Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday March 06, 2015

Friday March 06, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Magistrate Alex Moore to know fate next week E

m b a t t l e d Magistrate Alex Moore, who was l a s t y e a r suspended from the Judiciary, will know his fate next week after he presents himself for the second time in the closely watched case before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Moore was summoned to appear before the five members of the body yesterday in the Conference Room of the Court of Appeal, High Street, Kingston, for an official inquiry into eight allegations that were leveled against him. The hearing began at 15:00 hours, and it was after spending two hours in the private hearing that Magistrate Moore emerged in the presence of his attorney, Senior Counsel Rex McKay. Moore’s inquiry was not completed and Kaieteur News was reliably informed that he is to appear before the body again in the latter part of next week for its continuation. Though most of the allegations were addressed yesterday, the second hearing, this newspaper understands, is to “thrash out” some issues. It was explained that the Commission has not yet reached a decision and from all indications, Moore has thus far justified most of his actions. Kaieteur News understands that Moore was summoned before the Commission to answer allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against the Magistrate by East Coast Demerara businesswoman, Seerojanie Singh, as well as absence from duties and failure to inform the Chancellor of the Judiciary of his absence, among other things. This newspaper has been informed, however, that part of Moore’s defence is that he was at the time on medical leave since he had fractured his right hand. His

immediate supervisor, Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry, was reportedly informed of this. The Magistrate was reportedly made to face the body, too, because of cases he had dismissed while dispensing matters at the busy Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. This newspaper was told that the Magistrate, in an act of fairness, had moved to dismiss those matters after the Prosecution failed to present its witnesses, despite being granted several adjournments. Most of the allegations Moore faced were reportedly of a minor nature and Kaieteur News understands that justifications have so far been provided by Magistrate and his attorney on each count. Meanwhile, after the hearing the Senior Counsel told this publication that the ball is now the JSC’s court and he is waiting on their decision and the inquiry has not yet been completed. The

Magistrate, McKay confirmed, remains suspended at this time. Kaieteur News was informed that during the hearing, most of the allegations were addressed and “certain things required more information” so the hearing was adjourned for further information to be submitted to the Commission. The Magistrate will be summoned again and a decision is expected to be reached next week. It has been 98 days since Moore was served a suspension letter by the JSC, following allegations made by the aforementioned businesswoman. Though there had been speculation circulating in the m e d i a t h a t M o o r e ’s suspension was a spin-off of him being heavily criticised for handing down a five-year suspended sentence to confessed drug dealer, Leonard Bacchus, Kaieteur News was told that matter would not be dealt with by

the JSC as they convened yesterday. In fact, the body has reportedly noted that the case is subject to appeal, as filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the body is refraining from dealing with matters that are engaging the courts. Moore, unlike other Magistrates sanctioned by the JSC, has not taken any action against the Commission and was waiting for his hearing, his lawyer previously revealed to this publication. City Magistrate Chandra Sohan, who recently received marching orders from the Commission, had weighed heavily on Rule 80 of the Commission’s rules, which specifies that if no such inquiry is held within 60 days, then the Magistrate can return to work. The JSC’s Rule 80, sub rule six, specifies that in such an event the suspension is deemed to have been set aside; the effect being as if the suspension had never

Magistrate Alex Moore clutching his file shortly after the hearing before the JSC taken place. In fact, when questioned about his client’s stance on this rule, McKay acknowledged that the rule had indeed been violated in Moore’s case, but his client was waiting for his day before the Commission. It was shortly after news of the businesswoman’s encounter with Moore surfaced that the Magistrate was suspended. Singh, who resides and operates her business at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, alleged that the Magistrate behaved inappropriately and by way of complaint, she approached the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, and wrote to the Chancellor of

the Judiciary as well as to Ombudsman, Justice Winston Moore. Within days, Moore was suspended. R e c e n t l y, t h e J S C dismissed Magistrates Sohan and Geeta ChandanEdmond, who both presided in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on a number of infractions. Both Attorneys-at-Law have since stated publicly that the JSC’s decisions were unjust and they intend to seek all legal remedies available to them. Both lawyers complained too that the complainant and the adjudicator in their proceedings were the JSC. Moore is off on full pay. (Sunita Samaroo)

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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

Keeping an eye on “the experts” For too long the people of Guyana have allowed matters on the handling of the economy to be left in the hands of “the experts”. Based on the economic history of our country since independence, it is not clear that such a course was in our collective and best interest. In organised societies, economic ideas and policies are routinely discussed as widely as possible – even from the standpoint of theory this makes sense. After all, economics does not just deal with matter and energy like the physical sciences, but is a social science that deals with people – and the subjective reality that we all help to create. Economic policies and programmes more often than not work if there is a general consensus over them, but this blessed state will only arrive if they are clearly understood by the people. Ordinary citizens are quite diffident about economics and complain that they do not understand all those fancy words economists are fond of using. But times are changing; citizens have to demand that decisions that affect their very survival be made understandable to them. Those in power always revel in mystification. It is part of their power. A simple case in point is the soon-to-be-opened Marriott Hotel. Government, after months of irritating silence, has admitted that all of the money it has spent to date (we may never know exactly how much) to bring the facility into operation, has been from the taxpayers. We were told many moons ago that almost US$22M represented government’s share of the project. And now we are being told by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, that the government-owned, National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), has put up “the rest of the money” (after court cases and other factors held back the release of more than US$30M from a bank and two private investors from Hong Kong) with the understanding that the money will be repaid by the investors when the matter is cleared up, sometime in the future. The repayment arrangement, as we have pointed out, is bound to raise eyebrows as to where NICIL found the enormous amount that they say has been spent to conclude the project, and more importantly, whether it would make sense to give control of the hotel and its adjoining casino to a third party, after spending that sum to construct and complete the facilities. To even the simplest of persons, this makes absolutely no sense. Issues like these need to be clearly articulated to the people. It is our hard-earned money that has been spent, whether wisely or not. It has been continuously emphasised that the government needs input from the citizenry to ensure that the thrust of all development - the improvement in the lives of the people – must come from the people. The people do know what is good for them – contrary to what some leaders conveniently insist. The lending institutions have seen too many instances where the money borrowed is spent on white elephants or squirreled away in the bank accounts of cronies. If the multilateral agencies have generally accepted that the people must be involved in the scrutiny of the government of the economy, why shouldn’t we the people be convinced? There has to be a two-pronged approach. Firstly, the policy makers must themselves make their ideas and findings understandable and accessible to the layperson. This, as we have learnt, has not been a strong point of our administrators. And secondly, we reiterate that the general citizenry has a duty to take an interest in economic matters and to make the matters sink into their working world view. Only then will they be in a position to make real inputs into the discourse. The bottom line is that we all need to keep an eye on “the experts”. The economy is far too serious a thing to be left to sneaky economists and politicians.

Friday March 06, 2015

Letters... Where your views make the news

The hand that holds the key to unlock the door to a new Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Peeping Tom’s “A case of survival,” (KN, March 5), which analyzes implications of the AFC’s decision to break its 2005 promise of never allying with the PPP or PNC to doing just that with APNU/PNC, indeed, is a case of literal political survival, except that I see the mitigating circumstances through different lenses. First, let me clear the air by stating without fear of contradiction that the APNU/PNC of today is not the same PNC of the Burnham or Hoyte eras, just as the PPP of today is not the same PPP of the Cheddi Jagan era. All this baloney about the PNC’s past being used as a reason to repudiate the APNU/PNC of today is just that: baloney. Yes, the PNC made egregious

mistakes, but this PPP took egregious to a whole new low level. Second, some folks, who are averse to the alliance, are too pre-occupied with the AFC’s 2005 promise as some sort of immutable principle, hence their failure or refusal to see that the promise was made under political circumstances that were totally different from what obtains a decade later. In 2005, the promise was to allow the AFC to be a third alternative to the PPP and PNC, both of which traditionally relied on ethnic voting (Indians for PPP and Blacks for PNC) for relevance and even elected office. In 2015, the AFC found itself in an odd position of being thrown by the PPP, via a prorogation proclamation, into the same

boat with APNU/PNC, making them ‘strange boat fellows’, nullifying the will of the majority of Guyanese and rendering the combined opposition as voiceless and powerless elected representatives of the majority in Parliament. Prorogation, which was brought forward from the pre-Independence era of British control, was supposed to be a constitutional escape clause for the authoritarian Forbes Burnham who, in event his handpicked parliamentary majority turned against him with a no-confidence motion, could then easily pre-empt that move, like Donald Ramotar did, and prorogue Parliament. As an aside, editor, prorogation does not always have to lead to dissolution

and fresh elections, as the PPP proved during prorogation by begging the opposition to engage in extra-parliamentary talks before reconvening Parliament. This was also demonstrated during the parliamentary dispute in Canada (2008-2009) where an opposition-inspired NCV triggered legislative prorogation, during which period, one of the parties supporting NCV underwent a leadership change and after prorogation, the new leaders supported the incumbent government. No elections were held! As it has turned out in Guyana, however, although prorogation is a constitutional option, it can be used as a political weapon to thwart the democratic (Continued on page 7)

Can any charge be laid on those who consistently lied to the nation? DEAR EDITOR, The maxim “it never rains but pours” truly fits squarely at the feet of this government. As one follows the events of the day, the only question that comes to mind is “What else should I expect to hear or read on the abuse of power from our government”? I keep telling myself that they will at least tell Guyanese that we have “screwed up” and a genuine effort will be made to turn things around. Not hearing the truth from this government only leaves me to believe that they either don’t care what others say or think, or they are totally incompetent to get anything right. In an earlier letter to the editor, I shared the view that the Hope canal project was not only poorly conceived, but it has been a waste of our tax dollars. The person(s) who recommended this project should be banned from holding public office for a long time. Recently, I read that the conservancy level is alarmingly low, which will result in added cost to our rice farmers. I hope that the rain comes to rescue our farmers. I had told the government then, and I am repeating now, that we should have spent all that resources to extend our conservancy, strengthen the dams, and to do whatever we had to do to keep sufficient

water for our farmers and other users. Instead, we are spending billions of dollars to channel scarce, fresh water into the Atlantic. Today, I am reading that the HPS has finally admitted what all Guyana already knew. The Marriot hotel is a farce, and it was built solely to avenge the owner of our prestigious Pegasus. Now that the genie has come out of the bottle, is there any charge that can be laid to these deceivers who

consistently lied to the Guyanese? The big question that must now be answered is where did NICIL get the money from to build the hotel? How much had to be paid to Marriot to use their name? Who is paying the top level managers employed? Was this project financed by GGMC? Ta l k i n g o f G G M C , another fiasco has been unearthed. GGMC, knowing that the day of accountability is fast approaching,

published a long laundry list of illegal disbursements made from that agency. Now that the courts have demanded some answers, this government, who have consistently flaunted the rule of law, has done it again. Despite the Chief Justice ruling, Cabinet has now approved a transfer of the funds for the same amount to Housing. Where is the decency in these scumbags? Under what authority did (Continued on page 7)

HOLI-A REFLECTION OF HARMONY IN GUYANA DEAR EDITOR, Holi/Phagwah is a Hindu Festival, which is celebrated at the end of the winter season, on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalgun (February/March) thatusually falls in the month of March or sometimes in late February. This festival, which holds much significance, marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year as well as thebeginning of spring. Also, history teaches us that inthe 17th century, it was identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture and commemorated good spring harvests for the farmers and their families, as well as the fertile land. Hindus believe that it is a time for enjoying spring’s

abundant colours and saying farewell to winter. More importantly, the beginning of a New Year is a perfect time to reset and renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts and accumulated emotional impurities from thepast. This is represented by the bright, beautiful colours that form the celebrations around the world. Hence, giving it the common name “festival of colours,” these colours overcome the barriers of language and convey true feelings. They also convey a message as the various colours all carry individual meanings. These are: greencompassion and understanding and a symbol of prosperity; yellowoptimism-it is also regarded

as an auspicious colour, and yellow is also associated with Mother Earth; red-the colour of fire, the source of energy and security; blueloyalty and trust; and pinklove and compassion. In Guyana, thousands of Guyanese, from all walks of life, come together to observe this auspicious day, celebrating with colourful powders, abeer,abrack and water, spreading cheer and love throughout the land. This is a representation of the diversity of the country’s people and the harmonious environment that has been created by those in authority. If we are to look at the world at large, we will see many schisms within regions and between religions, and (Continued on page 7)

Friday March 06, 2015

Kaieteur News

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

Investments became much more viable under the PPP DEAR EDITOR Over the past years, we have seen an influx of high profile investors, coming to Guyana, and along with local investors, make significant investments in our country. This is representative of the growing confidence in Guyana, as an investment environment, something that simply was not there 23 years ago. It is part of the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP’s) dream to make Guyana a more marketable and suitable environment for foreign investors. I would like to highlight some of the works that the PPP did, so as to produce this very comfortable environment for investors. One of the conditions that have to be in place, in order

to attract investors, is a climate of political stability and peace. Guyana, over the years, made significant strides in achieving political stability and peace. Years ago opposition supporters, led by leaders of the opposition, would protest in the streets of Georgetown, uprooting, looting, blocking roadways and intimidating onlookers and investors. Over the years, Guyana has become a more tolerant society and this created a hospitable climate for investors. There are now legislations that support legal protection and procedures for doing business in Guyana. This has definitely aided in the attraction of investors into our country. The fact that

investors are legally protected boosts their confidence. Over the last 23 years, Guyana has seen a massive improvement in social infrastructure; there are better roads, bridges, access to potable water and much more reliable electricity. The social infrastructure of the country has seen massive improvement. Paved roads now open up vast areas of lands. Access to communities is at its peak in Guyana. Gone are the days when blackouts used to last for days. Better access, electricity and water mean that investors are better able to get their goods and services to the markets. The infrastructure needed for investment simply was not

