where we didn’t cross the line. You wish you’d been on the other side, but you can’t help it. Imagine if I’d been able to walk away with two 50-over World Cup wins and three T20-over World Cup wins. That would be amazing. “But I’ve been a part of some very special teams. I’ve watched Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu bat. I’ve watched Murali and Chaminda Vaas bowl amazing spells - Vaasy especially on the dirt tracks in Sri Lanka. Rangana Herath - who would have thought, looking at Rangana, that he’d have the record he has? It’s unbelievable. I’ve been part of some special teams and some special wins. There are sad days, but a lot of better days that I remember.”

ICC confirms acting on Modi’s... From page 30 exist any more, but the ICC has removed any doubts around the authenticity of the letter. “The ICC confirms that Mr Modi’s confidential e-mail, which was received in June 2013, and which has recently been published on Twitter, was provided to the ACSU at the time,” an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo. “The ACSU handled that information in accordance with its standard operating procedures, which included sharing it with the BCCI’s anticorruption unit.” It is understood that in the e-mail sent to the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit, the ICC ACSU

chief YP Singh told Ravi Sawani that the investigations would be carried out by the ICC ACSU because the three players were internationals. In the said letter, addressed to ICC CEO Dave Richardson, Modi claimed he had barred the said businessman from bidding for IPL teams because he was a “big punter and also book maker”. Modi accused one of the players had been given flats in Delhi’s Vasant Vihar and Noida, another a sea-facing apartment in Mumbai’s Bandra, and the third was paid in cash. The illegal payments, Modi alleged, were worth Rs 20 crores each.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Kohlschreiber poses real threat to Djokovic

Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in action. (Action Images via Reuters / Paul ChildsLivepic) LONDON (Reuters) Novak Djokovic will not have long to wait to discover whether his risky preWimbledon schedule was foolhardy or the perfect way to arrive fresh for the defence of his title. As tradition demands the Serb will open play on Center Court today as defending men’s champion but rather than a gentle loosener the 28year-old faces a real danger in the form of Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, the world number 33. It will be his first competitive match since his French Open final defeat by Stanislas Wawrinka — a loss that left him mentally frazzled after a punishing year in which he has already bagged the Australian Open and four Masters 1000 titles. Lleyton Hewitt, in 2003, was the last defending

champion to lose in the first round, and Djokovic knows that if he is half-cooked after skipping the grasscourt warm-up events, Kohlschreiber could cause a huge first-day shock. “Well, if you see Kohlschreiber in the first round, I think you have to stay where it is, take one match at a time,” Djokovic told reporters when asked if he had looked at his possible route to the latter stages. “Considering the fact I haven’t played any official grass court matches, I don’t allow myself to look more than that. “Right now I think I’m 100 percent prepared. Hopefully tomorrow when I get on the court I’ll be able to perform my best because that’s something that is going to be very much needed in order to win against Kohlschreiber.

“It’s one of the toughest first rounds I could get.” Women’s top seed Serena Williams also opens her account on Monday on Court One against Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan. The American is bidding for a sixth Wimbledon title which would put her three quarters of the way to a rare calendar slam, something Djokovic had been tipped to achieve before falling to Wawrinka in the French Open final this month. “If she manages to do that, obviously she’ll just confirm that she’s, if not the greatest, then definitely one of the greatest tennis players that ever played the game,” Djokovic said of the 33-year-old who has 20 grand slam singles titles — third on the all-time list behind Margaret Court (24) and Steffi Graf (22). Wawrinka will share the Centre Court stage with Djokovic today when the fourth seed takes on Joao Sousa of Portugal while women’s fourth seed Maria Sharapova, beaten by Williams in the Australian Open final, plays Briton Johanna Konta. Women’s champion Petra Kvitova will hope to have shaken off a sore throat by the time she opens Centre Court tomorrow against Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens. Home favorite Andy Murray and seven-times champion Roger Federer also start tomorrow.

