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Kaieteur News
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
We have seen too much abuse already Violence has been with us for as long as there have been unions between a man and a woman. However, in poor countries such as ours, violence seems to be very prevalent. Scarcely a day goes by without one reading about some man doing something drastic against his spouse, more often than not fatal. At this moment, the criminal justice system has a number of men awaiting trial for some serious abuse against their spouses; some have killed them, while others have maimed them. People are offering many reasons for spousal abuse and domestic violence. Some attribute it to the perpetrator growing up in a home in which there was domestic violence. The analysts conclude that the man growing up in such homes believes that such violence is the norm, so that when he takes a spouse he re-enacts what he saw in his home growing up. These analysts also conclude that because the woman is considered the weaker sex, she turns her attention to the children, and the cycle continues ad infinitum. However, there is another school of thought that men strike women out of frustration with situations outside the home. For this reason, there have been seminars aimed at getting managers to treat employees in a certain manner so as to minimize the extent of anger that their employees would take outside the work place. What we do know is that there is a correlation between alcohol abuse and spousal abuse. Some men go home under the influence of alcohol and seek to impose their will in a rather violent way. Others, who for some reason feel that they have been wrongfully spurned, oftentimes behave uncontrollably, as later related by reluctant neighbours. In some countries, there are laws designed to deal harshly with people who indulge in spousal abuse. In the United States, for example, the police have the power to separate the partner, often asking the male to leave the home. This is generally done when tempers flare and there is harsh language. The situation changes when fists fly and one party or the other bears the marks to show for the confrontation. In Guyana, the police are often unwilling to intervene in domestic disputes for a variety of reasons. This might have had its precedence in the fact that, quite often, when there was a prosecution, the spouse would decline to lead evidence against the abuser. Somewhere along the way the police simply gave up trying to force prosecution. And even when the police managed to get the matter to the courts, the spouse would have second thoughts and the prosecution would collapse. Today, our women are dying senselessly, and there have been concerted efforts to stamp out domestic abuse and domestic violence. More and more women are coming to realise that they need not stay in a home and be abused. They are reporting instances of abuse and leading prosecutions. They have thrown out of the door the tradition that marriage is for keeps -for better or for worse. They are becoming less forgiving. No longer are the majority prepared to sit and wait for the husband to change his wicked ways. And indeed, that was often the case. A husband would strike a wife then apologise profusely and promise not to strike her again. But he often does, the violence increasing in intensity with each beating. Poverty has also contributed to the incidence of domestic violence. Many a woman would lose her temper with a man who leaves her to fend almost single-handedly for herself and the household. For her anger she would get a beating. She would sustain the beating, even justifying it in one way or another. Some would say that if they leave the abusive situation they would have nowhere to go. The truth is that they are afraid of leaving one situation for worse, often choosing to stay, to their own detriment. We have seen too much abuse already, and the time is nigh for there to be an end.
Thursday March 06, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
The PPP wants the “sweet” without the “bitter” from the same tree DEAR EDITOR, We have all seen how ready the National Assembly was to mandate conditions for restoring the government subvention to Critchlow Labour College (CLC), a subvention denied by the PPP government since 2007. In particular, the two opposition parties, according to the news reports, agreed that four of the union members on the CLC Board should come from the TUC and four from FITUG, known to be the result of PPP statecraft. FITUG, like the GTUC and political parties, is protected by the right to freedom of association. My recollection is that at the time of the repressive act of 2007against the CLC, the GTUC had appointed Dr Roopnaraine as principal against the wishes of the ruling party and had stood its ground. The present Minister of Labour, Dr Gopaul, said that the denial of the subvention had been due mainly to lack of accountability in the management of funds. The former Minister of Labour and United Force Leader, Mr Manzoor Nadir, said that the denial was due to unequal representation of unions on the Board. There are two strikes. Because of these allegations, all the working class government could do was impose a form of repression. That is the proper description of the denial of the subvention. Ministers of Labour ought to know that. In our case it is repression that undermines the personal development of thousands of individuals
needing a “second chance.” The denial was a selfish, heartless act and a breach of what Parliament, that is the National Assembly and the President, had approved in the Appropriations Act. At least it was short-sighted and anti-developmental. Now, without hearing the affected trade union body, the Natonal Assembly has imposed a condition larded with phrases of reconciliation and labour unity. I am sure many readers are moved to tears with the concerns at the country’s main forum, for labour unity - by indirect sanctions, a concern shared by all parties. I know that my letterwriting watchmen will be answering this letter, and especially the rest of it. The members of the National Assembly can all count, one, two three. Most of them have calculators. Wi l l s o m e o n e s a y whether the MPs know that at the last general elections the President’s party polled under 50 percent of the votes, won under 50 per cent of the seats and yet appointed 100 per cent of the Ministers from his own narrowly defeated party? And do they know that the constitution does not demand that kind of oneparty monopoly and has a provision to avoid it? And does anyone believe that all the present unfairness and abuse of power and discrimination could be possible with a mixed cabinet? I don’t excuse whatever faults the unions have. But it seems quite easy to reach a consensus to bully the unions. And after two full
years of very praiseworthy efforts, no MP has given notice of a motion to debate the composition of the cabinet based on the results of the general elections. The AFC leader had regretted that the President did not go in the direction of a national government. Another AFC member, Mr Nigel Hughes, asked in an exchange concerning membership of committees “What about proportionality in the Cabinet.” Is it that the opposition in handing down this mandate to the CLC felt that the PPP ministers did not have enough power, and so they thought it nice to offer them some extra influence in the CLC? Can we think of anything more confusing than extending the influence of the PPP ministers? Look at the statutory Broadcasting Authority Board. Look at its power. It has one member from the opposition. The press report said that Mr Nadir thought up the formula and threw it at the mover of the motion. President Ramotar knows full well that he presides over an irregular, bottom-heavy cabinet. That is why he charged in the Guyana Chronicle in February 2012 that the opposition had rigged the elections. As our honourable members elected by the people have come together to bully and discredit unions with no right of reply, when will the non-government members put down for debate, as they are able to do by all the rules, the question whether on the basis of the 2011 general election results a one-party cabinet is justified.
If article 103 cannot be used to solve such absurd situations, why is it worded as it is? Why do the parties not amend the Constitution to remove article 103 if as they tell us it is meaningless? Why does it allow ministers to be chosen from among the members of the National Assembly” and not from the President’s list? Please note that I first made this argument in December 2011 when Alistair McGowan interviewed me for Stabroek News. I invite the lawyers and other gurus who dismiss my argument to discuss it with this non-lawyer in the media. They will lose none of their dignity in doing so. If such a motion is put for debate, I hope that the press will print the debate in full and that all the broadcast media will give it full airing. The PPP has a lawful minority President because of the 1980 Constitution they had no part in making. The PNC should not feel guilty about it, because it was not their doing. It was cut and dried by experts and passed through. But the same Constitution has a balance, whether some want to accept it or not, to the minority presidency. It is the power of the same president to restore balance. If the first runner under the 1980 Constitution can become a minority President, why can’t the opposition get the benefit of proportional representation in the cabinet out of the same imperfect Constitution? The PPP wants the “sweet” without the “bitter” from the same tree. Eusi Kwayana
Guyana-born Chief Justice of Belize fearless DEAR EDITOR, While Guyanese are clamouring for unbiased and fearless judges, a brilliant jurist from the Co-operative Republic is dispensing fearless justice in the Central American country of Belize. Belize Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin Friday afternoon made an order directing the Commissioner of Police Allen to properly investigate, and if needed, to prosecute a former minister of Government Elvin Penner in relation to his role in a passport scandal involving South Korean national Hong Kim who was issued a Belize passport while he was in prison in Taipei, Taiwan. Chief Justice Benjamin made the order upon mandamus proceedings
brought by the country’s opposition leader, Francis Fonseca, after the Police Commissioner failed to take action following numerous complaints of the gross wrongdoing by Penner who was fired by Prime Minister Dean Barrow following the scandal. However the Belize public feels that dismissal was not enough for the former Minister’s illegal act since Kim never visited Belize and he was charged for massive fraud involving billions. After the Order was made by the Chief Justice, he did not mince his words after his findings. He said that the Police Chief’s action was irrational, unreasonable and unlawful. I posted the news on facebook
and a few persons responded that Benjamin should return to Guyana to try those who are involved in corruption in the Republic. In a letter which appeared in the Kaieteur News on Wednesday, E.B. John, a well-known Guyanese personality, said that it was only when Benjamin appeared with retiring CCJ justice, Desiree Bernard, that many viewers and readers knew that he was Chief Justice of Belize. Benjamin, a Guyana scholar, who left his homeland in 1986, served as a judge in the Eastern Caribbean for more than 18 years before he took up the appointment as Head of the Judiciary in the Central American state of Belize. Oscar Ramjeet
Thursday March 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
LOCAL GOVT. ELECTIONS IN 2014: Something all parties should agree on DEAR EDITOR, A year ago, political party leaders, civil society, private sector representatives, and members of the diplomatic community expressed their hope that 2013 would be the year in which Guyana would move forward to ensure its citizens benefit from strong and effective local governance. While 2013 passed without local government elections being held, significant progress was made to set the stage for these historic elections in 2014. Four bills establishing a reinvigorated framework for local governance were approved by the National Assembly and three received Presidential assent. Together with the 2010 Local Authorities Act establishing the electoral framework for local elections, the legislative path to elections has been cleared. In anticipation of local government elections, the Guyana Elections Commission has been intensifying its preparations and expanding voter education outreach to familiarize people with the voting process. The Ministry of Local Government has been hosting seminars and workshops with stakeholders to promote voter education. GECOM’s Chairman has stated that the Commission is fully equipped and ready to stage the elections. It has already demarcated the boundaries and constituencies in 69 of 71 districts, and each district has been targeted for voter education. Once a date for elections is announced, GECOM can begin the statutory steps required by law to hold local government elections. By all accounts, GECOM is well prepared and poised to ensure free, fair and transparent local elections whenever called upon by the government to do so.
Throughout 2013, all political parties repeatedly expressed their eagerness for local government elections, their desire to make their case to the voters, and their interest in competing in localities throughout the country. As President Ramotar observed in July, local government elections are “badly needed because many of the problems we face are due to the fact that we did not have local government elections.” The PPP/C, APNU, and the AFC have all begun campaigning in many regions in anticipation of these historic elections. All of this augurs well for 2014 as the year of local government elections. Indeed, as the Guyana Times observed last July, “there is a dire need for local government elections to give citizens the opportunity to choose whom they wish to represent them at the local level.” As international development agencies have long recognized, the tangible benefits of local democracy go far beyond the act of casting a vote. Effective and efficient public administration coupled with healthy local governance can drive development efforts. Local government institutions bring government closer to the people, fostering greater inclusion, civic responsibility, empowerment and participation. We agree with the Times that “only when people have transparent and accountable institutions at all levels of government – national, regional, and local, will they have confidence in their future.” The constitution affirms that “local government is a vital aspect of democracy” that should allow as many people as possible to participate actively “in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live, and it mandates that local elections
be held every three years. The Commonwealth Charter to which Guyana subscribes refers to an individual’s “inalienable right to participate in democratic processes, in particular through free and fair elections in shaping the society in which he or she lives. Parliaments and representative local governments and other forms of local governance are essential elements in the exercise of democratic governance.” So now, the legislative foundation is in place for elections by August 1. The election machinery is ready. The political parties have reaffirmed their desire to hold local elections and are making campaign preparations. It is therefore our hope, as the PPP/C, APNU, and AFC pledged in their 2011 election manifestos, that local government elections will be held, “bringing much needed reinvigoration into local government entities.” That is something all parties and civic stakeholders should agree on in 2014. Berbice Chamber of Commerce British High Commission Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry Embassy of the United States of America Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana Association of Women Lawyers Guyana Bar Association Guyana Manufacturing and Service Association Guyana Trades Union Congress High Commission of Canada Justice Institute Private Sector Commission Transparency Institute Guyana Inc.
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New GPC lawyer in NY displays Brazilian national burnt in freak accident confusion, acts outside his lawsuit A Brazilian national working in Mazaruni, Region Seven was air-dashed to the city yesterday afternoon, following what his colleague describes as a “freak accident.” Ataide Fernandez, a 38year-old machine operator suffered burns to the face and hand, and is currently hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). According to Fernandez’s colleague, Maria Joseph, the man was “lighting firewood” when he received the injuries. The woman explained that “he was pushing wood to light, but it not lighting, so he went for a bottle and throw gasoline on it, so it went poof! And it flare up in his face.” Joseph told Kaieteur News that her colleague received burns on the right side of his face, and on both his hands. The woman told Kaieteur
News that upon realizing the seriousness of Fernandez’s condition, his boss, also a Brazilian national, offered to transport his employee back to his country. “I am Brazilian, but married and living here for years, so I told he no, bring (him to) Georgetown, good hospital there,” Joseph said. She added that “when I was working here, and was sick with Malaria and Dengue all at once, my boss didn’t want to spend his money and bring me out here for treatment, but luckily the workers them begged for me, and I was saved, so I very happy that Ataide didn’t get my problem.” Fernandez was transported to Bartica and subsequently air-dashed to the Ogle International Airport, from where he was taken to the GPHC. Joseph told this newspaper that from what the
doctors told her, Fernandez has suffered “very bad” burns, and would have to remain hospitalized for a few days. “They told us it was skin burn. He no have skin really, it burn and peel, so they have to keep him here for longer time,” the woman said. She explained that while she does not know Fernandez very well, the man came to Guyana alone, and does not have any relatives here. “He no have anybody with him, so he boss staying here and make sure he okay and so. I will stay too, because he no know English, so I help out them li’l.” The woman said too that efforts are being made to contact Fernandez’s relatives in neighbouring Brazil. “We hope we find them, so they come and take good care of him, and maybe take him back or something so he get better.”
…signals hatred for Glenn Lall, Adam Harris A period of deposition that should have lasted three days lasted a mere 42 minutes. Sam Beckerman, the lawyer for the plaintiff, was unaware of the lawsuit his client filed. New Guyana Pharmaceutical corporation (New GPC) is suing the New York edition of Kaieteur News for libel over the prices the pharmaceutical company charged the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital for drugs supplied to the two institutions. On Tuesday, the first day of the deposition, Beckerman, in keeping with the action filed, had to depose Dominic Chandra, the circulation manager of the New York edition. But he came prepared to depose Adam Harris, Editor-in-Chief of Kaieteur News. Lawyers for Kaieteur News, the defendants in the writ, had initially intended to present
Lack of communication causing drug shortage at hospitals, health centres - Chandarpal Months of shortage of pharmaceuticals at public hospitals and health centres could have been prevented with effective communication between Regional Health Authorities and the Ministry of Health’s bond at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. This is according to Indra Chandarpal, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services, during a telephone interview with this publication yesterday. Chandarpal and committee members including People’s Progressive Party Parliamentarian Dr. Vindhya Persaud, A Partnership for National Unity’s Parliamentarian Joan Baveghems, and Alliance For Change Parliamentarian Valerie Garrido-Lowe visited the bond Tuesday to ascertain the origin of the hiccups within the health
sector. According to her, the main reason for the hiccup is the lack of communication, which is unacceptable among coastland health facilities. She emphasized that health services are decentralized leaving regional authorities with the responsibility of monitoring the provisions of healthcare and needs of hospitals and health centres. Citing an example of this lack of communication, Chandarpal said health centres on the West Demerara would have to provide a list of drugs needed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital that would request the drugs from the national bond. She noted that the requests have to take into consideration regular patients who visit the health centres monthly and random members of the public. As such, there would be a
Indra Chandarpal constant and adequate supply of drugs for patients. Chandarpal said that the management capabilities of the regional officials need to improve so that the delivery of essential services would not be neglected. The shortage of medical supplies
in the Regions should not be a regular feature since the Regional budgets cater for health services. Therefore, managers in the Regions need to enhance their capacities and serve the people who depend on free drugs. “The people in the system who are at these institutions need to do what they are appointed to do,” she said. According to Chandarpal, the Committee will be meeting on March 14 where the mechanisms to be put in place will be discussed. She assured that whatever the recommendations will be, the Committee will not sit on them. Currently, the work of the Committee is overwhelmed with members visiting health facilities. Committee members visited the Mahaicony Hospital last week and plan to visit others within coming weeks.