I support the GNYC “Vote like a boss campaign” DEAR EDITOR, I write to express my support for the “Vote Like A Boss” campaign. I believe that this kind of initiative is needed to help propel young people to the upcoming polls and encourage them to be meaningfully involved in the local politics. As one who has been, and continues to be, actively involved in campaigns aimed at engaging youths in the local political process, I know the real value and importance of campaigns of this nature. I am, therefore, confused and shocked to learn of the PPP/C’s apparent nonsupport for such initiatives. On one hand we blame youths for not going to the polls and on the other, we seem to care less about supporting sensible initiatives to help these very young people make informed political decisions and become meaningfully

engaged in the electoral process. The PNCR, as a political party, has over the years taken a number of steps to engage young people and encourage their participation in the voting process. Of course many of these initiatives were branded partisan because they were being promoted and funded by the PNCR. However, one cannot deny that the approaches undertaken by many of these initiatives, hinged mostly on core values and principles of democracy and good citizenship rather than on a purely bias political objective. I can speak definitively on matters such as these, as I was intimately involved in

and led many of these initiatives, which were grass roots in nature. I, therefore, applaud GECOM’s efforts to engage Guyana’s youth and to provide support to help these young people to become more evocatively involved in, and remain connected to, the local political process. Guyana’s future depends on the involvement of all people especially its youth. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all of us to take meaningful action to ensure that young people turn out to vote in the May 11 elections and also to ensure that these youths remain engaged in the political process. Their (Continued on page 7)

there 23 years ago. The current government of Guyana also offers generous tax holidays to investors. Duty free concessions are given to investors, and these significantly reduce overhead costs. Lower overhead costs mean an overall lower cost of production. This makes the prices of locally produced goods competitive with those produced overseas. Competitive prices make the products available to more buyers; hence the investors are more confident of their product competing. The economic performance of Guyana, especially over the past nine years, has sent positive signs as well. The country has seen nine years of continuous growth and is currently the

fastest growing country in the Caribbean. Inflation rates have also been kept to single digits. Guyana has achieved this amid a global financial collapse and is expected to grow further in the coming years. Guyana is on its way to Universal Secondary Education. Guyana’s workforce has matured and this has made it easier for companies to come and invest. An educated workforce means that skills are available locally, and investors will not have to import talent from overseas. This is especially true for the numerous call centers that we have seen popping up over the years. Qualfon and Clear Connect employ thousands of young Guyanese. They have both

given positive reviews of their Guyanese staff. Guyana has shown continuous upward momentum under the PPP. We have made this possible through better education, better infrastructure, better legislations, more hospitable social and political climate and better tax holidays. With projects like a deep water harbor, CJIA (Cheddi Jagan International Airport) expansion, highway expansions and hydropower, Guyana can only climb further up. Over the past 23 years, we have seen tremendous growth and positive change. Guyana is now an economy where multinational companies like ExxonMobil and Marriot Invest. What can we expect next? Google? Samsung? Davendra Kissoon

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Kaieteur News

Friday March 06, 2015

Education Ministry celebrates women

A section of the gathering having a laugh during yesterday’s proceedings More than a hundred “phenomenal women” were celebrated yesterday as the Ministry of Education held a lunch in observance of International Women’s Day. The Gravity Lounge was closed off to the general public yesterday as women, mostly from within the ministry, turned out to be honoured. Education Minister Priya Manickchand emphasised the importance of celebrating the day, particularly in a country such as Guyana. “It’s very important for the world to stop and recognize the importance of women and to celebrate that value even as we resolve to do everything we can to bring about greater equality,” Manickchand said. According to Manickchand, it was necessary for the women of Guyana to be celebrated as their development could affect the overall development of the nation. “If we don’t get all that we can out of the 50% of women in Guyana, then we’re slowing down our nation’s development. If we slow down the nation’s development, everyone will suffer; women,

children, everybody. It’s important that we celebrate where we are, but that we pause to recognize that there’s work to be done and commit to doing work to bring about greater equality, because equality of the genders will bring about good for all of Guyana,” Manickchand opined. She also noted that inequality was a major contributor to domestic violence. “In most countries, domestic violence is a big issue and that is because at the root of dome s t i c violence, there is p r e v a i l i ng inequality. Because you have inequality and power issues, you will have things like domestic violence happening. It’s very important for countries all over the world, and Guyana too, to recognize these issues as issues that need addressing and March 8 [International Women’s Day] gives us a good opportunity to stop and recognize that women are worth far more than they are recognized for,” she said. F u r t h e r m o r e , Manickchand advised women to take care of themselves and ensure their

wellbeing. She opined that women had huge roles to play, from a caretaker, to a partner, to a teacher and a friend. She said too much of women’s time was spent on taking care of others. “I think it’s important for women to give time every week to look after yourselves…because if you’re not whole and if

Education Minister Priya Manickchand (third from left) celebrating the International Women’s Day-related activity with participants you’re not healthy, the people that you want to serve will not get the best of you. So I urge all women to remember that you’re beautiful, celebrate that beauty, and preserve that beauty,” Manickchand said. Along w i th the education minister, Prime Ministerial candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Elisabeth

Harper and head of the P u b l i c Service Ministry Jennifer Westford were also present yesterday to celebrate. The event was a celebration of Guyanese women, regardless of their races, religion, or even sexuality. Those who attended were privy to song, dance, poetry and a skit

celebrating womanhood. Minister Manickchand also pampered her guests and ensured everyone was attended to before settling down. The event was the third to be held by the Ministry of Education. International Women’s Day will be officially celebrated this Sunday.

Convicted coke swallower nabbed again A convicted cocaine swallower allegedly decided to try a new way of transporting the drug but failed, when he was busted with the illegal drug strapped to his thighs. Yesterday, Terry De Freitas was remanded to prison after it was alleged he tried to traffic cocaine at the Ogle International Airport, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The 33 year-old man of 40 Fifth Street, Bartica, denied that on March 4 at the airport he had in his possession 2.13kg of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. According to Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor Oswald Massiah, on the day in question De Freitas was an outgoing passenger on a LIAT flight destined for Barbados when he was caught with the drug. The accused was represented by Attorney Dexter Todd. Chief Magistrate Priya

Sewnarine-Beharry ordered that De Freitas, a taxi driver, make his next court appearance on March 9, at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. De Freitas was given a four-year sentence (on January 27, 2012) and fined $30,000 for swallowing cocaine. He admitted to swallowing 86 pellets of the illicit substance with the intent to smuggle it out of the country when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. At that time De Freitas was an office assistant at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. De Freitas was busted on January 26, 2012 by CANU ranks when he attempted to leave Guyana aboard a BWIA flight destined for the Cayman Islands. At the time of the bust the defendant was supposed to have been on duty at his place

of work. Instead, he booked a flight for the said location and presented himself at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, at around 04:30 hours. Vigilant drug ranks at the airport became suspicious when they noticed that he was travelling with only a few pieces of clothing. De Freitas was stopped from boarding the plane and taken to be questioned. His responses to the

questions aroused more suspicion and he was taken to CANU headquarters to be further interrogated. The response the drug officers got from De Freitas caused them to take the suspect to a medical institution where it was discovered via X-ray that he had indeed swallowed foreign objects. He later excreted 86 pellets, which amounted to 1.044 kilograms of cocaine, while under close watch.

Pandit accused of embezzling money granted bail A religious leader found himself before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after he was charged with fraudulently converting a large sum of money. Pandit Krishnanlall Persaud pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that between July 1 and July 31, 2013, being entrusted with US$8000, property of Navlankar Nohar, he fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefit. Persaud who resides at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, was represented by Attorney Jerome Khan. Prosecutor Michael Grant objected to bail, citing the amount of money that was allegedly stolen. He also highlighted the prevalence and nature of the offence. Despite the prosecution’s objections, the magistrate granted the defendant bail to the tune of $125,000. The Pandit was ordered to lodge his passport and report to the Brickdam Police Station every fortnight. He will make his next court appearance on April 1.

Friday March 06, 2015

Kaieteur News

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

The hand that holds the... Can any charge be laid...

From page 5 process, literally rendering all elected parliamentary parties voiceless and powerless as representatives of the electorate. The only voice and power left standing are those from the party that won the plurality of votes to form the executive branch. Moreover, since it is now known that the President can use prorogation randomly during a five year-term to create a virtual one-party dictatorship by a minority regime over a majority of Guyanese and their majority elected representatives in Parliament, and which dictatorship can spend public monies at will and operate unchecked by Parliament, the AFC was faced with a choice of, on the one hand, continuing to focus on a 2005 promise never to ally with either the PPP or PNC to, on the other hand, allying with APNU/PNC in 2015 to survive and help save Guyana from the PPP. In fact, just as the AFC could not pass the NCV without APNU/PNC’s support, it needed APNU/PNC to survive while sharing the same boat, then working together to stop the PPP and save Guyana. It

was a stark choice for the AFC that required placing what is in the best interest of the nation over and ahead of what is in the best interest of the party, and since the PPP made both AFC and APNU/PNC ‘strange boatfellows’ with the aim of destroying their chances of stopping the PPP, then the two opposition parties had to look at the harsh facts and make some hard choices that obviously drew mixed reactions at home and abroad. Most seem supportive of the alliance as a symbolic and substantive step towards bridging the racial chasm created by decades of ethnic voting patterns, while others are obsessing over the AFC breaking its 2005 anti-alliance promise. The pro-PPP supporting cast, true to its role, is spreading the seeds of racial hatred and division by claiming the AFC’s alliance means it is trying to help hand the reins of power to the supposedly hated PNC, with whom the PPP, more than once, tried to form a unity government. I sometimes wonder what would have been the response if the AFC had decided dur-

ing prorogation to ally with the PPP, instead! Race, as I said in a recent letter in Stabroek News, appears to be what will again determine the outcome of the 2015 elections, except that in this year’s elections race, which appears to be tighter than the 2011 race, it could come down to cross-over racial voting to decide which team wins. But while the issue of race continues to be a factor within the elections race, there are two other races taking place: a rat race among the thieves in the government to see who can get the most public cheese, and a race among ordinary Guyanese to survive more than 60 years of divisive race politics and economic struggles. If the fate of Guyanese rests with their faith in politicians, then Guyanese have to first have faith in themselves to believe they hold the vote that determines their fate! To me, APNU-AFC, which have demonstrated a willingness to break the cycle of politically-inspired racial division is the hand that holds the key to unlock the door to a new Guyana! Emile Mervin

Holi-a reflection of harmony in... From page 4 this cannot help but make mewonder about the Guyanese reality. Despite disagreements and challenges, the current administration has encouraged religious tolerance and promoted harmony among its population, irrespective of religion, creed, political differences, gender or ethnicity. These are the littlethings forwhich we should be grateful. When I look at the television, and see thousands of people losing their lives because of their religious beliefs or differences, it saddens me; but, it makes me

proud to be a citizen of this beautiful land, where six races live in harmony. Don’t you feel the same way too? I know we are in a politically crucial time, with the upcoming General and Regional Elections, but despite whom we support, let’s not forget, as our National Motto says, we are “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” So for this reason, I urge you to get up! Grab your powder and colours, and get out and join the celebrations on Friday March 6th! This unity shall forever live on. Shivanie Rampersaud

From page 4 cabinet use to approve such a transfer? It is finally time to bring this chapter of our country to an end. We know that “power corrupts” and “absolute power corrupts absolutely” This PPP government must not be allowed to continue. They have treated this country with disdain and disrespect for far too long. I am calling for all Guyanese of Indian descent; please do not allow this set of corrupt and vulgar people, who has destroyed the dream of Dr. Jagan, to continue in office. You have lived among Guyanese of African descent, and you know how good and genuine they are. Of course, there are African Guyanese who are racist and vulgar, as

there are Indian Guyanese who are racist and vulgar. Do not allow the minority of bad people to taint your mind and to think that the entire African population is bad. They are not. We have all seen how helpful our African brothers and sisters are towards us when we are really in need. I have seen African boys rushing to the help of persons whose mini bus had plunged into a trench. Even though most of the occupants were Indians, that did not stop our African brothers from rescuing them. I am certain all of us have benefited from the goodness of our African neighbours. Do not allow fear to enter our hearts as we decide of how to vote. The PPP will play the

race card in their bottom house meetings, please confront them and let them know that we are all Guyanese. Guyanese, it is time to wake up. It is time to break loose. It is time to remove the shackle of racism and bigotry. It is time for healing. It is time for us to work together, regardless of our ancestry. It is time to celebrate our Amerindian, African, Chinese, Portuguese and Indian cultures in its truest form. It is time to celebrate our real Guyanese identity. We are neither African nor Indian, we are Guyanese. It is time to live as true Guyanese. It is time for a new Government. It is time for you to make it happen. Charles Sugrim

I support the GNYC “Vote... From page 5 involvement matters! Shame on the PPP/C for attacking any organization which is trying to increase voter participation among young people. The leadership and members of the Guyana National Youth Council should be commended for taking on this initiative and making their stake in the upcoming elections known. The PPP’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, should be ashamed of his retarded approach to this important matter and also for attacking the credibility, and name of the GNYC. The PPP’s posture of questioning the intention of the organization is consistent

with its treatment of Guyanese youth over the last two decades. According to Mr. Rohee and the PPP, the GNYC is a “self-anointed” authority which claims to represent Guyana’s youth. Rohee also described the organization as “a creature of external interference, through the LEAP project”. It is sad to see a government take such a deliberate decision to describe its youth in such miniscule and degrading terms. If this is the way the PPP views Guyana’s youth why then should they expect these young people to vote for them? Let me close by urging all of us to take decisive action to counsel our young people on the importance of voting

this and every elections to come. Guyana’s success and future depends on how informed and prepared its young people are to take up leadership roles in the nation. Participating in National and Regional Elections is a demonstration of good citizenship and being a good citizen is essential requirement for national leadership or public office. Let’s help our young people get there. Youth Vote Matters! Youth Vote is Boss! Because We Care! Who Cares If The PPP Is Scared! Let us support and encourage a massive youth turn out in the upcoming May 11 National and Regional Elections. Lurlene Nestor

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Knife-wielding attacker slashes face of U.S. ambassador in South Korea (Reuters) - U.S. ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert underwent two-anda-half hours of surgery after he was slashed in the face by a Korean nationalist in an attack at a breakfast forum in Seoul on Thursday to discuss Korean reunification. Lippert, 42, was bleeding from deep wounds to his face and wrist but was able to walk after the attack. Doctors said later his condition was stable after “very successful” surgery that required 80 stitches in his face as the White House expressed optimism for his quick return to his duties. The assailant was caught and identified by police as 55-year-old Kim Ki-jong. In 2010, Kim tried to attack the Japanese ambassador to South Korea by throwing a piece of concrete and was given a suspended jail term, according to police. The attack was a protest against joint military exercises by South Korean and U.S. troops, which Kim said interfered with reconciliation between North and South Korea, according to police following an interrogation. Police are considering whether to charge him for attempted homicide, a police official involved in the case said. Witnesses and police said Kim used a small fruit knife in the attack, which took place in a government arts center across the street from the heavily guarded U.S. embassy on the South Korean capital’s main ceremonial thoroughfare. “We strongly condemn this act of violence,” U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. U.S. President Barack