ICC confirms acting on Modi’s corruption lead

ESPNcricinfo - The ICC has confirmed receiving from Lalit Modi a letter that claimed that three top and regular IPL players received illegal payments - in cash and in kind - from an Indian business house. The former IPL chairman made the allegation in June 2013. The ICC has said it passed on the letter, as per procedure, to the ACSU, which in turn forwarded it to the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit. It was not clear whether the investigation had been completed, and whether the said players had been cleared of the charges. Curiously, this letter was not revealed by Modi, who has been on a contentiousdocument-sharing spree on Twitter ever since top politicians in the country came under fire for helping him out with travel documents. Instead, this was a tweet sent to Modi by a user with the

Lalit Modi alleged that three IPL players received illegal payments from an Indian business house © AFP handle @shyamswami158. This was also the first tweet from the account, posting an image of the letter and asking the question, “Whadya hav to say about this @LalitKModi ? Wat was @ICC response ..... This is shocking!!!!” Modi’s

response to the tweet from @shyamswami158 was: “Ask @Icc @Bcci @Ipl why ask me. This is highly confidential. You should not be tweeting this”. The account @shyamswami158 does not Continued on page 29

Monday June 29, 2015

Wimbledon 2015

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams in action

Novak Djokovic (Getty Images)

Serena Williams

BBC Sport - Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams will take the spotlight when Wimbledon gets under way today. Defending champion Djokovic opens play on Centre Court against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber at 13:00 BST. Williams, who is half way to a possible calendar Grand Slam, plays Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan on Court One. Fourth seed Maria Sharapova takes on Johanna Konta, one of four Britons in action on day one, in the second match on Centre Court. Konta will be making her debut on the main show court, to be followed by French Open champion Stan Wawrinka against Portugal’s Joao Sousa. British number one Heather Watson plays French 32nd seed Caroline Garcia last on Court Two. Play on the outside courts gets under way at 11:30 BST, with wildcard Liam Broady taking on Australian Marinko Matosevic first on court 18 and the Briton’s sister, Naomi Broady, up against Colombian Mariana Duque-Marino later in the day. Andy Murray, Laura Robson, Roger Federer,

Rafael Nadal and Petra Kvitova will be among those in action on Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to push 30C as hot weather is forecast for the opening days. A record prize fund of £26.75m is on offer at the 129th Championships, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each receiving £1.88m and firstround losers collecting £29,000. Almost half a million spectators will pass through the gates of the All England Club over the 13 days of action, with upwards of 140,000 portions of

strawberries eaten. With all the leading names fit, interest will centre on whether home favourite Murray can recapture the title he won in 2013, if Williams can complete the third leg of the Grand Slam and if Djokovic can recover from his French Open final defeat. Djokovic, the champion in 2011 and 2014, faces a testing opener against Kohlschreiber, the world number 33. “It’s one of the toughest first rounds I could get but this is a Grand Slam,” said the 28-year-old Serb. “This is what it takes. You need to step out there and perform your best, win against the best players in the world if you want to keep on going.” Williams, 33, begins her campaign for a sixth Wimbledon title that would take her within sight of matching Steffi Graf ’s calendar Grand Slam of 1988. “I really don’t feel that pressure,” said the American, who has already won the Australian and French Opens in 2015. “Maybe if I would happen to win here, then I might start feeling it.” Sharapova, the 2004 champion, will face British number two Konta, who reached her first WTA quarter-final in Eastbourne last week. “We’ve never played against each other before,” said the Russian. “That’s always tricky in the first round of a Grand Slam.” Among other notable matches on the opening day, Australia’s 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt will begin his final Wimbledon against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland on Court Two. The 34-year-old former world number one plans to retire after the Australian Open next January.

Head of FIFA audit, compliance body weighs in on Blatter resignation ZURICH (Reuters) The independent chairman of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee on Sunday weighed in on recent comments by the president of world soccer’s governing body, Sepp Blatter, that had led to speculation about his future plans. “I call on all concerned, including Mr. Blatter, to endorse in the interest of the reforms unequivocally the announced changing of the guard at the top of FIFA,” audit and compliance chief Domenico Scala said in an emailed statement. Blatter on June 2 said he would step down at an as-yet unscheduled special FIFA congress, but recent comments have fueled speculation that his decision was less than final. “The times of flirting with power are definitely gone,” Scala said.