Adam Harris, Editor-in-Chief, to be deposed by Beckerman. However, after examining the requests Beckerman made, they recognized that he was seeking to prosecute the National Media and Publishing Company, the publishers of Kaieteur News, in New York. “He has to do that in Guyana. There are no shortcuts to whatever he wants to do,” said James Sullivan, one of the lawyers for Kaieteur News. His writ was directed at Kaieteur News Inc, the New York edition of the newspaper. Beckerman turned up with clippings from Kaieteur News (Guyana) and not one clipping of the newspaper he was suing. Attorney for Kaieteur News, James Sullivan, pointed out his error and this angered Beckerman to the point where he accused Sullivan and Kaieteur News’s other lawyer, John Corring, of prolonging the legal matter. He also accused them of hiding Adam Harris in some backroom. Needless to say, they invited him to conduct a search. Adam Harris, on the advice of the lawyers, was not there. The Company Secretary for New Guyana Pharmaceutical
Corporation travelled to New York on the same flight as Harris. He conveyed this information to Beckerman. Sullivan and Corring said that even if Harris was in the room, Beckerman would not have been allowed to depose him because he was barking up the wrong tree. So unprepared was Beckerman that he never even sought to ascertain the composition of the New York office. Both Sullivan and Corring could only conclude that somebody hates Glenn Lall, the publisher of Kaieteur News and Harris. Corring said that if Beckerman wants to depose Harris he would have to get an order of court. However, Harris would be testifying in court if the matter ever reaches there. Meanwhile, the lawyers for Kaieteur News are still awaiting some of their requests from New GPC. They have asked the company to produce invoices of its purchases and receipts of what it would have obtained from the Ministry of Health and GPHC. They are also to depose the New GPC.
Thieves target B/dam Police Station two nights in a row In what has been described a total embarrassment to the Guyana Police Force, thieves targeted the headquarters of the most high profile police division at Brickdam for two nights in a row, carting off hundreds of thousands of dollars in items. The first attack occurred on Tuesday night when the thieves raided the Court Superintendent Office, helping themselves to a desktop computer. Investigators are still checking to see if any of the files concerning court cases were stolen during the raid. And one would have thought that following that incident, the police would have heightened their vigilance. That
appeared not to be the case, for the following day, the thieves struck again, this time targeting the canteen. This newspaper was unable to ascertain what was stolen from the canteen. Investigators are almost convinced that the two acts are the work of insiders, since from all indications the thieves were careful to leave no trail. “Imagine we gat thieves in we own house. Wha de public gon think now? If we can’t even secure we own place, how we gon protect the public?” one angry rank told this newspaper. Kaieteur News was also unable to ascertain if anyone has been arrested.
Thursday March 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
M&CC needs to clean up its act DEAR EDITOR, The recent article by iNews Guyana, “Deputy Mayor criticizes disparity in litter fines; EPA has no objection to harmonization” has only confirmed the mismanagement that is taking place at the Mayor and City Council. The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has been incapable of managing the huge daily piles of garbage and litter across the city, but Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green is now up in arms at efforts being made to clean up the mess that the M&CC has been neglecting over the years. As a concerned Guyanese, I am appalled at the inefficiencies of the M&CC and would like to state that the difference in fines from $10,000 to $50,000, as stated in the article, does not absolve the M&CC from carrying out its mandate to keep Georgetown clean and bring back the days when
Georgetown was known as the Garden City. The M&CC has a responsibility to its citizens, but many of its officers will see the increase in fines as an opportunity for more corrupt practices. They have been ineffective over the years in penalizing offenders with fines of $5,000, so how can they now be effective? The cry by the Deputy Mayor that the Municipal and Districts Councils Act needs reform is no one’s fault but the M&CC. However, the
Environmental Protection Agency must be commended for updating its regulations and necessary laws to arrest the growing garbage situation plaguing our capital city. The long-forgotten Garden City is bound to remain the garbage city as we currently know it should the M&CC maintain its current status quo of neglecting the city rather than welcoming efforts and initiatives to transform Georgetown. Erica Smith
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APNU does not get it! A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) does not get it. And probably never will. There are serious reservations over the proposal by APNU to empower the police and custom officers to search, seize and detain sums found on an individual in excess of two million dollars. APNU has tried to address some of the concerns over this proposal by raising the limit to ten million dollars. In effect, they have made redundant their own new proposal, because as much as you may find someone moving a few million dollars at any one time, no one is likely to be seen moving around ten million dollars in cash. APNU’s newest amendment will therefore never be enforced, because it caters for an outlier situation. But APNU misses the real point, and probably will
always miss it. It is not the threshold that is important. The issue is the criminalizing of the possession of currency, be it two million dollars or ten million dollars. The issue is about any law determining how much money you should walk around with. There are businessmen in this country who travel overseas with monetary instruments such as cheques and money orders to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Under the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, in force at present, currency is not just restricted to cash, but includes monetary instruments such as those used in commercial transactions. Under our laws and under the laws of foreign countries, they are merely required to declare these
Dem boys seh ...
Bobby and he lawyer confused Bobby ain’t stupid because he now trying to get a court in Uncle Sam to try de Waterfalls paper. This is de paper that talking he story and he don’t really want people know wha he doing. De man hire a lawyer fuh sue de New York paper and that was good. Dem boys seh that he got a right. But when he lawyer try fuh get de matter in court, he didn’t even have a copy of de New York paper fuh show wha he suing about. He confused just like de man who hire he. Dem lawyers want see he invoice fuh de drugs he sell de government all dem years and he can’t show dem. Dem boys seh that perhaps he get confuse like he lawyer since when he sue he didn’t believe that he had to show nutten and that all he got to do is go in court and cry how de New York Waterfalls paper hurt him. Well it don’t wuk so in Uncle Sam. Imagine Bobby lawyer even begging de Waterfalls paper fuh give he some copy. This is a man who suing a paper and he ain’t got a record of what he suing about. Of course he always getting advice from Jagdeo but he shoulda tek a hint from wha happen to Jagdeo when he sue de Waterfalls paper. Ah Kneel sue too. He get vex because de Waterfalls paper ain’t print he letter but he got to tek a hint. Dem boys gun ask he in court why he got to eat wid Cliffy every day and that ain’t gun be easy to answer. Even Bobby don’t eat every day wid Jagdeo. Then he got to explain why he don’t like de Waterfalls boss man and if he tell Bibi not to give de Waterfalls radio licence. Of course, dem boys seh that he like publicity and he only sue de Waterfalls to get de publicity. But dem got bad publicity too. Jagdeo don’t like de publicity he getting. He tell dem boys that he born in a sorry situation. He mother was sorry and he father was sorry too. Dem boys believe that he whole family was sorry. Talk half and don’t feel sorry fuh Bobby.
instruments to the customs officials. It is not an offence to have the money, and it cannot be seized just because there may be suspicion about its source. But even with the revised limit by APNU, persons travelling through our airports with money orders from their banks may have those orders seized by the police or customs, even if it is declared. The police and customs can contend that they suspect that the instruments are backed by illicit funds. They therefore claim a ground to seize and detain the currency, even though it may be in the form of a monetary instrument. The businessman, not wanting to go through the hassles involved with proving otherwise, may be tempted to pass a bribe, and another wave of dispossession of the
business class similar to what took place in the days of foreign exchange restrictions and contraband will be relived. The intent of the AntiMoney Laundering Laws is not to criminalize currency above a certain sum. It is to guard against the laundering of funds, particularly through financial transactions. This is why under the existing laws there are numerous obligations of banks with respect to financial transactions. You are not going to beat money laundering by having powers to search, seize and detain cash. How can money be laundered in cash? By definition, money laundering refers to attempts to cleanse dirty money. This is not done by having cash. It is done through the importation of goods, paid for with illicit funds. When these goods are sold, the proceeds are the
means of cleaning the dirty money. Illicit funds can also be used to build massive structures and to finance businesses. The illicit monies are usually disguised through intermingling with legitimate funds. Illicit funds can be used to buy up land, large tracts of land. This is how money is laundered. The launderers do not have to be persons moving around with the currency in cash or cheque. Monies are laundered in a variety of other ways, most of which at some stage involve financial transactions. This is why the strategy in dealing with money laundering is not to go after cash, but to engage in a process of monitoring financial transactions to determine whether these are legitimate or whether they are tainted, and to trace these
transactions right back to the illicit proceeds. APNU’s latest proposal is not going to help to interdict any money launderer. It will only lead to harassment of citizens by the police. This is because that proposal is based on a less than thorough understanding of the purpose of anti-money laundering legislation and the ways and means through which the bulk of funds are laundered in an economy. If by now APNU does not get it, it never will! The greatest disappointment, however, is that the Alliance For Change seems to have fallen for APNU’s proposal, hook, line and sinker.
7-year-old hospitalized after Friendship accident A Craig Primary School student was rushed to the Accident and Emergency unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday, after being hit by a car on the Friendship, East Bank Demerara Public Road. The accident which occurred at around 07:00hrs resulted in seven year- old Jessica Moses sustaining multiple injuries. The child who is now a patient of the hospital’s Pediatric Ward, remains in an unconscious state. According to her mother, Yonette Moses, “Ever since the accident this (yesterday) morning, me child ain’t talking and she hardly moving, and we don’t really know wha happen to her as yet.” The woman told this newspaper yesterday that while she does not know what kind of vehicle it is that hit her child, she is almost certain it was Toyota made. “Me ain’t sure what kind ah car it was really, because my mind wasn’t thinking clearly and so, but I know it did, it did white though.” Moses told Kaieteur News that her daughter was rushed
to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre by public spirited citizens, before being transferred to GPHC .The woman explained that her daughter was already dressed in her school uniform when she was asked by a sister to “go over the road and collect something.” “She big sister call and say that she did want she collect something for her, or something like that, so Jessica which is me last daughter, was crossing the road right in front the house when she get knocked down.” When asked whether her daughter might’ve been the errant party, the woman said that she would not be able to say. However, she did point out that her daughter is familiar with the rules of the road. “We living on the road, so she know very well how to use it and so, so me ain’t think she fault, but I think that the driver should ah been more aware when he driving.” The woman added that after hitting Jessica, the car continued to drive, but stopped a few houses away. “The driver hit the child, but he still continue driving. He went like couple yards
away and then he stop,” Moses noted. She said that the driver of the vehicle has been taken into police custody, and is assisting with the ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, although the child is being treated at a public health facility, Moses, who is a single parent, said that a CT scan had to be done at a private institution. “I am a single mother and it hard for me right now. Is $20,000 to do it, but they deduct $5000 and dey gave me six months to pay out the money, so I would really like some financial help to do so.” Anyone desirous of
The injured child’s mother, Yonette Moses assisting Moses in clearing off her debt can make contact with her on telephone numbers672-1190 and 690-6623.
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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Magistrates Chandan and Daly and the daily assault on the poor and powerless On Tuesday morning we staged a picket outside the Providence Magistrate’s Court in support of Colwyn Harding, the youth who cried rape by a police baton while he was in the Timerhi Police Station. That incident has now become a national scandal. The policeman Harding has accused of sodomizing him with a baton is still on active duty. This brings into question what has become of
the policemen who assaulted a fifteen-year-old boy and burned his genitals and the surrounding parts of that area of his body. While the rank is on active service, the Police Commissioner has reached retirement age. Mr. Leroy Brumell will proceed into private life in April. He must be the happiest man in the world. Under Brumell’s watch, three protestors were shot dead in the Linden electricity
hike protest in July 2012 and more than a dozen injured. Brumell kept his job. Brumell has more lives than a cat. He survived the baton rape episode. Why were we picketing? Harding is charged with assaulting a policeman in the same incident that led to the alleged sodomy. After the case was called, I left the picket line and went into the court. Immediately, I became a source of interest to
Magistrate Daly. She sent her court orderly to enquire of me as to the type of eyewear I had on my face. Magistrate Daly wanted to know if I had donned a pair of sunglasses or wore optometrist lenses. I was appalled at the illogical content of the question and was moved to show contempt to the orderly but realized that the gentleman was just following orders. I did not directly answer the
Magistrate’s question but said this to the orderly; “It is stupid for someone to ask such a question in this day and age.” The orderly went to the Magistrate and whatever was said, he didn’t return. Photo-chromatic lenses have been in existence since the sixties. They are also referred to as, “transitions.” “Tested” glasses are fitted out with photo-chromatic chemicals so that your eyes are shaded from the sun, then in indoor facilities and in the night, the transition to white lenses automatically takes place. What “transitions” do is they remove the burden of wearing sunglasses then have to change to “tested” lenses in the night. From looking at her, it was clear to me that Magistrate Daly was born decades after “transitions” became part of life so she ought to know what photo-chromatic lenses are. I spent eleven days in the witness box during in the Bharrat Jagdeo libel trial facing questions from my lawyer and Jagdeo’s, and having to read documents put to me by both set of lawyers and I wore my “transitions” which if I didn’t have, I could not have read what was in front of me. I have been wearing this type of glasses since I was a teen. The orderly came back to me half an hour after. He wanted me to sit in a particular position in which my body would be in the direct pathway of the Magistrate’s eyes. He told me this. Why was the Magistrate so interested in me? Just for the record, I have been married to the same woman for thirty-five years now, plus
Frederick Kissoon President Jagdeo remarked that I am ugly. I was discomfited by the attention I was getting and rudely brushed off the orderly’s request. He went to the Magistrate. I was prepared for a confrontation but Mr. Nigel Hughes’ absorbing crossexamination of Inspector Lall ensured the Magistrate had to abandon her curiosity in me. I then left the court to prevent further interest in me. In the picket line, Dr. Melissa Ifill showed me a copy of the Kaieteur News in which the controversial Magistrate, Geeta Chandan, sentenced a semi-homeless man to two years. He escaped from the police after he was arrested by City Constabulary ranks for littering. You see who gets charged for littering? Poor, poor people. The poor chap escaped, was caught and Chandan sent him to prison for two years. What about three months? One thing is certain; Chandan wasn’t deterred by the controversy she is currently in after her fellow Magistrate harshly sentenced a teenager to five years for assaulting Chandan’s baby left in her care. In the meantime, the Chancellor did say that there will be an inquiry into the helper’s accusation of assault by Chandan. When will that begin?