Obama called Lippert to wish him a speedy recovery, a White House official said. Obama’s deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes, said Lippert likely would return to work quickly, telling MSNBC: “I expect he’ll be back on his feet and in his job as soon as possible.” The assailant was dressed in traditional Korean clothing and shouted that North and South Korea should be reunited just before he attacked Lippert. He also shouted that he opposed “war exercises”, a reference to the annual joint U.S.-South Korean military drills that began this week. Kim visited North Korea eight times from 2006 to 2007, where he planted trees near the border city of Kaesong, a South Korean Ministry of Unification official said. “I carried out an act of terror,” Kim shouted as he was pinned to the floor by people at the event. Kim said while in police custody he had acted alone. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that Kim also said he was part of a group that had cut and burned a U.S. flag on the embassy grounds in Seoul in 1985. Kim is a member of the group that supports Korean unification that hosted the event, police said. He has also staged one-man protests against Japan over disputed islands known as Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese, and, according to his blog, he led a protest outside a U.S. army base in Seoul last November. “The guy comes in ... He yells something, goes up to the ambassador and slashes him in the face,” witness Michael Lammbrau of the Arirang Institute think-tank

told Reuters. Doctors at Yonsei University’s Severance Hospital said they treated Lippert for an 11-cm (4 inches) gash on the right side of his face and a puncture wound on his left wrist, causing nerve damage that was repaired. He will be hospitalized for three or four days, they said. “Doing well&in great spirits!,” Lippert tweeted after his surgery. North Korea’s official KCNA news agency described the attack as “deserved punishment for the warmongering United States”, calling it “the knife of justice” that it said reflected the anger of South Koreans opposed to the military exercises involving South Korean and U.S. forces. ‘WRESTLED TO THE GROUND’ Police were at the venue as part of routine operations but not at the request of the U.S. embassy or the organizer, a police official said. Lammbrau said Kim shouted about Korean independence while he was being restrained. “It sounded like he was anti-American, anti-imperialist, that kind of stuff,” he said. “The ambassador fought him from his seat ... There was a trail of blood behind him,” Lammbrau said. South Korean President Park Geun-hye, speaking in the United Arab Emirates, called it an “attack on the South Korea-U.S. alliance”. Known for his open, informal style, Lippert is active on Twitter and can often be seen walking his basset hound, Grigsby, in Seoul. His wife recently gave birth to a son, who was given a Korean middle name.

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Kaieteur News

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The Guyana Cricket Board has made a rational choice It has taken some time, but finally it has happened. Someone has had the testicular fortitude to come out and say that the entire West Indian cricket team should have been fired for withdrawing from the tour of India. The Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony, has said what none of his other colleagues have said. He has come out and given the proper legal response to the dilemma of the West Indies Cricket team abandoning the tour of India. I am on the same page with the St. Lucian Prime Minister on this one. I believe that if the players are contracted to go on a tour and they withdraw from that tour, then they should have all faced the consequences, all of them, and not just what many see as the ringleaders. Unless the Indian government withdraws its demand for some forty-odd million United States dollars as compensation for its losses, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will face imminent bankruptcy. There is no way that the Board can continue to avoid bankruptcy unless it has that debt removed. The West Indies Cricket Board, however, must share some of the responsibility for this debt, because it was the Board that took the decision to formally call off the tour after the players had withdrawn. The Board should have cobbled together a second string team and offered to dispatch that team immediately to India. Perhaps this may have been a practical impossibility given the short timelines and the need to make the necessary immigration arrangements. But at least the decision to indicate to the Indian Cricket Board that it was sending another team would have mitigated the financial disaster that the West Indies Cricket Board now faces. The Board, of course, may not have wanted to go

the route of firing the entire team, because they must have felt that such a move would terminally hurt West Indies Cricket. However, by not doing so; by not firing the entire team, they have achieved a similar effect, because there is no way that the WICB can overcome the burden that the demand for compensation will put on its existing and future financing. The players are lucky to not have been fired. They made an irresponsible decision. If I am contracted to an employer and I have a union, in this instance the We s t I n d i e s P l a y e r s ’ Association (WIPA), and I have appointed the union to negotiate with my employers; and if the union then makes an agreement behind my back, I cannot turn around and walk off the job protesting the agreement. Once WIPA would have made an agreement with the West Indies Cricket Board, then any grouses that the players had should have been sorted out with WIPA. The players should not have abandoned the tour, because their grouse could not have been with the West Indies Cricket Board, but instead w a s w i t h t h e i r representative, WIPA. If they felt that WIPA signed a bad agreement, they had to deal with WIPA. But under no circumstances should they have withdrawn their services while on tour. Admittedly, we are being told that the players had no contract while on tour. But they must have known this when they commenced the tour and having gone on the tour, they were duty-bound to complete it. I was surprised and

disappointed that the West Indies Cricket Board did not take firmer action against the players and did not send a second eleven to replace them. But I guess the WICB considered the future of West Indies Cricket when they opted not to fire the entire team. That future is no better, however, considering the debt which now burdens the WICB. This issue is expected to influence who will soon be

elected the President of the WICB. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has reportedly thrown its support behind the incumbent. And that is a purely rational decision. The Guyana Cricket Board is under siege from the Government of Guyana. The Government of Guyana wants the present executive outlawed. Dave Cameron has been opposed, and rightly so, to the meddling and that is putting it mildly -

of politics and politicians in Guyana’s cricket. The ICC charter prohibits political interference in the management of cricket, and therefore the GCB sees Cameron as an ally in its quest to survive the worst form of victimization ever meted out to a cricket organization in the Caribbean. They therefore have good reason to support Cameron. But also from the point of

view of what is best for West Indian Cricket, it makes sense to have someone with the business acumen of Cameron on board. So the decision of the WICB is rational, as is the opinion of the Prime Minister of St. Lucia on what should have been the fate of those who abandoned the tour of India.

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Friday March 06, 2015

Freddie kissoon column

Exodus, but it is not the movement of Jah people This newspaper has published details of US Embassy figures, whereby the embassy processes 20 to 30 Guyanese families each week. Important to note is that it wasn’t an individual applicant, but families. Each unit (family) contains several persons. The Embassy did not give a breakdown by ethnicity, but it is widely known that a majority of these immigrants are East Indians. Go to Berbice and your eyes cannot miss the countless empty houses. Over a twenty-year period, Berbice has lost a staggering number of its citizens. My wife’s parents, all of her uncles and aunts from both parents and many cousins were/are from Wakenaam, so I am a bit familiar with this Essequibo Island. Wakenaam has been steadily losing its citizens to the point where from the 1980s to the present time, I would say almost half of its people are gone from Guyana. Wakenaam is ninety-nine percent people of East Indian ancestry. What we are witnessing in Guyana is exodus alright, but not the Rastafari people that Bob Marley sang about in his famous song. We are seeing the massive outflow of East Indians from Guyana. But the US

Embassy statistics do not tell the entire story. The statistics of Indian departure includes illegal migration to Canada and the US; legal migration to Canada; legal and illegal migration to Suriname, Trinidad, Antigua and Barbados. It came as a complete surprise to this country when then Prime Minister of Barbados, David Thompson, began his midnight round-up of illegal residents. Of the Guyanese sent back, a majority were Indians. It was because of their visible presence that the police knew where to find them. The phenomenon of frenetic departure of Indians is sociological madness. Guyanese Indians are not willing to remain here. Recently, the government used a process that it is known to engage in everyday – naked conspiracy – when it announced that the ethnic breakdown of the 2014 census will be published in the second half of 2015. But the figures are quite easy to guess. Under both PNC presidents, Indians went out in countless numbers. Then came the PPP and ironically the numbers jumped. Why between 1970 and 1990 under the PNC government did fewer Indians migrate

Dem boys seh...

Enjoy Phagwah today Today is Phagwah and is a joyous festival. Is a lot of water, powder, abeer and nuff love. Some gun give you lipstick and some gun give you roosh. Dem boys gun give you powder and powder you poosh. Is a holiday and dem boys in happy spirit. Dem love to celebrate all dem holiday. Fuh dem is one fuh all and all fuh one. Dem smiling whole day. Somebody once said, “Your smile is your logo; your personality is your business card; how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark.” Today, dem boys trademark is to keep de whole of Guyana smiling. However, tomorrow and de rest of de days in de year dem mean to mek some people miserable just like how a certain husband living in misery. Dem boys ain’t calling he name because dem don’t want nobody get upset today. Whoever it fit leh dem pull de string and twist dem mouth or dem face or whatever dem want twist. This husband so fed up and upset wid de woman who he married that he send a SMS to he mudder in law. “Your product not cooking food properly. She not even doing that special thing properly.” Dem boys hear that de smart mudder in-law reply to she son in law. “Product sold; seal open, warranty expire, manufacturer not responsible.” Dem boys hear that de husband plan fuh throw she off de Harbour Bridge today fuh Phagwah. But dem boys have a message fuh that husband. Life is not about finding the right person, but creating the right relationship. It’s not how we care in the beginning, but how much we care till the very end. Talk half and enjoy Phagwah but remember happy living nah long life.

than between 1992 and 2014? We are talking about two decades respectively under both PNC and PPP Government. Because birth certificates, passports, Canadian and American visas during the PNC days were hard to get and Guyanese were less welcomed in the Caribbean. Today, Canada has selfsponsorship, American visas are easier to get, CARICOM offers the certificate of skilled citizens that makes it easy to land a job in the

region. Indians since 1992 have been deserting Guyana. A declining Berbice is graphic evidence. What is the explanation? Whatever it is, there is no space to ruminate on such a complex factor, but the exodus has tremendous implications for politics. Just one example should suffice – the Luncheon presidential bid that I expanded on in my Monday column. Dr Luncheon made his move in 1997 out of the calculation that Indians were in the majority and that the

PPP, not he, Luncheon, would get the votes. That was a long time ago. The exodus has dissolved the ambition of people like Luncheon, Rohee and the lady you find in two of Tennessee Williams plays – Gail Teixeira (the two plays are, “Orpheus Descending” and “The Milk Man Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore.” The elementary fact of politics in today’s Guyana is that the Indians have lost their majority. There is no longer an Indian electoral majority that can make a

Frederick Kissoon Luncheon or a Rohee a president. This configuration has played the crucial part in the formation of the electoral alliance between APNU and the AFC. All over Guyana the (Continued on page 37)

Friday March 06, 2015

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Finance Minister bemoans developed countries’ efforts in unattained MDG

(From left) Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa. By Kiana Wilburg Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh yesterday lashed out at developed countries that have failed after 35 years, to ensure that the Eighth Millennium Development Goal (MDG)— Global partnership for development—was attained. He was at the time offering brief remarks at a workshop held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Turkeyen which sought to take a firsthand look at the data collected so far on Guyana’s status in relation to achieving the MDGs. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals established by the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration to be achieved by 2015. This year’s report will be the final account on Guyana’s progress in relation to the eight MDGs which will capture the period 2011 to 2014. The workshop attracted members from the private sector, environmentalists, health care workers and officials from the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank. Also present was Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa. Dr. Singh, who is responsible for monitoring the progress of the MDGs, reminded the gathering that the last report would have shown that Guyana is on course, as some MDGs were achieved such as Tertiary and primary education, gender equality and environmental sustainability. He noted that government was also concerned about MDG Five which spoke to improving maternal health.

For 2014, there were 18 recorded cases of maternal deaths, 10 of which were at Georgetown Public Hospital. This led government to place more emphasis on the matter and how new strategies and solutions can be devised to effectively handle the matter. While the time draws nearer for the 2015 report to be produced, Dr. Singh said that Guyana will be judged, but noted that the country will receive favourable reviews. However, the Finance Minister said that he would want to be the first to speak on the somewhat elusive attainment of certain MDGs. Looking back on all that has taken place, the politician said that Guyana is a moderately resourced country and that it does not engage in the luxury of saying that citizens being in remote areas exempts or prevents them from being considered as part of efforts to achieve the MDGs. He said, too, that some of the goals were achieved because they were aligned with the nation’s priorities and national policy-making framework which helped significantly. After extending heartfelt thanks to Musa, her team and international partners, for their unrelenting support and honouring their agreements, he proceeded to speak on his “favourite topic” in this regard; MDG Eight: Develop a global partnership for development. The Finance Minister reminded that in 1970, a United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution was passed, in which the members gathered in solemn and serious deliberations and moved a resolution that the developed world would deliver development support equivalent to 0.7 percent of Gross National Income to the developing world within a time frame of five to 10 years. That should have been achieved by 1980. Thirty-five years later, Dr.

Singh highlighted that perhaps, only six developed nations of the world are remotely close to meeting that obligation. He firmly asserted that most of the developed world is woefully falling short when it comes to meeting their obligations. “It is a crying shame, because I am lectured to everyday about meeting my obligations and I have no problem. I have to meet my obligations… but I have a difficulty with the global community, particularly the very community that lectures me on my failure to meet my obligation…for I have a difficulty with it failing to meet its obligation,” the politician stressed. In fact, the Minister went as far as to say that MDG Eight, even after subsequent conversations, is the most under accomplished in the entire framework. Dr. Singh told his attentive audience that the truth of the matter is that there must be global commitment to development. “Until we accept that as a philosophical truth, we will be in my mind, tinkering at the periphery and flirting at the fringes,” he added. Dr. Singh also criticized the calls by the international community to measure Guyana’s development through remittances. The Finance Minister was quick to say that it is not an official flow. “You can’t count it as an official flow when my poor Guyanese nurse goes to New York and works and saves and sets aside her own money, foregoing that fancy dress or fancy dinner she wanted, just to send money to her niece in Guyana so that she can go to school and write a few extra exams…You want to call that development flow? You want to call the earnings of my hardworking nurse in New York as an official flow to mask the fact that you are underperforming against your 1970 target. That’s bad, bad.” UNDP Representative

Some of the participants at the workshop yesterday Musa said that as the stakeholders work towards producing the 2015 report, it is imperative to collect and analyze data to ensure that right conclusions and results are obtained and the data provided is interpreted in the right context. She noted too that it is beneficial to have a

wide cross section of stakeholders to partake in the discussions of success and challenges of the MDGs. The UN representative asserted however, that despite the struggles, Guyana has done well in achieving some of those goals. Musa urged the

participants to engage fully in the workshop and told them not to hesitate in being critical. She said that they should “call a spade a spade” in order to contribute meaningfully to the seminar, as it is an important process in moving forward.