Monday June 29, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 31

DIGICEL SENIOR NATIONAL SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIP

Brazil faces uncertainty after Joseph pips Khalil to another disappointing defeat take senior male title

SAO PAULO (AP) — It just keeps getting worse for Brazil’s national team. In its first chance to get over the humiliating World Cup elimination, Brazil disappointed again — dropping out of the Copa America without any signs of improvement from a year ago. Brazil’s struggles in the South American tournament culminated with elimination in a penalty shootout against Paraguay on Saturday, keeping the Selecao from getting past the tournament’s quarterfinals for the second straight time and leaving fans wondering what lies ahead for the five-time world champions. And the future doesn’t look too good, considering Brazil has a generation with few top stars and is enduring unprecedented turmoil involving officials running the sport. “We have to rethink Brazilian football, not only on the field,” coach Dunga said before the squad returned home to Brazil on Sunday. “We have to recognize that other nations have improved, and we must be humble and understand that it’s time to get to work. We know we have a lot of work ahead of us.” The Copa America was Brazil’s first official competition since its 2014 World Cup humiliation, when it was crushed 7-1 by Germany in the semifinals. Now its next chance at redemption will come in South American qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, which starts in October. Another failure would be devastating for Brazil, the only nation to never miss out on a World Cup. Dunga, who has been in charge of revamping the squad since he replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari after the World Cup, arrived in Chile boosted by 10 straight wins in friendlies, but with few convincing performances to satisfy the demanding Brazilian fans. “We knew from the beginning that it wasn’t going to be easy,” Dunga said. “Even after the series of victories, we weren’t satisfied, we knew that we would need to improve. Now is the time to see whether we are actually good, whether we are able to resurrect, whether we have the strength to recover.” The coach may not have a lot of time to find out, as calls for his resignation have already increased after Brazil’s disappointing performance in Chile. It

Brazil’s Thiago Silva kneels on the pitch during the penalty shootout at the end of a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match at the Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium in Concepcion, Chile, Saturday, June 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) needed a last-minute goal to beat Peru 2-1 in the opener, then lost 1-0 to Colombia in the second match, and closed out the group stage with a lackluster 2-0 win over Venezuela. “Another failure,” read a headline Sunday in the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, Brazil’s largest daily. Dunga, who also coached Brazil at the 2010 World Cup, put most of the blame for Brazil’s Copa America elimination on the absences of the suspended Neymar and other injured players such as Oscar, Marcelo and Luiz Gustavo. But even if these players return, Brazilian fans know they won’t have much to look forward to, apart from the proven star qualities of Neymar. The nation finds itself with a generation of few top stars. Many of the players in the Copa America squad play in second-tier European clubs, and some even in less traditional football markets. Everton Ribeiro, who missed one of Brazil’s penalties on Saturday, plays for Al Ahli in the United Arab Emirates. One of the team’s strikers, Diego Tardelli, plays in China. More than ever, the team is heavily dependent on Neymar, who is only 23 and still displays signs of immaturity, as was shown by his red card against Colombia in Chile. And players who once were considered the strength of the national team,

such as defenders Thiago Silva and David Luiz, have been playing poorly recently, prompting even more doubts about the team’s future. “We all know that we have to improve,” veteran striker Robinho said. To make things worse, Dunga won’t be able to count on Neymar for the first two World Cup qualifiers because of the four-game suspension he received after his altercation with Colombian players in the group stage. “Of course Neymar is important for us, but I think we have many quality players, they just need a little more experience,” Dunga said. “We learned a lot in this Copa America.” The problems on the field coincide with a crisis involving the Brazilian football confederation, whose former president was among the officials arrested in Switzerland after corruption investigations by U.S. and Swiss authorities. There have been widespread calls for the current president to resign, and a congressional probe into the administration of local football is scheduled to start soon. In the last few weeks, Brazilian football also disappointed in the ongoing Women’s World Cup, with Marta’s team being eliminated in the round of 16, and in the Under-20 World Cup, when Brazil’s youngsters lost the final to Serbia.