Thursday March 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Embassies, civil society reiterate calls for early Local Govt. Elections The pressure is piling up for Guyana to hold local government elections early with a joint statement from civil society and three embassies yesterday signaling a growing unhappiness over the current situation. Everything seems to be in place for votes to be cast as early as August 1st, the strong statement said. It has not been the first time that such has been issued, with the last a year ago. This time, the British High Commission, Embassy of the United States of America and the High Commission of Canada made it clear that with new laws in place and the elections machinery ready, August 1st seems a very possible time. “The political parties have reaffirmed their desire to hold local elections and are making campaign preparations. It is therefore our hope, as the PPP/C, APNU, and AFC pledged in their 2011 election manifestos, that local government elections will be held…” Also endorsing the statement are the Berbice Chamber of Commerce; Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry; Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Guyana Association of Women Lawyers; Guyana Bar Association, Guyana Manufacturing and Service Association, Guyana Trades Union Congress, Justice Institute, Private Sector Commission and the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. With many of the 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) replaced by Interim Management
Committees after members either died or passed away, the absence of elections because of a political agreement for reforms has led to an intolerable situation. Corruption and mismanagement have been blamed on the breakdown in infrastructure with garbage and rates and taxes collection highly criticised. The statement said that one year ago, a similar call for 2013 to be the year in which Guyana would move forward to ensure its citizens benefit from strong and effective local governance was made. GECOM READY “While 2013 passed without local government elections being held, significant progress was made to set the stage for these historic elections in 2014.” The bodies pointed out that four bills establishing a “reinvigorated framework” for local governance were approved by the National Assembly with three receiving Presidential assent. “Together with the 2010 Local Authorities Act establishing the electoral framework for local elections, the legislative path to elections has been cleared. In anticipation of local government elections, the Guyana Elections Commission has been intensifying its preparations and expanding voter education outreach to familiarize people with the voting process.” It was also noted that the Ministry of Local Government has been hosting seminars and workshops with stakeholders to promote voter education. Even the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) has
General Secretary for PPP, Clement Rohee said it is fully equipped and ready to stage the elections. Already, GECOM has demarcated the boundaries and constituencies in 69 of 71 districts, and each district has been targeted for voter education. “Once a date for elections is announced, GECOM can begin the statutory steps required by law to hold local government elections. By all accounts, GECOM is well prepared and poised to ensure free, fair and transparent local elections whenever called upon by the government to do so.” The organizations and embassies also said it recognized the statements of President Donald Ramotar in July that local government elections are “badly needed because many of the problems we face are due to the fact that we did not have local government elections.” “The PPP/C, APNU, and the AFC have all begun campaigning in many
Regions in anticipation of these historic elections. All of this augurs well for 2014 as the year of local government elections.” The statement yesterday, stressing the importance of elections, said that as international development agencies have long recognized, the tangible benefits of local democracy go far beyond the act of casting a vote. “Effective and efficient public administration coupled with healthy local governance can drive development efforts. Local government institutions bring government closer to the people, fostering greater inclusion, civic responsibility, empowerment and participation…” STRANGE OPPOSITION Under the Constitution, local government elections should be held every three
years. The joint statement also pointed out that Commonwealth Charter to which Guyana subscribes refers to an individual’s “inalienable right to participate in democratic processes, in particular through free and fair elections in shaping the society in which he or she lives. Parliaments and representatives of local governments and other forms of local governance are essential elements in the exercise of democratic governance.” The call yesterday would come about two weeks after General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, said that his party will not support the Opposition request to hold Local Government Elections by August 1. It would also come after the Opposition called for early elections. According to Rohee, their
reasons for not agreeing to the Opposition requests of holding Local Government elections, among other things, is because the power to decide the readiness for such elections resides with GECOM and not with the Opposition. During a press conference, he said that from his information GECOM is not ready for elections. “We get the distinct impression from our commissioners that they are not ready for local government elections. That’s why we found it strange because APNU also have representatives on the GECOM.”
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 06, 2014
50 years a national heroine …
GAWU pays tribute to killed sugar worker, Kowsilla Yesterday marked 50 years since female sugar worker, Kowsilla, was killed during a strike action at the Leonora estate, West Coast Demerara. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), in its tribute to Guyana’s “own home-grown heroine”, said that Kowsilla called Alice, an active member of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), probably had no intention to become heroine or martyr. “She merely demonstrated her freedom to protest at the virtually inhuman and exploitative nature of the then sugar baron’s greed over Guyana’s natural resource, sugar – and the wealth it
generated for Britain even after slavery.” GAWU said that Kowsilla’s defiance against the Leonora sugar estate’s management, just two years before political independence, resulted in her ultimate sacrifice. “Her cruel death, however, was not at all in vain. Her crushed body and spilt blood fertilized the struggle for working-class justice and victory for representation of the sugar workers’ first choice.” The Kowsilla story is now part of the nation’s sugar industry, labour-union movement and collective psyche, GAWU, the country’s largest sugar union said.
According to the union, in January 1964, hundreds of sugar workers and other aggrieved Guyanese staged a mammoth citizens march to protest the imposition of proportional representation, a then unknown electoral system upon British Guiana by the British Colonial Secretary, Duncan Sandys. “It is reasonable and fair to assume that the managers of the various sugar estates many of them expatriate British themselves, did not take kindly to the participation of “their employees” in this political protest against the British governments’ decision.” When the workers, except for a few, staged a strike against the actions of the
Leonora Estate management who offered little work after the January 1964 protests or work at severely-reduced rates, the Estate Manager, a Roy Ryder, did everything to break the industrial action which had significantly paralysed his fields and factory operations. “From some divide-andrule tactics to outright intimidation and threats, he abused the striking workers but failed to break their resolve.” GAWU said that on March 06, 1964, he ordered that a tractor driven by a scab, be used to clear a main bridge, close to the factory, on which Kowsilla and her colleagues were squatting. “Kowsilla bravely stood
A Heroine: Kowsilla her ground as the tractor approached. She was crushed to a grisly death. Fourteen other females who formed the peaceful human barricade were seriously injured with some unable to work again.” Kowsilla’s passing provoked wide-spread
dissent and led to new levels of struggle, resulting in estate management meeting directly with workers delegations. “The majority of sugar workers then resorted to abandon the then company union – the Man Power Citizens Association (MPCA). This was the movement that made a reluctant government to recognize GAWU in 1976.” The union is convinced that Kowsilla exemplified bravery. “Her death held high the banner of the recognition struggle, and showed the ferocity with which it was waged. The adamancy of the sugar plantocracy not to recognise GAWU was met by a stubborn workers’ struggle. Workers fought with determination and, in February, 1976, the GAWU obtained union recognition by the Sugar Producers Association (SPA). The workers won that class war.”
President seeks Army's support on AML Bill ... “We refrain from partisan politics” - COS By Zena Henry President Donald Ramotar has sought the support of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), highlighting the underlying security effects the non-passage of the in limbo AntiMoney Laundering Bill (AML) fetches. The President made his request while addressing senior army officers at the Force's Annual Officers' Conference at Camp Ayanganna last week. He charged that the non-passage of the compulsory international law will bring serious results; “exposing our country to the (security) danger that looms.” “I am not speaking about this only to gather support, but I am speaking because it can affect security, it will affect our economy. It can have a devastating effect that can result in increased poverty, it can increase unemployment. It will affect investors coming to our country and affect our ability to generate more wealth to deal with all the needs we have,” the President warned. He told the senior officers that they must broaden their understanding of national security to include threats emanating outside of our borders, “not only to seize territories, but our way of life.” International bodies, he said, continue to put mechanisms in place to fight international crimes such as drug running,
money laundering and other such activities. That is why, the President continued, “The Bill before the National Assembly is a very important one. The internationalization of these threats took headlines after the 2001 attack on the US and things became more intensive and more joint activities were held in order to try to protect the world from these types of crimes... which often end up in financing terrorism.” He said the Bill is currently compliant to the recommendations by the international regulators. “We have a Bill that has reached the requirement of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Trying to close loop holes, the international community has sanctions if legislation is not in place.” The President continued that the debate now is on the amendments. “And although we are not closed to amendments, we cannot have any type of amendments; it has to be within the confines of the CFATF and FATF regulations. According to an assessor who recently visited Guyana,” the President said, the amendments being forwarded can “change what we have as being compliant to make it un-compliant.” “Our pre-position is that we can (continued on page 23)
Thursday March 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Overpayments, financial irregularities by Ministries at intolerable level - Goolsarran Several Ministries have been hauled before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in recent weeks based on financial irregularities documented in the reports of the Auditor General (AG). The AG Report has shown that among some of the glaring financial irregularities, there were instances where millions of dollars in overpayments were made to contractors for work that was not completed. Considering this, Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran is calling for the implementation of an organized internal audit system to police the accounting systems of Ministries daily. This is in an
effort to prevent some of the financial indiscretions. Just recently senior officials of Region One Barima-Waini were summoned before the body based on the examination of the 2011 Auditor General Report. The PAC blazed the Regional officers for an engineer who approved the overpayment of $1M to add a new section to the Regional Administration Office at Mabaruma, which has not been done. Previous reports said that the contract had been awarded to B. Boodhoo General Construction. The Regional Executive Officer (REO), Nigel Fisher, informed members of the Committee that the engineer, unfortunately, cannot be located.
Even the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, Mr. Alfred King, was made to face the music last month after an intense grilling by members of the Committee on the overpayment of salaries to staff members. These monies are still to be recovered. According to the reports, 10 staff members were overpaid. King explained that rigid systems have been implemented since the incident. But he was unable to indicate whether the outstanding balance could be recovered. PAC members from both the Government and the Opposition’s side have been extremely critical of the Permanent Secretaries and
Ministry appeals to parents to start nursery registration - reminds that placement may be conditional If a child was born on or before June 30, 2011, that child can and should be prepared to attend school when the new school term begins September. Moreover, the Ministry of Education is appealing to parents to register their children from now so that the necessary arrangements can be made to have them accommodated at schools across the country. The Ministry of Education last year announced that it was poised to change the age at which a child may be enrolled in nursery school. And according to a statement issued by the Ministry yesterday, significant strides have been made towards making the necessary enhancements that will allow for parents to give their children an earlier start to a sound education. Children born on or before June 30 are now eligible for placement at a nursery school in the year they would have turned three years- old. “Registration for the new school term in September has commenced and we are encouraging parents and guardians to get their children placed at a school closest to their home,” detailed the Ministry in its statement yesterday. Parents can also opt to use an online registration form, at www.education.gov.gy, which could ensure that the process is faster. As is the norm, parents or guardians are asked to provide the child’s birth certificate and clinic card at the time of registration. Those charged with
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand registering the children are also asked to bring along their National Identification Cards as well as proof of address. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, had informed the media that the move to revise the nursery entry age of children is likely to see close to 3,000 more children being able to enter the school system this year. Previously a child had to be three years old by March 31 in order to enter nursery school in September of the same year. Although attending nursery school is not compulsory, Manickchand said that there is already a high percentage of “our nursery age cohorts in nursery school…That is more than 85 per cent of our children, who can attend nursery, are in nursery (school), and we expect that will rise a little.” In fact, Minister Manickchand speculated that
“we probably have the highest percentage in the Commonwealth Caribbean regarding the number of children we have enrolled in schools and we are envied throughout the Region for our early childhood education.” And, the Education Ministry is also currently directing careful consideration to the placement of children. In fact, the Ministry has noted that while each child is entitled to a place in a nursery and primary School, the associated Education policy outlines that a child is also entitled to be placed at the school closest to his or her home. But in the event that there is no one to care for a child at home after school dismisses, the Ministry, according to the statement, is prepared to grant permission for a child to be placed at a school close to a parent’s place of work. This placement, however, is conditional since such an undertaking would be dependent on the space available at the school in question. In such cases, parents are asked to supply a job letter from their place of work. Of note too is the fact that a parent who is employed or works at a school, such as a teacher, cleaner, gardener, handyman or even a vendor, will be given priority, amongst the parents who appeal for a placement of his/her child/ children at that school. The process in this regard the Ministry has noted will be treated as though the child/ children live closest to the said school at which the parent is employed.
other representatives of the Ministries for the irregularities. They expressed clearly their disapproval for such intolerable behavior when monies are overpaid or cannot be found. In an invited comment, Goolsarran, a Financial Analyst said that based on these findings, it is a clear indication that there is a serious need for international accounting standards and an organized system of internal audit for the government agencies. Firstly, Goolsarran explained that agencies of the state according to the Constitution have to be audited by the Auditor General (AG). “Recognizing that the AG may have capacity issues, there are cases where he contracts the services of chartered accountants in public practice to audit certain entities, especially public enterprises, on his behalf and
to report the results to him.” In addition to this, “The accounting system of the Government has been inherited from the British, and since our Independence there has been little to no change or modification to bring it in line with international best practice. After 47 years you still have the old system although there have been so many developments in public financial managements. It is obvious that there is a need for our system to be reformed so that they can fall in line with international best practices.” The anti-corruption advocate noted that Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh is required to promulgate accounting standards as required by the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. “He has, however, not done so to date. My recommendation is for the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting
Standards (IPSAS).” IPSAS, he explained seeks to improve the quality of financial reporting. This in turn results in a more accurate assessment of resources allocated by the Government. Goolsarran stressed that this is all in the name of increasing transparency and accountability. He continued, “We also need to have an organized system of internal audit systems to police on a daily basis ministries, departments and Regions, especially large Ministries such as the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Public Works. The Ministry of Finance has been trying to set up a centralized internal audit system but, like the predecessor Inspectorate Section, it is unlikely to gain any measure of success, especially given this day and age where internal audit has assumed a highly professional role.”