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Immigration Officers schooled on CARICOM and CSME Protocol

In wake of the infamous case of Shanique Myrie v. Barbados, where the issues of discrimination, inhumane and degrading treatment, and refusal of entry of a CARICOM national into a CARICOM Member State arose, it was deemed necessary that immigration personnel be educated on boundaries of their authorities, and the rights of CARICOM nationals. Under the CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project (CTCP) Component 300, a series of training seminars are to be conducted in six Member States; Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Police Officer ’s Training Complex, Camp Road and Young Streets, yesterday facilitated the informative exercise. The activity saw CARICOM Secretariat’s Technical Coordinator, Technical Service Unit, Melbour Phillip, and Legal Officer O’neil Francis addressing 31 members of the Immigration Department of the Guyana Police Force. The seminar was in keeping with all that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been fighting for, through the provisions laid down by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), and the

Immigration Officers yesterday at the (CTCP) Component 300 concept of Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). The immigration officers were told that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) decision in Myrie’s case, explicated that immigration authorities have very little discretion to exercise, with respect to denying CARICOM nationals entry into another Member State. This, Francis said, is by virtue of Article 45 of the RTC, which states that Member States commit themselves to the goal of free movement of their nationals within the Community. The provision was solidified by a decision which was made at the 2008

CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, which declared the right of automatic entry of nationals to other Member States. The officers were informed that CARICOM nationals are to travel hassle free when entering and leaving another CARICOM jurisdiction. However, this freedom of movement and promised hassle-free travel, does not allow a CARICOM national to stay in another Member State of an indefinite period of time. The general rule is that CARICOM nationals be allowed a stay of six months within another CARICOM jurisdiction, exceptions being made for special circumstances. An example of special circumstances would involve persons who are employed on contracts lasting longer than six months, in which case the CARICOM national will be allowed to stay for the term specified under the contract. The contract may be renewed or extended, and that CARICOM national will be allowed to stay until the new

arrangement ends. The group of 31 were warned against acts of discrimination of nationals from other Member States, and the serious legal complications that they can commit their country to, if found guilty of such acts. The CARICOM legal officer went on to explain the importance of adhering to community law which has been laid down by the provisions of the RTC, and the precedential nature of Community Decisions made at the Heads of Government Meetings. In doing so, he told the officers that Member States are expected to change, amend or repeal any legislation which conflicts with Community law. With respect to their roles and what they can do, the officers were informed their first priority and original job, is to ensure the security interest of their state. However, while executing this role, they are expected to respect principles of CSME, and the right of nationals to

move freely to exercise their individual rights. In keeping in touch with today’s reality, Francis touched on the fact that in many cases, foreigners from third states (such as U.S.A, Canada, and England etc.) are afforded much better treatment, whenever passing through immigration, than our own CARICOM nationals. In discussing the grounds upon which an Immigration Officer might deny a CARICOM national entry to another Member State, Francis told the group that issues related to terrorism threats, protection of public health, morals, human and animal life qualifies. He added that a national may be denied entry, if they fail to present to immigration officials, evidence of sufficient funds to support the duration of their stay. However, the abovementioned, according the Francis, are not easily proven as sufficient grounds for refusal of entry. He emphasised that credible information or evidence

MUST be presented, in other words convince the relevant authorities that the refusal of entry is valid. Francis said that there must be a “genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to one of the fundamental interest in the society”. He went on to explain that “while the test is to examine whether the visitor is posing to do something which is prohibited under Guyana’s law, it is also important to note that Guyanese nationals must have been actively prosecuted for the same thing in Guyana.” Finally, with respect to the procedure which is to be followed when denying a CARICOM national entry, the officers were informed that they are tasked with informing the detainee (national being refused entry) that they have the option of filling out a complaint form. The Legal Officer explained that many immigration officers within Member States were completely unaware of the existence of a complaint form, and as such were unable to pass them on to nationals who were denied entry to their state. Additionally, Francis informed the officers that any refusal of a CARICOM national MUST be put into writing and should include the immigration officer’s name and badge number. The officers were also told of their duty to inform a CARICOM national who was denied entry, of his/her right to challenge the immigration’s decision to refuse them. The national also has the option of consulting an attorney-atlaw, the consular official to their country, and or a family member.

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Int’l survey shows Guyana’s police least trusted in entire region An international survey conducted amongst more than 1,500 Guyanese has shown that the Guyana Police Force is the least trusted police in the entire Americas region. The level of distrust was also highest amongst Afro-Guyanese. The AmericasBarometer survey was conducted by the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) which conducts surveys in more than 20 countries, including all of North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. At a forum held by the US Embassy yesterday, Elizabeth Zechmeister of LAPOP revealed the findings of some areas of the survey. During her presentation, Zechmeister focused on the confidence in institutions which provided justice and the rule of law. According to the survey, confidence in judicial institutions and the police have declined sharply between 2012 and 2014. Further, the police force was indicated as the least trusted institution. Above it were political parties, the justice system, and elections. Zechmeister noted that, in other parts of the Americas, trust in police ranks ranked comparatively high. Across the region, the

police force was the third trusted institution behind the Defence Forces and the Catholic Church. However, Guyana had the lowest level of trust in the police of the region; on a scale of 0 to 100, Guyana ranked a trust level of 35.3. The survey also showed that countries such as Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Bolivia ranked just above Guyana. The neighbouring twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago ranked several spots above Guyana, while Jamaica too was a few spots ahead. However, Zechmeister emphasised that the trend was not a new one. According to interviews carried out since 2006, Guyana’s trust in its police has been steadily declining. She noted that Guyana’s trust in its police had never been high to begin with and had never reached the levels indicated by many other interviewed countries. In 2006, trust in the police had been recorded at 51.1. This dropped in 2009 to 48.1 and again in 2010 to 42.3. The trend changed slightly with an increase in 2012 to 45.8. However, Zechmeister opined that this increase might have been the “honeymoon stage” which

followed the 2011 general and regional elections. The trend returned on course in 2014 when Guyanese’s trust fell to 35.4. Furthermore, while trust in the police declined across all ethnic groups, the drop was most seen amongst those identifying themselves as Afro-Guyanese. In 2012, trust amongst Afro-Guyanese had been ranked at 41.5. This dropped in 2014 to 24.3. Amongst Indo-Guyanese, trust dropped from 51.3 in 2012 to 41.49 in 2014. Those who identified themselves as ‘other’ saw the smallest drop from 44.11 in 2012 to 37.06 in 2014. Zechmeister opined that the trend was an alarming one and said LAPOP attempted to understand the reasoning behind it. She explained the organisation considered crime victimization along with bribe solicitations as possible reasons. However, these options were ruled out as the survey showed that these issues had improved over the years. The organisation then considered police responsiveness as a possibility and sought the views of respondents in determining the role this factor played. “We wondered if police

responsiveness could explain some of the trends that we were seeing,” Zechmeister explained. She said persons were asked a new question on how long they believed the police would take to respond to an in-progress burglary. She said the respondents were given a number of options, the fastest response time being under 10 minutes while the slowest was in excess of 3 hours. Zechmeister shared that a significant number of persons indicated that the police would take more than 3 hours to respond. She further said a quarter of the population indicated times of more than an hour, but less than three. Only 4% of persons said the police would respond in less than 10 minutes. She admitted that the nonshowing of the police was offered up as an answer by many persons though it had not been presented as an option. These respondents represented 11.6%, she said. “They just offered; we didn’t give them this as an option. They said none of our options worked for them, because the police would never come,” she said. Zechmeister continued, “The thing that really stood out to us was the decrease in trust in the judicial system,

but particularly in the police. It is uncommon to see that type of sharp decline across all dimensions of the judicial system…and there is something going on here that is causing significant decline in trust in the police,” she said. She went on, “We’re worried about that for a lot of reasons. For one, we worry that what’s driving it is probably not good. We also worry because we know when people are victims of a crime the likelihood of them picking up the phone and calling the police depends a lot on their trust in the police. So, if you want people to engage the police and call the police, you need them to trust the police; it is troublesome.” Zechmeister expressed hope that the survey’s findings will be used to inform new policies to attend to problem areas and would not instead be “left on the shelf to catch dust”. The findings of the survey come days after this newspaper reported instances of police abuse, including an attack of social activist Francis Bailey. Earlier this week, Bailey reported that he was being abused by the police after he recorded and published a video of young men rolling marijuana

Elizabeth Zechmeister of the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) cigarettes on the hood of a police vehicle. According to Bryan Hunt, Chargé d’ Affaires of the US Embassy, LAPOP is the premier academic institution carrying out surveys of public opinion in the Americas. LAPOP has over 30 years of experience. The AmericasBarometer was established in 2004 to regularly conduct surveys on democratic values and behaviours in the Americas. The AmericasBarometer survey is carried out every 2 years and in 2014 more than 50,000 persons were interviewed.

Region Two rice farmers continue protest to highlight critical concerns Having lost almost six acres of cultivated rice, Mohamed Jameal Sattaur, is worried about the future of his livelihood. The resident of Anna Regina New Housing Scheme, Region Two, has been in the rice business for close to four years, an undertaking that has seen him planting on a rented plot of land. Sattaur’s plot of land is situated aback of Bush Lot and, according to him; this is the first major loss he has suffered since he began planting. He explained that every crop he plants, he has to pay $200,000 for rental. He is dreading the fact that he will have to pay up, despite the fact that he hasn’t been able to earn as a result of the damage to his rice field. Another rice farmer is closely monitoring his submerged crop. He nevertheless is contemplating what to do or how much he can do to save his crop. In fact, several other

The rice farmers in protest mode Region Two farmers are facing the identical plight and they too are constantly making checks on their inundated rice fields. Most of the rice lands have been damaged due to the recent flooding, resulting from poor drainage. All this comes at a time when Essequibo rice farmers are continuing to decry late paddy payments by millers

and the price that they are paid per bag of paddy. They are also calling for a thorough revision of the Rice Factories Act. Members of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers’ Association held another protest yesterday morning at the Anna Regina ‘High Bridge’. Alliance for Change Region Two Councillor, Naith

Ram, who supported the protest action, encouraged the farmers to “continue the fight”. He opined that members of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and those of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (GRPA) have not been showing any respect or regard for the issues that continue to affect rice

farmers, crop after crop. In fact, according to him, “rice is at the crossroads; it’s do or die now...who nah dead is badly wounded.” Ram continued by stating his disappointment with the action of a senior member of the GRDB, who he claimed had promised to engage him whenever he visited the Region. He called on his colleagues to remain vigilant as he reminded them that “they represent all of the farmers in the Region.” Meanwhile, Region Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaud, in an interview with this publication, said he is concerned about the future of the rice in the Region. According to him, he visited the area and observed the severity of the rice situation, especially in the front lands. Persaud added that the fields are soft, which is hampering harvesting. This, he said, is due to inclement weather. However, he said, that he has currently mobilized the availability of

pumps and fuel in an effort to lessen water from the flooded fields. He is hopeful that all outstanding payments would be paid to farmers who are owed millions of dollars from the previous crop. This publication understands that an agreement between Guyana and Venezuela is yet to be signed. However, senior members of the GRDB are scheduled to travel to the Spanish-speaking country today and would engage in discussions to broker an agreement. While Venezuela purchases 25 percent of the rice produced in Guyana annually, officials aligned to the GRDB and GRPA have argued that some of the major issues faced by rice farmers include the uncertainty of the price of paddy and proper marketing strategy. This is seen as a major challenge, since rice is the major economic activity on the Essequibo Coast.

Friday March 06, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

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

WANTED Bartender for more information call: 691-6348; 227-8542 1 Male & female to work in the Interior to look after layer birds – Tel: 691-6260 Senior Accounts Clerk, 5yrs experienced, CAT or equivalent. Email: snow198390@hotmail.com Handyman, care for dogs and yard – Call: 227-2027

VACANCY Work from home: Earn $5,000 to $20,000 daily, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday - Call: 233-6517/ 638-0595 or www.jobfairworldwide.com RA Soda Factory: Bond Clerk, Accountant, Drivers – Call:330-2399, 330-2772, 6235920 Administration officer CXC subjects or above experience would be priority. Contact number: 668-7104 Alice Zhang, attractive salary. Female accounts & sales clerk also for porters, Apply in person @ Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Marketing Assistant, age 21-35yrs: sound education, comp u t e r skills, experienced in a marketing environment – Call: 2273801; 694-3103; 665-4790 FACTORY STAFF, GTI / GITC Male /Female graduates preferred. CANTER DRIVERS, MARKETINGASSISTANT, Drivers Licence required, GUARDS. Tel: 266 4427 Bag packer/ porter- apply with written application & passport size picture to Survival @ 173 Sheriff St.Call:227-5286/9. One refrigeration Airconditioned trainee- Call: 231-0655, 683-8734 Vacancy for body work man Tel: 649-0659 Female accounts clerk for Eccles Location, CAT Level 1, and 1 year experience. Email: vijai_ramnarine @hotmail.com- Tel: 233-3358 Reception / maid, cook/chef, to w o r k a t H o t e l / R e s t a u r a n t , apply in person – Tel:231-6284 Pharmacist & Pharmacy Assistant, must have 3 years experienced working within a Pharmacy .Tel:661-3124

