Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Humanity An important principle practised by most people, especially Christians, is their professed belief in forgiveness. Nowhere is this more powerfully demonstrated than when Jesus Christ was placed on the cross. Just before his crucifixion, he said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” In other words, he was asking for forgiveness for his crucifiers, something very few in society would even attempt to do. For most people, forgiving someone who hurts or attempts to hurt them is easier said than done. It is natural for people to seek revenge against persons who commit grievous wrongs against them. But sometimes they become so obsessed in pursuing those who wrong them that they are likely to inflict more psychological pain and suffering on themselves than what they had already endured. This is the view of the 16th century English philosopher, jurist and statesman Sir Francis Bacon who said: It is certain, that a man who seeks revenge keeps his wounds green, which otherwise would have healed and do well. Most in society have refused to forgive those who have done them wrong. They are so obsessed with revenge that those who have run foul of the law and are seeking forgiveness do not stand a chance. Everyone has an intuitive faculty to do good; everyone is deserving of mercy, compassion and forgiveness. However, there is a double standard in terms of forgiveness by some who are harsh and unforgiving on criminals but not on politicians who have stolen millions of dollars from the taxpayers. Many seem to forgive politicians, but they have insisted that those who have engaged in criminal activities of any kind should be incarcerated indefinitely, even though they may have served an appropriate time determined by the courts, repaid their debt to society and become qualified for re-entry into society. What is unfortunate is that many in society tend to overlook the fact that some prisoners may have undergone full rehabilitation during their time in prison and are changed individuals. This is not to say that the harmful effects of crime should be overlooked, and no one is advocating that society should be lenient in dealing with criminals. Criminals must be punished; but after punishment, they should be given a second chance to redeem themselves once they have demonstrated a fundamental change in attitude and behavior through rehabilitation. Everyone makes mistakes, but to deny those who have paid their debt to society the right to rebuild their lives is not only wrong but it is also unconscionable. Prisoners deserve a second chance, at least an opportunity to prove that they have changed their lives and will genuinely obey the laws of society. We should not forget that criminals are not born; they are made. They are the products of social influences in society to which they were exposed during their impressionable teenage years, both within the home and the wider community. The difference is those who are exposed to positive values in society in their social interactions and are taught the difference between right and wrong, are likely to become decent and law-abiding citizens as opposed to those who lack a good support system. This emphasized the need for good parenting and positive role models in society for youths to lead exemplary lives that would qualify them to be regarded as role models as well. However, those who are unable to extend forgiveness to others when they fall short should not expect forgiveness when they too fall short. So the responsibility for adjusting behaviour in society rests more on the lawabiding citizens than to the law-breakers. This speaks to the humanity that is unfolding in Guyana because all people, regardless of who they are, are important, albeit some more than others.

In defence of Justice Navindra Singh DEAR EDITOR, Terrence Campbell of Church’s Chicken House wrote a partial and prejudicial letter against Justice Singh, a sitting Judge of the High Court which was published in last Saturday’s edition of your newspaper and I feel compelled to make known my observations. According to Mr. Campbell, the “incident” between his employee and Justice Singh is alleged to have occurred in excess of a year and a half ago. Why did he choose to publish it only now? Mr Campbell obviously has a hidden agenda. I have examined Ms. Allen’s story and I wish to highlight the following observations: 1. A strange man is driving aggressively and dangerously on the road next to her, he exits his vehicle, comes out and taps on her window. She claims to have been afraid. In that situation, I believe a reasonable response would perhaps be to toot your horn, scream for help and/ or call the police. What did Ms. Allen do? She wound down her window and said “Good morning”! 2. This strange man allegedly went on and threatened to kill her. According to her she is “afraid’, “threatened’ and “intimidated’. Again I would have expected a reasonable reaction in those circumstances to be a scream for help, a call to the police, going to the nearest police station quickly or all to the above.

What did Ms. Allen do? Drive away and go home. 3. According to the purported statement of Ms. Allen, about four hours after the alleged incident, the police went to her home and served her with a Notice of Intended Prosecution. One would reasonably have expected that Ms. Allen would have used this opportunity to complain to the police about her unfortunate experience earlier that day. Ms. Allen did not do that, but rather she leveled a complaint against the police saying that she was never informed about any traffic infraction before the Notice was served on her. 4. In his letter, Mr. Campbell said that the police went to the home of his employee acting on the complaint of Justice Singh. It is obvious that Mr. Campbell is aware that Justice Singh made a complaint against Ms. Allen but he deliberately failed to disclose in his letter the nature of Justice Singh’s complaint. It seems to me that a lack of bias would have dictated that he ought to have disclosed this in his letter but I gather fairness is not one of Mr. Campbell’s virtues. 5. This incident, according to Mr. Campbell, was captured by the cameras at his place of business at Camp and Middle Streets but according to Ms. Allen this incident is alleged to have occurred on Camp Street between

Quamina and Church Streets. It is therefore not factual that the radius of his super sensitive cameras would have clearly captured the incident as he alleges. It seems therefore Mr. Editor that the sole reason behind Mr. Campbell’s claim that the incident was captured on his cameras is to mislead the public into believing that he actually witnessed the alleged incident in order to give credibility to this trumped up story. 6. How did this unpleasant story end? According to Mr. Campbell, “I guess wisdom prevailed and no further action was taken ... “ What Mr. Campbell appears to be saying here is that the goal and strategy of both he and Ms. Allen was achieved when she avoided being prosecuted by the police. It seems to me, therefore, that her story was concocted solely for that purpose. I hope Mr. Campbell deals with all of his employees legal problems with the same zest with which he dealt with Ms. Allen’s legal difficulty and this is not a special privilege he reserves only for Ms. Allen. In closing, I challenge Mr. Campbell to produce the recording of this incident captured by his cameras as I seriously doubt this footage would substantiate Ms. Allen’s incredible tale. I, like Mr. Campbell, trust that you will have the courage to publish my letter in full. Ganeshlall Persaud

Dr. Hinds’s anti-intellectual point DEAR EDITOR; There continues to be a tendency by some in this society to elevate Walter Rodney to heights that resemble mysticism. In this month marking his 36th death anniversary Guyanese continue to hear stories about his politics that deserve to be questioned and hopefully the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and those who promote him to such level would truthfully answer them. It is being said that Rodney was a prophet of self-emancipation. If to be so called means being in the opposition, following said logic Cheddie Jagan and Forbes Burnham who were the major political leaders opposing British rule can be similarly identified. Equally too, such title would be befitting Jagan, Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Robert Corbin, David Granger and Bharrat Jagdeo being Leader of the Opposition, and all other political leaders with no constitutional title as was Rodney, and others who oppose(d) government. The argument being made by David Hinds that Rodney’s violence against the State is similar to that of Cuffy, Damon and Courtney Crum-Ewing is anti-intellectual. In the era of slavery that Cuffy and Damon lived and fought the establishment, there was no universal law by which the people were subject to it. Africans were not even considered human and equal. In the era of Rodney and Crum-Ewing laws existed making all equal and subject to the law. Unlike Rodney, Crum-Ewing never advocated or sought to remove government with the use of violence.

There was no violence in CrumEwing’s activism or advocacy to remove the PPP/C from office and it is insulting to so malign him. Guyanese are being told that Rodney and WPA are multiracial. This claim is not singular to Rodney or WPA. All political parties in this country, outside of ROAR that promoted being a party for Indians, have multiracial support. And the fact that a racial group may comprise the majority of support does not negate the fact of a multiracial presence. The attendance at rallies, when not translated to votes but used to claim superiority or singularity in any regard on multi-racialism is a mythical or pseudo argument. The WPA’s claim to being multiracial has only seen one Indian leader in the co-leadership, who is Rupert Roopnarine. How is it that Guyana’s ‘only’ multiracial party could not find another Indian or any from the other four races to appoint or anoint? It needs not be forgotten that Guyana is a land of six peoples. This society is being told that Rodney opposed Burnham illegitimate government, yet none of the elections that occurred under Burnham was so deemed by the court. And if the reason for saying they were because this was so said by local and external groups, it needs not be forgotten that the 1997 elections which were deemed free and fair by said groups were vitiated in a High Court. What standards are being used to pronounce on elections during Burnham or the PNC era as against the 1997 vitiated elections, or the 2011

when GECOM awarded the AFC seat to the PPP/C and both elections were deemed free and fair? Legitimacy and illegitimacy cannot be determined by whims and fancies. Another area of duplicity by the WPA is this issue of democracy. If democracy is measured only by elections, the WPA and Rodney have never been democratic in their politics or nature. Rodney, Roopnarine nor any WPA leader was ever elected by the membership of the party, neither was the membership allowed to cast their vote for a leader of choice. These leaders were imposed on the people, following the WPA’s logic of what constitutes democracy, thereby making Rodney, et al dictators. The truth is the WPA never held any election to elect any of their leaders. If the party is comfortable doing this, shouldn’t the society be concerned that had the party, as a single force, won national elections, thereafter elections would have been a thing of the past and leaders would have been handpicked and imposed on the people as done at the party level? This is building on the logic of the WPA’s brand of democracy, because if it is practiced at the party level it is safe to assume it would have been replicated at the national level. Finally, I read where a young lady, who attended a function on Rodney has asked why nobody wants to accept Burnham did anything wrong. I’d say to that young lady, similar question should be asked about Rodney. The politics of Rodney is not used to (Continued on page 23)

Tuesday June 21, 2016

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Kaieteur News

Strange behavior of the The tragedy of toddlers’ police injuries at public parks DEAR EDITOR; I present here to you and all readers a story I consider to be somewhat troubling which ought to pique your interest and undivided attention. A story which made me pondered aloud what precisely is the Public Security Ministry up to and more so the direction of the David Granger led APNU AFC administration. Sometime in February/ March of this year, I think I received two messages from someone that a police woman wanted to see me, I treated it lightly and promised to stop by whenever I’m passing – I never remembered. Then on Wednesday June 8th I received a telephone call from a female person at the McKenzie Police Station who identified herself, stated her rank-Sergeant, very politely I must say. She informed me that she is the officer heading the complains section, reminded me of a letter I wrote in December 9th 2015 that was published in the Stabroek News – “Linden Policeman Creating Noise Nuisance” and told me

she needed a statement with regards to that letter. I was baffled, why a statement, as a citizen I expressed my observation in a national paper. Anyway she called back on the following day and requested – though she seemed determined – that I drop in and give her a statement. I agreed and did so later in the day.Now editor please, very quickly allow for us to see what it is with this letter that was written some 6 months ago. In that letter I referred to two items in the Stabroek News of Nov. 27th 2015, one under the heading: “Alleged cop assault on Paradise Fisherman being probed”, where it tells about a policeman who allegedly struck one Amar Zaban 23 years old in his head with a beer bottle blocking him out, he received several stitches to the head and had to be admitted. The other item under the headline: “Corentyne resident mistreated by policeman”: which related another troubling story about a young man Andrew Lewis, a Skeldon Estate worker who after work was followed by a policeman in his car, who in an aggressive manner pushed his hands in his pocket, took away his wages, seized his