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Kaieteur News
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
PROPERTY FOR SALE
LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Greenheart Piles - Tel: 6393450
2 Story Concrete building 45X30 with 4 rooms upstairs, 3 rooms downstairs - Tel:6796377; 667-0064
Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call: 672-2566 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 1- 500 Ton Cargo ship - Tel: 676-6933 Large Plucked Chickens $280lb retail, Pork $380lb retail @ George & Hadfield Streets. 1-2640 MF Tractor 4wd with 1 – Rome Plough 20 dish, 1CAT Satndby 3306,194KVA 3 Phase 60 Cylinder - Tel: 693-4596 Dachshund Tel:669-8421
Puppies-
New Tacoma / Tundra lights & parts, Pathfinder A/C Compressor Audi A4&A6 Visor/ mud flap – Tel:6806374. 2 – M132 Laverda Combine, 3- Pressure Pump 4x3 for gold field, 3 - 50 H/P 3 Phase Motor call: 627-0447
Dell Computers with 20" LCDs - $65,000, Laptops $49,000 – Futuretech – 2312206 4 Cylinder Perkins 4108, just from the UK – complete with radiator. Contact Stpehen:666-3080; 639-4633 One hardly used cradle $20,000 with accessories & one brand new play pen $33,000 - Call: 670-2343 Digital Canon camera 8.0 MP A720 power shot, asking $21,500 – Tel:663-2079; 2256046; 226-0011 Toyota Allion, excellent condition, mag rims & CD Deck. Price: $2M negotiable – Tel:682-3600 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, Nissan Frontier 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, DJ System - Tel:695-9807 1 Complete 4 Cylinder Kubota engine bedded - $450,000 negotiable, 1- 4 Cylinder Perkins - $300,000 – Call:6664000 or 666-9455 Now Arrived @ Fabric World 140 Regent & Light St Bourda. New & Used Story fixture e.g Four arms (Clothes Rack) Rottweiler pups for sale Contact: 639-1431 or 665-9140
Imported Rottweiler female with full pedigree Call: 685-2584
2 red nose pure breed pit-bull dogs – 1-yr-old - Tel: 660-3118
PVC Ceiling Panels, PVC Mouldings, Medallions. American Standard! – Tel: 614-8564; 629-0372
Household items: Stoves, chairs & tables, furniture, kitchen utensils, bed, large beverage cooler & more - Tel: 227-1028
2 Fishing Boat 5" Seine 36ft 48HP Yamaha, 33ft 40HP Yamaha – Phone:626-1856 Car Alternators / Starters & Amplifiers – Tel:227-8519 Pure Rottweiler pups - Tel: 650-8496 Original Games- Call:6722566 1 smoothie machine,2 ice machine- Contact:2310655,683-8734 Food cart with storage compartments, deep fryers & gas bottles - Tel: 673-5882 Fluffy Pups – Contact: 2225671; 641-6162 Kinston Memory card and flash drive – Tel:675-2239; BBM 25C58FEO Komatsu / PC200 or Doosan /225 bottom rollers - Tel: 6195357; 650-0716 3 Wheel Motor bike, large beverage cooler, Toyota 4 runner – Tel:227-1028 Owner Migrating! 1-R6 Yamaha Motorcycle – Call:674-2263
1 – 36ft Flat bottom boat - Tel: 604-0038 Compressor, Generators winch, Fridge & many more Tel: 227-8519 No Blackouts, Affordable1 inverter +2 deep cycle batteries 6 to 8 hours electricity 1 one year Tel:226 2646/ 691 9595
One three storey business property @ Middle street, Georgetown, 2 business Property on Whim Public Road Berbice - Tel: 619-7134; 225-6481 Painted 2 storey concrete building 53x26, transported property at 69 Jackson street, Daniels Town, Essequibo Coast- Call: 644-8610 Near Regent Street - $38M, Mc Doom - $19M, Lamaha Gardens -$55M – Call Diana:227-2256; 626-9382 Satya Cinema Good Faith Mahaicony – Call:641-8472 2 Income properties at bargain p r i c e - $ 4 0 M negotiable - Tel: 686-4899; 684-3718 Property for sale - Call:6275416 House For sale @ Peters Hall EBD - Price-$5M - Call: 654-3389 3 Storey wooden concrete building situated @ Broad & Charles Sts, Charlestown – Tel:677-3406 One house lot & one 3 bedrooms house in La Parafaite Harmonie & 1 three bedroom house in Bella Dam Contact:622-1782; 658-5803 Sophia - $3.2M, Queenstown - $25M, La Grange – Tel:2312199, 618-7483 Five bedrooms, 2 storey house @ Diamond H/Scheme Tel: 681-5790; 645-5462 FOR HIRE Bush Truck for hire - Tel: 6603400 CATERING Planning an event? Conference, birthday, party, wedding, graduation, anniversary, Thanks giving! Call Chef David Elisha 677-3146
Thursday March 06, 2014
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 COOL TECH: Repairs Services & Installation of all types of home appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 2332008; 675-4959 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,662-6045, 223-8115 Design Team Neher, The most dependable, professional, trustworthy landscapers in Guyana - Tel: 648-1821 or 2190468 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc – Tel:6190793; 218-0050 Masons seeking job work – Tel:678-9043 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL: 694-9843 /227-2766 Part time Accounting: Income Tax, Vat, Compliances for sale of property/vehicles. Reasonable Fees Tel: 6283652; 227-4893 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699
Virgin Coconut oil & animal feed – Tel:666-5319
Massey, Yanmar Ford 5000 Logging/ Agriculture Tractors, parts, Loader & Ford Truck- Call:615-1578/ 694-3595: Tools & Chainsaw668-2831 1 Inboard boat 215 HP Perkins engine, 52 Feet length , 50-50 gear box, working condition, price negotiable – Phone:6470699; 220-5271
CAR RENTAL FOR SALE Blow out sales on Steel Rods: ¼” ,]!”, ½” \!” Call:657-4072 Lumber Locust, Tatabu and mixed hardwoods - Contact: 600-5872; 600-1329 Natural Herbal Turmeric & Neem soap from $120 - Tel: 666-5319 1– 484 Ducati Pearl White Mint Condition - Call: 6484959
Unregistered Toyota Premio $2.450, Toyota Spacio - $2.250 Tel: 616-3001; 628-4284 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered: Premio, Runx, IST, Spacio, Fielder - Call: 652-3820; 665-4529 Toyota Tundra 4X4 $2.650M - Tel:233-6337 or 662-6024
Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com
Premio, vitz call:6797139,639-4452 Wings Car Rental - Call: 643-1131
Toyota Verossa Excellent condition – PLL Series $2.6M - Contact: 666-8492 1 NZE for sale with alarm, reverse camera, TV/DVD & Rims, very good condition Price: $1.5M – Tel:266-1723 Toyota Raum, Spacio, AT212, AT192, AT170, NZE and L- Touring wagon, Nissan E24 Caravan – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453 1 Mitsubishi Galant Car; 1 Toyota Corolla AE100 Car, 1 Honda CBR motorcycle – Call: 227-7544; 612-2542; 614-6011
2 Ton Canter with power gate, unregistered - Tel:6172891
Toyota Premio- Dark interior with TV, mags, spacio. Tel: 697-0294
2004 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 2700 CC – 4 Cylinder @ 31 Grove Housing Scheme EBD Call: 665-8933; 416-836-1466
One Verossa, with chrome rims PMM 5454, excellent condition – Call:682-3396; 665-7206; 687-3866
Toyota Marino AC, mags, CD, recently sprayed over $750,000 – Tel: 618-1047
One New Model LF/DAF dumping truck in very good working condition price negotiable – Tel:681-5988; 675-5448
Chevy Cargo Van, Ford 150 & Toyota Tundra - Tel: 227-8519 1 Nissan laurel Car - $350,000, 1 American made Saturn Jeep L-hand drive, stick gear – $2.5M – Call:677-3406 1 – F150, 1 – New Model 212 – Call:621-8129 CHEAPEST: - Pitbull, manual buses, CRV, Allion – Tel:616-7635 Madza 2 PLL series; leathered upholstery, BMW 318i PMM series, Toyota Corolla Axio PRR series. Excellent condition - Contact: 600-1329
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154
2008 Fielder & Axio, fully loaded with bodykit, rims, TV/DVD unregistered - Tel: 617-2891 First Class Auto: Avensis, Allion, IST, 212, Premio, Spacio, Raum, Passo, Fielder, Verossa -Call:6098188; 602-6307 Unregistered Toyota Sienta (2004), Raum - 2004 & Spacio -2003 – Tel:617-5536 One Toyota Super Custom – 1K2 BLL – Telephone #6091138 1 Toyota Rav4 old model , good condition (Selling cheap) – Tel:687-1392 One Mazda Axela, PPP series. Excellent Condition Price:$2.1M negotiable - Call: 623-3726 Tundra GPP, fully powered, AC, 4 wheel drive – Price: $1.6M – Call:654-3389 One Primo – Unregistered, Price: $2.550M – Contact: 225-5082 110 Corolla new model, crystal Lights, CD, AC, good condition - $850,000 – Tel:618-1047
Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Untouchable Car Rental: Low Rate , Low Deposit call:231-8653,621-6827
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Toyota Fun Cargo, RZ minibus, IST, 4X4 Hilux pickup Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super customs. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154
Mixed pit-bull – Tel:618-5220
Almost new gas 6500 Watts, Honda generator on wheels - $430,000, the other 1 is a 4300 watts Honda – Call:407599-3775
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Foden 20 ton double axel dump truck – Telephone:648-6871
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist T r a i n e d & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
1 -212 - $1.3M negotiable, 1 grand Cherokee - $1.5M, Two 250 night hawk & one 750 night hawk – Call:2653024; 265-4454; 663-8639 (Continued on page 23)
Thursday March 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
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President seeks Army's support on AML Bill From page 12 deal with that; anyhow the joint opposition has the majority in the Parliament, they can bring it back anytime they wish; and I have assured them if they bring it back after CFATF pronounce that it (Bill) is compliant, then I will assent to those (other) Bills.” Brigadier Mark Phillips in his inaugural address to the senior ranks as Chief of Staff had earlier stated that the Army will refrain from partisan politics. He said, “As military officers, we subordinate ourselves to the rule of law, civilian control of the GDF and refrain from participating in partisan politics. For us, what is of major importance is the need for balance between civilian control and military effectiveness in the defence of and maintenance of order in Guyana.” The COS's statement had come minutes before the President requested support and days after Opposition Leader David Granger had an audience with the army leader. That visit sparked criticism from the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) led government, with the party's Gen-
eral Secretary and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee questioning the motive behind Granger's visit and his pledged support for allocations to the Defence Force in the upcoming 2014 budget. Granger a retired Brigadier, party executive Joseph Harmon, also a former GDF officer and former Police Commissioner Winston Felix had met with the COS after Guyana was fingered with affiliates of the international mafia who were busted in the United States more than a month ago. President Donald Ramotar had instructed Rohee to acquire information from the Americans about Guyana's connection to the mafia. On the other hand, a report on the AML Bill was supposed to be presented to CFATF by February 28 last. That report was submitted but showed that Guyana had not passed the legislation. While the Opposition maintains that the Bill cannot be passed without the necessary amendments, the Government has urged the country to brace itself for all-round repercussions in the financial spectrum. EDUCATIONAL Do you want to live & work in Canada? Train as a live in caregiver, Canadian Standards – Tel:592-2274881; 416-674-7973
VACANCY
LAND FOR SALE
1 Female sales clerk. Qualifications and experienced needed – Call:227-8894; 674-8833
2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at ParikaCall:226-7968
Two Joiners to work in Workshop - Tel:610-7005; 219-1342 Accounts Clerk / Marketing – 5 CXC subjects, knowledge of QuickBooks, valid driver license – Call:592-681-3619 Live in housekeeper to care for one infant –30-45 years – Call:697-8797 Vacancy exist for 2 pharmacy assistant in a reputable pharmacy located in Kitty. Interested persons please call: 641-3240/609-9829 for more information. Salesgirls to work evening shift and bond attendants/ porters @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street.
Beautiful 2 bedroom apartment located @ Timehri Call:658-4754
DRESS-MAKING Courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration - Tel:670-2653; 618-1706 We Design and sew ladies wear within 3 days - Call Sharmela : 626-2629; 676-6312. FOR RENT Beautiful Diamond, Republic Park, Lamaha Gardens – Tel:231-2199; 618-7483 5 Acre land with house to lease - $95,000 for month – Email: gzplayter@ol.com Tel:407-599-3775 Hair station to rent, professional hairdresser with client -$7,000 weekly – Call:645-9266
Herstelling Residential $4M Negotiable – Tel:6543389 Land (100X50) @ Paradise, East Coast Demerara, Last Street - Tel:619-5357; 650-0716
Needed: Operator Securities. Apply in person to B.M Enterprise Inc, Guyana Fisheries Wharf Limited Houston, E.B.D. Factory Assistants and Security Guards for Land of Canaan location. 266 4427
Attractive Salon Space to rent, front Spot on Public Road, Vreed-En-Hoop – Contact:626-8051
Romrima Trust for sale @ W.B.D – Tel:652-3707
Sawmill workers – Tel:6539752. Van Driven, Arc/ Acetylene welder, live in couple , domestic/caretaking duties 227-1830
One semi furnished 2 storey 2 bedrooms house at Plantation Walk Vreed-EnHoop, W.B.D -$40,000 – No Parking – Tel: 616-0111
TO LET Furnished Apartments for Overseas Visitors – Contact: 668-5198 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6193660,639-4452 Fully Furnished apartments in Ogle USD$650 - $1,400 Call: 622-7236 Secured Concrete bond 87’X32’, lots of yard space suitable for CarMart Public Road McDoom: Tel: 2330570 FOR SALE/RENT American pool table – Tel: 227-0578; 685-9714
Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869
1 Ice-Cream van driver – Ages 40yrs to 55yrs – Call:218-3021 2 Salesgirls, must be experienced – Tel:668-0159 or 639-3036 1 Male Bahier - $80,000 monthly; workers for land dredge – Tel:694-2310 Live in , live out babysitter – Tel:225-6070 Shop assistant to work in the interior age 25-40 salary $75,000 monthly – Callers must Call:664-5199; 675-7043 (9am-6Pm) 2 Experienced salesgirl $15,000 per week – Call:2239677
MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call: 678-7499
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Professional hairdresser needed urgently at Miskkio Salon & Spa @ 68 Sandy Babb St Kitty – Contact Tricia: 647-5908
The Gents Spa: Deep tissue, Swedish massages, sport massage, aromatherapy, body scrubs Call:657-5979
Live in housekeeper & babysitter – Age 35yrs & up Tel:222-6001; 619-2388
One and two bedrooms furnished apartments situated at South Ruimveldt Price $500USD and $800USD Call: 601-9323; 649-2251 Lot 109 Block AA Eccles – 4 bedrooms: AC, fully furnished – Good Price – Contact:689-0610
General Domestic, cleaner – Contact:609-1535; 227-8529
Upholsterer, joiners, spray painter & handyman – Contact:225-6810; 660-5190
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Contract Cars and drivers, attractive base fee - Call:6131847
Parafaite Harmonie with foundations (20ftX30ft) $1.5M – Tel:675-7292
Ultravoilet Driving School – Contact:231-2372;6022583;658-4015
Place for rent in Parika: Top Flat (60"X20") suitable for office, computer classes, etc – Contact:260-4609; 6944609
Market Constable – Call:2208110; 663-6282 during working hours (8am-4pm)
Drivers with lorry licence. Apply @ Wieting & Richter Ltd.
Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 689-5997, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
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House lots for sale on the West Bank of Demerara Harbour Bridge in Harbourville Schoonord- Contact:650-0402
(From page 28)
One welder and one spray painter - Tel:228-5655; 628-1756 Drivers to work labour lorry at Enmore Estate – Tel:2285655; 628-1756
PEN PAL Indian Male is seeking female for friendship, age 2630 years - Call: 695-8528 (Mike) Overseas male is seeking female 29yrs & up – Call:6613299 (no Texting)
One hire car driver – 35years and older from West Bank or West Coast Demerara – Tel:616-0111. Husband and wife to work on farm at Kuru Kururu, Linden Highway – Age:40-55 – Tel:225-4708 Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie – Tel:675-7292
WANTED Rangers. Must have experienced reading maps and using GPS – Contact:223-5273/4 Live in Domestic must know to cook Indian dishes & live in waitress - $50,000 (boarding & lodging free) – Tel:610-5043 1 PMM- PPP Toyota IST Tel: 642-6664 One Experienced daycare attendant, between 25-45 years old - Contact:614-4005 Experienced Cashiers to work @ supermarket on the East Coast, Age 25-50yrs – Call:642-1141 Pump attendants and cashier @ Shell Mc Doom Gas Station – Call:627-2550; 699-7782 1 Female – Experienced in drawing cones from machine. Good wages – Tel:227-1830 Wallaba posts, greenheart and bullet wood lumber (milled sawn preferably) Tel: 600-5872; 600-1329 1 Female sales person to work in meat outlet in Georgetown - Tel: 266-2711; 609-4594 Carpenter/Mason with small family to work on livestock farm on EBD all accommodations provided Tel: 266-2711; 609-4594
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Corruption laws not effectively implemented Guyana’s Ambassador selected to push in Guyana - US State Dept. Report UN’s developmental financing program Although the laws of Guyana provides for criminal penalties for corruption by officials, Government however, did not implement these effectively. This was one of the major concerns which were highlighted in the US Human Rights Report which was recently r e l e a s e d b y t h e State Department. Corruption, according to the Report, remained a widespread public perception involving officials at all levels, including the police and the judiciary. Even the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators have assessed that Government corruption was a serious problem. Even though under the Constitution, there’s the Office of the Auditor General, Public Procurement Commission (PPC), and the Integrity Commission which all have mandated roles in the area of government transparency and accountability, two are yet to be established. According to the Report, the Office of the Auditor General scrutinizes the expenditure of public funds on behalf of Parliament and conducts financial audits of all publicly funded entities, including donor-funded entities, local government agencies, and trade unions, and reports to the National Assembly. It notes however, that the
work and effectiveness of the Audit Office remained limited, since Government may or may not act on the discrepancies noted in its reports. Moreover, the Constitution has called for the establishment of a PPC to monitor public procurement and ensure that authorities conduct the procurement of goods and services in a fair, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective manner. There has been significant public criticism of the present system’s ineffectiveness in awarding Government contracts in an equitable and transparent manner. Under pressure from Opposition parties in Parliament, the Government promised to establish the PPC by June 2012; however, it has not done so to date. The Report stressed that there is no law which provides protection for public or private employees who make internal disclosures of evidence of illegality or corrupt practices in corporate governance. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Public officials are subject to financial disclosure laws and are required to submit information about personal assets to the Integrity Commission, but there is no clear indication when the Commission will actually be functional. In June 2012 the National Assembly approved a Government
motion that members submit annual declarations in keeping with provisions of the Integrity Act, but compliance was uneven, and the Commission had no resources for enforcement or investigations. The Act sets out both criminal and administrative sanctions for nondisclosure. If a person fails to file a declaration, the fact can be published in the daily newspapers and the official Gazette. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a summary conviction, fines, and imprisonment for six to 12 months. If property was not disclosed as it should have been, the magistrate convicting the defendant must order the defendant to make a full disclosure within a set time. There was no such publication or convictions during the year, the Report noted. PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION: A 2011 Access to Information Act, intended to promote transparency and accountability within the Government and public institutions, provided for persons to secure access to information under the control of public authorities and for the appointment of a commissioner of information. As of October, the Government had not issued implementing regulations nor appointed a commissioner.
In what Guyana says is a major boost for its respect on the international scene, the Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador George Talbot, has been selected to help that body develop a future program for developmental financing. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway’s UN representative, Ambassador Geir Pedersen, will also be teaming up with Talbot on the project. They have both been mandated to conduct inclusive and transparent inter-governmental consultations, with the participation of major institutional stakeholders, on all issues related to the forthcoming third international conference on financing for development, including the date, format, organisation and scope of the conference. The conference will likely be held in 2015, the Ministry said. With the United Nations currently working on the post2015 development agenda as a successor to the Millennium Development Goals framework that anchored the Organisation’s work in development since 2000, an agreement on the means of implementation, including on financing, will be critical to the efficacy and successful implementation of the new
Ambassador George Talbot agenda. The UN, headquartered in New York, is an intergovernmental organization established on October 24th, 1945 to promote international co-operation. It has more than 190 countries as its members. According to the Foreign Ministry, the financing for development conference is expected to provide a holistic framework for mobilizing resources from a variety of sources and for the effective use of financing for the achievement of the sustainable development goals that will be at the core of the post-2015 development agenda. Public financing, including official
development assistance (ODA), will remain a key component of global financing for development. “The leveraging of financing from other sources, including new private sector investments, unlocking domestic resources, harnessing trade flows and curbing illicit outflows will be among the important questions that the conference will address,” the Ministry explained. “Guyana’s appointment is a reflection of the respect that the country enjoys at the United Nations, in particular on issues of sustainable development. It affords a special opportunity to contribute to the effort to update and strengthen the multilateral financing framework that could help to translate the post-2015 development agenda into meaningful outcomes for member countries.” This latest GuyanaNorway collaboration at the multilateral level follows on the already established bilateral cooperation arrangement between the two countries in the promotion of sustainable development and the combat of climate change. Both countries have signed a ground-breaking agreement for US$250M that will see oil-rich Norway releasing funds for developmental programs.
Senior UG officials to meet third ... From page 20) students, since they have already completed the Certificate Programme, they should instead be allowed to continue with the regular programme as was designed from the inception. They disclosed that it was brought to their attention that the revised programme is now for three years and as such any teacher who did not do the ADE programme, and is registering for this programme, will complete their degree at the end of the third year. However, those teachers, they said, would not have the summer compulsory during the first year, as for the remaining two years. “It is yet to be seen whether the UG administration will enforce the compulsory summer or is it just applicable for the third year continuing students?” the students in their missive questioned. They pointed out too that since the summer courses are compulsory for them they will also incur additional expenses characterised by an increase of fee from $127,000 to $172,750. They also anticipate that the programme will demand more time away from their families and social life. “Even though these changes were forced upon us, the administration at the University has
failed to properly plan to facilitate the changes. This has been reflected in the timetable since planned courses such as Introduction to Literacy Studies (ERE4102) and Introduction to Special Needs Education (ESE4101) has no lecturer to date. As a matter of fact, it has been inconvenient for the continuing students of the said programme to turn up for classes for six weeks without even having any lecturer. This is a waste of money and time,” the students highlighted. Added to this, this publication was informed that the course, Teaching of Mathematics at the Early Childhood and Primary Level, which is optional for the final year students, is now compulsory for the third year students. They disclosed that they turn up for classes only to be told by the lecturer that she is not aware of the change. The situation, the students said, has caused them to become “frustrated and disgusted.” But in order to continue their classes, they claimed that they decided to join classes with the final year students which turned out to be a “cramped” situation since classes were held in a very small room. “Daily we have to search for and fetch chairs to our classes and
force ourselves into very small rooms just to be part of a class,” they complained. “This is the limit.As third year continuing students, we wish to remind you that we are paying for our tuition and as such wish to be treated with utmost respect and dignity. Furthermore, we wish to have the original courses for the planned programme and not the revised courses that were forced upon us without any consideration,” the students' letter to the Vice Chancellor stated. Although the letter was sent to Professor Opadeyi in October of last year and a promise was made to investigate and respond to their concerns, the students were not until a few days ago able to engage him. This was done with the support of President of the University's Students Society, Richard Rambarran, who confirmed to this publication yesterday that a meeting has been arranged for next week Monday, at which time senior university officials will review the concerns of the students. The students on Monday last staged protest action outside the Education Faculty to highlight their concerns, a few hours after meeting the Vice Chancellor in the company of Rambarran.
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Russia rebuffs West on Crimea amid Paris talks (Reuters) - Russia rebuffed Western demands to withdraw forces in Ukraine’s Crimea region to their bases yesterday amid a day of highstakes diplomacy in Paris aimed at easing tensions over Ukraine and averting the risk of war. The European Union offered Ukraine’s new proWestern government 11 billion euros in financial aid in the next couple of years provided Kiev reaches a deal with the International Monetary Fund. Germany, the EU’s biggest economy, also promised bilateral financial help. Ukraine’s new finance minister, Oleksander Shlapak, caused a fall in the Ukrainian bond and currency markets by saying his economically shattered country may start talks with creditors on restructuring its foreign currency debt. A U.N. special envoy had to abandon a mission to Crimea after being stopped by armed men and besieged inside a cafe by a hostile crowd shouting “Russia! Russia!” Dutch diplomat Robert Serry agreed to leave
Ukrainian servicemen march away, after negotiations with Russian troops at the Belbek Sevastopol International Airport in the Crimea region. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
Crimea to end the stand-off. And the U.S. Defence Department, in an apparent attempt to signal resolve to Moscow, announced military measures to support eastern European NATO allies adjoining Russia and Ukraine. Russia and the West are locked in the most serious battle since the end of the Cold War for influence in Ukraine, a former Soviet
republic with historic ties to Moscow that is a major commodities exporter and strategic link between East and West. Ukraine pulled out of a trade deal with the EU under Russian pressure last year, sparking months of protests in Kiev and the February 22 ouster of President Viktor Yanukovich, a Russian ally. Ukraine says Russia has occupied Crimea, where its
Black Sea fleet is based, provoking an international outcry and sharp falls in financial markets on Monday, though they have since stabilised. The foreign ministers of Russia, the United States, Britain, and Germany met their French counterpart and French President Francois Hollande in Paris to try to start a diplomatic process to defuse the crisis.
But diplomats said it was not clear whether Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would take the crucial step of attending talks with Ukraine’s new foreign minister, a member of a government Moscow has described as illegitimate. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry left the meeting at Hollande’s office without making any statement. Earlier, Lavrov repeated Moscow’s assertion ridiculed by the West - that the troops that have seized control of the Black Sea peninsula are not under Russian command. Asked whether Moscow would order forces in Crimea back to their bases, Lavrov told a questioner in Madrid: “If you mean the self-defence units created by the inhabitants of Crimea, we give them no orders, they take no orders from us. “As for the military personnel of the Black Sea Fleet, they are in their deployment sites. Yes, additional vigilance measures were taken to safeguard the sites . . . We w i l l d o everything not to allow any
bloodshed.” Russia did not attend a meeting with Kerry, British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia of the so-called Budapest group created to assure Ukraine’s security after it abandoned nuclear weapons in 1994. But Kerry and Hague said they would try to bring the Russian and Ukrainian ministers together later in the day. Poland’s foreign minister tweeted that he would attend a meeting in Paris with those two ministers plus the United States, Germany, Britain, France and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). But there was no confirmation that all sides would attend the session, which could be the first step in a diplomatic mediation process. NATO and Russia were holding talks in Brussels amid concerns that a standoff between Russian and Ukrainian forces in Crimea could still spark violence, or that Moscow could also intervene in Russianspeaking eastern Ukraine.
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World Bank helps Jamaica tackle youth unemployment Jamaica Gleaner - The World Bank has moved decisively to introduce novel avenues of investment in a bid to combat youth unemployment as well as resuscitate Jamaica’s ailing economy. In so doing, the World Bank said it was focusing renewed attention on investment-starved Jamaica as it seeks to introduce fresh initiatives that it believes can assist in propelling the country out of the economic abyss in which it has found itself. The World Bank’s Fabio Pittaluga told The Gleaner that his organisation was particularly concerned about the crippling levels of youth unemployment in Jamaica. “We are here to provide innovative solutions for our client, which is Jamaica, that has a huge problem with high youth unemployment, and the traditional markets whether it’s agriculture, tourism or the manufacturing
Fabio Pittaluga sector - are not necessarily going to generate the kinds of jobs needed to provide a viable set of options for young people,” said Pittaluga. He said it was against this backdrop that the World Bank’s Digital Jam 3.0 was initiated. Scores of Jamaican youth were in attendance at the conference on the weekend,
with Pittaluga expressing satisfaction with the outcome. Sharon McDade, an invitee of the World Bank, told The Gleaner she brought a revised concept of ‘angel investing’, targeting people who are desirous of starting new businesses but are not being given the time of day by traditional financial institutions. She suggested that a system be put in place where Jamaicans with some degree of wealth could establish entities dubbed ‘angel networks’ to assist budding entrepreneurs. To this end, McDade has addressed a group of private citizens in Jamaica, with high net worth, who can assist Jamaica out of its dire straits without struggling for overseas investment alone. In addition to financing start-up business activities, McDade said the ‘angels’ could also invest in privately held businesses that possess real opportunities.
CARICOM concerned over developments in Ukraine
GEORGETOWN, Guyana - CMC – The 15-member regional integration grouping, CARICOM yesterday said it was ‘deeply concerned” at the ongoing political developments in Ukraine and called for an end to the tensions to prevent possible bloodshed. “The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is deeply concerned by the recent developments in Ukraine and calls on all parties involved, to act with self-restraint and responsibility in order to reduce tensions and avoid destabilisation in that region,” the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said in a statement. It said CARICOM “supports the people of Ukraine in their efforts to settle their differences peacefully, and calls for the respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “In this regard, the Community also calls for the use of international mediation and/or negotiations, to address security and human rights concerns in Ukraine, under the auspices of the United Nations. “The Caribbean
Community will continue to monitor developments within Ukraine and hopes for peace and calm as political and economic stability are restored within that country.” The United States and Russia are expected to hold talks on easing East-West tension over Ukraine on Wednesday. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet face-to-face for the first time since the crisis escalated, after a conference in Paris attended by all five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. NATO and Russia will hold parallel talks in Brussels amid concerns that a standoff between Russian and Ukrainian soldiers in Crimea could still spark violence, or that Moscow could also intervene in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday defended Russia’s actions in Crimea, a strategic Black Sea peninsula that is part of Ukraine but used to be Russian territory, and said he would use force only as a last resort.
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Venezuela marks year without Chavez amid protests Caracas (AFP) Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro pumped his fist as he led a parade marking one year since Hugo Chavez died yesterday, celebrating a leader whose revolution is facing persistent protests. Standing in an open-top limousine, Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores waved at crowds of supporters as they rolled along the Avenue of Heroes in Caracas, trailed later by tanks, combat helicopters and soldiers. The crowd sang the national anthem in chorus with a recording of Chavez’s booming voice, some choking back tears for the former colonel they remember as their “eternal comandante.” Anti-government students and the opposition sought to rain on the parade but their protest in Caracas was smaller than the thousands who marched Tuesday and in previous days. Some 300 people rallied in the capital’s wealthier east side, where radical protesters built barricades with tree stumps, trash and furniture to disrupt traffic in several streets. At least 18 people have died since early February during anti-government protests that Maduro has denounced as a US-backed
Opposition demonstrators take part in a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro government in Caracas yesterday. (AFP Photo/Leo Ramirez ) plot by “fascists” to overthrow him. “I have received calls expressing support for the people of Venezuela, especially for this first anniversary, a special anniversary,” Maduro said. Then he announced an unspecified number of arrests of suspects he accused of trying to commit sabotage on bridges and highways. The protests have posed the biggest challenge to
Maduro’s young presidency, though analysts say his government remains sturdy enough to withstand the pressure. “The protests are a whim by the opposition to make the government fall, but they won’t succeed,” said Dubraska Graterol, a 24-yearold government worker in the crowd viewing the parade. Foreign dignitaries, including Cuba’s President Raul Castro and his fellow
leftist Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales, were on hand for the ceremony. Earlier, Castro laid a white
rose on Chavez’s marble tomb in the Mountain Barracks which sit atop the hillside January 23 slum, renowned as a stronghold of government support. One of Chavez’s Hollywood fans, US filmmaker Oliver Stone, will premiere his documentary “My Friend Hugo” on the government-funded Telesur network. After 14 years in power, Chavez lost his battle with cancer on March 5, 2013, at the age of 58, leaving behind a country sharply divided by his oil-funded socialist revolution. His image is on billboards and walls throughout Caracas while his speeches can be heard on national TV or speakers blasting from the January 23 slum. Chavez retains a religious-like following among his supporters. Maduro himself refers to his mentor’s “physical departure,” suggesting that his spirit lives
on. While the protests have concentrated on the capital’s east side, the western slums remain government bastions, but some Chavistas say Maduro’s fate is linked to the revolution that Chavez started. “As long as he fulfills the legacy that he (Chavez) left behind, I say that people will be satisfied and happy. If he doesn’t keep it up, he won’t go very far,” said Angela Sandoval, a 35-year-old resident of the January 23 slum. Chavez’s handpicked successor was elected by a razor-thin margin in April l a s t y e a r, d e f e a t i n g opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who cried foul and refused to recognize the results. “The government is stable, though not as strong as a year ago,” Carlos Romero, political science professor at the Central University of Venezuela, told AFP.