Diesel Mechanic to work G/ Town – Tel: 218-5105 Business/Economics Writer, email application to snow198390@hotmail.com Honest, reliable, live in domestic – Call: 646-1758 between 9:00am to 3:00pm Experienced dispatcher, taxi & bus drivers @ Princess Hotel Providence- Call: 6165419/265-7076 1 Diesel mechanic to work in the interior (backdam), experienced in repairing Perkins, MWN, Duetz & lister engines – Contact: 661-4265 Contract Cars & Drivers Call: 227-1720, 227-1721 or 6606102 Hairdressers, spa artists & nail technicians at Hair Fanatics- Call: 680-7813, 6014181 One handy boy to work in a shop in the interior- Call: 6916260 Experienced bulldozer operator, experienced excavator operator, call between 9am-5pm: 611-5398 We offer $3M for Eccles Land, $1.5M for Leonora & $1.5M for Schoon’ord – Tel:675-7292; 689-3339 One Accounts Clerk – Call: 614-4358 Experienced counter servers, pastry makers, roti/puri cooks, cleaners, apply at Hack Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. Ladies to do cleaning on the W.C.D – Call: 684-8231; 6629341 Driver for canter lorry to work on W.C.D - $30,000 weekly – Call: 684-8231; 662-9341 VACANCY International Cruiseline AB Sailors, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, welders, costmetologist, etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880

Friday March 06, 2015

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. American Made, Aluminum ladder 24ft -$38,000 & 32ft $52,000 –Tel: 602-5794; 6097257 3 Engel moulding machine – Please Contact: 695-0333

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Accounting & Taxation Services: tax returns, compliances, financial statements. Avinash Persaud Tax Consultancy, 163 Parika, EBE – Call: 260-4762. REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves @ Ultra Cool- Call: 225-9032, 6472943

AMERICAN BULLY PUPS GOTTILINE REMYLINE – CALL: 220-7933; 6674845; 610-0068 1.60 everude engine, caterpillar skidder spare parts, modulim truck spare parts, 75 Yamaha spare partsTel:672-9272; 261-6634 1-XR-650L Motor Cycle, excellent condition- Tel:2271014; 678-5499 One Milwaukee M12 drill driver combo, asking $35,000Call: 672-9640 One miller Bluestar 6000 welder generator asking $250,000- Call: 672-9640 1 Music system, 80 mercury engine, 40 Tohatsu Engine, Hilux extra cab fiber glass cover – Tel:672-9272; 2616634 One 12ft aluminum fishing boat asking $320,000- Call: 672-9640 One Honda 4 stroke 15HP outboard motor asking $250,000- Call: 672-9640 Scanning Machine and Detox foot spa machine for sale, for information Call: 6497884; 692-7886

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1 -8000 SQ Feet ware house, located 20 miles from City $5000USD monthly – Contact: 695-0333 1- 95X50 business place for rent located at Mon Repos Public Road E.C.D –Tel: 627-6789 Wash bay and snackette at Lot 15 Good Hope E.B.E – Tel: 663-2882 Prime business place for rent on Sheriff street only for offices- Call: 627-6740 One barber shop in Diamond – Call: 233-0269; 658-5756 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 1 Executive apartment in an exclusive residential area with all modern amenities including parking. Call for appointment: - 653-2920 Barber Chairs on Durban Street near Smyth Street $6,000 weekly- Call: 682-6396; 692-9806 One 3 Storey building at 104 Regent Street – $9,000.USD negotiable – Tel: 223-6299; 617-7028

VEHICLE FOR SALE Lowest prices @ best quality: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, Axela, new model Fielder Wagon- Call: 6163413, 626-7478 City Motors Toyota Prado, Price$5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 Canter: Short Based - $2.2M, Voxy $1.7M, Spacio $2.1M, (all never registered) – Call: 617-2891 Blow Out Sale!!! Unregistered Toyota IST $2,150,000- Bodykit, TV, Spoiler, Fogs, Alloy Wheels, Crystal Lights & Alarm – Call: 643-6565, 226-9931 2005 F350 Ford, door ½, fully loaded 4X4, diesel, automatic, leather interior, 35" tyres & rims; excellent condition – Tel: 610-5370 1 Toyota Vigo, manual transmission – Tel: 600-5759 Toyota AT212, AT192, Raum, Premio,Tundra, AE100 Sprinter, Vitz, RZ Bus, EP71 & 825 Starlet, Honda 600RR - Tel: 644-5096; 6971453 One Nissan X-Trail, year 2004, PRR series. Fully loaded- Price $3.1M NegCall: 647-0016 1 New unregistered Mazda Axela, going cheap, owner leaving country – Tel: 6490956 GNN 5366 75 DAF, GSS 6715 65CF DAF, PMM 755 IST, truck tray – Contact: 644-1030; 613-5212 AT192 for sale -$700,000 – Call: 653-6337

Four (4) Stalls in Bourda Market – Contact: 614-3630 XBOX 360 Slim, with games & controller 1-32" Samsung HDTV- Call: 683-8386 Great Deals on video games and all consoles – Call: 6722566; 265-3232 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Good Condition! Ocean going containers, 20’ & 40’ – Contact Meena: 667-3352; 266-3173/6

CAR RENTAL

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

SPECIAL DEALS ON YAMAHA OUTBOARD ENGINES: 90HP 4 STROKE, 75 HP 2 STROKE, 50 HP 4 STROKE – CALL: 6836721 Alligator trucks + spare parts, portable sawmill – Contact: 681-5839; 663-2291 1-16FT BOWRIDER FIBERGLASS BOAT, 85HP OUTBOARD ENGINE WITH 25 GAL BUILT IN FUEL TANK, SEATS, 9 TRAILER INCLUDED – CALL: 683-6721

PROPERTY FOR SALE Public Road Grove corner property $25M Negotiable Call: 613-5645 Flat concrete house for sale in Grove with land space- Call: 679-3913

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

1 Flat concrete house @ Kururu Kururu Linden Soesdyke Highway, size 38X20, land 100X200 – $8M negotiable-Tel: 592-6616073; 694-1090 1 Newly built 2 storey concrete house @ Canal No#2 Belle West - Tel:6153333; 648-9428 Business property located @ Supply public road, E.B.D. Entering either by river/ public road- Call: 698-8100 Grove Caneville, 4th field, 1st Street, concrete flat house, incomplete, B.Size 19X40 land 40X100 feet $2.5M – Tel:2317805; 618-7483

ACCOMMODATION Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor / Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504 Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parika: Bar-B-Cue & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc. Phone: 260-4504. Continued on page 31

Friday March 06, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 31

‘Healing the Nation Theocracy Party’ seeks to be contender in 2015 election A new political party – Healing the Nation Theocracy (HTNT) has emerged in Guyana, “with hopes of truly breaking away from an ethnic divide and providing a balance between Guyana’s two main political parties – a united Alliance for Change (AFC)/A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic.” The entity says it hopes to become the “third force” in the political sphere with its main aim being “to put power back into the hands of the people.” Alfred Park a Corentyne, Berbice native is the chairman and also the Party’s Presidential candidate, while Ras Leon Saul is the Prime Ministerial candidate and General Secretary. Park who hosts the weekly ‘Healing the Nation’ talk show on HBTV Channel 9 is said to be an herbal practitioner with his own establishment ‘First World Symmetry Healthcare’ located at 255 Earl’s Avenue, Subryanville. The gentleman in the late 1970s - early 1980s had spent some time in the United States where he said he participated in the historical civil rights movements taking place in that country at the time. Park is an entrepreneur who aims greatly to “end poverty in Guyana.” He seeks to create a “healthy nation to build a wealthy economy and end all poverty in Guyana.” Past President of the Guyana Rastafari Council and secretary of the current Reparations Committee Ras Leon Saul is also a Berbice native who resided in Canada for more than 20 years and was a member of the ruling Conservative party of Canada. He has academic qualifications in the areas of communication, film and television production with experience in the field of reporting. Party heads say

(From page 30)

DRESSMAKING Designing & Sewing classes, ladies wear, curtains etc. (CanadianTrained Tutor), Schoon-Ord, W.B.DTel:626-2629, 676-6312

Presidential Candidate Alfred Park

Prime Ministerial Candidate Ras Leon Saul

that Healing The Nation Theocracy Party, believes it can rally the support of Guyanese at the upcoming May 11 polls by “opening their eyes to the poverty we are experiencing…to open your eyes to the reality of our situation, and to assist in marshaling the masses and place them on solid ground.” “We are in the midst of a country on the verge of melting down and the powers that be sit on their ‘racial/ ethnic mix formula’ and do nothing except think of a coalition in the form of ‘jockeying for position’ instead of giving the nation a vision.” The organization said that one of their main selling points is the legalization of marijuana, which the political opposition said would be open for discussion. The new contenders believe that the current crop of politicians have great difficulty in providing practical solutions to the vast number of difficulties that are facing Guyanese. In its “Vision 2020” agenda for change, Healing the Nation Theocracy Party says that it recognizes that “power must be put back into the hands of the people and not leave the development of this country

in the hands of a few moneygrabbing ‘so and so’s’ and their cronies. It’s time for us to shake off this mental inertia that has for so long kept us in the dark.” The HTNT party aims to “create wealth by transforming the nature of the economy to achieve growth, accelerated poverty reduction and the protection of the vulnerable and excluded by providing proper jobs and employment opportunities through the resurrected “co-operative movement”. “What is clear, is that a generation of racists and ideologist individuals, under the disguise of political parties and saviours, has dismantled the idea of equal rights, justice, peace and security in Guyana.” The party’s leaders say that along with other political parties contesting the May 11 elections, they have entered full campaign mode following the dissolution of the 10th Parliament last Saturday. It was noted too, that the recently-formed APNU-AFC coalition is not the only party that is optimistic. “Healing the Nation Theocracy Party will be penetrating the markets to

Airport contractor gets warning From page 24 lopsided in favour of the Chinese Contractor undertaking the expansion programme - is that Government has agreed to supply and deliver free of cost, more than 500,000 truckloads of the sand required for backfilling of the extension of the airport runway. Not only is the Ministry supplying and delivering the sand free of cost to CHEC, it has also agreed that should it fail to satisfy this requirement, CHEC shall be entitled to claim expense and time extension accordingly. Works Minister Robeson Benn said that the 500,000 truck-loads of sand represents part of Guyana's contri-

bution to the project. According to the contract document, “The acceptance, inspection, care, custody and control of the material supplied” by the Ministry of Public Works, shall not relieve it “of liability for any shortage, defect, or default of the material.” Having already fallen behind on its 32-month construction schedule, CHEC is now preparing to present Government with a supplemental work programme requesting a substantial extension to its September 2015 deadline for the CJIA expansion project. Earlier this year, when CJIA Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir presented an

update on the expansion project, he said that the project was already behind schedule. By the end of last year, in excess of US$30M had been disbursed to CHEC for works executed under the project. CHEC is also currently under fire in Jamaica for illegally quarrying on the CARICOM island. According to that country's regulatory body, CHEC, since late last year, has been illegally quarrying hillsides on lands the company purchased in that area, without approval from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and other entities.

HTNT’s party logo lure indecisive voters.” The Prime Ministerial candidate noted that, “some 130,000 persons did not vote at the last elections in 2011, because they were not presented with a party that represented real change. We are targeting that set of nonvoters”, he stated. Ras Saul, who in October 2010 ran to be a Councilor on the Toronto City Council, believes that many of that grouping (who did not vote) are Rastafarians, who believe their rights are not being represented by the existing political parties. “We want to bring our community into the frame, because the other parties do not represent our interests,” Ras Saul stated. “Rastafari is also a

philosophy grounded in the teaching of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey, and a faith-based way of life. It promotes one love and unity across all communities,” Ras Saul continued. He noted that the HTNT party has been receiving an overwhelming response, with more attention expected as soon as their campaign intensifies. “HTNT’s strategy mainly includes reaching out to particular communities that will most likely sympathize to our condition and beliefs. The legalization of marijuana is part of the party’s eradication of poverty and equal rights and justice platform,” Saul said in conclusion.

TO LET Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218 One bedroom furnished bottom flat @ Diamond E.B.D- call:216-0644,668-8403 4 bedroom house, AC, Security camera, GEB alarm, telephone, 2 vehicles parking, etc @ Friendship E.B.D- Tel:674-6363 Two bedroom downstairs apartment in Alberttown $50,000- Tel: 691-2727 Two bedroom house – Contact Joy: 218-1285; 6499059; 627-8562

LAND FOR SALE Measuring 90’X165’ facing Atlantic Ocean, approximately half mile from Sheriff Street on High Way. Contact Shiv: 600-6681 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front - $100M Negotiable, serious enquiries only! Tel: 669-8152 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.5M, Herstelling- $4M, Eccles$6M (100ftX50ft), Leonora -$3M – Tel:675-7292; 6893339

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Kaieteur News

People’s Progressive Party The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends Phagwah greetings to all Hindus on the occasion of Phagwah which is celebrated on March 7. Phagwah is a festival which depicts the triumph of good over evil. This is a universal message which resonates with mankind throughout the world.

Right here in our own country there are today dark forces hovering over us which are trying desperately to take our beloved country back to an evil past when the democratic rights and freedoms of the Guyanese were taken away from them. As the great Mahatma Ghandi reminded us, noncooperation with evil is a

sacred duty. It is therefore incumbent on all Guyanese to rally around the concepts of peace, progress and prosperity and by so doing prevent evil forces from enveloping our land. Once again, a happy Phagwah to all Guyanese in particular our Hindu brothers and sisters.

Indian Arrival Committee The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) extends Phagwah (Holi) greetings to all the citizens of Guyana, especially those who are guided by the philosophical teachings of Sanatan Dharma. Phagwah or Holi is a festival of Bharat (India) that has its roots in antiquity and celebrates the coming of a new spring season, the drawing of a new year and the triumph of good over evil. The exuberance of this festival reflects the collective hope of people for progress, prosperity and the concomitant betterment of their lives. This festival of renewal most likely pre-dated the Sarasvati Valley Civilisation, the World’s first significant civilization which

flourish between 5000 BCE and 2600 BCE And sir Krishna of Mahabharat frame. Even though the cultural landscape in Bharat has changed from time to time from the Introduction of the Negroids followed by the ProtoAustraloids , Dravidians, Mongoloids, Caucasians, Persians, Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas, Huns, Arabs, Turks, Afghans, Mughals And Europens, the festival of Holi emerged, survived and flourished in Bharat, the world’s first melting pot. Holi was brought to British Guiana by Hindus who arrived here as indentured labourers to work on sugar plantations 177 years ago and was sustained by the majority of approximately

239,000 Bharatiyas who arrived on these shores between 1838 and 1917. Phagwah was transplanted from a large subcontinent, characterized by the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, to Guyana, a small South American land of dry and rainy seasons, and even though global warming is creating climatic havoc, the symbolism of Holi must not be lost. IAC, therefore, calls upon all the citizen of this multi-cultural land of Guyana to regard the great festival of Phagwah or Holi, which celebrates life and hope, regardless of demography or geography, always as a focus for national unity. Happy Holi from the IAC!