A question on the Medal of Service DEAR EDITOR; Please permit me a space in your newspaper to add my voice of congratulation to the recipients of the recent National Award which were announced on May 25, 2016. Sir having examining the list of awardees, I am convinced that 98% of the awardees were persons who would have served this country and their countrymen with honour and dignity. It is therefore negligence or a clear case of political biasness not to have recogonise these persons. Hence I say hats off to the Granger led APNU+AFC administration. However as stated before the 2% that I did not found favour with have to do with the lone female police officer that received the Discipline Service Method, reasons being: never before according to my recollection was this medal awarded to a Senior Superintendent. Are we to believe that the long list of active Assistant Commissioners only one such officer was worthy of receiving a medal and if I may one of the very officer referred to are currently serv-

ing in the capacity as Assistant Commissioner - Administration. Sir I have been following the recent exchanges between the Commissioner of Police and the former Home Affairs Minister Mr. Clement Rohee and from what I have concluded, I wish to caution the APNU+AFC government to be weary of the Commissioner’s statements since in my view those utterances are to assure them of his support while he continues to operate as the Commissioner. In conclusion I will be happy if the Minister of Public Security will say to this public whether the Commissioner has been paid in lieu of his three (300) hundred and odd days vocational leave. Roydell Phillips

haversack, took away his chain and cell phone while accusing him of break and enter. He then placed him in his car cuffed him to the head and behind his neck repeatedly while threatening him. I made mention of personalities in the police force and endorsed what one Barrington Braithwaite wrote, “The disturbed personalities and troubled background of some police groups….. that the system had captured troubled unbalance personalities and created soulless beings out of them” and further questioned the modus operandi of recruitment. I also questioned: “Is this kind of behaviour a permanent fixture embedded in the Guyana Police Force. Now as for the topic of the letter: “Linden policeman creating noise nuisance” which I thought was the reason for the complaint authority in Linden really wanted to see me about: it spoke about the damning behaviour of an indiscipline policeman who was in the habit of driving around Town with powerful sound system in his jeep/car blasting to the heavens, the speakers placed both sides of the window, no matter where he goes – hospital, school, clinic, library, funeral: the sound remains at that deafening range, he even drives into the police compound the same way: so I criticised this behaviour and questioned his status since he cares not a toss and no one in authority it seemed bothers with him: this is what I thought the police sergeant as the head of the complain department who called me was interested in – clarity, and with an eye to the future of arresting such malpractice moreso by an officer of the G.P.F. But I was shockingly mistaken, it was as I saw it a hoax, monkey business! After typing in her heading, subject matter and whatever into her computer she then asked me something about my name having an e, I responded that is it written just as it is in the letter, she quickly consulted a file that was on her desk that had the letter and other papers clipped together and got the correct spelling. Then she asked about my race, you not (Continued on page 23)

DEAR EDITOR; Once again the world was thrown into a mental tail spin via the media, and at the head of it all were toddlers. Yes, toddlers at the age where they are still trying to figure out who and what is all around them. A terrible tragic incident recently unfolded at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. A toddler, merely 2-years old was reportedly at the edge of a when he was snatched and dragged away in the water by an alligator. Let just hold it there for a moment. Roll backward to last month, when a young boy fell into the gorilla pit at the Cincinatti Zoo, a situation that resulted in the Zoo using lethal force on Harambe the gorilla in order to save the boy’s life, many with lightning rapidity were quick to point digits and call the mother negligent and unfit to be in the role of parent. The majority of these vicious attacks on the mother (and father who incidentally was not at the zoo at the time of his son’s demise) came immediately and with unabated venom and unrelenting invectives once the news broke, and without further details on the incident. She was hung out to dry by social media over what was perceived as her failure to block her son from breaching a 3-foot fence. He then fell about fifteen feet into a shallow moat, only to be then dragged around like a rag doll by Harambe a western lowland gorilla weighing more than 420 pounds. Before I become entrapped in the maelstrom of emotions, permit me to offer my condolences to the Graves family (sadly what an eerie last name) on the loss of their offspring. My question to readers, who probably have a more sagacious grasp on public

thinking, is what underlies the striking difference in response to these two tragedies that involved parent, toddlers and animals at known family friendly venues. The family, whose son met his fate by an alligator at the Disney resort in Orlando, received an outpouring of online and public sympathy. Where are the outrage and the screaming and hollering over the mother and her parenting skills? Where are the animal lovers? What is of interest is the fact that one gorilla got shot to save the boy in the zoo. Yes, the world was upset with the mother for letting the toddler out of her sight. And now with the boy in Florida 4 Disney area alligators were killed without any positivity as to which of them dragged the toddler to his death and the mother has not been investigated. In fact the world grieves for this mother. Where are the animal lovers? This behavior runs in stark contrast to some who suggested that the parents should be held criminally responsible, in addition to an online petition seeking “Justice for Harambee” earned more than 100,000 signatures in less than 48 hours. Does bias have any part to play in these tragic situations? Was the ancient stereotype that certain parents are lazy, uncaring, chronic complainers? The fact that the father wasn’t even at the zoo was by inference more damning proof of parental negligence. There have been several incidents cited in America and even in Britain involving white kids being in dangerous contact with endangered animals, such as the one involving a kid in a gorilla enclosure at a Chicago zoo in 1996. There were no mass calls for the parents to face criminal charges or to have the

other kids removed from their care. Let it not be forgotten or overlooked that Disney had posted signs marked “No Swimming”, yet this was ignored by the parents. Now we have two similar tragedies- Two disturbingly different responses from the public and markedly different coverage. Do not ask why, when the answer is so blatantly evident. Not for one moment do I buy into the premise that this is a case of alligators and gorillas or of good parents with poor parenting skills. These two incidents, the actions of alligators and gorillas merely highlighted the presence of certain attitudes as they continues to exist among us. Currently we live in a society where race and racism, like politics, religion and money are impolite topics better left unexplored. Plainly put with no tongue in cheek we are simply uncomfortable talking about race. Such a fact is not without a price, for due to the discomfort, and the absence of learned skills necessary to engage in deep discussions on the topic, we avoid them like the plague. There are some pills, bitter though they may be, must be swallowed, and some facts, though difficult to take must be faced. Present day America does not have a race problem but a mere race system where the odds are stacked heavily against certain players in the system, who must realize who and what they are up against. In Biblical times a donkey spoke to Balaam, and in this case Harambe and four alligators have spoken via the actions of toddlers. . Who will heed? Remember actions speak louder than words, but there are no magical ones to make racism go away. Yvonne Sam.

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Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

Expect criminal, administrative action from forensic audit findings - Harmon

As the nation waits for criminal and administrative action to be taken based on the findings of the forensic audits launched last year into state departments and projects, Minister of State Joseph Harmon is affirming that things are happening and that action will be forthcoming. According to the Minister during a recent press briefing, the administration has sent audit reports, which recommended criminal proceedings, to the police and specifically the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). He noted that others which made administrative recommendations will be acted upon. “It is important for the public to understand that the audits have actually discovered some things,” he stressed. “What happens after the audits is that the auditor goes and makes recommendations based on the information that is provided to him.” “In some cases the auditor stated that they were not provided with information because some persons did not provide the information. In some cases they deliberately refused to provide this information. But what happens is that the auditor makes a finding at the end of his process.” “The state will have to take that finding and determine whether some will have to go to the police for police work, or some will have to be dealt with administratively. Those that have to go to the

- warns that police just have to build cases strong enough for court

President David Granger’s meeting with the Permanent Secretaries of the various Ministries last week. police, we’ve actually sent some of those matters to the police and SOCU and they have actually started their investigations. Matters which have to be dealt with administratively, we are taking the action administratively.” He also referenced the meeting which President David Granger had on Thursday with the Permanent Secretaries of various Ministries. Harmon stated not only were the audits on the agenda, but

that the President instructed them of their responsibilities with respect to these audits. “And so you will see some action being taken in respect to administrative recommendations and some action in respect to police work.” “The problem is this, too. For the police to establish a case in the court, there is a certain standard of proof which you have to establish. That standard, for an auditor, is not the same standard

which the police require for building a case to take it to the court.” He noted that what the police get from the auditors will be statements and findings of the auditor. Harmon said that for the police to make this a matter of the courts they will have to go beyond what the auditor has to say. “They will have to get additional information to ensure that they have a case.” Government had em-

barked on a series of audits of ministries and agencies to ascertain their financial status and unearth any suspected improprieties. Some $133M was spent on 45 of the 50 forensic audits The remaining five audits were sponsored by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). Over 20 forensic audit reports have been released thus far for the public to peruse. A number of officials including at the Guyana Oil

Company; the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and at the Guyana Water Inc. have been sent home with their contracts terminated or not renewed. Observers have been critical, however, at the slow pace at which these audits have been acted upon. In particular, there are Permanent Secretaries still in office, who have been implicated in some of the audit findings dating back to the previous administration.

$100M Sophia facility to train at risk youths At risk youths will benefit from a new training facility currently under construction in Sophia, according to Assistant Director of Youth, Department of Culture Youth and Sport of the Ministry of Education, Leslyn Boyce. Boyce said that the new training centre, that is a $100M project, is being built.