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Kemar Roach on the road to recovery Barbados Advocate Bridgetown, Barbados Barbados and West Indies fast bowler, Kemar Roach, is just about ready to don the colours of the high-profile teams raring to get back out on the pitch. After being forced to withdraw from the West Indies tour of India last year due to a shoulder injury, Roach has been biding his time at home in Barbados. Making his last appearance for the Brisbane Heat in the Champions League T20 in September last year, Roach had to bow out of the November tour before
bowling a single ball. Touted to spearhead the pace attack for the Windies in the sub-continent, Roach was on a plane back home ahead of the start of the second Test match in Mumbai. Taking some time out on Tuesday evening, Roach paid a visit to his alma mater, Ignatius Byer Primary, to drop morsels of wisdom and encouragement on the youngsters in the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme. Himself a product of the initiative, Roach was the first member to move on to play for the West Indies. Speaking
to The Barbados Advocate during his visit, Roach explained that he was recovering from his injury and decided to make the most of his downtime by giving something back to his old school. “I had a surgery on my shoulder. I had a broken bone and that was repaired in November. I’m still recovering and will be soon back to full fitness, so it is good to come out and get out with the kids and have some fun for a little bit. It’s been a while,” he said. Noting that he had been healing well, Roach said that he would be making himself
Thursday March 06, 2014 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Jumping to conclusions as you so often do is not such a good idea today. Talk to the people you are introduced to; they could be helpful in your career or in some other way. **************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): If competing for the attention of anyone who can help you climb the ladder of success, your practical mood will impress. Discussions regarding your professional interests will go the way you’re hoping. **************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): If you work in journalism, communications, teaching or travel, past efforts now bear fruit. Your success could mean someone else will fail. For this reason, don’t let it go to your head. **************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): To be fair on yourself and your partner, you need to discuss buried hurt or hidden sexual tensions. Being resentful without saying why will do nothing to help your relationship. Instead of keeping your feelings locked inside bring them out into the open. **************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): A frank response to a direct question is not always a wise option. You’re inclined to be candid and give honest answers but is this what people really want? **************************** VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): A burst of physical energy makes you feel on top of the world. Ideas flow in abundance. You are thinking big and aiming high. Confidence in yourself makes you forceful and dramatic.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): A colleague is going through a hard time, they’re looking for someone to hold accountable. Be sure they don’t start blaming you. **************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Some form of crisis or calamity at home makes for a dramatic start to the day. The effort needed to sort order out of chaos helps divert your mind from a stressful career matter you’d also wanted sorted out. **************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): You will be called on to make some snap decisions and you may have to tell a lie to save face in business. It’s amazing how quickly your mind can work when there’s a need to avoid an argument or potential problem. **************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Recognition for your efforts of over the past two weeks could come in the form of a gift or a boost in income. You should feel proud that this is a reward for hard work carried out to the best of your ability. **************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): You find yourself at an emotional cul-de-sac, wondering about your feelings for someone and your joint goals. You aren’t used to such strong emotions and this makes it difficult to think logically. **************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): A friend is willing to help you tie-up some loose ends in your private life if you will let them. They may have contacts in the right places or knowledge that will help put an end to a matter that has been on your mind.
available for selection as soon as he was ready to roll again. “The recovery has been going well. I have been doing all of my fitness stuff, all of my therapy. I have been in the gym pretty heavy for the last two weeks. It feels good and hopefully I can be fully fit to perform for Barbados and the West Indies again. It’s up to them to select me, so I am making myself available for the end of this month,” he said.
Australia beat South... From page 33 began for me many years ago, the people of Cape Town have been so supportive. It felt it was the perfect place to finish my career.” Australia captain Michael Clarke has now seen his side win seven of their last eight Tests after they went on a run of nine without a win in the middle of 2013. “Graeme has been an amazing player and a fantastic leader for a long time,” said Clarke. “The game is a sad place for him retiring.” Scores: Australia 494 for 7 dec and 303 for 5 dec beat South Africa 287 and 265 (Philander 51*, Harris 4-32, Johnson 3-92) by 245 runs.
England survive... From page 31 one towering six, was caught backing up too far. However, when Ramdin crunched the first three balls of the 48th over for six, four, four it was not beyond the realms he could finish the game himself. Then Bresnan remembered one of cricket’s longstanding limited-overs deliveries. It was an untidy finish for England but, after the six months they have had, they will take a series win however it comes. Summary Scores: England Innings: 303/6 (50 Overs). Joe Root 107, Jos Butler+ 99, Moeen Ali 55, Michael Lumb 20; Dwayne Bravo* 10-0-60-3, Nikita Miller 10-0-48-1, Sunil Narine 10-1-52-1, Ravi Rampaul 10-0-55-1. West Indies Innings: 178 All Out (47.4 Overs). Denesh Ramdin+ 128, Dwayne Bravo* 27, Darren Sammy 24, Marlon Samuels 23; T Bresnan 4.4-0-45-3, Stuart Broad 9-0-58-2, Moeen Ali 1-0-5-1, Ravi Bopara 3-0-18-1. RESULT: ENGLAND WON BY 25 RUNS.
Kemar Roach
WITNESS: Pistorius... From page 27 Thokozile Masipa. Besides denying murder, Pistorius, who had his disabled lower legs amputated as a baby and now runs on carbon fiber prosthetic “blades”, has pleaded not guilty to the Tashas gun charge. He is also accused of putting a bullet through the sun roof of a former girlfriend’s car in a separate incident. The trial is being
broadcast daily on live television, a first for South Africa, although most witnesses have asked for their faces not to be shown to protect their identity. Johnson, the neighbor, said on Wednesday he had received “intimidating” phone calls the previous night from people who had heard his phone number read out in court during his wife’s earlier cross-examination.
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School Reps attending Neymar scores hat-trick as Brazil thrash SA 2-day GBV Workshop By Rawle Welch Representatives of the twenty-four schools currently participating in the Milo/Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition began attending a two-day Gender-based Violence (GBV) Workshop which opened yesterday in the Boardroom of the Ministry of Health on Brickdam. The Workshop, which is being facilitated by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in association with the Ministry of Health and the Petra Organisation as part of its attempt to spread the message on Gender-based Violence and its eradication, saw in attendance CDC Official Nicolette Henry, Adolescent Health Rep Dr. Ertenisia Hamilton, Coordinator of GBV Unit of the Ministry of Health Joy Gravesande and Petra Org. Directors Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole. Cole, who made the opening remarks, likened the behaviour to a scourge that was affecting the society at large and even pointed to some of the reports in the dailies of domestic violence as clear evidence of the need to host such a Forum. According to Cole, the Workshop is hugely important and timely and urged the participants to make full use of the opportunity and grasp as much information as possible so that they could return to their respective schools and then disseminate what was taught to the students. “This Workshop is not
only for the coaches’ benefit, but we expect them to return to their schools and impart what was taught to the students,” Cole said. He then thanked the CDC and Ministry of Health for their support in making the Workshop a reality, while recognising the importance of the practicum which according to him has come at a time when Guyana and the wider Caribbean is struggling to grapple with the increasing prevalence of GBV. Henry in her presentation said how pleased she was to be part of the Workshop as one of the stakeholders along with the Ministry and informed that in recent times there has been a great increase in effort nationally to highlight the issue. She praised the Ministry for its concentrated focus in trying to combat GBV and hoped that the combined efforts of the various stakeholders contribute significantly in dispelling myths. “I hope our efforts will help everyone understand that GBV is more than simple physical violence and we want our whole community to appreciate the fact that men are a significant share of the victims. We aspire to create broader understanding that GBV has a significant cost in developed and developing countries alike,” Henry shared. She added that while women are a large majority of the victims of GBV and are also leading the fight to eliminate the global epidemic it must be recognised that all the groups (boys, girls, men
and women) will need to work together to eradicate the problem. Henry welcomed the opportunity to engage members of the target group and to address what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. “We can think of a million examples where if we provide men with a little more information, a few more skills, a bit of encouragement, they themselves can be far more supportive, communicative and caring for their sexual partners and family members. It is not rocket science, but still it isn’t happening on a significant scale. Today’s Workshop is meant to address that.” Dr. Hamilton for her part spoke of the Ministry’s joy in being a partner in the initiative and even recognised the efforts of the CDC in getting the message about GBV off the ground. She opined that since youths are actively involved in sports, the Workshop presents a fertile avenue for the various stakeholders to take advantage of. Dr. Hamilton informed that they would be using the two-day exercise to educate the participants who will then be expected to return to their schools and spread the message and empower the youths. She closed by saying that the team will be working assiduously to remove GBV from our society, while the Ministry is delighted to know that there are other stakeholders out there who’re willing to stand up for the cause. The Workshop concludes today.
Port Mourant Turf Club, Horse Owners Association Meet set for March 16 With the racing season truly on, the Port Mourant Turf Club in association with the Guyana Horse Owners Association has organised a grand one day horserace meet scheduled for Sunday March 16 at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne, Berbice. Seven events are slated for the day with most of the country’s top horses already entered in what is expected to be an exciting day of racing. Over $8M is at stake in cash and trophies. The feature event is for horses classified D and lower for a hefty prize of $1 million over a distance of one mile.
The co-feature event is for Three-year-old Guyana and West Indies bred horses that are set to compete over 1300m for $5000,000. The top animal in the Four-year-old Guyana and West Indies bred event will race away with $500,000 over 1500m. The highly anticipate F and lower event also over 1500M fetches a winning take of $500,000. There is an event for animals classified G3 West Indies Maiden and Guyana Open over 1200m for a $400,000 first prize. The animals running in the ‘I’ and Lower 1000M sprint will gallop for the
$250,000 winners pocket. The final event is for animals classified J and Lower over1200M for a $200,000 purse. Entries are expected to close on Monday March 10th. The top individual performers including top jockey, trainer and stable will collect accolades compliments of the Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and the organisers. Interested persons are asked to contact C. Ramnauth on 337-5311, Rajendra (Jim Jo) 618-7278 and Chandu Ramkissoon on 232-0633/6249063 for registration and further information. (Samuel Whyte)
Neymar scored a hat-trick to help Brazil beat South Africa. (Reuters) BBC Sport - A Neymar hat-trick helped Brazil to a seventh successive win as they thrashed South Africa in Johannesburg. The Barcelona striker, 22, fired in an angled drive after Oscar had chipped the 2002 World Cup winners ahead. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side changed from a yellow to blue strip at half-time and Neymar scored from a tight angle 26 seconds after the break. Willian and Dani Alves went close, Fernandinho scored from long-range and Neymar combined with Jo for his third. Neymar, Barcelona’s record-signing, hit an international hat-trick in an 80 win over China in 2012. His second treble came 99 days before the start of the World Cup in Brazil and the
five-time winners kept up their impressive form ahead of the tournament in devastating fashion at Soccer City. Manager Scolari suffered a testing run of form after succeeding Mano Menezes as manager in November 2012, but has now guided Brazil to 13 victories in 14 matches - a run which saw them win the Confederations Cup. They go into this summer’s World Cup as favourites and face Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon in Group A. South Africa - World Cup hosts in 2010 - contributed to their visitors’ early dominance with some lacklustre defending and Chelsea’s Oscar latched onto Hulk’s pass to lift the ball over goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Neymar was denied by a tipped save, but doubled the
advantage on 41 minutes with a driven shot from the left side of the area. The former Santos front man coolly lifted the ball over Williams when one-on-one for his second and Willian came within inches of adding Brazil’s fourth just seconds later as his shot flew wide. Fernandinho, playing in his sixth game for the national side, notched a first international goal when he pounced on a poor clearance to smash home from outside the box. And Brazil - who get the 2014 World Cup under way against Croatia in Sao Paulo completed the scoring when Neymar linked with former Manchester City striker Jo to condemn South Africa to their biggest ever home defeat.