Nyron Joseph recovered from a remarkable two games down to win three games on the trot and as a result, become the 2015 Digicel Senior National Squash Champion. In the marathon five game outing the Reigning Junior National Champion started slowly, managing to win only six points in the first two games , and threatened to be beaten in the third game when only 9/10 down. What followed was a determined comeback which saw the younger Joseph take the third game 12/ 10, amidst several calls which the players contested as tensions rose. The fourth and fifth games were almost too close to call as the players battled point for point with impressive rallies, interrupted by close calls on ‘lets’ and ‘strokes’ , which clearly unsettled each player. In the end Joseph showed tremendous commitment in a final point that featured everything from powerful cross-country drops, dives, and eventually an impressively paced drop that proved the deciding stroke in the match to earn Joseph the game 11/8. In the female final Nicolette Fernandes was supreme in a 3-0 victory over Ashley Khalil, who showed she would be no push over as she battled through the second game, threatening to even take a game off the world number 29. In the end Fernandes held her nerve to win that game 15/

13, with all the poise and composure expected of a senior professional. Her pedigree was evident in the final game as she near perfectly executed each stroke to take that game 11/5. The female third place playoff between Akeila Wiltshire and Ashley DeGroot was high in tension as the players, off to an uncharacteristically lethargic start, kept getting in the way of each other’s strokes, resulting in a plethora of ‘lets’ , clearly unsettling each player. The usually halcyon style of the left handed current Junior National Champion Wiltshire progressed to a blitzkrieg of discontent as both players briefly lost their composure. In the end Akeila showed better execution amidst the pressure as she recovered from being one game down to take the match 3-1. At the presentation ceremony Guyana Squash Association Representative Tiffany Solomon extended gratitude on behalf of the association to their premier corporate sponsor Digicel, and to the Georgetown club for playing host to yet another national squash tournament. Complete Results Regan Pollard beat Peter Michael DeGroot 3-0(11/6,11/ 8,11/8) Akeila Wiltshire beat Ashley DeGroot 3-1(4/11,11/ 5,11/8,12/10) Rebecca Low beat Makeda Harding 3-2(11/3,5/

11,10/12,11/8,11/9) Nicolette Fernandes beat Ashley Khalil 3-0(11/7,15/ 13,11/5) Adam Alves beat Anthony Islam 3-0(11/7, 11/ 1,11/9) Joshua Abdool beat Jonathan Hohenkirk 3-1(15/ 13,8/11,12/10,11/2) Deje Dias beat Alec Melville 3-0(11/7, 11/6,11/7) Larissa Wiltshire beat Taylor Fernandes 3-1(11/8,8/ 11,11/5,11/3) Nyron Joseph beat Jason Ray Khalil 3-2(1/11,5/11,12/ 10,14/12/11/8) Senior Open Males 1st: Nyron Joseph 2nd: Jason Ray Khalil 3rd: Regan Pollard 4th: Peter Michael DeGroot Senior Open Females 1st:Nicolette Fernandes 2nd: Ashley Khalil 3rd: Akeila Wiltshire 4th: Ashley DeGroot Classic Plate Males 1st: Deje Dias 2nd: Alec Melville 3rd: Robert Fernandes Females 1st: Larissa Wiltshire 2nd: Taylor Fernandes 3rd: Rebecca Low Open Plate 1st: Joshua Abdool 2nd: Jonathan Hohenkirk 3rd: Adam Alves Veterans 35-49 1st: Alwyn Callendar 2nd: Medhi Ramdhani 3rd: Tariq Williams Veterans Over 50 1st: Alwyn Callendar 2nd: Joe Mekdeci 3rd: Pedro Towers

Formula E: Nelson Piquet Jr wins championship in London BBC Sport - Battersea Park, London -Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr won the inaugural Formula E Championship by a single point from Sebastien Buemi, after finishing seventh in a thrilling climax to the season at London’s Battersea Park on Sunday. Driving for Chinese team Nextev, Piquet Jr had his lead cut to five points after his e.dams rival won on Saturday. Had Buemi taken fourth place from Bruno Senna on the final lap on Sunday, then the title would have gone to the Swiss. Sam Bird won the race for Virgin. Bird was handed the victory after Stephane Sarrazin, who crossed the line first having started on pole driving for Leonardo

Nelson Piquet Jr (Getty Images) DiCaprio’s Venturi team, was handed a 49-second penalty for going over his power allowance. Bird also won the Visa

fastest lap award, which was presented to him by four-time sailing Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie. Piquet, who jokingly suggested he would lend Senna his credit card for a year for holding off Buemi, praised his team. “The championship has been really tough,” said the 29-year-old former Formula 1 driver. “We’ve got a good group of guys. They trusted me and believed in me.” The first ever singleseater electric racing series, sanctioned by motor sport’s governing body, the FIA, took place in 10 cities. It was created in order to attract a new audience to the sport and help develop electric technology for the automotive industry.