“We started phase one in our last budget. We are at phase two and that work would commence shortly, so we would be spending another $25M from this budget.” Phase one of the construction started in the last quarter last year, and cost $15M. Boyce said that Sophia was chosen for this intervention because it “(is) one of the National Service centres so they decided to turn it into a training centre for those persons who are more at risk and less fortunate. Most times you find persons who want to go to the Government

Technical Institute (GTI) or whatever institutions. I think the genesis of the Youth Entrepreneurship Training (YEST) programme is to more or less capture those young people who are not so academically inclined.” The facility will be built to establish Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) standards and equipped with updated tools and equipment, Boyce said. When completed, the new facility will house youths being trained as part of the YEST programme, she added. The Assistant Director

pointed out that the two- storeyed facility will house classrooms for four skill areas, namely, catering, plumbing and sheet metal, masonry and welding and fabrication. Meanwhile, more than 100 youths are currently undergoing training at the Sophia Training Centre in the areas of electrical installation, refrigeration, air conditioning, masonry, and catering and information technology. Boyce said the YEST programme serves as a safety net for high risk young people in Sophia and the nearby communities, and is of six months

Leslyn Boyce

duration. “We found that the young people do not have the finance more or less to continue training or even to start even if they want to, so we at the Sophia institution, we provide $4,000 per month stipend to help with their pas-

sage and we offer them a hot meal every day, to encourage them to stay on the programme for the six months,” Boyce stated. YEST aims to train at risk youths in several skills area to make them work ready for the job market. (GINA)

Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

Islamic State launches counterattacks on U.S.-backed forces and Syrian army

Fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) carry their weapons as they walk in the western rural area of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria (Reuters/Rodi Said) (Reuters) - The Islamic State group launched a counter attack against fighters trying to capture the Syrian city of Manbij yesterday, inflicting heavy casualties on the U.S.-backed forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the militants said. The monitor said the ultra-hard line militants won back three villages south of the besieged city in a surprise assault against fighters from the U.S.-backed Syria Democratic Forces, in which at least 28 SDF fighters were killed. Two years after IS proclaimed its caliphate to rule over all Muslims from swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, its many foes are advancing on a number of fronts in both countries, with the aim of closing in on its two capitals, Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq. The SDF were poised to enter Manbij nearly three weeks after the launch of a major assault to regain the city backed by U.S. air power and American special forces, to seal off the last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish frontier The alliance, formed last year by recruiting Arabs to join forces with a powerful Kurdish militia, fought their way to nearly 2 km from the city center from the western side on Saturday before retreating. U.S-led coalition jets hit militants taking cover near the large wheat silo complex on the southern edge of the city that has been encircled by SDF forces. An SDF spokesman said they succeeded in repulsing the militant attack and remained positioned on the out-

skirts of the city, most of whose residents remain trapped inside and where the militants have planted mines and dug in to defend it. “The situation is under control. They have many bodies on the ground,” Sharfan Darwish, spokesman for the Syria Democratic Forces-allied Manbij Military Council, told Reuters. “We are at the four gates to the city. The whole city is booby-trapped. After 20 days of the campaign, we have yet to storm the city,” he added, adding that some 2,000 people had succeeded in fleeing the city. Separately further south, Islamic State militants were also able to roll back the Syrian army which had got as close as 10 km south of the strategic town of Tabqa, an Islamic State-held city on the Euphrates River, in Raqqa province. The town, some 50 km (30 miles) west of Raqqa city, the militant’s defacto capital, appears to be the first target of a major Syrian army assault in Raqqa province backed by Russian air power that began earlier this month. Tabqa dam and a major air

base have been in militant hands since 2014. Amaq news agency, which is affiliated to the militants, said suicide bombers had attacked Thawra oil field, south of Tabqa, which the Syrian army had captured earlier this week and regained it. Eyad al Hosain, a Syrian journalist embedded with Syrian troops, confirmed to Reuters the militants had succeeded in gaining back areas they lost near the oil field. He did not give figures on army casualties. “A very intense attack has targeted army and allied positions in Thwara field that led to the withdrawal of troops from areas they liberated... and their retreat,” al Hosain said. Amaq also said militants seized a Syrian army checkpoint near a strategic junction which leads to Raqqa city that the Syrian government forces and their allies had taken control in the early phase of its Raqqa campaign. The monitor, which tracks violence across the country, said the militants had sent reinforcements and cited at least three hundred fighters heading to Tabqa from Raqqa.

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Tuesday June 21, 2016

Tuesday June 21, 2016

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Kaieteur News

The image of unity and balance The government needs to remind itself, constantly, that it is a one seat government and that this one seat was only made possible because of the decision of the APNU and the AFC to join in a coalition to contest the elections of 2015. The APNU needs to remind itself that while it is incontestable that it brought the most votes to the coalition that without the support of the AFC, it would not have been in government today. It is important, from this perspective that the government continues to project a unified image. It is important that where APNU is seen, the AFC is also seen. There is also the need to project a multi-ethnic image. The AFC helps to serve this purpose since it is believed that its presence in the coalition allowed sufficient numbers of East Indians to vote for the coalition to allow it to cross over the 50% mark and thus gain the Presidency. The AFC acts in the interest of two groups within the coalition. The first is, as mentioned before, a small but still important, East Indian base and the second is the middle class. The visibility of the AFC

within the government provides assurances to both groups that its interests are not likely to be trampled upon. With that in mind it was most disconcerting, recently, to witness a meeting between the government and the permanent secretaries of the various government ministries. A photograph of this meeting published in the media showed only APNU persons – the President and the Minister of State – meeting with the permanent secretaries. The question that needs to be asked is why at such an important meeting, was the AFC not present. The public service falls under the Office of the President but the fact that the AFC holds the critical ministries of public security, agriculture, business and public infrastructure plus also holds the position of Prime Minister in a coalition government, should have seen the AFC being more visible at this meeting, at least for the purposes of the public. It’s not wise for the unity of the coalition - especially given the fractures that are taking place within the City Council at present - for the public to be presented with the image of only APNU per-

Dem boys seh...

Georgetown end up wid hag in bag People ketch three musketeers and a rat, not Bar Rat, in Mexico. Dem come back and realize dem cards get skin up and dem vex bad. Dem was de people who swallow de get rich quick syndrome from Jagdeo. Imagine dem sign a contract then dem go to see de product. That was a clear case of buying pig in bag, except that this time dem get bush hag in bag, not Brassington. He is a city hag. Dem adopt every inch of Jagdeo crookishness. When dem come back dem tell Guyana how dem not investing a cent but still getting 20 per cent on de deal. Dem seh dem nah see nutten wrang wid such a deal. Well, dem boys got a proposal fuh all of dem wha mekking Guyana buy de bush hag in bag. Dem boys want space in all of dem house to mek rooms to do a shaat time business. It gun operate just like rent a meter. It gun be rent a room and you got to pay per hour but no peeping. Dem boys saying that de musketeers and de rat don’t have to make any investment in this deal and they will get de same 20 per cent profit. What about this deal, council? What you seh Guyana? Sunday was Father’s Day. In de run up to it was nuff deals but all had to do wid eating. Dem boys ain’t calling name because dem don’t like to talk people business.Dem boys been out to eat Father’s Day. One order pork. When de pork come it hard, hard. De skin was like car tyre. Dem boys ask de waiter, “How old is this pig wha you bring here?” De waiter seh “23 years.” He seh he start mind de pig from de time de PPP go in office. When de PPP get put out de man seh he start cooking all dem pig. Is during de conversation dem boys realize that nuff of dem eating place don’t care a thing about dem fathers. Dem cook anything and anyhow and throw at dem fathers. Dem boys promise de next time dem go to eat and end up wid a pig that taste like tyre, dem gun identify de eating house. Tek warning. Talk half and wait fuh de Park King to eat

sonnel meeting with the permanent secretaries of the government. The Prime Minister should have been present and if he was, then this should have formed part of the reporting by the government. There needs to be greater visibility of all the parties within the coalition, especially considering the narrow margin of victory at the last elections and the fact that the PPP sought to consolidate its support base during the local government elections. The issue of ethnic balance with the leadership of the public service has always been a thorny issue. It is perhaps not representative to make a judgment based on a photograph of permanent secretaries published in our

national newspapers. But it would be interesting to know if since the coalition government took office whether there has been a change in the balance within the public service at least at the levels of leadership. Public perceptions are important. The government recognized this when it first tabulated the names of nominees to government Boards when it came to power. That list was subject to criticism that it lacked not just ethnic but also gender balance. The coalition corrected itself and made changes. But deep analysis was done about the changes. It would be interesting to know what changes have been made in permanent secretaries since the new govern-

ment took office. It would be good to know whether there has been a shift in terms of both gender and ethnicity. While not representative of the complexion of the entire public service, such shifts can influence public perception and thereby opinion of the government. This is all the more reason why greater attention has to be paid by the government to its public image. There is no need to resort to the sort of disgraceful “photoshop job” that was done on a picture of

Easter Monday. It requires instead that the government continuously projects an image of unity and balance - politically, ethnically and in terms of gender. The challenge, of course, is that you are not quite sure where some AFC leaders stand. Some of them are now closer to the APNU than they are to their own party.