Scotland battle to win in Poland From page 35 bounced awkwardly in front of goal. Poland were in the ascendancy, but the visitors created arguably the best opening of the first half shortly after Slawomir Peszko and Brown had been booked for an altercation in midfield. Right-back Alan Hutton burst into the six-yard box only to have his driven cross cut out by Szczesny as Ikechi Anya and Steven Fletcher waited in the middle. Darren Fletcher replaced James Morrison at the break, the Manchester United midfielder ending a 16-month absence from international football through illness, while Steven Naismith came on for Steven Fletcher. The home side remained keen on shooting from outside the box, but neither Peszko nor Obraniak could trouble Marshall in the
opening minutes of the second period. Scotland threatened when Naismith cut back for Ross McCormack on the edge of the box, but the Leeds forward’s tame effort was blocked by Lukasz Piszcek. Glik should have headed the Poles ahead from Obraniak’s teasing free-kick delivery but instead nodded wide. Milik was similarly frustrated when he latched on to a hoisted pass only to lift his shot over. The next phase of substitutions afforded a Scotland debut to Dundee United’s Andrew Robertson, the 19year-old left-back who was playing in the lowest tier of senior Scottish football with Queen’s Park a year ago. Robertson was soon celebrating with his new team-
mates as the Scots took the lead. Charlie Mulgrew’s header from Anya’s cross was cleared to the hovering Brown, who blasted in a left-foot shot with Szczesny rooted to the spot. Poland were stunned and pressed hard in the closing stages without carving out any clear openings. Eugen Polanski did muster a shot on target in stoppage time, but Marshall was once again well placed to block. IN OTHER RESULTS: Cyprus 0 - 0 Northern Ireland R. of Ireland 1 - 2 Serbia Wales 3 - 1 Iceland England 1 - 0 Denmark Georgia 2 - 0 Liechtenstein Russia 2 - 0 Armenia Azerbaijan 1 - 0 Philippines Lithuania 1 - 1 Kazakhstan Bulgaria 2 - 1 Belarus Albania 2 - 0 Malta
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England survive Ramdin onslaught to take series ESPNcricinfo - For the first time since July, England have won two matches in a row - with starring roles for two young batsmen - though it was not without some tension towards the end as Denesh Ramdin flayed the ball around the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium for a careerbest 128, but ultimately West Indies’ under-performing top order had left too much to do. Ramdin’s was not the first maiden hundred of the day; and it was Joe Root’s that finished on the winning side. Two players viewed as central to England’s rebuilding formed the most substantial part their success as Root, battling the pain of a damaged thumb, and Jos Buttler added 175 for the fifth wicket although it turned out more of those runs were needed than appeared likely at one point in West Indies’ chase. At 43 for 4 it needed something of James Faulkner in Brisbane and Shahid Afridi in Mirpur combined to turn the innings around. It was not far off emerging. For a while Ramdin and Darren Sammy threatened with a stand of 71 in 10 overs, then Ramdin continued the charge with the first hundred by a West Indies keeper in one-day cricket. He took advantage of England’s persistence at bowling short, fetching sixes on both sides of the wicket, and there was a lesson for the bowlers when Bresnan finally ended the chances of an incredible turnaround with, yes, a yorker that hit leg stump. On a surface being used for the third time in a row, but that defied expectations having been extensively worked on between matches, strokeplay was easier than at any time in the series. West Indies will rue that none of their top four could provide a similar role to Root because Ramdin’s late onslaught reminded, yet again, that asking rates of over ten an over are achievable with wickets in hand. Root’s hundred came off 112 balls and was another
window into the character of a 23-year-old who, like many, endured a tough time in Australia where he lost his place in the Test and one-day sides. Buttler appeared set to join him with a maiden century but, facing Ravi Rampaul in the final over, got a leading edge so had to settle for 99 off 84 balls. Their impish partnership, pock-marked by Buttler’s strong hitting in the latter stages, was England’s second highest for the fifth wicket in ODIs. Root’s fine day continued when he struck in his first over with the ball but he soon had to leave the field to have ice treatment on his thumb and be sent for an X-ray. England’s innings was in the balance at the midway mark, West Indies having removed four wickets to even out Moeen Ali’s maiden halfcentury - a fluent innings ended by a return catch to Nikita Miller - but, after Eoin Morgan had been beaten by Sunil Narine’s spin, Root and Buttler ensured England did not stall from a potentially tricky 116 for 4. There was a key moment when Buttler had 22 and successfully overturned a caught behind decision, despite there not appearing to be conclusive evidence to do so, and earlier Root had been given a life on 23 when Ramdin could not gather an outside edge off Narine. England played Narine cautiously for most of his allotment but his ninth over cost 21 as Buttler twice cleared the boundary - the second occasion off a free-hit. The batting Powerplay had not proved to be the downfall it so often seems, bringing a consolidating 36 in the five overs, which set up a final 10 overs that accrued 94. Root had started his innings facing a hat-trick delivery from Dwayne Bravo after the West Indies captain had removed Michael Lumb and Ben Stokes. He calmly defended the delivery but was in some severe discomfort a short while later when a ball from Rampaul climbed at him from a good length, striking a
nasty blow on the thumb of his bottom hand. He needed several minutes of treatment, some strapping and a dose of painkillers before resuming and then had to ensure his thumb did not seize up during a brief rain break. He continued to shake his hand throughout the innings, especially when the ball struck higher up his bat, but in a tremendous display of focus and application did not let it impact his strokeplay. Buttler had missed out in the first two matches of the series when his finishing skills were needed, but in this innings reminded that he can set a total as well as hunt one
ball. Broad bowled a lively five-over spell, which included a heated four-ball period against Lendl Simmons, who Broad was convinced had edged behind and was flabbergasted when the TV umpire, quite understandably, upheld the not-out decision. “Come on lads, guilty shot coming,” shouted Buttler from behind the stumps and three balls later Simmons dragged a pull into his stumps, much to Broad’s delighted, although it could easily have been classed a ‘poor shot’ as much as a ‘guilty shot’. Unlike Buttler, a caughtbehind decision off Marlon
Samuels was upheld and when Dwayne Bravo edged Ravi Bopara behind the requirement was 173 off 20 overs. To start with there was a sense of hopeful dash in the way Ramdin and Sammy played, but such was their impact that the run-rate - if not the wickets in hand - was not unmanageable and there was relief for England when Ben Stokes took a superbly judged boundary catch at deep square-leg to remove Sammy. Ramdin continued to swing freely but he could not rely much on the lower order. Miller found it difficult to get the ball away and Narine, after (Continued on page 25)
WITNESS: Pistorius asked friend to ‘take blame’ for restaurant gunshot PRETORIA (Reuters) “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius told a friend to take the blame for him accidentally firing a pistol under the table in a packed Johannesburg restaurant in January 2013, a month before he killed his girlfriend, his murder trial heard on Wednesday. Testifying at the trial of the South African Olympic and Paralympic track star, professional boxer Kevin Lerena described how he, Pistorius and two others had been having dinner at Tashas restaurant when the gun went off. The charge of firing a gun in a public place is part of prosecution attempts to portray the 27-year-old athlete, who shot dead model Reeva Steenkamp on February 14 last year, as a firearms-obsessed hot-head. Pistorius denies murdering Steenkamp, saying he fired four rounds from a 9 mm pistol through a locked toilet door at his luxury Pretoria home after mistaking her for an intruder. Lerena, who goes by the ring name “The KO Kid”, said one of the group at the table in Tashas, Darren Fresco, passed his pistol under the table to Pistorius during the
EBDCA/ Sarjoo Memorial cricket continues this weekend The East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA)/Neville Sarjoo Memorial T20 competition continues this weekend with several matches. The competition started in 2013 but was suspended due to the inclement weather. On Saturday, Eccles will face Providence at 09:30 hrs and Herstelling will play Ruimveldt at 12:30 hrs at the Demerara Cricket Club. At
down. Early on he still barely knew what Narine was bowling, but reigned in his ambitions to attack him knowing that there was easier fare on offer from the other end. After bringing up his fifty off 56 deliveries he then opened his shoulders to pick up four sixes, forming an ideal contrast to Root who, while possessing the power to clear the ropes, played the anchor role and ran West Indies ragged. West Indies’ chase began in fairly shambolic fashion; Kieran Powell missing a sweep and Dwayne Smith picking out deep square-leg against Stuart Broad’s first
Laluni, the home team will take on Sand Pipers at 09:30 hrs and Soesdyke will battle with Combined United at 12:30hrs. On Sunday at DCC, Diamond will face Combined United at 09:30 hrs and Farm will tackle Nandy Park at 12:30 hrs. At Laluni, Herstelling will clash with North Soesdyke at 09:30 hrs and Ruimveldt will entertain North Soesdyke at 12:30 hrs.
Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius is comforted by a family member during the third day of his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, March 5, 2014. REUTERS/Alon Skuy/Pool lunch, telling him there was “one up”, indicating a round was in the chamber. “A shot went off. Then there was just complete silence,” Lerena said. “I looked down at the floor and exactly where I looked down, where my foot was, there was a hole in the floor.” “I had a little graze on my toe, but I wasn’t hurt,” he added. Restaurant owner Jason Loupis told the court 220 diners had been present at the time. A child was sitting at the table next to Pistorius, his wife Maria added in her testimony. “TAKE THE BLAME” Pistorius immediately apologized to his friends and checked they had not been
hurt, but then turned to Fresco and asked him to take responsibility, Lerena said. “‘Please take the blame for me - there’s too much media hype around me’,” Lerena quoted Pistorius as saying. “‘Take the blame because this can be big.’” When the restaurant owners came up to investigate, Fresco told them the gun had fallen out of the pocket of his tracksuit trousers. “I said to him ‘What’s the first rule of owning a gun? Safety first?’” Maria Loupis said. “He said ‘Yes’ and I hit him over the head.” Pistorius paid the bill and the group left, she added. At the Pretoria High
Court, Pistorius’ defence team wound up its crossexamination of a third prosecution witness who said he had heard shouts and screams from Pistorius’ house before shots were fired on the night Steenkamp died. Earlier, lead defense advocate Barry Roux tried to undermine the testimony of wife and husband Michelle Burger and Charl Johnson, who lived 177 meters (195 yards) away in an adjacent housing complex, as being too similar to be credible. “You could just as well have stood together in the witness box,” he said, earning his second rebuke of the three-day-old trial from Judge (Continued on page 25)
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U.N. sanctions experts investigate PMCC to hold fund raising match on March 30 Rodman’s North Korea trips The Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) will be holding a one day fund raising fourteam cricket tournament at its Port Mourant based ground on Sunday March 30. President of the PMCC Vickram Seubarran said the main purpose of this event is to acquire funds to purchase covers for the pitch. “We will be extending invitations to three other teams, namely Bermine along with Demerara Cricket Club and Everest Cricket Club, to join us on this day, for which we have sought and gotten permission from the Berbice Cricket Board, to host the activity. Each team will be entitled to three guest players, which means they can use players in the caliber of former Guyana and West Indies fast bowler Brandon Bess along with the hard hitting Jonathan Foo, to bolster their chances of winning” said Seubarran. A winner’s purse of $60,000 and trophy will be up for grabs, while the runner-up will pocket $40,000 and a trophy, the Man of the Match in the Final will receive a trophy, while admission to the venue would be $1,000 without a lunch ticket and $500, with a lunch ticket. Drinks and food bars will be stocked, while a trampoline and Granny Ivelaw Dancing Girls coupled with a sound system will also be on hand to keep the fans active. The semifinals will be a 15 over affair, while the
final will be of 20 overs duration. Seubarran expressed gratitude to Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Hilbert Foster, who issued to both Lloydel Lewis and Arif Chan, their transfer papers, enabling them to don the colors of PMCC from 1st April. “While I am happy that these two players were given the permission to play for Port Mourant, it would have been wonderful for us to utilize their services in our upcoming Busta ‘Champion of Champions’ semifinal against Albion on Saturday. However, I am confident that PMCC who have undergone some intense training under Coach Gavin Nedd, and will triumph over Albion on Saturday and book a place in the final” stated Seubarran. He urged all past members of the club to return and give their support, since it is his aim to take the club back to its glory days, when the Kallicharrans, Nagamootoos, Poorans, Percivals, Kanhais and Butchers played for Guyana and later West Indies in their own rights. “The club has a rich history, since Kanhai it has produced Berbice’s Greatest Test Cricketer, while Mahendra Nagamootoo is the Regional record holder for most wickets, even as Percival contributed to Guyana’s successful reign as a youth team in the early 90’s.
Agent: Tiger Woods will play this week at Doral
Tiger Woods drives on nine during the final round of The Honda Classic golf tournament at PGA National GC Champion Course. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports (Yahoo Sports)- Just three days removed from Tiger Woods leaving the Honda Classic early with back issues, the No. 1 player in the world announced he will be in attendance at the WGCCadillac Championship at Doral this week in Florida. Woods, who withdrew on Sunday because of back spasm after struggling mightily with his final round, is set to talk to the media yesterday, but ESPN’s Bob Harig got the scoop from Tiger ’s agent, Mark Steinberg, about Woods’ intent to play this week. “He wouldn’t be coming
down here if he didn’t intend to compete at the highest level,’’ Steinberg said. “He intends to play and wants to play well.’’ This week now means a ton for Tiger, who has won this event seven times and at Doral four times. The course has gone through a massive redesign, and this week will be the first time Tiger has seen the changes, so getting in a solid practice round Wednesday afternoon would be good for Tiger if he really wants to compete throughout the weekend on this always tough test of golf. If Tiger struggles this
week with his game or his back, it could mean doom for the first major of the season, as Woods only has one more tournament scheduled before the Masters. Woods has never gone into Augusta National without a win and left with the green jacket, so playing solid golf this week is very important for his chances at the first major of 2014. Still, the golf gods are letting out a long sigh with the Woods announcement, and Tiger will be paired with Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson for the first two rounds at Doral.
Bodyguards clear a path for former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman (C) as journalists surround him upon his arrival from North Korea’s Pyongyang at Beijing Capital International Airport January 13, 2014. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A group of United Nations sanctions experts has been investigating former basketball star Dennis Rodman because of gifts he brought to North Korea during his visits to the reclusive state, according to an excerpt from the group’s latest report. While the U.N. Panel of Experts, an independent body that monitors compliance with the United Nations’ North Korea sanctions regime, did not explicitly accuse Rodman of violating the U.N. ban on luxury goods, it suggested his actions may have represented a breach of international restrictions on Pyongyang. “The panel also investigated allegations that Dennis Rodman and his party may have taken luxury items as gifts when he visited Pyongyang in September and December 2013 and January 2014,” the experts’ unpublished report says. On his January trip, Rodman was accompanied by a contingent of other former National Basketball Association players for an exhibition game in Pyongyang. He sang “Happy Birthday,” to Kim Jong Un at a celebration marking what was believed to be his 31st birthday. “Media reports ... corroborated by the panel indicate that among items taken by Dennis Rodman and his party during their visits were sporting goods from various countries, five bottles
of vodka (United States) taken by Rodman and one bottle of whiskey (Ireland),” the report says. In an excerpt seen by Reuters, the report also refers to other gifts, including “two whiskey glasses and one whiskey decanter (Ireland), and a Mulberry handbag (United Kingdom) taken by Paddy Power, a company based in Ireland.” The former basketball star’s trips had previously been financed by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, although it has since withdrawn its backing. Rodman used his first visit in 2013 to promote his own vodka brand. “The panel considers that this (the Rodman case) illustrates the importance of informing individuals and companies of their obligations under the (Security Council sanctions) resolutions,” the report said. “It is continuing in its enquiries.” There is a U.N. ban on the export of luxury goods to North Korea under sanctions imposed by the Security Council in response to Pyongyang’s 2006 and 2009 nuclear tests and several missile launches. The athlete’s most recent visit to Pyongyang became controversial after an agitated, drunken Rodman gave an interview to CNN from North Korea in which he suggested that Kenneth Bae, an American missionary imprisoned in North Korea, was responsible for his own imprisonment.
Rodman checked himself into a substance abuse rehabilitation center shortly after returning from North Korea in January. Last year, the Panel of Experts said North Korea continued to violate the U.N. ban on luxury goods, which is intended to punish the country’s ruling elite. The panel cited suspected violations of the ban involving alcohol, tobacco, electronic items, automobiles and cosmetics. The Panel of Experts has also looked at the case of a North Korean cargo ship, the Chong Chon Gang, detained near the Panama Canal for holding Cuban weapons. The ship was seized in July 2013 for smuggling Soviet-era arms, including two MiG-21 aircraft, hidden under 10,000 tons of sugar. Several Security Council diplomats told Reuters on condition of anonymity that in the Chong Chon Gang case, the experts determined that North Korea had used a network of firms based abroad, including in China its standard method of trying to avoid detection while violating the U.N. arms embargo.
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Selman effort in vain as WI Women lose M C INVERCARGI L L , N e w Zealand - West Indies Women, hounded by medium pacer Suzie Bates, lost to New Zealand Women by 24 runs in the third T20 of the five match series at Queen’s Park here on Wednesday. Bates destroyed a promising opening stand and disrupted an innings revival as West Indies crashed to 109 all out chasing New Zealand’s 133 for six. Kycia Knight and Natasha Mclean began laying the foundation with an opening stand of 25 after New Zealand, sent in to bat, had set a winning target of 134. However, Bates ended the partnership when McLean was caught for 9 without scoring a boundary, while Knight, who struck two fours, was also caught in the next over for 15. We s t I n d i e s h a d stumbled to 26 for two when
C
Sophie Devine captain Merissa Aguilleira and Kyshona Knight attempted to rescue the innings by way of a third wicket stand which produced 23 runs before it expired with the run out of Aguilleira for 11.