Friday March 06, 2015

People’s National Congress Reform The People’s National Congress Reform extends Holi greetings to the Hindu Community of Guyana in particular, and Guyanese in general, on the occasion of the celebration of the Festival of Phagwah in Guyana. The significance of Phagwah is two-fold. Its secular significance lies in the advent of the season of spring, and its real and allegorical implications of fertility, rebirth, renewal and regeneration. The religious significance of Holi lies in the conquest of

good over evil, manifested by the destruction by Prahalada of his demonic father, King Hiranyakashipu. As the celebrated Indian national, Kulapati Vani wrote many years ago, “… festivals are gatherings for refreshing the spirit and enjoying life,” we urge all Guyanese to use this occasion to refresh their spirit and enjoy life and to participate fully in this colourful festival and enjoy the rich elements of our religious and cultural diversity. We are conscious, also

that our spirits are becoming increasingly sullen and sour, in the brooding darkness that now engulfs our land. We urge all Guyanese to see some spiritual inspiration in this Festival and to brace themselves against the many evils that are in our midst, and resolve, at this juncture, to take steps to end these calamities that now bedevil our country, and to restore equity, justice, peace and prosperity to our dear Motherland. Again Happy Holi to all Guyanese!

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union We in the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) will personalize this brief message as we join Hindus and all Guyana in celebrating the Festival of Holi. The month of March holds deep, real and symbolic significance for us in GAWU as a trade union. Our former Honorary President and National Hero, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, passed away on this day in 1997. His dear wife in struggle, Janet also passed in March as did labour movement stalwart, Joseph H. Pollydore.

March also commemorates the passing of GAWU heroine Kowsilla known as “Alice” who sacrificed her life during a sugar-workers’ protest over scabs violating a legitimate strike. And of course Phagwah – the Holi Festival – is also located in March, sometimes. This Indian-orginated early Spring festival celebrates the beginnings of agricultural harvests; it symbolizes hope and it represents that bad, destructive forces – the wicked Holika – will be burnt or will burn themselves out

leaving the ashes of good and productive endeavours. GAWU is also grounded in agriculture, its members, including thousands of Hindus, work in the sugar and rice industries and related areas of agriculture. As we enjoy the various cultural meals and the gaiety of worship, let us all welcome non-Hindus who not enjoy this festival of joy and love. GAWU suggests that we put politics, the crime and any rancour aside for this weekend as we give thanks and celebrate Holi in a peaceful manner. Happy Holi 2015!

Guyana Trades Union Congress The Guyana Trades Union Congress extends Phagwah Greetings to all Guyanese, especially our Hindu brothers and sisters. As Guyanese celebrate this holy event we are reminded its significance lies in success over wrongdoing. As the Hindu community uses this season to celebrate such triumph, all Guyanese in joining in this event are urged to remember triumph comes through hard work. The Hindu festival of Phagwah has been made a national event where all Guyanese, regardless of race and religion, can celebrate the beginning of a period (spring) which characterises new growth, development and

new beginnings. It is a period where life proliferates and evil is destroyed. The commemoration of the festival of Phagwah with water, bright colours and the burning of the holika is an event that all Guyanese have grown to look forward to. We must reflect even as we celebrate that making this a national event is a positive and progressive step in a multi-ethnic society such as ours. For it develops in each of us not only a sense of ancestral, ethnic or religious identity, but a sense of tolerance and an ability to share with each other and appreciate diversity. That this is evident today when we see widespread participation of all

groups is testimony to the earlier integration policies by the Government of the time in an effort to foster One People, One Nation, One Destiny as our motto signifies. All Guyanese should reflect from the lessons of Phagwah, put aside differences and work towards progress and development. The key to success and a brighter future lies in our hands. Let us usher in a period of growth and abundance, of new beginnings, of prosperity, of development, of brightness, a mixing of colours and purification with water. Let us use this period to battle all evil in our midst. Happy Phagwah to all Guyanese.

Friday March 06, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Gold miners meet President on relief measures Miners at the meeting

President Donald Ramotar addressing the miners.

G

overnment has expressed its continued support to the mining sector through ongoing collaboration at various levels. This commitment was expressed by President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, following a meeting with Executives of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) and other stakeholders to explore initiatives and interventions for the sector. The meeting which was held yesterday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, East Coast Demerara, “explored several areas of support which are at various stages of implementation or under review. The Government reiterated its collaboration with all stakeholders within the mining sector towards the viability and sustainability of the mining sector,” a Government Information Agency (GINA) statement said. The GGDMA sought

government’s intervention global gold prices plunged over the past two years. “However, it was stated that the challenges facing the sector can be collectively addressed through continued collaboration and engagements between all stakeholders. Meanwhile, the GGDMA has again expressed their appreciation for the support provided by the government for the issuance of a fuel import licence, waivers on spares and equipment for the mining sector, access to foreign currency and tax waiver on double cab pickups,” the statement said. Gold had become the biggest foreign currency earner for Guyana over the past seven years before dropping behind rice last year, as gold prices on the world market fell and miners reduced production. Miners have been aggressively pushing for concessions on fuel imports, spares, vehicles and a number of other measures to ease costs. Government recently reduced the fuel tariffs as price for oil plunged on the world market.

Exodus, but it is not the movement of Jah people From page 10 talk is that AFC will lose Indian votes because of the coalition with the PNC. I think they will lose middle-aged Berbicians, but the loss will not be substantial. However, this time around the AFC will pick up more Indian votes because of the youth factor. But let us assume that all Indians vote for the PPP in May, it cannot bring a majority because the total Indian population is not a majority and the ethnic population of a race group does not correspond with the percentage in the electorate. That is simple to understand. If the Indians are forty percent; in that number will be under-18 kids who cannot vote. And the Amerindian population will have to vote totally for the PPP to achieve a majority. The 2011 election poll showed the Amerindian vote was split. The exodus of East Indians is the PPP’s nemesis.

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Kaieteur News

Friday March 06, 2015

No bail for father of five found with cocaine A businessman and father of five made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday, charged with the possession of a narcotic. Thirty-six year-old, Lance Walters of 84 Fifth Avenue Subryanville, was charged with having 8 grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. Police inspector Michael Grant stated that on the day in question at about 20.30hrs, the police were conducting several searches, when they received certain information, and the defendant was sought and found. As the police were about to tell the defendant about the information they received, it is alleged that he placed his hand in his right pocket and “threw away something”. Grant said that the police went in search of the item and a white substance was revealed which was suspected to be cocaine. Subsequently, the substance was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where it tested positive for cocaine. Walters was told of the offence and later arrested and charged. Wa l t e r s ’ a t t o r n e y Latchmie Rahamat in her application for bail informed the court that her client has five children. She said that he has no pending matters

Lance Walters before the court. And at the time of the police search, counsel said that her client did not have the narcotic in his possession. She also reminded the court that her client was convicted three years ago for a similar offence. However, the prosecutor objected to bail citing that counsel did not provide any special reasons which would allow the man to have his pre-trial liberty. Because Walters was convicted before for a similar offence, the prosecution used this as a weapon to deny the defendant bail. W a l t e r s w a s subsequently remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Man appears in court for unlawful assault

A

city magistrate denied a man his pre-trial liberty after he was arraigned for unlawful assault. Randolph Sanasie, who resides at Lot 1 Independence Street, La Grange, denied that on M a r c h 1 , a t Upper Berbice River, he unlawfully assaulted Ron Jones, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Police prosecutor Bharrat Mangru did not provide the court with any details about what transpired on the day in question. Mangru objected to the

defendant being released on bail, because the victim is still hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He also took into consideration the nature and gravity of the offence, the penalty the offence attracts if the defendant is found guilty, and the possibility that he might not return to court if granted bail. Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry told the accused that she would consider granting him bail once the victim is released from the hospital. She ordered that he return to court on March 11.

Friday March 06, 2015

Kaieteur News

Region Seven DEO pleads ‘not guilty’ to sexual assault charge ...GRANTED $50,000 BAIL

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egion Seven D i s t r i c t Education Officer (DEO), Akbar Chindu, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Dellon Bess at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charge of sexual assault. It is alleged that the DEO committed the unlawful act against an 18-year-old woman who was formerly employed at the Region Seven Education Department as an office staffer. The woman, who also appeared in court yesterday, had reportedly resigned her position, shortly after highlighting the allegation of sexual assault last month. Directing his attention to the DEO, the Magistrate asked if he was aware that if the allegation of sexual assault was true he could be convicted. Chindu responded by disclosing he was indeed cognisant of that fact. The man, moreover, pleaded “not

guilty” to the charge. Magistrate Bess went on to inquire of the DEO if he was still employed, to which he responded “yes,” and a similar question was asked of the woman who confirmed that she had resigned. Although reports coming out of the Education Ministry suggest that the man had been off the job following reports of the alleged assault, this publication was able to ascertain that the man was still on the job even the day before appearing in court. Minster of Education Priya Manickchand, has profusely refuted that the man is on the job based on reports from the Regional Education Officer. She has however vowed to investigate the matter further. The court hearing came to an end yesterday with the DEO being granted $50,000 bail. The matter is expected to be called again on March 27.

Embattled Guysuco Manager appears in court

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mbattled Skeldon Estate Manager, D a v e K u m a r, who in recent times was said to be involved in a number of public incidents and even clashed with the police, has been charged. Kumar appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh in the Springlands Magistrate’s court on two charges - riotous behaviour and assaulting a peace officer with intent to avoid arrest. Kumar was earlier summoned to appear in the Springlands Magistrate’s court, on February 12, last, but failed to show up. He was represented by three lawyers-Ramesh Rajkumar and former Magistrates Krisendat Persaud and Chandra Sohan. The defence lawyers asked for minimal bail. However Kumar was released on his own recognizance. Police Prosecutor Inspector Godfrey Playter did not object to bail. According to the prosecution on December 12, around 21:30 hrs, the

police were conducting patrols in the Corriverton area and Kumar was being driven in a Guysuco vehicle when it was stopped by ranks on patrol. The Manager reportedly became abusive. Kumar was cautioned about his behaviour, but he allegedly continued using expletives. The driver was asked to turn on the interior lights and Kumar reportedly launched a series of expletives at the police. Kumar was again warned about his behaviour, but the charge said that he refused to desist. The police decided that it was time to have Kumar step out of the vehicle. The Manager was said to have declined and issued a challenge to the police. The driver was then asked to drive into the compound, a request with which he complied. Kumar was eventually removed from the vehicle and taken into the station, but not without some resistance. He is expected to reappear in court on April 16.

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APNU-AFC gives GECOM thumbs... From page 28 targeted in awareness drives about the political voting process. Patterson also criticized the PPP General Secretary, stating that he was one to boast of the party's commitment to young people and how much it had done for them. “You would think that they (PPP) would be happy, since they boast of how much they are doing for young people.” Patterson said that his party is delighted to see that the youth-led body is

engaging in public education. The GNYC said in its defence that it is a legally registered and independent youth-led NonGovernmental organisation, whose membership is “inclusive of Guyanese across the diverse political, geographic and ethnic spectrum and the leadership intends to continue engaging youth in a manner that promotes the development and education of Guyanese young people, (regardless of their political affiliation)”.

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Rowley hires Ramesh for Japanese ambassador’s E-mailgate defence $115-m parting shot Trinidad Guardian – Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley Wednesday night revealed for the first time his private conversation with former Integrity Commission chairman Ken Gordon in the E-mailgate affair. He also said he had hired Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj to defend him against the impending lawsuit to be brought by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the matter. Speaking at a public meeting in Marabella, Rowley said after he had gotten a thread of e-mails bearing similar addresses as those of Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, then attorney general Anand Ramlogan and two other politicians, Suruj Rambachan and Gary Griffith in 2011, he took them to then president George Maxwell

Richards. Richards, in turn, forwarded the e-mails to the Integrity Commission. After six months had elapsed, Rowley said he tried to find out the status of the investigation, but when he called for the chairman of the Integrity Commission he did not reach him. He said while on the way to his home, Gordon returned his call and asked him if the matter he wanted to discuss was urgent. It was in that scenario, Rowley said, that he went to Gordon’s home and asked him one question. Whether the matter was being investigated? He said Gordon’s response was no. In May 2012, Rowley referred to 31 e-mails in Parliament which outlined a criminal plot to bug the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, an offer of judge-

ship to the DPP and a plot to harm an investigative journalist who was probing the circumstances relating to the passage of legislation which favoured two political financiers in the Secton 34 matter. Rowley said last night that Ramlogan and former sports minister Anil Roberts were among those who were quick to accuse him of fabricating the e-mails. He said he would have been stupid to fabricate the e-mails and then take them to the President and ask for a probe. Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams on Tuesday confirmed that the police service had received a “voluminous” file from US email service provider Google Inc. and that they were in the process of analysing the information. On Monday, at a political meeting in Brazil Village, East Trinidad, Persad-Bissessar signalled her intention to sue Rowley for defamation in relation to the E-mailgate allegations.