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Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Has the WPA betrayed Rodney, its supporters and itself? Coalition governments are seldom solid. What makes coalition rule unsteady is the very nature of it - it is a coalition. Any dictionary will inform you that a coalition regime is a number of different organizations that came together with each wanting to use the State, if it wins elections, to implement its ideas and programmes. The most common example of instabilities that characterize coalition governments is Israel. Each party has

its own agenda, and to form a government, the larger parties have to make concessions. Some of these parties are theocratic, some strongly anti-Palestinian, some procompromise Italy once had several governments within each year because the coalition entities could never agree thus they would pull out of the formation and new elections would have to be held. Italy became a joke around the world for the number of gov-

ernments it would have in each year. One thing is common in coalition administrations – each party must have some of its core values transmitted into policy. There is no way a coalition would last if one of its units is an environment party and the government refuses to commit itself to climate change. What brings trouble in multi-party regimes is that each of the units fights in government to keep its raison d’etre. The opposite of coalition rule is single party or majority party government. The UK has majority rule; so is Trinidad. The ruling party in those countries does not have to make concessions to other political parties because those parties are not sharing power with them. Guyana does not have single party rule. The situation in Guyana is complicated and it is best if a brief description is given. There is a document titled the Cummingsburg Accord signed between APNU and the AFC. It is a covenant be-

tween these parties to share power. And that is what they are doing. The State then, in Guyana, is controlled by two entities- the APNU and AFC. They both agree that each has separate authority within the state machinery to pursue their core values. The President of Guyana constitutionally has control over the State but he has accepted through the Cummingburg Accord to the dilution of that power because the government has conceded aspects of state control to the AFC. Perhaps the most elementary way of putting it is that the Prime Ministership comprises that section of the state machinery that APNU cannot interfere with. Those familiar with the politics the past six months would know that there have been demands made by the AFC on the State that APNU does not agree to, for example, a reduction in the portfolios of the Minister of the Presidency. We come now to the complication with state power in

Guyana. The formation that goes by the name of APNU is in itself a multi-party construct. It has some very tiny members that for all intent and purpose were never viable political organizations and would not have picked up even fifty votes had they contested elections on their own. I doubt people in Guyana even know about them. APNU was essentially the work of the PNC and the WPA. It was a long drawn out process of tough negotiations because most people who follow politics in Guyana wherever they are would know that there is a long history of deep and extensive bitterness between the WPA and the PNC. All eyes were on the WPA. Their explanation was that within the African community there was a psychic and cultural split that needed healing. Black people were torn between a Burnhamite PNC and a Rodneyite WPA. Both the PNC and WPA argued that a unity team would galvanize the Guyanese people to vote for APNU because they wanted to put the past behind and see the PNC and WPA in government. It happened. APNU is

Frederick Kissoon in power. But the question is; has APNU conceded state power to the WPA as it has to the AFC? The answer depends on what perspective you use. Like the AFC, Ministries have been allocated exclusively to APNU coalition partners with one going to the WPA – the Education Ministry under the WPA co-leader, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. But the analyst is bound to ask the WPA, where are the expressions of the WPA’s core values in the manifestations of state power? In other words, in coalition governments, there has to be a prominent role in the State machinery for the different units. We see that in Guyana with the AFC. APNU has majority share in the state machinery. Where is the WPA’s role? Why was there no state sponsorship of Rodney’s death anniversary last week?

Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

Ministry procures $$$millions in solid waste equipment - to aid works in eight municipalities, Mahdia Valued at nearly $100 million, the Ministry of Communities during the past week handed over nine tractor and trailer units to eight municipalities and Mahdia. Mahdia is expected to soon receive township status. The Georgetown municipality was not selected for the support since according to Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who handed over the units, the municipality has already received similar but separate support. The John Deere machines were handed over on Wednesday. They were described as “high end” and “very versatile” by Genequip Sales Manager, Mr. Mohamed Ally. According to Minister Bulkan, the endowment comes as yet another component of support from Central Government to the municipalities and townships. Municipalities from Mabaruma to Lethem and Bartica were all selected for the support. The units were procured from Genequip of Rome, East Bank Demerara which has been a supplier of agricultural, mining and industrial equip-

ment for about two decades. The company, according to the Minister, won the bid to supply the units through a public competitive bidding process. At least four of the procured units are four wheel drive, which the Minister pointed out will be best utilised in hilly terrains such as Bartica. The versatility of the units, the Minister noted, would not only allow for excellent solid waste management, but it would also work well for a variety of uses such as maintenance of parapets and playground, mowing of grass and slashing. “It can also be used for carrying material for road building or to assist our local Councils in other such ways,” said Minister Bulkan. On hand to witness the handing over was Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figaro, who hails from the mining town of Linden. The Linden municipality was one of the recipients of the units. Bulkan said that currently there is a great shortage of equipment for the Council to undertake many different

The units that were procured to aid solid waste management. ventures that should be done. He noted that while the unit will definitely help to boost the capacity of the municipality there is still need for even more equipment. “We have to start somewhere and I believe that this will help significantly to help to alleviate some of the difficulties faced in the community. He disclosed that requests were made by the municipalities for several equipment and Government, through the Ministry, has answered by affording them (the municipalities) the units. Figaro noted that although there is need for more “we are happy with what is given, and we expect more will come, but what we have will aid in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the municipalities.

PAGE 11

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Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

Woman still awaiting Problematic Diamond justice months after husband well temporarily fixed dies by accident ...two new wells to be commissioned - GWI boss Viola DeSouza now has to fend for herself and three school age children after her reputed husband died by accident on April 21, last. Reports are that Sew Persaud was standing on the road outside the Diamond Diagnostic Centre when minibus PFF 9802 driven by Christopher Bose hit him. Persaud, who resided at 265 Third Street Grove, East Bank Demerara, was the sole breadwinner of his home. According to his still mourning reputed wife yesterday, Persaud left home around 09:00 hours that day for the purpose of going to Georgetown. He had also planned to visit the Diamond Diagnostic Centre for a routine health check. The woman said that she received a call around 14:30 hours that her reputed husband was struck down by a minibus in the vicinity of the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. She was told that he was killed. She said that much information was not given to her about Persaud’s death during the telephone call. DeSouza said that she rushed down to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where she saw her husband’s lifeless body. He had sustained multiple injuries, she reported yesterday. The matter was reported to the Grove Police Station. The driver of the minibus informed Police that Persaud fell in front of his bus. This is, according to DeSouza, who also related yesterday that the driver claimed that he was unable to avoid running over Persaud after he fell. According to DeSouza, it has been two months since she has been seeking justice for her reputed husband, but is unable to receive any. The woman said that she visited

Viola DeSouza the Grove Police Station on two occasions where she was told that the file was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). She claimed that she then visited the DPP’s office and was told that no file for the matter has been found. Yesterday, Kaieteur News contacted the Grove Police Station about the matter and was told that the Police Officer who is investigating the matter was at a meeting. The Office of the DPP informed that while a request was made for the file it has thus far not been forthcoming. In the meantime, DeSouza continues to mourn the loss of her husband. She disclosed that she is unable to work because of a severe lung infection. The woman said that she has been receiving assistance from her neighbours since the death of her husband to help with the upbringing of her children who are 10, 12 and 15 years old. (Dionne George)

E’bo man arrested for incest A Charity, Essequibo Coast man was arrested by police attached to the Charity outpost recently after his teenage stepdaughter indicated at a forum, that she was a victim of sexual molestation by her stepfather. The man was hauled in for questioning and was released after he was placed on station bail. According to reports, the teenager was attending a meeting at the Charity secondary school where she is a student, and while been exposed to discussions related to children who are being sexually molested, the child appar-

ently indicated by raising her hand. A teacher of the Charity secondary school then took the child to her office and similarly listened to her complaint and then informed the child’s mother before lodging a formal complaint with the police at Charity. The man was then arrested and later placed on station bail. It is however still unclear whether the police are seeking advice from the Director of Public Prosecution of whether the child’s mother has taken the route to make up the matter.

The residents of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, about 5,000 of them, had been without water for three weeks, since June 2. The problematic Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Well in Diamond had yet again run into issues. Chief Executive (CE) of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, during a past press conference, yesterday, had noted that at the time GWI didn’t have any clarity on the issue at hand. He subsequently apologised for the level of service that the residents of Diamond had been receiving. Dr. Van-West Charles said that since assuming his position at the helm of GWI last October, that specific Well in Diamond had been giving trouble last February. According to the CE, the well casing in Diamond was made of carbon steel which was supposed to have a life span of 25 years and only lasted some five years before it started corroding. This problem he noted was recurring in 15 wells across the Coastal region of Guyana. Due to the corrosion of the well, there was a rupture in the wall of the well which resulted in a shutdown of the only well in Diamond. This issue, he added, was due to poor advice on part of

GWI Chief Executive Dr. Richard Van-West Charles the previous administration. Dr. Van-West Charles during a press conference yesterday June 20, told members of the press that a temporary fix was done at the Diamond well and thus resumption of water supply was back to normal in the area. He stated that a temporary sleeve made of PVC was fitted into the defective carbon steel casing and highlighted that the temporary fix would last some four months. The four months he con-

tinued would allow for a new well to be constructed in order to more efficiently supply the Diamond/Grove populace with better quality and service of water. As the Chief Executive had stated earlier this month, the one well in Diamond is not enough to supply the residents of that area and as a measure, two new wells are slated to be commissioned and constructed in the next year. These wells are going to cost some $140 million each.

Tuesday June 21, 2016

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Audit exposes Brassington’s scam in state assets sales An Audit into the operations of Property Holdings Inc. (PHI) has revealed an unhealthy practice where the entity would award properties to the second and third highest bidders. This is usually the case when the first and second highest bidder withdrew. PHI used to be controlled by Winston Brassington who was also Director/Chairman for about 13 other companies. Auditor Charles Sugrim has “strongly recommended” that PHI cease this sort of practice that was condoned under Brassington. Surgrim reported, “PHI did not consider re-tendering of properties when the highest bidder withdrew. In some cases there were prior bids for the same property at a higher price.” The auditor pointed to an instance where the difference in price between the highest bidder and the second highest bidder was $146M. The highest bidder withdrew, and

the property was offered to the second highest bidder. The boards of PHI and the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) approved the sale of a Water Street property to J P Santos & Co Ltd for the amount of $215M after Laparkan’s withdrawal of its $361M. The proceeds were split between PHI and Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) in a ratio of 65:35. This was because the building was owned by PHI and the land owned by GNSC. Surgrim pointed out that “on the withdrawal of the bid from the highest bidder, there was no attempt by the boards of PHI or NICIL to re-tender for the property.” The auditor pointed to another instance where a property was offered to the third highest bidder when the first and second highest bidders withdrew their bids. The difference between the highest bid and sale price was $61 million. Also, the tendered bid

price was reduced in the final sale price. The property in question was the zinc bond which Sugrim pointed out is very prominent on Water Street. Sugrim reported that in 2003, after the bids were opened, the highest bidder Hoon Sookraj withdrew his bid stating that his bid was on the incorrect property. Sookraj did not state which property he was bidding on. Subsequently, the second highest bidder, Savitrie Seodat withdrew her bid “without giving any reason.” PHI then decided to offer the property to the third highest bidder, Malcolm Panday, for the bid price of $135M.. Panday then wrote the Privatization Unit requesting a reduction of the bid price. He stated that the land size was 11,413 ft2 and not 14,659 ft2 as per schedule one of the agreement of sale and purchase. However, Sugrim noted that the agreement of sale and

purchase to which Panday referenced has no measurement of the said property. It was reported that the reference made by Panday on the measurement of the property may have originated through correspondences with PHI. The Privatization Unit then wrote the then President Bharrat Jagdeo informing him of the incorrect information of measurement on the tender

some of the decisions that you will make to ensure that you have a long and successful life.” Just recently, Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, said that “persons should take into consideration whether it is the best time to make (conceive) their children now.” Since the spread of the Zika Virus was reported, a number of territories including Jamaica, El Salvador, Colombia and Ecuador had called on women to delay becoming pregnant. This is not only because the virus has been linked to microcephaly, but because of the fact that it has been proven that the virus can be transmitted sexually. It is believed that an infected pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her newborn baby who could be born

with microcephaly. Several such cases have been reported in Brazil – Guyana’s neighbour to the south. “When a baby is born with microcephaly and lives for another 70 years it can be a burden on society...so we have got to make some very conscientious decisions now when we talk about family planning. You have to think about whether you should get a baby now or not,” the Minister considered. “We can’t hide from it (Zika)...it is out there and it has even occurred in the United States, at least one case we have heard of (there),” he added. The Public Health Ministry has thus far divulged information about nine confirmed cases of the Zika Virus here. The Ministry has not confirmed any pregnant woman among those who have been inflicted with the virus.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