Shemaine Campbelle However, Shemaine Campbell joined Knight and together they continued the repair mission in a dogged top order fight by adding an additional 28 runs for the fourth wicket. Campbell smashed two
boundaries and faced 17 balls in a top score of 23 before Bates again spoiled the party by having her caught behind and effectively subduing the Windies best efforts to rekindle the run chase.
Six balls earlier, Knight had departed, succumbing to felicity Leydon-Davis, caught and bowled for 21 which included three fours. Campbell’s departure signaled a further batting collapse as the last five West Indies wickets fell for 20 runs. Bates was the best New Zealand bowler finishing with three for 21, while Sophie Devine picked up two for 14. Devine, player-of-thematch, was the top scorer as well with 46 after West Indies, who won the toss, had sent in New Zealand to bat first. Devine put on key partnerships with Sara McGlashan (18) and Katie Perkins (34) to give the White Ferns a competitive total. Shakera Selman was the leading wicket taker for the West Indies grabbing three for 23 including the wicket of Bates who lost her stumps on 19. New Zealand now lead
the series two nil after West indies lost the opening fixture and rain forced a no result in the second game on Sunday. The final two Twenty20s will be played on Saturday and Sunday at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui. Summary Scores: New Zealand Women Innings: 133/6 (20 Overs). Sophie Devine 46, Katie Perkins 34, Suzie Bates 19, Sara McGlashan 18; Shakera Selman 4-0-23-3, Tremayne Smartt 4-0-21-1, Shaquana Quintyne 4-0-21-1, Vanessa Watts 3-0-22-1. West Indies Women Innings: 109 All Out (19.5 Overs). Shemaine Campbelle 23, Kyshona Knight 21, Kycia Knight 15, Merissa Aguilleira*+ 11; Suzie Bates* 4-0-21-3, Sophie Devine 3.5-0-14-2, Morna Nielsen 4-0-13-1, Frances Leydon-Davis 3-020-1. Result: New Zealand Women won by 24 runs.
Australia beat South Africa in Graeme Smith’s last Test
Ryan Harris wheels away in celebration after sealing the series for Australia. (Getty Images)
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BC Sport Australia finally broke South Africa’s resistance to win the third Test and the series, and send Graeme Smith into retirement with defeat. W h e n Ry a n H a r r i s bowled number 11 Morne Morkel, Australia’s 245-run win was sealed with only 4.3 overs remaining. South Africa began the
final day on 71-4 chasing 511, with AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy and Vernon Philander all defying the tourists. But Harris’s 432 sent the Proteas to a first series defeat for five years. South Africa were last beaten in 2008-09 by the same opponents and by the same 2-1 scoreline. Still, those defeats by the Baggy Greens are the only two
series that Smith’s side have lost in their past 26. However, the world number ones came so close to escaping with a draw that would have mirrored their memorable escape in the second Test in Adelaide in 2012, when Du Plessis compiled a marathon rearguard century on debut. On this occasion, De Villiers batted more than five
hours for his 43, initially s u p p o r t e d b y nightwatchman Kyle Abbott, who used up 89 deliveries. When he was bowled by James Pattinson, De Villiers was joined by Du Plessis and the two contenders to replace Smith as captain took South Africa to the second new ball. It was then that Harris found De Villiers’ edge, but still more South African fight would come in the shape of Duminy. However, when Du Plessis was trapped leg before for 47 by a lovely legbreak from Steve Smith, South Africa had only three wickets with which to negotiate the final session. Duminy then clipped Mitchell Johnson to leg slip for 43 and the game looked up. Yet, Dale Steyn joined Philander to further frustrate the Australians and send the game into the final hour. Emotions came close to boiling over when Philander was reprieved on review despite gloving Johnson to short leg. The ball brushed Philander’s thumb, but, after countless replays, it was eventually adjudged that his right hand was not in contact
Vernon Philander scored an unbeaten 51 in a valiant effort to save the match albeit in vain. (Getty Images) with the bat handle. As the overs ticked down, Australia shuffled their weary bowlers, with little ruffling the ninthwicket pair as Philander moved to a half century. But, when Harris got a yorker through Steyn’s defences, he needed only two balls to do the same to Morkel to see Australia follow up their 5-0 Ashes win with a first away series win for two years. Despite the defeat, Smith leaves his side at the top of the world rankings, though their lead has been cut by Australia, who move above India into second.
“The resilience and the courage the guys showed today was immense,” said Smith. “To take it as deep as we did was a huge effort for the boys and something I’m very proud of. “I’ve always had huge respect for he game and it’s great to see the Test format in such good shape. “It’s been a pretty emotional few days. Retiring been on my mind since the beginning of the series, but I kept putting it off. I wanted to do it before the match but my daughter has been in and out of hospital. “This is where it all (Continued on page 29)
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Kaieteur News
GCB/Scotiabank Kiddy cricket - Lower East Coast
Thursday March 06, 2014
ECB U-15 tourney to start on Friday
ENTERPRISE PRIMARY register consecutive wins T
he Essequibo Cricket Board/ Sterling Products and Doodnauth Samaroo Construction U-15 50 overs inter association tournament is set to commence on Friday. Wakenaam and Leguan combined will face North Essequibo and Pomeroon at Anna Regina and East Bank Essequibo and Bartica will play South and Central Essequibo at Imam Bacchus ground in the opening fixture. North Essequibo/Pomeroon will take on East Bank Essequibo/Bartica at Anna Regina and Wakenaam/Leguan will match skills with South/Central Essequibo at Imam Bacchus on Saturday. On Sunday Wakenaam/Leguan will challenge East Bank Essequibo/Bartica at Anna Regina and North Essequibo/Pomeroon will face South/Central Essequibo at Imam Bacchus in the final round games.
SECC\Skeete T20 final set for Sunday
T
he South Essequibo Cricket Committee (SECC)\Edward Skeete T20 final between Eldorado and Rising Star is set for Sunday at Pomona ground on the Essequibo Coast at 13:30 hrs. Jaguars and Invaders Masters will battle in the third place play off at 09:30 hrs. The winning team will receive a trophy and $40,000 and the runner up will take home a trophy and $20,000. The man of the match in the final, best bowler and batsman in the competition will also be rewarded.
Edmond Pearson drives
E
nterprise Primary School recorded consecutive victories when action in the lower East Coast district of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Scotiabank nationwide Kiddy cricket festival continued yesterday at Enterprise ground.
Cheddi Jagan Memorial cricket commences Sunday
Josh Paul was impressive with the ball yesterday
In the first game Enterprise defeated St. Andrew’s Primary by 4 runs. The home team batted first and scored 145-7 off their allotted 10 overs. Edmond Pearson led with 19 and Vickram Narine supported with 10. S. Hamilton claimed 3-7 and J. Barry 2-5.
St. Andrew’s replied with 141-6 in 10 overs. Isaiah Barry made 12 as Josh Paul captured 3-8 and Narine 2-6. Enterprise overcame Hope Estate Primary by 146 runs in the second match. Enterprise took first strike and rattled up 221-3 in 10 overs. Pearson continued his
fine form with a top score of 20, while Joel Williams scored 16 and extras assisted with 34; Gopaul Doodnauth picked up 2-10. Hope Estate suffered 11 dismissals in scoring 75 in 10 overs in reply. Paul snared 4-3, Vickram Narine 2-4 and Radha Ramjit 2-5.
The Cheddi Jagan Memorial T20 over 40 hardball and softball tournaments are slated to commence on Sunday on the East Coast of Demerara. Enterprise Busta SC will host Enmore CC and Lusignan SC will entertain West Bank Demerara Mavericks in the first round of the over 40 T20 segment starting at 10:00 hrs. The softball matches will start at 14:00 hrs at both venues. The finals will be played on March 16. The competition is being sponsored by Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. The winning and runner up teams as well as the man of the match in both finals will receive trophies.
Jeffrey defend Berbice leg of Cheddi Jagan Memorial cycle race
F
ollowing the successfully staging of the first leg on the West Demerara last Sunday, the organisers of the annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial cycling race will shift action to the Ancient County of Berbice on Sunday. The race will pedal off at 09:00 hours in front of Freedom House, New Amsterdam and proceed to Number 55 Village before returning to Port Mourant for the finish, covering a distance of 50 miles. Veterans, mountain bikers and females will turn back at Hogg Style on the upward journey and finish at Port Mourant. The talented Raynauth Jeffrey of Team Coco (Guyana) is set to defend the senior title, having won last year’s event in a time of two hours, 13 minutes, 26 seconds (02h: 13m: 26s), while Raul Leal, who recently returned to competitive cycling after a accident last year, is the defending champion of the junior race. The experienced Kennard Lovell won the veteran category last year, while Ozia McCaullay and Hazina Barrett copped the mountain bike and female divisions respectively.
The first six finishers in the Open category and the top three juniors, veterans, mountain bikes and females will be rewarded, while eight prime prizes will be on offer. According to national coach and organiser of the day’s activities, Hassan Mohamed MS, transportation for cyclists and officials will leave for Berbice on Sunday morning at 05:00 hours from the National Sports Commission’s building on Middle Street. This is the 17th year the event is being held in Berbice and is once again being sponsored by BK International. Meanwhile, Jeffrey emerged as the top rider of the event over the last two years under the points system that was introduced in 2012. In the six races in 2012 and 2013, Jeffrey accumulated 38 points, followed by Robin Persaud (30) and Orville Hinds (21). Under the points system, the first six finishers were given 10 points for a win; eight for second; six for third; four for fourth, three for fifth and two for sixth. According to Mohamed, Jeffrey will be presented with his prize on Sunday.
Raynauth Jeffrey
Thursday March 06, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 35
March 23 GMR&SC Race Meet set Messi does not to attract overseas-based competitors need World Cup
for greatness: MARADONA Paul Vieira
Oliver Tjin Liep Shie
D
etermined to attract a large crowd at all of its calendar activities, the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) March 23 Race Meet is anticipated to draw a large turnout judging from the list of confirmed competitors. According to an official from the entity, overseasbased drivers such as Paul Vieira of Canada, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ravi Singh, Suriname’s Oliver Tjin Liep Shie and Barbados’ Mohamed Bhanna, among others, are slated to participate in the event.
The official added that the new executive have drawn up a plan which is designed to aggressively market the sport from the first event on its calendar and the desirable turnout at the Endurance and Dexterity Meets is testimony to the entity’s new posture. It was also learnt that most of the country’s top drivers and riders will be in action and this is good news for the fans since rivalry in all the categories will be renewed among the competitors. Among the highly anticipated rivalries that fans could look forward to is the one between rising Superbike star Nikhil
Seereeram and long time champion Stephen Vieira, while Kevin Jeffrey’s dominance of the Group 4 Division should be tested by former champions Andrew King and Mark Vieira along with a new brigade that includes Danny Persaud and Irfaan Kalamadeen. The Group 3 category is another division that the fans should enjoy with Ryan Rahaman, Ravi Singh, Kemal Rahaman and Kamal Seebarran set to re-ignite their long standing duel. The Group 2 category promises to be no different with Shairaz Roshandin, Syed Hassan, Afraz Allie, Tjin Liep Shie and Chet Singh, all eager to put on a
show for the fans. The Group 1 should be dominated by the Ali brothers (Roshan and Asad) of Fullworks, but this Group too is fast becoming very competitive and another looming showdown is in the making. The Shifter karters have also promised to entertain and once again Seereeram, Stanley Ming Jnr, Stanley Ming Snr, Marcus Fiedtkou and lone female Emmy Vieira will be vying for top honours. It should be nerve tingling racing and fans are being urged to make it a date to be at the South Dakota Circuit to see Guyana’s best take to the track.
Scotland battle to win in Poland
Captain Scott Brown scored Scotland’s winner for the second match running. (SNS) BBC Sport - Captain Scott Brown scored Scotland’s winner for the second match running as Gordon Strachan’s side claimed victory over Poland in Warsaw. The hosts had created the better chances with Ludovic Obraniak and Arkadiusz Milik denied by David Marshall in the first half.
Kamil Glik headed Poland’s best chance wide after the break. A n d B r o w n compounded the home side’s frustration when he lashed a loose ball past Wojciech Szczesny from 19 yards. The midfielder had scored from a similar range against Norway in November and, as on that
occasion, one goal proved to be enough for the Scots. Poland and Scotland will meet again in the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and Strachan had stressed the friendly should not be regarded as a dress rehearsal . With Darren Fletcher named as a substitute, Brown continued with the
armband and made an important interception deep in his own half early on. Obraniak had the game’s first effort, his long-range curler looping towards goal and drawing a save from Marshall. The Cardiff keeper made another fine stop when Milik fired in a dipping shot that (Continued on page 29)
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a penalty against Manchester City during their Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England February 18, 2014. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Lionel Messi does not need a World Cup winners’ medal to be considered among soccer’s all-time greats, fellow Argentine Diego Maradona said on Tuesday. “Messi doesn’t need to win the World Cup to be the best player in the world,” Maradona, who inspired Argentina to the title in Mexico in 1986, told La Nacion. “(If he did) it would be great for Argentina, the fans and Lio, but (winning) a World Cup or not won’t take away any of his achievements up to now to be among the greatest.” Tw i c e Wo r l d C u p winners Argentina faced Romania in a friendly in Bucharest yesterday as they begin to crank up their preparations for this year’s finals in Brazil. Former captain and coach Maradona said everything appeared in place for Messi to shine although Argentina’s task would be tough with hosts Brazil, title holders Spain and Germany among the sides to beat. Maradona said Messi had had a great World Cup in South Africa in 2010 despite not scoring any goals. The Argentina team coached by Maradona lost 4-0 to Germany in the quarter-finals. “Messi had an exceptional World Cup with
me... and no-one said so. (Was it) because he didn’t score? He turned all the goalkeepers into stars,” he said. Maradona said he could not forget Messi’s sobs when Argentina were eliminated. “I approached him and told him he’d have many World Cups to get revenge. I said it with all my heart. While the rest were thinking about our return (home) he was there, head bowed, crying.” Argentina are in Group F with Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria at the finals starting on June 12. “There’s Spain, Germany and there’s Brazil with a tremendous defense. You think of Brazil’s defence and six or seven names come to mind, you think of their attack and there’s only Neymar,” Maradona said. “For Lio it will be a test of character, to bring out all that crying he has in his heart. Brazil can be his great revenge,” added Maradona, who will commentate on the tournament for a Venezuelan television program.
t r o Sp Jos Buttler plays the scoop. (Getty Images)
England survive Ramdin onslaught to take series
Denesh Ramdin’s hundred kept England on their toes. (AFP)
Joe Root anchored England with a solid knock. (AFP)
SCHOOL REPS ATTENDING 2-DAY GBV WORKSHOP
Resource Personnel (from left background) - Petra Directors, Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole, CDC Representative Nicolette Henry and Ministry of Health’s Dr. Ertenisia Hamilton take a photo op along with participants attending the 2-day GBV Workshop yesterday.
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