Page 32

Kaieteur News

Monday June 29, 2015

Goodluck and Primo win GBTI England bring Canada’s Open Tennis Novice doubles World Cup party to an end

Tandy Primo and Jamal Goodluck The Novice category was the first category to be completed for the GBTI Open 2015 Tennis Championships. Akeem Bailey took on Delon Fraser in the semi-finals. Fraser’s backhand was placed under pressure by the deep shots Bailey crafted. Bailey was determined to gain a win and had to resurge from 4/5 and was able to do so and secure a spot in the finals after capitalizing on a break and served out the set at 7/5. He then faced Jamal Goodluck in the finals. Goodluck opened the account of the match with a hold and break and had a lead of 4/2. It appeared that the novice title was finally in reach until Bailey had yet another comeback. He mounted a counter act with heavy loops and deep shots to put Goodluck on the defensive. The game eventually tied at 5/5 and hope was dwindlingfor Goodluck. Goodluck in the end regrouped and served his first ace of the match which seemed to refuel him. He then

launched an attack to hold serve and set up two match points. He clenched the title of GBTI Novice 2015 with a win of 7/5 over Akeem Bailey. The Novice doubles finals also concluded with the familiar pair, Jamal Goodluck and Tandy Primo, winning the title for 2015. They outplayed their opponents in the round robin set up while Fiona Bushell and Martin Campbell took runners up in the category. The Men’s Open quarter finals started with Andre Erskine and Chethan Narayan. In the battle of flat ground strokes and consistency, Andre Erskine came out victorious. Erskine started the match by holding serve and immediately broke his opponent to gain a 2/0 advantage. Indian national, Chethan Narayan broke to take the match back on serve. Erskine held his service game to move ahead 3/1. Narayan started mixing his game with slices, lobs and winners from every angle to throw his frustrated opponent off.

Guyana crush Aruba 5-0 to wrap-up CFU Olympic Qualifier tournament GFF - Guyana defeated Aruba 5 – 0 yesterday to wrap up their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Olympic Qualifier tournament participation in Antigua and Barbuda on a high. The Guyanese fell 2- 0 against the hosts and Cuba and wanted to finish on a high note against the Dutch speaking Island. Both Cuba and Antigua crushed Aruba 11 – 1 and 7 – 0 respectively, leaving the two sides to play for the top spot in Group 2. Only one team will advance to the next round. Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz prior to yesterday’s game, said that Guyana will be playing for pride; to not leave the Island winless.

Narayan won 4 consecutive games to take command of the set 5/3. Erskine held serve to stay alive but Narayan would not be denied the set, winning it 6/4 off of an Erskine’s unforced error. The second set started similarly to the first, with Erskine taking an early break off serve. Serving at 2/1, and up a break, Erskine’s service game was once again at threat, but he held his nerves and raced through the set, winning it 6/1.The match went to a deciding set and the thirst for the win intensified as both players went for broke. The third set featured some grueling rallies. Narayan applied pressure by slicing the ball so low that Erskine had to dig deep and low to stay in the rallies. Serving 3/5, to stay in the match, Narayan found another gear after being down match point. He safeguarded the match at 4/6, 6/1, 6/4. He next faces the winner between Daniel Lopes (seeded number 3) and Keimo Benjamin. Benjettan Osborne wasted no time in his rematch against Rudy Grant hitting winners after winners. He has racked up the most winners so far in the tournament. His flat corner seeking shots made it difficult for Grant to impose his tactic. Osborne progresses with a win of 6/1, 6/3. Philbert Clark tried to make his first Quarter Finals but was denied by Keimo Benjamin, 6/1, 7/6(7/4). Although Clark had a 4/0 lead in the second set he failed to keep the pressure on Benjamin. The other quarter finals winners were Seanden DavidLonge and Anthony Downes. David-Longe defeated Harry Panday 6/2, 6/3 which was an accomplishment for him since Panday had once defeated him as a junior. While Downes looked solid with a 6/0, 6/0 win over Kester Abrams. Nicolas Glasgow and Nicola Ramdyhan played Berbicans, Carol Humphrey and Godfrey Lowden in the Quarter Finals of the Mixed Doubles. The veteran Berbicians played with a touch of class to win 6/2, 6/4. Daniel Lopes and Areta Dey had a battle in their match against Grace McCalman and Leyland Leacock. There were numerous of opportunities for McCalman/ Leacock to win the first set but the many unforced errors cost them the set. Lopes and Dey took the set at 7/5 and McCalman/Leacock retired in the second set after being on court for one hour and fortyfive minutes.