CMO urges pregnant women to register early with clinics

While in the past pregnant women were encouraged to register with their neighbourhood clinic within three months or at the latest within six months of becoming pregnant, the emergence of the Zika Virus has caused the Ministry of Public Health to issue a new advisory. This is according to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who has disclosed that women are being encouraged to register at a clinic much earlier. And this could translate to as soon as a woman misses her first period. Dr. Persaud pointed out that “there are very simple ways that can tell you that you are pregnant and you don’t need to see a belly or miss your period for many months then to decide you are pregnant, so we are asking women who think they are pregnant to please come forward.” “With Zika as a major threat and the possibility of microcephaly (abnormal smallness of the head in newborn babies) occurring in pregnancy, where the women are exposed and can transmit the virus to their babies during the first part of their pregnancy, we are trying to encourage them to please check with the nurse in your community and be registered earlier,” said Dr. Persaud. Once

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud women are registered early, the CMO noted that health personnel could have the opportunity to even carefully check their medical history as well as that of their family. “A lot of people don’t even know some of their family history,” said Dr. Persaud as he recalled “I myself started digging back a little when I was challenged with a couple of health conditions.” He pointed out that “to find out what your grandparents or even your great grandparents suffered from could be very important to your health and very important to

Winston Brassington

Ashni Singh

document. The Unit recommended that the offer price be $105M. The amended sale price was approved by the PHI and the PU boards. Cabinet then approved the amended price of $105 M. Sugrim reported, “There was an excess of the difference between the final selling price and the valuation price of $24M.” The auditor recommended that “this practice cease immediately.” Sugrim said that in future, if the highest bidder pulls out, the property should be retendered to the public. He said, “PHI (has to) exercise more caution in offering the property to the second highest bidder.” Sugrim said that in such cases management can also choose to readvertise the property stating a minimum acceptable offer price. Management’s response PHI management responded that the decision to select the second highest bidder did not and does not rest with PHI but with Cabinet on advice of the Privatization Board. It was also noted that there were “instances where the second highest bidder is still significantly higher than the conducted valuation.” Management also responded that there is no guarantee that on readvertising the value of either the highest or second highest bid will be achieved. It said that such a “strict application” (returning) does not take into consideration the tradeoffs. PHI said that bidders are less likely to par-

ticipate in a second round of tendering. The company said that in some cases, prices were negotiated upwards. Further, PHI said, “The concept of the tender is to ensure transparency and the last effective standing tenderer is still transparent after the other bidders have withdrawn. Reasons for withdrawal could be a belief that there was overbidding or a belief that the value of the property is less or that the bid was simply speculative.” Management also said that “much depends on the facts of the matter; the members of the Privatization Board were a mix of private and public persons. As long as the valuation is less, then this is sufficient reason to proceed with the transaction. Transparency is still preserved. From experience, the market price is the highest price a willing buyer will pay. “Until the offer is the subject of a contract and the bidder is obligated to complete the transaction (via a deposit or a bid bond or blacklisting), a bid alone is not sufficient to confirm that this is the market price. In rare cases, a bid bond was used, to ensure that only serious bidders were in the market. This however, adds to the cost of tendering and some persons may not submit a bid.”

PAGE 22

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHINGINC–TEL:6004212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Ramdass Visa application & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 615-9295 Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove repaired and serviced. Call: 601-0595; 220-4073 Guy Tech Repairs Service & Spares: Solar system, deep fryer, pizza oven, etc. Call: 684-2119; 680-2377 Guy Tech Repairs Service & Spares: treadmill, washing machine, refrigerator, pressure pump, air condition, etc. Call: 684-2119; 680-2377 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

CAR RENTAL

Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Lower 2 bedrooms apartment @ Paradise Public Road, E.C.D. Security Deposit required -$40,000 monthly. Call: 625-9939 1 Bedroom bottom flat apartment at 174 Triumph E.C.D- Call: 220-7987 Lot 1031 ‘B’ Field Sophia, concrete building, 2 bedrooms apartment. Call: 621-5781 (Colin) or 650-8827 (Moureen) Three storey 75ftx30ft concrete building for bond or offices. 25B Princess Street, Charlestown. Tel: 2230654, 225-0605 Restaurant with liquor license, great location off Soesdyke Linden Highway $60,000 monthly. Call:6000036; 223-1217

25 Acres land for sale @ Linden Highway –Call: 683-1521 Tuschen -$2.2M, $1.4M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.1M, $1.6M, $2.5M, $1.2M, Eccles -$5.5M, New Road V/Hoop $17M, $30M. Call: 604-6724

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1- Cat 320 BL excavator, 1 Cat 428 Back Hoe, 1-930 Cat loader, 1-Cat D44 bulldozer. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225 1-Pneumatic Roller 9 wheels, 1-55 Leyland Daf Truck. Call: 275-0538; 683-7225

Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494

Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807

FOR SALE/RENT American pool table – Call: 277-0578

Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities–Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 House & land 150X100 @ 6 Good Hope EBE, Double Lot @ 41&44 Vergenogen E.B.E, Double lot (business spot) @ Zeelugt. Call: 642-6642 One flat house 2 bedrooms at Grove New Scheme 2nd Bridge, large land space -$11M. Call: 626-1263/ 680-9593 La Parfaite Harmonie -$20M, $25M, $6M, New Road -$17M, $2.5M, La Grange Public Road $18M. Call: 604-6724

Complete bush high frequency radio system, pick up signal in any remote area. Call: 600-0036; 223-1273 1 Complete high volume, 3stage water purification systems, UV light, water tanks, freezer, reasonable , owner migrating – Call: 649-8430

Zeelugt-(2)storey concrete building, Good Hope-(2)storey concrete building, Tel:2319690,231-9693 call between 8:00hrs-16:00hrs (Mon-Fri).

Forever Stylish boutique: turn key business, located at Sharon’s - Call:592-667-7544 Two -20ft Container chassis for sale- price $1,260,000 each for information call: 623-1615 MIX BREED PUPS –CALL: 615-0146

Parfaite Harmony-(2) storey wooden & concrete building. Prices negotiable. Tel:2319690,231-9693 call between 8:00hrs-16:00hrs (Mon-Fri).

Harmony Inn: clean, comfortable & affordable apartments/rooms, long & short term – Call: 668-0306; 218-1400; 694-7817

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman, Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997

VACANCY Welder / Fabricator must have experience-Contact 223-5273/4 Autocad Technician to draw parts and components contact 2235273/4 Hair/nail & barber stations for rental, discounts for new comers @ New Market St. Call: 638-1106 Truck Porter to travel in and out of Interior. Call: 618-2020 Exist for cashiers and salesclerks @ Nirva Supermarket, apply in person with written application. Call: 227-5771 Teachers needed for students ages 4-7years/810years/11-14yrs for summer & all round. Call: 690-9378 2 Live -in/ live out waitresses to work at Caribbean Heat in Good Hope, East Coast Demerara. Call: 613-2650 or 627-5607 Sales Representative (valid driver licence), Marketing Executive, Industrial Mechanic & Electrician. Apply to: jkeshwani.alesie@gmail.com Call: 269-0058 Experienced sewing machine operators.Apply in person @ R Sookraj & Sons 108 Regent Street (OPP. GBTI) Marketing Representative between ages 25-35years old, must have driver’s License. Call: 223-0090

WANTED Live in waitress –Call: 645-4543 Live-in experienced waitress 18-25yrs, boarding & lodging free, salary $70,000$80,000 monthly – Call: 6105043 Hallow Blocks maker- Call: 233-2767 One experienced sales clerk between ages 18-28 – apply within- Call: 225-8831 Driver & Porter to sell water on East Coast. Apply at Nimbus Water Tel # 231-7002 1 Driver for East Bank area – Call: 233-2745 Bus Driver- 40 years & older –Call: 665-2619 Waitress must be living in the vicinity of Leonora to Parika – Call: 642-6664 Experienced Driver apply in person with handwritten application @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 Cleaner, Security, DJ, waitress & bartenders–Call: 668-8332; 638-5303 Experienced driver/salesman and porter to drive & sell beverages. Experienced is an asset. Call: 226-9800 M&S Taxi and Transportation Service wanted Hire Car Drivers. Call: 638-0704.