(Jamaica) – Japanese Ambassador Yasuo Takase, who says farewell to Jamaica yesterday, signed a US$1 million, or J$115 million grant for industrial products, as one of his last official duties. Dr Peter Phillips, the Jamaican minister of finance and planning, also signed the JPY 100 million Exchange of Notes which will go towards the economic and social development of Jamaica. “This grant assistance is in line with the new policy of Japan towards Jamaica and CARICOM (Caribbean Community) at large, focusing on other factors than GNI-percapita status,” the ambassador said. “The intention of Japan is to support the efforts of those SIDS (Small Island Developing States) to overcome their vulnerability to challenges imposed by environment and climate change issues. This should also improve their capacity in the area of disaster risk management.” Dr Phillips added that the grant assistance would contribute to the economic and social development of Jamaica, while purchasing those equipment from Eastern Japan which was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and so would facilitate the recovery efforts in the area. He noted that the grant would therefore be assisting both Japan and Jamaica. The industrial products/

Jamaica’s Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips (left) thanking Japanese Ambassador Yasuo Takase after the signing of a US$1-million grant to Jamaica at the finance ministry in Kingston. The ambassador said farewell to the island yesterday. equipment to be purchased with the grant includes mining and civil works equipment, environmental and meteorological measuring devices, medical and health care supplies. In his remarks, Ambassador Yasuo Takase recalled the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Caribbean region in July last year during which he attended the first Japan-CARICOM Summit in Trinidad & Tobago. At that time he announced that Japan would look into the possibility of assisting the Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean region. That position was reaffirmed at the Fourth Japan-CARICOM Foreign

Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo in November last year. “As I am wrapping up my tour of duty here in Jamaica, I am happy to note that our embassy has fulfilled our mandate in many areas of collaboration with the people and Government of Jamaica. I am especially pleased and honoured to be signing this important Exchange of Notes today towards the end of my tour of duty,” Takase said. “In closing, I would like to express that it has been my profound honour to be posted in Jamaica as the representative of the people and Government of Japan. Best wishes to you all in your future endeavours. May ‘Jamaica land we love’ continue to prosper! (Jamaica Observer)

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Kaieteur News

Police High Command warns families against protecting criminals KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Police High Command is appealing to the relatives of individuals who might be involved in criminal activities not to shield them and provide safe havens for them when they carry out their illegal acts, as this may put their lives at risk due to the actions of feuding criminals. This appeal comes against the background of the shooting of three women, two fatally, in the past 48 hours, in two unrelated incidents in the Red Hills Road area of St Andrew and Westmoreland. The first incident occurred about 7:45 am, on March 3, in Logwood district, Westmoreland where gunmen shot a 38-year-old woman. It is reported that the woman was at home when armed men, with whom a relative reportedly had a dispute, attacked and shot her in her neck. She was taken to hos-

pital where she was treated. The other incidents, which occurred in the Red Hills Road area, left two women, 45-year-old Rosemarie Ballentine and 44year-old Donna Daley, an administrative officer, both of Red Hills Road, Kingston 19, dead. The Police High Command said it has noted with concern that when rival gangs cannot reach their intended targets, they tend to turn on unsuspecting family members and therefore the police are appealing to relatives not to expose themselves or other loved ones to the dangers of criminality. Members of the public are urged to join the police in their efforts to curtail crime by sharing what they know with them. Meanwhile, the police are appealing to anyone with information that can assist in the fight against crime to con-

Commissioner of Police Carl Williams tact Crime Stop at 311, police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station. Persons may also anonymously give information using the Stay Alert App, which is a mobile application that can be accessed free of cost through the Unite for Change website at uniteforchangejm.org or through the Google Playstore. (Jamaica Observer)

Venezuela opposition leader fears vote will be scrapped Los Teques (Venezuela) (AFP) - Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles says he fears President Nicolas Maduro’s crisis-hit government, fearing a humiliating loss, will cancel key legislative elections later this year. With Venezuela’s economy in recession, its oil revenues plunging and consumers facing chronic shortages of basic goods, Maduro’s approval rating has sunk to a low of around 20 percent — the worst crisis yet for the political movement founded by his late mentor, leftist firebrand Hugo Chavez. That has fed optimism among the divided opposition that it can win control of the National Assembly at elections due this year, for which a date has not yet been set. But Capriles — who narrowly lost the 2013 presidential vote to Maduro after Chavez’s death — said the government would rather provoke the opposition into violence than face it at the polls. “The government had never had such a large deficit (in the polls) heading into an election. Now it does. How does it change that? It rigs the game,” he told AFP in an interview earlier this week. “Is it capable of suspending (the election)? I think they’re capable of anything,” he said. A year after bloody street protests erupted across Ven-

Henrique Capriles ezuela, the government wants the opposition to “fall into the trap of violence,” said Capriles, the governor of the wealthy northern state of Miranda. “They want to instill fear in people,” he said. Suspending the elections “is a bomb that the government could make explode.” Capriles, a 42-year-old lawyer, spoke optimistically of the opposition’s chances, saying this could be the year they loosen a 16-year-long grip that “Chavistas” have on the South American oil giant. If the opposition takes control of the National Assembly, it could call a referendum next year to remove Maduro from power. “There’s no reason to lose. It would be stupid, it would be self-destructive,” Capriles said, sporting jeans and a baseball cap in the colors of the Venezuelan flag. But although Venezuelans are fed up with long

lines, soaring prices and shortages of products ranging from medicine to toilet paper, the opposition is weakened by its own divisions. A short walk away from the public school where Capriles was interviewed sits the Ramo Verde prison, where two other, more hardline opposition leaders are in jail: protest leader Leopoldo Lopez and Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma. Together with expelled lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, they founded a grassroots opposition movement aimed at ousting Maduro through street protests, called “La Salida” (which translates as both “The Solution” and “The Exit”). The movement mobilized hundreds of thousands of protesters to take to the streets from January to May last year. The protests exploded into violence as the government responded with counter-demonstrations and a police crack-down, leaving 43 people dead, hundreds wounded and thousands arrested. Lopez was jailed in February 2014 on charges of inciting the violence. Ledezma was jailed last month on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government. Machado was expelled from the National Assembly in March 2014 and also faces charges of conspiring against the government.

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Islamic State torches oil field near Tikrit as militia advance

(Reuters) - Islamic State militants have set fire to oil wells northeast of the city of Tikrit to obstruct an assault by Shi’ite militiamen and Iraqi soldiers trying to drive them from the Sunni Muslim city and surrounding towns, a witness said. The witness and a military source said Islamic State fighters ignited the fire at the Ajil oil field to shield themselves from attack by Iraqi military helicopters. The offensive is the biggest Iraqi forces have yet mounted against IS, which has declared an Islamic caliphate on captured territory in Iraq and Syria and spread fear across the region by slaughtering Arab and Western hostages and killing or kidnapping members of religious minorities like Yazidis and Christians. Black smoke could be seen rising from the oil field since Wednesday afternoon, said the witness, who accompanied Iraqi militia and soldiers as they advanced on Tikrit from the east. Control of oil fields has played an important part in

funding Islamic State, even if it lacks the technical expertise to run them at full capacity. Before IS took over Ajil last June, the field produced 25,000 barrels per day of crude that were shipped to the Kirkuk refinery to the northeast, as well as 150 million cubic feet of gas per day piped to the government-controlled Kirkuk power station. An engineer at the site, about 35 km (20 miles) northeast of Tikrit, told Reuters last July that Islamic State fighters were pumping lower volumes of oil from Ajil, fearing that their primitive extraction techniques could ignite the gas. Bombing in August damaged the Ajil field’s control room, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The outcome of the battle for Tikrit, best known as the home town of executed Sunni president Saddam Hussein, will determine whether and how fast the Iraqi forces can advance further north and attempt to win back Mosul, the biggest city under Islamic State rule. The army, backed by

Shi’ite militia and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, has yet to reconquer and secure any city held by Islamic State, despite seven months of air strikes by a U.S.-led coalition, as well as weapons supplies and strategic support from neighboring Iran. Tehran, not Washington, has been the key player in the current offensive, with Iranian Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani seen directing operations on the eastern flank, and Iranianbacked militia leading much of the operation. Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia expressed alarm on Thursday. “The situation in Tikrit is a prime example of what we are worried about. Iran is taking over the country,” Prince Saud al-Faisal, foreign minister of the Sunni Muslim kingdom, said after talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. A spokesman for the local Salahuddin tribal council said 4,000 Sunnis were also taking part in the Tikrit campaign, part of an overall force of more than 20,000 troops and militiamen.

Delta jet skids off runway during snowstorm at NY airport (Reuters) - A Delta Air Lines Inc jet landing during a snowstorm at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Thursday slid off the runway and struck a fence before coming to rest on a snow-covered embankment just feet from the frigid waters of Flushing Bay. None of the 127 passengers and five crew members were seriously injured as Delta flight 1086 from Atlanta skidded on the tarmac at about 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT). Images on local media showed the plane’s nose had pushed through a chain-link fence and was jutting out over an embankment. LaGuardia, the smallest of the New York area’s three major airports, was immediately closed after the mishap. By the time its runways started to reopen at about 2:30 p.m. EST, air traffic was snarled throughout the U.S.

East Coast and beyond. Hundreds of flights were canceled at LaGuardia, compounding weather-related travel disruptions in many parts of the country. “I think the pilot did everything he could to slow the aircraft down,” said Patrick Foye, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the airport’s operator. “Obviously, the pilot’s and the copilot’s good efforts were reflected in the fact that there were only minor injuries.” After exit slides failed to deploy properly, passengers were forced to disembark by climbing over a wing with the help of emergency responders, Foye said at a news conference. There were only two minor injuries reported, he said, though that number may change. One of those on board was Larry Donnell, a profes-

sional football player with the New York Giants. “We were all shocked and alarmed when the plane started to skid, but most importantly, as far as I know, all of the passengers and flight crew were able to exit the plane safely,” the tight end said in a statement released by the team. “GOOD BRAKING ACTION” Even though the aircraft landed in a driving snowstorm, Foye said two aircraft that touched down minutes before the incident had reported “good braking action.” Officials did not make any statement about a possible cause, and experts from the National Transportation Safety Board were en route to the airport to begin an investigation. A spokesman for the NTSB declined further comment.

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Entries close Sunday for Blatter wants points’ deduction for racial incidents KMTC Phagwah Race

ASUNCION (Reuters) Teams involved in racial incidents should suffer more severe punishment like the docking of league points, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Wednesday. “The biggest problem we’ve had in recent days here in this continent is racism, dis-

crimination. This is unacceptable,” Blatter said. “We must deduct points, relegate a team. The moment we have the courage to do that discrimination will end,” he told presidents of South American football confederations and other officials at the start of CONMEBOL’s Con-

gress at its Paraguayan headquarters. The most recent case in South America involved Panama striker Luis Tejada of Peruvian side Juan Aurich when the player walked off during a match after being racially insulted by fans of Cienciano.

India’s Ashwin mulls ‘one-sided’ ploy... (From page 47) Africa captain de Villiers and Australian Glenn Maxwell have capitalised on field restrictions and made mockery of field settings with 360-degree strokeplay in a skewed contest between the bat and ball. Ashwin, however, was looking forward to the challenge of bowling to Gayle in today’s Pool B match at Perth. “You’ve got to restrict hitting to one side of the ground... and try to see how much you can restrict the hit-

ting to that side,” Ashwin told reporters at the WACA. “It’s pretty much about boundaries and wickets, and you can restrict the hitting to one side and see if you can get a wicket or two,” added India’s most successful bowler in the tournament so far with eight wickets. West Indies captain Jason Holder would naturally like to see Gayle punish India today but as a bowler he too has suffered at de Villiers’ hand, bleeding 104 runs in his 10 overs in the 257-run defeat

last week. Like Ashwin, Holder too advocated forcing the swasbuckling batsmen into hitting to one side only. “I think we have to limit batsmen’s scoring on one side. You know, you have to just in a sense narrow down your options just to one or two things and try not to cater to too many things,” Holder said. “I think the more we actually spend pondering on the actual field and fielding restrictions, it makes life a little more difficult in a sense.”

Friday February 27th ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You might find that your desire to conquer is active today, Aries, and that your mind is right in line with the urge to take action.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Things should go nicely for you today, Libra. You will find that the brighter you shine, the more prosperity will come your way.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Other people may want your attention, looking for advice and help with their own sob stories, when in reality you have your own matters to take care of. Attend to these today.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may need to make some mental adjustments in order to get on the same wavelength as other people today, Scorpio. You may not see what all the fuss is about.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) This is a terrific day for you, Gemini. You can accomplish a great deal when you set your mind in motion. There's a strong, warlike instinct within you that's fired up and ready to fight.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There may be important lessons about balance that come up today, Sagittarius. Make sure you're ready to handle the fire, because it will be coming at you.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Being of service to others is important, Cancer, but make sure that you're taking care of yourself, too. Turn up the heat and let yourself expand into other worlds today.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The events of the day might leave you feeling a bit confused and bewildered, Capricorn. Perhaps you're feeling like you aren't getting the attention you feel you deserve.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If there is an imbalance in your relationship with someone close, it's important to take a stand now, Leo. Make sure you speak your mind with conviction.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) This is a terrific day for you, Aquarius. You will find that your mind and your urge for action are on the same page. The fire within you is raging hot.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There could be a great deal of friction in your world today, Virgo, as stubborn minds aggressively come into conflict with each other.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Feel free to be a bit more selfish than usual, Pisces. You might find yourself turning inside out in order to get your point across.

Entries close on Sunday for the rescheduled Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Phagwah Race meet at their Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne venue on Sunday March 15 next. Activities had to be shifted from the initial date (March 8) due to several unforeseen circumstances. Six races are carded for the day and the feature attraction will see horses in the A1 & Lower category battling for over one million dollars in cash, over a distance of 7 furlongs.

Additionally, turfites will be entertained with the G1 and Lower event over a distance of 7 furlongs. The winner carts off $300,000, while the second and third place finishers receive $150,000 and $75,000 respectively. Then there is the K & Lower handicap event over 5 furlongs with the winner collecting $120,000 with half that amount going to the second place finisher. The third and 4th places will receive $30,000 and $15,000 respectively. The other races are K1

and Lower over 5 furlongs, D3 Maiden and E & F Open over a similar distance and the J1 & Lower also over 5 furlongs. Enquiries could be directed to Justice Kennard (623-7609) or Roopnarine Matadial (326-3192). Meanwhile, the organizers have released the dates for race meets under their auspices for the remainder of the year. These include May 17, August 2, October 4 and December 26.