England midfielder Jill Scott (8) celebrates with teammates after defeating Canada in the quarterfinals of the FIFA 2015 Women’s World Cup at BC Place Stadium. England won 2-1. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY) VANCOUVER (Reuters) England scored twice in three first-half minutes then held on to beat hosts Canada 2-1 on Saturday and book a spot in the Women’s World Cup semifinals against Japan. The hosts had been hoping to secure the semi-final spot against the defending champions on Canada Day, July 1, in Edmonton but instead it was England who moved into the last four of a World Cup for the first time. England coach Mark Sampson paid tribute to the opposition and fans. “I have never been in a stadium as loud, as passionate for their team as that was, they couldn’t have pushed us any further we had to really, really dig deep today to get the result we wanted,” he told reporters. “They’ve shown a desire I have never seen in an England team before to hang on in there and get us through to the next round.” Without a men’s or women’s World Cup title since 1966, and exasperated by another failure at the men’s U21 European Championships, the “Lionesses” have become the toast of England. “We’re history makers again, only the third England team to get to a semi-final, we have now joined that 1966 and 1990 club, very, very proud of the whole group,” beamed Sampson. After conceding just one goal in four matches, Canada surrendered two in three minutes early in the opening half. England opened the scoring in the 11th

minute when Canadian defender Lauren Sesselmann slipped on the ball, leaving Jodie Taylor a clear path to the goal. She made no mistake, whipping a low shot past a diving Erin McLeod. Three minutes later Lucy Bronze sent a shudder through the capacity crowd 54,027 when her looping header sailed over McLeod’s outstretched hand, deflected off the crossbar and into the net. Canada pulled one back just before the break when England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley could not handle Ashley Lawrence’s shot and Christine Sinclair, Canada’s all-time leading scorer, was there to pounce on the loose ball and drive it home. “We hadn’t written the script to be 2-0 down that early,” said Canada coach John Herdman. “I’m proud of my girls, they give you everything, it just wasn’t good enough tonight and the dream is over. “We knew it was going to be a physical contest tonight, you get the English fighting spirit against the Canadian grit.” Soaking up the energy of the sold-out crowd, Canada pushed forward in the second half but could not unlock England’s defense and test Siobhan Chamberlain, who came on for Bardsley in the 49th minute after the starting goalie had an allergic reaction that caused her eyes to puff up and affect her vision.

Dunga: Brazil coach apology for race comment in Copa America

Dunga (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Brazil coach Dunga has apologised for likening criticism directed against him at the Copa America to racist

abuse suffered by people of African descent. Dunga was comparing the pressure he faced as Brazil captain in winning the 1994 World Cup, to criticism from local media over his side’s indifferent form in reaching the Copa quarter-finals. “I think I’m an Afrodescendant because I get hit so much.” he said on Friday. But Dunga, 51, later said: “I apologise to those who could have felt offended.” In a statement on the Brazil Football Confederation website Dunga added: “The way I expressed myself does not reflect my feelings or opinions.” Dunga played 91 times for

his nation and is currently in his second spell as Brazil manager. He took over from Luiz Felipe Scolari following their 7-1 humiliation on home soil against Germany in the 2014 World Cup. He previously managed Brazil between 2006 and 2010. Wins over Venezuela and Paraguay meant Brazil topped their Copa America group, despite a 1-0 defeat by Colombia that saw Barcelona forward Neymar banned from the tournament after being sent-off for a headbutt. Dunga’s men faced Paraguay and were beaten in the semis in the chase of their ninth Copa America title which they last won in 2007.