2 Storey 5 bedroom (2 selfcontained) wooden & concrete, with concrete fence, garage (space for 6 vehicles). Call: 6140107; 692-8923

WATCHMAN FOR COMPANY IN RUIMVELD WITH POLICE CLEARANCE & FLEXIBLE HOURS, (WEEKENDSAND NIGHTS). CALL: 231-8529; 231-8344

1 Front building & 1 -2 storey back building @ 180 Charlotte Street Bourda (30X120), price negotiable- Call: 226-5183; 227-6817; 624-7341

FOOD WHOLESALE COMPANY LOOKING FOR SALESPERSONS WITH EXPERINCED & VEHICLEPOLICE CLEARANCE A+. CALL: 231-8529; 231-8344

Enmore: Hope West, 1-two storey 3 bedrooms wooden building, overlooking FoulisCall: 602-2818; 649-1434

ACCOMMODATION

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

Property for sale in prime commercial location in Rose Hall Town, 2 lots for $6M (50X120)- Call: 683-5629

Pure German Shepherd pups, 7 weeks old, vaccinated & have clinic cards – Call: 6535702

Gold & diamond land for sale or partnership (joined) @ Ekereku, Paris Hill in Berbice River-Call: 600-0036; 223-1273

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 656-0087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO. COM

Corner property in Grove, 1 block from Main Road- Flat House, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572 Lot 133 Diamond New Scheme Housing Scheme, EBD Call: 678-7186 or fhamid121@gmail.com

Lot 32 Princess St. Wortmanville, GeorgetownCall: 621-8767 LAND FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461

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EDUCATIONAL I.A.E Classes for CSEC January/June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742 Summer classes for children age 5-17yrs, Form 1-5, CXC classes. Call: 690-5008; 6602152 Register Now! Computerize Accounting -$30,000, Graphics Program -$30,000; PC repairs @ Micrographics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057

Girls to work in bar @ E.C.D location- Call: 612-2522 Needed one female cleaner to work in bond, apply in person to Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling. Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Eccles & also vehicles. Call:604-6724 TO LET

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Electronic Course. Starting 9th August. Hands-on training repairing all types of TVs, etc. Call: 226-6551; 2250391

One two bedroom house, fully furnished in gated community to rent-Call: 6230156; 695-3150 (Continued on page 23)

Tuesday June 21, 2016

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Suddie Hospital without dental injections DEAR EDITOR; The Suddie Hospital is presently without dental injections and when supplies would be made available remains unknown much to the inconvenience, suffering and hardship being endured by persons who keep visiting the institution to do “extraction” on a daily basis. But this information was not being provided to those affected as they kept converging and crying out with excruciating pains in what was described as an

overbearing and unacceptable situation for just waiting in vain all the time. In the public domain concerns were raised by them of being treated like fools and being pushed around from the advice given to come back tomorrow. Only to add insult to injury to the unbearable condition and to be so misleading knowing fully well that the impending supplies remained uncertain when better needs to be done. They also bemoaned the unnecessary punishment

meted out to them with nothing being done by providing any form of treatment like pain killers to bring relief to their predicament for as long as four consecutive days in waiting with their frustration and stress mounting all the time. From their opinion, the interest of the public is involved here and there was no need to keep it as a secret when the true position was necessary to be made known to them to understand what really is causing the problem. Some of them with

financial means decided to travel to the city to have their extraction done but what would happen to the impecunious ones? Enquiries made revealed that the hospital is faced with a shortage of dental injections and instead of hiding it, this should have been made known to them so as to avoid the waste of time and travelling money to keep going at the institution from all parts of the Region # 2 district. No time frame was given as to when supplies

would be replenished. While the reason given was well accepted and disseminated, the main concern being expressed now is for the Ministry of Health to expedite the needed supplies of Dental injections for the service to be restored to normalcy with the sooner the better. “Who feels it knows it” and the painful conditions emerging from tooth ache should never be underestimated with the only remedy in my opinion being extraction. With thanks, B. Persaud

Implorations to save Mocha-Arcadia DEAR EDITOR, I call upon the government to expeditiously address the challenges faced by residents living within Mocha – Arcadia. We have been living under deplorable conditions, somewhat as if we are a neglected community. For several years, villagers have been commuting on damaged and narrow roads. At the state they are in now, we can no longer fill the holes with solid waste. It would require major repairs or complete reconstruction, and in the case of those that are too narrow, expansion. The fact that it impossible for any rescue services to respond efficiently to my community makes me very concerned. Sadly, there are senior citizens who have had to walk great distances because buses refuse to traverse on the damaged roads, the situation is the same for school children and the working

class, both in the evening and throughout the day. This bring me to the second issue at present; street lights. There are not enough street lights installed throughout the village. There are many petty crimes that are not reported to the relevant authority, most of which happens in the dark of the night. I believe, and some studies have shown that street lighting reduces crime and traffic accidents by a considerable amount and it is therefore necessary to have it for these reasons. I also believe that there is a need for the construction of a Youth Friendly Space particularly in the New Housing Scheme of Arcadia; this should include a library and research centre, a play park, a community stage and sporting facilities that can host Football, Basketball, Tennis, Netball and Cricket tournaments. But more importantly,

Dr. Hinds’s anti... From page 4 create an educated society but to ensure preposterous over-glorification of him and foist on the society a saintly creature when he was far from. These pseudo-intellectual ar-

guments being made of him and the WPA can only continue because enough people are not asking the right questions and the WPA is not being forced to answer them. Minette Bacchus.

it should house a Skills Training facility, and build with sufficient space to house community based organisations and cultural groups. To whom this may concern; to those who are proud Cabinet Members of the Government; to all politicians; and to those who are privileged members of the elite communities; this is my humble plea

to you fellow countrymen, “Do not turn a blind eye to things you know are wrong, stand for what is right. The solution to division is treating all equally, despite their socio-economic status, ethnicity or religion. “ In closing, I’d like to invite His Excellency David Arthur Granger to visit the community of Mocha – Arcadia, once during the day

to see the neglected condition of our roads, the drainage system surrounding the community and lack of recreational facilities. And, once during the night, to see how necessary it for us to have street lights both on the Mocha Entrance Road and throughout the village. Thank you Mr. Editor for allowing me to share this publicly. Ja’asriel . Bishop

Strange behavior of the... From page 5 mixed or anything? I responded;”as you see me”, and instantly for a moment she had me going but for some reason I let it go but became very apprehensive, as she followed through what is your age, and without getting any further I immediately realised that my presence at that station had absolutely nothing to do with some, unruly, indiscipline cop, but rather detail information/data on me. Where is the nexus, the relevance in having specifics about me and an article on noise nuisance? Yes, I have written a number of times about the conduct of members of the G.P.F, “damage goods” some who choose the force with hidden diabolical agenda as exemplified by a host of past events.

I have written time and time again about hazardous blind turns that need attention, humps across roads that need highlighting, of having a few humps placed along Sir David Rose Ave, which has been converted into a race course, of placing traffic signs where needed; of the increasingly young wrecklessly dangerous, inexperienced drivers, who must be constantly monitored, about those frighteningly massive lumber trucks that continue to ply the highway without the required complement of lights/reflectors/indicators at night. All this and more to no avail, simply because these are not the least of their problems. As one traffic cop once said to me “dah is nah me wuk”, why then this obnoxious interest in someone who

has drawn attention to them, why investigate the complainer instead of the complaint? Of course these things I pointed out to her but didn’t remember to respond to her question on the phone asking me how could I be sure the noise nuisance actor was a policeman? Yet in the cloister of my mind I think I know; have been in town too long not to figure, thus whatever one conjures up is invariably scary and which one can’t avoid or escape that sense of foreboding, when all is said and done, and that is troubling. What a strange coincidence for me upon realising that I penned this letter on the 13th of June, the death anniversary of Walter Rodney. Frank Fyffe

From page 22

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PAGE 24

Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

Armed bandits rampage New Amsterdam homes A three-man armed gang wreaked havoc in New Amsterdam early Sunday morning leaving the occupants of three homes traumatized. At least two suspects have been detained by police officials and are assisting with investigations. The first incident occurred around 3:45 hrs. Three men, all masked and armed, attempted to break into the home of 67-year-old Ingrid Sookhan at Lot 31 Budhan’s Scheme. Recalling the events, the woman said she awoke early and sent her nephew to purchase some eggs at the nearby shop. She added that she gave him the keys to unlock the gate. “I give him de keys to open de gate and he come back and seh ‘Granny de gate open,’ so I seh how da could be cause I does lock it every night.” She then stated that she came outside and discovered

her front gate open and her gate lock was tampered with. “When I come out me gate open and da latch on the gate ben up ben up”. Ingrid added that it was not the first time the incident occurred. She said that on Friday last, she was up late waiting on her nephew to return home when she heard a strange noise outside. “I hear like a bucket kick but me ain’t pay no mind to it. Then next I hear somebody turning de door handle so I think was me nephew suh I decide fah call he name and when I call, them run and jump over the fence.” Another home was also broken into a few doors away. The occupants were not at home at the time of the incident and nothing was recorded stolen. Moments later, another family who lived a short distance away suffered at the hands of the bandits. Around 4:30 hours Lot 39 Budhan’s Scheme, Teacher, Oliver

Ross, his eight-month pregnant wife and eight-year-old daughter were at home when the bandits struck. Ross speaking to this publication stated that he was awakened by strange noises. “When I wake up, they already were inside the house. There were three of them; two with guns and one of them with a cutlass. Just one had on mask.” Mr. Ross further disclosed that the men then demanded cash and jewelry. “They put the guns to we head and seh ‘bring all de money and de gold’. And I tell dem seh we is middle class people striving like everybody else, suh he tell me seh if I ain’t bring it, he gone rape me wife.” The man further stated that the bandits then dragged his wife by her hair in an attempt to subdue her. “He dragged she by she hair and when I get up and pull she away, one of them fire a shot and I realize that they mean

The home of Oliver Ross that was robbed

business. They spend like about five minutes searching and ransacking the place then they left.” Ross stated that upon escaping he tried to take his car but was unsuccessful. He stressed that unavailability of proper roads in the area contributed to the bandits escape. “We called the police but at the back here don’t have a proper road, they had to stop out where the road end and walk the rest, giving the guys enough time to get away. Government needs to provide road and light for us here because people’s lives are in

danger. These criminals don’t care about nobody life now”. According to Commander of ‘B’ Division, Assistant Commissioner, Ian Amsterdam, disclosed that the bandits carted off $78,000

and a number of household items. The Commander disclosed that over the past week, they recorded four robberies in which a firearm was used and seven break and enter cases.