Letter to the Sports Editor

Thrilled at the E-Networks Fitness Games held on Sunday 1st March 2015 Dear Sir, Being an event planner myself and cognizant of all the dynamics/logistics involved, I say kudos to Mr. McDonald and his organizing team for the smooth execution of the actual games. However here are a few things that needs addressing prior to the 2016 games: 1. Start time – Ads on TV suggested this event would begin at 10:00 am, but started 35 minutes thereafter. Being a stickler for time I was bored for 35 minutes. Suggestion: If it takes a great deal of time setting up the actual equipment for the individual event, start doing that much earlier or shift the start time to 11:00am instead. 2. Being an all-day event, more palatable food choices were needed. I was there with my fellow gym buddies and I enjoyed the healthy food choices, Heavenly Foods had on offer. My buddies however opted for the

Everest President rolls out... (From page 49) least two persons for the year 2015.” The Executive Committee members are: Stephen Lewis (President), Rajesh Singh (1st Vice-President), Mark Singh (2nd Vice-President), Charamchan Rambarran (Secretary), Royston Rachpaul (Treasurer), Daniel Singh (Assistant Secretary), Anthony Rampersaud (Assistant Treasurer) and Shaheed Mohamed (Club Captain). The Committee Members are Looknauth Persaud, Harry Yankana, Manichan Rai and Johnny Azeez.

other food choice and were sorely disappointed with the taste. 3. Registration for the actual teams should be advertised in print and other forms of the media long in advance. Just as the ad started to air on TV for Games Guyana edition, calls were made to both E-Networks and Fitness Express to have our gym registered.

This proved futile since we were informed in both instances that registration had already closed. This was a clear indicator that the organizers’ had already preselected the teams of whom they wanted to participate. In such events “transparency” is imperative. This did not auger well for such a prestigious event. Patrick Darrell

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Guyana Horse Racing Authority calls emergency meeting The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) has taken the initiative to summon two urgent general members meetings for this Sunday March 8th. According to a release from the GHRA, a number of topics are set to be discussed. Among them are race meets for the rest of the year, reviewing race meets that were completed, registration and affiliation of the various clubs, classification and reclassification of horses, jockeys, trainers and horse owners association and payments and the new rating

sy s t e m a n d n e w r a c i n g rules. Other issues affecting horse owners and the present position with the horseracing legislation will also come up for discussion. The release states that all the clubs, their representatives, jockeys, grooms of all the major stables and horse owners are expected to be in attendance. GHRA recognizes the short notice, however due to the priority importance assigned to these issues, decided to schedule now rather than later. They hope horse owners will use this opportunity to address pending issues and

resolutions. The first meeting is scheduled for the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park West Berbice beginning at 11:00 hrs and is expected to be attended by representatives from the GHRA, horse owners and or representatives from the West Berbice half of Berbice going back to Georgetown. The second meeting will be held at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne Berbice and is expected to be attended by representatives of the GHRA, all horse owners on the eastern half of Berbice. Starting time is 13:00 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Friday March 06, 2015

Banks DIH assuages GRFU burden of hosting NACRA game As the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) readies itself to host the North American & Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) clash against Barbados, Banks DIH assuaged the burden of the undertaking when Communications Manager Troy Peters handed over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to President of the entity Peter Green yesterday in the Company’s Boardroom. Peters, who acted on behalf of the Company, reminded the gathering that included Head Coach Theodore Henry, Secretary of the Union Terrence Grant, Team Manager Robin Roberts and Committee members Keith Whyte and Daniel Anderson, of Banks DIH’s long association with the sport, informing that the entity will continue to be a major supporter of the game in the future. He urged fans to come out in their traditional colours (green and yellow) to support the team as it aims to start the defence of its title on a positive note against the Bajans tomorrow, at the National Park Playfield.

The sponsorship, being offered under the Banks Beer brand is a very popular beer in both Guyana and Barbados. Green in his remarks was also quick to point out that while Barbados has traditionally been seen as not so tough an opponent, over the years that view has been changed, citing recent skirmishes against the two teams as very competitive. He, however, expressed optimism that given Guyana’s status as the premier team in NACRA in both formats combined with its preparations which he described as being very thorough, he expects the ‘Green Machine’ to prevail comfortably. “We are treating Barbados as a dangerous adversary and will be going all out to win the game to start on a successful note in our title defence,” Green said. He added that the cost of hosting the game has placed an enormous burden on the Union’s coffers, but applauded Banks DIH for answering their prayers. He too echoed the sentiments expressed by Peters

when he said that the Company has always been a consistent supporter of rugby over a long period of time. Henry when asked to compare the team of last year against the current one said that this present unit is much fitter, a situation he credited to the preparations currently ongoing for both formats. He closed by stating that the team is fit and rearing to get into action against the Bajans who arrive sometime today, at the Ogle Airport. Meanwhile, the Union has released the names of 27 players and they are: Cyon Kitt, Ryan Gonsalves, Claudius Butts, Joseph Rahaman, Avery Corbin , AllainCrawford, Kevon David, Rickford Cumminns, Rondell Mc Arthur, Theodore Henry, Richard Staglon, Jason Tyrell, Phabion Joseph, Godfrey Broomes, Dwayne Schroeder, Peabo Hamilton, Jose Felicien, Lancelot Adonis, Leon Greaves, Jamal Angus, JermaineProwell, Grantley Williams, Akeem Fraser, Troy Bascom, Blaise Bailey, Ronald Mayers and Delroy Gordon.

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FA charges Cisse and Evans for spitting India’s Ashwin mulls ‘one-sided’ ploy against big-hitters

LONDON (Reuters) Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse and Manchester United defender Jonny Evans will face charges of spitting at each other during a Premier League match on Wednesday. The Football Association said the incidents, unseen by match officials, had been caught on video and reviewed by a three-man panel of former elite referees who agreed unanimously that both should have been sent off. Both players were given until Friday evening to respond and face heavy punishments. While Cisse has already apologised for his behaviour, Northern Ireland international Evans issued a statement on Thursday denying wrongdoing. “I have apologies to make to a lot of people today,” Cisse, who appeared to spit towards Evans in response to the United player apparently spitting in his direction, told the Newcastle website. “Firstly to my team mates and to our supporters, sec-

ondly to Jonny Evans, and thirdly to every football fan who saw the incident between myself and Jonny. “I reacted to something I found very unpleasant. Sometimes it is hard not to react, particularly in the heat of the moment. I have always tried hard to be a positive role

model, especially for our young fans, and yesterday I let you down.” Cisse’s statement was in marked contrast to the one put out by Evans, whose side won the match 1-0. “I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night’s match. I would like

Manchester United’s Jonny Evans clashes with Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse as referee Anthony Taylor intervenes. (Action Images via Reuters / Lee SmithLivepic)

to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse,” he said. “I was totally unaware of any spitting incident and had assumed that the issue at the time was with the challenge and his attempted retaliation to the tackle from the floor. “It is not in my character or in my nature to spit at anybody nor is it something I have ever done or would ever do. It is certainly not something that I did last night.” Both managers, United’s Louis van Gaal and Newcastle’s John Carver, said they had not seen the incident which did not result in either player being cautioned at the time. Senegal’s Cisse said he expected the incident to cause himself and the club “problems”. “I hope children out there playing football for their clubs and schools this weekend will know better than to retaliate when they are angry,” he said. “Perhaps when they see the problem it now causes me and my team they will be able to learn from my mistake.”

India’s bowler Ravichandran Ashwin (R) celebrates with team mate Ajinkya Rahane after bowling out United Arab Emirates’ Mohammed Naveed during their Cricket World Cup match in Perth, February 28, 2015. REUTERS/David Gray

PERTH (Reuters) - Restricting scoring to any one side of the wicket could be an effective ploy to tame bighitting batsmen like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers at the World Cup, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said yesterday

Three 400-plus totals have already been registered in the 14-team tournament and West Indies opener Chris Gayle has struck World Cup’s first double century against Zimbabwe. Batsmen such as South (Continued on page 45)

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Friday March 06, 2015

WICB First-Class Franchise cricket

Jaguars expected to prevail against Jamaica today at Providence By Sean Devers On a National Holiday to celebrate the Hindu festival of Phagwah, a keen contest is anticipated at Providence as the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Four-Day firstClass Franchise resumes with eighth round matches today. Guyana National Stadium is the venue for the 67th contest between leaders the Guyana Jaguars on 107 points and Jamaica on South American soil in a game that could be affected by rain judging from the Weather forecast for the next four days. The South American based team hunt an 11th First-Class win against the team from Reggie Country, who has beaten Guyana 24 times. On the back of an unprecedented four consecutive wins on ‘the road’ including a rare victory in Jamaica, the Jaguars will start as favorites and will be strengthened by the return of Test left-hander Assad Fudadin, who missed the last three matches due to a broken finger sustained in South Africa last December, while Skipper Leon Johnson, the inform Narsingh Deonarine and the prolific Shiv Chanderpaul, have all played at the highest level. In addition to the Test foursome, the elegant Rajendra Chandrika will hope to give the Jaguars a firm foundation and finally get a three-figure score while ViceCaptain Vishaul Singh, Raymond Reifer, Chris Barnwell and Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble will also be eager to convert good starts to big scores. Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo could also contribute with the bat down the order as they have dem-

onstrated throughout the tournament. If they bat first the Jaguars should endeavor to get a massive total and accumulate maximum batting points since rain could be a factor in this contest. If the game is drawn with the home side getting batting and bowling points it would be advantageous to them because of the points-gap between the Jaguars and the second placed team. Deonarine has two centuries while Singh is the other Guyanese centurion in the Competition with a maiden ton against T&T’s Red Force. Both of Deonarine’s hundreds were made at Providence against the Leewards and the Windwards respectively in Guyana’s first two matches while his 90 against Barbados

Assad Fudadin

Tamar Lambert

in Barbados was top class. The bulk of the bowling will be taken care of by leftarm spinner Permaul, the tournament’s leading wickettaker with 46 scalps, leg-spinner Bishoo (36 wickets) and Deonarine. West Indies ‘A’ team fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, Keon Joseph, Barnwell and Bajan left-arm

seamer Reifer will provide pace options. Without Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Nikita Miller, Marlon Samuels, Sheldon Cotterell and Jerome Taylor, who are all in the World Cup squad, Jamaica are the hardest hit team in the competition by the loss of players due to West Indies commitments and they will depend on Skipper Tamar Lambert, Jeremy Blackwood, Chadwick Walton, John Campbell, David Bernard and Shacaya Thomas with the bat. Leg-spinner Damian Jacobs is Jamaica’s leading wicket taker while fellow legspinner Odean Browne is also in the squad. Former West Indies youth pacer Jason Dawes and 20-year-old pacer Marquino Mindley are wonderful fast bowling prospects for Jamaica and Mindley had a five-wicket haul when the teams last met in Jamaica. On that occasion Guyana beat Jamaica for the first time

in Jamaica since their 2006 win at Chedwin Park but the low and slow Providence track will provide a totally different track than the one with pace and bounce at Sabina Park. It is unlikely that the Jaguars will play a four-prong pace attack as they did in Jamaica since the pitch here should prove hard work for the pacers and shot makers. Players like Chanderpaul, Fudadin, Singh and Lambert are best suited to bat on a track like the one at Providence. The last time Guyana won a title at First-Class level, Jamaica were the opposition in the 2002 Busta International Shield when, led by a classy innings from Skipper Carl Hooper, Guyana took first innings points in the final at Sabina Park. It was also against Jamaica that Chanderpaul recorded a masterful 303 in 1996, which is still the highest FirstClass score in Regional cricket. But it was Jamaica who bowled out Guyana for 41 in 1986 which remains their lowest total at this level. Guyana’s first title was won in 1973 but it has been 17 years since the Guyanese have not won a Regional First-Class title and the last of Guyana’s six Regional FirstClass Championship wins was achieved in 1998 when they shared the title with the Leewards. Jamaica have won 11 titles since 1969 including five in a

row from 2008 but they can no longer win this title, while Guyana are in a great position to take championship honors this year since are 25 points ahead of nearest rivals, Barbados. The maximum points that any team could get from a win (with bonus points) is 20 and an outright win in the match could virtually assure the Jaguars the title with two matches to go. The game is scheduled to commence at 10:00hrs today and admission is free. Although the Orange and green stands are being rehabilitated, a sizable gathering should be present today, especially since a massive turnout is anticipated to attend the Phagwah day activates on the Tarmac of the Stadium from 11:00hrs today. Squads: Jaguars: Leon Johnson (Capt), Rajendra Chandrika, Assad Fudadin, Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Raymon Reifer, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton Jamaica: Tamar Lambert (Capt), David Bernard Jnr, Damion Jacobs, John Campbell, Brandon King, Gavon Brown, Chadwick Wa l t o n , J a s o n D a w e s , Odean Brown, Jermaine Blackwood, Marquino Mindley, Shacoya Thomas, Cassius Burton.

Letter to the Sports Editor Guyana’s think thank plots the script for Jamaica today.

Cameron Must Go; Windies Cricket needs competent, inspiring, dedicated leadership Dear Sports Editor, Having read the many scathing articles and the very recent one by former WICB Director, Mr. Claude Raphael, we are convinced beyond a doubt that Mr. Dave Cameron has been pathetic as president of the WICB and has severely damaged the image of our regional game and by extension our identity as a Caribbean. In the best interest of our WI cricket, Cameron should do the decent thing and unconditionally withdraw from contesting the WICB presidency. Successive Presidents of the WICB, Dr. Julian Hunte and Mr. Dave Cameron, have self-servingly ignored the plight of Guyana’s cricket and aligned themselves directly and only to certain individuals in order to secure the two (2) votes from Guyana so as to remain in power and retain their stranglehold of West

Indies cricket. Cameron was so hell bent on keeping the Sanasie-led faction in charge of the GCB that he sent three (3) well-programmed observers to the GCB elections in January 2013. Those observers, Imran Khan, Paul Slowe and Conde Riley, proclaimed that the elections were okay although only one of the three (3) counties took part, a clear violation of the GCB constitution. As head of the WICB, Cameron refused to investigate the sordid state into which Guyana cricket had sunk. When Cameron attained the WICB presidency, he openly pledged transparency and good governance given an undertaking that he would investigate the problems affecting the administration of cricket in Guyana including charges of fraudulent elections, financial misappropriation and the wholesale trans-

fer of all assets of Guyana Cricket (including bank accounts) to a small clique of individuals. As he did with Hunte, Sanasie has formed an alliance with Cameron so that each could support and protect the other in their dealings in West Indies cricket. We trust that when Mr. Joel Garner gains the presidency of the WICB, his first order of business would be to launch an investigation into the affairs of the Guyana Cricket Board especially the fraudulent elections and the well-document corruption. The Directors who will vote at the upcoming elections of the WICB must ensure that Cameron is voted out and that Mr. Joel Garner is given a much-deserved chance to rescue West Indies cricket. Stakeholders of Guyana Cricket