Contract signed... From page 16 possibilities even now to contest anything it is not happy about. Questioned about the lack of internet information on the consortium, an upset Mayor declared that it would not be enough to use Google and Wikipedia and the consortium is very real and the facts of what was on the ground in Panama and Mexico would speak for itself. According to the city officials, the final costs for using the meters are still being negotiated with the drivers definitely not having to pay $500 per hour as is being reported. Already, the consortium has shipped a parking meter which will be used for demonstrations. In a read statement, the Mayor said that the visit was paid for by Smart City Solutions Inc. as the city did not have a budget for the visit. “To be sure, due diligence of a layperson may be conducted via Google and Wikipedia. However, that is not the standard of clinical analysis by which City officials must discharge their duties in protecting the well-being of our citizens and advancing the continued development of our city, hence, our visit.” There is a zero cost to the city. “And, Smart City will deliver a modem, environmentally friendly and state-of-theart parking platform, which will achieve the goals of improving mobility, increasing parking space availability and turnover, reducing traffic congestion in Georgetown, and paying a share of its revenues to our city.” EXPERIENCE She said that consortium boasts of the recent achievement of being the first to install parking meters in Lima, Peru; in Panama; and its position as a distributor of park-

ing meter equipment for Parkeon, the largest parking meter manufacturer in the world, with a footprint in some 3,500 cities globally. “It is my strong view that there is a group of individuals who wish to snatch this project and all of its benefits from the council and citizens for their own private enterprise and personal gains; this council will not countenance that; it will not happen.” She said that the council had consultations with critical stakeholders including the Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, government and govemmental agencies and city councillors, past and present. Chase-Green claimed that the previous councillors had been ready to sign off on the proposal, but the then Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Clinton Collymore, asked for the city to stay since there was a bigger plan for parking in the country. “Please let us bear in mind that, this is direct foreign investment to the city; the city is not required to pay one cent. So far, the consortium, with which we have a contract, has already sent their engineers and technical team to do various assessments. As we speak, parking meters are being processed for shipping to Georgetown to allow the project to begin on schedule.” The officials yesterday said that under the system, the city would be able to view when a car is parked, whether the ticket has been paid and when the vehicle would have moved. There will be communications with monitors on the road and daily online information about what the parking meters are raking in. Eventually, smart phones will be used to determine where the available parking spaces are in the city.

Tuesday June 21, 2016

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Kaieteur News

In the shadow of a murder, Britain to vote on EU membership (Reuters) - Britons will shape the future of the United Kingdom and Europe on Thursday when they decide whether to stay in the European Union following a campaign that has shown the potency of anti-establishment feeling in the West. The vote comes a week after the murder of a lawmaker in the street left many voters wondering whether the campaign rhetoric on both sides - warnings of economic disaster versus uncontrolled immigration - had gone too far in a country considered a paragon of stability. Whatever the outcome, the referendum could force the EU to rethink how it governs 500 million citizens and along with the rise of Donald Trump in the United States have far-reaching implications for the future configuration of the West. Allies such as U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have implored Britain to stay in the bloc, which they say has given Europe decades of prosperity after centuries of bloodshed. Investors, chief executives and central bankers are bracing for what could be one of the most volatile events for financial markets since, at least, the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers. Prime Minister David Cameron, who promised the referendum in 2013 under pressure from euroskeptic lawmakers in his own party, has mixed rhetoric about his island nation’s history with dire warnings about the costs and dangers of a Brexit. “This referendum has now become a watershed moment for our country,” Cameron said when campaigning resumed after a twoand-a-half-day suspension called as a sign of respect for lawmaker Jo Cox, who was shot and stabbed last week. “There is no turning back if we leave,” he added, warning this would be “an abject and self-imposed humiliation” that would leave “a permanently poorer country in every sense”. The murder of Cox, a 41year-old mother of two young children who was an ardent supporter of EU membership, shocked the country and abruptly changed the tone of the caustic campaigning that has polarized the country. Both sides have accused their opponents of misleading the public, and critics say

the debate had descended into a negative row over the economic dangers of leaving versus the difficulties of limiting immigration if Britain stays. Witnesses to the Cox attack said the accused, 52year-old Thomas Mair, was heard saying “Britain first, keep Britain independent, Britain always comes first”. Such comments added to speculation the murder was politically-motivated, making it a potentially defining moment in the referendum. Campaigners said events and leafleting would go ahead as planned this week, but the rhetoric would be scaled back. “People are thinking carefully about the conduct of this campaign, perhaps taking a more respectful tone towards opponents,” said a “Stronger In” campaign source. Leave officials would not discuss the details of their campaign plans. Voting begins at 0600 GMT on June 23 and closes at 2100. Results are due around 0000-0500 GMT the next day. Opinion polls have painted a contradictory and volatile picture of British public opinion with Remain ahead for much of the campaign but Leave taking a late lead before the Cox murder. A vote to leave could unleash turmoil on foreign exchange, equity and bond markets, lead to a political crisis in Britain and fragment the post-Cold War European order. The EU would have to weather the exit of its No.2 economy representing $2.9 trillion of its gross domestic product, the only European financial capital to rival New York and one of its only two nuclear powers, while Britain’s economy could stall. A vote to remain would trigger a rise in sterling and relief in Western capitals but would still leave Britain - and Cameron’s ruling Conservative Party - deeply divided. WHAT KIND OF BRITAIN The murder of Cox in the street of her own electoral district in northern England has shocked Britain, which has strict gun controls, and sparked soul-searching about a referendum which both sides admit is about much more than membership of the club it joined in 1973. “The referendum was always about more than Europe; it was always about what kind of Britain we are and what we aspire to be,” former Prime

Minister Gordon Brown, who is pro-membership, said in an article for the Guardian newspaper. “But some have attempted to hijack a decision on the future of Britain in Europe and turn it into a vote on immigration, and then on immigrants and those who support immigrants.” It was not clear what impact the killing would have on public opinion or even if pollsters, who failed to forecast Cameron’s decisive election victory, were reliable guides. In the week before Cox’s murder, the Out campaign had developed a strong lead in opinion polls. But a YouGov poll, for which a third of responses were gathered before news of the killing, showed support for staying in the EU had risen 5 percentage points to 44 percent while support for leaving had fallen 3 points to 43 percent. “The underlying figures suggest the movement may

Supporter holding banners cross the road during a Vote Leave event outside the Chelsea Flower Show in London. (Reuters/Neil Hall) be more to do with people worrying about the economic impact of leaving the European Union,” YouGov said. Gisela Stuart, a Labour lawmaker who is helping to lead the main Leave campaign, urged politicians and voters to “reflect on the hatefilled language that too often scars our debates”. “We must take care before

assuming that anger turned up to maximum volume should be the default way to hold a political discussion,” said Stuart, who added that Britain had to take back control of its own laws. THREATTO EUROPE Britain has been divided over its European destiny since it lost its empire and though it eventually joined

the EU, it remained a reluctant member outside the core euro zone. Leave campaigners have said Britain would prosper if it broke free from what they say is a doomed Germandominated bloc and a failed project in excessive debtfunded welfare spending that has usurped sovereignty from the people.

Corruption probe nets NYC police officers, businessman (Reuters) – A wide-ranging corruption probe in New York City led to charges yesterday against three police officials and a businessman who prosecutors say schemed to secure favours in exchange for $100,000 in gifts including prostitutes, sports tickets and trips. Their arrests on charges filed in Manhattan federal court marked an escalation of a probe that has also been examining the fundraising of Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose inaugural committee counted the businessman, Jeremy Reichberg, as a member. A criminal complaint said Reichberg, 42, and a real estate investor, Jona Rechnitz, provided lavish benefits to top New York Police Department officials, including Deputy Chief Michael Harrington and Deputy Inspector James Grant. In exchange, prosecutors said, Reichberg and Rechnitz had Grant, 43, and Harrington, 50, on call to provide police escorts, special access to parades, the ability to get out of tickets and help with gun license applications. “They got, in effect, a private police force for themselves and their friends,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney

Preet Bharara told a news conference on Monday. Police Commissioner William Bratton has previously acknowledged the extent of police corruption among high-ranking officers appears to be the most significant since the 1970s, when an investigation by a panel known as the Knapp Commission revealed pervasive bribery in the department. But he has stressed that the scope of that corruption far outstrips the current problems, in his view. David Villanueva, a sergeant, was also charged for accepting bribes to expedite gun license applications for Alex Lichtenstein, a member of a volunteer safety patrol in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn who was charged in April. A fifth officer, Richard Ochetal, secretly pleaded guilty on June 14 to his role in that fraud and has assisted prosecutors in the cases against Grant, Harrington and Villanueva, 42, according to prosecutors and court records. Grant, Harrington, Villanueva and Reichberg are expected to appear in court later on Monday. Lawyers for several of the defendants said

their clients committed no crimes. “We believe there was no unlawful conduct and we’ll proceed accordingly,” said John Meringolo, Grant’s lawyer. The case stemmed from one of several overlapping state and federal investigations that have led to about a dozen police officers being disciplined and to scrutiny of De Blasio’s fundraising. Reichberg and Rechnitz served on de Blasio’s inaugural committee after his 2013 election. Both men raised money either for his campaign or for a nonprofit set up by de Blasio advisers to advance his agenda. De Blasio has not been accused of wrongdoing and has repeatedly said he and his administration have acted legally. Yesterday’s arrests came two weeks after federal prosecutors charged Norman Seabrook, president of the city’s correction officers union, and Murray Huberfeld, a hedge fund financier, as part of the same investigation. That case, like the latest charges, came after prosecutors secured a secret guilty plea by Rechnitz, who is now cooperating with authorities

in both cases, people familiar with the matter have said. Susan Necheles, Reichberg’s lawyer, said he committed no crime and his only mistake was befriending Rechnitz, “who is desperately trying to get others in trouble in order to curry favor with prosecutors and save his own skin.” Prosecutors said Reichberg, who is affiliated with a company called JR Consultants, and Rechnitz supplied a litany of bribes for favours. Grant called them the “two elves,” after on Christmas in 2013 they gave his children a video game system and his wife jewelry while wearing elf hats, prosecutors said. Earlier that year, Reichberg and Rechnitz arranged for a prostitute to travel on a private jet and spend Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas with a group that included Grant, who “took advantage of her services,” the complaint said. Harrington, meanwhile, received private security work worth tens of thousands of dollars for a company he unofficially helped manage, hotel rooms for a family trip to Chicago and sports tickets, prosecutors said.

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New Brazil corruption scandal could implicate 30% of lawmakers (teleSUR) - Two top executives involved in Brazil’s ongoing corruption scandals are competing to reach a plea bargain with Brazilian authorities. Tw o t o p e x e c u t i v e s from Brazil’s Odebrecht and OAS construction multinationals, which stand at the center of a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal, are in competition to secure a plea bargain from federal authorities which could implicate a staggering 29 percent of the nation’s elected officials, Brazilian media outlets reported Sunday. The legal defendants of Marcelo Odecrecht told the press Sunday that their client has already agreed to participate in a deal that would implicate over 175 deputies and senators from the 594 currently serving in the National Congress.

Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

However, Odebrecht is also in competition with his former business rival Leo Pinheiro, a former executive with OAS, since prosecutors have indicated they may only issue one plea bargain deal. As part of the agreement, Brazilian authorities are requesting that both Odebrecht and Pinheiro provide new information and concrete testimonies to help prove that Brazilian politicians accepted bribes and in exchange granted government infrastructure contracts to the companies of Odebrecht and OAS. In 2014, Odebrdecht built highways, shipyards, airports, subways and venues for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, netting a total revenue of US$46 billion. The Brazilian task force in charge of carrying out these investigations believes that Odebrecht and Pinheiro can p r o v i d e d e tails of around US$13

billion in dirty contracts. According to Odebrecht’s legal team, the preliminary terms of his plea bargain will include testimony and evidence linking hundreds of Brazil’s most powerful politicians in the illegal bribery scheme, including current President Michel Temer. Temer, who earlier this week was officially implicated in separate corruption allegations, has already seen three of his newly appointed ministers resign over their involvement in corruption charges. The exact terms of Odebrecht’s plea bargain are still being negotiated with authorities but are also expected to include evidence showing the participation of nearly 50 company executives who had, at different times, some level of participation in the “illicit and illegal financing” of political activities scheme.

Fears of constitutional crisis in Suriname PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname, (CMC) – Justice Minister Jennifer van Dijk-Silos says the country could be thrown into a constitutional crisis in the wake of a meeting held between President Desi Bouterse and senior members of the judiciary on Friday concerning a murder case in which Bourterse is the main suspect. The meeting with Court President Iwan Rasoelbaks was initiated by the Justice Minister who – according to a press release from Bouterse’s Cabinet - was disturbed by the decision made by the Military Court to overrule the amnesty legislation that pardoned all suspects. The case before the court involves the December 8,1982 murders of 15 prominent citizens in Fort Zeelandia here. The 15 men were all political opponents of Bouterse who was then the military ruler of the country. In November 2007 a military trial got underway, but in May 2012, just days before the Public Prosecutor would present his demand for sentence, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the country’s Amnesty Legislation. The new legislation effectively derailed the trial since then and it appeared Bouterse

President Desi Bouterse and fellow suspects would not be sentenced. At a special hearing last week on earlier this month – on June 2, the Military Court declared the amendments to the Amnesty Law ‘unlawful’ Court President Cynthia Valstein-Montnor then said that by amending the Amnesty Law in 2012, the National Assembly had ‘interfered’ in judicial matters. In response, van Dijk-Silos said that the Court’s decision had prompted a worrisome constitutional crisis. The chair of the National Assembly, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons – a member of Bouterse’s National Demo-

cratic Party (NDP) used similar words to describe the situation. Bouterse’s attorney Irwin Kanhai is also believes that the Military Court cannot ignore the amnesty law – stating that the rule of law is in peril. On the other hand, Rashied Doekhi, another NDP Parliamentarian, was less diplomatic; in an interview with a local newspaper, he suggested that the President “kick out” all the judges. Van Dijk-Silos was also present at the Constitutional Consultation on Friday between Bouterse and Rasoelbaks; following which the president met with the leadership of the police and the military. Critics however believe that by meeting with the judiciary, politics is meddling in judicial matters. “The judiciary is the only body that is charged with jurisdiction. It is one of the three pillars of democracy on which the rule of law rests,” the Suriname Bar Association (SOVA) wrote in a statement. The murder trial resumes on June 30. The court has instructed Public Prosecutor Roy Elgin to present his demand for punishment of all co-defendants.

Venezuela launches crucial referendum phase CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Venezuelans seeking to oust President Nicolás Maduro amid a food crisis yesterday launched a crucial stage of their drive for a referendum on his rule. Those who signed an initial petition calling for a recall referendum must submit their fingerprints to the electoral authorities in order to authenticate their signatures. Crowds of citizens holding the i r i d e n t i t y c a r d s queued up first thing yesterday morning to have their prints taken at the National Electoral Council in Caracas. Other collection points were set up around the country. Of the 1.3 million signatures recorded by the electoral board in the initial petition, at least 200,000 must be authenticated to pass to the next phase. The next step will require yet more signatures to be collected. Venezuela is suffering an economic crisis worsened by

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro the plunge in prices for its crucial oil exports. Citizens are suffering shortages of basic foods and goods. The opposition says Maduro’s economic management is also to blame, and denounce the jailing of his political opponents. Maduro is resisting efforts for a referendum. He has alleged irregularities in the signature process. His government said the

signatures collected included those of prisoners ineligible to vote. The country’s food crisis erupted into deadly looting last week. Authorities said at least five people were killed and more than 400 arrested. The president has warned he may decree emergency measures if confronted with violence. Such measures could prevent the recall referendum from taking place.

Tuesday June 21, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Warriors begins Camp in... Guyana Cup Horserace 2016... (From page 29) foreign players Jason Mohammad, Orlando Peters, Stephen Katwaroo and Ryad Emrit were all a part of the Camp. Team Operations Manager Trinidadian Omar Khan informed that the morning session was cancelled because the players had to attend the United States Embassy to get their ‘P1’ Visas which gives them the right to work on USA soil. Khan also spoke on the issue of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) claims that they were the authority to sanction the Florida leg of the 2016 Hero’s CPL. USACA had threatened not to allow the matches to be played at the Central Broward Stadium from

July 28-31. Khan confirmed that Florida remains the CPL venue in North America. “The ICC has banned USACA so they have any authority to stop CPL games from being played there,” Khan explained. Tickets for the Florida zone are already on sale at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center which is next to the Central Broward Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and can also be bought online at www.cplt20.com. There has been a huge interest from West Indian and Asian population in America and some of the biggest stars in world cricket, including West Indians Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, South Africa’s AB de Villiers, New Zealand’s

Brendon McCullum and Australia’s Shane Watson, should produce an entertaining show piece in Florida and tickets for that leg are almost sold out. The Warriors will play four games in Guyana on July 7 (v Jamaica Tallawahs), July 9 (v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots), July 10 (v Trinbago Knight Riders) and July 12 (v St Lucia Zouks) and tickets are on sale at the CPL offices in Georgetown and Berbice. Tickets cost $2,000 (Grass Mound), $3,000 (Orange) & $4,000 (Red & Green). The Warriors will play three practice games at Providence on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The first two games commence at 19:00hrs while Saturday’s match begins at noon.

Tuesday June 21, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) The home environment will be unpredictable today. Unforeseen changes in your location are apparent. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Arguments with relatives may lead to a split in the family. Be careful not to push your luck or take too much for granted when dealing on either a personal or professional level. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Make arrangements to meet friends at your local dance club. You can expect to have a problem with your lover. Don't put off the things that they have asked you to do. You need to be sure that you aren't in your present relationship because it is convenient. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Control your anger. Follow your gut feeling regarding your business ventures. You can work in conjunction with those in the know in order to get to the bottom of any pending issue. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Opportunities for financial gains through investments and games of chance are likely. Eliminate situations that are no longer to your advantage. Try to be reasonable. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Try to take care of the needs of those you love. Make sure all of your travel and driver's documents are

in proper order. Use discretion, especially if involved with someone from work. LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Things at home may be somewhat rocky. You need to be active and spend time with friends you enjoy. Do something special for them. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You can bet officials will be waiting for you when you do. You should make special plans for you and your lover. Try not to get backed into corners. SAGIT. (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Your contributions will be valued and helpful. There might be one who is quite willing to take the credit for your work. You will gain a lot if you listen. CAPRI .(Dec 22.- Jan. 20) There'll be difficulties if you spend too much. You will reap the benefits if you put money into upgrading your residence. Caustic language may cause you to want to get out of the house. AQUAR. (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You can make favorable real estate offers today. Enjoy some socializing today. You will be up and down emotionally. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Family get-togethers will be interesting. Someone around you may not be trustworthy. Romance will unfold through business trips.

(From page 30) grabs. Once again the feature event is for animals classified “A” and lower with a mouthwatering winning prize of $4M and the Guyana Cup Trophy from a total package of $8M over 1600M. The other placers in that event will also be handsomely rewarded. In the Co-feature 1600M event for 3yrs old horses, bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies, the organizers have put up another delectable prize, $2.M and trophy will go to the winner. The Two year old event for We s t I n d i e s B r e d horses, which has its first prize tagged at $1M and trophy, will be run over

1000M. The E class and lower 1300M event will see the winner racing away with the $1M top prize and trophy on offer. The G3 and lower race is also a 1300M event where the winning horse will run away with $700,000 and trophy. Horses classified H and lower will have an opportunity to race for a winning pocket of $500,000 and trophy over 1400M. There is an event for animals classified J and K and lower with a pole position taking of $350,000 over 1100M. The final event on the day’s card is for L class horses over 1000M with the winning horse guaranteed a top prize

of $250,000 and trophy. According to organizer Nazrudeen ‘Jumbo Jet” Mohammed Jnr a number of new features and initiatives will be added to the event this year as race day draws closer. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the organizers and Trophy Stall. The event will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Race time is 12:30 hrs. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed Jnr. Race time is 12:00 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Sparta Boss scrapes through... (From page 28) the third minute. Albouystown crushed Young Ballers 5-0. Kemo Scott fired in a hat-trick in the seventh, ninth and 12th minutes, while Roy Samuels and Lennox Cort added one each in the fifth and 20th minutes. West Front Road and Queen Street Tigerbay battled to a 4-4 draw. Jermin Junior registered a brace for West Front Road in the 16th and 22nd minutes, while Nathaniel Nagaloo also netted twice in the ninth and 28th minute. For Queen Street, Alpha Fletchman, Darren Harris and Omallo Williams scored in the third, 12th and 29th minutes, while an own goal in the 13th minutes completed their tally. Bent Street and Kitty Weavers battled to a scoreless draw, while Alexander Village and Leopold Street

failed to trouble the score sheet. The championship which is being played under the ‘Stop Gender-based Violence’ theme is slated to conclude on June 18. The winning team will receive $300,000 and the Championship trophy, while sec-

ond, third and fourth placed finishers will take home $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. Other sponsors of the event include GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.

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